morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap (Blueberry Patch)
Miles today: 3.5

Had a full shelter at Deep Gap, but I was one of 2 or 3 tents set up. Somehow I was able to be up and packed before anyone. And for the first time, I was the first to leave camp. Good group at the shelter. I made my way to Dick's Creek Gap and met up with Mike (Jabberwock) and Julia (Yippee) before any of the shuttles from town or Blueberry Patch came by. I told them that their head lamp was found, and that Indy had it. She ended up giving it to Roadster and Carrie (Half Full) who dropped it off at the Blueberry Patch before they headed out for the night. I went to town and posted some of my journal entries. I must have spent 3-4 hours in the Hiawassee library. Then I caught up with Mike and Julia in the Ingles store as we all needed to do some resupply. Afterward we agreed to meet at Daniel's Steak house and maybe do the AYCE buffet. The time was set for 6:30, but by 6:00 I could not hold out any longer. Inside I found Rob (Lefty) and Karen (Michigoose) already eating AYCE. They were also going to wait until 6:30 to meet Mike (Jabberwock) and Julia (Yippee) and found that they were also too hungry to wait. So I had dinner with them. Sun went down around 7:00 pm and I found myself in town after dark. Mike (Jabberwock), Julia (Yippee), Rob (Lefty) and Karen (Michigoose) were also staying at the Blueberry Patch and were still in town having some beers (I do not drink beer). I figured it would be harder for all of us to hitch a ride together so I left (in the dark). I walked almost completely out of town before I was able to get a ride. I was back at Blueberry Patch by about 8:30 when Gary came out and informed us about the plan for getting breakfast. I thought it would take much longer for the rest of the crew to get in, but they arrived shortly after I did, and were promptly informed of the breakfast plans. I went to bed pretty late as I wanted to do some journal stuff. The crew I met as I arrived at BBP in the am was: Moo Juice and Beagle, Carrie and Roadster, Walkedalot, Crash Bang, and Nathan. I got to have a nice visit with Gary and Lennie. I was suprised to learn that Lennie did in fact remember me from 1995 when I hiked as Mr. Procrastinator. Gary was working when I stayed back then, so I didn't get to meet him. In town, Mike got his trail name: Jabberwock. Rob did not like his trail name, but was later named: Lefty. And Karen later got the name: Michigoose. Julia's trail name: Yippee. Also, Carrie later became: Half Full.
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Dick's Creek Gap (Blueberry Patch)

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

I left Blueberry Patch with Rob and Karen and we hiked together most of the day. We also hiked some with a few other people, Boony being one of them. The trail was not clearly marked just before Bly Gap and we found out that night that Cameron (Slow Poke) had been lost for 4 days and was last seen there at the campsite just before Bly Gap. (He was found the next day and he indeed turned the wrong way where the the trail was not properly marked.) Today we finished the Georgia trail and walked into North Carolina. Pictures were taken with many cameras. After I started setting up camp at Bly Gap, Rob and Karen decided to move on. Boony camped and later that evening, Roadster and Half Full set up camp as well. They were moving pretty slow and we unknowingly passed them sometime during the day. Pancakes at the Blueberry Patch were awesome for breakfast as were the cheese biscuits. Rob spotted a knot in a tree that looked like the head of a bear. I got a picture of that also.Lot's of Pictures today, too many to place with the journal entries.
Date: 2004-03-31
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Waking in the night to use the facilities I noticed I was in a cloud most of the night. It started to cool down shortly after I set up my tent and drizzled a bit while I was cooking dinner. Now however, everything was pretty wet. I got up late and packed while in the cloud. Shortly after starting, it began to rain, then sleet and hail, and that was followed by snow. I caught up to Roadster and Carrie (they left much earlier than I) and hiked with them to the shelter. We got in fairly early and it was pretty full. Red Hank, Palm Tree, Walkedalot, Boony and Iceman were already in their sleeping bags when I arrived at 3:30pm. I didn't want to go to bed so soon. I cooked an early dinner and then decided to boil some water to fill my nalgene. I traded Boony some boiled water for a tea bag. With that gesture, everyone started getting up to boil water and cook dinner. It was pretty cold that night, but I stayed warm.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Again I got a late start, even though this was my first night in a shelter. I let everyone leave before I got up. I didn't want to get out of my nice warm sleeping bag. Again I caught up and hiked some with Roadster and Half Full. Again it was snowing all day. This time I walked a bit faster and got into camp before anyone had gotten into their sleeping bags. There was not much snow on the ground as it had warmed up enough for most of the snow to melt. But it was cooling down again. So I suggested that we make a fire. That got everyone excited and we all went to work collecting firewood. By 3:30 (after Walkedalot's paper finally decided to burn) we had a good fire going. And Red Hank was feeding it faster than we could all gather wood, so I jokingly banned him from feeding the fire. While breaking firewood I stomped a stick, breaking it, and causing the big piece to fly up ... hitting me in the left eyebrow (later giving me a nice shiner). The blood was minimal and the pain almost nonexistent. And the fire was glorious. Noone hit thier sleeping bags before 6:00pm that night. We had a few tenters. And I met Saltlick, Lonesome Dove, and CatDog and her dog: Wags. Roadster and Half Full moved on that night so they could get into the town of Franklin the next day. But not before Roadster could get a good picture drawn of the stick hitting me in the eye. Roadster is an excellent artist, and does drawings of interesting occurences along the trail. I happen to be in a few of those. And when I can again post my pictures, I will post some of those drawings.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Wallace Gap (shuttled to Franklin)
Miles today: 12.8

Got a decent start in the snow. The hot water nalgene worked again at night and this morning. I was able to get motivated to head into Franklin. I just wanted to get all my stuff washed and get a shower and have town food! 3 days of snow was enough for me. I walked with Saltlick and Lonesome Dove all day. We caught up with Red Hank, and then with Roadster and Half Full. We took Pictures at the 100 mile mark. Then we made plans to head from Wallace Gap to Rainbow Springs Campground and call a shuttle into town. Saltlick had a package in RSC and we all decided that it would be best to go to town from there rather than try to hike another 3 miles and get a later shuttle (plus I was exhausted as this was my longest hike to date). We got to Wallace Gap and started walking to RSC since noone had reception on their cell phones. One truck was coming, so Lonesome Dove stuck out her thumb and we all got a ride in the back. Just a couple hundred yards from the campground, we saw CatDog and Wags walking to RSC and we all waved. She was able to walk there but was very tired. She decided to shuttle with us to Franklin. Saltlick, Roadster and Half Full all shared an "apartment" with me. It had 2 rooms and 2 bathrooms with showers. But Roadster and Half Full had to share a bed. (it's okay because they are used to sharing a tent in bad weather) We went to the laundromat and Rob(Lefty) and Karen(Michigoose) showed up there as well. They were also staying at the Haven Motel. After laundry, we all went to dinner ... very late. We were starving as it was almost 8:30 before we ate. It was a good crowd though and we were very happy to be in town. I met Bucket at the RSC.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Wallace Gap (Shuttled from Franklin)

To: Bartram Trail (mile 115.00)
Miles today: 11.3

We got a late start out of Franklin, but had a good breakfast. I hiked with Saltlick and Lonesome Dove all day. We saw some slack packers and the weather was very nice all day. Yay! Snow had stopped. There was still some snow on the higher elevations. Even with a late start we put in some good miles. There were a lot of hikers that I had met in Franklin waiting for their shuttles. And our ride back to Wallace Gap was quite interesting. We had a decent but cold campsite at the Bartram Trail intersection. We left Half Full and Roadster in Franklin. CatDog and Wags got an early start. We didn't see them all day. But we did pass by Palm Tree in his tent just before we made it to our campsite. In town I saw Moo Juice and Beagle, Boony, Pokey, Zippy, Taiwan John, Indy, MonkeyMan, Lonesome Dove stayed with Joanne (later known as Sampler), and a few others stayed in Franklin during and after the heavy snowfall.
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Bartram Trail (mile 115.00)

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Huge mile day for me. I hiked all day with Saltlick and Lonesome Dove. They mentioned coming here tonight, but they stopped at the Wesser Bald Shelter (as did many of the people I had met and hiked with in the past week: Zippy, Pokey, Indy, Taiwan John, MonkeyMan, CatDog and Wags, Sean(Dinner Short) and Jenn(Figit),and Palm Tree). But I pressed on just to do the 18.3 mile day. Very tired and my tentsite was not very level. Had a decent campfire that I did not enjoy near enough (plus it was too close to where I set up my tent). And I arrived too tired to cook dinner. Weather was good today, and I got my best views yet on top of the Wesser Bald Tower. Lonesome Dove and I met Flyin' Brian and Silver Girl (he is some kind of a legend out here... does lots of big mile days - I found out he did what is called the "triple crown": the PCT(Pacific Crest Trail); CDT(Continental Divide Trail); and AT(Appalachian Trail) all in one year) at the Wayah Bald stone tower. Nice views there too, but very cold. I met Larissa (Sunshine) and Sam (Meander) today. Larissa is a friend of Half Full (Carrie). Also met Digit at A. Rufus Morgan Shelter. The climb down from Wesser Bald was pretty tough and had some unexpected uphill climbs as well.
Date: 2004-04-05
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Nantahalla Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 0.7
Weather: clear sky

Today is my low mile day. I got into NOC and checked the outfitter for a few things. Made one purchase, a 4 liter collapseable water bag. I cooked my dinner for breakfast this morning. I was pretty hungry after the long day and not having much for dinner. The crew made it into NOC for lunchtime and Palm Tree offered to buy me lunch. He knows that my funds are limited. And he said he wanted to treat me for making such a nice fire at the Carter Gap shelter. And he can clearly see that I still have the black eye. I was going to leave NOC today, but after lunch I was too full to climb out of there. So I camped out with Saltlick, Lonesome Dove, CatDog and Wags, Andy (later to be named Cocoon), and Digit (full trail name is: Digit(al) Ranger), who I met last night at A. Rufus Morgan Shelter. I stayed in camp and made a fire while everyone went into the NOC for dinner (we camped just outside of the NOC along the river). When they came back, I went in to make phone calls and get a shower. CatDog and Palm Tree pitched in to buy me a huge, warm brownie (since I didn't go for dinner, and CatDog wanted to do something for me for watching everyone's stuff)
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Nantahalla Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

While everyone went to breakfast, I packed up and left (after stopping in to say goodbye). CatDog and Lonesome Dove (and even Saltlick eventually) planned to do a zero in NOC. Palm Tree was heading out because he didn't get much sleep in the hostel. Was the toughest 7 miles I have done yet. Very long steep up today. Met a section hiker (LT) and hiked a bit with Palm Tree. I went very slow and didn't want to try for the next shelter because it took me more than 5 hours to do the 7 miles. Plus I enjoyed the company. The shelter filled up pretty much and I saw Lefty and Michigoose, Cocoon, and Nathan once again. I also got to meet and get exposed to "the offensive six". Some good views today, even though the terrain was almost all up up up.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked today with Palm Tree and LT, Nathan, Andy (Cocoon), Lefty & Michigoose, Cory, and Subway. Palm Tree and LT stayed at Brown Fork Gap Shelter. Nathan happened to point out this morning that the "juice" in his apple juice bottle was NOT apple juice. He was stranded in an area of the shelter that made it difficult for him to get up to use "the facilities", so he just used his apple juice bottle. We set up a few tents at the shelter and listened as Nathan was setting up a bear bag in the woods as it was getting dark. Shooting for Fontana Dam tomorrow. Going to call Jeff and Nancy Hoch tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Got to the marina at Fontana in time to catch the shuttle to the Fontana Village. Not a good place to resupply. I picked up a few things to get me to Clingman's Dome so I could go into Gatlinburg. Also did my laundry with Cocoon and saw a lot of familiar faces. Pete and Joe, Brendan, and Slow Poke(Cameron), Larissa (Sunshine) and Sam (Meander) were there, and Meander was getting off trail because she decided she prefered hiking in moderation. Lefty and Michigoose made it to do their resupply and laundry. The "offensive six" were there(emptied the hiker boxes), Nathan showed up, I met Kristen(Stands with a Fist). I met Turtle who had just finished up the section he was doing. His son brought 3 boxes of Popeye's Chicken and biscuits. Was great trail magic. Saltlick was at the Marina waiting for Lonesome Dove. Cat Dog and Palm Tree made it to the shelter in time for the Chicken dinner. Met (and was there for the naming of) ZipCode. We had a good fire, and were happy for the night light and water spigot at the shelter.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiked into the Smokies with Larissa(Sunshine), and Kristen(Stands with a Fist) for the first few miles. Then ran into Pete and Joe, and Brendan and Cameron(Slow Poke). Hiking was slow and arduous the first half of the day due to steep uphills and an over full stomach (AYCE breakfast at Fontana Village). Met up with Lefty and Michigoose around Shuckstack Mountain. Shuckstack was clear and I got a few good pictures from the tower. The day was warm and beautiful (not too hot) with clear blue skies, and warm sunshine filtering through the trees. I also ran into Andy (Cocoon) and noticed entries from Zip Code. I met and chatted with Jon (Over and Under) who had hiked with Kristen(Stands with a Fist) for awhile. Cat Dog, Palm Tree, Lonesome Dove and Saltlick had stayed back in Fontana. Cat Dog and Lonesome Dove were sharing a room at the Fontana Motel (run by Jeff and Nancy Hoch who I had met in 1995), and Palm Tree had reservations for at least one night there also. Cat Dog had to wait for her husband to come get Wags(the dog). Also in the Smokies I hiked with Nathan, but didn't see him until the next day or so as he was leaving later in the day.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Siler's Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today started out beautifully! Weather was clear and I got an early start. The terrain was pretty good, and there were some great views. I hiked most of the day with Sunshine and Michigoose and Lefty. I stopped at the Spence Field Shelter for an early break and took some breaks on Rocky Top and Thunderhead for the vistas. The weather started to cloud up in the afternoon. And I noticed that my left heel was getting a sore on it where the cloth of my boot had worn away and was rubbing a raw spot. I didn't cover it but I did cut away the material that was rubbing the heel.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Siler's Bald Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today was cloudy and some rain by the time I made it to Clingman's Dome. There was no visibility, so I did not attempt to check out the tower. Instead, I walked down to the parking lot and got a ride into Gatlinburg to resupply. The prices were higher there than I thought they would be. Running low on cash. I ate at KFC and checked the outfitter for bodyglide. Alas, they did not carry it. But they still had pictures up on the wall for 1995, so I was able to see the pictures of people I'd hiked with as well as my own. Then I hitched a ride back to Clingman's dome. By this time the rain was pretty steady. I was drenched and it was cooling down by the time I got to Mt. Collins Shelter. I didn't see any hikers I knew until I made it to the shelter. The bandage I had put on my heel came off and the heel was very raw by the time I got into the shelter. And the temperatures dropped again. It didn't help that I was walking in a stream created by the rain collecting on the AT. At times, the stream ended up being 6-8 inches deep (deep enough to seep water into my boots).
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: moderate rain

Today was a very tough day for me! It rained very hard all day!!! Michigoose and Lefty left just before I did. And I saw them at Indian Gap. There was an SUV parked there giving trail magic!!! They had the back open full of food and we were feeding as if from a trough out of the back while talking to these wonderful people. The only problem was we were stationary and it was still pouring out. My body temperature dropped so low that I started to shiver uncontrollably and could no longer carry on an intelligent conversation. The food helped a little, but I was wet all the way through and it was in the 40s. I needed to move on. So I went to Newfound Gap (where most hikers will get a ride to Gatlinburg) and used the restroom facility to dry some of my clothing (at least to ring some of it out). Unfortunately, they did not have hot air dryers and I was only able to clean up and dry off about half way in the hour I spent there. The heel was getting much worse. Wet feet cause the skin to peel away much faster than dry skin would, and the wound was spreading to encompass the entire heel instead of just where the cloth had rubbed it raw. And the only time I could keep my feet dry was at night in my sleeping bag. And staying warm at night was getting more difficult as the temperatures were continually dropping. But the Trail Magic was an incredible experience! I did stop early today. And was happy to see Jon (Over Under) and Kristen (Stands With a Fist) who I'd hiked with on the first day of the Smokies. Also remet Cup-a-Joe who I hadn't seen since Neels Gap. Later on, a local named Rebel with a Cause came in and entertained us for the evening. He had all kinds of AT Conference statistics and information that he educated us with. And his jokes had all of us roaring! Was a pretty full shelter. Pain in heel did not go away at all today.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

I got a late start today. Snail strolled into camp around 10am. That was a good thing. She distracted me from the thoughts I was having about quitting the Trail today. I was in a lot of pain, and everything was very wet. When I finally hiked forward after 11:00am the rain had cleared slightly. And by the time I got to Charlie's Bunion, the sky had turned blue overhead. It didn't last long, but was long enough for me to get some good pictures and spread some of my Dad's ashes in a very scenic spot of the Smokies. I also started to realize that there would be pain on this hike. Like it or not, it was not the major determining factor of the hike. Yes, I still had to deal with the fact that my heel was not doing well in the cold, wet conditions. But they would not be permanent conditions. One thing at a time. Finish the Smokies, then re-evaluate. A good crowd at the shelter tonight. And with a good fire going, I did not mind all the mud inside the shelter. We were able to nearly dry all the socks and boots in the shelter before going to bed. Lots of familiar faces with: Nathan; Stands with a fist(Kristen); Over Under(Jon); CuppaJoe; Snail; and NRChi(Wayne-Pyro for a short time). And I fully intend to hike to Standing Bear Farm hostel tomorrow. Even without the boot insert which I left at Pecks Corner Shelter earlier today. Definitely in better spirits than when I woke this morning.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Tri Corner Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Rd. - Standing Bear Farms hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

We awoke today to a winter wonderland... and frozen boots. Good thing we dried everything as much as we did before retiring. It was incredible that there was already at least 3-4 inches of snow at 6:30am. But luckily the snow was coming down slowly now. Everyone was moving slow to start. I was out of camp by 8:00am and not the first to leave. But I had a long day of hiking ahead of me. Even with the snow on the ground, the trail still had some rivers running along it. But not nearly as bad as the past 2 days. And I had some dry clothes to wear, and intended to do laundry. So I was not worried about getting all of my clothes wet. Made good time the first couple of hours(even with the slippery conditions). And I got closer to the end of the Smokies, the snow slowed to a stop. Unfortunately, with the missing shoe insert, my left foot was taking a real beating as I was pounding each downhill step. There was more than 5500 ft. of decline between Tri Corner Knob Shelter and Davenport Gap Shelter(.9 miles from the official end of the Smokies). I did take a break to look at the piece of hamburger that was once my left foot when I reached Davenport Gap. But I still had 3 miles to hike in those wet socks. I finally hobbled into Standing Bear Farms hostel about 5:30pm. The shower was awesome. And I was able to wash ALL of my laundry in 2 loads. Over Under did my last set of clothes with his load, and I washed a set of his with my load. Many familiar faces and some new ones at the hostel. I finally met Little Chicken and her current hiking partner, Smoky Mountain Steve. Mouse and 2 cents were there. I had read shelter journal entries from both of them. And Snail, NRChi, and Cocoon were also in that night. When I met Curtis, and he found out that I was low on cash, he offered to let me work off my stay the next day. That way I would not be able to leave until after 1pm, but my feet needed some time to recouperate. So I was looking at small miles anyway.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Did a zero today. Started out thinking I would get a late start after working for Curtis around the farm. Later, I found out that a shuttle would be coming Friday morning to take people to Hot Springs for Trail Fest. I had promised John(Missle Man) that I would be at Trail Fest. Would be a tough day and a half to get to Hot Springs by Friday night if I hiked it. And I figured the time would give my heel a chance to get better. Nathan and Kristen(Stands with a Fist) made it in today. 2 cents did not leave today. The 4 of us will be taking the shuttle. CuppaJoe stopped in for a shower and resupply but hiked out. Bad part is I need to pay the hostel fee tonight. Nathan did work his off. But I cannot bring myself to ask Curtis for another night for work. So... Money is almost gone. But I still have food. I get to save that way.