morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Derrick's Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

We've had great weather for almost 3 solid weeks. Not today baby. An easy 5.5 mile trek to Silars Bald Shelter so we thought we'd eat lunch. About 10 minutes after arrival--the sky opened up and said "F' you!" Wind started blowin', rain started falling, and hail pounded the tin roof of the shelter. Bonzo, Eye Forget, and Red Socks waited with us for the storm to clear. We had intended to go another 8 miles today. As it was, when the rain finally broke it was after 3pm so we hauled butt the 1.7 miles to the next shelter. About .7 miles in, and down came the rain. We were drenched. We decided to call it a day, get a fire going, and dry out. Faithwalker was already there nursing a tired fire, which was great. Before long, an older section hiker named Kimo showed up. What a character. He section hikes Southbound so he can beet as many NOBO's as possible. As Fire God broke wood up for the fire, Kimo insisted on hand-feeding Ritz crackers w/ PB to him. Can't resist the photo op.The afternoon was spent hanging clothes, tending fire, and chattering with everyone. Kimo did a little more chatting while we all listened.The highlight of the night was when Bonzo offered us FRESH GARLIC CLOVES for our dinner. Oh hell yeah! They smelled and tasted SO amazing. Fresh garlic added to our cheesy mashed taters really hit the spot. Mmmmmm.Tomorrow we are hoping for sun when we hit Clingman's. Then on to Gatlinburg for a quick resupply and back out to the trail.BTW--bought sock liners at the NOC and they've been great! No blisters since...go figure.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Gorgeous day! Perfect! We hit Clingman's Dome around 11am and had views in every direction--it was absolutely amazing. I am so glad we decided to stay at hte shelter yesterday so we could be on Clingman's today. It is the highest point on the AT at 6643 feet. We got some dayhikers to snap a photo of us both from the Observation Tower--we don't have many pics with the two of us in it, so that was nice.At Newfound Gap we had to hitch a ride into Gatlinburg for quick resupply and to get the pics off my digital camera. Bonzo was with us and after about 20 minutes--we got a hitch.From a monster truck. It was HUGE! We had to climb the wheels just to get in the back. All black with red flames on the hood. It was a great and scenic ride into Gatlinburg. We chatted with our chauffers and they shared fresh watermelon with us.Gatlinburg is a zoo. A tourist trap. My body went into sensory overload. Get me back on the trail!Ran some errands, had our picture taken at Happy Hiker Outfitter for their wall, and decided to stay the night for a shower.Ordered pizza and while waiting...Cassie appeared! Woo hoo! Josh is off the trail til his leg heals but Cassie's boyfriend Ryan was with her. We sat outside chatting and having a couple beers--called it a night with plans for pancakes in the AM.The Food Mood is coming...
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Newfound Gap

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: light rain

Rain. Went to Pancake House with Cassie and Ryan and stuffed ourselves silly with pancakes and omelets. Could barely walk out of there.Tried to wait out the rain and gave up at 1pm. With packpacks on, we left the hotel and stepped onto the sidewalk. The first car stopped and a guy said "Y'all need a lift to Newfound Gap?" Fire Dog (Yes, it's "Dog" now) said, in a most excited voice, "Yeah! We do!". And so Jeff, a photographer, kindly gave us a lift. He was headed there to take some photos. At the Gap he tempted us with en extra room at his condo, wireless internet, and a fireplace. But we were strong and headed off into the fog. No views for us today! Only 2.9 miles to the shelter--our dawdling in town shortened the day.We arrived at Icewater Spring Shelter at 3pm. At 3:01pm, pouring rain ensued. HaHA! We outhiked Mama Nature! HA!Fire Dog collected firewood as a Ridgerunner said, "Good luck getting a fire started with the wet wood". Ooooh...a challenge. Fire Dog had the last laugh as a warm fire lit up the shelter.Three other section hikers are here...newbies and pretty funny about it. I wish they'd stop talking about roast beef and peach cobbler though.No sign of Ryan or Cassie...bet they are warm and cozy in Gatlinburg. Grrr...I've got all my clothes on and 2 Nalgenes filled with hot water in my sleeping bag. My knees are on fire. Now, if I could get the newbies to pipe down, I could sleep.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

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

I'm going to kick the newbies' butts for my 6:30am wake up call. Are you kidding me? At least pretend to whisper! Rat bastards...Ridgerunner said sun today. He lied. There was no sun--just fog and clouds. Nothing to look at, nothing to do but hike on.It was an eerie day to walk--at times you could barely see 15 feet in front of you. I guess this is why they are called the Smokies, eh?A long day of Ridgeline hiking and no views to show for it. Charlie's Bunion was pretty cool even in the fog. I'm anxious to see the photos. "Hikers in the Mist"At one point, I stopped to check out a strange bug on the trail and all but got taken out by a NOBO, Nickname. He's carrying a monstrous staff with a funny face at the top. It's gotta weigh 6lbs at least. His right arm must be exhausted.We arrived at Tri-Corner Shelter only to be greeted by about 6 section hikers and Nickname. The section hikers had taken control of the shelter--the sleeping area, the eating area, AND the fire area. Soon, Uphill and Tortoise arrived--ah ha! The sides are evening out. We were clearly 2 separate entities. With "us" and "them" established, we minded our own businesses and stayed out of each others way.Hot water bottles and I went to sleep early. OH...had a Jetboil mishap with boiling water spurting out all over. I abandoned my dinner (aka I gave it all to Fire Dog), pissed off and ready to call it a night. Sleep came easy.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Apparently, last night, Antonio decided to find his gloves and ended up copping a feel from the guy next to him. I was wondering about the string of obscenities that I heard. The Philly Firefighter, Tortoise, Uphill, Nickname, Firemonger (Antonio's newly revised name) and I set out by 8am. G'bye wacky weekenders!Turned out to be a gorgeous day--a nice way to say good-bye to the Smokies. We took every opportunity to bask in the sun and take in the views.Although the day was nice, at times we were hiking in streams of water, which led to very wet feet. To top it off, most of the day was a descent into Davenport Gap. We stopped at Cosby Knob Shelter for lunch. A nice green setting with nearby water meant the gnats were back. I tried, unsuccessfully, to dry my boots.A few climbs (600 feet and 800 feet) before we began our final long downhill out of GSMNP. We were contemplating "huge cheeseburgers" at Mountain Momma's. It never happened.We pulled into Davenport Gap Shelter around 4pm and decided to call it a day (with much persuasion from Philly Firefighter, Uphill, Nickname, and Tortoise). Tortoise, my ass! That man moves.It was a nice evening of boot and sock drying--a giant twig fire was enjoyed by all. As a removed my "less than clean" socks, Uphill waved his hand frantically and exclaimed "My GOD!" I guess they don't smell so great.We also misjudged our food supply so it looks like we'll need to pick up a few things to get to Hot Springs. I blame Firemonger who said, "I can strech my food for 4 days if I need to". Contents of his food bag are: 1/2 bag of cous-cous, 2 protein shakes, and one single-serve peanut butter. Four days??? Riiiii-iiight.Can't keep my eyes open...I think the stench of my socks is getting to me.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: few clouds

So much for Max Patch today! We came to Standing Bear with intentions of resupplying and heading out again. Nice place though...with laundry (it's been almost 2 weeks), shower, internet, and food.We arrived in the AM but Curtis couldn't do a shuttle until 3pm. So, here we are. This place is like a mini hiker oasis. We are in a "cabin" with a stream running right under us. There's a bunkhouse, a little hut with a kitchen, and a really small hut with laundry and computer in it. There's a resupply shed loaded with goodies (Hey Preacher--they've got Moon Pies!).Firemonger scarfed down a pizza without checking the price. That would be $10.00. My Diet Coke tasted awesome!The family dog, a giant Rottweiler named "Spitster" is the world's biggest baby. He is completely uninterested in us, despite me chasing him just to scratch his head.Our 3pm shuttle yielded us trail food, some beer, and possibly the greatest pulled pork sandwich EVER. Yay BBQ!As I sat on the porch catching up on celebrity gossip from US Weekly, the rain came. With a vengeance. Firemonger ran to get our sleeping bags indoors and we basked in the knowledge we are clean and dry.   That lasted until the rain stopped and we realized that our boots were sitting outside the whole time. Son of a @#$!#! They are officially soaked--and I don't even have a solid day of hiking or a blister to show for it.Other hikers have driften in; Poles, Jody and Linda, a section hiker, and 4 others I've never seen or met. Curtis started a nice campfire so we sat around chatting for a while. We're wondering where Ryan and Cassie are...they must miss us. The sound of the creek is soothing. Of course, I'll probably need to go to the bathroom 12 times tonight because of it. Looking like we might have a full moon for Max Patch tomorrow. That would be gret. 14 miles on the docket, mostly uphill and then 20 into Host Springs. C'mon nice weather! Big money, no WHAMMIES!Really looking forward to Trail Days to see our old and new friends. Bateaudriver--we've spread the word about your gumbo!It's way past hiker midnight--time to sleep.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 13.6

My fingers are frozen. We are tenting on the summit of Max Patch--a wide open and grassy mountain. The wind is whipping at 27.4mph. Setting up our tents was an adventure in itself.We didn't leave Standing Bear until just after 12pm because of the downpour. We were dry and clean and it was hard, but during a break in the weather, we ventured out. Our bellies were full of eggs, beans, and cheesy grits (many thanks to Jody and Linda!)As soon as we got to the trail, Righty and Lefty were crossing. We chatted briefly about the nice weather and continued on. The nice weather ended very soon after.The long climb over Snowbird Mountain was cold and wet--it appears our luck ran out. The bald was frigid and our hands were freezing. The rain subsided as we reached Groundhog Creek Shelter and found some weekend warriors with a nice warm fire. Oh sweet warmth! Although it was 3:30pm, we ate a bit or two and headed back out.The cold wet day gave way to sun and we decided to push on for Max Patch, another 7.5 miles or so.Summitting Max Patch has to be close to summitting Everest. Holy wind! It's totally bals and exposed with grass everywhere and an amazing view. Ahhhh...home for the night.My Skymaster measured the wind at 27.4 mph but the gusts were most likely higher. Setting up our freestanding tents was quite an adventure. I almost lost mine at least twice.The views are beautiful...but I'm exhausted. Pop Tart for dinner--Firemonger is cooking and I'm going to sleep.
Date: 2006-05-22
To: No Whammies!
Miles today: 0.0

Hello from Miss Janet's in Erwin, TN!!!! Just thought I would write a quick little entry although I know Allie will be filling in the details when she gets my journal. Stayed here last night but got duct taped to the chairs and aren't allowed to leave until the morning. OK...that's not entirely true. Miss Janet's is just an incredibly hard place to tear away from, especially when you are in Trail Days Recovery mode. We had breakfast with 30 of our closest friends this morning - it was great! Still having a blast and enjoying every minute. Damascus was great - it was nice to see Phantom Soul (even though he talked to me for 15 minutes on Saturday before he realized it was me), and a pleasure to meet Woodsy, Ewker, Gemini, Chili, Fridge, JB, Dub, nowslimmer, Hyway et al (sorry...my name memory is full, I think). Thanks Woodsy for sending our journals away (hope you enjoyed reading them first). I'm showered, my clothes are clean, and I still stink. Magnet said "taking a shower only makes you realize how stinky you are fixin' to get". So true. I'm stuffed full from Erwin Burrito and ready for a nap...or a banana split. Someone said banana split...Missin' everyone and thinking of you often. Our next maildrop is Damascus for those that have asked - followed by Pearisburg. Maildrops are like birthdays... "what did you get?" BTW: if you come out of a port-a-potty and hear people cheering - you just might be in Blue Waters.
Date: 2006-06-19
To: Tailgate
Miles today: 0.0

A photo of the A.T. hiking duo for a change. We've been in Pearisburg for 2.5 days...need to take care of some things on the homefront. Probably heading out again tomorrow. Trail is treating us well...we here a gathering of the MAYP is in the works. Can't wait to see everyone. ~Tailgate (yup...that's my new name, and I'm sticking with it!)
Date: 2006-07-23
To: Dedication
Miles today: 0.0

This one goes out to my Dad, with love. Go! Fight! Win!I'd also like to take this opportunity to ask you to consider donating time, money or adopting a pet from your local SPCA or Humane Society. You won't regret it, I promise, right, Andy? For Brutus, Rest In Peace. And for you too, Schmuffin, you will be missed.And if you've ever enjoyed following along with one of my other trailjournals or anyone else's on this site, consider donating to trailjournals.com Let's keep this amazing site up and running!! And to all of you out there who have supported me in my severe Walking addiction, Thanks for enabling me, it truly means so much to me.And to those of you who are concerned that I may have lost my True North. Well, I haven't, I'm simply headed South this year...maybe North next...then maybe I'll go...Thanks again for reading,
Date: 2006-07-23
To: Do What Now?
Miles today: 0.0

If it¢s true that every journey begins with the first step then it must also be true that each journal MUST begin with the first (ridiculously hard to write and probably really boring for readers) journal entry. I know, I know, it's a lame way to start a journal but bear with me here. I suppose I'm not that out of practice with my trail journaling, afterall, it was only a couple of months ago that Belcher, Double I and I did our famous thru-slack of the Wildwood Trail in Portland OR. (see www.trailjournals.com/treebelch)Oh, and by the way, that's the most recent hike I've been on...and before that it was the ever famous F-troop reunion/preCamp Belchigator hike of last summer (www.trailjournals.com/Ftroop - I especially liked the gear list on this one). I'm not sure we even finished journaling on that hike...we certainly didn't finish hiking either. After hiking 67 miles in 3 days, I got 9 blisters and it was raining so we ditched our original plan and decided to day hike the Eagle Creek Trail instead (it¢s all about SMILES, NOT MILES, right Agent?). My plan as of now is this: Fly to Maine. Visit Java and Jeopardy. Trail Angel my way to Baxter. Climb Katahdin. Hike South. That¢s it, that¢s the whole plan, the whole idea, the only planning I¢ve done. I¢ve had thoughts of making it through just New England, I¢ve had thoughts of pushing through all the way to Georgia¢¦I¢ve had thoughts of making it to Harper¢s Ferry, catching a lift into Sweet Baltimore and having a shot of Grand Marnier at One Eyed Mike¢s with Andy and Richard. Who knows? In the way of planning I have bought very little new gear and have put as little thought as possible into a resupply strategy. I am posting a couple of maildrops only because Potato Picker promised he¢d send me some of his ¢damn good¢ cookies. Thanks ahead of time, Potato, now you HAVE to send them. My training has consisted of morning dog walks with Petey, Gertie, and Summer while pushing Milo in the stroller over tough terrain. Oh yeah, AND I¢ve been trying to limit my showerage to every other day¢¦ Will my body remember? Does the Trail Goddess even want my ass out there? There¢s really only one way to find out. Please join me by following along with my journey. I promise a trail journal full of colorful adventure,important life lessons, and most likely a hell of a lot of sarcasm and humor. Love to you all,
Date: 2006-07-23
To: Why?
Miles today: 0.0

Why? Why Not? If you could, would you? On a windy, cold, misty morning in September 2001 at Lake of the Clouds Hut I heard someone ask Baltmore Jack, "Jack, why do you keep hiking the AT over and over again?" His response back, which I love, was "Because I've never been at Lake of the Clouds Hut at 9:30, doing a work for stay on a windy, cold, misty morning before." I knew the first time I ever stepped foot on the trail that I wanted to hike it again. It was like coming home. And my experience on the PCT was just as strong. I've been trying to find my way home for 3 years now. I have arrived. People ask me sometimes which trail I like better, the AT or the PCT. I tell them that there is no way to answer that. It'd be like chosing a favorite child, if you had two. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the PCT...and yet, I feel called to the Whites every Fall to work in the Huts, I get chills when I think of being on top of Katahdin again, I can't wait to sleep in a barn in VT, I appreciate the thought of climbing UP St. John's Ledges, I love that I will have a sandwich almost daily in the Deli states, I long to see the leaves turn and for the weather to get crisp...and who knows, maybe I will make it far enough South to see Bob People's smiling face, and to give Miss Janet a big ole' hug. And I will return to the PCT again soon too...but that's for another time. So I've always heard that if you want something done and done right, to ask the busiest person you know. For this reason, I have chosed Belcher to be my transcriber. Not only is she an amazing editor and a creative journaler herself, she also happens to know me like a sister and will, no doubt, add in some of her own running commentary. Since she is newly married, attempting to buy her 1st home, starting Grad school and working all at once, she is the OBVIOUS choice. But, not too worry, I plan to have some other guest transcribers as well. I hope to keep this journal entertaining by allowing those who know me best to transcribe what I've written while also allowing them the freedom to poke a little fun at the Teatree. I'm doing it for you, Dear Readers...it's ALL for you.
Date: 2006-07-23
To: A Glossary of Hiking Terms
Miles today: 0.0

This page will be here for educational purposes. It is meant for those who are unfamiliar with the subculture of Long Distance Hiking and its' language. Check back frequently as it will be updated as I happen to remember old school hiker speak and also as I learn this year's "hip" language that all the cool AT kids are speaking. Teatree- That's Me! I was named this because I carry and chew on Chewing sticks infused with Tea Tree oil. Trail Name- A name that others refer to you by on trail. Generally you receive it on the trail and it is given to you by others, though some choose to name themselves prior to hiking for fear of being given a "bad" name. (ex. "AssFace"AT01') Zero Day - A day off from hiking, usually done in town, but sometimes on trail.Nearo Day - A short-hiking day, very close to zero miles. Usually done going into or coming out of town so you can log some miles, yet get everything done in town that you need to.Hiker TV - A campfire. When it's the only thing to watch, you can watch it for hours. It's amazing how quiet everyone gets.
Date: 2006-07-25
To: Inspiration
Miles today: 0.0

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually who are you not to be?You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world.There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feelinsecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us, it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.An e-mail I received today on the eve of starting my hike. Thanks, Patty
Date: 2006-07-25
To: Anyone Need a Spoon?
Miles today: 0.0

3 flights...that leaves 3 chances to lose my pack. That would never happen, that's just crazy talk. But when I saw it come off of the plane in Philly I thought...there's no way I'm getting my pack in Portland...and, sure enough it wasn't there.But I wasn't even worried. Because as we all know, the trail provides. You need denatured alcohol for your stove but are in the middle of nowhere in the woods-*poof* you'll trip right over it (yep. it happened). You left your spoon at the shelter on your lunch break-*poof*- you'll find one lying on the side of the beautiful pond you've chosen as your camping spot for the night (uh-huh, also happened). Or you've just hitched to a PO that is closed because it's Sunday and you are literally no where, many, many miles from the trail and it's getting dark and you have NO idea where you are going to sleep for the night-*poof*- an amazing couple hears your story, can't believe it, takes you in for the night after taking you out for dinner, let's you relax in their hottub, makes you the best breakfast spread you've ever seen and then takes you back to the trail(Thankyou Jack and Mitzi...yes, it happened). I can't tell you how many things like this happen- ALL THE TIME- when I'm hiking. You have control over NOTHING out there and so, you can relax and not worry because you know that THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. This is the biggest lesson I have learned over the years when I hike...and I struggle to bring it into my "real life" where I seem to want to control it all and I worry about it all.My pack arrived this morning delivered right to Java and Jep's door...of course. And I knew it would.