morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-18
From: 3 MILES NORTH OF TRAY MT SHELTER

To: DICKS CREEK GAP
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

WE WERE AWAKE ALL NIGHT LISTENING TO THE ROAMING ANIMALS OUSIDE OUR TENT. OUR FOOD BAGS SURVIVED THE NIGHT THOUGH! WE CLIMBED OUT OF OUR TENT ABOUT 0530 TO CLEAR SKIES BUT BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. NO SNOW THOUGH- THAT WAS A BLESSING! WE STARTED HIKING AROUND 0645, SOME HARD CLIMBS TODAY AND LONG DECLINES, BUT WE MADE IT TO DICKS CREEK GAP AROUND 1200 AND THERE WAS A HOST OF TRAIL ANGELS WAITING FOR US! TRAVIS ARRIVED ABOUT THE SAME TIME WE DID. THE TRAIL ANGELS WERE WALTER AND JUDY FROM ONE OF THE LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCHES. THEY WERE GIVING AWAY FREE FOOD AND DRINKS TO HIKERS AND OFFERING FREE RIDES INTO TO TOWN. THEY WERE ALSO GIVING AWAY NEW TESTAMENTS-WHAT A GREAT MINISTRY THEY HAVE!! WALTER PICKED UP ME, MACK, AND TRAVIS AND TOOK US TO TOWN. HE DROPPED TRAVIS OFF AT THE BLUEBERRY PATCH HIKER HOSTEL (A CHRISTIAN MINISTRY) AND BEAR TRACKS, VAPOR AND DAVID WERE THERE WANTING TO GO INTO TOWN. WE ALL PILED IN AND WALTER TOOK US BY HIS CHURCH THEN DROPPED EVERYONE OFF AT THIER DESIRED DESTINATION. OURS WAS THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS. LOOKS LIKE MOST OF US ARE TAKING A ZERO MILE DAY ON SATURDAY TO REST UP FROM THE PAST THREE DAYS OF HARSH WEATHER. AS I SIT HERE TYPING, McNUGGET, TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN HAVE ALL COME IN TO STAY HERE. WE ARE ALL GIONG TO HIT THE ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET TONIGHT NEXT DOOR. WE WILL BE BACK ON THE TRAIL SUNDAY MORNING. WE SHOULD FINISH GEORGIA BY MONDAY OR TUESDAY. I MISS EVERYONE AT HOME- ALLISON MOST OF ALL!!!! THANKS AGIAN MOM. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, AMENPS WE ARE IN HIAWASEE GA
Date: 2005-03-19
From: HIAWASEE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

TODAY WE HAD A VERY RESTFUL ZERO DAY. IT WAS GREAT. WE SLEPT IN UNTIL AROUND 0730, GOT UP AND SHOWERED AND CAME DOWN FOR THE COMPLIMENTARY BREAKFAST. WE HAD ALL KINDS OF GOODIES- DANISHES, GRITS, TOAST, JUICE, CEREAL, ENGLISH MUFFINS- WOW WAS IT GOOD. McNUGGET JOINED US AND WE ALL ATE TOO MUCH. RAINBOW AND SPARTICUS CAME IN FROM THE HOSTEL TO SAY "HEY", SPARTICUS IS HAVING SOME KNEE PROBLEMS SO THEY ARE RESTING UP. TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN CAME DOWN AND ME LUMBERMACK (IT'S OFFICIAL NOW), McNUGGET, TIM FROM OHIO, AND VITAMAN SET AROUND AND STARTED MAKING PLANS FOR TOMORROW. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE ALL GOING TO SHUTTLE BACK TO THE TRAIL TO DICK'S CREEK GAP AT 0800 IN THE MORNING AND TRY TO WIND UP TOGETHER AT MUSKRAT CREEK SHELTER TOMORROW NIGHT. LUMBERMACK AND I HAVE THE MARSHMALLOWS AND McNUGGET HAS THE GRAHAM CRACKERS AND CHOCOLATE. OH BOY! SMORES TOMORROW NIGHT! WE WENT THROUGH OUR FOOD DROP BOX AND GOT OUT WHAT WE NEED FOR FOUR DAYS HIKE. WE HAD SOME EXTRA FOOD AND RAINBOW SAID THE HOSTEL COULD USE IT TO GIVE TO HIKERS SO WE TOOK HER SUGGESTION AND DONATED IT- THEY TOOK IT BACK WITH THEM. WE THE WALKED DOWN THE STREET TO A SMALL OUTFITTERS STORE TO SEE IF WE COULD GET SOME RESUPPLY ITEMS BUT THEY HAD ZILCH. WE STOPPED AT HARDEES (FOOD AGAIN), I WAS CRAVING FRENCH FRIES (CARBS) AND LUMBERMACK WANTED SOME   HAND DIPPED ICE CREAM. IT WAS GOOOOOOD! WHILE WE WERE IN THERE WE MET SUNSET SCREAMER AND BODIE. A VERY YOUNG COUPLE WITH A DOG (ITS' NAME IS TESS). SUNSET SCREAMER IS HAVING SERIOUS KNEE PROBLEMS AND IS ALSO RECOVERING FROM A SPRAINED ANKLE. I HOPE ALL GOES WELL FOR THEM. WE ALSO MET "WALKING HOME"- A GUY FROM MAINE AT THE RITE AID PHARMACY. HE WAS NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT TO DO NEXT, BUT HE SAID HE WANTED A HUGE SALAD. GERONIMO AND JEFF, AND THE CANADA BOYS CAME IN TO THE HOLIDAY INN EARLIER TODAY. AS I SIT HERE TYPING THIS AT 20:00 " I CAN" AND "SENECA" JUST CAME IN. IT'S NICE TO SEE OTHER HIKERS. WE ENDED UP CALLING REI IN CARY TO GET THEM TO MAIL US THE RESUPPLY ITEMS WE NEED TO OUR NEXT FOOD DROP LOCATION IN FRANKLIN NC. REI NEEDS TO HAVE A STORE ON THE TRAIL SOMEWHERE ( I WOULD SUGGEST ROANOKE VA) THEY COULD MAKE A KILLING. WELL, WE ARE LOOKING AHEAD WITH EXCITEMENT ABOUT STARTING BACK TOMORROW, BUT ONE MORE NIGHT IN A SOFT BED, A HOT SHOWER, CLEAN CLOTHES AND NO MICE CRWLING ALL OVER US IS NICE TOO. WE WILL UPDATE AGAIN IN FRANKLIN, HOPEFULLY ON WEDNESDAY. (I FORGOT TO TELL ABOUT THE HAMBURGER AND STEAK WE HAD FOR DINNER TONIGHT - BOY WAS IT GOOD!) SORRY, IT'S THE FOOD OBSESSION AGAIN. WE LOVE YOU ALL AND PLEASE PRAY FOR GOOD WEATHER. SOMEONE IS PRAYING BECAUSE THE FORECAST LOOKS GOOD FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. GOODNIGHT AND THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING SO GOOD ALL THE TIME.LUMBERMACK AND HIS SUNSHINE
Date: 2005-03-20
From: DICKS CREEK GAP

To: MUSKRAT CREEK SHELTER
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

WE CAUGHT THE SHUTTLE FROM THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AROUND 0800 AFTER PIGGING OUT ON THE COMPLIMENTARY AYCE BREAKFAST BUFFET. MARY WITH A SMILE WAS THERE WITH BAD NEWS. A CRISIS AT HOME WAS TAKING HER OFF THE TRAIL TODAY. SHE WAS VERY SAD BUT STILL SMILING. ME, LUMBERMACK, McNUGGET AND THE CANADA BOYS (IAN AND RYAN) SHUTTLED BACK TO DICK'S CREEK GAP TOGETHER. WE ALL STARTED BACK HIKING AROUND 0820. TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN CAUGHT THE EARLY SHUTTLE AND HAD A HEAD START ON US. THE TRAIL WAS GREAT- WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SUNNY DAY. MACK AND I DO NOT HIKE AS FAST AS THOSE YOUNG GUYS, SO SOON AFTER GETTING STARTED THE CANADA BOYS AND McNUGGET HAD LEFT US IN THE DUST. BECAUSE OF THE WARMER WEATHER WE HAD ALL OF OUR WINTER CLOTHING GEAR IN OUR PACKS TODAY WHICH ADDED SOME EXTRA WEIGHT. WE ALSO HAD A NEWLY PACKED FOUR DAY FOOD SUPPLY. ACHES AND PAINS ARE ALWAYS MAGINIFIED UNDER EXTRA WEIGHT LOADS. WE CROSSED INTO NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT 1335 TODAY!!!! WHOOOOOPPPPPEEEEE!!! WHAT A GREAT FEELING. THE TERRAIN GOT REALLY TOUGH NOT LONG AFTERWARDS. SOME OF THE CLIMBS WERE ALOMST VERTICAL. BUT WE SOON MADE IT TO MUSKRAT CREEK SHELTER. TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN WERE ALREADY THERE. McNUGGET WAS MAKING SUCH GOOD TIME THAT HE DECIDED TO GO ON TO THE NEXT SHELTER 5 MILES AHEAD. WE HAD TO ROAST MARSHMALLOWS WITHOUT HIM. WE HAVEN'T SEEN McNUGGET SINCE BUT WE HAVE SEEN WHERE HE HAS LEFT US MESSAGES IN THE SHELTER JOURNALS. WE WISH YOU THE BEST McNUGGET- GOD BLESS YOU! SPARTICUS AND RAINBOW CAME IN ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER US. SPARTICUS WAS LIMPING BADLY WITH HIS BAD KNEE. WE ARE IN THE SHELTER WITH THE CANADA BOYS, DARCY, SHANE AND ELLEN. TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN, AND SWAMP FOX ARE TENTING OUTSIDE. WE HAD A NICE FIRE AND ROASTED MARSHMALLOWS. THEN WENT TO BED. WE MADE 12 MILES TODAY- WE PLAN TO MAKE 12 MORE TOMORROW TO CARTER GAP SHELTER. ONCE AGAIN WE HAD AND WONDERFUL DAY. RAINBOW ASKED US ALL AT THE CAMPFIRE TONIGHT WHAT WE THOUGHT ABOUT WHILE WE HIKE. I TOLD HER THAT I TALK TO GOD. WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS, HE IS SO GOOD ALL THE TIME. GOD BLESS AND GOODNIGHT.
Date: 2005-03-21
From: MUSKRAT CREEK SHELTER

To: CARTER GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

WE STARTED OUT AROUND 0800 WITH CARTER GAP SHELTER AS OUR DESTINATION. WE KNEW WE WERE IN FOR AT LEAST A 12 MILE DAY. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY, COOLER AND OVERCAST BUT GREAT HIKING WEATHER. STANDING INDIAN MOUNTAIN WAS OUR TOUGHEST CLIMB TODAY, AND UPON ENTERING THE NANTAHALA WILDERNESS WE SAW A SIGN POSTING WARNING HIKERS OF A BEAR THAT HAD BEEN CAUSING HIKERS PROBLEMS RECENTLY- SUCH A COMFORTING THOUGHT. WE MADE VERY GOOD TIME TODAY. LUMBERMACK IS DEVELOPING A SHIN SPLINT ON HIS LEFT LEG. HE IS TAKING 800MG IBUPROFEN SO IT'S NOT REALLY SLOWING HIM DOWN. I AM DOING REMARKABLY WELL, I HAVE SUPRISED MYSELF REALLY. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS TO SPEAK OF EXCEPT SOME PLACES ON MY HIPBONES WHERE MY PACK IS RUBBING- NOT ENOUGH MEAT THERE I GUESS. WE GOT TO CARTER GAP SHELTER AROUND 1500. SHANE AND ELLEN, TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN WERE ALREADY HERE. SCOOTER, A SOUTHBOUNDER FROM LAST YEAR, AND SWAMP FOX WERE HERE ALSO. SOON WE WERE JOINED BY RAINBOW AND SPARTICUS AND TWO YOUNG GUYS NAMED CORY AND "YARD SALE". WE STARTED A FIRE AND ALL HAD OUR DINNERS. IT'S NICE TO GET TO KNOW PEOPLE. CORY TALKED ABOUT HIS MOTHER AND ABOUT HOW MUCH HE LOVES HER. HE SAID TO TELL HER "HEY" THROUGH THIS JOURNAL. HE IS A VERY NICE YOUNG MAN. AFTER SOME CAMPFIRE CHATTING WE ARE ALL TURNING IN FOR THE NIGHT. SEVERE WEATHER IS IN THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW SO WE HAVE SOME CONCERNS TO DEAL WITH. MAY GOD KEEP US SAFE FROM HARM. WELL IF THE RENEGADE BEAR, SHELTER MICE, OR THE SEVERE WEATHER DOES NOT DO US IN, WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT IT TOMORROW. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL- GOD IS SO GOOD ALL THE TIME. MY ROCK, MY FORTRESS, MY HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, HOW I THANK GOD FOR LOVING EVEN ME.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: CARTER GAP SHELTER

To: WINDING STAIR GAP/ FRANKLIN NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

WE AWOKE AT DAYBREAK AND STARTED HIKING AT 0750. THE DESTINATION OF CHOICE BEING WINDING STAIR GAP AT US64. WE KNEW BAD WEATHER WAS IN THE FORECAST FOR LATE AFTERNOON SO WE WANTED TO TRY TO GET TO FRANKLIN A DAY EARLY. IT STARTED SPRINKILING RAIN AROUND 1030 SO WE HAD TO STOP AND PUT ON OUR RAIN GEAR AND PACK COVERS. NOT LONG AFTERWARDS WE RAN ACROSS SOME TRAIL ANGELS AT THE BASE OF ALBERT MOUNTAIN AT BEAR PEN GAP. THEY HAD COME IN ON A US FOREST SERVICE ACCESS ROAD AND SET UP A CANOPY. THEY WERE COOKING BLACK BEANS, CORN, RICE, TORTILLAS, ONIONS, JALEPENOS, CHEESE, SALSA, SODAS, HOT COFFEE, ETC. THEY ALSO HAD GREAT BLUEGRASS MUSIC PLAYING. THEY WERE ALL THE WAY FROM MAINE. MAY GOD BLESS THOSE PEOPLE FOR BLESSING US. TIM FROM OHIO, VITAMAN, SWAMP FOX, SHANE AND ELLEN, CORY AND YARD SALE WERE THERE ALSO. WE NEEDED THAT NUTRITION BEFORE CLIMBING ALBERT MT. WE ALL LEFT OUT AND STARTED UP EXCEPT FOR CORY AND YARD SALE. WE LEFT THEM STILL SITTING BY THE FIRE PIGGING OUT. ALBERT MT. WAS OUR TOUGHEST CLIMB YET. IT WAS HAND OVER FOOT ALMOST THE WHOLE WAY- AN ALMOST VERTICAL CLIMB. WHEN WE FINALLY GOT TO THE TOP IT WAS SNOWING. WE CONTINUED ON UNTIL REACHING ROCK GAP SHELTER. ELLEN AND SHANE WERE THERE, SO WERE VITAMAN AND TIM FROM OHIO. WE DID NOT STOP, WE JUST YELLED DOWN TO THEM THAT WE WERE MOVING ON BECAUSE THE RAIN HAD STARTED COMING DOWN PRETTY HARD AND WE HAD FOUR MILES TO GO. SOON AFTERWARDS VITAMAN AND TIM CAUGHT UP TO US AND WE ALL STARTED HEADING TOWARDS WINDING STAIR GAP. AS WE CROSSED OVER ROCKY COVE KNOB THE THUNDER AND LIGHTNING STARTED, THEN CAME THE VERY HEAVY RAIN, SNOW FLURRIES, AND DANGEROUS TRAIL CONDITIONS. BEAR TRACKS, VAPOR, AND A FEW MORE MUCH YOUNGER HIKERS MOVED QUICKLY PAST US HEADING NORTH. ME, LUMBERMACK, TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN ARRIVED AT WINDING STAIR GAP AT ABOUT 1600. THE RAIN WAS COMING DOWN HARD. TEH FOUR OF US SOAKING WET, SCROUNGY, DIRTY HIKERS STOOD BY THE ROAD WITH OUR THUMBS STICKING OUT PRAYING FOR A RIDE. WELL, DO NOT TELL ME THAT GODD DOES NOT ANSWER PRAYER. SOON AFTERWARDS A NICE CHRISTIAN FAMILY FROM RALEIGH NC STOPPED TO PICK US UP. THEY HAD BEEN UP HERE DOING SOME MISSION WORK. THEY CARRIED US ALL RIGHT TO THE FRANKLIN MOTEL. MAY GOD BLESS THEM FOR THE KINDNESS THEY SHOWED TO US. SWAMP FOX ALSO MAD IT IN THE MOTEL- WE DID NOT KNOW IT THOUGH UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. WE ALL CAME IN AND GOT CHECKED IN TO OUR ROOMS, GOT HOT SHOWERS, DID A LOAD OF LAUNDRY, AND CALLED A CAB TO TAKE US TO THE AYCE STEAKHOUSE. WE SAW "WALKING HOME" AT THE STEAKHOUSE. WE ATE TOO MUCH, CALLED THE CAB BACK, WENT BY THE GROCERY STORE, AND ALL AGREED TO TAKE A ZERO DAY TOMORROW. 16 MILES IS A VERY LONG WAY IN TOUGH TERRAIN AND BAD WEATHER. I HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR RAINBOW AND SPARTICUS. I HOPE THEY MADE IT TO THE SHELTER AND THAT HIS KNEE IS BETTER. WELL ANOTHER ADVENTUROUS DAY TOGETHER. IT WAS GREAT AND FULL OF WONDER IN SPITE OF THE RAIN. THANK YOU GOD FOR THE RAIN AND FOR THE LIVING WATER YOU SO FREELY GIVE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. GOD YOU ARE SO GOOD ALL THE TIME.
Date: 2005-03-23
From: WINDING STAIR GAP/ FRANKLIN NC

To: ZERO DAY IN FRANKLIN NC
Miles today: 0.0

TODAY WE AWOKE IN A NICE DRY BED. WE WALKED ACROSS THE STREET AND HAD A HUGE BREAKFAST, THEN CAME BACK TO THE ROOM AND STARTED GOING THROUGH OUR FOOD DROP BOX. WE TALKED TO VITAMAN AND TIM FROM OHIO FOR A WHILE, MAKING PLANS FOR TOMORROW. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO SHUTTLE BACK TO THE TRAIL TOGETHER AROUND 0800 IN THE MORNING. WE ALL HOPE TO PUT IN ABOUT 12 MILES TOMORROW AND CAMP TOGETHER BETWEEN SHELTERS TOMORROW NIGHT. I AM HERE AT THE LIABRARY IN FRANKLIN TYPING THIS IN. THIS IS A NICE LITTLE TOWN. NEXT STOP IS FONTANA DAM. I MIGHT HAVE TO COME HOME AFTER FONTANA DAM BECAUSE ALL USFS ROADS ARE CLOSED BETWEEN FONTANA DAM AND CLINGMANS DOME AREA UNTIL APRIL. THIS WOULD MEAN I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THERE IN TIME TO COME HOME IF I GO PAST FONTANA DAM. WE WILL SEE HOW IT ALL COMES TOGETHER. WELL, PIZZA TONIGHT AND A GOOD NIGHTS' SLEEP. THEN BACK TO IT TOMORROW. WE HAVE WALKED ALOMOST 120 MILES SO FAR AND IT HAS BEEN GREAT. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.
Date: 2005-03-24
From: WINDING STAIR GAP

To: WAYAH BALD
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

SAD DAY TODAY, MY SUNHINE HAD TO GO HOME BACK TO WORK. FIRST TIME I HAD TO WALK WITHOUT HER. ARRIVED AT THE TRAIL FROM FRANKLIN AT 10:25. WALKED 10.5 MILES BY 16:30. GOT SOME TRAIL MAGIC ATOP WAYAH BALD. JAKEBRAKE AND NIGHT CRAWLER WERE THERE WITH SODAS AND COOKIES. I GOT MY PICTURE TAKEN WITH THEM. MET TWO BROTHERS TODAY, BRYAN AND TRISTON. THEY CAMPED WITH ME, TIM FROM OHIO, AND VITAMAN ABOUT 1 MILE NORTH OF WAYAH BALD. TALKED TO MY SUNSHINE AND SHE GOT HOME OKAY.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: WAYAH BALD

To: NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER
Miles today: 16.75
Weather: clear sky

16.75 MILES TODAY- STAYING IN BUNKHOUSE AT THE NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER (NOC). SOME TOUGH CLIMBS TODAY WITH A LONG DOWNHILL INTO THE NOC. THE DOWNHILLS ARE ROUGH ON THE KNEES, SHIN SPLINT, AND FEET. SOME NEW HOT SPOTS. GOT INTO THE NOC ABOUT 17:45 AND ATE SUPPER AT THE NOC RESTAURANT- BIG BURGER WITH FRIES. SAW SPARTICUS AND RAINBOW CROSSING THE BRIDGE OVER THE NANTAHALA RIVER AND I WENT TO SEE THEM WHILE WAITING FOR MY SUPPER. THEY ARE GOING ON UP THE TRAIL AND CAMP. THEY WERE SORRY ABOUT MY SUNSHINE HAVING TO LEAVE. MANY GOOD VIEWS TODAY. I CLIMBED THE OBSERVATION TOWER ON WESSER BALD. GREAT DAY FOR HIKING- THE TEMPERATURE WAS BOUT 70 AND CLEAR ALL DAY. NO ONE PASSED US ALL DAY. WENT BY THREE SHELTERS AND NO ONE WAS AT ANY OF THEM. I SAW SWAMP FOX AT THE NOC.
Date: 2005-03-26
From: NANTAHALA OUTDOOR CENTER

To: SASSAFRAS GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

LEFT THE NOC AT 08:45. A BEAUTIFUL DAY WITH A 3800 FOOT CLIMB FROM NOC WITH A DESTINATION OF SASSAFRAS GAP SHELTER. SHELTERED WITH SPARTICUS, RAINBOW, YARD SALE, SWAMP FOX, AND A COUPLE OF OTHERS I DON'T KNOW. I TALKED TO MY SUNSHINE AND WAS GLAD TO KNOW THAT SHE IS OKAY. I ALSO TALKED TO MOM AND DAD, AND THEY ARE BOTH OKAY- THEY ARE HAVING BBQ CHICKEN FOR DINNER TONIGHT AND I SURE MISS BEING THERE. GOOD DAY TODAY- SHELTERING TONIGHT. PAT AND JERRY ARE HERE, JERRY IS A RETIRED JUDGE AND PAT WAS WITH TELECOMMUNICATIONS. THE YOUNG COUPLE MOVED ON. IT STARTED RAINING ABOUT 19:00- RAIN AND VERY WINDY ALL NIGHT.
Date: 2005-03-27
From: SASSAFRAS GAP SHELTER

To: CABLE GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

CLOUDY ALL DAY WITH A THREAT OF RAIN- COOL AND BREEZY. SOME TOUGH CLIMBS AND DESCENDS. VITAMAN HAD TO STOP AND GET OFF THE TRAIL AT STECOACH GAP BECAUSE OF A SPRAINED ANKLE. TIM FROM OHIO AND I LEFT HIM TRYING TO HITCH A RIDE INTO FONTANA. HE IS HOPING A DAY OFF WILL ALLOW HIM TO CONTINUE. GOT INTO CABLE GAP SHELTER AT 16:45. SENATOR, YARD SALE, AND JERSEY JONES WERE HERE. RAINBOW AND SPARTICUS CAME IN ABOUT 18:10. TIM FROM OHIO IS TENTING UP THE HILL. I DON'T HAVE A PHONE SIGNAL SO I CAN'T CALL MY SUNSHINE. IT'S STARTING TO RAIN.
Date: 2005-03-28
From: CABLE GAP SHELTER

To: FONTANA DAM/ HIKE INN
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: light rain

STAYING AT THE HIKE INN. I WAS PICKED UP AT THE DAM BY JEFF AND GREETED BY NANCY. VERY ACCOMADATING COUPLE (PROPRIETORS OF THE HIKE INN). THE MISSING KINK HAD A DROP BOX OF GOODIES WAITING HERE FOR US. VITAMAN IS HERE RESTING HIS ANKLE. WET DAY TODAY- IT RAINED HARD ALL NIGHT LAST NIGHT AND TODAY. WET AND SLICK WALKING INTO FONTANA, AND IT'S STILL RAINING. JEFF AND NANCY ARE DOING MY LAUNDRY. JEFF WILL CARRY US INTO ROBBINSVILLE FOR SUPPER. GOT MY FOOD DROP AND SORTED THROUGH IT TO GET 5 DAYS OF SUPPLIES. I STILL CAN'T CALL HOME- NO SIGNAL. I WILL TRY WHEN I GET TO ROBBINSVILLE TONIGHT. I PLAN TO HEAD OUT EARLY TOMORROW.
Date: 2005-03-29
From: FONTANA DAM/ HIKE INN

To: SPENCE FIELD SHELTER
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

UP EARLY THIS MORNING (05:15), HAD BREAKFAST IN MY ROOM AT THE HIKE INN( BAGEL, DANISH AND COFFEE). JEFF SHUTTLED ME AND THREE OTHER HIKERS TO FONTANA DAM WHERE I GOT OFF THE TRAIL YESTERDAY. STARTED WALKING FROM THE DAM AT 08:15 WITH SPENCE FIELD SHELTER AS MY DESTINATION. 14.5 MILES TODAY WITH BEAUTIFUL WEATHER. MET CUB TRACKS, BOSTON, SANDMAN TODAY ON THE TRAIL. I SAW SHANE AND ELLEN. I AM STAYING AT THE SHELTER WITH BEAR TRACKS, YARD SALE, WALKING HOME, RODEO, AND SOME KID OUT FOR A DAY HIKE. I CALLED MY SUNHINE AND SHE IS DOING WELL. MOM SAYS THEY ARE OKAY. MOM AND DAD DID NOT KNOW THAT I WOULD BE GONE THIS LONG. I DID NOT WANT TO WORRY THEM WITH KNOWING I MIGHT BE GONE FOR 5 MONTHS. I NEED TO TELL THEM NOW THAT A MONTH HAS ALREADY GONE BY. ONLY 4 TO 4.5 MONTHS UNTIL I REACH KATAHDIN. FIXING TO TURN IN NOW. I AM TIRED AFTER 14.5 MILES AND A LONG CLIMB OUT OF FONTANA. MET OTHER HIKERS THIS EVENING- BONES.
Date: 2005-03-30
From: SPENCE FIELD SHELTER

To: DOUBLE SPRING GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

BEAUTIFUL DAY WITH MANY UPS AND DOWNS. RAN OUT OF WATER BEFORE GETTING TO NEXT WATER SOURCE. ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER ABOUT 15:15 AFTER A DAY OF MANY BEAUTIFUL VIEWS. SOME DEER CAME BY THE SHELTER GRAZING AND WE ALL TOOK PICTURES. WE ARE IN TENNESSEE WITH THE NC LINE ABOUT 20 FEET AWAY. MY SUNSHINE AND I VISITED THIS SHELTER WHILE ON VACATION LAST YEAR. I TALKED TO MOM AND DAD AND TOLD THEM I WAS GOING TO TRY TO COMPLETE THE HIKE THIS YEAR.
Date: 2005-03-31
From: DOUBLE SPRING GAP SHELTER

To: PECKS CORNER SHELTER
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

RAINED HARD LAST NIGHT AND WIND BLEW ALL NIGHT. WALKED IN THE RAIN AND CLOUDS ALL DAY- TRAIL WAS VERY MUDDY. NO VIEW FROM CLINGMANS DOME. THE CLOUDS BROKE FOR A SHORT TIME ABOUT 15:00 AND I TOOK A PICTURE. I WAS LATE GETTING TO THE SHELTER- 18:30. THEY MADE ROOM FOR ME BETWEEN VAPOR AND BUDDIE. GERONIMO IS HERE ALONG WITH MANY MORE, MUST BE 20 IN THE SHELTER. McNUGGET WENT INTO GATLINBURG- VAPOR SAID HE SPRAINED HIS ANKLE WHEN HE SLIPPED ON THE ICE. MUCH OF THE TRAIL TODAY HAD ICE ON IT. LOT'S OF SNOW AND ICE AROUND ON THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. TIRED- LONG DAY
Date: 2005-04-01
From: PECKS CORNER SHELTER

To: DAVENPORT GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

WALKED FROM 08:15 TO 17:45 RAINY AND COLD AGAIN TODAY. STARTED CLEARING ABOUT 15:00 WHERE I HAD SOME VIEWS AND TOOK SOME PICTURES. A COUPLE WITH THEIR KIDS ARE HERE A THE SHELTER ALONG WITH THE CANADA BOYS (IAN AND RYAN). MATTHEW FROM ARIZONA CAME IN ABOUT 20:00. HE IS SECTION HIKING. ALOT OF PACKED SNOW AND ICE ON THE TRAIL TODAY. MADE GOOD TIME BUT VERY TIRED AND SORE.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: DAVENPORT GAP SHELTER

To: MOUNTAIN MAMAS
Miles today: 3.0

RAINED ALL NIGHT LAST NIGHT WITH STRONG WINDS. RAINING AGAIN TODAY.   ARRIVED AT MOUNTAIN MAMAS ABOUT 09:30 AFTER CATCHING A HITCH ALONG WITH IAN AND RYAN. MET RANDY JENKINS AND HUGH GRIFFITHS INSIDE. RANDY BOUGHT MINE, IAN AND RYAN'S BREAKFAST. AFTER TALKING TO HUGH AND RANDY, RANDY OFFERED TO CARRY ME TO RALPH AND ANNE'S PLACE IN MAGGIE VALLEY- THANKS RANDY AND HUGH! IT STARTED SNOWING BEFORE WE GOT TO RALPHS AND HAS SNOWED ALL DAY. RALPH CARRIED ME TO DO LAUNDRY WHILE ANN WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE. WITH THE SNOW AND COLD WIND, I AM THANKFUL TO BE WARM AND DRY DUE TO THE GOODNESS OF RALPH AND ANNE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH RALPH AND ANNE!!BACK TO THE TRAIL TOMORROW. LOOKING AHEAD TO SEEING MY SUNSHINE NEXT WEEKEND AROUND ERWIN TN
Date: 2005-04-03
From: MOUNTAIN MAMAS/ DAVENPORT GAP

To: GROUNHOG CREEK SHELTER
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

AWOKE TO A BEAUTIFUL DAY AT RALPH AND ANNE'S PLACE IN MAGGIE VALLEY. I SPENT SOME TIME WITH RALPH AND ANNE AND THEN DECIDED TO HIT THE TRAIL THIS AFTERNOON.   AFTER A GREAT MEAL AT GRANNY'S COUNTRY KITCHEN, RALPH AND ANNE DROPPED ME OFF AT DAVENPORT GAP AT 14:30. THE TRAIL WAS EXTREMELY WET AND SLICK, SNOW COVERED IN ALOT OF PLACES.. SOME PLACES WERE ANKLE DEEP.MANY GREAT VIEWS WITH A SUPRISE AT THE TOP OF ONE MOUNTAIN- SOME KIND OF GOVERNMENT AIR TRAFFIC MONITOR (TOOK PICTURE). COLD WITH STRONG WINDS AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS. ARRIVED AT GROUNDHOG CREEK SHELTER AT 18:30. ATE SUPPER AND TALKED TO JAMES AND LOUISE FROM WALES. MET MISSOURI MULE AND ICE FALCON ON THE TRAIL SECTION HIKING FROM HOT SPRINGS TO FONTANA.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: GROUNHOG CREEK SHELTER

To: DEER PARK MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

GOT STARTED AT 08:30 FROM GROUNDHOG CREEK SHELTER. BEAUTIFUL DAY BUT COLD EARLY. I HAD TO CROSS MAX PATCH FIRST. SNOW DRIFTS WERE KNEE DEEP IN PLACES WITH MUD BEING ANKLE DEEP IN OTHERS. THEN CAME BLUFF MOUNTAIN. MORE SNOW DRIFTS AND MORE MUD ON THE TRAIL. I FELL COMING DOWN BLUFF MOUNTAIN AND BROKE THE TIP OFF OF ONE OF MY TREKKING POLES. MY PACK HAD MY FACE SHOVED DOWN INTO THE GROUND AS I HELD ON TO A SMALL TREE TO KEEP FORM GOING OVER. AT FIRST I COULD NOT GET UP BECUASE OF THE WEIGHT OF MY PACK. FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO ROLL OVER ON MY SIDE AND GET TO MY KNEES AND GET UP. MADE 23 MILES INTO DEER PARK MT. SHELTER. FELT GOOD TO GET INTO MY SLEEPING BAG. I ARRIVED HERE AT 19:30.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: DEER PARK MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: SPRING MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

LEFT DEER PARK MT. SHELTER AT 08:30 AND WALKED 3.5 MILES INTO HOT SPRINGS. STOPPED BY RESTAURANT AND HAD BREAKFAST OF EGGS, BACON, HASH BROWNS, TOAST AND COFFEE. THEN I WENT TO THE OUTFITTERS FOR TREKKING POLE REPAIR. ON TO SPRING MOUNTAIN SHELTER- ARRIVED AT 16:45 AFTER SOME HARD CLIMBS AND GREAT VIEWS. TOTAL MILES TODAY 14. MY FEET ARE VERY SORE. CALLED KELLY (SUNSHINE)AND DECIDED TO MEET AT US23/26 ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON. STAYING AT THE SHELTER WITH VAPOR, BOHDIE AND SUNSET SCREAMER,AND THE CANADA BOYS.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: SPRING MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: JERRY CABIN SHELTER
Miles today: 16.25
Weather: overcast clouds

GOT IN LATE SO I HAVE TO TENT TONIGHT. BEAUTIFUL DAY TODAY, WARM AND CLEAR WITH GREAT VIEWS. AFTER ABOUT 3-4 MILES I CAME TO A SIGN AT TENN HIGHWAY76 WHICH READ TRAIL MAGIC- TURN RIGHT ON ROAD GO 300YDS (WHICH PUT ME IN NC) AND FOLLOW DRIVE TO HOUSE. A COUPLE THAT THRU HIKED THE AT LIVED THERE AND WERE SERVING SOUP, CHIPS AND DIP, SOFT DRINKS AND COFFEE, LEMON AID, FRESH FRUIT AND A SELECTION OF DESSERTS. A FULL MEAL- WHAT A GREAT COUPLE! THERE WAS 9 THRU HIKERS THERE WHEN I GOT THERE SITTING AROUND THE DINING ROOM TABLE. THERE WAS 5-6 LEAVING WHEN I ARRIVED AND I MET COTTON JOE AS I WAS LEAVING. THANKS HERCULES AND FAL. MY RIGHT FOOT AND SHIN SPLINT ARE STILL HURTING TODAY. STOPPED AT NEXT SHELTER FOR A BREAK. SENATOR, YARD SALE, NIMBLE FOOT AND TWO OTHER COUPLES WERE THERE ALONG WITH BOHDIE AND SUNSET SCREAMER. AFTER A SNACK, I TOOK OFF FOR JERRY CABIN SHELTER. HARD WALK WITH A STEEP CLIMB OVER ROCK CLIFFS. ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER AT 19:00. TIRED-SET UP TENT AND AM NOW GOING TO BED.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: JERRY CABIN SHELTER

To: HOGBACK RIDGE SHELTER
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

OFF ROM JERRY CABIN SHELTER AFTER A VERY WINDY NIGHT. IT WAS BLOWING SO HARD I WAS AFRAID A TREE MIGHT BLOW DOWN ON MY TENT. COLD THIS MORNING WITH THREATS OF RAIN OR SNOW. SAW SNOW AROUND ON THE GROUND ON SOME OF THE HIGH PEAKS. ARRIVED AT FLINT MT. SHELTER AROUND 11:00 AND TOOK A BREAK. I DECIDED TO GO ON TO HOGBACK RIDGE SHELTER. NOT MANY VIEWS TODAY- TOO CLOUDY. ARRIVED AAT HOGBACK RIDGE SHELTER AT 16:15. GOOD TO BE IN THE SHELTER TONIGHT. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING MY SUNSHINE TOMORROW. MY FEET ARE STILL SORE FROM BLISTERS. MAYBE A DAY OFF ON SATURDAY WILL HELP.. TIRED NOW, GETTING INTO MY SLEEPING BAG
Date: 2005-04-08
From: HOGBACK RIDGE SHELTER

To: SAMS GAP
Miles today: 2.5

SHORT 2.5 MILES TODAY INTO SAMS GAP. RAINED ALL THE WAY. HITCHED A RIDE INTO ERWIN TN WHERE I MET MY SUNSHINE AT THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS. BONES AND TANK (WHO I JUST MET) ARE STAYING HERE. TAKING A ZERO DAY TOMORROW AND JUST SPEND ALL DAY WITH MY SUNSHINE. TALKED TO MOM AND DAD AND LUCILLE TODAY. WILL CALL TONY TONIGHT , HE IS WORKING AT THE RURITAN BBQ. I HAVE GOT TO WASH CLOTHES.