morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-25
From: Campsite near Fourth Mtn

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

As Oreo mentioned I barely ate anything last night. So I left my chicken and rice in the tent, in the hopes of being able to nibble it throughout the night.At about 3:30 am I awoke to a growling sound about 100 yards away. It had to be a bear. This is about where Dan had hung the food. I listened, hoping the noise would stop. I thought about telling Dan, but I was afraid Dan might get out and make noise to scare the bear away, and consequently, get eaten. I wouldn't have minded that so much, but this bear sounded angry and I didn't want to upset it anymore. Finally I couldn't take it anymore. I woke Oreo. He later told me what actually woke him was the feeling of someone shaking next to him; I guess I was shaking. Shortly after Dan and I stoppped talking it stopped growling. Then Dan could hear the bear and a couple of cubs moving through the bushes all the way up on the hill to get around us.In the meantime I noticed my uneaten dinner. We suspected the bear could smell it. We decided the best solution to get rid of it was to eat it. So I began stuffing the rice down. Then Oreo said that he couldn't smell the dinner before but he definitely could now. If we could smell the food then the bear definitely could. So I stopped eating and put it in a ziploc bag near my smelly feet. We eventually heard the bears get to the other side of the gully and disappear. We waited for the sun to come up before we woke up to make sure that Oreo didn't get eaten when he went for the food bags.This morning I didn't feel as nausious; at least I had more rest and energy. We hiked over Third Mtn and Chairback Mtn. On the way down to the Pleasant River Oreo heard a loud moaning sound. He thought it might be an injured hiker and suggested going down the gap to see. I didn't think it sounded like a person and thought an injured person is more likely to yell loudly than continuously moan. Just as Dan was about to go down to make sure it wasn't a person, he heard the same growl as we heard last night. We quickly booked it.About a mile later my stomach started growling like crazy. I was soon on the side of the trail, having the first of several sudden attacks of diarrhea for the day. The 48 hour hiker-flu was in full swing. My stomach hurt real bad all day. But we did all the miles, even though we hiked into the night. We were behind schedule as it was, plus we were in the middle of the 100-Mile Wilderness.We finihsed the day with Gulf Hagas Mtn and camped just on the other side. Just as we started to set up the tent, it started to rain. I'm hoping this illness will be over with tomorrow.-- Buttercup
Date: 2003-09-26
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Fortunately, Buttercup did feel a lot better today, and we made up for lost time a little.When we arrived at the campsite last night, it was dark and about to rain, so we hurried to get the tent set up, but we were surprised to see that we had camped next to "Gazelle" and "Sketch" in the morning.We had an early start and we quickly hiked over West Peak (3178'), Hay Mtn (3245'), and White Cap Mtn (3654'). On the summit of White Cap we had a superb view of Katahdin off in teh distance. We took a few photos and headed down. Happily, as we walked, the trail got easier and easier. We stopped for lunch after easily fording the East Branch of the Pleasant River.The remaining walk to Cooper Brook Falls was a breeze and Buttercup and I both enjoyed it. We spent the night at the shelter with "Gazelle", "Sketch", and "Wildflower" who had already summited and was yo-yo'ing for awhile.-- Oreo
Date: 2003-09-27
From: Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The first eleven miles of the day were really easy walking. We got to the shelter that was eleven miles away by lunch time. We ate with "Gazelle" and "Sketch".The night before, "Wildflower" mentioned that there would be torrential rains on Sunday. We heard this from a couple of other people too. The next ten miles were supposedly flat and easy. Since we were feeling good we decided to do the next 10 to the next shelter. This will make tomorrow a shorter day in the rain.We walked past Nahmakanta Lake at one point. We walked down to the lake to take a short break. It was a real pretty spot. A man had just finihsed fishing and was pulling his boat out of the water. It looked like he was struggling so we gave him a hand. he said he had been catching salmon but nothing big enough to keep. He said there are supposedly some really big salmon in there. Before we left he also mentioned the tropical storm that would bring rain tomorrow. So that motivated us to go on. We got to the shelter just before dark. "Charity" and "Hopeful" were there and a few others. Luckily there were 2 spots for us in the shelter.-- Buttercup
Date: 2003-09-28
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean-to

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: moderate rain

The rain started this morning at 5am so Buttercup and I just snuggled deeper into our sleeping bags, not wanting to move at all.Finally, at 6:30 am, we got up and ate breakfast. Everyone else, also unhappy at the rain, took their time getting out of the shelter. We hiked eaight miles to the Rainbow Stream Lean-to where we ate lunch with "Hopeful" and "Charity". The rain got only harder, and we decided that since we were ahead of schedule, we would just call it a day and stay here. We're glad we did. We sat around, reading, drying off, and just enjoying being dry on this wet, wet day."Sketch" and "Gazelle" showed up around 5 pm, but the shelter was already full and they unhappily trudged away. I feel bad that they have to spend the night in their tents in the pouring rain but there is nothing I can do, short of leaving he shelter (which ain't happening).-- Oreo
Date: 2003-10-01
From: The Birches

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night no one else showed up at The Birches. As we left the campground we noticed that "Hopeful" and "Charity" camped somewhere else in the campground. We wished we could have hung out with them last night.On our way out we checked the weather at the ranger station. There was a 40% chance of rain. So far it was just cloudy. We started up the trail at 7:26 am. The first couple miles were pretty easy. Then we were above treeline and going up and over large boulders. We were able to get a view of the surrounding valley. In one part we could see the sun shining on top of the clouds that were over the valley.We got up onto the Tableland, where the trail flattens out a bit before the top. We put on another layer of clothing, since we never really warmed up. We passed Thoreau Spring. The trail was flooded around this part. In a few spots there were thin layers of ice. Then, to the surprise of Dan and I, we saw a couple of snowflakes fall. A few minutes later we were in a snowcloud.Within a half hour we reached the summit, at 10:45 am. We were congratulated by a few section hikers that we had met a few days ago. They took our picture for us. We didn't have the celebration we were hoping for due to the weather. We were more concerned with getting off the mountain before it snowed harder and we got clouded in.We found the trail up (the AT) to be difficult and we were worried that the rocks would now be slippery from the precipitation. We looked on the map for an easier way down that would take us near the campground. We chose the Abol Trail. When we got to where the trail started to descend it looked steep, but with not so many large rocks as the AT. The snow eventually stopped. We were glad we went down this trail instead. It was a lot easier to descend on. They basically made this trail go up an old rock slide. We ate lunch a couple of hours later and it started raining again. At the bottom of the trail we walked along the road until we got back to the Katahdin Stream Campground, where we had a lean-to reserved. We saw a couple of other thru-hikers that had just finihsed. Everybody looked happy but tired for the most part. We got in our lean-to and watched the rain fall for the rest of the afternoon.Tomorrow my parents are coming to pick us up here.-- Buttercup
Date: 2003-03-08
From: Forest Service Land

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 6:45 a.m.. Off to Springer Mountain for the beginning! We left about 8:30 a.m. and made it to Hawk Mountain Shelter (about 14 miles). It was an easy hike but I'm dead tired. The view from Springer was amazing - unlimited. We were cruisin' until about a mile or two out from Springer and I died. I was fine for the last half mile. Everyone was saying how rugged that was. It's not like Maine. (Editor's note: after dark the sounds of machine gun fire, mortars?, and helicopters flying at tree level in total darkness made for an interesting contrast with the solitude of the trail).
Date: 2003-03-09
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

Today was easy. I love switchbacks. Only 7.3 miles today so I figured I'd take a nap on a log for an hour. Great rest but people kept walking by. Got there doing 2-4 miles per hour. Got in at 2 p.m. Shared the campsite with seven other potential thru-hikers. 4 cops, 2 kids my age, a 19 year old boy and a 20 year old girl and one guy in his low 30's. The cops were good people. They are recently retired and decided hiking the A.T. would be a good thing to do together. They go by the group name "The Posse" and one, Detective Friday, is also writing a journal. Told crazy stories all night. These were the folks camping near us. Tonight we got to know each other. Fun night with the big biker cop and his buddies, the kids, and the guy. Will sleep well tonight. Good dinner again. The home food is great. Time to sleep. Great site here at Gooch.
Date: 2003-03-10
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap and the Walasi Yi Center
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

Wow...14.6 miles today. Only planned on 12. Skipped Woods Hole Shelter because it was too far downhill off the A.T. so hiked up to Blood Mountain, highest on the trail in GA. Amazing view off that. Fort up at the top to sleep in. Big Rocks. On the boulder it was rolling hills all around. We decided it would be cold and windy (and their was a mildewey smell), and Neels Gap (Walasi Yi Center) was not many miles away, and it was downhill. We decided to hike down. I had planned to come down since we left Gooch. I convinced, or rather had to trick my way down here. Up on Blood I let Scud Runner know we had no food (well, sort of. We had granola and gorp) and we had to get down. We ate pizza, spaghetti, burritos, more pizza, spaghetti, 2 cokes. When we first got to the hostel an empathic thru-hiker gave us a V8. They shared a pizza with us that they had ordered before we arrived. MUCH APPRECIATED! Also people at Walasi Yi allowed us to buy food even though they were closed. Very sleepy now. Met a new bunch of people. 5 thru-hikers staying here. We passed our original group. This crew is all my age and one 35 year old woman. All cool. Too tired to be profound. I'll start writing my book through the Smokies....nighty night.
Date: 2003-03-11
From: Neels Gap and the Walasi Yi Center

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

Did not leave Walasi Yi until 2:15 p.m. because our mail drop didn't show there. It ended up in Dahlonega, about 10 miles from there. A sign of things to come? We resupplied at Walasi Yi and made arrangements for the mis-delivered drop to be sent home. Hiked to the first shelter (Whitley Gap). That was 7 miles from Walasi Yi. We felt too good to stop there so we hiked on to Low Gap and met up with the bunch we stayed with at the hostel. Hope the cops are doing well...hitman Herb...great bunch on so many levels. Hiking felt more natural today, maybe because the trail was easy. I didn't notice a lot of ups. Trouble with the stove. The pump was upside down so it wasn't feeding properly. A lot of thinking as I hiked today. I'll have to write on breaks. The trail went over ledges on one mountain. The nicest views yet. Toobeautifulfor words. It made me sure at the time that I was happy out here, a feeling of essential rightness with what I am doing. I think we saw eagles soaring over the valley. 11.8 miles today. Felt good. Didn't talk at the shelter. Arrived late. Just tried to get the stove working. Ate and went to bed. Soon I'll start writing worthwhile, but not now. Just one thought on the mountain. An expression of what we thru-hikers are out here for..."Ride the only one who knows; Beauty never dies" (White Zombie).
Date: 2003-03-12
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Left at 11a.m.and hiked 15+ miles to Tray Mountain Shelter. Cooked supper two miles on other side at the Cheese Factory site then moved on to the shelter. Going down Rocky saw two deer on the mountain. Going up the rest of Tray after dinner was awesome. Climbed as the sun set and reached the top after sunset and saw the town below lit up contrasted with a clear star filled sky. Breathtaking. "Its a natural high" (Union Underground) (Reminds me more of John Denver..."Scud Runner").
Date: 2003-03-13
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dead tired today. Hiked the 10 or 11 miles to Hiawassee. Called the Hiawassee Inn to book a room. The Owner kindly picked us up at U.S.76/Dick's Creek Gap. They forgot to put the switchbacks on Addis-Kelly Knob! 1000 feet elevation gain in less than a mile. Hiked down to Deep Gap Shelter and lunched...Ramen. Thats a hike in itself down the side trail to the shelter. After a lot of internal deliberation we moved on to Hiawassee and got in our hotel room, where I am now. Ate and ate at the trail reported Daniel's Steak House after a shower. AYCE buffet a little more than 6 bucks. Bottomless drinks 99 cents. Ribs, chicken, potatoes, potato salad, macaroni salad, salad salad with whole whole slices of onion, hot pepper, Italian and Thousand Island Dressing, bread, tried some other stuff. Didn't like the beans, cabbage, or hominy. Sooo full, so very full...so painfully full. Walked the half mile back to the hotel groaning...a LOT of food. Watched "The Great Escape". Tired now. Sleep.Thanks to the nice folks at Hiawassee Inn. Thanks also to the nice folks at Daniel's who sent us out with a plate full of goodies to continue the binge. Bought some stuff at the gas station in front of the hotel (owned by the owner of the hotel). Nice people there too. Picked up mail drop at Post Office.
Date: 2003-03-14
From: Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked my first state! Now in South Carolina. Georgia is done and gone. First mountain, and first rain as well. Great day, 11 or so from down where we had a huge breakfast in Hiawassee...BACON, EGGS, PANCAKES, FRENCH TOAST. Bought candy.On to Muskrat Creek. Full shelter on arrival,and more came. Crusty and Tang were there, an older man and a girl, along with 2 guys with dogs. Then Anonymous and Gypsy came in (they tented). 2 college guys doing mad miles just for Spring break came in.
Date: 2003-03-15
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: moderate rain

Only 12+ to Carter Gap. All flat and easy. But slowest day yet! All the hardcore mileage is taking its toll. I can barely walk. Tomorrow, 16 for Franklin, and a much needed zero day. Foggy, some drizzle, but nice day to hike. In a "ghetto shelter". The new one was full. Three guys thru-hiking with us. They started on the 4th of March. Caught up to us. Did their first 20+ miler.
Date: 2003-03-16
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 16 to Franklin. Tang and Crusty followed us out. Crusty stuck his thumb out and a van pulls up right off, fits usall. Guy ends up owning a motel (Franklin Inn)...and seemingly most of the town at one time or another. Get to the hotel and I'm standing outside and notice something is odd about the place. I realized no one was there...no cars, no other guests, no managers in office...very Twilight Zoneish...the whole thing. But, the owner opened up his cell phone store to get us a charger and offered to take us various places (at no charge). There ended up being a young manager there who did Tang and Crusty's laundry for free as a favor. Many places were closed even though it was only 3 p.m.on a Monday. 0 day with too much walking.
Date: 2003-03-17
From: Franklin

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Went to AYCE steakhouse last night and went there again this evening. Dessert was good. Directions were somewhat confusing to places in town and several places were not where they were supposed to be or were not open, or did not offer the services that we were told they had. The only things really convenient to the Franklin Inn were the Post Office and the Steak House. Hiked more miles in Franklin than if we were on the trail. We did get our mail drop in Franklin. Went to K-Mart, to Chinese Laundry, got some film developed (not Advantex), went to Three Eagles Outfitters. Bush prime time speech...War in 24 hours if Saddam doesn't get out of town. Brought to Outfitters, which is near K-Mart etc. by owner of hotel. Also gave us discounted rate on our second night. THANKS.
Date: 2003-03-18
From: Franklin

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

16 miles today. Another foggy and wet day. Started late; 10 a.m.. Had to throw all my stuff in my pack and run for the taxi. Everything from the beginning of the Franklin trip was a rush. Hiked as far as I could from that townand as fast as I could. Rainy and all, it was enjoyable. On Wayah Bald saw bag filled with canned goods; sardines, mandarin oranges, beef stew, and other stuff left by a Butch Cassidy (trail magic). It was just at the right spot for us. Much appreciated! Got to the shelter and it was fullof course. We were planning on tenting anyways. Gypsy was there and greeted us. Anonymous hiked into the NOC that day. Crusty and Tang were also there, and another older man.
Date: 2003-03-19
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked the 11 into the NOC. Morning thunder. Packed and eventually left! Talked with the older man. Has been in all 49 continental states. Biker too. He had apparantly sent his stove home. He decided to stay at the shelter to wait the weather out and to rest. He did not have much food with him. We left him a bag of gorp and a power gel. He gave me a much needed pair of socks he said he didn't need. Tough hike down for 11 miles. The last severaldays have been like hiking in Middle Earth with all the fog and passages through the mountain laurels. My feet hurt less because I put on somepadding but they are still sore from pure impact. Have forgotten to sign in at the last I don't know how many shelters. Finally signed in at the Rufus Morgan Shelter just before NOC and then hiked in. Saw Tang, then Anonymous. Tang is leaving for four days to go to Ohio for a wedding. Immediately went to find camp shoes. Ended up buying Tevas. Just needed anything, no matter what, that was NOT boots. My feet feel so ridiculously good with them on. I've been wearing those boots continuously for almost two weeks. Picked up by Jeff Hoch from The Hike Inn at NOC. Terrific! Shower, supper in town, watched the first strike on Iraq.
Date: 2003-03-20
From: The Hike Inn

To: Nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

First full day in two weeks that I've not worn boots...so nice. I think I may have a chance to heal and rest, unlike in Franklin. A true 0 day. The Hoch's drove us to town for lunch and dinner and did our laundry, and many other things. Finally, relaxing. They are great people, and they offer a unique service. This was much needed. I was slowly injuring myself. Now I'm chillin' on a comfey bed with a stomach full of Wendy's food watching the war on the one barely receivable station listening to Rock & Roll on the radio...Leonard Skynard. Found it and turned it on and The Clash with "Rock the Kasbah" was on. Punk Rock. Perfect. That was also the last music video I saw in Franklin, just before the "48 hour" speech. FIRST DAY OF SPRING!
Date: 2003-03-21
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Returned to NOC, courtesy of the Hoch's for our last hike together. Went to the center before hiking. Bought some Montrails, sneakers basicly, to replace my boots after the Smokies. Major rethink in footwear in the last couple days. I'll use a wrap to support my ankle while wearing them and I'll need to lighten my pack. I'm going to experiment with an alcohol stove we got at NOC. Ultra light weight. We'll see how that turns out. Slack packed 13 miles from NOC to Stecoah Gap, where we were again retrieved by the remarkable Hoch's. First views from the trail for about a week. Remarkable. Don't think the photos will do it justice. The radio stations are all cool here, 2 anyway. Metallica, Whiplash off the first album! Amazing.         Last hike with Scud Runner for now. Then I'm on my own.                                 End Part 1
Date: 2003-03-22
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today is the beginning of Part 2 of my journey,as literal as it is metaphorical to my life. The first day on my own. On the tril and for my life. I hope the remainder of my journey is as good as the first part, or even better. It is what you make of it though I suppose. 15 miles today. Left at 9 a.m. and got to the Dam Hilton (parking lot anyway) at about 3:30 p.m.. Not bad, considering going down hurt. The first hill out of Stecoah Gap was long and hard, straight up basicly. Just what I wanted to wake up to. Anyway, saw the dam. It is huge. Got to the parking lot and 3 guys/hikers were there with a box of fruit. Great trail magic. Had a pink lady apple, had a kiwi, ate part of a mango and there was stuff left at the shelter too. Amazing view of the smokies during the hike. Four overnighters, three thru-hikers. Gypsy gave me the news that Anonymous is off the trail because his dad is having heart problems. Lumberjack was there, a guy from Boston who got his name because he started his hike with an axe and a hatchet and a 90 pound pack! He was of Middle Eastern descent, the first non-white I have met on the trail. Why do I point this out? It seems like an interesting fact. He starts a fire. Interesting talks.               TOMORROW THE SMOKIES...
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked over the dam, apparantly where a scene ffrom the fugitive was filmed. Took a picture while leaning over and could feel the adrenaline rushing through my veins. Before I forget, Lumberjack made a cool analysis between a pack and life. You decide what is important to you and hold on to what you need and what some people may need is not necessarily what others might feel they need. Hiked with Gypsy and Aurelius today to a bald. The last 2.3 miles were the longest I've ever hiked. Anyway, it was an amazing day. The weather was beautiful and the trails easy. We are some of the lucky ones. This shelter is on a really cool bald. Its like Ireland or something. Both the Hawaiian chicken and peanut stew from home were really good.