morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-30
From: near Blue Mt. Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: moderate rain

Been out for about a week now. Weather was generally yucky today! No respite from the fog or dampness. We hiked till 7:30 pm or so (got started at 11:30) to make it to a shelter, but it was full. There are probably at least 5 other tents set-up as well. We caught up to a thru-hiker who seems to be hiking fast and who also thought Tommy's pack was heavy as sh$$t at Gooch Mt. Shelter.If views were the only thing we were after, there would have been a lot of PUDs and PWAs: Pointless Up and Downs and Pointless Walking/Wandering Around. Thankfully, we ran into more trail magic in the form of a family with three boys giving away lunch at Uncoi Gap. They offered us sandwiches, chips/salsa, and sodas, all of which we gratefully accepted. I bet this trip will do a lot to restore my faith in humanity.A couple of days ago I woke up pissed off. I immediately started complaining about everything: our tent was on a hill and my head kept falling, I had to go the bathroom all night, I was sore, etc. Then I proceeded to struggle with my pack cover (raincoat for my pack) and in the process my pack did a somersault. Tommy asked if PMS also caused mental retardation. How nice was that? I can tell that this will become a never-ending joke. To get him back, today I told him that I needed to go to the hospital as soon as possible. I had pooped out a grub. Actually, I found the gigantic white grub while digging my cathole. I carried it up to where he was waiting by the trail, but he didn't buy it one bit!Most of my friends and family know that I am a little bit strange. Hence, why Tommy has taught my niece, Brenna, to call me "Aunt Weirdo" Today while, watching a really nimble squirrel hop from branch to branch, I wondered what would happen if a squirrel was born afraid of heights. Tommy thinks I have some strange thoughts; I told him that it's better than being Plain Jane. The trail may really bring out the weird in me, but at least most thru-hikers are equally eccentric.
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Tray Mountain Shelter 

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Day 8:The sky broke today and the sun finally came through. We saw some distant ridges and a lake. Everything we have is soaked, spread out over logs to try to dry as we eat lunch.Just met a very talkative thru-hiker as he walked past. Says he could see the Smokies and the lake might have been Fontana Dam. Not sure if this is correct. He also said that the weather is supposed to be great Saturday and Sunday! Wouldn't that be a nice surprise. Love how word of mouth is the best/fastest way for news to travel on the trail.Had my first meltdown: I just didn't want to walk anymore. We just kept walking and walking. Tried to make it to Moreland Gap, but instead we walked all the way to Dick's Creek Gap, which is right by a major highway. Moreland Gap's campsite was right in a drainage ditch and would have been miserable in a downpour. So, instead we camped by the road at Dick's Creek in a dump. Roadsides make great places to dump trash! It is not recommended to camp by roads, but at that point we didn't have much choice. We set up the tent and then Tommy says that he found a better site about 50 yards away. Boy, was I not happy! However, we shouldn't be able to hear traffic noise at the new site.
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Day 9:We took a nero (almost zero mile day!). Walked a few 100 yards to the road at Dick's Creek and waited for Gary Poteat from Blueberry Patch Hostel.Blueberry Patch Hostel in Hiawassee, GA was amazing. It is owned by Gary (a 1991 thru-hiker) and Lennie Poteat. They have a mini-organic farm of goats, donkeys, gardens, and lots of blueberry bushes. Our stay there was amazing. Very comfortable and homey. We got a double bunk, which is rare at hostels. Gary shuttled us from the trail to the hostel, to town, and back to the trail the next day. They served us an amazing breakfast of pancakes, sausage, hash-browns, orange juice/tea/coffee, gravy, blueberry syrup, cheese muffins and eggs! They even do your laundry for you! Both Gary and Lennie are very friendly, hospitable, and welcoming. And they do all of this on donations from hikers.Town was rejuvenating. We visited the library to catch up on journal, grocery store, Dairy Queen for some icy treats, and SmokeRings BBQ for food that is hard to come by out on the trail.While we were in town, two bicyclists pedaled past and waved at us. We must have looked confused, because one hollered "We gave you sandwiches." It was the family performing trail magic in Unicoi Gap. The grocery store was overwhelming. Too many decisions.
Date: 2011-04-02
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Gary (from Blueberry Patch hostel) shuttled us from Blueberry Patch back to the trail. We started with Bismarck (another thru-hiker), but got to the shelter 2 1/2 hours after him. We are slow! I predicted that we would arrive at the shelter at 7:30 pm and I was exactly right. Longest day yet at almost 12 miles. The climb out of Bly Gap was by far the steepest and most challenging so far. After climbing out of the Gap, we walked through a tunnel of rhododendron bushes. The sun shinning through and the wind shaking them was a little disorienting. The wind was brutal. I compared it to Mt. Washington in NH, which holds the record for the highest wind speed recorded on Earth (I think 200 mph). It was probably only 40 mph here yesterday, but it certainly made us cold and caused us to bypass some otherwise good campsites. Plus, we had almost run out of water. Hence, why we started the trail at Amicalola being overly cautious about the amount of water we carry.We met some reformed Ax Murders. They were really nice; I guess our correctional system is working after all. Thanks to Tommy's catlike reflexes he didn't get hit in his head by my hiking poles as I ran screaming and flailing my arms from the murderers. The true story is more like this: Three gentleman were hiking together towards us and the first (who was a little bit in front of the others) said to us that there were 2 ax murderers behind him.   When we screamed, they said "Well, you must have been talking to Phil." It sounds like their friend plays this trick often. Found out during lunch that a mouse had eaten a hole through my very new dry bag and into our gorp! I was sitting there snacking and accidentally put my finger though a mouse-chewed hole. Turns out it is not a good idea to leave your food bag on the floor of a hostel overnight. What I don't understand is there were boxes upon boxes of food that hikers have sent to themselves at the hostel and the damn mouse had to get into our bag!Deadman (another thruhiker), who we met at a shelter a few days ago, caught up with us. He has never backpacked before and is carrying a lot of weight. Bless his heart, I thought our packs were heavy. He would like to go all the way to Maine, but says he will go until he says "Uncle." I wish him the best of luck.
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Muskrat Creek shelter

To: Carter Gap shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Today, Sunday, is my birthday! We had gorgeous weather with a light breeze. It is a finally starting to feel like spring. I wonder if that will last through the Smokies, which are coming up very soon. I am getting tired of seeing all brown: brown trees, brown leaves, brown dirt, all various shades of BROWN!We had intended on getting up early, but slept in a little instead. We didn't actually start hiking on the AT till about 11. First, we explored a side trail (Raven Rocks) with a great view and the remnants of an airplane crash. The plane crash was interesting to see, but unfortunately the guide book indicates that there were no survivors. We climbed the tallest mt. so far, Standing Indian Mt. at 5,498'. However,there weren't any good views. After climbing and descending into Beech Gap, we decided to go a little farther. We were both exhausted, but could feel the magnetic pull of getting into Franklin, NC the next evening. Some newfound thru-hiker friends (who were getting into town earlier than us) had said that if we make it to town Monday night, we would celebrate my birhday. So, we pushed on.Why does it seem that the last couple miles last an eternity? The shelter is elusive. You expect your campsite or shelter to be around the next bend and every time you are wrong. Both of our bodies are getting worn and sore, but the trail still holds plenty of appeal (and it better this early in the game). At the end of the day, neither of us wants to take another step. Our mantra: "I pick my feet up and I put them down." Tommy has sorta nick-named himself Trudge, which represents how he climbs up hills.
Date: 2011-04-04
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Rock Gap/ Franklin, NC
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 12:Another long day, but we made it to Franklin, NC around 7 ish. We hiked up Albert Mountain: impressive climb, beautiful views. The ascent was very rocky, boulder upon boulder, straight up for around 1/4 mile. The top had an observation tower that Tommy climbed up as far as was available. I naturally refrained, but wished that heights didn't bother me.Tonight was serendipitous. We got lucky and took a free shuttle from Outdoor 76 (an outfitter in Franklin) into town from the trail. We originally called a hotel and was told it would be $35 for a shuttle. No way were we willing to pay that much. However, there just so happened to be an Outdoor 76 poster where we stopped to call. We had seen their signs before but hadn't written down their number!We were in search of a group of friends (Eric, Johanna, Sharky, Chopstick) to celeberate my birthday. They were supposed to get into town ahead of us. Unfortunately, we didn't take their phone numbers. We thought that since only 3 hotels in Franklin are hiker-budget friendly, we would find them. No luck after searching at all the hotels, but we did happen to find them at the sports bar, Mulligans! (the place we wanted to go was closed!) Lesson learned: get cell phone numbers!Birthday celebration commenced. A few free beers and even a piece of bday chocolate cake from Pace. Finding all of them was like seeing old friends that you haven't seen in years. And we barely know them! Everyone agreed that Trudge was a good trail name for Tommy, so now we both have new names.
Date: 2011-04-06
From: Rock Gap

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 9.5

Day 14: Time to get back to the trail.These zero days are starting to add up, so we got a free shuttle back to the trail from Ron Haven (county commissioner and owner of the town of Franklin, or at least the hotels).The weather looks great now. A few days ago when we got a free shuttle into town from Rob at Outdoor 76, we just missed being out in a terrible storm. Hail, sleet, snow, rain, heavy winds, severe thunder and lightning. It hailed for about 30 seconds on our way into Rock Gap for our shuttle. Rob said he was worried for us. Instead of being out on the trail in misery, we walked back to the hotel from the sports bar in drenching sideways rain. We didn't care so much then.Got trail magic at Winding Stair Gap from Rebel (current thruhiker) and his family. Maybe, my parents would be interested in doing the same? Met Bart (Bert?) the Bavarian, an elderly former thruhiker. He shared a story from his hike about a preacher at the Partnership Shelter. The preacher was going on and on about how evolution doesn't exist. Bart's hiking friend eventually said: "How can you deny evolution? You have mutated in a very unique way. You can empty your bowels through your mouth." I can imagine there was either complete silence or overwhelming raucous. We camped with Sam I Am and Origami (both current and former thruhikers). They told stories around our campfire about people they have hiked with. A certain group of thruhiking friends in years past decided it would be a good idea to make posters with their friend's mug shot on it and say that he had a plethora of diseases. The poster instructed the reader to call the CDC if they had seen this person. Problem was these pranksters used the real CDC's number, so they got in big trouble. I guess what goes around comes around. Later this same group was hitching a ride and the driver stopped at a gas station, said "I'll be back" and then proceeded to rob the store. They had a lot of explaining to do to the police. We came to our 1st Bald today, Siler Bald. Very wild to see a treeless plain on top of a mountain. There are many theories to way these balds exist. Fire,insects,grazing by wild animals, as well as domesticated,are just a few examples. No one really knows how long these balds have existed, but there are even Cherokee myths about the creation of the balds.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: Wayah Gap

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 8.8

Day 15Had our first Dutch baby pancake in the woods for breakfast. Yumm! We are using the bakepacker, a grid that sits in our pot and allows us to bake in a plastic bag. The bakepacker might just be worth the extra 3 ozs and space it takes up. Origami was making oatmeal and when the pancake came out of the "oven" his eyes lit up and he said "What is that?" It was a fluffy yummy pancake with marshmallows and chocolate chips.Tommy and I are getting faster (even if our daily mileage doesn't show it). Each day is getting a little easier. He is faster on downhills and I am faster on uphills. So if we didn't wait for each other we would probably rarely see each other. That might not be such a bad thing months from now, but we currently still like each other.We have been walking through forests of oak, hickory, maple, hemlock, and plenty of rhodendron and laurel. Also, there is this small herbaceous forest floor plant (I think it looks like lily pads) that stinks somewhat like sulfur and urine. I couldn't smell it at 1st, but now I'm too familiar.Many of the hemlocks are dead or dying, devoid of all most all leaves. The culprit: wooly adelgid. We have been trying to relearn/learn our wildflowers.   I take pictures of many of the flowers in hopes that I can look them up on a computer in town, but never seem to have the time.The best trail magic ever happened at Burningtown Gap. So good, that we camped right there for the night, instead of walking another mile or so up the trail to the shelter. Beer, Burgers, Cookies, and variety cake being offered by former thruhikers and their friends. Several of them work for Nantahala Outdoor Center so we should see them again.Campfire, trail stories, and new friends made for a good night. Turtle was hilarious. One of her stories was her interpretation of bears in New Jersey. The bears would come out of the forest with spikey hair, lots of bling, and listening to house music. All the bears would say the same lines in a Jersey accent "I am bear. Be scared of me. I want your food." If you could hear the voice, you would be peeing your pants.
Date: 2011-04-08
From: Burningtown Gap

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Day 16: on to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)It is finally spring. As we hiked into the Nantahala Gorge, there were many glimpses of green, yellow, and red as all the trees are starting to leaf out. The temps are in the 70s and getting warmer. We have seen two snakes (one black racer or black rat snake and one garter). I keep taking pictures of wildflowers; 2 new ones this week. All the pictures on this site are Tommy's as he is the "real" photographer out of the two of us.The map showed about a 5.5 mile descent into NOC. I thought it was going to be much steeper than it was. We were following a ridge and came to a place called "The Jump-off" (a sharp turn and drop off in the trail) where the magnificient view of the surrounding mountains and valleys went on for miles. Every day I am amazed to be able to experience this trip.We got to the NOC around 6 pm, just in time to set up camp and enjoy the hiker festival that was going on. The NOC is a leader in outdoor adventure, specializing in rafting and kayaking, but they offer many other opportunities. We had no idea where we would be staying at the NOC, since the hostel and cabins were full and the inn was too expensive. At this point, we aren't too worried about running out of money, but we still need to be careful.We ended up "stealth camping" by the river, along the train tracks, on National Forest property instead of NOC property. We had been told by some trail angels (people who perform various trail magic acts) and former thru-hikers that this camping was available. We weren't really supposed to be there, but it looked more like a bum encampment rather than super stealth camping we were told it would be. There were tons of people tenting. Ran into Sam I Am and Origami, who knows when we will see them again. They are fast, we are slow! Enjoyed a drum circle at the festival. Neither Tommy nor I joined in the drumming. Whether that was because we were relishing our beers, tired, or apprehensive I'm not sure. Either way, it was a great night. I'm sure many more similar nights will be had.
Date: 2011-04-09
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 17: Another zero daySpent a zero day at NOC taking care of laundry, sorting our food, and attending the festival. We eat like kings, but walk like peasants. Our buddy, Sarge, coined the above sentence about us. We have lots of good food, but because we have to carry all this food we walk real slow. Ahh, the trade offs. Some people survive on eating cold (not cooking anything, not even boiling water for hot tea). Poptarts, hot pockets, peanut butter, fig newtons, etc. While, I am beginning to like poptarts (which I was NEVER allowed as a kid) I don't think I could live without my hot supper.We listened to Model T speak (a 4 time thruhiker) about his adventures. He was hilarious. He told a story about yogi-ing from picnicers. He would sit down near dayhikers and tourists and get out dry ramen, take a bite, wash it down with water and then gag. He would make it look like the worst thing he has have ever eaten. Then he would scrape the bottom of a peanut butter jar and after the third scrape the tourists would most likely ask him if he wanted some food. In exchange for food, he shared his trail stories. In essence, he was doing them a favor!We also heard Andrew Skura speak. He recently was National Geographic's Adventurer of the Year. He has completed many long distance trails: the AT, a Sea to Sea Route, a Great Western (US) loop, and most recently a trip around the perimeter of Alaska (4,700 miles by pack raft, ski, and hiking). Amazing adventure, sometimes he didn't see another person for three weeks or more. A much different experience compared to the AT. His average daily miles were 33, and our average is probably 10! He is definitely a proponent of lightweight backpacking. At this point, I don't have $600 dollars or more to spend on a new everything: tent, pack, sleeping bag, etc. A few minutes after Andrew's presentation on ultra-light backpacking, he came over to Trudge and I and asked if we were "just getting in." He must have seen the size of our packs and wanted to "help" us out; too bad we were just leaving town.We had dinner with our friends River and Haalo, since they will be skipping the Smokies section. They are raising money for the humane treatment of animals. Check out their website www.hikeforhoney.org
Date: 2011-04-10
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: few clouds

Day 18: time to get back to the trail.We finally left the Nantahala Outdoor Center around 12:30ish after listening to Andrew Skura speak and talking to everyone we ran into. Between getting everything we have ready and catching up with other hikers, it takes us forever to leave any town stop.It was a tough, exhausting day. Nothing like climbing uphill all day. We started hiking with another thruhiker, Sarge, who we met a few days ago before we went into Franklin. The three of us kept searching and searching for a bald we wanted to camp on, but we never found it for certain. The bald most likely has been taken over by forest plants. We kept hiking for about 20 minutes in the dark with our headlamps and got into the shelter around 9 ish. The shelter was too noisy for me. Loud snoring on one side of me and a Big Agnes pad that makes horrendous squishy noises every time someone rolls over on the other side of me. I can't wait until I can sleep in my own bed again! Our friend Speakeasy says that there is no way you can say to your significant other "Aww honey, your snoring is just adorable."
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Brown fork gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 19Another long day. Why is it that I am always saying that? I left camp earlier than Trudge this morning, because I was sick of leaving camp after everyone and getting into camp after everyone. I waited for him and Sarge on top of Cheoah Bald, which had a great view of the Smokies and Fontana Dam/Lake. In the afternoon I felt miserable with intestinal problems and certainly didn't want to hike. I was in such a bad mood that I did something I normally wouldn't do: bushwacked to avoid switchbacks. And I supposedly support Leave No Trace ethics? At the picnic area at the bottom of the switchbacks, we rested for awhile and happened upon more trail magic. Spider, a thruhiker from 07, drove by and stopped to chat and then gave us cheez-its and beer. I made friends with his two lovely dogs.We camped with Sarge just past the shelter at brownfork gap. It was an ok spot, clost to the water source and with fairly level tent spaces. But if it rains we were going to be screwed. My hiker appetite has KICKED in. We ate chili to go (chili we made at home and then dehydrated and added rice to the dried mixture). It was amazing. Plus, I finished all of Sarge's leftovers: an almost full pot of rice, lentils, and chicken. I must have a hollow leg.
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Brown fork gap

To: Fontana Village Resort
Miles today: 11.4

Day 20: Well it rained.Apparently last night's storm was frightening. Plus, there was a tornando warning (or watch, i'm not sure). Of course, I slept right through it all, while Trudge laid wide awake. Our tent had about a quart of water in it this morning when we dumped it out. We did not want to get out of the tent in the pouring rain, so we waited and waited for it to stop. (see mom, now I have a real excuse to stay in bed: not that I just don't want to go to school) No such luck, so we braved the rain around 11 am.I love hiking through cold, rain, and wind. It is exhilarating (notice the sarcasm). Eventually the rain slowed down and we caught some more great views of the Smokies and Fontana Dam.   We took a shuttle to Fontana Village Resort, which I think is the entire town at Fontana dam. The resort has everyting: landromat, general store, post office. We shared a room with a friend and in the middle of the night I decided to sleep in the bathroom to escape snoring.   Our room looked like a disaster. Trudge hung ropes from one corner of the hotel room to the next and all of our soaking wet gear took up residence on the line. There were water puddles, dirt, and leaves everywhere! Our sincere appologies to the housekeeping staff. We did end up leaving them a tip and a few Yuenglings (which a stranger had left by our tent that was drying outside).