morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Standing Indian Campground

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

So my parents and I got up around 8am and decided to go back into Franklin for breakfast. After that,we went back to the campground and got out packs ready to go. We set off around 12:30pm for Beech Gap.We made it! the 9.0 miles(these miles include the 3.7 from the campground) by 6:30 and set up camp at Beech Gap we ran into the "Three Blind Mice" (Moss, Jenny, and Erin) who were also camping. We guickly set up camp and started making dinner. Tommorrow we hope to make it to Big Springs Shelter (10.0). We will be going up Albert Mtn. Wish us well! P.S. Today I saw the cutiest bunny on the trail! He even let me take his picture.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Beech Gap

To: Big Springs Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning my parents and I got up and tried to set off somewhat earlier than yesterday. My parents left camp around 10:35am and I left after them around 11:05am. We made it up and over Albert Mtn. and man was it worth it! It reminded me of going up Katahdin (Yea Karen, it was that hard) however the climb up Albert is about .3 miles whereas Katahdin is like 3 miles. I got some awesome pictures and even went up the firetower! I met 3 new guys-Justin, Mighty Oak and morning wood. Justin is 27 from Birmingham Ala and mighty oak and morning wood are from Canada. Funny guys and nice to meet new faces. Well tomorrow we are off to a campsite just past Winding Stair Gap. Another 10 mile day.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Haven Motel
Miles today: 5.4

I am now sitting at the laundromat in Franklin waiting for my laundry to finish drying. As you can see, my parents and I did not make it to the campsite past Winding Stair Gap. We made it to Rock Gap(just 2 miles away from where we left our car at Standing Indian Campground) and decided to go into Franklin for the night.We also met another hiker, Steady-eddie who needed to ride so we offered. We all ended up at the Haven Motel. As I was walking in the office I noticed pictures on the window that were posted for all to see. Well to my disbelief it was Traildawg! That's right! His picture was up in the window of him on Katahdin last year! How cool is that! I took a picture for everyone to see.Well we have decided to go to some kind of a steakhouse for dinner. I think my mom and dad are probably not going to finish the entire section to Fontana Dam, but we'll see.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Haven Motel

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

I got up this morning around 7:30 am and got my pack ready so I could catch the 9am shuttle back to the trail. My parents and I have a plan to meet at Winding Stair Gap at 11 am to eat lunch, leave the car, and set off for N.O.C. My parents are no longer going to Fontana Dam and are going to N.O.C. instead. I am going to slack pack this morning from Rock Gap to Winding Stair gap, just 3.7 miles.Well I am now sitting at Siler Bald shelter with Captin Hook, Prime numbers, Kirk and Sal Paradise. My parents, I am sad to say left after hiking about 1.5 miles after Winding Stair Gap. Mom started to cry which made me cry. She is sad because she wants to stay with me, however she thinks that the trail is somewhat too tough for her. She wants me to come home and hang out there on the lake all summer, which would be awesome but I also want to finish this. I miss my parents and had a great time with them these past few days. Just want to say thanks Mom and Max for all you do and have done for me. I LOVE YOU! I am going to stay here at this shelter tonight because it looks like rain. The weather channel said not til Thursday however I think they are wrong. Hopefully I'll stay dry and then hike on in to N.O.C. before it really starts up.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Well last night me,josh,kg,prime numbers,slow and steady,gus,sal paradise and scottie all headed up to the top of Silver Bald to watch the sunset. It was somewhat hazy but still a pretty sight.This morning I woke to the sounds of birds chirping and a Woodpecker pecking on a hollow tree. Isn't living in the woods great? I hiked up and over Wayah Bald and was able to see Albert Mtn and Silver Bald from the Wayah Mtn. stone tower. I have had an awesome day hiking. I have also met more people: Mickey(who hiked the trail last year) Seth,Sky-walker,Doug and Study break. everyone is unique and add their own qualities to the bunch. The weather has been nice today however that will be changing soon. Tomorrow I am off to the Nantahala Outdoor Center N.O.C. for resupply and hot shower-woohoo! I think I might stay the night there,however I might keep on going. We'll see.P.S. My knee is doing much better! Didn't even need my brace today. However, my inner legs are not doing well. My zipper shorts rubbed them and now i can't seem to shake the irritated skin. Oh well-if its not one thing its another.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 11.4

I found my friends. So today I got up due to the other early rising hikers that were in the shelter. These guys amazed me; they got up before the sun(around 6:15am) and packed up their stuff in about 20 mins and left. They didn't even eat breakfast. I however, stayed in my bag until 7:15am then got up, ate a hot breakfast and set off for the trail around 8:30am. I knew it was only 11.4 miles down to the N.O.C. so I was not in any hurry.I stopped on top of Wesser Bald for a 5 min pack-off break and noticed the grey clouds starting to hover. So I put my rain-fly on my pack and got moving. I made it down to the Rufus Morgan Shelter around 12:30pm. I decided that I wanted to write in the register there since I forgot to sign the one at Cold Spring Shelter. As I was looking over all of the previous signatures, I got to the last one and recognized the writing; it was my friends Chopsticks and Baby-blue! I had to check the date of the signature twice to make sure I wasn't reading it wrong and realized they had just signed it an hour or so before me. Well in all of my excitement, I packed up and headed out to try and catch then at the N.O.c. and forgot to sign the register. Figures. Sometimes I'm not always withit. However, I made it down to N.O.C. around 1:15pm just as Chopstick and baby blue were walking out of the restaurant from lunch. I found them! Finally! So now we are together again and staying at basecamp here at N.O.C. There is a whole group of us here:Study break(a med student from philadelphia)doug,seth,mickey,slow-going,gus,captain hook,kirk,sal-paradise,scottie,too-light,charlie brown,joy and sky walker. We all ended up at the Paddlers Pub where bull and robin(the people who run the pub)fed us some back-eyed peas with jalepenos and dirty rice. It was so yummie and only $4. At the end of the night chopsticks ended up getting together with some of the locals for some acoustic guitar playing out on the porch. It was so nice. I keep having to tell myself everday how lucky I am to be here. I'm loving every minute so far!
Date: 2005-04-22
From: N.O.C.

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today myself,Chopsticks and baby-blue got up around 7:30am. I slept pretty well at basecamp last night,and even got to take a hot shower! We decided to go to breakfast at the Rivers end restaurant. I got some vegetarian hasbrowns which ended up being much more food then I thought. I got my maildrop and headed out for thr trail around 10:30am. The day started off sunny and warm and by 12:00pm the rain had set in. I got somewhat nervous because thunder and lighting were also happening and I was almost on top of the ridge. Gus and I decided to hang out in some rhododendron thicket for the lighting to pass. The lighting did pass however the rain stayed for the next hour or so. I drugded on. When I got down on the other side of the ridge(the rain had stopped by then) I was able to take some pictures of the clouds in the mountains. It was so peaceful looking. Even in the rain,God's beauty is shining through. I think we are going to try and be at Fontana Dam by Sunday evening. I plan on getting my next maildrop on Monday(my birthday) and heading out for the Great Smoky mtns.To everyone who has been signing on to my journal so far, Thank you. You all don't know how often I think of you out here and thank God for his blessings everyday. Miss you all!
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Hike Inn
Miles today: 6.7

Last night was a crazy night to be out in the wilderness! The storms started up around 11:30pm(very loud and hard rain along with bright lighting and thunder)and did not let up until 2:00am. When I finally woke up around 7:00am the temperature had dropped dramatically. It was very hard to get up and get moving. Chopsticks,baby-blue,slowgoin and myself all set off around 10:30am and by 11:00 the sleet and freezing rain had set in. We had decided to try and have lunch at Stecoah Gap picnic area. When we got to the bottom of the hill at Stecoah Gap the sun was starting to break through the clouds. As we got our packs off, "outrider"(a trail-angel) approached us and offered us some free sodas. We glady took them and went to eat. Just as we sat down,the sun left and the freezing rain began again. We all ate fast,wanting to keep moving to stay warm. I walked back over to pick up my trekking poles and there stood "Christian" I couldn't believe it! He looked so different(due to already having showered and changed clothes) I immediately said his name with great joy and surprise and he also returned by saying my name with surprise! I gave him a hug(I have not seen christian since Dicks Creek Gap on 4/11 almost two weeks ago),and told him that I was happy to see him! He offered all of us a ride down to the Hike Inn where he was staying and we all hopped in the car! We went and had AYCE chinese buffet(bag for the tummy)and then crashed at the Inn. Man,that shower was probably the best I've had since I've been out here!
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Hike Inn

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we all arose to find the it had snowed! Almost 2-4 inches! It was so beautiful! Chopsticks and I have decided to slack-pack from Stecoah Gap over to Fontana Fam(15.1 miles) and meet slow-goin and baby-blue at the Fontana Dam Shelter this afternoon.As Chopsticks and I climbed up from Stecoah,all you could see was the snake-like trail through the snow-covered mountains. It was so awesome! A little chilly with the wind but very nuch worth it! I felt like I was out west in the Rockies looking and all the snowcapped mountains!We finally arrived at the Shelter at 5:00 and went to the Fontana Inn for AYCE spagetti-Yummie! I had 4 plates! Yea,I guess you could say my appetite has definately picked up. The shelter at Fontana Dam is quite nice too. Hot showers and it sleeps 20! Tommorrow I plan on going to the post office to get my drop boxes(because the P.O. is closed today its Sunday)and then head out for the Great Smoky Mtns. I will be climbing the tallest peak on the whole A.T. Clingman's Dome elev 6643. How exciting! Well,it's going on 10:00pm and I am exhausted from my hike today. Until tomorrow, goodnight
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today is my birthday! And what a great day it has been. The weather has made a positive turn and the temperature got up to around 50 or so. Sunny all day!I got up from Fontana Dam Shelter around 7:30am and caught the 9am shuttle after packing up all my stuff. Once I got to the post office, I recieved 2 packages! One from my parents and one that was a surprise from David and Karen Huckeba! It was filled with homemade m&m cookies and peanut-butter cornflake cookies(my favorite)along with a card! It was perfect because it was like getting gifts on my birthday! I had enough to share with everyone to have somewhat of a birthday party. I got my food together and headed out for the trail around 11:15am. My plan is to go to Russell Field Shelter because 13 miles into the Smoky Mtns. We'll see how it goes.Well I've made it to the Shelter to find new and old faces, Mcrib and Porkchop (these 2 are hiking together)Justin,Seth,Captain Hook,Morning Wood and MIghty Oak,Hal,Steady-eddie and flying-pig. Chopsticks and baby-blue along with Gus and Slow-goin decided to stay back 3 miles at Mollies Ridge Shelter. They plan on being here around breadfast so we can all head out together tomorrow. Baby-blue is having some lower tummy trouble but hanging in there. So far so good- One Happy Family.
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

Well today is definately not looking as inviting as yesterday. Today it is grey and very windy outside.I arose around 7:30am and stayed in my bag until about 8:30am. I knew that Chopsticks and Baby-blue wouldn't be here for awhile so there was no rush to get out of my warm sleeping bag and into the cold. Chopsticks had told me that if they were not there by 10am, then I should head out. Well,I waited until about 11:15am and no sign of them. Gus and Slow-goin arrived just as I was heading out and told me that baby-blue wasn't doing too well. Apparently they are considering getting off the trail to take baby-blue to the Dr. I hope that everything goes okay.As I was hiking, the wind started to blow very hard(enough to almost blow me off balance). I walked about 3 miles to the next shelter to find Mcrid,Porkchop,Mighty Oak and Morning Wood all eating lunch. I decided to join. I made a hot lunch to try and warm up and almost considered staying there(the rest of the guys were staying here and starting up a nice fire), however I knew I needed to push on. I left there around 2:00pm and headed for Derrick Know Shelter about 6.3 miles further up the trail.After lunch the rain set in. I didn't put on my rain jacket(which was dumb) due to being too hot while hiking. Today ended up being one of the toughest yet. Everytime I would think I was at the Shelter another Climb would arrive. I found myself crying in despairation and frustration. I felt alone and very cold. Finally I made it to the shelter to find Mickey,JustinP.S.I forgot to tell you that earlier this evening we were visted by three deer! They came right up in front of our shelter in the yard! Playing around with each other! It was awesome! I tried to get pictures, however because of the fog they didn't turn out. Maybe next we'll see a bear!
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Today I arose after a good night's sleep to some clouds and partial sunshine. It appeared as if the clouds were going to move out however by the time I left the shelter there was no sun and slight sprinkling of rain. It was still very cold and I knew if I wanted to get warm, I needed to start hiking.I made it to Siler's Bald Shelter(5.5m)and the sun started to come out again. This put a smile on my face and I decided to grab a quick snack. I didn't sit around long though because I still had Clingman's Dome to conquer yet today.It's the highest peak on the whole Appalachian Trail, elev 6643. Just before Clingman's Dome is another shelter, Double Spring Gap. There I found Captain Hook and Tumbleweed and his gang. Hook was considering staying but also wanted to get up and over Clingman's too. I left while the sun was still somewhat out. By the time I got to the top of the Dome it was snowing and foggy to the point that I couldn't see 10ft in front of me. I walked to the top of the tower on the Dome just to amuse myself(because clearly there were no views)and ended up meeting a newly-wed couple who were on their honeymoon! I felt bad for them because of the bad weather, but they seemed to be having a good time reguardless. I didn't stay too long because the wind was picking up and it appeared as if there was no end to the storm anytime soon. I started down the Mtn. for the next shelter.I arrived at eh Mt Collins Shelter to find Mark ,Hook and a new guy named Charlie. We all started to collect wood while Mark started the fire. I hung my tarp up on the fence to block the wind and it actually helped somewhat. After a little while the fire got going and another fellow named clockwork orange arrived. He and Charlie were hiking partners,however Charlie appeared to be the faster of the two. I talked with them breifly(Charlie has been overseas to India and Thailand)and decided to go to sleep early. It was way too cold to be up chatting!
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well last night was an interesting night. I kept waking up to clockwork orange talking in his sleep! It was quite entertaining/amusing! He kept asking "hey man,you ready to go? It was pretty funny.Today the sun is shining! Yea! The ground however is frozen solid. I think it ended up getting down into the mid-twenties last night! Brrr! I plan on doing about 15 miles today so I'd better get moving.I made it to Newfoung Gap(the n.c./tn state line)around 12:00pm as I was sitting on the lawn along the sidewalk, I looked up to find this guy staring at me. I also starred back and realized it was Chad from back home! How crazy is that! He stated he was taking a week off from work to travel around and decided to visit the Smokies. We talked for a bit and then we parted ways. The clouds were starting to roll back in so I wanted to get a move on! I finally arrived at the shelter around 6:30pm. Along the way I ran into Hook who claimed he had gotten lost. It started raining around 2:30 or so and he was soaked! He doesn't have rain pants and I was worried he was getting hyperthermic.When we got to the shelter, Mark was already there trying to start the fire. Hook seemed to be dumbfounded about what to do so I told him to change clothes. He finally did and appeared to be doing better after he ate a hot meal. Mark and I cooked up on the top level of the shelter and came up with a brilliant plan! We were getting out of the Smokies tommorrow! That meant hiking 20.9 miles! We decided to have a pre-celebetory kit-kat bar and went to sleep. We would get up around 6am and leave by 7am(according to out plan)to be at Davenport Gap by 5pm or 6pm. I was very nervous and prayed about it all night before bed! Hopefully all will go well!
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Mama's Kuntry Kitchen
Miles today: 20.9

I awoke around 6am and told Mark he could sleep for 15 more minutes. I knew it would take me longer to get my stuff together so no sense in making him get up and wait for me. I had to really push myself in order to put on my cold and wet hiking clothes! Brrr! Finally I got dressed and started packing up my sleeping bags. That was hard to do! We left around 7:30am and headed out.As we started up the Mtn, the trail became less and less visible due to the snow and ice that covered it. It was hard to walk because the ice was so slippery. If it weren't for my hiking poles. I would have fallen several times! It started to rain which then caused some of the snow and ice to melt. This then caused an extreme amount of water to flow down the trail. Keep in mind my shoes are not water-proof,So my toes were frozen! It got so bad that the water was up to my ankles! Mark made a comment that we should take a picture so that the people at home would believe us.however with the rain I didn't want to take my camera out. After mark made that comment though,it got me thinking about everyone at home and how crazy they must think I am. I finally couldn't take it anymore and screamed "THIS IS INSANE!" Mark turned around 1/2 confused and 1/2 worried and asked me if I was alright. I told him yes but that I needed to do something about my feet. He suggested trying plastic grocery bags around my feet to try and hold in the body heat. I said okay and did just that. It helped too! By 2:00pm the rain had stopped and we were well on out way down off the ridge and out of the Smoky Mtns. Once we got down into the 3,000/2,000 ft range it was much warmer(the mtns we were on were 5,000 to 6,000 ft). We met up with mild bill along the way and the three of us made it to Davenport Gap by 5:45pm. We called Mtn Mama's Kuntry Kitchen for a shuttle,however we were told just to walk on down another 1.3 milers to the place. I felt somewhat annoyed but the joy of being out of the Smokies surpassed that! We got in to Mtn mama's and ate dinner and then resorted to our bunks. Now I know $15 is not alot to pay for a bunk,however one would expect something more than a tool shed with bunk beds in it! No kidding, that's what it was! But I was still very grateful because it had a hot shower and laundry and it was out of the Smokies! Mark and I played cards until our laundry was done and then went to bed! Man, was I tired!
Date: 2005-04-30
To: Dana
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone! I am sorry I haven't been able to write to ya'll sooner or check the website sooner, however due to the cold snap that came through, there were some very bad snow and ice storms which caused the internet to be down at many of the towns I have stopped in. I am so happy to see all of you who are signing my guestbook! Everyday I wonder if people are thinking about me as much as I am thinking about them and it is so nice to know that people at home and in other states are as supportive as you all have been! I can definately feel your prayers out there! I won't lie, some days have been rough and they are usually followed with some kind of learning experience from God. I miss all you so much and want to say thank you. My mom is going to be updating the site soon with all of my journals and my sister will be uploading the pictures...ya'll thought the first batch was cool wait until ya'll see the next! Well, just wanted to give a quick update about what was going on...I also wanted to say that if anyone wants to send surprises, I have tried to update my mail drop schedule as well. Just make sure that you send the goodies about two weeks before my expected arrival date (I've learned that insuring the box helps it not get lost; this happened to a guy last week and he didn't get his stuff on time) and put the ETA on the box as well as HOLD FOR A.T. THRU-HIKER DANA KARKOTSKY and I should get it on time. Oh yea, my trail name is now Linus. I'm carrying my baby blanket out here and so I've been tagged with the name. I think its a perfect fit! So eventually my journal will be listed as Linus along with Dana Karkotsky underneath that (just so ya'll know that I'm still on the site). So that's about it for now...miss ya'll and much love!
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Momma's Kuntry Kitchen

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: light rain

Last night was probably the best night's sleep I've had since I've been out here! I'm not sure if it was the long day yesterday or if I was sleeping on a bed instead of the shelter floor, but it was nice! Today is going to be a GREAT day because I only have to hike 2.4 miles to standing bear farm and then my parents are coming to pick me up and take me to Hot Springs for the weekend. WOOO HOOO! Get to sit in the hot tub! How awesome! Well the shuttle is ready to take us back to the trails so I'll write more later.Finally made it to standing bear and sat around talking to the tree blind mice along with 2 new guys, Icebreak and Chilly. My parents showed up around 1:30pm and picked me up. We had to go back to Mtn Mama's to pick up mild bill to give him a lift to Hot Springs. His insole got stolen last night by the dogs and Mtn Mama's and there is no other outfitter close other than the one in Hot Springs.We made it into Hot Springs and decided to go and eat at Bridge Street Cafe. Max and I shared a pizza and Kimmie got chicken marsala and my mom got a nice big salad. It was sooo good! I was so happy being with my family! I just kept smiling to myself! Tommorrow we're going to soak in the Hot Springs hot tubs. I hope they're hot enough!