morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-02-28
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Helen (Super 8)
Miles today: 9.5

Yesss! Helen! Wonderful day for hitch hiking in the back of a pick up for 9 miles. Blue skies and 35 degrees.And what is with this town?! Adult size play land? Really?? Horse drawn wagons everywhere? Yea! This town is unreal.Met Shakes, Jason and Reverend at the Super 8 and found out Jason (Bearspray) will no longer be with us, for now. Noooo! Our group is growing smaller!Went out to Troll Taver (which is under a bridge) and had a few pitchers of beer with the three. MMMMmmm...SHOWER!CLEAN CLOTHES!ANOTHER SHOWER!
Date: 2010-03-02
From: Helen (Super 8)

To: Helen (Super 8)
Miles today: 0.0

Another zero day. Everything is closed today due to the inclement weather. Inches of snow: 0.1Temperature: 35 degreesWe are not in Maine anymore.Jason offered to drive us back to the trail head in the morning! What a great guy, thank you! Trail angel? I think so.I also just wanted to note that we have found it harder to update our online journal so do not be surprised if you dont see any new entries for long periods of time or if some entries are very brief as I might update via cellphone on good days. Thank you Best Western for allowing complete strangers who aren't even staying at your hotel to use your computer.
Date: 2010-03-03
From: Helen (Super 8)

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

Bearspray (Jason) gave us a ride back to the trail head! Thank you so much!We couldn't believe how much snow the mountains had received, luckily some folks were ahead of us and blazed a trail through all the snow. After 2 zero days, the going was real slow and I was feeling way lazy! Taking too many zeros can be dangerous I can see. It was a blessing not having to walk through much snow for the past week; looks like from here on out of the Smokies we'll have to deal with this obstacle. And the wind! When will it ever stop?!Seems like not an hour goes by where we do not see our breathes.We stayed at the shelter with Mumbles, Crowgirl and their 3 dogs. Another guy ended up arriving in the evening and just as I'd fallen asleep he fell on top of our tent (which we had set up in the shelter to cut down the wind). I woke up with a startle thinking Matt was alerting me of a bear rampaiging in. What a heart attack.
Date: 2010-03-04
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was so cold we didn't get started hiking until just about noon! Didn't realize how late it was!Some of the snow had melted since the day was pretty warm so the hiking wasn't as bad as the day before. We ran into Tinman, Sweet Potatoe and Half Pint who each carry a Crocket mallet and wiffle balls. They like to stop and play every now and again. I can imagine the game play is quiet different with the snow and the light balls...perhaps they can incorporate curling into the game somehow.Stayed at the wonderful shelter with them, Crowgirl and Mumbles (and their pack) and Level. First warm night in a while since the shelter was low and all the body heat. The boys ended up catching 3 mice. Could have been more but they kept going off one right after the other. Thankfuly they dont make a noise when they are trapped.Went into Hiawassee with Level for some brunch and resupply before headed out again. Ron is our shuttle man, great helpful guy. Its beautiful weather down low! We stink.
Date: 2010-03-05
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Plum Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

(So sorry for not updating for so long! It has been rather inconveniant getting to a computer when we hit towns with all the errands we need to get done!)After the previouse day, we got our acts together and was up and out of the shelter by 8. This was the first time we hadn't slept with our boots and woke up to find solid blocks that we could barely fit our feet into. Really not fun starting the day with frozen feet and stiff shoes.Level met us at the road to shuttle into Hiawassee together via a good man named Ron. Ron was the must helpful, bend over backwards for thru-hikers type guy, glad to have met him. While he was bringing us here and there he went to a thrift store and picked up nice fleeces for dirt cheap just to give away to hikers who might need it.Level, Matt and I had a great brunch before heading in to a small shop to get fuel (The most friendly shop owner; she loved how I am carrying my great uncle's bandana with me, said it gave her goose bumps). We then bought way too much food at Ingles and hit the library.While doing all that, the majority of the snow managed to melt. YES! It is so sunny and near 60 out! The hike back onto the AT was much better than it was this morning.Level was already at the shelter when we got there along with a section hikers by the name of Idler.
Date: 2010-03-06
From: Plum Orchard Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Level left early in the morning so we will probably not see him again until we hit NY where he lives since he's a cruiser on the trail. Hope to see him again someday.Before we left the shelter we got to know Idler for a bit. He is an Air Force vet, his step son has a sweet job doing something along the lines of survival training in the Air Force and his other son is in the Marines.GREAT weather still. I reek more than Matt, no joke.Crossed into North Carolina today and went past the old and twisted tree thats noted in our maps. (Dont worry we took pictures!)Took a nice picture standing next to The Chunky Girl Trail sign. Unfortunately there was no sign for Big Butt Mountain.At the shelter with 6 other guys who happend to join together into a group. Real funny fun to be with guys my age. But boy were we cramped shoulder to shoulder! The mice were bad too.
Date: 2010-03-07
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Last to leave the shelter once again, but we were able to catch up to the boys at a real crummy shelter for lunch. The boys said Matt looks just like Super Tramp from Into the Wild or Josh Hartnet with a beard. Still pretty nice but not as sunny today.The views were spectacular today and in all it was an easy hike except for the begining and the end. The end was a killer but the view at the top made up for it. One area with a view really smelled rank. Like Matt and I blaming the other for ripping one. Come to find out by the boys ahead of us that someone had the decency to take a crap right there and one guy in particular had set his pack on it. Real nice. At the shelter we were even more cramped than the night before but at least the mice weren't so loud. (I didn't say they weren't there)CANT WAIT TO HIT FRANKLIN FOR A SHOWER AND CLEAN CLOTHES!
Date: 2010-03-08
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin (Haven's Budget Inn)
Miles today: 9.1

Ate poptarts around 8:30 and hit the trail with no more food.Poor Matt had to listen to me plea starvation the last two miles. We got to the road by 12:10 which means we missed the noon shuttle (and yes it was my fault). But luckily a man in a truck pulled over and offered us a DIET Mountain Dew and some peanut m&ms's so we werent going to starve to death.He then realized we were headed to the same town he was and gave us a ride (in the truck despite our stench). Come to find out he is planning a thru hike next year and we were able to trade some of our knowledge for the ride. He even brought us to the post office before dropping us off at the hotel. Never caught his name but if your reading this, thank you and good luck next year!Pulling into the hotel, we spotted Reverend! We've been doing bigger miles to try and catch up. Later on that day Shakes arrived after being dropped off after slack packing. One happy reunion! So we went out to drink of course. We were joined by Compass who is a long distance sectioner and who we got to know better. Super smart guy and real nice.Let me tell you how great a shower and clean clothes was.A M A Z I N G ! ! !Resupplied at good ol walmart. And thank you Nancy for all the goodies! I'm really glad to recieve my shirt too, I was getting too hot in what I had.
Date: 2010-03-09
From: Franklin (Haven's Budget Inn)

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Was shuttled back with Compass to the AT by Ron Haven around 10ish. He seems to be a very successful man and well educated; he was very nice.Shakes and Rev left about two hours before we did and were shuttled to a different location since Shakes had slack packed the day before. The day would have been super easy if it hadn't been for the snow! AH! It took us 8 hours to do 11 miles since almost every step was a post hole. FRUSTRATING. To make us happier, its supposed to be rainy all week. Simply wonderful. The one highlight was the old tower on top of the bald where we had a nice panoramic view. On a clear day we would have been able to see the Smokies.At the shelter with Compass and CupAJoe who was a thru hiker in 05.Feet are soaked. Its cold outside.
Date: 2010-03-10
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

The post holing wasn't too bad today thankfully but all the downed trees is aggravating.Gray and foggy all day but comfortable other wise.Our feet are once again soaked and our socks from the previous day are still very wet. At the shelter with CupAJoe and Compass again and reunited with Shakes and Rev.Real comfortable night and had the first fire in a long time. It's nice being able to talk around a fire and not have to crawl into bed right off the bat due to the cold. Oh, the boys, excuse me, the men ripped a down tree out of the roof of the shelter and patched the hole up so we wouldnt be rained on all night by sap or water.
Date: 2010-03-12
From: NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was all up hill, cold and rainy. Good day for short mileage. The blow downs were terrible, really takes a lot out of you and makes for a longer day.At the shelter early and hung around with Cakon, Shakes, Rev and 3 other guys. I read a lot from The Millionaire Nextdoor which is a good book. I recommend it.Rain, rain, rain, and thunder.
Date: 2010-03-13
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

Miserable day in the rain, snow, hail and cold wind. Can't get away from all the blow downs! ARGH!Rev, Matt and I decided we really didn't have enough food so at the next road we hitched to the Hike Inn to try and shuttle into town. Since it would cost $50, we ended up hitching back in the direction we came from and the lady ended up bringing us to Ingles to resupply. She was so good to us! Thanks girl!Back at the trail, we only had 2.5ish miles but it was all up and the cold rain and dampness was not fun. Shakes is missing!
Date: 2010-03-14
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Lodge
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

More miserable rain allllll day but we had the lodge to look forward to.The Fontana Lodge is absolutely beautiful! I cant believe the price is so reasonable! Great place to rest up, shower and do laundry before the trek into the smokies without a good resupply for about a week.The food here is so tastey!
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Fontana Lodge

To: Fontana Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day.Still rainy out.Rumor has it that the Smokies have not been successfuly crossed by a thru hiker yet. Nobody can get through the waist high snow and all the blow downs. Not good news. We will probably take the bad weather blue blaze trail, the name of which I am drawing a blank to right now. This trail will add about another 50 miles or so. We really dont like having to do this, but we cant afford to hold tight at hotels and shelters too long to wait it out so this is our best alternative...
Date: 2010-03-16
From: Fontana Lodge

To: Campsite 86 (Benton MacKay)
Miles today: 10.5

Alright everybody, very sorry for not updating our journal until now. I did have the chance to get on a computer in Hot Springs BUT I lacked the motivation as this has become a wee bit tediouse (I've even stopped writing in my journal!)But anyway, I wanted to clearify that the Benton MacKay is 30 miles more than the AT route through the Smokies, not 50. I didn't have the figures at the time and yes, we (Matt, Shakes, Reverend and I) decided to take the BM which is the official bad weather blue blaze trail and does count (confirmed by Laurie, head of the ATC; she is THE BOSS).We headed out with the heaviest packs ever today (due to the lack of resupply for the next week) and headed out to see Fontana Dam which was real cool.In all the BM started off really well and was filled with history. Originally, this area was the town of Procter prior to the dam being put in. I cant remember how long ago the dam was put in (around 1920?) the residence in the town had to move out and leave behind their homes which we got to see! We saw lots of old foundations and chimneys still as perfect as the day they were built. We also saw plenty of graves. The graves really marked how times have changed, many mothers burried with their infants, many children, and many people in their twenties. Eerie with all the old stones. Oh we saw plenty of old cars as well!The weather was perfect with no snow on the ground and the hike was fun! Beats post holeing all day up on the cold ridge!
Date: 2010-03-17
From: Campsite 86 (Benton MacKay)

To: Campsite 76 (Benton MacKay)
Miles today: 12.3

Slept very well and woke to the sound of rushing water and birds; neither of which we've had so far.Very little elevation gain today but it still felt like a long day. Saw more remains of houses, cars, and grave stones.To my thrill, we ran into 3 bear traps along the way. And a squirrel carcass. I don't know if they are related. Haha.Matt and I went into a preserved house built in 1923 (making my guesstimaion of the flood in the 20's wrong. Perhaps it was really in the 40's...I dont know, google it if you care).We are hearing via Reverends friends that more people are dropping out of the Smokies and either quiting or skipping ahead to Hot Springs. And we're having dandy sunny weather down here.
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Campsite 76 (Benton MacKay)

To: Campsite 74 (BM)
Miles today: 8.7

Saw 3 deer today.The weather is still sunny and warm.At the campsite we had a fire building contest between Reverend and Matt (with my help) and two other groups. We totally won. It was almost out of control. Uhh...But anyways, Matt and Reverend skinny dipped into the mountain stream. Reverend came running back ass naked with a loin cloth. Thats all. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Date: 2010-03-19
From: Campsite 74 (BM)

To: Campsite 56 (BM)
Miles today: 17.1

The concensus is that we actually did about 20 miles today but I don't feel like explaining.Any ways, we went through an old tunnel that was about 400 hundred feet long in the middle of no where. Pretty neat stuff.Had a great start to the day and we all met up and stopped for lunch at a great big open campsite (with a bear trap set up to the side of it btw) and dried out our gear and basked in the sun.Despite the great start, the food and sun made us lazy and the rest of the day was...um...no words, but just miserable. Rock hopped across man streams, waded through feet deep streams and climbing over blow downs. To top it off, at the end of the day we had to ford a waist deep stream with a heavy current and was bitterly cold! The current was so strong I could bearly move my legs, honestly I thought I was going to die or come close to it. But I did it and I'm proud. Matt made it look easy of course. What a way to end the day. Really. What a bloody splended day.
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Campsite 56 (BM)

To: Smokemont Campground
Miles today: 7.0

Alright, today was kind of a weird bad but good day.Shakes was off before Matt, Rev and I were as usual and the three of us strolled along enjoying our nice sunny warm day. We knew at some point we wanted to hike to a road to get a hitch into Cherokee to do a quick resupply and KFC it but were going to worry about when and where later.2 hours went by when we stopped and realized something wasn't right. Our maps weren't matching up to our trail and before long we realized we had missed an unmarked turn in the trail 4 miles ago! What? WHAT?!?! (Good news is, I've probably seen six horses by now. What a great place to trail ride! I'll remember that when I decide where I'm going to live someday.)But anyways, we were seeing day hikers frequently so we stopped some to try and figure out where we were. Turns out we were only a mile away and two very nice young men offered to hitch us into Cherokee as planned. Batta bing batta boom we get find the resupply is crap but load up our sacks with Little Debbies, fill our bellies with pizza and pizzert (don't ask) and off we go back to the road to try and hitch back in...A three mile road walk later, we get picked up by some nice fellow hikers, hiked to the closed campground and share our left overs with poor Shakes who didn't get lost.This is when I get dubbed, Night Shift. (Matt doesn't get a name yet. a while ago someone suggest mountain goat after we talked about the family goat but there are about 200 of those already and Reverend suggested Handler but it never stuck.)
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Smokemont Campground

To: Enloe Creek Campsite (BM)
Miles today: 9.2

I was pretty miserable this day, so much so that I didn't even write in my journal. All I know is that it was rainy and misty and dark and cold and all up hill and rainy and misty and dark and cold and ALL UP HILL. Nuff said.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Enloe Creek Campsite (BM)

To: Laurel Gap Shelter (BM)
Miles today: 9.3

This day started where it left off yesterday. Rainy and cold in the morning and snowing and cold in the evening. All of us are now in low spirits and are ready to be through the BM. Again I didn't mark the mileage or the campsite.Being in lower elevation has spoiled us too much, being back up high and in the snow after being in shorts is not joyfull. Sleeping with our wet shoes and our water supply so they wont freeze after basking in the sun is not joyful. Low on food. Low on fuel. Low on spirits (I don't mean alcohol). Low IPod battery. This shelter is trashed. There's no privy. Today sucks.Oh. Happy one month anniversary Shakes, Reverend, Matt and I.
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Laurel Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

More of the same misery in the snow but it was the last day of the BM.Getting out to the parking lot, we ran across some folks by their cars who had just ended their weekend trip who seemed interested in the AT. Despite that, they never got the hint that we'd like a hitch back to the AT...3 mile road walk later, we meet up with the AT and head for Standing Bear Farm. So far are most favorite hostel. Great layed back place and the coolest buildings. Um, I washed my clothes with a bar of soap on a washboard and wrung it though a press. At least I can say I've done it; I am so greatful for washing machines. Thank you Standing Bear Farm for the great stay!
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Painter Branch Tentsite
Miles today: 1.8

Not leaving until after 3pm and having eatin our bellies full, the four of us had no ambition to hike and only ended up less than 2 miles away. Slightly embarrassing but we're doing it the right way: enjoying ourselves, and letting our vacation be a vacation. As Reverend says, "Get your study hall out of my recess!"Sat around a campfire under the stars all night.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Painter Branch Tentsite

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

Over max patch today. What a beautiful place! A great big rolling field atop a mountain. We really wished we could tent here tonight but the wind was mean and they are calling for showers tonight so we pressed on.The day turned to rain.The four of us ended up staying at Roaring Fork with Ken, Mouse, DC, his friend (I forget his name at the moment),and two weekend hikers. Tight sleeping..
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Hot Springs (Alpine Court Motel)

To: Hot Springs (Alpine Court Motel)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Yet another zero day.Reverend hasn't been feeling well for the past couple of days and needs to set up an appointment for the doctors soon. Ended up he got to hitch home today and will be going to the doctors Wednesday.We will be missing him for several days! It feels like a band breaking up! Sad day but we will see him soon.Nice sunny day for eating, resupplying and laundry. Matt asked for Putin at a diner. Down here. He didn't get what he wanted.
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Big Flat Tentsite
Miles today: 11.8

Yet another rainy day but by noon the sun decided to show itself. We had lunch at a trashed shelter and dried out all our gear for a couple hours in the sun before heading back out. I mean the place was trashed; dirty socks, something that looked like underpants, trash, cans, odds and ends..but we later found out that a fellow hiker (who at this point we havent met yet) cleaned it all up and hiked out with like 5 pounds of extra weight to properly dispose of it. We need more people like you "Bud"!The rest of the day seemed to drag on and at the end of it, Matt and I must have done an extra 2 miles just going back and forth trying to find "the campsite". By the end of it, when Shakes showed up, we ended up setting up camp on an old ATV road.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Big Flat Tentsite

To: Unnamed Bald (Mile 317.2)
Miles today: 6.5

Headed out in the morning and arrived at Sams Gap around 11. At the road, Moonpie, Doozie, Matt and Shakes and I set out to try and get a hitch to a diner that was about 3 miles down the road. Being strategic, we obviously didnt hang around the road together but spread apart to better our chances of getting a hitch. But Shakes, being the lucky man that he is with his good ol 'hitching hat' got us a ride as soon as he stepped foot on the road.A shadey ride.I have no way to describe it other than that small truck really did sound like it was going to break down on the road. And with all those bodies and packs in the back....ummm...not good. Come to find out the guy was on his way to a mechanic. Either way, it was really awesome for him to get us to that diner.Leaving the diner with full tummies and take-out cheeseburgers we set off with another easy hitch and only made it a mile down the trail before we ate our treats. Oh well.Proceeding on thinking we had about 3 more miles to our planned campsite, we ran into an unmentioned grassy bald where we could see Big Bald and all kinds of condos lining a ridge across from us so we called it good. Unfortunately, there was no water nearby so Matt, with all his bundles of energy went back 8/10 of a mile down hill to gather enough water for the three of us to cook supper and breakfast with and enough drinking water for the night and to get us by until our next water source. (All uphill on the way back) The deal was Shakes would buy him a beer the next town we hit and I would retreive the water for the next week and build a fire for the night. (Which Shakes said was the best fire we've had yet, thank you very much)Well any way, it was a great spot and the fullish moon was spectacular.