morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: moderate rain

It rained through the night. Up at 6:30, I have become one of the "earlybirds" I am packed up and on the trail by 7:00. Hiked with Indy today. He took a photo with my packa in the rain. Foriegner caught up at the Cable Gap Shelter where we found a pint of Peach Brandy. It said for emergency use only, and we deemed it an emergency! We all had a shot or two. It was pretty good actually. More rain. I was soaked by the time I reached the shuttle phone where I found Zion and Yankee already waiting. Nancy from the Hike Inn picked up two other guys. We were worried about Indy. He was taking a long time and we almost sent for an ambulance. Foreigner had said he was feeling like maybe he was having a heart attack or something. Anyways, he showed up and I guess it was just a panic attack. Last night we were trying to figure out how to best fit 5 people into a room at Fontana Dam. Who would sleep on the floor and what not! Turns out there was no room at the inn! It was all for not as we found new owners had taken over and all the big wigs were in town. We hung out on the porch and did our laundry, resupplied, got mail, ate ice cream, and watched Zion parade down from the laundry to the Post Office and back wrapped in a sleeping bag duffle. I'm thinking he's short maybe just one item of clothing in his gear list! Yankee treated us to beer, then proceeded to get a citation for something like having no ID on him? We tried to rename him "Citation", but he liked "Yankee". So, he has a make and model and we now call him "Yankee Citation". Up at the outfitter, we signed in, got fuel and sat in the rocking chairs on the portch. Foreigner taught me a few french phrases. Comma va chu, Wee, no, soma bien. I have no idea how to spell them, but I love the way they sound! We ate at the Spaghetti Buffet, but when we were about to shuttle back to the "Fontana Hilton", a trail angel gave us a ride. As he walked up to us he apologized for backing up and holding his nose. Even though he had been a through hiker, the stench was still too much for him. Ben from AT 2004 and his family invited us to trail magic at the pavillion. We slackpacked the mile or so over the most rediculous PUD in record time. Moon Beam and I practically ran the whole thing. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, fruits, salads, crackers, it was awesome. They even had a pinata full of candy. Ben broke out his tub of leftover gear and started handing it out. Duct tape, fuel, scrubbies, garbage bags, all kinds of neat stuff. The only problem is, I really didn't want to carry any more. The Hilton really is a nice shelter.
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

The Smokies! Still raining, Ate the cinnamon rolls and fruit from last night's trail magic and followed Mulligan across the dam. Drizzling and foggy. The strangest apparition occured. I was walking by myself, when I heard singing in the distance ahead of me. I had passed Mulligan, and thought that no one was ahead of me. It was a strange and unfamiliar song and I couldn't quite make out the words. I tried to hurry and catch up, It was strange and lovely all at the same time. Then I caught a brief glimpse of blue, then it faded back into the fog. I hurried some more. I caught glimpses, but could never make out the form. It had to be another hiker, maybe a french canadian? At Mollie's Ridge I met Roni from Israel. Foreigner and I ate lunch. Moonbeam arrived. She left really late, and yet she's caught up by lunch? Powerful! Anyways, we decided to move on to the next shelter, and then the one after that. My feet are tired. Foreigner is 49, he's french canadian, but we spoke in spanish. The shelter is crowded. Naps a lot is smoking a pipe. Fred is talking a lot. Cooked my chicken broccoli rice and climbed in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

No rain last night, but it was colder. Woke up at 6:30 to a nice fire. Fred doesn't use a trail name, but I call him Firemaker Fred. There's a nice sunrise with the clouds. Found "Trouble" on Rocky Top. He took my photo. Still hiking in shorts and sleveless top, but it's chilly when I stop. Waited at Derrick Knob Shelter about 10 minutes, then took a 30 minute lunch. Put my feet up and ate snacks. Then moved on to Siler's Bald. It's coldish, but not bad. Waited for Foreigner. Still learning French. Stopped early at Double Gap. Slept on the lower bunk this time. I may regret it. Mulligan played around with the bear gate. Yankee showed up without Zion. I guess Zion has some serious bad news at home and went home.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Ice Water Springs Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: few clouds

It's a dry morning! Deer behind the shelter. Met Fletch, a section hiker. Foreigner and I climbed Clingmans dome. It was too cold and windy to linger. I should have taken a jacket. Moon Beam and Burner caught up at Indian Gap. At Newfound Gap, they found a reporter and hitched into Gatlingburg. I decided against the townstop in favor of pressing on. I made it to Ice Water Spring Shelter, this time without the 10.6 mile detour! and laid out in the sunshine to warm up and rest. The shelter filled up and there was no shortage of conversation. "Cherokee" keep us entertained and Firemaker Fred fussed with the fire all evening. Two girls from Maine, Julie and Liz, and lots of weekenders that SNORE!!!
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Ice Water Springs Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Rained last night, it is the Smokies after all! but it did not drown out the snoring. Got up super early with Fletch and Foreigner and bypassed Charlie's Bunion. Hiked alone all day, mostly rainy, but it did clear up in the afternoon. Saw the wreckage of a plane. The shelter was buggy, but Fletch and Foreigner made a smokey fire. I hibernated in my tent and ate my dinner and the last of my snacks. I've got a ramen left and 3 bags of oatmeal, but it's just 11 miles till I can resupply tomorrow. Made reservations at Elmer's for Friday night in Hot Springs. Told my "Lost on Mt. Hood" story for the evening's entertainment. Roni from Israel arrived and found a way to hang his hammock in the shelter.
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: moderate rain

I'm out of the Smokies, I hiked in the rain all day and am now spending the afternoon cleaning up and drying out. I thought about the Lewis and Clark expedition while walking in a river of mud. It was an easy downhill though and I made good time. The waterfalls at the end were full and beautiful. Met "Rebel with a cause" and "Captain Cayause" on the bridge near I-40 and they took my photo, gave me a coke. then I hiked in to Standing Bear Farm. There is a lot of people waiting on internet and phone here, so just a brief note to say I'm doing great. Feet and knees are all fine, gear is working well. Plan to be in Hot Springs on Friday and take a zero day there. Thanks for all the messages. Having a great time! Catch up journal in Damascas if possible if not before. WOW, I checked into the "girl's dorm" with the giggle twins, Beth and Michelle. Garrett and Janice are here as well as a mouse that runs around the christmas lights and does a shadow show. Laundry, Now, I'm the one running around in my raingear waiting for my clothes to dry! Showered while keeping an eye on the tick on the shower curtain. Jed caught up "Beer Nuts" Foreigner, Mulligan. Lots of others too! Met Blackfoot and went to town for dinner and resupply. and another dinner! Burner and Moonbeam, Julie with the dog that followed her from Fontana Dam all the way through the Smokies. Met Jason, no name yet. Our cabin sits on top of a creek!
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Walnut Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 20.3

Out early. Julie took my photo by the standing bear. Met Marion and Postman. Saw a girl with short hair who is not happy after 1 month on the trail, she is going home. Ate lunch with Foreigner on Max Patch. Dundee took our photo. The sun came out and it was a very nice view. Burner showed up at the shelter. He left Moonbeam behind. Water was a long ways off, but the shelter is cozy.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Walnut Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Wow! Beautiful day. The weather cleared up and it's not hot! Flowers everywhere, orchids! Got into town just after noon. Checked for my mail drop. No hammock! Ate lunch at the Paddler's Pub, Hamburgers and onion rings with Fletch, Foreigner, and Burner. Then a milkshake! Yes! I had reserved a spot at Elmer's and a good thing too, they were booked. The shower experience was not as I expected however. I liked the old claw foot tub ok, but I kinda wanted to just get a quick shower and get town stuff done. So, I wrapped the clear curtian thing around the tub, but I couldn't figure out quite how to get the water to come out of the shower head. It took for ever to get hot water out of the tub faucet, and just as it got hot, the pressure dropped to a trickle. Well, being desperate to be clean, I just did the sponge bath thing with a washcloth from the trickle and called it good. Except, I had forgot to get a towel! So now I did a hasty wipe down with the dirty clothes I had just taken off. Not exactly the luxurious shower I had imagined, but somehow sufficient and I'm sure others appreciated the trouble I had taken. Anyways, Laundry, groceries, and all that. Then, the long awaited HOT SPRINGS. A full hour to soak and get a foot massage! I've been looking forward to this since, I think, Oh, about day 1! And it Was everything I had imagined! I met moonbeam's parents and grandma! They're cool. Fletch finally got a ride home. Used the computer at the outfitters to make copies of my camera cards and sent them home. Sent my nephew, Ryan, a birthday card and slept in the softest nice double bed in the hostel! I was kinda glad the girl that was booked for the other half never showed up. I took over the whole thing!
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast at the diner. Checked on my hammock. Still not at the Post Office. Forwarded mail to Damascus! It should have plenty of time to catch up with me there. On the trail at 8:45 with a long uphill climb. It was chilly. Caught up to Foreigner at lunch. On to Little Laurel Shelter. Tired. Found Burner, Yankee and 3 other guys. Burner had got white gas instead of denatured alcohol and it doesn't quite work too well. Anyways, he's got lots of friends. Mulligan made it in. He's usually the last one in, but he almost always gets the miles in. He's amazing. It's like on Cheers when Norm enters the bar, Everyone yells "Mulligan"!
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

Up at 7:00 on trail by 7:10. Ok, I know you don't care what time I get up or when I get on the trail. It's just for me. I'm a hiker. I take great pleasure in seeing how fast (or slow) it takes me to do so many miles on such and such terrain. I'm pretty sure now that I am never going to be a 4 mph hiker. 3 mph is for getting somewhere in a hurry, like to Dairy Queen. I'm pretty consistant now with a 2.5 mph pace irreguardless of the ups and downs. The young guys sleep in and pass me around noon to arrive at the shelter about an hour before me. The old guys get up early and I pass them to arrive at the shelter just in time to get water, cook, clean up and go to bed. The old guys show up just about dark and I have no idea how they can walk that many hours and still keep going every day. But they do! So, Anyways, it's cold, sprinkling and the trail is on a windy exposed rocky ridge. I wore my fleece and my packa. My hands were especially cold. I used a pair of socks for gloves forgetting I had a pair of gloves buried in the bottom of my pack. I added my rain pants at Jerry's cabin. While Foreigner and I were sitting there eating a snack, Yankee comes running past the shelter. It's down hill and he just looks over, sees us, waves, and keeps right on running. It was somehow the funniest thing I had seen all day and it cracked me up. Burner had finally rolled out of bed and passed me soon after I was on the trail again and just as we passed Yankee sitting on the ground eating uncooked ramen. Apparently out of energy from his morning sprint. I stopped at Flint Mountain to wait for Foreigner. Met a foursome that had been taking their time. They've been out 6 weeks already. One of the girls was Harley Hog Pit. I liked her name, but she says she never rode a motorcylcle. She just likes them! The older lady gave me some M&Ms. Got water and pressed on. Left "Leaves no trace" behind and the guy I met in Hot Springs who was already in his tent last night, and I still don't know his name. There comes a point when you've seen a hiker too many times to be asking his name. So, I just had to make up one on my own until someone uses their name in my presence. This guy gets the name "Hot Springs" for today. Got to the shelter at 6:58. 21.5 miles in 11 hours if you take out the breaks. See, it's addictive. I just need to know this stuff. The shelter was full. I kinda knew it would be. Everyone was holding up for a scheduled trail magic at Sam's Gap for May Day. Crutch was there, L'wonder, Yankee, Burner and lots I didn't know. Dirt nap helped burner set up his tarp while I went for water. The water was a loooonnng ways away to use dog tag girl's spelling. Another hiker came in later and was getting water for Foreigner. He had set up camp just 150 yards short of the trail to the shelter. He said he was done! It rained during the night, but my tent worked like a champ.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap Campsite
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

Rabbit Rabbit! Hooray Hooray 1st of May. I can't break my routine, so I was up early at 6:30 and on trail by 7:30. I just can't seam to sleep in, even though it's only 2 miles to trail magic that doesn't start till 11:00. Had to step around a hiker camped in the middle of the trail. I don't blame him, who want's to hike past trail magic! Another hiker, the guy I call Hot Springs, had planned to meet his mom at Sam's Gap only to find out there is no exit there! He offered me 5 bucks to use my cell phone when she drove right past him! I didn't charge him of course. He is moving her RV from camp to camp so she can be near him as he hikes. Foreigner and Yankee showed up and are waiting for Hamburgers and Hot dogs. And it was worth the wait. A couple rigs showed up and four angels went to work grilling burgers and hotdogs. They plied us with treat after treat. Cookies, M&Ms, donuts, lemon bread, WOW, I was so full I couldn't eat anymore and out the guy came with cream puffs. Now if I had been smart, I would have packed it away for desert later that night, but no, I'm a thru-hiker. I will eat anything handed to me and I did. I met Sticks, Breeze and Spaghetti Os and took photos of Dirt Nap's feet. He hikes barefoot. Another guy was headed home. He wasn't having any fun alone. Me, I'm still having a great time. I had really thought I was going to be at no-business knob shelter tonight, but with the trail magic, I was looking at camping somewhere short, probably near the road at Spivey Gap. That wasn't all that appealing to me since I had heard stories of rapes and vandalism near roadways in Tennessee. Fortunately Foreigner was thinking of camping about the same place. It was a fine campsite complete with a nice fire and so I took the opportunity to learn more French. I am now litterate in the numbers 1 - 10! A long ways from conversing fluently should I get the chance to hike the trail in France that goes to some church in Spain! I am thinking about Teri tonight.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Spivey Gap Campsite

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 11.2

Wow! I'm so far ahead of schedule! I'm thinking of taking a zero tomorrow. I have been feeling great, but the last two days, my feet are feeling tired, so maybe I'd better give them a break. Sam's gap had some awesome trail magic. Hamburgers, hotdogs, cream puffs, donuts, bananas, m&ms. I ate too much. It was a long hot climb up to Bald Mountain. So there is so much to say and so little time to sit and type. I'm looking forward to trail days. No rain last night! Always a nice thing to wake up to a dry tent. Hiked out to Erwin, where Burner and Yankee were hanging out at Uncle Johnny's. Hard to pass up a 40 cent snickers bar! Signed up for a bunk, shower, laundry and a shuttle to Erwin. Ate a huge burrito for lunch and watched Yankee talking on the phone, forever, as usual. Found a great little library with internet. Got our groceries and shuttled back to Uncle Johnny's. Ordered Pizza and ate 1/2 gallon of ice cream between us. Foreigner's feet are in bad shape.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Nolichucky River

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 0.0

Spent a zero to go to Johnson City with Foriegner and Burner. At Mahoney's Outfitters, Foreigner was looking for new shoes. I bought hiking poles and a lighter sleeping bag. Hope it's not too light!!! We picked Burner up at Barnes and Nobles, where he was conversing pleasantly with a new friend. He picked up a french dictionary for me. Stopped for lunch at A&W and bought way too much. Back at the hostel, I gave my fish dinner away. Boxed up my heavy bag, hat, gloves, mini light, whistle, compass, passport, April's journal, notes and reciepts, etc and shuttled back to town to mail it home. Stopped at a pharmacy and bought jellybeans. The cashier was so interested in us. She knew we were hikers right away. How can they tell? I showered! Really! Made my way back to the library for more internet time. Burner managed to leave his purchases there and they were locked up the minute we stepped out the door. Ate dinner at Elm's with Foreigner, Burner, and Long Shanks. Also saw Dirt Diva and Compass Rose and met the South Africans, one of whom is Spindle Shanks. Back at the hostel, we were listening as Burner made a life decision. He's going to move to another state and take the bar! Meanwhile, Breeze was back to pick up his bowl. He had hike out 3 miles, returned, and was headed back. 9 miles to get 3! I think I would have ate out of my shoe before, well, maybe not! Watched the video "Castaway" which was so appropriate. Still eating, frosted cookies and Whoppers! I missed the fire scene, my favorite, where he makes fire for the first time. A new hiker showed up and Johnny had left us in charge. Not a bad zero day!
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Nolichucky River

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Settled up with Uncle Johnny. $38 or something. Still sunny, but by noon the rain started. Rained hard. Met Fred and Richard at Curly Gap. I had met them in Hot Springs. There were 2 section hikers at Indian grave. Beauty Spot was clear. Happy to get to shelter before it filled! And it rained hard again! I cooked my chicken rice. My packa had leaked today. There were clothes lines everywhere. Ballpark was pretty clear that any late risers would find their clothes on the table. Damp Dan, Dadelis, Dirt Diva, Compass Rose, Fred and Richard, Burner, Mulligan and even more. Burner was too late for a shelter spot so Foreigner and I went with him to advise on his tarp tying adventures. He is still working out the kinks in a slip knot. Me, I'm snug in the shelter practicing French, which is sounding more and more impossible. Foreigner says the word in the dictionary. I mimic the sound. He laughs. He says it again. I try again. He laughs. I try another variety. I move my lips in strange contortions. He laughs. I give up and use spanish.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Ate my poptart as I started out in a drizzle. Took a photo of Burner's tarp as I went by. He did manage to stay dry. Damp Dan had stopped at Greasy Gap and recommended we do too. Foreigner and I went the .6 miles down the hill for the best gourmet salad, turkey sandwich and ice cream sundae. Not exactly hiker portions, but tasty. Hard day of climbing. I remember this walk last year when I was short on water. I swore I would never hike this hill again. Stopped at an overlook to eat my gourmet sandwich. It rained the last hour. Fortunately Damp Dan was the only one at the shelter. I changed into dry clothes, got water, cooked dinner and was settling in for a good night's sleep, when a church group of kids arrived. It was well after dark. The leaders were cooking dinner in whispers and the kids were sprawling out their sleeping bags across every available square inch, which included the one spot left between Damp Dan and Foreigner. The kid that chose that spot slept backwards and in the morning I could see he was using the bottom of Foreigner's pad for a pillow and Damp Dan complained about getting kicked in the face numerous times during the night! The other 13 or so were all squished like curled sardines on the other half of the cabin. Not to mention the bunch upstairs. The worst part was trying to find a path to the door in the middle of the night to pee!
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour B&B
Miles today: 15.2

Today was a much easier day. There was a beautiful sunny momment on top Hump Mountain. Saw 2 deer today. Stopped for lunch at Overmountain Shelter and visited with Dirt Diva, a 5th grade science teacher. Hostel was full but Damp Dan, Foreigner and I slept in the overflow RV. Burner came over and hung out with us though, since his bunk (the sofa) was always full and he didn't know most of the hikers in the hostel. The B&B is wonderful. She did our laundry and the cute little kids brought it back to us. It's one's birthday and she was telling everyone! Showered (Apparently there was a lock, but I failed to see it) Took the shuttle to get groceries. Mary made homemade pizza and salad. WOW! Watched Jeremiah Johnson in the RV with Foreigner and Damp Dan. Foreigner is so much a Jeremiah!
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Mountain Harbour B&B

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: moderate rain

Breakfast was incredible. I mean, amazingly incredible. We ate on china with lace table clothes. The food was ornately presented in silver serving peices. Bisquits and Gravy, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, pork chops, bacon, fruit. This is the life. It rained all day. Caught up to Mulligan eating peanut butter sandwiches with frozen fingers. He couldn't even close his backpack. He gave Foreigner and I a tour of the trail he helped build. Saw 2 deer at the trail to the waterfall. They were trotting down the trail, looked sideways to see us approaching the turn off and kept on trotting down the side trail. It was just like when Yankee had came running past us at Jerry's Cabin. It cracked me up. Glad to see the shelter. I had walked far enough, too far, with wet feet. It was a quite evening, possibly because Burner had went on to Kincora. But Mulligan, Damp Dan, Foreigner and I had a good night's sleep except for listening to the owl outside and retrieving any rolling items that kept sliding out on the ground. (The floor has a definate slant to it!)