morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

I woke up around 7 this morning and didn¢t want to get out of my tent, it was so nice and warm in there. Made some oatmeal and packed up. I was on the trail by 9:30. Hadn¢t been gone ten minutes when I hit my first down tree of the day. I made it over without a problem, almost. I had one foot on the ground and when I put down the other I hit a slick spot in the mud and down I went, right on my side. Saw some really nice flowers today, the sides of the hills were covered with them. It was very cool and windy today and overcast. Made it up the Max Patch where it was socked in with clouds.. It was a little challenging trying to walk across the summit because the wind was blowing me sideways. Stopped for lunch on a grassy patch north of Max Patch with Heather, Mark and Chuck. The temp has been dropping all day. Doc said it was 38 degrees on Max Patch and that was without the wind. I fell for the second time this afternoon when I slipped on some roots and again on my side I went. I really thought I was going over the side this time. Not sure what stopped me from going off. It was an easy walk the rest of the afternoon. We had all planned to do 13 miles today and stay at Walnut Mountain Shelter but when we got here we decided this was far enough. Had some Lipton Noodle and a Snickers for dinner with some nice hot apple cider. Mark tried to get a fire going but it wouldn¢t take. I¢m freezing! It¢s in the high 30¢s somewhere. I¢m in my bag and it is before 8:00. Looking forward to getting into Hot Springs! Cap¢n Ben and Christie just walked in after doing 19 miles to catch us. I must go for now, I can¢t feel my fingers. BRRRRR!!!!!
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Oh what a cold night it was in the shelter last night. This was the first time I¢ve had to close up the face of the bag as small as it would go, then snuggle down so my hat filled what was left of the opening. Mr. Magoo said it was 38 degrees inside the shelter this morning but we all know it was much colder than that. Got up and had some hot breakfast then off I went. Made the first climb of the day when we were greeted by Find Me¢s mom with all kinds of cookies and soda. She and her mom have such a great story. I¢ll save it for another time. Overall, the day was pretty easy. Stopped on top of Bluff Mountain for a little lunch break with Heather (Headlamp), Mark (Superman), Chuck, Iron Chef, then Cap¢n Ben, Christie, Michelle (Moxie), and Josh (Crazy Talk) showed up and joined us. Took another snack break at one of the gaps about 3.5 miles before the shelter. It really was a beautiful day, didn¢t see as many wildflowers as I did the other day but it was still beautiful. Everyone was talking about going the extra 3 miles into town today but that obviously didn¢t happen. I had every intension of going so that tomorrow I could wake up and not have to go anywhere but when I got to the sign for the shelter there was a note from Smokey that she was there and to come and see her. Well, that did it. She and her brother were camping there for the night and Superman, Headlamp and I decided we would stay. The day ended with a beautiful night sky full of stars. Play made an awesome campfire for us all to gather around. I¢m camping out without my tent tonight. I¢ve already laid my mat and bag out, it¢s just waiting for me to crawl in. Hopefully nothing else will crawl in it before I do.
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

What a great night it was to sleep under the stars. I lay there for a while staring up at the stars before I fell asleep. I woke up a couple of different times during the night and the only things I saw were 2 satellites passing thru the sky. I did wake up at one point to someone peeing in the trees and my immediate thought was ¢I hope they are not watering the tree I¢m sleeping next to.¢ I went to sleep last night thinking about a snake or mouse trying to join me in my bag but I guess I should have been more concerned with getting peed on. Ha Ha. It turns out it was just Mark and he was farther away than it sounded. You¢re never going to guess what time I got out of camp this morning. 7:00, can you believe it? My feet were on the trail by 7:00 am. I didn¢t even bother with breakfast, just packed up my bag and took off. I did see a nice sunrise, the colors were just great. I really like hiking in the early morning, it¢s cool and everything is so much fresher. I managed to make it to town in 1 hour and I was in the Smokey Mountain Diner a little after 8:00 for some breakfast. Mark, Heather, Play, myself, Arthur, Mr. Magoo and Chuck also joined us. Had a whole lot of food. I had a huge plate of French toast and some hash browns with a couple of glasses of milk. Once the belly was full, I made my way thru town, checking out my options on lodging. There were very few choices due to all the hikers that have been here for days. I was going to go in on a cabin with Mark, Heather, Chuck, and Mr. Magoo but when I found out that there was an opening at the Creekside Inn I changed my mind. It¢s a good thing too because that cabin was soooo small. They had to shut the water off to the town today to do some repair work so showering and laundry were on hold for everyone. Since there was nothing else to do, it seemed like every hiker in town was gathered outside the outfitter¢s. I would get bored and wander inside and buy something then go back outside for a while. I did this a couple of times. Stephen showed up for the night and it was great to see him. I guess he has to stay off the trail for 2 more weeks so hopefully he will come back then. Eric came out from Ashville to visit for the next couple of days. He was going to come out on the trail for a while but can¢t do it just yet so he will probably be joining farther north. It was close to 5:00 when I was able to get a shower and do my laundry and everyone was at the laundromat with the same idea. It has been a great day so far, relaxing and hanging out with people, some of whom I have never mat before.
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

After Eric came into town we went and had dinner at the Magnolia Inn and did some catching up. After dinner we ended up at the Paddlers Pup with Stephen, Paul and Amy. Also met Mover and Indiana Slim. Spent a good deal of time there having a few drinks. After the pub closed we hung around out front with some of the local people, that was pretty fun. I thought I¢d be able to sleep in today but no, at 7:00 my eyes were open. I tried to go back to sleep but it wasn¢t happening. I refused to get up that early so I lay there as long as I could. Eventually we made it down to the diner for some food where we ran into Cap¢n Ben and Christie. Didn¢t really get much done today other than buying fuel. Sat around with a few people in front of the hotel for a while before Eric and I decided to head to Ashville. The weather wasn¢t all that great today, pretty cloudy and rainy and a little cool. While Eric cooked us up some dinner, I went thru my food boxes. I¢m pretty tired so I think I¢ll be turning in early tonight. Besides, I have to get back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Ashville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Didn¢t get up all that early this morning, close to 10:00. Finished going through my box and packed up my pack. Then after looking at my map and figuring out where I was going to stop for the night, I decided it wasn¢t going to happen. I couldn¢t get back to Hot Springs and do 12 miles by dark so here I am for one more night. Spent the afternoon wandering around downtown Ashville and had lunch. It was a little but of a shock with all the people and moving vehicles. It has been a pretty relaxing day. I ate last night¢s leftovers while Eric went to work. Did some catching up on my journal, watched a little TV, now I¢m ready to crash. Headed back to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Ashville, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Up and out at a decent time this morning. Stopped for some breakfast on the way back to Hot Springs where I filled up on a plate of French toast, mmmmm. Once in Hot Springs I said good-bye to Eric and was on the trail by 12:30. Those little gnats or flies or whatever they are are ferocious. They¢re always swarming around your head. It¢s not so bad when you¢re moving but stop and you better watch out. The climb out of Hot Springs was a little tough for me with my belly full of French toast and potatoes, not to mention that its always a hard day the day after a zero or two. It was a beautiful, cloudless day, a little hot but still good. I must not have drunk enough water on my days off because today I couldn¢t get enough. I went through 3 liters by the time I got to camp. I pulled in here at about 6:00. The shelter here is pretty old and no one is staying in it so there are quite a few tents set up tonight. Before I found a place to tent I checked out the register. Looks like quite a few people also took a zero day yesterday. Smokey came through some time today so maybe I¢ll see her tomorrow. As much as I like having people around during the day to talk to, it was nice being on my own for a change. I¢m camped with this group of great guys (all previous through hikers). The tent sites are limited around here so they let me set up at their camp. They¢ve been trying to convince me that I should get a camp chair and even lent me one of theirs for the night. They also taught me a new way to hang my food bag. Speaking of food bag, I have way too much food. Well, it looks like I do anyway, but I know it won¢t go to waste, not with the way I¢ve been eating. My sleeping bag is calling my name so I must go.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Out of camp by 9:00 this morning. The first 4 miles went pretty fast. Made it to Allen Gap in about 1.5 hours where some very nice soul left sodas, chips, and cookies for some very appreciative hikers. Decided to make my next lunch break 5 miles up the trail at Little Laurel Shelter. Boy, was that a long 5 miles, didn¢t think I was ever going to get there. It was another beautiful day but pretty hot out and I couldn¢t get enough water. When I finally made it to the shelter I took a nice long break. Made some pink lemonade and had a big lunch of a bagel with peanut butter, some cheese, a granola bar, and a Snickers bar. There was one tough climb after the shelter and the rest of the day wasn¢t too bad. There was one section of trail about 3 or so miles from this shelter where the rocks and roots came out and the trees and branches were awfully low so I was either tripping or getting hit in the head. I know the terrain can¢t always be easy but when it is covered in rocks or you¢re climbing a pretty steep hill, it¢s very difficult to get much thinking done. Finally made it into camp at about 6:30 and found a nice little spot for my tent. There doesn¢t seem to be anyone staying in the shelter tonight, everyone is tenting it. Made myself some Lipton sour cream and chives noodles for dinner, (I¢m not sure which is my favorite, it¢s a toss up between this one and the chicken flavor) and a Baby Ruth ¢ thanks Dad ¢ for dessert. I did see 2 deer this morning and I forgot to mention this yesterday but I did see one at some point in the day. I¢ve also been seeing a lot of butterflies these last couple of days. Looks like I have a new blister, no, make that 2 new blisters. Well, I¢m exhausted, good night, all.
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

What a restless nights sleep I had. First, I couldn¢t get comfortable, then when I finally did fall asleep I kept waking up either because I was hot or just not comfy. At about 2:00 am I was awakened by something, a bear perhaps, wandering around camp. I think it was a bear but whatever it was, it was all over camp and it hung around for quite a while. After packing up camp and eating breakfast I headed out. I passed a few graves today (have actually passed several in the past week but some are just memorials). Some that I saw today were Shelton graves ¢ two brothers who were Union soldiers and were ambushed by Confederates as they were returning to visit their families. As I was walking along, I was imagining being back in that time and walking home. I kept going back to parts of a book I read, ¢Cold Mountain¢. As the day went on my energy level took a pretty big dive. When it came time to do the last big climb I was ready to give in. Frozen Knob kicked my butt. I seriously could not wait to get to the shelter. I was so happy when I finally arrived. Even happier when I saw that Smokey and Chris (The Bandit) were here. There are a lot of tents here tonight and the shelter is also full. Set up my tent, made some dinner, and then visited with everyone. Smokey has sparked my interest in doing a slack pack tomorrow from Sam¢s Gap into Erwin. The only thing is that it¢s 24 miles, maybe we will be able to split it into 2 days. I guess Cap¢n Ben and Christie went on to Sam¢s Gap today to hitch to Erwin so they can also slack tomorrow. Well, off to bed I go. I want to get an early start in case I decide to go for the slack.
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

Up and out of camp at a fairly decent time with Smokey and The Bandit and Viking. We all hiked the 2.5 miles to Sam¢s Gap where we were trying to find a shuttle to Erwin so that Chris ( The Bandit) could go to town with our packs and we could slack. While Smokey made a couple of phone calls a van pulled up. It was Miss Janet. She was dropping someone off and told us to hop in and she would take us. After talking with her we decided it best not to do the 24 miles. Instead we went north to Spivey Gap where she dropped us off and we walked back to Sam¢s Gap. Miss Janet advised that we go north to south on this stretch because it would be easier to get a ride back into town. Boy, did I feel like a weight had been lifted off my back. It was so nice without the big pack. She dropped us off at 11:30 and we arrived at Sam¢s at 7:30. We also hung out at the shelter for probably close to an hour because of the storm that rolled in. The section of forest we went through today was really nice. It was so funny. Everyone that was at the shelter last night passed us on the trail and every single one of them told us we were going the wrong way. Once we got back to Sam¢s Gap (also the Interstate) it didn¢t take us too long to get a ride from some guys in a pickup. We piled in the back and off we went. It was fun to go flying by the cars that wouldn¢t stop for us. Chris booked us a room at the Super 8 for the night. After we were all cleaned up we ordered pizzas. My eyes were bigger than my stomach, if that¢s possible any more. I went over to McDonald¢s while we waited for the pizza and got the chicken nugget meal. By the time I finished that, the pizza had arrived. I couldn¢t finish it, there just wasn¢t any room left in my belly. Saw Ben and Christie. They could hardly walk after their 24 mile slack. I¢m super, super, super tired so good night all.
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

After we were all up and had breakfast we walked over to Miss Janet¢s to catch the shuttle to finish up that section of trail we left off. When the shuttle left we made a stop at the river by Uncle Johnny¢s to drop someone off and what do you know, there is Stephen. Filled him in on what we were doing so he joined us. She dropped us off at Spivey Gap at 11:30 and away we went. The hiking was pretty easy. Got caught in another storm again today and stupid me I didn¢t bring my rain jacket. Did a little praying that I wouldn¢t get hit by lightning and just kept moving. Sleepy, Viking and I hitched a ride back onto town to Miss Janet¢s to get our stuff. After being there for a while the 3 of us went up to the burrito place for dinner and then back to Miss Janet¢s. iron Chef, Sleepy, Windwalker and I decided to go in on a room at the Super 8. Eventually Miss Janet drove us back to the hotel so we could get cleaned up. The plan for tonight ¢ Miss Janet is taking a bunch of us to some honky-tonk bar in Johnson City for the Bandit¢s birthday. Chef wasn¢t feeling good so he went straight to bed. At 10:00 she is supposed to come back and get us.
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was 10:30 before they came to get us last night. This was such a cheesy place, it was so funny and we were the ones that stood out. There was Miss Janet, Smokey, The Bandit, me, Sleepy, Boiler Plate, Pipes, Farmer, and Moxie. I did have a great time! It was 2:00 am when she brought us back and I was hungry so Sleepy Floyd and I walked over to the Huddle House for some food before going back to the room and crashing. I really hate not being able to sleep past 7:00. I lay there as long as I could before getting up. Sleepy Floyd, Iron Chef and I had planned a 9 mile slack today while a huge group was doing 19. As it turns out, so many people wanted to slack today that she had to make multiple trips and because the 3 of us were only doing 9, she took us back to the house so someone else could take us. This didn¢t work out quite like it was supposed to. I felt like today I was playing the hurry up and wait game. It was 1:30 when we finally made it to the trail. We started at Indian Grave Gap and walked south back to the river. What an easy walk, the 3 of us just took our time all day. It did storm on us but we made it onto the shelter before it started. Waited it out there for a little while until it started to fill up with people who were staying the night so we decided to give them room and take off. I was prepared today with my rain jacket. Made it back to the river, hitched a ride into town and went straight to the burrito place for dinner because we were all starved. Came up with a game plan while we ate. Sleepy Floyd was to go to the Super 8 and get us a room while Chef and I went to Miss Janet¢s to pick up our stuff that we left there. Then we would go back to the hotel to clean up and then go to the movies. That¢s pretty much how it went except that we got a ride back to the hotel from Miss Janet. We all got cleaned up quickly and went to the movies to see XMEN2. There was a group of us going; Sleepy, Chef, Boiler Plate Pipes, Ben, Christie, and I. This was the cheapest theater I¢ve ever been to. It cost $5 to get in and $3 for popcorn, a drink and a candy bar. The movie was OK, now I must get some sleep.
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Everyone¢s all spread out now because of all the slack packing. Ben, Christie, Mark and Heather are all ahead now by a day. Smokey and Chris are behind by a day. Miss Janet dropped us off at the trail by 1:30, a little bit of a late start but that¢s okay. The 2 of us managed to hike together for most of the day. If Stephen wasn¢t taking it slow because of his foot, I doubt I would see him. It was about 6:00 when we got into camp. Chores done, belly full, I¢m nice and warm. We did stop on top of the Beauty Spot for lunch with Indiana Slim and his 2 friends. The longest climb of the day was coming up Unaka Mountain but boy was it worth it once you got to the top. It was so pretty, a little pine forest and it smelled wonderful. Unlike myself since I didn¢t get a chance to do laundry while in Erwin. It was so hectic and when I would get to a point where I had the time, the Laundromat was closed. Oh well, what are a few more days. I did manage to wash a couple of things in the sink, though. Wow, it¢s later than I thought! Good night!
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Okay, the plan was to stop for the night at Clyde Smith Shelter which would have been an 8.7 mile day but that didn¢t happen. When Stephen & I got to that shelter it was about 2:00 and we had lunch and debated whether or not to move on. The thought was to go ahead and climb over Roan Mountain today because it is supposed to storm tomorrow. It was a tough decision because I really wanted to stop for the day. It did take us an hour to decide to push on and do 6 more miles to Roan Shelter. It took me forever to do the last 3 miles because I was so out of energy. I arrived at the shelter at about 8:00. The clouds started rolling in about a mile before the shelter. I was quite surprised when I walked in and Stephen wasn¢t there. I think maybe he missed the sign. This is a pretty neat shelter, 2 stories with a door. I quickly set up my stuff and made dinner. As hungry as I was I could barely finish my dinner, probably because I was rushing. Earlier in the day we stopped for a snack break in this little field which looked to be an old orchard of sorts, and I saw a hummingbird flying around.
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

What a day! First of all, I didn¢t sleep very well because the floor was awfully hard. When I got up this morning it was 40 degrees, raining, and windy. Packed up and headed out. It was 1.5 miles to Carvers Gap which wasn¢t bad until you crossed the gap and had to go over 2 balds. Totally exposed once leaving the gap, I got pelted with hail which was stinging me through the hood on my rain jacket and the wind was absolutely outrageous. It was blowing me all over the place. I would be walking along when a big gust of wind would push me about 5 steps off the trail. I had to walk at an angle, leaning into the wind. There was a shelter about 1.5 miles from this one where I stopped for a quick break and read in the journal that Stephen camped not far from there. I got here at 2:00 this afternoon. What a cool place, it is a barn that had been renovated into a shelter. Came in to find Cap¢n Ben, Christie (Auntie Em), Heather, Mark, Michelle, and Stephen. Turns out he did miss the sign for Road Mountain Shelter se he camped a few miles from here. If it tells you anything, it took me 4.5 hours to go 6 miles that should have taken me 3 hours. I¢m freezing! I hope to get some reading done this afternoon.   Didn¢t get all that much reading in today after all. I was just too cold. There are about 20 people here tonight and everyone is just sitting around trying to keep warm. I¢ve made my dinner and now I¢m waiting to go to sleep. I think I¢ve pulled a muscle in my hip because it really hurts when I walk, especially when I have to go up.