morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-19
From: stealth camp just south of Hogback Gap

To: Fontana (Rt. 28)
Miles today: 9.6

start:stealth campsite just south of Hogback Gapfinish: Fontana (rt. 28)miles: 9.6day: 12Sunrise:Warmer this morning, not quite cold enough to frost, and everything's nice and dry.  Our campsite is perched on a little hump of land right beside the trail.  This was all we could find last night, as it was getting dark and we were ridge-walking with the land falling away steeply on both sides.So we have a great view of the sun coming up over the distant mountains.  First a tinge of orange-pink, spreading like a watercolor, then a fluorescent pink ball rising up, then changing to something too bright to look at.  I sure do enjoy getting to see so many nice sunrises.The woodpeckers have gone nuts nearby and overhead.  At least 3 or 4 of them.  I wonder if the sun on the wood causes the insects to start moving, thereby telegraphing their positions?  It's a percussion symphony, with the varying speeds and depths of tone.  These woodpeckers are hungry!Easy day today -- less than 10 miles into Fontana where we're staying the night at the inn.9:30 pmAt the Fontana Inn laying in bed watching The Patriot on TV.  About 3 miles into our hike today, coming down into Yellow Creek Gap, I saw Goldilocks (who hikes faster than me) talking to someone in a pickup truck.  Getting closer, the truck looks familiar.  It's STUMPKNOCKER!  I didn't expect to see him up this way so soon.  He's put the Florida Trail on hold after hiking over 700 miles of it, and is coming back north to complete the 165 miles through PA --> VA that he needs to complete last year's hike.  So he's here looking for us and doing trail magic.  We dang near RAN the remaining 6.5 miles into Fontana where El Stump would be waiting with the truck to whisk us off to a Chinese buffet for lunch.  I did the miles in 2.5 hours.  Not bad for an old guy.  Thanks for lunch Stumpy!After lunch in Robbinsville (who knew we'd be back there so soon?) we came back and checked in and passed the time exchanging stories until dinner.  Also, Goldilocks and I worked our way through sorting a large food box we mailed to ourselves here.  Stump is gonna help us out by dropping some of it off on the other side of the Smokies, as we'd shopped hungry and overdid it.Well, time for lights out.  Stump and Goldilocks are already asleep.  Into the Smokies tomorrow!  Let's hope the weather holds.
Date: 2005-03-20
From: Fontana (Rt. 28)

To: stealth camp 1 mile north of Devil's Tater Patch
Miles today: 13.5

start: Fontana (rt. 28)finish: stealth campsite 1 mile north of Devil's Tater Patchmiles: 13.5day: 13Had a great breakfast at the restaurant at the Fontana Inn, where we stayed last night.  We're back in the motel room now watching the Weather Channel.  The forecast has gotten better -- sunny in the 60s today.  Woohoo!Stumpknocker keeps taking pictures for "a story" he's developing for his journal.  Full breakfast plates, then empty ones, then us hikers lying in bed.  Whatever you see on his journal in the near future is ALL LIES.  He used some lazy stand-ins, as we're working hard right now, hiking north.  Yup.Stumpknocker agreed to deliver a box of food to Standing Bear Farm for us pick up on the other side of the Smokies.  We got so caught up in the bad weather reports and everyone else's fears that we ended up with too much food in Fontana.  Nice of Stumpy to do this.  He's such a reliable guy.We said our goodbyes with plans to hook up again in late April, and started hiking the mile over the hill to the dam.  As we're coming up to the dam we notice what looks like our food box lying open in the grass on the AT.  Oh no!  Just Stumpknocker's sense of humor.  He popped out from behind a sign where he'd been watching us.  Ha ha.  We're trying to get work done here, ya know? The hike up Shuckstack was long -- about 4 miles.  Great, tall, fire tower on top, which we climbed.  Wonderful 360 degree views.That must have taken lots of energy out me, as the rest of the day I was in low energy mode.  We hiked to Mollie's Ridge shelter meeting Sean, Olive, and Erica on the way. At the shelter we met Mr. Magoo and saw Sabotage and Steve, who we had seen on Albert Mountain a while back.We cooked dinner at the shelter - I had the last of Howdy's wonderful spaghetti and meat sauce that he gave us.  Fantastic stuff.  After that we hiked on for a bit, as it was still early and the shelter was very crowded.  We found this nice little flat spot way off the trail and since the sky and weather report are clear, we've just laid our bags out under the stars.  I just hope the growing moon doesn't keep me awake tonight.  Ready for sleep.
Date: 2005-03-21
From: stealth camp 1 mile north of Devil's Tater Patch

To: Double Spring Gap shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: scattered clouds

start: stealth campsite 1 mile north of Devil's Tater Patchfinish: Double Spring Gap sheltermiles: 17.8day: 14Woke abruptly in the wee hours last night to a sound like a mountain lion snarling combined with a dove cooing.  VERY LOUD, about 50 feet away, up in a tree.  This was followed by more softer hooting and purring tones, followed by a thin mewling sound.  As I looked up to see what it could be, I saw the form and wing of a huge owl detach itself silently from the tree and glide into the dark forest.  At that moment, high in the sky above the owl, a meteor flashed by.As far as I can tell, I think there were two owl parents feeding one or more nestlings throughout the night.  This was repeated several times during the night.  In the morning I could see nothing unusual up in the tree.We got hiking early, as we had no water for breakfast.  We quickly passed a shelter, but the spring there was reported to be nasty, so we went on and came to a spring a bit later.  Shortly after we sat down next to the trail and made some tea and ate breakfast.  A few hikers from the shelter passed us, including Sabotage and Steve, who we hiked near for the rest of the day.It was a really up-and-down day, with lots of elevation gain.  Beautiful views on Rocky Top and late in the day as well.  Quite tiring...We're staying in the shelter tonight because we're at a fairly high elevation and it is supposed to either rain or snow tonight and all day tomorrow.  With us are 4 southbound section hikers on school break, and Sabotage and Steve.  We're trying to come up with a name for Steve - I suggested Full Moon Running, as he apparently runs out to pee in the night, with aah, not much on, I guess.A good day with new friends.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Double Spring Gap shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

start: Double Spring Gap shelterfinish: Newfound Gapmiles: 10.8day: 15Kind of a blah day today.  Difficult walking on snow and ice.  Climbed Clingman's Dome early, but couldn't see anything because we were in a cloud.  Very windy too.  But the rain which we were supposed to get today held off.Got to Newfound Gap around 1:15 and decided on a whim to try to hitch into Gatlinburg for a burger.  We got a ride very quickly, and met Sabotage and Running Moon (yes, he likes the new name) at TGI Friday's.  After eating we hot footed it back to the intersection to hitch back to the trail.  It started to rain pretty good.  We tried for 1 1/2 hours until we were soaked and it was too late to get any campsite even if we got a ride.  So we're spending the night sort of against our will in a motel in ultra touristy Gatlinburg.  Surprisingly, the room is very reasonably priced.We ate a pizza for dinner, but are still hungry.  Shooting for an early visit to the pancake house, and a quick ride so we can get hiking.
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knob shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

start: Newfound Gapfinish: Tri-Corner Knob sheltermiles: 15.6day: 16Slept wonderful on that nice sleeping pad.  Wait, it's a motel mattress.  Yes, very nice.  I think my name should be Motel Moosie.  There, I said it before someone else makes a mean comment Had another shower and went to the pancake house for breakfast.  Quite good, but I could have eaten another breakfast.  I had the little jelly packets for dessert.A father and his two sons were in the adjoining booth and asked if we needed a ride back to the trail.  Woohoo!  MUCH easier than yesterday.  I mentioned that we might not seem like thru-hikers because we had just showered (twice).  One of the boys looked at me innocently and said "You showered?"  I guess our clothes stink...We got back to the gap and found Sabotage and Running Moon ready to hike.  We hiked together all day, mostly on a beautiful ridge walk with fantastic views of mountains, clouds, and steep drop offs.The one drag was that since we were above 5000 feet all day, we had a lot of snow and ice on the trail.  On the sunny faces where the snow had melted the trail was a shallow river.Staying at a shelter again tonight even though we much prefer stealthing.  It's actually against the rules to stealth in the park, and I strongly disagree with this rule, but there's no flat snow-free place to camp.Goldilocks had two dinners tonight.  I made do by eating one dinner and all the desserts and candy bars in my pack - about eight in all.I hurt my ankle today - a new muscle.  Nothing special, but painful by the end of the day.  Taking hiker vitamins (ibuprofen) and will wrap it tomorrow.We've done the math and figured out we're screwed.  We have 6 boxes awaiting us at Hot Springs PO, they're only open until 10:30 on Saturday, closed Sunday, it's now Wednesday night, and we're about 52 miles away.  Rats.  We're going to try to make it so we don't get held up for the weekend.  Perhaps a 20 tomorrow, though we still have another 7 miles of snow ahead.  Then maybe a 22 Friday, then get up early and hike the rest before 10:00 Saturday morning.  Yikes.Well, the shelter's quieting down, time to be sleeping.  Oh, met Johnny Blaze, Moon Pie, and most of Team Vanity today.  The latter is five guys who are each carrying one useless heavy item.  A lead six pound bust of Miles Standish, a machete, a 4 pound leather bound copy of Moby Dick (useless, not to be read, remember), a large carved wooden snack tray, and ... a large marital aid, carried by none other than Dildo Joe.  Interesting, no?Oh, one more thing.  We saw that Hippie signed a register a couple days before we got to it.  We'd like to run into her, but don't know if she's north or south of us.  Does anyone know?Nighty night.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: stealth camp 1.9 miles south of Snowbird Mtn.

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 30.6
Weather: clear sky

start: stealth camp 1.9 miles south of Snowbird Mtn.finish: Hot Springs, NCmiles: 30.6day: 18Well, we're in better shape to reach the PO tomorrow than expected - we're already HERE!  Goldilocks had the great idea that we'd enjoy our hike today, including a nice break on top of Max Patch, and just not stop walking until we reached Hot Springs.  We began the last 10 miles with a gorgeous magenta sunset on top of Bluff Mountain.  As it darkened, we hastened to get to a hard-to-find spring to top off our water for the last time.  The owls started hooting (there sure are a lot of them around here).  As soon as the full moon crested the trees, the coyotes let loose.  Amazing.  And the higher the moon rose, the better we could see to hike, unless it went behind a cloud, or we were walking through a rhododendron patch, because they're leafy and grow way over our heads.  We hiked this way at a good rate, pausing now and again to check a blaze on a tree, or to navigate a forest road crossing or stream, until just before midnight, when we got to the outskirts of town.  All with no headlamps, except occasionally to read the map.  Coolest was the way town lights looked from up on the mountain, and to hear the train hooting and rumbling through town.  It almost looked like Christmas lights - very cheery and welcoming.  (The signs of food...)We camped, or rather crashed, on the first patch of grass we stumbled across upon coming out into a trailhead parking area.  It turned out to be right next to someone's lawn, but we were all packed up very early.  My feet and legs hurt so bad I couldn't get to sleep for a bit.  Pain that at home would've had me calling the hospital, here we just endure, knowing it's not that unusual.Max Patch is a 4800? ft. bald summit where we cooked a "dinner" for lunch.  It's the newest addition to my favorite mountain list.  So cool.  Walking north on the trail, you wind up the "left" side of the vast hump covered uniformly with short tufted grass.  (It looks like someone mows it, but no one does, of course.)  Looking up and to the right, the horizon is rounded and huge against the sky and it's easy to imagine that you're looking at the curve of the earth from some near-orbital vantage point.  Awesome.  Then you get to the top, and the most natural thing is to lay completely flat on your back in the grass, spread-eagled.  Closing your eyes and feeling the benign power of this mountain and feeling the earth spinning through space.  I wanted to stay forever.  I shall return
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

start: Hot Springs, NCfinish: Hot Springs, NCmiles: 0.0day: 19Our first total zero mile day.  We aren't making any forward progress at all today, just walking to and from the P.O., the outfitter, and the restaurant.As you might have guessed, I wrote yesterday's journal entry today.  Yesterday I'd merely have said "who's dumb idea was this?  ouch!"I have a whole different perspective today, sitting on the upstairs porch connected to our bedroom at Elmer's Hostel here in Hot Springs, where the AT literally runs right through town.  My porch potato spot overlooks the "trail".  All the shelters should be this nice We had a great breakfast at The Smoky Mountain Diner, then strolled down to the P.O. where we took care of business, sitting on the sidewalk outside buried in boxes full of stuff.  Some was our normal resupply, some treats from Adam H. where I work, E-minor who is hiking NOBO in a month or so, and Mrs. Moosie.  Thanks all!  And finally, we each have a "bounce box", containing stuff we need occasionally, like nail clippers, and resupply stuff like extra bandages for foot care, and stuff we may want to swap out at some point in the hike.  We had to work quickly, as the P.O. was only open two hours today, and we needed to get the bounce boxes reshipped further up the line.  Remember, whatever we hold onto must either be eaten, thrown-or-given away, carried, or mailed.  And we're very strict about what's carried.We stopped by the outfitter who carries lots of good stuff including ULA packs and Western Mountaineering sleeping bags.  We talked to Baltimore Jack for a while, who's working there for a bit this spring, until he starts hiking.  I hadn't spoken with him since October 2002 in the 100 mile wilderness.  Good to see him.They had a pair of the new wide Montrail Hardrock in my size, and I tried it on.  Seems like this could be a good next shoe when the NB 806s that I wear are used up.  Hard to find wide-enough trail runners.  The owner, Wayne, kindly offered to ship them to me when I need them on the trail and cover the cost of shipping.  Very nice folks in that store.There's also a scale in the outfitter's.  I seem to  weigh about 220, perhaps a bit less.  I started the trail at about 235.  At this rate I'll be mouse-size when I reach Katahdin.  Seriously, I'm eating all I possibly can, and feel quite healthy.  I bet I'm consuming nearly 5000 calories a day.I decided to mail my mittens, third pair of socks, rain pants, and second shirt north in my bounce box.  I haven't used them hardly at all.  I love keeping that pack light.Later:Well, it's after dinner now and time for all good hikers to be asleep.  Especially those silly enough to be hiking last night instead of sleeping.We signed up for dinner at the hostel tonight.  Elmer is a vegetarian chef and dinner was very good.  We had some interesting dinner conversation with a volunteer trail work crew from Warren-Wilson College, where Goldilocks will attend next Fall.Worked on dressing some nasty blisters before sleep, but suspect they'll give trouble tomorrow.
Date: 2005-03-29
From: 0.75 miles north of Allen Gap

To: just north of Boone Cove Rd.
Miles today: 20.3

start: 0.75 miles north of Allen Gapfinish: just north of Boone Cove Rd. miles: 20.3day: 22Yesterday, even with the bad weather, the miles flew by.  Today was the opposite, probably because I didn't sleep very well last night with the wind, rain, and slopey spot.  The day started with a big climb up to Camp Creek Bald.  Then there were about 10 miles of ridge walk with some good views, although the footing was tough in places.  The nasty blister is healing somewhat, and I try to avoid grinding it on rocks.The weather was beautiful all day, and it looks to be a clear night.  We're camped pretty close to a road and some houses - it was getting late and this was the flattest we could find.  Also I was extremely tired and didn't want to go further.I set up the tarp, even though I don't expect bad weather.  Cooked mashed potatoes for dinner and ate cheese and canned chicken while waiting for the water to boil.  A very filling meal.Now it's time for bed.
Date: 2005-03-31
From: 1.25 miles north of Little Bald Mtn.

To: Nolichucky River (Erwin, TN)
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

start: 1.25 miles north of Little Bald Mtn.finish: Erwin, TN miles: 14.3day: 24It was fairly warm, but very windy last night.  It was a swirling wind that occasionally would blow tons of leaves into the tarp, but it was actually kind of pleasant.  It rained for a half hour at dawn this morning.  A nice gentle rain that just wetted the leaves.I didn't feel like cooking breakfast this morning, and didn't have much water left anyway, so I ate the hiker's version of a breakfast of champions: sardines and a big Baby Ruth.We only have 14 or so miles into town today, trying to roll into town  for lunch.  It was overcast and cooler today, with a bit of rain, which was nice.  It was a bit too hot yesterday.Speaking of hot, the kilt is being mailed home soon.  I'm too hot when I wear it  I wanted to like it, but so much heat is generated hiking, and quick dry shorts are so much cooler.I saw a long train come through Erwin from a vantage point 500 feet above town as I was on the final descent into the valley.Once at the road, we got an instant ride to the location of our choice - we chose Pizza Hut, hoping for their AYCE buffet.  Alas, we were too late for that, but they had a salad bar, and - for the first time in the south - root beer on tap.  Finally.We walked a bit - this town is pretty spread out - carrying a pizza box and two sodas.  Miss Janet drove by and gave us a lift to the Super 8 motel.  Once there, we cleaned up and did nothing but lay on beds and watch TV.  We had some food from McDonald's later, as it was next door.Planning to get out of town tomorrow after lunch.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Nolichucky River (Erwin, TN)

To: Nolichucky River (Erwin, TN)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

start: Erwin, TNfinish: Erwin, TN miles: 0.0day: 25NOTICE! Mrs. Moosie has put all Goldilocks' pictures up to Hot Springs on his journal. Take a look!OK, we were supposed to get out of town today.  We were on track until we heard about the dinner buffet at the Golden Corral.  That, coupled with the bad rain we were supposed to get today, made us decide to stay at Miss Janet's.We started casually this morning, eating the continental breakfast at the motel.  The owner of the motel kindly gave us a ride to the Food Lion grocery where we resupplied for the leg to Kincora.  As we were sitting outside the store packing up our stuff, a mother and daughter started talking to us about the trail.  They then offered us a ride to the PO (so I could mail the kilt home ) and then to Miss Janet's house.  Our plan was to hang out for a while, get some lunch, and ask Miss Janet for a ride to the trail.We did go to Sonic to get burgers, but then we just came back and watched movies all afternoon.  Saw lots of hikers in town today: Team Vanity, Alex and Max, Moonpie, Pace, Corduroy, Johhny Blaze, Pierette, Sabotage, Running Moon, Nightline, Hivi and dog Otto, Easy and Widge.Now just waiting hungrily for the dinner run...Wow, that was the best buffet ever!  Lots of steak, seafood, and all kinds of other good stuff.  Miss Janet said we had to sing in the van on the way over, and fortunately we had Sabotage with us to lead, know lyrics, and generally be the only one to sing on key.Now we're back and all watching movies again.
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Beauty Spot Gap (Erwin, TN)

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

start: Erwin, TNfinish: Erwin, TN miles: 0.0day: 27I slept wonderfully last night, out in the back of Okie's pickup parked at Miss Janet's. Very comfy.It was clear, cool, and windy this morning. We all lingered over a huge pancake and egg breakfast as mostly no one was going out today except Olive and Yum, who were just heading to the first shelter north of Erwin, barely into the snow range.As the day progressed it warmed up a bit, and we were doubting our decision not to hike just a little, but knew the winds up high would be brutal with the drifting snow. Other hikers came in from Sam's Gap and Spivey Gap and reported waist deep snow this morning. Around noon, Goldilocks and I, and Jukebox, Night Lion and Running Moon joined Miss Janet in the pickup truck on a road trip to get the van. We all came in case the van was still stuck - we'd try to push it out.It took over an hour to get back to the Roan Mountain road near the top at Carver Gap. As we got near the top, the weather became quite cold and windy, and there was a lot of snow, although much less than yesterday. But on the north faces in the woods there was probably three feet on the trail, drifting deeper. Hard to tell until we walk it tomorrow.We were able to push the van out and headed back down to drop off Night Lion at a hostel on rt 19E. He's skipping Roan until later, and is now about two days ahead of us. Perhaps we'll see him again before Trail Days, perhaps not.Then it was time to feed the hikers, so we stopped at Subway. After our feast, and lots of trail-related conversation, we headed back to the house. We had decided to stay at Miss Janet's again tonight instead of the motel, and had cancelled our reservation earlier.Miss Janet made a grocery run to get the stuff for lasagna and salad, which we helped make for dinner. While the lasagna was cooking, I walked down to the store and got a pint of Ben and Jerry's and ate it... a mere appetizer.Now it's late, and I'm resting in bed, journalling before going to sleep. Tomorrow we hope to get the first shuttle after breakfast, up to Indian Grave Gap. We can't get driven back to the road we walked down from because it's normally closed, so we'll have 2.3 miles to repeat. But this just means we'll have a view on Beauty Spot, unlike yesterday. We're shooting to get to Clyde Smith shelter about 16 miles north. We may actually target the shelter due to the difficulty of camping in deep snow. And the walking will be slower and harder than usual. Hope the snow's not too deep, but at least the weather's supposed to cooperate, being sunny and warm.