morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-10-12
From: Erwin TN

To: Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

17+ miles on the day. 17 long miles today. My body is in pain tonight. I did abs and stretches to try and power through it but I am still tender and exhausted. The trail was basically a roller coaster of mountains. I would ascend 1000 ft. and then descend 500. Then I would ascend 1200 ft. and descend 600 and so on. Throughout the entire day I ascended over 3000 ft. from Chestoa Bridge in Erwin to Bald Mt. Shelter where I am now. I climbed something like 7 mountains today. I got the crap kicked out of me by this section. The Saul's drove us back to the trail and hiked with us for a bit. After about 2 miles of staying with the group I thanked the Saul's and explained that I was going to pick up my pace. They understood and reminded me that they would be seeing me on Tuesday where they could arrange to pick us up again. After splitting from the group I got in to my usual mental state. I was walking hard and fast and letting my mind drift. The recent theme is the end of the trail. I think allot about leaving my trail friends as well as returning to my loved ones at home. Particularly I am overjoyed with thoughts of living with Sarah in California and going back to school. It is my next adventure and my first one in a long time that includes her along the way. I miss her immensely.I am in my hammock this evening at Bald Mt. Shelter between Little Bald Mt. and Big Bald Mt. at an elevation of 5,100ft.. It is freezing cold and the wind is powerful. I just received my cold weather gear in Erwin. Tonight I sleep with super warm military socks, my 20 degree sleeping bag and a good quality thermal base layer. My tarp is deferring most of the wind but some of it is making it's way under and hitting my hammock. I am warm and cozy and happy. My hammock is rocking back and forth like a cradle and my eyes are getting heavy. Tomorrow is another big day at just under 19 miles.For dinner I ate a salami, ham, Swiss cheese sandwich with 1/2 of an avocado a pear and a nectarine.I did 40 pull-up's on a tree branch behind the shelter. I also did my abs and stretches. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-15
From: Allen Gap

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm in a queen size bed with a heavy quilt and 3 pillows! We made it to Hot Springs. Mango Grettle and Check are in a cabin room across the street. No dogs are allowed at Elmers. As much as we all wanted to stay together... Spoon, Cubby and I wanted to experience this hostel more. Mango and Grettle didn't take it personally. This house is special. It was built in the mid 1800's. Upon entering the front door you can feel the history in the air. The floors are original, the wall paper appears to be original and the house is still decorated as it was 100 years ago. I can imagine that some people might think that this place is even haunted. The rooms are dark and the floors are creaky. I find it to be very comfortable here and am interested in all that the house has been through. I am told that it was used to house Civil War soldiers during the war. Cubby and I are in a room together with 2 beds in it. Spoon is downstairs. I just got a call from my sister that my dog has an ear hematoma. This is when the flap of the ear fills up with blood because of a burst blood vessel within the ear flap. She will need to have minor surgery done to drain the blood and prevent the ear from filling up again. I do have a pinch in my heart because I feel bad for Shea (my dog) and I feel bad for my sister as well. We almost made it through the trip with no issues... but things happen. I left a message for some of my vet friends to please call me in the morning. I'm going to try and arrange for Shea to be taken in asap. I know she will do fine and I'm glad that I am familiar with the problem and the surgery. I wish I could be there but I know that my sister and mother will take good care of her. If all goes well with surgery she should be healed up by the time I get home. I am confident that it will work out. Shea is an unbelievably tough dog and my family will flood her with love during her recovery. I will be thinking about her all day on the trail.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-16
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 0.0

I am camping at Max Patch just under 5000ft elevation. Spoon, Cubby and I have our hammocks hung throughout the woods. Max Patch gets it's name because at the mountains summit are endless fields of lush green grass. I feel like I have been saying each day has the best views... but today was really something else. When standing on the peak of the mountain (more like the top of a gigantic hill) there is a 360 degree view of layers upon layers of mountains that disappear into the clouds. Here and there are other green, bald summits that break up the colors of the trees. The views today reminded me of something that would be in a landscape / photography calendar for the month of October.   We pitched camp right at tree line coming off the mountain. We hung out for a bit on the summit and contemplated setting up our tarps as a shelter right on the summit. The wind is brutal at 5000 ft on a bald peak but we wanted to be under the stars. Once the sky became overcast we hiked down to tree line and went with the hammocks. I am sitting by the fire with my back against a fallen tree. There is a chill in the air but I'm comfortable.Mango and Grettle never made it to Max Patch. We figure that they stayed in one of the shelters 4-5 miles north of here. I imagine that they will either hike out early in the morning and meet us here or meet us later in the day at the hostel.My dog went in for surgery today. A good friend of mine did the hematoma procedure of draining her ear. I guess everything went well and Shea woke up fine. I'm trying not to stress about her going through this but it is tough not to think about it. I wish I could be there. I'm also trying not to stress about the finances because there isn't much I can do about it. My family has been extremely supportive and helpful in minimizing my worries and taking care of Shea. I'm crossing my fingers and thinking positive thoughts about Shea recovering over the next week. Sometimes the initial surgery does not take and they need to repeat the procedure. She is a super strong dog and I'm confident that she will heal fast.No exercises tonight. I'm in recovery mode. I ate a ridiculous amount of food today and am taking it easy with any additional strain on my body. I should still do my stretches but it is difficult with no flat shelter floor to spread out on.   ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone
Date: 2008-10-18
From: Icewater Spring

To: Cosby Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have officially entered the Great Smoky Mountain National Park!Today was a short hike from Standing Bear and out of Davenport Gap. We hiked only 11 miles to Cosby Shelter. It is 31 degrees and I am hanging in my hammock. The shelter is loaded with day hikers (10-12 of them) that are out for the weekend. We expected heavy traffic in the Smoky's. It is the #1 visited National Park in the U.S. and mid October is prime time for the foliage.The climb out of Davenport Gap was 4000 ft. I thought I was going to pass out. I am dedicating so much energy to hiking with the foot injury that it drains me fast. My right hamstring, quadrocep and but cheek are killing me, I must have done 5000 lunges with my right leg to get me on top of the ridge that continues through the Smoky's.We all stopped at the Cammerer Firetower. It was 0.6 miles off of the AT but worth it. The fire tower was above all of the trees and had a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains. I would have spent more time up there admiring the views but it became bone chilling cold. The sun was on it's way down and the wind was picking up. I ran back from the tower with my hands pressed by my hips to keep warm. Once back on the trail the shelter was 3.5 miles further.Phillidalphia hiked with us today. I am so happy he came along. He had purpose. When we arrived at the shelter Cubby began his regular mission of collecting firewood. There was no wood to be found within 100 ft. of the shelter. Spoon, Phillidalphia and Cubby went on a quest for good wood. Twenty minutes later all three of them came back dragging full 20+ ft. dead trees. Cubby began to dismantle them and break them down in to sizable logs for the fire in the shelter. Phillidalphia asked "who is this kid"? We all said that Cubby has been doing this since Vermont... every single night. Phillidalphia exlaimed "he's a TREE SLAYER"! I jumped on it right away... "that's it, that is the perfect name for Cubby. Phillidalphia just renamed Cubby, Tree Slayer"! I knew it was the perfect fit when Cubby smiled and silently accepted the name. It is a bad ass name that he can carry with pride. We have already made the transition and everyone is as excited about the name Tree Slayer as I am. We were all so used to calling Tree Slayer Cubby that it was near impossible to imagine him as something else. Philidalphia has only been around for one day and was able to name him right away. Perfect... we have our very own Tree Slayer, priceless!~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-23
From: Fontana Dam

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we grabbed breakfast at the same place that Spoons dad ordered our BBQ dinner from (Ott's). While riding back to the trail in the bed of the truck I enjoyed 2 of the best sausage, egg and cheese on biscuit sandwiches that I have ever had. Check laid between Tree Slayer and I for the ride and didn't take her eyes off of the sandwiches the whole time. Eventually she curled up in a ball and hid her face under my right butt cheek to keep from the wind and cold. To be honest she was keeping me warm, I didn't mind.As usual when we camp or get off trail in a gap we have to hike straight up to get back to the higher elevations. Today we climbed over 2500 vertical ft. The terrain was extremely rugged and steep. The mountains in NC (south of the Smokey's) are the closest thing that I can compare the state of Maine to. The trail is still a little bit better maintained here in the south, but it is very difficult to set a consistent pace. The mountains are straight up and straight down (much like Maine).We only hiked 12 miles today to Brown Fork Gap Shelter. To be honest it was a grueling 12 miles, I'm glad we didn't schedule more. A couple of weeks ago we decided as a group that November 1st was a good finish date for the trail. It is on a Saturday which allows friends and family (local to GA) to visit, celebrate and be available for rides etc. November 1st also allowed for us to take it easy for the last week or so. As long as we don't take any zero days we can get away with hiking an average of 12-15 miles per day from here on in. The consensus was that none of us really want the adventure to end. None of us want to hike anymore, that's for sure. Our bodies are beat and we are certainly tired of working like mules for most of our days. It's everything else that we are sad is coming to an end. We have all discussed how odd it will be to not see eachother every night and every morning. The whole group is becoming sentimental toward eachother and we are beginning to remonis about when we met and some of the insane adventures we have had. I feel like we are an isolated psychological/social experiment. I didn't know these people 5 months ago and I have spent every night and day with them for 4 months. It is amazing what kinds of friendships are formed when secluded from society and in a mode of survival. I love these guys and will miss them dearly.I am still choosing not to do my push up's, pull up's or abs at night. I want my body to use all of it's energy for healing.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-24
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Club)
Miles today: 0.0

It rained all day today. It rained all night last night. It just so happened that Spoon and I picked a spot in the shelter last night where there was a hole in the tin roof. Thankfully we recognized it before it rained and before falling asleep. We successfully patched the hole before going to bed. Both of us had ziplock bags from our bagel sandwiches that were trash. I climbed (Spoon hoisted me up) on the roof and tucked the ziplock bags underneath eachother to act as shingles. We then placed heavy, flat rocks over the plastic patch. I had to be careful not to move my feet while working. The roof looked to be 50 years old and it would collapse if I were to put pressure where there were not cross beams to support my weight. The patch could have been better. It was cold and late and there wasn't much to work with. In the end... we woke up dry. The patch worked wonderfully.The crew had a first on the trail last night. We were all tucked in the shelter like sardines. It was the 6 of us (Me, Mango, Grettle, Spoon, Tree Slayer, Philli), the Honey Mooners (another southbound couple who we have crossed paths with many times) and a section hiker named Dr. Pepper. We were shoulder to shoulder in the shelter. It was about 11:30pm when we were all abruptly awaken by 2 men screaming out the name Brian. They were flashing their flashlights on all of us and yelling "Brian, Brian are you in there"? I had just managed to start dozing off after 3 long hours of mental drifting and physical discomfort. I didn't care who Brian was or what these guys wanted with him... I was pissed that they approached the shelter in such an obnoxious way. The men turned out to be a rescue team. Apparently this section hiker named Brian (who I did meet several times) was missing and these guys were sent out to find him. We filled the 2 men in on whatever information we had about crossing paths with Brian and they went on their way. I still don't know exactly what happened to Brian. Him and his hiking buddy (Collin) seemed like nice, innocent guys. I can't imagine that they caused any problems. Also there was an access road within 2 miles of the shelter that we stayed at so I can't imagine someone getting so lost that they need a rescue team. I figured that Brian had separated from Collin and Collin sent out the distress signal. I do hope that they are both OK.Today I arrived at the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Club). This place reminds me of some white water rafting places up north (Northern Outdoors.. side note: I met Mango and Grettle there in Maine). The staff is young and cool, everyone has smiles on their faces and everyone is here for intense outdoor activity... awesome!As soon as we got here we rented a bunk room for the 6 of us. I also ate a Greek pizza and turkey club sandwich with fries at the restaurant. Then I showered and threw my wet laundry in with Mango and Grettles. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-26
From: Franklin NC

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm in my hammock as usual. It is ridiculously cold outside. The wind is harsh and knocking all sorts of branches and acorns out of the trees. I can hear them slamming against the tin shelter roof.We are at Rock Gap Shelter. I like the set up here. There is the standard lean-to that sleeps 6-8 people. On the left of the lean-to is a roof covered area with a picnic table underneath it. As soon as we arrived at the shelter I picked a hammock spot underneath the roofed area. Since I set up my hammock Mango and Tree Slayer have also set up their hammocks in the same area. We have made a full triangle of hammocks. The picnic table is in the center. This is the first time we have had a set up like this. Spoon is the only one sleeping in the lean-to.I get no phone reception here. I wanted to check on Shea and make sure she is OK.When we first arrived at the shelter today I felt a bit stressed out. I'm not exactly sure why but I couldn't muster up my sense of humor. Rather than bug anyone or be sour. I trekked deeper in to the woods and meditated for about 1 hr. I found a flat spot next to a giant tree and focused on my breathing and eliminating my stress. When I returned to the group I felt much better and joined them around the fire.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-27
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

When I woke up at 7am this morning I got a temperature reading of 34 degrees. Generally when it is freezing at night or in the morning it continues to get warmer throughout the day. Today only reached 42 degrees at 1pm. We all agreed that it was the coldest day of hiking yet. We stopped for a 15 minute break and I seized up completely. My face was numb all day. I avoided sniffling my runny nose because I thought it would freeze the inside of my face. 42 degrees doesn't seem like freezing cold but it has been windy all day and the wind chill takes at least another 10-15 degrees down. Also, none of us are geared up for cold weather. I am hiking in shorts, one thermal layer and a worn out fleece. I also wore my rain jacket today to help break the wind.We took a short break today in a dirt parking lot at the end of some off roading paths. In the parking lot was 5 bear hunting trucks. I don't know if they are actually called that, but they are basically trucks that are converted to carry many dog cages on the back. All of the license plates said "Bear Hunting With Hounds... Part of Our American Heritage". I guess in the south it is. Bear Hunting with Hounds (from what I've gathered) includes: Sending out several large hound dogs in to the woods to track black bears. The dogs generally have tracking devices around their necks. When the dogs locate a bear they scare it up a tree where they proceed to bark and howl until the hunter recognizes that they are on to something. The hunter tracks the dogs. He then shoots the bear out of the tree. Personally I'm not a fan of bear hunting. Perhaps I'm not getting all of the details but it seems like a cheating way to hunt down an animal. Currently I am at Muskrat Creek Shelter. It is 27 degrees and I am in my hammock. Tree Slayer has a giant fire going and the rest of the crew is outside warming up around it. I thought that I would be warmer in my cocoon, wrapped in my sleeping bag. I am still freezing cold but am at least blocked from the wind. I have 2 pairs of socks on and my rain jacket is wrapped around my feet. My feet are so cold that I can not feel them. Every so often I try to move all of my toes and roll my ankles to make sure blood is still circulating. I hope that once I zip my sleeping bag up over my face I will get warmer.There are flurries in the forecast for tonight. I am not excited about this at all. Snow does not excite me. I am from the north and see it often enough. I hope the forecast is wrong. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-28
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Hiawassee GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was the coldest day on the trail! I woke up with 2" of snow on my hammock and all over the mountains. What is going on with the weather? I'm not sure I have ever seen snow before Halloween in Massachusetts. I certainly never expected to see it in North Carolina. Spoon is from TN and he also said that he has never seen snow this early or get this ridiculously cold. I got a reading of 19 degrees this morning. It was extremely difficult to pack up. I was constantly cuffing my hands and blowing hot air on them just so I could untie the knots on my hammock rig. Everyone was freezing and uncomfortable and moving like molasses. I packed up as quickly as possible and wanted to get my blood flowing right away. Tree Slayer and I took off before everyone. Tree Slayer and I walked through the snow all day. We stopped at and took pictures with the NC/GA sign that was a small piece of 2"x4" nailed on a tree. There were fine carved lines that simply said "NC/GA". In my picture I am wearing my rain jacket, a winter hat, gloves and my bandana around my face. I wore the bandana to help insulate my face with my own hot breath. I'm glad we captured the forest covered in snow and the sign which had a small pile of snow on top of it. So... I am in Georgia!!! I have officially walked from ME - GA! There is still 70 or so miles to go before Springer Mountain, but today was a huge mile stone.Tonight's forecast is supposed to be below 20 degrees again. Some of the crew is better prepared than others for the freezing temperatures. Personally I was uncomfortable all night and only got several hours of sleep. I slept in a tight ball to keep my extremities as close to my core as possible. Tonight we had the option of staying in another shelter just outside of the town of Hiawassee GA or we could split a motel room between the 6 of us and stay warm. Honestly I was fully prepared to stay in the woods again but the majority voted on hitting the town.I am in a room with Mango and Grettle at the Hiawassee Inn. It cost each of us $14 to stay here. The owner is treating us like celebrities because we are so close to finishing the trail. Generally he is used to seeing north bound hikers that just started the trail 60 miles ago. He is amazed that we only have 60 left. ~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-29
From: Hiawassee GA

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 151.1
Weather: clear sky

Once again... the cold! Today I hiked from Hiawassee at Dick's Creek Gap to Unicoi Gap. Over the 16+ mile hike the temperature fluctuated from 37 degrees to 45 degrees. Again it isn't the base temperature that makes the hiking cold. The wind has been relentless for days now. When climbing a 5000 ft. ridge the wind blasts your body constantly. Any sweat that has wet my clothing turns to ice on my skin.Four days of hiking left. I am continuing to write my journal entries as I have been because I don't know what else to do. Each time I begin to think about the trip ending I can't really comprehend it. My thoughts don't go below the surface. I lack anticipation for the trips end. I will keep hiking day by day and wait for things to become more real when they do.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"
Date: 2008-10-30
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Tomorrow is Halloween! Before leaving the town of Haiwassee I bought a costume at the local Rite Aide. All costumes were on sale for 50% off. Unfortunately they only had the costumes that no one else wanted. I was forced to go with a skeleton costume for 6-8 year old's, it cost me $8. I also purchased a plastic pumpkin with a handle and 1 lb. of assorted fun size candy. I have spent the past 3 hours cutting out all of the little bones from the children's costume and sewing them on to my black thermal underwear. This was one of those projects that you wish you never started once mid way in to it. Everyone else was watching movies in the hostels common room while I sat in my bunk and sewed. The original costume was a one piece and wouldn't fit over my legs. I also purchased face paint to paint a skull on my face.I am at Neels Gap Hostel. We couldn't pass this one up. This is the first hostel that north bounders hit. The hostel is an extremely old, rock building. The inside is decorated with all sorts of Halloween props. Spider webs hang from the ceiling, dead bodies are in some of the lower bunks, creatures and costumes are hanging all over and there are orange and purple Christmas lights strung up. When you open the door to the hostel a small speaker makes haunted sounds and plays scary organ music. The hostel is run by a gentleman who calls himself "Pirate". Pirate has a full beard that reaches the center of his chest and also has long black hair in a ponytail... he looks like a pirate.   Today's hike was difficult for me. We hiked about 17 miles. I miscalculated how many miles I had accomplished several times. I kept expecting the end to be around the corner but the last 7 miles of the hike seemed to go on for ever. Otherwise the weather was great. It was in the low 60's, sunny and slightly breezy.~Santana~ "by myself but not alone"