morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Approach Trail

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

Approach TrailWe all woke up at Pittsburgh's around 7 AM. Pitts had a young couple he needed to shuttle to Springer before he could deal with us. Aprilshowers and her husband, Steve arrived at the house about 8:30 AM. We waited until 10:30 for Pittsburgh to return then loaded our gear into his hiker mobile and headed to Amicalola Falls State Park. Denise "Ladybug" Hill and her family met us outside the visitor center where we weighed our packs. Mine weighs 35 lbs with food and water. Ya Hooo!!!We took the obligatory photographs. Ladybug's husband Bruce offered to slack us to Nimblewill Gap. We obviously accepted the offer. Off we headed in 65 degree weather with blue skys and a light breeze. It was an uneventful hike. I did stop talk with a pretty redheaded young lady that looked so much like my daughter Kristi that I kept staring at her. We met up with Bruce and our packs at 3:00 PM after starting at noon.We hiked about 1 mile to Black Gap Shelter. There was a large group of boy scouts who had piched tents everywhere. We were trying to decide whether to go on Springer Mt Shelter or stay where we are. Ladybug had some trouble adjusting her pack and fell behind. We talked with a scout leader and decided to stay put because of the crowds at Springer.After dinner the caretaker arrived with suggestions and encourgement. A full moon lulled us to hang food and prepare for a cold night. As I sit here Ladybug came running excitedly to the shelter to announce "I did it!! I did my first shit in the woods. And it all went well."   Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Pittsburg's House

To: Springer MT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Approach TrailWe all woke up at Pittsburgh's around 7 AM. Pitts had a young couple he needed to shuttle to Springer before he could deal with us. Aprilshowers and her husband, Steve arrived at the house about 8:30 AM. We waited until 10:30 for Pittsburgh to return then loaded our gear into his hiker mobile and headed to Amicalola Falls State Park. Denise "Ladybug" Hill and her family met us outside the visitor center where we weighed our packs. Mine weighs 35 lbs with food and water. Ya Hooo!!!We took the obligatory photographs. Ladybug's husband Bruce offered to slack us to Nimblewill Gap. We obviously accepted the offer. Off we headed in 65 degree weather with blue skys and a light breeze. It was an uneventful hike. I did stop talk with a pretty redheaded young lady that looked so much like my daughter Kristi that I kept staring at her. We met up with Bruce and our packs at 3:00 PM after starting at noon.We hiked about 1 mile to Black Gap Shelter. There was a large group of boy scouts who had piched tents everywhere. We were trying to decide whether to go on Springer Mt Shelter or stay where we are. Ladybug had some trouble adjusting her pack and fell behind. We talked with ascout leader and decided to stay put because of the crowds at Springer.After dinner the caretaker arrived with suggestions and encourgement. A full moon lulled us to hang food and prepare for a cold night. As I sit here Ladybug came running excitedly to the shelter to announce "I did it!! I did my first shit in the woods. And it all went well."   Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Hickory Flats Pavilion Cemetery
Miles today: 5.8

Left camp at 8:45 am meeting up with Bruce and Denise's Kids at the Summit of Springer Mt. We were running late. We took a lunch break at Three Forks but had to add cold weather cloths because of the cold and winds: 45 degrees and dry wind. Ladybug has been having trouble with her pack. She's carrying too much and her belts and straps are not adjusted properly. We will send some of her stuff off with Pittsburgh.Doesn't Mind and Doesn't Matter are on Trailjournals.com. We met them while taking a break this morning. They didn't seem interested in joining us at Hickory Flatts. I guess that's their loss. There were over 40 people at Springer Shelter last night and a scout troup with 17 tents at Black Gap Shelter. They are all headed to Hawk Shelter tonight. We're stopping at Hickory Flatts to avoid the crowds and enjoy good company.   Met Dave at Springer who decided to change his name to Bone Spur for his through hike. He hiked with us to Hickory Flatts. He hopes to hike with us awhile, maybe all the way to Maine.   Long Creek Falls allowed us a beautiful place to take a break before we headed to Hickory Flatts for the last mile of our hike today. Just beyond the falls we ran into Pittsburgh wondering what was keeping us.   Stacie is this pretty little 2nd grader on spring break with her parents camping here. She excidedly showed me the heart stone she found on a trail near Hickory Flatts. The families here have offered all kinds of trail magic. We had fresh brewed coffee, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, sammon cakes for dinner along with my mac n cheese.   Getting very cold. Expected to get down into teens tonight. Better get into the sack. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Hickory Flatts

To: Gooch Gap Campsite
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

We were slow risers this morning because of the cold, about 30 degrees. Pittsburgh tuckerized Ladybugs pack making it about 7 lbs lighter. He took her extra food, lots of extra clothing, a bag of 20 batteries, a cable lock for her backpack and two pairs of shoes. She is happy and hiking up a storm. We said our goodbyes and thank yous to the kind folks at the pavilion and headed out about 9 am.We took our time to enjoy the sights, talk with fellow hikers and identify blooming flowers. We recognized purple trilium, yellow and blue violets, blood root with it's multiple white flower pedals and a plant John says is columbine. It was cold but away from the wind we would warm up.While taking a break at High Tower Gap three ladies came down the trail and asked if anyone here was named Art. It was Susan Buchannan's friend Tina and her friends Wendy and ----. Wendy told us that a bear came into camp at Hawk Mountain Shelter. She showed us her cook kit and stove each with hole in them from bear's teeth.Later we stopped at Horse Gap for a break where medics from The 5th Ranger Training Battalion were parked with a tent and two army ambulances. We talked with them awhile. Ladybug managed to Yogi a Dr Pepper, Mello Yellow and a MRE instant beef dinner with mash potato, jelly, crackers, drinks and more. We spent over half an hour with them while Aprilshowers, Trainman, and Bone Spur hiked on. We caught them at Justus Creek after a long haul over Sassafras Mountain and Justus Mountain. We reached Gooch Mountain Shelter around 4 PM to find it full. So we headed to Gooch Gap campsite where we set up camp and ate the MRE with our planned meal.Oh, we decided that Wendy's trail name should be Bearbait.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Gooch Gap Campsite

To: New Campsite on Blood Mountain
Miles today: 11.0

John and I hoped to sleep in a shelter tonite. Woods Hole Shelter was full and had no water. Aprilshowers was moving faster than we were. She left us a note that she, Trainman, and Bone Spur had hiked to the next water source. So after a long day of hiking we still needed to hike 1/2 mile to water and still further to find a campsite. Well, a beautifull new campsite has been established with a new relocation of the AT to avoid an overused area. There are great flattened areas on the side of Blood Mountain all facing west offering a great view of the setting sun. None of the guide books mention this great site because it was just openned. We cooked and ate our dinner while sitting under our tarp watching the setting sun.Today, Ladybug surprised me again with her boldness and ability to judge character. After a couple of steep climbs and a wonderful slope side walk we came to Woody Gap. Ladybug managed to talk a guy into driving her to Suches and back so she could buy some soda. She returned with a dozen different bottles of soda which she handed out to all of the hikers who were lucky enough to be near her. Aprilshowers, Trainman and Bone Spur headed off before a white bus arrived filled with older gentlemen. They were from Tascalouca Alabama from the first Baptist Church. Ladybug offered totake their picture. They invited her to participate in their prayer circle. They offered generous contributions to her hiking cause.I managed to call home on my cellphone and send email.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Blood Mountain

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow!! Listened to the UCONN women win the NCAA basketball championship last night. Kept me up well past hiker bed time, sunset around 7:30 PM. Exciting game. It must have Ct in an uproar. Planning big parades, visits with Pres., David Letterman, etc. Well, I'm hiking and enjoying every minute.   Bone Spur woke a little embarrassed this morning. His right knee had been giving him trouble so he used his Platypus filled with cold spring water as an ice pack. During the night he rolled over onto the bite valve which released all of the water and flooded his tent. Everything was wet.John "Hoover" and I left camp early to take a break on the summit of Blood Mountain. Great views warm winds. We think we were able to spot Springer Mt in the distance almost on the horizon. The rest arrived about 1/2 hour later. We goofed around for awhile talking with other hikers including Don't Mind and Don't Matter. Then we headed down.Lots of groups were headed in the opposite direction to reach Blood Mt the highest point in GA. About 1 mile down we discovered Pittsburgh sitting on a log at the side of the trail with his stepson, Ryan. They walked us down to Neel's Gap where the famous Pitt's Mobile awaited for our ride into Dahlonega. Ladybug decided to stay at Neel's Gap Hostel - bunk room, shower, laundry. April Showers and her husband checked into the Super 8 motel to spend the last night together for at east a month. Bone Spur also,took a room at Super 8. John and I accepted Pittsburgh's kind offer to bed down in his place for the night. We will treat them to dinner in town tonight.   It is amazing how good you feel after a hot shower. The laundry is spinning and John is reading the paper while sitting outside on the lawn. I have my resupply stuff and will pack my stuff soon for the next leg. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Start: Neel's GapDestination: Low GapAT Miles: 10.6 MilesDecided to take Pittsburgh, Barb and Ryan out to dinner for their generosity last night. Barb wanted Mexican. We went to a family run restaurant with great food and super service, plus it was reasonable. El Maguey was the name. Mike, from Hartford, staying in the shelter says it is the name of a cactus. Went to bed around 11 PM after brushing my teeth with anti-fungal creme. Well, it looked like toothpaste.We drove in John's car to Neel's Gap because Pittsburgh had a doctor's appoint. Pitts will get John's car later today.At Neel's Gap we got our second slack-pack of the hike when April's husband TrainMan, Steve Meyer, offered to carry our gear to Hogpen Gap saving our backs for 6 miles over the toughest tourraine of the day. Little Fish - Tina and her hiking partner Nanna K - Kathleen, joined us on the slack. Ladybug left Neel's Gap at 7:00 AM three hours before our 10:00 PM departure. We spotted Ladybug hiking with Jeremy and his friend John just as we approached Hogpen Gap. Trainman brought us chocolate covered strawberries and fudge for a special treat after a short lunch. We hiked the easiest part of our hike with packs catching up with Ladybug along the way. John gave Ladybug mail she did not notice from Neel's Gap. Ladybug showed us her poison ivy and her plan to hike past Low Gap so that she can get into town for medical attention sooner. I may not see her again. April and Bone Spur are talking about hiking beyond Blue Mountain tomorrow so I may loose them as hiking partners, too.Along the trail today we have caught up with many hikers who started the same day we did. I tried to schedule my hike to be a bit out of phase with them. Rick, Julia and Jordan are a family hiking together for spring break. {a father and 2 kids}. They are great hikers. Mike, "Red Beard", introduced himself to me having read my journal. Another Mike from Hartford CT is at the shelter with us. The camping area is full with tents and hikers.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Low Gap

To: Blue Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

April 9Start: Low GapDestination: Blue Mt ShelterAT Miles:   7.2I just remembered. When signing the trail register at Neel's Gap there were 579 entries before mine.John and I got out early today. Blue skys and cool breeze makes it perfect hiking weather. We stopped several times for long breaks because we know we have an easy day. Mike from Hartford showed up at one break. He is carrying two backpacks one on top of the other. His trailname should be Two Packs.Along the trail today we saw a large structure to the northeast on top of a mountain. Looks like an observatory. I will have to do some research to find out what it is.We are taking a break just before Blue Mt Shelter. AprilShower and Bone Spur have arrived and are taking a nap. They've decided to do 2 slow days with me after all. One more mile and we reached Blue Mt Shelter. It is located on the summit. We'll see the sunset and tomorrow's sunrise. A local ridge runner stopped by with two high school kids out for a little walk. I talked with them for awhile. The ridgerunner claims the tower is on Jack "?" mountain. The highest peak in NC.Rick, Julia and Jordan spent about an hour here before heading on. They have to make it to Dick's Creek Gap by Sunday morning so Julia can finish her homework. They will likely miss the feast tomorrow on Tray Mountain.There are just as many hikers here tonight as at the last shelter. About 20 people maybe more have arrived. More are likely before the sunsets.This will be John's last night hiking with me. It will be a different experience for me after this since most of my recent hiking has been with him. Now I will have to haul the water myself.Wow!! Two guys just arrived with trail magic after I finished my dinner. Enough hotdogs and chili for all the thru hikers plus sodas all around. I better get eating.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Blue Mt. Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

April 10Start: Blue Mountain ShelterDestination: Tray Mountain ShelterAT Miles: 7.7What a wonderful day. Up at dawn and on the trail before 8 AM. Sunshine, temps in the 70's. We made it to Unicoi Gap by 9:30 AM and to Standing Indian Gap by 11:30 where Pittsburgh had organized a barbeque for thru hikers. They served at least 20 hikers during the afternoon. There was hot dogs, burgers, fried chicken, vegetarian chili, chips, soda, apples, fresh tomatoes, water, fuel refills, cookies, brownies, and more.Hummingbird and Dutch Treat brought their dogs and a guitar to entertain us.   Coosa brought food and her shelf.   Moose came in his truck that was used as the kitchen table and he went on a rescue mission to get extra transmission fluid for Dutch Treat's van which sprung a leak on the way up. LJ and his wife cooked the burgers and brought tons of food. The hikers had a tough time walking away from all that food and climbing Tray Mountain with a full stomach.Stacey and Joel stopped by. Her left knee is all taped and bother's her to tears on the down hill. I suggested using her poles more effectively and showed her how.Julie and Bill also showed up at the feast. I talked with Julie yesterday about her right knee which was giving her the same problem. She says what I told her worked. But now her arms hurt.I am at Tray Mt Shelter. Spur and Aprilshowers have hiked on. Tina and Kathleen have hiked on. There is a note here from Ladybug that her poison ivy has spread and she is heading into Hiawassee today. I don't know if I will see here again. John left for CT after the feast. Barb and Ryan drove him back to his car in Dahlonega.I'm now at the shelter with a new set of friends. Julie and Bill, Redbeard abd his dad. A high school computer technician heading south. And some other hikers.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Date: 04/11/04Start: Tray Mt ShelterDestination: Dick's Creek GapATmiles: 10.6 milesIt's Easter Sunday. I shared the shelter last night with Julie and Bill. We could see the lights from Hiawasse and Helen Georgia from the shelter. Bill got up early this morning to place M&M's around the campfire ring so that Julie could have an Easter Egg hunt. It was cool. She was so excited because she has never had an Easter without candy eggs. I was up before dawn (7 AM) and on the trail before 7:45. It was raining when I left camp. I put rain gear on and was quickly heating up. I tried to hike slowly because I figured to go to Deep Gap Shelter for the night so that I could get into the Blueberry Patch on Monday morning. I was assuming that the Blueberry Patch would fill up fast today and I would never get one of the 7 slots available. Well, I reached Deep Gap Shelter before 11:30 AM. I did 7.7 miles in about 4 hours. My feet were tired. But I still had energy even after climbing 1,000 ft up and then down Kelly's Knob. I ate lunch with Ashley and Ned and with Tim from Mass. whose family was having Easter at Marblehead Neck. Tim (Rooney) and I decided to try the Blueberry Patch. He headed out first because he is much faster. It was the longest 3.5 miles of my entire hike so far. When I got to Dick's Creek Rooney had already gone. There were 4 hikers trying to hitch a ride. They were having a tough time because there were few cars and most ignored them. It took at least 30 minutes before anyone stopped. I stayed out of their way and found Stacy and Joel nursing Stacy's sore knee getting ready to head north after a short break. I almost decided to hike with them then hike back in the morning to reach the Blueberry Patch. I went to the road, stuck out my thumb to a pickup truck which stopped and brought me directly to Blueberry Patch. Rooney was the only hiker there. We have the place to ourselves. Gary, Lennie, and their friend Gary invited us to go to McDonalds for Ice Cream. We went but had entire meals.My mail drops encluded a nice note and trail goodies from Linda "Earthworm" Patton. Thanks Linda, I shared the chocolate eggs with Rooney. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plum Orchard Gap
Miles today: 4.3

Didn't make it to Muscrat Creek Gap as planned. We left Blueberry Patch about 9:45am after a fabulous breakfast. It was raining when we reached the trailhead and a cold wind was blowing. I walked alone to Plum Orchard Gap expecting to be the only person here but there is a nice group of hikers already settled in for the night.I heated water for a nice cup of apple cider that "Earthworm" sent me in a mail drop. I drank that with lunch. A few moments ago Bill and Julie arrived. They have settled in next to me in the upper loft of this great three level shelter. I took some pictures.Nothing much else to do but write in the trail register, eat, and sleep. I hope to get an early start tomorrow. Looks like Aprilshowers, BoneSpur, and Ladybug are all one shelter ahead of me.   Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Plum Orchard Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Light rain when we left camp. Hiked with Julie and Bill most of the day. The sun was rarely out and a heavy fog set in as the day progressed. We stopped at Muskrat Creek Shelter for lunch. Found Polly spending the day and another night. She was very cold. Continued on to Standing Indian arriving around 3 PM. Ladybug was shivering in her bag beside Bear and excited to see me. Mosey (68 year old lady) was pacing th shelter to keep warm. Nana K arrived shortly. We ended with a total of 8 hikers in a shelter built for 6. Very cosey after we put up my silnylon tarp to block the wind and rain.   Everyone had a fast dinner (4:00PM) and was in sleeping bags by 6 PM. Heavy fog and winds blew into shelter. I told stories and jokes till 8 PM. Then someone noticed it was snowing. Brrr !!!Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Because of rain and cold weather did not journal. Woke up early to find the ground covered with snow. Strong wind and clouds make this a short day. I've fallen behind on my schedule by about 1 day. The people who started with me are about 1/2 day ahead. 8 people last night in shelter for 6 it was cozy with all the bodies and my tarp as a wind block. Life is good!
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

A glorious day. I planned to hike to Rainbow Springs for mail drop, laundry and shower. It was a cold start today with bright sky, no clouds. Warmed up fast to lower 60's. I was feeling bad that Ladybug, Bear, April Showers and Bonespur hiked on ahead. Stopped at Big Spring Shelter for lunch. Nanna K and I met Clyde at the Summit of Albert Mt where he took our photos to be sent home via internet. He has been reading my journal. After awhile Bill and Julie arrived. They decided to stop at Rock Gap, the next shelter, and hike into Rainbow Springs tomorrow morning. That way they would avoid the crowds for the laundry, showers, phone, etc. They have the right attitude. I've learned a lot from them. I stopped to check out Rock Gap shelter and was greeted by Blink-Blink, a 2003 thru hiker. She and her dad Sam were doing trail magic. I decided to spend the night. They served us dinner and plan to cook breakfast. I'm one day behind my schedule but feeling good health wise.!   Crossed the 100 mile point today. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Silar Bald
Miles today: 8.0

Blink-Blink and Sam hauled back all their food supplies from their car before we woke and began frying bacon and scrambled eggs and pancakes at sunrise. We talked more trail talk while eating and packing. Left camp around 9 AM with Julie and Bill. Bill wanted to visit the Wasalik Poplar 1/2 mile down a blue blaze trail. It is suppose to be the largest tree of it's kind. It must be very old. Very impressive. We took some pictures. When we got back to the AT there was a shuttle bus that offered to drop us at Rainbow Springs campground. We did laundry - I put the radio Julie gave me through the wash. It still works. We took showers. My cheeseburger tasted great. I picked up my mail drop. Got a letter from James Jones a Boston taxi driver who drove Jesse Moore some place. Jesse told the driver about me. James has been following my hike in trail journals. James offered to help me if I needed gear shipped fast via Airport.    Left Rainbow Springs around 2 PM walked 1/4 mile when the shuttle bus arrived again and brought us back to the trail. Bill and Julie quickly out distanced me. I took a pleasant break at Winding Stairs Gap before continuing on. Caught up with Bill and Julie because Bill is hurting with blisters on his feet. Continued on to Silar Bald Shelter. I'm the only person here. After dinner I headed up to the top to camp.   Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman