morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-07
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: few clouds

"If you enjoy what you are doing, you can alwaysfind timefor whatever you want to do" W.G.PAfter another zero day yesterday, I decided it was definitely time to hit the Trail again today. It was going to be my biggest day so far on the Trail - 13.6 miles.I am no longer going to trust the profile maps when it makes the day's terrain look easy. Most of today's hike looked fairly flat - little did I know that the map is measured in 100 foot increments and that today's hike was over hills of 60 to 90 or so feet difference in elevation. They show up as a fairly flat looking walk!I finally got to meet Stu (aka Bloody Cactus) today. He is the only other Australian hiking this year that I know of. Also got to meet Castro, Joy, Arwen and Heather and their dog Sasha. They are all heading to the Blue Mountain shelter tonight. I am going on to be met at Unicoi Gap by Josh.It started to get bloody cold when we were sitting around at the shelter. I still had about 2 miles to go to get to Unicoi so headed off around 1645 to make my way down. It started off reasonably easy going once I had gotten over Blue Mountain, then it started getting rocky. Added to this was the rain that had started (which had NOT been predicted!). Luckily I had my new rain gear to put on. From where I was I could see Josh pull in to the car park, only about 5 or so minutes before I got down. Josh knew exactly what a hiker needs after a day's hiking as there was a cold Coke waiting for me when I got in the truck. The Coke was courtesy of Dale America, who had been doing some Trail Angelling in Uniccoi Gap today. Apparently he was set up giving out hot dogs and cold drinks to the hikers. He had gone by the time I got there but had been to see Josh and Leigh during the day.Mexican for dinner tonight with Leigh and Frank, then an early night in bed.
Date: 2004-03-08
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Gap
Miles today: 4.4

"The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary" Vidal SassoonShort day today, but I had company which was nice. Frank 'Stonedust' Allen, who is also staying at the Hiker Hostel decided that, as I was doing a short day, he would join me. Frank is an extremely funny man with a story to tell for all occasions. Our paces matched nicely and it was just a really enjoyable day. Except for the cold! There was ice on the ground for the most part of the day, very pretty,but not good when you are trying to make the brain think warm!I have decided that tomorrow it is time to leave the nest. The place I have been calling home for the last week. This is not going to be an easy thing as I have grown quite accustomed to life at the Hiker Hostel.Apparently there is a forecast for rain tomorrow, not that it makes any difference. Same as looking at the profile map...I cannot change the height of the mountain I have to go over, I just have to do it. Just do it. Sound familiar?I am steering clear of the pasta meals that I bought the first time I was food shopping. It sounds a little weird, but I am going to have oatmeal for dinner. Warming and filling. I may well get sick of it but it will do for now.So, until I hit civilisation (ie.a phone) and can update, this is all she wrote.
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Tray Gap

To: Deep Gap 
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

"If only I could do it all again and avoid the 'banana skins' of life" J.D.BoatwoodThis is it. Flying the nest today. If I hadn't done it today, I would never have left. I have had a great time at the Hiker Hostel and Leigh and Josh have made my AT experience so special.I was dropped off at Tray Gap around 10am, ready to hike to Deep Gap Shelter. The weather was perfect, if a little bit chilly. Half way up Tray mountain I stopped to look at a little worm that had fallen on the middle of the Trail. This was no worm. It was a snow flake. Soon there were lots more. I made it to Tray Mt shelter where I had a break and gave the weather a chance to stop. Continuing on, the snow started again, heavier this time. There was no escaping it. By the time I got to the Deep Gap shelter, it was like I was in a complete white-out.In the shelter already were Bob and Kate, father and daughter, who had bunked in mid-afternoon. Jason joined us later in the evening as he had done a big mile day.I was tucked up in my sleeping bag fairly early (7pm) but of course, had to get out of my nice warm bag to pee twice. How annoyed was I about that?Remind me again why I am doing this?
Date: 2004-03-10
From: Deep Gap 

To: Plumorchard Gap
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

"I get by with a little help from my friends" The BeatlesWell, as of 11am this morning, I was ready to quit. No one thing had caused this feeling. By the time I had made it the 3.5 miles from the shelter to Dick's Creek Gap, I had worked out the lot: calling the travel agent, bus to Fontana Dam to pick up my mail drop then heading home. I sat down at the trail head at Dick's Creek Gap and had a great big bawl. Waiting at the trail head was some Trail Magic,- left by Jan Liteshoe (I had followed Jan's journal last year and she is a bit of a hero to me)and Stumpknocker - cans of Coke, with a note saying "For Long Distance Hikers". There was one left, but as I had decided I wasn't hiking any more-therefore not a LDH - I left it for the next person. Across the road, a car pulled in and out got Arwen and Heather and their dog Sasha. I went over to have a chat and ended up in tears with them too. Arwen suggested that when you feel like leaving the trail, wait 3 days then make the decision. That takes me to the town of Franklin. We will see how things pan out. Luckily, they convinced me to stay on the Trail and here I am, freezing my butt off with Bloody Cactus, Xena, C-Giddy, Heather, Arwen and Sasha in the Plum Orchard Gap shelter. Thanks guys for your support today. If it weren't for you, I would be off Trail by now (and be in clean clothes, had a hot shower and real food - but that's beside the point). It's nice to have a group to hike with.
Date: 2004-03-11
From: Plumorchard Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

"We always admire the other fellow more aafter we try to do his job" William FeatherToday was the day that we crossed our first state line- from Georgia into North Carolina. Excitement all around (more so from the others). As I am a much slower hiker than them, they kindly waited at the GA/NC sign so we could all cross together. We arrived at the Muskrat Creek Shelter around 1pm (well I did, they had been there a while) and it was a unanimous decision to go on to the Standing Indian Shelter, another 4.9 miles. When I got there, it was suggested that I pitch my tent with the gang as the shelter was very windy. The camping area was a lot more sheltered (but it didn't stop the cold!). My first night in the tent in cold weather - this will be interesting.We finished the evening doing crosswords, one person calling out the clues/number of letters etc, then us calling out the various answers.Snuggling down into the sleeping bag now, hope the shivering doesn't last too long!
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap 
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

"Nothing befalls a man except what is in his nature to endure" Marcus AurelliusDamn it was cold this morning! My thermometer read 20F. I filtered some water first thing, using my bandanna as a pre-filter. I hung the bandanna on a branch and it was frozen solid 10 minutes later! Brrrr.Our original plan was to head to Carter Gap Shelter, 7.6 miles, but we were there by midday. The next shelter was too far away so we are camping another night at the Betty Creek Gap. Hopefully a little more sheltered than last night as we are surrounded by rhododendrons, not in flower, but very dense foliage.The plan for tomorrow is 9.3 miles to Wallace Gap where, I am afraid to say, I am dropping off the Trail. I have had enough. Everyone has tried to convince me to stay, and I appreciate their perseverance, but I don't want to do this for the next 5.5 months. After everything that happened last year, I found out that I am not ready to be away from the family yet.Thank you everyone for your support in the past months. I know a lot of you will be disappointed in my quitting, but rest assured, you are not as disappointed in me as I am.(Later, I thought about changing this journal entry or leaving it out altogether. But the journal is my record of how I was feeeling on this particular day - so it has to stay!)
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Betty Creek Gap 

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 9.3

"Those who lose dreaming are lost" Australian Aboriginal proverbI am sitting here in the sun in the grounds of the Franklin Motel,in Franklin, North Carolina, waiting for my load of extremely dirty and smelly laundry to be washed. I am clean. I have clean clothes on and I have a cold can of Coke opened in front of me.We have 2 rooms between the 6 of us tonight. The others have opted to hike the extra 3.8 miles into town. I got off Trail at Wallace Gap and got a ride into Franklin with a Trail Angel, a hiker from around these parts.Today was another special marker day - we passed the 100 mile mark. Unfortunately, the Trail isn't marked at this exact spot so you don't realise until you reach Glassmine Gap, .5 miles beyond the 100 mile mark. None of us felt like going back to find the actual spot (especially as it was uphill!)The gang have arrived now and are headed to the showers and laundry. Main priorities for hikers entering town. Followed closely by food, which is where we are headed as soon as the clothes are dry.The plan for dinner tonight is steak, - AYCE - All You Can Eat...magic words for hikers, at Western Sizzlin'. I think my hiker appetite may have kicked in somewhat. Feeling very hungry right now. Bring on the food!We (six of us and a dog) are currently getting our techno fix, watching TV and just lazing about, letting our guts-fest digest. Back adjustments and massages going on left, right and centre. The topic of discussion is foot and blister care, who does what for different problems. Very interesting to hear the different schools of thought. It is 11pm and this would be the latest any of us have been up for the last fortnight. It is usually bedtime when it gets dark, which is about 7:30 out on the Trail at the moment. The days will be lighter later in the year which will allow for longer hiking days.Dinner tonight was amazing. The majority of us had the 'feature meal' which was rib eye steak, with potato of choice and a salad bar. Possibly the best steak I have ever had. Needless to say, we stuffed ourselves silly and feel much better for it.On that note, they say a town visit can make you have a different perspective on things. Consequently, at this stage, I am considering staying on the Trail. I will wait and see how a zero day makes the body feel. Things don't seem quite so bad when you are in town.
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

"If you can dream it, you can do it" Walt Disney(Note to self: "must try to get to sleep before Xena in the future"!)This morning, a discussion evolved about snoring. C-Giddy, who has slept in the same room as me twice, and in a shelter, and also tenting, has made an observation about my snoring (which I still emphatically deny happens). According to him, last night and the night at the Hiker Hostel, I did not snore. Apparently at the shelter and tenting, I snored up a storm. Why is it so? I have no idea (having never heard myself snore I still don't believe it happens)A few developments have occurred since my last entry. Firstly, I got two very special emails from my Mum and brother Nick which helped cement my decision. The others were reminders of the various things I would miss if I left the Trail. Consequently, this little black duck is going back on Trail tomorrow. The restorative properties of a town visit are just amazing.We went to a diner for breakfast this morning and then headed to an outfitter to restock on some gear things (more money). More Trail Magic this morning: as we came out of the diner, two ladies offered to drive us to the outfitter. Out of the blue, pure kindness.Xena and Bloody Cactus went to a United Methodist church this morning and have managed to get us invited to dinner at the house some of the parishioners - sirloin tips (whatever they are) and several other things. They have taken pity on the poor hikers!The gang is going to help me go through my pack and lighten my load (again) this afternoon. The toes are slowly on the mend (I have new insoles which are apparently the best things since sliced bread) and I have a new water carrier which has a hose - no more having to stop to drink, I can drink on the go.OK, the pack is now significantly lighter thanks to The Gear Nazi (Arwen). He has managed to extract about 8-10 more lbs from my pack and it feels SO much better. Thanks Arwen!The dinner update: I now know what 'true Southern Hospitality' is. Joe and Frances Kossan were having a fellowship dinner with about 15 or so of the parishioners and they were more than happy to have 6 extra hikers. We were picked up in 2 cars and taken to the Kossan's beautiful house and treated like long lost family. There were about 20 or so of us and enough food for an army. And GOOD home cooked food! 'Sirloin tip' is roast beef, which was grilled in a BBQ and it was SO good. Several different, delicious salads and some very yummy desserts! I had sweet potato pie that was to die for, delicious brownies, hotdogs done on the grill...it was so good! It was absolutely marvellous to have home cooked food and wonderful hospitality after grunge-life on the Trail. I am not sure if Joe and Frances know how special tonight was to us. Thank you both so much for opening your home and your hearts to 6 complete strangers. This is something that will stay with me forever.
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Silar Bald Gap
Miles today: 3.7

"It is far more important to do your best than to win. Those who win are not always doing their best" P.K.ShawWe are all huddled into the shelter at present as it is pissing down with rain. We are going to be 10 in a shelter that sleeps 8. Cosy, but it could be worse.We were up earlier than usual today as we had town chores to run before heading back to the Trail. Post office to send stuff home and other stuff further down the line, internet cafe for some, food shopping for me.We were shuttled around town this morning by Dylan, who is also staying at the same motel. Dylan is currently helping support his sister and father as they attempt to hike the Triple Crown this year. The Triple Crown involves hiking the Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail (3000-ish miles) and the Pacific Crest Trail (2800-ish miles), and they hope to complete it in a year! Dylan meets them at road crossings with food supplies and meals and clean clothes. They are carrying minimal weight in their packs which enables them to hike faster than normal.We were parked at the lights waiting to turn and a semi loaded with logs of wood was turning into our road. The small car in front was in the path of the truck and panicked, slamming the car into reverse- straight back into Dylan's truck. No major damage to anyone or anything, but it added excitement to the morning.Our hosts from last night have offered us a ride back to the Trail today to help us on our way. Such kindness. Have a wonderful time on your hike in a couple of weeks Joe and Frances.I have a new menu for the next few nights. Rice tonight and then I am trying some mashed potato combination thing tomorrow night. Can't be any worse than the pasta stuff last time.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Silar Bald Gap

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 10.9

"Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have."As it was when we went to sleep, it was still raining when we woke up. View was zilch, temperature was fairly chilly.Our plan today was to go 12 miles from Silar Bald shelter to the Cold Springs shelter, but we got lampooned. We were taking a break about .2 miles from the Burningtown Gap road area, preparing ourselves for the big climb up to the last shelter for the day. Up walks a man who said he was a Trail Angel. He said he had come looking for hikers as he had a tent full of food and soda and hot drinks. Needless to say, we were off like a shot. Hot dogs, soda, chocolate, cinnamon buns, tea, coffee, hot chocolate...you name it, he had it. Talk about hiker heaven! 'Apple' was the name of this particular Trail Angel and he has been kind enough to let us stay in his tent tonight, instead of trudging uphill to the cold shelter. There are currently 11 of us and a dog spread out in the tent. This is going to be so much warmer than the shelter would have been.
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Burningtown Gap

To: Nantahala Outdoor Centre
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

"Laughter is a tranquilliser with no side effects" Arnold GlasowThe Trail Magic continued this morning when Apple came back for his next day's duties. He brought fresh doughnuts which went down a treat.It was damned cold last night - bloody glad we didn't end up going to the shelter as it got down to 32F IN THE TENT! The tent was like one of those half 'soccer ball' frame things we used to climb on as kids, covered in tent material. It is quite a set-up that Apple has, all for hikers, all for free.As we hadn't gone to the shelter the night before, we had an extra 1.2 miles to do today, the first bit of it uphill (of course). I spent most of the day hiking with Xena today which was great (she kindly slowed down a bit). We made it to the Nantahala Outdoor Centre (NOC) in plenty of time. We had parcels to pick up and were able to grab ourselves drinks and a tub of ice-cream. The NOC is a big place for white-water rafting. We figured that dangling our feet in the water would do them the world of good...the one thing we hadn't taken into account was the temperature of the water! Not more than a few seconds in the water for my tootsies!Ten of us are currently bunked up in a furnished 'house' sort of thing aimed at hikers. We stopped in at the general store and bought 8 frozen pizzas and various other foods to try and keep the hunger at bay. With the pizzas came 3 free videos, which we are watching. Soon it will be off to bed, 10 of us between 5 double beds. Cosy!
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Nantahala Outdoor Centre

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

"A day without sunshine is like....night"It was really weird. Those of us that slept in beds found it quite dificult to sleep. Most said they had slept better outdoors. The beds were too soft. Talk about Goldilocks! Or The Princess and the Pea.We were ferried back to the NOC ready to head out again. Of course, as we stepped from the van, the heavens started opening. Not heavy, just the kind of rain that soaks you through.The others were waiting for the shop to open but I figured that as I was a slow hiker and didn't need anything from the shop, I would leave. No doubt the others would overtake me soon enough.We had been warned about the climb out of NOC. It was the reverse of the 4 mile downhill we did into the NOC yesterday, except that it was nearly 4 miles longer. And not a very nice climb either. I made it to the shelter at about 2:30pm, soaking wet and freezing cold. It was the age old debate that I had this morning - wear rain gear and be wet from sweat or don't wear rain gear and be wet from rain. I chose the half and half option, rain top and my trousers as per normal. I tend to get wet from perspiration when I hike any way.By the time the gang arrived, I had been there half an hour or so. I had changed into dry clothes but was still cold. The original plan had been to hike 12 miles today and 12 tomorrow, which would have left us about 4 miles to do on Saturday morning, getting us into Fontana Dam in time to pick up our mail drops (post office is only open betweem 10am - 12). After the uphill that we had dealt with, the decision was to stay at the shelter and try and do a big day tomorrow. This of course was before we had looked at the profile map!Mashed potato and tuna for dinner tonight. Fisrt time I had eaten it out here. Not bad. Needed more water but it is all a learning curve. It is amazing, the warming properties of a hot meal.Takoma Tedd, who is at the shelter too, serenaded us tonight. He carries a camping guitar and plays and sings beautifully.There are 11 of us and a dog in the shelter, Sasha is sleeping next to me so hopefully she can throw some heat my way.Nearly crossword time so will sign off for now. We do group crosswords - one person calls out the clues and we all try to guess. Whittles away the dark hours before sleep comes.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

" No-one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another" Charles DickensOur biggest day yet! We have arrived at our final destination for the night - thank goodness - and that involved a bit of night hiking. Another note to self: "those rocks and tree roots that are determined to trip you up during the day are even more vindictive at dusk".The day was a great one. We woke to glorious sunshine this morning, a nice change from the rain that lulled us to sleep.Temperatures were nice - even got to hike in my short sleeve top! Did 6.7 miles to make it to Stecoah Gap where we were met by Mala, who calls himself a Trail Devil. He has been known to encourage hikers to have 'zero' days by plying them with goodies.Mala offered to slack pack us the next 7.6 miles and we accepted. Bloody good thing we did as we had to go over a mountain nicknamed "Mother Hump". We renamed it The Hillary Step. It increased 800ft in half a mile. Yes, there were swear words thrown at this mountain. And the damn thing didn't take us to the top so there were no views. You would think there might have been some kind of reward for all of our effort, but no.When we met up with Mala at the pre-arranged place, he had hot dogs and sodas ready and waiting. Bliss.It was .9 miles to the shelter and of course it was getting dark when we left, so the headlamp got its first real work out. It did OK, once I got used to the moving light on the trail.Xena and Bloody Cactus and I saw a snake today when we were getting water before our slack pack. From the way Xena reacted, you would have thought it was an anaconda. In reality it was about 15cm long.Just for the record, I took about 17228 steps today (2 of my actual steps equals 1 counted step - i.e. right foot is always the only counted one). It is one of the things I do when I hike. Xena thought you might find it interesting.It was medico time when we got to the shelter. Blisters that needed attention. I had one rather large one on the outside of my right heel which I have lived with for a couple of days. To pop or not to pop, that was the question. Popping won tonight and we have it on video!Perhaps I should explain the video thing. Heather and Arwen are hiking for a charity that is run by Arwen's mum. They are filming their Appalachian Trail journey and it will be made into a documentary. Arwen decided that the whole blister reatment thing needed to be recorded. Wolf Cookies also had blisters, and I do mean plural. She won the award for nastiest feet.Getting chilly now so it is time to get nto the bag. Goodnight all.