morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-04
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Last night was fun around the fire. We all sat around and talked for a bit untill finally heading to sleep. There where some pretty loud snorers but I slept fine anyway. I was first to get up a little after six AM. I took the coals from the previous nights fire and got a small fire going. It was a cold night so people soon got up to stand around the fire. Besides Christmas and Chief, Tofurkey and I where the last to leave the shelter. We where headed to Gooch Gap Shelter which was about 8.2 miels down the trial. As I was packing up I noticed that someone had left a headlamp. I figured it was Gumby and Achelies so I put it into my pack to give to them when I saw them. Tofurkey and I took it pretty easy for the first mile or so. On the first uphill Tofurkey decided to shed a layer. By that time I realized that Gumby and Achelies where planning on going further than us. Thats when I started to book it down the trail. It felt pretty good up intill Sasafrass Mtn., it winded me pretty good. I finally caugt up to Gumby and Achelies at Cooper Gap which was 4 miles from Hawk Mtn. The gap was a nice place to lay about for a while so I did, for two hours. Everyone passed me except for Tofurkey who hung around with me for about an hour. We stayed together for the rest of the hike to Gooch. We stopped at Justice creek for a bit because it was a nice shady spot. We got to the shelter and hung out for a bit. Everyone else had been there a while and had collected a lot of fire wood. We all decided as a group to head to Neels Gap tomorrow. It's 15.6 miles but well worth it. It's a crowded shelter. Staying here is: Cocanut Monkey, Pinky, Boomer, Big Tex, Gumby, Achelies, Brett, Coca-cola, Kaptain Kangaroo, Swansons, Kurly, Tofurkey, and Lockjaw. There might be more. We are all around a big fire now and its a real fun group. A section hiker named Almost There stopped by and gave us a bottle of vodka. We passed it around the campfire to warm us up. Excellent Day.
Date: 2006-03-05
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Walasi-Yi-Center
Miles today: 15.6

Not going to write alot cause I'm real beat. 15.6 miles today, biggest day yet. The biggest event of the day was blood Mtn. which has an absolutley amazing view. From Blood Mtn. it was about two miles down to Neels Gap where the Walasi-Yi-Center is located. The Walasi-Yi-Center is the only building the trail actualy goes through. It's also an outfitter, hostel, and has refrigeratros filled with the food you crave while hiking. When we finally got in the first thing we all did was binge on junk food. We're all staying in the bunhouse tonight and went to an all you can eat fufet. It was awesome. I got some pretty mean blisters right now, but hopefully they will heal soon. Maybe I'lll add some more to this later, but basically I'm just do damn tired and we are watching Caddy Shack.
Date: 2006-03-06
From: Walasi-Yi-Center

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Left Neel's gap with full bellies today. I had O.J. and a Bean and Cheese Burrito for breakfast. Perfect Hiking fod. I left last because I put off my shopping till this morning. I picked up a new pair of socks, a bandanna, and lots of good food. We did 10.6 miles to Low Gap Shelter. There was a couple good climbs but overall not a bad day. I had lunch on an swesome view point at Cowrock Mtn. About a mile before the shelter I met up with everyone resting on a ridgeline. WE all left at the same time and had a very funny precession into the shelter. When we arrived we found that the shelter was full. It was occupied by hikers that had left Neels gap right as we were arriving. At first our two groups didn't talk to much, but Kaptain Kangaroo is a good socializer and soon we hwere all talking. Our group setup a mini-tent-city up the hill from the shelter. Just like every other night we have a good fire going. WE've spent the evening telling funny stories. Kaptain Kangaroo says to visit him in Austrullia sometime and he'll show us around. We might have to take him up on that. Everyone is waking up at 4am tomorrow cause we have a big hike to Tray Mtn. I'll wake up when I get up. I'll get there.
Date: 2006-03-07
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

The word for the day is 'uphill.' But first to backtrack to last night. Around 11:30 LockJaw wakes me up in my tent saying he needs help. It was pretty windy so I just thought his tent blew down and he needed help putting it back up. I was so wrong. He says to me as I came out of my tent, "I can't close my jaw." His pronunciation was not so clear. He told me that he was yawning and evidentally dislocated his jaw. It was so cold I couldn't think clearly. I say "uh... We'll wake up Boomer. He's older and has more education." Boomer was more helpfull and basically said, suck it up till morning and we'll get you to a twon. So the people who we're planning on getting up at 4am where not sucessfull. Today was a big day. 14.9 miles from Low Gap Shelter to Tray Mtn. Shelter. It was pretty easy at first but there where two monster uphills at the end of the day. Swanson, Kurly, Tofurkey, and I stopped for lunch at Blue Mtn. shelter. I forgot to mention that lockjaw got his jaw relocated by 2 section hikers who happened to be physical therapists. Talk about trail magic. The rest of us recieved our first trail magic at Unicoi gap just downhill from Blue Mtn. shelter. There was a guy named Anthony giving out sodas and junk food. It was great. At Unicoi gap Lockjaw decided to hitch into Helen to let his jaw heal. He's restricted to a diet of soft foods. After Unicoi gap was the first big uphill up Rocky Top Mtn. Just after Rocky Top Mtn. was Tray Mtn. which was another good uphill. When we got to the shelter there was a nice rocky overlook to cook dinner on. After camp was all setup, becasue we decided to tent again, we hiked .3 miles back to the summit to see the sunset. There where some tree's in the way but it was still very pretty. Before leaving the summit we had a very in depth discussion about Pinky's nodules. Again we are around the campfire tongith. Tomorrows a ten mile hike and then a quick hitch into Hiawassee. Mmmm... Beer and food.
Date: 2006-03-08
From: Tray Mtn. Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a pretty easy day. Only 10.6 miles from Tray Mtn. to Hiawassee. I was out ahead for half of the day, feeling really good and hiking fast. I was an idiot though and didn't fill my water bladder before leaving. I stopped at Addis gap to fill up but the water source was .5 miles off the trail. When I got back from the stream Kaptain and Tofurkey where resting on the trail but Swanson and Kurly had passed me. At McClure gap 2.3 miles from Dicks Creek Gap we stopped to rest and finalized our plans for twon. Tofrukey was going to stay at the Blueberry Patch Hostel. The rest of us where going to tstay at the Holiday Inn Express. Boomer got a cell cignal from the gap and reserved the rooms. Gumby, Achilies, Swanson, and Kurly all reached Dick's Creek Gap first and started walking torwards Hiawassee with their thumbs out. Pinky, Kaptain, boomer, Tofurkey and I arrived shortly after. We sent Pinky and Tofurkey off with a couple who where parked in the parking lot. Kaptain, Boomer and I waited for a ride. Boomer was expecially funny while hitch hiking cause he would curse off any vehicle that did not stop. Eventually a delivery van stopped and picked us up. We all crammed in and got dropped off at a grocery store a quick walk from our hotel. Everyone was waiting for us at the hotel doing luandry and drinking beer. The beer was cold and tasted real good. It was supposed to be Pinky, Boomer, Kaptain and I in one room but Boomer and Kaptain got there own room so it was just Pinky and I. The first thing I did was take a nice long shwer. It was amazing to watch the dirt just flow down the drain. It was so refreshing. After my shower I took a ride by free bicycle to the post office to bounce my package to Franklin. When I got back we all went to dinner at Daniel's steakhouse. I got the buffet and ate lots of salad. Town food is fantastic after being on the trail even if normally it wouldn't be that good. After dinner we got some beers and sat in the hot tub for a while. Excellent for the sore muscles. After drinking some more beers and eating some pizza Swansons and I took a walk so I could by a phone card. Once back I made some calls and went to bed. Whan an excellent day. Pinky sure can make some odd noises in her sleep.
Date: 2006-03-09
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Real short day out of town today, only 4.3 miles. Woke up early to type up all my Journal entries. The holiday Inn had a continental breakfast that we all took great concentration in. Our shuttle back to the trail was arranged to leave at 11am. Before leaving we went shopping and got all our stuff together. At 11am we all piled in to a pickup truck and headed of to the trail. Of course Boomer had to stop at the Hardie's for a quick burger. Once we got back to the trail it was a quick 4.3 miles to Plum Orchard Gap. We had packed in some beers and drank them during dinner and around the fire. BAsically we've been hanging around talking. My socks where hanging on a pole drying out and it was really windy so I said, "Look, It's a windsock." I thought it was corney, but Kaptain burst out laughing. He always is the loudest laugher. Greay guy he is. We're making some tea on an open fire. It's only Pinky, Swansons, Kurly, Boomer, Kaptain, and I. When we got here we had a not from Tofurkey saying she would be campoing at Bly Gap. We should catch up w/ her tomorrow. Gumby and Achilies had to hike on faster and left earlier in the morning than we did. They will be missed.
Date: 2006-03-10
From: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Twelve mile day today and a new state to boot. All in all not to bad of a day, at least for me. Boomer isn't feeling so hot. He almost went home. Kaptain convinced him to take a couple zero days before deciding to go home. After we all stopped at the state line we stopped for lunch at Muskrat Creek shelter. From Muskrat creek it was only 4.9 miles to Standing Indian Gap. Tofurkey got here real early so she pushed on again. Maybe we'll catch her tomorrow, we're doing a 15 mile day. Swanson needs to see a dentist, Boomer's foot is really bother him, and Pinky wants to see a doctor so we've all agreed to take a zero day in Franklin.   This shelter doesn't have bear lines so we all had to hang our own lines. Boomer managed to somehow nail Kaptain in the knee with a rock. It was pretty funny. Not much to report otherwise. It looks to be another warm night. Sure I'll sleep well.
Date: 2006-03-11
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

Lots to report today. I slept well last night, wish I could say the same for Swanson. When we woke up this morning Swanson was leaning against the shelter wall in his sleeping bag. He had a tooth ache the entire trip, but in the past day it ahs gotten extremely worse. This morning he said the pain had spread down his jaw, not a good sign. He and Kurly decided to go .9 miles south to a forest road and walk out to the main road which leads to Franklin. There Swanson would try to get an emergency dental appointment. Pinky who knows people in the area hiked quickly agead to reach higher ground and get a cell signal to call for a ride for Swanson and Kurly. We don't know how they made out. the terrain today was pretty easy up untill the very end of the day. We made great time in the beginning and made 7.6 miles to Carter Gap shelter for lunch. It had been a slight drizzle all day but when we reached the shelter it really started to come down. Also at lunch another big event occured. Boomer checked a voicemail and when he hung up the phone he said he was going home when he reached Franklin. His girlfriend is driving down from D.C. to come and get him. He didn't say why he was getting off but I imagine his hurting feet have a lot to do with it. He'll be missed. It was pretty easy from lunch till the climb up Albert Mtn. Coming up Albert was some real steep grade and some rock scrambles which where actually pretty fun. On top of Alber there is a fire tower, but there was no view it was too cloudy and foggy. We stopped for the day at Big Spring Shelter for a 14.4 mile day.. There where some weekenders here but they decided to camp up on the ridge. It was clearing up a little so Kaptain, Pinky, and I walked the .6 miles back to the firetower to watch the sunset. On the hike back to the firetower we ran into LockJaw! He did a monster day today to catch up with us. We talked for a minute and then he continued on the the shelter to eat. The view wasn't great from the firetower but better than it had been. The sun setting behind the clouds colored the sky quite nicely. On the way back to the shelter Pinky had the best line of the entire trip I think. "I don't like walking places." Kaptain and I almost peed our pants. We want shirts made up of that. Back at the shelter it's pretty tame. Nice night but the wood is to wet for a fire. We made some tea and have been playing some chess. tomorrow is a town day followed by a zero day. Should be some fun. I smell real bad and could use the shower.
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Budget Inn (Franklin, NC)
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Did 9.1 miles to get into town today. We woke up pretty early and spent no time dilly dallying around camp, we had to get to town. I was the first to leave. The miles where pretty easy and I made it to Rock Gap Shelter, 5.3 miles, by nine AM. .1 miles from Rock Gap Shelter is Rock Gap where there was some left over trail magic. I took an orange soda and waited for the others to catch up. When everyone got there we started walking the 3.7 miles to winding stair gap. There was one decent uphill, but it wasn't bad at all. On the way to winding stair we passed a stream with some Capri-Sun juice packs. YES! More trail magic. When we got to Winding Stair Gap there was a day hiker named lady-hawk waiting for us to give us a ride into town. Excellent, Lady-Hawk dropped us off at Ron Haven's Budget Inn. Budget Inn is a hiker motel owned by trail angel Ron Haven. Ron took good care of Kurly and Swansons. Swanson wasn't able to do anything for his tooth but get some pain killers. He'll have to wait till tomorrow to get an emergency dentist appointment. The Budget Inn was full so Kaptain, Lockjaw, and I ended up getting a room at the Saphire Inn, the Budget's sister motel. We did the usual town stuff, buffet, beer, and showers. There are some veterian hikers here like Pirate and Crutch. We've all been hanging out. Good day all in all. Tomorrow is a zero. Time to rest up.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Budget Inn (Franklin, NC)

To: Budget Inn (Franklin, NC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Took a zero day today. A zero is a day when you don't hike any miles. Usually you spend them in towns, but some do zero s on the trail. We took ours in Franklin cause Swanson's needed to get his tooth fixed. He got a root canal done. Cost him $800 cause he has no insurance, but at least he is feeling better. Met up with Pinky again too. She spent last night with some family friends but is back with us again. Also very important news, Boomer decided to stay with us till at least Fontanna Dam. Thats all the important stuff. The only other eventfull part of the day is when we started playing drinking games at four in the afternoon. We all got pretty drunk. Captain and I especially are getting anxious to be back on the trail.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Budget Inn (Franklin, NC)

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

15.8 miles today, our biggest day yet. It is only Pinky, Lockjaw, Kaptain, Boomer, and I although there are lots of other people camped with us here at Cold Spring Shelter. Kurly and Swanson's are behind us and so is Tofurkey. Kurly and Swanson's slackpacked the miles they missed. They are going to try and catch up with us by Fontanna. Tofurkey got into Franklin via Rock Gap, 3.8 miles or so south of Winding Stair Gap where we got into Franklin. She shouldn't be behind us too much. The terrain today was pretty mild, uphill mostly. We passed by two blads which are really cool. The first we stopped to snack at and at the second bald named Wayah Bald, which has an observation tower, we had lunch. Wayah Bald had one of the best views of the entire trip so far, it was excellent. About a mile and a bit before our shelter for the night a trail angel named Apple had a huge tent setup where you could sit down, snack on candy, sodas and hot drinks. It was a great way to end a day. Once at the shelter we pitched out tents a bit passed the shelter up on a ridge. Theres a lot of people here tonight. We got a fire going but it wasn't that great, most of the wood was wet. It promises to be a cold night.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Campsite ( 2.4 miles past NOC)
Miles today: 14.0

Today was a 14 mile day. Last night weas soooo cold. I woke up a couple of times shivering because I had rolled off my sleeping matt. When it was time to get up I stayed in my tent the longest. Pinky eventually forced me out of my tent by doing shadow puppets on my tent wall so I would go get our food bags. It was a cold morning for hiking. I kept almost all my layers on till late in the morning. Our big destination was NOC for lunch. We got there around 1:30 and had a huge lunch. Boomer checked his voicemail and found out he had a job interview to go to. He is now officially off the trail. Soon after lunch I didn't feel well so I tried to get a spot at the hostel, unfortunetly there where none available. It worked out ok though cause the campsite 2.4 miles after NOC where we are spending the night is really nice. Tofurkey is finally with us again. We have a nice fire going and it feels warmer than last night with less wind. Thank Goodness.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Campsite ( 2.4 miles past NOC)

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Definitly a lot warmer last night which was real nice. I slept real well only waking up once when I rolled off my sleeping matt. We did 13.5 miles today, a lot of which was uphill. I'm real tired right now. We had some real odd weather this morning. For about an hour it was snowing/sleeting. It wasn't heavy, but it was enough to make me put my raingear and pack cover on. It was kinda annoying when it stopped so soon and warmed up to be a lovely day. I was the last to leave camp and passed Lockjaw and Tofurkey at varous spots suring the day. It wasn't till about 1 o'clock a little more than a mile before Stecoah Gap that I caugt up with Kaptain and Pinky. They where just finishing up lunch. We hiked the major downhill into Stecoah Gap. There I told everyone I was hitching into Robinsville to buy a knee brace. My real intention was to get all the makings for s'mores. I thought that it would be a nice treat for everyone after the hilly day. A couple who where out dayhiking where nice enough to give me a ride both into and out of town. There names where Bunny and Holger. They ahd attempted a thru-hike in 2004 but had to get off due to injury. They where real nice people. When I got back to the gap it was a monster 2.4 uphill to Brown Fork Gap Shelter. Everyone was real excited about the s'mores. We all ate them around the fire. We are the only ones here tonight. It's into Fontanna tomorrow, hope Kurly and Swansons catch up.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontanna Dam
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

St. Patrick's Day!!!!13 miles today to Fontanna Dam. Not a bad day of hiking at all, mostly downhill. We reached NC28, a road that passes Fontanna Marina, by about 12:30. I remembered there was a soda machine there, but it was out of order. The wilderness should have more soda machines. The phone to call for a shuttle was also busted. We hiked a quick mile or so to the dam. On the way I stopped at the shelter to leave a note for Swanson's and Kurly. At the dam we used the pay phone to call for a shuttle. Once at Fontanna we took care of all our business; laundry, mail, and food. New this year to Fontanna was beer! We bought a 12 pack and then went to the resturant. unfortunatly they had a limited menu, which was way to expensive. The good news was they had a full bar with green beer. Kaptain was in a buing mood and even Pinky got served. We had beer, Leprechaun Pisses, Irish Car Bombs, and Baileys on ice. After the first hour Pinky couldn't see. After enought stink about the food they agreed to make us Burgers and Veggie Burgers. It was great. When we got back to the rooms we started on the Beers we bought earlier. We started drunk dialing all our friends and relatives. Tomorrow we pass the point I quit last time. I'm very excited.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Fontanna Dam

To: Russel Field Sheter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

I made it. I made it. I'm actually sleeping in the smokies tonight. We did 13.5 miles from Fontanna to Russel Field shelter. It was mostly up hill today but not nearly as bad as I remembered it. Shuckstack mountain had an awesome fire tower that Pinky, Lockjaw, and I climbed. Awesome view. When we got to the shelter it was pretty full with weekend warroiers. We had to tent it. There was a ridge runner named greybeared who thru-hiked in 99. He was a pretty cool guy. Kaptain talked a lot to him. All the section hikers gathered a lot of wood and had a real nice fire going in the shelter. It was sooo much warmer in the shelter. We stayed up for a while talking to everyone and then turned into bed. It was a cold night, but not terrible.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Russel Field Sheter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Did 14.7 miles today from Russel Field Shelter to Silers Bald Shelter. The uphills where absolutley killing me. We all took a break on top of Rock Top Mountain. The view was spectacular. LockJaw has some odd college rilvary with Rock Top Mountain so he decided to moon the mountain. Hike your own hike I guess. We all met up again at Kereck's Knob Shelter for lunch. Pinky gave me an electrolyte mix which helped out greatly for the rest of the day. I have to remember to pick up some in Gatlinburg. When we got to Silers Bald Shelter it was empty. So we all grabbed spots. There is plastic accross the front so it promises to be a warmer night. There are to other thru hikers here tonight along with a previous thruhiker and about 4 section hikers. We have a fire going and the shelter is nice and toasty. It will be a good night.