morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Neels Gap 

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Foggy day and rain showers now and than. Not too bad. Late afternoon sunshine and warm. Until 6 o'clock only 3 hikers in the shelter. Despite the weatherforecast = more rain during the night and next day I pitched up the tent. I was afraid, only with my summer sleeping bad I would have could sleeping in the shelter. Just arrives another hiker - or better, a heavy rucksack is walking in with Jim.Today I had a proper lunchtime. Best lunchtime so far. Found a ring of fire, wood still warm, rain has stopped for a moment.In the night at about 1 a.m. heavy, I mean heavy rain started up including a thunderstorm. Followed by more rain.
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

8 a.m. still pouring rain. It is no use to get out of the tent. I have already packed some things and had a coffee. I wouldn't mind so much to pack a wet tent but, worse, third of it is covered with wonderful earthy black mud. Even the outside of the inside sheet. Best is to stay inside the tent trying to move as less as possible and just wait. At least it is not cold and I have enought food.1 hour later I moved with all mz stuff to the shelter. Tent was flooded. I threw it into the creek to wash the soil off it.2 p.m. still in the shelter. Rain, rain and who guessed it, more rain. Wet day hikers passed by and very wet day hikers passed by: " I wear waterproofs and I am soaking wet. My clothes for changing ind the waterproof bag ind the waterpr. rucksack covered with a raincover are soaking wet." (Quotation)Luckily I managed to clean the tent a bit and meanwhile it hangs inside the shelter. Not so bad a decoration. Taht was a really bad move, piching up the tent last night. Really bad. On the other hand, if the tent wouldn't have been so muddy I would have moved on during one of the short dry moments this morning and would be completely soaked now. Better feeling a bet bored than being soaked. And I had nice companionship in the shelter.I am afraid this night will be a cold one for me but, you bet, I am not going to stay in the tent. Maybe the tent will dry so that it can be used as an additional cover over the sleeping bag. Tonight it will be colder than last night. Things are getting wet just from hanging around . What a fun !
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Campside
Miles today: 13.0

Definitely a good move not to move yesterday. Yesterday about 3 p.m. temperature drops and a pretty cold northwind came up. In the shelter last night 7:30 p.m. everybody was wrapped up completely into his/her sleeping bag. Looked like mummies, only noses out.Today cold, partly sunny. All in all good hiking weather. Walked slowly and steadily and reached the Cs not tired at all. Found successfully a proper branch to exercise my first bear-bag-hanging. Not so easy. It is a pitty that there hasn't been no camera team to film my exercises. It was a good slapstick. The carabiner hook I threw the rope with reeld itself around the branch so that I couldn't get it down again. Ha, ha. Luckily I managed to get the rope back using the walking pole. Uff. O.k. After another while the bag was fixed and I was proud. I am really curious whether it will be stell there tomorrow morning.It is getting dark now and bloody cold. Even in my cosy tent I will have a chilly night, I am afraid. Still a strong north wind.
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Cheese Factory Campside

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

What a luck. All worked out well. Food bag still in place in the morning and I could rejoice myself with some pulpy, milky, tasteless oatmeal (gives strength) and a nice hot cup of coffee on a pretty chilly morning.In nearly 7 hs to Dicks Creek Gap on a nice and sunny day. Even a bit sunburned. So many flowers in the forest now. Heard wild turkeys and a very wild laaaaarge caterpillar crossed my way without showing any fear. Exciting !Got a quick lift to Hiawassee. A hunter picked me up. He told me a lot about this area and imitated the noise made by wild turkeys. The Hiawassee Inn is a great place to stay. Owner has changed several weeks ago and the new one is really hiker friendla and will help youd however he can. Supermarket, post office, laundry. Struggle now in an AYCE (Alles was du essen kannst) with AICE (allem was ich essen kann) and hope it won't spoil my stomach.Hiawasse is not a big place, so far I can see. The town center is mainly one rad, different commercial buildings ( 2 churches and several banks, one looking like a church) on either side and one traffic light for the few fools that dare to walk. It is a bit like a move and like Europeans imagine how is life in the USA countryside. Actually, the sheriff drives in his "Sheriff" car slowly up and down the road. Drives, not rides. But even if he would sit proudly on a big hores singing:"Do not forsake me, oh my Baby..." I wouldn't be surprised. Honestly.
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Made it under cloudy sky and sunshine, mainly in the afternoon in 7,5 hs to the shelter. Met a fellow hiker #Crow# from the deep south (Alabama). We had good companionship at the shelter. No one else here. Crow knows a lot about bird. Nomen est omen. We heared the Pileated Woodpecker - which I have alreadz seen on the way. A big mostly black bird with a red crest. He told me the names of some other birds, too.wonderfull sunset. A fire ball went down beyond the hills. Now 9:00 p.m. I can hear another bird. Doesnot sound like an owel. Must ask Crow tomorrow.
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Owls. It has been owls. I had never thought. Owls make:"hoohoohooooo", I thought until recently. But know I know: they laugh. I am pretty convinced they laugh about us humans. I amsue they know much more than we. And they laugh about us since we think our concept of the world is the only possible. Or as Germans say: " Das Gelbe vom Ei" = the yolk of the egg.First day in shorts today. Violets, Bluettes, Trillium on the way and many other flowers. In this area here the leaves are still not yet out as they as already been in Georgia ( I am in North Caroline since yesterday ). A bit more of a shade would be nice. The afternoon was quite hot. But better than wlking in heavy rain, you bet. Many ups and owns yesterday and today.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Carter Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs Campground near Wallace Gap
Miles today: 14.0

Evening time. Sitting at a proper picnic table here. Shower done, laundry done, mincure done, tummy full, root beer (I love it !) at hand. Life is definitely good to me.This Campground is an excellent spot to stay. Easy walk about 1 mile west downhill from Wallace Gap along the old 64. The Cg is not indicated at the ATC map. Free shuttle back next morning. Small shop has everything what a serious hiker needs to reach Wesster, even Fontana Dam. No need to go down all the way to Franklin.Day today a wonderful day. Even a small "alpine" climb up to Albert Mtn which I have enjoyed and which I would have really enjoyed without the heavy rucksack.Learned again a lot about the local flora from Crow. Can t remember all the names he told me. Marple trees, American Chestnut tree in blossom (seldom), Trillium flowers again in all colours, Sassafras tree (one can make tea from the roots). huge Bluette cushions, Mayapple, Ladyslippers, wild Peppermint and what else.
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Rainbow Springs Campground near Wallace Gap

To: Wine Spring Bald Campsite
Miles today: 11.0

Last night I had a frog concert singing me into sleep supported from some owls. That was great.Late start from the Campground with a shuttle to Wallce Gap. Walking wa not too hard today and I reached the Cs in good time despite the many highmeters which were to be gone. (more than 1000 m up and more than 600 down). It is a good place to stay but countless mossies and buggs until 7 p.m.Today I learned the flowers "Jack-in-the-Pulpit" and Indian cucumber.A dark cloud was lurking all the time over the Mtns. Hours and hours one could here countless thunderbooms. "Peace knows" arrived a bit later than Crow and me with "Little Bear", his dog. He his wearing a blue Clowns nose in search for solutions for peace and lives in a religious community. Everybody there wears a coloured nose. Different colours and sizes allowed. He showed us photos about them and gave me a small orange nose. I wore it a while.
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Wine Spring Bald Campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

13. DayStart 8:15, Arrival 17:00. Start after heavy rain during early night. Tent had to be packed wet.Two Tower day today. Short after having set off: Wayah Bald Tower. Late afternoon, short before going to settle down: Wesser Bald Tower. Both with awesome views.On the way heavy, I mean heavy hail and rain shower. What a luck ! Tent is not so lonesome wet now. Water came quick int the rucksack from the back. The shelter is luckily a good spot to dry out. Only Crow an I here.Today new: blooming Azaleas, blooming Honeysucker and Anemonen.
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Lost Mine Campground
Miles today: 6.0

Needed longer than originally assumed for the hike down to the not any more exisiting village of Wesser. But it was less steep than I had expected and quite a long part a real good ridge walk.Pine trees appeared, blooming Mountain Laurels and wild Iris as well.Big smoked turkey sandwich at "Slow Joe s Restaurant". Resupply at the outdoor center for the about 3 days walk to Fontana. Needed to buy a new towel as well. 2 nights before the mice ate nearly a quarter of my old one. Incredible !
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Wesser Lost Mine Campground

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Nantahala: Land of the Noon Day Sun = the valley is so deep, only during a few midday hours the sun reaches the ground and the water of the stream is notorious cold. Gave the copyright to "Postcard". For free.1. Late Start after a huuuuuuuuuugggggggggggeeeee breakfast at the resaurant NOC2. Endless climb to the topless summit of Swim Bald. Endlesssssssssssssss3. Short lunch at Sassafras Gap Shelter.4. Pitched up tent at the very wind Locust Gap. Wind soothed down later, luckely5. "Grey Squirrel" passed by. A not young hiker anymore. With all "professional" Golite gear and fit like no one else I've ever met before. Quite a character. Crow gave him 2 candys and Squirrel moved on.6. Dinner, 4 course meal:6.1 one cup instand soup. Delicious !6.2 one bag instand noodles ready mixed with cheese and chive ( just put boiling water into the bag, stir thouroughly, wait 4 minutes, stir again, enjoy)Enjoy ! - at least I did my best.6.3 a cold pitta bread with thick peanut butter. From Crow. He ask me whether I'd like to eat it since he didn't want to carry it anymore.6.4 2 chocolate candys. Also a gift of Crow.7. Food-bag-hanging. The usual evening sport. Successful. (Hopefully, we'll see in the morning).8. Sitting around the fire. This is quite a challenge while being only 2 persons.We tried hard and at last we got it covered.9. Exhausted from all these exercises we went to tent (bed) early.WHAT A DAY !
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Crows stomach has made already a hole in his back bone, he claimed, and had a very early dinner.I had a birdbath and changed clothes as it is decent for a Lady befor dinner.Yesterday I run into 2 Carter Snaked lingering around directly on the trail and today a big fat black snake. Sbout 5 feet long, honestly. I touched its tail and it moved on slowly. Must just have eaten another hiker since it was so fat and lazy. About 50 feet long ! And I saw a Pileated Woodpecker flying through the wood. Where else. Did I mention, the fat black snake was at least 80 feet long !Snatchy + MonkM + Highhat dropped in and now we are a big wild stinky bunch together with Sunshine, Lost and Found and Trashman. Everybody enjoyed the nice evening and we spoke about the huge amounts of food we are going to eat in Fontana Dam.
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Village
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Rolled in Fontana Village about 11:30 a. m. No problem in getting a room. Hikers rate and a huge room with shower and countless white towels. I can't believe the luxury !This is a holiday resort village and out of season like now completely deserted. Only some fellow hikers here from yesterday and the days before. Soon we will meet for a big dinner in the hotels restaurant.Originally I planned a rest day here, pick up my mail drop and work out the next part of my journey. But it is a really strange feeling here and I don't want to bore the next day away. I arrived early enough to arrange all things I had to and so I decided to press on tomorrow after a big breakfast. Have to carry foo for 6 days for the next stretch ! One day more than usually. That is going to make the start tough and the long way uphill won't make it easier.They make a big fuss here with their "Great Smoky Mountains National Park". One needs a permission to enter it. True is: the area is suffering of a high air pollution coming over from Knoxville. Anyway, like every other Nature Reservat it exists mainly since there in nobody who is able to make profit of it. If they would find oil here......
Date: 2004-05-14
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Info: Shelter without porch. One can see the sky trough the roof. Bad weatherconditions - better stay at Mollies.Bluette cushions again. I missed them the last days. And small, delicate, white Trillium with the blossom below the three green leaves. BTW I learned this at least 100 feet long, armthik black snake that I dared to lay around my neck at May 12th is a black rat snake.... not venomenous.After crossing the Dam I had to follow a short road where about a dozen grey squirrels just having their second breakfast. They hardly moved away while I was passing. Luckely the shelters in the smokies have a fence. To keep the bears out they say. But I believe the true reason is to protect the hikers from the squirrels. Bears just sounds better.Next surprise was this little big grouse. Came out of nothing. Pretented to attack me and than pretented having a broken wing. At alst it rests movingless not more than 3 steps away from me. Perhaps she tried to protect her offspring but I couldn t make out any baby grouses. I didn't move either and was sorry having frightened the brave bird. Eventually she disappeared into the woods.The walk today was not as strenuous as I'd expected. Despite the long uphill walking ( more than 1.500 m) I managed easily to reach the second shelter in good time. Piece of cake ! Start in the morning was not good. I still feel angry with this guy from the outdoor center that shuttled me. I had to drop my back country permission for the Smokies into the box and asked him to bing me to the nearest point of the trailhead where I could do that. He dropped me off more than 1 mile away from the dam. I had to walk all the way back only to find that one can drop in the permissions:1. at Fontana Dam Shelter near the dam and2. direct at the sport where the AT bend into the Smokies.
Date: 2004-05-15
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Info: Silers Bald Shelter has a porch, Double Spring not. Not much room to pitch up a tent and in the shelter also not much room to swing a cat. The spots for the tents seemed to me like the former toilet area. As for me - this shelter is the most disgusting one, so far.Like yesterday sun, wind, clouds and a very few drops of rain had been my companions today. Not to forget "Reverend Yukon Jack". We bassed by each other several times the day. Best was the first time. I was sitting down for my first break and suddenly:"wrrrooouuuummmm !" the Rev. flew by. I hardly had had enough time for a short :"Howdy?". But he knows what is decent and sent an energetic: "OUTSTANDING!!!!". From far away already and I sat there in the dust of his heels. All in all a hard day today. Endless steep and stoney ups and downs. Rewarded from good views.Already 8:30 pm and time to go to tent. Bit it is so nice to sit here around the fire hearing the fellow hikers speaking. Ate my last candies ! DISASTER !!Hopefully a vendenmachine (Candyautomat) is installed at the busy Clingmans Dome.(Highest peak around here, about 2.200 m) If not, I swear !, I am going to snatch the candies directly from the childrens mouth. THRU-HIKERS ALERT !I scream for Icecream !. No. I scream for chocolate.
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Verflixt nochmal !Tent wet in the morning from dew. Late start. Weather is holding. At Clingmans Dome I asked:" Is there a vendnmachine at the parkers lot ?"Answer:" I am afraid, no. Only restrooms " So no use for me to go 0,5 mile down."What do you need ?" the guy asked."Nothing real important. Only some candies and chocolate for a treat. Would be great."Immediately the Michigan Hikers Group jumped over me."Take this !", "From Momm", "Take crackers as much as you want", "Do you like hard candies as well ?"and "Where do you come from""Frankfurt, Germany""Guten Morgen", "Ein Bier bitte", "Hallo, wie geht es Ihnen ?" and one of them even began to sing:"Du, du liegst mir am Herzen"After a while I went on with a load of sweets.Worth to mention concerning Double Spring Gap Shelter. It has a pet. In the morning a female deer comes, looked around. Not really tame but one can have a good look at her.
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Info: Shelter has no tentpads, no porch. 2 hikers camped out on the ridge.Last night heavy rain. Morning fog, fog, fog. Sunshine befor midday. Thunderstorm just before I reached the shelter. Nice ridge walks. Again with good views. Kind of "pittoresque" landscape.And tomorrow is already the last day in the "Foggies", not "Smokies". I don't regret to leave them, honestly. Actually, I feel dissappointed. This stretch was mainly a sad walk. Not only around Clingmans Dome the firs and spruce are dying. One can see the dead trees during the whole crossing. Nearly every slope is covered with them, especially at the west sides of the slopes where the winds are coming up from Tennesse valley, Knoxville area. The whole area is heavily used and around Clingmans Dome it is heavily overused. The Smokies are heavily battered, indeed. For me it is no joy to walk through. Many shelters have a bear-fence. Being inside it feels like in prison and the hikers asked each other: "What for are you in?"It could also be a Zoo. During the night Pappa Bear and Mamma Bear show Baby Bear the humans. It should be a sign placed outside on the fence:HOMO SAPIENS SAPIENSmainly diarnalKEEP AWAY ! dangerous animalDon't feed
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Easy walk down to the last Smokie shelter. Again slopes covered with dead trees and extremely worn out pathes. The volunteers are trying desperately to maintain them. According to the register books in the shelters visitors and hikers are enjoying the "Natural Park" despite this heavy damages.Heavy, long lasting rain during the afternoon, but not cold. I hope, the weather will change soon. I don't mind walking in the fog a few days but slowly it becomes depressing. Only a few bright and nice hours around midday. That's wonderful. One can see the clouds ascending from the valleys. And one knows - they carry the next rain and they will darken the afternoon soon. At the end all long-distance hikers in our group are trying to push out of this area as soon as possible. The frienly hilarious springtime feeling doesn't exist here.The reason I stopped here is I have to re-supply tutto. Going to Mountain Mommas today would mean to do all in a hurry. What I don't want. The shelter itself it not bad. Bell, Jim (Trogdor), Mercury and 2 Kanadian very talkactive young women in. Hope they will have talked away erverything what they have to talk about until sleeping time.And tomorrow: up, up, early start, steering for that cheeseburger place. Breakfast. Pancakes, beacon, eggs, resupply, squeeze the resupply in the rucksack and than a big second breakfast before tackle the trail again.
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Mountain Momma, Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Info:Neither Mtn. Momma nor Standing Bear Farm sell Butan/Propan patrons.Good greasy food at Mtn. Mom. I guess, i had about 2.500 Kal. between 8:30 and 10:00 a.m. I wasn't hungry again until 4 p.m. The shop is eexpensive. I've been told by fellow hikers the bunkhouse is very low and, worse: the 2 German shepards at the chain bark all night. For an overnight stay Standing Bear is definitely the better choice. A cosy place and friendly owners who give the place a soul.I have been told now the tree dying in the Smokies is partly caused by fire, pine beetle and pollution. So. That's that. I'll leave this subject now.Another topic is this incredible hight humidity and I found out the reason why it is not allowed to stay 2 nights in one shelter in the Smokies: One is in danger to get covered with moss when one sticks to long at one spot.Anyway, I am glad being out now and the change of weather after crossing the Interstate 40 is remarkable. Looking back from bald Snowbird summit in the sunshine I could see the dark clouds hanging over the Smoky Massiv. I turned North and walked on happily.One Garte Snake today.Have still more entries but the library closes now. I will reveal: next time is better and better. As soon as possible I come back to the TJ again
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Mountain Momma, Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Busy Shelter, early morning. 2 fellow hikers run away without having breakfast after what I call a packing cometition to reach today, perhaps, Hot Springs. About 24 miles and many highmeters. Good luck, boys ! (They did it). 2 other hikers did the same after haing breakfast, at least. One of them left his sleeping bag and matt behind. Mercury carries his sleeping back now NOBO and Bell and I the matt as far as we will hike today. But surely not 20 miles. (Shortly after I had written this, he came back).As for me, I am going to tke this as n easy day, relax, mogging along the trail and whistle my song.And so I did. Excellent hiking weather again. Max Patch Bald great views all around. Could see the Smokies, Foggies, Rainies, Darkies again. Far away already, here from my sunny spot where I had a happy break.INFO: On the way to Roaring Shelter many creeks (and I guess most of them big enough not to fall dry during the summer) and many tentpads to find.I went on to the old Walnut Mtn Shelter from 1938 that is not indicated at the map. It is lokated at a ridge and not as usually in a ravine. Here also many good tentplaces to find a bit further on and water. A great place to stay, but small. 5 persons.Met here "Sparepocket" and "Piggy". Two very layed back hikers. We had a peaceful wonderful evening together around the fire.Blooing Mayapples en masse. And the big Trillium again but at the end of their blooming season. slopes are covered with blue, pink, white flowers which I have seen never before. Many different ferns are coing up and the forest is a bright colouful spring forest now. Every step is a pleasure and makes me feel                  better         betterbetter