morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Blood Mountain Shelter

To: Walasi Yi Center, Neels Gap
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: broken clouds

3/29/03Clean Clothes, warm shower, and junk food. what a life! Resupplied today. Also ate a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream, 1/2 lb. of cheese, PB+J with crackers, a coke, and an orange for lunch. We've ordered pizza from Domino's in Blairsville for dinner. Just saw another name of a thruhiker that I know. Lamar Powell (Henry, Will, Don, do you remember him?). He started 2 days ago. Still behind me. Maybe we'll catch up to one another for Trailfest at Hot Springs on April 12th. Free Shuttles from all the surrounding trail towns. I'll be in Wesser, NC at that point. I've already got poison ivy on my arm. I haven't seen it yet so it must have been on some of the wood we burned the other night. Becky, my sister, is mailing the Depo Medrol dose pack to me in Hiawassee. If the poison ivy is too severe by then, I'll just stop at a Doctor's office for an injection. Too bad that I can't get a steroid shot once a month for the next 6 months as a preventative. Met a guy from Arlington, Tx who graduated from UNT three years ago - another Brian. Staying in the hostel. He's hiking fast - Did in 2 days what I did in 4. I got to listen to Ed last night while on Blood Mountain. Great reception. It loses a lot without the video. (Joan did tell me though today that it was Carol Vessy in the Suit of Armor.) I'll sign off now and mail this to Eric - I haven't finished a roll of film yet. Sorry. Love Y'all. Gretel.
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: scattered clouds

3/31/03Spent yesterday walking thru 3 inches of snow. Drifts to 1 Foot on the trail. Continued to snow and sleet all day. Spent the night at Low Gap Shelter after 11 miles. Couldn't stop before then as it was too cold. Fifteen of us spent the night there. It was a great day even in the snow. Everyone complained about how cold they were last night. I was chilly so I got inside the space bag too. I was warm all night. I didn't want to get out of the bag this morning. There was a lot of condensation between my sleeping bag and the space bag. Apparently a mouse was cold also! Must have burrowed into my backpack. He chewed holes in my t-shirt! Took a picture of Parkway taking his tent down - See the snowman? I only went 7 1/2 miles today. I'm still doing well with no blisters but want to make sure I build up some muscle strength in my back and legs before I push it. Here at Blue Mt Shelter tonight. Everyone from last night moved on with the exception of Mudpuppy and Rockdancer. Rockdancer thruhiked in 2000 and have been a ridge runner in New Jersey for the past 2 years. He's section hiking again with his wife. The Lizards- Parkway and Sidewinder, along with Booble, (who turned 31 y.o. yesterday - Happy Birthday, Booble!) walked to Unicoi Gap to hitch to Helen for the night.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

4/1/03Caught up with the Lizards and Booble again today. But I decided not to go the additional 5 miles to the next camp with them. They had spend the night in Helen. Had to rub it in that the motel had a heated indoor pool. I spent the night with several new people. Cookie is a 30-ish Spec. Ed. teacher from Tucson and Smokey -another 30ish Special Ed teacher. Sleeping Floyd - a 30ish Civil Engineer from Chattanooga. Have you noticed that everyone is 15 years older or younger than me? I'm wanting to find someone in the 40 to 50 year old range. It was cold again last night. Slept in the shelter. No mice, Yeah! Awoke to the sunrise - see the picture. I was first one out after a breakfast of 2 cream of wheats and 1 grits, mixed up along with hot chocolate. Had two not so easy climbs today up Rocky Mt. and Troy Mt. Have walked 64 miles in the past 8 days. Warmed up to the 60's. Still snow and icicles on the north sides of the Mountains.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

4/2/03Spending night at Tray Mt. Shelter. Huddled in the tent to get away from the mosquitos. Couldn't write as I can't sit up in my tent. The mosquitos were breeding faster than I could kill them! Met Viking from Blacksburg VA; Strawbale (Mike) from BC, Canada (builds strawbale and cob shelters for a living); the Captain and Tennille (Ben and Christi); Flatlander from Ft. Lauderdale. All in their 20's.
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

4/4/03 Walked 2 miles to Dicks Creek Gap. Dave and Cindy were there in their Red Jeep. Trail Angels!! There son had thruhiked 3 years ago. Every year since then, on the date he passed this point, they come from their home in Rome, GA and bring breakfast. They had fresh fruit, my favorite NY chocolate eclairs, blueberry muffins, juice. Incredible!! It was fantastic. They are both ER physicians. Their son is now at UT Austin getting his PhD in Astrophysics. At 9:30 am; we caught a ride to the Blueberry Patch from Gary. Gary and Lennie have an organic farm and provide a hiker hostel during the season. We got a hot shower, he washed our clothes and we got to sleep in a bunk. You'll see the pictures of the bunks (with Strawbale, Firefeet, and Sleepy Floyd) and the common area (With Flatlander, Mastergator, Mr. Magoo, Superman?-accent on the last syllable, and his wife Heather, Iron Chef on the phone.) They also cooked homemade pancakes with blueberry syrup for breakfast. They are friends of Don's. Gary thruhiked with Don in 1991. He plugged me in with a doctor in Hiawassee for the poison ivy. Hit the internet e-mail @ the library. Had steak at the local steakhouse with 9 other thruhikers. Picked up my mail at the post office. Several letters and packages from friends and family. Awesome surprise. I sent some items home at this point. This is what I deleted from my equipment. - one Nalgene bottle, 4 tent stakes, one heat deflector for stove, pair of socks, a bandanna. Not Much! Still trying to figure out what I can drop. Still hanging around 35lbs full.
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap, North Carolina
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

4/4/03Dropped off at Dick's Creek Gap at 10am. Drizzly. Mosquitos bad again. Crossed the NC-GA line. Picture of Kristy and I at the sign. Also picture of Flatlander at the twisted oak at Bly Gap. I hiked with her most of the day. Stopped at Bly Gap with Mr. Magoo, Two Dog Night (Shannon) with Cade and Dylan, her dogs; Iron Chef(Jarrod), Sharon and Paul and their dog Bela. Sharon and Paul are married. They have their wedding rings tattooed on their right arms. Both have MS degrees from Penn State. One in Chemistry - worked for pharmaceutical co doing product research/development. The other in forestry. They live north of Baltimore MD.
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: heavy intensity rain

4/5/03Awoke to thunder clap at 6 am. I jumped out of the tent to pee before the deluge began. And it did. Thunderstorms for 4 hours. I kept listening to the weather radio to check on its progress. Yelled the news from tent to tent. The sun come out at 10 AM and it was a beautiful sunny day. Also listened to Ed on the radio last night. It's tough trying to stay up til 10PM when the show goes off. My normal bedtime is 7:30 to 8 pm. What's up with Ed anyway? I think he needs to choose Carol- Frankie's wierd. Looking forward to hearing Cher's Farewell concert on Tuesday night- NOT! Ate lunch at Muskrat shelter with Strawbale, Sharon, Paul, Mr Magoo, Q and Jonachi (who have a bluegrass celtic music group "The Good Grass Consort" They have a CD out. They're from Ohio. And will actually play at Trail Days in Damascus VA - the thruhiker festival May 16-18.) We came out of the woods at Deep Gap to more "Trail Magic". Tom and his grandsons, Brandon and Hunter, were grilling burgers and hotdogs for the thruhikers. They're from Brunswick GA. Tom owns the Forest Hostel. It sounds too cool. Check it out at Foresthostel.com. I stuffed my face. You'll see pictures of the sign; Two Dog, the dogs and Tom; Iron Chef, Q and Jonachi; Mr Magoo, Paul and Sharon. We walked up to Standing Indian Shelter where we're spending the night - great sunset, clear night, waxing moon and tons of stars. New Guy here - Butcher from Dallas/Austin, Tx. Everyone's still mostly on the young end of their 20's. Strawbale is in his 40's. Doc or Mastergator (Michael Reed) is a retired head/neck surgeon from Jacksonville Fl - late 50's. Mr Magoo is from Lake City, Fl. Everyone's been great - friendly, sharing food - checking on each other. We've got a fire again to keep the skeeters away. My Poison Ivy improved. I think putting the Duct Tape on it kept it from spreading and kept me from scratching it. The forest is still brown. No poison ivy in sight today - saw trillum, violets, blood root. Crocus and jonquils popping out. No dogwoods. We're supposed to have storms again tomorrow afternoon - clocks go forward so we're going to try to get up early to get over Standing Indian Mt. Not that the time really matters, huh?
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

4/6/03Up bright and early to a clear morning - but clouded up quickly. Walked 14 miles today. Wanted to get over Mt. Albert and Big Butt Mt. before it rained. Didn't make it. At 5PM, the thunderstorms came rolling in. I decided to skip the hand over hand climb on wet rocks and th risk of lightening strikes to the Fire Tower; So I went Mt. Albert by way of the Blue blaze trail. It's actually much longer. I plan on coming back in October around Trail Crew time @ Rocky Top and climb the mountain and fire tower. We're only talking about a half mile. Found out that Butcher has a BS in ecology from UT (Texas, clarify for those who think that's Tennessee.) He spent the past 3 summers as a Ranger at Philmont Scout Ranch and winters on ski Patrol at Angel Fire, NM. He's decided he likes Wilderness Medicine and wants to go to med school!! I think he'll make it! He's been on the trail 5 days and has already hiked 90 miles! This will be the last time I see him as he blows by me. Met "Medicine Man" (Robert) a section hiker, here with his scoutmaster from days gone by, Tom (picture). Robert's a pharmacist from Bristol TN. I spent a long time walking with he and Tom, who's in his late seventies. When it started raining, ten people and two dogs crouwded into a shelter intended for seven. I slept under the picnic table bench (see picture that Mr. Magoo took). It poured all night.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 6.0

4/7/03This was the best night's sleep I've had on the AT yet. The rain hitting the tin roof was very relaxing. Dylan, Two Dog's yellow lab slept on my feet and kept them warm. We awoke to deep puddles, more rain and fog. Robert volunteered to give us a lift from Wallace Gap to Franklin so we bailed out. When we came walking into Rock Gap, Muddbutt's parents were waiting for her. They had brought McDonald's Egg and Sausage biscuits, drinks, fruit, and all kinds of junk food. Muddbutt was running a day behind us so Bud and Dixie Hathburger shared the food with us. (picture) They'll be back in the morning to surprise their daughter on the trail. MuddButt is one of four women walking together. They call themselves the "Real Women". When they reach the top of a mountain or a shelter, any mile marker, they start with their "Real Women" cheer. They look to be between 35 and 50 y.o. and are covering only 6 - 7 miles per day. I met Easy Street in his 70's. He's been struggling along with two hip replacements and a past heart attack. He averaged 3-4 mi/day at first but is now up to seven. He's from Chicago. Taught school in France for a number of years. That came in handy last night as he interpreted for us. Claude, another thru hiker we met last night, speaks only French. I finally met Clifford the Big Red Dog yesterday also. I had heard about him. His real name is Ben. He's a commercial photographer, lives in White Rock lake area of Dallas, not far from Eric and Julie. Also met two guys in their 20's hiking southbound. They started at Katahdin in September. One is from Wales, The other from Scotland.
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Franklin, North Carolina

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

4/8/03Medicine Man drove us around town yesterday. I hit the Outfitter as I needed new insoles. I finally got a blister on the outside of my big toe. My insoles couldn't take the weight of both me and the pack. They work fine in the tennis shoes at home though. So Superfeet, here we come! Also switched from Polar Pure (Iodine based) to AquaMira(Chlorine based) for water purification. I questioned the safety of long term use of iodine. They both taste the same to me. Five of us ran around running errands last night - all you can eat at Western Sizzler, the library, post office, grocery store. It was difficult sleeping between sheets last night. First time in 14 days. It was comfortable but I couldn't fall asleep. I awoke at 3AM starving. I've finally hit that point where you just can't eat enough. I ate a grapefruit that I had bought then went back to sleep. Then I woke at 6:30am starving again. Had a big breakfast - 3 pieces of french toast, 2 eggs and grits, and O.J. I sent a box of extra supplies ahead to Fontana , called a "Bump Box", in case I need them. If not, I'll send them home or put them in "the Hiker Box" for others to scrounge thru. Hiked seven mi. to Silas Bald Shelter. It's pouring down rain so most people are pulling into a shelter really early. I just realized that I left my address list/phone list in the motel. Whoops! This will be interesting to recover all the info I had. This is a 7 person shelter. There are already 16 people in it.
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

4/9/03Went to bed before dusk last night. It was crowded but comfortable. Slept well again. I don't know what it is about rain hitting a tin roof. Last night was the first time I've been around anyone truly annoying. We had a bunch of Apr. 1st starters catch up with us. Mainly 18-25 y.o. It was like a tornado hit. Stuff was all over the shelter. They could care less whose stuff they walked on with their muddy boots. No excuse me's. Very inconsiderate. Begging for food! One guy even asked if he could have someone's water as he didn't want to get it himself from the stream and purify it. I let them clear out and move on before I got up to make breakfast. It was still raining but much lighter. Sometimes the fog was so thick with maybe a 30 ft visibility. It was a long dreary walk to the next shelter - Cold Springs. I was really dragging. I find I need to eat something every 2 hrs while walking to keep my energy level up. Clifford the Big Red Dog was moving very slow limping along. He's from Dallas - a commercial photographer. He's only hiking as far as Fontana. It took me all day to make it 12 miles. The shelter was very small and cramped (see picture), so I ended up putting the tent up. Supper was Ramen noodles, Chicken Noodle Cup of Soup and freeze dried Corn, all cooked together. Tasted like egg drop soup. Quite tasty. I'll have to remember that combo again. I made pistachio pudding for dessert but put too much water in it. It ended up like melted ice cream slurry instead of pudding.
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: moderate rain

4/10/03Awoke at 6:15 am and had to pee again for the third time that night. I guess I had too much liquid in my diet last night. It had been foggy and freezing rain hit the tent all night. What woke me up was the quiet. The snow had started again. And it was really coming down - an inch an hour. (See the pictures) It wasn't even dawn yet. The weather radio predicted 6-12 inches of snow at elevations above 2500 ft. We were camped at 4900 ft. I packed the tent up in a hurry to get moving and drop below the snow line. Everyone else was quick to follow. Except for Clifford the Big Red Dog. He was barely able to move. It was 4 miles down to a road at Tellico Gap. I hiked down and then headed back up to help him down. His pack must have weighed 50lbs. The waist belt was almost bigger than my hips. Had to keep hiking it up. I carried it about 1 1/2 miles to the road where I left him to hitch a ride into Wesser. I went ahead and hiked the remaining 6 miles into Wesser. We both got there at the same time, about 4 hours later. It rained, sleeted, snowed, fogged, even a patch of blue sky once. We had it all. The snow was very wet so my gloves were soaked. Even with a pack cover, everything in my pack was wet with the exception of my sleeping bag. Thank goodness. It was miserable hiking today. You had to keep going as you froze if you stopped to rest. It was great to see NOC in the distance. The problem was it still took 3 miles to drop down into the valley to get to it. My knees took a beating. I put on an extra pair of socks as I could feel the bottom of my feet shearing forward. My feet were cold and constricted and I couldn't keep my boots tight enough. No blisters at the end though. My triceps and biceps have really developed with the hiking poles. Much easier to hike up a hill now with much less exertion. I met up with everyone at NOC. Mr Magoo, Iron Chef, Two Dog Night, Clifford, and Mastegator from the night before. Also caught up with Booble and the the Lizards, Coyote, Runaway, Clete, Sleepy Floyd and others. Some had been up to 3 days ahead of me but had spend a day or two resting here. I had to get in the river in my rain pants and jacket and try to clean the mud off them with a bandanna before I did anything. I had slipped several times and fallen on my butt once. I got one of the last bunks available. We ended up with 11 people shacking up in an 8 bunk room. The shower felt great. I stuffed myself at the River's Run Restaurant (see picture of Mastorgator, Clifford, and Two Dog/Iron Chef).
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

4/11/03Awoke at dawn. Half the bunk room was moving on today so they got started very early. There was gear all over the place. Wet tents, packs, rain gear hanging on hooks and clotheslines. I don't know how we separated it all. I'm taking a "Zero day" today. That's where you don't accumulate any mileage. Washed clothes, made phone calls. Thank goodness my aunt was visiting my parents so she could retrieve my address and phone list from my disc! The only phone numbers I have memorized are Mom and Dad's, and Becky, my sister, and that's only because they haven't moved in forever. Don't even know my own children's phone numbers. Pretty sad. That's what cell phones and speed dial will do to you. Still winter storm warnings for the mountains. Those heading out today will get more snow. But in the valley here its mostly cloudy. 50 degrees. You could see the change in flora as I descended from 4900 to 1700 ft. elevation. Down here the dogwoods, redbuds, and cherry blossum trees are blooming. The mountain laurel has started to put out its blooms. The forest is greener as the tree leaves have started to bud. (there's a picture of me at Wayah bald.) Couldn't see a thing from the tower It was so foggy.) It's interesting what you think of as you walk all day. Your mind just kind of wanders. I met one hiker 2 nights ago, Chaucer, who left the trail the next morning. He said he couldn't deal with the stress of where the next water was going to be etc. He was always worrying about stuff. I think about what I'm going to write, old conversations, past memories, and the future. Mixed in with "Oh look at that tree" "Hear the quiet" "Smell that fragrance". I bought a new pack cover today (dropped from 7oz to 2oz. and a little larger). I love this new sil-nyl stuff (nylon coated with silicone). Also traded my Tevas in for Waldies. Much lighter. After 17 days I've hiked 144 miles. Something needs to happen with my hair. Its not long enough for a pony tail yet and the color! Yuck! Two Dog, Paul and Sharon moved on today as NOC is not dog friendly. They'll take a zero day in Fontana where I'll catch them. I had dinner with Mr. Magoo and his wife who came in to visit. Also Clifford and Strawbale. Stuffed myself again with a big ol' pile of nachos and ice cream for dessert. My stomach hurt afterward. I had a 2 person bunkroom all to myself. I thought I had it made and could easily go to sleep. No snoring, Yes! Well, 8 middle school boys were in the room next door. They were there for a mountain bike clinic. And they were excited! Stomped up and down the stairs yelling. I finally became the party pooper and yelled at them to take the party up to the Community Room as it was quiet hour. They finally quieted down. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear "Ed" on my TV/Radio as we were deep in a valley. No signal. I'll have to wait for my update from Barbara and Joan. (Picture of my shirt that the mouse ate).
Date: 2003-04-12
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

4/12/03I had the "all you can eat" breakfast buffet for the second day in a row. It was great - I'm really getting into grits again. Unfortunately the food dragged me down. I had little energy and it was all uphill to the shelter. It was a beautiful clear day. You could see the snow capped peaks of the Smokies. Now that's different! I left Clifford and Strawbale who were heading home. Clifford's brother came and picked them up. Strawbale says he'll return and meet us @ Newfound Gap to hike. Hope his knees hold up also. Mr Magoo is spending the weekend with his wife so he'll "yellow blaze" it to Fontana on Monday (short for drive). (Picture of my CLEAN boots. I had just cleaned the mud off of them.) (Picture of Kodiak and Sassy in alternative clothing, what you have to do when you wash your clothes.) So it's all new people for me in the shelter tonight. They rebuilt it last year. It's pretty nice and in a beautiful ravine. There's still snow left from the storm. (Picture of a typical stream used as a source of water. Also a picture of a memorial in Grassy Gap.) Had a 3000 ft elevation gain today! Had a great campfire after we found we could burn the old shingles from the privy. The roof had been replaced with tin. We joked that the shingles must have been impregnated with Methane gas. All the other wood was too wet to burn. The Shelter was new - a two level with windows upstairs. Met "Seneca Lou" and "Tom for short" from Fort Myers, Fl. A married couple in their late 50's. Seems to be a rarity on the Trail.