morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-14
From: Amicolola Falls Visitor Center

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: snow

Fa-ra-ra-eeeezzzzing. "Boss???""Yeah, Nev??""Do you have room over there??""For what, Nev""Meeeeee?!?!?!"Yeah, my 2 cents worth of advice would be to skip the ol' approach trail. It's not extremely difficult, but 600+ steps followed by 8.3 miles of unnecessary trail in the rain and cold really add up to a terrible attitude. At least I got a taste of the trails' ugliest face!
Date: 2009-03-15
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

Made it to hawk mtn this afternoon after a miserable night onspringer. We had a camp fire and marshmellows that longhaul hadbrought with him. I met amy and ben after chatting with them online.Im a lot warmer and dryer in my tent tonite and my attitude is a lotbetter. I miss james more than i could have imagined but hes verysupportive. Miss my family and friends but im hoping to get use tolife on the trail. Wonder if the rangers are gonna be doing trainingtonite.***posted by james but not edited***
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Last night was beautiful....the rain cleared away and we got to dry our stuff out some. I cooked dinner and ate a lot. The shelter was super crowded and there were tents pitched everywhere. Some of the guys broke out their instruments (a eukalale maybe? and a harmonica) and had a jam session. A guy named Jason is hoping to produce a movie about thru-hikers, and he has equipped 6 potential thru-hikers with a video camera to capture their journeys. Longhaul is one of those hikers. Longhaul read my journal before we left, and I met him on day 2. I was in the tent with Grey and Boss (it was super cold the night before) when I heard "Nevena?! Where are you?! It is your cousin from Dubrovnik!" in a strange sounding accent. I was very confused, but I unzipped the rainfly to peek out at my "cousin." Longhaul was pullin my leg. Funny guy. It's his second thru-hiker.Today, it started raining again. It was terrible. I'm not even gonna lie. I constantly think about going home, but I definitely want to stay. I'm truckin it. We made it to Woody Gap, and tented next to Ga. 60. By the time we made it here (8pm), the rain had cleared away, and we had a fun time setting up camp and eating dinner.
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

I've got sunshiiiiiiine on a cloudy day. Yep, that song was in my head today. All day. Not a single cloud in sight. After "kick my ass" Sassafras mountain yesterday, I figured today wouldn't be too bad. It really wasn't. Going up the .8 south side of Blood Mountain was a killer, but it only took 30 minutes. I woke up this morning wanting to go home again, but hiking into Neels Gap made me feel like a total badass. We have already hiked about 40 miles. Almost 9 of those are the approach trail (in retrospect, I would NEVER do that again...waste of time), but still.Met lots of cool folks, hard to remember all the names. Tons of folks out. Lots of spring breakers and thru hikers. Right now I'm in Blairsville at a hotel with Grey and Boss. They're gonna drop me and Bob and Michelle (father/daughter thru-hiker pair from VA) back off at Neels Gap, and I'm gonna keep on hiking. I heard that about 20% of thru-hikers drop out at Neels Gap, so I'm proud to say I've made it past that hurdle. I'm not gonna sugar coat this journal. Hiking is an adjustment, and I do think about quitting every day but never seriously. I have mini-goals in my mind, and I have so much support from my friends and family that it's overwhelming. My mom was very excited that I've made it past the first 30 difficult miles, and that makes me realize how exciting it is, too.I've had a great St. Patty's day, even though we're in a dry county right now. My laundry is clean, my tent's drying in the hotel room, and I'm ready to keep rockin the trail.My tentative trail name is "Topper." Boss gave it to me. He says I go up mountains really fast. I think those of us familiar with Athens would say that it also lends a feminine charm....
Date: 2009-03-18
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

grey and boss dropped me off at neels gap and they headed toasheville. It was lonely hiking for part of the day but i met up withbob and michelle and hiked the last 4 miles with them. There are stillremnants of last nights st. Patricks day party...like the beer idrank. I met early bear who got his name not bc he gets up early butbc he had a run in with a bear last night and lived to tell about it.Lots of other folks here.made it up tenastee "the nasty" today...it was rough but short. I alsoran into leprechaun again-he and mr. Parkay were my first trail angelsthe day we stayed at woody gap.its been a good day tater. But no ol gregs or grey.
Date: 2009-03-19
To: Blue Mtn
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

a quick n dirty day was in order. I solo hiked the miles in just 3 hours and then enjoyed a lazy afternoon in the sun. Amy, b, saint, becca, greaser, jennifer, bob, michelle, chainsaw, matt and a couple others all settled in and had a good time laughin around the campfire. I daydreamed that my dinner was a big juicy hamburger. Yummmmmmmmm.
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Blue Mtn

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

rocky mtn....yeah id like to see Rocky get to the top of that baby and pump his fists. Well we made it. We made it and kept goin. Me and amy hiked together the whole day-homeskillet is in better shape than me but i managed to keep up. Right after we past the elusive cheese factory site we smelled something...somethingdelicous....hamburgers!!! My second set of trail angels, jeff and bill, were handin out burgers and cokes to hikers. Oddly enough, they live in rome right down the street from my mom. After we enjoyed that delicious lunch we kept trucking. It was a great day and we had a lot of laughs. We had a few incidents but they were entertaining. Me amy and chainsaw were the only thru hikers at deep gap but there was a group of friendly georgia boys. Tomorrow to the patch!
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Deep Gap

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 3.5

3/21 start deep gap shelter stop blueberry patch hostel 3.5 miles hostelwhat a great day! A semi easy 3.5 miles to highway 75, unsuccessfulattempt at hitch-hike (really, who wouldnt pick up 2 stinky chicks?!),a ride with gary poteat to the patch, subway for lunch (eat fresh!),laundry done for me, a shower, a successful hitch with jim the retiredminister, catchin up with family, pettin donkeys and kissin goats,pepperonni pizza with hot sauce, a new water filter and variouschocolatey goodies sent by james, random conversations, and a bed witha real pillow in a hostel heated by a wood stove. How glorious!Tomorrow i go up, up, up into north carolina-my first state line! Imstartin to get into both the mental and physical groove of thruhiking...i may make it yet!
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

today we climbed into north carolina-our first state line! The climb was every bit as rough as i remembered from a couple years ago. We took our time and got to camp right at five...no beers though. Bummer. We had to hang our food bags because there were no bear cables...what an adventure that was. A bunch of us sat around the campfire till about 9 laughin, talkin, and telling jokes-crystal your polar bear joke was a near hit.its nice to not be in my home state anymore. My wonderful inlaws rock it out in north carolina so it fees like a second home, though.time for bed!
Date: 2009-03-23
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

today was another kinda slow day. Got started after 9, checked out chunky gal trail, got a new trail name, hung bear bags again, ate instant mashed potatoes (seriously who would eat those at home? They're like the easiest thing to make), had some hot chocolate, giggled a lot, and chilled with the crew-amy aka alias or wags or detour or any other name you make up, matt aka hermes, sara aka wind up, pat aka saint, juggler and rusticus.It was a great day to hike..definitely dont have a case of the mondays. Im full as a tick and ready to turn in.My new trail name is gangsta. What then?! Hahaon a serious note, today was noahs birthday. My sister and i grew upwith him and his family. Noah and his younger brother benjamin sectionhiked a lot of the at together. He passed away in 2007, but a part ofhim is still around.
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Carter Gap Shelter

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

Ah, Albert Mountain. What a glorious climb. Right before we got to the climb, Alias (Amy) and I sat down to have a little "git-r-done" snack. I had beef jerky, which, I officially dislike. I sat there, chewing on it for about 10 minutes, and said, "Man, I wish this was bacon instead." We pushed on. Right before the ascent up Albert, we smelled a fire and the rounded the bend and saw a sign that said "Trail Magic" - Fishin Fred was making fried egg and bacon sandwiches! Yummmm. They also had some delicious cherry cobbler. We ate our fill, and kept pushing. We have a sort of group going on-me, Alias, Hermes, Saint, and Windup. Definitely having lots of laughs and enjoying life. We hear it's suppose to start raining tomorrow, possibly tonight. The shelter was full (again), so I'm tenting it (again).
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Today started off about as much as I expected--packing up in the rain. That's never a very happy thing to do, but we managed somehow. I started hiking solo, but got held up at Winding Stair Gap with some trial magic from the men of Coweeta Baptist Church of Franklin. By held up I mean they offered us yummy treats and well-wishes. It was much needed on such a rainy and cold morning (I promise I saw a few snowish looking raindrops). From there, Alias and Hermes and I kept hiking. We stopped for lunch where I thoroughly enjoyed beef-n-cheese sticks (gag! never buying those again) and a snickers (yummm! Peanutopolis!). We pushed on to Wayah Bald and enjoyed a foggy overlook, and kept pushing. We made it to Wahay Shelter around 4:30 and found it mostly full with folks not exactly willing to move over. Rather than sitting around with a grumpy bunch, we decided to push on. Yep, we did almost 20 miles today! Woooah. We made it to Cold Spring Shelter around 7:15 and found a more hospitable bunch who offered to make room. We decided to go ahead and tent rather than trying to squeeze in when everyone was already settled for the night. That's when the fun started. My rainfly ripped (on my BRAND NEW HUBBA!), a corner of my tent started to leak, and I committed the cardinal rule of camping--my sleeping bag got wet even though it's in a supposedly waterproof sea-to-summit stuff sack. Alias came to the rescue and offered to share her one man hubba. I thankfully accepted and kept warm on a very cold night. Needless to say I was not very happy with a lot of my gear, and ate a bag of nuts for dinner. But hopefully things will start looking up.
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: The NOC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Yessss!! The N.O.C. We made it! We got the "last" available room in the motel here and did laundry and took showers (notice the last time I showered was Saturday). Then I ate a 1/2 lb burger and fries and blackberry cobbler. DELICIOUS! Felt 30,000 times better. We watched some tv, did some stretching, and dried our stuff out. Tomorrow James is coming to visit and bringing the pups and we're going to enjoy a zero day. I also have a totally narly blister that I didn't exactly realize I had--with Alias's help, I lanced that baby and she's healing fairly well. I'm glad to be hiking, but also equally glad to be out of the rain for the next two days.
Date: 2009-03-27
From: The NOC

To: Bryson City, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Very much enjoying the zero day! Lots of yummy food, puppies, hanging out with the hubby and trail buddies Alias and Hermes, watchin The Family Guy, etc.I forgot to mention another trail angel we encountered yesterday - Jen Stockbridge (sp?) was out training for a section hike and brought along with her some Amish Friendship Bread, and luckily she had three pieces left for the three of us. It was DELICIOUS! Also, thanks for all of the encouraging comments on my guestbook--ya'll seem to write me when I need it the most! And phone calls, too. I'm guessing TR probably doesn't really read my trail journal, but I truly appreciated his encouraging voicemail...I listened to it at the end of the 19.6 mile day in the rain. The trail definitely reveals that everything happens for a reason, that all I need to do is have faith that everything will work out ok and it does, and that people are generally super cool. I miss all my friends and family back home, but I'm glad I'm out here. It's definitely a mental challenge, and even though a part of me wants to ride back to Athens with James tomorrow, I know that deep down I can achieve my goal with a little mental fortitude and lots of love and encouragement and laughter (which I am luckily getting--thanks ya'll!). Enjoying one last night in a comfy bed before heading back out manana! Check ya on the flip side!Next place I'm gonna check the mail if you want to send me postcards or anything (I don't expect you to by any means..my mom just wants me to let folks know):Nevena MartinATTN: Hold for HikerGeneral DeliveryHot Springs, NC 28743
Date: 2009-03-28
From: NOC

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

we packed up our stuff this mornin - i packed away my newly seam-sealed tent with patched rainfly (yes kids seam seal your tent at home!) sleeping bag in "waterproof" stuff sack in a trashbg, all my other gear and departed the relax inn. James helped me pick out a new pack cover that actually fits my pack and then kissed me goodbye and we hiked into the rain expecting thunderstorms and tornados. In actuality it stopped rainin about a mile up. We arrived at the verybeautiful 14 person shelter around 3. Alias and i grabbed spots on the upper level and hermes tented. We were very excited to be reunited with wind up, saint, juggler, rusticus, and zultran. We spent the rest of the afternoon enjoyin the company and no rain. Met back up with country who returned my missing headlamp (thank!) and discovered we know someone in florida. The crew played bullshit and went to bed. A good day.
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

shiver me timbers! The coldest day so far! Even saw snow flakes! The only part of the hike today that was not fun was the nearly vertical climb out of stecoach gap. We played musical hiking partners this afternoon and i hiked with OG and zultran. OG is from aiken, sc and is an entertainin fella. We got a couple of gorgeous views and even saw fontana lake. The shelter was full but i didnt mind tenting because it wasnt raining. After much effort alias and rusticus got a fire started usng an ob tampon from my first aid kit dipped in denatured alcohol.Cant say i thought thats how the ob would be used - i was thinkin nose bleed...- but i was excited none the less. Braid played a few amazing songs on his harmonica and we turned in. Alias surprised me with 2 handwarmers! I put them in my sleeping bag and am surprisingly warm! No cell service here and i dont expect to get much until im out of the smokies. Hope everyones doin good!
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: scattered clouds

ah what a wonderful day! After surviving the coldest night so far i woke up to bright skies and from the warmth of my sleeping bag i asked the rest of the crew if they survived the night. I packed up and followed windup the 6.6 miles to the dam. Juggler drove all of us to the post office to pick up our maildrops. Mom your cookies were delicious and are all gone. Everyone says "thanks gangstas mom!!" I also got several letters that were very touching! Juggler then drove us to robinsville and treated us to pizza...yummmm!! Then we went back to the shelter and were reunited with squeegy, greaser, newt, miss scarlet, rapunzel, hammock, and a few others. The fontana hilton sleeps 24 and i think we ve got it pretty much full. Its very toasty and dry so all is well. I think our circumstances might not be as cozy tomorrow night but thats ok.hammock played his eukalale again and sang some songs around the campfire. It was a gorgeous night with an overlook on the lake and bright stars. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood. Days and nights like these are the epitome why im out here. I hope to keep these nights in mind on nights that arent as enchanted.on a less serious note ive decided to forgo shaving my legs until im done hiking. Poor james. I figure theres no point. Plus itll be fun to freak out the day hikers.ready for bed....tomorrow we start the smokies! Very exciting. Goodnight!
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We hiked into the Smokies. The first few miles were intense, especially with all the food on my back. It was a very windy hike, and is still windy now. I'm amazingly grateful that the shelter was empty! I won't be packin up in the rain tomorrow! Yesssss! Not much else to say - got into my sleeping bag at 6:45. Excited to make it through tomorrow.
Date: 2009-04-01
From: Russell Field Shelter

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

What a day! First of all, we spotted 3 bears last night outside of our caged shelter - a momma and 2 cubs. They didn't bother our food bags. Later, a torrential downpour blew in along with extremely loud wind. I thanked God about 4 more times for being in a shelter. The climbs today were unreal. It was foggy until 2:30 and then the sun broke through. We had a few gorgeous views, but the hike was the most demanding so far. The ridgerunner at the shelter said 6 of the miles we hiked today are the hardest in the park. We'll see if that turns out to be true. Tomorrow afternoon we're expecting tornadoish weather so we're planning an unexpected stop in Gatlinburg. Also on the menu - Clingman's Dome..the highest point ont he AT. Today we passed mile 178.6, so less than 2000 miles to Katahdin!! One step at a time...Sharing the shelter with a few dayish hikers who are friendly. Also, so none-social thru hikers are around. I wonder why folks who don't interact any with anyone around themselve but their partner(s) choose to hike one of the most social trails in the world...and I wonder what keeps them motivated to keep hiking. My trail buddies are the ones who make me want to keep putting my left foot in front of my right every day. Hike your own hike, I guess. Maybe it's a lesson I should learn. Hoping to make it through tomorrow without being blown off of a mountain! Wish me luck!
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Silars Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I was really excited to climb Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT, today...it was about 35 degrees, windy with about 30 mph gusts, and we were inside a cloud. Quite the letdown. I had been excited about the day because of reading Lady Cluck's journal from last year. When I read her journal that day really stood out in my mind. I was hoping the day would be really inspiring as I lived it. Turns out it was a very cold day, and I felt kinda down. We kept hiking and decided to go into Gatlinburg because of scary weather. So there I was, feeling blue as I crossed into Newfound Gap, when a lady whistled at us. Clumbsy, Lucky Dog, Red Dog, and another couple had trail magic! Gingle ale, cookies, trail mix, fruit, TP, beer, sandwiches and pot-ta-toe chips! It was a glorious pick me up! Then, Beth and Barry (I believe) showed up in their truck and piled us in the bed and drove us to town. They dropped us off at the Grand Prix Motel - we were about to offer them money when they threw $20 at each of us and told us they'd keep us in their prayers! Basically, they paid for our hotel and laundry. The ride down to Gatlinburg was amazing! A total emotional 180 from the top of Clingman's Dome. We got 2 rooms, did laundry after almost a week, had dinner and watched The Daily Show and The Colbert Report. Another great day!
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Newfound Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

It was definitely hard to leave Newfound gap today. Earlier in the morning we went out to breakfast and then I went to the outfitter to pick up a waterproof stuff sack for my food. As I stood in line the man in front of me asked where I was hiking to. When I told him I was thru-hiking he offered me a ride back to the trail. His name is Stan, and he and his friend Dwight drove me, Alias/Wags/Sport, Hermes, and Rusticus back to the gap - a tight ride! We were very grateful and hope to see them north of Damascus in a few weeks. Wags/Sport and I hiked through the fog all day, and when we finally got to the shelter it was FREEZING! I changed into dry clothes, cooked dinner, and crawled into my sleeping bag at 6:30 - a record. Hermes, Rusticus and I played cards for a while. There are 16 of us in a 12-man shelter with a tarp across the front, so it's actually pretty cozy. I think it's gonna be a record low tonite!
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

OH MY GOODNESS!! The sun is out today! All day! We had views. I wore sunscreen. I DID NOT wear my rain jacket. It was GLORIOUS! The frost was covering the trees early in the morning - gorgesou! However, it was still kinda cold for a good portion of the day. I've been working on my snot-rocket abilities (gross, I know). I'm getting better at ejection, need to work on aim. And, apparently, today I ejected my nose ring out at some point. I got the ring on my 18th birthday and feel less edgy/cool without it! Bummer. I don't know whether to try to re-pierce it somewhere or just accept a ringless nose. Oh well, the hike was beautiful and very mild, and the company at the shelter is nice. Off to Standing Bear Hostel tomorrow!!