morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-01
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

Brrrrrrrrrrr.....................Temps dropped during the night; check this out; all if us had a layer of iceon our sleeping bags. During the night, the winds kept blowing snow intothe shelter. We have allready decided to put tarps up at the next one.We want to get to Carter Gap Shelter and then get into Franklin hopefullythe day after. When it is this cold, shove a few pop tarts and candy bars into yoursystem and get moving. Two things you want to be doing in the coldcamping; get into your bag or get hiking. Everything in between isquick.Quite a challenging day of hiking; periods of heavy snow with high winds.Stayed warm and kept moving. One thing that caught my attention was a birdthat we all noticed was the only other form of life out in this weather andthey were everywhere. Some of us think it is some kind of sparrow; goingto get a small bird book because there are some interesting speciesdown here.Around lunch time @ Deep Gap, I came across some HELP messages somebody\wrote in the snow. Figured it was kids having fun until I got to StandingIndian Shelter and there were help signs everywhere. Make a long storyshort, we found a young lady curled up in here sleeping bag in bad shapein the corner of the shelter. She was really disoriented; we called 911and gave her some food and hot drinks. Gel stayed with her and we allmoved on. Hopefully she will be allright.Arrived to Carter Gap Shelter, built a nice fire and hit the sack. The frontmust have moved through because the sky was clear; great star watching ona warm night. Laying here very warm in my bag, smiling, enjoying it all. Letsjust hope I don't have to use the privy until morning.............
Date: 2005-03-02
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, N.C.
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

O.K., getting to Franklin today. Everybody wants to get to Franklin.Feeling good; Wuzley has a deep cut on his hand but besides that everybodyin this group is getting to Franklin. Warm bed, burgers, maybe evena few beers; probably warm beer sounds better.Sun came out, beautiful pictures. Hiking was good except the ice on theoverhangs on the trail were hanging low. We had to crawl through andunder a lot of stuff.Climb of the day and the trip was Albert Mountain. Straight up and I meanstraight up. Hands and feet on this one; love this stuff. Great view on topand can see the southern Smokies from Albert. Kato, Wuzley, KB and SBand myself got to Winding Stair Gap in the P.M. Got my first hitch into town; offered the guy money and got a handshakeinstead. Great people; brings warmth to my soul. One of the many awsome things about this trail are the people. The hiking communityis a beautiful place to be.Almost forgot; first trail magic. After Wallace Gap, there was a steepclimb and part of the way up what do we see? Mountain Dew, Pepsi and juice in a stream. Gave everybody a boost. Thank you to whovever.Another great day on the trailWhat day is it??????????????????????
Date: 2005-03-03
From: Franklin, N.C.

To: Franklin, N.C.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

ZERO DAY!!!! Laundry, pizza, beer, re-supply, lots of laughs and morebeer. You get the picture. Leaving early in the A.M. on the 4th and heading onward. Can't wait to get back on the trailTalk to you all down the road and take care."Mother Nature has a lot to say; slow down and listen"
Date: 2005-03-04
From: Franklin, N.C.

To: Campsite below Wayah Bald
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everybody; got out of Franklin mid morning. Want to give a big thanks to the Nantahala Hiking Club for giving usa ride out to the Gap.Body is rested, and a beautiful morning to hike. The Carolina trailsare a little more winding then Georgia. We were laughing about the AT in Georgia; if there is a bald or Mtn.; the trail will go tothe top and over. North Carolina seems to wind a bit more.Sun was out and the snow became slush which is hard to walk inbut we kept on and I got to Wayah Bald in the early afternoon.Man, what a beautiful view. An old stone tower rests on top of the bald and the view is awsome. From what I understand it wasbuilt in the 20's and used for fire lookout. Men would spend monthsin the tower with bunks and food and mail brought to themonce a week. (Plenty of pictures)Anyway, we decided to tent it in the snow below the bald. Camping inthe snow is the bomb as the kids would say. Made a huge fire andtold some stories and then hit the sack. Listening to the forcastin my sleeping bag; calling for sleet and rain in the A.M. Couldn'tdo anything but crack a big smile!!Life on the trail is good!
Date: 2005-03-05
From: Campsite below Wayah Bald

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 16.9

Wow! What a trip last night. The winds reached 40-50 MPH.I can't explain in words how cool it was, laying in my tentand listening to the woods speak. The wind would kickup in the valley and you could hear it miles away. Likea huge freight train it would pick up speed towards ourcamp and traverse up the ridge above us; shaking the treesand my tent. Over and over and over..........Got up ; packed quick. Sleet, more sleet and some more sleet.Did I tell you there was sleet?? About a couple miles into thehike the trail detoured; a huge wash out. There was a sidetrail cleared that was tough walking. Lots and lots of trees ripped, eroded, and torn from last yearshurricanes down here. Looks like wasteland in some sections.Highlight of the day.....Wesser Bald. 360 degree awsome viewfrom a wooden tower. (Lots of pictures to come)Got to N.O.C. late, ate some fries, grilled cheese and everythingelse on the menu.Heading to the Smokies in a couple of days; heard there is lots ofsnow; we will see. Having a blast, what can I say!!"One step at a time; one breath at a time"
Date: 2005-03-06
From: N.O.C.

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Myself, Kado, Weselesey, KB & SB got a room @ NOC anddryed out some gear, played some cards and got some neededrest. Everything is great with the body; feet are rockingand legs are cool. The extreme uphills and downhills downhere can make the muscles burn and sleep and rest isa valuable thing on the AT. We all decided to take some time and check out the NOCarea. Big whitewater kayak and canoe area; that morningthey were having some kind of race which was fun to watch. The American kayak team I think trains here offand on. After 20 waffles, a bowl of ice cream and cobbler (Hmmmm......... that was good; was ready for a nap) and six glasses of milk I was ready to climb out of the NOC up about 2000ft or so. We had a great day, shorts were back on and the sun feltgreat after the last cold spell. But from what we hear, thecold spell is coming back and the Smokies are ice and snowcovered. One day at a time; cross that path when we getthere. Gel caught us @ NOC and we met some other thru hikers@ the shelter. Another wonderful day on the trail.
Date: 2005-03-07
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Inn
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow!! Thats all I can say about the 7th. This is one ofthose days that had everything and what makes this AT soawsome. We knew that weather was coming and this might be ourlast day for a decent sunrise. A section hiker @ Sassafrasshelter told us about a bald about a mile from the shelterfor checking out great sunrises and sunsets. Weselesey andI got up @ 5:30 and hustled a** up about a mile to the baldand watched the most amazing sunrise I have seen in years. Can't explain the beauty and power on a computerbut was perfect. Many pictures will be on the way. As the day wore on we all had a good pace and @ lunchdecided what the heck; lets get to Fontana. We knewrain and snow was coming so we hiked till dark; last2 or so miles was a haze and at times thought I wasseeing 2 trails instead of one. 13 hours, 20 miles later we came to NC 28 and beganto walk to Fontana Inn; 2 miles away. Hitched part ofthe way in with John who we found was the salesman forthis area or something of that sort. He locked us upwith 18 pack of Bud and got us to the check in area.Trail magic they call it and another angel to the rescue.Thanks you John for the hospitality. At this point, the Smokies are getting hammered withprecip so the plan is to stay for a few days; regroupand continue when everybody gets together. What an unforgettable day; time for some sleep andmaybe the snow will diminish. "Don't forget, for every uphill there is a downhill,and for every rock there is a bed of pine needles" P.S. - Judy, going to get your package in the A.M. and it is here.Talk to you all later and take care.
Date: 2005-03-08
From: Fontana Dam Inn

To: Fontana Dam Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Guess what?   Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! A Zero day in Fontana.Waiting for everybody to check in . Our group is spreadout in different areas. Not much else to say; here is the group that is here orthere- - Kado, Weselesley, KB, SB, Early Bird, Juicsky,Bender, Fry and Snowdog. Sorry if I keep mispelling thesetrailnames but spelling never was my thing.Leaving in the A.M. early ; looking forward to the Smokies.From our view they are beautiful; sun beaming off the snow. We hear there is drifts up to a foot near ,New FoundGap but is passable. Should be cold but fun.THANKS FOR THE FOOD JUDY!! You brought smiles to manythru hikers.From Kado - hello to family and Kat!!!To Gel- keep truckin brother...only a day ahead.Time to go; hot bath and 2 ice cold Molson are waiting.
Date: 2005-03-09
From: Fontana Dam Inn

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Everybody is scattered about in the Fontana area; KB $ SB are inRobynsville with Juiskey; Welesley, Kado, Fry, Bender and myself arein Fontana Inn; Early Bird and others stayed at the Fontana Hilton.Anyway, we all got in touch and left towards the trail @ around 9 orso. Welesley, Kado and myself were dropped of @ Hwy 28 where westopped earlier. Once again, thanks John for driving us around;eveybody reading this should check out Fontana Dam.com and give thisman some thanks. Crossed the Dam early and we all took some time checking out the Damarea; pictures and the such. We knew we had a window of opportunityfor the next three days to get to New Found Gap and Gatlinburg. Fridayis calling for snow; possibly heavy so the plan is to chop the next40 miles up into 3's and get there early Friday is possible. We shall see. The climb out of Fontana was awsome; 2000 ft. I think in a couple milesor so. We all got to a weather tower on a bald and played around onthat for a while; had some grub and moved on to Russell Field Shelter.Snow is everywhere up here in the Smokies; beautiful stuff but slowsdown the hiking a bit. Lots of it reminds me of childhood sleddingdays @ a local golf course close to where I grew up. I remember weused to build bonfires on one of the greens ( you didn't hear thatguys) and sled all day into the night. What good times.All the shelters in the Smokies have chain linked fences up to keepthe bears out. There isn't a creature stirring in this weather; onlyus humans. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings."All good people turn their headseach day so satisfied I'm on my way" Yes
Date: 2005-03-10
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Another cold night; had some more visitors; furry little creatures calledmice. I am having a blast with the mice; I even left out some trail mix forthe little creatures. The way I figure it they are going to get into yourpack and dig holes everywhere so why not just give them what they want.Kado could'nt stop laughing when we found my trail mix was carried up tothe front of the shelter. Even in this snow and cold this group is a blast; we are all having a blast. We freak because it is hard to find 8 - 10 people from allover who hit it off like this. It is early but this group is goingto hang for a while; great people. Always hate to bring up stories like this but we all got to Derrick KnobShelter for lunch and another pile of clothes, sleeping bags , sleepingpads and the such where in the corners. Two local buys from Carolinatold us four college students were airlifted out the night before;two I think had serious problems due to the cold. Welesely has been carrying his acoustic guitar around since the startand on zero days we all sit around and sing classic rock stuff. We aretrying to write a song called "Smokie Mtn. Blues" ; should be finishedin about six months or so Dude can play a mean guitar and I can'twait until the warmer months when there is time at shelters to letit loose. Great to see kids who dig groups that this old guy loves;Floyd, Yes, Zeppelin, etc., When the hiking gets a little crazy, justbreak out Misty mtn. Hop and the hill we are climbing dissapears.Well, enough B.S.; we got to Silers Bald Shelter; lights out and tryingto get up @ dawn to get out before the snow hits. Get in the sleeping bag;cook dinner and ZZZZZZZZZ...............P.S. - Don, meet you down the line. Too much ice and snow; not worththe trip. Thanks for thinking about it; maybe Damascus. Take careHello Tom , Jackie, Maura and baby Ryan
Date: 2005-03-11
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: New Found Gap/Gatlinburg
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Everybody left quick this morning. Snow is supposed to hit Fridayafternoon and hard from what I hear. Trying to get to the Gap andget out of the Smokies until the storm passes. Not much to say; the big moment of the day was Clingmans Dome.Only problem was snow, high winds and 0 visibility. We climbed thetower and got out quick. Hiking was tougher today; snow drifts upto a foot and a half at times, snow about 8 - 10 inches on the trail.Managed to take some pictures so you all can get a glimpse.Actually there is something to say; today is my B- Day. When you getto my age, B Day's just aint' what they used to be. But I had a hugesmile on my face all day because this will be the most memorable oneyet. Out in the elements, climbing the highest point on the AT; crossingthe 200 mile mark and enjoying it with some great friends. When we got to the gap the snow was pouring out of the skies. Onceagain Mother Nature wins as usual. Out here, you play her game. We got a fun hitch in the back of a truck to "The Burg" - Kado, Early Bird and Juicskey hitched ahead, KB & SB were the smart ones - theyhitched inside a SUV while Weleseley, myself, Fry and Bender rodein 20 degree weather in the back of a truck. Thanks for the ridewhoever you were; in the Burg right now and the roads are closedso another zero day on the 12th. Life is good on the trail!! Take care and there are more pictureson the way Tom. ( Mostly snow and fog but what can I say)."The most endangered species,the honest man"Natural Science   RUSH
Date: 2005-03-12
From: New Found Gap/Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

In Gatlinburg, taking a zero with "the Kids" and the rest of thegroup. Celibrated the B Day last night; thanks to all for the great time.Can't say enough to everybody who kept feeding me and sending methe beers. We are trying to get the true scoop on the weather and conditionsup @ Newfound Gap; heard 4 -6 inches of fresh snow. We are leavingon the 13th either way and heading on. Sounds like 441 is shutdown today. Got to get some shopping done; the usual zero day stuff. Talk toyou all later and thanks for the B Day message Lizzy. Nothing butsmiles here from Gatlinburg. To the Smiths - - thanks for all the trail magic... we have found mostof it. We did miss the bucket @ the stream near the log steps but everybodyhere sends their biggest thanks.
Date: 2005-03-13
From: Gatlinburg

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Allright, hello again. We checked the weather for the next few daysand got a lot of different results. Some say snow, some say rain and somesay we will be above the cloud line. We all liked the last one the bestso off we go! Man, Gatlinburg is like Disneyland without Mickey and Donald running around.Tourist trap; buts lots of fun. We walked the streets yesterday; dazed andconfused with all the noise and confusion. The trail is allready workingits magic; civilization seems very distant and confusing. One big shout out to the Happy Hiker in Gatlinburg. I can't express mygratitude to Megan, Barrett, and Scott. You touched my heart with yourhospitality. Everybody in this group couldn't stop talking about yourgreat store and you great people. Hope to see you all down the road. Also Gel caught up to us last night and KB, SB , myself and Gel gotsome steaks and ribs in town. Thanks Gel for B Day Dinner. Megan, Barrett and Scott drove us up early to New Found Gap. (Kado,Wellesley, KB and SB and Snowdog is US at this point). After some hugsand pictures we took off. I could have stayed for hours talking withBarrett about RUSH (another huge fan; you wouldn't understand). The Kidsdragged me away and what a day. First day of sun in a while; awsome ridge hiking on the Tenn./ N.C.border. We relaxed and took in the sunshine and lazied our way to PecksCorner Shelter. For the first time in a week or two we saw some birdsand their songs sounded happy. Maybe the snow will melt a bit. Laying here on a rock; 6000 ft. above you all and enjoying the warmthof the sun while it lasts. Take care and Peace.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Good nights sleep @ Pecks Shelter; no mice around. Kind of miss the mice;we have great laughs listening to those guys some nights. The Kids give me trouble because I can't sleep past 6 in the morning. Everymorning KB will ask where I am going for the day and my usual answer is"north" or "to 2 o clock and then I will see". But they all know that we are all going to the same place everyday, but sometimes our bodies willsay "no more" or maybe "lets go a few more". Got to listen to your bodyout here. I hiked the whole day solo, got off early and we all ate lunch at thesame place; then I took off and promised a fire for everybody @ Cosbys. The hiking was nasty today; heavy drifts, slush, melting snow with streamsin the trail, and everything else. But the views were breathtaking and the wet shoes seem distant. I stopped @ one point on a dry patch of grass and just lost myself in itall for a while. Off in the distant was a Sea of Clouds; we were above therain in the valley and I was in a distant realm it seemed. Wellesley and Ifigured we passed into three seperate time zones today - - above the cloudsit was warm and sunny; then the mid zone where it was misty and cold; and finally into the shelter where it was like a rain forest in the Amazon.The beauty of the Smokies is the changes that take place as you walkthrough. Legs are getting stronger from walking in the snow and we all feel weare starting to feel stronger. "One step in front of the other,   we walked above the clouds,   with no need to know what   is going on below".
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

We are all pumped; KB knows a family friend in Ashville, N.C. whowants to give us some trail magic. We were up @ dawn and watched a beautiful sunrise from our shelter.8 miles ; all downhill basically with no snow and we almost ran down themiles in 2-3 hours. What a difference with no snow. The woods are coming alive @ this point, more birds, heard my firstwoodpecker and the songs of the birds are more varied. The woods have beenso quiet the last week and a half with all the snow around. Alls I can say is thanks to some more trail angels; Dick and Peggy.Taking us in; giving us showers and food and great conversation. I know I keep saying this; the people on the trail are wonderful.Once again; thank you, thank you and thank you to the Manz's We are leaving in the morning for Hot Springs; five day forcast ispretty simple - - snow, ice, snow , ice , snow, ice and snow. Butwho cares? We are moving on; all of us with smiles on our facesand good times all around. And before I forget, Kado plays a mean guitar also. Very relaxingto be sitting here, listening to some great acoustic playing. Here is a quote from David Brill in his book " As far as the eyecan see". It how I feel @ this point on the trail and hits homefor the others.   Take care everybody and thanks Tom for the time with the pictures. "My lifestyle certainly allows plenty of time for introspection. Mostdays I spend six or seven hours alone, walking, out of sight and sound ofany other human being. Some days my thoughts turn inward, and I passthe miles exploring memories of people and events that have shapedmy past. Other days my mind nestles into a meditative daze, and Isense myself connected to the birds, the plants, the flowers, the trees,like a man floating on the breeze through a boundless garden".
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Davenport Gap

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light snow

After having a huge breakfast with the Manz's(I must have had at least 6 banana's), we packedup and hopped into Dick's Van and headed back toDavenport Gap where he picked us up yesterday.There is great excitement and anticipation formyself every time we get ready to hike again. Thewoods are becoming home. We got to the gap and lo and behold who is standingthere but Gel, Wahzoo and Headlamp. When you come offthe trail after long hiking you have that dazed lookin your eyes and they had it. Good to see them. Long hike up 2000 - 3000 ft. in 6 miles or soto the shelter today. The weather line is @ about4200 ft. in these hills. Everything is colder andmisty. Almost like walking on a different planet. Anyway, life is good on the trail. Played somehearts with the gang & we all fell asleep quick.(Hope the mice enjoyed my crumbs I left behind).
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Deer Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 23.0

Very interesting and cool day on the trail. Yea, Idid 23 miles today. Where to begin, where to begin.... I was up @ dawn(I can't sleep once the day awakens)the kids were sleepy heads so I headed out. About2-3inches of snow fell during the night which is aboutright to walk on. The topography is changing slowly; today was someof the neatest scenery and diverse hiking we havehad yet. Lots of sidewinding to Max Patch; flat hikingthat is. And Max Patch; how cool is that place?I got there it was high winds, snow and ice and driftsup to a foot at times. Couldn't see more then 10 ft.in front of me. Loved every second of it. Would loveto come back sometime and see the summer view. Make a long story short, I got to Roaring SpringsShelter about lunch and ate tons of food. Feelingreally strong and ready to go I decided to head forDeer Mtn. Shelter. Lots of it was downhill and justbeautiful hiking. Another of the thousand greatthings out here is the independence. Some days Ijust want to chill and take it in; some days I liketo push a bit and see what this old body can do. I left a note for the kids; meet them in Hot Springs.Shared Deer Mtn. Shelter with Joe B; a kid fromDuke U. Great kid; came out on his own and hikedduring his Spring Break; very cool. As I lay here, stretching my legs and toes and everyother muscle I can hear the snobirds as they call themhere singing to each other. Happy songs, maybe springis coming. As they sing, another song pops into my head........   "Kathy I'm lost, I said   as she was sleeping,   I'm tired and aching   and I don't know why,    Counting the cars on   the New Jersey turnpike,   They've all come to look   for America"."Simon & Garfunkel"Maybe that is what I'm doing; looking for America.