morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light snow

Day 6: Broke camp around 8:00am with some mist. We got up early because we thought we wanted to get to Tray Mountain Shelter which is 13 miles. That way our third day would be somewhat shorter so we could get into Hiawasee, GA to resupply. It rained all day but all our rain gear was holding up pretty good. We also did not get cold either. I wore my day base layers under my rain gear and that seemed to work really good. Around lunch time, we made it to Blue Mountain Shelter. It was really cold at that elevation so we quickly decided we were not going to Tray Mountain Shelter as it too is a higher elevation. I mean we ran into sleet everytime we would get in those higher elevations. We also figured out that down in the gap is warmer but you really get those windes. After hiking in the rain all day, our new destination was Cheese Factory campsite. We set up our tent in the rain. In fact, we only set up our fly first and pulled all our gear in from the rain and cooked our meal of mash potatoes, oatmeal, split a Snickers bar and chicken pasta dinner aroun 4:14pm. We usually like to eat a little later so we won't wake up in the middle of the night hungry but we were very hungry and thought our snacks for bedtime would get us through the night (and it did). While we were eating and then setting up our tent, it was thundering and lightening...it was wonderful to hear/see it. After hanging our food, we were in our sleeping bags by 6:00pm listening to our IPODs and writing notes in our journal. We are camped under rhonodendrum trees along with ten other tents dispursed. I think the cheese factory site has some historical background. Anyway, it provided us protection from the wind. Oh I forgot to mention, we are feeling pretty good, a little wet but good and my big toes felt much better going down hill today. They look terrible; swollen, red, black and blue but they worked! Also saw a coyote walking along side the trail with me and a little later on down the trail was walking behind a female grouse for quite a while. Salsa
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

We had our first taste of rock scrambling today, up Albert Mountain...and what a great day for it! I am so glad that I chose not to take this on yesterday, because the weather was clear, and the views were beautiful! As I reached the top of Albert Mountain, there were 2 other hikers in the area. One had just started to leave, and the other, GoodWill, was about to take off as well. I laid down my pack, took off my shoes and socks (to allow them to dry a bit) and scrambled up the fire tower, in order to fully enjoy the wonderful views we were getting that day. As I came down, I was joined by Fall-Back Dan and Monty. They enjoyed the view for a few moments, and decided to go down to the next shelter to have lunch. I decided to have my lunch up on Albert Mountain. For a good half an hour, I had the place to myself. I then started down to the next shelter (I had to stop and grab some water there) and met up, once again, with Fall-Back Dan and Monty. We sat and chatted for a few minutes, and were soon joined by a day-hiker. He came walking up w/ a few plastic grocery bags, and a small back pack, and started talking to us about the trail. He then started unpacking sodas...and we began to wonder what was going on. He suddenly announced to us, 'well, I've got trail magic for you!' His name was Rabbit, and he was a former thru-hiker who lived in Charlotte, and decided to come out every once in a while and give a little back to the trail. His thru-hike ended September 11, 2001. He told the story of when he found out about the 9/11 tragedy (which was just 2 hours before he summitted), and how it honestly made him and his hike feel very insignificant. I felt bad for him, but thought it was great that he could continue to come out here and donate his time to us thru-hikers, even though his own hike ended on a sour note. Anyway, back to the trail magic....he unpacked a dozen cokes, a package of chocolate chip cookies, dozens of candy bars, and FRESH strawberries! FRESH strawberries!!! I believe there was more that he brought, but I couldn't get past the fresh strawberries. We all sat and chatted for a while, all-the-while taking full advantage of the trail magic bestowed to us, then packed up and left. We decided to leave a few snacks for other hikers that would be passing by that day (I took an extra coke, which I later gave to another hiker at the next shelter), and headed on. It's amazing...here I was, running out of food, and I run into some trail magic, which allowed me to stretch my supply just a bit further. Well, Rock Gap today, and Rainbow Springs Campground tomorrow!
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

Day 7: Trying to pack up was a feeling we couldn't explain. It had rained all night and was way below freezing(we think around 20 degrees). We packed the majority of our items inside the tent. Everything was still wet, expecially our gloves. Mom had the idea to use a pair of socks instead. However, we didn't want to use them while packing the ten, so off they went. Our hands were literally frozen. The pain was horendous. I wanted to cry but didn't. After warming our hands in our pocket, we were able to finish stuffing the tent in the stuff sack. One good thing that happened this morning, our firend James got his trail name, Rooster. It is because he is up at the crack of dawn and has been our alarm clock for the last three days. My mom and I left right after we packed. We were freezing and about to climb Tray Mountain. We couldn't wait as it would warm us up. When we got to the very top, the view was breath taking and worth every step. The sun was shinning on us and warming us up too. We were warm enough to brush our teeth while looking at the views. We decided to walk 13 miles so we could stay in a hotel in Hiawasee, GA and get a big meal not to mention dry off. That was enough to keep me motivated the whole way. The mountains were pretty intense today but the trail was really nice to step on i.e. not as much rocks today. I felt I was going up and down nonstop. I met a very nice couple; Annie and Teddy (AT) and struck up a long conversation. Once we got to the bottom of a hill, I took off only thinking about the AYCE buffet I was going to eat tonight. I didn't want to stop until I got to the road but my mom caught up with me within three miles so we decided to sit and snack. I was starving so I agreed to do so. After 1 1/2 granola bars we decided to go on because it was not as appetizing as a full meal or like the spaghetti I was imagining. In the past couple of days, we have been seeing these small bright orange/red little crabs that seem to like to hide under the leaves we have been walking on. Someone told us that these are chiggers. Mom had chiggers when we lived in Indiana, way back when. Anyway, they are really quite brillant but now Mom walks with her socks over her pants.Finally made it into Hiawasee and secured a hotel. We caught a ride into town with John who lives here. He will also pick us up tomorrow to take us back to the trail. We ate at an all you can eat (AYCE), laundered, resupplied at grocery store and set out all our stuff, tent, everything to dry out. You can tell who the hikers are that are doing laundry due to them wearing rain gear (naked underneath) while all their clothes are being washed. Yes we do that too. It is also funny that when we are looking for food, for example honeybuns or pasta, you look to get the highest calorie count that are also light weight. Well sweet dreams tonight.Alex
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs Campground
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was a very short day. I was stalling, as it was Sunday, and I had come upon another town with a maildrop at the post office. So, instead of going into town and possibly spending more money than necessary, I ended up staying at the Rainbow Springs Campground. I checked out the Wasalik Poplar on the way, which was about a mile, roundtrip, from the trail. This tree was an impressive site. It is the second-larges poplar tree in the world...and to think, trees like this once were abundant in this area. What a site this would have been to see.So, I got to the Rainbow Springs Campground, and ran into GoodWill, who had been there for a day, and was staying another night. I got some food, did my laundry, made some calls, and then ran into 2 new hikers I had not previously met; Wildflower and Magic Rat. Since it was Sunday, the campground soon emptied out of all its weekend traffic, and the 4 of us soon had the campground to ourselves. So, we went down to the river to enjoy the scene for a while, and ended up playing horseshoes, at the brink of dusk. I will tell you something...horseshoes at sundown is a challenging event!Afterward, we settled in for the night, and had a peaceful sleep. Thanks, Rainbow Springs, for a great day! Off to Franklin tomorrow!
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 8: Woke up refreshed today from the hotel. Ate multiple times at the hotel breakfast. Packed up and will leave around 12:30pm and walk to the outfitter store to check on a couple of things. John will be picking us up at 1:30pm and possibly stopping at the DQ for ice cream before he takes us to the trail. We are only going about 4 1/2 miles to day so it will be a "nero" (near zero) day of hiking. Then tomorrow, we will hit NORTH CAROLINA! We should be on the trail for approximately 4-5 days before we go resupply in Franklin, NC. The next two days is a solid going up hill. Let's hear a big WOO HOO! Salsa
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Wine Springs Campground

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: few clouds

Today started out as a somewhat clear day...there were some great views from Wayah Bald...and on the way up, there were REAL bathrooms with garbage cans! Anyway, I planned on trying to make it to the Rufus Morgan Shelter, which was 18 miles, but ended up stopping short at Wesser Bald. I guess it didn't matter so much, as we would be getting into the NOC tomorrow either way. Besides that, the sky clouded up, and lightning sounded pretty close.So, I made it to Wesser Bald, and met up with Magic Rat, T-Bone, Red Dirt, Fall Back Dan, Monty, and eventually Andre. We were all worried about the snoring that came with Andre, but he decided to tent. Luckily, it did not rain too much!Although we are all a bit tired, from the rain walks and the perpetual lack of sleep, we will only be dreaming of cheese burgers and nachos, for that is what we will have tomorrow!!!
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 10: We completed over 100 miles today!!! It didn't get to 0 degree last night but our water still froze so it was in the 20's. Got to a late start especially since we knew it was going to be a longer day. We wanted to get as close to Franklin, NC so the next day would be short mileage. We heard that there was going to be some serious rain and snow over the weekend. It was a good day of hiking as it was pretty much sunny but cold. The trails were very nice. We stayed at a newly built shelter called Long Branch. It was a double decker and it was full. We got in around 7pm and fortunately there was room for us. It was only our second night in a shelter. It is always a little more cold in shelters and noisy (snorring). It rained in the middle of the night. I actually love it when it rains as everything smells so good and you can see the trail better i.e. the dry leaves are not hiding any roots or protruding rocks. Their is so much water and streams to pass and the water has been tasting so good in Georgia and NC.We hiked all day only to hike up Albert Mountain starting around 5:15pm. It was so beautiful but heavy up hill. There is a fire tower at the top and to get there you have to literally rock climb the last 1/2 mile (5250 elevation). It was a huge challenge. We have been so fortunate as we have not been sore at all. Of course throughout the day, you get these little aches and pains but it is only for a few seconds and then maybe a couple of hours later, you get another little pain some place else but it all goes away and only lasts for a few seconds. Pain is ok as long as it does not stay in one area. We have not experienced any soreness. Since I have lots of time to think, I figured we can contribute it to three reasons; 1) low weights packs - it is nice not to have to haul so much water like we have to in AZ, 2) the ground is much softer here than AZ, and 3) keeping your heart rate at 125. I got this sound advice when I started training for my first half marathon around ten years ago from the best chiropractor in Phoenix, Dr. Peter Milbrandt. He told me to train this way and to race the same way. It may seem painfully slow and everyone will pass you at first but eventually at mile 6, you will start passing all of those who passed you at the start and you will become stronger. It has worked for me during my marathon and triathlon training so I am applying it to my hiking. Well I guess that is it for now. Salsa
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: few clouds

Wow, what a day. We made record timing down to the NOC (I was running both up and down hill at this point), and ran into Wildflower, and quite a number of other hikers who we had been camping out with at Wine Springs. Of course I had only 2 concerns when arriving at this place. #1, shower, and #2 food. So, we found out where we could shower...and did so. It was NICE.Afterward, Magic Rat started talking to myself, Red Dirt, and T-Bone about getting a hotel room. We decided we could all swing this, and sent someone down to get a room.UNFORTUNATELY, the last room had just been taken. By Andre. So, we went on to plan B. We went to lunch. After lunch, which was a delicious bacon cheeseburger with the lovely nachos for an appetizer, we went down to the outfitter to see what other hikers would be doing. We then ran into Spin and Cheesecake, and they were planning on hiking out. We also ran into a few more hikers who were about to leave. So, a few of them pulled off....and half an hour later, all hell broke loose.The skies opened up with loud, CLOSE thunder claps, and it started hailing! At that point, it was decided by myself, Magic Rat, Spin, Cheesecake, T-Bone, and Red Dirt that there was no hiking out to be had, in a HAIL STORM. We then ran into Andre, who offered us space in his room for the night. Since this was settled, we turned to the details....beer.I had not been able to have a drink since I've been on the trail. Magic Rat wanted a couple of beers. T-Bone, Red Dirt, and Cheesecake mentioned that they wouldn't mind one, either. So, the hunt was on. We went back to the hotel room, and ran into a guy that was going into town. He offered to pick up some beer, so we decided on Heineken and Killian's. We were soon joined by Moss, another guy that Magic Rat and the others had been hiking with, until he had to briefly leave the trail due to a knee problem. So, we went to dinner, came back, and found our beer in the fridge, waiting for us. A case of each. Of course, there ended being only 3 of us that had more than just one beer, but we were determined! It may kill us on the walk out tomorrow, but we're going to do it anyway! On to conquer Sassafrass tomorrow!
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

Day 11: The shelter was so warm last night. It poured around 2-6am but it was the first night i felt complete warmth all night. i had on all my layers and my rain coat which i attribute to keeping me warm because it locks in all my body heat. By the time we got up, the rain had stopped. It was much easier for me to get up since I was warm all night. I felt more useful. My mom and I didn't feel like cooking breakfast so we just grabbed some breakfast bars and off we went. The weather was much nicer than the past few days. I was able to take off gloves and beanie which I've been wearing all day and night for the past week. I don't think any hiker knows my real hair color because I always have my beanie on. We went a total of 7.3 miles and at the very end we came across a trail magic box with Reese's, soda and oranges in it! It's unbelievable how happy trail magic makes us! We had the budget Inn shuttle bus pick us up. As he took us to town he gave us a brief overview of Franklin, NC. He also mentioned at 7:30 am tomorrow a church will come pick us up and will feed all the thru hikers. I love the hiker community! It's funny how we talk about food. We put the most random combinations together. We joke that when we return to real life people will be judging our eating habits and food preparations. For example, the way we warm up our frozen cliff bars and twix are by putting it in our pockets and start walking. Our body heat will warm it up. Which I got my trail name!! It's Twix because I crave it the most and always have them with me. You need a twix? I probably have one in my pocket warming it up. Last thing to report... We met a family called Crowd Control. It's a mother with four kids Road Kill, LOL, High Five, and Tutu ranging from ages 6-11. We met them about two days ago and saw them at the hotel we are staying at along with Ranger Chris, Lucky One, Duck Tape and Spocoli. The weather forecast for the week is rain and snow. We're hoping to start walking after the morning showers tomorrow but Human is a go getter and may want to start as early as possible. Twix
Date: 2003-05-01
From: NOC

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 350.0
Weather: scattered clouds

No matter what you do, or what you tell yourself, you never make it out of town "early." Today was no exception.We made it out, practically at mid-day, to conquer Sassafrass. I was a bit tense, as it seemed like a mountain that everyone complained and/or worried about. It wasn't really that bad, but I did feel the beer from the night before. I felt bad for anyone walking behind us, because I know that we were sweating nothing but fumes at that point. I stopped at Sassafras Gap for a bit, where I ran into either Model T or T Bird (I really want to say Model T, but I kept saying the wrong name afterward, so I'm putting both up), who had written a book about the trail, Walking on the Sunny Side of Insanity, or something of the sort, and was going to be speaking at Trail Days. I had a bite to eat, and then continued on. I was sweating bullets (I thought silver bullets for a bit, although it was not in the mix of drinks we had the night before) by the time I got to Cheoah Bald. I really didn't know where it was in the trail, as my data book only gave good descriptions of the Shelters and NOTHING ELSE, but the sun was still out, and after a brief rest, continued on. When I was nearly at sunbreak, I got to Locust Cove, where I met up with Magic Rat, Moss, T-Bone, and Red Dirt. After a bit of talking, eating, and setting up camp, it was time to sleep. Soon after, Magic Rat started "practicing" something, and started coughing something fierce. The other boys, who were camped out close to my tent, started worrying about him, but I knew what was going on. I quietly giggled to myself and laid down for some shut-eye. Soon after, the rain started in (again...we're used to it by now), but didn't last too long. All in all..another nice day. We're almost in the Smokies!! Yahoo!
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 14: Well today is Tuesday and we are still in the Sapphire Inn in Franklin, NC. The roads were closed to all trail heads today except for one (unless you have four wheel drive). We are planning to start hiking tomorrow at 9am. As Twix stated yesterday, the trails are very treacherous based on what we have heard from hikers. We have heard that all the road leading to the Smokies are also closed. Also, since a whole lot of people are starting up again, there probably will not be any room in the shelters so we have made arrangements to stay the next couple of nights in the Aquone Hostel. Hopefully in three to four days, we will be at the Natahala Outdoor Center (NOC) where there is a resupply store and another hostel. It is extremely cold out (in the 20's during the day) with a 15-20 mph wind. We are looking to moving forward though as we have seen plenty of "Law and Order" TV show in the past few days. We are about to get on the "hiker" bus (see pic) to buy food and send it forward to Fontana Village as we also heard that that town doesn't have much to choose from and we will need at least 3-4 days of food before we get to Gatlinburg, TN. Lot's of planning to do and yet need to be very flexible due to weather. I have updated a bunch of photos but have not updated the titles yet. Will do at a later date. Take care everyone and thanks for all your positive comments, advice, etc. in our guestbook. We really look forward to receiving comments.
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 50.0
Weather: light rain

The day started out nice, as we packed up to put in some miles. STARTED out, being key words here. We all made it to Brown Fork Gap Shelter, where I decided to sit a while and have a good lunch. The boys (Magic Rat, Moss, T-Bone and Red Dirt) all took off after a while, and I started packing up to do the same. Then the rain came. Well, it was still about mid-day, so I wasn't concerned about the time. I decided to hang out a bit until the rain died off. At the point to where it seemed like the rain had died off, and was moving on, I packed up and set off.The weather was not finished, though. The skies suddenly opened up with torrential rain, fierce winds, and searing lightening. Then the hail started. At first, I didn't even realize it was hail; the wind was whipping so hard, it was practically blowing me down in places, so I just thought the stinging on my face and exposed skin was the rain. I then stopped to take a look around, and, sure enough, it was hailing. Of course what can you do, when you're out in the middle of the woods, but just keep walking? I trudged on, walking through deep puddles, dodging lightening (which was incredibly close at this point), and getting pelted by the hail. After a good 10 minutes, the hail had subsided, but the rain continued for a bit longer.Once the rain ceased, I stopped to wring myself out. I took the boots off, wrung out the socks (this would happen 3 more times before I hit the shelter, which was only 3 miles away at this point), and shook off the excess. I finally got to Cable Gap around 6-ish, where I regrouped with the boys, and met Tito and Cardinal for the first time. Tito is a fellow Houstonian; in fact, he lives 5 minutes away from me! Talk about a small world! T-Bone and Red Dirt decided to put in 3 more miles for the day, in order to get to Fontana Dam early...but Magic Rat, Moss and I decided that 3 more miles could be done tomorrow. The main worry is making it to the PO on time, as it closes at noon on Saturday, but 6 miles is easy...especially when you have town motivation!