morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey guys Sundance Kid here. Like Butch said I caught the fever when I went to visit him last year during his thru. After 8 years in the marines I feel the need to destress and I cant think of anybody better to do that with than with my closest friend. This adventure has been many years in the making with us. Together we have defended the free world from russian aggression, explored deserted battle fields in the forrests of germany, and wandered on hollowed ground and bars in scotland. We chased rodeo's, wild horses and wild women all in the name of a hell of a good time. Three generations in a row of our family have defended America, so if your afraid of bears you better not wake us up if we snore.(Because the bear would be less dangerous)We have seen the jungles of northern okinawa japan, the mountains and people of peru, and we fought with some of the bravest men on earth in An Nasiriyah, Iraq. While we may not have been together in body in all these adventures we were always together in spirit, and have always been there for each other. Through all of our adventures we have learned one truth in life. The ones that love you will always love you, and the ones that dont, well the hell with them.I dont think I'm going to find the meaning of life or plan out my life in every detail on this hike. I go to have a great time with my greatest friend. I may have to wait on butch every now and then but it will only be because of his habit of pink blazing not because I can outhike him (learned that last year). We travel light and fast, and will drink any man under any table and on a good night you might even get butch to sing a song. So if you wanna ride with us feel free to tag along, all I know for certain is it should be one hell of a good time.Fair winds and following sea's,Sundance.
Date: 2006-10-07
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello Gang Members, Butch here to update you on our plans. The Sundance Kid and I are having a blast just getting ready for this. We have decided to do a few things to make this Thru a little more interesting from an Outlaw point of view. We are going to have a couple of contest that will run for the entire hike, the first being a cookie contest and it will go like this.                                                                           Rules: Minumum 6 homebaked cookies sent to any of our maildrop location.         Be sure to send your name and address to recieve your prize.         Judging will be by current Wild Bunch gang members at the time.         Weekly winners will be chosen to compete in the final competition         at the end of the Thruhike. decision of the judges(US) is final.   Winning: The winning cookie maker gets to meet the Famous Outlaw Pair and            a personally autographed picture (8x10) suitable for framing of         Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid (complete with his Redford smile).         And:: National recognition on our Journal site and Whiteblaze by us               as being the best cookie maker of 2007 on the AT. What a deal right. Excess cookies will be distributed to other hikers as Trail magic but all batches will be sampled by the judges. The Second Contest, which I am personally looking forward to is the following.         #1 Hottest Hikerbabe on the AT.         Rules; Must be Female, 18 or older, and physically on the AT.                  They can be dayhiker,section, thruhiker or just walking out                  to meet The Wild Bunch on the trail.                            Winners: Weekly winners will be selected every week to compete in                   final competition at the end of the Thru. Again the decision                  of the judges(US) is final.         Winnings: Winners(Final)get to meet Butch and Sundance and an auto-                  graphed photo (8x10) Suitable for framing of the famous Duo.                  And National recognition on our Journal and Whiteblaze by us                  As the Official Butch and Sundance Hottest Hikerbabe of the                  2007 AT hiking season!!!!      Safety Disclaimer: No Photos will be posted without the permission of                           the subjects.                           No information will be released in print or verbally                           that would be a violation of the privacy or endanger                            the subjects in any way ie. Names,location, or any                           personel information about the subject!! Weekly winners will be announced each Saturday in each contest. We also intend to have a Best Beer of the Week contest selected by The Wild BunchGang members by majority vote and best wildlife encounter for the week. Any suggestions to improve on the contest can be emailed to me here. I hope all our cyber outlaws will help us make these contest a success, We are hiking For a Cause, Cause its gonna be a lot of Fun, Come join us.                                                            Butch.
Date: 2006-10-18
To: Work
Miles today: 0.0

Hi again from the Wild Bunch, Things are heating up in the Hottest Hiker Babe contest. The two Lovely young Ladies with me(Million Dollar Baby and Precious Cargo) will be on the trail with us in Pa. for a Photo shoot and entry in the Contest. They have told me that as good as they look in the flight suits, It is nothing compared to the look they will have in the contest. In hiking clothes they are incredible!! Ladies if you thought this contest was going to be easy this may change your thinking? I heard something like Bring it On?   The Cookie contest has not generated as much interest but I have high hopes as the Holiday season comes the Betty Crockers will step up to the plate? The Trail Prep. is almost done. The Sundance Kid has a few more gear decisions and thats all he talks about now, the excitement mounts! We could leave tomorrow except for that pesky Marine Corp and that enlistment thing. I know journals are supposed to be about hiking and this one will be but don't expect a police report of the facts like last time. I have been there on the trail day after day 12 to 14 hours, A person needs distractions. Too much reflection can be a bad thing. This time it's about people(The Fabric of our life) Fun and living life to the fullest. Come join us, Any more Contestants?   Butch
Date: 2006-12-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello brothers and sisters of the trail,   Sundance kid here just giving you guys an update to let you know we are still alive. Nothing major happening on our end except some packing and repacking, checking food preps, and reading journals. I get out of the Marines on feb 10 and that will give me until the 27th for final prep so i'm trying not to do it all now. We are looking forward to going to springer mtn for the new years gathering up there. If you guys are up, swing by for a drink and a story, we will give anyone a drink as long as they dont bore us. We plan on showing up about mid day on new years eve to set up, hope to see you there. Butch wants me to post about my gear setup so I figure now is as good a time as any.I have to address now that I hate talking gear. I know that is a bit akward for a thru hiker but I hate it. So if I see you up the trail and you see my gear the reason i have it is. 1.I like it. 2. Butch told me it was good gear. 3.its light. That should cover all questions. Thats all for now hope you guys have a merry christmas and enjoy your walks.Sundance.
Date: 2007-01-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Wild Bunch Followers. Butch Here, The call of the trail is strong and many are moving up their start dates! Our Buddy ,Backyard Boogie is trying to slip out there and I have noticed many start dates have been moved up. Patience people! It is the coldest day of the year here at Joe Zerby Airport in Central Pa. where I have been bannished to until my last day at work 02/12/07 0 degrees with a wind chill of -15 when I arrived at work today. I think that 20 degree bag has some work to do? Not much more to do,just wait and read journals. It seems that there will be an early rush this year with lots of starters on March 1st. This is going to be a great year to hike. There are a lot of interesting people I have already chatted with, and there will be a lot who don't even use the internet out there. We have reservations at the Hiker Hostel the night of Feb26th with a Shuttle to FS 42 the next morning. I would like to thank everyone for signing our guest book. Its a real boost to read the entries so thanks for the support everyone!
Date: 2007-02-13
To: change
Miles today: 0.0

Hello gang members,   The Sundance Kid here just wanted to give you guys an update before the start of our hike. I ended active service with the Marines on friday and I have been wrestling with that decision but if nothing else it has galvanized my decision to walk the AT. I have found my thoughts sliding towards past experiences. Old training operations, deployments to foreign lands, fire fights and friends long gone. All week people have asked me what I plan to do outside of the Corps and my response is always that I will figure that out on the trail. I recently walked the approach trail to springer and honestly it felt great to be alone in the woods (although i did jump when some hunter fired his weapon near the trail). I look forward to the adventures that I know Butch and I will be having on the trail. Final prep is going well and keeping me busy these last 14 days until my hike. While I know my demons will raise there heads from time to time there is no better place to face them than the AT, and no one could help me more with them than Butch. Well thats it for me the next time you hear from me I will be on the AT. See you up the trail. The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-02-27
From: Springer Mtn.

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 1We had a great stay at The Hiker Hostel, Josh & Leigh took great care of us. The Wild Bunch left Springer about 9 a.m. and hiking fast we got to Hawk Mt. Shelter at 11:40 a.m. The weather was great and we were excited so we decided to go a little farther and find water and camp. We got all the way to Justus Creek before we found water. Thirteen miles was more than we had planned but a very good day. Hiking today with us was Swish (Allison), The Sundance Kid, Kevin and I. We caught up with Twofer and Falling Rock (brothers from Iowa). Good times with good friends.-Butch CassidyLeft Springer with great weather headed NOBO. We left with Butch, White Rhino (Kevin), Swish and myself making up the gang. We hiked fairly quick and made it to Hawk Mtn Shelter by noon. While enjoying my lunch and letting my feet air out, Butch comes up with the idea to go a litter further. While I am sitting there thinking, "Just keep thinking Butch that's what you're good at." Swish chimes in and agrees. So we decide to push to the next water source and camp. We had seen lots of water so we didn't think it would be far. Well after going 6 more miles and going over Sassafras Mtn, I decided to take a more active role in the decision making process. We ended up at Justus Creek and camped for the evening. Total miles 13.6 but at least we had great weather.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-02-28
From: Justus Creek

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 2-Last night we had a good fire. White Rhino (Kevin) came in late, tired but still moving. After a long day yesterday we decided to do short miles today. A short hike of 6.3 miles brought us to Woody Gap. Nice campfire spot with water, trashcans and bathrooms. Another campfire and Twofer and Falling Rock (brothers) we here. White Rhino hurt his knee and decided to end his thruhike and go home. Forecast is rain tomorrow. I am not sleeping very good on my Prolite 3, hope I get used to it soon. Tomorrow Neels Gap and pizza. The Sundance Kid loves pizza.-Butch CassidyAfter reviewing Butch's plan to do 10 miles a day, I decided that a short day is needed. I informed the gang that we are going no farther than Woody Gap, which is only 6.3 miles. No complaints, so off we go. We start late because we are not going far and are at Woody Gap by about lunch. Oh yeah...Georgia trail maintainers thanks for going around that last Mtn before Woody Gap, instead of straight over the top of it. Butch, Swish, and I have been there for few hours when a hobbled White Rhino comes in. He hurt his knee and will not be continuing with us. Of course it starts to rain tonight.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-01
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

Day 3-Tough Day! We woke up to raindrops as we broke camp in the rain. We hoped it would stop. But, it didn't We hiked for 5 hours in the rain with some lightining and cold wind to get to Neels Gap. The hostel was almost full with wet hikers so we decided to go to Goose Creek Cabins for the night. Danny at Mtn Crossings called the owner and he came and us. A nice little cabin, farm prices and a ride back to the Trail. A load of laundry cost us 5 bucks and it smelled a lot better. A bad day on the Trail is better than a good day at work.-Butch CassidyWoke up to rain on the tent roof. Swish and I both seemed to be debating whether or not to get up and pack or stay in the bag. Everything we own is soaked and Swish is grouchier than normal. Tried to force hot liquids on her but she was having none of it. Walked over Blood Mtn, no views. Rainy all day and fogged in. Got to Neels Gap and got a ride to Goose Creek Cabins. Rained all night but the showers and bed are great.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-02
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 4-After own breakfast of leftover pizza and a ride back to the Trail we started about 9 a.m. or so. The day was hard on me with a lot of ups and downs and the old legs are a little tired. The Kid and I got to the shelter about 3 p.m. and Swish was already there. The Sundance Kid will not leave me to far behind. His grandmother and great grandmother told him to take care of me so he waits on me every now and then. The young hikers get stronger faster than the old guys, so I play catch up all day! At the shelter tonight...Pinky & The Brain, Erin, Twofer (Falling Rock went home), Rockhound and Alabama Bob.-Butch CassidyNeels Gap to Low Gap Shelter. Good day for hiking, the trail is in good shape, just a little wet. Went over Wildcat and waited on top in the sun for awhile. Got to Low Gap a little later in the day. It just seemed like a harder walk for me today. Linked up with Erin, Pinky & The Brain at the Shelter.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-03
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

Day 5-After a first time in the shelter we started hiking about 8:40 a.m. A breakfast of pancakes, grits, and bacon fired us up for a good day. Lunch at Blue Mtn Shelter and then up and down the Mtns to the Cheese Factory Site. Some people had said that was a bad campsite, but I talked Swish, The Sundance Kid and Twofer into staying there, Big Mistake!! The wind blew like a hurricane all night. From all directions, the fire would literally burn sideways. Tiresome day with the wind, we plan to do a short day to Deep Gap Shelter. COLD TONIGHT!!-Butch CassidyButch has one of his Brainstorm ideas and says "Lets camp at this great place I know." Since I don't know the area I agree. So we walked 13 miles to The Cheese Factory Site. It seems like a nice spot just a little windy. When the sun goes down it turns into the COLDEST place on EARTH. The wind bowls from all directions all night long. Just keep thinking, "Butch that is what you are good at."-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-04
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 6-After a windy cold night at the campsite we got a frozen water bottles, frozen ground and a very cold morning. I had trouble getting moving and The Sundance Kid and I didn't get out until 10 a.m. Swish and Twofer were long gone and we didn't see then all day. After a water stop at Tray Mtn Shelter we trudged up and down the smaller hills down into Addie Gap. A good climb up Kelly Knob then down to the shelter. Worn down somewhat we plan a nero tomorrow. At the Shelter, The Wild Bunch and Iceman (Dan from Knoxville) and a section hiker from NC.-Butch CassidyWoke up with frozen platypus this morning. The other 2 had been grabbed by Butch and Swish so I got to carry the block of ice. Long cold day on the trail just took a lot out of me mentally but warm food helped out. Saw me first mouse today at Deep Gap Shelter.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-05
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 6-We flew out of camp this am. I left first at 7:30 and looking forward to a town stop. Swish and Sundance caught me about 8:30 and said the shuttle would meet us at 9:30. We hurried and then waited for about 30 minutes. Josh from the Hiker Hostel picked us up about 10 a.m. The Blueberry Patch was closed beacuse of a death in the family, so we picked up our food drop and went to the Hiawassee Inn. Swish rode with Josh to The Hostel to get her Jeep. Today as her last hiking day and The Wild Bunch will miss her.-Butch CassidyLong night worrying about the mouse who I have named Hndji. I couldn't lure him into open warfare but he dose one hell of a hit and run campaign. About 3.5 miles to the road and then we caught a ride from Josh into Hiawassie. Taking it easy and spending my last night with Swish for a while.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-06
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 8-After breakfast and a quick trip to Rite Aid for some eye drops we got to the Trail at 9:10. I left a little early so Swish and Sundance could say their good-byes. The Hiawassee inn was a good stay and I left a little more rested after our nero day. The climb out of the gap was hard with food resupply and 2 gartorades, but slowly and surely we made own way to N.C. Pictures at the stat line and 3 miles of uphill to the shelter. We seem to be going slower without Swish to pace us. At the shelter tonight was Twofer, Rick, Iceman Dan, Rockhound and 3 young but smoking hippy's. I have met a lot of great young people on the Trial but these three were examples of the other end of the scale and I hope we don't run into them again. Not out best night in a shelter.-Butch CassidySwish did not cry when I hit the Trail, not sure if that is a good sing though. 11.6 miles to Muscrat Creek Shelter where I foolishly allowed myself to become involved in a political debate. Other than that a good day and nice shelter.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-07
From: Muscrat Creek Shelter

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

Day 9-We got up to a scrambled egg, bacon and grips breakfast with coffee. Not bad for trail food. The hiking today was easier with one good climb over Standing Indian Mtn. Sundance has a sore achillies tendon, so we were a little slower but still did 12.5 miles and got to the shelter at 3:30. A lot of bear signs but no bears were spotted. Weather continues to be fantastic and good views of the tops. At the shelter Rick, Twofer, Iceman Dan, Tito and us. Tomorrow Albert Mtn.-Butch CassidyWoke up this morning with a know of pain in my left achilles tendon. No biggie, I tried stretching it out but no luck. So my pain spot for the day was my left heel. Other than that it was a good day. Went over Standing Indian Mtn, which is 5498 feet high. It was the first time over 5000 feet on this trip. Very nice shelter here with some good people.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-08
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 10-Up early and moving pretty good, we went over Big Butt Mtn, then Albert Mtn (nice climb). We ran into a Brave Wild Pig that didn't want to give up the Trail, but we won. We decided to got into Franklin for the night. The extra miles went fast and Crutch gave us a ride to the motel and just walk to the buffet. We caught back up with Pinky & The Brain and the Brits who are now called Fish and Chips. A long day but feeling good.-Butch CassidyWell we wokeup around 8:00 and I was the last one out of the shelter at 9:00. Walked very slow all day because of a blister issue on my left foot. We met a nice couple from AL named Caveman & Toes, who gave me some type of foam bandage which seemed to help. Then we walked over the Most Useless Mtns ever Albert Mtn. 5298 feet straight up for no reason. After Albert the trail was average to Rock Gap Shelter. When we got to Rock Gap dad started talking to Crutch who runs shuttles and he worked out a ride into Franklin. So he turns to me and says, "Wanna go? I'll pay for the room and get the 6 pack I owe you." I agreed and we went 3.7 miles in 1 hour and 20 minutes to make our ride. So as I lay in my warm bed sipping my Yuengling all I am thinking is "Just keep thinking Butch, that's what you're good at."-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wiyah Bald Campsite
Miles today: 10.5

Day 11-Crutch gave me the Brits, Pinky & The Brain, and Dog father a ride to breakfast. Sundance slept in and i got him a couple of biscuits to go. We got a late start because the shuttle was a little late. We got off the bus and Twofer, Rick and Paul were getting on to go to town. A long day of mostly climbs over Gitar Bald then Wiyah Bald then a little down to the campsite. Here tonight Dog father, Pinky & The Brain, Erin- now call 3 Hills, the Brits and the Yellow Blazing Hippy's came in late making noise. Tomorrow NOC and a Wessen Burger.-Butch CassidyEasy day today. Just going no more than 13 miles. Until we went 10.5 miles which seemed all up hill and ended up staying in a campsite on the other site of Wiyah Bald. Hard day.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-10
From: Wiyah Bald Campsite

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day 12-A daylight start from the campsite after a poptart breakfast. A steady pace put us with a jumpoff heading down to NOC at about 2:00 pm. While we are taking a break, 3 Hills comes past in her Perky mood and beats us to NOC by about 20 minutes. My ass is showing and I must be loosing a step to the youngsters! We got a cabin for about 50 bucks with a private bath tow full size beds with a loft. Nice place. We are going to sleep in tomorrow, so we went to the bunk house to vist the other hikers. Nice group lots of laughs.-Butch CassidyBig day today went all the way into NOC 17 miles total. Lots of ups and downs and some very steep downhills which are hard on my left knee but I made it. We ended up getting a cabing room for better sleep but did hang out with the other hikers in the hostel. All in all a very tough day.-The Sundance Kid
Date: 2007-03-11
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 13-We got up late and just made check out time at 10:00. We lost an hour because of daylight savings time. A late breakfast at the Rivers End at about noon. We ran into Tim who is Hikernutts husband. We had met them on New Years Eve on Springer, when Hickernutt was starting her thruhike. We had a nice visit and then started the climb out of NOC. About 1:00 pm steep climb to Sassfras Gap with an early dinner. Here tonight...3 Hills, Fish & Chips, Old Yeller & Singe, Dogfather, Rockhound, Pinky & The Brain, also Iceman Dan and his Dad came in late. Back with the young hikers again.-Butch CassidyI needed an easy day so we hung out at NOC til 12:30. We spent the last hour talking with Hikernutt and Tim. After that it was 6.9 miles straight uphill to Sassafras Gap Shelter. I am having some cramping issues in my right calf, so I'm going to push water tongiht. Another short day tomorrow.-The Sundance Kid