morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-01-11
From: Franklin, NC

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Well today went ok. We dilly-dallied around town for most of the day. We went to the PO, library, and Kmart. We spent 3.5 hours at the library. Bono and I worked on our journals and while he caught up on his, I called home and talked to Mom and Dad. Last night, I slept better than I anticipated under that sign. We woke around 7 and hit the "Hot Spot" (the 24 hour gas station). While at KMart I bought some pizza and permanant markers. I ate the food and used the markers to make a sign for hitching rides. On one side I wrote real big   "HIKER TO TRAIL" and on the other side   "HIKER TO TOWN".   Around 300 we tried out the sign and sure enough, it worked. Two highschool cheerleaders picked us up and drove us the 10 miles back to the trail. We hit the trail around 4.   We chugged along 6. We came upon a sign that pointed down a blue blazed trail to the shelter. At this point Bono & I wore tried and beat. We could not find the shelter for anything. I even pulled out the GPS I got for graduation and bushwacked across the mountain to where it said the shelter was- Not even close.   Finally Bono said, "let's follow the AT". So we did and soon enough we came up to the other sign pointing down the same blue blaze loop trail we had seen before. To make a long, tiring story short- Just as I was about to give up and bed down on the trail, Bono said "Just 15 more minutes." I groaned and he said "Is that the shelter?!?" And sure enough...
Date: 2003-01-12
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was slow. After the fiasco last night trying to find the shelter, I wasin no mood to wake up to the 14* temps outside. Bono finally got me up andgoing around 930. We actually got back to the trail about 1040. Bono was notfeeling 100% today. We stopped about 12:00 so he could cook lunch (which wedont normally bother doing) and we stopped and again about 130. He napped foran hour and a half while I washed, dried, and aired out my feet. My blisterlooks like it is finally healing. Good. So we started walking again around 3 and made it into this shelter just before7. This shelter, Cold Spring, is old- built in 1930's by the CCC. It is stillin good condition- better than the 1959 shelter at Carter Gap. There is a nicepiped spring in front of thid shelter It's giving a very pleasing song to go tosleep tonight. Well only 12.1 miles today but Bono was not feeling so hot. Tomm looks like we will do 11.5 into NOC for showers and my maildrop. I'm only2 days behind schedule- not too shabby.PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-13
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Natahala Outdoor Center- Bryson City, NC
Miles today: 11.5

Well the shelter last night night was not too bad. I expected a lot worse but Idid noit even hear a single mouse.   Today we walked the 11.5 miles into the NOC (Natahala Outdoor Center). Wearrived about 1 oclock. We had gotten an early (before the sun rose) 720 start. Just as we got into the NOC the lady that takes care of the hostel &reservations left for her hour lunch break. We decided to hitch into town tocatch the Papa's Pizza Buffet. We got there just as the lady turned the nensign off. So Bono cleaned house on what was left and I ordered 2 pepperonipizzas and bread sticks. Soon we were off to Ingles to pick up some chips andsalsa and orange juice for dinner. We hitched back out with a church secretaryand her daughter (who really liked Sponged Bob Square Pants) for the 1st halfand then a local college student gave us a ride the rest of the way. When wearrived back at the NOC, I payed for the room and then we took showers and alsostarted the laundry. as I was walking back to the bunk room, a girl up in thecommunity building (which housed the showers, bathrooms, kitchen, and pay phone)said "hi". I went over and chatted with Courtney for a while. Turns out shedoes trail work in the Northwest and is here taking a Wi!lderness EMT course (14 days 140 hours). her and about 20 others are taking thecourse which is being taught above one of the restraunt here. Soon enough manyothers showed up and we were having a good time. I talked to Courtney moreabout here course and she showed me how to take someones blood pressure. Thanshe asked if I'd ever been strapped to a stetcher. I replied "no" and she toldme that she needed to practice for her course. So off we went to the classroomand she a Josie stapped me in. Then they put makeup on me and made me looklike I had a big cortusion on my face. Very realistic looking. Thay carried medown the steps and outside and took pictures to send home (keep an eye on mypictures section). A good time was had by all. Bushwacker- from the AT-L - wastaking the WEMT class also. He invited us into his cabin so I could use hisphone to send/recieve email and chat for a while. He gave use some more food andthen we went back to our bunkhouse to h!it the sack. Late night tonight, it is almost 1200.PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-14
From: Natahala Outdoor Center- Bryson City, NC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Late start today. Woke up about 930. Check out was supposedly 1000 but we hungout until about 11. Bono took a second shower and I went though my food box. Man, I have A LOT of extra fod. 6 or 7 days when I only need 3. I just can notstand to give it away. I did give some to Bono. He complained a little aboutthe quality :0)    We ate the chips and salsa. and hit the trail about 215. Soon we ran into acouple who said they had just pasted an older gentleman. It turned out to beChuck- the fellow who I hiked with the first few days of my journey. E is ingood spirits d hightailing it to Fontana to try to beat a winter storm that isbrewing in the Midwest. Sounds like it is headed this way.   I feasted tonight: Stovetop stuffing with 3oz of chicken, 4oz of pepperoni,a half package of ritz crackers, 1 pot of hot Jello and two servings of HotChocolate. I still dont entirely full. I think my appitite is about to skyrocket!   It is official- I have a trail name - Rocket. It was given to me by Bonofor my fast walking pace. For those who dont know- a trail name is simply anick name that is given to you by another hiker.    Tonight I am staying at the nice Sassafras Gap shelter with Chuck and Bono. It is supposed to get COLD tonight with the wind and all. about 20* without thewind and -27* with the windchill. WICKED COLD! Its good to have Chuck heretonight. It adds a lot to a conversation to have a third person. We have beensharing stories all night- he saw a BLACK BEAR at Silers Bald- where we stayed acouple nights ago. Glad we did not run into it!PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-15
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Today I slept in a bit. Chuck got up and was gone by 730.   Bono and I started out at about 930. I soon pulled away from him and caught Chuck. Around noon, Chuck and I came down to Stecoah Gap. As we took a quick break a gray pickup pulled up. It turned out to be Mr. Jeff Hoch from the Hike Inn in Fontana Dam, NC. He warned us of bad weather and that he would not be available tomm morning due to a death in the family. We told him thanks and gave him our condolences. We walked a bit out of the gap and took another breather. Along comes Bono. He did not seem in good spirits and kept walking. We caught up with him later when he stopped to cook. He had his heart set on getting his box from the Hike Inn tonight. I informed him og a short cut trail. He decided he would take it and meet back up with us at the shelter. Soon we got to the road that he was to take and Bono departed from our 3 man parade.   When Chuck and I got to the shelter, I was still fille with plenty of energy. So I built a quick fire in about 5 minutes. Soon Bono comes strolling into th shelter and he said he had recieved some awesome trail magic. He quickly produced chocolates and a can of frozen lemonade concentrate. YUMMM! Cold lemonade ing the woods. This shelter (Cable Gap) is small and old (circa 1937), but still nice. Still sounds like weather is on its way but tonight it is quite pleasant.
Date: 2003-01-17
From: Hike Inn- Fontana Dam, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well last night was late and we woke up appropriatly. We were up until 400(wired on lemonade and Bono on cokes) discussing thenext day, week, and monthsahead of us. We did not hit the trail until 240. We had 10 miles to walk. Isplit from Bono and hiked ahead. I trudged through the 6" of snow at qa slowerpace than usual. The trail was broken for the first 7.5 miles. Then I had tobreak through the 6 inch deep snow for 2.5 miles under the full moon. PureBeauty.    Got to the stone shelter to find two other hikers. "Wrong Way" waxs hikingNorth and had been holed up in the shelter for 2 days. He realized that he wasnot appropriatly prepared for the weather. So he plans on hiking out tomm andgoing back to the NOC (where he works) and getting better gear. On Monday atnoon he is going to pick Bono and I up and take us into Gatlinburg for real foodand bring us back up to Newfound Gap. Chad, the other hiker, is on his last dayof his trip coming South though the park. Bono rolled in about 1030. Latenight and I am bushed. Its wicked cold tonight-   0*. I think I'll be warmthough.PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-18
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

Late start today- We rose around 10 and did not start until about 12. We madeonly small mile- 5.4. We arrived around 415. We used our snowshoes for thefirst time and it sure is harder work than walking on dry ground!   When we arrived here, there were four guys who were working on building amassive fire in the fireplace. Hey are nice and offered us food and snacks. They cooked us venison burgers which were absolutly DELICIOUS!   I ate it inaddition to a lipton dinner with 7oz of chicken and a double serving of hotchocolate.    As we discussed our plans with one of the guys, he offered to let us use hiscondo in Gatlinburg- TRAIL MAGIC!!!   So on Monday after we help Wrong Way gethis gear in order, we will stay there. Hot showers and bed! In the middle ofthe Smokys- who would have thought. Well early to bed tonight we have a bg daytomm. 13 miles though the snow.PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-19
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

>   Snow and late starts seem to be one in the same. We did not take off untilabout 940. The guys who were in the shelter had the fire well stoked thismorning and it was nice to preheat the socks and boots before putting them on. We took pictures with the guys and thanked them for the delicious food again.   Off we went. Slowly. Last night it seems we got another inch of snow and alot of wind We again pulled out our snowshoes and trudged though the whitefluffy stuff. Boy there was a lot. In some places, the drifts were waist deep.I broke trail almost all day. Not complaining, but it sure does wear you down. Our average pace today was one mile an hour. We did not even have the energy towalk the 1.7 miles to the next shelter. At the last shelter someon had left tworolls of tarp and a box of thumbtacks. I brought both here and used them towindproof our sleeping loft.   I am looking forward to tomm- hot showers and a real bed at our trailangel's condo. But we were only able to put away 11.8 miles today. That meansabout 12 miles to Newfound Gap where Wrong Way is waiting for us at noon. Noway we will make it, but we will try to get there before he leaves to Gatlinburgwithout us. It's 1115 and time for bed. I'm going to try to get an early starttomm. PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-20
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: clear sky

Showers and a warm bed! Yahoo!!! I forgot what it is like to be in a heatedroom! Maybe not that bad, but it sure is nice to be inside. Well this morningwe got about a 930 start. Not to shabby but I wish I could have done better. Iwas breaking trail again and pushing myself to get to Newfound Gap as close to 1o'clock as possible. Well, I cruised on at as good a pace as possible- not quite 2 miles an hour. With snow so deep it was impossible for me to push harder. I got to the top ofClingman's Dome (the highest point on the Appalachian Trail at 6643 ft) around1. Clear views from the top but the harsh winds made it COLD!   By trail it was7 miles to Newfound Gap, where Wrong Way was waiting for me. And by road it was7 miles. I decided to take the closed road because it would be faster/easierwalking. I left a note for Bono to meet me at the "Wash Tub" 24 hourlaundramat. It was the only place in my guidebook that was opwen all night. Idid not know how far Bono was behind me and I neglected to copy down the condoinformation. So that would be our meeting place, the laundramat.   As I came down the 7 mile road, I meet numerous people cross country skiingand walking in the 8" of snow. One couple offered me a ride into Gatlinburgwhen they got to the bottom. I tried to stall a little and wait for Bono toshow, but they had to get rolling. So off to the laundramat. There I waited anhour and a half until Bono showed up. We wanted to get a lot of food for notmuch dinero. So we walked a mile or two to the Food City. There we bought ahuge pan of lasagna and frozen pizzas. This was a mistake. Once we walked backto the condo we found out they did not have ovens. So we ate the speghetti webought. Our trail angel HOOKED US UP! This place is nice! Looks like weathermay be on its way again. Glad to be in a warm bed, under a roof tonight! PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-21
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Slept in today. We did not rise until around 10. We made scrambled eggs andgarlic toast. Yum...beats dry cereal that's for sure. We did laundry and thenmossied on over to the local library to get on the net. They have an odd policyhere- only locals can check email. Visitors can use the net but cannot accessthe email website such as yahoo or hotmail. Odd. This meant that I could notupdate this webpage as much as I would have liked, but you have to roll with thepunches. Tomm we will go back and fix things up. After the library, we walkedback to the condo. It is raining so that means it is snowing in the higherelevations of the Smoky Mountains. We got our frozen lasagna and pizzas andtook them back to the store. We took a 25 cent shuttle this time to save ourlegs. We used the money we got back to purchase more food that we could easilyprepare. We got back to the condo around 6 and I have been catching up on thiselectronic journal. We fixed a nice speg!hetti dinner and soon I'll hit the bed.>PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-22
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Not much happened today. Bono and I went to the library for a good 3 hours and fixed up the web pages. Mijne is now up to date with milages and which shelters I stayed in each night. 196 miles total. Not too shabby. Thursday is my third week out here. Hard to believe it has been 21 days.   Tonight we ordered Dominos and watched movies we rented from Food City. It is nice to be in civilazation, but I am getting ansy to get back on the trail.
Date: 2003-01-23
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Again not much happened today.   Everything was closed due to last night's snow. No trolley, no library, no nothing. Well, Bono asked me a couple of days ago about designing a sledge or pulk- basically a sled that you pull your gear on. I thought it might be worth a try- the conditions out here seem right: decent trail and about 8" of thick snow. So I walked to Ace Hardware (a distance of about 2 miles) and bought the components I needed: a saucer sled, 2 carabiners, 8' of 1/2 PVC, 50 ft of nylon cord, and a 5X7' Blue Plastic Tarp. I got a ride back to te condo and assembled the contraption there. It seems like it will work. When I carry it on my pack (for strolling around town) it looks really goofy- Bono said I looked like a cross between a ladybug and a teen age mutant ninja turtle. I will try to get a picture.    Got email from Brian (one of my awesome crew leaders from the Maine) and it looks as if he will be returning this summer to hold the same position. I find out if I got my job at the beginning of Febuary. I hope I get it, as it would be a lot of fun to work with him again.   Well this evening we did do something enjoyable in this mostly closed down town. We went to see the one attraction in Gatlinburg worth seeing: The Ripley's Aquarium. Very nice and well worth it. We got hooked up with tickets by one of Bono's friends. Thanks Ashley! The place is really cool and I am glad I went to the attraction which before seemed sort of childish to me. If any of you ever end up in Gatlinburg, go to the aquarium! They have the standard HUGE tank with all kind of ocean wildlife, but what sets this one apart from the rest is the underwater walkway. Very cool.    Well to bed I go, we hit the trail tomm with a big day and I am excited.   PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-24
From: Clingman's Dome

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Long day today and I am bushed. The snow is about the same as when we got off: 8" average and waist deep in the thick spots. We got in after dark and there are 3 other gentlemen here who are plesant and moved their stuff around so that we could sleep on the bottom loft instead of the snow covered upper loft. Tomm we have 7.5 miles to do. We can take it easy. No rush which will be quite nice. Well I'm tired so to bed I go.PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-25
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: few clouds

While we were in Gatlinburg, Bono and I reworked our hiking plan. Because of the snow and cold, we decided to hike from shelter to shelter making only 5 to 10 miles per day. This allows us to sleep in, take it easy, get in before dark (the moon is less than half now and does not really provide enough light for walking without a headlamp), and not be in a rush all the time.   This morning wre got up about 9, just as the other three guys were pushing off. We did not take off until 1030. It was pleasant today, in te 30's, no wind, and a clear sky. Perfect walking weather. The views were phenominal- no words or pictures could do them justice. It feels great to be out on the trail again. Today I used my sled contraption all day. It works great. I put the heavy stuff (namely my 15 pounds of food) on it and carried the lighter stuff in my pack.      I arrived here around 515 and began to gather firewood after I located the privy and the water. Those tasks always seem much more difficult after dark. Around 6, Bono rolled in and I began constructing the fire. Fires are always a treat at the end of a snow filled day. By 7 the fire was roaring good and I stoked my own furnace with some mashed potatoes.   Now it is about 830 and I am ready to hit the sack. A small day tomm only 5.2 miles. That means I get to sleep in!PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-26
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Snelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Short, quick day today. Only 5.2 miles so we did not leave until 1130. I rolld in about 3 o'clock. My pace was a little quicker than yesturday and that makes me happy. Bono says we must be getting our "snowshoeing legs". The one difficult thing about snowshoeing is the large drifts of snow always seem to be in rapid successions of about 10. Today Bono nearly scared me when he decided to try something new. Instead of trudging through the drifts like a city snow plow, he took off in a burst of energy and ran over the tops of them like a sprinter over hurdles. Quite fun really, but it is only a good technique on the downhills as it gets you pretty winded even on the downhills.   The weather today was a little less than ideal. Not much visability, cold, and at times a light drizzle of ice was raining down upon me. But as long as I kept moving, I was toasty.   Becaus we made it in so early, which was planned, I decided to build another fire. I enjoy building them and I enjoy the raw heat they put off even more. There is some sense of achievement in being able to build a fire when there is 8" of snow covering the ground. We dried our socks and toasted our feet- what a great way to end the day! It's 830 and I am going to bed. Tomm we have 7.7 miles to do so a decent start is in order.PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-27
From: Tri-Corner Knob Snelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today began WICKED COLD! At 930 it was an icy 4* outside! We listened to Bono's weather radio and it reported -9* for last nights low! I was plenty warm, but in temperatures like that it sure is hard to get out of the sleeping bag.    Wre had only planned 7.6 miles today so we took our time getting ready. Because of the cold we took the time to eat some warm food. I ate a lipton cup of soup, a couple of cups of Frosted Flakes, and my favorite- hot cherry jello. As we stood around our fingers and toes were getting cold. So by 1045 we hit the trail and by 1115 my breakfast of champions had kicked in. I felt as though I was waling on air. I feel so great to be out here even if it is reallllllly cold. Around noon, we took a snack break and Bono & I discussed how good we were feeling. We decided that we once we got to the first shelter, we would press the 7.1 miles further to the next shelter: Davenport Gap.   And so we did. when we arrived at the first shelter around 3, we decided to stop and cook dinner. While I was away using the privy, Bono decided to play a trick on me. He wanted to see if he could slow me down so he placed two softball sized rocks (weighing about 10 lbs total) in my backpack. One in my pack and one on my sled. Because we were in a hurry to press on, I did not see them.    As we walked, I mentIoned that my pack felt heavier and even jokingly asked Bono if he had put rocks in my pack. He just chickled and we kept chugging along. At one of my snack breaks, I was digging in my pack for a little debbie that I had carefully placed in there. What did I spy, a rock! I was not a happy camper but looking back on it, it was funny. And what I find funnier is that I STILL had to slow down for him to catch up. And yes, I will get him back.    We hiked the last 4.3 miles in the dark, but we maintained our best pace yet- 2 mph through 6" of snow. Awesome.    Tonight is our last night of the Smoky Mountains and although it got pretty cold at times, they were not all that bad. And snowshoed all but 10 miles of them! I really enjoyed my time in this beautiful park.PeaceRon