morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Winding Stair Gap

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

It is my 3rd zero days. A day with no mile hiked. So, I am enjoying this day by shopping, go to library, wal-mart, so many things to do.Before going, I was so thrilllllllllled to learn that University of Connecticut is the first Division I school to have both Men and Women's NCAA basketball national championship!!!! Go UCONN Huskies!!! I was sooo thrilled! I was so excitied. I wish I watched them on TV but I was on trail that time.I saw One Leg here in the Library. It was a surprise. I told One Leg that I need to talk with him at my motel later in the evening. It is something that we need to discuss about hiking. I have one stress and worry about is to get to Mount Katahdin on time before they close on October 15. If I need to get there, I will need to do about 15 or more miles everyday. The more miles I can hike, I can have some zero days at towns and also probably try to get to my old school's camp, Isola Bella, which is located a few miles east of Appalachian Trail in Connecticut. I hope to get there during the business, and probably got a chance to teach other deaf campers about the backpacking and Appalachian Trail. After Library, I went to Eagle Outfitter. I purchased various of hiking equipment. Once the purchase were made. They took a picture of me with their polarid and post the picture on the Thru Hikers wall of fame. I saw One Leg there. Obviously, he was there yesterday. I also asked a staff at outfitter store to give me a ride to my motel. They send a REALLY CUTE girl named Jamacia, to give me a ride to the motel. I would have stare at her all day and night. She is very sweet and nice. I had a good Thursday evenings of relaxation.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Franklin, NC

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: few clouds

Woke up to a nice day, breezy and little cold. Went to do the last minute laundry. Got myself all ready before being shuttled back to the trail with Ronny, the owner of Haven Motel. I got to the trail early afternoon. I saw bunches of Thru Hikers on the trail head. My pack was pretty heavy because I brought 6 or 7 cans of budweiser. I realized I cannot handle that weight while hiking more than a mile or two from trailhead. I saw other three thru hikers came and I stopped them, offered them beers. They were thrilled. I drank some to emptied it from my pack. So, those three thru hikers indeed had met One Leg and told me that One Leg already hiked ahead of me for about one hour. So, I hiked all the way, and met waiting thru hikers, (Pack Mule, One Leg, Ghost Dog, Powderfinger, Will I Make it, and One Leg's son, Tyler) So, we hiked blue blazed trail to the Siler Bald Shelter. One Leg and Tyler decided to set up tent on blue blazed trail instead of hiking down 1/2 mile to the shelter.   Once at the shelter, I spent some time looking around the shelter, hike up the loop of blue blazed trail. Other two thru hikers came to me and asked me to join them up the hill. I was wondering where they would go. So, we hiked all the way up to Siler Bald. I saw more hikers up on the summit. I observed and guessed that they are on the summit waiting for the sun to go down. And, indeed, they do. the sun went down and absolutely beautiful when the sky turned pink over the mountains. So, after that moment, we hiked down the Siler Bald to the shelter and I went back to sleep.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Burningtown Gap, N.C.
Miles today: 10.9

Woke up and then hiked up to Wayah Bald (5,342').   That is my 2nd trail magic. The Anderson Hiking and Backpacking Club provided hamburgers and hotdogs. Of course, I had two hamburgers and some pepsi. They were extremely nice people. After the trail magic, I hiked to the old tower on Wayah Bald. The stone structured tower, had some history. The tower is exceptionally romancing. I hiked down, and saw a little note nailed on trees. It was from Tree Frog, another thru hiker that I met a few days past. He lost his cell phone and hoped that the thru hikers before him can find the phone and bring it to him ahead. So, I hiked until I saw another trail magic at Burningtown Gap. One of the trailangel was thru hiker in the past. I took pictures of them and had a wonderful and delicious spaghetti dinner, and late night homemade munchies made by over the campfire.   They had a big tent, that was worth at 4,500 dollars. That tent is for the thru hikers to come in and sleep without the hassle of set up our own tent. There were a movie inside the tent. I didnt watch because I am deaf and this is not an action movie. Instead, I stayed outside and watch campfire. I also had a chat with one of trailangels, who live in Ohio but came to North Carolina just because they want to feed thru hikers. I was amazed on their contribution and affection toward thru hikers. When movie was finished, and I then went back to sleep. It was great to have two trail magics on the same day!
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Burningtown Gap, N.C.

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

Had a great breakfast made by trailangels. I saw One Leg came. He had missed the dinner last night. So, he had some egg for breakfast. Hiked up to the shelter, approximately .08 miles from Nantahala River and Nantahala Outdoor Center. When I arrived at the A. Rufus Morgan Shelter, I thought the shelter is already full. It wasn't   Thru hikers there, made an extra space for me and then I squeeze it in.. I was looking forward for NOC.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

I woke up... I waited for all of hikers to leave because there were so many hikers in here. I don't want to bump and write down every time "excuse me". So, I become the last hiker to leave the Sassafras Gap. I read the register book and discovered that I was right, it was Garland 5 who slept there on the same bunk floor where I slept. I hiked and passed Garland 5, and hiked up to Brown Fork Gap Shelter. I planned on to get to the next shelter but it was so cold and very cloudy and build up of fog. So, when I arrived at the Brown Fork Gap Shelter, and after I ate my own meal. I was about to sleep, but keep checking outside to see what other hikers are doing. I saw a snow! This snow was not heavy. Its on and off. So, the night was so cold, so I went back to sleep, and my head is completely inside the sleeping bag to keep myself warm.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up and was amazed that there were white everywhere. It was snowed during the night. I guessed that there were about a little more than one inch of snow. I, packed my gear and then left at about 8:30 in the morning. While I hike the white blanketed trail, I took several pictures. It was so beautiful. I came to think that there were snow everywhere. I keep hiking and the wind blew the snow off the tree branches and it make the hiking harder. I keep hiking and when I start to descent the mountain. I start to see less of snow on the ground. As I keep coming down the mountain, everything turned to be spring-like green and realized that there were only snow on the summits. I was so relieved to know that there is not really any snow on lower elevation. So, I spotted a Fontana Dam and arrived at the road that will lead me to the historic Fontana Village, a village where the workers stay during the construction of new Fontana Dam. The village was so extreme nice and beautiful. I stayed at Fontana Inn. I had so much relaxation and watch TV. I had a good spaghetti dinner. I had a wonderful hot bathtub that I waited for long time, especially after cold days and nights on the summits with inches of snow.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

I woke up, then did a last minute laundry. I saw Garland 5 adults at laundry room. The father of the Garland 5 came and chatted with me. He told me that he got sprained ankle and had to stay another night. I told him that I am hitting the trail after this laundry. So, I got shuttled back to the trail. I hiked from the NC 28 to Fontana Dam, the tallest dam of the Eastern United States. I hiked across the dam. It was so beautiful. The trail before and after the dam is extreme nice. I was so disappointed that the visitor center at the dam was closed for the winter. I want to buy some souveniers there but I took several pictures of the dam. After the dam, I entered Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I saw nothing exciting about the National Park. The trees are not in spring-like state. Its still everything brown and black. Nothing green. I arrived Mollie Ridge Shelter, the first shelter of Great Smoky. Some trail to the Mollie Ridge Shelter were very MUDDY. It really hurt my feet. Muddy increase more pressure on my feet. So, some several hundred yards before arriving the shelter, my drinking water in camelback ran out. I was a bit panic because water is vital to my hiking. So, I arrived at Mollie Ridge, immediately, I went to fill up my pouch. I set up my new tent and cook my meal. Mollie Ridge Shelter is a stone built shelter with a fireplace. It is very beautiful shelter.
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

I woke up and realized that many hikers already left. I then had my own oatmeal and hot chocolate for breakfast. I checked register and signed. As usual, I pack and then hiked in the beautiful day morning. It was ok-ok hike with many ups and downs the mountains. I noticed that my leg, above the knee, start to hurt. I hoped that it will go away tomorrow.   Tomorrow will be a long hike and up the highest trail of A.T.
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mt. NP
Miles today: 10.1

Got up, then hike up to Clingmans Dome, the tower atop the summit. The highest of the Appalachian Trail. My leg started to burnt out. After walking down the tower of Clingmans Dome, I started to hike and about 1 to 2 miles, I gave up. I cannot hike down any further. My leg gave up. I saw a road by the trail, so I took off the trail and hitchhike. It was a fast pick up, and the driver willing to get me to Gatlinburg, Tenn. I got the Days Inn. My leg is very bad on the mountain but I can be able to walk around. So, at Gatlinburg, I was amazed on how beautiful city is.   I bought Heinken beers, and then went sightseeing the town. I decided to spend the time at TGIFriday restaurant. I chatted with patrons there. Nice people.   So after it close, then I went back to Days Inn and slept.
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mt. NP

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

I took a zero day. I went to do some shopping and have good time. When dark fell, I went to Hogs and Honey bar. It was beautiful bar. Nice place. I met a newlywed couples that got married on the same day. I played some pool. I had good time then went back to Days Inn.
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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

I decided to take another zero day. So, I can give my leg more time to heal. I went to library, saw a sign that says, THRUHIKERS, Please sign here! I signed and registered it. It is nice to sign my name on every register books! I decided to stay inside Days Inn instead of going to bars for the night. I enjoyed the captioned movies and then finally I went to sleep!
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

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

I was definite to get ready for hike but after a long walk to Post Office and a last minute laundry. The clock pointed to after 11am, a checkout time for almost every major hotel. I decided to stay for another night as I thought I would probably give my leg a more time to heal and enjoy another day in Gatlinburg.   I went to Hogs and Honey again during night. I had good time.
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Gatlinburg, Tennessee

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up, packed my gear, and left Days Inn. I hitchhike and still got picked up quickly. The driver happened to be a section hiker.   I told him that I am a thru hiker. He was impressed and thumb up on my adventure. We saw a wild turkey on the side of the road. So, he dropped ourselves off at Clingmans Dome. I hiked down to Mt. Collins Shelter for only 3.4 miles because I need to take easy on my leg. I arrived Mt. Collins and felt great! During the night, while reading the databook and thru hiker companion book, shelter mice ran past me and quickly hide in a hole. It scared me and was the first mice sightseeing for me on A.T.!
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

I left Mt. Collins shelter and during that time, it was very little shower but stopped while I hike. I hiked from the shelter, across the Newfound Gap, which was packed with tourist. Some of them asked me question by writing. Asked if I will hike the entire A.T. I told her yes. She then asked me for my trailname and I told her, Flash Hand. She then know what it meant. Wished me a good luck as I start to hike again up to Icewater Spring Shelter. I met two other thruhikers, Minus One and No Worries. At about 7pm, a shelter mice came and running around inside shelter. That mice is very cute and very clever. Playing game with Minus One. Minus One tried to kill that mice but with many misses. I was so glad that Minus One failed to catch that mice. So, I decided to name that mice, Houdini, because he is an escape artist and he escaped the wrath of other thru hikers. Ha ha, keep going Houdini!
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

It was a good hike between Icewater and Tri-corner. My leg was doing great. I felt great too. So, when arrived at Tri-corner. I met Jon, the A.T. Ridgerunner the 2nd time. He came and chat with me by paper and pen. I told him about the Houdini at the previous shelter. He laughed and glad that Houdini continues to live. He told me he saw other two mices in the caretakers box at one of shelters, and he named those mice, Fred and Fredia. Nice name for those two mices.
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Tri-corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

I got up late, many thru hikers left. Then A.T. Ridgerunner left. I left and hiked the 14.8 miles to Davenport Gap Shelter, the last shelter of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I start to descent for the first time on the northern end of Great Smoky Mountain National Park before the Davenport Gap Shelter, everything turned to be green and beautiful flowers started to show up.   There is only three thruhikers at Davenport Gap Shelter including me. So, I took the top bunk and other two took the bottom. I saw a shelter mice again, hopping past my sleeping bag. Must be hungry mice looking for some food.
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Waterville School Road
Miles today: 3.3

I woke up and smell the beautiful fresh air under beautiful sky of blue and whites. It looked like that God polished the sky so clean and perfect. No smog or fog. It was perfect day. I hiked a easy hike. I acrossed the Pigeon River, and under the underpass of Interstate 40 before arriving the Standing Bear Farm Hostel. I was planning to take a look and leave for the next shelter but the beautiful place and great owner, Curtis Owen and Maria Guzman. I decided to stay for the night. It was only 15 dollars per person. So, I had my clothes washed, used the internet, met several more thru hikers. I met Myst, an other thru hiker from Florida. We had chat. I met other thru hikers, but I forget his name, who would work as a National Park Ranger. We had a good chat. So, I had a blast time at hostel.   I loved the honor system that Curtis provided for us. I can go take snacks, soda and some stuff from small store without his presence but to put down on tabs until the day I left.
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Waterville School Road

To: Waterville School Road
Miles today: 0.0

When I woke up, it was rainny day. I decided to wait. So do Myst too. Aprilshowers and other thru hikers left. Myst stays because he don't want to hike during rainning days. Many more thru hikers coming. The hostel become crowded and full as thru hikers from Great Smoky Mountain decided to stay at hostel to dry out. The rain stopped at about 5pm. The day got clear and we started a campfire. We also went to the store to get some more beers. We had blast time. So, it was a good zero day!
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Waterville School Road

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up early to get a last hot shower, then went back to sleep again for some more sleep. I got up and first person to hike on from hostel on that day at 8:30am. Myst think I would be crazy to hike for almost 20 miles to Roaring Fork Shelter. I told him that its the best way I can do to catch up some miles. So, while I hike, Myst hiked past me. So, I arrived at Groundhog Creek Shelter. I saw Myst there and we then hike on blueblazed trail to the shelter for lunch break. Myst told me that he plan to camp out on or around Max Patch Bald. I told him, not me, I will continue to Roaring Fork Shelter.   He stills think I am crazy.. haha.Then, Myst left, and then I left. I hiked and past another thru hiker who stopped as she tried to take a picture of herself on self timer camera. I had a short chat with her, whose trail name is Swan. Swan pointed on the data book that she will be camped out at a campsite by Max Patch Bald. I pointed at Roaring Fork Shelter that is my next desination. She said whoa, and acted like a fainting and said thats really FAR. I thought, so what? It was a downhill hike for 5 miles after Max Patch. So, I arrived on the top of the summit of Max Patch... OH MY GOD, its so windy, non stoppable blowing winds. I cannot stay on trail. I hike like a drunken man. I found a big rock enough to stop blowing wind. I sat down, took three layers of coats and sweater. It was so cold on the summit. I had some converstation with my friends on pager. So, I saw Swan trying to hike up and fought against the wind. Swan came to me, sat down and pointed at data book, at the campsite, and said NO WAY, I am doing down, and then said she need to go. I laughed as I knew no one would want to camp out on or near the bald because, I think that its no strange that most bald are cold or windy. So, then I left and did an entire downhill hike to Roaring Fork and found three hikers there.   Two of them, are Swan and Myst. I told Myst, what are you doing here.. as I thought he is camping out at the bald. Myst told me TOO COLD. I laughed so WE hiked almost 20 miles together. It was cold during night. I slept well.
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

I woke up, and again the last thru hiker from that shelter to leave for the day. I hiked all the way to Hot Springs, NC. When I arrived Hot Springs, I tried to find an inn that I planned to stay. Also I tried to find ATM station but a bank without ATM. I become disappointed but as I looked around for the inn. There werent any sign. Another thruhiker who was hanging around by Paddler's Pub, saw me and he knows me. He helped me with pinpoint the place of inn. So, I found Sunnybank Inn, very nice hostel. I met Elmer Hall, the owner of the inn. He was so extreme nice. I told him that I dont have enough cash because of closed ATM and had no problem for me to pay later. I got a room, with two bed. Another thru hiker was there in the room. So, I went to restaurant and had a good burger! I also am able to get some cash from that place. So, when dark fell, I went to Paddlers Pub and met so many thru hikers there, Munchkies and her dog, Kaya, D-bone, Myst, 5 Beers, and more. I bought beers for them. We had good time. We chat by paper and pen. So, veteran thru hiker, a famous and probably a legend, came to me with paper and pen. I was surprised to learn that He is Balitmore Jack. He was very helpful and very nice. He is very cool guy. So, Paddler's pub closed at 10. Its so early. So, I went back to hostel for a good and nice sleep.
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up and decided to stay for another night. My another zero day! I like the hostel and the Hot Springs. So, thruhiker in the same room as mine, left and another thru hiker came in, which was Myst. I was glad to be his hostel roommate. So, during the day, I bought 6 pack bass ale, and went outside backyard of Sunnybank Inn. There was a rocking chair. The backyard is big, and had fountain, flowers, various of plant, clothesline, and extreme beautiful. I sat on the rocking chair, watching other thruhikers, who did some work for stay duties. I signed up for dinner with Sunnybank Inn. I went upstair of the hostel, which is about 130 years old.   So, I saw some history of Elmer Hall, who sold his very busy restuarant and he was a chef. Some different interesting stories of Sunnybank Inn. So, at 7pm, the dinner was ready and wow, I loved the food. It was so great. The dinner was served on long table with two candles. It was so perfect, and I felt it was a family. I enjoyed the dinner. Then I went to Paddler's Pub and had some converstation with other thru hikers there and saw Balitmore Jack there. So, At about 9;45pm, I decided to leave the Pub and went back to sleep at hostel.
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up, and started to pack. I left Sunnybank Inn at about 11:30 in the morning. The day was ugly in the morning but not so bad during my hike. I arrived Spring Mountain Shelter and saw Ghost Dog and Swan there. Another thruhiker, Rocket, came in. So, four of us slept in the shelter. The hike after the Hot Springs were beautiful sighting of the Hot Springs down from the mountain.
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: broken clouds

Got up, foggy, and not a nice day to start but not rainning. So, while hike on some descent down the mountain, I hike pretty fast and apparently I scared a black snake that was resting on the trail, and it flipped itself, and jumped out into the trail. I got my pack off quickly, and took picture of this snake. It was my first snake sightseeing on the trail!   I learned later on the same week that snake wasn't poisonous.
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

I woke up and was depressed to see a heavily clouded. It wasn't rain during that morning. So, when I left and hiked up until I arrived Blackstaff Cliff, Big Butt Mountain, it started to rain hard. I got soaked when I arrived Jerry Cabin Shelter. I was very disappointed that my waterproof boots wouldnt do any help to keep my feet dry. So, I fought the rain until I got to Flint Mountain Shelter. I saw two thru hikers there, Ghost Dog and Bones. We had some chat. Then when dark fell, we went back to sleep.
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I decided to take a zero day at that shelter because of cold, cloudy and look like another rainny day. My clothes are soaked and got no dry clothes left. Ghost Dog and Bones Left. Another thru hiker stayed with us. I forget her name. Later in the day, Myst arrived but left. Many more thru hikers arrived. The shelter got full and crowded. A female thru hiker who planned to stay another day, decided to leave late afternoon with D-bone. So, another thruhiker finally ignited a campfire. I put my wet boot and socks by campfire.   Everything got dried up good. It was a very good campfire.