morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-15
From: 2 miles past Davenport Gap

To: Max Patch Summit
Miles today: 14.0

This was a long, but interesting day. We began with a really long climb up Sugar Loaf Mountain. It was a beautiful day for hiking and the flowers were fantastic. There were lots of Trilliums, Daisies, butter cups, and little white flowers with tiny purple stripes in them. Sometimes there were so many of them on the mountain side that it looked like it was dusted with snowflakes. We got to Groundhog Creek shelter, but decided to keep going, little did we know that there was no water to be had for quite some distance. We only planned to go about 2-3 miles, but were running out of water, so we kept hiking. We came to Brown Gap and some friendly day hikers gave us about a liter of water, but that still was cutting it pretty close, especially if we wanted to use some of our water to make supper, so we hiked. About .8 of a mile before Max Patch we came to a friendly little stream. Ah!         We had about an hour of daylight left, but went on anyways. Just at dusk, we made the summit. It is a beautiful grassy mountain top that was once an old homestead. It is a great place to watch the sun go down. Tonight was especially pretty because the moon was almost full. We ate a late supper by moonlight after we put up our tent in the dark. It was a long day, but a good one.
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Mox Patch Summit

To: Camp Site on Bluff Mountain
Miles today: 10.0

Fantastic start to the day! The sun was coming up and the view from Mox Patch Summit was gorgeous! Steppenwolf came in last night about 11:45, I saw him come up to the top in the moonlight, just a dark figure against the silvery sky. We exchanged greetings and I went back to bed. This morning there was a kite flying over the camp site. He had carried it all the way form Franklin to put it up at the perfect spot. Camped here are the two Petes, Sour Mash, Dirty Frank, and us.        We camped part way up Bluff Mountain at a really nice site. Someone left firewood and we made a great fire. Since we spotted a bit early and had plenty of water, we made a nice supper. Tomorrow we hope to make Hot Springs. This is the way most days go: 7AM- Wake up as the sun comes into the tent7:30- Begin the day by picking up and eating breakfast8:30 or 9- Start hiking12- Take 20 min. or so for lunch, usually beef jerky and tuna fish and pretzels or crackers. Gatorade or Tang.3-Take another break and decide how far we want to o before camping.6 or 7- stop for the night and put up the tent. Eat supper. If it is early, we may make a fire and/or visit other hikers.9- Go to bed and sleep.-Lots of fresh air-Lots of exercise-Good water from mountain streams, filtered and treated with viral stuff. We each drink about 2 liters a day.-Lots of sleep-9hrsFew Concerns--        Do we have enough water?-        Where will we tent for the night-        Do we have enough ibuprofen for our aches and pains?-        How far is it to the next town and real food? We measure this in days of hiking.-        Will it rain, snow?-        Are our clothes, feet, sleeping bag dry?-        Do we have mole skin for our blisters?-        Where should we hang our bear bags?Tomorrow we will be in Hot Springs. We will get our first shower and clean clothes in five days. We will also get to call the folks back home and find out the latest events. I do love it out here, but it is good to come to town occasionally.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Hot Springs

To: Fire Tower Campsite
Miles today: 10.0

   Even though we left Hot Springs about 12:30 PM, we still managed to make 9 miles. It was pleasant walking even though there was a threat of rain, and we kept our rain gear on which made things a bit stuffy. We drank a lot of water on the ups. We are camped just past the trail to the fire tower. The two Petes are here along with Retro, Orbit, Genesis and his dog Cody. It made for pleasant company around the fire we built tonight. There are some interesting things happening to me as I hike the AT. At first I felt the pack weight on my back constantly and felt the burning in my leg muscles every step I took up the hills. Now I walk along without even feeling the pack weight most of the time and my mind drifts to other matters.   Another interesting change that has taken place is that my senses seem more alert. It is almost like I was a child again seeing a flower for the first time, hearing the birds, smelling the pine trees, tasting food, feeling the warmth of the campfire. Both Relentless and I have had some strange dreams. I'm not sure why; perhaps because of sleeping on hard pads on the ground or having blood pumping to the brain all day. Who knows? At any rate, they are vivid and stay in the memory when morning comes. Other hikers seem to report more dreams too.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Big Butt
Miles today: 9.7

It was hard to get going today, but we finally left camp at 9:55. Everyone else was already gone. It was another lovely day! We caught up with Retro and Orbit at Jerry Cabin Shelter where they were trying to doctor Retro's two big heel blisters. This is a very common problem on the trail and a very painful one. We saw some great views from the top of the mountain, must have been able to see 30 or 40 miles. There was a tombstone there to mark where the ashes of a '68 thru-hiker are buried. I can see why he would want his ashes there. We were doing pretty well and really enjoying the day until we came to some big rocks. I tried to get over one of the biggest without using my hands and toppled over sideways down the rocks, the weight of the pack helping to break the fall but also helping me get off balance in the first place. Fortunately, all I got was a nasty bump on the chin. I had to call up the trail to Relentless for some help because I was wedged on my side with my pack stuck in the rocks and I couldn't get it off or get back on my feet. He got me out of this situation and carried my pack up the rocks for me to where he had left his pack when I yelled for help. This is why it isn't a good idea to hike alone.Window did come along just as we were getting my pack back on. At least on the AT there are almost always other hikers traveling the same route. Shortly after the fall, we came to field named Big Butt. It was early, but I was done in by the fall and thinking of how much worse it could have been. My jaw hurts a bit and will probably swell and turn black and blue and my right wrist hurts but I don't think it is broken.   Today is Easter. Our dinner consisted of the following ingredients all mixed together: chicken chunks, dried veggies, gravy mix, dehydrated milk, and stove top stuffing mix. Believe it or not, that doesn't tast too bad. Gary and I shared the pot of yummy stuff.   Jack on the Mountain-2 showed up just as we were getting things put away for the night. He's camped a little ways from us in the field. We are in the tent early, 7:30PM but there is really nothing else to do and the little black bugs were driving us crazy.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: 4 miles from Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Water Tower on the way to Big Bald
Miles today: 9.0

We had a good night's sleep at our camp site and quickly made the trip to the Hogback Ridge Shelter. We went for water, a nice loooong walk from the shelter and then had coffee, sausage and hot broth. We saw a couple of other hikers there, Nothing Decent and Dragon Fly. It was pretty cold when we stopped hiking, so the coffee and broth really hit the spot.   We hiked on to Sam's Gap where we got a ride in the back of a red pickup truck to a little resaurant about 3 miles from the trail. The driver picked up Dragon Fly along the way, so the three of us ate a good dinner together and then got a ride back from another customer in the restaurant. He was really nice and went out of his wy to rearrange the tools in his van so that the 3 of us could fit in there. He strapped our packs on top and off we went back to the trail very content with our tummies full for a change.   The food gave us energy and we decided to hike until close to dark because we wouldn't need to cook, just set up the tent. Dragon Fly was a lot faster and planned to climb the bald and get to the next shelter. We just planned to go until about dark and find a place to camp.   We passed up one really great spot and then another where the places for a tent weren't very level. Then we began to climb and climb some more. The wind was whipping the trees about, and I was a bit worried that we wouldn't find a place that was level and out of the wind before dark. It was getting colder too. Then I spotted a big fat round tank with a little shed beside it. It was a water tank and there was a no tresspassing sign on the shed. We found a good spot for the tent close to the tank and behind some small pines. It is supposed to go to below 32 degrees tonight and with the wind chill, I'm sure it will be colder. We are probably tresspassing, but no one is coming up here to find us tonight. We are warm and cozy in our tent with all of our clothes on and our sleeping bags. The wind is making nasty noises outside. I'm not sure how close we are to the top of Big Bald but that isn't where I want to be on a night like this. Some hikers coming south today said it was too foggy to see much from there today. I hope it clears so we can get a good view tomorrow.
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Erwin

To: Morganton
Miles today: 0.0

We got a ride into Erwin after checking out of the Holiday Inn and stopped at Miss Janet's House where we planned to spend the night in her hostel. It was filled with hikers, some coming, some leaving for the trail and some going off in Miss Janet's van for slack packing. While we were there, we met NEAN, a hiker from TX who was heading home. He offered us a ride as far as Ashville, and we accepted because it would put us 58 miles closer to Charlotte and our car. We decided we would try to hitch a ride from there and get as close as we could my brother's house. We got a ride from a nice young lady who took us to Black Mountain and another ride from there with two nice young men who dropped us off at the Super 8 in Morganton where we spent the night. I really don't recommend hitch hiking, but I have to say that the people who have given us rides have been wonderful! Thanks to all of you. One of the things that hiking the trail has given me is an increased faith in the basic goodness and generousity of people. The mass media and movies focus our attention on the evil actions of a few, but every day millions of Americans are showing kindness and caring to each other, going out of their way to help one another.
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Morganton

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

We got up early this morning and started to hitch hike about 10AM after eating breakfast and packing up. We had a bit of a wait until a man in a white car stopped for us. He was about 60 and as he loaded our packs in his trunk he said,"Well, you don't looked like you've murdered anyone." He was going as far as 77 which would put us within about 60 miles of Charlotte. We enjoyed talking with him. When we got to 77, we went to Shoney's Restaurant to eat an AYCE breakfast. Of course we took our packs into the resaurant with us. What else could we do with them? When we came up to the hostess to be seated, she looked at the cashier and said in an audible whisper, "Where should we put them?" The cashier shrugged and she led us to a booth where we propped our packs beside us and slide in. I called my brother's house, and he came to pick us up and take us back to get our car and see the family. It was a pretty hectic weekend for them because my youngest neice was getting ready for prom and the other had brought a boyfriend home with her from college. We visited for a short while and headed home. It seemed strange to be driving a car again and even stranger when we walked into our house about midnight. After lots of nights in tents and a few in shelters and hotel rooms, we acatually had a whole house to ourselves!We had never fully appreciated our home. My neighbor, Jackie had put flowers on the table with a welcome home note and also filled our refrigerator with milk, OJ, and left us some goodies for breakfast.
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

It was nice to wake up in my house but it seemed strange to be there. Was hiking the AT a dream or was I dreaming that I'm home? WE ate the food that Jackie left us for breakfast. That was sooo nice! Then later in the day I went swimming with Karen and then walking with Jackie. The Rec. Center pool felt so good! Especially the hot tub. We even went down the water slide. Oh the joys of civilized life!
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

Our first task of the day was to visit the outfitter about Gary's pack. They were very good about admitting the big mistake they made in selling him a large when he really should have had a small pack with a medium hip belt. They agreed to give him a new pack the right size in exchange for the one he had carried for 300 + miles. Can't complain about that. They even had it shipped special from the company so that we could get hiking as soon as possible.
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

We went to Columbus to see our children and our dog. We had a nice breakfast with our son, Jon and took the dog for a long walk after Jon went to work. We had dinner with our daughter, Kristen and her fiance, Jay. It was wonderful to see everyone again. Pancakes and eggs for breakfast, German Beer and sausage for dinner. Ah! Makes hungry hikers so content!
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

My cousin, Leila came to Medina to go swimming with me at the rec. center. We had a good time, and I got some exercise doing laps with her. I've also been walking with Jackie and Sherri the 3.8 miles on level land without a pack. This is usually followed by beer on Jackie's fron porch. What a nice pleasant life I am going to give up to hike root and rocks strewn mountain trails while starving myself! It will be hard to go back. I am really enjoying catching up on the news and seeing all of my family and friends.
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

We went to the mall where Gary got his hair cut. We both look almost civilized now. I got mine cut and dyed on Sunday. I talked him into keeping the beard until we are done with the hike, so he still looks a little like a mountain man.After the hair cut, we went to the outfitter and got his new pack. The manager at Newman's really worked to make sure it fit this time. We must have spent two hours while they tried various hip belts, shoulder harnesses and adjusted it. After walking a long way with a pack that wasn't right, it was good to know this pack would fit well.
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

I met the Medina H.S. social studies and foreign language teachers at Damon's for happy hour. It was fun to catch up on the news at MHS. It also made me realize how much easier life is on the trail. There are so many difficult problems in everyday life. Conflicts between people, decisions to make, etc. On the trail, decisions are limited and most problems one encounters have clear cut solutions. The mountain up hills are tough but able to be conquered. Real life problems often seem to have no solution that will please everyone. When things go wrong on the trail, there is no one to blame but one's self. When problems occur in the work place, people try to blame each other.   The trail is also a lot like life, up hills, level times and down hill coasting. It doesn't pay to worry about the up hills that are coming up, and it is important to enjoy the level times and downhills while they last. Most uphills lead to a fantastic vista, and I've found that the hardest times in life often lead people to give their best and create something beautiful from something difficult or sad.
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

We drove to Oxford, OH so that we could be there for Kristen's graduation from Miami University of Ohio. We went out to eat with Kristen, Jon, Jay, and their friend, Adam. After dinner we went to a graduation party for Kristen's friend, Beth. We couldn't stay at the party very long though because we had an hour and a half drive back to our hotel in Richmond, IN, just across the border from OH. It was great being with the kids!
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Richmond, IN

To: Oxford, OH
Miles today: 0.0

The day started out well, and we were ready to drive to Oxford with lots of time to spare. We went down to the lobby to eat our continental breakfast and really enjoyed the food. Then we discoved that we had a problem. The security lock on the door to our hotel room had latched when we left. Now all of our belongings AND the keys to the car were locked inside. Fianlly a man came and broke the lock to let us in. Fortunately, we still got to the graduation on time and even got good seats. Kristen was a Dean's scholar and helped with putting on a performance to give parents and guests a view of the life of fine arts students. She also graduated Magna Cum Laude. We are so proud of her! On Tues. she leaves for Russia with her choir from Miami. They will perform with various Russian groups to help promote good will between our nations. It was hard saying good-bye to the kids. This will be the last we will see them for about 4 or five months unless they come to hike with us when we get to PA.
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

Today I spent shopping for food for the trail. I think I bought too much. In the after noon, my cousin called to tell me that my Uncle, Lester Snyder had passed away. He was 93 years old and in poor health. It is hard to see my parent's generation leave. It just points out the need to live every moment the best I can because life is very short.
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

Tonight I went walking with Sherri and Jackie. We stopped at Jo Jo's and watched American Idol while drinking a couple of beers and eating hamburgers.I find I am really out of touch with what has been going on in the news and on TV. It was fun to hang out with friends. If I don't go back to the trail soon, I may never get the ambition to finish this venture. Life is so pleasant and comfortable here!
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Medina

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0

I went to the calling hours for my Uncle Lester. It was good to see family members, especially my Aunt Margaret. She is also 93 and has a wonderful attitude toward life. I feel very sad knowing how much she will miss my uncle. I have many good memories of my Uncle Lester and Aunt Margaret and feel so very lucky to have been born into a loving extended family that believed in staying close with each other. I am surprised to learn how many people have been reading our journal and cheering us on.
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Medina

To: I-81
Miles today: 0.0

We had planned to leave for the trail early in the morning, but things don't always turn out as planned. Miss Janet called to say that she couldn't pick us up from the Tri-City Airport until after 12 noon tomorrow and the packing wasn't going well anyway. We changed our time to pick up the rental car from 8AM until noon. We finally got going about 3PM and made it to I-77 and I-81 , within 68 miles of the airport by 10 PM. Not the way we had it planned at all. We hadn't eaten supper, so at 10 PM we went to Ruby Tuesdays and got their salad bar. They were closing at 11, but the food was good.   While driving down 77, I kept thinking of my Uncle Lester and is family. I felt bad about not going to the funeral. Mostly I thought aobut how much he enjoyed camping and traveling. He and my Aunt Margaret wen to FL every year in the winter and they traveled and camped with my parents out west and to Alaska. They had a lot of fun on those trips. I'm glad they made the most of their retirement years. As I travel down 77, I think about all the times they must have made this trip on the way to FL, going through the mountain tunnel, seeing the beauty. Uncle Lester was a quiet, steady type of guy and I will miss him. He was one of the anchors of the family that kept us from going too far adrift. My mother always said that, " Lester always does the right thing." He never forgot to keep in touch with her. Even after she was gone, he called me once when he heard that Medina was getting bad weather to make sure everything was alright with us. He worked as a mechanic on trains and I will think of him when I hear the whistle of the trains and see them on the tracks.
Date: 2003-05-11
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Hughes Gap
Miles today: 12.0

This has been a super day even though it started out raining. It ended with us at a place we didn't intend on being tonight but are enjoying greatly. Gary had a hard time sleeping last night, probably due to the nap he took as soon as we got to camp. He was up and down all during the night looking at the moon. I slept well except for the few times he woke me up getting in and out of the tent. It was tough getting him to take off early this morning, but I could feel the rain coming and I wanted to get packed up before it got the tent all wet. We got stared about 8 AM. There was a good mixture of ups and downs and a bit of a shower but no lightning. We wore our rain gear about half the day- hot. The good thing about rainy weather is that it keeps the bugs away and it cools things down. There was a really nice breeze blowing most of the day.   The fowers were really something else today! They were everywhere, Trilliums, forget-me-nots, May Apples and a bright golden flower that looks like a small gold daisy (St. John's Wart? ) There was a field just covered with the gold flowers. The forest was damp from the rain- I love that smell.   We climbed a knob just before Hughes Gap and the road that had a spectacular view. It was tough going up because we were tired and it was pretty rocky at the top. It had rocks like the ones I fell on just before Big Butt and that made me a bit nervous climbing them and VERY cautious.   When we got to Hughes Gap, we had to decide what were going to do about camping because there was no place to camp at the gap. We could hitch to a camp ground about 2 miles fromt the trail or walk 2.4 miles up the trail to a flat place and pitch the tent. While we were trying to decide, we got a ride from a very nice lady in the back of her white pick-up truck. She took us all the way to Roan Mountain State Park which is where I am writing this. I'm doing the laundry while I write, and I even met someone who will give us a ride back to the trail early tomorrow morning. He is planning to do a thru-hike himself after he retires. So, we are showered, have clean clothes and a great tent site! Even a can of soda. How lucky can you get?!!