morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Stover Creek

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Another bold 12 mile day (yesterday was the 8.8 approach trail plus the 2.5 to stover). I met many thru hikers today including: Barbie, Harley-Hogpit, Poles, Z-Money, Dave, Matt, Sun-crow and many others. The party started today. Almost every thru-hiker "gets rowdy," if you follow me.Yesterday I wondered how I'd entertain myself after Adam and Bob left. Now I have no doubts as the thru-hiker community is a source of nomadic bliss.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: woods hole shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: snow

Ups and downs today. Also, I found many renegade tent spots in the woods all day. Georgians love their camping. It rained on and off all day. Now, with the sun setting (which can't be seen) it is pouring rain.The guys will leave me soon. It has been fun, yet I also look forward to being a "lone hiker."Many nice views of valleys and blue ridge Mtns today. It would have been even nicer if it was clear out. Upon entering the Blood Mountain wilderness, I sensed we were entering more rugged, untamed area. And we did.Ideas I had today:Golite trash bag sheltersPowdered beer
Date: 2006-03-21
From: woods hole shelter

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained a fair amount last night. Cleared up this mornin' though. Squarl made a rendition of Twisted Sister's "We're not gonna take it" called " I am gonna make itk(to Katahdin)."Summited Blood Mountain around 8. Was at Neel's Gap around 9. I spent a good part of the day resting and resupplying at Neel's gap, where the trail actually goes through an Outfitter/resupplier. At 1:30 I parted ways with Bob and Adam. They are good friends to come out here with me. It would have been a lonely first few nights without them. I am making lots of freinds now though. Squarl, Matt, Mo, Sun crow, Jill and myself are all keeping a similiar pace, so I should see them around the trail for a while.After Neels, I entered another wilderness area. This was the most secluded yet, as most of the hikers I was with previously took a hostel day, which I didn't need this early. The hike from Neels to here was very beautiful as there were many Blue Ridge views at the higher elevations. This shelter sucks a chaffed butt. There was a beautiful 1.2 mile side trail to get to this crummy place. Just squarl and I here tonight. I hope to keep warm in this poo-hole.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

I suppose it's Wednesday today. Woke up w/ snow on my stuff. A lot of wind and freezin' last night. I thought Squarl's thumpin' foot was a bear commin' to devour me.My new trail name (at least for the time being) is PeiYong (phonetically Pee-Young). Squarl was at Whitley before me last night pretending to shoot birds. When he told me, I was all like, "Pee-young," which was supposed to sound like a gun shot, but ended up sounding like an Anime effect.Hiked on sore left ankle today. Ain't slowin' me down though. Got a short day tommorow. Hopefully it will mend. The strech from Low Gap to Blue Mountain is easy and scenic. Good views of Brass Town Bald (Highest peak in GA at about 5200 ft).Great sunset last night. Things like my sore ankle + mice runnin' all around the shelter will be a good test of my patience. In turn this my prove to by a faith-building expereince as well.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Adiss Gap
Miles today: 13.0

Big Miles today. My feet are bloody and sore. Thank goodness for Ibuprofen. I saw a bear cub today. It was in front of me heading north on the trail. It held SunCrow, Jill and myself up for a half an hour or so. We didn't want to go toward this small bear because1. Mama might be near2. We didn't want to scare it into the road (We were right near Unicoi gap)So, we had to bushwhack past perhaps .02 miles (that's right; two-hundreths) of the trail. I am no longer a "purist (someone who hikes the whole A.T. Literally)." Tommorow I head 5 miles to Dick Creek Gap and spend the day + night in town for some much needed rest.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Adiss Gap

To: Hiawassee, Ga
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After 5 miles of Up and Down hikin', I made it into Hiawassee. Today has been good to me thus far. At Dick's creek Gap, Squarl and I hitched into Hiawassee, which is 11 miles west of the trail. Squarl, Baltimore Jack and myself are sharring a room in the Holiday Inn Express here tonight. I have introduced Squarl in previous entries. Baltimore Jack is an interesting cat. He has thru-hiked the trail 8 times, 7 of which were consecutive. Last time he completed a thru-hike was '03. He knows the trail very well, and has given me valuable advice on resupplying, where to get good water, and what counties are dry.Squarl and I took advantage of the free bike rentals at the Hotel and went to get McDonald's, which never tasted so good before in my life. After that, We got groceries for the next 3-4 days of hiking. Tonight we will drink beer and go to an all you can eat buffet, which thru hikers shortened to AYCE. From here, I will hike 40 miles to Franklin North Carolina, which is my next resupply point. Tommorow, I will be hiking across the state lines in to North Carolina, my second state on the A.T.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Hiawassee, Ga

To: Muskrat Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.6

After a soothing night in town, Squarl and I got a quick hitch back to the trail where we hiked a difficult 11.6 miles with many ascents. Early in the day we could see that there were snow covered mountains in the distance. Later in the day we realized that was exactly where we were headed.Turns out those snowy mountains were right over the border in North Carolina. After an exhausting day, we meandered into camp where we got in early enough for shelter spots. I hung my foodbag manually for the first time so far, and w/Squarl's help, started a fire. It will be a freezing night stuffed in the shelter. So far, no signs of mice
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Muskrat Creek Gap

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

I hiked me first 5000er of the trip today. Standing Indian at 5498'. Beautiful views from the summit.Squarl arrived at camp early to make a fire. When I got there, I discovered that there was a second shelter that was much nicer than the crappy old shelter Squarl was makin' a fire at. At the new shelter we found a couple of hunting dogs hangin' around. One mooched a few peanut butter sandwhiches, cheese, jerky and other assorted foods.Now we are a maxin' round the fire. Should be warm in my tent tonight. Dig it. It's a dang 'ole hippie freak fest on foot out here.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Carter Gap

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

There was some fatty trail magic on Big Butt Mountain today. Pancakes and coffee. Mmmmmmm.I had my first backwoods dump today as I skipped out on the privy fun. Funny enough, my first woods dump was on "Big Butt Mountain." Ha Ha. The rest of the day I hiked w/Ponch after we met up on the summit of Mt. Albert. We talked about China and had a rowdy time. I made a fire at camp today. Much of the crowd shuffled in. We might hike 4 miles to Winding gap tommorow and spend some time in Frankline ressuplying, and are thinking of slack-packing southbound back to Franklin 10 miles the next day. We'll see.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Rock Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I neroed (any day under 6 miles)today. I'm spending the night in Franklin at some Motel with Ponch, Moe, and Squarl. Deciding against the flip-floppin' slack-pack, tommorow I will continue full pack going north and camp the night after Wayah bald. Should be warm weather for the rest of the week.After getting in town today, I stuffed myself silly on mexican food. This is the first county I've been in that sells liquor. dig. Gonna bring some whiskey out of town so that I can celebrate my birthday with friends on the 31st. Should prove to be a rowdy trail-pirate event.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: camp after unnamed rd
Miles today: 10.5

After a nero/ressuply in Franklin, I hit the trail northbound with four days of food; enough food to reach Fontana Dam, which is the Southern entrance to the Smokies.It was uphill all day. I witnessed my first bald mountain today. My new shoes feel great as I didn't pop painkillers all day.Two miles from the top I ran into a multitude of my trail friends who were slackpacking southbound, down from Wayah Bald in celebration of Rasta Legs' birtday. I took whiskey shots with Rasta and many others in passing.At the top of Wayah, River Wizard hooked Squarl and I up with some fatty trail magic: Burgers, dogs and beer. Great views from the bald, commotion birthday style, fatty trail magic; all in all a good day. Snoogins
Date: 2006-03-30
From: camp after unnamed rd

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Water filter broke today. Other than that a fine day of hiking. Blue skies as I hit up two more balds today. Had a rowdy time 'round the fire tonight. Squarl and I had "The world's smallest fire" contest. I've become alright at makin' a small fire, as I have been cooking many of my dinners over open flames in good weather in order to save fuel. I'm less than forty miles from the Smokies now and starting to get really excited. If I can make it thru there, I'll have hiked two of the hardest parts of the whole trail (Smokies and the Whites) and will be able to take on almost anything Connecticut has to throw at me. HAHAHA!It's my birthday tommorow. I'm gonna treat myself to a new water filter and some whiskey. Goodnight
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

All I can say is that today is probably the best birthday I've ever had. I got up early and was completely alone on the five mile hike down to NOC. When I arrived, a worker at the outfitter fixed my water filter for free.Shortly after, Last Minute, who had mistakenly given me untreated water two day earlier, treated me to a breakfast at the River's End restauraunt. I had Biscuts and Gravy and Sausage, and a Biscuit egg and sausage sandwhich.Later on I had a contest with Moe and Rasta Legs to see who could dunk their feet in the freezing river the longest. I emerged the victor. Moe and Ponch started the 15 dollar challenge, which is to make through the Smokies on fifteen bucks. Poles was the first to whish me a happy birthday. Forty-two wished me a happy birthday and even got everyone to turn strobe mode on their headlamps which is a favorite of mine.The only person I saw all day hiking was Last Minute, as I hiked to the tentsite. I finally reuinitedy with Suncrow, Sunshine Daydream (formerly Jill), and Little Spot (formerly Dave) today. Finally got the names of the Ausies straight as well: Waltzing Matilda, Bluey, and Vegimite on toast, who is also 23. I also reunited with Erock, who I haven't seen since Blue MTN.I write this as I'm winiding down in my tent to the sound of raindrops on my rainfly. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday. God has truly blessed me with good health, good hiking and beautiful companions on this journey. The next six months are going to be great.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Campsite

To: Brown Frok Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

I had a goodnight sleep thru the rain. In the morning I saw a salamander on a rock. I was poking it with a stick for a minute before it moved! It was alive.Rasta and I hiked together up until the very end of the day. It was interesting hearing about life in Seattle and her world travels.My water filter was all clogged today so I gave it a rinse. Should be better for a while.At Stecoah gap, Last minute's friends hooked us up trail magic style with hotdogs, soda, potato salda, chips/salsa cookies...etc... Best TM to date.The actual hiking today was very tough. Heady mountains all day. This was definitely one of the toughest sections so far. At camp tonight I did some laundry with my camp suds. Afterwards I hung my bearbag. The fireside fun was great tonight. I talked to Poles, who's from B.C. right outside Vancouver. She can think in French and English! What a trip. We might have a day of no talking on the trail just her and I. Canadians are softspoken, but I think I could hang in there. God has blessed me with wonderful companions.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Brown Frok Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I now have one friends named Nira.Poles and I hiked to the campsite 2.5 above NC28 today. From there I decided to go on into Fontana. I failed the fifteen dollar challenge by about ten bucks, but did get half my food for free from the hiker box in town.I exhausted my leg muscle comming down into Fontana, so I decided to take a zero day here at the fontana shelter, which is called the Fontana Hilton. It is a nice shelter with restrooms and hot shower up the road. Ponch and Moe are zeroin with me tommorow. We are going to drink beer and be lazy. Squarl is leaving tommorow. He's been with me since day two. My first big goal was to make it to North Carolina. My second was to make it to the Smokies. My third is to make it thru. After that, I want to make it to Damascus VA. By that time, it will take a bulldozer to stop me. Heat lightning tonight.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

My first zero today, and it's hightime I've had one. I think I might have been developing a shin splint on my left leg. It's feeling pretty good now. With some vitamin I (ibuprofen) and a slow pace, I'll make it thru the Smokies with my hiker pals. Ponch, Moe and myself gotta six pack in town today. It was a lazy day of ressuply, naps and beer in Fontana. Tommorow I head to the Smokies, which kind of scare me. There was lightning across the lake on the Smokies last night, and Foreboding clouds today despite great weather here at the Fontana Hilton. I'm planning on five nights, six days thru the Great Smokey Mtn national park. After that, Doulbe Cheesburgers, beer, whiskey and girls that shower.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

Popped a few vit. I's this morning and hit the Smokies. The weather was great. Ponch and I spotted a woody-woodpecker.I climbed onto the roof of the fire tower a top Shuckstack Mtn. I had to climb up a ladder that was leaning on a window, then thru a hole in the roof to get on it. From up there I could see miles in every dierction, but took a quick picture and got out of there because I was scared.The forest is really alive on the ridge up here. You can see, smell, hear and feel it. I look forward to the next few days and hope my leg improves. It felt alright today."Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled."-Psalm 6:2I am fortunate to have made it this far. The human boday is fragile. We are not ment to carry forty pounds on our back thru the mountains. I pray that my body will not fail, for my heart is dedicated to finishing and enjoying the A.T. in its etirety.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Silers Bald
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

I was blessed with great weather yet again today on the trail. I took advantage of the weather by hiking over seventeen miles! On the day's first in a series of grassy balds, I met up with Grinds, who I hiked with for a good part of the day. I got good shots of the balds, and a shot of Grinds atop Thunderhead, which is one of the highest peaks I've bagged yet at over 5500'. Other highlights of the day included:1. Snapping a picture of the most glorious butterfly.2. Finding a nice sitting log with moss on it and having a drink of cool spring water with Poles at said log.My 17.2 mile day put me 5.5 ahead of Rasta. That's nearly a half day. Moe and Ponch made the big Trek tho, so I'm in good campany. Unfortunately I may further the Gap between Rasta, 42, and crew tommorow as I am anticipating a 15.5 mile day. There isn't as much elevation change tho, so it should be a nicer day. Before sunset, Grinds, Tec, and myself hiked .3 to the bald to watch a picturesque sunset in the Smokies. Tec was sinigng Cumbaya and desperado. At one point just before the sunset, Grinds blasted "Born in the USA," on his I Pod. It's great to be out here.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Silers Bald

To: Icewater Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I was up first and out just around sunrise. Not a whole lot to say about today's hike. I summited the highest peak on the trail today, Clingmans Dome at 6643'. The views from the top weren't the day's best. There was an observation tower at the top, otherwise there would have been no view.At NewFound Gap I was overwhelmed with a mini Bulldozer and a plethora of Gatlinburgians/tourists from G-Burg. A bunch asked us about our hikes: "You boys headin' to Maine?" Then, on the way to the shelter I had to exchange casual hellos with what must have been at least twenty people.At the shelter, I met up with Squarl, who I hadn't seen since Fontana. he had a tough three miler out of G-Burg. I'm glad Squarl is back. Many of the floks I stayed with at Silers last night are staying the night in G-Burge. The shelter is full though, as a bunch of "Weekend Nancie" just arrived. Guess we'll have to make room. O Brother. I look forward to Cosby and its abundance of food.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Icewater Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

God blessed me with beautiful weater on what was supposed to be a dismall day. Furthermore, my prayers for a better ankle/leg are slowly being answered. I moved slow today thru beatuiful Smokey mountain ridge lines. The highlight of my day was meeting up with Rasta and 42 again. At camp I made a fire and cooked my meals over the fire to save fuel. Tommorow I'll be a mile from the edge of the park. The Smokies have been beautiful, but I look forward to being out of here. I don't like the rules and regulations of the park:1. Weekend Nancies have priority in the shelters over thru-hikers! We can actually be booted from a shelter if weekenders show up.2. We can't tent anywhere, unless the shelter is full, in which case we can tent right outside the shelter in a mine-field of poop.Cosby is a day and 1/2 away. Food, whiskey and showerin' women await! YEEHA!
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Tri-Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Today's hike was quite wet. I hiked for quite a while thru flooded trail. Needless to say my shoes and socks were soaked. I'm glad to be in good health. My ankle/leg is feeling better by the day. At the shelter today, Ponch started a fire which was used to dry my shoes and super-feet insoles. We are going three miles north to Standing Bear hostel toomorow, where there will be a shuttle into town, so I can ressuply before Hot Springs. I'm glad to be leaving the Smokies, w/ its abundance of freaky-ass rules and obnoxious weekend hikers, who are absolutely inferior to thru-hikers in every way but personal hygene.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: clear sky

Thank Goodness! I'm free of the Smokey MTS! The nomadic party continues. Rasta, Mo, Ponch and myself rolled deep into Standing Bear Hostel around 10 AM, followed shortly by 42 and Squarl. Squarl left us, but the rest of us partied hardy. I played 6 string for the first time since I left home. Curtis, who helps run the Hostel, lent me his guitar to play at an open mic night at a slammin' mexi-restauraunt. I played "I've been all Around this World," "Dire Wolf," and "The Weight," which were all well received. The host of the night asked me to play more, but I didn't know many more lyrics. I'm a guitarist, not a singer. However, jammin' around the fire with Ponch, I remembered the lyrics to "One of My Turns," by Pink Floyd, which we sang afew times.WE hijakced the Hostel's sole vehicle for a ressuply, which we all regretted later when Curtis wondered where the hell we were. None the less, we got some fatty eats, including hot dogs for tommorow's trail BBQ, and I got Spaghetti sauce, which I put in a pepsi bottle to save weight.Rasta and I are sleeping in the couples suite tonight! AHOO! We are staying there tonight (in seperate beds) because it is comforable and we will be avoiding an unsaid party. I also should mention that I had my first shower since March 28th today. The mirey grim pourethed of mine skin. What a glorious cleansing.The Smokey's are done. On to Hot Springs, then Erwin, where I will be eating fast food untile it causes chemically induced retardation. I'm rested and ready to rock. Double McSniggedy.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Shotrt day commin' out of Standing Bear today. My hiker appetite finally kicked in today. I had 4 candy bars, cheezits, four hot dogs, four slimjims (the little ones), beef jerky, cherry pie, two honey buns, and a blueberry muffin.This morning Rasta and myself had the most delicious breakfast in bed. Then we spent much of the morning in bed listening to IPod, streching, and general goofing off. Ponch , Mo and myself hit the trail mid-morning. It was a warm southern spring day. FLowers were blooming and the butterflies were fluttering about. Too bad they will die in fourteen days.LAter in the day, Ponch, Mo and myself stopped for a lovely snack break atop Snowbird Mountain, which, by the way, was one of the best bviews on the trail to date, as we could see 30-50 miles in all directions. We rested on the ground there for a while until 42 and Rasta showed up. Then the five of us lazed atop the open summit, bathing our glistening bodies in sunshine for about an hour. When we got into camp, we barbq'd hot dogs and were joined by Gunner, as well as Suncrow, and Sunshine Daydream, who I hadn't seen since Mollie's Ridge. How perfectly delightful it is to meet up with old friends. I'm glad to be able to tent again, as the man is no longer busting my balls Big Brother Smokey style. Life is blissful. Time for a night-hike.