morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: The Hike Inn
Miles today: 5.5

3/27Location: The Hike InnMileage: daily 5.5, total 161.7Title: The Hike InnIn ¢field of dreams¢ there¢s that famous scene where Shoeless Joe asks Kevin Costner¢s character ¢Is this heaven?¢ Costner's character says, of course, ¢No, this is Iowa.¢Well there is a little bit of heaven right here in Fontana dam, North Carolina. The Hike Inn, owned these last 12 years by Jeff and Nancy Hoch is such a place. Only 5 guest rooms, plus a main house where they live with their dogs and cats. Fruit trees bloom around the property which despite its beauty isn¢t all purchased and developed the county is 75% national forest or national park land. The love what they do¢¦ and it¢s heavenly.We descended 5.5 miles and took over the Inn, did laundry, went into town for tremendous meals (breakfast & dinner) Lots of liquid, of course, and topped it all of with another pint of ice cream before bed. We also picked up our mail drop here and found extra surprises from Melicca, Mom & Dad, Heather, Sue, Dave, Emily & Ben, Thanks All!Into great Smokey Mountain National Park tomorrow.
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Fontana Dam

To: eventually Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This journal entry by Melicca (Dave's wife):Dave called yesterday (Saturday 3/27). He seems in good spirits and the aches and pains have subsided a bit. The weather is quite a bit better (in the 70's, I think), so both he and Jeff were happier. They took a zero day yesterday and picked up their maildrops and ate. BTW: Thank you to Sue for the delicious cookies... several hikers on the trail benifited from your good cooking!! I've talked to him three times this week... worried I'm going to get spoiled with this kind of contact. They haven't had to use any medical supplies and despite the turn around on blood mtn, so far the trip has been void of any huge events. They're seeing the first smallest signs of Spring, so the next few weeks should bring more green and flowers. I did get a box back from them, but... and I know the suspense is killing everyone... the Scrabble game continues its way north and the umbrella hat did not make the cut!If you write or send small goodies to them, let me know, so that I can check to make sure they get everything at the maildrops! Or you could send it to me and I can add to a box down the line.
Date: 2004-03-28
From: The Hike Inn

To: Molline Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

3/28Location: Molline Ridge ShelterMileage: daily 14.7, total 174Another promiscuous day in the Smokies. Nine of us are camped in the shelter, girding our loins for summiting Clingman's Dome on Wednesday. The highest point along the whole AT (Ed. Question ¢ Isn¢t Mt. Washington in NH the highest? HW)Weather was beautiful today, but forecasts have warned us this may be the last nice day for a while. Rain, then temperatures are supposed to fall it¢ll get beneath freezing again and maybe snow. Oh joy! Well, we¢ll see.At least we ate well today. Six of us who had stayed at the Hike Inn last night brought some extra food and we lugged it all up the mountains all day, dreaming of Hobo¢s supper or bunson burgers whatever you want to call them. Hamburg meat, salsa, onions, peppers, carrots, etc and cooked in food packets on the coals of the fire. Then some of the guys shoed up from a short trip and generously gave us their extra steak. Oh we ate well. Goodnight to all.
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Molline Ridge Shelter

To: Silas Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: scattered clouds

3/29Location: Silas Bald ShelterMileage: daily 17.2, total 191.3Ouchies! 17.2! My feet hurt, but we are set for the assent on Clingman¢s Dome tomorrow and a short day. It¢s getting colder and snow is in the forecast. A bit of dinner, some ibuprofen, and it is sack time
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Silas Bald Shelter

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

3/30Location: Ice water Spring ShelterMileage: daily 15.5, total 206.8Title: High Point On ATToday we summitted the highest point on the AT, Clingman¢s Dome, elevation 6643 feet, it is all downhill from here!Actually that was disproved immediately as we climbed down of the down and then climbed back up Mt. Love. Again, walked off and on all day with the same group, Squish, the J-birds, and Rockhound. Here at the shelter there are another 7 people or so, so it is pretty crowded.A little snow this afternoon, but mostly the bad weather held off last night it rained really hard after dark fell, but all had stopped by the time we rolled out in the morning. Or mostly, ok we waited until nearly 9 AM for it to stop raining. Should be beneath freezing tonight. Goodnight.
Date: 2004-03-31
From: The Hike Inn

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: snow

3/31Location: Tri-Corner Knob ShelterMileage: daily 12.6, total 219.4Title: White DayHiked in snow all day today. By the time the snow finished and it hopefully has, there were 7 inches on the ground.Everything wet, freezing, this will be a short entryTotal white out, or gray-out for the day. Eerie, could see what was I was standing on the edgy of.Melicca, you are flying to New Orleans tonight. Hopefully you have a great trip, my thoughts are with you.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

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

4/1Location: Davenport Gap ShelterMileage: daily 14.8, total 234.2Title: Reprieve?What a difference today makes. I¢m writing by the light of a thick bed of glowing coals, in good company, and well fed. We¢re now all scribbling in our journals. One more mile and the GSMNP will be only a memory, and not a very favorable one. Of course, we saw it under about the most uncomfortable conditions. One difficult man-made aspect is the rule that the hikers must sleep in the shelters unless the shelter is full. This really limits where we can stay, which limits what we can hike. Anyway, that is now history. Long, cold hike of the mountain right today, with sleet coming down again in the morning on top of the snow. Turns out we got about 6-12 inches, everyone¢s water kept freezing, especially the ones using bladders instead of bottles.Gave a couple of trail names today, Ann and Chris and their dog Bo are now: Gear Guide, Gumby and Gumbo.Tomorrow¢s forecast is for snow again, maybe some rain. Anyway, Hot Springs is closer and within dreaming. We¢re planning a zero there.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: snow

4/2Location: Groundhog Creek ShelterMileage: daily 10.5, total 244.7Another snowy, blowing whiteout of a day. Which due to the conditions ended early. We only did about ten miles before crowding into a dark small shelter, wet, cold, and generally not happy. Then other folks started to tumble in, we met: Harmony, Numbas, Midas, Freight Train and others. Some section hikers considerately left the shelter ¢ or maybe we smelled too bad ¢ and went o the hike to the nearest campsite north. Thanks Boys!The thought which was going on in my head was to hike a hellava long day and get into warmth.Weather supposed to improve. We also did a short resupply at Standing Bear Farm. Very cool place, with a hostel, Internet access (sort of) run by a great guy named Curtis. We lit a fire and it was hard to leave the campsite to march back up into the blowing snow on the mountain.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Unknown Camp Site
Miles today: 20.0

4/3Location: Unknown CampsiteMileage: daily 20, total 264.7Twenty miles today to get within easy striking distance of Hot Springs. Difficult morning, lots of ups and downs, boots and socks completly soaked through in an ankle deep slush that make footing treacherous. I was walking alone in front for a while in the morning and in the gray, white, very still conditions it was kind of spooky.Anyway, after the second push up the mountains in the afternoon conditions got better as I walked off the mountain! Never underestimate altitude.A cool moment - walking along the bald max Patch with no trees to obscure the view the storm finally began to abate and though eyes tearing in the wind I could see forever! The trail was obscured by snowdrift so I just followed the blazes on 4-foot posts and meandered off the bald. Unlike many of the balds this one went off or a reasonable distance. Settled in at the stealth campsite at the end of the day, again until Squish Rockhound, and the J-birds. This has become my regular walking group
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Hot Springs

To: Miss Janet's
Miles today: 0.0

Melicca's entry --Spoke to Dave last night. They got a foot of snow or more and have kept hiking during the past week. Zero day on Monday and mail drops. They're planning to relax in a hot spring sometime on monday. (Side note: I still can't believe he kept going in the snow -- 20 mile day on Sunday! He HATES snow.)He and Jeff... oh, excuse me... Squish have been hiking on and off with several other hikers. And Dave...oh excuse me again... the green one...told me that they are really going by trail names now and he actually referred to Jeff as Squish in the course of our conversation, so it was strangly disorienting. But now of course I can't remember all the other hikers' names - except that one is Harmony (could be her real name), one is Burning Boot (or something like that) b/c he's scorching hikers boots - Dave was one of his marks, Rockhound (which is his actually profession, I think), Blue Jay (which is a couple hiking).... and sorry to the rest of you, I can't remember what he told me. For those of you keeping track of supplies that have returned. The game sleeve for the thermarest is in the next box to me. But! the Scrabble game endures - even though they've only played 1 game.But all in all, with the snow and long miles, he was in fabulous spirits. There are more journals and pictures forth coming from Green one and Squish.
Date: 2004-04-06
To: unknown campsite just past Allen Gap
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Won two games of chess today, lost two games of mancala. Yeah, not too stressful a day. Hiked in beautiful weather, climbed the gentle path out of Hot Springs and did easy miles today. Squish, J Bird & Burning Boots (Rob, one of the J Birds now with his own trail name) left the hostel early. Rockhound and I departed around 8, a more sensible time. I got a great hug from Squirrel, the cool former thru hiker currently acting as staff at the Sunnybank Inn, and some hot water for my oatmeal to go. Man, did we have a vegetarian feast there last night! Elmer's place has got to be tried to be believed and I've got to get back there some time. Great place.Today's hike highlight was the trail around Mill Ridge. Lots of flowering tress and bushes, including pussywillow, redbud, forsythia (forgive my spelling), a walk around the first pond the trail has thus far skirted, and smooth easy trail. I was actuallly giggling in glee. Lots of available campsites too. This was also an area the local wildlife people are trying to repopulate with turkeys and other birds.I seem to be coming down with a cold. Sniffle.Got a lot done during the zero day yesterday in Hot Springs. Shared an hour long hot mineral bath with some friends, checked email for the first time in 3 weeks (yikes!), picked up a mail drop and some other goodies, sent stuff home, mailed postcards, made calls, cared for blisters, etc. Productive. Thanks everybody for your kind gifts and letters!
Date: 2004-04-07
To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Most of the day was spent trudging through snow, but the sun did shine of and on. Now as I tent by a privy, it's going down quickly and the air is cooling. Staying at the shelter tonight are Rockhound, Squish, J Bird, Burning Boots, Toeritis, Gumby, Gear Guide, their dog Gumbo, and some other guy who's name I forget.Best hiking moment was the long views in all directions of the rocks around White Rock Cliffs and Blackstock Cliffs. Most amusing moment was Rockhounds delight in actually being to get cel coverage from the high rocks. He called his mom who, surprisingly, sounded pretty glad to hear from him. I yelled a request for more home baked goods, which was thoughtfully repeated.Rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Forecasts are almighty important out here, but tough to get. Looking ahead, Friday has some tough hiking, and then we'll be staying in a hostel Saturday in Erwin, TN. About 35 miles from here. By then I'll have completed about 15% of the AT, with another 5% or so being gained every weeek. We're averaging about 15 miles a day right now.AT insight of the day. 99& of shelters preceded a steep ascent. Doesn't matter if your headed north or south, or the climb wasn't listed on the elevation map when you espied the route the night before.Headlights flickering. This Petzle Tikka must not be the best headlight out there, not adjustible and it begins to flicker too quickly. Time for bed, healing in head and foot. The night time healing, time off the feet is invaluable.
Date: 2004-04-08
To: Unnamed campsite
Miles today: 14.7

"I found my feather! A whole bunch of feathers. I'm gonna go and get me one." That was Rockhound earlier today, doing the last bit in his oh whatever the name of that big animated bird was. Anyway, we were about halfway up the last serious ascent of the day. A geologist, he started this trip out intending to pick up interesting rocks from every state, but for reasons of weight he switched to collecting feathers instead. Smart guy.The trail hugs the boundary/state line between N. Carolina and TN, so we go back and forth across states every day now. This will continue until VA is reached in another 140 miles.Mostly smooth trail today, though with a long gradual "up" alonga stream and waterfall on what seemed to be private property. The AT is mostly on public, protected land, but not entirely.It only rained for a few minutes today, so that was lucky. Man am I stiff though! A popular thru hiking rhyme goes "No pain, no rain, no Maine." After nearly a month out here I've come to believe that what one really gains is increased capacity. As opposed to that cop out legal defense, dim cap, or diminished capacity. So, what increased capacity often means is the ability to bear pain longer. The discomfort doesn't really go away (surprise!), you just get better at dealing with it. I've some belief that the same increased capacity related to experiencing pleasure as well, though right now that seems limited to eating as many hamburgers as possible and enjoying some beautiful views.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Erwin, Tenn

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Entered by Melicca)I decided at the last minute to jump in the car w/the Bogie (our faithful 72 lbs golden retriever) and drive to see Dave in Erwin, Tenn.   It was a 5 hour trip and well worth wading through Roanoke traffic. I got there approx 8:30 Friday (4/9) night and headed to Miss Janet's, a hostel in town, to see if I could find Green One and Squish. When I arrived at the hostel/house, there were thru-hikers everywhere, but unfortunately not the ones I was seeking. Miss Janet was immensely helpful in locating some other hikers who might know where they were and finally we determined that they were spending Friday night in the shelter approx 5 miles up the trail and would make it to town the next day around noon. Meanwhile, I discovered that their maildrop had not made it to the hostel yet, so I was worrying about it as well as where they might have been. Miss Janet reassured me that it would be there the next day and vowed to help me find the guys, because she loves big surprises. So... after all that, Bogie and I checked into the Holiday Inn express only a few blocks from the trail head. Neither of us slept, me b/c of excitement, and bogie b/c there are just too many new noises in a hotel (this was his first hotel stay).
Date: 2004-04-09
To: No business knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Mid morning today I was staring at the 360 degree view of Big Bald (elev. 5516). All around, mountains were emerging out of the shrouding fog and despite the chill wind it was a spectactular moment, the kind one hikes the AT to experience. I took a couple pictures, perhaps one will come out well enough for readers to get a pale glimpse of what I saw today.Another hightlight, descent into Springer Gap, which boasts forest road access and several nice campsites. There, I sat on the bank of a clear stream and watched troutlings, eating myself full while basking in the early afternoon sun. I met Angler and his son NOs, hikers both, who gave Rockhound and I some herbed Triscuits and summer sausage. Awesome. They also camped with us this evening and were excellent company.Hiked along a pretty waterfall and rhodendendrum filled gorge, through several burned areas, and then mostly level pathways into this shelter area. I'm tenting. Tomorrow is another hike into town day.It's weird how the AT doesn't seem to burn while all around it does. Be they proscribed burns or no, even the leaf litter on the AT seems not to burn. The path, hard packed dirt most often, I could understand not burning, but the only explanation for the whole seems magic. Definition section: AT toe - When a toe rubs against the footwear for so many hours that it starts growing great callus and goes numb. Usually happens to the big toe first. Several people around me, including myself, have this phenomenon. Few of us will ever go back to being feet models again. Still, numbness over pain, right?Oh, left shin started to hurt today. After four weeks with no trouble, it appears I'm in for shin splints.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Holiday Inn Express, Erwin Tenn

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Entered by Melicca)Bright and Early at 5:10 am, Bogie decides that we've tried sleeping enough, so I took him out and got up to shower and such.   Around 8:15 or so, I headed to Miss Janet's to see if anyone would like a ride to the trail early, but when I got there, no one was really moving (Miss Janet's first shuttle to the trail is 9:30am). I checked again for the box and then headed to the trail head to wait. There is another hostel right at the trail head called Uncle Johnny's (not it's official name), so I asked if I could wait and Hillbilly was more that accomodating. I sat outside and waited for the guys to appear. Now remember I thought they wouldn't show up until noon. About 9:20, Dave, Jay Bird, and Burnin' Boots came off of the trail. Followed by Squish and Rockhound. I almost couldn't recognize Dave. He was surprised to say the least. We got everyone checked into the hotel and then we headed off to lunch at the Elms (I think). Fabulous burgers (Dave had one the size of my head). Everyone stuffed themselves and then we headed off to the grocery and CVS. A little down time at the hotel and then off to dinner. We ate at Backyard BBQ. BBQ sauce was good, but then again what kind of BBQ place wouldn't have delicious sauce. But the garlic bread left a little to be desired. I must say though... the banana bread is VERY tasty especially warm. We met lots of nice people and Erwin is definately a hiker town. While we were sitting at lunch, Burnin'Boots told me that the night before they were sitting around the campfire and musing about what they would like to have on the trail w/them and Dave's reply was Me! And lo-and behold, the next morning there I was! After dinner, we stopped at Pizza hut, so they could get a pizza to take back for late night snacking. UGH, who could think about eating again after dinner?!
Date: 2004-04-10
To: Erwin
Miles today: 45.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Surprised by Joy.Saturday morning, I strode out of the woods in the early morning, having completed 6 miles before ten a.m., and intending to spend the rest of the day doing typical in town misc. and enjoying Miss Janet's hostel. Plans changed when, with real lose sense of time type shock I recognized the person lounging 100 yards off the trail by Uncle Johnny's hostel was Melicca (my wife). I lost it momentarily. Four weeks away from her is a long time, and I was expecting and had prepared to not see her again until early May. Great surprise! Thanks for everything, hon, and for driving 700 miles round trip to see me for 24 hours. It's cool knowing how lucky I am to have such a life companion.She brought Bogie too, our beautiful golden retriever. Heaven was in Erwin, how odd. We also ate well, especially the family style southern cooking at Elms restaraunt. Holiday Inn Express pitched in a free pint of Ben & Jerry's for thru hikers, and Backdoor Barbeque brough out a free loaf of hot delicious banana nut bread. Surprised by joy indeed.By the way, the miles are obviously off on this day's hike. I'm trying to get the cumalative miles correct on Trail Journals website, which calculate miles automatically.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Erwin, Tenn

To: Elk Park, NC
Miles today: 0.0

(entered by Melicca)They all decided to forgo Miss Janet's Easter dinner and head back out to the trail. Hoping I guess to beat the crowd. Weather forcasts called for rain and cold temps for the next few days and I know they were all reluctant to leave the comforts of town. I dropped them off around 10:00 am and watched them cross the bridge to the Southern side of the trail. As Bogie and I headed North back home, it started to rain.
Date: 2004-04-11
To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

This morning it was difficult to part from Melicca & Bogie, and leave Erwin TN and head up back into the hills again. The forecast was bad, with rain expected for the next 3 days, and temperatures dropping back to freezing again.My emotions were yawing wildly all day, but I dealt with them in true AT thru hiker fashion. I walked. Walked up a couple thousand feet of mountain in black mood, into the fog and drizzle. Actually the rain didn't get bad until I pitched a tent, along with the usual crew, at Deep Gap. Tomorrow morning will start with another decent sized climb.There being no shelter and the rain coming down heavily, I, like the others, cooked just outside the vestibule of my tent. Now the rain has stopped and it's time for bed.Melicca, I hope you had an easy drive home and a wonderful Easter dinner. Happy holiday everyone - and happy Passover too.
Date: 2004-04-12
To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

Another day of spiteful rain and cloud shroud, which let up at key moments. An early delight, the morning climb up Unaka Mtn was easier than expected, the rain let up and it was Eden on high. I took lots of pictures, hope you get to see some of them in the photo section.Ran into a couple hikers I've met before, but not mentioned here. Shenobi and Ash Tray. Nice guys. Shenobi wants to be a sociologist and Ash Tray is a good conversationalist, unconventional, a fast hiker and making a film documentary for his own later enjoyment. Also ran into Burn again, who is another TJ (trailjournals) writer and a terrific guy. Straight speaker, funny, strong. Prior to this hike he offered a lot of great advice on the forums. There's so many people I've run into that I haven't mentioned, and the tight friendliness of the community is really beautiful. It's more rewarding than the views, so for me thus far the best part of the AT can't be measured in distance. And still there are some who just want to do their miles!Wow - Jan Liteshoe just showed up with Stumpknocker. I followed her journal all last year when she thru hiked. Jan was inspirational and a great writer. In fact, if you're reading this at work and feel like killing tyime pleasantly, check out her journal from '03.Tons of hikers at this shelter - I'm tenting out back. Hoplite just showed up. Immediately likable fellow. Nice (in a bizarre way) to see I'm not the only 1 out here to catch poison ivy, but he's really had a bad spell of it. Had to take some days off to heal.Saw a deer today. That makes 3 total, so not a lot of wildlife so far. In fact, the woods themselves have been mostly asleep, and all the life within them is dialed down inconspicuous.Hope you enjoyed the flowers hon.