morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Neels Gap

To: Sapling Gap Campsite
Miles today: 7.5

We made one last trip to the Mountain Crossings store where I spent $22.00 on snickers candy bars. It was absolutely freezing cold outside as we weighed our backpacks. Mine was 30#, Gary and the boys about 35#s. We took some pictures in the archway where the Trail goes right thru the building and then started up the mountain.It really was a glorious day to hike. Clear and cool, not too windy. We took ham sandwiches from the store and found the perfect picnic spot with a view of the beautiful Georgia Mountains. In the distance we could see a forest fire, not only the building smoke but actual flames. We caught up to Timex, Bear Bait and FrogButt. They were all in high spirits. They had been treated to a barbecue by the owners of the Mountain Crossings Store. We missed this event, but ate very well at Pappy's Pig Out Restaurant. I had delicious pork barbecue with sweet ice tea. I know I'm in the South!The Trail was very tough today. A very steep descent had our knees screaming, then a torturous climb up. We had planned to make it to Low Gap Shelter but 10 miles didn't happen. We had to stop at Hog Pen Gap to filter water since everyone was almost out. There is no water all the way to Low Gap Shelter, another 4 miles, so we got all we needed for the night and the next morning and carried it more than a mile to our tent site. Water is really heavy! Tanner and Tyler were just great in ponying up to carry the extra weightWe found a nice tent sight for 4 tents and accomodated Dreamcatcher, Lala, Tanner and Tyler, and Gary and I. Dinner was quickly started and pretty much of a fiasco! It is supposed to go down to 32° tonight and it was so cold that our stoves didn't work very well even with warming the fuel canisters in our jackets. Noodles and pasta didn't rehydrate well, so we all had a pretty crunchy dinner.We hung the food bags in a tree and really hope the bears aren't hungry tonight. We are 6 tired hikers.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Sapling Gap Campsite

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

Each day the weather just gets better. Today the sky is so deep blue it almost seems as though I'm in the Southwest. The Trail crosses a long saddle between peaks and is wide and lush with rhododendron. The hiking is easy to start out and I am taking lots of wild flower pictures. I see sweeps of bluets and some pussy paws and just the start of squaw berries.There are lots of water sources along this section. I came across a beautiful, little cascading waterfall. The perfect image of a quilt formed in my mind. As I hiked down the trail, I suddenly missed being in my studio with all my fabrics to throw up on my design wall to try and capture the bright greens of the new foliage and tiny wild flowers. I'll trust my digital camera for now.We thought this would be a fairly easy day compared to the wicked ups and downs of the past two days. It started out that way but toward the end of the afternoon we had to traverse several rocky ledges that took concentration. All the ankle twisting and mileage took their toll and I got my first blister. Slapped a Compeed on it (Thanks Andra and Peg!) and hiked on. Gary decided we should filter water before we got to the shelter, because we thought we were almost there. The spring was down a mountain goat ledge, so Gary and I took everyone's containers down. While we were filling the containers two Thru-hikers from England came down for water. We filled their bottles for them and they helped us carry all the water back up to the others. Which was a darn good thing because coming down was hard, going back up really, really hard.Wouldn't you know it. The shelter was still at least a half mile away with a closer spring. Long way with a load of heavy water-again. Grrr.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It was warm last night. First night I didn't have on my long johns, down jacket, hat and gloves to eat dinner.And today is actually hot. We all quickly zipped off the legs of our pants to make shorts. Whoever thought of this idea is a genius.While filtering water today, Tyler turned over rocks looking for newts and actually caught a salamander to show Dreamcatcher and Lala. Cute little fellow.We experienced our first handouts! We came across some day-hiking picnickers, and Tanner just happened to mention how seriously Mom had underestimated their snacks. The boys scored a big bag of gorp and lots of granola bars and, best of all, three big apples. Lucky for us, they willingly shared their booty.I think I saw a slate colored junco. A beautiful bird with a trilling song was taking his little bird bath in the drips of water cascading down the rock ledges. I watched him twitter and flutter in the water and wished I could get clean, too!It was a big wildlife day as our last experience was Tanner sighting a garden snake and Tyler bringing the snake back up the Trail for me to photograph. On the way he impressed some day-hikers!
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night's tent site was spectacular. Tray Mountain is 4200 feet in elevation. We all cooked and ate our dinner on a rock ledge a few feet from our tent with the expanse of the valley spread out below us as far as we could see. The stars in the night sky rivaled the lights from the towns below. Tyler and Tanner are tearing up the Trail. No complaints from those two guys about heavy packs, steep descents or brutal climbs. Must be nice to be a pair of legs with lungs; they leave us in the dust. The Bandana Bunch ladies have become dispersed along the Trail. We heard Queen Bee and Sabra are together at Neels Gap, with Queen Bee treating an infected toe. We're not sure where Timex, Bear Bait and Frogbutt are. We hope to hear about them through the Hiker grapevine and are leaving messages for them in the Trail shelter registers.We have heard there is serious Trail Magic ahead at Addis Gap. Every year for a week several people set up camp and feed hungry Thru-hikers. Visions of cold cokes and hamburgers spur our steps and I don't think the boys will be able to contain their disappointment if this turns out to be a hoax.Sure enough as we hike down into Addis Gap, we see signs posted on trees tantalizing us. For breakfast, eggs, sausage, pancakes. For lunch or dinner, hamburgers, baked potatoes, an amazing feast. We have to hike down the forest service road for half a mile but we leave our packs with Dreamcatcher with promises to bring something good back for her."Moo" is the last Trail Angel still set up on this last day of the picnic and the food is pretty wiped out. We help ourselves to the last of the salad, some delicious seafood chowder, and are really happy eating up any odds and ends. Not sure I have ever before eaten such a weird assortment of foods but it all tastes great. "Moo", a woman transplanted from Wisconsin to Atlanta wears a black and white cow hat and has been helping to treat hikers for six years. She scrambles her last 8 eggs with some feta cheese and the boys devour some and save some to take to Dreamcatcher. They help Moo pack up and carry boxes to her car. She says this is the best vacation week she has all year. Thanks, Moo!
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: broken clouds

Deep Gap Shelter is beautiful with a picnic table, wide porch under roof and upper and lower sleeping platforms. Tyler and Tanner think this is pretty cool and opt to sleep in the shelter along with Southern Boy, Wild horse and one other hiker. Some kind of male bonding went on during the evening¢s campfire... The boys have yet to pick up Trail names. Neither would tolerate BigBro and LittleBro. They have been carving walking sticks at night and wear their Trail bandanas over their foreheads so Kung Fu and Kung Pow might work. Tyler thought Salamander would be good since he caught one, but there is another Salamander on the Trail, and Tanner quickly shortened it to Sally, so that was out. Names yet to be earned. Gary has become Bandelier because he is wearing his hat from that cliff-dwelling site in New Mexico. I think it suits him.The Trail today is 3.5 miles of switchbacks, all down into Dick's Creek Gap. There are several hikers ahead of us trying to get rides into Hiawassee. Gary sticks out his thumb with no luck after 20 minutes. LaLa has a better technique and two ladies in a big pick up truck stop. Dreamcatcher, LaLa and two other hikers pile in the back with their packs. Gary gets a ride in when JakeBreak's wife picks him up and drives his car back to get the rest of us.We have to do a car shuttle back to Neels Gap, then back to Hiawassee. This delays our attack on McDonald's by an hour and we don't make it out of Micky D's parking lot before we are murdering cheeseburgers, fries and cokes. Fast food has never tasted so good.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee, Georgia Holiday Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dreamcatcher, LaLa and I are taking an unscheduled "0" day -- a day we don't hike any miles. Yesterday Bandelier drove Dreamcatcher to the "Blister Clinic" at the local hospital in Hiawassee. She has a doozy of a blister on one of her toes and we are hoping a day of rest will heal it enough to keep hiking. I said a very teary good-by to Tyler and Tanner and Bandelier. It was so great to be able to hike the start of the Appalachian Trail with them. They have to go back to the real world but are already planning good places to meet me and hike some more.My backpack is now packed with my real "solo" weight. I wish I knew what it weighs, but I know it sure doesn't feel light. I am anxious to be back on the Trail before I get used to feeling clean and spoiled by this water coming out of faucets thing!
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

I have lost one of my boon companions. Dreamcatcher has decided that her toe needs more healing time. She is getting a shuttle to Rainbow Springs where she will wait for LaLa and me and then try to hike on. Also, we talked to Queen Bee last night. She is going home with her husband, who drove straight through from Iowa to pick her up. An infected blister and intestinal problems have sidelined her hike for now.So LaLa and I set off from Dicks Creek Gap in the rain. I felt very melancholy. Bandelier and my two boys have gone home, it's raining, and worst of all, my pack is heavy with too much food. This is not an easy day on the Appalachian Trail. A muscle in my right thigh keeps knotting up into a hard ball making descents really painful. Fortunately today's hike is almost all up. Never thought I would be relieved to haul that pack up all day!Good-by Georgia! I have hiked the AT every mile in that state and this afternoon crossed into North Carolina. LaLa and I started to celebrate a bit too early. We thought we saw the gnarled oak tree just after the state dividing line. Half Moon came along as we were gleefully taking pictures and informed us, Wrong tree. The state line is about another mile. Grrr.We did find the GA/NC sign and would you believe, Half Moon came all the way back to take our pictures! He said it was Trail karma-someone had done the same for him on an earlier hike. We are supposed to do this for someone else next time we Thru-Hike. I plan to pay back the karma in a different way.LaLa and I set our tents up in a rain shower. Rain complicates everything. I ate the second half of a sandwich brought from the deli in Hiawassee and fired up my jetboil for a cup of cheddar, broccoli soup and hot chocolate. Amazing what a hot drink can do for the psyche. As we ate our dinners huddled in our tents with last night¢s pizza in town a fading memory, we heard company setting up a tent. We met RadioFlyer who had hiked 10 miles in his Waldies due to boot problems. He helped us hang our bear bags and we feel so much less lonely with him just across the way.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

The rain poured down all night long last night. LaLa and I had set our tents up just below a small ridge and were protected from the wind somewhat. My wonderful little Marmot AT tent held up well and I slept mostly dry. My sleeping bag was moist on top from the tent condensation but not enough to cause any problems. LaLa did not fare as well. Some rain soaked her sleeping bag and therma rest making for a wet night.No fun to hang about in the rain so we packed up as quickly as possible and hiked out, stopping for a moment to take a quick picture at the famous oak tree. Not sure LaLa will be visible through the fog and mist. We hiked about 2 miles down the Trail to Muskrat Creek Shelter, where we took a break to make a hot drink for breakfast. We met two Canadians from Prince Edward Island, a couple in their late 60's, Spirit Owl and wife, Georgina. They were out of fuel, so I boiled water for them to make tea and oatmeal. I have made a keen observation today. Nothing except a plastic bag is water proof. Rain mitts leak, rain coats leak and waterproof pack covers are almost useless. Gary thought I was nuts to bag everything in plastic. I am so very glad I did. Tonight we are sleeping in Standing Indian Shelter. RadioFlyer is here, wishing he was warmer and dryer. Another couple comes in, Don't Care and Don't Matter, then Jim and Vadania and very wet dog, Kebu. Seven people in the shelter is crowded. Not everyone is happy that Kebu is awarded shelter floor space. I am really hoping he doesn't step on my face tonight.The Canadians pull in after dark and decide to set up their tent. Jim shares his fuel for their alcohol stove so they have something hot for dinner. Kebu begs from everyone. He is just a 10 month old puppy and all his ribs are showing. This promises to be an interesting evening.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

There just are not enough adjectives to fully describe the storm that roared across Standing Indian Mountain last night! The rain pounded down on the tin roof, driven in sheets by the wind. There were claps of thunder that shook the wooden shelter and lightening bolts that arced across the open side. When the lightening wasn't flashing, it was so black, I couldn't tell if my eyes were open or shut. It was an awesome storm. I wondered if our packs would be there in the morning. We had suspended them from the ceiling and they crashed wildly, banging in the fury of the wind.I was pretty comfortable and warm in my sleeping bag. Others in the shelter wondered if we were in the midst of a tornado and didn't sleep at all. We were worried about the Canadians in their tent and were glad to see them in the morning. A real possibility was a limb or tree crashing down in the night.Another day of hiking in the rain, and it is much colder. We leap frog with Jim, Vadania and Kebu all day. RadioFlyer passes us like a Ferrari on the freeway. LaLa and I would love to stay in a shelter again tonight, but that would mean hiking over Albert Mountain at the end of a 15 mile day. We decide to camp at Betty Creek Gap and again set up the tent in cold rain. It is pretty difficult to collect water from the spring here, and it looks murky and very unappetizing. All we want is to quickly make something hot to eat and get into our tents and sleeping bags. Did I mention rain complicates everything?
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 10.1

LaLa woke me up this morning. Terry? Why is she waking me up before dawn? I am warm in my tent and not ready to crawl out of my sleeping bag, but she sounds concerned. There is very little light but my hand finds my glasses. There is frost coating the inside of my tent! The condensation that froze in the night starts to melt as I sit up in amazement. I peek through the little vent and see nothing but white. It is January at Betty Creek with several inches of snow on my tent and everything else. And it is bitter cold. I want nothing more than to pull my warm bag over my head and go back to sleep. Maybe it will melt...soon. The temptation to see what it looks like is strong and it won't help to postpone the inevitable. I don't have that much to do to get dressed since I have slept in my base layers, top and bottom, wool socks, fleece top and hat. I add my down puffball jacket and locate my thin liner gloves and greet the morning. It is stunningly beautiful. All the water in containers is frozen. The bear bag rope is frozen to the tree. It must have been freezing rain before it turned to snow. Packing up a frozen tent is hard work and I have to keep warming my fingers in my pockets every few minutes. Snow complicates everything.I quickly boil water for hot chocolate and eat an oatmeal bar. We need to get hiking to warm up. Three other couples have tented with LaLa and me and we discuss the options. Jim and Vadania decide to try to hike out the forest service road about 3 miles away. They don't want the dog Kebu to go over Albert Mountain.LaLa and I are undecided. Albert is a big, tough 5220 ft mountain. There is a side trail to avoid the summit and we hike about 3 miles in slick, half-frozen mud and snow. I keep stopping to take photos. The trees are frosted with silver and white, and the sun catches everything and dazzles the Trail. It is enchanting.We decide to go for the summit of Albert Mountain. It is a very steep, rock over rock climb. Several times we throw our hiking sticks up, and then try to haul ourselves up over the ledges using the trees for handholds. LaLa has a hard time because she has short legs and I heave her up, giving her no time to think too much about it. She definitely doesn't like this part. We know we've reached the top when we see the fire tower. Neither of us wish to climb the stairs to the top.On down the mountain to Wallace Gap, as the day grows warmer, the elevation lessens, and the snow disappears. We are hoping to get a hitch to Rainbow Springs Campground, but 1 full mile of road walking and not a solitary vehicle. Surprise at the Campground! Dreamcatcher is here waiting for us. Everyone is amazed that we went over the top of Albert Mountain. So are we.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Wallace Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It was great to see Dreamcatcher. She was testing new boots, but her toe still looked very bad. LaLa and I decided we needed the services and comforts of civilization, so the two guys working for Mountain Crossings at Rainbow Springs Campground agreed to give us a ride into Franklin.A hot shower and a real dinner did much to improve our spirits last night and we are taking a zero day to go to the Outfitter and replace some gear for LaLa. Her rain pants were shredded and she cut them off just above the knee. Several hikers thought she was "stylin'" with her Bermuda rain shorts!I threw all my gear into the bathtub, even the tent, to clean it up and dry it out. The reward for all this hard work was a walk across the street to McDonald's.We get a call from Dreamcatcher. She is in Franklin with other members of the Bandana Bunch. Dinner is arranged at the Western Sizzler. There is so much to talk about. We haven't seen some hikers since Neels Gap and we catch up over multiple desserts at this all you can eat restaurant. LaLa and I hatch a plan to slack pack (hike without a pack using a shuttle to drop us off and pick us up), thinking we can do more miles and make it easier for Dreamcatcher to continue to hike without the weight of the pack. Other members of the Bandana Bunch have other plans involving skipping up to Nantahala. As they say, hike your own hike.
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Tellico Gap

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 13.2

Slack packing is great! I feel like I can fly down the Trail without the weight of my backpack. Dreamcatcher is shuttling up to Fontana Dam. She doesn't think slack packing will help her, so she will rest and heal for a few more days then try to hike.LaLa and I get picked up by our shuttler at 6:15 am. The weather is simply perfect. At the trailhead I see a ruffed grouse hen and not too far down the Trail I hear the drumming of the male. Spring is in the air!We are walking "backward" today-North to South. It feels weird because we meet all the hikers we know-head on! Two couples we shared a shelter with, the Canadians and the Dont's (Don't Care and Don't Matter) are surprised to see us without packs and walking the "wrong way".The spectacular part of today's hike was Wayah Bald.Balds are large areas in the Appalachian mountains that are bare of any trees and foliage. There is speculation as to why these areas exist and no one seems to really know the answer. At the top of Wayah Bald is an observation tower and you can see the mountains flow into the horizon forever, or so it appears. On this exceptionally clear day, I can see Clingman's Dome in Smokey Mountain National Park, and the tiny speck that is the fire tower on Albert Mountain that we struggled across, days ago. As my friend Ann would say, I am "awed out".Thirteen and a half miles is still a long hike, even without packs and we are tired when we meet two day hikers and ask to use their cell phone to call for our ride home. After 2 hours of waiting, LaLa and I suspect something is amiss. This is the part where you have to stick your thumb out. This is not a well traveled road but two cars pass and the third car stops to help us. "Red" drives us 15 miles into Franklin and right to the door of our hotel. There are wonderful, kind people out there. Thanks, Red.
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Wayah Gap

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 9.5

Today was very easy and beautiful hiking. Some ups and downs but no huge, strenuous mountains. The warm weather is causing lots of budding. Today I saw May apple and SquawRoot wildflowers. In the lower elevations the redbuds and dogwoods are blooming. Somehow LaLa and I have gotten into the poison ivy...Leaflets three...I did not see..Tonight we are staying in a Hiker Motel. This is a part of the Thru-Hiker Appalachian Trail experience. The owner is quite a character and there isn't a soul in town he doesn't know. He cruises the road crossings and gaps and takes hikers into town. Many decide to stay at his small motel and then he will take you to the laundromat, bank, outfitter or wherever you need to go, and then back to the Trail in the morning.I get to my room and take a quick shower. Quick because the bathtub threatens to overflow before I get done and this includes two dashes from the shower to fan the smoke detector into silence. If it goes off while I am asleep, it may get the hiking pole treatment. I can't watch the TV because they forgot to issue me my remote control. I try to call home but there is only one party line here for all 20 rooms. I didn't know they still had those! This morning, my automated wake up call was an hour late because they haven't reset the machine to Daylight Savings time. Not to worry, I can hear the guys conversation in the next room and they are planning on waking up earlier than I need to. Oh, yea...But I saw a gorgeous waterfall on the Trail today and my little Marmot tent will feel like home tomorrow.