morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A zero miles day. What a break. Did all our town stuff, picked up our food drop, went to the local library and checked our e-mail and have some corrections for our journal.Katie doesn't work at a sports store in Lake Placid, but she is from Lake Placid at least. She has been accepted to law school in the fall. We have met up again with Turtle [she also has a journal on trailjournals.com] We had supper with them and Andrea and a couple of guys that were with us back at Neels Gap.It was nice to talk to home today. We do miss everyone.Tomorrow, we have a shuttle back to the trail from the motel owner [Hiawassee Inn] They have been fantastic, good prices, and more than helpfull. We should be out and on our way by 9:00 After a day off, you kind of get anxious to get moving but your body needs the rest day.We have about 70 miles to go to our next food drop and if we schedule it just right, Katie has a friend that just might take us all white water rafting.I am not sure if this is good or bad but are getting a few nicknames. We are the Grayhounds, or sometimes the Canadians, and now because we swear by and use all the time our "Frogg Toggs" we are sometimes the Frogg Toggs. I guess none of those are derogatory so we'll take any of them. At least people notice us, and not in a bad way. We are having fun and always have a smile and a laugh.The Grayhounds aka the Canadians aka the Frogg Toggs
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap 
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

Easy day. The Inn drove us back to the trail and we were off at 910 from Dicks Creek Gap. Long steady uphill of 800 ft in about 3 miles. Had an early lunch [no breakfast in town] at 1145 at one of the nicest shelters [Plumorchard Gap] we have seen yet. Beautiful post and beam construction that could easily sleep 16 or 18.We crossed the border into North Carolina [1 state ,Georgia, down and only 13 to go] at 315 and decided to make it an easy 8.7 mile day. Travelled the whole day with Katieand Andrea and think that we have come up with trail names for them both.Andrea is a tiny thing that can't weigh 100 pounds soaking wet and she is carrying about a 40 pound pack. We sort of thought that maybe Mighty Mouse would be great but she beingan engineer in the making "M" squared would do.Now Katie has been much tougher. She is tougher than nails.She has lost the complete end to her little toe [including the nail] Ooh get this, she was going to save it but someone threw it out with the jello. Imagine someone wanting to save their toenail? Today she was out there leading the way. We kind of figure that only a "Gonzo" would/could do something like that. ... how about "Gonzo"? for a name. The otherchoices were "free range" or "turkey" after the lunch that she had, but we think "Gonzo" is a little better.Tonight, around the campfire, we are tenting again, we willhave a small ceremony [close friends and relatives invited only] where we will give these two their well deserved names.Tomorrow, we would like to do about 12 miles to Standing Indian Gap. We have also completed our first map and only have 41 to go. Two more hikersjust showed up Charity and Wanderer.I think it is time for supper so we sign out earlyThe Grayhounds Gimp, Goat and ScroungerWhat a great evening. We had a campfire for the first time. There were a total of 16 hikersat Bly last night. We had the "naming ceremony" and I think Gonzo and Mighty Mouse [M squared]are pretty pleased with their new names. We were to bed still by 7:45 with lights out by 8:15In the last couple of days we have seen our first oriole as well as beautiful cardinal. I will assume both of these were males as they were so colourful.The Grayhounds Gimp, Goat and Scrounger
Date: 2003-03-28
To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow, can every day get better? That's rhetorical, you don't really have to answer it.After a night of pretty good winds we were up and on the trail by 7:10, with a goal of12 miles and Beech Gap. We stopped for breakfast at about 9am at Muskrat Creek shelter and lunch at Standing Indian shelter. The trails were gentle today and we made Beech Gapby 3:30. We went through miles of rhododendron tunnels today and can hardly wait until they blossum.We are tenting in a Gap among the rhodos.Gonzo and M2 got here about an hour ahead of us and Gonzo had our first confirmed bear sighting. When they met at a distance of 20 ft., he bounded toward her about 3 steps then stopped. Gonzo found that yelling and screamingand waving her hiking poles seemed to work in scaring him off. Needless to say our ideaof putting all our food bags around her tent isn't going over very well so we will hangour bags from a tree.It's 4:30 and time for an early supper and bed.The Grayhounds
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Beech Gap

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 16.0

Another great day. The whole day wew wewre above 4000' Left Beech Gap at 6:50 for along day.Here we are at Wallace Gap tenting after a 16 mile day. Of course we do ahave one small problemin that we are only two- Gimp and Scrounge. The Goat actually got passed by a couple of hikersso he culdn't just let happen, and he is somewhere ahead of us.We ahd lunch at the fire tower at the top of Mt. Albert after a particularly strenuous climb.Mighty Mouse and Gonzo went to a campground to get supplies and maybe a hot shower.We should meet up with them tomorrow night.All the best,We do miss everyoneThe Grayhounds or at least 2/3 of them
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Wallace Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap 
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: broken clouds

Oooooh what a night, about 6 or8" of snow fell on us making for some fun this am as we packed up. As we were in a gap, it was a low point on the trail for us buta high point on NC route 64. An 18 wheeler pulled over at the top about midnightans stayed stopping traffic from going down either side. He left his engine on all night till he left about 6 in the morning. We watched a couple of 4x4's slowly go down about 7 am. Scrounger and I broke camp at about 7:40 and made our way overthe 3 miles to Winding Stair Gap. It was nice walking on the new-fallen snow and being the first over the trail. We could see where the animals had been out aheadof us. At 0940 we were into the Gap where we found our long lost Goat who had amdeit this far last night.With our now very wet gear, we hitched a ride into Franklin with a nice couplefrom the local area. She was Smasher from the 2000 thru-hikers. I don't knowwhere any of us would be without the continuing goodwill of the locals who doso much for the hikers even outside of all the trail maintenance that they do.We are now holed up in the Microtel Inn watching the womens NCAA basketballtournament having filled up at the Shorney's AYCE.It might be time to mention the most valuable piece of hiker gear. It is the hiking sticks.Every time you step you push a little bit wih the stick and take 5 or 10 pounds off of yourlegs. When going downhill, it is even better to be able to lean into them and give you a goodbreak on your knees. Today as walked the snowy trail, we used them to knock the snow off of overhanging branches and not down our necks.We going to try and get a shuttle back to the trail early tomorrow morning and see what a new day brings. The weather is supposed to be cool tonight, followed by 4 or 5 nice days.No rain.The GrayhoundsGimp, Scrounger and Goat
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

We were up and out the door to the Shoney's AYCE breakfast at 0600. Goat stayed backat the motel and did better as he had coffee and muffins and bagels and juice andpeanut butter and jam, whike Scrounger and I had the same with eggs for about $4 each.We waited for our shuttle from 7:50 until 8:20 and then hitched a ride. We should have hitched at 0700 but anyway we got a ride from Dion, who works with the ATC right to the Gap. We climbed about 1400 ft to Siler Bald in the first 4miles so it wasn't that bad, except for the 6" of snow-and thenhigh of 38 F. We made it to Cold Spring Shelter a distance of 16 miles which as it was cool [cold?] was not that difficult. We spent most of the day above 4500' with high of 5340' at Wayah Bald.Of course when we got to the shelter it was full and then some. There were 20 people staying at that site. We tented as did about 12 others. We finally ran into the two women from Portland Me. who left a message on the guest book. We were in bed by 6:45 as it was getting chilly. We had caught up to Mighty Mouse and Gonzo. We agreed to find a cabin the next night in Nantahala River which was the site of the '96 Olympics white water canoeing and kayaking.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala River, Wesser
Miles today: 11.4

Up and out by 7:00 as it was about 25 f and just a bit chilly. It was supposed to be an easy 11.4 mile day with a long 6 mile downhill to Nantahala River, Wesser,but it wasn't as easy as the elevations indicated. We did make it down by 2:20. Whata neat place. lots of kakaks and canoes and camping and hiking stuff. Just some of the things that could peak our interest- Ooooooh white water kayaking. Well, we are holed up in a house with Tanglefoot and Gonzo and Mighty Mouse, with the hopes of scrounging a free white water rafting deal tomorrow. The girls have picked up a couple of movies for tonight How about Full Montyand Good Will Hunting?The wash is in and we are heading back to Nantahala for supper.Maybe a zero day tomorrow? But when we leave here we have a 3500' climb in 8 miles so not really looking forward to that.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Nantahala River, Wesser

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

continuation. the names of the missing hikers at this site are Buddha, a young fellow who made all his own gear- tent, sleeping abg, and even pack,Night Fever, Rubber Band Man, and two older guys who are wjust hiking to Fontana Dam, Just Aland Smokey would love to do more but they have to go back to ugh WORK I am sorryI swore but sometimes that is the way it is.We had a campfire and all stood or sat around for about an hour, then turned to go back to our tents. What a beautiful starlit night. You didn't realize all the stars were out until you turned from the fire. The tempwas about 45 and it was probably our best night out yet.
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

A great day - out of camp at 0700 and an easy day of 11.6 miles finishing at 3:20 Lots of time for rest and to do the journal.Tomorrow into FontanaDam for a zero day.A new guy in the shelter tonight from Alaska, Hoopala is his name, playing the penny whistle.
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Came out of the woods at about 10:00 after dropping about 1500' to the dam. This is a resort town that isn't yet quite open forthe season, but has a post office, restaurant, resupply store, rec center, outfitters store and an indoor pool.The post offices have been fantastic. They keep a very good record ofparcels and mail and when you give your name, they hand over everything that is there. Gonzo and Turtle each had 5 boxes of stuff mailed to them so we just had to help them empty those boxes. the sacrifice we make tohelp out a fellow hiker sometimes is almost beyond comprehension. Homemade cookies, sweets, candies, all heavy stuff that must be consumedor left in the hiker box at the post office.Every establishment that is on the trail has a "hiker box". This is wherehikers leave extra stuff and other hikers take stuff that that they needor want. There is always extra food, or books or fuel or clothes orwhatever. It is a great way to not waste trail items.We have a moment here to talk about handy useful items. We can say that the most useful gear we have are our Frogg Toggs. These are really great gear. These are rain suits that actually breathe- not "breathe" like Goretex but really breathe. You wear them at the start of the day when it is cool and you need to warm up. You wear them in the rain, you wear them in the evening after hiking before you go to bed and they weigh less than a pound tops and bottoms.All the bestWe do miss youGrayhounds aka Canadians
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana dam
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: moderate rain

Still staying at the Fontana Inn HotelAn off day, We went into Bryson City to get some groceries and to check our internet. Off was meeting a friend, Jake, who was going to hike with him for a while, and Jake took us into town. On the way,a turkey flew[?] across the road in front of us.When we returned, we got out of the truck where we stepped off thetrail yesterday, and slack-packed for the 1.4 miles to the dam wherewe will start tomorrow. On the short route, we passsed our first snake - a rather impressive 4' long black snake. Very harmless unless you are a small rodent. It rained hard in the early morning before we got up but the day has turned out beautiful - about 70 F and a small breeze. Tomorrow into the Great SmokeyMountains National Park for 72 miles and and about 5 or 6 days.Last night at supper, we met another Nova Scotian, a Dave Wood, from Springhill.All the bestThe Grayhounds aka the Canadians
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Fontana dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We got a ride back to Fontana Dam from Off's friend, Jay and wewre on our way into the Great Smokey Mountains National Park by 0900 Weclimbed from 1750' to 4750' where we are snuggled into our sleepingbags. We found out we are #'s 373,374, and 375 thru-hikers to get through this far.We left behind Turtle who is waiting for her boyfriend,and will try to catch up.We are hoping to do the 67 miles of the GSMNP in5 days so we think we ahave a good start with all the major uphill over with. We finally found the name of the hanging vine that has been puzzling us for a while.It is a grape vine. It is about 2" thick and winds itself around much bigger trees. Today we also couls see mistletoe high in some of the oak trees.Springcan not be far away as now the forest floor is beginning to be coveredwith small greenery taking over from the dead leaves. They appear to havea small white/purple flower and it almost looks like snow.Oh a short note about last night - as we came back to our room from supper[AYCE] there must have been 18 to 20 turkey vultures circling overhead in the thermals.Must go, Miss you allthe Grayhounds
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bauld Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Wow what a night. Rain rain and more rain with strong winds.It was actually quite cosy and dry in the tent. It was a goodday cool in the low 50's with a breeze but very overcast. No views from any of the balds. We are at 5460' above sea level definitely our highest night so far. It should be noted we are on ourr 3rd of 42 maps and we ar esometimes even in our 3rd state.The trail traverses the ridge here and the state line is the ridge, so your left foot is in Tennessee and your right foot is in North Carolina. Last night's and tonight's shelter are both in Tenn.There are 4 or 5 deer eating the grass outside the shelter now. This is one of the nicest shelters we have seen. It is made out of field stone with a tin roof and chain link fence in front to keep the bers out. There is a nice spot out front to cook and eatin that also has a tin roof. Inside is a fireplace, that is firedup as we speak. Some people are drying out their gear.Tomorrow Clingmans Dome, we hope for some clearing so that we canthe views. It is the highest point on the AT at 6643'Off to bed, in the morningThe Grayhounds
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Silers Bauld Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Newfound Gap and out to Gatlinburg staying at the Grand Prix Motel did 12.3 miles before it just got too wet and cold. Goat left us at lunch as he thinks we are going too slow. Of course we are travellingabout 30% quicker than our original estimates, doing the Smokies in 5days instead of 7 days and travelling 15 miles in about 10 hours where it used to take us about 14 hours last year in Maine. He didn't want towait at Newfound Gap but wanted to do the 7.9 miles to the shelter. Ohwell we trust he is warm and dry. We are. It was actually a pretty goodday. We hit Clingman's Dome at about 11:30, but then the rain came inearnest. We stopped for lunch at about 1:00 and ate when Goat said he would push on.It is just too miserable and with a wet tent from 2 days ago, just not worth the agony.Visited the Happy Hiker outfitter in town and he has everything. Fuelat only 10 cents an ounce, so reasonable prices. We got our picture taken and mounted on the thru-hiker wall.They tell us this park is the third most used park in the world, we can well believe it. The trails are very well kept, thanks in no small way to the ridge runners, We have met Many Sleeps and Jeremy who look after the trails from the dam to here.This is obviously a very touristy town with "Ripleys" and the other touristjunk. But we did find the local AYCE Shoneys and are up for pancakes before we get a hitch back up the hill. Might be a tough night in here with the NCAA Womens basketball on the tv.The Grayhounds or at least 2/3 of them, Gimp and Scrounger
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri Corner Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

We had a shuttle back to Newfound Gap and were on the trail by 0900.Caught up to our friend at Icewater Spring Shelter. There had been a huge tree stump fall across the trail that had to have been 8 or 10' high.As the first ones through that morning, we had to almost cut a new trail around it. The shelter, that normally sleeps 14, had 20 hikers in it last night.Shortly aafter picking up Goat, we went by Charlies Bunion,, a huge rock formation just off the trail. We took some pictures, but the views,as have all the Smokey views, was obscured by mist/fog. The sun actually came out, raising the temp from 44 to 62 degrees in about 15 minutes. We did get some views of the surrounding mtns as we changed into our tees and sun block and had a bite to eat. By the time we were ready to go, the sun had again disappeared, and were back into mist.We made Tri-Corner Knob Shelter by 6. There are now 12 in a 14person shelter and it was pretty good. We met up with Idaho, who is a young fellow hiking either in mocassins or - are you ready for this? - barefoot.We also met up with Fish and Two Paws.
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Tri Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: moderate rain

Had a good nights sleep - but - woke to 6" of snow on the ground and still snowing. Had breakfast before we left the shelter and were still the first out on the trail. We broke trail for the first couple of miles until Fish and Two Paws caught up to us. There were dozens of windfalls as the rhodos and other trees just aren't used to carrying that snow load. The temp stayed at about or just above freezing. Before we came out to the road at Davenport Gap, there must have been another 5 or 6" of snow. We had visions of a trail famous cheeseburger from Mountain Momma's but were too late as the grill closes at 5 pm and the hostel was also full. We managed to call Standing Bear Farm for a shuttle but by the time we arrived, they were full too. Gonzo was huddled up in a top bunk, and it was nice to have caught back up to her. They shuttled us into Newport. We are going to have a zero day tomorrow and wash our gear and dry out. We did find out that the past 5 days of rain and snow had taken out bridges and there were trees across lots of the roads including the one the shuttle came up as he walked the last half mile to get us. Heck, they even had a rain delay at the Masters which is just down the road from here.
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Davenport Gap

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Still in motel at Newport, Tenn. zero miles.Great day. Got our laundry done and even got my beard trimmed. Rested all day afterwards watching the Masters on tv. All the gear that was sooo wet from the snow and rain is now dry, - boots, socks, tents, sleeping bags, clothes etc.Met Zack's Dad at the Cracker Barrell at supper. He has been slowed by a shin splint type injury and has been in town a couple of days already.
Date: 2003-04-12
From: Davenport Gap

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Great day. Picked up at 0800 by Curtis of Standing Bear and dropped off after picking up our food drop from Mountain Momma's.Wow, there was a helpful guy. When we arrived at Standing Bear, he was full but drove us into Newport on Thursday nite and picked us up this am. When he arrived, Zack's Dad needed a hitch to the hospital to have his leg looked at, and he was more than accommodating.Pretty good climb after he dropped us off, climbing about 2300' before dropping down 1400' to this shelter.It appears that sometime in the last few days we have gone over 10% of the trail. We hope to make Hot Springs on Monday and as it is only 26 miles should be quite doable.At the lower elevations,-there was no snow, but as we climbed the remnants were still visible. As we looked ahead to Max Patch[elev 4629'] we could still see snow on it. Our food drop contained our first newspaper from home since we left. It was nice to finish early [3:00] so we caught up on some of the local news and did some reading and cryptograms and crosswords.Just a note here about "trail magic". This is when someone does something nice totally without expecting anything in return. An example - Today as we started up from the Pigeon River, about 100 yds into the trail, there was a styrofoam cooler filled with Coke and Mountain Dew and Snickers bars. Totally awesome, just when you least expect it. nameless people who get up early on a Sat. morning and go out of their way to do something nice for someone who they will never meet. The shelter here is supposed to sleep 6 and there are 15 people here. But it isn't much of a problem as most are in tents and there are only 5 in the shelter. Disco and Glide and Soultrain are here and we met Commander-in-Chief on the trail today.
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful day to hike. temp. in the high 60's and sunny all day. Just as we started to climb up to the top of Max Patch - trail magic - There in a stream were 3 bottles of beer and some Hersheys Kisses and chocolates. Well only Scrounger drinks, so we took one beer and 3 chocolates , leaving the rest for other thru-hikers. Passed over the top of Max Patch, which was a huge grass field, and down to a nice spot on the other side out of the breeze for lunch. Arrived at this shelter at 4:20 and are getting ready for supper. Pretty near same crew here as last night.
Date: 2003-04-14
From: Walnut Mtn Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful day, in the 70's sunny and a slight breeze. Nice easy day into town about 3:30. Hard time trying to find a reasonable place to stay. Elmers Hostel was full and the motels/hotel all wanted US$60 as the thru-hiker rate. The outfitter in town [Bluff Mtn Outfitters] have this place at only US$15 each. TV, Kitchen, deck, microwave, shower, what else is there?Tonite, we are all going to Luke Skywalker's and Scrounger's birthday dinner at the Paddlers Pubbut maybe if we get moving we can do the "Hot Spring" thingie and soak in a tub for a while.We have a few blisters but other than that all is well. We do miss home and enjoy all the news. We just got a Macleans from home that will help. Special thanks to my wife, when we opened this food drop what is there but home made cookies.Ooooooh some nice.Hope to get on the trail early tomorrow with our next town Erwin in 5 daysWow, we just had a 40 minute soak in a natural mineral hot spring, then an awesome 3/4 lb cheeseburger. What a way to finish a day. Now back in the hostel trying to decide which of the 3 NHL games to watch. Breakfast at 0800 and out of town by 0930, with a good climb to start the day.