morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Hopeful:    It's funny how we looked forward to this day as a shorter hike-- but let me say that 12.8 miles is still a good long way! We're building up our miles as we wrap up this 2nd week of hiking, but my legs feel like there's lead in them today as a result. The exciting part of it all is that we look forwrad to a "zero" day at Fontana tomorrow. It will be great to rest, get some supplies, catch up on correspondence and enjoy the others here before we cross the Dam and head into the Smoky Mountain National Park.   There's a thought I keep having as climb balds and fire towers this week for some amazing views... the fact that the mountains are majestic! And I can only imagine the majesty of The One who created them.   It's also a confidence builder to look back and see where you've already been... yet there's still a LONG way to go!   We'll be at a motel here (great rates for thru-hikers) tonight and tomorrow night. We caught up with Strider, who got ahead of us around Hiawassee. We've met Insanely Grateful, and lots of others while eating at the only restaurant around. Our thoughts are with family, friends and students back home... with love, Hopeful and Red Wing
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Fontana Dam

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

miles hiked around town today don't count!    Red Wing:   Everywhere we look these days, we see water. Free Radical mentioned that one of the areas we were in was one inch of average annual rainfall short of being classified as a rain forest. I believe it. Almost everyday has seen rain at one point or another.   As we walk the ridges, it's easy to see where the springs are below us. Rhodadendrun patches are thick around the springs, showing early signs of life in the dormant forests. Like an oasis, a mountain spring gives LIFE. Walking down off the ridge yesterday, we began to see spring has already come to the valley. Again, the difference is temperatures and water. Every log and rock was covered with moss and the flowers were coming out. Water was giving LIFE.   Three days ago, as we hiked the longest of our days, we began to run low on water as the temps were in the upper 70's. When Hopeful's body begins to dehydrate, she gets cranky. She's becomes less than hopeful. Even in the human body, water is crucial to every part of us. Water gives us LIFE.   John 4, in the New Testament, puts it into clear perspective for us. Jesus meets a woman getting water at a well. After a lengthy conversation about ethnic backgrounds to marital problems, Jesus gives the woman reason to have hopef. John 4:13-14 says, "...everyone who drinks this water (meaning, fromt he well) will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water that I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."    Just as the creation we walk in leaves us in wonder of how beautiful and awesome the Creator must be, so to, we are reminded with each waterfall, life giving spring, and with each sip of cold water, how life changing the water that Jesus gives is to us.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Fontana Dam 

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Red Wing:    Today might be the most comfortable day of hiking that I've every experienced. The first .4 miles were spent crossing the Fontana Dam itself, which I'm certain has to be the flattest section of the AT. The climb that was supposed to be so bad was gradual, and had switch backs. Once on the ridge of the Smokies (the National Park entrance is just across the dam), it was a winding trail through miles of wild flowers that looked like summer snow. Snowman and Sparkplug said they were "Common Wood Sorel" (spell?). We were able to see the forecast for the next 5 days before we left the motel. It looks like we might make it all the way through the park with temps in the 60's and no clouds at all. That was certainly true today. To top it off, we hiked the first 11 miles with Strider, our friend from the first 4 days on the trail. It's been good to catch up with him again. It's a full shelter tonight, with some new faces.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Red Wing:    It was cold last night! It's evident that we are at higher elevations here in the park. Again today, we walked mile after mile in wildflowers. All morning we listened to birds singing all around us. It really was an amazing morning to hike. We walked from one bald to another with views of all the surrounding ridges, each succeeding ridge a lighter shade than the previous, due to the haze in the air. It was so relaxing, and then it hit me, what I was could take away from the morning's experience...    "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store way in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" Matthew 6:25-34   "
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Red Wing:    This morning I was the first one up at the shelter. That will probably never happen again! Our morning hike led us up Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT (6,643 feet) and has to have the ugliest observation tower I've ever seen. Oddly enough, the views to the summit were amazing, but at the very top, it was all tree covered. We met Joe and his parents as they dropped him off, he is a friend of Free Radical and Spicy who will be hiking from here on out. They gave us homemade cookies! Beyond Clingman's it was gentle up and down to Newfound Gap, possibly the prettiest section yet. Again, at the road crossing and parking lot there were tons of people and a limited view... but only a quarter mile down the trail it was beautiful and nobody was around.    We coasted in to the shelter before 5 PM and are here with 5 high schoolers and about 10 thru-hikers. Some of the crew we've been traveling with are Sparkplug & Snowman, Peanut, Thirsty & Ribeye, Six Piece & Drumstick, Wiggy, Horizon, Southshore (who we crossed the North Carolina border with earlier) & Jersey Fresh... I've not seen a shelter with better views yet. This whole Smokies experience has been unbelieveable with easy terrain, great weather, and these beautiful views.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

Hopeful:    "From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, the Lord is to be praised, and I will praise His name."   This song was on my mind most of the morning after we woke up to a beautiful sunrise over the mountain view outside our shelter (check out the sunrise picture on our photo journal!). So, the day began early and we broke the 20 mile barrier today!! It's my turn to write tonight and I'm happy to be in her sleeping bag, resting her sore, but pround, feet! The terrain wasn't incredibly tough, so we decided to give 20.3 miles a shot, otherwise it would have been a 12.6 miles day and we felt like more than that. In the National Park, we don't have as many choices about where to stay, since people are required to stay in shelters to cut down on the environmental impact of backcountry camping.    We call it a "WOW" day, since for most of it we were walking narrow ridges with steep cliffs and amazing views on both sides (Dad Matchett, I often though of you and your hesitation about heights!). The picture up for today was a spot we came upon within a mile of starting out (the first of may "WOW's").   Last night was not only packed with hikers, but we had a fire again and guitar music, courtesy of Drumstick. Wiggy deserves a special mention because yesterday he hitched into Gatlinburg, got some supplies and a pizza, which he strapped to his pack and carried in to the shelter to share with us! Now, I have never liked pepparoni, but it tasted SO good. In this third week on the trail, my body craves different things, and I'm definately getting a hiker's appetite! Tonight is a much smaller group. We've met Puck and his dad, Shannon who are from California. Spitfire and his girlfriend, Guideless are camped nearyby. We seem to have outhiked the others for now, but we look forward to them catching up when we take some down time in Hot Springs, NC, mid week.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

Red Wing:    We enjoyed sharing a shelter with 4 women section hikers last night, along with Shannon (a thru-hiker) and his son, Puck. Our stove pump broke and to our amazement, Shannon had a spare pump. Unfortunately, it didn't fit our stove, so he pulled out a spare stove he made out of a pop can. We don't have the right fuel to use it yet, but it might be a handy back-up for us. In the morning, he provided moleskin for a blister of Hopeful's, and so a trail name was born. Shannon is now "Handyman".   The day's hike was easy enough, 8 miles of mostly flat or downhill to Davenport Gap, where we exited the Smokies. We got to the hostel around 2 PM and caught Curtis, the owner, on his way to town and went to WalMart with him. I never thought I'd appreciate a trip to WalMart so much. We bought snacks, and meals that don't need to be cooked, so that we don't have to worry about stoves until we can hopefully replace our pump at the outfitter in Hot Springs. Hopeful got some cream for her hands, which seem to be experiencing an allergic reaction to something.    Our cabin for the night is built over a creek, with the sound of running water about 3 feet below our bed! We're sharing it a couple we just met, Spitfire & Guideless, and another young woman named Seeker. We were able to eat pizza (yum!) and drink coke (in my case) for dinner. Beta caught up with us. We haven't seen him in over a week and are enjoying catching up. Pot Holer, a gymnastics from Atlanta, has finished his section hike and will be heading home tomorrow. As we sit here around the fire, he's sharing thoughts and ideas with the group. He has a real gift for bringing depth to conversation, which I appreciate. Some others were here earlier... PB & J, Vogue, Pumpkin, Nipmuk & South Paw, Zeno... but they decided to put in some night miles. Yes, head lamps and all they headed out after dark to camp a little farther up the trail. We're more content to sleep while it's dark, at least so far on this trip!
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: few clouds

Red Wing:    We enjoyed the night's sleep in the cabin above the stream. Our first two hours of the day were all up hill. For the first time this hike I felt hot and exhausted. Hopeful was no better off. We took a much needed food break and drank lots of water which seemed to help. We also looked forward to reaching Max Patch the latter half of the day (a 4,600 feet mountain bald with 360 degree views). By 3:30 PM we made it to the summit where we created a make shift sun umbrella out of hiking poles and pack covers, then took off our shoes and socks, sat down on our sleeping pads and rested against our packs. For the next hour and a half, we had a picnic dinner, read a little and took a nap. As we sat there, we realized it was only our second time in the 3 weeks we've been hiking that we've taken a significant mid day break by ourselves like that. I think that we might try to do it more often!   Following the extended break, we hiked another 5 miles on incredibly (and thankfully!) flat trail to pull in to this shelter. Staying with us for the night are Handyman, Puck, Hot Flash, Preacher, Vermont and Trampas. We first met Trampas on the internet before coming out here. He's a doctor from Texas who went to Michigan State University. He was able to look at Hopeful's rash/blisters on her hand and tell us that it's probably poison ivy or poison oak and should eventually pass.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs Campground
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

THINGS WE'VE LEARNED ALONG THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL:*Don't ask Hopeful questions while walking up hill.*Birds begin chirping about 5 minutes before the rain is going to stop.*Never say, "Hey! I think we made it to the top!" (In rare instances, even positive thoughts have been known to add thousands of feet to climbs.)*Do not attempt to take a stove apart with the food pot still balancing on top of it.*When Hopeful asks for toilet paper, don't dilly dally.*Never attempt to plant your hiking pole and adjust your shorts with the same hand at the same time.*Do not hike behind Red Wing if he has eaten 7 or more Slim Jim beef sticks.*If the creation is this amazing, the awesomeness of the Creator is unfathomable.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Hot Springs Campground

To: Sunnybank Inn (Elmer's) / Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Red Wing: 0.0 trail miles today (but many miles around town!) We didn't expect to arrive in Hot Springs as quickly as we got here. With our newly discovered trail legs under us, we were able to comfortably hike a few extra miles and pull in to town yesterday afternoon.    We found a campground in town where we could pitch our tent and now realize why it was only $5 (a hiker's special!.) Between the trains passing every few hours throughout the night (about 100 yards away) and the chickens waking us up at 5 AM, it would have been a good night to use the ear plugs. Still, we were on soft, flat grass, were able to get a shower, make phone calls and get my morning coffee. So, it seemed like luxurious accommodations to us.   We're fortunate to have a cooperative outfitter store here in town who helped me swap out my already worn through backpack for an upgraded model, and traded my ripped gators for a new pair. As for the broken stove pump, they didn't have the right part and we may still be eating cold food for a few days. I've learned the value of a good customer service department and that too few companies realize our dependence on service.    The rest of our day consists of laundry, more calls, resupply and updating these journals. Each place we go we meet new hikers and catch up with old friends. On that note, we walked down to the Smoky Mountain Diner to eat breakfast this morning, and sitting there were Circuit Rider and Sherlock, friends we know from back home in Lake Ann. We knew they were out here, but had no idea how close we were to them. It was a special time of catching up a little. They are a big encouragment to us, since they have lots of AT experience, and awesome hearts for God and for people.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Sunnybank Inn (Elmer's)

To: Allen Gap / camped back in Hot Springs
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Red Wing:    Hopeful and I are currently sitting at a road crossing at Allen Gap while waiting for a ride back to Hot Springs, the town we left just this morning.   Last night's stay at the Sunnybank Inn (or "Elmer's") was great. The Inn is over 160 years old and is currently owned by Elmer Hall who has housed hikers there for almost 30 years, as well as other guests in the non thru-hiker season. The Inn provides a platform for conversation regarding peace, harmony with man, animals and earth, and promotes the vegetarian lifestyle and organic farming. The walls are hidden behind antiques and racks of books. The breakfast served there by Elmer and his staff was delicious!   Our plan was to leave town and get a few miles behind us early, but then things never go as planned. We made a few last minute phone calls, then a few more. By 11:30 AM we had finally been everywhere, seen eveyone, and had put the hiking off long enough. The early climp was quite a climb and by the time we reached the top, overlooking the river that runs through Hot Springs, the thunder storm off in the distance had caught up to us. The showers were only on and off, however, and seem to have cleared for good this evening. There's talk of snow on its way... I'll believe it when I see it.   Our original plan for today was to hike to the first shelter where we'd meet Brian Lishawa (the best man in our wedding, who currently lives in Nashville) who would have hiked in from the Allen Gap road crossing, a few miles to the north. But when we arrived at the shelter it was already full and had few tenting spots nearby, so we decided to just go ahead and try to surprise Brian by meeting him at the road. We can head back to Hot Springs and hang out at the campground there (with showers and "real" bathrooms!)   Tomorrow we have plans to stay in Hot Springs and be with Brian and the other hikers for "Trail Fest", and annual festival for AT hikers. On Sunday morning we'll be excited to attend church for the first time since being on the Trail. We miss gathering with other Christians on Sundays! In addition to attending a service tomorrow, we also have been encouraged by the music and sermons on the MP3 player that we just got in this latest maildrop. A church member has offered to give us a ride back to this spot in Allen Gap, where we're soon to be picked up.    Sometimes it seems that the logistics of hiking and finding ways to enjoy the accomodations of trail towns can pull us in two directions. We definately enjoy being away in the woods, but there's a strong pull to the comforts of town, and exploring them is an interesting part of the AT experience, too.
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Allen Gap

To: Hot Springs Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Red Wing:    Lish arrived to pick us up around 9 PM last night and by the time we made it back to Hot Springs, the rain had begun. We set up tents and then sat under the roof of the community bathroom/shower/pay phone area and caught up with one another for the next three hours. Brian has been a friend since nursrey school, we've remained friends through school and the Lord has continued to allow our paths to cross in the neatest places (the AT, New Year's celebrations, Nicaragua, etc.) ever since. We are thankful for the time he carved into his schedule in order to make it here, and as always, we're encouraged by his friendship.    Rumor has it that these few days may be setting record low temperatures. We've seen a little snow coming now and then, but hear that there are stronger flurries up in the mountains. It's definately a good day to be back in town. We spent the morning playing cards in the camp store with Lish, Hazy Sonic and Firefly (who caught up with us yesterday after not seeing them for a couple of weeks) and had pizza together for lunch.    For a short time the storm subsided and we went downtown to see what was happening at Trail Fest. There were bluegrass musicians, raffles, local venders, and lots of hikers that we've met throughout our hike. Perhaps most exciting of all, we ran into Gypsy LuLu who is a friend from home and is thru-hiking with her sister, Touk. The two are actually as far ahead as Erwin, but Gypsy LuLu came back to check out the festival. It was good to see another face from home and share stories. On Thursday it was Circuit Rider & Sherlock, on Friday and Saturday, Brian Lishawa, and now this afternoon with Gypsy LuLu. Four Traverse City faces in three days, what a small world!   As the evening rolls on, we hope the weather will clear off enough to watch the "Hiker Olympics" organized by Noonin (a southerner with quite a sense of humor). This community is not short of unique personality and does not lack creativity.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Hot Springs Campground

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hopeful:    Happy Anniversary to Mom & Dad Matchett and Brian & Kristina Lishawa! We're thinking of you today.    Hopeful is writing tonight because Red Wing's hands are too cold. He was sweet enough to clean up after dinner while I crawled into my sleeping bag. The temps are well below freezing-- the 5-6 inches of snow we got last night showed no signs of melting as we trudged through it today.    Red Wing decided it was warm enough to send his gloves back home from Hot Springs a couple days ago, and then, naturally, we experience some of the coldest weather yet! The good news is that it's not supposed to last.         Another interesting trail twist to the day involved our plans for church. A couple days prior, I figured out that the Presbyterian Church would be best because they had an early service, so I had arranged with someone there to take us back to Allen Gap (where we had stopped and had Lish pick us up on Saturday) afterwards. But, when we arrived for church this morning, along with our friends Hazy Sonic & Firefly, the doors were locked and the building was silent (and let me assure you that it wasn't because we were early!). We were baffled, but saw some people at the Baptist Church next door and went over to ask. They said that the Presbyterian Church was probably canceled due to snow (I never thought that would happen in North Carolina!), but that we should join them, and that they were actually going to have their worship time earlier, in place of Sunday School, because of the snow (I have trouble understanding the logic of it, but that's what they did!). And, yes, someone would give us a ride to Allen Gap afterwards. It turns out there was a Hispanic man that led some songs at the end of the service and singing in Spanish reminded a lot of when I was in Honduras-- I loved it!    So, in light of plans never going as planned, I searched this evening to find a verse in Proverbs that it brought to mind: "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9)   We did finally start hiking, and it began fine. However, as we went up, the snow got deeper. There were some cool cliffs and rock climbs, but the snow made those a bit tricky. I would have liked to take more pictures, but it was too cold to get the camera out!      Upon arriving at the shelter, it appeared to be full, but then Papa Bear, scooted over and squeezed us in. The other four hikers arriving after us (Hazy Sonic & Firefly, Feather & Sugaree), had to put their tents up in the snow. I don't envy that! People say, "Oh, you're from up north, you should be used to this." But on a Sunday afternoon like this one, it feels like we should be watching a football game on TV and a big pot of hot chili in the kitchen, NOT walking up windy mountains without our winter coats! Oh well, surely "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow!"