morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-01-12
From: Kneels gap

To: Blue mountain shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I was in my element today we done over 18 miles and I truely started to come into my own minus the 15lbs I sent away via UPS.We set off from neels gap at 0930hrs a ween bit later than planned since we went into the store and stocked up on some last minuate chocolate which I have scoffed already.We met a couple of guys on the trail at 1000hrs then not a soul for the rest of the day.The trail was pretty easy going today or maybe we are getting more used to it.It feels great to be walking along all day without a care in the world except when to stop for lunch and having enough water to cook with a night.The first few days were a bit shitty because I was so tierd and the the wieght of my pack , but now its actaully sinking in what I am actually starting to do here and its exciting.We arrived at the shelter at 1800hrs and were greeted ny a couple of day hikers who gave us some hot water for the choco drink mix that I got in neels gap , but since I had been drinking it I have had the shits so I am starting to wonder is it was a joke and someone has put in laxitives.Mat is complianing of a sore knee but I think he is just pushing himself to hard so he should be fine and dandy in a few days time.
Date: 2003-01-15
From: unicoi gap

To: Tray mountain shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

Well we had 2 full days off in helen , which is a strange German theme town filled with German stuff.Mats knee is bust and he is heading home on the big bird via Atlanta airport.Its sad to see him go as I will hike alone now but I am sure that he will be back when his knee is better , he won't let the trail beat him.So you will probely see him in april sometime.We hitched into Hiawasee before going to Helen and we went to eat some all you can eat buffet with our ride into town who was very amusing telling us some local tales.After we got some supplies at the store and decided to hitch to helen because the prices of the hotels were to expensive in hiawasse.We got picked up by a local builder who was an ex marine and keen hiker ,he was telling us storys about his son in the marines and we talked about some of the animals in the wild around the area.He took us 20 miles out of his road aftre we told him what we were doing he was a very nice man.WE got a hotel for $30 a night and the staff were very friendly and helpful as to what we could do in the local area for a few days , ie where is the pub !! so we went to the local irish bar and got involved in a local birthday party and that was us for the night , we had a ball.So I left Helen today at 1230hrs and I got 2 hitches back to unicoi gap and I hiked 5.5 miles to get here to the shelter.I met 2 hikers on the way up who were out for the day and were previous thru-hikers one was called gerber and her gave me a cover for my sleeping bag and some bleach to put in my water to kill any germs as I was just drinking straight from the springs and he advised me not to or I would end up shitting everywhere.My first trail Devils oopps I mean Angels.They told me my trail name should be lonely as thats how its goiing to be for me on my hike.
Date: 2003-01-16
From: Tray mountain shelter

To: Deep gap shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

When I woke up this morning I tuned into the radio at 0800hrs and there was a winter weather warning for the whole east coast of the USA.The forcast for G.A & N.C was for the snow to start in the afternoon or evening so I set off with a quick pace hoping to get to plumborchard gap shelter before the storm started , but by the time I reached this shelter the skies were getting very grey and so I decided to stay put as this is a very good shelter and I am glad I did because an hour after my lunch the snow started , sy 1630 there was 3 inches.Hopefully it stops by the morning.
Date: 2003-01-16
From: curly maple shelter

To: Clyde smith shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: broken clouds

We got some good miles done today considering the amount of M.U.D.S (mindless ups and downs) along the way.There was a little snow on the ground but most of it has turned into slush , although it is trying to melt.We stopped for luch at the first shelter along the way and we were left some tinned Chicken by some trail angels so I quickly set about searching for the tortillas , chesse and onion from my rucksack to make some great qeusidillas (or however you spell it) Ohhhhhhhhh I felt like I was lying on the beach in Cancuan eating then I looked up and seen the rain rolling in over the mountains in the direction we were heading.My bag is pretty heavy because I am carrying so much home food so to speak , I have fresh eggs , bacon , scottish muffins , sausages , bread and steak things most thru-hikers never carry but I guess its worth its wieght in gold at the end of the day.My ankle is begining to bother me again because of the ice forming on my boots ,I hope it goes away because the last thing I need is a few days off the trail.
Date: 2003-01-17
From: Deep gap shelter

To: Muskrat creek shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I crossed my first state line today ( and no not my last !!!) so I am in N.C and it is so cold I have never felt cold like it in as long as I remember.I am sure my boots will be frozen in the morning , I am just pleased I made it through all the snow ok.
Date: 2003-01-18
From: Muskrat creek shelter

To: Carter gap shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Arrived here at 1435hrs today and I felt although I could have pressed on to the next shelter but I decided to take a long lunch with a group of campers at the standing indian shelter.They were a very welcoming crowd and I stood round thier fire and talked about some things on the trail ie. bears , hypothemia bad water and genral dangers of the appalachians.So as you can imagine they were a bunch of fun and I left them heading up indian mountain quietly thinking to myself oh shit what have I got myself into on the trail.2 miles down the trail I seen bear footprints in the snow and they crossed my path several times on my way to the shelter so I don't think I am gooing to sleep well tonight with these thoughts in my head.The snow is really deep and its making things hard going with the cold also.It was around 12* last night.I am breaking the trail so whoever comes behind me is going to have an easier job (if they are daft enough to come out of thier house at this time of year) oh well less moaning and more hiking......there here boots were made for walking.
Date: 2003-01-19
From: Carter gap shelter

To: winding stair gap/ Franklin
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

I managed a good day today making another good path for anyone who is behind me, there was a 0.2 miles rock scramble involved half way through the day which was nice (just like finding the original copy of the bible last night ) and once I got to the top the view was breathtaking , the best yet.The mountain was called Albert mountain and had a fire watch on top but it was covered in ice so it was not possible to go up , the snow is still deep everywhere.I met some cub scouts and thier leaders right at the end of the day but no one else.I got to the gap at 1440hrs and hitched a ride into town with a evry friendly family from Georgia , they took me directly to my hotel and I thanked them kindly for thier help.The hotel cost $38 and was run by Indians (india) and you could tell straight away as soon as you walked in by the smell that whacked you across the face.It reminded me of the smell of my local carryout place at home called nibbles , I could have murdered some chiken tikka massala so I quickly set about making some hints to the owner about my love of his countrys cusine in hope of an invite to my favouraite food.But to no avail.So I opted for a domino pizza which was crap , so I drank 2 buds and then went to sleep.After washing all my gear in the sink since the luandry was closed due to bad weather and the hotel were not very helpful.
Date: 2003-01-20
From: winding stair gap/ Franklin

To: Siler bald shelter
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: clear sky

I got up at 0830hrs and arranged all my gear and waited for my shuttle which I arranged the night before.The lady arrived for me at 1030hrs and she is a local lady who comes and picks up hikers out of the goodness of her heart to take you to the trailhead.She is a trail angel for sure.Her name is kathy sherrard and she told me of her work in the local area with bears and put my mind at rest with many of my worries regarding them.I mean we are not to used to bears in Scotland.Her son thru-hiked in 96 and she plans to start doing some next year , I say good for her what a nice lady.I took her picture next to her truck and then she gave me a hug , wished me luck and and sent me on my way and told me of a book she was going to be writing about all the hikers she has picked up over the years so I must keep my eyes open for it.I only hiked 4.7 miles to the shelter after being dropped of at 1100hrs , I met a hiker on the trail who was out for the day and chatted with him for a while.He was a 60 years male and was planning to start a thru-hike in march and was out doing some training and told me about his wieght training also , I thought to myself I hope I am in half the shape the man is in when I reach his age and I will be laughing.He informed me last year 1860 people attemted a thru-hike and only between 16%-17% actually completed it , how acurate these stats are I don't know.He was alos telling me about a constuction company over in Ashville with Scottish founders in the 1800s where every employee wore a "skirt" I quickly corrected him to the term "kilt".Apparently its been a tradition since the start of the firm to the present days , although not being true Scots since they all wear boxer shorts underneath due to compliants from old woman when they go up ladders.The snow is still everywhere
Date: 2003-01-21
From: Siler bald shelter

To: Wesser bald shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: moderate rain

17.9 miles hiked today and I was going to do another 5 to the NOC but decided to not push myself to hard to fast.Most of the snow has dissapeared with the heavy overnight rains and high temps and the fact that its been raining non stop all day.My gear is all soaking wet but since I am reaching the NOC in the morning I will get everything washed and dryed + I can get a shower and some food and call home.Visibilty was around 100ft all day I hope its better tommorow.More snow is forcasted for the next few days ....Brilliant ...not!!
Date: 2003-01-22
From: Wesser bald shelter

To: sassafras shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Got up bright eyed and bushey tailed this fine morning so I could make it to the NOC to get my stuff sorted , I met my first other thru-hiker today in the shelter just before the NOC.His name is james and hes from Texas or is it Vermont or is it Virgina , I can't quite make out exactly where but he seems to have moved around the USA.I shared a tub of ben and jerrys ice cream with him and I enjoyed my first taste of this luxury.My ankle started to get sore yesterday and the guy in the centre reckons that I have tendonitis in my ankle bone, I agree with him and he says the only way for it to heal is to get of it for a few days but I decided to truck on to this shelter and see how it goes.The problem has occured because I have been putting on my boots frozen each morning and its been rubbing constintly.This shelter is very nice and some kind person left some food behind in a bag which I scoffed.Its starting to snow again.
Date: 2003-01-23
From: sassafras shelter

To: Stecoah gap
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked with james today as far as steacoah gap wearing 4 pairs of socks , 2 plastic bags and my sandel on my right foot because its to painful to put my boot on.I hiked 6.7 miles like that through a whole load of fresh snow that fell last night and was contining to fall all day.By the time I got to the gap I realised it was crazy to hike on to the Dam like that so I hitched to the Dam so that I could rest a few days till it get better , its the tendon that runs over my ankle thats in-flamed as I said before wearing the frozen boots is the cause of the problem.I got a hich from a couple from Tennessee who were gald to give me a ride and told me all about there family coming here from Scotland many years ago ,I did not doubt them with thier ginger hair!!! they very a very nice couple and went out of thier road to make sure I got here.This is not a real it is a tourist village whish is only busy in the summer months.When I arrived here at the resort the people were real friendly and helpful ( something which seems to be increasinly normal around the south) they shuttled me around the resort for food and dropped me off at the "fontana hilton" suposedly the best shelter on the AT , I wentv to the toliet just before reaching the shelter and came across Adam a.k.a OH-MAN who was enjoying the heated toliets and advised me that the shelter was frezzing and the the temp was near 0* outside so I opted to sleep in the heated toliets too.
Date: 2003-01-24
From: Stecoah gap

To: fontana dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Tonight its back into the toliet for a sleep because its freeeezzzzzing again !! I got up at 0800hrs this morning and had a shower and some oats and then the cleaners for the toliets turned up but they recomened we stay there during our stay in fontan because ite so cold , they were nice guys an they informed us that its around 0* temp wise last night....coooooooold.We called the resort and just like clockwork they arrived 5 mins later to take us down to the store on the resort.I am hanging out with Adam who seems to be a yellow blazer and is hitching his way to Maine, he is waiting here on his friend james.He has got all his hiking gear but chooses to hitch , he sure is a character but a good one at that.We got some food from the store and then we went to the restruant where the kind lady gave us eggs , steaks and bread.We went to the adventure centre aftrer that and watched TV all day and got a few things from the store since there was a 40% off sale.My ankle is still bad so no hiking tommorow again.The temp is 5* and more snow coming on sunday , no end insight of the Artic weather.
Date: 2003-01-25
From: fontana dam

To: Fontana Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I am staying in the hotel tonight with the 2 guys James and Adam.We hung around all day watching TV again and in the afternoon I spent it talking to a hiker named WILDCAT who was out section hiking and was waiting on his wife coming to pick him up.He was our trail Angel for the day after he gave us all his left over dehydrated food which he does himself at home.This is the first time I have heard of this.I also met an artist named aron valer from Florida who is going to the smokies for some inspiration.
Date: 2003-01-26
From: Fontana Lodge

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Tonight I am back in the Fontana Hilton shelter and james(HAPPY) and Adam(OHMAN) are here also.I watched TV for most of the day again today ..Boooooooooooooo-------ring.I also talked with the artist from Florida he was very well educated in european history and we sat and had a good conversation.Tommorow he is going to give me a shuttle back to Steacoah gap to where I came of the trail to hike back here tommorow.I feel although I have grinded to a halt so it will be good to get back on the trail."these here boots were made for walking"
Date: 2003-01-27
From: Stecoah gap

To: Fontana hilton
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Back here again !!!! I have never stayed in a Hilton as many times in a row ever in fact I aint never stayed in a Hilton before I feel honoured.At least I earned my stay tonight by putting in some miles today , my ankle is feeling OK except my leg is hurting now.Its one thing after another.The story of my life as my Mum would say.Aron the artist gave me a ride to the gap and saved me hassle trying to hitch from Fontana which would have been a pain in the behind.The other 2 guys happy and ohman left also , happy for the smokies and ohman for a hitch to Hot springs.I can't wait to wake up tommorow morning and walk away from Fontana Dam.
Date: 2003-01-28
From: Fontana hilton

To: Russell field shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a hard climb up the Shustack a 6 mile climb to get on the ridge of the smokies.I met only 1 hiker all day and he was giving me advice on where to get a good pizza in gatlinburg but I told him I was hanging on until davenport gap for good food at mountain momas.My left thigh and my right knee were killing me today , I hope I am fit for tommorow.I got a suprise when I got to the shelter there was 2 hikers from Chicago and they invited me to share thier pasta with pesto sauce!!!! perfect end to a hard day.
Date: 2003-01-29
From: Russell field shelter

To: Russell field shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

It started raining last night and it is still raining at the moment (1830hrs).So I woke up and decided no chance was I going to walk through the snow all turning to slush in the rain.So I spent all day talking with the 2 guys from Chicago since they decided the same as me.We eat all day and they we very generous with thier food , we had pancakes for breakfast , porraige and I made ox-tail soup for lunch and we scoffed some chessee toasties which were top banana!! They gave me some batteries for my head lamp and new earphones for my radio,another example of the helping hand people give you along the way.So even although I had zero miles today was enjoyable
Date: 2003-01-30
From: Russell field shelter

To: Double spring gap shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I left the shelter at 1050hrs which was really late for me but I still managed to make some good miles.I caught up with happy and he was using his crampons in the slush ???? he walked with me until it started getting dark and stopped at the shelter before this one I have reached.That was the biggest mistake he could have made because when I rolled in here at 1855hrs there was 5 guys 3 from knetucky and 2 from alabama and they were friendly as you could ever imagine , a few of them were claiming to be of scottish background and started saying "if its nae scottish its craa-p" so I gave my T-shirt which said exactly so (Heather don't get mad but the guys were so good to me) and they feed me beer and good food all night and played away many a tune on thier banjo.What a great ending to a cold wet day with nothing to see but clouds.
Date: 2003-01-31
From: Double spring gap shelter

To: Ice water spring shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was fan dabbi dossiI got up at 0600hrs and left the shelter by 0630hrs and I had my breakfast at the top of clingmans dome which is the highest mountain on the A.T.I got there at about 0800hrs and the views were amazing , I could see the ridge line both north and south to the start and the finish of the park.The sun was blazing and the clouds were sitting at about 3000ft and since I was higher than 6000ft it was like a sea of clouds with some peaks just through the clouds like small islands.The hike down was very difficult with deep snow and the ice on the lower reaches of the path were very dangerous without crampons.I got down to Newfound gap and I hitched into the town called Gatlinburg to get some supplies and got my photo taken in the outfitters store to be added to the thru-hikers hall of fame for 2003 , I am the 3rd hiker to pass through this year and I seen the pictures of the other 2 who are ahead of me.Thier names are bono and rocket.I made it back up for 1800hrs to do the 2.8 miles to the shelter.Well I met 5 guys from Alabama who had a late start also which was a good thing because I would not have went alone up the path without crampons because it was crazy ice everywhere.I was penny pinching because I did think to get crampons but thought I would save on the expense thinking it wouldn't be as bad as it is.It took nearly 3 hours to do that small strecth and was very dark by the time I raeched the shelter.Happy arrived not long after me!!
Date: 2003-02-01
From: Ice water spring shelter

To: Tri-knob shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The shelter was full last night and everybody was busy cooking when I got up this morning around 0800hrs.I got talking to some guys from Kentucky and they were telling me about what was ahead of me on the ridgeline , it sounded quite daunting and the ridge was pretty narrow by the sounds of things and very icy.After talking with them for a while I decided to hike along with them for a while before they branch of and go a different way from me.One guy was so nice to give me one of his Cleets (spikes that fit on your heel of you boots) which was a great help.So I set off along the trail with Logan , david and stan who were all very friendly and chatted away until we came to go our separate ways.At that point david said he wanted to give me his cleets as I would most definetly be needing them for the rest of the way and he was going home the next day.This was a very thoughtful offer and I accepted his knid gift.People on the trail are always looking out for each other its such a great place to be.One guy before the shelter was wanting to give me all his food too but I refused as I had plenty but where else do you get this kind of generousity and commeradery???.I will keep in touch as I got logans email.Southeren hospitality is amazing.After I went my own way the cleets came in very handy and the trail have many icy spots and the snow was bad near the end.I must get some sleep I am very sleepy and the trail seems to be getting tougher all the time due to the cold and snow.
Date: 2003-02-02
From: Tri-knob shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

I arrived here with big expectations only to be shattered when the rude lady at Mountain momas told me that I won't want to be staying there because there was no hot water for a shower and the washing machine was bust ( I could'nt have cared less about that I had just hiked 15.7 miles in the snow to get here where else was I going ??I really wanted a warm sleep)After being polite to her and eating some food in her cafe she informed me that she had the water fixed and that I could wash my clothes in the sink if I wanted after saying to me "you aint from around here boy are you " a shiver ran down my spine.My clothes were really dirty and it took me a while to wash them and then I rigged up a few ropes in the toliet and left the heater on all night to dry my boot and clothes(which pissed her off the next day)The bunk was in what looked to me to be a garden shed.!!!! o'well I suppose this is not any holiday resort I am in.
Date: 2003-02-03
From: Davenport Gap

To: Groundhog creek shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Only 9.6 miles done today because I was waiting for a package from the postman that never arrived.My girlfriend sent it over a week ago and the lady said it had still not arrived but I wonder if she had it at another address but had just not brought it to this one , well I will find out in time I had to leave anyhow.It was a nice day for hiking today with not to much snow on the trail and the temp is rising.I crossed a few main roads and had a long climb which took it out of me in the heat.The 2 guys who are in front of me are only 4 days away so I could be catching up with them soon.