morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-15
To: Amicalola Falls State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was going to be our first day of hiking. We got a late start from my dad's house and I started to get ansy. The directions I downloaded from Mapquest took us way out of the way and nearly got us lost. What should have been a two hour trip took 3 1/2 hours. By the time we got to Amicalola Falls State Park there was heavy rain and lightening. We made the wise choice to stay the night here and start the approach trail tomorrow. The lady at the visitor's center said it will be sunny and warm. I think tha would be a more motivating start for me. After settling in our first shelter, we read for a few hours and met two other thru hikers, Paul and Dennis. We hiked a mile up to the lodge for the prime rib buffet, which was really worth the $35. We took the stairs on the way down, 604 of them, crossing the waterfalls. That mile up was hard for me and made me a little nervous. I really wish I had done something, anything to get in shape. We are planning on taking it slow for now and I hope to soon have my trail legs. When we got back from dinner there was another hiker at the shelter, Nitewalker.I hope I make it through tomorrow.Steph
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Springer Mt

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today started out as a nice easy day, lots of flat wandering paths. We reached Hawk Mt shelter which was our original stopping point but it was only noon. We pushed on to make up some miles from starting a day late. That was hard. We started at 9:30 am and passed a few hikers but never got passed. We have been keeping a similar pace with a group of three, Dirty Harry, Chris, and Kellie. Chris has a bad knee so they have been waiting on him a lot. Not sure if he's gonna make it much further. I take a lot of short breaks, especially going uphill. Jon has been great through all of this. He's very supportive and keeps motivating me. I'm glad we're doing this together.Oh yeah, Jon said he heard you lose IQ points with every mile out here. We went back and forth for at least a minute with "You da man. No, you da man!" So I guess it's true.I'm going to sleep great tonight.Steph
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: moderate rain

Jon and I woke up early this morning to beat the crowd into town to shower and do laundry. It had started raining during the night so it was not easy packing up everything in the rain. We were up by 5:45 am and packed everything but the tent by 6:30. We waited till 7 to start hiking and headlamped it out. Our only climb was Blood Mt, the highest point on the Georgia section of the AT. It was a pretty rough climb, but quick. Blood Mountain got its name from a Creek and Cherokee battle, there was so much blood shed they said the hills ran red with blood. The rain held off and itw as mostly mist, sometimes it felt like were in the middle of the clouds. Going down was worse; there would be whole sections of trail that were huge slabs of rock. We got to town by 9:45 and stopped into Mountain Crossings at Walasi Yi. When we got in, Winton, the owner told us of possible tornadoes with today's thunderstorms. We decided to forgo the extra 6 miles we were going to hike today and rented 2 bunks in the hiker hostel. The rest of the day consisted of laundry and showers and settling in. We have been pushing it kind of hard with two back to back 13+ miles, so I was glad to have the day of rest. Team GoLite(Dirty Harry and Kellie) is staying here as well so that's cool. Dirty Harry and Kellie hike faster than us but plan similar mileage days. For dinner we had spaghetti and meatballs followed by a prize drawing where everyone wins. Jon got a duct tape wallet made and signed by Winton himself and I got this weird ragdoll head that I can pin on my pack. (???) Other prizes included a giant jar of pickles, rubber chicken, fake spaghetti, and a can of soup. Pretty funny. Kellie and I made sure to get a picture with Pirate, the keeper of the hostel. Now I'm sitting on the top bunk watching Team GoLite eat chips and slasa. We bought some tortillas at the outfitters and this other guy won a bean and rice meal for 4 so we plan on sharing that with Kellie and Dirty Harry.
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Neel's Gap

To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 12.2

We got a late start out of the hostel this morning. I realized that my thermarest had a slow leak so the great folks at Mountain Crossings helped me find the hole and gave me the stuff to patch it up. I slept on it last night and it was flat by the morning so we had to wait till 8:30 when the outfitters store opened. I decided to get a foam pad like Jon's, that way I don't have to worry about any more leaks. It's not as comfortable, but it helps to keep me insulate under my sleeping bag. We camped with Kellie, Dirty Harry, Troutbum, and Moss. Kellie invited me over to her "place". It was nice to have some girl talk.
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Tray Mt Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

Today was the hardest day for me by far. On the climbs I could feel my leg muscles burning and on the descents my feet would kill me. There are a lot of hikers staying here. We have been traveling with the same core group: Dirty Harry, Kellie, Troutbum, and Moss. It's nice to see your "neighbors" every night.
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Tray Mt Shelter

To: Dick's Creek 
Miles today: 11.0

We hiked 11 miles from Tray Mt Shelter this morning and are now staying at Cloud 9 Hostel. We were planning on staying at the Blueberry Patch but they are full. The two hostels work together well though and we will still get our maildrop. Plus all our "neighbors" are staying here as well. I've already had a shower and I'm sitting in a robe waiting for the clothes to dry. We are thinking of hitting up the all you can eat chinese buffet tonight. Oh yeah.Don't pay attention to the trip miles, we have hiked 77.5 miles in 7 days. Pretty awesome. Tomorrow we should cross into NC. I will try to update daily journals when I see Miyuki in Fontana.That's all for now, gotta share the computer.Steph
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Dick's Creek 

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night we stayed at Cloud9 hiker hostel. They were really great people and were even willing to shuttle us to a different hostel. There were a lot of hikers there laid up with injuries that had been there for several days. We decided to tent for $10 each, which included shuttle, laundry, and shower... well worth it! We got a ride in to town from a section hiker, along with Dirty Harry, Knuckles(kellie), Dirty Old Dog and Steel. Jon and I had the Big Man Combo, 2 plates of food for $8.50! I didn't finish all of it, but I did better than most of the guys. We decided to get up and out early this morning before the vortex of Cloud9 could suck us in. Today wa crossed the Georgia/North Carolina border and Team GoLite waited for us. We took lots of pictures and everyone rejoiced. Unfortunately NC had no mercy on us. I think they are trying to weed out the weak. We started with two big climbs with no switchbacks, just stairsteps all the way. My left knee is starting to bother me a bit, but I think it will work itself out. Even though today was hard we were in camp befor 3 pm. Dirty Harry and Knuckles are zeroing in Franklin and we are thinking of carshing with them for one night. They are also thinking of visiting us while we zero in Fontana. Tonight at the shelter we sat around the campfire for a while whith the regulars: Harry, Knuckles, Troutbum, and Moss, as well as Survivor Dave, who we met on Springer and two new faces, Tophat and Grasshopper. Tonight is supposed to be pretty cold so I'm gonna get in my warm bag the rest of the way and read a little.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter's Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in this morning, but woke up to snow. It was very hard to get up and moving this morning. The snow started accumulating on top of one of the mountains we climbed this morning. No snow at the shelter, but Troubum heard weather from a freiend that we could get some more tonight. Jon and I are already in our bags with hot water bottles at our feet. We are going to try to hike 16 miles tomorrow into Franklin, NC with Harry and Kellie. Town calls!Too cold to write anymore.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Carter Spring Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we pushed extra hard to get into Franklin, NC and stay in a hotel with Dirty Harry (Nick) and Knuckles(Kellie). Hotel bed, shower, and all you can eat buffet is a huge motivator. We were at the road crossing by 3pm. We also had our first trail magic today. Someone had left a bunch of Capri Sun's in a cold stream coming out of the mountain. That really boosted my spirits! Jon was yelling and pointing, saying "Juice Box, juice box!" Then at the road crossing there was an amazing couple that offered us little debbie cakes, chips, and gatorade while we waited for a shuttle into town. They even had chairs! So today has been a good day. We have hiked 115 miles so far. That's including the 8.8 miles of the approach trail that we did the first day, which isn't considered part of the AT. Thanks for all the comments and well wishes. Our health is great and we are blister free, so we should be able to keep up some decent miles. Steph
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zeroed in Franklin, NC at Sapphire Inn. Ate lunch at Hardee's for lunch, Chinese for dinner. Tunabag (06) gave us a ride to town for groceries and the outfitters. I got Knuckles to start a trail journal so that's all we did all afternoon. I noticed my ankles and feet were really swollen. Shouldn't have had the chinese.
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was hard to get going after a day and a half in town. I felt very fidgety(sp?) sitting in the hotel all day. We are staying at a new shelter that was built in 2007. It's kind of small and there aren't a lot of tent spaces, but the view is amazing. (sorry, the next week or so of journals are going to be short... Jon lost our shared journal at Walmart in Newport, TN. Don't ask...)
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Today was supposed to be a 16 mile day. We were going to stop at A. Rufus Morgan Shelter, .8 miles outside of Nantahala Outdoor Center. When we got there it was still pretty early and we knew we had goodie boxes waiting for us at NOC. The trail goes right by the outdoor center and over a bridge crossing the Nantahala River where a lot of kayakers run the rapids. Jon and I received our food package from my mom that had candy and pudding packs! Jon's mom sent us a care package with oranges, apples, oreos, and sugar wafers! Let's just say we were the most popular kids on the block. After gorging for a couple of hours (and splitting a 6 pack) we thought we could find a place to camp near by with Knuckles and Dirty Harry. That was not the case. The nearest camping area was another 2 miles up the trail. I was not a happy camper. I couldn't believe I hiked 19 miles! When we got to the campsite we saw Aqua Maria and Eric and then it started raining. It stopped shortly after, so we ate dinner(more oreos) and called it a night.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Campsite

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up to thunder and lightening so we waited out the worst of it in the tent. Of course I had to pee really bad so I had to go out in the rain. The first part of the day was all uphill, but the rain only lasted the first 20 minutes of hiking. We stopped for lunch at Sassafras Gap Shelter and met Sprite and Mosey. They started February 28th!We started to head down hill when we passed this day hiker with his dog. He told us there was trail magic 2 miles ahead. I nearly ran down the hill. Jon kept talking about what it could be. Maybe it would be ham sandwiches... and coffe... or what if its just gatorade. He decided he would have rather not known about the trail magic so he wouldn't be disappointed. When we got to the bottom of the hill there were a couple of pop up tents and this group had hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, pimento cheese sandwiches, brownies, cookies, hot chocolate... and coffee! It was amazing! Thank you to Hopeful('03), Queen Diva, and all the other trail angels that were there. Knuckles and Moss were there while we ate, which took about 45 minutes. It also started raining right when we got there and then stopped shortly after we left. It was the perfect trail magic.Unfortunately we still had 2 miles to hike to the shelter. There was a bachelor party at the shelter which was a little strange. Luckily we were tented a good ways down the hill so we slept fine.
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Stayed at the Fontana Hilton so we can have 2 full zero days in Fontana. Dakota, Aqua Maria, Eric, Slow Stepper, Route 66, Hi Lo, Rainfly, Moss, Knuckles, and Dirty Harry are all here as well. Can't wait for a shower and laundry!
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

After 2 relaxing days at the Fontana Village it was hard to get back to the dail grind. It was nice to see Miyuki and Mason and they let us use their lap tops to upload pictures and check emails. Thank you both!We had to start the day with a 2.5 mile reroute around the Fontana Dam while they are doing construction. We missed the closing by one day. Then it was all up hill to Shuckstack Mountain. We got to Mollies Ridge Shelter at a decent time. The shelter was packed and 2 hikers had to tent. In the Smokies, all hikers have to stay in the shelter if there is room to cut back on the overuse of the area. This is the same shelter we stayed at 2 years ago when we hiked the southern section of the Great Smoky Mountains, but at that time there were 7 horses and riders staying there. That night I also heard wild boars, but no strange noises tonigh. Just snoring from every angle.
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Today was a big day. Every day I think, This is hard. But since I think that every day, I guess what I mean is, It's not getting any easier. Like Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own, It's supposed to be hard. If it was easy, everyone would do it.
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I got us lost on the way to Clingman's Dome. A whole mile round trip. Before we got to Newfound Gap it started to pour. Let's just say the Smoky Mountains are depressing. I can't wait to be out of here.
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today was beautiful! Sunny skies, great views. Of course, the first day in and the last day out of the Smokies would be great. Our original plan was to stay at Standing Bear Hostel tonight, but a week ago I got an offer to get picked up by a friend's dad in Newport, TN. A night in a real bed! I hiked extra fast for that. We were at the gap by 2:30 and when we got into his car he handed us all snickers. It was my third of the day, but who could turn down a snickers. At the house we were able to air out all our wet gear, take showers, and do laundry. Then we had steak for dinner with blackberry cobbler for desert! Thank you so much Mr. and Mrs. Holloway. That was exactly what we needed.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Davenport Gap

To: Ground Hog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

After a breakfast of donuts and bacon and eggs we got an early start. It was a pretty easy day and we were in camp before 1 pm. It was nice to sit around all afternoon. We even got a card game of Five Crowns in with Moss, Knuckles, and Dirty Harry. The "Notorious Nine" stopped by for a break, but they are heading another 6 miles to camp on Max Patch. So it was just our regular group of 5 and 2 section hikers.
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter

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

Last night was the best sleep I've had yet on the trail. I don't know if it was the babbling brook we were camped near, but it is also nice to be back in a tent. It's so much more comfortable than a shelter. We got to Max Patch around lunch time and found Moss and Knuckles having lunch. You could see all the Smoky Mtns and it looked like the set of The Sound of Music. Knuckles got a picture of Jon and I twirling around singing, The Hills are Alive... It was a beautiful moment. We got to the shelter around 2:15 pm. It's definitely an old shelter, the privy has bags of trash around it and flies coming out of it, and the water source is a little stagnant. Again, our group of 5 were the only hikers staying, so we played another gripping round of Five Crowns. I think we've got Dirty Harry hooked on it, at least until he wins, but that's not going to happen.
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early. Everyone wants to get to town early and have pizza for lunch. Ok, here it is. Our first bear story: (really it's Moss's but we were there)Moss was the only one who slept in the shelter, Dirty Harry, Knuckles, Jon and I were tenting up the hill. He said that around 9:45 he woke up and a bear was batting at his pack that was hanging in the shelter. Then it went down to the privy and tore up all the trash down there. While it was at the privy, he threw his pack on the roof so it wouldn't get it. He woke up again and it was back at the shelter. He slapped his shoe hard on the platform and it left and headed towards our tents. Knuckles said she woke and heard something large moving around, but no one else heard anything. Crazy! According to the employees at the Outfitters in Hot Springs, this bear is notorious at that shelter.There were a few climbs today, but mostly down hill. Since pizza was calling I actually ran down the hill. I only fell twice (that's a total of 5 falls this trip) but no serious injuries. We got to Hot SPrings before 2 pm. The Appalachian Trail goes right through the town. We decided to all go in on a motel room. This town is great because everything is within walking distance. We went to the diner and Jon and I split a large pizza with bacon, pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, and olives. We ate the whole thing. I don't think we'll eat the rest of the day. Late we headed to the Paddler's Pub to celebrate Dirty Harry's birthday a few days early.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Knuckles, Jon, and I decided over breakfast this morning that we should take a zero day in Hot Springs. This place is just so great! Plus we aren't planning on taking another zero until Damascus, VA. Right now I'm at the Library and I've finally gotten all my journals caught up. I plan on stopping by the Dollar General to get a new journal, so things will be a little more detailed next time.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

Last night we had dinner with Jenx, Snowey, and Cabot at the diner. We've been hiking on and off with Jenx since the Smokies. Snowey is an older woman who has been section hiking the trail in 2 week increments. She started March 28th at Springer Mountain, so she hiked 270 miles in 2 weeks! She has already hiked the northern part of the trail and now only has 500 miles left to complete. Very interesting and great people to dine with. We also got to see Troutbum yesterday. We haven't seen him since our second day in the Smokies. He is zeroing today so we all think this is the last time we see him. At least until Trail Days in MAy. Hot Springs was a good place to zero, so I'm glad we made that decision. They hada great outfitters so I was able to replace some gear. I gota new shirt that has anti-stink technology, new gaitors, a hat and we got a new waterproof bear bag. We gave Moss our old bear bag.Today was our longest day so far. It seemed like I was moving slow today, but we still made good time. At Allen Gap we saw a sign for trail magic at someone's house down the street. Some people were unsure of going because they thought there would be a religious message to it. We decided to go because we were hungry and you never pass up Trail Magic. We were welcomed by the Nelson's (Hercules and Fall '99) into their beautiful log cabin home. We washed up and sat down with belgium waffles to start, pork stew with homemade bread, and brownie sundaes. It was amazing. They did pose a philosophical/religious question to us but never preached to us. They also passed around some religious themed books that we could take with us. Great trail magic and great people. We were there with Lady Cluck, Sampson, Toes, Pockets, Moss and Knucles. We still had 5 miles to go to the next shelter, and we made it in 2 hours by 5:15. There is a great group here tonight, very funny. It didn't start raining till 8 so we headed back to the tent. There are two stray dogs staying here tonight. We saw them at 10 this morning and they followed another hiker all the way here. They look starving, so we cooked them some ramen. They are very sweet dogs. Today is Dirty Harry's 25th birthday. Happy Birthday!!
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in till 7 this morning. The rain had stopped but we heard thunder so we just hung out in the tent for a while. Luckily it moved on. Jon and I started hiking around 9 and of course it was all up hill. We were going to do a 12-13 mile day but when we got to the shelter no one from our group was there. Frog was just leaving and had spoken to Dirty Harry, Moss, and Knuckles and said they were pushing on to the next shelter, 8.8 miles away. I was kind of worried and a little upset. I thought they were trying to lose us! We decided to push on since it was only 3 pm. Jon and I finally rolled into camp a little before 7pm. Everyone was glad to see us, especially Knuckles. She was so worried that she wouldn't see us again. Dirty Harry was talking about pushing 26 miles tomorrow all the way into Erwin, TN and I know we are not doing that so our little group may finally split up.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

Another 20 mile day. I don't think my legs and feet can take much more than this. So tomorrow is 6 miles into Erwin for some rest and then we'll take three 15 mile days to get into Roane to resupply. We started this morning around 8:20 and got into camp around 6:15. At 4 we came to a road crossing and we thought we only had a couple of miles left to the shelter, but the sign said 4.7! Those last couple of miles really dragged on. When we got here Knuckles ran up to us and said she would never leave us again. Dirty Harry, Moss, and T (who we met 2 nights ago) pushed an extra 6 miles to town. Knuckles said she got here about 45 minutes after they passed through but that there was no way she could have hiked to town before dark. Today was pretty dark. Freezing temps and snow, but no accumulation, after a week of temps in the 70s. Anyway, I know Knuckles is really upset about losing her hiking partner, but we will try to keep up our pace and plan our days together.