morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Walasi-Yi Center Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I started my day early and after 5 miles around 10:30 arrived at Woody Gap where wonderful trail magic of hamburgers/hotdogs was waiting for me. I had an early lunch and arrived at Neels Gap by 5:00 and completely exhausted. I have experienced my first blister and picked up my first maildrop. Planning an 11 mile day tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Walasi-Yi Center Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

We have seen no ice or snow and the weather has been in the 80s. Today I weighed my pack at the Walasi-Yi before leaving. It weighed 30 lbs, which surprised me with all the goodies from my drop box. I asked AT 70 if I could hike with him and he seemed pleased to have company. He told me he will turn 71 in June on the trail. I like to hike with him because he has hiked the AT before (1993), and seems to have a great memory about the terrain and water. He rode his bike with pack from Indiana to Springer Mountain and ditched his bike and started hiking. Often he will say that we need to get water here, or we dont want to carry 6 lbs of water up this mountain. He is a valuable resource and becoming a good friend. He expressed that he would like to hike with me the rest of this week, and I told him how glad I was to have his company. We saw one large rabbit, and took photos on rock ledges looking at where we would be going, then where we had been. We stoped hiking at 3:30 at Low Gap. The leaves are not back on the trees yet, so the sun is hot on the trail with no shade. We were both going to camp out, but after I had set up my tent, he decided to stay at the shelter, which was fine with me. So tonight is the first night in my tent, and the shelter is a ways away. My foot blister still hurts but is doing ok. I have some abrasions from my pack on my back and under my arms. I am trying medication and different clothes to help out. My day is up early, snack at 10, lunch at 1:00, end hike mid afternoon, and in bed by 6:00. I am too tired to be sociable!
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night it rained hard and my sleeping bag got wet as my tent leaked. Walked to the shelter at 5:30 am with my headlamp, hoping to find my way and not wake anyone up. I cooked Ramen noodles with peas and shared what I could not eat with AT 70 and Ox. I returned to pack up all my damp gear and met Mike from FL who had camped out nearby. AT 70 and I hiked pretty solid for 4 hrs. and then stopped at the Blue Mt Shelter at noon for the night. The shelter is a single story with a porch roof, but no table. The view is beautiful. It is sunny and windy...good for drying. It was a chilly walk 50I took time drying everything out and adding some guy ropes to my tent as well as some additional stakes. This will keep me dry next time. There are 8 people inside the shelter and 5 tents. Kokopelli caught up to me today. We will see a wonderful sunset and sunrise from this location. Hope to be at Cloud 9 Hiker Hostel by this weekend at mile 67 in Hiawassee, GA. Here is my story about the storm: I went to bed at 6 pm hoping for a good nights sleep. I woke up at midnight and took a quicktrip to the woods, not realizing a terrible thunder and lightening storm was about to occur. Remember,this is the first night in my tent, and although there were probably 5 other tenters besides 15 people at the shelter, we were not within sight of one another. so here is the story I was writing in my head as I was experiencing the storm for 2 hrs. First, was the bowling tournament. For each strike the lights would flash and every ball rolled was a strike. Then, our Grandson Micah got out his electric drum set at the s me time my Mother decided to vaccum my tent. Next, I realized I was sleeping on the White House lawn and all the sprinklers were on full blast aiming at my tent. Then, all the motorcyles converged who were driving to Laconia for motorcycle weekend. Finally, Grandson Samuels swimming pool tipped over in my tent so my feet were wet and evrything seemed damp..What a night to remember. It was beautiful to see the flashes of lightning through my tent window, almost like a strobe light. If I had a concern it was branches from a dead tree nearby blowing in my direction.Its 6:30 am now and Ive cooked soup and peas.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was freezing cold in the shelter, with temp at 30 when we checked. I had on every bit of clothes that I brought, including 2 hats. ( of us slept in the shelter like sardines, which was nice to be squeezed in together for warmth. Placing a tarp under our sleeping pads helped prevent the wind from coming through the floor boards. This single story shelter had a great porch roof and a view of both sunrise and sunset. There were probably 5 tents as well. Last night I was so cold my teeth were shivering. I used skiing toe warmers on my hands and stomach.It was wonderful to have Kokopelli beside me. She has a new pack and is going off trail today with Blue Deacon to spend the night and purchase warmer clothes. Whereas I am going off trail tomorrow with AT 70. Kokopelli and I know we will connect again somehow next week. Todays hike was beautiful, as have been all the others, with blue sky, some ice on the water sources, windy, and ups and downs. We went to the Tray Mt Shelter !to get water and Ox was there alone with a huge blister on his foot. We encouraged him to join us and he did. We hiked down from the summit a couple of miles and we have had super and are camping out tonight. We saw 3 family of day hikers and one grouse. It looks like others are going to be joining us as there are 5 checking out campsites now. I am glad we did not get 10 inches of snow like NH did last night. I am looking forword to a shower and bed tomorrow at the Cloud 9 Hiker Hostel.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Tray Mountain

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night there were 5 of us camped out together in 4 tents. AT70 slept with Ox because he felt it was too windy for his tarp. I went to bed at 6 pm and woke up to use the woods and the stars in the sky were so brilliant. It reminded me of staying at the White Mt Huts, where you feel you could almost reach out and touch the Big Dipper. I have a window on the roof of my tent and I sat up and just looked at the sky. No clouds and beautiful stars. AT70 actually woke me up at 6:55 am. The temp in the tent was 40, but it was 30 outside. We packed up very quickly. He had retrieved my bear bag and rope and I helped him clip his pack straps when his fingers would not work. For the second day in a row I wore the clothes I slept in! Our hike to the road was exactly 5 hrs,about 8mi. We really didnt have breakfast or lunch, but just snacked along the way. The terrain included one big climb. When we got to the road, there was a jeep with Cloud 9 Hiker Hostel painted on the door. If I did not know better, I would have thought Richard called them up and told them to me us at 12:20! In addition, there were 2 students providing candy bars and gatorade for Trail Magic! The driver brought us to the Hostel where I have chosen my lower bunkbed, showered (they provide bathrobes!), and a load of wash is going. My cell phone is recharging. They bring hikers in to town at 4 pm to resupply, etc. or whatever. I want to look at the trout in their pond. Tonight I will enjoy a rainbow trout dinner and tomorrow a home cooked breakfast. My former student, Ashley Bennett has left a message that she will try to meet me next weekend. I received my Spork from LL Beans, my maildrop from Bob and Deb and a letter from Richard. There are still 4 letters at Walasi Yi I hope will be forwarded to me. My foot blisters needs a little attention, but all in all I have had a wonderful week, far better than I could have imagined. I feel so blessed to have connected with AT 70. As you can imagine, from hiking the trail 14 times, he knows every in and out beyond any book or map you can read. The first friend is leaving the trail today. Cindy, with knee problems. I cant wait to hit the trail after a homecooked breakfast tomorrow. We will be unable to attend Easter services, but have agreed to have our own on the Trail.
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

The Hostel fixed us bacon, home fries, french toast and cataloup for $5 this morning. We were warned that it snowed in the mts last night. The shuttle dropped AT70 and I off at Dicks Creek at 8:30 and it was 20 degrees. It wasn't long before we saw a frozen salamander on the snow covered trail. We saw our first squirrel! We noticed skat on the trail but couldnt identify the source. It wasnt long before we figured it out when we met two pack goats and their owners! We crossed the border into NC before 2pm and AT 70 recommended that my picture be taken at the sign and the gnarly tree. We had a very hard climb at Bly Gap, and if we were close to averaging 2 mi per hr, Bly Gap took care of that. AT70 told me to take it easy and no power hiking allowed. I told him I was afraid if I looked up or stood up straight I would tip over backwards and fall on him and knock him over. We agreed not to look up! We could see our breath all day. We would no sooner take off our hats than we would have to put them back on. We got to the Muskrat Shelter about 4pm and quickly cooked some hot chocolate and Ramen Noodles with corn. The Privy does not have a door. The shelter sleeps 6. There are 3 men day hikers also here.AT70 feels we are ahead of our hiking friends because most went into town for a zero day. Whereas we have hiked everyday even though 2 nights have been in hostels.Today we hiked 11.6.It is great to know we can cross GA off the list of the 14 states on the AT.Tonight is supposed to be very cold again. I am going to sleep inside my tent inside the shelter, like a bivy sack. AT 70 is also going to loan me his fleece which hehas not worn yet. Collecting water tonight is of no use because it will be frozen in the morning. It wasnt until noon that my platypus hose thawed out. Despite the cold weather, the views afforded us the opportunity to see 10 layers of mts.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

AT70 and I started hiking at 7:50 with numb fingers from assembling our packs in 20 degrees. We wished our shelter mates from SC Happy Easter and moved quickly to get warmed up with no breakfast. At 4 miles we came to Deep Gap where there is a road. To our surprise there was a big blue tarp set up, a tent, a fire with lawn chairs and blankets, and wonderful people greeting us to Easter Sunday breakfast. I had an omlet, bacon and juice after I filled out the To Go lunch menu! I selected a turkey and cheese sandwich with lettuce, chips, an apple and banana! As if that wasnt enough, I had a seated massage by a real massage therapist! We hated to leave this little place of heaven on Easter Sunday, but we moved along reluctantly. Our hike today wasa fairly easy 12.5 miles to Carter Gap Shelter. We passed some Thru Hikers who were being slackpacked for today by the motel owner. Due to the severe cold, they had gone off the trail but were still day hiking, actually south from Franklin, NC. As of 5:30, we are the only 2 here. Another very cold night is predicted. AT70 pointed out a fire tower on a distant peak that we will be at in a few days.There are 3 types of trails so far. 1. up and over...ugh!2. switchbacks on the edge of the mt with big drop offs on one side3. paths as if a lawn mower had made a trail through the woods, often through rhodedendrums or forestsI hope you all had a Happy Easter!
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Star Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I have now crossed another little milestone, the 100 mile mark, 106.6 to be exact. Last night was a little warmer, 30 degrees. Only AT70 and I were in the shelter. Once again, the night sky was clear and I felt as though I could touch the Big Dipper. There are advantages to being outside at night! We had a hot drink and some breakfast before leaving at 7:45. We decided to try to hike 15.9 mi instead of 12, if we felt up to it. About 9:45 at a road, we saw a bus drop off Thru Hikers to hike southbound. Among the group(7 in all) was Kokopelli and AprilShowers from CT! They had been staying at the motel that offers free hiker shuttle services and slackpacking. We told them we would be staying at the same motel tonight, so we would see them later. So, AT70 and I continued to hike the 15.9 never seeing any other hikers. We paused to take a picture at a beautiful overlook where I called my sister, Bonnie. I thought the icicles and the view from the fire tower would also interest you. It was snowing at the firetower, though my thermometer registered 30 degrees. We were able to hike at 3 mph for 2 hrs, due to the easy grade. We hiked through a green tunnel of rhodedendrums. I hope some will be in bloom as we head north. We hiked a very steep rocky section where I would have appreciated a butt boost, but although AT70 and I are becoming good friends, I didnt feel I could ask him for that type of a push yet! When we finished our hike at 4, we hitchhiked to Franklin where I picked up my maildrop, and then were driven to the motel. A very nice Christian couple picked us up without much of a wait. The others returned shortly from their southbound slackpacking, and we went our separate ways for dinner. As usual, it was a wonderful day and we are exhausted. It is an hour past our regular bedtime...8 pm.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Winding Star Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

I prepared a bounce box of food this morning to mail to Hot Springs. I just have too much food and not the appetite to consume it. The shuttle bus was full for our 8:30 departure from the motel. Ours was the first drop and one other couple departed with us at our stop. Todays climb was slow and steady to Siler Bald. It would be a perfect sliding hill if it were New England! Next, we came to Wayah Bald, which has a stone obervation tower with a beautiful view. During todays hike three other Thru Hikers were also going to the tower. Five south bound slackpackers passed us who were dropped off from our bus at Wayah. At the tower, we had hiked 10 miles. We decided to hike 5.8 more to get to the shelter, since rain was predicted for tonight and tomorrow morning. We were surprised that the shelter was full, though we arrived later than usual. Still, two others came in after we did and had to tent. There are 7 in this shelter and 5 would be comfortable. I have met another woman, named Copperhead from Arkansas. It was nice to hike in shorts and short sleeves again today.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: US 19 Wesser NC
Miles today: 11.4

Last night was the smallest shelter and again we were packed like sardines, with rain expected during the night. It was the best night sleep I've had, somehow managing to fall back asleep after the 4 am wake up call to P got ignored. AT70 and I hiked from 7:45 -2 pm, right on the 2 mph pace. It was mainly a descent from 4920 ft to 1740 ft. But you know, downhills are sometimes more difficult than uphills. 3 hikers from the last nights hostel passed us, and 2 of them are staying at the NOC. We hiked in the fog. It was kind of eerie when south bounders were coming towards us, cutting through the fog, reminding me of ET walking down the spaceship ramp at night. This person with a square humpback shape out of the mist...We missed views from another firetower and other scenic overlooks today. However, we were very fortunate that the rain didn't start until we were half our from NOC. When we arrived, we were greeted with a big banner that said Welcome Thru Hikers! I picked up 3 packages and letters that had been forwarded from Walasi-Yi and an envelope of letters from Mrs. Riebaus 6th grade class! AT70 bought a single wall one person Northface tent, and shipped his tarp home. They told him if it was raining he would need to sleep with his knees bent because condensation would accumulate inside the tent. He is 6 ft 2 in and just barely fits inside the tent! Tonight the hostel is quite different. We have a room with bunkbeds to ourselves in one of the 4 bldgs. We have to go outside to the community bldg where I did laundry to use the bathroom and shower. Anything is better than the woods! This is a white water rafting center and they also have a slalom course set up over the white water for kayaks. If is was a hot sunny day there are alot of things I would like to do. But, due to the rain, I will answer my mail and prepare for tomorrows steep ascent from 1740ft to 4330ft. I met Rooster today and it was nice to see Blue Deacon again. Doorknocker said Kokopelli is coming, but may be a day or 2 behind us. I feel GOOD!
Date: 2007-04-12
From: US 19 Wesser NC

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

AT70 and I went to the NOC office to return the room keys and mail a bounce box to Hot Springs with gloves, gaiters, TP and some extra food. We started on the trail at 8:15. Kevin had told me this was one of the hardest hikes he remembered from his 2003 Thru Hike. It was a steep grade and big gain in elevation. It was nice to have Blue Deacon join us until noon. He starts law school at Wake Forest in Aug, so he hopes to hike about half the trail. Our hike went well and time passed quickly. At a snack break, AT70 realized he had not returned the room keys. They were still in his pocket! We called the NOC to tell them we would return the keys one way or the other! We stopped at the Sassafras Shelter, mile 6.9 to get water. There we met a section hiker from FL. Statia, who knew me from my web site! He joined us to hike to Cheoh Bald, elv 5062, where we enjoyed the beautiful view and warm sunshine. We met a southbound hiker who kindly agreed to return our room keys to the NOC office. After an hour in the sun with our shoes off, the 3 of us hiked to Locust Cove Gap where 7 of us are tenting. Everyones tent is different and colorful. AT70 is sleeping in his single wall Northface 1 person tent tonight for the first time. I had lasagne and strawberry cheesecake for dinner. I heard NH had early dismissals at school due to the snow (again!). It was 60 degrees here and nice to hike in t-shirt and shorts. Looking forward to seeing my former student, Ashley Bennett, on Saturday at Fontana Dam at noon! We hear there is a hiker festival so it will be great to see other Thru Hikers in a different atmosphere. Every day there is something new and exciting to look forward to. I am still looking forward to seeing more wildlife!
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Locus Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Richard mailed me a sleeping bag liner. Last night I started using it as a pillow. After 2 hours in the tent, I realized it was going to be another chilly night, so I stuffed it inside my sleeping bag and appreciated the double layer for warmth. The stars were, once again, brilliant and nearly reachable. When AT70 called to me to wake up, 3 of the tenters were packed up and on their way. As I packed up, I returned to the tent to wipe out the condensation on the inside of the tent near my feet. However, I had left the tent door open for a while and my cloth simply knocked the ice crystals down to the tent floor! After a hot drink, we, left Locust Cove Gap at 7:45. Three miles later we came to a highway crossing. I was elated to see a port-a-potty, picnic tables and a beautiful view of 9 mountain ranges. I called my Dad on my cell phone to say Good Morning. Then, a car pulled over. I presume the man was either going to ask for directions or offer us a ride. Surprise, surprise!! He handed us a MacDonalds bag with 3 breakfast sandwiches and identified himself as a Thru Hiker on his way to Fontana Dam to do Trail Magic for the weekend. Wow! Todays weather was very changeble, and so were our clothes...showers, hot sunshine, wind, overcast, then the sequence would repeat. We hustled to the shelter hoping to beat the rain. It never did rain. The shelter only accomodates 5, and we were #3 and #4. Six more arrived after the 5th person, Statia. Some are tenting and others decided to move on to Fontana.Chicken breasts, mashed potatoes and chocolate pudding made a yummy dinner. Today marks 2 weeks on the trail and 156 miles! Whoopie!
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I was toasty warm inside my sleeping bag with the liner. It was the first night in a long time that I slept without two hats on and mittens!However, I did still have 3 shirts on! We hiked this morning from 7-10:30. During the descent we could see the Fontana Dam in the distance. It was a tease. You would think we would have been there in a half hour, but it took two more hours as we cotinued up and down, around the corner then up and down again, etc. Eventually we emerged in the parking lot of a Marina and I thought, This is it! Then I saw a white blaze on the other side of the parking lot and we were back in the woods AGAIN!! Shortly after our arrival at the dam, the owners of the Hike Inn shuttled us 6 miles to their hostel. There, my next maildrop with all sorts of goodies,and a letter for a freidn were waiting on the table in our room. In todays mail my digital camera chip arrived from Richard to replace the one that will go in Mondays mail, so you can check out new photos next week. Not only do the owners offer shuttle service but they also do guests laundry! So, after that and a quick shower Nancy shuttled us back to the Fontana Dam shelter where AT70 and I had a picnic lunch with Ashley Bennett and her NH friend, Lauren Abrami. It was so great to see friends on the AT from home. What a treat they provided for us of fresh fruit and roasted chicken sandwiches! They came to the Hike Inn with us and examined our pack and maildrop contents. We had fun catching with each other and our families. I took the girls to a Barbecue place for dinner and we returned to the Hike Inn for more trail stories and laughter. I appreciate them driving 4 hrs to meet me so much! We will meet at the dam at 7:30 tomorrow to hike with them on the AT. Lauren and Ashley will either tent or sleep in the shelter tonight. I have looked forward to their visit today so much! I almost forgot to tell you that I got on the scale BEFORE I took the girls to supper and I had lost 10 lbs. AT70 has lost 3! (I'm keeping score!)