morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Mt. Collins 

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

4/16/03 Destination Peck's Corner Shelter 14.9 milesFinally a nice sunny day! Oh and a great day for backpacking! We did have a long day though, lots of mileage. We were walking this morning, almost made it to Newfound Gap for lunch and if it wasn't Carnathy Bob and Verity hanging out just up the road with a ranger. So Dimple Rock yelled to them to get their attention and inquired to what they were doing up there. They were actually waiting for the road up to Clingman's Dome to re-open so that a ranger could take them up to the AT. But in fact, the road was closed because 10 days prior a small plane had crashed into the side of the mountain and there was a significant amount of debris left that had to be removed. We saw the debris not far off the AT when crossing close to Clingman's but we had no idea what that was. But we did meet up with Carnathy Bob and Verity at the Gap for lunch along with Two-Speeds, Justin, Moo, and 42. We set off bound for Peck's Corner Shelter and that turned out to be a long day of hiking. We arrived after dark so we had to eat dinner quickly, set up our tent, and I passed out around 10:30. My poor feet were so tired but it felt great to get a good night's sleep.
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

4/17/03 Destination Tri-Corner Shelter 5.2 milesOh the rain, the pouring cold rain. Hey Captain Obvious, bet you couldn't guess that it was raining again today. Yogi, I thought you were sending me some sunshine! Where is it? Well we arrived at Tri-Corner to stop for lunch and while we were having our evisine, Moo and 42 were debating on just staying the night and pulling big miles tomorrow. So without much debate, we all decided to stay and let the storms pass and what an excellent decision that was. As soon as I started pulling my sleeping bag and goodies out, the rain came down with some serious force. We all looked at each other and laughed because we were so happy that we were no longer out there in that. So we all laid around talking, giggling, and listening to NPR for the local weather update. The last update we got was tomorrow clearing mid-afternoon with a high in the 70's. With lots of prayers tonight, it may just happen BECAUSE WE JUST WANT OUT OF THE SMOKEY'S!
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Tri-Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

4/18/03 Destination Davenport Gap 14.8 milesMuch better day on a weather note! Yes it started off raining and the shelter we stayed in almost floated away. Seriously, I woke up around 6:00 a.m. with all intentions of leaving early, but only to find about an inch of standing water on the floor and two hikers who slept on the floor practically floating by on their Thermarests. Poor things, they had no idea that the rain was coming in and saturating the ground. I found my shoes were upside down floating in the water- oh that feels good to put on cold, wet shoes. But at least my sleeping bag and pack was dry! So we got dressed and headed out. Initially, we thought if we walked fast enough we would make it in time for dinner at Mtn. Mama's at Davenport Gap. So we tried all day long to trek as fast as we could but around 3:45 p.m. still out by 3.2 miles...our dreams of cheeseburgers and fries were failing. So Two-Speeds and I came to the conclusion that we would split up and hightail it down the mountain to make it in time to order foor for everybody. We reached about 3 miles, almost to where the shelter was located, and I knew at that moment I was downright gonna be sick. So I told Two-Speeds to run ahead to guard the trail and I proceeded to puke. First time to baptize the trail with that wonderful gesture. I think I was just pushing myself too hard at the end of the day, rushing to get food. But anyway I had to slowly walk down to the shelter with Two-Speeds, a bit embarrassed that I couldn't make it. Two-Speeds put a sign up for Dimple Rock and Justin (Chafe Master J) as he is known now to meet us down at the shelter. But Two-Speeds laid out a mat for me to rest on until I could collect myself and I proceeded to get sick one more time for the road you know. So I rested for a couple of hours and later on some other hikers showed up like Verity, Carnathy Bob, Viking, Foxy, and Face. Most of them I have just met tonight. But Dimple Rock cooked some couscous and I had a couple of bites. Felt a bit better and off to sleep we all went. All in all it was a good day and the weather was definitely improving so things are looking up. I know I'll feel better tomorrow morning with a fresh start!
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Davenport Gap

To: Painter Brand campground
Miles today: 5.6

4/19/03 Destination The heck out of the Smokies and to Mtn. Mama's 5.6 milesSo we finally made it out. We're free, we're free! No it's really not like that, but it is nice to know that we successfully accomplished that portion of the AT. We made it to the Gap around 9:30 and hiked down 1.3 miles to Mtn. Mama's for lunch. I made a call home to check in and found out that dad wasn't up to par, the poor guy, but is doing better now. Also it was nice to hear their voices especially Mom saying Happy Easter...which is tomorrow! But I had a good chat with them and finally went inside to order a "huge" cheeseburger. So we all ordered our food and I had gummy bears as an appetizer. Yum! I was a bit nervous on how my tummy was gonna react to the real food after yesterday's events but we shall see. The cheeseburger was excellent along with the fries and Coke. But we all ought to feel that later when we have to go uphill this afternoon. So we all waited out on the lawn for a ride and just to rest for a while. I took out my z-rest, put it out, and fell asleep in less than a minute. Woke up because I was frying out in the sun and went over the the picnic tables to see what everyone else was up to. Some people like Two-Speeds, Verity, and Dimple Rock were eating ice cream so I thought I would partake on that. I got one scoop of rocky mountain fudge ice cream and it was to die for!!!! We all hung out till the shuttle arrived around 1:30 and off to the Gap again. The gang of us....Carnathy Bob, Verity, Two-Speeds, Chafe Master J, Dimple Rock, and I took off. Man oh man what a climb out of there. We passed underneath I 40 which was kinda cool and close by there happened to be a sign that said Wrong Way. So Dimple Rock took a picture of me standing by the sign which was a riot! Can't wait for that picture! So we climbed some more and we were in the process of crossing a pretty rough little stream when Verity stepped on a slick rock and fell smack on the rock! Ouch. We ran toward her, took my pack off, we all jumped in after her, but oh my goodness I felt so awful for her. I know that hurt the poor girl. Geez and I thought when I fell down back towards Siler's Bald was bad! But she came out of it okay...a little beaten and shaken up but okeay. So if you are reading this Verity, just know that we were all thinking about you!!! Luckily we were standing only 200 yards from the hostel where they were planning to say anyway! So we hung out by the road for a while to make sure Verity was okay to walk up the hill to the hostel, which she was, and took off with the hopes of making it to the closest campground. We finally arrived to Painter Brand campground around 5:30 and set up for the night. I cooked dinner of bow-tie pasta and relaxed a bit. Unfortunately, the gnats were lingering around us so we all got in our tents. But tonight ought to be nice. No more rain, no more rain, no more rain!! Please no more rain until we reach Hot Springs in two and a half days! Looking forward to that!
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Painter Brand campground

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

4/20/03 Happy Easter Sunday!! Destination Roaring Fork Shelter 16.2 milesOur longest day yet! Moving on up to Hot Springs. What fabulous weather we have today, forecast says...sunny skies, 80's, and an excellent dayhike in store for all. We had a great time at Painter's Branch, no shelter! Dimple Rock and I were excited to get started. We wanted to put in some good mileage so Chafe Master J left just ahead of us early and then we took off. We ran into Easy Does It a couple times throughout the day. He's just too funny but I'll explain our inside joke later. We got a few great photos especially on Snowbird Mtn. where they had an FAA tower, totally bald, and you could see for miles. So back to my story with Easy Does It. We were taking a break at Brown Gap and I was rearranging my pack and was zipping back up my pack and it made this horrible farting noise. Easy Does It looked at me and says, "Oh Wrong Way, my goodness, I didn't realize you were a farter too." So now everytime I get a message from Easy Does It he always tells me to quit farting. It's starting to give me a complex on the trail. "I'm just kidding Easy." Anyway, back to my day. So we finally caught back up with Chafe Master J and Two-Speeds at Max Patch which was fantastic. Also, of course, got pictures. The top was nothing but green grass for miles, looked like a well groomed golf course. And all around were people taking in the view...a few painters, a group of handgliders waiting for a decent wind so they could take off. We sat up there for about an hour and then took off for the shelter. It was a great walk, lots of rhodo tunnels, streams, and nice and flat!! Great day all together. When we got to the shelter, Face, Blaze, and Foxie were all hanging out so we set up our gear in the shelter. I cooked some Lipton Tomato and Basil Rice with chicken and bacon bits-just to spice it up! While we were eating, Blaze started a campfire and that's when the first of the shelter mice reared it's little face. As soon as I saw that I told Dimple Rock that we were tenting. And she quickly agreed. So we set up the tent close to the shelter and we all hung around talking and laughing around the fire. I eventually had to call it a night. So I laid down in the tent with my rain fly windows open so I could look at the fire. Sometimes I think I'm just in a great dream but then a bug will bite me in the butt and I'll just remember that no this is real and life is grand.
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

4/21/03 Destination Hot Springs NC and a hot shower, food, and beer 15.0 milesWe all made an agreement last night to wake up early so that we had a decent start. So our watch alarms were all coordinated to 6:30 a.m. and sure enough we were awake. Dimple Rock heard the first few sprinkles of rain hit our rainfly so we packed up quickly. As soon as we were closing up our packs, Chafe Master J comes walking out of the shelter having just woken up and says that we had forgotten something. Dimple Rock and I just looked at each other, started laughing cause nobody had gotten him up. So he scurried around trying to get ready and as I remember this was his exact quote, "So I see how it is if I wake up first I will then wake you up but if you wake up first you just stealth out on me." But really he wasn't too upset. Dimple Rock and I headed out now in a downpour with thunder in the background. The temperature was steadily rising this morning and we were burning up in all of our rain gear. So after about a mile, we ended up taking off the majority of our gear and it was warm enough that even with soaked clothes we were in no danger of hypothermia. So off and on it rained. We occasionally took breaks trying to figure out where we were in the handbook just hoping to make it in to town at a decent hour. We ran into Wounded Knee about halfway to Deer Park Mtn. Shelter and he was happy to see us. We also ran into Sheepstuff about 2 miles later, and she was southbounding which we thought was odd. So we stopped to talk with her and realized that she had skipped forward a section to meet up with her husband and to attend Sunday Easter Mass. So it was great to finally catch up with her. I'm sure we will see her soon back on the northbound track. We did stop at the last shelter to sign the register. Saw that Charity was at least a couple days ahead of us so maybe we will catch up with her somewhere on the trail. But while we were taking a break this odd little scurrying noise came from right about us on the tin roof of the shelter. Sure enough a mouse was running around trying to find food or something so we quickly left. We were bound for town and nothing was about to stop us. Ha Ha! So we arrived at around 3:40, only took us 59 minutes to walk 3.2 miles. I think that's a new record. It's funny what food, clean clothes, and a hot shower will do to your speed of travel on the trail. We stopped in at the Paddler's Pub for sweet tea and appetizers with Two-Speeds and Chafe Master J. Finally we checked in the hotel, had a hot shower, and finished off the 1 pint of Ben and Jerry's chocolate ice cream. Life is grand. And with every moment on the AT, it only gets better!
Date: 2003-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

First entry in the journal of Yahtzee. I will be leaving Springer ~ late April. GA to ME 2001. This time around I will be having as much fun as humanly possible while on the trail. Beyond that---no plans, only suggestions. Info on past hikes is in my profile. Was lucky enough to meet Zip Drive during my 1999 hike. Trailjournals is a godsend.                         Y
Date: 2003-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Good day. My sister charged my plane ticket for me, so I am set to go. How I will get to Springer is still up in the air. Just like I like it. Thanks Beth. 18 more days til I fly. Had been toying with the idea of hiking part of the Benton Mackaye Trail in Georgia, but with maildrops necessary, it must wait for another trip.Yahtzee
Date: 2003-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So I made an attempt to secure a shuttle to Springer on the 28th. Found a shuttle list, picked a name, Tom Raymond, and shot off an email. Lo and behold, the return missive carries the name Blue Streek. The very same Blue Streek I hiked with in 2001. Small trail world. If all goes well he will be bringing me to Springer. I am taking this as a positive omen for my summer walk. When I told Flying Bear, also an acquaintance of Blue Streek, about the coincidence/fate, his eyes got wide then he just shook his head. The trail strikes again.
Date: 2003-04-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just back from weighing myself and my pack. I weighed in at 170 pds. and my pack weighed in at 19.5 pds. My pack was missing:8 oz. sleep pad, 1 oz bleach, 2 oz. radio, 4 oz. camera. So add ~ 1-1.5 pds to make it roughly a 21 pd pack. It was filled with 3 days of food and 24 oz. of water. As a point of reference, in 2001 at Amicolola, I weighed 187 and my pack weighed 26. So I have trimmed a little here and little there.   A ridiculous goal would be to weigh as much with my pack on at the start as I did last time with my pack off at the start. After living at two miles above sea level for the past 3 months, Leadville, Co., I am looking forward to hitting the trail in shape, lightweight, and at maximum oxygen gathering capacity. I can almost feel the air from the smokey Georgia woods filling my depressurized lungs.
Date: 2003-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Flying in five days. Still not excited. It won't hit me until I am alone at the airport. Then it will hit me hard. Very excited about my new digital camera, though. Thanks Madre. Man, is it light. Figure I'll do my first two downloads in Damascus, first when I hitch up for Trail Days, second when I hike there. After that it is all guesswork. Hopefully by that time, trail word will tell which are the friendly places to download photos.    Took a prehike hike on Easter Sunday-7 miles, 1500 feet up/1500 down, 20pd pack. Regis Shivers, Jr., son of "Buckeye Guy" '01, was kind enough to show me one of his running routes high up in the Rockies. Regis is an ultrarunner, he runs 100 miles races. Not only that, he finishes. It was amusing to see the difference in styles between the ultrarunner and the thruhiker. When we reached the top, at about 12,000 feet after 3.5 miles of climbing, we had an amazing view of Leadville and the valley below. Behind town you could see Torquoise Lake covered in snow, flat like a hotel bed sheet. Regis was having none of it. No sooner had we reached the top (actually about ten minutes, but c'mon) Regis was ready to head on back. Can't stop after 3.5 miles. All I wanted to do was sit there and enjoy the view. Needless to say, I was exhausted by the time we descended the mountain. 7 miles with very very little breaktime is not my cup of tea. 3-4 miles at a time.   I have done a few things to physically prepare for my hike. I normally fall into the "only way to prepare for a hike is to start your hike" camp, but starting at such a light weight it seemed a good time to take advantage and get even healthier. It has been a week since I had a cup of coffee or carbonated beverage. I have upped my fluid intake to about a gallon a day. Have eaten a clove of garlic every day for the past week....O.k., so I guess my tent still sits in the no prep camp, but its more than usual for me.   Five days. Five days. Five days.
Date: 2003-04-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Gettin' On   Gotta goGotta sayGotta knowGot awayGotta be Gettin' onHad a timeTime to bailPunch the clockHit the trailGotta beGettin' onGot a packGot it stuffedLow on cashGot enough To beGettin' onPicked the hillsI'm gonna climbUse the sun To mark my timeGettin' on(chorus)And I get on to get offI get on to get offI get on to get off ongettin'onWalk a grooveIn the earthFind a placeFind more worthIn gettin' onFeel no guiltGot no shameLet the hillsGive me a new nameFor gettin' onIt's only loveI got no hateDon't ya know I can't carry that weightGettin' onJust likeAll my brothersAll my sistersFeedin' souls Healin' blistersGettin' on(chorus)And I get onto get offI get on to get offI get onto get off ongettin' onThe "great mountain"Is still far awayThough I knowI'll make it thereSomedayJust by Gettin' onIf this is churchThen hear our prayerWe all breathe The same mountain airGettin' onAnd we get on to get offwe get onto get offwe get onto get off ongettin' on                  The trail will provide. Yahtzee AT '03
Date: 2003-04-28
From: FS42

To: Springer Mt
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

4/28 Day 0   Maybe it was the phone call requesting permission to carry my humungous bear-beating walking stick onto the the plane. Or maybe it was my cheap rose-colored Miami Vice drug dealer sunglasses. Or maybe I'm just too sexy for Denvet Intl. Airport. Whatever the case, I was branded a "SSSS" security marker before my flight to Atlanta. I may be a thru-hiker but I am not stupid; I came clean and cheerful. The screening process was efficient and harmless and the screeners were respectful and kind. Almost convinced one girl to give it all up and come with me, but no luck. For her.   The flight from Atlanta and the subway ride to North Springs went smoothly. Blue Streek arrived at 5:45 and pick me and Bill, a section-hiker, up. I met and hiked with Blue Streek in the Smokies in 2001. Randomly, I picked his name from the shuttle list for my ride. Small trail world. After a stop a Blue Streek's house, which he wants to convert into a hostel for transitioning hikers, we made our way to FS42.   The .9 climb to the summit was a joy. Like clicking your heels three times. On my third time on the summit of Springer, I finally remembered to sign the register. Poorly, at that. Made my way to the shelter, said my hellos to Jesse and James from Maine, set up my cowboy camp nearby and settled in. Not more than 10 minutes later, I can see headlamps in the distance. Flying Bear and Wild Child had arrived. Wild Child, a fellow hiker from Leadville, Co, had brought much magic as well. All that was left to do was head back to the summit and camp Leadville style. Which we did.
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Springer Mt

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

4/29 Day 1   We must have camped Leadville style hard the night before because all three of us slept thru the earthquake that hit the mountain. A 4.5 earthquake, with the epicenter not more than 40 miles from us, and nary a peep. Back on the trail with a bang and didn't even know it. We made it down to FS42 around 9:30 and began saying our goodbyes to Wild Child. After that, we were off. Untethered. The first 7 miles to Hawk Mt were as pleasant an opening as I remembered. After a cooked lunch, Flying Bear and I made our way for Justus Creek 6 miles away. This is the first six miles I had been dreading/anticipating, 3 climbs and 3 descents. Well, they were climbs and I'm not used to walking yet, but it was fairly easy. My pack weight must be helping. Reached Justus Creek with thoughts of Woody Gap, which would make it an even 20 for our first day. After relaxing a bit at the creek we moved onto to Gooch Gap. When we arrived, Flying Bear realized he had forgotten a most important piece of equipment, so he headed back 1.5 miles to get it. Meanwhile,the rain were coming so I lugged our equipment up the tortuously steep trail to the shelter and made a home for the night.    The heat and humidity will take some getting used to, but beyond that, a perfect first day.
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Woke up spirited and motivated this morning. It wouldn't last. After the finest night's sleep in a shelter that I can ever remember, made it out of camp before FB had finished his morning growl. My spirit was sapped early in the day by the heat and humidity. By the time I hit Woody Gap, I was weak and nauseous.Long day ahead. Followed Lt Dan out of the gap. When I am down, it nice to have someone to follow. Left him at the Freeman Trail and headed for Neel's Gap. My nausea had gotten worse and worse just as the clouds and humidity had become darker and thicker. Blood Mountain was not a wise option. So off I went. Less than a half mile down the trail, the nausea doubles me over. Not the struggle I was expecting on the second day. I met up with the AT and Mossball at the same time. Not long after that, I began vomiting. YeeHaw.Finished in no time and soon caught up with Mossball who was impressed with my recuperative powers. Soon enough Neel's Gap appeared. Mossball treated me to a Powerade, which I followed with a Gatorade, which was followed by more vomiting. Getting right back on the horse, I order a Hot Pocket. Thankfully that stays down, so I am on to a ham and cheese samich with chips. All's well, again. FB arrives and we set up camp on the hill behind the store. No luck with second days for me.