morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Tray Mountain

To: Blueberry Patch Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 10.6

Wow was it cold last night! 20 degrees in the valley and we are up around 4500 elevation so we estimated it was 10 degrees. There was a troop of Boy Scouts running around without hats, coats or gloves. When the sun went down they sure jumped in their sleeping bags fast. I am in the shelter with Biscuits, Caveman and Caterpiller. We named him Caterpillar because he looks like one in his sleeping bag. When I get the pictures mailed home on a disc, and Rachel posts them here you will see.   We were laughing this morning because no one wanted to get out of bed. So, we had breakfast in bed. Except Caveman spilled his fuel and almost toasted us all! I was the first one packed up and I couldn't wait any longer because I was cold and had to get moving, so I headed down the trail so I can spend the night at the Blueberry Hostel.   While I was coming down Dicks Creek Gap, Biscuits had caught up with me. We were looking at a scenic view when the owner of Cloud Nine came by to see if anyone was going to stay at his hostel. I asked him how his St Patricks Day Party went, and he said it would have been better but the Neels Gap tragedy put a kabash on it. When I asked him what that was about, he said an employee had a fight with his girl friend and committed suicide on her birthday...so sad. I am glad to be away from that place!   So, when I arrived at Dick's creek Gap, I got a ride to the Blueberry from a guy with a Mercedes who just came off the trail from a day hike. He offered to take me there...so nice! When I arrived, Gary took my laundry and did it for me! Wow! I took a nice hot shower and they even had a blow dryer! I miss having a hair dryer when its cold out. I sorted thru my food and sent home some uneccessary items. Its good to be hiking again! Gary has really helped me out. I really enjoyed staying here...it was quiet and peaceful. Just what I needed.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

So, today we got up and had a FABULOUS breakfast. Homemade pancakes with blueberry syrup, sausage, cheese biscuits, scrambeled eggs, coffee and orange juice! Man was that good. I had as much as the guys did. Donny Quiote and Finningan pulled in last night along with Three Times a Charm. It is great to start off a hike all clean and refreshed with your belly full!   I plan to hike to Muskrat Creek Shelter. I am back to hiking solo as the group I was with are about two days ahead of me. But its okay as I will probably run into people who I met while I stayed in Neels Gap and then moved on.   Oh Yeah...big accomplishment- I am out of the state of Georgia and in the state of North Carolina! Whoo Hooo! That is sooo cool. One state down, thirteen to go. At Bly Gap, northbound hikers have entered the Nantahala National Forestwith 4,000-foot gaps and 5,000-foot peaks. Nantahala is Cherokee for ¢land-of-the-noonday-sun.¢ I hiked with Bag-Lady today and we talked about alot of things. She is quite the conversationalist and I enjoy hiking with her.
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

I made it into Carter Gap shelter today. If anyone has read the book "A Walk in the Woods" I am here to tell you that I met Steven Katz! This guy has a pack from above his head down to his calves! He is soo nice, but man I swear his pack weighs 85 pounds! Unbelieveable. And the funny thing is... he makes it to the shelter evry night. Very encouraging.   I hiked slower with Bag Lady, Walking Cowboy, Stubles and Blue. Kind of nice to meet some new folks out here.    This is a very social trail. If you are hiking and want solitude, you may get some, if you request it, but for the most part there are a lot of people hiking...I really have to be careful when nature calls, most people get the idea if you lag behind or hike ahead fast...that there may be a reason why.    Anyway, going to hike to Rock Gap shelter tommorrow. I have been using the shelters mostly right now, just because it's easier, and when I get in the Smokies you have to. Plus the weather looked a bit cloudy and I don't want to carry a wet tent. Now that my feet issues are almost healed, I will start using my tent more...I think.   Today we climbed Standing Indian Mountain. The 5,498-foot summit of themountain is reached via a blue-blazed side trail. Cliff-top views to the south gave it the nickname, ¢Grandstand of the Southern Appalachians.¢ According to Cherokee legend, a great winged monster once inhabited the mountain, and, during the monster¢s reign, warriors were posted on the mountain as lookouts. As the story goes, a tremendous bolt of lightning shattered the mountain and killed the monster. During the strike, a lone Cherokee sentinel was hit by the bolt and turned into stone, supposedly for being a poor sentry. Remnants of the stone ¢Standing Indian¢ are visible today.   We also had a campfire tonight...it was nice to sit around a talk wth everyone and get to know them. I felt bad for Tobasco, he got in late and even though there are two shelters here (a new and an old), he slept under the shelter...I guess people were awakened by his snoring..oh wait...that was "Thunder". We decided to call him that because "Chainsaw" sounded too mean!   So that's his trailname now. It didn't bother me, I'm used to Bob snoring...he he he!
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked with Walking Cowboy, Stubbles and Blue most of the day today. We hiked 12.1 to the shelter. On the way we had to climb up Albert Mountain. It was a short steep rocky climb, where at times you had to crawl up over the rocks. Right before we headed up, we all were gathered at the bottom, and we were getting psyched to climb up, when I heard Blue yell "Let's put Albert in the can!!" We all went running up the hill like a bunch of banshees. It was funny because then I heard Blue say "sheesh, look at Boo-Boo go!" He definitely got me pumped. The view was wonderful at the top.There was a fire tower, but not to many people climbed up that after climbing the mountain.   Walking Cowboy is 67 and he moves fast. Has hiked for many many years and has a lot of trail wisdom. I like hiking with him. Unfortunately, when we got to the shelter he was feeling "spry" and wanted to keep hiking. I was sad to see him move on, but maybe he'll take a day off and I can catch up to him.   Later on, a dog wandered into the camp. It was a bear hound and was wearing a radio collar, but she was injured, thirsty and hungry. So we fed her Ramen noodles, gave her water and Quartermoon, (yes he got the name when he bent over) let her lay down on his sleeping bag in his tent. After we went to bed, we heard noises from the tent and then "there isn't enough room for the two of us!" It was funny. She ended up sleeping in the tent with him all night long.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I was going to hike, but I decided to go into Franklin for a shower and laundry as a shuttle pulled up just as I was at the road crossing. After doing my chores, I tried to post to the internet, when I did the server went down! Drat! I did post a few, so be patient as I am at the mercy of the little towns and whatever services they have available. KTR (Kick The Rock) shuttled Quartermoon, Ohms and myself back to the trailhead. They found out that the dog was worth $1200. The owners had asked them if they wanted a reward, but they said no. Then when I was heading back to the trail, a van pulled up next to us with Bag Lady in it. She was going to spend the night in Franklin with Willing and Abal and take a zero day. I guess I'll see her down the trail.    I am heading out for Siler Bald shelter today. On the way to the trail, the shuttle stopped at the grocery store, and McDonalds. I never eat McDonalds but I downed two filet of fish sandwiches, a quart of milk and a huge tub of rice pudding. Oh it was sooo good. I think it was about 1500 calories. I am eating like I have hollow legs...its crazy.   One thing I have also learned out here is NEVER turn down food! You cannot eat enough. Carrying 35 pounds over hill and dale for 8 hours a day burns some serious calories. I got back on the trail at 3pm and made it into the shelter around 7 pm. I ate and went right to bed. In the middle of the night I could heard a coyote.    There were alot of people at this shelter, but most people were tenting. Quartermoon had everyone laughing around the fire as he mentioned that he didn't like to hike, but liked the camping part. Blue was wondering why he is out here then...it was funny.
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Longest day on the trail so far. We had lunch at the John B. Byrne Memorial Tower. The stone observation tower at the summit of Wayah Bald (5,342 ft.) was built in 1937 by the CCC and renovated in 1983. Byrne was the supervisor of the Nantahala National Forest who first proposed the route of the Appalachian Trail in the area.I felt good and we also had trail magic again. About 1 mile before Cold Spring shelter a trail angel named Apples set up a dome tent and served us hot dogs and all kinds of goodies. I had 4 hot dogs, two sodas and 14 cookies. MMMMMM. This guy drove all the way from Texas to help thru-hikers,he spent about $2000 on food and has been sitting there since February. Wow what an angel indeed.   When we got to the shelter one mile later we felt like moving on so we did. Probably a mistake. After about 3 miles my ankle started to bother me. Stubbles came along and we hiked into the shelter late. I made dinner, cleaned up and went to bed tired. The mice were ravenous in the shelter. An owl hooted and they scattered away.    I must have strained my ankle as it is swelling up. Tommorrow will be a short day into Nantahala river, so hopefully that will help keep the strain down.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

Easy walk downhill into the N.O.C. I picked up my food drop (seven days worth...oops too much) and I am planning on heading out in the morning. It's a six mile uphill with a fully loaded pack - ugh! Somehow the downhills can be worse than the uphills believe it or not. In three days I should be in Fontana Dam, then onto the Smoky Mountains.   As the day has progressed, my ankle is swelling up like a balloon. It doesn't hurt too much but I believe I have strained my ankle ligaments and have minor shin splints. So I will do RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation and see how it is in the morning. I plan to stay off of it until the swelling goes down. I can't even see my ankle bone. The good news is I have a place to stay and I have 7 days of food so it won't hurt my budget.   LESSON: S-L-O-W D-O-W-N. I have to quit going so fast. This is not a race, and even though I am anxious to catch some of the people that have moved ahead, there are still more behind...didn't I learn that before? Apparently not. If I push too hard and get a serious injury than I am off the trail for good. I must be patient with myself.   The Nantahala marks the first chance hikers get at trail-side whitewater rafting. The French Broad River in Hot Springs, N.C., and the Nolichucky Riverin Erwin, Tenn., are also whitewater hot-spots. I am heading out in the morning, so I may come back with the family another time and try this out.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I have been holed up for four days at the NOC and my ankle is finally ok after soaking it in the icy cold river and Epsom Salts. Everyone has left and I spoke to Jellybean and she thru-hiked in 2005 and really helped me out alot. She suggested I only hike to the first shelter and take 3 days to get to Fontana Dam...which I will.   After spending so many days speaking with her I have my head on straight and have a new strategy and I am going to hike smarter and get out of the race. I was getting caught up with what everyone else was doing, which is easy to fall into, but NO MORE. Hike your own hike...there is plenty of time.      Now that I am ready to hike, I realized I probably should have gone rafting or kayaking...darn it - I hate when that happens! Oh well, it has been a very relaxing place to stay. I have enjoyed seeing the kayakers and meeting more hikers. I am ready to hike, but I will be taking it easy. I have heard of a few more people who have left the trail. I am glad for the opportunity to have met them and even I have hiked with a few of them. It happens for all types of reasons...injuries, not meeting expectations, underestimated the difficulty, boredom, etc. it's as individual as each hiker. I wish all the hikers good luck...on and off the trail.
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up this morning, made breakfast and hit the trail easy. It was a nice sunny day and the weather was cool and comfortable to hike in. I had my foot wrapped for extra support, which really helped. About one tenth of a mile from the shelter, (unbeknownst to me) I took a break, kicked off my shoes and rested. So I hit the trail only to find the shelter! That's the third time it has happened. The maps don't always mark everything so clearly. And it keeps happening, I will take a break only to find I am 15 minutes from the shelter or my destination. Oh well, I think I will be picking up a watch so I can better estimate how close I am to the shelter.   There is not too much to mention except I arrived at the shelter very early. This is a woodframed shelter and it has a covered porch and benches. I just sat around and watched hikers come in and go. I saw Stitches again, she thru-hiked last year and is hiking again this year. I met Ranger and Miles. Then Good Ole Boy, Dirt Nap, Lumpy, Twinkle Toes and Smokey came in. They settled in and soon Micky-one-sock and Forgetful came in as well. Next thing I knew, the shelter was full. Lumpy decided to cowboy camp by the fire. It was a nice relaxing day. I am looking forward to hiking tomorrow.
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

I can do the miles I just have to make sure the pace is slow and everything is good. I am feeling good and put knees braces on for the downhill trek into Fontana Dam...just in case, and for knee support. On the way down I am beginning to see many flowers beginning to bloom. Violets, and little yellow and white flowers. They are so delicate and beautiful.   Today, Jellybean and Beary Bear held trail magic at Stecoah Gap. It was great. I resupplied my fuel, loaded up on fruit and even picked up a pair of tweezers for my first aid kit. She has been a really big help in my journey.   I hiked a little with Donny Q and Finnigan. I met them at the Blueberry Patch Hostel. When we arrived at the shelter, Finnegan played his fiddle in the evening. He is really good. It was nice to hear music, especially since I haven't heard anything for awhile (other than elevator music when I go into a store). BoatDrinks, Thunder and I were also in the shelter. By the morning, everyone had moved out of the shelter because Thunder's snoring was so loud! I was the only one left in there with him. There were a few people tenting and they said they heard him too! HAHAHA   I have to resupply my food, then it will be seven days in the Smoky Mountains so I won't post again until after I get internet access in Fontana Village. Some people will go into Gatlinburg, TN to resupply, but I don't want the hassle of trying to hitch a ride. Plus I hear it is a real tourist trap...ugh!   I am really looking forward to seeing the Smoky Mountains...I hear they are really beautiful. I can't wait.
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Hilton Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I hiked into Fontana Dam to resupply and shower and do laundry. Wow, I paid $5 for a sleeve of soda crackers and a brick of cheese! Amazing. Fortunately, there was food in the hiker box so I didn't have to buy that much. I ran into Ranger and Miles today. They are a couple of funny guys.    I am planning on staying at the Fontana Dam Shelter tonight.  FYI: Fontana Dam is at 480 feet, and is the highest dam in the eastern United States. There is a visitors center that is normally open May¢Nov. If the national terrorism-alert level is high (red), public facilities at the dam will close, and hikers must follow a blue-blazed route over the Little Tennessee River below the dam. Good to know, they sometimes have alternate routes in certain places for bad weather as well.   I made it back to the Fontana Dam shelter. It is known as the ¢Fontana Hilton¢ because it is a spacious two story shelter. There are pay phones and shower facilities located at the dam. They call it the Hilton because it is so big and nice, it sleeps 24 people.    Anyway, I am resupplied enough to make it through the Smoky Mountains. The weather is supposed to be good and I will head out tomorrow and see if I can get to Spence Field shelter.
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Fontana Dam Hilton Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Long hike today and it was nice weather. Went slow and easy and hiked across the Dam and saw so many Spring Beauty flowers it looked like a blanket of snow in the woods. Beautiful. There were so many fantastic views.   Stretch and I hiked together today. She moves really fast and is an excellent hiker. We were chuckling about a guy named Frito who came in so late and woke everyone up. Then he got up really really early and woke everyone up again. Frito laughs about it now when it comes up from time to time.      When we arrived at the shelter it was full of boy Scouts from troop 222. It was a really big group and they were everywhere. We started to pitch our tents and the scout leader said no, they are scouts. So he had them set up their tents and they were kind enough to make space for Stretch and I in the shelter. It was cool because it looked like rain and we didnt want to pitch a tent and carry it wet the next day. They were heading out the next day so it didn't matter if their gear was wet. It turns out it came down like cats and dogs all night long. So glad to be warm and dry in the shelter. The boys stayed very dry in their tents and were happy and hungry in the morning.   This troop was amazing. The leaders were a great bunch of guys and gals who really led by example. You could see it by the way the boys responded to them. There were boys of all ages here. If a boy forgot something at home, he was gently reminded to follow the list he was given next time, and then everyone pitched in to assist him or share with him. It was wonderful to see. They even gave us some food so they didn't have to pack it out. They gave Stretch some moleskin and they packed our trash out for us too! Thanks troop 222, you guys rock!
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

I got up this morning and prayed with the boys from Troop 222, then headed out into the rain. I now think I should have stayed put as it was cold, horizontal rain that just didn't let up. LESSON: Nothing, I mean NOTHING is waterproof! The winds were so strong they were blowing me off the trail when I was on top of Thunder Mountain. No, I am not kidding that was the name of it! By the time I made it 6.3 miles to the shelter I was drenched from head to toe. Stitches and Tobasco were there. Yea! They could not beleive we had hiked in this weather, which is why they stayed put. I got into some dry clothes, made something hot to eat and then climbed into my sleeping bag to stay warm. I gave Tobasco his Tiger Balm back that he let me use for my ankle.    Later on, Ranger showed up and he and Tobasco started a fire. We hung clothes all over the shelter so they would dry. Thank you Tobasco and Ranger for keeping all of us warm. The shelter was packed and as hikers began to show up, then six day hikers showed up and we had to give way to them... that means we have to tent while they stay in the shelter. It stinks even though it is usually first come first serve. The premise is that they are less prepared and knowlegeable about hiking. We crammed as many as we could in there, but still people had to tent outside. The rain let up slightly and Stitches, Bly, Stretch and Granite decided to move on to the next shelter. The shelter usually hold twelve and we had sixteen inside. Thank God for the fire as it kept even the tenters warm and dried there clothes as they came in and out of the shelter.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

What a difference a day makes! Sunny and warm I am hiking with Tobasco and we are making a short day as it is going to get cold so we are going to do laundry in a ziplock bag and dry out our gear. I washed my hair and bathed too. It was good to get clean and dry. I spread out my gear in the sun. Thunder showed up and decided to do the same. He kept teasing me that he was going to sneak a picture of me cleaning up, then mentioned something about posting it on the internet... little rat! hahaha.      Hikers were coming and going most of the day. It was a good day to hike and many wanted to get some mileage and great views in. The Smoky Mountains are home to the most diverse forest in North America, the park includes morethan 100 types of trees, 1,570 species of flowering plants, 60 diffrent kinds of animals, more than 25 different salamanders, and over 2,000 varieties of mushrooms. It is a sight to behold.   Later in the evening, Tobasco caught 3 mice and 2 shrew in his mouse traps. After that they never bothered us for the rest of the night. I don't think the park condons this, but there are so many mice in the shelters, that no one said anything about it either. There was a full moon so I took some pictures.   This shelter is called Double Spring because one spring is in North Carolina and the other is in Tennessee...kinda cool to be in two states like that. Thunder, Camero, Tobasco and I were amused by some younger day hikers on spring break talking about how if they saw a bear they would lift its arm and stab it in the armpit with their knife. We were laughing at how ridiculous they sounded. When they finally went to bed it was 11:30 and they made ALOT of noise. So, when we awoke the next morning, we purposly didn't try to do our usual quiet packing...we weren't trying to be noisy, but we didn't try to be quiet either.