morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Last night was as cold as I want to experience out here, pretty miserable in fact, a coating of ice on every surface in the morning, my water bottle and contacts frozen solid, my fingers barely able to shove all my belongings in my pack before heading out for the day, the only way to get warm, and even so, it still took a good 2 hours walking until I felt thawed. Hiawassee reported temperatures in the low teens, and that's at an elevation about 2500 feet lower than where I slept. I figured my sleeping gear - bag, liner, thermarest, and tent - could take me to about 12 degrees, but it looks like they made it to about 8 or 9, that's Fahrenheit, and cold!, for my international friends.   Brrr...I like to organize my pack, especially my snacks for the day, each morning before hiking, but today was just too cold. Inside my pack, I keep my food bag, a waterproof duffel I hang at night to keep out of reach of bears and critters. But so I don't have to open my pack in the middle of the day, I put my lunch and snacks separate in the top compartment. Not today, figuring I'd wait until a warmer hour to reorganize my food. No need, for about a mile before my planned lunch site was parked a trail magic pick-up truck loaded to the hilt with sodas, snacks, hot dogs, and cookies just waiting to load up the bellies and spirits of thru-hikers. Two hours, two hot dogs, and too much whiskey later, I was once again headed north, without ever having to touch my snacks located inside my backpack. Oh yeah...now I'm warm.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Carter Gap Shelter

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

Nothing beats waking on a cold morning to a roaring fire, compliments of pyromaniacal, Eagle Scout, trail pal extraordinaire Not Yet; it was surely a sign of a good day to come. I passed the 100-mile mark today, granted it's only 4.5% of the total mileage, but it still feels like an achievement nonetheless, and my feet look like they've gone only 99. Actually, I'm in pretty commendable shape...On the positive, the beginnings of tendonitis in my erector-set ankle seem to be improving, I have no blisters to speak of, just some scaly heels skin peeling off like a snake, callouses starting, and sensitive red areas, all to be expected. Of course my muscles ache with the rigor of backpacking, but that's not necessarily a bad thing in my book.One of the climbs today was, in a word, ridiculous, difficult enough without adding one-third of another person to my back, scrambling on all fours, pulling myself up by trees alongside, not sure where to put my trekking poles, thankful for the tread on my boots to avoid making it all for naught. The view from the top of Mount Albert made it worth the struggle, a 360-degree vista to remind me again why I do what I do.I was also reminded today of why the trail is sometimes called the Long Green Tunnel, for the rhododendrons, the wood of which is perfect for fires but the leaves toxic, and other bushes that form arches over long expanses on the path. Birds were also out in force, singing to me along the way, a sure sign of spring to come.I will finally admit to myself and my feet that I am tired, for today anyways. It's only 8 pm, not even totally dark outside yet, and I'm tucked cozily into my sleeping bag, knowing I'll fall asleep quickly tonight. The miles to go before I sleep will still be waiting for me in the morning.
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Campsite past Wayah Bald
Miles today: 14.3

I am sure I could write my entire journal, or publish a book, or film a documentary on the phenomena of trail magic, for I encounter it numerous times each day; I am simply overwhelmed by the generosity of the locals whom the AT passes near. Last night, Grannie Frannie brought fresh fruit and Yuengling lager - no beer for me, thanks - both longed-for treats in the woods, to the shelter where I stayed the night. This morning at the Franklin road crossing, Bob and Eileen were waiting to represent area churches in their thru-hiker ministry, offering snacks, sodas, batteries, and prayers. Eileen also gave me a pink hand-knitted scarf; most hikers decline the offer, but I couldn't resist. I will treasure the scarf, since I sent mine home, for those cold nights, to use as a pillow, and as a reminder of Christian goodness in this world. Not a mile later, halfway up a big climb, someone else left Capri-Sun drinks cooling in a mountain stream. The steady stream of kindness seems to never end, and each time, I feel fortunate and humbled that total strangers support me in my dream.Tonight is my first night alone on the trail, just me in my tent in the woods. I thought I would be a little nervous or scared, but actually, I'm at peace, comfortable in the knowledge that I can survive out here - my stomach full, my bear bag hung in a tree, my water collected for the morning, my gear protected in case of rain, my tent cozy and inviting - with the sounds of the forest lulling me to sleep.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Campsite past Wayah Bald

To: Wesser, NC - Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: broken clouds

Behold the mighty Smokies - when viewed from some 30 miles in the distance, they appear to be a formidable wall of mountains reaching to the heavens, a bit intimidating I must admit. Besides doing a heck of a job with trail maintenance and markings, with freshly painted white blazes, North Carolina offers stunning vistas from atop 3 observation towers in as many days. The climbs and descents have not been easy, although I feel myself getting stronger each day.I felt good when I left camp this morning, ready to hike my longest day yet, my one steel-reinforced ankle wrapped in an Ace bandage, the other foot almost completely covered in duck tape to hinder the further development of newly forming blisters. Add some vitamin I and I was on my way.Remember the ridiculous climb I wrote about a few days back? Well, what goes up, and today I came back down the ridiculous other side. I mean, cripes, I lived in the Bolivian Andes and don't remember such a steep descent along a ridge with nowhere to go but down, using my butt as leverage for I didn't want to even consider the other options. Those of you sitting at home in your desk chairs thinking "but coming down's the easy part," I beg to differ. At this point in the game, I think I prefer the ascents over the descents, for the latter is much harder on the knees and much scarier with the thought of my top-heavy backpack taking me down face first. The leaves covering the trail make me question each and every ginger step, hiding roots and rocks, making the path more slippery than it looks. And just when you think you are making progress, ha!, the trail ascends once again to begin the entire process anew.Today included a little pain, a little frustration, a few ups and downs, a few friends along the way, and a whole lot of superb hiking. What more can a girl ask for?
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Wesser, NC - Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Campsite at Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I debated whether I wanted to camp on the trail for the low price of free or walk an additional mile to pay $15 to stay at the Nantahala Outdoor Center's no-frills bunkhouse. Even though it's hard for me to part with a buck, especially when other viable options exist, I chose the latter, but what I got in return was priceless. Just as I arrived, a group of spring breakers doing trail maintenance for community service hours was sitting down to a fabulously fattening lasagna dinner. Would I care to join them? was an easy question to answer. To the question "would you like meat or veggie?" I simply replied, "yes" and so received a generous portion of each. What I really treasured, though, was their company, support, and friendship, not to mention that they give up their vacation so that I have a place to hike.I also reunited with many of my trail buddies I've met along the way; some I run into a few times a week, others I haven't seen since my first days on the trail. While hiking the ranks spread out, but we tend to see each other again in towns or resupply points along the way. Spending time with them, along with the spring break volunteers, inspires me to continue my journey north.I hope I, in turn, provide inspiration to all those I encounter along the way, but so far, I think I'm making a positive impression. When I introduced myself to a hiker last night, and another 2 today, they all remarked, "Oh, you're Snack Break. We've heard about you and have been trying to catch you." Apparently my trail angels have enjoyed my brief company as much as I have theirs. I also try to write silly messages in the shelter registers, to not only keep track of my whereabouts, but also to leave those behind me wondering, or laughing, or both. For example, "Stopped in for water. What the heck...I might as well eat something too." Or "Great place for lunch, which is really nothing more than an extended version, with more food, of a...Snack Break." These registers serve as a trail communication system, a way of encouraging those behind, or experiencing the feelings of those ahead.Even though I did less miles today after spending the morning at the NOC, they were not easy ones. I will think twice before ranting about steep descents, for the trail will come right back at me with an even longer and steeper uphill, with an elevation gain from 1500 to over 5000 feet in about 7 miles today. I guess I now know who's boss.
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Campsite at Locust Cove Gap

To: Campsite before Fontana Dam
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Speaking of who's boss - and in case you're wondering, it's not me - the trail gave me more killer uphills today; silly me - I thought it was going to get easier as my body becomes accustomed to the hardship, but I'm still feeling the burn.Although I'm not currently gainfully employed in the real-world work force, the trail has become my job, and I don't mean in the sense that it's a chore, for there are about 3 million other jobs that I would rather not be doing. What I mean is I get up in the morning and do my job, putting in long work days, with 8 hours of hiking, plus making and breaking camp each day. The pay's not good, but the benefits can't be beat, plus I value my independence and freedom, even though I'm at the whims of a demanding employer.I have one word for how I am feeling at the end of today...knackered. I'm not one to use foul language, but while finishing the last of my day's miles, the obscenities were flying. Although I thought, "the trail can't possibly go up there," it can and it does, and I'm sure this is just the beginning of what the trail has in store for me. Even as I curse the bleeping rocks and fill-in-your-own-expletive trees, I stand in awe, literally my mouth agape at times, at the path before me. The trail's mastermind and envisioner may have been one crazy bastard, but to Benton MacKaye, and to those who made his dream a reality, I owe a debt of gratitude.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Campsite before Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Resort, NC
Miles today: 2.5

Overall, I'm pleased with the progress I've been making, not too fast nor too slow, my pacing seems about right. I know I could do a few more miles some days, but there's really no point in risking injury by overdoing it this early on. While my body feels pretty good, it's still begging me for a rest, and so I'm allowing myself a day to do nothing - besides laundry, resupply, and Internet - in the beautiful Fontana Dam village resort, formerly a housing community of dam workers during World War 2, now a splendid retreat just 2 miles off the AT. The place recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation, but still welcomes the likes of dirty, smelly thru-hikers, at reduced prices without a corresponding reduction in service. This brand of hiker hospitality has me grinning from ear to ear. Too bad we don't remember how to use cloth napkins or various forks after a few weeks in the woods. Looking around our dinner table set for 10, we are a motley crew, but friendships form instantly over a shared dream. Although I don't know the first or last names of those sitting before me, I know that my life could not be in better hands, or surrounded by better people.   There's No Problem and Mr. Easy, 20-year olds from Georgia who make me laugh until my gut hurts; KZ and Fenceman, retired civil engineers, the latter who mistakenly thought my name was "Sack Break"; Rattler, who at twice my age can probably hike twice my daily mileage, but please say a prayer for his bum knee; U-Turn, who has now decided to go straight, hiking that is; Dr. B and Flint with whom I have enjoyed meaningful conversation; Calamity Jane, the only other female in our midst. Our appetites are as huge as our dreams, our bonds as strong as our legs will soon be. I'm in good company.
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Fontana Resort, NC

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: clear sky

Today's mileage is, in fact, not a mistaken key stroke; it is, indeed, the paltry sum of my day's effort. I had to decide this morning whether to move on into the Smokies, or take another nero, or nearly zero day, and stay right where I was. Obviously, I chose the latter, but it was not an easy decision. A part of me, the type-A personality which makes it difficult to relax, thinks since I'm out here to hike, I should be hiking, that if I'm resting, I can't possibly be accomplishing my goal. Another part of me knows I need to slow down and appreciate the present moment and current beauty of the place I'm in, to pace myself in order to go the distance, to permit myself breaks when my body is crying out, or even when it's not. I have to remind myself that "no one ever wishes he hiked the trail faster," that most look back and wish they savored the experience even more. While making miles is certainly a common goal, not one of us wants the experience of a lifetime to come to an end, so a healthy balance of pushing your body to the limit, then allowing it the opportunity to recover, is key. I've seen too many hikers already forced from the trail due to overuse injuries. I know my tendency to push myself too far too fast, so I must be careful in this area. OK, enough justification already. I'm a grown woman, and if I want to sit on a rocking chair all day, or lounge in the hotel lobby for an hour or two, or hang out in the parking lot to greet hiking pals arriving off the trail, I should allow myself to do so. My guilty conscience will certainly be alleviated during the miles in the days to come. I am ready for the Smokies.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

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

Topic of discussion last night and during dinner this evening was the pros and cons of being a woman on the trail, all starting with Tin Tin remarking that I'm lucky because as a female I can hitch a ride more easily to town. Boy did I give him an earful... I'm not one to reinforce, or even believe in, gender stereotypes - I guess I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if I did - but even so, there are some notable differences between the sexes out here, some definite advantages to being a woman but also some distinct difficulties. Let's start with the challenges, for example, peeing in the woods, unless of course you own the insta-weenie PLAM, or "pee like a man" funnel device which enables women to urinate standing up. I hear from some that it's changed their lives. Frankly, I'm starting to consider it. Biologically speaking, women's bodies are shorter, smaller, and weigh less than men's, but we carry the same amount of gear, even more if you count the funnel, make-up kits (kidding of course), and other woman supplies. As a percentage of my body weight, my backpack weighs more than a man's; while I'm carrying about 33% of my body weight, many guys carry about 25%. Put me next to a 6'4" male and I have to take many more steps each day to go the same distance.   This may not necessarily be a male-female distinction, but I am really struggling with my lack of hygiene out here, as my smell is beginning to repulse me and I don't particulary care for unshaven, usually smooth, body parts. And even if I can hitch a ride more easily, I have to be much more cautious about who I get in a vehicle with; just because someone offers me a ride doesn't mean I should accept it. But being a woman also has its advantages. Other hikers remember me, ask about me, respect what I'm doing, look out for my well-being because my gender is so underrepresented. Women on the trail seem more in tune with their bodies, complaining less while heeding warnings to take it easy while the men may opt to tough it out to maintain their manhood.   While some men look at the trail as a competition or race for miles, I haven't heard a single woman brag about how far she went today. We excel as organized planners; I believe a higher percentage of women plan mail drops while more men just wing it, happy to eat ramen noodles with pepperoni for months on end. I also hear that, for these reasons, a greater percentage of women go the distance and end up finishing the trail. I have no clue if any of these musings have any basis in reality; they are simply my observations, likely skewed and biased, over the past two weeks in my encounters with other hikers. The bottom line is I would love to see more strong women out here, whatever the challenges, employing the advantages to our benefit, becoming even stronger of body and mind in the process.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

So much for my philosophy on not overdoing it, which basically was null and void today. But there are fewer options overnighting in the Smokies, so my choices were either a shorter day or a longer day than would be ideal. Because the Smokies are the country's most visited national park, stays are permitted only in or at the shelters to lessen environmental impact, no stealth camping in between allowed like most of the rest of the AT. Although I've been staying in my tent - the darn thing weighs 4 pounds and if I carry it, I'm going to use it, plus it's warm and cozy and gives a girl some privacy - last night was the first time I slept in a shelter. Fortunately, it's a pretty new one, nicely constructed, with no encounters of the rodent variety. Better yet was the company of three other thru-hikers, Renaissance Man and Many Names with whom I've been hiking this week, and Silver, and older woman who is an absolute inspiration and treat to be around. I get the impression that some people think that we on the trail are somehow aimless, without jobs or concrete plans for what we'll do when the adventure ends, that because we are out here, we lack focus or direction or stability in our lives. I think the opposite is actually the case, for many around me are not only highly motivated and determined, but also highly educated. In the shelter last night, 3 out of 4 have master's degrees, and the fourth is taking a year off before returning to medical school. I have met doctors and lawyers, educators and engineers, scientists and mathematicians, professionals from all walks of life, taking time out for the walk of their life. The education we receive out here cannot be taught in a classroom, mastered from texts, or felt in films, as we learn to respect and be one with nature. My favorite shirt I wore almost non-stop for two months before coming on the trail has a pair of hiking boots with the caption "all who are wander are not lost." Remembering with every step that the journey is just as, and possibly even more, important, we are simply taking the scenic route to our life's destination.
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

The past few days in the Smokies celebrated many more milestones, today my first 20-miler, some of it in the rain, and crossing another state line into Tennessee; yesterday reaching the AT's highest point at 6,643 feet at Clingman's Dome; the prior hitting the 2,000-mile mark, remaining that is. Although I accomplished big miles the past few days, my body feels good, my legs strong, me feet doing well, muscles still achy but not nearly as much. I hope I'm not overdoing it, but I just can't stop thinking about pizza and beer, my current cravings. I also hope I'm not beginning to put miles before all else, a common thru-hiker concern, always to push on just a few more miles but without forsaking the very reasons we are out here in the first place. Even so, I think today was my most enjoyable in the Smokies, with much of the trail running along the tops of narrow ridges, straight down but with great views on either side. Shatter, a former thru-hiker now Ridge Runner, provided a wealth of information on the park, in his own unique style including a poem and meditation to send us off into the approaching thunderstorm. I had been wondering for the past few days the source of an odd sound, like a lawn mower engine turning over, but always shutting off right before going full throttle. Actually, I was a bit disturbed, as I thought the Smokies included some of the most isolates stretches of the AT, so why could I not escape the sounds of a motor? And who was planning to mow in the Smokies? And why was this idiot following me? Turns out, I'm the idiot, for the sound is the mating call of a type of grouse, preparing to get his own love motor revving. As the country's most popular national park, the Smokies receives 10 to 11 million visitors each year, with approximately 1.1 million hiking into the back country, defined as 1/4 mile from a parking lot or road, a statistic I asked Shatter to repeat about six times to make sure I understood him correctly. I have walked farther off the trail to fetch water or go to the bathroom numerous times each day. This definition of back country I find almost unbelievable, but also a sad reality of our society. No wonder many people think I'm nuts for wanting to walk from Georgia to Maine.