morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Hiawassee Inn

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was great waking up in a hotel room and getting up to take a shower. Everyone was still sleeping so I went to the office for breakfast. There were a few older gentlemen eating with me and we shared stories over bagels smothered with cream cheese.        After a trip to the post office we came back to the hotel to prepare for departure. We found Bluebelt and Lab Dad hanging out and were met with kisses from their two dogs. A gentleman leaving the trail offered a ride for three of us, so Shane, Nicole and I hitchhiked. After a short while a woman pulled over for us and we all hopped in the back.        Since we had a late start we only hiked to the next shelter. Tomorrow we¢ll actually hit North Carolina. The terrain looks slightly more flat so our mileage may pick up.         It is suppose to rain the next two days. We haven¢t had rain during our hiking since we started. It¢ll be interesting to see how morale is affected. Des doesn¢t have her pants since they were stolen, so I hope she can manage alright without them. Everyday has been great so far. Perhaps the true test of our willpower is up coming. As long as I stay positive, nothing will derail my desire to move north.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I finally realized why my nights seem so long. They are long. We go to bed at 8 pm. I¢m pretty tired by then so I immediately fall asleep. By 4 am I wake up every half hour or so because I¢ve already gotten eight hours of sleep! It is cold in the morning and the sun doesn¢t rise until around six o¢clock, so I wait until seven to start getting ready. By then I have been in my sleeping bag for a ridiculous eleven hours! Thank god the rest of my group are all morning people!         Around 10:30 we crossed the border into North Carolina. We made all the usual lame jokes that all thru-hikers must tell:        1. ¢Hey look! I¢m standing in Georgia and peeing in North Carolina!¢ (Nicole took a picture for me)        2. ¢Hey Shane, could you go all the way back to Georgia and get me a snack?¢        3. ¢Wow, North Carolina is so much better than Georgia and warmer too!¢         We stopped at the strange tree that marks the unofficial border to N.C. We climbed into the branches of the three and took some great photos.                The rest of the day was pretty much the same. The day goes by quickly. I fantasize about what I¢ll eat for dinner. Before we know it, we¢re eating lunch and have a few more miles left in the day.        The shelter was already full when we arrived. A group of students from Georgia Tech had declared it their own. While we pitched our tents more and more hikers followed. I believe there are 25 hikers in total staying in or around the shelter tonight. Twenty or so are on college spring break. It made for interesting conversation around the campfire and great entertainment watching the antics of rookie campers.        The campfire is turning into a part of my day that I look forward to. It¢s great to be settled in for the night, watch the flames dance in the pit, and tell stories. The warmth of the fire puts me in the right state of mind to crawl into my bad and drift off to sleep.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Trail Magic Haven
Miles today: 12.5

I woke up at 4 o¢clock in the morning and it wasn¢t raining. I hoped it would start at night so there would be a chance it would be over by morning. I rolled over, asked Nicole if she heard the bear outside (it was really Sleeper snoring) and fell back asleep.        By morning it was frigid cold and the rain slowly started. Des was ill prepared for the rain since her pants were stolen at Neel¢s Gap. I decided I¢d keep my gloves dry by putting away my poles and keeping my hands in my pockets. The rain remained light throughout the morning. Seven miles later we reached the next shelter for lunch. By then my fingers were so cold that I could barely open my bag or really do anything with them. Nicole fed me some food while I tried to warm my fingers.        We decided to push on another seven miles to the next shelter. They suggested I use my trekking poles to get some blood flowing to my arms. I left with a furry trying desperately to get blood pumping. Finally I started to feel tingling in my fingers. I couldn¢t tell if it was blood entering my extremities or if my fingers were getting worse. It turned out that my hiking sprint paid off. My body soon recovered and I felt good as new.        A mile and a half from the shelter we came upon a ¢trail magic¢ sign leading down a side trail. It turned out that a man named Gatorade and his friend were set up with an RV for a month. They had a fire, food, tarp, sodas and a big tent to sleep in. Since we were so close to the shelter we figured this was way better than pitching tents. The rain came down harder and harder, the trees bent from the ice, but we were warm enjoying the extraordinary altruism of two guys from Florida. Tomorrow morning: they¢re getting up at dawn to make us a fire and cook pancakes¢¦.just when life may seem miserable, it¢s amazing what can come your way.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Bald Campsite
Miles today: 12.0

I woke up cold again this morning. It seems to happen every time we stay in a hotel. I guess I¢m used to sleeping in a 20 degree sleeping bag, or it¢s the freezing cold fan we put on at night.        As we packed our bags for departure I noticed that I forgot to get more denatured alcohol for my stove. I rushed to the hotel office to ask if they had any. The gentleman at the counter said yes and brought me to a storage closet. He took my bottle and began pouring in Coleman Fuel. I had no idea if Coleman fuel was compatible with my stove, but after positive response from the Maine Train I accepted it.        We were on the trail by 9:30 and were slow moving. The other hikers left us in the dust and moved onward. We came upon Siler Bald and decided to go off the AT and summit it. The trees on the bald were covered with a thin layer of ice that felt like rain due to the warm sun. On a cloudless day the trees sounded as if a thunderstorm was passing through. The crashing of ice from the trees continued throughout the day.        We came to the camp site around 4:30. Our elevation was 4,800 feet so it may be a bitter morning. When I tried to cook with the Coleman fuel my stove burned to hot. The flames shot a foot in the air and scorched the side of my pot. It was a mess. It heated my pot so much that the coating was all over my fingers. Shane and Christina graciously offered their stove until I could get denatured alcohol.        As the sun set the temperature dropped with it. We started a fire and roasted marshmallows that Nicole brought. I sat on a log and warmed my feet by the fire. It felt great. Suddenly my feet would get super hot and I¢d have to yank them out to cool them off. The second time it happened I told Christina, ¢It feels great, until it feels like my feet are on fire.¢ I checked the bottom of my feet, ¢Wait a second, I think they are on fire!¢ This caused a roar of laughter since the bottoms of my socks had a charred area on them.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Wayah Bald Campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

It was freezing this morning. Shane earned some major points for starting a fire. After completing a few morning tasks I had to return to the fire to thaw out my fingers.        The general attitude of the group was much better today. It was just the Maine Train and everyone felt free to be silly and stupid. Whenever we pass a shelter we leave a quick note in the register for people behind us. After you meet people you often wonder how far ahead they are or if they¢re still hiking. For example, today at Cold Spring Shelter we wrote, ¢Stopped in for five poops ¢Maine Train.¢        Mileage wise, we are going slowly because we all have packages to pick up at Fontana Dam. If we hike at a normal pace we¢d get there on Sunday, when the post office is closed. We could get in Saturday and stay in a hotel, but people are working on a budget and we feel pathetic staying in a hotel every few days.        Everyone in our group is getting a strange rash. The girls have had it for a few days, Shane yesterday and me today. It looks as though it¢s only on my hands right now. Christina and Des have it on their legs, and Nicole has it on her butt. Yum. They¢ve been putting cream on it so hopefully it will go away soon.         It started snowing around 6 pm. It¢s starting to accumulate. I naively hoped I¢d make it through spring without snow since it had been such a mild winter. Although it¢s snowing, its much warmer than it was last night. This is the first snow a hiker named Texas has ever been in. He doesn¢t even have a pair of pants. I guess if he can make it, I sure better.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up this morning and found 3-4 inches of snow. It was cold, but if felt bearable because there wasn¢t any wind. The trail was pretty slippery at times. The white blanket covering the forest was beautiful. We¢ve been used to seeing brown all day, every day, so the white was a welcomed change. During the morning hike we came upon the most awe-inspiring view yet. We were on the descent to Nantahala and we came to a switch-back in the trail. At the exact point of the switch-back there was an amazing clearing that allowed you to see the entire country side. The sun found a crack in the clouds and rays shone on certain areas below. We could also see the snow line, where anything above was covered with fresh powder.        I left the Maine Train momentarily in search of important business, a bathroom. Sides of a mountain have to be the worse place to try to take a ¢#2¢. Holding on to a tree in order to hit your 8¢ cathole is straining when at an angle. In light of this knowledge, I half jogged 3 miles downhill to reach my sanctuary.         At the Nantahala Outfitter I sought to replace my burnt socks and find a better pair of gloves. You¢d think North Carolina never got cold with the selection of gloves I¢ve seen at the last two outfitters. Once again I left without better gloves. How about a AAA battery? I found my FM radio with the switch towards ¢On¢¢¦..oops. No batteries either. The man said, ¢We can¢t keep them in stock, they sell out.¢ I don¢t want to sound like Captain Obvious, but if you sell out, stock more. So after an overcooked cheeseburger we hit the trail. I don¢t want to give the impression that I had a horrible NOC experience, but I struck out a few times while there. It really is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.         Onward and upward we hiked. Nantahala is in the middle of two eight mile long mountain climbs. We saw some angry looking clouds converging on us. We decided to push on to the next shelter, a four mile climb away. As we climbed three thousand feet snow flurries turned into a snow squall. We had to follow footprints of hikers that came before us because the trail had disappeared. At 4:45 we finally rolled into the 14 person shelter and were greeted by some familiar faces. Shane stormed through the woods in search of dry wood and our friend Texas rolled in at dusk, in shorts.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Let me throw something out there. If you have a problem with snoring, try to do something about it before you start the AT. Last night we rolled into the shelter quite exhausted. Before I had a chance to close my eyes there were three people snoring. No one slept all night long. Once every hour or so someone would scream, ¢shut up!¢ people punched the walls, kicked the culprits, and resorted to numerous other tactics to silence them. Needless to say, it was a long, long, long night.         When morning finally came we danced around in the shelter, trying to stay warm as we completed our morning routine. I led the morning charge pass the white blazes to warm my body. Like clockwork, a mile later I was hot and taking off layers. It snowed all day long. I had hoped to descend into the warmer green valleys, but we never did. In the afternoon I enjoyed the wintry hike much more.         Des provided great entertainment by sledding down portions of the trail. She used her poles for greater propulsion and slid around corners, over rocks and came to some abrupt stops.         At the shelter Shane motivated the troops to start a fire. Des¢ unleaded gasoline helped get it going and we were tactful enough to keep it lit. The sun came out in the late afternoon and life seemed pretty good again.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Village
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was the best night of sleep I¢ve had in a shelter. We fit 8 people in a 6 person shelter. Everyone had to basically sleep on their sides. We slept in until 7:30 and lazily got our things together. Sleeping at 2800 feet felt much warmer than the nights at 4000 plus.        Starting the morning hike my fingers were barely numb! We hiked two miles and got a view of Fontana Dam below. We slowly meandered our way down the mountains. The snow turned to mud, which turned to dry leaves. At the bottom we got a shuttle to Fontana Dam village and rented a cabin between the eight of us. Since we finished so early we had a relaxing day to do laundry, take showers, visit the outfitters and eat dinner. I finally bought a pair of gloves; hopefully they¢ll get me through the smokies.         I decided to eat left over food from my last mail drop for dinner. After some peer pressure I agreed to join the group for dinner. The woman at the outfitters store said they had an AT burger special. We all went anticipating burgers for dinner. We arrived to find a restaurant under renovation that had run out of burgers. They had however, a fine assortment of expensive meals. I just wanted calories, not white table cloths, salad forks and cheesy dining room music. After a couple of hours waiting for food, we made our way home.         Tonight we have a soft carpet, television and heating. It feels good.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning I woke up at 6:30 and wrote post cards to family members. Sorry to those who don¢t get them, I still need a couple of more addresses. Des and Caboose cooked us platefuls of pancakes, bacon and toast. Polished it off with milk and orange juice; we ate like kings. We were very late getting started because we had to organize our mail drop foods and catch a ride back to the trail.        Fontana Dam Lake is a beautiful sight. The water is crystal blue, dirt embankments follow its perimeter and it looks like another world. The thumping of military helicopters really adds to the ambiance.        After entering the smokies we had a long three thousand foot climb. The weather was fantastic. Blue skies, sixty degrees, what more could one ask for? Unfortunately the weather came at a price. The four inches of snow melted quickly. For the last five miles we had to trudge through slush and mud. My ankles and feet were very sore by the end of the day. Finally, the investment in waterproof shoes paid off for some. Nicole and I moved slowly at first. When we realized our feet were sopping wet and we couldn¢t do anything about it, we started to fly through it. My socks left like sponges when I reached the shelter. Today¢s hike was the toughest exercise I¢ve ever been through. It tested my spirit even more than my physical stamina.         Shane was a hero again by initiating another fire. We have a fire place in the shelter tonight and it has given us a chance to dry out our wet socks and shoes.         With as tired as I was today, I¢m content in my sleeping bag. No matter how tough a day seems, when I get dinner and climb into my bag at night, life seems alright. I guess you need to put life into perspective sometimes. In the end things work out. Life is good.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning was noticeably warmer. We woke up to see dark clouds overhead and felt some rain drops. Luckily, those were the only drops of the day. The slush froze overnight so hiking started out quicker than the previous afternoon. The air felt warmer and it was apparent the ice would soon start to melt. At lunch time the sun finally showed its face. The impact was immediate. Water began to run down the mountains and accumulate in flat areas. I attempted to jump from rock to rock for most of the afternoon. I knew how uncomfortable it was to have soaked socks. By the end of the day, my socks were wet, but they could¢ve been worse.        When we summited Thunderhead Mountain we realized the wet terrain slowed us down to one mile per hour. The hiking eventually came quicker. We rolled into the shelter around 5:00.         At the shelter we searched the woods for fire wood. We got a great pile and it looks as though it could last all night. My shoes and socks get to dry out once again.        The rash on my hands is getting worse. At night my hands get warm and they itch even more. I¢m trying hard not to scratch them. Parts of my left hand are swelling. I¢m applying hydrocortisone cream, but I¢m not sure if it¢s helping. If it¢s poison ivy or some other poisonous plant, it should go away. I¢m starting to wonder if it is on the straps of my hiking poles. They are on my hands all day long, and is really the only way I can imagine getting it. I hope it goes away soon, it is very uncomfortable.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

It was warm again last night. I used my ear plugs so I was shocked to see people moving around without knowing it. Nicole and I left in front of the Maine Train. We knew it would get hot later, so it would be advantageous to put miles behind us before the ice became slush.        We found that a lot of the trail was dry and hard packed. After traveling one mile and hour the day before, we felt like we were flying. At our morning snack we engaged in our routine snowball fight. Shane bombed one at Nicole. She attempted to dodge it and hide in the shelter. She didn¢t notice the iron bars holding up a tarp and ran headfirst into it.         The ascent up Clingman¢s Dome was incredible. The climb lasted two miles and took us to 6,643 feet, the highest point on the AT. A winding walkway led to an observation tower on top. Miss Parkay, Wonderer and Coach K were eating lunch at the base. We ran up to the top and started another snowball fight.        At the shelter tonight we met two south bounders who are close to finishing. They shared some great stories and tips that they¢ve learned along the way.        Tomorrow Gatlinberg. Hopefully I¢ll get a cream to cure my incredibly itchy rash.
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Gatlinburg

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We ate like kings this morning. Nicole and I split a box of cereal and we had a large bowl of fresh fruit. Hitching back to Davenport Gap was a lot easier than the day before. After five minutes a couple pulled over offering Nicole and I a ride. We asked if they could fit Brian, ¢yes¢. We asked if they could fit the rest of the Maine Train, which was walking out of the gas station, ¢Hell yeah, pile in!¢ The temperature dropped fifteen degrees as we climbed three thousand feet to the road crossing.        While saying goodbye to our chariot we noticed an excessive number of park rangers and an ambulance. Brian asked a couple of thru-hikers what was wrong¢¦Phoenix, a sixty-six year old, ex navy seal, three time thru-hiker passed away in his sleep last night at Mt. Collins Shelter. We were there the night before we entered Gatlinburg. It was startling to say the least. I met him while eating breakfast at the Hiawassee Inn. No one else was awake yet. We shared stories over bagels and juice. He appeared to be the classic rugged outdoorsman. He spoke at length about his canoe trip down the Mississippi River. I remember wishing Jasper was there to hear him. On the shuttle back from Franklin we shared a seat on the way back to Winding Stair Gap. Phoenix may not rise from the ashes this time, but it seems he left us at a place he loved to be, in the outdoors.        The highlight of our hike today was Charlie¢s Bunion. It was a dangerous cliff overlooking the valley below and the mountains in the distance. We took a long break, ensuring we made the most of this fantastic photo opportunity.         Most of the hiking today was along the ride of the Smokys. The elevation rarely changed and we had tremendous views of the park. At camp we scurried to get firewood before the rain started. Woody and Mike rolled in and were even more shocked about the bad news. We ate, started a fire and three day hikers from Ohio offered us shmores.Rest in Peace Phoenix.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

A storm passed though the night, leaving puddles on the rail and raging streams ran down the mountains. The air was warm and we were in the clouds. While hiking along the ridge we could see the wind blasting clouds up the edge and over our heads. It looked similar to the air flow during an automobiles aerodynamics test. The sight was incredible.         The miles came slow today, even though the terrain was easy. I looked forward to our daily snack time and lunch. We found a couple of great places to take those breaks. We found a bald area of a ridge, sat down, leaned back on my pack, extended my legs and enjoyed complete relaxation. Back at the shelter we ate dinner and played a trivia game with Woody. He had a placemat from a restaurant in Gatlinburg with random questions.         It¢ll be nice to be out of the Smoky¢s tomorrow. Its one more region behind us. Tomorrow is also the start of our fourth week on the trail. It doesn¢t seem like it has been that long. I suppose that¢s a good thing. I was reading the shelter register this afternoon and a hiker had nothing but negativity coming from his pen. ¢This sucks¢¦that sucks¢¦I hate this person¢¦.yada yada yada. I can¢t wait to reach Katahdin and be done with this AT.¢ I couldn¢t believe my eyes. First, I hope I never meet this person. Second, if everything is so horrible, why continue? I¢m relieved that our trip experiences have been on opposite sides of the spectrum.