morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 10.6

At Blueberry Patch hostel now. Wow, cold last night. Woke up with snow, not frost, in the shelter. The footbox of my sleeping bag crinkled as I packed it. Moose and the Polish Grandfater are planning on waiting out the cold. Well, it's cold and windier on top than anywhere else. Right now it is sunny at the Blueberry Patch. Heading into town for an ACE bandage and an all you can eat buffet. Oh, some weekender got caught unprepared for the snow. He was booking it down to his car and he left a couple of cans of soup by his tent site. I ended up taking the organic blackbean soup and left the lentil. Split the can with Lefty. Lefty's hiking the AT w/ two fleece or flannel blankets and some plastic sheeting. His low tech approach is admirable, but only if he has the skill to pull it off.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.2

Been thinking a lot about food. Today's food fantasy was a jelly bean (popcorn flavored Jelly Bell). Slogging uphill is much more bearable with an imaginary jelly bean. Crossed into N.C today, time for a new map. Yay. Met Frank, Deb and Jared at Muskrat shelter. Had the messiest dinner to date there (I do not recomend Backpacker Pantry's cheesecake). Ended up hiking past the trailhead to Chunky Gal trail and tarping. Jelly Beans!
Date: 2004-04-16
To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Another hard to sleep night. Kept waking up slightly cold and clamy. Well, Indy just passed me, I'm glad he's going to be clearing the spiderwebs off the trail. After all these miles on the trail, I'm starting to have imaginary conversations. Sample:me to H.R.: If I cashed in my 401K, how many pints of iceream could I get?Oh, only a few pints?What about Haagen Daaz?Make it two coffee, one vanilla, one strawberry and one chocolate.No wait, three coffee one strawberry and one vanilla. I really like coffee. yumm.. Oh, I achieved symmetery on my feet. I now have blisters on both my pinky toes.
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs Campground
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept until 7am, that's a record late time. Hiked into Rainbow Springs Campground. Met Bearbait(the original), Cliffdancer and Dutch on the trail. The owners invied us over for smoked chicken and beans. Yum. Joe Pacific (older guy from Hawaii, 5th time starting) and Blue Blade (younger guy, on antibiotics and taking a couple days off). Beds sure are squeeky.
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Wasay Bald
Miles today: 0.0

Hiked to Wasay Bald, will watch the sunset/sunrise. Got new pack, ULA MX2. Mailed my old pack and boots (using Keen sandals) to my sister.Almsot to the Smokies, wonder what my trail name shold be. Slow Train was 'suggesting' a name related to my speed. Something like Flash or Mercury. If I don't have one by the end of the Smokies, I'll prob. use 'Eclipse.' Got that trail name in '96 when Opie and I hiked the AT through the Smokies. I left camp to go watch a lunar eclipse. When I got back, one of the Cheese girls came up with eclipse because I'd disapear and reappear.Here's five kids from Franklin. One of the guys is the one who split the only tree on Siler's Bald. A guy who became ran out of water in Slick Rock Creek trail. And a charming girl named Katie. Off they go to roast marshmellows.hmm, more people coming up. Looks like Bearbait, Cliffdancer and Dutch are staying on the Bald.
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Wasay Bald

To: Rufus Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

Hiked to Rufus Shelter. Passed Libby (from AnnArbor) and Burnie. Met Two Dogs F*cking (aka Two Dogs) and NightRider (ultralighter, former driver of an 18wheeler) and Dvorak and Do It (an alcoholic commercial fisherman. Trail lore has it that he's been hiking with two 1/2 gallon containers of whisky). Saw underwear hanging in a tree.
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Rufus Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Got into NOC, picked up some molefoam and Tevas. Talked to LEfty, he's going back to Deep Gap. Talked to Jared and Deb. They're leaving the trail for a few days, their cat ran away. Saw the perfect kayak for Frank (ex-Navy, carrying an electric toothbrush and refuses to get a trail name). Frank wants to kayak down the Mississippi and when he gets to the gulf, he's going to mount a plaque declaring he came in peace. Anyway, there was a used $75 kayak sitting in front of the store.Lots of people decided to camp/party by the river. Sad news, heard Rob(Joker) is off the trail. He blew out his knee a little past Hiawasee. Been going slow waiting for him to catch up.
Date: 2004-04-21
From: NOC

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 28.8
Weather: broken clouds

Wheee... gotta slow down and enjoy the hike. Passed Gabby and Goosebumps. Passed by Jan lightfoot and Stumpknocker at Cable Gap Shelter. Finally met Fred (hikes 12mi per day, regardless of terrain or how easy it is). The only two people in the Fontana Hilton, 42 and Dvorak, are quitting the trail.
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Fontana Hilton

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Night Rider (good at hitch hiking, esp. at night) and Achilles/Beast of Burden (going to school at UofC, fast hiker) got in last night, also from NOC. Fontana village is a tourist trap, ex. take a picture of a stuffed bear with their camera $2, take the same picture with your camera $1. Picked up food drop and filter from the post office. Looks like the filter is missing some parts (shouldn't have gotten it at that going out of business sale). Hitched to Robbinsville w/ Night Rider and his ten minute hitch guarante. Ate at a Chinese AYCE buffet w/ interesting dance/synth/traditional music blend. Got a ride to dinner @ Fontana village from a girl in a small red pickup. Lot of good twisty turns to drive on, and she drove fast. I've got that Eagles song stuck in my head... standing on the corner of Winslow, arizona, it's a girl my lord in a flatbed ford slowing down to take a look at me...Met lots more people, Mosey,....
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Called up Steve (Opie) from Fontana Dam, I hiked through the Smokies with him in '96. Sounded serious and responsible. I suppose we've all matured (at least a little). Met a guy named Cassie, he said he could pick up a disposable camera for me. I gave him some money and he's suppose to catch up later down the trail. It's nice, I'd trust every thru-hiker I've met.The change in vegetation is amazing, there's fields of wildflowers (mostly white 5 petals w/ touch of purple). Looks like snow on green grass. The sun's shining through the trees, fuzzy green moss growing on downed logs, birds chirping and singing, lots of bees buzzing and hovering. It's like something out of a story. It doesn't get much prettier than this. Too bad I don't have a camera...Well, not so perfect. Gnats are driving me nuts.Met Taba (stands for 'there and back again', tried to double hike the AT few years ago) and his brother in law quasi (he's never attempted the whole AT so he considers himself a quasi-thruhiker). They showed up yesterday with beer in a cooler now they're up in the mountains handing out food and meeting new people. Nice people, Quasi gave Night Rider a green LED lamp for night hiking. They even put on a light show with their glow sticks and rope.
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Clingman's Dome
Miles today: 0.0

Cassie caught up with a camera. It's nice how things work out. More good wildflowers, lolly gaggled for the first 10mi. Even waited 40 min. waiting for someone to come by and take a pcture of me. Met up with Nightrider and Publix (formerly 12mi Fred. Renamed after a grocery store cause this kid has a twenty five pound bag of food.) and busted ass to Clingman's dome. Scored a mostly eaten stick of butter from some section hikers. It was good. Getting cold and windy.
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Clingman's Dome

To: Icewater Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Found a (mostly eaten) box of Krispy Kreme donuts at Indian Road Gap. It was good.Had brunch by a shelter/trailhead. On-It implied 3 older day hikers were stupid and foolish, they caught it pretty quick. Before he did that though, they were talking about dry counties and moonshine. Ms. R offered to hook us up if we came by her elementary school. Or at least get us in touch with the right people.hitched into Gatlinburg, got some food at something Bear w/ OnIt, Cliffdancer, Bairbait and night rider. What an expensive tourist trap. hitched out in a Ford Mustang drop top. We had a reverend at the wheel so it wasn't that exciting. Hiked into Icewater shelter (steve, it's totaly redone. I'll post some pics later). No room inside so setup hammock. Lots of rain during the night but stayed dry. Oh, Trixie(?) was at newfound Gap w/ her husband handing out bannanas and cold sodas. Much appreciated.
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Icewater Shelter

To: Tricorner Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Easy hike to TriCorner Shelter. Got to use my waterproof socks for the first time. Worked well. Finally got to the ridge line but no views at all. Too much rain and fog. Looks like we passed One-foot (shelter journals). Met the Garland Five, a family from Maine(?) hiking the AT. The kids are home schooled, carry their own packs, they seem well adjusted and happy. They also sing after they make their campfire. (Yo mama ain't wear no socks, I saw when she took em off....)
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Tri-Corner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Cold night. Frost on my food bag. Walking in the cold rain, entire hand is a prune. Was cussing the cold when I stopped, water dripping off my jacket, looked around and realized life doesn't get much better.Good memories of the Smokies. Heading on North...Going to be dreaming about that Cheeseburger from Mountain Momma's for a looong time.
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 0.0

Got a trail name from Loon. He heard I left my job and decided to hike the AT on an impulse. So he's ben calling me impulse ever since. Stopped early and decided to tarp up on Max Patch. Amazing views (finally above the tree line). NightRider and Ponder (south bounder) also decided to camp on top. Best sunset/sunrise so far.
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Max Patch

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Planned on staying at Deer Park Mnt Shelter but when I arrived, Flint, Mr.T, Kristen, T-Bot, Stickman and FancyFree were talking about the food and the pub so into town I went. Lots of people in town, I think this is the huge hiker bubble I kept hearing about.Good icecream place in town. Yummm.
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mnt Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Good to see new face in Hot Springs and good to see some old ones, but it's better to be on the trail. So much more peacefull and free. AT culture is starting to remind me of pop culture. There are icons on the trail like 'The Sarge' and 'Baltimore Jack' instead of Michael Jackson and Britney Spears. The trail towns have adapted to hikers for income but still seem detatched (for the most part).In some ways I don't blame them though. Lots of obnoxious and pompous behaviour going on.Met Underground, Gordy, D-Bone, Icebreak, Don'tCare, Don't Mind, Rooney Tunes, Myst, ... lots of people on the trail today.
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Spring Mnt Shelter

To: Flint Mnt Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Some people slackpacking (going southbound(downhill) with out their packs). Saw a facies shift (limestone-shale-sandstone) up by Whiterock cliffs. Decided to hike the extra miles to Flint Mnt Shelter in the rain and cold cuz there's ~20 people hiking in. Got into Flint Mnt Shelter to find Bones (motorhead/motorcycle tech), Ghost, Gordy singing and swapping songs.
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Flint Mnt Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day to No Business Knob Shelter. Met K-bear and Pepe along the way. Cold, snowy (frosty) on Big Bald. So hungry. Saw a picture of cookies and cream icecream on the wrapper of my almost gone energy bar and I almost whimpered. Big energy bonk. Just plodding. Barely doing 2mph, more like 1mph... Hungry. If I dropped my bag of gorp I would cry. Met Swan, April Showers and .. at Bald Mnt Shelter.
Date: 2004-05-04
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Cold night. Curled up in a fetal position but my knees got stiff. Talking like an old man.. Long 6mi to Nolichucky/Erwin. Glad I made it. Ate a huge cheeseburger at Wendi's Cafe. Friendly waitstaff, gave free fresh veggies. yum. Afterwards, wend to MissJanet's Hostel and then to the food lion for resupply. Ate 1.6L of cookies and cream icecream (one sitting). yum. Sarge, fishin fred, D-bone, Gordy, CJ, Dreamer, many more in Hostel. Now time for the bag of cheetos. They're cheesy but it's happiness.
Date: 2004-08-29
To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Yup, I'm still alive and hiking north along the AT. I found that the online journal was taking too much time from away from my hike so I stopped for a while (read: too lazy). Hey, thanks to all the supportive and generous people I've met along the trail and back home. Now, here's a story from this weekend.Tinker (a thru-hiker who got off in VA?), was kind enough to abduct several stinky thru-hikers for the weekend. On Saturday, we finally made it Hampton beach. When we got there, I spent most of my time gazing at my navel, Sundown was picking her feet, Eric and Jess where being normal, Tinker was poking at the sand, and Duke was waxing poetic about how beautiful it was watching the sun set over the Playland Arcade. After a bit, Sundown borrowed Tinker's knife to cut off a sizeable chunk of calous off her heel (a rectangular flap of skin about the size of a quarter and as thick as a dime. also, we hadn't showered in a few days). After more sitting and talking, Tinker suggested gluing the dead skin to Duke's car (www.jigglebox.com). Naturally, Duke was disgusted with the idea. After more pressure from Tinker and a joking Sundown, Duke disgustingly picked up the flap of skin between his fingers and dared Tinker to eat the skin for ten dollars. When a ten dollar bill was pulled out, Tinker (with no hesitation) popped the piece of skin into his mouth and ate it (he did chew for ~20 or 30 seconds). And that was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen.
Date: 2004-10-08
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.4

Woo-hoo!Six months and two thousand some miles after my first steps in Georgia, I've gotten to the end. I'm way too shallow to have come away with a life changing experience. There will be no introspective book or talk for the Rotary Club. Many happy memories, friendship and the hiker hobble will be enough of a reward for me.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: ATLANTA GA.

To: GOOCH MT. SHELTER
Miles today: 16.0

8:AM I MET MY INTERNET SHUTTLE.GOT SOME FINAL CITY FOOD (B.K.),SOME MAPS AT AMICALOLA,AND A RIDE UP THE FOREST SERVICE ROAD.GOT DROPPED OFF 1 MI. NORTH OF SPRINGER SO I HIKED A MILE SOUTH TO GET A PHOTO OF THE PLAQUE.STARTING OFF GOING SOUTH WAS A STRANGE THING TO DO WITH SO MANY MILES AHEAD. IT DRIZZLED ABOUT HALF OF THE DAY BUT NOT ENOUGH TO GET THE PACK WET.SURPRISED TO SEE THE SHELTER FULL,12PEOPLE INSIDE AND THREE OUT IN THE FRONT YARD.I MET MANY FOLKS ON THE TRAIL TODAY AND MORE IN THE SHELTER; NIGHTRIDER, SOLACE,GRITS,KTR,ACHILLES AND ERIN,RIDGERUNNER-ZUMA.HAD A FREEZE DRIED SPAG. ABOUT 5 SNORERS AND NO CRITTERS.RAINED ALL NIGHT.IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: GOOCH MT. SHELTER

To: BLOOD MT. SHELTER
Miles today: 13.0

AWOKE W/THE CROWD.I WAS THE LAST ONE IN THE SHLTER LAST NIGHT SO I HAD TO SLEEP ON THE EDGE BY THE RAIN,LOVELY.HAD MY FIRST SHELTER BREAKFAST AND WAS ABOUT THE FIFTH ONE OUT THIS MORNING.HIKED 13 MILES MOSTLY RAINY AND WINDY.SAW AN ELDERLY MAN WITH WAY TO MUCH PACK STRUGGLING AND FALLING THROUGH THE MUD AND RAIN.HE WAS MISERABLE,I TOLD HIM IT WASNT MUCH FURTHER AND GAVE HIM WHAT SUPPORT I COULD.GOT TO WOODS HOLE SHELTER WHERE I PLANNED TO STAY BUT IT WAS TO CROWDED.SO I ATE AND FRESHENED MY FEET,TOLD THE OTHERS ABOUT THE OLD MAN THAT SHOULD BE THERE SOON AND PUSHED ON ANOTHER 2.7 MI. TO BLOOD MT. I SAW THE OLD MAN AT THE APPROACH TRAIL TO THE SHELTER AND WAS RELIEVED THAT HE WAS ALRIGHT.IT WAS HERE I LEARNED THAT HE WAS DEAF.NO WONDER HE COULDNT UNDERSTAND ME TO WELL BACK ON THAT MUDDY HILLSIDE.WELL BLOOD MT. WAS QUITE A CLIMB IN THE RAIN BUT WORTH IT.IVE GOT THE WHOLE STONE STRUCTURE TO MYSELF, VERY SPOOKY WITH THE LIGHTNING STORM.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: BLOOD MT. SHELTER

To: LOW GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

MISTY MOST OF TODAYS MILES. HIKED 14 MI. TO LOW GAP SHELTER WHICH WAS FULL SO I WILL BIVY OUT IN THE BACK YARD.TEMPS TO BE IN THE TWENTYS TONIGHT.KEPT A GOOD PACE TODAY,I CAN FEEL MY BODY ADAPTING TO TRAIL LIFE.PASSED THROUGH THE WALASI-YI CENTER AT NEELS GAP AND WAS PROUD TO ONLY NEED AN INK PEN AND A COUPLE OF POWER BARS.SLAMMED A HAM AND CHEESE+GATORADE AND CAUGHT UP WITH THOSE THAT STAYED IN THE HOSTEL (SHOWER+BED);GRITS,ROCKET, ACHILLES.WELL I AM OUT TO BED DOWN IN THE SOFT WET LEAVES.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: LOW GAP SHELTER

To: BLUEBERRY HOSTEL
Miles today: 9.0

WELL NO BEARS BUT I DID NOT SLEEP WELL. I WOKE UP WITH 3 INCHES OF SNOW ON MY BIVY . VITAL PARTS ARE DRY BUT BAG IS WET,THE FOREST AND MY PACK ARE COVERED IN SNOW.   TO COLD FOR BREAKFAST SO I PACK UP MY WET GEAR AND PUSHED 7 MI.THROUGH THE WIND AND SNOW(IM THINKIN HOSTEL). STOPPED IN AT BLUE MT. SHELTER AND MET A GUY WHO HAD TAKEN CARE OF A ONE ARMED MAN WITH WET COTTON BLANKETS BEFORE HE WAS RESCUED BY THE FOREST SERVICE! 2 MORE MILES AND I GOT A HITCH TO HIAWASSEE FROM A RETIRED GEORGIA TECH PROF. I AM JOURNALING AT SUBWAY EATING THE CRUMBS OFF OF MY PAPER HEADED TO THE BLUEBERRY HOSTEL.   SNOWTHOUGHT-TO COLD TO JOURNAL RECENTLY,SAW SOME AWESOME BLOSSOMING BUT NOW IT IS ALL SNOW COVERED!      BLUEBERRY PATCH   IS GREAT WITH GREAT PEOPLE AND ORGANIC GARDEN. MET LIZAH,HEESOO,AND JAMES THE RESCUED AMPUTEE.   MY HITCH TO THE HOSTEL WAS INTERESTING THE 3 FOLKS THAT PICKED ME UP WHERE STARTING THIER OWN ECO-COMMUNITY=60 ACRES OF FOOD FIREWOOD AND FISHING. THE LITTLE SUBARU HAD 4 DOORS ONLY 1 WORKED! I DID NOT GET SHOTGUN.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: BLUEBERRY HOSTILE

To: STANDING INDIAN
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

I SLEPT UNDER A SNORER IN THE COOL BUNKHOUSE,HAD A GOOD BREAKFAST OF SAUSAGE,PANCAKE AND HOMADE BLUEBERRY SYRUP+PRAYER. GARY SHUTTLED US TO DICKS CREEK GAP WHERE WE BEGAN A SUNNY 17 MILE DAY. JAMES WAS GOING BACK TO BLUE MT. (CRAZY) I MET LYNETTE AND LITTLE MONKEY AND SEVERAL OTHERS AS I SNACKED IN AND PASSED PLUMORCHARD AND MUSKRAT SHELTERS. PLEASE EXCUSE ME FOR HIKING MY HIKE BUT I SKIPPED TRAY MT. WITH MY SHUTTLE CHOICE THIS MORNING(STILL SNOW UP THERE) IVE GOT STANDING INDIAN SHELTER ALL TO MYSELF TONIGHT EXCEPT BOB THE BADGER IN THE FRONT YARD.THE REGISTER HERE REPORTS A BEAR STEALING A PACK SO MY FOOD IS HUNG WHERE THE OWLS ARE SPEAKING TONIGHT. SNOWTHOUGHT-IVE HIKED RAIN SNOW AND WIND AND PLAN ON WHITEWATERING AT N.O.C.      WALKED OUT OF GEORGIA INTO N.C. TODAY!
Date: 2004-04-16
From: STANDING INDIAN

To: SILER SHELTER
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

BEST SLEEP YET EVEN WITH THE LITTLE CRITTERS ON MY SLEEPING SURFACE.WALKED 8 MILES TO CARTER GAP FOR A BREAK WITH 2 SQUIRRELS. MR. BLUEBIRD HAS BEEN ON MY SHOULDER THROUGHOUT MOST OF MY DAY. PUSHED 20 MILES TODAY AND FELT GOOD. ALBERT MT. HAD A COOL TOWER. TODAY I MET TWO DAWGS,BEARBAIT,CLIFFDANCER,AND DUTCH. WE ALL SCORED TRAIL MAGIC FROM SOME VACATIONING FLORIDIANS;SHRIMP WINE GRAPES TURKEY SALAD THE PERFECT TREAT. WE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE TRAIL AND EMPTIED THIER COOLER FOR THEM! INTO SILER SHELTER TONIGHT WITH 6. THE BODY FEELS GREAT BUT A ZIPPER ON THE PACK BROKE.
Date: 2004-04-17
From: SILER SHELTER

To: WAYAH BALD
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

I WALKED ALL DAY AGAIN. I CANT STOP. ITS LIKE FORREST GUMP,AFTER EACH COOL SPOT "I JUST KEPT HIKIN" TONIGHT I JOURNAL UNDER THE STARS NEAR WAYAH BALD. MORE FOLKS;GRANYY LALA,QUILTER,STEPHEN,POKEY,GOOSEBUMP,GABBY. GREAT STRIDE TODAY. I RESUPPLIED AT RAINBOW SPRINGS CAMPGROUND. THEY HAD INTERNET FOR 35c MIN. NO THANKS . BUGS ARE CRAWLIN AT MY BIVY TIME TO ZIP UP FOR THE NIGHT . BEAUTIFUL STARBRIGHT NIGHT.
Date: 2004-04-18
From: WAYAH BALD

To: NANTAHALA RIVER
Miles today: 16.0

WOKE WITH THE MORNING SUN AND WALKED 16 MILES AS EVERYTHING TURNS GREEN AROUND ME.DROPPED 3500' INTO N.O.C. IN THE RIVER MY FEET DID GO! I WILL"0" HERE TOMORROW AND PLAY IN THE RIVER.I AM JEALOUS OF ALL THE WHITEWATER BOATS ON ALL THE VEHICLES HERE. NOW THAT IVE SLOWED A DAY I WILL SEE EVERYONE I HAVE PASSED. ACHILLES HAS MENTIONED INDY FOR A TRAIL NAME AND I WILL TAKE IT BEFORE SOMETHING WORSE CAN STICK. I OFTEN TAKE MY BOOTS OFF(FRESH TIRES) AND EAT(FUEL) THESE ARE MY (PIT STOPS)AND I SOMETIMES REGISTER OF THE TRAIL(TRACK CONDITIONS) BEING FROM INDIANA JUST WORKS. ALTHOUGH I AM SECTION HIKING I BLEND IN WITH THE THRUS PROUD OF THE PACE IVE GOT GOING. WELL   OFF TO THE COMMUNITY BUILDING FOR PHONE CALLS,PLENTY OF SHOWERS. HAD NOODLES,MAPS,AND CONVERSATION WITH GABBY (N.H.) I SCORED A 15$BUNK HERE AT N.O.C. IVE BEEN HERE BEFORE ON THIS RIVER AND HAVE BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BREAK!
Date: 2004-04-19
From: NANTAHALA RIVER

To: NANTAHALA RIVER
Miles today: 0.0

WOKE EARLY AND STUMBLED AROUND WITH OTHER HIKERS WATCHED OTHER HIKERS STRAGGLE IN. GRABBED A SNICKER-O.J. BREAKFAST AND BROWSED THE OUTFITTER. COULDNT RESIST THE GEAR TEMPTATION. CAME OUT WITH A LIGHTER STOVE(ETTAWA ALCOHOL)AND A LIGHTER FLASHLIGHT(PETZL HEADLAMP). I ALSO PICKED UP SOME RIVER BOOTIES TO MAIL HOME AFTER I USE THEM. GOT MY MAIL DROP THEN WENT TO RENT A DUCKY AROUND 1 O'CLOCK. I RAN THE RIVER WITH FRED,A 19 YEAR OLD THRU WHOSE FATHER COULDNT MAKE IT FOR HEART TROUBLE. GABBY AND GOOSEBUMP WERE DUE TO HIKE OUT BUT CHANGED THIER MIND AND RENTED DUCKIES AT 2 O'CLOCK.I GOT CLEANED UP AFTER A PERFECT DAY ON THE RIVER ONLY TO JUMP IN THE RIVER TO SAVE GOOSEBUMPS DUCKIE AS SHE WIPED OUT AT THE CLASS III NANTAHALA FALLS WHICH ENDS YOUR RIVER TRIP RIGHT AT THE OUTDOOR CENTER. BIG FUN. THEY SHUT THE RESTURAUNT DOWN EARLY TODAY(MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS) SO I DIDNT GET THE EXCELLENT CHEESEBURGER I HAD BEEN THINKING OF ALL THE WAY DOWN THE RIVER!@#$*+   HIKERS STILL ARRIVING. MORE FAMILIAR FACES AND SMELLS. I TOOK ON A LOT OF SUN ON TOP OF MY LEGS TODAY WITH MANY EXCITING RAPIDS BUT NO SPILLS. I LOVE N.O.C. BUT I MUST LEAVE ,I CANT LAY OFF OF THE JUNKFOOD!
Date: 2004-04-20
From: NANTAHALA RIVER

To: SASSAFRASS SHELTER
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

WOKE FROM GOOD SLEEP. STAYED UP LASTNIGHT AND WALKED DOWN TO THE RIVER WITH ACHILLES AND NIGHTRIDER, MET RED BEARD AND SMOKEY. WENT FOR BREAKFAST AT RESTUARANT. SAW TWO DAWGS AND HEESOO SO I ATE WITH THEM. WALKED SEVEN MILES UP HILL TO SASSAFRASS SHELTER IT IS A NICE TWO STORY WITH WINDOWS. HEAD LAMP TEST NOT TO BAD. ATE SOME DEHYDRATED PEAS AND CORN. I SCORED FROM THE HIKERS BOX. I AM STUFFED. MET YET ANOTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE; KIRK, WIT, HEATHER, MOSY(71), LIL FISH, MELANIE, AND COCKER SPANIEL MURPHY. SOMEONE JUST SPOTTED A MOUSE AND DUTCH JUST GOT THE FIRE STARTED. I THINK I WILL CHECK IT OUT.
Date: 2004-04-21
From: SASSAFRASS SHELTER

To: CABLE GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

MICE ATE HALF MY TOWEL LASTNIGHT. NOW THEY HAVE COST ME MONEY. NICE SOCIAL DAY OF 15 MILES. TONIGHT SOME OF GOOSEBUMPS HIKING FRIENDS BROUGHT TRAIL MAGIC UP THE HILL. THEY CARRIED IN FRIED CHICKEN WITH BISCUITS, COLD COKES, APPLE PIE WITH WHIPPED CREAM, CHOCOLATE CAKE, AND SOME BAILEYS. STUMPKNOCKER AND JAN LITESHOE ARE AMAZING PEOPLE. I AM UNDER THE STARS LEAVING THE SHELTER TO FRED, KIRK, AND BDUB. ON TO FONTANA DAM TOMORROW. ALMOST STEPPED ON A BROWN SNAKE MISSED IT BY INCHES.