morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-02-29
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Devils Kitchen
Miles today: 15.1

Woke up about 4:30AM. Very cold. A rat stole one of my candy bars during the night. Ate right through my snack sack. Got to Springer about 5:30AM. Took a picture of the plaque in the dark, hope it comes out.Did about 15 miles today, stopped at Devils Kitchen. It's just after the downhill at Phyllis Spur, I was surprised that I could do so many miles so early. I'm not going to try it again for a while. Black Gap Shelter to Devils Kitchen, nice little push on the second day.Met Drew today, this is his third try. Had problems on his first two attempts so he's tring once more. 3rd time must be the charm.X, Peace out.
Date: 2004-03-01
From: Devils Kitchen

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Went from Devils Kitchen to Woods Hole Shelter. I was going to sleep on the table but 2 guys pulled out of the shelter, to set up their tent.   Met Lindsey, Sara & Riana they are all from Michigan on spring break. They got dubbed the "Cotton Girls" because they were wearing blue jeans and cotton shirts. Also met Michael and Patrick. They are brothers, everone thinks they are twins, but they are six years apart. Having a hard time telling who's who. Michael resides in Rome, Italy but is originly from Pa. Patrick still lives in Pa. Dharma is here also, he's from Connecticut. Interesting guy. Arlene is a 66 year old lady, very sweet. Helped her get her pack on today, its kinda heavy. She's struggling quite a bit, she wants to lighten her pack when she gets to Neals Gap. I hope she does and helps her hiking out. X, Peace out
Date: 2004-03-02
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: light rain

Went from Woods Hole shelter to Neels Gap and the Hostel. Only about 4 miles over Blood Mt. It was a bit misty and rainy today. Quite miserable. Didn't get a good view at Blood Mt. just clouds.   Had a luke-warm breakfast today because my stove wasn't working right. So a bad start in the morning and it only got worse. Going down Blood Mt. my knee got to hurting "like something aweful" as my granny would put it.I'm going to buy me some hiking sticks tommorrow morning.   Got a ride into town with a guy named "Sarge". He says he does about a 1,000 miles a year. Good guy, he took us to a Bar-B-Que house that had baby back ribs. Very good.   Read to Arlene tonight from Psalms 8 & 9. Helped me get to where I'm reading, also to thank the Lord. Hopefully Arlene will make it to Katahdin. She's a "tough ole lady"X, Peace out
Date: 2004-03-03
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

 Wet misty morning. I made Arlene some breakfast this morning to make sure she got some food into her body. She hasn't been eating well, so I cooked four packets of oatmeal for us. I hope it did her some good. They are working over Arlene's pack to lighten her load. She was carring 46 lbs. Way to much for her. I left before they were done. Hopefully I will se her again. Got to the shelter at 5:30 so I walked about 7.5 Hours. Could have done it faster, but I set down at a few of the overlooks. There was some awesome views when the clouds cleared out.X, Peace out
Date: 2004-03-04
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

Had a good hike today. My knee seemed better. Had several Major uphills and a couple of monster downhills. Domninic's hiking partner is leaving today. They had just gotten downhill at Unicoi Gap and stuck their thumb out to hitch-hike when a truck pulled over. Didn't take long at all, hope my hitch-hikes go the same way. Camping at some dairy faarm place right before Tray Mt. Cozy place to sack up at. Sara,Riana, Lindsey, Dharma and two other guys are here tonight. The girls and the two other guys are spending their spring break hiking. Had a nice conversation with them untill about 9:00, When I hit the sackX, Peace out
Date: 2004-03-05
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Did it in 5 and 1/2 hours, pretty good for me. Dharma got there about 30 minutes ahead of me.The "Cotton Girls " have all cotton clothes and no rain gear. It was very misty today, I looked down at my shirt and it looked like it was made of blue water droplets. Had my first taste of trail magic today. Just before Tray Gap we found food and drink. Danush rolls honey buns, Little Debbie cakes, Coke, Mellow Yellow, Miller Lite and Celtic Wheat beer. It was a wonderfull find. Got a lot of the sweet stuff and a Mellow Yellow. It feels weird not showering for so many days. I stink! I really don't mind, but when I get around the other hikers in the evening and at lunch I become more conscions of it. Going into Hiawassee tommorow. Hoping to get in and out so I can get to the next shelter. We'll see. Time to hit the sackX, Peace out
Date: 2004-03-06
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch
Miles today: 3.8

Got to Blueberry Patch today. Nice place, very cozy, good Christian people who are doing what they are ment to do. Nice organic farm with two donkeys and what seems to be 3 cats. There might be more. It rained again durning the morning hours. Waited at the road until about 10:00AM when Gary Poteat come up with a group of NOBO hikers. I'm here with Sugardaddy, Wildcat, Pa Kettle and Hiku. Cool people fun to be around. Ate lunch and supper in Hiawassee at Daniels Steakhouse. They had a lot of pictures of actors in "Gone With the Wind" Had the ACYE buffet at lunch and a 20oz steak for supper and would you believe it but I didn't finish the steak. Thats a first for me, I usualy can finish any size steak. Dharma, Patrick and Michael all stayed in town today. I'll probably see them again because for the moment I am moving slow. I think I might have picked up a trailname "Gallon". Sugardaddy asked me if I had done a half-gallon of mike drinking contest before. With that I said a "Gallon" drinking contest. It was funny then, but I'm cool with it if it sticks. Time to hit the sack.X, Peace out
Date: 2004-03-07
From: Blueberry Patch

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Had an excellent breakfast of pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup, sausage, cheese biscuits, orange juice and coffee. They had some Michael Card playing on the tape deck, with the sun shinning through the windows it was hard to leave. Had an excellant time and I recommend people stop there. Got going around 10:00 o'clock.I walked for a good long time, I can tell that I'm getting stronger and my endurace uphill is getting a whole lot better. We went from Dicks Creek Gap to Muskrat Shelter. Thats well over 2,000 feet in vertical gain, thats not gross thats net gain. I walked until right about 5:30 so thats 12 miles in 7.5 hours, not to shabby considering its almost all uphill. I ment a good amount of people today, Nails she's from Orlando, Captian Hook he's from Dayton Oh.. I also met Pez. Today was really nice except for at the end. For the morning and early afternoon, it was in the sixtys. By 7:00Pm it was below freezing with snow flurries. The last time I checked it was 25F A very big change from earlier in the day. Its about 8:30 so I'm going to climb into my Hammock. Hope the way I rig it helps with the high winds tonight. Arlene caught me today. So the lightened pack really helped her out. She's scooting along pretty fast now.X, Peace out
Date: 2004-03-08
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Charter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Very cold this morning when I got out of my Hennessy Hammock. Somebody said it was 26F with a 11F wind chill. We had a wind warning for 50mph winds. Had a good day today, walked ten miles from 8:40AM to 1:15PM. I was proud of myself. I walked the 2.6 miles remaining to the old Carter Gap shelter after lunch. Got there about 4:00PM. Great day clear and sunny, but cold. Stayed in the shelter with Pa Kettle, Nails, Pez and Lopaka. Finnally caught up with Lopaka. It's about 7:05PM so I'm going tho read my bible some then hit the sack.X Peace out
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Charter Gap Shelter

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

It Started snowing today on Albert Mt, then again when I got to Rock Gap shelter. Accumulated about 2" of snow. It was a great day to hike. (Dad's Note: Alex would have been disapointed if he didn't get at least one good snow.)Red Dog and the two guys from Huntsville went into Rainbow Springs Campground and brought back pizza. That was awesome!! (Food) Had a good time around the fire we built. Just talked and had some good laughs. Mountian life is so good.X Peace out
Date: 2004-03-10
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Campsite past Wayah Bald
Miles today: 16.5

Went from Rock Gap shelter to a camping spot past Wayah Bald IT was about 16.5 miles in all. I was tired in the end but I had a lot of fun. I went up on Siler Bald and I tell you what, thats one heck of a view. You could see for miles around. Wayah Bald was the same too. You could see up to 5 states on a good clear day. Got tired of walking in the snow, it slows you down. That's it.X, Peace out
Date: 2004-03-11
From: Campsite past Wayah Bald

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Went from the campsite to Rufus Morgan Shelter, about 16 miles. Doing too many miles, my feet are killing me. 32 miles in 2 days is too much at the moment. Both of my pinky toe's are a mess. I've got huge blisters on the tips, but they really don't hurt much. The last four miles were downhill and it really killed my feet and knees. Usually you like the downhills but I've come to dislike the steep downhills. I would have prefered an uphill at times. Well it's time to hit the sack.X "Mello" Peace out
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.8
Weather: clear sky

Woke up about 7:00AM, got to NOC by 8:00AM for breakfast. Ate lunch at 1:00PM in a resteraunt also. Took it easy today to let my feet recover.It was a nice day to hike or lazy around. Beautiful day. My trailname is now "Mello" Its all good, I like it.X "Mello" out
Date: 2004-03-13
From: NOC

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

Went from NOC to Locust Cove Gap. It was a tough walk up to Cheoah Bald. It seemed like I was always climbing. Did most of it w/ Jason, Betty, and Dharma. Cheoah Bald had a awesome view. It was about 5,021 ft, so we were quite a ways up there. I've got a pic so check it out. The downhill from Cheoah hurt my knees though not as bad when I went down Blood Mt. If it were not for my knee's, I would run down the hills but unfortunately I cannot. Maybe when they get stronger. I'm still having a great time to all at home and I hope to see ya'll in a few months. I'm hoping that I'll finish by Jessica's wedding so I can be there. I REALLY want to be back there for that. It won't be too long before the 20 mi days start flowing. Everyday, I'm getting stronger and my endurance is getting greater. My love to all at home, church, and friends everywhere.Alex Long "Mello"Peace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a long day today. About 18 mi. Went from Locust Cove Gap to the Fontana Hilton. Plenty of ups and downs today. Didn't see too many people today. Saw Dharma, Katrina (Swiss Miss), and Sara (Dragonslayer) at Cable Gap Shelter. Arlene (Ji-Ji) and Mickey-One-Sock were coming in later at the Cable Gap Shelter. For all the miles today, I wasn't tired at the end. Maybe, finally, I'm starting to get my uphill legs. We'll see as I hit the Smokies. At the Hilton, there was Pa Kettle, Kathrine(Moonpie), and Haiku. It was good to catch up w/ them all and see them again. Time to sack up.Alex Long "Mello"Peace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Did about 11.3 mi. I went from the Fontana Hilton to Mollies Ridge Shelter. It was so wet today. It started raining about 12:00 pm today and lasted all day and all night. It was miserable but I did get into the Smokies today which was the big plus. Another milestone for my hike. I was gonna go to the next shelter about 20 min after I got to Mollies Ridge but that's about the time the bottom fell out. So I stayed the night there and that sealed that. SugarDaddy and Deja Vu came in today as did a new guy I haven't met named Stiff Arm. Cool guy w/ lots of jokes and he was brought up Roman Catholic. Kinda' reminded me of Brad. Missing the ole boy already. I had hoped to see Pa Kettle again today but he pushed onto the next shelter. I miss the old guy already. He's good to hang around with.Met my first ridgerunner today. His name was Graybeard and he did the trail in '97. He did it in about 4.5 months. He said I'm moving at just about the right pace and not to push too hard. The large mileage days will come. Hopin' to make it by Jessica's wedding. Mollies Ridge was kinda' a spooky place. More than once we all thought we had heard voices. Hopin' Pa Kettle had somebody else in the shelter to bunk w/ tonight. Time to hit the sack.MelloPeace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derricks Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: moderate rain

Did about 12 miles today. Went from Mollies Ridge Shelter to Derricks Knob Shelter. Nice little hike, had quite a few good overlooks today but it was a little too cloudy to make anything out. They would have been some good places for some pics. I'm pushin' for Newfound Gap and a lot of the people I was hiking w/ I'm gonna be leaving behind b/c they're all taking a zero day in Fontana to see what the weather is gonna do. It's smart but I've got kinda' a deadline so i'm gonna meet it. Can't wait for them cheeseburgers my moms gonna be cooking up. Our group is starting to spread out now. SugarDaddy, Deja Vu, Pa Kettle, Haiku, and Moonpie are all that are left. I left behind Dharma, Jason, Betty, Dragonslayer, Arlene (Ji-Ji), and Mickey-One-Sock. I enjoyed they're company and I hope to see them again. I've got a blister on my heel now. Hurts alot. Got it while going up the first main mountain into the Smokies. It's about 2,000 ft in about 3 mi. I might pop it to save some pain but I need the callus back there so I'll deal w/ it for a while.Met Jim today. He's a ultralight thru-hiker from New Hampshire that did 22 mi from Fontana to make it there. He looked to be in his 50's. He was really tired so I didn't get much more than his name out of him. He has some very good endurance. Time to hit the sack.Mello Peace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Derricks Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Did about 12 mi today. Went from Derrick Knob Shelter to Mt. Collins Shelter. I was gonna push on down to Newfound Gap and phone my mom to come get me but I thought it would be a wasste of energy. I'll just roll out of the sack in the morning and meet her at Newfound Gap when she gets there. Met a father, son, and son's friend trio tonight at the shelter that's been hiking for about a week. They were Nathan, Lance, and Ethan. Cool group. Had a good time w/ them telling blonde jokes and redneck jokes late into the night. There were some great views while walking up to Clingmans Dome. All the ice on the trees made for some beautiful pics. Unfortunately when I finally made it to the Dome, it was completely cloud covered and I couldn't see a thing. When the pics go up on the pics section, everbody will see part of the reason why I'm out here. What a wonderful world God has made.Time to sack up.MelloPeace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: moderate rain

Got up early and got going. Stayed at Mt. Collings Shelter last night and this morning there was about 2 in. of snow on the ground. Made for a beautiful scene but when we got to walking it made the going very hard. The temperature went above freezing and the snow turned to slush. It made for a wet, slippery experience all the way down to Newfound Gap. Just about slipped and fell 3 or 4 times on the way down but not quite. Finally made it about 10:00 am and what good timing. Mom had just pulled up and was starting to pull stuff out of the suburban when walked in. Since it was raining and sleeting, she opted to take I, Deja Vu, and Suger Daddy into town and cook us some burgers there instead of at the Gap. I think between the three of us we downed about 8 cheeseburgers. It was great. Unfortunately Deja and Sugar Daddy decided to head back out to the trail. Decided that when I got back out onto the trail that I was gonna catch them before Hot Springs.I'm actually now going to sleep on a real bed again for the first time since I left on the trail. I hope I'll be able to sleep late b/c I've been waking up about 6:40 every morning. Well time to hit the sack, actually the bed this time.MelloPeace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.4

Went from Newfound Gap to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter today which was about 15 mi. Did it in less than 7 hrs. which right now I think is really good for the condition I'm in. It was a beautiful day to hike. The sun was out and it wasn't cold or at least 45 degree's wasn't cold while I was hiking. Sat down at a few overlooks and they were absolutely gorgeous. You just can't beat these kind of sights. Well, it's time to hit the sack.MelloPeace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-20
From: Tri-Corner Gap Shelter

To: Painters Branch
Miles today: 20.4

I finally did it. I had my first 20 miler. Actually 20.4 miles. I cut it pretty close but a 20 is still a 20. I went from Tri-Corner Knob Shelter to Painters Branch which is someplace about 2.9 mi past I-40. I thought about staying at Davenport Gap Shelter which is about 15 miles but I felt about myself so I moved on. Bou, was that a mistake. About the time I got half a mile past I-40 it started raining on me. Thankfully, the rain was only sporadic so I wasn't too wet when I got to Painters Branch. When I got there, I set up my 8*10 tarp as a little shelter so I could eat and get my hammock set up. As a word to my dad, thanks for convincing me that I would need that tarp. It was great.I thought that I would catch Deja Vu and Sugar Daddy today but I guess not. They can't be too much farther ahead by now. Oh, well. I'll try to catch them tommorow. Time to sack up.MelloPeace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Painters Branch

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

Got up this morning and no rain. Thank the Lord. It turned out to be a good day until I went up onto Max Patch. The wind must have been a steady 40 mph. I just about froze my hands off before I put my gloves on. From there on I felt a little cold until I got into my sleeping bag. Did about 16.2 mi today from Painters Branch to Roaring Forks Shelter. I figured out that I had passed Deja Vu and Sugar Daddy yesterday b/c they stayed at Standing Bear Farm Hostel. Met back up to them at the shelter. The wind is blowing hard again tonight and it's coming right into the opening. Hope I stay warm. It's getting pretty cold out. Put on an extra layer of clothing. Time to hit the sack.MelloPeace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

Did about 15 mi today from Roaring Fork Shelter to Hot Springs, NC. Got going about 7 o'clock this morning so I could get in before it's too late. Everybody really booked it in today. I did it in about 6 hrs but everybody else did it in a little less time. When I got into town, I was completely lost. Luckily, Stiffarm came along and showed me around and got me to Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. Excellent place. It was a huge old house, more like a mansion. Lots of antiques, actually just about everything was antique. Mom, you would have loved it even though he was a bit of a liberal. Had a good time in town. Washed clothes, got a shower, and best part of all got into a very relaxing spa at the Hot Springs Spa at about $7 bucks per person for 5 people. It was Pa Kettle, Captain Hook, Haiku, Stiffarm, and I. We all had a very good time. Thought about taking a nap but I was worried about missing dinner at 7 o'clock. So I wasn't gonna take any chance in missing it. Elmer is a fantastic cook of vegetarian meals. I'm not exactly sure what it all was but it all was very good. It was a 4 course meal, all yu could eat, and in the end I was stuffed to the top. For the rest of the night, we all kinda hung out and played different games, read, and just enjoyed the general company of everybody around. Well time to hit the sack actually time to got to bed because I'm not crawling into my sack tonight but a real bed.MelloPeace, Out.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Tuesday;got up this morning and "kinda just" moseyed around town for awhile. Finally went to the outfitter and bought replacement tent stakes since I forgot them at Painters Branch. Later, I decided to do some journal entries and put up some pictures to go along with the entries. I later moved along to packing up and getting out of town. When I eventually got on the trail, It was about 2pm and a beautiful day to do some hiking. Did that 11 miles in 5 hrs. So 2pm to 7pm, not too bad since it was all uphill or just about. It is really starting to get easier now. the mileage is going by very fast. Went from Hot Springs to Spring Mountain Shelter. A nice little trip for an afternoon excursion. Well, time to hit the sak.MelloPeace out!
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Spring Mtn. Shelter

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today, there were lots of uphills, not really that steep, but of the long gradual uphill sort. Had some excellent views today along an exposed ridgeline. Very rocky and sudden short up-downs. Did a litle rock climbing along with everything else. Some new aches came in today. My ankles are really starting to feel sore. Maybe it is doing all these 15+ mile days that I have been doing lately. It is no bad but it is getting to where I notice it.It was really nice out today. The sun was out all day and in the 60's for most of the day. Not much wind which was nice. Now that it is time for sleep, the wind is picking up. Hopefully it won't be too bad.Time to sack up.MelloPeace out
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback ridge shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

Did about 14.6 miles today. tough walk today with many up-downs including one that was over 1500 ft of climbing in less than 2.8 miles. That is nothing compared to getiing up the Roan High bluff which is over 2500 ft gain in elevation in under 3 miles. I felt really lazy today. Maybe it's the temperature which was about 70 today with mostly blue skies. It kinda made ya want to sit down and enjoy it. "you know, mello out"Captain Hook and Sugar Daddy went on past the shelter today. Sugar daddy was gonna hitch on into Erwin from Sam's Gap and slack pack on into Erwin tomorrow when he got back to the trail in the morning. Hook said he was gonna push on a little ways and camp out tonight. That leaves me and Deja in the shelter tonight giving us more room to spread our equipment over. Well time to sack upMelloPeace out.