morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Siler Bald

To: Licklog Gap
Miles today: 8.6

Up before light, but stayed in the bag, as it were, til 7 and it was light enough to get around without headlamp. I find this hard, and look forward to lighter mornings so we can get going earlier.Magnificent sunrise off to the east, with the sweeping view of the valley and distant mountain ranges. We cooked breakfast at the picnic table, wallowing in this great luxury, and enjoying the sunrise. Got tents packed and stuff ready to go by 8:30 or so. At 10 we were coming down into Wayah Gap, where there is a road, and there was Narelle from the Nantahala Trail Club, handing out little bags with great treats:Easter chocolates, hard boiled and DYED Easter eggs, Werther's butterscotch, and mini snickers. Excellent! And it turned out we needed them, because the trail turned steep and long going up Wayah Bald - and up, and up, and up. But all good things come to an end and eventually (2pm) we arrived at the stone tower with the incredible views. There were several day hikers out, some interested in what we were doing. I was actually surprised when they asked "where did you start?" to hear myself say "Springer Mt"!The first flower we've seen was some vinca on a bank near a road - maybe introduced to stabilize the bank, but a flower nonetheless, and a welcome sight. All is still very brown, except for the evergreen shrubs and trees. So, maybe the first day of spring, but you can't tell by looking, yet!We had big plans to try for 12 miles today, but 4pm found us at Licklog Gap, a level forested ridge with a water source some half-mile away, and we decided that enough was enough. It is quiet and we are right by the trail, with great eastern views again. it sounds like rough weather tomorrow night and Monday, so we'll need to see what we can do tomorrow after a good night's rest. It is still 14 very hilly miles or so to NOC and a bed, but that is way beyond us in one day, yet. So we shall see what we shall see...
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Licklog Gap

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

Awoke to very cold, gray morning - hoar frost causing the water in the ground to stand up in little columns, and the tops of the water bottles froze a little. Sunrise at 7:15 was promising for a bit, but then it clouded over and we resigned ourselves to a cold day. Launched at 8:40, which is the best we can usually do so far, and toddled up the hill out of the gap. Signs of a burn on most of the trees for a large area, although it looked like some time ago. Gradually the clouds thinned and sun began to peak through, to our big delight.We came down into Burningtown Gap at 10, to find a huge orange dome tent, and a campfire with hot cocoa, easy chairs and Easter candy treats, sponsored by Apple and Brave Friend, who had hiked the trail in '06. We promptly sat down by the very welcome fire and drank hot chocolate while Apple and Brave Friend said encouraging things. Sadly, we were a little early for cheeseburgers, but we had miles to go so took our warmed and chocolate-charged selves up, and I do mean up, Copper Ridge Bald. Thanks, Apple & Brave Friend!The sun stayed out giving much needed warmth in the very cool, dry air. Again, perfect hiking day. Great views, and chickadees singing - new, I think, for us here. Also clumps of what looked like mayflower leaves, but no blossoms yet. One tiny bluet or forget-me-not blossom, which stood out to our color-starved eyes. It was just beside a rock halfway up Wesser Bald this afternoon. Lovely.We finally caught up to Sprite and Mozzie, who we've been just behind for weeks. Fun reunion, and now we are all settling into the shelter with Barley & Rain, while the very cold breeze picks up and promises a chilly night, burrowing in our sleeping bags. Tomorrow, Nantahala Outdoor Center and, we hope, a bed in a heated room for the night!
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Nantahala River

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Slept a little warm in the bunkroom, but that was better than being outside last night - it got very cold and even snowed some. We launched ourselves early in order to be at breakfast by 8am, and it was well worth it! The River's End Restaurant was good all three meals - really helped restore us physically.Had to wait around a while for Auntie Mame and Bananas to get fuel and mail out packages, which took a long time because the mail room was another long walk in yet another direction and the staff person hard to find...and it was about 20 degrees out, and so hanging around outside was painful. I had changed to hiking clothes, which are enough to keep you warm while hiking, but not while standing still. And Nantahala Gorge is very deep, so sun doesn't actually penetrate til 10 or so.But by 10 we were on our way, it was all sunny and we realized we were now eager to get up in the mountains, instead of being nervous, like before. The trail feels more like home now. How did that happen?Although the miles were low today, the effort was substantial - much elevation gain, through a couple of zones, big long-needled pines for a while then back to oak and rhododendron. Everyone who has come into the shelter this afternoon has commented on the rugged hike. I am getting stronger, and enjoyed the climbing very much! (Did you hear that, Toni?!)Despite the toil, we found ourselves laughing most of the day, which has been par for the course so far - at least once a day we all crack up laughing, practically weeping with mirth...it's great!Lots of familiar faces at this large shelter tonight, as well as a small troop of Boy Scouts who are fitting right in. The dinnertime chaos feels more relaxed tonight, even though there are about 20 hikers milling around, waiting their turn to cook. One more cold night, then it should be getting warmer. I'm getting used to it, and am sitting in my sleeping bag, warm jacket on, leaning against the back wall of the shelter and typing this on my lap. Time to close, because my hands are getting cold. Oh, the pocketmail, with its diminutive keyboard, is getting easier to use now. Almost second nature, and so I can type relaxed, instead of all tense.This section is clearly the roughest yet, and it's good that it comes now, when we are in better condition.
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Whew! What a day - after yesterday, which was a real reach,to begin with. We had left NOC without taking a zero day, which we had initially planned, and then the hike over Swim Bald was MUCH more strenuous than we thought. So by today, we were running on fumes anyway, and it turned out to be a repeat of the endless, non-switched-back, so-steep-you-could touch the ground easily in front of you, covered with dried oak leaves and acorns-type of hike.Need I say more? So, tonight we are in the shelter at Brown Fork Gap, extremely grateful to be fed and resting. Circ, Quatro and Malmut are here, with Bananas who has been hiking with us for a couple of weeks now. Thank God - her wacky sense of humor really kept us moving when we all wanted to fling ourselves down, sobbing for mercy. So, thanks, Bananas!I tried Lipton Noodles tonight, with the technique I've been using - put noodles in zip-close bag, pour boiling water on it, close, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes in a cozy - but it makes the noodles gummy, and not at their best. Lesson learned. Back to instant mashed potatoes and stuffing mix - both work fine. Appetite is picking up - ate all the allotted snacks today. Time to rethink both type and amount for lunch foods. And dinner foods. The breakfasts are fine, so far. Either dry cereal, like Kashi Crunch, with Nido milk, or oatmeal - which is in all the hiker boxes, any flavor you want.Hiker boxes are found in any establishment that caters to hikers, (I think I've said this before - oh well) and people put extra stuff they don't want in it, and take what they need. Because of the need to keep weight down, a surprising amount of good stuff is in these boxes. The weather was a tad milder and somewhat overcast, but no rain, so it's good. Planning an easier day tomorrow and Friday, and a zero in Fontana to fully recover. This is quite a workout - but joints, wind, feet and attitude are all fine.
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: broken clouds

A mild 6 miles today,thank God, after the last 2 very demanding days. We stayed in the shelter last night since it was available and the tent sites were poor. It makes for a somewhat faster exit in the a.m., not having to pack up the tent. But less privacy - so you weigh your needs and decide.Windy, cool and cloudy to start, but like many days, it got very sunny and nice by noon. Trail was thoughtfully laid out, winding at a gradual slope up and down the hills - what a relief! There are profiles on the maps, but sometimes they bear little or no resemblance to how the trail actually is. Trail can be much easier or MUCH harder than the profile indicates. Hmmm. We got here at Cable Gap before 2, and decided to stay put - we need the rest, and even though we plan a zero at Fontana on Sat., zeros are seldom relaxing, with all the chores that need doing. I could get antsy about doing more miles, but this pace is getting us in shape without injury or pain, so I think I'll just live with it! When we see so many acquaintances sidelined or suffering with various injuries, I feel better about this strategy.It's a sunny afternoon and I'm sitting in the tent on a hillside above the shelter. It's warm enough to have shorts on, for the first time! Hands and face are tanned, but the legs are a sight!This shelter is tiny and old, although recently re-roofed - tenting is the better option, since the sites are nice. Hikers have passed thru, but so far we are the only ones staying. That is subject to change any time, though, so we'll see what happens.I imagine that this past section, from NOC to Fontana, is the decision point for many hikers. The trail became so rough and demanding, with no choice but to continue on because of water sources, that if you were waffling, it would likely do you in. We have been very lucky to have good health and good spirits to carry us through so far. The next leg is the Smoky Mountains - more adventures to come!
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Marina
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: light rain

During the night the cool air departed and warm, humid air came in - something you definitely notice when bundled up in a down sleeping bag! But no rain came, so we packed up with ease. I didn't heat water this morning, rather, ate cold cereal, which saves hassle and time, getting us on the trail by 8am.Enthusiasm ran high because we were going into "town", and a day off tomorrow. But it was tempered by apprehension about the trail - it had been spectacularly rough in recent days, so we steeled ourselves and headed out. To our increasing delight, this section was lovely and we were down in The Fontana Marina lot before noon.Another delight was spring flowers! Some trillium-like leaves, only variegated, with a dark purple-red blossom, or occasionally yellow-green blossom, lined the trailsides as we got lower down. Incredibly nice to see - hikers were bunched up, taking pictures and remarking on them.This town greets hikers warmly with a big sign on the side of a big new restroom: call for shuttle, and a phone below. We did, but before I put the phone down a truck swung into the lot, and Ox hopped out asking if we needed a ride, or a coke, or a beer, or some oreos...so we said yes to the ride, took a raincheck on the beer, and he loaded us into the back of his pickup and hauled us - Auntie Mame, Bananas, me, and Barley & Rain - the two miles up the very winding road to Fontana Village. This is a resort complex that has done some thinking about what hikers need, and the general store, laundromat and post office share a long building with a porch. We flung our packs down and flung ourselves into chairs and enjoyed talking with other hikers who were doing laundry, shopping and getting mail.Alas, when I went to check in to our cottage, the registration desk was about a quarter mile up a very steep hill...but the cottage is lovely, and there is even a March special going on so the rates are very good. With a five-way split, it is even better.For dinner we all decided to go up to the restaurant, again at the top of the hill, but well worth it. Good steak dinners all around, as well as tables filled with fellow hikers getting caught up. Nice.I suppose it seems strange that hikers who have walked over 150 miles to get here would object to walking these steep hillsides at the resorts.But the reason for coming into town is partly for badly-needed rest, and when knees ache or feet are sore, or you're just plain tired, the prospects of a long,hilly hike to attend to lodging, cleanup or resupply can be daunting. So we especially appreciate the efforts that Fontana Village put in to having shuttle service, and many services clustered handily in one place. Tomorrow we will be going over to the Hike Inn, another legendary hostel, and possibly hiking a short mile or so to put us in good position to start the Great Smoky Mountains on Sunday.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Fontana Dam Marina

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: light rain

Last night we were all sung to sleep in our comfy beds by the peepers singing outside, by the pond behind the cottage. What a great sound!This morning dawned gray and showery, but I was up early and walked up the hill to have a good breakfast in the restaurant. The staff here have been exceptionally pleasant, good humored and warm, which is so nice when you are constantly traveling and away from your home. Breakfast was lovely, with a view of the misty mountains that we are not hiking in (yet).I found the public-access computer and had time to look at email and the guest book, and to be amazed at the support people are sending my way. Thank you SO much!!By noontime we had checked out of the cottage and arranged a shuttle back to where we left off yesterday, to hike a short piece that would bring us to the dam, where we will start the hike into the Smokies tomorrow.At Fontana Dam, we called the Hike Inn for a ride - we had reservations there and the intent to take the day mostly off, to rest up for this next section. Nancy Hoch came and got us and we were shortly settled in to our rooms. The afternoon was spent sorting food for the next 4-6 day stint. I had sent some stuff from Franklin and had to put that out and see what else I needed before the 5pm trip to town. At 5, we rode to Robbinsville with Nancy as she regaled us with tales of being a hostel host...some pretty funny or amazing stories! Dinner at a Mexican restaurant was good and filling, and then we hit the grocery store for the rest of the food for the week ahead.Back at the hostel we met Nancy and Jeff's dog family, 5 fuzzy wonders who were very pleased to meet us, it seemed! Nice to pat dogs - a homey touch. And there are cats as well, one in particular, Catzilla, who is a big coon cat with the affectionate nature to match.After Auntie Mame and Bananas and I had finished our food packing, we sat for a while pondering the next few days - will it rain a lot? will it be too steep a climb? can we do this? - and concluded that we CAN do this, just keep doing what we've been doing.It struck me today how wonderful it is to have time to meet people in the towns as well as hostel and other lodging operators, and to go into the towns with advice on good restaurants and other things to see and do. Also to have the time to talk to people and to listen to them, both hikers and towns people. I feel SO lucky to have this opportunity.Tomorrow, the Great Smoky Mountains!
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Fontana Dam Visitor Center

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 5.6

Woke up all warm and comfy after a delicious sleep at the Hike Inn. Great feeling. Our room adjoined Bananas' through a common kitchenette, and I started coffee, took a shower and toasted a bagel for breakfast. Very civilized!We had set 8:45 as departure time, and were able to get ready and settle our bills in time. I remembered to ask Nancy for stove fuel - denatured alcohol - which is a crucial part of any resupply stop, and easy to forget. Thanks, Nancy and Jeff, for your warm and cheerful help yesterday and today.Nancy drove us back to the trailhead at Fontana Dam and we set out with Bayou, who we had known since the Hiker Hostel in Georgia. He would be leaving the AT today to hike other parts of the Smokies - it was good to meet and hike with him these weeks.Fontana Dam is quite awe-inspiring, especially looking down the face of it to the stream far, far below. It was cloudy and cool, threatening to rain, but so far hasn't (7pm). That was great. The trail we so feared turned out to be well-graded and nice footing, although 4 miles of uphill walking to get over Shuckstack Mt. By 5 miles or so we had a decision to make - stop nearby at the Birch Spring tenting area, or go 5 or so miles further to Mollies Ridge Shelter area. We felt that 2 or 3 miles would work, but that 5-plus was a little much to do without running the risk of getting there after dark, so we stopped here.Patrick made a fire out of impossible-looking wood, and we sat talking with him, Bag Lady, Sauerkraut and Pipps. Just a few minutes ago 5 more hikers came down the path, but I am now in the tent typing these notes, so I'm not sure who they all are.Oh, new bird today,"zee-zee-zee-zoo-zee", the black headed green warbler, I think. It sang only a little while, at the beginning of the trail. Familiar bird you hear at home. Otherwise very little bird sounds, occasional distant woodpecker or chickadee.All is well, I am enjoying each day beyond all expectations. What an incredible gift to be able to do this!
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Fog came in during the night, so we packed up a wet tent and headed out by 8:30. Not too bad a trail, although it was foggy and sort of grim for much of the day. We made it to Mollie's Ridge by 1,and then Russell Field by 3:30 or so. These are stone shelter sites in big fields - very scenic indeed. Since it was relatively early and the next shelter was 3-ish miles further, we decided to go on, and got to Spence Field by 5pm. This old shelter had a lot of new woodwork to create a roofed cooking area and skylights to lift the gloom inside. We tented because the shelter had its quota of 12 people.You come upon the "field" quite suddenly, all golden with longish grass that is all laid over for the winter, and occasional rock or tree - beautiful effect. Hiking in fog, showers and drip from trees is just necessary sometimes, and I've learned how to dress for it - thin long underwear, light wind/rain pants, medium weight zip-neck shirt, rain or wind jacket, depending on how active the rain is. It's been hovering around 50 degrees, so as long as you keep moving it's fine. It limits the stops, though, so you either cover a lot of miles or get pretty tired, or both.Holding up well, still, to my delight and amazement. Enjoying the chat at the shelters, which is not so much a part of the short-term hiking experience.
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: few clouds

After yesterday's great trail and good mileage, today was a different story. Last night the sun shown out brightly just before it set behind distant mountains, but we woke this morning to drip, drip, splat, and packed up a very wet tent again.(Wet tents are heavy tents, surprisingly heavier than dry.) Couldn't tell if it was a passing front or lingering weather, so got ready mentally for rain all day. Got going at 8am, robins clucking around the site. Much very hilly and non-switchbacked trail, alas. Not a horse trail, which much of yesterday's had been. Horse trails are carefully graded to not be too steep, which is nice in my book!We were back to 1 mile per hour pace, which was discouraging after the nearly 2 mph pace yesterday. By Derrick Knob, at 2:30, it was increasingly clear that another 5 miles could easily take us until dark, so after much discussion we agreed to make it another short day and try to make it up on easier (read:horse) trails later.The thing about the Smoky Mt. National Park is that you cannot just camp anywhere, like we have done so far. Big fines for camping anywhere except designated shelter sites. So, we are stuck trying to make it to these shelters, and also trying to calculate how many days it will take to get to Newfound Gap and the opportunity to resupply.As for the weather, the sun came out all warm and bright by noontime, and at the shelter site we were able to set up the tent and dry it out nicely. As we lolled on the sunny grassy site, other hikers came wandering in, many commenting on how rough the trail had been. This, of course, made us feel better!Now I am in the shelter, on my bed on the lower wooden platform, typing these notes as rain POUNDS down on the roof - a curious irony as we decided to take space in the shelter and not tent tonight. I'm realizing that the weather changes very quickly and drastically here, probably characteristic of any large mountain range, and it's good to be ready for anything.Good night from Derrick Knob, NC/TN.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Derrick Knob

To: Double Spring Gap
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Nothing beats the sensation of stuffing a perfectly dry sleeping bag into its sack...after a couple of soggy mornings trying to pack up damp stuff. It wasn't crowded when we chose bottom spots in the shelter - there are two large platforms, one above the other, so it can sleep twelve hikers, maybe more, depending on how desperate the situation is.It was our first clear morning in a while, what a delight! Calm and pleasant to mill about making hot chocolate and some grits for breakfast. (I usually have cold cereal but traded yesterday with Auntie Mame so she didn't have to start her stove in the wet - so today I cooked grits). Got hiking by 8am, aiming for Siler's bald shelter for lunch, and Double Spring Gap for the night - unless we got suddenly perky and decided to press on. But the trail was fairly hilly all day, keeping us to a modest pace. Trout lily leaves springing up everywhere, but no blossoms yet. Many grassy mountaintops, but all had trees as well, and some rocks. But the grass is distinctly here in the park, and different from the earlier trail. A totally beautiful day, high clouds, sunburn day. You don't think of sunburn til someone points it out, but walking in essentially the same direction all day can toast one side of your body before you know it. Eventually the trees will leaf out, but they are still totally bare yet.Tomorrow we are planning to go to Newfound Gap and go to Gatlinburg for a motel and resupply. But this will involve a 10-plus mile day, which will be a reach...but we don't have enough food for another night and day. So, stay tuned for further tales from the trail....