morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: overcast clouds

A super day it was indeed! Today was the day to go over the dreaded Albert Mountain! AND I DID IT! Truthfully, it turned out to be much scarier in my mind than in reality. Actually, in reality it wasn't scary, just a bit tough. Marnell, Margaret & Lillian, y'all did a great job of training with all that 'adventure hiking' we did. Albert was nothin but a rock scramble. Big rocks. Big steps. But fun! I heard you have to lash your sticks to your pack to get up the rocks, but not so! I was able to hold both sticks on one hand (both sides, two occasions) and hoist myself up them rocks. It really was fun.Most of the time I kind of like hiking along by myself, but it occured to me a few days ago, that's fine most of the time, but it's really nice to have someone to share the moments with when they come. By hiking alone I'm missing out on that. Lucky for me, just after finishing the rock part of Albert, who comes along but Little Aspen & Peacetree who I had already told of my fears of heights, so it was awesome to share this moment with them. We made our way on up the step part and had lunch at the firetower. I managed to get myself up the first level of the tower, but that was all, and I am well satisfied with that.From there we hiked on to Rock Gap Shelter. Along the way we passed 100 miles (whoo hoo!) We joked around, wondering where the Rockettes were to celebrate the 100 mile mark. You could say it was rather understated since we didn't really know exactly where the actual mark was. But we passed it, which is good enough for me. I cannot believe this is really happening, I'm still sort of awestruck by the whole thing. It's fine with me if I stay wide eyed all the way too, I don't care if it's goofy.So, at the shelter were me, Mrs Joy, Little Aspen, Peacetree, Nesta & Chief, Sam & Amanda. I like running into Nesta and Chief since they were the first people I sort of walked along with, after Springer anyway. They're young and cover a lot of miles, but then they take it light for a few days and I keep running into them. They made the strawberry pancakes at Carter Gap the other day. Their cook kit is unbelievable. Peacetree built a fire, a real architectural beauty of 4 layers, with the AT symbol on top. It was beautiful and it was warm warm warm. Nesta is carrying a teeny little lightweight speaker system for his MP3, so we listened to music while fire gazing. The moon was full, the sky was clear, it was perfect.
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Boy was it cold at Rock Gap Shelter! The clear sky gave way to a frosty morn alright. We wanted to get a shuttle into Franklin for my first real day off the trail, so we got up at 6:00 (eastern time, which is like night dark, stars glittering) and we planned to 'night hike' or 'early morning hike' out to catch the shuttle at 9:00 after a little almost 4 miles. Well, there was some rustling around in the shelter and since I am having so many time problems, I leapt up at 4:30 and got dressed, then realized everyone else was still asleep, so I got back in my bag and went back to sleep. We did get going on time, made the road in time, but for some reason the shuttle never came.   Over an hour and a half later a lady came along who was dropping off her boys to go on a weeklong backpack and she gave us a lift into town. Whew. Still have not had to hitchhike. Man, it was cold waiting for the shuttle. Got to town, did laundry, sorted thru maildrop (thanks Mom! Perfect!), went to the outfitter. OMG! The outfitter! Ok, so the shuttle is packed, it's like a little schoolbus with about 40 seats and it was full up! We pull into the outfitter's parking lot and they were standing there waiting for us! It was hilarious, we had 30 minutes and all the hikers just descended on the place, but you could tell they knew we were coming. I had done the dumbest thing too. The kids who were headed off on a weeklong backpack were frustrated with their sticks that they wouldn't tighten up, so I 'showed' them how to take the stick apart and reset the gizmo inside. Yep. Broke my stick. So, now I have new sticks. The outfitter saw me coming for sure. The whole moment just struck me funny. After that, the grocery was next, then dinner!!!!!!! Yummy! Guess who turns up, none other than Mountain Man (formerly Buzzsaw) and Stickwalker & Belle. So, them, me, Mrs Joy, Aspen & Peacetree had a fun fun time at dinner together.I keep neglecting to mention, back at Hiawassee, two former thru hikers, Mad Dog & Pilgrim (07) were doing trail magic and gave me a lift to Blueberry Patch Hostel. That was great on so many levels! When I came off the trail Mad Dog was there with a lawn chair and a blanket and cookies and a coke. It just makes me feel so special to get such wonderful treatment. Thanks a bunch guys, I really appreciated that. I regret I have kept forgetting to mention it, but thanks guys!
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Zero! My first zero day, not a planned one either. Got up this morning and the weather report is rain and cold, turning to thunderstorms later in the day, clearing out overnight, so I'm taking a day to just lay back and relax. Gonna watch a little basketball! Go Vols! By the way, here's how I'm updating my journal. I'm carrying a 3g phone that can send and receive email. I generally write my journal entries in an email that I send to my daughter, the person who is doing an outstanding job of updating my journal online for me. So, if I am in a place where there is no cell coverage, or if my battery is dead, or if I am too dang tired (frequently!), or if my daughter has other things to do, it may take a few days to get my updates in. I hope I haven't worried anyone with a few days going by here and there in silence. Also, you can email me directly because I do receive my regular email. Trailjournal guestbook entries are forwarded to my regular email, so I see your comments there too. I really appreciate and enjoy all the comments in the guestbook.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Took the early shuttle back to the trail. Headed up in fairly decent weather with Mrs Joy. Had lunch of jerky, cheddar, and hummus at the cutoff for Siler Bald Shelter then hiked on up to the bald. Right pretty and to my surprise another route down to the shelter. Luckily I did not go there or would have gotten all confused. LOL!It was turning colder which for me means pick up the pace so I hiked the afternoon alone. Came to a place where a fallen tree had been apparently purposefully been left across the trail by the NHC at my head level. I have a really bad habit of hiking along looking at my feet and WHACK! I smacked my head but good. I was dizzy and yelled every cuss word I know at least 3 times loud for good measure. I'm fine Mom. The higher I went the worse the weather got, misty, foggy, drizzly, sleet and snow. While uncomfortable the forest is kind of cool under these conditions, in a dark fairy tale kind of way. Saw a gigantic old oak with its own clearance circle around it. No views from the top so I headed on to the shelter. Had yummy spaghetti for supper and enjoyed the company there. Some former thru hikers Nature and Bronco who knows Coach Judo from Team Cody from the SORuck.Into the sack because it was cold!
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Nice HIKE! Woke to Mr Sunshine clearing away the damp damp cold. My water cleaner was froze up so I set it in the sun and hot doggity! After a while it worked.Last out of the shelter, as usual. Oh well. Egg and bagel for breakfast.Hiked off of Wayah and spent a good part of the day getting to the next mtn. Me and Mrs Joy took our time, stopped once for toe taping and lunch at Cold Springs Shelter. Met a spring break hiker group there headed for Wesser like us. Took the side trail to Rocky Bald Lookout. The bald was solid rock in fools gold, spectacular! The view was off to the east. Down then up to Wesser Bald. Miracle of miracles, I got myself uP the 40 feet firetower on WesserBald. Encouraging me were Mrs Joy, GHippy, Captain Slick, Green Ave, Slingshot, Guy. What a wonderful group of people. It was amazing. Amazing. On to Wesser Shelter to camp with Mrs Joy, Blue Sky, Mountain Man, Stickwalker and Belle. A fine fine day.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Wesser Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Downhill all the way, should be easy. Ha! A 2400 foot descent, tough on the toes and knees for sure. Made my way off the Jumpoff, big rock steps on the spine of the mountain. Fine views. Concentrating way too hard to be scared. I like that level of focus. Saw more pine needle than at any point this far, the forest must be changing some. Heard shooting at a local club on and off all day. Saw the first wildflowers of my hike, Spring Beauty, near NOC.Got there and ate burgers and drank beer, stayed over at NOC. Sad news, Peacetree's knee said no more so he is homeward bound. Good news, Aspen's hubby Jeremy has joined the hike. Good day, fun with friends.
Date: 2010-04-01
From: NOC

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

Thanks all for the wonderful birthday wishes.The climb today was tough! 3000 feet. Sun heated up the walk but good, it was southface almost all day. Very dry. Seemed like it would never end. Met up with Mtn Man, Stickwalker and Belle. We took a turn and found ourselves on northface among rhodies with water too. A sweet spot for a break! It was temporary, we got back in the sun and sweated it out the rest of the way. The mountain played April Fools all the way, just when we thought we hit the summit there was another top to cover. A good long slog on a beautiful day.Mrs Joy bought me breakfast!
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Another big hiking day! I liked SF Gap Shelter a lot. Had a nice group of folks there, it had a loft with windows and faced due east into the sunrise for breakfast. Beautiful views too. Started the hike up to Cheoah Bald from there which was magnificent. As usual I was last one out of camp but caught Mountain Man and Stickwalker with Belle on the bald. Hiked with them most of the day.Got into Locust Cove Gap where we joined Mrs Joy for lunch(chz n jrky). Hiked on to Stecoah Gap. Quite warm today, took a break there and reloaded water. It was a bit of a hike itself to get water but it was a must do. Little did any of us know about the hike up out of Stecoah Gap! OMG! It was gruelling, up and up and up and so hot and dry. (Have noticed I am always commenting on the weather. Out here you get what you get and deal with it. No adjusting plans or turning the thermostat up or down. I like it actually.) Thankfully the grind was just a few miles but by the time we got to the shelter we were done for and called it a day. The shelter is overrun with spiders so Mrs Joy and I are tenting. Tomorrow Fontana!
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: NC 28 Fontana
Miles today: 11.6

This shelter was crazy!! First thing I was aware of was the privy "situation." A throne, steps up and all, with two sides hidden behind a tarp, blowing in the wind. I hear there are some yet to come without the nicety of the tarp, LOL!But that was nothin. The place had a lot of flies and gnats and little biters. Mountain Man's little cookstove is a wood burner so he fired it up in the shelter to chase away the buggies. All of a sudden all of these spiders started coming out of the logs! Creepshow!! Me and Mrs Joy got our stuff outta there pronto and set up our tents. MM, Stickwalker and Belle slept in the shelter and MM had bites all down his leg next morning. Shudder!Mrs Joy and I headed for Fontana in the morning. We hike at different paces so we agreed to meet at 4:00 at the road. Half the day I hiked along with the guys till they stopped for the night at Cable Gap Shelter. Went the last 6 miles alone and was pushing as hard as I could, but still got there 45 minutes later than planned. I did the best I could but the longer days still punish my feet. Also along the way me and MM and SW got lucky with trail magic. A man at a road crossing waiting to pick up his hiking friends gave us Mtn Dew and apples. I probably lingered too long but that Dew was GOOD! Thanks Franklin!Mrs Joy and I connected at NC 28 and went to the Hike Inn. They were kind enough to wait for us to wash up a bit, then off to Robbinsville for Mexican food and groceries. Day ended with sorting out maildrops and planning for the Smokies tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: NC 28 Fontana

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 7.0

Kind of a sad day. Have left all my hiking buds behind as they are at Fontana waiting for mail, etc. Had a lovely maildrop of Easter candy to share with other hikers along the trail (thanks!). I still have jelly beans for tomorrow! Anyway, it was strange coming into camp tonight alone. Met a ridgerunner named Carl who says there is still 3 ft of snow at Clingmans Dome which is similar to something another hiker said. Carl says it is passable, other hiker says best not to try it. A few more days of hot weather should help and we seem to have plenty of that! The gnats and little biting flies chased me up the mountains today.Started the day by riding around Fontana with the shuttle driver, got a good look at the place. Walked thru the dam area and across the dam, I have to say I am partial to the forest trails. Was glad to get back in the woods.Got here to Birch Spring and had my dinner with Rawhide 6. We are the only two thru hikers here. There's a small group of dad, grandpa and boys out on a backpack loop here also.I miss my buds. I hope Belle is doing ok, ha! And Stickwalker too.In case you cannot tell, I am still having a grand time out here on the trail.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Another good day of hiking. Woke at Birch Spring to find Blue Sky there. She hiked in late from Fontana apparently. Set off with plans to meet for lunch at Mollies Ridge. Well, we're in the Smokies now! I love the Smokies. At Doe Knob I stopped to remember my first backpacking trip with a good friend, we were in the same general vicinity. Meyers! Who would've thought it would lead to this? LOL!By the way, thanks again to all who sent birthday greetings. It was fun to receive mail at Hike Inn. Maildrops perfect Mom, thanks.Had lunch at Mollies Ridge as planned. Jerky, cheddar and rye triscuits. And bruschetta! It was so good, like eating a fresh garden tomato! Yum. From there it was a hot walk to Russell Field Shelter for another liter of water. Met an extended family out for a backpacking trip that was fun for a bit but loud. Onward from there to Spence Field Shelter, a beauty for sure. Every time I've hiked the Smokies before this shelter was closed for bear activity. Glad to be here.Leapfrogged Rawhide 6 today, nice guy. A good long day.
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow, what a fantastic day! Started the morning with a nice conversation with Moment, another thru hiker from Maine. Nice fella. Left the register with: Wish that I was on ole Rocky TopDown in the Tennessee hillsAin't no smoggy smoke on Rocky TopAin't no telephone billsOnce I had a girl on Rocky TopHalf bear the other half catWild as a mink but sweet as sodapopI still dream about thatRocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to meI'm a Tennessean cannot help myself.Then I climbed up ole Rocky Top for one of the very best views of the Smokies. While there I sung RT in its entirety. Freeman, a thruhiker from Minnesota, tolerated me and was kind enough to say he enjoyed it. I've hiked this stretch before so memories were flush all around me all day. Up over Thunderhead Mtn I climbed up on the rocks and took in the view. On to lunch at Derrick Knob Shelter which has been rehabbed quite nice. Last time there was a sweltering summer night and the place overrun with mice. Now very nice. From there it was on to Silers Bald Shelter where I met some 09 thruhikers and a few other new faces. Still missing old friends but getting to know new people. Rawhide 6 seems to be hiking along about the same pace as me. Saw two little bluets which seems a tad early but its been so hot, who knows. Spring wildflowers are just all over the place and more coming every day. Ate dinner while watching deer browse. Put verse 2 of Rocky Top in the register. A very fine day.
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap Road
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Another crazy day hiking it was. Out of the shelter as early as possible to meet friends at NF Gap Road at day's end. First segment was beautiful up to Clingmans Dome. Had seen a bit of snow yesterday and some up to Clingmans. Good hearty climb for sure.Views from Clingmans was spectacular and private for hikers only since the road was closed. Pretty cool it was. 5 of us up there. From there on to Mt Collins shelter area through piles and piles of SNOW! Hard, hard going, postholing, went down on my butt and laid there stuck in a stream of snowmelt. Had to roll over on my side to crawl out, scraped up my knee, blood all over the place. What a mess I was, LOL! I'm fine Mom!I was thinking as I hiked, some get the wettest, the dryest, the hottest years. We of 2010 are getting the variety year! We are getting a bit of everything, and I like it.On I went till I hear my friends voices coming up the trail to meet me near Mt Collins shelter. Those 2 dayhiked 10 miles in snow to meet me. Not bad at all.Off to Gatlinburg for beer, ribs, and sleep. What a fine day.
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Newfound Gap Road

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

Spent the morning with friends in Gatlinburg eating pancakes! Yummy! After that we headed for the Great Smoky Mountains Sugarlands visitor center to pick up a baseball cap and a flower ID book, which unfortunately they did not have in a reasonable small size. Storms were in the forecast but expected to clear in the afternoon so we set off to drop me back at Newfound Gap. It was pouring a hard cold rain and off I went. Bye y'all, had a wonderful time with you! Memories so thick as I made my way to the shelter, I've hiked this little stretch with many people I care for, I smiled thinking of them all. Shortly down the way I found another hiker, Stickwalker! No dogs allowed in the Smokies so no Belle, but I sure was glad to see him. Mountain Man was just ahead too! The weather was truly miserable and by the time I arrived at the shelter I was soaked thru and cold. Getting out this day only got me three miles down the trail but probably saved me $75 from staying in town. I didn't really want to stay there anyway. And GHippy was there too! Freeman and Murph stopped in briefly to eat some spinach, then headed out in the torrent to go for the next shelter. We also had a ridgerunner there who SOBO'd in '97 as TBone. By the time dry clothes, dinner, and chores were done it was sleep time. It poured most of the night. So much for weather forecasts.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: few clouds

A crazy, crazy day. Started out with rime ice everywhere... quite lovely but very very cold. Frozen boots. Water purifier won't work. Too cold to get out of the bag. And a stunning sunrise. Given time things warmed up enough to get going and so we did. We had planned to maybe go for Tricorner Knob but the ridgerunner warned us there was a problem bear there that had actually made off with a hiker's pack, so we set out for Pecks Corner instead. Made a quick stop at Charlie's Bunion for the memories of times with friends there, then on across some beautiful sections called the sawteeth.   These were sort of like knife edges, but enough foliage around that I was able to overcome the fear of heights! I told myself over and over, Cody, you walk every day, all the time, and mostly you don't fall over, which was funny because I almost fell over a tuft of grass while brushing my teeth that morning. Still, I conquered my fear for the day AND mightily enjoyed myself. A gorgeous gorgeous hike it was. Through the deep dark spruce forest and over stands of laurel, it was a great day, and I covered some ground I had not hiked before. Pecks Corner Shelter is almost half a mile off the trail so I was all grumbly about that going in, and my feet really swelled a lot so kind of sore I was. What a cool cool spot!   It was like a secret hideaway shelter deep in the woods. I really liked it.   A LARGE convivial group of hikers gathered there, perhaps 30. We had a blast. One guy could sort of sing and was not shy about sharing his gift with all of us, so as we lay in the shelter and it got darker we had a sort of sing along, the best part being Bohemian Rhapsody. It was hilarious!   Everyone knew every little part of that song.   What a way to go to sleep, on a laugh like that. Fun. Loads of it.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Well, I knew it was going to be a longer day of hiking, so I started my day with PopTarts for the first time instead of oatmeal. I managed to be rolling by 8:40, which is a personal record. Stickwalker was with me and we hung together most of the day. More of the deep dark woods hiking which I really like, this day will be our last over 6000 foot day in the south I believe, so I savored every bit of it. Had to tackle some snowy places that were a bit treacherous, but nothing like the Clingmans Dome day a few days ago. Talked a lot, enjoyed the vistas greatly. Stopped in at Tricorner Knob where I had once spent a night backpacking with my mom & brother, memories all over the place for me as we walked along that section. Had lunch there of tuna, cheddar and crackers. Met a southbounder who had taken the winter off and was just a few weeks short of finishing his hike. Good luck to you Lucky! He was wearing a kilt, but I never noticed, SW mentioned it later and I said huh? Sometimes I wonder what all I am missing every day. Rocky rocky hiking it was, hard on my feet. They were quite swollen in camp later. Went past the helipad and saw the plane wreck in the woods. It's different than when I saw it 5 years ago, I believe people have tampered with it as there is no growth over it and there was when I first saw it. Views of the Cosby area in the distance, more memories for me there. Down down down to Cosby Knob Shelter, nearly the last one in at the end of the long day, and so for the first time since Birch Springs I got out my little tent. I was quite happy for the privacy. I was tired too. Apparently not everyone enjoyed the singalong of the previous night and some hard words were said in camp, but all parties did their best to do the right thing and tempers were calmed by bed time.   Sometimes things just need to be said. Good night!