morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-12-29
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Layered Ridges from Clingmans Dome - photo by RatbertIn the morning, in the cold light of day, we decided to go back to Clingman's Dome and try to get out along the road. The weather was fine again and all the water of the previous day that had been running on the trail had gone. I was able to put the foot to the ground but not much more. I took painkillers and with the help of two sticks we got going. In fact it didn't take that long to get to Clingman's but my right leg was very tired due to all the unaccustomed work and my shoulders were very sore from taking weight. At Clingman's the lookout beckoned. The previous day had been so wet we hadn't even gone to the lookout since there was no point, but now we had another chance. So I hobbled up there with Dave's help and we were rewarded with fabulous 360 degree views. At least something good has come out of this really stupid accident. It was about this time that we realized the road was probably closed and we would have another 8 miles to walk to get help. So we started off down the road and just kept going. After about 5 miles we met two others hiking up to Clingman's on this beautiful day. They could do nothing to help, we thought, so on we went. Next thing, a Park Ranger showed up in his car and picked us up. It seems the two we met had rung the Park Service and told them we were on our way down. To our immense surprise Newfound Gap was just jumping with people. What were they all doing? They seemed to be just milling around the carpark! There were so many of them that even in that huge carpark people were queuing to find a park! The rangers took us all the way to Gatlinburg and we are here at the Grand Prix Motel deciding on the next move. Highest point on Clingmans Dome - Gray Blazer photo
Date: 2007-12-30
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

We are still at the Grand Prix. We have to leave tomorrow as they are full for New Year, but we have a plan now. It is obvious I cannot hike at present, so Dave is going to keep going and I will try to get to the Sapphire Motel in Franklin and meet him there after a few days off the trail. Maybe I can walk again by then. My ankle is pretty swollen and it is very hard to walk this morning but I do not think it is too bad, so feel optimistic about being able to join in again before he reaches the end. I guess I don't need to say I feel sick about it, so close to the end. Less than 200 miles to go! I have just received an email from Wane who has been putting the water out at Sam's Gap. I am so happy to hear from him. The puppies are fine. Here is the email:"Dont worry about the puppies, I saw the boys with them on the highway about three miles south of Sams Gap, they were going to hitch to Asheville, NC and find homes for them. I was going to Sams Gap to make a water drop.I wanted to take a puppy but I already have two large dogs, after I made the water drop at Sams Gap, I told myself that if the boys and the dogs were still at the exit, I was going to take them to Asheville and keep one of the pups, but as I drove up they were all piling into a huge dualy pick up.So don't worry about the pups, Asheville is a very dog friendly town and I'm sure they did not have a problem finding homes for such wonderful pups at Christmas time."Grand Prix photo by The Unknown Hiker
Date: 2008-01-01
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 14.9

The morning dawned cloudy with a cold wind blowing; but at least there was no snow. I left at 6:30 so that I could get as far as possible before it snowed. Travel was easy and for the first 5 kms, mostly down (and I thought the tracks only ever went up-hill) so that I was at Mollies Ridge Shelter by the time it was fully light. I took off my "winter woollies" here in the expectation that the day would warm up above the -3oC (26.6oF) the thermometer was sitting at. It may have, but the wind chill was pretty substantial all day. The clouds increased all day with the high peaks disappearing but at least it did not snow.Trail without SusanClimbing was small at 876m but I had a long downhill (1726m) to Fontana Dam. Some of the downhill was rather steep and with the trail covered in slippery leaves, rather nerve-wracking and slow. Surprisingly, with the weather forecast, I passed two groups moving into the hills. As per normal, once I hit the road, the game of "hunt the blaze" started with the blazes winning (as they usually do). As per normal, I soon gave up and used the map instead. The trail and road crossed over the dam with good views of the impressive dam and power station. The current drought was obvious with lake level being a very long way below the dam top. Big dams and bridges are good because it is impractical for the trail to go somewhere else and I can score a point in the "hunt the blaze" game.Fontana Dam in Nov - photo by Boo-BooThe Fontana HiltonFrom the dam, the trail went though some extra-ordinary contortions before coming to the Fontana Dam Marina where I was able to call for a shuttle to take me to Fontana Lodge for the evening. And I made it before the snow started.The room at the Lodge that I was allocated was large and comfortable, with a King bed; but there was no microwave or coffee making facilities. One presumably is meant to eat in the village restaurants. I had dinner there but as a vegetarian I found it awful. Don't they have vegetables in the States? Do people here only eat meat?Snow is now not due until tonight. Forecast is bad for tomorrow so I guess tomorrow is a day-off.Susan from Franklin: I was sure Dave would be in Fontana just after lunch and my estimate was not too far off. Interestingly, when he went to the Sugarlands Visitor Centre to get a modified permit to enter the Smokies they reacted with total disbelief that he could require only one night to get from Newfound Gap to Fontana Dam. I was not with him, but apparently he had a bit of trouble getting the necessary permit. Well, he made it to Fontana far ahead of time. I could have told them he would. I have had a truly boring day here and won't bore you with the details.
Date: 2008-01-02
From: Fontana Village

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 0.0

It is snowing, and did so for the later part of the night.I am still in Fontana Village.Forecast is for up to 300mm of snow in the mountains (and 30+ km winds and daily high of 2oC low of -9oC (35.6oF low of 15.8oF); but I think the mountains mean Fontana, not the hills 1000m above the village. Temperature outside my room was -5oC( 23oF) at about 8am.Forecast is for sun and light winds tomorrow. Hopefully I can go tomorrow. Four days to Franklin; and Susan.From Franklin: I have had another really boring day here. It is really tough to be off the trail for now. Joanne, who with her husband Dale, manages the Sapphire Inn, has been wonderful to me. She gave me some bags of ice for the ankle plus instructions on what I had to do! She brought a plate of cheese, carrots and crackers to me last night and today has run me to the supermarket and to the post office. Cathy has been in touch by phone several times and we are hoping that I can get back on the trail with Dave when he gets here in about 3 days time. Things are improving with the ankle but I'll just have to see.View from Rocky Top by Gatorgump - Mike OsmondView of Fontana Dam from fire tower - Photo by Trunks - Mark Abrams Fontana Dam photo by Gadget & Slack - Richard Charpentier
Date: 2008-01-03
From: Fontana Village

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

1419m climbed - 827m down 3oC (37.4oF) max -3oC (26.6oF) minThis is the second time I have written this entry. The first was at the shelter. But with the temperature being -3oC, the result was an unreadable mess. So here goes version #2:The storm has passed like the TV said, and they are always right. I look outside. It is snowing. Well, that was yesterday. Today it really has passed. Every surface that is not covered in snow is covered in ice and there is a freezing fog hanging in the valley.I get a lift to the trail and by 7:30 I am trudging upwards. The temperature hangs at -3oC (26.6oF) but it is no doubt colder in the village. Slowly, I climb out of the fog and the temperature climbs. The sun rises and a perfect day has started.The first hill is 600m, 2000 ft, above the valley. I climb it wearing a fleece jacket, and don¢t sweat. It is still cold. In fact, the temperature does not rise above 3oC (37.4oF) all day.I found the hiking to be slow due to gradients being much steeper than I have encountered for a few months and to the snow. I found it remarkable how so little snow (about 50mm) could make such a difference. Blazes are, as normal, spare, but the animals know exactly where the trail is, so all I had to do was to follow them.I wore my Yaktrax ¢Pro¢ boot chains all day and they were great except on rocks. They will become an essential item for winter tramping back home.The first shelter I came to, Cable Gap Shelter, was like a freezer. I was only there for a few moments before having to push on, but I did notice that there was water in the adjacent stream.Cable Gap (the Freezer) shelterThe walking was good with good views right through to Brown Fork Shelter, where I arrived at the ridiculously early hour of 1:00 p.m. Either there was a near absence of things to trip over or they were all buried in snow; so I only tripped once. A ¢trip¢ record? I also got a cracker view of Clingman¢s Dome and the route through to Fontana Dam.Brown Fork Gap Shelter is on a spur and would receive sun from noon through to sunset. A truly good location with a non-flowing stream close to the shelter. It is just as well the shelter got sun, as even with it the temperature never got above 0oC (32oF).The shelter is along the lines of those in Maine. It has a low wall in front of the shelter whose main purpose seems to be to restrict access into the shelter. The privy is a semi-open air type, i.e. it has a toilet seat and roof; but no walls. And snow over everything. I thought of moving to the next shelter but my ETA was 6-6:30 p.m. which was too late. I am carrying the fly for the tent so I could camp if necessary; but without the tent inner I would consider that to be an emergency option only. So, instead, I had a lazy and lonely afternoon and prepared myself mentally for a very cold night.
Date: 2008-01-07
From: Franklin, NC

To: Big Spring Shelter, NC
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Picking up Susan in FranklinWalking poles are helpingI am back on the trail. At last we are both back on the trail together and we have only 170kms to go. I knew that I couldn't carry a full pack at this stage and that Dave would have to carry most of the food, (he is complaining that he used to be able to do an eight day trip on the food he now needs for four days) so yesterday we did a brutal reassessment of our gear in light of the long term forecast of higher temperatures than normal. So out went a lot of our clothing, the clothes for super-low temperatures, most of which have not eventuated anyway. Some of the clothing has never been worn. Between us we chopped over 3kgs of clothing and minor items such as surplus handwarmers. Ron Haven shuttled us to the post office first then to Winding Stair Gap where he was picking up some section hikers. So we got a fairly late start at about 9.30 with an easy goal of 9 miles to Big Springs Shelter. It took a little longer than usual due to a few problems I was having with dizziness and nausea (as if a bad ankle wasn't enough) but we got there at about 3pm. This is the dustiest shelter we have been in, which indicates it does not get wet very often. There is a broom of sorts but it is impossible to sweep the shelter effectively. Our large ground sheet was invaluable again to keep our gear clean. I am really happy to be back on the trail again despite being pretty sore and slow for now. We climbed 730m and descended 342m (descents are hardest for me at present). I expect to speed back up over the next couple of days. One advantage of slower travel is being able to appreciate the lovely rhododendron-lined trail, not that I haven't before, but it is going by more slowly now. This shelter has a very good overhang and picnic table as well as bear cables and a good water supply. If it was raining you could do a lot worse. Just to say a word about Dale and Joanne, managers at the Sapphire Inn, they were so kind to me during my few days there. They could not have done more for me and did a lot to make my enforced sojourn there bearable. Ron Haven is very lucky to have such people to manage his motel. I, David, was surprised at how much easier the trail was today compared with yesterday. We averaged 3.2kms/hour (2mph) which was the best I could do in the previous four days. I think this was a combination of flatter gradients on the climbs and the absence of snow. I think that even a little snow makes a big difference.In Big Spring Shelter
Date: 2008-01-08
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter, NC
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Dave hasn't had me along for the last few days to temper his enthusiasm for early rising. I got caught out this morning when the morning cup of tea showed up at about 5.15am This meant we were ready to go at 6.30, long before it was light enough to see. Oh well, we had a long day so I went along with a bit of night hiking which is not my favourite thing to do. The plan was to get to Standing Indian Shelter and re-assess from there whether we could get to Muskrat Creek Shelter, 5 miles on. If we could it would be a 19 mile day. The trail was easy most of the way but there were some rocky areas too which were not good at all for the bad ankle and which slowed us down.Rocks again We thought Carter Gap Shelter (the newer one) was very good. It is built in what is called the Nantahala style and has a large overhang to enable cooking under a roof and some covered built-in seating. It is a big improvement on some of the shelters we've seen. Standing Indian Shelter was a pretty undesirable place on this rather windy misty day as it is located on a ridge and we were unenthusiastic about staying there. It would be good in the summer. Standing Indian shelter for lunchLuckily, there was time to get to Muskrat Creek Shelter which is located amongst rhododendrons and much more sheltered from the wind. We got here at about 4.30 after 1089m of climbing (1176m down). It was a pretty warm day ranging from 8-14oC. After we arrived we got some rain showers. The forecast is not too good for tomorrow - rain is coming. This end of the trail still has a long way to go to make up for all the dry weather they've had, but we hope the drought continues for the last 6 days we are on the trail now that the water sources seem to be running again.Muskrat Creek Shelter photo by Stumpknocker when he was there 01/09
Date: 2008-01-10
From: Deep Gap Shelter,NC

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 16.1

No bears last night but we were visited repeatedly by some other critter. When I tried to put my feet into my boots one of the boots was full of acorns. I tipped them out without thinking so, in a single instant, undid what was probably a whole night's work. Dave then found one of his boots full too, so we piled the acorns up in a corner to try to make it a bit easier for the poor hardworking little critter to stash somewhere else. Obviously, it did not have a good sense of smell!It was an easy day to Unicoi Gap with 1282m of climbing (1211m down) and a temperature range of 8-14 degrees C. It was a wet day with the occasional shower, a lot of mist, dripping trees and no views. When we got to Unicoi Gap there was a cold wind blowing along the road. It always is a lot colder on the roads than it is amongst the trees. Nobody going to Hiawassee would pick us up. We had earlier decided that Hiawassee was better than Helen for hikers so we were pretty keen to go right, not left. However we just got colder and colder waiting and watching the cars go past. We had 2 offers to go to Helen but were still sure we wanted to go to Hiawassee. Finally we accepted the third offer to Helen. It was obviously meant to be. The driver said people were very concerned about the incident involving the young woman's disappearance last week, but that does not explain the offers to go to Helen.So we are in the Super 8 in Helen. WE unexpectedly found Helen to be a good place for hikers as it is small and manageable without a car, but the problem for us was trying to organise a ride back to the trail. There are no taxis or shuttles operating at this time of year that we could find. Eventually we arranged with the motel manager to take us, but at her convenience of course, so we will not get back on the trail till 10am at the earliest. This means we will not get to Walasi-Yi tomorrow and will have to stay over at Whitley Gap Shelter. It is not necessarily a bad thing to have to go a bit more slowly, given the ongoing weakness of my ankle.
Date: 2008-01-11
From: Helen, GA

To: Low Gap Shelter, GA
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Since we did not get on the trail today till nearly 10am it was necessarily a short day. Carol, who is the manager of Best Western and the Super 8 Motels, took us to the trail for no charge. She said she enjoys meeting hikers and often shuttles people to and from the trail. She used to live on Maui in Hawaii and was telling us about watching a birthing whale in the ocean out in front of her home. She was most interesting to meet.Approaching Low Gap shelterWe are at Low Gap Shelter tonight, only about 9 miles from Unicoi Gap. We had planned to go to Whitley Gap Shelter about 5 miles further on but it is a long way off the trail - 1.5 miles - and when we got here we decided to stop early. There is no hurry to get to Springer. We fly out on the 19th so have a few days up our sleeve, and the forecast is good through the early part of next week. Neither of us wants to spend too much time hanging about in Atlanta.We met another NOBO today. He is the third we have met, or known about, so far. The main crowd will start in about a month or month and a half. We have been reading in the shelter register here all the problems of the 2007 NOBOs, the blisters, aches and pains in the feet and elsewhere, knee problems, too much up and down, too tired, too many bugs, voracious and super smart mice running up the bear cables and getting into the food, too many people competing for camping sites and other resources, no water etc, etc. 2008 will be a re-run no doubt. Why do we do it, you might well ask.It is a strange feeling to be almost at the end of our 5 1/2 month marathon. Low Gap Shelter photo by Stumpknocker - Mark Suiters
Date: 2008-01-13
From: Woods Hole Shelter, GA

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter, GA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was to be a 20-mile day to Hawk Mountain Shelter so we were up and away before it got light. We weren't in a hurry so you might wonder why we decided to go for 20 miles today and I'm not sure. Maybe it is because we could! The trail is very up and down in Georgia. If you are not going down you are going up and the gradients are quite steep at times, noticeably more so than most places further north. There were lots of complaints in the registers about this so it was obvious that trying to get one's trail legs as a NOBO is hard in this country. No wonder so many drop out early in the trail. We climbed 1532 meters in temperatures ranging from 4-18 degrees C. There was a bit of mist in the morning, just enough to prevent us from seeing out through the trees but not enough to cause a dripping problem. It cleared up to a sunny afternoon. The climbs are short, but with high rock steps in a lot of places, seemingly designed to knock out unsuspecting NOBOs before they get too far. I am having much more trouble with downhill due to the ankle but we weren't held up all that much and arrived at the shelter at around 4.30pm. There are two more NOBOs here with us, the sixth and seventh we've seen. I forgot to mention Number Five who we saw on the trail earlier on, and who had not got a trail name yet. Giant and Crazy Diamond are the two in this shelter and we have been comparing notes all evening as they have done quite a bit of the trail over the years as section hikers and are pretty experienced. I have forgotten to mention the ongoing saga of Dave's boots. They are gradually disintegrating and have been doing so for about 2 weeks. The uppers on both are separating from the soles and the leather is splitting where the boot folds over the toes. He complains about the cold breeze that flows through them. We have not yet had to apply tape to hold them together, but it may yet come to that. We have 7.6 miles to go to Springer, then there is the 8.8 mile approach trail. Interestingly the boots are Salomons, the same as the ones I started with which disintegrated in Maine. For him they have been a really great boot and he is really sorry that this will be the last of them - for they will not be going home! I don't think there are many boots that last the whole distance. This is our last night on the trail ......Transcriber note: I received an email from Tim in Atlanta. He received a message on his phone from Kea yesterday that they will be at Amicalola tomorrow (Monday) --- the beginning of the approach trail for NOBOers, meaning the end of their journey for them. Tim will leave from work around 2:00, a 90 minute drive to pick them up. Sounds like they've done just fine. I was hoping they would run into Stumpknocker but according to his journal, no meeting. (I later found out from Susan that they may have missed him when they stopped for lunch at Standing Indian Shelter as they read his journal entry in a shelter south of there.)Hawk Mtn shelter