morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-07
From: Cable Gap Cove

To: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 17 - A had a good nights rest except I was sleeping on too much of an incline. My sleeping bag kept sliding down my mat, until my feet hit the tent wall. The only problem that this causes is my feet get cold being up against the tent wall even though they are inside the sleeping bag. Plus, the bag will get wet due to condensation. I was up at 7:10am and out of the camp site at 8:00am. This was going to be an easy day since I was only going as far as Fontana Dam and taking a zero day on Friday at the Hike Inn. The big discussion on the trail is what happens if the government shuts down, what happens to the AT as it transverses the Smokies? The majority opinion is nothing, maybe no rangers but the trail should be opened. We'll have to see. As I descended out of 3,000 feet elevation to Fontana at 1,863 feet it was if a switch had been flipped, the wildflowers were abundant. The trillium were plentiful and gorgeous. As I thought about it, I guess He had flipped the switch and it was sight to behold. I got to the Fontana AT crossing and called the Hike Inn, after I ate some peanut butter and raisins. I hiked on to the dam and was met there by Nancy. I had hiked 7.2 miles, in 4 hours at a 1.8 mph rate and I have covered 164.3 miles total. I was at the Hike Inn at 12:50pm, ordered a hamburger and three 20 ounce ice teas, watched a little of The Masters and took a 20 minute nap. Nancy took me into Robbinsville at 5:00pm and I ate at the Carolina Kitchen (beef brisket, baked potato, salad, baked beans, peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream). I have not weighed myself in over 2 weeks but I sure do not want to go hungry. It is hard enough as it is to do this let alone doing while being hungry. Nancy and Jeff are super nice and run a 6 room side of the road motel, just for hikers. It is a 1950 vintage, quaint motel.
Date: 2011-04-08
From: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam

To: Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Jeff took me into Robbinsville around 10:00am this morning, after I cut my hair again. I mailed my bounce box that I had mailed to the Hike Inn back to my place. I had pancakes at McDonalds and walked to the Graham County library in town. I will head into the Smokies early Saturday morning.As I have said previously, I appreciate everyone taking time to post a note on my journal. It really does help and motivate me knowing so many of you are following my progress. I have been extremely fortunate so far. Other than a few manageable blisters I have had no muscle soreness or anything to be concerned about. I can attest that your prayers are being answered and I appreciate them very much.
Date: 2011-04-09
From: Hike Inn

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Jeff took Porter, Pace, Backyard Bogey and me from Hike Inn to the dam at 7:00am and at 7:20am I was walking across the dam. I got to Mollies Ridge Shelter at 1:15pm and had lunch, having hiked 10.7 miles. We arrived at Russell Field Shelter at 3:45pm having traveled 13.2 miles and 177.5 miles total. We hiked for 7.5 hours, at a 1.7 mile per hour pace. It was a very nice day, a little bit humid early and around 60*F. One is suppose to stay in the shelters in the Smokies and even though it was early in the day, I called it quits because the next shelter was 2.9 miles away. Overall, a good first day in the Smokies.
Date: 2011-04-10
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: few clouds

I was up at 7:00am having slept okay. There was some random snoring during the night, but no mice. I reference mice activity as being a negative in staying in a shelter, but these shelters are very well kept and the first two shelters indicated no mice activity. Had to climb Thunderhead Mountain at 5,525 feet, starting at an elevation of 4,367 feet. This elevation gain was in less than five miles. It got very hot, in the upper 70's and everyone was complaining about how difficult this day was. Several of us were eating lunch and I met a hiker named Pellegrino and I asked him where I was from and he said Anderson, SC. I knew immediately that I had found my trekking poles! Once I explained to him what had happened, he called home and arranged to have my poles sent to me. The trekking poles that I bought in Franklin were made by Easton (the same company that makes aluminum softball bats). Even though they have saved me from seriously injuring myself on my descent at the NOC, I have not been happy with them. They do not have a shock absorber feature on these poles which results in a jarring impact when you use them. Furthermore, everytime I hit a rock, it sounds as if I have foul tipped a softball to the first base side bleachers. My recommendation for anyone interested in purchasing trekking poles, is to get the shock absorber feature. You know you've been on the trail too long when you get excited about trekking poles, but I consider them an essential part of your gear. We got to Derrick Knob at 3:05pm for only 9.2 miles, but a very taxing 9.2 miles.
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

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

We were up at 7:00am, and again had a mice free night and Backyard Bogey and I were on the trail by 8:00am. He and I were on a mission and very focused to get over Clingman's Dome and to Mt. Collins Shelter before the storm hit. Backyard Bogey pushes, or I should say, pulls me and keeps me at a higher pace. We got to the Dome at 2:20pm and the climb up was not terrible, but just a steady incline. At 6,643 feet, this is the highest elevation on AT, which means it should be all downhill from here, but I know better. I called my sister, Donna, to arrange for us to meet on Tuesday, which I look forward to. We left the Dome at 3:00pm and arrived at Mt. Collins Shelter sidetrail at 5:10pm. We were able to get a spot in the shelter with 12 other people, even though the capacity was stated to be 12 total. Other late arrivers had to sleep in their tent. After dinner, a couple came up to the shelter and asked if we were done with supper and we replied "yes" thinking that they wanted to sit at our bench. She replied good, because they had brought dessert. These two individuals, Godspeed and Mountain Mama from Wears Valley, make a routine habit of sharing trail magic to hikers. Trail Magic is the term used for food and drink left on the trail for hikers. They brought homemade brownies with Breyers vanilla ice cream, cups and spoons. I would have never guessed when I woke this morning, that I would be eating ice cream before I went to bed! They shared with us the weather forecast, which included high winds and thunderstorms. I was to glad to have covered the 13.5 miles in the 7.5 hour hike (1.8 miles per hour).
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: moderate rain

The rain hit the metal shelter at 10:28 pm and lightning hit all around us starting at 11:08pm. It rained very hard, very windy and I was thankful that we had the shelter for protection. The rain on the tin roof also helped to mask the snoring. I was up at 7:15am, it was 50*F in the shelter but much cooler outside in the drizzling rain. Backyard Bogey and I hit the northbound trail at 8:15am. We met Donna and her husband, Jim, at 9:45am. It was still raining and I had on a rain jacket and she did not immediately recognize me. The four of us hike north to their van that they had parked at Newfound Gap. We picked up two additional hikers at the Gap who needed a ride into Gatlinburg. Donna and Jim had most graciously stocked their van with snacks, drinks, sweet tea and delicious home baked cookies from Dr.Ivy. The cookies were a huge hit for four very tired, hungry,wet hikers. We arrived in Gatlinburg at 11:00am and I was in the shower by 11:08am. Donna, Jim and I ate lunch, went food shopping and did laundry; it was a very nasty day, 45-50*F with intermittent rain, so I was glad to be off the trail. Due to the high amount of sweating that I did on Sunday and Monday, I was having muscle spasms and cramps, so Donna, who is a Family Nurse Practitioner, arranged for me to pick up a muscle relaxer at a pharmacy. I arranged with BZ Lane, a long-time friend who retired several years ago and lives in Gatlinburg, to take me back to Newfound Gap on Wednesday morning. It will be good to catch up with BZ during the 15 miles trip back up into the Smokies. An additional treat for the day was that my youngest sister from Knoxville, Deborah, joined the three of us for dinner. It was great to see Donna, Deborah and Jim and I appreciated so much them coming to visit. Today marks the fourth week that I began this journey. My mom had also baked cookies and sent those to Deborah, but they did not arrive in time for her to bring them, so I will get them next week when I go home for Easter. By the way, I was unable to load any pictures when I was in Robbinsville but I have taken over 200, so I have plenty. I will load the pictures over Easter.
Date: 2011-04-13
From: Gatlinburg

To: Tri Corner Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 23 - I was thankful for being able to see Donna, Deborah and Jim last night, that was neat plus we had a wonderful meal at the Peddler. I had a good salad bar, filet, baked potato and a little wine. I got up at 6:10am and showered (never underestimate the ability to do this daily!!). I had to repack my pack because of the rain yesterday so I did that before enjoying a waffle at the Red Roof Inn. B.Z. Lane showed up at 7:45am and took me back up to Newfound Gap. I really appreciated him doing this and enjoyed seeing him and catching up with his life. He has adapted to retirement but has had more practice than me. After the 17 mile ride he dropped me off at the trailhead, it was probably 40*F, a little brisk wind but I was back northbound at 8:25am. As I hiked up, out of the gap, it got colder and colder, suddenly as if opening a door, I was in a frozen wonderland. The hemlocks were ice covered and since it started warming up, the ice chunks started falling. It was breath taking, to see the sunlight glimmering off the needles and limbs. It was also dangerous as the larger ice chunks were falling. It took me quite a while to get through this because it was so beautiful and I kept stopping to take pictures. As beautiful and unique as it was, I knew as soon as the sun hit this side of the mountain it would disappear. So, I took my time and enjoyed and appreciated God's handiwork. Another magnificent sight was Charlie's Bunion.I really felt good this morning, a lot of energy due to the meal last night. Plus my electrolytes were back to normal after having 3 bananas and some Gatorade. My electrolytes had really gotten out of whack on Monday and Tuesday when it was so hot, causing my muscles to involuntarily contract. This happens when I run long distances in the summer and normally a few potassium tablets will get things under control. I will start drinking more electrolytes drinks from now on. I also finished up the 4 oatmeal cookies that Dr. Ivey had furnished, they were delicious today too. I arrived at Peck's Corner Shelter at 3:05pm which was my original destination but I still felt too good and there was too much daylight left to stop for the day so I took off for the shelter at Tri Corner, 5.2 miles away. I arrived at TriCorner at 5:00pm, having to go up and around Mt. Sequoyah and Chapman. That was a little tough late in the day but I was glad I did not have to do that first thing tomorrow morning. There was a lot of hiking along ridges today, which is very enjoyable. The shelter was packed full so I set up my tent and enjoyed instant mashed potatoes, chicken chunks, and cheese all mixed together. Not quite what I had enjoyed the previous night. It was supposed to be in the 30*F's tonight, so I was in the tent at 7:30pm as it was already getting chilly.
Date: 2011-04-14
From: Tri Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 24 - As good as I felt yesterday morning I felt sluggish this morning. I was up at 7:20am and it was cold, it had gotten down to the low 30*s. I was northbound at 8:20am and arrived at Cosby Knob shelter (7.6 miles) at 1:00pm but just like yesterday it was too early to quit. Even though I did not have the drive to hike on as I did yesterday, I took off for Davenport Gap shelter, 7.1 miles north. From a nature standpoint, I am beginning to see many more wildflowers but today was the day of the acorns. I saw thousand of acorns, splitting in half, taking root and shooting up their stems upward. I knew this but it brought back the fact that they are doing this now, attempting to take hold before the canopy of trees above them shield them from direct sunlight. I wonder what percentage of them will make it through their first year. The hike today was just about putting first one foot down then the other, moving on. As I approached the shelter, I thought to myself, wouldn't it be neat if someone provided some trail magic, since we were so close to Davenport Gap and exiting the Great Smoky Mountains. As I arrived at the shelter, a hiker named Bravo was getting ready to leave. I asked him jokingly if he was going out for pizza and beer and he said yes. I gave him a $20.00 bill and told him to include me. He and another hiker left around 5:30pm and returned around 7:30pm with 7 large Pizza Hut pizzas, soft drinks and ice. When they got to the Davenport Gap road a man agreed to take them to Pizza Hut but would not stop for beer. Everyone agreed that we needed pizza more than we needed beer. The trail does strange things to one's priorities!! Anyway, the pizzas were enjoyed; we burned the boxes to discourage the bears from snooping around. The Davenport Gap shelter, I believe is the one remaining shelter in the GSMNP that has chain link fence around the opening to keep the bears out. One actually closes the gate and you are fenced in like a cage. I did not go to bed until 9:30pm but after 4 pieces of pizza I needed to let that settle anyway. It was another night of snoring from the shelter occupants. I was certainly the oldest in there, the next youngest was probably 26-28 years old. Overall, in hindsight, it was a good day, I got in 14.8 miles at a 1.8 mph rate and my total is 235.1 miles.
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Not quite to Lemon Gap
Miles today: 18.5

Day 27 - The creek did not muffle the snoring last night. Maybe I was awake, anxious to hit the trail. I was up at 7:10am and had a repeat breakfast from yesterday. I paid my bill and was finally back on the AT at 8:20am. I hiked as if I was on a mission and I guess I was. I had calculated if I covered the 33 miles to Hot Springs in two days, I could take another day off and sit in the hot springs and maybe have a massage. The climb up Snowbird Mt was tough but I made the 4.6 miles in 2 hours. I stayed there for 20 minutes or so, the view from the FAA radar facility was pretty. The next milestone was Max Patch summit. It was a beautiful day, clear skies, warm but a nice cool breeze. I arrived at Max Patch at 3:00 pm, having covered a total of 13.6 miles. I was impressed. For those who have never visited this vista I would encourage you to do so. You can actually drive to it, so you don't necessarily have to hike. From the summit, there is a 360* panoramic view of the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. It was really very spectacular. I will make it a point to return someday, it would be a great star grazing location. TBA, a 1997 thru hiker, had some trail magic of soft drinks and you guessed it, PBR. I got to Roaring Fork shelter around 4:30pm but I needed to go further, so I kept placing one foot in front of the other. The terrain, other than the climb to Snowbird and Max Patch, was not that strenuous, just steady. A lot of it was along the ridges or along the side of a mountain, not a lot of ups and downs. I keep looking at my map, looking for a campsite and water. Finally, at 6:10pm I spotted a flat campsite that I decided to use. I had hoped to get to Lemon Gap but I decided not to pass up this site with darkness approaching. I calculated I had hiked 9.3 hours and covered 18.5 miles that day for a 2.0 mph pace. The total mileage is now at 257 miles. I cleaned up a little and climbed into my tent for the evening. I woke up sometime shivering and put my down jacket on and slept ok. Absolutely no snoring was heard for the first time in a long time!
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Not quite Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 28 - I woke up at 6:30am as the birds began their day. I was still a little tired from my long hike yesterday so I laid there for awhile and enjoyed the sound of nature. I left and was on the trail at 9:05am and soon discovered that I was less than a couple hundred yards from Lemon Gap. That confirmed my mileage calculations from the previous day. I need to go back and check but it appears every morning begins with a climb out of a hollow or gap. Today was no exception, as I had to tackle Walnut Mountain and then Bluff Mountain. Bluff Mountain was a bear but I reached its summit at 11:00am having hiked 4.2 miles. At 12:50pm, I stopped on top of a bolder in the middle of a stream and ate lunch. It sounds beautiful and it was scenic, but it was also a little dumb, if I had dropped anything from my lap¢it would have been gone. I also applied new band aids to a couple of toes on my right foot. At 3:45pm I passed Deer Park Mt shelter but did not stop, my destination was Hot Springs. I arrived at the edge of town at 5:10pm, having covered the 14.4 miles in 7 hours of hiking for another 2.0 mph pace. My total mileage is now standing at 271.4. The trail runs right down the middle of town, so embedded in the sidewalk are the AT symbols. Elmer's Hostel was full so I ended up at Iron Horse Station, which is very nice. I have a massage appointment on Tuesday and will do that once I soak in the hot springs. Life is good. I will hike to Allen Gap on Wednesday and then head back home for Easter. Several of you have inquired about spending a day with me as I approach Erwin and beyond and I would love that opportunity. I need to study the map a little more closely and will post my tentative plans in the next couple of days starting the Monday after Easter. As mentioned earlier, I also plan to post some pictures over the next couple of days. It has been awhile since I have thanked you for posting your comments, encouragements and remembering me in your prayers. I do appreciate them very much and also appreciate the interest that you are demonstrating in my journey.
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Home

To: Jones Meadow
Miles today: 7.0

Day 34 - I stepped back on the trail at Allen Gap at 4:05pm and I was sweating by 4:13pm. One really learns to dislike the word "gap" because that is a nice way of saying, "you are going to get your butt kicked" as you hike up hill. It is strange getting back on the trail after having been off for 3.5 days. You are suddenly thrown back into isolation, mentally struggling, asking if you really want to continue after having the comforts of home. You really have to focus and keep asking for strength and endurance. The first hundred yards of walking is similar to every morning when you take that first step after waking up. You go through a mental list of "how do I feel, how are your toes, your feet, your knees...". Your body is screaming at you to stop and turn around and not punish it any more but you have to just keep pushing yourself. It was a beautiful afternoon but warm and soon I am back in stride. I arrived at the Laurel Shelter at 6:10pm and interestingly it was empty. I arrived at Jones Meadow at 7:30pm and there were 4 other hikers who already had their tents set up. This was not really a meadow, just a low, flat area with plenty of tree canopy covering the area. It probably had the nicest spring that I have encountered so far, very fast flow of water. I had only climbed 2,410 feet this afternoon but I was tired and in my tent by 8:30pm. I covered 7.0 miles today in 3.5 hours and have covered a total of 293.6 miles.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Jones Meadow

To: Rice Gap
Miles today: 18.2

Day 35 - I woke up to a beautiful morning but it was fairly humid. I broke camp and I was on the trail at 8:00am. As I approached Big Firescald Knob there was a sign that said, "bad weather trail" that basically went around the knob. Not having bad weather, I continued up to the knob. I now understand why there is a by-pass. There was some bare rock climbing, having to pull yourself up on rock ledges. With my back pack on, I am a little top heavy, so in some instances, I had to turn around and climb backwards, so I could hang on to the rocks. Around 11:00am I heard thunder and encountered a brief rain shower around 11:40am. I had in my mind to get to Hogback Ridge shelter but finally had to stop at 7:20pm and set up camp at Rice Gap. It was a long, hard day, but I covered 18.2 miles and hiked 10 hours. My total is now 311.8 miles, having broken the 300 mile mark.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Rice Gap

To: Bald Mt Shelter
Miles today: 11.2

Day 36 - Since I was the only one camping at Rice Gap, I had no peer pressure to get up and get going. Also, after the 18.2 miles that I hiked yesterday I convinced myself fairly quickly to stay prone for a little longer. This is actually a mistake, the days are getting hotter and I would be much better served if I got up and was underway by 7:00am to beat the heat. But not today, I got up at 8:00am and was underway by 9:05am. I passed Hogback Shelter at 9:35am and crossed under I-26 at Sam's Gap at 10:40am. For those of you that do not live in east Tennessee this does not have any meaning to you but it is sort of a mental milestone. I can not tell you how many times I have traveled I-26 (U.S. 23) and seen the AT markers and thought, "what if.¢ I stopped for nearly an hour for lunch and got water as I was not feeling as physically keen today as I would have liked. Not sure if it is my diet, dehydration or miles or a combination of these. As I was finishing up my lunch, a hiker name Grime came through and washed his hands. He said he had been digging ramps. I thought I recognized ramps from the Smokies but he informed me that I was wrong. He was able to locate one and I ate my first (very mature) ramp which had very strong spring onion taste, smell and aftertaste. A younger ramp would be a little milder. While Grime was there he said one could also eat Trillium leaves, which I did (only after he did !!) and if you imagine that you were eating lettuce you would say it was lettuce. It definitely was not potatoes. He also ate a fiddle head fern and said it tasted like asparagus. I took him on his word on that one. Around 3:00pm, I crossed Bald Mt. I had been here multiple times as a kid, as our family had a church friend who had a weekend cabin in Wolf Laurel. I remembered the many times that Mrs. Krell would pick fresh blueberries off or around the Bald and make pancakes or muffins. As I descended from the Bald I tuned into WXMS's afternoon call in sports show. I was able to hear my brother wish me safe journey and that he would see me in a few days. That was neat, since I had just turned on the radio. The weather forecast for Tuesday night and Wednesday was not really great, so I decided to stay in Bald Mt shelter with 10 other hikers for the night. It was not too bad, I was in my sleeping bag by 8:45pm and the younger group went to bed around 10:45pm. There was a fairly loud wind blowing so it masked all the normal shelter noises. I hiked 11.2 miles today at a 1.8 mph pace and have a total of 323.0 miles.