morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 8.8

It was a fairly easy day with light packs. Everyone we passed raived about the breakfast served at the Mountain Harbour Hostel. Since the breakfast cost about $10 and a bunk was $20 each, we decided to splurge and actually stay in a bed & breakfast room. It was great! Privacy and a really nice shower.We took a nap and laid around all day. Buddy got to be good friends with their large dog, Girl.Can't wait until breakfast.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: few clouds

We had a great nights sleep in a nice soft bed. The breakfast lived up to it's legend. It was a buffet of so many things, French toast, eggs, sausage, quiche, fresh fruit, pinnapple upside down cake, and so much more. We were stuffed. I was a little afraid since we were planning to go about 13 miles today and the first mountain was a big one. My belly was stuffed. Surprisingly, the food gave us the strength to concur that mountain. It was about 4 miles of continually rise. We had packs with 5 days of food so they were loaded up.Everyone spoke of this Overmountain shelter which was actually a barn. Most people slept in the upper portion of the barn since it was very windy. A few brave souls slept in the outer portion which was covered but very open to the elements. Lucky for them it rained very little. I think the reason people raved about this barn was because it was different than the normal shelter. Also, it could hold about 50 people. We must have had about 15 in the upper portion. A bunch of people actually tented.We slept toward the center which helped a lot with the wind. There were gaps in all the walls and even in the floor boards. I don't think KT liked seeing through the floor to the ground 12 feet below. They actually had a privy here, but the front was wide open and sightly slanted toward the barn. This privy was not very private.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

This was a long day. There were 2 people there when we got to the shelter, but neither stayed. We decided to tent since we were told it was going to be great weather for the next few days.I started a nice little fire, but the smoke headed right toward the picnic table. KT and I actually moved it 20 feet to be right in front of the shelter. This is where it should have been in the first place.It was a good night.
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

On the way to this shelter, we were told of terrible storms with hail and tornadoes that would be coming around 4:00pm. We arrived at the shelter around 3:00pm. A guy named Boy Scout showed up and we talked awhile. While he was there, KT saw a large mouse run through the shelter. Boy Scout noticed a mouse trap and set it up on the other side of the shelter. As the shelter filled up, we didn't bother to tell anyone about the mouse or trap. We had about 4 people show up after the shelter was full. They ended up tenting, but we told them to come over if the storm got bad. A woman in the shelter actually had a tree fall 5 feet away from her a few days ago.Eventually, someone noticed the trap in the rafter and at some point the mouse came out. It zipped right around the trap, never even attempted to get the pop tart treat. Smart mouse.It did get windy and start to rain. It never seemed like much of a storm. We would learn a few days later that this storm line killed hundreds of people and a town was totally wiped out not more than 10 miles away.
Date: 2011-04-28
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Uncle Johnies Hostel, Erwin TN
Miles today: 17.0

Our plan was to go 13 miles and stay at the last shelter, but we were told the last 4 miles was flat and easy to walk. I don't know about easy, but we made it a 17 mile day. We were all exhausted by the time we hit the hostel. Buddie did great. We even made the shuttle into town for a large Pizza Hut pizza. Sweet! We even bought a six pack to celebrate. After 1, we both went to sleep.They would take KT to the airport the next day to get a rental car.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: Uncle Johnies Hostel, Erwin TN

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

They took KT around noon to the airport and when she arrived with the car, we took off to Atkins VA to get our car. On the way, we saw the devestation. I have never seen anything like it. Every house in this small town was either demolished or had it's roof ripped off. There must have been some sort of truck stop because tracker trailer pieces were everywhere. On our way back to the airport, KT tried to take some pictures through the window.We finally made it home around 3:00am. It was a very tiring day. I'm glad we were able to do it. It was hard but adventurous. Everyone needs some adventure in their lives. What next?
Date: 2011-03-16
From: Waterville School Road

To: Erwin
Miles today: 74.0

Quite the haul out of Fontana. Spent a night at Birch Spring campsite, then a night at Mollies Ridge shelter, where we met AK, Maniac, and John Wayne. And joined in the Great Moose vs Gator debate. Sorry Bullwinkle, the gator wins everytime. Spence Field was beautiful with the open meadows and vistas. The climb up Rocky Top and Thunderhead was a tough one but a nice bald at the top provided a perfect spot for lunch and a nap. Spent a bitterly cold night at Silers Bald shelter. But a ridge runner named Caleb playing the ukelele and a roaring fire in the hearth made it awesome. While there, we learned a hiker who had been lost for four days, had been found, hypothermic, hungry, and banged up but alive. Hitched into Cherokee with a professional card player and zeroed at the El Camino motel next to the casino. This is a very hiker friendly establishment. Got a ride back to the trailhead on the Cherokee Transit Bus which runs from Cherokee to Gatlinburg, stopping at Newfound Gap, for $5. Second half of the Smokies was much easier hiking but very cold nights. View fron Cammerer worth the side trip. Exiting the park we zeroed at Standing Bear Farm. the hostels a turn of the century farmstead. Curtis, the owner is one cool dude, and the staff make you feel right at home.Met Zero Zero, the famous blind hiker here. Had a great time with Tigger, Lightning, Irish Traveler, Ziggy and Molassas. Thanks Jeff AKA Shaggy, for the beer run.
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Waterville School Road

To: Erwin
Miles today: 101.0

At Deep Gap, tented out with Tigger and Lightning at junction of trail to shelter. We all agreed that half a mile round trip to the shelter is just not worth doing. At Brown Gap, we came across Apple providing some trail magic, warm fire, sodas, and snack cakes. Oh yeah! Thanks Apple. Didnt get the famous view from the top of Max Patch. it was very cold, windy, and cloudy. Still, it has a delightfully eerie quality about it, except for when we couldnt find the next post marking the trail! Spent a brutal night at Roaring Fork Shelter. After a day of rain, it all turned to sleet, then snow. Full House in the shelter. Woke up to 3 - 4 inches of the white stuff. Everyone is talking about how cold it is, then one hiker, Cayenne, says 'Wait till you put on your boots'. She was right. they were frozen, along with our water bottles. Hot Springs is the perfect trail town. everything you need, all in three or four blocks, outfitters, grocers, laundry, ice cream shop, P.O., and good food. The Smoky Mountain Diner is great food at a great price and Gina and her father Bobbie are wonderful people. The hot dogs at the Camground Store are are great, try the Mexican Dog with chili, avacado, sourcream, jalepenos. Listened to some great music at the Rock Bottom Inn and Grill, by none other than Pierce Edens, a relative Im sure, we're a small clan. After leaving Hot Springs, we tented beside Spring Mountain shelter, where we met U-haul from New York who'd passed us days before, He must be carrying 100 lbs and had apparently been holed up there a couple of days. Said he was thinking about catching a bus home. Best of luck, whatever your decision.We're in Erwin at Uncle Johnnys hostel, home of the 40 cent Snicker bar. Great hostel, free shuttles around town for resupply and town food. JDs foodmart is great for breakfast. A HUGE plate of biscuits and gravy for $1.39! Make time to do the Erwin Linear Trail and bikepath along the river, past ponds, geese, ducks, turtles, beavers. Worth it - and the bikes are free from Johnnys. Special thanks to Brain Dead, one of the staff, for all the great info. Its mexican tonight and northward tomorrow.
Date: 2010-11-07
To: Beginning...Again!
Miles today: 0.0

We feel very fortunate to be living in the beautiful mountains of N. GA experiencing all the wonders of the seasons. We have a playground full of trails to hike. We can be in both NC and TN in less than a 45 minute drive from our home. Spring, fall and winter are my favorite seasons for hiking. Fall obviously because of the colors, spring because nature is coming alive, but winter even with the cold affords such awesome views. Life is good!So here I go again. This year seems to be the year to give the trail another try. I'm retired...so work won't get in the way. No more excuses. I feel like I'm in better shape than the previous years with all the hiking I've been doing, but I know nothing can prepare you for the rigors of the trail. Rocky will be giving me support and will meet me from time to time. I know I'll miss him very much along with my two golden girls, Goldie and Maggie. Leaving Rocky and the girls will probably be the hardest part of the trip...not counting rain and snow! I know the luxuries of home especially my bed will be hard to give up, but hopefully my Big Agnes mattress won't let me down. I feel good about the decision to give the trail another try. I thought long and hard about it. I will hike my own hike and live for the moment. I'm starting with two friends, Ranger Bob and Ginny from our hiking club...the Mountain High Hikers. I'm ready to meet those from the class of 2011. Onward...
Date: 2010-11-08
To: Training will hopefully pay off
Miles today: 0.0

I'm focusing hard to be in the best shape that I can be at 64 when I start the trail. I'm fortunate to be able to hike in the mountains a couple of times a week. In the past two years I came from FL to start the trail, which was tough. At least now my legs are somewhat used to climbing although carrying a day pack is far different than carrying a backpack. I'm working out at the gym 2-3 times a week. I had also been cycling twice a week, but the very cold weather we've been experiencing has put a stop to that. So I've replaced cycling 30 miles twice a week to climbing stairs. I'm hoping this training will pay off. Starting in Jan. I plan to carry my backpack on club day hikes. I'm hoping this will be an added bonus.I've been dehydrating food, but have not planned food drops or decided if I'll dehydrate all my food or suppliment some of my dehydrated food with store bought food. That's a big decision weighing on my mind and I know time is getting short.
Date: 2010-11-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just making my 3rd entry and hope that my name shows up under 2011.Beautiful cool fall morning with a crystal clear blue sky. Just perfect for a walk from Indian Grave Rd to Tray Mountain and down to the shelter. There are still some gold and orange leaves on the trees, but most of them stand tall without leaves. We only saw 2 day hikers on the trail. Blazing was not very well in this section. The trail was very hard to see with all the leaves. No bird sounds only the crunching of leaves beneath our feet.
Date: 2010-11-13
To: Great Day For A Hike
Miles today: 0.0

We couldn't resist getting outside for a hike today. We went from Hog Pen Gap to Wolf Laurel Top on the AT. It was a picture perfect day...cool morning of 32 degrees, but by 10:00 it had warmed up to 50. The temperature was perfect as we began our hike. The leafless trees stood tall against the bright blue sky as we began our climb. The trail is so full of leaves that it makes loose rocks and holes hard to see. The footing at times was difficult.We took a short break on top of Cow Rock Mountain. The view was spectacular. We had our lunch on Wolf Laurel Top while soaking in the view. The warm sun soon made us sleepy. We couldn't resist a short nap before heading back to the car.Being a Saturday I guess a lot of people had the same idea we did because we encountered a lot of day hikers and quite a few groups of backpackers. We met four backpackers on the way back to our car. You could tell they were thru hikers ending their SOBO hike. They were on a mission to make miles as they moved up that mountain because they barely talked to us as they went by. On the way back planning for this hike in March was running through my mind. Since we live so close to the first 100 miles of the trail I was thinking of all the different spots that Rocky could meet me along the way. I could come home for a nice shower almost every other night. Sounds good to me!
Date: 2010-11-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I recieved in the mail yesterday the maps through VA. That was exciting. I have determined zero days and food drops up to Damascus. I'm trying not to use the PO, but instead use hostels etc to mail packages. I know planning usually goes out the door once you are on the trail, but I had to get some sort of plan in the works. I'm too much of an organizer.
Date: 2010-11-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We're in Champaign, IL visiting our daughter and family for the holidays. Right now it looks like a very wintry day with a temperature of 31*. There are wind advisories today and tomorrow...and if you've never been to IL the wind is always blowing quite strongly. Tomorrow there is supposed to be a wintry mix of snow and rain with lows in the 20's. With the wind it will feel much colder.I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Date: 2010-11-30
To: Glad To Be Dry
Miles today: 0.0

The weather was quite blustery in the north GA mountains last night and through out the day. All of this is due to a strong cold front moving through the country. I was waiting for a tree to fall last night with all the wind. We've been under a tornado warning part of the day. The rain has been quite heavy and all the streams are high and swiftly flowing. I made the comment that I was glad I was not out hiking today. I probably would have managed a way to get off the trail to wait this out. I know this type of weather is a possibility while on the trail, but for now I'm glad to be safe and dry inside my home with all my creature comforts. I've taken advantage of the nasty weather to work on preparations for the upcoming hike. I find myself thinking about the hike all the time. It makes me feel better to know that I have some sort of plan up to Damascus. I know most plans go out the door once you're on the trail, but I just had to have something to do. And now I have tentative plans for the first 450 miles.Snow flurries are expected tomorrow morning. It should be a rather cold day for a hike, but at least the skies will be clear. Looking forward to getting out in the woods. We'll be on the Benton MacKaye Trail clicking off another section.
Date: 2010-12-02
To: Cold Day
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up to 24 degree weather with ice and frost everywhere in town. We could see the snow on the trees in the higher elevation as we made our way to the start of the hike on the Benton MacKaye Trail. The wind was really blowing so that made the temperature feel even colder.The trail was of course covered with leaves and had a light dusting of snow. It was very quiet. The only thing I could hear was my breathing as I made my way up the trail. Thankfully there were switch backs, which helped with the climbs. We experienced snow flurries the higher we went. There were quite a few climbs in this short section of the trail. We passed a tree...don't know the name...which is the largest tree on the BMT. It was cloudy most of the day so the temperature never got much above freezing. Lunch was very short. It was too cold to sit around and chit chat.All in all a good practice hike. I need to start carrying my partially loaded pack on these day hikes so I can get used to carrying the weight.
Date: 2010-12-05
To: Braving The Cold
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to brave the 20 degree temperature and snow flurries and sleep in my tent in the backyard. I need to make sure my smart wool long underwear are sufficient with my Feathered Friends 10 degree sleeping bag and liner. I also have my Montbell light down jacket to wear if necessary. If all this fails I can bail out and sleep in my warm bed with flannel sheets!I'll let you know tomorrow how I made out.
Date: 2010-12-06
To: Results From Braving The Cold
Miles today: 0.0

I made my way to the tent from my nice warm home at 10:00. Man did I hate it when I opened the door and felt that cold, cold wind and saw the snow blowing. Rocky came with me, but quickly headed back to the house. I can't say I blame him.It took me a while to get settled as usual. I crawled into the sleeping bag and prayed that I would make it and not give in. For the most part I was pretty warm. I had smart wool long underwear on, wool socks, hat and smart wool glove liners. Around 2:00 I put my Montbell jacket on and settled back down. The only thing that was really cold was my face. A couple of times I felt a little chill so I'm not sure about the Thermarest NeoAir. I plan to try again with my Big Agnes air mattress and see how that works.The howling wind and coyotes didn't make for a very restful sleep, but I don't usually sleep well until I'm on the trail for a while. I think if it hadn't been so windy I might have slept better. I made it until 6:15 AM before getting up and going into the warm house.
Date: 2010-12-09
To: Cold In These Hills
Miles today: 0.0

While going out to the garage this morning I saw these amazing ice crystals on the glass of the door. I couldn't resist taking a picture.Boy has the weather been quite cold in the N GA mountains. Wind chill as low as 9 degrees. I wonder what I would do if the weather was this cold in Mar? I don't think I would be brave enough to sleep out in weather like this. I would probably find myself in a motel until it warmed up!Hope everyone's holiday plans are going well. I wish you a healthy and happy New Year!
Date: 2010-12-11
To: Approach Trail Hike
Miles today: 0.0

We joined the GATC on a hike up the approach trail to Springer Mountain stopping at the Len Foote Lodge for lunch. The lodge was a welcome treat with a nice wood fire going in the dinning room and of course a table to sit at. We continued on up the approach trail with a stiff cold wind blowing. We did encounter some icy spots on the trail a couple of times, but there was room to walk around. We made it back to the Springer parking lot before bad weather set in.In about 3 months I'll be at Springer again...this time making the journey north. A journey I've dreamed about for 20 years.
Date: 2010-12-13
To: Cold Snowy Day
Miles today: 0.0

We have had a lot of snow in the N GA mountains. The snow started Sunday and we are still having snow flurries Monday afternoon. The wind is blowing so hard that it's blowing the snow away in some spots only to make snow drifts in other spots. It is beautiful though even if the wind chill is about 8 degrees.We went outside and braved the cold for a while. The cold and snow made our rather senior goldens frisky. They were cute to watch as they chased each other.
Date: 2010-12-20
To: Slowly Getting Organized
Miles today: 0.0

Little by little things are beginning to come together. I now have someone that has graciously agreed to transcribe my journal. That is a big load off my mind. Thanks Anna!I have decided that I will order the new Lightheart tent...the one with an awning. This will reduce my weight by about a pound and a half. I'll order that when we return from MD. I will also upgrade my sleeping bag to a Western Mountaineering Apache. I've only heard good things about these bags. Shortly after we return from our visit in MD I will take my pack to Mountain Crossings and have Winton go over everything. With these few things taken care of all I have left to do is finish planning mail drops at least up to Damascus. From there I have to figure out what I'm going to do. I do have medication and a few other things that will need to be sent to various locations.So I guess you can say I'm slowly getting organized.Happy Holidays to everyone!
Date: 2010-12-31
To: Getting Stressed Over Mail Drops
Miles today: 0.0

I love the holidays, but I have no will power when it comes to eating sweets. With traveling and exercising put on the back burner I just had to get out of the house and do a little walking in a nearby park. The mountain roads were still pretty snowy so the park was a safe bet. I enjoyed the quiet peaceful feeling and listening to my feet making that muffled crunching noise on the snow.While walking I was thinking of all the stuff I need to get done in the next 10 weeks. It sounds so far away, but really its not. I guess you can say I'm a little stressed. I would like time to slow down just a little so I can get a little more organized in the food department. The time spent walking made me realize that I don't really have a lot of time to get all my food and mail drops organized. When I returned home I sat down and came up with 4 different dinners that I'll make multiples of that I can prepare myself. I've bought a few different freeze dried dinners to try to see if I like them. So far I've tried 2 and haven't liked either of them. They're too spicy for me. Not doing well there. Hopefully I'll have enough variety that I won't get bored with my choices. I now need to decide how many meals I'll actually prepare myself. Trying to figure out portions will be hard. I know I'll eat more in a couple of months than I'll eat at the beginning. Then there are always those people who said they just bought along the way and didn't do any maildrops. I've got to come up with a plan that will work for me and that probably won't happen until I'm on the trail. I've talked with Croft...2010 thru hiker and Signage...2007 thru hiker and they told me what they did...what worked, what didn't and what they would do differently if they hiked again. I thank them for their valued information. It's always good to get several different opinions.
Date: 2011-01-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This Friday I will undergo minor surgery on my feet for Morton's Neuroma. I've had pain for years when hiking and after many shots of cortisone the time has come to permanently eliminate the problem. It will be great to be able to hike pain free. I feel very positive about the surgery and know everything will be just fine. The doctor said I won't be able to hike for 3 weeks, but can walk on a normal day to day basis right after the surgery. This little 3 week period will force me to devote time to my food planning.
Date: 2011-01-10
To: Healing
Miles today: 0.0

My surgery was Friday and all went well. I've been sitting around with my feet up for a couple of days. The doctor said the first 2 or 3 days were critical to healing so I want to do everything I can so that my feet will heal quickly with no problems. Rocky has been great waiting on me. Sitting around is getting a little boring though. I can walk ok, but have these funny shoes that I need to wear for a while.I certainly hope that any hikers that left from Springer early found out about this recent snow storm that just came through and were able to get to safety. We have about 8 inches of snow in Blairsville so I know there is probably more in the higher elevations. We're supposed to get more snow tomorrow. I think we'll be homebound for a while.I plan to go to the Southern Ruck this Saturday at the NOC.