morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-16
From: NOC

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

We woke up around 6:30, Lumberjack and I had cold pizza for breakfast. Hitting the trail about 7:45, an early start for us. There was frost this morning in the NOC and was quite cold. We had about a 3000 foot elevation change in front of us to climb in the first 6 miles. It was not our longest day but definately one of the toughest. A lot of veteran thru hikers say it is one of the toughest climbs on the whole trail. We had one nice view of the Nantahala Gorge at the Jump-up. We hit muddy spots all day, seen some snow and even had ice falling on our heads while it melted and fell out of the trees. We also got pictures of Lumberjack and I hugging a huge tree. We signed in at Sassafras Gap Shelter and Brown Fork Gap Shelter. We met a lot of familiar faces on the trail and a few new ones. Our hiker bubble is changing slightly as we push for more miles. We wanted to get as close to Fontana Dam as possible so we were planning on camping at Cody Gap. We joined up with Kevin and Dustin who wanted to hike a little further also. While trying to beat the setting sun I misjudged a rock during a boulder scramble and fell and cut my leg in two places. I also snapped one of my hiking poles in the process. It could have been worse, I could have scratched up my poles and snapped my leg. No time to take care of it now needed to get to a campsite, set up our tents and fix dinner, can take care of the leg after dark in my tent. It felt like it was going to get cold tonight but there was no wind. Time to rest up, tomorrow will be an easier day, hopefully. Thanks to everyone that is following my journal. I will try and post when I can. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

The wind wasn't blowing when we went to bed but up here in the mountains it seems to pick during the night. We woke up a little before 7:00, it was windy and cold. It was slow walking at first but we made it to the Fontana Shelter by 3:00. They call it the Fontana Hilton for some reason. Lumberjack and I decided to stay in the shelter to practice up for the Smokies. I took a lot of pictures this morning hiking down, mostly flowers for my grand daughter Hylah. We also saw nice views of Fontana Lake as we hiked down. After setting up in the shelter Lumberjack worked on my broken hiking pole while I got a ride into Fontana Village. I stopped at the Pit Stop and had two BBQ sandwiches and some chips and a chocolate milk. I picked up some first aid supplies for my leg and then walked to the General Store. They had plenty of food to resupply but I had 6 days worth of food to pick up at the Lodge to get me through the Smokies. I picked up my food drop at the counter, they don't even charge you for it. They had some huge stuffed wild boar heads above the counter, I'm kind of glad I didn't meet up with them on the trail. I got a ride back to the shelter and then walked to the Dam Visitor Center to take a shower. They gave me a 10 day print out of the weather, things looking pretty good. Lots of people walking around banged up, misery loves company they say. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Lots of snoring in shelter last night, pretty much non-stop. The person doing most of the snoring will never catch us, her trail name is One Mile, she averages one mile an hour. It was hard packing up in the shelter because it was darker in there. We left the shelter at 8:15 and finally corrected the date on my camera. I then realized that I hadn't charged up my camera last night. I was planning on hiking through the Smokies but now I will probably go into Gatlinburg in two days and charge everything up and try and get my hiking pole replaced at the NOC outfitter. Hopefully I can be back on the trail Monday morning and stay on schedule. Hiked with Lumberjack, Kevin, and Dustin(Florida) most of the day. They caught us when we stopped to fix breakfast. It was cold all day but warm enough for hiking. We had over 3000 feet of elevation gain today. Lots of up and downs in between. We went up Shuckstack Fire Tower, over 6 stories high. It was our best view of the day. Talked to Ridge Runner at Mollies Ridge Shelter and he suggested that we skip the next shelter and stop at the next one if we wanted to get to Gatlinburg by Sunday. Spence Field Shelter was full when we got there so we were allowed to tent camp close by. You have to stay in the shelters in the Smokies if they aren't full. When I took off my boots in camp their was steam coming out of them, I think it is going to get cold tonight. The highlight of our day was when we stopped to take pictures by a weird shaped tree. There was some snow still on the ground behind the tree so we made snow cones and put Mio on them. Our own form of Trail Magic! They were really good! Mailman
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Today was wet, windy, cold and miserable. It started raining before daylight, let up briefly during breakfast then rained pretty much the rest of the day. It never rained hard but the blowing wind made it really cold hiking. We hiked up Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountain 5500 feet. We stopped at Derrick knob shelter and visited with some of the other hikers . They had a bear in camp last night that took someone's water bag into the woods and chewed it up pretty good. It looked like someone had run it through a meat tenderizer. We stopped at Siler's Bald Shelter where I experienced some Trail Magic. A section hiker was getting rid of extra food and gear that he didn't want to carry. I got some new Mountain Hard Wear Gaters, a bug net, and a micro multi tool. I did get in trouble though for trying to step on a mouse in the shelter. They don't realize that one mouse can be 100 mice later and they can put holes in expensive hiking gear. The also spread a respiratory virus and attract snakes to the shelters. I realize that not everyone will agree with me but that is the way I feel about it. I have been cooking meals for lunch and double meals for dinner to reduce pack weight and try and get more energy for hiking. Maybe tomorrow will give us better weather as we go above 6000 feet for the first time. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

We got up shortly after 6:00, it looked like we were going to get great weather today. We had 3 miles to go to get to Clingman's Dome but we had to go up to Mt. Buckley first, 6527 feet. The views were awesome! The highest point on the AT is Clingman's Dome but 8 out of 10 times people don't get to enjoy the views because of the low lying clouds. It was perfect when we got up there and we could see for miles. I took lots of pictures today. We walked through a spruce forest most of the day that would remind most people of the Pacific Northwest. There were lots of people out today, perfect weather on Easter Sunday. We hung out at the visitors center with other hikers and enjoyed the warm sunshine. When we came out of the woods at the end of our hike at Newfound Gap a couple had lots of Trail Magic set up in the parking lot. They were from Knoxville and set up Trail Magic twice a week this time of year. He works at the Post Office and she hopes to do a thru hike next year. Thank You Trail Angels! We hitch hiked into Gatlinburg and stopped at the NOC outfitters to try and replace my hiking pole. They were able to fix it at no charge, maybe I can get Black Diamond to replace it later. We got a motel room down the street and went and enjoyed some great BBQ at Bennett's. I walked to the drug store for some supplies and then back to the hotel for a shower and some laundry. The rest of the evening will be phone calls to family and then work on Trail Journals. Finally went over 200 trail miles today. I am only averaging about 10 a day so far but will pick it up in Virginia. Staying with Kevin and Dustin tonight, Lumberjack will be spending a few days with his girl friend in Pigeon Forge. Hope he catches up with me later. Linda, I personally saved your little boy from a bear attack, I will try and get the pictures posted on my journal. Met some other thru hikers in town, the limp or hiker shuffle is usually a dead give-away. The views might be free but the body gets the bill for it. I thought of a quote while on Clingman"s Dome today, " It's hard to feel the weight of the world when you are standing on top of it" I forget the authors name. I got a chuckle out of people's reaction on top of the dome when I told them I hiked 200 miles to see this view, nobody told me you could drive to it. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Newfound Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

I slept in a little later this morning at the hotel, the shuttle doesn't leave the NOC until 10:00. I took care of my cuts on my right leg do to a fall on some rocks, there is still some redness so I used some antibiotic ointment on them. I started packing up my things and I couldn't find my stuff sack with my cooking items. After going through my backpack a few times and looking around the motel room I decided that I must have left it at the last shelter we stayed at on the trail. I do remember that it had rained that day and it was really cold while we fixed our dinner. I was getting ready to hang my bear bag on the cables and I couldn't find the sack with my garbage wrappers. I checked all over my tent a couple of times before I decided that I must have left it somewhere. You don't want anything in your tent that smells like food because bears have an excellent sense of smell. This includes toothpaste and other toilet items. I guess stressing out over the garbage bag made me forget to put my stove into the bear bag for the night. Anyway, this quickly made my morning start out on a sour note. Now I will have to get a new one at the NOC before we leave town this morning. I guess it's better that I found this out before I got ready to cook dinner this evening. Since I would have to wait for the store to open at 10:00 we wouldn't be able to catch the shuttle this morning. I called Lumberjack and asked him if Heather could give us a ride back to the trail. We went to breakfast, I had some amazing sticky bun pancakes, coffee, and fried potatoes. The day is looking better already. Walked to the Outfitters and spent $120 on a new stove, fuel, and a nice long-handled spoon. That will make it easier for me to eat my meals right out of the bag. Lumberjack and Heather took us back to Newfound Gap and we were back hiking by 12:00. When we stopped at the next shelter to look around I found out that Sparklefeet and Henn found my Jetboil and will be dropping it off at the outfitters in Hot Springs. They probably think that I am in front of them instead of behind them. We had a great afternoon for hiking, nice views of surrounding mountains and we climbed up on Charlie's Bunion, a must stop for thru hikers. Hiked today with Kevin and Dustin, also Freckles, Dragonfly, and Spirit. We slept in the shelter because we got there early and it is going to rain tomorrow. We were also still in the Smokies so you have to fill up the shelters before you can sleep in a tent.I talked to Animal in the shelter, he thru hiked a couple of years ago but is having some problems hiking this year. He is famous for hiking with a 5 gallon bucket carrying his food. He is going to get off the trail at Davenport Gap. He told me about how much fun it is to attend Trail Days in Damascus,Virginia. Lots of hikers, free stuff, and even free gear on Sunday, its next month in May if I get that far. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: moderate rain

Left camp about 8:15, not raining yet but it is coming our way. We stopped at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter because of the rain and took a little break. Spirit, Freckles, and Dragonfly were there also. Somehow, we pass Spirit everyday on the trail but at night he hikes later and get's ahead of us again. We finally pushed on to Cosby Knob Shelter because the rain had stopped for awhile and I was getting restless. It was raining again before we got there so we decided to spend the night in the shelter. I took very few pictures today, you couldn't see anything with the rain and fog that the Smokies are famous for. I talked with some hikers at the shelter from Martinsville, Indiana. A father, son, and daughter were hiking thru the Smokies southbound. The rain stopped and I made some phone calls, the reception was great up here. I will be staying at my first Hostel tomorrow, Standing Bear Farm, just outside of the Smokies. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

I forgot to mention yesterday that this hostel also had chickens running around everywhere. It is surprising that they are able to survive out here. Not because of predators but because of hikers. The roosters started crowing about 4:45 this morning and several hikers promised that they would get even somehow. I still slept surprisingly well and woke up about 7:00. I have had my fill of oatmeal so I had a sausage, egg, and cheese croissant and what else, an oatmeal pie before I realized that I was still eating oatmeal. I weighed my backpack before heading out about 8:00. It weighed 35 pounds with 3 days food and one bottle of water. There will be plenty of places to get water on the trail. I have also lost 19 pounds since I started hiking so that should help. Five of us guys had a weigh-in last night and we all had lost between 15 -20 pounds. So much for trail food! We started out at 1800 feet and had to hike up Snowbird Mtn. (4300 ft.) When we got almost to the top there was a Trail Maintainer up there that was also a Trail Angel. Sodas, Gatorade, and doughnuts were provided to us. He was from Ohio and was on his 14th straight day up here. He also told us that 60 people passed through here yesterday, a pretty big hiker bubble. I hiked with Rambler(Atlanta), Wild Turkey and her dog Cormack, Kevin (now Shamrock), and Dustin. We had another nice climb to Max Patch, a huge bald with 360 degree views, where we took a long break and enjoyed the scenery. We then hiked up Walnut Mtn.(4300 feet) and set up our tents at Walnut Mtn. Shelter. We took a picture of the 6 of us, counting Cormack with a sign that said 20 miles, our first of the trail. Too bad we found out the next day that someone hiked all the way from Standing Bear to Hot Springs(33 miles) to make us look like sissies. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Hot Springs N.C.

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early after a restless night, too many people walking around all night plus trains. A heavy dew this morning so I left everything up to dry out a little and went to breakfast. The Smoky Mountain Diner had a great omelette with fried potatoes and a huge cinnamon roll. Talked to a few older hikers, the younger crowd wasn't up yet. One older gentleman sitting at the table next to me through hiked a few years ago and was telling me about his hike. I ended up meeting him later on the trail, he was doing a day hike southbound. I headed back to break camp and say good-bye to Shamrock, Dustin, and Rambler, they wanted to spend a zero day in Hot Springs. I took all of my things up to the Post Office, I had an extra stove and some other items I wanted to mail home. Sparklefeet had carried that stove 78 miles trying to find its owner, but now I had two stoves and one of them had to go home. I gave him some money and a summer sausage to thank him for his trouble. I ended up leaving town before 10:00, maybe it would be more enjoyable some other time, right now I just wanted to hike and enjoy the weather. I stopped for pictures as I crossed the French Broad River, it was pretty wide and moving pretty good. I took it slow, my body really wanted to take a day off in town, but I wanted to head north. It was a nice hike, I talked to a lot of day hikers most of them going south. One place on the trail I came upon a nice sized pond that had tadpoles and fish swimming around, a nice change of pace. I had a good climb up Rich Mountain, only 3600 feet that also had a fire tower with nice views. I left my backpack down the trail before hiking up to the tower to give my back a rest. Hiking back down my right leg started hurting for the first time the entire month. I stopped at a stream and soaked my feet and legs thinking that would reduce the swelling some and make things feel better. My leg continued to hurt the rest of the day. I hiked through a section that had just finished a controlled burn. All of the undergrowth was gone and the leaves on all of the Rhododendrons were dark brown. I think I saw a sign that said they were trying to control some invasive species. Two young couples with kids were out on the road in their SUV's taking a break. They were very interested in my quest and asked a lot of questions. Hiked up, or should I say limped up Spring Mtn. and decided to end my day at the shelter. I set up my tent and took my first Ibuprofen, or Vitamin I that I've taken on the whole trip. Nobody slept in the shelter,it was small and dirty. As more hikers trickled in they set up their tents on the hill. Looked at my maps pretty well tonight trying to plan out the next few days going to Erwin Tn. Hopefully, my leg will be more cooperative tomorrow. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Hemlock Hollow Inn

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have been hiking for thirty days now and if you count the Approach Trail I have hiked about 299 miles. I don't know if a 10 mile per day average is anything to brag about. I do know that they say you should start slow and build up your miles gradually. If I can pick up the pace and make it all the way to Maine that is still my ultimate goal. Even if I don't I have still seen some incredible views and met some great people. You can't describe Trail Magic until you have experienced it for the first time. It's like somehow they know when you need it most, it is so random and unexpected. I slept in a little later this morning, it's not like I am going anywhere. I ate a big breakfast and decided to do my laundry since it is not raining yet. A tub and washboard down by the stream got the job done. I have also been soaking my legs a lot in the cold water and taking my Vitamin I, my leg feels like it is getting better. Monday night and Tuesday are supposed to be the worst weather, have been seeing lots of tornadoes west of here on TV. Hopefully, by Wednesday I can get back to hiking, sitting around is killing me. I talked to the people at Uncle Johnny's Hostel in Erwin to see if the would bounce my packages to this hostel. He said that the P.O. would only bounce to Post Office to Post Office but being a former mailman I know better. First class can be forwarded if it has not been opened. I will get to Erwin eventually and switch over to my other hiking shoes, get my antibiotics, small food drop, contacts, and other resupply items. These zero days are killing my average daily miles but I can't hike till I stop limping. Supper tonight is Philly Cheese Steak and fries so I guess it's not all bad down here. I'm still waiting on that free cheeseburger in the form of Trail Magic if anyone is listening. My body is so chewed up from bug bites, I don't know where I got them or if they will ever go away. I was texting with my daughter Meghan beside the road this evening and when I looked down my left foot was covered with small ants. When will the madness end? I did meet a couple of cool guys section hiking that are waiting out the bad weather. Gambler is from up by Chicago and R-2 is from Florida. They had a lot of interesting stories from their hikes and we are on the trail for a lot of the same reasons. A lot of the younger hikers seem to be more interested in evening social activities than daytime hiking. I am OK with that but my body needs to rest in the evening, could old age be finally setting in? I really do appreciate the positive comments on my guest book and I hope that I can keep hiking so that I can keep doing journals. Mailman
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

The morning began with a thud . One of the hikers fell out of his bed in the bunkhouse and woke everyone up. At least it wasn't someone on the top bunk. The bunkhouse was filled to the brim last night, 8 bunks, 2 fold-out cots, and 2 dogs. Everyone is coming off the trail to get out of the nasty weather. It rained during the night but the storms have missed us so far. They are calling for more rain today with the worst coming late this evening. I had another big breakfast this morning-sausage, eggs, potatoes,biscuits and gravy, and coffee. I stay off the trail much longer and I will regain the 19 pounds that I have lost. I ate breakfast with the two guys I visited with last night. I have been researching my AT guide book trying to see how I can get to Damascus by Trail Days. I will have to cover about 175 miles in 16 days. It's pretty hard to plan anything until I see how my leg handles the trail tomorrow. It is the biggest annual celebration for hikers and everyone says that you don't want to miss it. I had a hiker meal of Spam, peanut butter, and tortillas for lunch. Tonight I will enjoy another Philly cheese steak and fries. It will be cheaper for me to buy this place than to pay the tab that I have ran up since Sunday. It will probably be awhile before I post another journal because I need to stay out on the trail. I will probably have breakfast again here before I head out in the morning, unless it is pouring outside- then I will probably have lunch here before heading out, unless it is pouring outside- then I will probably have dinner here before I head out. Decisions, decisions. Mailman
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Doctors Office

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up about 7:00 o'clock. My grand daughters don't seem to sleep that well when we are in a new place, but they did pretty good. I had leg cramps in my bad leg for the 3rd straight night but at least I didn't have the night sweats that have visited me for the last few nights. I don't understand the leg cramps because I didn't have them one single time when I was hiking even though there were some long days on the trail. We ate breakfast at the hotel and I visited with some hikers that I have met on the AT. We wanted to get to the Urgent Care Clinic as soon as they opened and find out if I am taking some time off. The Doctor confirmed my fears that their was an infection causing the swelling and said that I needed 1-2 weeks off depending on how well the antibiotic works. He gave me one shot in the rear and warned me that it would burn when they gave it, later today, and also tonight. I told him that would probably not be a good thing since I will be sitting in a car all day. I didn't get much sympathy and the burning sensation was felt most of the day. We went to Uncle Johnny's Hostel to pick up my packages and then we headed back home. It was a long drive and I got to see some parts of the country that I have never seen before. We got to my daughters house a little after 8:00 and our son-in-law Kurt had fixed dinner for us. We decided to spend the night and head home in the morning. Mailman