morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Haven's Budget Inn

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Well, today was long and hot. Zack and I got our stuff done this morning and caught the 11:00 shuttle out of town. May I just say one more time how awesome Ron Haven is. Thanks to him for the help and advice. We started out on the trail at 11:30 and it was 80*.Donny is off the trail, he was only ever hoping to make it to Gatlinburg, TN or Damascus, VA at the very farthest he got off in Franklin because of his ankle and a free ride to Asheville. See ya in PA Donny, thanks for the laughs. We did meet Anne Marie today and hiked with her since we all got shuttled together. She's from Charlotte and her and Zack have a lot to talk about. Including their desire to do 20 mile days. Anne started on Saturday, she's made up 3 days on us by hiking big miles. She also has about 15lbs less in her pack than I do.So we hiked, and summitted our first balds today, including the gorgeous Wayah Bald with panoramic views for 50 miles in every direction. It also gave us our first view of the Smokies off in the distance. It was 78-84 degrees all day, which is a little too hot for me, but with 5 or 6 nice days ahead I can't complain.My 'kick' today was keeping up with the other two. I wanted to only do 11 miles today, and I let the others convince me to do more. i am very tired, I kicked over my water and stove while trying to make dinner in haste, and barely set up camp before dark set in. I need to hike my own hike, but that might require letting my one friend out here go on without me.Today's kiss? The gorgeous view on top of Wayah Bald.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Another hot day in the 80s today, Anne, Zack and I were packed up and ready to go at 8 this morning. With one big climb between us and the 3000' descent to the NOC we were ready for an easy 11.5 mile day. We didn't get what we were hoping for. Not only was the climb up Wesser Bald very tough, it was followed by a series of short, steep climbs. The observation tower on the top of Wesser was very cool though and made for a great 360* view. It afforded us our first good look at the Smokies, yikes!All morning we were dreaming of the food we could get at the NOC and I really wanted a cheeseburger. Anne's mom, aunt and uncle met her here today to give her some stuff and to see her. We were introduced, and then they bought us lunch! I got a cheeseburger and fries and a bottomless Coke for free! They said it was for keeping an eye on Anne, little did they know we're just trying to keep up!The NOC is an outdoor enthusiast's playground. Whitewater kayaking and rafting, hiking and gear abound. It was so strange to walk out of the peaceful woods and hear loud motorcycle pipes, country music, and to see so many people. A true sensory overload. Zack has a trailname now, it's Rocket. He got his name because of his speed uphill and his uncanny ability to shoot snot rockets all day long. Gross? Yes. The truth? Definitely.You know I was thinking today, trying to figure out what my next move would be and where I might feel as though I had "done" something. Crossing my first state line? Nah. Going through the Smokies? Maybe. How about getting to Damascus? Or Katahdin? Then I realized that none of these places is a finish line, I will never be done when I get here or there; it took a big weight off of my shoulders knowing that in this hike, as in life, it's not about the destination but truly about the journey. Here's to hiking, and living life, without finish lines **cheers**.Kick: the descent to the NOC only means one thing: a giant ascent out of the NOC tomorrow.Kiss: Arriving at the NOC at 1:00 made today feel like a half day. Ooh, and cheesburgers, pizza, and cold beer!Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Black Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Another hot day in the midst of this heat wave we're having. Third day in row where it's risen to 80*+ by 10am. I'll take the heat over storms and rain any day, but this is a lot at once. The Dr. Will tells you to drink 8 glasses of water a day, about 2 quarts. Today I drank almost 7 quarts of water.Today's climb was brutal. The highlights:-A 6 mile, 3000' foot climb out of the NOC, up to Swim Bald, which I thought I summited like 4 times. It just kept getting higher.-After lunch another 800' up Cheoah Bald, which isn't even really bald, high point of the day.-After another 5 miles of ups and downs, a horribly steep 2.5 mile climb out of Stecoah Gap right as I ran out of water.Ouch. Today was 16 miles and at least 5-6000 feet of vertical gain. In the heat, I was moving slow. I hiked from 8 to 6. Zack and Anne Marie took off fast early on, and I didn't see them again until I got here. Right as I got here they were leaving to do another 3 miles. I probably won't see Anne Marie again, but I might see Zack at the dam tomorrow.I am 40 miles from Clingman's Dome, the highest point of the AT. It is in the middle of Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This area is particularly remote and I have been juggling resupply options the past few days. When Donny left the trail in Franklin he gave me two dinners, so all I really needed from the NOC was snacks. I now have enough to get to Gatlinburg where I will need to resupply. I have been told it's like a cheesy, country fried Disney Land. I don't want to stay there if possible. I can get enough to make it the rest of the way to Standing Bear Farm, just outside the park. A lot of people send a food drop at Fontana Dam but a lot are doing what I did to avoid the hassle too. I will be in the park until Sunday at least, it has the most diverse forest in America. Awesome. The dam is the largest east of the Mississippi I think. According to shelter registers I think Bill is 4-5 days ahead of me he's in the Smokies now. Oh, and by the time I make it through I'll have less than 2000 more miles to go. Whoa.kick: the straight up climb at the end of the day with no water.Kiss: the tremendous feeling of accomplishment from completing a day like today.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Black Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Another great day on the AT. I woke up this morning in serious pain from not stretching well enough, I could barely move my right leg because my hip was so tight. But, a few minutes of stretches and a half mile of walking did the trick. There weren't many big hills today but lots of little steep ones. About 5 miles in I met Ox, a trail maintainer who hiked the trail about 10 years ago and he gave me a handful of chocolate chip cookies. Another mile in, I stopped for lunch at Cable Gap Shelter and met Free, Mosley, and Charlie. About 2 miles from the dam I met Traveler, an older thru hiker going faster than me!I got off the trail just in time for the shuttle to come by to take me to Fontana Village. I hummed and hawed about whether to go or not, and then some woman said something about ice cream. I hopped on immediately. It was a great decision, I hung out at the little general store for about 2 hours. Then, with just 1 mile left, I hiked on to the famous Fontana Hilton, a shelter that holds 24 people, water straight from the tap, flush toilets, and a free shower. Wow, I almost don't want leave. The beautiful Fontana Lake side view is just icing.I have caught up to a group of hikers, there are like 10 people here that all seem to know each other well, and they're good company. Rocket has gone on with Anne Marie, good luck to them and their big days ahead, they were planning either an 18 or 22 miler today.Tomorrow is my first day in the Smokies, it should be exciting and a real tough climb to get up there. I got my back country permit and have the next few days planned out, as required by the park. It's $125 fine for not having a permit. It's funny, after awhile out here the only two things you think about are food and your feet. My belly is full and I am fortunate to have no blisters, so life is good. Hope it is the same for you all.Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Fontana Hilton

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

Well it's my first day in the Smokies and all is well. The first thing I did this morning was throw up. I think my morning cocktail of tylenol and ibuprofen was too much for my empty stomach. Then I started hiking and ate some cherrio chex mix combination and life was good. Today was a lot of climbing, starting at 1700' and ending at camp here at 4900'. There are two shelters that I passed, one was only 10 muiles in, the other was nasty and when I read the shelter register there was bear activity every day for the past week. No thanks, I said, and pushed on the extra 3.1 miles. The climb was either easier than I feared or I'm getting better at the uphills. Probably a mix. The Smokies are cool and a large part of the trail today was open to horseback riding. I saw a group of 5 on horses coming down the trail, it was neat, but it startled me right as I came around this switchback. Ketchup, a girl hiking in front of me today saw a black bear and two cubs from about 100 yards away and showed me the movie she made with her camera. She got her name because her pack weighed 57lbs at the start, no. 57 just like Heinz. People are talking about lots of 4' black snakes out here tanning themselves on the trail. I thought I saw a bear, but it was just a giant swarm of blackflies (haha). The bugs are in full force tonight. Lots of birds today, including Blue Jays and Cardinals and I can hear the grousse all day. The plan is either 13 or 20 miles tomorrow, we'll see what my legs allow. I'm trying to make the best of the nice weather before the rain comes in. We'll see! Thanks again for all the guestbook messages, they mean a lot. Oh, and the songs of the day from the Ipod were "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zepplin and "Ready or Not" by the Fugees. Both came on early this morning as I started the climb. Oh, and I came across the funniest names on the trail today. I met a guy who's trailname is "2 dogs ****ing" and I climbed a mountain called "Devil's Tater Patch". Awesome, I love being in the south. Kick: The all day climb out of Fontana Dam. Kiss: A break in the heat wave! Today was cool and breezy at 70*. Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-02
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

Well, today was my longest day yet. 18.1 miles coming down out of the Smokies. 70 miles of Smokies in 5 days, whew! Tomorrow will be a half day to recover; I am planning on a 8 mile day to the next shelter from here. Standing Bear Farm is a nice little place, a bunkhouse, laundry (key to drying out), and a light food resupply. 501 and Ox are here, and a guy named Mala who has over 12,000 hiking miles under his belt. Real trail experts that are great to talk to about the trail ahead. Today my luck ran out with the rain. It rained all day. I started out at about 7:15 this morning at around 5500'. With a few ups and downs I was soon on a 6000' ridgeline, and you could see a beautiful view in each direction. I looked west and you could see this wall of rain coming towards the mountains. That put some pep in my step, the race was on. I wanted to see how far I could get before it caught up with me. I made it about 5 miles before it started raining hard. No Thai and I had lunch together at Cosby Knob Shelter after the first 7.5 miles. Another 7.5 and I made it to Davenport Gap Shelter where my feet and legs are killing me after the 4000' descent. Another 3 miles and I finally made it here. Right before making it here I crossed under I-40, the road that Ben and I used to drive across the country 4 years ago. Weird, I've kinda been here before. No reception still, so I'm hoping to update soon. The half day tomorrow, plus 2 more to Hot Springs will put me into my first real town since Franklin. A well deserved zero awaits! It's my birthday on the 8th, and as an early present I plan on taking it reeeaall easy. I might even pay to enjoy the famous hot springs the town is named after! We'll see, I'm exhausted and it's time for bed. Kick: My legs are killing me from the brutal downhill. Kiss: Knowing the Smokies are DONE! Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, I just couldn't get away from Standing Bear Farm. Today was an unexpected zero day, but it felt so good. I woke up this morning and I knew there were only two ways to get through the 33 miles to Hot Springs. It could be 3 days, 7/13/13, or it could be a 0/15/18. My legs and feet just weren't up for big miles today and the "strong rain storms" were threatening to dump as much as 2" of rain tonight. What was the point of doing a rainy half day when I could just make up the miles tomorrow? I decided to zero today and hike the less rainy two days coming up. An added benefit is that it will keep me with this group of hikers I've met and grown to love, the Clusterfunk Crew. Voodoo, Chef, Bluto, No Thai, Nano, Ginger, KnowSense, RLB, and others. A real nice crew. I plan on hiking ahead of them tomorrow and meeting them in Hot Springs when I take yet another zero! Yes, two zeros in a week! It's my birthday on Friday and I just don't care! Today we spent time together playing card games, getting to know each other, and "rehydrating". It was a lot of fun, and a nice relief from my recent mileage obsession. After Hot Springs I plan on putting on the miles again, and besides, coming into today I was already 3 days ahead of my "planned" itinerary. Bill is 2 days ahead of me now, and I expect to catch him sometime before Damascus. Taking today nice and easy with new friends has been great. I am looking forward to getting back on the trail tomorrow and soon reaching Hot Springs. And having some sort of reception again would be nice. Talk to you all later, hope all is well. Kick: No miles today, a rainy forecast all week. Kiss: Making new friends and enjoying a great zero day with them. Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I managed to escape the grasp of Standing Bear Farm and their great hospitality. I squared up with the owner and took off around 9 o'clock this morning. As usual, the first day out of a "town" stop is always straight up in the morning because you start out in some gap. The hike was up Snowbird Mtn, 3000' of gain in like 4 or 5 miles. At this point though, what's the difference? It was uphill all morning, at least it wasn't raining. I made it to the first shelter for lunch, and just missed a line of rain by like 5 mins. My luck seems to be returning. I ended up being there for about an hour and a half, and RLB, Bon Bon, and Wren caught up with me. I had one of my new favorite meals for lunch today. You start with a Lipton side, like Cheddar Broccoli Rice, and cook for 7 or 8 mins. Then, instead of dumping out the last of the water, add water and throw in a pack of instant mashed potatoes to soak it all up. Then put in some tuna from one of those foil packs to top it all off. It's 1200 calories, 200g of carbs, and 40g of protien, and it actually fills me up. And it's so good. The lunch helped me make the 8.2 miles to the next shelter. It was a roller coaster ride up and down a bunch of little hills and then I hit Max Patch. A huge completely grass covered mountain, my biggest and baldest "bald" yet. The rain and clouds were threatening, but I made it to the top just in time to get a pretty killer 270* view. Even the part where I couldn't see anything was neat, you could see this massive fog bank moving in and sort of engulfing everything in its path. I can only imagine this is what the Scottish highlands or Ireland must look like. It was pretty and a total change from the Smokies. Another 2 miles brought me here, to Roaring Fork, where RLB, Bon Bon, and I are on high bear alert tonight. We've been surrounded by signage saying that a bear has been roaming this area and taking people's food. We've taken all precautions possible and are going to try to sleep well. I was thinking today about the hike and its effect on my body. I've never been in a training or exercise regiment so long before. I played sports in high school, but nothing in college and certainly nothing that can compare to this. I can feel the transformation happening. Each day my pack feels a little lighter, my legs a little stronger. I can't believe the levels of stamina and strength I am beginning to feel. I can push through pain easier, and my legs recover their strength in seconds, not minutes. I am beginning to get real hikers legs, despite the everyday pains. Literally! Every day is a new pain, my calf, my thigh, my shin, my ankle. Everyday a new pain comes and goes and I just treat it and deal with it, it's almost exciting, I wonder what tomorrow will bring?? Kick: Another day in and out of the rain, the section before Max Patch was much more strenuous than I was expecting. Kiss: Parted clouds atop Max Patch, a goodbye-to-the-Smokies view from on top of Snowbird, and knowing a "real town" awaits tomorrow, a mere 18 miles away. Happy Trails,Transition
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Sunny Bank Inn - Hot Springs

To: Sunny Bank Inn - Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Boy, I could get used to this. Elmer's place is legendary on the trailfor a reason. Last night was the best night's rest I've gotten yet,this morning was a great breakfast, and tonight's dinner was...well, ifI try to put it into words somehow I just won't be able to come evenclose. Truly delicious, thanks Justin for pointing me in the rightdirection.Another rainy day began with a pancake breakfast with melons and freshberries and coffee, all organic and vegetarian. I ran some errands,going to the library, post office, and outfitter today. I got myletters from home, posted some recent blog entries and pictures, and gotsome new gear. Bluff Mtn Outfitters is a great store, the past few dayshave taught me something about hiking in the rain: hiking in rain gearsucks. So I bought a pair of swim trunks, lightweight and comfy to hikein for the next couple days. I also got a new rain jacket, my old onewas 23oz. bone dry and soaked water up like a sponge, staying wet fordays; plus, it didn't breathe at all and I felt suffocated while hikingwith it on. So, I got a new nylon, stuffable, breathable jacket thatweighs 10 oz. for $50. We have had what, 6 days in a row of rain? There's another 5in a row coming up. Long story short, it's going to be awhile beforeI'm dry again.Elmer's dinner was amazing, I can't say enough about it. Homemade,organic vegetarian 4 course meal in a close-knit beautiful setting in aVictorian dining room with Elmer at the table with you alongside a bunchof other travelers and hikers talking about life and the trail. Thepecan pie was amazing for dessert, he shucked the pecans this morning.Beautiful.My entire concept of space and time has been warped forever. Sometimesa mile can be forever, sometimes it's just a step; sometimes an hourflies by and sometimes a day like today, a zero day in a quiet town likeHot Springs, can just drag along. Good news, folks, I only have 1900more miles to go!I am here with some friends like Voodoo and No Thai, but I've also met alot of new people like Seaweed and Fisherman, Maui Bob, and sometravelers just passing through. Back to the trail, and back in therain tomorrow, but lets not think about that; it's dry and warm in mybed tonight.Kick: The library wasn't open long enough to be able to updateeverything, finding out there's going to be 5 days more of rain sucks.Kiss: The food at Elmer's, the hospitality of Hot Springs, meeting someinteresting people, and having a day of rest before my birthday.Happy Trails,Matt
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Sunny Bank Inn - Hot Springs

To: Hemlock Hollow Farm
Miles today: 16.3

I know, I know, I'm at a hostel for the third night in a row. Mychoices today were pretty limited. I felt like Goldilocks, the firstshelter wasn't far enough, the second shelter was too far, but thishostel was juuusst right. I woke up at the Inn again and had a greatbreakfast. It gave me a bit of a late start, but it put a lasting pepin my step. I didn't get on the trail until about 10:30 and it wasstraight up out of Hot Springs.I got to hike up a short side trail to a fire tower this morning thatalso had a cell tower at the top. There I am, on top of a fire tower ontop of the mountain, staring at a cell phone tower and I still didn'thave service to send my messages. Thanks a lot, T-Mobile. The firstshelter was 11 miles in and was dirty as anything I've ever seen. Theshelters have gone straight down hill since the Smokies. It was only3:00 and I wanted to push o, but the next one was 8.6 away and I didn'tfeel like doing a near 20 miler first day out of town with a full pack.But, there was a hostel only 5.3 away and that's when I decided to buymyself a birthday present. Only $20 for a bed, shower, and food? Not abad investment.The saving grace of today? No rain! It was sunny and 70 all day, what arelief! It might be coming soon, but who cares? Today was great. Therewas some disappointment today though, too. I found out Bluto andKnowSense are off the trail, and No Thai is leaving, too. He's gettingon a Greyhound tomorrow to Michigan to see his girlfriend and see therest of America during his short time in the States. Also, Voodoo istaking a shuttle and skipping the 70 miles from Hot Springs to Erwin.The Clusterfunk Crew is breaking up. I keep meeting more new peoplethough, today I caught up to S'n'P, Recom, and Moonlight, who all haveTrail Journals, too. I also saw Ketchup, 501, Panama Bill, Just Larry,and I met Grizzilla.All and all a decent day, and I'm planning for 16 tomorrow. I heardthis section is rocky, has exposed ridgelines, and is very tough. We'llsee. Oh, and I bought tall gators today at the farm; my socks havebeen getting covered in debris the past few days and I'm hoping thiswill help in the mud, too. If they don't work out I'll just send 'emhome, they'll be good for winter hiking when I get home.Oh and a shout out to TrekknGirl, a woman I followed on TJ for awhilebefore I left, she's off the trail because of foot pain, she was herelast night, I missed meeting her by a day.Kick: People are dropping off the trail like flies. It's a part oftrail I don't like to see.Kiss: Beautiful weather, the first in a week! Happy Trails,Transition