morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: few clouds

This morning I packed up early to meet my ride into Helen. On my way down the mountain I slipped on a rock enough to make some noise. I could hear something perhaps 50 yards down the hill running through the bushes. A bear cub emerged from the brush and started climbing a tree. I stood in excited wonder as I saw a second cub running off in the woods opposite they way I was heading. I didn't want to hang around and meet mama bear so I kept moving. It was my first encounter with black bears!When I got down to where I was to meet my ride to Helen, my knee was feeling pretty good. I asked some campers to let the folks who had offered the ride know I decided to press on. I did another light day and made it to Tray Mountain shelter. Tomorrow I will walk 11 miles down to the road that goes to Hiawassee. There are some new folks at the shelter tonight, real characters. I also had a nice talk with my new friend "FrIar" about our faith. Knee injuries seem to be very common since blood mountain, I've seen lots of knee braces on. One guy came to the shelter last night with his knee wrapped in duct tape and was headed to the hospital. Another guy who was walking stiff legged last night I guess had real trouble getting up this morning. Surprisingly enough it's a lot harder getting down the mountains then it is hiking up them. I will get a brace in Hiawassee tomorrow, I promise.
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Tray Mountain shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I got up really early this morning and started hiking. I wanted to make the 11 mile trek to Dick's creek gap before noon. I ran out of fuel so I didn't bother to make breakfast. It was still dark when I started walking, and cold too.  It was hard to know how many layers to wear because the trail would go from one side of the mountain to the other. On one side the fridgid wind was blowing and the sun was coming up with no wind on the other. I made good time and arrived around 11:30am.When I got down to Dick's Creek Gap I called Gary from the "Blueberry Patch Hostel". He came out and picked me up in less then 10 minutes. The blueberry patch is a Christian run hostel on a small farm with goats, two donkeys, and of course blueberry bushes. It's beautiful country out here, green grass with mountains in the background. I got a nice hot shower and met up with Eznomad and Guttersnipe. (Eznomad took a day off to do some business and I was able to catch up). After my shower Gary took the three of us into Hiawassee. Our first stop was Daniel's steakhouse for the all you can eat buffet. All I had eaten on the trail this morning was some cranberries and peanut butter packets. The buffet was glorious, I was so hungry I almost hurt myself there. Afterward I stopped at the post office and received the package that Pat sent. I have trekking poles now! That's going to really help on the trail. I also picked up a knee brace and some groceries for the hike to Franklin. Hiawassee is a neat little Christian town. There is a nice sized lake in town and the mountainous landscape is beautiful. It feels very inviting here. After I got all my supplies I began walking down the sidewalk with the intention of going to the outskirts of town and hitching a ride back to the hostel. Unexpectedly a truck pulled up and asked if I needed a lift! I had only walked two blocks from the grocery store and I didn't even have my thumb out!It's good to be down here, tonight is the coldest night of the week and they say it's going to freeze. I'm glad to be in a warm bed. Tomorrow we get served pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup, mmmmmmhhhhh : )
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

This morning at breakfast Gary from the blueberry hostel said a nice prayer for us hikers, then we were served pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup, scrambled eggs, sausage, hash browns, biscuits with sausage gravy, orange juice, tea and coffee, it was great. After breakfast six of us strapped our packs to the roof of the jeep and Gary drove us back to Dick's Creek Gap. About an hour and a half into my hike this morning I was all by myself, the sun was shining, and it hit me how happy I am to be here. It was an incredible feeling. I was laughing and crying with happiness. About mid day I crossed the state line into North Carolina.
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

My knee was feeling pretty good today and the knee brace seems to really help. I had retired my walking stick at Dick's Creek Gap after using it for 35 miles, I now have almost that many miles on my trekking poles. There is no comparison. After a few miles getting comfortable with them, they are like a part of me. Now I can use all four limbs to get down the trail like an animal. The poles really help to pull yourself up the mountains and reduce the shock on the way down. I feel like a spider or one of those horse things with skinny legs from the movie "The Dark Crystal". I had my biggest day yet, I walked 19.3 miles and I don't really feel sore. I have now walked the first 100 miles of the A.T. While I was walking today I had some thoughts on pack weight. A low pack weight allows you to walk more miles, faster, and with less strain on your body. If you can comfortably walk more miles with a lighter pack you can get to the next town a day or two sooner which means you don't have to carry as much food, which means your pack is even lighter. It's a positive feedback loop. I've walked the last hundred miles without a tent or a tarp (thanks for your work on the spinnaker tarp Jim, it was expertly made but just a little too narrow). The weather has been good to me. I think having at least a tarp would be wise though and I plan to get one in Franklin tomorrow. I would also like to get a lighter sleeping bag. Right now I carry a 3 pound synthetic bag that is so warm I get sweaty and end up taking my clothes off to feel comfortable. If I can carry a thinner bag and wear all my clothes to sleep and stay warm, then I won't be carrying any extra insulation. The phrase less is more has taken on a whole new meaning. I was scrutinizing the large capacity and weight of the "New Trent 1000" battery pack I use to charge my phone out here. I was thinking perhaps I could make due with a smaller one, but I've been able to charge cell phones for 3 other people so far and last night it earned me a snickers bar so I guess it's worth the extra weight.
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

I just finished up my bathtub laundry. It's not really worth going to a  laundromat when you only have two pairs of socks, one pair of underpants, and a t-shirt. I made it into Franklin and I'm staying at the Sapphire inn. I split a room with with a fellow named "Red". The motel has wifi so I retroactively added photos to some of my previous post using high speed. You can view them by looking at the post or going directly to the photos page. If any photos have loaded upside down try clearing the cache and uploading the page again. The walk in was nice, the main highlight for me today was on the way down to the road into Franklin. I could hear the cars before I saw the road and I knew I was getting close. I also knew that I was going to miss the 11:00am shuttle (I was told it was the last one of the day). I started to pray that God would bring me a ride into Franklin and that I wouldn't have to wait long. I arrived at the parking lot where the trail meets the road about noon. I was excited to see a group of hikers who said they were waiting for a shuttle into Franklin. I don't know if the normal shuttle was late or they sent a second one but I only waited 5 minutes before it showed up. One of the hikers who witnessed the timing of me coming out of the woods and right onto the shuttle jokingly said "I hate you", they must have been waiting awhile. I know that was God's perfect timing and the answer to my prayer. The lord has been very good to me and I really appreciate all your prayers. It was nice to get a hot shower tonight and some tasty Mexican food from across the street. I also picked up a piece of tyvek to use as a tarp till I figure out exactly what I want.I hope y'all have a nice weekend.
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Licklog Gap
Miles today: 12.3

This morning I got up and made a quick 4.5 mile round trip walk to Lowes from the Sapphire Inn. I picked up some duct tape and a grommet kit to finish my tyvek tarp. After getting shuttled back to the trail I walked 12.3 miles passing the Wayah Bald shelter planning to make it too the next one. My legs told me otherwise and I began to look for a campsite. I met a fellow named "Sketch" who had a nice campfire at the "Licklog gap campsite". I set up my tyvek tarp and I think it's going to work. I will get a picture the next time I set it up. Tomorrow I will try to make it to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center).
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Licklog Gap

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 15.2

Under cloudy skies and the threat of rain I packed up my gear this morning (strapping my rain jacket on top of my pack for quick access). By lunch time I had eaten pretty much all my food. I like how light my pack is when I'm out of food and light on water. As I was walking I started daydreaming about bacon cheeseburgers, I hoped I'd be able to get one at the NOC. I hiked 15.2 miles under cloudy skies but no rain. I made it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center a little after 5:00pm. Right across the street as soon as you come off the trail there is a restaurant. Two hikers I had met previously on the trail "5:30" and "Lonestar" had a table outside and were waving to me. I sat down and ordered a bacon cheeseburger, tator tots, brownie with ice cream, and a lemonade / ice tea mix. Is this heaven?...not quite... I decided to spend the night in the bunk house so I could get out of the rain, check the outfitter in the morning, and restock at the grocery store. My gripe started in the bathroom, how hard is it to flush? Then in the shower some nasty hiker left his moleskin bandages on the soap ledge. I went to the bunk room and plopped my stuff down on a top bunk when I noticed some idiot stuck his foot bandages on the wall, there is a garbage can 6 feet away! Let me top it off by telling you that the bunk room smells awful. Hikers stink, outdoors you don't notice it so much. In a small confined space hikers and their stinky gear create a powerful odor. I was tempted to try and get my money back and sleep outside but by the time I got down to the office it was closed. My last two gripes are that they don't have a change machine in the laundry room so you have to ask around to get quarters and if you want laundry detergent you have to walk down the hill across the railroad tracks then across the river to the outfitters... But they are closed. I ended up using a handful of liquid hand soap from the dispenser and throwing it in with my wash. Now the flip side to this is I made it here and got my bacon cheeseburger. I got a hot shower. "Viking" the hiker in the bunk under me had some extra quarters to sell me and a machine did my laundry. I am also not outside in the rain. There is lots to be grateful for.
Date: 2012-04-17
From: N.O.C.

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

I thought maybe I was just being moody yesterday but my experience at the NOC this morning wasn't so good either. It's basically a spread out commercial hodgepodge of buildings designed to get your money. The service isn't very good there. In my opinion do your wallet and peace of mind a favor and keep walking when you get to the NOC. If  you can get a waitress to take your order you might stop for lunch, but stay on the trail. Don't get lured in by the pretty exterior of the buildings. I was so frustrated this morning that I got back on the trail for a 3,000 ft. climb on an empty stomach. Perhaps my emotions got the best of me but I didn't buy any trail food there either. It's only another 30 miles to Fontana. I made the climb on a few ounces of raisins I had. When I got to the top I cooked up a noodle bowl and some instant mashed potatoes given to me last night by a couple hikers I bunked with. I walked 15.8 miles today. It rained on me a bit but it felt nice and helped keep me cool. The forest smelt wonderful and everything is really green. I noticed lots of wildflowers along the trail. I also saw a group of wild slipper orchids in full bloom. As the hike wore on I considered the similarities between hungry hikers and hungry bears. I felt lucky to be human so that I can walk into town and get something good to eat, if a bear did that he'd get shot. Then I thought an enterprising  bear might ambush a hiker, skin him, and walk down to Burger King wearing a hiker suit : )About 13 miles into the day's walk I was pretty wet and getting hungry again. Coming down the hill to Stecoah Gap I could see a picnic table through the trees with what looked like a case of Coka-Cola sitting on it. In a hurried Yogi bear like fashion I made my way down the hill to investigate. Sure enough, a trail angel named Donna from " The cabin in the woods hostel" left two cases of Coca-cola, two boxes of Swiss cake rolls, and mini Hershey bars. She had also left clean water, a ten day forecast printout in a waterproof folder, a log book, and her business card. I took a picture of her card and want to give her a plug on this post. People like Donna make the experience on the trail fun and memorable. You're much better off staying in a small hostel like Donna's rather than a big commercial place like the NOC. The small places are nicer, you get treated better, and it usually cost less too. I would have rather stayed there and from now on I will make a point of staying in the Mom and Pop places.Anyway, back to the wonderful trail magic Donna left! I didn't mean to be a pig but I needed calories. I ate 3 packs of Swiss cake rolls and drank a can of coke right there at the picnic table. I stuck another pack in my pocket that only made it a half mile down the trail and a second can of coke. The kindness Donna left on the picnic table really lifted my spirits. I walked a few more miles to the "Brown Fork Gap Shelter"  and I got here just in time because it's down pouring!
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: moderate rain

It rained hard all night. The sound of the rain on the shelter's metal roof was cool. I debated taking a zero day in the shelter but I didn't have much food. I mixed up a hot breakfast consisting of protein powder, the last of the powdered milk, some instant mashed potatoes, and my last couple spoonfuls of oatmeal. I thanked God that I had something to fill my tummy. After breakfast I started packing up my gear and I noticed something in the corner of the shelter. Someone had left an unopened energy gel pack and a small tub of peanut butter! Finding the food was exciting, I tucked it into my pack and walked out into the rain. I was walking through clouds today, all I could see was the trail in front of me. I ate the peanut butter and energy gel for lunch. It was a wet and slippery 3,000 foot decent to the road leading into Fontana. When I got to the store I loaded up big time. I should now have enough food to hold me over till Gatlinburg. The post office was closed but an nice woman from the shop next door agreed to mail out a package for me when they open in the morning. (I found another 3 pounds of stuff in my backpack that I don't need). I got a lift back out to the marina where the trail meets the road. When I got there I filled out a backcountry permit for camping in the Smoky Mountain National Park. After that it was a quick 1 mile hike to the Fontana Dam Shelter where I'm up for the night. I enter the Smokies in morning.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up this morning and decided to take a zero day to rest my feet. The Fontana Dam Shelter is affectionately referred to by thru- hikers as the Fontana Hilton. It's a nice shelter, two sleeping platforms high on either side, there is also a bathroom a short walk up the hill with flush toilets, a hot shower, and an electric hand drier next to the sink (that means it has laundry facilities too ; ) I got my shower, washed my clothes, and tried to settle in but at 1:00pm this afternoon the urge to go for a walk overcame me. I packed up my gear, walked across Fontana Dam, and into the Smoky Mountain National Park.Before I go on I want to tell you that I'm not the type of person to gossip. Especially second hand information, because how do you know it's true? Anyway, when I got to the shelter last night the other hikers were talking about a really drunk guy who had been taken out of the shelter in handcuffs by a swat team shortly before I got there. I really didn't believe what they said could be true. A few miles into my walk I met a couple on the trail that was scared. They told me that the fellow who had been arrested the night before just passed them on the trail and was angry about having the police called on him. I kept walking. I realized that I might cross paths with this guy and even though I hadn't met him I decided to pray for him. The walk today was uphill for hours and eventually I came to a stream. Sitting there was a young man. I sat down and we started talking. As it turns out this was the guy who'd been arrested the night before. After being charged and released he hitch hiked all night long to get back on the trail, he was late getting started today just as I was. I soon realized that this was a divine appointment. He was upset that the other hikers had called the cops on him and we talked about it. I shared with him some experiences I've had in my past and we decided to walk together. He told me what had happened the night before and we shared a good laugh. This guy's trail name is "Lazy Susan" somebody gave it to him because he likes to sleep in. He was drunk and it made some people uncomfortable at the shelter, one of them called the cops. As it turns out there is a special homeland security unit that patrols the area around dam. When they came to arrest him they stormed the shelter wearing body armor and carrying assault rifles. But that's not the funny part, the funny part is nobody knew his real name. The swat team charged in yelling are you "Lazy Susan"! Here's this 18 year old guy who's had to much to drink he can't find his ID and these swat guys are calling him "Lazy Susan" all the way to the station. You can't make this stuff up! When he told me I almost fell off the mountain laughing.I hope to talk to him some more before Gatlinburg.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

It really is beautiful out here. I want to thank you all for the messages you've sent. I have received every one and it makes me feel good to hear from you. Thank you for your prayers as well, I have zero pain in my hip, and my knees feel a lot better. The pain has migrated to the arch of my right foot. Tomorrow in Gatlinburg I'm going to look for new insoles and maybe new shoes. I also plan to find an all you can eat buffet and try to put them out of business. Other than the pain in my foot my body seems like it's getting used to this. I walked 17.5 miles today. I really enjoy walking out here. It was really hard at first but I feel stronger now. The second hundred miles was easier than the first hundred.I'm looking forward to a full day of rest this Sunday. I also want to swap out some gear. I've seen lots of different things people carry out here. The rangers I've seen walking the trail seem to have it figured out better than anyone else, they carry compact ultralight packs. It would be heavenly to float over these mountains with a 20 pound pack. The serious long distance hikers I've met on the trail carry packs under 25 pounds.There is a big event in Damascus Virginia in a month called trail days. All kinds of backpacking companies show up with their newest stuff. I am going to check it out even if I've walked past it by then and have to hitch hike back down the trail. It would be nice to wait till then to gear up but some things I need now.Tomorrow I will pass Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the A.T. @ 6643 ft.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: New Found Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

I left the shelter early this morning and got on the trail. Even though I'm walking through clouds today and there isn't much of a view, Clingman's Dome it is sort of a milestone for me. One year ago almost to the day Sonja and I stopped here on our way up from Florida. On the edge of the paved foot path leading up to Clingman's Dome Tower there is a wooden sign pointing down a trail that goes off into the woods. The sign says Appalachian Trail. I wandered into the woods that day and looked down the dark mysterious path. That was the day the trail grabbed a hold of me. I remember asking Sonja if she'd ever want to hike the trail with me, she said "no way". I'm not sure if she ment she didn't want to hike the trail or she just didn't want to with me.  After 5 years together we officially parted ways a few months later. That was a very hard time for me emotionally. Although the trail had nothing to do with us splitting up, I may not be out here today if we hadn't. Now I'm standing at the same trail sign, two hundred miles of trail are behind me, and there's almost two thousand miles left to explore. I fully accept how the events of my life have unfolded. There is nowhere else I'd rather be.Except perhaps an all you can eat buffet... After walking 7 more miles past Clingman's Dome I began to pray for a ride into Gatlinburg. My phone was dead so I couldn't call a shuttle. I felt 100% sure that God had a ride for me. As I came up over the hill to the parking lot at "New Found Gap" a woman approached me.  She asked if I was a thru- hiker and if I'd like a sandwich? Her trail name was Mountain Mama and Her Husband Godspeed are trail angels. The gave me soda, chips, and a brownie to go with my sandwich. Mountain Mama said that Godspeed and her son where thru-hiking several years ago when her husband became very ill and had to get off the trail. Rather than go on alone her son told his Dad "we started together and we'll finish together", so he got off the trail too. A month later her son was diagnosed with brain cancer. Being believers, they put their faith in the Lord. Not only did they get back on the trail and finish the hike, her son beat the cancer and now works in the medical field. Her testimony brought me to tears. Godspeed and Mountain Mama said that they have been called to help other hikers. I am certainly grateful to God that they were up here today.As I ate a couple more hikers showed up and Godspeed took us all into Gatlinburg. I'm in the Grand Prix hotel tonight and I plan to take a zero day here tomorrow.