morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-01
From: A Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Before I forget....Hey y'all, please sign our Guest Book and If & When you do, please please...put your email address!! NOBODY ELSE CAN SEE IT!! ONLY US!! (It Does NOT post public)That way we can reply to you!!Big Cypress talked to dad this morning. He's doing well from the surgery. Pacemaker is working and heading home today. His Dr. told him that he lost him on the table during operation, but was able to recover. Dr. said he hasn't lost a patient in 30 years!! Praise the Lord dad wasn't the first!!We woke with the light of a new morning!! 6:45-ish!! Nice to see Mustard's face. He arrived at dark, so we couldn't see his face and we were already tucked in, only a voice in the dark. Left camp at 8 am, hiked only 1 mile into the campus of the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Nice jaunt over several streams & footbridges. We reserved a private room at the hostel for tonight. Hanging out in the restaurant, until we can check in. We hit the restaurant by 9 am. Got the Class V breakfast. Three eggs, toast, homefries, bacon, French toast/pancakes.....you betcha ....We ate it ALL! We've been waiting for our "hiker appetites" to kick in. Big Cypress's started yesterday, mine is still hiding. The NOC is a very pretty area. @ crossroads of US 19 & 74. The Nantahala River flows right thru campus. They have lots of activities here. Kayak, rafting, zip line etc....10am, Rabbit (from Connecticut) and Subman & Suds just arrived for breakfast. They aren't staying, gonna continue to Stecoah Gap. Then taking a break.Well, we realize we didn't make a big deal on our journal, over crossing over into NC & 100 mile mark. We did take a picture...but we were pressed for time & daylight, missed the shelter we planned to stay at and was fighting the cold of the evening. That's our biggest obstacle as of this entry. COLD!! Hard to set up or pack up camp with frozen fingers!! Couple mornings we had to breath hot breath on our tent pole connections, cuz they were stuck together!! Thank you everyone for your encouragement and reading our journal. Sorry if we don't reply - but we do appreciate you all more than you'll ever know. XOXOPS check out Rooster's YouTube videos.https://m.youtube.com/#/channel/UCjSEdkuE_8AXosJsISyyExQ
Date: 2016-03-02
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light snow

Woke at 5:40, then we went back to sleep until about quarter til 7. Packed up our gear and head to the restaurant. Greeted by Going Postal and Fiber, then Mustard showed up!!Saw Tigger (James) yesterday at the NOC outfitters. He had stayed the night and was moving on.So, we started at 1732' and went up to 5062' Cheoah Bald. Absolutely Gorgeous!! We took some pictures, half the scene was snow covered peaks, that were at a lower elevation. I even took a panorama pic. But, not a pretty sight on the way there!! Moonbeam....had a very rough, emotional day!! Yes, tears involved, but not for long, as falling or tripping likely. The struggle was those darn false summits and the relentless straight ups!!! I needed oxygen and I wanted my body to work harder, but it wouldn't cooperate. I was just a darn hard day and my mind was telling me I'm not ready for the Smokies and its just not the case.We saw Going Postal today. He caught us at a yucky rock scramble and continued on. We finally landed after 10.4 miles @ 4:30 at Locust Cove Gap Camp site. 3800' elevation. Nobody here but us (makes for morning potty & catholes much easier) Big Cypress tried to build a fire, struggle struggle, gave up and told God it's all yours and bam!! A ragging fire!! Yes, big and wonderful!! Boiling water over it, for coffee and dinner. We had chicken, gravy stuffing!! Each our own and boy was it delicious! 7:49 pm, all tucked in....can see our breath, hand frozen, signing off and it could snow tonight!! We'll see?Oh, our grandson, Emmett is telling everyone that his gramma & grandpa are walking in the woods. (love it & him) Goodnight!PS no critters and picture to come for today so check back. It's on BC phone.
Date: 2016-03-03
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Left Locust Cove @ 9 am. You guessed it....steep ups and Very very hard!! We stopped for a snack and rest a moment at a road crossing and Mustard showed up. He threw some trash away, as there was a bear proof trash container and also had a snack & moved on. We didn't pitch trash, as we didn't have much and it was packed up....not worth digging it out. Whenever we cross a road or go into a gap, which the later is OFTEN, we have to get out of the gap....that means UP! Sometimes with switch backs, that make it a lil easier, sometimes not. Today was a not kinda day. We climbed something called Jacob's Ladder. We survived it and something I've been saying along the way once we passed a really hard or yucky spot, thank God for getting us thru it and thank God we never have to do that ever again!! We arrived at Cable Gap Shelter at about 4:30. Passing by Mustard hunkered down at Cody Gap flat camp spot. He set up camp there. I had been praying all day for Jesus to allow us to make it to Cable and set up the tent Before the rain!! See today was supposed to be 90% rain and 48°. Nonetheless of that happen. It was around freezing all day and no rain only snow!! Snowed about a half inch. But.....guess what no rain and tent set up in No Rain!! Thank you Jesus!! We know we will be setting up our tent in the rain in this several months long journey, but the more we can avoid it, the better!! The water source was very close to shelter/camp. We like that, makes life better. Sometimes water is half mile away (one way). We dined on Clam Chowder and Mediterranean Couscous. Thanks to our two cookbooks & the wonderful recipes, we used to meal prep at home. We are finally getting more of an appetite. All tucked in and ready for sleeps and it starts raining!! Yep, it warmed up and rained a bit.
Date: 2016-03-04
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana 28 AT Crossing
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We were the only hikers at Cable last night!! But we were far from alone.....We heard mice ALL night! It had to have been a whole army of mice. Lots of noise from them scurrying around and poop....oh yah lots of poop! Yucky!!We had eggs for breakfast, packed up and on the move by 9 am. Hiking was slightly easier, mild ups and downs. One biggish climb and long downs into Fontana Dam area. The downs are hard on the knees, trek poles help with that, but only to a degree. We arrived at the Fontana Marina road crossing and shuttle spot at about noon. Going Postal and couple other hikers were there! They just got dropped off and were urging us to hurry, get the shuttle while he's still there!! The next 1.1 miles to Fontana Shelter is up up and more up and tough, they said. "Take the shuttle to Fontana Village, stay at the Lodge and rest up for the Smokey Mountains. The lodge has restaurant and good food." So...We did!! Here we are!! Nice room and good eats and laundry clean by 4:30. We went to the Pit Stop gas station. Met up with Capt. Ahab, Medic/Squeakers and Fiber (all from FL). We were all the NOC together, but they moved on before we did. So...since its still early in the season some things are not open or available. We needed to pick up some hand/foot warmers and C2032 batteries for Big Cypress Petzel headlamp. We struck out on both.....almost! Fiber and a gentleman named Paul that asked us about the phone service earlier, both hooked this lil Moonbeam up with the toe warmers!!! Yippy Hurray!!! Battery will have to wait I guess. Fiber is staying at the Lodge (he walked, not shuttle, said it was a brutal couple miles). The other guys were staying at Fontana (hilton) Shelter. Called the hilton, but not a hotel, its just realized fancy and has shower building close by. We had dinner/wine and nice conversation with Fiber at the Lodge restaurant. His real name is Jason, from Apopka FL. We all called it a night at about 8-830.
Date: 2016-03-05
From: Fontana 28 AT Crossing

To: Fontana Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We are zero day at the Lodge at Fontana Village. Robert's best bud, Joe, is coming to visit us today.Woke at 630/sunrise, took the hottest shower we could stand. It was it great!! No bathtub though, its a super nice tile walk in shower, so no soaking, darn it!!Breakfast at 8 am. We just sat down and Fiber/Jason walked in, so we invited him to join us for eats. He and Big Cypress talked about martial arts stuff, this seems to be a popular topic with BC and other martial art enthusiasts. We rested in our room until about 10:30-11, when Joe arrived. Then we visited and then went for a few provisions in Robbinsville. Walgreens gives us all we needed and then some. K-Tape for aches and pains prevention and help (BC is using for plantar fasciitis relief, 2-C2032 batteries for Big Cypress headlamp, new Smart Water bottles, OJ and various snacks. Then we headed across the street for Subway subs. Joe found a nice spot along the river where we could enjoy the sunshine & boulder strewn white waters of the river. We passed the starting point of The Dragons Tail an Eleven mile stretch of road with over 300 Sharp turns!! Motorcyclists love to ride it!!         Smokies!! Oh, Smokies!!We are thinking, it will take us about 7 days to make it through the 70+ miles. So....probably no cell service, so please don't worry! We will reach out if we can and as soon as we can. We are all packed up and ready for heading to those ominous mountains in the morning. I'm nervous, Big Cypress is excited and Praise The Lord, the weather is supposed to be mild and sunny to partly sunny. That's what I'm excited about!! Since the start of this expedition, I've worried about snow up to our butts. For weather on the AT go to www.atweather.orgOur plan....(which sometimes changes due to fatigue or weather) is pass by the Fontana Dam Shelter (hilton). Sunday TN Mollies Ridge ShelterMonday TN Derrick Knob ShelterTuesday TN Mt Collins Shelter (half mile off trail, might change this to Double Spring Gap Shelter) Wed. NC Icewater Spring ShelterThur. NC Tri-Corner Knob ShelterFri. NC Cosby Knob ShelterSat. TN Davenport Gap ShelterThen into Standing Bear Farm Hostel.Critters we saw today, even though we weren't on the trail. About a half dozen Turkey crossing the road and a Bald Eagle sitting in a tree along the river. 6:43 pm, all is well and we are resting our weary feet and legs.
Date: 2016-03-06
From: Clingman's Dome

To: Update
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Good Morning, This is Amanda checking in for Moonbeam and Big Cypress. Moonbeam just texted me and asked me to post letting all their readers know that they are okay and still in the Smokey Mountains. They passed Clingman's Dome, highest point on AT, yesterday. Hoping they will be able to update us all with more information in about 3 days!
Date: 2016-03-06
From: Fontana 28 AT Crossing

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Started at Fontana Dam NC Highway 28 to Mollies Ridge Shelter 12.6 milesWe took the Lodge Shuttle back to the trail and started our trek again at 9 am. After a nice breakfast with Highland Dave, who we haven't seen since Gooder Grove Hostel, and the three amigos from Virginia Tech, doing a section hike of just the Smokey Mountains, for their spring break. Hard day of hiking. From elevation 1756' to 3886' @ the shuckstack fire tower. It's pretty much straight up!! And ups & downs to mollies ridge shelter at 4586'. Passed some day hikers that told us to look for some deer and bald eagle, up ahead! Yep, we saw 6 deer eating on the side of steepish hillside. Didn't see the eagle. We met Captain Underpants,(hikes in yes....underpants) (admittedly it is cold outside but ya burn up all day, until you stop....Then you Freeze!!) Also met, 38 and Candle Maker, Teach & Steady from Pennsylvania. All thru hiking!!We met Ridge Runner Carl. He was setting up tent & hanging bear bag AND collecting our Smokey permits, we were supposed to drop them in the box at the start of Smokey trail, but didn't know that....but that's why he's out there!!Arrived at shelter around 5 pm.
Date: 2016-03-07
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked from Mollies Ridge Shelter to Derrick Knob Shelter. 12 milesSpent the day gaining elevation, mainly staying in the 4000' range, but hitting 5527' at Thunderhead Mountain.Along the way we ran into Fiber, Jason. Our fellow Floridaian and hiker we had grown fond of while at the Lodge. We all snacked and then decided to hike together. We have a pace that Fiber likes, as he's nursing an achilles soreness. We are pretty much all hiking same shelter plan/mileage. So, we are seeing the same people. 38 is helping Candle Maker because he's very sick. We've been hearing rumors of sick hikers, the is the first eyewitness account. We all tented to avoid the closeness of others and potential of illness!! Trail in Smokies....First 5 shelters, only 1 has a privy!!! Yes, there seems to be a designated potty spot at the shelters.....littered with Toilet paper and Poo not in a cat hole!! Come on people....it's not that hard to dig a hole and cover your poo. Privy is a glorious thing ...as are bear cables!! A cable with hooks to hang your food, so you don't have to find a suitable trees with limbs and do it from scratch!!Critters: heard hummingbirds, saw woodpecker, blue jays, junco and Squirrel. Lots of bear poop and horse poop on the trail today.
Date: 2016-03-08
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Derrick Knob Shelter to Mt Collins Shelter for 14 miles.Doe & button buck at Double Spring Gap Shelter. Fiber said it's the closest he's ever been, they were very used to people. Mama kept eye on Big Cypress as he walked, she turned her body so she could watch as she continued to eat. She was on one side of the trail and off spring on the other. This section of trail was GLORIOUS!! It was very green....mossy and ever green trees!! Smelled like Christmas.....so nice!! Heard of sick hiker at this shelter previous night from section hiker, Dr Love, who also stopped for breakfast & snack..... didn't touch anything!!Clingmans Dome....yes, we made it to the highest point on the AT!! 6667' from the tower. I didn't do the tower, I watched packs for BC & Fiber and rested from the up, plus put on my crampons!! Yes, snow & ice on the up, wasn't Too Bad, but we heard from Teach & Steady they used their spikes on the up. So...my high point today was 6518'. OMG the way down was icy and as Emmett would say...."it's dangerous." We three flat landers survived....Fiber didn't want to spike up, and did fine except for one almost spill, he caught himself. Used the crampons for few miles as the trail was mainly Ice!! The shelter is half mile off the trail, pretty setting....very moist environment and ground frozen solid!! No cat hole digging....thank goodness it had a privy!! We were like in mossy fern gully-esque area!!We passed the 200 miles hiked !!! Yippy Hurray!!
Date: 2016-03-09
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Mt Collins to Peck Shelter for 15.5 miles!! Early start at 7:45 am. But really 8 cuz we had to walk the half mile out from the shelter...argh!! Big Cypress, Fiber & I did great all morning. Used crampons almost all morning. I, Moonbeam, used mine All Morning!! Arrived Newfound Gap 10:35 am. We got to use real toilets, throw trash away (heavenly) and rested!! The V Tech guys needed food, so one of them hitched to Gatlinburg. We got Alex phone # so we can call them when we are in their area of VA. They want to pick us up for restaurant trip!! Thankful for any help we can get!! Speaking of thankful....I have been so worried about the weather in the Smokies, this past year of planning and God has blessed us with lovely temps and beautiful blue skies!! Praise the Lord!! Continued on at 11:20 am. Subman & Suds started here this morning after a zero day. Not sure if Rabbit was with them, probably yes! We parted ways with Teach & Steady, they needed G-burg resupply also. (they met Subman & Suds a few days back & zero with them at Trail Chefs).After Newfound Gap, crampons were needed!! Almost the whole way to Ice Water Shelter(left about 1 pm)....again, I kept mine on, easier than falling & putting on & taking off! Plus, they are not hurting my feet.....so....why not?! We lost Fiber for a while today. I had a mini melt down, pressure for time, so we don't have to walk in the dark....it's difficult enough without adding darkness and walking by headlamp. And.....We walked a lot of ridge lines today.....I mean a line!! Path big enough for your two feet (not your poles, they won't fit, they are on the outside edge. Then about 2 to 3 feet ground on either side...then cliff or pretty darn close to cliff (couldn't look-too freaked out). We eventually caught up with Fiber....as pressed for light, we were making the most of the downs and had it in high gear!! Came upon Mustard on one of the ridges....and he later caught up to us, but walked too slow for my worry of light, so....We passed him, he understood!! He is doing better as he went ultra light and all new gear just about. Heard this is his 3rd attempt at thru hiking. Ok.....so we caught Fiber at about 4:30 and all arrived Peck Shelter at about 6. Thank you Jesus!! The 3 of us were met by Candle Maker, letting us know of sick hiker in the shelter. We tented next to the horse tie up bar....it was flat-ish!! Listened to puking all night.....pretty tough!! For us and for him!! Met a ridge runner, she asked about our health, what have we witnessed and said "Stay Clean!! And hike as fast as you can North, to avoid illness", as we also heard that over 400 hikers started first week of March. "Soap kills, hand sanitizer Does Not!! If it is norovirus!!"
Date: 2016-03-10
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Pecks Corner Shelter to Cosby Knob Shelter for 12.6 miles.Ok, so we left at 8 and had a good day, rocky & muddy & some ice (opted to not crampon) Big Cypress took a spill, on the ice, but turtled himself on purpose to have a safer landing. Graceful!!! I was not so lucky this morning. First some info about the Trail in the Smokies. It's windy and the trees have very shallow roots!! We see lots of downed trees old & new. Old ones over the trail get cut by trail maintainers. New ones, well....find a way! Over, under, around, crawl under, you name it!! And trees have limbs and that makes for a trail already Rocky and Root laiden also covered in sticks, branches & toe catching devices!!!!Yep....I fell and fellow good!! I just stepped over a downed tree, there was a few 3" diameter twisted sticks clumped together. I believe I hit one, which caused another to catch my other foot and next thing I'm falling to the right (up hillside not down hill) and me left knee whacks the ground, my pack keeps it from being worse, but my legs are all "pretzeled" with said sticks. Big Cypress and Fiber both came to help. Fiber removed the stick that was making a twisted pretzel of and with me and then BC helped me up, after we checked my limb condition! Rubbed the knee for few seconds, no blood, up and Praise the Lord no serious boo boo!!.Met, Dream On, at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. We all used privy, got water and snacked. He started March 8, but injured himself up here when the weather was fridged, hike a over 20 mile day to get out so he would not freeze to death, as he put it. So, he was off trail for while & now back on. Candle Maker, Mustard, Dream On all at this shelter. No sick hikers. We have been tenting to avoid people in close quarters!!Arrived at 3:30 pm
Date: 2016-03-11
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Woke and packed before sunrise, so we could arrive at the Standing Bear Farm Hostel early and rest! We ate breakfast while the sun was rising. The birds were busy finding their own breakfast! Mostly Robins were bopping about and very talkative! Good and fast walk today. We actually were hiking at 2.5 mph at one point and for a while. Then.....the hill/mountains....slow going!!We got really close to arriving the hostel and almost missed it. The guide was a little vague, we weren't alone. Other hikers said the same thing. Soaked our feet when we got to the hostel, the creek runs thru the property. It was a nice temp hike day, except the last couple miles, very hot!! We are enjoying our time here. Hot-ish showers, washed By Hand (no washer) in wash tube our shirts & socks. We dried our clothes in the drier with Fiber's clothes, to get done faster!Had a pizza each, some candy and soda's!! visiting with other hikers. Currently sitting around fire at 7:22 pm. Planning our hike with Fiber for going into Hot Springs NC. Should be there Monday. We walk thru town and are going to soak in Hot Spring water!! Can't wait!! CrittersBumble Bee, lots of birds only calls, woodpecker, cardinals, Phoebe, squirrel, lizard, black salmander (while getting water at Spring) and a big toad that hopped across the trail.Past hiker midnight (7pm) Goodnight!
Date: 2016-03-15
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Slept like wonderful last night, even with the Iron Horse announcing its arrival at the main street crossing!! We moved rooms, as the jacuzzi room was only available last night. Room 215 now, right next door. All the room, connect via adjoining door, But lock on both sides. So, we unlocked and moved our stuff next door. Oh, and now we are closer to the rail road tracks!! But, we have windows now....so we can have nice light & see outside!! Jacuzzi room has two nice sky lights though!!Resting and trying to figure out where we can drop pack weight. Steady & Teach got theirs down to 29 pounds each!! Check out YouTube Channel Roosters AT Thru Hike 2016Video # 2 is 7+ minutes and I'm the little munchkin zooming up & downs the hill, right in the beginning!! Then filming the sunrise!!
Date: 2016-03-16
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday March 16Hot Springs NC to Little Laurel Shelter for 20.1 milesWe woke at 5 and packed up, walked with our gear to have breakfast at the diner at 6:30 am. We had a nice breakfast, the sun came up and it was a bit chilly, when we headed out at 7:30.We saw Fiber with his mom at breakfast, his sister slept in and missed saying bye to her. We decided to hike to the first shelter, Spring Mountain Shelter and then decide to stay or press to next, depending on time, weather and mainly, body condition. We arrived at about 1 pm, Mustard was there having lunch. We signed the log book, stretched, ate and wrote Fiber a note that we hoped to see him at the Little Laurel Shelter. Along the way we saw/met John Miles from Oregon, and Rocket & Ace. They were at the shelter tonight also. We arrived at 6:30 pm.I fell again today. On a down hill, that had a well worn deep V and it was very wide and deep with leaf liter. I stepped on a good size hidden root and slipped because of the leaves. No injuries and no cause for alarm!! Hiking Poles really help prevent most falls, but no All falls!!Exciting Critter Report today.Big Cypress shewed, a little tiny grey snake off the trail. Then we saw a doe on our left just standing on the hillside, watching very intently us walk by. We heard a grouse drumming for a mate and Turkey's calling to each other.Then, I took a step and screeched out a Eeee.....a little tiny grey snake directly under my next step. Well, he was as scared as I was!! He curled into a bow tie and I'm sure yelled out a snake equivalent to Eeee!! As he thought I was about to step on him. But.....didn't !!! All ok!! Longest hike day so far and worn out hikers!! With sore bodies!!! Thank you Lord for guiding our steps and making them swift and keeping us safe!! Fiber.....rules/runs in to camp, 8:45 pm. Announcing...."I made it!!" We were glad and happy he was safe!