morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The Alchemist, Montana, and Wraijth stayed behind in Hiawasee for a zero day, so after another fabulous breakfast at the Blueberry Patch Gary drove Space Cadet and I back to Dick's Creek where we hit the trail at around 09:45. While the forecast remained troubling, it promised to be a banner day as we would cross the border from Georgia into North Carolina!Things went smoothly until immediately after the photo at left was taken. We could hear the wind howling over the ridge above for the past hour or so, and we ascended into it in full force as we rounded the corner into Bly Creek. The temperature fell rapidly, and we soon found ourselves climbing through sustained 30 MPH winds, gusting to 40 MPH, and blowing snow. The going was slow thanks to the fact we were both experiencing knee pain and we were exhausted after a long day of climbing.When we finally trudged into Muskrat Creek Shelter we found a group of other thrus--including Marty, Scout, Mad Jack, Toast, and Big Spoon--and EMS personnel huddled around a cheerless fire. Sadly, one of the Warrior Hike guys blew out his knee on the climb and was awaiting a ride off the mountain via four-wheeler. Everyone was freezing and everything was covered in a fine dusting of snow. The shelter was protected from the wind, but it did nothing to mitigate the bone-chilling cold. After rushing through my evening chores I unfurled my sleeping pad and bag, inserted them into my bivy, and settled down in the shelter for what would become the most miserable night of my life.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

There wasn't a comfortable soul at Muskrat Shelter that night. While the winds abated and the skies cleared, the temperature dropped into the single digits which made for a difficult night for even those with 0 degree sleeping bags. I didn't sleep a wink and spent the evening tossing, turning, and periodically asphyxiating given that the only way I could find to prevent the bitter cold from seeping into my bag was to stuff my storm shell into the air hole! My hands and feet were painfully cold, and I resorted to in-bag calisthenics to keep my blood circulating. It worked, but only just. And I was only one of many! Once 05:00 rolled around I began the process of extricating myself from my bag/bivy and preparing to leave. I couldn't feel my hands or feet, which must have made it an interesting sight! I still couldn't warm up once I got underway, and I found myself stumbling down the trail into a cutting wind, fumbling with my trekking poles and straps, and mumbling whenever I tried to speak, sure signs of hypothermia. When the sun rose it seemed to be always one bend in the trail ahead of me, and when I reached it I found it cheerless and without warmth. I have never been more miserable, and let's just say I had a...moment...on the trail I'm not that proud of.But the day finally warmed and feeling returned to my hands and feet, albeit painfully (symptomatic of frostbite). I won't bore you with details of the day's hike, but I concluded the afternoon at Carter Gap Shelter with several veterans of Muskrat Creek, and I lay in my bivy on a warmer evening listening to Toast and Big Spoon play some excellent bluegrass on the banjo and fiddle they're carrying with them. Not a bad ending to an awful day.So what's the lesson? Trials are inevitable in life, but we can choose whether to allow them to break us. I've heard since that night knocked a number of thrus off the trail, which is unfortunate. The point is that better days are to come as long as we continue moving forward and never give up as long as we have it in our power to persevere.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Thankfully the warming trend continued and the morning dawned with clear blue skies. The highlight of the day was climbing Albert Mountain, which required some low-level Class 3 scrambling skills and as such is pretty fun. I was anxious about both the ascent and descent given that my knees continued to trouble me, but everything went smoothly and Albert rewarded our efforts with an incredible view! Huge thanks to trail angels Fleetwood and his wife for the pre-climb sustenance! I spent the evening at Rock Gap Shelter looking forward to the following morning's hike to Winding Stair Gap and Franklin, NC.Passing the 100-mile mark was particularly gratifying, as I was deeply concerned at mile 50 that my knees might not permit me to continue. The pain endures, but I won't stop moving forward until my body physically quits on me!
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 96.5

To all who have been following my trail journal, let me start by apologizing for not doing a better job of keeping it up to date! Consider this entry a reboot, and I promise I'll endeavor to do better in the future. As I write I'm sitting at the Buffalo Creek B&B, having arrived at Fontana yesterday afternoon. The past week has been mentally and physically challenging due to a slower than expected pace brought about by my knee problems. I expected to be farther along the trail by now, but my body simply isn't cooperating and I've been hard-pressed to make peace with that. There have been moments I couldn't imagine going on but each day has brought progress, however hard won. The pain is what it is, but going so slowly and not doing the miles I believed myself capable of is really tough. Something for me to work on.I'm zeroing here today to rest my right knee and left Achilles, which began complaining bitterly after I left the NOC. Tomorrow I'm planning to head up into the Smokies and I'm budgeting about 10 days to complete them. This is a REALLY slow pace but one that is informed by the spacing of huts in the park (I currently can't do more than 12 miles without my knee melting down). My hope is that taking my time will force me to rest my knee and give me a chance to recover on the trail, vice taking several consecutive zeroes (which may still prove necessary). We'll see.The bottom line is that I'm not quitting. I'm going to do whatever's necessary to continue this journey, even if it does end up requiring several weeks off the trail and adopting a Flip Flop or Leap Frog strategy. The families my thru-hike supports don't have the luxury of quitting. They too are faced with setbacks and must adapt to meet their goals and improve their circumstances, and so will I. I can't rule out the possibility my body simply won't allow me to finish the trail, but I'll continue moving forward until that becomes clear. At least I will have given it EVERYTHING I have!I likely won't have service in the Smokies, so expect a batch of updates sometime around April 15!
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Fontana Dam Visitor Center

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 5.6

I reluctantly left the Buffalo Creek B&B around this morning, but only after a fabulous meal of homemade biscuits, muffins, granola, and coffee. I'm so grateful to Rob, Robin, and their son Chris for giving me a place to recuperate, resupply, and refuel! If you ever have an opportunity to stay with them, you'll regret not taking it!I reached Fontana Dam around 9 AM and stepped back onto the trail, which runs across the dam and up a paved road into Great Smokey Mountains National Park. I was carrying ten days' supply of food, so the going was slow. Not long into the climb I ran into Double Shot and Space Cadet, with whom I've had the privilege of sharing multiple shelters. I was worried I'd miss them given my plan to slow my pace in order to rest my knee, so seeing them and catching up was great. Our reunion also made it harder to stop my day after the planned 5.6 miles, but healing and continuing my thru-hike attempt is the priority. I hope to see them again up the trail.As fate would have it, when I arrived at my campsite I encountered a fellow thru who also just left his career with the DOD. We spent the evening around a fire chatting about shared experiences, including our service in Iraq, and commiserating about missing loved ones. It's funny who the trail throws into your path when you least expect it.All things considered it was a good day. Little pain, good company, and awesome views from the fire tower atop Shuckstack (where the photo at left was taken). Let's hope the trend continues tomorrow!
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: moderate rain

I didn't get much sleep last night on account of torrential rain, which began around 9 PM and ended about 12 hours later. I lay there listening to the rain pound my tent and dreading having to pack everything up wet in the morning. When the time finally came for that, it was predictably miserable.The weather was foul all day with sustained 30 MPH winds and periodic showers. The mountains were socked in, so the day's hike was a cold and soupy mess. The highlight of the day was reaching Tennessee, my third of hopefully 14 states! The border wasn't marked and it's somewhat anticlimactic considering I'll be weaving in and out of North Carolina for some time to come, but it was still a welcome milestone.My knee is holding up well, with only minor pain for the second day in a row. The shorter miles are helping, but it's challenging knowing I'm not covering more ground. I'm the only thru I've encountered who is taking his time in the Smokies, and can only hope it will enable longer miles in the future. Seven days to go until I reach Davenport Gap, not that I'm counting!
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

The title of this entry just about describes the day. I awoke to find the mountains completely socked in, and the clouds parted long enough to afford some semblance of a view only once or twice. The trees were covered with rime ice (as you'll see in the photo at left), which showered or pelted me as I hiked depending on the wind. The trail was like a long trough filled with boot sucking mud. As you can tell, it was a lovely day.My knee is holding up well, with only a couple minor twinges. I pounded out the day's first three miles quickly, then slowed down a bit for the remainder of the hike. I'm toying with the idea of doing 13.5 miles tomorrow, which would put me past Clingman's Dome and the 200 mile mark, and in the process shave a day off my time in the Smokies. Given the weather, this is a really attractive option. That said, I don't want to push it too hard and reverse the downward trend in knee pain. We'll see.The bottom line is that the hiking here is something of a sufferfest and it's getting increasingly hard to restrain myself!
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mount Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

It rained again overnight, but thankfully it stopped by early morning. I didn't have any knee pain overnight (a rarity) so I figured I'd go for a long day, tag Clingmans, and pass the 200 mile mark. It was bitter cold and even soupier than yesterday, and it took a long while to warm up. The ankle-deep, boot-sucking mud was worsened by the rain overnight, which made for precarious hiking. On balance, the morning was miserable!Fortunately things changed around midday as the sun slowly came out and the clouds cleared, revealing pine forests shrouded in rime ice. The ascent to Clingmans required a long climb through silent old growth forest, blanketed in moss below and wreathed in rime above. It was lovely. Clingmans itself offered nice views, but was otherwise unremarkable save for the tourists who photographed me and my fellow thrus like we were some kind of mud-splattered zoo animals! Four-ish more miles brought me to Mount Collins Shelter, which is nicely sited in the same kind of Forest I climbed through to reach Clingmans. When I arrived I was thrilled to find Wraijth and Dustin, a couple guys I've hiked with off and on during recent days and weeks, settling in for the night. A nice surprise to end a long day.More than 14 miles under pack today, and no major problems with my knee. I think the pacing is helping, and I'm planning to take it slowly tomorrow. My left Achilles complained quite a bit on the descent from Clingmans, but I'm otherwise feeling better than I have in some time. Let's hope that trend continues tomorrow!
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Mount Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.5

The day dawned cold but blissfully soup-free, in the 20s with not a cloud in the sky. The morning's initial miles took me through more lovely old growth forest en route to Newfound Gap, where I was blessed to receive some trail magic in the form of a hard boiled egg, banana, and Mello Yello (complete with 66 grams of sugar, yikes). I was happy to catch Wraijth and Boone, who were about to catch a ride into Gatlinberg. I also caught up with Dirt (nee Dustin) who is putting in some big miles to escape the Smokies. He's no Blue Falcon and I hope to run into him again. I took full advantage of a rare cell signal to check in with loved ones, enjoyed the use of an actual bathroom with running water (TMI), and pressed on.I arrived here at Icewater Springs Shelter around 2:30 for a total of eight miles under pack (thanks to the last shelter's half mile offset). The sun was out and the wind blowing, so I strung a clothesline to dry my long-suffering tent (still wet from the deluge at Birch Springs) and do some much-needed backcountry laundry.Minor discomfort in my knee today, but nothing approaching the pain of recent weeks. I'm getting passed regularly by folks who started after me, and it's requiring discipline to stick to my plan. Three more nights in the Smokies after tonight, and I can't wait to close this chapter of the thru-hike and open the next. Hopefully with more manageable pain!
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

Thanks to the siting of the Icewater Springs Shelter, I awoke to the sun streaming through the shelter's clerestory windows. It was chilly but lovely. After the normal morning chores I headed out around 8:30, later than I'd like and only after a false start (I forgot my platypus).The hiking was challenging but wonderful. It was without a doubt the best day of the thru-hike attempt, with clear skies, warm weather, and miles of ridge walking with uninterrupted views of the Smokies marching into the distance. I ate breakfast atop Charlie's Bunion and lunch in an old growth forest. Turns out the second half of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park is as enjoyable as the first half was miserable!12.6 miles overall today. My right knee is complaining again, but I covered the distance in respectable time. I spent the evening stretching and using a trekking pole to massage my IT band, which is REALLY tender below the knee. I'm pleased with the progress today and Wednesday but I'm really frustrated I'm not moving as quickly as many of the people I'm meeting. I'm sorely tempted to attempt a nearly 15 mile day tomorrow, but I probably shouldn't unless I take it really slowly. It's also mostly downhill, which is challenging for me. Perhaps I'll see how I feel when I arrive at my planned destination. Accepting I can't do what I thought myself capable of has been among the hardest parts of this journey.
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

After what was unquestionably my worst shelter stay since beginning the AT (my God, the snoring), I arose early and headed out around 7:30 for Davenport Gap Shelter, last shelter in the Smokies. I originally planned to overnight at Cosby Knob, but after last night's horror show I couldn't bear it!The day's early miles took me through more old growth forest--the last I'd see in the park--across some more ridges with great views of the Smokies, and up several mountains before beginning a five-mile descent into Davenport Gap. The descent wasn't that steep, but it was long and it left my Achilles and my IT Band pretty disgruntled. No meltdowns though, thankfully. I pulled into the shelter around 4 PM and was soon joined by Bear, who pressed on to Standing Bear Hostel, and Double Shot and Space Cadet. We ate dinner and spent the evening listening to music and chatting, as thrus do. It was a lovely way to say goodbye to the park. Just before turning in, we were joined by Problem Bear, a PCT thru-hiker who began the AT on April 1 but only after hiking to Springer from Key West. Amazing guy.Short day tomorrow, past Davenport Gap to Standing Bear Hostel to resupply, do laundry, and shower (my first in eight days). The Smokies have been great--at least the second half--but it's time to move on. And after eight straight days on the trail, I'm looking forward to a bit of rest!
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 3.3

Short day today. I got a late start--intentionally--and enjoyed a rare morning coffee while listening to tunes Space Cadet played on Double Shot's portable speaker. Not a bad way to begin my last day in the Smokies!I was on the trail by 8:30 and out of the park less than an hour later. The morning's hike went quickly, and it warmed considerably as I descended past Davenport Gap to Standing Bear hostel. As soon as I arrived I was met with familiar faces from the Smokies and before, including Einstein, who I met on my very first night on the trail and who I've been periodically running into since. Aside from exchanging trail gossip, I did my laundry (using a washboard and mechanical wringer), took my first shower in over a week, managed my resupply, drank a half dozen Gatorades and ate a small pizza entirely by myself, and most importantly caught up with loved ones via telephone.It was nice to take a nero after going so long without a break, and it was good to catch up with folks I've been seeing on the trail for nearly a month now. I feel pretty good and am looking forward to heading back out tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

I was up and out the door before 7:00 this morning, determined to try a new strategy that will hopefully help me put in longer miles without pain. I got the idea at Davenport Shelter from Problem Bear, who told me he doesn't hike particularly fast but that he does hike long days.I kept my pace under tight control throughout the day, well below normal. The day's hiking featured more than 4,000 feet of climbing over two balds, including Max Patch, but also a fair amount of nicely rolling ridge and hollow walking. I was powered on my way by trail magic--a 510 calorie Honey Bun and a soda--from a trail angel whose name I neglected to ask but to whom I expressed my gratitude for the sustenance!The rain began around noon and continued through the afternoon. I was feeling unusually strong and passed two of my potential stopping points, bound for Walnut Mountain Shelter at the 20-mile mark. I began to run out of juice around the 18-mile mark, but shockingly I pulled into the shelter with little pain or discomfort.Does this represent a breakthrough? I certainly hope so. Tomorrow will be telling, as I plan to cover 13+ miles into Hot Springs to beat some incoming wintry weather. My knee was extra tender during my evening stretching, and I'm hoping tomorrow doesn't bring a meltdown. I'll do my best to emulate today's strategy--slow and steady with lots of breaks, stretching, and hydration--and see what happens. Fingers crossed!
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn
Miles today: 13.1

The poor weather arrived overnight with hard rain, but fortunately it paused around the time I started packing up. I was on the trail by 6:45, and conditions quickly soured. High winds, rain, and a near-freezing temperature make for truly disgusting hiking. Add sleet and snow to that equation, and you've got a recipe for misery! About the only positive thing about today's 13 miles is the fact the trail mud wasn't deeper.I did a poor job keeping my pace in check throughout the day, given my overriding concern was to make it to Hot Springs to warm up, dry out, and restore functionality to my hands (my thumbs didn't work for most of the day). My reckless pace, refusal to take breaks due to the rain/sleet/snow and cold, and the day's 10-mile descent into town took a toll on my knee, which was complaining loudly by the time I reached Hot Springs. No meltdown, but it threatened for a couple hours. Given the circumstances, I think my knee held up well for having done 20 miles yesterday, suggesting a slow and steady strategy will work for bigger miles.Since arriving at Elmer's I've enjoyed a hot shower and an incredible four course vegetarian meal. I'm zeroing here tomorrow for laundry, resupply, and outfitting, and barring a worsening of my knee I plan to be back on the trail early Thursday for a nearly 20-mile day. Hoping everyone on trail is keeping warm, dry, and safe during tonight's dangerous winter weather.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm halfway through a zero day here in lovely Hot Springs, having already enjoyed one of Elmer's famous vegetarian breakfasts and done my resupply and outfitting. Next up is laundry and some final shopping before heading back out on the trail tomorrow. The weather today is chilly but far superior to yesterday, considering the sun is out and it's not sleeting or snowing! Hot Springs is a great little town, lacking only in a barbershop which I sorely need! there seems to be a gravitational pull to this place, as I've encountered several hikers who are double or even triple zeroing.I'll be staying at Elmer's again tonight and I'm planning to hit the trail again early tomorrow morning for a nearly 20-mile day. 15 miles on Friday, then another zero to spend time with a very special visitor and my own personal trail angel. Back on the trail on Sunday. I want to thank everyone for their words of encouragement in my guestbook. I've incorporated much of your advice, and it seems to be working!
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

I wanted to get an early start this morning so I climbed out of bed at 5:15 AM, did my morning stretching, finished packing, and headed out the door by 6:00 AM. I hiked in the dark through Hot Springs, over and along the roaring French Broad River, and up the first of the day's many climbs. It was chilly, but the skies were clear. Much of today brought more of what I've come to expect from North Carolina and Tennessee, but highlights included alpenglow on the mountains above Hot Springs, a secluded little pond and small concrete dam, gravel road walking, and towering hemlocks. It was a lovely day to hike. I pulled into the shelter at around 5:00 PM little worse for wear.My mileage has changed a bit and I've pulled ahead of many of the hikers in whose "bubble" I was traveling, bringing new faces. Some of the folks I've hiked with are still ahead of me, and I hope to cross paths with them again. One month into this endeavor I remain a solo hiker, which has its advantages (I determine my own mileage goals, for example), but also its disadvantages (occasional loneliness). It's just another reality of long-distance thru-hiking.Since March 17 I've hiked 293 miles, often slowly and clumsily. Roughly 200 of those were excruciatingly painful, which gave me the opportunity to meditate on the meaning of perseverance. I'm starting to gain confidence that the Smokies--and the self-care practices I've adopted since--will allow me to continue pursuing a traditional NOBO thru-hike. Time will tell, but it's within my power to make it easier, harder, or impossible. I need only the will and discipline!I want to thank everyone who has helped me get this far. I have a LONG way to go, but I'm excited to see where things stand on May 17!