morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up throughout the night again last night. I think I managed to get about 6 hours of sleep. I finally crawled out of the tent around 7 AM. I had a couple pop tarts and hit the trail around ten til eight.I descended into Gooches Gap and saw a dozen or so tents set up near the forest service road. A mimitary ambulance pulled up just as I reached the road. I breezed through here without talking to anyone and started up the next hill. About a mile up the hill a soldier passed running down towards the road. A few minutes later a couple more soldiers. This continued foa about the next 30 minutes. Then some of the camping thru-hikers started catching up to me as I climbed the mountain. I am slower than many hikers going uphill, but few of them keep up by the end of the day. I caught up to Barbara and Aussie who had left the shelter about 30 minutes before me. We would pass each other many times the rest of the day.I stopped for lunch at a small clearing by a creek. Hungus was already there preparing for a nap in his hammock. Stephen and Dan were also there. I prepared Ramen w/ green beans then rolled out my sleeping pad under a tree and relaxed just enjoying moment. Ben from NJ showed up. I had seen him a couple times on the trail.After an hour of relaxing, I got back on the trail. I caught up with Sleeping Beauty on the trail. She had passed me at lunch. It must have been because I was rested. It wasn't long before she caught up with me. We hiked together most of the afternoon. We kept the same pace. It was nice to have someone to chat with occassionally. Sleeping Beauty is a school teacher from Houston. Her fiance will be joining to hike with her from Damascus to Harpers Ferry.I passed Barbara and Aussie with tents already set up at Slaughter Creek campsite. I called ahead to the Walasiyi Hostel at Neels Gap. They still had bunks available so Dan, Juan, and I headed up and over Blood Mtn. Sleeping Beauty stopped at Blood Mtn Shelter. I expect to see many of the same people along the trail for a while. There is a group of us hiking at about the same rate.So I am at the Hostel. I grab a bunk and then take a hot shower. What a great feeling and its only $15/night to stay here! Laundry is next. I didn't have change for the dryer. The store was closed, so I asked and one of the guys who works here gave me 4 quarters and wouldn't even take my dollar bill. Back in the Hostel Jessica from SC, Drew from London, and Pirate were watching Goonies so I got a Coke from the vending machine and joined them.I went to bed around 9 PM and someone was already snoring. I couldn't get to sleep for about an hour and was wide awake by 3 AM. I decided to get up and write this journal entry.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I restocked my food and fuel supply at Mountain Crossing outfitter this morning.I hit the trail at 10:30 and did 10.6 miles. Hiked with Step and a half, Jeannie, Jenn, and Weeks for most of the day. Ben, Hungus, and Sleeping Beauty caught me around Low Gap.I noticed tonight that I have blisters under the toe nail of the middle toe on each foot. The nails were raised up. Not sure how to take care of these. I popped the blisters to releive the pressure. I will try to tape them in the morning. I will probably loose these nails in a couple days.The weather was great again today. I am tired now.
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 20.2

Well, I woke up and called the post office to try to have my mail drop box forwrded to the hostel so I could get it on Sunday. They refused to forward it unless I came into the post office. What a government. If I could get to the post office I wouldn't need to forward it. I packed up and got on the trail around 9 AM with a mission to cover over 25 miles by early Saturday. I made a wrong turn and added a 2 mile hour and 15 minute detour up and over the wrong mountain to the agenda. I was determined to make this work so I hiked into the night using my head lamp and finaaly reached the Addis Gap camping area around 9:30 PM. It was a long day. I taped my toes and wore a third pair of socks to tighen up my boots. It seemed to work OK.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks Gap - Cloud 9 Hostel
Miles today: 5.3

I got up at 7 AM and knoked out the 5.4 miles to Dicks Gap by a little after 10. 2004 thru-hikers Carefree and Freedom were in the parking lot at the road with a little trail magic. I had a Hardees biscuit, banana, donuts, an apple and a coke and then Laura from Cloud 9 shuttled us to the hostel.I dropped my pack and then hit the road to catch a ride to the post office. I walked for 30 minutes before someone stopped to give me a ride. Bob Mitchell was on his way to the post office and grocery store. So he gave me a ride into town and back to the hostel. I spent the afternoon cleaning up and relaxing. I will stay here tomorrow also to let my knees and feet recover from the past couple days. Step and a half and the gang should be here tomorrow night and I plan to head out with them on Monday.The weather is still great and Io am loving life on the trail!
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Dicks Gap - Cloud 9 Hostel

To: Dicks Gap - Cloud 9 Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I am enjoying my first zero day at Cloud 9. I had a lazy day around the hostel and was glad to see some familiar faces catch up with me. We are all heading back to the trail tomorrow. The toes have benefitted from being out of the boots for a day and a half. My knees are stll a little sore, so I will take it slow the next couple days.Crutch is here at Cloud 9 for a while. He is working on his 5th consecutive AT thru-hike. He is a trained chef and forner restaurant owner. He will be cooking dinner for everyone tonight. Japanese style stir fry is on the menu.It was another sunny beautiful day with a high in the 80s. The forcast for the next week includes a 30% chance of thunder storms most days, so we will probably see how I hold up in the rain.Next town stop should be Franklin, NC in a few days.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Dicks Gap - Cloud 9 Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I was ready and eager to get back on the trail today. I was up early ang took the first shuttle out to the trail head at 8AM. It felt good to get back to hiking. I enjoyed the morning hike and enjoyed my standard 2 hr lunch break. I take off my boots and socks, cook some ramen and veggies, and relax for a while. It is my favorite part of the day.I stopped at Muskrat Creek shelter for the night. There were about 12 of us there. We built a campfire and talked til 9:30 PM, well past normal hiker bedtime. Lindsey and his dog Tiger were there. Tiger is a small Pomeranian dog and is a crowd favorite.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The trails were gentle today. Gradual ups and downs and easy to hike. I covered 12.5 miles today. The toes aren't bothering me and only minor pain in the knees. I only saw a couple hikers on the trail today, but the same group finished up at the shelter.The weather continues to be great for hiking!
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

The tent was very dry when I woke up today, so I won't have to set it up at lunch to dry. The trails were wonderful again today. There was a short steep climb up to the top of Albert Mtn that required the use of hands and feet in a few spots, but it wasn't too bad. There is a fire tower at the top of Albert Mtn that provides 360 degree views. The sky was a little hazy, but the views were still great. I stayed there for about 30 minutes and then hiked over to Big Spring Shelter for my long lunch break. I met a couple of trail maintainers at the shelter.I was the first one out of camp this morning and eager to hit the trail at 8 AM. I caught up with Matterhorn later who passed me when I was taking my lunch break. I learned from him that I had missed trail magic that morning at Mooney Gap. Free hot dogs, snacks, candy, and drinks. I had passes through there before the trail angels arrived. Weeks was kind enough to pick up a few cookies and candy bars for Scholar and me and gave them to us when he reached Rock Gap Shelter that evening. Tbey were a little smooshed, but still good.I had to set my tent up about 200 ft down hill from the shelter to get a flat spot. Eagle was at the shelter. Last year he hiked from GA to ME and back to GA. He is now on his way back to ME. He has also hiked a couple other long trails. It looked like his pack weighed about 20 lbs. I have a lot to learn still.Michelle ana Alecia showed up later and camped near me along with Lindsey and Tiger. We had a campfire and talked for a while.Pete, Ninja, and Matt passed through and kept hiking.Another great day on the trail.
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap - Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Here is a picture of me before cleaning up in Franklin. I have been wearing the mapdanna for a few days now.I woke up as it was getting light. I am sleeping better, but still wake up several times through the night. I packed up everything just in time, because it started to sprinkle. My first rain on the trail. It was pretty light and only lasted about 15 minutes. I needed to get down to Winding Stair Gap by 9:15 to catch Ron Haven's shuttle into Franklin. Ron is a great guy who runs two hotels in Franklin and spends his whole day helping thru-hikers.When I arrived at Winding Stair Gap, Matterhorn and Step 'n' a half were already there. Chocolate Bandito pulled up just as I arrived with donuts, strawberrys, fudge, and grapes. She was just spending the day driving around helping hikers. There is a wonderful community around the AT.Ron Haven pulled up in a school bus a little later. We loaaded up and he went over to Rock Gap to see if anyone was waiting for a ride and then back to Winding Stair Gap where we waited for the rest of our group to arrive. There were probably 20 hikers on the bus. I am staying at the Sapphire Inn tonight and tomorrow night. The Hikers Fools Bash starts tomorrow evening with live music and food right outside my room! I took a shower, washed clothes, got a new head lamp and some food today. Tomorrow is just time to relax. I will head over to the internet caf© and try to upload some more pictures.It rained for an hour or so this afternoon. I was glad to be at the hotel.I also learned there is another hiker festival in Hot Springs, NC on April 14Th. I will be adjusting my schedule so I am there on the 14th!Loving life on the AT!
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Winding Stair Gap - Franklin, NC

To: Winding Stair Gap - Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent the day in Franklin, NC today. I took the shuttle up the hill to the city diner for breakfast. When I got back to the hotel, I cleaned my water carriers and filter. The element was much dirtier than I expected. I will need to be more careful not to stir up dirt in the water when I collect it. I am planning to switch back to my first need purifier. Later in the morning I went up to the internet caf© and uploaded some pictures, so click the photos button at the left and check them out.I had barbeque for lunch again and sat around the hotel parking lot talking with other hikers. It is 5PM and the Hiker Fools Bash is about to start the band is playing and the food prep has started. My backpack is packed up and I am planning to head out on the 9AM shuttle. I should pass through the Nantahla Outdoor Center in two days and reach Fontana Dam in a couple more days to stock up for the Smokeys!People have been seeing wolves and some coyotes around Wayah Bald the past week. That will be about 10 miles into my hike tomorrow. I have seen several pictures of them. Wolves are very unusual and no one is really sure what the best tactic is to deal with them. The concensus is turning and running is not a good option.I may not be able to update the journal again until I reach Fontana Damm. I will add at least a short entry if I get cell coverage before then.
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Winding Stair Gap - Franklin, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

I left Franklin this morning on the first shuttle bus, which got me back to the trail at 9 AM. The trail wasn't too bad today. It was mostly uphill but the trail was only steep in a couple places. I planned to have lunch at Wayah Bald about 6 miles in. I got there and took my shoes off and just had cheese and pepperoni for lunch. The black flies were terrible here today. I only stayed 30 minutes.I haven't talked much about the negative things out here. The black flies have to be the worst thing. I think the unusually warm weather has resulted in a much higher fly population than normal. I had heard about problems with flies in May and June, but didn't expect them in March. I haven't seen many critters out here. There are bugs crawling on the ground, birds flying around, occasionally I see some squirels and that is about it. I heard someone saw the "wolves" this morning and said one of them had a dog collar on. Apparrently they are someone's Huskies. I hiked almost 16 miles today. It always feels good to reach town and get the hot shower, but after about a day I have completed my necessary activities. It always feels great to get back on the trail.My feet are all healed up and I didn't loose any toe nails. I still taped the middle toes just to be sure they have time to completely heal. My knees only hurt a few times today, but that is mostly because of the uphill trails. Tomorrow will be mostly down hill including a 2500 foot down hill section. I am only planning to do about 10 miles tomorrow.I met a guy on the trail today that recognized me from my trail journal page. I need to get up early tomorrow if I am going t make it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center by 1 PM to go rafting. Weeks and Spicy Shrimp are done with their section hike and are driving up to NOC tomorrow and possibly bringing Matterhorn back from Franklin. If I don't get there in time, I will wait for Hungus and Earthquake (formerly Ben before he bumped into a picnic table spilling thing everywhere). The Hiker Fools Bash was fun. There was a band, food, conversations, and some attempts at square dancing or something like that. There was about 100 people there. I got some pictures to upload later, including Spicy Shrimp and Sleeping Beauty be held apart by Earthquake in a stages publicity stunt leading up to Ramen Wrestling at Trail Days.I also learned that Trail Fest in Hot Springs is April 27 - 29, not on April 14 as indicated in the Wingfoot guide. Oh well I am sure Hot Springs will still be fun whenever I get there.Live from the AT.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser, NC
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

It started raining about 2 AM this morning up at Cold Spring Shelter. I was in my tent and there were 4 other tenters and about 4 people in the shelter. I woke up sometime after the rain had started and immediately started looking for any leaks. There were no leaks. I closed the upper vent flaps to make sure no water would enter there. The wind was gusting and at one time it blew the front flap of the tent open. I had only secured it with the velcro strips. I got up, closed the flap, and used the velcro strips and a small hook and elastic cord to hold it closed. This is the first time I had to use the elastic cord to keep the tent closed. I finally got up around a 6:45 AM and was pleased the rain had stopped. I went down to the shelter to retrieve my food bag which was hanging between some trees to keep it away from any bears. As I lowered the food bag, the rain started again. I didn't have my rain gear on and had left the tent flap open, so I ran back up to the tent. Not too much got wet, but now I had to pack up in the rain.I put my rain gear on and was the first to leave camp at 8 AM. 15 minutes later the rain had stopped and I was hot, so I removed the rain gear and hiked in my shorts and shirt. It sprinkled on and off for the first 6 miles until I reached Wesser Shelter around 10:30. I stopped there for some water, food, and a short break. Scholar showed up while I was there. She got her trail name because she reads a lot and is carrying a couple books in her pack. She thru-hiked the AT in 2005 and is back for a second hike. We have been on the same hiking schedule for about a week. She hikes a little faster than me, but I catch up during breaks. It started to rain pretty heavy while we were in the shelter, so we put our rain gear back on before heading out for the 5 mile hike down to NOC.It rained heavily for the next three miles which made for some slippery spots along the trail. I slid a couple times, but managed to stay on my feet the whole way down. The rain stopped and I removed my rain gear for the last 2 miles. I reached NOC at about 12:30 and found Weeks, Spicy Shrimp, and Matterhorn in the restaurant. I joined them for lunch. The NOC didn't have any room available so Weeks gave Scholar and I a ride into Bryson City. I am at a motel and a couple more hikers are here. I am drying my gear and will try to hitch hike back to the NOC in the morning.I looked at the weather and it is turning colder around Wednesday, which is about the time I will start the Smokeys. It looks like the night time lows will drop below 20 degrees and highs will be in the 40s or 50s. Brrrrrr! At least it should be dry.Glad to have made it through my first rainy day without too much trouble.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser, NC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I started the day hitch hiking out of Bryson City with Scholar. After about 15 minutes Angie, a rafting guide at the NOC, stopped and gave us a ride up to Hwy 28. There we waited just a few minutes before Tom, another NOC guide, picked us up and took us up to the NOC. Thanks Angie and Tom. The NOC is great! Shortly after arriving we found our way to the breakfast buffet.The slackers, Hungus and Earthquake had not been seen, so at 9:45 I decided to abandon the rafting idea and get back on the trail. I can go rafting when I get to Hot Springs, NC or Irwin, TN.I had been told it was a difficult climb up from NOC, but I was feeling good and thought I could make a 16 mile hike to Brown Fork Shelter. The trail had other plans! You have toclimb up 3300 feet in the first 7 miles. I was about a mile up the trail when I heard something tearing at my pack. Just as I looked back to see what the noise was, I was yanked off my feet and thrown backwards by a small pine tree that had snagged on a dangling draw cord on my pack. All I could think about was trying to keep from tumbling down the hill. I managed to get back on my feet and secured the loose straps. I reached Sassafras Gap Shelter about 2:00. Took my boots off and fixed some Ramen noodles for lunch. The word at the shelter was there is trail magic down at Stecoah Gap, a couple miles short of my original destination, but still 7 miles away. I was determined to make it there. I didn't see anyone else on the trail all afternoon. Today was probably the most difficult day on the trail so far. If I had tried this section of trail back in October, I probably would have lost all desire to hike the AT, but I am a hiking machine now and it was just another day on the trail.I finally reached Stecoah Gap around 6:30 to find a couple RVs, canopies, and a dozen or so thru-hikers stuffing there faces with hamburgers! Former thru-hikers Bear Bear and Jelly Bean along with a few others are providing the trail magic here for 2 weeks. They will be here until April 13 for anyone heading up the trail.I had 2 cheeseburgers, baked beans, a banana, a grape soda, and some ice cream! Thanks Bear Bear & Jelly Bean.I have 15.1 miles left to get to Fontana Dam. I hope to get there tomorrow to avoid the rain on Wednesday. There are about 15 of us thru-hikers tenting here tonight. My legs are very sore tonight, I hope they feel better in the morning.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam Marina
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a couple of bananas and some lemonade from the trail magic site today and then headed out on the trail at 8 AM. The trail today was average in difficulty. The elevation profiles shown on the maps pick up the high and low points, but omit a lot of the ups and downs in between. I have learned not to rely on them so much. It is bad when you think you are going to be heading down hill and find a few extra mountains you have to climb first. I stopped at Cable Gap Shelter for lunch. I arrived about the same time as Matterhorn, Scholar, TDS (totally different subject) and worm. Then about 5 or 6 more showed up including Lindsey and Tiger. I said goodbye to Lindsey and Tiger before leaving the shelter. They are ending their section hike at Fontana Dam and will be missed on the trail.I am spending the night in Fontana Dam. I am washing clothes, picked up my supply box, and will be preparing for about 6 cold days in the Smokies.It is suppose to rain tonight and tomorrow and then turn cold. I am going to try to wait for the rain to stop and then hopefully get some hiking in tomorrow afternoon.Surprisingly they do not have cell coverage here so I will post this later.
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Fontana Dam Marina

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked out of Fontana Dam at 11:30 with Stephen. I wanted to get out earlier, but we had to wait an hour for the shuttle. We hiked up Shuckstack Mtn in the morning. I stopped at Birch Spring Campsite for lunch. Stephen kept going and a few other hikers passed. I had originally planned to hike up to Spence Field Shelter, which would be a 17 mile hike. I wasn't sure how far I would make it with such a late start.My right knee isn't bothering ma at all now. The left knee still has a little pain, but its not bad. The feet are blister free, but sweat a lot with the three pairs of socks. I'll have to figure out a better method after I get through the Smokies. It was a good day for hiking. The rain had stopped before I started hiking. The clouds cleared out shortly after and the cold air started blowing in. I reached Mollies Ridge Shelter around 6 PM and decided to continue on to Russell Field Shelter. I didn't want to stay there, but wanted to get in some more miles. I reached Russell Field Shelter at 7:30 and found lots of familiar faces: Stephen, Matterhorn, Moby, James, Biker Barb, Aussie, Little Red and the Wolf (formerly Andy and Paige from Raleigh I met my second night on the trail).I talked for a few minutes, signed the shelter journal and decided to move on to Spence Field Shelter. I got there at 8:45 and had to hike the last 30 minutes in the dark. There was a tarp across the front of the shelter and inside I found about 10 hikers and a nice fire going in the fire place. It was late so I skipped my evening meal and went to bed.So ends another day on the trail.