morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-22
From: cold spring shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: 0

Woke up early,the temp was 18,and snowing.I was freezing my a** off.My bag does great till it gets to the low 20's.   Didn't get started hiking till 11:00.Had to get all the snow off the tent.By the time we started hiking it had warmed up so much that I was down to my short sleeves.Was getting pelted with ice as it fell from the trees.   I'm still sooo sore.   We had a great camp site next to a stream tonite,next to A Rufus Morgan shelter.New Day made ramen for dinner tonite,It was great..Set around the fire for a long time just shooting the sh*t.Well I'm tired so nite..Old SchoolNow New DAy says...why does it have to be so cold?the tents were frozen and so am i.after a hot b-fast we were off.had lunch on wesser bald and climbed the fire tower.at the top the stairs were covered in ice.we were trying to make noc todaybut we fell short.thats ok though something to look forward too.met a new face today her name is holly.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: A. Rufus Morgan shelter

To: Sassafas gap shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: 0

Happy Birthday to Me. Stayed in my sleeping bag till 9:00.Today was one big up.Went up about 3000 ft. in about 6 miles.But I felt really strong today.I'm beginning to get in a little better shape. WE stopped at th N.O.C. today,got breakfast,New Day got a silk liner for her sleeping bag.Her bag is not keeping her warm.So hopefully the liner will help. The trail from the N.O.C. to our camp site was amazing.A lot of work went into it..   We,re camped close to Sassafras Gap shelter.ON the way here it started to sleet and snow.We are now all in my big ass tent,B-rad is staying in our tent tonite so he doesn't have to pitch his tent in this snow.   After dinner,New Day gave me a snicker bar with a big candle and sang happy birthday to me   We are now just chilling in the tent,candle still burning warming up the tent a little.Life is good...Old SchoolNow for New Day...happy birthday old school hope you have a great day.he has a choice for his day either stay at noc or hike.he chose to hike.we had a good b-fast(i love eggs)and the started a big climb.it started to snow before we got to the shelter which was full.we put the tent up and celebrated old school's b-day witha candle and a snickers.it's so cold and snowy b-rad is staying in our tent with us.hope that works out.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Sassafas gap shelter

To: Stecoah gap
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: 0

When we woke this morning there was 3 inchs of snow and it was still snowing and sleeting.   We finally got out of the tent at 9:00,took another hr to get snow off the tent and everything packed up.   It was cold,we started hiking and my feet was frozen.The trail was slick,hard to walk on.Thats when we decided to hike the 6.7 miles to stecoahgap and hitch into Robbinville and wait for the weather to get a little better.   It took us a long time but we made it....Everyone is great.New Day has had a couple of "moments",But shes a real trooper..B-rad has had one "moment" but it didn't last long   New Day has fallen a few times but nothing bad..B-rad has fallen about 3 or 4 times   Old School has gone down 2xs   We have checked into a motel and have gone to get some town food,Mc D's ummm good   It was nice to get a real bath with hot water.Wow it s the little things.....Life is good ...Old SchoolNow New Day....well it was a little tight but we made it through the night.i got a bag liner at noc and what a difference it makes!a little snow fell last night so it was a late start today.the snowkept falling and the risk of us falling was greater.old school suggest we go to town and everyone was happy for that.we got picked up by two fisherman who told us it was gonna get worse.so we got a room and a shower,had burgers for dinner and are now watching the weather.turns out the family is too cause they were happy to hear we were ok.if it doesn't look any better by morning we'll stay another day.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Robbinsville

To: camp site
Miles today: 11.5

After two 0 days the first half of the day was hard.My feet are getting beat down.I like my boots but I think that its time for my New Balance to get mailed to me. I think that today was my lowest point of the hike.Not that I wanted to quit,But I just was not having a good time.This sh*t is hard.   WE have got to get our daily miles up.I only have 6 months.Need to get our average miles up to 12 per day.Right now its just a little over 6.   Had my 3th fall today slipped and fell onto my pack...funny stuff..      Its not about having a good time..Its about getting to Maine......Old SchoolNow for the thoughts of New Day....we got up early today cause it is time to go back.had b-fast and called the kids.i really miss thoes guys.they sound fine and say all is good.a little challange for g-ma every now and again but for the most part they are fine.the trail was muddy and icy today.i fell 3 times!twice on my back and then on my knee.sure hope it doesn't hurt tomarrow.won't be long till we are in the smokies.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: camp site

To: Birchspring tent site
Miles today: 9.5

Hiked into Fontana Dam today.Went to the post office to pick up the mail drop.We had too much food in it so we started a bounce box Got back to the trail walked across the dam and headed into The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Climbing up into the park was hard to say the least.UP UP UP We got to the campsite just as it was getting dark.New Day cooked dinner in the dark next to the camp fire.WE filtered water hung up the food,I'm tired ....Old SchoolNow heres New Day....here we go we are at fontanna dam.we will spend our first night in the smokies.we got about a mile in when we realized b-rad left my mp3 in a tree at the marina!poor baby had to go all the way back to get it!it slowed us down but we made it to the tent site before dark.we met heading out & tagging along.we are gonna try to get straight through and i hope it works out.we are starting to get our miliage up.we have under 2000 to go!
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Birchspring tent site

To: Spence field shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: 0

1st full day in the smokies.Still have not seen any wild life except for some birds.Mybe I'll get to see something before I get out of the park.There is still a lot of snow on top of these mountains,and as its melting its making the trail really muddy.At times today it seened that I was walking in a creek instead of on a trail.The trail is hard,the ups are hard and the downs aren't really easy.Its putting the beat down on my feet.I want my New Balance.But I do love my boots.If I had been wearing my New Balance today my shoes,socks,feet would have been covered in mud.So I'll wait for the weather to warm before I send for them.We'll staying in a shelter tonite,this makes 2 times.This one has a fireplace,preety cool. well I'm tired....A BAD DAY ON THE TRAIL IS STILL A DAY ON THE TRAIL....oLD sCHOOL.NOW nEW dAY...we got up real early today because we had quite the walk ahead of us.the trail was real muddy so we seen lots of animal tracks but nothing that made them.two of the guys we camped with said they saw two bears when they first came in the park but so far all our spottings have been in a town.i saw my first shelter that has a chainlink fence in front of it !creepy but cool cause they all have fireplaces in them!the shelter was empty so we decided to stay in it.this on was covered with a tarp instead of a fence.it helped with the cold but was just a little scary.we didn't have any mice visit either which was a good thing.we hung our packs as well as our food though just to be safe.i'm a little scared but i'm sure we'll be fine.i'm steady loosing weight so i had to take my fanny pack in so it would quit falling down.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Spence field shelter

To: SILERS Bald shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: 0

We did 11.8 hard and slow miles today. we started at about 8:00 and pulled into camp at 6:15.We hit our highest point so far in the smokies,Thunderhead Mtn. at 5527'.Long hard up,the down side was the cold side.It still had a couple inchs of snow,whice was melting and making for a muddy trail.Trail conditions today was muddy,dry icey,all in the same mile. Lots and lots of ups today,these smokies are trying to put the beart down on my ass.On one section today the trail was totally covered in ice and snow made for some hiking,one slip and you would find yourself rolling down the mountain side,not good.   I had my 3th fall today,I slipped on a rock did a 180 and landed on my ass,preety funny.   We stopped at Derrick Knob shelter to do lunch,that was at 6 miles for the day.It was hard to put the boots back on and hike another 5.35 miles,I was tired.But I did it. we just finished our ramen and the wind up here at 5460' feet is really blowing.   Well we're in the tent writing and chilling...later.....IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ON THE TRAIL YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH....OLD SCHOOLNew Day says.....we all made it through the night without anyone loosing any sleep.we climbed some pretty high stuff and had lunch at derrick knob.we met maddog and the kid.they were surprised to hear we were moving on but right now we need all the miles we can possibly do.on our way to silers bald we ran accross two southbounders.south paw & bemis.they started in july of last year!we got to the shelter around 6 pm and put up our tents.head-n-out & taggin-a-long were there and we met a section hiker called sea stepper.she was on a 8 day adventure after leaving the kids with dad while they were on springbreak.what a great husband she must have.it's cold and windy and they are calling for rain again.we do clingmans dome tomarrow and we are gonna call it a early day cause we gotta go to gatlinberg for a few things.we're not staying though we want to get out of the park as planned.hope we get to climb the tower we here it's closed!i guess we'll find out when we get there.
Date: 2006-03-31
From: SILERS Bald shelter

To: Mt. collins shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: 0

We got to the top of Clingmans Dome (6643') today.WOW,what a view.Its the highest point along the AT.Climing up to it today was...well great.Going downthe other sidewas hard and slow because of all the snow,ice and mud.B-rad had a bad fall today but he is fine,he just had to clean the mud off.   When we was breaking camp today "ridge runner" Jim came up on us just as we were taking down our tents and informed us that tenting on the AT in the smoky national park was breaking the rules.We have to sleep in the shelter while in the park unless the shelters are full.I thought ,well sh*t that reqlly sucks.But we'll make the best of it.We only only have a few more days in the smokies.   Its a 4.5 mile hike to the road crossing to go into town,we need more food....Old SchoolNew Day says......not only were we tenting but i got caught fixing b-fast in the shelter.jim said it would be ok cause it was soo cold and windy.the view from clingmans dome was breathtaking.but comming down was a dangerous job.when we got to the shelter we were informed of the passing of phonix.sometime in the middle of the night the lord called him home.we wish him peace and take comfort in knowing he went doing what he loved.b-rad on the other hand just wanted to make sure he wasn't sleeping where phonix died.young kids what to do with them.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Mt. collins shelter

To: Newfound gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: 0

New Day and I are having our 5th wedding anniversary today.   We hiked the 4.5 miles to Newfound gap,got a ride with the first car by and we were off to Gatlinburg to spend the nite,resupplyand to get our freak on ...Old SchoolNew Day......happy anniversary to us!we didn't plan on staying in town but when we got ther it was irrestable.hot food a hot bath and a warm bed was all it took.nice little tourist trap that reminds me of home with mountains instaed of the beach.i felt like i was at home!did our laundry in the sink for the first time and i just hope it dries.hope eveyone had a great april fool's and remembered to spring forward.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Newfound gap

To: Pecks corner shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: 0

Tried to get back to the trail early,we got back to the gap at about 8:30 and we did the 10.4 miles to Pecks corner shelter.   The shelter was full so we got to tent,found a great site about 100 yards from the shelter.   The hike today was great,from Newfound gap we went up,up,upand got to the ridge line and followed it most of the day.It was great,with the best views yet.The view from Charlies Bunion was..WOW.The North part of the Smokies is a world away from the south part.   We went thru one part with lust evergreens and thick green moss on everything.It looked like a rain forest...I love this sh*t...Old SchoolNew Day says......the first climb today was a big one.not too steep but went up for awhile.we had lunch at ice water shelter and the apple pie i brought was a tasty treat.when we got to pecks corner the shelter was full so we got to tent out without getting fussed at.there were alot of section hiker there.we saw the kid again and he was limping cause he hurt his knee.b-rad gave him our knee brace to help him out.it sure didn't look good.he says he'll be fine and we hope he will be.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Pecks corner shelter

To: Cosby Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: 0

Bad thunder storm last nite.Blew up a tent stake and I had to get into full rain gear and go outside to fix it.   Stayed in the tent until it stopped raining about 9:30 and didn't start hiking till about11:00.Still our best day so far,12.9 miles.We rolled into the shelter right befor dark.New Day cooked up some ramen and we settled in for the nite....Old SchoolNew Day says........what a way to wake up being rained on!old school fixed it right away but when the storm was finished we were getting a late start.we had lunch at tri-corner and decided to go on.it raind & hailed on us but we got to corey knob just before dark.we had found a pack cover earlier in the day and it found it 's owner there which happened to be the kid.his knee is still swollen but it's not slowing him down.this will be our last night in the park and this is the scariest shelter yet.no kind of cover on the front at all.hope i don't wake up to a bear sniffing my head!wow that's gonna help me sleep.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Cosby Knob shelter

To: tent site out of the smokies
Miles today: 9.2

A great hike out of the smokies today.We started with a big up but after that it was down all the way out of the park.We stopped at the first place we found to pitch the tents,a perfect site next to a stream. We pitched tent and New Day and I cleaned up a little while B-rad gathered up wood for our fire tis evening.B-rad had some pop corn that he popped over the open fire.Man that was good.ITS THE LITTLE THINGS..   After dinner we just chilled around the campfire for a long time.Its nice to be out of the Smokies were they tell you were you have to camp.....Only 1938.5 miles to go.....Old SchoolNew Days says......well it wasn't a bear but that mouse scared the crap out of us!we were so glad to get out of the smokies so we could camp where we wanted.found a spot by a stream and we all got cleaned up cause it was warm.wee called it a early day to dry & air out the tents.they were smelly from being put up wet.we will be crossing i-40 tomarrow.i've been having neck pain and some spasms in my back so i guess i'll have to work through the pain.next real stop hot springs!
Date: 2006-04-05
From: tent site out of the smokies

To: max patch
Miles today: 15.3

Got up early to a nice day.We started a fire and New Day cooked us some oatmeal while I packed up camp.   Started the hike today walking down a cascadaing stream(nice).Then we crossed interstate 40 and started our big climb up.3000 ft up to max patch.We hiked 15.3 miles today,it took us about 12 hrs.We rolled into camp with just enough day light to pitch our tents...I'm tired...Old SchoolNow for New Day......getting up early pays off when your still moving slow.it was a long day and we still had a while to go.we passed some people who told us there was trailmagic in brown gap.it was soda's & hotdogs complements of apple.we didn't stay long cause we still had 4 miles to go.we went over max patch and i'm sure it would have been alot nicer had it not been so cold & windy.the wind was awlful.it was blowing us sideways!we set up tents right before the sun went down.we built a small fire and sat around for a few minutes but it was so cold we just got in our bags and called it a night.our pace is a little better and i hope we can keep it up.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: max patch

To: Deer park mountain shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: 0

WOW, 16.1 miles today.WE needed to get close to Hotsprings so we could get there first thing in the morning,we're out of food.I eat my last dinner tonite.My food bag is empty.   We again rooled into our campsite right before dark.We're hiking some long days,we need to get our avg. miles per day up to 12.We want to be done by the end of Aug.Can we do it?   The hike today was good.The first half was all flat or down,then after lunch we hit the big ups.But we took our time,took our breaks,walked in the rain for a while.The trail from Max Patch to here is one of the best sections so far.Well its chill time...BE WILL TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP...OLD SCHOOL...trying to get miliage up means getting up early.it's cold so that makes it hard to get going.b-rad headed out first so he could start filtering water.we had a little shelter confusion we stopped at old roaring fork thinking it was walnut mt. it seems they built a new one and haven't removed the old one.we had alot of up up up today so now i feel like i'm using other muscles that haven't been worked in like EVER!we had a great milage day.funny how far you get when your inspired by a bath & real food!we are getting up early so it's time for zzzz's.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Deer park mountain shelter

To: Hotsprings
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: 0

Woke up sore today,more so than before.But we only have 3.2 miles to Hotsprings were we are going to camp at the Hotsprings campgrounds.   We have a bounce box waiting for us and my mom has sent me my New Balance(oh yea)I hope that they will help with my beat down feet.But I don't know how they will do in the bad weather.But I will find out soon.If they don't work out my boots will be in the bounch box a couple of wks.ahead.   Hotsprings is a great little hiker town.All hikers should spend a little time there   Everyone here says that we are in for some bad weather tonite.We're sitting here next to our campfire just chilling and watching the lighting in the distant coming closer and closer.   We had some great town food and we are resupped for another 100 miles, in the morning we're out of here....Old SchoolNow for New Dayit's amazing how easy it is to get up when your going into town.b-rad was up and ready 1st.we got to hot springs and went right to the smokey mountain diner.we met biscuts and had a fantastic b-fast.we decided to stay at the campground.it was a nice day and you can shower!we got our re-supply and i had fried chicken for dinner.such simple things you miss.we set around the fire and had a couple of beer's.then the rain moved in and sent us in the tents.we have met a few new hikers teddy,pilgram,daisy & mud flap,figgy,rambo,lepracahn &shananagins.they are all cool.we miss chainsaw ,rat puke & squirrel.they got ahead but we saw them today.time for bed.sweet dreams.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Hotsprings

To: camp site next to dam
Miles today: 4.9

When we got in the tent last nite the rain came and came,with lighting and thunder,it rained all nite and morning.It stopped for a awhile so we packed and headed out of town.We hiked along the French Broad River for about a mile,then turned and headed up into the mountains.   We walked for about 5 miles and came onto this great campsite next to a pone, so we said what the hell lets just chill here for the rest of the day.   New Day cooked spag.for dinner.Really Good.   I'm hiking in my New Balance,WOW,I love them.I love my boots too.But man,OH man,these things feel sooo much better.   We're out for a little over a 100 miles this time before we resupply again,hope we have enough food.We're starting to eat alot.......Old schoolNew day says........why is it that not only is your pack heavy and you going up when you leave town but why does it have to rain too!poor b-rad woke up in a puddle.guess that wasn't such a great spot after all.we packed up and on my way out i called my dad.we talked with the kids last night and we were off.the ran got harder and when lunch time came we just threw up the tarp and got out of the rain.it was cool but it slowed us down.by this time i'm wishing i had stayed in hot springs.we hiked to a campground next to a pond and that's where we ccaught up with chainsaw and got our first taste of able jack.they didn't want to hike in the rain either so they took a 0 day there.made spagetti for dinner and now it's time for sleep.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: camp site next to dam

To: little laurel shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: 0

Woke up and on the trail by 7:30 today,breakfast was great,2 hard boiled eggs and a pack of poptarts Today was my first full day with my new balance.Man what a big difference.My feet don't get nearly as beat down.So as long as we don't get any more snow up in these mountains I'm going to stay with them and send my boots home,mybe I'll get them back up north   Only 1884.3 miles to go.We're feeling good,feeling stronger every wk.This is the hardest damn thing that I have ever done.But I know that we can do this.   The people that we have met out here are amazing.Total stangers invite us in and offer us hot food and cold drinks.There are still a lot of good people in the world.Which gives me hope for the future.   We are camped next to Little Laurel shelter and after chilling next to the fire for a awhile we're in our tent.nite nite...A BAD DAY ON THE TRAIL IS STILL A DAY ON THE TRAIL....OLD SCHOOL.New Day says....... i sure will be glad when it warms up.32 this morning and windy to made me a little cranky.we had a good hike today and in allen gap we saw a flyer for trailmagic.old school wanted to keep going but b-rad & i won.what a treat.hercules & fal were great!we had pork stew & fresh bread.and for dessert a brownie sundae!it was so good and they were wonderful angels.we finished our goal for the day still with full bellies so i didn't have to cook.the down side is i'm still carrying the food.but if i had to do it again i'd still go by their house.may god always bless them.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: little laurel shelter

To: Jerry Cabin shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: 0

Its been a lazy day.WE didn't get out of the tent till late.It's so cold in the morning its hard to climb out of the tent.   We were going to do about 14 miles today but the trail was so hard.At one point today I had to put away my treking poles and use my hands to climb.Having to work up and around those big ass rocks worn me out.I think that we were doing less than 1 mile per mile.   When we got to Jerry Cabin shelter we decided to call it a day.This place looks like tent city.There must be 20 hikers camped around here.Well its chill time.....Old schoolNew Day says........starting late = not getting far.we started out going up and then we had to do a little rock climbing!it was a bit scary but not bad.we saw maddog while having lunch said he was stopping at the same shelter.looks like that rock was a milestone for many our this is just a popular place cause there are lots of folks here and they're still comming.it's nice caause there are alot of faces that i didn't think we'd see again.the weather is still crazy.cold in the morning,hot in the day ,and now it's real cold again.time to get in my bag.