morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

Today started off normal with a lower temperature, then the peaks misted over, then it started pouring. I became soaked while putting on my rain gear and fashioning a pack cover out of a garbage bag. After about 45 minutes the rain stopped. I took everything off and continued. 30 minutes later it started drizzling, then 20 minutes later it was an ungodly freezing monsoon. I hiked for the next 4 monsoon-hours without seeing a single person. The hike included two 5000+ ft peaks, one with an observation tower at the top without a view that day. Eventually I caught Maple at the Big Spring shelter along with my other friend "Fig" with whom I have camped several times. Fig, a Maine retiree on his third AT hike, pitched his tent and was staying for the duration. However, with about 20 people at the shelter built to sleep 8 or so, this was an extremely unpleasant option. After a couple hours the deluge ceased, then Maple and I struck out for the next shelter (about 5 miles away). We arrived just before dark, set up tents, and enjoyed a subarctic, polar sleep. My sleeping bag was soaked, so I put on 3 pairs of socks, long underwear, all the shirts and shorts I had, and was able to barely survive the night. It was our longest day so far, totaling 19.7 miles. 19 mile days are not bad unless you are swimming 14 of them. Our group has fragmented, but we'll catch them soon. Tomorrow we're doing 4 miles and then going into Franklin, NC to dry off and get some postcards.PS I've put some pictures up.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Hi Everyone,Today was our shortest day yet. Only 3.8 miles from Rock Gap shelter to Winding Stair Gap, where the free shuttle to Franklin picked us up at 9:30. Ron, the shuttle driver, does two runs a day to and from various trailheads into either Franklin or Hiawassee. Ron (a retired NWA wrestler that used to go by "Cubby Carlisle") owns hiker-friendly hotels in both towns and is very entrepreneural. I was very appreciative of Ron because everything I had was soaked through, so drying out in Franklin was the only reasonable option. While in town we found our compatriots Mark, Ian, Dave, Brian, and "Tinman" ("Because my joints are always creakin'") had come in late the previous night and were taking a zero day. There are many restaurants in Franklin which are not found in the North: Bojangles, Zaxby's, "MackDonald's (as pronounced locally)" and of course, the Huddle House (a less extravagant Waffle House). Maple and I finally went to a buffet, Shoney's all you can eat, featuring fried chicken, gravy, corn, etc. It was very good, and only cost about $7.50. I had been talking up the "Landfill" trail name, and after putting away 5 full plates, felt pretty good about securing my spot in the Shoney's distinguished persons category (Maple was impressed too). However, as we were getting ready to leave, a shadow fell upon our booth. From the vestibule emerged this gigantic guy who approximately 6'6' and 450 lbs. He was wearing a southern tuxedo (overalls and cap) which gave him a Tweedle Dee look. This guy was significantly taller and rounder than me; my height may have equaled his diameter but definitely not his circumference.As I felt my Shoney's accomplishments fade away to nothing, "Big Earl, Bubba, or Tiny" had this little grin on his face and, glancing at the big pile of chicken, a look which said "scream if you want to, ain't nobody coming to help."Afterwards we went to the drug store to get contact solution and sunscreen. The pharmacist talked to me for 25 minutes about how he did the AT back in the 70s and that we were going too fast and that we needed to make sure to camp at Max Patch and some other shelter that I unfortunately can't remember (It sleeps 40, so I'm sure it's in the book). When we got back our friends had left a note on our door inviting us to meet at Rathskeller (bar) to drink beer and watch golf. I ended up taking a nap and drying out more stuff. So after 8 days the total is 107.7 miles. Tomorrow Ron will drop us back off and we'll continue.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Hi Everyone,We (Maple, Ian, Mark(British guy) and I) caught the 8:30 shuttle back to Winding Stair Gap. After about 25 minutes I came across Swinging Lick Gap, the sign for which had been ingeniously vandalized by altering one significant letter. Today I hiked up bald top mountains, two of which had towers on top. The first was build in memory of John Byrne, forest supervisor from 1931 until his untimely death in 1933. The second was a former Fire watchtower which offers a 360 degree panoramic of the surrounding mountains. Along the hike up to the second tower was a simple plaque off to the side, reading: On December 7, 1968, 783 feet Southwest from this point, Wade A. Sutton, North Carolina forest service ranger, gave his life suppressing a forest fire; that you might more fully enjoy your hike along this trail. I experienced "trail magic" twice today! First two women with 3 little dogs were coming down one of the trails giving out candy to all the thru-hikers. Second, a church group was waiting at a gap with sandwiches, brownies, and cold beverages for everyone passing through. They only do this a couple times a year during hiking season, so I was very lucky to get some! I'd missed all the other trail magic so far, usually it will be someone grilling burgers at a road crossing or discovering that someone has brought a cooler of cold soda and gatorade for the hikers, etc. Today I hiked 21.6 miles, 129.3 total.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Today I hiked the 5 or so miles into the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) which has a ton of rafting/kayaking/hiking activities and services. It includes a big setup of buildings centered around the Nantahala river, basically in the middle of nowhere in NC. There are places to stay (real rooms and also bunkhouses), 2 restaurants (Slow Joe's Cafe on the Appalachian Trail, and River's End), both of which overlook the river so you can see the kayakers and rafters paddling by as you eat and drink. There are also many bridges so you can watch people from above. There is a big outdoors outfitter in the NOC which caters to all sorts of activities. A map in the corner covered the entire Appalachian Trail (4 feet tall) with a tiny arrow saying "you are here" (2 inches). Most of our friends spent the night in the bunkhouses, but Maple and I continued out of the valley, up to Sassafras gap (about 2500 feet elevation gain in about 4 miles)
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Today we started at the Sassafras Gap shelter, about 7 miles North (and up) from the NOC. Even more uphill today, several thousand feet. Mark, Ian, and Dave are planning on meeting us in Fontana tomorrow. They should be fine, but we'll see what time they roll in. I'm not sure they counted on the sheer amount of elevation for these two days. I've met a few more people today, also caught up with Fig and his tiny shorts that he wears. Tonight I'm sleeping in the shelter with him, "Hollywood", and "Tourguide". "Hedgehog" is going to be cowboy camping (no tent, just sleeping bag outside on the ground) under where the bear bags are hanging which is hilarious, but as he puts it "I'd already picked out this flat spot BEFORE anyone started hanging bags from that branch!"
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: few clouds

Traveled to the Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana Hilton) which sleeps 24 people. There were a million hikers around in this offseason tourist town. Fontana Dam is the largest Dam east of the Mississippi River. It creates Fontana Lake, which is along the southwestern border of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. They have a general store which is more geared towards selling old people sweatshirts with "Fontana Dam" on them than anything useful to anyone. I picked up some expensive Ramen Noodles, pop tarts, and a jar of chunky peanutbutter. Also I bought a full tube of sour cream and onion pringles and engulfed it right there in the parking lot. Then of course I went back in and did the same thing with a big thing of orange juice. After resupplying, I parked myself out front and "borrowed" electricity from an open outlet to recharge my phone and camera battery. Dave ("Ponytail Dave" AKA "Shovelhead as is his accepted trail name) showed up to pick up his mail. The actual Appalachian Trail is about 3 miles from where the general store and post office are located in Fontana. They generously offer a shuttle for $3 each way. While this is a very gracious and reasonably-priced option, Ponytail Dave and I decided to walk down and see if we could get a ride down to the Fontana Hilton. Along the way we stopped at "The Hellbender Pit Stop" and got some hot dogs and beer. The great part about this was that you could bring alcohol across the street to picnic tables and hang out in public. There were a bunch of other hikers there, and we had fun. Dave pointed out that the Pit Stop was promoting the "Tail of the Dragon" which was only a few miles away. Tail of the Dragon or just "The Dragon" is a stretch of road famous among motorcycle enthusiasts which boasts 318 turns in 11 miles. We got a not-for-profit ride back to the shelter and met Maple as she was leaving. She wanted to continue up into the Smokies that night instead of doing a short 6.6 mile day. I was pretty set on relaxing, so off she went. Mark and Ian stayed up at the Lodge. Dave and I and a bunch of other random hikers stayed at the Hilton.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Deep in Smokies

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

LANDFILL is still alive and moving fast. I'm deep in the Smokies however and have little reception or battery left. We all have just enough food to stretch it to Hot Springs where 2 of us have food drops to collect, and the other 2 guys I've been hiking with can buy food. Yesterday we did 19.8 miles and summitted Clingman's Dome (6643'), and there was snow at the peak. I'll send a better update when I have more juice. I'm at an overly-touristy road crossing/overlook at the NC/Tennessee border, mile 204.7.
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Today included summitting Mt Sequoia, Mt. Chapman, and a few other features. The first part of the day was slightly rainy and very very misty/foggy. I couldn't see anything of the views. I'm really glad we had the great weather yesterday. My camera battery is all used up because of that, so we'd better not see anything cool for another few days until I can charge it up in Hot Springs, NC! Chafing is terrible again, I think I'll just make it into town and lay low for a couple days until it heals up again, and then use preventative measures. I met Elly from Wisconsin, Fast Layne and sister Inferno, also Fair Weather from Connecticut. I've been making a list of people, trying to get all 50 states. It shouldn't be too hard, I got Alaska (Limestone) and Hawaii (East Wind) in the first 2 days. Everyone is so nice. It's very easy to meet people out here. Either endorphines brought on by the exercise or maybe it's that bad people can't be bothered to hike all the way up a mountain just to be a jerk at the top. I found the book "The Curse of the Campfire Weenies(and other warped and creepy tales)" at Ice Water shelter (about 28 miles ago) and have been reading it ever since. I should have it finished by tomorrow. Davenport Gap is the last shelter in the Smokies, about 0.9 miles from the Northern border of the park.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Max Patch Summit
Miles today: 16.9

Today I made it to Max Patch Summit. First I stopped off at the Standing Bear (hostel, cabins, general store, showers etc) for a shower and to buy some food. I had ingeniously planned it so that I had zero food left that for breakfast. So it was a 3 mile fun run to Standing Bear first thing in the morning. Also the 3 miles were uphill. And the trail was lined with poison ivy. But still it was fun because I had a lot of food at the Standing Bear. After departing, the trail became a gigantic mountain climb. The trail drops down to 1400', and then climbs to 4263', then drops to 2850', then climbs up to 4629', which was the high point for today. For those of us unfamiliar with hiking or math or what physical exercise is, that equals a very tough day! It also turned out to be perhaps the best day so far. I met "Mad Mike" (Massachusetts) and Charlie D (Arkansas) on Snowbird Mountain and spent way too much time with them up there in the sun, talking about chafing and short undershorts (yes it was relevent). Then I met "Fairy Princess" and "Redbeard" on the way down. Finally as I got to the summit of Max Patch, I came across a big group of about 15 thru hikers who had apparently been sitting around since noon, enjoying 3 sets of trail magic (hot dogs, beer, fresh fruit, candy). I'd been too late to get any of that (and I later found out that there'd been some at Davenport Gap that afternoon, which I was too early for). I did get some oranges though, which was great. Anyway, Max Patch was once the site of an old homestead and logging camp. It was originally forested, but early inhabitants cleared the mountaintop to graze sheep and cattle. The summit has been used as a landing strip for small planes. In 1982 the United States Forest Service purchased the 392 acre grassy top mountain for the AT and now uses mowing and controlled burns to maintain its bald appearance. It is known for its panoramic views of the Smokies to the south and glimpses of other mountains in every other direction. I met a bunch of new people ("Superman", "Grizzly", "City Slicker", "Magnet", "Rockstar", "The Frat Boys", "Sabbath Keeper" and many others. Ponytail Dave, Fast Layne, Inferno, and others I'd already met were there as well. They were a fun bunch. We set up our tents just off the peak (to avoid some wind) and camped out right under the stars. All you could see in every direction were beautiful mountain views. It was incredible! We watched the sunset through the mountains in an amazing display of color and light. I'll get some pictures of that night though other people, because my camera battery was dead.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Max Patch Summit

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was lots of flat ground with little ups and downs. Tons of Rhododendron everywhere. It should've been easy except the circumstances made it quite difficult. Deer Park Mountain Shelter is about 3.2 miles from Hot Springs, NC. I had almost decided to just go ahead and continue into town to begin the healing process, when I ran into Mr Vix, 2 Rings, and Jeff (from Exeter). They were going to do a very small mileage day tomorrow (a "nero"), followed by a zero mileage day (a "zero"). I figured that'd be good enough for me. Also it was almost 5 when I showed up at the shelter so it'd be pretty late to try to find a room if I limped into town at like 6:30. Dave went into Hot Springs already. A guy showed up really late to the shelter "Longshanks" is his trail name. He did 28 miles. His friend did the Boston Marathon today and he promised that if she finished that, then he would do more than a marathon of hiking. The notable part of this is that this guy started the day after I did! April 3rd! Ahhh! He's the first one to have caught me from my start date or after. Longshanks is taking a zero in Hot Springs too, so we'll see. Also he's from New Boston, NH. Tomorrow I'll split a room with Jeff, and then we're all meeting at the bar at 7. Fig should have shown up by then too.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday I did the 3.2 miles into Hot Springs. After getting "the skillet" with about 18 other hikers at the Smoky Mountain Diner (giant heaping mass of meat, eggs, homefries, and toast for 8.99), Jeff and I split a room. Hot Springs is a very small town, but very hiker-friendly. There is a library, post office, outfitter, bar/grill, diner, dollar store, and many rooms for rent on a 4 block stretch of the main street, which the AT goes through. The sidewalk contains special AT markers that are paved right into it as the path passes through town. I picked up my food drop care package with all of the good stuff, bought some things at the dollar store, took a very long shower, and then relaxed for a while. There is a dumpy convenience store right next to "Alpine Court" where we are staying. I went in there to buy some alcoholic beverages, and noticed that all the nondomestic, and even non generic cheap crappy beer was past its expiration date (Corona, Magic Hat, etc). I guess they don't go through as much of that fancy hollywood superstar beer around here. At 7 everyone went down to the Rock Bottom (bar and grill). Hot Springs follows one of the basic principles of town planning; if there is a river running through the community, its fun/interesting factor goes way up! The bar was very nice; they had an open patio/deck area that overhangs the river, complete with a pool table and a musician who came in around 9. The food was really great (buffalo burger, not the spicy kind either), and most every hiker I know was there. There must've been 30 of us hanging out on the deck. Mr Vix and 2 Rings played some pool, and before you knew it, someone came over and asked who wanted to play in a tournament, $10 entry. Mr Vix, who was somehow really good, jumped right in. I say he was somehow really good because when he first picked up the stick he asked about the differences between American and UK pool (apparently the balls are all differently colored), so I wasn't expecting much, but then he started getting them all in. So 2 Rings and I were watching, making jokes about how this "tournament" was something of a local setup to take the hiker money every night. Wouldn't you know it, at least half of the people involved were employed by the bar. Mr Vix is much better than most people, but he had no chance after a few rounds. Players were bringing out their own hardwood personalized cue sticks and chalk applicators. I think there was more than a few ringers in that competition, and they all probably split the hiker's 10$ each night. I mean, for such a small town there seem to be a disproportionate number of ex professional pool players who just happened to be at the bar on an offseason Tuesday night. I am staying here again tonight (Jeff left, but I got the single rate and am keeping the same room) to heal up. I won't be running around all night either. Soon it'll be back to the trail life. The next town is Erwin, TN, and then Damascus.PS The scale at the Smoky Mountain Diner says that I've lost 18 lbs.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Hot Springs

To: Rich Mountain Fire Tower
Miles today: 8.3

Before I left Hot Springs, I sent my support tent pole, long underwear, a pair of socks, my extra hiking shirt, 1 L plastic platypus bottle, and some souvineers home. Now I'll really cruise with the lighter load! I didn't leave town until 10:30, which is pretty late considering my usual time of departure is about 7 (Sunrise). One of the first landmarks out of Hot Springs is Lover's Leap. As I approached the spot, a couple approached who wanted to take my picture; they are owners of Quincey's Pizza in Damascus, currently on their honeymoon. The guy said that when I come in the first beer is on them. I ran into Mad Mike and Charlie D ("Sparky" as he is now called) and sat around with them for nearly an hour by a pond. "Fairy Princess" and "Redbeard" (Young married couple from Athens, GA) showed up and joined us. We ended up camping out beneath a fire tower 8.2 miles up the trail. I was thinking about sleeping up in the tower but 3 good ol boys from Alabama were already up in their sleeping bags. They wanted desperately to unload some of their trail mix (about 10 lbs) on us. We all took pictures and went back to our site.   About 8 other hikers trickled in and joined us as the night progressed, so we made a big fire and sat around under the stars.
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Firetower

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Today I left the firetower area early, met 3 Alabamans (who had actually spent the night in said tower), and had breakfast with them at the first shelter. It's a guy (Firefighter), his brother in law, and his father in law. "Fairy Princess" and "Redbeard" caught up with me and we hiked together for most of the day. Redbeard went to law school and has a job starting in the fall. They are both about my age and from Athens, GA. We stopped at Hemlock Hollow (a hostel) and had ice cream sandwiches. We then went to the second shelter. It was wicked hot and humid between the hostel and second shelter. Also over 1000' of elevation gain. I continued on (to put some bigger mileage up for the day) 6.8 more miles to Jerry Cabin Shelter, going past incredible views and alpine-type climbs. Also another 1100' of elevation. Only 2 other people were at Jerry's; "H2"(A girl around my age) and "Sabbath Keeper" (He won't hike on the Sabbath, which is Saturday). They were surprised to see me roll in at about 8:15 (10 minutes before sunset). Today was an 18.2 mile day. I'm behind schedule, was intending to do 24 today but spent a random 2 hours loafing around Hemlock Hollow. It's fun to only have 3 people at the shelter. We're all sleeping in the building (I'm in the middle).
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I hiked with H2 all day: 14.7 miles, about 6 of which were in the rain. Sabbath Keeper stayed behind because duh it was the Sabbath(Saturday.)Prior to the rain, we summitted the 4750' Big Butt Mountain which unfortunately did not have a sign for us to get a photo next to. Another point of interest was The Shelton Graves: in the Civil War, 2 males (father and son) of the Shelton family lived in North Carolina yet enlisted in the Union Army. While returning home for a family reunion they were ambushed and killed by the Confederates. Their graves mark the spot. A few miles later it began to pour. We showed up at the last shelter to find a bunch of my friends bunched up in their sleeping bags playing cards. There was "Dutch Tape" and "Cabana Boy" (a middle aged couple from the North Shore in MA), "Pigpen" (from Sugar Hill NH) and 2 others. H2 and I made it 7, one more than the shelter is supposed to fit. We all squeezed in (somehow I was the middle again, but it was between the 2 girls so I can't really complain) and talked about pizza for a few hours before going to sleep (at about 7 PM).