morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light snow

Thursday, April 1, 2004 Day 18, 10.6 miles (Fontana Dam to Mollies Ridge)I began hiking at 8:00 from Fontana dam with Slainte¢, Full Moon, and Beast. They were quickly out of sight. There is definitely bad weather forecast for the Smokies. By the time I got to Shuck Stack the ground was white, the temperature was continuing to drop, the wind was howling, and there were no views. I passed ¢Spirit¢ on way up Shuck stack which surprised me. The last time I saw her, she was walking back down to the NOC because her pack was giving her problems. She said that she bought another external pack at NOC and headed out again. Milestone: I entered the Smoky Mountains National Park today.I arrived at Mollies Ridge shelter at 2:30. The shelter still had hikers from the night before. There¢s at least 6 inches of snow on the ground, it¢s cold, and the shelter is full. The conditions are miserable, and we are not happy campers.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Mollies Ridge

To: Derrick Knob
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: snow

Friday, April 2, 2004 Day 19, 11.7 miles (Mollies Ridge to Derrick Knob)I left Mollies Ridge shelter at 8:00. The weather is still lousy. It¢s overcast and windy with on again - off again sleet and snow. I used my YakTrax, but the wet snow built up on them, and they kept sliding out of adjustment on my boots. They helped my footing some. I ate lunch at Spence Field shelter.I arrived at Derrick Knob Shelter at 3:30. Who¢s here:The shelter is full. St. Rick, Slainte¢, Tom, Pooner, Just Do It, Stumble Bum, myself, ATK and Miss Daisy J (a couple from Maine), plus several others.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Derrick Knob

To: Mt. Collins
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Saturday, April 3, 2004 Day 20, 13.5 miles (Derrick Knob to Mt. Collins)I had to put on frozen boots this morning. I left Derrick Knob at 7:30. The weather is still overcast, but clearing. The clouds are higher, and it¢s very cold. The snow is 12 to 18 inches deep above 5000 feet elevation, and the walking is very difficult - I could have used snow shoes. It was difficult to follow the trail especially across Clingman¢s Dome. I finally arrived at Mt. Collins shelter at 6:00 pm. Ten and a half hours of walking in snow, ice, slush. My feet are completely soaked. The Hemlocks dumped water and snowballs on me all day.The shelter is overflowing. There must have been 15 people in a this 12 person shelter. All I did was get water, put on dry clothes, eat a little gorp, and crawl into my sleeping bag to get warm. The temperature dropped to 15o. Who¢s here:Stumble Bum, Pooner, Just Do It, myself, plus several section hikers.
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Mt. Collins

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, April 4, 2004 Day 21, 4.5 miles (Mt. Collins to Newfound Gap, US Hwy 441)I put on frozen boots again, ate some gorp, and left Mt. Collins shelter at 8:30. It looks like a good day weather wise. It¢s clear and cold. The slush of yesterday is now ice this morning. The walking is very hard due to the snow and ice. It took me over 3 hours to walk 4.5 miles to New Found Gap, mostly downhill! I got to Newfound Gap at 11:45. Janet was there. It was great to see her. I was worried that the Highway to Newfound Gap might be closed, since the Clingman¢s Dome road was closed yesterday. We gave Stumble Bum and Just Do It a ride into Gatlinburg. We checked into the Greystone Inn in Gatlinburg.   It felt good to get a shower and put on some dry clothes. Janet and I ate Mexican for lunch. We watched the Lady Vols pull one out vs. LSU. I walked over to Wendys and got us some supper.
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Newfound Gap

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Monday, April 5, 2004 Day 22, 0 miles Finally a zero day. Janet brought me a new tent (an MSR Zoid) and a new Therma Rest mattress. These two items will save me about 4 pounds. Now I have a tent that doesn¢t leak. She also brought food, including freeze dried, for re-supply. We drove to the grocery to complete the re-supply, and on the way we saw Stumble Bum leaving the Post Office with his mail drop package. We were going to pick him up on the way back, but when we returned he was gone ¢ we assumed he had gotten a ride. We mailed the box for my fifth mail drop. I got my stuff packed-up and ready to leave tomorrow. Janet repaired my sleeping bag which had developed a tear. We spent rest of the day taking it easy. This evening we celebrated Janet¢s birthday (4 days early) with a dinner at Calhouns.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Tuesday, April 6, 2004 Day 23, 10.4 miles (Newfound Gap to Pecks Corner)Janet and I ate breakfast, then stopped at the Happy Hiker outfitter to get a fleece jacket to replace the one I had left at Mt. Collins shelter. We got up to Newfound Gap at about 10:00, said our goodbyes, and I was off. It wasn¢t long before I was walking on ice and snow again. The weather was beautiful though, and the views were fantastic. I was passed by a couple (day hikers) from Michigan who had talked to Janet. We went on to Charlies Bunion, where they took my picture. I had beautiful views all day long. I reached Pecks Corner Shelter at 5:00. Who¢s here: There was a Troop of boy Scouts, well behaved. Yeha, Herman (from now on known as Mello Yello), ATK and Miss Daisy J were there also. Chef arrived late and slept under the stars.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Pecks Corner

To: Cosby Knob
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, April 7, 2004 Day 24, 12.9 miles (Pecks Corner to Cosby Knob)I left Peck¢s Corner shelter at 8:20. I¢m still slogging through snow, but the weather is getting warmer, clearer, and the views are magnificent. I made Tri-corner shelter (5.2 miles) at about 12:00 - progress is slow because of snow. I am cursing the snow every step. I can¢t make time going downhill because I¢m trying to keep from falling. I can¢t make time on flats because as soon as I begin to push off my foot sinks a couple of inches into the snow. And the up hill climbs are just a bitch. I ate lunch at Tri-corner Knob shelter and left there at 12:30. I finally got out of the snow about 4 miles later. I arrived at Cosby Knob shelter at 4:00.Who¢s here: ATK and Miss Daisy J, Mello Yello, Mad Scientist, Gaia, Yeha, and Chef.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Cosby Knob

To: Waterville School Rd, Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Thursday, April 8, 2004 Day 25, 11.0 miles (Cosby Knob to Waterville School Road)   I left the shelter about 8:30. Finally, there is no snow on the trail Hurray!! Some of the hikers plan to go to Knoxville to see a free Fleck Tones concert. I plan to get to other side of I-40. The day was a little overcast, but at least warm and the views were excellent. Walking was great! Made it to Davenport Gap shelter at 11:30, 8 miles in 3 hours - sure is better than the last 5 days in the snow. I ate lunch at the shelter, then went on to Standing Bear Farms hostel, just past I-40 on Waterville School Road. It¢s a Great Hostel about 200 yards from trail.Milestone: I exited the Smoky Mountain National Park today.Who¢s here:ATK and Miss Daisy J, Adventure, Mello Yello, Eagle Eye, and Bluebell. Beast was here earlier, but left. He had been here 3 days waiting for a mail drop.We had a campfire, and sat around and swapped some lies. Later a hiker named Chris showed up. I went to bed at 9:30 - very late, way past hiker midnight.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Waterville School Rd, Bears Den Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 14.1

Friday, April 9, 2004   -   Janet¢s BirthdayDay 26, 14.1 miles (Waterville School Road to Max Patch campsite)I left Standing Bear Farms at 8:15. It¢s another beautiful day. I made it to top of Snowbird Mountain by 11:00. There¢s a big FAA installation up there. Mello Yello, ATK and Miss Daisy J, and I ate lunch there. It felt good to sit in the sun and enjoy the beautiful views from this 4200¢ bald. Another Thru-hiker named Stealth came by. He¢s a University of Florida student with 1 semester to go before graduation. He claims he¢ll finish in 3 months. He started March 26 so he¢s doing good so far. He asked if we¢d seen a hiker named Bluebell ¢ he was anxious to meet her. We all laughed then burst his bubble when we told him that Bluebell was a male and not much to look at.I got to Ground Creek shelter at 1:15 which was too early to stop, I so pushed on to Max Patch. Max Patch is a huge bald that is maintained by the USFS. I camped just past the bald, and used my new tent for the first time. There is no water here, so I had to carry a couple of extra liters over the bald.Who¢s here: Adventure, Bluebell, Eagle Eye. Mello Yello went on since he did not have any water. There¢s a group of 4 weekend hikers camping up the trail from us ¢ they had a roaring campfire. Don¢t think we¢ll get rain tonight.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Max Patch

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday, April 10, 2004 Day 27, 19.3 miles (Max Patch to Hot Springs, NC, US Hwy 25&70) I left Max Patch at 8:20, intending to make it to Deer Park Shelter. This will be the longest day to date whether I go to Deer Park or on to Hot Springs. I arrived at Roaring Fork Shelter about 10:15. Adventure, Eagle Eye, and Bluebell were already there. We decided to try to make Hot Springs and stay at Elmers Hostel. We met-up again at the top of Bluff Mountain. Through the miracle of cell phones, Adventure found out that Elmers was full, but got us reservations at Cody¢s hostel. Little Bit and Moonstone were already there. Bluebell and I made it to Hot Springs at about 5:30. Adventure and Eagle Eye had gotten there 15 minutes earlier. It was cloudy and threatening but we had no rain. It was a long day, but I seem to be doing ok! This is the longest day yet, and I am 1 day ahead of schedule.There are a lot of hikers in town. Our hostel caretaker, Baltimore Jack, estimates over 40. We all got cleaned up and headed down to the Paddler¢s Pub for dinner and a little Blue Grass music. After hiking almost 20 miles, I had little energy, but Adventure and Little Bit had enough energy to do some buck dancing. This spectacle was enjoyed by all. I ate the half pound buffalo burger and had a couple of draft beers. The Blue Grass band was great They had a fiddler, mandolin, bass, and guitar - the fiddler was fantastic! (Note to self: - We may want to visit Hot Springs again).Who¢s at the Pub: Easy Duzit, Adventure, Little Bit, Moonstone, Eagle Eye, Bluebell, Just Do It, Stumble Bum, St. Rick, Slainte`, Beast, Stealth, Josh and Dave (uncle and nephew), and others whose names I can¢t remember.As we were leaving the Pub, I saw Stealth and hollered at him, and Bluebell introduced himself. Stealth said that he had had a picture in his mind of a cute, young, girl from Texas, all this time. Bluebell is 60 and of the male persuasion. We all had a good laugh, walked back to the hostel, and crashed about 10:30.I did call Janet today, she¢s in Ohio at her sister Brenda¢s. I think I lost my knife at the Pub. Will check on it tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Hot Springs

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday, April 11, 2004 Day 28, 0 miles Still no rain! Cloudy and cool, but no rain. I head out tomorrow, but will rest today. We went to breakfast as a group (Adventure, Little Bit, Moonstone, Mello Yello, Eagle Eye, Blue Bell, and Easy Duzit) to the Smoky Mountain Diner. Mountain Dave showed up, a friend of Little Bit¢s. He¢s an outdoors instructor and an expert on backpacking and rock climbing - interesting guy. More hikers entered town all day. Some are having trouble finding a place to stay. Pegasus arrived and stayed at Cody¢s. Mountain Dave hung around and did evaluations of everybody¢s pack. Most of us will be leaving here with lighter and better adjusted packs.   We rented the movie ¢Gangs of New York¢.We had some unwanted guests on front porch until midnight - kept us all awake ¢ not a pleasant experience.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Monday, April 12, 2004 Day 29, 11.0 miles (Hot Springs to Spring Mountain) I went to breakfast at the Smoky Mountain. Diner at 8:00. I had biscuits and gravy, sausage, eggs, juice, and coffee. I picked up my mail drop and went back to the hostel and packed up. I walked back to the post office and mailed some stuff back to Janet (who is in Ohio).I hit the trail about 10:30, crossed the French Broad river, and began climbing. On Lover¢s Leap Rock I was rewarded with beautiful views of Hot Springs and the river. It is raining off and on, cloudy with sun breaking through occasionally. It¢s getting colder. I arrived at Spring Mountain shelter at 4:20. It¢s a small shelter. There¢s no rain, but it¢s very foggy on Spring Mountain. The temperature is about 45o. We have a camp fire.Who¢s here:Easy Duzit, Adventure, Eagle Eye, and Bluebell all pitch our tents. In the shelter are Moonstone, Little Bit, Just Do It, Mello Yello, and two others who I don¢t know.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Spring Mountain

To: Little Laurel shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Tuesday, April 13, 2004Day 30, 8.6 miles (Spring Mountain to Little Laurel shelter)We had a dandy thunderstorm last night. It started raining at 12:30 AM. At 9:00 am it¢s still raining. I didn¢t get on the trail until 10:40. Poor Eagle Eye got soaked in his bivy sack. My new tent did its job, and kept me warm and dry. Since I got such a late start, I only made 8.6 miles, so I¢m only a half day ahead of my original schedule. I should be back on schedule by Saturday.The temperature is dropping. I reached Little Laurel Shelter about 4:00, and the shelter was packed. We ended up with 11 people in a 6 person shelter. We had a good fire. We had hail right before dark. Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Beast and two friends, Little Bit, Moonstone, Adventure, Eagle Eye, Bluebell, three young guys, Yoda and Lucy (his dog), Rambler, Puja. Some had to tent.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Little Laurel shelter

To: Flint Mountain
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

Wednesday, April 14, 2004 Day 31, 12.6 miles (Little Laurel to Flint Mountain)We woke up this morning to 2 inches of snow. We were not expecting this. The temperature is about 30o. I¢m very thankful that I was not in a tent. The hike today was good. The Snow and ice in the trees was beautiful. However it was very windy and foggy most of the day. I arrived at Flint Mountain Shelter at 3:30. The sky was beginning to clear up then, and by 6:30 it was clear. But temperature is dropping again, and it may freeze tonight.Had a good campfire and got some things dry. We heard that Josh¢s uncle came close to having hypothermia this morning at Jerry Cabin shelter. Who¢s here: Mello Yello, Little Bit, Rambler, Easy Duzit, Eagle Eye, Moonstone, Bluebell, and Adventure.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Flint Mountain

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Thursday, April 15, 2004 Day 32, About 14.9 miles (Little Laurel to Low Gap)It was a starry night and clear morning - Hurray! The plan is to hike to Low Gap and tent there. The first four miles went quickly. They were either down hill or flat. But then the climbing began. I got a good picture of me at the falls just 30 minutes past Devils Fork Gap (NC Hwy 212). There is still some snow left at the higher elevations. I crossed US Hwy 23 at Sam¢s Gap, and figured I should come to Low Gap campsite in about 90 minutes. Today was supposed to be about 14.5 miles, but somehow I walked right past Low Gap campsite. There was no sign and no obvious campsite. I can see the top of Bald Mountain which is less than 3 miles past Low Gap. I have hit the wall, and will camp just below Bald Mountain. There is water here, but it is close to a road.Bluebell missed Low Gap campsite too. We both camped here.
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Low Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday, April 16, 2004 Day 33, 14.5 miles (Low Gap to No Business Knob shelter)My troubles started last night. About 1:00 am I woke up in my tent with chills and stomach cramps. I put on some more clothes, took some vitamin I (Ibuprofen), and tried to get back to sleep. I felt feverish. I got up about 7:00, but didn¢t feel like doing anything. I thought I might be a little dehydrated, so I drank about a liter of water. One minute later I was throwing up, which made me feel a little better. I made some oatmeal, but could only eat a few bites. I finally got things packed up, and headed out at 9:00 am. Moonstone and Little Bit passed by about that time. They had started out at 8:00 from Low Gap.I crossed Big Bald and got to Bald Mountain Shelter at 10:10 am. I didn¢t realize that I was that close yesterday. I reached No Business Knob Shelter about 4:00. Still not feeling 100%, and to top it off, I now have diarrhea.   Who¢s there: Easy Duzit, Adventure, Bluebell, Eagle Eye, Moonstone, Little Bit, Mello Yello, Chef (fast hiker - don¢t know how he always ends up behind me), Stretch and his girl friend, Dale and Mark (two friends of Eagle Eye), plus a couple of others.I didn¢t eat much supper.
Date: 2004-04-17
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Saturday, April 17, 2004 Day 34, 6.3 miles (No Business Knob to Erwin, TN) I hit the trail about 7:00. I ate an oatmeal cookie for breakfast. My stomach (rather intestines) is still acting up. I have just about decided to take a zero day tomorrow since I haven¢t been able to eat much in the last day and a half. I reached Erwin, TN and Johnny¢s Hostel, at about 10:30 am. I Took a private room for $20.00. The rest of the crew went on to the Super 8 hotel. I took a much needed shower, and got my laundry done (included in the $20 fee). I had to take a bicycle over to the Nolichucky Gorge Campground and Hostel to pick up my mail drop. Milestone: Entered Tennessee Today.I ordered pizza delivery for supper, and went to bed early. I am making many trips to the privy.
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Erwin, TN

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday, April 18, 2004 Day 35, 0 milesI just laid around most of day trying to recover from stomach problems. Mumbles, Bighorn Wanderer, and I helped the hostel owners today by shuttling some cars back from a rafting put in point to the take out point. Adventure, Little Bit, Moonstone, Eagle Eye and Bluebell left about 9:00 to make it to Deep Gap. Mello Yello left about 10:15, his goal is to reach Cherry Gap Shelter.I made several more trips to the privy today. I finally was able to get to a store and get some Imodium (and re-supply). Hope I¢m in better shape for tomorrow¢s hike.Talked to Janet and Mom and Dad. I plan to meet Mom and Dad at Kincora on Friday morning - I hope.
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Monday, April 19, 2004 Day 36, 16.4 miles (Erwin, TN to Cherry Gap) It¢s a very good day for hiking, and I¢m feeling much better. I left Johnny¢s hostel about 7:30. I had lightened my pack, and had the hostel send a box home for me ¢ contents were winter clothes, water pump and some food I didn¢t need. I feel strong hiking, so I must be getting better. I climbed up out of Erwin and made it to Beauty Spot by about noon (Beauty Spot is a Bald). I took some pictures there. For the first on this trip I¢m thirsty and out of H2O. I finally reached Deep Gap about 2:00 pm. It has a good water source. Ate lunch and took a long break. I left Deep Gap about 3:00.I reached Cherry Gap shelter at 5:30. For supper I ate noodles, jerky, tuna, and cheese. Stomach is much better, but still not 100%. Mother Nature made an urgent call during supper. Who¢s here: In the shelter are Easy Duzit and Mumbles. Tenting are Josh and his Uncle (the Uncle is fully recovered from his hypothermia episode on Tuesday of last week) plus two other hikers.
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Cherry Gap

To: Roan High Knob
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Tuesday, April 20, 2004 Day 37, 15.1 miles (Cherry Gap to Roan High Knob)I left Cherry Gap Shelter at 7:35. For some reason a 7:30 departure eludes me. I¢m feeling pretty good. The weather is overcast, and there¢s a chance for rain. I¢m headed for Roan Mountain. I got to Clyde Smith shelter at 12:00 (9 miles, but they were the easy ones). I ate lunch and signed the log. Adventure, Eagle Eye and the rest of the crew stayed here last night. They had left me a note in the log book.Also found an entry from Bighorn Wanderer. He was here at Clyde Smith yesterday afternoon (he would have had to have done 25 miles!) and he was going to go a little more before dark! I reached Roan High Knob shelter at 5:00. The climb up Roan Mountain was tough, probably the longest of whole trip so far . There is a parking lot and restroom on top of Roan, but the facilities there were closed. I don¢t think they¢re open until May. There was a light rain all afternoon which ended by the time I got to the shelter. I ate spaghetti for supper. The temperature seems to be dropping. We are at elevation 6,285 feet - highest shelter on the AT. I had notions of going another 5 miles to the next shelter, but that last climb killed the idea. I¢m going to bed early. I¢m looking forward to seeing Mom and Dad on Friday. Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Mumbles, and 2 section hikers.
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Roan High Knob

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 14.6

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 Day 38, 14.6 miles (Roan High Knob to Apple House shelter)I left Roan High Knob at 8:30. I took a lot of pictures today since I crossed a lot of high balds with unrestricted views, and the weather was sunny and warm. The trail is mostly downhill today, but it has two healthy climbs to keep me honest. I ate lunch at Overmountain shelter. Wish I could have stayed there. It is a large covered barn with a fantastic view of the valley below.We ran into something you don¢t see every day, longhorn cattle. As we were coming down Houston Ridge, Mumbles and I saw about 20 longhorns grazing within a few feet of the trail. I was going to take a picture, but the nearest bull looked too menacing. So I just kept going.I arrived at Apple House shelter at 4:30. Mumbles was already there. A reroute of the section between here and Moreland Gap has added about 3 miles to tomorrow¢s hike. So tomorrow I will be doing about 19 miles instead of 16 to get to Moreland Gap shelter. This reroute is not in my 2003 books, but is in the 2004 books. Most of tomorrow¢s miles are flat or downhill, so I should be just fine.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Mumbles, and Maine Sail.
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

Thursday, April 22, 2004 Day 39, 18.7 miles (Apple House to Moreland Gap)I departed Apple House Shelter at 7:35. Mumbles and I talked about trying to go all the way to Dennis Cove, about 24.5 miles. But today surprised the hell out of me. In the first place, the trail had been rerouted, adding 4 miles to the distance stated in my book (Apple House to Moreland Gap is now 18.7 mi). Compared to yesterday, today¢s scenery was boring. And the terrain was up, down, up, down ¢¦ could not make good time.I got to Moreland Gap Shelter at 4:45. It¢s too late and I¢m too tired to go the extra miles to Dennis Cove. Mumbles went on.Who¢s here: Easy Duzit, Cajun Man (from New Brunswick), and 3 section hikers.