morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Not so Sad Crazy Brit here No miles todayWell been a funny day today got up at 6:00am to see the guys off on their first Slack packing day .It was snowing pretty good and the report was for even more snow with high winds, so the decision was made to stay put.I stayed home while the guys went out to walk down to the NOC center. After an hour the phone went, David said we had to come down because the Shoe expert said he may be able to help me out.Sure enough he gave me some tips and taped my pads on to my shoe liners, he said I should be ready to go in a couple of days.Good job the guys stayed here, lots of AT Hikers were leaving the trail as the Extreme weather was getting worse by the hour, looks very beautiful with all the snow blowing all around, but it is very dangerous on top of the Mountains. It is very cold and visibility will be almost Nil up on the Mountain Tops.We watched movies the rest of the day, not good for me as it¢s not my favorite thing to do.The plan is for the guys to do a hike tomorrow, I will stay put to get better. Have to see what happens it¢s a very weird weather system out there and it¢s the first day of Spring.Crazy Brit outAnyone can walk on the Flat. ¢ but not when your sat on the Couch ¢
Date: 2018-03-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy Brit hereBeen resting up now for the last 4 days. Cabin fever has set in real bad.Went for a walk down to the center this morning felt pretty good, so might go for a hike to Fontana Dam tomorrow.Dan has a problem with his knee, so we are taking him to Silva on Monday so he can get an M R I to see what¢s happening in his knee. He is a stubborn guy and can take a lot of pain, but this is hurting him.We went down to the river to watch the selection trials for the USA National Team and future Olympic Kayakers, it was freezing on the river, but these guys were out there doing their thing, and they say I am crazy.This whole weather system at the moment is really crazy, lots of ice and snow mixed in with rain, some times we even see the Sun.Crazy Brit outNo miles ¢well just a cool 3 miles to the NOC¢Anyone can walk on the Flat ¢may be even me Tomorrow"
Date: 2018-03-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.0

Crazy Brit hereYellow creek gap to Fontana DamCrazy Brit is back in the saddle tested my leg today, it hurts a little bit, but no pain no gain. Good ascents and some big descents, leg feels fine it WILL get better. Now I am into just starting pains, after being a couch potato for a few days .I was a little nervous this morning but now feel really good and want to get back into the hiking . I am meeting so many really cool people more to come.Crazy Brit outAny one can walk can walk on the flat
Date: 2018-03-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy Brit hereSide trip to Sylvia to get Dan sorted out,not good news looks like he will be heading back to Florida for treatment on his knee. He is hoping to join us later on the trail, he is bummed .At the moment Dan is playing Darts with Blue, he is smiling but I know he is hurting inside.We are in the Innovation Brewery in Sylvia, we all know this situation really sucks but no one wants to admit to the obvious outcome.Looks like for a time it¢s going to be David and myself hiking on, Blue is going to join us some time when we are up North, Dan said he will join us later.Going to take it easy for the first week. Some people are saying we were hard in the first week big miles, but we were trying to get ahead of the weather.This years weather is the worst for years, cold, snow, ice and lots of rain, deep muddy trails, the worst conditions.We should when David and I start get a jump on the weather, and be hiking in fairly good weather, ¢ we will see¢This is Crazy Brit a bit happier with myself but really really sad for Dan. The only shining light is he thru Hiked in 2015.No milesAnyone can walk on the Flat. ¢ but not if you drink to many of these Craft Brews¢
Date: 2018-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy Brit hereNo miles getting all the last minute stuff done before we head out tomorrow. We are going to jump over the Smokies so I can get back into the hiking.We will be doing short miles until after we get to Hot Springs then we can start to Ramp up the miles a bit, we will have to get up to at least 15 miles per day to get to Mt Katahdin before it closes should do that when I get my hiker legs going.Looking forward to get Dan back on the trail when he gets sorted out. He is some tough cookie and gets things done, we will miss him real bad. Will report later.Dave and I will leave the house tomorrow about 7:00 and Barbara will drive us to mile 241 at Standing Bear Farm 3 day hike to Hot Springs where we have a room booked at The Laughing Heart Hostel we will take a zero on Sunday,for Easter then it¢s on heading North.Crazy Brit outAny one can walk on the flat ¢ even me ¢
Date: 2018-03-28
From:  I-40 underpass

To: Deep Gap. Groundhog Shelter
Miles today: 8.3

Crazy Brit hereFirst day back on the trail with Full pack. Had a 6 miles climb out from the underpass, the Elevation at the under pass is 1435 ft and we had to climb up to the top of Snowbird mountain at 4263 ft. It is a relentless climb not to steep but steep enough to stretch out your legs. It really seems strange hiking with just David, when we started we had 7 of us, we lost Griff on the first Day, he fell from a log bridge and really hurt his back, next was Dennis he left us at Dicks Creek cabins, leaving just myself -David -Blue-Dan and Jay.Blue was only going to hike up to Fontana Dam, so when Dan got hurt he said that it¢s been a long time since he has been in Florida, so a road trip was planned. Jay lives in Franklin so he was hiking home.So there would have been David, Dan and Myself heading up to Mount Katahdin.Once Dan gets sorted out he will join us back on the Trail. I have a lot of respect for Dan, he was my Boss for a short time, great Guy. Any way back to the two of us. David¢s wife Barbara drove us to the I-40 underpass where a section of the AT starts by the Davenport Gap Shelter. It was a long climb out as I said previously 6 miles up a series of mountains to a bald on top there was a FFA radar site on the top its Rainbow Mountain 4263 ft, from there it was a descent into the shelter at Groundhog Creek.It was a quiet day on the trail only saw one other hiker he was heading South, he was going to finish at Springer Mountain, he will have done the AT both North and South by doing it in Sections, nice guy 74 years of age.We have got our Tents all set up away from the shelter, got our water from a good stream had dinner now having coffee and time for Bed, David just loves to wake up early and start hiking in the dark it¢s his MO.Time to close as it¢s getting close to hikers bed time 6:30 pm.Covered 8.3 miles today ¢good to be back¢23.569 steps195 floorsAny one can walk on the flatOnly 1942.6 miles to go
Date: 2018-03-29
From: Groundhog shelter

To: Walnut Mountain
Miles today: 12.1

Crazy Brit hereGreat hike today just a 2 mile climb out of the shelter then a long descent to cherry creek then a short climb up to Max Patch, the view from the top was awesome .The Elevation was 4629 then it was a great hike to our present campsite at Walnut mountain .We only saw three hikers today on the trail and they were all Women hiking the trail on their own .We got to our camp site at 2:30 set up our tents, had some food and a short nap, really nice sunny day.Now as other hikers are coming in its getting cold from the front that is moving in overnight, going to be real cold tomorrow but good news no snow in the forecast.We are doing a 10 mile hike tomorrow which will put us just outside of Hot Springs. We can then walk in for breakfast on Saturday we have a room booked so will be good to shower do our laundry and grab a few beers, and some good food .Got a beer and a coke from a trail angel today, had the beer with dinner Chicken Teriyaki with rice and vegetables. Really good food had a 2 1/2 person meal so my wife will know I am eating, then a desert, washed down with a beer, dinner of Champions.Got to close now as its getting cold and my sleeping bag is calling my nameCrazy Brit out12.1 miles33.269 steps236 floorsAny one can walk on the FlatOnly got. 1929.5 miles to go. !!!Flat
Date: 2018-03-30
From: Walnut mountain

To: Laughing Heart Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

Crazy BritWell last night we were all set up in a great campsite, nice flat field had dinner and had a PBR beer that I got from a Trail Angel.Went to bed all nice and cozy, then in the middle of the night it started to rain, and I mean RAIN, it rained all night, it was a really bad night hardly slept.This morning woke up had coffee and porridge oats then had to pack up a wet tent, not good.We got on the trail at just after seven our aim was to get to Laughing Heart Hostel, good hike most of it was in the rain, couldn¢t see many good views as there was a lot of heavy mist.Still we made great time and after stopping for lunch we got to the Hostel at 1:30 pm a great time.The hostel is a bit of a dump. Not like our last Hostel, we booked in any way. We had a room for Saturday and Sunday but managed to get a top bunk for tonight. Seeing the people here it¢s going to be a noisy night.Good news is when we were having a beer at lunch we managed to snag a room above the bar, not cheap but we have our own room with a shower and our own entrance,¢Oh did I Mention above a BAR oh Heaven¢We are going into town tonight have a good dinner and a couple of beers, then back to try to sleep.Will report more tomorrow should be interesting ????Today¢s miles 1035,402 Steps154 floorsAnyone can walk on the FlatCrazy Brit outOnly got. 1916.4 miles to go
Date: 2018-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy BritNo miles today unless you count the miles walking around this town of Hot Springs.They have a population of 534 one Main Street with NO traffic lights and only four cross ways.Last night was an experience I could do without, I had a top bunk, with no ladder to get to it had to step on a table then on a window ledge to pull myself up on to the bed.We did get a mattress and a pillow with a clean pillow case, had to use our own sleeping bags.Must say the mattress was comfortable but every one on the top bunks were afraid of falling off, could have done with lee cloths for safety.Never slept very well even taking 2 Tylonal PMs.In the morning it was bedlam with people talking loudly, packing up gear, generally being a..holes.Got dressed and climbed out of my bunk, try to get a cup of coffee, no cups. Wait one of the girls was nursing an empty cup so I snagged it from her, who ever made the coffee loved really Strong coffee.I then went out onto the lawn and hung up my tent to dry, I was not alone.Time for breakfast there was a free meal at the ministry church which was by the look of it over ran by starving young hikers.We went to the local diner for a huge breakfast with plenty of good coffee and really cheap.We walked the short distance to town and sat on the ministries rocking chairs, having coffee and chatting to the volunteers, good way to spend a few hours.Tonight we have moved into the Spring Creek Tavern, they have some rooms above the bar, my kind of place.Did some resupplying, picked up a new water filter as mine had frozen and ruined the membrane inside.Had a salad and a beer for dinner, now sat on the bed writing this Journal. Hell we have a family with four kids next door jumping from bed to bed, hope darling kids go to sleep soon or there could be trouble I need some good sleep.Good way to spend a zero day in Hot Springs with good company. Sorry that Dan is not here but he will go to the hospital on Monday for an MRI then hopefully he can meet up with us on the trail soon.Crazy Brit outAnyone can walk on the flat ¢ but not when your sat in a rocking chair for most of the day¢Still got only 1916.4 miles to go
Date: 2018-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Crazy BritHot Springs NCI am laid in bed writing today¢s journal, what a night, we went to bed early as never got much sleep on Friday night.As I said we are staying at the Spring Creek Tavern, nice room nice bathroom, all was great until a family with young kids moved in next door, they proceeded to practice there Trampoline Skills on the beds, banging into the walls, this was Bad!!!But not as bad as the band, which started to play, now I love live music BUT!!!Then the party really started these small country towns sure know how to party, took two sleep aids, thought about joining the party but beer and sleep pills don¢t work.The band stopped playing at midnight great can get some sleep, NO!!!!! The party carried on until 2.00 am.Now I have closed many a bar in my life, never thinking of the locals, now I may change my tune.Well what an Easter Day we had. Had a lie in after the noisy night then had coffee in bed, thanks David much appreciated.Then took a walk around the town, really cool place, a different place from last night, really calm and quiet, there is a Ministry here run by a local farmer called Fred he bought a cabin which used to be a gift shop.He has local groups come into town to cook food for hikers who have to pass his door, for the AT goes the whole length of Main Street.Today he came into town with his family and friends to hold an informal Church service. It was really good no pomp or ceremony just really good people helping others in need.A family were in the area passing thru when their car broke down, they tried to get a room until the car could be fixed, but it being Easter this place is packed solid. So a call was put out to Fred and he gave them the cabin ¢ex gift shop¢ it has a shower and bathroom so they were helped out in a big way. The Dads name is Andrew and he said he would like to play the Guitar and sing at the Sunday Prayer meeting it was really good to see just normal folks coming together to share.After the meeting they provided a breakfast for us all to share, good times.The rest of the day was spent hanging out in the coffee shop ¢they have internet¢, dinner at the Tavern, really good food big big portions.I FaceTimed Janice talked to Wyatt in the shower, now it¢s time to go to the room over the Tavern and get a good nights sleep as at 7:00 we again hit the Trail.Speak to you all later hope you all had a great Easter I know I did.No miles to report todayBut as you know anyone can walk on the flat ¢even me lounging around a hiker town¢
Date: 2018-04-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

PCrazy BritTo all my Friends ,Never, Never, Never , Ever stay above a Tavern in a North Carolina small town over an Easter Break. Saturday night was bad with a band a bar full of drunks shouting at each other until 2:00 am. Bad, Bad, Bad, hardly any sleep.Sunday night being Easter you would think that all good people would be having maybe one beer then heading home so the OLD Guys could grab some sleep before hitting the Trail at 7:30 in the morning.NO Forgot this is a hiker town and all the young Stud hikers are in town looking for young Girl Hikers.I talked to two young Girl hikers in the coffee bar very nice young ladies. There Mum and Dad would be proud of them. I asked them where they were staying, OH they said we were lucky to get the last room above the Tavern. OH nice should be Quiet tonight I say hope so we are dead beat the girls said.So Dave and I go to the bar have a great dinner, couple of Beers and then retire to bed, got to get our good Sleep for we are leaving town early in the morning.WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I walk out side to the landing to get a coffee, OH Hi Crazy Brit. Looks like we are in the room next to you ,nice??? Have a great evening!!!!!WELL we go to bed at 9:45 pm to catch up on our Beauty sleep. IT goes down hill from this moment, music starts, Girls Start Laughing. Yes Guys start acting Stupid, it gets louder the more they drink, then they all go downstairs to the bar, great peace, No the Ba....rds at back .They are more drunk and Stupid it¢s now 11:30 I give them until midnight before the Old guy bangs on the door .Then just like a miracle they turn off the music and I suppose pass out, Peace at last.Must be getting old in the good old days I would have been in there being more stupid than they were ?????Any way let¢s get back to hiking, started on the trail at 7:30 am and hiked out of Hiker Town USA, it was a hard climb out of the town, climbing for about 3 miles, it was a day of P,U,D s. In hiker Language¢ Pointless, Ups, and Downs, we were only going to do 12 miles to a campsite but it was not very good so we carried on for another 2.8 miles to a great site just a little way up the mountain from the border of NC and Tennessee at NC 208 and TN 70 .On the Highway was a small store Mum And Dads selling soda and hopefully a beer, this place was a really run down place .BUT they did have Soda and Beer perfect.The place was run by Bubba ,well that¢s what Dave called him, nice guy runs this store and a Tavern 3 miles away, after the store NO way was I going to the Tavern.We climbed out to a campsite Dave knew, and here we are all set up ready for Dinner. I have a Curry Dave has Chicken Dumplings and a Hot Chocolate, we are living High on the Hog.More trail stuff tomorrow ,What a Easter we Had.Miles Walked 14.838.400 steps158 floorsAny one can walk on the flatOnly got. 1900.1 miles to Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-03
From: North of Allen Gap

To: Shelton Gravsite East
Miles today: 15.8

Crazy Brit Just .3 miles North of Allen gap 15.8 miles to the Shelton Gravesite east. Had to have a big day today as the weather is going to get bad with Snow on the higher Elevations. My Alarm went of at 6:00am packed up all my gear in the tent, getting better all the time . I made porridge and coffee while that was brewing away took down my tent,once that was done eat my porridge and drink the coffee ,then start up the trail. I say Up because all the campsites are obviously in the Gaps so when you have to start hiking it¢s always Up. This mornings went on for about 3 miles when your walking up a steep path it¢s always hard.We had to climb over Big Firescald Knob this is a Knife edge, full of rocks it¢s a rock scramble . The views from on top of the Knob are out of this world you can see all over Tennessee, back into NC and for a long, long way all up the Spine of the Appalachian mountains. We walked over Balds ¢de forested land¢ full of lush grass, for the Deer, Turkeys ,and Grouse to feed on. It was a hard hike but it had to be done . We came to another rock scramble, this one had a great name Big Butt Mountain Summit, another hard work out, then it was a good walk down to our present camping spot near the Graves of Two Brothers they were Union soldiers in the civil war. They came down to visit family, were captured and shot on this spot. A local man buried them and erected two facing Headstones ,they have flowers on the graves together with the American Flags,really nice place in a grassy strip in the forest. We are camped a respectable distance away nice flat site. Got to do 14 miles tomorrow as we are staying at a Hostel, but more on that tomorrow.Passed 300 miles today 15.8 miles 40.089 steps 281 floors Any one can walk on the flat ¢ not up here it¢s all either up or down Only got. 1885.8 miles to Mt Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-04
From: Shelton Grace site east

To: NatureÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Inn Hostel & Cabins
Miles today: 14.3

Crazy BritWe were camped at the Shelton Grave site last night, great campsite well away from the graves, not that I was worried. I had been up to the site laid a small stone on the graves, so I had made my peace with the soldiers.We had dinner and settled down, hung up the food bags, got into our tents all nice and peaceful.Dave shouts out he has checked the weather Radar, a big storm is heading our way, he took down the bear bags, got all tied down tight.It hit about Midnight, all hell broke loose, 30-40 mile an hour winds, torrential rain, thunder and lightning, we were under some trees all I could think of was a big limb coming crashing thru my tent.Eventually gave up worrying and went to a fitful sleep, my alarm went at six, we had a short window to pack. Our gear before the rain came back.Just in time we were in full rain gear on the trail when it came back. windy right in our face and rain bucketing down. We had our headlights on the trail was really wet and muddy.The rain lasted for about 3 hours, this was about the time we got to Flint Mountain Shelter, where we stopped to have breakfast and a hot coffee, much needed.From here it was climb, climb, climb it was a hard job to climb and keep your footing we have to do 14 miles to day, it¢s going to get really cold on the mountain tops tonight, its forecast to get into the 20 degrees in Erwin, which is at 1662 ft Elevation the mountain tops. here are at 4500 ft so they will be in the teens ,snow is expected ,which is why we are all tucked up in our creek side cabin with a heater.Just had dinner and all set up for a 7:30 shuttle back to the Trail where we were picked up from.More to report tomorrow Crazy Brit Out14.3 miles today38.625 Steps227 floors climbedAnyone can walk on the flat ground¢but not here there isn¢t any¢Only got 1885.8 miles to MT Katahdin
Date: 2018-04-05
From: Spivey Gap US 19W

To: Sams Gap
Miles today: 13.3

Crazy BritSlackpacking From SpiveyWhat a day got our Shuttle to Spivey Gap, had a good nights sleep in our little Creekside Cabin.As usual Dave was up first went up to the communal kitchen to make our coffee and cook our pizza for breakfast tasting real good.We were dropped at the Spivey Gap and started our Slackpacking back to Sams Gap. Slackpacking is Hiking without a full pack so it¢s very much lighter to carry.We thought we were being smart heading back to where we started, but this climb out was Horrendous 8 miles climb up to Big Bald Mountain.This a large bald mountain with an Elevation 5516 ft the Views are 360 degrees, you can see for miles, made a video, Awesome.The big problem with hiking today was that the Ice was started to melt making the trail really slippery, this is a double edge sword, your on the ice or you slip on the Mud.The climb went on and on really tough all the way to the bald.Coming down is really tough on your knees but it¢s a fine line between up or down.It took us a lot longer to get back to Sams Gap for our pick up than we planned, feeling a bit sore now,b ut just got out of the massage chair had a beer, and had dinner, feeling good now.Tomorrow we have a ride down to Spivey Gap, so we will then head out to Erwin TN, that¢s about 11.4 miles hiking for tomorrow. We will be met by Dan as we come out of the woods, he is staying in our Cabin at the Cantarroso Farm and Apiary, looks like a great place even got Fishing poles I can use,more about that tomorrowCrazy Brit out13.3 miles33.240 steps307 floorsAnyone can walk on the flat. ¢ if you can find any where flat around here¢Only got 1858.2 miles to go to Mt Katahdin.