morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Normally, once I wake up, I get moving right away. But not so this morning.It was still extremely cold and I wasn't in a hurry to crawl out of my warm & toasty cacoon.Eventually though, I zipped open my bag and embraced the day.Although, it was very cold, the endless abundance of climbs from one mountain to another will have you in short sleeves in no time.Today was much warmer. I took several breaks today, one that stands out was on Rocky Bald. It was a great spot and I enjoyed being in the moment. These balds are rather unusual in that they are just that, bald. Trees & shrub stop growing and there is only grass. Walking over them gives you that "Sound of Music" kind of feeling.I met and leap frogged several hikers today. We came upon an observation tower on Wesser Bald. It made for a great photo opportunity. I was able to get a peek north as to what lies ahead. In turn, I looked back to the south and felt a great sense of accomplishment in seeing endless mountains that I have travelled thus far. Unbelievable!Upon reaching the Wesser Bald Shelter, "Bama" was the only one there so far.Since meeting her several days earlier, I always enjoy listening to her speak with that "southern lady" charm. Bama is one of those rare gems you meet along the way and don't forget.As usual, I opted to tent up the hill. Several of us were there and we shared a fire and enjoyed a beautiful but quick sunset.Although, we are part of what we call the magnificent 7, it is Sprite, Freckles and myself that always travel and end up together even when the others do not.I have an ever increasing admiration and respect for them. They are both good people and very good friends. I feel fortunate to share their company. It is like we have always known each other? When we walk together, there is not a plant that is passed that Sprite doesn't point out and identify by name. I've learned so many, just by being present. Bluettes, Indian Pipe, Trailing Arbutus, Blood Root just to name a few.Freckles is as good hearted as they come. Always smiling or laughing. Good energy that makes you feel good to be around. I have come to a positive conclusion, that for whatever reason, we were all meant to be together on this trip. I can't explain it further, only that I know and feel it.Tomorrow will bring another geographic landmark and promise of more good food, spirits and de-funking. It is the Nantahala Outdoor Center or the "N-O-C"as it is more commonly referred to. It is situated on the Nantahala river which is a Kayakers Mecca. As hiker midnight draws closer, these eyes are going shut...Later.
Date: 2008-04-17
To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

I was packed up and ready to check out by 7:30. As I stepped out and onto the deck, Powder River was stretched out asleep in his bag. Sometime during the night he went outside to sleep. Never did find out why?Everyone was already eating breakfast before they packed up. I helped finish a plate of bisquits & gravy then headed on out ahead of everyone. Since the climb out of the NOC is about 7 miles up, up & up, I thought I would hike alone and get into the "Zone" or hiking trance as I call it.After about 3 miles I took a break on this hidden rocky outcrop overlooking the adjoining mountains. My thoughts have been occupied with my 4 children. Although, they are not children anymore. I am very proud of them and each are very special of course, to me. I have been wanting to get a hold of my youngest daughter Karly. Finding a payphone and catching her at home have been the 2 biggest challenges. Before I left, I explained to her that I was leaving for awhile and would return in several months. I did not share with her the details of my trip, that would come later. There were reasons for this, I thought it was for the better. I hope that one day she can fully understand? Thats all I have to say about that.In any case, today was a day of reflection and a strong spiritual connection with them. I wish they could be here, I would love to share this experience with them. I have also noticed a big improvement in my health, I have gone from headaches and chest pains from before, to a blister and a sore knee. Not a bad trade off.Before leaving, I was joined by "Sylvan" from Amsterdam. We spoke, took pictures and enjoyed good conversation. As I continued on, I reflected on how each day has been a magnificent gift. I feel a deep stirring from within and know this is every bit as Spiritual as it is an adventure. I eventually arrived at Sassafras Gap. I stopped at a clearing along the ridge just up the hill from the shelter. I dropped my pack, laid it back against a log, kicked off my boots an attempted to enjoy a nap. So much for solitude, Joe & Pete whom I shared a room with last night,stopped briefly as well before moving on. Next, was Bama, Dutch & Sojo. They stopped for water then hiked on up to Cheoah bald.I pitched my tent, gathered firewood, strung a bear bag line and waited a couple of hours before the rest of the gang arrived. Alaska & Buddy showed up afterward and tented near us.We enjoyed a fire, shared a bottle of wine and talked under a bright moon. After dark we could see a raging forest fire blazing 2 mountains away. It was relatively close and we wondered if this would hinder our trip? Hopefully it wouldn't reach us either? Hiker midnight is now upon us. My eyes are heavy and my heart is content. I wish a quiet goodnight to Jeannette, Tony, Elise and Karly. The 4 people to whom validate my existence. I am lucky to be their Dad.
Date: 2008-04-18
To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: few clouds

Upon awakening, I was still alive and didn't burn during the night.Packed up and heading out we arrived at Cheoah Bald a short while later. At 5,062 ft in elevation, and on a bald ridge, the views were excellent. It would have made for great sunset & sunrise photos.Today was going to be hot. A welcome change from the cold only a couple of days earlier. It seemed like I was going uphill all day. That is the good news. The bad, is the new pain radiating from my left knee. I have been compensating for my right one since nearly the beginning, that now the other appears to be wrecked as well?Not having a proper support brace, I used vet wrap around my knee. The downhill hike are the most PAINFUL!At one point we reached a hiway we had to cross. There were 2 picnic tables and a patch of grass. The sun felt good so a break was in order. It was about a 3 tenths of a mile walk to a trickling spring for water. The break ended up being 2 hours. Sprite lent me her cellphone to call anyone. I called my daughter Jeannette.Thank you so much Sprite. It really meant a lot. Eventually we hoisted our packs and continued heading north.Arriving later at Cody Gap, we pitched our tents. I'm using a tarp tent. While setting it up, I snapped the rear pole and tore the thin Silnylon fabric. "Pissed" best describes my mood. Weight savings in this case equates to a total piece of crap. A new waterproof tent is in my near future. Shortly after the head lamps turned off, it began to rain very hard.A good rain storm puts me right out. Just what I need, a good nights sleep.
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam.
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Today is going to be wet!It has rained all night. I have awakened to rain as well. It's all good.It's 06:30 and I'm packing up inside my tent. Now it is really raining hard, Most of my gear is damp or wet. A good day to sleep in as others did, I decided to just go for it. Afterall, this is what I signed up for.Hiking in the rain, is still alot of fun. It didn't dampen my spirits any.(no pun intended). It just adds another flavor to the experience. Although, the mention of Katahdin or getting to Maine reminds everyone of the miles they have yet to go, the temptation is to start pushing for greater miles.I have already known people whom so early on, have experienced injury and had to take an extra zero day to recover from doing too many miles. There is truth in "to far,to fast" The moral of the Tortoise and the Hare.Upon reaching the top of Walkers Gap, It was about a 3 mile walk down to Fontana Dam. The closer we walked the larger it became.Finally, we were down and walking on pavement then trail again,then pavement.Upon reaching the visitors center next to the damn, it looked closed?We dropped our packs, kicked off our boots and gave our wet doggies a breather.As it turned out, the visitor center was open. Among the post cards and tourist trinkets I was able to obtain a modest drink and snack. What I enjoyed the most was speaking with "Lucy" who worked there. She was a friendly & delightful lady.Sprite contacted the the folks at The Hike Inn Hostel to arrange a shuttle.Not long after, Nancy Hoch arrived to pick us up.It felt good to warm up under a hot shower, get in dry clothes and enjoy everyones company. As if it couldn't get any better, it did!Freckle's family drove down again, rented a cabin nearby, picked us up and treated us to a homemade, sit down, all you can possibly eat and then some meal,that they had prepared and brought with them.What Trail Angels!Do I feel spoiled? -yes. Am I really hiking the AT? -yes. Should I buy a lottery ticket? -why? Just being here and enjoying this with everyone is a "won" lottery in itself. What more could I want that I don't already have?My thanks goes to Sandra & Mark for their over the top generosity & kindness.You have made an already fantastic trip, better! Thank you.And to you Brandy,Josh, Kayla, Cody and Kirsten, it was a pleasure meeting youall and I won't forget you.This evening was about family. It felt good to be among new, yet very close friends. A trail family, sharing food and laughter with one of their family,while thinking about and missing our own families. It just reminded me of the many ways I have been blessed and have a lot to be thankful for?Still on the subject of good fortune, our friends RAWHIDE & MAVERICK showed up today and joined us. We haven't seen them since the Cloud 9 Hostel. Hopefully, their injuries, aches & pains are much better?Once again, the Magnificent 7 walks again.Later Freckles, borrowed her Dad's truck and drove us somewhere? Bryson county maybe? Anyway, we were able to resupply. We got back late, but what a great day we had.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Fonatana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early, had a bagel & juice breakfast. We loaded up our gear into nancy's truck and were shuttled back to Fontana Dam where she had picked us up 2 days before.I had learned earlier that the roadway across the dam was closed to vehicle & foot traffic. Apparently there was internal rod testing being done to determine the integrity of the dam? Supposedly, 2 hikers received a $125.00 fine each, the day before, for walking over the dam. I never did find out who they were? However, as our luck would have it, moments before arriving, the bridge was opened to foot traffic only.The detour would have been a 2-1/2 mile re-route going below the dam, crossing a bridge and coming back up to the other side. Sprite, Rawhide & Maverick were on the first shuttle and were ahead of us. Topshelf, Freckles and myself headed across the dam together. Springloaded caught a shuttle into town to get a canister of fuel at the outfitter. Freckles forgot to fill out her permit so we went back to the visitor center briefly. Afterward, the 3 of us crossed the dam and entered the Smokys.It was a long climb up. Very long! We had seen a tiny vertical line at the top of a mountain.(shuckstack) It was the firetower. Finally, upon reaching the top, several of us dropped our packs and took the blue blaze trail to the fire tower.I climbed to the top and took pictures. Not everyone shared my tolerance for heights. We hung out for awhile, took pictures and eventually headed on.At the this point I met "Savanah". I remember him easily, because he was hiking in sandals. I also met "Wolf" and a previous 2000 Thru-hiker " Rye Bread" as well. We hiked together for a while. He shared a lot of wisdom.Eventually, I reached the first shelter in the Smokys. It was the Mollies Ridge Shelter. All hikers are required to stay in the shelters in the Smokys unless full, then you can tent outside. This is due to the high Black Bear activity. Some shelters in the Smokys have a chain link fence across the front of them to keep the bears out.This shelter had a double decker floor to accomodate several hikers. There was a highschool class from Wisconsin camping with us tonight. They were on a week long trip as part of recognition for maintaining excellent grades. Congratulations!Today my PUR HIKER water filter malfunctioned. I have had this for 11 years without a single problem. Fortunately I carry a back up of Aqua Mira. Good thing, when it comes to your water, it is foolish to take a chance.The weather is getting warmer. Today was actually hot. A welcome change from earlier days. I have mixed emotions here tonight. Having to stay in a shelter, shoulder to shoulder with others is a test in tolerance, verses tenting in privacy. Oh well.Fortunately there are Bear Cables near by. The multi colored bags make for a good picture. We all wonder "just how bad is the Bear problem"?With dinner finished and the sun setting, it is time to settle down and call it a night. The first night in the Smokys, wow, slowly but sureley, I am making my way .
Date: 2008-04-26
To: Davenport Gap Shelter.
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Got an early start this morning.Want to make some miles before getting caught in the rain. The plan is to do 14.8 miles to the Davenport Shelter. This will be the last night in the Smokys. It is spring and new growth is emerging, this area must be stunning in the autumn? I thought about everyone at home today. I have spoken the least to my youngest daughter Karly and want to talk with her.With 2 hours remaining, the clouds could hold back no more. The rain came quickly, it rained hard. No point in wearing rain gear, save it to keep warm in later. My boots are filled with water, not from stepping in puddles but from just being soaked and the water running downward and collecting in them.This was a good day to listen to music as I walked. Hopefully my MP3 is waterproof? Man, you can't beat the Temptations...Papa was a rolling stone, wherever he laid his pack was his home...Upon arriving at the shelter, it felt good to get into dry clothes and get warm.Here tonight is Maverick, Rawhide, Freckles, Sprite, myself and meeting for the first time is Banjo from Maine, Gideon from Utah, Low Gear from Maryland and 3 section hikers from Michigan, Joe, Nick & Josh. And later 3 more sectioners from Florida rolled in as well. It was a full house tonight.Ear plugs are a wonderful thing!
Date: 2008-04-27
To: Standing Bear Hostel.
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke to rain beating down on the shelter roof. There were random expressive comments made from a few who had had unwittingly found they were directly under some leaks.Dawning full rain gear, after eating warm oatmeal, the shelter slowly emptied. The rain lightened up, so off came the rain gear. I have now finished the 72 mile stretch of the Smokys and approximately 240 miles behind me.We had been curious to check out the Standing Bear Hostel, it was a means of re-supply as well. This place was all it was ever said to be, no more, no less. Springloaded & Topshelf arrived here last night. Topshelf in his uncanny way to make good things happen, was able to secure the only cabin in order that all 7 of us could be together as opposed to staying in the bunk house.The cabin was situated over a running creek, with a porch glider and rocking chairs. It began to pour again as we arrived so it was an especially welcome retreat.I took a shower and did laundry the old fashioned way. I filled a wash tub with soapy water and scrubbed my clothes against a washboard. Next, I rinsed them out by hand cranking them through the rollers of an old "Maytag". My grandmother had one of these.The rest of the day was spent laughing together on the porch and spending time in the communal shed which served as kitchen, dining room, entertainment center, library and whatever?I was able to use a portable phone with my calling card. I spoke with Tony & Kim, it was good to hear their voices. Unfortunately, I was still unable to contact my daughter Karly so I asked Tony to keep trying to contact her.Our friend Zeke arrived after a bit, it was good to see her again. The friendships made along the way have been really unique.There is only one other place I have experienced a similar sense of family, and that was while I served in the miltary. The work hard, play hard relationship in which you share unusaual experiences together, endure hardships, share tears & laughter, brings about a bond of unity in which you look out for one and other unlike any where else. I'm sleeping in a loft tonight, warm & dry with rain hitting the roof above my head, in a cabin filled with the people, the friends,I now care about.How much luck and good fortune can one man have?Life is Good!
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up early and hungry as usual. I had 2 cold cheeseburgers for my first breakfast. Packed up, settled the bill and said good bye to the cabin and surroundings that was home for a day.Besides being out of the rain, I wouldn't learn until later how significant it was that we all stayed here together last night?It was again a strenuos day, resupplied and moving uphill, ever upward into the clouds. It never got warm all day. Taking a break along the trail near Groundhog Creek Shelter, The Okies (Maverick & Rawhide) joined the 3 of us and shared this disappointing news.Maverick's achilles tendon is getting worse. He has endured a huge amount of pain for many miles and many mountains. The hike is no longer fun, despite how much he wants to be here. They will stay at this shelter tonight and hitch in to Hot Springs and take a week off. It is a heavy blow to have this happen.A sense of loss is felt. Hopefully we will see them again tomorrow?Later I was on the top of Max Patch. It was a large bald with a great view all the way around. However, the wind was blowing fiercly and combined with the cold, it stung my face.The weather was getting worse, staying in a shelter tonight didn't seem so badat the moment. Upon arrival to the Roaring Fork Shelter, we took the last 3 possible spots. I convinced a few others whom were already here to hang their food bags. It was well known about the problem Bear activity that has been occuring here and at Walnut Mountain Shelter. Here tonight as well, I met "Strolnikof","You Go Girl" and "The New Kid".Afterward, I met a couple doing a Southbound which they started in Damascus Virginia heading south.They were "Zeke the Carpenter" and his wife "Happy Camper". They were a lot of fun and Zeke had brought 2 of his favorite harmonicas which he played for us until it just got to cold to stay up. The wind picked up and the Thunder came roaring with lightning flashing. It was a wicked rain storm. Eventually, I was able to fall asleep.Sometime during the night I woke up, there was an unusual quiet, so much so that I stuck my face out of my sleeping bag and saw everything was covered in white? It had snowed! I cinched up my warm bag, tight around my face. Just before I fell back asleep, I remembered that tomorrow or rather now, this early morning, is my birthday.I couldn't ask for a better gift.
Date: 2008-04-29
To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter.
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Once I began to stir, Sprite & Freckles wished me a Happy Birthday.It was a really cold morning. Although bisquits and gravy with hot coffee would have been a great day starter, I had oatmeal instead. Even though it has started to lose its appeal, it wasn't bad.With my pack loaded, it was time to make footprints in the snow. It was a picturesque morning. I was the third one to leave and eventually I caught up with Freckles & Sprite. After about 4 miles we took a break along a running creek. It was getting colder, the only consolation was that the terrain was good and made it ok.After our snacks, Sprite pulled out a small Blueberry Pot Pie and lit a tea candle on top. She & Freckles had this planned. So now here I am in the mountains of the Appalachians, my ass frozen numb, and frost forming with every breath and my 2 close friends are celebrating my birthday.That really caught me off guard, I never saw it coming.I'm sure there may have been a tear, however it was so cold it froze.I was touched deeply to say the least. Thank You!Without a doubt, I will never forget this birthday as long as I live.I'm on the AT, I'm with good folks, I'm living my dream, what better gift is that? So you betcha, I'll never forget this one!We had to get moving again in order to stay warm. As I mentioned, the terrain was favorable and made for a good hike. I had lunch later on a grouping of rocks. Joining us at lunch was Newt, an aspiring actor living in New York I think? Hopefully I will see his work one day.The afternoon showed promise and I was back into my shorts, This is not to be confused with it being warm out. It is just more comfortable to be in shorts and a T-shirt while hiking. And if you're moving at a steady clip, you can stay warm enough.When we arrived at Deer Park Mountain Shelter, we quickly got a fire going.Newt and a woman named "Slow Barbara" arrived. Eventually Topshelf & Springloaded arrived too. They had stopped about 20 minutes short of the shelter below Max Patch last night and really froze.All the wood is on the fire now and it will burn down soon. I will be in my bag shortly. Tomorrow will bring a Zero in Hot Springs. I need to see an outfitter with some gear issues and tend to this poison ivy on my legs.After dark, I heard some other hikers arrive and set up nearby.It turned out to be "Powder River", "Outlaw", "Cuz" & "WavePool".Who knew the woods would be so crowded?