morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Campsite With Stream Past NOC

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Found my camera - it was beneath the trash compactor bag in my pack. It's a little beat up, but it works, and I still have all my pictures. The trip is suddenly looking much brighter.Today, I have to admit, was rather tough. We continued on the rest of that 6 mile or so climb - but we only had to do like 60% of it - because we're so smart, you see. While almost all of the other hikers slept for $15 at the NOC, we camped out under the stars. Hoo ha!Anyway, after we got to the end of that climb, we descended into Sassafras Gap where the shelter was. There we found the Owl, Spyder & the Dude still hanging around - they cowboy camped last night - with these folks who were all about bluegrass folk music. One of them was singing and playing the banjo, another was playing the fiddle, and another was playing the mandolin. They came down from Vermont, but they sure were all about the bluegrass lifestyle - reminded me of Gypsy Dave and his friends back at the 'gheny.Them fellows treated us to an impromptu concert, and afterwards we left and climbed Cheoah Bald, quite a climb, but good views. From there we continued to Stecoah Gap. Stecoah, like Unicoi back in Georgia, is one of these massively broad, steep valleys tucked away in the Appalachians, it sure was cool hobbling down those enormous switchbacks. At some points the trail would go through these boulder patches where it was difficult to determine the location of the trail. Quite nice.Presently I reached Sweetwater Road at the bottom. Footpump was there, as was Trash Bag and Rodeo Clown. The Owl came by next, as did the one and only Barry Manilow.After coming off and eating for a few minutes, I continued on to the Brown Fork Gap Shelter, 2.4 miles away.The trail was pretty moderate for about 3/4 of a mile, and then it went up the steepest bitch of a climb on this trek yet. Worse of all, upon reaching the summit, only woods, no views. The guidebook labels this as "unnamed cliffs." Ha.I reached the shelter a while later, Trash Bag and Rodeo Clown, who left a few minutes before I did, were already there with exhaustion painted on their faces.The privy here is interesting - one wall facing the shelter made out of planks - except the plank that covers your where your ass sits on the seat is missing!Barry Manilow gave me his camel back, so now it should be easier for me to hydrate while hiking. It may rain tomorrow and Wednesday as I head into Fontana Dam and the Smokies beyond, but we'll see. G'night!
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Birch Spring Tentsite
Miles today: 18.6

My feet didn't like me to-day, but that's understandable as I did my longest day yet - nearly 19 miles. As tired as I am at the moment, I feel strong and capable of doing more long days - I'm getting in pretty good shape.I left Brown Fork Shelter, which really was absolutely filthy, around 8:30 this morning, and strolled to Cable Gap Shelter, passing Trash Bag and Rodeo Clown about a half hour into the hike. The trail was very moderate, and I made it to Cable Gap, which is 6 miles away, in under 2.5 hours.There, Footpump and I unsuccessfully attempted some yoga moves from a book that was left at the shelter, and after about 40 minutes I left and headed on toward Fontana Dam, the entryway to Great Smoky Mountain National Park.Upon reaching NC28, I saw some bathrooms and a Coke machine. I tell you, that was the greatest tasting Coke I ever had, and I'm not much of a soda guy. That valley heading into Fontana was killer on my feet, and the fact that I had to pop a squat amidst some rhododendron bushes didn't help my mood as well.I called for a shuttle to Fontana Village where I had a mail drop waiting for me, and upon arrival saw Ohm and 1/4 Moon chillin' outside the tourist trap of a grocery store. Bucket, who I knew previously only through registry entries was there - she was pretty cool - had this tatoo of a vine that began above her breast and went around her side to her back.After calling Matt Minkel and learning he wouldn't be able to meet me until after the weekend, I changed my plans so that I would NOT pay a visit to Gatlinburg (though Dollywood sounded fantastic) and go through the Smokies all in one shot.The Owl and Barry Manilow were planning to leave for the park tonight and camp at the tentsite 5 miles in, so I tagged along. Nothing like a bit of night hiking to soothe the soul.After crossing Fontana Dam, the largest dam east of the Mississippi River, we entered the park and after walking along an AT-labeled road for 10 minutes, arrived at the trail.Now the guidebook said the entranceway was at 1715' and that within 4 miles we would reach an altitude of 4020'! My feet felt every inch of that climb. It was truly tough. The three of us panted the entire way up - what a way to end the day. Over 2300' of climbing.By the time we got into the Birch Spring tentsite, it was well past dark. A man named Mike had lit a fire and we talked with him for a while. Then we all went to bed.The Smokies truly are beautiful - the growth seems much older and less tamed than the woods of Chattahoochee and the Nantahalas. I feel more remote here than I have during the entire trip so far. Maybe it's because I hiked a good portion of it in the dark. Anyway, it's damn near 10:45. Almost 2 hours past hiker midnight. G'night!
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Birch Spring Tentsite

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

The other day, as I was heading out of the NOC toward Fontana Dam, a man rushed past me on the trail, carrying MAYBE 10 pounds on his back - looked like a sleeping bag, 1/4 sleeping pad, some dry food and a cup.He called himself Hermes, "the sandstorm." He was kinda a dick, muddying up the water that Footpump, Trash Bag and Rodeo Clown were pumping. I'd seen his entries in the registries now in the Smokies - he has to be doing damn near 30 miles a day.Due to my decision to not resupply in Gatlinburg, I have to make some high mileage days of my own in the next couple of days. Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the AT is 71.5 miles long, according to the guidebook. I have gone 16 miles in the last day and a half, and I have about 4 days worth of food and about 3 days worth of fuel left. That means I have to go at least to Mt. Collins Shelter tomorrow, 19.8 miles away. The next day I'll have to go to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter, 20.1 miles past the previous day, and then to Green Corner Road, 2 miles past the park and stay at Standing Bear Farm, a hostel with a good reputation. That third day will be about 18 miles.Unfortunately for me, as I'm gaining strength, my appetite is starting to take off. I'm beginning to get constantly hungry. These next couple of days are really going to wear me out. I wanted to do some night hiking, but the weather looks uncertain - very "smoky." A zero day at Standing Bear sounds like heaven. Or I could continue two days past it to Hot Springs and zero there instead. Or both.Today was easy, too short, but very beautiful. The Smokies have proven to be my favorite section of the trail thus far. I woke up late today, ate breakfast with the Owl, Barry Manilow and MIke, who really is a nice guy, and headed out onto the trail 1/4 before 11. Reached Mollies Ridge Shelter around 1 or so, and freakin' Footpump was already there chowing down with the Owl and Mike (both of whom had left before me - Barry Manilow slept in a little later). Footpump agreed those first five miles of the trail in the Smokies were hell - hiking in from the "Fontana Hilton" as the shelter there is named, a few 10ths of a mile before the dam.haven't seen a bear, yet, but I did see a deer today, no that that's anything special - there are fucking thousands of them on Fire Island.The Owl, Mike, Footpump and myself moseyed on over to the Spence Field Shelter and Barry Manilow showed up a little later. The shelter's quite nice and protected from the cold temperatures outside. I'm content, if not a little anxious about the days ahead.
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

No questions about it; the Smokies are tough. I'm beginning to see why so many just can't get through them - there are a lot of ups and downs and they aren't forgiving.I did way too many miles to-day more than I should have. Before I left camp shortly before 8 this morning, Widowmaker, who's a supercool guy, told me he was aiming for Mt. Collins as well. He's a strong, fast hiker - and it's after 10:00 and he hasn't showed up, which means he probably went to Double Springs Gap Shelter. In the Smokies, you have to sleep in a shelter - no camping is permitted anywhere else. He's definitely there, along with Footpump, the Owl, and Barry Manilow.The stretch after Double Springs Gap Shelter was torture on my feet. It's 6.3 miles long, but between these two shelters one reaches the highest elevations on the trail - including the highest peak in GSMNP, Clingman's Dome.One top of everything, it was a miserable, rainy day. Upon reaching the much anticipated observation deck at Clingman's, I saw nothing but fog - I think at one point I could make out Mount LeConte in the distance, but I wasn't sure.Today I hiked mainly alone - saw two day-hikers from Wisconsin who said "eh" a lot, and met up with Sixty at Silers Bald Shelter, who I hadn't seen since first entering North Carolina.I hobbled into Mt. Collins shortly before 7:30. Three section hikers from Indiana are here, as is Sixty, and 4 new thru hikers I have not previously met - Zooby (a girl), Billy the Kid, Mengus [? - slightly illegible] and, shit I forgot his name. Something strange. The 4 of them were sitting on the bottom bunk playing Rummy and smoking a bowl when I got here - not sure if I enjoy their company or not.My feet were in searing, SEARING pain when I arrived at the shelter. I was so exhausted I climbed right up to the 2nd bunk, massaged them, and tried to warm up. I haven't eaten dinner yet, but I'm too wiped out to care. I'll get around to it tomorrow sometime - maybe I can stretch the food an extra day.I still have a massive amount of miles to do before I'm out of the park, and I think I only have 2 days in which to do it - MAYBE 3.I'm going to go to Pecks Corner Shelter to-morrow and see how I'm feeling. After Pecks, it's another 5.2 miles to Tri-Corner shelter, 15.6 miles to Davenport Gap, the northern terminus of GSMNP, and 18.2 miles to Green Corner Road, where Standing Bear Farm is located. 20.1 miles tomorrow. Ugh.On another note, I have to admit, the park really is something special. Hiking to Clingman's was very, very beautiful - the growth here is so old and dense, it's like the trail has walls. No animal half the size of a human can fit in there comfortably. It reminded me of one of those 1st person shooter video games like Turok (or Turok 2 - Seeeeds of Eeevil) where the "forest" is just a polygonal wall. Only the forest here is much nicer. And unforgiving. [Transcriber's Note: "Though decidedly less filled with killer dinosaurs."]
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

I maybe should have woken up early to-day, because it was going to be a long day, but I didn't even leave the shelter until after 9:00. Zooby gave me some hot water for my oatmeal, so I didn't have to eat cold, runny instant oatmeal this time.About 20 minutes after I left the shelter, I found a spring running straight across the trail, and I stopped to fill my bottle and treat it.As I was treating, Widowmaker comes bounding up the trail. He stopped and told me how he, Footpump, the Owl and Barry Manilow woke up at dark thirty at the Double Spring Gap Shelter and hiked the three miles to Clingman's Dome to "catch a sunrise." It was all cloudy for them; they saw nothing. Oh well. Heh heh.A minute later - guess who comes trudging up the hill - yep, Footpump. He looked tired, but then he always has that tired look about him. The first thing he says is, "I'm hungry." Yeah, we all were. So we all hike toward Newfound Gap, which is about 4 miles away. We reach Indian Gap 1.7 miles before it, and Widowmaker and Footpump decide to eat right there on the grass beside the road. I stripped off my thermals and continue to Newfound.It was incredibly foggy there, and there were a lot of tourists coming from Gatlinburg, so I took advantage of the restrooms there and hoofed it to Icewater Spring Shelter. Along the way I met up with 3 thru-hikers named Calamity Jane, Hobo and Flint. We hiked together to Charlies Bunion, a large outcropping of rock jutting into space, 1 mile from the shelter. It was pretty fantastic, considering the sky was beginning to clear and some really incredible views could be had.By that time it was past 1:00 and I knew I had better start making some real miles if I were to make it to Tricorner that day. After devouring half a bag of trail mix and a Snickers bar, I huffed it to Pecks Corner Shelter, 6.2 miles away. My feet were pretty sore by that time, but I grinned and bore it, and continued the last 5.2 miles to Tricorner.Upon arriving at Tricorner Knob Shelter at 10 past 7:00 PM, I found a slew of thru-hikers I hadn't met yet, Pooch and Tom Dooley (Trail Dogs) are here - I've seen their entries in the registries, a friendly guy named Smiley, 3 section hikers and a ridgerunner named Shatter, who recited some of his poetry and some Saul Williams to us. It was really cool. The privy here is beautiful, and the water source, which is right in front of the shelter, has a lulling sound about it. The moon can be seen through the trees, but no stars are out. At 5,920 feet, it's a little chilly, but not too bad. Earlier I housed a family-sized box of mac'n'cheese with tuna, so I'm pretty full.Upon arriving at the shelter before, when Shatter asked me where I came from to-day, his mouth went agape. 20 miles a day in the Smokies is pretty impressive, I guess!
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Campsite 1 Mile Outside GSMNP

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 1.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained on and off last night, but since I made some attempt to seam seal my bivy at Hiawassee, it didn't leak at the zipper. However, the front part is not very resistant against the weather. I need to purchase a small tarp I think.Anyway, I survived the night more or less unscathed, and I was out of the campsite by 9AM. Met an older hiker sporting a fedora while walking the mile to the hostel, calling himself Walking Cowboy.Standing Bear Farm lives up to its reputation as an absolutely fantasic hiker hostel, and is nothing like I thought it would be. It's mostly open-air, it's a restored 1920s backwoods homestead that has so much character, it's just too difficult to describe. Let's just say it has a real stiff lasso rope, but Tom Dooley, despite going to "cowboy camp" as a child, is none too good at roping a stump.Everyone is here, it seems. Traildogs, Smiley, Billy the Kid, Mengis and Gulester, Dorothy and Toto, Magellan, Tattoo, Hermes, and Plod, the last two hike like their asses are on fire. Footpump, the Owl, Barry Manilow, and Widowmaker strolled in a few hours after I did, but they left a little while ago. I guess they enjoy camping in the rain. Barry got a bear head as a baton, so whenever one of the 5 of us are in the lead, as we really seem to be leap frogging each other constantly (I was in the lead for the last day and a half, but now I'm last), keeps the bear, and hangs it from an obvious spot so whoever passes grabs it.Anyway I basically sat around a campfire, ate delicious pizza, and chatted with everyone. I had a great time. My feet are still not talking to me, but I see them smile when I tell jokes. They'll be fine by tomorrow.I called my dad today, and Matt Minkel answered. They were driving to Hot Springs, 2-3 days away, and were going to bike south. So I'll probably meet them in 2 days.Gonna leave early tomorrow and catch up with the rest of the gang - probably go to Roaring Fork Shelter about 15 miles away. Have some massive climbs ahead - looking forward to them.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Walnut Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 20.3

So, um, yeah, so much for keeping the days short. I did more than 20 miles to-day, for the second time in a week. But 20 miles along the North Carolina / Tennessee ridge is a joke compared to 20 miles in the Smokies. My feet aren't even that sore.Anyway, I put in the big miles because I figured me dad and Matt Minkel would be at the Walnut Mountain Shelter and they were! The shelter here is really small, so I'm in the bivy. Two older people are sleeping in the shelter, a woman named Bonnie Carolyn who's thru hiking and an old dude named "Loner Bohner." The Owl is also here, as is Smiley, Spirit Walker, Plod, Billy the Kid, Mengus & Gulester.The highlight of the day was Max Patch, a beautiful bald at mile 251 along the AT. I met a couple there on the summit who took my picture for me and then I let them go ahead of me and I sat on the summit enjoying the view for 20 minutes or so.On my way down the mountain, the couple were sitting down on a hill, and they called me up and gave me a beer, a really good one too, a local one from Asheville. We exchanged life stories and had a pleasant time, just enjoying the perfect weather on the bald. It was really nice.I head into Hot Springs tomorrow with my dad and Matt - I'll buy gaitors at Bluff Mountain Outfitters, and maybe a tarp for the bivy.Beautiful night again - I'm really loving it out here. Earlier tonight when Matt and I were sitting at the fire in front of the shelter, Loner Bohner and Bonnie suddenly came out hacking and coughing. Apparently Bonnie is carrying pepper spray (for protection) and set the bottle off by accident while putting it away in her pack. Silly old people, they make me laugh.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Walnut Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs, North Carolina
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept beautifully last night, woke up, packed my bags, and got on the trail before 9:00 AM. Passed Matt "Weird Beard" Minkel going up Bluff Mountain - he's pretty slow - says he doesn't really like hiking. Actually, a lot of thru-hikers don't enjoy the actual exertion of going up and down mountains. As the Owl put perfectly, "I don't enjoy hiking. I just like how it makes the food taste."The 13 miles to-day was easy, and I made it to the little down of Hot Springs by 3:00, with a lot of breaks waiting for Matt.I'm staying at a lovely place called the Sunnybank Inn, owned and operated by Elmer Hall since 1978. Staying here with Matt and my Dad. Room is only $15! Plus another $10 [somewhat illegible] for a vegetarian dinner and breakfast. All the other thru-hikers are camping to-night I think at a campground on the other side of town - they're taking zero days - wish I was, but dad and Matt want to hike, so that's what I'm going to do!Anyway, I have to admit that dinner here was absolutely incredible - the best vegetarian food I've ever had. First course was a broccoli soup, which was very good. Second course was the best salad I've ever had in my life, with a sesame seed dressing. Main course was a vegetable stroganoff over pasta. For dessert there was sweet potato pie with vanilla ice cream. I had like two servings of everything, and walked away from the table more full than I had been in a long, long time.Elmer himself is an unusual character. He hiked the trail in 1976, was an Asian studies professor at Duke University, owned and operated a busy restaurant in Durham, North Carolina, and was an ordained minister before buying the Sunnybank from the Gentry family in 1978 - now it's a non-profit facility and retreat that supports groups and politics that promote ecological wisdom and animal rights. That, and he's one hell of a chef, in a town whose population is about 600 (no joke - Hot Springs is SMALL).Also, before dinner when I was in town, the Outfitters had a scale. I had bulked myself up to 138 pounds before the trip, knowing I would probably lose it all within a few months, but that scale at the Outfitters said I weighed 127 pounds. I couldn't believe it. I went back to Elmer's where my room has like 3 mirrors. I looked scrawny, almost gaunt. Add the 3-week old beard, and I looked like something that crawled out of the woods. I have to start eating more.
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Hot Springs, North Carolina

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Big, scary thunderstorm last night with lots of rain. Glad I was warm and cozy in the hostel - felt bad for everyone else who decided to go to the campgrounds instead - they were $10, and Elmer's was just $15. Made the smart choice, and had the best $10 dinner of my life.Last night it was blowing so hard I think it ripped one of the doors straight off the lock, and then slammed it back onto the house - made such a bang that it woke me up and shook the entire house.Barry Manilow came in last night during dessert - Elmer gave him some pie, and he did some work for stay by cleaning dishes this morning. He stayed out in the greenhouse last night - must have been quite an experience with that storm and all."Weird Beard" decided he liked the town so much he was going to stay an extra day instead of driving 40 (trail) miles up to Sam's Gap and hiking south to meet us - he'll save that for tomorrow. So instead he'll hang out at the Paddler's Pub, congregate with the thru-hikers, who really are good people and drink moonshine. Man, I wish I was there as well.Instead, I'm at a little dipshit of a shelter on Spring Mountain, 11 miles north with my dad and Loner Bohner. Climbs weren't too bad, but it's getting cold now and boy was it windy. I was pretty tired when I rolled into camp at around 4:30 (we left at about 11:45 - late start).The register at this shelter has lots of entries about the friendly mice, but I don't feel like being friendly with them, so I'm going to hang up my food bag. We're only hiking about 10 miles to-morrow because that's all dad is good for, really, before he conks out. But I need a few easy days as well after all of those 20s. Life is good, I guess.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Campsite Near Spring

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Another cold day! Holy crap was it cold. I woke up around 5:30 and there was condensation on my tarp and bivy, my sleeping bag smelled of chili farts (they kept me warm!) and I more or less could not move. I went out for a few minutes to pee, and I was so happy to get back into the bag. I could have wept. Dad got up a few hours later and left because he would have been hypothermic if he remained at camp. I took my time getting ready; I was out of camp by 10:30.It was about time we had some really nasty weather. So far us thru-hikers have been spoiled, which accounts for the large amount of people on the trail. Usually a lot of people have dropped out by now, but I don't think I know a single one. Why would you, when the weather is perfect?I only went about 10 miles to-day - Dad didn't want to go any further, which is okay by me. Matt "Weird Beard" is at the shelter 9 miles north of us; we'll hike there tomorrow and hike with him 2 miles to Sams Gap, where they will depart. They have food if I need any extra to get me to Erwin - I'll probably do just under 20 mile days the next 2 days, arriving a day shy of 4 weeks into this trip.At the shelter is me, Smiley, Footpump, my dad, Walking Cowboy and a day hiker named Brian with 2 dogs, Ringo and Toad. Footpump and I built a fire - got it real nice and hot and comfortable - and then it started snowing.It's snowing pretty heavily right now - very beautiful, very cold. I'm in the shelter with my bivy - think I'll be warm, but not 100% certain. I'm beginning to miss my Sayville friends, but the ones I've made on the trail are pretty cool, too. I hope Barry Manilow and the Owl catch me in Erwin - they're good people. And fucking Widowmaker needs to slow down. He's not Hermes.