morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 4.0

Short day. Hiked from Muskrat Creek shelter to Deep Gap, 4 miles.Bad news -- something I ate made me terribly sick. I was up all night and will spare you the details. I hope that it is a simple 24 hour bug and not the dreaded norovirus or food poisoning, etc. that was running rampant over the past two years on the trail. I have been very careful not to touch there shelter registers or take any food from anyone. So the plan of the day quickly became to hike four miles north to get to the next road crossing, get off the mountain and have another down day. Christian from Maine and I hiked the four miles. He has very bad feet and also needed a down day. We decided to share a Microtel room in Franklin, NC. On the way down the mountain we caught up with Deeply Badly Bent who blew out a knee. He joined us at Microtel. In my fatigued, wobbly state, it was a very difficult four miles.Snuggles, carrying his 50 lb. pack, left early with the fast young crowd. Karen and Alex, from Austria, and I exchanged phone numbers so we can hook up later. They would like to spend a day in DC and I would like to help them with that.My plan is to try to eat something tonight (haven't had anything but liquids all day), and see how this evening goes. If I feel better, I will get back on the trail and complete the journey to Franklin by Good Friday. I promised Kathy I would visit her over the Easter weekend. In addition, I will be teaching a class at Virginia Tech this fall and have committed to attend some meetings in Northern VA and Blacksburg the week after Easter. So, right now I am resting and enjoying good conversation with Christian! Entry by wife, Kathy
Date: 2014-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's Tuesday April 15th and after some heavy meds I am beginning to feel better. I decided it would be best to go home to fully recvover, enjoy easter with the family and take care of pre-planned VT business. So I put myself on an all night Amtrak from Toccoa GA to Manassas VA. While waiting for the Amtrak I met a 63 year old hiker who just completed 175 miles. She was heading to NYC. She was hungry so right in the train station she fired up her stove and cooked her Ramen noodles. Offered me some, I politely declined wanting to stick to my crackers and ginger ale. It was funny Christian's feet recovered and he headed out to the trail. As I was leaving the hotel I bumped into Snuggles and the fast crowd...even they needed some down time. Deeply Badly Bent was still in a world of hurt and will stay at the hotel longer. We are all planning to meet at Trail Days which is the big annual hiker party in Damascus VAThe past 11 days have been an incredible experience. It has been physically hard but amazingly fulfilling. The camaraderie, the friendships, the many acts of kindness from complete strangers combined with the intensity, closeness and beauty of nature has humbled me. I am very blessed and fortunate to be on this special journey. More to follow.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Fontana Dam

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Rad is back on the AT.Went home and recovered from my trail illness (I hope), completed VT meetings/telecoms, farm chores, spent time with family and friends, and went to church. Yesterday, I was shuttled into Fontana Dam which is the southern entry point of the Great Smokies Park.Today's hike was a brutal 14 miler. There was a very long ascent from Fontana Dam, then along the ridge up and down. The ridge trail is the TN/NC border. I hiked with two of my contemporaries (i.e. we all have gray hair), Ian from England and John from Indiana. John through-hiked back in 2011. Ian did the trail from Harper's Ferry to Maine and back this year to complete the southern half. We had a lot of fun hiking together. The highlight was seeing a bear from about 30 yards. In the Smokies, you myst have a permit and sure enough, I bumped into a ridge runner who checked my permit. You must also only stay in a shelter. Right now, we have a full shelter and people are putting up tents. It will be a noisy night. Tomorrow's plan is to do another 14+ day, however, the forecast is heavy rain. More highlights to follow.Entry by wife, Kathy
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Russell Field Shelter was packed with about 18 people, plus at least 12 tents outside. The protocol at the shelter is as soon as you arrive unroll your sleeping pad and claim your spot. As more people arrive everyone gets closer together. That night I claimed a spot on the second deck and slept between a young kid and female half of a young couple. The young kid was in a group of six and part of a drug rehabilitation program. They were hiking through the smokies, going north to south, and tomorrow would be their last day.I thought hiking through the Smokies as part of the drug rehab program was a brilliant idea as you learn many life lessons (although pot is common on the trail, and their leader kept a close watch on them) . I talked to them all for a long time. Hopefully some of the conversation will help them. Also in the shelter was a kid that played a guitar. For three nights I listened to him. He was good when he didn't sing. Most hikers go to bed at 8PM. It gets dark and we are exhausted. Through the night it rained hard and since the shelter has a metal roof, and I was on the upper deck, it was very hard to sleep due to the noise. At 5AM the shelter was busy with activity. Hikers will turn on their red headlamps trying not to disturb others that are trying to sleep. Imagine about 12 people with red lights trying to be quiet, but bumping into each, some cooking, some packing all making abundant noise. It was a funny scene.I was up early and ready to go with Ian and John at 6:15AM . We started our hike in the fog and rain with our headlamps on to guide us. The big climbs of the day were Thunderhead and Rocky Top Mountains. I was little worried about being caught in thunderstorms and lightning on top of these two mountains. We hiked in the rain and fog, and the scenery was gorgeous in an erie way. There were countless trees that were in bloom. As we gained altitude the winds increased and we were in the clouds. Up and over the mountains was a lot of work with no reward of beautiful views...sometimes it happens this way. I slowed down and hiked about 10 miles by myself. As the day went on the weather got much better. It was a nice long day of hiking, and my knees were hurting. I made it to Silers Bald Shelter about 5PM an d was able to secure my spot in the shelter. Again listened to the guitar player and I would say his singing was improving.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Clingman's Dome
Miles today: 5.6

Another night of very little sleep. It rained all night and we had 40 mile winds. At the shelter the open side is covered with a big tarp. It keeps the shelter warmer, and seems to help with the bugs. The winds on the tarp made constant noise all night long. At about 3AM I made a video of blackness only to capture the noise. Everyone was up early, and most all were heading into Gatlinburg as the forecast was for rain and high winds the next two days. I hiked solo to clingmans dome and caught a ride into Gatlinburg for a day of rest.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0

Sleeping and eating like a normal person was wonderful. Over the past 2.5 days I covered 35 miles of some big mountains most of it in bad weather. The scenery was spectacular and the people I met were all beautiful souls. My knees are throbbing, so I decided to head for home and regroup. I really want to return to complete the northern half of the Smokies. It is an awesome place.For family and friends that keep asking, I will be busy over the next few weeks. I will be in Blacksburg and will meet family members in Bland, VA the week of May 5th. The following week I will be in Pa with Kathy as she attends a horse event. Then the weekend of 17th, on to Damascus, VA to attend the annual Trail Days Event. This is the annual hiker party (check out the link http://www.traildays.us   ) where I can reunite with all the people I have met and hiked with over the past month. Also friends will be coming from NY to join me in this celebration. My goal is to rejoin my original trail family (i.e. Snuggles and Christian) as they approach northern Virginia and put in some more trail miles with them.I have posted some additional pics of the Smokies. One marvelous event that I failed to mention earlier was the trail magic received at Fontana dam. Trail magic are kind and generous acts performed by people know as Trail Angels. It always seems to happen at the right moment and they are special moments that create everylasting memories. It has happened to me 4 times: a cooler of cold ice water at a crossroad, bottles of soda with encouraging notes placed along Fontana Dam, candy in zip locks, again with encouraging notes, left in the rain at Clingmans Dome, and the best were the Hiker Widows. The hiker widows are a very religiuos group of females that traveled 200miles just perform trail magic. At Fontana dam they provided us a picnic. They fed us sandwiches, cold drinks, snacks, fruit, resupply packages, etc. They are an amazingly kind group of people that created a special moment for me and others. Please look at some of the posted pictures.This truly has been an incredible experience. Although I have only logged 125miles my life has been infiltrated with a heightened affinity for nature, greater inner peace, and an appreciation for the goodness of humankind! The good news is that journey continues. There will be more special memories, more deep friendships, and more determination from me to repay others for the many acts of kindness received.More to follow.
Date: 2014-02-04
To: Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter Hack
Miles today: 0.0

This evening I spent a little more time messing with my gear in preparation for my hike. Tonight I decided to prepare my Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System. The Sawyer Squeeze is a lightweight filter that only weighs 3 ounces. However, I decided that squeezing all my water might become cumbersome, just like pumping it all. Thankfully, the Squeeze can be used as an inline filter, allowing you to drink straight thru it like a straw. For another $4.95 I purchased an inline adapter. The adapter is basically two threaded hose nipples. Since each end of the Squeeze is threaded, the inline adapter screws onto each end. If you want to remove the filter for whatever reason, the adapter ends screw together with no leaks. Using it as an inline makes for fast on the go water filtration. As seen in the pic the elastic band on the shoulder strap of my pack worked out well too. Check out my picture if you want to see more details.
Date: 2014-02-21
To: One More Week of Work
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it is getting down to the nitty-gritty now. I have narrowed my departure date down to March 5th. I had planned to leave closer to the weekend of March 7th, but there is an event going on at Amicalola State Park that weekend, and I would like to avoid some of that crowd for my first couple of days. I will be working right up until February 28th, so I have planed a 3 day 2 night excursion into a local backcountry area to shake-down my gear. Also, I haven't practiced hanging my food. If I am as inept as some of the people that put instructional videos on youtube, then I am going to need hours of practice. Honestly, those people make it too hard. Why should I spend an hour trying to tie paracord to a rock when I have the little stuff sack for my pillow into which I can drop the same rock and attach it with a small carabiner. I watched a 6 min video of a girl hanging her bag that kept trying all these different ways to tie knots around the rock because it kept falling out on her. Maybe that same girl was trying to shave half an ounce by not having the stuff sack... but the same girl said it was easier to carry around the rock if find one that works well. I'm sorry folks, my base weight is around 26 pounds...45 pounds with a week of food and 2 liters of water. I will not be carrying any rocks. I know this is a rather heavy pack weight for thru-hiking, and I should really be trying to shave ounces at this point. Unfortunately, I am a really large man. My 4x rain shell weighs 2x as much as the guy or gal with a 30 pound pack. The same goes for most of my articles of clothing... even my camp flops. I'm not using an alcohol stove, I want more flexibility in my cooking. For now, I want my comfort items, and I'm willing lug that crap around everyday. If I'm not covering 20-30 miles a day, it will not keep me from having my picture taken at Katahdin. I am hiking my own hike.   Tonight I attended a free AT planning class at REI. The class was full online, but I went anyway. The expert staff not only found room for me but also provided a chair. Most of the information was a review of the research I had been doing on my own. In fact, the websites the instructor referred us to are the same forums I have been reading everyday. Still, I was glad I sat in on the class. It was very informative, and would be a recommended shortcut to anyone that doesn't want to read thru hiker forums for 2 months.   Honestly, I cant say enough about how helpful the staff at REI has been. Even if you do not buy every item from them, they are a wealth of knowledge and you can compare several different items in the store. All they need now is the price-match guarantee that backcountry.com has and I would probably buy almost everything right from the store. Even without it, REI has a good return policy, excellent service, and knowledgeable staff.God bless you all,
Date: 2014-03-02
To: Shake Down Hike
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I drove out to Stone Mountain State Park today and hiked into the backpack camping area. It was early Sunday, but the weekenders were already heading out. My work contract is over so I was just planning a couple of nights to test my gear before setting off on my thru-hike of the AT. My uncle is going with me to Springer Mt in Georgia and then driving my car back home to N.C. He has been such a big help with moving my things into storage. I couldn't have one it all without him. I setup camp, stacked up a few sticks for hiker TV, practiced tying knots and hanging a bear bag. The weather is calling for snow tomorrow and a cold snap. This should be a good test of my sleep system. So far the most difficult part of this has been sitting on the ground or logs. I am so used to furniture, and my bad knee does not like the getting up and down. I didn't hike very far today, but I'm still kind of tired. Thanks to a tip I got from whiteblaze.net my first cathole and use of paper towels (which can be moistened) instead of toilet paper was much cleaner. Also, I love Dr Bronner's magic soap; seriously, just a drop or two will do. Before sundown I cooked dinner, washed dishes, brushed my teeth and hung my bear bag. On my return, I found a raccoon sniffing around camp. Fining nothing he just wandered off leaving me happy to be in the woods.
Date: 2014-03-03
To: Shake down continued
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

It started raining last night. No big deal. The bad part was I got up last night to pee and stepped on the tent stake for the vestibule sticking up with my bare foot. Also, I woke up laying on the cold ground last night. Aparently my exped synmat sprung a leak. I tried doing a quick patch but it just made it a slower leak, so every couple of hours I would wake up cold and blow it back up. I got early and put on my rain gear then boiled water for instant coffee and oatmeal. I hiked in the rain till about noon then headed back to camp. I could feel the temperature dropping. I was already wet and starting to get a little cold, I didn't do a good job of adjusting my rainfly so I had some water in my tent, my sleeping mat wouldn't stay inflated which left me trying to sleep on the cold ground, and the temperature was dropping rapidly. I had planned to brave the winter storm, but I just couldn't bring myself to stick it out. Instead, I went to dry out, repair my mat properly, and set out fresh on Wednesday.
Date: 2014-03-05
From: Shake down continued

To: Springer Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 0.2

I arrived at Amacalola Falls State Park and weighed in my pack... 46 pounds. I signed in, had my passport stamped, and had my picture taken at the arch. I did not do the approach trail for many reasons. Honestly, it was so late in the day, by the time I made it up USFS 42 to Springer Mt parking lot, all I did was hike to the top and sleep in the shelter there. Not many miles today, but I will have many days to come.
Date: 2014-03-06
From: Springer Mtn Shelter

To: Long Creek Falls
Miles today: 5.0

I woke up with my water line frozen. It was so cold last night. I hiked 2.6 miles to Stover Creek Shelter where I stopped to boil water with my stove to thaw things out. Cold day to start out, but I made it as far as Long Creek Falls where I setup camp and ate dinner by the water falls. I went to bed early just as the ice storm hit. I stayed warm and dry after a 5 mile day.
Date: 2014-03-07
From: Long Creek Falls

To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 5.3

I woke up around 5:30am but didnt get going until almost 7:30am. It was still raining but I enjoyed the hiking. I met Cavie, Milkcarton, Waitup, and Uncle Fool at Hawk Mountain Shelter. Everyone was just taking a break to get water. I actually ate lunch there. We all ended the day together at Horse Gap. It was a 5.3 mile day. I also met Chuck and some other really nice folks, but people without trail names slip my mind really badly.
Date: 2014-03-08
From: Horse Gap

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 5.3

Today was a normal seeming day. Nice weather. I got going ok this morning but I was slow. Everyone I had met left me behind. No worries, I met a new group of people at Gooch Mtn Shelter, including the most stylish person on the trail so far... her name is Camamile, and also the hiker that best looks like his name... 3 Thumbs...I wish I had gotten to hear that story. It was another 5.3 mile day.
Date: 2014-03-09
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Campsite near Lance Creek
Miles today: 7.0

I hiked slow, but I made it to Woody Gap. There, I found Trail Magic! Fresh Ground had his Leap Frog Cafe going strong. I ate so much, and felt so good I took off after eating with renewed vigor... or so I thought. I had already gone 5.2 miles and probably could have called it a day and took a ride in to a hostel for a recharge. Instead, I tried to push to Lance Creek and ran out of daylight because I was hiking out of gas. I camped just before dark and found that my inflatable sleeping mat had a rip in it. I slept that night on the ground and thought I was going to freeze to death... it was a @ 7mile day.
Date: 2014-03-10
From: Campsite near Lance Creek

To: Wolf Pen Country Store
Miles today: 3.7

I made it to Jarrad Gap, but without a bear canister I was going to have to cover the 6 miles over Blood Mountain before bedtime. I knew I couldn't make it, so I left the trail and hitched a ride to Wolf Pen Country Store and stayed in the hostel. Only covered 3.7 miles of trail today but I was beat. Hopefully I will have a better chance of reaching Neels Gap with a good nights rest.
Date: 2014-03-11
From: Wolf Pen Country Store

To: Blood Mountain Cabins
Miles today: 5.0

I didn't sleep well because I ran out of fast drying glue for patching my pad and had to let the patching cure overnight. Unfortunately, the hostel bunks did not have padded bunks. I had to wait till noon for a shuttle back to Jarrard Gap, but I napped a little on the couch with the sweetest pit bull and no one seemed to mind. I had lost a lot of daylight but I made it over Blood Mtn to Neels Gap before the rain! I shared a cabin with a really nice couple, thanks Mike and Naomi! They were both experienced thru-hikers and they shared some of that experience with me as we hung out in the living room. In the very cabin next door was Cavie, Uncle Fool, Camamile, and I Believe 's husband. I didn't remember his name but I was glad to know that she was asking about me earlier that day. I have been out of contact with people at home and it is comforting to know that people know where I am and that they care. I am missing family, but this is an incredible adventure.
Date: 2014-03-12
From: Blood Mountain Cabins

To: Blood Mountain Cabins
Miles today: 0.0

Today I enjoyed my first planned zero day. I would have taken one today even if I hadn't planned one. Coming down the north side of Blood Mtn beat my knees to death, and I really needed the rest. All I did today was walk to the lodge to get my laundry, pay for the first night I stayed, and grabbed a 2 liter coke and a frozen pizza. Spent all day sleeping and watching HBO. Swelling finally went down on my knees and my blister on my heel is looking much better too. Later this afternoon some guys showed up to share the cabin, and one kind young man that was section hiking paid for the whole cabin. I have been indoors now thru rain and today it even snowed. Im so glad to be here and warm. God is sooo good to me. Heading out tomorrow after quick resupply at Mountain Crossing. I brought so much food to start I only need 2 dinners to keep going. I think Im going to switch out my sleeping pad for another too.
Date: 2014-03-13
From: Blood Mountain Cabins

To: Hog Pen Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

I sent my exped synmat home and purchased a Thermarest Prolite Plus. I hope it will be more durable. It was so very cold today. I am camping with Ben from FL and some others here. It is so cold, I fear I will not sleep very well again tonight.
Date: 2014-03-14
From: Hog Pen Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

It was a really cold night after a really cold day. I really got a slow start today in favor of a hot breakfast and coffee. I reached Low Gap Shelter very early in the day, but my knees hurt so bad I decided to stay here for the night. Only 4.4 miles but my knees wont let me do any more. Today was my brother and sister's birthday. They are twins. I was able to get a call out to both... I miss them both very much.
Date: 2014-03-15
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Helendorf Inn
Miles today: 9.7

I set out from Low Gap Shelter determined to make my longest hike so far on this journey. My goal was to reach Unicoi Gap so I could get a ride into town. I really wanted to shower and do laundry so I could go to church the next morning. God has been so good to me, and he is worthy of my praise and worship. I left out without breakfast or coffee. Yes, I am slow, but I pushed myself to up the pace. When I faltered and felt my steps were weak, I dropped my pack, ate a cliff bar, and drank my fill of water. Then I hefted my pack, ever mindful of the sun in the sky and the ground left to cover. I was glad that there were not any serious climbs today. It seemed like the leat +/- of elevation so far. I stopped at Blue Mtn Shelter to get water and take a couple of Advil in preparation of the descent into Unicoi Gap. The last short climbs over Blue Mtn were so easy knowing my goal for the day was so close and I was going to make it long before dark. I reached the Unicoi Gap to find some beautiful "Trail Magic" put on by the Todd Taylor Foundation Angel Project. They were just about to break down and one guys and his son Bryce gave me a ride into Helen, GA. I stayed at the Helendorf Inn and had dinner at the Bodensee Restaurant. It was a German-American style palce in a German theme town. The servers wore old world traditional German dresses. It was a beautiful experience, and I ate my first serving of veggies in a week. Afterwards, I did my laundry and used the lobby computer to update my blog. Now I'm off to bed. I will be walking to church in the morning after breakfast.