morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Betty Creek campsite

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Its a rainy, foggy day and we walk 16 miles in the rain. The first of our hike is a steep climb up some rocks to Albert Mtn where there is a fire tower. I'm sure it would have offered some nice views if the weather were different, but all we saw was white. That's one downside I'm having to deal with on thru-hiking. We press on and get very tired today. Its so much more difficult hiking in mud. We finally arrive at the sign for Siler Bald Shelter which is a 1/2 mile off the trail. We come to a split in the trail and we follow both trails until we give up on finding the shelter and pitch our tent in the rain. Joey and I are both grumpy, cold, wet and tired. But Joey reminds me not to be mad at the weather, but that its just a part of being outdoors. I'm glad to be married to an optimist!
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Another rainy day! We wake up and just about get all our things packed when the hail starts falling! We start out the day in pretty poor spirits, and decide to make it a shorter 12 mile day to Cold Spring Shelter. Today the walk seems laborious and tiring even though the miles are fewer. I am beginning to get tired of walking! But I have many more miles to go. We get to Wayah Bald tower in the fog and get only a few glimpes of the valley below. Bummer... guess I'll have to come back here another day. The sun does start to peek out of the fog, though. Its amazing how muhc you can appreciate small patches of sun when all you've seen is clouds and fog for days. We eat lunch at Wayah Shelter and press on to Cold Spring Shelter where we run in to Sleddog. Its only the 3 of us in the shelter so we spread out our wet gear and cook our dinner. When its almost dark Skeeter shows up and joins us in the shelter. A verse of encouragment I read this morning: "Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning, for in Thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I whould walk; for I lift up my soul unto Thee." Psalm 143:8
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (Bryson City)
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Its an icy, cool morning as we set off excited about the prospect of a night in town (Bryson City). We have a steep climb down to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Joey's shin starts to hurt and my knees are tired from the downhill when we finally reach the NOC. The day warms up into a clear, sunny day and we get sun burns! We eat at Wesser Bald tower with 360 degree views and we see Fontana Lake again in the distance. We hike the morning with Salty Dog and the miles seem to go by faster. When we reach NOC, we see Sled Dog again and we thumb for a ride into Bryson city. We are picked up within mins. by a man who owns a local rafting company who lives in town. He drops us off and we check-in to a Sleep Inn where we get hot 45 min. showers and do laundry. Then we walk about a mile in town to Pizza Hut for salads and a large pizza and we resupply at Ingles. The bed feels so luxurious... the pillows fluffier and the sheets softer! Its refreshing to appreciate the simple pleasures in life.
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (Bryson City)

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 9.5

We leave our hotel late, around 11, and thumb for a ride back to the NOC. It takes us about 30 to 45 mins to finally get picked up as we walk along the interstate. Its humbling to be passed by car after car. We finally get picked up by 2 cooks at the NOC's River's Edge restaurant. We meet Salty dog for some lunch. Then we set off on a steep climb out of the NOC. We reach Cheoah Bald in time to set up a campfire and enjoy the sunset. It is the PERFECT spot to watch the sunset over Fontana Lake. I read the following verses as I sit in awe of the Lord's splendor displayed in nature: "The sun will no more be your light by day... for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again,...the Lord will be your everlasting light and your days of sorrow will end." Isaiah 60: 19-20. We're very content after an awesome couple fo days. I am reminded after watching the sunset that this is why I am out here.. to get to see these awesome wonders and praise the Lord for His beautiful creation. I am also reminded to worship the Lord, the Creator, not creation.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

We hate to leave Cheoah Bald, but set out in the sunshine. We stop at Stecoah Gap for lunch at some picnic tables and are offered cold cokes by 2 former thru-hikers who met and married on the trail years back. After lunch we have a very difficult stretch of steep climbs. We finally reach Cable Gap Shelter and run into Rusty who we stayed with back at Blueberry Patch and Yoon, a Korean thru-hiker who speaks no English. Its nice to run in to familiar faces along the way. We're beginning to see how small the hiker community really is. Today was a difficult day and I again find myself getting tired and sore, but I am trying to learn to discipline myself to set my mind on praying and talking to the Lord throughout the day. Its such a different world out here.. hours of soltitude and time to reflect and meditate. I am trying to learn to listen more for the Lord's voice and be ready to hear what He has to teach me through this journey.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

We have a short day of hiking and we've planned to stay at the Fontana Hilton shelter in Fontana Dam, NC. WE eat lunch at an AT info kiosk and register to enter the Smoky Mtn. National Park tomorrow. We're the first ones at the shelter, a huge 24 person shelter with trash cans and hot showers! We're glad to be here and have plenty of time to relax. We meet a couple, Travis and Contessa, doing Trail Magic and we eat dinner with them (grilled hotdogs, fruit, chips, brownies, cheese, etc.). We stuff ourselves and hang out with some other hikers coming in to the Hilton (Muscles, In Da Wind, Father Tyme, Cricky, Phoenix Rising, Groove, Macaroni, Eats a Lot, etc.) Travis takes us in to town to the General Store for us to pick up some more snacks. At the store we meet AWOL, author of our guidebook "Appalachian Pages" and his biography of hiking the trail "AWOL on the Appalachian Trail." We get him to sign our book and take a picture with him and he offers to drive us in town to hear a live band. Later that night another couple (Snow Plow, former thru-hiker, and his wife) bring coolers of drinks and other junk food to share with hikers. 2 couples doing Trail Magic at the same spot! We think we're in heaven!! We stuff ourselves again and then ride with AWOL back to the Fontana Lodge and listen to live music. It was a good day with more kind acts by special people on the trail called Trail Angels.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

The rain starts again as we leave the Hilton. We start off walking over the Fontana Dam and take some pics in the rain. We then enter the Smokies in the fog and rain, a little depressed that we'll not be enjoying any views in the Smokies, at least for the next 2 days. We stop for lunch in the rain, sheltered from the wind behind a tree. Not too much fun, but we press on to Mollies Ridge Shelter to find several other hikers huddled inside away from the wind and rain. We eat a snack and decide to push on another 3 miles to the Russell Field Shelter, with plans of meeting Joey's parents in Gatlinburg on Tues. We settle in to the shelter, the only shelter that still has a bear cage and we read a sign "Bears are active in this area." As we get in our warm sleeping bags we shine our headlamps on some little mice skurrying around the shelter. I say a prayer of protection from bears and mice and listen as the rain pours down on the shelter. I try to remember the verse: "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Another day in the rain! We eat lunch at Derrick Knob Shelter out of the rain. For the first time I really feel hatred towards walking through rain and mud and I have a little temper tantrum as I slide in the mud. Joey tries to cheer me up and reminds me we are meeting his parents in Gatlinburg on Tues. just a day away. I am again thankful to have an optimistic husband and am glad for his words of encouragament. After lunch I feel better, food always makes me feel better!! We push on to Double Springs Gap Shelter where the Shelter is packed! We stay with a group of High School senior girls from Wisconsin on a school trip (8 + girls) and 7 other thru-hikers (Johnny Blaze, One Step, Skeeter, Chasing Dreams and Cimaron the 86 year old hiker). Its a pretty nice night to have a full shelter, its gotten really cold outside, but we're warm inside with 15 people piled in and a fire going.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Early this morning we wake up to hear hail pounding the shelter and decide to take a slow morning and get a late start. We leave the shelter about 11 with the sun shining and Clingman's Dome (the tallest mtn. on the AT) just 3 miles away. We reach Clingman's around lunch and are given some snacks from a few section hikers. The wind is fierce on top of the observation tower so we don't stay long. We've heard the weather on top of Clingman's can be 5 to 10 degrees cooler. We hike on through some snow flurries and Joey sprains his ankle. He hobbles with a shin split on his left leg and sprained right ankle, not a good combination! He's determined though to reach Newfound Gap, where his parents are waiting to take us in to Gatlinburg for a night's sleep in a bed and several yummy meals. When we get about a 1/2 mile from Newfound Gap parking lot, we hear Jenny yoohooing for us. We're excited to see them and Jenny gets to say she's walked on the AT. It means a lot to us to have them visit and we hop in their car with One Step who they drop off in Gatlinburg. We eat yummy home cooked veges and meats at Old Mill Restaurant in Pigeon Forge and do laundry and cleaning back at the hotel. The bed is comfy and we enjoy a night catching up with Joey's parents.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: few clouds

A nero day in Gatlinburg with Joey's parents!!! Eat breakfast/lunch at the Mountain House Restaurant... the meat and veggies are excellent!! We have lots of errands to run: update online journal at the public library, hardware store to fix alcohol stove, outfitter for a few items, grocery store to resupply. I never knew a day off the trail could be so busy, but there are lots of things to take care of. We eat an early dinner at TGI Fridays.. huge juicy hamburgers and fries! Yum, yum! Joey's parents drop us off at Newfound Gap at 7:30 pm. Quite a late start, but we make record time to the Icewater Springs Shelter (3 miles in about an hour). We get to the shelter as its turning dark and its packed, but there's just enough room for us to squeeze in. It was a great day.. lots of sunshine, good food, good company!
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Tricorner Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

The weather is sunny and beautiful! Before we set off on our way we take a short side trail to Jump Off trail without our packs. There are decent views, but we decide its not worth the extra mile and a half. We set off on our 12 mile day at a leisurely pace and stop at Charlie's Bunion. The views are great and we linger here for awhile taking pics. We hike on along ridges and enjoy the easy terrain. We get to the shelter early, about 4:30, and have lots of time to hang out, cook dinner, journal, and just relax our tired bodies and feet. Tomorrow we're looking forward to meeting my parents at Davenport Gap for a night in Newport.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Tricorner Shelter

To: I 40 past Davenport Gap
Miles today: 18.0

Its sunny and HOT today! We have a big mile day ahead of us, 18 miles to meet my parents just past Davenport Gap. We hike with Matt from DC most of the morning and make it to Cosby Knob Shelter for lunch. After lunch we take a side trail to Mt. Cammerer tower (about 1.2 miles round trip) after 4 people recommend it to us. We were told it offered the best views in the Smokies. We were definitely not disappointed. We eat a second lunch on top of the tower with spectacular 360 degree views of the Smokies, I 40 and valleys below, and Snowbird Mtn. We hike the last 7 miles quickly, all downhill, and meet my parents near I 40 at 7:00pm. They drive us to a Comfort Inn in Newport where we shower and do laundry and we eat dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse. We pigged out, it was delicious! I love days in town!
Date: 2009-04-25
From: I 40 past Davenport Gap

To: Groundhog Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Great nights sleep at the Comfort Inn in Newport! We resupply and eat lunch with my mom and dad at Hardee's. We show them pictures of our trip so far and I call Cat and Jared to check on baby Adelaide. It is so good to talk to them and hear that they had a healthy baby girl on April 15th. I really miss not getting to see friends back and home and new babies (Adelaide and Ellie- Hunter and David's little girl) both born the first of April after we were gone on the trail. We also go through 2 huge boxes of goodies sent to us from the Child Development Center where I teach preschoolers with disabilities. My coworkers are great! They sent us lots of food, homemade baked goodies, pictures, and even a T shirt the kids had made me. So sweet and thoughtful!! My parents let us off back at the trail at the Pigeon River and I 40 and take some pics of us setting off. We tearfully say our goodbyes and we set off up Snowbird Mtn. in the HEAT. Its supposed to be record highs and we sweat a lot. On top of Snowbird are some nice views but the flies are terrible so we keep walking on to Groundhog Shelter where we meet Extreme Optimist and we set up our tent and eat dinner. During the night Joey gets sick (we think its something he ate).
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Groundhog Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Joey feels much better after a hard night, but he still feels a little weak so we get a later start about 11:00. The first few hours of our hike in the heat are not too much fun, neither of us are enjoying the morning walk but we press on. We come out at Brown Gap road to see a large orange Tenn. Volunteers canopy tent set up for more Trail Magic. We meet Ox and Rice Krispie who grill us some hotdogs and offer us salad, fruit, and junk food. We take an hour or two talking with them. Ox has many hiking stories of the AT and other trails throughout the US that he's hiked. The break was much needed and gives us the pick-up we needed for the day. We set off 3 more miles to Max Patch which is a large grassy bald with spectacular 360 degree views. This is probably my favorite spot thus far. Its truly beautiful, the green grassy bald with awesome views looking back at the Smokies and into the Highlands in NC. We spend several hours hanging out on top and Joey and Extreme Optimist attempt to fly a kite. We hate to leave, but at 6:00 we decide we better hustle the last 7 miles to the Walnut Mtn. Shelter. We make record time and get there just before dark to set up camp. During the night we hear footsteps outside our tent, a low breathing and clawing at the tent's rainfly. It is a bear investigating our tent! When the bear tries to claw at the rainfly Joey yells out "hey" and thankfully the bear takes off. We are a little shaken up but relieved that what we've heard about bears seems to be true... THEY ARE MORE AFRAID OF US THAN WE ARE OF THEM. What a day!
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Duckett House Inn Bed and Breakfast (Hot Springs)
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

We speedily hike our 13 miles into Hot Springs and arrive about 2:00. We check in at the Duckett House which is a nice bed and breakfast that's in an old 100 year old house. We have a nice room with views of the mountains and we enjoy hot showers and do out stinky laundry there. Then we eat at a yummy homecooking spot called the Smoky Mtn. Diner for dinner and head to the Hot Springs spa for an hour long soak in a jacuzzi with natural mineral hot springs water. The jacuzzi soak is wonderful and relaxing and the jacuzzi is facing the French Broad River, a really nice treat! Then Joey gets an hour long massage (my birthday present to him- his birthday is May 3rd). I call Hunter back at home to catch up and hear about baby Ellie, who is doing well. Its so great to be able to catch up with friends back home. I've really thought a lot about everyone and miss the wonderful friends we have! We hang out for a few hours talking with some hikers on the street in downtown Hot Springs (Phoenix Rising, Black list, Extreme Optimist, Matt from DC, One Step). We enjoy a great night sleep at the Inn and are so happy for the nice relaxing afternoon.
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Duckett House Inn Bed and Breakfast (Hot Springs)

To: stealth campsite about 8 miles out of Hot Springs
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Eat breakfast at the Inn (sausage, blueberry pancakes, eggs, potatoes, strawberries, fresh squeezed OJ, and coffee). Eat lunch again at the Diner again, get resupplied at Dollar General, write some postcards and hit the trail about 3:30. We have a big climb out of Hot Springs in the heat. Our energy is sapped, and we decide to stop short of the first shelter and stealth camp with Salty Dog, Captain D, Lion King and What. We have a nice campfire and stay up late hanging out.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: stealth campsite about 8 miles out of Hot Springs

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

We have a long day ahead of us, so we plan to take several breaks along the way. The morning starts off with overcast skies and cool breezes... perfect hiking weather! We stop for lunch at Allen Gap and then have a climb up to Laurel Springs Shelter. The sun comes out just in time for our 5 mile climb, when we finally make it to the shelter we are soaked with sweat and out of energy. We take a 2nd lunch break for about an hour. After a nice break we push on... we hit a stretch of 2 or 3 miles ridge walking along some giant boulders. We have some nice views along the way, and its kind of fun jumping rocks. We hike into the dusk.. I am getting impatient to find the shelter before teh rain comes and hope for a spot in the shelter. When we finally arrive the shelter is full, so we set up our tent.. oh well! We meet some new people and quickly cook dinner. It only sprinkles a few minutes during the night and the stars actually come out. Our tent is dry by the morning, a nice surprise!
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Great weather today for hiking.. it looks like rain all day but stays overcast with nice winds. We take our time getting to Hogback Ridge as its a shorter mileage day for us. Its amazing how 13, 14 miles now seems like an easier day. We make it to the shelter and are the last 2 people to get to stay inside the shelter. There are about 18 other people before dark who arrive. we're all looking forward to Trail Magic that has been advertised with signs in Hot Springs. The signs say "Trail Magic 10-3 at Sam's Gap.. burgers, hotdogs, chips, drinks, etc." We all gather around a campfire that night eagerly awaiting tomorrow's magic. It is the talk of everyone for the past 3 days since Hot Springs. We meet DahwahHe (who is a former thru-hiker). He coordinates a march into Sam's Gap for us 18 hikers to arrive together at 10. Its a fun night talking with other hikers and sharing in the experiences of life on the trail.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap (Erwin TN Super 8)
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

We all wake up around 8:30 and begin packing up our stuff when the rain begins. The 9 tented hikers quickly run to the shelter with all their gear to try to keep as much of it dry. We're all huddled under the shelter watching the cold rain come down. A little before 9 we all begin to take off, walking to Sam's Gap for Trail Magic. We all hope its not called off b/c of the rain! We arrive early to meet a group of older retired hikers who are setting up a large tarp and getting tables of food out for us. The highlight of the food for me was a nice juicy hamburger, Krispy Kreme donut and Oreo Klondike bar. YUMMY! About 20+ hikers all gather under the tarp as the rain continues to fall. We take off back up the trail around 11:30. We have about 13 miles to reach Spivey Gap where we are meeting my dad and taking a car into Erwin, TN to resupply, shower and have a night's rest in a bed. The rain stops as we start walking and we reach Big Bald to have some great views, a nice surprise for a day that was supposed to be all rain. We hike on to Spivey Gap and meet my dad about 7. We take the car into town and he camps out with Brian (a friend from Sptbg.) We get into town with Salty Dog and eat mexican (Joey's request) and go to see a Wolverine (great movie) at a small cinema in town and split a large buttery popcorn. Then we split a room at Super 8 with Salty Dog. We had a fun night!
Date: 2009-05-02
From: Spivey Gap (Erwin TN Super 8)

To: near Nolichucky Gorge Campground
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

We sleep late at the Super 8 and eat breakfast in the lobby. We see Macaroni and give him a ride home to Johnson City. He lets us do our laundry at his house and we resupply and eat lunch in Johnson City. Then we head back to the trail to meet up with my dad about 3:00. Joey, Dad and I hike about 11 miles in the cloudy, misty rain. We get to Uncle Johnny's Hostel at the Nolichucky river about 8:00 and decide to hike another mile or so until it gets dark. We set up camp about 9:00 in the dark right beside the Nolichucy Gorge Campground.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: near Nolichucky Gorge Campground

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

Its Joey's 27th Birthday and there's rain in the forecast and a long day of hiking... Joey plans to do a 25 miler!!!!!! We break camp in the sprinkling rain and head on our way. The day is filled with 3 pretty tough climbs and the rain continues off and on for the entire day. I don't really mind walking in the rain when its not storming, but the mud that's left behind on the trail is not fun to trudge through. The last 3 miles of the trail are very SLIPPERY and Joey falls twice going down the mountain to Dad's car at Iron Mtn. Gap. When we finally make it to the car, Joey says his knee has tightened up and he can't make the 6 more miles to the next shelter. We make a last minute decision to head back to Erwin with dad. We plan to stay at a hotel or hostel and eat dinner with dad at a Mexican restaurant for Joey's birthday. After dinner we decide to head back to Spartanburg with my dad and take a day or two off the trail to rest.
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Home Sweet Home (Spartanburg, SC)
Miles today: 0.0

Our second ZERO day on the trail in our own beds. We take it easy all day... sleep late, take a bath, eat lunch at Olive Garden with our moms. I visit my grandparents at their nursing home and eat a yummy salmon dinner at home with my parents. Its just what we needed to rest our sore feet and tired bodies!