morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I haven't mention people lately so here's an update. No word from New Man now for several days. I'm wondering how he's doing. Yesterday Slingshot and I separated as he is focused on Hot Springs and is pushing to get there fast. Yesterday at the shelter were two very interesting fellows - Dave (Houston) and Phil (Tampa Bay). They are retired Army Ranger instructors and long time friends. They hike under a single trail name "Two Rangers". Approaching 70 years young they are great fun and very un-army like. Their hiking motto is "start slow and go slower". I have also again become in hiking sync with Bridget and Too Long Braids. When we got off to zero in Franklin they continued on. Since they too took a zero. At Fontana Dam our hiking connected again and we have sheltered the last two nights in the same location. Today they pressed on and since I will be off the trail in Gatlinburg for a few days or paths may not meet again. I have also been hiking with Fritz or Tom from Fritz, TX. Since Fontana we have flip flopped several times each day. That is we pass and re-pass each other several times doring the day. Like me he is disembarking the Smokies at Clingman's Dome and hitching a ride into Gatlinburg. Tom is 61 and young at heart like me.Today many hikers now in the Smokies short hiked and are spending the here at the shelter. Conversations are interesting and we have enjoyed answering questions from Wyatt a weekend hiker from Dayton, OH. Many dayhikers have passed as well. This is the shortest route to a popular viewing spot, Silers Bald. We particularly got a kick out of the response about the privy from 4 soon to be graduates of the Vanderbilt MBA program. Truthfully this is not only one of the few shelters in the park with a privy, but by far about the best so far on the AT! As the saying goes they must have expected porcelain.Looking for an early start tomorrow and early arrival at Clingman's. Hope to find a quick ride down and be at Woodsmoke, my cousin Jan's cabin, before Cathy arrives. Expecting a cold night. Sure hope my water does not freeze. If so 3 miles without water won't be too bad.Blessings from on top of old Smoky,P.S. In honor of my friend Eric...the ups and downs and other challenges we hikers face daily is simply... It is what it is.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Clingman's Dome
Miles today: 3.0

For all us Kentuckians the first Saturday in May is Derby Day. Today however is also Reunion Day for me and Cathy. Praise the Lord. I awoke this morning for an early start to Clingman's Dome where I hoped an easy hitch into Gatlinburg could be secured. I don't know whether my excitement was moving me or the extra rest from a short day yesterday, but I made great time over the climb to Clingman's. It's the tallest in the park and on of the highest elevations on the AT. I got there in about an hour an 50 minutes. The AT meets the walkway up from the parking lot at about where the manmade overlook starts. From there it's about one half mile down a paved walkway to the parking lot. I sure wanted to get there and get a ride quick. Even at this early hour about 10 am several tourists were around. On the way down a lady asked if I'd seen the bear on the way up. I told her I had just come off the AT and had not seen a bear for the last 200 miles! That sparked a conversation that led me to ask for a lift to town. Whoopie, Whoopie I had my ride! And lightning quick too!Her name was Mary and to me not coincidentally she was from Corbin, KY. One Kentuckian helping another and on Derby Day to boot. I proceeded to the parking lot to wait as she continued her walk to view the Smokies from the overlook. During the drive down we shared information about our trips. I hope she looks for and finds this journal and writes me a note on the guest page.To my continued good fortune Mary drove me to a restaurant within easy walking distance of Woodsmoke, my cousin Jan's cabin where Cathy and I will spend a few days. The restaurant was not yet opened for me to get a barbeque sandwich, but they did sell me a soft drink while I waited. With sandwich and chips in hand I headed to Woodsmoke. Up the trail by the swimming hole in the Pigeon River and in less than 20 minutes I was there. Now it would be about 2 hours before Cathy arrived.I opened up and did some unpacking but did not shower. Cathy had not of course seen me at my hiker best... including unwashed for 4 days. So the test ...would she hug me. That answer is a resounding YES! And was that first hug in a month great! I have the best wife in the world! A perfect match to whom I give all the credit to our God!Blessings , P.S. I have lost approximately 10 to 15 lbs. and that too greeted Cathy when she got out of the car.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is the first full day of my extended break from the AT and relaxation with my wife for several days in Gatlinburg. We will be here until Thursday when she delivers me back to the trail in the GSMNP and then heads back home. That might be a hard goodbye. Might be? Who am I trying to kid? It WILL be!Today I've been cleaning gear and making a few decisions regarding what items I can leave behind. Always trying to save a bit of weight. This morning my legs really felt heavy. Since my last Zero I have hiked over 85 miles. That is likely the root of this fatigue. Nothing better to rejuvenate than being with Cathy and her cooking. Warm and sunny here in Gatlinburg and that should hold for the rest of the week. Tomorrow we head into town for a few chores- PO to pick up my bounce box from Fontana, the library to use a real computer as opposed to this phone, and the grocery for just a few items. I might also get a haircut if I can find a barber in a tourist trap city. Tonights dinner was pot roast with carrots and potatoes, wine, and rolls. Much better than trail food! And now I wonder how many of those lost lbs I will regain by Thursday.Blessings,
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0

Today was another great day with my wife, Cathy. We ran a few errands: to the PO for my bounce box from Fontana; Food City for just a few groceries and fire wood to replace what we have used at Woodsmoke; and to the library to check it out. I may go back there tomorrow to work more on this journal. For the last 10 days or so my daughter, Sandahl has entered the text I email her which is much easier for me with sketchy connection in the mountains. Thank you Sandahl.After errands, which for me included the first chocolate ice cream in over a month, we went to the swimming hole on the Pidgeon River just below the cabin. There we soaked our feet in the cold water on an absolutely gorgeous 85 degree spring day. For me the soaking was also medicinal as my right foot is still sore and cold helps.Much of the rest of the day for me was finishing the task of gear clean up and packing food and other supplies for Thursday's appointment back on the AT. And with that done all attention will now be on Cathy. Blessings,
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0

First thing this morning we had to deal with a bit of an emergency. It seems that even with all the planning and preparation I did not account for a slower pace and the amount of pills I needed from my prescription. I did not even think to add one extra pill! Anyway, last night the mistake was discovered. I did not have nearly enough to make my next mail drop in Hot Springs. So today I located a pharmacy, luckly in the Food City grocery not too far away, and headed there early. It took about two hours for Doc Price's office to nake contact with the pharmacy and for the prescription to be fill.While waiting I went to the library and uploaded more pictures to this journal and made a few edits. Check it out. I also changed a couple of the story pictures. And for Kevin Linn's daughter and my daughter, Marina, there is a picture of the one and only bear I have seen so far. At the cabin Cathy and I continued our vacation/reunion by spending more time by the river. Soaking my still sore right foot in the cold water sure seems to help. When not there we enjoyed the quiet solitude of the cabin sitting on the deck. Neither of us is interested in reading, just in spending time talking and together.I didn't mention yesterday that while at the PO I submitted my first ever absentee ballot. That completed an interesting process that had never been managed before I don't think by the Kenton County Clerk...accommodating an AT hiker on the move. Mission accomplished and may my candidates win.Blessings,
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0

Final day at Woodsmoke. Thanks to Jan this has been a wonderful way to take a break from the trail, reunite with Cathy, and hopefully I have made good progress in the foot healing department as well. We have yet another wonderful weather day that blesses our stay here. It was a lazy day with cleanup and repacking chores waiting until the evening. And of course we continued our daily trip to the swimming hole. The soaking of my sore foot finally seems to be working. This final full day together has gone really too fast. We both have some anxiety about tomorrow's upcoming second goodbye. However we both agree that these last few days together have been fantastic. Please pray that the separation tomorrow at Newfound Gap goes ok and for a safe and uneventful trip home for Cathy.Blessings,
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This was one tough day. Mentally and physically it really wore on me. First was saying goodbye to Cathy at Newfound Gap trailhead. We had 4 fantastic days together and without plans to meet again, it might be 2 months. Watching the CRV pull out of the parking lot made my eyes tear up and throat tighten. Next my right foot had responded well to the work on it over the last few days. However at about the 5 mile mark discomfort came back. Within an hour or so it seemed worse than ever. I was ready to get off the trail to rehab. I was sure hopeful that I could finally start hiking the usual way. That is at about a 2 plus a little mph and about 12 to 15 mile day.Made to the shelter but was very sore and ready to pull off - sure tired after over a month of dealing with a sore foot and too low of miles to reach my daily goals. Cathy and Billy, an ATC Ridge Runner, both provided encouraging words and advice. Billy mapped out a plan also mentioned by Cathy to do less miles, especially than today. Billy to move forward to shelters near trails down off the mountain vs back to Newfound Gap. I slept well now having a more positive strategy than earlier in the day. So for the next two days I again would hike short days and stop early to rest. Perhaps after the 4 day break I needed build back up slower than planned to regain hiking fitness.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Early start per my usual routine and anxious to test my foot. So far I was getting about 3 good hours before discomfort began slowing me down. Per my plan of yesterday I would hike about 8 miles tomorrow and then boost to about 11 on Sunday (Mothers Day). Today and tomorrow I would finish near trail down to the Cosby area of the GSMNP. And if needed from there I could get back to help to rehab the foot.One thing Billy the ATC Ridge Runner reminded me of was the AT motto "No Pain, No Rain, No Maine". Well I certainly had the pain and the rain was predicted for tomorrow. One goal I really want to accomplish if I were to have to pull off the trail for a while is to put the Smokies behind me.So much for the foot and my frame of mind. The Smokies offer some of the best views and hiking trails on the whole AT. I enjoy every pause in the hike to look out beyond the trail at the majestic vistas. Since Newfound the views have been toward Pigeon Forge and Douglas Lake. Tomorrow we will begin overlooking the Greenbriar and Cosby areas. As projected I got to the shelter early about noon. Set up my sleeping area and waited for others to arrive. Right now our "bubble" is small consisting of about five. No Regrets and his wife 56, myself and a couple of others they knew of. Besides Billy we ended up with only one other, Titan a 20 something from Johnson City, TN. Ridge runners (3 in the Smokies) are out 4 to 5 days a week. And by the way are paid enployees of the ATC. They help hikers, particularly thru hikers during the months from March to May. Additionally they help maintain shelter areas, report bear issues, do minor trail maintenance, and report major trail problems such as blow downs blocking the trail. As a treat he brought along a bag of jellybeans to share with us AT hikers. Yum!Blessings,
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Tri Corner Knob Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Today promised rain. In an attempt to reach the next shelter before the 60 % chance I again got an early start. In 1984 a military jet crashed adjacent to the trail. Sad event but an interesting location. Wreckage still remains and is marked on the trail guide. The story goes that in bad weather it hit the mountain at 400 mph and with such impact debris actually landed on both sides and can be seen along two trails - the AT and Snake Den.About mid-way into my hike the rain hit. Not too bad except that at high elevation the temp dropped and wind picked up...and picked up. Praise the Lord I have chosen a good rain coat/windbreaker. With only about 2 miles to go I skipped the rain pants and relied on my gaiters which are tall and extend to just below my knees to both keep my shoes dry and legs warm. I would have plenty of time at Cosby Knob Shelter to rig a clothesline and dry out. I got to the shelter about 1 pm or so. Billy was already there doing his chores. Tonight he would not be staying but would take Low Gap Trail to Cosby campground where his car is parked. We have all enjoyed being with him the last two nights. Arriving about 2 hours after me was No Regrets and 56. For a couple of hours it looked like it would only be us in the shelter. They hike slow and I'm taking it easy due to the foot. Eventually two other AT hikers arrived. Carey Less from LA and Yogi from England by way of Toronto. Titan also stopped by but being young, strong and capable, he headed on to the next shelter just over 7 miles away - Davenport Gap, the last one in the Smokies going north.Soon we were joined by 5 Section hikers from Columbus, OH. Very interesting and "green" group (eg. little experience) but they were having fun. The group consisted of four coworkers from Allied Chemical Products and one of their wives. Their story or reason to be hiking is that one of them, Tom, a native of Knoxville, has wanted to hike the AT through the Smokies for years. Sort of a "bucket list" item. The others were joining him on the journey. They had hiked up the long hill from Davenport Gap that we would be hiking down tomorrow as we exit the park. To a person they were bushed but still enjoying the day. From either direction entering the Smokies requires a long climb. The advantage we had is that we had been hiking for several weeks. They of course had not.They must have asked us a hundred questions. Ranging from gear, to food, and about our journey so far. We even had to show one of them how to hook up his stove to the fuel canister. I even anointed one of the guys with a trailname "Corporate" because we caught him emailing the office! Now they were really part of an AT experience.This group was really having fun. One could easily tell they not only coworkers but good friends. I sure hope the rest of their hike goes well.SPECIAL: Thanks to all who are praying for my foot issue. I feel the love. As of now it is either improving and/or I'm adjusting to it. In the next few days I plan to increase mileage and pace. Let's see how that goes.Blessings,
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It felt great to be heading out of the GSMNP today. Relatively easy hiking as most of the remaining miles in the park are downhill. Not to good on my poor old foot but good for making time in hopes of arriving at the hostel early. Why? Well the laundry facilities are very old school...wash board and wringer. It would take time and I wanted to be sure to get my rangy clothes clean! Thankfully I was the first in and they did have an electric dryer. With clothes clean and me clean the rest of the was eating and resting. I would take off early tomorrow on the section to Hot Springs.Hot Springs is three days hiking at distances and pace I have aimed for from the beginning of this journey. It would be a good test for me and the foot.While at Standing Bear, Titan the young man from TN, introduced us to his parents. They had driven down to meet him on Mothers Day. They had driven to Max Patch to see that. I'm anxious to be there myself in a couple of days. It is one of the most popular places on the AT. Titan has become popular within our "hiking bubble". As he is a fast hiker who can go long miles we most likely will not see him again.Just a few words about Standing Bear. Rustic and basic is the best way (and kindest) way to describe the place. It provides basic needs of food, water, shelter and cleaning. But most of us waited until we went back to the woods to take care of certain necessities. On a more positive note on the way today I crossed paths today with a young German businessman out for a day hike. On a business trip to Asheville, he was out to hike a short section of the AT. In the future, after his children are grown, he and his wife want to thru hike. He was super excited to see me an honest to goodness long distance hiker! He couldn't hardly wait to get my picture. I took his too.All told a rather nice day of hiking.Blessings,
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Brown Gap campsite
Miles today: 10.0

Headed out of the hostel early. Three long days to reach Hot Springs ahead. And I'm anxious to see how I can do three in a row. Also excited to finally reach Max Patch just two days away. Ok by now it is routine. Every day after a stop seems to begin with a climb back up into the mountains. Leaving Standing Bear was not much different, except it took close to three hours, a good portion of this day. Not much to see today. The AT is often called the "Green Tunnel" because all you see for miles is vegetation not views. Now as the season is moving forward, the forest is really coming to life. Beauty is everywhere. And even smells. What I experience several times each day are aromas best described as forest perfume. Too bad I can't put some on. I'm beginning to take on the infamous " hiker smell". Showers and clean clothing are great but as the weather warms the freshness sure disappears fast!As I approached my destination, Brown Gap, dark clouds and wind that precedes a storm began to appear. Arrived in camp, located a spot suitable to withstand a storm, set up and then the rain came. Short, strong and windy. Thankfully that was it after less than about 30 minutes. My tent sure felt stuffy and I was pleased to be able to sleep with the fly partially open.I also had a bit of worry last night. This campsite is located at the junction of two forest service roads. These roads are restricted and since the AT has clearly identified the spot as good for camping and water, another necessity, one would think I would have no non- AT hiker visitors. Well on a rainy Monday night I did. Thankfully my tent site was out of range of headlights. It sounded like they didn't know which road to take. And by the way this was my third solo campsite, so I was alone. Slept darn good afterwards after a good long day of hiking.Blessings,
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Brown Gap campsite

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Tent was wet when I awoke but I hurriedly broke camp. Facing another long day and excited to finally soon to be at Max Patch, I wanted to get moving because I would spend significant time there. The issue being that Max Patch was only about 3 miles away and my target camp just over 10. And of course I camped in a gap...so upward I must go at the start.(Next chance I get I will try and upload pictures of Max Patch to my photo album.)Well Max was as advertised. The best views so far on my journey. From this unique bald one can see for miles and miles. Lots of people get married here and I could see why. While AT hikers take days to reach this location on the trail, there is a road that takes visitors almost to the top. I saw a few there and they were infatuated with me. About my age they were amazed when I told them I had started in Georgia. The day before I had lunched on another open area near a prominent FAA radar tower. Today I could clearly see that tower while having an early lunch on Max Patch. Sure didn't look almost 24 hours away.On Max I met Old School a young professional from Indianapolis who was hiking several sections of the AT with her parents. Parents were alternating between providing shuttle service and hiking with there daughter. Old School might take several years yet to finish the trail but without the need to carry much gear can she really go! Walked with she and her mother for a bit down from Max but they soon left me in their dust!At Walnut Creek Shelter I had sort of a reunion with No Regrets and 56. They hike slower than me but stay on the trail longer each day. I had gone several miles further than them yesterday and did not expect to see them again until Hot Springs. Also there was a new acquaintance, Jay, a retired art teacher from Montana. No Regrets and 56 did not beat another rain shower like Jay and I did and arrived "well watered". Luckily they were able to dry most of their things before dark. Early to bed was the order for tonight as tomorrow is the longest day for me. I'm anxious to see how the foot does since the route is mostly downhill into Hot Springs.Blessings,