morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-09-14
From: MM 207

To: MM 218
Miles today: 11.0

Day 3.3 - 11m MM218The journey continues¢¦I'm headed north in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).  Today was fairly easy. I arrived at the shelter at 2:30 and I normally would have kept going but in the park you have to stay in designated areas. The next one was  7.7 miles farther and that was too far. I promised the Boss not to do more than 13 for a few days. This is a restart of last week¢s adventure where I began the section from Fontana Dam, NC headed North to Damascus, VA. I did a 23 miler the day Clare picked me up and the ride home wasn't pretty. I had horrible cramps in both legs and hands.So I'm going easy. The head is still in thru hiker shape but the legs aren't. I've only hiked 12 days in the last six weeks and my conditioning is gone  I guess. Why so little?The short answer is I contracted Lymes disease sometime in early July and kept hiking. I had no outward symptoms except being tired and weak which I thought was just the miles adding up.  I went home to SC to find out what was going on. After the diagnosis of Lymes, I spent 21 days waiting for it to get better. It did - a little. But because I had it for four weeks before treatment started, there are some long term issues I'm still dealing with.I have several doctors appointments the first week of October to continue working on them.  I couldn't just sit and wait so I went back and did the north half of Maine and summitted Katahdin. And now I'm back doing my southern miles. I'll try to fill in some gaps as I get back to writing. Sorry I haven't been more communicative. I'll try to do better.
Date: 2023-09-15
From: MM 218

To: MM 231
Miles today: 13.0

3.4 13 mi MM 231I'll start with no problems on the hike today. That's a plus.  Feet and knees aren't as sore as they have been so perhaps progress is being made. Ran into a ridge runner today - these are people who walk back and forth checking on hikers, shelters and the Trail. Remember the lady that fixed my knee in PA?  She was a ridge runner. Anyway, he stayed at the shelter I'm at tonight. He had a really good picture of a bear wandering around outside. But he didn't try to get in. Probably a young bear that was just curious. So if this is the last entry you get from me - blame it on the bear. Just kidding, I don't expect any issues.  There are nine of us in the shelter tonight. When there are lots of people, the bears seem more shy. So tomorrow is last day in the park. Ten miles and I'll be out. And I have a pick up for a hostel for the night. Clean clothes, shower, cooked food and a resupply box - thru hiker heaven!
Date: 2023-09-16
From: MM 231

To: MM 241
Miles today: 10.0

Day 3.5 10 mi. MM 241Short 10 miles out to eastern edge of GSMNP at Davenport Gap. All but a mile or so was downhill. Knees weren't particularly happy with me without a break but at least it conserved energy. Got a pickup at 11:30 for the Discerning Hiker Hostel.  https://discerninghiker.com/Man, what a great place. It's brand new-only the second year. It was built by Ken specifically to be a hostel and it's gorgeous.  I have the whole place to myself tonight which is incredible. Went into town (not even sure which one - I'm lost without my white blazes) and had dinner. Ken really built the whole thing himself. We spent the whole evening talking about construction stuff. A lot of fun for me being a bit of an amateur builder myself. It rained hard all afternoon but I was dry inside. I think it will stop tonight and I will dodge a bullet!  Hope so. It really stinks to leave a dry building and start in the rain. Lots of day and short section ( under 100 miles) hikers but only one SOBO thru hiker. I expect to run into some more over the next couple of weeks. I'm feeling pretty good and keeping my miles reasonable until I feel back in the groove. It ain't easy- the head really wants to go. But I'm pulling on the reins. Oh, and the bear did NOT show up last night...
Date: 2023-09-17
To: MM 257
Miles today: 16.0

Day 3.6 16 mi. MM257Started out in the rain this morning and it didn't quit until just after noon.  It was never very heavy so it really wasn't too bad. Plus being back on a trail rather than wet, slick rocks makes a huge difference. Frankly, I was pretty happy with the situation. Passed over Max Patch which is the first, I think, grassy bald on the Trail north bound. By the time I got there, the sky had mostly cleared so it was a fantastic view. Nothing really major to report. Nothing is hurting which is nice. Maybe my trail legs are coming back fairly quickly. I seem to have my routines back also. So I'm getting in and out of camp quickly. I really love it out here. I wish you all could be here too. It would make the shelter pretty crowded though. ;-)
Date: 2023-09-18
From: MM 257

To: MM 275
Miles today: 18.0

Day 3.7 18 mi. MM 275Hot Springs, NC. The first trail town for NOBO's. The AT runs right down Main Street. There is a full service outfitter here that is easily accessible - that is a rarity. Usually, if you have to get to an outfitter you have to get a shuttle.  I don't really have any needs at the moment except for some food resupply.  Several highly rated restaurants. I went to two the last time I came through and thoroughly enjoyed them both. Somewhere in town there are real hot mineral springs but I've not taken the time to find them. I'd like to drive back sometime and take in the town. I'm always pressing when I hike through and I think town deserves a better look. Some day...
Date: 2023-09-19
From: MM 275

To: MM 294
Miles today: 19.0

Day 3.8 19 mi. MM 294Great day. Saw Fearless and Hero today. If you recall, she is hiking the trail with MS and raising funds to fight it. Look up Fearsomeis.com for a good story. She is also on YouTube. I highly recommend - her story is compelling. I wanted to talk about hypothermia for a minute.  Monday was a very wet day with rain falling all morning. I sheltered that evening with a father/ daughter duo out on their first day of their first hike. Tough way to start. Long story short - all their gear and clothing got wet and she very nearly became hypothermic that evening. As she got cold she added more and more layers of clothing that was at the very least damp. Not surprisingly, she wasn¢t getting any warmer. Why?Whenever you have damp or wet clothing next to your skin, your body heat gets used to warm up the moisture and dry the clothes. This makes you cooler just like perspiration cools you on a hot day. So what¢s the solution?It¢s hard to make yourself do it when it¢s cold but first strip naked. Then towel dry yourself as much as possible. Then put on dry clothes and climb in your sleeping bag. This is the fastest way to get warm and stave off hypothermia. The problem in this situation was that nothing was completely dry. Eventually, she got in her dad¢s sleeping bag with him and used his body heat to help dry and warm her. I can tell you from personal experience that short of a major injury, being that wet and cold through the night is about as miserable as it gets on a hike. The moral of the story is to make sure that at the end of a wet day, you have dry clothing and sleeping bag. I do this by keeping my sleep clothes and quilt in separate dry bags. These dry bags are inside my expensive pack liner (a black plastic trash bag) which is inside my water resistant pack (packs are rarely truly waterproof). So far, knock on wood, it has worked for me. Even on an evening where I fell in a river while setting up camp with temps below freezing. I was shivering for about 30 minutes but was completely warm afterwards. Hypothermia can be deadly. Treat it seriously! And like a good BoyScout, Be Prepared!
Date: 2023-09-20
From: MM 294

To: MM 315
Miles today: 21.0

Day 3.9  21 mi. MM 315Only one big climb today so I made pretty good time. Mosquitoes are out tonight. Made evening chores a pain because I didn't bring bug spray this section. I thought they would be gone but I guess that rain a few days ago hatched a batch.  Oh, well. Not the worst thing that could happen. Water sources have not been great which is a much bigger issue. I have been able to get plenty of water but it's taking more planning than usual. In case anyone wonders, I go through about a liter every 5 miles in these temperatures - been in the low 70s through the day, I think. I generally use a whole liter at both breakfast and dinner as well. So today I went through about six liters total. While I'm hiking, I alternate - a liter of plain water then one with electrolytes. That seems to work for me. Everyone is different though. That's a really important thing that a hiker needs to ascertain for themselves.I am really, really enjoying the Trail down here. I wasn't the biggest fan of New England which I know I've said several times. It just feels like I think a trail should.  Well, signing off now. I'm a bit tired. Miles are adding up but it's a good tired.
Date: 2023-09-22
From: MM 338

To: MM 353
Miles today: 15.0

3.11 15 mi MM 353Passed through Erwin TN today and picked up my resupply box. Thanks Ladies!!!Went into town and ate at Dari (something - I've already forgotten) and it was great.  Just a cheeseburger and fries but it had not been freeze dried so I loved it.  Also got a blackberry milkshake. This was a significant item. If you've been reading for awhile you might remember that I went through Shenandoah National Park before everything was open. And one of the must do's on the AT is to get one of their blackberry milkshakes. I missed it there but it's hard to believe it could have been any better than the one today. Yummy!Since it was midday I decided to press on about noon. I had done this in 2022 at the same time so I knew what was coming up. I ended up at the same stealth spot as last year. A harder than average day but no where near what I've done the past few days. I'm looking forward to a good night sleep and hoping to go a little longer than usual. Speaking about wake up times, the shorter days are really starting to make a dent in hiking hours. It's now about 8:00 earliest that I can start without a headlamp.  Stop times vary between 6:00 and 7:00 depending on my altitude. Up on top, you can go a little longer.  But the gaps and valleys are losing light early. I plan on stopping about five-ish so I've got light and I'm not rushed. So getting a full ten hours of hiking is getting tough to do. I think I'm close enough to Damascus that I can finish before October 1st and get to my doctors appointments.Stay tuned to find out if I win the race...
Date: 2023-09-23
From: MM 353

To: MM 370
Miles today: 17.0

3.12 17 mi. MM 370Quiet day. Starting to see a few SOBO flip flop folks now. Cell service has been very poor. Tomorrow is Roan Mountain. I believe the last 6000 footer I have. It will be a big push. So I'm glad to be getting a little extra rest tonight. Water continues to require a bit of attention but no problems. Tomorrow I will carry as little as possible up the mountain.
Date: 2023-09-24
From: MM 370

To: MM 388
Miles today: 18.0

3.13 18 mi. MM 388 So Roan Mountain was tough but not crazy. A lot of people around on the approach. There is parking available at both the top and bottom so it gets a lot of day hikers.Talked to a trail maintainer today. He was originally from VT and was very aware of the differences in the Trail up there. Nice to know it wasn't just my imagination.82 miles to Damascus, VA !!!
Date: 2023-09-25
From: MM 388

To: MM 408
Miles today: 20.0

3.14 20 mi. MM 408Pretty good trail today with slightly less than average vertical it seemed. For whatever reason, when I got to my planned shelter stop it was only about 4:00 and I had energy left so I pressed on. I arrived at Upper Laurel Fork. No shelter; just a tent site on a largish stream. Not quite big enough, yet, to be a river. Downstream though it becomes a nice little river as I recall from last year. I remember this area VERY well because it¢s where I broke my leg. More on that probably day after tomorrow. I¢ll be at the infamous site then. I have mixed emotions for sure.So part of today was a hike up a long abandoned pasture and farm. There were apple trees and blackberry bushes (I munched on both) and many different flowers. Since they were all pretty close together, I kept my phone out for about a mile and took pictures. I¢ll upload when I get fast data. Passed a couple of nice waterfalls and have pix of those as well. It¢s been quite a while since I¢ve seen water like this and it is certainly pleasant. Another reason I pressed on was to camp next to water. That¢s my favorite. At this point I am sure I can make Damascus by Saturday so I can back off a bit and just enjoy the Trail. And that¢s good because I¢ve developed a couple of niggles that I don¢t want to become significant. Right now they¢re just reminders from the body to the head that I¢m not as young as I might think. Sigh¢¦Addendum to 3.14I got pretty excited last night at about 4:00 am. I heard a snuffling, sniffing noise just outside my tent. So I yelled something, not sure what. And I heard large splashes on the stream as it ran across. It was good that the animal ran; it was bad that it was clearly a very large animal.So I got my headlamp out and shined across the stream and saw a large, white animal, sitting and staring back at me from the other side.Now I know this is crazy but it¢s how your mind works out here in the dark and alone¢¦ My first thought was ¢polar bears don¢t come this far south.¢  Then I actually laughed at myself. When I looked closer, I saw a collar. It was a huge white dog. I don¢t know where it came from or why it was out so late but it did make for a memorable evening!!!
Date: 2023-09-26
From: MM 408

To: Braemar Castle Hostel
Miles today: 15.0

3.15 15 mi. MM 423Made it to Hampton, TN this evening. Staying at a hostel called the Braemar Castle. It's a really cool old stone building that does look like a castle. But what makes it special to me is that the manager, Ben, is the hero that came and got me off the road when I broke my leg. He brought me back to the hostel and settled me into a room with extra blankets. Turned out to be important because it was about 3 hours after I fell and shock was settling in. So I was stopping here no matter what to express my appreciation for what he did. Talk about a Trail Angel - the very definition!Niggles still there so I'm glad I can back off a little at this point. The Trail is much easier to hike when you don't have deadlines. Still 3 more 15-16 mile days will put me in Damascus in time to get back for all those doctors appointments. They can tell me now that I should not hike if they want. Hee hee. Jokes on them.In all seriousness, nothing has really changed. I feel pretty much the same as when I had the first round of appointments. Definitely, a little stronger than then. It's amazing what doing another 300 miles will do for you!
Date: 2023-09-27
From: Braemar Castle

To: MM 445
Miles today: 17.0

*Be sure to watch and listen to the video!3.16 17 mi. MM 445Today was a day for talking. I saw A SOBO British hiker named Uncle Sam that I hadn't seen since NH. It's always fun to run into hikers that you never expected to see again. Also found a section hiker that is originally from the next county over in WV from my home. We had a lot of shared experiences and a lot to talk about. If you've never watched two hillbillies telling stories, your life is missing something!The hiking has been so pleasant it's hard to describe. I am so glad i decided to redo the lower miles - it's put the enjoyment back into the trail. This part of Tennessee is really beautiful. I revisited the site where I broke my leg last year (see video). It's even a more ridiculous place to fall than I remembered. I've been over at least 10,000 places worse! Oh well, five million steps to complete an AT thru hike, only one to end it. Our 20% chance of showers came down pretty heavily this evening. Fortunately, I was already done with all my chores and bedded down in the shelter. Rain on a metal roof is a very pleasant way to drop off to sleep. Which is exactly what I'm doing. Good night all. *ignore the mileage/distance that appears off, I may explain that another day.
Date: 2023-09-28
From: MM 445

To: MM 460
Miles today: 15.0

3.17 15 mi. MM 460Cruisey. That¢s what thru hikers call the 15 miles today. It was reasonably flat, the trail was well maintained and a nice dirt surface. So you can cruise along. I was doing just over 3 mph for most of the morning which meant when I stopped for lunch around 11:30. I took almost an hour - ate way too much. I figured I was going to be done by 2:30-3:00. That¢s way too early to stop. At that point it would make sense to keep going except there weren¢t any good water sources between the shelter and Damascus (10 miles further). Thru hiking is fraught with these tough decisions. So I made the tough call: I was sleepy after the big lunch so I pulled off to the side of the trail and took a 90 minute nap. Man, was that difficult but sometimes you just have to do the hard thing. I arrived at the shelter at 4:30 - right on time!Ten miles to Damascus tomorrow and I¢m done. I don¢t really know what to think¢¦.
Date: 2023-09-29
From: MM 460

To: MM 470 - Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0

3.18 10 mi. MM 470 Back where it all started on March 12 in Damascus, VA. I literally sat at the same table in the same chair and ate the same meal. That¢s closing the circle!I was an absolute ball of emotions doing that 10 miles. I had to just stop and sit on a log several times to get a grip. I am happy, sad, proud, scared and apprehensive all at the same time. I can see where post hike depression could be a real thing. I can also see why hikers just get on a plane and go to another trail and keep hiking. I promise to work on figuring out what¢s in my head and heart and try to get it into words but that will probably take a little time. The immediate plan is to go see all the doctors next week and get that all going again.  Then Clare and I are going to (you got it) hike together for a week or so. Then I want to redo about 100 miles south of GSMNP - just because. And try to figure out some more stuff. I am so appreciative of all the support and prayers I¢ve gotten over this journey. There is nothing to say except Thank You.
Date: 2023-10-09
From: MM 18

To: MM 20
Miles today: 2.0

We had a little detour today. Clare twisted her ankle. Thankfully the nearest road crossing was only one tenth of a mile away so we took it slow, I was able to contact the folks from ¢Above The Clouds Hostel¢; they picked us up. Then a friend came and took us home.Thankfully it is only a sprain. Clare is going to recuperate at home.
Date: 2023-10-11
From: MM 20

To: MM 33
Miles today: 13.0

Day 4.6Ok folks. Just an update. I got up and over Blood Mountain just fine. Radar showed rain coming at 4:00 ish so I stayed briefly at mountain crossings - an outfitter literally on the trail. Then headed up the next mountain. Set up camp and ate just before the rain started falling. So my timing was right on.  Did 13 miles today. Could have done 4 more if I wanted to get wet - I didn't so I stopped early.  Also, next water is 11 miles and that really makes a difference. Night, night
Date: 2023-10-12
From: MM 33

To: MM 52
Miles today: 19.0

4.7 19 miles MM 52At Unicoi Gap tonight. Today had a bunch of easy miles. Looked like it was a railroad bed. Those are great because they aren't steep. Can you say 3mph - I can. That's really fun. Only tough part was there was absolutely no water for the first 12 miles. That meant starting off with 3 liters, almost 7 pounds of water. Remember my base weight for ALL my gear is about 14 pounds. So you can see why that much water is particularly heavy. The water stop was at a shelter where there was a group of 24 staying the night. Seemed like a good group but just move along. Not my cup of tea. Sun did not come out until about 4:00 and it was super windy all day. I got a little water in my tent last night in the rain. Not sure how but it wasn't a big deal. A couple of bandana's worth was all. I'm a little tired tonight. I think stretching my water this morning drained me a bit. I had plenty and cameled up at the last source. Carried three out of there too. Still have a full liter to start tomorrow and I think there will be water in about 3 miles. Should be fine. Hiawasee and a hostel tomorrow night.
Date: 2023-10-13
From: MM 52

To: MM 69
Miles today: 17.0

4.3 17 mi. MM 69Stayed at the Green Dragon hostel in Hiawasee.  It was a wonderful!  Named for a site in the Lord of the Rings. At this point, less than 100 miles north to go. I have another hostel planned for Franklin, NC  In 2.5 days. Then a push on to Fontana and a complete finish. Although, my trip down into Damascus felt like the true finish. This is like a small (164 mile) section hike. I¢ve done it all at least twice already so my head is in a different place. Well, it rained last night which is good - it is really needed. Hopefully, it¢s done for the day. I¢ll leave GA today ¢ it¢s been very nice.
Date: 2023-10-14
From: MM 69

To: MM 89
Miles today: 20.0

4.4 20 mi. MM 89A long day with some up. But I seem to be able to do anything right now. Maybe this is what it is to be a thru hiker.Met up with Squirrel who I had seen somewhere on the northern part of the trail. She is also finishing At Fontana. The Trail is weird that way. Fall colors have been significantly better in NC. I¢m on the ¢other¢ side of the mountains facing west. Also gaining altitude every day. Anyway it¢s quite pretty on the Trail but still doesn¢t really show in pictures. You all need to come out and hike!
Date: 2023-10-15
From: MM 89

To: MM 109
Miles today: 20.0

4.5 20 mi. MM 109Made it into Franklin NC today. Staying at a really nice hostel - Chica and Sunsets. They turn out to be some well known hikers having completed 9 thru hikes together and written several books. https://chicaandsunsets.comThe Trail community is funny in that I¢ve seen several ¢famous¢ hikers in my one hike. Seems statistically unlikely but there you go. The thing that¢s really cool is that none of them have any pretentious-ness at all.I am a little tired and plan to throttle back so I finish on Friday. It¢s only 55 miles so that works out to some easier days. Forecasts have snow in them; nothing serious but a possibility. Water is looking better which is a plus. Getting close¢¦
Date: 2023-10-16
From: MM 109

To: MM 125
Miles today: 16.0

4.6 16 mi. MM 125It was pretty chilly today. Not sure it got above 45. And it supposed to be 35 tonight. Broke out my gloves that I've been carrying since NH. Saw 11 SOBOs, a couple of which I knew. Most especially, Uncle Sam - a Brit who helped me out in some tough times in the Whites. Really great to see him. Two grown men crying on the Trail. It's getting emotional!  Anyway, he is the last hiker I expect to see that I know. May be more but I knew where he was so crossing was expected. Another cold night tonight most likely but my quilt is keeping me cozy.