morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

With a very tough climb looming from the NOC, I decided to invest in a substantial breakfast. Biscuits and sausage gravy along with yogurt (the yogurt makes it a healthy breakfast?) fit the bill. I haven't had biscuits and gravy since many, many years gone by).   With some final items purchased to resupply (batteries, protein bars) and a call to my father to wish him a "Happy Birthday" today, I started the climb away from NOC.Perhaps this was hiker lore, but the climb initially did not seem too burdensome. Along the way I saw what I thought were hawks riding the thermals, but I don't think these were red-tailed hawks. Perhaps they were close relatives, however. Then the climb did become onerous. I and other hikers were stricken with that hiker malady known as "falsus summitus" as we began to imagine that this climb and that climb would lead to the top; instead, we reached false summit after false summit. The rain threatened and no one wanted to be caught short of the shelter that offered refuge at Sassafras Gap (which name is still in the lead for most common name on the AT so far).On the AT even the grueling climbs can be rewarding. This was the case for me as I finally spotted a large pileated woodpecker in the woods; up to this point I had heard their incessant hammering on dead trees but could not spot them. Also, along the way refreshing water was literally flowing forth from the rocks, which was certainly appreciated to quench my parched throat. On the downside there were some "blow downs"; that is, trees that had fallen across the trail. Some of these trees had to climbed over, around, or under to proceed on the trail. At "The Jump Up" point I met "Broke Down" (Texas); I like his hiking philosophy---where you "break down" on your daily hike, that is where you stop for the day on the trail. We also met Bison (Indiana). He, Broke Down, and I quickened our pace as the rain began to fall. We reached Sassafras Gap Shelter in good order, and thank goodness this shelter holds sixteen hikers with an upstairs "loft" and a "downstairs" loft within this three-sided large structure (no front wall). Also here "upstairs" with me are Dora the Explorer (South Carolina) and Dark Star (Missouri), Whirlpool (Virginia), Bubblegum (Maine), Alicia (Maine), among others. The rain fell, splattered on the skylight, and we all settled in for the night. Tomorrow is Good Friday, which will give me much to think about on the hike to Stecoah Gap.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 6.7

After a very contented slumber, I awoke refreshed and ready after the arduous climb yesterday out of the NOC. Sassafras Gapa is a very good shelter, with the water source in front of the shelter and the privy doutgown the trail. Now about that room service....I hit the trail and climbed some more toward Cheoah Bald, which is just over 5,000 feet in elevation. The day was overcast with gusty winds, which seems to be customary in many places for Good Friday. Along with the strenous walk, the weather made me focus my mind on the pain, suffering, loneliness, and death of our Lord as he carried his cross on his walk for you and me. Our good friends, Dr. Paul and Nancy Stanton, present such an informative program regarding the medical and physical aspects of Christ's death on the cross. I cannot even utter in the same sentence a comparison between the deprivation and physical pain experienced in hiking with that of Christ's suffering; however, the hiking experience including solitude can turn our minds to the suffering and brokeness of Christ in order to reconcile and redeem us so we, too, may triumph over death. When I reached the top of Cheoah, Firefly (NC), Bubblegum (Maine), and Whirlpool (Virginia) were there. The views were clear and inspiring for many miles as the fog had receded. The winds were furiously whipping, so I quickly put on my jacket that I always carry on the outside of my backpack in order to have unimpeded access. Today was not a day for me to linger long at the top, so I headed down the trail to cover the shorter trek (5.5 miles) to Stecoah Gap and NC Route 143.I have found that a sustained downhill can be just as tough as a long uphill.In my case the old legslet me know that downhill can make the quads scream and the knees creak. This is especially the case where the long downhill involves boulder or rock hopping, almost as a staircase where you must securely place boot step after boot step on a "stair" rather than a downslopping ramp. Yes, make sure you allow for the weight of your pack in the process, too. Well, that's just part of the AT that ice or cold creek water on the knees will help, along with Vitamin I when possible.Beth was waiting for me at Stecoah Gap to take me off the AT for the weekend as we gathered as family for Easter and my father's birthday lunch. Beth had thoughtfully brought some cold orange Fanta and Coca-Cola sodas that we were able to share with Bubblegum and Whirlpool and another hiker at Stecoah. They indicated that they were going to hike a few more miles to Brown Fork Gap, less than three miles up the trail but only after a tough trek climbing Jacob's Ladder. May God bless you and your family at this Easter and always.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke Thursday morning to learn that I had missed some overnight excitement. Right Click¢s bear bag had plummeted with a thud to the ground just past midnight. Sleeping soundly, I missed the big event.   Was a bear ¢monkeying¢ with the cables? The more plausible explanation was that the bag just wasn¢t firmly secured and thus fell. Once on the ground the bag was an easy target for bears; however, they missed an easy picnic (as Yogi Bear would say) as nothing with four legs seemed to bother the fallen bag during the night. Right Click must be living (or hiking) right.We broke camp and climbed out of Birch Spring up to Doe Knob, Mud Gap, and Ekaneetlee Gap. Along the way I met Carl, who is a ridgerunner for this section of the trail. Thanks, Carl, for all your work on this section and for your support of hikers, too.JeanBee, Hummingbird, and I stopped at Ekaneetlee Gap for lunch. Hummingbird told me that she was a high school junior and when her mom, JeanBee, proudly (and understandably so) told me Hummingbird's ACT scores, I told her that as a Tennessean she really needed to visit ETSU and review our outdoor and leadership programs. She is an impressive young lady and an impressive young hiker.We climbed to Mollies Ridge Shelter, and it was empty. While we were there, Ben (Colorado) came by and thought about staying at Mollies. He¢s a capable hiker, having trained among the Colorado peaks. Along with the rest of us, he decided to push on to Russell Field Shelter at 2.9 miles up the trail given the good weather and several hours of daylight remaining (he must have hiked even more as I didn¢t see him at Russell Field later).Going down through Devils Tater Patch (I wonder about the story on how that name came to be!) and then up to Russell Field Shelter, Bruce and his son, Seth, came up the trail right before Russell Field. We were among the first group there; later, a second group came in that included Twilight (New York), Bamboo (Illinois), and some section hikers from Chicago. By dark, we had a full house of about 12 hikers. The wind rattled the tarp that covered the open side of the shelter. The much-anticipated storm front seemed to be moving our way. Supper for me was dehydrated spaghetti with dehydrated peas and some gorp; it was all filling and tasty after a good hike today.We gathered an impressive amount of downed wood for a fire as this shelter has a fireplace; however, it was now dark and everyone just went to bed and left the wood inside the shelter as our legacy for a future group to build a fire.Friday's forecast is for a frog-strangler of a rain storm, so I'll probably be hiking in rain gear tomorrow as we go up and over Rocky Top.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Saturday dawned sunny and cool, and it was time to go through the drill to tear down the tent and pack the pack. This process always seems to take too long; I need to get this down to a more exact science. Part of me thinks we as long distance hikers shouldn't unpack the pack much at night, but that just seems to be wishful thinking so far as there is always one item or one stuff sack you need from your pack. Of course I could get out of the sleeping bag earlier . . . .Shortly after I hit the trail, I saw a young man going south. He had a UT "Booney" style hat on. When I told him I was a UT alum and my daughter is a senior at UT, he told me he was a UT student and also played football (name withheld for his privacy). He was planning an eighteen mile day on the trail; that is a great training plan! Go Vols.The AWOL guide indicated that there would be water at Buckeye Gap. I didn't see Buckeye Gap nor any water, so I had to ration the water for the next several miles. That is my fault for depending on one water source up the trail. Shrek and Captain K graciously gave me some water near Siler's Bald. Thank you! Also, prior to the Siler's Bald approach, some of us questioned whether we were on the AT as we hadn't seen a white blaze in a half hour. This is a real concern in the Smokies as there are numerous trails that criss-cross the AT. Shortly before turning around, we found a blaze on the backside of a tree (or the front of a tree if you were heading south).As I ascended the short climb to Siler's Bald, I had a good laugh on myself (as I was now hydrated).The water source at the shelter was only 500 yards up the hill! This reminded me of the book "Three Feet from Gold" that Dr. Richard Manahan had shared with me and my Advancement colleagues. The theme of the book was that many people give up right when they are so close to success. That could apply to hiking and water sources as well!From Siler's Bald a group of Rainbow, Shrek, Gummy Bear, and me hiked the 1.7 miles to Double Springs.   Rainbow was in the lead and set the pace as she had a sprained ankle. Her resilience was impressive as she toughed it out to Double Springs on the bum ankle.There are two springs here; one is actually in TN and the other in NC. AWOL's guidebook suggests the NC water is better; I beg to differ!For the first time in days, I had a cell signal so I was able to call Beth ("Mission Control") to confirm that she would meet me at Clingman's Dome on Sunday. Looking forward to our visit, of course! A "shout out" goes to Dwight Brandon for the beef jerky he gave me. Not only is it delicious, but it is great protein. Thank you so much, Dwight!It is going to be a cool night, so I'm glad to still have my winter bag. Good Night and sleep well.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Clingman's Dome
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: broken clouds

A Hike thru a Christmas Wonderland (without snow) to Clingman's DomeToday was a short hike but over 1,000 feet in elevation gain to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the entire AT at 6,655 feet. Along the way the forest was awash in the scent of Christmas as the spruce and fir trees did their best to stimulate the senses (and hopefully not the allergies). The needles fro these trees laid a soft carpet on the trail in the woods. And with a chilly breeze on the open ridge lines, it was Christmas in April!I hiked some with Twinkletoes, the Ridgerunner. Thanks for your good work on the trail!From this precipice I marveled at the panorama that seemed to endlessly stretch all the way to the horizon. Sore knees and all, the views, vistas, and surrounding trees made it all worthwhile. As I started today in the forest and then hiked on the open ridges, I thought of the hymn, "How Great Thou Art" as I was privileged to survey God's creation from this wonderful vantage point.As I came closer to Clingman's Dome, I encountered several day hikers and families who jumped on the trail near the parking area. At the risk of sounding as though I am a curmudgeon, I shake my head at Clingman's, Carvers Gap, and other places where the AT is easily accessible to cities and towns, but people treat an AT walk or hike as a "walk in the park" so some walk in flip flops, don't carry water, or don't take rain gear. Even if you are only hiking a mile or two, you are now in the backcountry! Be prepared as particularly the weather at these higher elevations can and does change quickly. Ok, end of that rant and concern.Beth did not recognize me at first, but she decided I resembled the guy for whom she had come to retrieve. She had so thoughtfully brought pizza and sodas. We gave Shrek and Gummy Bear a ride to the NOC in Gatlinburg; en route they helped me devour the pizza in very short order.My knees are reminding me they need attention, so it's time to ice the knees and take some Vitamin I.After a re-supply it will be back to the trail.
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Clingman's Dome

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: moderate rain

After a zero on Monday for rest and re-supply, I went back to the trail at Clingman's Dome. The morning dawned with very foggy and misty, gray conditions. After a zero on Monday for rest and re-supply, I went back to the trail at Clingman's Dome. The morning dawned with very foggy and misty, gray conditions. On the profile map there was a gradual downhill to Newfound Gap; however, once I was back in the forest, it was evident that the downhill involved much rock and boulder hopping in the rain. My feet and knees began to voice their displeasure; I was now beginning to realize that mud wasn't such a bad surface to hike on after all compared to rocks.At the side trail (Sugarland Mt. Trail) to the Mt. Collins Shelter, I met Pacecar (California) and we shared a lunch break together.   I debated going to the shelter and calling it an early day, but I decided to hike on as the rain began to subside. Continuing on to Newfound Gap, I noticed that the road ran a long distance just beyond the trees and the trail. This is the proximity that tempts hikers to engage in "yellow blazing" (named for the yellow middle lines on the road) to move around a section of trail for many reasons. Most thru-hikers frown on the practice, except in case of an emergency or an intent to return at some point to complete the skipped section.At the gap prior to Newfound Gap, a two-time AT thru hiker from Alabama provided trail magic and a ride for some hikers to get closer to Gatlinburg. It seemed that almost every hiker I encountered was going to Gatlinburg for rest, food, weather, or to have the experiences only Gatlinburg can provide (I don't know whether there is a hiker discount for Hillbilly Golf). I pushed on with sore knees and feet for 1.7 miles to Newfound Gap, where Olivia (Mission Control #2) and her friend Brock drove over from Knoxville to pick me up.   We offered a ride to Lightning Bug (Nebraska) down into Gatlinburg as we could take one one person, but she decided to stay with a group of hikers who wanted to stay together. In this section I also saw some of the fencing the Park Service utilizes to manage the wild boar population as the boar are not only a nuisance, but these can be dangerous as well.Even though a Banana Split Bizzard at the DQ was quite tasty and an uplifting experience off the trail, I knew that I was going to have to zero once again to work on the knees and feet so I may finish the Smokies. I don't want to do that so quickly, but I've learned you must listen to your body's feedback and get treatment in order to keep hiking long distances.I'll be back to start at Newfound Gap and to finish the trail in the Smokies. This day did put me over the 200 mile mark from Springer for a milestone of sorts. Happy Trails to you.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Newfound Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

After almost a week of recovery, it was time to go back to Newfound Gap and finish the Smokies. I didn't want to be gone that long, but my knees and feet demanded it. My parents took me back to the trail, and just beyond the Sugarland Visitors Center, we picked up a thru hiker from Indiana to put him back on the trail, too.   I also switched out of my Salomon boots for my older Keen boots; I hoped the switch would help my feet on a longer term.I saw many hikers on the climb to Icewater Spring Shelter, most of whom were day hikers. I met a couple from Massachusetts along the way. After a lunch break at the shelter (where I saw a virtually tame Slated-Colored Junco who seemed to be waiting for its share of lunch), I moved on. Many thru hikers told me tales of 10 and 12 hikers to a Gatlinburg hotel room as they left the trail after becoming soaked, and gear drenched as well. I stopped at Charlie's Bunion, renowned for its expansive views of the park.My feet started to yell at me again, and now I think I know why. As you hike a long distance hike with a 30 pound pack, your feet can actually expand and grow larger. Thus, the boots that fit in Georgia may be slightly too small in Tennessee and North Carolina. So, I loosened the lacing as much as possible without too much slippage of the boots, which could promote blisters. On the way to Pecks Corner Shelter, I met Rebel Yell (Pennsylvania) who assures me there are indeed rocks on the trail in PA, but some tales from hiking there are overdone on the difficulty level there. Well, I'll just stay focused on the Smokies for now as they are sufficiently challenging! I also met Cherokee from Virginia, who plays golf at Red Tail in Mountain City, TN.I am tenting at this Shelter as there is a big group here. Spaghetti, peas, and berries (all dehydrated) are on the menu, and I am boiling water on my tiny Optimus stove, which has been a 3 oz. workhorse so far. There is a couple from Illinois who are tenting next to me; he thru hiked the AT last year and is returning with his wife to do some sections.I am glad I switched back to my winter bag as the nighttime lows are supposed to be around freezing. Good Night.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Problems with a Bear I Didn't SeeSpace for tents at Pecks Corner was in short supply. I had to pitch my tent on a slight downhill incline, wedged between two trees and among some underbrush. All was well despite the less than optimum site until the offensive smell overtook my nose. The latrine was nearby, so surely the breeze was from that direction was the culprit, right? If only it were! As I was packing up my tent, I discovered the smelly fact that I had pitched my tent last night at dusk in a small area where a bear had left its calling card, that is, bear poop.Time is valuable to a thru hiker so she or he can get to shelters in the Smokies that sometimes are a good hike apart. Of all things to invest my time, I now spent 30 minutes and half my cleansing wipe inventory to clean up after the bear and my now smelly tent bottom.   Of course, I'm in the bear's home, so sometimes life happens on the trail just as it does back in civilization.My sore feet flared up again only about three miles into today's hike. Also, showers threatened from skies that were becoming dark. I arrived early in the afternoon at Tri-Corner Shelter and was the only one there for awhile. The expected cold rain did fall and then fell some more. The temperature was sinking, and I was staying put. In fact I climbed in my warm sleeping bag and greeted others as they sought refuge in the shelter from the worsening weather. Others who came and stayed included Right On (New York), Shades (Virginia), Ghost (Ohio), Kansas (North Carolina!), Advil (Utah), among many others. This was a great group. Most of us were in the sleeping bags by 6:30 P.M. I continue to be impressed and thankful that almost all hikers "out here" try to help one another out. For example, this shelter is designed to hold 12 people; by the time darkness fell we had at least 17 people inside on what had become a subfreezing night. One young man even gave up his space so an older hiker could stay! Everyone that night worked together well and yet all seemed to have tight but sufficient space for their sleeping bags. Thank you fellow hikers!Another theme for the shelter talk tonight was a discussion of our aches and pains. Younger and older hikers alike had sore feet, sore knees, pulled muscles, and other ailments. If we had a hiker injury report or injured reserve, I think most everyone tonight would qualify! Vitamin I helps in addition to rest and elevating your feet. The night was indeed very cold and some water bottles froze. We had to chip some ice off our bear bags in order to get them open for breakfast. But the warm spirit and camaraderie in the shelter overcame the cold conditions.Tomorrow's weather promises to be warmer, and almost 15 miles to Davenport Shelter will get us down in elevation by 3,300 feet and for what should be a warmer evening for the last shelter and last night in the park.
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

Down to Davenport GapI needed to put in a bigger mileage today and reach Davenport Gap Shelter. This would put me in a great position to meet Beth (Mission Control) on Friday at the I-40 underpass near Standing Bear Hostel. Also, Beth's cousin, Dan Burchette, has graciously offered hospitality for Friday evening in nearby Newport. The midpoint (approximately) was Cosby Knob Shelter. Arriving here at 1:30 enabled me to take a "boots off" break, gather water, and have a phone call with Beth as I finally had a fair cell signal after three days without. I could stay here, but that would leave me with a longer day to hike on Friday. Also, the shelter faces a hollow, so I would think any wind at this higher elevation could make for a chilly night. On the bird watch, I saw a black-capped chickadee that seemed as though it would like some crumbs from my lunch as it flew and flitted around the shelter, never far from me. Right On, Advil, Kansas, Wayward, and a couple from Massachusetts were here, too. They are headed to Davenport, too.There was a fairly step climb not long after leaving Cosby Knob as the ascent went up to the Mt. Cam merer Trail at 5,000 feet. My sore feet reduced my already slow speed and I had almost 4.5 miles to Davenport Shelter. I calculated I could make it there by 7:00 at this pace, well before sunset. Just before the Cammerer summit, I saw Wayward (Indiana) and we both wondered along how long it was to the summit; she thought we were very close and it turned out she was correct. She really hit the afterburners and achieved warp speed on the downward trek to Davenport Shelter.Although the descent was tough on the sore feet, the wildlife observations were a real plus. A chipmunk scampered to the center of the trail, stopped, looked up directly at me, and started to chatter. Whether it was saying "hello," saying I reeked and smelled badly as I was on day four without a shower, or was scolding me, I know not as my chipmunkese is rusty, but it provided a laughable, momentary diversion.About one mile from the shelter, I saw some budding green leaves shaking just a bit at a lower level near the trail. I stopped and was rewarded with a great treat as I saw yellow-rumped warbler. This small and colorful bird features bluish and yellowish plumage. It flew away quickly to a higher perch, but I was thankful for our brief encounter.I made it to the shelter and was struck by the fact that this was the only shelter left in the Smokies with a wire enclosure and gated door at the front. The joke in the hiking community has been that the wire, cage-like front is so that bears can come view hikers in the human zoo. There are rumors that this shelter may be torn down, but it sure is in a good location.I look forward to a short hike out of the park tomorrow, and to spend some good time with Beth and the Burchettes in Newport. This was a tough but good day.