morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-04
From: North of Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

"What I've learned on the trail:1. The sound of dry leaves crackling underfoot: bad2. Vagisil: good!"-- Plus 3, from the Tray Mountain Shelter registerIcicles on the sides of boulders this morning. Snow flurries this afternoon. Temperatures continue to plummet. Today felt like a long slog.  A long cold slog.  And I am so thankful that it was light snow flurries and not rain!We had some nice views today of Brasstown Bald and the ridges and valleys surrounding the trail.I'm at Tray Mountain Shelter tonight with HT1, George, Athens, and another man who just set up camp. The valleys below and around us are ablaze in town lights.It's too cold and I'm too beat to say much more.
Date: 2012-03-05
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

"The Blueberry Patch is currently closed."-- a sign at Dick's Creek GapA cold start from the top of Tray Mountain this morning and and very high winds all day kept an otherwise clear sunny day feeling a bit raw.  The walking comes fairly easy today as going in to town for a stay with friends, and a potential day off, is an excellent motivator. The walk today features a walk by the Swag of the Blue Ridge -- the lowest point on the Blue Ridge chain.  The views of the Hiawassee area and all of the surrounding ridges are plentiful. And I also spot a couple of pileated woodpeckers streaking one after the other like red headed darts near Kelly Knob. Kelly Knob (4,276 feet) is the notable ascent of the day. I don't run in to any other northbound hikers today, but do pass a handful of southbound section hikers. At Dick's Creek Gap I come across the unfortunate news that the Blueberry Patch is closed.  I talk to Gary and find that there is a critical family illness that has forced him and Lennie to remain closed this season -- and they are uncertain if they will open this year.  If hikers sent packages here they can still pick them up, but the Patch is not hosting hikers overnight at this point. Please send your best to Gary and Lennie as they struggle through this.I've stayed with Gary and Lennie seven times previously.  They hosted and helped me for 21 days when I was injured in this area during my first long hike on the AT in 2000. I've stayed with them on my previous five AT hikes ('00, '01, '02, '04, '10) as well as when I hiked the Georgia AT to the North Carolina state line in '05 and '06. I've enjoyed their hospitality, as have thousands of others, over the past 20 years and it pains me to see them going through this difficulty. I was looking forward to spending some more time with them and helping them around the farm and hostel during my day off tomorrow, and now I'm feeling a bit disoriented bereft of this traditional rite of passage, just before the North Carolina state line. Four of the last eight times I've been through here I've hiked 16-19 hour, 21-24 mile, overnight hikes to be first at the Blueberry Patch in the morning to see my friends. (you can read about those insane overnight hikes in my '02, '04, '10 journals on this site under the name "Excellent-Good" Half Moon)I only mention some of this to contextualize my sense of disorientation here, i.e., in finding them closed.  Gary and Lennie mean a great deal to me, their succor was paramount to my staying on the trail for over 1,400 miles after a 21 day injury layoff in Georgia in 2000, and they have been inspirational to me ever since -- as they have been to thousands of others on the AT and beyond.
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

"Only those who can shrug off the miseries and savor the joys of the trail will last."-- Larry Luxemburg, from his book "Walking the Appalachian Trail"I spent a good part of the morning talking to Gary.  I offered to help out in any way I could, specifically staying here in Hiawassee for a while to help him out at the hostel or the farm.  Gary says he may try to open next week, but all is contingent on the improvement of his mother.  Nothing is certain at this point. In fact, after being out of town for nearly a month he's headed back to be with her tomorrow.  This, for good reason, is the first time since 1993 that the Blueberry Patch hasn't  opened up on February 15th. I'm spending the day ready to commit to help out for a few weeks if needed, if Gary says he'd like me to stay and help.  I'm staying put in Hiawassee today, taking a planned zero day in an unplanned way. It has been an interesting first week.  Again,  I'm taking what is called a "zero day" -- usually a day in town where one takes the day off from walking, resupplies, does laundry, etc. Tomorrow I'll cross in to North Carolina. I'm pleased with the hike thus far, despite the 9 days of virtually no preparation after making the decision to come out on February 20th.  During the hike in yesterday it dawned on me just how abruptly I decided to do this -- as if I were running away from something (?!)... I'm still synthesizing exactly what.  Anyway...I've found that this time out with no prep is just as physically trying as in the past when I trained from January to April for an April 5th start.  Sore is sore is sore! The "Hiawassee  hiker hobble" one sports after 90 days of training is the same as a "Hiawassee  hiker hobble" one sports from 9 days of training (or rather non-training) -- but it's nonetheless good to be in Hiawassee after 70 miles on the trail.  Starting tomorrow I'll get to meet a new slew of hikers.  Also, one of the things I enjoy about Hiawassee and the southern US in general around the trail is how at restaurants and other spots one is called by the appellations: "hon," "honey," or "sugar."  Even if feigned (which i don't think it is) it's such a nice change of pace from the usual ennui or outright rudeness. This next section of trail -- it includes the memorable climbs out of Bly Gap onto Courthouse Bald and Granny Top in to North Carolina -- will feature our first ascents of 5,000 footers and the start of the succession of very cool southern "balds." Balds are mountaintops that by design of nature or maintenance of man or animal are barren of heavy forestation -- and as a result offer spectacular views. As I write this at 7pm the plan is to get on the trail early tomorrow morning and start week 2 of the hike: NC here I come!
Date: 2012-03-07
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

"11.8 from Dick's, nice to be out of Georgia finally. New state, same trail..."-- Irish Charm, from Muskrat Creek Shelter registerVery nice hiking day today: overcast in the 50's.Hiked into a new state: North Carolina.I met and hiked with Grandad: originally from Natick and now from Hawaii. He's made 19 cross  country (massachusetts to california) trips since he moved to Hawaii from Massachusetts -- once by bike.Met and hiked with Bat and Flip: was educated to why Vagisil is "thee best" anti-chafing hiking product available.Spotted a Downy Woodpecker.Spotted copious amounts of owl scat with rodent hair: the field mouse population here must be in check. Sorta' odd that I didn't see more hikers on the trail today.Stopped for the night at Muskrat Creek Shelter: Paul the Orange Streak and Azalan are here for the night as well.Cold now. Enough.
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

"Where are the bears?!"-- StewMost of the walking today was "cloud walking" -- stuck inside low level cirrus clouds and dense fog -- no views.  Certainly not the great panoramic view from Standing Indian Mountain.  It was cold and wet all day.Most of the day was spent walking through North Carolina bear sanctuary lands, but no bear spottings.  I decided to stop short today at 3pm. My legs were (mysteriously) totally shot all day -- sapped! I'm staying at Carter Gap Shelter with Bat and Orange Lightening (Paul). Oddly, also met Stew, who's carrying an 85 lb. pack, and Ed, who's carrying a 13 lb. pack. Just walking...
Date: 2012-03-09
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

"Congrats on your first 100 miles. And welcome to NC!"-- from Gingersnaps trail magic journalLong day in the woods. The sun finally made an appearance and that made for an afternoon of excellent hiking. We also hit the 100 mile mark today on Albert Mountain. This entire area has been heavily impacted by the recent tornadoes and there are dozens of blow downs to negotiate throughout this area. The trail maintaining clubs have a busy season ahead of them.It's still getting well below freezing out here overnight, some hikers sent winter gear home from Neel's Gap because the weather was so mild to start, and some are now regretting having done so. Trail knowledge teaches to hold on to cold weather gear until after Mount Rodgers, VA -- which usually means Pearisburg, VA. I remember in '01 or '02, walking through a light flurry after a sub-freezing night on May 19th or thereabouts. Don't let the unseasonably warm weather fool you into shipping cold weather gear early, the weather can turn instantly out here.It was nice to hit the 100 mile mark on Albert Mountain. The fire tower looks like it has been renovated but I could see from below that the door was closed and apparently padlocked, so I didn't make the trip up. It would have been all for naught anyway as the mountain was enshrouded in a cloud.After Albert Mountain the trail grade moderates and the walking is easier. Just south of Rock Spring Gap Shelter I find a bin full of trail magic from Gingersnap -- brownies! and inspirational exhortations! so on a belly full of brownies and good karma I stretch my walk out to Siler's Bald Shelter. The last 6 miles included a bit more pitched ascent than i was looking forward to late in the afternoon/early evening, but buoyed by food and karma on I went.Scant sightings today other than juncos and towhees, and the inside of a cloud or two early in the morning -- there was some fresh bear scat again, but it seems I'll have to wait until the Smokies to spot one.Foster and Skittles are at Siler's Bald Shelter, I last saw them at Low Gap Shelter in Georgia. They just resupplied in Franklin, NC and did a short day out. The secondary reason that I walked so long today is because tomorrow I want to check out the new Aquone Cabins Hostel. It's brand new this year, so new that it hasn't even made the guidebooks. I have a package to pick up there and the owner, Steve, suggested I come in from Siler's and do a "nero" and stay at the hostel tomorrow. So that's the plan!
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Wayah Gap

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

"Man, are we lucky!"-- Orange Lightening at Cold Gap ShelterA very good walk today, courtesy of a slack pack from Steve at Aquone Cabins Hostel. He drove both Orange Lightening and me back to Wayah Gap and we walked to Tellico Gap with mere day packs on our backs. Instead of 27.5 lbs. of stuff on my back I carried about 5 lbs., most of it water, over the course of the day.It was a cold start, 26 degrees this morning, but by mid-afternoon it was in the mid-60's -- just a beautiful clear blue sunny day -- perfect hiking weather. The views from Wayah Bald stretched to the Smokies, and off in the distance I could spot Clingman's Dome (coming up this week) the highest point on the AT.Tomorrow takes us in to Wesser and the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) and yet another potential night indoors, and certainly another massive meal to sate the insatiable "hiker hunger" we're developing out here at the River's edge cafe. I'm already dreaming about the massive plate of food called the "Sherpa" at the NOC tomorrow. Although any meal on the trail would pale in comparison to Maggie's cooking and massive plates here at Aquone Cabins -- they know hiker appetites here at Aquone!Just as Orange Lightening said, this section has us feeling "lucky." Good stuff.
Date: 2012-03-12
From: Tellico Gap

To: Wesser, NC
Miles today: 7.9

"He's eating a one pound hamburger!"-- Flip, watching Victor eat his second dinner in 1 hour at River's End RestaurantAfter Steve drops off Bat and Azalan at Burningtown Gap, he drops me and Orange Lightening off at Tellico Gap and off we go en route to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC).No point in heading up to Wesser Tower as by the time I get up to the second landing the platform is enshrouded in a cloud and nothing is visible in the distance. After meeting T-Dog, Bugger and running in to Flip again at Wesser Shelter during lunch I move on for the near 5 mile descent into Wesser and NOC. It's one of the most memorable descents on the entire AT. Your knees, ligaments and cartilages in your legs will scream all the way down to NOC. It's jarring!This is too cushy a hiking week: 3 hostel stays and 3 showers in 3 consecutive days, not the toughest hiking, but we all know this doesn't last so let's take advantage of it while we can get it.Tomorrow features the longest sustained ascent on the AT -- the ascent out of NOC to Cheoah Bald -- just about 8 miles straight up.  Memorable stuff. Two days from here to Fontana Dam and then the Smokies, but now there is an excellent group of hikers here at NOC: Bat, Orange Lightening, Azalan, Flip, Victor, T-Dog, Bugger, Yappy and a number more.  We're having multiple dinners at the riverside restaurant at NOC.  Good times.
Date: 2012-03-13
From: Wesser, NC

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

"You weren't kidding, it was 8 miles straight up!"-- Orange Lightening, at the summit of Cheoah BaldOne of the most memorable ascents on the trail, along  with Katahdin and Roan Mountain, is Cheoah Bald -- an 8 mile sustained ascent out of NOC.  And I can assure you just because I've done it a handful of times before does not make it easier on the sixth time around. It's a slow screamer uphill.Not my favorite day out here: especially  the walking in the rain for the first 3 hours, at least it's in the mid-50's so the misery is somewhat in check.  That's the way it is out here, you have a string of good days and then one off  day for no particular reason -- flat legs, flagging energy -- mysterious.  Today was that day for me.Well, at least I got to where I went. It wasn't where I wanted to go, but here I am.  I've usually walked a 16 mile day, then an 11 mile day in to Fontana Dam.  No doing today: flat, flat, flat!  At least by the time I hit Cheoah Bald summit the rain had moved on and it cleared up and became quite warm.  Orange Lightening was at the summit and shot the picture above -- the views of the Nantahala Forest on one side of the summit and the Smokies on the other side of the summit were excellent.I got a later than usual start at 9:45am as I spent the morning milling about at NOC with Bat and Orange Lightening (I will explain the origin I the trail names soon).  Anyway, by 5pm (and numerous breaks later) I've only gone 10.5 miles.  I find Orange Lightening, Azalan, and Yappy at Locust Cove Gap. Yappy is already ensconced in her tent and Orange Lightening and Azalan seem to be looking for a good reason to stay put -- so we do.  No one seems overly energetic... and here we be for the night.We talk about plans for a night hike, a nero at Fontana Dam, and trade trail stories. Everyone is out early -- except me of course. Tomorrow is now a longer day in to Fontana Dam than originally planned. That's the trail.
Date: 2012-03-14
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: NC 28, Fontana Dam
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: few clouds

"... on the way to the dam... can't wait to do some laundry and wash stinky socks!"-- Riff Raff, from Cable Gap Shelter registerRidiculous amount of elevation gain and loss today. It took me 10 hours to cover the 17 miles -- I'm absolutely wasted. Will update in greater detail tomorrow. Bat, Falling Turtle, Irish Charm and Orange Lightening are among those here at Fontana Dam.  Damn. Damn, I'm tired!
Date: 2012-03-15
From: NC 28, Fontana Dam

To: NC 28, Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"It's about getting comfortable with being uncomfortable."-- Flip, on how being in the Army is analogous to being on the ATMet Bat, Yappy and Orange Lightening for breakfast and lunch today, while getting laundry, resupplying and post office chores done.  Many hikers stream in to Fontana Dam Village during the day, many decide to take a day off here before heading up in to the Smokies.This is a great place to take a day off or a 1.7 mile nero from NC 28 to Fontana Dam proper.  So after a brief walk one is able to take virtually the entire day off which is what a number of us are doing -- Bat, Orange Lightening and Yappy included.  Days like this are critical to allow the body, especially the legs and feet, some time to recuperate. So today is all about resting and staying off your feet, and we do. Flip, Bugger, Corky, Guiness, et al., stream in throughout the day. A number of us have dinner together and then watch a violent lightning storm off in the distance over the Smokies -- we're glad to be where we are.Tomorrow the Smokies.
Date: 2012-03-16
From: NC 28, Fontana Dam

To: Little Tennesse River, Fontana Dam
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: light rain

"... I woke up sucking a lemon..."-- Radiohead, "Everything In Its Right Place"I woke up in a funk. I suppose being here at Fontana Village is the right place for me for another day.  I absolutely did not feel like hiking today -- this happens sometimes -- and this is one of those times that I'm not going to force myself to go out on a forced hike.  It was a bit difficult seeing Bat, Yappy and Orange Lightening go but I had no desire whatsoever to go out today.  Flip and Bugger left later in the morning. There's no question that I'll be back out heading up into the Smokies tomorrow, but today will be another rest day.I stayed in bed most of the day, then at 2pm I felt significantly better and decided to shuttle out to the dam and do the 1.7 miles between the marina (NC 28) and the dam so I can just head directly up into the Smokies tomorrow.  The brisk walk made me feel a bit better.I found half a dozen hikers hanging out at the Fontana Hilton Shelter, among them were Azalan, Four Spokes, Foster and Skittles. Azalan was in some distress two days ago when we came in -- that day was the first hot day of the hike and some of us were feeling enervated by the heat and maybe a bit dehydrated, but Azalan was urinating blood at one point late in the day.  He assured me he's doing better, but is now waiting for a food drop that won't be here for another three days.I haven't seen any new hikers come in to the village, but that doesn't mean they're not here. The shelter is about a 3 mile shuttle ride down the road. Some of the most interesting recent sightings have come here at Fontana Village: 4 cardinals, 2 bright red males and 2 brown rust colored females, black capped chickadees, a flock of turkey vultures lazily circling in the convection  currents near the dam, and a small patch of purple trillium -- certainly the last two warm days are a portent of spring, if not outright summer.  Where are the bobcats and bears?! Wishful thinking...Nothing is keeping me off the mountains tomorrow... nothing I can think of right now, anyway.
Date: 2012-03-17
From: Little Tennesse River, Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

"See you in Hot Springs if I get my ass moving and stop taking in town zeros every 5th day..."-- Chia Pet, from Russell Field Shelter registerI managed to pull away from Fontana Village and started hiking by 9am. It rained during the first 3 hours of the hike, but it eventually became sunny and cool -- a nice hiking day. I didn't see another soul until 1pm, and then in quick succession I saw 4 other thru hikers that passed me on the way up to the Smokies.I saw fresh bear scat again, but the bruin continues to elude me. Most of the morning is a sustained ascent up to the ridges of the Smokies. The trail is something akin to a mud hollow in big sections through here, no doubt the result of numerous t-storms this past week.  At least the water sources are flowing well.There are manifold patches of Spring Beauties sprouting around the trail here -- spring is near. They appear to make the forest floor look covered in small tufts of cotton.  I also hear a barred owl calling in the early afternoon for some reason. I'm now at a capacity filled Russell Field Shelter -- 12 hikers here: 7 thru hikers, 4 weekend hikers and Graybeard, the ridge runner.  This is the fourth time, in ten years, that I meet Graybeard as the ridge runner up here in the Smokies. He says he's only seen a bit over 50 thru hikers at this time, but it's still early in the year. Tomorrow will feature the climbs up Rocky Top and Thunderhead and the few first steps into Tennessee, but the AT through the Smokies is often actually the state line between NC and TN. Onward. North.
Date: 2012-03-18
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

I can connect nothing with nothing..."-- TS Eliot, from "The Wasteland"I slept poorly last night. I was less than a foot away from s person who snored loudly and heavily throughout the night. My sleep was fitful and my mood foul this morning. Which translated perfectly to a day of bad hiking. Sluggish, wracked with discomforts, and rubbery legs... oh, joy!There were nice views this morning from both Rocky Top and Thunderhead. But I was absolutely enervated by 2:30, and wanted to avoid being caught in an afternoon deluge and decided to call it a day at Derrick Knob Shelter. Due to the heavy overnight rains of late, the trail is a mud pit through this area of the Smokies. I can't say I enjoyed a single thing today other than the decision to stop walking. Tomorrow will be better. It couldn't possibly be worse.