morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Somewhere in the Nantahala Gorge

To: The NOC
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: light rain

After last night's little adventure we decided to let ourselves sleep in and let the sun come up before we finished our trek to the Nantahala Outdoor Center(NOC). We weren't really sure how far we'd made it last night since we were going so slowly in the dark and couldn't make out anything at all about the Trail except for a little little circles of light from our headlamps a few feet in front of us. It was an exhausting day yesterday, so when the rain started coming down at 7am this morning I rolled over, pulled the sleeping bag over my head, and went back to sleep hoping the it was all just a dream.It wasn't though, but it only lasted about 20 minutes and then the sun came out and warmed everything up nicely. Once we got on the Trail and started hiking we realized we were camped on the ridgeline above the next shelter (the A. Rufus Morgan Shelter)and only 2 miles or so from the NOC. So we'd actually come pretty far in the night and had made it farther than I thought. We came across several places this morning that would have been almost impossible to walk across at night as tired as we were, so it's a good thing we decided to camp when we did. There's a place where the Trail crosses a waterfall where you're actually walking across the rocks that are part of the falls. It was tricky to cross in the daytime and would have looked treacherous to us last night. Gorgeous waterfall though, probably the prettiest one I've come across on the Trail so far.We made it to the NOC pretty quickly and have decided to take the rest of the day today off and probably a zero tomorrow as well. My little slip on the rock yesterday did a little more damage than I thought. My left knee's a bit swollen today and is hurting when I put weight on it going downhill, so I want to take some time off of it and rest for a little while. The next part is climbing up out of the Nantahala Gorge, which means 8 miles of almost continuous uphill going from an elevation of around 1,700 feet to a little over 5,000 feet. I think I'll need both my knees for that.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: The NOC

To: Wright Gap
Miles today: 1.5

We attempted to get back on the Trail and resume the journey today, but my knee wasn't quite ready for the uphill. We made it about 2.5 miles and realized I needed to take a bit more time off of it. It wasn't in terrible pain or anything, but it had swollen and was stiffened quite a bit since we started. We decided it would better to head back then and take another couple days off instead of trying to push forward and risk damaging the knee any further. We had crossed a country road about a mile earlier, so we backtracked to there and caught a ride out. I feel bad taking even more time off the Trail right now, but I'd rather do that than the alternative.
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Wright Gap

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Finally, back on the Trail again! I know I made the right decision to let my knee heal before trying to hike more on it, but it was hard sitting around and being off-trail for so long. It's all good now though and it feels great to be out here again. We started exactly where we were picked up at when we took off, where the Trail crosses a dirt road at Wright Gap. Today was all uphill climbing out of the Nantahala Gorge, so we decided to do a half day of hiking and take it slow to see how my knee held up. It did great; the knee brace I bought for it worked perfectly and gave me enough extra support to make it through the afternoon without any problems.The day was gorgeous too; sunny with temps in the 70s so we had some fantastic views of the Gorge. The best ones were from the "Jump Up". We sat on rock ledge for a while and took in the amazing view of the Nantahala River and Gorge below. It was well worth the climb.It's nice to see Spring making it up to the higher elevations here too. We've been hiking through gray dead trees for so long that it was a very pleasant surprise to be surrounded by green buds and wildflowers today. The animals are starting to peek out too. There were squirrels & chipmunks everywhere this afternoon and the birds were chirping at us the entire time. We even saw our first deer late in the afternoon. We were almost at the top of Swim Bald and saw him bouncing through the woods. Big guy too, with a nice fluffy white tail as he moved.I expect the knee to be a touch on the sore side in the morning but I don't think it'll be too bad. I'm looking forward to getting to Fontana Dam and the Smokeys.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

We started the day camped just above Sassafrass Gap Shelter. We set up camp late last night and didn't feel like getting water, so we decided to get it this morning before heading out. Plus that gave us a chance to check out the shelter, sign & read the shelter journal, use the privy, etc. The shelter was built in 2002 so it's pretty nice and in great shape. It's 2-story, sleeps 14, and even has windows so the upper floor can get sunlight. The privy (outhouse) is another matter though. It looks cool from the outside and all, but one glance inside changes that opinion quickly. The floor was falling in, the plywood frame the "seat" was on was bowing down, and to top it off, it was full. And trust me, what you're picturing right now isn't nearly as scary as it looked in person. Needless to say, we decided to pass on this privy. The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. The weather was nice and sunny so we had some fantastic views of the valleys again. Not a lot of wind though so it made the day feel even warmer that it actually was. There was a lot of roller-coastering today too so the constant ups and downs mixes with the stale, warm air took their toll on us. We felt more tired than we thought we should be. 'Course the soreness from yesterday, after so much time off, probably didn't help much either. Camped tonight off a Forest Road near Stecoah Gap. The air's still stale and we've been watching a dark front roll towards us all afternoon so it may be a warm, wet night.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: light rain

Our luck with staying dry ended this morning; we awoke to a downpour. We were camped right behind the shelter though, so when the rain tapered off a bit we took ourselves and our gear there and managed to keep most of it relatively dry. We ate breakfast and packed up our stuff inside the shelter and by the time we were ready to hit the Trail for the day the rain had pretty much come to an end. A few scattered showers came down once we started hiking but for the most part it was a dry-ish day. Cable Gap Shelter is a little small compared to some of the ones we've seen, but we were the only ones there so we didn't mind taking it over for a while to pack things up in a dry spot.What we thought was going to be a fairly easy day turned out to be a bit tougher than we anticipated. It wasn't hard by any means, but the terrain continued its up and down, roller-coasterish nature and added to the humidity from the morn ing rain made for a sweaty humid afternoon.The Trail is still pretty with wildflowers but as we descended and got closer to Fontana Dam the forest got almost tropical. The plants were huge and in places the Trail seemed almost overgrown and muggy from the wetness. We're noticing how diverse the woods are on days like today when we make big ascents and/or descents. You feel like you're in an almost alpine forest at the top of the mountains and in some tropical jungle by the time you get to the bottom. It's really cool to see the changes as you're walking and realize how many different types of plants and animals live in each zone. I imagine this entire area is a botanist and biologist dream come true.As I was getting close to Fontana Dam I had my 2nd encounter with a copperhead, and it happened almost exactly the same way as yesterday...in a blur the snake shot out from my right, crossed the Trail, and stopped in the leaves to my left. This guy wasn't a baby though and judging from his thickness, he looked like he'd eaten pretty well fairly recently. We eyed each other closely and neither of us made any sudden moves as I went by so the story kind of ends there, but it was pretty cool to see another snake so soon.Other than that the day went by pretty smoothly. We both reached Fontana Dam safely, if a bit sweaty and tired, but didn't really have too much excitement beyond the snake and jungle-like plants at the lower elevations. BigFoot's toe pain has spread a little into his foot and my knee's a bit swollen from the last couple days so we've decided to take a night or two before tackling the Smokies. If I think the roller coaster has been rough so far then the Smokies are going to be a fun ride.On another note: it's hard for me to realize that I've made it to Fontana Dam. Fontana's a milestone of sorts in an AT hike and knowing that I'm actually here (and that I walked here from Georgia) doesn't really seem real to me. It wasn't too long ago that I was sitting around dreaming about what it would be like emerging from the woods at Fontana Dam. And today I did it.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Interstate 40

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 8.0

We got back on the Trail today and still had fairly decent weather. Although the forecast is calling for rain the next several days though, so our nice sunny afternoons may be over for a while. Which kind of sucks since I was looking forward to some nice views from Max Patch.Nothing very eventful happened today beyond a definite change in terrain and a weird FAA tower we came across. Now that we're out of the Smokies the landscape is starting to even out some. It's still mountainous but the elevation's a lot lower and the ups & downs aren't quite as steep. It's still nice out here though, it's cool to see the land change like that the further you walk.The FAA tower was a weird little building atop Snowbird Mountain. There were warning signs plastered everywhere about it being used in air traffic control so other than snapping a few pics we kept our distance from it. Besides the whole building had an ominous humming coming from it so I didn't want to get too close to it for too long.We're at a small campsite tonight near Brown Gap. The weather definitely feels like rain tonight so I'm thinking we'll be wet by morning.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Indian Gap

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: clear sky

We got back on the Trail at Indian Gap around noon. It was a bit on the chilly side but otherwise it was a gorgeous day. It was a little under 2 miles from Indian Gap to Newfound Gap, with only one small mountain to go over, so we made pretty good time. There's a large parking area and overlook at Newfound Gap and the place was packed with people. A lot more than I expected for a Monday afternon. The view is decent and the TN/NC state line runs through the middle of the gap so it's a good place for people to stop and take pics. The Gap is at almost the halfway point between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC (and has restrooms) so it's a popular place for hikers to stop also.The next shelter (Icewater Spring) is only 3 miles uphill from the Gap so it didn't take us too long to get there. Since the next shelter is 7 miles away though we decided to call it a day here. We both felt like going a few more miles before stopping but with the camping restrictions here that's not not really an option. Short days are fun though so no worries. The temperatures have plummeted and the forecast is calling for a cold night so it should be a fun evening. The shelter is filling up so we decided to pitch our tents in a spot out of the wind for the night. You can already see your breath when you step into the shade so it may be our coldest night since Georgia. I understand why they have so many rules here; with 17 million visitors to the Park every year they have to do something to protect the forest from so many people. And the place is stunning; impressive views everywhere you look, wildlife and wildflowers at every turn, and this ancient, serene feeling over the entire place. And even though I've only seen a small part of it, I'll be glad to get out of the Smokies. Having to stay at designated places, only being able to tent if the shelter's full...it's taken a lot of the freedom out of the trip. It feels like I've been placed on a timetable and have to follow someone else's schedule here. It feels like I'm at work. That's not what this trek is supposed to be about for me.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: few clouds

Today was as perfect as a day of hiking can get. The temps were in the 30s last night and there was a light frost, so it was a bit cold this morning when we woke up. But we were sleeping on an east-facing ridge so the morning sun hit us early and warmed everything up quickly. And the weather stayed fantastic all day. The sky was crystal clear, there wasn't a cloud in sight, and there was hardly any humidity in the air at all.The views today were simply amazing too. The Trail took us to ridge after ridge that was each prettier than the last. Since the terrain and Trail were fairly easy too we took our time and enjoyed all the views we could take in. I particularly enjoyed Charlie's Bunion & Bradley's View. Sitting on the rock ledges with my feet dangling off the edge, listening to the river below and birds in the trees was one of the best experiences I've had on this trip so far. I know we're moving slower than most of the other thru-hikers out here, but taking it slowly like we did today and "smelling the roses" every chance we get is the only way to do it. At least in my opinion.The shelter tonight is almost full so we're tenting nearby. It shouldn't be as cold as last night, but hopefully tomorrow will give some more good weather.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was another great day. The weather was slightly warmer but otherwise it was almost an exact duplicate of yesterday: crystal clear, mild, and perfect for hiking. We decided to pull a longer day than usual today so we can try to take a day off near the end of the week, so we got packed up and going at 7:30 am instead of our usual 10:00 am start. The terrain maps we have of the Trail show this part to be pretty mild as far as ascents/descents go so we figured today would be the best time to ¢make up¢ a day.The original plan was to stay at Tri-Corner Shelter tonight but instead we made it there around midday and stopped for a quick lunch. The shelter wasn¢t far off the Trail and was in great condition, like most of the other shelters we¢ve come across in the Smokies. After eating lunch we hit the Trail again and made our way to Cosby Knob Shelter where we¢re staying for the night. The shelter is full (mostly with thru-hikers) so we opted to tent again. Which is fine by me, the shelters here in the Smokies are nice but I still prefer to sleep in a tent whenever possible.The Trail today didn¢t follow as many ridgelines as it has been but there were some great views nonetheless, especially at Eagle Rocks, Mt Sequoyah, and Mt Chapman. It was a long day for us but I¢ve found that I really enjoy hiking in the mornings more than any other time of day (provided the weather¢s nice, of course). Hiking earlier in the morning is great since the air¢s a bit chillier and the morning sun casts some very cool shadows through the forest. Plus there are different animals up and moving about in the morning than in the afternoon so the forest sounds and moves a bit differently. Then there¢s the smell. Everything has a dewy, fresh smell to it and all the tree and flower aromas are slightly enhanced, like just after a spring rain. It all combines to make you feel like you¢re walking through the last few minutes of a dream, just before you wake up and feel the sun warming everything up.
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Interstate 40
Miles today: 10.0

Well the wind picked up today and it feels like a front may be moving in, but the weather held and gave us yet another great day of hiking. We got packed up and out of camp by around 8:30 this morning and decided to pass the final shelter in the Smokies and head all the way to I-40.The first two miles this morning were spent climbing Sunup Knob. I still struggle on extended uphills so the climb took a lot out of me, but once I reached the top the day got a little easier since the last eight miles were all downhill. The highlight of the day was spent at some unnamed lookout on the way down into Davenport Gap, TN. The Trail reached a point where it came to a rocky outcropping and then took a sharp turn and continued down into the gap. The outcropping had a very large, cool rock formations though, so I climbed up, sat down, and enjoyed the spectacular view of the valley for 20 minutes or so. It was a nice break in the day and gave me some time to enjoy my last view in the Smokies.Shortly after my little break I came across a cool snail taking his time crossing the Trail. I see snail shells scattered all over the place but it's rare for me to see one that's actually still alive and moving, so I stopped and watched him for a bit. He was moving so slowly that he almost looked like he was standing still, but if you watched closely you could see the slight indication of forward movement. I've seen many, many snails before so there wasn't really anything new that this little guy was doing, but for some reason he really fascinated me at the time so I snapped a few nice pics of him. After that it was down, down, down into Davenport Gap and eventually to I-40. There was a great unexpected treat at the end of the hike...several little waterfalls made by a little, then much bigger stream just before it emptied into the Pigeon River nearby. Great way to end my trek through the Smokies and the day. We're going to head into Asheville for the night and be back to hiking again on Saturday morning. After the last two days, our feet need a bit of a break.I would like to note though that even though I'm glad to put the Great Smoky Mountains National Park behind me, it's been the most enjoyable section of my hike so far. Especially this last part between Newfound Gap and I-40. Camping restrictions aside (and I do understand why the rules are like they are and think they're necessary), it's simply a stunning place to visit. Now that I've gotten a taste of the beauty here I plan on returning and hiking through some of the other trails here once my AT Adventure is finished. Portions of the Benton Mackaye Trail, Eagle Creek Trail, and the Balsam Mountain Trail to name a few.
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Brown Gap

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 5.6

Today was my 40th birthday, and boy was it an interesting one. We had already decided to sleep late today so it was mid morning by the time we got up and started moving around. I'd bought myself a birthday treat, a plastic-wrapped cheese danish from a convenience store, so the first thing I did was suck that puppy down. After a diet of Ramen and Easy Mac, it was naturally the tastiest cheese danish ever. After licking my fingers, and the wrapper, clean we decided to hang out for a while in the tents. It had rained for several hours last night and was still sputtering showers so we opted to wait until it cleared a bit before heading out. We had thought about taking a zero day in the woods but decided we'd head to Max Patch if the weather got better.Around 2:00 the rain stopped and the sun came out so we packed up and hit the Trail. By 3:30 the heat and sun had built up enough cloud cover to form a nice afternoon thunderstorm, and the ensuing downpour drenched us to the core. It had cleared up by the time we made it to Max Patch though and the clouds that were left made for some spectacular views from the top (Max Patch has a 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains). We sat at the top for about an hour taking in the view and drying out as best we could then got back on the Trail for about a mile. It goes around and down the hillside then swings back around and gives you a view of the Patch from below. So we're remnants of an old wooden fence. It's as picturesque and beautiful as it gets; I couldn't have asked for a better spot to spend my birthday.
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Brown Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I apologize for the delay in posts, but I was hoping to have a bit better news to talk about. I am officially off the Trail and will not be returning this year and the knee injury I suffered back before Nantahala is the culprit. It had never healed since it first happened and has been getting progressively worse, especially the last few weeks I was hiking. It had reached the point where I couldn't walk without the brace and as soon as I removed it at night my knee would stiffen and be swollen all evening.Having seen the years of pain and surgeries a good friend has gone through with her knee, I finally decided to come back home at Max Patch and visit the doc. And it ended up being a stretched ligament that needs several weeks to heal or else I risk further injury. Like stretching it more, or worst case: actually tearing the ligament. Now I know thru-hikers are supposed to suck it up and deal with these sort of things, and I'd been doing for several weeks. There were days when the pain wasn't very noticeable and I thought the knee was finally starting to heal. But then I'd wake up the next morning to a hugely swollen knee that jarred in pain with every step. And it was happening often enough to where I probably should have seen a doc about it a couple weeks before I actually did. After I found out the problem, I weighed my options and decided I'd rather give it time to heal properly now and hike again later instead of continuing the hike and blowing out my knee permanently. So I made the call to pull off the Trail and give the knee a rest for a bit.It was sad realizing that my trip's over, but I'm ok with it. I've had a fantastic time that very few people will ever get to have. The Trail experience is something that's very hard to explain to people who haven't lived it. The feeling of freedom and adventure is definitely something that can't be put easily into words. And the hiking community is simply amazing. Like everywhere you come across people who are a bit "scary", but overall everyone is friendly and open. It's very refreshing to see first hand that it's possible for strangers to be genuinely nice and accepting of each other no matter where they come from, or how bad they may happen to smell that day.And who says this is the end? There's always next year.
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Max Patch

To: Roaring Fork Gap
Miles today: 1.8

Due to several recent happenings it's going to be a rather short section hiking journey this time. No worries though, even a little bit of the AT is better than none at all.BigFoot dropped me off at Max Patch this evening after he got off work, so I booked it to Roaring Fork Gap Shelter before it got dark. Only a 1.8 mile day, but a good start nonetheless. It's looking to be a chilly evening but tomorrow's weather is supposed to be amazing so a bit of cold tonight will be worth it. It feels utterly fantastic to be back on the AT again, even for a short time
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Roaring Fork Gap

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning with a thick frost on the tent. It was a cold one last night. Got off to a late start this morning, but that was according to plan. The next shelter was just under 5 miles away so I knew it would be a short day. I took my time and enjoyed the journey today. Once the sun came up and defrosted everything the day was perfect. Not too warm or cold, and the spring sun shone in a cloudless sky. Wonderful day to be in the woods.I'm camped on a small ridge above the shelter tonight. I tried to position the tent so it'll catch the earliest rays of the morning sun, just in case it's frigid again this evening.