morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam Vistor Center
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Slept great in my hammock, til the group pee occurred at some time during the night. Funny all I heard was about 6 zippers (tent not pant), I figured it was pee time. I actually got warm last night, almost too warm. Up at 7:15, as per usual (I set an alarm on my camera), on the trail by 8am.Today I unfortuneately had to tell a fellow hiker to back off and give me a little space. He was a smothering me a bit. I hope I didn't hurt his feelings but he was coming on to strong and that is not why I am out here. I enjoy hiking solo, time for deep thought, serenity and reflection. Can't have that with a hiker on your butt.It was a good day, two climbs and yes more down hill. Wow the down hill really make my feet hurt. I stopped by a stream to soak them a bit, that felt great. It was in the mid 80's today with nothing but sun. Love it.Caught a shuttle to the Hike Inn, where I had made reservations. An out of the way place, really cool. It was run by Jeff and Nancy,their 5 dogs, 2 cats Shasta and Catzilla; great people who accept only hikers! Nancy did a load of laundry for each of us, thanks Nancy that is a nasty job. Then they gave us a ride into town for dinner and resupply. Denver, MaryBeth and I ate mexican everyone else (which consisted of Too Much, Powah nap, Crusher) did Subway. Great food at the mexican place.Spent way too much on resupply but Jeff had suggested creating a box for Hot Springs as they don't have a great supply there, so that is what I did.Watched Survivor and got caught up on the show, that was nice. Journaled, bed, and hit the Smoky's tomorrow. They still have snow but weather is suppose to be good. Excited but leary of bears! One bear per square mile in the Smokies!!Watch out here I come. Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Fontana Dam Vistor Center

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Well I'm about to enter the Smokies but before I do, I must tell you a story that happened some 40 yrs ago. When I was a child my family went to the Smokies for a vacation, as so many do. We hopped rocks in the streams, walked on the trails, waded in the mountain streams AND climbed to Clingman's Dome-well some of us did. I was a child, not sure how old, but I was told that I could not go up the mountain trail. I think they didn't want me to get part way and start whining or giving up, in either case I had to stay at the bottom with another family member. There I sat and watched my sisters and brothers disappear up the trail. I tell you this story because today I get my revenge, I enter the Smokies to hike the trail which will go over Clingmans' Done plus a few more mountains ugh!! So sis and sis what ya got to say now!! LOLHere I go, crossed Fontana Dam got some pictures and headed to the unknown (snow wise) Smokies. Up was the word for the day, I wanted to make it up a mountain without stopping I actually did it but I was slow and methodical. Went to Shuckstack Mountain fire tower but didn't climb it, it was a lil rickity and tall. The first day in Smokies kicked my butt, I didn't see any bears but am sleeping in the shelter again as those are the rules here in the park. Three spots in the shelters are reserved for thru hikers the rest go to section hikers, if the shelter is not full you are suppose to use them. This shelter is a double decker and I chose a top spot-hope i sleep better. Its been a long day of hiking and now its 8:45pm hiker bed time. Maybe a short day tomorrow we'll see how I feel. Good nite for now.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Nope my hopes of a good nites sleep in the shelter were just a dream. I love that hammock more and more.Today I hiked with NoTech he kept me moving, a lot of ups and downs, some were tough. The last mile before the shelter is always hard. They like to make us work for the shelters (which are always UP). I ended up doing more miles than I originally planned, so I will make tomorrow a short day, Wooo hooo. Lots of people at the shelter (which is full) it holds 12, we have 8 tents set up and 6 hammocks. Getting tired, going to bed.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Happy Easter! here comes Peter Cottentail running down the AT trail. Hope everyone has a great Easter.Finally I slept in my hammock and wow I slept like a baby. It was awesome, didn't think about a bear could of cared less.Today was a perfect day, sun high in the sky. Pleasant hike no killer climbs, the forest changed to firs, beautiful and the slight breeze and smell of the forest just added to the wonderfulness (is that a word?). No up hill to get to the shelter, whats wrong with that scenario. When I arrived everyone was talking about the deer they saw right before the shelter, I saw none. So some of the guys went behind the shelter and saw one, so they called me over and I finally saw a deer, whoopie. Because it was a short day I got to the shelter around 1pm and decided to stay put, I had had two hard days and needed the rest before Clingmans Dome. I met Not Yet today a friend of Too Much, he was a cool dude-I enjoyed talking with him, he has already thru hiked.A group of us are going to night hike up to Clingsman Done to watch the sunrise. It will be my first night hike. Glad I am doing it by choice and not necessity.Spent the day eating and laying in the grass relaxing, thats the life. Did some reading brought my journal up to date. I will try to go to bed early 7pm since I will be waking up early. And yes once again I will be sleeping in that stupid shelter so I don't have to pack up my hammock in the wee hours of the morning.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: New Found Gap/Gatlinburg/Grand Prix Motel
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Several more hikers came in last nite while I was sleeping, and will join us on Clingsman Dome for sunrise.So about 10 of us got up at 4am and packed up and hiked up the the Dome. It was my first hike and night & I was trying to stay up with 5 guys that had 8' legs, going up to an elevation of 6643 in 2.8 miles an increase of approximately 1100'. I did pretty well but Perfect Storm and I fell behind but stayed together. He had my back, Thanks. Up at the top the blazes got confusing so we had to back track about 500 yards to the tower, no big deal. We climbed the tower and it was windy and cold, cold. We had to wait about 45 min for the sunrise but I got some good pictures then we got the hell down cuz it was cold. On the other side of Clingmans Dome was snow and lots of it about 3 to 4 feet for about 7 miles. I fell 10 times at least, sunk to mid thigh more times than I care to say. Crawled over and under many blow downs and when things got better snow wise the trail became a medfest and/or a small stream. Finally I came to the road/clearing where I pelled off my shoes and poured water out of them, took my socks and wrung them out and took an hour break to let things dry. Only had 1.7 miles to go to New Found Gap and then to Gatlinburg.Got to New Found Gap at 2pm, trail magic had been left for us-poptarts, candy, doritos, hot chocolate, and cider. Thanks. We hitched a ride in a pick up to Gatlinburg to the Grand Prix got a room for two nights plan on doing a zero. Everyone is here drying out - party central tonight.MaryBeth (another thru hiker) and I went to get some dinner, burger and onion rings yum.Tomorrow I need to pick up package at the outfitter, replace pants that dryer broke zipper on the leg part, and try to get boots replaced broke eyelet for lacing, resupply and enter my journals on the computer, eat and rest. I finally got to read all of your comments I love hearing from all of you so much. Can't wait to get to Hot Springs to receive all my goodies, thanks guys. And Jim it is 74 in the mountains with 4 feet of snow, you sure you don't want to join me!!Well tonight it is TV and sleep. Still having a great time out here.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-06
From: New Found Gap

To: Gatlinburg/Grand Prix Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Most everyone left to go back to the trail today. It was a gorgeous day. I stayed and took a zero. I had lots of stuff to take care of.First I called Neels Gap, they tracked my package and said it should be delivered today at Smoky Mountain Outfitters yippie. So I called Woody at Smoky Mountain Outfitters and asked him to give me a call when the package arrived. With that taken care of, I could go to the NOC Outfitters (newly opened just down the street from the Grand Prix. I needed to talk to them about trying to get Keen to replace my boots which had a blow out. I worked with Kevin and we called Keen and I spoke with a supervisor there that said send him pictures and some additional info and he would be able to overnight a new pair of boots, great. So Kevin took the pictures and sent the email, he also called later in the day to say he got confirmation of the email. So if all goes as planned, my boot should be here in the morning. I also had to buy a new pair of convertible pants, mine got the zipper ripped off in the laundry, and I bought a town dress, and another pair of undies. Came back to the Grand Prix and did some journaling and waited for the call from Smoky Mountain Outfitters. Around 1pm they called, so Stumble Wolf and I hit the outfitter, grocery store and back to the Grand Prix. We took the trolley through town and wow, Gatlinburg is a tourist town for sure.I picked up my new Big Agnus Air Core pad, tried it out in the hammock and I think it will work fine. I am excited to get back to the trail to try it out for real. Later I walked thru Gatlinburg (again, wow) and went to Walgreens for some Vit I, toothpaste, and scrubby things, also hit McDonalds ugh!Too Much got to the Grand Prix while I was out, so I went to visit with him for a while. Made a few more journal entries, some phone calls to let everyone know I am still alive. A little TV then off to bed. Back to the trail tomorrow.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Gatlinburg/Grand Prix Motel

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up this morning waited till outfitter opened, called and checked on boot delivery. They were on the truck, yippie. I was hoping to be on the trail by noon. Doug from the outfitter called my boots were there. I still had to run to the post office to mail some stuff home. I didn't get back in time for the noon shuttle. So when I went to the outfitter to get my boots I signed up for the 4pm shuttle back to the trail. Of course while at the outfitter I found a better pair of camp shoes and a short sleeve shirt $$$. ugh. Went back to the Grand Prix to get pack and check out - drunk fest still going on at 1pm, so I left a note for Too Much that I was going to Smoky's for lunch if he wanted to join me. I ate another Bama Burger and onion rings, then over to the outfitter across the street to catch the shuttle in 30 min.Was finally on the trail by 4:35pm. Rode back to the Gap with Kentucky. The trail from New Found Gap was full of a lot of day hikers. It was up hill but a pleasant trail, the woods are fir something different to look at. I also passed rescue workers taking a stretcher (one wheel) up the trail. About .2 m from the shelter there was a day hiker with a broken ankle. The shelter was full. I hung my hammmock, it is suppose to rain in the morning and most of tomorrow. Well its going on 9pm, hiker bedtime. I hope the rain holds off till after I pack up in the morning.Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Peck Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Up at 7am not raining, wooo hooo. Got packed and hit the trail at 8:15am. Lots of views this morning, took lots of pictures. I thought maybe the rain would avoid us but just about then the clouds came and so did the rain. A few claps of thunder and several bolts of lightening but then it just rained, and rained. I was planning on going to Tri Corner Shelter but told myself if it was still raining when I reached the sign for Peck Corner Shelter I would go the .4 m off the trail to that shelter to dry out.While I was hiking I ran into a ridge runner that said there had been a very persistent bear at Tri Corner, took a pack and came back to munch on some water bottles and came within 10' of the shelter. He said bear season is in full swing now, apparently this was a full grown male weighing approx. 350-400 lbs. So with the rain and the persistent bear I made my mind up to stay at Peck Corner Shelter. Got to the shelter around 1pm, changed into dry clothes. Everything was soaked, poured the water out of my boots and tried to warm up. Got something to eat, wrote in my journal, hikers keep showing up. The rain has lightened up some, its about 6pm. I think I might go to bed soon, this shelter holds about 12 and there are 21 of us. Yep in the shelter again. ugh!!Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Peck Corner Shelter

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

Slept better in the shelter with the Big Agnus air core (sleeping pad). We had 24 under the shelter roof cuz the weather sucked so bad, a few more showed up after i went to sleep.Out on the trail by 8:30 but had .4 to go just to get back to the AT. Today the weather was good, but shilly. Trail was good ups/downs, a lot of ridge walking. Arrived at the shelter around 4pm. We collected wood for a fire. Great fire. I hung my hammock by a stream. Should make for a good nights sleep.I found myself wondering why so many people are in hurry to get thru the Smokys, becuz the northern park is beautiful. I think maybe becuz you are forced to go from shelter to shelter in the Smokys. I should finish the Smokies tomorrow, WOW. I can't wait to get to Hot Springs to take a zero and get my yummy packages. Thank you all for your mail drops. I am so excited. Well time to watch some caveman TV and go to bed. Still having a fantastic time out here, it is better than I could have imagined.LaterGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful sunrise, need to change my alarm so i'm up for the sunrises. Packed up, ate an orange, 3 pecan rolls and hit the trail at 8:15am. Today was mostly downhill had one decent climb. This was my last day in the Smokies - kinda sorry. i enjoyed the Smokies different terrian, snow, mud, streams for trails, pine trees, moss covered rocks, spring pushing through. I hiked alone today still no bears. Met a couple who thru'd several years ago, liked the Smokies so much they moved here, they shared some fig newtons and we visited for a short time and I moved on. i forgot to get their names though. But thank you I enjoyed the snack and the conversation. I reached Davenport Gap .1m past the northern border of the Great Smoky Mountains. I'm done, I made it through - 8 days and only one day of rain. Can't ask for any better weather. 2.4 miles to Standing Bear hostel, got there around 4pm. Standing bear hostel is very quaint, really cool place. I resupplied, ate pizza & drank soda pop, took a shower and hung out around the campfire. no worries its all good. Off to bed for meGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Max Patch Summit
Miles today: 13.6

Didn't leave Standing Bear Hostel till 10am, was planning on going to Groundhog shelter. Today i hiked with Pacer, a 60+ thru hiker that thru hiked last year and is doing it again this year. He is amazing - very methodical in his pace - thus his trail name. Plus Pacer also told me the secret to finishing the thru hike "never stop moving your feet". I also met Friar Tuck and Tango, Friar Tuck got his pack stolen by a bear, he had gotten another pack and was back on the trail but is going to have to get off in Hot Springs due to personal reasons. Hope he gets back to the trail soon. Snowbird Mountain was long but at the top was a great bald - took a rest there. The trail had a lot of ups and downs. I parted ways with Pacer and headed for the shelter, when I got there it was still early and the shelter was trashy, so I decided to push on to maybe Brown Gap. I reached the Gap at 5pm, really no where to camp, plus there was a road, so again I pushed on. It was only 3.5 to Max Patch Summit. I certainly wasn't planning on going this far but the trail sometimes dictates differently. The trail from the gap to Max Patch was mostly up but ups & downs over and over. I was pushing trying to get to the summit for sunset. I made it with time to spare, but i was beat.I ate some junk food talked to KY who was here and about 8 others that were playing frisbee on the bald. Awesome 360 deg view. We watched the sunset, then cowboy'd it on the bald.It is suppose to be a clear night, should be perfect for sleeping under the stars.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Max Patch Summit

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

I have been on the trail for 1 month now, doesn't seem like it.Didn't sleep great but didn't mind. The stars were like nothing I have ever seen before. The stars filled the sky and were so bright you could find every constellation. Morning finally came and we watched the sunrise. We had the perfect weather. So far the coolest thing I've done on the trail other than hiking over 250 miles on the AT. The trail was very rooty in spots today. I am beginning to have likes and dislikes out here and rooty and rocky trails are on my dislike list. Pine needle, or soft dirt on my like list. Also I HATE downhills, they last forever and just hurt my feet and my knees are starting to feel some of the pounding. I like uphills much better.Today was my longest day yet, plus a wicked downhill. But I finally made it to the shelter at 6:30pm I made good time. Ate some rice dish. I am pretty tired so I'm off to bed - in my hammock tonite Wooo Hooo.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Hot Springs/Elmer's Sunnybank Hostel

To: Rich Mountain Fire Tower
Miles today: 8.2

This morning I opted to eat breakfast at the hostel. They prepared organic/vegetarian meals, we had whole wheat pecan pancakes, melon, granola, more than you could eat at one sitting. It was all very good.During breakfast a group of us decided to go to the hot mineral springs for the hot tub experience. There were 7 of us so it was only $7 a piece for an hour. We all had a great time till the end and when we got out Mryph fainted but she was alright. We still called 911 to have here checked out though.I grabbed some lunch at the diner then went to the library to upload pictures, got one uploaded then it was time for the library to close. ugh!! Went back to the hostel picked up my fully loaded pack and headed back to the trail but first I stopped by the outfitter to weigh my pack. Big mistake never weigh you pack before leaving town, mine weighed 39.92 lbs with 1 L of water and 6 days food. By the time I got on the trail it was 2:30pm and of course the trail out of Hot Springs is up and a lot of up and it was hot. When I arrived at the spot I thought I wanted to camp it was not very pleasant, so I pushed on to the fire tower on Rich Mountain. I hung my hammock in the fire tower, Boston also slept up in the fire tower. It was windy but hopefully it will die down. We watched the sunset, I snapped some pictures then curled up in my hammock and off to sleep I will go.Gearbomb
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Rich Mountain Fire Tower

To: stealth camping just beyond Big Firescald Knob
Miles today: 16.2

A lil windy in the fire tower last night, but it calmed down later so I got some sleep and stayed warm. Grabbed a protien bar for breakfast and headed off for the day.I noticed yesterday how much the forest changes from bare to green back to bare. Todays hike was good. It got hot around noon to 3pm. Stopped and took a break by the road and met Joe and Papa St. Georgio. After that break it was a climb up to the shelter, it seems that is always the case here. I was going to stay here but the bugs were awful. Only 1.3 to Camp Creek bald tower. Got the the trail to the fire tower and it was closed off. Ugh. 5.3m to the next shelter and it is already 6:18pm. So I picked up my pace, till I get to these crazy rocks/boulders. I rolled both of my ankles bad several times, becuz I was fatigued and was pushing to get thru the rocks before it got dark. Then I came to a spot where you had to throw your poles down to the ground below you and climb backwards (like a ladder), well one step and oops down I went the rest of the way. Hmmmmmmmm what was broken, where is the blood, damn nothing hurt I must get up and hike some more. I spilt my canteen water flew everywhere, did a great face plant but nothing to hurt, just a scraped up leg (shin). I was lucky. After that I tried to slow down so I didn't kill myself but still keep a good pace not to get caught on these rocks after dark, I am not that sure footed yet. I am still a little creeped out by night hiking, the eyes! Well got past most of the rocks and I smelled a campfire, whoopie. Could it be that I had reached a shelter, nope but Kappy and Clarity were camping so I joined them, they were a welcome sight.It was about 7:30pm, it had been a long day. I cooked my dinner on the fire, hung my hammock, shared some chocolate and cleaned my wounds. Oh yea I forget to tell you that earlier in the day I fell and got bark burn (you know carpet burn but from the bark of a tree) on the inside of my upper arm - I am a mess today but alive.Safe and sound in my hammock and I am beat ready for sleep. Good nightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-16
From: stealth camping just beyond Big Firescald Knob

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: few clouds

Started sprinkling last night so I had to jump up at 2:30am and put up my tarp, a few more sprinkles but that was it. Started hiking around 8:30am more rocks and boulders but it didn't last to long. I was planning on hiking to "big flat" and camp there but there wasn't much there and I didn't even see "big flat", so my plan changed,I was pushing on to the next shelter. Today I had a big climb. The hike was steep but beautiful, waterfalls, awesome mountain creeks, lush green forest everywhere.Finally the sign for the shelter, I was tired went much farther than I originally planned to but am glad I did now that I am here. Arrived at the shelter again around 7:30pm. I caught up to a lot of people that I thought were way ahead of me so that was nice to see all of them. I fixed my dinner, hung the hammock and went to bed. Not using the pad in the hammock tonight, hope i stay warm.Good NightGearbomb
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Woke up to light rain this morning, enough to make wet and unpleasant to pack up. I hit the trail at 8:30am. I still am slow-boots hurting my feet but I keep them moving (the feet that is). Again a big climb up to "big bald" very windy and cold up here. Took some pictures and a movie on my camera not sure how that will turn out. The shelter is only 1.2m further, push on. Arrived at the shelter approx. 3:30pm, it is nice to get to a shelter before dinner time. I set up camp and had time to relax and kick back. Ate dinner and met a lot of new hikers: three bear, fly catcher, seeker, lil foot, swift. We built a fire and hung out. Swift thru hiked last year and read us some of his poetry from that hike. Thank you for sharing your poems Swift. I did some yoga with Clarity, red lobster, tatoo, sweet tea, and fly catcher, it felt wonderful. Today was a hard climb but a short day, all in all a good day.Gearbomb