morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: light rain

Nero Day! Perhaps it was the availability of cell service, or the slick rocks, or even the lightening bolt with less than a second of 'flash to bang time' right over head...I called Frank at Cloud 9 Hostel in Hiawassee and Laura graciously came to Unicoi Gap. It wasn't difficult to fill her vehicle with wet and hungry hikers who would have otherwise taken the next hill...By the way, a 30% chance of thunder showers on the A.T. actually means, "100% thunder showers on the ridges (where the trail is) and almost no chance in the local trail town...Word is there's a Hiker Function in Franklin and perhaps I might be able to catch a ride with a Trail Angel named, Slick Rock, who has offered seats in her vehicle and a return later tonight... We'll see.UPDATE: The Hiker Bash was great! Food, country music, and an impromptu performance by 'Punchline,' as well as rubbing elbows with new and old trail friends, made this a highlight of my journey.They also let me sing my Trail Song... I noticed that Mother Earth and Smokestack seemed to enjoy it, anyway... I saw Survivor Dave, KTR and Solstace, Mountain Man, and too many to list. I enjoyed it. The steak burgers were outstanding...
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

They didn't expect to have a call from me for a shuttle from Dick's Creek Gap this evening, but I made it! Fran had dropped me at 10:00am and I just trekked up and over Tray Mountain. It was very chilly, rain (spitting mostly), and sleet at the higher elevations.The Cheese Factory Site was pretty messy -- probably from day hikers...The campsite at the Tray Mountain Shelter had been recently sprayed by a skunk. I hope that nobody's tent received it too.I saw my first bear print on the flat rock just below the shelter. This was probably a medium sized bear and the print was probably the right rear one -- made in moisture on a fairly dry rock surface -- a fairly recent one...I saw Dave from Main and Pilgrim at the shelter. I don't know if they were planning to stay. I ate lunch with Hot Tang and Earthbound (along with the paramedic, who has a trail name, but for the life of me I simply can't remember it). It was cold. It was foggy. It was everything I've grown to expect from the Springtime on the A.T.I'm staying one more night at the Cloud9 Hostel, and then it's onward and upward into North Carolina in the morning...
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, for those who've never trekked northward from Dick's Creek Gap in Georgia to cross into North Carolina, let me tell you that it's mostly an uphill trek -- and steep, too...I have some other pictures in the works, but for now, this will have to do...I stopped for lunch at the Plumorchard Gap Shelter and Mountain Man was getting ready to move on. I was playing tag with Tourist and my new friend, Ed Benton (also on Trail Journals).When I passed through Bly Gap, Mala and his dog were just setting camp in the coldest and windiest place of the day... His dog was wearing his blue, 'Super Dog,' cape... Mala gave me a cookie, which helped as I headed onward and very upward for almost the rest of the day.Muskrat Creek Shelter was over-capacity and most or all of the good tent sites were also taken, so I ate a quick snack and kept moving. NOTE: Those original muskrats must have been some pretty tough, high-altitude ones to make that climb...I've now been trekking northward in almost constant fog, wind, rain, and sometimes sleet the size of your little finger... I actually prefer it except for the very slick rocks and mud. I don't have to wear my sun screen on days like these (to cover the lack of skin pigment in patches on my hands and face).I tarped in the middle of the Kinsey Creek Trail because I couldn't find any other level ground... At least no deer came tramping through. I actually stopped at around 11:00pm last night. This was a VERY long and difficult day on the trail. I'd have gone further, but I couldn't see my feet in the fog and with 100% moisture, it actually blocked any vision in the beam of my headlamp...Thanks for reading. It's been fun so far. So many new trail friends!UPDATE: I'm showered. My laundry is done. I've picked up a thicker pair of Thor-lo socks at the local outfitter. I have a bag of pink grapefruit and some organic carrots to eat as I go up the trail tomorrow...Behind the Haven Budjet Inn is Cody's Roadhouse that makes a mean Mushroom Burger with lettuce, tomato, and red onion (Andrea, our waitress also asked the cook to put double veggies on mine in addition to the cheese and mushrooms with Road Fries... I have about 1/3 of it to carry up the trail with me tomorrow too... NO, I don't focus just on food -- but quality food in quantity can make the difference between a successful hike and one that doesn't go so well. The mountains will extract energy. I carry Ramen Noodles and Oatmeal as well as Peanut Butter and Crackers, but I can't survive for long eating only these light-weight staples of the Trail...Although I asked for a table for one at Cody's, there was an extra seat and Cork Screw (also on Trail Journals) came up after I was seated. We had a nice chat over dinner and then parted ways to finish Trail Town chores and to rest before the big climb out of Franklin (well about 14 miles from Franklin).It's raining again and the forecast looks like about five more days of the stuff. This is 'Gaitor Weather..."Thanks for reading.
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Deep Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

OK, I'm now playing catch-up the Trail Journal in Fontana Dam, NC. Computer time is limited, but I'll do my best to bring you up to date.Storms, rain, dense fog, sleet at higher elevations, and even some thunder all graced this portion of the trail. I actually slogged through it for almost 20 hours, knowing there'd be a hot shower and an AYCE place waiting for me when I finished this section.Thanks, Budd and Judy at the Standing Indian Campground and Ron Haven for the shuttle to town.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

This day started as a sunny one (what is that strange ball of orange in my eyes?). However, by late afternoon, we were back to spitting rain, wind, and lots of fog on the mountains...I passed Guns, Pollywog (formerly missing in action as I understand it), Ravon, Sky Pilot, and others. I was able to tell a family visiting Wayah Tower/Overlook that I was having a one-week anniversary since Springer and they guy seemed impressed...Overnighted at the Cold Spring Shelter -- the one with a messed-up Bear Cable -- and shared it with Punch Line and his wife as well as with Newt. It was a riot. We joked that if Newt keeled over, they might recover her body, but probably not that $1,000 down Kyocera Sleep System she borrowed from her father... She looks like a very large, red, Stay-Puff Marshmallow Man in it...At least the heavy rain held off this night until we were settled in...
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala River
Miles today: 11.5

Wet, wet, wet...   Not many animals out in this weather, and I -- a glasses wearer -- continued my slog northward through fog so thick sometimes it made me hungry for pea soup...Passed Little Moon and Giselle (male/female?), two day hikers, out separately along the way... Both shelters enroute were vacant but good places to get out of the weather to check the map, eat a snack, and to get water.Roomed in the NOC Basecamp with former A.T. Trekker, Argon (John Edwards). He was out cycling in this stuff... (and they call me crazy)I used the Basecamp Kitchen for a couple of rather strange meals with the leftover food at hand: Taco Soup/Spagetti; Black Beans and Mexican Rice in soft wraps; and I packed some out for my lunch the next day. NOTE: NOC doesn't stock ice cream sandwiches, Snickers with Almonds (my new favorite), nor milkshakes...
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Nantahala River

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

More heavy weather with thunderstorms thrown in for good measure. Met Snowy, Spartacus, and White Lightening.The climb out of NOC was deceptive. At the three hour mark, I thought I'd seen the last of the Nantahala River *laughing*, but about 4-1/2 hours from the bottom I finally crossed over what I think was the last peak... Picture to follow......at least I didn't have to use sunscreen...The stop at Brown Fork Gap Shelter wasn't an overnighter. I simply took a rest break enroute to Fontana Dam... Onward and Upward...
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

In a driving rainstorm (how unusual), I came out onto a road and a very nice guy from Cherokee, NC, who was driving a flat-bed truck, scooped me up in all of my wetness and delivered me to the bathrooms above the Fontana Marina.From there I used the courtesy phone to call for a shuttle to the Fontana Village, where my first re-supply box would be waiting in the Post Office (now closed -- on a Friday evening -- and the only time to pick it up would be tomorrow from 10:00 - 12:00). This, friends, is why I trekked almost 28 miles in a little over 24 hours...This is true fun and adventure to the fullest...UPDATE: OK, showered, rested, and having picked up my resupply box, I'm zeroing here until tomorrow morning.NOTE: They have again closed Fontana Dam to traffic (including hikers). When I hike out of here in the morning, it'll be on the "Alternate Horse Trail," which will add at least 2-1/2 miles to the journey and go down over an alternate bridge to the southwest... Dodging horse apples all the way. It's fine, because I haven't seen that trail any way.I'm having a great time and still meeting a bunch of people. Thanks especially CATHY, the lady who let me get on this computer at the Rec Center for an update.The weather is supposed to be very rough today and then clear for a tomorrow morning trek out of here and into the Smokies. Next update in a bout 5 or 6 days, perhaps -- from Standing Bear Hostel if all goes well...
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This was yet another great day of hiking. There was a threat of rain, but nothing came of it, for once...Having used the Alternate Horse Trail to get around the Fontana Dam, now closed to foot traffic for security concerns (or so I've been told), I actually hiked four extra miles out of Fontana -- and part of the route includes State Route 38 (if memory serves) as well as the entrance to a campground just past a bridge over a river; and a very steep trek up a switch-backed gravel road that goes up the hills on the other side of the dam. This brings one out just past the dam on the Smokies Entrance Side...It was cool and overcast with some fog, so it wasn't really a bad route -- just not a short one that others have used this year...I carried pizza for lunch, up and out of the Fontana Gorge. This was a long and steep climb and just as with the NOC River Gorge, just when it seemed we were moving away and into another part of the state, there was yet another steep mound in front which begged to be climbed -- with the six-day Smokies Resupply of food and as much water as I dared to carry...This was Sunday morning, and so the Fontana Shuttle wasn't yet running (which could have dropped me two miles closer to the Alternate Horse Trail). There was also no traffic whatsoever on the State Route, so hitching down that road was also not an option...The road followed a nice creek and I'll add a picture of the entrance just past the bridge (with a great first view of the Smokies -- smoky as usual).Along the way I met and talked briefly to a trio of Trail Maintainers: Dugus, Butterfly ('02), and Firemaster.As his wife told me he would be -- Grey Beard, the Ridge Runner, was stationed at Mollies Ridge Shelter and we talked for a short time. I also had to sing my Appalachian Trail Song for him and for Sprite from Wisconsin.I passed two shelters enroute, and then settled into the Spence Field Shelter with Lotus (on Trail Journals); Alberto (ditto); Resin; Willow; Gentleman Jack; and others.This was another good day of trekking, even if the earth did abruptly rise from the Fontana Gorge...
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Clingmans Dome
Miles today: 14.4

I must tell you that this day began as did many others in the last almost two weeks, but before the night was out, I was rescued by two north-bounders and a Ranger/Paramedic, who escorted me to a waiting ambulance and then on to Seviersville, TN... I was getting set for another 15(+) mile day -- up and over Clingmans Dome and on to the next shelter. However, once I had passed the 5,400 foot elevation level, my head began to go screwy. I was losing my higher order functions, much like altitude sickness (I don't need to go into these details here, but I know whereof I speak on this).I was escorted to the Silers Bald Shelter by Lotus and Thinker. They stayed with me as I carried my normal pack to the shelter, settled in for a very short 9.something mile day, and then made an early dinner, preparing to turn-in early.When I began to display symptoms of Angioedema, I knew that I was in trouble and asked to borrow one of the few cell phones that had service from there. It was very low on battery, but this and one other follow-up call yielded a Ranger/Paramedic, dispatched from the Parking Lot at Clingmans Dome.Thinker and Daniel (no trail name yet) volunteered to carry my backpack and I could focus on simply walking the two miles and additional elevation to meet the Ranger and shorten the response time. We met him at the Double Spring Gap Shelter after dark, and by head lamp, these very good Trail Friends volunteered to carry my backpack the additional 2.something miles up to Clingmans Dome and the Ambulance.I did walk out (slowly) on my own. We did gain another six or so hundred feet in elevation (up to over 6,000 feet. I was not doing well by this time and the Ambulance Crew took me down into TN (past Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) to the Emergency Room, where I spent the rest of the night being re-hydrated and undergoing a slew of tests and X-rays.At 5:00am the next morning, I'm hoping my two escorts had finally made it the additional 8 miles back to their shelter and packs, and I was released into the darkness in a strange land...More to follow on this and follow-on actions... Thanks everybody! I'm still alive and thriving, but I now realize that I have an artificial elevation limit of around 5,400 feet.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Recovering at Home
Miles today: 0.0

Well, here I am at home, recovering. For some reason, I simply can¢t seem to get enough sleep¢¦ This, of course, flies in the face of the long list of springtime chores to be done around here¢¦I¢ve been doing my best to drink lots of fluids. I¢ve also been careful not to let my hiker appetite and the large array of food to be found around here put back the two inches around my waist¢¦After three days, I¢m finally back in the good graces of Kathmandu, the feral cat. He wasn¢t happy that I left him for so long. In fact, according to my wife, our house had become simply a quick stop for food twice per day ¢ rather than the normal place to lounge; to hunt; and to sleep. All has been, ¢forgiven,¢ now, however, and he even let me place medicine in his eye (seasonal allergies?) yesterday.I¢d done my laundry at the Gran Prix Motel in Gatlinburg the night before my bus ride home, and so I only had to open the top lid pocket of my backpack for my toothbrush and my medicine¢¦ Today I¢ll pull the thing apart and air everything out as well as to restock and to refit for my return to the Trail.I¢m really hoping the Emergency Room Doctor was correct in his opinion that I was simply dehydrated and this caused my symptoms. I¢m not certain he¢s correct, however, based on my test run of the day following my release¢¦Whatever the medical truth might be ¢ I know that I belong back on the Trail and that even if this means a series of section and/or day hikes instead of a single-year thru-hike, I¢m driven to get back out there.OK, it¢s Saturday. I have a number of chores to perform around here (not the least of which is drinking plenty of fluids and preparing my gear¢¦ *grin*). My first order of business will be to re-stock the bird and suet feeders the family allowed to be emptied while I was gone (sorry bluebirds, titmice, nuthatches and woodpeckers¢¦).NOTE: Nancy (wife of Walky-Talky), I¢m glad that you found my reference to your husband half-way through the Smokies. One of the reasons I list as many Trail Names as possible in my journal is so readers can get a flavor for the social side of the Trail as well as to perhaps place a friend or a loved one at a particular place and time. In this case, unless he stopped in Gatlinburg, there would be a gap of around five or six days until his next possible communication/journal update.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Recovering at Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It was another misty and rainy day of 'recovery' in Fredericksburg. We still have workers coming and going, making some of the final updates to our bathrooms (you might remember the Bathroom Upgrade Project from over a month ago...). Perhaps these will be finished this week...It looks as though with all the other things going on around here, the earliest I'll be able to return to the Appalachian Trail is around 20 April. This gives me another week of hydration and relaxation before I'll once again head out there.   Yes, I plan to do some local hikes to stay in condition.I've posted for a ride to Knoxville around 20 April and I figure that either I'll be able to talk the person into a slightly longer route or I can hitch from there (after all -- I hitched almost that far from the hospital after my release, so I'm familiar with the route). If all else fails, I can always call Black Bear Taxi for a shuttle, but this can get expensive...More to follow as it develops...
Date: 2008-04-14
To: Rest and Recovery at Home
Miles today: 0.0

In the Sevierville, TN Hospital Emergency Room, the Doctor had wanted to test me for parasites (from the wild water I'd been drinking), but I simply couldn't provide any stool for the lab to evaluate. I also didn't stay around Sevierville the next day and so didn't follow through with his discharge instructions...Having left a message for my V.A. Doctor here in Fredericksburg, she left orders for me to provide both urine and stool samples for this purpose. In true hiker form, I hiked there and back using the abandoned rail trail and made great time carrying only a butt-pack and my trekking poles. It felt like a very light slack-pack and compared to the A.T., was some of the easiest trail I've seen lately...FYI, during my two weeks on the trail I only drank untreated wild water once, and that was from a spring at altitude. I had otherwise filtered up to four liters per day using my Sweetwater Filter -- mostly at or just before camp/shelter. I must admit, however, that near the end of the second week I found myself using the Micropur Tablets more and more rather than the filter...With the tablets, the package recommends a full four hours to disable everything, but the average time I allowed before drinking at least some of it was around two hours...Only time and the lab tech will tell if this was a wise choice (and will perhaps influence my future behavior as well)...NOTE FOR 'Punchline': I hope you saw the Premier of Battlestar Galactica as you had planned [with your shuttle from NOC back to Franklin]. I just saw that episode late last night as a re-run, although I understand that they also allow viewing on-line at the Sci-Fi Website. Those Cylons are getting restless, aren't they? *lol*Also another side note: Son Number Two was home yesterday and helped me to download the pictures from my ultra-light camera. The program couldn't find them! This means that the only pictures from my first two weeks on the trail are the ones previously posted (taken with my cell phone). It also means that before I return to the Trail, I MUST practice with this thing until I'm certain that I know how to capture and to save future digital photos... *shaking my head in disbelief*
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Family Business at Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi. I'm just checking-in to let you know that a pending change in jobs for my future Daughter-in-Law, Tammy, will keep me off the trail for at least another week -- perhaps two...The Real World has a way of drawing trekkers off of the Trail, and this year is no exception for me. Over the next two weeks, we must move and store two apartments worth of stuff from both Northern Virginia and Tidewater Virginia. I simply couldn't get back onto the Trail knowing my wife would be stuck with this project (remember that Son Number One had back surgery, and so he'll be of very little use with these moves).A fellow trekker told me that the Trail will wait for me. I hope this is so. I miss it, but mostly I miss the company of my fellow trekkers... I'll catch up with you guys at Trail Days if I can't do it before that.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Preparing to Continue my Trek Northward...

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it has been raining almost non-stop here in Virginia. We had some very heavy weather and the Rappahannock River is over its banks. It looks as though we can expect more showers this morning and perhaps some thunderstorms this afternoon. My conditioning trails might be under water at the moment...If all goes according to plan, I should be back on the Trail, hiking northward again, on 23 April... More to come as this develops. I've read there are a couple of 'problem' bears at a couple of shelters north of the Standing Bear Farm -- this ought to be interesting... Perhaps I'll carry a large squeeze bottle of hot sauce in my bear bag...
Date: 2008-04-22
To: Back to the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee...
Miles today: 30.7

It's time again to leave home to begin again where I left off a couple of weeks ago...The cats aren't wild about the idea. My sons aren't either...I'm hoping the recent rains have washed some of the pollen out of the air. I also hope to find a few folks still northbound from Davenport Gap so we can ward off the 'problem bear' together...I mailed my own re-supply box to Erwin today. I'm hoping to be in Damascus, Virginia by 09 May (remember the diamond hunting adventure with my sister?). If I can make it there before Bette picks me up on her way to Arkansas, then I can start northward from Damascus on the Sunday of Trail Days. That's the plan, anyway, and I'm sticking to it -- at least for now...I'll see you out there shortly.
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Davenport Gap

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

What an exciting night! An aggressive bear (a Mama Bear if I'm correct) tried to obtain free food all night long. Thank you, Trail Angels, for the addition of a bear cable since Hot Tang, Earthbound, and Ufda lost their bags to what I imagine was the same bear.It rained and was foggy all day. I expect more of the same tomorrow, but unless there's thunder associated therewith, I find these days pretty good ones for distance hiking because the temperatures (at least this time of year) stay on the cool side...