morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Wayah Bald Shelter NC

To: Wesser Bald Shelter NC
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

We had good weather this morning but it got very warm during today's hike. We had very long ups and downs. A strenuous hike. We stopped at Cold Springs Shelter for a short lunch break. It was a long 10.6 mile hike with some of the best views so far.We stopped for the day and tented at Wesser Bald Shelter. Our plan is to hike about six miles into the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for resupply and to take a zero day. The trail goes right through the NOC.
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Wesser Bald Shelter NC

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a beautiful morning at Wasser Bald. Got an early start to hike into the NOC. Since we were coming down from Wasser Bald a lot of the six mike hike was steep downhill. This is very hard on peoples knees and feet. We had a few short climbs and they were actually a relief for me. We stopped at the A. Rufus Morgan shelter for a break before our last mile into the NOC. There I gave the last of my duct tape from one of my poles to a German hiker to fix his trekking poles. Duct tape has come in handy and between my using it and giving it out to others I was about out. I kept about six feet of it wrapped around the tops of my poles below the grips.As soon as I got to the NOC I went right to the general store, dropped my backpack outside on a bench and bought a rootbeer and a blueberry ice cream sandwich. We rented some bunk space and then went right to the restaurant for lunch. We ate on the outside patio next to the river. Our cabin check in wasn't until 3 pm so we couldn't shower before eating. Since we had just come in off the trail and smelled like thru hikers I didn't want to sit inside the restaurant with regular smelling folks. After lunch we went to the outfitters and I got a new spork. My old plastic one broke while eating dinner at camp last night. I tried using duct tape to fix it but it didn't hold. While talking to other hikers about needing to buy more tape two offered me enough to fill my poles because they had too much. The hiker family is always here to help one another. It's quite a community. We did laundry before dinner.This evening we spoke to a German lady while making dinner in the community kitchen. She confirmed that a documentary about the Appalachian Trail was shown on German TV last year and that's why she was here as well as other Germans on the trail. She has some bad blisters on her heels and is taking a few days off to recover. After dinner I caught up on my journal.Tomorrow we rest here at the NOC. We will eat like pigs. I've drawn in a few belt notches already and have to be careful not to lose too much weight to fast. It's nice to have this fancy camera phone to keep in touch with family and write this journal. Still living the dream.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a zero day to resupply and to rest my feet and legs. It's hard to walk for the first hundred paces or so when I first get up because the muscles in my feet and legs are so stiff and sore in the morning. Once I get walking they are OK. It takes about a half hour of hiking in the morning to get my hiking legs back. I'm sure as I continue the hike this will be less of a problem. My knees have given me no problems so far on this trip. Many hikers complain of knee problems and it is a common reason for having to leave the trail. One hiker headed home to Virginia this morning because of knee pain. All my other early pains are gone and my feet are blister free.Went to the NOC restaurant and had a good breakfast then sat around talking with other hikers taking the day off due to forecast rains or to rest.Dance Party and Daniel joined us in the bunk house. Its a full cabin now. I pretty much just spent the day hanging out by the general store and restaurant talking with other hikers.It felt good to walk around the NOC today on flat ground without a pack. By the end of the day I felt great.The picture is of some of the hikers we meet as we hike and camp. Pictured are Gandolf, me, Tom Cat and Muskee. We split for some brews and just enjoyed the rainy day under the awning of the restaurant before lunch. It rained fairly hard and thundered but I didn't see lightening. I had a hefty lunch and later I ate a pizza and chicken legs for dinner. After dinner I went back to my bunk with a very full stomach and tired.I texted Mrs. Boomer to let her know I was still alive and well. I finish this restful day writing this journal entry. We'll be heading out in the morning and should hit Fontana Dam and the Smokey Mountains in three or four days. Still loving the journey.You can go to noc.com to see all this place has to offer. It's mostly white water rafting and kayaking with zip lines and cabins.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Got up early and packed to hit the trail. Went and had a good breakfast. It was cold and raining all night and morning. Swamp Dawgs knee was still sore. We were unable to get our permits from the NOC computers for our hike through the Smokey Mountains. We ended up talking ourselves into another zero with other hikers. We just ate a lot and shot the breeze with other hikers all day. Life is great.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

Up early for a good breakfast at the NOC restaurant. Weighed my bag with four days resupply and two liters of water. It was 39 lbs. Yikes. We had a hike of 6.7 miles that is almost all up to Sassafras Gap Shelter. It was a long hard day with some of the trail very rocky. Swamp Dawg's knee was bothering him again and slowing him up so he told me to go ahead and he'd meet up at Sassafras. I hiked half the day with Coffee, a hiker a little older than me from Florida. The hike was long and tedious and I thought we'd never get to the top of the mountain and to the shelter.I set up in the shelter because I was so beat from the climb. I just didn't want to set up and take down my tent. I woke up in the middle of the night with a painful cramp in my right thigh. As soon as I got that cramp to go away I tried to lay back down and the other leg decided to have a cramp of its own. Hurt like the dickens. Still living the dream.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter NC

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter NC
Miles today: 9.1

When you're in a gap the only way out on this trail is up. And sometimes it is steep. First thing this morning we climbed up Cheoah bald. Swamp Dawgs knee hurt him so he had me go ahead. I hiked most of the day solo. It was steep for a little over a mile and then the next seven miles or so were mostly down with some short steep ups on the way to Stecoah Gap. When I reached Stecoah gap there was a roadside picnic table with some bananas and apples trail magic left by a trail angel. I sat and ate some of the fruit and chatted with Muskee and Tom Cat who were already resting there. Hikers coming down the trail gave me a message from Swamp Dawg that he was going to hitch into town from Stecoah gap and take a zero tomorrow because his knee hurt real bad. Across the road where the trail continued was a steep climb ahead known as Jacobs Ladder. For about the last mile of today's hike it was very steep and straight up. I had to stop to catch my breath every 25 to 50 yards or so. Very difficult to climb after hiking all day. The shelter wasn't far from the summit. I notice that it seems there are more straight up trails to the summits in N.Carolina than in Georgia with less switch backs. It makes for less miles but for very hard climbing. The trail also seems narrower at times. When I got to Brown Fork Shelter there were no tent sites listed so I set up in the shelter.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter NC

To: Fontana Dam NC
Miles today: 11.6

I headed out hiking today in cloudy cool weather and solo. I planned to hike the 11.6 miles to Fontana dam. Today's hike was uneventful and was generally down hill to Fontana Dam. I reached the next shelter after about 6 miles and didn't even stop there for a break since it was only 10:45. I continued to Fontana. My plan was to call for a ride to the Fontana lodge once I got to the trail head there. As soon as I popped out of the woods at the AT crossing I saw a Fontana Village shuttle pull up to a couple hikers so I also got a ride to the lodge for $3.00.After getting a room and a resupply package from home I took some ibuprofen and a hot shower to help ease my sore feet and legs. I then walked about a quarter mile to the laundry and general store where I met and chatted with other hikers also doing laundry and buying supplies. I spent the rest of the day getting my permit ($20) to thru hike the Smokey Mountains National Park, sorting my supplies for the trip and catching up this journal. I also got a chance to call Mrs. Boomer.Life is good.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Fontana Dam NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Awoke early and considered taking a zero day because it was raining but the forecast called for morning clearing. While waiting for the 8:30 shuttle a local offered me a ride to the trailhead where I got off yesterday. I met up with Apocalypse about a mile into my hike and we hiked the additional 11.1 miles to the first shelter in the smokies park. Upon entering the park I put my permit copy in the proper box at the entrance. It rained all day during this 11 mile climb to Mollies Ridge Shelter near the Mt. top. The hike in took all day and many of the climbs were near straight up. It was a long hard day. When I got to the shelter it was windy, rainy and cold as I set up my tent. I got on dry clothes and ate then got in my sleeping bag to warm up. I was warm and toasty and listened to the cold rain and wind. Of course I had no phone service. In the park you are required to sleep in the shelter unless it is full. I was able to tent because it was. It stopped raining during the night and my tent was dry in the morning.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

I got up early this Easter morning to make a 12 mile hike to Derrick Knob Shelter. Hiked again with Apocalypse today. We have the same pace and have good conversation while hiking.Today's hike was long and very hard with a lot of straight up climbs. At this altitude it's a little more difficult than climbing at home. Other than hard climbing the day was uneventful. The weather was sunny and cool, perfect hiking weather.The shelter was full at Derrick Knob so I was able to tent. After I got water and ate I talked to Giggles, Dancing Feather, Red Hawk, Patience and other hikers till about dark and was in bed by 8:00. This shelter had no privy just a sign pointing to a section of woods designated as the toilet.I woke up before sunrise and got up to use the woods toilet. I scanned the area with my headlight and saw glowing eyes and was unsure if it was a bear a boar or a deer. I returned to my tent and waited for sun up. Spooky.
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Derrick Knob shelter at 7:30 to make 13.5 mile hike to Mt. Collins shelter plus .5 miles from the trail to the shelter. Hiked with Apocalypse today. The hike went from 4,875 ft to 6,655 ft at Clingmans Dome. All over an eight mile stretch. When we got to Clingman Dome tower I climbed it after dropping my pack. ( see photo file). At the top of the next mountain, Mt. Love I hit the 200 mile mark. When you climb an incline over 8 miles long of a 13.5 mile hike it tends to wear you out. When I got to the shelter I had to walk another .1 mile down a loose rocky path to get water and carry it back. I set up my tent, had dinner, had some good conversation and went to bed early as usual.I intend to hike 5 miles in the morning to New Found Gap and catch a shuttle to Gatlinburg Tennessee for resupply.At this point I'm about half way through the Smokies park. Throughout the day I was walking back and forth between Tennessee and North Carolina. Thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow.I've been seeing a lot of bear poop on the trail. They here somewhere but I've yet to see one.NOTE- Water of course is vital for backpacking and is available at most shelters and some points in between. My guide book lists water locations. I check for sources before each hike. I always start my day with two liters and refill at water sources when needed. Most sources are streams and springs. I filter all of my water before drinking. Today I got water during my hike from a culvert pipe that ran under the trail. All the water I've had has been good an cold.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 5.0

Arrived at Newfound Gap after hiking in a foggy rain. There were about a dozen hikers in the gap parking lot waiting for a ride. It was cold and rainy and the fog was very thick. The hikers already at the gap called for pay shuttles. I saw a ranger in her SUV so I asked her for a ride to town knowing she'd have to say no. She did. It was so cold a few of us waited in the bathroom for the shuttles. When the for hire taxis arrived so did the NOC shuttle dropping off hikers. Gandolf, Apocalypse and I grabbed the free shuttle ride to the NOC store which was across the street from our motel. We all went to breakfast in town. I had the biggest breakfasts I'd ever had and couldn't finish it. After showers and laundry I sat in the motel lobby and caught up with my journal. In the early evening Gandolf and I took the trolley to a food store on the other side of town for resupply. I also got a Wendy's frosty which I have been craving for miles. When we returned to the motel we sat on the porch swapping stories with other hikers until about 12:30 am. We slept in the next morning.Will be heading back out by late morning on Wednesday 4/23 to continue our hike through the Smokies. Will not expect to have much cell service again for the next few days. Until then.....Living the dream.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Newfound Gap

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0

Up early today and worked on my journal. Then went to an all you can eat breakfast at a nearby restaurant with Gandolf and Apocalypse. We ate like pigs.While eating we were trying to decide whether to zero in town or get back on the trail. Gandolf pulled out a 10 shekel coin he got in Israel and we decided that heads we hike and tails we zero. He flipped the coin and it went directly into his bowl of gravy and sank. Digging through the gravy revealed that we were going hiking.We ended up calling a shuttle from the motel for the 15 mile ride back to Newfound Gap and didn't get back to the trail until 12:30 pm.Our hike out of the gap was a three mile climb to Ice Water shelter. When we got to Ice Water we decided to stay because we didn't have the energy to hike another 7 miles to the next shelter. The park rules require you only camp at shelters.The shelter was full and about a dozen tents were up including mine.All the hikers we stayed up late with last night were also here. We all fetched water, cooked dinner, had a lot of fun conversation and all turned in by about 8:30 pm.My pack was heavy today because I resupplied with extra fatty food like peanut butter, nutella, cheese, pepperoni and tortillas because I was concerned about my weight loss. I am trying to avoid too rapid a weight loss. My pants keep getting bigger and bigger.Tonight I have to sleep with my water filter in my bag because it's real cold. If the filter freezes it is ruined.Planning to hike about 12 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Ice Water Spring Shelter

To: Tri Corner Knob
Miles today: 12.6

Woke to a cold , windy and sunny morning. Great hiking weather. Left Ice Water shelter with Apocalypse. Today's hike was a long 12.6 miles and very strenuous with some of the best mountain scenery I've seen yet. Although long the hike was uneventful.When I arrived at Tri Corner Shelter the weather was turning sour. Thunderstorms were forecast for the night. The 12 person shelter had 18 people on its two tiered sleeping platform but due to the weather others encouraged me to stay in it. I slept on the floor with four other hikers. Viking had a good fire roaring in the fireplace and there was a tarp over the shelter opening. I slept warm and protected from the wind and rain that hit hard at about midnight. I still can't believe I'm finally on this great adventure.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Tri Corner Knob

To: Cosby Knob TN
Miles today: 7.7

Awoke to a rainy, windy and cold morning at Tri Corner but I and my gear were dry. I lingered at the shelter hoping for a lull in the rain. More thunderstorms were forecast. My feet were sore so I took some Aleve and left about 10:00 am. Hiked 7.7 miles to Cosby Knob Shelter in cold, windy and rainy conditions. The hike was a few ups and downs but wasn't very hard. When I reached Cosby Knob I was soaked completely from sweat and rain and was getting very cold so I decided to stay.My rain gear keeps the rain off of me but makes me sweat a lot. I wear it to stay warm. You can't hike these mountains without sweating even when it's cold. I got dry clothes on and got in my sleeping bag till warm. It was early afternoon so I just relaxed and got warm. Afterward I cooked my dinner and had fun chatting with my fellow hikers. The rain stopped but it remained cold and windy.I got my picture taken with "Murray", who looked just like the Saturday Night Live actor. I texted Mrs. Boomer to tell her I was sheltering with the star. She bought it. I then texted her that he wasn't the real one before she called everyone we know with the news.This fun continues.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Cosby Knob TN

To: Standing Bear Hostel TN
Miles today: 10.7

Woke to beautiful weather and hiked to Green Corner Road. It was a short walk up this gravel road to Standing Bear Hostel ( see photo file)During today's hike I saw a bear and her cub. My phone was off and by the time I got it turned on the bears had walked over a ridge. It was perfect hiking weather. When I crossed the last gap before the hostel I got trail magic of beer and Dr. Pepper. Other than these events it was an uneventful hike.When I arrived at the hostel I was told to get an envelope at the store and keep tract of my rent and purchases from the store. When I leave I add up my bill, put the money in the evvelope and turn it in. Cash only. No credit cards.The hostel is a collection of old buildings and is very rustic. There is the bunk house, kitchen, laundry shed, beer house ( beer is paid for when you get it), shower house (one stall inside and the other stall outside), and office. All sort of primitive. I did my laundry in the wash tub using the scrub board and antique ringer. They had a dryer but it didn't get very warm. It took a long time to dry my clothes after wringing them out the best I could.The hostel is owned by a former thru hiker. The atmosphere is great. Well worth the $15 bunk fee. The grounds had chickens and cats and dogs running around. There is a stream running through the area. There is no internet wify so I can't update my journal. The hostel has a scale in the bunkhouse. I have lost 20 lbs and now weigh 188 lbs. Pretty cool weight loss program.
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Standing Bear Hostel TN

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The roosters started crowing at the hostel about 4:30 am. So there was no sleeping after that. When the office opened I gave my self bill to the attendant. And hiked out with Coffee. We started out as usual climbing a steep grade out of the gap. Very strenuous first thing in the morning. While climbing Coffee said, "Rattle snake". I froze and I think my eyes bulged half out of my head looking for the deadly viper. He then told me it was a note. Someone had left a note held down by rocks warning of a rattle snake ahead by a log to our left. For the next half mile or so I was a hyper vigilant scanning machine searching for rattle snakes. I was not having fun. Then the next steep climb came and I forgot about snakes. My short attention span finally paid off.The rest of the hike was uneventful.When we reached Ground Hog Creek shelter I went in the shelter because thunderstorms with 4 to 5 inches of rain was forecast. The shelter was crawling with mice. I was tired so I fell asleep quickly so if any scampered across my face in the night I was unaware.The storm never arrived.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

Hiked with Coffee 13.1 miles to Walnut Mountain Shelter. Severe storms still forecast for the area. The long hike started with a hard climb out of Standing Bear right off the bat. These morning climbs are common because we often camp in gaps. The only way out of a gap between mountains is to climb a mountain.The day was long but not too hard after the first climb until we got to climb up to Max Patch which is a very large bald. A bald is a mountain top that has no trees and is usually a large field of grass. ( see photo file) After descending Max Patch we had an easier hike until the end of our day when we had to climb over Walnut Mt. to camp for the night.When we reached the shelter which was a few hundred feet down the mountain side it was very obvious that a storm was about to hit with dark clouds approaching and the wind beginning to pick up. My first task was to get water. In this case I had to walk down a few hundred yards to a spring and then walk back up carrying about four liters of water. Enough for cooking and tomorrows hike. Just what I didn't want after 13 miles of trail.The shelter was small and full so I had to set up my tent. This place had a privy with three sides and no door with very low walls. Not easy to use in a rainy windstorm.The storm predicted was again for severe thunderstorms with high winds and 4 to 5 inches of rain.The wind started to pick up speed in the evening and it got very loud. I was still awake in my tent at 11:30 pm expecting to get blown off the mountain. There was some lightning and thunder in the distance and it was beginning to rain hard. It was very worrisome. I fell asleep.I was awakend at about 4:30 am with winds so strong it was collapsing my tent. I had to reset some stakes and prop it up inside with my trekking poles and backpack. It looked like curtains for my tent. I began to pack my gear up in order to make a hasty exit. To where I don't know. I left my pants and boots on during this storm and just used my sleeping bag as a blanket. I didn't want to be trapped in the bag if my tent began to tumble. I could not fall back to sleep. I sat and wrote in my journal book about the storm. My tent did not leak.At 6 am the rain had stopped and the high wind dried my tent.Coffee and I helped each other take down out tents in the wind about 7 am. We finished packing up in the already vacant shelter and grabbed some food for breakfast. We then left for the 13 mile trek into Hot Springs NC.
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Walnut Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 13.1

After packing up Coffee and I had a long trek into Hot Springs NC for rest and resupply. The hike was uneventful and the weather remained cloudy but the storm was over.My left ankle was hurting from rolling it a few days ago and my right heel had a hot spot bothering me. When I stopped to check my heel it appeared to be a callous so I put moleskin on it. When I got to town I discovered it was a blister. I have not had blistering of any consequence in 273 miles of hiking this trail. I've been careful till now. We got a cabin at the campground in town because the motel and hostels were full. We decided to take a zero for tomorrow. We just spent the rest of the day cleaning up and eating a lot. I'll do laundry and shop tomorrow.