morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-25
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Newfound Gap G-town. 
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

 8/25 I woke at 5:20 and went to pee. The stars were out and the sky was clear. I made coffee and 20 minutes later it was raining. For the next hour it rained on and off. The other two in the shelter woke at 6 by an alarm on an iPhone. Shortly later, I heard that a critter had gotten into their food bag while hanging from the bear cables. I checked mine and it had a hole chewed in it also. Almost 2,000 miles with that bag and now I am having major critter problems. I left in a light drizzle and fog. Both stayed with me for most of the day. The trail was all ups and downs and I stopped for water a couple of times. This is, in my opinion, the nicest section of the Smokies. There are numerous outstanding views, but today I could see 50 ft. A mile or so before Ice water Springs Shelter, I ran into a trail maintenance guy that I knew from my time doing work on the Cumberland trail. I was so glad to take 30 min to chat with him. He is responsible for 3 miles of the AT north of Ice water Springs. It amazes me at the dedication some of the volunteers have. His section is some of the finest maintained trail in the GSMNP! I hope I get the opportunity to work alongside him on the trail another day. I moved on to Ice Water Springs shelter where I met a guy from MO, who had little backwoods experience. I ate my lunch while trying to give him a little advice to keep him safe while in the high mountains of TN/NC. A group of 4 young guys came in and were heading to Pecks Corner. I spent 10 minutes talking and moved out. I had decided to go on in to G-town today even though I had planned on being there tomorrow. I either needed a new food bag or I needed to patch the one I have which would need to be dried out.I arrived at Newfoundland Gap and was riding in the back of a pickup truck 5 minutes later heading for G-town. I went to NOC and purchased a new food bag and then checked into a $50 room. I went to the pool and though of all the swimming holes I have been in since April. Wow! Tomorrow, I will try to make Silers Bald Shelter and then to Russell Field the next day. Spence Field is also closed due to bear problems. I want so bad to be done, but then again I don't. Today I am grateful for the ride I got in the back of a pickup truck that allowed me to look instead of driving down the road from Newfoundland Gap.
Date: 2014-08-26
From: Newfound Gap G-town. 

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today couldn't have started out much better. I got up and showered and went to the breakfast buffet. I went back to the room and packed and was on the road Hitchhiking by 7 and met trail angel Sherpa 15 minutes later. He took me to where I got off the trail yesterday. We talked a bit and he offered me fruit and his phone number. He said to call if I needed anything once I get out of the park and offered to slack pack me once I am in Georgia. I was on the trail by 8 and it was about 55 degrees at Newfound Gap. Today, I would climb to the highest point on the AT. Clingmans Dome, at 6,643 ft. Is also the highest point in my home state of Tennessee. It was only a 1,600 ft climb, but there were numerous ups and downs along the way including Mt Collins. The cool breeze continued all morning and I never broke a sweat all the way to Clingmans. I planned to have lunch there, but it was so busy with tourist I grabbed a snack and went to Double Springs Gap for lunch instead. By this time the sky was clear and it had warmed to near 70. I enjoyed having the shelter to myself and stayed over an hour. The remaining 2 miles to where I would stay was pretty easy and I got there with several hours of daylight left. I read the shelter log from cover to cover. I decided I should get my water before it got late so I wouldn't have to leave my pack alone in the evening when bears are more likely to visit the shelter. The spring is almost dry and someone has put a piece of angle metal to catch the water. It is about 6 ft long and was dripping from the end. (See pictures) I leaned my water bag against some rocks I stacked up and it took 30 minutes to fill it but it worked. I have plenty of water now. Two girls showed up and ate some snacks and sat in the last bits of sunshine near the shelter and left 30 minutes later. It is looking like Silers Bald may be the first shelter I have to myself. Today I am grateful for perfect weather and a forecast that promises 2 more just like it.
Date: 2014-08-27
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

8/27 14.7 miles Russell FieldToday was another almost perfect day. Having the shelter to myself last night was such a treat. I woke to find I had no critter problems overnight and the weather looked to be awesome again. I lounged around this morning I in no hurry at all. I had a 15 mile day planned, but no real big climbs. In fact, it was a little more down than up today. I started hiking a little after 8 this morning. It was clear and cool with a light wind. Some light fog occasionally blew over the ridge and it looked like an erie smoke that the rays of sun lit up. It has been raining lots here lately and there were some pretty big muddy spots. One of them had a big wallowed out place in the middle where a boar had been recently. I noticed it's tracks and began looking for animal tracks. I saw bear, boar, deer, bobcat and a large coyote tracks on my way to Derrick Knob Shelter. I walked up and caught a woman by surprise. She was jus about leave when I arrived. Her name is Corageous D (Danny). She is late starting, but heading north until the weather stops her. We took turns watching the packs while the other went for water. We talked about the trail and the people we have met along the way. I mentioned a few places I recommend to stay and the next thing I new, we had been talking 1.5 hours. I said I should go but I had made good time in the morning so I didn't have to hurry.The afternoon would take me over Thunder head Mountain and then Rocky Top. I have strong feelings about this section. It has always been a tough climb from the north side for me and I wondered how hiking for 5 months would change that. It didn't! I went on over to Rocky Top where I had been so many times before and had a long lunch break. I had good cell service there so I posted yesterday's journal and a couple of pictures. The cool air felt a little like fall and I began thinking about it. Over the next 4 or 5 miles to Russell Field Shelter, I noticed that the maple trees were changing color and some were loosing leaves. There were also lots of acorns on the ground already. Maybe the bears will eat them and leave me alone tonight. I got to the shelter just before 5 and found it empty except for a couple of new looking signs warning of Bear activity. Seems to be how it is in the park this fall. I took my two water bags and hauled my pack up the bear cables and went the 600 ft to the spring. I came back and made my bed. Wow, a 14 person shelter and it looks like just me and the critters again. Oh, I almost forgot, I passed the 2,000 mile mark today. Only 179.6 to go. Today I am grateful for all the peace and quiet here in the GSMNP. Tomorrow will be my last day here in the park.
Date: 2014-08-28
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

8/28 15 mi Fontana Village. .This morning I woke to a shelter to myself again. I wanted to be on the trail early this morning so I got up at 5. The sky was full of stars when I first went from the shelter. It is still hard to believe the difference between here and Maine. Dorthy, you are not in Kansas anymore! I was packed and on the trail by 7: 20. The trail was gentle for an hour, but the weather had changed a bit. I noticed it was a little warmer this morning when I woke and the humidity was higher as well. That damn weather man lied again. Iiwii. There was a climb to Mollies Ridge Shelter but it was still early and not too warm yet. I took a break there and noticed someone had left a pair of nice hiking pants on the side of the shelter to dry. Not even close to thru - hiker size. I left them. I had my last honey bun and signed the shelter log book and moved on. I knew I had to drop 1,000 ft. Only to go back up to doe Knob. I still stand by my original theory, the guys that built this trail are masochists. My map made it look like it was mostly downhill. This is another section I had never done southbound and I didn't remember all the uphill (downhill northbound). I began to notice the temperature and humidity increasing. I focused on Shuckstack mountain. There is where the Last remaining metal fire tower lies in the park, and I had planned to have lunch there. I noticed on my way down Doe Knob how the boar had really destroyed the western slope of the ridge there. I think it's time to get some of my GA buddies up here for a pig roast. Just before I got to Shuckstack, I met a man who I had a conversation with about thru - hiking. He said he had been in the Smokies and was heading to Fontana. I said, you are going north. He said I was just on the tower and I saw Fontana lake over there. I said it's over there. Pointing in the opposite direction. He insisted he was right. I said I am heading south towards Fontana. He finally followed and when we got to the Shuckstack trail, he continued south. I had an amazing view from the tower. It has been so many years since I have been there. I wondered how many NOBOs took the time to go the short distance off trail to enjoy that view. I took a few pictures and headed South. I later passed that older gentleman on my way down to Fontana and offered a word of advice he had previously ask for as I passed. I met his sister twice looking for him later and I tried to help her find him.I made my way to Fontana Village where I got a thru- hiker rate on a room and showered. I went to the store where I found his sister again. I gave her directions again and I hope they found each other. I wanted to do laundry here, but I only have what I need so I washed in the sink. I will go have dinner shortly and be asleep by dark as usual while my socks dry on the ac unit. Tomorrow, I plan a pretty big day and, if all goes well, I will be at NOC for the Holiday weekend. Today I am grateful that I was not the one going the wrong direction.
Date: 2014-08-29
From: Fontana Village

To: Stecoah Gap NC stealth camp
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

I got off to a slow start today. I decided to have breakfast at the Fontana Lodge and then catch a shuttle back to the trail. That had me on the trail at 9. It was another hot, humid day and I would be hiking late from the late start. I started with a long climb that took an hour and a half to Walker gap. The rest of the day would be up and down between 3,000 & 4,000 ft many times. I stopped at Cable Gap shelter for my morning break and to get water. That was at 11. I was already drenched from sweat and enjoyed being pack free. I noticed that around 3,000 ft there were hundreds of tiny toads on the trail, but higher up there were none. I was not really happy today in the morning. It my have been the millions of spider webs I cleared with my face or it may have been my late start, possibly the heat and humidity or a combination of all of them. I met two women going north and we talked a bit and my bad mood was reflected in our conversation. I thought a lot about that as I hiked along later. I put some music on and adjusted my attitude. I decided to push past Brown Fork shelter and called the hostel at Stecoah Gap. She said she would call me back. When i was close I noticed that I had missed her call. I called and she said she had no space. I had very little water and it was another 3 miles uphill to water and a camp space. I cooled off at the picnic tables there and decided to hitch into Robbinsville. I quickly got a ride and went to Wendy's for a burger and a soda and then to the grocery store for a couple of things and two quarts of water. I then hitched back to the trail and found a stealth spot to camp in the forrest. I guess it was a good day. I know I should be happy to be out here, I am just having a little difficulty with this weather. At least it didn't rain today. I am grateful to be here and have only 151 more miles. Tomorrow I will be at the NOC and Sunday I will zero there and try to get on the river.
Date: 2014-08-30
From: Stecoah Gap NC stealth camp

To: NOC
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

8/30 13.6 NOC Today started exactly how yesterday ended. In a perfectly quiet forest. No pileated woodpecker hammering on a tree and no Barred owl hooting. Just quiet. I had a pretty big climb from Stecoah Gap and wanted to get an early start. For some reason, I slept till almost 7. I had my morning ritual coffee and packed up quickly. I had a long climb to Cheoa Bald and was on the trail by 7:45. I knew I had a big climb and it was going to be another hot and humid day. I focused on Cheoa bald. I didn't see all the toads today. I met a group of three NOBO weekenders and stopped to chat at the bald. They were talking about the climb and I said I had a handful just like it ahead. One of them said and you have the biggest one yet. This confused me so I questioned him. He said Blood Mountain. I said I thought that right belonged to Clingmans Dome. He informed me I was wrong. I said I am pretty sure it's Clingmans. I heard him whisper to one of his friends I didn't know what I was talking about. I said.... I am heading to Sassafras Gap for water and lunch and to enjoy their hike, they had a great day for it and I hiked on. I enjoyed my time at the shelter there and spent my lunch reading the journal. It was replaced in late March so I missed many of my friends. I did see you there Trip.I had a hot descent from there to NOC, but I managed to get there in time to get checked into the bunk room and do laundry by 5. I got a beer and relaxed Riverside with some hummus and celery. There was a band setting up and I knew It had been another great day. Tomorrow, I will zero and try to get on the river. Today I am grateful for all the volunteers that have worked on the trail. There have been many long hours spent on this section. Lately.
Date: 2014-08-31
From: NOC

To: nowhere
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a total surprise. I tried to get on the river and it just didn't work out. I didn't understand at the time. I basically just did nothing today. A zero. However, I met some really cool people. I spent an hour Riverside with a couple from Raligh, NC they had a interest in the trail and we talked for a while. Leah ask lots of questions and said she wanted to someday do the AT. I enjoyed the company of the two of them. They bought me an IPA and a cookie. Trail magic still lives for a solo southbounder. They provided more trail magic. Thank you. It really is the support that has made it possible for me to pull this off. I also ran into someone I met at an airport 10 years ago that lives near where I currently do and he recognized me from then. I liked him even more when I realized he paddled an open boat. During our conversation, a bumble bee went after him and ended up stinging me in the ear. I must have met a dozen other people today. The river is the big thing here, but the trail crosses at NOC. I managed to stay off my feet for most of the day. I went to the Rivers End restaurant and had the sherpa rice for dinner. I moved to the fire on the other side where I am writing my post tonight. It was a great day and I am slowly immersing myself back into the real life. Today I am grateful for the common bond shared between boaters and hikers
Date: 2014-09-01
From: nowhere

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke in a bunk room alone. I would have thought being Labor Day weekend they would have more people. I bet the cabins and lodge are full. I made coffee and then to the bathhouse to clean up and I was getting on the trail before the restaurant opened at 8. I had a short 11 mile day planned because it started with a 3,000 ft climb. I walked upon a turkey and startled it. It flew further than I have seen one fly before. I stopped at the jump off to take in the views and have some snacks.The air seemed less humid today and there was a steady breeze until mid-day. I stopped at an old concrete, spring fed cistern for water. I knew there would be no more water until I reached the shelter I had planned on staying at so I carried a bit more water than normal. The trail climbed another 500 feet to Wesser Bald where there was an observation tower that was once a fire tower for the forest service. I guess it's all done by satellite now. I saw a family of 4 and knew there was a parking area nearby. I climbed the tower to check out the views and see the cloud to the west. I got back on the trail and made my wway to Tellico Gap loosing 800 ft of elevation on the way only to cross a gravel road and begin another 1,100 ft climb. I arrived at the Cold Spring Shelter, where I had planned to stay, by 2:30. I have been trying to get to the shelter by 3 on the days that rain is predicted. I felt good and it was less humid so I gambled on the weather. I decided to push on another 5 miles to Wayah Bald shelter and the terrain looked easier. 20 minutes after I left the thunder started. I picked up my pace a bit and just kept walking. This area is loved by someone because the trail is well maintained. I made the 5 miles in 1 hr and 45 minutes. There were two other guys in the shelter so I ask if the minded to keep an eye on my pack while I went the 0.3 miles to get water and back. They agreed and I offered the same for them. We all cooked and ate dinner and cleaned our dishes. The thing I enjoy most about camping with young guys is they always build a fire. We sat around the fire and talked about the trail. They are heading north and in no hurry. They will take two days to cover the ground I hiked today. It never did rain. Another almost perfect day. Tomorrow, I will go into Franklin for supplies. 121 miles to go. Today I am grateful for the cool breeze that kept me cool till almost noon.
Date: 2014-09-02
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The call of a barred owl woke me about 5:30 this morning. Yesterday's longer day allowed me to take my time. I watched the night turn to day while having my morning coffee in my sleeping bag. The wind was making a statement this morning so I felt the need to join it and left just before 7:30. I made my coffee, ate breakfast and packed without waking the others I shared camp with. I soon came to the Wayah Bald tower. I shared the place with only the morning clouds and wind. I spent 10 minutes there and headed south. I needed to travel 10 more miles to Winding Stair Gap today.It was mostly downhill, but there was some uphill on the way down. I walked into a flock of grouse and scared 5 or 6 into flight. I stopped twice for water on my way to Winding Stair Gap. The morning evaporated and I found myself at the gap just after 1. I walked to the south trailhead and began my hitch to Franklin.It was a short time when I had a ride and they were easily convinced to go to Haven's Budget Inn. I checked into a $40 room, showered and went for my resupply. I later made my way to the outdoor 76 store where I signed the wall and had a beer. I then went to the Rathskeller for another beer and a complementary chocolate - chip Moca cookie. Those people really are hiker friendly. Knowing I had little time to make my way through Franklin, I moved on to Mulligans for another beer and a large salad. I went next next door for desert and coffee. I still have 109.7 miles to go. I'll celebrate next week. Today I am grateful for all the hiker - friendly people in Franklin, NC
Date: 2014-09-03
From: Franklin, NC

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

I headed out of Franklin at 5:45 this morning in a light drizzle. I wasn't sure how easy it would be to hitch the 11 miles back to Winding Stair Gap where I got off the trail the previous day so I wanted an early start. The forecast called for 70% chance of thunderstorms which was another reason to get going early. An hour later, I had walked three miles hitchhiking in the rain and dark when a Franklin police stopped and ask where I was going. I told him I had come to town for food and was trying to get back to the trail. He told me it was illegal to Hitchhike in NC. And he drove off. I continued walking and it started getting light. I tried to hitch again and got a ride but only 5 miles. The next car gave me a ride the rest of the way to the gap. The guy told me some big storms were supposed to be here in a couple hours. I said thanks for the ride and info and got on the trail at 7:15.The trail was pretty gentle and the drizzle stopped in an hour. Just before I reached Albert Mountain, it got pretty steep but only for a short while. I spent 45 or so minutes there having lunch and enjoying the view from the top of Albert. There is a observation tower there but it was locked. The air was clear and I could see 25 miles without being on the tower. There was a steep descent off that mountain, but it was not very long. I met a couple heading north and they said they hadn't seen anyone in 3 days. We talked for a few minutes and hiked on. I still had almost 6 more miles to do and there was a threat of storms, so I hiked a little quicker than usual. I made it to the shelter with clear blue skies. I swept the shelter and went for my 3 quarts of water from the spring. I spent an hour reading the log book and listened to some noisy turkeys while sitting there. I spent the last hour of daylight listening to the sounds of the forrest. Then a jet flew over. Then another and another. Something changed the flight pattern. The noise from the jets got me thinking about the life I left behind and how it will be when I return in just a week. The trail occupies ones mind enough to have not thought too much about other things. I guess that will change soon. Rain began to fall. Harder and harder and I drifted off to sleep in the shelter alone again. Today I am grateful for all the switchbacks that made the trail so gentle the last 16 miles.