morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Silar Bald Shelter

To: Licklog gap 
Miles today: 8.6

Another ridiculously cold night so I am going to have to be brief. The spectacular views were indeed spectacular. Since I was taking a short day to wait for the gang to catch up, I decided to take full advantage of the gorgeous weather. First, I slept until 0730 and felt like a complete slacker being the last one out of camp. Then I climbed up to the top of Silar Bald for a great view all around. I couldn't get The Sound of Music out of my head! I spent about an hour up there and then hiked the 7.5 miles to Wayah Bald for another wonderful view. I ate lunch here and put out my sleeping pad for a 2 hour nap in the sun. As I was preparing to leave, familiar voices were coming up the path. Solar, Scarecrow, Bird and Trampoline were approaching ,so the gang is together again! We hiked past a full shelter and decided on a campsite 1.5 miles up the trail. We are all cold and hoping for warmer weather tomorrow. Until then...
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Licklog gap 

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

It was not a particularly note worthy day of hiking. We were out of our private campground by about 0800 and on our way to Wesser Bald. We stopped at a nice place in the woods for lunch and then spent all our energy decending 1000 ft. into Tellico Gap and then immediately back up to Wesser Bald. It was a ton of work but the view from the fire tower was perhaps the best of the entire trip so far.These giant panoramic views are interesting because you can see where you came from and, more importantly, where you're going. For the last three days, the enormous presence of the Smokies has gotten closer and closer. Although they are so beautiful because of their monsterous size and their different color(they are hard to describe, hazy purple), I know that they instill a touch of concern, sobriety, even fear in us. That leg of the trip is a big event. 72 miles, 6-7 days under way and the highest elevation of the entire trail, with a food bag that has 7 days worth of food is daunting. We have been really particular about getting ready for this passage. We are planning a "NERO" day(a very short milage day) tomorrow into the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Then after two days under way to Fontana Dam, a complete zero day with two nights in the Fontana Lodge. This all sound awful extravagant but the strategy is to get everyone rested and repaired before this biggest leg of the trip so far. The only other times we will be running for such a long period of time without stops will be the Shanendoahs, the Whites and the Hundred mile wilderness. It's truly exciting and challenging and I love the feeling of having a solid plan backing me up.Am greatly looking forward to our easy day tomorrow, although the descent down this mountain is reminisent of Neels Gap(ouch!). I am experiencing problems with my solar charger and am hoping to work them out at the outfitter at the NOC. Also, it's supposed to be great to eat cheeseburgers and watch the white water kayakers come down the Nantahala River. Until then...
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Wesser Bald

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Thank God we left these last five "easy" miles for their own day. Descending 3100 ft over five miles is very difficult. I have to constantly remind myself to avoid the temptation to run down the hill. After three grueling hours of knee threatening downhill, we finally plopped out at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, called the "NOC". All of the rooms were rented and we discussed just doing our chores there and moving on. Solar was particularly interested in staying at NOC so he dropped the money to rent a cabin and told us just to pitch in $15-$20. Super sweet trail angel!Unfortunately, NOC turned out to be a real disappointment. Although I'm sure Solar paid about $175 for the 2 bedroom cabin for one night, the hospitality was like a roadside motel event. It was a sad reminder that sometimes people are just out to get as much of your money as they can and don't care about the quality of their services. The outfitter was a joke too, and I felt bad for the thirty hikers that were coming in behind us, as I bought the last can of iso-pro fuel from the store. Not an advisable stop for potential thru-hikers in the future. Tomorrow looms...
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It always seems that when there is a 3,000 ft. descent, there is always a monster climb looming somewhere in the future. The climb out of NOC up to Cheoah Bald was long and hard but I had a good day doing it. I went really slow today and enjoyed the walk tremendously. The most note worthy thing today was a large forest fire burning to the southeast of us. At first, I thought I was smelling a camp fire but one usually doesn't smell it for an hour at a time. Solar called into the NOC to see if they had any information but they did not. We actually got an evacuation plan together just in case. It wasn't until later that Scarecrow was able to use his blackberry to get some news. It seems that a controlled burn was in progress. Trampoline went ahead because he's concerned about a big climb tomorrow. Me, big climbs or forest fires, I'm pooped!
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

I am writing tonight from the "Fontana Hilton" which is an enormous shelter made for 20 people. I have actually pitched my tent out front as the mice and snoring of shelters keeps me from sleeping well.Today was a crazy day, mileage wise. 18 miles was not in the plan for today and it was a really tough trip. The altitude profile may once again lied and we found ourselves inching our way up the sides of mountains. The soil was so muddy and the incline so steep that you had to worry about sliding down the trail. Once or twice I found myself holding onto trees on the way up "for dear life". To people who expected an easy day after yesterday 4300 ft climb, today was a real frustration. Because of this, the group got a little spread out. Trampoling actually went on last night because he was concerned about the climbs that we vainly thought were harmless. As of this time we don't know where he's at, as nobody has seen him. Solar pulled into Brown Fork Gap Shelter last ,as we were all eating lunch. He has thought about staying here tonight to guarantee himself a shelter spot because rain is forcast. Solar carries a tarp tent with no floor. Although this is a great weight saver, it's not real comfy for soaking nights. The Bird pulled into Cable Gap Shelter ten minutes after Scarecrow and I, while we were deciding what to do. We all have reservations at the Fontana Lodge the next two nights and the thought of 2 zero days was the convincing factor in my decision to walk 6 more miles. We left Bird at the shelter and said we'd see her tomorrow.I am not really sure yet if coming into town tonight was the best decision. The descent into Fontana was just like the descent into NOC and Neels Gap. Very hard to say the least. I took it super slow but there's just so much wear on your body ,especially having already walked 12 miles. I'm in a bit of pain now, but hopefully two full zero days will make me completely ready to take on the Smokies. I have been careful not to push myself too much so far. Some of the people around me are flying huge miles every day. Not us, though. It is still too early in the game to be pushing ourselves to the limit. Big mile days will come soon enough. Besides, it is so hard to enjoy it when it goes by so fast. Am looking foward to all town's glory tomorrow. Until then...
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Fontana Dam

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

      I am pleased to report that I am (from a horizontal position) enjoying the first of two zero days we have planned for Fontana Dam. Scarecrow and I did have to do some walking this morning, however, as we changed positions from the Fontana Shelter to the Fontana Lodge Hotel. There were about 20 of us there last night and it was quite a bitter sweet sight to see everyone piling out this morning bound for the Smokies. Actually, it was quite peculiar the way it all went down. As of 0930, everyone was lazily poking around, slowly fixing breakfast. I thought that everyone was taking a zero day because it was so late and nobody was moving. Then suddenly, at 1000, it was like the alarm bell ringing at the firehouse, everyone suited up and a mass exodus began. You have to go like 11 miles the first day up in the Smokies, so I couldn't believe everyone started that late. Be that as it may, up they went and Scarecrow and I were suddenly left alone in an eerily quiet, enormous, empty shelter.   I felt alot of motivation to keep hiking because so many people we have been with were leaving but I have to be careful that my mind doesn't overwhelm my matter sometimes. It's time for some down time and I owe it to myself to relax. I keep seeing folks that look like they're one step away from a wheelchair, who have to take four or five zero days to nurse their knees, pulling 20-25 miles per day. More power to them, but that's not the experience I want to have.    We got to the lodge about noon and found Bird and Solar waiting for us. They were especially chipper having just completed that terrible 5 mile descent that nearly killed me yesterday. I decided to get coffee to sit on the porch with while we waited for check in time. Unfortunately the coffee hit me like a freight train and I felt really hyper. Scarecrow said it was because I was tired. Regardless, I was a disaster during check in and my mail drop boxes were not there. After calming myself I went to the town post office to find my supplies there.    After a nice nap while the crew was doing laundry, the day got much better. The lodge actually had a presentation tonight by a man who was a specialist on Appalachian nomenclature. His seminar tonight was about how the Smoky Mountain National Park got the names for it's various places. Such perfect timing before we hike through the Smoky Mountains.    Tonight everyone(except me) is trying to get their food bags together for the next leg. Lots and lots of moaning and groaning about the heaviness of their packs, and the expectations of carrying them up 6000ft. I have decided that I'm not worrying about anything except eating until tomorrow night. I will leave you with a Cherokee prayer that was shared with us at the presentation tonight.                  Oh Great Spirit                                           Who made all races                        Look kindly upon the whole Human family                        And take away the arrogance and hatred                        which seperates us from our Brothers.                           Cherokee Prayer
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Fontana Dam

To: 2nd Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

      After enjoying another wonderful zero day in Fontana Dam, I was able to finally use a computer to, among other thing, check the Trail jounals site. Wow, was I surprised to see how many people have been following me! Welcome aboard everbody! I am trying very hard to make this trip long, safe, fun, educational, and entertaining. I guess since I know how many people are following , I need to get back to hiking tomorrow. We will be leaving Fontana Dam tomorrow morning first thing. We are bound up 5000ft with our heavy food packs. Although the rest was nice, it will feel good to get hiking again.      Before that happens, I just wanted to say thanks to everone that is supporting me right now. First and foremost, thank-you to my ground support team, who are the envy of our group. My dad is doing a great job tracking my location and reporting the weather. Mom is doing my journaling, and I was so excited to see how great the journal site looked. Finally, Uncle Charlie is doing a knock out job with mail drops and getting my tech support problems taken care of while I'm hiking. There is safety in such a strong plan.     Thank you to everyone that has signed the guest book! Jerri, Shannon, Brennan, Donna B, Julie F, Mary, Tin, Andy, Joel. Welcome!      Very imortantly, I was so excited to learn about a very special group of second graders from Las Vegas who are on board following the journey as well. For you guys, and for everyone, I am going to take 1-2 journal entries a week to do a little lesson about things I've learned about the mountains, animals, plants, or cultures I experience along the way. Both Bird and Trampoling are science buffs(we call them the "biology department) and they can't help themselves from teaching all of us about the wonders around us. Welcome aboard, students!      Tomorrow begins our 7 day trek through the great Smoky Mountains. Until then...
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Nothing like a good cold night camping! Although it was beautiful today, the wind was blowing very hard and making it quite cold. We walked across the dam today and I got to remember how afraid of heights I am. On the other side of the dam we began the climb up into the Smokies. Even though my food bag probably weighed 15 pounds, I didn't have too much trouble getting up the mountain. It was part of my strategy to take as much food as I could, so I don't loose any weight. If we had been going down 5,000ft on our first day, I would certainly have elected to starve for 6 days! I'm much more comfortable on the uphills!      We had lunch on top of Shuckstack Mountain. There was an old fire observation tower there that provided amazing views all around, especially of the dam way down below. However, this endeavor was not for the faint of heart, as the wind was blowing 40 knots. It was ripping through the tower sounding very much like a train. I was happy when we were all back on the ground safely. Immediately after lunch, we all saw our first bear! I walked up to find the crew taking pictures of something(I thought it was another boring bird that Liz was all excited about). Sure enough there it was walking away from us. I was very surprised at it's size. We estimated it to be about 200lbs. Sorry I was too late for pictures. I will not be disappointed if that was the last bear we see this trip. Bear safety in this park is a top priority because , unlike in Georgia, it is illegal to kill them. So it seems they are not afraid of people. I double checked my pack tonight to make sure all food was hung in the tree.      We met tonight to discuss the plan for us to get to Damascus in time for the Trail Days Festival. Since we took off 2 days in Fontana, we are behind schedule to get to the most important social event of the hiker season. Although we could get rides probably from wherever we are, both Scarecrow and I think it much more appealing to get into town under our own power. We met Kismet tonight, who thru-hiked in 2003. She is on her way to Damascus now so we tapped her brain for advice on a time schedule. She expects to be there a couple days before the festival. Scarecrow and I spent close to 2 hours laying the frame work of the plan for times, places, resupplies,etc. to get us to Damascus on May 15th. Unfortunately, the plan calls for us to step things up slightly. Our ten mile days need to become 14-15 mile days. Am a little concerned how the rest of the crew is going to take this. The good news is that the rest of this week in the Smokies the terrain is what we are used to, then gradually eases up to become easier. I think we'll be able to take it up a notch and march right into Damascus for the thru-hiker parade! Until then...
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was super difficult. We are all exhausted. It looked like an easy enough day on paper but we nearly killed ourselves getting to this shelter. The topography maps are just so misleading. You can see clearly when you have a 5,000ft climb ahead of you(like yesterday) but the little things are what killed us today. The map isn't in enough detail to forsee such agonies. My leg was bothering me today and I hope it fixes itself tonight. On better news, the weather was great today and the views were grand. Tomorrow is Clingman's Dome, which is the highest point on the entire trail. We are hoping for the same weather for great views and picture opportunities tomorrow. 14 miles tomorrow and not looking forward to it. Until then...
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mount Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

It was a big day in the life of a thru-hiker. Not only did we pass the 200 mile mark but also climed to the highest point on the entire trail today. Although we had a big 14 mile day planned, it was great to spend 2 hours on top of Clingman's Dome. We were so lucky that the weather completly co-operated and were rewarded with incredible visibility. I can still see Standing Indian Mountain, way, way back to the southwest. I remember seeing the Smokies from way back there and wondering if I'd make it here.      Have had some interesting wild life sightings lately and , although no good photo opportunities have arose, they have still been cool encounters. Yesterday, I looked like a complete fool chasing a wild turkey all over the mountain trying to get a good picture for all you faithful readers. Needless to say, the turkey won. They're probably not too photogenic anyway!      Today I followed 3 deer from a clearing into a very special section of forest. The forest was so thick with pine, fir and spruce trees, it was almost like walking by moonlight. For an hour I walked through this magical place before I realized that our nomenclature presenter had mentioned this place, The Boreal, the thick forest of Clingman's Dome that is named after the god of the north wind. The Indians believed that this forest is the home of the mystical white bear. Unfortunately, there are no mystical white bear pictures either. In all seriousness, this two hours was a special part of the hike.      Tomorrow will be another tuff day, as we are scheduled for 15 miles. Kismet's pack started to rip at the shouder, so she and Solar hitched into town to get to the outfitter. She came back with a hot new Osprey pack and Solar came back with 2 dozen donuts! so, regardless of the mileage, tomorrow will start out just fine! Until then...
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Mount Collins Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was, as we expected tremendously long. However, the distance was made better by the fact that the views were simply breath taking all day. In the morning, we poped one-by-one into Newfound Gap, which is an area where the road runs through the park. It is also the place where a giant monument resides in the park. It was like Grand Central Station, people, cars, buses, motorcycles and 5 hikers trying to find the trail on the other side of it all! I burned rubber trying to get out of this area and passed(no joke) like 30 people going up the mountain. One should come to expect this on a Saturday in the National Park. We ate lunch on "Charlie's Bunyon" which was an out cropping of rocks that towered over an ocean of spruce and fir. It was pretty amazing to see. Then, ridge line walking for much of the rest of the day. This is where you walk along the spine of the mountain and it is thousands of feet down on both sides. What a great day!The shelter tonight is one crowded event. Everyone on earth is here rubbing elbows. There are 7 section hikers(they get first priority and can kick out the thru-hikers), including the four of us. Solar wants to try to do mega miles to get away from the crowd tomorrow, but we've just done two 14 plus mile days. I'm not sure if the grass is really much greener out ahead of us, anyway. As it stands now, we will aim for a 12 mile day tomorrow. We will then have an 8 to leave the park and stay overnight at a cabin on Monday. Till then...
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

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

The miles are adding up and we all are feeling it. Today we passed the 10% mark and now only have 90% of the trail yet to hike. This is not a very ceremonious way point like a state line crossing. Actually, I only heard it mentioned once today. Anyway, not much news today. I didn't sleep well last night and therefore was a sloppy hiker all day. At one point, I had turned my ankle 3 times in 10 minutes and I made myself take a 30 minute break. Solar and Scarecrow both went another 7 miles to the next shelter in hopes of a thinner crowd. I think alot of people did that but I hope they're comfortable. I tried to consider going with them, but it would have been suicide for me. That 7 miles is the final descent out of the Smokies-my favorite- a 4500 foot descent! It will have to wait until tomorrow. Luckily the boys will be in a good position to get us a cabin at the Standing Bear Hostel. Hopefully, they'll have a jacuzzi ready for me when I get there tomorrow afternoon.The Smokies was a wonderful experience and I am thankful for the great weather and great views every day. Bird, Kismet, and I will get into Davenport Gap tomorrow afternoon and meet the guys. Although we had a great time here, will be looking forward to the possibility of some real food. Until then...
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

Greetings from Standing Bear Farm Hostel! It was a crazy hike getting here, not because of mileage or terrain but because I saw so many animals on the way. five snakes draped themselves across the trail to surprise me on my way. I felt like I was in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.The farm is a really a neat experience, all self service. You get an envelope, put your name on it, and list the things you've bought. Then put your money in it. We are having a nice stay. An early day tomorrow to get us on the road to Hot Springs. All is well, till then...
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Davenport Gap

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: scattered clouds

We were under way before 0600 this morning in hopes of doing most of the day before it got too hot. About 0730, Solar shouted at me from behind to stop. Pointing up the mountain about 100 yards ahead of us, he had seen three bears about to cross the trail right ahead of me. It was a mother and two cubs and we were, as luck would have it, directly up wind of them. I did not need a nature expert to tell me that this was a situation! The biggest bear stopped on the trail and smelled us and it was at this time that I decided that I would not take out my camera as I might need to run(sorry folks!). After 5 minutes, she passed and the cubs seemingly took forever to follow her. Needless to say, it was an intense few minutes. However, I think this may boost my standings and make me the leader in thru-hiker wildlife sightings(7 deer, 4 bear, 5 snakes, 2 frogs, 1 turkey, 1 strangely aggressive rabbit).      We had 2 balds(treeless areas) to view from today. A bunch of people camped on Max Patch Bald, but we are trying to do miles to get to Damascus. The shelter is tense tonight because of high bear alert status and a terrible mouse problem. Thankfully, I'm tenting but that won't keep me from having bear problems. Tormorrow, we run another 15 miles to put us in sriking distance of Hot Springs,NC first thing Thursday morning. Until then...