morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-08
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up, showered and had breakfast with everyone staying at the Inn. I asked if I could go with the shuttle to the trail. I called Happy Trails because I heard he and Curley were off trail. I think I woke him up. He said they were going to work for awhile and get some good equipment before they got back on the trail. I asked if he still wanted the pack that Lynne sent to the Blueberry Patch. He said he'd pick it up and try to catch up to everyone. I wished him luck and said I hope they made it. I then rode with Ron, Pirate, Bluebelle to the Blueberry Patch where I picked up my maildrop and wrote on the FEDEX package to hold for Curley or Happy Trails. We then went to the trailhead at Dick's Creek Gap. Snake, HomeBrew, Cookie, Pirate and another hiker were waiting for Bluebelle. I brought some Mountain Dew and cookies as a sendoff. We said our goodbyes and wished each other a good hike - and they were off. Ron and I went back to the Blueberry Patch to pick up Torture, Compass Nokia and Pebbles who decided to take a zero day and stay in town at the Inn. I've been soaking my feet and resting, trying to get myself healed so I can decide about my hike. I am slowly getting to a better place. Thanks to all the wonderful people who have been so supportive during these hard times. I'm thinking of slack packing from Deep Gap USFS Road 71 back to Dick's Creek. It will be a long 15.6 mile day but that way I can at least hike out of Georgia and psychologically that would be a huge hurdle. This afternoon Ron made some chicken soup (homemade) which was much appreciated. I also had a nice long talk with Nokia who gave me good advice and shared some personal stories about his previous tru hike attempts. We are going to dinner at 6 and I need to decide what I will do tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-09
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day in Hiawassee resting. Bought some knee braces and heel cups. The weather is going to be bad tonight so the decision to stay was good. I've reduced my expectations for mileage. I will have to go short days and try to make my next goal Franklin NC. Even though I feel fragile, I need to give it another shot. This is a very strenuous journey. We'll see how much farther it will go. Talked to Lynne and she gave me the good thoughts from all. Thanks for your entry Bluebelle. I may catch you!
Date: 2006-03-10
From: Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Decide to get back on the trail. I left on the 9:30 shuttle alone with Ron, dropped off at 10 am with Plum Orchard Shelter as my goal. I arrived there at 1:30 and decide to pack on. Today was warmer - 60-70 maybe, and a nice easy hike until I go over the GA/NC border. Then some steep mountain ascents, arriving at Muskrat Shelter. Wash up, fill water and cook dinner, hang b eaf bag - no cables here. It's 8pm and everyone is going to bed. I better turn out my headlamp and join them. I'm staying in the shelter - I got the last space.
Date: 2006-03-11
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Up and getting organized - planning on trying to make it to Carters Gap. Nice hike, long, wet and challenging, but nice. It rained half the day so I had to go slow with my rain jacket on, so I wouldn't get too sweaty. Made it to Carter Gap Shelter around 5:30 and went to work getting dinner, hanging bear bag and filling water. Good thing I took my flashlight to the spring because I returned up the trail in the dark after getting water. I lucked out again and got the last spot in the shelter - there's another old shelter and that was full also. After a campfire some of the younger hikers decided to go out on a night hike. Spent the night with Steve, Helium and two sectional hikers, Paul and Charlie. Helium was up before sunrise and gone in the dark.
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Leaving with partly cloudy and breezy conditions. Rock Gap is our goal with Big Spring Shelter as a fall back. Albert Mountain is supposed to be challenging with rock scrambling. Oh well, let's get going!At Rock Gap Shelter at 2:15pm with Jazzy Pants, Monk, Road Runner, Milk Dud, Shane Train, Ajax, Boulder. There was a trail angel at the trail head at Rock Gap who gave out sandwiches and orange sodas. The owner of the Budget Inn drove us to the Chinese Buffet. Saw Bear, Sanke, Compass, Tortoise, Pebbles and Helium in town. Got a ride back to stay in the shelter, tomorrow morning we'll get a ride into Franklin for a night. Back at shelter with a campfire as everyone tells their stories. A great campfire and the moon looked full as it rose over the mountain. We stayed up late - 9pm - and the evening was warm and beautiful. We were all bonding well.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at Rock Gap shelter early and left at 7am. We walked to Winding Stair Gap and waited for a shuttle. The plan was to eat, do laundry, food shop and go to the Post Office. At about 5:30 it became clear that we would not get back on the trail today. Went to Prime Sirloin all you can eat buffet and we all ate too much, then went to the laundromat. I still need a shower and so does everyone else. We all got rooms and plan for an early start tomorrow. Today wasn't a zero day, with the trail miles and then about 5 miles around town. We arranged for 7am taxis for an early morning departure.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night we spent the night in Franklin NC. Everyone split rooms and our arranged early taxi was late. We got on the AT at Winding Stair Gap and hiked fast because it was cold. Arrived at Silers Bald and left our packs to run up the hill for the view. JP and Road Runner rolled down the hill. We arrived at Wayah Bald for lunch, then we trucked to Burrington Gap where Trail Angel Apple had set up a big tent and fed us hot dogs, soda and candy. He said he had been there for a week and had 85 thru hikers so far. We hiked the final 1.3 miles to Cold Spring Shelter where we had a campfire and a fireside chat before turning in at about 7:30pm, because it was freezing. A great day and a personal best of 15.8 miles.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

We had woken to temps of 22 degrees and didn't want to get up. It was very windy and freezing cold. I had to get up in the night and almost froze. Some of the group tented and JP, RoadRunner, Ajax, Train, Lone Wolf and myself stayed in the shelter. It was a full house. Luckily this shelter had a tarp on the front to help break the wind. We broke camp without heating breakfast and started hiking with a lot of clothes. I stopped at Tellico Gap to change out of my long underwear and rain jacket. Met Matt, Alex, Hodge, LoneWolf and Tofurkey at breakfast at Tellico Gap Shelter.The hike into NOC was long and challenging with a lot of downhill. Everyone said they felt beat up. I was one of the last into NOC and was glad to see the crew. Also ran into Bluebelle who said she hurt her leg and was going off trail. I tried to encourage her to give herself a chance to rest. I think she was also homesick for her husband. It's hard to justify doing this hike when you miss your loved ones so much. When I was in Hiawasee and decided to go off trail, it was for physical reasons and because I missed my wife too much. When I called home and was encouraged to continue the journey, I knew she was doing fine and I should go on. I'm at NOC now, just showered and ate a cheddar cheese bacon burger with fries and a chicken quesadilla and 5 cokes. I,m doing my laundry and taking the time to write the journal entries. The hotel here is full because there's a youth group doing hard work. We will go down by the river and camp out. Someone made a beer run so we'll probably have a campfire chat tonight. The next section will take us to Fontana Lake and then into the Smokies. I hope the weather holds out.Love to you all...
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I took a shower and laundry, also picked up my mail drop. When I organized my pack I couldn't find my ID and credit card. I looked every where I had been and I finally found it in my food bag. I was relieved. I then joined the group by the river's edge about 1/2 mile down stgream. I quickly set up my tent and got organized, then joined the fireside chat. Someone had made a beer run and the stories and jokes flowed until about 10pm, which is very late on the trail. This morning we awoke and had a hearty breakfast at the River End Restaurant. I left NOC at about 10am and hiked past a crew doing trail maintenance. The climb out of NOC is steep and it started raining so I had to stop and put on my rainjacket and pack cover. It didn't take long to work up a sweat and I had to stop again to change. It began to sleet and when it stopped it was very windy. I arrived at Sassafrass Gap Shelter around 2pm and after an hour decided to hike on to Locust Cove Gap where I set up my tent along with Compass, Tortoise, Pebbles, Bear and two other guys who I don't know. After a quick dinner I hung the bear bag, got some water and went into my tent to organize and write the journal. It was hard to hike on down the trail from the group with whom I've been hiking but I wanted to hike the extra 3.6 miles from Sassafrass Gap so I won't have such a long day tomorrow. I want the next day to be short so I can get to the P.O. at Fontana before it closes at noon on Saturday. I hope to regroup with my crew tomorrow night at Cable Gap Shelter. It will be an 11.6 mile day but with some killer mountains to climb. It's 7:30pm now and dark and I'm ready to turn out the headlamp. The fire was not so appealing tonight and I felt like I needed a good night's rest.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I woke up at 6am and hit the trail at 7:30am. Compass wanted an early start so we started together but he was out of sight ahead in about 15 minutes. The hike was challenging from the beginning. The goal was Cable Gap Shelter, with good weather for hiking. As soon as you stopped, it was cold so several clothes adjustments were required. Hiking uphill caused me to sweat and a break would require new layers. When I started again, I got warm. During the day I ran into No Worries, Casino, Hodge, Tortoise, Snake, Bear, Pebbles and Little Brother. Later I was caught by Boulder, Jazzy Pants, Road Runner and Monk. I made it to Cable Gap Shelter and Bear, Tortoise, Pebbles and Snake were staying there. I decided to press on to a campsite by a stream 5 miles ahead. It was getting late and I was looking for a place to camp when I got to Walker Gap and realized it was only .2 miles more to the campsite. When I arrived late, Boulder, Ozzy, Kim and Dave had their tents up and Ozzy took pictures. He said his wife was following my train journal. It looked like a good group, but the only place to set up my tent overlapped the trail. I didn't have much choice, so that's where I set up. Soon after, TrailRunner and Jazzy Pants arrived and said it's only a few more miles into Fontana and they were going for it. I decided to pack up and go too, since the rest of the group was behind and they too were trying to make Fontana. Soon after we left it was dark and we hiked the 3.6 miles with our headlamps. This was a new adventure. Walking this trail at night was challenging and took forever. We finally arrived at a paved road and were trying to find the path. A vehicle was approaching and I flagged it down for directions. We must have looked strange out in the dark with backpacks and headlamps. The van stopped and the door opened to reveal No Worries, Little Brother, Casino, Thumper, Tree Girl, Hodge and the driver. They were all yelling and congratulating us for making it. It was funny! They said were were about there and drove us a block to the approach to the shelter. Soon after we arrived we saw other headlamps arriving, and Train, Ajax Milkdud and Monk arrived. We had a big reunion and congratulations all around for a big day. Soon after we had a big campfire (Bonfire) and talked way too late. Most are planning a zero day on Saturday with chores and a PO pickup before noon.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We all decided to zero at Fontana since we had such a long, hard day yesterday. We called a shuttle, which cost $1 each. First we ate, then did laundry and picked up our mail drops at the PO which is only open 10-12 on Saturday. Then we started having a few beers while we waited for our laundry. After a few, a town ranger came by and suggested we move to the middle of the ballpark away from the store. We stayed out there with everyone taking turns at buying a case of beer until dinner time. We were ready for dinner and all had a great time. Thumper, Ajax, Train, RoadRunner, Jazzy Pants, Monk, Milkdud, No Worries, Little Brother, Tree Girl, Casino, Snake, Bear, Pebbles, Tortoise, Kurly and Swansons were there. After dinner we went back to the Fontana Hilton Shelter and went to bed.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up and decided to hike, most others deciding to do another zero day. Boulder, Thumper, Tree Girl and I hiked after starting out with a nice breakfast. I was last to start getting on the train at 1pm. Arrived at the Mollie's Ridge shelter at around 5:30 pm and decided to stay. A ridge runner and a father, son and nephew were there. They all went to bed at 7:30 with no campfire. The walk out of Fontana was pleasant with a long uphill and then some beautiful ridge hiking. The ridgerunner told me I had just missed Tree Girl and Helium, who had gone on to the next shelter. I saw Helium earlier that morning and could hardly recognize him all cleaned up with no beard and short hair. Well, I better turn off my headlamp and get some rest. It's almost 8pm!
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Mollie's Ridge Shelter

To: Cade's Cove - Max Patch
Miles today: 7.6

Last night at about 9:30 I woke up to two headlamps coming in - No Worries and Little Brother. They had left Fontana at about 5pm and hiked in the dark. I got out of my warm bag to talk for a minute, looked around outside and saw lights in the distance - Maryville, TN, I think. In the morning I woke up to the loud sound of the tarp blowing in the wind. The ridgerunner was up and rolling up the tarp. Ridgerunner left and was headed for Fontana. It was cold. It started sleeting and hail accumulated on the ground. No Worries, Little Brother and I started out after a warm breakfast and coffee. The father and his family were getting ready. Yesterday they had all started out from Fontana with the nephew's father and brother also, the younger brother developed blisters and his father went back down with him while the three in the shelter went on. They were hoping to meet back up today. The weather was brutal, cold and windy. After awhile, we arrived at the Russell Field shelter. It was raining, sleeting and hailing and we were in the clouds with very windy conditions. The Russell Field shelter hasn't been renovated so it still has a bear fence. We opened the gate to find a man in a sleeping bag trying to get warm. We introduced ourselves and he was the father who had taken his son back. He had gotten a ride back to Cades Cove and hiked to Russell Field Trail to meet his brother. We told him they were all right and arriving soon. About an hour later, they all reunited. Everyone was cold and it was sleeting. It was so cold the roof of the shelter had icicles forming. We lit a fire in the shelter fireplace and got out of our wet clothes. After while we had some coffee to warm up. The weather was deteriorating. I wanted to call Lynne since she was planning on staying in a house at Max Patch. Lynne had made plans to meet me based on my preliminary schedule and unfortunately the schedule was not working out. It seems better to take the hike one day at a time. I couldn't get phone service at Russell. We decided to hike down the Russell Field trail to Cades Cove to try to call Lynne and take a few zeros at Max Patch and let the weather improve. We hiked the Russell Field trail in about 2 hours and it rained the whole way. Finally we reached the Cades Cove campground and I called Lynne from the payphone. She was able to arrive about 2 hours later. We spent most of those 2 hours in the men's room with the hand dryer going, trying to dry out our wet clothes. When Lynne arrived (with Beth and family in car, too) we had to get creative to fit 6 adults and 3 children and three backpacks into the SUV. After loading and getting out of the park, our first stop was for cheeseburgers. The house at Max Patch was out a long, dirt road up the mountain - a thirty minute ride from the paved road. On the way up, we had to stop several times to move blown down trees loaded with ice from the road. The house turned out to be perfect for us and we all claimed a bedroom, ending a long day at 1am.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Cade's Cove - Max Patch

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day at Max Patch. We went for an excursion to Newport TN to Superwalmart. We stocked up on supplies. The girls made a great salad and lasagne for dinner. We went in the hottub on the deck and had a few beers and snacks.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Max Patch

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up to snow on the ground and we went tobogganing on the road outside the cabin. It was beautiful with the winter trees coated with ice and snow. Another zero day today and it looks like it must have been brutally cold outside last night. I hope I'm not getting too soft again. No soaking my feet in the hot tub! My grandsons Eli and Bentley wanted to be trail angels with sandwiches and sodas so we hiked to the summit of Max Patch where the trail crosses. Today we ate and ate all day. It looks like we plan on hiking tomorrow from Davenport Gap back to Max Patch. We'll see what happens.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Davenport Gap

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 16.0

Got a ride to the Great Smoky Mountains Natl Park northern boundary, mile 234.8. Hiked over the bridge and under I-40 and then up the trail. We stopped at Standing Bear Farm and talked to Pirate and some SOBO hikers. I had a mail package from Jill, my sister in law who gave me my trail name. She sent a loaf of banana bread - DELICIOUS. I shared it with all the other hikers. We all enjoyed it - thanks trail angel Jill for the trail magic. No Worries, Little Brother and I started hiking after talking to Tree Fingers, Steve, Pirate, Ramble On and the SOBO's, who were on a 4 season thru hike. The trail wasted no time going up up up. The day started out perfectly and we quickly worked up a good, hard sweat. The hike was seriously difficult all day with many ups and downs. We had lunch on a grassy bald by Snowbird Mountain where there was a strange FAA tower that looked like a flying saucer. After a full day of ups and downs we finally arrived at Max Patch and summited at about 5 pm. The weather was changing and it was very windy and cold. It started snowing. The bald is exposed and it was brutal. We ended up finishing the day at about 7pm at the house and we were all completely exhausted. After a delicious dinner Lynne had prepared, No Worries and Little Brother went to sleep. They woke up later for some more snacks. The snow is still falling and by bedtime about 3-4 inches had accumulated. Much more snow is forecast for tomorrow. We called the owner of the house and asked if we could stay snowed in but he said another family had rented the house and we had to go tomorrow. My family is worried about driving down the mountain in the snow and I am hoping that we will be okay in the snow on the trail.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Max Patch

To: Lemon Gap
Miles today: 6.2

Woke up to about 6 inches of snow and it's still snowing. We are going for it today. I am switching digital memory sticks for my camera so Lynne can take this one and upload my photos. Family and friends of hikers - email Lynne and ask her to email you photos that show your loved ones. It's a winter wonderland outside - everything is white. Hope we can see the blazes on the white trees! We plan on taking it easy today and making it to Hot Springs in the next 2-3 days. Got to go, need to finish organizing my pack and what I'll wear. I'm sending my filter, an umbrella, my sunglasses home with Lynne and switching gloves and a hat for some new ones she brought me. I'm going to use aquamira now for water. Lynne, thank you for everything, my angel on and off trail.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Max Patch

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light snow

John Weber, a self proclaimed blue blazer, trail maintainer and genuine trail angel offered to drop us off and show us a shortcut out to the AT. At an orange blaze John walked us down a hidden trail. Hidden under 8 inches of snow! Thank you John for all your help. When we reached the trail we had to hike south for a little while to reach the place where we had left off yesterday. Then we turned north again and began a journey through a pure white winter wonderland. Walking in the snow is so nice. Everything is covered in snow and the whole forest seems enchanted. Lost in the walk through the snow, lost the worries over everything. Finally we'd reached Walnut Mountain Shelter and decided to stay. A good decision, as we were tired and cold. This day walking in the snow will be deposited into a very special memory bank!
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Woke to a very cold, snowy world. It was the coldest I have ever felt and hope it will remain so. Spent the night at the Walnut Mountain shelter with No Worries, Little Brother and the cold night. We were warm in our bags and no one wanted to face the day. Around 10:30 Photo Op and Little Toes stopped by with some weekend hikers. The weekend hikers offered a small bottle of vodka which we were enjoying when Pirate came by. Pirate came into the shelter and toasted with us. Before we left, Pirate told us that this was the oldest shelter on the trail. Special that we had spent the night there. Soon after we put on our frozen shoes and clothes and braved the day. It turned out to be another perfect winter day. 10 inches of snow coated everything. From time to time we would stop to eat snow piled on the rhododendrum leaves. We walked all day in the snow and could not believe how beautiful the scenery was. We hiked to Deer Park Moutain shelter and found Crazy Chief and soon after Pirate showed up. The night was nice with some very cool stories told by two AT legends.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: broken clouds

Awoke early and started quickly by 7:45 am, a nice warmup to finish our hike to Hot Springs. Went immediately to the diner for breakfast joined by Pirate, No Worries and Little Brother. Decided to stay at Elmer's since everyone would be there and it was highly recommended. Next to do laundry and hopefully a shower. After chores joined Pirate for a few at the Pub along with DRock, who has decided to extend his visit to Hot Springs for about a month while he works for his stay and at the restuarant. Went to Elmers for an excellent dinner and great conversation. This is a special place not to be missed. I am retiring early as I am exhausted. Good night. Tomorrow breakfast at 8:30, then? Who knonws... I love this hike, it's so great. Oh, I got to meet Thumper's mom, a very nice Southern lady and also Casino's family who are also very nice and obviously very supportive of his journey.