morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Baggs Creek Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

After a steep descent from Cowrock Mountain and some amazing views with tthe morning fog lifting, Doug Travis and I started up Wildcat Mountain. About halfway up we started to hear thunder and the wind picked up. By the time we reached the summit, the storm was right overhead and it began to rain. My Golite poncho worked pretty well but it is difficult to get it on and over the pack in a strong wind. We had a steady rain all the way to Low Gap Shelter. Eventually eight hikers were taking a lunch break at the shelter getting out of the rain. A southern version of the salty old captain from the original Jaws movie was among those there and looked to be hanging out at the shelter for a few days. The afternoon hike was very flat and I made good time to the Blue Mountain Shelter. The last 1.5 miles were tough. The trail was mainly comprised of rocks and the rain made for slick conditions. At the shelter I met John and Monica from Florida. John is thru-hiking this year and Monica is hiking with him for a few days as he begins. He has the craziest bear encounter story I have ever heard. Around 10 years ago he was camping out in the Smoky Mountains and was taking a nap in the early evening when he felt a paw on his chest. A bear had tripped onto his tent and then proceeded to bite his arm through the tent and sleeping bag and began to drag him for a few feet before he punched the bear and yelled. It let go and he cut his way out of the sleeping bag, left all of his gear and got to the nearest service roda. A ranger picked him up and told him that he was the only person to be attacked by a bear in the park in well over 10 years. First night in a shleter for me and I chose the correct side of the place. John and MOnica said that they heard mice running around and over them all night.
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Saggafras Gap
Miles today: 12.0

I'm pretty tired today - I've been pushing out too many miles and not relaxing and enjoying myself so I'm taking a long break in the sun in a clearing near the top of Tray Mtn. I'm going to call it a day at the Tray Mtn. Shelter. By the time I get there I will have kicked out 65 miles since Saturday. Hahaha, Once again I got sucked into the same schedule as Doug and Travis - I came up with trail names for them: Peeping Dough and Traveling Travis. I ended up camping with them at Saggafras Gap - giving me a short day tomorrow.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

It was great to have the feeling of accomplishment reaching N.C. but the climb out of Bly Gap was difficult. I had hoped my legs would feel a little fresher after my half day yesterday but the last 4 miles to get to the shelter really seemed to drag. The shelter is at 4,600 feet and tomorrow I head up a mountain nearly 5,5000 feet tall. I am definietly in the NC high country. It has been overcast and cold all day with some high winds blowing me around a bit. I'm hoping the temperature doesn't drop tonight since it's probably in the low 40s right now. I talked with Lisa for awhile and she cheered me up. She has been having exciting adventures in DC and had a lot to tell me.I am hanging out in the shelter with STrider, Tarheel and Celve, a hiker who has been slackpacking thanks to shuttles provided by the Hiker Hostel. A little later Sullman, Chris from Atlanta joined us.
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The climb standing Indian Mtn was gradual and the view from the summitt were outstanding. It was a quiet day on the trail and I saw only two southbound hikers all day. The weather may have had something to do with it. This morning in the shelter it was 41 with strong winds. The sun did not breakthru around noon but it was soon clouded over again and it began to look threatening. Luckily, the only real rain (and hail) of the day came when I was eating dinner #1 at the Carter Gap Shelter. The trail was mainly ridge walking today and I decided to get another 4 miles in for my longest day yet - 16 miles. Not long after I set up camp in Betty Creek Gap. A steady rain started and lasted most of the night. I stayed dry though and slept better than I had the previous nights in the woods. I woke up around 10 p.m. and as I was getting ready to go back to sleep, I heard the howling of coyotes not far off. It sounded like at least 4 or 5 of them. A very cool, eerie sound especially when camping out solo. Though most of the days hike I walked through stands of rhodadendren and mtn laurel and my campsite is a very pretty place a little way off the trail.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

I was drying out my tent and taking my time packing up when 3 or 4 hikers passed me. Cleve told me that Carter Gap Shelter had been packed the night before so I was glad to make it to Betty Creek Gap. The first part of the day was easy - until I hit Albert Mounatin. The trail is literally straight up the side of the mtn and I had to go hand-over-hand in a couple of areas to make it up. The view from the top was outsanding and I took a couple of photos from the observation tower at the summit. A few miles down the trail, I made the decision to check out the Wasilik - the second last poplar tree in the U.S. - after talking with some dayhikers who assured me it was well-worth the half-mile detour. There were numerous spots of wildflowers on the way down and the huge tree at the bottom was impressive but dead. My guidebook had not mentioned the the tree had died some years back. Very cool nonetheless and it is probably the largest tree I have ever seen on the East Coast. I decided to go into Franklin as I didn't think I could go much beyond 12 miles and I was craving real human food. When I gto to the road crossing - Winding Stair Gap - Celve was already there and had contacted the shuttle from Haven's Budget Inn. Hightly recommend this place if you are heading into Frankling. Very reasonable hiker rate and free shuttle service to and from the trail (and to breakfast). We met some other hikers at the Prime Sirloin Steakhouse , including Kevin a hiker from Fl, Warren, Ann and another thru-hiker couple. It was all you can eat steak night along with a buffett and I tried to pack in as many calories as I could. I took a nice long hot shower and then a soak in the tub. I had a night long talk with Lisa and I settled down to sleep in the comfy bed.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Campsite north of Wayah Bald
Miles today: 10.5

I had breakfast with a group of 8 or so hikers and Ronny - the owner of Budget Inn. I opted to leave town a little later than the first batch of hikers who were shuttled out so I could get to the post office and update my trail journals page. I hit the trail around 11.30 a.m. and immediately saw a very strange sight - some guy hiking in all red with very short, short red shorts. I dubbed him the Crimson Avenger. STrider, Tarheel and Soheman, who I caught up to a bit up the trail, were calling him Richard Simmons. He was part of a big organized group of hikers out for the morning. I stopped to chat with two very nice ladies, one of whom offered me a very tasty pear when she learned I was thru-hiking. Siler Bald was an interesting place - a big field at the top of the mountaing. I pushed through intermmitent patches of rain and set up camp just north of Wayah Bald. Warren and Ann were already there and showed up a bit later. I heard some thunder and lightningn but we just had gentle rain at times during the night. Found out that I passed a hiker named Baggins today (named after the Hobbits). She is a very tiny hiker (maybe 4'7) with a very big goal of making it to Harper's Ferry.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Campsite north of Wayah Bald

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

The day started off looking threatening with high winds and overcast skies, but by noon the skies were blue and it warmed up a bit. The water source was so bad at the campsite that I walked five miles to the Cold Spring Shelter for breakfast. The hike up to Wesser Bald was tough but the observation tower at the top offering 360 degree views was well worth it. I decided to call it a day at the Wesser Bald Shelter even though it was early and my legs felt okay. I plan to have lunch at the NOCand try to put in some serious miles on Friday. I have to make it to the Fontana Dam post office to pick up a maildrop and their Saturday hours are 10-12. They are closed on Sundays.A full shelter area tonight - a family of six, plus Warren and Ann in the shelter itself, and tenting are Strider, Tarheel and a group of three girls and a guy out for five days. Looking forward to real food tomorrow at the NOC.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

Started hiking before 8 a.m. this morning and made it to the NOC by 10.30 a.m. A bigger place than I thought it would be spread out on both sides of the Nantahla River. Picked up my maildrop (Thanks MOM!) and had lunch at the River's Edge restaurant. They had an all-you-can-eat soup/salad/taco bar - perfect for hungry hikers. Warren and Ann joined me. I was on plate #4 at that point and was slowing down. Soleman, STrider and Tarheel showed up and then the family of six from the shelter. Got a cool photo outside of all the packs next to each other on the beach outside. I crossed the river to relax a bit before I began the climb out of the gorge and I met Granny Frannie, a thru hiker with trailjournals. She was fun to talk to and she hopes to trek up to Traildays to see some of the hikers she met early on in the season before she was sidelined by illness and injury for a couple of weeks. She is taking another zero day and plans to head out tomorrow. I also ran into Dustin and Jenny, and offered them my big bottle of honey whith they nicely turned down. I left it in the hiker box at NOC, where I saw someone else had left another bottle of honey. So if you have a hankering for some free honey, head on down to the NOC and check the hiker box. Ran out of room on my digital camera and so I am using a disposable camera until I can upload my pics or buy another memory card. Should have started with at least 2 cards. The climb out of NOC was long but there were only a few really steep sections. Got to the shelter around 6.30 and found some hikers with bear bags already hung. The acted like I was getting in late so I am tenting by the spring fed stream where I am fall asleep listening to the trickling water. Shooting for a 16+ mile day tomorrow. Warren and Ann also have to make it to the Fontana post office by noon on Saturday, so we will be pushing each other tomorrow to crank out the miles.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Got out of the shelter area by 8.30 a.m. which is pretty early for me but by that time, everyone else had headed out. I started out pretty quickly and soon passed most of the section hikers from the shelter. The weather seemed to be clearing early in the morning but halfway up the steep no name mountain just south of Brown Fork Gap Shelter, I heard thunder and clouds started rolling in. Tenn minutes later it started pouring. I hurried to the shelter where I caught up with Warren and Ann. I ate a big meal and relaxed, hoping to let the rain die down. I pulled out of the shelter around 3.30 p.m. and it seemed the rain had stopped. About a mile down the trail, it started pouring again and I slogged the rest of the way to Cable Gap Shelter through puddles and mud. The trail maintainers have done an excellent job in Georgia and N.C. but the amount of days' rain left standing water in many places on the trail. I was very glad to finally get to the little shelter and dry out my feet. Warren and Ann pulled in a little later.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Set off bright and early with Warren and Ann today around 7:15 a.m. More uphill climbs than I expected on the way to the marina area where we called for a shuttle. A woman from the outfitter's picked us up and dropped us at the little strip of stores that included the post office. Got my maildrop and repacked my food bag, did a load of laundry, mailed out postcards and ddried everthing out in a little playground across the street. Met Captain Nemo who has been holed up at the Fontana Hilton for the five days with a knee problem. I also met thru-hiker Grizzly Bear, who is planning to take a zero day tomorrow in Fontana. Got some food with Warren and Ann at the restaurant next to the outfitters. And had my first beer in over 2 weeks! We got a shuttle back to the marina since (as purists) we wanted to walk the 1.1 miles to the Fontana Dam Shelter. asn't quite the Hilton but it was a new shelter w/restrooms with running water 200 yards away. Showered at the visitor center where they free hot showers for hikers. About 8 people total in the Fontana Hilton for the night. Aslo - there was a mini-cooper convention in town for the weekend so there were tons of minis all over the place.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Early risers at the shelter today. People are excited to get into the Smoky Mtns, I guess. I was the last one to leave the shelter area and I got out around 7:30 a.m. It was raining and foggy as I walked the dam. A little road walking just as I entered the park and then the trail veered off into the woods and up into the mountains. The climb was fairly gradual and after a couple of hours, the rain stopped. Got to Molly's Ridge Shelter around 1 p.m. and after refilling water and eating, decided to push on to the next shelter, only 2.5 miles up the trail. Of course the last of these miles were in the rain that started 30 minutes after I left the shelter. More slogging through puddles and writing out of socks. Staying at the Russell Feild Shelter tonight with J-Hiker, Scott and another thru-hiker from Oklahoma. Met a ridgerunner out on the trail today. Had to step over numerous piles of horse dung. Half of the AT in the Smoky's is open to riders. My legs feel better than they have in while and were ready to put in more miles but the rain showed no sign of letting up and I have had enough hiking in the rain for one day. Golite poncho is working very well though. Have yet to see how it performs in windy condiations with a strong rain.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

J-Hiker and Scott decided to head to Spence Field Shelter so there were only 2 of us in Russell until about 9:30 p.m. when a guy from Mississippi and his girlfriend showed up. I got started around 8:30 a.m. today and made pretty good time in the fog. No rain though, so that was great but I am missing out on many great views. The clouds did clear for a brief time and I got one amazingn view from the ridge just before Double Spring Gap. Some great trail magic at Silers Bald and Double Spring. A guy named Kevin brought up chips and homemade salsa. Very tasty snack. I decided to push it to my longest day yet. There were a few steep climbs but overall the hiking was fairly easy. Double Spring is crowded tonight. Various groups of section hikers and Porkchop, Scott and on other thru hikers are here. Total of 19 or so. We are close to capacity. It is a chilly night though and all the body heat might warm up the shelter a bit.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: broken clouds

A big day today : went over 200 miles on the trail, checked out Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the trail and did my first twenty mile day. And got a new trail name - "Hollywood". Hiked with Scott from Michigan or "Motor City" as I am calling him. Met '93 thru hikers Fred and Lightfoot and they gave us trail mix. At Newfound Gap, the only major road crossing , we took a break and fielded questions from a curious tourst who just couldn't believe I was hiking to Maine. Motor City directed the attention my way by telling the group of tourists that I was thru-hiking. With all of the celebrity attention, I was dubbed Hollywood. We decided to push on after we got to Icewater Shelter. Good weather today and great views. I couldn't get cell phone reception. We were feeling pretty good. The seven or so miles to the next shelter looked pretty flat with only one major climb and descent. About a mile before Peek's Corner Shelter we ran into Stoker and STraw, thru hikers enjoying the scenery from Bradley's View. We all arrived at the shelter around 8.30 p.m. - still light but there were already 5 or 6 hikers in the shelter in their sleeping bags. We cooked outside and tried to set up our sleeping bags quietly. Nearly a half mile walk down a trail to get to the shelter.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got started around 9 a.m. and Motor City and I were already thiking about trying to push out of the Smoky's to get to a hostel tonight. A couple of tough climbs in the morning up Mt Gayot, another 6,000 footer. By the time we got to Cosby Knob Shelter we were a little beat but we only had 8 miles left in the Park. We pushed on through fog and then rain as we pushed out the last few miles. We knew we had another 3 miles after got to Davenport Gap Shelter and we finally able to to get to Standing Bear Farm. They offered to shuttle us from Davenport Gap for $5 and we opted to save our feet more miles and take the ride. Curtis, the owner of STanding Bear, picked us up around 7.30 p.m. and took us to farm which consists of a series of outbuildings - a bunkhous, shower room, cabin, kitchen area, laundry room/phone/internet connection and privy. Met a couple who is thru-hiking and some section hikers and a group who had been caving in Georgia. Heated up a frozen pizza for dinner, got a shower and did laundry. Had a good night's sleep in a bunkbed. Got my maildrop and have way too much food for the next 3 days to Hot Springs. WAsn't expecting to get through the Smoky Mtn's in 4 days.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Davenport Gap

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

Hung around Standing Bear Farm and waited for the rain to stop. Standing Bear has hosted over 650 hikers this year and they are on track to break 1,000 for the third year in a row. A very cool, rustic place to visit. Around 12 pm, the rain seemed to be over and we asked a guy who was waiting for his friends to arrive at the hostel for a ride to Mtn Momma's so Motor City could resupply. The guy turned out to be a 04 thru-hiker named Lorax. It is very cool to meet hikers who have completed the whole trail. Motor City and I got cheeseburgers at Mtn. Momma's and started hiking the 1.5 miles back to the Davenport Gap trailhead. On the way up the wind started gusting strongly and it began to pour. I put down my pack and jus as I was grabbing my poncho, we heard a crash about 50 or 60 feet up the road. From our angle we thought that a large branch had fallen. When we got up to the blowdown, we were shocked to see that an entire fairly large maple tree was blocking the road. We walked around but it will definitely take a chainsaw to reopen the road. As the wind continued to gust strongly, we scanned the trees around us until we got to the trail. A pretty section of the trail with several stream crossings with small waterfalls visible. The rain made the trail slick and muddy and I definitely had throughts of heading back to STanding Bear Farm to get out of the rain. After a long climb to the top of Snowbird Mtn, we were tired and stopped in to Groundhog Creek Shelter. A small shelter with Mountain Goat and Penguin already there along with some guys out for a couple day section hike. Motor City and I decided to tent (Of course it rained again during the night). One of the section hikers had built a fire so I dried my boots as well as I could. Finally, I was able to get a cell signal, and I had a nice chat with Lisa before I went to bed.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Gavenflo Gap
Miles today: 19.6

It rained again during the night and even though I had to pack up a soggy tent, I knew I had made the right decision to avoid the shelter since I could hear the snoring in my tent 30 feet away. It got very chilly during the night and it took a mile or two of hiking before I really warmed up. Motor City and I got started around 9.30 a.m. with the intention of putting in around a 16 mile day so we would have an easy hike into Hot Springs on Saturday. A fairly long climb up to Max Patch but the weather was perfect, if a bit windy. Max Patch is a mountaintop that has amazing 360 degree views. A busy place today, we ran into several other groups out to check out the views. Motor City and I decided to push on after Walnut Mtn. Shelter hoping to get over Bluff Mtn and find camping near Big Rock Spring. We stopped, got water and made dinner, noticing the temperature dropping and the wind cutting through the very exposed campsite area. Much to our feet's dismay, we opted to hurry down the mountain to try to find a warmer and more protected spot. We set up at Gavenflo Gap after nearly putting in another 20 mile day. At least we set ourselves up for an easy day into Hot Springs tomorrow. Motor City's finale - he is heading home tomorrow if he can find a shuttle out of Hot Springs. It has been fun to hike with him although my feet might say otherwise. Put in some serious miles over the past four days.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Gavenflo Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Motor City and I arrived in Hot Springs around 12.30 pm. The trail follows the main road through town and is marked with diamonds in the sidewalk. I left Lisa a message from a payphone (since there is no cell phone service in town) then headed to Paddler's Pub for burgers and beer with Motor City. We saw two hikers who passed us on the trail that morning - Jimmy from NJ and ? a teacher who trying to complete the trail in 4 months. He made it to Hot Springs from Spring in just over 2 weeks - at that pace, he might finish the trail in 3 months! After lunch, I resupplied at Bluff Mountain Outfitters and found out that I had adjusted my pack incorrectly for my torso size. Hopefully it will feel better now that it is sized correctly. After some debate Motor City and I decided to stay at the Sunnybank Inn in the last 2 available beds down in the basement. We could have saved a few bucks by staying at the campground, but the Inn is a very cool historic building and staying in a real bed was too tempting. On our way back "downtown" I saw Lyle parked at the ranger station - my Aunt Debbie had found out that I was in Hot Springs and had come to visit me! A great surprise and my cousins Beth and Emily had come to visit as well. We went on a brief tour of the town (there isn't much to see) and they treated me to dinner at Paddler's Pub. My aunt also insisted on paying for my hot mineral bath soak that I scheduled for 9.45 a.m. Saturday. I really appreciate everything my family has done to assist my thru-hike. After they headed out, I talked to Lisa on a payphone and then headed back to the pub. It was a like a reunion of people I had met thus far on my hike - Straw, Stoker, Lorax and his friend Josh, Jimmy, etc. Porkchop had gotten a ride into town so it was fun to see him and finally meet Jackson, his golden retriever. They had a band playing in the pub - it was a pretty happening place for a little mini-town. Made it back to Elmers by quiet time (11 p.m.) and finally got to take a shower.