morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Opted to get up and on the trail before the caretaker cooked the noted pancakes. I wanted to make it to Dalton today. It turned out to be a very LONG and HARD day. Not only were there many steep ups and downs, there were many BOGS to cross. Some areas had BOARDS to walk on but the trail was also MUDDY which made it very SLIPPERY. This made my left knee HURT even more. On top of that it was 85 degrees and the bugs were out it full FORCE. I had to carry more water because good STREAMS were far apart. I stopped at October Mtn Shelter for a long break. About a mile later I passed West Branch Road, I CAUGHT up with a LADY from Indiana who was about my age. She had attempted a 2004 thru-hike, and was having some foot problems and had to leave the trail. Her daughter was meeting her at each road crossing with supplies. It is always good to talk and to hike for a little with another hiker. When I arrived at the railroad tracks in Dalton, the ladies' daughter was there and GAVE me a ride to the Shamrock Inn. I was glad to get off my HURTING knee. There were section hikers at the Inn. They asked if I would like to SLACKPACK from Cheshire back to Dalton with them the next day.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Cheshire MA

To: Dalton Ma
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I rode with the section hikers to Cheshire to slackpack back to Dalton. I wanted to see if my KNEE would be better without the HEAVY pack. The first steep up it hurt a LITTLE but was bearable. We made good time but the steep little DOWNS hurt my knee. I kept thinking all along the hike today that I may have to come off the trail UNTIL my knee is better. I am really enjoying the slackpacking on HOT days. THANK YOU section hikers for giving me a ride with you to Cheshire today.
Date: 2007-06-13
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We apologize for being so LONG in keeping everyone updated. Jean had to leave the trail because of family medical concerns back home; also our son was coming home on leave from the Middle East and we wanted to spend some time with him. Comer returned to the trail a few days later. Hiking WITHOUT my Jean was not as enjoyable. Jean was a much stronger hiker this trip than she was on our 2001 thru-hike. She was carrying a LIGHTER backpack and had much lighter shoes than before. These helped her BALANCE and made for EASIER walking. Jean also MOTIVATED me to be a stronger hiker. When I returned to the trail, I was pushing myself too hard to get longer mileage. I NOTICED that afer 16 miles on steep downs, my left knee would hurt. The STEEP downs aggravated an old injury on my left kneecap so I decided it would be BEST if I returned home, and REST my knee. My knee feels much better since I have been home. I have started lifting weights, exercising and walking to strengthen my legs. THANKS TO ALL who have been CONCERNED about us. We met some GREAT PEOPLE on and off the trail. Our GOAL is to COMPLETE this thru-hike. Comer & Jean
Date: 2006-12-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everyone, my name is Gordon Freeman and I will be starting a thru-hike of the AT starting in late February 2007. I am in the midst of a year off between finishing undergrad at Northeastern University in Boston, MA and starting graduate school in September 07 out at the University of Wisconin in Madison WI. In a few weeks I leave for a one month trip to play the fiddle over in Ireland and I leave for GA about a week after I return on 15 February. I have most of my gear together and will, in fact, have most of it in Ireland with me as I intend to do some hiking while I am there as well.Getting very excited now that my work situation is almost finished up, the holidays are pretty much passed, and my only real obligations left are to begin (and complete) the adventures of the next 8 months or so. I will attempt to update this journal as often as possible and you can also check out my webpage: www.weaseladventures.com.Cheers and happy New Years! My resolution is to finish everything I start this coming year.-G
Date: 2007-02-26
To: Almost here....
Miles today: 0.0

Well I spent four full weeks traveling around Ireland, playing in sessions, and drinking Guinness. I am now wrapping up three weeks of working at my old job to make a few extra $$ for the trail and about one week from now, I will be grabbing a bus to Georgia! Its getting so close and the anticipation is building. It is an invigorating mix of eagerness, nervousness, excitement, and many other emotions all mixed up in one confusion bundle.My pack is almost packed. It still weighs too much and I intend to get it between 30 and 35 pounds before I head south. I studied Latin for seven years but lost much of my proficiency during college as engineers don't study too much Latin but I am planning on bringing a copy of Julius Caesar's "Gallic Wars" with me. It should take me months to work through and one of two things will happen: 1) I regain and surpass my old level of Latin reading; 2) I get sick of it in about a week and leave the two pound book at a trail register where it will likely still be in about 50 years. Cuz who wants a copy of the Gallic Wars these days? Especially one in Latin?Getting sooooo close
Date: 2007-03-05
To: 0 hour fast approaches...
Miles today: 0.0

I leave for Atlanta at 8am tomorrow. 23 hour bus ride (cheapest option) and then I will be picked up in Atlanta by a fellow hiker and given a lift to Springer. 24 hours from now I will be sitting on a bus and 48 hours from now I will truckin' through the Georgia woods!Getting very excited: an excitement tempered by nervousness as I really have no clue what to expect. The thru-hikers I know recall similar feelings though, so I am not worried by them.I will post again when I leave tomorrow AM for the bus station.Cheers!
Date: 2007-03-07
From: Mt Springer

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Hello all--This is Conquistador's girl - he is sending me his journal entries by snail mail and I will be doing all the online posting for him. Good luck, health and weather to all the hikers on the trail! "Well, day 1 is over and we hiked 7.6 miles to Hawk Mountain Shelter. It was a very easy hike today: the AT has chosen not to start kicking our asses until perhaps tomorrow... we shall see. I will likely mail some more things home when we get to Neels Gap in 2 or 3 days. If not then, I will send it back during my first town visit. My pack is TOO HEAVY!!   Beautiful weather today: sunny and warm but very cool at night."
Date: 2007-03-08
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Big Cedar Mtn
Miles today: 13.3

Well, we did 13.3 miles today. We didn't mean to... but we did anyway. We meant to sleep near the trailhead at Woody Gap (at GA 60) but Limestone (one of the many very nice people I've met) told us of a beautiful campsite .6 miles up this mountain. We didn't find it. We did find this one half a mile further up instead, and nicely poised to to catch the sunset and sunrise. Sunset was pretty; nice and red. "Red sky at night, sailor's delight." Let's hope that holds true tomorrow. The past 2 days have been fabulous! 70+ degrees and sunny! Perfect weather for anything, especially hiking. Beautiful vistas coming up Big Cedar Mtn. Good night all and let's hope for another perfect day tomorrow.
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Big Cedar Mtn

To: Wolf Laurel Top
Miles today: 13.0

It must have been warm this night, as my fella had a lot so say..."Today was beautiful day number 3. Rain is in the forecast for the next few days. Oh well. Rain keeps the springs flowing so it's important to have. We stopped at Neel's Gap after a walk up and down Blood Mountain (4461') that proved much easier than anticipated. We convinced ourselves that Mountain Crossings (an outfitter at Weeb Gap) would have a way to get pizza... and they did not dissappoint! They had a freezer with frozen pizza and an oven in which to cook them. Pizza and root beer... DE-LISH. A shower for $3.50 was pleasant as well. After a few hour break at Neels Gap we hiked about 4 more miles to Wolf Laurel Top, a beautiful camping spot. I bruised my hand tonight. I tied a stick to a cord (for putting food in a tree) and threw it over a branch, and it swung back down and hit my hand dead on." [ow]"Plan for tomorrow is 14 miles to Blue Mountain Shelter, hopefully rain is restricted to occasional showers."
Date: 2007-03-10
From: Wolf Laurel Top

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

"We hiked about 14 miles today to Blue Mtn Shelter; very easy going for the most part. 3 miles per hour along some stretches. We ran into some boy scouts at Low Gap Shelter. One asked if we were walking north all the way to 'spain' Thus my trailname was coined. 357magnum decided I should be called "Conquistador" as a result of this interaction. There it is folks, "Gordo" will no longer appear in shelter logs; "Conquistador" will appear instead. I also met Beach Bum and White Crow at Blue Mtn. Limestone was there as well, making this 3 out of 4 nights I've had the fortune of his company. It was a good night by a nice fire. Tray Mtn tomorrow should be fun. More great weather in the forecast, so looking forward to a few more productive hiking days!"
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 13.0

"I spent the night at Blue Mtn Shelter and met Sniper in the morning down at Uricoi Gap. She and her boyfriend brought me eggs and sausage from Huddle House. Delish. A man and his daughter were also down at Uricoi handing out sodas and chips and candy. The first trail angels we have come across. We made it to Addis Gap, a few miles south of Deep Gap Shelter. There is a forest fire in the distance with a helicopter occasionally dropping a massive bucket of water on it. It is east of us - we will be keeping tabs on that through the night and tomorrow.Speaking of tomorrow, we will be hitting up Hiawassee, GA the first real trail town. The plan is to get enough supplies to get us to Wesser and the Nantahala Outdoor Center AND grab an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch. YAY!!! Total mileage tomorrow will probably be less than 10 miles, putting us a few miles south of NC tomorrow night!!"
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Addis Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

"The forest fire did not consume us. Very happy news. We made it the 5 miles to Dick's Creek Gap without much excitement. I did get to meet Warren Doyle who hiked the AT 14 times. A legendary man out here.Pedro gave us a ride to Hiawassee. I was not aware there were so many Hispanic radio stations in GA. I must say though, Pablo Fransisco does the best impression of Latino music. It's dead on.All-you-can-eat at Don's Steakhouse + resupply at Ingle's + internet at the library (+ stole electricity for cell phone) = a good town stop!Linda Peacock was kind enough to give us a ride back to the trailhead in the bed of her pickup truck. An exciting ride for me.4.5 longish miles later brought us to Plumorchard Gap Shelter, good people here. Limestone made it up - also here are Lee Boehner, Laura Kirby, Johnny Hand, Freight Train and Twig. Also Present are Sniper (as always), Cruise and Applesauce. A bunch of nutters if ever there were any...That's all for tonight... on to NC and Standing Indian tomorrow night.Cheers all!"To all readers, sorry about the delay(s) in getting these posted!
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

"Last night was BEAUTIFUL! It was fairly warm down in Plumorchard Gap so I cowboyed and slept out on the ground with just a sleeping pad and bag. Stars were brilliant! Saw a shooting star, owls made quite a racket all night. Fortunately no copperheads or big spiders joined me in the bag overnight.Today was average. About 12 miles from Plumorchard Gap to Standing Indian shelter. We did cross our first border though! We are now in NC!Still hangin' with the same great folks as last night.Peace world."
Date: 2007-03-14
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

"Very sleepy so not writing much today...Uneventful day hiking from Standing Indian to Big Spring Shelter. Two Peaks over 5000' today. Easy going for the most part. Tomorrow on to Siler Bald with a possible short stop in Franklin, NC for some pizza.Cheers to all!"
Date: 2007-03-15
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

"Et tu, Brute? The Ides of March is come. Tonight we are out of the rain at Siler Bald shelter. The aluminum roof might make sleeping tricky - we shall see. It's certainly loud.We crossed the 100 mile mark this morning! 110 miles traveled as of tonight with at least 17 more in the cards for tomorrow. Fontana Dam and the Smokys are coming on Monday most likely. Exciting progress!We made a short stop in Franklin today and skipped Pizza Hut (no all-you-can-eat pizza buffet in these parts) and opted for a lunch buffet instead. I stuffed myself so much I didn't need dinner! Crutch hooked us up with a ride into town.Tomorrow = big miles in the rain, and Saturday and Sunday promise cold temperatures. The sun has spoiled us the past few days.Cheers!"
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Nantuhala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.7
Weather: clear sky

"Sorry for not writing last night. I did 22 miles and it was so cold that i just curled up in my bag and passed out. Got well below freezing in the mountains. My 22 mile day got me to about 2300' elevation where it was a bit warmer.I walked the remaining .7 miles to Nantuhala Outdoor Center (N.O.C.) this AM after getting my food bag stuck in a tree... 30 minutes and a lot of engineering thinking later finally got it out. I looked like I had wrestled an ent...So I "near-oed" at N.O.C. today. 0.7 miles and that was it! I was held back by a sign promising Irish music at the restaurant here. So I paid $15 for a bunk and shower and did my laundry. Felt like a new man and some of the dirt even came off!The restaurant had great food (I highly recommend the Wesser Burger!) and my dinner and beers were paid for by a fine gent from Orlando named Eric. The place had a 4 drink limit but we got around it via a friendly waitress and tab opening and closing. There is a great local brewery called Highlander Brewery. They have a phenomenal oatmeal porter and a red called "Gadie".OF COURSE, Guinness Draught in a can was key! As promised, there was a nice session. Very slow but who cares? I was rather thrilled to find a session of any kind on St. Patrick's Day in the N.C. woods! Best trail magic so far! At the end of their session one of the fiddle players let me belt out a few tunes. Great craic on the AT!Speaking of trail magic, Apple had a dome set up at Burnington Gap. Free food and dry warmth on a rainy, freezing day: the ultimate trail angel!All in all, two grand days!Cheers all!"
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Brown Fort Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

"Sorry for not writing yesterday, too cold! Yesterday saw a brutal climb out of N.O.C. miles and miles straight up! Ran into White Crow again, good guy to spend and evening with, also met Night Rider. Rebeyell and Byron also showed up, Rebeyell is a hoot!Today was much easier with 12 miles into Fontana Dam. The Dam is awesome! 480 feet high, it is the highest dam east of the Mississippi River. We're staying at the Fontana Hilton. I'd say it's slightly nicer than the Plumorchard Gap Shelter. That makes the Hilton the best shelter so far. Cedar and the Flower Lady have chosen to zero here for a few days, that's how nice it is! My maildrop was HUGE. The folks must think I am starving out here! My pack will be heavy for a few days but some feasting in the Smokys will fix that. Speaking of which...YAY! SMOKYS TOMORROW! Wish us luck with the weather!Peace, world."
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

"The equinox was celebrated by the second day of hard climbing in the last 3 days. 'One foot in front of the other' was the phrase of the day for sure. The Smokys are nice so far but we have yet to get to the truly spectacular ridge that contains nearly 6000' peaks. Tomorrow features a tough climb up into that ridgeline. Should be beautiful.I've been feasting since last night and all of today. I've probably lost 2 or 3 lbs out of my swollen food bag. Should make life a little easier tomorrow. Today's climbing really wore me down so I could use a little relief. I will probably carry less water tomorrow too; just the 3L in the camelbak and not the extra liter in the nalgene. That will be some 2lbs right there!I began reading 'Cold Mountain' today. Highly recommended by a fellow hiker. It already contains references to Bartram, a figure of legend and lore for his wanderings in the NC mountains. The AT coincides with the Bartram trail around Wayah Bald no less. Today saw some low moments, physically and mentally, but food cured those issues and I am looking forward to a good night's sleep. The Russell Field shelter is no Fontana Hilton but it should do just fine. The cage across the front is an oddity but it should at least keep the bears at bay!I am here tonight with White Crow and Joe from Iowa as well as new faces Fleck, Monkey, and Coco. All seem to be fine people. Hopefully the rain quiets overnight: rain by 7, done by 11.Cheers all!"
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

"The climb up Thunderhead Mtn from Russell Field Shelter was mesmerizing! The bald landscape was brilliant in the morning sun. I it really the first real change in scenery. There have been other balds out there but this is the first time we got to walk through them. The rest of the day was rough on me. My legs were tired from two weeks of what might normally be considered 'abuse'! We are spending tonight at Double Spring shelter, elevation 5500'! There are two springs here (duh!) one in NC, and one in TN. The NC one is nice, but the TN on is down stream from the privy. EEW.Joe from Iowa killed me at gin. Wind is blowing hard but not in the shelter, thank God. Should be a decent night's sleep.Cheers all!"
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Double spring Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

"A couple major milestones today: we passed the 200 mile mark, we passed the halfway point in the Smokys, and we passed the highest point on the AT, Clingman's Dome (6643'). Solid!Today was easy hiking, a lot of ridge walking. Approaching Clingman's was great fun - the weather was questionable, the wind howling, visibility zilch. Classic high altitude hiking! No view from Clingman's. Once we left the dome, the sun came out but still clouds hung on Clingman's like they were stuck there. I wonder what causes that phenomenon? Newfound Gap was quite an experience! People EVERYWHERE! I was not ready for such a gaggle of well-dressed, normal smelling people. Had to give a lot of interviews to people who didn't realize the AT was so close or, in some cases, even existed! Good to be back out in the woods.Tonight we are at 5920' at Icewater Spring Shelter. Met a lot of new thru-hikers here, CV, Old Yeller, Singe, and Mean Joe. Doe Merly, a very cool man, showed up too. Nice people all. Still with White Crow and Joe from Iowa. 22 miles to Cosky Knob Shelter tomorrow.Peace world!"
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: clear sky

"Today was a 27-28 mile day! Crazy stuff. BUT! Best hiking of the trip so far. The sunrise at Icewater Gap was simply breathtaking. I awoke around 6am to witness it. The reds, yellows, oranges and pinks blended seamlessly with the darkness of the mountain night.At first light, we set out on out long last day in the Smokys. A dawn detour to Charlie's bunion proved to be worth the extra 2 miles it took. Everything today seemed like true wilderness, a real national park.The walking was easy too. Ridgewalking most of the day. The rest was horse graded. Beautiful day. This is why I came out here to hike the AT."
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

"Today was an easy day after the ridiculousness of yesterday. 3 miles to Standing Bear Hostel, then 7 more to Groundhog Creek Shelter. Pizza at Standing Bear though! DiGiorno is good stuff, man.Met "Tentshaker" today. Some great info on Wisconsin as he lives near Madison.Time to sleep, gonna hike most of the way to Hot Springs tomorrow.Peace world."(Charlie's Bunion was yesterday, but the sunrise picture was too good not to use, so here's Charlie's Bunion in today's entry...)
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Deer Park Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

"Today was another long day. 23 miles from Groundhog Creek Shelter to Deer Park Mtn Shelter. We are now only 3 miles from Hot Springs, our first real trail town! The plan is to 'nearo' tomorrow and set out for the next shelter (11 miles away) Tuesday after breakfast.Max Patch was awesome! The forest service keeps it mowed to maintain the expansive bald. Sun was very hot today though. Hopefully some clouds relieve the heat once we start hiking again.By the way, Martini and Rossi are awesome! They are a couple from Southboro, MA and also proudly wear their Sox caps on the AT. Nice people too.This evening I also met Waryheart and Caveman from Ohio. Rider of the Storm, NAT and Aquaman are also here.Peace world!"
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Deer Park Mtn Shelter

To: Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

"NEARO" Day! A whopping 3.2 miles into Hot Springs. Left Deer Park Mtn Shelter before sunup and got to Smoky Mountain Diner for a nice breakfast. A HUGE breakfast! For $7.50 you get a hot skillet piled high with homefries, sausage, peppers, onions, cheese, two eggs (mine were over easy) and toast. I also got biscuits and gravy for good measure. Could barely finish it off. Delicious. On to Elmer's.Elmer runs the Sunnybank Inn in Hot Springs. A beautiful old house full of wonderful, large rooms. Normally, one would spend $60 a night to stay at this fine establishment, but hikers get in for $15. Elmer is a true trail angel. He even keeps a fiddle in the house. I was a happy man for hours.There is an outfitters in town as well as a pub, laundry, and the hot springs. The hot springs! Joe from Iowa, Tentshaker and I grabbed 3 beers apiece and paid $8 to soak for an hour and 20 minutes in the 104-degree water. The results were splendid. Every ache and pain went away. Even Joe from Iowa's swollen tendon on his shin was resized to normal. Amazing Stuff. We had a pizza at Paddler's Pub and chatted with Martini and Rossi, Swamp Yankee (who is from RI and a red sox fan!) and Triple H. Good folks all.Looking forward to an amazing night's sleep in a real bed with linens!Peace world.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

"Last night's sleep was amazing! A night in real linens was simply sublime. Breakfast this morning at Elmer's was also delicious. Granola, nuts and raisins with milk and awesome waffles left me full for the rest of the day.It was an easy day hiking, but I lost Joe from Iowa. I quit after about 10 miles or so while Joe kept going for another 8 or so. Hopefully I can catch him by Virginia. Still hangin' with Caveman of Ohio, Wingheart, Martini and Rossi and Tentshaker, my Wisconsin buddy. On to Jerry's Cabin shelter tomorrow.Peace world."