morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Last night was a blast! All of us in the shelter were cold and tired, but still had energy to build a fire (started with very wet wood) and joke around. Boo Boo (Bryan Garcia) just had to put his inflatable pink flamingo out in the snow. He's been carrying that thing for 160+ miles.Once again, we knew that we were in for a cold night with snow and sleet falling. By morning it was 26 degrees with light snow and sleet mix.In the morning, I started hiking again with Grizzly Dave. He's twice my age, but a good hiking companion. He is a former State Senator from Iowa. I have a lot of respect for him because of his personal style. He's a distinguished gentleman even though he tells people that he gets grumpy easily.I was thoroughly excited to be heading towards Fontana Dam today. I would be getting my own motel room at the Fontana Village resort, a hot shower and a good meal. The hiker rate is only $26. When was the last time that you paid that little for a room at a resort? Anyway, after getting my room, I felt so filthy that I took a shower, a bath, and then another shower. I feel much better now.During the hike down from the Brown Fork Gap Shelter, we encountered snow, then sleet, then rain as we descended in elevation. There was also plenty of mud. Ice that was frozen on the tree limbs began to thaw later into the afternoon and fall down on us. Overall, that wasn't so bad, depending on who you talk to. The area around Clingman's Dome in the Smoky Mtn. National Park received between five and ten inches of snow last night.The Peppercorn restaurant was open tonight at the motel. As usual, the AYCE (All You Can Eat) buffet was a hit. The hikers shared a few tables and a lot of laughs. Basically, since this is the off-season, this resort is practically vacant. Those in attendance at dinner: Boo Boo, Krispy Kritter, Beartracks, Herman the German, Grizzly Dave, Kelly, Courtney, Katie, Kent, Bear Behind, BlueBell (from Texas), Eagle Eye, Skeemer (class of 2003), Gump, Gangbusters, Lush, et. al.I'm getting hungry again.I want to thank my friend Nanette for sending a greeting card to me at my mail stop. I also want to thank my friend Mark for his encouraging voice mail message. It is now a little after 8 pm and way past a thru-hiker's bedtime. Most of us are up at 6:30am, which, during this season, is basically when we seee the first useable light. The last useable light is around 7:30pm. I'm in my sleeping bag by then. The red mark on this map shows my approximate location today.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was my day off from hiking. I was plenty busy, though. I spend my days off doing laundry, making phone calls, replying to e-mail, shopping for any items that I need, and preparing for the next week out on the trail.Tomorrow, I expect to begin my first day in the Smoky Mountain National Park. With a lot of luck, the weather may cooperate so that I can enjoy some good views and take some good pictures. Currently, the mountain tops are obscured by low clouds. It should take six days or so to get to the other end of the park.Checkout the Fontana Village website if you are looking for a place to spend your next vacation. I'd recommend staying in the cabins rather than the Inn, but it was twenty years ago that I stayed here last, so I don't really know what conditions the cabins are in. You can also visit Fontana Dam, the tallest dam east of the Rocky Mountains.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter, NC
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today started as a fair-weather day, but quickly turned into a beautiful day. I woke at 6:30 AM so that I could pack and meet the other hikers for a 7:30 breakfast. An hour later, we were on the shuttle back to the marina near the Fontana Dam where we (Grizzly Dave & I) resumed our hike on the Appalachian Trail.The Appalachian Trail crosses the length of the dam and then turns down a dead end road where it enters the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The first landmark is Shuckstack Tower. It is a very strenuous four mile hike to the tower. The view, especially today, was outstanding. In all directions, you can see the Smoky Mountains, and even back to the Fontana Lake, the dam, and resort.It has been a long, tough day. I'm carrying seven days of food and extra fuel because I don't want to hitch a ride from Newfound Gap into Gatlinburg.There are ten of us in the shelter and four more are expected. A few people are in tents nearby. There is a fireplace in the shelter and a lot of people are drying their wet clothes and boots by it. We've all been hiking on a very muddy trail that is caused by the four to six inches of snow on the ground.I'm feeling well and hoping that the weather remains favorable, but I understand that it could get nasty again in a few days. I'd like to get at least half-way through the park or at a lower elevation before it gets bad. Maybe I'll go into Gatlinburg with Grizzly Dave and stay if the weather turns bad.I'm about to walk across the Fontana Dam.Walking on the A.T. across the Fontana Dam. L to R: Grizzly Dave, Pegasus, & Boo Boo.Entering the south end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.Hiking towards Shuckstack fire tower.Looking back on Fontana Lake from Shuckstack Mountain.Boo Boo hiking nearby as were heading towards Mollies Ridge Shelter.
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter, NC

To: Derrick Knob Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

Today was one of toughest days, I've had so far. It was extremely long and slow going because of the mud, slush, and snow. The wind was very strong. It would blow fiercely up one side of the ridge. Once the trail crossed the other side of the ridge, the woods would fall silent.With clear skies, we had amazing views from Rocky Top Mountain. I could see all the way from Cades Cove and into what I think is Maryville, Tennessee.The Trail was easy and beautiful from Mollies Ridge to Spence Field shelter. From then on to Derrick Knob, it gets somewhat more difficult. I've been surprised at how few evergreen trees there have been so far.I felt like I was geting beyond my comfort zone today. I was walking through mud then a lot of snow. I should have been skiing. The shelter seemed far away, and the footing was very treacherous. It was like walking on the sand on the beach. It took multiple steps to move a short distance, then you'd slide back down.I'm exhausted. I may go into Gatlinburg from Clingmans Dome because of the weather and exhaustion that I'm feeling.The neat thing about this day was seeing the contrast between the snow and the trail winding through it. At night, because of the full moon and clear skies, the trees became silhouettes on the snow.On a different thought, Snickers candy bars make the best trail snacks.Here I am at the top of Rocky Top Mountain. Photo taken by Grizzly Dave.This is Pegasus in front of Derrick Knob Shelter.
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Derrick Knob Shelter, NC

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter, TN
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

The wind roared with an unreal intensity last night.   I was on the second level of the shelter last night and could hear the trees creak as they swayed. The wind also came in through the cracks between the roof and walls. I knew that with the clear skies we had that we were in for a cold night. My water bottle froze inside the shelter. An ATC Ridgerunner on Clingman's Dome apparently saw a temperature of 10 degrees on his thermometer.Today was a short mileage day due to the difficulty of the terrain. I felt really out of my comfort range today because I was hiking in the snow and heavy winds. I was trusting that prior hikers knew where they were going because I rarely saw a white blaze on the trees. I just followed their tracks. It would be helpful if the Appalachian Trail Council could paint more blazes in this area.Here at the Double Spring Gap Shelter, there are 12 of us (8 men and 4 women). This is a really nice location with great views to the southeast near the spring and many evergreen (Spruce?/Hemlock) trees. This shelter has a fireplace, too.Tomorrow, I think that BooBoo, Pegasus, Krispy Kritter, and Beartracks are going to hitch into Gatlinburg to get out of the cold. I'll try to join them, too. I'm tired of hiking in the snow and slush. It makes for slow going. Frits, Blaze, Gimpy, and Grizzly Dave are also staying in this shelter tonight.Clingman's DomeDouble Spring Gap ShelterThe trail conditions todayTrail conditions today
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter, TN

To: Newfound Gap, TN
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Most of us woke up in the shelter at 6 AM. I was packed and out by 7:30 AM. It usually takes me 1/2 hour to have a hot breakfast and pack up. I'm usually hiking by 8 AM and finish by 3:30 PM.The woods were eerily quiet this morning as I made my way towards Clingman's Dome. The fierce winds of the past few days had vanished. I appreciated the silence since the constant roar of wind blowing through the trees was about to make me go crazy.The day was turning out very nicely. The sky was incredibly blue, clear, and visibility was basically unlimited. It made me begin to enjoy this trip a lot more.The trail began to wind through a forest of evergreen trees, past Double Spring Gap Shelter. I don't know if they were Fir, Spruce or Hemlock, but it was a lot more beautiful than the forest of lifeless Birch trees that we've been hiking through since Fontana Dam. Clingman's Dome was the milestone for the day. It is also the highest point on the Appalachian Trail at an elevation of 6,643 feet. From the observation deck at the Dome, you can see very well in all directions, but you just can't capture it on a camera. You just have to be there to take it all in. Ninety-five percent of our hiking today was through packed snow. There was around ten inches on either side of the trail from the snowfall from prior days. I honestly don't know how prior hikers found the trail in the snow. There are so few white blazes identifying the trail. But, I am glad that others found the trail and compacted the snow, somewhat, before our arrival. It would have been half-way up our knees otherwise. It is difficult to hike in it, even with hiking poles. You expend so much more energy just trying to go uphill. I still felt like I needed snowshoes.Five of us are sharing a cheap motel room in Gatlinburg tonight at the Grand Prix Motel (Boo Boo, Krispy Kritter, Pegasus, Beartracks, and myself). We hitched a ride into Gatlinburg from Newfound Gap to get out of the cold for a day. Most of the other hikers that I've mentioned in prior journals are staying at this motel, too. CuppaJoe arrived late this evening. He's limping pretty badly, but he keeps on going.I'm going to bed soon. I'm exhausted, and trying to put together some sort of reasonably legible and understandable journal entry. This journal is the last thing that I do each night, so it gets difficult to do when you're tired. There are quite a few hikers still at the Smoky Mountain Brewery where we had dinner. I guess, for some, the Appalachian Trail can easily turn into a 2,200 mile pub crawl. YOu just travel from tavern to tavern through the woods.Trail conditions today Another view from April 6, 2004The lookout on Clingman¢s DomeMore scenes from todayThe icy ramp on the Clingman's Dome lookoutTaking a break to blow my nose. Photo taken by Pegasus.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Newfound Gap, TN

To: Pecks Corner Shelter, NC
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's Headline: Spectacular Hiking! In fact, this has been the most beautiful section of trail so far.Chronologically, five of us woke up this morning at the motel and ventured out for breakfast. A little later, three of us headed to the library to check our e-mail. By 1 pm, I was ready to hitchhike back to Newfound Gap and start hiking. Luckily, I was picked up in under five minutes for the 25 minute trip back to the Gap.Krispy Kritter, Boo Boo, and Beartracks were still fooling around in town. The plan was to go only three or four miles to the first shelter, but since I arrived so early and because those three are so fast, I moved on to the next shelter.The trail from Newfound Gap to Pecks Corner shelter is amazing. I highly recommend it even for a dayhike. The trail often follows the ridge top where it is usually no more than six feet across. The trail is a dirt and gravel trail down the middle of the ridge with grass along the sides and pine trees bordering the ridge. The trail is also relatively flat in this section, too. You could really smell the scent from the pine trees today. A big landmark on this trail is Charlies Bunion. It's a large rock formation, offering great views. I'd recommend visiting it in the late afternoon so that the sun is behind you.I hurried along to the shelter so that I could get a place to sleep instead of having to set up my tent. It's a full shelter with PA Mule, Riva Queen, Pegasus, "the AT Rat Pack", Courtney, Kelly, Heat Miser, et. al. It's well after dark, but I suspect that Krispy Kritter, Boo Boo, and Beartracks will be arriving with their headlamps on. That depends upon how lucky they were with getting a ride out of town.I started hiking today around 2pm and arrived at the shelter around 7pm. I'm tired and will call this the end of today's journal.Note: the inexpensive motel in Gatlinburg is called the Grand Prix Motel. The new owners are trying to make it very hiker-friendly. It's a left turn at the first stoplight as you get into town (stoplight #10), and 1/4 mile from there.Trail conditions 04/07/2004
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Pecks Corner Shelter, NC

To: Cosby Nob Shelter, NC
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Another great day of hiking! I woke up this morning in Pecks Corner Shelter to the sound of birds. That was a first. I suppose that it's been too cold for them over the past several days. The shelter faces east and with the sunrise it was easy to wake up, especially after the snoring contest last night. I was the third one out of the shelter and on the trail by 8:30am. The sky was hazy and there was a high layer of clouds, but the temperature was just right and there was no wind.I spent most of today walking alone, just like yesterday, but I leap-frogged with a few other hikers during the day. The trail continued to have some remarkable views, since the trail averages an elevation of about 5,500 feet.I had to stop for a break mid' afternoon to listen to the absolute silence of the woods. The forest had become more dense and continued to be a winter wonderland even though it has been several days since the snow had fallen. Once I moved on up the trail, the only sound was the sound of my boots compressing the snow and slush. Thinking back a few days, I regret not taking a picture of the snowman (after it was finished) that Boo Boo and Beartracks made. Other thoughts:I'm glad to be out of Georgia. It was difficult and not very scenic. I will be glad to get out of the Smoky Mountains National Park. This section, northbound of Newfound Gap has been beautiful, but I'm looking forward to another landmark or milestone. My next day off will be in Hot Springs, North Carolina.I'm at Cosby Knob shelter tonight with Mule, Riva Queen, Pegasus, Frits, and the four guys known collectively as the "AT Rat Pack" (Dart, Ward, Bigfoot and Junior). Others will probably arrive later in the evening.This shelter faces west and is in a nicely wooded area with a view of the mountains across the valley. A spring flows along one side of the shelter. Down in front of the shelter is a firepit where someone may have the energy to start the "Cowboy TV." Tomorrow, the Trail will cross under Interstate-40 and I'm looking forward to staying at the Standing Bear Farm Hostel in Davenport Gap. Another hot shower will be nice.The trail on 08-Apr-2007 in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.View of the trail 04/08/2004Trail on 04/08/2004
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Cosby Nob Shelter, NC

To: Waterville School Rd, TN
Miles today: 10.4

It's probably no accident that Cosby Knob shelter was built facing east. The twelve of us in this three-sided shelter could watch the sun rise above the mountains from the warmth of our sleeping bags. It was turning out to be another clear, beautiful day and our last day in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.The trail, for the most part, was free of slushy snow and mud. It was rocky in many places, but well maintained. I was surprised to see all of the creeks in the Davenport Gap area, and finally, a small dose of Spring.Krispy Kritter, Beartracks, and I crossed the Pigeon River that parallels I-40 on our way to the Standing Bear Farm Hostel. You've got to see and stay at this place when you're hiking thru. It is intentionally constructed to look rustic. It has an old western feel to it. What a cool place to hang out! Perhaps their web page has some good photos. (I'll post mine, hopefully, in a few days once I get to Hot Springs, North Carolina.)I was happy to once again get a hot shower, do my laundry, and let my boots dry. I want to thank the co-owner, Curtis Owen for bringing me a cheeseburger after taking the gang on a beer run while my clothes were drying and I stayed at the hostel. I don't crave much on the trail but cheeseburgers. When I'm in town at a restaurant, I always attack the salad bar.Let me say, thank you, to AWOL for mailing a box to me containing two boxes of Girl Scout cookies. By the way, the Pocketmail is working perfectly now. I think the batteries were not making a good connection. A frequent reader (my mother) asked me what I think about most while I'm on the trail. The answer: not much at all, which surprises even me. I'm always watching where to plant my feet and hiking poles so that I don't stumble. I'm also pushing myself to keep on hiking and taking the next step. The other times, I'm thinking of a songs that I've heard on the radio.My daily "schedule" breaks down something like this: I wake up around 6:30am then eat a hot breakfast and pack up.I begin hiking by 8am and rarely stop for lunch, but I'll stop, briefly to filter water from a spring. I snack and eat on the go so that I don't lose my momentum.I like to be at my destination or a shelter by 4pm. That gives me a good 8 hours of hiking.Once I'm at a shelter, I set up my tent, and/or unpack my sleeping bag. Then I change into dry, warmer clothes, filter water, and cook. After those chores are done, I type this journal and then enjoy the company of the other hikers until the sun sets.Hikers present at the hostel today include Krispy Kritter, Beartracks, Kelly, Courtney, and the "AT Rat Pack" (Ward, Bigfoot, Dart, and Junior). They all went for a beer run earlier and are working on starting a fire in the firepit.BooBoo, Pegasus, and Frits are going further tonight. Sox is a couple of days behind.Here is a map of my progress so far.The trail on 04/09/2004.It's me, just a few miles from Davenport Gap, TN and Standing Bear Farm.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Waterville School Rd, TN

To: Roaring Fork Shelter, NC
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today started just about like any other day. Twelve of us headed northbound towards Max Patch, an old homestead and mountain top bald, clear of trees, but periodically mowed and maintained to look like a pasture. It is at an elevation of 4,629 feet at its highest point. From the top, you have 360 degree views of the Smokys. The AT goes right over the top. I'd love to visit this place again! It would be great to camp on top and see the stars at night. Our idea was to camp at the top, but it was overcast and we expected rain, so we continued ion to Roaring Fork Shelter. That made it the longest hiking day for me at 18.5 miles. I was tired and very hungry by the time I made it to the shelter.As a side note, there is an adequate creek for a water source that is just beyond Max Patch road, but before Max Patch. That is not listed in the AT Data Book. If the weather gets bad, there are campsites on the northbound side of Max Patch that are surrounded by trees.Overall, the trail was free of roots and rocks, but terribly steep coming out of Davenport Gap. It's very difficult. There are few switchbacks. The trail simply goes straight up one side of a mountain and down the other. Once you get past Max Patch and head towards Roaring Fork Shelter, the trail is very easy.I'm now a day ahead of my schedule. Tomorrow, I plan to go to a shelter a few miles short of Hot Springs so that I can have nearly a full day in Hot Springs, NC on Monday, then take a full zero day on Tuesday.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Roaring Fork Shelter, NC

To: Deer Park Mtn Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: moderate rain

After yesterday's long day, I could have slept for a few more hours. The temperature overnight was just right, the air was still, the woods were quiet, and it felt good to be in my tent instead of the shelter.The plan for today was to go to a shelter just a few miles short of Hot Springs so that we'd have the whole day in town on the following day.Like the following day, this portion of the trail had some strenuous ups and downs, but the trail was relatively free from tree roots and rocks. The weather was overcast with a few sprinkles. Fortunately, we arrived at the shelter just before a steady rain fell. This hazy day prevented us from having any good views of the mountains, just outlines.   The Deer Park Mountain shelter is small and old. The shelter sleeps five people and was built in 1938. There is a fire ring in the front of it and we found enough dry wood to start a fire. I am here with Krispy Kritter, BooBoo, Beartracks and Frits. We're all excited about getting into Hot Springs, NCfor a day off.