morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Natahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light snow

I was coming down from Wesser Bald when I noticed a scrap of paper on the trail in front of me. Trash! Ugh! Then I saw that it had been deliberately impaled on a low woody plant. I stopped. It said "happy St Patricks Day Reset...guess who." Likely the coolest St Paddy's Day greeting I ever got. I'm saving the note. I thought Fun Size had left it but when I got to the NOC she said no. Turns out Grasshopper left it. Grasshopper? And Runaway? I thought they were a day behind. Nope. They're here at the NOC too. Today was the second day of rain. The trail in places turned into a creek. Footing got slippery. Meanwhile the plant life is soaking it up for a burst of Spring. By mid day the rain stopped and I was at The Jumpoff, on the verge of the long decent to the NOC. It's one long down. As the picture shows, the surrounding peaks began to appear. Beautiful! Life is good. I've read so many books and journals about arriving at the NOC. I'm here. A shower. Laundry. And burgers and beer. The NOC is all about river life. Kayaks and such. For a couple months out if the year AT thru hikers happen and the trail goes right through the group of buildings. It's nice to sit by the river with a full belly, put ones feet up, and enjoy a local beer. My burger was called "Mile 134" but this year the NOC is actually mile 137.3. Today I went from 5080 feet, down to 1749 feet at the NOC. Tomorrow is the climb back up. Should be fun?
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Natahala Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

I wanted to post a picture of breakfast at the NOC restaurant. It was inspiring. Epic. For the first time ever I took an iPhone pic of food. But Cheoah Bald was beyond the pale. Hikers WORK for the view. The NOC is at 1749. Cheoah is at 5062. The climb took hours. Sometimes I think each step was 6 inches. But the trail has nurtured us. NC is not GA. The trail is less groomed. There are tricky rock scrambles. Nearby trees become hiking accessories. The white blaze we so faithfully follow gets scarcer, and when seen somehow aligns ones world. The hike out of the Nantahala Gorge was definitely the most "technical" to date. i.e. it was miles of up and up and up. Two weeks ago, when I started it would have destroyed me. The AT is getting me ready for the Smokies. And Fontana Dam, the gateway to the Smokies, is a short day after tomorrow. Many of the hikers I've seen today will be there tomorrow. Wow. Already. It came so quick. Will there be snow up there? My bounce box will be at Fontana Dam. Last I saw it, it was at home. But that's in the immediate future. Today the sun set in golden glory on Locust Cove Gap. Really. I'm here with a college group who's hiking for spring break. And Sheep's Head showed up at dusk, to tent last. He's doing 20 mile days. Big Gulp and Pretty Bird are here. And two more thru hikers. Our tents are clumped on the narrow flat space in the gap. Water is down a steep blue blazed trail. Today we have all we need. And it is glorious.
Date: 2014-03-19
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained in the early hours and I awoke to foggy damp. But as I climbed out of the gap the trail climbed into sunlight...and a great day for hiking. On today's agenda was "Jacob's Ladder." One hears stories. When a section of trail has a name it can't be good! But the ladder wasn't so bad. What it was, was steep. I felt like a scene out of an Everest climb. Step. Pause. Step. It's best not to think about falling backwards. Cable Gap Shelter seemed a good stopping point. That puts Fontana Dam a nero away in the morning. The shelter and surrounds was full of college students on Spring break. So good to see them out here rather than at the beach bash and wet T shirt contest. As for we thru hikers, we made the usual circle of food bags, pack stoves, and wonderful fellowship. Fontana tomorrow! On the doorstep of the Smokies!
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana 28 AT Crossing
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

A nero day of 5.5 miles down to Fontana Dam at 1700 feet. Checked into the Fontana lodge...way too fancy compared to tenting in the woods. Nice place! Get clean,eat,do laundry...in that order.Saw the first flowers, that I've noticed, poking up through the forest duff as I got closer to the dam. After asking around I'm told they're a type of trillium the locals call "spotted John." The buds aren't quite open but the promise of beauty is unmistakable. I'm also told that when spotted john comes up ramps are only a week or two behind. However,the trail next takes me up into the Smokies at 6000 feet or so. It's still trying to shake off winter up there. Here at lower elevation Spring is in the air.Tomorrow I'm taking a zero. Time to rest this tired old body for a day. Some trail friends are moving on. It's important to "hike your own hike" (HYOH). The draw of staying with a group that forms near your own pace is strong. But the truth is that there are more good friends coming up the trail a day behind. Just haven't met them yet. My body is telling me to stop for a day and I'm listening to it. I know of a few already who've strained themselves and had to get off the trail. Meanwhile, I'm going to sleep in a nice big clean bed. And I'll like it!One more thought...concerning the AT thru hiker back country permit we have to get to enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I navigated the confusing federal site and paid my $20 on the computer supplied by the Fontana Lodge. None of us are happy about the sudden injection of bureaucracy. Thru hikers likely show more respect for the trail than anyone. But it is what it is. And no one can tell me why a senior doesn't get a permit for free. I'm sure I'll come back to some of the GSMNP rules in a later post.
Date: 2014-03-21
From: Fontana 28 AT Crossing

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: broken clouds

I planed a zero today but couldn't quite accept the idleness. So I shuttled to the visitor center at Fontana Dam and went SOBO the 1.4 mile back to where I stopped yesterday. Figured it was also good to keep my legs and feet in the game. It was the most pleasant walk. On the way I stopped at the Fontana Dam Shelter, known as the Fontana Hilton, and visited with the hikers there. Some I hadn't seen for a few days. Some I hadn't met yet. And Fresh Ground! Oh how we appreciate the Leapfrog Cafe! From Fontana, Fresh Ground will leap another 140 trail miles ahead and set up his incredible cafe for another block of days. He's constantly cooking for hikers. There are no words!So time for an honest assessment of my physical condition. Yesterday the toenails fell off both my little toes. Sounds worse than it is. This is the legacy of wearing the wrong boots into Franklin. My new trail runners do not stress my toes at all. So it is what it is. Lesson learned. My new runners do, however, leave the soles of my feet aching after a few miles. Hopefully I'm correct in believing that it's just my feet getting used to flexible soles after the stiffness of boot soles. Time will tell. Other than that I feel good. A couple twinges here and there in my legs but the knees are holding up well to the pounding of day after day of ups and downs, roots and rocks, and all the tricky transitions along the trail. I'll continue to be careful. But I wasn't careful about where I must have leaned my pack a couple of days ago. I can only surmise I leaned it against some poison oak or poison ivy. Yup, got a nice case of itchy, sticky bumps on my back. My wool base layer sticks to it. Yuk! And I'm not the only one who's had an encounter of the poison ivy kind. I'll be paying closer attention. None of the above are raining on my parade. Life on the AT is just too good. Tomorrow I shuttle to the Fontana Dam, walk across, and hike up into the GSMNP. Can't wait!
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Fontana Dam Visitor Center

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It's good to get into GSMNP! Good to be doing it rather than thinking about it. With Fontana at 1700 feet and Clingmans Dome at 6655, you know you're in for some climbing. But today was a great day. I think horses are allowed on the section of the trail leading up to Mollies Ridge Shelter. The tread way is well groomed and the inclines are gentler than the trail between Franklin and Fontana. I had a great day, feeling good to be hiking again.Hikers are required to stay in the shelters in the park. Non thru hikers have to reserve specific shelter spaces and have priority over thru hikers at the shelters. Once full, thru hikers can tent. To be fair, it's got to be difficult to manage the unpredictable nature of thru hikers. Authorities are trying to protect this very special and heavily impacted national treasure. I confess feeling confined by the rules upon entering GSMNP. I'm probably guilty of an attitude of entitlement after the freedom of the trail prior to the park. And resent the "heavy hand of the Feds" imposing itself on my hike. Hopefully I'm developing a more balanced attitude. Mollies Ridge Shelter is nice. 12 person. Stone walls. Fireplace. Nice overhung cooking area. Well done! We ended up with about 20 people. Thru hikers and students on Spring break. So on a clear star filled night our company of hikers had a nice mix. And for the second time on this hike I slept in a shelter. Another excellent day on the AT.
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light snow

Some days are less fun than others. Hiking up and down at 5000 feet inside a wet windy cloud counts as less fun. But, it sure beats being at work! About 6 miles into the day a sign prohibited further use use of the trail by horses. That's when you know the inclines will increase, along with tricky rock and root transitions. Snatches of the "good ole Rocky Top" song rattled around inside my head as I ground my way up to the summit...to no view whatsoever. Even so, despite the cold rain, the day was good. The ridges were wind swept, the trail slippery, and the views non existent. But I'm on the AT in the Smokys! I trust my gear. I trust my fellow hikers. And I'm learning how to regulate my core temperature with activity and layers. AND, my feet are feeling better!Full shelter at Derrick Knob. Cold and damp. My water was frozen in the morning. The best news is that so far the shelter mice have left me and my gear alone. I have this disturbing fear of waking up with a mouse looking for food in my beard. Ugh!
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

Perfection! That was today. Yesterday's rain is forgotten. Clingmans Dome was about 10 miles into the day. The skies stayed clear. The views opened up the Smokys. Stunning. Will it stay clear when I get to the Dome? I couldn't believe my good fortune. Here at the highest point on the AT the view remained clear. I have no words. To top it off, mile 200 came right after the Dome. I imagine these 100 mileposts will fade in significance on up the trail. Right now they matter. Silly perhaps. Almost 2000 miles remain. But one can't think about that too much.
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5

Surprise! We woke at Mt Collins Shelter to about a 3" coating of snow. Once again the shelter was full, with tents. There'd been a forecast of snow but it was old news. No one had been able to download a forecast since Fontana. Here it was. Nice powder. I left first and broke trail until one of the "kids" blew by me. It was so cool to break trail for a couple miles on the AT! But 4.5 miles in trail runners and Dirty Girl gaiters was enough. We're I going further I'd have waited for other hikers to tramp down a trail. But my agenda today is a nero into Gatlinburg. I lucked out on a ride and had my mind blown upon entering the town. Tourist central. I really wasn't expecting the glitz and sidewalks full of tourists. Kind of fun to see! Besides, all I care about is getting clean, laundry, resupply, and FOOD. Meanwhile, Big Gulp and Pretty Bird are here. And Mountain Mama! And others I've met the last few days. This is SO MUCH FUN. Back on the trail tomorrow. I hope. More snow has fallen. We'll find out in the morning if the road is open to Newfound Gap, to get back on the AT.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Newfound Gap

To: Zero
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up at the Grand Prix Hotel in Gatlinburg, excited to see clear skies and the promise of excellent views over the next section of the Smokys. As I waited for the AYCE breakfast buffet to open, visions of crisp mountain trail views danced in my head. Big Gulp, Pretty Bird, G Walker and I gorged at the buffet and savored the promise of a great day of hiking along the NOBO ridges of GSMNP. Only to find out later that the road to Newfound Gap was closed, due to snow. As hikers gathered in the hotel lobby, tales of extreme conditions emerged from hikers who came in later yesterday. A pair of weekenders were found under a collapsed tent in a snow drift on Clingmans Dome, hypothermic and rescued by a 911 call. Tales of waist high snow drifts and freezing winds. As we look out at the clear skies I'm beginning to question the wisdom of heading back out. Even if I could, with the road closed at the moment. The hiker telegraph passed a shelter specific weather report, Android ap, predicting a low temp of 7 degrees tonight up on the trail. Reluctantly, one by one, most of us opted to take a zero today. Unplanned, but probably the right choice. It's supposed to be much warmer tomorrow. So back to my room, where my pack is packed and ready to go. And so here's a picture of my pack. It has all I need for trail life plus 3.5 days of food. Life has gotten simple. I find my pack symbolic of a certain glorious freedom. I am having the time of my life!A shout out to my friends from Kazakhstan. The KZ patch on my pack is for you. You inspire me and are a significant part of the mental bag of tricks I hold close to keep me balanced and strong on the trail.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Gatlinburg was so much fun! But morning brought an open road back to Newfound Gap to get back on the AT. So hit the AYCE breakfast buffet and shuttle back into the mountains. I am thinking the trail north of the gap was the finest section so far on the trail. Lots of ridge walks with views on both sides. Charlie's Bunion was spectacular. The trail seems graded for horses again. Great to be back on the AT. 'Course there was a challenge. The trail was packed snow and ice. Slippery! Later in the day the ice got rotten and traction improved. The initial plan to go 5.2 miles to the next shelter got canceled. It all tends to work out anyway. Tomorrow the trail dances around 6000 feet before dropping on its way out of the Smokys. We're almost out if the GSMNP. It's been a fine adventure. Now talk migrates to Hot Springs. It's getting close now. Very exciting!
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Skating away on the thin ice of a new day. The trail was icy this morning, with a glaze of light rain and melt. Careful! The trail sat at 6000 feet plus for a while. My hike started slow and easy. But after stoping for lunch at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter, the ice was getting rotten and began to slush. Time to let the legs loose a bit!Then the trail began to drop in elevation. Soon slush became water. Mud. Clear. The trail suddenly got snowless. The nice grade down ate up the miles. The rain stopped. The wet mossy ground, lichen covered trees, and tree barks were beautiful. Cosby Knob Shelter came quickly in mid afternoon. I like this section of trail, graded for horses. Easy hiking. Awesome scenery, when clear. I debated going another 7.1 miles to the next shelter, for my first 20 mile day, but decided to give the legs a break from the long decent ahead until tomorrow. And tomorrow we exit GSMNP. And drop as low as 1411 feet. A whole new climate zone! And then more climbs of course. Now the trail talk is even more about Hot Springs, the first real "trailtown." GSMNP is one more milestone. Life is so very good!
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Down, down, and down. From 5000 feet to 1411. SO glad the new trail runners are working out well. The feet are definitely getting better. So the count is now four falls over the last two days. Pretty much I just lay there in the trail and check in with my extremities and see if everything is OK. Yesterday it was the snow and slush on the trail. Today it was the rain and wetness. It's all good. Really, it's a sigh that I'm not as timid with my pace as I was. We've all been taking the occasional tumble. Just part of the deal in these conditions. Still, good to get to the lower elevations. Spring is putting forth an effort. Flowers are just beginning. I got to Standing Bear early in the afternoon and debated over going further. But before long it began to pour. I was drinking a beer and eating a whole pizza, under cover. I stayed put!Leaving GSMNP was just passing the permit box shown in the picture. After all the snow and ice it felt good to leave it behind. Great shelters though! I'll miss them. All in all it was a great time in the Smokys. I wanted the full meal AT deal and hiking through snow seemed appropriate. Glad I had the opportunity. That probably sounds crazy. But I don't think thru hikers are particularly sane. It's a great group to be part of!
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

What? Snow again? Now that was a surprise! Did not expect to wake up to this! When you're at 1775 feet, heading immediately to 4263 feet, you know snow is going to get deeper. I left Standing Bear first. Someone's tracks were ahead of me on the AT. I followed, hoping he knew the way. The blazes blended in with the snow. The rhododendrons were bowed over the trail under a heavy load of wet snow. I put on my rain jacket and put up the hood, to try and keep the snow from falling down my neck. Before long the snow was well over my trail runners. I caught up to Hog Driver (A10 Warthogs) who was trying to clear the overhangs by beating the branches with his now bent trekking pole. I broke trail for a while, as shown in the picture. But soon enough a young thru hiker blew by me, followed by Hog Driver. I had had plans. It's all about Max Patch and the Hot Springs now. I wanted to get in some miles. I got to Groundhog Creek Shelter, only 6.9 miles, and decided to call it a day at 1:30. Big Gulp, Pretty Bird, Zacksquatch, Justin, and Adam stopped at the shelter to eat and moved on. It was hard to stay put. Then Queen and Columbus did the same thing. Then Trip. Then Chair and Blackbear. Only myself, Spiderman, and Bucket List stayed at that shelter. With several section hikers. You cannot second guess. The forecast is for warmer weather over the next couple of days. Let the snow melt. Let the wind blow the branches free of snow. All day and all might melt water flowed by the shelter. Meanwhile, hikers were beating a path through the snow. I'll do a 13 mile day tomorrow and hike over Max Patch on a forecasted clear day. It will be incredible!
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Yup, lots of snow on the trail this morning. But it's been beaten down by previous hikers. And it didn't freeze last night so there's less snow than yesterday. And today I cross Max Patch. On what is going to be a clear and sunny day. Footing wasn't the best! As the day warmed slush became the norm. But towards noon I began to see glimpses of Max Patch through the trees. It's grassy bald rising above the tree line. Very exciting! It was worth every step through the slush to stand on the Patch. I could see clearly for 360 degrees. The Appalachians rolled into the distance. I kept seeing Julie Andrews at the opening of The Sound of Music. I can't believe how lucky I am to be here on such a fine day. The snow has seriously lessened by now but the trail down from the Patch is slippery. Slush is becoming mud. But I don't care. I'm feeding on the high from what I'd seen. And on the joy of just being out here doing this. And tomorrow will be Hot Springs! Trail town. Real food. Friends. Life is good.
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1

The trail down to Hot Springs steadily improved. Snow,slush,and mud got less and less. The trail took another drop, from 4686 feet on Bluff Mountain to 1326 at Hot Springs. And suddenly spring was in the air. It got warm. There's flowers in Hot Springs. The slippery conditions of the last few days are forgotten.HS is not a big town. But it's hiker friendly. And what do hikers want? Food! When you're with a group of hikers, you don't come into a town like HS as a stranger. Just walk down the street. You're greeted by fellow hikers everywhere. Especially where there's food. We gather with laughter and stories. Excited to be in town, gorging on high calorie food together. Maybe a few beers. It's pretty darn awesome. Most everyone ahead of me is in town. Old friends and new friends. All together, doing something extraordinary.On a sunny clear day, warm and happy, away from the drama of hiking through snow and mud. Life is sometimes even better than good!
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hemlock Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day! Warm and sunny. The trail is dry and friendly. As I climbed out of Hot Springs the traffic sounds faded away. Now and then I could hear the French Broad River down below in the gorge. Soon the only sounds were bird songs, wood peckers, and the crunch of dry leaves under my feet. A great day to be on the trail. Lots of climbing to get back to elevation. My pack is heavy with resupply. The day becomes hot. About 8 miles into the day I climb the Rich Mountain Lookout Tower, for a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains. Hot Springs is now way down there in the far valley. My feet are so much better. No pain! My legs have gotten stronger. Oh, I huff and puff up the grades at a pace just below leg burn, but it's quicker now. My legs recover quickly. And they just keep going and going. I'm enjoying the transformation. Liking just the process of walking. This is good!So what other hiker malady can one experience? Chaffing! In the sweaty heat of exertion one's sweat evaporates, leaving salt crystals in the skin folds of the nether regions. Today it got disturbing! I was heading for a painful bow legged hiking style. Enter Glide. Looks like stick deodorant. Drop the pack. Drop the shorts. Apply. Nice! I'm glad I was prepared, thanks to listening to other hikers. 16.3 miles today. The longest yet. Hemlock Hollow Hostel is a wonderful place, even if .6 miles that don't count off the trail. I'm the only one here. Hattie, the owner, was hiking the AT back in the 60s. She loves hiking and hikers. It shows. I got my bounce box here and downloaded pictures. And slept in the bunkhouse beside the river. My "group" is behind me for the moment. They'll catch up. But for a while I'll be leaving messages in the shelter logs that they'll read, instead of the other way around. I can't believe my bounce box is next heading for Damascus, VA. I'm starting to believe I can really do this thing! Life couldn't be better!