morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Just Past Glassmine Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

We packed up and left Carter Gap Shelter by around 8:30. After hiking for about an hour, we happened upon a little side trail that led to a nice overlook, so we settled in for a light breakfast of coffee and oatmeal. I was enjoying the view, when I looked down to see that my coffee bag was on fire. Oscie seemed unruffled by the ensuing hubbub and observed serenely, as if everything were going according to some unknowable plan. Well, these things happen, and when they do, it's nice not to have to look around to see whether someone else saw you. I robbed the coffee from another day's rations, and we had a nice breakfast, with a view. We hiked on uneventfully for another five miles or so, when, high up through the trees, the observation tower on Albert Mountain came into view. When we arrived at the mountain's base, I could see the white blazes going up the side of a pretty sheer rock face, a very unusual sight. I began to climb cautiously, pulling myself up using rocks and sometimes the trunks of the stunted trees that were attempting to grow in the rock. Oscie bounded from rock to rock like a mountain goat, occasionally looking down from some perch, wondering what the hold-up was, no doubt. I can say without reservation, the climb up Albert Mountain was the most difficult stretch of trail (if you want to call it that) I had yet covered; but the view from the observation tower made it all worthwhile.   We hiked the afternoon away on a relatively easy section of trail. Somewhere along the way, I missed my exit to Long Branch Shelter, so we hiked on a few more miles and camped alone in a nice spot.   On the continuing battle with Oscie as to whether she would spend the night under the hammock on her bed, or spend it in the hammock with me: The night was clear and cool, so I thought that she would be just fine on her own bed, and that I could enjoy an uncrowded night in the hammock. Therefore, I rebuffed her repeated attempts to get in the hammock, pointing her to her bed. Then I zipped up the mosquito net, settling in comfortably. After awhile, I eased up on one elbow and peeked out. She was sitting outside of the tarp staring directly at the spot where I was peeking out. I scolded her, and made her get back on her bed. When I peeked out again, there she was, sitting and staring, as if saying, "Surely there must be some mistake." I was getting really tired of this game, so I decided to let her sit there all night if that's what it took to teach her a lesson. I was lying there, fighting the urge to look out again, when, through the hammock, I felt a chin rest gently on my shoulder... Game, Set, Match!
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Just Past Glassmine Gap

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: moderate rain

Our third day on the Trail proved to be fairly warm and by the end of the day we were needing water pretty badly. I didn't want to go on the long downhill trudge to Siler Bald Shelter, but that was where the water was, so down we went. We ran into the water source some distance before the shelter, which we could see through the trees. It sounded raucous at the shelter, so we watered up and headed back up the hill. After some time, we came upon a side trail that led to Siler Bald. I was ready to camp by this point but decided to go up for the view, which was one of my better decisions ... the view was breathtaking in all directions. I ran into a hiker there who other hikers referred to as the "Rock Lady", but I can not remember her actual trail name. We took photos of one another and then Oscie and I headed down to find some trees (the only drawback to hammock camping) and set up camp.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Siler Bald

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

We hiked all morning and arrived at the stone observation tower at Wayah Bald in due time. While having a bite to eat and enjoying the view, several other hikers came in as well. That is where I met Tribe and Morgan (Jug) & Elizabeth who I would get acquainted with over the next couple of days.   Also, a hiker named Mark came up to me and introduced himself saying, "I remember hiking with you last year." He was hiking with his teenaged daughter Ellie. "Actually," he said, "I don't remember you... I remember your dog." I get that a lot.   We hiked on to Cold Spring Shelter, one of the few shelters that sits right in the middle of the Trail. It was early enough that we had time to make a fire and have some pleasant conversation well into the evening. In addition to those named above, I met Ghost, Critter, and Yogi Bear.   Ghost, Tribe, and I went to a camping area a little way away from the shelter and set up - Ghost in a tent, and Tribe and I in hammocks. The weather had been taking a turn for the worse all evening and it started raining as we turned in. Then it started to pour, and the wind became a steady blow, which, along with the rain, continued all night.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.7

In the morning, Ghost was not happy. He said that the driving rain had caused mud and water to splatter up under his fly and into his tent. Tribe and I, being hangers, faired better. Everyone except Critter left incrementally during the next couple of hours - all headed for the NOC and a hot meal.   We reached Wesser Bald around noon. The fog was so thick that we didn't bother climbing the observation tower. After all, who wants a better view of fog? We sat down on the new grass under the tower and ate our lunch before heading out.   Late that afternoon, after a very long and very slippery descent (I fell down twice), Oscie and I hiked into the NOC. We were just approaching the NOC Outfitters store when Tribe came hurrying toward us with a big smile on his face.   "C'mon," he said, "We've got a cabin and you and Oscie are staying with us. I don't think dogs are allowed, but nobody'll know."   This did not seem to violate my personal policy of following every rule that I agree with, so we followed him obediently. The cabin was very nice and quite comfortable. We had a full house with Tribe, Morgan & Elizabeth, Ghost, Oscie, and me - very cozy.    We all cleaned up and walked down to meet Mark and Ellie, and have some dinner at the River's End Restaurant on the Nantahala River. I tied Oscie to a post outside the entrance of the restaurant and we got a table where we could see her through the window. Part way through our meal, someone noticed that Oscie had committed an unladylike indiscretion upon the sidewalk. I went outside to check on her and knew immediately that she was not feeling well - she seemed lethargic and disoriented. By the time we got back to the cabin she was walking wobbly and her hind end did not seem to be getting instructions from the front end. She must have hoovered up some delectable, but poisonous, something or other on the Trail. I spent a restless night as I kept waking up to check on her.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: NOC - Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

   By morning Oscie was walking better, but still somewhat under the weather. She was not Trail ready so I took my first zero day ever, in order to let her recover more fully.   Everyone gave Oscie a friendly pat on the head and a kind word as they headed back to the Trail. I spent the day doing laundry, eating pizza, snoozing, and reading. I also went down and confessed to having Oscie in the cabin (which was allowed after all) and paid her fee. I bought some shampoo and gave Oscie a bath in the bathtub (probably not allowed) and she spent most of the day in the bed (probably not allowed either). I repacked after picking up my care package from the NOC Outfitters store and we looked forward to getting back on the Trail in the morning.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: NOC - Zero Day

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.3

We hit the Trail early on fresh legs, and it sure felt good. We climbed the 3,000' out of Nantahala Gorge without much trouble, stopping for lunch and water at Sassafras Gap Shelter. We arrived just as it started raining again, so we stayed for over an hour until the rain had subsided some. While waiting, I looked at the shelter journal and saw that Ghost had checked in the previous day, commenting wearily on a difficult climb. He had not had the benefit of fresh legs, as we had, and it made me thankful that we had taken a timely zero day. A few minutes later another pair of hikers came in. They were just out for a couple of days and were in high spirits. Then, three more young guys came in looking for a respite from the rain. One of them was hiking in flip-flops. Both toenails on his big toes were black and he had duct tape on his feet under the straps. I can only imagine the number of times he must have stubbed his toes on the rocks and roots that are the daily impediments to every hiker. I predict hiking shoes in his future.   After the rain let up some, Oscie and I continued our climb to Cheoah Bald, which was another magnificent view of fog. It didn't take us long to look at that, and then we were off again. We made the slow and slippery trek down to Locust Cove Gap, where we set up camp in a misting rain. I was preparing to cook my dinner when I made a startling discovery... I did not have my penny stove. I hadn't missed it before because we had been eating prepared meals at the NOC. It was like losing an old friend. I had made it years ago and it had been on every hike I had made on the AT. Thinking back, I believe I must have left it at Cold Spring Shelter, which was the last meal I had cooked. I guess Critter ended up with my stove, at least I hope he did. It looked like I would have to eat my pasta with cold water for the rest of the hike. Looking at the bright side - it didn't take long to make dinner...Mmmm, crunchy! We ate and then turned in, listening to the patter of rain all night.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Locust Cove Gap

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

In the morning, it seemed like the bad weather had moved out, so after breakfast, we headed north, expecting to spend one last night on the Trail at the day's end. Most of the hiking was not too difficult, until we reached "Jacob's Ladder", an ascent which you almost need a ladder to climb. The slickness of the Trail made the climb slow going, but, you adapt to the conditions and just slog along.    A little farther on, we ran into a young man who had set up a portable photo table on which he was taking pictures of salamanders. He said that he worked for National Geographic and that he was photographing the Cheoah Salamander, which could only be found along that particular stretch of the Appalachians. He took one out of his sample jar and showed it to me. It was a salamander all right. Oscie and I had hiked for another couple of hours when we came across a newt scuttling along the Trail. I picked it up and admired it...It put the salamander to shame.   Late that afternoon, we arrived at Cable Gap Shelter. It was an ancient and tiny shelter. The four youngsters who were already there filled it to capacity. Oscie and I went down the hill a ways and set up near the creek that was the shelter's water source. Then we walked back up to socialize a bit. The college aged kids who were there already had a nice fire going, so we helped them enjoy it. Oscie received the attention that she craves and I was mesmerized by watching each of the kids, in turn, plumbing the mysteries of a harmonica that one of them had bought for the occasion. It seemed that no recognizable tune could be coaxed out of it, except for something faintly resembling Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. Before long, they lost interest in the harmonica, and began a lively debate about whether or not they should play cards, and if so, which game. There seemed to be no resolution forthcoming, so, duly entertained, Oscie and I returned to our sanctuary and drifted off to the more comforting sound of trickling water
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: few clouds

We arose early, well rested and keenly aware that this would be our last day on the Trail. By the time we got back up to the shelter, we just caught a glimpse of the foursome disappearing around a nearby bend in the Trail. I decided to take a quick look at the shelter journal. Tribe had left a note saying that he had camped there the night before. It's good, for some reason, to see a familiar name when you are out in the middle of nowhere. I glanced at the sleeping platform as I was leaving, and there, lying abandoned, was the recalcitrant harmonica.   The morning was beautiful and the hiking easy. After some considerable time, I began to see the waters of Fontana Lake through the trees. The lake looked cool and inviting, but was inaccessible due to the steepness of the trailside. The nearness of our destination caused time to drag on and on and it seemed we would never reach the dam, our end point. Finally, we burst out into the open, and there, not far away, stood the Fontana Hilton, renowned as one of the most luxurious shelters on the Trail. We sloughed off our packs and rested there for a bit, and it was a fine shelter indeed. Feeling a great sense of accomplishment, we ambled down the paved road to the Fontana Dam Visitor's Center, which was closed. A few sightseers wandered about, walking out on the road that crossed the dam, in order to get an unobstructed view of the lake. We tried the door to the shower room, which was open, so Oscie and I took a hot shower, and re-entered the land of the civilized.   I called my brother, who dutifully came and picked us up. While we waited, I looked at the forest on the other side of the dike, knowing that it was the entrance to the Smoky Mountain National Park and the beginning of next year's hike. Dogs are not allowed in the SMNP. I didn't have the heart to tell Oscie that that meant her.
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Fontana Dam

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Hello from sunny South Florida! Once again I am itching to get back on the Trail, so have recently peeked in on the journals of those intrepid souls who are already out there. The entries chronicle the usual mixture of joy and pain that are the fare of AT hikers. I can't wait to be among you again.The planning gets easier each year (this is #5), so there is not much to do now except dehydrate my meals, pack up, and go. I will pick up at Fontana Dam, where I left off last year, and hike north for about two weeks. One of these years I may find out what it is like to have "trail legs," but not this year. Unfortunately, my hiking partner, Oscie, will not be with me this year due to the misguided and somewhat insulting rumor that she is a dog. It seems that some people are not welcome in the Smokies simply because of questionable bloodlines. She is taking the allegation pretty hard and has taken to her sickbed for the time being.  I expect that some of you who are starting in early to mid April will have made it to Fontana Dam by the time I arrive on the scene and I look forward to seeing you out there. Happy Trails!
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Clewiston, FL

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

The following is my hike from last May, as best I remember it:   On Friday, May 1, I drove non-stop from South Florida to Gatlinburg Tennessee, sans Oscie. I checked in at A Walk in the Woods shuttle service to make sure everything was good for an early start in the morning... it was. Then I headed downtown to find something to eat and check out Gatlinburg. Think upscale carnival; complete with loud music, plenty of neon, and sidewalks and crossings clogged with gawkers who were oblivious to the traffic jam they were causing. Think black socks and sandals. After eating, I retreated back to the motel and went over my gear one last time.   Now, hiking in the Smokies is a very regulated thing. Not only are dogs not allowed into the park, even if they are mostly human, but I am not sure that actual humans are all that welcome either. So, it seems that in order to discourage hikers from profaning the sanctity of the park with their very presence, a few regulations are in order. First, everyone shall have a hiking permit on his or her person at all times while in the park. And, as with most permits, there is a permit fee. There shall be absolutely no stealth camping. All hikers must stay at the designated camping areas, where shelters are provided. Further, all section hikers and day hikers must have a reservation to stay at each shelter and he or she must arrive at the shelter on the exact day of the reservation and leave the following day. Thru-hikers may stay in the shelters, but if a hiker with a reservation comes in, the thru-hiker must give up his or her space on the sleeping platform and leave the shelter immediately - but, everyone must sleep in the shelter if possible. To qualify as a thru-hiker, a hiker must have begun hiking at least fifty miles before entering the Smokies and must hike at least fifty miles away from the park before leaving the trail.   I did not want to have to make reservations for shelters, in fact, I didn't want to sleep in the shelters whether there was room or not. I did not want have to arrive at a particular shelter on a particular day either. One of the things I like about hiking is not having a schedule. So I applied for my thru-hiker permit, paid my thru-hiker fee, and became a thru-hiker. When my permit arrived, I applied the required fifty miles to it by crumpling it up, folding and unfolding it a few times, and rubbing some dirt on it. It made me feel wonderfully naughty.
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Fontana Dam

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

I headed out early with Vesna Plakanis, the wife half of the husband and wife team who own A Walk in the Woods. She was very friendly and knew more facts about the Appalachian Mountains than Bill Bryson. One interesting fact she told me was that more Rangers and Ridge Runners were going to be hired for the 2016 hiking season. Apparently they are anticipating a stampede of hikers due to interest expected to be generated by the release of the movie version of Bryson's A Walk in the Woods. I have seen the movie and think they are being a bit too optimistic.   Anyway, we arrived at Fontana by mid morning and soon I was back on the Trail, going up, of course. I had not been hiking for more than an hour when I saw a Ridge Runner come scurrying down the Trail toward me. He looked like a man on a mission. He stopped in front of me, breathing hard, and obviously blocking the way.   "Thru hiker?" he asked.   "Yep," I said, aware that I looked too fresh for the part.   "Got your permit?"   "Yep." I patted my chest pouch.   "Bear attack last night at Birch Spring Gap," he said. "Dragged a boy out of his hammock... boy's father chased the bear away, but it got his pack."   "Wow," I said.   "Alright, go ahead," he said, stepping out of the way, "but don't stay at Birch Spring Gap."   "Don't worry," I said, "I won't." He hurried off to spread the word.   A few miles on, I came to Shuckstack Fire Tower. I stripped off my pack and climbed the ramshackle steps to the enclosed observation platform. Much of the floor was missing. Obviously OSHA had been nowhere near the place. Off in the distance, and far below, I could make out Fontana Dam off to the right of the lake. It was a pretty sight and worth the climb.   I hiked the rest of the day away and stopped for the night at Mollies Ridge Shelter. There were more hikers there than I had ever seen before at one shelter. I suppose that was due to the ban on stealth camping in the Smokies. While there, I heard the following conversation between two young hikers (insert expletives where indicated if desired).   "Man, did you see that f***ing bear back there at Shuckstack Tower?"   "Naw man, was you scared?"   "F***ing A, man that f***er was huge."   "S*** man, I wish I'da saw him. I would have put my f***ing boot up his f***ing ass."While I admired his his confidence, still, I thought his plan needed a little work. Probably he would tweak it a little bit on the fly if things were to go down.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

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

In the morning, as I was packing up my gear I heard some hikers complaining about their lack of sleep due to mice in the shelter. That made me thankful that I was a thru-hiker and not a lowly section-hiker, relegated to the confines of the shelter. I lit out before the crowd and tried to put in some miles early, while it was still cool. While leaving, I saw a deer that was so dark it was almost black. He was grazing peacefully and obviously used to seeing hikers.   It took me most of the morning to hike to the base of Rocky Top and then I struggled up on tired legs. After some time I reached the top and, yes, it was rocky. The summit was a boulder strewn area not much bigger than my living room and deposited square in the middle of it was a large black pile of bear scat. I would hate to have arrived in that small area with a bear already on the scene. Options, while limited, would not have included the aforementioned Boot Suppository Paradigm. The bear, though, was gone and the view was clear and beautiful. I wound my way around to Thunderhead Mountain for more spectacular views. Just as I was leaving and heading back down the other side, a young woman came along the trail from the direction of Rocky Top. She stuck out her hand and introduced herself as Alease, smiling warmly. I liked her right away. I saw her off and on for the remainder of my hike and always found her to be pleasant company...bright, well travelled, and a very strong hiker.   Late in the day, I hiked into Derrick Knob Shelter and set up my hammock on the side of a hill. Somehow, I found the energy to boil some water and prepare some of Jenny's Beef Stroganoff. Then, with a full stomach, it was off to sleep.