morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Green Corner Road (Standing Bear Hostel)

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

Smokies - The Ascent6:30AM - Tri-Corner Knob ShelterThe smokies at last! For several days now people have been telling me that the Smokies would be easy, contrary to my expectation. Others have been saying that that is not the case, it seems easy because new thru-hikers are beginning to get their hiking legs by the time they hit the Smokies. Now I would find out for myself.There were a couple of steep ups and downs in the 2 mi before I reached Davenport Gap, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park boundary. Immediately the Trail widened and the slope became gradual. This is because the Trail is open to horses all the way from the Park entrance at 2000' to the ridge crest at over 6000'. Horses can't manage the rock scrambles the AT sometimes takes us over.So, my day consisted mostly of a graded climb of 4000', spread out over about 12 mi. It rarely got steep enough to slow me much from my average flat terrain pace of around 2.3 mph. But there was a trade-off. When horses walk a sloped trail, they tend to dig out rocks in the 4" - 10" range, whereas hikers tend to pound that size rock into the ground. So today the Trail was covered with loose rocks for all but the most level stretches, of a size that could easily turn an ankle. Since the weather was a light misting rain for most of the day, I slowed up noticeably, particularly on downhills where one is particularly prone to slipping. All-in-all, the hike went well yesterday (4/30), but because of the mist there were no views when I got above 4000', so I just hiked steadily on and then chatted when I met a hiker. Because I'm not planning to resupply in the Smokies, my pack is the heaviest ever. Combined with the long, steady upslope and the long distance covered, my left Achilles tendon was quite stiff when I woke up, the first time ever. I expect it to loosen up as soon as I get hiking. But today will probably be a long one since the weather is the same as yesterday.Hikers met on the Trail:Professor Pete; Scrubs; Austin; A-Squared; Two Dogs F*; Forester; Mad Hatter; Riccola; Sun Dog; Veggie Dog; The 5 Grandmothers (Downhiller; Grandma Sally; Grandma Jean (I met these two in the snow south of Damascus); Timberdoodle; the 5th is neither a grandmother nor gave me her name); Sticks; Little Fish; M&M; Nana K; Red Beard; Cave Man; Eric; Mosey; Froggy Pete; Gold Rush; Monk; Lint; Hiding Fox; T B; R B; Pacific Joe; Hermes; 3 weekend hikers; Shepherd; Dr Space Monkey 5000; Willie Wonka; Jiggs; Rogue; Up; DownHikers in the shelter:Burnie; Buckwild; Rooster; Kent, a Trail maintainer; two day hikers.See you on down the Trail* - Present Participle of the F-word. One minor goal of my hike is to learn the appropriate use of that word. So far I have used it 2 times, about twice my normal yearly production. I'm not sure if either use was appropriate.
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Fontana Dam (Fontana Inn)
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Fontana8PM, 5/5 - Sassafras Gap ShelterSun, finally. When I woke up the sky was blue, and I could see sunlight on the mountain across the valley. My first Smoky Mountain in three days. I was heading down to Fontana Dam, 3000' below, so I dressed in expectation of a warm day. But it didn't happen, at least not right away. The previous day's rain left the air cold. And soon I had descended into the low-lying clouds that give the Smokies their name. Off and on all morning I was putting rainpants over my shorts to ward off the misting rain, then taking them off again when the mist cleared and I overheated. And one time the mist turned into a combination of sleet and snow and was coming down hard enough that it was beginning to cover the ground. Fortunately, that didn't last long, but it wasn't until I was within a couple of miles of Fontana Dam that the sun came out for good and it warmed enough that I took off my Frogg Toggs top.As I was approaching the elevation of the dam I began to see vegetation that I was familiar with in Beltsville, MD, as a kid. I particularly noticed locust trees, tulip poplars and sassafras, all in the understory. The sassafras was of special interest since I haven't noticed any around Beltsville recently. Sassafras root is where the original root beer came from (probably why another name for root beer is sarsaparilla). We made root beer from sassafras root when I was a kid (It is no longer used in root beer, since it was discovered to contain a carcinogen.). Sassafras is easy to identify since it has three shapes of leaf, one lobe, two lobes and three lobes. One lobe leaves are a simple oval. Two lobe leaves look like a mitten, and three lobe leaves look like a mitten for someone with two thumbs.I got to Fontana in time to have a leisurely dinner at the Fontana Inn, and to do my much-need laundry before turning in.Hikers met today:Doc; Left Fielder; Mr Clean; Pokemon; Brian; Burn Out; Paul; Clay; Gaul; General Lee & Just With Him; Oatmeal; Heinz & daughter Augie; Digger; Volz, father & son; Bwana Jim; Bird Dog; Steven; John; Jackie; Sardine; Pope; Inchworm; Tim; Paparazzi; C2; Lynn; Craig; JillSee you on down the Trail
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Fontana Dam (Fontana Inn)

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Fontana Nero8:30PM, 5/6 - Cold Spring ShelterToday was mostly occupied with switching from winter to summer configuration, now that I am down out of the Smokies in the late southern spring. In addition, I needed to record what was on each frame of a flash card I was sending to Ken, so he can put them up on this web page. I wasn't able to get out on the Trail until nearly 3. So even if this was a nero (near zero) day, I wasn't exactly lolligagging around most of the time. But since I was only going about 7 miles today, I didn't need to rush. So after I got to the first road crossing, at the Fontana Marina, I just sat at the edge of the Trail for 15 minutes, watching the boats in the lake (still not a lolligag, but at least a loll).About the time I reached the Marina, I passed another milestone - 1/3 of the Trail has now been walked. It took 59 days to walk this far. At that rate it will take 177 days to walk the Trail. Adding the 23 days I will be off the Trail after reaching Springer, it will take 200 days from start to finish. Since I left March 7, I should reach Katahdin 199 days later, on September 22 (the first day of Fall). We'll see how that prediction holds up.People met on the Trail today:Jay & friend; Magnet; Stubs; Leon; Grandma Jean (again, for the 3rd time); the 5 Grandmas member who isn't a Grandma; Swedish & Shannon; Screamin' Steven; Natty Bumpo; SpurSee you on down the TrailMilestone: One thing I had intended to mention yesterday is that I have entered my third state, North Carolina. Actually, I have been in and out of NC since at least Iron Gap, 20 miles north of Erwin, but the Trail essentially follows the state line from there thru most of the Smokies, so i didn't want to say I was in NC until I had left TN behind. That happened about 6 miles before reaching Fontana Dam.
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Cheoah Bald - Marching to Georgia9PM, 5/6 - Cold Spring ShelterToday's hike was tough, especially the climb up Cheoah Bald out of Stecoah Gap. The pressure I am putting on myself to get to Springer in time for Trail Days (my march to Georgia) is taking some of the fun out of the hike. I met a northbounder on his third thru-hike today (Freebird, from Maui), and we stopped to chat for quite a while. I would have liked to chat longer, but the pull to Springer finally won out, and I moved on.After I reach Springer and start walking in the Shenandoah again (after my break), I need to take a long look at how I am hiking. I will have no real deadlines (except the 10/15 closing of Katahdin), and am now pretty confident about being able to crank out 20 mi days when needed (at least until northern New England). So I shouldn't have the constant pressure of making big miles every day. I would like to engage in more of that lolligagging I hinted at in yesterday's entry. We'll see if my time sense will let me be self-indulgent in that way.People met on the Trail today:Take A Break; Billy; Jazz; Tiger & Joe; Freebird; Streaker; Ground Hog; Wild Bill; Mark; Barney; Go Boy; Atlas; Brett; John; Music Man; Shoe; Radio Flyer; Mike; Greg; ScorchSee you on down the Trail
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter (Tenting)
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: few clouds

NOC2PM, 5/7 - Silers BaldI got up early this morning with one thought in mind - a big breakfast at the River's End Restaurant in the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The NOC is a recreation center on the Nantahala River specializing in water activities like rafting, kayaking and canoeing. It is hiker and biker friendly as well. Besides the rental center they have cabins, an outfitters, a gift shop, a laundromat and two restaurants.Since the NOC is almost 7 miles from Sassafras Gap, I left before 7, and was seated at the restaurant by 10. I ordered the NOC special breakfast, esentially the same items that powered me up Max Patch. This time I finished everything, and was even a bit hungry at the end, but stopped anyway. After shopping for an hour to let the breakfast settle, I was on the Trail again.But there was mischief in the making. Stumpknocker, a close friend of Jan Liteshoe, had just started his 3rd thru-hike this past weekend. He enjoys a good practical joke, so Jan had encouraged me to play one on him. I didn't know Stumpknocker, but since he had just finished a SoBo hike in February I knew him quite well from the shelter registers. Also, since then he and Jan have been doing major Trail Magic just in front of me, so I knew quite a bit more about him from the recipients. I decided to pretend to guess his name, guessing names derived from things I knew about him (Like, 'One-Orange Magic'), sort of like a vaudeville act. I was going to follow that up by introducing myself as Delights You (word play on The Liteshoe Delights You).I was expecting to see him tomorrow, but Jan thought it would be sooner. Just after I reached the top of Wesser Bald and was taking a picture of the fire tower on top, he showed up from the other side. In the split second I was trying to decide whether this was Stumpknocker (your description was darned good, Jan), he trashed half my plan by introducing himself. I went into the other half of my practical joke, and almost immediately he smelled a rat. The upshot was that we spent the next 15 minutes chatting pleasantly at the top of the fire tower, surrounded by mountains stretching from the Smokies to Georgia. You will never guess what two topics occupied most of that conversation. One of them was the Trail.I also had a nice long conversation about the Camino Santiago (France & Spain) with a young lady named 'Roo from Australia. Ideas are beginning to form.Hikers met today:Wild Man; Spare Pocket; Nightmare; Clueless; 'Roo; Kiwi; Stumpknocker2 months hiking
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Cold Spring Shelter (Tenting)

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Balds8:30 - Rock Gap ShelterI crossed two balds today, Wayah and Siler, one yesterday, Wesser, and one the day before, Cheoah. These balds are bald in the way I am, one small bare spot surrounded by sparse growth elsewhere. I can understand why the northbounders consider Max Patch to be so special. Like my high school friend, Stu, who has nothing from ear to ear (up top that is, sorry Stu), Max Patch has nothing but grass growing within a quarter mile of the top, and there is an unobstructed 360 view of surrounding mountains over several acres.For my rush to Georgia, one thing I am doing is reducing my safety margins for food and water.When I got to camp yesterday I was carrying 2 days worth of food. Normally in the past I would have stopped last night in Franklin and bought enough food to get to Neels Gap. So today I would have been carrying 3 days of food, instead of the one day's worth that I am. When I go in to Hiawassee tomorrow evening for resupply, I will probably be down to two candy bars and half a jar of peanut butter. But, at about 1.5 lb per day for food, I will be 3 pounds lighter.I have enough capacity to carry 3 liters of water, and I treat water in 1 liter increments. In the past I would top off at 3 liters before setting off in the morning, and get water again whenever I felt I had drunk more than a liter. Now, I start with one liter in my Camelback bladder, and one in my Nalgene treating bottle. Whenever my Camelback gets empty, I pour the treated water from the Nalgene into the Camelback, and refill the Nalgene and treat it at the next water source. This saves about 2 lbs on average for water. Along with the weight savings in food, I am carrying about 15% less of my pack weight than I did previously.Hikers met today:Dave Underfoot; Mercury; Slim Jim; Lost and Found; Sunsine; Trash Man; Brian & Matt; Sea Legs; Josh (Gary?); Montana; Baloo; Dave; Butterfingers; Stefan; Dan; Roy; Jennifer; Pat; Chris; Sun Pig; Single Rack; The Reiter Family; Rowboat; Deb Dog; Scott; Dan; Adam
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Consideration 1:30 PM - Carter Gap ShelterToday is the birthday of Harry S Truman, and of my elementary school friend, Jimmy Harbaugh. It's amazing the things that stick to receptive young minds.One benefit of doing this long mileage is that frequently, usually at the end of a long day, I examine the question of what am I doing on this hike. That question usually comes up after I have walked 13 miles or more, and something is aching, or I am just plain running out of energy and don't want to walk up another 500' hill.This is new territory for me, and somewhat scary. Usually when I decide to do something I am quite stubborn about sticking to it. Re-examining my reasons for doing it feels like looking for excuses to quit. But I am determined to keep looking at the question of why I'm out here. I expect that question will come up often at Star, and in a way my mind is beginning to gear up for the workshop. (When I played sports in college, I was always tired on game day, and often the day before. When I was a serious runner, I would be tired for two or three days before a big race. I always suspected that it was my subconscious mind preparing my body for a challenge. If so, the subconscious mind will certainly prepare itself for a challenge like the Star program will give it.)Hikers met today:Tree Juice; Dusty Dan the Turtle Man; Postcard; Carp; Bunn & Bill Boddy; Alexander; Jay; The Rev Yukon Jack; Dharma & Greg with dog Willow; Belle; Randy & Katie; Highway; G-Man; Grey SquirrelI am alone at this shelter, for the first time since Knot Maul Shelter on April 6 north of Atkins. I am surprised since two nights ago there were at least 15 people at that shelter, including those camped in the neighborhood. Tonight is Saturday night and I would have expected some thru-hikers or weekenders at least.Today's Milestones:Passed the 800 mi point of my hike.Crossed the last 5000' mtn until Franconia Ridge in NH. There were thunderstorms scattered around the neighboring mountains all afternoon, so my crossing of Standing Indian Mtn (5498') was quite exciting. Fortunately, none of the storms was nearby.See you on down the Trail
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap (Hiawassee Inn, Hiawassee, GA)
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Georgia9PM - Hiawassee InnToday was my shortest day for a while, so my day-end aches and pains weren't as noticeable. I did walk with a ridge runner (Zuma, GA -> ME, 96) for a couple of miles. He is a faster walker than I, and didn't have his pack on, but walked behind me. I felt a bit pushed, but since the Trail wasn't steep, I also felt invigorated. This was the first time I had walked with anyone since walking with Ken in SNP back in March. I rather enjoyed it, and look forward to walking with people once I start north, but still expect to spend most of my walking time alone, walking my own walk.Again today there were scattered thunderstorms all around. This time one went right overhead, and I got drenched. I had been listening carefully all afternoon, and had arranged to be in a gap when it went by, so was in very little danger. It was scary though to have lightening hitting the peaks all around, particularly the one about .5 mi away that I had started to climb slowly when I thought the storm had passed. My pace slowed considerably until I was extra sure that my peak wasn't going to be targeted again. This is two days in a row with the same weather pattern. Tomorrow I will be on the highest peak on the GA AT at a little before the time when the storms started, so I had better step lively in the early part of the day.Hikers met today:Archimedes & Tom, who are day-hiking the Trail; Marty; Jorma; Zuma, a ridge runner; Skittles; Jim Martin; Beth; Andrew. The density of NoBo thru-hikers is definitely on the wane.Milestone:Entered Georgia, my 4th state, and last on the SoBo leg.See you on down the Trail
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Dicks Creek Gap (Hiawassee Inn, Hiawassee, GA)

To: Chattahoochee Gap (Tenting)
Miles today: 20.5

Poison Ivy9PM - Chattahoochee GapI pushed the miles a bit today because I want to get to Walasi-Yi Center in Neels Gap well before they close. For one thing this will be the last time I meet up with my bounce box on this SoBo leg, and I want to be able to deal with it quickly so I can leave early Wed AM. Also, one of the staff at Walasi-Yi is helping me find a ride to Trail Days, so I want to be able to talk with him too. And I hope to have some Internet access as well.In my list of hikers met today I include The Hiking Caterpillar. This is not a person, but the name I gave to a group of tenth graders I met on the tral today. There were 7-10 kids energetically hiking along the Trail, and as they came around the coner they looked just like a caterpillar coming along the Trail. I stopped a few minutes to talk with them and was impressed with how energetic the were in conversation too (They reminded me of the best aspects of Japanese secondary education.). They were all from a school in Atlanta (something like Paideia School), and I take my hat off to whoever designed the program that allows this kind of experience.I finally got some response about the Little Wolf Creek puzzle. It was from my transcriber-in-law (my eldest son, Chris), and darn if it didn't reveal a hidden assumption (or unexamined assumption as discussed a week or so ago) of mine in the problem. I had assumed that any tributary is crossed at most one time. Without this assumption, the solution is not uniquely determined. Chris (and anyone else), try it again with this additional assumption.I have not been able to get on the Internet for a week now, but I understand that Swishy Chrissy will be working on the puzzle while on vacation. Glad to hear you will be taking a vaction, SC, but do try to do something more relaxing than my puzzle and painting the house :-).Hikers met today:Frank; Anderson; Shawn; The Hiking Caterpillar; Robin; Derek; Seth; Lee; Stephen & Prentice & Hannah & Linda with dog Dozer; Ron; Thor & Little BearMilestone Today: Longest single day mileage - 20.5.See you on down the Trail
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Chattahoochee Gap (Tenting)

To: Neels Gap (Walasi-Yi Hostel)
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Neels Gap9PM - Walasi-Yi HostelI titled yesterday's entry 'Poison Ivy' but didn't mention it in the entry itself. For a lot of the Trail the last couple of days the dominant form of vegetation has been poison ivy. I previously suggested that Hot Springs was the p i capital of the world. But Hot Springs only has p i near the trailheads, while here it is along the side of the Trail everywhere. I was even grateful for the climb up the north side of Cowrock Mtn, even though it was steep, because there was no p i there.I was happy today to get a ride all the way from 1 mi away from the Springer Summit to Trail days in Damascus. It is with a couple who provide shuttles for a fee, but who are themselves going to Trail Days. All they are charging me is their regular shuttle fee to Gainesville, Ga, plus my share of the gas from Gainesville to Damascus. And I will get there in time for the entire festivities.I have been getting tired of and tired from the big miles I have been doing the last couple of weeks, but it looks like it is paying off. An additional bonus is that I thought I would have to hike the 9 mile Approach Trail after summitting Springer, but will only have to walk back .9 mi on the AT to where my ride will be waiting. So, instead of needing to hike 39 miles my last two days, I will only need to hike 32, significant difference.Hikers met on the Trail today:John & Charles (twins); No Pain; Patrice & Gabe; Ginny & friend; Jeremy & Kadar; ReginaldSee you on down the Trail
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Springer Mtn
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Springer4PM - Forest Service Road 42YAHOOOOOOO!!! After slogging through a very damp day for 14.7 miles, I summitted Springer at 2PM. Even though I had seen few people all day, within minutes of reaching the top I was joined by Greg, who will be starting his thru-hike tomorrow, and by a father and daughter, who are considering a through hike. We all had a nice chat over lunch, before I headed back down to where I am supposed to be picked up in a few minutes.Even though my mileage today wasn't going to be high, and rainy weather is actually good for hiking, I didn't have much energy. Particularly on uphills there were times I would almost come to a stop, and wonder if I could make it to the top and to the rendezvous point on time. I don't know if I was just tired from hiking high mileage the last weeks, or if my mind was playing tricks on me because I was about to complete this leg, but all day I have been looking forward to my time off the Trail.11PM - I-85 SW of Greenville, SCI was picked up by Josh Saint at the appointed spot. [He and his wife, Leigh, 2000 thru-hikers, have just opened The Hiker Hostel (770-312-7342, www.hikerhostel.com), in their beautiful new rustic home in Dahlonega, GA. They also provide shuttle service up and down the Trail the length of Georgia. I think they are best known for their 'Thru-hiker Special', a shuttle from the Atlanta airport, a night at the hostel, breakfast and a shuttle to the trailhead for only $55 (Cab fare alone to the trailhead is usually $50.).] Soon (after a 20 mile ride on Forest Service roads) I was enjoying a much needed shower and relaxing in their living room while they loaded their RV for the trip to Damascus and Trail Days. We are now headed in that direction, but will stop in the middle of the night just short of Erwin. I hesitate to tell you what I am paying for the shuttle off the mountain, a shower, a bed for the night and transportation to Trail Days, but it is essentially the cost of the shuttle plus my share of the gas to Damascus. Thanks Josh and Leigh.This will be the last of my daily entries until I get back on the Trail again. That will be around June 7. I will no doubt have one or two entries about Trail Days, and maybe something from CA, but they will be produced as the spirit moves me, not on a scheduled basis.Hikers met today:Bit'n the Briton; Nate & Bob & Harlan; Bear Feet & Sea Legs; The Snowbirds; Larissa & Evan; Greg; AT Addict (on his 8th hike of the AT)See you on down the Trail