morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 9.4

Jerry reports that he is sleeping with Helen tonight ¢ oops, I mean in Helen, GA. Seems that the trail had its share of wind and rain last night, followed by more wind, rain and snow today. Apparently a lot of the happy hikers decided to become even happier and head for a motel in town.He took the opportunity to do laundry and shower. He said that there was rope hanging all over the room while they tried to dry out some of their equipment.Apparently the most sought after food tonight is beer. Hope they find an all you can eat (AYCE) restaurant and not an all you can drink bar.With any luck the weather will break tomorrow and all they will have to deal with is the snow on the ground and not what is falling from the sky. They hiked about 10 miles today. Tomorrow¢s goal is Hiawassee. Sounds like about 16 mile day.Hike on! Possible song for your head tonight: The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow¢¦.
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Helen - Unicoi Gap, GA 75

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: few clouds

Tray Mtn was a beautiful place to stay. Nice shelter, nice campsites all around, nice water source. There was quite a crowd there. Joe, Sabbathkeeper, a couple called Fable and (?) and their dog Joey, who turned out to be from Burlington, KY. And Fable turned out to be half-sister to guy who used to work at the hospital. Quite a coincidence. The sunset was beautiful, and the sunrise the next morning was also beautiful.
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Tray Mountain

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

A call from his ¢office¢ this morning found Jerry sitting on top of Tray Mountain watching a beautiful sunrise. The weather had improved by the time he left the town of Helen and so had the weight of his pack. He managed to lighten the load by about 5#. I¢m expecting a box of his extras in a day or two. A quote from one of the books we read over the past couple of months: ¢Think of your pack as a stick shift not an automatic.¢   His goal for the day is to reach the town of Hiawassee, GA. - wait, didn¢t I say that yesterday? ¢ ah, to have the freedom to do just as much as you want and no more! (I looked up the meaning of the name Hiawassee; it is a Cherokee word for ¢meadow¢.)   That would make it an 11 mile day. This is all assuming that he can move on from that beautiful mountain spot he found himself in for the sunrise. There is a hiker¢s hostel outside the town called Blueberry Patch where I think he is hoping to spend the night. He spent last night in his tent again which I think is just fine with him. The shelters have been full of hikers and from what I understand many, many mice. He¢s happy in his one man shelter.From Hiawassee he will be 8.9 miles to the GA/NC state line. Hike Happy and try to remember the beautiful sunrises during the next all day rain.Song for the day: Morning Has Broken
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Blueberry Patch - Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

A late night call from the office @ 9:05 p.m. He must be working overtime.Blueberry Patch is the name of the hostel they stayed in last night. Located near Hiawassee and operated by a Baptist Church. Apparently, a very nice operation that reaches out to the hikers with a warm, dry place to stay and dinner.   Since it was Wednesday evening there was also a Bible Study group that met. Jerry and a couple of fellow hikers joined the group for the evening. This morning they were shuttled up to the trail ¢ that eliminates the need to hitch-hike from the hostel to the trail which puts the wife¢s mind a little at easy.The hiking today was "all up hill". Mid-afternoon they crossed the state line from GA into NC. WooHoo! Way to go, Jerry! ? One state down!   As near as I can figure it was about an 11.8 mile day. Tonight they are once again in their tents. This time at Muskrat Creek Shelter. BTW, they = Jerry and Joe.   They met on the trail, seem to have about the same hiking pace, usually catch up with each other at night, and apparently get along fairly well. (Joe was the name of Jerry¢s father ¢ I figure that good old dad pulled some strings ¢up there¢ and sent Joe Jerry¢s way ¢ way to go, dad!)When asked what thoughts he had for the journal Jerry said- that there was such a variety of interesting people, all with a common goal. There is a bond that forms them all into a unique family, all willing to support and help each other. He said that the trail magic has been remarkable. BTW (again), ¢Trail magic is the term used to describe all the wonderful, unexpected things that happens to thru-hikers during their hike.¢ Such as unexpected food offered by town people at road crossings, an unexpected dry place to stay, a cooler of drinks found at a trail head. You probably get the idea.Song for the day: Happy Talk (from South Pacific)Some other hikers at Muskrat Shelter: Nicole (who became "Stitch"), Seeker, the Canadian Geese, and my first encounter with JB.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a fair amount of rain overnight at Muskrat Shelter, and it was cold and wet getting started. I just quickly ate some gorp and hit the trail, just to get warmed up a bit. Hiked over Standing Indian Mountain, stopped for a while at the Standing Indian Shelter to make some hot chocolate and resupply my water, then moved on. The weather stayed miserable through most of the day, but after noon started to brighten up, and by the time I got to Carter Gap Shelter the sky was clear and the sun was shining, although it was cool. Others there were Boo-Boo, Nicole (Stitch), the Canadian Geese, and Joe. Fuzzy Bear started a campfire and soon many were gathered around to warm up. I hung up some of my stuff to get it dried out. The night was cold and somewhat windy - the temp was about 28 in the morning but it felt colder. Joe and I packed up and hit the trail quickly, and just stopped briefly after an hour or so to eat a bit. As the day went on and the sun came up, the temperatures rose and all was well with the world. Around noon, we suddenly came across a group of guys with some tents and a shelter set up and they were serving blueberry pancakes to hikers passing through. Every time I encounter some people like this doing the AT tradition of "Trail Magic" I am amazed. One of these guys had thru-hiked 16 years ago, and comes down every year at this time for a week or so to serve meals to hikers. He said he just wants to give something back to the Trail, in appreciation for what he experienced. The pancakes loaded with butter and syrup were a good pick-me-up, because right after that we had to climb Albert Mountain, which is a very very steep ascent and is sort of notorious on the trail. We made it up without difficulty, however, and climbed the Lookout Tower at the top for a truly stupendous view of the surrounding mountains. It was a clear blue sky day, ideal for being on to of Albert Mountain. We continued on, for a total of about 12 miles today, to a road crossing where there was a shuttle into Franklin, NC. Both Joe and I are experiencing some foot/ankle/knee problems, so we elected to go into town and probably take a zero day tomorrow to recuperate. From here, we will have three days to NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center), and then about three days to Fontana Dam Village at the base of the Smokies. In general I am doing OK, but my right ankle, which I twisted pretty badly last year, begins to ache after about 8 or 10 miles each day, and I sort of limp my way into camp quite a bit slower than most of the others, but am making good progress.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Franklin, NC

To: Siler's Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Getting ready to leave Franklin shortly, headed uphill (as usual) from Rock Gap. Hopefully the "zero day" yesterday will help our aching bones and joints. Was able to get to the local church yesterday for Palm Sunday, which was nice - very conservative traditional liturgy, but still refreshing and uplifting. Holy Week in the Mountains for me I guess. What better place to spend it? Don't know where I will be for Easter. Franklin is a great trail town - free shuttles to take hikers to the outfitter, Walmart, etc. Again I am amazed at the "trail culture" and all the help that people provide. Joe (my "hiking buddy") said it well - no one gets to Maine alone. We all need some help - encouragement, advice, a lift - it takes many forms. At this time I am not sure how far I am going to make it, but it has been a great inspiration so far and a great way to gain perspective on where to head from here. So, for right now, I'll keep heading north toward Maine. Thanks to all who have made kind comments on the guestbook, it is great to hear from everyone - some whom I didn't even think would know about my hike. Dan and Kathleen, I may be taking you up on your offer when I get to Maryland! The weather is a bit iffy today, possible showers later in the afternoon, so our plan is to get to a stopping point and set up before the rain starts. As long as we can get the tents set up before the rain we can handle it ok. Probably won't have access to a computer for at least three days when we get to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, so any updates will be by my wonderful wife. Thank you Sue! It was drizzly and foggy at Siler's Bald. After setting up I walked to the summit but there was no view due to the weather. Others at the camp were Joe, the Canadian Geese, and Kate who was from Lexington, plus some other young folks whose names I don't remember.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Copper Ridge Campsite

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 9.3

Weather is still ¢perfect¢. Jerry is now at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Aka N.O.C., about 23.6 miles from Siler's Bald. Things are still going well. After spending Monday night at (not in) Siler Bald Shelter they hiked on and spent Tuesday night camping somewhere on a hillside. (head up, I hope)   Somewhere along the way there was an observation tower with a fantastic view. Jerry said that a few of the guys spent the night on the top of the tower, full moon and all. Obviously he didn¢t think of it in time or he would have been right up there with them. Apparently one of the hikers was expecting to meet up with her parents today, parents who were bringing Trail Magic. It sounded like they were all ready to pounce on the magic when it arrived. See, parents are good for something. When he called from N.O.C. he was doing laundry. Apparently Joe was on a beer run. Gee, who got the deal on that one?!Next stop will be Fontana Dam. He should have a mail drop waiting for him there. Problem is catching the Post Office open with them being closed on the weekend and it being Good Friday and all.Jerry saw the first sign of wildflowers today, Spring Beauties. After Fontana they will be heading into the Smoky Mountains.He sent home a photo card. I¢ll do my best to post some pictures.Song: Sunshine on my Shoulder Makes Me HappySome others at NOC: Joe, Blue Sky, Seeker, Little Feet, G-Hippy.
Date: 2010-04-02
From: N.O.C.

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 8.1

After a zero day at N.O.C., Jerry headed up yet another mountain. He enjoyed his peanut butter wrap lunch while taking in the sights ¢ according to my trusty handbook ¢a panoramic view of western North Carolina¢, and apparently, the Nantahala River. Nantahala is Cherokee for ¢land of the noonday sun¢. That is what he seemed to be enjoying with his lunch-the noonday sun.Tonight there is a group of 7-8 people at this point camped out on Cheoah Bald. That would make for about an 8 mile day. The plan is to camp out under the stars tonight if the skies remain clear. He called and asked me to check the space station sightings for tonight, but alas, it is not visible until this coming Tuesday. But on Tuesday not only the station but also the shuttle should be visible for a few days if the weather cooperates and it takes off on schedule. (Wow, how much information can fit into a short blog entry.) Maybe he¢ll catch some meteors instead. He is enjoying the group he is with. He picked up an ankle brace at N.O.C. which seems to be helping that bothersome ache. He sounded happy to be walking again. Plan is a couple of 10 miles days to bring them to Fontana Dam on Sunday evening. Song: Catch A Falling Star and Put It In Your Pocket (or Backpack-doesn¢t matter)Others at Cheoah: JB, King Krawler, AD, Kate, Canadian Geese, plus others. JB, the Canadian Geese, and I did a little "Good Friday" service in the evening. Read the passion story, shared some thoughts, sang a song. The wind really picked up during the night, so I crawled into my tent and didn't try to sleep under the stars.
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Night time at Cody Gap finds Jerry 153.8 miles in to his journey. Signs of spring are popping up along the way - trout-lily, blood root, May-apple. Spirits are good, as is the company.Life is fine!Camped with JB and King Krawler, along with some others. The little valley off the trail was a good campsite, with a lovely stream and new growth coming up all around. We did a nice campfire in the evening. King Krawler likes to do campfires, as do I also. When I was preparing for the trip, my brother Jay said to me that he didn't envy me the hike, but he did envy me the campfires.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

A very happy Easter to all from Jerry! He reported finding no Easter eggs along the trail today. What¢s with that Easter Bunny?!   Apparently, the number of wild flowers made up for the lack of eggs. He said there were over 1,000 blood root ¢ sounds fairly impressive! He is staying the night in his tent outside the Fontana ¢Hilton¢ Shelter. One big plus there are the warm water showers. Says he took his socks in to the shower with him to rinse them out. At least he didn¢t wear his socks into the shower ¢ at lease he didn¢t admit to that.Weather and walkin¢ have both been good. The hike to Fontana was very pleasant. Bloodroot were all around, and sessile trillium. I hiked much of the day with King Krawler and JB, and they seemed to be getting into the flower identification. It was enjoyable to share the little knowledge I have with them. At Fontana, they had arranged a ride to a hostel. My plan was to stay at the Fontana Hilton, and pick up my mail drop the next day at the post office. I hitched up to the Village, and ran into Joe, who was staying in the lodge. He gave me some food he had "salvaged" from the AYCE buffet at the lodge. At the shelter, others I ran into included Jim and Elaine from Maine, Blue Sky, Freeman,and quite a few others.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Birch Spring Tent Site
Miles today: 5.9

Went to the post ofc first thing this morning. The nice lady there said my package was not there. Possible it would come in on the 11 am delivery. So I went to breakfast at the Lodge, ran into Joe there, also saw the Canadian Geese. At 11 am, still no package, so I gave up and went to the little campstore and bought the supplies I would need to get to Gatlinburg, and headed out. Along the way, ran into Mrs. Joy, and Pacer. Pacer was a guy about 65 or 66, retired, and had hiked the Trail last year, but he said last year he did it "ugly" and intended to do it "pretty" this time. He said he "goes slow, but he goes long, and that is how he makes the miles". I passed him on the hill, and thought I might never see him again. Later that evening he showed up at the camp. Next morning he was up early and gone before I was, and I never caught up with him again. Mrs Joy also showed up, and Lil'Aspen and her husband who late took the name Toothpick. Also, a French guy, who seemed to have no idea of what he was doing, said he planned to go as far as he could in two months. I showed him the "Guidebook" of AT info and he copied some of it down so he would know how far to the shelters and wate sources. He wasn't very friendly, and I never saw him again.
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Birch Spring Tent Site

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Tonight Jerry is spending the night at Spence Field Shelter. Lower mileage = more time to smell the wildflowers. He called last evening wanting to know the schedule for the space station. No word on if he saw it in the wee hours of the morning today ¢ but it was visible from our deck.Jerry plans on making a side trip in to Gatlinburg when he gets to Newfound Gap. Seems his bladder has sprung a leak ¢ his water bladder, that is, the one that rides on his backpack with a tube and mouth piece that helps keep him hydrated. A very important piece of equipment. He¢s hoping to find an outfitter where he can buy a replacement.He ran in to a ridgerunner today (According to Wikipedia; A Ridgerunner hikes sections of the Appalachian Trail, meets and greets hikers, provides Trail brochures and literature to inform visitors about the A.T. and its intended primitive experience, its location, regulations, and traditions. They take steps to encourage the best behavior on the part of hikers, to facilitate a positive Trail experience (particularly for those who are poorly prepared), and to elicit the support of Trail neighbors and those who live nearby, but who may not understand or use the Trail properly. RidgeRunners, by their presence, discourage and mitigate misuse of the Appalachian Trail and its environs by performing educational and public relations functions.) who said that there is still 3 feet of snow in the Smokies. Stay tune for a personal report on the condition of the trail when he passes through.At Spence field, other campers included Lil Aspen and Toothpick, plus a couple of families just out for a few days. To hang our food away from the bears, they have provided cable systems with pulleys to raise your food bags up. Some of the kids were lifting each other up with the cables and pulleys. As a result, half of the cables are broken. One of the kids almost lost an eye when the cable snapped. Parental supervision? Apparently not.The sunset was beautiful, and Venus was clearly visible.
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

If all goes as planned Jerry will be spending his first night in a shelter, Double Spring Gap Shelter to be exact. Up to this point he¢s been spending the nights in his tent. While in the Smokies the Hikers are suppose to stay in the shelter if there is room. Tonight there seems to be room. He was happy to report that there are 5-6 hikers there whom he has hiked with off and on. Sounds like there¢s a party in the making.   In the past, the shelters in the Smokies all had chain link fences on their open side. Jerry said that the fences are no longer there. Guess they trust the bears more these days than in the past. Hmmm¢¦.Plans are to rise early tomorrow morning to hike up to Clingmans Dome to watch the sunrise. However, the wind seems to be blowing some weather in so getting a view of the sunrise is somewhat up in the air. (So is the tower at Clingmans Dome.)Clingmans Dome is the highest point on the A.T. @ 6643. From there he will continue on to Newfound Gap and then hitch in to Gatlinburg. When he does reach Newfound Gap he will have hiked over 200 miles, 204.7 to be exact. Way to go, Jerry ! ?The ankle is still making itself known every now and then. Hopefully it will get use to the idea that there is still a ways to go.Hike Happy !I wound up tenting at Double Spring. JB, King Krawler were there, along with about 15 others. Things really bunch up in the Smokies. The hike this day was beautiful, up on the ridge top, over Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mtns, over Siler's Bald, where it was tempting to just take a nap in the sunshine.
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Got up early around 5 am to try to get to Clingman's for the sunrise, but the weather was not cooperating. I hiked in the dark for an hour or so, realizing that my headlight was pretty marginal for walking in the dark. Then, as I approached Clingman's it started to drizzle intermittently and was misty, so even though I did go up to the observation deck I couldn't see anything. There was quite a bit of snow yet as I approached Clingman's and it continued on the other side. I met up with King Krawler and JB and we hiked together, as the drizzle turned to rain - a very cold rain. The snow was about four feet deep in places, although the trail was beaten down so it was only about two feet deep. Some areas, we were "postholing" our way through the snow. JB and I got to the side trail to Mt Collins Shelter and waited for King Krawler. We decided it would be best to head for the shelter, rather than try to get to Newfound Gap, which was another 4.5 miles. As we were deciding at the trail intersection, a hiker came running down the trail, waved to us, and kept going toward the shelter which was half a mile down the side trail. He had no rain jacket, was wearing shorts, and no jacket. When we got to the shelter, there he was, curled up in his sleeping bag, shivering but safe. It was Good-Ol-Boy, who I had met the night before. We all made ourselves comfortable in the shelter, ate some hot food, curled up in our sleeping bags, and listened to the rain hitting on the metal roof. It was a nice new spacious shelter, but began to fill up as the day continued, as hikers decided to take refuge and wait out the storm. It did stop raining by nightfall. Veto and Robohiker came in and joined the crowd.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Gatlinburg - Newfound Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

In the morning I hitched up to Newfound Gap, after going to an AYCE breakfast buffet at Shoney's where I ran into Veto and Robo-hiker. It only took about five minutes to get my first ride which took me most of the way up the mountain. The second hitch took a bit longer but I got started hiking by about 10:30 am. Once again the hike was beautiful, and the weather was perfect. Past Charlie's Bunion, along the ridge, with great views. I was able to call Toby, my godchild, who made his First Communion on this day and congratulate him. Peck's corner was a nice shelter. Flat tent sites were scarce but I managed to set up on the hillside behind the shelter.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Hiked out early from Peck's Corner. Stopped for some lunch at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter, where there had been quite a few reports of bear activity, but saw none. Went on to Cosby Knob Shelter. Also there were Blue Sky, Lobsterman, Joe, Trooper, and his friend Birdman, plus others. There was a fellow who was doing a section hike of the Smokies, and I got talking to him for awhile. He said, I can't do what you guys are doing - meaning that he didn't WANT to do what we were doing. He wanted to go slow, enjoy the beauty of the mountains, not crunch out miles and worry about keeping to schedule. And I sort of agree with him. Doing the thru hike requires that you make the miles, especially when you are rather slow like me.