morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-05
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

   A kinder, gentler mouse population resides at Muskrat Shelter. We only had a couple of mice and they stayed off the sleeping bags. I awoke at 7:05 a.m. and was on the trail by 8:20. I made the first four miles to Deep Gap. I got water from a nice brook flowing down the mountain. I dropped my trash at the four (4) garbage cans located by the Forest Service Road. I hiked past the shelter at Standing Indian and began my assent of Standing Indian Mountain at 11:15. The fog was so thick I could hardly see 30 feet in front of me. The climb up Standing Indian Mountain is on an old wagon road and I do not consider it a hard climb. The descent into Beech Gap was an easy walk. What was difficult was the downed trees. Several times I left the trail to go up the mountain to pass large fallen trees that had been blown down. Once going down the face of the mountain I had to pass a large blockage. I took my first fall of the trip. No harm was done. I arrived at Carter Gap Shelter at 3:45 p.m. after my first 12.5 miles in a day. I ate a large pot of Minestrone Soup. There are two shelters at Carter Gap. In the old shelter were two section hikers and a northbound thru-hiker, Jude. In the new shelter were four northbound thru-hikers. One was a man named Junior and his son, Rican from Maine. Rican is a 17-year old junior in high school. Slow Poke and myself stayed there, also. Fog completely enclosed the shelter with visibility at zero. At 6:20, I was off to bed.
Date: 2004-03-07
From: Wallace Gap, Old US 64

To: Same
Miles today: 0.0

   No Mice-No Turkey Hen. I had a great night's rest at the Franklin Motel (1-800-433-5507). It is located next to a bank, Ingles Grocery and a great local restaurant. Stumpknocker drove me to breakfast at 8:30 to a great restaurant. He had eaten at the establishment on his southbound hike. After a great visit he drove me to the Indian Mound. The Cherokees believed that their ancestors originated in Franklin, NC (Nikwasi). Stumpknocker is a twice thru-hiker and provided me valuable trail information. After dropping me off at the motel, he left to do trail magic for AT hikers. I have a good trail role model to emulate. I called Kathy (828-524-9904) who provides great shuttle service for the Franklin area. I used her services two years ago. She is presently interviewing hikers she shuttles for a book on the AT from the perspective of a trail angel. Since the Franklin Motel has an on-site laundry, it was time to wash the smelly clothes. The cost of laundry is $4.00 and they furnish the detergent. I walked over to Ingles while the laundry was begin done to buy groceries for the next 4 days on the trail. While my clothes are being washed, I wear my rain pants and Patagonia Super-Fly top. At 12:45 p.m. I went to lunch at the B & D Restaurant, which is one block from the motel. Two very nice gentlemen visited with me at the restaurant about the trail. they informed me that the street next to the courthouse in Sylva, NC was named "Grandstaff Street". I returned to the motel and packed up for tomorrow morning for my 8:30 a.m. pick-up. There are several AT hikers at the motel. There is a couple from Connecticut who has a son with a pick-up doing support for their hike. At 4:30, three young men from Auburn University were dropped off by a trail angel. One of the young men is sick with a stomach problem. They are very nice young men who were located next door.
Date: 2004-03-08
From: Same

To: Same
Miles today: 0.0

   Anne Allison who provides shuttle service for Franklin, NC, picked me up at 8:30 and carried me to the Franklin Post Office to get my drop-box. I had called the post office at 7:00 a.m. and they confirmed that it had arrived. She agreed to pick me up on Wednesday morning for me to return to the trail. The Microtel has great location. It is next to the Huddle House for breakfast, Shoney's for lunch and a steak house for supper. It is one block from The Hiking Outfitters Store. I walked up the The Outfitters and had my photo taken for the hiking bulletin board. I spent most of the day watching the Weather Channel and waiting on the winter storm.
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Same

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

   The storm arrived. The moutains to our west are covered in snow. As much as I wanted to move north, I am proud that I listened to Carol. I have plenty of time to get to Katahdin. The good news is that I am in good health, with no blisters or injuries. Tomorrow will be cold with snow on the ground, but clear. I had supper with a hiker from Mississippi. He is a nice gentleman who has already taken over 500 photographs on the trail. I am rested, full and ready to move north.
Date: 2004-03-10
From: Wallace Gap, Old US 64

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

   Anne Allison (critters@dnet.net) picked me up at 8:15 from the Microtel Motel in Franklin. We went by the Franklin Motel and picked up three young men from Auburn University. I arrived at Wallace Gap at 9:00 a.m. The three Auburn men were being taken back to Standing Indian Campground to hike to Deep Gap. The hikers from Rainbow Springs Campground arrived at the same time. The Rainbow Springs hikers were "GG", Katherine, Dejavu, Sugar Daddy, Patrick and Michael (Brothers) from Virginia. I began hiking with "GG". The trail was covered in snow and the woods were Christmas beautiful. We agreed to pass the first blue blaze trail and go on to Siler Bald. When we arrived at Siler Bald, we saw several hikers on top of the Bald. So, in the snow up we went to join them. If the young can climb, so can the mature of age. It is a long steep climb with a dedication marker at the top that reads 4,940 feet. We all ate cookies and enjoyed the view. We then hiked to the second blue blaze to go to Siler Bald Shelter. I set up my tarp by the big oak tree below the shelter. I hung the food bag and went to my warm sleeping bag. I heard a dog, Buck, bark at something several times. No one could determine what caused the barking. Buck is such a beautiful and smart dog. A note on bear cables: There are no safe guards for mice. "Harrier" had his food chewed by mice while it was on bear cables. Height, steel cables or metal guards can't stop the "Mighty Mouse".
Date: 2004-03-11
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

"GG" came down from the shelter to my tarp to awaken me at 6:15 a.m. "GG" is retired from a dairy farm and had the early milking shift. I need her discipline. After I cooked my usual coffee and oatmeal with a granola bar, I took down my ice covered tarp. We headed up the blue trail below the shelter to return to the AT. We hit the AT at 8:20 a.m. after a .6 mile blue blaze walk. I have now climbed over 30,000 feet in accumulated feet since Springer Mountain. That is higher than Mr. Everest! We hiked in four to six inches of snow and ice. Ice is the hard part. We reached Wayah Bald at 12:00 and had a lunch break. The snow on the trail slowed our progress. "GG" took a fall on a clift trail in black mud-ice mixture. She fell down and not to her right. The fall right would have resulted in, well, let's say her guardian angel held her on the trail. It was such a dangerous spot. There was absolutely no footing for anyone. It was obvious that other hikers had slid on the same spot. Snow, ice, mud, a steep incline, a clift and yes=focus! We were the first to arrive at Cold Springs Shelter. We were very cold. We quickly began cooking supper and preparing to get into our sleeping bags. My routine is to put on my jacket and rain coat. I try to dry my shirt with this technique. After I begin to feel cool, I quickly change into a dry top, bottoms and socks. I still haven't figured a way to keep my shoes from freezing solid at night. Off to bed at 6:30 p.m. to get warm and sleep.
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala River
Miles today: 11.5

   The ground around Cold Springs Shelter was covered with ice and snow. The shelter crowd was Harrier, GG, Tweet and his brother, Red Dog, Mickey-One-Sock and a black Labrador Retriever, Buck. Buck always sleeps at the head of his master, Red Dog. Red Dog is a member of the Auburn Alabama Fire Department. War Eagle! The shelter was awake at 6:15 a.m. The sun was up a little after 6:30. "GG" is short for Great Grandmother. She is 66 years old and from Ava, Missouri. She has 24 grandchildren and four (4) great grandchildren. We are both Catholic and have enjoyed saying our Hail Mary's and Our Father's as we walk. She is a wonderful person. We arrived at Wesser Bald Shelter at 11:30. The view from the Wesser Fire Tower was fantastic. "Healed" and his dog, Annie, are ahead of us. He wrote in the journal at Wesser Bald Shelter that he saw a bear as they were climbing Wesser Bald. After lunch at the shelter we continued our upward climb to a rock outcropping for a great view of the Smoky Mountain National Park. I should add a snow covered park. We arrived at the Nantahala Outdoor Center at 3:30. This time my package sent by UPS had not arrived. Six days to travel under 200 miles from home. We have used USPS and UPS. No luck with either. Where is the Pony Express when you need them?
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Nantahala River

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

   The section between the Nantahala River and Fontana Dam (29 miles) has to be the most difficult for the first 1,000 miles. I thought Kelly Knob was difficult, but the climb to Sassafras Gap Shelter is Kelly times seven. The climb not only goes up, but straight up to the top. Georgia has "switch"backs. North Carolina has "straight"backs. The seven miles to the shelter is equal to a twelve mile day. I was so tired. I had gotten a late start at 11:30 a.m. The morning began with a trail angel at the Nantahala Outdoor Center who loaded her pick-up truck for "GG" and I to go three miles for breakfast. After breakfast, I returned to The Outfitters to buy denatured alcohol and try to find my UPS package. Larry who works for NOC said for me to double check the stairway where the thru-hiker packages are held. Stairway! After two more checks of all packages, it was not there. Larry, who remembered me from previous hikes, offered to walk to the receiving department and see if it had arrived, but had not been brought over to the Outfitters store as of yet. Larry is a great example of the excellent service at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Thanks to Larry, my package was located in the receiving department. From the wonderful lady at Customer Relations to Larry at the Outfitters, NOC is a very user friendly company. After cooking supper in the dark, I am off to bed with plans for tomorrow swirling in my head.
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

   5:30 a. m.! GG is calling, "Mickey, Mickey, it's time!" Off comes the warm Patagonia sleeping shirt and on comes the wet cold hiking shirt. My least favorite part of the hike is getting out of a warm Western Mounteering 5 degree sleeping bag and putting on cold, wet clothes in tempertures below freezing. On top of the wet pants I put on rain pants and on my top I put a Patagonia Puff Ball-Marmot vest and a rain jacket. After 15 to 20 minutes the wet clothes are still wet, but are warm. The difference with many of my fellow hikers and me is that they sleep in their wet clothes. Our day began at Sassafras Gap Shelter with another climb to Cheoah Bald. What a view! My favorite views are Tray Mountain, Albert Mountain, Wesser Bald and now Cheoah Bald! These views make all the wet morning clothes worthwhile. When I approached Stecoah Gap, it was 12:30 p.m. Coming down the mountain, I could see the bright orange of a University of Tennessee canopy. Trail Angel! Ox, a thru-hiker from Alpharetta, GA, and a beloved Tennessee Volunteer was doing trail magic for all thru-hikers. He had many types of can soda, navel oranges, doughnuts, cookies and candy bars. It shows that on "Ole Rocky Top" there are angels in orange. Thanks Ox! GG and I arrived at the blue blaze to Brown Fork Gap Shelter (9.1 miles) and decided to continue to Cable Gap Shelter. We arrived at Cable Gap at 6:30 p.m. We had completed 15.2 miles. Cable Gap is a great shelter. It is made of logs and has a wood shingle roof. It is very old, but fits perfect in its location. Supper after dark and then off to left side, right side, back, left side, right side, back...
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

   Light rain during the night and morning! Up, Up, Up for the first 90 minutes. Fog, then rain, then fog all equals wet slippery trail. Wet leaves on a rocky trail equals falling down. Down goes GG. She hit her head on a rock. She stopped the bleeding with a bandana and I put a band-aid across the cut. Down goes Arlene. Down goes Arlene (GG)! Yes, this was her third fall. Arlene-3 to Mickey-1. Arlene is winning! "Rain drops keep falling on our heads" and we keep falling on our heads! We are all falling down. The two brothers from Virginia, one fell and broke his hiking pole. I fell and was able to catch a tree before going off the side. Folks going down hill on wet rocks, boulders and leaves-you all fall. It's not if, it's simple will I get hurt? Everyone falls! I know that GG is going to be O.K. She looked at me and said, "My daughters tried to make me carry a crash helmet." In order to encourage GG I said, "GG, What you need is a complete football outfit." As a post script, the helmet will be waiting for her at Gatlinburg. The trail from NC28 to the Fontana Dam Road is in terrible condition due to many blown down trees, just terrible, but no maintaince being done. Yes, I would be willing to help work on this area after my thru-hike. I will also volunteer my wife. I would say two sons, but I don't know if they would appreciate volunteer servitude. As soon as I reached the road, I saw a truck stop and return to the parking area. It was Nancy Hoch from the Hike Inn. My fellow Americans, and others, The Hike Inn is a treasure! Jeff and Nancy are angels of Hiker Heaven. They love hikers. A hot shower, while Jeff and Nancy do your laundry, fold your clothes and return them to your room. A shuttle to Robbinsville, NC, for groceries and supper. A clean room, care from two messengers from above and a great night's rest.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Fontana Dam

To: The Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0

   Both of my feet are swollen. No blisters! Pain under the heel of each foot! Forget it, I'm going north! Nancy Hoch said for me to soak my feet in a pan of very hot water with Epsom salt and the swelling would go down. Directions followed, swelling gone in left foot, and the right foot on the way down. Why? I'm glad you asked. Between Springer Mtn. and Fontana Dam I have climbed a total of 47 mountains, balds, spurs, knobs and tops, walked through 77 gaps and have climbed almost 40,000 total feet in altitude. Tuesday morning began at 6:30 a.m. with a great breakfast in GG's room of eggs, sausage, toast and jelly. Harrier, AWOP, GG, Mickey-One-Sock and Darhma. Thanks, GG.   My plan is to leave early on Wednesday and hike to Newfound Gap in five days. The weather looks good. Carol, trail name Red Bird, is my wife and support team for the hike. She provides me my up-dated weather reports and they are making a big difference. Red Bird and I will have a lot of wonderful people to meet after the hike. Jeff and Nancy will be at the top of our list with Josh and Leigh Saint at Hiker Hostel in Woody Gap, Winstin and Marge Porter at Neels Gap, Gary and his wife at the Blueberry Patch and the wonderful people at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. I need to get up and and empty my pan of Epsom salt. I have more journey to enjoy.
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

   Jeff Hoch delivered GG and me to Fontana Dam at 8:00. It was exciting to cross the dam knowing that I would be entering the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. As we crossed the dam, a Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) employee stopped and visited with us. Another example of how friendly individuals are in the Fontana Dam area. It is a little over a mile walk to the entry to the park. We were met at the entry to the park by an Appalachian Trail Conference ridge runner. He was very friendly and took our photographs at the entrance sign. The climb up to Shuckstack Firetower was not as difficult as the climb out of the Nantahala River. There were a lot of switchbacks that made the climb a lot easier than the straight up climb I had in North Carolina. I climbed the 67 steps up the Shuckstack firetower. The view is considered one of the best on the Appalachian Trail. I agree. It was beautiful. you must stay in a shelter in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I reached the remodeled Mollies Ridge Shelter at 4:30. Mollies Ridge Shelter is an example of the new model of shelters in the park. The chain fence has been removed and a nice cooking area added to the site. Eventually, all the chain fences will be removed to make it easier for the bears and hogs to attack hikers. Presently, the chain fence is an unfair advantage for humans. I know that it is suppose to make hikers more responsible for their activities. Time will tell what is the correct decision.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: moderate rain

   After a great night's rest in the new shelter, I headed north at 7:30 a.m. The first five miles were very easy then the trail changed. No "switchbacks"! Straight up! Straight up to Rocky top (5441'). The hike to Derrick Knob Shelter was very difficult! What makes the climbs bearable are the great views. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park has two things- great views and not-so-great trails! The trails are mini gullies thanks to the horseback riding allowed on the AT in the park. Now, let's summarize. No dogs, but horses. Oh, dogs might disturb the bears and hinder their life style. But, since horses are smaller than dogs, it's not a problem. And, blow downs are not cleared as there is a chainsaw restriction on trail crews. Chain saws can only be used between March 15 and April 15. No dogs, no more fence protection, no chainsaw noise, but what is that I see over yonder ridge, could that be a paved road winding up to Clingmans Dome? So, it's cars, horses, no chain fence and no year round chainsaws. I know what it is, it's the word chain. The road must have been cleared by ax and handsaw. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park has been my least favorite park of my hike.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: My. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

   The climb up to Clingman's Dome was straight up, but very beautiful. I had all the exuberance of climbing the highest part of the Appalachian Trail at 6,643'. Then what did I see when I got to the top, not what I expected. The observation deck is made of concete. While going down the north side, I encountered ice and more ice. I was so glad to have a beautiful day to hike this area. It shows how difficult the winters must be on Clingman's Dome. I arrived at Mt. Collins Shelter only to find that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park had over-booked the shelter to a scout group. The scouts and their leader were very courteous and polite. Seven of the thru-hikers had to pack up and walk to Newfound Gap for an additional 4.5 miles. I am excited to meet my sons tomorrow at Newfound Gap.
Date: 2004-03-20
From: My. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

   The day began with mud and ice. It was a .5 mile walk back to the trail. The ice lasted for the first two miles of the hike. Today, I was hiking with GG and Woody. At Indian Gap we met Bam Bam and Pebbles. We arrived at Newfound Gap at 12:30. Scott, Adam and Ana were waiting for me to arrive. We loaded up in the pick-up truck and arrived at the Grand Prix Motel in Gatlinburg. After a great lunch with Scott, Adam, Ana, Bam Bam and Pebbles, I took a nap. I am resupplied. Snow Bear will carry me back to the trail tomorrow at 12:30 p.m.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Newfound Gap

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

   My sons, Adam and Scott, left at 8:00 to return to Atlanta. It was great for them to come and visit. We had a great time. Snow Bear, who I had met in 2002 with Easy-Does-It, came at 12:30 p.m. to return me to Newfound Gap. Her husband, Jerry, accompanied her. Jerry is from Montana and loves to work with horses. GG and Woody rode to Newfound Gap with us. It is wonderful people like Snow Bear and Jerry that make the Appalachian Trail the special experience it has become among hikers.   As we began our hike up to Icewater Spring Shelter, it was ice, ice, and more ice. The temperature began to drop and we could see from Mt. LeConte it was beginning to snow. After two miles we met the Ridgerunner who told us that we could expect 4" of snow and temperature of 10 degrees. As we reached the shelter, I was freezing. There were two college kids from Wisconsin, who were section hiking who were staying at the shelter. The two young men and myself began to gather wood for the fire. All the wood we could find was wet. GG assured us that she could get the fire going. She did! The five of us sat around the fire until 8:00 p.m. and then we went to our sleeping bags as snow began to blow into the shelter. As I got up and went outside the shelter for a nature call, someone yelled from the trail who was wearing a light in the woods. I replied, "I am at the shelter." It was snowing so hard that they had walked past the shelter. So after greeting, they said that they were going to the next shelter. In 30 minutes, both returned. One had fallen over 30' in the ice. Signs of things to come!
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

   Baltimore Jack had told me that if you want to avoid bad weather in the Smokies, hike them in June. Well, this is March. At 9:00 a.m. Woody, who has a digital temperture gauge, showed us a reading of 6 degrees above zero. It was snowing! I made up my mind to return to Gatlinburg. GG and Woody returned with me. I fell within 100' of the shelter. The ice was everywhere! So, slowly we began the descent from 5,920' to 5,045'. It was so slick, GG and Woody had to sit down and slid on occasion to be safe. We met Pebbles and BamBam, who were coming up from Newfound Gap, and seeing the ice, they turned around with us. It was easy to get a ride back into Gatlinburg in the back of a truck. People have been so helpful.   When I returned to Gatlinburg, I was informed that it was going to be zero or below for Monday night. Good decision! It was a confirmation: Cold, wind and ice.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Newfound Gap

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

   I was up at 5:00 a.m. Trail habits are hard to break. The temperature on the mountain went below zero last night. Warm weather is on the way. It can be 60 degrees in Gatlinburg, TN and snowing on the 6,000' peaks. You can look up and see the snowline about a 1000' from the peak.    I walked to town and had breakfast of eggs and pancakes. I met Just T, who was heading back to the trail. I heard someone outside my door at 3 o'clock and it was Burn! At 7:00 p.m. we twelve thru-hikers went out for supper. The highlights of the day were meeting fellow thru-hikers, a couple in town, who said everyday should include "gratitude" to God for all we have, spending time with Pebbles and BamBam and my early morning walk through town. I repacked all my gear and am ready to go north tomorrow.