morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Wesser Bald, 

To: N.O.C
Miles today: 0.0

Today was my first zero day. I stayed in the N.O.C. for another night. Enjoyed food and company of all kinds of hikers. Some include Hareball, Phoenix, Red Hat, Hopeful Hiker, Dorothy & Totto, Snowman, Creaky Bones, Double Healer, and a Greek Goddess whose name sounds like Odessa. It has really been relaxing and laid back.
Date: 2005-03-29
From: N.O.C

To: Tyre Top, Grassy Top, Swim Bald, Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 10.5

This morning we had breakfast at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. It was my fifth meal eaten out off the trail. And I will tell you I felt sluggish as the afternoon temps climbed above 70 degrees. It was a sunny beautiful day, but I do not think all the town food did me any good. I felt like my climbing legs were just off. I hiked with Phenox, Hareball, and Red Hat today off and on. We climbed over Tyre Top (2800¢), Grassy Top (3250¢), Swim Bald (4750¢), past Sassafras Gap Shelter, and over Cheoah Bald (5062¢). We are spending the night at Locust Cove Gap. The views from Cheoah Bald were unbelievable. We could see where we came from and all the way to the Smokys. I discovered why Nantahala means ¢Land of the noon day sun.¢ The Nantahala River has created a gorge way down between the mountains. It is a huge climb to the river and today was a huge climb up from the river. The sun doesn¢t get down into the gorge in the early morning. We climbed from 1740¢ to 5062¢. I felt every climb in elevation. But I am psyched with the 10.5 miles today. I¢m not sure how but Hareball and I ended up with several other hikers following our schedule for the day. It is like tent city here. Lots of fun for the most part. I have given up my hot water bottle at night. It has been warmer lately. I¢ve seen Robins and all kinds of spring flowers.
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Tyre Top, Grassy Top, Swim Bald, Cheoah Bald

To: Unnamed Cliffs, Unnamed Knot
Miles today: 11.6

I had a great nights sleep. I¢m very comfortable in my tent. We did not reach any high elevations today. But I will tell you it was a hard day of climbing. The highest we got was Unnamed Cliffs (3910¢) and Unnamed Knot (3910¢). We hiked from Locust Cove Gap past Brown Fork Gap Shelter and on to Cable Gap Shelter. When I was climbing up the cliffs it was 80 degrees and I got a little sun sickness. It took every ounce of strength to keep one foot moving in front of the other. I stopped at Brown Fork Gap Shelter for lunch and did a little better after the rest. Long day but good miles. Smile.
Date: 2005-03-31
From: Unnamed Cliffs, Unnamed Knot

To: Fontana Village Resort
Miles today: 5.5

Two forty five in the morning the rain began. I was tucked dry in my tent listening to the rainfall. In the morning I lingered in my tent as long as I could. The rain did let up long enough for me to pack the tent. Off we went from Cable Gap Shelter out to route 28 to Fontana Doom. It was slippery and muddy much of the way out with light rain. We called for a shuttle to the Fontana Village Resort, which came quickly. We were able to do laundry and soak in the tub. All good, plus we checked out the outfitter store. Then we found out dinner here was sandwiches. Some how I ended up in the back of ¢Mala¢s¢ truck headed for real food with five other hikers. Mala is a man who appears to be in his 50¢s with a big gray bead and a long ponytail. He appears to be following along with hikers. He was a great sport. For some gas money we ended up in Robbinsville, NC for dinner and lots of laughs. Good time had by all.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Fontana Village Resort

To: Fontana Village Resort
Miles today: 1.4

Tonight¢s weather is predicted to be very bad in the mountains so we stayed at the resort one more day. I slack packed from route 28 to the dam itself and took a couple pictures. To be honest I thought it would be a little farther than it was. I¢m itching to get back moving north. Packing six days worth of food for the Smoky¢s was both difficult and heavy. I hope it is cool for my hike up Shuckstack with all my weight. Hard to believe in one week the Smoky¢s will be behind me.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Fontana Village Resort

To: Doe Knob
Miles today: 6.5

This morning I woke up in a resort to light rain. I already took yesterday off so I wanted to hit the trail. The shuttle driver said there was snow in the higher elevations but me being a Northerner didn¢t let that stop me. Double Healer, Red Hat, Hareball, and I took the shuttle to the Smoky Mtns. National Park to start hiking. We met a few hikers headed down who told us how bad it was. Snowman passed up going up. Double Healer and Red Hat decided to go down. Hareball and I hiked on. The wind was fierce and the snow pelting. When we were wading in snow over our knees I called to Hareball with a plan. I felt we couldn¢t make the shelter and we were already over 4100¢ of elevation. I suggested we set up my tent between two logs and use her big fly to create a double wall tent. By the grace of god her tent poles worked with mine and we had a workable shelter. We have been reasonably warm and only slightly damp. We opened the ten once and had to push the snow away to open the door. We will stay here the night and hopefully make a shelter tomorrow. I believe we are on the side of Doe Knob because we passed a turn off to a tent site and I believe we passed a spring that will give us some where around 4.5 miles to go to a shelter tomorrow. Many thanks to the man and two sons who gave us a ride to Hiawassee and gave me an air activated body warmer. Worked great.
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Doe Knob

To: Mollies Ridge 
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

We slept on and off. The wind was severe. The snow continued into the evening. During the night there were mice running all over and one chewed a 3¢ hole in my tent. There was a lot of condensation on the inside of the tent that we tried to keep wiped down. We got damp but stayed warm all night. Up at 6 AM to pack up and off to the Mollies Ridge at 7 AM. Hiking was hard. At worst we were wading through hip deep snow at best 6¢. We got to the shelter by 11:30 AM. But our sleeping bags were wet and we decided to call it a day and get everything dried out. Nice fireplace and we had a good fire to have dinner by.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Mollies Ridge 

To: Devils Tater Patch, Little Bald, Rocky Top
Miles today: 11.7

What a day! It was warm and sunny and we hiked an awesome number of miles. The trail was full of slush, water, and mud from the storm. It was hard walking but we managed to climb numerous mountains. The views were incredible. I took a few pictures I¢d like to have fused together to try and show the expanse of mountains. The Smokys are beautiful! We hiked from Mollies Ridge Shelter over Devils Tater Patch (4775¢), Little Bald (5200¢), Rocky Top (5441¢), Thunderhead (5527¢), Brier Knob (5215¢) and Chester Bald (4950¢). We passed Russel field and Spence Field Shelters, and are staying in Derrick Knob Shelter. My first time staying in a Bear Cage. My boots are completely soaked. It will be painful to put them back on with wet socks in the morning. The snowing has begun at the shelter. Night all.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Devils Tater Patch, Little Bald, Rocky Top

To: Spring Knob, Silers Bald, Jenkins Knob
Miles today: 7.2

Today was an awesome day. Plenty of sun, a warm wind, and relaxing energy. The trail was still snow and mud in the higher elevations so we elected to do just 7.2 miles. We went from Derrick Knob Shelter over Cold Spring Knob (5240¢), past Silers Bald Shelter, over Silers Bald (5607¢) and Jenkins Knob (5650¢) to Double Spring Gap Shelter (5507¢). The shelter is full tonight. Sunshine caught up to us from her town stay. Doc is with us for the third night. Plus lots of other ¢ five women and eight men. Doc started an awesome fire and we are drying our socks and boots by the fire. Plus hot cocoa and good company. I took a picture of Hareball carrying wood to the shelter for the fire.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Spring Knob, Silers Bald, Jenkins Knob

To: Mt. Buckley, Clingmans Dome, Mt Love 
Miles today: 13.8

What a day! 13.8 miles in the Smokys including going over Clingmans Dome (6643¢) is something. Hareball and I were determined to get an early start to help give us time for such and ambitious day. The time change is not on our side we woke up with the sunrise at 7 AM. And were out hiking at 8:15 AM. Just 45 minutes to 1 hour earlier than usual. We left Double Spring Gap Shelter and went over Mt. Buckley (6582¢), Clingmans Dome (6643¢), Mt Love (6446¢), and Mt Collins (6188¢). We passed Mt Collins Shelter and are staying in Ice Water Spring Shelter. We are in a shelter with 21 people. Hareball and I have our tents set up on the floor in the open area of the shelter. Doc is with us again and Snowman is here. A man named Raymond was hiking with his nephew today and invited us for dinner at a road crossing. We had KFC, cookies, fudge and snickers. All greatly appreciated. I hiked the last three miles of the day with increased strength from real food. Hareball said the food saved my life so she didn¢t have to become G Narly. We passed the North Carolina Tennessee border today. Exciting, making good progress. All the shelters here in the Smokys have fireplaces. We had a good fire. Hareball and I had to climb over a hog exclusion fence today. I guess hogs have been rooting up the beech trees so they have fenced them out of some trees. Made for lots of laughs. One hiker saw a bear and a couple other hikers saw two wild hogs. I managed to see a robin and lots of wild flowers in the lower areas. The trail conditions were varied. Very wet, snow, slush, water, mud in some areas and dry in others. Another day of very wet feet. Pout. Very cold tonight with strong winds. Lightening storms predicted for tonight and tomorrow. I¢m tucked in with my hot water bottle. Life is good.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Mt. Buckley, Clingmans Dome, Mt Love 

To: Peeks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Today was rainy, windy, and chilly. There were blow downs all over the trail. We had to take our packs off to get around the blow downs. In one area I saw the trail lifting. It scared me and I screamed. There was a pine tree whose root system was the trail; and it was about to blow over. We ran past the wind was so strong and we were walking on ridges where the trail dropped off on both sides. It was hard to stay standing at times. I was exhausted. My hiking times have improved. It took 4.5 hours to go 7.4 miles. I¢m hoping to continue to improve. Only five in the shelter tonight. We hiked from Ice Water Spring Shelter to Peeks Corner Shelter.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Peeks Corner Shelter

To: Mt. Sequoyah, Mt Chapman, Cosby Knob, Sunup Knob 
Miles today: 20.0

What a day. Hareball and I were determined to do better mileage today. We got up at 6:40 AM despite the lightening storm and hearing what we think was a bear pulling the bear cables trying to get our food during the night. We left Peeks Corner Shelter and were on the A.T. at 7:55 AM. The weather was cloudy and foggy 90% of the day. We were in three brief rain showers. We did have a couple good views but we were mostly in the clouds. It was cool, good for hiking and our packs are light because we need to re-supply. We hiked over Mt. Sequoyah (6000¢), Mt. Chapman (6250¢), Guyot Spur (6360¢), Pinnacle Lead (6320¢), Cosby Knob (5145¢), and Sunup Knob (5050¢). We passed Tri Corner Knob Shelter and Crosby Knob Shelter. We finished hiking in the dark with Head Camps the last 1.5 miles to Davenport Gap Shelter. All kinds of hikers are here we know.   We shocked them with our 20 mile day. To be honest I was even shocked me.
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Mt. Sequoyah, Mt Chapman, Cosby Knob, Sunup Knob 

To: Green Corner Road
Miles today: 3.3

Today was re-supply day. I was nearly out of food and in terrible need of a shower. We hiked out the .9 miles to the road, where Rain Man picked us up to go to Mountain Moma¢s for Breakfast. It was really a good time had by all. Nice chance to visit and relax. Then Rain Man (bless him) brought us to drop our packs at Standing Bear Farm where we¢d be staying; to Wal Mart; back to Farm to drop off groceries; and back to the trail so we could hike from Davenport Gap to Green Corner Road. Rain Man was an angel that made the morning a huge success. Plus I got to enjoy riding in the back of his truck. It made me feel like a kid ¢ full of adventure. Hareball and I loved our short hike to Green Corner Road. The streams and wild flowers were just beautiful. We soaked our feet in the stream and enjoyed all there was to see. I saw two cray fish scurrying about. Curitis and his wife shuttled us to a restaurant named the ¢Front Porch¢ for great Mexican food and live blue grass music. Enjoyable. Before we went out Gray Beard and Joe were playing the Guitar and signing. The best time ever. This was a full day. Oh I forgot to tell you about the squirming I felt in my hair in the middle of the night. It was a mouse. I watched him lower his body down and scamper away. There was also a brief incident with a peeping tome. Not good.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Green Corner Road

To: Snowbird Mtn 
Miles today: 7.2

Today was a warm beautiful day. We saw the forest full of wildflowers and a wild turkey. We hiked from Green Corner Rd. over Snowbird Mtn (4265¢) and down to Groundhog Creek Shelter. We pitched our tents and did the evening chores. I¢m pooped and ready to sleep tonight. Life on the trail is simple and much more carefree then normal life. Makes me ever so aware of all the stressors we live with daily that we don¢t even realize weigh on us. Nice to have such a simpler life even for a short while.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Snowbird Mtn 

To: Old Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was sunny and warm. Hiking felt slow but I kept to my time. We hiked from Groundhog Creek Shelter to Old Roaring Fork Shelter. We got to enjoy Max Patch (a huge bald) on the most perfect of days. The forest was a sea of flowers as well. Much of the hike reminded me of a rain forest. It was beautiful. I got ever so slightly off track once following a horse path. I back tracked and found the trail with Yappy¢s help. Rain is predicted for tonight so Hareball and I are in a shelter for the night.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Old Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Walnut Mtn, Bluff Mtn, Lamb Knob 
Miles today: 14.9

It rained most of the day. It was heavy as we were hiking down into Hot Springs. Read Hat caught up to us when we were resting at Deer Park Mtn Shelter. She had been trying to catch us for 11 days. We went from Old Roaring Park Shelter over Walnut Mtn (4260¢), Bluff Mtn (4686¢), and Lamb Knob. We are spending the night at Cody House Hostel. It is awesome. Very clean home with a gas fireplace. Red Hat, Hareball, and I have the place to ourselves. We had burgers at Paddlers Pub. Great time had by all.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Walnut Mtn, Bluff Mtn, Lamb Knob 

To: Pump Gap, Hurricane Gap
Miles today: 9.3

This morning we did our chores around town. Ate an awesome breakfast and lunch at the Smoky Mountain Diner and headed for the trail at 2 PM. The weather had been cloudy with reports of clearing headed our way. Hareball and I enjoyed the view out of town and all the flowers. By the time we passed Pump Gap it started to lightly rain. We put on our rain gear and before we knew it the rain was steady and it was turning cold. I had to add layers at Tanyard Gap. Hareball helped me because my fingers were too cold to work. We ran into an older man we didn¢t know after the trail to Rich Mtn Fire tower who said the Spring Mtn Shelter was full. We continued to hike just past Hurricane Gap. We set up our tents in the rain. Pulled out what we needed for dinner and hung our food for the night. We managed to get the tents up before darkness settled in. I surprised Hareball with half an orange. She had given me half a snickers on the climb up to give me energy to continue in the cold rain. I forgot to mention that as we got deeper into the forest there had been a fire that burnt all the floor layer of the forest. The devastation looked terrible but I believe it was done on purpose. The burnt odor was strong.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Pump Gap, Hurricane Gap

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

The rain finally stopped in the middle of the night. We had decided to sleep in, which we did. Hareball got our food bags and left mine by my tent. The sun was shining on my tent and I had breakfast in my sleeping bag. It was a very relaxing morning. We hung our clothes out to dry. We packed slowly and enjoyed not needing to rush anywhere. We hiked to Spring Mtn Shelter and got water. Visited with Radio and Crazy Kate then hiked on. We had dinner at a home off the logging road of Fal and Hercules. Fantastic food and company. The generosity of strangers is heart warming. Gary Walrus and Pathfinder decided to camp with up at Little Laurel Shelter. We got in late so they helped us with hanging food bags and water. Another great day on the trail. My tent is comfy. Nite.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: White Rock Cliff, Black Stack Cliff, Big Butt Mtn 
Miles today: 12.7

Today Grey Beard, Hareball, and I went from Little Laurel Shelter, past Jerry Cabin Shelter, on to Flint Mtn Shelter. The miles were hard, but the views the best. We especially enjoyed White Rock Cliff and Black Stack Cliffs. We had lunch at Black Stack. The trail had a ridge that was all boulders. Some had been arranged in stairs. Thanks to all the trail workers. The views were also fantastic from Big Butt Mtn and from the Bassett Memorial. (Yes there is a Mtn named Big Butt). It is a beautiful bald. I grossed Hareball out today by pulling off a dead toenail. Guess my feet have felt the last 303 miles.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: White Rock Cliff, Black Stack Cliff, Big Butt Mtn 

To: Frozen Knob 
Miles today: 8.8

Today we hiked from Flint Mtn Shelter to Hogback Ridge Shelter. Today was a low energy day. The trail was rolling with one big up over Frozen Knob (4580¢). I¢m sleeping in the shelter tonight. Lots of jokes flying.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Frozen Knob 

To: Erwin 
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day! Today was one of those that you say ¢When pigs fly.¢ I slept in the shelter at Hogback Ridge Shelter. I got up and left around 8:30 AM. Hareball wanted to take her time and didn¢t want to go to the diner at Sams Gap and Red Hat (had caught up to me again) mentioned she did want to go. I asked Sowega to catch her before Sam¢s Gap and tell her I¢d go with her. So off he went. When I arrived at Sams Gap I could see Sowega and Red Hat sitting off the side of the road. I assumed they were waiting for me to go eat. As I approached I learned Red Hat had chest pain and numbness in her left arm. She wondered if it was her heart. I was betting it was her poorly designed pack pinching a nerve. But told her to go to the hospital today. (She waited a day. Glad it was not my decision to make.) Anyway Sowega (25 years old) said he was going to ask Miss Janet to take his heavy pack and he would take a light pack and slack the remaining 24 miles into Erwin. I asked him if he would stay with me, I¢d do it too. (I must be nuts!) He agreed. Before long Hareball showed up and wanted to go too. Fat Chap Showed up for Miss Janet and took our packs and off we three went with light packs. Red Hat was off with Fat Chap to rest. We were walking so fast I felt like I was running at times. Sowega let me lead but he did some distance training with me, which was most needed. He was awesome. I taught him about ramps and we stopped briefly to dig some. Then back to near running. I did it. Over Big Bald (5516¢), Little Bald (5185¢), and Temple Hill that kicked my butt at the end of the night. We arrived at the road in Erwin at 10:30 PM by headlamps. The walk down the hill toward Erwin was breath taking. The Erwin lights were awesome, the river rushing, the train whistles, and half moon to walk in by. My legs were mush but I was so glad to have done it. Big Bald was beyond belief as well. What a day. Miss Janet picked us up after we road walked a little while. I was so grateful! Miss Janet took us to Wendy¢s on the way to the hostel. Yummy¢¦.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Erwin 

To: Johnson City 
Miles today: 0.0

A day of rest. Showered, laundry, groceries, trip to the outfitter in Johnson City for new shoes. Blade Steak and salad for dinner. Miss Janet¢s breakfast was yummy. Eggs, pork, pancakes with bananas, syrup and ice cream, juice or milk, and lots of coffee. A full day at Miss Janet¢s Hostel. Hareball and Pathfinder seem to be working on something. I¢m in a room with Sowega, August, and one other guy hiker tonight. Life is ever interesting. Smile
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Johnson City 

To: Beauty Spot, Unaka Mtn, Little Bald Knob 
Miles today: 19.1

Miss Janet shuttled Hareball and I to Iron Mtn Gap to hike the 19 miles back to Erwin with light packs. It was a fun day. We passed bunches of our friends and chatted. We hiked Beauty Spot (4437¢), Unaka Mtn (5180¢), and Little Bald Knob (4460¢). The Bald was awesome. There were evergreen forests, as well as the lush rhododendrons that we have been going through. Chucker berries were everywhere. Tonight is my last day at Miss Janets. Tomorrow it¢s back to the woods.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Beauty Spot, Unaka Mtn, Little Bald Knob 

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: clear sky

Today we hiked from Iron Mtn Gap to Clyde Smith Shelter. Both Hareball and I brought way to much food. Our packs are heavier than ever. Every time I do this I vow to never do it again. Doc and Gray Beard are here at the shelter and I fed them some food to decrease my weight. Sowega and No Worries stopped in to visit after they went for ice cream. I dug ramps to put in my rice for dinner. They were good. I still smell like an onion. I¢m sleeping in the shelter. It is so comfy in my sleeping bag and wool nightclothes.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Round Bald, Jane Bald, Grassy Ridge 
Miles today: 12.9

This morning I got a fairly early start ¢ leaving Clyde Smith Shelter at 8:10. But I walked about half a mile and realized I forgot my hiking poles. Back I went. I did drop my pack by the trail so I wouldn¢t have to carry it. Hareball had just left the shelter and she had my poles. Off we went. Hiking was slow for me up over Bear Town Mtn (5480¢) and Roan high Bluff (6150¢). The morning was sunny. Just before the top of Roan a light rain started. By the top the hail began ¢ which lasted 15-20 minutes. We rushed to get off the peak. We visited Roan High Knob Shelter (highest on the trail 6285¢). Then down to Carvers Gap. Sowega and a friend told us to check a green jeep bumper for trail magic.   Over I went ¢ at first seeing nothing. Then finding snickers and coke under the tire. Awesome! It was about four in the afternoon and Hareball packed out a coke for Doc and Gray Beard. We continued to hike over Round Bald (5826¢), Jane Bald (5826¢), and the trail to Grassy Ridge (6050¢). We stopped at Stan Murray Shelter and dug some ramps for dinner. Then off to Over Mountain Shelter. We watched lightening off in the distance as we walked. I thought the almost full moon would light the path as it got dark but it went behind a cloud. Hareball had two headlamps out and she handed me one. We reached the barn (shelter) just before the steady rain and lightening storm hit. Dinner was ramps, pepperoni, and noodles with butter. Yummy.