morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-21
From: 2.25 miles north of Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.15
Weather: snow

Day 7 ¢ Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015It snowed last night and within 50 feet of our tents were two sets of fresh bobcat tracks. I followed them for maybe a mile down the hill, to where they had come out of the woods ¢ four-footed AT hikers!Griswold and Felix soon passed me. All of the thu-hikers I've met are a good bit younger, 50 years or so, and they are much stronger hikers. Felix is no spring chicken, but, still, he¢s a generation behind me.That night, at the Tray Mountain shelter (mile 58.6) I caught up with part of the Mountain Crossings gang ¢ Griswald; Dakota and Tim; Scout; and Red. Later, two new thu-hikers arrived, R.J. and Desperado.Felix went on and camped on the other side of Tray.I had hiked about 13 miles, from just north of Low Gap shelter to Tray Mountain shelter. It was built for seven but there were eight of us, so it was a snug fit.It was a wet, windy night. But sometime in the wee hours of the morning, I woke up and I could feel a warm wind blowing. For now, at least, the cold spell is broken.Ran into some sweet trail magic this afternoon at Unicoi Gap (mile 52.9). That¢s when I ran into a trail angel who asked, ¢Would you like some hot coffee?¢ Does a bear live in the woods? Oh, yes!Two cups later, with cream and sugar, plus a banana, plus a Twinkie, and I was on my way again. The angel¢s name? Sherpa.May your tribe multiply.
Date: 2015-02-22
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap (Top of Georgia)
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 8 - Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015I hiked alone all day in mostly beautiful weather. The goal: mile 69.7, Dicks Creek Gap and a hostel there only half a mile west of the trail call Top of Georgia.It was only 11 miles from Tray Mountain shelter to Dicks Creek Gap but, for me, it was a tough 11 miles. I've missed so many meals I'm getting weak. No supper last night, no breakfast, no lunch.Two reasons: I made a big mistake bringing an alcohol stove and leaving my pocket rocket at home. My alcohol stove won't heat water to a boil in this mostly really cold weather and, truth be told, I'm still not very hungry.But I'm here now and I really like this place. (A word to the wise: make a reservation. There will be so many people on the trail, beginning in early March, that a lot of hikers are going to be left out in the cold, literally, when they get here. There won't be room enough for everyone.)--Got a ride into Hiawassee and back from Sir-Packs-A-Lot, a triple crown hiker and the guy in charge. We talked later that evening. His advice: Don't make your thu-hike into a race. Slow down. Enjoy the trip. Smell the roses.--Ate at Daniels, an eat-all-you-can restaurant where I ate until I just couldn't eat any more. Not one more bite.--Bought some fruit at Ingle's.--Got all my clothes washed and dried.There were a lot of friends here I met when I was bottled up at Mountain Cossings -- Felix; Griswald and Scout; Dakota and Tim. And I met two new NOBOs, WhyNot and Tadpole.(Why would a young man pick a trail name like Tadpole? Actually, it makes perfect sense. He wants to be a Navy seal.)By 8 p.m. I was hungry again. Lucky for me, and others, Griswald brought an angel food cake back from town, with strawberries and whipped cream. I had three pieces. I am well, warm, full, and looking forward to tomorrow.Sir-Pack-A-Lot is going to try to find me a stove before I leave. I hope he is successful. I have three more days on the trail before I can be sure of getting a good meal.
Date: 2015-02-23
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 9 - Monday, February 23, 2015Top of Georgia served us scrambled eggs, sausage, toast and jelly, orange juice, and coffee for breakfast. I got seconds on the eggs and toast and put as much jelly on the toast as I could, without embarrassing myself. I needed to fuel.The other NOBOs got an 8 AM shuttle back to the trail, but I stayed behind, trying unsuccessfully to buy a stove. My alcohol stove is a non¢starter, literally. I left about half an hour behind the other seven NOBOs.It was so good to get going again ¢ what a difference a full stomach makes! And an almost ice-free trail. Early that afternoon I crossed over into North Carolina, without (I'm sorry to say) noticing the small sign on a tree marking the boundary.I caught up with Felix and Why Not, who decided to stay at the Muskrat Creek shelter (81.4). So we parted. Later in the afternoon, I came across Tadpole, Scout, and Griswold and we hiked the last two or three miles together. Dakota had a fire going by the time we arrived at Standing Indian shelter (86.3) and he shared with me what I consider a surprising trail delicacy ¢ summer sausage roasted over a fire like a marshmallow.
Date: 2015-02-24
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This just in: Dad made it to Standing Indian Shelter (86.3 - elevation: 4760) Monday, after a 16.7 mile trek. That leaves 23.5 miles to Winding Stair Gap, 10 miles West of Franklin on US 64, where I think Dad and Mom will meet up. Weather report for today: 22-30 deg and snow. BTW, I am getting loads of info from the AT Database (http://www.sophiaknows.com/atdb/)SKYCOM
Date: 2015-02-24
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 10 ¢ Wednesday, February 24, 2015It began snowing during the night, blowing straight into Standing Indian shelter, covering everything under the porch, and the first third of the shelter itself. By morning, there was 5 to 7 inches on the ground. We all wanted to go to Long Branch shelter (102.5), a 16.2 mile hike. And we all knew this was not going to be an easy day.The first hiker out was Ice Man, who had arrived after dark the night before. I hiked alone most of the day, thankful that Tim and Dakota were ahead of me, breaking trail.Toward the end of the day, Griswold and I climbed Albert Mountain together (4200-5250 feet in 2.5 miles - the last 400 feet in the final three tenths of a mile), a hard way to end the day.On Albert, the trail is vertical in places. You have to use bushes and trees beside the trail to pull yourself up, from one rock ledge to another. Tim and Dakota, the strongest hikers in our group, were there when we arrived, and fussed over us ¢ and Scout and Tadpole when they arrived ¢ like worried parents.I didn't sleep much that night. My clothes were damp, and I was cold. My toes were like ten icicles. I have a mummy bag and could not reach them to try to warm them up without unzipping the bag.Once everything quieted down, the shelter mice were all over us, munching down. I think some of us had hung our food. Most had not, including me. I used my food bag like a pillow, thinking, hoping, that would keep the mice away. I was wrong ¢ one ran across my head trying to get at my food.
Date: 2015-02-25
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Wallace Gap (Mike and Glynda Johnson)
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 11 - Wednesday, February 25, 2015We slept in this morning, all six of us, because we planned to get off the trail at Wallace Gap, short, easy, 4.2 mile hike. They had arranged for a shuttle into Franklin. Griswold's blisters on her heels are bad ¢ one appears to be infected. Scout is also blistered. Tim and Dakota are having trouble with their knees.Griswold couldn't get her boots on and left Long Branch shelter wearing crocs with micro spikes strapped on the bottom. She was hurting, but that woman is some kind of tough.Mike Johnson, the friend who picked me up, gave Griswold a ride the last little bit to their shuttle and she told the driver,"Take me to the emergency room."I don't know when, or if, I'll see any of these friends again. What a good bunch of young people, the kind you would be glad to have as sons or daughters.Mike took me to the home he shares with his wife, Glynda. They have been wonderful hosts ¢ feeding me vast quantities of food, including strawberry ice cream. Yum!I soaked in a hot tub of water for I guess an hour, while they washed all of my clothes. Mike took me into Franklin, North Carolina, to buy some desperately needed supplies - a head light, bag liner, fleece shirt, another dry bag, and another pair of wool socks. And to a grocery store to buy some fun food.Lots of snow on the way. I'm going to take a zero tomorrow.
Date: 2015-02-26
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a great talk on the phone last night. Dad is in Franklin after two 16+ days of hiking in the snow and a short hop yesterday morning to get picked up at Wallace Gap (106.7) by Mike and Glenda Johnson, a daughter and son-in-law of a very good friend of Mom's. They are Trail Angels in the fullest sense, having also rescued another NOBO who took a wrong turn on the trail yesterday morning. Dad will take a zero day today, thanks to the Johnson's hospitality, while it snows another 8-10 inches.Dad bought a new stove ("that I can cook with inside my tent") and a new light. He plans to keep dry wool socks, long johns, and a fleece top to wear while sleeping. He also said that when he picked up the box of goodies he mailed to himself in Neel Gap, there was nothing "fun" to eat inside, like bubble gum, Fritos, Coke, or cashews.It sounds like the NOBOs are becoming something of a family - taking care of each other and sharing in an extraordinary adventure. No matter everyone's pace, they typically manage to gang up together 15 miles north of where they started. Some are having trouble with blisters, and a couple of the fast hikers are starting to have issues with their knees.Before we hung up, Dad (whose knee is getting better) told me he does not have any doubts about his ability to finish this thru hike. "I'm having such a good time," he said, "I can't tell you."Next section: The Great Smoky Mountains.SKYCOMPS: Message for Scoutmaster - from Scout:Scout is alive, almost well, and with friends!
Date: 2015-02-26
From: Franklin, NC (Mike and Glynda Johnson)

To: Franklin, NC (Mike and Glynda Johnson)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 12 - Thursday, February 26, 2015What a lazy day this has been. It snowed again last night, 6 inches or so. This morning, having breakfast with Mike and Glynda and Glenda's mother, Joyce, I was glad I was here and not there.But it's evening now, the weather is much improved, and I'm eager to hit the trail. Mike will drop me off in the morning we're he picked me up, at Wallace Gap. In four or five days, weather permitting, I'll be in the Smokies. I'm ready. Put me in, Coach. I don't smoke.
Date: 2015-02-27
From: Wallace Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter (Tent)
Miles today: 14.1

Day 13 - Friday, February 27, 2015All good things must come to an end. So, after another delicious eat¢all¢you¢can meal, I loaded my gear in the back of Mike's pickup and he drove me back to Wallace Gap (106.7) where he had picked me up at noon on Wednesday. Glenda and Mike were fabulous hosts ¢ they even taught me how to play pinochle and let me win on the first hand ¢ didn't I tell you they were fabulous?And guess who arrived at Wallace gap a minute or two before I did? Griswold and Scout. So we started up the mountain together.Except for an encounter with a trail angel at Wayah Road (Mike), it was an uneventful day. Mike surprised me and everyone else when he met us in the early afternoon with hot coffee, fruit, and sweet rolls. And while we were eating, Tadpole showed up. We knew Dakota and Tim wouldn't be surprising us somewhere else on the trail, because they stayed in Franklin, to give their knees more time to rest and heal.This was a hard day ¢ 16 miles in the snow. And when we arrived at Wayah Bald Shelter (120.8) there was no room in the inn. Two section hikers had set up their tents inside the shelter. That's bad manners, like sneezing in the punch bowl.Griswold, Scout and I pitched our tents in the snow and Tadpole hung his hammock. I was warm tonight, thanks to the bag liner and fleece jacket I bought in Franklin. And hungry too:I had two boiled eggs (thank you, Glynda), some beef jerky, nuts, and candy for supper.I slept soundly.
Date: 2015-02-28
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Talked with Dad on the phone from Nantahala Outdoor Center (137.3) today. Yesterday (Friday, Feb. 27), he hiked 14.1 miles in the snow from Wallace Gap (106.7), where Mike dropped him off, to Wayah Bald shelter (120.8), where a couple of section hikers had set up tents inside the shelter, leaving no room for others.No worries, the NOBO gang (Lucky, Tadpole, Scout, and Griswold) pitched their tents - Tadpole put up his hammock, which doesn't work so well in the snow - and Dad enjoyed a warm night with the dry set of sleeping clothes and bag liner he got in Franklin. Mike had met them all at Wayah Gap/Wayah Road (115.7) with lunchtime Trail Magic, and Dad enjoyed 2 boiled eggs (thanks to Glynda), beef jerky, nuts, and candy for supper.Today (Saturday), he hiked another 16.5 miles to the NOC, through more snow and slush.His left knee is still bothering him (from smacking a tree on the harrowing slide down Blood Mountain). He said, "Walking in this slush, trying to hold my left leg straight, is tough." Slipping is also a hazard on much of the trail (especially the 2250/4.3 mile descent from "The Jumpoff (133)"), so he "can't walk on automatic."He noticed that section and day hikers tend to stay together on the trail, waiting up for each other and stopping whenever anyone in the group needs a break. Thru hikers don't do this; "you can go so much farther by yourself." And often, there's a kind of trail reunion at the end of the day. "I can walk two to three hours without stopping," he says.Tomorrow morning (Sunday, March 1), he's looking at seven miles straight up out of the Gorge to summit Cheoah Bald. He's done it before with Christian, Cole, and Curt, so he's under no illusions. He'll make for Fontana in two days (27.4 miles from NOC) and meet Mom for a reunion and resupply. Once in the Smokies, it will be 5-6 days on his own.
Date: 2015-02-28
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 14 - Saturday, February 28, 2015 Griswold was the first one up. She quickly packed and left. I was second, about half an hour behind her. I didn't see Griswold again until I got to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC - 137.3), at the end of the day. Thru hikers don't usually hike together, or, if they do, rarely more than two together. We can make better time hiking alone, stopping only when we have to stop, for water, food, or to pee.This was another tough day. Depending on which side of the various mountains over which the AT passed (Copper Ridge Bald, Rocky Bald, and Wesser Bald) I hiked through powdered snow about six-inches deep, ice, slush, mud, and, occasionally, dry land. Yay! Bring it on.There were a lot more people on the trail today, including a new through hiker (Clinton) who had dinner with us at the NOC restaurant. I got a bunk here. I was glad to be inside and out of the cold, but it leaves a lot to be desired. As I lay here on my bunk, writing, I can hear a rat gnawing on something. But that's not the worst thing. The worst thing is the bathroom it is two blocks away.
Date: 2015-03-01
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Spoke with Dad on the phone tonight (6p). Had a rough go from NOC to Stecoah Gap (150.7), where he met Goat and his son, J.B., who convinced him to overnight at Cabin in the Woods. For $30, he gets a cot, wash (clothes), hot shower, supper, and breakfast.Although the temps rose to a balmy 30, the narrow trail was a mess of leaves and slush, with perilous dropoffs that made for emotionally exhausting hiking. Climbing out of the Nantahala Gorge was no picnic either. Lucky climbed 3313 feet in the first eight miles (13.4 on the day).He's still experiencing a loss of feeling in his fingers and toes, though the color is good.Mom's going to meet him tomorrow night in Fontana, with a food resupply to get him through the Smokies.Lucky wanted to make sure I included a disclaimer in this blog about the Yaktrax - they may be great for getting the mail on a slippery driveway, but a long hike tears them up. Better to go with MICROspikes (but don't hike in them for too long, or you'll have to deal with some nasty blisters, according to Griswold).
Date: 2015-03-01
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Stecoah Gap (Cabin in the Woods)
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light snow

Day 15 - Sunday, March 1, 2015Goodbye, February. And good riddance! I know March will be better, but as I lay in my bunk bed at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (137.3), I knew that "better" would not begin today. I knew today would be a hard one, the hardest of the trip so far. I'd hiked this section of the trail before. From the Nantahala River Gorge to Brown Fork Gap shelter (153.1). At 15.8 miles and uphill most of the way, that hike is exhausting in warm, pretty weather. And today the trail would be covered with an icy slush.I was right. It was a difficult hike ¢ mentally exhausting. In a great many places the trail was less than a foot wide, and sloped downward, toward the abyss. One misstep, one slip, and, maybe, my hike is over.But today also illustrates why this trip has been so much fun ¢ you just never know what's going to happen next. I figured that somehow, some way, I make it to Brown Fork. Or else, I'd pitch my tent in an icy clearing two or three miles short of my goal.But that's not what happened. I ended up in a hot shower and a warm bed after eating all I could for supper and then eating some more ¢ peach cobbler.On the trail I met two section hikers, Goat and his son JP, Who told me they were going to stay at the Cabin in the Woods, near Stecoah Gap (150.7). And just like that, I decided to join them.The Lucky who started this trip on February 15 would not have done that. Somehow, some way, he would have made it the last 2.4 miles to Brown Fork shelter, proving to himself that he was a horse.The new Lucky, the one born on Blood Mountain on Day Two, knew when to call it a day. The new Lucky is not only going to go to Maine, he's going to have fun on the way.
Date: 2015-03-02
From: Stecoah Gap (Cabin in the Woods)

To: Dam Visitors Center (Fontana Village Resort)
Miles today: 15.6

Day 16 - Monday, March 2, 2015What a great day this has been. Started well, with what amounted to an eat-all-you-can breakfast at the Cabin in the Woods, and ended with dinner with my wife near Fontana Dam.It was a beautiful day to go hiking. The best, by far, of the trip. Ninety per cent of the trail between Stecoah Gap (150.7) and Fontana Dam (164.7) was free of ice and surprisingly dry. Lovely! Lovely! Lovely! Oh, for more days like this one.I hiked alone all day, as is the norm. Donna was waiting for me at the dam. How I've missed her. We've been together since we were 17. I can't remember the last time we were apart this long.We saw Griswold and Tadpole at dinner this evening. Scout is not here yet. The three of us are going into the Smokies tomorrow. No more hostels or hotels for a while, for five or six days. The weather looks favorable, and I live in hope.
Date: 2015-03-03
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 17 - Tuesday, March 3, 2015Little to report tonight. Dad made a quick call before we were cut off and checked in from Russell Field Shelter (179.8 and 4367 elev). Today included a fair amount of climbing - from 1700 at Fontana Dam to 4775 at the summit of Devils Tater Patch (177.6).The Great Smoky Mountains National Park portion of the AT is backcountry (isolated), and requires a $20 PP fee for up to eight nights. Besides Birch Spring, hikers must stay in shelters. If there's a full house, thru-hikers must give up their bunk space and tent in the vicinity of the shelter. AWOL writes that "Appalachee" is the name of an Indian tribe from northern Florida. Sixteenth century Spanish explorers used the name to describe the region north of the tribal area to the mountain range. Now you know where the name we use for the entire range comes from.Tomorrow's goal is either Silers Bald shelter (194.8) or Double Spring Gap shelter (196.5). After 3075 feet of climbing today, tomorrow will only be another 1100 foot ascent. Early in Thursday's hike, Lucky will summit Clingman's Dome (199.6). At 6655 feet, this is the highest point on the AT.Uncle Dave emailed me this morning and reported that when he summits Katahdin, Dad will be the 12th 70+ year old hiker to complete a thru hike on the AT.
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 17 - Tuesday, March 3, 2015Donna and I had breakfast at the Fontana Village Resort with Griswold and Tadpole. In an hour or so, we would begin hiking through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. For me, breakfast felt a little bit like my last meal.Here's why:One...From mile 167.3, the southern boundary, to mile 238.6, the northern boundary,71.3 miles, there is only one road intersection ¢ US 441 at mile 207.3. If you get hurt, or run into terrible weather, there's no easy way out. You're stuck.Two...The Smokies contain a number of peaks over 6000 feet, including Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian trail, at 6655 feet. The higher the mountain, the worse the weather, the deeper the snow.Three...Park bears, because they are not hunted, and because some hikers have actually fed them, have lost their fear of humans. They can be dangerous.Four...Weather forecasts predicted two good days, but after that, look out ¢ more bitter cold was coming, and more snow. It takes 5 to 6 days to hike through the park.But it was time to go. So I said goodbye to my wife, And walked into the Smokies to the Bahamas. Just saying.The first day's hike in the Smokies was pretty uneventful. Easy at first ¢ no snow and ice at the lower elevations. Plenty of both as I gained altitude, from 1864 feet at Fontana Dam to 4367 feet at Russell Field Shelter (179.8). There were six of us ¢ Griswold, me, and three new-to-me thru-hikers: Stretch, a hiker from Israel, and the Hiking Vikings, a couple from Pennsylvania who are videotaping their hike for school children. To see their work, go to: facebook.com/tokatahdin - links to videos, blog, and pictures.