morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Sassafras Gap - Camping

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.3

Last night brought back mountaineering memories - a long, cold, windy night. It was so cold last night I ended up crawling into my sleeping bag without eating dinner. Tomorrow we will be in Hiawassee, so plenty of food there. The shuttle come by a little after 11, so we wanted to make sure we had plenty of time. Even though the sun came out it was still a cold hike. Still ice on the side of the trail with a constant wind. Yogi and I made good time - good trail, nothing too steep. Again quiet on the trail. We were about .5 from the pick up point when I see a guy my age stopped looking back at us. As we got closer he says - you AZ Cruiser? He is A Bear in the Woods - also from Phoenix. He had seen my picture on TrailJournals. He needs to be done by 9/1 as that is when his leave of absence from work ends. We exchanged phone numbers so we can catch up with each other in the next week or so. He seems like he would be a good match to hike with.On the shuttle we met Ankle Express - also on trailjournals. He Yogi and I hit up an All You Can Eat (AYCE is a thru hikers favorite acronym) buffet. For $8.00 it included beef ribs, fried chicken, great salad bar, desserts. It was awesome. Daniels was the name of the restaurant. We are now hanging out at the Budget Inn. Already been to the grocery store, about to do laundry, then just relax. The plan is to get a late start tomorrow to get a little extra rest. I have a hard time taking a full day off and doing nothing, so this way I am basically doing back to back Nero days - near zero, although tomorrow still plan to hike over 11 miles.It is sunny and 62 here in town. Come on nice weather!!All is good, couple small blisters on my little toes, but muscles are doing great.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: standing indian shhelter
Miles today: 16.8

Yesterday was a fun day in town. Great night sleep in a warm bed. Hump showed up, so great to see him again. He is a retired bull rider, former world champ. Lots of funny stories. 6 of us took the 9am shuttle back to the trail. I took off on my own. Lots of climbing, but great trail, so made good time. About an hour in caught up eith Atlas and Trucker. I've seen them several times this week. Fun hearing more stories. They are both younger.It was then on to North Carolina, out first real milestone. I saw s group of 5 hikers quite a ways ahead stopped. They were st the dtate border. Ryu took some pictures fir me. We first met st Neels Gap. I stopped for lunch ay Muskrat shelter at 3pm. It was already full and people camping. The shelters gill up about noon since there are so many people on the trail. I moved on another 5 miles in the rain finishing at 5pm. Lots of people here. Starting to get to know many people now. Yogi even made it.Sorry for typos, doing this in my tent trying to stay warm and dry. The long range forecast is still good. Good night from high in North Carolina.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Rock Gap

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 18.4

Happy Easter. My morning started out with a foggy walk across the street for a McDonald's breakfast. I was surprised at how busy they were. I deposited my change in the bin for the local House.We were dropped off at the trail at 9:45. We had 18.4 miles to the pick up point for a nice dinner, so off I went at a pretty good pace. The fog cleared leaving us with a gorgeous day. It was sunny and warm, felt great. 4 miles in we went through Winding Stair Gap. Someone had left sodas, ramen noodle packs and Cadbury eggs. I just had to grab an egg.After filling up with water it was up 1, 500 feet over the next 4 miles. Not steep, but seemed never ending. The trail so far has been in great shape. All the trees are trying to bud, so they are absorbing the rain. Mid afternoon I was on Wayah Bald with cell reception so I texted a Happy Easterand picture to Elizabeth. After a short break it was 4.5 miles to the finish for today. I hiked alone all day, first day. Lots of hikers out today, felt more like what I am familier with. At 4:30 I pulled into the parking lot. Crews had arrived 5 minutes before me. Funny we did not see each other all day. We waited 30 minutes, but no sign of ABear, then called for a ride. We are at the Aquone Hiker Lodge, highly recommend. ABear did make a bit later.Tomorrow is a 14 mile day to the NOC.
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Burningtown Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

Aquone Hiker Hostel was first class, thanks Sparky (AT 2012) for the suggestion. Had veggies with dinner last night. After breakfast Crews, ABear and I were dropped off at Burningtown Gap at 9:30. We only did 12.9 today, but there were no flats to cruise on. Lots of ups and downs. In the middle of the day we were over 5, 000 feet again at Wesser Bald. This was our third fire tower in as many days. Ironically I saw Dancer at each tower. She is also here at the NOC. The close of the trail day was a long 2, 300 vertical down. My right knee was bothering me so I took it slow. I was still done by 3.The NOC is an awesome spot. The trail goes right through it. There are 2 restaurants, rafting, kayaking, zip lines. I am typing this entry from the rivers edge. Crews, ABear and I are still together. We hike separately, but regroup in the afternoon. We all have bunks for the night. Lots of hikers and tourists around, great people watching. We are below 2, 000 feet for the first time in days. The leaves are coming out here. The Dogwoods are in bloom as well, very pretty.The sun just behind the hill, so cooling down quickly. Showers in the forecast for tomorrow. A big climbing day out of this valley. We are 2 days from entering the Smokies. May have spotty coverage to update this journal.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

The NOC was a lot of fun. Great location, right on the trail. In the morning things start slowly. The restaurant opened at 8. Ace, ABear, Cruise and I enjoyed a great breakfast. There were lots of other hikers there. We have been moving quicker than most, so lots of new people. Chef, Ax Man and Dancer all zeroed at NOC, so not sure when we will see them again.It started raining just as I headed headed out and rained all day. Saw lots of people in the morning, all the movers, so it was fun. It was a tough day, well over 5, 000 vertical. The trail was very slippery which added to the challenge. Took my first good fall. Stopped by a shelter mid day. There was a fire going and lots of good energy people. Cruise was there as well as Bugs, John Doe, Moxie and a few others I hadn't met before. I stayed for a bit, then moved on. Tough hoing back into the rain aftrr being under cover by the fire with fun people. Miles to go before I sleep, 9.1 actually. I only saw 2 people all afternoon. At a road crossing someone had left a bunch of fruit, thanks trail angels. I enjoyed my apple.Just as I pulled into the shelter the rain stopped. It is now 8 and it is totally clear with a great forecast for tomorrow. Hopefully a quick 12 miles to Fontana Dam tomorrow. Then the Smokies.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Lodge
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Solitude showed up just after ABear last night and joined our little camp party. The evening was warmer than I expected so I was wearing an extra layer in my sleeping bag. By morning I was glad. It was a beautiful night. Lots of stars and the birds were singing their songs in the morning. ABear heard coyotes howling. I was the first one out at 8am. It was nice having a dry day and pretty dry trail. Crews last night had moved on since it was a tough location to camp.The trail was very quiet. I think we were all headed north at a similar speed. I did pass Rodeo and her beagle. Tomorrow he will get shuttled around the Smokies since dogs are not allowed. Rodeo will pick him up at a hostel just north of the park.I completed my hiking day about 1 and called for a shuttle to the Fontana Lodge. Crews was already here with his own room. ABear came in shortly after me and is sharing my room. We headed down toa little village (less than .5 miles) to do laundry, resupply our food and to get lunch. We have a good plan for the Smokies, maybe we will even follow it. The next week will be tough. Clingmans Dome in 2 days, highpoint of the AT.Inthe village there lots of hikers, including Alpine Monkey, Moose and Teton. We will probably see them again tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Fontana Lodge

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Good day, lots of climbing. This will be my first night in a shelter. We are in Smokey Mountain National park and they require you sleep in a shelter unless it is full. Several people are planning to camp anyway. Very minimal coverage so will recap later.A warm sunny day to do the long climb up from Fontana Dam. There is a shelter just shy of the dam called the Fontana Hilton. I may be the nicest shelter on the trail. It's new and overlooks Fontana Lake. It even has showers.The dam is the largest concrte dam east of the Mississippi at over 500 feet high and almost a half mile long. The trail goes accross the dam which was cool. Shortly after we entered the Smokey Mountain National Park. At the border we had to drop our permit in a box. Crews was ahead of me and ABear just behind. ABear and I had spent some time at the dam visitors center.The hike was almost 15 miles, lots of uphill and fairly uneventfull. The shelter was very nice. We had 10 people in a shelter for 14. Honey Badger is a young man there who grew up 5 miles from our house in Phoenix. There was a young lady there who is from Presque Isle, Maine. She was impressed that I knew where it was. We lived there for 2 years in the 80s. Pre mall as she says.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Today was another cold rainy day. The trail was very slippery. Lots of ups and downs. I would have fallen several times if I didn't have trekking poles. Not many happy faces on the trail. I arrived at the shelter about 4pm. There were 7 section hikers there. In the Smokeys section hikers have priority for shelter space. This is the only area of the trail this is the case. There were 11 thru hikers inside so we fit 18 people in a shelter made for 14. Just did not seem right sending 1 of us out in the cold to pitch a tent. As it was 15 additional hikers showed up and had to tent. This was the busiest shelter yet. Another Smokeys rule is you have to stay at or next to a shelter and the only time you can tent is if the shelter is full. Another thing is there are no priveys (outhouses). To do your business you need to hike down the hill, dig a hole, then bury your poop. It amazes me one of the busiest sections of the trail is this way. There are many of us looking forward to getting north of the Smokeys. The trails is not very well maintained either. Oh, well, enough griping.From the beginning I have looked forward to get north of Damascus. Better weather and fewer people, plus I will be in trail shape and have figured out a system for trail life. Things are coming along well. I feel good, getting to know people, etc.Forecast is for sun tomorrow!
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.7

The rain stopped last night. The shelter stayed pretty warm even though there was frost outside. Crews is moving on, planning a 23 mile day. ABear and I did 12.7 and stopped at Newfound Gap. The day started with a gradual 5 mile hike to the top of Clingmans Dome, elevation 6, 635 feet. A bright sunny day with lots of familiar happy faces. As I was hiking by a shelter early on I here "hey AZ". It was Ramblin Rose. I met her at the MARTA station in Atlanta. We have seen each other a few times since. Always fun seeing familier faces. That is happening more and more each day.ABear caught me at Clingmans. On the way down there was a couple handing out apples and oranges in the middle of the trail. I was there with Grunt, Tex and Doc. Thank you trail angels. There had been a note left at our shelter that there would be trail magic at a parking lot at mile 205.1. Everyone was talking about it all morning. When I got close I could smell the burgers grilling. How awesome. Persistant's parents had chairs, drinks, chips, cookies, burgers and dogs. It was a great spread. At one point there were about 15 hikers there when GodSpeed (AT 2005) hiked in from the north. He had trail magic 1.5 miles ahead and was wondering where all the hikers were. How cool to have competing trail magic? We all made our way 1.5 miles up the trail and visited with him and his wife Mountain Mama. Another wonderful couple helping out. 8 of us ending up piling into his pickup and getting a ride into Gatlinburg. ABear, Tex, Doc, Ramblin Rose and I rode in the bed. Ben, Grunt, and a guy I don't know rode in the back seat. On the way down we got in a bear jam. There was a black bear on the side of the road causing traffic to back up.Today was an awesome day all around, great weather, great trail, great people. This is why we come out and do this.Gatlinburg is a great town. ABear and I took the trolley to Food City to resupply. 3 more hikers were on the shuttle coming back. Nice dinner, update the journal, now time to prep for tomorrow as we continue our journey north.BTW, I updated the past 2 days tonight. I will update every day, coverage allowing. We still have a few more days coming up in remote area. Thanks for reading. I'll try to get Tucker pictures for this weekends update on my AZontheAT website.
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tricorner Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Gatlinburg was a fun stop. Everything took longer than planned, but all set for another day on the trail. ABear and I started hitch hiking about 8. We worked our way to a National Park sign where people stop for pictures. We approached a young couple with a truck and we had our ride in the back bed. It was chilly, but great to be on our way.Once back at our stopping point from yesterday, Newfound Gap, it was hike north time. It is kind of cool that you just follow white blazes. No need for a map. I do carry a detailed guide that says where watrr, shelters, etc are, but we literally just look for white blazes on trees. Today we were above 5, 000 feet all day, a beautiful ridge walk. I stopped at the first shelter to refill my water. Sherpa Mom and Waldo were there. She is thru hiking and he is following along in an RV. He hikes quite a bit with her. Shortly after that arrived at Charlies Bunion. It is a cool rock formation. Next weekend's AZontheAT update will have pictures.I arrived at the shelter at 3:30, just as SOG, Tigger and Kate were leaving to move on to the next shelter. Our shelter was very quiet, which was great. ABear, Class Act (60 year old physician from Albany), Sherpa Mom and a young couple all made it here. Walking with Wired arrived a bit later after hiking 26 miles. She hiked the PCT and the CDT previously, so this will complete her triple crown of hiking all 3 major US trails. She is a friend of a friend that I met on the AT in 2012.Rain forecast for tonight, who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Tricorner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started out with rain gear on. Rained quite a bit last night, but nice and dry in the shelter. Forecastwas for afternoon showers, so I just was in go mode today. My ankle is feeling good, left my brace in Gatlinburg. The right knee is also much better. I left at 7:30 and was at the hostel by 3. We had lots of down but it was good trail. We are done the Smokeys, so back to regular trail rules. Shelters have priveys, you can tent if you want, and shelter space is first come, first serve. The last shelter I stayed at did have a new privy, complete with all the handicapped accessabilty requirements, got to love the federal government requirements.Wired left before me, but I did not see another northbound hiker for the first 17.5 miles today. We had to go under I40, so a short road walk. At the road were 2 hikers who had been given fresh pizza that they shared with me. It was great, thanks Ziplock and ??. Wired showwd up, she had taken a side trail to a fire tower. She and I walked the last mile together.The forecast is for a big storm to roll through so who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Max Patch Bald
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

There is a big storm rolling through the southeast, so I decided to get a ride 13 miles up the trail and hike south back to the Standing Bear. It rain, blow and thunder last night and we are supposed to get a repeat performance tonight. Hiking south is lots of fun since you see all the other hikers heading north. I probably saw 30 people and knew about half of them. Their was a german couple at the hostel last night. As we passed today the woman asked me if I was in New Hampshire in 2012. Turns out I helped them move inside during a big storm and she recognized me. Very cool. I saw Ryu. Hadn't seen him in over 200 miles. The weather started out with a few showers, but was basically just a cloudy day. I got back to the hostel about 2. Tomorrow I have 20 miles to get to Hot Springs. The terrain is getting a bit easier and I am getting into trail shape, so should be a good day. The forecast is for more storms tonight then a stretch of good weather. The hostel is fun. Your typical southern charactures work here, then throw in the variety of hiker personalities. I saw a guy hiking south today and told him about the place. He stopped for the night. He is a clean cut kid from California who has benn hitchhiking across the US for the past 2 months. He has many stories to tell.Crews and ABear are continuing north. I am meeting ABear in Hot Springs tomorrow. Crews is probably moving on, although it wouldn't totally surprise me to see him there.Thanks for reading.
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Max Patch Bald

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 20.1

Last night was another interesting night at the Standing Bear. Lots of charatures. Many familier faces as well since I was essentially 13 miles ahead of here. In the morning we caught the shuttle to Max Patch to begin my hiking day. The storms never materialized overnight, but I still was good with me decision to come back. The morning was very windy. Max Patch is a bald, which means it is all fields on top, no trees. I should have photos uploaded for Tucker to post on my website this weekend. I felt great for the first 17 miles very quickly. I stopped to get water and Red Robin was there. Good grip and Too tall pulled in a few minutes later. I stayed for 20 minutes then the lure of town got me going again. The last 3.1 seemed to take awhile, but got here at 4:30. ABear already had a room.Several of us went out for a burger and on the way back to the hotel ran into Scout and Chinook who were going for a beer. Why not. We run into Crews who also joined us. The spontaneous social things are a lot of fun.I appreciate the emails and comments sent my way. It is tough to respond to everyone. This Saturday there is a geocaching event at Sam's Gap. If all goes well I will be there for it. Should be fun. I have gotten a few caches so far. It hasn't been a priority, but definitely getting one in each state.I am doing this entry from the library steps. They are closed, but I am on their wifi. There is cell reception here, but no data. We are headed out today, but only planning 11 miles, so not leaving till after lunch.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I did yesterday's entry from the steps of the library steps just a few hours ago. We (ABear) checked out of the hotel at 11:00 and were going to head back to the steps to work on the wifi some more when Wired walks by and says lets go to the tavern and get a burger, they have wifi there. That was an offer we couldn't refuse. Wired was 11 miles into her day and just stopping to eat. Shipwreck came in and also joined us. He is who shared pizza with Wired and I a few days ago at a road crossing. I hiked out of town with Wired and stayed with her all the way yo the shelter. She got water and moved on. I stopped to wait for ABear. All new faces for me today on the trail. It is now 5:30, it is sunny but cold with a breeze. I have a spot in the shelter, so probably keep it instead of tenting. No rain in the forecast so that is great.I am going to collect some wood to help with the fire to cook up some ramen noodles.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Flynt Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.3

Last night some of the boys had fresh caught trout and a squirrel they shot. They cooked them on the fire. I am actually typing this while sitting next to I26. Reception has been very spotty lately.ABear and I were moving out at 7:30. A couple miles in there was a sign saying there was trail magic 10 miles in. Sweet. Atbthe first shelter I came to Crews was hanging out with friends of his from Arkansas. The Greenville hiking club had quite the spread. hamburgers, hot dogs, fruits, salads. Thank youto allIinvolved. It was tough getting going for another 11 miles. There were probably 30 hikers there. Always amazing to see them all come out of the woods for free food.The afternoon was long, but very pretty with an exposed rocky ridgline. We are ahead of most of the people we know, so lots of new faces. Bear Juice, Scout and Chinook are all at the shelter with us.Tomorrow is a geocaching event with trail magic. Should work out perfectly to attend.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Flynt Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

As soon as I was in cell reception I call my wife, today is our 28th wedding anniversary.Got another good start this morning. Everyone in the shelter was moving by 6:30. The highlight of the day was more trail magic at Sams Gap, 11 miles in. This was done by a group of geocachers in the area. I had seen it on the geocaching website and it worked right into my hiking schedule. A couple of the locals have been following this journal, so that was fun. It is amazing what free food does. There must have been 50 hikers show up. They come from everywhere. The big responce caught the organizers off gaurd. We hikers really appreciate the food and support from all the great people along the trail. The organizing couple has a 1998 4Runner with over 300k miles. I am a big fan and also own a 4Runner. Their dog was there as well. I was fun petting her, made me miss our 2 dogs at home.The hike was a tough day again. Lots of climbing. Lunch was at3, 700 feet, we went over 5, 600 feet before descending to the shelter at 5, 100. It was in the low 30s last night. Hopefully be warmer tonight.We are now ahead of eveyone I know except Wired. Scouts foot is bothering him, so he and Chinook stopped a few miles back. Bear Juice should make it here tonight, as well as ABear. Tomorrow we have 16 miles mostly downhill into Erwin. After 3 nights out I am looking forward to a shower, bed and good meal.