morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter (tarping)
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

It was comfy, dry and a bit warmer sleeping in the loft. Even had to remove one layer of clothing.Today the hike was dedicated to the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Their maintenance of Georgia's 80 miles of the AT is excellent. Nice treadways, gentle switchbacks, and fine shelters. Thanks to you all! Unfortunately, due to the nasty weather I didn't get to see much of the state.It was goodbye to Georgia and hello North Carolina. After leaving Deep Gap and hiking to Dicks Creek Gap, I encountered half a dozen young people being dropped off to continue hiking after a night in Hiawasee GA. (A shower and warm bed DO sound appealing; that'll come for me in Franklin NC on Sunday.) Any rate, it was leapfrog with members of that group throughout the day.As soon as I hit the NC border 12 miles into the day, a cold wind hit and there were two very tough ups off the bat. Kinda like, "Well, hiker, you've had your warm up with the easy path of Georgia, now we'll show you some real hiking." Thanks a lot, North Carolina.On arrival here, the shelter is full with a dozen tenters around. So I've pitched my tarp for the first time. Here tonight are Hopeful, and Tom who has gone from NT Squared to Sergeant York. Also meeting Infidel and Doublecheck for the first time. It promises to be a cold night as we're around 4,300'.
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter (tarping)

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

I was snug in my bag under the tarp when it began to lightly rain. Thinking it would be no fun to pack up a wet tarp in the morning, I turned over and went back to sleep a bit bummed out. Upon waking at 6:30am I was surprised to find it had been sleet, not rain. A thin layer covered the ground and blown into crevices of the tarp. It was much dryer to pack but a whole lot colder. My shoes were frozen solid (putting on such IS an interesting challenge), and the water bottle was iced over. My trusty thermometer read 29 degrees.It was challenging changing to hiking clothes, but quickly it was done and everything packed up. The string of foggy, rainy days ended at six as it was clear and sunny right from the start. But the wind out of the north was cold, and despite the sun it was 11am before the water bottle thawed enough so I could drink. The big obstacle was Standing Indian Mountain which is just under 5,500' in elevation. Like last night, today's shelter is around 4,300'Today we have an anomaly: after hiking 12 miles, I'm one mile further south than last night. The direction of the AT from Georgia to Maine is north and some east. What happened? Since the start at Springer the AT has followed the ridge line of the Blue Ridge. (Some only think of the Blue Ridge as being in Virginia, but it stretches all the way to Alabama.) Here the Blue Ridge has a bit of a fish hook in shape. We hiked in all four directions at times during the day. On down the way the AT will leave the Blue Ridge, then rejoin it in Virgina.My hiking today was dedicated to daughter Krista. Her dedication to what God has called her to do inspires me.Only three others are at this shelter after there were 30 last night at the previous one. Everyone is pushing ahead to Franklin for either a hiker bash tomorrow or to watch the Final Four.
Date: 2011-04-02
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Eight of us enjoyed snuggling up to a campfire on a chilly late afternoon and early evening. We were: Smiley, Sgt York, Biscuit, Infidel, Jersey (Dylan), Fiber One, Seth and myself. By 8pm we were all turned in to avoid the cold. More trail nomenclature: Hikers' Midnight. It's typical for thru hikers to get into their sleeping bags by sunset which can come very early in the woods, even in the summer. That early bed time is referred to as Hikers' Midnight. Last night, 8pm was just that.Today the hike was dedicated to son-in-law Joel. I'm looking forward to some Pacific Crest Trail hiking with him some day (it was the bride price to take Krista off my hands.)Wow! Wow! Wow! A perfect day for hiking. Getting up at 7:30 and quickly changing and packing in 32 degrees and clear weather, I was soon off. The primary hiking challenge was 5,200' Albert Mountain which had a very stiff up near the top. On the summit is a fire tower with a spectacular 360 degree view of northern Georgia and southern North Carolina. I saw more of the Georgian mountains in fifteen minutes than I had seen in a week because of the fog and rain. These views are a key reason for going to all the trouble.Then upon arriving here at the shelter, two young women (Emmalee and Janitor) were doing trail magic: Subway sandwiches, Pepsi and chips. Wahoo! One day a year they come to this spot to be kind to hikers in return for all the trail magic they themselves have received during their hikes. And I just happened to be there on that one day. Thanks, ladies!Today we left the Blue Ridge and shifted to the ridge-line of the Nantahala Mountains. Other than the rock climb up Albert and trying to figure out how to get around a massive tree blocking the trail, it was an easy 12 miles.Here at the shelter are Sgt York, Fiber One, Doublecheck and Infidel. Seth and Biscuit are tenting not far.Oh! I passed a SOBO who is finishing his hike from Maine down. Named One Engine. He started last summer and has only 90 miles of his 2,182 to go.
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin)
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

It wasn't so cold overnight, and after the wind died down I actually had too many clothes on inside the bag. At 6am Sgt York, Infidel, Doublecheck and I (all men in our late-50s to early-60s) got up to get going and be at Winding Stair Gap by 9am for the daily shuttle run by Ron Haven into Franklin.Hiking nomenclature: NERO. A Nero is short for a Near Zero day, as in miles hiked. Today qualifies as a Nero. The hike was dedicated to granddaughter Emily who is the only true Canadian in the family, having been born in Sarnia. I love her intensity and ability to concentrate on things.I was off on the hike about 30 minutes before daylight, and the sky was full of gorgeous stars. Have to walk carefully not to trip in the dim light! But soon a fabulous sunrise showed up. With an empty food pack and a small quantity of water, it was great to have a light-weight backpack for a change. We waited for over an hour for the shuttle and ended up accepting a ride from a local man named John in the back of his pick-up. Do you have any idea the wind chill doing 60 mph in the back of a pick-up on a 40 degree day? Very low, that I can vouch for. It was a 10 mile ride to Franklin in such conditions. But still we were very grateful for the ride. Thanks John! He dropped us at Ron Haven's Budget Inn, a well-known AT hikers' overnight stopping point. A hot shower, a big dinner at the restaurant, all the clothes laundered... I feel like a new man on this 12th straight day of hiking. Time to rest a while.
Date: 2011-04-04
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin)

To: Franklin sabbath day
Miles today: 0.0

It's been a perfect day to enjoy a sabbath Monday in Franklin NC. The people here are as friendly as they can be, and the weather has been sunny and warm which is the perfect tonic after all that miserable fog and cold.The sabbath began last night when I attended a worship service at the local Episcopalian church. It was an easy walk from my motel, so ideal for me. The area bishop was there holding a confirmation service for four young people in two combined congregations. St Cyprian and St Agnes All Saints congregations, or something. They invited me to stay after for the cake and punch reception in honor of the confirmees, so I gladly accepted. Aren't I nice? :-)I've enjoyed coffee, salads, fruit, warm temperatures, some basketball on TV, and generally just wandering around exploring the town and relaxing. Tonight we're to have strong thunderstorms pass through, then morning showers with mountain snow flurries. I'll be leaving here on the shuttle back to Winding Stair Gap at 9 a.m. to resume the hike. In another six days or so I should emerge at Fontana Dam NC which is the gateway to Great Smokey Mountains National Park.Hey everyone, there's a weight-guessing contest going on. I've gotten guesses from seven of you, but need a lot more! Here's the contest: I began at 182 pounds. What will I weigh when I get back to Sarnia? To add your guess, click the Guest Book Entry in the left column of this page and place your message there. You can add a message anytime you want, of course! I may not be able to write back to you due to very limited time on these very popular computers all hikers want to use, but I assure you I read them. More entries in a week! Stayed tuned....
Date: 2011-04-05
From: Franklin sabbath day

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Strong, nasty thunderstorms roared through overnight, but I was snug in my motel room. Good timing! For breakfast I joined 15 other hikers at First Baptist Church for their free hiker breakfast of pancakes and bacon. They do this daily during the weeks of March and April that are the peak times for hikers headed north for Maine. Thus far this year they've served hikers from 38 states and 7 countries.By the by, I heard that 210 hikers started north from Springer during the week of April 1! There's a mob following me.At 8:30 a trail angel named Ben drove four of us back to the trail. HIkers call him Bible Ben because he likes to place a Bible in each shelter he visits. Thanks for the ride, Ben!Today's hike, appropriately enough, was dedicated to the many friendly and helpful people of Franklin. You're wanting to make Franklin a trail-friendly community AT hikers will want to visit, and to my mind you've succeeded. I thoroughly enjoyed my stay (helped out by ideal weather.)Because the hike started from a gap, there was a long up from there along the trail. Virtually all the short miles of this day were up. There's snow on the ground around this shelter today with occasional flurries flying around. It will be very cold tonight, a challenge to keep warm in the bag. This shelter is .5m off the trail and I'm the only one here so far.On the way in I took the side trail up to the top of Siler Bald (5216'). Great 360 degree view but COLD in the wind. A super cowboy camping spot (nomenclature: that's when someone sleeps on the ground without any sheltering) on a nice summer night. Hopefully this third Nero/Zero will have prepared me for about 15 straight days of hiking. Hot springs on the other side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is the nexp planned zero. We'll see!
Date: 2011-04-06
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

There ended up being six tenters and six in the shelter (Dave, Pippi, Ben Splitter, Meltdown and me) for a chilly but excellent night of sleep. It was a sunrise into a cloudless sky which reamined so all day.Today's hike was dedicated to granddaughter Margaret Elise. Maggie is cutting her own swath through life, and it's a wide one. It'll be interesting to see how she turns out some day.The chief hallmark of today's hike was gaining the top of Wayah Bald where a two-story stone tower has been built to give a panoramic view. There were also privies and a trash bin, both of which availed myself. This is the third straight mountaintop on which I've had clear weather and a 50-mile view--North Carolina is beautiful!Along the way I passed Errow (now called River), Haalo and dog Honeybunny. They told me that Sgt York, whom I had breakfast with yesterday in Franklin at the church, had to drop out this morning with a bum knee and was driven down from Wayah Bald. That means that out of the four of us at HIker Hostel on day one in the bunkroom, only Fiber One and I are left.Just a mile from the end of today's hike at Burningtown Gap were Turtle, Rockefeller, Chilli and Pepper handing out trail magic. All four completed thru hikes last year. Yes, I enjoyed the brownies they served immensely!There's a lively, active spring 20' in front of this shelter. That should make for a pleasant night of sleep listening to the watery music.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

This group of 20-somethings joined me in the shelter last night: Splitter, Meltdown (got that name because of what happened to her sleeping bag in the clothes dryer at Neels Gap), Dave, Ben (now Phlegm as of last night because of his incessant coughing), and Jimmy who caught up to the group today. None of them had met prior to the hike, and now they're a pretty tight group hiking together. The AT often does this. It was an excellent night's sleep, clear and 45 degrees.The hike today was dedicated to grandson Ryan. He's 100% boy, which is good since we males are badly outnumbered in the family. This comes in spite of his older sisters wanting to dress him up in gowns ane the like. That's okay Ryan; I have an older sister too -- I feel for your pain.After the climb to Wesser Bald and its panoramic view from the tower, the chief feature of today's hike was the 2500' descent in elevation over about 4 miles. I never knew that going downhill could wear out your feet and legs so much! Here below 2000' the trees are leafing out, the insects are prevalent, and it's a beautiful 65 degrees. Today's hiking intersected with Moosehead, Tortoise and Carlos. I've been leapfrogging with Carlos for two weeks. He's a soft-spoken guy from Tennessee.This shelter is about a half-mile short of the bottom of the gap which will contain the Nantahala River -- the lowest spot on my seven-week hike -- which I'll cross tomorrow. Then will come the matching climb OUT of the gap -- 2500' up over five miles. Oh boy!
Date: 2011-04-08
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Last night we learned there was a wildfire over the ridge from us. With little wind it wasn't going anywhere. But we could smell whiffs of smoke through the night. In the shelter were Dave, Jimmy, Meltdown, Phlegm, and Next Year (he's an avid Chicago Cubs fan -- Maple Leaf fans will understand the trail name.) Pippi, Tina, Splitter, River and Haalo with Honeybunny all tented nearby.It was only .9m into Wesser and a fabulous restaurant breakfast right out of the box this morning. I also stopped at the outfitter to get a new Platypus bladder to replace my 8-year old one which had started to leak.Today's hike was dedicated to sister Marquita. I'm thinking of her as she and the entire Wycliffe Bible Translation family mourn the loss of Mary Gardner, the only person killed in a Jerusalem terror bombing attack two weeks ago (Mary was Marquita's colleague in Togo for 20 years).The primary hiking feature of the day was that big up out of the Nantahala River gorge. It took a bit over three hours to negotiate that five miles of trail, but it felt great to be able to accomplish it. Now back above 4000' we're back into a forest with leafless trees.The hike up illustrates I'm progressing with one of my hike goals: physical fitness. In 2003 at 203 pounds I thought I was in good shape, but a Maine hike corrected my thinking. For 2005 hike I had dropped to 190 pounds and then kept it around there until last year. For last year's Superior Hiking Trail hike, I got to 180 pounds and maintained it through the winter. My hope is to use this hike to put me at the long-term weight level of 170, I think that would be about ideal for me.
Date: 2011-04-09
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

There ended up being quite a group at the shelter last night with six tenting and 14 actually in the shelter. But snoring was surprisingly quiet (with the possible exception of mine).Today's hike went to brother Darrel. He stood up with me at my wedding and was probably delighted that Lyn took me off his hands.What a wearying hike! It ws warm enough that I sweated most of the day, so my clothes and I now have that familiar aroma. Time for more hiker nomenclature: MUDS. These are Mindless Ups and DownS. MUDS are quite similar to PUDS (Pointless Ups and DownS), but it takes a very experienced hiker to discern which you are facing. Based upon my limited but growing hiker experience, today the numerous MUDS bordered on developing into PUDS. The Nantahala Hiking Club which maintains this stretch of trail apparently ran out of switchbacks, and decided on sending the trail straight up and over every knob and peak in the ridgeline. One of them was a 700' rise over a half mile of trail which translates to a nonstop 30 degree up for half a mile. It's affectionately (NOT!) called Jacob's Ladder by the hikers. Either my quads and knees were screaming at me for the steep downs, or my gluts and hammies were hollering at me for the steep ups. It was impossible to find much peace on the trail today.Along the trail I played leapfrog with Socks and Billygoat. Socks (so named because she lost her gloves and so used her socks to cover her hands while hiking) is here at the Cable Gap Shelter while Billygoat (true to his name) kept on for Fontana Dam to put in a 20-mile day. Maybe when I grow up I'll be able to do big miles, too.
Date: 2011-04-10
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Visitors Center
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Ended up with the Brit-German Craig and Fire Whisper (formerly Carlos) in the shelter with Socks, Henrik, Red Bird, Bismarck, Charley, Matt et al tented around. It was a pleasant warm night and I slept well.I hiked today for the Nantahala Hiking Club as I ended up their portion of trail. Many thanks for everything except the MUDS (there were a dozen more today).Today's hike was mainly involved with getting down to the 1700' at Fontana Dam on the Little Tennessee River. It was built by the TVA to provide power for the Manhattan Project. It's the tallest dam east of the Mississippi River. The dam and Fontana Lake could be seen a number of times from the ridgeline above the gap.A portion of today's journal was written while sitting outside the GSMNP Visitors Center waiting for Nancy or Jeff Hoch to pick me up. They've run the Hike Inn for 19 years. I look forward to picking up my 3rd resupply package and a letter Krista said she sent me. The idea of a shower and clean laundry is most appealing. Since they don't have internet, I hope to call Lyn and maybe Krista and Laura as well.Bismarck and Frank also have reservations to stay at Hike Inn. For lunch Nancy took us to a nearby convenience store, for supper we went to Robbinsville where I had a salad and a breakfast at Huddle House. Got to watch a lot of the 4th round of the Masters Golf Tournament and took a nap. What a great (if pricey) day!
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Fontana Dam Visitors Center

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

After a breakfast of cereal, OJ and left-over popcorn in my room, Jeff took Bismarck, Frank and me to Fontana Dam to get hiking. I was the first one gone at 7:20.Today the hike was for Brenda. She was raised in eastern Kentucky where having one leg shorter than the other is an asset. My she find work in her teaching field soon.Right off the bat came the main challenge: ascending 2300' in three miles from Fontana Dam to the top of Shuckstack Mountain. After walking across the dam and entering GSMNP, up the trail went. The grade wasn't as severe as we've experienced south of Fontana Dam, so it went quickly. There was a reward at the top: a firetower on a clear, sunny day. The view was fabulous. I could see Siler Bald to the south which I had been on last Tuesday and Clingman's Dome in the northeast which I will cross on Wednesday. Nine days of hiking could be viewed from the tower. And Fontana Dam was down below looking like a toy village. The rest of the day was fairly easy hiking ever higher to this shelter.There's a group of five students and a teacher from an Ann Arbor MI high school hiking club here at this shelter tonight. They're using their week of Spring Break to be here. Five thrus have shown up and then continued on. Who will end up here?
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: moderate rain

Ended up having three thrus (Frnk, Chupah and me) with a dad and 2 sons and the six Ann Arborites in the shelter last night. Around 11 pm the thunderstorms arrived that were a part of the storm system that spawned Iowa and Wisconsin tornadoes onthe weekend. Heavy rains continued for several hours and then quit.I hiked for brother Duane today. He's impressed me with his diligence in tackling his weight issues. Way to go, Bro!WHAT A DAY! I left the shelter at 7:15 in foggy soup but no rain. However in 30 minutes it began and was cold. A steady rain so soaked me that I decided to stop one shelter early (at ll:30 a.m.!) to avoid hypothermia issues. Temperatures never got out of the forties all day. The trail climbed over two grand mountains: Rocky Top (yes, there is a Rocky Top in Tennessee!) and Thunderhead (5528'). Obviously no views except fog.About an hour after I got here, changed into dry camp clothes and snug in my bag to get warm, in came Frank (Sundog), Next Year and Photon practically carrying 70-year old Chupah. He was in very bad shape from hypothermia, so they got him into dry clothes, his sleeping bag and bivvy, and made him a hot tea to drink. He's going to be fine, but without those three to stop and help, he might not have made it. And the guy's no novice: he thru-hiked the AT in 2002. His error was to stop along the trail, take off his pack, and plan to eat something to keep up his energy. Problem is that when you're soaked wet in 40 degree weather with rain streaming down with a strong wind, it only takes minutes to move into hypothermia. You have to keep moving to keep generating heat.At 5pm there are fifteen hikers all buried in their sleeping bags in this shelter to dry out and warm up. The wind is howling and it continues to rain. Welcome to GSMNP! I have Socks next to me, and I'm using my legs and sleeping bag to try and warm up hers as she can't seem to warm up. Socks made the mistake of wearing her thick camp longjohn bottoms on the hike and getting them soaked, then not having them to help keep warm in her bag. All in all, a brutal day, the kind they warn you about and say to be very careful.