morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Neels Gap-Walasi Yi Hostel
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Eh it was about time mother nature turned nasty. The morning again was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. I was out by 7am and hiked a bunch of miles before the rain started. By about 1pm it started to drizzle then turned into a pretty steady rain. Originally I planned to stay at Woods Hole Shelter, but I wanted to get to the top of Blood Mtn. so it was a nice short hike to the hostel. Ben, the 69 year old Canadian was on my heels most of the way..which was something because he's 69. I also met Eric and Joe, a UGA duo doing a section hike. My first real blunder occured on the way up Blood Mtn. Rather than fill up water at the small creek, I thought there would be more on the way. To make a long story short, I arrived on the top of Blood Mtn. soaked and without a drop of water...oh the irony. So I hung out at the top with Eric and Joe, who were nice enough to spare some water that I could cook with. The beautiful scenic view turned out to be fog, and the storm seemed liek it was about to roll in, so I figured I'd peace out and try for the hostel. The hike down was just nasty. I did it during a steady downpour and thanks to erosion, the entire way down was via rock steps. Rocks when wet are rather slippery as fate would have it. So eventually I arrived at the Walasi-Yi Center at Mountain Crossings soaking wet and exhausted, having done over 15 miles on just my third hiking day. I cannot imagine my awful appearance, I probably looked half-dead coming into that hostel. The hostel was fantastic. It was so so nice to talk to people my age (Ben the Canadian is still the man). But the Taboo was pretty rowdy, and I met some pretty awesome people (Nora, Jennifer, Caroline, Jackie, 3 fellas from W. GA, Josh, who oddly enough has the same goals and time frame as myself, Pam and Wren, and I think that's it). Ahh so nice to rest the throbbing feet.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Neels Gap-Walasi Yi Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

And after 39 miles in 3 days I think I earned a rest day. I washed my absolutely awful terrible nasty smelling clothes, showered again, ate greasy burgers for lunch, ate an entire pizza for dinner, and caught up on some reading. I pretty much lived the dream. Everyone else peaced out, which was sad but perhaps I will see them down the road. I also had to replace my stupid filter already. Turns out 75 miles of trail hiking wears out a Katadin filter, so I grudgingly dropped $40 on a new filter booo. But on the bright side an awesome couple from Sunshine City, Alabama. Yes THE Sunshine City. So they were pretty awesome to talk to as well. Solid rest day, but I am ready to move on..
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Neels Gap-Walasi Yi Hostel

To: Blue Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

So the zero day did me wonders. I started super early and trucked 11 miles by 12:30, so I figured I'd truck an extra 7.8 to the next shelter. I'm very glad I did, as I met Josh, Jennifer, Jackie, Nora, and Caroline, not to mention Pam and Wren from the hostel. The last two miles to this shelter were nothing but rocks and I did not appreciate the difficulty too much. Other happenings from today in bullet form:-I saw some wild boars that I first thought was a bear-rice and tortillas=amazing camp food-hanging out with everyone was pretty much fantastic-fires make me happy
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Blue Mtn. Shelter

To: Trey Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

Today was pretty much a difficult day. The almost 18 miles yesterday took their toll and I really struggled up some of the climbs. And Josh and the ladies peaced out at Unicoi Gap, but to make up for the sadness of their leaving, a hot dog stand suddenly appeared in the parking lot and I got full of hot dogs and coke before climbing a diffcult mountain. Also, there was a terrific view on top of Trey Mtn of the city lights in a distance. Kind of ironic enjoying city lights in the middle of the mountains, but whatever. Ready for sleep and Hiawassee!
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Trey Mtn. Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was rather uneventful as far as hiking goes- I ate oatmeal, walked up and down some mountains, then got a ride into Hiawassee from Brad's brother-in-law (thanks guys). Ben and I decided to share a room at the Holiday Inn (Ben had to have HBO for the Sopranos). I had to have Internet, so it all worked out. The rest of the day I spent cleaning me/catching up with my previous life. While whistling "Sweet Caroline" during my hike I thought, why not make a list of things I've learned or things that turned out differently, since those are the common questions I'm asked. So here's my list of observations, philosphies, thoughts:-drinking nothing but sweet tea, Coke, and Cuban expresso while in town is not the best way to rehydrate-trail hunger does not take a week to kick in as I've read. Mine hit on day 2.-Quick! Everyone take out your "to do before I die" list and add "poop in the woods"-LNT=swallowing a mouthful of coffee grounds-it's the mices world, we're just trying to sleep in it.-starting the trail in semi-decent shape will save you so much pain-trail towns are expensive, as advertised, but they are so worth the money!-I will come back from this trip a tree-huggin recycling hippie. So I apologize to anyone that both knew and liked me prior to this trip.-Living in the woods really allows you to appreciate how amazing nature really is.   More to come as they pop in my mind
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: clear sky

Today I left Ben the Canadian at the Holiday Inn (I hope to meet up wtih him later) and left with Pam and Wren to get back on the trail. Hiawassee was a fine town, I was able to use the Internet excessively, watch some Braveheart and NHL playoffs (owch Red Wings) and of course uplaod some pics and update this journal. The plan is to get into Franklin on my birthday (thurs) and watch Cavs vs. Pistons game 2. The weather looks good, no rain and temperatures no higher than 80!I should mention that I am very pleased wtih my gear so far. I mailed my french press (with tears in my eyes), an extra book, and my spent filter cartrage that I have to mail to Kataydin ahead to Franklin. I dropped about 1.5lbs doing that. My pack weight is down to about 39lbs fully loaded (food and water). Carrying only 1 liter of water works out well for me despite the drought down here. It was a nice night with Pam and Wren (thanks for the dinner). The shelter is tucked away pretty far in the middle of nowhere. Nice day, I feel great.More wisdom from me:*the USPS is slow. In Hiawassee today I was told I better use priority mail for my package to get there by Thursday or Friday. My thought: "mam, I am WALKING to Franklin by Thursday. You have trucks and planes."That's all I got. Not a very profound day.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: few clouds

I hiked with Wren most of the day and crossed the border into North Carolina! The tangible progress was fantastic, but the bliss quickly gave way to a brutal stair-infested (hikers know that stairs suck to climb up) climb after Bly Gap. After the nasty hello into NC the hike was pretty nice and i can find nothing else to complain about.I hung out with Pam, Wren, and Papa Joe at Standing indian Shelter. He was quite the character, and snored like a big grizzly bear. More perfect weather today and I had the pleasure of seeing about a 3-4 foot rat snake that was tanning on the trail. The inner Steve Irwin in me did not come out, and I politely moved his tail and he took off.And more wisdom from my brilliant mind (seriously, I am hiliouras in my own mind while I'm hiking)*I will teach the sweetness of the OH-IO chant and how it fits in perfectly with "Hang on Sloopy" to everyone I meet.*Those who say schedules are pointless are very correct. I added the approach trail on the drive down and still am a day ahead of schedule.*Doing the approach trail multiplies your total score by 8.8 once you reach the valley. Now if only I hadn't traded my spare axles and shot all those buffalo...*Long live Goldbond*untreated water does not kill you when consumed (sorry mom and Jess, I only did it once. I was tired!)
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was by far my favorite hike of the trip. I wanted to do a long hike to make a much easier day going into Franklin tomorrow. The terrain really wasn't that bad, with the exception of Albert Mtn. Albert Mtn was the most fun climb in the history of life. It was basically a bunch of rock stairs, and big boulders that sometimes required all 4 limbs to climb. The view on top was even more amazing because of the Forest Service survey tower that you could climb. Amazing view (for anyone that plans to climb the tower, watch your head. While admiring the view I kept climbing and hit my head on the door closing the very top to the public. Glad I was by myself)For it being my longest day yet, I feel pretty good. I am a bit calorie starved, but I don't feel worn out. Better yet, trail magic! An elderly couple day hiking offered me a ride into town tomorrow. Other examples of trail magic on this trip were: the free ride into Hiawassee from Brad's brother-in-laww, the hot dog waiting for me at Dicks Creek Gap, and the free Huddle House dinner courtesy of Pam. As for the wildlife, I had a close encounter with a wild boar. It was around a corner on the trail no more than 15 yds in front of me. Rather than make noise and scare it away, the photographer in me took over so I tried to inch silently ahead to get a good picture. Bad move. It let out a long grunt then took off running. On my way through the area he ran off again and an entire herd of them took off running the other way. Imagine the headline: "AT hiker killed by pig stampede." The 6 inch tusks on that thing would have hurt. But all is well.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap, Franklin
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today was pretty much amazing. Let's start with a crazy trail magic story.The day hikers I met picked me up around 9:30am after I called them. While talking to John, he mentioned that they had an extra Jeep they only use for moving stuff around. He said that I could use the Jeep while I'm in town. So holy crap. They give me a free ride into town, offer a ride back tomorrow, and give me a car to use! So I drove around Franklin in my borrowed Jeep, enjoyed a shower, Huddle House breakfast, laundry, and my first legal beer at Rathskeller's coffee shop/bar. Franklin is a pretty good town, a bit spread out, but I got everything done that I needed. And I was able to watch the Cavs Game 2 tonight, which turned out to be a bust. Can somebody make a clutch shot?!?!? I had to watch 2 episodes of Friends after the game to feel good enough to sleep. I have a ride arranged at 2pm tomorrow back onto the trail, and Pam and Wren actually made it to town so I was able to play taxi with my borrowed Jeep. This has been an awesome trip so far, expensive but awesome. I'm planning on 2-3 days to the Nantahala Outdoor Center where I hope to make friends and do some white water rafting, or just try the "ducky" that they have for the solo people. Weather looks good, I feel good, real food is good.I have plenty more pictures to post than what I have, but high speed internet down here is a relative term, I will get them all posted ASAP.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Winding Stair Gap, Franklin

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

So my stay in Franklin finally came to a close after running a few errands and eating more fantastic real food (if you happen to go through Franklin, try the Mexican restaurant that begins with a "G"..awesome lunch buffet). Pam, Wren and I drove back (in my rented Jeep, courtesy of trail angels John and Mebane) to John's place. I should note that Ron Haven is an excellent guy to talk to about pretty much anything, we spent an hour and a half bs'ing. We got a ride to the trailhead and John refused to take a penny for his kindness, what a guy.After a quick easy hike to Siler Bald Shelter, Pam decided to push the young'ns an extra 6 miles to the new shelter we had heard about. 6 miles? that's no problem. There were some great views on the way--first a bald that Wren and I jogged up and almost died jogging up, then Wayah Bald, which has an observation tower. After that, it got dark. Fast. We eventually found the 3 week old Wayah shelter using headlamps, and it was well after 9:30 when we got there. We met Bruce and Tim, a couple of section hikers who only have a few sections left to complete the trail. Good day, glad to be out again.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Wayah Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike was rather typical--more oatmeal and energy bars and up some hills, down some hills, then down a super long hill to get to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. But there was trail magic today! At Burningtown Gap was a cooler that said "help yourself." Inside the cooler was Starbuck's Frappachinos (sorry if I can't spell that), Busch beer and Pepsi. Thank you NHC volunteer guy. After the refreshments, I met a bearded hippie lookin' guy who was just getting started for the day. It was noon, I was on mile 7 I think. Anyway, apparently he's a musician who plans on starting a band in Austin, TX once he gets off the trail. Good luck hippie drifter guy.So I got to the NOC at about 7:30 after burning 2 hours BS'ing with some folks on the trail. The NOC is kind of a funny place. It's a complete tourist trap/hiker service place/mountain resort, complete with tennis courts. Apparently the courts were needed to give the place "resort" status, which enables them to serve alcohol in a dry county. This Ohio guy really got a kick out of the Bible belt and their fear of alcohol (I'm used to seeing people wasted 7 days a week at all hours of the day in Bowling Green). At least the rest of America figured out that prohibition was dumb in the 1930's. Enough rambling, the NOC is a fine place so far and I plan on a zero day tomorrow so I can raft and spend lots of money on greasy fattening food.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Let's hear it for awesome zero days! Today I had an enormous breakfast which was followed by 2 hours of riverside reading. Bruce and Tim decided to stop for the day and raft the river, so I joined them. The NOC offers what's called a "ducky" which is just a one man raft. The river was a real hoot. Rather tame, only having I think 2 class III rapids, it was still fun,and we made the trip last about 3.5 hours. The water was extremely cold, getting no more than 50 degrees because it's fed by the bottom of Nantahala Lake. The wet suit helped a ton.After the river ride I lounged around and did nothing, but did shower and pick up my mail drop (thanks mom!). Today was especially good because I was able to watch the Cavs at the pub. The Cavs' win was made even better with the help of a few Newcastles and free greasy pizza. Game 4 is Tuesday what to do....Pretty much an awesome day, I feel well rested, rock on NOC.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: NOC

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

So hard to say good bye to this place. Pam and Wren were smart and left by 11am. I stayed to watch the river rise and dread the 8 mile climb uphill that was waiting for me. And inevitably I started talking to people, but it's so hard to to because most of them are just so nice and love to hear hiker's stories. One thing led to another then I got hungary, so I ate my 4th meal at River's end restaurant, and polished it off with a tall, cool Budweiser(s). I continue to learn that beer and pop (or soda, Coke, whatever you people down here call it) do NOT rehydrate enough, so I was hurting during that whole climb (that didn't start until about 2:30). I arrived much to the surprise of Pam and Wren, who figured I was staying at the NOC for another day. I made it to the shelter tired, hungary, and of course dehydrated. But I did finally meet "The Edge," a fellow hiker I had been behind for the entire trip so far. The shelter was covered in a quarter inch layer of very fine dirt, which was a real PITA (think of the abbreviation). Due to my late start and short hike, tomorrow will be a long day if I wish to catch the Cavs.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 20.7

Planning is a funny thing on this trip, mostly because it doesn't work and I keep getting lazier at it. I left this morning with 4 days of food and 3 liters of water (9 miles to the next source). So there's over 40 lbs on my back, I was totally dehydrated, and I am looking at almost a 21 mile hike. Bad start..The dehydration led to a bad left calf cramp which was on and off all day. It actually sat me on my butt on the middle of the trail a couple times because it hurt so bad. I drank 5 liters of gatorade and water, which wasn't enough apparently. Stupid NOC...I left Pam, Wren, and the Edge at Stecoah Gap and completed a wicked climb after Sweetwater Gap...I thought this was NC, not GA! It was up-down-up-down all day long, but I kept on truckin'. The Cavs were on for cryin out loud! The plan was get a $2 ride from the Marina into Fontana Village, where I would watch the game in a bar, then peace out of the village and sleep at the Fontana Shelter. I got a ride from the public safety guy for free and once I got here, realized there was no way I was going to walk 2 more miles down a windy dark mountain road after my day. I was 100% tuckered out, so I got a sweet room with a king size bed and a pool side view for $60 (thank you hiker discount). The Cavs won again and it was a beautiful thing, tough day, very very sore and tired. Sleeeeep.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Fontana Village

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: clear sky

So I needed an extra day in town because the legs were not in fine working order. I spent probably 2 hours sitting at a table outside doing my laundry and reading, so it was pretty much fantastic. But I was plagued by a lady that talked to me for half of those 2 hours. She was nice and all, but I could not understand a word she was telling me. Ohians don't speak Alabaman I guess. Anyway, the biker fest was getting set up, so there were tons of bald guys with tattoos, leather, Harley's, and of course CCR blaring. I had the pleasure of meeting Ben the Canadian's family--his grandson is meeting him to hike for 4 days. So many Canadians in one place was awesome.It was a good night at the Hilton, named for its ample space and running water and toilets that flushed automatically! I had dinner with Martin near the dam and got some pretty solid pics. Also hang out with a fellow named Dutchee, his pit bull Maggie, Carl, and of course Pam and Wren. That's about it, ready to enter the Smokies.
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Entering the Smokies began rather uneventfuly, as we talked on a road fo what felt like 3 hours, but all the bear closing signs were a nice hola into Smoky Mountain National Park. The climb was pretty tough initially, but it was still better than that stupid climb out of the NOC. I ended up backtracking a half mile (uphill) because I missed an observation tower that provided a sweet view of Fontana Lake. I finally saw a bear!! It was about 150lbs (ish, I didn't bring my scale), stubborn, and it would not leave the shelter area. I got some pretty good pics because we were no more than 10ft from the bear. It had no intentions to leave, rather it was like a big racoon that kept coming back to the shelter the second we turned our lights off. We chased it away about 4 times, and I think it stayed away the final time after it grabbed Brad's water bottle and ran. Speaking of water, the source here was terrible. It took me over a half hour to get 2 liters of water.Other than that bear, it was a peaceful night, big day tomorrow though, I have 19 miles planned with Carl so that I have an easy day into Gatlinburg.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Siler's Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I had a fine night of sleep after the sweet bear encounter last night, but Carl (from KY) and I left pretty late considering we had 19 miles planned. I used to be awesome at leaving by 7, now I'm lucky to be up by 7:30. Carl was the only person I could recruit to do such a long stupid day. We trucked at a pretty good pace, covering 6 miles in just our first 2 hours of hiking. At one of the shelters where we rested and tried out the privy, I discovered the Cavs had won in double OT and Lebron dropped 48. Amazing! To make things better, 5 minutes after I learned of the Cavs' win, I found out I passed the Praxis, thus making me eligable to be a teacher. So I'm pretty much on cloud 9 when we left Spence Field Shelter.The next 6 miles were brutal. I would love to give a swift kick in the rear to the many hikers I met who said how easy the Smokies were and how I'd put in huge miles once we got there. It took forever and Carl and I were angry and mentally defeated at some parts. And it rained. A steady drizzle and dark clouds convinced us to put on our rain gear. Naturally, as soon as we put it on, it stopped raining. Great googily moogily.Lady luck did smile down on us because we made Derrick Knob shelter just before the sky really opened up and dumped tons of rain on us for 2 hours. I took a nap, drank coffee, ate oatmeal, and decided I must hike on to avoid a super long day into Gatlinburg. It was tough to leave everyone, but I just felt trapped and had to leave. So I did. Five miles later I ended the day at Siler's Bald shelter, and met up with Brad and Spendora, a very optimistic and pleasant duo attempting a late thru-hike. I think and hope they make it, because they have the right attitude. Also at the shelter were some mothers/daughters who were all stoned. Interesting...Full shelter, and there were some messy people! LNT means nothing to some overnighters I tell ya. They were all nice folk. Tough day but I enjoyed it.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Siler's Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

So today was national trails day, and there were over 100 trail maintenence volunteers on the trail clearing dead branches, installing erosion-proof stairs, and making the trail look good. I really appreciated them and wished I could help, but I had a potential Piston-elimination game to attend.One of the volunteers I met kindly gave me and the injured Robert (a recently retired professor) a ride into town. I should talk about Gatlinburg. Most hikers that I've run into do not find Gatlinburg awesome, as I have imagined it to be. They describe it was touristy and fake, which I figure is probably true. Either way, I didn't care, I wanted to experience it's phony-ness for myself, so I did.Robert and I split a room at the Grand Prix motel, so I did laundry, showered, etc. and walked out to the main strip. It's a very funny town. It's like a combo of Niagra Falls and Myrtle Beach, except there's mountains instead of water. I ate gross pizza at a roadside stand then enjoyed some Black Bear Ale at the Smoky Mtn. Brewery. I met all kinds of interesting people, but holy crap, the Cavs are in the finals!!! Amazing game to watch.