morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Bly Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Either NC wanted us to know that they have higher mountains than Ga or they were telling us to go back home. We started with a 1,000 ft climb that got our lungs and muscles woke up. The top of this mountain was at about 4500 ft and we still had Standing Indian to climb before the day was over. We still are not seeing many thru hikers on the trail. Someone told us that we were in between a couple large bubbles of hikers. Not sure how that happened but there are about 15 people camping at Standing Indian Shelter tonight with us. I tried very hard today to get a picture to put everyone's mind at rest that I am really working for those meals that I have been posting pictures of but didn't have any clear views.Doug Tarver- I do have a picture in the photo section that proves I am in the wilderness. We did our biggest day today covering 15 miles in about 9 hours. That includes breaks and lunch. Tomorrow we will reach another mini milestone by reaching the 100 mile mark on top of Albert Mountain. We hope to get off the trail Thursday and stay at the Nantahala Mtn Lodge. I have heard good things about this place. Most everyone is going into Franklin NC for a hiker food bash Being coordinated by the local hiking club. The one thing that I will miss by not going to Franklin is the pancake breakfast that the local Baptist Church does for all thru hikers every day for about six week. That is quite a large mission project.
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up to high winds and rain last night. How Far and I have usually been getting up about 7:15 and leaving around 8:00 but this morning we let each other know between our tents that we were going to sleep in. We didn't get up until about 9:00 and had to pack up in the rain and left about 10:30. Today our toughest climb was up Albert Mountain and let me tell you it was tough. The last 1/4 mile was straight up and at times I was grabbing hold of trees to pull myself up. Someone told me that the was the toughest 1/4 mile of the AT until we get to the White Mountains . Not sure that is true but hopefully we won't see anything like that anytime soon. The reward for climbing Albert is that there is a fire tower on top that you can climb and have a great view. Just our luck the eastern side was all covered in clouds and the western side didn't have the best view. We were headed to Rock Gap shelter tonight but it was crowded and there were not any level tent sites so we filled up with water and kept going. Usually you find a very good camping spot just passed the shelters but to our luck we had to climb another large mountain before we found a spot. How Far and I are alone on top of this mountain tonight. Weather reports are calling for rain so I hope we don't get blown off the top. Tomorrow we only have to hike about 7.5 miles before we go to a Nantahala Mountain Lodge were we can get a clean bed, clothes washed, and a home cooked breakfast and dinner. We will be staying two nights resting up on Friday before taking off again Saturday morning.Thanks to everyone that has been signing my guest book. I try to reply to each with at least a thanks but if you don't put your email address on the guest book I won't have a address to respond to you at. So if you didn't hear back from me that could be the reason or I might of missed you but thanks again. These little messages are what keeps you going out here. Also please forgive any typos because it isn't easy to type this with the iPad between my knees. Sometimes this computer likes to guess the word I am trying to spell.
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Nantahala Mountain Lodge
Miles today: 8.3

We woke up to rain and high wind again last night but the strangest thing was at about midnight I heard a turkey yelping and clucking down below the ridge we were camped on. She did this for about 2 hours while the rain was coming down and the wind gusting. I didn't know that they did this at night. As I mentioned yesterday we had a short day today to get to the gap for Steve from the Nantahala Lodge to pick us up. This is a great place for our needs. We are sharing the top floor of their home with 5 other people. Maggie cooked us a great meal tonight consisting of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetables and topped it off with Apple pie. I thought I was starving to death but one serving of this filled me up. Can't wait for breakfast in the morning. They know how to take care of hikers since Steve (Wiggy) thru hiked in 2010 and they designed this place more like a European hostel. They provide you with a set of clothes to wear while they wash yours and have good wifi, snacks for purchasing, cable TV, and a very comfortable common area where you can relax.We plan on staying here until Saturday morning since tomorrow night weather forecast is calling for temps to be in the low 20's plus we haven't taken a day off in over 7 days. We need to rest our bodies from time to time to decrease our chance of injuries.I have a clean body, clean clothes and a full stomach so life is good!!!
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Nantahala Mountain Lodge

To: Nantahala Mountain Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

I finally slept all night last night. I haven't mentioned it but I haven't gotten a good night sleep since I have been out here. It probably has something to do with my diet because I am certainly tired enough each night. Maybe this is a good sign although a nice soft bed with clean linen probably didn't hurt any.We woke up at about 7:30 and had a great breakfast cooked by Maggie. After Breakfast Doc Tater, and Jo who were slack packing left for their hike today. How Far and me have been catching up on all the news, updating our journals, posting pictures and videos and cleaning our equipment. We have three more guest for tonight who just showed up. I took time and walked around the property and they really have a nice place here, with two private cabins up the hill that would be great for a family.After I responded to Ms. Tarver's River Oaks class about doing some research about Leeches they took this on as a home work assignment and here is their response.Thanks for the valuable info that I am sure I can use. Please send me any more questions you might have.Message:        Ms. Tarver's class did research for you about leeches in rivers! Leeches do live in ALL rivers, streams, ponds, and brooks. Leeches can be used for heart/rib cage surgeries. Carry a lighter, knife, salt or credit card to help remove any leeches from your body. They eat you from the outside to the inside, and then back out.I heard from Jimmy and I Believe this morning and they plan on coming toward Fontana next week and I hope we meet up then. Be great to see someone you know.I can't say how nice Steve and Maggie are here at the Nantahala Mountain Lodge. They have been the best host ever and if I haven't said it yet Maggie is a great cook. Can't wait to see what's for dinner. There is snow in the forecast for tonight and getting very cold and this place is filling up fast due to that.We will leaving in the morning heading to the NOC in a couple of days and then on to Fontana Dam.That's it until I get back on the trail.Bean Counter
Date: 2015-03-28
From: Nantahala Mountain Lodge

To: Nantahala Mountain Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up to a cover of snow and projected temps of 18 in the morning. How Far and I discussed what to do but it was a pretty easy decision to stay put one more day. My sleeping bag is rated at 15 degree but that doesn't mean you will be comfortable at that temp but just won't freeze to death. I think we made a wise mature decision. Everyone else took off so I hope they stay warm tonight. Maggie said there is another full house for tonight.We had another great breakfast this morning and we are having pizza for lunch. I bought myself a pint of ice cream for my desert along with 2 pepsi's.The sun is out now and the beautiful snow is melting away and the weather forecast is showing a warming trend starting tomorrow so we will be leaving tomorrow no matter what happens. Hopefully we will make the NOC in a couple of days and Fontana a few days after that, then it will be off into the Smokies for about 5 days.Taking two zero days was not what we had planned but our aging bodies probably needed the rest. We saw Ox and Obsolete last night. They had made it to the NOC but there were no rooms there so they stayed in one of the cabins last night. We had met them when we stayed at the Top of Georgia hostel where we all wore our scrubs to dinner. They are a couple of days ahead of us being very strong hikers and also younger than us old ones. I actually think How Far and myself are holding our own out here on the trail. Representing the older generation pretty good.Bean Counter
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Nantahala Mountain Lodge

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

After two days off it was time to get back on the trail. It was very cold this morning but warmed up as the day wore on. There was still snow and ice in some places and mud in others. How Far and I almost slipped and fell several times today but managed to stay on our feet. We did not see many hikers out today but did hike for just a short while with Learning Curve who was having a bad day. He is a young male from Richmond that was trying to decide if he should go home or not. We told him about the Nantahala Lodge so he called Steve and he ran out and picked him up. I hope he can get warm, clean and full and decide what he wants to do with a clear head.We were let off where we stopped the other day at Wayah Gap road. We hiked about 15.7 miles today, another record day for us. I felt much better today after getting some rest and food in me. Tomorrow we should hit the NOC where I have a resupply box to pick up and we can get something to eat at the restaurant for lunch. I also have to buy and print out my Smoky Mountain permit before I can go through there.We made it to Wesser Bald Shelter at about 5:30 but there were very few level tent sites but we were both able to get a fairly flat one. It's a bummer to sleep on a slant where you are sliding all over the place all night. There is a forecast for rain tonight but right now it is clear and cold so maybe the rain will hold off.We hated to leave the lodge this morning and the company of Doc Tater and Jo. I didn't tell the story on Jo that she is from Houston and drove over and found a mouse in here car. She tried baiting a trap to catch it but it ate the bait each time and she never got it. I told her that she better hope that the mouse didn't come out from under the seat and run up her leg while she was driving. Steve told her to take that mouse back to Texas. Doc Tater really is a doctor, a dermatologist and provided us a lot of valuable info regarding Lyme disease. Thanks Doc..That's all for tonight. We will try again tomorrow..Bean Counter
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

I don't know where to start today. It's been a rough day. It started about 3:30 this morning when a terrible thunder storm hit us with lighting and thunder with a lot of rain. When I finally ventured out from the tent I could see that How Far had almost packed up and was ready to go. He said his sleeping bag had gotten wet and he was freezing. He said he was going to go ahead and take off so he could try to warm up. I finally got packed up although my hands were about froze and took off. I caught up with How Far about 1/2 way down where he was getting out of some of his clothes since he had finally warmed up. Our climb down to the NOC was about 5 miles but it was straight down. Going down a steep grade is very hard on the knees. When I got to the NOC I went in the store to inquire about somewhere to stay for the night so we could get dried out but they had nothing available. At about that time How Far came in and said his knee was killing him and that I should go ahead without him. I didn't want to do that because we have become good friends and are very compatible hikers as well as having the same beliefs and values but he insisted. We went over to the restaurant and had lunch and afterwards I went to the outfitter store and picked up my resupply as well as printed out my Smoky permit. How Far called his wife to come pick him up and she went ahead and got him a doctor's appt for tomorrow. I sure hope he can get back out here within the next week or so.I took off alone for the first time and made the climb out of the NOC which was about 7 miles and a 3000 ft climb. It was very tough but I made it to the shelter and got my tent set up ate a little food and now I am in my sleeping bag typing this. My fingers are very cold while I type this. The temp is suppose to get down to about 35 tonight. It's a little loud down at the shelter. I think I am the only person over 25 here tonight.I am hoping to hook up with I Believe and Jimmy tomorrow (Jimmy and Sherry Spillman) they are just great people. On Wednesday I should make it to Fontana where I plan on taking another zero before heading into the Smokies.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday was sort of a bummer of a day. After missing having How Far to talk to I was the only person at the camping area over 25. The wind blew hard all night but I survived the night and was up and going at 8:00. On my way to take a picture of the privy I heard someone call my name and it was a girl that I had met at the very first shelter from Maryland. She was asking me what happened to Dusty Pilgrim and How Far. Later in the day I was introducing myself to someone and they said they heard of me from my hiker card that I had given out. I didn't realize how difficult of a hike this was going to be but the good part was the trail magic waiting on us at Stecoah Gap by former thru hiker Bamboo and his wife. I had a hot dog, donut, nutty buddy bar, some Oreo cookies and a coke. That was my lunch.Right after this there was a huge climb up Jacob's Ladder that had several false tops but after numerous stops I finally made it to the top. I made it to the road that I thought I might meet up with I Believe and Jimmy but didn't see them. I didn't have any cell service so they might have tried to contact me and I wouldn't have known.I actually was one of the first ones in camp even after hiking 15.2 miles. There are some other folks my age here tonight. Several members of the Warrior Group are staying in the shelter.Tomorrow I have a short hike to Fontana Dam where I will take a zero at the village before heading into the Smokies on Friday.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Fontana Village

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well I forgot that I would still have wifi so I can update today's post before heading out in the morning. Jimmy cook breakfast this morning and they then dropped me off at the lodge and I was able to get in a room at 9:00 am. I grabbed my laundry and walked down the hill to the laundry and washed all my clothes. I had a package to pick up but the post office is only open from 11:45 to 3:30 so after lunch I had to make another trip down the hill to pick it up. You noticed how I said down the hill; that's because I had to go back up the hill to get to my room and these steps don't count in my mileage.I had a great lunch of a double Dam Burger at the grill with fries. When I walked in I asked them if they were opened because there was no one else there but I was told I was the very first customer for this season. I was hoping for maybe a free lunch or something but that didn't happened. (lol)I came back to the room and tried to take a nap but wasn't very successful. I am having trouble sleeping and I have never had that problem before. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.I went down and had dinner tonight and ate with Black and Blue who I met this morning while doing laundry. Sixty-one is also here so I am getting back with some folks more my age which is nice.I hope to get through the Smokies in about 6 days and then into Hot Springs in another couple of days where I will take my next zero. In the Smokies there all kind of restrictions that you have to follow so everyone just wants to get through them as fast as possible.Until I can upload again.Bean Counter
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Fontana Village

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up and packed ready to go at 7:30 when the restaurant opened. I ate a breakfast of pancakes, sausage and coffee. Sixty One and Black and Blue joined me. We got the first shuttle out at 8:30 and then I was off hiking again. I had a climb starting at 1700 ft going all the way to 4500 ft. I was planning on doing 15 miles today but when I reached the first shelter the ridge runner suggested that if I felt good I might want to go on to Spence Field Shelter. I took his suggestion and made it a 18 mile day but boy am I tired. I think the rest I got at Fontana along with the food I ate helped me today. This was my strongest day of hiking yet.This is the first day that I can remember when no one actually passed me all day. I am staying in my first shelter tonight. In the Smokies if there are spots available in the shelter you have to stay in them. This isn't so bad due to the tarp covering the front and the fireplace inside the shelter. I will let you know tomorrow if I get any sleep or not.I met one hiker from Iowa who is on his way home from an internship in Atlanta that is out for the weekend and three guys from Michigan who drove all the way down the hike and camp for the weekend. There is a father and daughter who live very close to here that are here for the night. Everyone else is a thru hiker.
Date: 2015-04-05
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.5

I finally slept,all night with only one minor interruption during the night. It was also the coldest night since I have been hiking. I would guess in was in the 20's with a wind chill in the teens. Sixty-one had a small collapsible bucket outside with water in it and it was frozen at least 2 inches thick. We had planned yesterday to just try and get to the next shelter after climbing Clingman's Dome, the highest point of the AT at 6655 ft. It was a very cold morning and as we started hiking I told Sixty-one that I thought I would try and get to Newfound Gap where I would try and hitch a ride to Gatlinburg because I was freezing and hungry. When we started walking up,the road to Clingman's Dome I heard the LSU fight song again. There they were I Believe and Jimmy waiting on me with some drinks and food. They said they were going back to Newfound Gap and would bring us to Gatlinburg and then bring us back tomorrow.While there I turned my phone on since I haven't had service in 2 days and had a text from Cathy saying the Buchanan's were in Gatlinburg and for me to contact them. I wasn't able to make a phone call at that time but texted Cathy telling her I got the message.We took off to Newfound Gap which is about a 7.7 mile trip by the AT but very close by car. We knew to expect Trail Magic at the gap from a couple, Beth and Bernie Briden from Florida who does this every year for two weeks on their anniversary. What great people. There was also another couple there providing more magic. I am not going to tell you how much I ate.After eating Jimmy and I Believe gave myself, Sixty-one and Black and Blue a ride to Gatlinburg. They dropped me off at the motel that Butch and Nancy were staying who took me to dinner tonight for some more trail magic. This was very special to me to have dinner on Easter Sunday with good friends.I forgot to mentioned that I was interviewed last night by a section hiker that will post his video on you tube in about a month. I will provide a link when it gets posted.I will be back on the trail in the morning and will post again when I have internet service. I hope to be out of the Smokies by Wednesday.Bean Counter
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

After eating breakfast with Butch and Nancy, Jimmy and I Believe came by and picked me up at about 8:00 am. After we dropped Black and Blue off at another motel we headed back to Newfound Gap. The weather forecast was not great and this time the weatherman got it right. No sooner than Sixty-one took off the rain started and not long after that the wind started. It was very wet and cold all day. We found a rock wall that we got behind and cooked our lunch today. We needed something hot to help us warm up. There were several large climbs we had to make today and when we would we going through a gap the wind would almost push us off the side.I have been disappointed that I haven't seen much wildlife yet but we did manage to see a grouse today. I have heard several but this is the first one I have seen. I haven't seen any bears which is just fine with me.We made it to Tri-Corner Knob shelter after hiking over 15 miles today. We are in the shelter tonight with about 15 other folks while it is pouring rain outside. Tomorrow we will hopefully get out of the Smokies. We only have about 15 miles to go inside the park.Jimmy and I Believe plan on meeting us again tomorrow yo help us out some more. I hope to be in Hot Springs by Friday where How Far is going to meet back up with me.
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 15.7

Last night it stormed all night but I had a good night sleep. I am sleeping better the last few days. We got up and going a little before 8:00 am and the weather turned for the better with the sun shining and being much warmer than the day before. Well the weather was short lived because at about 12:00 the bottom fell out of the sky. We were soaked to the bone but thankfully it wasn't cold. We started out the morning thinking we had about 16 miles to go to get to Davenport Gap where Jimmy and I Believe was going to pick us up and take us to a motel.We had to climb one last mountain and the last 5 miles were down hill but we missed a turn and ended up hiking an extra 1.2 miles in a down pour. That was our bummer for the day. We finally reached the gap and there was Jimmy and I Believe along with a couple and their sons providing trail magic. They made us a sandwich and gave us something to drink and we were off to the motel. We got checked in, took a hot shower, went to wash our very muddy clothes and then went to an all you can eat buffet. We are back in the room with equipment and clothes every where and will leave about 8:30 in the morning.I again can't say what Jimmy and I Believe have done for me and a lot of the other hikers. They are going home in the morning but will be missed.I have been struggling with the telling of my story. I want everything to sound very positive and fun but there are some times that aren't as fun as others. I remember as a kid going to the Smokies and thought they were the greatest of all but these last five days have been miserable due to the weather. The Smokies gave me everything they had other than a foot of snow. We have had thunder storms, wind gust of over 50 mph, ice, sleet, temps in the 20's and wind chill factors in the teens and a rescue situation to top it off. I can honestly say I am happy to be out of the Smokies due to the weather and all the requirements that you have to follow.I will be in Hot Springs by Friday and my group from work has sent me a birthday cake that will arrive on Friday. My birthday isn't until the 17th but Hot Springs is the best place to make this happen close to the date. I hope to be able to face time with them also. They are the greatest group of all and Cathy Gray you make a mean coconut cake!!!!Bean Counter