morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: few clouds

Another hiker cam into Cable Gap Shelter and his name is Doc. He isn¢t a doctor so I don¢t know why he is called Doc. I got up around 7:30 a.m. and made some oatmeal. I was packed up and ready to go at 8:30 a.m. I had a small climb then the rest was mostly up and down. I feel pretty good so far. My right knee bothers me a little. I bet that is why I am not pushing it. It was cool all day and only warm when the sun came out. I made it to the shelter around 2:00 p.m. It was rather early so I made lunch of Roman Noodles. I also put all my clothes out in the sun to dry from the previous day. At this shelter we have running water, electric, and showers. But no towels, hmmmm... I skipped the shower, I am waiting for the hot springs. I am going to have some kind of chicken for supper. Santa and I are the only ones in the shelter so far. Doc showed and then decided to go ahead to the next shelter. The next shelter is 10 miles away it is 3:00 p.m. and he has no tent. Good Luck Doc! From here to the next 63 miles it will be lots of ups and downs. We have seven days to get over the Smokey Mountains. Some guy just came out of nowhere and handed us each two Mt. Dews. He said that he did the trail in 2002 and it was great. It is 6:00 p.m. and the sun is going down behind the mountains. It is not as cold as yesterday so maybe it will start warming up, that way we can start complaining about the heat (not me). There are only two of us in the shelter. One guy came looking for somewhere to re supply. I told him he had to go back to 28 to re supply for food. That is about 2 miles away. You need at least an eight day food supply in order to get through the Smokies. Till tomorrowOpen your eyes it¢s later than you think.Red Hank
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

I was up early about 8:00 a.m. packed up and headed out without breakfast. I will eat on the trail. I went over Fontana Dam and into the Smokey Mountains. The going wasn¢t as bad as I figured it was going to be. I ran into Navigator. She broke her leg on Blood Mountain. She is following her husband in her truck. They are from Florida. Part of the ground for about two miles today was covered in a blanket of blue as far as the eyes could see. I tried the cell phone but no such luck. I will have to get out of the Smokies before I can call home.   I made it to the shelter around 3:30 p.m. and decided to stay the night. There is one more guy here. He is a SOBO and he will get off at Fontana Dam. He is a section hiker and has been on the trail for one and half months. I hope the guy that came in late at the Fontana Dam shelter doesn¢t show up. He said he was a through hiker but I had my doubts. He only carried a blanket and two plastic bags and when I questioned him about it he didn¢t have very good answers. He only had one arm.I didn¢t sleep that well last night, he said that he was going to Tennessee to cash in some food stamps.   He had some kind of noodles for supper. I am going to hit the hay early today. So until tomorrow maybe I will see a bear.Slow down you might see something you likeRed Hank
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The wind picked up over night with gusts about 40 mph. It wasn¢t too cold just windy. I was up around 7:30 a.m. and made some cold oatmeal, not too bad. Started out at 8:00 a.m. I knew that this section was the hardest and I wanted to do it all. The first section wasn¢t badI took a picture on top of Thunderhead East Peak (3,560 ft.). I hope that it turns out as beautiful as it looked. There was a lot of climbing today but it was not as hard as I thought, it was still hard though. Man was it beautiful! I ran into several hikers one of them asked me how close it was to the top. They were headed in the opposite direction. They were three ¢old¢ guys with packs going South. I made it to Silers Bald Shelter about 5:00 p.m. It was a long day. I made supper in a hurry because I was very hungry. I had spaghetti and meatballs but I didn¢t wait five minutes for it to cook. It was good anyways. I also made some hot chocolate, and it tasted good with my food. The water wasn¢t too far away only about 100 yards away. It was almost 7:30 when two hikers came in. While in the Smokies all through hikers have to give up the shelters to the day hikers and you have to set up your tent. It doesn¢t matter when they show up. I haven¢t had to do that yet.   It¢s too cold for the day hikers. Right now there is only one in the shelter.Tomorrow will be a short day. About eight mile with a 5,800 foot climb. I am tired so I am going to bed. I think I will listen to some Bob Marley on me MP player, thanks to Frank and Maria. It is suppose to rain after midnight. I had to bring my pack down off the bear cables and just hang my food. They have chain linked fences to keep out the bears. No sightings yet. Well, Good Night.Red HankIf it¢s cold share some warmth with someone.
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Well, today was a lost day. It started out with rain and fifty degrees and very heavy fog. Most of the way you couldn¢t see anything and it was cold. I didn¢t see anybody until I got to Silers Bald Shelter. I stopped in for lunch and met Goggles. He gave me some of his swiss cheese. He is a section hiker. I then headed for Double Spring Gap Shelter and got there about 3:00 p.m. Then sugar plum showed up and he was headed for the next shelter. He didn¢t get up from the previous shelter until ten o¢clock. An hour later the shelter was almost full with day hikers. The shelter holds 14 and 11 are here now. There are only 3 through hikers. I was the first one here so if one more day hiker shows up then one of the two will have to give up there spot. Nobody want to set their tent in this kind of weather. I can see my breath and I had to get in my bag in order to warm up. I still have to get out and make supper and hang all my food. The day hikers were trying a fire with wet wood for about an hour. They had no luck just smoke. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day. I am going to the highest peak on the AT. I will climb up Klingmans Dome. I think I will take my cell phone up there and see if I can get a reception. It was a hard day with the cold rain and climbing. I will be climbing 1800 feet with most of it downhill tomorrow. I won¢t believe it until I see it. I¢ve been climbing since Georgia, hee hee. Seems like it. Well, that¢s it for now. Till tomorrow.Red HankNothing better than nice cold day in you sleeping bag.
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: light rain

Trekked nine almost ten miles. It was really rough to get the highest peak (6,643 feet) of the AT. I had the toughest time doing it. It was a struggle to get to the top. To me it was hard and no longer fun. I have tried it with new medication and my stemming seems to be getting worse. I don¢t know what I am going to do next. Either go to Icewater Shelter or hitch a ride to Gatlinburg. Maybe I went back too soon, who knows. All I know is if I am not having fun then I am not sure what I¢ll do.That¢s it for today.Red HankWhatever makes you happy do it no matter what.
Date: 2004-05-12
From: home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

   Been waiting for my daughter to post my journal from last week before I posted mine. Well as some of you well know I had to get off the trail for the second time. This was the hardest for me,in knowing that I had the hardest part of the AT BEHIND ME. It's been a long journey and yet so short, but I should say it's not over yet not by a long shot. I am having problems with my medication. Right now I'm not sure of anything yet. I have to find out what is going on with my body before I decide to go back. Health wise I'm fine its my strength that's not coperating with my body,and it is so hard to try to figure out what is going on with me, the soul is willing but not the body.      There has always been a rule of thumb, the more you exercise the stronger you get. Try telling that to my body. Well enough of that for now. There is still another week or so left on my journal so keep in touch. I treasure all my e-mail from all my friends and strangers. This is not a good-bye to the trail, but a little set back.      LIFE IS FULL OF CURVES YOU NEVER KNOW WHATS ON THE OTHER SIDE                              Redhank
Date: 2004-09-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome to all my friend and and all those who who have been reading my journal. Its been a long journey and yet Iam still at home.Where do I start Ill start from top of the Smokey Mountains when I decided to to get off for the second time. It was one of the worst days of my life and the weather was just as bad cold raining and fog and Ime soaking wet. Had trouble with some of my medication. I'll hed home but the journey is not yet over I will be back. I'll keep in touch.
Date: 2005-10-26
From: Smokey Mountain 

To: Rough Sketch for 06 back on the trail 
Miles today: 0.0

Well here we are again still a dream or twinkel in my eye at age 65 going on 66 sometimes it helps to dream to stay young.I have laid rough plans to continue the hike starting at the Smokey Mountains starting in June sometime if any body reads this please e-mail me at any imput is welcomed. This time my wife will join me as my base camp.She won't be walking but using her veh. and staying one step ahead of me.I will be using full pack accept she will join me where ever the trail is road accessible. Well thats it for and will keep in touch.                                                REDHANK ( I'me Back)
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Newfound gap

To: Newfound gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Last time I had an entery on my journal was 2004 heading back out on the 30th with a friend His name is Dave he still doesn't have a trail name yet he will have one before his journey is over he is going to be with me for about 10 days and is getting off in Hot Springs Va. And I am going on to Demascus Va. All our adventures and pictures will be on my journal first posting will be about ten days or about May 10.Looking forward to the trip. Be back home on May 3rd.                        para todos mes amagos redhank(Frank)
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Newfound gap

To: Starting
Miles today: 0.0

March 30th 2010      Arrived at the Toledo Greyhound terminal about 6:30pm. Dave an I were told to be there one hour early for procesing bus departure was 7:35pm. Went to get my tickets weigh bag by the way my bag was 34lbs got my ticket no id required and was done in less then five minutes so much for one hour early.    About an hour later over the speaker bus for Knoxville dalayed one hour. Finely on the road about 820pm.Packed in the bus like sardines five minutes into the trip the bus driver pulls over anounceing that one of the outside baggage doors flew open.Then anounces don't know if any of the bags were lost we well find out on the next stop and I am having a panic attack and it gets even better. Half way to Cincinnati driver announces might have to stay over night there there are no buses in Cincinnati. I'm a total mess having a double panic attack.To our surprise no luggage missing and there was a bus waiting for us that's when I began to breath again.   Arrived in Knoxville the next day about 530am to our surprise the shuttle bus was waiting for us half hour shuttle to Gatlinburg. Nothing opens at 6am not even the hotels so we wait till 8am to get a room.TO BE CONTINUED.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: newfound gap

To: Newfound gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

      Went to breakfest that morning decided to go to a pancake house had a big breakfest of pancakes and omlit everything comes with grits so I ate grits not bad. Next to us was a young girl and we were talking about smoking idle conversation and she said good by and left. When we were done asked the waiter for our bill and he said that young lady had paid for our meal. She was gone before we could thank her.Talk about trail magic before even hitting the trail.We walked from one end of Gatlinburg to the other end looking for outfiter for fuel about a mile.Went back for a rest and went to supper at Road House. Great food last time we will have steak. Back to hotel went to bed about 9pm. Have to get up early and be on the trail by 8am.
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Newfound gap

To: April fools day
Miles today: 10.1

   Arrived at Newfound gap about 745am took pictures let the adventure began and boy did it began.Withen a half a mile of the start we started to hit snow very dangerous snow because the topath we walk some places is only two foot wide adding about 3 to 4 ft drifs doesn't give much margin for error some place are 300 to 400 ft drop streight down. It was really slow going. We stoped Icewater spring shelter filtered water and headed out and that was a mistake.    We had about 10 through hikers pass us up Dave was behind me and they kept me up to date how he was doing he was doing good but walking slow. Waited for him several times. He had told me just head for the shelter and and wait for him. Made the shelter about 730pm there several hikers said he was strugling and going really slow so grabed my water bottle and head lamp and out to look for him. At first I thought he missed the shelter it was half mile of the trail so I went north about one mile and went back south about a mile and half still could not find and it was already 9pm. Headed back to the shelter to see if hwa there and he was't that part of the trail where I had seen him last was not as bad or as dangerous as the first 5 miles so I figured he had cowboyed for the night head out in the morning to find him.
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Newfound gap

To: Tri-corner knob shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

      Peaked out of my bag about 6:30 in the mornimg and there is Dave to my surprise eating bk. With a big smile as always and I had found a trail name for him from this day forth he will be known on the trail as Smiley D Weather is going to be great today about 80 not bad for the Smokies to bad the snow is still there its going to be a hard 5.2 miles We're in Pecks corner shelter about half mile of the trail heading out is muddy and all up hill that will burn off some calories.We started out about 7:45am we were one of the first ones out and the oldest in the group .We got to the turn off on the trail and headed north and right into the snow bummer.I kept sinking right to my knees Dave at one time sank to his weast had to take his pack off to get out and then he had a hard time putting it back on. The towpath we walk on is very narrow add snow makes it more dangerous and hard to manivour on it no room for mistakes. The drop off is sometimes 40 50 ft or more. Had about 5 packers pass me up they kept me informed about Daves progress.Sounded to me he was going to make the shelter so I headed on to the shelter and waited for Dave.Hoping he makes it before dark.Not to be another day on the trail for Dave. Wasn't to worried these last five miles weren't as dangerous as the first 5 miles. Darkness hit us but no Dave.Didn't sleep good that knight.
Date: 2004-01-01
To: The Beginnings of a Great Adventure
Miles today: 0.0

About 21 years ago, when I was around 12 or 13 years old, I attended a summer camp at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. I wasn¢t old enough to go on a trek with my brothers but still, I was very excited about the hiking that I was able to do. On the way home I was bubbling over with enthusiasm and my Dad happened to mention to me the Appalachian Trail. I remember him describing the length of the trail and the need to re-supply using maildrops in some of the small towns along the way. He was also quick to emphasize that the trail should be section hiked, hiking a chunk of it every year until completed (he is still quick to emphasize this point). Immediately upon hearing of the trail, I wanted to attempt a thru-hike, hiking the entire trail as one continuos hike. Since then, I¢ve brought it up a few times in my life but never followed thru with the planing and saving $$. Then about two years ago I decided I was going to at least start to plan it out and began saving $$ and doing some internet research. Last December I ordered the Workbook for Planing Thru-Hikes and a Wall Map of the trail from the Appalachian Trail Conference and, as they say, the rest is history.
Date: 2004-01-05
To: Are We There Yet,Are We There Yet,Are We There Yet
Miles today: 0.0

I¢m closing in on two years of researching, planing, re-planing , and over planing resupply points; contemplating, weighing, and buying gear; accumulating supplies, trying out different meals, throwing out tried meals (olive oil in mac & cheese is not for me); making alcohol stoves and wind screens; going on a couple solo backpacking trips; paying off all my debts and saving up some $$; deciding which way I should go (Georgia to Maine or Maine to Georgia) and figuring out a start date (I have settled on April 28, starting in Georgia); and contemplating all those things that go with a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail.So now, here it is, the year of my hike. The anticipation has been building on a daily basis since this past July and I sometimes feel as though getting to Springer Mt. in Georgia to start is only a dream and will never happen. I¢ll probably feel the same way about finishing at Katahdin in Maine once I¢m hiking.
Date: 2004-02-12
To: The Inevitable Why
Miles today: 0.0

Why? Why travel, why explore, why seek adventure? Why put myself thru the rigors of 6 months 40lbs. and 2174 miles. The wind, the rain, lightning storms (lightning!). The heat and the cold. Sleeping on the ground in a small tent, sleeping in 3 sided shelters with strangers (who, over the course of 6 months, become companions, then friends, then like family), maybe a hostel when I'm lucky. Why walk with spring into summer and into fall along the Appalachian Trail. Why? Desire. And it sounds like it'll be a whole lotta fun.O.K., maybe that's lame, I don't know what to tell ya. Why hike the trail? Because it's there.The Inevitable Countdown: 76 days.
Date: 2004-03-09
To: Changes
Miles today: 0.0

I've decided to leave early.... I'll be starting the Approach trail on March 21. I gave my notice at work and was suprised/glad for the positive reactions from everyone. I had dreaded having to explain this to so many people but it turned out to be very encouraging. To everyone at Anixter, thanks for the well wishes and kind words.The only other major thing I changed is on my gear list. I'm going with the homemade alcohol Cat Stove instead of the Esbit Stove for reasons of fuel availability.Other than that I'm getting anxious to get started..... no change there.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Drove down to Georgia in heavy thunderstorms Saturday. At times there was no visibility. My Dad, incredibly, steered us thru it and we arrived at Flying J (the gas station that becomes an RV park at night). Just over the Georgia state line. Went to Mass on Sunday in Calhoun, GA and then over to Amicalola Falls. Signed in at 11:12AM, said the goodbyes and started up the approach trail. The first mile up was a bit tough but after that I found it easier than I had expected, until the final climb up to Springer Mountain and the first white blaze. The first thru-hiker I met was Mark. He was about 20 minutes behind me, until I took a lunch break, about 5 miles in to the hike. I finished lunch and got ahead of Mark. At Black Gap Shelter we met up for the final climb up Springer. Took pictures at the top and tented near the shelter. There I met Mike, Julia and Bill from Australia.
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Springer Mountain

To: High Tower Gap
Miles today: 8.1

Easy day of hiking today, compared to yesterday. Hiked with a few different thru-hikers. Of course, I¢ve forgotten their names. My feet & knees are feeling good. Hiked past Hawk Mountain shelter and camped on a hill just past Hightower Gap. Mark passed in the morning and said temps got into the teens. I slept great.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: High Tower Gap

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

Got a good feel for the legendary up¢s and down¢s of the A.T. Today was a series of going up and down. Met Sunset and D.C. coming down into one of the gaps this morning. I hiked part of the day with them. Camped at Gooch Gap with Sunset, D.C., Circuit Rider, Kevin, Sherlock and Bill (Aussie). Sunset, Circuit Rider and Sherlock have already done a thru-hike and offered some great advice. Had a campfire and went to sleep around 9:00pm. Still feeling great, the weather has been a little cold when I wake up, but it warms up to the 60¢s as the sun rises.
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Gooch Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: few clouds

Slow start to the day for me today, although that¢s not unusual. I¢m always the last one on the trail. Longest day I had yet at 14.3 miles. I wasn¢t going to go that far but I got to the top of Blood Mountain and decided to go to Neels Gap with Mike, Julia, and Bill (Aussie). Came down Blood Mountain, incredible views by the way, and met Winton, the owner of Walisi-Yi Center, an outfitter, located directly on the trail. I shared a cabin with Bill, Breathless and Speed. Had an all-you-can-eat buffet in Blairsville. Took a Shower and did laundry.
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Neels Gap

To: Up the hill past Low Gap
Miles today: 11.3

I had another spectacular day on the A.T. Re-supplied at Walisi-Yi Center and headed out onto the trail at around 11:00am. There are great views coming out of Neels Gap. I got to Low Gap Shelter grabbed some water and decided to make a run up the hill to camp out. I still had a couple of hours of daylight to find somewhere to camp and make dinner. Turned out to be a good decision when I ended up camping with Circuit Rider, Sherlock, Sunset, D.C., and Kevin. I really enjoy their company and they always have a campfire at night.
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Up the hill past Low Gap

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 12.3

The weather keeps improving and I¢m still feeling good. Temp¢s got into the 70¢s today. Pulled out of camp at my usual midmorning time. Last on the trail again. A tough day of hiking, I have to go over Rocky Mountain at the end of the day. Ended up at the Cheese Factory Campsite, named so because it is the site where a cheese factory used to be in the 1800¢s. Nothing left of the factory now, but it¢s a nice place to camp and there is water near by. Camped with Aussie, Beagle, Moo Juice, Crash Bang, Breathless, Speed and a few others.
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Deep Gap

To: DickÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Creek Gap (Hiawassee)
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Easy day today, mostly all downhill, I gave my knees a 10 mile workout on a 3 12 mile day, as I was coming down into Dick¢s Creek Gap very fast. Got a ride to the Hiawassee Inn from Tater who thru-hiked in 2002. I barley had my pack off when he offered Aussie, Tom and me a ride to town. Checked in, showered, got a foot long Sub and did some laundry. Later went to dinner with Aussie and had a half pound cheeseburger. Re-supplied and spent the rest of the evening packing and relaxing.