morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-10-31
From: TT Home

To: TT Home
Miles today: 1.0

TT and I were up early to return to the doc-in-the-box for my final treatment. We intended to be first in line. En route, what did we see ??- ¢ a big blaze orange backpack cover!! We picked up Lone Star and heard his tale of the latest adventure. We got to the doc¢s. I was the 3rd patient, in and out in about 12 hour. We then took Lone Star to Newfound Gap and continued up Clingman¢s Dome for one of my AT checklist item and photo op. The dome is the highest point on the trail (6648 ft). So obviously, its all downhill from here. We drove back to Gatlinburg. Several notes: Gatlinburg to I-40 via Pidgeon Forge and Severierville is about 30 miles of strip mall shops, museums and entertainment. I found a religious museum Pastor Sherry had recommended and wanted to go take a photo of a monument of Jesus. Getting in for just a photo was absolutely out of the question. However, I could take the entire guided tour with a $11 ticket. Having only $12 cash and not wanting to stay for the ¢entire tour¢, I passed on this photo op. The closed Hiker Outfitter in G¢burg was indirectly cited in Bryson¢s ¢Walk in the Woods¢ book. It was here that Bryson and Katz were rudely disappointed to discover that their hike from Springer Mtn had covered only 2 inches on a 4 foot map of the AT. So for me, I now have only the 2¢ on the map to complete my hike, and its all downhill!!Another Ol Faithful note: one of the hikers I met at Max Patch had read of my injury on the journal and admitted to being a medical doctor. Now I know, Oh well¢¦We returned home, watched a little football and baseball, and then went out with the kids for some real Trick or Treating and party.Life is Great!
Date: 2010-11-02
From: TT Home

To: TT Home
Miles today: 0.0

In many of my life¢s decisions where I have choices which are obviously divided between the heart and the head; I have more often than not chosen my heart. With my ¢Ol Faithful situation, I reluctantly chose the head option this time. One of my best decisions ever!! The shoulder is feeling much better and I¢ll be getting back near the trail tomorrow. Due to a number of circumstances, I¢ll be shuttled to the Fontana Village tomorrow and probably resume hiking on Thurs. Currently, I¢m projecting a summit at Springer Mtn on Fri, Nov 19,   +/- 2 days. I¢m now planning my last food drops and town stops. I had considered bouncing my down jacket today; but low temps and snow is predicted for later this week.Also note, new photos have been posted if you haven¢t checked this section lately. Thanks to Ms P&B!!Life is Great!
Date: 2010-11-03
From: TT Home

To: Fontana Dam NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Almost back on the trail today. Had my best nite's sleep during this section yesterday (even had a short practice nap). TT and I were out shortly after the models left for school. We had watched some of the election returns last nite and caught up with the overnite's results. I voted so I'm entitled to complain   We had a relative short drive thru the western part of the Smokies to Fontana Dam NC. The fall colors were well past peak and light was awful flat. I did snap several "P" photos en route.  The objective was to arrive at Fontana Lodge and hopefully meet up with a mail drop from Libra Lady. The logs is not a 5 star resort; by hikers' standards its probably a 7 or  8. I got checked in and we had lunch in the restaurant.  And then said farewell to TTTenn Tom (TT) has never really accepted a trail name and I now feel I must change it. I'll now start calling him Saint Thomas (StT).  Ive already named St Kit and she has certainly deserved this after 40+ yrs marriage to Lumpy, not counting all the help she provided me. WRT StT, I'm certain my hike would be significantly more of a challenge than it currently is. Thank you my friend!!The mail drop arrived on schedule. I sorted thru my pack and decided to mail a skip package at the PO. It was a short walk and quite scenic. I returned and got my pack ready. I'll be going to the restaurant for dinner shortly, probably watch a little TV and then get some rest for returning to the trail tomorrow. The Wx report calls for cold and rain/snow. And ive lost cell service again. I plan to reach NOC on SatMilestone - less than 200 miles now.  Springer Mtn 162.6 miLife is Great!
Date: 2010-11-04
From: Fontana Dam NC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

I enjoyed my stay at the cabin. Extremely comfortable, 40-11 cable channels and it was warmI woke up to some slight corn snowfall. I fixed a pot of cinnamon coffee to go with my nut mix and oatmeal. I got a ride back to trail and soon was SOBO again.I started city a very light dusting and snow. I waa wearing shorts and a cotton ls shirt and was feeling quite comfortable. The light snow continued from 3100 ft departure pt to around 4000 ft. Here it started some serious snow. It was kind of eerie. You look 4000 ft and up - it was all twilight zone: snow and no visibly. 4000 ft down to 2500 ft and it was clear and light snow. Below 2500 ft and it was bright and sunny. The footing on the trail was a challenge. It started with the expected wet slippery leaves and the wet slippery rocks. Then the rocks and leaves began to freeze up a bit. I put on my gore tex jacket at 4000 ft and waa doing a good job controlling my body heat later, my boots began to get wet, started collecting wads of leaves and then some ice packs. Then my hands started to get cold and ice started sticking on my pants when I saw the shelter sign. I loaded up my water bladder, changed clothes, ate some and then hopped into the sleeping bag to warm up a bit. After an hour or so, I got out to domaine map reading and 5 NOBO section hikers from S GA trooped inLife is Great!
Date: 2010-11-05
To: Cabin in the Woods
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

The meal last nite at the lodge was beyond decadent. Big salad,'garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and a good size prime rib. Topped off with a small piece of pecan pieDespite all the above, I slept very well. I woke up to a light drizzle and the wx report called for rain, cold and possibly snow. I checked out of the lodge and made arrangements for a shuttle. The road from Fontana Dam to the lodge is part of the Tail of the Dragon. I don't recall the specific details but something like 300 switchbacks in 11 miles. Roadwalking by hikers is strongly discouraged. I was concerned about the wx, trail conditions, hiking distance and fitness after being out for nearly a week. Taking in all of this, I asked my driver to take me to the next gap. I was dropped off in a heavy fog/light drizzle. The trail waa covered with leaves, wet leaves, slippery wet leaves. Except for the portion of the trail where it was rocky, and those were covered with the slippery wet leaves. I took it easy and had a 2000 ft climb ( I thought it was all supposed to be downhill after Clingman's Dome?). I heard a number of big detonations today. Don't know what that was all about.   After a couple of hours, the fog clouds/rain had begun to dissipate. Even saw some blue sky. I came up to the Brown Fork Gap Shelter. It was early and it started hailing. I saw "Tennessee", a NoBO section hiker. I was thinking about shutting it down at the shelter. But I called a hostel about 2.5 miles down the trail and made arrangements for a nite's stay.   It was an easy hike and I was soon in a very nice cabin. The wx doesn't know what it wants to do - one minute its bright and sunny, the next its cold, windy and wetThe hostel here is super. Its more like a resort cabin. Donna, the hostess has been great. She gave me a spaghetti dish. I had asked about getting 2 adult beverages to go with the microwave popcorn. But was informed this was a dry county. A hour or so later she drove up to the cabin with a couple of cool ones. The wx report has a winter storm warning for tonite thru Sat noon. Life is Great!
Date: 2010-11-06
To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Last nite was a chilly one. It had been snowin lightly most of the day and was particularly soupy at the higher elevations  Five Guys from GA were pretty beat and basically ate and then hit the sleeping bags. A SOBO came into the sheltered 1800 and decided to hike another 7 miles to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center). Unroll a couple of photos and was soon in the bag myself the temp wS below 30 and dropping. I had my 20 deg bag, a liner I borrowed from St Thomas, wool shirt, thermal log johns and wool socks. I was toasty warm except for my feet and ended up wrapping myDown jacket around them and slept wellI was up at 0630 for a privy break and decided to stay up  During the nite, I poured some water from my nalgene into my cooking pot. Good move because that and my water bladder were frozen. I also have a 20 oz plastic bottle for my Gatorade. Normally, I fill it up in the morning, but decided to do it last nite. It wasn frozen solid but learned later that Gatorade slurpees are pretty good  I has trouble putting on my boots and gloves they were frozen in shapes not suited for their partsThe hike today was a split personality's delight. The first hour or two was superb. It was a winter wonderland  Clear, sunny cool and crisp the trails were fairly obvious and there were many good photo ops. Saw some hog tracks. And the rhodedenrum tunnels were all very picturesque. After leaving one of the photo sites, I found the rhododendron  tunnel to be a challenge. This was to be the start of me and trail trouble. Next I had a full class fall. Fortunately there was hard snow pack.  Later I missed a turn. I could tell I wasn't on the trail but couldn't find it. I backtracked twice and still no luck. I then checked my maps and then started down a gap  This wasn't going to work out either, so I checked both uphill sides, thought I saw something that could be a trail and then tried to find the trail there. Going waa tough. I soon heard voices,'blew my whistle and was finally able to get back on the AT. It was on the other hill and was a 170 hairpin turn I missedAfter that it was an easy and rather pleasant bike to the NOC. I go there just after the Great Smoky Mtn RR stopped and left a train load of passengers for a 1'hr tour of the NOC. I was able to get a practice adult beverage,'got a room, stowed my gear and then got some lunch. Next was laundry,'primarily to get some dry socks.  Got some supplies until the next town. And my plan is to sit down at the restaurant just before they close the door at 2000I ordered a pizza and watched nearly the 1st art before I was asked to leave. The good guys were down 10 and I may have wished I was thrown out (sooner)Life is Great!
Date: 2010-11-07
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Wesser Bald Firetower
Miles today: 6.5

Sun.  Wesser Bald Firetower.  6.5 miCouple of adds to yesterdays reportAt the last shelter, the Five Guys from GA declared me the loudest snider in the group, a honor I could not rejectWhen I missed the trail, I checked my maps and knewIf I followed the hollow downhill, I'd eventually reach the river. Knowing my luck. the riverbank would not be hikeable and I would have to ford the river. Sat the river was flowing deep and fast. In fact, there were several kayakers out running a kayak course. Today, the water was shut down or diverted upstream and I feel I could have rockhopped across the river rather easilyI met the Soup Brothers on the trail just before reaching the NOC. Bill and Tim were day hiking NOBO. Later that afternoon, Mr Bill bought me a beer. Anybody who buys me a beer will be fully recorded and thanked  My new best friend Bill. Later Tim arrived and we talked about cameras, websites and phone apps. This continued on to breakfast this amI was evicted from watching the game during the 1st qtr last nite with the good guys down 10-zip. When I got to the restaurant I checked the internet for the final score  My first article was a live game chat, the goods guys had just scored a TD to make it 39-7. Unless there was an overnight rule change allowing a negative 3 score, it was going to be real ugly for the good guys, which was shortly confirmed. Question?:  which is worse - not having a tv and not seeing your team. Or having a tv and seeing your team get soundly whipped??I planned a short day to end up at a firetower for some photo op. I began with the usual 3000 ft climb out of the gap. Something must be wrong because it was supposed to be all downhill from Clingmans Dome. The hike at the lower elevation was quite pleasant. As I climbed, I started to reach mushy trail.then semi snow covered and then all snow in places where the sun had not been seen.  Also, I think I climbed around one mountain twice before I reached it's  peak. I passed the second shelter today, filled up with ice cold water at a cistern and arrived at the firetower mid afternoon. There were two B&B ladies there and their two boys: Squid and C-Bass. I had a hard time  remembering their names and wanted to call them Fishbait and Fishguts. They all shared peanut butter, crackers, wild apples and sunflower seeds. And Squid asked one of the beat questions I've had yet. After telling them I was thruhiking the AT, the question was how old was I when I started?I got my tent set up and was getting ready for the nite. A man and two young men came up and I took their photos on the firetower. I then fixed dinner and went back up the tower to take some sunset photos  they weren't all that great and it was cold and a little windy. I cleaned up and am getting ready for bed Life is Great!
Date: 2010-11-08
From: Wesser Bald Firetower

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: clear sky

Its going to take some time for me to get used to Standard Time now. I was in the bag and fast asleep around 1900. I was sleeping relative well ... until I heard paw steps. After I was convinced something was around my tent, I turned on my light and blew my whistle. I didn't hear it run off and tried to go back asleep. There was a light wind but soon here came the paw steps again. This scenario repeated itself about 3 times over the next 45 minutes and I decided to get out and see if I could identify whatever it was. No luck there. Could have been a raccoon, coyote or bear. Regardless, I made the decision to relocate to higher ground and after 4 trips had moved everything up to the firetower. This firetower is not one of the enclosed, 8x8 platforms. It is an open wooden area about 25x25 ft. It was a little breezy but I had no more creature noisesI got up early and was taking photos before sunup. Now Lumpy would have already decided his composition, determined his sun angle within +/- 60 secs, take one image and then maybe a second in case of a memory card error. And he will have a great photo  Me - I took 100 images and hope 2 or 3 are good. I was relaxing and taking my time on the firetower. Enjoyed several cups of my hot mocha blend. I reconfirmed my opinion that I'm more of an outdoor photographer than hiker. This hiking is tough.  Yesterday when I was talking to the B&B girls (Beth & Barb) I asked about Franklin NC. Beth said she would drive me there at the time, but I declined because of the planned photo session at dawn  She said that would be okay and she could pick me up in the morning  She was very convincing and I couldn't think of a decent reason to decline her offer. So ww were on for a ride to Franklin  Her significant other, Titan Tom was with her. Now for a most unusual coincidence - Titan Tom and I both attended our curst Air Force tech school at Sheppard AFB TX and duty assignment in the 390 Strategic Missile Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB AZ. I was ahead of him by a couple of years on the ops side and be was in maintenance. We bad a very pretty drive to town, saw a very scenic river and a dozen wild turkeys. Had breakfast again and then checked into Ron Haven's Budget Inn, a very popular hiker stay. That's the Honorable Ron Haven, commissioner elect of Macon County.  I got my mail drop, picked up a couple of newspapers, toured the town and had a big prime rib steak at nearby roadhouse. I'm stuffed, will probably watch a little Mon nite football and then hit the rackLife is Great!
Date: 2010-11-09
From: Franklin NC

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Tue Plumorchard Shelter. 11.3 mi ShI slept hard last night. Got up early and took a shower,'packed my gear and then Beth and Titan. Tom arrived. We had another good breakfast at Stamey's. And then continued my tour hiking  my goal was to get to Standing Indian shelter and the start SOBO. But there are Standing Indians e everywhere  There is the mountain, campground.'shelter and I think forest area named Standing Indian we drove thru much of the eastern part of  the Nantahala National Forest. There were a good number of beautiful viewing areas. And I think I saw the biggest apple tree ever  We confirmed our position via B's Onstar and were soon at Deep Gap. Ww bid farewell and I was soon hiking SOBO it was perfect wx for hiking - cool and sunny.  Iwas making very good time and passed the first shelter. Then I saw 3 doe and a short time later a bear hunting dog, that followed mentor about a mile. I came to the famous photo op tree AT&T Bly Gap and took a few images. Then passed the NC-GA birder. I was going to stop at a campsite with water, but the area was dry I decided to try to hike on to the next shelter. At a gap I saw a truck with hunting dogs I stopped the driver and mentioned the dog up the trail. Turned out it belonged to the drivers brother. The driver gave me a bottle of water and 2 adult beverages, my new beat friend.  I hiked on towards the shelter. About 1730 the Sun dropped over the mtn and it started to get dark and cold in a hurry. I hustled on to the shelter and was surprised to see Lone Star there chilling out. It soon was dark. LS retired to his tent I fixed dinner and am getting ready for bedLife is Great!
Date: 2010-11-10
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a relative easy night last nite. Lonestar had pitched his tent behind the shelter and I thought I heard him rustling around during the nite. turned out to be a mouse on the 2nd level. Thankfully, he stayed on his level and I stayed on mine. i slept late until 0730. Got a real good view of the shelter and was quite impressed . It was a split tri-level with sun windows. THe privy was very good as well and I saw bear poles for first time since VA. I was fixing breakfast when Lone Star arrived. WE compared near-term agendas and I was soon on my way. Surprisingly, i saw 3 NOBO hiking groups today. It was a short hike to the gap where I got a hitch into town after about 1/2 hour. I'm not like Stilletto, the 20-something year-old luscious young hardbody who gets a ride with the 1st car everytime. I checked into the Inn, also owned by Commissioner-Elect Ron Havens. I made my near term plans. three easy days to Helen, a Bavarian-themed town and bounced a food box to the next/last hostel. Then got some fill-in food supplies, and had supper a Chinese food restaurant. My fortune cookie rerads;" Age is Just a Number". I'm going to bedLife is Great!
Date: 2010-11-11
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

Slept great last nite. I slept in late, planned to be at the PO shortly after the 0830 opening  Ms P&B has about run out of images to post so I planned to mail her another SD card. Had a nice breakfast at Bledsoe's: Redneck Eggs Benedict. It was a big ol biscuit, topped with sausage patties, eggs, cheese and crowned with sausage gravy, with a side of hash browns. I got to the PO right at 0840, only to find it closed - Veterans Day HolidaySo, say thinks to all the Vets, particularly those injured and killed, who sacrificed so much so that we can all enjoy the life and freedom we have.  My favorite bumper snicker: " if you can read this, thank a teacher. If its in English, thank a Veteran"I got the SD card mailed, checked out of the motel and met today's new best friend, C.B., who gave me a lift to the trailhead. While getting my gear ready, guess who arrives?  LoneStar, Flora and Dynamite(?). Ww conversed briefly and I started SOBo for a very easy planned day. The first two water stops had good water. However nothing after that  I had planned to stop at the Deep Gap Shelter  The water wasn't flowing there, but I was able to collect amlitermof the dirtiest looking water. I know my steripen wouldn't treat this water and hoped I wouldn't have to use this. I hiked on another couple of miles and found a gap where 4 hikers were setting up. Water was available a couple hundred yards past the dried springhaas  I dumped the dirty water and filled up with the clean water  Set up camp and fixed dinner  Only to discover that I lost my spark at the water hole. I was able to borrow one tonite I then went and talked briefly with (M)Aggie, Ironman, Bourbon and Scotch  These are rookie hikers without real trail names yet. Water S is supposed to get better vim going to bedLife is Great!
Date: 2010-11-12
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Unisoi Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

I went to the bag around 1900 and slept hard. Woke up at 0730 and Taggie ( Tanya the Aggie) and.  were already gone.  Bourbon and Scotch were off around 0&00 and I was hiking by 0830  it was an ideal hiking day: sunny and cool. Soon I passed B&S who had stopped for a breakfast break. I passed several scenic areas and took a number of photos. Water continues to be somewhat problematic.  This has caused me todiscRd my near-term planning on e again.  I found a good water source about 7 miles down the trail.  I camelled up and checked my map. 3.5 miles and a 1000 ft climb would get me to the next highway.  I saw the mtn ahead and guessed it was only 700 ft. We were both correct.  After climbing the 700 ft, I dropped 200 for another 500 to get to the 1000 ft climb. I met my today's new best friend, Jeff. He's from Fl and doing some day hiking. Jeff offered to give me aside to Helen. At the pealing lot, I saw Lone Star a d Flora, who were slackpacking and had flown by me earlier  Helen is a Bavarian theme town and Jeff and I had a couple of practice beverages.   I checked into a motel, showered and got some dinnerTomorrow I'll catch up on some overdue reportingLife is Great!
Date: 2010-11-14
From: Helen, GA

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: broken clouds

After posting my journal entry yesterday, I toured the town of Helen. There were many interesting shops, most especially suited for the tourists. My favorite was an ol time general store. Must have had some biker rally - there was a police escort and over 100 cycles passing thru town. I also found time to sample some sausages and brewskies. I've toured Asia and Europe on a small scale  and would prefer to tour the US. But if forced to select a foreign location, I'd take Bavaria. Where else can you drink beer out of a glass boot or order beer by the yard or half-yard?  I had a big dinner and retired to my motel room to watch some college football. My team got clobbered, again!!   I got a ride to the trailhead at Tesnatee Gap this am  It was a cool, short hike to Neel's Gap  I think I may have seen Bourbon and Scotch up ahead of me a bit. I never caught up with them though. I was taking it easy and photographing the scenery and they may have been bustling to catch the Falcon's game and/or hurrying home. Also, Lone Star, Flora and Coyote may have passed thru early today.  My original near-term plan was to spend the nite here and then shelter hop to Springer. But rain forecast is heavy for Mon and Tues. I then thought about resting up a bit and hiking up to next shelter or two and waiting out the bad wx there. But current plan is to lay-up here at the hostel I got my maildrop and am now thinking about fixing dinner and then maybe getting to bed a little early toniteSaw a bumper snicker: "Hike faster, I hear banjo music"Life is Great!