morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-12
From: Neel's Gap

To: Sapling Gap
Miles today: 8.0

What a day! Blood Mountain beat us up ... more than we realized and we spent a long hard day on the trail. First, we got a late start. After a great breakfast (blueberry pancakes) at the Hostel - we showered and did our laundry. Then we picked up some supplies (Hey, Ruby - I got the overmittens!). By then it was after 11AM.Within the first few minutes it was clear that we needed to slow it down a bit and make the day as easy as possible. Both Bob and I were fighting various blisters and soon to be blisters. We pushed on through some interminable ups and downs and finally hit several miles of gentle grades. Whoever designed the trail from Hogpen Gap to Wide Gap - I LOVE YOU!All in all, I love hiking the AT. I have 2 minor blisters to deal with but that's it. Even though everyday looks like rain - none yet. Actually, tonight would likely be snow. It's 40 degrees in the tent - probably a few degrees cooler outside and dropping fast.
Date: 2009-03-13
From: Sapling Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, the rain finally came. Bob and I hiked for 8 miles through a gentle rain. Mostly stayed dry. The shelter was full, but there was a cheery fire going and I cooked dinner under the shelter's overhang. I set up the tent during a lull in the rain and again things stayed dry. Going to bed - its only moderately cold - about 40 degrees but everything is damp - if not wet and being curled up in the sleeping bag is a very attractive offer. Stay tuned for how the night fared.
Date: 2009-03-14
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: moderate rain

Stayed dry last night, but it was raining in the morning and didn't let up all day. Sometimes drizzle; sometimes rain showers; but always rain. When you pack in the rain, hike in the rain, and set up camp in the rain, it's hard to stay dry. I was going to sleep in the shelter but the wind was blowing a mist every where and I was concerned that my sleeping bag would get wet. So I set up my tent and moved inside. The mist was blowing into the tent and one of the tent seams leaked. Things were either wet or very wet. Sigh, sigh, sigh.
Date: 2009-03-15
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Bob and I agreed to push to Dick's Creek Gap and get a to a motel in Hiawassee, GA so we could try to dry out.Packs probably weighed 5 pounds more because of all the moisture.So, the hike was a fairly long and a hard march through the rain. But ... we did it. As we entered Dick's Creek Gap, there was a shuttle waiting to take us to town. This was due to our fellow-hiker, Jeffrey, who called about 1/2 hour earlier.The shuttle was for the Hiawassee Inn, which is oriented to through hikers. Both Bob and I wanted private rooms to relax and recover, but unless we shared rooms, the Inn would be full. The owner was kind enough to drive us to the Holiday Inn Express across town. The H.I.E. is less hiker friendly than the Inn and pricey ($69 compared to $45), but is new and clean and has some nice amenities (i.e. "all you can eat" breakfast with eggs and bacon, hot tub, free bicycles for shopping, free internet, etc.). After a quick shower, and back into wet (and smelly) clothes, we went to Danial's Steakhouse. A 14 oz. rib eye with all the trimmings put a dent in the calorie backlog and was a morale booster. After dinner we did laundry and collapsed into an exhausted sleep.
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee, GA)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero mile day in Haiwassee; still raining. It's supposed to end tomorrow. I'm tired; I've got a couple of blisters. Bob is leaving around noon so I'd get a late start at best. Oh, did I mention that it is STILL raining? So I decided to R&R at the H.I.E.I did all my hiker chores - dried out everything, went shopping, etc. In the evening I had a real crisis of confidence. At that moment I could have been easily talked into leaving the trail and heading back to San Diego. Ater a while, the feeling abated and after a good night's sleep, I am ready to go!
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee, GA)

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Great weather! Relatively flat terrain and no rain make for a good mileage and a great day.I crossed into North Carolina ... the 2nd of 14 states.Now that I am on my own, without the great support from Bob, I'm motivated to socialize with the other hikers. Some of them are Minnesota Smith, Spokes, Stacey, Trump, Wicked, and Two-Pounds. I hiked most of the day with Jeffrey. We have similar paces so it was nice hiking. Jeffery is 30 and is doing a 9 week hike from southern terminus to somewhere in Virginia. This evening I talked to Spokes who is an avid cyclist. (He biked across the United States last year.) We both enjoyed Oregon quite a bit and exchanged great stories.
Date: 2009-03-18
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

Another great weather, great hiking day. Rather than taking you through another "I walked, I ate ...", let me talk about what an AT thru hike is like.Someone said, "It's part camping trip, part fraternity party, and part Bataan death march". Not a bad summary, but in my case, not quite accurate. First and foremost, it is hiking. For the most part it is only as much of a "Death March" as you want to make it. I've been doing 11 and 12 mile days and I'm tired but not destroyed. I know I have to increase the daily mileage to 15 to 20 to keep to the schedule I want, but I feel stronger already and I think it will come in another week or two without any serious effort.I've had good times with some of the fellow hikers but nothing resembling a "Frat Party". Maybe you find what you are looking for ....The camping has been fine - except for the rain. Really it isn't much camping. It is get done hiking around 6PM. Find a campsite and set-up. Find the water source and purify some water. Finally, cook dinner. By this time it is going onto 8PM and getting to be time for bed. So, into the tent, write a journal entry, review tomorrow's route, and get to sleep. In the morning it's break camp and start walking.The hiking is very peaceful. There are occasional outstanding views. Each day I feel a bit stronger and that is a great feeling!
Date: 2009-03-19
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter / Franklin, NC
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Strange and wondrous day. First, it was supposed to rain and it didn't.Second, the last quarter mile up Albert Mountain was portrayed on the profile map and by Minnesota Smith as being very arduous. It was the steepest climb to date and I did use hand holds in a couple places. On the other hand, it was no worse than most canyon hikes in the desert.Third, the plan was to go into Franklin from Winding Stairs Gap tomorrow. But when we got into Rock Gap Shelter, Patrick and Charles, two section hikers from Mississippi, said that their car was parked nearby and they would run anyone into Franklin who wanted to go. Jeffery, Trump, and I said, "Yes - hot dinner and showers" and Two-Pound said, "Yes - resupply". So the 3 of us were dropped off at Haven's Budget Inn, a hikers motel. Two-Pounds and the guys from Mississippi drove off into the sunset. Motel for 3 was $51 and we settled in. ***Before I continue the narrative, one last THANK YOU to Patrick and Charles for service above and beyond the call of duty. You rule!***So, back to the story. Jeffery and I are standing outside the motel room when a Lexus SUV pulls up and out pops two teeny boppers who announce, "Hi. Are you thru hikers? We like thru hikers. We're on Spring Break and we're bored." (Gentle reader, the last time a 19 year old tried to pick me up, Gerald Ford was president.) We chatted with them for a couple of minutes and they figured out that these hikers weren't the ones they were looking for and got ready to leave. We did ask them for a restaurant recommendation and they said, "The Cafe R.E.L. It's connected to a gas station but it's really good - they even have shrimp". We were more than a bit dubious but the hiker handbook also recommended it. As we get closer and see there's a Domino's Pizza nearby, we think great we won't starve! Cafe R.E.L. has all the appearance of a truck stop, but we go in. The place is laid out! We get menus and our collective jaws fall. Every item is gourmet to the max and all very reasonably priced. I had pork loin smothered in granny smith apples and lingoin berries surrounded by a puff pastry. This was simply one of the best dinners I've had - ever. The chef is a Swiss man who gave up the 5-star corporate works to serve healthy natural foods, well prepared, and at prices families can afford. So remember - the next itme you are in Franklin, North Carolina, stop at Cafe R.E.L.
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Rock Gap Shelter / Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Several "FIRSTS" today ....First, this was the FIRST day I hiked by myself all day.Second, this was my longest day - 14.7 miles of AT plus I added a mile to the distance by visiting Silver Bald Shelter.Third, I came across my first group of Trail Angels; they were dispensing food along the road.The Trail Angels were a man and a women from a local Baptist Church. The treats were chips, drinks, and other such things. They also had mini testaments and prayer books. I had Fritos and fruit cups. It was nice talking to the people, but after a few minutes, duty called.Let me explain a bit about "hiking alone". Everyday 20 or 30 thru hikers start their hike. Additionally, there are some day hikers and short term campers - especially now during Spring Break. Figure folks are doing 10 miles a day, that means there are some 40 people in each 10 mile section or 1 person every quarter mile. So, while you are hiking "by yourself" you will see the occassional hiker going in the opposite direction, you'll come across hiker's taking a break, and when you stop, a hiker will pass every 10 minutes or so.So while not crowded, there is a constant flow of hikers.
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

More Trail Angels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!There's a prelude to the Trail Angel story. When you first start out hiking big miles day after day, your body doesn't seem to want a lot of food; surely no more than "normal" and maybe a bit less. All the books say your hiker appetite shows itself after about 2 weeks.They are correct.Back to the narrative:There I am, tired from the 15 miles yesterday, due to poor planning I'm low on water, and struggling down the trail. I come upon a trail maintainer fixing a washed out section of the trail. We chat for a minute. He says, "Right around the corner there's a feast waiting for you". Say no more - off I go at twice the pace I've been doing. In a few minutes I come to a clearing known as Burning Town Gap. The Burning Town Baptist Church have set up grills, canapies, and beach chairs. There are about 15 adults, 20 kids, and 1/2 a dozen thru hikers. I get there in time for the end of breakfast and the beginning of lunch. Over the next couple of hours, I consume the following:3 breakfast sandwiches4 glasses of orange juice1 huge hamburgersome cookies1 more breakfast sandwich (I had noticed homemade jelly.)some veggies1 V-8Then I took a cookie and an apple for the road. Even with a late start (it was cold - like 25 degrees cold) and the huge meal stop, I managed to make my destination just before sunset. In part, this was due to my fellow hikers, Jeffery, Two-Pounds, and Turn Around. We helped drag each other over some pretty tough terrain and most of us were hurting from blisters. My contribution was the apple that I had carried for 6 miles and up 1,000 feet of climb. After 2 weeks of hiking, the worth of something is measured in how hard it was to carry - not its cost.Even though it was a long day, I had enough left for an impromptu knot-tying lesson. Two Pounds had a hard time keeping her food tied up and wanted some simple knots.The Burning Town Baptist Folks sure made this a special day and made a hard day easier!
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: US 19 (N.O.C.)
Miles today: 5.7

While today was short it wasn't easy. It was a 2,500 foot plunge to the Nantahala River. (Tomorrow will start with a 3,000 foot climb up the other side.) At the river is the Nantahala Outdoor Center (N.O.C.). The N.O.C. supports kayaking, white water rafting, and other outdoor stuff. There's a few restaurants, motels, cabins, hostel, outfitter, and general store. I'm staying at the motel, splitting a room with Jeffery. The room is much like a ski condo; it could easily sleep 5, has a private bath, a balcony, and a shared common area with kitchen, living room, and more.Like any good resort town, prices are high and selection is mediocre, but the river is gorgeous and this early in the season, the crowds are light.The restaurant is quite good. At dinner the place was filled with thru hikers. Some were folks that I hadn't seen in a week or so. We introduced Tuna, who is from England, to a root beer float. She said, "It's quite good". Couldn't tell if she really likes it or was being polite and proper.Tomorrow the big climb - stay tuned ..............
Date: 2009-03-23
From: US 19 (N.O.C.)

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

GREAT DAY!The feared 3,000 foot climb in under 6 miles turned out to be quite doable. I got into the shelter after the climb an hour and a half earlier than I expected. There were camping sites about 3 miles further north. Two-Pounds and I left a message for Jeffrey to join us and we continued on.It turned out that a lot of folks had the same idea and we had just started to set up when we were joined by Finch and then Papa Jack (who is reknowned as a great fire builder). Phoenix, Thin Mint, and Ziggy Stardust arrived shortly. Jeffery came by but decided to continue a few more miles.The evening was warm, the fire was colorful, and we all conversed until well after 8PM (very, very late for hikers).It was a most pleasant evening and was all-in-all one of the best days so far.I think most of us are starting to develop more endurance and are getting closer to "thru hiker shape".
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

A relatively easy day - except for a 700 foot climb in a half of a mile - the hardest half mile so far.Looks like we might be in for a week of rain - we'll see.To amuse myself, I've come up with units of measure based upon the AT's 2,200 mile length. There's the millitrail (0.001 of the AT), which is about 2.25 mile. It also is about 1 hour of hiking on more or less level ground.Next is the micro-trail - about 10 feet or 5 paces. I use it when the going gets real, real tough - "just seven more micro-trails to the top".Finally, there's the nano-trail, which is about a tenth of an inch. Haven't found a use for the nano trail yet!
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Fontana Dam is the entrance to the Smokies. The first shelter is about 12 miles into the Smokies. With the need to re-supply, there was NO way the shelter could be reached .... so, short day! It is so odd to stop hiking with no aches or pains in the feet or knees.The Fontana Village Resort is mostly empty, but it must be a happening place in the summer - 300 cottages, 100 lodge rooms, and summer homes. There's miniature golf, real golf, multiple swimming pools, etc.We resupplied at their general store and did laundry. Dinner was at the only restaurant opened in the off-season, a semi-formal dining room. The food was fancy, plentiful, and fairly expensive. Tomorrow is a long day; up to the crest of the Smokies, which will be home for the next week or so. I intend to resupply in Gatlinburg, which is the tourist trap of the Smokies. Many thru-hikers are apalled by the place, but I figure it is a do not miss, even if it is a do not repeat. Besides, I am a sucker for Ripley's Believe It or Not and every good tourist trap has one.The word on weather is - it SUCKS! Rain, thunderstorms and rain, describes most of the next 10 days. The only consolation is that it is supposed to be relatively warm - 60 degrees in Gatlinburg. Figure high 40's - low 50's on the ridges.I sent back my Ur Sack, a flash light, and a couple of maps - 1 1/2 pounds of weight gone! (An Ur Sack is a food container designed to be bear proof; I decided I'm more worried about mice than bears. The stuff sack that replaces it weighs 1 ounce.)
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: moderate rain

The day started stormy, but after 1/2 hour of hiking, it changed to a hard drizzle and never rained hard again. So, hope we missed the predicted storm and have good weather for the rest of the Smokies. The views are supposed to be spectacular, but so far we haven't had more than a few hundred feet of visibility.First time for sleeping in the shelter. The mice were active (i.e. annoying). Finally I decided I needed sleep more than I needed to worry about mice and slept soundly.
Date: 2009-03-27
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: moderate rain

The rain was supposed to come in earnest so I got an early start. After a couple of hours it came - harder and harder. I wanted to make big miles (as did a number of others), but we ended up at the shelter after 9 miles. The max capacity of the shelter is 12 and we managed to squeeze 18 into it. What a circus. On the lower bunk:Bow Willow - an old guyMcBride - guy from Mass. who I met at the Marta StationTwo-pounds - girl from MD who I have hiked with for the last weekMD3 - 3 girls from MDChocolate Chipmunk and Indiana Toad - a couple I just metOn the upper bunk:Rachel, Ryan, Mark - section hikers on a one week tripMinstrel (AKA Jeffrey) - I have been hiking with for two weeksSmurfette - girl from IN who I just metSwiftee - another old guy who I just metZiggy Stardust and Thinmint - couple I have been hiking with for a weekOutside:Nick - a guy from WA and PAWe are all hoping tomorrow brings us better weather.This rain makes the hiking slow and slippery. The best views so far have all been clouded out. Even though I have stayed "dry", the reality is that everything is wet - water, humidity, and perspiration all mix together to create damp, damper, and dampest!
Date: 2009-03-28
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

While it was raining until dawn, it then let up. I jumped on the chance to walk dry and got an early start. After an hour or so the rain started in, the wind picked up, and the temperature dropped. The conditions were atrocious. I struggled into a shelter - chilled and soaked.As each hiker entered the shelter, they would share their frustration and discomfort with the others - usually in a profane and sometimes humerous way. Universally, the parks name was changed from 'The Great Smoky Mountains' to the 'F***ing Smoky Mountains'. My rave went something like, "Bow Willow, you are so damn ignorant. You could be on the PCT where your biggest weather problem would be SPF-20 or SPF-40. But no, you go across the U.S. to hike in the rain and in the cold. You are so stupid!" It really made me feel better.After an hour or so the rain let up so I decided to push on. If the truth be told, I'm pushing so I can get to town and dry out.The trail has turned to mud and run off. Ziggy says we're hiking the Apallacian River. Every other step causes a slip or a wet splash. I finally had my first fall. No damage but it reminds me to be careful. The shelter tonight was in the middle of a small pond caused by the rain. The shelter was dingy and damp but under the conditions wonderful. There was a ridge runner (i.e. ranger) staying at the shelter and she said the weather was going to be bad through the weekend and then improving. During the night the wind howled and the rain pounded the shelter. The temps were down in the 20's but it was comfortable deep in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

After the pounding rain all night, the skies cleared at dawn and we saw sunlight for the first time in many days. The handbook claimed the whole hike was downhill but much of it was actually uphill. It was very frustrating but we got to Newfound Gap in due course and hitched a ride into Gatlinburg with section hiker, White Rock, and his girlfriend. Laundry, showers, groceries, and serious eating.After 3 weeks of hiking, more than 200 miles completed, less than 2,000 to go, and we have crossed Clingman's Dome at 6,643 feet above sea level - the highest point on the AT.Gatlinburg is a major tourist trap. There are litterally thousands of motel rooms, a Ripley's, a Hard Rock, a Starsky and Hutch Musuem, hundreds of restaurants and bars, and several wedding chapels. What a trip! Even though this is the off season and it seems like there's only about 10% occupancy, the main drag was crowded. Again, I say, WHAT A TRIP!
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Newfound Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a struggle getting back to Newfound Gap from Gatlinburg.First, the shuttle that we thought we would take was broken down. Next we tried hitchhiking for 1/2 hour. Then we called a taxi; "Be there in 1/2 hour." After 1/2 hour; "Be there in 20 minutes." Meanwhile, Two-pounds, Minstrel, and I continued to try hitching to no avail.Next, Minstrel and I moved away and let Two-pounds try her luck by herself. Of course, she got a ride in 5 minutes. At this point the taxi is due in a couple of minutes so we tell her to take the ride and we will wait for the taxi, which took another 1/2 hour to arrive.Finally, we got to Newfound Gap at 11:45. The day was gorgeous. Clear, cool, windless. There was a bit of snow and a fair amount of ice on the trail. It made walking a bit tricky, but the views were stupendous. In places we were on a narrow ridge - like 3 or 4 feet narrow with one trekking pole in Tennessee and the other in North Carolina - steep drops on both sides, and views for 50 miles in each direction. Hands down, this was the best hiking day - YET!On a sadder note, Minstrel needs to be in Hot Springs in a few days to take care of some business. So late in the day he left Two-pounds and I to night hike some additional miles. I'll miss him, but the trail is full of cool people so I hope I hook-up with some of them.
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

WOW! Achievement galore! First 20 mile day! One tenth of the trail is complete! (Or as Minstrel calls it, "One decatrail complete - nine to go"!I'm less than a mile from the Smokies boundary. Today threatened bad weather, but it never materialized (though there were brief rainshowers and snow squalls throughout the day). In the thru hikers community, the Smokies are much maligned. First, the rules and regulations and permits are in sharp contrast to the open camping, rule free first three weeks. Second, the weather is almost always severe in late March and early April when thru hikers are here.I guess I mostly agree. The one good weather day was spectacular. The hiking is easier than in Georgia, but it rained 5 out of 6 days. On 4 of the days visibility was practically zero. The regulations, especially the requirement to sleep in the shelters, are odious. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my tent tomorrow.Oh, yeah - I saw a deer today! Part of the reason for the 20 mile day was to leave the Smoky Crest (5,000 FT) for Davenport Gap (2,000 FT); that resulted in a 10 degree temp increase, which after the snow this morning was quite nice.