morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

We had to stop in Gatlinburg due to Vanessa's continuing blister issues. Hopefully we'll get all her foot problems resolved here. She's going to try different socks and switch from boots to trailrunners. And since we're here on another zero, we'll treat her feet to some R&R and maybe some epsom salt and warm water. We are about halfway through the Smokies, just on the other side of Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT. It was tough getting up there, especially the first two days. The book would say that we gain 1000 ft. but it wouldn't mention the numerous ups and downs it would take to finally get there. We did finally make it to Clingman's yesterday morning and the views from the observation tower were amazing. It was incredible seeing far off mountains that we walked from just days before. As crazy as it seems to some, walking the AT in one shot; we met some ultra runners who are running the Great Smokies in 24 hours. That's a distance of 72 miles that most hikers cover in 6 days! They ran up to Derrick Knob Shelter as a bunch of us thru-hikers we settling in, enjoying a campfire. A runner they call "Cheeseburger Bob??" sat for a while with us convincing himself that aloud that he should throw in the towel at Newfound Gap where they had a car waiting. We found out why they call him "Cheeseburger Bob" when he pulled out two slices of pizza wrapped in foil from his backpack and heated them on the campfire. He told us that he normally brings burgers but they couldn't find a burger joint. His friend ran up in about an hour and "Cheeseburger" tells him that he is thinking about tapping out. His friend says, "Dude, you better tap out!" They had 18 miles to the gap and 31 more from there to the end of the park. And here I am worried about 13.5 that we have tomorrow. I will remind myself about that tomorrow when I'm climbing Clingman's. I got two bad blisters on each of my heels, under a spot where two blisters have almost healed. Edit: They made it to Newfound Gap, still an incredible effort on tough terrain.
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Newfound Gap

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Came into Gatlinburg to get shoes for Vanessa and let her blisters heal. We ended up taking three zeros, while I nurse a cold. There are so many tourists in Gatlinburg that I got sick with some kind of bug. CNN is reporting the Swine Flu epidemic 24/7 which is unnerving to watch in bed with a cold. Of course the weather has been perfect for hiking. I guess the silver lining is that Vanessa's feet have extra time to heal. With her feet in good shape, we should be able to make up the lost miles pretty quickly.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Newfound Gap via Gatlinburg

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally back on the trail! Took 4 zero days in Gatlinburg. The 1st was for new shoes, Merrell Train runners and then Mike was very sick. I felt fine but by the time the fourth day came around, he was ready to go and I felt sick. Just couldn't make it, but finally we're back. To be honest, physically I could use another recovery day but mentally I just had to get out of here and back on the trail. Gatlinburg is like Honkey Tonk Disneyland (Dollywood is up the street, as is Hard Rock Cafe, Ripley's Believe it or Not, a Wax Museum, etc...). Today we did 10.4 miles. It was tough because we still feel ill but we have had the most amazing views. Trail runners are great! My ankles are a little sore but no blisters!
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Spent 3 nights in Pecks Corner Shelter! We were both eager to get out of Gatlinberg but we both sounding terrible, hacking and coughing that first night. We woke up after the first night in the shelter alone. Everyone else had already gone. There were some tea bags next to us for colds and a note that said:            "Get better!!! Stay off the trail for a day or two.                Stay dry and rest. Rain all day today. If you                keep pushing while sick you'll have to abandon the               trail. =( "                              -Trail Doc    So we followed "Doc"s advice and stayed in the shelter for two days and hung out playing cards. Thank you! We took the medicine and the advice and we're getting better. Better to lose a couple more days than ditch the trail with pneumonia. So we stayed in the shelter, playing cards and reading.Lucky for us, Mike packed too much food (the reason his trail name is "Overdone" is for packing too much food)so we had 2 days extra. It rained the whole time we hung out in the shelter, and we both had thoughts of quitting for the first time, mostly because it feels like we are behind schedule to finish in time.   The trail delivered us some very easy miles. The rain cleared up. We have had some spectacular views. Only rained twice today, while we at the 1st shelter having lunch and right after we got to the second shelter to stay the night.    The trail was mostly flat and gradual in its rises and falls. We were glad for the terrain because we are still a little sick. Our spirits renewed, we glided 13 miles into the shelter on our wings. We are once again determined to finish the trail, with less "zeros", but to its end.It is so green here, The variety of ferns and other plants is amazing. What a wonderful day. And tomorrow we are going to Standing Bear Farm which means a shower, laundry, and a bed.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Road/Standing Bear Farm 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Nice flat and downhill exit out of the Smokies. Caught some rain later in the day but we were both so happy, neither of us cared. Out of the Smokies! We got to Standing Bear Farm early, around 2 pm, so had over half a day of relaxation. Standing Bear Farm is a hiker hostel with a resupply. I cannot say enough good things about it. It was amazing. Nice people, beautiful location, good company, we had a great time. There was a 5 pm shuttle to "town" (a gas station with a BBQ joint in it), so we had more TN BBQ. Not too bad for a gas station. We sat around the fire talking way past "hiker's midnight", which is about 9 pm. Most people, including us, crash between 8 pm and 9 pm everyday since we are walking all day. Standing Bear Farm was tons of fun; it sure is nice to be clean and in a bed.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Green Corner Road/Standing Bear Farm 

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

We weighed ourselves at Standing Bear Farm; I lost 20 lbs and Mike 4 lbs. Left Standing Bear Farm about an hour later than usual (9:15 am). Mike was sleeping so well I didn't want to wake him up. Sad to leave such an amazing place but happy to be moving. Today was our second longest day, 14.6, and there were some very challenging ups. We saw a FAA tower on the top of Snowbird Mountain. It looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.The later half of our day brought us to Max Patch. The views were spectacular; I imagine Scotland to look like this with its rolling green hills. Another wonderful day and easy the last two miles were kind to us since they were mainly flat. It rained about half the day but somehow that didn't matter. Were sleeping in the shelter tonight. We were planning on camping but there are so many warnings about active bears around we figured it would just be better to use the bear cables. Got to the shelter later than usual, 7 pm, and some of the people were already sleeping.
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

Another long day but not too bad terrain wise. Much easier than yesterday. At Garenflo Gap there was more trail magic. Someone left one of those big Tupperware bins filled with water bottles and plastic bags containing a hand sanitizer wipe, a mini Snickers, some cheese and peanut butter crackers, and a really nice inspirational note. It made our day. We were going to try to make it the extra 3 miles into Hot Springs but realized when we got to the shelter than we just didnt feel like pushing on. We camped on the other side of the trail, away from the shelter, and close to the water source, but used the shelter bear cables just because its easier than hanging a bear bag ourselves.
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we just walked a quick day into Hot Springs. I woke up limping but figured it was because of the two tough days before. We ran into rain and were on a ridge during a lightening storm. It was scary! The thunder came right after the flashes of lightening and I almost jumped out of my shoes. It was followed by hail. We ran off the ridge as quick as possible and were only in a dangerous spot for maybe 5 minutes. We got a room at Iron Horse Station, with a jacuzzi. We were in our jacuzzi before 11 am. It was so nice. Went to the Hot Springs today. First time I ever been to a Hot Springs. Then we got massages. I got a hot stone massage, a first for me, and Mike got his first massage ever. He loved it, how could you not?I am limping still but we shall see. The Iron Horse Station Cafe is the best food we have had on the entire trip. We tried Fried Green Tomatoes for the first time, wow, no wonder they named a movie after it.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today we walked to have breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner, and finished up so food shopping, sending some packages ahead. I was still limping and when we hit the trail around noon I made it about 1.5 miles up and then after some sad contemplation, returned back to Hot Springs. My groin was hurting so bad I just couldn't continue on. We got the room another night and unfortunately spent our last day together. Mike and I already agreed months ago if one of us drops out for whatever reason, the other would continue. I am sad to leave, will miss both the trail and Mike intensely.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Overdone:  My hiking partner and life partner left the trail today. Vanessa (Frog), you will be missed. Without you to set the pace, I let myself get winded, and stopped to catch my breath a lot today. I guess it'll take me a few days to find my pace. Until then, I'll just pretend that you're walking 3 steps ahead of me. And I didn't realize how many spiderwebs you were clearing for me by always being in front. I walked through many today.    I walked up to Rich Mountain fire tower today for lunch. The sky was cloudless and the views were amazing. I met a couple of hikers up there, Joe and John. These guys aren't just walking the woods, they want to become part of them. They just walk past towns and stay in the woods. It's been 22 days since they showered. John is a fly fisherman so I invited him out to Argentina to fish Patagonia in February.    An Indian family walked to the fire tower from their car. The father just read "A Walk in the Woods" and he was excited to meet real life thru hikers. They even brought some "Trail Magic" which we enjoyed. I snapped a picture of them standing with Joe and John.   I walked 12.7 miles and set up camp at 5:30 pm at Deep Gap. The paracord works a lot better than the gutted paracord for bear bagging. It's easier to throw and it grabs the tree branch less when pulling the bag up. I managed to get the bag up using the PCT Method and it's about 12 feet up.    Tonight is my first night on the Thermarest Neo Air. I'll give a report tomorrow. Frog: I am leaving to Las Vegas tommorrow, where my mom's house is and our dogs are, today. Mike left pretty early this morning. I couldn't even walk the two blocks to eat breakfast with him. I will miss him a lot but am glad he is continuing. The rest of my story in uneventful. I hung out in the room mainly and read. The generous people in Hot Springs were a great help and I would like to especially say thank you to all the people at Bluff Mountain Outfitters. They even found me crutches since walking has become difficult. Update. I went to the doctor and am not supposed to walk for at least 2 weeks. Then we shall see, he said to listen to how my body is reacting. It may be a month or so before I can return to Mike and do some section hiking. I will be updating this journal as much as Mike sends me parts.
Date: 2009-05-11
From: Deep Gap

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: light rain

First, the Neo Air is incredible. If you sit on it, it just flattens under your ass, but laying down, it's like floating on a cloud. The Z-seat is nice too.   I would never carry it just as a seat but it doubles as a pretty decent pillow.    I woke up to rain today. It rained just long enough to catch water off the tarp for a cup of coffee. The it stopped and I was on my way. It was overcast and foggy but nice and cool, great for hiking. The trail went along a high ridge and I'm sure there were some spectacular views underneath the dense fog. Oh well, I can't catch all the views.   All the hikers I saw today were in pairs and I'm alone for the second day. I guess it's like noticing how common Toyotas are after you buy one. I walked 13.7 miles and found the shelter with 2 other singletons, Seeker and a section hiker, Japon. It was my signal to stop. Anyway, getting to the next shelter would have put me over 20 miles and I don't thing I have it in me yet.   I'm considering going to Trail Days. If my friend John can't meet me in Damascus on the 22nd, I just may hitch from Erwin. We'll see how I feel once I'm in Erwin.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: few clouds

The hike this morning was wonderful. It was sunny. The sky was blue with a few fluffy clouds for the sake of aesthetics. After a slight climb the trees opened up to "the heroin dream sequence". That's the scene in a movie where someone slams heroin the first time and they are transported to a place with blue skies and overlapping green hills. I took some pictures.   I took an early lunch at the first shelter and let the tarp dry. I hate to carry the extra water, especially if I can't drink it.   The second half of the day was hard. I had a bad case of "last-mile-itis" with 2 miles to go. When I finally made it to the shelter, I was pleasantly surprised to see two familiar faces, Dangle and Collins. They're been stopping to smell the flowers. They told me they once had a two mile day followed by 2 zeros in their tents. It's nice to see people not so concerned with banging out miles.   We had a nice fire going and shot the shit for a while. Trail Days seems like a party that is not to be missed. I'll be hitching to Damascus from Erwin on Thursday or Friday depending on how lazy I feel. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone I've met, both ahead of me and behind. Damascus during Trail Days may be my only opportunity. Yellow blazin' there and back!
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 13.5

It was a windy night under the tarp, peeing sideways kind of windy. Still I'm glad I didn't stay in the shelter because it sounded like Collins and Dangle were sword fighting a giant mouse or a baby kangaroo.    I felt sluggish this morning so I took a lot of breaks and walked slowly. Every break was an excuse to look at the wild flowers or every flower an excuse for a break. Lots of flower pictures today.   There were lots of day hikers and section hikers going in both directions. An elderly lady commented on how light my pack looked and told me she had thru-hiked the AT. I asked her what year, expecting her to say 1923. She said 2002. It really picked me up when she wished me good luck on my journey. I have youth and a light pack, what can stop me?   The Buzz Killingto about 50 ft behind her greets me with "Hi mate, I can't wait for a cold beer and a hot shower tonight". I don't get either until tomorrow.   It was kind of a push to Big Bald, but well worth the effort. I took some pictures but none will do it justice. I even set the camera on a white blaze post and got a picture of myself. I just looked like an idiot standing on a hilltop, consequently it was deleted.   I saw my first snake today. I'm not sure what kind but it slithered across the trail at around Sam's Gap. I also saw a caterpillar and I think he crossed the trail faster than the snake. With his survival instincts, I'm sure he'll make butterfly.   Well, I've been up on Big Bald for over an hour. I'm walking some more miles so I can get into the hostel on time for the beer run tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Whistling Gap

To: Erwin/Damascus
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I wish I would have made more miles yesterday to set myself up for a good nearo in Erwin. As it worked out, I caught a shuttle to Damascus with some other hikers to make Trail Days. It's only Thursday but there are a lot of people.   I have my tarp pitched in Tent City, in what will be a sea of tents and tarps by tomorrow night.   It was cool seeing so many people again after so long. We bumped into Puddle Jumper and Skipping Stone, the couple that Frog and I met our first night at the Hiker Hostel in Georgia, at the "Free Famous Home Cooked Meal". I saw Shelby Hiker at Uncle Johnny's Hostel in Erwin.   So far it's been a lot of good food and good company. I've been hanging out with Sweet Lou, Aesop, and Strider. Hikers are a good lot. I'm looking forward to this weekend. I wish from were here to enjoy this with me.      My friend John is going to make it out to the trail on the 22nd. I'll be somewhere between Erwin and Damascus. He'll be hiking some easy miles with me; I've heard that people do the last 50 miles into Damascus in just two days! It will be good times.   It just started to rain... hard! I'm going to finish my beer and call it a night. Tomorrow I take a zero with thousands of other hikers doing the same thing.   I love the AT!
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Erwin/Damascus

To: Trail Days in Damascus - Friday
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Ran into so many people today. I saw Plowboy and Poli-Poli at the showers this morning. I had breakfast with them while waiting for the showers. It was great catching up with them.   Spent the rest of the day wondering around with Aesop, Sweet Lou, and Strider. We went to the Dollar General and bought lunch. We stopped at a barbecue grill behind Rock School and cooked up some hot dogs and beans. The four of us literally ate 30 hot dogs and 5 lbs of beans. Then we washed it down with a liter of sweet tea each. I'm full!   There's a big party tonight at the "Riff Raff" site. It should be fun. People are already streaming towards it. I hope it doesn't rain.   I'm off to follow the food...
Date: 2009-05-15
To: Pictures
Miles today: 0.0

The Georgia and TN/NC pictures are up. Follow the links to see them...Georgia:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25348&id=1270986946&l=12a74bd5b8#/album.php?aid=25348&id=1270986946NC/TN: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=25348&id=1270986946&l=12a74bd5b8
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Trail Days in Damascus - Saturday

To: Trail Days in Damascus - Saturday
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ate a lot again today. I had a little time to kill and I was near the free medical screening so I got one. My body fat is down to 7.5% and my blood works came out optimal in all categories. I'll try to eat more on the the trail so I don't waste away and lose the little muscle I have left.   The new pack I'm using is a Gregory Z65. I stopped by their booth today to get measured to see if it fits right. I'm small framed but I have an unusually long torso. My pack is the right size but it would fit better if the shoulder harness was smaller. Basically, I have a pack that seems too big for me but when I have every strap cinched all the way, it's a good fit.    The town really gets into Trail Days. The Baptist Church especially goes above and beyond. Everything they provided was incredible. I can't remember being so well provided for by virtual strangers in my life before.   I walked in the parade today. The hikers walk through town and the whole town shows up for a townie vs. hiker water fight. It was good fun. This hike would not be the same without the towns and all its people.   Trail Days has been incredible but I'm getting eager to get back to the trail. I get on a free shuttle back to Erwin tomorrow at 1 pm. Just another excellent service provided by the church.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Trail Days in Damascus 

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Back at Uncle Johnny's, the same hostel I was at on Thursday before leaving for Trail Days. I got here at 3 pm and got a bunk for the night. I showered, had dinner at KFC and my laundry is in the dryer. It's only 8 pm but I can't wait to get some sleep.    All of us here are looking forward to getting back on the trail, some even left today to make it to the first shelter. I on the other hand could not turn down a shower and a chance to do laundry. Plus, it's supposed to get down to 36 degrees tonight.    Meeting John in 5 days at Dennis Cove, which is about 65 miles away. I have some serious walking ahead of me.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Erwin, TN

To: Beauty Spot
Miles today: 10.6

I was planning on hiking at least 15 miles today but walked into "After Days", an impromptu party thrown by the "Billville" guys. It was a great party. There was a fire going and people had lots of trail stories; it's not possible to describe it. It's more that just a party on a mountain top. It's more than other hikers throwing s spread for this years hopefuls. All I can say is that you have to come out and experience it. If you find yourself on the AT and you see red blazes, follow them. You will fins Billville and some awesome trail magic.   I'm glad it was 10 miles in and not 3, or I would have some serious catching up to make it to Kincora in time to meet my friend John on Friday.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Beauty Spot

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

It was cold on Beauty Spot last night. I went to bed earlier than I would have liked because it was freezing. i put on every piece of clothing I carry except my poncho. At about 11:30 pm I had to get into my sleeping bag. I think it was in the 20's last night.   We woke up this morning to a pancake breakfast courtesy of Billville!   The day's hike was uneventful. The shelter registers were full of people gushing about Unaka Mountain, but I was unimpressed. It was a small forest of spruce. Tomorrow I climb Roan Mountain, my last challenge before reaching Damascus, Va.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

I'm on the other side of Roan Mountain. The weather was perfect for hiking and the cloudless sky allowed for some spectacular views from the balds.    I'm spending the evening with Nordic, Carolina, Savage, and Fiddle at Overmountain Shelter. It's an old barn that the guide book says sleeps 20. It looks like it would sleep 150 on a rainy night.