morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 4 on the Trail! (I also posted day 3 today, so click previous if you want to read.)Last night proved to be a little breezy, and the morning was pretty cold, possibly down into the 30's. It took me awhile to break camp, as I had left things in a general state of disarray last night, what with being oh so very tired the night before. Plus my hands were cold and unwilling to untie all of the knots that were securing my tarp.So, at the ripe hour of 8:50, I filledmy water bottle and was on my way. Only 13 miles to the oasis town of Hiawasse. I took a prolonged look at my guide book, and figured out that I had 2 decent climbs to undertake. The first up Tray Mt., right off the bat, and the second about halfway, climbing 900 feet in about a mile.Up until this point, I had been allowing myself to listen to one album per day on my mp3 player, but broke down and caught tunes the whole way. Halfway up Tray mountain, I found my first real trail magic in a stash of Dr. Pepper. (I later learned that the same people who left the sodas were giving out fried chicken the day before, which is oh so bittersweet) I powered up the mountain, and really had an easy day of it, even though my legs were still fairly tired from Saturday's effort. Before the steeper climb of the day, I took a brief break, removed my long-sleeve, slammed down some peanut butter, almonds and water, and did a few squats. Up and over in less than 25 minutes. On the way down to Dicks Creek Gap, I briefly caught up with my friend Walkabout, who had been a recipient of the aforementioned fried chicken. I asked him about camping through the storm a few nights earlier. He got wet. But he made it.Upon reaching the gap, I was able to quickly hitch a ride into town. Hiawasse is in some beautiful country: rolling green hills, fairly rural, with a big lake that runs around the perimeter. I got dropped off at the supermarket in town, and upon walking inside became totally overwhelmed. So many bright colors and choices to make. Thankfully, my instincts led me directly to the "cheese flavored cracker" aisle and I figured it all out from there. A fella in an old red pickup with racks made out of ruged old fenceposts and a adorned with a few sets of deer antlers picked me up as I hitched back up to the Blueberry Patch Hostel, a donations only quaint joint run by a super lovely couple, Gary and Lennie, out of their own house. They have a good sized garden, and a small pasture with 2 donkeys and a goat or two. It looks like there are only 5 of us staying here tonight.We made a quick run into town just now for chinese buffet and groceries while Gary and Lennie went to evening services. I bought some ice cream sandwiches for the next batch of hikers to come through in the next day or so. And after a hot shower, I'm about ready for bed. Hoping for 21 miles tomorow, but I've got some hills to climb before I get there. Either way, I'm bound to be in NC by evening.Thanks for the good times Georgia.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day #5 On The Trail!I would like to start this entry by extolling the many virtues of the Blueberry Patch Hostel and its fabulous proprieters. The hostel itself isn't too much to speak of by itself. It consists of a small common room with fridge, stove and table, and has one bunk room with two 3-tiered single bunks and one full sized double bunk. With the addition of a small bathhouse out back, that's it. But our hosts were so overly accomodating, without making it seem like too much of a hassle.Gary rang the breakfast bell at 8:30, and we all filed into our hosts' banquet room. They had cooked a feast of pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup, sausage patties, biscuits, gravy, scrambled eggs and coffee. And the wood stove they cooked it on was still keeping the room warm. Before we ate, Gary blessed the meal as we all held hands, family style. A priceless moment really.I had decided I would try to get the 21 miles to Beech Gap the night before, with the ultimate goal of getting to Fontana Dam before 3 p.m. on Friday so I can get a food drop at the post office.A fair amount of uphill climbing and 8 hours later, I made it to the gap, which proved to be a most excellent campsite.Highlights of the day:Crossing the GA/NC borderSeeing a dead 3 ft. long rat snakeCatching an epic southerly view from the summit of Standing Indian MountainSharing a campsite with 2 ladies the same age as my motherAll in all, it was a good day. And as I watched my two new friends, Dotty and Regina, eat their homemade dehydrated meatloaf at "the Beech" I thought, hey, this is the life.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Beech Gap

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 25.0

Day #6 On The Trail!(Just Posted Day 5 also. Click previous to view)If miles had calories, I would try to eat more of them before breakfast.Day 6 would prove to have some of the easiest overall terrain I had yet to encounter. With one exception: Mt. Albert.I woke up hoping to make 25 or so miles, so that it would be around an even 20 to shoot down to the NOC the next day and everything the hostel life entails: showers, real food, etc."Electric Warrior" by T. Rex may be one of the best albums to hike to, or so I decided as it carried me for the first few miles. It's upbeat, and carries an attitude of playfulness, and smooth grooves that just really got me in a good place as I began the day.5 hours later, I had made it the 15 miles to Rocky Gap Shelter.The only hiccup in my morning journey was the rapid ascent up Albert: 500 ft gained in 0.3 miles. But the view from the top of the fire tower on the summit, while not too photo friendly, was fairly spectacular.I ran into my friend Walkabout at Rocky Gap, and we decided to make it somewhere past Siler Bald for the day. Rocky Gap is the first shelter past the 100 mile mark on the AT. We celebrated quietly, and with a few jelly beans. There was a long descent down to winding stair gap where we chatted up a gentleman planning an upcoming section hike. And as things go down on the AT they must rise back up, which we saw in the 2 mile climb up Siler Bald. The shelter there was fairly dirty, and the dozen or so hikers who chose to stay for the night had taken up all of the good spots. Beautiful looking campsite, just not totally ideal.With a little coaxing, I convinced Walkabout into continuing on to Wayah Gap, where we found a sweet picnic area ideal for camping with a stream within a few hundred yards. Stoked were we.Rumors have it that rain was forecast for the next day or so. But when I woke up for my usual midnight trip to the nearest bush and I saw the waning moon full and alone in the cloudless sky.... bliss.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-20
From: Wayah Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

Day #7 On The Trail!(Click previous to view days 5 and 6, as I just updated all 3)What is it about the rain that we hate so much, even us 'outdoorsy' folk. Growing up in the Northwest, I don't remember minding it too much as a kid. We played in mud puddles, soaked ourselves on the slushy ski slopes and never seemed to care too much about it. But I guess mom and a warm bath were never too far around the corner. Which is nice.When I woke up this morning around 6:45 or so, and saw that the clouds hadn't filled in yet, and even caught the tiniest bit of a sunrise, I took it as a blessing and went straight to work breaking camp and preparing for rain.Walkabout and I were both set on making it the 21 miles down to the NOC hostel, rain included. 30 minutes after we set out, it began to sprinkle, which turned into a shower, but backed off a bit. We had an upbeat discussion about being content with the rain. But while we both used the privy at the top of Wayah Bald, the first thunderclap rang out. And, being at the top of a mountain, by the time we were on the trail again, it had quickly escalated into a decent tempest. Oh yea. I misplaced my rain pants somewhere in Hiawasse.At the top of Wayah Bald, there is a big stone lookout tower, and as we passed, we saw a lady harbored inside the room at the base. She wore a green down jacket with duct tape on the elbows, and the 'cave' she was in had several pools of water, all sorts of gear strewn about, bits of litter, part of a cardboard box... yea. She seemed to want a long chat, but for more than a few reasons, we weren't too eager to linger. She was still talking as we walked around the tower corner.The rain continued for another hour or so, and for some reason, every thunder clap gave me a little chuckle. Such a life.Walkabout was beginning to have serious blister and other leg pain problems, so I cut loose about 8 miles out from town and boogied down the hill. In all, the day consisted of three good climbs and one long, neverending downhill stretch. The NOC is a riverside basecamp for rafting and kayaking adventures that the AT conveniently passes through. I got me a bunk at the hostel, a super hot shower, and walked 3/4 miles up to the convenience store, which kinda proved to be a bust. But on my way up there, I passed "The Burger Shack." 6 hours later, I'm still trying to finish my triple bacon cheeseburger and onion rings.Had a sit down at the riverside restaurant with 5 other hikers which was nice, talking about people's plans and such. I hear that there are probably 30 or so of us trying to get to Fontana before the post office closes on Friday.Tomorrow will be a good climb, but I got me some of them pop-tarts everyone has been raving about. 410 calories of mountain taming goodness. Smokey Mountains, here I come.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-21
From: NOC

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 28.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #8 On The Trail!Boy. Today was unexpectedly remarkable.When I woke up this morning, it had just finished raining a good bit, and I was glad I had been so fortunate to spend the night indoors. I was feeling a bit on the lazy side. My goal, was to hike 17 miles to Cody Gap, kind of a lighter day for me, at least in comparison to the previous three. So I figured I could start out around 9 or so and take it a bit slower, especially considering that the first 8 miles were a long climb, gaining over 3,000 feet in elevation.Well, I didn't get off until 9:30, what with making a few adjustments to my pack, eating some intant oats, andpickin up a few last minute things at the general store. But with the help of a little T. Rex on the headphones, I made it to the top of the hill in around 3 hours. For the most part, the day was going slow for me, and I was feeling mostly sluggish, and there were a few steep climbs to go. But then something turned around for me. I stopped to get water at the brown gap shelter, popped on some Smashing Pumpkins, and felt like a new man. Cody Gap turned out to be a lousy campsite, so I figured that I could make it all the way to Fontana Dam before dark.And I did. Just in time to catch everyone around the campfire. I made myself a quick meal, and now it is time for bed.28.7 miles in just under 11 hours. Tomorrow I rest. Take a day off. Relax. And get my food drop at the post office.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-22
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #9 On The Trail! (Sorta)Today, I took my first zero day. Had breakfast in fontana village, picked up a few things at the store, and went back to the shelter here to re-organize and gather firewood for tonights campfire. I was generally preparing for my trip through the semi-remote Smoky Mountains.Since not much happened, I feel like talking about some of the highlights so far that may have slipped through the cracks.On day one, there was a gentleman doing what he called "lightening his load" on the side of the trail. I call it taking a dump. Day two had a sign, I'm sure most people see, that read "Things: 3.4 <--. Stuff: 2.7 -->." (Those are supposed to be directional arrows). Also on day two we heard what could have been a bear cub, but upon further examination proved to be someone dry-heaving on the side of the trail.On day three my foot got wet. But it dried quickly, which made me happy in my footwear selection.On day four, I met a gentleman thru-hiker who was carrying a picture around his neck. The picture was of him and a buddy taking a break on a remote mountain top. The friend in the picture had since died, but was still making his way up the AT in memory.On day five, I saw a bunny rabbit. I'm not sure if it was necessarily of the wild variety. But it was cute.On day six I learned the spot of a (hopefully) secret campsite in the Smokies. Stay tuned for later details.On day seven I saw someone do a somersault in a river kayak. Note: this was not a barrel roll, but a whole backflip type deal. Prety cool.On day eight I found a new favorite hiking album: "Pinkerton" by Weezer.Not sure how long it will be until I am able to post another journal entry, seeing as I am planning to be on the trail for 7 days in a row as I make it all of the way through the Smokies and into Hot Springs, N.C. Thanks to all of my lovely friends and family members and the occasional stranger who have signed my guestbook. Your messages bring me all sorts of joy.See you when you see me.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-23
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

Day #10 On The Trail!Wow. A surprise entry. Looks to be a bit of reception here in the Smokies.Fontana Dam was a lot of fun. There were probably more than 20 people camped in the shelter last night, and we had a lovely campfire session, sharing stories and whatnot, as people wandered in from town for the evening.Best story of the evening: 2 fellas, Catfish and Tyvek had 'positively identified' some wild leeks the night before, and made a short series of educational style videos of their discovery, preparation and cooking. And then they proceeded to vomit for the rest of the evening. Moral of the story: don't eat stuff from the woods (or so they said in the last video of the series as viewed on Catfish's iphone).Today was one of the first days where it looks like spring is here. Flowers are fairly abundant on the trail: spring beauties, violets, trilliums. And the trees are all starting to get their leaves.It would seem that about a million grasshoppers have hatched and rustle the leaves beside the trail with every step. Little baby ones.I ran into a Ridgerunner today, a paid AT 'supervisor' who gave me a wonderful weather report of sunny days, hopefully through Tuesday. 3 more days in this ever so lovely national park. Tomorrow, I summit the tallest peak on the trail. Clingman's Dome.And beyond.Cheers
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Day #11 On The Trail (AKA Easter)This turned out to be one of my favorite days on the trail so far.Up until Fontana Dam, I had been trying to avoid staying in the shelters, largely due to the crowds, bugs, mice, and other animals that they tend to attract. But in the Smokies, everyone is required to stay in these open air, roofed quasi-cabins in order to limit our impact on one of the most diverse forest areas east of the Mississippi.Fortunately, there was a smaller group the night before at the Spence Field shelter, and everyone was very cool and acted chummy. Someone heard about a spot 1.2 miles north that offered the best view in the whole park for sunrise.So, 8 of us got up early, and walked that 1.2 in the dark to Rocky Top, and it was glorious. Maybe the best sunrise I've ever seen. My phone battery was dead, so I couldn't get a picture of it to post up here, but take my word on it, it was super nice. (I did get a picture on my other camera, and will try to get it up, with some others, sometime soon)The rest of the day mostly consisted of the long climb over Clingman's Dome. I ran across a southbound section hiker who stopped and blessed me with a Quaker Oats breakfast bar and a few baby snickers. Happy Easter indeed. And with the forest flowers blooming, the woods smelled, to me, of sweet cotton candy.At one point, roughly a mile shy of the Dome, the forest madea rapid change from budding deciduous trees, to a denser, mossier evergreen forest, similar to those in the PNW. Clingmans's Dome was... overwhelming. Being a holiday weekend, it was packed with people of all sorts. The thru-hiker, in this crowd, instantly becomes some sort of celebrity. Everyone has a million questions, wants to chat, and to take a picture of you. I had heard a rumour of snacks down at the information center, but that mile-long detour proved mostly to be a bust. From Clingman's it was only 4.5 miles to the next shelter, and the evening proved t be a nice renuion with familiar faces from Fontana and the night before.At some point during the evening, someone made the realization that we had just crossed the 200 mile point. Which is great cause for celebration.Also, we now have less than 2,000 miles to go.Totally do-able.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Day #12 On The Trail!(Click previous to view the recently posted Day 11)Day 12 was a fairly non-eventful day, as far as the hiking and everything goes. I knew I wanted to make it the 20 miles to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. Half of the group that stayed at the shelter last night were going to head into Gatlinburg to resupply. Only 2-3 of us were planning on making it a full 20 mile day.In the morning, the clouds had descended upon the mountain, and the forest still had the familiar evergreen look to it. So, in keeping with my feelings of being in a similar place to the Northwest, I put the entire Death Cab For Cutie (a band out of Bellingham, WA) collection on shuffle in my mp3 player and cruised all the way to the shelter non-stop, more or less.And what a scene I found when I got there. The Circus had come to town.I hadn't heard of them before, but apparently The Circus is fairly notorious on the trail this year. It is an odd assortment of 8-10 people who all met on the trail, and travel together, carousing and rabble-rousing their way slowly north. Most appeared to be in their twenties, with long hair and beards, one lady, and a fella with half an arm missing. Their apparent leader, Papa Smurf, is close to sixty, has weathered skin, lots of tattoos (including a tear drop below his eye..) and from the time I arrived he did not stop chatting until it got so late there was no one awake to listen to him.But he did keep the fireplace going in the shelter, and seemed full of interesting knowledge, from animal habits, to useful plants and the local laws on panning for gold.Here are two memorable Papa sayings:In hunting in states where gun laws are too strict: "a compound bow is great until you need help; three shots in the air with that won't do you any good."On the ultralight backpacking movement: "I'm so hardcore I had some of my teeth removed to drop weight."Good times. But I eventually fell asleep. And I hear that the circus travels slow, so I probably will not see them again. Take that as you will.But their popcorn did smell mighty good.Cheersblog directory
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #13 On The Trail!(Click previous to view the recently posted Days 11 & 12)For this post I'm going to skip most of my hiking details, because there ain't much new to talk about. Ups. Downs. Blah blah blah.So, instead I am going to start something new that I hope to do with some regularity. A big part of this journey is about the people you meet, and instead of keeping the focus on myself, I give you: Thru-Hiker Profile #1!Trail Name: GimliReal Name: Nathan WyantHometown: Harrisonburg, VAStart Date: 4/10/2011Favorite Popt Tart/Candy: Sour SkittlesGo-To Dinner: Shrimp Flavored RamenStove: No StoveTent, Tarp, Hammock or Shelter: ShelterMost Favorite Piece of Gear: Sony Cybershot Digital CameraFavorite Moment So Far: Seeing 3 wild boar in Great Smoky Mountain National ParkGimli and I have been more or less keeping the same pace through the smokies. He is a beast of a hiker, and really has his stuff together. He did a 23 miler heading into the Smokies, which is predominantly uphill. After working overnight at Walmart for the last 4.5 years, he didn't want to get their obligatory "5 Year" service plaque, so he is hiking the AT instead. Mid-May he has plans to drop off the trail for a week and attend his cousin's graduation. But he'll get back on and make it to Maine.We are both currently staying the night at the Standing Bear Farm Hostel at the northern edge of GSMNP, which is a super rustic and lovely place, with DIY hand-wash laundry and a small re-supply shack.Tomorrow we begin the 33 miles remaining to Hot Springs. I will linger, and he plans on moving on. Maybe I will see him at Trail Days.Only if he slows down enough to stop for it.Cheers
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #14 On The Trail!Wow. With the conclusion of this day, it has been 2 weeks since I left the Hiker Hostel and began my trek northward. Wow.When I woke up yesterday morning, all signs pointed toward stormy weather. The wind had picked up overnight. The mountains barely seemed to hold back the ominous clouds that were cruising our way. Oh, and the weatherman didn't have anything nice to say about it either.But I had a plan. Make it the 20 miles to the Walnut Mt. Shelter, hunker down, and cruise into Hot Springs the next day. Yet, just as I was about to leave, my friend Daydreamer asked me if I was going to try to make it the 33 miles to town in one day."If I get a wild hair, I might try to do it" I said.The first bits of rain came down around 10:15 or so.Everyone has different ways of making sure that they and their stuff stays dry in the event of wetter weather. Here's what I have found to be pretty fool proof: I have several ultralight dry bags for everything in my pack, which is good for organization also. I keep stuff that can get wet on the outside of my pack. And then I cover the pack with my gregory rain cover. Once it starts raining, I have a $2 vinyl poncho I put on, that covers my core and most of the pack. It works for me, especially since I cannot hike in my waterproof shell, as I get too hot.Anyways, the rain came and went a few times, so I ended up carrying my poncho in my hand, tossing it on and off while on the move several times. But, I never did open up and rain on me. As they would say in Australia, 'it just pissed a bit.'By mid-day, I had reached Max Patch Summit. Aside from the sunrise view from Rocky Top a few days earlier, this was one of the nicest, coolest views of the trail so far (sorry, electronics were buried in the backpack, so no pics. But if you image-search "max patch summit" on google, you can see what I'm talking about)I had a brief snack at the roaring fork shelter with fellow Trail Journalist, Bear Snack. It was very nice to meet him. We chatted briefly about the Smokies, and the seemingly hot topic of "The Circus."The Walnut Mt. Shelter proved to be in a lousy spot, fairly exposed, with the opening facing the wind, and a lousy water source. So, I got a wild hair and cruised the rest of the 13 miles into Hot Springs, arriving around 7:30. Elmer's Sunnyside Inn is a spacious Victorian-style mansion with real beds and great amenities. (Real beds being one of them)I will be here for a few days, as my friend Jessica is coming to visit me over the weekend.So, I rest, sit, wait and ponder what has already come and what I have in store. 2 weeks until trail days.And my mommy sent me a package to pick up today. Kinda like Christmas.Cheersblog directory