morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Hiawassee

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Departed Dicks Creek Gap after hitching a ride out of Hiawassee. Hiked to the Bly Gap Campsite. Prefer the Shelters because they have level surfaces and if it rains you are better protected. Arrived in NC! Camped that evening with CPaw (Cincinnati Bearcats) and Lightning. We set up our tents, made dinner and hung our bear bags in nearby trees. A few other hikers walked into camp in the early evening and set up their tents nearby. At about 2AM I heard a noise that sounded like a bear might be taking swats at my bear bag hanging from a tree about 25 yards behind my tent. I crawled out of my tent and shined my head lamp into the woods to see if I came across any "reflective" eyes. After scanning the area for 3 or 4 minutes, I climbed back in my tent and heard the noise again. Since I was awake this time when I heard the noise, I realized it was CPaw making a unique snoring sound. Relieved...I went back to sleep.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

It was tough climb out of Bly Gap. Departed around 8AM. Arrived at 3PM at Standing Indian Shelter, but did not have the energy to hike to the next shelter. Most shelters have a privy and a stream to draw water. Most shelters also have bear cables to hang your food bags, but if not, you have to throw a line over a tree branch to hang your food bag far enough off the ground and far enough from the truck of the tree so that bears can't reach it. It's a lot of work and I have yet to see a bear.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Had planned on hiking past Carter Gap Shelter and was doing so until a couple young hikers were approaching me and called out "are you Leatherneck?". I responded and they (Red Hat and The Late John Lenin) said they had a message for me. They said that No Hurry had my cooking kit, which I must have left behind that morning when packing up. I thanked them and then back-tracked a mile down hill and stopped at Carter Gap Shelter where I remembered No Hurry and her husband said they were stopping that night. We had all stayed over at Standing Indian Shelter the pervious night before and my cooking kit ended up next to their tarp....yadayadayada...I neglected to pack it up with me. That was nice of them to bring it with them. I waited for about 90 minutes...still intending to hike an additional 3.5 miles, but it was getting late so I stayed at Carter Gap Shelter that night. I was in a hurry to get to Franklin, NC because my wife and daughters sent a package to the Franklin Post Office for me. With the post office closing at noon on Saturday I needed to get my hike on. Shared the shelter that night with CPaw, Lightning, No Hurry and her husband.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Carted Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Announced the night before to the other hikers that I would be getting up early and heading out. Woke up at 0625 and began packing up being certain I was not leaving anything behind. Lightning and CPaw were also getting up and packing their backpacks. I was the first to hit the trail at 0708. The first big obstacle was Albert Mountain that morning. According to the profile map it is about 5200' in elevation and the last couple hundred yards are very steep requiring the use of your hands to climb up and over the rocks. It did not disappoint. I did not get any photos of the steepest parts because I was too busy trying to breathe. I made it up and over by 1130AM and proceeded down the opposite side. At about 1145 the rain began. I stopped to put on my rain jacket and place my backpack cover over my pack. It rained all afternoon but I made good time only due to the declining elevation. My goal was to get into Franklin that evening so I could get to the post office before it closed at noon on Saturday. Got into Winding Stair Gap late afternoon. As I was pulling out my Thru-Hiker's Companion to find a telephone number for a local motel that would come out to pick me up, there were three girls that I had just met up the trail and they asked if I needed a ride. I said yes and mentioned that another hiker past a little while back should be coming down the trail and he too may be interested. He also accepted and we placed our packs and trekking poles in their cars trunk and we were off. Both of us were a little surprised that these three very attractive girls, two from Lithuania and one from Cuba, would offer us old smelly hikers a ride into town. But there were just very nice people and wanted to help out some hikers because they too were hiking enthusiasts from Florida visiting the Appalachian Trail. They let BB and I off at Haven's Budget Inn and we were set.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Stopped by the Post Office this morning to pick up my care package from my wife and daughters. Went back to my room and opened it. There was beef jerky, trail mix, oatmeal, hot chocolate and other snacks. It was perfect! Thanks girls!! I was ready to get back out on the trail even with conflicting weather forecasts, some calling for rain and some calling for clearing. As I sat at the Motel waiting for the shuttle back out to the trail the rain intensified and at that point I decided to wait until tomorrow to proceed. My cell phone was not fully charged and the pouring rain was all I needed to make the decision to stay another day. Hopefully Mother's Day will be a day of sunshine. The Motel is full of hiker's sitting it out for another day. Shared the hostel that night with Cop and Friend (another couple German hikers, that were very nice and very good hikers), along with BB (Bahama Bill). Been having trouble breathing since back in Hiawassii. Could not sleep that night and moved from the bunk bed to the couch and sat up trying to sleep. Used everything available in my med kit, inhaler, nasal spray, Sudafed, to keep my air passages open. I should have gone to the ER that evening, but waited until morning. After I got up and started to move around, my breathing improved and the raspy/wispy sound from my lungs upon exhaling dissipated. Having been diagnosed with EIB (Exercise Induced Broncospasms or Exercised Induced Asthma) just last year, I suspected this is what was going on, except more severe than I have experienced. My Doctor said he could not cure me, but the next step could be to prescribe Pregnazone. Bottom line is that this is not the type of physical limitation conducive to getting in a good workout or climbing mountains.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sure glad I waited until today to get back out on the trail. Beautiful day and Mother's Day to boot! Thanks Mom! The Budget Inn owner shuttled us to the AT...and like always...we headed north. When I arrived at the shelter I pulled the gear out of my pack that I needed and began cooking dinner. The first order of business was to boil water for the hot chocolate packet my wife and daughters sent to me. I have to tell you "it was really good"! Thank You! Hit the shelter at 9PM to get some rest. Hope there will be no mice tonight.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Wayah Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 7AM and made some oatmeal for breakfast. Some other hikers were already cooking breakfast and some hikers had already hit the trail. I was on the trail at 0820. Had not originally planned to Hike all the way to the NOC, but that is what I decided to do. Tomorrow will be a huge day climbing out of the gap from the Nantahala River. Arrived at the NOC at 6:30PM. The reservation I made from the top of Wayah Mountain came in handy when I arrived. The bunkhouse was full by the time I arrived. I had enough to go the to the eatery along the river and have a burger, a small pizza and a beer before they closed at 7PM. The not so good news was that there were out of towels and laundry detergent. I indicated I really needed to get cleaned up and if they had other accommodations with a towel? They did have rooms available, but at $69.00 instead of $18 for a bunk. I opted for the single room with towels, and then did my laundry later that evening without laundry detergent. It was a long day.
Date: 2014-05-13
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: moderate rain

Getting a late start this morning. The General Store did not open until 9AM. Ate my left over pizza from last night for breakfast and had a cup of coffee. The climb this morning is about 3000' over 6 miles. Picked up enough supplies to get me to Fontana Dam. I was taking a break as I was climbing out of the NOC...until lightning hit way too close for a sane man's comfort...going to keep moving. Made it to the shelter shortly before it started to rain. On the down side the bugs are bad.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Spent 12.5 hrs on the trail today. Strolled into the Cable Gap Shelter at 8:30PM. I walked up to see if there was any room in the six person shelter when a voice from the dark shelter asked "is that you Leatherneck?" I recognized the voice of Radioman. It's always nice recognizing a familiar voice. They made room and I prepared my sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Too late and too tired to cook anything. Tried to get to sleep, but there was a snorer in the shelter. This normally does not brother me, but this guy was so loud and continuous throughout the night I could not fall asleep...maybe got 90 minutes of sleep. This was worse than about a week ago in a crowded shelter and the guy next to me was about a foot from my head and snooring directly into my ears most of the night. I thought that was bad until my experence last night. Will bring ear plugs next year. About 1:30AM a lone hiker stepped under the front of the shelter out of the pouring rain. He used his red light to hang his hammock across the front of the shelter out of the rain. When we all left the shelter in the morning the hammock hiker was still sleeping. See photo.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

The day started clear, to overcast, then the rain began again. It rained all morning as I climbed out of Cable Gap. When climbing up and over the mountain the best I could do when resting was to block the wind and rain by standing behind a tree, but for the most part there was no where to go to get out of the rain. On the backside of the mountain, my pace slowed to a crawl to do everything I could do to avoid slipping and falling off the trail or slipping or falling onto a rock. Sometimes the trail is only a foot wide and a wrong step could put you in a vertical free fall falling a couple hundred feet from your current elevation.Discovered that Greyhound does not operate out of Gatlinburg. A fellow hiker "CPaw" said his wife is picking him up on Friday at Fontana Dam and heading north west to Cinncinatti. He offered to drive me to the Greyhound Station in Knoxville. This will cut my hike short by four days, but eliminate transportation difficulties getting to Knoxville from Gatlinburg. An offer too good to pass up. Besides, with the rain I walked through today and with more in the forecast is less than inviting. But most importantly....if I were to continue from the Dam, the mountains rise from approximately 1,700 ft. to approximately 6,500 ft. over the next 33 miles. I think I'll save that climb for next year.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Fontana Dam

To: Knoxville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Packed up my gear and headed for the Fontana Dam Visitor's Center via the shuttle for $3. This is where CPaw's wife is going to pick us up. CPaw walked outside the Visitor Center to see if he could get a cell phone signal and was told he would have to walk about 1/4 mile down the road for a signal, but only if he had Verizon, which he did. Shortly after he walked down the road dark clouds slid over the western mountain range and the sky did what it does best; it began pouring rain. Soon there after, his wife arrived and we packed up the car and headed down the winding road towards Knoxville. Since it was early afternoon we stopped at a local BBQ spot his wife had noticed on her way to Fontana Dam. It was the least I could do to offer to buy lunch and it turned out to be some really good BBQ. After lunch we headed in Knoxville and they pulled in front of the Greyhound Station. Before I could say farewell and walk into the bus station his wife presented me with a box full of homemade Peanutbutter Cookies, and brownies, candy bars, bottle water and other assorted snacks to hold me over for the duration of a 14 hour bus ride to St. Louis, arriving at 0630 Saturday morning. The bus was on time and my wife was there to meet me. My folks had come by the house in the morning to watch our daughters so that they would not have to get up so early on Saturday morning for a ride to and from St. Louis. My hike was pretty much what I expected, but much more difficult than I thought for me to climb the mountains. Next year I plan to get back out on the trail when my daughters go on summer vacation. In an effort to "lighten up", I may try a tarp next year instead of a tent and a summer weight sleeping bag versus my 20 degree bag. That should help some.
Date: 2015-03-10
To: A Midsummer Hiker's Dream
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Looks like I am officially a "section hiker" since I am picking up where I left off last year - Fontana Dam. After my daughters are out of school for summer break we will all drive east to Virginia from Illinois to visit family. On the way my wife will drop me off at Fontana Dam and she will continue on with our daughters to visit their grandmother and other family. I will hike north and arrange for them to pick me up on their return trip, which we are estimating to be approximately one month later. My goal is to hike as far as Damascus, or approximately 300 miles.
Date: 2015-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We will be departing for North Carolina's Fontana Dam on June 3rd. Since this is about an 8 hour drive, we will stay overnight at a local hotel near Fontana Dam. The next morning my family will drop me off at my starting point (the Marina) and they will continue on their trip to Northern Virginia. My first task will be to deposit the lower half of my Great Smokey Mountains National Park AT Thru-Hiker Permit in the box at Fontana Dam and then begin my climb into the Smokey's.
Date: 2015-06-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Departing for Fontana Dam in 3 days. Better start to get my gear together and pack up. Since I will be hiking in warmer weather than last year (June versus April) I am going to add a 100 oz. hydration bladder to my pack in addition to the two 32 oz. Gatorade bottles.
Date: 2015-06-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Set up my new Mountain Laurel Design Grace Cuben Fiber Tarp (7.8oz.) for the first time. I'm going to try it out tonight in the back yard to get a feel for sleeping under a tarp versus in a tent. Even though my Lunar Solo Enhanced Tent only weights 23 oz., I am saving about 15 oz. by going with a tarp. Under the tarp is my Tyvek ground cloth, Nemo Astro Air Lite sleeping pad (15.2 oz.), and Marmot Arroyo sleeping bag (31.7 oz.).
Date: 2015-06-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

All packed and ready to head out tomorrow morning. Weighed my pack, which includes 7 days of food and 164 oz. of water at 35 lbs. Ideally I would have liked to weigh in at around 28 lbs. I am carrying more food and water than I normally start with, but I am going to try to get past Gatlinburg, TN since I estimate it is only 3 days from Fontana Dam. If for some reason I have a rough start getting up into the Smokey's or need to recharge my cell phone...or me, I may stop over for an evening in Gatlinburg.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

In the morning, I heard other hikers talking about the wild hogs in the area. That is probably what I had heard the previous evening when approaching the shelter. Departed the shelter at 10AM feeling very weak. Lots of wheezing and coughing as I continued my hike north. Arrived at the Russell Field Shelter at about 1PM. It took me 3 hours to go less than 3 miles. My only course of action would be to stop at this shelter and get as much rest as I could before the next morning. Slept that afternoon in the shelter. When I woke up, I was told by incoming hikers that I was "panting" while sleeping, which probably meant my breathing was made up of short quick breaths. Not sure what was going on with my breathing, but I was concerned, especially because I also had very little strength. Did not feel I could prepare a cooked meal, I just ate a power bar and prepared to bed down for the evening. I did fall asleep at dusk, but had difficultly breathing while lying on my back. I was also experiencing uncontrollable shaking and my breathing was shallow. Maybe I was using my inhaler too much. I had to sit up in order to get a decent breath, and supported myself on my elbows most of the night. Everyone else was sleeping, and I am was getting very concerned that I would not be able to go on the next morning; I did not know what to do. Since there was an open field nearby (hence Russell "Field" Shelter) and I noticed a hiker at this shelter had a SPOT personal GPS, my thoughts were to wait until morning and ask him to activate his emergency feature for a medivac. I knew I could not hike any further north, and I was too far from my starting point to head back south. When dawn arrived I asked the hiker with the SPOT if he would activate the emergency feature. Since he had no idea what I had been going thru, he hesitated to do so and explained that he would have to stay with me until the helicopter arrived and that could take several hours. A few hikers gathered around and explained that there was a trail right off the side of this shelter (Russell Field Trail) that was basically downhill for five miles leading to a campground. I decided to give it a try since my options were limited. As I got dressed, I could not even put on my sock without feeling very weak accompanied with heavy shallow breathing. After finally getting dressed, most hikers had departed on their hikes, I had given my word to them that I would not stay at the shelter that night alone. So I started down the trail...this time heading West instead of North...feeling quite defeated. Finally made it to Cades Cove Campground 4 hours later. Hitched a ride back to the motel in Maryville, TN, the same motel that my family and I stayed at two nights ago. Got cleaned up and walked across the street to get something to eat. Even walking on flat terrain was a challenge. Was out of breath walking 100 yards on a flat surface and not carrying a backpack. Could this be the result of my EIB and attempting to hike the AT?
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Manassas, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early to catch my taxi to the Greyhound Bus Station in Knoxville. Boarded the bus and headed East to Manassas, VA in order to meet up with my family. Felicia picked me up at the Manassas Train Station at 1:30AM. Plan to make two doctor appointments for my general practitioner and my cardiologist. I need to get this fixed. My 2015 hike has turned out to be a failure.
Date: 2015-09-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Received a referral from my doctor to the Cardiologist. They seem to be convinced that my heart was not the issue; EKG came up clean. My doctor prescribed a new type of inhaler and a Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) referral. I feel like I am getting no where. At this point I have already decided to give it another try next year. My new starting point will be climbing the 5 miles back up the side trail from The Smokey Mountain State Park to Russell Field Shelter, and again heading north to Damascus, VA. If I encounter the same difficulties again, I will just take it slow, but will continue north this time. Learning to live with my new physical limitations is not easy to accept.
Date: 2016-04-17
To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Plan is to start my 2016 hike where I left off last summer; at the Cades Cove Campground, TN. This was my ending point in 2015 after a very short attempt on the AT, which started just south of Fontana Dam. I will be commuting on Saturday May 27th, and starting my hike on Sunday May 28th. Will begin my first day with a 5 mile climb (approx. 2500' elevation change) from the Cades Cove Campground area to gain access to the Appalachian Trail at Russell Field Shelter. My plan this year is to "really" take it easy the first week or so and not push myself from dawn to dusk. Just am not able to take that approach anymore. Having said that, I am already considering after making my way to the AT at Russell Field's Shelter; take a mid-day break, and then heading north to Spence Field Shelter. This location provides water 150 yards from the shelter, with bear cables and a privy a mere 2.9 miles north and 555' higher in elevation. I am anxious to see how that day will turn out. Just like last year, my goal for this year's hiking segment will be Damascus, VA.
Date: 2016-05-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We have decided that it will be better if I delay my AT hiking this year by waiting until school starts up again in August. My plan will be the same in that I will begin hiking from Cade's Cove Campground, TN in the Smoky's, and hike from the Campground to Russell Field Shelter at mile marker 180.4 (2016). I will decide on a start date later this summer.
Date: 2016-08-28
From: St. Louis, MO

To: Cades Cove Campground, Smoky Mountains
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I will be departing home on Tuesday, 30 August, taking a Greyhound Bus from St. Louis, arriving the next morning in Knoxville, TN. Will attempt to take an Uber from Knoxville to Cades Cove Campground in the Smokey's. My original plan was to take a side trail from Cades Cove to access the AT at the Russell Field Shelter, however due to bear activity I will have to take a different side trail a little further north. I called the Ranger Station at Cades Cove to verify that the Russell Field Trail and Shelter were still closed, and learned that they were still closed due to black bears being drawn to this area for the abundance of cherries and berries. The photo is what I was told will be waiting for me this year (2016) if I take the side trail to Russell Field Shelter. So my 2016 hike will begin with a side trail accessing the AT at the Spence Field Shelter, which is about 3 miles north of my exit point last year at Russell Field Shelter. There is still a warning due to black bear activity at Spence Field Shelter, but it is open for hikers to camp over night.