morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Today it rained, and rained. Met the Georgia ridge runner Karuna Miel (compassionate honey) between Dicks Creek Gap and the Plum Orchard shelter. She tried to buck me up, by saying the rain would end today. The information from Amerio's weather radio said we have more rain for tomorrow. The Plum Orichard shelter, the last shelter in Georgia, is a unique design with a third loft folded into the overhang covering the picnic table in front of the shelter. It looked like it would be very warm in that upper loft, since it is so protected from the wind.The highlight of the day was crossing from Georgia to North Carolina. I have placed a image of Waterboy and me at the state line. We look pretty grim. It is an accurate expression of how we felt at that time. Next goal will be to do a hundred miles of trail. Today we saw rain, sleet, and high wind. By the time I reached the end of the day I was pretty wet. The shelter was full, so I pitched my tent fly. I managed to sleep dry with only a little issue of my sleeping bag end getting wet due to me shifting around on the air pad. Everything is a little damp due to the high humidity.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

We pulled out at 9:00 in the rain. It continued to rain until 1:00. My tent fly is completely wet, and my sleeping bag is slightly wet at the foot. I just packed the fly in a black plastic bag and dressed in my wet weather gear and off we went. During this rain, we have been hiking in the clouds. So you don't see much farther than 40 feet. It is also difficult walking. You have to constantly watch your step. The result is that even though it is pretty in its own way, you don't tend to appreciate it fully.When we reached Carter Gap shelter, I was able to lay out all my wet items and let them dry in the sun. It felt very good to have everything dry again. I slept in the shelter with Amero and Peggie. There was wind throughout the night, but the bigger factor was that it was just plain cold. I slept well, but the others suffered some. The Big Agnes air mattress seems to have been a very wise choice. It has made even sleeping on the boards in the shelter comfortable. Pray it doesn't spring a leak.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Happy TAX day. Today I climbed over Albert mountain and hiked over 100 miles on the trail. Albert mountain has a section of trail that comes close to a rock scramble. It is very steep and tricky. Luckly it is not too long. At the top is a fire tower and a panoramic view that is breath taking. While I was at the top I met a person from Athens, Ga who did a southbound thru hike last year. We talked about hiking while I ate my pitiful excuse for a lunch. I then called my wife, Susan, and caught up on the family happenings. All seems well except it seems the local cable guy was messing with our internet connection. When Amero, Peggie, and I reached Rock Gap shelter Waterboy had pressed on. So it seems our little hiking pod has shrank by one. We all hope to see Waterboy again. While we prepared for sleep, Jared who I had waited in the Atlantia North Spring Marta station for pickup to the Hiker Hostel walked in. He passed by and went to Franklin. The night was warm and wind free. I slept well with dreams of the delights of Franklin on my mind.
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Today when I woke up, I thought it was pretty warm. So I checked my thermometer. It was 36 degrees. Amazing how perceptions change with conditions. This morning we walked a 0.5 mile blue trail to see the Wasalik Popular. It was an impressive tree. Unfortunately, it is now dead. After visiting the tree we walked to Winding Stair Gap where we found trail magic provided by the Longview Baptist Church. We also met Ron Haven. He had his bus were ready to shuttle us into Franklin. Amero, Peggie, and I did our laundry (at Ron's hotel) and grabbed a quick lunch at the Micky D's. Ron then shuttled us to an outfitter and a grocery store. All of us are staying at Ron's hotel. Miss Janet is managing a hostel across the street from Ron's. I hope to go visit her and see if we can join them for breafast.Tomorrow back on the trail.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Left Franklin, and headed up the trail. At Siler Bald, caught up with "good Will" and ate lunch at the bottom of the bald. While there, we ran into an ATC sponsored outing of 5th graders from Franklin, who had hiked to the bald and were getting some training in outdoor skills. As we left, I ran into two small boys and their dad, who were lagging the main group by a bit. One of the boys looked at me real hard and asked me if I was a thru-hiker. When I said yes, he pulled a piece of bubble gum from his pocket and handed it to me. It took me back a bit. I thanked him for the trail magic and pushed on.When I reached the Wayah Bauld stone observation tower, I was greeted by an spectacular panoramic view. Way in the distance, farther than I would believe, you could see the tower on Mt. Albert. It was hard to believe that I had come so far. Met an interesting hiker, Guacha just beyond the tower. She is an Spanish major, who has done extensive traveling in SA. When I reached the shelter, Ameuro and Peggie decided to push on a few more miles. This would make their next day more managable. I however did not want to go on. So, I have lost the last of the small pod I have been walking with. Hope we can get together again down the trail. From the shelter log I can see that Waterboy came thru the day before - 1 day behind.Had my first encounter with an questionable substance. Got to watch the partakers blow up a lighter by mistake in the fire. HYOH.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Wayah Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Walked alone today, didn't expect to catch Ameuro and Peggie since they had a 4 mile headstart. My thoughts were this is the end of our little pod for me. I cursed the trail planners for taking us over highest possible ridge peak before dropping us into the Nantahala river valley, until I got to the top. At the top of Wesser Bald is an observation tower with a view which made up for the pain (well almost, lol). I had spent the day passing and being passed by Guacha. Her tail name means "cowgirl". I reached Wesser Bald shelter at 3:00. I had a decision. Should I push on to NOC (it was all down hill) or stay in the shelter. I could smell the hamburgers, so down I went. Hostels or town visits seem to be an extra incentive to me... I guess I'm a city boy (or hungry). Down hills are not my forte. I spend too much time watching where I step. Result is slow hiking. I reached NOC at 6:30 and walked to the "On the River" restaurant to get a place in the hostel. This is where you register after hours. When I walked in there was Waterboy, Ameuro, and Peggie eating dinner. I joined them for dinner and we traded tales. My water had run out on the way down to NOC, and I just couldn't suck down enough tea. I did give it a try. I ended up staying in the same room that I was in last May on the upper GSNP trip. After a long shower, I slept like log. We all decided to take a zero day tomorrow. It was good to be back with the others.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: NOC

To: NOC - zero
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

I went to the restaurant with Waterboy and had a traditional breakfast. He tried the one pound burrio. I think I came out ahead on this one. After washing clothes, I found that a mouse at the last shelter had done a number on my tent fly. There was a shredded section about the size of my hand. Luckly, I had bought some repair tape at REI just before I left. It is amazing stuff. I have now used it to fix my Wind Shirt (close encounter with alcohol flame) and my tent fly. My gear is definitely getting that "used" look.Picked up my mail drop and sorted though all the food. Put my extra stuff in the hiker box. My second pair of toe socks failed on the long down yesterday. Had to go to the outfitter to get another pair of socks and more repair tape. I am also getting a little paranoid about my water filter, so picked up an extra filter. To keep weight down, I went through my gear and sent a package home of my lesser used gear. Hope that the clothes decisions I have don't bite me back in the GSNP.Ate dinner with the group, and prepared for tomorrow. Had a good discussion about knee braces with "SNP". She recommends Cho-Pat dual action braces. I don't plan to get any, but it is something to consider. Shared the room with "Phatmandu", who is from Australia. He had some interesting tales of hiking the AT equivalent there. It is much shorter, but sounds like it might be a little rougher (less developed). When you are walking the AT, you can't believe all the trail maintenance that you see. There are many many man/woman years of love on this trail.Tommorrow's hike starts with a long up. After a zero, I can almost walk up stairs like an normal person.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: NOC - zero

To: Brownfork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

The assent out of NOC was not as bad as I expected. Waterboy and I originally expected to hike to Locust Cove Gap. After we reached the top of the assent, it started to rain. The rain was constant for the rest of the day. Locust Cove Gap just didn't look that appealing in the rain. We decided to push to the next shelter. I really wanted to get to the shelter, I hate dealing with wet tent the next day. The mountain leaving Stecoah Gap was a brutal "here is the mountain, there is the top" type of climb. Sometimes the slope seemed to be 80 degrees. The mud from the rain added to the joy. Generally, Waterboy and I walk about 30 minutes apart. However we were together for this climb. I was really glad to see the shelter. Us and another hiker who came in at the same time filled the shelter. This shelter had a Philmont type privy, box and a roof with no walls. Nice view of the hillside, but a little airy. The full shelter of older males made for a snore fest. I was told that I held my own, but I know for a fact that there was no slackers this night. In general, I slept well. The night was pretty warm. I keep going over what I sent home, wondering if I made the right decisions on clothes.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Brownfork Gap Shelter

To: NC28 - Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

The rain has cleared off. The plan was to spend the night in Fontana Village Lodge. After we made the climb from Cable Gap shelter, which was not as bad as the contour profile suggested, we were teased with views of Fontana lake and dam. I tried to get a picture of the dam through the trees with limited success. Around 3:00 I remembered that I had a mail drop and that it would be nice to get before the PO closed. I tore down the the final descent towards Fontana Dam, trying to beat the PO closure (which I thought was 5). Luckily no knees exploded. I reached the shuttle phone at 4:30, only to have a hiker waiting for the shuttle tell me the PO closed at 4:30. Anyway I got down fast. When the shuttle came I noticed an extra pair of poles, under the seat. They were Waterboy's. After I reached the lodge and told him where they were he was able to get them with little hassle. After washing off the stink, Waterboy and I whent to the lodge restaurant and had an excellent steak dinner and shared a bottle of wine. Ah, the life of a long distance hiker... The lodge is very nice and not to bad at hiker rates and a shared room. The problem is that there no cheap food restaurants at night. Waterboy and I both got separate rooms due to snoring concerns.Slept well after watching Scheller's list on TV.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: NC28 - Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Village Lodge - zero
Miles today: 0.0

After a traditional breakfast (not badly priced) at the lodge, Waterboy and I washed clothes and picked up our packages from the PO. We plan to stop at Gatlinburg, so we packaged up our extra food and mailed it to the Gatlinburg outfitter (Happy Hiker). I bought a cool max type shirt at the outfitter that was on sale for $8 and a cheap pack cover. I use a garbage bag for a pack cover or my poucho normally. I don't typically have a problem, but I had never seen a cover for this cheap ($11), so I went for it. I still seem to have trouble getting the food to pack to the next stop right. I always have too much. Since food is a major part of pack weight I would like to start getting it correct. My eating habits have changed and I am now eating a good lunch on the trail. This helps alot with my afternoon energy. Today I ate lunch at the biker bar/gas station down the road from the resort's property entrance with Waterboy. The fare is very limited (beer and hot dogs), but the folks were very friendly and the cost reasonable.One surprise and pain here at Fontana Village is that there is absolutely no cell service. I hope to use the lodge souna tonight. Ah, the life of a hiker.Ameuro and Peggy just walked in.
Date: 2009-04-17
To: great barrington ,ma.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

woke on the bus after not "really" sleeping. as most buses have bad exhaust,squeaky brakes, rattling windows, crying babies, and talky people. border patrol had boarded the bus near buffalo ny. they removed the puerto rican family with the crying baby and no papers.grabbed a flatbread from subway then on to albany,ny. i had a 3 hour layover. i got lucky as i walked around i found the deadheads setting up shakedown street! scored a couple of brews off of them then back on the bus.i got to g.b. got a grinder from 4guys pizza and a room from a 13 yr old at the desk? a shower to wash off the greyhound stink so i can get some trailstink tomorrow!
Date: 2009-04-18
From: great barrington ,ma.

To: mt. wilcox south lean-to
Miles today: 11.7

i got a $5 shuttle from the hotelier into a nice forested sunny day.good start, shorts and tee. grey squirrel,grouse, and a few weekenders. i did some trail maintainance today as i had time with the low mileage. snapping limbs and removing others. paying it back to the trail and forward to future hikers.(i watched "paying it forward" as i readied this morning). in the shelter with some older scouts who were happy to share a burger that evening, then cookies in the morning.thanks for the first day magic!
Date: 2009-04-19
From: mt. wilcox south lean-to

To: upper goose pond cabin
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

another sunny day all day. nice forest with plenty of elevations. i saw"cloudwalker". a section hiker i met 4 years ago in va. wow! the cabin i hiked to is closed for the season so i am tenting on their porch. back down to the pond as i have found seamonkey creatures in my water? i am back in such familiar surroundings it feels like ive been out a while and its only been 2 days. 1 tick on scalp, 1 mouse at the cabin. today i lost my bandana, found it, then lost for good. an 07 thru hiker stopped in with her son. good conversation but didnt get her name.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: upper goose pond cabin

To: kay wood lean to
Miles today: 17.5

my first #2 this morn! the owls put me to sleep and the wood pecker wakes me. it was chili all day. mass. had bad ice storms this winter and the blowdowns make it almost impassable. for miles at a time it covers the trail and drives you off of it. very time consuming. sun-up to sun-down bushwacking to get my miles. i got mad and ran thru it at times, getting wacked,tripped,and poked. i cursed the forest and even threw my poles.(so i could go pick them back up?). so the forest took my sock hat off of its clip. so dont curse the forest,it is listening. i found a nice new nalgene full of kool-aid and yes i enjoyed it. probably a weekender. i carried it north to the next shelter and left it (dont need it). the kay wood shelter is named after a 71 yr old thru hiker in1990. i am tenting alone inside the shelter. yes tenting inside! i also found an unopened clif bar! groundscore!
Date: 2009-04-21
From: kay wood lean to

To: cheshire mass.
Miles today: 13.0

cold and wet trail after night rain. hard day with too many blowdowns slowing me badly. its getting dark and rainy so i head in for a hostel. found a pub and a burger then walked up the road to a very nice retirees hostel. the mountain road farm. a nice barn with antiques,cabins,horses ,waterfall. no hot water yet as they are not officially open yet. always my luck. fell once today popping the button on my pants! must have been the bacon,egg,cheese in dalton!
Date: 2009-04-22
From: cheshire mass.

To: williamstown mass.
Miles today: 16.0

hiking by 7am ,very rare. fell and bent one of my poles. greylock held deep snow,as large, undermined slabs would collapse with me on them.i got to town and got my maildrop,new poles,and chicken sand. the outfitter and p.o. are here but the laundry is in n.adams mass. i am due for the wash so i hoof/hitch the 8 mi. then cabbed it back as it is raining. my feet are swollen hobbit like. only guest in the hotel. they are unfriendly here,(redwood inn) no mp3 charge,ran by cameras and 1 tenant? so a late walk to the grocery for chip/dip,shrimp!
Date: 2009-04-23
From: williamstown mass.

To: congdon shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

couldnt get out of warm bed to hike wet trail. 9am start. no town crap just got out of there. (money pits). mass snowed on me as i left and vermont welcomed me with even harder snow. last years base snow layer is still knee deep in spots. the beaver dams are amazing and scary. i am 10 miles into my 12th state. vt. state line is where the long trail begins north to canada. the a.t. joins it for 100 miles then turns to n.h.-me. my food bag is huge again, my boots are wet and my headlamp is low as it accidentally got turned on in my bag. a noodle and 2 clifs at seth warner shelter then on to congdon. i couldnt buy a single pole yesterday so i got a new pair. i packed my old 1 to this shelter for a future hiker not that jerk at the hotel.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: congdon shelter

To: goddard shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

the day started out sunny. couldnt get out of bag. got started and worked the moisture out of my boots (nice feeling). then the 2nd half of the day got bad. the trail was holding 2-3 feet of last years snow base. postholing,falling sometimes up to my waist,ripping my shins on ice,root,and rock. every step unknowing. hurting my back and neck. slowing me way down. barely got to the shelter before dark! scary and agonizing. you really have to want to be here! the next 2 mountains are even taller so i have to bail out until a later month. i was lucky to even make it up glastenbury. i will not push my luck and accept as the will of the trail. not my time. i could buy some snowshoes and still lose the trail. it is 4-5 feet at peaks. i met "trek". who i believe is the 1st northbounder. on his 7th hike he does not number hikers. he gave me lots of info on the area. bailout plan. he also met 2 parties descending glastenbury behind me for having lost the trail
Date: 2009-04-25
From: goddard shelter

To: bennington vt.
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

well it got up to 87 today and that did not help my melting snow problem. so i made the decision to head south to by pass these elevations. trodded down to the highway (10 miles) with wet feet once again. at a lower elevation met a nude hiker . weird. got a hitch to bennington vt.(not from nudey) got a room to get a new plan. it was tough retracing my way down knowing i will have to hike it once again to complete this section. at the kirkside motorlodge. a cheesegurger and the sox win. (really a cubs fan) bennington is another nice clean n.e. town.
Date: 2009-04-26
From: bennington vt.

To: manchester vt.
Miles today: 0.0

the new bailout plan is to skip 30 trail miles to lower elevations.woke early to find a more bus accesable town. no one had a bus schedule. not the hotel,outfitter,pub,or bus stop! the police printed me one though. 10;45am to manchester vt. a 0 day to dry out. hopefully the warmth and weekend will make mt. bromley passable. "trek" told me of the suttons place. a nice place (b&b) to relax. the sirlion saloon was to pricy so popcorn and laundry for the night.that is town crap will power!
Date: 2009-04-27
From: manchester vt.

To: peru peak shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

goodbye mattress and shower. got a hitch to the trail from a painter,former backpacker of the 70s. he gave me his card if things went wrong. sunny day good to return to trail. bromley ski area was neat with the chairlifts and skiruns. lower elevations were fine but still deep snow above 3000 feet. the last 3 miles were more horrible snow walking. in the shelter with trek again. lowering my mileage as the unpredictable spots have slowed me to around 1 mph!. i found some jiffy pop at the shelter and enjoyed it. now i have to pack out the charred trash. these are the rules. i left the ramen and ravioli for the next hiker. the animals will get the ramen!rain clouds are rolling in as the wind is picking up. i have heard some branches and trees fall. yes it does make a sound!
Date: 2009-04-28
From: peru peak shelter

To: little rock pond shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

slept in good after trek left as the stream was audible in this low dark valley shelter. slowing down with the mileage to avoid "killington" 3900'. many long breaks as it is'80 again. typical small wildlife of;newt,toad,snake,chipmunk,owl,squirrel,woodpecker,birds,butterflies. no moose only moose tracks. going extra slow watching things blossom,bathing in the streams. solo tonight and really cold for such a warm day.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: little rock pond shelter

To: minerva hinchey shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

got cold and had to dig out gear last night. my hat slipped over my eyes and i slept in until 9am! more butterflies,snakes,turkey,and flowers today. warming afternoon so i had lunch on a river rock.(feet soak). also a little bit of topless hiking(just me). lots of moose poop today but no moose? water source was low here, i had to use my pan. another solo night which is good for changing and bathing. found "warren doyle" in the trail register,on his 15th thru-hike! last night i just hung my food on a mouse hanger. with the noise i just heard off in the distance(probably moose) i am out to hang my food bag in a tree! the constant creeper outside all night was probably porcupine.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: minerva hinchey shelter

To: governor clement shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

slept til 8 as the birds tried to reclaim the shelter i told them to wait their turn. hiked 1/2 mile off trail to the "whistle stop" cafe.fuel for a couple good climbs. bacon,egg,hash,milk,toastmmm. short mileage on a nice '70 day again. i like my new plan! the gorge and its streams were nice today. i am at the crapiest shelter yet! .01 off the road it gets atv,snowmobile,hiker,skier,boyscout,weekender,partiers. i tent under the porch roof on my bed of leaves(insulation). the food is hung as the rain starts. a typical evening of;set-up,eat,map,hygiene,hang food,in bag,journal,radio if lucky. tomorrow-eat,walk,sleep-repeat. i am only staying here so i can attempt the summit of killington 4,235' probably snow. a climb of 3900' in 4.4 miles. if i can make it over the elevations it will be smooth sailing.