morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-19
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: NC209 - Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 11.0

Scott's Journal:We started our hike at 8am to Hot Springs. My spiritual high motivates me to get there. There are no big uphills. The sun is shining. Dave started after us but passed us. He stopped to compliment us on our long hike and to tell me I have really accomplished something. We met Jim and his daughter Ginger near the French Broad River. They told us about the Dead Horse in Moab, Utah, where they had a religious experience. I hope to see it someday. The French Broad River is one of the 3 oldest in the world and one of 4 flowing north. Hot Springs is an awesome small mountain town and everyone was friendly to us. Chuck at the Laughing Heart Lodge takes good care of us and I know peace here. FlyMan and KeeptheChange here are both believers and we connected.Info from the hikers' call home: 9/19/13 Thursday - Day 84 on the AT - called at 10am from the top of an old look-out tower (fire-watch?) and they said they could see all of North Carolina! Also there is a cell tower right next to it. This morning they said their goodbye to Dave (AKA ¢Old School¢) because he would reach Hot Springs NC before them today ¢ he left camp at 6am and he was staying in a different hostel there. Then Tom and Scott are taking 2 zero days (in Asheville with Cassie) so Dave would be far, far ahead towards Fontana Dam by the time they get back to the AT.Met a father-daughter hiking duo from Asheville (Jim and Ginger)who gave Tom & Scott some tips on where to eat and what to do on their 2 zero days in Asheville. They said there is a 'drum circle' downtown in a park every Friday night where drummers just show up and have a drum session and it draws a lot of crowds. The guys are hiking 11 miles total today to the very small town of Hot Springs NC and will be staying at the Laughing Heart Hostel for one night.
Date: 2013-09-20
From: NC209 - Hot Springs NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up at the Laughing Heart Hostel in Hot Springs NC. Walked to the laundromat to do laundry. Met Gibby there (from LA)who was also doing laundry. He is a first-time hiker who started at Springer Mountain to hike north to NC, but when he reached NC he decided to just keep going. Had been hiking 25 days so far. He is staying at the same hostel.Cassie arrived in Hot Springs at about 1pm and picked up the hikers for a couple zero days in Asheville.Asheville hotel was in the downtown area and we were able to walk to restaurants, shops, etc. - and made it to the Drum Circle... at least the first 30 minutes of it!
Date: 2013-09-22
From: NC209 - Hot Springs NC

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Scott's Journal:We left Hot Springs from Laughing Heart Hostel. We enjoyed ourselves in Asheville for 2 zero days. We only hiked 3.2 miles to Deer Park Shelter. We met RevLee, DripDry, SlumberJack (Clara), Natty and Moxie at the shelter. We tented behind the shelter.Update from Cassie:After 2 relaxing zero days in Asheville NC, the guys had a huge breakfast at the Tupelo Honey Cafe. Both Molasses and Mac&Cheese ordered a double-stack of the famous pancakes and were surprised when the pancakes were actually bigger than the plate! Then we checked out of hotel and drove back to Hot Springs (45 minutes away) where I dropped them off at the trailhead near the Laughing Heart Hostel. They ran into Natty and Moxie there - hadn't seen them since Damascus. They are planning to hike to Deer Park tonight also. They got back on the trail at about 3pm for the short (but all UPHILL) 3 mile hike to the shelter. At Deer Park Shelter later that evening, they met some new people. Two guys section-hiking northbound to Erwin TN. Both live in Richmond VA -- Trail names DripDry and RevLee. Another hiker who showed up was Clara from Oregon. A recent college grad and novice hiker who was doing a section hike. She didn't have a trail name, but Tom and Scott named her 'SlumberJack' because she slept 13 hours (in a shelter!!)
Date: 2013-09-23
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Molasses and Mac&Cheese have not had any phone service for over 24 hours. Made it to Roaring Fork Shelter after an almost-15-mile hike. Met Marcus, a retired Air Force dentist, and Steve (Steak&Egg) and Steve's dog Ash at the shelter.Scott's Journal:Today's hike had a 2,100 foot climb. We hiked a total of 14.8 miles. When we arrived at Roaring Fork Shelter, we met Steak&Eggs and Marcus. Steak&Eggs had a little dog, Ash, who slept in his sleeping bag and squirmed when he heard mice. Natty and Moxie arrived at dusk to the shelter as usual. The shelter has a cooking counter on the side, helping keep out mice.
Date: 2013-09-24
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Green Corner Road 
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Update from a phone call from the hikers:Completed two 15-mile hiking days. Hike is on target to FINISH on October 12! Lots of phone problems the last couple days - no service even on mountain peaks. Very frustrating. Natty and Moxie have been with them the last couple nights and are at the hostel tonight. They are staying at the Standing Bear Farm Hiker Hostel near Davenport Gap, TN. Tom and Scott are in a small cabin. It has 2 double beds and a privy out back. Weather has been good the last couple days but rain is predicted for tomorrow. Tomorrow is also their first day in the Smoky Mountains. They will enter Smoky Mountain National Park first thing tomorrow for a 10 mile hike heading up 3,000 feet (probably in the rain!)Scott's Journal:We left the shelter and hiked to Max Patch Bald. The views were breathtaking 360 degrees. We continued forward to Standing Bear Hostel. Two dogs ran up and welcomed us as we arrived on a gravel road. Rocketman and Curtis were the care-takers.We ate DiGiorno Pizza for dinner and I spent time with Natty and Moxie that night. I found a bible and began to memorize Psalm 121, that I read at "Mom's Store" at Allen Gap. I slept well in a double bed.
Date: 2013-09-25
From: Green Corner Road 

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Day 90! Realized this morning they could not hike into Smoky Mountains National Park without permits, so Curtis Owen, owner of Standing Bear Farm Hiker Hostel, helped them print it online. Permit fee for AT hikers is $20 apiece along with a promise to not wander far off the AT as it passes thru the Smokies. Checked out of their cabin and headed into the Smokies towards their next shelter (Cosby Knob), with Moxie and Natty planning to join them later. Rained all day as they climbed 3,500 feet into the Smoky Mountains National Park. Soaked to the skin. Tom's new boots are great, but Scott's are a little leaky.Scott's Journal:We started early and met another father-son section-hiking team, Sam and Kyle. We started a 3,000 foot climb entering the Great Smoky National Forest. We stopped for lunch at Davenport Gap Shelter in the rain. We were wet, so we took our shirts off to dry. I didn't have rain gear, since I mailed it home. I am worried entering 6,000 feet elevation that I might be at risk of hypothermia. Tommy 2-Toes ate lunch with us and I enjoyed his company. We stayed at Cosby Knob Shelter with Kingfisher, Stinger, Natty and Moxie. The shelter is luxurious and big.
Date: 2013-09-26
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 12.9

No cell service all day. Hiking over 12 miles today to Peck's Corner Shelter. First had to go up Cosby Knob, and later Mount Chapman (6,417 feet) and then Mount Sequoyah (6,069 feet). Cooler weather and rain today. Tom's feet are snug and dry - new boots are holding up well, but Scott's feet getting a little damp. He has a crack starting in his boot unfortunately. On the way met a family hiking together - Jay and Robin and their daughter Margo and son John.Molasses and Mac got the last 2 spots in the shelter. In the Smokies, locals can reserve spots in the shelters for a night or two, and the rule is that 2 spots must be saved for thru-hikers. If more than 2 thru-hikers show up, and the shelter is full, the last thru-hikers can set up their tent. But they are not allowed to set up tents unless shelter is full. This shelter slept 12 people but there were 10 locals there! One group was made up of 7 boys and a camp leader, and there were also 2 other hikers who were together. So Tom and Scott took the last 2 spots on the loft, and when Moxie and Natty arrived (late) they slept in their tent, which they prefer to do anyway. Natty is an expert fire-starter and it was cold, so Tom was hoping he could get a fire started for all of them, but all the wood was so damp from the rain that even Natty couldn't do it. The Smoky Mtn Park shelters are pretty nice, and all have privies and also special cables for hoisting food out of bears' reach!Scott's Journal:We woke up and started towards Peck's Corner Shelter, 12.9 miles away. The Smokies are high elevation but leveled. The views are great with many photo ops. There was a youth church group at Peck's Corner when we arrived.
Date: 2013-09-27
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 92 of the adventure! There was an overlook on the trail today about 50 yards off the AT where they stopped to eat lunch. Several day-hikers came by and had lots of questions for the bearded thru-hikers!! At the end of the day they were getting ready to hitch a ride the 15 miles into Gatlinburg, and the first car that came by was a couple day-hikers they had spoken to at lunchtime - Brian and Kate. So they got a quick ride into Gatlinburg, which was great. After hiking over 15 miles, they sure weren't up for another 15 mile hike into town! When they reached Gatlinburg they checked into the Grand Prix Motel, not luxurious at all, but adequate! (Tom called it one step above a shelter!)Their food box was waiting for them at the motel office. They did laundry at the motel and cleaned up. Then they had dinner at an Italian restaurant on a creek nearby and ate outdoors on the water... Lasagna, garlic rolls, and salad. Later stopped at a general store and bought 2 pints of ice cream - Rocky Road and Cookies and Cream! There was a 3-story outfitter in town, larger than Atlanta's REI, called NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center). They bought a new fuel canister and Tom got a new pillow - said his old one was worn out.Planning to find a place to eat pancakes in the morning before leaving town, and then they will need to find a ride for the 15 miles back to the AT.Scott's Journal:We broke camp and headed for Gatlinburg to resupply. For lunch we stopped on Charlie's Bunion, a rock cliff formation with open views. There were many others doing the same. Kate and Brian, day-hikers, talked to us at Charlie's Bunion and offered us a ride into Gatlinburg later at Newfound Gap parking lot. Hitching has not been a problem. The ride into Gatlinburg is straight downhill. We met two older women who took our photo. We met Amish people towards the end of our hike that day. God blessed us on a beautiful afternoon. Gatlinburg is an awesome town, a tourist mecca.
Date: 2013-09-28
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Scott's Journal:We awoke and went out for a pancake breakfast. Samantha shuttled us back to the trail. At Newfound Gap many people asked us about our hike and we handed out trail cards made by Jim. We hiked to Double Spring Gap Shelter and met 4 Army men, two young couples, and Mom&Dad with a young boy. I repaired my boots with Gorilla Glue Impact Formula. That stuff really works well. The Dad at the shelter gave me 'funky flame' crystals to color a campfire with. I remember my Mom used it for me when I was a child. We climbed the Clingman Dome viewing Tower, but fog limited visibility.From a phone call home by Mac and Mo:Got a late start out of Gatlinburg because had to wait around for a ride to go the 15 miles back to the trail. Then when they reached the trail, they made a lunch stop at a lookout spot, which happened to be where a lot of day-hikers came through. Tom says they were an attraction there ("Look, Mom, thru-hikers with beards!") and several people came over to talk to them, ask them questions, and have their photos made with them! Hard to turn down a chance to be a celebrity, so they didn't actually get around to serious hiking till about 2pm.Around 6pm arrived at Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT, but it was foggy and the views were not great. The late start made them arrive late at their campsite, around 7:30pm. Much later than they like to arrive. But they got the last two spots in the shelter.
Date: 2013-09-29
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Scott's Journal:We broke camp, packed our stuff, and set our for Spence Field Shelter. We ran into Natty and Moxie at Siler's Bald Shelter. What a wonderful surprise! We ran into several northbound section hikers. On Thunderhead Mountain we spotted the 2,000 mile marker painted white on a rock. I have hiked 2,000 miles now and so has Natty. We stopped at Spence Field Shelter and it is empty. This is rare, because so far in the Smokies all of the shelters have had 4-12 people in them. Later Shepherd, a 2000 thru-hiker, came in. He told great trail stories to us with a friendly Southern accent. His soul exuded a godly light. Natty built a fire and I added funky flame crystals coloring it green and blue.Notes from a phone call home:Today is DAY 94 of the hike. Big day for Mac&Cheese today! He passed a marker on the trail that said "2,000" and didn't figure out until later that it was the 2,000 mile point from Maine. So Scott officially became a 2,000 miler today! When he reaches Springer Mountain on October 12, he will have completed the entire A.T. - 2,186 miles!! Way to go, Scott!Still hiking off and on with Moxie and Natty. Natty became a 2,000-miler today also! Congrats, Natty!! He and Scott high-fived each other when they both reached the shelter.Ran into a really interesting guy on the trail today - trail name 'Shepherd' and he carries a tall staff with crooked end. (but no sheep)He did the entire trail in 2000 and had a lot of great stories to share about it. He had hiked that year with some famous thru-hikers (famous on the trail anyway...) - the Barefoot Sisters, who did the entire trail without shoes and then turned around and went back the other way! And Tuba Man, who hiked the trail with his tuba! Shepherd was on the trail in May of this year and was planning to be in the Damascus parade with his 7 year old daughter, but on his way to Damascus he had a bicycle accident and shattered his elbow, and was in the hospital during the parade ... but of course therefore avoided either him or his daughter being killed or injured in the Damascus car crash this year.Stayed at Russell Field Shelter for the night. Scott's shoes, although wearing out in several places, are holding up well after he patched them with Gorilla Glue (at the recommendation of another hiker). Yesterday there were no views to speak of, because of dense fog. Today is the last day in the Smokies and it was clear and sunny so great vistas! Only 12 more days and will reach Springer Mountain.
Date: 2013-09-30
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 13.9

Scott's Journal:We broke camp and hiked towards Fontana Dam. We stopped short at a firetower and spotted the dam. Fontana Lake is beautiful. The dam is the tallest east of the Rockies. It was created to generate hydroelectricity to help build planes during WWII. We stayed at the Fontana Hilton and were able to shower. Everything is nice. We met Bubba, BearBait and DogTags.From Mac & Mo's call home:Day 95 - Hiked about 14 miles today and had some great views. Climbed a firetower - Shuckstack Fire Tower - for some amazing views of the Smokies in surrounding states and the Little Tennessee River. Passed Fontana Dam and Lake Fontana and took some great photos. Left the Great Smoky Mountains National Park today and also the TN/NC border area where we have been traversing back and forth between the 2 states, and now we are in North Carolina. Stayed at Fontana Dam Shelter, which is called the 'Fontana Hilton'! It sleeps up to 24 hikers and has hot showers and restrooms. Overlooks the lake. Stayed there with 5 other section-hikers.If all goes well, we are planning on reaching Springer Mountain on October 12.
Date: 2013-10-01
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 96. Hiked almost 13 miles and made it to Brown Fork Gap Shelter at 7:30pm which is pretty late. Shelter only holds 6 hikers, but tent-sites are nearby. There was already a big group there of 8 guys from a church group in Florida - Tampa area. But half of them were in tents, so there were two spots left in the shelter. They were on a section-hike together and had lots of questions for Molasses and Mac&Cheese about their long hike.You would think the US Government shut-down would not affect someone out in the woods -- but Tom heard from other hikers that Smoky Mountain National Park is closed now and rangers were making campers and hikers leave the park. That's the park they just came through. Mo&Mac are glad they are done with the Smokies and don't have to worry about Congress! Wondering what thru-hikers will do who have to go thru the Smokies to reach Springer Mountain. If they have been hiking from Maine to make it to GA, I doubt they would stop because the park was closed ...probably just stealth camp somewhere inside!Scott's Journal:We broke camp and started towards Brown Fork Gap Shelter. From Fontana we climbed 1600 feet up. We met BearBait's son, FireBug, with friend BoomBoom. Firebug burned his fingers playing in the campfire as a child. At Cable Gap Shelter we had lunch and met Wayne and Kathy, section-hikers. Kathy works for Harvard Medical Laboratory and Wayne connected with me on a spiritual level about God. At Brown Fork Gap Shelter we met 8 men from a church group. We had good fellowship that night.
Date: 2013-10-02
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: US19, US74, Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.0

Scott's Journal:We broke camp and headed to Nantahala Outdoor Center to resupply. First we ran into Legs. He warned us about a beehive up the trail. Later I was stung behind my knee. I was paranoid all the way up Cheoah Bald, worrying about bees. The views up there are great and the sun beat down on us. We made good time hiking without effort descending Cheoah to Nantahala Outdoor Center(NOC). We hiked 8 miles in 3 hours. We hiked 15.8 miles total. I remember as a boy my Mom showed me the AT section near the Nantahala Outdoor Center and told me this trail was over 2,000 miles long. Now here are my Dad and I hiking it!Message from phone calls home from Mac & Mo:Day 97!The hikers called home about 1pm while eating lunch on Chenoa Bald on way to Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC. Cell connection cut out 5-6 times during the call. Today¢s hike is about 1/2 way done ¢ doing 16 miles and have 8 miles to go, but remaining miles are downhill. That means tomorrow morning will be all uphill!Scott got another bee-sting today, on the back of his knee, but it was a solo bee ¢ At least this time he wasn¢t chased by bees. Met a guy this morning ¢Legs¢ who was from NC and doing a section hike. He warned about a bees' nest up ahead. Tom said they stealth-hiked practically on tiptoes in the area Legs mentioned, but thankfully never saw the nest - just the solo bee. Also yesterday met a couple of hikers who hike a section of the AT together every year ¢ Kathy & Wayne. Kathy was from Boston; Wayne from ____. Natty and Moxie had to stop to resupply ¢ not sure if they will make it to NOC tonight.Called later from NOC Base Camp ¢ hiked the last 8 miles today in record time ¢ 8 miles in 3 hours! It was all downhill, but it was still their fastest ever 8 mile hike. Arrived in camp at 5pm, picked up their food box and 2 packages for Scott ¢ his replacement hydration pouch from Osprey (No charge ... Thank you Osprey!) and another box from home. Then they got the key to their room ¢ a small bare but adequate room with 2 beds and no linens. Will be putting their sleeping bags on the beds. Bathroom with hot shower is in a separate building. They cleaned up, had dinner sitting outdoors at the restaurant and then Scott did the laundry. Moxie and Natty arrived while Tom and Scott were eating outdoors at the restaurant, so they made it!Getting closer to Georgia every day - finish day is still October 12. Thanks to all for the encouraging messages posted here in the guestbook!
Date: 2013-10-03
From: US19, US74, Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Wesser Creek Trail
Miles today: 5.7

Trail Update from Mac & Mo:Departed NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) heading southbouth for the hike up Wesser Bald. Made it up 3/4 of the way up the mountain, Tom in the lead on a narrow trail, when Tom's left foot gave way on a section of eroded trail, and his pack weight pulled him over the side of the mountain. He rolled down about 15-20 feet. Thankfully two other hikers were nearby (Michael and Patty) and they helped Scott pull Tom back up over the edge. Patty is a fire-fighter and former EMT from Florida. They were hiking northbound toward NOC. What a godsend they were! Dr. Scott used his first aid kit to patch up Molasses and then transferred a lot of Tom's pack weight to his own, so Tom could limp back down the mountain, returning to NOC to get his injuries evaluated and recuperate.Turned out there was an EMT training session going on at NOC (another lucky break!) and one of the EMTs, Johnno, offered to drive Mo & Mac to a local urgent care facility in Bryson City. Cassie arrived from home while they were at the clinic. After x-rays and treatment by the capable and friendly staff at the Smoky Mountain Urgent Care Facility, we stopped at a local Mexican restaurant recommended by Johnno - Guayavitos, where Molasses self-medicated with a gigantic margarita! Then we checked into the Nantahala Inn for the night, hoping to hike tomorrow.Scott's Journal: My dad and I ate breakfast in the Dining Hall. We met Natty and Moxie in front of the Outfitter and I ate a pint of Ben and Jerry's while they ate breakfast. We then ascended most of Wesser Bald to the "jumpoff" and my dad slipped off the trail due to eroding and crumbling earth. He hit a tree and then rolled to the edge of a rock cliff when his pack stopped him. He was on his back with his head down the mountain. Thank God 2 slackpackers just passed us and heard me call for help. The 3 of us tried to pull my dad back. I undid his pack straps but he could not take off his shoulder straps. Patty held his feet and Michael held me. My dad had super human strength and got up. He had a laceration on his right quad and a contusion. His iPod fell off the cliff. We found a hiker's pole near the cliff? Patty, Natty and I tended to his wounds.We tried to continue hiking, but after praying we were led to return to NOC. The hiking caused my dad's leg to bleed and swell. We stopped at a Gap after calling my mom and informing her of the situation. She was on her way! I transferred over my dad's food, clothes and some gear increasing my pack weight to 68 pounds. We struggled down the mountain but got there. John and Brooks, wilderness EMTs, checked my dad out. John gave us a ride to Smoky Mountain Urgent Care. They cleaned my dad's wound, stitched him up and gave him some prescriptions. My dad, mom and I stayed at the Nantahala Inn for one night and then in Bryson City at the Microtel Inn for three nights. We waited for my dad to heal and decide if he would return to the trail.