morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Wayah Bald 

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

I was the first up the next day since I was hobbling and knew about the mileage I had to do. Lots of up and downs... After lots of hot hiking and sweating I sat down, had a snack, and treated my near blood blisters. Cheif caught up with me around this point and we finished the rocky downhills into Wesser,NC (NOC). right on the Nantahala River.We both were outta H20 and when we hit our last gap found a great spring to drink from. AHHHHH refreshment!Upon arriving to the NOC, I noticed the outfitter was closed by about 20min.there was an employee inside and was kind enough to get my maildrop for me.My first one finally made it to me. Chatted a while with Chaco and Toesocks and then hit up the Rivers End Restaurant for dinner with Cheif, Slurpee, and Spiller.I got a bunk that night even though everyone was camped by the river way off in bumble woods down the train tracks. $16 for a bed, shower, and all the goods. Bought some St. Terese's Pale ale from the general store and had a great campfire that night. Cheif caught some speckled Trout from the river and fed alot of peeps.Walked back to my bunk that night and got lost in the thicket for awhile. Slept good since there were no snoorers around. 6 empty bunks and I could have fit everyone in there but they were all tented anyway.
Date: 2008-04-23
From: NOC

To: nowhere apparently
Miles today: 0.0

YES another Zero! Bummer.Woke up, doctored feet, walked down to meet the crew and were headed to breakfast.Rivers End gets more of my moolah!!!! Stocked up on some items from the outfitter: Batteries for the ailing Steri-pen.btw, steri-pens use batteries up really quick, esp. in cold weather. Then hit up some laundry and was just about to head out for a 13miler I believe but got caught up with Sky Hawk. that was my zero determining factor. This Native American gave us the Love Astrology workshop for like 5 hours. We were just so hot and tired after awhile that we all just sat around and listened. He didn't really force us to, its just we felt curious. "Everyone gather around, this will change the rest of your life"One of those sorts of deals.So later i got more beer and did some cowboy camping DOWN BY THE RIVER!wooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Date: 2008-04-24
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Breakfast = Rivers End AGAIN! DAMN....It was great though.Eggs, toast, grits, and coffee the southern treat.Got outta NOC to make Fontana in 2 days. Pretty easy terrain, some some different wildlife: a toad.It was getting eatin alive by ants. poor guy.Cheowah Bald provided some nice views and a good resting point.Another day of hiking without H20. tired, bored, hot, angry was sort of that day for me. got to stecoah gap and my map said water existed down this backass country road about 100yrds. got to it, no water, bummed and pissed walked back to the trail.some motorists drove by waving and I could see huge jugs of water in their hands.errrrrrSo from this point on is probably the worst I've felt all trail.Begging for life and just basically running thru the trail to avoid lightning storms with the combo of open faced rocks with no energy or water available.I think I did 2.4 miles in about 30minutes. My knees were hurting but didn't notice them too much just stomping down the trail. Adrenaline was my only friend.Before I knew it, BAM!The shelter.chugged 2 liters of water... cooked some broccoli cheddar rice and went to bed.Met up with Donny from the NOC, Richard, Panama Snail, and Jack.Odd shelter with the ghettoist privy ever! A toilet with logs holding up a roof...HA no walls at all. just right there behind the shelter in the open.UHHHHH, Tired.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Lake
Miles today: 12.0

Early start about 7:30am to get to Britt around 3pm.She is bringing me some fresh, home cooked meal. So I hiked hard and fast.Shelter break inbetween the day hike. Met Hippie Chick, The Poet, and Sonny. Hiked into Fontana and it was exhilarating. The marina had permits for the smokies. They must know exactly where you are in the smokies or its 500 bones. another 1.4 miles to the visitor center where I'm to meet Britt.NOTE:From this point on it was 2 lovely zero days at the Fontana Lake Resort area!Wouldn't change it for the world....This is the best part, the rooms are normally $190 but Hiker's special is $60. 3 days would be cheaper than one night for a regular tourist.We had the breakfast buffet: $12 pricy but ALL GOOD.The other eatery was the Wildwood Grill. All fried, fatty, juicy, and elegant hot eats. I bought a few Chili Cheese Burgers....SO SO SOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD! MAN ALIVE, really needed that. I had a yearn for some chili and cheese and burger meat so it all worked out. Oh yeah it was kosher and organic, just kidding They also had some beer on tap... StoneMill Pale and Highland Gaelic Aleswowza!!!!Britt was Awesomer! When I got to the visitor center she had a HUGE meal prepared for me: Organic Fried Chicken Tenders, Cornbread, Pasta Salad with squash, zucchini, corn, spinach, peas, green beans, carrots, chives, red peppers, and tons of Olive Oil, chocolate chip cookies, AND best of allSWEETWATER 420.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmI enjoyed it thoroughly Baby Visited the outfitters and bought some sock liners for better wicking effect for my feet and some new thorlos socks for extra comfort. $30 just for socks.The great thing about the resort is everything is within walking distance that we needed.there was laundry, outfitters, gas station, general store, 2 restaurants, hillbilly golf, disc golf, outdoor and indoor pools, internet (that didn't work), and much more that anybody would need. no real competition so prices tended to be high. It was a nice, quiet community with cabins for rent too.I got into Knoxville that night but got really nauseated from the fratalicious scene that we drove back to fontana. Curvy roads at 2am is not fun!got back and discovered the deal and was blown away!Great night in the best hotel I've ever stayed in..................................................................................................................................................................LOVE TO ALL,
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Fontana Lake

To: nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

BEST ZERO EVER!this is great...ok, there was this wedding rehearsal dinner at the rec center and Britt and I walked in with some High Life and played ping pong in the background of this fancy schmancy gathering. We didn't really fit in.Wedding crashers for the night!So one of the banquet servers suggested the notion of trying the food (to which was on our to-do list actually) and so I covertly huddled in and made my way through fried chicken, beans, corn on the cob, salad, rolls, and apple pie. yummers!we ran outside to indulge and to hide from our sins when the goody two shoes ass face man with the two-way radio came thru and asked what our purpose was and who we worked for..."well, uhhh, we're with, uhh, the clayton family""who?""mrrrghhh muffua muffah" <------mouth stuffed full of apple pie"what?""we, uhhhh, we're hungry""the groom says you're not on the list""really?""yeah, your not with any of the family?""we're thru hikers and just thought it would be alright""who said it would be alright?""nobody""if you guys need food I can help out on that""ok""we have two restaurants to choose from on the property""ohhhh...... yeah..... ok""just don't come back inside, ok""sure.... sorry about that"then we walk off with our apple pie stuffed!then we went for a swim and had some more beer!Britt and I are now the Rogues of the woods.True.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Russell Field 
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up at the Shelter at Fontana....RAINY! first rain so far and it was beginning to get really cold. Everyone was unmotivated but i had to push on, into the Smokies.Last night it was cheif, silent Prayer, Crutch, and Becca, Slurpee, "Bearded One", and a couple other day hikers. Had some oatmeal for breakfast and set out.....Sanford, Matchstick, Angie, Peter, and new guy Kyle (Outrageous Dinner) hiked into the smokies with me....A little drizzle as we began but mainly just foggy. While walking to the approach of the trail into the smokies this HUGE tree branch just fell at lightning quick speed to the ground in front of me. another few steps and I would have been toast.This morning was foggy mtn. breakdown combined with Misty mtn. hop.Got up shuckstack from way down low and it was a little toughy but the inclement weather made it nice and cool at least. Skipped the firetower b/c of the fog and hiked on. Hiked with "Outrageous Dinner" for the day. A nice guy from Indiana that has little experience on the trail but wanted the same thing i did.... to just experience the greatest feeling in the world!Stopped one shelter before day's end to Mollie's ridge to have some Kraft dinner and mix up a protein shake. Hiked on to Russell field shelter.when i got there it was a nice stone shelter with an inside fireplace with a cage surrounding the front cover. Kyle prepared his outrageous dinner of couscous mixture with tons of veggies. i cooked up some dehydrated dinner made with love from Britt. It contained carrots, peas, black beans, and peppers, and other goodies.Temps dropping..... Its gonna be a COLD one!before sunset we walked down to Russell Field where there are views all the way to cades cove. These areas were home to settlers that grazed stock, etc.Tonight's shelter had Matchstick, Sanford, Angie (now, Aisle 9), Peter, Outrageous Dinner.... Tommorrow is Double Springs Shelter but word on the trail is that 7 nancies are reserving the shelter for there lame "weekend hike" excursion. hopefully the temps scare them away! Nancies are people that come out for day hikes and clog the shelters for real hikers. So stop doing that and leave the woods to the real deals. That's my .02 though.enuf said.yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,
Date: 2008-04-29
From: Russell Field 

To: Double Springs Gap
Miles today: 16.4

It was 28deg. this morning and no one was ready to move or much less get out of their bags. This day held some of the best views up to this point. The ridgerunners are claiming that the temps are gonna warm up by ten degrees every day. That's real good news when you're standing there stiff from the ice showers the night before.Hiked thru the morning in fresh laid snow and white balds, ala spence field.Got up ROCKY TOP!!!!! Sang the whole way up and down of course....Got some great pics of the whole area and the rolling hills on both sides: TN and NC.....Thunderhead peak was about the same elevation and a quick crest walk from Rocky Top. It reminded me of the PCT being so high and not descending into a gap to reach the next mtn. top. As I hiked down the weather warmed and the sun shined a bitBy the time I reached Siler's Bald shelter I was needing some H20 and food...it seems like I spend much of my hike thirsty and hungry, but today my food supply was getting a little low since I was nearing Newfound Gap.I cooked up some mashed potatoes and a protein bar... purified the creek delight.This gave me enough to climb up Siler's bald and catch views of Clingmans and the TN valley. The next 1.5 to double springs was loaded with amazing views.Double Springs Shelter had a great H20 source right from the crest of the mtn. top.. Outrageous Dinner brought in some firewood and it quickly became the best fire of the journey. Dinner #2 was a dehydrated mixture from Britt of Black beans, celery, onions, peppers, and potatoes. I made this vanilla flavored protein shake for "dessert".These shakes can be a little much sometimes. It contains 42g of protein per 1/2 liter and it is really heavy on the stomach. Same crew as last night plus Richard, Nuclear, and 3 others. I slept really toasty tonight from wrapping up in all my layers and enveloping myself inside the bag.Newfound Gap tomorrow!!
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Double Springs Gap

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

actually best shelter sleep last night... 4 layers on top, 3 on bottom, 2 socks, beanie....the fire was still smoldering too.I quickly ate an oats n honey bar and set off for Clingmans...Hard climb up to the trail for being so early and tired.Clingman's Dome is the highest point on the AT!!!!!I got views from all the mtn. ranges I had been previously hiking and what is to come.... It was a cold wind on top so I got some panoramic pics and moved on for the next 8 miles to newfound gap.This became the best hiking so far on the trail. I was strolling down the trail with my camera in hand. The amount of views, the moss covered thick forest, the pine needles blanketing the soft ground. It was just more diverse than the previous hiking days.there were these beautiful aromas coming from the spruce and pine that freshened the air. The old growth trees had fallen but not from the trunks, but from the deep roots. They were laid over along the trail in huge form of circular dirt and roots. ROOTS RUN DEEP! Downhills are even getting easier...my step is improving and the knees don't hurt the same. Blisters are now hardened and don't bother me anymore. I'm feeling better about the terrain, not as much pain, and loving the home turf of the smokies. I got to the newfound gap and noticed a big cooler filled with trail magic. apples, oranges, and sodas. Then at the end of the trail, at the crosswalk, someone (I think Happy Hiker Outfitter), left a bag of food also. I got some summer sausage, clif bar, and a mountain house dinner....with more left for all the other hikers coming thru.All in all, best night sleep, best views, most diversity, least amount of pain, best weather, easy terrain, best pics, best trail magic, and I get to go into Knoxville and stay a day or two with my beautiful girlfriend Britt!!!!More to come..... much love
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Britt's house

To: nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

lounged around with Britt in K-town! soaked feet again, ate tons of food, saw Umphreys McGee at Sundown in the City (free event downtown)....Great time for a zero but will head out tomorrow for a big day....hoping to make 16 miles depending on weather and time constraints
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knob
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

getting prepared to set off for Newfound gap soon...had to update this journal from Franklin, NC which took some serious time.Don't want this to become so difficult so sorry for not being able to update sooner.Great to see you again MOM, Gary, Brittany, and all others I spoke to or saw.Umphreys played some songs I wanted to hear with Jeff Coffin too!Weather is clear for today but might change into rain on saturday, but keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't.I'll add to this when I get to Davenport gap in a few or def. Hot Springs when I get there.Two days from Davenport hostel and about 4 days to Hot Springs. Much Love to all,
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Newfound Gap

To: Ice Water Springs
Miles today: 3.0

Women really do have a way of disrupting plans I am updating for my boyfriend, Crest, since we spent a few days in the woods together. While driving to take Crest to the trailhead at Newfound Gap, we decided that it would be much better if I hiked the remaining 33 miles of the Great Smoky Mountains with him. And with a quick U-turn of the car and a trip to a great outfitter...we were off. We started at 8:30pm and hiked a spooky 3 miles to Ice Water Springs shelter in the dark. We arrived relieved and in high spirits. The rain was on its way though! But the rain isn't as bad when you have company
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Ice Water Springs

To: Cosby Knob
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a great day!After a breakfast of fresh fruit (crest an orange, me an apple)and oatmeal we headed out around 8:30. It only took about an hour for the rain to set in...but it stayed at a steady drizzle, mostly. About a mile in was our first stop - Charlie's Bunion. At an elevation around 5,500 feet with spectacular views of Mount Le Conte and surrounding valleys and mountains...WOW!!! I snapped a picture of Crest in the same spot that we had visited almost two years prior. We noticed, however, that they had redirected the AT to the right into the wooded area instead of around the edge around the bunion. Regardless, both of the trails met up in a few yards. We continued on for another 12 miles, gently rolling on the CREST of the Smokies and taking in the AMAZING views. Next, a stop at Tricorner Knob shelter for a hot lunch and some time to dry. We spent about an hour eating, chatting and generally enjoying being out of the rain (it had become a downpour during our stay). Onward 7 more miles to Cosby Knob shelter! The rain cleared and the sun peeked out of the clouds to make the last stretch of the day FANTASTIC!!! The entire day was full of great conversation, incredible views and since my boyfriend is a walking radio...good music too! (and if anyone knows why there is poured concrete on the top of a mountain between Tricorner Knob and Cosby...please let us know)We arrived at the shelter around 5 or 6. There were around 10 people staying in the shelter that night, one of which was a friend of Crest's named Animal. She had a knee injury several miles back and had recovered and caught up with her friends! We found a place to set up the tent, started a fire (with the help of a generous man and his fuel) and cooked a dinner that was too big to finish. We met a local also, a precious bunny munching flowers. The night ended with a back rub from my sweet baby, and being woken to the sound of pouring rain. Can't wait to keep following THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD!
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Cosby Knob

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

My last entry for you baby! I wish my trip with you didn't have to end!!!!We woke up to a beautiful day, ate some bars for breakfast and shook the rain out of the tent. We got a late start,(around 9:00) but there was definitely no hurry! Our first stop was Mount Cammerer to see the Lookout. It was 1.2 miles round trip off the trail. Even though the clouds and the hope for views were low, we went for it. The scene of the lookout atop of the sharp rocks looked like something you would see on the coast of Maine. We made some oatmeal, laid out the tent to dry and ended up spending an hour hanging out. By the time we left though, the sky had opened up and we saw paradise below! Onward and..um..downward on the trail. We dropped 5000 feet to get to Davenport Gap. Hell on my knees...luckily I have a great boyfriend (you baby!) and he went a little slower so that I wouldn't hurt too much. Once we arrived at Davenport (officially out of the Smoky Mountains) it was about 2 more miles to the hostile. A very interesting walk near the coolest river I have ever seen! Still more downhill though...We reach the Pigeon river, walk a half mile on a road, pass under I-40...and walk up a set of stone steps for the last half mile of our journey for the day. Make a left on the gravel road and walk 200 yards to Standing Bear. Standing Bear is a fantastic little place! We had one of the best showers EVER!!! It was a large "outdoor" shower with plenty of room for two They had a small store to restock in, with plenty of cola's and frozen meat products..but no fuel for Crest. I convinced my dear Crest to get some fuel in Knoxville (a ploy to keep him near me for one more night) and we called a local outfitter. Even though they would be closed before we reached the city, they lovingly accepted payment over the phone and hid the fuel outside for us to retrieve later. Thank you Jeff!!!!!! Crest went on the beer run to the convenient store, I cooked some food in the kitchen and we left around 10pm. We met a lot of great people there, saw several people get mohawks and thoroughly enjoyed our short stay!!!I dropped Crest off Monday morning...I love you baby...I hope you remember our weekend as fondly as I do. I am sad that you are gone, but I am so proud of you!!!!!! You have really molded yourself to the woods and taken in all you can. I believe you are getting the most of your journey. Until Oregon...
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Max Patch CREST
Miles today: 13.0

Started around 10:30 in the morn. hiked for a long while w/o anyone else on the trail. I ran into Sherpa man early in the day (within the first mile) but the rest of the day, it was desolation row I was so confused being the only person around for the 13 miles. Not even day hikers. Snowbird mtn. had amazing views, and an air traffic control tower that seemed out of place. It was another bald with great views and the sunny breezy weather topped it all off. from there it was nice hiking but again, as always, I was without proper amounts of H20. SOOOOOOOOOOOO thirsty I finally made it to Max Patch road hoping for some trail magic. None there but a small creek below the street saved the day! Hike up the Max Patch was easy and absolutely purrrrrrrfect!Some history:Max patch is an old homestead and logging camp that was originally forested but cleared to graze cattle and sheep. It has also been used as a landing strip...In 1982, the USFS purchased the 392 acreage and use controlled burns to maintain the appearance of the bald. It sits at 4,629ft and offers views of the Smokies and Mt. Mitchell (6,684ft) the highest peak east of the missisippi....word!!!!!so,we spent the night on top of the patch under the stars and hoped for a meteor shower that never happened but it was full of stars and the sunset is unmatched.love to all,
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Max Patch CREST

To: Hot Springs,NC
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Long day and got hard near the end.no water as usual but I'm starting to get around to quickly chugging some fluids when I can....Lots of bear problems as of late. This one bear has been approaching hikers and stealing food. no fear of humans is bad!!!! He's been around the Roaring Fork shelter, Lemon Gap, Walnut mtn. shelter, and campsites near Bluff mtn. Stole things from Animal, Donny, and others here in hotsprings!BAD NEWS BEARS!The hike into hot springs was some of the best besides the smokies....easy hike but painful on the feet. Gonna zero tomorrow and soak in the HOTTTTTT mineral baths there.Much love,
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Hot Springs,NC

To: nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

ANOTHER ZERO!!!BUT.....this town rules!Staying at a hostel that was built in 1840. Its great! Got to go now cause the outfitter is closing and still need to soak but love to all!Head out tomorrow in the rain for days!!! oh well its part of the deal, right??????AND one more thing, I've spent more money here than anywhere else....probably at every business possible.More to come,