morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-05
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Cotton and I hiked the whiteblazed trail over the snowy and icy Blood Mtn. It was beautiful but scary descending the ice covered rocks down to Neel Gap. The hostel was full but a college student working for Mountain Crossings said we could catch a ride with him into Dahlonega when he got off from work and ride back with him the next morning. Mountain Crossing is great. I picked up my food drop and Baltimore Jack did a shakedown of my pack. He was able to lighten my load and helped me set up a bounce box to Franklin. He also showed me some food tips. I met Miss Janet and she is great. She is running the hostel and wanted me to stay for the food she was cooking. I really enjoyed visiting most of the afternoon. These are the trail experiences I will never forget. After Cotton and I got to Dahlonega we split a room at the Super 8. It was a little depressing to be right back where I started Sunday night like I'm just going around in circles but the heated room and hot shower made me get over it.
Date: 2010-03-06
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

Heading back to neels gap this morning feeling a little under the weather. I'm going to take it easy and see how it goes. Made it to Low Gap shelter about 4 this afternoon. Was a nice sunny day but snow has turned to ice and it's tough hiking without crampons or yaktraks. A group of hikers arrived after me and said that Mike was about 4 miles back. Hope to hook back up with him.
Date: 2010-03-07
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I missed Mike yesterday. He never showed up at the shelter and I was afraid something had happened to him. I decided to wait at the shelter a little while this morning in case he had stopped last night and camped before reaching the shelter. A group of SOBO hikers came by and said that he was about a mile ahead of me darn it. I took off and boogied to try and catch him. At about 2:00 this afternoon I finally caught up with him at Blue Mountain Shelter. It turns out that he passed Low Gap Shelter late yesterday and camped about a mile past it. His knee is bothering him so we are going to take it easy. We decided to call it a day and camp on Blue Mtn and make for resupply tomorrow. First night that I have used my hammockNOTE: I am Bama's (Robby's) grandfather and am writing and updating this journal as he contacts me. I am correcting this entry and the one that follows. When he called me from Hiawassee I just assumed that he had gone to Dick's Creek Gap.
Date: 2010-03-08
From: Blue Mountain

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: few clouds

After breakfast we broke camp and descended to Unicoi Gap just north of Helen, GA where we met a couple that was section hiking and were waiting for a shuttler to pick them up. We decided to catch a ride with them into Hiawassiee and get a room for the night and shop for a knee brace for mike along with food and fuel. We got a room and the Mull Motel and shared it with a fellow hiker, Holy Smoke, from Pennsylvania. We were able to do laundry, pig out at the Mexican Restaurant next door and shop for resupplies.
Date: 2010-03-09
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We decided to slackpack today. The shuttler dropped us of at Unicoi Gap this morning and loaned us daypacks. It was a beautiful day. I hiked in shorts even though there is still snow on the ground. We climbed up and down all day. First over Rocky Mtn - 4017 ft, Tray Mtn - 4430 ft, Kelly Knob - 4270 ft and Powell Mtn - 3850 ft. The views from Tray Mtn were great. The trail after Tray mtn looked as if it were hit by a tornado and I cleared large downed limbs form the trail all afternoon. We made it to Dick's Creek Gap late in the afternoon after a 16.6 mile day. We encountered our first Trail Magic - a cooler of soft drinks and fruit at Dick's Creek. The shuttler picked us up and we headed back to Hiawassee for another night at the Mull and restaurant food. We may take another day off to let Mike's knee rest and wait out these thunderstorms. We are in no hurry as we are here to enjoy this experience.
Date: 2010-03-10
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well Mike, Holy Smoke, Cotton and I decided to hold up here in Hiawassee another day to wait out the storms. We checked out of the Mull and went to the Holiday Inn to take advantage of the jacussi and the continental breakfast. When packing up I discovered that I only had one sock, just like at home something always eats socks. Had to go to the Buckhead House outfitters and buy some more. Now just taking it easy probably going to head out tom to the first shelter after a hot breakfast of course.. I dont understand all this hot tea buisness ill take mine iced and sweet please
Date: 2010-03-11
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Started out from dicks creek today conditions are horrible to say the least visibilty is abt 15ft or less wind is cutting threw me like hot knife threw butter... Raining pretty badly but after keeping a good 4mph pace I got here at plumorchard shelter it's pretty cool the loft up here has windows I'm gonna stay here and hold out on the rain for today...Tomrw we gots to get to standing Indian well I'm gonna make some coffee and eat some grits I'll post more later
Date: 2010-03-13
From: Plumorchard shelter

To: Standing Indian shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

I left the shelter early today around 620. It was a beautiful start then it started raining then sleeting then hailing then the snow. So a miserable miserable day but I made it to Standing Indian Shelter which was pretty full but I had a good night. On the way to Standing Indian I stopped at Muskrat Creek Shelter for a rest break and a snack. I was the only one there and after dropping my pack and digging out some snacks I heard a snorting sound around to the side of the shelter. I thought it might be a deer. I stood up and peered around the shelter only to be face to face with a bear about 15 yards away. As soon as he saw me he bolted and ran in the direction of the trail. In just a few minutes another hiker came in and shouted excitedly "Did you see that bear, did you see that bear?" Unfortunately all of this rain finally got my camera so no photo.
Date: 2010-03-14
From: Standing Indian shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

Awesome day with just fresh powder as far as the eye can see. The snow stopped early this morning and it was a great day overrall except for the climb up Albert Mtn. It was a pain but I was behind on time so that and the thought of getting an ace bandage was too great lol, so I kept pushing on. I guess I passed mike at Carter Gap Shelter. I made it to Rock Gap Shelter at 510 where I met two other hikers. Before reaching Rock Gap I got off the trail and went down to Standing Indian Campground only to find that it was closed. So I had a huge hike back to the shelter but luckily a trail angel named Tony, his wife and two girls picked me up and gave me a ride back up to Rock Gap. Tony's wife gave me a bologna sandwich and some snacks which pretty much saved my exausted butt so thank you Tony and your wife for being extremly kind and generous. Best sandwhich ever ate lol. I made it to the shelter and I stayed the night there at Rock Gap Shelter. Going to catch a ride tomorrow into Franklin, NC where I have a mail drop from home.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Rock Gap Shelter 

To: Budget Inn, Franklin
Miles today: 0.0

Caught the shuttle from Rock Gap into Franklin this morning. Ron Haven the owner of the Budget Inn in Franklin is a good friend to hikers. He runs a free bus shuttle service to and form several trail locations and Franklin. He owns three motels in Franklin where he offers hikers special rates and free town shuttles. Franklin is a very friendly hiker town. A great place to resupply, do laundry, get a shower and a night off the trail. Mike and I had a mail drop here from home with food and other supplies. Mike caught the afternoon shuttle from Winding Stair Gap and we are together again. We will head out tomorrow morning for the NOC in Wesser, NC. The NOC is the Nantahala Outdoor Center located on the Nantahala River. It is an outdoor mecca for whitewater, mountain biking and hiking. This is where we will get our thru-hiker permits for the Smokies. A permit is required to stay overnight in the Smokies and you are required to stay in shelters on the AT through the Smokies. We should reach Fontana Dam at the south end of the Smokies this weekend. It will be our longest stretch without resupply. It is 70 miles through the Smokies with only one possibility to go into a town, hitch the 28 miles into Gatlinburg from Newfound Gap but under the present snow and icy conditions that road is probably closed. We heard that it was this past weekend before the first hikers where to able to make it through the Smokies and it took them 13 days. Snow has been chest deep at the high elevations and most have had to either turn back or bypass the Smokies.
Date: 2010-03-16
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Late start today. Had to skip the 4 miles from Rock Gap to Winding Stair Gap so me Mike and I could stay together this time lol, but it was easy hike in... dreading the walk out of the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center). We should get there in 2 days hopefully. Stopped at Siler Bald Shelter for the night. There was a nice gentleman there name Heartwalker and another guy from Atlanta. Then about 10 pm some spring break students stumbled in after hiking trail in in the dark. The had whiskey and came to celebrate St. Patrick's Day here tomorrow.Weather forecast looks bad for the next few days, hoping it's not though. Thanks for all the kind words everybody. Keep em coming. I need all the postive thinking I can get lol."Life is better here.. in the cool mountain air on an Appalachian trail"-Yonder Mountain (40 miles from Denver).
Date: 2010-03-17
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

A terrible day today, the worst trail conditions with constant ice, knee deep snow, overcast and cold with 25mph winds. Conditions were so bad I decided to stop after only 7 miles and stay at the Wayah Bald Shelter.The two spring break hikers were there to celebrate Saint Patricks Day. They had smores, cinnamon graham crackers, large cookies and cream hersheys bars and shared withe everyone. I ate four smores. Sofa King who hiked the trail in 2008 came in and got a fire started by climbing dead trees to pull off the dead branches off. Thank goodness for the snow because he fell out of one about 8 or 9 feet and the snow cushioned his fall.
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

The snow is finally starting to melt. I rolled my ankle pretty badly and fell to the ground in pain. I lay there for a sort rest and then pushed on. I made it to Cold Spring Shelter and felt I could not continue. Layed out my pad and sleeping bag and crawled in. Scruffy came by and said "boy dig down deep and press on". The sun came out so I packed up, removed my shirt, put on shorts and gaiters and took off again. I made it to Wesser Bald Shelter where I caught up with Mike, Hollywood from TN and Natedog from Boston. That night Mike, Hollywood and I decided to try and hang together through the Smokies.I couldn't get to sleep so I dressed , put on my headlamp, grabbed by pad and hiked up to the top of the bald where I lay and watched the stars until I got cold.
Date: 2010-03-19
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

It was a great hike this morning into the NOC. Six miles down the Jump-off in the SUNSHINE with some great views. Made it to the NOC around noon. Stayed about and hour. Had a double cheeseburger at the Burger Shack with onion rings and cooled it by the river with some new found friends and a beer. Checked out the bunk houses and discovered some apples and oranges in the hiker boxes.After the break Mike, Hollywood and I started the long 3000 foot climb out of the Nantahala Gorge. It was tough. Every time you thought you had reached the top there would be another climb. We reached Sassafrass Gap Shelter around 6:00. Heartbreaker, the nice gentleman that we met at Siler Bald Shelter Tuesday night was there. Tomorrow we are going to do about 16 miles to Cable Gap Shelter. That will leave us 6 miles to Fontana Dam, the southern entrance to the Smokies, where my grandfather is going to meet us.Thanks everyone who has signed my guest book. It means a lot to me.
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

It was a long up and down hike to Cable Gap Shelter. We encountered some trail magic at Stecoah Gap. A plastic bag with brownies, nutter butters and swiss rolls was was hanging on the stair railing leading up to the road. It was a nice sunny day. I passed Mike and Heartwalker at Yellow Creek Gap and when I reached Cable Gap Shelter it was crowded. I counted seven tents and four people already in the shelter. I had gotten there just in time to claim the last shelter spot but I paid for it later, I had to sleep next to Buzzsaw from GA, the loudest snorer that I have ever heard.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Hikers Inn
Miles today: 6.6

Woke at dawn. Hollywood and I ate a handfull of GORP and took off to cover the 6.6 miles before the rain hit. I hate maps. The map showed one big climb that turned out to be six straight uppers. Finally reache the steep downhill stretch to Fontana. Pushed too hard on the downhill trying to beat the rain and hurt my knee but I finally reached the picnic area parking lot and spotted my grandfather's car but he was anywhere to be seen. I had to walk downhill to he Fontana Hilton (hikers trail shelter) where I found him talking with a hiker from England. It sure was good to see him. I gave him a big hug and we walked back up to the car where Hollywood was waiting. About that time Heartwalker arrived in time to meet my grandfather. We had to wait a few more minutes for Mike. We loaded our packs in the car and off we went to the Hikers Inn where my grandfather already had us rooms. We changed into our rain gear so we could do laundry. Nancy, the owner, collected our clothes and took them off to wash and dry while we showered. After our showers we took off to Robbinsville, NC to a Mexican Restaurant for a big meal. After that we went grocery shopping for our supplies to get us through the Smokies. My grandfather had brought us a care package with some of his high calorie (800) protein breakfast shake mix and his peanut butter, honey and powdered milk bars.Back at the Hikers Inn we set about repackaging all the food to go in our packs. As we expect it to take us close to 8 days to get through the Smokeys with the current trail conditions our packs are heavier.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Hikers Inn

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Awoke this morning to more snow falling but at least I was in a nice warm room with a bed but it felt funny not packing up and hiking on. We just lay around drinking coffee and watching TV for awhile but finally we started moving and getting gear ready because my grandfather had to drive back to Alabama today, about six hour drive. We put our packs in his car for him to drive us back to the shelter at Fontana around 10:00 am and it was still snowing. We had planned on just spending the rest of the day at the shelter and get an early start into the Smokies tomorrow morning. My knee was still bothering me and I felt I could use the extra rest before starting the LONG, HARD six mile climb up Shuckstack into the Smokies. The shelter at Fontana Dam is called the Fontana Hilton as it is one of the nicest shelters of the entire trail. It sleeps 24 and a bath house with hot water is nearby. We had bought food the day before just for the shelter stay.We drove back to Fontana Dam and to the visitors center first where we had to self register for the Smokies. Overnight camping in the Smokies require a permit and without one you can be fined. Normally you call the Park Service and make reservations in advance and pick up your permit at the Park Service office near Gatlinburg. A special arrangement is made for AT thru-hikers to fill out their own permit at either end of the Park before entering. The Park Service defines a thru-hiker as someone that starts and ends their hike at least 50 miles before and after the park. Driving down to the visitors center we met Buzzsaw. He had walked down to the dam looking for a ride into Fontana Village but as the visitors center is closed during the winter no one was there. My grandfather agreed to drive him there after he dropped us off back up at the parking lot. We filled out our permit, rode back up to the parking lot, unloaded our packs, said our goodbyes to my grandfather and headed back to the task at hand, walk to Maine.After my grandfather left I discovered that I had left the charger and battery for the new camera my grandfather had brought me back at the Hikers Inn. The phone number for the Inn is posted there at the shelter and I hike back up to the parking lot to get a signal and called Nancy at the Inn to tell my grandfather the news. About an hour later he made it back with the charger and battery. It seams he is always having to bail me out of some predicament. There were several hikers staying at the shelter for a rest break and we had plenty of company and stories to share. With all of this new snow falling I'm sure that the Smokies will be hard.
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I did not sleep well last night. My knee ached all night. It is swollen some this morning. Hollywood, Mike and I agreed to separate for now. I would stay behind to rest the knee because I would just hold them back. They would head on out this morning and I would catch them later. Sofa King's shins were bothering him and he decided to take another rest day also. He would hike the Smokies with me as it is not a good idea to hike the Smokies alone under the winter conditions up there now. Mike and Hollywood ate breakfast. Mike gave me one of the knee braces that my grandfather had given him and off the went. I spent the day mostly reading the book that my grandfather had brought me, "A Walk Across America" by Peter Jenkins. He did this in the 70's and he passed through Tuscaloosa where I am from. Met a number of other hikers that came in today and strolled around some to stretch the knee.Sofa King, who hike the trail in 2008, suggested that we head out early tomorrow morning and aim for Spence Field Shelter 16.7 miles away. There are two shelters before the Spence Field Shelter but Sofa King says we can make it the16.7 miles because after we climb Shuckstack it will be ridge walking. I remember my grandfather saying that he stayed in the Spence Field Shelter in the 80's when he hiked the Smokies. He said he had to ride out a bad storm there and had to rescue a foster parent couple and the handicapped boy that was with them. They were hiking up from Cades Cove and the boy injured himself and would not continue. The couple were trying to make shelter with a nylon tarp in the 45mph winds and rain. The teenage boy and girl and nine year old girl that was with them had hiked on to the shelter. When they told of the situation my grandfather got dressed, put on his rain gear, and took off to find them. He carried their gear back while they helped the injured boy to the shelter.Another story I remember him telling is about the night he spent at Mollies Ridge Shelter, a skunk decided to get in the sleeping bag with him. Fortunately he did not get sprayed and the skunk did not stay long. My grandfather said that the skunk probably could not stand the smell of his feet LOL.Well at any rate Sofa King and I will tackle the Smokies tomorrow bad knees, shins and all. This will be my last chance to update this journal for about a week while I am in the Smokies. I hope to have some great pics to up load when I get to Standing Bear Farm on the north end of the 71 miles of the Smokies.Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, "...holy cow...what a ride!"
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well it did not go well this morning.Got ready early and followed Sofa King. Knee really hurt on the climb up from the shelter but I pushed on hoping to work it out. After crossing Fontana Dam we started into the Smokies and the big climb up Shuckstack. Knee was really hurting and holding me back. I knew then that I would never make it the 16 miles to Spence Field Shelter. I really did not think that I could even make it to the top of Shuckstack and if I did I would have to camp there or worse have to come down and downhill makes it hurt even more. I bid Sofa King goodbye and proceeded to limp hack to the Fontana Hilton. On the way I collected ice (plenty to choose from) and am now back at the shelter trying to ice down my knee. I sure hope that I can hike on it tomorrow. If not I will have to hitch into Robbinsville or Bryson City to try and see a doctor. I have enough food for one more day here before I will have to dig into my planned Smokies food. I think that Heartwalker will be back here tomorrow ready to continue his hike. Maybe I will feel up to hiking with him but if I need to see a doctor maybe I can get a ride with his wife when she drops him off.Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Thought I was gonna leave this morning but Nomad and Hank convinced me otherwise lol. I stayed again here with my new friends from South Carolina who helped me not have to dig into my food or use any funds, so I guess I was happy with the decision, besides I am def leaving tomorrow lol.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: snow

I was the first one leaving out this morning. Started today off with the greatest trail magic ever. I got a double. First a man and his wife and dog stopped and asked if I was hungry and of course like all thru hikers I'm always hungry. He opened his trunk and had Krispy Kreme donuts, Reeses Cups, Snickers, Cinnamon Buns, apples, oranges, bananas, and cokes. Oh my goodness. I stuffed my hands full and said thank you very much and then went on down to the dam where a very kind Christian man stopped me and started asking me questions. You know the usual but then he said he wanted to help me and he gives me a snickers with a $20 bill. I tried to hand it back but he wouldn't take it. After the 3rd time trying I could tell this would be like trying to give money back to my nanny so I shook his hand and said thank you very much. He said he would pray for me and then he was on his way. By this time Jaybird and Fish caught up with me so I hiked to were the trail began it's climb up Shuckstack and let them go ahead because they're faster than me with my bum knee. I eventually caught up with some springbreakers and hiked with the guy of the group I called the leader. We made it to Mollies Ridge Shelter around 4:30 and since it was my first day hiking in a while I stayed there and waved bye to Jaybird and Fish. I met a great ridgerunner named Carl who was really a joy to talk to, so much info in those guys.