morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Woody Gap

To: Slaughter Creek 
Miles today: 7.4

As promised, the Hiker Hostel picked us up and took me back to the trail. Started hiking by 9 and again hiked most of the day by myself. It was another beautiful day for hiking. Passed several scout troups out for weekend hikes - all heading south. I had planned to stop at Woods Hole Shelter tonight, but could not find it. Saw the sign and started hiking down the trail, but it kept going - downhill! Not too far down I turned around and went back to the main trail. Looked at my map and the shelter was another half mile down and back the way I had come - No Way! The next tenting area was Slaughter Creek - a half mile in the right direction - so I headed toward it. A guy named Sean Sullivan had already set up his camp. He had passed me earlier in the day. I set up camp at the site next to his, he built us both fires as the bugs were horrible, and then we went down to the creek to get water and soak our feet. Felt great - cold but great. Hiking is tough! Especially the uphill and downhill parts - I do great on the straight paths. So far I have a couple of hot spots - one on each big toe - a painful bruise above my left ankle and abrasians on both of my hips. Not too bad considering . . .
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Slaughter Creek 

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, today did not go according to plan. Climbed Blood Mountain to find that a bear had gotten to everyone's food bags last night and had scattered stuff half way down the mountain. Left nice claw marks on the trees. Luckily all the people staying there were getting out of the woods today. Woke up around midnight last night to find that the rain had come in hard and our tents were being buffeted by the wind. Sean and I had planned to get up early but stayed in until around 8:30 before we broke camp. The wind brought in the cold temps as well. Did not go very far today. Got to Mountain Crossings where the trail actually goes through their building only to hear that it was recommended that no one tent in the area between them and Low Gap - 12 miles! Well that shot our day. Also, they were calling for temps in the low 30s with lows in the low 20s for tomorrow. After calling home to check in I decided to call my friend Elaine to see if I could stay with her for tonight and tomorrow. She came and got me so I am taking a zero tomorrow and she will take me back to the trail on Wednesday - which is supposed to be much better weather-wise. Thanks, Elaine! Clean laundry, dry clothes, a warm bed and good food - can't get any better than that.
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Neels Gap

Miles today: 0.0

Woke up in a real bed - what a treat! Thanks, Elaine, for picking me up and letting me crash at your house. We had a nice relaxing day beginning with breakfast at IHOP, a trip to Wal-Mart, back to the house for a movie and then to my favorite place for dinner - Marchello's Italian Restaurant in Buford, GA. In a word, WONDERFUL!
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Neels Gap

To: Chattahoochee Gap
Miles today: 15.2

Got up early this morning and Elaine took me back to Neel's Gap. Had to make 11 miles because the forest service had closed the shelters and campsites between Neel's and Low Gap due to hungry bears. As has become my custom, I started out by myself. It was about 36 degrees when I left Neel's and headed up into the mountains. There was snow all over everything (except the trail) and the wind was bitter as I climbed. With the snow and being by myself there was a genuine peace about walking through the woods - until you can't find a blaze and think you might be heading the wrong way. Then it gets a bit stressful. Luckily I was still on the right trail and kept going. Reflection: Even when you are hiking with someone you can still be very much alone.Today was a very hard day. I finally hooked up with some guys late in teh afternoon: Chester & Sam (father & son), two section hikers James & Jerrod, and two other thru-hikers Bob and Mark from Virginia. We all decided to push past Log Gap Shelter to Poplar Stamp Gap - never found it. Kept pushing on until we found a flat spot out of the wind that was big enough for all of us to stay the night - 15.2 miles total! Too much - I now have blisters!
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Chattahoochee Gap

To: Rocky Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept good last night, but had pushed too far the day before and am very tired. All the guys left without me - I was moving slow. Have blisters on 2 toes - 1 on each foot of course - and blisters on my right heel. Not fun but managable for now. Stopped at Blue Mountain Shelter - 2 miles - and rebandaged the blisters, updated my journal and called home to wish Mom and Dad happy birthdays. My next stop was Unicoi Gap where I ate lunch and talked with a nice man named Gary who is also from the Birmingham area. Didn't stay long. Just a nice break before climbing Rocky Mountain. Got to the place I was going to camp about 4:00 and began setting up camp. This was the first time I had to throw my own bear bag and believe me it is not as easy as one would think. I tossed that line about 10-15 times before I finally got it over a branch that would work - YEA!No one else is in this campsite tonight. Doubt that will last. Today was beautiful but they are calling for rain and thundershowers tonight with showers tomorrow. I hope the rain will stay away.
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Rocky Mountain Campsite

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

No rain last night - thank goodness, but woke up to rumbling. No one else stayed here last night. Started raining before I got everything in my pack. Rained ALL day long. The trail was slippery and squishy - YUK! Pushed out as fast as I could but finally stopped at Tray Mountain Shelter - hunger rules. Ate breakfast, checked my map and checked the shelter journal. There was a note to me from Dr. Bob and Red Shoes telling me to keep hiking. Thanks for the encouragement, guys. I did!Again, I pushed farther than I would have liked, but the rain did not let up at all and I was determined to sleep somewhere dry, so I pushed on to Deep Gap Shelter. There was only 1 person at the shelter when I got there, so I got a choice spot upstairs out of the weather. Since then, S&P and Mark (husband & wife), B-Man and two section hikers joined us out of the rain. It rained into the night, but at least I wasn't in it.
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided last night to take a zero day on Sunday in Hiawassee, GA. Called Mom and Dad and they came over to join me for the weekend. So glad! No rain today, but no sun either. Got to Dick's Creek Gap and got a ride to the Holiday Inn Express. Chore #1 - Take a shower.Chore #2 - Lay everything out to dry - all it wet.Chore #3 - Wash clothes.Everything is now clean & drying. Ate dinner at Daniel's Steakhouse - AYCE (all you can eat) buffet - Good Stuff!
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Dick's Creek Gap

Miles today: 0.0

Slept good last night - dry, warm and in a nice soft bed! It's Easter Sunday and we found a church (McConnell Memorial Baptist Church) to attend this morning. They did a musical program that was very good. Ryan, Mom is bringing you a program! First thing we noticed was that the golf cart driver had on jeans - we felt at home. Seemed like they welcomed any and every one. Good stuff. Rest of today will be spent reorganizing pack and choosing what to keep and what to send home with Mom and Dad, and relaxing. I'm a bit sore from a slip I had on the muddy trail yesterday. Did not fall but jarred my shoulder catching myself before I slid off the mountain. Rest is definitely in order. Hiawassee is a cute town so we will probably walk around a bit and take in the local flavor. It is a beautiful day today.
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Mom and Dad drove me back to Dick's Creek Gap this morning. Even though it was hard to leave them again, I am so glad they came! Needed to see them - was missing them. The weather service was calling for 100% chance of rain today, but it turned out to be a good day - no rain while hiking. It started raining after I got to the shelter. This is the nicest shelter I have seen so far - 3 stories. Got a space in the upper loft area. There are 9 of us here so far. Probably won't be anymore.Tomorrow I will finish Georgia and cross into North Carolina! I have hiked a total of 72 miles!
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

One state down! Crossed into North Carolina today. Left Plumorchard in the raining hoping for a short day. It was not to be. It was a good hike, again by myself. At the North Carolina line the weather cleared just enough for me to take some pictures of the sign and the Bly Gap Oak befor it clouded up again. Got to Muskrat Creek Shelter (my original destination) by 2:30. There were a couple of ladies there who had decided to take a zero miles day there and just hang out for the day. There was also a man with his two kids who were out for spring break doing a section hike. The two ladies kept trying to get the kids to be quiet; the man's dog kept trying to fight Mika (the husky); a weird, uncomfortable feeling. Several of us decided it would be better to just push on to more comfortable surroundings. I hiked to Standing Indian with Good Will, Limbo, Bird & Mika. We got here about 7:15, got tents set up, at and crashed for the night.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Last night was bitterly cold and the wind blew all night. It was 41 in my tent. I did not get in a hurry to move out because of the cold. Good Will and I finally left about 10:15 and walked together all day.Today was beautiful - sunny skies in the low to mid 60s. We had only one scenic overlook but it was worth the wait. We pushed past the next shelter as it was only 3:00. Stopped at Betty Creek Gap with Limbo, Birdy, Mika (the huskie), Mya and Good Will.
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to a loud crack about 12:00 last night. Found out later that Mika had heard something prowling around and had scared it away - thank goodness. Other than that, I slept well. We finally got started hiking about 10:30 this morning. Sometimes it is just hard to get up and going. I started out first and was quickly past by everyone. Hiked mostly by myself today & used my MP3 player a lot to pass the time. Scariest time so far: We had to climb Albert Mountain today. It is basically straight up a mountain of huge rocks. I almost fell off (at least once). My hiking pole lost purchase and I had to go to my knee to catch myself before I tumbled down the mountain. There was an observation tower at the top that you could climb up (without your pack of course). The views were incredible.The rest of the day was pretty uneventful. I had it to Rock Gap Shelter to find that everyone I had been hiking with had decided to push on to Franklin, TN to resupply. I could not push the extra 4 miles so decided to stay at the shelter for the night. My feet were hurting! Here tonight are Phatmandu (from Australia), Andrew and Bruce and Dot.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wine Spring
Miles today: 12.0

Phatmandu showed me how to relace my boots to ease some of the pressure on my toes. Hopefully that will work. Left the shelter this morning after Phatmandu & Andrew, but before Bruce & Dot. Got down to Winding Stair Gap to find trail magic from a local church - Dr. Pepper, brownies, pringles - YUM! Called home and talked with Mom for a little while - bad reception but good to hear her voice.Most everybody was going into Franklin but I kept going. Didn't need anything and did not want to spend any extra money there. As you climb out of Winding Stair Gap there was a beautiful waterfall that you cross via a bridge. Of course, I had to make a couple of pictures (coming soon).Got to Siler Bald Shelter and it was only 2:00 - too early to stop for the day, so I kept going. Got to Wine Spring by 6:00 - pretty spot beside a spring with the water flowing and flat camping spaces. Andrew was right behind me but decided to push on to the next shelter. I set up camp and was just getting ready to eat when Phatmandu came along. He decided it was time to stop for the day so he tented near me. Tried to get a camp fire going but everything was too wet so we gave up. Again, my feet are sore and I am very tired but it was a great day.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Wine Spring

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Very good day today. Hiked with Phatmandu all day. Our first stop was Wayah Bald Tower for gorgeous views and more trail magic - Dr. Pepper (2 days in a row!), Reeces Cups, a new bottle of water - provided by a young adults church group. The views from Wayah Bald Tower (1800's tower) were great. I would say we spent about an hour with them where they asked us all kinds of questions about what would be helpful to hikers (they want to start a hiker ministry and this was their first day). It was great. Before we set off again, they asked it they could pray for us - very special.We knew there was rain coming in on Sunday, so we decided to push for Wesser Bald. Had very hard climbs today, especially into Tellico Gap. That crazy mountain goes straight downhill with very few switchbacks. Thank goodness we did not have to do that in the rain. Only 5.7 miles to go to get to the NOC!
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light intensity drizzle

It starting raining this morning just after we got up. Thankfully we slept in the shelter and did not have to fold up wet tents. I did not sleep well at all last night. There were 3 other guys in the shelter besides me and Phatmandu - 2 of them snored very LOUDLY. Also I have a cold and my head was stopped up. Not fun. Of course, I forgot to take my cold medicine so had to get up and hunt for that about midnight.Today's hike was fairly short, but trecherous due to the rain. Roots are slippery especially when you are going downhill. We made it to the NOC about 12:30. I took a hotel room; Phatmandu is staying in the hostel. Once we got checked into our various spaces, we met for pizza at The River's End Restaurant. Good stuff with leftovers for dinner! We pooled our laundry and gave each other foot massages while we waited on the laundry. Felt good to tired feet.Called and talked with Mom and Dad for about 45 minutes and brought them up to date on everything. We have a ride into Bryson City tomorrow to update journals and hit the grocery store - thanks, Hannah! After that I need to go to the outfitters and see what's going on with my boots. I think they are too small and I am having lots of issues with my feet. Need to get that resolved quickly. The rest of the day will be for relaxing and repacking. I am headed toward Fontana Dam tomorrow.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: NOC

Miles today: 0.0

Phatmandu and I met for breakfast this morning at The River's End and then hooked up with Hannah to head into town. The photo processing machine was down so pictures will be coming later. So far we have hit the grocery store and are now at the library doing journals. Still have to visit the outfitter this afternoon to decide what to do about my boots.Good day off - kind of cool and cloudy. Looks like everyone else is heading out today, so maybe I won't have to fight for shelter space tomorrow.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Thanks to everyone who has signed my journal. You don't know what your thoughts and prayers mean to me out here.Ok, to finish the story, turns out I am in the right sized boot, but the lacing is all wrong. I have changed the lacing to start at the second hole from the toe instead of the first in the hopes of locking down the back part of my foot and keep my toes from "bottoming out" in the front.Today could not have been a better day for hiking - sunny with a light breeze and good company. Almost all of today was uphill so I am very tired tonight. Had to stop at a log to adjust my shoes and saw a stunning rock display (photos to come). Took a break there and then kept on a while longer and had a great view down into the valley near the NOC. The wind is strong tonight and the temperatures are dropping.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

It was very cold last night so I used one of my hand warmers. Worked well and slept good. Today was a much better day. My feet felt good and did pretty well on the uphills. It was a long day as we did not get into camp until about 6 pm and then had to rush to get everything done before sunset. I have really been enjoying Phatmandu's company. We are planning to hike together through the Smokies & then he will have to put the miles on to keep his schedule for having to leave the country. I will hate to lose his company.Tomorrow we will head into Fontana Dam. I have to pick up a mail drop from home, so we will have to push to get to the post office before closing time.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana HIlton)
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was beautiful. We camped last night with Quixote & Panza and Chicago Bear. The wind was horrible as we were fixing dinner and it was very cold. We figured we were in for a cold night, but the winds died down. This morning was gorgeous!We packed up and were out of camp by 9 am. The day started with some climbs and then we were headed downhill. We were pushing trying to get to the post office before it closed (turned out we beat it by 2 hours). Anyway, the trail leading down to Fontan was maddening. The switchbacks lasted forever and even though we could see the dam, we did not get to it for a good 2 hours. Very frustrating - long and drawn out.Got my mail drop (thanks, Mom & Dad) and we headed to the shelter. Turns out this shelter has shower facilities (yippee!) so I am now clean and happy. Phatmandu is going for a shower & I am about ready for dinner. It is 6 pm and 81 degrees.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana HIlton)

To: Mollies Ridge
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise over Fontana Lake. The temperature was in the 60s - clear and gorgeous. There were about 20 people in and around the shelter last night. Phatmandu & I tried to get an early start - left at 8:30. Had a bit of road walking before we actually got on the trail (had to cross over the dam - nice). Welcome to the Smokies! The first 4 miles was climbing Shuckstack Mountain - very hard. There was a tower on top however with great views. The rest of the day was a lot of ups and downs. We both ran out of water within site of the shelter - not fun. I was completely out of energy. Phatmandu thought of pushing on but I physically could not go another step. This is a nice shelter & will be full tonight. In the Smokies, hikers are required to stay in a shelter unless there is no room and then they can camp. Because of the warm temperatures, the black flies (or biting knats) are out - ouch! Hope they don't eat us alive!
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Mollies Ridge

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

I did not really sleep last night - just rested. There were no bears at our shelter, but we did see pictures of one that visited the shelter beyond ours. The only wildlife I encountered last night was a mouse that chewed my bootlace in two - thanks a lot, mouse!Today was a much easier day than yesterday. Not nearly as strenuous. We climbed Rockytop (5440 feet) and Thunderhead (5527) - 360 degree views (but did not take any pictures - nothing really noteworthy).These long days really take their toll on your feet and legs. Tomorrow will be a shorter day - YEAH! Looks like my plan for the Smokies is out the window. The terraine is difficult and I have planned longer days than I think I can handle. We'll see what happens. Since we have to stay at shelters, this puts a kink in things.Full shelter again tonight.
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Springs Gap
Miles today: 7.2

Slept good last night - thanks to earplugs. Phatmandu and I got an early start to try to beat the heat. The forest is beautiful! There are Spring Beauties, Trout Lilies and Bluettes blooming everywhere - a veritable carpet of flowers. We had a short day and got into camp at 1 pm. Had plenty of time to do some primitive washing of clothes & bodies. Everything dried in the sun & wind. It felt wonderful to laze the afternoon away. We are planning to get up early and hit the trail. We would like to see the sunrise at Clingman's Dome.Got to talk with Mom and Dad for a while this afternoon - good stuff! My feet are better. I am still very slow going uphill and am tired after a long day of hiking, but just taking it one step at a time.Thanks again for all the great messages & encouragement!
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Double Springs Gap

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Well, we did it! About 10-12 of us got up at 4 am this morning, packed up and hiked by headlamps to Clingman's Dome to watch the sun rise. Fun hike - beautiful sunrise. We did not stay up on the tower for too long though - the wind was extremely strong and it was very icey! My hands were frozen but I did not get out my mittens for fear they would blow away. The wind was pushing us around like we were straw.After Clingman's we hiked down to Mt. Collins Shelter for breakfast. Lousy shelter. We had thought about stopping there, but decided to push on. We had another beautiful day with mild temperatures and blue skies. My legs, feet and ankles are killing me after hiking over broken loose stones all day yesterday.When we got down to Newfound Gap (the Tennessee/North Carolina line), I told Phatmandu I was taking a break and took off my boots, massaged my fee and put on my Crocs. We stayed there for a good 30 minutes and it felt wonderful. We then pushed another 3 miles and called it a day.Oh yeah - - - WE CROSSED THE 200 MILE LINE TODAY!
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept great last night - no snorers! Crashed as soon as my head hit the pillow (my clothes bag doubles as my pillow). I did not wake up until the sun came out. There was a cloud sitting over the shelter and the valley so we took out time getting out of camp. We wanted the sun to burn off the fog for a photo op at Charlie's Bunion. Turned out to be beautiful! Got los of pictures & enjoyed the views. Today was lots of ups and down with lots of views. Had to push the miles so we can take a short day tomorrow. The way the shelters are laid out in the Smokies are either too close together or too far apart. We are ready to be out of the Smokies, even though we have had the most amazing weather. The shelter is full again tonight - 5 section hikers (3 guys from Jacksonville, FL, Cindy from New York) and a guy called Beaver (kind of on the strange side); thru-hikers Slapshot, James, Jack, Dude from NH, Randall, Phoenix, Wolfhound & us.