morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a cold morning. 26 degrees at 715, so I stayed in my bag till around 8, when it reached 30. I didnt see any movemnt from the other guys, but I was cold and wanted some oatmeal and hot chocolate.I ate, and carnivore joined me. Bud was up and about shortly thereafter. I was pretty much packed up, but no one else was too motivated in the cold. Next we all agreed to take our time, and push back franklin, nc till saturday. Even if I miss the post office hours, I can get food in town and have my food box forwarded ahead to gatlinburg or hot springs.We hiked up standing indian mountain, and enjoyed the view from up the side trail. Then it was super easy and very enjoyable hiking down to beech gap for lunch. As soon as we stopped we got cold, so we made another fire.After an hour at lunch, we continued very easy and enjoyable hiking up to carter gap shelter where we are tenting. It stayed cold all day, never getting out of the 30s. It felt like snow, and by 6pm iy started coming down. We built a fire and enjoyed the snow, about 2 inches now around 8pm.My knee feels great, as there havent been too many steep downhills to contend with. No uphills have made me feel like quitting. I feel like my legs are getting stronger every day. Our group now has 4 people, adding carnivore just before hiawassee.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin NC / Sapphire Inn
Miles today: 17.3

Woke up to 3 inches of snow. Not too bad. It was cold though. We pushed towards albert mtn, and received some well needed trail magic from fishin fred and gatoraide. Hot coffee and cheese quesadillas.Made the push up albert mtn, and then cruised to the 100 mile mark hiked. Paused for a break and then cruised to rock gap shelter. We decided to push towards franklin, another 4 miles. Warm beds and NCAA basketball games motivated us.Developing film in the morning, and picking up my maildrop. Trying to get back to the trail by 3pm.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Franklin NC / Sapphire Inn

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a crazy morning trying to get everything done, and working with the shuttles. Ron Haven and his crew really do an incredible service. Franklin is so spread out, that in order to go to the post office, food store, outfitter youd need a whole day on foot.Plus, one of his vans broke down which made getting out of town more difficult. We were ready to go by 1pm, but didnt end up hitting the trail till 430. 3 hours were spent sitting in the lobby of the sapphire, talking some golf with lone wolf.It was a gradual climb the 3.7 miles from winding stair gap to siler bald shelter. Temperatures were already below freezing to start out. By the time we reached the shelter around 6, temps were in the mid 20s. I was kind of frustrated at the lack of good tenting spots, when I could be in Franklin for one more night and an early jump on the day tomorrow.But we are here, and I can stay warm in my bag even if I dont sleep well on the slant. The weather channel in Franklin said 70s come mid week. That should bring much more comfortable nights, in the 30s atleast. Im not that big of a fan for winter camping. Hiking in the cold isnt bad, but doing everything once you stop is miserable in my book.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a freezing cold morning in the mid 20s and windy. I cooked right outside my tent while still laying in my bag. I was up and packed by 845. I got the other guys motivated, and met chewy from naples, fl. It was one hell of a walk up wayah bald, and still in the 20s. I lost feeling in my fingertips while taking some pictures from the stone observation tower. It took almost the whole downhill to regain warmth in my hands.Pushed on up a very wet and muddy trail heading towards the shelter. It was quite a climb for the end of the day. We passed a bunch of people on their way up. Once we got here, I decided it was going to be a shelter night for me. Whatever wind there was would be blocked by the direction of the shelter.Enjoyed a fire up on the ridge with the guys, then came back down to the shelter and received some heat from a nice fire mr. breeze had built. In my bag at 9pm, late night for cold weather camping. Its definitely warmer than the past few nights though. Probably in the mid 30s.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: A Rufus Morgan Shelter Tentsites
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Slept well in the shelter last night. No mice yet in my 3 nights sleeping in them. Woke up and ate 2 oatmeals, a bagel, and a hot chocolate. I could tell it wasnt as cold as the past few mornings.As we got going, the sun slowly started getting warmer. By the time we reached tellico gap, I was down to short sleeves. We climbed up to wesser bald, and it must have been close to 70 degrees.Had a great lunch on top of the firetower platform. Some familys came up and asked us about our hike. I havent gotten sick of answering people's questions, but I can see it happening.Made the descent down off the jumpup before the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Although there were quite a few of straight ups and downs over 100-200ft knobs that came out of no where.Since most of the services close at the NOC pretty early in the evening we decided to stop less than a mile from it. In the morning we will get a big breakfast, showers, do laundry, pick up a maildrop, and then head on towards fontana dam and the great smoky mountain national park.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: A Rufus Morgan Shelter Tentsites

To: Campsite past NOC
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: overcast clouds

What a great day. Woke up after the warmest night sleep in some time, outdoors atleast. Eveyone was motivated for the NOC so we were gone by 8am. Chewy was in the shelter alone, but was down hanging out at the fire the night prior.We made the .7 mile descent into the NOC, and had a huge breakfast. A shortstack of blueberry pancakes along with veggie cheese homefries, a coffee, and an orange juice. After we started our laundry, made some phonecalls, and then checked out the outfitter. I had 2 starbucks frappachinos, and to those at home you know how happy that made me.After our laundry was done, and I was finished packing up my maildrop, we headed back to the resturant for a big lunch. We saw chewy again, along with lonesome polecat. Lonesome polecat is an older guy from florida with little backpacking experience, but has made it this far and should be able to make it I think. At one point he was laying down horizontal on a rock icing his knee in the cold nantahala river infront of all the tourists. Quite funny, but I know how he feels.We left the NOC around 1pm, and started the long climb out of the NOC. It got really nice out, about 65. Carnivore and I needed water, so that was a great excuse to take off the packs 2.6 miles up the trail. It also happend to be a nice site with a fun climbable rock face. Definitely contained some type of dens for some animals at some point. We found ourselves some flat ground just past the rocks and the spring, and set up camp. Made a great fire, had bagels with olive oil and garlic salt toasted on a hot rock which was delicious. Comfortable night around 50, which means a great night sleep.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Campsite past NOC

To: Cody Gap Tentsite
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Had a very comfortable night sleep, temps were near the mid 40s. We got off to a pretty early start, 915am. We knew there was still lots of elevation gain, and wanted to do atleast 13.5 miles to brown fork gap shelter.Hiking was very enjoyable in north carolina, until just before the NOC. Lots of ridge and valley walking amidst 20ft tall rhododendrons. Now its all up and down. We seem to climb directly over lots of pointless knobs, with no views. Straight up and straight down is very tiresome.Choeah bald offered us a very nice view in all directions. After that we went up and over a few knobs, and then prepared for the climb out of sweetwater gap. That seems like the new winner for the hardest uphill. I was walking 50 paces, then stopping for breathe. I think I did that somewhere near 11 times going up that damn mountain.We arrived at brown fork gap shelter to a full house. The Breeze, who I stayed with at cold spring shelter a few nights before, was already on his cell phone right infront of everyone. We decided to push on.Arrived at cody gap tentsites around 7pm. Long hard day of hiking today. Atleast we did good miles in nice weather. Less than 10 miles to go to fontana village, our next resupply. Im looking forward to getting to the smokies.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Cody Gap Tentsite

To: Fontana Village, NC
Miles today: 8.8

Those uphills and downhills really took there toll on my legs. Not really sore, but very tired. It was a tough climb back up out of cable gap to the top ridge line above fontana. Each time we would ascend to a knob, there was another knob right behind it. I think there were about 5 false summits, and no views.We made it to fontana village, and all the rooms in the lodge were taken. I needed to take care of some things in the village, so I got a cabin.The guys were going to hangout in the vilage and then head to the fontana hilton shelter. After a big buffet dinner, they decided to stay at my cabin. Hope to be on the trail back at the marina by 10am. Smokies here we come..
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Fontana Village, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Enjoyed sleeping in a bed for the first time since hiawassee. Although, Ive been waking up in the middle of the night with numb hands, which is new to me. It started about a week into the trip, but I thought it was from gripping poles for 6 hours a day. Maybe it is, but I hope it goes away.We left the cabin around 915am and headed down to the post office and general store. I mailed home my frogg toggs, winter mittens, and and extra pair of thermals. I also sent some extra food to gatlinburg, tn and my bouncebox to hot springs, nc. Luckily they had frappucinos, so I got 2 and some snacks for breakfast.We got a shuttle from the outfitter, and were dropped back off at the marina where we left off. Good warmup hike of 1.4 miles to the dam. After checking out the dam, we entered the great smoky mountains national park.Tough climb up shuckstack mountain, but my legs felt refreshed from having almost 24hrs off. They needed it. We checked out shuckstack mountain fire tower, which I didnt climb. I think I have a little fear of those heights, with not a real solid foundation under me. I went up a to the 3rd stairwell and decided that was far enough. Albert mountain firetower gave me the same feeling back in GA. However the wesser bald lookout platform and wayah bald stone tower gave me no butterflies, probably because of the solid floor.I got water from the spring at birch spring tentsites and had a snack, then high-tailed it straight to mollies ridge shelter with mule leading the way. It was a good climb, but we made it here in time to get room in the shelter.Everyone staying here tonight is thruhiking, and the place is full. Gumby & cayote bec, Neffa from maine, the 4 of us, roadway and his girlfriend, and a few others whose names escape me right now. On the way up we actually passed 2 southbounders who started last august, and hiked through the winter. Crazy.Pouring down rain tonight after a comfortable day hiking with temps near 70. Supposed to clear out by morning and be nice out. Might give us a little late start, but we can still make good miles regardless. Today was a lot of climbing uphill, from 1710ft up to over 4600ft right now and we did the 12+ miles in about 4 hours, minus some break time. My legs are definitaly getting stronger.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Hard rain last night, nice and dry and mouse free in the shelter though. Rain must have stopped just before morning light, as it was very foggy. We left around 930, and the fog was already lifting fast as the sun warmed the air.Stopped for a snack at russell field shelter, and prepared for what the wingfoot guidebook said was a 900ft climb in 1.1 miles.   Luckily it was wrong, and the climb up to spence field wasnt bad at all.We took a good hour break at spence field, enjoying the sun and warmth. We saw what lied ahead, a climb up and over thunderhead mountain, an elevation gain of 600ft straight up a ridgeline. Nice views ontop of rocky top and thundehead mtns made the climb worthwhile. Nothing worse than a tough climb uphill that doesnt reward you with a nice view, or atleast take you over the summit.Crowded shelter again with the same crew as last night. Gumby, cayote bec, pi, neffa, roadway, critter, and the 2 older guys whose names I always forget. Carnivore and I are in the shelter, with bud and mule tenting outside. Nice night with a quarter moon. Going over clingmans mtn tomorrow, the highest peak on the trail at 6643ft. The day after that I pass over the 200 mile mark. The next goal is hot springs, nc. The first official trail town, and supposedly a nice one at that. I hope to be there in time to catch the last 2 rounds of The Masters golf tournament. Back to back zero hiking days might be the case if the timing works out.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Got off to a later star than usual becuase of daylight savings time. Most were gone by 830am, but we left around 10. Nice start to the day with easy hiking and nice weather. Stopped for lunch at silers bald shelter, and it started raining a little.Just after silers bald, heading up to jenkins knob, the forest started changing. Pines and evergreens along with a mossy forrest floor replaced the same brown forrest Ive seen since Starting in Georgia. Its a much welcomed change.The light rain ended soon, and the sun came back out. Made for a great climb up to mt. buckley and clingmans dome. Enjoyed the views from the ridgecrest and the observation deck of clingmans, and started the 4 mile walk towards the shelter.The forrest stayed nice and green heading up and over mt. collins. Arrived to a full shelter, some thruhikers from last night, sme section hikers, and an ATC ridgerunner.Since the shelter is full, Im tenting under some nice evergreens with bud and carnivore. Mule is tenting closer to the shelter. We watched as a lightning storm rolled by, just high winds for us. Supposed to be a potentially nasty night, good thing we go into gatlinburg, TN tomorrow.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: gatlinburg, tn
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Had very bad weather overnight, thunder and lightnng storms, hail, and lots of rain. I stayed pretty dry and warm all things considered. The trail was basically a wet, muddy, slippery mess from the shelter, all the way to newfound gap. We made great time, hitched from a very nice family from indiana, and got into town by 1130am.We ate some food, had some much needed beers, and even watched some baseball at the smoky mountain brewery. We decided to get a room at the grand prix motel so we could dry our tents and sleeping bags. Mule fell while hanging our tents on a line he strung up. Partly from the steep slope he was on, and partly from the 33.8oz giant mug of beer at lunch. Definitely good for a laugh though.Going to eat breakfast in the morning, then go to the post office and food store and get back on the trail. Weather looks dry for the next few days, and we want to do big miles to get to hot springs, nc asap.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: gatlinburg, tn

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: few clouds

Had an incredible breakfast this morning. Buttermilk pancakes loaded with tennessee blueberries, butter, coolwhip, and syrup along with hasbrowns and a fruit salad.   My appetite is definitely starting to kick in. We were all packed up and out of the motel by 11am, yet it took forever to get things done in town. We hit the oufitter so I could get fuel and carnivore could see if they could do anything with his slightly bent leki pole. No luck for him, but its not that bent, he can still use it.We breaked for lunch and a couple games of billiards at a sports bar, then waited 45 minutes for the town trolley to take us the 3 miles out of town to the post office and food store. By the time all was said and done, it was 520pm, and we still had to get a ride the 15 miles back to newfound gap from gatlinburg, and then hike 3 miles to the first shelter.While hitching, lots of cars were pulling over to check out a bear that was just off the road near town. People were getting out of their cars to take pictures. Figures we see our first bear in town, not while out hiking. We then split up for the hitch, since most cant fit 4 people at once, unless they have a big flatbed truck.We made it to newfound gap, and back on the AT by 6. Lots of families were asking us questions, and taking our pictures. We kind of felt like the bear back near town.Made it to the shelter around 730, after an easy hike up. Railroad and critter are here, along with some people out for a 6 day trip. Im in the shelter, as its around 30 degrees, and the shelter has a big tarp blocking most of the wind.Tomorrows goal: our first 20 mile day.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

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

Well our plan of doing a 20 mile day pretty much got thrown out the window due to the very cold morning. Temps down in the low 30s, with wind gusts over 35mph made it feel below 20. We didnt leave the shelter till 1030.We hiked hard, and the terrain wasnt too tough. We briefly checked out charlies bunion, but it was still very windy and cold. We pushed ahead and didnt break till we hiked about 10 miles.We planned on getting water just past pecks corner shelter, but we all missed it so we raced to tri-corner knob shelter. It was very nice, the wind had died down, and it was the warmest it had been all day. So we decided to dedicate the rest of the afternoon to lightening our food bags.Today we met Red, double shot, morning fit and outbreak. Also joining the party were railroad and critter. A father and daughter from ohio are also here on a vacation hike.Tomorrow we exit the great smoky mountain national park.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: State Line Branch Tentsites
Miles today: 16.9

It was a late night socializing with the new faces. Everyone was really nice, and it was a fun time. We got started about 1030 again, not due to cold weather though but instead the late night, 11ish I think.Real easy hiking today, made good time getting to cosby knob shelter. Stopped there for a snack, and the rain started falling. Nothing too hard, and it wasnt all that cold so it didnt damper anyones mood.We got all our rain gear and pack covers on and headed out, and the rain was practically stopped of course. Bud did slip on a rock, and landed on his chin. It was pretty bloody, and probably could have used a couple stitches, but he would rather not.Came out of the smokys, and the first thing we see are massive powerlines and I-40. A little depressing, but we get max patch bald tomorrow, and hopefully hot springs, nc on saturday. We are probably not going to get to hot springs till late in the day. I may feel like waking up super early on saturday if the weather is nice, and try to do a 19 mile day by 3pm so I can see the 3rd round of the Masters golf tournament, we will see.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: State Line Branch Tentsites

To: spanish oak gap tentsites
Miles today: 4.4

Had a very comfortable night sleep down here at a lower elevation. Warmer weather meant I could leave my sleeping bag unzipped half-way. We made it out of camp around 10am, with only a mile and change to go till standing bear farm hostel. We planned a little time to relax there, resupply on some food, and hike out.Once we got there, the sun came out and we were offered some beers out of the river. Big pizzas and an oven were also available, but they all had meat on them, so I was out of the loop. They were also out of ice cream, but curtis the owner is super nice and does an awesome job of providing hospbitality to us all.Rumor started that there would be a shuttle to a mexican resturant with a live bluegrass band playing. That sparked our interest, so the plan changed to a night hike after going out.Eleven of us ended going out at 6pm. The four of us played horseshoes for the last couple hours waiting for the shuttle van. I wish we spotted them earlier. We had a great time at the resturant, the music was incredible and everyone treated us super nice considering we all must have looked like foreigners.Then the night got interesting. We got back from dinner around 11pm, and started getting ready for our night time adventure. By the time we made it back to the trail, around 1130pm, it was already starting to rain. Heavier rains set in, and I was wearing my glasses still. I couldnt see too well, but just followed behind carnivore. Two other thruhikers also joined us four, supersize and doubleshot.After hiking an hour straight uphill, in pouring rain, mule found camping spots. Bud and I didnt like it, but the other 4 set up camp there. Bud and I hiked another 30-40 minutes, till about a mile before the FAA tower. Luckily the rain just began to stop, and I had seen some flat ground just to the left of the trail. It poured all night, with some lightning and thunder mixed in. Goodtimes.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: spanish oak gap tentsites

To: groundhog creek shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

What a wet night, but atleast not inside my tent, ninety percent dry atleast. I used my pack towel to wipe up some moisture around 10am, but my pack was standing on my packcover, in a pool of water.Bud and I decided to wait out the rain as long as we could, thinking mule and carnivore wouldnt be up and moving too early. Supersize passed us around 1030am, describing everyones wet situation where they camped. I'm glad bud and I moved on.Doubleshot passed next around 11am, and he looked miserable. He said that mule and carnivore werent really moving yet. We got our food bags down during a slight break in the rain, and had some snacks while still in our tents.Mule and carnivore made it to us around 1145am, but as soon as they arrived it started to pour again. Bud and I agreed that we werent going anywhere fast. I took a nap till about 2pm, after   hearing some hikers pass by. Once the rain let up, we decided to make a break for it. Packing up was going fine, then it started to pour again which made the process go even faster. Only my tent, my pack, and the clothes I wore hiking last night were wet. We saw lots of boy scouts heading up the trail to the next shelter 4 miles away, so I put it in high gear so I could pass them all again. I also passed a few thruhikers that must have passed me while I was napping. Everyone looked soaked.Mule and carnivore were here drying their bags by the fire that the first wave of boy scouts had built. Bud decided to hike on, hearing of some trail magic 3 miles up at brown gap. Hope he stays dry, because the rains have started again around 9pm.Im taking the dryness of my tent over the overcrowded shelter. Mice are scurrying already, since the scouts left food and trash infront of the shelter. No pictures of last nights tentsite, or anything else today due to the wetness. Hot springs, nc seems like a dream right now. I cant wait to get there, Monday for sure.