morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-30
From: Telico gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: broken clouds

Made it to the NOC and got a primitive cabin for $18. Primitive is just bunks no towels, linens or stuff like that. Had a great burger and they had Corona! So I had Corona....s. I freaked out spools who is 21, I had a blister on my heel, and took my big knife and jabbed it into my heel so the blood could drain. Told him guys from utah are tough. Hell he is walking on one good leg since he injured his meniscus. And he still walks faster than us. My old boots made hamburger out of my ft, but all is good. Told them don't count us old folks out. We have a hell of a climb out tomorrow. Today we climbed only 1800 but dropped 3300. Newton was wrong...what goes down must go up in hiking. I got my mail drop as did Rick. We laughed because we had these big ass food boxes, but no way are we carrying all that now. Same tone by the other hikers as well. Funny how ounces are like pounds now. Tomorrow we want to climb out of here and do abt 13 miles. Tough miles I think. But we would like to get to Fontana Sunday aft get a room and get ready for the smokies. Spools lost his wallet and another hiker went and found him and have it to him. Hiker family takes care of hiker family.
Date: 2012-03-31
From: NOC

To: Locust cove gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Made it from the NOC. The climb went forever. We gained 4000 ft elevation and dropped 1800 for the day. The weather held and we didn't get rained on. Last night we sat around and bs with the hikers in the common room. Mega pixel headed out so he can meet his wife next week. Spools ended up catching up to his friends. We ran into the three guys we haven't seen since the first day. Detour, slope, and sheep. We plan to hitch into gatlinburgh when we go through the smokies so we can buy them a beer since two of them are having b-days. it was ironic, because we wondered what had happened to them and then two weeks later they end up in the room next to us. The young hikers are interesting, pants on fire is 25ish and a history buff. Megan is hiking alone since a friend got hurt..she is 27, looks 19 and reminds me of my daughter. Smooth sailing is 50 and a seasoned hiker. He changed rooms last night when he heard that both rick and I snored. Gribbly is 21 and very articulate. Dropped out of college and feels like he is behind, but at 21 he has time to decide on what to do next.. Overall from what I've seen the class of 12 is a great class to be part of. They have the determination to go the route. As one of them said, you are a thru hiker until you stop putting a foot forward, then you become a section hiker. We are going to try and get close to fontana tomorrow, and in fontana by monday.
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Locust cove gap

To: 2 miles south of fantana
Miles today: 14.6

Hike was tough at times and easy others...good mix. We camped wth the same folks we did the night before. Good young group of folks. Weather held until dinner time, then it rained a few minutes. No cell, bsd for a while and hiker midnight hit at 0800. I'm still working on getting hrs of sleep in tent. A lot of moving around with old bones. Going to fontana dam, short walk, clean up have hiker rate hotel room for one night and hit the smokies on tues morn. Had a blister on each heel so each step today was fun. Rick's feet are doing good now. He has a sore ankle from being old.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: 2 miles south of fantana

To: Fontana dam
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: light rain

Made it to the resort so the old men can clean up and get clean clothes. The youngsters have moved on to the smokies. We are slow and enjoying the trip. Funny the fast folks pass us by and later that day or night or the next day we pass them. We just have to walk 10 hrs to their six. Hoping the feet heal a little today. Hi ms Debbie,20 years ago yesterday I bought you a beer and never left. Love you and thanks for supporting this effort. I think we are doing good ahead of schedule. My beard is making me look the part of homeless
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Fontana dam

To: Russell field shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Well we made it into the smokies today. Walking across fontana dam was awesome. Some steep climbs where you look ahead and the trail just goes and goes...and I suck air and more air. There were some nice flats and downs as well. We met Gunho and tag along yesterday. She remembered my post to her abt her husband. They gave us a ride in the morning to the trail, otherwise we would not have been here for another two hours and would have gotten caught in the thunderstorm currently taking place. I think it's going to be a chilly night, but all is good. Tomorrow is going to be another long day hiking, here's hoping the weather holds like it did today. Tent doesn't leak yet, so that is nice as well. Saw a doe with an injured foot today so she was abt 4 ft away when I took a pic. No other wildlife to speak of....squirrels and birds. Have a good hike....be safe
Date: 2012-04-05
From: Siler shelter

To: Gatlinburgh
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

we made it to gatlinburgh today. We hit the gap at 2 and had Hitch in 10 minutes. A nice gentleman from nashville. He drove us right to the hotel of choice. Today I took a header and my face flew past the sharp spike of the tree stump but my cheekbone hit the flat portion. After wiping the blood off I then made the stump into tooth picks. It'll never attack a hiker again. rained last night a bunch. A retired Col from the army was at the shelter with three boys on day one of three hiking and he had them sleeping outside with no tent. The rain started and it rained for a couple of hrs. By the time he took them into the shelter all their gear was soaked. The boys were crying.....I think they headed home today....I love the military, but army smart was not the case this time. Common sense over macho when it comes to kids. I had even told them it was going to rain but he said nope sky is clear. 20 minutes later sky was clear above the rain clouds. The trails were slick today....my header was the worst tumble of three. Rick fell on his side as well. For an elderly gent he was trucking today. We are taking another zero here since it is raining tonight so the trail can dry some. We need to replace some gear, get more food, dry things out, and eat town food. I'm hoping my wife keeps her job because I'm staying in town more than planned....but we are on schedule and actually keeping pace with spools, pants on fire, day star, and gribley. They are a good bunch of young folks. Some people are on the trail it seems to just get wasted. It is a shame that a few try to ruin it for all. Thats another reason why after the smokies I will stay out of shelters. I'm not much for some one getting ignorant in my face. I'm here to do my thing and they can do theirs, just don't try and mix the two. Still waiting for spring to come. Today it was nice to walk in the pines. Climbed 3 or 4 peaks over 6k. It was foggy so no views. Missed the trail magic because of the rain, but the thought of pizza made rick book through the woods. He was extremely unhappy when they had left......now we need to find out how to get a ride back to the trail on sat. If anyone has info on that let me know! First time in gatlinburgh. Food was good, bed is soft, life is good. My feet are healing, three nails have dropped, one to go. From close in my ft look like someone beat them, but they are much better. Take care....be safe. Hope my dads surgery on friday goes ok.
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Gatlinburgh

To: Gatlinburgh still
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Town is spread out but we caught some trolleys and got laundry and food done. Weather is supposed to be great this week. We need to get back on trail through the smokies and to hot springs. I still am experimenting with the food. I have plenty this time, probably took much, but need it to overcome some climbs.tomorrow looks tough, but doable. Then we do a few ups the next day over 6k and then we start walking downs out of the park. I think the park is pretty st the lower levels but for now its stil dead leaves. It was nice to see pines though. Coming from out west with big mts, I guess in a few weeks the spring willmake things good here as well. Most of the views were fogged in so hopefully we see some views tomorrow. The bears and pigs are out but no sightings per say.other than tracks and rooting. Down lower the springs and rivers are flowing and I did see some great water falls. ate tons of food today, breakfast, big 20 topping pizza, ice cream, and anything else that moved slowly and I could catch. Take care. Some of the hikers we know are in town and are starting till sunday. I have a date in Damascus so I'm ready to move on.
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Gatlinburgh still

To: Tri-corner knob shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

We got on main street at 745 am, walked two blocks and got a ride from a man and his son on the way to hike angel trail (?). It was nice of them to do that. The weather was great and the trail was awesome. It was the easiest 15 we have done. With town food in the belly, body refreshed from sleep in the bed, we actually passed day hikers on the ups, a first that we had passed anyone older than 7 or younger than 80. The trail was pretty with ferns and flowers. Just a great day, until we got to the shelter. It didn't have tent space so we set up inside. I swear never again will I ever, ever do that. I can still say I never have slept in a shelter, even with ear plugs two people snored so loud that no one slept much. It also got down to 30 something temp wise. I made a promise that we were hiking out of the park in the morn. overall the trail climbed over 5000 ft and we descended abt the same. I also got news my dad came out of surgery okay...tough 89 yr old. Be safe.
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Tri-corner knob shelter

To: Outside smokies, barely
Miles today: 17.0

Well it was our first 17 mile day. Motivation was to get the hell out of dodge and set up a tent where I wanted. We found a great campsite, running water under some nice green trees. The water drowns out I-40 which is abt half mile away. Hiked with thru hikers, juice, croc hunter, and spool most of the day. Spools and croc went after a burger and got a hitch there and back..12 miles each way. To be young and lucky. If rick and I tried that we would have had to walk back or the place would had been closed. Easter dinner consisted of roasted chicken (ramein noodles) yellow fin tuna (out of a pouch) and a loaded baked potato...ok instant potato. Hey it tasted great. So sherpa and I have been homeless for three weeks starting on week four. I have a date on 27 april in Damascus so now I plan to start doing bigger miles. Won't be too many short days until I know I can be there. The terrain doesn't look that bad....take it one day at a time. Coming down the trail today at abt elevation 2500 things just turned solid green, ferns, trees, flowers. It was awesome. So much better than dead leaves. The trail was again easy and well maintained. my thanks to the maintainers! Getting out of the smokies was a big accomplishment. The first few days on the park were hard and in the rain, the last few, colder, but nice. I'm starting to get my trail legs, not all there yet, but things are good. Spools and croc just showed up to camp, now a few of their buds as well,,, they are being quiet.....prob a smart move.looking forward to being in hot springs for one night on the 11th. A couple of hard ups 2moro, but doable. I told sherpa big miles in the future, I can't repeat what his reply was. I think my sherpa is striking. I wonder on Everest if they have that issue? We went up only 2200 ft today and down 6100....tomorrow should add a few to the up part. I'm tired and its only 7pm but no sleep yesterday, even for me wore me down. Overall I'm glad I'm here.I could be mowing my yard or some other honey do thing. Instead I'm camping. Life is great!
Date: 2012-04-09
From: Outside smokies, barely

To: Brown gap
Miles today: 11.4

Found a nice campsite and stopped. We wondered why packs were hanging in the trees, but no one was around. Later around 8 pm.we found out. Slack packers came in and till 10pm set up camp. I finally spoke up when they started cooking 3 ft from my tent. It was a cold night and I don't have winter clothes so I had hopped into my bag. Lack of consideration from some people no matter where you are still amazes me. Needless to say st 7am we didn't do group hugs or good byes. The wind blew all night long and it got into the 30s. Love my sleeping bag. Going to push close to hot springs. Trail is good, tough in spots and easy on some areas. PJ...beer count is low..total for trip counting weekend deb dropped me off...20. ! I plan to add to total in hot springs.
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Brown gap

To: Garenflow gap
Miles today: 15.5

Okay we stopped short of town, but will be thee by lunch tomorrow, then back on trail on thursday. Nice easy day. Tomorrow sherpa decides if he its staying on trail or going back to utah. if he stays he plans to hike his speed and miles. I'll plan to speed myself up and do longer miles and we'll meet on the trail. I want to start doing more 15-18 mile days. Rick wanted to walk through the smokies and now that is done. I'vebeen happy to have him along but over the last few days I've been hiking ahead and then waiting so, we'll see. Going to be cold tonight as well...and windy. Bott much else going on...hot springs to do laundry and stuff tomorrow. The other day we weighted ourselves, rick had lost ten pounds, which he didn't need to lose and I've lost abt 12. My pack weight with two days food and water is 22 lbs. I'm good with that. When it warms up I can drop another 2-3 lbs.thanks for all the comments. I'm mailing more pics home to deb tomorrow. Haven't seen spools got two days now, portion tomorrow in the town.
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Garenflow gap

To: Hot springs
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Made it to hot springs, had a breakfast to die for, either that or the eggs, bacon, potatoes and butter, will kill ya. Resupply, hotel for a night, mail drops and laundry. Sherpa has decided to go solo now that the miles need to increase. it was 40 and windy last night. Sleeping bag was worth evey penny I spent on it....right deb? Funny, we get to this big campground, and two hours later the slack packers from the night before show up...now this is huge long logging road grown over where you could walk hundreds of yards to set up camp. They chose to do it 10 ft from my tent....again. May they rest in peace. Some big hikes upcoming. Looks like weather will hold till Tuesday, which could be the time I'm going over some high peaks....kinda worried abt that, but not much I can do. I am worried abt melting in the rain....take care and jones....not certain I can add to the beer total here. So without any adult supervision I'm on my own tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Hot springs

To: Hemlock hollow hostel
Miles today: 16.3

To anyone planning to hike or is currently on the trail south of hot springs NC, you have to plan to take a night at the hemlock hollow hostel on log cabin drive....just awesome, hattie and fred are the best of people. I had a small cabin, bunk bed, fridge, micro wave, along with heat! For $25. I was able to restock my supplies, had a great dinner and a breakfast before getting a free shuttle back to the trail. Cell coverage was funny, at 2 am, my phone started buzzing, with messages. Then I turn the phone to look at it ande coverage was gone.The trail had a steep climb out of hot springs and then a lot of small ups and downs. It felt strange not having rick at the start of the day. I hope he is feeling better. I'm not certain he is on the trail or not so let me know.
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Hemlock hollow hostel

To: Camp ground 
Miles today: 16.9

I'm laying on a flat piece of ground watching the sunset and listening to a hoot owl tell me I'm not supposed to be here. well since it is friday the 13th, I'll pass on some old news. My heel, achilles that had bugged me for years and I mentioned in my prep entries, has been bugging me since blood mt, but I've dealt with it. Over the last few weeks though it has gotten worse, which is why I'm getting to erwin and a walgreen, since my doc has some meds for me there. In damascus I plan to wear my isolation boot for a few days (debbie is bringing it) to see if I can get it to calm down. For about 200 miles my left heel feels like I just stepped on a 8d nail on every step. Today for a few hours it felt good. I'm trying a ton of things. Hiking on the trail I never have had one sore muscle from the hike. I prepared for this big time. So I'm a little depressed when this thing could stop me. Half the time I'm telling myself ft forward, ft forward, which takes all the fun out of the hike. I want to walk virginia, end of story. I'm limping like old grandpa mccoy at times, but I'm giving it my best. I think I have 37 miles to erwin. Once I get the meds, I plan to take a zero day and not walk any where....laundry...nothing just to rest it. Tuesday is supposed to rain anyway. I never mention the heel because its not AT related. as long as it loosens up, I can go forward, but at times the AT is tough with two good ft, walking on one plus 1/2, makes it interesting. Trail today went from straight ups to easy ups, straight down to long winding downs, crawling over boulders to walking down an old road. I'd love to make it to NH to walk the rocks there. Ran into the three peace corp young men. Good guys, they could see me limping so I told them my issue. Then when they stopped at the shelter I came walking in about the time they were leaving. I think I earned their respect today.
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Camp ground 

To: low gap camp site
Miles today: 14.1

tough miles today. All of the ups were billy goat ups. I'm going to start earlier tomorrow to avoid the heat. Last night was not too cold. I've had interesting luck on camp sites. Last night I thought for certain I would have it to myself but at 10pm someone with a dog set up their tent next to mine. two people at the end of the gully let their two dogs run wild all night barking at everything. They came up to my site around midnight. So....tonight I have walked up a hill, I don't think you can see me from the trail. So who knows who will drop in.....I'm 21 miles from erwin. I have a couple of straight ups to start the morning, gain 500 ft in .8 mile and 1200 ft in 2 miles. After that I think it levels off some. Lost my map today on the trail so no gps since rick has it, so I'm going from the book for now. New map after Erwin. I did get trail magic at Sams gap. I demolished two hamburgers, chips and three gatorade. I got there just when they were wrapping up. Great people.....drove an hour to get there. Met some folks that are trail maintainers at the shelter and they had some young boy scouts that were going to work on the trail and camp over night. Seeing stuff like that sort of humbles a person. a great group of people young and old. I'm hoping to do 15 miles tomorrow so I have a short hike Monday. Since I'm walking different I've got a few blisters, but I have stuff for them. Heel today felt better....I'm learning how to not hurt it. Now once both feet become nothing but tough skin from blisters I'm set! sunset last night was awesome. Sunrise this morn was nice as well. Well I need to get water, and figure out dinner. Hiker midnight is going to come early for me tonight until I get my next guest. Take care and God Bless everyone!
Date: 2012-04-15
From: low gap camp site

To: Erwin
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: clear sky

Good trail. Just kept pushing. Last few miles took forever. Hopefully my last 20, I'm not a fan of those big miles. I got lucky I had a guy on the bridge fishing give me a ride to the super 8, which is close to walgreen, but in another zip code to the AT. When I say close, within a mile or so. Funny how things can change. I'm proud of how I got here. I've seen three people at the hostel that I passed two days ago and they never passed me. But yet they are here. I guess they took the road in. When I came to the road it took everything I could muster to go up the hill instead of hitching. No one would have known except me, but morals and being a stubborn pollock kept me moving. I had no intentions of pushing to town, but it was hot, I was low on water, and I dont think staying overnight would have been a good idea. The first six miles went fast, the last .3 took forever. I can honestly say that a couple times this week it took everything I had to go forward. I hope the meds work. I'm staying here till wed, it is supposed to rain and I pushed so I could rest..there is that pollock logic I'm known for...in my warped world. I ordered dinner, chicken wings, med meat pizza and ny cheese cake...and 2 liter of pepsi....I didn't eat lunch today, afraid if I stopped I wouldn't move again. Good night to all. I hope that all that aspire to walk the trail do so...each has their own adventure, their own reason why. Dont measure the adventure in miles. Food is here.
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Erwin

To: Zero in erwin
Miles today: 0.0

Erwin is spread out but I was close to the walgreen, and laundry. I bought food to carry me down the trail two days and for the hotel. Jones, no beer count, on drugs for a few days. I've trimmed my beard to look normal again. Okay I'm never normal looking. Ran into the peace corp guys at the hotel. They plan to move on later today. On the way back from shopping I ran into gato, at mc d's. I had my 1500 cal lunch. I can't quit hiking, I like eating all these foods I cannot touch when not hiking. Rick is just a day behind me. Not certain how he is walking shorter days like he said he planned to. I was surprised he was at low gap. Old man is booking. I'm hoping to hit the trail early wed. trying to contact Ms Janet, who shuttles folks around to get a ride back to trail then. Trail looks good after we get over roan mt range. First day out of town will be all ups as usual. Take care I'm going to take a lazy day starting now.