morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: scattered clouds

At Cable Gap Shelter there were 7 of us crowded into a space designed for 4. There I met "Wild Rover" from Penacook, NH. He's a former Marine and gunsmith. Last night I really wanted a hot meal so I used my knife to cut away the wet bark from the sticks and twigs I gathered for my little wood-burning cook stove. It worked and I got a nice fire going to cook my Knorr dinner with butter & herbs and Butter Buds (Thanks for the idea, Susie!). After a long, wet day, all downhill in wet, slippery conditions, it sure did taste good. This morning I did not cook any breakfast because everything was saturated with water outside. I left the shelter at 8:00 AM and was the first from our group to arrive at Fontana Dam about 3:30 this afternoon. I am staying at the Hike Inn. The woman who runs it has already washed and dried all my clothes so I am clean and dry! She mentioned to me that the 30 miles between the NOC and Fontana Dam are considered the most difficult part of the Southern Appalachians. So I guess I wasn't imagining it when I felt that it has been a hard few days. The Inn provides a shuttle to Robbinsville so I took it! There is cell phone reception here and a grocery store so I can resupply. I am having supper at a Mexican Restaurant in town, munching on some nachos at the moment. Again, your comments and encouragement in the Guest Book are most appreciated! It's great to hear from family and friends and to know that people I haven't even met yet are following my journey.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam

To: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

My first official ZERO Day! I am still at the Hike Inn - spent the day relaxing, soaking in a tub and sitting on the porch. Jeff and Nancy, who run the place, told me that the Barefoot Sisters and AWOL stayed here. AWOL comes back from time to time when he is updating his trail guide. There are a lot of motorcycles and sports cars driving by. I wondered why. Well, there are 11 miles (part of which pass right by here) called the "Dragon" because of the 300 hairpin turns. Fun for the motorcycles and sports cars. I am the only one here today and I even took a nap! Well, I did do something constructive. I got my permit as a thru-hiker for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The permit is free but there is a $125 fine if you are caught without it. As a thru-hiker I do not need reservations at any shelters. There are 4 spots reserved at each shelter for thru hikers. If those spots are taken I can tent in the vicinity of the shelters and am supposed to use their cables or posts to hang my bear bag each night. I got the shuttle into Robbinsville again around 5pm so I could call Barbara. Since I got my cell phone battery problem fixed I have been able to call her every day at least once. Soon she'll be on her way to North Carolina to meet me. My phone is all charged up as am I! I am ready to get back on the trail tomorrow after a day of rest. I start back right at Fontana Dam. The AT crosses right over it.. I learned that this dam is the highest concrete dam east of the Rocky Mountains - 480 feet. I replenished my food supply here. Take a look at the photo today and you will see what I'll be eating for the next few days. My next stop for resupply is Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: moderate rain

Wet, cold day. The Smokies have a lot of rules and regulations - in addition to needing a permit. For example, no dogs are allowed. I met up again with a young couple I shared peanut M&Ms with early on in my hike. They had to make arrangements to send home their dog Shadow. I hiked all the way to Mollies Ridge Shelter in the rain - saw three deer. A young hiker named 'Honest Abe' passed by me. He really did look like Abraham Lincoln! Also I ran into "Beatnik" who was finishing the last section of the AT. He had started section hiking 25 years ago! Slippery going at times and of course no views because I was hiking in the clouds. Everything was socked in. I started out at 1700 ft and ended up at 4570 ft. For every 1,000 ft. the temperature dropped by 4 degrees. Guess that's why they have a separate forecast here for the mountains. There are ridgerunners here whose job it is to to talk to hikers, make sure they have permits and give safety information. The runner I spoke to warned me against night hiking because of the wild boars called Prussian hogs. They are nocturnal and if surprised will gore a hiker. Also he told me to check my shoes in the mornings for black widow and brown recluse spiders. I was Thru-Hiker #3 to arrive at the shelter so got in even with all the reservations from other hikers. A hiker is only allowed one night in a shelter, even if injured. All the shelters here in the Smokies are 3-sided and made of stone. There is a bottom section and a raised section to allow for sleeping for twelve. The raised section has very little headroom so you could easily bonk your head if you were startled at night.  The roof is made of some kind of fiberglass so it was quite noisy last night in the pounding rain. But it was clean and no mice that I was aware of. Food is not allowed in these shelters. We are required to hang our food bags outside on the cables they supply. There were 14 of us altogether including a group of five 16-21 yr. olds and their leader who were hiking for 9 days in the Smokies as part of a year-long rehab program. "Blue Sky" dropped in but kept going when he saw we were really full. Really cold last night. It rained all night and the wind was blowing something fierce. I had all my clothes on again and I was still cold. I am laying here listening to the cold, hard rain and missing my Barbara.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Robbinsville, NC
Miles today: 12.1

Very cold this morning with another whole day of rain and high winds predicted - maybe snow tonight. I made the decision to backtrack to Robbinsville as it would be another three days before I could reach Gatlinburg, Tennessee. My Raynaud's is really acting up today. My hands were in bad shape most of the morning. The continuous rain has left my gloves sopping wet so can't keep my hands consistently warm. I left Mollies Ridge shelter at 7:45 AM and passed 38 hikers going up the mountain. I am wondering where they are all going to stay as each shelter only holds 14 at a maximum. Hope some of them have their own tents. I noticed that the blackberry blossoms are starting to bloom. Maybe when the berries come out the black bears will have something else to eat besides hikers! Had to walk carefully to avoid falling. In places the trail had become a flowing stream. The rocks and leaves were slippery so I picked my way carefully.I walked a little further than Fontana Dam and managed to get a ride to Robbinsville about 3:15 PM. I am at a small motel in the center of town, inside and starting to warm up! I wrote some of this earlier and came back to add more details so check back to yesterday to see the updates.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Robbinsville, NC

To: Robbinsville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Wild weather. Glad I made the decision to backtrack yesterday. Very high winds and snow at the higher elevations. I spent my second zero day here in Robbinsville at a biker motel in the center of town - near a grocery store! There is at least one other hiker staying here and some bikers as well. There's a ritzier place to stay down the road called the Fontana Village, more like a resort. From what I have heard when the dam was built in 1942 - 43 there were small cabins for the construction workers. Much later the area was bought up and turned into a resort with an upscale hotel and refurbished cabins. I walked over to the grocery store and bought 3 bananas, a quart of orange juice, and a Stouffer's microwave dinner to cook back in my room. I took advantage of the bathtub and took a nice, hot bath, dried out my gear and repacked it, took a short nap and watched the wind howling outside my window. The wind has picked up even more this evening. Tomorrow the weather forecast calls for continued wind but no precipitation so I will head out early. I'll thumb for a ride back to Fontana Dam and redo my hike of two days ago. I plan to hike an extra couple of miles so I can get to Russell Field Shelter for the night. I will be out of cell phone reception for at least two days so probably will not be able to update for a bit. Looking forward to a warm, dry bed!
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Robbinsville, NC

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

I was out an on the trail earlier than I expected as I was lucky enough to get a ride right back to the trail head at Fontana Dam. It turned out to be a perfect day for hiking - cool, no rain and just a light wind. I stopped for a quick bite to eat at Mollies Ridge Shelter and then kept on going till I got to Russell Field Shelter around 3:45 pm. There were several long climbs but now my pack is easier to deal with. It just doesn't feel as heavy as when I first started. I hiked alone again today. Most hours of the day I am on my own and have a lot of time to think. Hikers pass me once in a while and we say a few words to each other but then I am back on my own. I like it this way because I can truly hike my own hike. When I started this adventure the prospect of being apart from Barbara for at least 5 months was an abstract. But now the reality of being apart is really sinking in. The shelter was about half full tonight. It was cold again, but not freezing as before.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I was the first one out of the shelter this morning. I made myself a quick breakfast and got back on the trail. I was hiking up high all day. One of the mountains I climbed was Rocky Top. It was hard hiking due to all the rocks. I am always looking down at my feet trying to make sure where I step. I keep hearing about injured hikers and I don't want to be one of them. Many have already been injured and a few taken off the trail with hypothermia. At 1 pm I rested for a bit at Derrick Knob Shelter and ate a little candy before heading out. I have not found myself with "hiker hunger" yet. I get hungry for sure but do not feel like pigging out when I get to a town. Just eating a regular nice meal seems to fill me up. I think I may have lost a few pounds. I arrived at Silers Bald Shelter at 4:45 pm. It was a good hiking day but by the time I arrived there I was wet and cold. Thunderstorms arrived around 6 pm so it felt good to be in the shelter. I couldn't find any dry wood so just ended up eating granola bars for supper and again for breakfast. Full shelter tonight!! We are packed in like sardines - 15 in a space meant for 12.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another early start to the day. In my sleeping bag I had on my long underwear, my shorts, my fleece and my Frog Togs. The silk lining inside my 20 degree sleeping bag should keep me warm at even 10 degrees now. I ran into a really bad thunderstorm around 10 AM. Thunder and lightning popping all around me. I planted my trekking poles in the ground and moved away from them by 10 -12 feet as they would be good lightning rods. At one point it started to hail (size of my thumb nail). I got down on my hands and knees with my pack on top of me to protect me from the hail - and stayed in that position for about 20 minutes. I felt like a turtle! The wind was ferocious. Heard later it was over 60 mph. I reached Clingman's Dome, the highest point in North Carolina/Tennessee, at 11:30 am. The Dome is shared by both states (6,643 ft.) Cell phone reception was very spotty. There was no view, just clouds so I didn't bother to go up in the observation tower. I did walk down about half a mile and got a picture below the clouds. After a brief rest here I hiked on to the Mt. Collins Shelter. I slept up in the top section. In this shelter there was more headroom. Hail on the tin roof made for a pretty noisy time. It sounded like machine gun fire. There was a fireplace but no firewood and everything was so wet that again I did not make a hot meal. I feel good, though, and am keeping up with the same people along the trail. My hands have been dry and warm which is such a plus.
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The only way to really keep yourself warm is to hike through the night. That is discouraged here because of the Prussian hogs. I came across a barrier to keep the hogs out of a particular area - see the picture. I was first out of the shelter this morning and hiked up and down a couple of smaller mountains. I came to Indian Gap and then to Newfound Gap (5,045 ft.) This is a tourist spot with a parking area for cars and tourist buses. I was hiking with a group of 5 in their twenties. We were all hoping to get a shuttle into Gatlinburg but found out the shuttle isn't running any more. So I started walking and thumbing. After about a mile and a half a red pick-up slowed down and picked me up. I climbed into the back and there were the other 5 hikers! The driver dropped us off about a mile and a half from town, an easy walk. I am staying at the Grand Prix Motel ( fancy name for a cheap place to stay.) Got a chance to wash all my clothes and myself! Gatlinburg reminds of a big Weirs Beach - lots of restaurants, an outfitters, and arcades. I will be staying here tomorrow as well because the weather is going to turn ugly again. Now I am off to get a hot meal!
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I took a zero day today to escape the weather and rest my legs. Ate some Chinese food mid-afternoon and took a walk around this touristy town. Tomorrow morning I am getting a ride back to Newfound Gap! Yay! I learned a new term today - "Halfbacks". It refers to Floridians who come up to North Carolina and Tennessee to get out of the summer heat. This evening I stopped at a place that dispensed free white lightning samples. Straight corn liquor- 100 proof - and lots of flavored moonshine at 40 proof. Had about 12 samples and decided I better go back to the Grand Prix and go to bed. The Grand Prix is very hiker friendly and a wonderful place to stay for very little money. I would recommend it to anyone resupplying in Gatlinburg.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

I was back on the trail by 8:30 this morning. It was sunny and cool and a great day to hike. For the first time in many days I was able to see some stunning views. Hiking was uphill out of Newfound Gap and fairly rigorous. I made good time today and got to the shelter in time to cook my supper and get settled in for the night. Barbara will be leaving tomorrow to drive up to meet me at Davenport Gap, the northern end of the Smokies, on Tuesday. I think we have worked it out to meet between noon and 1 pm at the Ranger Station there. I had cell coverage this morning but lost it in the afternoon so am glad we were able to work out the details of our meeting while I was in Gatlinburg.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I was first out of the shelter and back on the trail today. Another beautiful day! There is quite a bit of trail erosion from rainwater roaring down the trail. The trail was about 3 feet deeper than originally. All the hikers were disappointed to find out that there had been 10 horses ridden up to this shelter. The horses had deposited manure all over the place including right at our water source. Their hooves had cut up the sides of the trail quite extensively. I can't understand why people can't hike with their dogs in the Smokies but they allow poeple to ride their horses on the AT, which is supposed to be a footpath. Hiking was a bit easier today and I made good time. Got to the shelter here and had supper by 5:00 pm. I am sharing the shelter with "Tyvek" an M.D.(who is treating a lot of hiker blisters!), "Finn" and "Littlefoot" (She's the one with the blisters!). I feel so lucky as I have had no problems with my feet- no blisters or hotspots. The above hikers and I have been together off and on over the last few days. Only 8 miles to Davenport Gap! I have cell coverage again so Barbara and I can communicate tomorrow and pinpoint my arrival time as well as hers.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Crosby Knob Shelter at 7AM and got to Davenport Gap at 11 AM - 8 miles in 4 hours. Hiked with a woman from Vermont for a while. She was section hiking and going to Hot Springs. There were about 8 hikers in the shelter last night and 3 in the tent site. Saw some wildlife today. A hen turkey walked on the trail in front of me for about 50 ft. Also saw a squirrel and a rabbit. The last 6 miles was all downhill. My right knee was a little sore by the time I got to the gap. Not many view oppotunities today but very mild weather. I've been told that before exiting the Smokies 65 percent of the thru hikers have dropped out. I feel strong - my heart, lungs and legs are okay. I've done over 250 miles in the last month and I feel like I could do the whole trail physically. I did meet a hiker with an unusual name last night - "Wifflechicken". Barbara met me at about 1:00 PM at Davenport Gap! We are off the trail for two days at Toe River Lodge in Plumtree, NC. I have had time to fill in my previous three entries so check back to read a few more details and see more photos.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Davenport Gap

To: Plumtree, NC
Miles today: 0.0

We stayed in Asheville last night and arrived at Plumtree around 11 AM. A few weeks ago we had gotten a 2-day groupon at the Toe River Lodge in the North Carolina mountains only about 8 miles from the trail. Unfortunately, I left my Iphone charging where we stayed last night and after calling the hotel several times have to accept that it has been stolen. Other than that we had a pretty relaxing day - we read, drank some wine and sat out on our porch overlooking the mountains. We have had delicious meals in a common area with 3 other couples.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Plumtree, NC

To: Plumtree, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Today we both went ziplining here at the Lodge. So much fun although both us got shaky legs walking across the swinging bridges to get from zip line to zip line. After lunch we drove to Roan Mountain Gap to be trail angels. Several hikers passed by and were so happy to be offered cold drinks, fruit (apples, bananas and oranges), Snickers Bars, Peanut M&Ms, peanuts, ziploc bags, instant oatmeal and grits, instant Knorr dinners and slim jims. Thank you Pam and Roni (Angel of the Morning) for your BIG contributions to our stash. After all the trail magic I have received it felt good to pay it forward a little bit. We met thru hikers Jonah and his dog Dingleberry, Sparrow, Blake, Easy Does It, Firestarter and Bushwacker, Stray Bullet and John, Cheez Whiz and Joe Fore. Also we met 3 section hikers without trail names. I gave three of the hikers rides to town as well. My favorite comment of the day was " Trail magic! Just when I need it the most! I'd been dreaming of a cold drink never expecting to find it here!" It was a pleasure to meet them all and see the enjoyment in their eyes and on their faces.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Plumtree, NC

To: Port Orange, FL
Miles today: 0.0

Attention! Attention! Love conquers all, even the trail. I have enjoyed my month on the trail but the thought of five more months away from my wife, my sister and the rest of my family and friends has made me decide to end my hike. In the abstract being gone from home for 6 months doesn¢t sound so long, but in the reality I just don¢t want to be gone that long. The physical challenge of the Southern Appalachians and my ability to hike them make me think that I could hike the entire trail this year. I have my ¢hiker legs¢ now and I am able to hike more miles in a day, my heart and lungs feel good, my feet are in good shape (I am now 10 pounds lighter than when I started), my pack feels lighter and has become a part of me, but the plain fact is I¢d rather be home with Barbara than spend the next five months on the trail. I really enjoyed all my fellow hikers and their attitude of sharing. It seemed like any time a need came up another hiker was there to help out. Check my journal next year as I may be back to do another month. Thank you to all the people who have been supporting me - my family, my friends and all my trail journal friends as well. I have really appreciated all your comments and encouragement. In a few days check back to read my post-hike thoughts and reflections.One month and 270 miles was a worthwhile hike.
Date: 2012-09-15
From: Davenport Gap

To: Painter Branch Campsite , NC
Miles today: 5.7

An exciting day for me as I am back on the AT once again, this time as a section hiker. Barbara and I drove up from Port Orange a total of 601.5 miles to Davenport Gap on the NC/TN line. So I am able to continue my walk from exactly where I left off in early May. This time I plan on hiking for a month or so. We'll see how I do. We arrived at the Gap at about 11:30AM to allow me a half day's walk. It was an exhilarating feeling as I walked back into the woods with my pack. This time around it weighs 40 pounds as I packed a bit more cold weather gear for this time of year. I met a young southbound hiker (sobo) called Bob and three middle aged section hikers, also sobos, hiking for a few days. After walking downhill for the first part of my hike I ended up crossing the road we had driven in on. Then I began the climb up Snowbird Mountain (4200 ft). It really felt good to be back in the woods - so peaceful! I saw a flock of wild turkeys this afternoon. My heavier pack feels ok - no shoulder pain. So far so good! I decided to set up camp about half way up Snowbird at the most perfect spot at about 3,000 ft. in elevation.I pitched my tent in a great spot near a mountain stream. Then I cooked myself a nice, hot supper with my wood camp stove. All in all a great day for my first back on the AT. Now to bed to get some rest for a full day of hiking tomorrow.
Date: 2012-09-16
From: Painter Branch Campsite , NC

To: on way to Max Patch
Miles today: 10.5

I had a good day and put in some miles - 10.5. No cell coverage yesterday so I was unable to post.I camped about halfway up to Max Patch (4629 ft.) My hip was a bit sore but otherwise I am fine. Some great views here. Check back in a while and I will post pictures and fill in with more details. I hear I am going to get hit with a super soaker followed by a cold front so I need to put in some miles to be able to get to a shelter which will offer me more protection than my tent in heavy downpours.