morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Davenport Gap

To: Newport
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: few clouds

Today was a day probably every hiker dreams about with great anticipation for many good reasons. On leaving Davenport Gap Shelter, I would finish the AT in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Sure there are thousands of miles ahead, but for thru-hikers I think many of us look for small stages of success and measures of accomplishment along the way. Crossing from Georgia to North Carolina is a milestone; finishing the GSMNP is another milepost up the trail.I placed the "exit half" of my backcountry permit in the box as I left the park. As I moved north toward I-40, I was hiking along and crossing Straight Branch Creek. Naturally it was anything but straight, but its various waterfalls were spectacular. The mountain laurel dotted each side if the trail as if the trail itself were carved through the laurel.   I was treated to sightings of American Goldfinches (the males had put on their bright yellowish and jet black plumage) and cliff swallows (flying and darting in and out of their adobe-style nests under the I-40 bridge).But I was also blessed today to be reunited with Beth, her cousin, Dan Burchette, her Aunt Etholeen, Dan's wife, Gail, and their son, Andy (who is coming to ETSU this fall), Beth's cousin, Joe Burchette and wife, Sandy (Caitlin, Dan and Gail's daughter, was at UT getting ready to graduate and she'll attend USC law school this fall). Beth picked me up just before Standing Bear Hostel, and we drove to see Dan at his business, the Western Auto store in Newport. I stayed in the vehicle on arrival as Dan had customers in the store and I was sore from the trail, but the primary reason I stayed behind was that I smelled like days-old roadkill. I don't know how Beth stands this when she picks me up, but she does ask me not to point the air vents at myself in order to cut down on circulation for that memorable hiker smell. Last night Right On (New York) had slept next to me in the shelter and apologized for his smell (no shower in eight days), yet I rolled over in the night and realized that I was just as responsible for that heinous odor as well. We both could have knocked even Pepe Le Pew for a loop!Dan and Gail had thoughtfully arranged for me to clean up at their home. Beth and I then proceeded to visit up the street with her Aunt Etholeen, who is doing quite well. Gail had made a very tasty pot roast that was enjoyed by all and especially so by this famished hiker. We had a wonderful visit, and Beth and I are so grateful to the Burchettes and for family and friends who are sharing this experience with us along the way.
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Chatfield Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: few clouds

Today was a relatively short day with respect to mileage. I was positioning myself to be in Atkins, VA on Thursday afternoon in order to spend the night with Beth's cousin, Johnny Johnson, and his wife, Susie. Its been a couple of years since I visited with them last at a Johnson Reunion, so I sure look forward to being with them.I was able to reach Beth on my cell phone if I stood in one spot in the Mt. Rogers Visitors Center and didn't move an inch. As I spoke with Beth, two pileated woodpeckers zoomed over in a pattern of straight, not undulating, flight toward the trail. I don't believe in signs or omens, but I did like the symbolism of these incredibly powerful birds flying straight toward the trail. Along the way I met South Africa, a southbounder who is originally from, yes, South Africa but now lives in London. As I crossed over Glade Mountain, there were great views of the valley below. On these mountain perches, you momentarily feel as though you are on top of the world, surveying the beauty of the floor of the world you are towering over.As the possibility of rain loomed, I moved up the trail to the Chatfield Memorial Shelter. A fast-moving brook fronted the shelter. You have to make a short climb to the privy, but at least there is a privy. Others who came in later included Luna, Thistle (Connecticut), and Babalou (Vermont) came by for a snack break. Dirty R (Connecticut) also stopped by briefly. A special thanks to Luna who brought birthday-cake Oreos to share; they were a tasty treat in the great outdoors! Thanks for your thoughtfulness, Luna. A previous shelter inhabitant had left a copy of a recent Rolling Stone magazine. I thought the article on Ringo Starr's solo career and his pending induction for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was well written. I look forward to Atkins and seeing the Johnsons tomorrow.
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Atkins

To: O'Lystery Campsite
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Re-supply is a necessary event in the sojourn of the long-distance hiker. You look forward to new (dehydrated) food, protein bars, peanut butter, and other hiker fare. The downside is that your pack gains weight, particularly if you have re-supplied for a week or so on the trail with apologies to the late Euell Gibbons, I don't care for tree bark).   Sometimes you just don't have many, if any, options in the backcountry to pick up more food and supplies for many days (similarly, you may not have a cell signal for many days on the trail even in 2015). I loaded up the pack with my new food and supplies. Johnny took me back to the trailhead, and I was off to an early start as I traversed pastures and meadows back to the forest. There was a herd of cattle in the field, and they decided to hoof it away from me. As I crossed a stile to move from pasture to the woods, a bull watched me warily I thought, but I was pleased he did not come my way to introduce himself to me. As I climbed up the trail to leave Atkins, I decided to eat at Davis Oath Campsite. There I would meet Hot Sauce (Michigan), Jacoby (New York), and Hoba (Massachusetts). They had each tented there in the rainstorm last night). Hoba has quite a story. "Hoba" is short for "How Bad Can It Get Out Here?". Last year, Hoba had to leave the trail as his blood thinner and Aleve proved to be a bad mixture that caused serious stomach bleeding. I think any of us her heard Hoba's account cut back on Vitamin I or Alleve. I admire his courage for trying this hike again. Hoba and I hiked some together as we crossed Little Brushy Mountain and then the crest of Walker Mountain. We then walked through more breathtaking meadows and experienced breathtaking views (again, I like walking meadows on the AT). Just before the campsite next to the O'Lystery Picnic Shed, I met Chip's wife, Sarah, who was helping Chip and their son to slack pack today's section. I crossed the road, set up my tent, had supper and settled in when I had a great present: a whippoorwill serenaded the forest with its beautiful voice. Just before midnight a hiker came in and set up a tent; my guess is that this is probably Luna, who likes to night hike.Harrison Wexler and Phil McCracken will join me here tomorrow for the climb up to Chestnut Knob and then down to VA623 on Sunday. I'll try not to make it rain guys!
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Chestnut Knob

To: VA 623
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: few clouds

Sunday, May 3, 2015Harrison, Phil, and I were up early today as they needed to meet Bubba for a shuttle ride to Bland.The trail profile map looked as though we would have a descent, short up, level ridge walking, and a short downhill to the road. Well, being right on three of four is pretty good hitting but not necessarily good hiking. What we thought was to be fairly level walking was in reality a series of ups and downs. When in doubt regarding the profile ahead on the AT, it is almost always safe to assume you'll be going up and down, then up and down! Perhaps I was still full from last night's exquisite feast, but I was slower than usual (and that is really slow, folks). We made it to the take out point to meet Bubba. I decided to go with the crew to Bland, eat lunch, and to get a room at the Big Walker Motel. But the trail threw us another curve as Bubba's van had a flat rear left tire.So the question of the day became "How many hikers does it take to change a flat tire?" In true team fashion, we all jumped in and had the tire changed quickly. Harrison, in the tire business, was even able to price four new tires for Bubba. We went to Wytheville for a very good late lunch at the Ville sports restaurant. I was so stiff by now that when I pushed down on the table to help my aching bones to stand up, my action met an opposite and equal reaction by catapulting the plates and glasses in the air. The young lady who waited on us so efficiently surveyed the mess and kindly forgave this hobbling hiker.I finished the evening with ice cream at the Dairy Queen, which is located across the way from the motel. A hot shower felt great, my first in several days. Good night from Bland, Virginia.
From: campbell hollow road

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Forgive me for my last very rushed post. I was sitting at a desk in a hostel updating my journal when someone yelled out "shuttle leaves for trail in 20 minutes". The choice was simple. I Shut down my iPad, hurriedly pack my pack and shot out of there so I wouldn't have to hoof it 3 miles back to the trailhead. As it is we didn't leave for over an hour. The owner of hostel also owns the towns general store. So he opened the store Sunday morning for a group that needed to re supply. I had resupplied the night before. So I ended up standing around. Oh well
Date: 2015-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I start from Springer Mountain on Wednesday, March 25. I made my last major purchase over the weekend, a Big Agnes Copper Spur UL 2. It replaces my REI Camp Hut, circa 1998. I go from a 7.5lbs tent to a 3lbs tent. My last official day of work was December 31. After 30 years I now have the time and frame of mind to attempt this trek. Thankfully, both kids are back in Atlanta, after having served in Afghanistan and Rwanda, where they can help out their mom while I¢m on the trail. If I can stay healthy I will celebrate my 33rd wedding anniversary in Virginia and my 61st birthday in New Hampshire.Only with the support of my wonderful wife can I even have a chance of accomplishing this journey. She lost enough sleep having two kids half way around the world, now I throw this at her. She¢s already planning the SAG wagon. She¢s mapping out week-end routes that intersect with the trail and triangulating that with antique shops. It doesn¢t matter if I complete 20 miles or all 2000, I know she¢s behind me.After months of planning (and dreaming) my wife and daughter will drop me off at Big Stamp Gap on Wednesday and I will hike south one mile to Springer Mountain, snap a photo, sign the register and then, I will turn around and start walking north.See you on the trail.
Date: 2015-04-05
From: franklin

To: franklin nc
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow. This is my first journal entry and it's already day 11. I'm taking my first zero which has given me time to set the journal up and get going. I promise to do better in the future. The hiking has been more difficult than I had anticipated. The first day I hiked 9 miles with a 34 pound pack and nearly collapsed when I reached Hawk Mountain shelter. But I've slowly worked my way into better shape. Yesterday, I hiked 15.9 and the day before 15.3 with a 32 pound pack. Body feels pretty good. Left knee hurts a bit but all else is fine. No blisters! Knock on wood. Great views when the sun is out which has been maybe 50% of the time. The other 50%? Rain. Snow. Sleet. Lots of fog. The temp has dipped into the 20's a few night which has really tested my vintage 1997 down bag. In certain sections the trail is very muddy. Yesterday I reached the 100 mark. On Albert Mountain the Nantahala hiking club greeted all thru hikers with Easter trail magic: ice cold cokes, bags of chocolate candy, fresh fruit and dyed Easter eggs. I'm craving protein. The hard boiled egg was delicious. Arrived in Franklin 6:30 last night. I headed to Mulligans where I had an ice cold Sweetwater 420 and a 1/2 pound burger with the works. The very pro Duke crowd kept me awake, but after that I walked back to my motel, tried to watch the second game, but failed. I slept well in clean sheets and warm blankets. Tomorrow I'm back on the trail. I should reach NOC by Wednesday or Thursday and I really hope the hiking legs have kicked in. I will need them as I plan to start the smokies in a week. The first 10 days have been exhilarating and humbling. My fellow hikers have been outstanding. They've given me tips, advice and tons of laughs. I have a trail name. Walnut. My Sony camera and Apple aren't working well together. As soon as I solve that problem I'll post some photos. I welcome your emails. Walnut
Date: 2015-04-06
From: winding stair gap

To: wayah gap
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Easy three hours today. Rain and drizzle all hike. Temperature was in low to mid 40's. No views. Too much fog. Wiggy from Aquone hiker lodged met us and provided shuttle to lodge. Tomorrow my first day to slack pack.It was great to see Marty and Alex yesterday. We had a wonderful Easter together. I think tonight's big game now has more meaning than it did yesterday. Proud of you Alex. I shared fresh baked chocolate chip cookies with several other hikers. Big shout out to the Baptist Church in Franklin. Thanks so much for the pancakes and bacon!All for today.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: tellico gap

To: nantahala outdoor center
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: light snow

Maggie from the Aquone hiker lodge dropped us off at 9:15 this morning. After a day of slack packing I enjoyed getting back into the swing of a full pack. A thank you to Steve and Maggie at aquone. They run a tight ship. Their lodge is clean as a whistle. Follow the rules, be on time for dinner and you'll enjoy the stay. Maggie cooks a killer meatloaf and excellent sweet potatoes. If you're ready for some comfort or want to slack pack a couple of days and don't need to re supply I would skip Franklin and head for aquone. Saw my first snake of the season coming off the mountain into NOC. Harmless black snake. The smell of hamburgers as you come into NOC is intoxicating. Beware,it hit me about a mile away. It's been a relaxing evening sitting along the river, watching kayakers, and taking in the ambience. The free wifi is nice too. The AT bridge is lit up over the river. Nice. All for now. Big day tomorrow as I try to pick up the mileage a bit.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: fontana dam shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was great to see Marty pull up to the Fontana Village Lodge this morning. She drove 4 hours to provide supplies, equipment, food, first aid (which luckily I didn't need) and general love.   She left for Atlanta late afternoon to navigate these mountain roads before dark. I'm very thankful. This has been a very humbling experience. Most nights I'm exhausted. Luckily, I tend to recover fairly well overnight but there has been nothing easy about this adventure. One of the most difficult days was two days ago hiking out of the Nantahala Outdoor Center to Stecoah Gap. The first eight miles I climbed 3313 ft which I think works out to an 8% average grade. However, I'm sure parts were 15% to 20%. I no longer have any illusions of attacking the climb or leaning in to push. I simply slow down when the legs start to burn. But sometimes no matter how slow I walk, or how small the steps, the legs simply burn. I stop. Gasp for air. Let the lactic acid subside and then start walking again until I can't take the burn. Luckily on this day I was rewarded with no rain and beautiful views from Cheoah Bald at 5062 ft. The downhill part? Let's just say it's never all downhill. After a couple of climbs in the downhill I was ready to jump! But as with most everything that has happened so far, there's a happy ending. When I finished at Stecoah gap which intersects with NC 143 a local towns woman pulled into the parking lot and offered me a bottle of water and a lemonade. Additionally some kind soul left fresh bananas on the picnic table. You've got to love these Trail Angels. Although I hiked alone all day, Quahog, who started slightly later than I did hit the parking lot 20 minutes after I finished. Together we booked the loft at Cabin in the Woods and ate huge barbecue dinners at the local grill. Donna and Phil have a quaint place with a hot shower, TV and wifi. The next morning came with breakfast and a shuttle back to the trail. 15 miles later we staggered into the Fontana Dam Shelter.I took a zero today. Tomorrow I enter The Smokies. Stay tuned.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: fontana dam shelter

To: mollies ridge shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the morning with the AYCE breakfast buffet at the lodge. Properly fueled caught the shuttle back to Fontana Dam and entered SMNP. Fine day to walk and climb. I'm excited. It's been years since I've visited the smokies. I have fond memories of family camping trips from the 1960's. The shelter is a bit rough. Crowded.
Date: 2015-04-13
From: mollies ridge shelter

To: derrick knob
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Elevation sure makes a difference. Spent the entire hike today above 4000 ft. Much of the hike was 5000 plus. The shelter for tonight is 4900. It is cold and basically miserable. It's suppose to rain all night. The temp feels like low 40's to upper 30's. Very windy. Wind chill must be a at or below freezing.Hard day. Lots of up. No views
Date: 2015-04-14
From: derrick knob

To: mt collins
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Last night was the night from AT shelter hell. Weather was terrible. No one camped. Everyone filled the sheltered. Each person had shoulders width of space. I will say the conversation was very entertaining. The place went punchy. Lots of silly jokes and making the best of a bad situation. Most people were in sleeping bags by 6:00 P trying to stay warm. I awoke the next morning with a punctured sleeping mat. Woke up to rain and lots more mud. All I could do was laugh. Got up. Donned my pack and started walking. No views. Fell/slipped a few times. No face plants. Just muddy behind. I climbed the tower to clingmans dome. Nothing to see. Just fog and cloud. Sometimes timing is everything. I picked a lousy time to hike the smokies. Ended the day just short of Newfound gap. Tomorrow morning I'm jumping off the trail for a day or so. Need shower and dry cloths.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: mt collins

To: newfound gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

I'm sitting at the Smokey Pearl hiker lodge drying out all of my gear and scrapping mud off of my boots. The last three nights in SMNP at Mollies Ridge, Derrick Knob and Mt Collins seem like one constant drizzle and a path of mud. Before I began this hike I imagined the Smokies as a place to linger and enjoy 100 miles vistas. It's what I remember from family vacations as I kid. With the exception of about 15 minutes there's been very to see or linger over. Have I mentioned that I've slipped or fallen 5 times, yep five. I can't just blame the conditions, the walks are still very strenuous with ups and downs. In the afternoon the legs are tired and I can get careless letting my mind wander. Mind you I enjoy the forest in the rain. there are at least 50 shades of green if not more. At the lower elevations the wild flowers are coming to life. Back at Fontana some sections looked to be covered in snow as white flowers took over. And to be honest it's easy to ignore the rain and admire the walk but I hate the mud. I have a slipping problem. Rain is forecast for tonight but there's some hope for a break in the weather over the next day or two. With that in mind Quahog and I got off the trail at Newfound Gap, hiked in to Gatlinburg and caught a shuttle to the Smokey Pearl in Townsend Tenn.   Townsend is only a mile from the park. It's on the other side of the mountain and Totally different from Gatlinburg. It's very laid back and well, country. Perfect for drying out, relaxing, trying the local food and restocking. With a little luck we'll be back on the trail tomorrow afternoon with sunshine and views. If I can stay upright I'll try to take and post a few photos.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: icewater spring shelter

To: cosby knob shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Record day 20 miles, albeit much of it downhill. No rain. Some drizzle but in general stupendous views. Mountains and clouds! Great looks from Charles bunion loop trail. But too late. Damage done. I want out of the park. I want to camp. No more shelters,
Date: 2015-04-18
From: cosby knob shelter

To: standing bear hostel
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: light rain

I wandered in to the Standing Bear feeling like I had been transported to Central America. A slight stench of garbage, every building in some stage of incomplete construction. Only, people are speaking English and drinking PBR. Very strange. I booked a bunk. Found a shower that definitely belonged in Honduras. Thrilled with reliable hot water I spent 15 minutes getting clean. This place is definitely not run by the park service. Sleep wherever you want. Very odd place. I buy milk, yogurt, banana, microwave rib sandwich. I do not check any expiration dates. I buy, eat and enjoy. I drink no beer. In my bunk by 7:30.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: standing bear hostel

To: roaring fork shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow. Quite a day. it,started at 4:00 A. I rose early and took advantage of no competition for wifi signal. I was able to text home and let everyone know my status, especially since Marty is planning to meet me in Hot Springs. Next I enjoyed a big breakfast of grits, three servings and washed it down with hot chocolate and coffee mix. I used the kitchen at standing bear. I researched some gear I'm having problems with. At 6:30 the pantry opened and I bought jimmy dean sausage biscuits ( do you think I'm obsessed with food). Microwaved it, ate it, did not read the ingredients. At 7:15 I started hiking. No rain, yet. this section of the trail leads to the famous max patch bald and summit. The hike to max patch was surreal. First it's quite steep. Fig tells me that this section seems to be old trail, that is a steep grade, fewer switchbacks, more straight up and straight down. Quite beautiful. Green. Hiking on ridges. Surrounded by mountains and slopes. Somewhere along the line it began to rain. Lots of steady rain. As I approached the summit of max patch it broke loose. No thunder and lighting, thank goodness but torrential downpour. Winds whipping around. Temperature drop. Horizontal rain soaks everything piece of clothing that I'm wearing. For the first time yet my frog toggs surrendered. My waterproof gore text boots Gave up and left me in a puddle. The summit was crazy. I lost the trail for a quarter of a mile. I cross a road and a truck slows down to see if I need help. I don't mind the rain but I assess the temps. Doesn't seem too cold yet. I let the pick up go and trudge forward. As I cross the summit I can tell it's special. I know I want to come back but For now I can't wait to find shelter. As i approach the shelter the rain stops. Miraculously the rain pack, the water proof pack and the stuff sacks do their job and all my extra clothes are dry, including my down jacket. I get to camp. Set my tent. Woof down my pot of ramen. Tomorrow I might be able to make it all the way to Hot Springs and a hotel
Date: 2015-04-20
From: roaring fork shelter

To: deer park mountain
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Great day of hiking. The only issue is my feet. Until now I have few problems with blisters or soreness. But, I hate hiking in wet boots. My feet hurt. I enjoyed today's hike immensely. I have a nice camp site.A little rain. Tomorrow, hot springs and I think Marty will be there. I haven't spoken to her in several days but hope she received my 4:00 AM texts from standing bear.