morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We got up to a beautiful morning and we took the blue blazed trail back to the A.T. by Siler Bald and on the AT all the way to where it crossed the road at the foot of the hills by Wayah Bald. We chose to take the service road to the observation tower to go easy on Sassypants knee although it was a bit longer it gave us beautiful views and we got to see the original ranger station. The view from the observation tower was incredible and was the best so far on the trail. I took a video from the observation platform going up to the tower and a panoramic view from the top with all of the plaques with the peaks from each view. After we had rested for some time we hiked on to the Wayah Shelter where we ran into two French speaking Canadians from Quebec, Zoro, Ratman, cowboy and a few others. We cooked and headed down to the stream for some water and to do dishes. I also felt that I needed cleaning so I once again striped down to my skivvies and cleaned up in the river! Brrrr! It was soo cold at first but felt so good once I got started. I warmed up by the fire that Cowboy started and threw up our bear bag while Sassypants rested. We got our bedding out and said good night and went to sleep. During the night it got very cold and there was some rain and fog. I had to use the restroom and was shivering badly when I got back into bed. Sassypants feet were very cold that night and felt like icecubes on my legs! We were smart and used earplugs and Zoro's snoring didn't bother us.
Date: 2013-05-02
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: light rain

We woke to fog and drizzle and several campers were debating taking a zero at the shelter. We ate snacks for breakfast and packed up and took off. It drizzled and we were dripped upon by the trees whenever the wind blew as we hiked a mostly easy day until like the last mile before Tellico Gap where Sassypants knee began to give her a terrible time. We were wet and so we remembered that we had seen the poster for a hostel back at Burning Town Gap and had written down the number and now we called it as it said that they shuttled from this gap. They regretfully informed us that they were booked. Forward Fish who we had met at Cold Spring shelter had recommended this hostel to us and we were sad that we had missed it. It was getting colder by the minute and we were wet so we yogi-ed a ride to the NOC so we could get a hot shower, hot food and a warm bed. We had pizza at the Big Wesser BBQ & Beer where we ordered a 16" pepperoni pizza and sodas and that meal tasted better than any steak I could remember. We saw Magic Mike, Cowboy, Zoro and the two hikers from Quebec - Alex and Lawrence here as well. We also saw the hiker from Australia who was hiking with his dog while we were wandering around. We got here too late for a room so Erin took a shower in the coin operated shower in the guest restroom. We saw Zoro and Nanner walking up the hill with another person and we asked if they had found someone to share a cabin with and at first they acted strange but then invited us along as the other person - Ack found us bunks in a room with empty berths and so we visited awhile and then I got my shower and Sassypants and I squeezed into a bunk and drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2013-05-10
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Spence Field shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: scattered clouds

We got up with the birds singing to us and had oatmeal for breakfast. We got to see our first bear of the trip as Crystal softly called out bear!bear! and sure enough there was a bear about 100 feet away whose back was about 3-3.5 foot high. One of the hikers trying to earn the coveted Darwin Award ran up to within 15 feet of the bear who turned around and challenged him! Luckily the bear didn't attack and he returned safely. We met Greybeard the ridgerunner who was vigorously interrogating every hiker about their status and whether they had a permit or not. We went through a field with flowering trees at the turnoff to the Spence field shelter which was a welcome sight. I took a quick bath there and it was cold but felt soo good. We cooked and socialized at the fire before turning in.
Date: 2013-05-11
From: Spence Field shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It had rained hard the night before and we hiked all day in the rain so the trail was slippery & treacherous in spots. Sassypants knees were hurting her again in part due to the rain. The trail got confusing at Rockytop where there were several trails and not much markings so I had to go down several to find the right one. It took us 8+ hours to hike the 6.3 miles and when we arrived we were wet and tired. I went down and filtered some water when there was a pause in the rain and not long after it started raining again. At that time a hiker named Ed walked up and together we threw up a line and hung out our wet things. We met the resident chimpmunk which the logs had named it Squeakers who had company outside the shelter of a turkey which we heard but didn't see and a pair of robins hunting for their dinner outside the shelter. Sassy was cold so she climbed into the bag while Ed and I talked for awhile before turning in as it started getting colder.
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Grand Prix Motel (Gatlinburgh)
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a cold morning and when we stepped out of the shelter we were met by a pair of young deer only 20 feet away. They were playing and when they noticed us they ran in circles and stopped about 30 feet away and then slowly returned. In total there were about 8 deer around the fields by the shelter and I took pictures and videos of them. We found out from Ed that the weather was supposed to drop down into the teens so we decided to hike to the Clingman dome parking lot and then catch a shuttle to the Grand Prix Motel for two days to wait out the bad weather. Sassy had a couple of bad falls that day and almost fell off of the mountain! I then realized that she wasn't getting better and was afraid that she would seriously injure herself or worse if she continued so when we arrived at the parking lot we asked for a ride into town and were soon at the motel. I had forgotten my fanny pouch at the parking lot as I had been concerned about getting Sassy's stuff into the car and it was only when we arrived in town that I realized that our phones and other important gear was still at the park! Sassy's cough was only getting worse and I asked her to consider going home in order to recover for a few weeks and then rejoin me back in Virginia where we had heard that the hiking would be much easier. We had a big fight about this and I wouldn't take no for an answer so we went to bed angry after ordering from Papa John's Pizza. We had seen Zoro in town who had another trailname of Snorasaraus for his shelter vibrating snores! We were tired and sore so we turned in after watching some tv.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Tricorner Gap Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up early with the other hikers and had grits for breakfast before packing up and hitting the trail. I was in a hurry to go and ended up forgetting my knee braces at the shelter! :'( I walked & prayed for a while and then listened to my lectures for some time before stopping at the Crosby Knob shelter for a rest and some water soon after seeing the plane wreckage on the side of the trail. After resting I hiked on to the Davenport Gap shelter and a total of 14.8 miles. I miss Sassypants and am wanting to pick up the miles so I can finish by mid-September. I took a bath on a path below the shelter after digging out a little basin to scoop water from and as I had started a couple came up so I warned them of my state so they stayed at the shelter until I was done. I also found a metal ball that I could imagine as a smudge or smoke pot made out of metal that was probably used to keep bugs away. I posted a picture on facebook and will put a video of the shelter and pot on youtube soon. It was the only shelter that still had the chain link fence across the front of it. I filled my water bladder and then went to bed after eating.
Date: 2013-05-19
From: Sonnybrook Inn

To: Sonnybrook Inn Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up and went down for breakfast and did they feed us well! Waffles with fruit, granola cereal and fruit. I had coffee with it and was stuffed when I had finished. I was just a little late when I walked down the street to the Presbyterian Church and joined them, about 10 minutes and I enjoyed the fellowship and the sermon. We had heard about the accident at Damascus the night before where an elderly man had a stroke or heart attack and drove into a parade of hikers hurting over 60, some critically. The church was praying for those and for all of us hikers and those suffering from a sickness that is going around the town and trail. After church I was invited to eat breakfast with them and I was persuaded to have some coffee and a biscuit along with 2 bacon and egg biscuits to go while I shared about my hike and about myself with some of the congregation.I walked around town for the rest of the day and bought some supplies at the Dollar store. I ran into Pyro, Nanner, Magic Mike and several other hikers and caught up on news. I had been worried about some as they had expressed interest n going for Trail Days and was relieved that they were O.K. I had the biscuits for supper along with some Buffalo and blue chees combos. MMMM Good! We watched Flyboys and got ready for bed. I heard that AWOL would be joining us for breakfast. AWOL thru-hiked in 2003 and not only wrote a book but puts out a Thru-hike guide and I was looking forward to meeting him.
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Sonnybrook Inn Zero Day

To: Campsite
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up early and had gone through my pack and had taken out everything that I could do without including my sleeping bag, tent, fleece liner and sleeping mats, I donated my gloves and hat along with the thermals that I had never used and in all lost about 20 lbs so that my pack is much more manageable and lighter. I took a shower and got ready for breakfast. I met the author whose trail name is AWOL and everyone shared a little about themselves. I asked about electronic maps with gps overlays that show distances to shelters and other locations and he mentioned that he is helping with something like that. I asked if he had any copies of his guidebook and he had one that he autographed and sold me for $10.00 - a thru-hiker rate! I got some pictures of him, one of which he was signing my book that I posted on facebook. After breakfast I took what was left of my laundry and my sleeping bag and tent and went downtown to do laundry and try to sell my old gear so I wouldn't have to pay to send it home. I stopped at the Hikers Resource center by the bridge a christian center that reaches out to hikers and talked with a gentleman there for some time about what was going on in my life and what had gone on with Sassypants and I leading to her going home. It felt good to have someone to talk to about what I was going through. I sold both the tent and sleeping bag while waiting for the laundry and afterwards I stopped at the library to fill in my blog which I hadn't had the time or energy to since I left NOC. While there I also uploaded videos to youtube and posted links to facebook and posted pictures there as well. ( facebook - David Alan Lane   Youtube - crazydave 0866 ) I have just seen that the UPS driver was at the outfitter and found that my package had been delivered so I am getting ready to head back to the Inn for that and probably spend another night as it is too late to make the 11 miles to the next shelter. I afterwards changed my mind and decided to head to the next shelter and left town at around 6:30 for my first night hike. I popped a 5 hour energy drink and started climbing the hill at a fast pace stopping to check out the beautiful views along the way on the rock outcroppings. I reached the boxed spring as darkness started setting in and soon it was pitch dark and I had to use my headlamp to see. I passed the piped spring and was startled to hear crashing in the woods to my left so I was somewhat relieved to see a campfire in the distance and I picked up my pace and soon found some hikers aroud a cozy fire. There was Caveman and some others around the fire so I rested awhile, hung my bear bag with great difficulty and then just laid out my tent and spread my sleeping bag on top of it and crawled in and got ready to sleep. I had internet but limited phone service so I checked my emails and voice mails before going to sleep.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Campsite

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

I didn't sleep well as I went to sleep around 12 and woke up at 6:00 with little sleep in between. I filtered water and got my pack together and started hiking around 7:00. The ridge hike and views were incredible on Firescald but the trail was confusing and challenging. At Allen Gap I stopped in at Momma's store and got an icecream and a poweraid for myself and a Youhoo for Magic Mike. I hiked on and Magic Mike said he would hitch a ride to Walmart to get a hammock. I was tired when I arrived at the shelter and I put the pipe back to use at the spring and cleaned out the little water basin and went back to the shelter to let the sediment settle down before going back to get water and take a camp bath to clean up. I ate and checked around the site and found that Jasmine now had a trailname - Bunny and Boogie her canine companion were set up in a tent nearby. Boogie wasn't feeling well and had something wrong with his leg or foot so she was going to take him to a nearby vet. Swampfox showed up right before the rain and it rained for awhile while everyone visited. There was myself, caveman, swampfox and a couple. I was tired as I had hiked my longest day so far with 18.1 miles so I soon crawled into my sleeping bag and drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

It was still raining some in the morning so we waited awhile until it cleared up before taking off. It was a steady uphill climb up to Big Bald and I found Ice Tea at the summit when I arrived. He was laying on the ground next to a circle of rocks with home spelled out in stones in the center. The views were amazing and you could see past the mountains to the flatlands on the other side. From the bald it was only a little over a mile to the shelter and Ice Tea soon arrived and went for water. After he returned I went down and cleaned up and changed clothes and got water and returned to the shelter. Soon Alley Cat and the stray cats - Holt and Ryan arrived. I had given them their group name and Alley Cat her trail name and they liked it. I played chiaropractor and adjusted everyones back and Ryan returned the favor. We all were popping like popcorn and felt better afterwards. Soon it began to rain and we were concerned that Swampfox was out there and we hollared for him and howled but to no avail. After another hour or so we did so again and we heard him howl back and soon he was in the camp with us and we asked him to stay in the shelter as the rain was starting again so he agreed. We started singing songs and telling stories and had one of the best evenings on the trail so far. It was getting cold so I climbed into my sleeping bag and drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Erwin

To: Uvalde, TX
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, I haven't posted here in like forever due to the fact that after Erwin I came back to Texas. At Erwin I came down with a parasite that took the wind out of my sails and between that, Erin's knee problem and a tenant that we had to come back and evict put a kibosh on the whole trip and here we are back in Texas. I have found some important things about the trail and here they are...1. Take lots of pictures and videos - memories fade but these won't if you take care of them.2. Bring walking sticks - They saved us from many falls, took a lot of stress off of our knees and kept our upper body toned.3. Use a fanny pack. Yes, they are funny but we loved having our daily snacks and other important items within reach and not having to dig through the pack.4. Start early in the day and socialize at the end of the day. This is the best part of the day!5. Have enough money to finish, emergencies and to have fun. 6. This is not a race. I started late and was so intention finishing in time that I was insensitive and mean to my wife. I pushed her harder than she was able to go and as a result she injured her knee and had to go back home, and so my trip lost meaning and when the financial troubles hit I just went home to be with her. If you have to, take longer and enjoy yourself. If you bring your spouse or significant other go at their pace and enjoy yourselves. I screwed things up and then begged for forgiveness and she forgave me and for some reason (mainly that I promised that none of the above bad behavior would happen again) that she is willing to give it a try again. We are considering a flip-flop starting in Harper's Ferry and going south and then bussing back to Harper's Ferry and going to Katahdin. In this way we can start out easy and break into the trail gradually and work to harder. I plan to start a month earlier so as we can take our time and enjoy ourselves more. Finally we plan to have $10,000 saved before we go which we are starting on so as not to have to worry about finances. Heck I am even selling my body to science and am taking part in some medial studies to earn extra money on the weekends.
Date: 2013-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

While sitting around a campfire one night before coming into Hot Springs NC, I told about being a Radioman in the Navy and that Radiomen were usually referred to as "Sparky." As I walked through town one of my hiker friends (Magnet)came out of the Library and thrust this piece of paper in my hand and proclaimed "you are now Sparky." He did not know at the time that this was the insignia for a Chief Petty Officer,, and quite a promotion for me......
Date: 2013-03-18
To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Drove from Central Arkansas to Dawsonville Ga., spent the night in a motel then was picked up by the Hostel shuttle and have been visiting with fellow hikers that will start with me and some other hikers who "slack packed" today. Anticipation is high to start in the morning. For everyone who was aghast that I was hiking alone, I can tell you there will be 12 people starting with me in the morning
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Delivered to the trail and began hiking around 9:30 am. The morning is clear and cold but sunny. Arrived at our intended camp site, 8 miles away at 4:30 pm. Hiking in these mountains is tougher than I remember. I don't know how many people are here this evening. Probably more than 30!
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Grandpa Lou & Peg's

To: Black Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today I left my grandparents' home in South Carolina for the trail. A pleasant car ride of 4 1/4 hours, goodbye to Grandpa Lou, and I took off on my way. Pack was LOADED! About 40 lbs. weight. I really didn't need about 5 lbs. of the water I had as there was ample water supply in frequent spots. In addition to that was a plastic grocery sack of about 3-5 lbs. that, in my haste to get going, I didn't bother to find a spot for in my already maxed-out pack. On the walk up, precipitation was light to no rain, but with the trees dripping, I decided to use my umbrella, which worked out wonderfully. I stayed mostly dry and was comfortably ventilated. When I walked into the park's visitor center I was greeted warmly with a smile by the woman ranger at the desk. She oriented me towards the direction I needed (after I signed the registration) with well wishes for the trip. So I walked from there +7- miles up Springer Mtn to where I write this now in Black Gap Shelter, 1.5 miles shy of the summit. As it is raining and the woods are soaked I decided to use this shelter to keep dry and be ready for my first big day on the Appalachian Trail tomorrow. There are right now 2 other hikers in the shelter, Eric & Dean, pleasant people from SC & GA, respectively. Tomorrow I would like to get going early, and once I do I'm estimating my pack's weight will be a much better +33- lbs. Till then I hope the bear which I've been warned of doesn't get my six day supply of food that I hung up with Eric & Dean's food. Supposedly the bear had been scared out of the park, but it's reputed to be able to get food by gnawing on the ropes. Oh, and also there's a notable resident rodent population here. Thru's from Maine, Brian & Sasha witnessed them as I cooked pasta just before they moved on to Springer Shelter. They had a malfunctioning stove that led me to believe there was a nice campfire when I was arriving here about 3PM. -applejack
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Exhausted and foot sore I was surprised to see empty space at the shelter last night. After walking, off and on, all day in the rain and mud I had made up my mind that I was going to put my aversion to shelters aside and stay the night under a roof that I did not have to roll up the next morning and stuff in my pack.Well...the wind blew, it moaned, it howled and roared!! I honestly thought it was going to lift our shelter off its foundation.Sometime during the night rain turned to snow. It wafted over the tops of two tarps strung up over the front like doors, and powdered everyone's sleeping bags and gear. We all jammed our gear into our packs and beat a hasty beeline for Unicoi Gap, a descent of close to 1000ft in 2.5 miles. I was slipping and sliding all over the place but anxious to make Unicoi by 9am to catch the shuttle to the Budget Inn. Unfortunately, hikers who spent the night in Hiawasse were staying over so there was no room at the inn. My little group went to the Holiday Inn where we split up, two to a room, and are now warm and dry with nice clean, non hiker stinky cloths, plus, for me, a big country breakfast to quiet my stomach, since I did not take time for breakfast.We will see what the weather window is like before making plans for the next few days.
Date: 2003-05-23
From: Big Cedar Mtn

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, no sunrise, but at least it wasn't foggy so's I walked away with a token view, anyhow. Tougher day today than yesterday. Managed to walk just over 20 miles as had been my target. It was going pretty good until after 5 pm. I thought there would not be water at the shelter I'm at now( Low Gap Shelter) so 5 miles before I loaded up with about 7-8 lbs of water. As I finished gathering water a thundershower moved in with 30-60 minutes of heavy rain. The rain doesn't really bother me but my shoulders were at the beginning of causing pain. So I made it to the shelter a little later than I planned, switching the pack between shoulders and taking a few breaks. I may end up trading this pack for my other one that has a waist belt if my shoulder problem worsens or keeps up. This shelter has bear cables so I just hung the whole pack up to save it from bears and rodents. One thing I've noted mentally but not yet in the journals- throughout the whole trip there has been a lot of poison ivy. I have to scan the trail for p.i. more than for things I could trip over! Well, I'll just have to wait till tomorrow to see how far I'll be feeling like walking. -applejac