morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Apr 9, day 16, mileage 11.0Our first order of business today was a resupply. We took a quick shuttle into "town". There is a gas station and a general store. Not much in the store but I was able to get enough to get me to Gatlinburg on Friday. We intend to resupply there, do laundry and have a shower and a bed.Caboose has friends getting married in Gatlinburg on Sunday. He is going to stay two nights to see them. I have not decided if I will join him or get back to the trail.After getting supplies this morning, we were shuttled back to the shelter at Fontana Dam (dam Dave. That is for Tina). We packed our food, got water, used the only flush toilets we would see for a few days and started walking about 10:15. The first 1.3 miles took an hour and fifteen minutes. I was a little distracted by the three Corvettes and a Mustang that drove up to the dam. We talked with those folks and drooled near the cars for a bit. They had never heard of the AT and had a hard time believing we would be walking to Maine. They are in a car club with a web site ShinyFenders.com. They said they were going to put us on their site. I have not had data today to find out if they did yet.When we finally got past the dam and visitor's center, we processed our pass into the GSMNP. We had about 3500 feet of climbing today. I must be getting stronger as I feel much better than the other day after a big climb. I will say that the trail today was much less technical to walk. The weather was beautiful with a high near 80 degrees.We had an Easter egg find at the top of one mountain: Shuckstack fire tower. The stair treads were very old and weather checked. It was an interesting climb. But the views were amazing. After getting to camp, I prepared a dish that I have had a few times and still enjoy: Romine noodles, chicken gravy mix and stove top stuffing. Mmmm good.Today is the sixteenth day out here. We keep meeting more friends and making our way north at an acceptable pace for our bodies. Still no blisters or any other problems other than sore muscles. I have taken a Naproxin on three nights.The next few days in the GSMNP will stay on top of the ridge we climbed today. No major climbs. Just a lot of ups and downs.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mollies Ridge Shelter to Derrick Knob ShelterApr 10, day 17, mileage 12.0Last night, nature called. So I poked my head out of my tent. The moon is at or near a new moon so there is no moon light. But it looked as though someone had turned on a porch light on the shelter. It was the glow of a town in the valley that was glowing up on the mountain. It was pretty wild. When I looked away from that valley, the stars seemed almost as bright. It was way cool.Today had one 1400 foot climb and a bunch of ups and downs. We have to stay at a shelter location while in the GSMNP so we had a choice of 12 miles or 17.5 miles. 17.5 miles would have killed me today. Remember slow is fast. 12 miles allows me to hike again tomorrow.The sun and the AT ganged up on me today and kicked my butt. In the GSMNP, the AT stays on top of a ridge line. It eliminates climbing from lower altitudes, which is very good. But it does not mean that the terrain is easy.Today we were on the ridge line in the full sun for a few hours. Being from Ohio, where I left snow to go to Georgia, the temps in the mid to high 70s and the full sun wore me out.But I still love this new job of mine: to hike the AT. We look at it as a job. Even if there are times when it is not real fun, you just do it. My friend Kurt taught me how to turn off my mind when doing something repetitive. You think enough to accomplish what you are doing but you do not dwell on the pain or monotony. Thank you Kurt. No pain, no rain, no Maine.The pain was today. The rain is tomorrow.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Apr 11, day 18, mileage 7.2Today was a totally different day. I knew that there was to be rain today. That is cool. But there was a trail runner (a paid employee of the park that hikes the trails checking up on things) that gave us the forecast of thunderstorms with hail and 60 knot wind gusts. It was supposed to start about 3:00. I got kicked out of the shelter because some noon thru hikers came up and had reservations. So I set my tent up in the hemlock forest. It started to rain at 8:30. There was a nice light show but the hemlock trees sheltered me from the wind and hail, if there was any.I stopped today just before 12:00 because I did not think I could make the next shelter before the storm.The company here has been wonderful. We have some of the "walk off the war" folks. One is the the American that is on a huge mural at the old Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin. His trail name is Clown Car. There were many conversations from politics to literature to war to music. I listen well as I had little to offer but it was interesting.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: snow

Apr 12, day 19, mileage 10.8After a night of heavy rain, I packed up and was on the trail before seven o'clock. A new personal best for me.The walk was really wonderful. The mountain was in the clouds with the wind blowing the clouds across the trail in front of me. It was almost magical. Today's hike was solo as Caboose was starting at the shelter about five miles down the trail.I really enjoy being solo for the hike. It allowed me to settle into my rhythm easier and to be with my thoughts. I still like hiking with Caboose, it is just different.Today, two highlights were reached. The highest point on the AT, Clingman's Dome, was reached and we have traveled over 200 miles.Clingman's Dome Is a spiral structure to allow you to look over the trees for amazing views from the mountain top. But alas, the clouds covered the mountain.But the walk down the other side of the mountain was a combination walk/wade. The water was running down the trail as deep as six inches at times. My feet were soaked for the whole hike.But the weather turned out to be beautiful and warm. The hemlock forest on the down hill side of the mountain was so thick that off trail travel would have been impossible. It was amazing. After getting to the road crossing at Newfound Gap, Scout, who was sitting in the parking lot, and I hitched a ride into Gatlinburg. We met back up with Caboose for our resupply, lunch and a hotel room. Scout who is about 5 feet 2 inches shared the room with Caboose and me. Being so short, she was able to sleep on the window seat.The three of us were so busy all afternoon getting ready for the next day that we got dinner about none o'clock.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)

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

Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN) to Pecks Corner ShelterApr 13, day 20, mileage 10.4We awoke early to finish packing at the hotel. I walked next door to Subway to get lunch and dinner, two six inch BMT sandwiches with all of the meat of both sandwiches on one six inch. The meat sandwich for lunch, the veggie for dinner. Eating "town" food makes it seen like we are in town longer (in my mind).Then I walked down to McDonalds for two Egg McMuffins and a coke. The breakfast of someone who used to work across the street from a McDonalds. I met Scout there and after breakfast we hitch hiked to the post office. I sent over a pound of surf home, woo woo. My sleeping bag liner and my thermal pants. I have not used either for some time.Then we hitch hiked back to Gatlinburg to get a shuttle back to Newfound Gap where we exited the trail.We met up with Caboose at the outfitter to get the shuttle. The first shuttle was full. After waiting about an hour, we were told the second shuttle would be delayed. So more hitch hiking. Our first ride got us to the visitor's center of the GSMNP. Our next ride put all three of us and our packs in the back of a Jeep. A bit cramped but it got us to Newfound Gap about twelve thirty.Back on the trail... Scout sped off ahead of us not to be seen until about six o'clock that evening.   This part of the AT is the best yet for views. As Caboose and I walked the spine of the ridge, there were awesome views off one side or the other. Sometimes both sides at once.We arrived at a rock outcropping called Charlie's Bunyan. Incredible view. Caboose did a fair impression of Captain Morgan and I got a nice photo of him on the rocks.We caught up with Scout lounging on some rocks taking in an incredible view of the mountains to the south. There was not one man made item in sight. While we were there a few hikers we have been seeing told me that a young couple of day hikers were looking for me in town. I heard this a few more times as we made our way to the shelter for the night.I was able to get cell reception good enough for texts if I stood by the privy at camp.I found the guy looking for me was the owner of Roads, Rivers & Trails, the outfitter I use in Milford, Ohio. He and his friend are hiking in the GSMNP and figured I might be here now. He must have talked to a few hikers as at least eight told me about him. He offered to bring me a beer or other items to a road crossing. Unfortunately, we had no road crossings today or tomorrow. I was never able to meet up with Bryan. That was extremely nice of him to try to find me. We missed each other at Newfound Gap by about one hour.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Apr 14, day 21, mileage 12.9More awesome views today. More ups and downs. Pretty typical day on the AT.One very interesting sight this afternoon was the site and wreckage of an aircraft. Caboose and I walked down the hill about a hundred yards looking at different parts: engine case to include some compressor stators, a wing section with part of a spoiler and hydraulic actuators, a piece with part of the nose landing gear door. There were many other pieces too. I think it was a military fighter from the 1950s or 60s.We got into camp about four o'clock, set camp and had dinner. I had some time to talk with some of the other hikers including Bob and John. They are a father and son doing a small section of the AT. We must have talked about 45 minutes. Nice folks.I had time to read the introduction to "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance". This was a book one of the other guys had and had finished reading. A book is kind of heavy but I missed reading. And I am able to catch up on my journal tonight.Another great day.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Snowbird Mountain (Snowbird VORTAC)
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Apr 15, day 22, mileage 15.1Buckeye Cornelius has left the GSMNP.The Smokies had the best vistas by far. But we were required to stay at shelters which greatly reduces the flexibility as to how far you can go each day. But being back in the National Forest we once again can walk as far or little as we want.Today started about 50 degrees at the top of the mountain. Which is perfect for me. Scout announced that she had officially adopted us. That just means that she rockets ahead of Caboose and me and stops a few times for us to catch up. She got the name Scout by other hikers because she scouts the trail ahead. The reason I think she has adopted us is because she has a little "stranger danger" fear. We are two harmless guys that camp in the same place as her and she feels safer that way.So this morning she took off and Caboose and I walked down until getting to Mt. Cammerer. This is an old fire observation post that is a one story building set on one huge rock. There was a terrific 360 degree view. Then down the mountain we went. We exited the GSMNP with out even a sign to say we were leaving.We are lunch late today in order to eat at a hostel. I had a microwave precooked Angus Beef cheeseburger. While it may sound less than appetizing, it was one of the best burgers I have ever had. It must have been the catsup, hunger and fatigue on the burger that made it better. While having lunch Lieutenant Cookoo, who has been on a vow of silence, came to stand in front of me. When he spoke, he scared the crap out of me. I forgot that his vow of silence ended when he left the GSMNP.After lunch, it was an easy 2500 foot climb over 4.4 miles to the top of Snowbird Mountain. I do so enjoy sarcasm. Our chosen camp tonight is at the location of the Snowbird VOR. A VOR is an aviation navigational radio station.The sunset tonight was amazing. It is clear tonight, so the stars and moon are out. So beautiful. I I just wish I could leave the tent open tonight. The smart choice is to close it up tight because the wind is about 20 mph. But being on to of this mountain is very exciting.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Snowbird Mountain (Snowbird VORTAC)

To: Max Patch Bald
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Apr 16, day 23, mileage 8.9Dave in COHB, this picture is for you.This morning the wind was still pretty strong. Ear plugs were needed for the winds last night. My tent poles are slightly bent from the wind last night.The wind was strong enough to cause a tent failure for Scout last night.   She walked to the next shelter at 3:30 in the morning. When we saw her briefly this morning she said she wanted to get into town so her daughter could take her to REI in Asheville. She said she would probably meet up with us at Hot Springs, our next resupply town.About a mile before the end of our hike today, we encountered some trail magic. Two time thru hikers, Onesiemus, and his dog Super Sergeant, were at a forest road intersection with the AT with hot dogs and Cokes. It was good! We choose our stopping point today at a meager 8.9 miles due to the scenic nature of the spot. We are camping at Max Patch. This is a bald on top of a mountain that must be a 3/4 mile diameter. The place is huge.As we arrived, there was a group of hikers sitting at the top of the bald. More trail magic. Our hosts this time were Emma and Joe. Emma needed community service time so she was approved by her college staff to bring beer and snacks to AT hikers.After everybody left, it was Caboose, Whirled Peas and me left to enjoy this beautiful spot. It was 7:00 tonight when I laid down to read a little and do my trail log.One more night out and them into Hot Springs for our resupply. I should be able to get this hiker log posted on the internet.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Max Patch Bald

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: broken clouds

Max Patch Bald to Hot Springs, NCApr 17, day 24, mileage 20.2Nature called this morning about 3:30. As a got out of my tent, there were white flashes in the sky: in cloud lightning. But the wind was still calm and there were stars in the sky above. I woke again about 5:00 and checked the sky. It was overcast, the wind was still light but picking up. The wind direction had also changed about ninety degrees. Whirled Peas, also up at this time, saw cloud to ground lightning.Time to leave the mountain top! By 5:30 we were packed and walking off the mountain with our headlamps lighting the way. The rest of the hike today was very nice. There was about 2200 feet of climbing but the trail was well maintained with almost no technical walking. There was water for drinking every time we turned a corner, it seemed, so we allowed ourselves to run out of water before putting a liter more in our packs. And being so close to town, our food bags were light. All of this made our packs light today do we moved up and down the hills with relative ease.The early start and our swift movement brought us to our intended stopping point about 2:30. This was too early to stop for the day. Hot Springs, NC was only 3.2 miles further down the trail. So we pressed on into town.This was our first 20+ mile day. Woo woo! We got a cabin that is right on the French Broad River. Sleeps five, but no bath or shower in the cabin.We have shopping and laundry to do tomorrow. I also have to go to the library to rectify some problems I created with my retirement papers. We had planned on hiking onto town tomorrow and staying tonight. So Hot Springs will be a zero day (no miles).Also, Scout will be returning tonight with her daughter and sharing the cabin with us.Dinner was a very good cheeseburger and a sweet tea. Dessert was apple pie and vanilla ice cream. My waist line will not mind too much as I have lost about 2 1/2 inches off my waist since I started the trip.Today was very good!
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Apr 18, day 25, mileage 0Sorry for my long absence in posting my daily journal entries. I believe the world is round but the Verizon world is definitely flat. I fell off of the edge. Look at the Verizon coverage map and you will find a large hole near and a around the Smokies. That is where I fell off the edge of the Verizon world.Today was our first planned zero day. And this is out first "trail town". We actually walked into town and the trail is marked on the sidewalks.The laundry, grocery, stove fuel, trail journal updating and retirement paper work were all taken care of. A nice breakfast, lunch and dinner were very much appreciated.We are well rested and ready to get back to work.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Apr 19, day 26, mileage 10.6We got off to a late start and did not start walking until 11:00. We really need to become more efficient in the resupply towns. Even getting 6 or 8 miles in with a resupply is a little weak. That is called a nearO (rhymes with zero). Near zero day.But the walk today was really neat. Most of the time we walked in the clouds. It did rain most of the day and the temperature went from sixty at the start to about forty five at quitting time.Scout stopped at a shelter. She wanted to sleep in the shelter. I arrived about thirty minutes after her. I wanted to tent camp and since the rain and the clouds/fog were restricting visibility, I felt 5:00 was late enough to walk.Caboose got to the shelter just as I was putting up my tent. He decided to continue on for a while. We will meet up some where on the trail tomorrow. He will leave notes in the trail logs in the shelters as he passes them. I also know the types of places he likes to camp. When he stops for the night, if I have not caught him, he will leave his hiking poles beside the trail to get my attention. It works well.After setting up my tent, I got dry warm clothes on and made dinner. That went down really well tonight: Alfredo noodles and bacon. Mmmm.It is early, only 7:15, but it feels good to be warm, dry and ready for bed. When I got to the shelter at 5:00, everybody in the shelter (5 people) were in their sleeping bags.But I do have internet tonight so I can up load my journal.I apologize for the lack of pictures today but my phone does not like being out in the rain.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

Apr 20, day 27, mileage 15.4Today started with my alarm sounding at 0600. I did not move from my warm sleeping bag until at least 6:20. I wore the clothes today that had dried enough to wear. That would only be my pants. So I wore my fleece pullover, spare dry underwear, pants, rain jacket and rain pants. I had dry socks as I carry three pair for hiking and one pair for sleeping.My tee shirt was dry enough to wear after about 2 to 3 miles of walking with it spread out on the back of my pack.The walk today was beautiful. We had fantastic views from an old observation tower near an antenna site. There were also great views from an exposed rocky area that lasted for about a mile and a half. That is a long time to walk over an area where every foot placement is a conscience decision. There were also a few areas that you had to use both hands to hold onto the rocks while climbing up or down.I saw two Turkeys today and even got to see them fly.As I write this, near sundown, I can hear an owl hooting away.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: A no name gap
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Apr 21, day 28, mileage 18.0Today was another awesome day. I'm sorry, but I cannot get over that fact that I get to do this. Beautiful views every day. I just put my body in auto-pilot and I walk, look at the scenery and get lost in thought.Today's picture was an Easter egg that we happened upon. We crossed the same stream at least three times while climbing the hill. The waterfall in the picture was at one of the stream crossings.A mile before the end of our hike today, we crossed under I-26/US23. I saw Caboose across the freeway and he was climbing into the woods toward our camp for the evening. There was a little parking lot after crossing under the highway. Scout was sitting there taking a break. I walked over toward her as three young guys walked southbound from the AT to their cars in the lot.One of them offered a ride down to the market about three miles down the road.   Our Trail Angel's name was Jamie. A very nice guy, in his early twenties. His mother-in-law is a trail ambassador. Her trail name escapes me now. He was very knowledge about the AT. Scout and I got our items. I bought our Trail Angel some snacks too. He then brought us back to the parking lot. The Pepsi and cheese Danish were yummy.We walked about a mile into the forest looking for Caboose's poles, his sign of where to look for him. I also sang out some "Day Oh"s. Listening for his verbal return. It has helped us find each other a few times. I did hear him reply as Scout spotted his hiking poles. Caboose picked a wonderful site that will see the sunrise.I complained to Caboose that someone had put something heavy in my pack that made it a pain to walk up the hills. I got a nice chuckle out if him as I pulled out a Mountain Dew and handed it to him..
Date: 2013-04-22
From: A no name gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Apr 22, day 29, mileage 17.4Today, the mountains kicked my butt. There was only about 2000 feet of climbing plus a few small ups and downs, but the climbs were steep. Remembering that "slow is fast", I took the climbs slow. If I were any slower going up the hills I would be going backwards.I got to a scenic vista marked in the guide book and decided to take slow to a new level. STOP! I enjoyed the view, took off my shoes and socks, rubbed my toes in the grass, laid down and for fifteen minutes closed my eyes. My break was about thirty minutes long. I felt much better.That did not help much climbing the next hill but my spirit did not mind the slowness as much.The three of us had split up. I saw Caboose at the scenic vista and we discussed where to spend the night. There was a road that he would get to about five o'clock. Beyond the road there was a gently sloping area about four miles long where we should be able to find a camp site. He was going to find a camp site about six o'clock. I would be about thirty to forty minutes behind him.Well the best plans...The gently sloping area of the trail was exactly that, gently sloping. We do not have topographical maps of the area,. The guide book shows the slopes and elevations of only the trail. Unfortunately, the area where the trail was cut is the side of major hills. There were no area suitable for camping for about four miles. I arrived at the first available camping site, which also happened to be a shelter, about 7:45. Scout and Caboose were there.I set up my tent, made dinner and was quickly asleep.