morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-02-25
From: Blue Ridge Gao

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

As I was breaking camp, two college age hikers (males) passed me...they never saw me...I set-up my tent off the trail and in the woods. Later on in the day, the same two males passed me going the opposite direction near Muskrat Creek...They said they too cold and were heading back to Athens, GA where they were going to school at UGA. It as the coldest and windiest day yet..20's..with the wind chill who knows what the temp was...very cold! As I was climbing Standing Indian Mt. I came across Johnathon who was looking for his partner Dave...I guess Johnathon had hike ahead and now was looking for Dave. I told Johnathon that I had hiked for 15 miles and never came across Dave. Hopefully, Dave stopped at Standing Indian shelter which I never entered a little ways back...lesson here...never split up.Today I crossed the GA-NC line at 10:36am...felt good..now I have just 13 more states to cross.I ended up using my headlamp to put up my tent and it was cold!!!!!!!
Date: 2012-02-26
From: Beech Gap

To: Albert Mountain
Miles today: 9.4

I woke up to everything that contained water was frozen...water bottle, the drinking tube that goes to my platypus water holder and my water filter....lesson learned here...everything I just mentioned goes in my sleeping bag during the night. I shouldn't have bragged about not having blisters...I developed on my left heel today...I put moleskin on it and it never bothered me again. It was a clear and sunny, but cold. I ran out of toilet paper...yes I did! As they told me in the Marines...adapt and overcome. I did, but I will spare you the details...I overcame for 3 days on the trail without TP! Never again! If that wasn't enough, my left knee began to hurt badly. I stopped early because of the pain. I was afraid it was my meniscus (had surgery for my meniscus on the same knee about 8 years ago) and if so I knew I was done with only a 100 miles in. I set-up my tent near the base of Albert Mt...took some pain reliever and went to bed wondering if I could continue.
Date: 2012-02-27
From: Albert Mountain

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained during the night and into the morning; therefore, I had to pack a wet tent. The first part of the hike was Albert Mt. 5,250 ft straight up...my left knee began to hurt, it was cold, rainy and overcast....to top it off I dropped my camera in a creek while it was on...I turned it off immediately...tried to turn it back on later in the day and it wouldn't...Great, I have to buy another camera...to this point in the hike, this was low point for me.Once I was up and over Albert Mt. it flattened out a little...my knee began to feel better. It was when I was going down the mountains, that's when it hurt like...well you know what. The rest of the day was without the steep hills and my knee felt better, but still painful. I came across a southbound hiker, never asked his name...he was only person I passed all day. As I was descending to Winding Staircase Gap, I came across some trail magic...Gingersnap, a 2010 thru-hiker, left some muffins for thru-hikers in a large Tupperware container suspended in a tree. I ate 6 of them and felt better about my situation. I was starting to possibly rule out that it was my meniscus causing the pain, because if was my meniscus it would hurt in any direction I was going..up, down or level ground....I was now starting and hoping to believe that it was the tendon that goes over my knee...which I could deal with...with rest and ice packs.I ended up calling the Aquone Hostel...they will pick you up at certain gaps. I made arrangements to be picked up tomorrow at Wayah Gap..so I hiked to Siler Bald Shelter..but stayed in my tent. Tried to make some pancakes for dinner, but it was a disaster...instead made something resembling scrambled pancakes...tasted the same...used some syrup containers I had taken from a restaurant in Hiawassee. The day ended on a good note...I tried to turn on the camera one last time...IT Worked!!! Yes!!! I went to bed with the IPod blasting away.
Date: 2012-02-28
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 1.7

Got up this morning hoping today would be a good day. I bandaged my blister on my left heel...a morning ritual. My left knee hurt right away in the morning, but as soon as I went a half mile on the trail the pain started to dissipate...I was happy...now I was feel pretty sure it was my tendon and not my meniscus....meniscus pain never dissipates unless you are completely stopped.Made it to Wayah Gap and called the Aquone Hostel to be picked up. Steve and Maggie, the owners, are from England with a thick British accents. Steve did a thru-hike of the AT in 2010. Steve trail name is Wiggy. Steve picked me up...the nicest guy...haven't met any bad people yet. I told him about my knee problem...he said he had the same thing for 2000 miles when he hiked the AT...he explained it to me...it was a tendon....now I was really feeling better..I was not done hiking.The Aquone Hostel is a beautiful place..the cabins are hand built by Steve...OUTSTANDING workmanship..First class cabins....$20/night...can't beat it. If you are hiking the AT and reading this...Don't pass this up! I met up with Shelter Mouse...he got here the day before....Steve told me that Scooter and Rising Sun stayed at the hostel and had left a couple days earlier. Steve thinks they will burnout...going way to fast. Maggie had to go into town(Andrew, NC), so Shelter Mouse and I rode into town with her...I was able to stock up on groceries...I also hit the golden arches and had their Deluxe Angus Burger...tasted great! So that is it for now...I plan on staying here tomorrow to give my knee a rest.
Date: 2012-02-29
From: Wayah Gap

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Spending a second day at the Aquone Hostel. Taking it easy and icing my left knee. Shelter Mouse today, probably won't see him again for some time. Good day to stay put...rainy/windy. Back on the trail tomorrow.I am having my first "missing family" attack. Facing the elements and the hurdles on the trail is a lot easier than being away from my best friend and wife, Pam....and especially being separated from my two angels Cierra and Sydney. It's hard for me to think that it will be 9 more weeks before I see them. Maybe I can find my way home in about a month for weekend via Greyhound or a flight..we will see. I sure admire our military members and families for enduring their long separations. Tomorrow's weather is suppose to be very nice. I am going to try to do about 15 miles a day....that seems good for me at this point. If my knee behaves...maybe I will extend it later on. I do about 2 miles an hour when hiking.I have been icing my knee and watching TCM channel...31 days of Oscars...I have watched To Catch a Thief (Carry Grant and Grace Kelly), Robin Hood (with the Dancing with Wolves star), The Nun's Story (Audrey Hepburn and Peter Finch), The Singing Nun (Debbie Reynolds) and the silent film from 1927 "Two Arabian Knights" with William Boyle...loved them all.Well...off I go...it's 6pm...a Hungry Man Dinner is waiting for me and some left over frozen pizza...and what do you know another movie is about to begin.I enjoy the guest book entries from EVERYONE from family to absolute strangers.Take Care Everyone....it could be awhile before my next update...but they will come...stay tuned for my next "You won't believe it episode"
Date: 2012-03-01
From: Wayah Gap

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Sunny day and about to get a ride back to Wayah Gap from Steve. Looking forward to getting back on the trail....in shorts and short sleeve. Couldn't ask for a better day. I have been shaving...the beard thing got old and the cleaner I look the better opportunities I have of getting rides, ect. Once again for AT hikers coming this way...I highly recommend the Aquone Hostel...this Steve and Maggie first year utilizing their first class cabins for thru-hikers....once the word gets out I expect the Aquone Hostel to be booked way in advance...so call and book a day or two in advance....you will not regret it! Their photo in this journal has all the info..phone and website....tell them Daddy-O recommend them.Will update when I can...so until next update "Happy Trails"!!!!!!!!!! Come on knee be nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hit the trail with a beautiful to hike. Took the John Byrne Memorial Tower at Wayah Bald Mountain (5,342 ft.) John Byrne was a Forest Supervisor of the Nantahala National Forest from 1931-1933...Youngest at that time. Fought in WWI in the Marine Corps and was expsed to gas...and died of a lung compliations 1934.Met "Apple"...62 year old man who maintains the portion of the AT I was on and is a trail angel. Gave me a coke...He graduated from Michigan State, so we had a bit to talk about. Ended up hiking 16 miles...one hour in the dark with my headlamp...pretty cool...3/4 moon...nice weather..set up my tent just past Wesser Bald Shelter...looking over the Little Tennessee Valley...lights of civilization below. Rain came in the early morning hours...Great Day!
Date: 2012-03-02
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: moderate rain

The rain stopped when I got up. Dried off my rainfly with my microtowel. Off I went to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)about 6 miles up the trail. the NOC is a large adventure/outdoor store (specializing in kayaking) and has a restaurant...The Nantalhala River runs along the side of the NOC. The AT crosses right through it. I ran into Shelter Mouse as I entered the area. He spent the night in the NOC hostel and said he got a job at the NOC starting in mid-March....needs the money. I sent home my water filter (went to water purifier drops instead...weight and ease of use, stove and fuel bottle...wasn't really using it enough to justify it...cold food isn't too bad...for now...Pam can always send it back to me, jacket liner..it was nice but was only using it at night prior to going to bed...I can add layers of clothes and get the same comfort, and few other odds and ends...total 5.7 pounds)I had a great burger at the River Bend restaurant before I took off to the next shelter 6.9 miles away. There were warnings of bad weather/tornedos in the area...schools in the area were let out early. Off I went and rain started coming down hard. I got soaked, but eventually made it to the shelter. A total of 7 thru-hikers(all males)stayed the night there (Bug Catcher, T-Bone, Shelter Mouse, Rocket Man, Canister and Gourmet. A big storm came during the night..but we made it through it. In fact everyone else stayed up, I went to bed. I told the group, if you hear a train (tornado) it was nice knowing you.
Date: 2012-03-03
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Bug Catcher and T-Bone left at 7am...Shelter Mouse left at 8am and I said good-bye to rest and left a 9am. Sunney day...Took about an hour lunch break at Stecoah Gap...I got in my Crocs and attempted to dry out my boots..some success. I made the mistake yesturday of wearing shorts in the rain and not my pants...my boots would have not gotten water in them if I had worn the pants...I think! I ended up hanging my wet socks, sock liners, shorts,and towel on the back of my pack...they almost completely dried out by the time I reached the shelter. Uneventful day...passed some sectional hikers..Father and sons..and dog...talked to them for a while then moved on. I caught up with Shelter Mouse about a mile before the shelter..he said his legs were burning...he told me to go on...so I did.It was just Shelter Mouse and me at the shelter...good thing it was small...see picture. Shelter Mouse and talked and talked.....and I laughed. Shelter Mouse is a big Ron Paul supporter. Good day...on the chilly side...almost everything that got soaked the day before was now dry...including my boots! Never saw Bug Cather and T-Bone. The others never caught up to us.
Date: 2012-03-04
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: light rain

Shelter Mouse left at 7am and I left at 8am from the shelter. Did the 6 mile hike to Fontana Dam...ran into Shelter Mouse...we both took a $3 shuttle to the Fontana Resort...had lunch and I updated this journal on the resort computer. We will be staying in the Fontana Hilton (Fontana Dam Shelter) tonight. I have been using the resort's outlets to charge my camera, IPod and phone. I haven't been geting cell service (Sprint)..at times I can text and mostly nothing at all...I hardly ever have data service on my phone ie Internet, ect.After today, I enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the next 6 or so days. I am required to stay in Park's shelters. I will be between 5,000 and 6,600 feet for the next 6 days...I am very glad there is no snow forcasted...there were fluries today. A few years ago, AT hikers were held up here and were not allowed to enter the Park for days due to the amount of snow in the mountains. The forcast looks good for the next few days.I will be out of touch until I exit the Smokies and get to Standing Bear Farm Hostel..standingbearfarm.com.....they have a computer there.P.S. My knee is doing much better...Yes! Pam..this is what I need sent: peanut butter in a plastic container...about a half of a regular jar, one jar of honey (plastic honey bear bottle), some flat bread...I am calling this the Steve Special...Steve from Aquone Cabins use to eat this when he did his thru-hike...calories to the max!, bag of fun size Snickers, 3 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice (any flavor), single servings of Spam, tuna fish (flavored) and salmon..if they have it (4 each), regular bag of trail mix, bag of Jolly Ranchers, 12 Cliff Bars, 2 bags of mixed dried fruit and a Birthday cupcake...Yes people it's my 52 on 3-9...I expect some birthday wishes...Thank You...and anything else that my wonder wife and kids want to send me...BUT remember I have to CARRY it! I should be at Standing Bear Farm Hostel around 3-10 to 14. I will hangout until the package arrives. Here is the address...They will hold the package for 60 days.Standing Tree FarmC/O Mark St.Amour (Daddy-O) ETA March 10 to 14 20124255 Green Corner Rd.Hartford, TN 37753Pam..I did send some items home. Here are my projected stays in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park:3-5 Mollie Ridge Shelter, 3-6 Derrick Knob Shelter, 3-7 Mt. Collins Shelter, 3-8 Pecks Corner Shelter, 3-9 Cosby Knob Shelter.....and just outside the park on 3-10 Standing Bear Farm. TAKE CARE EVERYONE!
Date: 2012-03-05
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Left the Fontana Dam Shelter around 7am and backtracked to where I has picked up by the Fontana Resort shuttle (1 mile) and sarted the trail there...did not want to skip any of it...the principle. Crossed the Fontana Dam...built in the 1930's...Highest dam east of the Rockies...the dam right below Fontana Dam is where they shot The Fugitive movie scene where Harrison Ford jumps from the dam. Filled out my backcountry permit for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The AT bisects the Park right in half going right over the top of the Smoky Mountains,,,to my left was Tennessee and to my right was North Carolina. About 3 miles into the Park, I ran into a Park employee who advised me which shelters were filled,,,told me to stay at Russel Field Shelter...Thru-hikers can't have reservations and you can not tent in the Park....It is like a chess game on which shelter to stay at...they hold 12 people...3 sided with tarps covering the open end during the winter....two levels of plywood...good sleeping mats come in handy. It is spring break time and most of the college kids I ran into were from various colleges in Michigan. It was up hill all day...I was the only one at the Russel Field Shelter...nice weather all day. At about 8:30pm two sectional hikers came into the shelter and scared the hell out of me as they whipped open the tarps...I was sound asleep with my mummybag closed tight. I went back to bed and never saw them again....I left the next morning before they got up.
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Still all uphill...As I passed people, I would asked where they were staying...all said Silers Bald Shelter...so I made it a point to make it to the next shelter after Silers...Double Spring Gap Shelter. It was tough going most of the day...the Park employee advised me yesterday that it would be. Got to the shelter around 5pm and 3 people were there. Thru-hikers Bug Catcher and T-bow and sectional hiker Brian. Brian had retired from IBM after 32 years. Sectional hiker Mike arrived after me. Everyone got along and we went bed at around 7pm. Next morning Bug Catcher and T-Bow took off around 6:30 am...they were catching a shuttle at Newfound Gap at 1pm to Gatlinburg, TN (11 miles away). Still no great views yet...in the woods going and going uphill.
Date: 2012-03-07
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Peck's Corner 
Miles today: 21.7

Said good-bye to Brian and Mike and headed north on the trail...They were going south. Today the fun began. First stop was Clingmans Dome (6,643 ft) highest point on the AT I was told. Well it was early morning...9am...and my thermometer said 16 degrees and the wind was whipping up around 30-40 mph. I climbed the tower to say I did...almost blown off it...couldn't see 100 yards...overcast...snow on the ground...and icing. Leaving Clingmans Dome...the trail was all ice and snow for about 4 miles...and this was on a good day. This is why they have such a large capacity to house people at Fontana Dam...When the weather is too bad, they hold hikers up a Fontana Dam.Once I got down in elevation the weather turned very nice and the sun came out. Passed a lot of spring breakers...I passed what had to be 4 sorority girls with no jackets heading to Clingmans Dome...I just laughed and told them what to expect...they kept going. Got to Newfound Gap...major tourist pullout and road...it is right in the middle of the Park. I had some people take my picture overlooking the Smokies. Everyone was asking if I was a hiker...I had to smell like one....one guy interviewed me on camera as to why I was thru-hiking...a 70ish year old couple talked to me for a while...the wife told me I was doing the right thing while still had the ability to do it...She looked right at me and said, "You enjoy every minute of it." Off I went...I decided to skip the first shelter past Newfound Gap...figuring that is where all the spring breakers would be and partying...so I off I went to Pecks Corner Shelter. Now I was walking the ridge line on top of the Park and the views were unbelievable...to my left was the Tennessee Valley. I went out and sat on Charlies Bunion (rock formation)...you fall and you are guaranteed to be dead....A sign says to watch your children closely. I was fortunate to have a person there, Jonathon, from East Tennessee State...he took some pictures.I made it to Pecks Corner Shelter with about 10 minutes of light left. Only one person was there..Tom...on spring break from North Carolina State. Tom decided to solo backpack the Smokies instead of heading to Daytona. Tom and I got along great...He gave me a Gerber Knife he found at a shelter. ...he also gave me some energy bars...he said he packed 19 bars/day...I pack 2 energy bars/day...section hikers verses thru-hikers. My first 20+ mile day...did not plan it that way, but it worked out great...My body feels great...knee and blister are not a problem.
Date: 2012-03-08
From: Peck's Corner 

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Said good-bye to Tom...he was heading south. Saw very few people on the trail. I was planning on staying at Davenport Gap Shelter. I walked the ridge line all day...scenery was amazing...I was looking forward to tomorrow and staying at Standing Bear Farm...hot shower, package from the family, ect. I was going on 7 days without a shower. I got to Davenport Gap Shelter near sundown and a lot of voices were coming from inside it...so I made a split second decision to run for the boarder of the Park and tent. I did just that...made it out of the Park with about 15 minutes of light left. Set up my tent and got in it and it started to rain...what timing. I got Sprint cell service for the first time in a long time. Called and talked to the family from inside my tent...and did some texting....Great day...I sleep best in my tent...it's home. A second 20+ day...my legs are getting stronger.
Date: 2012-03-09
From: Davenport Gap

To: Standing Bear Farm - Hostel
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up and the rain stopped....Happy Birthday to myself..52! I crossed Interstate 40 as I made my way to the hostel. A AT maintenance volunteer gave me two tangerines...God were they GOOD! Now that was trail magic on my birthday. I am now at Standing Bear Farm..I took the cabin for $20/night...verses the hostel at $15/night. I took an one hour hot shower...and ate some hot food....remember, I have no stove on the trail. I will try to upload some pictures but this computer is very old and slow ...may have to wait to another day to do so. Hopefully, the package from my family will arrive today. I had to use a scrub board to hand wash my clothes...they do have a dryer though.So long for now....248 miles and counting. 3-10-12 update...Curtis (named him Tracker) advised me that my package was sent to the wrong place, but they are doing an express shipping today so it arrives today at around 11:30. Last night thur-hikers: married couple Ol'Timer and Maybe, solo hiker Mike (taking a break from medical school) arrived and section hiker Doghouse arrived also. Tracker took me to a BP Gas Station which served BBQ (Hartford, TN). I had the Pulled Pork for my B-Day dinner...Outstanding! They smoke it right there. Was able to get cell service...called family. Probably get in a few miles today once my package arrives. So long until next update.
Date: 2012-03-10
From: Standing Bear Farm - Hostel

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Once I got the package from home..went through it...read the birthday cards from the family...I packed up and left at 2:30pm. I made it 9 miles to Deep Gap...set up my tent as darkness arrived. Beautiful spot off the trail down by a stream. I got a surprise when I pulled out my sleeping bag...it was wet on top. My pillow which I thought I dried...was in fact still wet...so when I put the two in my compression dry bag...the bag got wet....I was not happy...I put on extra clothes and kept the bag open...it semi-worked. I eventually fell asleep to the sound of silence.