morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

As planned today was a zero day to let some blisters on my feet heal and stay out of the snow squalls. I spent the day at the hostel and had the guys at the outfitter "shakedown" my gear. I was proud of my pack job as they only found about six pounds to lose. I think the average weight dropped here at Walasi is about 12. Unfortunately the tent never showed up so I had to drop another $300 on a new one. If I lose this one, someone is trying to tell me something. I am spending another night here and I am back on the trail tomorrow for about a six or seven day hike to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, NC. Still no trailname, although one guy has been calling me Beantown, because of the Sox hat. I'll take it if it sticks. By the way, GO SOX. I'm sorry I'm going to miss the opening game on Sunday. Take care,Jason
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

It was a nice day today...finally. The sun was out for the first time since day one. There were many scenic vistas today. I got a late start out of the Walasi Yi Center after sending more gear home...my pack is down to 41 pounds. I also set up a bounce box to send non essential things a week or so up the trail...cell phone, camera charger, extra batteries, that sort of thing. I am sitting at the picnic table at the Low Gap Shelter with Fusion, Okie, Brewmaster, Wiggy, Saxy Lady, Sten and Mike just relaxing and having a few laughs. Oh and my tent showed up tonight! A group rolled into came in the evening and asked if anyone had lost a tent. Sure enough, it was mine. It was found at the shelter I had stayed at the night before it disappeared. So a big thank you to Casey who carried it about 27 miles until he found me. Now I am carrying two tents for the next couple of days, but I'm not complaining. Only 10.6 miles today, but what's the rush?Beantown
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 20.2

Another great day on the trail...sunny and high 60s low 70s. I had lunch at the Blue Mountain shelter with Mike and Wiggy and tended to my persistent blisters. They are getting better, but I haven't shaken them yet. I experienced some more "trail magic" today. At Unicoi Gap, a point where the trail crosses a road, someone left a cooler full of ice cold soda. I drank a half a can of Mountain Dew and left the rest for the next hiker. It came at just the right time, right before a big climb. So thank you to the trail angel. It gets better. About an hour or so later, I met Freedom and Gulp Gulp, a couple of past thru hikers out for a few days. They told me about the "Feast in the Forest" at Addis Gap. They said there were signs on the trail directing hikers down to a campsite for free food and drink. The only problem was that it was over eight miles away and it was 3:45, probably a 3 1/2 hour hike at best. I kind of put it out of my mind, deciding that I would stop there tomorrow. I kept hiking and couldn't get the feast out of my mind, so at about 5:15 after filling my water bottle at Tray Mountain, I decided to push the remaining 5+ miles to there. I got to the feast around 8pm on fumes. This is the 12th Annual event run by a very nice woman named Moo. You can't imagine how much food and drink they had: hot dogs, corn on the cob, corned beef and cabbage, fruit, chips, cookies, candy, soda, juice, beer and liquor! I offered her money and she told me it was a random act of kindness. I guess so. I'm sure I'll pay for the 20 miles I hiked today, but it was worth it.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Addis Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today marks one week on the trail. I had my best night's sleep yet. I think it was a combination of being exhausted and well fed from yesterday's feast. I had a breakfast of french toast, potatoes and ham. It hit the spot. I got on the trail at about 11:30 for a 5.6 mile hike to Dick's Creek Gap, where I hitched a ride into Hiawassee, GA. I needed to buy some food and send myself some mail drops up the trail. One thing I have realized is that I am carrying too much food. Most experienced hikers recommend four to five days worth at most. This requires more planning, but you can save significant weight based on two pounds of food per day. I had dinner at a Mexican restaurant and I am spending the night at the Holiday Inn Express. It will be nice to sleep in a real bed. Tomorrow morning I will mail a few food drops ahead and then catch a 10am shuttle back up to the trail. Most of the people I have been hiking with are in town tonight and heading back to the AT tomorrow. The weather is supposed to get wet tomorrow with thunderstorms expected in the evening followed by rain on Thursday and Friday. It looks like I'll try to stay in shelters for the next few nights if I can.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Hiawassee

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It sure was nice sleeping in a bed last night and watching a little Sportscenter. After loading up on the Holiday Inn Express continental breakfast, I took the 10am shuttle back up to the trail. Today was the busiest day on trail yet. I saw several folks that I knew. Sasquatch, Wiggy, Morel, Sten, Mike and I all hiked up to this shelter tonight. On the trail up here, there was a sign posted by the ranger warning of a bear taking hikers backpacks. There are no bear cables up here so we had to tie up our food bags. Wiggy and I also rigged up a tarp on one side of the shelter to hopefully block out any potential rain which is forecast for tonight. We hit a milestone today, entering our second state, North Carolina. I think today's hike was the toughest yet, several big climbs. I ate my first ramen meal tonight with some bagged chicken. It was actually pretty good.Beantown
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: moderate rain

It poured last night. Thankfully I was in the shelter. The tarp Wiggy and I set up came undone sometime during the night due to high winds. I just found out that Wiggy got out of high school a semester early so that he could hike the AT. I guess his final three credits are being earned by keeping a journal and sending pictures back to his school. Why didn't I think of that? Today's hike was mostly in the rain. It started with a summit of Standing Indian Mountatin, which at 5498' is the highest peak yet on the trail. It's too bad there was no visibility, because it looked like we passed some great views. I came across more trail magic today. This guy Barry and his wife set up camp and were serving black beans and rice. They have been there since March 15 and are planning to stick around for another week. A hiker named Fishing Fred told me he got there three weeks ago and hasn't left. The three of them are making jewelry together to sell at hiker festivals in Hot Springs and Damascus. I am staying in a shelter again tonight, because the forecast is calling for rain all night. Tomorrow, we are planning to hike to Winding Stair Gap and head into Franklin, NC for the night.Beantown
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Another night of heavy rain. Today, I passed the 100 mile mark on the AT. I still feel strong and my blisters are all calloused. The vaseline on the feet in the morning is doing the trick. Sasquatch, Wiggy, Morel and I hitched a ride into Franklin, NC on a free shuttle. We went over to a hiker cookout and filled up on burgers and dogs. Another buffet for dinner. I'm normally not a fan of these places, but when you have eaten trail food for a few days, you'll eat just about anything. It will be nice to sleep in a bed again tonight. My hips are sore from sleeping in shelters the last two nights. Even with the sleeping pad, the floors are not as soft as the ground. Back to the trail in the morning.Keep on keeping on.Beantown
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

I'm sorry it's been awhile since I have updated Trail Journals. It's been harder to find an internet connection than I thought it would be.April 9 - I slept great last night in the bed and was able to catch the Red Sox score on ESPN, a win over Toronto. I was on the trail this morning by 9:45 after, you guessed it, the breakfast buffet at the same steakhouse we ate dinner at. We had another great hiking day, sunny and 70's. Trail magic blessed us twice today. The first magic was run by a Baptist church from the Charlotte, NC area. These nice folks had sodas and snacks waiting for us at about 7 miles into the hike. Right after that, there was a sign about Trail Magic at the top of the next peak, Wayah Bald, from 10 to 2. It was 12:15 when I read the sign and I had to climb 4.2 miles in less than 2 hours to make it. I did it in an hour and a half. Normally, I have been averaging about 2.5 miles per hour. It's amazing what real food will allow your body to do. This trail magic was hosted by the Anderson Hiking and Backpacking Club of Anderson, SC. These very friendly people had hamburgers, sodas, oranges and candy. Just perfect at the end of a big climb. I am still amazed at the generosity of people. Jack Brake, I hope to join you in the 2000 mile club. After resting, relaxing and talking with these folks for over an hour, it was time to get hiking again. By the way, one woman recognized my trail name from Trail Journals and asked if I was the guy that lost his tent. Just what I want to be remembered for. Jersey Fresh, Morel and Sasquatch set up camp near a stream around 6:30 and I wasn't quite ready to stop for the day, so I decided to push on to the next shelter 3.6 miles away. It was a gamble, in terms of making it before dark, but I'm glad I went. At the top of Wesser Bald is an old fire tower. I climbed the tower and was able to get a couple of nice pictures of the sunset. I was at the shelter by 8:15 and met Patch, Walrus and Tennessee Tom. There was room for me and here I am. I hiked 21.6 miles today. My longest yet and I'm exhausted.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: clear sky

I had a pretty good night's sleep in the shelter and hit the trail at 9am for the 5.6 mile decent to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. It was a tough day for me. My right knee starting acting up a bit. I think it was just the steep decents, but I'm glad I got here by late morning, so I had the rest of the day to take it easy. I had some lunch and went over to the outfitter's. I'm looking for a smaller backpack. I'm trying to lose more weight. No luck, but a did by a spork. What a great invention. The NOC is primarily a whitewater rafting center and it was busy today due to the nice weather and it being Sunday. I put my feet in the river and it was cold. Sasquatch rented a cabin here tonight for about eight of us and wouldn't take any money, so I bought his dinner.Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: A few miles up the trail
Miles today: 2.8

Today was a leisurely day spent hanging around the NOC. None of us could seem to get going today. We decided to have breakfast and take a down day to give our bodies a rest. The best part of which was that I got to watch opening day at Fenway. It was nice to see the Sox get their rings with the Yankees in the house! I watched a few innings of the game and decided to hit the trail around five. The other guys had already left, so I hiked up the trail about three miles or so until I found them camped out by a spring. It was good to get a few miles in, because tomorrow we have a big climbing day, over 2000 vertical feet. It's supposed to rain tomorrow. I can't complain, we have had three days of sunny, warm weather.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: A few miles up the trail

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Today was a tough day, big climbs and rain all day. I have been on the trail for two weeks. I am still enjoying every part of the experience: hiking, camping and meeting other hikers. I got to the shelter today around three, which is the earliest I have ended my day yet. It was tough to stop that early, but I've got to listen to the body. My knee was sore again on the downhills. Tomorrow I will be at Fontana Dam. I need to pick up a food drop at the post office. I might spend the night at the inn depending on how my back feels after another night in a shelter. I slept great last night in my tent. I laid down my backpack underneath my legs. It was very comfortable. Tonight is like a different day. The sun came out late in the afternoon which allowed us to dry out our gear and have a fire. Crazy Horse, who used to be in a reggae band, is playing the guitar and singing some songs. It's a good night.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

It was a nice hiking day today, overcast with a light rain near the end of the hike. The back of my right knee was bothering me again on the downhill. Any prolonged downhills are probably going to give me problems. I might get a knee brace if it gets worse. I took several pictures of Fontana Dam through the trees as I came down the trail. It is the biggest dam in the states east of the Mississippi. I decided to stay at the Fontana Inn tonight. When I walked into the place and down the hallway to my room all I could think of was the Shining. I double checked the locks that night. Apparently, this is a seasonal village and because we are here off season, there were only hikers around. Kind of quiet and eerie.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Hopefully, I can catch up with all my journal entries today.Once again, I slept like a baby in the hotel room bed. I didn't want to get up, but managed to make it down for the breakfast buffet. We separated from Sasquatch today. His girlfriend is meeting him in Fontana, so he is taking a few zero days. Hopefully, we meet up with him again down the road. Aside from the corny jokes, he's a good guy to hike with. I got a late start hitting the trail. The shuttle dropped us off at about 11:30. We hiked up to the dam area. I took a picture of the Fontana Hilton, which is supposedly one of the nicest shelters on the entire AT. Then I did the tourist thing and took some pictures of the Fontana Dam. The AT goes right across it. Just over the dam you enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Today was a long climb up into the Smokies, which are high with almost all peaks over 5000'. A couple are over 6000', including Clingman's Dome which I think I've mentioned is the highest peak on the AT. The Smokies are known for their black bear, there are over 1600 of them in the park. The shelter I am staying at tonight has a chain link fence across the front to prevent them from getting in. The National Park service is beginning to take the chain link fencing down, because campers were feeding the bear through the fence. As long as you use the bear bag cables to hang your food, you shouldn't have any problems. Don't worry Mom. I would like to see a bear under the right circumstances...from a distance. It's a good group staying in the shelter or tenting here tonight: South Shore and Jersey Fresh, Red Wing and Hopeful, Snowman and Sparkplug, Free Radical and some new hikers I just met Peanut, Thirsty and Ribeye. It's going to be cold tonight, so I'm going to jump in my bag. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike was almost 15 miles of mostly climbing. It was another beautiful day, all sun. The Smokies are notorious for bad weather. We have been lucky enough to hit them during unusually sunny skies. Starting with yesterday, the forecast is calling for sun and no rain until Monday or Tuesday of next week. There is another good group at the shelter tonight including all of last night's group plus Noonin, Walrus and Elf. Tomorrow I will be leaving the group to head into Gatlinburg. I have a food drop to pick up at the Happy Hiker outfitter. Everyone is giving me a hard time for checking out the Gat. Apparently, it's a big tourist trap. I have heard it referred to as the "Vegas of the South". I'll get have some good meals(ie not made from a JetBoil stove), sleep in a bed, drink a few beers and maybe see a wax museum or two. I would like to go to Dollywood, but that's in the next town over called Pigeon Forge. I'm looking forward to climbing Clingman's Dome tomorrow, especially in good weather.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: The Grand Prix Motel
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a day of milestones. After getting off to my earliest start, 8:30, I summitted Clingman's Dome mid morning. As Snowman put it, it was an "underwhelming" experience. I'm not sure what I was expecting from the highest peak on the AT, but it wasn't an ugly concrete spiral walkway. Don't get me wrong, the views from the top of the walkway were beautiful, but I had hoped there was going to be some natural vistas. We did receive a nice welcome from a hiking club just below the summit. After Clingman's, it was a gradual decent of about 1600' to Newfound Gap, during which I passed milestone two, the 200 mile mark. At Newfound Gap, Strider and I hitched a ride into Gatlinburg. It's not as easy as I thought it would be, but a woman from the same hiking club that greeted us at the top eventually picked us up and brought us to town. My first stop was the Happy Hiker where they were a big help in getting my backpack issues resolved. Thanks to Barrett for contacting Gregory backpacks and arranging for new shoulder straps to be sent to me in Hot Springs. I then got a room at the Grand Prix Motel, an older place, but hiker friendly and only $31. I took a walk around Gatlingburg tonight. It's quite a place...sensory overload. They have got Ripley's Believe It Or Not wax museums and haunted houses, a space needle, chairlift rides, arcades, mini golf and more t shirt shops than I have ever seen before. There are even several wedding chapels on the main street. It's definately honky tonk, but I loved it after spending many days in the woods.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: The Grand Prix Motel

To: The Grand Prix Motel
Miles today: 0.0

I took a zero day today. Only my second since I started. It was nice to sleep in a bit, although I was still up around 8. I finally got to Shoney's for their breakfast buffet. I went there with Sweet 16 and Strider. Later in the day, we took another walk back up the main strip in Gatlinburg. It really is sensory overload. I couldn't focus on any one place or thing, because there was so much to look at. Hopefully, I sleep well tonight, because it's back to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: The Grand Prix Motel

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: few clouds

The day started off right with a couple of complimentary Krispy Kreme doughnuts from the motel lobby. Strider, Spoonman and I got a shuttle back up to Newfound Gap at 8:30am. I was back on the trail by 9:15 and hiking in the third state the AT crosses, Tennessee. From this point north through the remainder of the Smokies and beyond, the AT hugs the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Strider and I decided that we were going to try and hike 23.3 miles to Cosby Knob Shelter. Today was the annual running of the Boston Marathon. I was sorry to miss it, so in honor of Griffin's Friends(the charity I have fun for the last 4 years) and those I knew who were running, I wanted to hike as close to 26.2 miles as I could. Strider and I kept a great pace all day. The day off really helped. My knee didn't hurt at all and there were several decents. I'm not sure my plan for tomorrow, but at Davenport Gap I guess there is a place about a mile away that cooks a mean burger. So that will definately be in the plan. It's amazing how just one day and night in the woods gives me a huge craving for non trail food. Ramen noodles and bagged chicken for dinner gets old after awhile. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: halfway up Snowbird Mountain
Miles today: 12.7

Another tough night sleeping in the shelter. Between the loud snoring(I'm sure I was one of them) and the hard floors, I did not sleep well. I was on the trail around 8:45 with Jersey, Wiggi and Horizon. I struggled up the first hill. I think the big day yesterday took something out of me. Luckily, the majority of the morning was a decent to Davenport Gap and the northern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We were very lucky to get through the park with no rain. We have had six straight days of sunshine and warm weather. No one I know saw a bear during the 70 miles of hiking the Smokies. Someone said it might be too early for them to be up at the elevations we were hiking. Oh well, still a long way to go. At Davenport Gap, I hiked off trail about 1 1/2 miles to Mountain Mama's Kuntry Store. I had her giant cheeseburger, which was one of the best I've ever had. I followed that up with a grilled cheese and fries, two cokes and a Mountain Dew. I am always craving soda on the trail. I think it's because all I drink is water, which is refreshing but bland. Mama shuttled Horizon and I back to the trail after a nice two hour break. I hiked another three miles or so to a road crossing, where there was another hostel(chance to get food) about a 1/4 mile off trail. I couldn't resist the opportunity for another soda(don't worry mom, I'm brushing my teeth). The Standing Bear Farm/Hostel is run by a guy who looks just like Ted Nugent, without the weapons. Zen re-taught me how to play cribbage. She and her husband are carrying a small travel board. It was nice relaxing and listening to the Allman Brothers. I didn't want to leave, but I also wanted to get a few more miles in for the day. I hiked a couple more miles until I found Jersey, South Shore, Wiggi and Horizon. I was glad to see them, because I figured I would be camping alone tonight. After dinner, I fired up the corn cob pipe I bought in Gatlinburg. Not bad, but I'm not feeling right tonight, so I'm going to bed. Keep on keeping on.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: halfway up Snowbird Mountain

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

The seventh day in a row of sunny weather! It was a tough day for me. I felt weak and my body ached for most of the day. It started last night on the hike up to the campsite. I just haven't had much energy and I've got the chills. Hopefully, I will feel better in the morning. The highlight of the day was Max Patch, a grassy peak in the mid 4000s. There was a guy at the top with trail magic. Spif, a past hiker of 600 AT miles had soda, fruit and snacks. I guess there was beer and pizza before I got there. I hung out there for a couple of hours with a good crowd. I'm at Roaring Fork shelter tonight, which leaves a fairly easy day tomorrow into Hot Springs for three straight zero days. Keep on keeping on.