morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-20
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Hogback Gap
Miles today: 11.1

   One by one the hikers left the shelter this morning. Pop-Pop fastened on his backback and started singing "I love to go awandering..." as he disappeared up the hill.   The rain had continued for most of the night and it was still raining as we began hiking. All morning we hiked in the rain, which meant no views even on Cheoah Bald which is supposed to be spectacular. On the downhills our trekking poles proved to be invaluable as the trail was slick with mud and wet leaves. I felt like a downhill skiier at times sliding down the mountain. In spite of being careful, I did take a fall on one muddy slope and twisted my knee. Greylock and I are tied now - one fall each, since the wet trail crumbled away beneath him on the descent to N.O.C.    There are 2 picnic tables alongside the road where the trail crosses at Stecoah Gap so we stopped there for lunch. From that point on, the trail went straight up and it was a tough climb to the top of the next peak. We were hoping to go a little beyond the next shelter and we found a nice spot to camp about 2 miles further north. We're tired, my knee is hurting, and everything feels damp. Greylock is wonderful as usual, and made me a delicious cup of tea before we crawled into our tent for the night. He's the best backpacking companion I could have. Tomorrow we have just about 9 miles to cover and that will take us to our next stopover/food drop which is the Hike Inn at Fontana Dam.   Thank you Lord, for providing this trailside campsite and the clearing skies this evening.
Date: 2003-03-21
From: Hogback Gap

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

It's Spring! We've been noticing a few brave little violets next to the trail and trilliums with buds ready to burst open with another day of sunshine. Yes, I said another day of sunshine because today was a beautiful blue sky/ sunny day!   We woke up this morning in Hogback Gap and it was cold with gusty winds blowing. A gap isn't the best place for a campsite because the wind funnels down between the mountains so it's always cold. It took both of us to hold onto the tarp and tent and groundcloth or the wind would have swept them away.   Of course, as soon as we packed up and left there, it was calm and warm and we walked in the sunshine all day. What a nice change in the weather!   We had lunch at Cable Gap shelter and as we summitted the next mountain we saw Fontana Lake spread out before us. What a gorgeous sight... blue water curving into every cove as far as we could see.   By early afternoon, we had descended down to the Fontana Road and called for Jeff Hoch, our host at Hike Inn to pick us up. Jeff and his wife Nancy are incredibly nice folks who run this motel that caters to hikers. They've done our laundry, taken us to town to get dinner and pick up food for breakfast tomorrow, and are so, so oblidging in every respect. It's a treat to be here, along with Jan Litefoot, Scudrunner and Outlaw, and several others from the trail.   Today was a great day! The weather was perfect, my knee seems to be fine after yesterday's fall, and we're right on schedule.      Thank you Lord for sunshine and for Spring flowers reminding us that winter is past and a new season is here.
Date: 2003-03-22
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We decided to rest up for an extra day to get ready for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. This involves 5-7 days of backpacking before exiting the park at the northern end at Davenport Gap, TN.   According to Jeff Hoch of Hike Inn, only 1/3 of all the hikers who begin at Springer Mt. continue across Fontana Dam and enter the Smokies. 1/3 drop out at Neels Gap, and 1/3 by Fontana Dam. That makes us part of a much smaller group now that is continuing north on the A.T.   We spent a large part of our zero day in Robbinsville, where Nancy had shuttled us to the library to get on the internet. After that we walked around town to the hardware store, the grocery store, and Popeye's for lunch.    In the evening, back at Hike Inn, Jeff shared information about the various critters we might meet on the trail with safety advice - wild hogs (never hike at night), bears (be sure to hang food bag at night), poisonous spiders (brown recluse and black widow - wipe out boots before putting them on in the morning), mice (hang backpack overnight), rattlesnakes and copperheads (watch the trail ahead and steer clear of them), bees and hornets (watch the sides of the trail and don't try to run with a backpack on - stings won't knock you off the trail but a fall resulting in a broken arm will).    As I got more and more uneasy with all this talk, did I detect a twinkle of delight in Jeff's eyes? No, I'm sure I didn't. This was all important information any hiker should know, he said. Did I see a slight smile as I shivered at his stories? No, certainly not. He even gave me some Benedryl as a life-saving precaution in case of an allergic reaction. Thanks, Jeff. We feel much better. We're ready to get back on the trail again now... I think.   Thank you, Lord, for your hand of protection upon us each day. When our minds fill with worry and concerns, let us cast every care upon You, because You love us.
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

We couldn't have had a more perfect weather day for hiking, than today. It was overcast as we crossed Fontana Dam but the sun soon came out and it quickly became beautful.    As we entered the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, we walked up within 30 ft. of 2 deer who were feeding by the side of the road and they seemed only mildly concerned.   We climbed up to 4,020 ft. on Shuckstack Mt. and again saw Fontana Lake far below. The shelter we were hoping to reach was Mollies Ridge Shelter since that would have given us a 12+ mile day, but when we arrived there it was still early so we continued on to the next one, Russell Field Shelter, giving us our biggest mileage day yet - 14.9!    The shelter is full and there are at least 5 or 6 tents surrounding it. It's cold tonight and everyone went to bed early since the sleeping bag is the warmest place to be.   The bear cables are in use with everyone's food bags hanging, and hopefully we'll have no visitors in the night. Our first day in the Smokies was a great one!   Thank you, Lord, for a beautiful day and the strength to hike even farther than we thought we could.
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

What a gorgeous day it was today! There was hardly a cloud in the sky. After our usual oatmeal breakfast, we left Russell Field and hiked up to the next shelter, Spence Field Shelter where we used the privy there and talked to Outlaw who was taking a zero day to heal up some injuries. We had met Outlaw, who is from Maine, at Hike Inn and we were amazed to find out that he is the nephew of our friends Tom and Marsha Ziken from church. Small world! We met his dad also, Scudrunner, who came down to do some section hiking with his son.   We hiked most of the morning over beautiful mountains with large grassy patches that made the views easy to see.    By noon, we had come to the top of our highest mountain today, Rocky Top (5441') and decided to eat lunch in the sun sitting on the rocks. We took off our packs and boots and socks and enjoyed bagels and peanut butter while feeling like we were sitting on top of the world. In fact it was so awe-inspiring that Greylock got out The Daily Bread and we read our devotions right up there after lunch. I think our lunch break on Rocky Top was the highlight of the day.    The afternoon was spent going over some steep little hills that wore us out in the heat of the sun. When we reached Derrick Knob shelter we were glad to call it a day, put up our tent, and spend the evening having a leisurely dinner and talking to the fellows who were staying inside the shelter.   This shelter, like all those we've seen so far in the Park, has three stone sides wih a fireplace at one end, two sleeping levels, and bear-proof chain-link fencing across the front. We're happy in our tent though and since all our food is hung up on the bear cable, we feel safe. The bears only would want our food.   Thank you, Lord, for creating such a beautiful world...for spreading the mountains over the land and blessing us with the opportunity to see them.
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was a near-perfect day! We left Derrick Knob as the sun began to warm the woods and hiked along in sunshine and cool breezes.   We stopped for lunch at Silers Bald Shelter which has had a beautiful renovation adding plexiglass windows, enlarged overhang at the front and side, and lovely benches and tables.   We ran into Chilly Willy and Just Ray and their grandson Nick. They are hiking north in sections that they hike north to south, leapfrogging cars as they go. They said they heard that the weather forecast was clear for today but 80% chance of rain tomorrow.   Since we were close enough to Clingmans Dome, the mountain with the highest elevation on the A.T. to include it in our miles today, we thought we'd better do it in case the weather turned bad.   So we summitted Clingmans, which is the highest mountain that Greylock or I have ever climbed, at 6643 ft. We were rewarded with views that were spectacular!   The next shelter was Mt Collins Shelter so here we are tonight with Josh and Jon, Outlaw, and two section hikers. Greylock made a wonderful fire in the shelter fireplace and it's such a cozy spot that we're actually sleeping inside the shelter with the bear-proof fencing instead of in our tent.   Thank you, Lord, for the strength to climb Clingmans Dome today and the perfect weather to see a 360 degree panorama of the Smokies.
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Warning! Warning! The increasing gravity of Gatlinburg, TN has affected our velocity and our craft has succumbed to the force via a road-hitch into town.   We left Mt.Collins Shelter under cloudy skies and began hiking toward Newfound Gap. As we approached the Gap it began to sprinkle and by the time we reached the large parking lot and scenic overlook at US441, we found ourselves in a very cold wet rain as clouds quickly streamed into the gap and surrounded all the tourists and us in 0 visibiity.   People headed for their cars and we decided to try and get a hitch into Gatlinburg, the nearest town. After standing by the road in the cold rain for nearly 45 minutes, a man walked over to inquire about 3 friends of his whom he was meeting at the gap. Since they were far behind us, he offered to take us to town and then go back up and wait for them. We were so grateful to him for the 15 mile ride down the mountain and into Gatlinburg. Some people are incredibly kind.   He recommended the Grand Prix Motel which is right near the local outfitter, The Happy Hiker, and just off the main street of town. So that's where we are tonight. We've walked around town, topped off the fuel bottle for our alcohol stove and had our picture taken for the thruhiker wall at The Happy Hiker, eaten dinner at Shoney's AYCE buffet, and enjoyed this tourist town in surprisingly full-swing considering it's midweek and so early in the season. The main street is full of cars and the sidewalks full of families on vacation.   Tomorrow we'll fire up our engines to warp speed and escape the pull of Gatlinburg with a shuttle back to Newfound Gap and return to our original A.T. flight plan.   Thank you, Lord, for a man who saw an opportunity to help and acted on it. Give us opportunities to pass on the Trail Magic.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Newfound Gap

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

The word for today was AWESOME! Our day began with some AWESOME trail magic by some AWESOME Trail Angels, Guy and Martha Holcomb, who came from Alabama to The Smokies for a little vacation and offered to shuttle us back to Newfound Gap from Gatlinburg. Thank you Guy and Martha, we appreciate your kindness so much!   Newfound Gap was still in cloud cover this morning but as we began hiking the sun burned off the moisture and the weather was AWESOME!   The trail today wound around the sides of steep mountains with sheer drop-offs; at times they were knife-edged ridgelines with a foot wide trail dropping sharply down on the left side with AWESOME views of Tennessee and dropping sharply down on the right side with AWESOME views of North Carolina. We saw some of the best views we've seen on the entire trip.   We reached Pecks Corner Shelter in late afternoon and set up our tent on the hillside behind the shelter where Sparky and Zappman, Canman and Tenderfoot, and Chief are staying tonight with several section hikers.   Thank you, Lord, for meeting each need that we have had along the way.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

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

We left Pecks Corner Shelter under cloudy skies and a cold wind and it sure looked like it could rain. The fog drifted over the treetops and obscured our views until we rounded a bend and caught a glimpse of sunshine in the valley below. It was a welcome sign.   By midmorning the sun had again triumphed over the mist and we had clear views mainly down into a large Tennessee valley with cities and lakes and mountain ranges far off in the distance.   The trail was a good one - up high mountains over 6,000 ft. with easy gradually sloped switchbacks that made them easy to climb. We had lunch at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter with Aurelius who was contemplating a 20 mile day, so we didn't see him again. The next shelter was Cosby Knob, and since no camping is allowed anywhere except at shelter sites for thruhikers, we kept on hiking. Tonight at the shelter there are 10 of us here, including Jeremy the Ridge Runner. It's a good group with much kidding and laughter as we wait for dark to come.         We haven't heard a recent weather forecast, but the old one called for thundershowers tonight and rain tomorrow. Maybe that's changed. Hope so. It'd be nice for our last day in the Smokies to be a good one.   Thank you, Lord, for The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. You've done some great work here and we've loved every minute of our stay!
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

An array of wildflowers waved a greeting to us as we descended into Davenport Gap which marked the northern boundary of the Great Smoky Mtns. Natl Park. We saw hillsides of yellow and white trilliums, purple violets, bloodroot, and jack-in-the-pulpit. As we lost elevation, we gained Springtime.   We walked along mostly in light rain today with the views totally clouded in. An interesting side trail took us to the Mt. Cammerer Fire Lookout. This is an historic stone and timber eight-sided structure originally built by the CCC in 1939. It is one of only two such towers left in the East, and although we didn't get any views, it was open so we went in and enjoyed reading the book there about growing up in the Smokies.   At Davenport Gap, there is a hostel for hikers called Standing Bear Farm, and that's where we are tonight in the bunkhouse. The temps outside are cold so it'll be nice to be indoors even though the bunkhouse isn't heated. There's quite a group here including us; Jan Litefoot, Sonic and Guana, Sparky and Zapman, Chief, Canman and Tenderfoot, and ToeBow.   We've heard that tomorrow may have snow showers but we're headed for Hot Springs and just the name of it motivates me to pile on the miles and get there as soon as we can.      Thank you, Lord, for hostels like this that provide shelter and a rest stop for weary hikers.
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light snow

We woke this morning to snow - 6 inches on the ground and still snowing hard! So much for the Spring wildflowers. While cooking breakfast, the hostel lost electric power which also meant the water pump didn't work so no water.   We melted snow to make coffee and by that time the snow had stopped. We decided to attempt to reach the next shelter so started out in a winter wonderland. All the trees and bushes were covered with snow and as we climbed Snowbird Mt. {what a fitting name!)it began snowing again and the snow became deeper and deeper.    We had decided that to wait would only put us into slushy slippery conditions, so we struggled up the trail, powered by Snickers and Oreos, stepping in the footsteps of the hikers who had gone before us. It was slow going as the snow reached 18" at the top.   We were very glad for our rain gear, gaiters, and trekking poles as it snowed and iced on us the whole way. We were very glad to see the shelter although it was full of hikers who had stayed the night before and hadn't moved on plus the newly arriving hikers. We saw GI Jane and Truck with their beautiful husky, and Toebow was also among the group. { Note from a mom to Jane's mom: As Greylock and I slowly plodded up the mountain in the snow, Jane zipped past us without a problem. No need to worry, she's a dynomite hiker!}   We'll see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully the storm will be over and it would be nice if the sun came out to start melting this snowy world up here. In the meantime, we'll pack up our snowy tent and try to stay dry and warm while moving on a few more miles.   Thank you, Lord, for keeping us and these other hikers safe in these unusual Spring conditions. We're trusting You for strength to get us to Hot Springs.
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Campsite below Max Patch
Miles today: 10.4

We were greeted by blue sky and sunshine this morning and quite an accumulation of snow, probably about 14 inches. Someone in the shelter said it had gotten down to 22* last night.   We let everyone else leave before us to pack down the trail and then we set out for Max Patch. It was more than we ever expected. While the views were spectacular, we hardly enjoyed them since we were battling 40 mph bitter cold winds, snow up to our thighs, and just standing up was a challenge. We summited as quickly as we could, crossed over the top following posts with the A.T. blaze since there are no trees, and were very glad to descend into the woods again and out of the wind.   We were exhausted from the effort and searched for a while to find a level spot for a campsite. We're alongside the trail next to a stream in a valley of rhododendron and it's COLD! We've brought our water bottles inside the tent to keep them from freezing.    Thank you, Lord, for strong hikers who went before us up the trail today, leaving footprints in the snow for us to follow.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Campsite below Max Patch

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

The woods are melting! We woke up this morning to the soft plop of snow falling on the tent from the trees above. We ate breakfast with raincoats on as the chunks of snow periodically pelted us. The sun was shining and warming up our woods.   We hadn't hiked for long, when we shed extra layers and hiked in short sleeves and shorts in foot-deep snow. It looked like winter but it felt like summer.   Our winter wonderland soon lost it's wonder, as the snowy trail began to melt and turn to deep slush. We slogged up mountains in slush and slid down into gaps in slush. The indentation of the trail filled with water and we walked in watery slush which splashed up on us and made for slow going.   As we walked over Bluff Mtn. and started down the other side, we were overjoyed to see that the trail was melted and drained down to the dirt in places. Yes! Dirt to walk on! Yeah!   As we dropped in elevation the snow began to slowly disappear until we were hiking on dry trail once again and only a few tiny patches of snow in the woods gave a clue to the Spring storm.   We set today's goal to be Deer Park Shelter, and we arrived in early evening to find a lovely pine forest with ample space for tents. So our adventure in the snow is thankfully over and we're cozy and warm tonight, dreaming dreams of Hot Springs tomorrow.   Thank you, Lord, for bringing us through that trying time on the trail.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday's push to the shelter, meant that today we would have only 3.2 miles into Hot Springs and we'd be able to spend most of the day in town.    The trail down the mountain was an easy one and soon we could see the town below with the French Broad River winding around it. The bright green grass of the fields and lawns and blue of the river contrasted sharply with the brown of the woods and made an appealing destination. The temperature was warm and summerlike, flowering trees were everywhere, and we felt we had arrived in an oasis.   As we walked down Main Street and toward the motel, we were hailed by Aurelius who intercepted us and highly recommended that we go to Elmer's "Sunnybank Inn" instead. Bless you, Aurelius, for it is an incredibly wonderful place. Owned by Elmer Hall, an ordained minister and one-time professional chef, Sunnybank Inn is a gorgeous historical Victorian house, with antique furnished rooms, oriental carpets, an extensive library, music room, vast porches with rockers, and best of all, gourmet vegetarian meals. There were 12 of us sitting around the dinner table tonight, including Elmer, Jan Liteshoe, Pop-Pop, Cody, Aurelius, and us, and staying here also are Sonic and Guana, Red, and Blue. Staying here is a unique experience and we would have missed it if Aurelius hadn't let us know.   Everything in town is within easy walking distance so we've been to the outfitter, P.O., laundromat, gift shop, grocery, and diner. We'll stay here tomorrow as well, resting up before we tackle the next stretch of 68 miles to Erwin, TN.   Thank you, Lord, for trail towns like Hot Springs, and a place like Sunnybank Inn that immediately makes you feel welcome and at home.