morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Gooch Mtn. shelter 

To: Woods Hole shelter 
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Got a good start today at 0720. Looking for Jan who was bringing breakfast to Susie. Made Gooches Gap at 0800 without seeing Jan, just a black Ford 150 that may be susie¢s. Made Tritt Gap just after 0900 and Woody gap is only a mile away. Saw a rabbit at Gooch gap and there is a report of a large bear at Woods Hole shelter where I¢m headed.Whew ¢ Made Woods Hole at 1600 as planned. 12.4 miles in 8.5 hours, including stops and a call home (I think me cell phone battery is now dead). Saw my first snake, a black snake about the size of a pencil. I ran into a trail maintenance crew and I complained about all the poison ivy. I also left a note in the shelter log, but I don¢t think it will do any good. I don¢t think I have poison Ivy, just a rash at the top of my boot. Added that tuna to my evening M&C, but won¢t do that again. Not feeling like a side dish tonight, so I hope I¢m not hungry later. ¢Lone Black Wolf¢ (AKA Linda) came in at 1900 and tells me that Jan got the breakfast to Susie. LBW claims to have been in Nam fighting on the Ho-Che-Min trail. She is the hiker who lost her food to a bear at Stover Creek.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Woods Hole shelter 

To: Neels Gap 
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Got out of camp at 0730 and immediately left Linda behind, making the summit of Blood Mtn. at 0830. Hung around there until 0900 and then on to Neels gap at 1000. Showered, did laundry, lunch, supplies and a light sleeping bag lightened my wallet! Spent a long time on the phone with Sheryl. Linda showed up at 1230. My weight was down to 165 and my pack 38 (both arriving and leaving). Borrowed the Neels Gap van and went for burgers with Linda, Zeke-the-carpenter, and HappyCamper.Have heard there will be scattered showers the next 2 days. Now the forecast simply says cloudy. Looks like there are 9 hikers here tonight.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Neels Gap 

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Neels at 0650 where Linda was up but would have to wait around until the store opened to get her new sleeping bag zipper fixed. Met up with the young couple with 2 dogs and helped them get water from a shallow spring. They had a rattlesnake outside their tent last night. I¢m thing the reports are more numerous than the snakes. Now that was a good hike! 10.8 miles in 7.5 hours, or 1.44 mph. Seeing the results of wild boars digging in the woods. Glad this shelter isn¢t further away as my feet are kind of sore. There is a bird nest with 4 newborns. Hope I didn¢t scare the parents away. Guess not as they are back.No cell coverage here ¢ mountains on 3 sides and very tall trees. I continue to have the rash at the top of my boots. Looks more like a heat rash than poison ivy or oak. There are scattered clouds and I wouldn¢t be surprised if we get a shower. 1630 and I just saw a guy from Neels and he says Linda didn¢t get out until 0930 ¢ 1000 but may catch up (she didn¢t). 1830 and it looks like I¢ll be alone in the shelter tonight. Very hot and humid. BUGS: There are lots. They mostly don¢t bother, but no-see-ums, black flies and mosquitoes near water do their thing. I have many black fly bites on my legs. They seem to get on the edge of my socks (and under my watch band) and have a meal. I encounter 1 or 2 deer flies a day that persist until I manage to strike it and then it¢s gone. A red bandanna on my pack was a great attraction for them. Going to change color. Lot of house flies but there just annoying. Many bees of varying types, not too aggressive and seem to go about their business.
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory site
Miles today: 13.0

Seventh day on the trail and things are getting normal. Of course there are always new things like the bear growling last night. I often hear owls and can tell when they catch a meal. I was alone in the shelter last night but it was pleasant after Neels gap. Used bandana as a pre-pre-filter for water which worked well. I¢m trying to keep my pace down in this heat. Had cramps in my thumb last evening and leg this morning.Completed 13 miles in 9 hours and I¢m at the Cheese Factory campsite. Still hot and humid and there were 2 ¢ 4000 foot Mtns. To climb. Brae rope and tent set up. Now for supper.
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Cheese Factory site

To: Deep Gap shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

A quiet night at the Cheese Factory. One guy walked SOBO at 1930 and that was all. Today will be a milestone in miles completed: 54 (this hike) + 90 (MA) + 70 (NH) > 200 !! Rash is looking better ¢ think it¢s the bug spray collecting in my socks.Two guys and their sons passed by and had just see a flock of grouse. I just saw a garter snake here at Tray shelter. Left camp at 0800, Tray Mtn. at 0900, and Tray shelter at 0935. Crap! I just spent 50 minutes doing a thing called Kelly Knob. It¢s 1000 feet above the gap and a 4200 Foot Mtn.! Took 1 Qt of water too! That is no knob! Well, 0.9m to the shelter and 700 feet down.Got into camp about 1500 or 9.8 miles in 7 hours, or 1.3 mph. Got 2 yellow jacket stings at the privy. Washed legs for poison ivy and now must go for water.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Deep Gap shelter

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: light rain

Happy anniversary Sherry. Hope we don¢t have too many apart.9 guy on a retreat at the shelter last night. They claimed to have seen 4 bears near the shelter in the early evening, but from the looks of the trail up from the shelter, they were boars. I don¢t think there would be 4 bears together anyway. Left camp at 0710, at a vista at 0810, and can¢t see due to trees and haze. Got a ride to Hiawassee Inn at 1000 where they did laundry, I showered and went for supplies ¢ enough to bypass Franklin. The Hiawassee Inn owners lent me their van and I went to an AUCE at Daniels Stake House. Fried chicken and I¢m full.
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Hiawassee Inn

To: Muskrat Creek shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Well, Hiawassee Inn gets my vote as the best place to stay. The owners couldn¢t be more helpful. They lent me their van to go to dinner.I started on the trail at 0800 and here I am at Plumorchard shelter (4.5m) at 1030. Mostly PUDs to here. 1630 and I¢m at Muskrat Creek shelter, 11.7m in 8.5 hours, with a few steep uphills. I need to get Sheryl to send a food drop to Fontana, as only minor resupply is available. Believe I will need 7 days food.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: Muskrat Creek shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

We had thunder and lightning, along with heavy rain last night, but it was dry inside the shelter. Hit the trail at what seems to be the usual time, 0730. Made it to standing Indian shelter (4.9m) by 1030. There is no cell reception here, so can¢t call home. So it¢s on to Standing Indian Mtn., a 750-foot climb in 1.5m. I¢m disappointed with Standing Indian Mtn. as the summit is small and the only views are to the south. I did take a few pictures. The best pictures were on the decent of a field of Azaleas and Rhododendron. Made Beach gap at 1315 ¢ only three more miles to go today. Arrived at Carter Gap shelter a little after 1500. Found the water behind the old shelter that is about to fall down. Talked to Sheryl and arranged the food drop with 7 days food for a 6-day hike. Got to go put up a bear bag.Spent a quiet night alone at Carter Gap shelter. 8 ¢ 10 boy scouts are in the camping area but they were quiet. The wind blew and there was heavy fog all night, but that seems to be over and it¢s looking quiet good now.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Got on the trail a little late today, 0800. Made it to Albert Mtn. by 1130. I onlt took one stop and the trail was well graded. Met two guys with a dog who were from ME. Went on to Big Spring shelter for water and to plan the rest of today¢s hike. Overshot that shelter and had to backtrack as I needed to get water. Made Rock Gap shelter by 1515. This is a very old shelter, I can see the road below and it¢s Friday evening, so I may get unwanted company. Hope this stay isn¢t a disaster. No cell service here. Looks like I will have to tent tomorrow unless I do 15-16 miles.I only met one other (day) hiker since leaving Betty¢s creek. Kind of a lonely hike, but there were good views from Mt Albert. Passed the 100 mile mark today (such a small milestone)! Two young guys (Travis and John) stopped for supper and have another 5m to go today. They later decided to stay the night. They met Hempie yesterday and say he is quite angry. Sure would like to stop him from marking everything he sees.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Rock Gap shelter

To: Siler Bald shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

Out of camp at 0745 and took a 1m side trip to Wasilik Poplar (Picture). The tree is now dead but was the second largest Tulip Poplar. Hope all the names carved in the (now bark less) trunk didn¢t kill it. Flushed a grouse. At Siler bald shelter now where it¢s raining hard. I tried to get out to the next shelter but when I hiked back up to the ridge the sky was black and full of lightning. Guess 8m is enough for day #13.Doing a bunch of figuring¢¦ If I leave Fontana early and put in a full days hike, I will be done in 6 days. I need to let Sheryl know before I get into area without cell coverage.There are a bunch of ¢08 names on this shelter that I may look up later:Humidor GA? ME 08Andy ¢Root¢ KittleGabe ¢Vagabond¢ Whitney GA ? MEMoonshine Murrey
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Siler Bald shelter

To: Cold Spring shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

After spending a quiet night with only the mice, I got out of camp at 0700 and was met with mostly clear skys. Made it to Wayah gap by 0800. We now have clouds in the west, so I need to keep moving if I¢m going to get to the next shelter before rain. Saw my first deer of this trip, and it seemed to be big as it made a lot of noise as it ran downhill. I only saw the flag. Made camp at Cold Springs shelter by 1345 making today¢s speed 1.7 mph. No cell service. Have 20 young boy scouts camping on the hill above the shelter. They are the only people I have seen in 24 hours. One of the scout dads came by to say they heard via cell phone that showers were coming.I headed up the hill to try the cell and there was a 3.5-foot rattler lying across the trail. This was the big attraction for the scouts for about a half hour, until it slithered off into the brush.
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Cold Spring shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

After getting onto the trail at 0725, I stopped at a couple vistas, but visibility continues to be summer-like. I have a steep climb out from Cold Spring shelter, then a downhill to NOC. Talked to Sheryl from Wasser Bald Tower (picture). Made it here to Wasser Bald shelter at 1100 and to NOC at 1400. This place is quite big, but I got all the supplies I needed, a shower and a bunk. Eat at Riverside with Mile my roommate, having a hamburger and a beer.
Date: 2008-06-17
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Got on the trail at 0720 after a mis-start where I forgot to get water. Whereas I was climbing 3000 ft up the mountain, I thought it prudent to go back for water after forgetting to get it at NOC. Seems to me that many hikers take a 0 day at NOC, so I don¢t feel too badly about only doing 6.9 miles. I will take my time going to the shelter in Sassafras Gap. However, it didn¢t take long for the clean feeling of the shower at NOC to disappear.Of all the people to unexpectedly meet ¢ Chang had visited his friends in Knoxville and had returned to hike pieces of the trail, having done the uphill to Sassafras Gap shelter yesterday and was returning to NOC today. Yesterday I met Paul Murphy, the hiker with 2 artificial legs, who I had met in MA last year at a road crossing. Seems he came off the trail for the winter and is back to complete it. Made Sassafras Gap shelter at 1200. Not a bad uphill. I think I¢m getting stronger and these long climbs are not bothering me. I saw 2 grouse near the end of the climb. One landed near the trail and ran ahead for a few yards. No cell service here.Had a visit in mid afternoon from ¢Jakebrake¢ and a buddy. He gave me his card and is on Trailjournals.com as ¢Jakebrake¢ in 2004. Jim and Loretta came in for the night and 2 more guys arrived at 0030 in the morning.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Sassafras Gap shelter

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

Out of camp at 0730 on my way to Cheoah bald, which I made by 0815. Great views here and I think the rabbit liked his picture taken. Have a 1400-foot downhill ahead to Stecoah Gap. Having completed the downhill to a gap, I now have an uphill of 635 feet in 2.5m to the shelter. Arrived at Cable gap shelter at 1730 to find it nearly full. The 5 ¢homesteaders¢ are on their way into the Smokies. They agreed to make room for me, but it was close. Whereas they are hiking short distances, I may run into them again.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Cable Gap shelter

To: The Hike Inn, Fontana
Miles today: 5.5

Everyone was out of the shelter by 0730 and on the trail. I seem to have lost my red EMS bandanna (later discovered in my pack). I had it hung on my pack several days ago (red or bright colors attract bees and deer flies ¢ don¢t do it) but now can¢t find it. I made the dam by 1100 and called the Hike inn for a ride, and Jeff arrived at 1130. They charge $54.88 for the service, which includes shuttle, laundry, fuel bottle fill, and shuttle to a diner for supper and post office service. Couldn¢t ask for better service. Had roast pork for supper, which was very good, but I would have liked a second helping. No cell service at the inn or diner, but used another hikers cell (Verizon) to call Sheryl.Jeff is a real North Carolinian, and tells it as he sees it. He it writing a book about the 18 years he and Nancy have run the inn, the title being "The Hike Inn¢.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: The Hike Inn, Fontana

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

On the trail (the dam) at 0730 and met up with the ¢Homesteaders¢ there. Turns out they had used the Hike Inn shuttle to get to/from their start/finish. It was a long climb, but I made the shelter at 1415. Water is barely coming out of the spring, and it took 30 minutes to get my 5 liters of water. Talked to Sheryl and I will try to be at I-40 on Wednesday PM, not staying at Davenport Gap shelter. Six horses, 4 riders, about 9-10 trail workers, and Mike staying here tonight. I need to look into a food dryer and the dried apples the horse folks brought were great. The group broke up early when it started to rain, but was just a quick shower.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Left camp at 0745, leaving all the rest still getting up. I have continued to get good comment on my Kelty pack, with most liking the idea of an external frame and all the individual pockets. There is a weight penalty however. Just saw a turkey and a rabbit. Ran into two guys SOBO, one who would complete the trail when reaching Fontana dam. Also met a father/son who started in CN in March and were catching a plane to ME on 7/3 to finish the trail. The sky has high, thin overcast, keeping it cool and comfortable for hiking, but always the chance of showers here in the Mtns. Made the shelter at 1520 for a rate of 1.61 mph. Three scouts with 2 leaders along with Scott (a hiker friend of Mike¢s) here tonight. Some thunder storms around us, but none here.Got close to seeing a bear and heard boars stomping around.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Derrick Knob shelter

To: Mt. Collins shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Out of camp at 0730 and on the way to Clingmans Dome. Had to adjust the back mesh on the pack, as it seems to have stretched to the point where one of the braces was hitting me in the back. Well, that was an experience! No good AT hike should be without a good thunder and lightning storm! I was about 12 mile from Clingmans Dome when ¢crash¢ and heavy rain hit without warning. I was in a relatively low spot, so I put the pack cover on the pack, left it beside the trail and with my poncho on, sat out the storm for about 45 minutes. When I did get to Clingmans Dome it had cleared somewhat and I could take some pictures. It again tried to rain all the way to the shelter, but never came down hard. Got to the Mt. Collins shelter at 1630 and found Mike there.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Mt. Collins shelter

To: Pecks Corner shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Out of camp at 0800 and arrived at Newfound Gap at 1015. Good views here along with many people. This road goes from Gatlinburg to Clingmans Dome. There lots of day hikers from Newfound gap to Charles¢ Bunion, but not many after that. Peacock at Icewater Spring shelter where I stopped for lunch. Five people here at Pecks Corner shelter. One couple had lived in Acton MA (about 5 miles from my home) and now live in Ann Arbor MI (where daughter went to school), where he works for General Dynamics. Today¢s hike was the longest so far at 15.8 miles. Tomorrow is another long one at 13.5 miles. It¢s 1917 and everyone has turned in. Guess it¢s time.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Pecks Corner shelter

To: Cosby Knob shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Out at 0730 and now at Mt. Sequoyah. One idiot at the shelter last night didn¢t hang his food on the bear cables and the mice were having a grand time, although he denied any damage from them. I read him the riot act about bears and shelter mice this morning. Have not had cell reception in over a day. The only town around is Gatlinburg and I guess there are no antennas pointed into the Smokies. Got Mt Chapman (6400 feet) ahead and Tri-Corner shelter, the most remote in the Smokies, so I¢m not expecting any cell improvement.Somewhere back on the trail is a saying: Find happiness on the trail, not at the destination. I will find happiness at the destination as well as having found it on the trail. Made Cosby Knob shelter at 1500 where Greg and Packrat were already here for the night. Planning to go the Mt. Cammerer fire tower tomorrow before heading out to I-40, adding about an hour to the hike.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Cosby Knob shelter

To: I-40
Miles today: 9.9

Out for the last time this hike at 0715. Spent about 12 hour looking for the fire tower without any luck. I think I was just too anxious and turned around a bit too soon, but the trail really seemed to be headed down the Mtn.Passed Davenport Gap shelter, and the Gap itself, where they are really discouraging parking. Called Sheryl from a spot just above the power lines where I had great reception. Took final pictures when I emerged at Pigeon River just as planned. Sheryl and Maggie met me half way over the bridge.
Date: 2008-08-22
From: Wilderness Parking lot, NH

To: Liberty Springs tentsite
Miles today: 7.4

Left the Wilderness Trail parking lot at 0800 after getting up at 0500 and driving from home. At 1.5 miles took the left onto the Osseo trail, reaching the first (rock) stairs at 0930 and took a break. Been passing and being passed by Jeff (Jamaica Plain MA) who I would see a lot of during this hike. I¢m anxious to reach the AT at the top of Lincoln Brook trail. Ugh, had leg cramps coming up Flume MT. (summit @ 1130, 3.5 hr vs. 4.5 hr book time) that would not go away. Went slowly on to Liberty and decided to stay at Liberty Springs tent site and re-hydrate. Set up the bear bag, the tent, got water, and I¢m sitting waiting at the caretaker¢s tent (1500). It¢s getting a bit crowded here.Cooked dinner and allowed the food to absorb more water than before. All the pasta swelled up bigger than ever! Guess I wasn¢t doing it quite right.Jeff is sharing this tent platform tonight, having moved to allow a group to have a single platform for a bachelor party.I think I can make up the time lost today by going to Galehead tomorrow and then taking the Zeaclift trail short cut. (I got a lot smarter in the next couple days.)
Date: 2008-08-23
From: Liberty Springs tentsite

To: Garfield Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

Left camp just after 0700. Made it to Haystack by 8030 and I¢m on Lincoln at 0930. I¢m stopping every half hour to hydrate as I¢m really trying to avoid these leg cramps. I think the Wilderness trail is a trap, as you can hike fast on it, then the tendency is to continue fast into the harder climbs. Had 9 guys (and later 4 girls) pass me running the loop. Good to be young! Talked to a volunteer ranger who showed me Mountain blueberries and mountain cranberries. Left the summit of Lafayette at 1100 after a 0.4-mile trip down for water. I asked 2 hikers if they saw water and the first said the only water was at Greenleaf shelter. The second mentioned a wet spot on the trail. That is the clue and I found a nice spring under cliffs just above the wet spot. At the junction of the trail to the tram parking lot at 1134. Talked to a couple who also had 4000 footers patch. Wow! It took 4 hours to do the Garfield trail! A tough trail with a lot of rock and scrambles. Staying at Garfield shelter with Jeff. Talked to Sheryl and sent her off to buy the chairs for Newport. Seems like I will need an extra day if I do all the hiking I planned. A thru-hiker (Raccoon) is with us tonight along with a couple that were also at Liberty Springs last night.
Date: 2008-08-24
From: Garfield Shelter

To: Guyot Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

Left camp at 0700 and made it to Galehead just after 0900. Called home then climbed Galehead, making it from the hut to the summit in just 12 minutes (0.5 mi). Now defiantly planning on an extra day. Good I packed an extra days food. Now it's on to South Twin.Had lunch on the summit of South Twin, then a quick side trip to North Twin where there is a great view, that took 1:15. Met 2 SOBOs on the summit of South Twin who had done a training hike about 1.5 weeks behind me in the southern AT. They mentioned reading my log entries at the shelters. It¢s 2.7 miles to Guyot so I should be there around 1600. Well, I made it at 1515, but I¢m very tired after 9.7 miles here in the Whites. I did see a bear print on the Twinway, adding doubt to the caretakers claim that the bears don¢t get this high in the mountains. Met Shawn the caretaker here at Guyot, who is a good friend of Joann. He says she was here 3 weeks ago after doing about 1000 miles of the PCT. She had difficulties with her hiking partner and came off. The rotating caretaker told me 2 days later that she has a good job I western MA.
Date: 2008-08-25
From: Guyot Sherter

To: Ethan Pond Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: fog

Made it out of came a little after 0700 today. It was very windy across Guyot but was only a short exposure. Took a short trip (actually a trail now) to Zealand Mtn. Then comes the long down hill to Zealand hut, but here at 1035. Next section is 5 miles (2 hr 45 min) to Ethan pond. This is a cool section of the AT. There are massive rockslides obliterating the old rail bed. Lots of moose sign along the trail. Also a large bear shit on the trail. The river along here just north of the footbridge would be a great place to swim, with a long, shallow section dumping into a fairly deep pool. The seasons are surely changing here, as noted by the number of maples turning red. Made the shelter at 1415, just on book time. Renee and Sasha from Canada are here at the shelter. We¢ve been tagging each other all week. They are headed across the Prudential¢s, planning to stop at Neumann, Hermit lake, and the Perch. Finished the NH-AT at 1500 with a 1-mile side trip to Wiley trail. Round trip took just 1 hour. A Freshman group from Brown U. is here for the night.