morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Copper Ridge Bald

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Gang, Trailchef here again. This morning was I found it incredibly hard to get out of my tent. Why, you might ask? Because it was raining and I had to leave my nice warm abode and enter a not so nice day to begin hiking. Ah Yes another day of rain on the AT. Temperatures were in the 60's so not too bad there, but I took no pictures today because of the fog. The trail itself followed a ridgeline around three mountain balds and then down to Tellico Gap, NC on the north side of Franlin. I stopped for lunch at the bottom around 11:30 or so - peanut butter, mayo, and cheese sandwich on Pita. Then I ascended Wesser Mountain, slid by Wesser Fire Tower (no views to be had) and from there followed the ridgeline down past Wesser Shelter. Just past Wesser Shelter there is a place where you have to what I call "butt scramble" down from one rock to the next back to the dirt trail. It's called the "Jumpoff". I'm not sure how it came to get it's name, because unless your in your twenties or so, no one would be able to just jump off to get down. It's too far. After that the trail led about 5 miles down the hill all the way to the NOC. Now you might think that going downhill is easier then going uphill. Well it isn't! My left knee rebelled all the way to the bottom, partly I believe from the 16.5 mile day I put in the day before and partly because of the abuse I was giving it on this 11 mile day. I reached the NOC about 4:45 pm. The had no rooms to rent for the night at the hostel so the Warrior Hikers invited me to stay at some cabin they had reserved in the Nantahala Community called Nantahala Mountain Lodge. This clean, very organized hostel is run by Maggie and Steve Smith - two Brits - and they really made you feel at home. Steve or "Wiggy" (2010 thru-hiker) ferried us over from the NOC, washed our cloths, and put us to bed in sheets. What a nice feeling. In the morning his wife fed us a delicious breakfast casserole and then we were taken back to the NOC about 11am or so. It was a nice respite. Highlight of the day was that I saw another snake - a Black Racer I think. He moved away too fast to get a picture. He was about 5 feet long and about two inches in diameter. Here is a link to get to a picture and characteristics of the species.http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/colcon.htm
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 6.7

Trailchef Here Loyal Followers, Boy today was tough. My left knee really bothered me today, probably from the last two days of 16.5 and 11 miles respectfully. I began eating I-Candy to help (Ibuprophen). Out of the NOC it was straight up to the shelter, an elevation change from 1749 to 4400 feet. It was a tough climb. I began around 11:30 am and finally reached the shelter around 6:00pm. I hiked past Fancy Pants, Wild Card. The rest of the way I was by myself. One highlight of the day was boulder hopping on one part of the trail called Jump-Up, a section that required me to go very slowly calculating exactly where I needed to place each foot in order to not slip or fall down the very narrow trail. About one third of the way through I came to the most beautiful flow of water cascading out of the mountainside. I later learned that some hikers following behind me took showers under the stream of falling water. When I felt it, it was very very cold. Sorry folks that wasnt for me. However I did drink a lot of water at that spot. The water, while not necessarily safe to drink, was coming from inside the mountain and from above so I chose not to filter and so far so good. I'm very careful of my drinking water for obvious reasons as you sure don't want to get some bacteria or giardia infection, but this was a calculated sumptuous spot for drinking and I did. That night all the Warrior Hikers, Honey Britches, Hasslehoff, a mom and daughter team and Bravehart were in the shelter. I tented behind the shelter and during the early part of the evening it rained. I thought nothing of it until I looked out and everything changed quickly. It was hailing pea-sized hale. Fortunately it stopped soon thereafter so I didn't have to come into the shelter with everyone else. I hate mice and snorers. The rest of the night was uneventful.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

There are many interpretations of Jacob's Ladder both in Christianity and in Judiasm. But in most, Jesus can be seen as being the ladder, in that Christ bridges the gap between Heaven and Earth. Jesus presents himself as the reality to which the ladder points; as Jacob saw in a dream the reunion of Heaven and Earth, Jesus brought this reunion, metaphorically the ladder, into reality. Today I climbed something like a staircase to heaven ( or it really seemed like it) up the side of the mountain - 600 feet up in less than one-half a mile. It really was a series of switchbacks about 20-30 feet in length stretching up the side of the mountain for about two-thirds of the way from bottom to top. Then if they weren't bad enough, the trail departed the switchbacks and proceeded straight up the ridge at about a 50 degree incline. Sometimes I even reached out in front of me to touch the ground to steady myself. How weird it that? I dared not look back, to the side, or down lest I become dizzy and fall. And just as heaven is above the ladder in Jacob's dream, my goal was too to reach the top. My reward in this case was relief, a piece of bubblegum, and a big drink of water. Whew! Glad that's over. We had very little water on the trail today and I carried about 5 liters or so over the course of the day and by the time I reached the shelter, I had consumed all but about a cup. Thirsty boy! Among the beautiful views was that of Cheoah Bald at and elevation of about 5062 feet. It came after climbing up about a mile after Sassafras Shelter. It was sunny all day and the temps were in the 60's. All in all a beautiful day. I was almost the last one out of the shelter to hike this morning and when I reached Brown Fork Gap Shelter, Honey Britches and Frea and Hasslehoff were already there. Fancy Pants joined us about an hour later. The rest of the hikers including Ghost, Cassie, Mosey and the Warrior Hikers spent the night elsewhere on the trail. My knee seems to be getting worse. I have no pain other than when I put pressure on it and I'm eating more Ibuprophen than I should to keep hiking. I sure wish this nuisance would just go away. Sweet dreams.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana 28 Road Crossing
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Hi Gang, Trailchef (in Pain) here, Well today I had to make a decision to hike in pain for 11.5 miles to reach my destination in preparation to enter the Smoky Mountains part of the hike or go home for a doctor's evaluation. I did not sleep well and awoke early and found I couldn't walk. I quickly ate four Ibuprophen and ate a meal bar for breakfast because it hurt just to stand up to prepare food this morning. I guess I underestimated my injury. None-the-less I still had to get to a spot where I might be evaluated as to continuing on. Fortunately about 10:00 am the pain subsided enough that I could shoulder my pack and proceed. That's the good part. My day went downhill from there. No really. About half of the hike today was downhill and that part was miserable as I proceeded to pick my way through boulder fields, around downed trees, across narrow trails all the way down to Fontana Dam area where I caught the local shuttle to the Fontana Village Lodge. Every step felt like my leg would crumble. The elevation for the day went like this: All in feet - Beginning @3816 to 3507 to 3633 to 2905 to 3490 to 1765 End. I finally reached the shuttle point about 5:45 in the afternoon. The rain which was forcast for the day fortunately didn't materialize. I can only imagine what a sloppy trail might have done to my hike today. At the shuttle waiting area I almost had to have someone carry my pack. Fortunately Fancy Pants, Honey Britches and Hasslehoff were with me at least part of the day to help encourage me. I didn't stop much to eat (big mistake), because I was focused solely on getting down this part of the mountain to the lodge where I could be evaluated. I was sooooo hungry when I reached the lodge, as were all of us. it was a long day. All day long I was worried that I might not continue and that what really bothered me. I have folks counting on me for Care Net and I don't want to dissapoint them so early into the hike. My mind and body (not my knee) all wants to go - but now this. Uck! At dinner a group of thru-hikers including me met up at a local village restaurant and ate them out of the kitchen. I had a huge order of fried green tomatos with a spicy ranch sauce, a one-pound cheeseburger with swiss cheese, bacon, mushrooms, and jalapeno peppers on it and a boat load of hot greasy french fries. And after that I ate a 12 inch flatbread pepperoni pizza and about 6-7 glasses of sweet tea. How's that for a healthy diet? Ha. It was what I needed and I am still loosing weight on the trail. Let's seeeeee. 3500 calories in and 7000 calories out. Yup. Still loosing weight - from 215 at the start down now to about 206 or so. Hey I know. I'm on a "See Food" diet. I see food and I eat it. My stomach sure felt better, but my leg still hurt. I'm waiting until morning. I may go home for a doctor visit. Good night all.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Fontana 28 Road Crossing

To: Franklin, North Carolina - Zero Day Four
Miles today: 0.0

Good Morning All, today I am in Franklin at home. I have proceeded to get an orthopedic appointment for my knee next Thursday - sooner with a cancellation. Until then I am just impatiently waiting and thinking of the worst. Judi my wife came and picked myself and one other hiker up shortly before 9:00 am this morning. The other hiker (Fancy Pants) needed to come to the local outfitters to have his feet evaluated because his shin splints (suffered previously) were bothering him again. He needed to seek some professional opinions as to the need for orthotics, new boots or something else. We are doing that today. I am taking him back to the trail after church on Sunday. So as it stand right now, my hike is temporarily on hold until after I meet with the doctor this week. Hopefully it won't be too serious or take too long to recuperate as my Smokey Mountain Hiking Permit expires at the end of the month. I'll continue to blog to keep you abreast of my progress when something changes, but for now, please pray for my healing and continued improvement. I really would like to get back on the trail. I want to give you more opportunities to fulfill your pledges to help those who don't have as much food as we do. God's peace be with you. See you at the early service Sunday.
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Franklin, North Carolina - Zero Day Four

To: Franklin, North Carolina - Zero Day Six
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another zero day. Well that just sucks! Well it's a heck of a thing when a person really wants to hike, but can't due to a physical injury. Here I am today sitting in a doctor's office waiting to be seen. I have no appointment so I am at the mercy of the doctor gods as to when I will be seen today. But at least I feel I am doing something constructive. Me left knee is not swollen and not in pain as long as I am sitting down, or laying down. But whenever I try to put any weight on it, it it very painful. I hope it is not injured too much to repair. There is one consolation. I know that folks are praying for my quick recovery. I can feel it and I'm extremely grateful. Thank you. As soon as I see the orthopedist, I let you know my prognosis.
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Franklin, North Carolina - Zero Day Thirteen

To: Franklin, North Carolina - Zero Day Thirteen
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hi everybody. Trailchef here. I just wanted to provide you with an update as to what has been going on for the last seven days regarding my left knee and my plans to begin hiking again. Since last I blogged, I have seen two orthopedic specialists and have started physical and hydrotherapy. I have also had two steroid shots (by mistake) and have investigated other types of treatments used to help in cases of osteoarthritis. It seems that I have old knees. I've neither slipped or fallen on the trail and have not suffered any damages to the kneecap, and/ or surrounding tendons, muscle tissue or cartilage. That's the good news. The bad news is that I have old knees exacerbated by my 67 year old body carrying 35-40 pounds hiking12-15 miles per day. Who would have thunk it? Both physicians say I can hike whenever I feel like it - as tolerated.?So as of today, I began my treatments. The results? I actually feel pretty good considering a week ago I couldn't even stand on my left leg at all. I look forward to all the PT. My goal is to work hard this week and next and see how I feel. If I don't suffer any setbacks, I would anticipate my returning to the trail around April 25. I'm not going to try and second guess my abilities in two weeks, but I'll reevaluate my knee again then before making the decision to go back out. Subman has indicated he would like to get back on the trail again and may even hike with me for a while. The weather is bound to be better at the end of the month, won't it?
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Fontana 28 Road Crossing

To: Fontana Hilton Shelter on the AT
Miles today: 1.2
Weather: few clouds

Hey Everyone, I'm Back. Yeeeee! I have been experiencing trail anxiety and nervousness because I don't if my knee will survive another attempt hiking, but that being said, I've got to try. Subman, another thru-hiker from Ellijay, GA. agreed to hike with me through the Smoky's to provide moral and physical support. I met he and "Pockets" at the Fontana Marina, my starting point to walk to the shelter a mile a way. I spent the night at the Fontana, a two level shelter that sleeps 24 people. Bathrooms are nearby as well as a fire pit, water, and a place to dispose of hiking trash. It rained during the night and the forecast was for 80% chance of rain for Saturday and 60% on Sunday. During the night two persons fell from the top level of the shelter sleeping area to the lower floor - one tore a good piece of flesh from his hand. He wouldn't go to the doctor, so I used my first aid kit to bandage him up as best as I could. I never saw him again after that night. I had a good night's sleep in the shelter. No one snored over my Ipod in my ear. Tomorrow I head up into the Smoky's.
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Fontana Hilton Shelter on the AT

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: moderate rain

Not much to report today as it was raining all day. We climbed uphill all morning and afternoon from an altitude of 1864 at Fontana Dam to 4602 feet at the first shelter-Mollies Ridge. When you hike in the Smoky's you basically hike a ridge line some 35 miles past Clingmans Dome, the highest point anywhere on the Appalachian Trail (6655) down to Newfound Gap (5045) and then back up to the ridge again for another 32 or so miles to Davenport Gap at the end of the Smoky's. Anyway rain and fog kept me from taking any good pictures all day. It is a requirement that thru-hikers sleep in a shelter if there is space available because of possible bear activities nearby some shelters. However when 30 hikers show up to use a 12 person shelter, some of us have to tent. Most thru-hike prefer to tent anyway because shelters are oftentimes dirty. And while they do not often bother you, all shelters are full of mice. The little buggers try to eat thru your pack to get to food, socks, smells, etc., that may be available. There are also the snorers who inhabit all shelters. OMG, sometimes you cannot go to sleep, or if you do, you are awakened later by some awful sound coming from the lips of a hiker. That alone should keep all the bears away. I too prefer to tent.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Well today is rained all day too. When will it stop? Hopefully tomorrow. I need to dry out. I tented out tonight and when I went to bed at 8:00pm there were 19 tents, three hammocks, and 12 persons in the shelter. When I awoke the next morning there were 22 tents. The Smoky's are a busy place this time of year! The trail today was still uphill and over several boulder piles that were difficult for me to climb. I was able to traverse the first six miles in about 3 hours, but the last 6 miles took me 6 hours. There was a lot of loose rock and steep ledges to go past. Subman hiked ahead of me most of the day. A word about my knee... Ever since I came back on the trail I have been worried as to whether or not I would have any further pain with my knee. Well, so far I have been ok with no pain. Hopefully that will continue. In the morning there were three huge deer that came up looking for food. They grazed very close to the shelter even with all the people around. There was no privy here, so everything had to be done in the woods. One of the hikes had a badly infected toe. I helped him bandage it and told him he really needed to get off in Gatlinburg to get it looked at. I doubt if he will, but after all, it's his toe.
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mount Collins Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

Today was sunny (yea) and cold and windy. It was 38 degrees last night. Today I hiked on and off with Subman, Buckle, Boone's Dad, Crystal the Black Ninja, Kamakazi, Matt, and Fox. We climbed today to Clingman's Dome. I was originally going to stop at Double Springs Shelter but Subman wanted to get to the top of the Dome today because of it being sunny and clear, so we hike on to the shelter. It turned out to be very long mileage day, but fortunately for me still no knee problems. To make up for hiking further, Subman volunteered to get my water for me at the shelter so I wouldn't have to walk another half mile there and back. We took lots of pictures today near the top and in the forest. On top of Clingman's you could see forever. I tented behind the shelter near the bear cables, a place where hikers hang their food for the night. I guess if any bears would have come to investigate, I could have been an appetizer, albeit a tough one.
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Mount Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Well today was a grand day. Subman and I and Smiles hiked down to Newfound Gap today (about 4.5 miles) and met Mike and Cindy Watson from First United Methodist Church in Franklin, NC. who had agreed to me me at the gap to resupply me so I wouldn't have to go into Gatlinburg to resupply, It takes so long to get there and back and I didn't want to do it. Mike and his wife took Subman, myself, and Brown Fox into town to go the NOC Outfitters and to a grocery/liquor store/wine shop/diner (our choice not his) to have lunch. It was wonderful. It's surprising what you crave after having hiker food for three or four days. When we came back the Gap, we set up our tents and dried them out and rested. I sorted out my food supplies, we packed all up and hiked back into the woods to go the the next shelter. When we got to the shelter, I decided to sleep inside instead of outside in my tent tonight. Lucky Duck, Jumanji, Subman, Salamander, Smiles 1 and Smiles 2, Goatsbeard, Cliff, Bull, Concordia, Papa Jr, Starstuff, Swazey, Bubbles, and Songbird were all at the shelter area too. Just as a note the shelter had a great privy (ADA approved with grab bars) and the water source was just a few feet away. I slept really well despite the snorers. I use my Ipod whenever the noise gets too loud.
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Tricorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

So today we finally awoke to a beautiful morning and hike out about 8am. We stopped for about 20 minutes at Charlies Bunion, a huge rock outcropping on the ridge line. Now I do not do heights so I took my time to climb up to a "safe?" point to have Subman snap a picture. Boy was I glad to get down. I dont even climb firetowers. Today was mostly up and down across the ridge line, but some of the most beautiful scenes yet. Take time to look at pictures dated 4/27. Enjoy. Still no knee issues.
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Tricorner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

It was partly sunny when we left the shelter but it soon turned to rain for the rest of the day. I left about 8:30 today. Subman let about 7:30 ahead of me. He was excited because he was going to meet his girlfriend Angela at Standing Bear Hostel later that day. I didn't feel like hiking 17.5 miles so I cut his bungee cord and he twanged away in pursuit of love. I stopped at Cosby Knob Shelter for lunch about 7.5 miles into the day. It took me about 4 hours to get there. The views and landscape are changing now in the Smoky's as Spring is here. There are many more varieties of flowers and plants blooming (Sorry I can't name any!). I even picked some fiddlehead ferns for dinner from alongside the trail. I passed one spot on the trail where in the 70's an Air Force plane on a training mission with six female pilots crashed. The plane parts and pieces were scattered all over the hillside and over time has become a sort of memorial to their deaths. I did take a picture of the "plaque" located next to the trail. I arrived at the shelter about 5:30 pm. By the time it became dark, the shelter was full and there were three tents set up on the side of the hill next to the shelter. There was no privy, and the "toilet area" was the dirtiest I've ever seen. There were no bear cables either. The thing about this shelter is that it is protected on the fourth side by a heavy duty chain link fence to keep the bears out, so we all hung our food bags on ropes from the ceiling and hoped the mice did not was to come to our buffet. I didn't not see any bears today, but did see three deer. Tomorrow I come out of the Smoky's. They were awesome, but now it's time to move on up the trail.
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: light rain

I left the shelter today about 7:30 am and headed to the hostel to have breakfast. I arrived about 9:30 am and checked in to my bunk, showered and retrieved my food box. The hostel was nice and all the modern INconvenieces that most hostels have. I included a few pictures of the hostel along with the caretaker "Lumpy". I had "steak" and eggs for breakfast. I fixed Subman some too. It seems that his girlfriend couldn't get off as expected so he was waiting around for her to arrive later in the day. I rested and hung out with the other hikers and then left in the morning with a whole new group of hikers towards Hot Springs. Ricky Ticky, Kamakazi, Older Dog, Hothands, Rhythm, Buckle, Goatsbeard,Toes, and several section hikers stayed the night.