morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-02-10
From: Tray Mtn Rd

To: Tray Mtn Rd
Miles today: 0.0

Here we are again. The hiker's decision to stay off the trail today was a good one. Winds around 55 mph in the mountains. The rain yesterday just turned to ice above 3000 feet. The ice from last week was still on the trees so this just added to it. The ground, however, is not frozen so there will be lots of broken branches from the heavy ice and many downed trees because there is nothing to hold them in the ground with the weight and wetness. With the winds of today it could have been very dangerous to be up there. So, good decision. Fahmah called Gary Poteat of the Blueberry Patch. They are getting close to being finished with the renovations, but they aren't ready yet. He really doesn't know how soon it will be. He warned of the conditions Fahmah will find in the higher elevations of the trail..anything over 3000 feet is going to be bad. It's time to make big decisions. Just a few days of bright sunlight or some warmer temperatures would help the ice melt. Will the extended forecasts make those predicitions?This evening Fahmah & Second Stage will spend the evening with Dave & Robin again. There is no way we can ever thank them enough for their hospitality and for all they have done for Fahmah. So a great big "Thanks" for everything comes your way once again, from Ma & Fahmah!!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-11
From: Tray Mtn Rd

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

"Embrace your troubles for they are opportunites for strength" I like that Dianne. It is appropriate for what Dad is going through right now.This may be a little premature. Fahmah will call me again before he stops tonight, but he called a little after 2pm today and he had made it over Tray Mtn. This morning Dave picked him up and gave a ride to Indian Grave Gap. It was 19 degrees when they got out of the vehicle. Dave walked along with the hikers to the top of Tray Mtn to be sure they would get through this time. The ice had melted enough to allow them to navigate the trail. He called me from Swag of the Blue Ridge. He still had Sassafras Gap and Kelly Knob to conquer. Kelly Knob is 4276' elev. His legs were tired but he felt he would make it to the shelter without too much trouble. The sun was shining and he wanted to take advantage while it lasted. A report from Robin advised that it was really hard hiking, thus, the tired legs. Thanks again to both Dave & Robin for everything. Fahmah said the pot roast was awesome last night. Chief, thanks for the call. I told Fahmah your suggestion, but he decided if he could go on with the hike today, he would do that. Thanks for your concern. Movin' on....check back later to see progress. Thanks to all for your posts and words of encouragement. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-12
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap 
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The photo was taken on the 11th when Dave hiked with them. Just to give you an example of the ice chunks that were falling from the trees and they had to walk over.Sleep in the shelter was uneventful. Fahmah was well rested, but his feet and ankles still hurt from the tough hike yesterday. Hiking through the snow and over the ice chunks that had fallen caused twisting of ankles and uneven walking and his legs & feet hurt. Started the day off okay, but as the time progressed, and snow started falling again, hiking was slow. After only 3 hours he had only walked 3 1/2 miles. He met up with Second Stage and they made the decision to go back to Hiawassee to sit out the snow once they hit Dick's Creek Gap. He called Gary Poteat of the Blueberry Patch one more time to see how that progressed. It still wasn't ready for occupancy. So, needing a ride and a friendly voice, they called Dave and Robin once again. They were discussing whether to stay at Mull's or go back to Holiday Inn when Dick said "why don't you come back to our house"? Too good to believe....so much goodness...thanks again!!! In the meanwhile, I was sitting at the computer and received an email from Robin just saying "Dave is picking up Fahmah again".I hadn't expected that, so I, of course, thought the worst! I was anxious until I got a call from him telling me the situation and that he was fine. He will get a good night's rest tonight and hopefully, be on the trail in the morning. Stay tuned."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-13
From: Dick's Creek Gap 

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

I got an email this morning again from Robin that Dave took Fahmah and Second Stage back to the Trail at Dick's Creek. Their plan was to hike the 11.8 miles to Muskrat Shelter. This will get them over the N. Carolina border and to mile 79.3 on the Trail. I haven't heard from Fahmah yet today. Will update as soon as I do.The weather was warmer this a.m. with snow coating the trees and the ground, but the sun was shining brightly and should help to melt the ice even more. Received a call at 9:00pm. The hikers arrived at Muskrat Creek Shelter after dark. It was a long, tiring day of hiking through snow knee-deep. The shelter was occupied by some younger hikers that had been there for some time. Fahmah set his tent up in the snow and was just getting in to his sleeping bag. He was cold and very tired."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-14
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter 

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was cold. Second Stage announced to Fahmah she was leaving on her hike. Fahmah knew he would need time to pack up the tent and needed the shelter to handle it. He decided to wait until the other hikers headed out before he got up and packed up. He was leaving Muskrat Creek at noon. Again the hiking brought him through knee high snow, and more where the drifts accumulated. It was tiring and cold. It started to snow again. He arrived at Standing Indian Shelter and had it to himself. He set up his tent in the shelter, had his dinner and called home. Once inside his tent he warmed up and had a good night's sleep while the snow fell at a steady pace over night. At the end of 2 weeks of hiking he is 84.2 miles from Springer where he started."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-15
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Fahmah woke up around 8 a.m. Had a good night's sleep, while the snow fell overnight...actually it blew a lot too! It came in to the shelter sideways, coating the floor and the wall of the shelter, as well as the side of his tent & pack. There was no broom at the shelter to clean up, but he did the best he could. It was late by the time he packed up. He left the shelter around 1pm. He thought there was an additional foot of snow over what he had been hiking in. It was really tough hiking as he went up Standing Indian Mtn and over the top he went thru one drift that was up to the top of his thighs (he used another expression which I won't repeat!) He hiked on and it got dark. He was able to just about see the trail with the light from the snow. The trail from previous hikers was just barely distinguishable with an indent in the snow level. Suddenly, he felt his rain pants fall to the ground...why? But all that would come to mind was "Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, lookin' like a fool with my pants on the ground"....he started laughing out loud!! He decided to dig in his pack for his head lamp and put it on. He trekked on a little bit, when he noticed a tangled mass ahead..tree or limbs down..blocking the trail. He had to walk around the mess and saw that it was across a brook that he had to navigate and then find the trail again. What if he hadn't had his head lamp on? Fahmah knows he feels closer to God on the trail than anywhere, and he felt his guiding hand last night once again. He trekked on til around 10pm he got in to Carter Gap Shelter. He was alone again and set up his tent. Just too tired, he set up tent, called Ma just so she would know where he was and that he was safe and turned in.   Tigger, you are right "Life is Good, God is Great""FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-16
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Sorry for the long delay in this update. I just heard from Fahmah late yesterday and waited for details...he really didn't have many. The longer the time goes by in between, the more he forgets!! I did receive a call early the 16th from Fahmah. We talked for long time while he drank a hot cup of coffee. His water bottle had frozen so he melted snow and boiled it, poured it in his bottle and melted some of the water, then boiled it again to make his coffee. The sun had come out and was warming the shelter a bit. It had been a bitterly cold night's sleep. We talked and talked and he noticed his hands were finally warming up a bit. He admitted that along with the 4 lbs of stuff he sent home from Neel's Gap, it included his mittens...the ones that opened at the tips and folded back so he can have his fingers free...something that he so appreciated having in '07...then he sent them home?? He also complained of a stiff neck because of no pillow...he also sent home his light fleece jacket which could have made a great pillow while sleeping or extra warmth..but he sent it home?? They just took up too much space was the excuse. Anyway, he admitted to me that he thought he had become a bit dehydrated. His water bottle stayed frozen all the time and it was too much hassle to melt it to get a drink during the day, that he just didn't drink. He also had lost his appetite and was barely eating (another sign). He determined that he would stay at the shelter all day and concentrate on getting hydrated again and get back to eating his normal diet. We decided he would not call me again unless he decided to move locations in order to save his phone battery. His first one was already gone and was on his second. I also advised that I had read there was no phone service at Big Spring which would be his next stop. Later in the day 2 hikers, Kevin & Uncle Frank came to the shelter and they shared the evening with shelter stories. Get a good night's sleep to prepare for the hike tomorrow."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-17
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

It was another very cold night, but the sun soon came out and warmed things up a bit. It was 10 degrees or lower when Fahmah got up. The snow had not lessened and the hike just as difficult as 2 days prior. Albert Mtn stood between him and Big Spring. As he approached it and knowing what the top would be like, he saw the prints headed down the blue blaze, bypassing the hazardous ledges of Albert Mtn, he followed along and finally arrived at Big Spring. Kevin & Uncle Frank had decided to forge ahead to Rock Gap Shelter or perhaps all the way to US64. They didn't stop at Big Spring with Fahmah. If he remembers any more events of the day, I will adjust this journal. We haven't had much time to talk about it yet. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-18
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Wallace Gap, Old US64
Miles today: 6.0

God not only sends special angels into our lives, but sometimes He even sends them back again if we forget to take notes the first time! ~Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994By this morning I was nearly into the "borrowing troubles" thing. I had not heard from Fahmah since Tuesday morning around 9:30 and I didn't know if he had left Carter Gap Shelter or stayed. I had my faith, and if he did as he said he would, he would have hiked to Big Spring yesterday and should reach Franklin today. But was his phone working? I had been hearing from Robin & Dave every day, news about Second Stage, them checking on Fahmah..."no, I still haven't heard from him". This morning I received an email from Robin...they were going to meet Second Stage in Franklin. "Here is Dave's phone number for Fahmah to call in case he needs a ride." I still didn't hear from Fahmah.About 3:30 this afternoon a call from an unfamiliar number came in, a name I didn't recognize, but I picked it up anyway....a familiar voice..."Hi there!" It was Fahmah, and lo & behold, calling from Dave's telephone. They had checked around US64 around noon for signs of Fahmah, but there was no sign. They went to lunch with Second Stage and were headed back toward home, but just decided to check one more time. They went to Rock Gap, encountering snow covered road, and saw prints, checked in the dumpsters and saw Mountain House food wraps. For sure it was Fahmah. They went back to Wallace Gap, Old US64 and just as they were pulling up, Fahmah came out of the trail. "Hey, you want a ride?"Yes, his battery in his phone was dead. He would not have been able to call anyone. What were the odds that he would have gotten a ride, let alone from some of the most wonderful friends he had met on the Trail. Darn right we believe in Angels.A stop at the Outfitters, a ride to Haven's Budget Inn. Second Stage had an extra bed in her room, all he needed to do was get a key, they were expecting him. He set his phone to charge, cleaned himself up, went to wash his clothes, a quick call home. He was tired and Second Stage had arranged for slack packing for tomorrow that he would do as well, so he had to get up early, no time to talk much. We will catch up tomorrow after hiking!What a day! What a miracle! Life is good and God is great."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-19
From: Wallace Gap, Old US64

To: Wayah Gap, SR1310
Miles today: 9.0

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. Helen Keller (1880 - 1968) Second Stage had arranged for a slack-pack trip so Fahmah went along to make use of the day. "There is great news to all of you behind us...we stood on leafy ground today...about 100 feet of it on the trail down a south facing slope..but it was trail without snow!! There is hope for us yet!" SS will hit the trail tomorrow, but Fahmah will take a zero to rest his feet. Staying at Haven's Budget Inn. The ride to the trail today reminded Fahmah of '07 and the ride in the bus "the most packed bus Ron Haven ever had". He mentioned it and was told that Ron has it on the front page of his web site appalachianservices.com   When checking it out, sure enough the photos are there and many recognizable faces, Fahmah, Klipspringer, Torpedo, Nice-enuff, and others. Check it out! "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-20
From: Wayah Gap, SR1310

To: Wayah Gap, SR1310
Miles today: 0.0

Zero today. Walked to restaurant for breakfast and back, then to the grocery store and back. Made arrangements for a ride to the trail in the morning to get started again. Then took the time to make some calls to the kids. He missed them and wanted to catch up. He got Debbie & talked for a while. Called Dianne & spoke to Jim, but Dianne & the kids had just left. Then Dianne called him back later. Tried to get Susie but no answer. Then he had to charge up the batteries so the phone was off. He will have more time when he gets to Nantahala and will try to get to the rest. You are all very much on his mind...you too, Jessica. Hope school is going good. Called the Hike Inn in Fontana to check on the conditions in the Smokies. Was told there isn't much traffic up there just yet. In fact, the trail is in bad shape & there was talk they might close GSMNP. Was told to call when he gets to Nantahala for an update on the conditions. Had a visitor tonight, Tickertape, a friend of Just Jack's, stopped in to see if Fahmah needed anything, a ride to anywhere or supplies. He was all set by then, so he gave Fahmah a beer and they chatted for a time. The beer was a Yuengling, from America's oldest brewery. Excellent beer...try one while you can find them...we don't have it available in Mass. Much thanks for the visit. There's a little weather coming in tomorrow night...they say rain, but who knows in the mountains...he is heading out and will make it a long day tomorrow, sit out the rain overnight, then a short day the next. I had to send him another package to Nantahala & it won't be there till Tuesday. He should be there by then too. He might end up staying there a little while, depending what happens in the Great Smokies. Stay tuned."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-21
From: Wayah Gap, SR1310

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

Had a warm, sunny day to hike in today. Must have been nearly 60 degrees. The one bad thing about that is that the snow softened up and with every other step or two he sunk to his knees or his shins with a jolt. This was tough on the legs & back. However, the sunshine was glorious, the wild life was about..turkey tracks and a ruffed grouse. He called me early afternoon from Wayah Bald at the observation tower. He stopped to have lunch, sitting on the stone wall in just a shirt. Started to feel an east/southeast wind....cool. Decided with the hiking conditions, he would just head to the next shelter instead of trying to make Cold Spring. I sent a package to NOC and it wouldn't be there till Tuesday, so there is no rush. Once at the shelter, he called home again. Was surprised to have cell service there. Would wait in the morning for the weather to clear a little before heading out. He will check in with me in the morning before leaving the shelter. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-22
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Burningtown Gap, SR1397
Miles today: 3.6

Fahmah waited out the rain and hit the trail. They were blessed with trail magic at Burningtown Gap. Filled up on hotdogs, hot chocolate & a whole box of chocolate chip cookies. The trail angel offered a ride in to Andrews to get a room for the night. They were soaking wet from the hike and cold and would be happy to have a warm room and comfortable bed for the night. So off they went. They had dinner and Fahmah filled up on lemonade. His stomach wasn't great earlier in the day, but after dinner the grumblies hit him. The rest of the night was pretty uncomfortable...hope tomorrow is better!! Knee-deep was still planning out his hike and was talking about getting snow shoes to get thru the Smokies. He had a contact at EMS and got the pricing, but had to locate the shoes.   Fahmah called and bounced it off me whether he should go ahead and get snow shoes too. It's his hike....they really would have been helpful the last couple of weeks, but they will be heavy to carry when not needed. All things considered, the final decision was to go ahead and order them when they find them. They had an early morning being picked up and taken back to the trail. Fahmah put his battery to charge and fell in to bed for the night. Hope he didn't have to get up too many times!!! "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-23
From: Burningtown Gap, SR1397

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Got a call from Fahmah around 3pm. They were at Wesser Bald Observation Tower. Knee-deep had just hungup from ordering the snow shoes. His contact had finally located two pair and they would be shipped...don't know for sure yet where they will be sent! NOC or Hike-Inn? They had both determined they would make it in to Nantahala tonight, even if by head lamp. They were already through the uphills, just down hill from here. Had been using his yak-trax all day and would do so going down the mountainside in case it is too slippery. Will bring you up to date on details tomorrow. Stay tuned!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-24
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

As planned, Fahmah & Knee-deep got in to NOC a little after 7pm last night. The hike down was long & dark and they were tired & hungry. There was snow at the beginning of the trail down, but eventually was clear of snow for the bottom half. When they got to NOC everything was closed up tight. They located the bunkhouse & set up for the night. Ate whatever they had in their food bags & went to sleep. The two woke up hungry & ready to get on with their day. But, nothing opened until 10am or 11am. There was a drop to pickup & some resupply to take care of. Fahmah decided to make it a zero & head out tomorrow. Knee-deep took care of what he could as soon as he could & headed off to Sassafras Gap Shelter despite the warnings relayed from Dave & Robin of the hazards of the trail with the blowdowns & all. Fahmah called home a couple of times to go over what needed to be in the drop I send to Hike Inn. The snowshoes will be delivered there as well. More calls home to the kids, talked with Susie & all the grandkids. It did his heart real good! He had a lunch of a bowl of nice, spicy chili & an order of chicken tenders & french fries. Lots of fat to fuel the belly! Ate his leftovers for supper & finally to bed to rest up for tomorrow. Was in the bunkhouse alone tonight. Will head off to Sassafras Gap himself in the am."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-25
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather had forecast snow showers & windy. They were right. The wind cut through the body, the snow fell in showers, accumulating from anywhere to a couple inches to foot-deep snow drifts from the wind. The trail was hard to follow, blazes in some places could not be seen or so faded they seemed to disappear. The blowdowns required walking around & off the trail & then finding it again was a problem. But, eventually Fahmah arrived at the shelter. It very cold again. I had received a call from Knee-deep warning Fahmah of the perils of the trail he would walk tomorrow from Sassafras to Stecoah Gap, where Fahmah hoped to be picked up by someone from Hike Inn. Knee-deep had run in to a spot where the downed trees made the trail disappear. He spent 3 hours walking about 3/4 mile, as he turned right where he should have turned left, and then left where he should have turned right, but there were no blazes in clear view that showed him that. I told him I would forward the info to Fahmah as soon as I spoke to him. He was going to go on to Fontana, when I told him that I thought Hike Inn would pick him up at Stecoah Gap or at least that is what Fahmah had planned. He was glad for the news & decided to do the same. It had been a cold, miserable day for him too. Fahmah called Hike Inn to make arrangements when he arrived at the shelter and actually got to speak to Knee-deep when he called. So he had the news before I could relay it to him. So by the time Fahmah called me around 8pm he was ready to climb in his bag & try to keep warm from the blowing, cutting wind around the shelter & get to sleep. Tomorrow would be another "no fun" day."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-26
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap, NC143
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

The night was cold. Morning was cold, but Fahmah packed up and headed out. The trail proved to be just as difficult as the previous day. Fahmah had difficulty navigating, the same as Knee-deep had, but eventually arrived at Stecoah Gap & made the call to Hike Inn for a ride in. He arrived there around 5pm. He met up with Knee-Deep there and took advantage of the ride in to Robbinsville for a steak dinner. There was no cell phone service at the Inn so he called me from the restaurant. We had a short conversation. He had to wait for the mail drop I had sent to Hike Inn and decisions to make about whether and when to head in to the Smokies. Knee-Deep would be leaving to hike to Fontana Dam Shelter. He also would be considering the options. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-27
From: Stecoah Gap, NC143

To: Yellow Creek Gap, SR1242
Miles today: 7.6

While at Hike Inn, Fahmah met up with Second Stage again. She had arranged for a slack pack for the day and Fahmah decided to join her. It turned out to be a sunny day, but a still-difficult trail. They split up the two days to get to Fontana Dam and planned to do the second half on Sunday. They were again brought in to Robbinsville for dinner. Our phone call wasn't very successful. He called while riding back from the restaurant and we lost connection early. But not before he assured me he would not head in to the Smokies alone. Second Stage said she wouldn't let him! That was some comfort, but the question is still in consideration. The Smokies...when???"FOR YOU JIM"