morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Compton Gap Trailhead - Terrapin Hostel

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Day started good, another great day. The rocks were back today for about 15 miles or so. The overgrowth is getting much thicker now. Thin trails in many areas. Was hiking one section going up when I ran into a bear going down. He came around the corner, no more than 15 feet in front of me. He stopped, I stopped, we locked eyes for a split second. In an instant, I knew that everything was going to be ok from the look in his eyes. Sure enough, he swung around 180 degrees and was gone in less than a second or two. Closest I have ever been to a bear. Very cool. Made the distance. Slept like a baby. Life is good.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Rocks - Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

With an ending to the day like today's, I want to skip to the end since it is so great, but skipping to read only the end is cheating. The day started at 6:00 when I woke, but stayed all nice and comfy until 7:00 when I just had to get up. Food tonight so I ate anything left in my food bag, i.e. 2 little Debbie Honey Buns, 2 string cheese, 1 candy bar. On the trail at exactly 8:00. Slow out for a shelter night. Weather is another incredibly great day. Seventh in a row. Wow, how lucky. Arrived at the first shelter by 11:15. Easy morning so far. Then the roller coaster started, 10 ups and downs in 17 miles. This area has a narrow trail corridor so the trail has to climb quickly to clear the hills quickly. Also very, very rocky. Feet are doing great. No vitamin I until the last 3 miles and then only 400mg. 2400mg over the last 3 days. Still a lot but way down from before. Then I hit Bears Den Hostel. A 23 bunk hostel run by the PATC, a place that if one vacation would be $150.00 a night. Great people running it. Amiba took care of me. Hiker special. Night stay, hot shower, laundry, Tombstone pizza, pint of Ben and Jerry's (Heath), soda, and use of the facility (very nice) for $27.00. How cool to be a hiker tonight. Oh, I forgot, homecooked breakfast in the morning as well. Trails have been empty with Trails Day going on this weekend. That will change beginning tomorrow. Thought I was going to see another bear today. All the signs, footprints, turned rocks, pushed down small trees, scat, etc., but none ever spotted. Just over 20 into Harpers Ferry tomorrow. Was going to try to make the post office but with breakfast tomorrow, will have a late start, oh well. The last seven days have been incredible. Life tonight is better than good, it's great.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Bears Den Rocks - Bears Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Well I made it to Harper's Ferry but it looks as that will be it for this year. 1009.6 miles, not bad, not all the way, but not bad. An active 17 year old son and the return of work situations combined for the decision to go off trail. What a hoot it has been. Been home for awhile, working like a dog. It sucks. I miss the trail and the people on it. I have so much to express that I do not know where to begin. I would like to thank everyone for their suport over the last 2 plus months. At first I was upset knowing that I would have to start all over again in 2007. Then, as I thought more-and-more about it. I have changed to WOW, I GET TO DO THIS ALL OVER AGAIN, AND MORE. And now i know what to expect for the first 1000 miles. It just was not my time for 2006, but it will happen in 2007.A special thanks to Greyhound and Krispy Kreme. Your words of wisdom at the start, although on opposite sides of the scale in some areas, got me to wrap me head around what type of hike was important to me. For me, it is about the hiking. I shed my pack weight to around 10 pounds by the middle of Virginia. And Greyhound, you are right, 25 miles a-day should be the goal for that state. Hopefully I will run into you two again in 2007. It would be an honor to start out with you again. I'm planning to start early to mid March again.I am happy to see all those who are still moving forward. Congrats. For those who will be on the trail in 2007 ... see you then.The FOG has rolled out.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Bears Den Rocks - Bears Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well I made it to Harper's Ferry but it looks as that will be it for this year. 1009.6 miles, not bad, not all the way, but not bad. An active 17 year old son and the return of work situations combined for the decision to go off trail. What a hoot it has been. Been home for awhile, working like a dog. It sucks. I miss the trail and the people on it. I have so much to express that I do not know where to begin. I would like to thank everyone for their suport over the last 2 plus months. At first I was upset knowing that I would have to start all over again in 2007. Then, as I thought more-and-more about it. I have changed to WOW, I GET TO DO THIS ALL OVER AGAIN, AND MORE. And now i know what to expect for the first 1000 miles. It just was not my time for 2006, but it will happen in 2007.A special thanks to Greyhound and Krispy Kritter. Your words of wisdom at the start, although on opposite sides of the scale in some areas, got me to wrap me head around what type of hike was important to me. For me, it is about the hiking. I shed my pack weight to around 10 pounds by the middle of Virginia. And Greyhound, you are right, 25 miles a-day should be the goal for that state. Hopefully I will run into you two again in 2007. It would be an honor to start out with you on your annual season opening hike. I'm planning to start early to mid March.I am happy to see all those who are still moving forward. Congrats. For those who will be on the trail in 2007 ... see you then.The FOG has rolled out for the last time in 2006.
Date: 2006-03-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This hike is getting expensive (and it hasn't even started). First, there was the lasik surgery so I didn't have to worry about breaking my glasses and not be able to find my way in the wilderness. Then there was the ultra-light tent and pack and alcohol stove to "get that weight down". Also, wicking shirts and Gore-Tex boots were purchased to keep me dry and comfortable in the worst conditions. And in this high-tech world, how could I leave home without a new digital camera and Palm Handheld for journaling and communicating. Finally, there was the diamond earings (not for me, for my wife). Some things you just have to do when you are leaving town for months.I really need to get going before I spend all of my retirement savings.
Date: 2006-03-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The plan is to leave Erie, PA (my home) on March 8th. Our good friends Alice and Hal will drive me down. My wife, Judy is still teaching first grade. We are staying overnight in Asheville on the 8th and at the lodge in Amicalola Falls State Park on the 9th. The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail is in the park on Springer Mountain. If all goes well, I will start hiking on the 10th. Hal is going to hike the first few days with me.I'm anxious to start but also apprehensive.
Date: 2006-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Spent last night in Asheville at Alice's sister's (Thanks, Evelyn.) On the way to Amicola State Park we stopped at the Nantahla Outdoor Center. The A.T. crosses the river on a bridge there (134 miles from the start of the trail.) We saw several hikers passing through. They said another thru hiker from Erie (trail name, Dreamer) had already been by. After we arrived at the park I signed in as a thru hiker. The ranger took my picture to post with all the other wannabe thru hikers. After that we hiked on a trail to the top of the falls (beautiful!) and back down on a trail with 600 steps. That night we stayed at the lodge. We were concerned about bad weather coming through. There was a terrible storm that night. Glad we were safe inside.
Date: 2006-03-10
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Well this is it. Threw out my razor and deodorant, ate the buffet, and went to the park office to weigh my pack. It weighed 33# - I felt good about that. We drove up Forest Service Road 42 to the top of Springer Mountain, a gravel one-lane road with steep drop-offs. I don't think Alice was happy about having to drive back down after dropping Hal and me off. After we reached the top we had to hike back .9 mi. to the start of the trail. There I was signed in by a "ridge runner", an older guy who said he didn't hear the storm last night. He was in a tent. He said of course he turned his hearing aide off.We hiked the .9 mi. back to the car, loaded our gear, I stuck Hal with my hiking pole, and we were off. A beautiful day - 75*, nice trail. Life is good - would be perfect if my soul-mate was with me.When we reached the shelter the weather was perfect, and we decided to tent. There was a big crowd in the shelter and in tents.
Date: 2006-03-11
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gouch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

To our surprise it rained during the night so we had to pack up wet gear. There was fog and drizzle in the morning but it cleared up in the afternoon. Trail was hard - Sassafras Mountain was a killer. The whole day was very tough. When we crossed a forest service road a retired Baptist minister and his son were having a beer. (Guess it's ok if you're retired). They offered us water which we were glad to get as we were running low. We got to the shelter about 4:30. We were lucky to get a space inside. There were many people who ended up tenting. It was very crowded with weekend and thru hikers.
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Gouch Mt. Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hal and I decided to take a short day because of how hard the hiking seemed yesterday. The five miles still seemed tough. We knew we were slow when a chubby cub scout passed us. We stayed at the A.T. Hikers hostel. What a great place! Hal and I and two other guys -Matthew (Michigan), and Luke (KC), shared a room for four with a private bath. We were picked up at the trail, shuttled to Dahlonega for dinner at an Italian restaurant and brew pub, fed a wonderful breakfast, and shuttled back to the trail -all for $15! Thanks Josh and Leigh!Get this - they carded us at the brew pub.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

This was by far my best hiking day. I felt great. We were concerned about hiking to Neels Gap (where the trail goes right through a building - the Walasi-Yi Center), because we had to go over Blood Mt, (4461'). However, we made good time and had no problem getting there. We thought we might have to stay at a shelter along the way. There was fog and rain most of the way. Blood Mt. was awesome! At the top we walked over huge boulders. There is a shelter made of stone on top of the mountain. The fog was very dense with visibility of only about 20' at times.I feel a lot better about this hike today. Hal was going to quit when we got here, but has decided to go further. I'm glad.Tonight the outfitter at Walasi-Yi put us and about five other hikers up at his cabin. Another night indoors. Tomorrow it is supposed to turn cold with more rain.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Neels Gap

To: Hog Pen Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

Since Alice was going to meet us at Neels Gap, we had the outfitter shuttle us down the trail so we could hike back without carrying our packs -called "slack packing". You still hike the trail, but without full packs. We did make one mistake. We were enjoying the beautiful views and wandered down a wrong side-trail. We had to backtrack a ways. Not smart.Alice met us, and we spent the night with five other hikers at the same cabin as last night.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Hog Pen Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Alice drove us back to where we had left off the day before, and met us later in the day at Unicoi Gap. We spent the night in Helen, Georgia, a touristy Bavarian Village. All the buildings were made to look like an old German village. There were a couple hikers from NC. One of them (Mohican) hurt his knee. His hiking partner helped him get his gear out by hiking ahead, dropping his pack, and going back and carrying his friend's pack. We gave them a ride into Helen. There hike is over. They were calling for a ride home. I felt bad. They were nice guys. Trail was easy until the last couple miles. There were lots of rocks and Blue Mt. was a tough up and down.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Tray Mt. Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Last night we were at the shelter on Tray Mt. It got windy and cold on the mountain during the night and we did not want to get out of our sleeping bags. We did manage to get up and we were hiking by 8, because we had over 10 mi. to do. Kelly Knob at 4275' was a hard climb. It was a long day.We got a shuttle into Hiawassee and we are staying at the Hiawassee Inn.On the Trail we met the "Maine Train", two guys and three girls from Maine who are hiking home. A fun group.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got on the trail about 12:30. Hal dropped me off after lunch. He was hurting bad and decided to quit. I will miss him but I understand. It's thanks to Alice and Hal that I got this far.Nice shelter with three levels. Staying with Maine Train, Brian, a mother and daughter from Boston, and a father and son from Atlanta.Today was not as hard as I anticipated.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Finished Georgia today (75mi). Talked to Judy by cell from a rock on top of a mountain near the state line. Walked through tunnels of rhododendrons - would love to see them in bloom. Tough trail so far in NC.I got to the shelter around 3. Sleeper showed up with fried chicken and Budweiser for lunch. Praise the lord! Sleeper pushed on to the next shelter. I stayed because I knew it would be crowded and there was bad weather coming.I'm here with Turtle and Cortez. We had a good time hanging a bear line. Shaun came in around 6:30.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: snow

It rained during the night and was pouring in the morning, so I didn't leave until 9:30. Shaun passed me later on the trail. Other than a group of south-bounders, I didn't see anyone else all day. This is the first day I hiked alone all day. At the shelter were three guys I had met back at Tray Mt. They had been here all day because of the weather. It stayed rainy and cold all day. There were icicles hanging from the trees and shrubs.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Carter Gap

To: Rock Gap (Franklin)
Miles today: 12.2

It rained hard all night. Left the shelter around 9, and the weather cleared up during the morning. Called Judy on my cell. She told me her mother was coming home from the hospital today - made my day. Just before Albert Mountain - trail magic! Two guys, Fishing Freddie and Gator Aide, (another guy, Nightstalker, was there who I understand helps out on a regular basis) have a camp set up. They give out food to hikers and even put some up for the night in a large tent. I ate two bean and rice burritos, soda, coffee, and cake. Great!Albert Mt. was the trickiest climb so far but the views were worth it. I climbed the fire tower for a 360* view.Made it to Rock Gap in time for more trail magic and a ride to Franklin thanks to Crutch.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Rock Gap (Franklin)

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took a zero day to do laundry, journal, and to just get organized. Ron the owner of the Budget Inn is great. He shuttles hikers, not only from the trail, but all over town in his mini bus. He took me to the UPS store and the outfitters. Chinese guy at the Laundromat had a good laugh when I started the washer but forgot to put the clothes in. He said, "It happen all time." Yeah, right.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Rock Gap (Franklin)

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Ron shuttled me to the trail about 9:30. Easy day. In shelter around 3. Goliath is here with me, but he got in his sleeping bag around 3:30.It is getting cold and they say it might snow. A couple more guys and a dog came in about 4 or 5.Around 4:30 I was in my sleeping bag. I set a personal record for time spent in the bag.It did snow this evening.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The 2 guys with the dog left at 6:30. Goliath left just before me, around 7:30, I think. I followed their tracks in the snow all day. Mad Dog passed me. He was the only north bounder I saw all day. Long day. Got to the shelter around 4:30. Walked through snow all the way. The woods were beautiful. Wolf was the only one at the shelter when I arrived. Slap Happy arrived later. They are both south bound so I won't see them again.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It snowed more during the night. Mad Dog had camped a ways back. He was at our shelter before I left at 8. Wolf had told me that Bear Bait II was fixing breakfast for hikers about 2 miles down the trail. He had a campsite on top of the mountain where he fixed me a ham and eggs breakfast - good.Got to the NOC around 5:15, later than I thought. It was a long day. Staying in the bunk house with Victor who was kayaking the river. He and I had dinner at the restaurant, and later he shared his beer.I'm going to be a lot warmer tonight being indoors.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

I had breakfast with Victor, picked up my food drop, and was on the trail by 9. I was concerned because I was told to allow 8 hr. to the shelter. I was going slow and was surprised that I got here at 2:30. The next shelter is 9.1 mi. so I am staying here. I could have stayed longer at the NOC.The trail to the shelter is downhill. Melting snow turned the trail to mud. I slipped and slid a ways down the trail on my butt in the mud. Quite a mess.I thought I would be alone for the night, but hikers from Michigan arrived around 8:30.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

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

Melting snow from yesterday turned the trail to ice in spots making it slippery on the downhill.There was a real steep climb to get to the shelter. I'm here with Mad Dog, Lone Wolf, and his dog, Max. More hikers showed up later, and some had to tent.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Beautiful day! Most of the trail was not too hard. I could see Fontana Lake and Dam for miles before I reached it. Trillium were in bloom on the trail as it approached Fontana Dam.Got a shuttle to Fontana Village Resorts, and had dinner with a bunch of other hikers. They did a 20 mi. day. Not me.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 0.0

I spent the morning doing laundry, etc. In the afternoon a group of us hikers sat outside and drank a few beers. It was nice to just relax. There was a large group including the Jersey Boys, and some guys from Buffalo. One of them went to high school near my old home in Buffalo.A bunch of us ate dinner at the resort restaurant.In the evening I was interviewed by Jerry who works there. He is writing some sort of documentary on thru hikers. I think he said there will be pod cast on the internet.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Fontana Village

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

I got a ride back to the trail at Fontana Dam around 6am. The person who was going to take me had a family emergency. I was ready to go so the lady at the front desk put a note on the door that she would be back shortly, and left to pick me up at my room. After all that I forgot to pay her. I think they normally charge $1.I was walking across the dam as the sun was coming up. Then I hiked up the mountain into the dreaded Smokies. I saw several deer who let me get quite close.My pack is heavy. I have 7 days worth of food (thanks to mail drop by Judy) which should be more than enought to see me through the Smokies.The shelter was full with the hikers who were in Fontana the day before.
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Fun hiking day! Climbed Rocky Top which was really neat, although Thunderhead, the next peak,was actually highter at 5527' --awesome views. It started to rain by the time I reached the shelter. Thunderstorms were expected according to the Ridge Runner who was spending the night there also. It did pour later that night.There was a strange noise in the shelter that night that woke us up. Turned out it was a frog. He stayed in the shelter making this weird croaking sound for hours. Evidently he didn't want to go out in the rain. I think he would have been on someone's dinner plate if the Ridge Runner wasn't there.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Derrick Knob

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Feeling tired, I decided to take a short day. The guys I was with last night have left me in the dust.I am here with Glow Worm, Snapper, and Luscious. I had first seen them in Fontana Village.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

I left around 8 this morning. Arrived at Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the A.T. in the early morning. the view from the observation tower was ok. Along the way I met section hiker, Malvin. He told me rain, and later, thunderstorms were coming. At the Mt. Collins Shelter Malvin was there along with Ridge Runner Jim. It was starting to rain, but it was only around one o'clock, too early to stop. Jim said if I went on to the next shelter I could count on having to tent. Since I didn't want to stop so early, I decided to go to Newfound Gap and get a ride to Gatlinburg. Malvin said he would give me a ride, as he was staying in Gatlinburg. He is going to take me back in the morning - perfect.When we reached Newfound Gap, former thru hiker Crash Test Dummy and his friend Pete were there cooking hot dogs and passing out drinks and fruit to hikers. People are so great. I think sometimes we dwell on the fact that there are bad people when there are so many more good people. Everyone I have met on this hike has been wonderful to me. It makes you realize this isn't such a bad world.I have now hiked over 200 miles.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night I walked around Gatlinburg until I found a place to eat. What a circus, especially after the peace and quiet of the trail. I was glad to get out of there. Malvin gave me a ride back to the trail as planned. He hiked with me all day.There were bad storms during the night with high winds and hail. For long stretches the trail was like a stream because of all the rain the night before. At the first shelter the group I had stayed with the night before last were trying to dry out their gear. They had to tent in the storm because the shelter was full. I guess it was a good thing I went to Gatlinburg.We stopped at Charlie's Bunion. A real nice overlook and unusual rock formation.The trail today was the most beautiful so far. It ran along a ridge with great views on both sides.In the afternoon we did hike through a thunderstorm with some hail but it was mostly good hiking.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

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

Last night we were really crammed into the shelter and it got very cold during the night.Another pretty hiking day. The evergreens were white, covered with what they call hoarfrost.When I got to the shelter Pete, (who was at Newfound Gap) was there with beer, cokes, oranges, etc. More trail magic. Twice in three days!