morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

Today was a super day. Woke up early and left the shelter for a nice level walk 7 miles to the first shelter for lunch where I had my rice pudding a brought with me to start and never ate. Sat around and Phil, Aj, and Lee (now know as Memphis) showed up as I was leaving. As I got back on the trail I meet up with Justin and walked into Unicoi Gap where there was 3 bins sitting with a note that says for thru hikers, open one up and nothing, open up second and nothing, third just trash. Doh, so we continue walking and there is a table in the parking lot with chairs and a bunch of people. Trail magic with water cokes of all sorts milk chocolate milk assorted little debbies chips snack bars ziplocks and other assorted items. Had me a coke and a starcrunch. The others showed up again and off I went again. Second half of the day was straight up out of Unicoi abd then up and down till where we are at near the site of an old cheese factory of the 1800's. It no longer exist but is named after the area. So Phil, AJ, Memphis, Justin, Lindsey, and the one guys name I can't remember yet. Its so hard to remember names when you hear so many. We all had dinner and then had fun hanging bear bags. We then started a camp fire and everyone collected wood for a bit and had a nice campfire for several hours. Talked about our first backpacking trips and other such things. We will probably be going into the shelter just before Hiawassa tomorrow night then neroing in and staying a night and splitting some rooms. Nero means near zero miles for the day. In this case it will be about 3. I want a hambuger and french fries with bacon cheese jalapenos lettuce avocado mustard ketchup mayo pickles and anything else they can put on it. I also really want to wash my clothes, my salt stains are growing and pulling the clothes out of my bag each night is an assult on my nose. I took a semi bath in the stream today and the dirt won't come off my heels after some hard scrubbing. Weather was hot today and supposed to be hotter tomorrow, it really drained on you towards the end. 10 miles tomorrow before some rest. 11:30 now so time to get some sleep.
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After a late night I woke up late today knowing it would be a short day. Tonight we are just under 4 miles to the shuttle into town that picks up around 9. So tomorrow will be a night hike and plan on leaving around 6 or before. Things to look forward to burger fries shower dr pepper laundry and shopping for food. Sounds like some of the others are going to resupply for a 7 day stretch but I will just move ahead a few miles and resupply in between theirs, some others are iffy on the long resupply as well. So this morning was pretty easy and was chilly, this afternoons last climb up kelly knob pretty much kicked everyones butt. Around mile 8 we got a 1000 foot climb in about a mile. So everyone from last night is here plus Morphine and Moss again. Don is the last guy I couldnt remeber his name from last night who's trail name is Happy Pappy. Cimmarron is here who is 88 and will be 89 when he finishes. He held the record for the oldest completion of the trail at 82 until a guy beat him and made it 84 so now he is back out to get the record back. Fly and gnats are horrible today and ate us alive. A lot of people are getting headnets and deet tomorrow. Well looking forward to town and some rest.
Date: 2011-03-23
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee Budget Inn
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: light rain

Nero...3.6 miles today. Woke up about 5 and got everyone on the trail by 5:45. Hiked to Dicks Creek Gap and waited for a bit and caught a shuttle into town where we have split two rooms between 8 hikers. I am in with Happy, Memphis, and Justin and Daisy the dog. We first went to breakfast as we waited for our room. Bisquits and gravy, two eggs and bacon. Finished quick and we all watched Memphis try to eat eggs grits hashbrowns four pancakes sausage bisquit and tons of butter syrup and ketchup. We then got back to the motel and I put on just my rain gear and did laundry. During the dry cycle I put them in and slide the coins in, came back 45 minutes later and they where still wet. Started again which is two dollars and checked after a bit and noticed it wasn't spinning. Then someone mentioned you had to hit start doh. After that I got to take a shower and put on clean clothes. We the went to a buffet which served lasagna, fried and baked chicken. Had a large salad and a little of everything else. Then we resupplied at Dollar store and IGA. Came back to the room and packed up my stuff and sorted everything. Removed about a pound of stuff, pant legs, deodorant, and my pack towels. Don't need the towels as my bandanas will work for it. Deodorant doesn't work after a day and pant legs are just not needed with the other stuff. Its raining so it was a perfect day today to rest although we had to walk all around town to resupply. Well everyone is hanging around outside now so off to hang out and get to bed soon.
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Hiawassee Budget Inn

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

Well my nero is over, we walked out of Hiawassee and walked out 11.7 miles to Muskrat Creek Shelter. The first of three 12 mile days to get to Franklin.It was a very tough and exciting day, two huge climbs and passed our first state border into North Carolina. It was windy and cold today and the thermometer is already saying 36 degrees. Got lots of pictures at the border and the famous tree at Bly Gap. Had some good meals today everyone was jealous of, lunch was a english muffin with slices of pepperoni cheese and fresh green pepper slices. Dinner was teriyake knorr with fresh green pepper and chicken.We had another fire tonight and had everyone around enjoying it. Going to be a cold one tonight with 20's expected. Some people have 25 degree bags and are wearing all of their clothes, I have my heavy thermals and my bag and should be good. Memphis left on the late shuttle out of town and came storming in cussing NC like we guessed he would. Till tomorrow goodnight got a cold morning to look forward to.
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Batten down the hatches, it looks like I wil get my first taste of rain tonight and I am in my tent. Rain after midnight and thunderstorms in the morning and all day. Today started out below freezing probably around 25 but warmed up a considerable amount, to probably around 60. Was a lot of delayering going on throughout the day for everyone. Lots of leapfrogging with everyone up the trail as well.The morning walk was good and even the climb up Standing Indian Mountain seemed really easy. And the view from the top was great. Tallest mountain so far at 5498. I saw a great sign today, we are in the North Carolina bear sanctuary : ) It also looks like the rhododendron is going to start blooming soon. So tonight we are at Carter Gap Shelter's. There is an old one and a new one here. It should really be a new one and a shack. The new one was full with a bunch of weekenders running people off so most of my group is at the old one. Only 4 can sleep in it with the current condition. It leans about 15 degree to the side half the floor on one side is missing and a lot of the side wall planks are missing. Phil and Aj used their tent rain covers to patch up the side and front to stop the rain expected. Along with Justin and Lindsay, they drew sticks to determine sleeping positions. Phil got short stick and the front side near the tarps. Aj got best but choose one from the back where an overhang is he would bump into. Lindsay got the corner and Justin has next to Phil and another tarp. We renamed the shelter shit gap shelter after someone found out someone had leaned on the outside back wall and did a number. It will be a fun night. In addition to the four already mentioned our group also consist of Happy Pappy and Memphis, with reoccuring characters like Tomahawk and Nighttrain. Tomahawk is taking a zero at the shelter tomorrow and Nighttrain always appears early in the morning or late in the evening. He has done about half the trail at night. Sunday we are going into Franklin for resupply and some quick errands. AJ's shoe blew out the heel and I need to see about an insert. Todays hike started digging into the side of my heel. Might be the consecutive 12 mile days or the rocks we experienced today but who knows. Tomorrow we pass the 100 mile mark and our first fire tower on Albert Mountain.
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Havens Budget Inn
Miles today: 3.6

So his morning I woke up and had to do the inevitable, put on cold wet clothes in cold windy conditions....brrrr. Stayed warm during the night with my dry bag and baselayer. Hasn't been extremely cold but rained pretty heavy during the night. So we finally got up and hiked the 3.6 miles to the Winding Stair Gap where Ron Haven picked us up and gave us a very informative and entertaining ride going to various places picking up hikers including to where we camped last night. We then where dropped off at Havens Budget Inn where Phil, Aj, Lindsay, and I are splitting a room and Memphis, Shepard, and Pappy have a room. Changed into my camp clothes and we headed to Hardies for breakfast/lunch. Got the burger and fries I have been craving. We stopped by the dollar store for food resupply before heading back to the room. Back at the hotel I did laundry and took a shower. Two notes here, my socks are beginning to hold a funk despite cleaning and dirt seems to have grown resistant to water and seems to be permanent despite a shower and soap. Shoes where wet and we dried everything outside as much as possible. AJ and I hung our shoes above the wall heater, with fan on. Later we turned on the heat until Phil walked in and almost feinted. Shoes are pretty funky and we are only 100 miles in.About 4 Ron came back and took us on a resupply run to the outfitters walmart and ingles. At the outfitter I picked up some Superfeet shoe insoles which will hopefully make my shoes perfect and provide the little bit of padding I need. Also looked for some Marmot Precip jacket and pants but they didn't carry them. My driducks have worn out very quickly. Maybe they have them at the NOC where we will be in a couple of days.After resupply we went to eat dinner at Mi Casa mexican restaurant and then back to the room to chill out till tomorrow. In the morning we get a free breakfast from a church that will pick us up and feed us all you can eat pancakes and bacon then get us back in time for the shuttle back to the trail. As we were watching the weather today we didn't get our hopes raised as its forcasted to rain the next 5 days, tomorrow being the worst. Tonight it says 35 and rain, and in the mountains that could potentially be snow. Hopefully we get some good luck and avoid the rain for the most part.Bring on the rain....
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Havens Budget Inn

To: Wayah Bald Sheter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

So today started with breakfast at the baptist church in Franklin where they provided food for thru hikers, pancakes, bacon, orange juice, and coffee. They pick you up and drop you back off at the hotel. We then caught the shuttle back to the trail and started around 9:30. Fairly easy day and really felt strong early. Climbed Wayah Bald that had a stone tower built in the 30's. No view during that time due to the clouds. The morning was raining but turned more mist by the time we started hiking. We are staying at Wayah Bald Shelter tonight and there are a lot of people here. Tried making some vegatable dip soup stuff with cream cheese but didn't turn out very well but dessert did which was vanilla pudding, vanilla wafers and two banana's. Pappy and I might have to rush forward a few days to get our maildrops at Fontana Dam on Friday. The post office is closed on Sat and Sun and closes at 3 during the week. The mileage is possible but would get there late Friday at our current pace. Tomorrow we are going to call and see if I can get Pappy's drop and I will make a dash to pick them both up. His knee started hurting today so if it doesn't feel better tomorrow that is our best option, if not we will try and find a shuttle to get us there.
Date: 2011-03-29
From: Wayah Bald Sheter

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Longest day yet at 15.5 miles. We are now at A. Rufus Morgan shelter currently listening to a bunch of people making a ton of noise drinking and singing. It will be a fun night that is for sure, can't say I hope for rain but maybe it will come quick tonight and put them to sleep. We are expecting thunderstorms over night. Day started out as normal but with trail magic about 4 miles in for breakfas. Grits from 09 was out feeding hikers for the next two weeks. Had some awesome sausage and some fried eggs, a coke and some chips. The others stayed there through lunch and had hamburgers around noon. I had lunch on Rocky Bald before heading to Cold Spring Shelter where we were going to beI staying. Took a nap and didn't unpack as I felt like moving on it was so early. An hour and a half the others arrived and felt the same way so we went 4.7 miles to the next shelter. This will leave us with a mile into Nantahala Outdoor Center tomorrow and give us time to hike the 7 miles out to the first camp spot. AJ is receiving his replacement shoes from Asics sometime before 4:30 tomorrow. After that we can hike out.This morning Pappy called the Fontana PO and they are actually going to be open sat from 10-12 so we are set and if we don't make it we can just call and they will leave it with the Hike Inn near by. Weather stayed clear all day other than the low fog in the valleys early this morning. Tomorrow I get to do some shopping rain gear and maybe a bug bivy, I have decided I am going to have my tarp sent to me and send the tarp tent home. Don't use it that often and try to stay in shelters when rain is expected. Later on the bug bivy can be used in the shelter when bugs are an issue. Will save some weight as well. Ok I am going to read for a while and hope they pass out soon.
Date: 2011-03-30
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: moderate rain

Really tough day with very little mileage. Start the day with a mile walk into Natahalala Outdoor Center for breakfast and then resupply. Resupply was .75 miles up the road. I then checked out the outfitter and found a Marmot Precip rain jacket and some North Face rain pants. They didn't have the Marmot pants but the North Face are a similiar version. Pappy headed out early to get a jump start on the 7 mile all up hill 2700 foot climb. The rest of us waited around a bit for AJ to get his shoes but eventually headed out without him. The trail started out gradual but as the mist started setting in and the fog rolled in, the trail decided to turn ugly. The rocks where everywhere, and roots where showing. The mist coated everything and made it slippery and treacherous. Everyone really began feeling it the last mile or so, and it was really great to get to the shelter. It is a 14 man shelter so we were hopeful that there was space available so late in the day. We where super excited when there was plenty left for the four of us that arrived and we didn't have to sleep in the rain in wet tents. AJ actually showed up maybe an hour after us with his new shoes that had been delivered at noon to the wrong building.   Its 9 as I am writing this part and everyone has pretty much gone to sleep an hour ago. Rain is hitting the roof and a cool breeze coming through the shelter and I need to go outside for a minute but it will have to wait a while. Nothing exciting on the food front including the bisquits and gravy at breakfast, the fries where ok though. So many cravings for certain foods but when you get to towns the options are many times limited. Burgers are always top and today I want ice cream and haven't had any since before I left. No matter what you eat nothing seems to actually hit the spot and truly make you go that was what I needed. Maybe a burger and fries and ice cream shake will do it. Steak has actually sounded good lately, meat out here comes in a foil package only, tuna salmon and chicken or beef jerky which I haven't been carrying until the last two days. Tomorrow we are doing a 15 mile day which will leave us with a 5 mile day into Fontana Dam. I will pick up my mail drop and then we will resupply laundry and shower if we can, and take an actual zero on Saturday before entering the Smokey mountains. I believe there is a grill at the shelter so maybe we can bar b que all day and relax without doing anything if we can get into town to a store.Weather forecast, rain and cold. Have been lucky so far and haven't had to do much actual hiking in the rain but last night was fun in it. Sleeping on unlevel ground I was constantly sliding into the side of my tent and getting wet.I think one of my batteries has gone bad as I charged them all this afternoon but my phone just died all of the sudden and wouldn't come back on. Time to hit the privy and bed.
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Another long day at 15.2 miles. Fairly easy beginning with a small climb to start and about 6 miles in we got to what is called jacobs ladder, 575 foot climb in a half mile. Almost straight up about 100 switch backs. A little later after taking my fourth meal of the day a cold front rolled in temperature probably dropped 20 degrees and the wind picked up. It was probably 35-40 degrees and we got a little sleet. At the shelter we had a gauge out at 6 and it was already below 32. Expected to be 28 in Bryson and we are probably up a few thousand feet. With the climb and terrain the miles came slow and took about 8.5 hours to complete. Taking plenty of vitamin I as my knees where actually a little sore today. Looking forward to a 6 something mile tomorrow then an actual zero Saturday at the Fontana Dam Shelter aka the Fontana Hilton. Get to do laundry (pay) and free showers. Get my first maildrop of the trip with 7 days supplies but looks like we won't need it as AJ's aunt is picking us up and shuttling us around Gaitlinburg. But I imagine a lot of the food will be eaten during our zero. Since tomorrow will be a short day we will get all of our chores done then only have to sit and relax and play games and such all Saturday before taking on entering the Smokeys with its 2000 foot climb in three and a half miles and probably only a 7 mile day or maybe 12 if we feel good. Haven't had signal the last week but believe AT&T does work in Fontana so you probably will get a lot of reading tomorrow once this post. That means you have probably already read it by this post Nero zero here we come.
Date: 2011-04-02
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Ah zero miles unless you include the 100 trips up the hill to the restroom. It actually gets kind of boring but we played a few good games during the day. Woke up at 7:45 despite not having to do anything today. Ate breakfast gathered firewood ate lunch charged camera and phone checked email talked to dad and grandmother. In the afternoon we played a dice game called Greed that I picked up in Hiawassee. I somehow managed to lose a dice before we ever played it the first time at Rock Gap Shelter a week back. We modified the rules and made it work though. A lot of people started showing up today and we have a full house here. A little before dark I started chunking rocks at a rock and then pinecones, before long Phil joined in and we had a game going. Pappy joined and the game started progressing. Grabbed a plastic cookie container and started shooting in the bucket then Phil added a bunch of sticks as a fence for a barrier. Then we had planted a large stick in the ground and knocked rocks of it. Towards dark a pringle can was added and we where shooting into it. We where easily entertained and played for probably an hour. A ukulele showed up and a guy made some make shift drums from a pot and a wooden box, got a video of them playing Casey Jones. Shepherd went into town and got some food and brought back smores. Everyone sat around the fire and another guy made some popcorn in the fire.The weather was nice and sunny today and there was a wind advisory. Made for a brisk morning but the afternoon was great. Tomorrow it is supposed to be warmer and Monday a chance of rain. So tomorrow we make our way into the Smokies and have a big climb, if we feel good we will try for the first shelter but if not then we will go for the campsite a few miles short. I am waiting for the crowds to kind of thin out, as of now it seems like there are still a ton of people around. Clingmans Dome is coming in a few days and we hope the weather will be clear for the highest spot on the AT but I will trade it for a clear day on Max Patch where I want to be able to Cowboy camp. Its a large bald mountain with views 360 degrees. Every trip is different though so we take what we are given.
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke up late compared to everyone this morning, got p and everyone was half packed already, it was 7:15. Got up and ate real quick and we hit the trail. Stopped for pictures on Fontana Dam then headed into the park. It was a big climb but was fairly easy at this point with easy grading. Got to Shuckstack Mountain firetower and we all climbed it and got some great views of the park and pictures. Stopped for lunch after about another hour and my day turned for the worse. I got some pretty bad stomach cramps and was really hurting for the next 5 or so miles. Couldn't tighten my hip belt so all the weight was on my shoulders. Just before we got tocthe shelter I started to feel better though and don't feel bad now. We all walked together today minus Memphis who still hasn't caught up to us after about 5 days now. Tomahawk has more or less been staying with us most nights along with Morphine who always shows up as well. Our first night in an actual Smokies shelter, lots of rules for thru hikers concerning shelter space. Since we don't have to reserve space if we start from 50 miles out and go 50 past. You can't sleep outside the shelter if there is space avaliable so if a reserved person shows up at anytime even during the middle of the night a thru hiker has to leave and set up a tent. Makes for some interesting nights. Had my first dehydrated meal tonight from my drop box and as always they are always a little underdone, probably because I can't wait any longer and just eat them. Played a few more games of Greed today sitting around. We got to the shelter around 3 today so had plenty of rest time. We crossed into our 3rd state today, Tennessee, didn't realize it until after we got to the shelter about 5 miles past. We will be crossing back and forth between NC and TN till we get to Virginia. Tomorrow we are doing about 11 miles and get to climb Rocky Top, got to sing Rocky Top on the way up but forgot to download the song before the trip, luckly Lindsay didn't, I will need to connect to her phone with bluetooth and grab it tomorrow. Along with Rocky we climb Thunderhead Mountain, with expected thunderstorms, wohoo! Tonight here at Mollies Ridge on an exposed ridge line at 4600ft there is a ton of wind. I would say about 25 mph, luckly the shelter is to the side of the wind with a tarp on the front. A few people are in tents so it will be an interesting night for them. I have developed cracks on my left heel so in Gaitlinburg I will have to pick up some items to start dealing with the problem. Luckily it doesn't cause any issues right now but will have to watch them closely. Walking up the trail today we ran into three deer on the trail and got some pictures. Haven't seen any other big animals yet.Well time to get some sleep, stayed up way to late last night.