morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-05
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter MP 78

To: Carter Gap Shelter MP 90
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sat morning, fellow hiker ¢Barry¢ turned back for home (as planned). Scarecrow continued on what turned out to be a beautiful blue sky mild (>60 degree) day. Hiked 14 miles to Carter Gap Shelter MP 90, going over Standing Indian Mountain. Was reminded of the continuing 2005 winter season, as the AT was icy and snow covered over the mountain from fresh snow, 6-7 inches. The AT boots and socks are working, the foot blisters have drained and are starting to get hardened, not too bad. Socks stayed dry through the snow. Knees are good.Saw some falcons or eagles close up, heard some coyotes in the distant brush, just a great hiking day. ¢Shorts¢, a new trail hiking partner, again caught up with Scarecrow and spent the night with him at the Carter Gap Shelter. Shorts¢s mother, as all mothers, was concerned for him on his first AT hike and was glad to hear Scarecrow would watch out for him! He¢s 18 and hopes to keep up with Scarecrow
Date: 2005-03-06
From: Carter Gap Shelter MP 90

To: Franklin, NC MP 106.8
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Today the weather was again beautiful, >60 and blue sky. Hiked 17.5 miles today to MP 106.8, where they got off the AT,as Shorts needed to re-supply. They hitched a ride 10 miles to Franklin, NC, where they shared a cheap motel room for the night. A shower and large pizza! This afternoon, Scarecrow was getting hot, out of energy the last three miles up a steep climb when they came across a small rushing mountain creek on the AT. In the creek rapids by the side of the AT was ¢Trail magic¢: someone had left a whole cooler of sodas and juice drink cartons. Above, in a bucket tied in the tree were candy bars. A cold soda and Snickers candy bar later, enough energy to get over the hill.Some Scarecrow comments:Rumor has it not that many NB thru hikers ahead of him right now (guess 4-6 at most), as they have heard that none of the January and February AT hikers made it through the Smokies due to late and extreme winter weather conditions. Most have come down and skipped 85 miles around the National Park and continued on ¢ they will finish and return to do this section at another date. The Great Smokies National Park AT trails have been reported to be ¢a real mess, lots of deep snow and ice, especially at the higher elevations¢. They have heard they will have to watch a winter storm that is coming in 2-3 days and then another next weekend, before they get up into the higher elevations of the Smokies.They plan to hike to Cold Spring shelter tomorrow Monday (15 miles) and then hike another 15 miles Tues to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, to both re-supply and ride out this next storm. It is 2-3 days further hike to Fontana Dam shelter, which is the official NB starting point into the Smokies. They may hunker down there later this week if needed.Given his scary experience in the blizzard of early Dec 2003 in the northern Smokies while southbound, Scarecrow will be checking the weather more closely this week. He will stay at NOC if necessary until the weather breaks. It should start warming up later in the week, but be bitter cold Tues and Wed nights (<15 degrees), again with high winds.Kirk and Lisa, the AT couple he met last week, are a day or two behind him. There are a lot of AT hikers coming on behind ¢ he hopes to stay ahead of the pack. He is getting some better sleep now, still taking some getting used to the sleeping bag.
Date: 2005-03-07
To: Burning Town Gap, NC
Miles today: 17.0

3/0705 Hiked 17 miles today, in warm sunny weather for the morning but then cloudy and cold, rainy by evening. Crossed Wayah Bald during the morning and climbed up to the old observation tower. Had a great view of the snow covered Smokies in the distance 40-50 miles. Took some good photos which I will mail to Dad tomorrow.The NB AT from Springer Mountain goes up in elevation for the first 100 miles ¢ gets you into shape or off the trail by now. The section from Franklin, NC to Fontana Dam, at the entrance to the Smokies has even more steep climbs each day, similar to the trails coming SB from Katahdin in Maine. Met two SB hikers who started at Katahdin in September! They had European alpine hiking gear, including snowshoes but looked weary from being on the AT over the winter. When asked what they did for the big snows, they either came off the trail for a couple of days or hunkered down in a shelter. They got dumped on hard in the Smokies. They said if they knew what they knew now, they wouldn¢t have attempted it! No trail names either. Monday night we planned to stop in Ice Water Shelter (Cold Spring?) but at Burning Town Gap, had an interesting experience. ¢Bill from Texas¢, a section hiker, had built a huge tent with a metal top/frame in a clearing off the side of a gravel road. For the past 3 years, he has set up his ¢trail angel¢ site the first 2 weeks in March to help the rush of the NB hikers. The tent has a propane lamp and heater ¢ plus he cooks for you! Tent could probably sleep 30-40: it¢s that large. Besides Shorts and me, there were about 7-8 college kids on Spring Break hiking this section. Shared hot dogs, hot chocolate and trail stories ¢ when they heard I was doing the AT NB after coming SB in 2003, they said I was crazy!Late night the cold front blew in with 60+ mph winds ¢ outside air temp dropped a bunch. The inside air, already saturated, began to condense on the inside walls and rain down almost as hard as outside ¢ any clothes or open sleeping bags got wet! Not fun! Wind blew hard all night. In the morning there was 3-4 inches of fresh snow outside.
Date: 2005-03-08
From: Burning Town Gap, NC

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center MP 134
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

3/08/05 Hiked 12.5 miles to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) today ¢ MP 134, in snow most of the way. As you went up, the overnight snows got deeper: at 3500 ft elevation, snow just covered the ground. At 4000 ft, 1-2 inches fresh snow, 4500 ft 3-4 inches and >5000 ft 7-8 inches of fresh snow. Feet have been wet too many days ¢When is the rain going to let up and give me some good weather!¢ NOC is down in the valley, somewhat sheltered and warmer. Will spend the night here and dry out ¢ sleeping bag got wet inside Bill¢s tent the night before. Shorts¢ knee is bothering him, and I need to rest my feet. May take a zero day tomorrow and check the weather, as there is one storm tonight, and another possibly a big snow this weekend. Sleeping in a rustic cabin for $15 Plan is to hike to Fontana Dam by Friday and check the weather up in the Smokies. We have some heavy vertical hiking and a chance of showers and cold for the next two days. If the weather after Fontana is good for 7 days, we can get through the Smokies in one dash, if we average 10 miles per day. Still reports of heavy snow and ice, but the temps are also supposed to start warming up next week. If a big snow doesn¢t hit this weekend! Going into town for a big hamburger and fries ¢ noticed my gut isn¢t as big as when I started at Springer. Shorts has an appetite as big as mine, but he is half my size! Good hiking buddy - if we can keep his mom off the phone???? Message to Shorts's Mom: he is going to be all right! He is a big boy now!
Date: 2005-03-09
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center MP 134

To: NOC - zero day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Shorts and I are taking a zero day here at NOC, to rest and get ready for the trip through the Smokies. Had a good sleep last night. Went into the trail store and found an upgraded Colombia fleece, for the cold weather. Sending my lighter fleece and camera home today. The Great Smokies Railroad came through NOC today. I went up into the engine and talked to the engineer. An ex-CNW GP7. Neat! Eat your heart out, Mark!We will leave tomorrow for two days hike to Fontana Dam ¢ may not stay there long if the weather breaks.March 9, 2005Rangers rescue four hikers stranded on Appalachian Trail GATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) ¢ Park rangers rescued four hikers stranded in snow along the Appalachian Trail Wednesday, using a helicopter to airlift one suffering from hypothermia to a hospital.The sick hiker, Matthew Shultz, was in good condition after he was sent to University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville as a precaution, Great Smoky Mountains National Park spokesman Bob Miller said.The others ¢ Ivan Salerriaga, Brian Hendrick and Ryan McCall ¢ were well enough to walk out of the mountains with rangers after spending the night huddled in a three-sided shelter. The hikers, ages 18-20, are from North Carolina but their hometowns were not released.Three rangers, one a medic, set out at 7 a.m. by all-terrain vehicle and foot and reached the four about 4 1/2 hours later. After tending to the ill man, the rangers set out with the other three hikers for the eight-mile trek to the park's Tremont Institute.The men started out at Fontana Lake, N.C., during good weather on Sunday with plans to hike the 71 miles of the Appalachian Trail in the park. But they were "ill equipped" when it began to rain Monday and then turned to snow, park spokeswoman Nancy Gray said.About 8 inches of snow was on the ground where the stranded party was found by six backpacking students from Messiah College in Grantham, Pa., about noon Tuesday. Four of the backpackers stayed behind while two others went for help.Gray said the hikers took cover at the Derrick Knob shelter, elevation 4,880 feet, in Sevier County, Tenn.,Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee and is the most visited of the national parks.
Date: 2005-03-12
From: Fontana Dam MP 165

To: Fontana Dam MP 165 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Shorts and I, along with a couple of other NB hikers now, are leaving Fontana Dam this morning for the 71 mile stretch through the upper Smokies. Weather looks good for the next 6 days, which is what we hope it will take us, so won¢t be in touch until then.
Date: 2005-03-13
From: Russell Field Shelter MP 177

To: Silers Bald Shelter MP 191
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful hiking weather, with a violent thunderstorm overnight.Have been having some second thoughts about my new backpack, which was supposed to be very good. Coming over Rocky Top Mountain, felt my backpack wasn¢t right. Stopped and checked - I had lost my disposable camera and a water bottle ¢ had to back track 2 miles down and then up steep rugged trail and found both ¢ they had come out of the pack pockets. Uhh!After Derrick¢s Knob, saw some remnants: packs, sleeping bags left in the snow of the hiker group that had to be rescued last week ¢ appears they were unprepared for the cold and rain!
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Silers Bald Shelter MP 191

To: Icewater Spring Shelter MP 207
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A memorable day with beautiful weather. Crossed over the highest point on the AT, Clingman¢s Dome at 6,643 feet. It was cold and windy at the top, but good views. The actual AT is depressed from wear here in the upper elevations and the snow/ice melt and refreeze in the 18 inch depression each day. Walking in the wet slush got everyone¢s feet wet and cold. At Newfound Gap, Scarecrow decided to hitchhike alone into Gatlinburg to get a new backpack: he got the Gregory ¢Acadia¢ model which is slightly larger and rides better. Has a better feel overall. Shipped his old pack home. When leaving Shorts, Eric, Bayley and Alan, who went ahead to make camp at Icewater Spring, they asked him to bring back some hot food. He was late in catching a ride back from town, so had a 20 piece hot aromatic KFC bucket of chicken in his pack at sundown, starting back on the AT. In BEAR country with hot fried chicken! He hiked the steep trail 3 miles in the dark, by headlamp on an icy trail to the shelter ¢ they all were surprised at the hot chicken dinner!
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Icewater Spring Shelter MP 207

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter MP 219
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Finally through the Smokies highest parts in the early Spring, without bad weather!!Weather was warmest yet on AT, hiked in t-shirts and shorts, actually got sunburned! Forgot my sunscreen, MOM!Crossed over the spot where we (Jace and Scarecrow) had to come off the AT in the early Dec 2003 blizzard. Lots of memories climbing that same trail back up to the top of the ridge, took photos of the area, as it holds good and bad SB 2003 memories. Crossed Charlies Bunion, found a piece of plane wreckage, took a photo. Heard that 50 planes have crashed in the Smokies
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter MP 219

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel MP 238
Miles today: 0.0

18 mile day in foggy drizzle, all day. Averaging 17 miles a day now, the other guys want to pick up the pace a bit. Hope to make Hot Springs, NC by Friday for Eric¢s mail drop. Getting my body into pretty good shape, still losing some weight, still not sleeping well, as the darkness comes around 8 PM, tired but too early for good sleep. Also learning to fluff the sleeping bag a bit to get more warmth at night. Starting at Springer Mountain NB in late winter there is a saying: ¢No rain, no pain, no Maine¢
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Hot Springs, NC MP 276

To: Hot Springs, NC MP 276
Miles today: 0.0

Scarecrow here, at Hot Springs, NC. We left Standing Bear Farm hostel at the crack of dawn, through blizzard conditions up over the rugged mountains towards this town. I didn't get any views from Max Patch (a massive mountain with no trees, and a great view of the smokies) because it was snowing, blowing, foggy, and about 10 degrees. Shorts and Eric wanted to do big days, but I wasn't in a hurry. Instead of rushing into the paradise of Hot Springs, we camped at a shelter under the stars 3 miles short of town, and then got up real early this morning and made breakfast at the diner. GOSH! What a treat. I also saved a little money by not staying in town for two consecutive nights. I'll be laying around here for saturday, staying at Elmer's "Sunnybank Inn" in hot springs, and hiking out sunday morning back into the wilderness. Thanks everyone for following my entries thus far! This sure is fun. I've lost about 15 pounds so far. Only 1869 miles to go!!!!! There are many people out here. I'm currently pacing with about 5 others, and there are people passing me, but many being passed. Some guys come out here doing 25 mile days, some only do 8. Good thing it's not a race! there's NO pot of gold at the end. Much love, SCARECROW
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Erwin, TN MP 339

To: Erwin, TN MP 339
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Scarecrow here. I arrived in Erwin, TN at 10am, Thursday 3/24/05. Shorts and I grabbed a big breakfast and walked to Miss Janet's Hiker Hostel, but she's on vacation. "Sunrise", another kind hearted woman, is running the place. After sitting around a while, the phone rang. "I'm Pop-Pop calling from Standing bear hostel (right north of the smokies) and I'm tired of my section hike. Can someone bring my Mercedes down to pick me up? I'll pay!" Sunrise can't leave the house, and Kurtis at Standing Bear wasn't available. I looked out the window at the Benz, and said "Where's the keys?" I drove an hour and a half in some guy's car and picked him up at the hostel where I'd been just a week ago. He paid for my night stay at Miss Janet's.   The past few days have been very interesting. After I arrived in Hot Springs, NC, Shorts' parents were there to visit. On Sunday 3/20 we "slack packed" 15 miles to Allen Gap, where his dad picked us up and took us back to the cabin and stuffed us with food. Next morning, we hiked 11.5, then a 15 miler, then 20 soemthing, and then 6 this morning on an early sunrise. It rained most of Tuesday night but began clearing on wednesday....except for an occasional cloud that would engulf us on the ridge. It was 70 degrees and sunny one minute, then drop to 40 and HAILING heavily the next minute! CRAZY! Slightly concerning were the deafening crashes of thunder in the vicinity, but we're alright now.   We had some incredible views from Big Stamp (which has no trees on top, and a 360degree view). Other than that, nothing else is new. Whenever I talk to my folks, they always ask me what adventures have gone on recently. Remember....Every night, I sleep in a different place. Every day I walk not knowing what's around the next bend. Every day is an adventure! Oh, and please pray for me, in particular: DRY FEET. DRY DRY DRY Next Stop will be Hampton, TN for a resupply (but probably not a web posting) which will be 5 days, and then 2 days more till Damascus, VA where my parents want to meet me. Adios everyone!
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Zero day in Erwin, thoughts from Scarecrow

To: Cherry Gap Shelter MP 355
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left Miss Janet¢s, Erwin TN in the morning, hiking by myself, as the rest of the group had left the day before. A coal train heading into Erwin was blocking the line and moving very slowly: so instead of waiting and watching, I climbed over the moving train and kept going. Saw my first small 3 ft rattlesnake ¢ it scurried off into the bush before I could photograph it. Beautiful weather day.¢Jerry¢ a day hiker from Virginia Beach ? also stayed in the shelter, then left the AT the next day.
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Cherry Gap Shelter MP 355

To: Roan High Knob Shelter MP 370
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

What a change in weather ¢ it started out drizzle, then rain and as I climbed up 3000 ft on Roan Mountain, the weather worsening all day. Rain turned heavy and wind kicked up to 50-60 mph, tough hiking. In the afternoon, temperatures plunged at higher altitudes and the ground became an icy sheet, tough to get foot holds, very slick and slow going.Made it to the old fire warden cabin that is the highest shelter on the AT ¢ at 6270 ft, higher than the top of Mt. Washington. The cabin had a door, which when closed allowed me to get in out of the cold wet wind. Miserable 13 mile hike ¢ no views either atop Roan Mountain as it was in the fog, rain and clouds.
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Roan High Knob Shelter MP 370

To: Overmountain Shelter MP 376
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Terrible lousy weather over Jane Bald, Round Bald, with 60+ mph winds, heavy snow and sleet all day. A couple of inches of fresh snow on the ground.The AT was re-routed a new way for this year but the trail blaze in the blowing snow wasn¢t marked well and I missed it. About 2.5 miles down the old trail, I realized it wasn¢t right, as the trail got narrow and the rhodies were closing in on me. My head and hat were frozen with ice and snow, ice in my hair and on my face, backpack weighed down. I was mad, as I had to now go back and find my way. As I turned around to go back, I slipped and fell face first into a small creek ¢ everything got very wet and I got very cold AGAIN! Made it back to the AT ¢ have noted in the journals on the AT the poor trail mark at the re-route so others won¢t make the same mistake.Probably the coldest I have ever been, even back to Dec 2003 SB AT blizzard, when I suffered hypothermia. Being wet, cold and freezing in the high wind not good. These southern Smokies won¢t let go of me with their winter weather!The Overmountain shelter is an old converted double-decker barn. Inside was what I needed to get some energy, as this was the second night I couldn¢t light a fire: more trail magic - donuts, grapes, oatmeal. A great meal in the howling wind, rain and clouds!
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Overmountain Shelter MP 376

To: Apple House Shelter MP 384
Miles today: 0.0

Met Kat, Lizard, EvilKnievel and Whiskers (all from Ohio?), in the morning: we looked out from Overmountain Shelter at the snow covered balds ahead on the AT and the green valley below. Deciding the break in the weather would be better down in the valley, we chose to do some ¢blue blazing¢. Using a map and compass, went off trail and found a gravel road. Walked 10+ miles down a gravel road to Hwy 19E, realizing we were still quite far from anything, but more comfortable hiking as the weather was warmer. A kind fellow in a pickup trucked stopped and offered a ride into town ¢ turned out we were 5 miles east of the AT on Hwy 19, then 2-3 miles to the town of Roan Mountain, TN. Went to the Roan Mountain Supermarket and our pickup truck buddy offered to wait and take us back to the AT. We decide to have a ¢nice weather cookout¢, bought 24 hot dogs, soda, energy bars and marshmallows to roast. He took us back up to the AT trail head which is only 0.9 miles from the Apple House shelter. Gathered enough wood for a huge fire, to dry out and warm up. Kirk & Lisa strolled into camp late in the day, to join our feast, still all smiles. Next stop Moreland Gap and then Hampton TN to re-stock. May be in Damascus, VA by Sunday. Except for being wet and cold, doing all right. Plan to make a few more miles as the weather gets better. New backpack is working out well. Boots are good but wet too much.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Apple House Shelter MP 384

To: Damascus, VA MP 459
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Hey everyone SCARECROW here. OH! put me on your AIM buddy lists: "shiftgearbox" I'm always on when I reach a computer. I've finally arrived to the bustling metropolis of Damascus,VA. I've met two former thru hikers, HippieLongstockings and Stumpknocker who've been hiking nonstop for the past two years. I met them in 2003. After Visiting Bob Peoples at Kinkora Hostel and resupplying we (Snappy, Cat, and I) headed out over Pond Flats and Watuga Lake. We awoke on saturday morning to find hard rain and ICE! A guy walking south said "DON"T GO UP THERE! IT'S LIKE A HURRICANE!" So, we took a day off in Watuga Lake shelter (before going up the Iron Mountain Ridge), and had a fire. GOSH! for THREE days, there was this annoying, stinking stray dog following us! We decided not to feed it in hopes that it would get bored and walk away, but it followed us all day and spent the night trying to curl up on our sleeping bags while licking its nasty feet. I came across PLENTY of good cliffs from which to send him howling, but there were other more compassionate people hiking with me. Eventually a southbound day hiker came past, and the mutt turned around and followed him. Good riddence.   Anywho, Shorts is like 3 days ahead of me, as are Bayley (now called clipper), Rooster, Mississippi Alan, and E!. The Newleyweds are a day ahead. They rolled over Roan Highland peaks and Iron Mountain in a hurry, and managed to get through unscathed (weatherwise). I have been hiking with Snappy, a northbounder from 2003 whom I don't remember.... we figured crossing paths around Vermont somewhere. I'm getting within range of the Parent's house in VA... Thanks Ron for your input on my guestbook. There IS NO PLACE to "go inside" really, the shelters often have leaky roofs, limited wind protection, and sometimes have snow drifts. Jim: I've lost about 20 pounds so far. Have you lost 6? CHECK THIS OUT! WOW! At the top of this site, click "search" and then "photo". Any place or person that I mention (like Mount Washington, Carter Gap Shelter, Stumpknocker, Kinkora Hostel, Miss Janet, etc) that I don't have a picture of... you can search everyone else's journal to find a photo! For example, I just searched "Grayson Highlands" and got 283 hits!! You can take a virtual tour of the AT just by searching photos. ENJOY TILL YOUR EYEBALLS FALL OUT!!!!