morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

The weather man did not disappoint - we had rain during the night and through the day today. We were happy to be in the shelter Sat. night. We woke up and it wasn't raining but the trees were dripping. Got underway about 7:15. Around 9 or so it started raining steadily and continued off and on. The highlight of the day was coming to the Red Truck - Green Truck Hiker feed at Deep Gap. Red Truck, a 2002 thru, has been doing this for 5 years now. Tonto and I pigged out on scrambled eggs, sausage, oj, etc. We were hoping to do about 15 miles, but we stopped at the shelter because we were thoroughly soaked. Luckily our sleeping bags were in pretty good shape. They built a new shelter to replace the old one at Carter Gap, but the old one is still here. We are sleeping in the old one, because a family group is using the new one. When we got here, Gator Gump (also on Trail Journals) was in the shelter, apparently in for the night. Around 3, he decided to go on for a few miles to make a shorter day getting into Franklin. Just after he left, the skies opened up again. I hope he is ok. Tomorrow promises to be a better day weather-wise.The following can be disregarded by anyone other than trail maintainers and other trail junkies. Going through GA, I was surprised at how few and far between the blazes are. We came upon a GA ATC trail maintainer and she explained that this is a bit of a controversy within the GA club. The current management believes that the blazes should be limited to just where absolutely necessary. For example, if the trail follows a particular path for a half mile and there is little liklihood of confusion, there may be no blazes for that whole stretch. I am used to a someshat different style in the AT I have hiked and maintained on MD & PA. While there may not be an express rule, in those sections if you are by a blaze you can generally look ahead and see the next blaze. Where there is a landmark or left or right turn, you will see a double blaze. I noticed that when we came into NC, the club that maintains that section seems to follow the rule I am used to. I personally think! the rule I am used to is the better one. It is hard enough to hike the AT. We shouldn't add to it by turning it into a scavenger hunt. I don't see how the pristine outdoors experience is ruined by a few white marks on the trees to give hikers a sense of security that they have not lost the trail. There, I feel much better having gotten that off my chest. Now that I have trashed the GA ATC a bit, I'd like to add that, except for some issues with the blazing, I think in all other ways they do an excellent job of maintaining their section.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Swinging Lick Gap Campsite
Miles today: 12.5

Today was a beautiful day after the rain of yesterday. There were a couple of tough climbs, but generally not too bad. Our longest day so far. The highlight of the day was climbing the fire tower at Albert Mt. to see spectacular views of the whole area, including the upcoming Smokies. We hiked a ways with Doodles, a recent grad of Univ. of Puget Sound from Minnesota. She climbed Albert yesterday alone in pouring rain. Wow!! At Winding Stair Gap we saw Gator Gump again. He survived the rain last night and saw the sunrise on Albert. He is going into Franklin to get a room and watch the NCAA final game. Gator took a picture of Tonto and me, which will be on his Trail Journals site soon. Two days to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). We learned more about Bubba. He is also friends with Jessica Simpson and Stephen Spielburg and, depending on the day and who he talks to, is a doctor or a scientist. He also came up with the idea for the movie "Titanic". Quite a guy. Apparently he hikes the AT back and forth near Hiawassee. We passed the 100 mile mark today, which is something of a psychological mark.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Swinging Lick Gap Campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Children, our word for today is LONG. Tonto and I decided to do a long day to get within a short distance of the NOC. The forcast is for rain tonight, so we wanted to stay in a shelter. Luckily, after a 20+ day, we got the last two spots in the shelter. We left at 7:10 and got in about 5:20. We are really beat, but no real problems. Full shelter tonight plus about 7 people tenting around it. Tonto has named us the "AARP Express", since we both have our cards. Wonderful views at Siler Bald, Wayah Gap and Wesser Bald. Just 5.6 mi. to NOC, where we will do a "nero", hiker slang for near zero day. We will resupply, do laundry and hopefully stay in the hostel. Since it is Easter week, there are a lot of folks on vacation doing section hikes. One was telling us about the humongous sized meals at the NOC restaurant. We may give them a run for their money tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

An easy "nero" day down to the NOC. The weatherman was right again, as we got a lot of rain through the night. We were glad to be in a shelter. On the way down to NOC, we saw Rock Star, a lady thru from Warren, PA, about 25 mi. from where I grew up. Both of us were amazed to see someone else from NW PA. She was glad to finally meet someone who actually knew where Warren is. We got into NOC about 10:10 a.m., checked into the hostel, got showers and washed our clothes.I need a small resupply today to last until my maildrop in Fontana. One of the most important tips for any prospective long distance or thru-hikers is this: Don't buy anything until you check the hiker boxes. I discovered that I needed two more tent stakes to make sure no water comes in when it rains. I looked in the hiker box and, -shazam- tent stakes. I needed a couple energy bars for the next two days - Clif bars and Luna bars in the hiker box. We were wondering what to do for lunch while our clothes washed. We went upstairs to the common cooking area and there were 4 huge pots full of chili apparently free for the taking. We'd be happy to pay if anyone asks, but so far no one is asking. Being a thru-hiker brings out my already strong skinflint tendancies - ask my wife if you want verification that I am a natural tightwad.This party will come to an abrupt end tomorrow. NOC is at 1750 ft., and we will climb back up to over 5000 ft. in the first 8 miles tomorrow. Down at this elevation, we are in the middle of spring, with the dogwoods in bloom and most of the leaves out or coming out. Up where we have been the last 4 days and will return tomorrow, it is still late winter, with the buds just showing signs of opening.We are apparently near the lead of the hikers who started on March 25. We are starting to catch hikers who started a week or more before us. Not that we are jetting along. Our average is only around 12 miles a day so far, and you have to average around 15 or so to hope to summit Katahdin this year. The one hiker who started on the 25th that I am sure is ahead of us is Judo. She is reportedly doing regular 20 mile days. Good for her.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a day of contrasts. After warm weather for most of the hike, it turned unseasonably cold during the night. It was probably about 35 when we left NOC at 6:50 a.m. We immediately climbed 3300 feet in the first 8 miles to Cheoah Bald. There we found a stunning 270 degree view of the area, including the town of Stecoah and the upcoming Smokies. It was definitely the best of the hike so far. I took a picture, but I doubt it will do it justice. Plus, there was light snow falling on top, with temperature of perhaps 25 degrees. We have only been out for 12 days, and we have already had 80s and 20s; and weather ranging from beautiful to rain to snow. Tonto had a somewhat tougher day than me, because he hasn't been in cold weather lately.After Cheoah, the highest climb of the day at just over 5000 ft., we had a long series of ups and downs that had us pretty beat by the time we had picked our way down to Stecoah Gap about 2:45. There we found - TRAIL MAGIC!! Jelly Bean and Bare Bear, 2006 thrus, are spending 2 weeks at the Gap feeding hikers. What a Godsend for Tonto & me!! I had 2 hot dogs, cookies, popcorn, coffee, a soda and probably some more that I can't remember. After that, we were revitalized and decided to push on 2.5 miles to the shelter. That piece included perhaps the toughed short stretch of the hike so far, up from Sweetwater Gap. That leaves us just 11.5 mi. left to Fontana Dam and the beginning of the Smokies. We got a spot in the shelter, which is good because it is supposed to get into the low to mid 20s tonight.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning we welcomed back winter with a vengeance. It was around 20 when we got up. The water in the tube of my Camelbak was frozen. I had gone to sleep with several layers on as well as my socks, so I kept warm in the bag. We dressed quickly and got on the trail a little before 7 a.m. My Camelbak finally unfroze around 10. We got to Fontana around 12:30 after a surprisingly tough up and down journey. The forcast is for record lows throughout the weekend, probably in the teens Sat. night. We made a tough decision to take a zero day tomorrow due to the anticipated cold. Every other hiker we have seen is doing the same thing. A bunch of us will sit it out in relative luxury in the Lodge. Tonto and I are sharing a room. We washed our clothes and I picked up my maildrop. His didn't come, and we'll check again tomorrow. He should be ok even if his doesn't come in time, since lots of us have more food than we need. Tomorrow we will get our permits to hike in the! Smokies. With the new maps I just got in the maildrop, we have looked over our route for the net few days. It looks like once we enter the Smokies we will climb up to over 4,000 feet and stay there for the next 5 days.
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Fontana Dam

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

Zero day at Fontana Lodge due to cold weather. The forcast is for lows around 10 degrees in the mountains tonight. Sunday is supposed to be a little warmer, with lows closer to 20. Almost all the hikers we have seen are staying here again tonight. Some plan to stay for a few days. One guy is going out tonight. Hope he stays safe. I hope to get out around mid-morning Sunday. During my preparation, I have hiked in temperatures this low. My biggest concern is camping out and waking with a frozen water bottle in the morning. This was probably a blessing in disguise, however. After 13 straight days on the trail, I was getting a little burnt out physically and mentally. Unlike many others, I have no significant injuries so far.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Tonto and I spent a restful day off at the Fontana Lodge. We ate at the restaurant and both had ribs. We got up to a very cold Easter Sunday. We got our packs together and waited for the restaurant to open at 8 a.m. We got the first shuttle back to the trail at 9. Before we got into the Smokies, we stopped by the shelter at Fontana Dam, the famous "Fontana Hilton". There we were surprised to find Gatorgump and Barking Spider, back together. BS had gotten lost while night hiking and two hunters found him. They are taking a zero day while waiting for Gator's maildrop, coming from a nearby hostel. After we got into the Smoky Mtn. National Park, the first few miles were a steady climb, from 1700 ft to 4500. After that, we hiked up and down the ridges. Spring is gone and winter is back at this altitude. The only leaves out are on the evergreens and rhododendrons. We'll be up here for most of the next four days. Just three of us in the shelter tonight, Tonto, Stealth! and me. Stealth is a retired dairy farmer from Huntingdon County, PA. It is very cold up here with some snow on the ground. The temp is supposed to get down to around 20 tonight. We are in our bags early tonight.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning started out cold, cold, cold!! It was probably below 20 in the shelter. I unwittingly performed a chemistry expiriment that would make Mr. Wizard proud (for those of you old enough to remember him). When I got up, it looked like my water bottles hadn't frozen. But, as soon as I opened and started to pour one, it turned to slush. As I recall from high school chemistry, water will stay a liquid for a few degrees below freezing if kept still. But, as soon as you move it, it will begin to freeze. I haven't used my camelbak the past two days because water will freeze in the line.We started hiking with almost everything we had on. We took a little of later on but not much until late afternoon. I doubt it got to 40 here in the mountains. There were excellent vistas at Rocky Top and Thunderhead, both about 5500 ft. They were tall, but the big one comes tomorrow. Overall, it was a tougher day than I expected, maybe because of the struggle to keep warm. When I cooked dinner tonight, my olive oil wouldn't come out out of the squeeze bottle I keep it in. I opened the bottle and saw that the olive oil had congealed into a solid. It sort of looks like really low quality generic stick margarine. I spooned it out and it worked fine. The Smokies are much more barren and pristine than the other parts of the trail I have been on. I think that is because there has been no logging or hunting since it became a national park, and no camping is allowed other than at shelters.Surprisingly, we have a full shelter tonight after just three last night.Today is my dad's birthday. I'm sorry I'm not there to celebrate it with him.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

Today was a day of highs and lows. The temp. was 23 this morning. I know this because some guys from Michigan appeared to have brought everything they owned, including a thermometer. It had to be at least 5 degrees higher than yesterday morning. We climbed the big one this morning, Clingmans Dome. At 6,643 ft. it's the highest point on the whole AT, and just about 40 ft. short of Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. Visibity was outstanding at the viewing tower, and we saw Mt. Mitchell as well as several other peaks we've already climbed.Another low is that today was the last day for the dynamic duo of Tonto and Early Bird. We met Tonto's lovely wife Penny and dog RV at Newfound Gap. They let me make a quick call to Judy on their cell phone. I am without mine for a couple weeks because mine died arounf Fontana. I've really enjoyed the 2 1/2 weeks Tonto and I spent on the trail. Both of us are sure we'll be getting together again soon.The shelter is filled to capacity tonight, since rain is in the forecast. There are several section hikers as well as a bunch of thrus who spent one or more zeros in Gatlinburg. Among them are Pootz and Wonder, who were also at the PA Ruck in January.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Hikers in the Smokies are only allowed to camp in the shelters or, if they are full, right around the shelters. This resulted in a tough decision for me. There was a shelter at 12.5 mi., and the next one was almost 8 miles away. I got to the first shelter at about 1:20 p.m., which seemed too early to stop. I pushed on to the next one, although it was further than I really wanted to go today. I got to the next one just after 5 and was pretty beat after almost 10 hours of hiking. One advantage is that I am just about 10 miles from the end of the Smokies and a hostel. After 5 days in the woods, I will be in desperate need of a shower and laundry. I am really ready to leave the Smokies, because it has been cold always and occasionally foggy and wet. I'd like to come back some day when it is warmer and do some of the other trails in the park.Today was very windy and foggy with scattered showers that turned into a downpour just as I got into the shelter. I passed by Charlie's Bunion, a well known AT landmark, early this morning. It was so foggy that I could hardly see anything, so I moved on quickly.Tonight while it pours outside we are being entertained by a section hiking father and son who do tricks with a sort of stick and ball juggling contraption. Always something different on the AT. Among the thru-hikers tonight are Sleeping Beauty and Tom B. Tom B. is from Pittsburgh, and we talked a bit about the 'burgh.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Last night was a bit warmer than the last three, which was good because some of my clothes were a bit wet. I find that after a rainstorm the next morning often dawns crisp and clear. This was one of those mornings. It was mostly downhill from the shelter at 4700 ft. to the hostel at 1850. I walked back down into spring again and out of the COLD for first time in 4 days. I'm sitting here in the sun and about 60 degrees waiting for my clothes to dry and drinking a free beer. This shelter is run by a couple named Maria & Curtis, and their employee Sprocket. The place resembles sort of a modern day hippie colony, and I mean that in the nicest way possible. They show you around the place and give you an envelope to put your money in when you leave. Unlike the Blueberry Patch, there are prices listed for what you use, but everything is on the honor system. Today is a nice respite after the cold, cold Smokies.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Campsite near Lemon Gap
Miles today: 18.5

I got up early as usual and started hiking about 7:15. The unusual thing was that another hiker, Triple A, was up before me and got out earlier. There were a lot of ups and downs, but the day was fairly easy because the path was generally smooth. Where the footpath has a lot of rocks, roots and other uneven aspects, the hiking is harder and more tiring. The highlight of the day was an AT landmark, Max Patch Bald, a large mountain with no trees.Well, I knew it would happen sooner or later, and now it has - my first major injury. It is ... a raw spot on my right foot's little toe where it touches the next toe. Rather than calling for a medevac off the trail I put Neosporin on it and covered it with a blister bandage that I found in a hiker box.Right around noon, I came upon trail magic at Brown Gap. A fellow from Texas was giving out hot dogs and sodas, which I gladly accepted. I did a longish day so that I will be within easy distance of Hot Springs, NC. They have an event called Trail Fest tomorrow, so I'm not sure how easy it will be to resupply and get a room. I'm tenting tonight for the first time in over a week.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Campsite near Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a nice night's sleep by myself in an informal camping area near a stream. I was serenaded by owls and coyotes. It sprinkled a couple times during the night. I left a little after 7 a.m. The skies looked threatening all the way into Hot Springs, but just a couple sprinkles along the way. On the way in, I hiked in with Judo, Spock and Miss Graceful. Miss Graceful has a unique hiking style. She really motors along on the flats and especially downhill, lots faster than me. But, on uphills, she slows way down to about 1 mile an hour. I am more consistent, going about 2 mph on flats and downhill, and just a little slower uphill. Therefore, I kept getting passed by her going downhill but passed her back going uphill. It was a little like when a car and a tractor trailer go on a hilly highway together. Miss Graceful is a free lance sign language interpreter from Texas. Lots of thrus from Texas this year.It turned out that the Wingfoot book was wrong about Trail Fest being today. It is going to be 2 weeks from today. However, the hiker hostels were packed anyway, probably due to the forecast of rain. I was able to get the last bed at the Duckett House Inn, a nice b&b. I'm sharing a room with Rock Man. I resupplied in town, then got a shower and washed clothes. In town, I saw Sleeping Beauty, Triple A and Pootz again. Judo and Spock had to scramble, but were able to find a place to stay. Hot Springs is a nice little town. It seems to me to be a lot like Duncannon, PA, but a little smaller. It probably has more places to stay than Duncannon, however.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

I got a later than normal start, because breakfast at the Duckett House didn't start until 9. That was ok, because it was raining hard until after 9. After I started about 9:50, it drizzled off and on, and then got worse. After climbing about 1000 ft., it changed from rain to sleet, with wind gusting to 40 mph. Sometime later, as I got higher, it turned to snow, and the gusts were perhaps 50 mph. I was starting to get pretty cold and wet by the time I got to the shelter. Eventually, we had 6 people in a shelter built for 5.   Another guy pitched a tent at the shelter entrance to get out of the wind, plus others pitched tents around us. I was so wet and cold that once I got situated, I didn't have the initiative to cook. Dinner was half a bag of Doritos and some peanut M&Ms. I slept with a bunch of folks new to me, including Chico, Gandolf, TNS and Bocephus. The saying is that a bad day hiking beats a good day at work. Today tested that premise to the limit, but I still think it is true.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Spring Mtn. Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

We woke up to about 3 inches of sloppy wet snow. This is North Carolina in mid April? All the wet clothes we hung up were frozen solid. I got underway a little after 8. The highlight of the day was at Allen Gap. Fal and Hercules, thru-hikers in 99, have a beautiful log house about 1/3 mile from the trail. Today they put on trail magic to die for. At about 10:30, I had belgian waffles with maple syrup, muffins, pork stew and coffee. Then Fal listed the dessert selections. I drew the line there, for fear of bursting. A very nice Christian couple.I moved right out after that, making great time until some challenging climbs and a rock scramble near the end of the day. There were great views of the TN and NC foothills from White Rock Cliffs and Blackstack Cliffs. It was very windy today but no rain, and all my wet stuff finally dried out. The trail was pretty sloppy today with the melting snow. At times the snow drifted over a foot high. My shelter partners tonight include Chico, Knockout, Castenet, Triple A and Gandolf.Unlike a lot of hikers, I carry a radio to keep up with the news and also to check the weather forecast. I heard the news today about the horrible killings at Virginia Tech. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of those killed and to those injured. It causes me to think about the real problems in the world as opposed to just cold weather, rain & steep hills.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

It was cold when I woke up, but neither as cold nor as windy as yesterday. I walked most o the day by myself. The tough climb of the day was from Devil Fork Gap up to Lick Rock. It was a much better day to hike because everything but my boots were completely dry. I hope to get them dry this afternoon. I walked the last mile or so with Big Smokey, a trail maintainer with the Carolina Mountain Club. He was out looking for blowdowns and other damage from the recent wind storms. He said many trees were knocked down in the area, especially in Asheville. Tonight just Castenet, Chico and me are in the shelter, but tenting around us are Little Red & Wolf, Chocolate Bandito, Hungus and others. Little Red & Wolf are a couple, ... get it?