morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-02-28
From: Unicoi Gap, GA 75

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I was ready to hit the trail today. I had a good breakfast at the hotel. Yesterday Gene, the shuttle driver, called and invited me and Papi to go fishing with him. I wish I had time to do it, but I still had a lot of shopping to do. It is awfully nice of him to offer two take two strangers fishing. I told him I¢d like to take him up on his offer in a year or two. Gene dropped us off at Unicoi Gap. When Papi and I started hiking this morning it was down in the mid-20s and snow flurries. We started hiking about 8:30am. We hiked in and out of snow all day. I made it to Tray Mountain Shelter about 1:30pm. Papi decided to stay there and I continued on to Addis Gap. There is no shelter here so I set up my tent, hung my food bag in a tree and now I'm inside the comforts of my tent. I met three retired ladies today that belong to a hiking club. They were out enjoying this beautiful weather that we're having. They wished me well. I passed three other hikers today as well. I found my first souvenir on the trail today. It was a bear claw. And it's only 14.3 miles to the state line!
Date: 2013-03-01
From: Addis Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke this morning at 6:30am by a noise outside the tent that went beep beep beep. I don't think it was a car. I heard some wings flapping. May have been a road runner. Do they have those here? They have panthers and wolves that I did not know they had. The thermometer read 25°. I packed up and headed up the hill. I hiked in the clouds for about three hours to winter wonderland. Never made it above freezing. I made it down to Dick's Creek Gap at US 76 at 11:45am. I was hoping for a trail angel with hot food but no luck. I started to continue on and somebody in a van opened the door and ask if I needed a ride into Hiawassee. It was the shuttle van for the Budget Inn - free shuttle there and back to the trail with a room for 40 bucks. I don't think I could have made it to Franklin which is roughly 40 miles away, my gloves and socks were wet and I was running low on food. I really didn't want to go back to Hiawassee. I was just there. I think somebody upstairs is leading me this way because now they're calling for 3 to 8 inches of snow tonight and tomorrow, depending on where you are. So here I sit in the motel room, drying my socks and gloves and boots. Believe me, with the smell in here, you do not want to be in this room! I did go out and buy a new pair of gloves and more food. I'm ready to go tomorrow if the weather is willing. Guess who's here? Papi. He said he had a hell of a time at Tray Mountain Shelter. He said the shelter was crowded - my guess is there was some spooning going on. He said his water froze and his pump filter froze. He said his thermometer was reading 20 below and I believe him.
Date: 2013-03-02
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light snow

I woke up to about one inch of snow outside, here in Hiawassee. I took the 9am shuttle with Jim and Sunflower. Sunflower had stayed with Papi at the Tray Mountain Shelter. I stopped at the Plum Orchard Shelter to have a bite to eat at 12:30pm. It is a nice place. I pushed on and crossed the GA/NC line. NC has not been good to me so far. I have been wading through 3 to 6 inches of snow and gusty winds. I hiked into Muskrat Creek Shelter at 7pm and the shelter was full. So I set up my tent with some other hikers outside the shelter. I am now inside my tent, very tired and had no supper.
Date: 2013-03-03
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 9.3

It seemed like I woke up every two hours last night in my tent at Muskrat Creek Shelter. I put on two more pair of socks and two more shirts because it was so cold. My water ended up freezing. I had it inside my sleeping bag at first, but it made me colder. I awoke to 20 degrees and Carolina Blue skies. I hung the thermometer outside my tent and it dropped down to 12 degrees. I packed up, used the privy (burr!), forced a pop tart down and started hiking. I hiked in about 8 inches of snow and had some knee deep snow drifts. Jim past me by and said his tent poles had snapped in the middle of the night. Half of his sleeping bag was frozen so he¢s going into Franklin via a service road. He hiked the AT in 02, 04, and I think he said 08 as well. I stopped here at Deep Gap to eat before I climb 1000 feet. Temps are around 30 degrees. I am on top of Standing Indian Mountain and will try to make it to Beech Gap with a tent site or a little further to Carter Gap Shelter.
Date: 2013-03-04
From: Beech Gap

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

By 6:30pm I¢m in my tent at Beech Gap, which has a tenting area with water, but no AT & T cell service. So I decided I would charge my phone with my new external battery charger. Today's hike, overall, was good, although a little cold this morning, it was between 26 & 42 degrees today. I only did nine miles. I haven't had cell service, and if I did, I'd have texted Kathy. I have to hike to stay warm. If you all have questions, ask away and I¢ll answer them when possible. And yes, it's cold and I smell! I stopped off at Carter Gap Shelter to eat lunch. I stopped later at some no-name lookout to take some pictures and out of nowhere, Passin Thru shows up. I had met him at the Budget Inn in Hiawassee. He said he was going to stop at Long Branch (was that not the bar in GunSmoke?). I made it up to Albert Mountain fire tower. It was excellent day to climb it - very tough, tricky and a lot of gasping for air.Chris passed me by. He¢s hiking with Passing Thru. Hell, I'll go ahead and say it - everybody passes me! About 8 out of 10 hikers that pass me, I have a least 30 years on them. Don't try to do the math. I'm still 29. I smelled smoke half a mile or so away, something I haven't smelled in a long time. I made it to Long Branch Shelter around 5pm. It¢s a fairly new shelter. I ate a peanut butter with honey sammich, hung my food bag and got in my sleeping bag. It¢s supposed to start raining tonight. Passin Thru, Chris and another guy are here. Hmm¢¦ someone is snoring! Oh, and I almost forgot. I only have 13 more states to go and Albert Mountain was my 100th mile! I have less than 2,100 more miles to go. Wildlife update - 6 squirrels, 1 turkey and about 10 birds. I've noticed I haven't seen any squirrel nests. I guess they are inside the trees. The way the winds blow up here, I can see why. Ok, I'm rambling on so goodnight.
Date: 2013-03-05
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: US 64 to Franklin @ Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

It started raining about 4am. I was the last one up and the last to leave, go figure. Like ¢Malinder¢ said in the movie Sling Blade, ¢MY FEET HURT.¢ And they are swollen. The tips of my big toes are numb and when I stood up, it felt like a gazillion needles all over my feet. It went away after a few minutes. I also have my first blister on my big toe. I found out too late that my boot was laced up tighter than the other boot. My toes were squished together. Now, to pop or not to pop? - that is the question. Anyway I hiked in the rain all day. I finally got a cell signal and called the General at Head Quarters and she got me a room in Franklin. Thanks sweetie! I arrived at the parking lot at Winding Stair Gap on US64 and started the 11 miles of yellow-striped walking towards Franklin. Thank God it was all downhill, like 8% grade. Lot of cars passed me but no one stopped to offer a ride. Then about a mile down the road, a white truck pulls over and asked if I needed a ride? You betcha! His name is Mike. Said he was taking two hikers back to the trail where I had gotten off the trail and could not believe I came this far without somebody picking me up. He showed me the town and said his son owns an outfitter¢s store called Outdoor76 (outfitter76.com) and Mike himself owns a restaurant called The Sunset. He took me to my motel and asked me if I needed anything else ¢ really nice guy. Later I walked in the rain, of course, to do my laundry. Man, if you all could see me here with my rain gear on and my blue Crocs doing laundry!
Date: 2013-03-06
From: US 64 to Franklin @ Winding Stair Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Franklin is a Friendly TownI just got back from the library. Gosh that was a hike! And halfway back, a guy named Bill stopped and took me back to the motel. I can't believe how friendly people are up here! This evening I got a call from Mike. He asked if I was leaving in the morning. I said yes and that I was going to call a taxi. He said no, that he'd be by in the morning to take me back to the trail. It's people like Mike and Bill that make it hard to leave a place like this! Thanks Mike and Bill for all your generosity - not just to me, but to all the hikers you shuttle back and forth.
Date: 2013-03-07
From: US 64 to Franklin @ Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Parking lot
Miles today: 9.9

Time to Go!On Thursday morning, Mike picked me up, gave me a couple of apples and some cookies his wife had made - thanks Mike's Wife - they were good! He dropped me off at Winding Stair Gap. There was somewhere between four and six inches of snow on the ground. We said our goodbyes, he wished me well and off into the woods I went. Nice steady climb for awhile. My pack weighs about 45 pounds - it's always heavier when you leave town. About an hour later I took off my wind jacket, blue skies and temps were in the fifties all day. Stopped on my way and made two ham and cheese sandwiches. The higher I got, the deeper the snow. Luckily about six hikers are in front of me, packing the snow down. But by late afternoon the trail turned into a very slick wet icy trail - take a step and slip wore me out! I made it to the Wayah Bald parking lot and it had a latrine, so I decided to stay the nite. I laid down my ground cloth, pumped up my air mattress and climbed into my sleeping bag. Yes I'm inside - the men's room with the door locked! Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm very tired and sore! No pain no Maine!Some have asked what I eat. I'm sad to say in the mornings, a snickers or pop tart or if I feel like it, I'll eat oatmeal. For lunch, maybe peanut butter or a ham & cheese sandwich with chips and some kind of pastry. For supper, about the same as lunch or if I'm not to cold or tired I'll fix a freeze-dried meal. Second question - my feet are sore, both big toes are numb at the tips. I don't think it's frost bite but just the pounding and swelling. Also, in the morning, when I stand up for the first few seconds, it stings. Thanks for the questions! Believe it or not I'm still enjoying myself.
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Wayah Bald Parking lot

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I've posted a few photos from 3-8-2013. Just look for Photos on the left side bar. It always shows the last one I've uploaded, so just click Previous to see the other ones or use the drop down menu just above to choose which photo you want to look at by date and description.
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: few clouds

Well last night was interesting. I was the only one there at the shelter. I put some toilet paper out in the corners to keep the mice busy, cut my light out and within minutes something was walking around on the metal roof. I was so tired I didn't care and off to sleep I went. I woke up about 2 am to the sound of a hoot owl. It was having a long drawn out discussion with another hoot owl. This went on for about an hour. Then around five, I heard a squealing sound along with the owl sound. Either the owl got something to eat or it's mating season? I finally got up at seven, and to my surprise, the toilet paper was still there. I guess the owls kept the mice away.I packed up and headed down to the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser to meet my sweetie. She was driving in to take me off the trail for a while. She arrived before I did, so she hiked out to meet me (after verifying with a salesperson at the outfitter store that she was headed in the right direction.) About a mile from the trail head, we both reached a corner at the same time. Let¢s just say I was as happy as a mouse eating a hiker¢s food in a shelter! We ate at the Rivers End Restaurant then drove to Bryson City to our motel and unloaded my gear. I took a hot shower, went to Ingles for more trail food and got a bite to eat. I will have a busy day tomorrow. Just a little bit of news here: I went 44 hours without seeing anyone until J Lo, another thru hiker came by today. Then I met The Four Montanans. They are a couple who have two dogs hiking with them. And the temperature got up to around 61 degrees today. All and all, it was a great day.
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We drove over to Cullowhee to see my son and his girlfriend at Western Carolina University so that I could download some pictures onto his computer because the libraries were all closed today, as it is Sunday. Then I needed to pack a food box to take to Fontana so we stopped by our hotel and packed up some of the food we bought yesterday at Ingles and at Walmart today, along with other supplies. Then we all went to the Fontana Village Lodge and dropped the box off at the front desk. The lady said they would hold it whether I stayed the night there or not. I should be there later this week, so now I hopefully will not have to find a ride out to resupply before entering the Great Smoky Mountains. Then we headed over to the dam. You can drive over the dam, which we did. On the other side, the road forks. To the left is a parking lot with views of the dam. To the right is a road that dead ends not too far away. This is the direction I will take as I continue my hike. We took some pictures of the dam and lake levels and headed back to Western. We stopped to eat at a Kobe Express in Sylva, took my son and his girlfriend back to WCU and then we headed back to the hotel. It was getting late, but I started packing up and before I knew it, it was 12 am. So, off to bed I go. I start back on the trail tomorrow at Nantahala Outdoor Center!
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Kathy dropped me off at the NOC around 11:15am. We said our long goodbyes and 30 minutes later I was climbing the mountain. It started out warm and when I finally reached what I thought was the top, the wind was blowing - hard! I met Warbler today. He passed me by at 2:30pm - looked like he was on a mission. Pumpkin Pie passed me while I was taking my first break at mile 141.3 at the spring. It started to rain around 3pm. I just made it to the Nantahala Gorge overlook, put on my rain gear, took some pictures and straight up the mountain I go. I finally made it to Sassafras Gap Shelter. There are about ten of us here (this should be an interesting night). The first hiker I spent the night with is here, Bushwacker, and then there is Flounder, Pumpkin Pie, Robin and Mary (newlyweds), two section hikers and their dog Scout. Agent D is here also but Warbler must have moved on. It's raining and I'm on the top floor of the shelter.
Date: 2013-03-12
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

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

Man was there some snoring going on all night long last night. I sat up in my sleeping bag and saw two mice! I got up around 8am, made some oatmeal and left Sassafras Gap Shelter at 9:30am. It was a climb straight up! I was in and out of the clouds and ice all morning long, then it seemed to go straight down until I reached Stecoah Gap at NC 143. I stopped and had lunch - tuna fish (yuck), a honey bun and a Snickers bar. I didn't stay long as it was too windy and cold. So off I go, straight up Jacob's Ladder, which is a 600 foot climb in 6 tenths of a mile. I made it to Brown Fork Gap Shelter and made me some mac-n-cheese. Two section hikers are here as well, Neil and Gully. She¢s on a college break and did the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT) last year. Both are going to Hot Springs. Oh yeah, she passed me like I was sitting still coming up Jacob¢s Ladder. She never stopped to take a breath! I can't get use to this time change and I'm in bed before dark!
Date: 2013-03-13
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: NC 28 AT Crossing 
Miles today: 11.5

Well I was burning up last night so I removed my coat and this morning I was freezing. I slept pretty good except for the mouse that ran over my face! And man was it cold. I hated to get up but I did. No breakfast for me and Gully was gone by 7:30am and Neil left after me, but of course he ended up passing me too. The sun kept playing peek-a-boo with me all day! It snowed lightly till about noon. A female hiker stopped to fill up her water bottle at the spring when I was getting ready to leave. I turned around and introduced myself and ask her what her name was and she said that she goes by Jugs. I said can you spell that for me? She said with a small laugh, like the water jugs! I said well, okay. I made it to Cable Gap Shelter at 12:15pm (yeah I was shocked too), had lunch and headed to Fontana. I could see the lake and told myself I'd be there within the hour. Well that hour passed and so did the next two. I finally crossed NC 28 and made it to the phone on the wall where I dialed 0 for the $3 shuttle to the Fontana Village Lodge. Then I went to the bathroom and was shocked that it was heated. I kept going outside to see if my ride was there. When it came, I was ready to go. I got checked in, turned on the heat, crashed on the bed with boots and clothes still on and fell asleep. Oh, the life of a hiker!
Date: 2013-03-14
From: NC 28 AT Crossing 

To: Great Smoky Mountains souther border
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: clear sky

We had a nice dinner at the Lodge last night. Today, Robin and I talked about slack packing today but didn¢t commit to anything and that's all that was said. So I went back to my room and was going to go wash my clothes but then decided, what the heck, I'd go slack packing. When Flounder heard me, he said ¢I'll go with you¢ and the next thing I knew, Mary & Robin & Bushwacker & Flounder and I are in the shuttle. We only did 2.5 miles today, but that¢s 2.5 miles off our list and it felt good to only carry about five pounds. I will be headed into the Smokies in the morning. The way AT&T has let me down in the mountains, you may not hear from me for a while. But don't worry about me - they make air rescues all the time!Note: I added quite a few photos, so just click the photo on this page and then you can hit "Next" at the top of each page to see the others I have uploaded for that day. Or you can always use the left blue side bar and click "Photos".
Date: 2013-03-15
From: Great Smoky Mountains souther border

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

I left the lodge to start my hike through the Great Smoky Mountains. Bushwacker and another hiker, Hilton have decided to go home. At 10:30am, I dropped the bottom half of my permit in the hiker box. You have to pay for a permit to hike through the GSM now. I had gotten mine online using the computer at the Sleep Inn, back in Bryson City. So I was off again, this time going for 7 miles, all up hill. I started at 1800 feet and was going up to 4600. About an hour into my climb, I turned the corner and saw Bambi, the deer, about 20 feet away. I took a few pictures and she walked off to be with two other deer. Boo Boo then saw the park ranger. He checked my permit and we talked awhile. He was nice guy. I met a SoBo (south bound) section hiker who goes by the name of Birch Tree. Come to find out, he¢s from Greensboro. He told me about a fire tower and so off I go. I made it to the fire tower and the wind really picked up but I went up it anyway, holding on for dear life. A gust of wind would blow me everywhere on the old shaky structure. I made it to the top and my legs were shaking so much and the wind was so strong I couldn't stay up there long. It was a hell of a view though. When I went back down, that was fun in itself. I ate some food and finally made it to Mollies Ridge Shelter around 6:30pm. I am here with about 8 hikers. Today was a very tough day, both physical and emotional for me. I had a hard time breathing and could never get a deep breath. I'm thinking it was because I didn't get much sleep at the lodge. Tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day and may hit 70 degrees. Oh, I all most forgot. I've been trying to do something since I started this hike and today I thought I was going to achieve it, but hell no, it will have to wait another day! When it happens, I¢ll let you know, unless you think you all know what it is! And it's not falling, I already did that today. This black mud is slicker than camel snot!
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Packed up and was gone from Mollies Ridge Shelter by 8:00am. I stopped by Russell Field Shelter to eat breakfast and low and behold, two park rangers ask to see my permit. I stayed and talked to them awhile and then moved on. It¢s a hot day, upper 70's. I even unzipped my pants legs off. Later I stopped off near Spence Field Shelter and made me a peanut butter sandwich and just laid out in the sun. I finally made it to Derrick Knob Shelter and went and got water - that was a hike down on snow and back up. I had scrambled eggs and ham for supper, not bad. There are 11 of us here - Flounder, Robin & Mary and Tom that I met back at Tray Mountain, two locals, two ladies that I met at the laundry room in Fontana and two others I don't know. It was a long, long day. Tomorrow it's suppose to rain. Great. I should make it to Clingmans Dome. I've been in and out of NC and TN all day. I¢m going to try and pick up the Bristol race on my MP3 player¢s radio. Still no A T& T service.
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Well I got up and was gone at 8:05am. Today is going to be the longest day to date. Made it to Silers Bald Shelter and had lunch. My goal is to go up to Clingmans Dome. I hiked into the spruce-fir forest which was a nice change of scenery. I pushed myself beyond what I thought I could do. I made it to the dome, going mostly uphill for a good part of the day. I took some pictures from the dome, finally had cell service, and made some phone calls. And then I left as I have to make it to the next shelter. You can't tent in the Smokies unless the shelters are full. When I left the dome it was 99% snow, ice and water. For some reason, I felt like I was 16 again. You know - young, hard headed and no fear. Well I was flying down the trail and the next thing I knew, I was looking up at the trees - ouch that hurt! You would think I would have learned the first time, but no, I was still feeling like 16. With the next fall I landed on my left side. My ribs hurt but I don't think I broke anything and I'm not spitting up blood. So I learned something today - I'm not 16! So I'm here at Mt. Collins Shelter with what's left of the gang, along with about 15 hikers and four college kids and they brought a fifth of liquor. All the thru hikers are in bed and the others are drinking and are loud. This is going to be fun!