morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-16
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Finally - first communication since Wed. morning. Much worry on Scribe's part as she watched the storms and tornadoes roll through the midwest and Georgia & NC. And so an update. BBK and F made it to a campground short of Carter Shelter on thursday. This was farther than their planned shelter for that night. Friday's hike took them to a section that had a hand over hand climb up to a tower. They opted to skip the climb up the tower because rain was coming and it was windy. They made it to Big Springs Shelter and they hunkered down for the storm. There were 5 staying in the shelter and 1 in a hammock. He actually did OK. The storm started about 6 PM and went until 4 or 5 in the morning with wave after wave of very heavy rain and heavy wind. Toward morning the wind shifted to another direction and started pushing the rain up under the shelter shingles. The shelter started leaking and BBK finally got the fly for his tent to put over his bag to prevent the leaking from wetting his bag.Here we have Hobo, Indie, Brother of the wind.Today the trails were muddy and the streams were overflowing. They had many river crossings and many had them crossing rocks covered with water. They reached Winding Stair Gap and took a $40 taxi into town. They opted to skip the Haven's Budget Inn and the free shuttle. Instead they picked up their restock boxes and headed to a Microtel franchise that is perfect for their needs. BBK is ready for a shower first. He is muddy and his body is tired and sore. BBK and F will do a dinner out tonight and will celebrate their 100+ milestone.Scribe is currently watching the news of tornado touchdowns in the midwest and south since Thursday, including Georgia and North Carolina. And she is so relieved to know that BBK & F are safe and have reported in.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wine Gap Campsites
Miles today: 10.0

Today BBK & F will be picked up and returned to the trail rather than take the taxi. They have a list of local names to call who do this and it is normally for gas money or a donation. The person that BBK reached would not accept anything. Have to see what they can do about that. 9 is departure time and the trail is about 10 miles away.
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Wine Gap Campsites

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The hike today took BBK & F to Cold Spring Shelter. Weather is a warm 70 or 80 degrees. Views are fantastic with mountains everywhere you look. The phone call came from one of the mountain peaks that had a tower. Cell coverage is not the best, so the mountain tops are the best for calling.The shelter has a stream running through the site, but the tent sites are 1/2 way up a steep hill. So they had to lug water up the hill. And level tent sites were hard to find. By about 4 their chores were done and they were ready to settle in to eat.
Date: 2011-04-20
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

The plan was to hike to Wesser Bald Shelter. BBK and F got there by mid day and decided that it was too early to stop for the day and headed on to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. They are now a couple of days ahead of schedule and so will take a few days here to get back to their schedule. This Center has bunk rooms, showers, a communal kitchen, a restaurant and general store. What more could you want? It is located on a river and they have white water rafting and other activities. At this point they are looking forward to a little loafing.The hike today was in the rain for about half the day and required rain gear. They hiked over Rocky Bald and Wesser Bald which had a tower. When they got there the rain had stopped and the view looked at the mountains sticking up through the clouds in the valleys. They then hiked a long downhill of about 1,000'. They found it to be windy on the balds and hot and muggy in the gaps.It seemed to make sense to spend their wait time at the NOC rather than at a shelter on the trail where there would be nothing to do. They will get their last food restock boxes and send home all the extras. They will only have a couple of days of hiking once they leave the NOC and have a steep up Sassafrass MT - 2,000' - the toughest climb of the trip. They want to be very light in their packs for that climb.
Date: 2011-04-21
From: NOC 

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Nice relaxing day - laundry, gift shopping, and watching the rafters and tourists. There is a train ride from Bryson, NC that brings tourists up to the NOC in the gorge for a brief visit. One fellow that BBK talked to lived up in CT at one time and worked at Otis Elevator. Small world.They cooked some in the communal kitchen, but will eat dinner at the restaurant.They have to decide whether to stay here another day or start their trek up out of the gorge. Starting tomorrow would allow them to break up the ascent, but the weather doesn't look good for tomorrow, so ..............They are sorting out their packs and shipping home as much as possible to make the last miles easier. They have about 27 miles to go and 3 or 4 days depending on when they leave.
Date: 2011-04-22
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

One more layover day. Rain cleared by mid day and I guess they could have been on the trail, but didn't mind waiting another day. It was fun to watch the kayakers again and deal with the tons of people who came off the train. And now I think BBk and F are anxious to be on the trail again. Beer at Slow Joe's and pizza at the River End Restaurant.
Date: 2011-04-23
From: NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Cell communication was not good today. But Scribe got enough to know they made in to their shelter of the day by about 1:30 and they were drained. The NOC is at 1400'. The trail took them to 4700' at the top of Sassafrass Mt. So the 3300' climb was a tough one.
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Sassafrass Gap shelter

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

Tough hike today. Each up hill was straight up - no swtich backs. 600' up Cheoah Bald. On top of this Bald they came across an English couple camping. They were doing the same section of the AT and then were going to visit some of the big cities on the East coast. The trail then took them down to a gap and then back up to the next bald - Stecoah Bald. Then down to the gap shelter.BBK was wiped out and opted to stay in the shelter rather than set up a tent. Weather was beautiful and will be for another day - 70's.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

BBK and F were keeping options open as to whether they would stop at Cable Gap Shelter or go on to Fontana Dam - the end of their hike. They each set their own pace. BBK found a dozen places to stop to take pictures, but still found himself at the shelter at 11:15. So the first 6 miles was not too bad and it was too early to stop for the day. The afternoon proved to be not so easy. The 6.9 miles to Fontana Dam took them up and over 3 mountains and then down the last stretch to the Dam. That down hill was an elevation drop of 2,000'. BBK's feet were pretty sore by the time he got to the "Fontana Hilton". The shelter was almost full and had big wood borer bees buzzing around. Not the place to be that night. So BBK called the Fontana Village Resort to see if they had any rooms. At $109 a night he wasn't sure that was what he wanted to do, but when he told them he was a thru hiker, the price dropped to $59. That's more like it. Next to connect with the shuttle. After a little confusion of where to get the shuttle and trying to connect with F to see if she had also decided to move on to Fontana, all fell into place. The shuttle driver was fantastic!! Hikers passed on the whereabouts of F and the driver was more than willing to wait for her to get to the shuttle pick up site. Then he got them to the gocery store before it closed, so they could pick up some wine and snacks for a final celebration. Dinner at the restaurant capped off the day.Ice Ax and Pink Floyd were among the hikers during this stretch of the hike who bought much enjoyment to our hikers.While BBK and F were hiking their longest day and looking forward to accomplishing their goal, King of the Road was working his way south to pick them up. He had also put in a really long day with no relief drivers. Tomorrow he will pick up the hikers and they will head north for the 2 day drive home.Scribe concludes with her congratulations on a hike well done !!!!
Date: 2011-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

      This is my inaugural entry into what will hopefully become a thorough and concise journal of my 2011 thru-hike attempt of the Appalachian Trail. This is at the request of friends and family who prefer I don't just disappear into the southern hills and hope that I emerge from the woods in Maine later this year without so much as a peep as to where/how I am in the between. I'm not much of a writer, so I make no guarantees as to the length, content, or frequency of entries, but I'll try to give everyone at least a basic idea of where I am and what I'm doing.       Currently I'm one week from the start of my Leave of Absence from work, and 8 days from leaving MN and heading for Amicalola Falls State Park and Springer Mountain in Georgia for a start date of Friday, March 11. I feel completely unprepared, even after two years of preparation. I have (probably) all my gear, and my plans are (probably) in order; but the closer it gets the less real in seems. My recent preparation includes the strenuous activity of reading about other people's strenuous activity. Thanks to the Border's clearance sale, I've read "Possum Living" by Dolly Freed, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" by Aron Ralston, and am currently going through "Solitude: Seeking Wisdom in Extremes" by Robert Kull. To get a feel for those who lived a continuously hard existence, I've also interspersed chapters from "The Saga of Icelanders", a collection of Icelandic Sagas (Who'd have guessed?) from around 1000-1300AD. Who said training has to be hard? I feel tough and manly already.
Date: 2011-03-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have added my gear information to the "Gear" tab, so that should show up now for interested parties. I may be missing a few things on there, but all the major stuff is up. The "Cold Weather" and "Warm Weather" designations refer to gear that I will not be carrying full time. I will start my hike carrying all listed gear, plus gear marked "Cold Weather". "Warm Weather" gear will stay at home, and will be shipped to me via maildrop in Pearisburg, VA where I will send my cold weather gear back home to MN. Due to my early March start, I can expect sub-freezing weather at night at elevation for the first few weeks to month, and potentially snow at high elevation hence the need for cold weather gear to start. I like to think that living in MN has somewhat conditioned me to cold weather (it was -5*F on my way to work this morning). The "Brutal Cold" weather that people refer to on the trail at elevation may get down into the teens at night. Sounds nice to me!   Once I reach Killington, VT I will switch from warm gear back to cold gear in anticipation of crossing the White Mountains and Presidential Range of NH, and the increasing fall chill in Maine.   For those people interested in sending me goodies, letters, etc on the trail; the best way to do that is to contact Jennifer either on Facebook or via e-mail (jjcnnn@gmail.com) to set something up. The best way to ensure that I receive what you send is to send it to Jennifer in order for her to include it in a mail drop box. I WILL NOT be checking post offices for mail in towns that I don't expect a package, and even then will only be checking for my package from Jen, not anyone else unless you set something up with me personally in advance. Goodies are appreciated, preferably of the edible kind or of the letter of encouragement kind. I'd like to thank Lori Cannon for answering my Facebook note request for good vibes and encouraging material at Christmas. She is the ONLY person who responded. (Mom, Jen, I'm cyber-glaring at you). I will be converting her book to waterproof paper so I don't ruin it during the hike, and may post the images here. It kicks some serious ass; 2x thanks Lori!   For now, my mental status is scattered at best. it seems completely unreal still that I will be leaving MN in 1 week from today, after 2 YEARS of preperation.
Date: 2011-03-11
From: Springer Mt.

To: Sassafrass Mt.
Miles today: 11.5

Good start today. Parted ways with Jen about 11:00 after hiking up Springer with her from the forest road parking lot. Cold morning, snow on the ground and the wind howling at elevation with temps just below freezing. Met quite a few people up and down Springer, a large amount of them stopped for the night at the Hawk Mountain Shelter, but it was too early in the day to stop hiking at that point. Hiked until 4:30, and stopped on the north side of the Sassafrass Mountain summit. Was surprised at the condition of Hawk Mt shelter, trash everywhere and a mud pit at the shelter enterence. Glad it wasn't indicitive of the condition of all the shelters. 11.5 miles for the first day, not too shabby.
Date: 2011-03-12
From: Neels Gap

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Got my first big taste of "Trail Magic" today. Was planning on another big day, but upon arrival at Gooch Gap around 1:00, was greeted by a group of people who wanted to know if I wanted some beer and hot dogs. Turned out that these were former thru-hikers Geek and B-Man, of whom B-man has thru'd twice, and Geek has the legendary status of thru-hiking the trail with a cat. The answer to the question of how he kept it dry was that it was an external frame pack, and the cat sat on top of the pack under the cover. Ended up calling it an early day and pitched camp at the gap, and was provided lunch, dinner, and breakfast by these fine guys. Hot dogs, cheese danish, three kinds of muffins, chocolate donuts, apples, and 7 cases of beer. Hell of a start to my thru. Left the next morning headed for Woods Hole Shelter.
Date: 2011-03-13
From: Gooch Gap

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: few clouds

Long hike today from Gooch Gap to Woods Hole Shelter. The can of Tecate beer from the night before at the end of the day was that much better though. The night before a bunch of other people showed up, and there was a fire and about 15 people at the gap by the time I turned in. Staying inside a shelter for the first time tonight; nothing special really. Sheltered with Robert and Tyler whom I met the day before, a couple doing a section hike, and some anti-social asian guy who wouldn't even look at you when you said "hi", much less respond and who set up tent, didn't come out that night, and was gone before dawn. Odd, considering the amazing social atmosphere on the trail. To each their own, I suppose.
Date: 2011-03-14
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another short day today, a quick but painful ascent and descent of Blood Mountain ('4461) and rolled in to Mountain Crossings, the famout outfitter with the Walasi-Yi hostel attatched. This is my first resupply point, and although the prices were high, the selection and staff were great. Not to mention the church group on the patio serving all-you-can-eat (AYCE) burgers off the grill. (I had 5). Decided to stay the night because some weather was supposed to blow in overnight. Why camp in the storm if you have a bed and Pirate cooking sloppy joe dinner and pancake breakfast? On Pirate news, for readers familiar with him and are on the trail this year, you probably won't see him at Walasi-Yi this year. Since he was so very vocal about it, I don't feel like I'm spreading rumors - Due to some apparant bad blood between him and Baltimore Jack, who is working at Mountain Crossing now, Pirate told Winton that either Jack or hime had to go, and since Jack was still there Pirate was leaving. He had cleaned out all his personal stuff and took all the photos off the wall by the time I rolled out the next morning. Met up with people I had already met on the trail, and met many others - EnZed, Forest Gimp, Pita, Hi-5, Tyler, Robert, Zip Code, Kilo-3 plus more. Forgot to mention as well, I have my trail name. I am "BookSmarts" on the trail, so appointed by B-man after seeing the book that Lori made me. I like it, it fits.
Date: 2011-03-15
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

The storm did come overnight at the hostel, but the rain continued through the day. All day. I'm sure these big mountains are absolutely beautiful, but since I could only see about 20 feet at best due to fog I'll have to take that on faith. Did 10.9 miles because there was no point in stopping and sitting in the rain and wind. Stopped at Low Gap Shelter, but the shelter was full, so I pitched tend nearby. Lots of people with the same idea, about 15-20 peopel scattered in tents around the shelter. Took some )I think) great pictures of the shelter in the fog after the rain stopped, I'll get them up some time.
Date: 2011-03-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain Summit
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Morning dense fog continued, packed up a wet heavy tent and rolled out. made really good miles in the morning, 5 miles in less than two hours thanks to cool weather and relatively flat terrain. Took a long lunch to stretch and dry shoes out in the sun. Went over Blue Mountain, my second over 4000', and went down to Unicoi Gap where I met up with Pita and Tyler, and together we climbed the third 4000'er, Rocky Mountain and we pitched camp at the summit. We watched a fantastic sunset from the summit (pictures coming), and turned in for a windy and cool night.
Date: 2011-03-17
From: Rocky Mountain Summit

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Another glorious day of sun today, but hot! (70's, damn hot for March coming from MN). Pushed a big day today, my longest yet at 11.8 miles. Two more 4000' summits today, Tray Mountain (4430) and finished with Kelly Knob (4276). Was going to stop shy of Kelly Knob, but decided to push on with Pita after a food and water break in Sassafrass Gap gave us a second wind, and the thought of a short day into Hiawassee was too good to pass up. Tyler pushed on past us earlier in the day, no sign of him at the shelter. He may have pushed all the way to Dick's Creek Gap today, but I imagine he hurt himself pushing that hard this early. Hope I'm wrong though! Decided not to sleep in the shelter due to journal reports of heavy mouse activity and mice damaging gear besides the usual food smelling items. Pitched a tent and listened to two Barred Owls having a row just after dusk. Planning another Nero (near-zero) day into Hiawassee tomorrow, headed for the Blueberry Patch Hostel.
Date: 2011-03-18
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 3.6

Easy morning, did 3.6 miles in less than an hour and a half. Definitely getting stronger although the calves are still burning from the climbs. (with a high point of 2301' and a low of 601', MN is not the place to train hills). Hitched a ride with some day-hikers to the hostel with Humungus (named for the Mad Max 2 villian) and Pita, but Pita went on to the Budget Inn. Many people arrived through through the day, and the hostel was full by noon. Hitched a ride into Hiawassee and hit the Ingles to resupply for the next section, but didn't need to buy much because I scored three breakfasts and two dinners from the Hiker box at the hostel. Had some Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough ice cream, and bought some fruit for later. No plans for dinner yet, but there are several good options in town here (read AYCE). The hostel here is so awesome, it is amazing. Three acres with some Burros and goats, bunkhouse, shower house, all on Gary Poteat's property (Thru-hiker 1991) No set fee, donation only, and the guy that runs it does your laundry for you, and cooks a huge breakfast. Also has extensive first aid supplies for feet, and a great shower. Right now I'm at the library in Hiawassee wearing some clothes that Gary (the owner) has for hikers to wear while laundry is getting done. Sweet deal! He has a truck load of gravel coming later today for a driveway turn around and I offered to help him out spreading it. I'll still make a good donation, but with all that he's helping us out, I had to give back with more than just money.
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

After a great night at the Blueberry patch Hostel, the breakfast was absolutely killer awesome. Family Style meal in Gary Poteat's house with sausage, pancakes, eggs, cheese biscuits, sawmill gravy, OJ, coffee, and blueberry syrup made on site from the namesake blueberries.Started hiking at 10:00 and did 11.7 of some of the most difficult hills so far. Big news of the day was crossing the GA/NC state line; one state down, 13 to go! Headed into NC was two steep climbs without the Georgia switchbacks, tough going. Rolled into Muskrat Creek Shelter with a big crowd, but managed to get a spot in the shelter instead of tending due to some ominous looking clouds blowing in and the chance of overnight storms. I HATE setting up or breaking down the tent in the rain. Some nice looking elevation profiles over the next few days, think I'll do some 12+ mile days. left Hiawassee with about 5 days of food, will probably make Franklin in 3! Met a cool guy at the hostel yesterday, "The Humungus". Working on his final trail of the triple crown, and is moving real fast, looking to finish the trail in about 90 days. He started the trail 4 days after me and is already blowing past. Saw the back of his pack headed off into the distance, probably the last time I'll see him!8.8 mi/day average now, still above par even after a town day.
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Made big miles today due to good terrain and cool, cloudy weather. Feet a little sore, but no specific problem. Passed EnZed, HI-5 and Forest Gimp who were taking a zero day at Carter Gap Shelter and pushed on to Betty Creek Gap to tent with a big group. No idea where Tyler went, he and Uncas took off real early and kept moving, didn't see them all day. Ended up hiking the last 3.8 miles with Sugar Daddy. He keeps a slow pace, but doesn't let up and does the big miles. Had a couple songs stuck in my head today, "Road Goes Ever On" from Tolkien, and "Sore Feet Song" by Ally Kerr. Of course, I can only remember a few words of each so it drove me crazy. Listening to Barred Owls arguing for the third night of the trip, love their crazy voices.For the interested parties-"Sore Feet Song"I walked ten thousand miles, ten thousand miles to see you,And every gasp of breath i grabbed at just to find you,I climbed up every hills to get, to you,I wandered ancient lands to hold, just you.And every single step of the way, of pain,Every single night and day,I searched for you.Through sandstorms and hazy dawns i reached for you.I stole ten thousand pounds, ten thousand pounds to see you,I robbed convenient stores coz i thought they'd make it easier.I lived off rats and toads, and i starved for you.I fought off giants bears and i killed them too.And every single step of the way, of pain,Every single night and day,I searched for you.Through sandstorms and hazy dawns i reached for you.I'm tired and i'm weak, but i'm strong for you.I wanna go home, but my love gets me through."Road Goes Ever On"   The Road goes ever on and on   Down from the door where it began.   Now far ahead the Road has gone,   And I must follow, if I can,   Pursuing it with eager feet,   Until it joins some larger way   Where many paths and errands meet.   And whither then? I cannot say.