morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-10
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Sassafrass Gap
Miles today: 10.5

Cold - upper 30's - sunny and clear for once. On Trail at 0930 - did 3 by 1115. Younger crowd in van back to Gap claiming 10 - 15 miles per day, but started 01 Mar and just catching up to me?? Math doesn't seem right, but the math taught today, right Ms. Parziale? Ms. O'Neill? Pack heavy again, but riding well. Les wet food: meat, etc. Milk powder for protein. 5 days food to get to Franklin. Was NOT planning to make NC but was there at the border at 1615! First state down, 13 to go. Went past the crowd at Bly Gap - too windy and steep. Got 3 miles into NC. Lost my Tyvek (Drat). Was perfect for tent vestibule for pack to lay on. Plenty of room in the tent, plus wind/rain protection when packing up in the morning.Filter broke today! New filter - new cartidge - no freezing temps, it just broke! My wife will have one ordered to get to Franklin. I'm glad I have my chem tab back-ups. MSR will get a letter about this for sure.
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Sassafrass Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Still cold and windy last night, but the ground was flatter than Bly. Time change put me out at 1100, till starting slow, but I don't like to try and pack/cook, etc. in the dark. Made Beech Gap by 1800 new time - 10 miles again! Up and over Standing Indian Mountain (SI Mt). Saw TN Bee-man and Rock, plus a few others. Camped near Vika and Flowers. We'er the only ones here. Long day and tired - down SI Mt was pretty easy though, graded well as it's an old mt road. 2+ miles at least. Clear and cool/cold today, so it was decent hiking. Started raining about midnight, though. Minor leaks where the tent fly touched one place on the inner netting, but nothing major. It really seems as if I'm being blessed: I get new gear and a good day to try it out, then a minor problem to start planning what to do if a MAJOR problem occurs.
Date: 2012-03-12
From: Beech Gap

To: Bearpen Gap
Miles today: 9.0

Rain started at midnight last night. Still going at 0800 and all day. Not sure where it came from - no cell reception, so no radar last night. No leaks, no problems. Another slow start, but I cooked in the vestibule and the warm food/coffee helps. Socks are wet, but I'll change them. Everything that got damp/wet was in plastic, so no problems with that!Planning on Betty Creek Gap to have a short day to the shuttle for gear. We'll see.
Date: 2012-03-13
From: Bearpen Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Rained all night. Stopped about 0700. No leaking this time - learned my lesson from the minor leaks the previous night. My foam pad was soaked from yesterday's rain - so much for closed cell pads not soaking up water. The thermarest was dry, as it was rolled up inside the closed cellpad, so I was able to have some comfort. Planned on getting 3 miles from Winding Stair, but I kept going and missed the good sites on the ridge and ended up about 300 meters from the road. Not recommended, but I was too tired to backtrack. Albert Mountain was as bad as I recall from the Scouts a few years back. Still, it had cleared off and was breezy and sunny when I got to the fire tower, so everything came out and got hung up to dry. Took 30 minutes to get up the mt and 1.5 hours to dry and eat. I only had a 500 cals or so for a quick, non-cook breakfast this A.M. Mile 101: my walking staff of 24+ years broke as I was moving branches off the trail. Like losing a good friend. It was with me at every Scout function, went overseas: Germany, Holland, Scotland, Greece, Norway, Sicily, almost everywhere I went hiking/walking, it went with me as well. It will be sorely missed.
Date: 2012-03-14
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Down day for gear - replaced staff. Not a great day: missed Wally run, had to run around getting food, lost a bag of food, had to replace it, found out not much at Fontana Dam, so I mailed stuff forward, (Thanks thrus at the Outdoor 76 store!!).Many, many kudoes to Outdoor 76 - only a block or so fromt he Budget Inn and VERY reasonably priced. Did get to clean up, wash up, etc. Did get a nice t-shirt for a gift for someone at home. Still spending too much - still carrying too much food - still worrying about mileage, although it has improved to 10+ a day or so. 3 days to the NOC - 3 days to Fontana. Got some great advice from Ron Haven here at the Budget Inn (a GREAT Trail friend) about re-supply halfway thru the Smokies.
Date: 2012-03-15
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm NOT getting the web contact ATT promised, so my journal updates will be pretty much when I get to a town or a library. Sorry. I still haven't found a card reader, so all the pictures and videos will still have to wait. Started at Winding Stair about 1030 - transported by Ron Haven himself. He is a thru-hiker, former pro-wrestler who knows exactly where my home town of Ballinger was. He stated he even probably wrestled in a Scout fund-raiser back in the 70's in Brady, Texas where Jesse McNally was from (old summer camp staff friend). Ron, you are a GREAT guy. Thanks for all the tips for the next few hundred miles.Great, cool weather today - couple of pop up T-storms, but no real rain. Cooked lunch - hot meal and hot choc/coffee did me great. Sat down for a break around 1700 which turned into a 20 minute power nap. Wayah Tower has been re-built with great views all around. Dig It and several others were there. New filter works great - thanks, Trish. Some type of fly is buzzing - not biting, but a kamakaze style attack on my ears is bad. One big t-storm around midnight to 0130 or so - no leaks,no wet. I heard very heavy winds in the gap below, but I was pretty much sheltered. Slept pretty well - I have trouble sleeping, as I wake up every 1.5 - 2 hours or so. Just to turn over, grumble and fall back asleep. Even 11 miles didn't zonk me out tonight.
Date: 2012-03-16
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Awake at 0800 (actually every couple of hours or so), but up and moving at 0800. On the Trail at 0930 - 30 minutes early!! Clear and cool, but hard today after yesterday. Hard to keep moving - breaks, water up, bathroom, all to slow down. Hard ups and downs. Found Machete Mitch at Cold Spring Shelter - ate lunch. Almost didn't, as I wasn't too sure about Mitch, but after talking about his Army time, it was OK. Wesser Bald Tower views were great. Cold and windy. Badger was at Wesser - 2 couples made it into the shelter as the rain started abut 1900. Hung my bear bag on the cables and tented up from the shelter. I don't like them - too dirty and crowded for me. I don't sleep well anyway. T-storms kept up until about 2100, then stopped. Rain started lightly from 0300 - 0500. No leaks - level ground - slept for one 3 hour stretch between the other usual 1.5 - 2 hour times.
Date: 2012-03-17
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC - Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 0800 - hot breakfast at 0830, but out of camp at 1000 as usual. Did 5.5 HARD downhill miles to the NOC. Was planning quick coin shower, but nothing was open. Messed around for 1.5 hours, walking back and forth trying to find a place to clean up and finally took a room. Hit the uphills in the NOC area and literally could not move. Shower/laundry, hot REAL meal for a 1500 lunch and I'm wiped out by 2000. Added a little food - trying to eat cold breakfast food with just enough hot water to make the cocoa/coffee mix with the water. Don't want to waste fuel or time anymore. Downs/flats still OK - any ups, even moderate and I'm counting steps. OK - 100 steps, pause for 5 breaths. 125 steps, pause for 5 breaths and so on. Went to the community kitchen which was clean when I arrived and found the young crowd had trashed it. Cleaned a LOT of dirty dishes and the tables. T-storms overnight - slept fairly well. Eagle Eye and Jack (?) the dog next door. Nice looking German shepard.
Date: 2012-03-18
From: NOC - Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 8.0

Oh, oh, oh. Talk about ups. 1723' - 5062' in 8 miles. Up at 0730, but I had to wait until 0900 for the store to open to get a couple of last minute things I had forgotten. NO - repeat - NO Coleman lemon blueberry cheesecake. That was going to be my supper - 400+ calories, 1/4 cup water, great tasting. Oh, well.On the Trail about 1000 after a great breakfast omelet, coffee and juice. Wrapped my toast up and took it with me. Good day - very warm - all uphill, though. Stopped at Sassafras Gap Shelter, but too many kids - 8-10, all sleeping in the shelter. To my old, ex-AF cop nose, it smelled way too much like pot, too much f* this, f* that, so after looking at the map, thinking about last year, I pressed on the last uphill mile to Cheoah Bald and I was glad I did. GREAT views, plus an added bonus: Lee-Bob and Skunk-Ape showed up and decided to stay as well. Clear/cool night, no rain, level spot, slept well. 8 miles in 8 hours or so uphill. Probar for supper, which wasn't too bad.
Date: 2012-03-19
From: Cheoah Bald

To: 1 mile past Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

NOTE - NOTE - NOTE - I haven't said "Thank you" for all the people who are following me, especially my students and co-workers lately. It means a lot as well, with you hikers who have had the same problems I'm dealing with. I'm not sure how to respond to the questions, but will try in the guest book. Please be sure NOT to put your full names or locations!Up at 0730 - hard to stay in bed when I heard Lee-Bob and Skunk-Ape were up. NOTE: they were surprised that I knew what a skunk-ape was.Out at 0900! Hot choc/coffee and oatmeal bars for breakfast helped the fast leave time. Reached Locust Cove Gap by 1010 - 2.5 miles in 1 hour downhill. Maybe I'm improving - we'll see. Planned Cody Gap, but the Fontana Post Office closes at 1500, so I decided to push on to see what was ahead for camping. Sun went behind the ridge, but I went to the west side, so I gained some time. Saw the young bearded guy with one of his two buddies at Cody, but they were leaving as well. Nice place, but I needed to be closer to Fontana.Pushed up 1 mile - nice area, no wind, sheltered from the west side, great views as well. Cool night. In bed at 1930 or so, but still with the short sleep periods.
Date: 2012-03-20
From: 1 mile past Cody Gap

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 8.0

Awake at 0700 - started packing about 0715. Hard to pack up when it's dark and you are using a headlamp. I worry that if I pack in the dark to get started earlier, I'll leave something important behind. 10 miles before 1400 is the goal - BUT!! - reality intruded.Warm this AM. Oatmeal bars and hot choc for breakfast. 2 candy bars on the Trail. I have a drop waiting at the Fontana PO and it closes at 1500. Pushed today - got the drop about 1410 or so. That was 8 miles in 4.5 hours. Now for the reality: it was 1/4 mile uphill to the Lodge for the ATM as I didn't have 65 cents for a stamped envelope. 1/4 back downhill to get the envelopes. 1/4 mile down the hill to the small grocery/bar for lunch, then 1/4 mile back up to get a few supplies. Oh, yeah - the ice cream store doesn't open until April. By now, it's raining hard in the village and the mountains have disappeared behind the rain. Soooooo, took a room at the Village. Laundry, hot shower, dry out gear. This also gives me time to plan my shelter stays, as you HAVE to stay at the shelters and can't just camp anywhere. While catching up on my journal for today, Trail Journals either crashed due to the bad weather in the Midwest or for improvements. On to the Smokies.
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Fontana Village

To: Camp 113
Miles today: 5.1

Started at the Fontana 28 crossing about 1030 and got to campsite 113 by 1730. Have to look at it this way: I'm past where the Troop has made it, so I'm in brand new territory. 170 miles to date according to the 2011 Guide, which is still slow. Didn't think I'd make the 10 miles to Mollie's Ridge Shelter, so I set my sights on camp 113, which worked out well. Very hard uphill out of the Fontana Gap, but getting to see the views for once was great.Allergies are really acting up, so I had to start my Claritin. Walking across the dam, you could see an 8 foot yellow stripe of pollen across the water. The shuttle driver said that there was a yellow river during the t-storms yesterday.Wind strong, temps dropping, only one in the camp except for 1000's of my closest little black fly buddies. They don't bite, just attack my ears and eyes.
Date: 2012-03-22
From: Camp 113

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Actually started at 0915 after watering up at camp 113. Was looking at Russell Field Shelter, but Spence was only 3 miles further. I was looking at how the terrain/water situation was. Pop-tarts were a good, quick breakfast. 480 cals + coffee and I was good to go. It was a clear, cool night and I was the only one in camp. Later, at Spence, the ridge-runner Carl AKA Greybeard stated he didn't see me as he went thru. NOTE: Greybeard thru'ed when he was 61. This is his 10th year as a ridge-runner. Somehow, I think I should stop complaining about being old now. Cold today and windy. Had to put on my BDU liner. Sweating in the cold wind makes it colder. Clouds until about 1300. Mollies Ridge Shelter for lunch about 1300. 4 hours plus 2 30 minute breaks up. Moderate ups and downs helped a lot. I felt pretty good. No one was at the shelter. I'm seeing fields of 5 petal flowers: white with pink or purple stripes. Very pretty to see the fields, but I can't get a good picture of them. Shelter log shows Dig it and Eagle Eye about a day ahead; Badger about 2 days ahead. Got to Spence Field by 1830. It was full - 9 or so inside with 2 females. I didn't feel comfortable, so I tented outside. Ridge-runner Greybeard stated that the Ranger may make me move inside if he/she came up and it was up to me to convince him/her otherwise. 3 others came up behind me - learned later they were the "3 Brothers". They start about 0300 each morning and are MOVING! We all agreed to leave the 3 spots left in the shelter open for any other late arrivals. Lights out: 2030.
Date: 2012-03-23
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Very bad day: cold, cold, cold. HARD wind from the south from about 0500. Fog, rain, constant wet. Hard ups and downs. Started to get pretty down about speed. Took at least 2 30 minute breaks, one of which was a 20 minute power nap. No lunch until 1630 which was probably part of the problem. Still looking at total calorie intake and starting to think about not cooking the majority of food. Gas is running out - should have bought 2 at Neel's Gap, but thought there would be more later on. Fontana didn't have any when I left. Arrived at Derrick about 1700. Only 3 guys, no females. Right now, I have a spot and I don't care. I'm out of the wind and cold. I was going to tent, but decided not to. Ate by 1730. Trying to get all loose ends cleared up before bed: toilet, H2O, teeth, etc. Have 18 miles to Newfound Gap and a day off. NOC shuttle is at 1100 and 1500.
Date: 2012-03-24
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

WOW!!! Talk about a blessing last night. I decided to use the shelter and about 0400 last night HEAVY t-storms rolled thru. Heavy, heavy rain - at least dime sized hail that lasted for 5 minutes or so, incredible winds. Slow start out - 1000 or so. 1st break at 1115 for 30 minutes. Doing OK. Need 13 miles to make Gatlinburg, so I'm going to have to stop at Double Spring Gap Shelter. Sun out a bit - warm, but off to the north are very ominous t-storm clouds that seem to be shadowing me. Off to the south is clear, bright and sunny. Almost out of gas - going to be interesting, as all the food I have left pretty much has to have boiling water added. Siler Bald shelter for lunch - 1340. Pretty good time. Had a bit of Trail magic: someone left a can of soup, a juice bottle and two small cokes. This was pretty much lunch with some cheese sticks. I'm more than happy to carry the trash out for the treats. 1600 - arrived at Double Spring. 8.5 miles in 6 hours, so it wasn't too bad. 10.5 to Newfound Gap. Shuttle runs at 1100 and 1500, so it'll be close tomorrow. 2 Germans and 3 others here at first, then the college kids showed up. 6 kids - 5 guys, 1 female, 30 beers. Wonderful. Oh, well - I'm staying in the shelter. I have my place against the wall and I'm good to go. Kids tried to start a fire in the fire ring, but the rain started at 1645, so the hot dogs they were going to cook pretty much got eaten raw. F* this and F* that started up and I was resigned to a long night, but the kids started back down the trail in the rain.
Date: 2012-03-25
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

Heavy rain all night - into AM. Up at 0730 (the first one!) and out at 0900. Need to get to the Gap by 1500. Started in the rain, fog and heavy wind. Cold temps. Trail running with water. Fell twice today - once not too bad, once bad. The second time, I was blessed by falling HARD into the wet mud/moss by the Trail instead of the rocks just a few feet away. It was hard to get up with the pack on my back, lying face down with my head lower than my feet. I have bruising on my right cheekbone, I think. Clingman's Dome completely fogged in - almost got blown off the walkway with the heavy winds! Could barely see the top of the tower from below. Still took pictures to prove I was there. Once again, great views in the Smokies!Dig It passed me just before my first fall - he stated heard me when I went down. I have no doubt. Draggin' Tail was at the Do0me - I've seen his entries and thought he was at least 3 days ahead, but he hurt his knee and took aday or so in Gatlinburg. Made the Gap by 1445 - never saw the NOC shuttle, but a Mr. Booth was the Trail Angel today. He goes up during the weekends to help the hikers. A hot grilled cheese, chips, root beer and brownie did a LOT to help. It was cloudy and cold with views at the Gap. He took me and another hiker down to Gatlinburg about 1530 or so. Thank God for Trail Angels like himself. Another Angel came up: Thin-mint and introduced herself and offered other goodies. 10.5 miles in 6 hours! 2nd fall really angered me - After I got up and started down the Trail again, I discovered I was not only flying down the Trail, but was actually growling pretty loudly. Heaven help any bear that jumped me around that time. I'm glad no other hikers were around as well.Mr. Booth started as Godspeed in 2003 with his son. His son contracted brain cancer, recovered and Mr. Booth finished in 2005. He's a general contractor who hasn't built anything in 2 years, but still comes up to help. Thin-mint thru-ed in 2010. ***** SCIENCE LESSON ***********Kids, when hiking down a steep trail with 40 pounds on your back, be sure to only do only ONE of these:a. Fall where you are level so you can roll over with your pack and get back up easily. b. Fall without a pack on so it's easier to get up when your head is lower than your feet.c. Don't step ON a wet log - step OVER a wet log so you don't fall in the first place!!!!!
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Newfound Gap

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Down day today - resupply - wash clothes and ME! Used the Gran Prix hotel - was leery at first as everyone says it's a "tradition" which to me means it's gone downhill, but we still use it. Pleasantly surprised: nice room, wonderful staff, excellent location. Saw Skunk-Ape and Lee-Bob checking out and hope to catch them later. Not a cloud in the sky, of course. Warm, dry, sunny day. Can't see anything over the mts as well. My luck, of course. Had Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast and treated a couple in off the Trail to breakfast as well. Just a teeny-tiny re-payment of Mr. Booth's Trail magic from yesterday. Took the Gatlinburg trolley to where the laundry was supposed to be to clean my sleeping bag. Not there, of course. Had to wait 40 minutes for the next trolley to continue up the road. Still, bag washed, Subway lunch, Dollar Store to re-supply, so it works. Was told the outfitter closed at 2100, so I got there at 1920. Of course, they closed at 1900. Drat. Have a mostly full canister, but no Coleman Lemon-blueberry cheesecake desserts. It'll work.
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Newfound Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Forgot my water bottle at the motel and had to walk back from Shoney's - they let me leave my pack, so it was not too bad. Slept well - was well treated by the staff and owner. Found out the NOC didn't run shuttles today for some reason - took the Cherokee Transit for $5 and glad I did. The driver was really nice and informative about the local area. Native Cherokee and been driving for over 10 years or so. Got to Newfound Gap by 1100 - on Trail by 1110.Made Peck's Corner Shelter after about 9 miles. Rough day - legs still not in. Was at shelter by 1830 and I was beginning to stumble. Mostly uphill, and pretty steep seeming. I have to get out of the Smokies - the shelter to shelter only camping is killing my time. Great weather today - cool and sunny. Great views for once. Charlie's Bunion was awesome. I was afraid I would have no one to take my picture, but after about 15 minutes, some other people came by and we swapped picture taking. 7 with me in the shelter, but I have my wall spot. Doesn't seem crowded at all. I kept getting passed by everyone - when will I start making time?
Date: 2012-03-28
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Tricorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Only 5.2 miles today - really was worried about t-storms this afternoon, but they didn't appear. I could have made the next shelter, but I was worried about arriving in a downpour to find no room. Was on the Trail by 0930 or so and made Tri-Corner by 1330. Several people already here, but most are moving on. I've decided to aim for Davenport Gap shelter - 15 miles tomorrow. It looks mostly downhill, which is my forte. Downhills are almost like falling and I'm GREAT at falling. I'm tired of passing great camping spots. Yeah, I keep complaining, but I know why it's so. Too many people, too much trash, too many fire rings, etc. With a short day hiking and long time to rest, maybe it'll be OK.I started using 2 sticks a while back - it seems to help with the uphills a lot. My upper body also gets a workout when I do so. I was looking up a climb, said out loud that maybe I should try two sticks and immediately saw the perfect hiking staff at the side of the Trail. It was a blessing!
Date: 2012-03-29
From: Tricorner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

MADE IT!!! Thanks to the inspiration of Video, John, Duffer and Whitewater to do so. ************ KIDS - THIS WAS ONE TIME PEER PRESSURE WAS HELPFUL !!! *********On the Trail at 0845 - made Davenport Gap by 1645. OK, mostly downhill and flats, but it felt great. Shelter was full, but I still got my wall spot. This shelter was the only one to have the chain link fence in front anymore. Seems the hikers were feeding the bears thru the fence and that would cause problems when it was time to leave the next morning! No bears, no mice, just sleep. Started hiking today in fog and wind, but it cleared by 1100. Temps were warm by the time I got to the shelter. Saw Trey the ridge-runner who remembered me from Double Spring Gap shelter. He said the 5 petaled flowers were Spring Beauties and they are. The trilliums are starting to bloom as well as other neat looking flowers. Saw a family of 4 red-haired young ladies, a red-haired mom and a dad going up to the fire tower. They offered me tortillas and jelly, but I had 4 about 1.5 hours ago, so I declined with many thanks. Thunder and very brief shower at 1745, but no real rain. Video and John here as well.