morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Wayah Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I'm finally on the trail for real. Got on the trail at Wayah Gap at 9:30 March 12, 2006 and hiked to the Cold Spring Shelter. The weather was unseasonably warm and I was down to shorts and a tee early on. Quite a surprise for this time of year at elevation. Along the way at Burningtown Gap I came upon my first experience with trail magic. There at the end of a little forest service road I met "Apple", never did get his real name. He had a big canvas tent set up with more than standing headroom and about 16' X 20' in area. Inside were heating stoves and cooking stoves and camp chairs all the way around. The first thing he said is what can I get you, 2 hotdog or 3 hotdogs. I went for 2 and took a seat. He said, "What's your name and I said, "Ozzy". He said, "Your used to work for IBM didn't you? Well that was a surprise. Someone I had talked to earlier told him an IBMer was coming along the trail when they learned that he was a very newly retired IBMer. As it turns out he is from Austin, Texas and has done this yearly for the past several years. He lives right there and greets every hiker to a little trail magic for two weeks which is the maximum time he can camp in the National forest. This year, because he has just retired, he will set out on April 1 to do a thru hike himself. After some jawing about "Big Blue" I learned that he & I worked at the Boca Raton site at the same time. We may have sat in on some of the same meetings. We could have talked about the "good old days" at IBM forever, but I had to push on. That must have been the best hot dogs I ever had. Thank you Apple from me and all the other hikers you have given a hand. Actually a hand out. Along that same line, I heard on the trail that last year during a cold snap Apple had twenty hikers camp out in his cook tent for the night.......way to go Apple.When I arrived at the shelter it was empty but I decided to tent out nearby. There I met a real nice guy, David Baldwin who is a section hiker just making the final preparations of his tent site. We had a some interesting and pleasant conversations. David is an emergency room doctor with a military background as a medical tech., currently living in the Ashville area. Thanks for the drink, Doc. Later Sourdough and his son came in and decided to stay in the shelter. Sourdough is on trail journals and you can just click over there learn all about him and his hike. In talking with Sourdough I learned a new trick.....see in practice later. Two other hikers came in late with their headlamps on and stayed at the shelter as well. Thanks for the hot drink Sourdough!The night was beautiful with close to a full moon. I couldn't sleep and laid awake almost all night. Well, I learned that I could roll over in my new Big Agnes sleeping system. In fact I rolled and rolled all night. First night camping usually means no sleep for me, even in the motor home, so no surprise.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning it was up and out to head for Wesser Bald Shelter just a short 5 plus miles up the trail. This is to be my focus for the first several weeks. Short hikes and plenty of rest stops. I don't want to end up with an overuse injury putting me off the trail permanently as so many do in the first few weeks. When I reached top of Wesser Bald I climbed the tower for some nice photos. I like the effect given by the misty visibility. I arrived at the shelter very early in the day and had time to get well organized and prep some great lunch. A new treat was Ramen noodle soup with a whole package of crab. Wow, that was great. Not long after Stephen joined me after an 18 mile jaunt. He looked a little tuckered out at first but recovered fast. Durn youngins! I learned that he is a horticulturist, and has been working in the wine industry. We had a lot of time to mull over this and that and of coarse I did most of the talking. I bet he was wishing he could find my off switch. That night it rained off and on much of the night. Sometimes it was what I'd call an all-out downpour. I'm sure glad I stayed in the shelter. We were up early and Stephen was on his way in record time. I poked around some but still got on the trail by 8:20 AM.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Wesser
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: clear sky

What fantastic views I had as the first part of the hike was along a sharp ridge with views to both sides, and some huge drop-offs as well. If you stepped off the trail in some spots it would take a helicopter to get you out. The downhill into Wesser after all that rain required me to step carefully. At 11:20 I came out of the woods with Rosie waving her greeting. She was there to pick me up for a night at home and some good food and put me back on the trail early tomorrow morning. Looks like the climb north out of Wesser should be a bear. The first shelter is in seven miles after a 3000 foot climb. Can't wait!    Note the rhododendron leaf. That's a trick Sourdough taught me. That works like a charm for filling water bottles. That's an old spring just above the shelter.In the following photos you may get the hint that it was dark when the pictures were taken by the headlamps. We are not aliens. That's me and Stephen at the Wesser Bald shelter. Durn, I look a little tuckered out too. I think I'd better smile next time.
Date: 2006-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

2006-03-15 You will never guess. Than again maybe you will ! That's right I didn't get back on the trail today as planned. I was really frazzled last evening trying to get all the things done that needed doing and eating all the good stuff Rosie was putting in front of me. I couldn't get myself ready to get back to the trail early this morning........so I took a zero day today. What a whimp ! But, here's the good news, I had a great sleep, good food and today I went and got a great massage. Now that's exactly what this achey old body needed. Just one more chore to take care of today and I go back on trail tomorrow feeling 100% better than if I did so today. Sharman sure can find those sore muscles and fix 'em up. Ahhh the rough life of a thru hiker. :>)
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Wesser, NC Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It is true that the climb out of Wesser is a serious one. Considering the name of the starting point is Nantahala Gorge and the climb tops a couple of the highest mountains in the section it should be no surprise that it would be tough. It is only a 3312 foot difference in elevation to the top of Cheoah Bald but if you add up all the up hill climbs on the profile it adds to 5132 feet in the 13.7 miles from Wesser to Stecoah Gap. That is just what is shown on the profile which is very conservative. Anyway you get the point, it was quite a haul from Wesser to Stecoah gap where I camped for the night. In all it was a beautiful hike offering some outstanding views from craggy peaks. There is a highway through Stecoah Gap so I found a closed forest service road leading away from highway and followed it far enough away so I couldn't be seen from the highway. I camped on the old road because it was the only level ground to be found. That was a big day for me and I slept well (Like the whipped puppy I was). To put this in perspective, however, a group of college aged men and woman hiked from the Sassafras Gap Shelter to the Fontana Dam Shelter the next day for 22 miles. The last 3-4 miles of their hike was in darkness with headlamps. (note picture ref from my website. I will try to move here. Picture at right is looking back at Nantahala Gorge from part way up the mountain.At left from Swim Bald you can see the many ups and downs you would run into trying to follow the highest ground to a distant point.Below is where I slept along an old road for the night.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Campsite at mile 159

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a short 2 1/2 miles down to route 28 where I hitched a ride to Fontana Village Resort. Two young guys in a pickup truck stopped and said hop in the back. I threw my pack in and sat on a toolbox leaning against the rear window. My head was sticking up and I was afraid I'd lose my hat. I didn't have a jacket on and it was really cold in the morning air. In seconds when they got up to running speed all of that was forgotten as they swerved around the sharp corners first one way than the other. I was hanging on for dear life. Thankfully they turned into the Village and dropped me at the country store. What a relief !After some breakfast at the restaurant, I called Rosie for a ride home. While sitting around the country store and post office waiting for her, I saw dozens of other hikers also hanging out awaiting their mail drops. Funny, when they arrived some of them just sat on the porch floor in front of the post office and opened their boxes right there,   piling stuff all around as they sorted it all out. 95% were college aged kids. They said there were 18 in the Fontana Dam Shelter last night. The weather forecast was for rain for the next few days. That would likely be snow in the Smokies so I decided I would wait at home until I received some reasonable weather forecasting before the long climb to the heights of the Smoky Mountains.   I will skip a 1.4 mile piece here from Rt 28 to Fontana Dam.....I'll have to drive over some day and hike it.I got off at rt 28 and will be starting back at the dam. The miles reflected above assume I went all the way to the dam.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Fontana Dam

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It has been pouring here for quite awhile. Looking at radar indicates that the weather in the Smokies is about the same but just a little colder.We went to a cook out last night at "Mountain Crossings" outfitters at Neel's Gap. A noted AT hiker "Baltimore Jack" was visiting and he did all the cooking. The whole thing was for the thru hikers and financed by Winton Porter, owner. This was a 1st because the cook out was right on the AT as it goes through the archway between buildings there. They have had many others but none right on the trail. There was a real good turnout as the hostle was full. A good time was had by all. I took a lot of photos and will post them in an album with a link here as soon as I get time. check back.....you may recognize a lot of the folks there.************Here is the link to photo album.. http://ozzyo.com/party_at_mt__crossings.htm ***************************Note: today I went back over my journal here and made it more accuratly reflect day by day activities extracted from my website. Now all I have to do is get photos here from the website. I will work on that tomorrow. check back.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge - Smokey Mts.
Miles today: 10.0

"On the trail again" Headed out into the Smokies this sunny morning at 8:15, mountains look beautiful BUT cold.   Shortly I ran into a hiker going south. After a little chat I learned that he was giving up after a second try up the mountain. The first try on Monday he got soaking wet and freezing cold so he hiked down and got everything dried out and tried again on Tuesday. He then got to a campsite about 5 miles in and froze all night. He quit the trail and was headed home hoping to get back when the weather broke. This was not very good for my morale but I pushed on.I arrived at the Mollies Ridge at about 2:30 PM and it was empty. Soon Chee-B arrived and I was glad to have company. Later Rosie(not my Rosie) and Dr. Jones, Doug and Jay and 365 and Pockets all arrived. The woods was covered with hoar frost.The hike from Fontana was way easier that I had expected. The trail was well graded with switchbacks without many direct accents. That was 10 miles.The book "Exploring the Appalachain Trail" indicates that tomorrow will be less difficult than today. Here's hoping.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

One of my guide books indicated that this would be an easy hike.....WRONG!It was a rough hike with huge ups and downs. Took in several balds, including Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mountain, Spence field, and Chestnut Bald.   The same people were at the shelter as yesterday, plus two new guys, Goldie Locks and Bags. It began to snow as soon as we arrived. The snow began to pile up quickly but it was not as cold as last night. This shelter had a 'protective' chain link fence all across the front to protect us all from the bears, with a door to get in and out through.
Date: 2006-03-25
To: Gatlingburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0

 Just hanging out at the Grand Prix Motel right here in beautiful downtown Gatlingburg with Rosie who arrived here this afternoon. We hung out with Chee-B and Dr. Jones and his Rosie. We had a very enjoyable time and fine dining and much needed sleep.Road to Newfound Gap (441) still closed and still snowing here..........Rosie had to drive all the way around to get here due to road closing.We are snowed in (-:
Date: 2006-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have been hanging around the Grand Prix motel in Gatlinburg waiting for weather to change. They opened the road over the mountain yesterday afternoon and we drove up to see what the trail looked like. It was deep snow and the trees were loaded. This morning I drove Dr. Jones and Rosie up to the trail so they could continue on their way. The trail looked a lot better and it seemed fairly warm up there. When we were there we met Night Rider (Scott) who just came off the trail after two harrowing days in the snow. He did about 18 and 19 mile hikes to make it thru as fast as possible. He is here now nursing his wounds/blisters etc.I don¢t have all my chores taken care of yet so I couldn¢t go today. I expect to get all that done today and go tomorrow if the rain forecast looks reasonable. From Wed on for 6 or 7 days looks like real spring weather. Fair warm and I want to go! But I¢ve had enough of the snow, thank you!####Later the same day: Well I've decided to get back on the trail tomorrow if it's not raining when I start. I will go to Pecks Corner Shelter at 7.4 miles with an option of going on to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter for 12.6 miles if I feel really frisky. We will see.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Newfound Gap (rt441)

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi Folks,Well, Oz went back 'on the trail again' this morning around 7:30 - a lot of the snow had gone in the mountains but the trail sure looked icey to me and it was sprinkling as I drove off - it sure is sad when I leave him each time!!He can only call occasionally as the signal isn't all that good thru the Smokies that's for sure.Keep him in your prayers and I will update when I hear anything - He sure is loving it though and meeting some great folks - I had a blast hanging out this weekend with all the thru hikers. I even got to meet "Mango" who I have been following here on trail journals - I told him it was like meeting a celebrity as I read his journal faithfully!! He and two other guys, "365" and "Piece of Work" headed back out on the trail in the SNOW on Sunday afternoon as soon as the road (441) opened back up.God speed.ADDENDUM:Today's hike had numerous sections along ridges with huge drop-offs, in some places if you stepped a foot to the left you would end up straight down hundreds of feet. The snow was deep and had settled to as much as a foot. The trail was packed snow or frozen slush with deep footprints. Really difficult walking. Hiked some with Squirrel and at shelter met Jaws, Sasperella and Crumbs and Bandit. Four or five week long hikers were at the shelter as well. It was fun hanging around the shelter before dark because it was the first day about 40 - 45 degrees.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: few clouds

Just got a call from Ozzy, he is at the top of Mt. Chapman in the Smokey Mountains This is the fourth highest peak in the Smokies(6250ft) He is about 15 miles into where I left him off yesterday - good distance considering the conditions!Has met a lot of new hikers and really enjoying the trek. He has decided to stay at a different hostel once he gets to Davenport Gap as this group is all staying there - he got a call thru to them and plans are all set.He said the trail was tough, crusted snow in places where he would break thru and then slush in other places - his feet are soaked!! Not a good thing to have in temperatures below freezing!!Don't expect another call for awhile as he will be descending below where he gets good phone reception. He sounds great and is having a good time - no problems so far, thank you God.ADDENDUM: Started hiking at 7:30 today and got to Tri-corner shelter at about 10:30. Took an hour for lunch and Sasperella and Crumbs joined me. The trail was frozen snow and slush most of way until lunch at which time it began to thaw and was slippery going from then on. I hiked the afternoon in lightweight bottoms and tee top. It was nice to feel the warmth. Cold set in for the evening and I was in the bag by 7:30, too cold to sit out. Sasperella and Crumbs stopped by but decided to keep on hiking, which means they will be hiking with headlamps before reaching the next shelter. Jaws was at shelter for the night.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm 
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Just got a call from Oz - he arrived at Standing Bear Farm around noon today - He is making good time!! Got his box I had sent on to him and he says he has "way too much food" so he is sharing it with other hikers. I filled the box with all sorts of goodies and he says they are all enjoying them - He should be to Hot Springs in three or four days - that will be my next trip. He sounds great and having fun!! ADDENDUM: Love that Standing Bear Farm ! Arrived around noon and many people were hanging around, eating lunch or getting ready to head out. Ate lunch with Sasperella and Crumbs, and others. Jazzy Pants and RoadRunner were getting ready to go as they were here last night. The girls left shortly after eating and did not spend the night here.The afternoon and evening were pleasantly spent around the fire or cookshack.Curtis the owner hung out with us and he and others played some music on the guitar. Boulder was there laid up with minor leg injuries. Hope he gets well and back on the trail soon. Others there were Redneck, Calumet, Smokin' Jeff, Squirrel and I. Sprocket who is a local kayak and white water rafting guide was there helping out. Many sat around the fire playing music and singing until after midnight, I however was in bed by 9:30 PM.
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hey Folks,Just got a call from Oz, he is at Groundhog Shelter - which is about 10 miles from where I talked to him last night - the rains are coming and his foot is hurting. It sounds like he is getting the same problem that is keeping me from being with him, "Mortons Neuroma" Really painful foot growth which I have had three operations for so far - hope he is OK.I am planning on meeting him at Hot Springs in a few days - hope he is willing to come home and get it checked out to be sure.ADDENDUM: I arrived here before noon and had plenty of time to take care of chores and write in the journal. I noticed that I had an unquenchable thirst. Water alone wasn't enough. I mixed up a quart of Gatorade and that fixed the problem...must have been dehydrated. Here for the night were Doodle & Casey Jones, Craig & Cathy, Jaws and I. The Morton's Neuroma was very painful today. I have to stop often to rest foot and ease the pain.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 23.0

I got an early start at 6:30 AM. The weather was warm and the snow was gone at this lower elevation. Hiked over a number of mountains today including Max Patch at 4629' and Big Bluff at 4686 with gaps as low as 2900'. The trail was graded well with few steep climbs or decents. Everything just came together giving me a record 23 miles. Stopped at a shelter close to town to avoid getting to a motel late in the day. I will hike into town early tomorrow. Max Patch is a very large high bald covered with grass fields. Many people hike in on side trails to enjoy the views and picnic in the grass.When I went over it the wind was blowing about 40 mph and clouds were obscuring the top with mist moving horizontally. I had to put my raincoat on to to keep warm. About a mile later it was warm and sunny. I may have to go back there some day when the weather is a bit better. That night the shelter had a bunch of mice running in every direction. I had to pitch my tent and move all my stuff into that so I could get some sleep. It was very warm and it was too hot to be in the tent with the zero degree sleeping bag even though I wasn't in it. That bag was great in the Smokies but it is too hot and bulky to carry any longer.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: clear sky

I took a long time this morning because I was so close to town and in no hurry. Spent a lot of time talking with Crabby, who is a local weekend hiker out of the Oakridge area of Tenn. He loves hiking and is very interested in doing a thru hike some day. He was good company and I hiked out with him.I surprisingly got a cell phone signal and got a call out to Rosie. Turns out she was near Ashville on her way here. She was going to surprise me by being there when I got there. I was a day early! Crabby and I hiked out and ended up at the outfitters shop in town. A few minutes after getting there Rosie showed up. We got a room at Elmers and it was VERY "unique". The food was excellent. Some of the other hikers there at the time were, Calumet, Doodle & Casey Jones, Adrian, Craig & Cathy, Mountain Goat. Rosie enjoyed meeting them as she has been following them on trailjournals.com.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Hot Springs

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided to go home and get some orthotics made to help relieve the pain of the Morton's Neuroma. That will also give time to get my new 15 degree sleeping bag. Once there I know there will be some yard work and other chores I will be able to do. I hope to be back on the trail soon but I'm told the best I could expect would be 10 days turnaround on the orthotics after have measurements made by a doctor. This could take awhile!
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

"Back on the trail again" - What a beautiful day Oz has to head back out on the AT - He waited at home patiently for a week in hopes that his sleeping bag would come it but it didn't so he was able to contact Bluff Mountain Outfitters in Hot Springs and they had one "in stock" - what a happy hiker that made him!! This week off has given his feet some much needed rest though, so he got a new pair of lowcut hiking shoes at Mountain Crossings. He ordered a special orthodic via the internet so lets hope and pray that his feet will do better. Hope it goes slow at first! We left the house this morning at about 6a.m. and headed back over to Hot Springs - the Oz was 'on the trail' just before noon. We ran into Boulder at the Post Office so it will be nice for Ozzy to be in hiking company with some of his buddies.5pm -So much for going slow, just got a call from Oz and he is about a mile from the shelter - so that means he has hiked over 10 miles since he got on the trail - He said the shoes feel great - no problem (-: Thanks Nate!! (Neels Gap Mountain Crossings - what a great place)Digger Dog and I are sad again )-:God speed and keep him safe.