morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello everyone!!!I hope you all have had a wonderful and relaxing Sunday. I heard from Wade a couple of times today. He sounded pretty good, a little tired but overall happy ( : He walked today from Tray Mountain Shelter to Hiawassee, GA, this is exactly 11 miles. From there he hitch-hiked into the town of Hiawasse which is around 11 miles from the actual road crossing at the trail. The thank-you of the day goes out to the extremely nice Country Club manager who picked him up and took him into town. Wade said that he was worried about getting his car dirty because it was a nice car! But the guy was really nice, Wade said, and didn't mind the smell (too much!lol!) Anyways he made it into Hiawassee and is staying nice and warm in a hotel tonight! This makes me very happy! He said that his feet are still relatively sore and that his blisters still aren't a whole lot better. But hopefully a good rest tonight and a day off tomorrow will make a world of difference. Also I wanted to thank all of you for the encouraging posts that yall have left in the guestbook. He will get those tomorrow sometime and will be thrilled with all the friends and family members who love and care about him! I know that he will appreciate it greatly!Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Hiawassee

To: Plum Orchard Gap
Miles today: 4.5

Hey guys! Wade was so happy when he got all yall's notes of encouragement! So, thanks to everyone for taking the time to send him a post! Anyways I got to visit Wade up in Hiawassee! He looked good and got some pretty good rest while staying at the inn. He took a zero day on Monday and a good part of today off. His blisters are slowly getting a little better, but his feet are really swollen. But between his mother, daddy, and me he has every possible blister remedy there is out there! Lots of band-aides of all different sizes and types, so he's got plenty to last him awhile and protect those blisters till they become callous! Hopefully they will go away soon. In Hiawassee he went through his pack completely and took out what he didn't need and kept only what he really needed. I think with water and food he got his pack down to around 40 pounds. Hopefully this will make a big difference. I dropped him off at Dick's Creek Gap at around 2:15 and his goal was just to make it to Plumorchard Gap Shelter. This is only about 5 miles but he was planning on a short day because of his feet. He said that if he was feeling good then he would go a little bit more. The group he was with went ahead and left yesterday morning because they took a bus into town the day before due to rain. He's hoping to catch up with this group sometime after Franklin. (Wade isn't planning on taking a day off there, but they are so hopefully they will run into one another at some point)Hopefully he is feeling good and making the progress that he expected! I am hoping to see him again soon, but i don't really know when i will next.... Anyways thats about all i know for now. I'll update again sometime soon! Carolyn and Catfish
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Plum Orchard Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

Hello Everyone,Just wanted to give yall a quick update. Wade officially finished his first state of the AT at 11:06 this morning when he crossed the border and made it into North Carolina! I am so proud of him for finishing his first state!!!! He gave me a call right after he crossed the border and then he called me a little bit later on. He had originally planned to only go to Standing Indian shelter, however he said that on the hike up there he saw so many signs that said "bear sanctuary" that he just didn't feel overly comfortable sleeping there. ( do you blame him?? ) Anyways, he said that he was still feeling good and had decided to go a little more than six miles further to Carter Gap Shelter. He was hoping to catch up with some other hikers there, especially since he had been the only one at Standing Indian Shelter, i mean besides the bears...Thats about all of the update that I've got for now, except that I hope he ran into some other hikers and made it to a non-bear sanctuary! I hope that he is safe and gets a good nights rest, especially after a really big day of hiking! Until next timeCatfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Wade made it to Franklin, NC today! He wasn't planning on going into town but after two straight days walking in the rain he took the opportunity to dry out his stuff. He said that basically everything was wet, including his hammock and his sleeping bag, clothes and just anything else that he was carrying. but luckily most of it has already dried out ( : His feet are feeing a lot better and i know that he is happy to sleep in a nice, warm, and dry bed tonight! Today he said there was one really tough climb, Albert Mountain. Wade said that he was having to grab onto roots and really use his poles with the wet ground and steepness! But he made it and his reward for getting to the top was rain... not the greatest, but he said that the hike was alright other than that. He sounded tired but overall good ( : until next timeCarolyn and Catfish
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Hey guys! Hope yall are all doing great! Wade took a zero yesterday after walking two hard days in the rain. He went into Franklin and took some time to dry everything out, which is a good thing considering wet socks plus walking are practically the perfect recipe for some brand new blisters. So like i said, a little rest time did him some good ( :   he told me that his room at the motel looked really funny while he was trying to dry everything out. His hammock was hung up across the whole room and his clothes, sleeping bag, mat, pack and everything he was carrying was just spread between the floor and bed. Quite a funny sight! He said that he really is feeling stronger and that the walking is getting easier, aside from his constant sore feet. Having sore feet is miserable but it kinda comes with the territory. Anyways today he started off between 12:30 and 1:00. His goal was to make it to Wayah Shelter (exactly 11 miles), and he called me at around 4:45 and said he was .9 miles away from the shelter. he said that he felt alright after walking all day in the rain but that he was pretty tired and ready for some good rest. Hopefully he'll get that tonight ( : Well, thats about all the news that i've got for now! Excepts that I am really hoping that some beautiful weather is heading his way asap! I feel bad for him for walking in the rain! Anyways, until next time!Carolyn and Catfish
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Today Wade hiked from Wayah to Wesser Bald Shelter. i was so happy this morning when i woke up and looked out my window and saw that the weather would be so wonderful for him to hike in ( : Anyways, he sent me a picture text message from the Wesser Bald Observation Tower, and even from my phone it was absolutely beautiful! Later on he gave me a call and said that it had been his favorite day on the trail so far! He said that it was just a beautiful day and that it was the first day where he really had great views, especially after a couple day of rain, clouds and fog. Anyways, Wade told me about some trail magic that they had, he said he had some beer and ribs and those really made this day even more amazing! So thank you to those who set that up ( : When I talked to Wade he hadn't quite decided if he was going to camp up at the observation tower and enjoy the sunset or head on down to the shelter, but either way i could feel his happiness through the phone, and couldn't have asked for much more! It is so exciting for me when I hear from him on a day like today! Overall, he is doing wonderful and feeling fantastic! until next timeCatfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Wade made it to Nantahala Outdoor center today! He called me real quick around one and said that he had made it safe and sound ( : He said that the hike was pretty easy today and they made really good time so he got to have an afternoon to rest his feet. Anyways, he got some laundry done and ate a good lunch and sat around and then ate another good dinner, lots of good food. He did mention that he was feeling awfully full! He's staying tonight in a hostel at the NOC, and was very happy to have gotten a shower and have an opportunity to dry out all the stuff that had gotten wet. He's meeting lots of new people and is definitely having an experience of a lifetime, and i am SO proud of him, even though it's hard to have him gone. I keep hoping for good weather so that he can see more beautiful views with each step! Until next time.Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello all! Today Wade went from the Nantahala Outdoor Center to Locust Cove Gap. I heard from him when he was on top of Cheoah Bald, and he sounded good! He was especially happy because he said the view was just breathtaking. The weather today was good, but he had me check it and rain is supposed to start tomorrow morning and continue for a couple of days ) : But he is keeping up and doing really good and still feels strong. Great Smokey Mountains starts Friday, be sure to keep our boy in your thoughts and prayers! Overall he is good and is enjoying life outdoors! until next time,Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Well, today was the first day that i didn't hear from Wade and the hardest day so hard for me. I knew there were going to be days were i didn't hear from him, i guess it just always hard to get through the first one. I'm a little worried, naturally, but I'm sure that he is doing wonderful! His original plan (which he was following as of yesterday) was to make it to Cable Gap Shelter tonight, and then to make it into Fontana Dam around lunch or early afternoon tomorrow and take some time to prepare for the Smokies. Well, i don't have an entirely large amount of news for today, but just wanted to keep yall updated about where he is! hope today was wonderful for you all.Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello all, Today I heard from Wade a few times! He called me in the morning as soon as he got some cell service and it was so nice to hear his voice. He walked a short distance today and made it pretty early into Fontana Dam. He said he got cleaned up a bit and did some laundry and all that fun stuff. His daddy drove up this afternoon to get resupplies to Wade and took him to dinner. So Wade hopefully has everything he needs to brave the smokies! He was a little excited and a little nervous. The weather forecast doesn't look wonderful for him, they are actually predicting snow on monday, but I'm praying against it for all the hikers sake! I have all the shelters marked that they are hoping to make it to, but unfortunately he won't be getting cell phone service ) : so nothing will be for sure... Anyways, i'll put a post when I can of where he was expecting to be since i won't know for sure! it's going to be a hard next couple days without hearing from him, but it's all part of it, and as always- i am beyond proud of him. Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Fontana Dam

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 29.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Wade started the Rockies Friday morning and I heard from him this morning! He sounded really good! He was on Rocky Top and picked up a little bit of cell phone service, it was great to hear from him. Anyways, they are making better progress than they expected to make and i've checked the weather numerous times and things look like there going to be ok! He slept at Spence Field Shelter last night and the plan was to head to Double Spring Gap Shelter tonight and make the climb up Clingman's Dome tomorrow, the highest point on the trail! Well, we are all wishing him luck and hopefully he's doing good, I'll keep yall updated the next time that i hear from him!Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Wade's planning on making it into Hot Springs a little later on today. They weren't planning on making it into Hot Springs until early on Friday, but a bear had a much different idea. Wade's food bag was ok, but some of the people he is hiking with got their food bags ripped apart and things like food and toothbrushes eaten (poor earthbound!). Anyways, they ended up being short on food once part of it was gone, so they're going to have to walk a little more in order to keep everybody fed! Well, we are planning on going to see him in Hot Springs and I'm very excited. Hopefully he'll have some time to update his journal through the Smokies when we get there! Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 43.3
Weather: broken clouds

Hello everyone! it's been awhile since an update, but Wade is doing really good. He is having really amazing experiences every day and seems to really enjoy everything! Anyways, he left Hot Springs on Sunday around noon. And they were planning on hiking around 11 miles to the Spring Mountain Shelter. Today they hiked to the Hogback Ridge Shelter, and they're planning on making it into Erwin, TN. around mid-day on Thursday. But we got to see Wade in Hot Springs, and he really did look good! He's lost some weight and I can tell that he is stronger. Well thats about all the update I've got for now. Hopefully I'll hear from him again soon and be able to keep yall updated!Catfish and CarolynAlso, Wade didn't have the time or the internet access to post about his hike through the Smokies, but I know that as soon as he has the opportunity he will!(hopefully in Erwin)
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello everyone! I heard from Wade earlier this morning and he sounded really good. He was planning on hiking to No Business Knob Shelter today. A pretty long day, but the shelters up there are all about ten miles apart so if you plan on staying in a shelter you have to hike ten miles or twenty. So he was planning on hiking the longer mileage today. I heard from him later on, when he was three miles from the shelter and he sounded good, but he was tired. He had caught up with some people, which is wonderful. He's planning on doing a short day tomorrow (around six miles) and making it into Erwin relatively early. Hopefully he'll get some good rest tonight and make it in tomorrow as planned! Hope everyone is doing great!Carolyn and Catfish
Date: 2008-04-26
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 37.9
Weather: light rain

Hey everyone. I didn't get a phone call today from Wade, but they stopped at a hostel for a break and he was able to sent me an email ( : anyways, he seems to be doing good. The weather has not been the best for them though. The forecast said that it was raining and thunderstorming all day, and in his email he said that when he got to the tops of mountains he couldn't get out his phone to call because it was raining. Hopefully the weather will get better tomorrow, the forecast is saying that it should. Last night he slept at Cherry Gap Shelter and tonight he is sleeping at Roan High Knob Shelter. Those days are both long days... especially when the weather is not the greatest. I sure do hope the weather gets better at least so that they can dry out their stuff for awhile. Until next timeCatfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

I heard from Wade earlier today, he was calling from one of the other hiker's phone- who i am sending a big thank-you out to! I actually had picked him up in Hiawassee and given him a ride into town, it's so neat how everyone on the trail knows everyone. Anyways, it was really great to hear from him and they are .5 miles from Roan Mountain and are planning on sleeping in Apple House shelter tonight. I'm meeting Wade up in Hampton, TN. and hiking with him till Damascus, VG. it's not a really long distance, but I'm still a little nervous about keeping up and how heavy my pack is going to be. But i'm really excited to hike a little bit and experience a part of it with him. There are so many things that he has seen that it is hard to explain unless you are there, and I really CANNOT WAIT to meet up with him ( : Anyways, i'm planning on meeting him on Wednesday around lunch time. Well that about all I've got for now, hopefully I'll hear from him tomorrow and be able to keep yall updated. He's got a couple of long days ahead of him before he meets me, but when I'm there the pace will be a little slower. Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 38.0
Weather: broken clouds

Wade called earlier today, around 2:00. He was hiking with Bondi, which is really great because they enjoyed hiking together. They were planning on making it to the Thomas Knob Shelter tonight. Wade spent Sunday in Damascus and got a new pack and a light weight sleeping bag. He has really enjoyed the weight cut that he has made with the pack and said the outfitter did a great job with helping him! Anyways, he decided to keep his warmer sleeping bag because he thinks that there might be some cold weather to come, at least at night. He and Bondi are doing long days and plan on stopping in Sugar Grove on Friday morning and picking up a mail drop... (and a surprise one from me!) Well they are making really great time and plan on averaging 18 to 20 mile days for awhile here. He told me that earlier today they were going uphill for about an hour, I told him I would have died and he laughed at me. But I know that it was a challenge physically and made him tired! But after experiencing hiking, I now realize what an accomplishment it is to hike for an hour uphill! Hopefully I will hear from him as much as possible and he does has a phone card if he needs i, for when he stops quickly in town to pick up some mail drops! ( : Hope everyone is doing great!
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I talked to Wade today and he sounded so wonderful. He sounded happy and like he was truly enjoying the hiking from the day! Anyways there was something that happened today that they found much more amusing than I did. He said that he and Bondi were walking along and in front of them about 35 yards was a 250 pound bear! Keep in mind that he is finding this very amusing and I am freaking out while I'm on the phone with him! I didn't find this amusing at all- however Wade said that it was really neat to see a bear so close up. And the fact that they scared the bear, so it ran away was some form of comfort for me ( : But I was still freaked out for them when he told me that. he said in his protection he reached for his pepper spray and his camera! But the bear ran away rather quickly.Well, they had another good day hiking and enjoyed good weather and the great outdoors and hopefully no more bears. Thats about all of the update for now, but I'll keep yall updated as often as possible!Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 64.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Hey everyone. I've been hearing from Wade pretty consistently the past couple of days. He's been doing some pretty serious mileage daily, and has also had some allergies. He told me today that he was beginning to wear out some. They went from Hurricane Mountain Shelter then into Sugar Grove and stayed a night in a hotel. He caught up with Hot Tang and Mzungu and Uff-dah and earthbound there, and he siad that it was good to see everyone again. But they were all hiking backwards towards Damascus and were a ways behind him. After a night of good food and a bed they had a long day and hiked to the Knot Maul Branch Shelter. He stayed there and then they went on to Jenkins Shelter.He said that at Jenkins Shelter they got there and it was full, so he had to hang his hammock and everything was wet because the weather has been horrible. Over the past few days he's hiked in the sleet, hail and rain... I cannot imagine doing that. (It was hard enough for me in good weather!) Anyways, he said that it's been awhile since his last zero so he is looking forward to this weekend. His dad is driving up and he will take a zero and get some good food and laundry done and all that fun stuff! They have been averaging twenty mile days and have been past the 500 mile marker for a few days now. He also reached the 1/4 of the way through point the other day! So i know that was exciting for him! Well, thats about all the news i've got for today, hope yall are good!Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland VA.
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today Wade hiked from Jenkins into Bland, VA. He and Sea to Land got to the road crossing and both were feeling tired. His feet have been hurting from his new inserts and it's just been awhile since he's had some really great down time. Yesterday he did say that he was feeling pretty tired, hiking in the rain sleet and hail will do that to you, so it was good for him to go into to town! He said that they got there at about 4 in the afternoon and ate dinner at Dairy Queen. There was no laundromat, so he won't get laundry done until this weekend. Anyways, he's staying with Sea to Land in a hotel tonight and then they are back on the trail tomorrow morning! Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Bland VA.

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 34.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Wade was headed today to Doc's Knob Shelter... I don't know exactly where he slept last night, and when I asked him his response was that he was on top of some mountain, this makes my job interesting ( : Well after looking at the book I was able to make an educated guess? Please know that all my educated guesses (in every situation) come with a disclaimer lol because they are usually a little off... There was only one mountain listed in my book between the two places, but my definition of a mountain and the books definition became to completely different things after I hiked for a few days ( : But like I said, after looking at the book I'm going to guess that he slept at Brushy Mountain? But please don't hold me to this! Anyways, he sounded good today. He was walking when he called and was just hiking along towards the shelter. He was alone but said that it would probably be full when he gets there, but hopefully there will be enough room, that way he won't have to worry with putting up his hammock and all that fun stuff. Anyways, he's planning on passing through Pearisburg, VA tomorrow and then getting a ride North and hiking back down by Friday so that he can be there when his Daddy gets there. He is definitely excited about seeing his Dad and is looking forward to the good food and rest that he will get this weekend. It is time for some relaxation on his part! Anyways, hope yall are well, and know that Wade is doing fantastic! His determination is inspiring to me, and I know that his dream is slowly being fulfilled with each step that he takes.Catfish and Carolyn
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Catfish hiked a short day today. The weather hasn't been great, so he stopped at a hostel to spend the night and rest his feet. He's meeting his dad, Mamaw, and Aunt Jan in Pearisburg on Saturday for a visit, but will be back on the trail on Sunday.