morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-03-24
From: The Jump Up

To: Fontana Dam Village
Miles today: 0.0

Well here we are in Fontana Dam Village. Chris, (Finn), arrived At the marina 10 minutes before I emerged from the trail. It was great to see her and catch up on the latest at home. The more we talked, the more I miss home. It will be hard to see her leave in a week. Till then we will hike the Smokies together along with a co worker, her 10 year old son and Gary, her father. Excited about this next part of our trip. To here, it was a 12.8 mile day. Sorry about the mileage not being correct. I will need to work on it to correct it. Tomorrow we will only do 6 miles up into the National Park called the Smokies. We will hike uphill most of the day to the first camp ground we come to. It is Birch Spring Campground. It will be a tough grind so we'll start the newbies out slowly.
Date: 2017-03-25
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Birch Spring campground
Miles today: 0.0

After a great breakfast, Finn, I and friends from Wisconsin., started across the Fontana Dam and up into the Smokies. Sunny and warm day. It was a tough climb but all arrived at the campground about 4pm. We set up camp by the cree, ate supper and in bed by 8pm. That is hiker mid nite here on the trail.
Date: 2017-03-28
From: Russell Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Sadly, yesterday morning we had to bid farewell to our three companions from Wisconsin. Gary was not feeling well and they decided to hike back to Fontana Village for R & R. We will miss them. To help lighten their load, so they would have lighter packs to be able to cover mileage faster, Chris and I agreed to take their seven day supply of food with us which makes my pack a little heavier, but will feed us a few extra days on the trail.After our goodbyes, Finn and I walked to Russell shelter. We went over Rocky Top TN. and Thunderhead Mt. It was quite a climb. We arrived at Russell Shelter at 8 pm and was able to set up just as the rain started. We slept in today and left Russell at 11 am, and arrived here at Siler Shelter at 5pm. A good day to hike, after an all night rain. Trails were a little muddy, but not bad. It was a relaxing day. Tomorrow we will visit Clingmans Dome and then on to Mr. Collins Shelter. A distance of 8.7 miles. Will hope for nice weather while up on Clingmans Dome.
Date: 2017-03-29
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday was a gorgeous day. Sun was out and clear skies. We were able to see all around on Clingmans Dome. After spending an hour on the highest point in TN, (6634 feet), as well as the highest point on the AT, we were able to make it to Mt. Collins shelter by 7 pm. Had a great nights rest. Sometimes it's hard to get a message out if I don't have cell service at that location. For that I apologize. Here's a little up date.Monday night, Finn and I made it to Siler Bald Shelter. It was a little more arduous but we made it before dark. While there, a gentleman by the name of Attaboy, became quite ill. Park rangers were called, from the nearby town of Cheerokee, and two of them arrived at about 10 pm, after hiking 2 hours in the dark. They stayed at the shelter with the gentleman through the night. Next morning the rangers sent word out for a helicopter to air lift the gentleman to a near by hospital. We were able to assist to a small degree and then to watch an emergency evacuation. That army helicopter hovered JUST above tree tops as they lowered more personnel to help get the victim hooked up to be hoisted into the chopper. We hope and pray that all will be well with Ataboy. Let me tell you, we were literally hanging on a tree to prevent being blown away by the choppers rotors. While watching all the action, we failed to note that a huge piece of heavy metal covering the fireplace chimney was about to let go and come tumbling to the ground. Just before all this happened, I had asked Chris too come and help me stand still as I photographed the event. No sooner had she got to my side and that piece of metal came flying down right where she had been standing. Her angels were watching over her or the rescue crew might have had another passenger. That got our adrenalin flowing.
Date: 2017-03-30
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Finn has been doing great on this adventure so far. She has wanted to hike the Smokies for quite some time, and now she's doing it and she's doing great. I should call her the bionic woman with her knees. She had double knee replacement two years earlier in 2015. The views are extraordinary and weather has been exceptional. Today we hiked through a virtual fairyland. It was a spruce ecosystem, dark, damp and everywhere you looked you saw green moss covered logs. Even the smells were wonderful, as it reminded us of having a Christmas tree in the living room at home.Made it to Newfound Gap and decided to call it a day and go into Gatlinburg,TN. We also met Papa Choo Choo, Elysa Lynn and Trail Dancer who we had met a couple of weeks earlier at Wesser Bald tower. We new that they had planned to go into town as well and thought we could all go into town together. Finn and I waited a couple of hours till they came off the trail, and we were all able to secure a ride into town together in the back of a pickup. People that pick you up along the trail to give you help in some way are called Trail Angels.
Date: 2017-03-31
From: Newfound Gap

To: Icwater Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We got a ride back up the mountain from Gatlinburg to the parking lot at Newfound Gap. Only walked 3 miles this day from Newfound gap to Ice Water Shelter. Hiked with Papa Choo Choo, Elsa Linn and Spring Dancer. These three are very nice people, and after we joined up with them, we became the fab five. The night was rather fitful due to a couple of younger people who came into camp near dark. Because this shelter is a short hike from the Newfound Gap parking lot, it is easy for people to hike to this shelter and party with their friends. That is what happened this evening. One gentleman was totally drunk, to the point that all the other hikers were fearful of what he might do. After about an hour of boisterous activity he managed to throw up and finally fell asleep. Sorry about not able to blog, but we just didn't have much cell service. Now I will try to get back on track.
Date: 2017-04-01
From: Icwater Shelter

To: Asheville,NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

I will give you an update from the last week as I couldn't find cell reception in the Smokies. March 30, Finn and I spent a night in Gaiinburg, TN. After that we hit the trail on the 31, and did a nero of only 3 miles to Icewater Spring Shelter. On April 1st, we hiked 7.3 miles to Pecks Corner Shelter. Fog surrounds us all day. Still a good day of walking.April 2nd found us up early, before daylight, to hike 12.5 miles to Cosby Knob Shelter. This day was wonderful as the temp. was 70 and sunny. It was a long way to go, but made it into camp at 7 pm. Time only to set up camp, cook supper and go to bed.When we woke on April 3rd, we knew it was going to be a totally different day than yesterday. Elsa Lynn, of the fab five, was not feeling good. She was dizzy and weak. She wasn't sure she could hike that day to Standing Bear Hostel. After a little candy with sea salt in it, she began to feel better, so on we went. She did start to perk up after a while. About 9 am, it started to rain, and so we put on our rain coats, but not the pants. After all, it was just a little shower. Well that was about as far from the truth as it could be. The rain intensified to a downpour which lasted till 2 pm that afternoon. By then we were all totally soaked and so it was with our packs. Papa Choo Choo, Elsa Lynn and Spring Dancer went onto Standing Bear hostile, while Finn and I were scheduled to pick up our car at the ranger station, just outside the park, and we did. We headed to Asheville and the first motel that had laundry services.After a night to dry out, Finn and I went to visit some friends in town for two nights. That is where we are now. Tomorrow I will start hiking again from Davenport Gap to Hogpen Gap.This will bring everybody up to date and hopefully I can keep current from now on. Total miles since starting on March 4 th is 237.8
Date: 2017-04-06
From: Asheville,NC

To: Groundhog Shelter
Miles today: 8.7

After spending 3 nights off the trail, it was time to rejoin the hiker bubble. Charlie was a gracious host and a great cook. Not only breakfast but also great scrambled eggs in the morning. This morning, after breakfast, Finn brought me back to Davenport Gap, where we had finished on Monday after an all day soaker. We were able to regroup at Charlie's place. Wednesday Finn and I toured the Biltmore Estate. We saw it a year ago but ran out of time to complete our tour at that time, so another visit was necessary.Anyway, Finn dropped me off at 10:30 and I hiked 8.7 miles today in rain and snow to Groundhog shelter. The temperature has dropped to a cold, wet 30 degrees, with wet snow still decending upon the ground. While setting up camp, my gloves became very wet and laden with snow followed by the hands freezing. With my hands almost froze I was close to not being able to handle ropes and stakes to finishing camp setup. Finally camp is set and after jumping into my sleeping bag, I was able to warm up and then gathered water and prepared some mac and cheese. It's still raining and now it's past hiker midnight.
Date: 2017-04-07
From: Groundhog Shelter

To: Lemon Gap campground
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: snow

Had a great nights rest at Groundhog Shelter. Woke to about an inch of heavy wet snow blanketing my tent. Hard to get moving when it's comfy warm in my sleeping bag, and only 30 degree outside. Started hiking at 11am. After all the rain and snow last night, the trails were quite muddy and slippery this morning. If I slipped on the mud once, I'll bet I slipped a hundred times. Each time gives you a little adrenaline rush. Today was a long day but finally made it to Walnut Shelter by 7 pm, had supper and a good nights sleep.
Date: 2017-04-08
From: Lemon Gap campground

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light snow

After a nice relaxing nights rest, I woke at 7am, only to find my water bottle had ice in it. Temp was 28. After eating a bag of Fritos Corn Chips, I packed up and was on the trail at 8 am.Today's goal was to get to Hot Springs and a B & B called Sunnybank, run by Elmer Hall, who had hiked the trail in 1976. Heard nothing but good things about this old house now serving as a hiker hostel. Weather was excellent for hiking. Temp was 60 and sunny. About two miles into my hike, a hiker named Hudini, caught up to me and we talked all day. It made the miles go by and definitely helped on the long uphills. I arrived here in Hot Springs, NC. at 4 pm and immediately headed to a restaurant called Smoky Mt. Diner, for food and a coke. The special was a 10 ounce rib eye, smothered in gravy, onions and mushrooms. Tomorrow I'll take a zero and resupply. Also staying here at the B and B were Papa Choo Choo, Elsa Lyn and Spring Dancer, whom I met at Weser Bald and Fontana Dan. They also are from Wisconsin. Finn and I met up with them in the Smokies, and now we're taking a couple of zeros here in Hot Springs. Nice to see them again. My feet hurt a little after doing 14.4 miles today, but worth the pain to be here tonight. Looking forward to resting tomorrow.
Date: 2017-04-09
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today started out having a delicious pancake breakfast and then a short walk to the Bluff Mt. Outfitter, to resupply for the next week. Then across the street to do laundry. I actually can figure out how to wash clothes now. After that I had to go back to the B & B to put on clean clothes. Since I only have only one set of clothes on my back that need to be wash, I have to wear my rain gear to the laundromat while the clothes are washing. Some hikers took advantage of the Hot Springs and took in the spas in the area. Probably feels good on a body after being beaten up by the trail. Tomorrow I will hike out of town and try to make up some miles. Temperature Is suppose to be in mid 70s. perfect for a walk through the woods.I'm still struggling with getting images to show up in the AT app. I'll keep working on it.
Date: 2017-04-10
From: Elmers Sunnybank B & B

To: Spring Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I headed out at about 8:30, after a wonderful breakfast at the Blue Mt. Diner. Walked across the bridge over the French Broad River and then back to the trail. As usual, when ever you stay in a town or a shelter on the trail, when you get up in the morning, you will have to hike up hill right away. It's your morning warmup.Today I hiked to Spring Mt. Shelter and met many people on the trail. Some new faces, but many old friends I have seen before.It's always nice to be in town, but if one stays too long, they will want to call it quits and go home. For that reason one zero day is is usually enough before heading back to the trail. Someone left a camp fire without putting it completely out and as fate would have it, the winds picked up and started the nearby leaves on fire which quickly spread throughout the nearby forest. It had burned a large area that I walked through today. The firefighters were just putting out the last of the flames as I came through. They almost had to close that section of the trail. I made sure to thank the firefighters for doing a great job.
Date: 2017-04-13
From: Spring Mt. Shelter

To: Whistling Gap Campsites
Miles today: 45.5
Weather: broken clouds

Haven't had cell service for a few days so will catch up now. Left Spring Mt. Shelter on the 11th and hiked to Jerry Cabin Shelter. Distance was 15.9 miles. I will add total miles now to get the mileage log caught up at the top of the journal log.That day I crossed over Firescald pass. At the top you could see 360 degrees all around. Chris and I hiked here last year but could not see due to the fog. Beautiful view. Climbing the rocks to get up there was a little treacherous though. I met a couple called Papa John and Trail Princess and we climbed the route together. After that we hiked to Jerry's Cabin Shelter and made camp for the night.   April 14, Friday   Got up early yesterday to hike another 15.5 miles to Hogback Ridge Shelter. This was a nice, but long day as we didn't get in till 7 pm. I usually like to be in camp by about 6. Hike most of the day with Crocs, Papa Choo Choo, Elsa Linn and Spring Dancer. Have spotty service here so will see if this goes.
Date: 2017-04-15
From: Whistling Gap Campsites

To: Erwin,TN
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: broken clouds

Today is Saturday and it's been a while since I last posted. A lot has happened since my last post. We, Crocs and I, have hiked from Whistling Gap campground to Erwin, TN. yesterday. Total distance was 13.3 miles, and arrived at Uncle Johnny's Hostel and Outfitters around 3 pm. This is a well known hostel and outfitter in Erwin. First thing was an ice cold coke, followed by a Klondike ice cream bar and another coke. Next we called Cantarroso Farm for a pickup and ride to their place for a cabin to stay in for a couple of days. This place is like a Hostel with small cabins, shower, towels and a soft bed. Mike, the owner, decided to take mercy on our downtrodden bodies, and put us up in their house. I had the upstairs bedroom with a deck overlooking the Nolichucky River and its many rapids. After settling in, we were able to wash our clothes, and they definitely needed it's well as your bodies. After a wonderful hot shower, Mike gave us a ride to downtown Erwin, for a hearty pork platter supper, where we also met his wife Peggy. When supper was done, the four of us decided to take in a  movie called The Fate of the Furious. At first I thought I would fall asleep, after the day we had just put in, but not so. We enjoyed every minute of it. Crocs kept getting up due to leg cramps, but was able to enjoy the movie from the back of the theatre. So here we are now taking a zero day, relaxing by the river in zero gravity chairs.     Tomorrow, Easter Sunday, we will add to our adventure by doing a slack pack hike. That's where we will hike from point A to point B with only minimal supplies and spend the evening here again and then continue on Monday. We still cover the miles, but without a fully loaded pack. Seems to be the thing to do here in Erwin. All is well with the body except for a sore big toe on my left foot. I believe it is due to an ingrown toenail. Need to do some TLC on it. Will have it checked out when I come home. I'm planning on coming home near the first week in May. Hope to see many of you then.Mileage adds up like this: 13.6 to Whistling Gap campground plus from there to Erwin is 13.3 miles. Total should now be 342.7 miles.
Date: 2017-04-17
From: Erwin,TN

To: Erwin,TN
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

Easter Sunday found me getting up early to slack pack from Beauty Spot back to Erwin, TN. Peggy, owner of Cantarosso Farm where Crocs and I are staying, gave us a ride to the trail head after stopping at McDonald's for a quick breakfast. We started hiking at 9:30 am and arrived back here, at the cabin, at 3:30 pm. It's a lot easier walking without 35 lbs on your back and you can make pretty good mileage as well. It was 11.8 miles down the Mt. Once we arrived back at the cabin, we cleaned up and called our wives as we do have cell service here. Peggy made a delicious Easter meal and invited Croc's and I to join them with her mother to end a wonderful day. Today ( Monday, April 17 th ), Crocs and I decided to do one more day of slack packing. Both Crocs and I are nursing a sore foot. His foot has been dry and cracked on the bottom, where my problem is an ingrown toenail on my left big toe.We hiked from Beauty Spot Gap, ( that's where Crocs and I started yesterday morning and hiked south, down the mountain, to Erwin), to Iron Mountain Gap. A distance of 8.4 miles, only this time we hiked north. So we have covered a total distance of 20.4 miles in the last two days. We are now back at our little cabin in the woods, regrouping. I'm also soaking my foot in a warm water bath and Epson salt.Tomorrow Crocs and I will hit the trail again with fully loaded packs and continue on towards Maine.
Date: 2017-04-18
From: Erwin,TN

To: Ash Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up early and packed our packs for hiking today. Mike took us into town for one last good breakfast before hitting the trail.Arrived at the trail head at 9 am, and started north right away. As soon as we started to walk the rains came and we quickly put on our rain jackets which evidently is a good thing to do to stop the rain.After an hour we were drenched in our own sweat. Off come the jackets. What a relief. Just little drizzle off and on all day. Spring has definitely arrived here in the south. Flowers everywhere. Too bad it has to be a dreary day.Arrived art our campsite at 3 pm and setup camp just before the rains arrived. Glad to be in my tent and dry.
Date: 2017-04-19
From: Ash Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained all night, last night, but fortunately I remained dry nonetheless. Crocs had a restless night as his tent had a few holes and so leaked a little and most of his stuff got wet. We hiked 9.2 miles, to Overmountain Shelter, in the rain. We arrived here at the shelter about 3 pm just in time for the sun to come out. After drying my tent fly, I set up camp overlooking a beautiful valley. Was able to touch base with my brother, who had just finished with his bike trip dow in Birmingham Alabama and will swing by the AT, pick me up and together we will drive back to Wisconsin for a week of R & R. Also while home I will go up to our cabin in Northern Wisconsin and open it up for the summer. Also will put the dock in and boats, so that Chris will be able to enjoy the cabin during the summer while I'm gone.
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Roan Mt. and Hy 19E
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

An enjoyable evening was spent at Overmountain Shelter. I usually end up going to a shelter, because it has a water source, bear cables and a privy. I don't stay in the shelter itself, but rather camp outside the shelter. Generally there are a few camping spots that are level enough to pitch a tent on.  Also I don't have to worry about mice running over me as I sleep, which has been known to happen all the time in the shelters.Woke up at 6:30, to a nice view down the valley in front of my tent. Sun rise is about 7:15 am and the day will go till sunset at 8:30.As I was packing up my tent and backpack, in to camp walks Papa Choo Choo, Elsa Lin and Spring Dancer. Haven't seen them since Hogback Ridge Shelter. Nice they caught up to us so we can reminisce on our trip. We plan on hiking together for the next few days. That is one of the best thing about hiking the AT. You have a hiking family. Croc's is here also.
Date: 2017-04-21
From: Roan Mt. and Hy 19E

To: Wisconsin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

I was not able to finish my entry from yesterday, so will do that now as well as do today's entry. This image shows Croc's and I having a relaxing cup of water, while overlooking the valley below. This was taken at Overmountain shelter. Thurs, April 20th, was a typical day of hiking. We were on the trail at 9 am, after meeting Papa Choo Choo and company. Now our little band of hikers has grown to 6 people including me. We crossed a couple of big bald areas where there was nothing but tall grass and a few large boulders. You get on top of the Bald and can see 360 degrees all around. It would seem you could see forever. Coming down off the tops of the bald would be treacherous due to all the lose rock on the trail. Need to be careful not to sprain an ankle or do something worse. Needless to say the going was very slow.I had managed to touch base with my brother on, Wednesday, who had just finished biking the Natchez Trace bike trail and would be glad to swing by and pick me up, and both of us would ride home together. We both live in Wisconsin, so it was quite convenient to get a ride home with him. I will be taking a week off from the trail to rest my feet, have my ingrown toenail looked at, get hair and beard trimmed. After he picked me up at 4 pm, we drove to Roan Mountain State Park to camp for the night. To my surprise Val made a meal fit for a hungry hiker. Today, Friday, we drove 8 hours, and will spend the night in the hotel and arrive home in the afternoon on Saturday. I'm excited to see Finn and my puppy Bailee.
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Roan Mountain Hy 19E

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well we are back in Roan Mt.,TN.  Finn and I left WI. yesterday and took our time driving back to TN. We are now checked into a B and B for the night here in Roan Mt.Tomorrow Finn will start the long drive home after she drops me at the trail head. This website has changed since I used it last, so I will have to learn it all over again. I just got the last one figured out.