morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-03
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: broken clouds

Very pleasent hiking today. Not to hot. Three from last night were only going to Hawk Mtn shelter. I stopped there for a snack. There was a guy there who said that the place was crowded last night. He was taking a zero day and said that he might take another one tomorrow since it was supposed to rain. 7 miles and already taking 2 days off. I take my zero days in town where I can get cleaned up and something to eat. I was figuring that Gooch was probably going to be full by the time I got there since this was probably the shelter to shelter crowd. I passed 5 people between Hawk and Gooch but that wasn't enough and sure enough Gooch was already packed. Rain was forcast to start after midnight so I found a good tent site. Three other guys from Stover Creek showed up, Zack, Hearts, and the Chairman, all good guys, and also tented. On my 2006 hike I did not have to tent but once half way through VA, and then once in PA, until the bugs got bad in NH and I tented every night the rest of the way. The shelter people knew each other and pretty much stayed to themselves and so did my little group. I'm surprised how fast separate tribes are formed.
Date: 2008-03-04
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Neals Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: moderate rain

It started raining about 0500. Just lightly, no significant wind. I packed up and went up to the shelter to eat under the overhang out of the rain. It was close to a mad house. Gear and food scattered all over and people bumping into each other. Hearts and Chairman went by and I left soon after about 0800. None of the shelter crowd looked like the would be ready anytime soon. It's about 12 miles to the next shelter so they would need to go soon or end up tenting somewhere along the trail. Well, not my problem. I passed Chairman soon after and we discussed how the hostel at Neal's Gap was likely to be full. He mentioned renting a cabin and I said I'd split one with him if he liked. He agreed. We should have planned more as you'll see later in this entry. I eventually caught up with Hearts, who was getting water. We passed each other several more times as we would stop to eat or whatever along the way. We made the climb up Blood Mtn together and thought it was about to stop raining. We stopped in at whats left of the Blood Mtn shelter and I took Hearts picture sitting on the steps for him. Its a shame that people have trashed this place so badly. I wish there was some way to move it down to Neals Gap or Vogel state park and restore it since it is so old, built by the CCC before WWII. About this time it started to thunder. I took off, Hearts stayed to check for a blister. The storm hit full force as I was going across the exposed rock north of the shelter. Very strong gusting wind and hard rain. I never saw any lightning so I guess the main body of the storm was a ways off. Glad it only lasted about 10 minutes. Hearts caught up with me soon after and we continued down to Neals together. The rain completly stopped as we walked. When we got to the gap the hostel was completely full so I told Hearts about the cabin plan I had with Chairman and then I remembered there were two different sets, one about a quarter of a mile east and one about 5 miles west. I wonder which one Chairman was talking about. I had no way to contact him so I called the closest, Blood Mtn Cabins, and he said that he had one for $50 a night for up to 4 people. That sounded good since we were kind of expecting Zack and Chairman. We left word at the hostel about where we were is they showed up. Somebody was taking orders for pizza to be delivered so we put in an order. Hearts and I checked in at the cabin which was real nice. Split the cabin even three ways it would be close to what you paid at the hostel and a lot more comfortable. The pizza arrived but no hikers.
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Neals Gap

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

I don't know what the temperture was this morning but there was ice on the deck. And real windy. I'm thinking that after a whole day of rain and then freezing weather more than the usual 20% will be quitting at Neals Gap. I got back up to the hostel about 0830 but found no sign of Chairman or Zack. Maybe they stopped at Woods Hole Shelter. Hearts was only going to Low Gap Shelter so I may have lost my little group of fellow hikers. Thst's the way it goes on the trail. You should always go at the speed you are comfortable with and not let others influence you. There's always somebody new coming along to meet. Hey, that might be a good philosophy for life in general. Weather starting clearing up and warming up about 1100. The rest of the day was good. Met a hiker from MN at Low Gap during lunch. She was drying a Shires Tarptent and said that she had had good success with it in snow. Good to know. There was only one other person at Blue Mtn and he was tenting so I had the shelter to myself.
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: heavy intensity rain

It started raining sometime during the night. Two guys stayed. The Wanderer was packing up to go when I left. Stopped for an early lunch at Muskrat Creek Shelter but my hands were too cold to work well so I didn't eat much. There were two other guys there eating who tented last night near the GA NC state line. Went on to Standing Indian shelter and was warm enough to eat and filter water. Wanderer caught up with me here. It was about 1430 and he was going to stop for the day. Rain finally stopped about 1700. Got to Carter Gap about 1800. I'm not sure how many people were there, they were coming and going and the overhang area was crowded with people fixing supper. It's a six man shelter but only 3 were sleeping inside. The rest either tenting or in a basement-like area under the shelter. I've caught up with another group. I went to get water and by the time I got back people were beginning to settle down so I was able to fix dinner without a lot of hassle. Another warm night but started to rain again. Back in 2006 I came by here about lunch time. It was cold and windy so I was looking for the shelter to get out of the wind. I spotted one on the right side of the trail and went over. As I got closer I saw that it was not only one of the old ones without a overhang but also the walls were leaning. I sat down right on the edge of the floor to eat but was ready to jump if it started falling. When I got back on the trail, I went about 50 yards and saw another shelter on the right. Turned out I stopped at the old Carter Gap shelter and the second one was the new one. I'm glad I wasn't planning to spend the night. Since then I always check the guidebook to make sure I'm at the right shelter. The old shelter is still there and still leaning.
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light snow

Started getting cold about 0400 and I zipped up my sleeping bag for the first time but did not use the hood. Later it stopped raining and started lightly snowing. Talking to another hiker in the shelter and she said she was probably going to switch to a 0 degree sleeping bag. I said it might be a good idea as there's likely to be some more cold weather before it gets warm for good. After a long day in miserable weather I like to know that I'm guaranteed to sleep warm. I'm having my 20 degree bag sent to Hot Springs but I don't know yet if I'll switch out, I'll check the forcast when I get there. I may just keep the 0 degree. I left about 0745 and was watching the ground to see if ice was forming. There's a bad weather route around Albert Mtn which has a good bit of rock. Someone had commented about going around before I left. I figured I would go over if it was just snow. Since it didn't get cold until dawn I didn't think the ground had enough time to get cold enough to freeze. That seemed to be the case as the exposed ground was wet and muddy, not frozen. I did the climb up Albert Mtn slowly but without any problems. Wet rock but no ice. And no views from the top because of clouds. Got about 2 inches total snow before it stopped around 1400. Very pleasent walking an easy trail alone in the snow. Five guys from Carter Gap cought up with me when I stopped at Big Spring Gap shelter for lunch. They took the bad weather route. Got to Winding Stair Gap about 1530 and called Ron Haven for shuttle to his motel. A guy in the parking lot said this truck thermometer said 29 degrees. Ron got there in about 15 minutes. Took a shower and went to what used to be a all-you-can-eat place behind the motel but is now a regular steak restaurant like Long Horns or Outback. Called Cody's Roadhouse. Good steak and a big baked potato. Got my clothes washed at the motel and cleaned up my gear.
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Winding Stair Gap

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

The end of my first week. The low was forcast to be 21 degrees in Asheville, NC this morning, probably a good bit colder at elevaton. Went to Hardee's for lunch, 1420 calories in their Monster Burger. With fries and a drink easily over 2000 in one meal for about $9. The most calories per dollar is what I'm looking for. Went to the outfitters and bought some new socks. I haven't been totally satisfied with my shoes although they are the same kind I wore in 2006 with no problems. All other gear is working well. Still haven't weighed my pack but it doesn't feel any worse than usual. Have already seen more north bound thru hikers than during my whole trip in 2006. I probably saw about 25 total in 2006. I saw more than that by the first night this time. So far I haven't met any real characters, just the usual beginners who think it's a good idea to learn about how to hike by walking 2000 miles from GA to ME. The Smoky's are coming up in a few days. Maybe something will come up there. 5 other hikers I met along the way have showed up here today.
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Franklin, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Started walking about 1000 after the shuttle from Franklin. Nice weather. At Burningtown Gap a guy named Apple had a giant Mountain Hardware geodesic dome tent, like you see at Everest base camp, set up and had drinks and hot dogs. I asked him about it and he said that he got it on sale for about $3000 and it weighed about 70 lbs. I was going to try to go farther today but after eating and drinking I was too full to walk fast so stopped early at Cold Spring. Another of the real old shelters in need of some work. The floor is not level and a little shakey, no broom to sweep the leaves out, and the bear cables still tore up just like in 2006. By myself tonight. The new socks seem to have done the trick. No shoe problems today.
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Picked up a maildrop box, a new fuel canister, and some Seamgrip at NOC. My water bladder has a small leak at one of the seams. I put a thin coat of Seamgrip on the seam and then covered that with duct tape. The repair worked fine. The shelter is a double decker. There were four thruhikers, me, and five spring break college students.
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: clear sky

Got up and started early to make it into Fontana today. Bad Hummus, and Kinati from Cable Gap and Franklin were eating supper when I got there, they left Franklin a day before me. Also Dr Smallpots (an archeologist) and Night Terror. Two other SOBO section hikers on Spring Break. Lots of room in one of the nicest shelters on the trail. I noticed that the street light with the on/off switch that used to be right outside the shelter had been removed.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Fontana Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Dr Smallpots is an early riser, even earlier than me, who starts walking in the dark to put in big miles. I heard later he made it to Siler Bald which is about 29 miles from Fontana. He was gone by 0530. A short day for me. After the long climb up from the lake I stopped as usual at Spence at about 1700. I passed Kinati about 1100. He was dragging today. Stopped at Mollies Ridge for lunch. Bad Hummus and a married thru couple from Georgia were there. Hummus was concerned about Kinati who still hadn't shown up when I left. Between Mollies and Russell I ran into a ridgerunner who I had met in Dec. 2005 putting up the tarp on the front of the Mollies Ridge shelter. The ridgerunner had told the couple that Spence was supposed to be full so they had set up their tent by the time I got there at 1700. I found a good spot for mine but didn't set up waiting to see is all with reservations actually showed up. At 1830 it was still just the 3 of us so I put my pad and sleeping bag in the shelter. 4 spring breakers showed up a few minutes later but they did not have reservations either. About 1905 4 teenagers came down the trail to the shelter asking if there was a good view. Turns out someone down in Cades Cove had told them there was and they had walked up the 5 miles +/-. There is no great view from the shelter. They had no gear other than sweat shirts. Knowing sunset was in about 30 minutes I commented that they might want to hurry back down. They said they had flashlighs. At this point the girl in the group was crying. A little before 2000 5 male spring breakers showed up who actually had reservatiions. Two of them were about dead. So the shelter was full but only 5 actually had reservations. By the time everybody was in bed there was gear scattered all over the floor, boots, gear, clothes.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

Started raining about 1000 and did so the rest of the day. No views due to clouds as seems to be common whenever I'm in this area. At Double Springs Gap Shelter ran in to two Alabama guys thru hiking together. No trail names but seem to be good guys. They are also going on to Mt Collins. Made it to the shelter late, crowded with gear and people but 4 spots left. I think there were 2 other thrus besides the AL boys but they were already in bed when I got there. Ice on the trail coming down from Clingman's Dome.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Thunder and rain again while I was in Icewater Spring Shelter eating lunch. At least I was under cover when it started. Just before I left 2 day hikers came in pretty well soaked. Heading back down to the parking lot (about 3 miles) after their lunch break. Off and on rain the rest of the day. After 2 days walking in the rain was concerned about my feet but no problems so far. On guy in the shelter when I got there and 1 more showed up later. After a rainy day it was good to be in a 14 man shelter with only 2 other people. An observation on trail maintenance, everyone responsible for a section of trail should walk it during or just after a heavy rain. Thats when you will learn where you really need to put water bars to get running water off the trail.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Tri Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Below freezing when I got up. Water soaked leather in shoes frozen. Cold, windy, and cloudy till about 1530 but no rain. Sun finally came out and warmed things up. Standing Bear Hostel is in a good location between Davenport and Groundhog Creek shelters. Lots of food to buy. Here's the scene when I got there in the late afternoon. Classic rock station blaring on the radio. Cases of beer scattered around. A half dozen bearded men sitting around a campfire. Add leather jackets and Harleys and you've got the beginning of a motorcycle movie. Dr Smallpots (who took a day in Gatlinburg) and Jax from last night showed up later. Smallpots and I went to bed early. The partyers finally came dragging in later. One could not find his sleeping bag without help. Only one of them thought to add wood to the stove but in the process decided the lever that controlled the airflow was in the wrong position so he pushed it all the way the other way which shut off the airflow so the wood would not catch fire. After he gave up and went to bed I got up and fixed it. None of this was a surprise after watching them around the outside campfire. Whenever the fire would die down they would add a cup of used cooking oil (which Standing Bear has an abundant supply of) which made the fire flare up but usually neglected to add any more wood.
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Walnut Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Good milege on a day with a lot of climbs. Got fairly crowded in the Max Patch Bald area. Good weather made for good views from the top. Walnut Mtn is one of those shelters I would avoid if I could but it just seems to be where I end up anyway. Very old and drafty. In 2006 snow was blowing in through the cracks in the walls. This year a strong wind was blowing straight in the opening. If someone could just move it down the hill toward the water I think the wind problem would be solved. I could just barely keep my stove from blowing out while fixing dinner. After going to bed I found the only was to keep the wind out of my face was to lay on my left side. After about 45 minutes of this I had had enough and got up and walked down the hill on the spring side of the ridge and set up my tent. Almost no wind at all there. After that I slept great.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Walnut Mtn Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The Alabama boys caught up with me during the morning and we passed each other several times during the day. Good to finally get to town and take some time off. I don't usually go this many days without a break but didn't want to do it this year in the Fontana area. I'm going to take 3 days here in order to delay my arrival in Damascus due to when my wife will be able to get there and pick me up. I like spending time here. I rented a cottage at Springbrook Cottages ($55 a night for single). Wayne at Bluff Mtn Outfitters no longer owns Cody House where I stayed last time and he suggested this place. It is real nice with a stream right out side the back door. Tonight I was having dinner at Smoky Mtn Diner when Smallpots came in with Elmer from Elmer's and a guy that worked there. They joined me and we had a very pleasant time. This is quite a difference from 2006 when I didn't have a town meal with another hiker until Duncannon, PA. This is a combined entry for my entire stay here. There is now cell phone service here if you have Verizon or US Cellular, no ATT, what a surprise. It has been my experience that ATT is not the service to have on the AT. The Smoky Mtn Diner now serves a pretty good pizza. It ony comes in large size though so you probably need to share or have a place to store it until the next meal. In my constant effort to perfect my hiking experience I spent quite a bit of time in Bluff Mtn Outfitters. Great service in a small town shop. The employees treat you like an equal, not like they're doing you a favor to share their knowledge with you. By the way, I decided to go ahead and switch out my sleeping bags and am going to continue with the 20 degree and silk liner.
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Hot Springs

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

A short, easy day out of Hot Springs. Got cell service at the base of the hill with the fire tower so I checked in at home. Coming down the hill to Allen Gap there was a sign posted advertising trail magic. I decided to check it out and it was well worth the side trip. Hercules and Fal, thruhike 1999, are providing plenty of food and drink, plus a place to stay. 4 other hikers and I are taking advantage of their kindness. I checked the mileage from here to Erwin and it still will work out that I get there on Tuesday only it will be in the afternoon instead of the morning. Plus I will stay at different shelters than in 2006.
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Allen Gap

To: Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

On the trail about 0900. Saw lots of hikers. At Jerry's Cabin shelter there were about half a dozen guys dressed alike. they were evidently a scout troop from Miami but I didn't see but one guy who looked less than 40. Maybe they were in a troop as kids and still hang out. Got to Flint Mtn a little before 1800. Thought I was going to be alone until 5 others showed up. I knew most of them.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Flint Mtn Shelter

To: Bald Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

It was about 20 degrees this morning. About 0900 it started snowing. Snowed off and on all day and into the night. Maybe 2-3 inches deep. There was still a fire going at Hogback Ridge shelter when we started pulling in for lunch. Two of us kept going to Bald Mtn. I was expecting others but there was a fire still burning at Hogback so I guessed the others called it a day. Probably a good thing cause Bald Mtn was full. There were fair views from the top of Big Bald but it was windy and cold.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Bald Mtn Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

About 20 degrees again this morning but the sky cleared up during the night. Turned out to be a good day with the temprature reaching into the 50's. Easy walk into Erwin. Saw the Alabama guys at Uncle Johnny's. They hadn't decided if they were going to leave that day or not. After I got to the Holiday Inn Express I found out that Hummis had foot problems and got off the trail somewhere, I guess I-26. 2 guys from Flint Mtn got a ride from I-26 to Erwin then slackpacked today. A guy from Bald Mtn hitchiked from Hwy 19 to Erwin. I ordered a pizza for supper, washed my clothes and got my gear cleaned up so I won't have anything to do tomorrow.
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Got to the trail about 0900. A short day today in order to set myself up to stay at Overmountain Shelter tomorrow. Nice warm day. After 7 miles ran into 4 members of what I later came to call Team Hitchhike resting beside a road. Team Hitchhike because of the way they would catch rides at road crossings in order to skip ahead. Frequently happens during bad weather or before a tough stretch of trail. 2 of them passed passed me a short time later but I passed them again when they stopped to picknick on Beauty Spot with some locals. Passed Unaka Mtn, always a highlight for me because of the darkness, moss and ferns. Got to the shelter about 1700. Over the next hour and a half 6 others trickled in and ate supper while they debated whether to go on or stay. When Green Blaze and Rosie got there they decided to stay and threw their stuff in the shelter. The last 2 had to tent.
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Big mileage day to get here. Overcast all day, a little drizzle around noon. cloudy and foggy on Roan Mtn. The usual tough climb up the south side of Roan. Fortunately no snow and only a little ice on the trail going down the shady north side. Weather cleared up some after Carvers Gap. Overmountain is a nice shelter, an old barn. Guide book says that it will hold 20 but I think you could easily get 40 in there. There were some locals there who had walked the few miles from a trailhead pulling a cart with a cooler and lanterns and stuff. Bad Hummus and Toddy Bear, who I hadn't seen in about a week were there. 2 others from Cherry Gap finally showed up. Started raining after dark.