morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-04
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 18 - Wednesday, March 4, 2015 reportDad made the Double Spring Gap Shelter (196.5) after a 16.7 mile hike through snow and slush on the second day in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (30.2 miles in and 3.1 miles south of Clingmans Dome - at 6655 feet, the highest point on the AT.When we spoke on the phone, he was in high spirits, in the shelter along with Griswold, Tadpole, the Hiking Vikings, and a dozen college students from Northern Minnesota! They're packed in tight tonight, but that's one more defense against the cold - and everyone is great company. His left knee is completely healed. He says he had been praying like crazy, and knew it was 100% the moment he stepped out of the pickup that took him from Cabin in the Woods to the trail on Monday, March 2."Here's what the mountain threw at us today," he told me: they are hiking a trail along a ridgeline, ascending from 1700 to 6655 feet. You don't have to be especially good at math to figure out that's a fair slew of climbing. The trail is essentially a sluice - from 6-18 inches below ground level, and filled with snow, ice, slush, and water. In other words, it's a creek (when it's not a luge run).After reiterating that he knows what army he signed up for, Dad pointed out that since this adventure began, he has hiked 14 out of 18 days (waiting out snowstorms on the other four), and has had to hike through snow, sleet, ice-covered trail, or slush, for 13 of the 14 days of hiking. No complaints, mind you. Just sayin'. The NOBOs are due for a break (that's me talking).It won't come anytime soon. Tomorrow's forecast: 20-36, freezing rain and snow - and then on Friday, the temp drops to 0. And they won't get off the trail and into another hostel before Sunday. The Smokies are a long haul.Often, one side of a mountain will be covered with snow and ice, and the other face will be free of snow. Dad has fallen on the muddy trail twice today, he told me. But no harm, no foul, since mud provides a soft landing. After more than two weeks on the trail, he's got a "serious" appetite. Breakfast this morning: two boiled eggs and oatmeal (on the new stove). Good thing. to make the kind of mileage he's logging daily, he hikes from 8a to 5:30p.Stay tuned for stories about other AT hikers Dad has encountered on the trail: Stretch from Israel, and Smoke, who started Feb. 5, blew out his knee and spend 14 zeros in Franklin recovering, then hit it again, blowing past Dad earlier today. There's an appropriate trail handle.Tomorrow, Thursday, March 5, Lucky makes for Mt. Collins Shelter (6.3) or Icewater Spring Shelter (13.8), depending on the weather.
Date: 2015-03-04
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

Day 18 - Wednesday, March 4, 2015The Smokies through a new wrinkle at us today.Some of the AT is just a smooth, and flat, as the trail through your neighborhood park. But most of it is not. There are roots and rocks. In places, it's no wider than your shoes. And much of it is more ditch than trail, from a few inches to more than a foot deep. The trail often runs straight up a mountain and is badly eroded. And now, melting snow was rushing down the mountain, straight down the Appalachian Trail. When I could, I walked beside this slushy mess, or around it. And when I couldn't, I walked through it.Even so, all six of the NOBOs who had shared the Russell Field Shelter (179.8) last night made it to Double Spring Gap Shelter (196.5) ¢ a 16.7 mile mile hike through the snow and slush. And plenty of ice.Tough day, but it ended well. There were already 10 or 12 college kids from northern Wisconsin there when we began to arrive. They were section hiking the AT on their spring break. They welcomed us and moved over. Thank goodness it was a double decker. Their laughter and good cheer was like a warm fire for the heart.This shelter, unlike the last one, had a privy. There wasn't a line to use it either, because no one lingered inside, reading the paper or doing their nails.
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN Microtel)
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: snow

Day 19 - Thursday, March 6, 2015When the lawman slowed his car and pulled over beside me, I felt, well, relief. No. Elation. I was walking down US 441 toward Gatlinburg in blizzard¢like conditions. And now, in a few moments, I would be warm. Safe.The U.S. Park Service officer, Heath Soahn, rolled down the passenger side window, leaned over, and asked,"Where are the other four?"This has been the toughest day on the trail since I left Springer Mountain on February 15. Toughest by far. For most of the day, I had struggled up and down on icy, slushy ditch that's also known as the Appalachian Trail.Earlier that afternoon, it had just begun to snow when I spotted the hand-written note to taped to a post 1.7 miles south of Newfound Gap (207.3) ¢ and US 441.Griswold, Tadpole, and the Hiking Vikings had changed their minds about hiking to Icewater Spring Shelter (210.3 - how appropriately it was named). They were going into Gatlinburg to dry their clothes, get warm, get something good to eat ¢ and dodge a zero degree temperature night on the trail. Did I want to join them? Oh, Yes!I called and left a message saying I would be at Newfound Gap at three. I had no idea how far they were in front of me, or if they had gotten my message. I feared I would miss them and I did. When I arrived at the Gap, they were not there. What do I do now? The wind was howling and you could almost see the temperature is dropping. You could certainly feel it.Should I wait for Stretch? He might not even be coming. He might have stopped at the last shelter.Should I hike on to Icewater Spring Shelter (210.3)? Or should I hitch a ride into Gatlinburg?No contest there. I started walking down 441 toward warmth. It took me about 10 minutes to realize the highway has been closed due to severe weather conditions ¢ not a single vehicle appeared from either direction.Well, in for a dime, in for a dollar. I'd walk to Gatlinburg. I did not know exactly how far it was, but it couldn't be that far. Could it? I had been walking in the driving snow for almost an hour when the law arrived, looking for my friends.Turns out they were back at the Gap. They had taken refuge in a heated bathroom that I had not noticed.Long story made short. All five of us shared a suite at a hotel in town ¢ 12 bucks each ¢ and that night we went out to eat together. I had ribs, and ice cream for dessert.And, exactly how many miles was it to Gatlinburg? Seventeen, the officer told me.
Date: 2015-03-06
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN Microtel)

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

Day 20 - Friday, March 6, 2015The bad news: Griswold is going home for a few days, to take care of the home fires while her husband is away on business. She'll be back soon.The good news: I bought some MICROspikes today! I can hardly wait to get back to the trail tomorrow.The road back to Newfound Gap was closed this morning, but is open now. This has been a much¢needed zero day, to dry out, eat a ton calories ¢ find some spikes ¢ and rest.The Yaktrax I bought at Neel Gap on February 18 were helpful ¢ they allowed me to get moving again. But they won't stand up to the kind of abuse the AT hands out. They're perfect for walking down your ice¢covered driveway to get the newspaper. But hiking the AT tears them up, and quickly too.Got reacquainted today with Gator, a man I met briefly at Neel Gap. He's making videos of his trip, which you might like to see. And you can: YouTube - Gator Miller.
Date: 2015-03-06
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 20 - Friday, March 6, 2015Good talk on the phone tonight. The plan is to head out tomorrow, Saturday, March 7, and make for Tri-Corner Knob Shelter (222.9). Weather forecast: 25-32 - chance of rain. On Sunday, Dad plans to hike to the northern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, either hanging his hat at Davenport Gap Shelter (237.7 and still in the Park), or hitting the I-40 underpass (240.5) and the Standing Bear Farm.In case you're wondering about the FAQ translation...Q. Are you hiking alone?A. yes, 95% of the time. But at night, at a shelter or hostel or in town, I am with friends I've met on the trail.Q. Are you losing weight?A. Yes. My guess: 10 pounds plus.Q. Got blisters? How are your knees doing?A. No blisters. My knees are fine. The knee I injured on Blood Mountain, on day two, is healed. The tips of my fingers and toes are still numb, but they're not getting worse. And they look OK. The frostbite sores on my ear and fingers have healed.Q. What are the other thru-hikers like?A. One word? Terrific. I've met a couple of bad apples, but the overwhelming majority would make good next-door neighbors.Q. Are you having fun?A. Absolutely.And here are a couple that didn't make the list Dad wrote out and emailed me today:Q. How many hours do you hike a day?A. From just after eight to just before five, typically 8-10 hours each day - mostly two to three hours between breaks. That's what it takes to get to the next shelter before the sun goes down. There are intermediate shelters, but I get to them too early in the day to stop (it's very cold when I stop - hiking keeps me warm).Q. What are the two most amazing things about thru-hiking the AT so far?A. The first is how quickly I've formed friendships - there's something about shared hardship and the camaraderie at the end of the day. The second is how you never know what's going to happen from one hour to the next - you don't make plans on the AT, you roll with it, ready to pitch a tent on a frozen patch of trail or hitch a ride with a Park Ranger and enjoy a feast in Gatlinburg with your friends.Q. Does your son have trouble reading your handwriting?A. No. We're cut from the same cloth.
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 21 - Saturday, March 7, 2015From worst to best ¢ what a difference 48 hours can make.Thursday, My third day in the Smoky Mountains, was the toughest day I've spent on the trail, by far. Ice, snow, slush, and after that ¢ it got worse.And today? Today was the best yet.I am in love with my MICROspikes. I didn't try to avoid ice ¢ I looked for ice. I lost count of the number of times I fell on Thursday. Today I didn't fall, not once. And for the first time since I left Springer Mountain on February 15, I felt the sun warming my body. This is the way hiking can be, will be one day soon.The first three days in the Smokies, the fog was so thick you could almost hold it in your hand. Today the sky was blue and clear. The views were spectacular.Eddy's father, Joe, hauled us from the motel in Gatlinburg back to Newfound Gap, where we has been wrong off the trail Thursday by yet another winter storm. There were six NOBOs in the pickup - Eddy and the Hiking Vikings in the front, and Tadpole, Gator, and me in the back. The young guys let me sit in the middle.Thanks to the spikes, the hike, 15.6 miles to Tri¢Corner Knob Shelter (222.9), was uneventful.Now that we are almost out of the Smokies, and don't have to stay In shelters, this may be the last time I see Tadpole and Gator for a while. They plan to push ahead, begin doing 18 and 20 mile days and then hanging their hammocks wherever they happen to run out of gas ¢ or daylight.
Date: 2015-03-08
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday, March 8, 2015Dad made Tri-Corner Knob Shelter (222.9) last night, Saturday, March 7, and Davenport Gap Shelter (237.7) this afternoon. He's nine tenths of a mile from exiting the Smokies, and 36.7 miles from Hot Springs, NC, where he plans to arrive on Tuesday night (two days of hiking).He sent the following email last night (I didn't receive it until this evening):Made it. Best day of the entire trip. Microspikes worked wonderfully well. I went LOOKING for ice so I could kick its bottom. The Hiking Vikings and Tadpole are with me. I'm pleasantly tired, and happy. I headed for the Davenport shelter tomorrow. That's only 0.9 miles from the northern boundary of the Smokies. Love, DadTonight we spoke on the phone a little bit. Dad said yesterday was the best day of hiking he's had, and today was better than that. The MICROspikes are doing well, although he needs them less and less and he descends out of the Smokies (he's only wearing them 10% of the time).He's in the shelter with the Hiking Vikings, Eddy, a thru-hiker, and her father, who is section hiking with her for a few days.
Date: 2015-03-08
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light snow

Day 22 - Sunday, March 8, 2015Today was better than yesterday, if that's possible. Is winter in the mountains over? Well, no, but we are finally getting a break.Lots of ice in the morning, which my spikes easily handled. But by mid¢afternoon, as I began descending from several 6000 foot peaks to less than 3000 feet, the snow and ice almost disappeared from the trail. I took my spikes off.We camped at Davenport Gap Shelter (237.7) - the Hiking Vikings, Eddy, her father, Joe, and me ¢ just inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park northern boundary.A section hiker who calls himself Verminater also slept at the shelter, where he set a number of traps to catch mice. On an earlier trip, mice had chewed holes in his gear, looking for food. In response, Verminater declared war on all shelter mice, killing as many as he could. I figure he's reduced their population by, oh, 1%, maybe.By the way, this shelter had a metal fence across the front to keep the bears out. And, oh yes, we kept the door locked.
Date: 2015-03-09
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: light rain

Day 23 - Monday, March 9, 2015Woke up first this morning and, though no one else was stirring, I knew it was time to get up and get moving. It was almost light outside the shelter. I unzipped my bag ¢ it was cold ¢ grabbed my headlamp and checked the time. It was 3 AM. The light that had aroused me had come from an almost full moon.We usually get up before sun up, dress, make a quick breakfast ¢ oatmeal, pop tarts, Carnation instant breakfast mix (my favorite) and began packing our backpacks, all by headlamp. We try to move out at first light.Today would be difficult. I wasn't sure I could do what had to be done. I wanted to get to Hot Springs, and a hostel named Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, by Tuesday night. To do that, I would have to hike 18.7 miles today and 18.0 tomorrow. Both hikes would be near the outer edge of what I think I can do (at least for now). Most of the snow and ice were gone, which helped more than I can tell you.
Date: 2015-03-10
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs (Elmer's Sunnybank Inn)
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 24 - Tuesday, March 10, 2015I hiked 18 miles into Hot Springs, arriving at 5 PM. I averaged 2 miles per hour, Including all stops ¢ the best pace yet.Why?In Hot Springs, waiting for me, was:A hot showerClean clothesPizza and ice creamA comfortable bed.That's a lot of motivation, but the real reason was the favorable terrain. After two tough climbs in the morning, it was downhill most of the way.Had supper with the Hiking Vikings, and saw Slow Man in town. He is pretty slow but he keeps after it, sort of like me. Also saw Tadpole, so we've caught up, temporarily at least.Got to get up early tomorrow, go to the store and resupply. Got to get moving. Got to go to Maine.
Date: 2015-03-11
To: SKYCOM
Miles today: 0.0

We're back on track with the blog entries. Had some connection issues and got an avalanche of stuff today. Took several hours to transcribe and upload everything tonight. Dad left Hot Springs this morning and made it to Spring Mountain Shelter (285.4), which is a short (for him!) 11 mile jaunt through a steady drizzle all day.It rained Tuesday as well. But as it's 45, none of it becomes snow or ice.The plan is to make Erwin, Tennessee (342.9) by Sunday, March 15. That means a couple of 15 mile days, followed by a couple of 13 mile days. The shelters don't exactly work out, so he plans to tent Saturday night.His pack is so stuffed with food, "you couldn't fit an extra Tootsie Roll in it." He's got his appetite back, but not before dropping 22 pounds in 24 days. The "base weight" pack weights 20 pounds. For a five day stretch, he's carrying 10 pounds of food, or two pounds per day, plus extra winter gear and water.He says he's hungry all the time now. When he spoke with me on the phone after arriving in Hot Springs, he said, "I feel pretty good. I'd feel better if I got 1500 calories in me, which I intend to do."Dad told me about two of his Trail rules:1. Respect the weather.2. Don't catch up; don't stay up - hike your own hike.Dad says he's had a lot of time to think on the trail, mostly hiking alone. To pray. He talked a little bit about Virginia coming up. "Virginia is a tough state: 500 miles of trail - you get sick of it before you get through it."He said he's heard that around a quarter of AT thru-hikers hang it up in North Carolina (another quarter by Harpers Ferry). And what are the odds that Lucky will stop short of Katahdin?"Not a chance in Hell."
Date: 2015-03-11
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 25 - Wednesday, March 11, 2015Easy day today, 11 months, mostly in the rain, from Hot Springs to Spring Mountain Shelter (285.4). Four of us in the shelter ¢ the Hiking Vikings, 0311, and me. Those of you who have served in the Marines will recognize 0311's handle ¢ it is the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) for infantry, basic rifleman. 0311 got out of the Marines last July.Two main reasons for hiking only 11 miles: One, the weather was lousy and to reach the next shelter, we would have had to hike another 8.4 miles or a total of 19.4. Why not hike, say, 15 or 16 miles and sleep in my tent? Because it's a mess putting up and taking down the tent in the rain.Two, breakfast at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn wasn't served until 8:30, so all of us got a later than usual start. I weighed at Elmers ¢ 185 pounds fully dressed, with hiking boots. That means I weigh about 180 with no clothes, compared to 202 the day before I left for Springer Mountain, Georgia.Down 22 pounds in 25 days. If I keep that up my pack will way more than I do by the time I get to Maine.I'm trying to eat more. At least, now, I have an appetite. When I resupplied in Hot Springs, I bought some fun food along with staples. Two apples, peanut brittle, Hershey's chocolate, almonds, bagels, Cheetos, and hard candy.I've stayed in five hostels and I think I'll rank them for the benefit of those who are just starting their thru-hike.Five stars*****Top of Georgia: new, clean facility. Beautiful living room to sit and visit. Friendly, outgoing hosts. Free shuttle to Hiawassee and back to the trailhead.*****Cabin in the woods. Mostly same as above. Supper and breakfast was not billed as "all-you-can-eat" but that's what they were. And good, too. Peach cobbler for dessert.Four Stars****Elmer's Sunnybank Inn: Best thing about this place ¢ a private room for 20 bucks. Beat that. Breakfast was family style, around a table, with lots of good conversation. And there was more food than, collectively, we could eat.Two Stars**Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap: this is the place I told you about earlier where it was so cold inside the hostel, that the water froze and the dog's bowl. But I like the people and they let me sit for hours in front of the fire at the store next to the hostel.One Star*Nantahala Outdoor Center: One small room, six bunks, virtually all floor space taken up with packs and gear. No place to sit and talk. Nor anything else. Not even a towel for a shower. I do want to make a correction. I reported earlier that the shower was two blocks away. On reflection, I don't think the shower was much more than a block and a half away. So it only seems like it was located in another ZIP Code.
Date: 2015-03-12
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 26 - Thursday, March 12, 2015What a difference a week can make. One week ago today Mother Mountain ran me ¢ and my hiking partners (Griswold, Tadpole, and the Hiking Vikings) ¢ off the trail and into Gatlinburg to dodge yet another winter storm.And today? This afternoon, for the first time, I hiked in a T-shirt. Taking a line from "Private Benjamin," ¢ THIS is the army I joined!I'm eating a lot more than I did earlier in the hike. Today for lunch: bagel with mayonnaise, cheese and summer sausage! Yum! I'm carrying AWOL's guidebook which shows you the change in elevation. But the book can fool you. This afternoon's hike looked flat, or nearly so. It looked like cake. But it wasn't, because it was along the top of a rocky, uneven in the extreme, ridge. Wonderful views all around, but the hike was slow going. No cake. More like porridge.Talked to my wife, Donna, and we have agreed to meet in Erwin, Tennessee on Sunday evening. That's only 42 miles from Jerry Cabin Shelter, where we stayed tonight. Can't wait!Met another NOBO today, an old guy named Elf. He was traveling with another guy named Claus. Both had long beards. Made me feel a little inadequate.
Date: 2015-03-13
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Day 27 - Friday, March 13, 2015It was tough today. It rained off and on, hard sometimes. Cold. And wind gusts that exceeded 30 mph.I made an idiotic mistake which cost me an hour and 45 minutes and caused me to climb and enormous hill needlessly. Oddly enough, I think this is the day I became a hiker. And then I wasn't. All in the same day.Here's the story.I missed a left-hand turn at a T¢intersection. And kept walking downhill on a nice, even trail.Didn't I notice the absence of the white blazes that mark the AT?Well, yes. But, sometimes, the blazes are really close together and, sometimes, it seems to me, they can be a quarter a mile or more apart. So I kept going.I was trapped by one of my own rules: In for a dime, in for a dollar.So when did I wake up? Give up?When I got to the bottom, And I saw an orange sign with black letters: "No trespassing." Definitely not the AT. Nothing to do but turn around and start back.From here on this story gets worse, much worse. If you're squeamish, stop reading now. Okay, here goes.It took me 860 left feet (when I climb, I count the number of steps I take with my left foot) to reach the T-intersection I missed on the way down.And then I kept climbing ¢ 980 more left feet. Finally! Finally I reached the top and started down the gentle slope on the other side. Then, about 20 minutes later, I stopped dead in my tracks. Surprised. No, stunned! There was a gravestone, surrounded with plastic flowers, I had passed earlier that very morning.How could that be? How?I'll tell you how. I was hiking south on the AT. I had missed the turn again!I guess that's when I became a hiker. Because I turned around and pinned my ears back. Hour after hour, I attacked. By day's end, I had hiked over 18 miles.And then my hike ¢ my whole hike ¢ was threatened by a physical problem I have not previously shared. No need to. I had been to a doctor twice before I began - the last time only six days before I left for Springer Mountain. He couldn't find anything wrong with me.The problem ¢ will which I will describe in full when I get the answers next week ¢ has been getting worse each day. By mid-afternoon, I was forced to stop every 100 left feet or so and let the pain subside.I decided them to leave the trail tomorrow and get some answers. If it's fixable, I'm going to get it fixed. And then I'll be back.I cannot begin to tell you how much it hurts to go home, even for a day.