morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-02
From: Neels Gap to Chattahoochee Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.6

The rain ended just after midnight last night. It had sidelined me for a day but I feel rested and was able to hike over 15 miles for the first time since the 1st day.This is all in spite of the slight hangover I had this morning. Cornbread had invited me up to the employee quarters to watch ESPN and I ended up having half a dozen Newcastles with he and Alpine! I was once again amazed by people's graciousness. I listened in as the employees and some AT vets told stories of some of the funny things they've seen at their hostel (Walasi-Yi) and on thru hikes of their own. I had to turn down a late night southern breakfast of biscuits and gravy, eggs and bacon so I could get some sleep.All that seems miles away (I guess it is) as I lay in my tent in the deep woods of the Georgia Hills. I have 7 days of food to get me 76 miles to Franklin, NC. I'm hoping to do it in 5 1/2 days. I will have my work cut out for me as this is my first big challenge. I'm at the point to where I'm not sure I'll be doing this with anyone else. Sure there will be days I'll be around other hikers in town and at hostels, but I'm alone at night as I hike further than everyone I've met along the way. This trip is bound to be full of surprises though, as I never know what's around the corner. 15 miles again tomorrow?
Date: 2007-03-03
From: Chattahochee Gap to Swag of the Blue Ridge

To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.3

March 3, SaturdayAbout 13 1/2 miles today. Blue Mt., Rocky Mt. and Tray Mt. took a lot out of me and 15 miles was just too far a goal. No big deal as long as I stay on pace to get to Franklin, NC, by Wednesday. I could reasonably sleep on the Georgia/North Carolina border tomorrow night, which is kinda cool.I like the name of the ridge I'm sleeping on - Swag of the Blue Ridge! I'm not sure why it's called that but it's unique. Speaking of names, I'm struggling with "Daisuke" as a trail name and came to the conclusion it needed shortening and simplifying. So it's now "Dice". It's more nicknamey. So there it is. Other candidate names were Boston or ESPN, Ha! Ha!Listening to sports radio as I lay in my sleeping bag and I just heard the Celts won yesterday and the Patriots signed Thomas as a free agent linebacker! I can't spell the guys first name but I remember liking him with Baltimore.It's very cold and windy now. I'm looking forward to warm nights but I know that's still a ways off. Not to mention the longer day.
Date: 2007-03-04
From: Swag of the Blue Ridge to Rich Cove Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Sunday, March 4thIt was cold all day and now at night it is colder. There is so much I want to write about but my hands will not allow it, but the one thing about today was the gift left 20 yards before US Rt. 76 - A box of Krispe Kream glazed doughnuts and 7 cans of Coke. Trail magic from Sharkbait - AT class of 2000. I had dreamt of french fries all morning but this was just as good. Thank you Sharkbait. The doughnut and Coke were finished within one minute! It made my day.
Date: 2007-03-05
From: Rich Cove Gap to Carter Gap Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.3

Monday, March 5th17 1/2 miles today! My longest yet. Indian Mountain was big as were a couple of the smaller mountains when I first crossed into NC. But the weather was nice and the trail smooth so I pushed myself the last 6 miles. I met Fedex Guy, CB and Mean Joe today. At the shelter CB and Mean Joe had the same plan as I to stay in Franklin. So we're going to meet up at Rock Gap for the night and walk the 3 1/2 miles to US 64 and hitch into a motel together. I'm sore, but feel good and a night in a bed with a shower will help me.
Date: 2007-03-06
From: Carter Gap Shelter to Rock Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.1

Tuesday, March 6thToday's big challenge was Albert Mountain. A very difficult 1/2 mile to the summit was the hardest climb yet. Clear day with lots of views.I hiked most of the day with Fedex. Talking as we hiked was nice after days of being alone. He's pushing on through and I'm sitting here at Rock Gap Shelter alone when an old timer, without a pack, comes around the corner smoking Winstons. He is Night Stalker. He likes to poke his head in the shelter now and then to B.S. with the thru hikers and we exchange stories. I now know some of the people out here so I recognize the names. He asks about Cornbread and Pirate at Neels Gap and I tell him they're doing well.It's 4:00 and I want to walk more but told CB and Mean Joe we'd meet up here for the night so we could go into town together in the morning. It's nice to sit a while and write. All I've really done is hike, eat and sleep for 5 days so the change is reviving....as I was writing at Rock Gap, Night Stalker comes back around the bend with someone else. He is Crutch, a vet thru hiker who shuttles hikers from Franklin to trailheads and back for resupply or a night in town. He has a Red Sox hat on and I take it as a sign. I leave a note for Mean Joe and CB and head into town a night early for a 2 night stay at the Haven's Budget Inn. (A hiker hotel). Crutch talkes to me extensively about the trail and it's meaning to the people who care for it. He is hiking his 5th thru hike this season. It's obvious he is one of the many special people who make the AT what it is.It's late, I've made many phone calls, ate a lot of pizza and watched a lot of TV. I should be sleeping. I'm in a king size bed, its warm in the hotel room and Crutch is taking all the hikers to a great diner for breakfast at 7am. I might sleep in though - tomorrow is a zero day and my errands can wait til the afternoon. Thinking of my friends and family constantly. Don't worry about me. I'm well taken care of here and enjoying the southern hospitality.
Date: 2007-03-07
From: zero day at Haven's Budget Inn

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wednesday, March 7thWent to breakfast with Crutch, Night Stalker and a Georgia hiker, Castonettes. I grabbed the bill and paid for everyone's meal. Finally being able to repay some of the generosity.Doing my laundry and buying supplies. Not much else other than resting my feet. I have the next two weeks planned to get me through the Great Smoky National Park and on to Hot Springs. Looking forward to it all, but for now, I'm fine watching the 1st round of the Big East tournament.
Date: 2007-03-08
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Bald
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Thursday, March 8, 2007 Day 11Thank you to Ron Haven and his staff at the Budget Inn in Franklin, NC. Ron is one of a kind. I'll never forget being escorted around town, with the other hikers staying there, in Ron's Yellow Short School Bus. I hadn't been in an old school-school bus since I was a kid. Ron himself brought us to the grocery store, outfitters and anywhere else people wanted to go.Today was back on the trail. Summiting Silver Bald and Wayah Bald has taken its toll on my knees and feet. I don't feel like I took a zero day at all yesterday as I lay in my sleeping bag tonight. Sleep should help, but it was a rough day. Looking to stay at the Hike Inn at Fontana Dam then straight through the Smokies and to Standing Bear Farm at Davenport Gap. It's so easy to make adjustments in the itinerary, but you must make some plan for the upcoming 2 weeks so you can keep pace with your supplies.Today was hard, tomorrow more of the same...
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Wayah Bald

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Friday, March 9, 2007 Day 1216 miles stomping up and down the mountains of North Carolina took less of a toll on me than the previous day. But, I'm still beat and tired. Tomorrow is a huge challenge, 8 straight miles of uphill. Tomorrow I will cross the Nantahala River, early in the morning, at an elevation of 1,750 feet. The lowest of the trip so far. Last night I camped over 5,000 feet and tomorrow night I hope to do the same. I do like the fact that it is a little warmer downin the valley. It's noticeable.I am alone on the trail again. Several people are two days ahead of me and I think several are one day behind me. I only saw a couple of volunteers for the ATC, painting blue blazes near a shelter. I've seen a few other volunteers doing maintenance on the trail, and I do what I always do when I see one. I say: "Thank you". I know it makes their day to hear it. They love caring for the trail, but they deserve to hear your appreciation for their hard work. None of them are receiving wages. It is through the tireless efforts of these people that his hike is free and safe. Besides, they love to talk to a hiker for five minutes- find out where they're from, how their hike is going. It's usually an old timer and they've been our here doing this for who knows how long. God Bless.
Date: 2007-03-10
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 8.9

Saturday, March 10, 2007, Day 13I ended my day early today on purpose. It was (1) the 8 miles uphill, (2) the fact that I did two lengthy days previous, (3) the fact that the mountains of North Carolina don't offer a lot of space for tenting and it could have been 6 more miles before I could have come across another place. I crossed the Nantahala River early this morning where the Nantahala Outdoor Center is set. A huge hiker-kayaker mecca. I was immediately chatted up with a guy who is thru hiking next year and doing a section this spring. I was psyched to get a real cup of coffee to go at the diner. There were cabins for rent and an outfitter located in the middle of nowhere. I guess it's called Wesser but it doesn't have a post office or anything really. It's simply known as the N.O.C. to hikers. I laugh as I arrive there as Ron Haven hops out of a van in the parking lot. A couple of thru hikers: Sardine and Noodles, were watching for Ron to hand deliver a new pair of boots to Noodles who had some foot problems. I told you Ron was one of a kind. Franklin is 45 miles away. He wishes me luck again and I promise to send him a picture of me on Katahdin for his photo wall at the hotel.Today was hard, but not that bad. I know there are many more miles like this left. But for now, it's Saturday night, Prairie Home Companion is on NPR and it's daylight savings tomorrow.
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sunday, March 11, 2007 Day 14I woke up on top of a mountain enveloped in fog. By 11 o'clock it had burnt off and it was another great day in the 60's.Had trouble finding water this morning. There were two dry springs on my decent of Cheoah Bald only to find a 3rd dry spring at the parking lot off NC143. A guy I had chatted with briefly while he let his dogs out of his vehicle for a quick walk saw me putting my pack back on. Knowing I had found no water he runs over to his truck and hands me a bottle of Ocean Spray Raspberry water."What's that 'B' on your hat?" he asks. "Oh, that's the Boston Red Sox" I reply. He pulls the water back with a smile. "Didn't you see my license plates?!" Of course....The Empire State, New York. We laugh about it, and I promise to go the rest of the day not saying anything bad about the New York sports teams. He agrees and I pound the bottle of water (warm raspberry water), it's delicious. Score another point for humanity.I am a bit worried about the amount of poison ivy I've seen since the N.O.C., especially today. If I get a bad case it might knock me off the trail, as I'm highly allergic to it. I just hope to see less of it and stay vigilant about avoiding it along the edge of the trail.Tomorrow night a bed, a shower and some real food before I make the 4 1/2 day run through the 72 miles of the Great Smokey Mountains.
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

Monday, March 12, 2007, Day 15Easy day, then to the Hike Inn where Jeff and Nancy Hoch have run their hiker hotel for 15 years. I was able to take in a good Mexican meal at a nearby town where I also resupplied for the next 70 miles. I met Diablo, a thru hiker from Minnesota and Justin and Sarah (no trail names) from Long Island. It was while I was there that afternoon that Jeff was out to locate a thru hiker whose grandfather has passed away and to get a hiker off the trail with a torn calf muscle. Jeff also had an extensive Native American Artifact collection from all over the south, all items he found himself. I watched television with Catzilla, a Maine Coon Cat, that wandered into my room, and had a relaxing day and night.There were no sports on, and that kinda sucked as it is so great to see a game of any kind when you come off the trail.
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Tuesday, March 13, 2007 Day 16This is the first night I've slept in a shelter. I'm with the same three I was with yesterday. You're required to stay in shelters in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, so it's kinda strange. Most people use them, I and several others prefer to tent where we please. Some shelters in the GSMNP are enclosed with fences to keep the large bear population out of the shelters. Ha! Ha! To be honest I've been more freaked out by the wild boar stories - they look like monsters.The Smokies are amazing though. The forest here is everything it was built up to be - it looks very different than where I was 20 miles ago. The trees have personalities, it is a very special place and I'm looking forward to the next 60 miles - especially Clingman's Dome.
Date: 2007-03-14
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

March 14, 2007, Day 17Today was amazing. 19 miles in the Smokies. Sleep now. Tomorrow I summit Clingman's Dome for a sunrise. We have hiked to a shelter 3 miles from the summit. The alarm is set for 4:30 am.
Date: 2007-03-15
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: broken clouds

Thursday, March 15, 2007 Day 18The alarm went off at 4:30 am. Myself, Diablo, Snakebite and Ansel all hop out of our sleeping bags and begin packing while 10 others in the shelter continue sleeping. It was dark and very foggy. The hike up to the largest mountain in the park for a sunrise was difficult but manageable as the fog allowed little visibility. We made coffee in the observatory tower as the sun came up. We were enveloped in thick clouds.For the rest of the day we hiked 21.2 miles total, a day after hiking 19 miles! Over 40 miles in 2 days. And it was amazing. The Smokies are protected for a reason, there is no place like it on earth, it is the 3rd most popular park after Yellowstone and Yosemite. The reasons are obvious to me now as I am in awe of it's features and brilliance.Thank you to the day hiker yesterday who gave me carrot sticks and strawberries and the old man today who gave us all the food out of his camper for lunch, especially the iced tea.I am with a great group of hikers. Diablo, has been great company and 3 younger hikers (20, 21) Snakebite, (who is a better hiker than any of us and hikes in sandals), Ansel (who has the best camera and is an Eagle Scout from the Valley Forge Council) and Tito (who went to UNH and even applied once at Portsmouth Provisions, my old store) (Ha! Ha!) It's nice to have found some people to keep pace with.Tomorrow 13 miles and we're all sleeping in. The pain I go through day in and day out is immense. My feet and knees ache endlessly. It is of course part of the process and the price you pay for the experience. So far it has been great.
Date: 2007-03-16
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Zero Day at Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Friday, March 16, 2007 Day 18It rained all night and into the morning. Diablo, Tito and I decided today would be a rest day (a zero day in AT terms). Snakebite and Ansel pushed on for the 13 miles to the next shelter.By 4:00 pm 10 other hikers showed up. It is now freezing rain into the night. Tomorrow we will try for a 20 mile day to get us 3 miles from Standing Bear Farm, a hiker hostel just outside the park. It will be slippery. I am glad now for all the cold weather gear I've been packing for 200 miles.
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: broken clouds

Saturday, March 17, 2007 Day 20Diablo, Tito and I left the shelter at daybreak. As we did I felt for the others in the shelter. It was well below freezing, windy and everything had a thick layer of ice and frost on it. They were all novice hikers, ill prepared and ten miles from a road. We on the other hand were prepared and now planning to hike almost 24 miles to get out of the mountains and to a place called Standing Bear Farm. There we could sleep in a warm bunkhouse, get a hot shower and pizza. Curtis, the owner and operator, agrees to drive me to a local store to buy beers for everyone for St. Patricks Day. Well deserved after escaping the cold and icey Smokey Mountains. Thank you to Curtis for his hospitality at the farm and to the girl who gave me a homemade cookie on the way up Sunup Knob.This was one of the most difficult hikes I can recall, but it reminded me of New England weather and I was a little homesick for the first time.Today was the first time I used a computer in three weeks!
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 13.6

Sunday, March 18, 2007 Day 21It is cold. Diablo and I are camped on top of Max Patch, a giant bald in North Carolina. The view is 360 degrees and it is spectacular. A clear night with silence and stars.I passed a ridge on top of Snowbird Mt. called Runyon Ridge. Spelled with an "o" but still awesome.We also find 2 Coronas leaning against a white blaze post. Trail Magic? Sure. We drink them with dinner and toast the journey. The temps drop quickly. It is in the teens and its only 9 o'clock. Time to sleep.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Max Patch

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Monday, March 19, 2007 Day 22Clouds ruin my sunrise on Max Patch. The sunset was great the night before and a clear night brought many stars. But this is the second jinxed sunrise on a peak, at some point I'll catch it.Today was wonderful, a long hike over 16 miles. Bluff Mountain being the highlight. Tomorrow a 3.2 mile walk to Hot Springs, North Carolina. The first real trail town. A hotel is in order and several meals at the Smokey Mountain Diner. I need to go to the outfitters for some equipment and hit the post office for a resupply pickup. Oh, and laundry, my clothes are covered in mud from the Smokey Mountains.I've been on the trail for 3 weeks, 22 days actually. I've hiked 268 miles, giving me a 12 1/2 mile average. Almost a 15 mile average when you take out the zero days. This feels like a good pace to be at right now. I'm healthy without injury and I'm happy. I hope I can get the prize at the end. I want to be in the club and graduate class of '07!
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Tueday, March 20, 2007, Day 23An easy hike into Hot Springs, North Carolina. Stayed at the Alpine Inn, ate breakfast at the Smokey Mountain Diner. Delicious! I forgot how good orange juice was!Visited Elmer's and met both he and Sunny, who gave us a tour of their famous hostel. Met Sticker, who just had a root canal in Asheville and was set to hit the trail again.Bought a hydration sack and a pair of "crocs" for camp shoes at the outfitter and sent un-needed equipment home. Did laundry and resupplied. Then it was off to the Paddler's Pub for pitcher after pitcher of beer! It was nice to be in a bar again and talk with other hikers about the trip. Off tomorrow, though I'd love to stay another day. Oh, I saw Miss Janet at the bar!
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

Wednesday, March 21, 2007, Day 24Hungover, tired and not in the mood for huge miles. Uphill all day. Call it an early day as I see Diablo has the same idea when I arrive at the first shelter. I've oversupplied on food (again) so I eat a second dinner, 4 Snicker bars and 4 packets of hot chocolate to lighten my load. Early to bed, 20+ tomorrow? Maybe.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Big Butt Mountain
Miles today: 16.1

Thursday, March 22, 2007, Day 25Got out of camp a little late, but feel great. Only saw one hiker late in the day. Passed up a trail magic brunch near a road, decided it would be best to plug along and get some miles in.Camping on the bald just before the peak of Big Butt Mt. Hoping to catch the sunrise in the morning. I'm camping alone for the first time in 11 days and it's nice. I could have gone another 5 miles today and been with a slew of hikers but it would have been almost dark when I got in and 16 miles is good for today.Awesome ridge walk today. Tomorrow I hope to bust out 24 miles and get over Big Bald.
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Big Butt Mountain

To: Street Gap
Miles today: 18.0

Friday, March 23, 2007, Day 26Good hike today, but as time went on, I knew the 24 miles I wanted to do was out of reach. I will summit Big Bald in the morning and that should be awesome.I met a couple of gentlemen from Tennessee out for a day hike, one of which wants to thru hike the AT next year. When he asked what my biggest challenge had been so far, I wasn't sure. My feet were my answer, but really I've had no major problems. Shortly after I ran into a group of seniors out for a day hike, ages 72-83. Wow. I was exhausted after climbing the ridge we were on and they all looked as if they could do it again. We should all hope to have that health at their age. One man had a Philmont Shirt on. He had hiked there at age 72.I have a small patch of poison ivy on my ankle. We'll see tomorrow if it spreads. Fingers crossed.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Street Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: broken clouds

Saturday, March 24, 2007, Day 27Ahhh, civilization is sweet. At Uncle Johnny's, a hiker hostel in Erwin, Tennessee, I've eaten a lot of food, drank at least 9 sodas. I'm tenting in the yard as to let the other hikers sleep in the bunk house. I snore, very loud. I am the Lion King Snorer and I know it. Besides, it's only 6 bucks to tent.I'm taking a zero day tomorrow. My 22 1/2 mile day today was hard. I did 70 miles in 4 days. Time for a rest. Big Bald was beautiful at 9:30 when I summited. I love North Carolina's balds, I've tented on three of them.Today's second highlight was a forest fire. Around 2 o'clock as I crossed Spivey Gap, I smelled smoke in the air. As I proceeded up the mountainside it got stronger. Then as I approached the ridge it became apparent it was close. Smoke billowed into the sky and put a thick haze in the valley. Should I turn around? Maybe. I keep going. As I got to the top of the ridge I see it's at least 6 miles away on a distant mountain. I run into Toesock 1 and 2. A couple in their 60's from Alabama on their 42nd day (I'm on my 27th). They are healthy and happy, that's all the AT requires.Tomorrow I will stay at Miss Janet's Bunk and Breakfast, the AT's most famous hostel. Miss Janet is the mother of the Appalachian Trail and from what I've heard serves the best breakfast. It is a must for most thru hikers. I can't wait to experience it. Also as a side note, I hear lots of animals at night. But I heard something the other night that had me puzzled. It sounded like a....monkey? A sort of scream. Ferral child? Diablo heard it one night too...wierd.