morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Newfound Gap / Gatlinburg

To: Peck's Corner
Miles today: 10.4

Happy Birthday Walking Stick!We went to McDonald's for Breakfast and then got on the trolley to go to the Post Office, we learned our lesson about walking to places in Gatlinburg. Unfortunately, the PO didn't open until 9am, and we got there at 8:30. Picked up our resupply box and a card from Stephanie (one of my lunch buddies- thank you!) got back to the Hotel around 9:30, but my kidney stone was acting up. So I took some Advil and tried to update my journal, but only got 2 entries in when Walking Stick came in and told me I had too pack up. We had to check out by 11am. We packed and checked out by 10:52.We walked over to the NOC store for our ride back to Newfound Gap. At the Gap there is a sign reading Katahdin 1972 miles! We took pictures of that. We had lots of climbs today. We went up to Charles Bunion at 5905 feet. Great views but then it started to rain. It only rained hard for 45 minutes, but we got soaked. Our shoes were fine, but we had to walk thru too many puddles and they got wet too.Finally got to the shelter and we took the last two spots. A fire was smuldering, so I threw a few logs on it until the flames flared up. We put our boots in front of the fire and it warmed the whole place up.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Peck's Corner

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up at 4am due to some crazy hiker wanting to get an early start, then at 6am due to someone's cell phone ringing non-stop, but no one would claim it. It was drizzling when we started to hike, but the sun burned away the rain clouds fast. We started up Mt Sequoyah an all of a sudden a crazy quail jumps out of the bushes and starts squawking at us. That really startled us since we didn't know what was happening, but it was just trying to protect it's nest.The hike would have been great except for all the rocks, it felt like we were walking in a dried up river bed. Every step hurt the bottom of our feet and ankles. Boy were my piggers squealing.When we got to the shelter nobody was there, then all of a sudden we see this bear chewing on a some tall weeds near the shelter. Then Mike shows up and we try to scare it away by banging our walking sticks together - nothing. I blew on a whistle, we yelled at it - nothing. I finally started banging the pot lid against the pot and that annoyed him enough for him to move away- but very slowly.I went to the side of the shelter to change clothes for the night when I hear this splashing noise. I turn around and there he is, only 15 feet away drinking from the spring next to the shelter. I almost screamed. I got the pot and started banging again.I was finally able to change my clothes and get back into the shelter and he was back, and never left. Three more guys showed up, while the bear just ignored us and continued to eat the shrubbery. Walking Stick and I moved our bedding to the second story, and let the new guys have the bottom spaces. We will let them be the bear bait. By 9pm, the bear was still chewing on leaves and only 5 feet away from the shelter, but I was getting tired and couldn't watch him anymore as I passed out.
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

We are alive, the bear did not eat us or our food. He was no where in sight when we woke up. Thank goodness, that was too close for me.   He didn't even care that we were there, but I was very aware of him!The hike out of the Smokies was an easy one, except for another bear sighting. This time we saw a baby bear up the hill and then the mom started to cross the trail in front of us. At first we wanted to back up, but we didn't want to show fear, so we hit our walking sticks together and yelled. This made the baby run off, so the mom followed, but very slowly. We got the heck out of there, but the baby started to walk in the same direction as us, so we were very nervous, until we couldn't see them anymore.We also saw a black snake on the trail and had to wait until it crossed.We finally said goodbye to the Smokies- and my waterproof hat. I lost it somewhere on the trail today. Bummer. It protected my glasses from the rain perfectly. We decided to stay at the hostel since we were too tired to climb the next mountain. We had a hot shower, washed some clothes, had a pizza and coke. Life is good. Still having slight Kidney pains, but advil is working great.We met Henry who is also retired. Ryder from Florida, who tried this last year and loved this and is trying it again. Vinnie and Hawk, who stay at the farm. Hawk did the thur hike years ago and works at the farm. Vinnie is from Florida and knows that the FBI and CIA knows where he is, so he is not hiding out - (long, but weird story)
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

We left the hostel around 8am and started our 15 mile hike. Only 33 miles to Hot Springs. I still have a kidney stone, but it only bothers me in the morning when I am the most dehydrated. We entered the trail and there was a bear, I was hoping that we were done with them, since we were out of the Smokies. As soon as he saw us, he ran away. YippeeThe trail is wonderful! Hardly any roots or rocks, just old leaves. I was thinking that this will be very nice on the feet. However, we do have to climb two mountains today, Snowpeak and Max Patch- Ouch! So all the climbing and the distance was very hard on us. Our feet were aching and Walking Stick got a blister on his little toe, the size of his little toe. We hope we can walk 15 miles tomorrow since we have to pick up our mail drop on Saturday. Since it is a Holiday weekend, if we don't get it on Saturday, we will have to wait until Tuesday to get it.The shelter is great, we are sharing it with 4 people from Virginia who section hike every year. Elizabeth, Seth, Ben and Dave. They are also going to do the 15 miles to Deer Park Shelter so they can get to Hot Springs where their section hike will conclude. We have a nice dinner and talk at the picnic table, while we watch them play cards.
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 15.2

The day started great, we got going by 7:45 - a new record. We knew we had to do 15 miles today and only had one tough climb - Bluff Mountain. We met Kim (a guy) a thru hiker who we would see a couple of times today when he rested, but mostly he was way out in front of us.We passed the 4 Virginians around noon, but after 12 miles we were really getting tired. Thank goodness the trail was still good, it was covered in old pine needles and so soft on our feet. It was just the distance that did us in, the constant pounding of our feet on the ground.As we approached the shelter we saw two deer. Our first ones, they kept an eye on us as we passed them, boy can they turn their heads around their bodies.We got to the shelter around 3:30, but we couldn't do the other 3 miles to Hot Springs, we were too tired and our feet were hurting. The shelter was old, small, very dark and filled with big nasty spiders. We decided to tent behind the shelter and there was Kim setting up his tent. The four Virginians got to the shelter soon after us, but decided to keep going, since the shelter was gross and their car was waiting for them in Hot Springs.
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We woke up aroung 5:30am in order to walk the 3 miles to Hot Springs so we would get our resupply box. The Post Office is only open for 2 hours today, so we wanted to make sure we made it to town during their hours. We didn't even make breakfast, we just had a granola bar.No worries, we made it to town by 8am. We saw Mike across the street after we picked up our box. He told us that the hostel was full since this is Memorial day weekend. We checked the two hotels and they were full as well. Mike said that the campground was full too, but maybe there was a cancellation. We decided to try, at least we could get a shower and tent by the river if we had too.We had to wait for the campground manager to show up, so we took a shower. That is always the best part of going to town, getting cleaned up.   We put all our dirty clothes in a trash bag and left them behind a bush. Then we checked with the manager and they did have one campsite left. Thank goodness. It was around 10am, and we were starving, but we had to go set up our tent, so we could throw our backpacks inside and then we could go eat Breakfast.While we were finishing setting up our tent a man comes over to us. He is carrying a big platter of pancakes, sausage and hash browns. He saw us from across the road and thought we were hungry. He was right, we were starving!! His name is Jared and Hot Springs was an important town during his thru-hike a few years ago. He had been dreaming of ice cream, but when he got to town, they didn't have any. A big group of thru-hikers had come in just before him and bought all the ice cream, he was devastated.That was the best trail magic and breakfast we ever had! Thanks Jared!!Hot Springs is small, they don't even have a McDonalds, but their library had 15 laptops so you can update your trail journals. We spent 3 hours there, updating and checking in with family and friends. Then we washed our clothes at the local laundrymat. Finally we went to the Sandwich Shoppe and had lunch/dinner. It was a really nice relaxing day. Our tentsite was right next to a big boyscout troop from Marion VA, so we thought they would be rowdy, but no, they had spent the day rafting on the river, so they were very tired and quiet. However, at 11pm were were awaken by the two trains that roared by since we were only 30 feet away from the tracks. We didn't see them earlier in the day, since they were covered by the large bushes and fence.Hopefully, Walking Sticks blisters have healed enough to hike big miles tomorrow.
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Hot Springs

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

We left Hot Springs around 8:30am and said goodbye to the Scout Leaders next door and Jared.The trail was a little hard to follow today. We missed a few white blazes and had to backtrack. We had 3 big climbs today. The biggest was over Rich Mountain. We took off our packs and took the side trail up to the fire tower that gave us 360 view of the area. It was nice and breezy up there.We got to the shelter around 4:30, but the shelter was built in 1938, so it was very old and dirty. Lots of trash and flies. We walked up the hill and used our tent instead. We didn't have a problem with bugs all day until we got to the shelter. There were tons of gnats by our campsite. We tried to start a fire but the wood was wet. We got out our bug net hats and we were able to tolerate them during dinner.Went to bed with lots of rain clouds above us. I think I finally passed my Kidney stone. I didn't have any pains today.
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

Rain, Rain, Rain. This morning we din't get out of bed until 10:30 due to the rain. We didn't get all packed up and on the trail until noon. It was alot of uphill, but only 9 miles so no worries.We got to shelter around 5:30 and met Lou "Paul with bunions" and Don from Mandarin, FL - almost a neighbor of ours. He has a 26 year old son, who is single. I will have to get his number for my daughter. We also met Sal "Agent Orange" who is more interested in miles than people. Paul "the Georgia Boy" from Atlanta who likes to tent rather than use the shelters. and finally Opie, who arrived after 9pm.
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Started the day with a big climb(what else is new)- a really big one over Big Butt Mountain ( I kid you not) Had a tough rocky jumble to scramble over, but then it was mostly level or downhill. We passed Agent Orange sitting on the trail making phone calls.We stopped at Jerry Cabin Shelter to take a pack break and get some water and there was Opie - taking a nap. He had used a hammock last night and got up at 5am and walked to this shelter. As we sat there talking, it started to downpour. What good timing. Then Agent Orange showed up. He was all pissed off that that rain was going to slow him down. He asked if it was ok if he peed at the corner of the shelter, since he didn't want to get wet, I said NO!!! He was pissed again. It stopped raining and we packed up and started walking again, leaving Opie and Agent Orange at the shelter. Then he passed us, a half mile from the Flint Mountain shelter.When we got to the shelter, Agent Orange was packing up to leave for the next shelter - He would kick himself if he did less than 20 miles a day.--- Kick away.We met Off Kilter, he hikes the trail in a Kilt (again, I kid you not). He was getting ready for a night hike starting at 8 or 9 tonight. He started the trail weighing 350 pounds and is below 300 now. He eats gourmet meals and drinks starbucks coffee. And he makes a great campfire! and has great stories to share.Larry "piper" also stopped at the shelter. HE FOUND MY BLUE HAT!! in the Smokies, but he left it at Standing Bear Farm, since it didn't fit him. As soon as I get phone reception again, I will try to make arrangements to get it back.Opie also made it to the shelter, he is a free spirit. Maybe a poet at heart, someone who hasn't found out what he wants to be yet. He wanted to night hike with Off Kilter, but didn't have a good head lamp. Off Kilter's was so bright it was like daylight, but Opie's was too dim. It would have been dangerous for him walk at night with such a dim light, especially since it had rained so hard earlier today.
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap Campsite
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Lots of Uphills the first nine miles to Hog Back Ridge Shelter.   We saw a nice waterfall and tons of water sources until we passed Frozen Knob and then nothing. We got a nice surprise this morning. We found a Smoky Mountain Cooler with ice cold soft drinks inside. We took 2 Orange Sunkist and left a thank you not. Love Trail Magic That really helped us get over Frozen Knob. Passed Old School, who is still slackpacking. He was sitting on top of Frozen Knob, taking a break. We also met Bob "the Georgia Boy" at the Hog Back shelter while we were taking a break.   He was talking about his bad luck about being caught in the rain, and we were telling him how lucky we were lately. Within 5 minutes of him leaving, it started to rain. He does have bad luck. We grabbed all our gear and threw it in the shelter. We thought he would come back, but he didn't. Walking stick and I played cards for an hour until the rain stopped.The last 6 miles to the Low Gap campsite were pretty easy, lots of switchbacks and downhills. In fact, since there was no signs for the campsite we weren't sure it was really Low Gap, until the next day, since we didn't pass another campsite.
Date: 2010-06-03
From: Low Gap Campsite

To: No Business Knob
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Walking Stick stepped in poop while getting our food bags down this morning and had every fly in the forrest at our campsite. Ugh!We climbed Big Bald today, but there were too many clouds and we didn't have a view. We saw a huge wild Turkey fly off over the trees. After about 12 miles we stopped by a mountain stream and soaked our feet. Which was difficult to do, since the water is almost freezing, but it was still nice.At one of our pack breaks by a campsite, Walking Stick told me he was done. He was tired of the blisters and the bugs. He face was gaunt, so I knew he was losing weight too fast, so we both agreed it was time to get off the trail. We live in Florida and are retired, we should be spending our days at the beaches, not the mountains.We got to the shelter and we were the only ones there. It was kind of fitting. Walking Stick made a campfire, our last one. It was great, it warmed us up and kept the bugs away. We were starting to make dinner when 4 young men walked up. They had just graduated from college and out for the weekend. They had hammocks and set them up down the hill from us. We offered them some embers so they could start their own fire.At midnight it started to pourdown, we were worried about the hammock guys, so we moved all our gear to one side of the shelter. About 20 minutes later, we hear some noises and turn on our flashlight. Two of the guys come running for the shelter with sleeping bags. Their tarp started to leak so they were getting wet. They took over the other half of the shelter and we all went back to sleep. In the clear morning while we packed up, they were still passed out.We saw some amazing sites, but not everyday. It was disappointing to spend the day climbing a mountain then having no view at the top due to weather or trees. We were amazed at the lack of wildlife in the forest (except for the bears in the Smokies) Where are all the animals. We met alot of cool people. Josh and Matt (our Hiawassee shuttle buddies) Where are you guys? Matt from Louisiana, who went to Davenport Gap when we went to Gatlinburg- Where are you? Off Kilter - you are one of a kind, we wish we could have been able to keep up with you, loved your stories. Don from Jacksonville- I still need your son's phone number for my daughter. Lou "Paul with Bunions" hope your radio is still working!To all the people still on the trail. Good Luck and Happy Hiking!
Date: 2010-06-04
From: No Business Knob

To: Erwin
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a beautiful morning, not a cloud in the sky. It was our last hike. We would be going home from Erwin. We left the shelter around 7:15. This was the first time that Walking Stick was not sluggish when it was town day. He was speeding down that mountain to town.We got to Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel around 11am. They didn't have any cabins so we stayed in the hostel- one last time. We got a diet coke and a 40c snicker. Then we took a shower- extra hot. We were out for 6 days and were flithy. We borrowed their loaner bikes and rode the 4 miles to town, where we at at McDonald's. Love their McDoubles and the Mocha Frappe. Then we went to the Library and tried to figure out a way home.We thought of renting a car and driving home, it was only 8 hours away, so we called Enterprise, cause they always advertise that they will come pick you up, yes they will, but you can't drive their cars out of the state. Ugh. We got a car from National and Uncle Johnny would drive us to the Tri-City Airport to pick up the rental car.We took the dinner shuttle to a mexican restaurant and then came back to the Hostel and passed out in the bunkroom. There were only 3 of us in the room, so it was pretty quiet.
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Erwin

To: Jacksonville, fl
Miles today: 0.0

We made it home by 8pm, thanks to Kristine picking us up at the Airport where we dropped off the rental car. Don't ever take I-26 in North Carolina. It was back-up twice due to construction and an accident.Glad to be back home. We both lost 15 pounds, but Walking Stick was skinny to begin with so he needs to put all that weight back on. I could stand to lose another 15 pounds, but will try a different method. Hiking 8-10 hours a day, is more like work than retirement.We had a great experience and are glad that we tried it, but it wasn't for us. If it was easy, everyone would to it! At least we tried, some will say we failed, but those people are jerks anyways (ha, ha). On to our next grand adventure.
Date: 2010-01-07
To: Hammock Order
Miles today: 0.0

I have ordered a Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock. I should receive it in a couple of weeks. I know I will enjoy getting off the ground. These old bones just don't like those little pokes from that root or little rock that I did not see when I setup my tent. I will have to work on staying warm at night in early March. In a hammock you do not have the ground for insulation, so you have too insulate a little more than usual.
Date: 2010-01-24
To: Hammock
Miles today: 0.0

Received my Warbonnet Blackbird Hammock Saturday. I will set it up Monday, because it is raining to beat the band now. I will try too get some pics to post. I have decided on my sleeping bag. I will get a light weight 35 degree bag, and an extreme 25 degree bag liner to be able to get down in the teens comfortably. Then when it gets warmer I will need only the bag or liner. Hammocks are colder to sleep in because they are off the ground. This hammock has a pocket in the bottom that allows for a pad to be slipped in to give some insulation. Most pads are not wide enough and slide out from under you and let you get cold, but I have bought Landau foam. It comes 50 inches wide and I can cut it to about 40 inches wide and that should stay under me.
Date: 2010-02-27
To: Delay in start date
Miles today: 0.0

I had planned on a March 1st start. Since I am not on a strict schedule, and do to some events going on right now, I am backing my start date a week or two. According to journals of those I am following it is pretty tough hiking right now. Snow, limbs, and trees down across the trail. Friday I received in the mail a summons to jury duty for March 22. So the day I was to start my hike I will be trying to talk to someone about delaying my jury duty service until I get back.
Date: 2010-03-11
To: Postholer shortcut
Miles today: 0.0

I will try and update on postholer my daily information. I will update more detail information in this location when I can get too a computer.To get to postholer: Copy and paste this link http://postholer.com/journal/viewJournal.php?sid=8459b76cdd2a86e8f5ff48b0ca095b34&event_id=644into your address bar, then you can save that page too your favorites for easier access.
Date: 2010-03-12
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Its been three days since I started. My miles are fewer than expected, but they say the miles will come don't hurt yourself early. I started at Springer Mountain in the rain and did eight miles to Hawk Mountain. About twenty people at a shelter that holds twelve. It rained hard most of the night. Met many people the most interesting was Eddie thats not his real name but is what he said we could call him, He was from Germany and was 63 years old, could speak limited english, but came over to do the trail since he retired from teaching. Left the shelter at @ 9:00 AM. Eddie and I hiked until I stopped for lunch. I made it too Gooch Gap shelter about 5:00. It had rained and hailed off and on most of the day. People at the shelter were local hikers and had been there Friday and Saturday, and had a fire going. That was nice for a change. While I was not that wet other people were soaked and were glad too get stuff dried out. Rained most of the night left @ 10:00 thanks too time change. Got colder as we hiked too Woody's Gap. Arrived at Woody's Gap @ 1:30. It was snowing and windy. I got a ride too the Hiker Hostel by Sir Woodchuck. I am writing this from the Hostel. I have done twenty miles. Tomorrow I will try and do the next ten miles too Neals Gap. My shoulders are really starting to hurt from the pack. I will try to get some help from the outfitters at Neals Gap. I do not know when I will get to write some more. To be continued at a later date.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Woody Gap - Suches

To: neels gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

crossed over blood mtn no rain wind chill below freezing snow above 4 thousand foot level. Got into neels gap about 5 pm free supper lasagna and salad thanks to some trail angels ( people who like hiking and helping other hikers ) leave for hiawasee on the 16th