morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Campsite at Bartram Trail

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

Weather - Cool and foggy, sunny then cloudy.We broke camp and we were on the trail before 8:00 a.m. It was another hard day of climbs. When we reached the Wesser Bald fire tower, there was a young couple up top. Blister Bill and I climbed the tower, took in the views and talked to them. When they found out we were going to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC, tomorrow, they asked us to have lunch with them at the pizza place. They have a truck. There is no way we would turn down an offer like that. When we got to the Wesser Bald Shelter, there was one guest already there - it was a 4 1/2 foot rat snake. He crawled around the post and seats in the shelter for at least an hour then moved on. Don't think we will have trouble with mice tonight. I am real tired and getting ready to climb into my sleeping bag in a few minutes. I think Blister Bill is as tired as I am, he is already asleep. As it gets dark, I hear the owls hooting again, almost every night.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

Weather - Rain and foggy, then clear.While I was sound asleep last night, Blister Bill heard the bears rattling the bear bag cables trying to get our food bags. So armed with a quarter size photon flashlight and wearing only his camp shoes and shorts, he walked out into the fog to scare off the bears. It worked. Later he said he realized he was not afraid of the bears but he was afraid of going hungry. According to the shelter journal, the bears bounced Archie's food bag off the bear bag cables a couple nights before. When Bill and I left the shelter it was raining but had cleared up by the time we reached Nantahala Outdoor Center around noon. The young couple, Zack and Lizzy were waiting for us. They are college students. Zack is a mature 18 year old and his trail name is Oxen and Lizzy is 20 years old and her trail name is Icebox. They took us up to the pizza place for a great lunch. After a shower and laundry, we met them again and they took us into Bryson City for a steak, salad and potato.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Weather - Sunny and niceBlister Bill and I spent the night in a bunk house with Wyoming. He is retired and thru-hiking the trail too. We decided to take a rest day because our bodies are worn out. We need rest. We met Zack and Lizzy for breakfast at the restaurant by the river. Zack and Lizzy were going to kayak in duckies on the Nantahala River and asked us if we wanted to go. Bill wanted to rest but I wanted to go. So Zack, Lizzy and I were bused up the river 8 miles and we started paddling back. A lot of class I and II rapids. The river was swift. When we heard banjo music we paddled fast. Near the take out point was a class III rapid that was kind of scary to paddle through. Said our good-byes to Zack and Lizzy. They are a couple of great kids and had a lot of fun with them. They are going to China this summer to teach. Bill and I met Wyoming for one last supper at the river restaurant.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

Weather - Sunny and coolToday was a hard climb out of NOC, a 3000 ft. elevation climb in about 6 miles. I have been leading on the up hills and Blister Bill leading on the down hills. So today I led almost all day. We only stopped a couple of times before reaching the shelter. Bill and I are losing weight and getting stronger each day. Wyoming was already camped out. A couple of section hikers showed up. Then a couple of young thru-hikers showed up to entertain us. They had brought two mouse traps with them. Before 10:00 p.m., they had caught three mice, then one stole the food off one of the traps. That is when Blister Bill got his food bag down to give them some cheese. One of the hunters, oh I meant hikers, said, "With this cheese we can hunt all night." Later he said, "When we get through hunting we can have a good snack." He meant the cheese. Within two minutes, they caught another mouse with the cheese. Update - nine mice for the night. These guys are good.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Weather - Really cool and partly sunny and windy.Today is Blister Bill's birthday, he turned 39 years old. Happy Birthday Bill. When we reached Cheoah Bald, you could look down and see white fluffy clouds below us and look up and see dark clouds above. When we reached Brown Fork Gap Shelter, we knew it was time to stop, we were tired. Janet, a section hiker, was already there. It was the regular routine, lay out your sleeping pad and bag, get water and cook supper. A little while later two section hikers, Minute Man and Red Coat, came in. They are headed south and getting off at NOC. While hiking today, we passed some tulip poplar trees that were over 100 feet tall. After supper, it started getting colder. It was 50o F by the time we all climbed in our sleeping bags around 8:30 p.m.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Village
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Weather - Cold and overcast.Last night was the coldest night so far. It got down in the 30os F. Left the shelter with long pants, coat and gloves, it was that cold. Down here they call this cold spell a Blackberry Winter because the cold has come after the blackberries have bloomed. This was the longest mileage I have hiked so far, 13 miles. Got a ride into Fontana Village and a hot meal with fresh bread. Blister Bill and I decided to take a rest day tomorrow. We got here too late to pick up our mail drops from the post office. Simple things like a real bed with a pillow have become a luxury.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Weather - Cold and overcast.Slept in late just for the extra rest. Did laundry, ate lunch then picked up our mail drops from the post office. I called my wife Nadine, it was good to hear her voice. Kelley and Shanna, our daughter and granddaughter, called so I got to talk to them. Shanna wanted to know if I had seen any more snakes. A little later Jeff, our son, called from Japan. They were all wanting to know how I was doing. I told them I was doing good but it was a little harder than I thought it would be. Talked to some section hikers down at the general store who were headed south. They said their second night in the Smokies they had an inch of snow, then on another day were hit with thunderstorms and hail.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Weather - Cool and OvercastTook another rest day. Bad weather was forecasted. Blister Bill wanted to sleep so I went to breakfast by myself. When I walked into the restaurant, there was a hummingbird trapped and trying to get out of the big glass windows. The staff was afraid to approach it, so I just walked up behind it and gently scooped it in my hands. It was very calm, I was surprised. I took the little bird to an exit and let it go. Everyone in the restaurant cheered.This was kind of special for me on a special day. Today is our 31st wedding anniversary. Nadine has been on my mind all day today. I called her early this morning to wish her a Happy Anniversary and tell her how much I love her. Then called her later to tell her the hummingbird story. The weather did not turn bad, but Blister Bill and I felt like we needed the rest.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: moderate rain

Weather - Rain and more rain.Turned in my backpacking permit so I could hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains. While waiting to catch a shuttle ride back to the trail head with Bill and 4 high school seniors, the 18 year olds were telling me about this guy catching a hummingbird in the restaurant. I told them that I was that guy. They thought that was neat.Started out hiking in the rain. When Blister Bill and I got to Fontana Dam, a cloud had drifted into the dam and rolled over it making a cloud tunnel we could walk through. About 2 miles up the trail, there was a doe only 10 feet off the edge of the trail. It rained on us a couple more times before we got to Mollies Ridge Shelter. It was an uphill climb all day long. There was a Danger sign at the shelter warning us about the bears. While cooking supper, a buck came up and was grazing on the grass just outside the shelter. It got cold so it was time to climb into the sleeping bag.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Weather - Sunny, real cool then rain.The first part of the hike today was good until Spence Field. Blister Bill and I saw signs of bears today, a couple of bear squats, a bear print on the AT and heard one growl on the other side of a grassy ridge near Spence Field. Spence Field was beautiful with the tall grass and all the serviceberry trees in bloom. On the top of Rocky Top we could look back and see Spence Field and to the left we could see Fontana Lake and the dam. Then the climbs got really, really hard and it rained on us the last hour hiking to Derrick Knob Shelter.It was a long hard day, did not get to the shelter until 7:30 p.m. Too wet and cold to fix supper so I ate a lunch and climbed into my sleeping bag. Today was probably the worst day I have had on the trial. When I was sound asleep, several storms rolled through. Thunder, lightning and the bottom dropped out of the sky. This went on for several hours. No one could sleep, it was so loud.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Siles Bald Shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: broken clouds

Weather - Not too cool, overcast then rain.The weather was not as cool as it has been. The rain last night had turned the trail into mud, not much fun walking in. I slipped on the mud and fell. As I was falling I spun around in mid-air and landed on my back. Blister Bill said that he didn't think an old man could move that fast. Only thing that got broke was my water purifier, but I have back-up water purification with me. A couple miles later, Bill slipped on the mud and landed on his back. We looked like turtles that had been rolled on their back and could not get up.When we got to Siles Bald Shelter, we could hear thunder behind us and decided that we could not make the next shelter before it rained. Within half an hour it rained and hailed really hard. I am getting ready for bed and two more storms rolled through. There are 10 people in the shelter tonight, two are thru-hikers from Great Britain. Also in the shelter is a young couple who quit their jobs and sold their house to hike the trail. Yes, you have to be a little bit crazy to be out here doing what we do.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Siles Bald Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: moderate rain

Weather - Cool and OvercastThe two British guys and the young couple came hiking past us, moving fast. We were above 5,000 feet a lot of the time. The scenery has changed, it is almost all fir and spruce trees now. The hike up to Clingman's Dome was beautiful, with some great views. The Brits and young couple were at Clingman's Dome Tower when we got there. The tower is the highest point on the AT at 6,643 feet. Saw some great views from the tower, which is unusual since it is foggy most of the time. Saw this huge front moving our way. It was time to move again. It rained on us when we were getting water at Mt. Collins Shelter. The sign read 0.5 miles to shelter, but when we got to the shelter that sign read 0.3 miles to AT. I guess it is longer going down hill! Go figure! Two young girls came in all wet from the south, then two young thru-hikers, Josh and Eason. They are Virginia guys. Then 2 other hikers. Everyone was asleep when two guys from Ohio came in at 10:00 p.m. with their head lamps on and woke everyone up. They said they had two friends behind them that were coming too. At 10:30 p.m. there was a bear outside the shelter but the headlamps scared it off. The Ohio guys friends did not show up.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap then Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather - Rain and cold to sunny and warmWhen I woke up I looked in the bottom bunk and the two other Ohio guys were not there. The two that were there were concerned since one of the lost hikers was on his first backpacking trip. As Blister Bill and I were about to leave the shelter, the older lost hiker came walking in. A little upset, he said, "We almost died on the mountain last night." When they got separated it was dark, the tenderfoot hiker fell down several times and was hurting so they hunkered down on the side of the trail, but decided if it rained they would freeze, so they hiked back up Clingmans to their truck and got there at 2:30 a.m.As Bill and I were headed towards Newfound Gap, we were hit by the worst thunderstorm so far, heavy rain and lightning all around. This passed over us then as we approached Newfound Gap it started raining again and was cold. It didn't take much for Bill to talk me into going to Gatlinburg. We tried for 45 minutes to get a ride before a firefighter/search and rescue guy named Roger gave us a ride. Got a room at the Grand Prix Motel. Josh and Eason were already there. Went out on the town to celebrate Josh's 23rd birthday. Stopped at Puckers Pub early and the four of us drank 8 pitchers of beer along with eating big hamburgers. I think I drank only 1 pitcher since I was the older more responsible adult. It was a good night, no one got into trouble.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Weather - Sunny and warmOh, a little more about last night. While sitting and drinking beer, Josh and Eason got their trail names. Josh and Eason have been friends for a long time and Eason always calls Josh "Dirtbag." We also noticed that when a good looking girl came into the pub, Eason's head and neck would rotate almost 180o. Thus his name became "Rubberneck." These names were voted on and became official. Blister Bill, Dirtbag, Rubberneck and I just hung out around Gatlinburg watching tourists and counting the number of "Just Married" cars.About 6:30 p.m. Bill and I got dropped off at Newfound Gap and got to Icewater Spring shelter as the sun was setting. This shelter has a great view of the mountains and the night sky. When we got to the shelter there were a lot of hikers already there. Wyoming was there, he had gone to his daughter's graduation for 5 days, and had caught up with us. There were 2 guys from Macon, GA, a couple of guys from Chicago, IL, two girls and several others hikers. The more the merrier. Later that night Dirtbag and Rubberneck came in, it was so crowded they had to sleep on the dirt floor of the shelter.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shleter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Weather - Clear and warm.Blister Bill was not feeling good, we think it was something he ate in Gatlinburg for lunch. Wyoming decided to slow down and hiked with us today. Within an hour, we were at Charlie's Bunion, a real neat rock on the edge of a mountain. Blister Bill still wasn't feeling good so we moved slow and stayed together. Late in the afternoon we were about out of water so Wyoming and I filtered clear water out of the middle of the trail that was being fed by a spring. This was the only place we could find water. We got enough to re-hydrate Blister Bill and get us to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. Most of the people from the shelter last night were there including Tray and Bruce the two Macon, GA guys. Also there were the same two Ohio guys who had lost the two other guys earlier. They were by themselves and again had no idea where the other two were. Blister Bill was feeling a lot better. You could tell because he ate 2 12 suppers.Passed a milestone today, I have competed 10% of the AT. Now a little less than 2,000 miles to go.
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shleter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather - Heavy rain and cool, then cloudy and warmBlister Bill and I were by ourselves again. Wyoming was going to do a 20 mile day and hike out of the Smokies. Not too far up the trail a thunderstorm came right over us with heavy rain, thunder and lightning. Twice we got off the trail and hunkered down in the brush. Now that was too much excitement.Blister Bill was feeling good today so after the storm we made real good time. When we reached the shelter again most of the people there were from the shelters the two nights before. It was like a big happy reunion. I found out that Tray knew Dixie Bound, a young thru-hiker from Macon, GA that I met about 4 years ago when my brother, two friends and I were doing a section hike in Virginia. What a small world this is!At about 10:00 p.m. we could hear some noisy hikers, we thought, coming through the woods. About 10:30 p.m. they arrived at the shelter but they were not hikers, it was the calvary. There were 11 people on horseback. Bill got out his map and showed them how to get off the mountain. He said he felt sorry for the horses, they were tired and had 2 more hours to go.
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather - Overcast and warmIt rained a little bit this morning so Blister Bill and I let it stop before hitting the trail. It was a short hike today leaving the Smokies. When we got to the Pigeon River, it was sunny but we could hear thunder coming our way. So here we are again with only one mile to go and racing a thunderstorm. Beat the storm to Standing Bear Farm. As we were coming down the road I heard Blister Bill yell, "Skinny B." Skinny B and Postal are two thru-hikers Blister Bill hiked with in Georgia and he was hoping he would see them again. It was a great reunion. Happy Talks was there also. Had a great time around the campfire with Blister Bill, Postal, Skinny B, Curtis (owner of Standing Bear), Sproket (works for Curtis) and a few other hikers. Later on Sproket did a fire dance, then Skinny B tried his hand at it. This was neat to watch, entertainment on the trail.
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Asheville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Weather - Warm and SunnyI just hung out at Standing Bear Farm with Blister Bill, Skinny B, Postal and Joe most of the day. Kelley (my daughter) and Shanna (my granddaughter) showed up around 2:30 p.m. I showed them around Standing Bear. While I was getting packed, Skinny B, Postal and Joe left to go to Asheville, NC. I think Blister Bill was sad to see them go but he is going to try to catch up to them just past Hot Springs, NC. With the car packed, I said good-bye to Blister Bill. He and I had become trail brothers out here. We had agreed to stick together through the Smokies. It was time for us to go our separate ways. I think it was a sad parting for both of us. I will follow him when I read the shelter journals and hope I will catch him in Virginia. Good Luck, Blister Bill!Kelley, Shanna and I are on our way to Asheville, NC and I'll have a good meal, shower and a real bed. You sure learn to appreciate the simple things out here.Oh! While sitting in the kitchen area at Standing Bear Farm, a butterfly flew in and landed on Blister Bill's beard then walked up to his lips, giving him a ¢butterfly kiss!¢
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Asheville, NC

To: Asheville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Weather - Warm and clearKelley, Shanna and I went to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Now that is one big house. Built in 1895, the house is four acres big and sits on 125,000 acre property. It took us seven hours to walk thru the house, gardens, horse barn and visit the winery. At the winery, Shanna got to crush grapes with her feet. I was more tired from walking around the Biltmore Estate than I am from climbing mountains with a backpack. Now that doesn't make sense, does it?After a great steak for supper, it felt good going back to the motel to climb into a soft bed with a real pillow. The trail makes you learn to appreciate the simple things in life and the ones you love. Kelley brought some more of her good brownies. We shared them with Blister Bill, Skinny B, Rubberneck, Dirtbag and Joe before leaving Standing Bear Farm.
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Asheville, NC

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: broken clouds

Weather - Warm and sunnyToday is Jeff's birthday (my son). We called him in Japan to wish him a Happy Birthday! After checking out of the motel and eating lunch in Asheville, Kelley, Shanna and I drove to Hot Springs to see if I could get a part to fix my hydration system, which I was able to find at the outfitter there. When we came into town, I saw Dirtbag, Rubberneck and Skinny B. They had taken a rest day there and were getting ready to hike out of town. I was glad I ran into them.On the way back to Standing Bear Farm, Kelley dropped Shanna and me off so Shanna could hike about a mile and a half on the AT with me up to Standing Bear Farm. Before we started, a hiker named Arius, originally from Lithuania, came up and wanted to buy some extra food if we had it so he could make it to Hot Springs. He didn't know about Standing Bear Farm where he could re-supply. He hiked with us so we could show him the way. Some trail magic for him. As we were hiking, a grasshopper landed on Shanna's hat. When I went to take it off, it latched onto my finger and wouldn't let go. I took a picture since this sounded like a tall tale that no one would believe. Out here strange things happen. Around 7:00 p.m. Kelley, Shanna and I said our good-byes. I really enjoyed spending time with them.
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Weather - Clear and very warm then cloudy and thunderArius left about an hour before me. He was going to do another 20 mile day. He is a walking machine. He went through the Smokies in 4 days. Amazing!After about a 2,500 ft. elevation climb, I stopped for a break on a log when a young couple came by. They had just gotten married and were on their honeymoon. They told me that a new Roaring Fork Shelter had been built about one mile pass Max Patch Mountain. So that is where I am headed. I saw a lot of toads on the trail today. As I was walking over the bald on Max Patch Mountain, I started hearing thunder and could see the storm coming my way. Picked up my pace and made it to the new Roaring Fork Shelter but the storm missed me.Only saw two people today, the young married couple. I was the only one at the shelter tonight. This was my first night alone since I left Springer Mountain, GA. The only talking I heard was two chipmunks near the shelter, I think they were talking about me. Even though I was alone, I got a good night sleep.