morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Fontana Dam Shelter (1775')

To: Spence Field Shelter (4915')
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: few clouds

This morning I was a little slow to get up but I had the whole top portion of the left side of the shelter to myself so I could take my time and space. I ate two Honey Buns I bought yesterday from the general store for breakfast and filled my water up at the bathrooms nearby. I started around 9:30 and headed across the dam which was big and cool. I took some pictures which I was worried about because they are real nervous about Terrorist threats at the dam. The water was also really low which was cool. There was a short road walk to the trailhead and it was about 10 mi to the first shelter. I stopped at a firetower that was almost 4 mi from the trailhead and saw [Ken?] there. He said he stayed at the Hike Inn and that their power went out last night which really sucks. He might as well had stayed at the shelter. It was real sunny out but there was ice on all the trees and it was probably 40oF out. The fire towers steps were icy but I still went up. I took some pictures and then the wind blew away the ziplock I keep my camera in and my camera case which had the iPod in it. Both fell into a tree while the ziplock blew away in the wind. I got down and retrieved everything but the ziplock which I was not concerned about. It was cool to hike with all the ice on the trees but occasionally it would fall on you. The tops of the mountains were all white as well. I got to my final stop right before 4 with Dynamite who I had stayed with the night before I went into the NOC. We made a fire which I eventually cooked on and a bunch more people showed up. The shelter is nice but when the wind blows all the ice falls onto the roof of the shelter and makes a lot of noise. I ate a chili noodle mountain house meal which was tasty but not filling. Its been 2 weeks for me now on the trail. I was camped on top of Springer getting rained on 2 weeks ago tonight. I've camped once since then, cooked over a fire twice, strayed off trail 3 times, and gone about 180 mi. Less than 2000 to go!
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Spence Field Shelter (4915')

To: Mt. Collins Shelter (5870')
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up kinda late because I didn't sleep too well between the ice falling on the shelter, the mice, and the cold. I think it was around freezing. I ate oatmeal and was out before 9:30 after scoring some hot chocolate that some weekenders were getting rid of. It was a nice day and I hit the first shelter without seeing anyone and decided to just take a short break. The next section was a little tougher and I ran into Dynamite. I saw a brown bird I hadn't seen yet and couldn't identify. It was light brown with darker brown speckles and was larger than most birds I have seen. Dynamite couldn't tell what it was either. I took a break at the next shelter and ran into Bigfoot and John (from Tennessee who have a third member thats gone ahead to take a couple zeros at home). It was still really nice out and I figured I would go for the shelter past Clingman's Dome. Clingman's Dome is the highest point in Tennessee and along the entire AT. As I reached the last shelter before Clingman's there were two deer grazing. One was young and the other looked like a mother. The mother didn't mind me taking some pictures and I got pretty close to them. The walk up to Clingman's was beautiful. It started gradual with lots of fir and hemlock trees and the sun was out but there was still snow on the ground under the shade of the trees. It was very peaceful. Eventually Bigfoot and John caught up and passed me and when I got to the top of Clingman's they and Dynamite were already there. I hung out for about 45 min enjoying the views. We headed down a little before 5 and the trail was real icy. It was 0.5 from the AT to the shelter and the water source was really far. There were three high school seniors there and we made a fire which I cooked over again. The other hikers were asking all the thru-hikers a lot of questions that I also thought of before I knew more about thru-hiking. I made another mountain house meal and added a lot of hot sauce to it and some seasoning John had which made it good. I also boiled more water and made the hot chocolate I had and there was enough for everyone which worked out great. I ate a Milky Way Dark Chocolate Bar and it might be my new favorite. I also had a Luna bar (rasberry chocolate) and half a nutrigrain before bed. I was really hungry and I think I'm going to carry more food from now on. John has dehydrated food that are just home cooked meals that you add hot water to for it to reconstitute. I think Esra might be willing to cook stuff for me and I'm going to see if she would be interested in doing so.
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter (5920')

To: Bigfoot's Place
Miles today: 17.2

This morning I woke up and ate 3 oatmeal packets and scored some brown sugar from another hiker. I've managed to use just all the alcohol that fits in my stove and none from my fuel bottle in my entire trip through the smokies. Very efficient. Bigfoot had invited me to stay at his place with him and John and we were getting picked up right outside the park. The walk was very gradual and nice out of the park and I was hiking with Bigfoot and John. There was a break in the trees at one point that exposed a view of the ground below and everything was covered in clouds as far as you could see. The air was clear above them so it was the view you get from an airplane looking down on a plain of clouds. It was very cool. When we got to lower elevations the clouds had put new frost on the trees and the wind began to blow it off. It was like we were hiking in the snow and occasionally an ice chunk would land on the back of my neck and slide down like when someone puts an ice cube down your shirt. Right before we exited the park we ran into Dynamite and he hiked to the pick up point with us where Bigfoot invited him to stay at his place as well. We were out around 3PM right after crossing Pigeon River. We got picked up and when we arrived at the house there was Easter Dinner leftovers and everyone got two plates. I was pretty full but munched on a few chocolate eggs that were lying out. We went to get food but I had all I needed to get to Hot Springs so I just bought some candy. We got back and my laundry was about done (I had also previously showered) and I got to relax in the hottub on the porch and Dynamite and I decided to take a zero day. The forecast for snow/rain and the hottub and food had a lot to do with it. This will be my first zero day despite two nero days (2.4 and 1.2 miles into Neels Gap and Hiawassee) and I intend on enjoying it thoroughly. A zero will be nice plus I can just relax tonight and not worry about getting out first thing in the morning. I had some e-mailing with Esra and I'm going to let her know tomorrow where to send my stuff because I think I will get to Erwin on a Sunday. I also told her about the dehydrator and I hope she takes to the idea.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Bigfoot's Place

To: Bigfoot's Place
Miles today: 0.0

Last night Dynamite and I stayed up and watched Fight Club and South Park (the new Britney Spears episode, which was out of hand) and I still woke up pretty early. I ate a croussant and half a bagel with jelly only to find out that Bigfoot's mom was going to cook again for us. She made eggs, bacon, toast, pinneapple and leftover cheesecake was available. Again I felt full which is rare for a hiker I'm starting to feel. We watched No Country for Old Men which I didn't feel lived up to the hype. When it was over it was snowing outside and Dynamite and I felt reassured as to why we took the zero. I am itching to get headed north though but a day of rest and food definitely won't hurt. Dinner was pork chops, mashed potatoes, stuffing, lima beans, colliflour with cheese, milk, and bread. We all ate a ton again. It was delicious though. The rest of the day was just relaxing, hottubing, etc. Very theraputic.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Bigfoot's Hiker Hostel

To: Walnut Mtn. Shelter (4260')
Miles today: 21.2

This morning Bigfoot and his younger brother dropped us off where we got picked up next to Pigeon River and Dynamite and I were off a little after 9. The beginning was snow covered and steep but I didn't feel tired at all thanks to the day and a half of food and rest. We reached Max Patch a little after 2 and it was a huge bald with 360 views. The sun was out and it was great. We decided to go to the shelter that was almoust 7 mi from there so we were closer to Hot Springs tomorrow. The day was pretty easy despite the miles and the shelter was full when we got there, but not with anyone we knew. I'm tenting tonight for the third time and I think the way I have it set up is good. It probably won't rain, but I need to practice getting my tent set up right. Dinner is cheesy mashed potatoes with hot sauce and pepperoni. I think I'll cook over a fire again tonight. Tomorrow is into Hot Springs for a phone, food, and Aunt Laurie.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter (4255')

To: No Business Knob Shelter (3180')
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

Woke up and ate some cereal bars and was out by 8:20. Hit the first shelter around noon after some fog and rain and iPod shuffle. I took about a 45 min break and got really cold so Dynamite lent me a fleece he had handy as mine were at the bottom of my pack. I started real cold but warmed up on an uphill and decided to take off my rain jacket and Dynamite's fleece before I sweat through it. Blue Orchid came on the iPod shuffle and I just took off. That song and Kings of Leon's She's at my Party are really good to hike to. My favorite is the spanish version of Hotel California. Not only does it remind me of the Big Lebowski but the slow beginning part always seems to be accompanied by a gentle breeze and then the guy starts yelling and its awesome. I think my headlamp might be dying so I'l make this quick. The rest of the way to the shelter was nice. I had a spill which cut up my forearm and bumped my knee. My pack still feels heavy so when I got to the shelter I went through it and stripped down my med kit, got rid of my camera case (I'm just going to use my 3rd pair of socks and my wool hat), some random stuff in my pack (emergency blanket, extra lighter as I have 3 now), my simmer cap, my fork, my long john bottoms, and I'm going to try and get a new windscreen and make a potstand out of chicken wire stuff or just some rods that go through the windscreen. It's not much but it will save some weight and also volume. I'm also going to try to be smarter when I'm buying food because I always seem to roll into town with 2 days of food. Also, not carrying a glass bottle of hot sauce might be smart. Dinner was chicken flavored lipton noodles w/ hot sauce and some seasoning that was left in the shelter. I also ate a large york peppermint patty, a king size snickers (when I looked at the nutrition facts the serving size was 1/3 of the bar and that had 170 calories), a dark snickers bar, and a piece of fudge. Tomorrow is 6 mi into Erwin where there is a Chinese buffet on Sundays (tomorrow is a Sunday) and a Sonic. Still iffy as to whether I'll stay the night.
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Uncle Johhny's Hostel/Bunkhouse

To: Clyde Smith Shelter (4400')
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I got to bed late and woke up at 5AM feeling sick. I got up went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth and went back to bed. I had stayed up organizing my things and I also talked on the phone to Josh. I didn't get out on the trail until 10:30 because I slept in, packed up and mailed two packages; one to myself with food and fire starters from Uncle Tom to Damascus, and another to Esra with all the stuff I had gotten rid of/replaced and my journal papers and camera memory card. When I hit the trail my pack felt pretty light and was around 33 lbs according to the scale at Uncle Johnny's. I got to the first shelter around noon, ate a little and then hiked to a place called the beauty spot which was a huge bald like Max Patch and I ate more there. I rested for about 45 min and talked to Esra with my cell phone. There was Unaka Mtn up ahead and it had a real pretty hike up to it and was wooded over with pines. The hike down was beautiful with nice trees and plants around. When I got to the next shelter a little before 5 I saw CJ, Shepherd, and Dynamite had carried on another 8.8 mi to the next shelter to have a short day the next day due to possible rain. I decided I could do the miles before dark because the topography didn't look too steep and I felt pretty good at that point. I booked it to the next shelter and was glad I moved so fast because the scenery wasn't that great. I got there around 8 and felt beat but not too bad considering the miles. I got water and ate chicken flavored noodles with two tuna packs (because they were light tuna) and hot sauce. My new windscreen/pot stand system worked pretty well. I was happy with my hiking today and I ate a king sized snickers and a reeses bar and got in bed. There were some mice but they didn't bother me and I slept pretty good.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Overmountain Shelter (4682')

To: Laurel Fork (3300')
Miles today: 21.8

Last night I slept ok. It was windy and a fog moved in the middle of the night and there was a tarp on the roof of the shelter that was banging around in the wind. I ate some pop tarts and was out around 8:30. It was foggy going up little hump Mtn and as I was thinking "it would be a great view without the fog" it cleared so i could see the top. Both little hump and hump Mtn were balds and the fog came back until I was on the top of hump Mtn. The views were spectacular with a few mountains poking through the clouds in the distance. I took some pictures and could see Dynamite down the trail ahead of me doing the same thing. I set up a tripod with my hiking poles and the gorillapod I got for my b-day that I've been carrying. The fog stayed away and the hike down was bald and spectacular the whole way. The elevations in this area are a lot higher than I'm used to. It feels lower because in NH the treeline is lower and your out in the open around 4500' but Clingmans and Roan were around 6200' and there were trees on the tops. I really like the the NC/TN section and coming down from Hump Mtn. I realized this was probably the last time I would be experiencing hiking like this unless I come back (I have been entertaining the idea of a Smokies Spring break hike). The rest of the hike was nice. CJ, Dynamite, and Shepherd talked about staying at a hostel for some Ben & Jerrys but I didn't want to stay off trail 2 nights in a row because I'm planning on staying at Kincora tomorrow night. I ended up tenting with Dynamite at Laurel Fork and CJ and Shepherd moved on to tent further down (the hostel ended up being closed for 2008). The spot we tented at was right next to a large flowing stream with a waterfall and tons of firewood around, so I made a fire. Rain would drizzle lightly everyonce in a while but I was able to hang out outside the whole time. I cooked over the fire and had garlic and skins flavored instant mashed potatoes with beef jerky and the last of my hot sauce. I treated my water double dose of aqua mura because my guide book listed Laurel Fork as a "contaminated stream." The spot we camped at truly was beautiful and I was really content. I wish I could share it with people form home because pictures don't justify a lot of what I'm experiencing. I ate a ton of candy bars and granola and fudge because I was really hungry and was resupplying the next day from Kincora.
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Kincora hostel

To: Iron Mtn Shelter (4125')
Miles today: 24.3

I did wake up early and since my stuff was packed already I was just waiting to warm up a bit before I started hiking. I had a pastry and some pop tarts next to my bed which I immediately started eating upon waking up which everyone who was awake before me thought was funny. The sound of me moving a little and then the sound of a honey bun wrapper being opened within 20 seconds of each other. One of my more pleasant awakenings because I didn't have to get my bear bag down before I started eating. I also ate 2 pizza slices and drank a bunch of water before leaving and Dynamite left right afterwards. The first section was beautiful, well maintained and right along a river. The forest was really lush and we came across a huge waterfall that I stopped at for some pictures. I set up my hiking pole tripod again and tried to take a picture of myself just as Dynamite showed up and he told me I completely missed and was not in the picture at all (good picture of the waterfall though). The next couple miles were flat and along the river that the waterfall was part of. There were some cool rock formations the river had carved and evidence of beavers trying to cut down trees along the banks. We soon went straight up pond flats and Dynamite and I passed all the other hikers that had left Kincora earlier that morning. After the pond flats the trail went along Watauga lake which I didn't like because there was lots of trash and cars around. I stopped at Lake Watauga Shelter for a lunch and ate fig neutons CJ had given me and a PB&J I made last night. The next shelter was 6.8 and I was making goof time. It was uphill for a little and then flat and I took another lunch there and talked with two guys who were out hiking for a couple of days. Rain was threatening all day but held out for the most part. It fogged up a bit on my way to the final shelter and I passed/spoke with Dartman a bit before reaching the shelter around 5:30 and 3 other hikers were already in (Steps and two more guys out for the weekend). The weekenders had a saw and got a fire going which was great and the rain was still holding. Dynamite and CJ are tenting due to a crowded shelter despite possible thunderstorms. Dynamite and I cooked 6 packets of easy mac over the fire and his stove and added some of Dynamites olive oil before splitting it up. The benefit of having a big pot is you can cook a lot of food. I added a big tuna pack to mine and it was delicious. I also ate two snickers and a 100Grand bar (which was disappointing). I did pretty good today at zoning out and letting the miles go without thinking too much about what I had done or how far I had to go. Also my toe wasn't acting up and the first aid I performed seems to be doing well. I almoust sent home the athletic tape in Erwin. Its supposed to rain/thunderstorm all night with just rain all day tomorrow. People say its an easy hike into Damascus but 25+ miles can only be so easy. It will be sad putting TN/NC behind me because I had some great hiking and weather, but its time for the next leg of my journey: the 500+ miles of VA.
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Iron Mtn Shelter (4125')

To: CJ's place Bristol, VA
Miles today: 25.9

I actually woke up early and was out by 7 which surprised me. I ate 2 poptarts and started the foggy walk towards VA. I hadn't hiked that early yet on this trip and I heard some weird sounds in the woods. I ate two more pop tarts at the first shelter and kept hiking. I saw some of the hikers from Kincora going the other direction and they were day hiking the section between 421 and 91 (both roads the trail crosses). Shortly after seeing them I came across a big field and off to my left about 20 yards were 3 silhoetted men with rifles on their shoulders perfectly still facing me. I thought they were cardboard cutouts to mess with hikers in the fog but they starting moving and walking away. A lot of the rest of my hike was spent thinking what I would do if I saw Bigfoot. I figured I would try and tie his feet up with my rope then his hands and then feed him all the pills in my medkit in a PB&J sandwich to try and sedate him. I would tie up his legs with one of those clever traps where a loop is hidden in some leaves and when he steps in the loop you pull the rope and trip him up. Then I would collect the reward ($5 billion I think) and just do talk show appearances the rest of my life. I actually ended up eating my sandwiches (no pills though) at what I thought was the next shelter. It was teeny and maybe could fit two people in it. Turns out it was an emergency shelter but it wasn't in the guidebooks which is pretty inconvenient if you were in an emergency. The hike continued to be pretty boring due to the fog but I did cross the TN/VA line which is my last border crossing for a while. It was exciting and everyone (Shep, CJ, Dynamite, and I) took a bunch of pics. We got to Damascus around 5 and CJ's dad was waiting in the outfitters for us. We hung around the outfitters, I bought some more phone minutes and then talked on the phone with Esra before heading towards CJ's place. The outfitter didn't have the package I sent from Erwin which means I walked faster than the mail but they should have it when I return Monday. CJ's place was real nice and his parents made us all feel welcome and comfortable immediately. Dinner was salad pot roast, potatoes onions and carrots, biscuits and cornbread, corn and green beans, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Having real food and real vegetables was awesome and dessert was either brownies apple cake or warm cobbler with vanilla ice cream. I had a little of everything but went mostly for the cobbler and ice cream which was delicious (everything else was amazing as well I just couldn't get enough cobbler). I told myself I wasn't going to overeat but of course I did and I gained 8.5 lbs between before and after dinner. We went and saw the movie 21 about blackjack after dinner which was alright and it was fun to see a movie and just relax. We stopped at Walmart as well and will probably be back tomorrow for resupply. I ate some more cobbler and eventually am going to get some sleep. ps. I also came across a couple of grouse and spotted 3 deer running away from me.