morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-11
From: Springer Mountain

To: Long Creek Falls
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

Spent the night at Hiker Hostel Monday. Got up had coffee and was served a hiker breakfast. The folks from Hiker Hostel dropped about 10 of us hikers off at the Springer Mountain parking lot. We hiked the mile to get to Springer, the Southern terminus of the AT. All had their picture snapped with the plaque in the background. Most signed the register.   I forgot until 3 miles down the trail. I have my picture anyway. I hiked the initial mile up to Springer Mountain alone because I was adjusting my pack. But coming back I hiked with Karstin from Germany and Mary from USA . I found it much more pleasant walking and talking with the others. Reminded me of running when the miles slip by more smoothly in the company of others. The companions stopped for a waterfall, so I went on to camp by my own waterfall. I had hoped to make this a multicultural experience and hiked some of the first day with a German fellow. With shorts and running shirt the breeze felt a bit chilly at my back but my face was warmed by the morning sun. After dropping down off the ridge top the wind was calm, I began to heat up. I saw some squirrels but heard no birds on the ridges, just the sighing of the wind in the hemlocks.I stopped for the evening by a roaring water fall. It muffles out most of the sounds but I hear the birds calling to one another in the rhododendron thickets.Funny coincidence, after I had the phone out taking pictures and put it back, my iTunes started playing "Go Rest High on that Mountain" by Vince Gill. Turned it off and only later realized we had been resting high on Springer Mountain when the song came on.
Date: 2014-03-12
From: Long Creek Falls

To: Justice Creek
Miles today: 9.2

I slept from dark to daylight by the water falls last night with the roar of falls blocking out any sounds there were except for the pitter patter of raindrops. Took 40 minutes to set up tent. That will get faster as routine is established. Tent was warm and dry.It was a bit chilly and I was tired so I ate a snack and snuggled in the sleeping bag. I had placed my foodbag hanging 10 feet up in a rope. Then took 3 logs and built a wobbly tepee close to the bag so if bear was messing around might knock them over and scare it away. First thing I did in morning was check my food bag. All looked as I had left it for the night at first sight but when I opened the bag, I noticed a small hole in the top bag of trail mix. The varmint had climbed the tree, skinned down the rope, gnawed a whole in nylon bag and inner waterproof bag to select his goodies. Had a cereal bar for breakfast, stuffed the wet tent in its' bag and hit the trail about 10AM. Drizzled rain much of day so wore the rain coat coat most of the day. Once the sun peeked through the clouds it was beautiful. Hiked through forests of hickory and poplar trees.As noted in the AT guidebook, the Army Rangers were practicing on Hawk Mountain. Made for an interesting day hearing the rat-a-tat of machine guns and occasional boom of canon fire. I noticed a couple of soldiers situated on trail ahead of me with weapons and gear and I tried to imagine what it would be like to be a fighter in the Afghanistan mountains. I realized I would have to be in better shape than now to carry 40 more pounds. I shared my thoughts with the soldier as I passed him on the trail and he replied "Sir, I must admit sometimes this mountain kicks my ass."After Hawk Mountain I got to meet Sassafras Mountain. It grew steeper and my energy waned such that often I was taking one half shoe length forward at a times. Eventually, I reached the peak and thought to myself, "that mountain kicked my ass."In the afternoon I chanced to get a signal and texted Marcia who said I was in for a change in the weather. When I looked up from the phone, I found myself engulfed in a cloud of fog. The wind picked up and drove it away in a few minutes. After that, the temperature started dropping and the wind was picking up. By the time I reached camp it was really chilly and windy. A gust almost grabbed my tent before I got stakes in ground. I fired up the stove on the lee side of tent and boiled the water and warmed my numb fingers with the heat. Uncle Ben's rice was a bit chewy.
Date: 2014-03-13
From: Justice Creek

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: heavy snow

The wind really picked up last night. It kept rustling the tent making it sound like animals scurrying around the outside of the tent. I was concerned because I had the food bag inside last night due to lack of a suitable branch to hang the bag from. It wasn't fit'in for man or beast out there so I was counting on Mr. Bear realizing that too. I estimated winds 30 to 40 MPH whipping at the tent. In the tree tops and the ridges the roar sounded like 50 to 60 mph. My 15 degree sleeping bag was toasty except for my feet. I wrapped my feet in my fleece jacket and slept until 10 am.Stove started well but went out before water boiled, so had lukewarm oatmeal and cold coffee. (Where is my German friend now? I could have said Kalte koffee macht schon.)It was so cold that moisture on the pot lid stuck my glove to it. The ground froze and formed icicles. I heard later that it was 17 without the windchill factored in. So now I can say I have been to the misty mountains cold and heard the wind roaring in the tops of the pines.I had hoped that by sleeping in it would be warmer. The sun was out so it felt much warmer. A crystal blue sky was left by the passing front. I stopped for lunch at Gooch Gap shelter. I took some time to plan ahead. The last camp site before bear county is Lances Creek and that is too far for me to reach. And I'm not sure I can hike all the way through that section either in one day. So the plan I decided on was to hike to Woody Gap and have the 5 PM shuttle from Hiker Hostel pick me up today and then drop me off tomorrow morning. Then I can slack pack through that section. (The bear country I am referring to is a section that you are required to have bear canisters for food storage.)At Hiker Hostel I had a pepperoni pizza and met some Germans and an Aussie. Michael from the first day showed back up at hostel. And Robin from Lexington arrived.Sent from my iPhoneSent from my iPhone
Date: 2014-03-15
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

When Father Justin blessed my trip he doused me pretty good with the Holy Wate. Anytime we get splashed with any water we sometimes say remember your baptism. I thought at the time I will need to remember that on the Trail when it rains. This morning I am remembering that because it's pouring rain. Today will be a lot about attitude. I can be miserable thinking about my soaked feet or I can just say "remember my baptism." Maybe this will be a day of worship in a great cathedral with God blessing me with holy water.I was dropped off at Neel's crossing this morning where I got some food items at Mountain Crossings Store then headed up the trail. The Appalachian Trail actually passes through a part of the building.When I came out of the woods at Tesnatee Gap a group of people were across the parking lot standing around. I took off my pack by tree to rest a minute and a lady came over to offer me a piece of chocolate cake. I said I could not turn down her offer, cake is never better than after a 6 mile hike with a 35 pound load. Sam was having his 84th birthday and always comes to this favorite place to celebrate. That is Cowrock mountain which I had just passed. A huge rock outcropping with lots of views.The cake was a total surprise but kids had already met me on trail and said their Glenloch baptist church from Atlanta is cooking food for the hikers. That thought had been motivating me to get to Hogpen Gap. But the last .9 miles was straight up and straight down. I told Superfeet and Barnacle (as the young couple zoomed past me) all I needed was a little hat with a feather in it to be one of those Swiss alpine mountaineers.After a coke, muffin, and hotdog I pushed on to Low Gap Shelter. I had one hotdog in my pack for dinner too. I did the 4 miles in about 2 hours with Long Bow setting the pace.Everyone was hoping to find shelter from today's rain storm at the Shelter. But for most that did not happen. The tiny shelter holds 7 but had squeezed in 8. A single decker . I estimated the gap has 40 or more people camping here. Bear cables to hang food were great. The trail is like tiny creeks with the water running in the path. I passed Cowrock Mountain, Hogpen Gap and Sheep Rock Top all today.
Date: 2014-03-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

Misty mountains cold again but above freezing. I have a spot for my sleeping bag in the shelter tonight. Sloshed through water all day. Have not seen the sky nor the valley today. Just enjoying the surreal shapes of the bare trees through the fog. Also many water falls. I would stop for a minute and gaze at the water spilling over the rocks and listen to each song the particular falls sings.Passed Pitstop on the hike today. Also Barnacle and Superfeet passed me. They provided some impetus for me to pick up my pace.
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Hiked--I mean creeped up Tray Mountain which crested at 4430 feet. In shelter this morning the Darell's pointed out that the hike for today would be a giant W. The first hump was Rocky Mountain at 4017 feet followed by the dip of 900 feet to Indian Grave Gap then the climb of 1300 feet. The second hump slowed me down to 20 feet intervals of climbing and resting. I was wondering if the altitude of just under a mile high had a noticeable effect. I blamed my pounding heart on the height anyway.Just as an example of how the hike messes with your mind, the guide book lists the site of the ruins of a cheese factory. But when Katherine read it she saw Cheesecake Factory and I admit I had to read it twice.The Darrell's left a little before I did so I had a little conversation with Katherine and Hamp who were debating whether to stay at the next shelter or town. Heard later they were heading for town. Passed Maverick who gave me a Bud for St. Patrick's Day. Thought I might drink it before bed but then realized don't drink anything after 6 pm to try to make it through night without getting up.
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked out from Tray Mountain today with Jess and Voodoo. I went ahead of them on down hills and they caught up and passed me on the hills. They zoomed past me and soon disappeared in the fog. I stayed with them more or less until the last mountain.When close enough I heard them talking about French Fries so got thinking I would skip the shelter and go the extra 3 miles to the Gap for a ride to town and get fish and chips. The thought got me across the mountain and my mind cleared enough to realize I can stay in the shelter free and get to town in the morning and only pay for one night.The climb was long long today but I just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I thought the challenge is not to make it to Maine but to just keep going on the mountains. We got a fire started tonight and the people are drifting in. Maverick, Safety, Jay, Wrong Way, Maverick, and another hiker all arrived. Maverick acted miffed that I passed the Bud onto one of the guys from Darlington. He said "Man you aren't allowed to re-gift."
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap, NC
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast was the highlight of staying at Blueberry Patch Hostel. Sawmill gravy, eggs, homemade biscuits , hash browns, and pancakes with blueberry syrup made from blueberries grown on farm. Gary blessed the food and us as the "family" held hands around the table. He prayed for spiritual and physical healing, safety and that we may have our eyes open to beauty of God's creation. All reasons I am out here hiking. I felt so moved to be where I am.Made it to the North Carolina state line today with an expected gradual climb. Kept a steady pace except to break for lunch of a Snickers and trail mix. It was sunny today for a change.Rain is out of the forecast so I was planning on sleeping under stars until I checked to find the temperature will be in the 20's. There are about 15 hikers in our cove tonight. Everyone is bear bagging tonight due to signs of bear activity. Dinner tonight is pasta noodles and Parmesan plus dessert of hot cocoa and Hershey almond bar.
Date: 2014-03-21
From: Bly Gap, NC

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

One of the purposes of this hike is to raise money to purchase iPads for use by children while they are hospitalized at Kentucky Children's Hospital. There is now an article about my hike posted online at:http://www.givetokch.org/site/news/danny-partin-hikes-appalachian-trail-to-benefit-kentucky-childrens-hospitalIf you would like to give online, please go to:https://www.uky.edu/GiveNow/Under "Gift Information" select KENTUCKY CHILDRENS HOSPITAL from the 1st drop down list. Select OTHER in the 2nd drop down list. Then in the "Fund Name" type: PARTINThank you for your support for the children!
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3

Last evening I coaxed out the last vapor of my fuel canister to make a cup of hot chocolate. I have been nearly stoveless for couple of days and considered hiking without the stove. But when everyone else powers up their stove and the wonderful aromas waft my way, I know I need to buy fuel at resupply. (I ended up getting a canister that says it burns in all weather, so there will be hot food for the cold weather. I also got more Aquamira drops in case they run out. I could go a day without food but not water. I've been operating on 2 to 3 quarts of water a day.)I set the tent up under a canopy of rhododendron expecting rain during the night. When daybreak came, I thought maybe it's still on the way. So I broke camp right away, and put on my raingear just in case. Then I sat on the camp log to eat the oatmeal that I had been soaking over night in the bear bag. Before long sure enough it started sprinkling, which brought Cheese Steak out her tent to take it down before it got wet. I left her packing, but she passed me by the time I got to the final assent for Albert mountain.
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Winding Stair Gap - Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0

So what did I do on zero day? First of all went to a pancake breakfast at the First Baptist Church of Franklin where all hikers are welcome.Then I sorted food and repackaged it for 5 days hiking, brushed my teeth and made some business calls that I could not do on the weekend. I also went to look for the Post Office but it was too far to walk for nursing my blister.Instead I found the Frogtown market and bought a fish sandwich, cole slaw and fries. I cruised Main Street--Books Unlimited, The Gallery, Carolina Made. I worked on my Wordpress blog at Life's Bounty Bakery with a raspberry turnover and coffee. Then I visited an outfitter store and the Tartan museum. The Tartan museum curator said he had never heard of Partin Tartan but had some Murray Tartans. Then I went back to the hostel to try to recalculate my itinerary to make up a day before Fontana. Later I took a ride on the shuttle to Outfitter Store to print a smokies thru-hiker permit. (Every Thru-Hiker on the AT through Great Smokies National Park must pre-register and get a back country permit to carry through the park. ) Then I went to Walmart for a couple of items.
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Yesterday Vagabond was bemoaning the fact there is no chessboard at the hostel. About hiker-midnight another Danny shows up and in the course of conversation mentions he is chided by others for carrying a chess game with him. Vagabond, Kennedy and I all laugh. because we had talked about that already. How cool is it that the one lone hiker who shows up has a chess board! The nice part about the chess game was our room got quiet for a while. I love the conversations but need quiet time too.After the fog lifted I could see snow on the mountain tops surrounding Franklin. The Smokies are reporting 3 to 4" of snow at the moment. I am packing up some things to ship home now. My Crocs are going, my fanny pack, a small pan, my thermo gloves (dry too slowly --will replace today), my cap (doesn't stay on in wind) and toys on sale from Walmart for the grandchildren. I am also sending my trowel. It is plastic, light, and compact but does not cut the tiny roots in mountain soil. I just grab a sturdy three foot stick and attack the ground and a hole is cleared out in no time.My number one most important gear item is the Trekking Poles. They have actually saved my hide a number of times by providing two more points of support for balance and traction. They transfer some of the shock from my knees to my arms while descending and help share the load with my leg muscles when climbing.I am also surprised how much I appreciate the full length Thermarest Z-lite sleeping pad. The benefit provided is the extra insulation from the cold on the ground and board floors with windy cracks in shelters. My feet tend to be coldest part of my body so I will keeping the full length pad through the cold weather.The 15 degree sleeping bag is well worth it's weight. So many hikers have had uncomfortable nights with bags not rated for below 20 degrees. I expect tonight will be single digits in the Smokies. The tent seems to be 10 degrees warmer than shelter after I heat it up.I would not take anything for the Merrill Moab ventilators. They are a heavy duty trail running shoe. I have stepped on narrow edge rocks and felt no discomfort. The traction is good. But I always have to test wet sloping rocks for friction level before trusting my foothold.I have not taken my insulated jacket out of the stuff sack but it makes an excellent pillow. My layers in order of temperature are a short sleeve tech shirt, a long sleeve tech shirt, a fleece jacket and/or rain jacket. I will eventually have to use the insulated jacket for more than a pillow. As I heat up, I can pull up my sleeves. I have seen temperature changes including windchill of 30 degrees within a 30 minute period.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Bryson City, NC
Miles today: 11.5

I got out of camp at Cold Spring Gap shelter about 10am. It was down to about 17 degrees. I slept with my head completely covered most of the night. Occasionally I tried opening a bit for fresh air but my nose kept getting cold. I found out Solo from Blue Ridge, GA, is actually doing a thru hike.   As I suspected after I got under way I encountered icy patches from the nights' freezing. The highlight of the day was short side trip to Wesser Bald with an observation tower. It was a bit scary climbing the stairs because the tread on the steps was narrow and the stairs were shaking. After I got to the top there was a large floored area that was solid. I could see 360 degrees, so I tried taking a panorama shot and shots with the movie camera also. After conferring with another hiker, I decided a snow-covered peak in the distance is likely Clingman's Dome. Mt. Le Conte is reporting 6" snow at over 6000 feet, so Clingman's Dome probably has a good amount of snow.      I needed to make some business calls during the weekday so I stopped at an overlook and turned it into my remote office and got things squared away. Maybe I can just get a work at home job but make a spot in the wilderness my home.   My journey for the day took me from just over 5000 feet down to 1750 feet at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). The last few miles seemed to take forever. I had only eaten cold food since leaving Franklin so my appetite was building for some food from the restaurant I had heard about. I did call ahead and reserve a bunk in the hostel but wanted to get there before seven to pick up the key. I finally got there at 6. Plenty of time to get the key at The General Store and go across the street to order food from the River's End Restaurant. I ordered fries, a trout cake sandwich and Greek salad. I was so hungry I caught my self checking out the plate for leftovers of a departing diner. The sandwich and salad were both huge. It included everything I needed: a little protein, lots of greens, a large slice of onion and tomato and plenty of carbs in the fries. No dessert after this meal.   I went to the cabin and got a hot shower and felt a lot better. I met my bunkmate who is an eleven year Army veteran living in Myrtle Beach, SC. He uses his vacation each year to go out and hike a section of the A. T. We talked about the section we had just hiked but not about why he was out here hiking. What ever his reason, I suspect it provided restoration for mind and body for him.
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Bryson City, NC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: moderate rain

Left Nantahala Outdoor Center at 11:00am and arrived at Sassafras Gap Shelter after 4.5 hours of hiking. I had allowed myself as much as 6 hours because it was a long climb from the valley. I saw no one on the trail today but I could tell I wasn't too far behind someone because the wet leaves were flipped over to dry leaves. When I arrived the lone person here was Flinch from Maine so I guess she was the one ahead of me. It wasn't long before Fritz Lang, Jo Cool, Forest, Pyro (Germany) and others arrived. Some will have a meal and move on but some are staying.I spent time on a journal update while having my oatmeal and coffee at the base camp kitchen. Then I went to the outfitters store and bought a children's book about the lady who hiked the trail with a dog named Ellie. While at store I ran into Super Feet and Barnacle who were checking out the merchandise. Barnacle said that just last year while driving through she and Super Feet had stopped to eat at River's End Restaurant. While there they happened to talk to a south-bound thru-hiker. After that conversation they made the decision to hike the A. T. this spring. Neat that here they were back at point where they made that decision.      I went across the street to the General store to mail post cards and procure some fruit for the hike. I came out with pack of tuna, a snicker bar and a cherry coke. The cherry coke gave me a boost up the mountain.I could clearly still hear the deep roar of the river after climbing several hundred feet. Finally I turned a curve and it was as if someone just turned the volume down. Next I came into a holler with a small brook that was singing a higher pitch lilting song.   Later I heard the train moving up and down the valley. Eventually I crossed the ridge and lost all sounds from the valley. I got to see a downy woodpecker sitting on the side of a tree. The way I was climbing a bit and then stopping to catch my breath reminded me of my dad. He is partly responsible for my lpve of the forest. He took me into the woods on hunting excursions day and night as well as logging trees out of the forest. He taught me the names of many trees.I had a sobering moment when I came across a shrine to a fallen firefighter named Wade A. Sutton who died on December 7, 1968. I sang "Memory Eternal" for him. I hiked on and for a while continued to feel the solemnity of the place.   I was resigned that today was going to be a long climb so I was prepared somewhat but the steep part began to get to me. I found that by saying sets of 40 of the Jesus Prayer, taking a break, then going on, I had more energy and it took my mind off the steep climb.   For part of the ascent, I began to sweat so much it was getting in my eyes but later after I got into the clouds it cooled down and I put on a rain coat to keep warm.It is a bit eerie being up here in the clouds.