morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-01-30
To: LOA Proved!
Miles today: 0.0

Good News! My Personal Leave Of Absence has been approved so that means I don¢t have to quit my job. Thanks boss(s) and WFUBMC! I was hiking one way or the other, but it definitely makes thing much easier knowing my job will be there when I return and I keep my benefits. I know my wife is a lot happier and as any married man can tell you ¢when your wife is happy, then you¢re happy¢. Now she may not be 100% behind this hike, but it¢s definitely shifted more in my favor. I¢ve made a few gear adjustments. After watching a video on ALDHA I¢m taking their advice and switched out my pack cover and rain jacket for the Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Tarp-Poncho.   As the said and I¢ve experienced, a rain jacket is just too hot in the spring and summer (I¢ll still have my Revelcloud jacket for warmth in the spring). So the poncho will not only be cooler, but save me about 10 oz. and provide a shelter if needed. I might eventually return to the pack cover and rain jacket when I hit NH, where the temperature is cooler and a wind shell would be helpful.Another gear swap came after checking out Sugarfoot¢s gear list. I swapped out my Croc¢s for the Vivobarefoot Men's Ultra Running Shoes. They are not only 6 oz. lighter than the Croc¢s, but since they are running shoes in a pinch (very wet conditions) I hike in them.Together that¢s another pound I don¢t have to carry. I¢ve also decide not to bring my tent foot print saving me another 4 oz.One idea I¢ve been kicking around for months and still haven¢t settled on is hiking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in early April, before I start for real on April 20th. Basically getting the GSMNP out of the way because they don¢t allow dogs. I don¢t want to kennel Oliver, so that means getting family to pick him up and drop him off. The logistics though doable are kind of a pain. The pluses are: 1) It would be a good shake down; 2) Some real conditioning; 3) Could save me a day not have to wait for Oliver¢s rides; 4) It would make the chance of summiting Katahdin on my birthday a possibility; and 5) Cutting a week of my LOA (not sure that¢s a plus). The cons: 1) I kind of feel like I¢m cheating a bit, is it still ¢pure¢ thru-hike, if there is a two week gap?; 2) I like the idea of a sequential consecutive hike.I still have two months to decide, and I could still do GSMNP in early April and have the shake down, training and option in my pocket, and leave the decision until I get to Fontana Dam.80 Days and counting!
Date: 2013-04-11
To: Yes, I'm Still Hiking
Miles today: 0.0

I wasn't planning on doing another prep journal entry, but when someone asked the question in my guest book "Is the hike still on?", I figured I had do one more to let everyone know I¢m still hiking.Yes, the hike is still on. I'm still planning on starting bright and early on April 20th. I have made one small change, Oliver won't be starting with me, he'll be joining me after the Smokey's. It was just asking too much of my family to drive me down to Springer, come pick Oliver up at Fontana Dam, and then drop him off again at Davenport Gap. (No, I don't want to kennel him). So now I'll be taking the Amtrak "red-eye" down to Gainesville Saturday morning (12:30 AM), and then a 7:30 AM shuttle to Springer.Oliver, Connor and I did get one practice hike in. We did a there-and-back from the NOC to Cold Springs shelter, about 24 miles round trip. We made good time, about 6 hours there and 5 back. We passed about 30 thru-hikers, got experience the muddy snowy trails and a nightly down pour, but everything went really well, no blisters (wore my brand new Oboz Sawtooth trail runners) and no aches or pain. Today, I¢ll sending off two mail drops with 5 days of food to Neel¢s Gap and Fontana Dam.So to those of you following my journal, thank you and check back April 21st for my first hiking entry.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Springer Mountain

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

The day started out with taking a 12:30 am train to Gainesville. It was an hour late. Arrived 7:30am then rode shuttle to springer. Registered as thru hiker, I am hiker #1018. Left parking lot at 10am hiking south to southern terminus, took usual pictures and signed register, started north bound at 10:54.Weather was perfect. Felt good despite only a few hours sleep.Arrived at hawk mtn shelter at 2:30pm. I waited for Alex to arrive. He wasn't doing well, heel pain, decided to camp there.Chilly night, not too bad, but should have brought bigger mattress, neo air too small for hammock.Alex is talking about getting off the trail, we will see what happens tomorrow.
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Lance Creek

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Chilly windy night I had to put my poncho over me to keep the wind chill down . worked well for a while but ended up with condensation on my sleeping bag .up at 630 and out by 730. Cold start, started with jacket but quickly down too long sleeve shirt .made good time, summited blood mtn by 10:30. great views, took some pictures and then on to Neels gap for a shower and laundry .back on the trail by 1:15. because of back and hammock problems decided to sleep in shelter that meant another 12 miles to low gap shelter. arrived at 6:20 got the 6th out of 7th spot, yes! a little tired, a long day but a good one
Date: 2013-04-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Interesting night at the shelter. About 12:30 a few hikers restarted the fire and start cooking. I think they were toasting marshmallows. later came the snoring. I think one of the snorers was actually a dog.Up at 630, a little slow getting started because I was trying to be quiet everyone else was still sleeping.Lunch at Blue Mountain shelter.The next eight miles with up and down and up and down. 1000 feet up and then down again. Last up with Tray mountain. Ran out of water about a mile from the shelter.Arrived at 3:30 and relaxing. Two hikers stayed with me in the shelter and about 7 camping outside.We got a fire going and people are just relaxing outside.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Plum Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 15.5

Out at 7:45, about 9:30 I had my first bear sighting. I looked up in the trees and saw what at first to be just a big knot, but it was just too big and black. I stopped and looked closer and yes it was a bear. He was perched on top of a large broken off tree staring down into the valley. at first he didn't move thinking I would just move on but when I took out my camera started taking pictures he figured he'd get down and move on. I had switched to taking video and when he started to move so did I so my video didn't turn out too well. rain is expected today so I really picked up the pace hoping to get to the shelter before it started, I beat the rain by 30 minutes. a really good crowd at the shelter tonight. Ron Burgundy, Phoenix, turtle, Zorro, square peg, sassy pants, Papa Jim, and Amy. Ron Burgundy shows up with like 10 pou nds of food, he has 12 hot dogs, four small pizzas and more candy than most kids get for Halloween. Ron starts a fire to cook his hotdogs in the process of collecting firewood he finds a big old rattlesnake, its huge, we convince him not to kill it and cook it. this guys is a hoot, he starts tell stores and has everyone laughing. it's bedtime, the group downstairs start snoring and then the nice come out. the mice are trying to get into Phoenix's pack, so she starts slapping her Pack and turning on her light. It's all quite comical.about 5:30 Zorro comes into the shelter. A bear is hanging around his hammock.it's been the best day yet.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Plum Orchard Shelter

To: standing Indian shelter 
Miles today: 12.2

due to shelter spacing and the need to resupply its going to be a short day. my sawyer squeeze bags are both leaking so I need to stop in Franklin to get new ones. crossed over into NC and left Georgia behind around 10 o'clock. took some pictures at the border and then headed up bly gap, boy with that a climb.ran into Ron Burgundy and bunny and her dog boogie, they were heading to standing Indian too. a while later a guy, three girls another dog show up. girl with the dog I actually remember run into at Thomas knob 2 years ago.Ron Burgundy get a fire going to cook some hot dogs. The guy and three girls move on another five miles.   2.0 shows up after dinner. We hang around fire for a while and then head to bed . another good day.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: standing Indian shelter 

To: Long Branch shelter 
Miles today: 16.2

headed out from the shelter about 7:45 and immediately ran into Papa Jim and promise.   promise asked if she could hike with me since I was settings good pace. I said sure and off we went. we hiked together most of the day, this is a first for me as I had hiked alone up to this point. we talked most of the day and the miles flew by. she is a very interesting young woman, she's traveled Europe, worked all over Asia and rode her bike across the United States, just to mention a few things. the hike of Albert mountain to the fire tower was something very steep but it was worth it.   promise stayed at the fire tower to wait for Pa pa Jim, I moved on the next mile to the shelter.   I was the first one at t he shelter, so I took my spot next to the wall. the shelters really nice, its brand new, its huge, I could probably hold 16 people. Ended up the night with five sections hikers, the group of four thru hikers with the dog, and another thru hiker from Wilmington. lot of talk about going to Franklin and eating real food.
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Long Branch shelter 

To: winding stair gap
Miles today: 7.3

up early so I can do the 7 miles to winding stair gap to catch the 9 o'clock shuttle. I flew down the trail ended up getting there about 15 minutes early, but still had to wait another half hour for the shuttle to arrive. checked into the budget inn, took a shower and did my chores.rain is in the forecast for the next few days, but I'm still going to be back on the trail tomorrow
Date: 2013-04-28
From: winding stair gap

To: wesser bald shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: moderate rain

Not much to say about today except RAIN and lots of it. Dropped off by the shuttle at. 9:30 in the pouring rain with 4 others. Hans, a 87 year old German man, a middle aged couple from the orient and women, none of the younger crowd wanted to brave the weather.Today was about staying dry and warm and I managed to do both. My sea to.summit pack poncho worked great. I kept dry and cool underneath, hardly sweated at all, which has always been the problem with my rain coat.One bright spot on this dreary day was my first trail magic. As I near wayah tower I see a gatorade setup with and a cooler full of food beneath.Climbed wayah tower and took some pictures in the rain because I was there.Finally arrived at wesser bald shelter at 7:00, 3 people are.already there. They make room for me, but everyone is really quiet, none of the normal shelter talk. I decide not to cook and eat what I'd prepared but didn't use for lunch
Date: 2013-04-29
From: wesser bald shelter

To: sassafras shelter 
Miles today: 12.6

Left wesser early to get to the NOC so I could shower and do laundry. I'd done this section twice before so I knew what to expect. Paid $2 for my shower and headed towards the bunk house, where I ran into promise and papa Jim, they were just heading out, might see them in GSMNP but they'll be a 1/2 day ahead of me.Showered (best $2 I've ever spent) and did laundry. I also stopped at the outfitters and bought new socks. I have a really bad blister on my right little toe and a smaller one on my left big toe.   I don't think my toes have enough room with my thick wool socks and I'm hoping these newer thinner ones work better.1:00 and I'm off, its a six mile climb to the shelter, but the weather has turned, so its a great day to get up in the mountains. Arrive at 4:30 and there is only one other guy, cory, there. There is another couple up on the hill.Cory and I talk for awhile before heading to bed. He is literally following in his fathers footsteps, his dad did the trail in 82.
Date: 2013-04-30
From: sassafras shelter 

To: cable gap shelter 
Miles today: 15.5

Started out with climbing over Cheoah bald. Beautiful day for it, you could see for miles.Stopped for lunch at the next shelter and met honey & mooner (the couple walking the trail for their honeymoon), navigator, coach, tiny Tim, booties. There were also 3 kids, ages 16, 10, & 6 walking the trail. There mom is usually with them but bec cause their brother isn't doing well they are slack packing and there mom is meeting later.Made it to cable gap around 4:30, hammocking tonight, I have a cold and don't want to keep everyone up. Ends up being a big crowd here, everyone from lunch plus cory, gronk, stitch, bonjour, rebels and a another couple that arrives late. Stitch has a bad case of poison ivy & oak, the boils are hugh.Good crowd, we talk for awhile and then head off to bed.
Date: 2013-05-01
From: cable gap shelter 

To: Fontana Hilton shelter 
Miles today: 6.6

made the mostly downhill hike to route 28 and called the shuttle to Fontana Dam village. picked up my mail drop and did laundry. I have too much food!   I gave a couple tuna packets and my extra toilet paper away. I'm going to try to eat most of my leftovers tonight and tomorrow so I can lighten my pack load. I took the shuttle back to the AT. On my way to the shelter I took advantage of the hot showers at the restroom.   there's a very large crowd at the shelter, too many to mention, now relaxing in my hammock. tomorrow into the Smokies.
Date: 2013-05-02
From: Fontana Hilton shelter 

To: Spencer Field shelter 
Miles today: 16.7

crossed fontana dam first thing in the morning, enteredThe Smokies and dropped my permit in the box. climb up shuckstack mountain wasn't too bad, but would have been easier without 5 days of food to weigh me down. the weather was slightly overcast and very windy.   at the top of the mountain I took the side trail to the old firetower.   the fire tower need some work, the first flight of stairs is missing a handrail and most of the wooden steps look like they have been there for 50 years. a little nervous, I climb to the top, take a few fix pictures and some video and then slowly descend.the rest of the day is pretty uneventful.I arrive at Spencer Field shelter, where the Ridge Runner checked my permit and settle into my spot (in the Smokies you must stay at the shelter and are only permitted to camp near the shelter and only if it is full).
Date: 2013-05-03
From: Spencer Field shelter 

To: mount Collins shelter 
Miles today: 19.8

there is talk of rain arriving tonight and raining all weekend long so I decide to head out to mount collins shelter which has the easiest access to gatlinburg just in case I decide to go to town.   it is very cool, windy and overcast, almost cold, this morning. a lot of Ridgeline walking today, I get some great pictures.   feeling drained when I make it to siler's bald shelter for lunch, 11 miles non stop, rethinking my plan and decide to reevaluate at the next shelter 1.7 miles away.   there is one guy at the shelter already, he's playing on staying there a few days to ride out the rain because he says he has a hole in his boots. he is trying to get a fire started in the shelter but only succeeding in filling it full of smoke. I eat quickly and head out quicker than I planned, no need to stay there. I'm feeling much better and decide to stick with my original plan. I stop at the next shelter for water, drink a liter and put a liter into my platypus. the climb up Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT at 6655 feet, started out the warm and sunny, but ended up cold windy and foggy (I'm hiking in the clouds). even though there are no views I climb the tower and take some pictures and video (I'll have to come back someday when the weather is better).   on the way down the mountain I passed a 200 mile mark. I arrive at the shelter a little before six o'clock, plenty of spots available which is great because I really didn't want a hammock the rain coming. I make my dinner, read a little and head to bed.
Date: 2013-05-04
From: mount Collins shelter 

To: New Found gap 
Miles today: 4.5

a cold and windy night with a smattering of rain.   everyone at the shelter is heading to Gatlinburg, I'm still undecided at this point as there is no rain yet. I head out slightly before 8 o'clock and by 9:30 is starting to rain. when I make it to Newfound Gap it is drizzly, foggy, very windy and chilly, I am heading to town.   a couple ahead of me has already called a trail Angel shuttle (Godspeed and mountain momma), so I and four others head to town. I've checked into the Grand Prix Motel, showered, done my laundry and now I'm relaxing.100 percent chance of rain tomorrow so I'm uncertain at this time if I'll head out or stay another day.
Date: 2013-05-06
From: Gatlinburg

To: tri-corner knob shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Taking a zero day yesterday ended up being a very good decision. The weather today is perfect and this section of trail is the best yet. About 2 miles.in I get to Charlies bunion just as the clouds lift. Charlies bunion is amazing, the side trail skirts the mountain onleaving a narrow trail, opening up on Charlies bunion, you look down into the valley with steep drop offs on all sides.The rest of the day consists of ridge line walking and trails thru Douglas firs, beautiful hiking.Since its an easy day I stop for a long lunch on a ridge line, enjoying the views and sunshine. Just As I am leaving I almost step on a snake brown in color, not sure what kind, it is a juvenile about two feet long. It is cold out and even though he is sunning himself, he is dormant, but I give it plenty of space as I take a picture.The shelter is full, so we even have people camping outside.
Date: 2013-05-07
From: tri-corner knob shelter

To: Standing Bear Fsrm Hostel
Miles today: 18.4

today's hike was mostly downhill with the forest changing over from furs to hardwood into the green of spring. nothing too exciting, still some great views of the valleys below and looking back on the Smokies Mountains rising behind. I kept thinking how big those mountains are in that I just been up there. arrived at the hostel, claimed my bunk, showered and did my laundry. the laundry was a trip, it's an old fashioned wash tub and wash board, least the dryer was a modern electric one.
Date: 2013-05-08
From: Standing Bear Fsrm Hostel

To: Ground Hog Shelter
Miles today: 6.9

Briana arrive around noon with Oliver. he was quite happy to see me, we will have to see if that last since he will be hiking long days instead of sleeping on the couch. making it a short day as this is Oliver's first day on the trail. showed up at groundhog shelter, Three Dog Night we're already there. they are called Three Dog Night because they are a couple hiking with three dog. I leave the shelter to them and set up my tent. Oliver climbs right in and make some self comfortable on my air mattress and sleeping bag, I can tell this will be an ongoing battle on who gets to sleep where. looks like rain tonight. Oliver did well today, tomorrow we will do more miles.
Date: 2013-05-09
From: Ground Hog Shelter

To: Campsite on Bluff Mtn
Miles today: 15.2

we didn't get started until 9 o'clock, because of the rain. packing up at wet tent and taking care of Oliver takes a little more time than just getting out of a shelter. we make it to max patch bald by noon it's cloudy but still have some good views. a lot of hikers are here, I stop and have lunch. a day hiker asked me to take his picture while doing so Oliver gets into my t una fish. I guess I'm not going to share any other food with him today. we get to Walnut Mountain shelter by 3 o'clock, already done 13 miles, but oliver looks good, so I decide to take a break let him rest and put in another two miles to a campsite. this will get us into hot springs around noon and allow Oliver to rest the whole day. so here we are camping by ourselves, actually the first time camping alone for me on this trip. I'd rather be at a shelter, it's too quiet and too lonely.
Date: 2013-05-10
From: Campsite on Bluff Mtn

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 11.0

we are up early and out of camp. 11 miles goes fast and we arrive at Laughing Heart Hostel around noon. we do our normal town chores are back at the hostel around 2. we spend the rest of the day just relaxing, Oliver naps most of the day it's good for him.
Date: 2013-05-11
From: Hot Springs

To: spring mtn shelter
Miles today: 11.0

I don't start too early because I need to stop at the post office to mail some stuff home. I'm trying to shave down my pack weight. Initially I load up oliver with all his food, he looks at me with that are you kidding me look. I take half the food and put it in my pack he is much happier. the day passes quickly, we stop at the fire tower for lunch. it is really dirty and the wind is blowing strong and the skies are overcast so we don't stop for a long.originally thought about doing 15 miles, but when I got to the water at the shelter Oliver doesn't want move and 15 minutes later it starts to rain, we are staying. I set up my tent because it supposed to be clear skies tonight and shelters h alf full.8 section hikers and shabby are here.
Date: 2013-05-12
From: spring mtn shelter

To: jerry cabin shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

its a cold wet start to the morning, we had occasional rain overnight.the clouds clear off and blue skies come out. walking over big firescald, I run into a couple that is found three stray puppies. I give them some rope to use it to leash but the puppies are too young, well maybe they can use it to tie them together when they stop.   they're trying to get down the mountain contact the owner or bring them to animal shelter.Firescald knob is spectatular, I have the time, so I stop for a while enjoy the view and good weather. I make it to Jerry cabin shelter around 4, the shelter is full with section hikers so I set up my tent.Ends up to being about 20 people here. Cold night expected.
Date: 2013-05-13
From: jerry cabin shelter

To: hogback ridge shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

it was a cold night whatever happened to Springs. Packing up in the morning has me almost wishing I still have my gloves. need to get moving to stay warm. ,nothing really interesting on the trail today.I get to the shelter around 3:30, there is a woman here, nightingale who is from Clemmons. she works for Forsyth hospital and has a son that is brianna's age.   not long after a woman shows up with her dog, Oliver is over to say hi, the dog grabs ahold of Oliver's lip and won't let go. Oliver is screaming and in pain. other dog has drawn blood but it doesn't look like it's too bad. the woman says, he normally doesn't do that. I honestly don't care if your dog isn't a friendly and has been known to bite other dogs then you need to tell people and get the dog off trail. fortunately she moves on. the five of us at the shelter. Shabby is here, we've been hiking together now 3 or 4 days. that's the longest I've continued to meet same person. we agree to hike together tomorrow onto spivy gap and then on to erwin.
Date: 2013-05-15
From: spivy gap

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Got up early and into erwin by 11:00. Picked up mail drop, paid for tent site and laundry at uncle johnny's. Started to think about moving on, but needed to wait for laundry machine, which was going to be available until 4:00. Finally got laundry done at 5:00, no dryer available, so dried in the sun. Packed up and left at 6:00, arrived at shelter at 7:30 sweaty and stinky, maybe I should have stayed.