morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-14
From: Fontana Dam

To: Birch Spring Campsite
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: few clouds

"Climbing would be a great, truly wonderful thing if it weren't for             all the damm hiking."   John Ohrenschall UGH! Whoever said that the Smokies are Americas' vacationland must be the same guy that put thumbtacks in my boots and the railroad spike through my left kneecap. It was a very warm day and I sweated like a farm animal. I drank nearly 3 liters of water. It was a nice hike from the road to the Fontana Hilton shelter despite the nagging pain in my ankles and shins when starting out. The Hilton shelter is gorgeous, sort of a tourist version of a shelter. Very clean - looks like they varnished the floors. It has a beautiful view of Fontana Lake. Strider and I walked over the dam and took many pictures. (Fontana Dam is a TVA dam that is 480 ft. high and is the highest dam in the eastern USA.) We then proceeded to start the hike up into the Smokies - directly up. Not straight up, just a long haul up for 3 1/2 miles. Close to a 3000 ft. rise in elevation. I climbed Shuckstack and went 2 flights up the big 5 flight fire tower - 2 was enough for me. Arrived at Birch Spring campsite with Dan and Karen from Mass. Dan is one of the guys that stayed with Scamp until the emergency team got to him. The campsite is the site of a former shelter, very pretty, excellent stream that I can hear from my tent. The tent sites are spread out and some tent platforms still exist. Cooked dinner and chatted as several others rolled in. Gazelle is back on thr trail after a week off for her cousins' wedding. During dinner and a campfire, one of the guys said he heard a bear on a nearby ridge. It took off when he moved and crunched a stick. At the Hike Inn this morning, Nancy Hoch had a newspaper clipping about a 520 lb. wild boar that was killed in the Smokies. She said if I wanted to be afraid of something, wild boars should be it. There are far more boars than bears up here and I probably passed many already. I don't want to bump into one.The Fab 5 team is no more. Mountain Dancer and John E Smokes took a zero at the Hilton to rest her knee and he needed new rain gear, Viking continued to the next shelter as he needs to speed up to meet his girl friend at Roanoke. We may see Mountain Dancer and John E Smokes again. Strider and I are still together. He made coffee this AM to coax me out of bed. When I am moving slow as molasses and I come around a bend, he is waiting for me. I make sure he checks his blood pressure. We're a good team. Tomorrow we'll cross over Rocky Top and be in Tennessee for a while. Cool. We'll cross the NC / Tenn border seneral times through and after the Smokies. Another state line under my belt. Tonights' campsite is at mile 168 and change - just 2000 more to go.
Date: 2003-04-15
From: Birch Spring Campsite

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

"The forests of America, however slighted by man, must have been a great delight to God because they were the best he ever planted." John Muir Well - the Smokies may not be as bad as I've lead you to believe. Actually they are quite beautiful and the trails are spectacular! Very nicely graded and in excellent condition - except where the horses have dug them up. The knee feels better but the balls of my feet hurt terribly after 6 miles. I stiil have pain in my shins and calves when starting out. Nice walk today - 11 miles. We are doing 2.2 miles per hour. When we got up to Doe Knob, it was covered in Spring Beauties. Most of today was blanketed in Spring Beauties. It was like a carpet in places. Passed Mollies Ridge and Russell Field Shelters to get here. Its kind of a bummer because we aren't allowed to tent in this area - we must sleep in shelters. They are a little creepy as they have cages covering the opening. Creepy yet comforting due to the bears and wild boars. The shelter register mentions some coyote activity here lately. Dharma Bum and Suds are here from last night. She makes soap for a living. Sniper and 2 guys, section hikers, from New York are also here. We had a good chat around the fire ring as we cooked dinner. I must also say that the privy here is 4 stars! Its' new and the cleanest I've seen. Muldering type so you have to throw leaves in to help it do its' stuff. Strider and I hope to make it to Newfound Gap and Gatlinburg in 3 days. I'm gonna have a few cocktails and some southern style cooking!A beautiful sunset tonight - maybe we'll have sun for another day.
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Siler Bald shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"He has seen only half the universe, who never has been shown the House of Pain"                  Ralph Waldo Emerson   Woke to a beautiful morning after a restless nights sleep in Spence Field Shelter. It is near an actual field at 4900 ft. Neat after seeing nothing but trees for weeks. During breakfast we were visited by a deer. We thought it was nice at first untill it started to act strange and getting quite close to us. Its back legs were chewed up around the knees and it was drooling. Freaky - I got brave and shooshed it away wielding my trekking pole. We hiked up Rocky Top and Thunderhead in Tennessee - elevations 5460 and 4400. The highest we've seen. Todays' hike was very difficult. The first 6.5 miles kicked my butt and the second 5.5 did me in totally. My feet are barking like a pack of dingoes. My knees are screaming. I was very discouraged. Even with all the of the incredible beauty that surrounds me every minute, the pain and non stop work of thru hiking is very difficult. There were times today I just cried as I walked. I cried because everything hurt. I cried because I have so many miles to go. I cried because this is so hard. I don't know if I can do this for another 2000 miles. This is the hardest thing I have ever done. Tomorrow is another 10 plus miles and we'll walk over Clingnans Dome - the highest point on the entire AT - elevation 6600 feet. I slept badly in the shelter last night so I am tenting. I'm the only one out here with a full shelter tent. Tucson saved me a place in the shelter but I'll be happier in my tent. I just hope that there are no bears , boars or crazy deer lurking.
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Siler Bald shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"I was burned out from exhaustion, buried in the hail, poisoned in the bushes and blown out on the trail - hunted like a bear, trampled in the corn - "Come In" she said, I'll give you shelter from the storm."   Bob Dylan Its' amazing the restorative qualities of (11) hours in a sleeping bag can do. I feel a 100 times better both physically and mentally. I was pretty close to quitting yesterday. They say if you have (3) bad days in a row, its time to quit. After a slow start, headed out from Silas Bald Shelter at 9:15 AM. The threat of rain loomed large and it finally let loose. The winds were howling as I started up Mt. Buckley and they continued to howl at the approach to Clingmans Dome. (6643 ft. - highest point on the AT). Still the views were amazing! It was a little challenging going up Clingmans but for the most part an excellent hike. I took a few pictures of the approach as well as on the top of the tower. There was a mix of snow and rain at 6600 ft. and the wind really blew!!! Chatted with some folks about thru hiking and they were amazed that we walked from Georgia. The hike off of Clingmans Dome was mostly downhill and welcomed. Went through some very old stands of pine that were absolutely stunning! Got to Mt. Collins shelter in a downpour and the rain has yet to let up. Instead of walking to the spring for water, I got my 3 liters from the runoff from the shelter roof. I nearly killed myself when I walked into the corner of the roof overhang. I cut my forehead and eyelid and it scared the hell out of me when I saw the blood. In the shelter tonight are Sidewinder, Flatlander, Strider, Carla and Tom - a couple from the local area. I named her Firestick - she used 24 firesticks in an attempt to start a fire with no luck while he snored non-stop. Also here is a ridgerunner, Jeremy. He walks the trail 5 days a week for 3 months. Cool! Tomorrow its off to Gatlinburg for food, shower and laundry. It is still pouring. Maybe the sound of the rain will muffle the snoring.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap - Gatlinburg TN
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: light rain

"These beautiful days enrich my life, they do not exist as mere pictures hung upon the walls of memory only to sink like a landscape in the dark - they saturate themselves into every part of my body and soul and live forever."                     John Muir The rain finally let up after the all night deluge. Woke up to a lake in the firepit outside of our caged cozy shelter. The sun actually came out for a spell as we packed our gear. Started hiking at 10 AM and made the trip to Newfound Gap by 1 PM. We were greeted by a mob of tourists out for the Easter holiday. Shame that it was shrouded in a cloud - they have no idea what they are missing. The beauty in the Smoky Mtns. is astounding! We walked through some very old stands of huge pines and the smell and scene was incredible. At Newfound Gap we were greeted by a trail angel dressed as the Easter Bunny. Wendy is following her daughter along the 5100 mile International Trail which runs all the way from Florida into Canada. Wendy had a bunch of easter candy and offered to drive us all the way into Gatlinburg - 15 miles. Terrific trail magic bonus!!Got to Gatlinburg and "Wow" what a culture shock. Its like the Las vegas strip in the middle of the mountains. Wedding chapels, Ripleys museum, amusement rides - very wierd. If you have been to the board walk in Wildwood, NJ, you have been to Gatlinburg. It is just very strange after weeks in the woods to stumble into this mecca of seamy glitz and tackiness. They even have a space needle and gondola rides - and of course Dollywood.Strider and I made a major impact at Shoneys AYCE buffet. I bought a bottle of Captain Morgans, smokes and Pepsi and headed back to our tacky room at the Grand Prix Motel. I planned to take a bath, but the tub was a little gross, so a shower was fine. Imagine - I can eat a 3 day old M&M picked up from the dirt on the trail, go 7 days without bathing, but was not prepared to take a bath in a tub with a couple of dead bugs and a stray hair. Yick!! I'm now having a few cocktails, getting a little loopy and planning tomorrows chores of grocery shopping, gear check and itinerary for the next week or so.... it seems that there is never time to just kick back and relax.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Newfound Gap

To: Icewater Creek Shelter
Miles today: 3.0

"The art of life is often lost in the pace of living."               Dannette Rice Glad to have made it out of Gatlinburg alive. The place is just plain weird! Spent saturday shuttling from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge, home of Dollyworld! Yes, I did go, but all I did was take a picture! Spent most of the time grocery shopping and shuttling. It was a beautiful sunny day and good to be out and about. Caught up with a bunch of folks. Peregrine and Red Rover were at the Grand Prix Motel and we had dinner together at the brewery. Red Rover caught bronchitis and they have been stuck in Gatlinburg for a week. They plan to hit the trail Tuesday. Mountain Dancer and John E Smoke showed up too! We had breakfast together this AM at the Pancake House - exceptional french toast!! Ate it twice! It was that good! It's really good to catch up with people and here their stories about where they were during the storms. We all might be in Hot Springs together! Also plan to meet my folks there! Took a taxi back up to Newfound Gap at 12:30 and was back on the trail by 1:00. Short 3 mile hike today to Icewater Spring shelter. Met some nice section hikers - Mike Wright and his daughter Tiffany. Nice folks! I showed up at the shelter around 2:30 and who is here???? Smokey Mountain Steve! Excellent to see him! He's out with his son. They are working on a campfire. Their secret to a good fire starter? TP and olive oil. Mover's method takes the cake however! Tampons and vaseline! He could make a fortune out here! I walked today with a (1) pound ham in my pack and split it witht Strider. It is Easter sunday! We ate ham, mashed potatoes and apples for desert! Most Yummy! The best part is, my pack now weighs (1) pound less! The forecast is callig for showers tonight and tomorrow morning. Hopefully theyll miss us and I'lll have a string of nice weather through the rest of the Smokies to Standing Bear Campground.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

"It's whats inside that makes the difference."                           Lance ArmstrongA very long and chilly day, but I feel great! Woke up in a cloud and stayed there almost all day. We were expecting 65' and some sun, but at 6000 feet anything is up for grabs. A late start out of the shelter, folks didnt wake up till nearly 8 and my 2 hour morning routine put us on the trail just before 10. Not the best time to start a 13.4 mile day. The terrain was fairly flat. Fairly meaning in the 1st 5.7 miles there were only 3 (500) foot ascents. Made it to Tri Corner Knob shelter just before 1 with 1 ten minute break. The next 8 miles had 2 (500+) foot ascents but the majority of elevation change was down. Tonight we are at 4700 feet. Started the day close to 6000'. It was quite chilly,windy and wet. Rime ice was falling off some hemlocks and I got nailed in the face and head several times. Also saw wreckage of a plane. It was painted green like a military plane. An older guy here at the shelter seems to think it was an A 10. Who knows how long its been here. It was not a recent crash like the one on Clingmans Dome 3 weeks ago. After 13 miles today I really feel like I could have gone farther. I'm glad I didnt have to though. Tonight at the shelter an overflowing house. I'm in my tent thankfully. There are 15 tents and 14 in a shelter for 12. Lots of people {not thru hikers} with reservations. Very likely they over did it and said they had 4 when they realy had 10. Thing is, if thru hikers are in a shelter in the park and people have reservations, thru hikers beyond the 1st 3 have to get out. Kinda sucks. No one had to get out, but the guilty section hikers didn't ask. Most tents are on very hilly terrain. Mine is relatively flat, but we have 7 of us in the fire ring area. It will be a relief to finaly get out of the Smokies - too many regulations and poor tenting spots. Tomorrow, Mountain Mommas for cheese burgers, then on to Standing Bear campground to sleep in a teepee! I am craving spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread and a really big salad! Maybe Hot Springs. I forgot to menntion, I figured out a very light weight way to bring adult beverage with me! Very proud! Now im carrying Captain Morgan! Tonight we all toasted our completion of 10% of the trail!         ------------------------------This mobile message sent using PocketMail.
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Cosby Knob

To: Standing Indian Campground
Miles today: 8.0

"Lucky for the hikers ?? - the mouse problem seems to lessen as the         temperatures warm and the snakes come out. Lynn Setzer - "A Season on the Trail Woke to vivid sunshine, packed up and hit the trail just after 10. Late according to thru hiker standards but we only had 8 miles and a pit stop to make. The trail started downhill and we were all expecting significant downhills, but first we had to summit Sunup Knob to Mount Cammerer - a mere 750 feet up. The rest of the day was knee crushing and foot pounding downhill - 4000 feet and out of the Smokies to Davenport Gap. This gap is a mere blip on the map. Got a ride to Mountain Mommas Country Kitchen and ate one of the biggest cheese burgers ever. It was awesome! Strider, You'ns, Shaggy, Rusty and I then got a ride to Standing Bear Campground. This place is awesome. They have a real teepee that sleeps 3 to 4, a bunkhouse and a cabin that sleeps 4. I lucked out and got the last bed in the cabin! Its full size! Hopefuly I'll sleep well. This place has hot showers, laundry, telephone, internet access and a privy for $15.00! and they have great food such as steaks and hotdogs. It's a greatplace for thru hikers. Smokey Mountain Steve showed up and drove us into town for Shoneys and Walmart! We bought him dinner. It's my turn to use the phone. Bye. ------------------------------
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Groundhog Gap Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

"I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority."            E. B. White Slept cold in the bed in the cabin at Standing Bear Farm. Other than that the place is just awesome. Microwave, grill, laundry, hot showers and free internet all for $20.00. Awesome! Smoky Mtn Steve took Strider and I back to the Gap this morning and we slackpacked {without packs} the 2 miles back to Standing Bear. Hung with You'ns, Shaggy and Rusty Lerue a bit before we hoisted the beasts and trudged uphill from 1750' up to 4635'. It was a long haul, especially with a full food bag! ugh, it was work. Hiked over Snowbird Mtn which is home to an FAA tower and weather station. The tower was interesting, {it hummed, you could feel it in yourboots} but what they did to the mountain top is a disgrace! It has been completely clear cut and looks like a tree cemetery. It is terrible - rows and rows of cut trees just laying there for years. It looks like the top of a beat up bald. Got to the shelter, set up the tent, even though its supposed to rain. I sleep so much better in the tent. Much better than in the shelter and even better than in a real bed. Tomorrow is the 1st day of a 2 day hiker feed 3 miles or so up the trail. It's called the Brown Gap affair and promises lots of excellent food and spirits! It's put on every year by the same group. You can find out more about these folks at www. hobocentral.com. Hiking Legends, Baltimore Jack, Wee Willy, Hobo and Pirate are all part of this group and it sounds like fun. I'm going to walk slowly so I can be a part of it. Smoky Mountain Steve should be there!
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

" Too much of a good thing can be beautiful."                     Mae WestSo as I planned for this adventure, I was certain that as I walked I would encounter deep, stimulating, life changing thoughts. Instead, during the course of the day my mind returns to the same two things. Generally, its the theme to Green Acres and Let it snow... today the theme to Andy Griffith popped in my head and it has stuck.Today was a superb day, woke up to very light rain, packed up and was on the trail by 9. Went uphill for 2 hours and then hit Brown Gap where we stumbled upon the most excellent trail magic! The Rat Patrol was throwing a feast! I enjoyed scrambled eggs and juice followed by a diet coke {ice cold thank you}and a huge orange! Then it was a banana nut muffin and strawberries, then a thin mint brownie, chips and dip, a cheeseburger with lettuce and onion and an ice cold beer. Sounds like a lot but Strider and Firefeet {she weighs just 107 lbs!} each had 2 cheeseburgers. After 3 hours, hard as it was to leave we headed back up hill to Max Patch. We would miss the steaks and hams and more beer. Max Patch is one of the last true balds and is amazing! Its a 4600 ft + field! Very cool!!! Firefeet and I hiked most of the day together and had a great time, cracking up all the way! The 5.5 miles from Max Patch flew by and before we knew it we here at Walnut Mountain Shelter. Strider is the only other one here, so its just the 3 of us. Very likely all the others out of Standing Bear got caught up in the Rat Patrol magic {Brown Gap affair} and stayed! They tried like hell to get us to stay but 3 hours was plenty. This is the 13th year for the Brown Gap affair and it is so appreciated. I am tenting again, even with a chance of rain. it was actually beautifull this afternoon with lots of sun! Of course Max Patch was a little cloudy but the views were excellent! Tomorrow another 11 + miles to Deer Park Mtn shelter and Sunday HOT SPRINGS!!!
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Deer Park shelter
Miles today: 10.0

"Pain nourishes courage - you can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you."                  Mary Tyler Moore On a scale of 1 to 10 in the misery department, this morning came in around 132! Woke up early, about 6AM {had to pee} and the new moon was setting down through a few clouds. A litle later a rain shower through bluish skies. Ate, packed and was hiking by 9am. Got to Walnut Mtn Shelter just after 10 {1.8 miles} in heavy fog. Or was it a cloud? Smoked a butt, read and signed the trail register and the sky opened up in a torrential downpour. Having just under 10 miles to go and 2 significant mountains to climb, I did what any thruhiker does and put on my rain gear. {I hate my raingear!!!} Lugged on the beast and I was off, in the deluge. You tend to walk pretty fast in the rain, but it was hell climbing Bluff mtn. A 1000 foot ascent that went on forever! On the ascent I came across a cave and ducked in for a snack and a smoke. I stayed there a half hour and just as I started to leave, the rain stopped. I hiked about 100 yards and I could see my shadow, soon it was sunny and the hiking was dandy! Much better on the misery scale, about a 7 {still had the rain gear on} By 2 pm I took off the rain gear and was sweating like a farm animal. I took my time enjoying the views and sun and made it to Deer Park Helter at 4 pm. The 2000 foot descent had my dogs barking like a pack of pissed off poodles! Set up the tent near Strider and Firefeet {Brown Bess and Mark are in the shelter} Ate dinner and hit the bag. 11.7 miles, half in a deluge, but a good day indeed. Hot Springs is 3.2 miles away and a visit from dear old Mom and Dad! Cant wait!