morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap/Hwy 64
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: broken clouds

Slept great last night (in part because I stopped drinking water much earlier yesterday and thus didn't struggle with the urge to get up and go, but not wanting to face the cold). Papa Bear gave me a trail name this morning....Blazing Star. He has been enjoying the wildflowers with me and asked my what my favorite wilflower is. After I thought a bit, I knew it was Liatris, a beautiful purple fall bloomer that Jim Buckner taught me years back at Withlacoochee. I told him the common name "Blazing Star" and I was promptly given that as a trail name. Works for me. I can't express how much I've been enjoying learning all these new species. Of course, it helps that each time I ge to Dad's house I can ID most of what I've seen and photographed with the excellent guide "Wildflowers of the Southern Mountains" by Richard M. Smith (The University of Tennessee Press). This was a guide we got for Mom after one of the trips to Emory University during "the fight". A gift that keeps on giving.   Anyway, when we climbed down to Winding Stair Gap at Hwy 64, we got some big trail magic. A group of Trail Angels from the Coweeta Baptist Church in Otto, NC, were there with a table set up. Snacks of all sorts, soda, coffee, gatorade, water, chairs in the sun (chairs with backs, something we don't have on the trail). Apparently this church has groups that staff this location every day of the week (except Friday) from March 1 through May 30 or so. We were with the Wednesday group. Totally voluntary, and really made us hikers feel refreshed in the caring nature of strangers for strangers. Ron Haven, a well-known trail angel and hostel owner took Bear and Spot in to Franklin for Bar-B-que, and the rest of us just hung out. Around 11, Dad showed up and drove me to his house. I'll be back on the trail tomorrow. Again, a great day!
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Winding Stair Gap/Hwy 64

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Spent a slow morning with Dad (I stayed up pretty late working on plant ID and doing my journal entries online). Went to the post office to mail my watch/thermometer/barometer/altimeter unit in to the manufacturer as the altimeter part (the one I was most interested in) wasn't working...typical of so many things. Got to the trail at 1:30 and planned to hike to the campsite after Wayah ("wolf") Bald, but surprise, surprise there was a new shelter just down the trail. My hiking guide was printed in 2007, and didn't show this shelter, so it was a lovely gift at the end of the day. "Harve '58" was already there and he passed my assessment for a lone guy at a shelter. This is a pretty stringent assessment for obvious reasons. Harve and I had some good conversations about hiking, longleaf pine restoration, and the naval live oak plantation remanants in the panhandle of FL. Harve is hiking the reverse trail of his great, great grandfather who was a Civil War POW who "walked home with a bullet in his knee". Harve hopes to make it to Gettysburg and he seems slow and steady, but I wish he had a little bit better gear (no sleeping pad, and a big, loose, not warm, sleeping bag). I also ran into Shamrock again as she was slackpacking (hiking sections without a pack, while the pack is held by friends or at a hostel). Based on shelter log entries I am a few days behind Sanford and Sam, but can find no sign of "D" or Needles. I saw more patches of Dutchman's breeches and the white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum). Today's hike also included a beautiful view from the Wayah Bald observation tower, a stone observation tower constructed in 1937 in memory of John Byrne, an early forest supervisor of the Nantahala National Forest (who died at age 36 due to previous exposure to poison gas during World War 1). To quote from the information sign at the tower "Grant that as we behold the beauty of this structure, we may recall the beauty of a life lovely in its simplicity, attractive in its personality, and gracious in its expression." What more needs be said about the man who selected the path of the AT through the Wayah Ranger District of the Nantahala N.F.
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

I woke up at 3AM this morning with an incredible pain in the toe next to my big toe on my left foot. It literally felt like the thing was on fire, but just the toenail part. It kept me up for about an hour, no exageration. All the while I was having thoughts ranging from : "OWWWW!", to "What the Heck?", to "Am I going to lose this toenail?" (since that is the longest toe on the foot and the one taking the brunt to the toe stubbing on the rocks), to "Is this gout?" (obviously I was getting a bit fanciful here, but it was 3AM). In the morning I took off one of the layers of tape and it felt better. I think I had over-taped it in my foot care. However, apparently many hikers do lose the toenail on that toe..... I left the shelter at 7:45, my earliest start yet. Made great time to Cold Spring shelter where I met Sherpa Dan (named for his very large pack). Stopped for lunch at Wesser Bald observation tower, where it was sunny enough to dry my socks and shirt out while I ate. After lunch I saw another totally new bird for me, a Canada Warbler (Yay!). Very pretty with a bright yellow underbelly and throat, and grey body, black markings on face and neck. I was planning to stop at A. Rufus Morgan shelter, but decided to go on to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (at Wesser, NC), an outfitter, whitewater rafting,restaurant,bunkhouse place. I was able to reconnect with Papa Bear, Groucho, Raccoon, Spot, and Bear for dinner and beer. I also had an EXCELLENT gift box from my good friends at DPI! You guys are awesome! A bunch of well-selected items and a card with nice thoughts from everyone. Thanks so much! After dinner, my "try to be open to new expereinces and people" motto got me in a long discussion (or something) with Sky Hawk Wilson, an Native American river guide who was VERY into Astrology. He had a lot to say. Some was a bit interesting, some was a bit excessive, all was referenced by this big library of Astrology books he had in his truck. Papa Bear, Spot, and Bear came in to give me an "out" which I took at the first moment I felt I could do so politely. The guy wasn't scary, just so excited about Astrology, too much for my brain which was tired by hiking, food, and a beer (and too much for my general interests, truth be told). On the walk back up to my bunk room I caught a little ring-necked snake. A very cute one. The best day yet.
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

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

How appropriate that the "best day yet" be followed by a day that I can only describe as "SUCKY". Said goodbye to Papa Bear last night, and "See you later" to Spot, Bear, and Raccoon. I slept well in my bunk, had a nice morning at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, shared some of my "gift food" with Groucho, to save some of the extra weight, bought a Smokies plant ID book to add more weight, and hit the trail at 10:30. The climb out of the Center was just bad. I have no other words for it. 1,740 feet elevation to 4,710 feet in six miles. Today my legs just weren't happy with me. One highlight; I did get a great sighting on a yellow rat snake right next to the trail. It was basking in the sun, and let me get several shots of it. But, at 2:30 it started pouring rain, and then as I was putting my rain gear on I realized no that's not just rain.....it's HAIL! Oh hail! It was only pea-sized hail, but it was the capper. I debated for awhile about going to the Brown Fork shelter which was my original plan, but decided to stop at Sassafras Gap shelter to wait for the weather to break. Once I got the wet gear off though I decided to stay and listen to my legs. A few new flower species (courtesy of my new book): A parasitic plant called One-flowered cancer root (Orobanche uniflora), Squirrel corn (Dicentra canadensis) which is closely related to Dutchman's Breeches, Fire pink (Silene virginica), Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), and others. At the shelter were: Day hiker, Tiger Bomb, Katahdin kid, Bearmeister, Wanderer, and Gypsy Lady, as well as Groucho and Sherpa Dan in tents outside.   With the exception of a couple, all were over 50. At 8:00, waters and Frumpy showed up. Speedy guys in their 20s.
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night, but we were happy and dry in the shelter. Got up early and on the trail by 7:30. Had a great morning hike. Slight rain, kind of on-and-off, but I wore my dry pair of socks, so the feet were happy. The rain had knocked the blooms of the Carolina silverbells (flowering tree) to the ground so it was like someone had tossed flowed petals over the trail. Magical misty morning, nice temps, feeling good. Finally saw the May apple (Podophyllum peltatum), and rattlesnake hawkweed (Hieracium venosum) blooming. Made it to Fontana Dam Visitor Center by 10:45, and was able to wander around a few minutes before "my chariot" arrived. Fontana Dam is a Tennessee Valley Authority project. At 480 feet high, it's the highest dam in the Eastern United States, creating Fontana Lake. Thru-hikers walk across the dam to get to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. The next phase of the journey. They are very nice to hikers here, with showers avaialable a the shelter, and at the visitor's center. I didn't need to use them (not because I smell like a rose, probably more like skunk weed; but because I could clean up at Dad's).
Date: 2008-04-29
To: "Hotel Dad"
Miles today: 0.0

Ode to a Boot (4/29/2008)One evening, after many days walk, a young boot took a rest in the sun.To dry out a bit it was set on the deck With it¢s partner at my Dad¢s home.When the sun finally set, the boots stayed outside Due to dirt, and smell and ¢¦wine.Dare I say I forgot that my boots were out there,¢Til at midnight the slight sounds of rainMade me leap from my chair, and rush outsideWith a bit of a felling of shame.And there on the deck, in the light of the porch, Only ONE boot still there remained.¢How could this be?¢ I thought to myself.Where did the other boot go?Did it run for the hills, was it moved by Dad?Or was there a force yet unknown?Perhaps, perhaps, the local raccoon, Known for dumping the trash was to blame.But it seemed so odd that a ¢coon took the boot.It¢s not like it smelled that insane.But my thoughts turned to saving my poor trusty boot From a fate that was only too sad.So I set off in the dark to rescue my bootFrom whatever foe stole it away.With headlamp and torch, I searched the whole yard.Calling my boot to come home.¢Oh boot, oh boot, come back to me nowSo once more the trails we may roam.¢But at 2AM I gave up the search, With hope beginning to fade.For my boot, my hike, and my feet; Which now faced many miles in a tough new shoe.In the morning light I enlisted some help.And the yard was searched once again.Under the deck, over fence, under trees, many times,But still no sign remained.So the search ventured out through the neighborhoodHouse to house, street to street, feeling strained.We went down three roads, and looked ditch to ditchAnd at last one road only remained.So we turned down that road, and looked o¢er a hill,Of freshly mown grass like a plain.And there in that grass lay my trusty boot,Assaulted and torn and tired.Still damp from the dew (and the DOG drool too),It was happy to come back home.And my lesson was learned, to honor my boots,And that local dogs have no shame.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Fontana Dam Visitors Center

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Got back on the trail after the boot-related zero day yesterday. It was worth it to find the boot though. I really didn't want to have to break in new shoes or boots and suffer the inevitable blisters that would have followed. Also, as a result I missed the freezing temps and snow that others suffered through. We stopped at the Fontana Village post office to pick up letters from Arthur, Shelly, and Aunt Judy and Uncle John (Thanks guys!). Then Dad dropped me off at the Fontana Dam Visitors Center at 1:00, and I walked across the dam (only hikers are allowed to cross the dam at this point in time), and entered the Great Smokey Mountains National Park! This is an important property for so many reasons: Species diversity is so high in many taxa, it includes Clingmans Dome (the highest point on the trail), it has a high black bear population (400-600), and the species and ecosystems are suffering from the effects of several damaging introduced exotic species. Prior to this I have been in national forests, and this is the first national park from on the trip. The climb out of Fontana Dam was much better than the climb out of the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Same elevation climb (1700 to 4570 ft), but over a longer distance. I met my first Ridge Runners, Bill and Sharon (volunteers that hike sections fo the trail to keep track of hikers for safety, promote "leave no trace" practices, and inform hikers of weather, etc.   Met several new hikers on the climb up (Vegas, Sampson, Campfire, Mr. Beard, Jake and Elwood, Chip, and Fire Marshall). Got to Mollies Ridge shelter at 6:30, and was reunited with Spot, Groucho, and Sherpa Dan. This is my first Smokies shelter. In the Smokies, 4 spaces in each shelter are reserved for thru-hikers, and the other spaces are available for reservation for weekend hikers or section hikers. So, there is an impetus to get to the shelters early and get a spot, especially on the weekends, when more casual hikers are out in the woods. No problems tonight though. The coyotes were howling at sunset.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Awoke at 6:30 (this seems to be the normal time when you go to bed at 8:30), and hit the trail by 8am. It was a cold night , and a cold and windy morning. There was no privy at the shelter last night (several Smokies shelters don't haves them), but instead a "toilet area" and shovel. It was good hiking today. I went over "Rocky Top" A place filled with meaning for many University of Tennessee fans. It was very rocky as the name would suggest. I was looking for bears constantly, but didn't see any. Other hikers had written in the shelter logs of seeing bears on their first day in, but no luck for me I guess (or maybe it's good luck). I saw big fields of spring beauty and trout lily. I also saw a new species, fringed phacelia (Phacelia fimbriata). I saw two new bird species: chestnut-sided warbler, and red-breasted nuthatch (nice!). The last 2.9 miles of the hike today were LONG. My feet and legs were saying "are we there yet?" over every ridge. When I finally got to Silers Bald shelter I met 2 section hikers, one of whom is an outdoor writer named Johnny Molloy, and his friend Scott. Johnny has apparently written over 30 books on outdoor travels, including several about Florida. Spot, Sherpa Dan, Bruce (from Tray Mtn), Jenny, and Nick and Kerry all stayed there as well. The wind was HOWLING all evening and all night long. HOWLING!
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Mt. Collins shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I took a short day today to make sure I didn't rush through the Smokies. It was a very windy morning, but I did climb over Clingman's Dome (the highest point on the AT at 6,643 ft). Approaching Clingman's Dome and after it I saw the effects of the balsam wooly adelgid (introduced insect) which coupled with air pollution is decimating many of the Fraser firs in the spruce fir forest here in the park. It's pretty sad to see the dead snags of all these large trees. In total, I only hiked 8 miles, and got to the shelter at 1:00. I wanted to keep going, but didn't want to spend the night at the Icewater shelter which was the next one, and by all reports a "party shelter" for the locals (due to it's proximity to Newfound Gap/Hwy 441, and the fact that it was Friday night). So I washed my socks, and looked for salamanders and other wildlife near the water source. This shelter is 0.5 miles off the AT (these distances on side trails aren't counted in the mileage totals, only AT miles are counted). I found a few salamanders (there are 25 species in the Smokies), and a great blue and yellow dragonfly. I also met a journalist who is writing a story on thru-hiking the Smokies (Dave from Knoxville). Later, Samson, Campfire, Mr. Beard and Sherpa Dan showed up. It was a very relaxing day. I sat in the sun for about 2 hours and read ( and let my right knee get some sun as I now have a very strange tan line from the knee brace).
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Mt. Collins shelter

To: Peck's Corner shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I hit the trail by 7:50 this morning after a pretty good night's sleep. At this point, a "good night's sleep" involves waking up and rolling over every hour or so to relieve pressure on my hips or back. It was a very foggy morning and threatening rain. I started the day with my pack cover on on anticipation of what soon followed, which was RAIN and WIND from 9 am to 3pm. I crossed over Hwy 441 (the street I live on) at Newfound Gap into the eastern side of the park. Then I walked the "sawteeth", a series of shallow up and down climbs on a very narrow ridge top. It was very windy and so foggy that I couldn't see anything on either side of the ridge but fog. It reminded me of Eric and Connie's trip to the Grand Canyon for their honeymoon when they couldn't see the canyon at all. I saw a red squirrel which was new for me (had a very short tail, half the length of other squirrels). I got to the shelter at 2:45 and warmed up there with some hot tea and a Snickers bar. For the afternoon there were only a few folks there, but at 7:30 a bunch of other thru-hikers showed up. They had all been to Gatlinburg and hiked in to the shelter. I was glad I got there early as several had to tent it and it poured rain all evening. This was my first experience with a crowded shelter, and I didn't like it. I'm glad I'm behind the crush of hikers, as many of the folks a few weeks ahead are dealing with this crowd factor every night or so. I don't mind the shelter being full, but am not a fan of a bunch of loud talking folks all talking while others are trying to sleep. Everyone has a right to do their own thing, but I guess my "thing" doesn't involve crowds and being somewhat (but unavoidably) inconsiderate to others. It's hard not to have some sort of conflicts in these close quarters, and I understand this fact. A guess I'm just reminded that I'm glad to be hiking behind the pack. The Smokies does force a bit more grouping of folks because we are not supposed to stay outside the shelters due to bear activity.
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Peck's Corner shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a great day! I got up at 5:45 to attempt to leave the shelter and get away from the herd at last night's shelter. Was the first person on the trail (as evidenced by the spider webs I was breaking through). Still didn't see any bears, but I did see a big (3.5 inches long) slug, and several snails, including 2 that appeared to be mating (or engaged in a fight to the death). I got to Tri-corner shelter at 9:25, and met Spot as he was leaving the shelter. Saw a sea of fog filling inthe valleys and was hiking above the inversion layer, so it looked like I was above the clouds. It was beautiful. The light through the trees was very special. Kept making good time all day. Was able to stay ahead of the crowd, and enjoy the solitude I so much prefer. I made it to Cosby Knob shelter by noon. I had been planning to stay there, but knew that the crowd of loud-talking, snorers were likely to stop at that shelter as well. I was feeling great, and had been able to reach Dad by phone (who was plannning to met me at the end of the National Park, at Davenport Gap), so we agreed that I would meet him today rather than tommorrow. This meant a 20+ mile day for me. I did it in good time too. Fortunately, the last 5 miles were either level or downhill. Otherwise I wouldn't have finished by 3:45, which is what I did. I met Jogle, a thru hiker from the U.K. and had some interesting conversations, but left him to make sure I met Dad on time. I've now done 235 miles, or over 10% of the total trail! Unfortunately for Dad the mapquest directions to Davenport gap were a bit off, so he had the stress of being over an hour late. It allowed me to clean up a bit though before I got in the new car. We are spending the night in a hotel, watching movies and doing my laundry in the guest laundry, and using the wireless internet to update this webpage. Back to the trail tomorrow. Updates to the webpage will start to get spread out a bit more as the convenience of Hotel Dad will be going away.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Davenport Gap

To: Goundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

After a nice night in the hotel in Newport, TN, Dad dropped me off at Davenport Gap. Had a much easier time locating it this time. On the trail today, I saw many excellent flowers, including the most sought after one for me: Pink Lady's slipper (another member of the orchid family). I also saw native azaleas, and I hiked under I-40, how natural. Dad could have easily picked me up there instead of searching for me for over an hour yesterday.
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Goundhog Creek Shelter

To: Stealth Camp by Garenflo Gap
Miles today: 19.5

I had another fantastic day today! Went over Max Patch Bald, an open grassy bald maintained in that condition by prescribed burning and mowing (go USFS!). It was a beautiful 360 view, and I could see the evidence of the most recent prescribed burns down the slope. On the slope, the trail was indicated by fence posts with the traditional white blazes, and on a few were bird houses. I has a close-up view of a pair of tree-swallows (male and female both just sitting on posts, got some really good pictures.) Sat on the bald for a while and wrote in my journal. Then hiked on. Caught up with Goat, Dat, and DaWaHee (the bearded one). I also saw some beautiful deep blue/purple larkspurs. I saw black-throated blue warbler, a blue-headed vireo, and a wood thrush (all new birds for me). Whe DaWaHee and I got to Walnut Mtn shelter we saw notes left from hikers that stayed there the night before (Spot and Joggle) about frightening bear encounters with a local nuisance bear who stole their food bags off the bear lines. Soooooo, we hiked on and stealth camped away from the shelters to avoid the bear's known nightly circuit. Had no problems. Slept well. On to Hot Springs tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Stealth Camp by Garenflo Gap

To: Hot Springs , NC 
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: few clouds

Hiked to Hot Springs this morning. Saw Lily of the Valley and a couple other new species of wildflowers that I haven't ID'd yet. Am typinfg this and the entries from the past two days at the Bluff Mtn Outfitters in Hot Springs. They let hikers use the internet on a half-hour basis by sign-up. When I first got to town, I caught up with Waters and Frumpy and their friend, and had lunch. Then DahWahHe and i went to the outfitter. I also went to the hot springs for which the town is named. For $12, I had a mineral bath hot tub to myself on the French Broad river for 1 hour. Sooooo relaxing, plus I got to wash my self and my socks, shirt, etc. I feel so good right now. Am off to have a beer in a bit and then will hike out of town tonight. I also just met Hippie Chick and The Poet, a married couple who are from ......MICANOPY!   My home town. What are the odds? I really can't believe it.   For such a small town. Am still having such a great time. Will post pictures when I get access that allows that.