morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Rock Gap

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: broken clouds

We were up and on the 9:00 bus, ready to get out of town, but in doubt of Journey's ability to continue. It surely wasn't for lack of courage or determination. Journey is a phenomenally strong woman to accomplish what she did, but this morning her injuries did not allow her to continue her hike. I stayed with her coming down the mountain. We had been following two young gals who were being picked up at the Winding Stairs parking lot. It appeared their little car was full, with 2 older ladies in the front seats and the two younger in the back. The trunk was full of their gear. But when the ladies saw Journey and her condition, they were mercy angels and found a way to get Journey and her pack into that car. So with a few tears and a hug, Journey was on her way back to town. And then...I was alone. It felt a little strange. You should have seen me piddle around, doing anything to delay walking off by myself. I had miles to go to the shelter, all uphill, so I finally got up and got moving. It was slow and long. It reminded me of the little Swiss mountain climber on The Price is Right. How old is that show? He must be a little old man by now. He slowly moves up that mountain, stopping along the way when he hits the right price. I also moved along slowly, stopping sometimes to stretch my legs or rest. I hiked until 7 pm, and had reached the shelter blue blaze path. But the shelter was .3 miles away down a steep trail and I was physically done hiking for the day. I kept looking for any place to put up my tent. I was completely overjoyed to find a flat grassy field and that was it. My tent is up, I had a snack and hung my food bag, and now I am starting to shiver. I haven't seen anyone for hours. I want to be out of here early in the morning before hikers start going by. Hope I stay warm tonight, and have no animal visitors.
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Siler Bald

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

The night was quiet and uneventful. I planned to get up early but then I got a message from Decade, a lady from Indiana that I hiked with last July, and we were planning to head to the same shelter today...only she was 8 miles behind me. So I took my time packing up and didn't hurry all day...took lots of rest breaks and am sitting now on Wayah Bald with .9 mile left to the shelter. I'm waiting a bit to see if she shows up and we can hike in together. Now the truth is it was a very hard day. The morning went well with nice terrain. The afternoon, however, was very tough. My legs were feeling the burn and with my pack too full of water and food, my shoulders hurt again today. I was hoping that was over with as they haven't hurt the last few days of hiking. A couple weeks ago I was hiking behind Journey and my shoulders were hurting and I was in great need (I thought) of a pack off rest. I started breathing fast and whimpering, "I have to stop! I have to stop!" Journey said, "We only have .2 left to go. Are you sure you want to stop?"So I had to call on my old labor coaching skills and get a little tough with myself. "Slow down your breathing! Keep your focus! Just one step at a time. Slow your breathing down!" And it worked. I made it the next .2 miles just fine. Sometimes it's mind over matter out here.Journey has booked a flight home and will take a break. Maybe she can return after giving the knee and the foot a good rest. I do miss her.Quote: "A good and very wise friend gave me the strategy to get there: right foot, left foot, right foot...
Date: 2017-04-27
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

10.6 miles? In the steady cold rain. I am now at 131.1 total AT miles in 2017. Decade arrived yesterday at the Wayah Tower around 6:00. I had been waiting there for her, and we then continued on to the Wayah Shelter. Out tents were side by side on a small tent site. The paths around the shelter were hilly and steep. Not easy to get around!One of the hardest things of the day is to crawl into the tent in the evening. I try to go in on my knees, but those last 6 inches before the knees hit the tent floor are real groaners. Once I got settled in last night my legs started to feel crampy and very painful. I felt sorry for Decade as I tossed and turned all night. I wondered how I could possibly hike another day!And then we got up to rain. Not a quick spring shower. It was a cold wet day, but we hit the trail in our rain gear and made the best of it. Decade hiked about 8 miles and then caught her ride to her car to return home. I continued another couple of miles and had a record day for this year. Now I'm at the shelter, in my tent, and my legs are aching. The weather has cleared and hopefully the rain is over. Everything feels cold and damp in here though. Looks like I'll sleep in my puffy coat. Quote: News flash: AT thru-hiker does a sit-in protesting the wearing of stinking and wet clothes. She did not realize a sit-in was ineffective in the middle of the woods with no one around.
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Swim Bald
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday was the longest entry, and today will be the shortest. I made it to Swim Bald. It was 6:00 PM and starting to sprinkle. I had 1.6 miles to the shelter. I remember that last year my tent was on a slant by that shelter because the good tent sites there were few. I figured I would not get a good spot so late. So I made the decision to stop and put up my tent at a nice little camp site and I will go the extra mile tomorrow.I remember now why I started thinking of quitting on this climb last year. I cannot tell you how many times I said, "Oh God," today, but I can tell you none of them were in vain. It was a grueling climb. Someone said to me today, "Remember,  75% of the hikers have already left the trail."  I'm not ready to give up yet!
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Swim Bald

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I made the right decision last night. I had a good night in my tent on a nice flat spot. I was so leg weary by 6:00, I was absolutely ready to stop. Everyone passing me at that point was encouraging me and urging me on to the shelter. "You got this!" "You're doing great!" "Only 1.6 left to go! You can do it!"Well, I didn't want to! I was ready to stop and that was ok with me. After I was all settled in my tent, i heard a man walk by on the trail. He was huffing and puffing, and he muttered, "Well, this is a nice spot!" He hesitated, and there were a couple places he could have put his tent, but no...he trudged on to the land of disappointment, I'm sure. Poor guy. This morning when I did get to the shelter, there were people tenting all over in terrible spots. I have to make my own decisions. And I made a good one last night. One thing my co-hikers are right about is that I need to eat more. I'm having a terrible time getting food down. I pack my little front pack with food to eat during the day, but when I stop to eat...yuck...I just can't get much down. Fruit snacks. That's the best. But that's not protein or calories to keep me going. You'd think I'd be losing weight, but it doesn't appear that I am. How is that possible??So...I made it to the 150.8 mile mark...the very spot where I quit last year. I don't know whose idea it was to redo those 150 miles! Oh yeah, that was my idea. Well, I'll tell you what...I'm never doing them again!I came down those steps at Stecoah Gap and called the Wolf Creek Hostel. I am in a trailer tonight. Got my wash done, showered, and am charging my chargers and phone. The owner here told me his wife would make me a hamburger. Good! I thought I could eat that! My favorite food!  Soon he came back with 2 hamburgers and 2 hot dogs and green beans with ham. Crazy! I got one burger down. The rest is in the fridge,  in case I'm here tomorrow, I can try to eat more! What's up for tomorrow? They say rain. And more rain the end of the week. I better get used to it. But since I'm making my own decisions, I might decide to rest my legs tomorrow and head out Tuesday. Don't know yet.This is a great place in most respects, but the only place to sit is a hard kitchen chair or a HUGE beanbag in the living room. Oh my! Getting out of this beanbag is worse than getting out of my tent! I try to not get out of it when the guy is here. How embarrassing! Picture it! I have to roll out of it to my knees, push myself off the floor and moan and groan and make quite a scene. For that reason, I'm heading back to the bed. Big king size bed! Bathroom right next door. Quote from my husband Dave: "That isn't hiking!"
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Wolf Creek Hostel

To: Wolf Creek Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I made another good decision. I stayed at the Wolf Creek Hostel all day, while the rain poured and the wind howled. The electricity went out early in the day, but not to worry! I was happy napping and catching up with working on my journal pictures, and simply resting. Around 3 this afternoon my trailer mate for tonight arrived. I had met her once before out on the trail so we were already familiar with one another. And she's great! But oh dear! She was soaked through and so was every bit of her gear. And we have no electricity...so no washer and dryer, no shower. She said it had poured all day and the winds on the trail were 60 mph. She was hugging trees to stay upright. They brought us KFC tonight. Such wonderful hosts. The charge for the rides to and from the trail, bed, shower, laundry, kitchen, TV, WiFi, is $25 a night. And they fed me 2 huge meals plus any food in the kitchen I wanted, and he gave me a pack of wet wipes. So I'll offer him more for that, but I will be surprised if he will want to take it. I feel like a slug, sitting in the beanbag chair while she is still sorting and cleaning and packing her bag. She is exhausted and stiff, and feels like I did last night. But I really can't help her with that. I think I'll go in and help her get her sheets on her bed when she's ready. It's the least I can do! And that's what I've done all day...the least I can do!(The new site is obviously different. You can find the various sections...the photos, guestbook, etc, by clicking the 3 bars in the upper right corner of the entry...across from my picture.)
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

We woke up with still no electricity, but we (being Roberta, or Bert , and myself) got up and dressed and ready for the trail. We called Lonnie that we were ready and soon he showed up with breakfast sandwiches from Bojangles for us. Lonnie was the most generous and thoughtful host, even if we had no power for a day and night. Probably more so, because with the power out he wanted to be sure we were well taken care of. He gave us a ride to Stecoah Gap and Bert and I started up the trail. I was on new ground! And it started off with a .6 mile climb called Jacob's Ladder. Remember that story from the Bible? Jacob saw a stairway to Heaven. Uh-huh. It was short, but it was straight up. Bert, of course, was ahead of me on the uphill all day, but we landed at Cable Gap Shelter at mile 158.9. My tent is up, I've eaten, my food bag is hung, and I'm writing my journal. But there is no service here, so this will have to be posted whenever I can get a cell signal. The big push now is for Fontana Dam, and then into the Smokies. There's talk of snow coming in the Smokies. Umm, not sure I'm a candidate for sleeping in the snow.
Date: 2017-05-03
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

I had a big fight in my tent last night. I ended up slightly slanted to the side, and between trying to stay in place and being twisted up in my sleeping bag, I don't think I got much sleep. The hiking today was the usual...hike uphill all morning to get out of the gap, and then hike downhill all afternoon to the next shelter. There was one spot this afternoon that was seriously scary. There had been a big blowdown of trees and the trail was completely washed out for about 35 or 40 feet. Bert and I were daunted but not out. She took off first and started picking her way through the tree debris. I followed. It was horrendous. I slipped once but caught myself with both hands. It was a moment of, "What am I doing out here?" There is a picture but it doesn't truly show the treacherous risky crossing it was.We made it eventually to Fontana Dam and I am in a spot in the shelter. It's known as the Fontana Hilton because there are real bathrooms with a shower. But the shelter is a shelter, hard floors, side by side sleeping, and mice. And there is a huge loud beer party going on down by the fire. There's lots of talk of the Smokies and bad weather. No one is sure of what to do in the next few days. This is a big resort place so I could stay here in Fontana and wait it out...but if that becomes the plan I will move to the Lodge and a little more pleasant atmosphere. If the forecast looks like the weather will clear, I guess I will move on. True Confession: I am a little afraid of the Smokies.
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Fontana Hilton Shelter

To: Wolf Creek Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a night! The partying lasted for hours, the floor was hard, there was a lot of snoring and restless moving about. When hikers roll around, the mats under them can be quite noisy. And it was hot and stuffy in the shelter. I was deep into my sleeping bag so that I could have plenty enough coverage around my head for mouse protection. That means my legs were quite confined in the bottom of the bag. Now my husband and kids know about my history with claustrophobia. Not so much of small spaces but of not being free to move. So in my sleeping bag, I have to never, never, never, NEVER think about my legs not being free to move. But last night when I thought NEVER think about it, of course I THOUGHT ABOUT IT! And it was a panic moment. I had to get out! Get out now! As I scrambled to free myself I was glad that I at least did not have a loud squeaky mat under me so that everyone knew I was freaking out. Of course the girl next to me had to live through my next crazy move. I must have dozed off and suddenly I thought there was a mouse at my head. I grabbed my blow-up pillow and started slamming the floor with it where I thought the mouse was. Pretty soon I realized I was slamming my pillow on my neighbor's feet.  We were lying head to foot so thankfully I wasn't beating her face! Oh my!In the morning I gathered my things and called the resort shuttle to take me to the Lodge! Please! Well, first thing I heard from the driver was that the entire resort was out of power.  Several power lines were knocked down by fallen trees during the early morning wind.I went ahead and got a room, but when I got in there the bathroom was completely dark, there was not enough water to shower anyway, it was cold, and there was nothing to do. I laid down awhile, then walked to the gas station where there was a generator running and I could get a sandwich. There was a lot of talk that the power may be out for a couple of days. So i walked to the office, cancelled my room, and called Lonnie! Yes! The mobile home had power and I could get a ride from Steve and I should go on in and make myself at home. So that's where I am. Back at the trailer and feeling safe and happy. I got my shower, my clothes cleaned, and Lonnie brought me some popcorn to eat. Mmm, so good!The rain is just starting and it's very possible I will lose power here also, but I plan to stay here until this weather pattern has moved on. That may be a few days.Quote: "There will be times on the trail you need to use two things, and those are your best judgment and your credit card."
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Wolf Creek Hostel

To: Wolf Creek Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

You know what's harder than hiking? Sitting around all day! I was alone all day in the hostel trailer, thankfully with power, but no water. As the day wore on I got more and more rattled and doubtful and I guess just stir crazy and lonely. And there's the phone sitting right there, and a ride home is just a phone call away. It works on your mind.But I found out Dynamite was looking for a place to stay for tonight so we got it arranged that she would join me, but we would have to move to the second Wolf Creek location as the water was not yet on here by 5 pm. If you remember, I met Dynamite way back before Franklin and I knew we would make good housemates. However, 10 minutes before I was being picked up the water came back on and yeah!! I didn't have to move. Dynamite arrived and we have caught up on all the trail news and suddenly I am no longer thinking of going home...instead we are planning our trek through the Smokies together. It seems I am provided for at each step along the way. Now the question is when is it safe to go. It looks like Sunday will be cold but ok to head out, if the trail has been cleared and we can get through. I'm really not interested in any more of those monkey climbs through the blown down trees. I didn't come out here for that much adventure!We will stay here tomorrow yet for sure and then see what the news is for continuing on. Stay tuned...Quote: "A wise man recently told me this: the hardest thing about the trail isn¢t the rocks or terrain or elevation changes. The hardest part about the trail is staying on the trail."
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Wolf Creek Hostel

To: Wolf Creek Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This is starting to sound like a broken record. We are still here.  We are still here. We are still here. But we are warm and dry and we are making the best of it.In fact we are really getting into hiker mode. We went through all our food and made our grocery list, and then we pondered how we might get to Robbinsville, about 10 miles away. Our plan was to head down to the diner and plead our case to anyone who might be going that way. When we got there, the place was nearly empty, except there was a table of guys who were on their lunch break. One of them said he could take us in an hour but couldn't bring us back. So we had lunch while we waited and said we'd figure out something for a ride back.Step #1 was successful.We got our groceries at Ingles and then asked the clerk if she knew of anyone driving back our way. Soon the manager was asking around, and very quickly a kindly lady with a 13 yr old daughter said she would take us! Step #2 accomplished. The whole project went off perfectly. These hiker towns are used to hikers needing rides around and we really appreciated their kindness. Reports of conditions in the mountains are not good. It is snowing and cold. The roads around the park are closed. Tomorrow might be better weather here, but we've been warned by someone who knows the mountains to not try going up until Monday. My hiker friend Lucky Star hiked up today and i just talked to her and she said she is freezing. So we're losing hiking days, but I'm all for patience over misery.
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Wolf Creek Hostel

To: Wolf Creek Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up to warm sunshine today! The report from the trail was 4 inches of snow and cold. What a difference in the mountains! But we are all set with an 8:30 pickup tomorrow morning and we are heading up, eager and ready! This afternoon Dynamite and I took a walk down some beautiful country roads. We saw butterflies (there's a video under the video section if you can find it),  heard a woodpecker, and found an old chimney that has lost its house. The flowering bushes were gorgeous and we crossed over a rushing stream. It was good for us to get out and remember why we are here in the first place.Quote: "It's not all sunshine and happy (surprise, surprise) but if you're willing to stick through the tough times it makes up for itself."
Date: 2017-05-08
From: Fontana Dam

To: Birch Gap Campground
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it out of Stecoah! I was there so long, when I went to bed and said my prayers I was starting to pray in a North Carolina mountain accent!All I will say is it was a very hard day. The mileage wasn't big, but it was a struggle, as I expected. Will update tomorrow if I can get a signal.
Date: 2017-05-09
From: Birch Gap Campground

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter 
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I stopped at Mollies Ridge Shelter. It was only 5.2 miles but I arrived at 3:00 and I was still feeling pretty decent. The next shelter is 3.1 miles farther. I decided to stop so I didn't run into the exhaustion I had last night. I was so tired last night. I guess 4 days off did a number on me. Many people passed me who were stopping at the same campground I was going to, including my partner Dynamite. When I arrived at the campsite it appeared to be deserted. No people. No tents in sight. It was freaky. I felt like it was a Twilight Zone! I admit I fought some tears off. Then I saw Dynamite coming towards me and she led me to her tent, where I basically collapsed. After resting I got my tent up and we had something to eat and I crawled into my tent for the night.But today was MUCH better. I quit early, before I got too tired. So I'm hoping tomorrow will be a good day.
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

Once again it was a short mileage day. I had hoped to get more done, but my shoulders and back dictated a stop at Spence Shelter. I took my time and took as many breaks as I wanted to. I have to stay at a shelter...no just stopping and camping wherever you want to and I knew I couldn't go another 6.1 today. I haven't seen any bears! Seems everyone else has. Bummer!Quote: "There could be a family of bears sitting right beside the trail having a picnic, and I wouldn't see them."
Date: 2017-05-11
To: Bloomington, IL
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: few clouds

It was an interesting ending to a great adventure.I was obviously fading, getting only a few miles in and struggling at that. I couldnt eat so I didnt have needed calories for fuel. And i was just tired.But there I was in the Smokies with a couple days left to hike to get to Clingman's Dome where I could get off the trail. And I had decided it was time to go home and let my body rest.But I ran into two older gentlemen who were trail maintainers. We visited and they said they were going to the same shelter as I that night. And they were going home today. And my ears perked up. I asked them how they were getting off the mountain the next day and they told me of another trail that would take me down. But they said it was 5 miles downhill to hike. And they said they were fast hikers! Go like lightning! Leaving early! Obviously they didnt want an old, tired and moaning woman holding them back. So they gave me the directions on finding and following 2 different trails to find my way down to Cades Cove. It sounded easy enough. I knew that Cousin Chuck had offered to meet me around the Gatlinburg area and I texted him and voila! I had a ride from the Cades Cove trailhead to Gatlinburg and my husband was on his way to get me!I got up early and headed out and found the trail. It was a nice downhill and I made good time. And soon...here comes Cousin Chuck hiking toward me! It was a good moment!Oh! And when I left the shelter the two old guys were just waking up and they never did pass me until we got right to the end of the trail. Ha! Lightning fast...right!We drove to the Gatlinburg Visitor's Center where Dave was sitting waiting, after driving most of the night. We left there and are driving straight through to Illinois. Dave has driven 1150 miles already in 19 hours.So my hike is done. I am satisfied. I will be weeks and months remembering many details, scenes, experiences and friends I made. My obsession with the AT has run its course. I hiked about 400 miles on the trail in the last few years.. It's time to put to rest the title "Knobby" and return to life as "The Knobbies." Thanks for all the support, prayers, and interest in my hike. And to those who are still hiking, or who have the dream, give it all you've got, and Happy Trails!