morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Wayah Gap

To: Franklin NC MicroTel
Miles today: 0.0

Well, this morning I awoke to total darkness. When I checked my watch, it was 3:25 AM. I reached up and smacked the tent fly and the snow started sliding off in big clumps. A couple more smacks and most of the snow slid off my tent. I had to have some relief so I climbed out of my snug sleeping bag to a world of white fluffy snow and as silent as a cathedral. I quickly got back in my little warm den for some dreamless sleep. When daylight came, I quickly broke down my tent and packed up. The snow was pretty for the first 15 minutes and then the cold wet windy day hits with reality. As I stepped out onto Hy 1310, a pickup pulled up and the nice man and his wife offered me a ride back to Franklin if I didn't mind riding in the back of the pickup. So I got a ride to the Franklin motel. I didn't relize how freezing cold and wet I was untill I got to my room. I stripped and took the hottest shower I could stand. Then with the heater on max heat I sat there and shivered for the next couple of hours. After a nap, I went over to the local restruant and ordered the pork special consisting of roast pork, with mashed potatos, snap beans, corn and buttered buns with sweet tea. It was excellent! I ate every bite. Afterward I had three cups of coffee and read the paper.Later tybeepete
Date: 2006-03-24
From: MicroTel Franklin, NC

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a ride from Charlie Mac this morning to Wayah Gap the next morning. He also picked up another hiker at the Microtel. I gave Charlie a ten and the other did also I suppose. The money wasn't asked for but with gasoline so expensive that was the least I could do. Thanks, Charlie.It was a long hike up over Winespring Mtn. and then to Wayah Bald where there was an old stone fire tower and a 360 degree view. The weather turned out to be perfect for hiking. The ground however was another matter. The snow made an interesting slip-sliding walk down the mountian. I only landed on my butt twice!By the time I'd reached Licklog Gap, the trail was firm enough for a faster pace. I finialy got to Burning town Gap at about 3:30 and there took a break. Two hikers passed while I was sitting there. It was only 1.2 miles to Cold Springs Shelter but still a fairly steep climb. I really think that because it was the end of the day and I was tired that this was the longest 1.2 miles ever! When I finialy got to the shelter, only one other hiker was there named Freeze-out. After we exchanged introductions, I got into my sleeping bag and warmed up. For some reason I'm always very chilled after a long day hiking. I huddled in my bag for three hours warming up then got out and talked with the other hikers.Later, Tybeepete
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning, I was late getting started. The shelter was full and the woods around look like a tent parking lot. After eating some breakfast and peddling around I was the last out of the shelter. <> the bear cables at this shelter were torn up so bad that they were unusable. I was told by one of the trail maintainers that some unsupervised boyscouts decided that the bear cables would make wonderful swings!! I don't know how this could happen because the scouts and other kids I've met were well behaved and well led by adult leaders with them. Oh well s--t happens. It takes a lot of work and expense to construct bear cables and other conviences at the shelters and along the trail. Thanks, trail maintainers!After what seemed a long climb, I went over Copper Ridge Bald and down.....down..... down...... to Tellico Gap. While there, I stopped for some lunch-- Apple cider, bagel and chedder cheese. So with the weather getting better, I took off on rested legs and a better atitude. As I approached the top of Wesser Bald, the flat topped observation tower came into view. The tower provided a 360 degree view. I could see forever in any direction.When I got close to Wesser Bald Shelter, a nice new sign that had WATER and an arrow pointing down blue blazed path (I ignored the blue blaze sign). After I got down to the shelter, I felt like a damm fool for not getting water on my way down! Will I ever learn?I was the first at the shelter then a couple from Texas came. The man was Crash Bang and the woman didn't have a trail name yet. Her name was Lelia, I think. Two ladies setup their tent near the bear cables. They were Ranger Cortez and Scout. All good folk.Later Tybeepete
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Rivers End Bunk House
Miles today: 6.1

From Wesser Bald Shelter, it was mostly a down hill hike. However, 6 miles of very steep down hill can really mash up a persons toes.I could hear the trafic and the river a mile away. My mind was on the thought of the big cheese burger at the Riverend resturant. While there, Stumpknocker stopped by for abit. His broken arm is on the mend and he is doing limited hiking. After filling up at the resturant, I went to the bunk house office and got a bunk for two nights.When I got to the bunkhouse room, the only other resident was a young man named Chewy. He was taking a zero and would get started in the morning. Later Handlebar and Ben(Skidmark)checked into the bunkhouse. We all met at Riversend Resturant for dinner. I also met Longshanks and Afterburnner at the restaraunt. Later Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Fontana Dam

To: View Entry
Miles today: 1.1

Today I packed up and got started into the Smokies. When I got to the end of the paved road I realized that I did't have my thru hiker permit to go through the Smokies. I started go on anyway but did't. If on the rare occasion the rangers check a thru hiker for the permit and you don't have it, the penality can be high. So, I headed back to the other side of te dam and got a permit. I went down to the Fontana Hilton Shelter and ended up staying there for the night. Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Fontana Dam

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 6.5

Today I had all my stuff together so started into the Smokies. The climb up Shuckstack Mtn was more than three miles. The trail was in good shape,however. When I got to the old fire tower, the views were 360 degrees and out to forever. By the time I got to Birch Spring Gap camping area, the weather had turned to rain and a little hail. I set my tent up in record time. I went to sleep to the sound of rain and wind pounding on my tent.Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Mollies Shelter
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

When daylight came, I got out and started knocking off the ice that had collected on my tent. After that, I went down to the spring to fill my water bag and eat somthing. Creakybonze was already up and starting for Mollies Ridge Shelter. I finally got going by 9AM. The hike was over Doe knob, down to Ekaneetlee Gap, and then up to Mollies Shelter. The weather was much better and the trail was good with not too many rocks. For some reason, I felt energyless all day. When I arrived at the shelter, I was beat. My knees had to be quieted down with another dose of ibuprofen. The shelter was full and the weather was mild.Later Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Mollies Shelter

To: Spense Field Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I felt better the hike to Spence Field Shelter was easer. It was through Devils Tater Patch over an unnamed mountain doun to Russel Field Shelter and then to Spence Field Shelter.When I got to Russel Field Shelter, Bugular was taking a break smoking (he rolls his own from a Buglar tobaco pouch) and soaking up some sun; so I stopped too. While we were there, two horseback riders came up and we started talking about..... what else horses! I mostly listened because I don't know much about them. After they left, we decided we had missed our opportunity for a slackpack by not trying to get the horseback riders to take our packs to the next mountain. Oh well.Later at Spense Field Shelter, the shelter was full so thw rest of us got to put up our tents. Spense has a large grassy around it so it is ideal for tenting. The rule in the Smokies is that if the shelter is full the overflow can tent close to the shelter.Sometimes as I walk along this AT path,flowers frame my way and the sight is like a sweet song for my eyes.Later tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Spense Field Shelter

To: Dericks Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The hike today took me over Rocky Top, Thunderhead and many other mountains. At Rocky Top, Creakybonze and I stopped to take pictures. That was when my camera broke. The sliding door in front of the lense won't open. So much for "weather resistant" cameras. At one point Creakybonze, Buglar and I thought that we were at Sugar Gap, the last gap before Dericks Knob Shelter. We soon found we had miscalulated by one gap and still had another mountain to climb! When I got to the shelter, the others were lying on the grass in front of the shelter soaking up the sun. While we were there, a day hiker couldn't get his cellphone to work so he offered one of the other hikers an airline bottle of cherry vodka to use his cell. Later he was passing out the little bottles to everyone in trade for somthing or other. I broke out my flask of Dewars and Creakybonze came up with a small bottle of bourbon. We were all feeling real fine that night. The day hiker and his 13 year old son started out for Mollies Ridge at 530 PM! The guy was plastered, and we tried to get him to stay, but as with most drunks there is no stopping them from being stupid. I hope they made it ok. Later tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Dericks Knob Shelter

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

I was up early and out of the shelter. A big cheeseburger was calling from Gatlinburg the next morning. I passed Silers Bald and only stopped at Double Springs Shelter for water and a snack. I made Clingmans Dome by 3pm and went down to the parking lot where a nice older couple offered me a ride down to Gatlinburg. They let me off at the Happy Hiker. That is what is known as "trail magic".The folks at Happy Hiker took my picture, and then I walked up one block to the Grand Prix motel and paid for three nights stay. As soon as I'd cleaned up I went down to the KFC and got a big order of take out chicken with all the fixins. Then I walked to gas station for a 6 pack of beer and then back to the motel for a feast and TV watching.Later tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Gatlinburg

Miles today: 0.0

When I got back from lunch, Creakybonze was sitting on the bench next to the motel office waiting for Steve, the owner, to get back. She looked hot and tired; so I went to my room and got out my last cold beer and gave it to her. She said that her foot was hurting and would get to the clinic tomorrow to see if she could get some relief for it.later tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Gatlinburg

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Creakybonze and I went out to the Roadhouse steak house for dinner. The food was "hiker good", meaning, any steak that ain't burned or rotten is edible. While there, a wedding party was taking place. The bride was beautiful in a white wedding gown. The only trouble was that her gown was trailing on the dirty floor of the resturant!Oh well that's Southern love in East Tenn.! Later Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Gatlinburg

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

I went to the grocery store via the very efficent trolley system here. On my way back to the bus stop, I met Creakybonze and she told me the doctors had determned that her foot ws broken. She would be off it for at least 6 weeks.Bummer! Later, Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-18
From: none

To: Microtel, Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was going to go back on the trail today so I checked out of Grand Prix. After putting on my pack and walking down to hitchhike back to Newfound Gap, I found that my right knee need another days rest. So, down to check in to Microtel!Later, Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Microtel, Gatlinburg

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Finially, I got my Ibuprofen dossage right, checked out the Microtel, and walked to the edge of town to hitch a ride. After about 1 1/2 hours and 200 cars passed me, a lady that worked at the welcome center picked me up and dropped me there. I hitched another ride within 15 minutes with two other hikers up to Newfound Gap. Usually I don't have much trouble getting rides when I hitch hike. I guess it's my honest face and clean living showing!!The weather was cloudy and windy so I hustled on up to the shelter. It was nearly full; so I found a place beside "Eagle's tent to setup. I sleept like a log. According to Eagle, I snored all night. My tender feelings were hurt and I almost cried--not.Get over it!Later Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Pecks Corner
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I piddled around getting ready to head out until I was almost the last one to leave. As I was filling my water bladder, I could hear a storm approaching; so I ran back to the shelter. I just got there in time to avoid a hail storm. Most of the hail was about the size of mothballs with an ocational golf ball size iceball. Twenty minutes later, there was two inches of hail on the ground. An hour later the rain stopped, and I headed out for Pecks Corner.The hike was mostly ridges with only a small mountain at the end to go over called, Laural Top. It was .4 miles down a side trail to the shelter. The first structure I passed was the privy on my right just before turning left and down a hill to the shelter. After getting my sleeping bag and pad setup, I went down another 100 or so yards to fill my water bag from a cool, piped spring. I was the first one there, but it wasn't long before the other hikers arrived including Jim the ridgerunner. Jim is an interesting guy about 60ish. He works for low pay and sometimes no pay because he loves the outdors. That afternoon it started to rain and it rained all night and the next day it rained very hard all day. I was not feeling well so I hung out at Pecks another day.Later, Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Pecks Corner

To: Tri Corner
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: moderate rain

It was stll raning but not as much as yestrday. The hike from Pecks Ccrner to Tri-Corner was over Mt Sequoyah and Mt Chapman. When got to the shelter only two other hikers were there but it did't take long before the shelter was full. Some of the hikers were Longshanks, Mayor Turtle, Pacecar, Dadgum,Universal Solvent,Twostep,Twotone, Moderater, Jim the ridgerunner and 5 guys section hiking the Smokies, Jim,Jim,Jason,Mike and Ray. Tri-Corner is one of the improved shelter with privy and bear cables. the water was from a piped spring about 30 feet away. Very nice.The weather broke and the sun came out letting us dry out some of our clothes. I got some good sleep that night.Movin' on but slow, Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Tri Corner

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The hike to Cosby Knob Shelter was over Mt Guyot and Cosby Knob to the shelter. The hike over Cosby Knob was unexpectedly hard.The other hikers here are the 5 guys section hiking the Smokies, Jim,Jim,Jason,Mike and Ray, Weatherman, Larry and Longshanks. This shelter is in the middle of being updated. The privy is completed and all the building material is there; so I'm sure it will be done soon.Nitey night.Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farms
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

This morning I got up early and promptly tripped over a log on my way to retrive my food bag from the bear cables. I tucked and rolled as I fell so only got one scratch and no bruises. That's life on the trail. I didn't have any thing on my mind but Mountain Momma's cheeseburgers! So even though the trail was over loose ankle breaker stones I made it to Davenport Gap by 1230 PM. There were two tourists there and after answering the usual qestions and not being able to yogi a ride down to Mt Momma's I walked the 1 1/3 miles and had 2 cheeseburgers with everything (mayo,onions,pickles,lettuce and tomaters), iced sweet tea and apple pie. Then I took a picture of Carolyn (Mtn Momma) and myself. After hanging around for a couple of hours, I got a ride back to Davenport Gap and hiked over the Pigeon river to Standing Bear Farm and got there for the supply and beer run. So all in all... a very good day. As I go to sleep with the rain beating on the tin roof........ Good night all.Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

The weather was good today after two big rainy days. I started around 9AM.The hike was about 4 miles up (1800 ft climb) to the top of Snowbird Mtn, 4263 ft. On the top, there was an aircraft relay station ( OMNI and possibly TACAN). From there it was about 2 miles to the shelter. At the shelter, I was surprised to see Egale (Willam Vox) again. He looked really sick with the flu. I encouraged him to go back to Standing Bear Farm until he was better,gave him some 'I' pills, aspirin and loaned him a few dollars before I left the next morning.Later, Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Lemon Gap
Miles today: 10.8

This morning I was off about 8AM. The hike was a looong pull up to the base of Max Patch Bald. Max Patch is a beautiful green grassy bald on top of a 4,629 ft mountain. I lay down and had lunch and a nap. I felt better afterwards and hiked on past Roaring Fork Shelter and setup my tent near Lemon Gap. I was tired and went to sleep until day break.Later Tybeepete
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up at first light and started breakfast. As I breaking my tent down I tripped over a root and fell on my knees. I thought no harm was done but when I started to get up I noticed that I'd cut my right knee and torn my longjohns. I had also pulled or twisted something in the right knee so I took three ibuprophen and finished breakfast, packed up my stuff and started out. I came to a parking area about 1/4 of a mile down the trail. I was about to pass on by when a car pulled in and the driver asked me how to get back to Hot Springs. I got out my map and showed him as best that I could. The man's name was Steve and his wife was Jill. Steve was a very large man. He must have been six five or so and 3oo + pounds. I guess he noticed that I was limping and ask if I needed anything. That was an offer I couldn't refuse so I got a ride into Hot Springs! Steve and Jill dropped me off at the Alpine motel but when I tried to get a room I found that the place was full. So I went down to the Mountain Crossings outfitter and got a roon at the Ducket House B&B. I signed up for two nights to give my knee a rest. Then I cleaned up and made an ice bag for my knee. The cut wasn't very bad but there was a little swelling around the right knee. After a while I decided to get some chow so I wrapped my knee in an Ace bandage and walked down to the Smoky Mountain Cafe' to a good lunch special with all the sweet tea I could drink. The rest of the day was just lay on the couch with my ice pack and watch TV.Later, Tybeepete
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

This morning I got up at daybreak and was shuttled back to Lemon Gap by a young fellow named Joe Wilson,I think. Anyhow the hike was not bad, just long. I started around 8 am. The weather was about as good as it gets for hiking. My knee felt fine so I guess I didn't twist it as bad as I thought.The hike was over Walnut Mtn past Walnut shelter and then over Bluff Mtn and a long down hill to Garenflo Gap then Little Bottom Branch Gap. I made it to Deer Park Mtn shelter at 2:45 PM where I stopped and ate the two Po Boys and Snicker bars I'd brought for lunch. After awhile I dozed of for an hour nap. By the time I got back on the trail It was 5 PM and I still had four miles or so to go.When I was looking down over the town from the mountain it reminded me of a toy town with toy houses, cars and trucks on the roads. When I got back to the motel room the shower and bath felt as good as it gets. After awhile I went over to Paddlers Pub and ate a cheeseburger plate and had two or three or maybe four drafts. I stopped counting. They were enough and I slept like a baby. later tybeepete
Date: 2005-12-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The Reward of NatureIf you'll go with me to the mountainsAnd sleep on the leaf carpeted floorsAnd enjoy the bigness of natureAnd the beauty of all out-of-doors,You will find your troubles all fadingAnd feel the Creator was not manThat made lovely mountains and forestsWhich only a Supreme Power can.When we trust in the Power aboveAnd with the realm of nature hold fast,We will have a jewel of great priceTo brighten our lives till the last.For the love of nature is healing.If we only give it a tryAnd our reward will be forthcoming,If we go deeper than what meets the eye.by Emma Gatewood (Grandma)Grandma Gatewood is a wonderful inspiration, having hiked the entire trail several times, the last time at the age of 75.
Date: 2005-12-10
To: trail names
Miles today: 0.0

Hikers on the trail are often referred to by "trail names", nicknames that sometimes relate in some way to their hiking experiences.Suds - I was given my trail name heading towards Harper's Ferry on one of my first backpacking trips. It was a cold, rainy day, and like many beginning backpackers, I didn't have high-tech gear. For rainpants, I was using nylon warm-up pants that had been through the laundry several times. While I was worried about dying from hypothermia and complaining about how far we had to go, Deb was behind me silently laughing all the way. Unknown to me, soap suds were coming out of my pants and dripping down the back of my legs.Una Mas - I tend to be the more optimistic one during our hikes, and try to provide realistic goals through the day. Sometimes it is one more mountain, or one more mile, or sometimes even one more blaze. And my favorite post-hike phrase is "Una mas cervesa, por favor"
Date: 2005-12-14
To: hike direction
Miles today: 0.0

One of the most common questions we receive when we tell people we are hiking the entire trail, is "Are you starting in Georgia or Maine?" And we answer No.We didn't want to start in Georgia because the trail is so crowded at the beginning of the season, and although we are not seeking isolation, we don't want to be one of 30 tents at a shelter. Also, there is the added pressure of getting to Maine before Baxter State Park closes in the fall.We didn't want to start in Maine because we wanted to have our "trail legs" before hitting the tough climbs in New England.That's how we decided to start in the middle. Since Pennsylvania is so accessible to our home in Baltimore, we have completed many sections of the trail there. So we chose to start at Delaware Water Gap so that the trail would be new to us as we struggle at the beginning. We also hope to maximize the weather we will encounter this way. We'll hike north, catch a ride back to DWG, and then hike south. This is sometimes referred to as a flip-flop or head-start hike.The trail is approximately 2,175 miles long and we plan to complete our journey in October.