morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero day in Hiawassee. Last nights dinner was excellent! Ron & Sam of the Inn were great hosts and Tekla & Wizard out did themselves with the meal. There were 8 thru hikers to eat plus Sarge and another friend of Ron's. Sarge told some very interesting stories of the trail. Technically last night wasn't trail magic but it seemed magical to us after two days in the rain. We head out tomorrow for Franklin, NC which we hope to make in 4-5 days. The weather is supposed to be good.
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Left Hiawassee Inn and was shuttled to the trail at Unicoi Gap. Longpants left the trail with knee problems. I'll miss him as he was a good companion. Hiked out of the fog after 20 minutes and was in the sun 30 minutes after I started. It was a great day for hiking with beautiful views.Hiked 13.1 miles today and there are only 3 of us here tonight at Deep Gap shelter, Braid and Sun Nuke who was on the shuttle with me. Braid has been on the trail the last few rainy days. I last saw him when we spent a rainy cold night at Low Gap shelter on Saturday.I'm pushing on alone and should be in Franklin,NC on Friday or Saturday.
Date: 2009-03-18
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

My longest day at 15.2 miles. Courthouse Bald kicked my ass at the end of a hard day. I'd heard the first climb in NC was tough and they weren't kidding. I tented out at the shelter and there were 13 hikers at the shelter area for the night. I hung my bear bag for the first time from a tree limb since there were no bear cables at the shelter. My legs were tired and my feet ached as I went to bed.
Date: 2009-03-19
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Great day! It was 12.5 miles to Carter Gap shelter and my feet ached much of the way from the hard day yesterday. There was a short bit of easy trail for warm up and then we hit the big climb of the day, Standing Indian mountain. It wasn't as bad as the day before and then the rest of the day was an easy cruise on great trail with just a little climb at the end of the day.My feet ached so much I took 3 Tylenol, which helped. Later when I came across a pretty little brook with a water fall I stopped and took off my boots and socks and soaked my feet. It felt great, but the water was so cold it made my feet numb. It took 10 minutes of walking to get them warmed up. At first it hurt to walk on them but after my feet warmed up, it was much better than before. Tonight they're just tired.There are 5 of us here in the shelter tonight and several camped nearby. It's basically the same group as last night, but I'm not tenting because it's supposed to rain and I don't want to pack up a wet tent in the morning.
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

I did 15.9 miles today from Carter Gap shelter to the Franklin highway connection. It was a great day on the trail, beatiful weather and a great trail. The trail in NC is much nicer than in GA. The big climb today was Albert mountain with hand to rock scrambling in some places. This was quite a chore with a 38 pound pack on my back. It was fun but definitely challenging. I've started taking 5 minutes every hour with pack off break, plus at midday I take off my boots and socks and soak my feet in a stream. This makes the day more enjoyable and my feet appreciate it.I hiked on and off all day with Spoons and Boomer. Boomer and I are sharing a room tonight in Franklin. Tomorrow is a zero day when I'll shop for the next trail section.Boomer,Finch,Hightops and I went to a steakhouse for dinner and it was nice to have a real meal with a couple of beers.So far I'm still hiking alone since Longpants left the trail, but I could hook up with some other hikers this week. There are a couple of groups I've hiked with for part of the day this week, but I'm not ready to commit to their hiking schedules even though they're similar to mine.
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Had a good day in Franklin. Walked to the Post office and got my down jacket back. I know I'll use it, it was 28 degrees on the bank display next to our motel this morning.Had a nice lunch at the Motor Co. Grill which has a 1950's theme. The waitresses wear poodle skirts. My waitress said hers was uncomfortable and she wondered how they wore them.Walked around town and ended up at Three Eagle Outfitters where I bought new heavy duty backpacking insoles for my boots. I hope they help keep my feet from being so sore at the end of the day. I also bought a waterproof stuff sack for my down coat.I'm all packed and ready to hit the trail tomorrow morning. I should reach Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in 2-3 days for resupply.
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Left Franklin via shuttle at 8:45 AM to resume the trail at Winding Stair Gap. I had to stop 3 times in the first mile to adjust my new Spenco Backpacker insoles, including trimming another 1/8 inch off the toe of the left one. Everything went well after that, except I totally ran out of energy in the afternoon. My feet felt much better today.Hiked 11 miles today to Wayah shelter. There are 6 hikers in the shelter and 9 camping in tents. Those here include Chicken run One and Too, Colonel Mustard, Spoons, Weatherguy, Gezza,Top Shelf,Loren, Darren, Minnesota Smith, Orion with two Siberian huskies and a couple from New Zealand. Weather was good today and views were great from the Wayah Bald stone tower. Tomorrow I'm headed for the Wesser Bald shelter.Lost my sunglasses coming up the hill from Winding Stair Gap. I'll buy new ones at NOC
Date: 2009-03-23
From: Wayah Shelter

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

Hiked 10.6 miles to Wesser Bald shelter. Great hike,beautiful day. Met Trail angel Apple, at Burningtown Gap where a large heated and lighted tent was setup. Hot drinks and oranges were available. Thanks again Apple! Had great views from Wesser Bald fire tower, which is now basically a nice observation platform.Staying tonight at the shelter are PN, Chicken run One & Too, Gezza & Topshelf, Spoons and tenting is Orion with her huskies.
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 5.7 miles mostly down a steep hill to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC).Left Wesser Bald shelter at 7:45 and got to NOC at 10 AM. I have a private room which is small but nice. It seems most everyone is here from the shelter last night. I've resupplied and had a pizza for lunch, I also bought new sunglasses but there wasn't much of a selection. I'm looking forward to a nice dinner with a beer and head out up a steep climb in the morning. I'll probably stay at Sassafras Gap shelter tomorrow night if it's not full. It's supposed to rain tomorrow, but I'll head out regardless unless it's really cold.I've been restricting my miles per day these past few weeks, so as not to burnout at the start of my hike. Now I'm just going to let myself go and see how far I get each day depending on how I feel.
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

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

Did 6.9 miles all uphill to Sassafras Gap shelter. Had breakfast at the Riversedge restaurant with Chickenrun One&Too. My pancakes were lousy and the sausage didn't have much taste.The hike was warm at first, but after one hour I was in the clouds and it was cold on the ridges, with a strong wind. The rain held off until I reached the shelter. Then it rained hard on and off with a strong wind all night. The wind blew right into the shelter and we hung up rain flys from our tents to block it. After we hung the rain flys, it was really nice and cozy inside with 16 hikers in a 14 hiker shelter. I was able to take my down jacket and fleece hat off. I slept with one arm out of my sleeping bag to keep from being too warm. Minnesota Smith came in late and had to sleep under the overhang at the end of the sleeping deck. Spoons got up in the night and stepped on him causing him to yell loudly. The wind roared all night at least 25-30 mph. Temperature was probably low 40s.
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Hiked 15.2 miles today and had a hard climb for the first 45 minutes and then good hiking until after lunch. After lunch, there was a really big hill that kicked my ass. It rained most of the day and the wind on some ridges almost blew me sideways. It was cold and wet. In some places the trail was steep, muddy, leaf covered and slick. I fell once and caught myself two other times. By the time I got to Cable Gap shelter, the rain had quit and the sun peeked out a few times. Just before lunch my lower left calf started hurting and it ached on and off the rest of the day. If not for that, I'd probably have hiked the remaining 5.5 miles to Fontana village today. It'll be an easy hike tomorrow with a zero day on Saturday. It's supposed to be sunny on Sunday so that's when I plan to start my hike into Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
Date: 2009-03-27
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Lodge
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: moderate rain

Hiked 5.5 miles from Cable Gap shelter to the AT crossing at NC28 and called for the shuttle to Fontana Lodge.The hike up this morning was longer and harder than I thought it would be, but after an hour I was over the top and coming back down out of the clouds and the cold wind blowing up there. The hike down, was not as easy as I'd thought it would be either. In some places it was too steep to walk comfortably. Those areas were a real pain in the rear.I made it to NC28 after a 2.5 hour hike about 20 minutes before it started raining. I'm now safe and warm in my room at Fontana Lodge. I'll zero tomorrow and hope for sun on Sunday when I start into the Smokies.Speaking of pain, I think my calf hurt yesterday and today because I stopped yesterday and tightened up my boot laces too tight. I loosened them today and it felt better.
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Fontana Lodge

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 14.9 from NC28 to the Russell Field shelter. Long way up with some sun at first, but then on the high ridges and mountain tops it was cloudy, windy and cold with showers of ice pellets. My left calf only hurt a little and it seems better.
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I hiked 14.7 miles today to Silers Baldshelter. It was a long day with many ups and downs. I felt like I had weights on my legs yesterday, but today I felt much better as I hiked. The constant steep ups and downs kept me from getting a good walking rhythm though, so I felt like I had to fight hard for each mile.Got down to 28 degrees in the shelter. Ice crystals were forming in my water bottle as I ate breakfast. The nozzle of the tube on my water bladder was chewed on by a mouse, but it's still usable. The nozzle & tube kept freezing up as I hiked early today, but, by 10 AM the sun warmed things up enough to put a stop to that. The views were great this morning and the mountain tops looked like a winter wonderland, with all the vegetation coated in heavy frost.I fell once today on a steep muddy slope, but no harm done. My left calf only gave a couple of twinges today, so I hope it's back to normal.Saw a bobcat on the trail, walking the same direction as I but the wind was in our faces so he didn't smell me or hear me. I got 3 pictures, but he blends with the leaves on the trail so well, they didn't come out very good. When he finally heard me he took off like a rocket and disappeared.Tomorrow, I'll try to get to Gatlinburg via Newfound Gap.
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap - Gatlinburg
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Hiked 12.5 miles today to Newfound Gap at US441, where I caught the hiker shuttle from the Grand Prix Motel into Gatlinburg, TN. I'm staying 2 nights at the motel, since I have to go to the post office to pickup my mail drop and by the time I got here today, the post office was closed. I also have to do laundry and buy food for the next section of trail.Hiking today was good. The trail was beautiful as I hiked most of the day through a pine and fir forest. It reminded me of hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. The hills were tough as I went up over Clingman's Dome the highest point on the Appalachian Trail at 6643 feet. Much of the day was at or above 6,000 feet elevation. It was cloudy with a cold wind and there were intermittent rain and ice showers as I hiked down. Some sections of trail on the north side of Clingman's were ice covered making for slow going.I took a wrong turn .2 miles before Clingman's and by the time I realized it and got back where I was supposed to be, I'd walked an extra .9 miles so my total for the day is really 13.4 but of course the extra doesn't count as AT trail miles.Left leg felt good today so I think it's healed. I felt better hiking today and was only a little off my normal pace. This might have been because of the altitude, which made me huff and puff more than usual.
Date: 2009-04-01
From: Newfound Gap - Gatlinburg

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I was shuttled to Newfound Gap at 9:45 AM and started out to Tricorner shelter, 15.4 miles down the trail. It was 45 degrees and windy with low clouds and mist most of the day. I hiked well today and took 7 hours and 15 minutes to hike the 15.6 miles. I was happy with that, since it was after 2 nights in town.I was tired and getting cold as I neared the shelter. I imagined the shelter would be one of the nicer ones with skylights, a fireplace(with fire burning)and a tarp across the front to block the wind. I was amazed to find all this at the shelter after I arrived. There are severe thunderstorms forecast for tonight and at 7 PM, it has started raining, but we're snug and warm inside. It's supposed to start clearing up tomorrow
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 14.8 miles to Davenport Gap shelter today. The storm we expected overnight came about 2 AM, when the wind was howling and the rain came down in sheets. We were all dry in the shelter and it was all over by morning but a light rain, which stopped soon after I began hiking at 8:30 AM. It was 38 degrees on the ridges above 5,000 feet. As usual it was cold, windy, wet and foggy for most of the day. I hiked well and enjoyed the day despite the weather.I fell once on a large flat rock that at first didn't seem slippery, but after the second step I fell flat on my rear. No harm done.The next two days are supposed to be sunny, which will be a nice change from the cold, cloudy, wet hiking through most of the Smokies. I leave the Smokies about .2 of a mile after I start hiking tomorrow
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Hiked 10.5 miles to Groundhog Creek shelter. It was a beautiful day and the trail was great. At one point in the morning I was hiking next to a mountain brook with small waterfalls, every couple of hundred feet. It was in a lovely little valley, with flowering plum trees in bloom. I then crossed the Pigeon river, where I saw a cell phone tower on a hill so I called Chris to wish her good morning, since it was then 8 AM in Kansas City.From the river it wasn't far to Standing Bear Farm, a hostel popular with hikers. I stopped and had a cheeseburger and a couple of sodas before moving on. The hostel is a nice place and I recommend it to other hikers.The rest of the day was super with 5 tents set up at Groundhog Creek. We had a nice fire and several of the hikers got up a game of euchre. The shelter wasn't very good, so everyone tented out.
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain. Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 13.1 miles to Walnut Mountain shelter. It was another great day for hiking. The highlight of the day was the views from Max Patch Summit. It was like the opening scene from The Sound of Music with Julie Andrews. I got some good pictures. Another great thing about Max Patch, was trail angel Clumsy. She was set up on the summit with snacks and other goodies for thru hikers. I stayed up there an hour.The trail after Max Patch was great for about 5 miles since it stayed more or less level.I'm tenting out tonight and storms are expected. The wind has picked up here on the ridge above the shelter and I've put on my extra guy lines to make sure the tent stays in place tonight. Tomorrow, I'm into Hot Springs, NC for a day off.
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Walnut Mountain. Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Hiked 13.1 miles to Hot Springs, NC from Walnut Mountain shelter. I tented at Walnut Mountain and the expected storm came in at 2:30 in the morning. The wind howled and the rain came down in sheets. My tent only allowed a very small amount of water to enter near the door zipper and nothing got wet. It was 75 degrees, when I set up my tent and 38 degrees when I took it down this morning. The forecast for tomorrow is for 18 degrees in the mountains, with 5-6 inches of snow in the higher elevations. Many hikers are coming into town for the next few days to avoid the bad weather. The motels here in town are full, but I came in early enough to get a room with 2 double beds. While I was doing my wash at the laundry next to the motel, I saw Spoons, a hiker I've spent a bit of time with on the trail, walking away from the motel, with a dejected look on his face. Some hikers had just been in the laundry, asking if anyone would be willing to share their room with one of the couples coming in off the trail, since the motels were now full. I kept quiet, since I really didn't want to share my room with 2 other people. As I watched Spoons head up the street I figured I knew why he looked dejected. I went outside and said hello and asked how he was, he replied he'd be better if he could find a room for the night. He's a good guy about my age, so I gave him the key to my room and told him I'd share it with him if he'd go over to the office and register to share the room. I'm now sharing a room with Spoons for the next few days, for which he's expressed his appreciation. I told him he was doing me a favor.I had a really bad hiking day today, mentally that is. I was just tired of hiking in the rain and cold, up and down mountains with no views and a cold, wet, windy day to look forward to. I didn't really want to quit the trail, but I wanted to quit what I was doing out in the wet and cold. Added to that I really miss Chris and want to see her. I knew with this attitude if I spent a day and a half in a motel room by myself I might actually decide to quit the trail. Spoons has been great! He told me he's felt the same way a couple of times and we later went down to the local restaurant for a nice dinner. My attitude has improved 100% and I'm looking forward to resuming my hike when the weather clears, probably Wednesday. Erwin Tennessee is my next town stop.
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 11 miles to Spring Mountain shelter. It was sunny and cold at the start, 34 degrees, but it warmed up nicely to about 50 degrees in the afternoon. In the higher elevations, there was about 3 inches of snow on the ground, with a few drifts on the trail up to my knees. The snow on the trail was melting and the deeper areas already had a path stomped into them. I had a sore throat yesterday morning in town, but it was better today and I'm only a little more tired than usual here at the end of the day.We have a tent city setup above the shelter and most of the people here have been on the trail with me for a week or more. It's a good group.I fell on a steep muddy section of the trail today, which only amounted to sliding down on my right side and coming to rest in some nasty mud. I probably could have caught myself, if I was using my poles, but, I was carrying them in my left hand and eating a candy bar with my right. I did manage to keep the candy bar out of the mud.
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 15.4 miles today to Jerry Cabin shelter. It was a long day, since I still tire easily from the sore throat I came down with in Hot Springs. There was a lot of snow on the trail today, but it is melting. At one point the trail split and a sign indicated a high ridge fair weather route, or a lower bad weather route. Since it was sunny and 60 degrees, I took the high ridge route. This was probably a mistake, as there were a number of places where it was necessary to climb hand over hand on a cliff and the rocks were covered with melting snow. If I had it to do over, I would take the lower route since at that point I was tired and only wanted to get to camp. The only consolation was the great views on the high route.The trail was very poorly marked in several places. I and another hiker each took a trail and hollered back to each other when we found a white blaze indicating the correct trail.I'll be glad when I'm over this sore throat, I'm hiking well, but am limited by running out of energy near the end of the day. This morning while I was loading my pack Spoons, who had tented next to me, came over and said he was heading South to the hostel at Hemlock Hollow and getting off the trail, because he was tired of climbing mountains day after day and he missed his wife. I was surprised because he is a strong hiker and seemed like someone who would go all the way to Maine. I also heard a few days ago from some hikers, who started after I did, that Due South is also off the trail. I'm still going, but I understand their feelings. I hope to make Erwin, TN on Sunday.
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 14.7 miles to Hogback Ridge shelter. A thunderstorm came up about one hour after I started, while I was on top of a mountain. It rained hard with ice pellets mixed in, but fortunately, I got down lower before the lightening really got started. It rained for two hours before clearing up and turning into a nice day. It seemed like it was a long day, since there were a lot of hills and the trail was very muddy. I fell once in the mud, but no harm done and I washed up in a creek. It was about 60 degrees this afternoon. After I got to the shelter, I found only one space available. I took it because there was another big thunderstorm heading our way. I just finished dinner and hung my bear bag when the rain started. Four more hikers came in after the rain started, but they had to wait for a lull in the rain to pitch their tents.