morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding stair gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

We tried to get out earlier to stay cooler longer and not need so much water. The trail was very nice again today, and the climb over Albert Mtn. fun. We had to put away the hiking poles and use our hands to help pull ourselves up in places. We stopped at Big spring shelter for a snack, and were disappointed with the trash left there. It is a beautiful site, but has been abused.We moved on and stopped at Rock Gap shelter for lunch and gatorade. Tim and Kelly were there. We felt good again, and decided to get to Winding stair gap to get into Frankin for a much needed shower and rest. We may miss trail magic a lot, but we have great luck finding trail angels. We hit the gap prepared to hitch or wait for a shuttle when I noticed 4 hikers coming southbound towards the parking lot. They had done a big day hike, but offered to have one driver take us to Franklin while the others waited in the parking lot. Todd is from Chattanooga, TN, and also has a retreat home in Franklin because he loves hiking. We are grateful for your kindness. So we pulled into the Franklin as dirty stinking hikers in Todd's Volvo. Bob was there and said " you arrived in style". We are going to do laundry and eat supper.I pray each day that Parker is OK, and thank you Sue and Gingie for giving her lots of love.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Winding stair gap

To: Zero day in Franklin
Miles today: 0.0

We hopped on the shuttle to go do laundry at the Budget Inn. We asked where it was, and the man came out of a side door and said go through the gate and around the back to where the small door is. OK....It looked like for Hobbits. Jim being more aware of low clearances was fine. However, I thought I cleared it on the way back in and cracked my noggin. Now I know that on any given day something can end the hike, but I sure hope it's not during a zero. We got tired of waiting for the shuttler to return so we walked back to the Franklin then to Ingles grocery to buy some food for Easter dinner. I got a Marie Callenders broccoli fettucini, and Jim got a Boston market salsbury steak. We also got a half gallon of milk, gatorade, fresh apples and candy for dessert.Luckily, the outfitter decided to open for a few hours even though it is Easter. Hooray!!! Jim got new boots, and we got hydration systems for our packs instead of having to stop each time we need to drink because we can't reach our bottles in the pockets. I also bought a surprise for Kelly for giving me the headband, so I hope I can locate them in town.With most chores done except getting to the post office in the morning to mail Jim's old boots home and some other stuff that needs to go, we are getting ready to get going tomorrow. If his feet are in better shape, we plan to pick up the pace and mileage from this point. We know from the NOC to Fontana is a fairly hard stretch, but then we enter the Smokies which is foreign territory to us.Happy Easter to all. The messages you leave mean so much to us. Keep us updated about what is going on in the world. Give Parker much much love.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Zero day in Franklin

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

We ate our two leftover pieces of pizza from last night, and washed it down with the rest of the half gallon of milk we bought yesterday. I needed to get to the post office to mail home jim's old boots and our water filter that we replaced with aqua Mira. Amy from the hotel took me up, but we got back too late to catch the shuttle to the trail so Sean took us to the trailhead at winding stair gap where we ended last. It was very warm and sunny, and trail magic in the form of plastic Easter eggs filled with candy were all along for about a half mile. The trail was nice, but mostly a continuous climb for the eleven miles. We stopped for our first break at the blue blaze for siler bald shelter. Tim and Kelly were there. We could hear a woodpecker duet, and the birds are more energetic. We found a great site for lunch, and the climbs seemed even harder with full bellies. We got to wayah bald, and were treated to a fabulous view, but soon moved on towards the shelter. We came to a sign that said shelter .25 mi, but we thought we had made a mistake as it seemed like we had gone much farther than that and no shelter in sight. We decided we would not backtrack but move forward until we could find a spot for the tent. A southbouder named spaz from Quebec saw us and teased that there were no shelters near by, but quickly told us we were there. Tim and Kelly are here along with tj, splinter, ghost, Tyler and ice. Nick and Erin and Jamie the incredible dog went a little farther up the trail. They were our neighbors at the franklin, and we so much enjoyed our time with them and admire Nick for the wonderful care he takes of jamie.It was a nice tireing day, and jim's feet did better. We miss you Parker and know that sue and Gingie are taking good care of you.
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Wayah shelter

To: Wesser bald shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

We got an earlier start because we packed up from a shelter instead of tent. We had a few hours in before it got very hot. As we came into burningtown gap we met apple, a trail maintainer, who was providing trail magic of oranges, cookies, cracker Jack, and sodas. He also had a trash bad so we could all get rid of our trash. Thanks apple!We stopped at cold spring shelter for lunch, but the bugs were nasty so we moved out as soon as we could.It got up to 95 degrees, and we kept climbing and descending, but stopped at telico gap for a break. We finally got to the shelter, and Tim and Kelly, scavenger, cisco, and pops are here. The water source is a fairly long jaunt, is coming out of a concrete reservoir crystal clear. We head into the nantahala outdoor center tomorrow and will try to get a spot in the bunkhouse. Goodnight.
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Wesser bald shelter

To: Noc
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

We were slow getting out of camp this am because we took the time to call the noc for a reservation. Jim has new blisters from the new boots. We had a short day into here, and were glad so he could rest his feet. We are showered, picked up our food mail drop, and stiill need to do our laundry. Other than, although this place has much to do, we are resting.Thank you all for your messages, and know how much it means to us.Too late and too soon
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Noc

To: Sassafras gap shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: moderate rain

We left the noc in the rain, and 3 miles out it was a downpour and getting cold. We rushed and took no breaks, and arrived.completely soaked. Supermax was there, and we quickly got changed and into the sleeping bags. I couldn't get any cell service so this is logged the next day. We hope all is well at home, and Parker is happy.Too late and too soon
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Sassafras gap shelter

To: Brown fork gap shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Our clothes never came close to dryind even though they were hung so putting them on was clearly a thrill! We got going to warm up and the climb up cheoah bald helped that issue. The sun came out, but it never got very warm all day. It was prett, and the flowers are really starting to sprout. We stopped at locust cove gap for a snack thenoved on to stecoah gap for lunch. From the gap we had a very steep climb to the shelter.Fog, mat and his dog McKinley, backwards,conan, moose,casual, are here.We plan to get to Fontana dam tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Brown fork gap shelter

To: Fontana 28 at crossing
Miles today: 11.6

We got out of the shelter early after giving McKinley , mat's dog a piece of sausage. She is adorable. She came up to the shelter early this morning wanting to play. She went down to the privy with me, and it was a classic experience for me to be sitting on an open privy looking out into the woods petting a sweet dog. Life is good! The weather was wonderful all day, and very nice trai. We stopped to take off our coats and moved retry good. We stopped at cable gap shelter for lunch and conan and backwards stopped to eat with us. We got to the fontAna dam marina and plopped down on a bench. The pop machine that was out of order our last trip through there worked this time, and we had a cold coke! We had just got done saying we would wait a couple of minutes before calling the hike inn so we didn't have to hurry when a car pulled up saying "come on". It was jeff, the owner of the hike inn. We asked him how he knew we had gotten there, and he said he had a 6th sense about hikers. Actually, fog had gotten there earlier, and given him a good estimate of when we would get there. Iit was good to see jeff and Nancy again, and just like always, they know what you need before you do. Nancy took our laundry, we got showers, and then off to rorobbinsviile for Mexican, blister med, and a few supplies. We had another food mail resupply waiting for us at the hike Inn so we didn't need much. Fog went too, and was trying to find a repair kit for his broken thermarest. As we pulled into the ingles grocery, we heard commotion , and saw people fighting using fishing poles like whips. Oh well, we steered clear.Got back to the hike inn and crashed. We miss Parker, friends, and family, but we are blessed to be able to do this. Thank you all for your support.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Fontana 28 at crossing

To: Trailhead of smokey mtn
Miles today: 2.5

We were supposed to take a zero today, but because of the kindness of jeff and Nancy, we were able to dothe 2.5 miles from thearina to the trailhead without our packs! They took us over to get that out of the way when we start into the smokies tomorrow.We also went through our mail drop and organized our packs for the smokies.We want to take minimal food and get through there in as few days as possible because the rules are a little different. You are required to camp at a shelter with no stealth camping permitted. We are at the mcdonalds in robbinsville using their wifi thanks to Nancy who brought us back to town. The weather is beautiful.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Trailhead of smokey mtn

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Jeff dropped Fog, Jim, and I off at the trailhead about 0830, and we started to climb Shuckstack mountain. The trail was nice and the climb steady but not extremely steep. We noticed a difference right away with more birds singing, more flowers, a wonderful fragrance, and just like walking into paradise. We could see the fire tower from a distance. We stopped at Birch spring gap for a break, and fog went to get water. We met Carl, the ridgerunner, and he advised us to hike past Mollies Ridge shelter to get closer to Derrick's knob for tomorrow's hike. That left me wondering what we were going to encounter tomorrow. We went past Mollies ridge shelter and on to Russell Field shelter per his advice. It was a nice shelter enclosed in chain link fence. Castaway was there, and several hikers stopped to get water or a snack and kept moving. We were done for the day.The nice thing about the shelters is they have the bear cables to hang up your food and packs so one less chore finding a suitable tree.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The ridgerunner knows his stuff. The hike wasn't horendous, but tiring. We crossed over some balds with beautiful views. Thunderhead mountain was gorgeous. We stopped at Beechnut gap for lunch and water and met a couple from Breezewood, Pa. The flowers are springing up everywhere, and I wish I knew the names of more of them. There is a fragrance in the smokies that should be bottles. Sometimes you think it is evergreen, but it is more than that.We got to Derrick Knob shelter early, but were done for the day.Tetherball and Moose came to the shelter tonight along with Castaway. Others kept going to the next shelter. Tetherball was determined to get a fire going to help chase the bugs away. We all helped gather dry wood. Once again, no cell service so I couldn't check for your messages or do the journal, but knew I would catch up as soon as possible.
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Lately we have been blessed with the most beautiful weather, and from what we are told, it is truly a gift in the Smokies. I was excited to get to Clingman's dome (highest point on the AT), and we had phenomenal views. We worked to get there, but oh...how beautiful. We climbed up the tower while Tetherball and Moose stayed with our packs.The descent down was interesting and tiring. There was still snow with postholes from footsteps, and it was slippery and rocky. My slowest type of trail is rocks. But we made it to Mt.Collins shelter which is newer, and Tetherball had a fire going. The shelter was so nice, and we got on the top platform. Jim's feet are much improved, and that is so good. We had trouble sleeping because we are so filthy and itchy. We put some water in a ziplock bag to try to wash, but a hot shower would be heavenly at this point. We plan to get to Newfound gap in the morning and hitch to Gatlinburg.
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

We were all up and ready to go early knowing we could get into town. It was beautiful trail all the way, and we were again blessed with trail angels, Jamie and her husband, from Pittsburgh, Pa. They had gone to Pidgeon Forge to visit their daughter and heard us asking if anyone was going to Gatilinburg. She said we are going in and would be happy to take you!!!!!YAHOOThey brought us to the Microtel, and we met Joel, the desk clerk, who has been great. They don't have any laundry service, and we didn't feel like lugging all our dirty clothes on the trolley to a laundromat, so we decided to wash them out in the sink and put up a clothes line using our bear bag string. Then I decided to take my sleep pants into the shower with me to give them a proper scrubbing. As I stepped into the shower, I slipped on what must have been leftover cleaning material, and wiped out twisting my knee. I wanted to cry, but had to laugh at the tremendous irony of carefully negotiating my steps down from clingman yesterday only to do more damage in the shower. Jim heard the crash and as I sit twisted like a pretzel in the tub, wanted to know if I would like him to shut off the shower.At that point I chose to sit in a hot soak and pray my knee would work again. I soaked my sleep pants with me.I will be ok, and we then went to eat. I got fish, and Jim got a burger and beer. We asked the waitress about a cab to get back to the trail tomorrow, and she said "forget it, they're robbers."so we were goins to go to the outfitters and see what we could come up with, but discovered they were closed with mold issues. But we met a young man at the store who will give us a ride in the morning. We feel pressured to get the smokies behind us because of all the restrictions even though the trail is beautiful.We will be on our way home for a few days to take care of some things and bring back Parker.We are ahead of our original schedule, and if time permits, we may try to get as far as Hot Springs before heading home. Oh yea, at this time, we don't know for sure about a rental car. To try to hitch back to home would be over the top!Thanks to all for your messages, and know that they mean a lot to usToo late and Too soon
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

Jake took us back to the trail head at Newfound Gap about 1045, and we started climbing towards Charlies Bunion. A little way into the hike, a day hiker, a marine named Greg, started hiking with us. We really enjoyed his company and he hiked all the way to Charlies bunion with us. It is truly an amazing place with outstanding views. We passed a big group of guy along the way and wondered if they were going to go to Pecks shelter. If they did and,the shelter was full, the thru-hikers have to get out of the shelter and tent. When we got to Pecks shelter we decided to just go ahead and put up the tent. Sure enough, later they got there and confusion began. One of their hikers was completely exhausted and not well. They finally got him to drink some gatorade, and he was able to sit up.Pigpen, birdie, ponytail dave, and landfill were also there. Birdie had brought eggs out of town and gave us two. We kind of made Chinese soup with them and ramen noodles. It was good, but needed vinegar.It was a beautiful hike today, and we were blessed with the weather.Too late and Too soon
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

It started raining as we were packing up the tent this morning so we scrambled to get stuff packed before it got too wet. By the time we got to the trail from the shelter it was raining harder, but we had to dig out something to eat. It is an odd hunger that comes over you out here.We hiked in cloud like conditions, but the trail was nice. We stopped at Tri-Corner knob shelter for breakfast and lunch. It was so cold by then that our fingers were freezing. The water source was great so that helped.We started over Guyot spur, and it was getting nicer out. The day continued to improve, and the trail wonderful.We got to Cosby knob shelter and found out the big group had turned back so they would not be showing up at the shelter, and there was plenty of space for all of us. Tonight it was pigpen, birdie, 6 toes, and Mike. We were low on fuel, but had enough to cook supper (thank goodness).It started getting cold again so off to sleeping bags.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Cosby Knob shelter

To: Green Corner road
Miles today: 10.4

It was 32 degrees this morning, and hard to climb out of the bags and get ready to go. But we did, and the weather turned out to be gorgeous. This was our last day in the Smokies, and we were happy to know that although the Smokies are spectacular.The trail couldn't have been nicer with many waterfalls, flowers, fragrance and signs of spring. We moved along well, and stopped at Davenport Gap shelter for lunch. We were nearly out of food, so lunch was just a small bit of cheese and summer sausage with a tortilla. We had some M&M's left and ate those. But with only about a mile to Davenport Gap and on to Standing Bear hostel we were fine.When we got to the gap, we could see chairs, a grill, and people. Could it be????Yes, it was wonderful trail magic provided by 2007 thru hiker, snowplow and his friend Mike, a section hiker, and his wife and mother. They had everything! Dill pickles, egg sandwiches with tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, candy, watermelon, grapes, oranges, apples, hash browns, and gatorade. It was wonderful, and now they said we should be "on time" instead of "too late and too soon". Thank you so much!We headed on to Standing bear hostel with the idea of maybe just getting some resupply and keep going towards Hot Springs. But as I headed into the computer room (an outside hut), I noticed a dog tied to a small bridge. He wagged his tail, and looked like he needed love, so I went over to pet him. He was a dog that they are keeping while the owner gets through the Smokies. He lunged at me, and I scrambled backwards and fell on my wrist. We are staying here tonight instead of moving on. My body has taken a beating out here just like everyone's, but some of my stupidity is really adding up. Thank you all for your wonderful updates and messages. They mean so much.Too late and Too soon.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Green Corner road

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We headed out of Standing Bear Hostel feeling OK and ready to climb Snowbird Mtn. It was a long climb with lots of blow downs and obstacles, but not rocky or extremely difficult. The weather was good, and we were making good time. We stopped at Groundhog Creek shelter for water and lunch. Ziggy and his dog, Lucy came in and were waiting on pigpen.The day was glorious because of Max patch. As we came to Max patch road, a man was there who had finished doing trail magic (Hee Hee), but offered good cheer. We kept going to Max patch, and it was magnificent with panoramic 360 degree views of all colors. Jim took lots of photos, and we will get pictures uploaded when possible. The trail from Max patch to Roaring Fork shelter was pleasant and interesting so the day ended great. H squared was there, and several section hikers.We are going to try to get to Hot Springs tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

We headed out on some of the easiest terrain yet and made very good time. We got to Walnut Mountain shelter in time to get the rain gear on,and pack covers on before the rain got too bad. Six toes and Mike stopped to do the same. For the rest of the 10 hours of hiking, we trodded on in the rain. It was not too cold, but difficult to take a break. We went past Deer Park Mountain shelter in a hurry to get to town.We stopped at the Smokey Mtn diner to eat on the way into town, and then to Elmers which was full so we went to the Alpine Court. We had very little hot water and it is a dump, but it was warm and dry so all was well.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Try to get home for a few days
Miles today: 0.0

We went to the laundromat early so we could have something clean to try to get home, and also not to carry stinking clothes. We have had breakfast, spread some trail magic to Lucy, Ziggy's dog, and are in the process of how to accomplish getting to Ohio.Love to all.