morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Helen, GA

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7

Zero day at Helen, GA. Hiked to Unicoi Gap yesterday (9.7 miles) and rode into town with John and his son who met us at the Gap. Staying in Helen at the Best Western which is a nice hotel. Had the typical motel breakfast this morning. Slept like a log last night after soaking in a hot bath for 30 minutes and afterwards taking a 30-minute shower. My foot is doing well although one of my toe nails has turned blue. Not sure whether or not it has anything to do with my foot problem. Thankfully, my hip doesn't hurt as much today. My thigh is still numb and tingling but everything still works. My wife is shipping my e-wing here tomorrow in hopes that it will help with my tent condensation. I love my wife! Went into Dahlonega today to the outdoor store. Purchased new rain pants which are lighter and more compact than the old ones. John is shopping for a lighter backpack since his current pack is killing his back. So far I've made it 52.9 miles with many, many more to go! The manager here at the hotel is great, shuttling hikers to and from the trail and to the post office. Wildcat, I love my "Bert" shirt --- Thanks. Goal tomorrow is Tray Mountain shelter at 5.7 miles. I hope it will be dry. It has rained most of the day today. Going to eat Mexican food tonight.
Date: 2013-04-05
To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 10.4

4/05/13 Day 9 to Sassafras Gap campsite at 10.4 miles. Today was going to be an easy 5.5 miles. I didn¢t realize that the first 5 miles was straight up. Hiking with John again and we decided to bypass Tray Mountain and camp at Sassafras Gap. Legs are getting stronger. I think my calves are growing. It is going to be cold tonight, down in the 30¢s. My pack developed a squeak today, I thought it was saying ¢One more step ¢ One more step¢ but then I realized it was saying ¢You are nuts. You are nuts¢. At one point today I thought I had passed away and God was making me walk up to Heaven, but I¢m not dead (just feel like it) and I really think that Hell is on top of one of these mountains. Gotta go hang my bear bag. Doggie Daddy out.
Date: 2013-04-06
To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

4/06/13 Day 10 to Blueberry Patch Hostel 6.3 miles today From Addis Gap to Kelly Knob was up, up and up. I was beginning to think there was no top to this mountain. Decided to take a short day and stay at the Blueberry Patch Hostel. We heard about the blueberry pancakes and just couldn¢t resist. Gary and his wife, the owners, are wonderful people. The hostel is their ministry and they do a great job. They operate the hostel on donations alone. I recommend this place, if only to meet Gary and his wife. They are a blessing to hikers, and they make great pancakes. Gary drove us to town to eat dinner at the "ALL YOU CAN EAT" buffet. It was great, but I ate so much I was miserable. It was the first time in my life that I felt like I got my money's worth at a buffet. Hiked today with John, Blanket, Kicket, and Cliff Diver.
Date: 2013-04-07
To: Muskrat Gap
Miles today: 11.7

4/07/13 Day 11 Muskrat Gap - Miles today 11.7 Tough hike today, several very steep mountains. The introduction to NC was two straight-up mountains that I thought would never end. Gary dropped us off at Dicks Creek Gap after a wonderful breakfast. I recommend the Blueberry Patch. I gave John his trail name today. His back has been hurting so Gary gave John some capsation (pure hot pepper oil ointment) to put on his back pain. We had been hiking for about one hour when John asked me to put some of the ointment on his aching back. I put a generous amount on the spot where John was hurting and headed on down the trail. We hiked about another half mile. I was about 100 yards out front when I heard ¢JOHN¢!!! I turned and saw John S. running down the trail toward me. When he caught up with me, he ripped off his pack, flung it to the ground, ripped off his shirt, pulled off his t-shirt and screamed ¢Get this S***** off me, it's burning me UP¢! I wet his t-shirt and did my best to cool down a spot about as big as my hand and as red as an over-ripe tomato. My efforts failed, he was still burning so John¢s new trail name is ¢Back Fire¢. I hiked on to Muskrat Gap with ¢Slow and Steady¢ and ¢Shadow¢, two super nice ladies that are part of the Summit Sisters. They were also at the Blueberry Patch. I fixed Lasagna noodles for supper. They were crunchy and looked like something off a dead cow. They gave me tremendous heartburn. No more of that stuff. Guess that is what I get for torturing John today.
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Muskrat Gap

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 12.5

4/08/13 Hiked 12.5 miles today to Carter Gap. Great hike today, weather was beautiful. I lost ¢Back Fire¢ today. He decided to go into Hiawassee to find a chiropractor (no more pepper ointments for Back Fire). I hope to see him on down the trail, he was a good guy. Hiked today with Slow and Steady and Shadow. I like hiking with these two ladies. Foot is doing well, toenail looks like Hell --- I think the new one is growing straight up. That will be fun on down the trail. I don¢t think anyplace else can hurt, everything on my body has hurt at one time or another. Think I will increase my I-vitamin intake.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Carter Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: few clouds

4/09/13 To Rock Gap Shelter ¢ 12.2 miles today Mile marker 106.0 Left Carter Gap around 8:00. The climb up Albert Mountain was Hell! It was hot hiking and climbing over large boulders. Hiked again with Steady and Shadow today. We called Bill¢s Wheels of Ga for a ride into Franklin and plan to stay at Ron Haven's Sapphire Inn since the weather forecast for tomorrow is not good. The ride with Bill was quite interesting. I was a bit worried when I put my pack in the back on top of a case of beer but he got us there. Ron Haven caters to hikers and offers shuttle service. Medical update: 1. Foot ¢ great 2. Toe ¢ looks like a half-rotten strawberry 3. Right knee hurts on the downhill, great on the uphill. 4. Rest of body hurts all over. Other than that, I am good to go.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Crest Picnic Area
Miles today: 9.6

04/10/13 Day 14 Slacked from Rock Gap to Wayah Crest Picnic Area (mile 115.6) Ron Haven is another super guy. He does a great service for hikers, shuttling them to and from the trail and to stores to re-supply. Great guy! Had Mexican food for supper tonight here in Franklin, NC. Hiked today with two of my favorite ladies, Steady and Shadow. Went to Wal-Mart to get supplies. Plan to wait out weather tomorrow and see how it goes. The prediction sounds nasty. Can't forget the First Baptist Church of Franklin for treating us to a free breakfast of pancakes and bacon. The members provide this service to hikers. Like I said earlier, it's one big family here on the trail.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Wayah Crest Picnic Area

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

4/11/13 Day 15 Zero day at the Sapphire Motel in Franklin, NC. Medical report: 1. Toe looks good. 2. Hip is feeling good. 3. Right leg is still a bit numb 4. Left foot has a slight ache. All in all, I feel great and hope I can walk when I get out of bed! The plan for tomorrow is to hike to Burningtown Gap (9+ miles), stay at Aquone Hostel, and then go to NOC on Saturday. Shadow's husband is coming down tomorrow to hike with us. I'll be with Shadow and Slow and Steady again. That's a good thing!
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Franklin, NC

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 8.8

4/12/13 Day 16 Burningtown Gap (mile 124.4) Hiked today with Shadow, Steady,to Aquone Cabins and Hostel, a great place. Actually, we all hiked our own hike, but seemed to meet up at the rest stops at the same time. I recommend the cabins and hostel, which are really nice. I'm looking forward to their meatloaf supper tonight! Tomorrow, we go to the NOC at mile 137.3. Looks like a couple of short uphill climbs with one really long downhill. I'm looking forward to meeting Steve, Shadow's husband, who will be here tonight. Our first real trail magic was today. A thru hiker from 2010 (I failed to get his name) had hamburgers, potato salad, hot dogs, and cake for us on the trail. I had potato salad and cake. The Wayah Bald tower offered spectacular views of the area so I took several photos. Tin Man and his group came into the hostel late. They were attempting a 27-mile slack to the NOC but decided to stop at the Aquone Cabins for the night. They will go to the NOC tomorrow also.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Burningtown Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Great hike today, weather was perfect. Hit the trail about 9:00a and arrived at NOC at 4:15p. Hiked today with Shadow, Steady, Steve, and Inch by Inch. Had to climb the tower at Wesser Bald. At the NOC, had a cheeseburger, fries and two beers. Purchased a knee brace to use on the downhills, hope it works. Will stay again tonight at Aquone Hostel. Headed tomorrow to Stecoah Gap and on to Cabin In The Woods. I hear it is a pretty nice place.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: NOC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The hike out of NOC was a steep one. Hit the trail @ 10:09a and reached Stecoah Gap about 5:15p then called for a shuttle to Cabin In The Woods. Slacked today with Steady and Shadow. We had to improvise on packing our food and water. Shadow used a stuff sack, Steady used a compression sack, and I used an old Kroger food bag - (hey, it worked). The afternoon brought a cold wind and then a cold rain. We failed to carry our rain gear and I think that increased our miles per hr. hiking average. Steve shuttled our packs to the cabin and even left a cold brew in the frig for us. Thank you so much Steve (what a great guy). Cabin In The Woods is VERY nice, I like it a lot and would return here. The host and food are GREAT too!Most everything is OK on the medical front, only pain is the right knee. I think I wasted some good money on that brace. No blisters, toe is looking good, two out of three ain't bad.Not sure about tomorrow, may stop at Cable Gap depending on arrival time. May continue to the Fontana Hilton if the weather is good. That would be another 13.9 miles. I don't want to spend a night in the rain.Met Robo Cop today along with Pro Tip, Sandy, Tin Man & Smiles. Gotta go,Doggie Daddy out.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The hike out of Stecoah Gap was pretty steep. Jacobs Ladder wasn't as bad as I had imagined. Steady decided to stop at Cable Gap and rest her blisters. It was still early so Shadow and I decided to head for Fontana.It was very sad to leave Steady there since she and Shadow had been together from the start. I knew I would see Steady again somewhere down the trail.I didn't think we would ever get to the dam. I hadn't considered the hike to the shelter up from Hwy 68 (I had always driven up in a car).We reached the shelter about 6:00p and it was packed. We pitched our tents and settled in for the night. Our first night without Steady.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge GSMNP
Miles today: 11.0

I left Shadow this morning, she had to return to the real world and a job. I really think the real world is here on the trail.It is amazing how emotional it can be when you lose one of your hiking buddies. Shadow was such a kind and generous lady. I will truly miss her. The feeling is like you're starting all over again alone, like the first day at Springer. You don't know what lies ahead, you just keep walking. You also lose a lot of your motivation to go on. Your buddies keep you going and encouraged. It is much easier to stay motivated when you are with your buddies. Now I have to pull that motivation from within. Of course, I have my friends and family at home cheering me on. My friends from Sunday school, the shag dance club and my wife are my best cheerleaders. They keep me going!The shelter is packed, but I got a space. Met Double Nickel, Sandy, Yuke, and several others. Glad I was in the shelter, it came one hell of a hail storm and rain.I don't have my GSM pass yet, Fontana visitor center was closed. Hope the rangers don't arrest me. Headed for Derrick Knob tomorrow.Doggie Daddy - out.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Mollies Ridge GSMNP

To: Derrick Knob GSMNP
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Broke camp about 08:00 headed for Derrick Knob. Today was a tough hike. Rocky Top and Thunderhead were steep climbs. Took my picture on Rocky Top and sang a new verse of the TN Vols fight song (I made it up) that goes something like this: "I'm DAMN glad I'm finally on Rocky Top, that was one hell of a climb. Standing here looking up at Thunderhead, must be outta my mind. Glad that I'm on ole Rocky Top hope they don't bury me here".Thunderhead is up ahead, and I am already pooped.The rain started just as I was descending Thunderhead so I had to don my rain gear. Rain made the trail a bit slippery.Arrived at the shelter and it was packed with people. I decided to pitch my e-wing and sleep on the ground. I got set up, crawled into my sleeping bag and then the wind started. The wind was relentless, it blew all night. I thought several times I was going to loose my e-wing. Thought I was in a hurricane. I finally got to sleep but woke up in a heavy fog that saturated my sleeping bag. Will dry out at Double Springs tomorrow (if the wind doesn't blow me away).Doggie Daddy - out
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Derrick Knob GSMNP

To: Clingmans Dome Tower Path
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: broken clouds

The wind is relentless. It blew all night and all day today. At times it almost blew me off the trail. The trees are screeching and it sounds like something out of a horror movie. Rain is predicted for tomorrow - I am not tenting in this wind and rain. My AT&T phone hasn't had a signal for 6 days now but some nice young man let me borrow his phone to call my wife. She will meet me at Clingmans Dome parking lot and I'm outta here! Thank you Rosemary for saving my life. We have reservations in Gatlinburg for a couple of zero days.Looking forward to a few days rest. I need it.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Clingmans Dome Tower Path

To: Gatlinburg TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Have had a wonderful time in Gatlinburg. Purchased a new tent (Copper Spur)and sleeping pad, a new Verizon I-phone 5----I'm a happy camper again.Been eating everything I can get in my mouth, from ribs to steaks, stuff I rarely eat in my off-the-trail life. I have lost nine pounds in 3 weeks.Cold and blustery today. I'm so glad I'm not on the trail.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Gatlinburg TN

To: Gatlinburg TN
Miles today: 0.0

A gorgeous day in Gatlinburg. Warm and sunny. My wife and I sat on our balcony, drinking wine and watching the classic cars drive by from the car show in Pigeon Forge. It's a good life.Steady called after she arrived in town today. We plan to have dinner with her tonight. I will be happy to see her again and I'm excited that my wife will finally get to meet her. Probably a little tipsy after drinking that whole bottle of wine.Sandy and her family are also in town. We keep running into each other at eateries and the NOC. Plan to hit the trail tomorrow for Icewater Springs.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Clingmans Dome Tower Path

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 7.9

Had a great reunion with Steady last night (we weren't too tipsy after all). We hiked(slacked)from Clingmans Dome Tower Path to Newfound Gap. My wife waited at the Gap with the car and my pack. My plan was to pick up my pack and continue to Icewater Springs. Steady planned to return to Gatlinburg for another zero day. The trail was a great surprise. It was a beautiful hike but, since it parallels the Dome road, I had never hiked it before. My knee was killing me before I reached the Gap. I thought I could walk it out, but it only got worse. I made the decision to go home and see the doctor on Monday, if possible. I'm hoping to get a cortisone shot and everything will be OK.Doggie Daddy - out
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Newfound Gap

To: Doctor
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Tried to see the doctor today but had to settle for an early morning appt. on Tuesday. I really hope my knee problem will be an easy fix. Also, saw my dermatologist concerning my newly acquired butt rash. After that, went to the foot doctor's office and picked up my orthotics that had been waiting for me. May as well get everything tuned up while I'm in town, I guess. Hope to get back on the trail later in the week.Doggie Daddy - out
Date: 2013-04-23
From: Doctor

To: Doctor
Miles today: 0.0

I hate needles. If that needle was 1 inch long, I know it was a foot. I don't understand why when the Dr. is preparing to stick a foot-long needle into your body he always says "You are going to feel a little pressure"!!! Why don't they just tell you the truth and say "This is gong to hurt like Hell". Knee is feeling much better already. Iliotibial band syndome was the problem and was aggravated by the numbness of my thigh. And I thought as long as the leg was numb and wasn't hurting I would be OK - yeah!Well now I have my knee doing better, my butt rash is getting better (had a case of the bad ass), I just can't think what is going to malfunction next. If I could figure out how to pack a case of wine, I think I would do much better on this hike.It has been wonderful being at home and staying at G-Burg. I miss my trail buddies something terrible. They will be so far ahead of me now. I will be back on the trail by Thursday 4/25.Doggie Daddy - woof woof
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail again today after several days away to take care of my knee. So far, so good. Hopefully, the cortisone shot and a little rest has helped. It's a beautiful day to be out here headed toward Maine! Will update later. Doggie Daddy -- woof, woof
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

It was tough leaving home today. Rosemary dropped me off at Newfound Gap around 1:00. My wife is so good to me. I enjoyed my zero days in Gatlinburg and at home, although some of my time was spent seeing doctors. The hike to Pecks Corner was beautiful. A great trail that follows the crest of the mountains. Wonderful vistas. Arrived at camp around 6:30 and set up my new tent. Will see how this one does. The test will be the rain. So far, I like it. Free-standing, double-wall and plenty of room. Shelter is full (as usual) with lots of kids (as usual) but it seems to be a pretty good group. Temperature dropping. A cool night ahead. 12.9 miles to Cosby Knob tomorrow. The knee worked fine today but most of the trail was uphill. Looks like a lot of downhill hiking tomorrow so I'll see how that goes. New phone is working (got a text message out. Yea!); new tent is good; new knee is doing good; bad ass is good. Overall, a good day.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: few clouds

Broke camp this morning around 9:30 and headed for Cosby Knob. Didn't sleep well last night. Someone camped about 20' from me snored like a freight train all night. I think they slept quite well. Arrived at the Knob around 5:20, in plenty of time to get a decent tent site. Camped with Chief, Teen Wolf, and Hobbit. All great guys. Rain is supposed to move in around midnight and continue for the next couple of days. I plan to play it by ear tomorrow if it's raining. I'll stay put if I'm dry but if I'm wet, I'll head out for Groundhog Creek Hostel along with every other hiker out here. A pretty hike today although some of the trail had lots of loose rock. Made for difficult hiking some of the time. The knee is still doing okay but the loose rocks worked on it a bit. I think the bad ass is cured so now I'm just an ass. Blue toe is still blue. I met Hardtack today on the trail. We started talking after I noticed a Little River Trading Co. patch on his pack. Seems like Wildcat (Bert) helped him get outfitted for his hike also. It's a small world after all. It's 7:30, my bedtime. Doggie Daddy - out.
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Cosby Knob around 9:00 and arrived here around 3:00. Rained last night and most of today. I'm a little wet, but not soaked through and through. I'm in the bunkhouse, a room with 14 bunks and hardly room to turn around. Everyone is trying to duck in somewhere out of the rain. Lots of kids again. Hard Tack is in the bunk across from me. I'll leave here tomorrow if my stuff dries out over night. I figure three more days to Hot Springs. Okay, I'm leaving here tomorrow regardless. It's 4:15 and someone is already snoring like crazy. Had a large can of pork & beans with crackers for supper. I may be able to hold my own with the snorer tonight. The bunkhouse is completely full and someone just came in to sleep in the floor between the bunks. It's the freight train snorer that tented near me two nights ago. Great. Sling Shot, Hard Tack, and Shake & Bake are here. A good group. Rain is really coming down now and I'm glad to be in the dry. Hope tomorrow is better, but the forecast doesn't look good. Next goal is Hot Springs (2 or 3 days away) where I'll probably take a zero. Want to visit the outfitters to see what I think I need.
Date: 2013-04-28
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 9.8

Left the hostel at 9:10 this morning. It's pouring rain and has been all day. I didn't sleep well last night. "Freight Train" kept everyone awake. I considered staying there another night but couldn't take two nights without sleep. I really felt the effects of my sleep deprivation today. The hike was so tiring. I arrived at Brown Gap at 3:30 and, thankfully, there was an angel outpost with FOOD! They saved my life. One guy named Franklin was from Knoxville. He drives an orange T-model to the UT ballgames and parks on the Ag. campus. I'll have to look him up when I go. Most of the really good stuff was gone but I was able to snag a whole box of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies. (I've eaten a half box already) They had chips, salad, apples, oranges, grapes -- glad I got there before they closed up shop. I noticed that Sling Shot had set up camp with 4 or 5 others so, since I was cold and wet, I decided to set up camp, too. I'm in my tent in dry clothes and ready for bed. This tent is doing a good job so far. I like it. Hot Springs is still 23 miles away; guess I'll get there by Tuesday. Rain is still coming down. May have to hold up here for a spell tomorrow. Forecast is for more of the same. I just figured up that I consumed 640 calories in those Thin Mints. That should keep me warm tonight. Doggie Daddy - out
Date: 2013-04-29
From: Brown Gap

To: Bluff Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Broke camp at 8:00 and headed out. It rained most of the night and although everything was wet, I stayed dry in my tent. Set up camp here about 4:30 to let things dry out a little. Hiked today with Sling Shot who also camped here. Plan to head into Hot Springs tomorrow for some R&R. Today was a pretty day. The sky threatened rain but it never came. Hiked up Max Patch Summit. Great views of the area. The trail from Max Patch on was very pleasant, following several streams. No photos today -- had all the wet stuff packed. My tent should be about 5 lbs. lighter tomorrow. I think we have broken away from the mob of kids. I saw Donna on the trail today. She said that Steady was in Hot Springs. Donna also said that Inch by Inch left the trail. I think that Donna is also going to hang it up. It's 6:00 and a few other hikers are wandering in. 10 miles tomorrow to Hot Springs! I hope my wife comes to visit and I also hope I get to see Steady again. Doggie Daddy -- out