morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Deep Gap Shelter 

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

 The snow and wind from yesterday are gone, and the sun is out. Only in the Georgia mountains do you wake to 32 degrees and snow and have to change into shorts in the afternoon! It was 74 today. The hike was nice, with great views. I stopped for a snack on a outcropping on my way up Powell Mtn. You don't get views like this from a car! When I made my way down to Dicks Creek Gap, there was a picnic area and I stopped to a man from southern Georgia up for the day. He offered me an apple. People are really friendly to hikers (maybe because we look so pathetic!). The hike down to the shelter was nice. There was a tunnel of trees I hiked through to get there. I set up my tent back behind the shelter in a soft bed of pine needles. The shelter was pretty full. One of the guys was heading home in the morning, due to a knee problem. I felt sorry for him, his dream was shattered.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Plum Orchard Shelter 

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

GOOD BYE GEORGIA!!! HELLO NORTH CAROLINA!!! I never thought I would be happy to see the state of N.C.! My first milestone of the trip. When you get to the state line there is a sign on a tree marking the border as well as a sign-in register. I was there at the same time as Doggie Bags and his dog Aldo. I had him take a picture for me, one of the few I have with me in it! There is a tree up the trail a little further, in Bly gap, that most consider to be the Georgia/N.C. border. It is probably the most photograph tree on the trail. It is rather funky looking.I had a lot of uphill today. The high points crossed were ... As Knob, Wheeler Knob, Bly Gap, Sassafras Gap, and Whiteoak Stamp. The shelter is at 4760 feet. It is always a sense of accomplishment to look back over the day and see the miles hiked and mountains crossed!
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Standing Indian Shelter 

To: Betty Creek Gap 
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: few clouds

Perfect hiking weather today, 45-50 degrees, overcast, and light winds. If I had my way, it would be like this everyday of my hike. Although, the night temps could be a little higher , its in the low 30's tonight.I started very late today, not leaving camp until around 1130am. I couldn't sleep last night, it was 5am the last time I looked at my watch. So I slept until 10 and took my time packing up and ate "brunch" before heading out. I have very odd hiking times compared to the other hikers. Most are on the trail by 8-830 and are at the shelter for the night by 3-4:00. I generally get on the trail by 9:30-10 and stop for dinner around 4 and continue hiking until 7-8pm. I really like hiking in the evening. I have even hiked after dark with my headlamp. I think I will do that a lot more after the days become hotter.The hike was not bad today, only one main mountain, Standing Indian Mtn 5498'. It had a nice lookout. I dont carry a map, so I haven't a clue what I am looking out at, but it was a nice view anyway. A group of hikers I talked to at the shelter last night are camped here at the gap. Actually, they convinced me to stop for the night. I was planning on going on and camping near the next shelter which is only another 3 miles. It was already 6:45 and there is a tough, hand over hand, rock climb up Albert Mtn before getting to the shelter. I would have been climbing it in the dark. I thought it best to take their advice. Besides there are suppose to be nice views I would miss in the dark.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: USFS RD 67
Miles today: 8.5

I was very glad I did not do Albert Mtn in the dark last night! It was not super difficult, but it required a lot of climbing that would have been tough by head lamp. I actually got on the trail early for a change. The bad part was that Albert Mtn should have great views, if it weren't for the fog. These web walkers miss so much by hiking early. I would much rather leave later and actually SEE the view. I hiked most of the day with Dillon and Mixin'. They were looking for a ride into Franklin to resupply. My friend was driving up from Fla. to hike with me, and was meeting me at the road crossing. She ended up taking Dillon, Mixin, Garrett, Jacob and myself into town for our much needed showers and food!! She had a cooler with drinks, cheese, fruit, granola bars and a tub of cookies!!! Needless to say we chowed. Thanks Becky!! The shower felt great and the laundry mat was a must! I fueled up at an AYCE buffet. These occasional town visits are really needed to help regenerate your body.I always enjoy being able to call home, however, sometimes it is not always a good thing. I haven't had contact in a few days and found out that there was a water main break at my rental property. Chris was stuck trying to deal with it on her way to work. Sorry Chris. Liccion to the rescue, your always there when I need you. I owe a big THANK YOU to Chris, Rick, Nicole, and Lisa for dealing with, getting it fixed and/or cleaning up after the disaster. It makes it easier out here knowing I have you guys to pick up the slack.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: To Mrs. Kott's 2nd Grade Class

To: To Mrs. Kott's 2nd Grade Class
Miles today: 5.0

To Mrs. Kott's 2nd Grade ClassWell, I have been on the trail now for 12 days. Although, it feels like I have been gone a lot longer. I have a lot of things to tell you about, but first I want to thank all of you who have signed my guest book. I have gotten messages from Lauren, Emily, Lewis, Julia, Francie, as well as one from the class. These messages really help me to keep moving, even on days when I dont want to hike anymore. It motivates me knowing I have so many friends back home cheering me on.Now on to some of the interesting things that have happened over the last two weeks. The second day I was out I came accross a platoon of Army Rangers, out doing practice drills in the woods. These guys were carrying backpacks twice as big and 2-3 times heavier then the one I am carrying. Besides having heavier packs, they were dressed in heavy, hot clothing. I felt sorry for them. I am out here doing something I want to do, they were here because it's there job!One of the days I was hiking I came across a really cool tree. It was about 4 feet wide and pretty tall, but it had a hole inside of it big enough to crawl into. It was hollow inside! The hole was just high enough off the ground that if one of you got inside the tree, I would barely see the top of your head. What a neat hiding place for some animal.I have climbed a lot of mountains and hiked through rain, snow, sleet, and very hot sun. I have seen many unique trees and rock formations. One of my favorite things to do is take photos of strange trees. I will have Francie bring some in to show you when I get them printed. One really weird rock I saw was a large rock sitting on top of another rock that looks like it is balanced there.Well, its time for me to move on and try to find a place to set up my tent for the night. I have been sitting on this mountain top looking out over all the mountains I have climbed in Georgia. I am now hiking in North Carolina!!! I hope all of you enjoyed your spring break. I know Francie did. Thanks again for all the encouraging words!!
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter Tentsite
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

               THANK YOU ANDERSON, S.C. HIKING CLUB                      YOU TRULY ARE TRAIL ANGELS!! Today started out as an average day. I was feeling kind of down, missing family and friends. Sitting on my pitty-pot, I guess you could say. About half way through the day, near Wayah Crest Picnic Area, I saw a sign on the trail that read...Trail Magic, Free Hamburgers and Hot Dogs For Hikers, Wayah Bald, 11-2, Sponsored By The Anderson, S.C. Hiking Club. Now, I checked my watch and it was 1:20. I usually go about 2mph on gentle ups and downs. I glanced at the milage chart and it appeared the bald was 2.3 miles away. I thought if I really push it, I might be able to catch them as they are cleaning up and can get a cold drink. So, I beat feet uphill toward the bald. After about 30 minutes, I checked the chart again and realized I had misread it. It was actually 4.3 miles, not even remotely possible! So, discouraged, I accepted the fact that a cold drink was not in the picture for me today, and I resumed a normal uphill pace. As I approached the top (at 3:50!!), I noticed through the trees, a dining canopy set up near the road. I heard a voice say "here comes another hiker" and a familiar voice say "hey it's Bunkers". I rounded the bend and was greeted by some wonderful people taking pictures as I walked up. A lady came up to me with a package of wet wipes and said "wash your hands and face and we'll get you some food". They had me sign in to their log and before I knew it I was handed a plate with 2 large cheeseburgers. They had a table set up with burger fixin's and a ton of food. There was potato salad, fresh fruit, cookies, rice-krispie treats, doughnuts and ice cold drinks. I sat in a chair under their tent, where it was nice and shady, and was treated like a queen!! I chatted with fellow thru-hikers Worm Wood and Xeon as well as some really neat people from the hiking club. A lady noticed my sun burned ears and brought over packets of sunscreen wipes. They had boxes of resupply items like toilet paper, fuel, handi wipes and pack towels. These people thought of everything!! We left there with bags of goodies for the trail and a wonderful feeling to share with others. This hiking club sets up one day a year for a hiker feed, and I was one of the lucky ones who got to experience their trail magic!!! It truly lifted my spirits. I ended up hiking my longest day yet...15.8 miles!!!
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Cold Spring Shelter Tentsite

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 11.4

I spent last night tenting up on a ridge. I had hiked so late that I ended up setting up in the dark. You should have seen me trying to throw my rope over the tree by headlamp! I don't do well with it even in the day light, it was quite humerous. I was on such a slope, I had to prop my pack and extra clothes under my sleeping pad to try to level it out. All in all I slept pretty well (must have been the cheeseburgers!). Yesterday, when I was up on the look out on Wayah Bald, there was a map that showed the mountains we were overlooking. What am awesome feeling, to look out over the land I had just crossed. I had walked over all those mountains, I had walked as far as the eye could see!!! My plan was to push hard to get to Nantahala Outdoor Center, where I had a mail-drop waiting, get something to eat at the grill, and push on out of town. By the time I arrived, my feet were aching and I decided I had put in enough miles for the day. The fact that the climb out of N.O.C. is a long 6 miles uphill influenced my desicion. It was already 4:00 and I stopped for the night. This was my earlist day yet, getting on the trail as well as getting off. The N.O.C. is a cool place. They do a lot for hikers, but there main bread and butter is the river and all the tourism it brings. People come here for whitewater rafting, kayaking and mountain biking. They do have an inexpensive hiker bunkroom, which is where I am staying. This is the first hostel I have stayed in, and I am enjoying it! I was opening my mail-drop with several other hikers around, they were drooling over all my goodies. I was nice and shared my cookies, although I was tempted to hide them. Thanks, Francie and Nicole they were yummy!!
Date: 2007-04-24
From: N.O.C.

To: A.T. mile 148
Miles today: 14.8

 WOW!!! The hike out of NOC is 6 miles of constant up! Just when I thought it was leveling off, I was wrong. We went from 1700' to over 5000'. I don't carry an elevation map, but my handbook pages tell the miles and the elevation of various points. I looked at the next 3-4 miles after my break and they all were in the 3000' range. Which I thought would be some ridge walking with minor ups and downs. The names of the places should have given me my first clue...Gap- means a spot down between two mtns, which means you have to go up and down both mtns. So when the guide lists 3 gaps in a row at 3200 feet, that DOES NOT mean level walking. That means up and down 6 high points. Maybe the elevation profiles are worth the weight to carry!It was a long day, but I wanted to get to the next shelter. I ran out of water on the last uphill before I reached Stecoah Gap. Which was ok because there was a water ahead a mile at the road crossing. Guess what, there was not a drop dripping from the water source! The next water was 2.5 miles and one huge mountain away. It was already 7pm and I was dead on my feet. I started up the hill and after half a mile, I decided there was no way I could make it as tired as I was with no water. So again I am camping with not a drop of water. I searched my food bag for something to eat that wont make me thirsty. The snickers was calling my name, but I settled for dried fruit, starburst, Tic Tacs and chewing gum. I plan an early start tomorrow to beat the heat on my way to water.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: A.T. mile 148

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I had the best night sleep so far on the trail last night. I think it is because I had nothing to drink, so I didn't wake in the middle of the night to pee! I usually take a spit bath before getting into my sleeping bag, but no water meant no bath (I was too dehydrated to spit!! HA!).I HATE hiking before coffee!! Thank God for Jolt chewing gum, (actually thank you Jackie, I didn't even know they made the stuff) 2 pieces = 1 cup of coffee. I was tempted to eat the whole pack. I had 2 miles straight up to get to water. It took me about an hour and a half. I arrived at Brown Fork Shelter around 10 and stopped for water. I hung out for about an hour cameling up, having breakfast and drinking coffee. When I arrived Second Wind was taking a break. He was behind me last night, somehow he got by me this morning without me hearing him. I told him I would have got on my knees and begged for a sip of water. He was in such a zone he never even saw my tent!Today was another really tough day overall. Lots of big ups and downs. I was trying to make it to the dam shelter before stopping for the night. I am positively exhausted, however, I found out there is a hot shower .5 mile down the road at the visitors center's outside bathrooms. So, I am finishing my dinner and heading to the showers!!!
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up about 7 am due to all the movement in the shelter( this is the main draw back to being in a shelter). You really don't have much of a choice here at the Dam, there really isn't any place to tent. The shelter is large, I think it sleeps 25 people (lined up like sardines), but I think there was only maybe 12 of us. I caught up with Tim, Mel, and Jay last night. I haven't seen them since before Franklin. Also at the shelter was Garrett, Yellow Snowman, Second Wind, Jacob, a father and son team I've never met and two really nice women doing a section hike through to Hot Springs. I usually don't stay at shelters, so it is kind of nice to socialize for a change. We stayed up late around the fire last night.Today was suppose to be a 2-3 hour stop in the village to resupply, catch up on a few phone calls, and update my journal. The storm we were suppose to get hit while I was in town. I don't mind rain but thunderstorms are harder to set out in. I tried to wait it out a bit, but in the smokies you have to stay at designated stops. So if you don't leave by a certain time you wont make it. That is where I am. So I didn't want this to be a zero day, but have no choice. I am going to head back to the shelter for the night and set out early in the am.p.s. Thank you to Tracy Justin for the wonderful muffins!! They really hit the spot.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Fontana Dam Shelter 

To: Spence Field Shelter 
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

I woke to an absolutely beautiful morning! The sun rising over the lake, with fog lifting off the water and the top of the mountains sticking through the fog. I stopped and admired the view before crossing the dam.I ran into the ladies from Fla. again, the ones section hiking through to Hot Springs. I talked with them for quite a while in the lodge yesterday. I enjoyed chatting with them. We were heading into the park at the same time today, so we took photos for each other by the Smoky Mountains sign and set off into the mountains.The views heading up Shuckstack Mountains were unbelievable. The thing I really liked was not only seeing the mountains in the distance, but all of the ridges that seem to be rippling back towards us.   There was a fire tower on the top of Shuckstack, and I debated over having the energy to climb the 83 steps to the top. (Obviously I did or I wouldn't know how many steps there were.) I realized how crazy it was that I had climbed the 4000' mountain, but was too lazy to climb the stairs. I would regret it later if I didn't go the extra 83 steps (166 round trip, it hurts the knees even more going down). So up I went and I was glad I did. What a view!!I saw my first snake of the trip yesterday, a copperhead about 3'long. It was a few hundred yards from the shelter, sunning itself. It was neat to see one up close (but not too close).    It was a long day with a lot of ups, and I was exhausted by the time I reached the shelter.P.S. Hello to Girl Scout Troop 288 from Fairfield Ohio!! Thanks for following my journey.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Spence Field Shelter 

To: Double Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up to a very chilly morning. Since I lost my thermometer, I don't know what the exact temperature was, but I would say it was in the thirties. I slept on the top-sleeping platform of the shelter, thinking it would be warmer then the bottom. Wow, was I ever wrong. The wind blows right up there. The thing I hate about the Smokies, is not being allowed to sleep in a tent. It is so much warmer in my tent.I woke up around 7am (I wake earlier in the shelters, it is lighter and people are moving about). Although, I was still the last one out! I like to drink my coffee and wake up before I can even think of strapping on my pack. I hit the trail around 830.I had left the shelter about an hour after one of the other hikers (who shall remain nameless). After about 20 minutes of hiking, I met hiker "A" coming towards me. I thought at first something was wrong, or perhaps he had left something at the shelter. The look on his face was as puzzled as mine. I said to him "one of us is going the wrong way, and you left first". He said he had already climbed Rocky Top Mountain, had stopped to take photos at the overlook and was on his way down the other side. He was sure that he was going the right way. He didn't get what I was saying, it was not possible for us to run into each other if he left first, heading north and I never passed him. He continued south and I north. We ran into each other later in the day at a shelter, and he said he didn't go much further before realizing his mistake. I felt bad for him; he had to climb the same mountain twice!Today was overcast and cold most of the day, with almost no views due to the weather. It rained a few times, but nothing too heavy. There was a ridge runner staying at the shelter with us last night. They check to make sure you have your park permit and are aware of the rules. I guess it was a good thing I didn't try to stealth camp!
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter 

To: Icewater Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: few clouds

200 MILES HIKED!!!! It's the little milestones that mean a lot! Today I hit a couple of them... I passed the 200 mile point, and I climbed the highest point on the A.T., Clingmans Dome. There were a lot of people on top at the observation tower. There is a road that you can drive up to within .5 a mile of the top. The view was nice. It was another one of those opportunities to look out at all the mountains and miles I have hiked. That will always amaze me, to know I hiked as far as I can see! O.K. now for my confession of the day... I took my first wrong turn of the trip. Actually, I missed a turn. About a half mile before reaching the top of Clingmans, the trail takes a sharp left turn and climbs over a rock to continue to the top. I stayed straight and began going downhill. I knew something wasn't right because I was going down, but sometimes the trail dips before going back up. After .5 mile I reached the parking lot. Being the purist that I am, I went the half mile back up to not miss that section of the trail. It doesn't sound like a lot to add 1 mile round trip to your day, but uphill it feels like more. I need to stay out of the "Zombie Zone" when I am hiking! I had my first experience with "Yogi-ing" today. I swear it wasn't even intentional. The trail comes down into Newfound Gap and crosses US441. There is a parking lot, bathrooms and an overlook. There were tons of people around, so I sat, out of the way, by a tree and started to fix my lunch. I started to notice people looking my way, some even came over to talk and some just gave me a curious look. I was quite a sight, my boots off, socks hanging off my pack, my body covered in trail grime. The brave ones came over to ask questions "are you hiking the trail?, did you walk all the way here from Georgia? what do you eat?, have you seen any bears?. The others took their children by the hand and kept a distance. It was fun to talk with people. There was a group of young guys,who were day hiking, that gave me some fruit and stopped to chat for a while. A man walked over and handed me a banana. A young boy said "are you one of those thru-hikers?" I said "yes, I am". He had his hand behind his back and said " I want to give you something" and pulled out an apple from behind his back. Another woman, asking about what I eat, said "let me go get my daughter and we will search the car, we are bound to have something to eat in there". I assured her that I was ok and had food to eat. While I was sitting there Tim(Rex) and J hiked in, they talked a couple of minutes and went else where to cook. I thought it was strange they didn't sit with me. Later, when I ran into them down the trail they told me they didn't want to interfere with my Yogi-ing. I apparently was in the prime spot!! If I had stayed much longer I could have made a whole meal of it. It just reminds me of how good natured people really are.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I was awake this morning to see the sun rise! Only because the shelter was facing that direction, and I heard someone say "Wow look at that sun rise". It was beautiful, what amazing colors. I actually got up and had my coffee watching the sunrise. Yes, I was up and out of my sleeping bag by 6:35! That is a new experience for me! The shelter last night was a nice one. It was large, although there was only 5 of us there. The other hikers were ones I had not met before, two guys and a couple. They had all started a few days before me and I am just now catching up to them. As much as I liked the overall hiking experience in the smokies, I am glad to be getting out of them. The trails are well maintained, even with the storm that went through a week or two ago, the blow downs are mostly cleared. There are great views(when its not too hazy to see them), and a ton of wildlife. But they are very restricted. I will be glad to have my freedom and home(tent)back! I dont like having such a scheduled hiking day. It was a lot warmer today then it has been. I was in shorts, having my coffee this morning (yesterday I as in a hat and gloves!). I am not looking forward to the heat, I hike better in the cold. I guess I will deal with whatever gets thrown my way!!