morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-19
From: 137.3

To: NOC - NC
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Good morning all. I have been remiss in my blogging duties due to lack of battery supply. Thanks to the support team for keeping everyone in the know.In a short recap, below are a few photos from my phone. Note, in the photo of Phil & Jack at the beginning of the AT, we had just finished walking the 8.8 mile approach trail, Jack is awake for the first time in this trip!Our first 4 days of the hike to Neels Gap was blissfully pleasant with comfortable climbs and sunny weather. Phil and Jack bid adieu at Neels Gap and off I trekked with a pack laden w/ 7 days of food to camp that night at Swaim's gap. Below are photos of my "cocoon". Several of us camped there that night hoping our tents and hammocks wouldn't blow away in the howling wind. April 15th overcast,cloudy, chilly- descriptions for weather more conducive to walking than sitting. At lunch I chatted over lunch (ford wraps) with TaDa and Turtle at low gap shelter, then we headed out in a steady rain which eventually brought me to deep gap shelter.April 16th-hit the GA-NC border today. Can't believe I am out of GA already was fun to trek through. NC bid a rude introduction to the steeps just to keep me humble. I rolled into muskrat creek shelter somewhat late after 16 miles and stayed near 2 other hammockers Clees and Take It Easy who offered sharing their tree site. Sometimes it is hard to see perfectly spaced trees for the forest That night the temp was a more balmy 28 and my layering plan kept my feet warm such that I did not have to sleep in my shoesApril 17th-Betty Creek Gap campsite after a wonderful 16 mile rolling stroll and sunshine. April 18th - hiked 19 miles to mile 116 as siler bald shelter area was too cold and windy for the cocoon. This area of forest tended to be covered in lichen and not necessarily the healthiest in appearance(see below)April 19th-This was a chilly, drizzly day where once again walking was more comfortable than sitting my favorite view while embracing the raw wind off of Wayah Bald Tower(see below). A 21 mile stroll took its toll as much of it was a steep downhill into Tellico Gap and later NOC that evening. A pleasant surprise at Tellico Gap was trail magic (see below) provided by a 1981 thru hiker. Unfortunately I didnt catch her trail name. The views along these ridgelines make you feel on top of the world Later, a group of us had dinner at NOC. If you could have seen us all struggle to stand up afterwards, you would understand the "toll" friends there were Ron, Ash, Rabbit, Slim, and Puzzled. A variety of names are "earned" on the trail while others come w/ a previous nickname. April 20-21 have been blissful Zero days(no mileage) at NOC, one of my favorite whitewater kayaking haunts. Unfortunately I couldnt rent kayak gear to paddle and became too absorbed in finding my lost maildrop to take a duckie down the river. To be corrected/continued later
Date: 2014-04-21
From: NOC - NC

To: The woods
Miles today: 4.5

Well...my feet don't hurt and are the normal size again :-)   I have my food package, as well as batteries for my SPOT locator(you can track my position on Facebook) and my pocket rocket stove. Thanks to my support team for mailing all the goodies! My pack is full and of course a bit HEAVY now compared to when I glided down the mountain into NOC on Saturday night. Funny, the UPS package made it no problem, the USPS priority mail packages made it but the NOC folks had squirreled them away somewhere. It took a very nice office supervisor on monday to find the food box and stove package. I thought I might have to hitch a ride into town and stock up on Ramen and PB for the trail--ugh. For those that know me well, after college and vet school I swore off Ramen noodle for life. Figured I'd consumed a life times worth in those years and NEVER wanted to see them again! After a nice lunch with Ax man, Heavy Metal Chef and my hiking Pal Trail Dancer on the river I knew it was time to start walking again. Not sure if it was the trail that was calling me or the fear of sleeping on a HARD mattress in the hiker hostel that spurred me on. I really sleep well in the hammock and the two worst nights were the last two in the on that rock hard bed. About 4:30 I called the hiker support team thanked them for the mail drops and headed off into the woods with a full belly and a smile on my face.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: The woods

To: Fontanna Dam
Miles today: 12.0

Well folks it was a walk into spring...just like the book I finished reading last week by the first AT thru Hiker, Earl V. Schaffer. Today was warm sunny and really nice. Blooming flowers and budding trees...simply beautiful. Hopefully I can get a photo downloaded when I get to Gatlinburg, TN. Before I get there it's 12-17 mile days, only shelter to shelter because of bear country. I'm not really scared of the bears...for I carry a 24 oz high pressure bear fire extinguisher on my pack. Says it's not for humans...wonder why it's labeled that way because the canister clearly states: BEAR SPRAY on the front.  Oh well, our legal system at it's finest. Getting back to the shelter at Fontanna...it has a shower. I took a hot one and even washed out my shirt! I hope the other hikers will appreciate that. Looks like I'll make my next resupply point Gatlinburg, TN on Saturday. Hotel, steak dinner and maybe I'll get a kayak and run the pidgeon river :-) Thats all for now, I'm in my hammock sung as a bug in a rug--RedRobin
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana Hilton)

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

The Fontana Dam Shelter has access to a shower. You don't know what a blessing one is until you have "lived" with yourself for 5 days in a row in spite of daily "sponge" baths.Fontana lake is pretty in the cold, bright morning. The dam area is desolate other than a few of us hikers strolling across.(see pics) I deposited my back country permit in the registration box and entered the Smokies surely expecting a welcoming party of bears. Guess nobody mentioned my arrival - Not one single bear all day long. One of the highlights of the walk though was a side trip up the Shuckstack fire tower, a rather less than to code feeling tower that offered views beyond what my eyes could see. (see pics) It was at these fire towers where Earl Schaeffer would stop and visit the rangers as he trekked up through the Smokies as the first thru-hiker. This particular fire tower still has a standing chimney where the ranger's cabin once stood. In addition, I did see some apparently uncommon Trillia Spp called Wake Robin and the normal white Trilliums. The true highlight of the day was when I rounded Ekanteetlee Gap, lo and behold in a forest of dead and dormant deciduous trees and tangled underbrush was the most vast covering of tiny white and pink striped flowers carpeting (and I do mean carpeting) the mountain sides. These little flowers are called Spring beauties and I regret my photos have done them no justice. They were such a brilliant, cheerful addition to the otherwise drab landscape that every hiker thoroughly rejoiced in their presence. These little beauties continued throughout the rest of the day. In addition, groups of bluets along the path seemingly cheered me up the hills with their bright happy appearance. Other noteworthy items along the way was the Smokey Mtn ball gown (see pic), and old felled trees that were absolutely huge. Arrived safely at Russell Field Shelter and got to sleep in the Hammock again. Fortunately, I picked up camp just before the next morning rain's began
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Wow, hiking the Smokies, looking for Bears. Nope, none to be seen. We all headed out in the pouring rain, 1 by 1. It is interesting to see how each of us approaches inclement weather. There are those that wear full rain pants, jacket etc and those of us that remove our convertible bottoms to allow the legs to get wet. Some use ponchos. I use a skirt, jacket (when cold),mittens with cuben fiber mittens over them, seal skin socks, which eventually wet out but at least keep my feet warm like neoprene, and an umbrella. Paws and Purposely cleverly have their umbrellas attached to their packs so they can hike with both poles. Forgot to mention, there are those that take rain days choosing to sit in the shelter rather than hike. I find that this type of weather is more conducive to walking than sitting as it is not particularly warm for me to sit all day.Walking in a cloud on Rocky Top/Thunderhead mountain, I have to admit I got rather turned around up there as the trail was not optimally marked and I could see no land marks to base my direction. Fortunately I chose wisely so didn't have to back track.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap, TN
Miles today: 10.0

Today, I slept in as when I initially woke, wow was it chilly outside and cozy warm inside the cocoon. Only a couple of hikers left at the shelter when I headed to Clingman's Dome, the AT's highest point on the trail(6655ft) with a lookout tower reminiscent of the Jetson's to boot. This is a beautiful section of trail where you submerge into a dark, mossy, moist fir forest where at times, little sunlight filters through. In that forest there are a tremendous number of down, decaying trees covered in a variety of mosses. Arriving at the Dome tower, I was hit by the intense sunlight, seemingly hundreds of people milling about ("thru-hikers" segregated on one side and the tourists on the other, I suspect due to our collective stench;, and a large number of standing dead fir trees. This is apparently due to a European insect that destroyed many of them and Acid rains that deposit in the Smokies. It certainly helps to explain the vast number of huge, old trees that are down along the trail. Resuming my hike after touristing around the Dome was such a relief as it was for every other hiker. I made a mad dash of 1.7 miles in 35 minutes to catch a shuttle that actually never arrived. Silver Bullet and Not Yet Ready had been waiting forever, thus Sherpa Mum and Waldo gave us(include Kettering Strider and Hummingbird Ellie) all a ride to Gatlinburg, TN for a night on the town.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up early for a 20 miler day. Not much to say but got to make it to the shelter for the bears might get me if I don't make it (yeah right). Was up early and out of camp within an hour all packed up and dressed for success and what did I see but a beautiful foggy morning (see pic) with a trail like that from Lord of the Rings.(see pic) Got to make it to camp early because of the line of storms coming my wayWell, the skies cleared,the lord of the rings stayed in that forest and I climbed to the ridge line as the clouds moved on and was left with a warm, sunny day. This was such a different feeling part of the trail. When I glanced across the valleys, the opposing mountains have the look of Nevada with the dormant deciduous trees intermixed with the Firs. In addition, of course it was much drier and when I was walking on the ridge, I was walking ON THE RIDGE. The pictures don't exhibit it well, but at times, it was maybe 3 feet across with near sheer banks extending distally.(see pics) What a blast. At mile 226.1, there are still some remains of a previous plane crash. Sorry, no details. I will have to look it up for you. I did take a few pics tho. ...Red Running Robin....
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

Good news....I made it thru the storm in Tennessee! Yesterday morning I awoke in a "shelter." Safe from bears (this is the only shelter that still has the chain link fence across the front to keep us people in and bears out) and the weather of the previous evening.(see pic) Alas, no bears to be seen. I understand there were tornados to the west, we were safe here on the ridge line that forms the state border between TN and NC. Actually, the rain and winds were quite mild. I was in worse stuff in Georgia during the second week of my travels. Note to self, stop sleeping in beds, and shelters...the Hammock is much more comfortable. In spite of minimal sleep, the days' walk proved to be wonderful. It was weird crossing the pigeon river where we used to kayak, and then I-40 in an underpass where I met lightfoot's parents. She is 2 days behind me and they were performing trail magic with all kinds of goodies. I chose not to take any and you will see why when you see the I-40 staircase. (see pic). I then detoured based on 1/2 moon's recommendations to see the iconic Standing Bear Hostel. What a cute place. (see pics). Good Grip and Too Tall(whom I met at Roaring Fork Shelter later actually got to stay in the tree house. The trail was quite nice through the course of the day and once again the promised storms holding off for our area. A huge hightlight of the day was Max's Patch, a summit maintained as a Bald. The wind was blowing me sideways (see pics). Red Robin....
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0

The AT word of the morning is Trillium spp. May I say, trillions of trllia! Not having seen this flower before this hike, it has been been a pleasure walking along in their presence. Just as the Spring Beauties surprised us all in the Smokies, thus these 3 petal flowers were seemingly at their peak. I apologize the pictures do them no justice as they spread over the mountain side. The AT flower of the afternoon (well, haven't looked them up yet, but they sure look like it to me) is miniature iris'. These little gems were adorable growing in some of the most unlikely sites some single, others grouped. Many other wild flowers continued along the path with multiple efforts at publishable quality pictures delaying my progress. Unfortunately for bear lovers, there are more flowers than bears in NC thus I report more on that than bears. Other fun sites included mother natures sculptures, lichen and foot bridges along the way and variable flowers of course.I also include Walnut Mountain Shelter so you can see what one of the older shelter's is like. (see pics)Made it to town before 5, had dinner with Too Tall, Good Grip, AZ Cruiser and A Bear (not the real spelling). I stayed at the Laughing Heart Hostel where they allowed me to hang my hammock, take a hot shower and use free Wi-fi for $10. Price and hospitality can't be beat. Tomorrow is my zero day. Have a great evening.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs, NC

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn
Miles today: 0.0

I zeroed out today, catching up on all the things I can't get done while walking. I have to admit, there is extreme joy walking this path such that there is little else I would rather do. Doesn't hurt either when the weather is more conducive to walking than sitting. Hot Springs, NC is a very small town (pop 637) where the AT walks right down mainstreet with nice AT signs embedded into the side walk. Although I only saw a couple of people on the trail yesterday, Chuck Norris at The Laughing Heart Hostel told me there are @ 600 thru-hikers between here and Damascus, VA right now! It has been a stellar hiking year so far with the hostels bursting at the seams. Tonight I am honored to stay at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, a beautiful Victorian house, open to thru hikers since 1947. The house is beautifully adorned and has rooms for reading, playing musical instruments and large porches for lounging just as they did in the day. Unfortunately, we don't get to enjoy their gourmet dinner as there is dinner at the community center tonight. However, I am looking forward to their breakfast.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn

To:  spring mtn shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Good evening all, how to sum up Hot Springs, NC-truly a hiker haven! My night and sunnybank inn was awesome, the bed ranked up there w/ the hammock. Elmer's and Jessie's family style breakfast was delish and overly filling. Later i met Queen Diva at the Hikers Ridge ministry. This lady is truly a bastion of goodwill and happiness. She brought the best out of each hiker that entered with her radiant cheerfulness as she doled out quit wit, hiker names and the best darn chocolate chip cookies! See pics Her recommendation for lunch-Takeout, a grill at the edge town. I ordered the beet burger and kale salad. Yes, beet burger-another delish dish. Left town at 1:30 and mosied up to spring mtn shelter. En route, California Jones pointed out a bear in the distance. So, although no picture, I have seen a bear. A section of the woods had experienced a significant fire- need to look into the details. Another highlight of the walk was the Rich mtn lookout tower. This one was a bit more to code and the views extended forever. Met a nice group of hikers in camp and of course most everyone was in bedby 8
Date: 2014-05-03
From:  spring mtn shelter

To: Jerry's cabin shelter
Miles today: 15.0

There are a three ways to make my pack lighter. 1. Eat/burn fuel/ Drink water, or send some stuff home! The last way is called reducing your base weight as the other items are called consumables. The photo shows my Kindle...did not use it enough to justify the weight. 14oz sleeping pad. I'm out of the smoky's now and don't have to stay in any more shelters so no use for a sleeping pad. Then a few stuff sacks and containers for Phil to refill. As for the hat, I wear a bandana on my head now...The other thing in the photo is my kneeling pad. I now move faster because my load is lighter. Actually, I did add a battery on a recent stop so I have connectivity to the world on the trail. Well worth its weight! . Not shown are the alcohol stove I sent back as well as some rope. Also got rid of my leggings to the hiker box for someone else to use. Now my base weight has decreased 2 pounds! That's a lot!!!! Other big news of the day. I crossed the 300 mile mark as I came into the shelter area got i early enough to enjoy a campfire. Pics of the day coming. Oh, it's past eight and time for bedRed Robin.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Hi all, this is Phil and Jack the hiker support team with an update of how we keep Red Robin well fed on the Trail. It all starts out with a basic plan for five days, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches etc. alternating between all of the wonderful meals she prepared before the hike. I just box em up and ship them out. However, plans are only plans. As the great Prussian Officer Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke said"no plan survives first contact with the enemy." Well no greater words have ever been spoken logistically with a hiker on the AT. The first boxes were by the book or plan. Since then I get text messages ordering 1 dinner, three lunches, one TP, one etc. Well you get the idea...Sort of like a mini amazon.com for one! We are pretty responsive and even have a personal shopper that discusses trail needs. In fact, her personal shoe shopper Jack recommended new hiker sneakers after he saw her paws on top of bald mountain(check out photo earlier this week). Gotta go, another hiker box ready to mail to Damascus, VA the home of trail days. Phil and Jack, hiker support
Date: 2014-05-11
From: US forest service rd. 293

To: Blackbear resort, Dennis cove rd. 
Miles today: 12.0

Hello all, Back in the land of connectivity. My niece drove in from southern Indiana, then shuttled to a remote drop off site where 293 intersects the AT 5/10. Likely not a good plan w/ scant texting ability there. However, it worked out well until she dragged a 40 lb pack out of the car We hiked to a stream .8 miles in and set up camp. Mind you she is using much of my old hand me down equipment not necessarily suited to someone 2/3 my sizeThe following day w/ some of her items in my pack we set out w/ a planned 6 mile day to keep it easy. However, her pack was just not working for her thus we switched packs, couldn't find good areas to hammock by that stage and walked the 12 miles into Black bear resort. Not bad for her first day! We set up our hammocks in the playground area. Well- past the 8 pm AT curfew - more later RR
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Black bear resort on Dennis Cove Rd

To: Laurel Falls
Miles today: 1.5

Still connected- the 12th was a planned zero day to catch up on the picture downloading. However, no connectivity other than their computer at the resort, so for you-still no new picsOn the upside, we did work to drop my niece's pack weight from 40lb to 26 lb! this is including 5 days of food and 1 L water! Talk about a happy camper my pack weighed 29 lbs. so she had to rub it in my food bag-10 lb, her food bag-6 lbs. and no The 1 lb multipurpose tool did not make it in the have to have listBased on pending storms over the next view days, we hiked to beautiful Laurel falls. (See pic) Wow, everyone near and far should section hike here. Rhododendrons and mtn Laurel are blooming, beautiful rocky, technical trail to a wonderful waterfall. Great place to soak your toesFound a great campsite along the creek for the hammocks and finished camp chores just in time for the stormHave a great night! RRobin
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Laurel lake shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello all, still connected! Today was a hot muggy, still day w/ an 1800 ft initial climb and pending storms. Still beautiful w/ rhododendrons & mtn Laurel blooming trail side. My niece earned a trail name- Wanderlust as she has jumped into to her 1 week hike w/out hesitation, very glad to shed the pack pounds and looking for ways to shed more. The path was smooth sailing after the hill but due to our late start(9:30), ended at 9 miles. We have 3 days to walk to Damascus-@40 miles. Tomorrow wll be an early start
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Hello all, today started w/ a bit of camp excitement. A poor section hiker lost his bear bag off food to the bears. No where to be found. Then wanderlust had to keep me from heading South out of the shelter! Guess everyone makes that mistake at least once! Highlights of today were the beautiful views along Watauga Lake. Note in particular the lunch spot view Not a bad place to enjoy a ford's wrap. Wanderlust hung in there today thanks to the breeze, and completed 14 miles(a personal best) of the AT and an additional 1.2 miles collecting waterTook pics of flowers I hadn't seen before. One I took from underneath the plant is a Mayapple (have now seen hundreds of them) and the other is a pink lady's slipper(I guess very uncommon to see, so enjoy). Whoops-9:13. Well past bedtime. Getting ready for a 16 mile day tomorrow in the rain if Wanderlust up for the challenge-I have already reminded her "no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!!!All for now,RRobin
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Abingdon shelter
Miles today: 16.0

The rainstorm overnight eased to a drizzle just in time for breaking camp and led to a mystical /mistical morning walk. The afternoon brought a heavy steady downpour that lessened at the end of the day but you could see the spirits in camp were rather dampened w/ everyone trying to stay warm and get dry. I thank my lucky stars I am using a merino long sleeve hiking shirt & seal skinz socks- perhaps that is why I am more comfortable than most.This was Wanderlusts longest day(16 miles in 8.5 hrs and in the cold rain to boot??. This after a night when a white mouse chewed a hole in her hammock and scampered around scaring the bigeeges out of her! We feel she will have completed the full Monty of a thru hike experience this week-the sun, rain(must see pics of her outfitting), warm, cold, the views and next- trail days!