morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The campsite on the ridge turned out to be the envy of some of the camp below. By the end of the night Cambo and Christina (from the approach trail) had moved in. Christina is now Maybelline on account of her putting makeup on every morning. We made fun of her for a long time over carrying it. Ron and Bandit (the dog) stayed there as well.At 8:00 we were packed up and gone. The first 4 miles were easy as we got to the bottom of Standing Indian Mountain. Cambo, Star Crunch and I made the 2 mile ascent discussing our favorite candy.   Yesterday Moosehead, Burnsides, Cambo, and I spent the hike naming actors and seeing who could name the most movies they were in. Anything to pass the time. Those guys are 8-10 years younger than me so there was quite a bit of....who's that? I thought everyone knew who Randy Quaid was. Oh, and I was talking two guys last night (19 and 21 years old). They didn't know who Kelly Kapowski is. What is this world coming to?Standing Indian was a breeze though and the hike the rest of the day was easy with a lot of streams and rhododendron. I've been hearing about an entire family thru hiking ahead of me and today we finally caught them.   I hiked with Kevin, the 17 year old, for a bit. He seemed like a really good kid. They have 5 kids (teens and low 20s) and the two parents in their group.They all stopped at Carter Gap Shelter but when I got there at 1:30 it seemed far too early to stop. The 3.7 miles from there to Betty Creek weren't bad at all and I was here at 3:00.Tomorrow is the infamous Albert Mountain. It's 2.5 miles from me right now and 950 feet up. Should be nice first thing.Longest day yet and I'm not feeling too bad. I hiked the last 7 alone while listening to The Roosevelts and Red Wanting Blue. It was some solid mental therapy and made the miles fly.Mrs. Rock Boat pointed out that I said I'd hit 100 miles on Wednesday. Well, my days are running together. It'll be tomorrow right when we summit Albert. We may even go into Franklin early since were now only 12.2 miles from the gap.
Date: 2015-04-10
From: Winding Stair Gap - Budget Inn, Franklin, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: moderate rain

Went to bed way too late last night and I had to force myself to get up to catch the 7:15 AM ride to FBC Franklin for pancakes and bacon. After eating far too much Mexican food last night I didn't even really want breakfast, but knew I'd regret it if I skipped. I'm glad I went though. They were some great people and were doing such a great thing for the AT community. I only had two pancakes and some bacon but I like to think Moosehead ate enough for all of us.They brought us back to the hotel by 8:15 and we were back to the trail in the pouring rain at 9:45. Once we got into the woods it was no big deal and with all the safeguards we use to keep our gear dry nobody really minded.The hike today was interesting. Up Siler and Wayah Balds and even some trail magic in the Wayah Bald stone tower. I should have stopped at Wayah Bald Shelter at 11 miles but went against my own judgement and came here with the rest of the group.Since Tuesday morning we've done 56 miles over some pretty harsh terrain. I thought I was fine until the last descent into Winding Stair yesterday when the inside of my thigh started making it hard to walk. I wrote it off as a long day and didn't have any problems walking 3 or 4 extra miles around Franklin. Albeit without my pack on. I had actually forgotten all about it until 7 or 8 miles in today.Climbing Wayah was brutal. It wasn't a tough climb but my leg felt like it weighed 100 Ibs and burned like crazy anytime I climbed over anything or went downhill. Out of everything I thought would give out my leg muscles never hit my radar.I called the Wife from Wayah just to check in but she could tell I wasn't 100%. Never has leaving the trail crossed my mind but I felt like she needed to know what was going on.By the end of the 15 miles both legs had the same pain, which made me feel better because it has to be a muscle issue. It was just a struggle and brutally painful at times.So, I'm currently at 125.6 and the plan was to get to the NOC tomorrow at 137.3. I'm with Cambo, Moosehead, and Burnsides now and I think it's time to slow down a bit and let them go. Airlock, Fiddler, Cherokee, Double Back, and Star Crunch all stayed in Franklin today so I'll put myself in the middle for a few days. Hopefully the slower days will get me back to normal and since I have enough food to get to Fontana I'll be fine. But that's it. One step back doesn't kill a thru hike. Still going to Maine but at a slightly slower pace for the time being. Hopefully I'll catch those guys further up the trail.I still may hit the NOC tomorrow.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center - Microtel, Bryson City, 
Miles today: 11.7

Woke up this morning feeling better but laid around waiting for the group to leave so I wouldn't be tempted to keep up. Ate breakfast, packed up, got water and was on the trail at 8:45.The first 5 miles were great. A steady down from the campsite into Tellico Gap then a mile and a half up to Wesser Bald. To say the view from the firetower was amazing would be an understatement. I could see back to Mt. Albert and forward to Fontana Lake and the Smokies.I knew before I left that the day ahead of me wasn't going to be great with the leg issues I've had the last couple of days. I texted the Wife a picture of the elevation map since it was so drastic. I started off the morning at 4945' and finished this afternoon at 1749'.Going down seemed to be tough for everyone and my legs didn't feel like they could stop me. I leaned on my trekking poles so much that I eventually found one 6 inches shorter than I started. I started walking down the stairs and rocks sideways just to use different muscles.About 3:00 PM I finally hit the NOC. I've been there many times before and it was a welcome sight. I crossed the street and Cambo, Jeopardy, Burnsides, Moosehead, Spacetime and Tick-Tock were on the deck having lunch. I was starving and pumped to see them.During lunch I was texting the Wife that I had no option but to sit a day out. I don't think it's bad enough to post up for a while but my body is yelling for rest. They say to take a zero when your body says and taking two hours to go three miles down that hill is a loud enough message.Well, Mrs. Rock Boat is amazing and hopped in the car and is headed here to spend the day tomorrow. I'm so excited to see her but a little embarrassed at the timing. Until Thursday the miles had come so easy. Even in terrible pain I did 27 miles the past two days. As I waited for my ride from the gorge I had to say goodbye to my group. It hurt. They're all 5-10 years younger than me and it shows with their ability to fly down the trail. Hopefully I'll catch up, maybe I won't. It's just how the trail is. I can't wait to see summit photos for all of them. Either way I'm going to get better and head North. Not being out there right now is pretty miserable. At least I have the Wife and Sunday at The Masters to keep me company. Can't wait to climb Cheoah Bald on Monday. The AT will need to throw a much bigger punch to send me home.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center - Microtel, Bryson City, 

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center - Microtel, Bryson City, 
Miles today: 0.0

The last couple of days have been a load of humble pie. Its been impressive how quick I can go from crushing miles everyday to barely walking. I came into the NOC yesterday with a lot of uncertainty and it carried over into today attached to a load of depression.But, on the bright side I have had a great visit with Mrs. Rock Boat. We've been to the Walgreen's twice, Ingle's twice, had lunch and dinner at two local spots and watched Jordan Spieth win the Master's. I even asked her to guest blog today's entry but she wasn't having it. Maybe we can add her perspective to the journal somewhere down the road.I spent most of the day trying to figure out what's wrong and we've settled on severe cramps. Which would explain why the pain goes away after an hour of inactivity. When it's happening I have little to no use of that muscle. I've never had cramps outside of my calves so in all of that pain I wasn't thinking clearly.We talked to the pharmacist at Walgreen's about a potassium supplement but apparently you can't get anything worth taking without a prescription. Something about poisoning yourself or others with it. Who knew? I just want the lactic acid to go away.We left and went to Ingle's to get bananas and figure out what I could carry on the trail to help. Banana chips were out because the fry all of the good stuff out. The Wife did find apricots have a ton so I'm stocked with over a pound of dried ones for the next section. Hopefully the diet was the issue and a change will be the fix. I still have sore spots from the actual cramps but it's manageable.I hate that I had to take an entire day and that she drove 4 hours to come help, but, I can't even explain how good it was to see her. I stink at asking for help and she rules at being there when I need her. I'm a lucky guy.As for this week, I'll head back to the NOC in the morning and head to Fontana. If things are great I'll be there Tuesday. My head says slow down and shoot for Wednesday. Either way I'll be in the Smokies shortly.
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center - Microtel, Bryson City, 

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.3

Woke up this morning to an alarm at the Microtel. The Wife and I weren't too quick about getting up. I was back to the NOC and on the trail by 7:45. Its still no fun when she leaves.Today was the opposite of Saturday in terms of terrain. Where I spent 4 miles descending 2500 feet into the gorge I now had to climb 3200 feet back out and onto Cheoah Bald. It wasn't bad and the views back into the gorge from the Jump-up at 3805' were awesome. By the time I got to Cheoah it was socked in so I snapped a sarcastic picture of the "view" and headed down the hill.I finished the 10.3 miles into the gap and waited under a canopy of rhododendron for the rain to stop. I got my tent up around 2:30 and promptly fell asleep. At 5:00 a few people had rolled in so I went to grab water and did the social thing for dinner.As for my legs, they're still not 100%. I was able to actually walk straight down the hills today and I felt like I had some stopping power. That was promising. The problem is still the spots in both where my legs seized up. It just feels like a really painful bruise at the moment. Hopefully it will work itself out over the next 2 or 3 days. The rest of my body wanted to go further but I think this was the smart decision. I've never had my cardio outpace my legs. It has been a strange few days.Plan is to go 11.6 tomorrow to Cable Gap Shelter and into Fontana on Wednesday. I'll resupply in town and hopefully won't need anything else until the north side of the Smokies. I'll hit the South side on Thursday and I'm thinking 4-5 nights all the way through. Really depending on my legs. That's it. Not a bad day, just short. Airlock, Fiddler, and Cherokee are in the shelter 3.6 miles behind me and I'm guessing Cambo, Moosehead, and Burnsides will go into the Smokies tomorrow.Time to put more icyhot on and hope the rain doesn't get too bad overnight.Oh, and I hate apricots. Stupid potassium. I'm still eating them though. Also, Nguyen and Karen, I've only seen one snake. Still early though. I took a nice picture that I'll be happy to post when I get the chance.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Fontana Village Resort

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It apparently rained all last night. With a warm bed in Fontana I didn't care much. I woke up and ran to breakfast at 7:45 and ended up eating with a very interesting trail maintainer. According to him, were the last group to go up Jacob's Ladder. It's a relic of the original AT and the straight up the hill approach isn't sustainable. It's slated to go away over the Summer. I'm glad I got to do it.I packed up afterwards and headed down the hill to do laundry and resupply. Duck, Ron (and Bandit), Tank, and Bald Eagle were down there so we sat and talked to kill the time. Bald Eagle has already hiked the trail once and had some really interesting stories. Dogs aren't allowed in the Smokies so Ron's family was headed in to grab Bandit. We'll see him again when we get to I-40. His sister left airheads at the Fontana Dam visitor center. I may have taken more than three.The shuttle rolled by at 11:30 so I hopped on and headed back to the trail. When I got off I got to talk to Cherokee for a second as he was heading to town. Airlock had taken an earlier shuttle and I missed her.The 1.2 miles to the Fontana Hilton Shelter went quick and I was able to get a phone signal to call the Wife and let her know I was headed into the Smokies today instead of tomorrow. Afterwards I strolled to the dam, talked to some tourists and headed over. That was the first time I've gotten the, "you came from where?" surprise. Most of the time thru hiking is this dirty, smelly, eating food off the ground, non-glamorous activity. But every now and then you feel like a rock star. There were three families drilling me with questions and offering anything they had. I had just resupplied and was clean so my needs were low. It was fun meeting them though.Half a mile later I waltzed into the national park, turned my permit in and was welcomed with a deluge of rain. For the duration of the 9.9 miles it was a miserably cold and wet hike. Well, it was more of a skating rink than hiking. It's days like today that let you know how bad you want this. Climbing 3000 feet up with no traction is not an easy endeavor. But, the shelter is packed and were all just happy to be here and warm. Tomorrow I'm eyeballing Derrick Knob Shelter or Silers Bald Shelter if I'm feeling frisky. Either way I'll hit 200 miles on Friday right after Clingman's Dome. Clingman's is also the highest point on the entire trail at 6655'.   Insert "It's all down hill from there" joke.That's it. Legs are getting better everyday it seems. Maybe the sun will come out soon. I'd love to see the view off of this ridge in the morning.
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, my first night in a shelter was as expected. A snorer kept everyone up, we overloaded the shelter to get everyone we could out of the rain, and a chipmunk ran around all night. Not my favorite night on the trail but that's life in the Smokies.It rained all night but stopped in time to leave. I was packed and out by 7:30. The trail in the Smokies has been a complete wreck. Miles are slow and actually scary at times. Traction of any kind has been hard to come by and my typical 2.5 MPH pace is closer to 1.5. I've been in the park for about 28 hours now and it has rained about 25 of them. Luckily I had a break in the rain for Spence Field which was amazing. The climb from there up to Rocky Top was great as well and the first time I've had any sort of view. It started raining again right as I walked off of Rocky Top and over to Thunderhead.My original plan was to go to Silers Bald Shelter but as Derrick Knob came into view a bolt of lightning hit nearby and we scurried into the shelter. I spent about 30 minutes waiting it out but it just hasn't let up. Going the 5.8 to Silers would have put me in great shape to get out of the park on Sunday. Now I'm looking at Monday morning. Oh well. Everybody is already fed up with the trail here and the weather. This has been the toughest two days of the whole trip so far.So, I'm at mile 189 tonight and it's still pouring as I type this. Up and over Clingmans tomorrow. Not sure where I'll end up. Oh, and my sleeping bag smells like wet dog and nobody has been in it but me. Here's hoping for sunshine tomorrow.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

It stopped raining overnight. It didn't even start raining again until about 4:00 PM. Right when I got to the shelter. It's currently 8:00 PM and guess what? It's raining. The Soakies have lived up to their reputation.But, the day wasn't all bad. I made good time to Silers Bald Shelter and was able to get a call out to the Wife. I thought I even had a data connection for a second. It was a Smokies mirage.The next four miles up Climgmans weren't so bad and I passed some weekenders with clean clothes and bodies. Can't say I wasn't jealous. I'm sure the trail made quick work of those spotless clothes.I got to the tower on top and promptly shed my bag and spread out. The bricks were dry and a welcome site for a smelly and dirty hiker. After sitting there for a few minutes a few ladies came over and started talking about the AT. One, Judy, is planning her thru for next year.We spoke about this and that and I let them try my pack on to see what it's like. On every subject that describes a challenge of the trail her friends looked at her for a response. Like a true prospective thru-hiker she brushed it off and smiled. I looked at her and saw myself from a year ago. It was refreshing.I've done more griping over the last few days in the park and seeing her excited for next year brought it all back to perspective. I'm here, living her dream, much like the people I spoke with last year were living mine. I needed that.Judy, if you read this please feel free to trade email addresses. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have leading up to your hike.The next few miles to the shelter came with ease and I was happy to beat the rain. Mooselegs, Duck, and Diehard are here as well as a few others.I'm ready to finish the park and get back to the freedom of normal trail life. Should be Monday afternoon when I head under I-40. Pecks Corner will be the goal for tomorrow.Oh, and I haven't even addressed the recent milestones. Right out of the shelter this morning we hit less than 2000 to go. Right past Clingmans we hit the 200 mile mark, and I've been in and out of Tennessee for the last couple of days. My 3rd state. I won't fully leave NC until after Hot Springs though.Things are good. I'm dry and happy. A shower would be nice but it's no time to be picky.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

A little before 7 this morning a light came into the shelter. It's the first time I've ever seen an entire shelter up and talking before 7:30. After the last week the sun is a magical, if not mythical thing.As usual I was the first one out, excited to get to Newfound Gap for speculated trail magic. The 4.5 miles were quick and I was there around 9:15. The tourist spots in the Smokies are a hilarious gambit of reactions. Some think you're a hobo, others ask about your trip, some want pictures of or with you. It was an amusing couple of hours. A lady hopped off a tour bus and ran to the North Carolina/Tennessee sign yelling, "I've never been to Tennessee before!". I dont think she realized the bus was actually parked in Tennessee. All I know is I've never been more aware of soap and perfume in my life.The trail magic didn't dissappoint. Right before the trail meets the road someone had left sodas and a little later a guy showed up and made us sandwiches. I was on the phone with Mrs. Rock Boat when he pulled up and she graciously understood why I needed to call her back. I've never enjoyed a ham and cheese sandwich more in my life.I finally left the gap around 11:00 and began the 10.3 miles out to Pecks Corner. There were tons of day hikers making the trek to Charlie's Bunion and one of them even had a few Reese Cups he was willing to part with. Don't mind if I do.The Bunion has always been a favorite spot of mine and today was a great day to head out there. By that time I was hiking with Jeopardy so we got a few pics of each other out on the rocks.The rest of the hike to the shelter was great. Minimal mud and a lot of hiking on the knife edge of the ridge. For once we had views all day.I got here around 4:00, claimed a spot, took a bit of a stream bath and made dinner. And guess what? It's raining again! Tomorrow is supposed to be awful and I'm not looking forward to it. I may just go to Cosby Knob Shelter which leaves me 8 miles on Monday to get out of the park.Diehard, Two Bad Dogs, and Spacetime are here from last night. The rest appear to be folks who went into Gatlinburg and hopped back on at Newfound Gap today.At least we got one sunny day here. The hiking was a lot faster and more enjoyable. Now its back to 'get out of here' mode.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: moderate rain

Met some folks last night at the shelter that entered the Smokies eleven days ago. On their 12th they decided it was time to make some miles and woke the entire shelter at 5:30 this morning. All I know is I left the shelter at 7:15 and caught them by 8:15. Can't get your trail legs lolly-gagging around the mountains apparently. I woke with big plans this morning. I knew that Cosby Knob Shelter, 12.9 miles away from where we were, would be packed. I've had 4 packed shelters in a row and needed a break. I talked to Diehard and he was headed the extra 7.1 to Davenport. Seemed like a good chance to hit the 20 mile mark.I breezed through the first 6 miles to Tri-Corner by 9:15 and made the next 7 to Cosby Knob by 1:00. The wind on the ridges was brutal and the trail was above 5000 feet for much of the day.I stopped at Cosby Knob for lunch and headed up Mt Cammerer, the last climb of the Smokies.   By that time the rain had really picked up and eventually soaked me to the bone during the 2500 foot descent. I would have had better luck in a canoe on the trail than actually walking it.Right when I hit mile 19 the rain stopped and I made the last mile in record time. Currently there are 7 of us here in a 12 person shelter instead of the usually 15 or 16 we've been packing in. I dig it. So, the story is that I currently sit .9 miles from the Northern terminus of the Smokies, 2.8 miles from I-40, and 3.6 from my stopping point at Standing Bear Hostel. Not sure of I'm staying there tomorrow night but I need a resupply, laundry, and a shower at the least.I've always wanted to thru-hike the AT in the Smokies. I don't think I need to do it again anytime soon. If you get the urge to hike here I'd suggest Climgmans Dome heading North. South of Clingmans to Fontana was just that bad. Except for Spence Field. It was pretty great. Oh, and dodge the rain. We all have some stage of trench foot by this point.