morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-11
From: Beech Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Dale updated the last few entries with some additional information. Hopefully will have better coverage, etc after this. Expected it to be better. Hopefull going forward, but who knows. Out of camp a little later. Thinking about Lauren especially more than normal today. Hiked with Gravity for a couple miles. He has a blog hikewithgravity.com. El Fuego also has blog trekwithpat.comAt Betty gap started up long climb to Albert Mountain. This will be another new highest mountain. Stopped at Albert Mtn shelter for a rest and got water. First part of the climb was on a shelf with dropoffs to my right. Views were beautiful. Leveled out for a while and then more gradual ups. Just befroe the last 2/10 mile, I rested. The last stretch is famous for climbing 400 feet in that short distance. Climbing rocks, a few steps carefully. Got to smell myself since I was raising arms high to get grips with my hiking poles. At the top there was a fire tower to climb. Took a few pics and enjoyed the view with Dave, LeAnne, Ian and Gravity. El Fuego and Poptart who is now Morning Joe arrived and I called Amy with good service from top of Mtn. We decided to go 5 more miles to Rock Gap shelter. Mostly downhill and we arrived about 6. Most of the tent sites were taken, but we found some less than level spost for our tents. Herbie was here who I had not seen since Neel gap. I had asked her if she wanted to share the cabin I was in that night, but she was wanting to keep going. Nice girl. Looks like Brianna M. Made cmap, cooked supper, hung up food and went to bed at hiker midnight which is dark. Just 4 miles to Winding Stair gap and ride to Franklin to meet Amy.
Date: 2017-04-12
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap / Franklin, NC Hotel
Miles today: 3.5

Crummy night sleeping. Mostly because my tent was not that level. Kept sliding around. Talked to Walter / Happy Feet while making breakfast. He is a podiatrist. Want to stay close to this guy! He's making house calls. Today is considered a nero day. Near zero miles. Tomorrow will be a zero in Franklin. I hiked fast and caught up with El Fuego and Morning Joe. We finished into Winding Stair Gap about 10:00. Got a ride from Tim who had just brought hikers up from town. He took us 3 and Gravity and another guy from Cleveland. Forgot to say about the forest fire in the area. We all saw smoke from Albert mountain yesterday. By the end of the night the trail rumors were everything from 'we will be evacuated TONIGHT' to 'its close but not affecting the trail' to 'somebody is just burning trash'. Turns out trail was closed north of Winding Stair yesterday, but back open today.Our ride dropped me off at Hampton Inn. Got an early checkin and proceeded to wait until the water to whole hotel was turned back on. Oh well, been without a shower this long, what's another couple hours. Amy arrived and we went out to supper and stopped at an outfitter for a replacement water bag for my filter. Ran into Brian/Two Chairs and LeAnne at the store. Great to be in a clean, fed, a good bed and with Amy. Still also, looking forward to getting back to trail. But not too quick.
Date: 2017-04-13
From: Winding Stair Gap / Franklin, NC Hotel

To: Winding Stair Gap / Franklin, NC Hotel
Miles today: 0.0

Good down/rest day. Did my laundry and I ran downtown to get a new fuel canister. I still have a little left in the old, but will leave it. Figure I can get about 10 days of use for supper and coffee/oatmeal in mornings. Amy and I went to grocery store and got food. Dropped that back of in hotel room and decided to drive up to Highlands, NC. as recommended by the hotel clerk.There were 3 major waterfalls along the way up the Callasaja river gorge. First was my favorite. A cascade of about 200 feet drop. We climbed down and took some pictures. Next was Dry Falls, which had nice walk down and behind falls. Always fun to walk behind a falls. Would be really nice on a hot summer day. Third was a side falls that did not really match the other two. Was right beside the road and we read something that the road at one time actually went behind the falls. Highlands is an upscale tourist town. We had lunch and Amy shopped some. Nice place with a couple Inn's in the downtown. I'm sure there were many other places to stay, but not your normal Holiday Inn types. Drove around some more and then back to Franklin. Stopped at a local brewery for a short time. Saw El Fuego, but no other hikers I recognized. Then we drove out to near the trail to see a little of the fire damage, etc. Light supper and back to room for more rest.
Date: 2017-04-14
From: Winding Stair Gap / Franklin, NC Hotel

To:  Wayah Bald Tower
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Since Amy is still in Franklin decided to try something different and did a slack pack southbound. A slack pack is when you only carry basic water and food because you have someone else picking you up at the other end of your day. In this case we did it going south just because the logistics of driving made that better. Jane from Plainfield Plain Jane joined me. We ran into each other in Franklin yesterday. By going south we ran into lots and lots of people that we knew. Between Jane and I probably 90% of the people going north as we went south. Fun to see them that way.   Wemade the 10 miles in five hours. Stopped a bald.   The first big one that I have seen. Probably about 5 acres total.   We climbed up on top of it and had a nice view. Balds are usually on top of mountains. Thought to have been cleared by either Native Americans or early settlers. some people also think maybe they are natural. mostly grass is covering the balds. Amy picked us up at three. She had seen a few sites around the area including a botanical garden in Highlands. Not the first time that we have split up and she went to a Botanical garden.   We stopped at the lazy hiker and had a great time. Quite a few other hikers there that I and Jane knew. Dropped Jane off at her hostel and Amy and I back to hotel. I purchased and printed my hiker permit for great Smoky Mountain national Park. One of the few places that a permit is required for the Appalachian Trail.  Will be entering the park on Wednesday
Date: 2017-04-15
From:  Wayah Bald Tower

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Amy dropped Jane and I off at Wayah. We headed north after talking to Tippytoes who is doing trail magic. I'm about three hours behind my bubble of people that I've been with the last week. Tried to walk fast to catch up. Finally did see El Fuego and Morning Joe at Tellico Gap, but they took off about the time I rolled in.Not really feeling strong today after the town break with all the niceties. Sometimes hard to get back on the trail for several days in the woods. I decided to stop at Wesser Bald shelter rather than Rufus Morgan shelter where most of my people are going. Just didn't have that extra 5 miles in me. I lay down for a while after setting up my tent and that really felt good. There is an older crowd here tonight.   I'm still one of the oldest but maybe not the oldest.   A few young ones but most of us are 40s, 50s, 60s. Had a fire and got to know some of these new people. Amy back in Sandwich tonight, she doesn't like Atlanta traffic or airport but no problems only a pain. sure was nice having her here. Thanks double J for the shuttles to airport.
Date: 2017-04-16
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Down 2000 feet in 6 miles this morning to to Nantahala Outdoor Center(NOC). Caught up with a few people that were hanging around there.   Talk with them,then had a cheeseburger, got some water, and started out to climb 3000 feet to Sassafras Gap shelter. The last couple days I've had a little bit of pain in the long down hills. I hear people talking about that. My first experience. The knees mainly for me, other people have foot problems going down because your toes are pushing against the front of the shoe.Hardest day so far. Went up for over 4 hrs. Finally made the top at swim bald. Rained briefly while coming in to Sassafras Gap shelter. Cleared up soon. About dozen tents. Nice night w Old School from Maine , White Beard from Alabama and Plain Jayne. Guys about my ageTent on a slope, but I slept pretty good overnight, just had worm myself back up every so often
Date: 2017-04-17
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early and worked on my feet a little bit with new bandages. Toes no worse, but still have slight pain. Went up Cheoah Bald (elevation 5062') pretty fast right out of camp, powered by a Honey Bun; 550 cal of sugar and now my new favorite over Pop Tarts. Plus, they only smash in your pack, rather than break up. With a cup of Starbucks instant I'm off to a good start.Saw a Ruffed Grouse this morning. Ran along trail for a moment then into a rhododendron thicket. Watched him a little but he was camouflaged. Have been hearing them drumming / thumping in mornings.Nice walking most of the morning finally out of the fire areas. Seeing more wildflowers today. Especially when we came down to Stecoah Gap. Tippytoes there with some apples. He's everywhere they say, doing trail magic and giving rides. Did Jacobs Ladder after that, steep up but smooth surface. On to Cody gap. Stopped and started raining while setting up tent. Rained quite a while. Things got somewhat wet.   Right now laying in tent as it rains. Warm & dry, but hungry. May have cold supper if does not let up some. Do have cell service for nowInto Fontana tomorrow and a hotel room. Then into the Smokies.
Date: 2017-04-18
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained most of night. Light. I was warm and dry. Some of my gear wet but not important stuff like sleeping bag and inside tent. Clothes mostly dry. A few wet.Did get a hot supper during a break. Talked some w Plain Jayne, Yard Sale, Trisha and father Orville. Also Herbie and the love bug here but they are in a secluded tent spot. Into tent at dark when rain came back.This morning stopped at shelter 4 miles in. More later..........
Date: 2017-04-19
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I had originally planned to spend a night in a hostel a few miles back from Fontana, but decided that my friends are all going on to Fontana & that's what I wanted to do too. The trail community is really amazing I've never been in any group where people bonded so quickly. maybe my fraternity in college, but there we had a common thread coming in. Here it's young, old, man, woman, rich, poor, from all over the country, but we're all hiking the same trail, the same hard way.Had breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Good way to get started with the full meal. Took shuttle back to where we were picked up yesterday, hiked a mile to Fontana Hilton. Talked to a few people there. Another mile to the Fontana Dam and then another mile to the entrance of great Smoky Mountain National Park.The trail in the park goes up about 3000 feet to get things started then you walk the Ridgeline primarily, gradually going higher to Clingmans Dome at over 6000 feet.   It's 70 miles in the park total.Climbed for about four hours,quite a bit with the guy I met this morning having coffee. His name is Caretaker. My age from the UP. Ended up going to Molly Ridge shelter.   Was a little farther than I thought I would go, but this will give me a good start in the park.Lots of the normal people I know here. I'm going to sleep in the shelter tonight. this will be a first. Hope I can handle it. The rule in the park is that you have to sleep in the shelter, unless it's full. Then you can set up your tent. Our shelter is not quite full and a lot of people are setting up their tent. I'm just going to give it a try. Makes things easier in the morning. Will not have to pack up tent and if it rains tonight that will be much easier, not being wet.
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Mollie's Ridge Shelter

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

Shelter sleeping was all right last night, mice didn't bother me. I just saw one this morning as I rolled over. It was about 6 inches from my nose on the rock wall. Was glad I was in the shelter since it rained about an inch from 5 to 8AM. Everybody just stayed in their shelter or tent and then we got up when the rain quit. I ended up actually being in my sleeping bag almost 12 hours last night from dark till about 8 AM when the rain finally quit.Quite a bit of mud on the trail today. Did our best to stay relatively out of it, but impossible. Hiked with Uncle Puck who used to be El Fuego. That is what his nephew used to call him when he was little and there are too many fuegos out here on the trail. Also hiked with Caretaker today. First half of the day was pretty easy but the second 6 miles were really rough Rolled into the shelter about 4:30 and started figuring out whether we were going to stay in the shelter or could tent. I'll be in the shelter again it's a little more crowded tonight so who knows how it will be. Same characters here at the shelter again tonight.GSMNP is quite a bit tougher than what we have experienced prior to coming into the park. Getting higher elevations and the ups and downs are steep. Will climb up to Clingmans Dome tomorrow the highest point on the Appalachian Trail.My feet are doing good. Nothing new to report on them. My leg and shoulders and arms are sore as I hike, but it does not linger after stopping. Taking vitamin I a little but not as much as thought I would. Weight is probably down, but can't tell much other than belt.
Date: 2017-04-21
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Full shelter Thursday night, but slept pretty good.   I'm changing my mind about the shelters.   They really aren't too bad especially if it's raining. Getting up in the night is a little bit tough, have to climb down, put on shoes- all that stuff. In the park you're supposed to stay in the shelter unless it is full, then you can set up your tent. Still plenty of tents have to be set up for all of us.Beautiful day this morning hiked 10 miles pretty hard to get to Clingman's Dome. Highest point on the AT at 6600.   Just as I got there the weather changed and it started raining. Climbed the tower. Views are still very good.We are in a different ecozone now.   Higher elevations. All conifers. spruce and firs. Reminds me of Pacific NW.   Some Hikers getting off at Clingmans, if they have a ride.   Most of us went on to the next shelter, spending the night and then going to Newfound Gap and Gatlinburg early Saturday. Still a really good group moving together. Excitement is building tonight as we anticipate town tomorrow. Walk around camp and the conversation is all about town food.In the shelter again tonight which is fine. Rained hard several times in night so really happy in shelter.Have been walking the NC/TN state line last couple days. Will be doing that for another week at least   Then leaving TN for good and staying in NC until VA
Date: 2017-04-22
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 4.3

Up and going at first light. People in tents had a bad night. Hiked the 4 miles to Newfound Gap. Trail magic from a local Baptist church. Fruit chips and other snacks. Tried calling for motel bi coverage poor. Talked truck driver into ride. Thanks to this guy who drove 9 of us hikers down to Gatlinburg, TN. Great fun as we yelled in tunnels etc. Ate pizza, did laundry, went grocery shopping and will stay at the Motel 6. Four of us sharing room. Uncle Pucks friend Ben came. Has been raining now for six hours. Forecasters same for tomorrow. May re-evaluate about when going back to trail. Out to steak house for supper and now hanging in hotel room.
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0

We woke to more rain and a forecast that is the same for next 24+ hours. Debated, but settled on staying in town another night. We would just hike to somewhere and then sit in a tent or shelter and watch the rain. Smart move is to stay and at least be comfortable. Lounged around for a while in morning at our current palatial motel. Then Pat and I decided to look for another 'nicer' place for tonight. No longer the weekend, so hoped for better rate. Scored the Doubletree up on a mountain for same as last night! Nice place and we are all happy. Since Ben is still with us, we have a vehicle. Moved out to the new digs and went to breakfast. Stuffed myself for the 3rd time in 24 hours. Went to an outfitter store. Really nice place with great selections. I don't need anything want to carry it. Bought stove fuel only. However there was a ladies group that brought in a bunch of nice care packages of food for hikers. Did help myself to one of those. So many people want to help the hikers.   Now just hanging around the hotel and relaxing, sorting food, cleaning gear, etc. Could have gone to the salt and pepper shaker museum, but missed that. There are all kinds of tourist things here. As in, you could not think of anything else. Myself, I'm more into spending on food, etc. I may get into the hottub, but will have to improvise a swim suit. Hope I don't offend anyone. You loose much of your modesty out here. No problem walking around camp in long underwear. I equate that to the girls in yoga pants. Isn't that the same?I'll keep you updated on the exciting happenings for the rest of the day. Hear the weather is perfect in Illinois. Got my soak in hot tub w morning joe. Bar for a while and then we went to a BBQ place. Still raining but forecast better. News is all about the amount of rain. Mountains will be wet but you can't flood a mountain side. The trail will be muddy and may have some water running down it in places.
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Gatlinburg

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Caretaker and I bummed a ride from a businessman at the hotel to downtown Gatlinburg. That made room for the other three guys and backpacks in Ben's car.   Met up with them at the NOC where they needed to buy some more equipment when it opens. About that time a Baptist church shuttle van pulled in and I decided to go ahead of the other guys up to Newfound Gap. We plan to meet up at Pecks Corner shelter. First time I've hiked by myself for quite a few days. Nice to have that for change. Pretty easy hike up out of Newfound gap and then onto Charlie's Bunion. Seems like that's a famous place I remember or maybe just because my dad's name is Charlie. View is good, I was basically above the clouds. The other famous peak I crossed in Smoky Mountain National Park is Rockytop a few days ago. Rockytop Ten..nes..see.   Got my music going for the first time. It was nice to listen to. Think I'll have to do that little bit more. Big crowd it Peck's Corner. I ended up in the shelter again. Quite crowded, but I managed to sleep OK. By the middle of the afternoon the clouds came in and it did rain just a little bit about suppertime but mostly just foggy and wet. I'm ready for a dry day but doesn't look like that's going to happen. Staying in the shelter keeps me and my gear dry so I am comfortable. Looking forward to getting back into my tent.
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Crosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Did not clear overnight,was hoping that it would. By middle of the morning started looking a little better up at higher elevations, and a little after noon the sun did shine through for about an hour. I think it was only because we are so high and above the clouds. Clouds came back in and got wet again. Hiked the full 12.5 miles and got to the shelter about 2:00. Still looking rainy, so I ended up getting a spot in the shelter next to a wall which is a prime spot.   Usual crowd rolling in. Shelter is full again.I'll be glad to get out of the Smokies between the weather and having to stay at a shelter with bigger than usual crowds, it's not my favorite stretch. Mrs Hamilton (aka Amy) suggested when I was planning the trip and did not look forward to Smokies, that I just skip it. That would've been a good thing to do and come back in the late fall and hike it then. Tomorrow I'll be out of the Smokies.   I'm going to stop at the Standing Bear Hostel and either stay there or just get supplies and move on. Into Hot Springs in three days after that.Hungry all day today. Had two honey buns for breakfast then stopped about 10:30 and had tuna salad on a tortilla with some sharp cheddar cheese sliced into it, With some carrots and hard salami slices on the side. Over the next few hours, had two big granola bars and a pack of peanut butter crackers. Cooked supper about four. Had a Knoor meal for two with added real bacon bits and Fritos for some more texture. Topped that off with peanut butter and jelly on tortilla. Yum yum.
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Crosby Knob Shelter

To: Painter Branch Campsite
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

What's that coming in the shelter this morning? It is,it's sun!   Find the weather breaks and I'm going to the Smokies. Hiked with Caretaker for a little while,then we split up as we went down to get Davenport gap. Down 8 miles or so. Got to standing bear hostile where I bought a few supplies had a couple Pepsi drinks and hung around for a while. An eclectic kind of place interesting "architecture "and a grumpy old guy running the place but still everybody's there.Then hiked two miles up to the campsite. Really nice place, probably my favorite campsite so far with a stream running through and lots of level tent sites. Had a good night with a nice campfire and some new people including pipes who plays his bagpipe did pretty good job on it too.My first people behavior complaint. Last night, about midnight, three hikers rolled into the shelter and asked the rest of us to tighten up so they could fit in. There really wasn't room, but we ended up making it.I think if they had planned to hike that late, they should've planned to tent and not disrupt other people.
Date: 2017-04-27
From: Painter Branch Campsite

To: Walnut Mountain
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Got going just before light rain hit. That was good to pack up dry. Need to climb to Snowbird mountain in light rain going pretty good on top. Then onto Max Patch which was quite a large bald on top of the mountain. Probably about 50 acres appeared or more. Guide says that this was cleared and used for grazing. Well-known in this area evidently by the number of trails and access points.Hiked today with Allese and One Gallon. Allese is from Alabama has worked for Oracle four years after college and now quit job and hiking trail. One Gallon in 50s and is hiking from Key West to Gasp© in Ontario. He's been all over hiking and also trip canoeing so we had a lot to talk about.Morning Joe left a trail yesterday. He has to go home for some oral surgery and also to get back to work for when he starts to school at Southwest Missouri State. He was a good guy to hike with but he was able to get a ride with uncle Puck's friend then back to Missouri. Uncle Puck continues.We decided to do a longer day today, so that we can get into Hot Springs tomorrow. Longest day of the trail but feeling good tonight. Have a nice campsite.
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Walnut Mountain

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Moving fast all morning to get the Hot Springs a soon as possible. Nice day, almost little hot.  Had two pretty big climbs through the day but mostly it was down. Hot Springs is only 1300 elevation which is the lowest we've been on the whole hike.Hot Springs is right on the trail so did not have to shuttle to town we got to our cabin at 2 o'clock showered and then went on to the downtown area. Couldn't believe how many hikers were here. Funny how you don't see somebody for a week or two and then all of a sudden you meet up again not sure how you miss em for that long. But a half a day on the trail will keep you separated. There are laundry and had some supper at a tavern back to the cabin and then to a party a block away at a hostel.Total Miles: 273.90