morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Fontana Village

To: Spence Field
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I left the beautiful spring behind in Fontana as I walked up and into the Smokies. I left by noon, walking over Fontana Dam. The way is up and I work hard in the heat to get back atop the ridges. I stop to get some water at a stream before reaching Mollies Ridge Shelter. Some through hikers and weekenders were making their dinner as I continue to move on over more rolling hills and ridges high providing sweeping vistas. I reach Russell Field about 7pm and decided I had enough daylight to make it to Spence Field. The late afternoon light and wind was perfect for hiking up high on the ridges. The spring wildflowers are blooming, decorating and scenting the forest. The wind is picking up when I reach Spence Field. I find a few through hikers talking and finishing dinner as I select my site for the night. I set up on a high grassy field. It¢s going to be an exciting night with the sound of this wind. I am appropriately tired and ready for rest. The Smokies are very beautiful. About 2 miles back I had crossed paths with some wild turkeys who were very casual being so close to me. They looked delicious.
Date: 2011-04-20
From: Spence Field

To: Double Springs Gap
Miles today: 13.5

Last night was the most exciting I have ever spent in my tent. I was up on a grassy area and the wind was howling. I used long twigs for tent stakes and the wind blew my tent flat. I heard branches breaking in the wind¢s path. Just after I awoke this morning the rain came. I packed my stuff and went to the shelter for breakfast and to wait out the rain. About 10am I started and before long I was on Rocky Top above the clouds. Then it got better as I walked ridge to ridge up high in the peaks of the Smokies. This is a special place and I am glad to be walking surrounded by its beauty again. It¢s a strenuous day even though the miles are not long. I have worked hard and earned this tired feeling. The shelter is full and there are 16 tents set up around it. In my tent I can feel the fruits of the day¢s labor through my entire body. I walked today with Tbone and Freight Train, Mike and Laura. They are class of 2010 and back out again.
Date: 2011-04-21
From: Double Springs Gap

To: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It took awhile for the crowd to quiet down last night. It was a relatively calm night and early rain this morning. The shelter has been renovated since my last visit. It seems like it was all thrus in the tents and the shelter was full of weekenders. This morning I took my time before packing, allowing my tent to dry. Heading out was mostly up to the highest point on the AT, Clingman¢s Dome at 6643 feet. Then the trail follows the ridge up and over several hills and knobs through balsam fir forest on the rocky spine. There are several blow down trees with root balls up to 25 feet across and 1 or 2 feet deep. Just before reaching the road I come upon an open slope covered with white wildflowers. It looks like snow. I round a hill and I am there, the Newfound Gap parking lot, filled with cars and families enjoying the views. I run into Traildust who has arranged for a ride, and invites me along. Pretty good, within 5 minutes I am on my way into Gatlinburg. Chore time, KFC, get a hotel, wash clothes, wash me, I am clean again and resupplied. YAY!
Date: 2011-04-22
From: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg

To: TriCorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Clean boy emerges from his hotel room, gets some denatured alcohol from the NOC outpost and hitches a ride to the trailhead. Pack on, I walk into the clouds, up and over along ridge tops through the beautiful country. The first part of my hike was in the clouds and on the leeward side of the mountains. Then it turned and I was walking against the wind. The trees drip as the wind blew. I opened my umbrella to buffer the wind and the drips. The clouds lightened and the sun appeared. I can see distant ridges and puffy clouds with dark clouds in the distance. I feel like I am in a rainforest with the abundance of green and moss. The mosses are lush and any downed wood is covered with moss and is rotting, creating rich new soil. The way becomes gentle and I am at the Tri Corner Shelter, my home for the night. This is the first time I have stayed in a shelter this trip. This shelter is very full.
Date: 2011-04-23
From: TriCorner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I survive the night in the dreaded shelter. Actually it was quite entertaining. I had many wondrous sighs, snorts, snores, yawns and coughs to keep me company. The wind howled outside and I was warm and dry in the shelter. The stories flow without having to be told with words. There¢s the 6000 foot summit baggers from Atlanta, 2 home schooled brothers, one is 17 and the other 14. There are many through hikers of every type and age. I was told about how hard it is to hike when you are old by a woman who was 1 year older than me, older and many years wiser? A group arrived about 10pm and tried to keep the fire going in the windswept pit. Eventually morning came and the shelter occupants left. A good group and a nice night. The trail brings us hiking north. Last night I caught up to Diamond Dave and a small group I have hiked around through the Smokies. Dave and I walked along the most beautiful section passing through high ridges with balsam fir and mossy areas. The wildflowers are blooming and adorning the way as we go through, up and over miles of mountains. To make our goal of Standing Bear we walk briskly. There is always one more up, and then the trail clearly takes a downward direction as we make our way around many sides, always flowing down towards the gap. There¢s not much water up high through this section so we stop at the Davenport Gap shelter for water. I know the way here and pace myself so I can make it. Towards the bottom of this area we come upon an island camp between a split in the creek. I camped here with Taken and the group in 2007. The river has been diverted just enough so the higher fork has flooded our old site. We continue down and meet Laura, Mike, Tbone and Freight Trail camped just above the falls on a flat spot. We continue on our mission under I40 and up the rock steps through the hilly walk up from the gap. We cross the small creek, turn left up the gravel country road and arrive at the farm. We asked for a ride and gather beer, fried chicken and some snacks. We ready ourselves for a short evening around the campfire. Most are asleep early, I was left to tend the fire, then I entered the bunk area for my night¢s rest.
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Standing Bear
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The hikers left on a hot hiking morning. We hung around with Rock Hound, who is recovering from open heart surgery. He still looks strong. We cooked a pound of bacon, 8 biscuits, coffee and 6 eggs for breakfast. There¢s a tame squirrel that Dave wants to play with. Hopefully he won¢t get bitten. The place is very peaceful after the hikers leave. The spring flowers are blooming and the lively creek flows under the cottage porch as I sit here on an old period metal glider under the tin roof porch in the shade. During the heat of the day overheated hikers start arriving, some resupply and then leave. Some stay. Most arrive red-faced and wet, some have odd colorations like reddish bluish with pale splotches. They look dehydrated and spent. It¢s hot and the trees are not yet fully leafed to provide the needed shade. I plan to spend the rest of the day here relaxing and then head out in the morning, hopefully Max Patch will be my destination. I¢d like to camp on the summit.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Standing Bear

To: Camp after Max Patch
Miles today: 14.1

Last night Liit and Jason met us here at Standing Bear Farm. They spent the night and are hiking out with Diamond Dave and I. I walk up and out of the gap on the trail, forever going up. At the other side of Snowbird Mountain we break for lunch. Liit brings out his kite and we all take turns flying it in the fresh breeze blowing across the bald. This section is on the dry side so we watch for water. The trail heads up and over a few more mountains and then I reach Max Patch. After crossing the summit I get a weather report for severe thunder storms and 60mph winds. Not a good night for Max Patch summit camping. We go down to a site about a mile north from the top of the bald. It¢s protected and the stars are out. Maybe we could have had a summit camp after all.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Camp after Max Patch

To: Camp south of Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

It turned out to be a warm, calm night last night. I had a small morning campfire and then broke camp. The forest is greener by the day with many wildflowers. The songbirds are singing. I keep a good pace and the mountain miles stream by. Our group consists of Liit, Jason (now called Bic,) Diamond Dave and then we are joined by Liit¢s friend Doug. We pass several empty campsites, then pass Deer Park Mountain shelter, going north until we find a site up on the last mountain before the descent into Hot Springs. Tomorrow I will come into Hot Springs and plan on having breakfast at the Country Diner. I¢m out of food and dreaming of town.
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Camp south of Hot Springs

To: Camp north of Hot Springs
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Bam, I woke with the smell of coffee and breakfast at the diner in my mind, so got going quickly. It¢s my birthday today and I am celebrating with eggs, sausage, hash browns, sweet potato pancakes with apples and whipped cream and an endless cup of coffee¢¦. Ahhhhh! Today I showered under a hose, shampooed too, and washed my clothes in a bucket. We resupply and started to head out of town, only to be sidetracked again and again. Group compromises and poor communication leaves Doug and I camped out of town and waiting on nobody. A big storm is coming and we are in our tent and tarp. The wind looks like it could blow the trees over. I cook baby back ribs over the campfire and wash them down with beer. Life is good. It¢s my birthday.
Date: 2011-04-28
From: Camp north of Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Creek Shelter tent area
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Last night's storm was intense with high winds bending tress over and lightning on top of lightning. Then the rain came. The tent whipped from side to side and I hoped it wouldn¢t rip. The morning dawned and all was calm and well. The big wood pile that I covered last night with my pack cover came in handy to dry a few things and to warm up. The storm passed and it is now cool. Doug and I headed out late after waiting around for the others, who never showed up. We hiked on over several mountains and knobs. The forest is leafed now and the underbrush is full. There are many wildflowers. I saw some flame azaleas, pink lady slippers and trillium, and so many more that I wish I could identify. It is full-on spring. There¢s some high level dogwood trees. I lost track of the miles but none came easy with my heavy pack. As the day became short I couldn¢t find a suitable place to set camp. I watched the sun set and walked into the shelter area with time just enough time to set camp and eat dinner in my tent bed. It was a good, long strenuous day and now it's time to let my body rest and repair.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: Little Laurel Creek Shelter tent area

To: Camp on Knob
Miles today: 14.0

This morning I said goodbye to everyone as they headed back to Allen Gap to hitch back to Hot Springs and pick up Doug's car. They¢ll go back to get Liit¢s car at Standing Bear and Diamond Dave¢s car is in Gatlinburg. I hiked on, up higher into the mountains, hiking over high rocky cliffs with stunning views. The forest is alive with the sounds of songbirds. Most of the trees are leafed. I summitted Big Butt Mountain and celebrated my 300th mile. I reached the Flint Mountain shelter and rested for a minute before deciding to head on and find a campsite in the next few miles. It¢s been a good workout today and I need Ibuprofen and rest. I am camped on a small level spot with a sitting log and an established firepit. It hasn¢t been used in a long time. It was covered with leaves and had acorns sprouting in the pit. No trash, that¢s good. I collected a pile of firewood so there will probably be much left for the next person. I¢m camped under some big oaks and I can see some bright stars through their canopy.
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Camp on Knob

To: Big Bald Summit
Miles today: 17.0

Last night about 2:30 I awoke to the sound of branches cracking. I thought it was a large animal coming my way. Then I heard loud breathing, panting and sniffing at the foot of my tent. Without thinking I sat up and yelled. I heard the thing run away down a slope and down into a notch. I got up and put some more wood on the fire, glad to see it flare up. The beast never returned and I had nice coals for my morning fire. I started my coffee on the fire and broke camp, returning to the waiting mountains. The green is only interrupted by the wildflowers and the blue sky. The butterflies are in abundance. At a small spring I collected my water and freshened up. I break at the Hogback shelter, conquer a few more mountains, head down into Sam¢s Gap, cross under the Interstate, and begin the long climb up Big Bald, 5516 feet. The way is challenging but eventually I climb out onto the open meadows of the bald. I crested just in time to set my tent on the windy, grassy summit and to watch the sun set. I cooked a meal that was unappealing and got in my bed. It is very windy and cold up here. The stars are out and the town lights can be seen in the distance. It¢s a 360 degree view with spectacular scenery.
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Big Bald Summit

To: Erwin
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I had planned on camping at the next shelter so I did not get water before reaching Big Bald¢s summit. Tin Man offered to share some of his with me, allowing me to enjoy a highlight campsite. I have some challenges setting my tent as it is very windy on top of the bald. The wind chill was brutal with cool temps and what I am guessing to be 40 mph winds. There was another thrilling mountain top camping experience for Bushwhacker. The morning dawned and I walked across the grassy bald and headed towards the shelter where I gathered water and made my coffee and breakfast. I passed the high rocks and reached Spivey Gap where I crossed a stile and walked across an open field that smelled of spring and was wet with morning dew. At the Ogelsby Branch I got in the creek and washed up. The water was ice cold and I needed the refreshing rinse off. I started again, cooled off and feeling better. I started thinking about camping just before Erwin and going into town for breakfast, but was so hungry and in need of a town visit, that I pushed on into town. I reached the road into Erwin and walked another 3 or 4 miles before getting a ride into the center of town. I stopped at the McDonalds for dinner, and then checked into the Super8 motel. They don¢t have a laundry so I washed my things in the bathtub and have it hanging all around the room to dry. I am clean, finally, and hopefully will feel whole again tomorrow when I return to the trail. I just heard on the news that Osama Bin Laden is dead and that the bad weather I had experienced on the mountain caused many tornadoes and deaths. When you¢re out there you miss what¢s going on, and getting caught up has been a big deal today. I¢m suffering from homesickness but know I have a very nice section ahead to enjoy. The hike has been challenging and rewarding so far and I feel like I am started to get stronger.
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Erwin

To: Unaka Mountain campsite
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

The owner of the Super 8 drove me to the Food Town grocery and then to the trailhead outside of town. After some beautiful forest hiking I began to ascend to the high open bald of the Beauty Spot. The high bald offers expansive views of the surrounding mountains and down into the towns below. I lunch at the Beauty Spot with some through hikers and an older gentleman taking a 10 mile day hike to keep his pipes flowing. I stopped at the spring to camel up and get my water for tonight. It¢s a hot day for hiking and I will sit here for awhile to let things cool down before taking off again in the cooler afternoon towards Unaka Mountain. At about 5 I start again up the Unaka Mountain trail, up through red spruce forest where I find a nice site with a firepit and a rock to sit upon. I gather wood and stack it by the pit. After starting my cooking fire, I fire grill a bacon wrapped tenderloin steak and finish dinner off with walnut fudge. Delicious. Now I¢m starting to feel good. My tent is on a bed of spruce needles under a big relic spruce tree. Tomorrow I walk through the rest of Unaka¢s spruce forest and I¢m planning on stopping tomorrow at Greasy Creek hostel for the night. I¢m at 5182 feet elevation tonight. I wonder if there are any bear on Unaka Mountain. I hope not.
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Unaka Mountain campsite

To: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was uneventful but I did have the feeling that this mountain has many spirits and stories to tell. I was sitting by the fire and had the feeling I was being watched. This morning I arose and started my morning fire, brewed some coffee and broke camp in the meantime. I walked out over Unaka Mountain through the enchanted red spruce forest. I feel energized and flow over, down, around and through the changing forest towards Cherry Gap shelter for a break. The way flows nicely through mature forest with many wildflowers. The song birds are in abundance and singing their crisp sweet songs. As I go over the last few mountains the clouds begin to darken and whispers of rain are in the air. I approach Greasy Creek Gap and decide to go to Greasy Creek Friendly for the night. I sneak by the nasty neighbor who yells at hikers and reach the hostel. The back of the hostel displays at least a dozen pairs of hiking poles lined up against the wall. I open the back door and the place is packed. I am greeting by Connie and get in the shower line, I¢m third. After my shower I drive into town on the town run and get a few things to eat. Then we return to the full house. All are abuzz and Connie is whirling about like the Tasmanian devil. I will sleep on the couch when everyone clears out for the bunkhouse.
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Greasy Creek Friendly Hostel

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 10.0

I slept on the couch in the house. It was a late night and an early morning. The place was a beehive of activity. Connie is doing mostly everything from laundry, cooking and cleaning up after the hikers. It rained most of the night, now it¢s cold. Tonight¢s predicted low in the TriCities is in the low 30¢s. This is about 2000 feet below Roan Mountain, so at a 2.5 degree differential per 1000 feet, it will be in the 20¢s at higher elevation. What to do? Since I have a 40 degree bag I decide to slack pack from Carvers Gap back to Greasy Creek Friendly. When we reached Carvers Gap it was frigid, everything was all white and windy. It was snowing and I walked in the winter wonderland through high spruce and fir trees coated with snow. The rocks on the side of the trail were dripping with icicles. I carried a small pink pack filled with water and snacks for the day, along with an extra layer of clothes and my umbrella. I didn¢t stop for a drink or to eat, but I kept going hard to keep warm. It was a nice hike that only lasted about 4 hours. I am now showered and clean again in a warm place.
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Carvers Gap

To: Hump Mountain
Miles today: 9.0

Today I said goodbye to Connie¢s Greasy Creek Friendly and started hiking north from Carver¢s Gap up through patches of grassy balds and high fir forest with awesome 360 degree views of beautiful mountain peaks in every direction. The trees were frosty and there was snow in shady pockets. I stopped at the Overland Mountain converted red barn for lunch. I hiked up over Little Hump Mountain and watched other humps and balds rise up as new views of miles of open bald ridges and knobs appear. Eventually I began my ascent of Hump Mountain which is another open bald at 5587 feet. The summit has a flat spot with a fire ring. I set my tent and crawled in to take a nap in its sun warmed nest. When I awoke about a half hour later it was windy and cold. The views are open and seem endless. I watched the sun set over the layers of mountain tops and started my fire. It was too windy and cold to enjoy so I got in my tent to warm up. The tent is flapping and the wind is lively but I am happy and snug, enjoying another top of the world campsite. I¢ll let you know how it turns out tomorrow.
Date: 2011-02-07
To: How my AT Adventure began
Miles today: 0.0

In the summer of 2007, I learned that my cousin Shawn, all by himself earlier that spring, had packed up his backpack, jumped a plane to Atlanta, and started section hiking the Appalachian Trail right from the beginning at Springer Mountain. I was extremely impressed. I had heard so many wonderful things about the AT, watched documentaries about it on TV, and being an extreme vacation kind of person, had a million questions for him at the 4th of July gathering. I and my family are tent campers who have camped and day hiked at numerous National and State Parks. I've long distance canoe tent camped, but I had never hiked and overnight camped anywhere. This all interested me so much I found myself researching the AT and the deeper I dug, the more interested I became.In 2008, Shawn again headed south in the spring to hike the next AT section. This time he took his resupply crew with him. His parents packed up their Harley, towed it behind them all the way to Georgia and when Shawn didn't need their help, they went for day rides while he hiked.Later that summer, I again spoke with Shawn about his fantastic adventures. He noted he was doing the Great Smokey Mountain National Park (GSMNP) section in 2009 and I asked if he would be interested in a hiking partner. Shawn couldn't believe there was someone crazy enough to actually join him and I couldn't believe he would actually let me tag along! It was a done deal.Since that decision to partner up in 2009 for the GSMNP, Shawn and I have also section hiked from the GSMNP up to Erwin, TN in 2010. I have had many good friends and family members ask me about my personal journals, which I do keep along the trail. But I have never shared them with anyone other than my wonderful, understanding husband. This spring, 2011, I will be section hiking the 180 miles from Amicalola Falls State Park, past Springer Mountain (the start of the AT) to Fontana Dam without Shawn - he's already done that part. Then I will be heading up to Erwin to hike another 120 miles north with Shawn. I have had so many people ask me this year about my journals, that I have decided it is time to share them. So you will find links to my previous year's Journals under 2009 AT and 2010 AT at the left. This year's Journal will evolve as the Journey and Adventure unfold! Future Section Hikes will also be listed by links on the left.