morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Beyond Tray Mtn

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.4

Started of with drizzle rain.   Packed up quickly as possible & headed out only to slide in mud about 10 minutes from camp.   Only smeared left leg, NBD. Good thing was rain stopped about ten making for good day overall. Tons of mini ups & downs in the 300-600 foot range.@ Noon approaching Dicks Creek Gap was a sign - Trail Majic ahead, Hot Good. What a spread by Hal & Cheryl, George & Nancy from Dalton, GA.   I will get the pictures on soon.   Phone almost dead now.   Oh, the food!   Had 3 bowls of great chilly with fresh fruit and tons of of other goodies.Thx so much to your four & will be returning the trail Majic to the 2014 class.Anyhow, charged on with a full belly of hot food and H 20 resupply.Many more ups & downs this afternoon and left Georgia (77 hours after leaving Springer Mtn) for N Carolina.   Could have stayed at Bly Gap but pressed on northward.   Like to hike to 6-6:30ish.AND don't like out of tent climbs in the morning. Those renters have a rude awakening for the 2 miles over to Sassafras Gap tomorrow.   Some major (not in trail guide) humps!   Lovely way to finish a day of 20+ miles.   Took me a full hour for those 2 miles - slowest 2 miles yet, by far.Anyway, good day.   Dodged rain and will get close to highway to Franklin tomorrow.   Need to resupply Monday and wash clothes.   Shower also.   AromaGetting there.   Oh the Steam Locomotive!!!About 15 minutes after meeting the trail Majic guys, was asked to take pictures to post to this journal.   So as I was, George or Hal said:Look, Rokks shoulders are STEAMING!!I have never sweat so much on my head.   Hair soaking wet almost all the time.Cant wait til it's in the 90's!!Maybe I sleep tonight some.   Maybe 6-7 hours so far since Weds.Might have Just enough juice to post tomorrow if I keep phone off all day.Lost my recharge bAttery i think at Yhe hostel.Never used that 40 dollar sucker.Oh well.Adios amigos
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Muscrat Creek Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap - Franklin, NC
Miles today: 28.2
Weather: light rain

Gear Cleaned, clothes in Washer, food beside me, room very hot (drying gear & shoes) watching hoops.   LIFE IS GOOD!nasty weather in mountains tonight & next 2 nites. Decide in morning what's happening. AM not walking in foot of snow & at my speed I can catch up to it.Rained again last night, but stopped @ 7:30 long enough to pack up. Still dirty and not my favorite by any means.   Rain starts @ 9 and drizzles till 2.Trail muddy and feet wet all day.   It's this simple: no pain, no rain, NO Maine.The only thing that bothered me was fogged glasses. Wet and warm NBD.   Changed top layers @ 2 & SMOKED the trail til 6:30 averaging well over 3 mph. To put it in perspective, average is under 2.   I dedicated today to a gal I met in Glacier National Park about 7-8 years ago.   She was seasoned and told me: SOMETIMES you just have to put your head down an GO.Sometimes you get the shark, & sometimes the shark gets you.I ATE a lot of SHARK today!!!   Trail mostly level and last 900 feet up Standing Indian Mtn was an old log road.   Quite happy when I saw that puppy and smoked to the summit at 5498.   From there a long circular ridge route for about 15 miles with nice trail.   I just kept head down & thinking about dry gear, hot food, & this bed I lying in.110 miles in 5 days gets rewarded!   Now have 5 banked miles for July 4th Katahdin Summit & annoyed if I have to give some back tomorrow.   Need to average 21 per day & have a plus 100 in bank for the White Mtns of New Hampshire & Maine.Today's highlight was the last 3.7 miles.   Passed 2 hikers waiting for the shuttle to Franklin @ Rock Gap & I asked them to have the shuttle @ Winding Stair Gap @ 6:30 leaving but 75 minutes.I had just smoked my quickest hour on good trail of 3.5 miles so 75 minutes seemed reasonable .........,until I crossed the next road and had a 600 foot climb up so damn knob!   Leaving some doubt about making it.   Well, when the trail crested, put head down and went in to overdrive!   Not such an ez deal after 26 miles, but as I approached US 64 I had time for some more trail Majic (coke & 2 donuts) & walked onto the pull off area @ 6:25! Got a ride from a real nice guy in 10 minutes.   He had 4-5 hunting dogs in his SUV & explained what I need to do to keep Felix from chasing deer!   I must be leading a charmed life right now.Only ate a bag of craisins & 1 smokers bar all day.   Can't get to food with packa on.Just finished 4 sandwitches from MDs & fries.Gunna put clothes in dryer and go get 3-4 more.Hope I sleep tonight. Don't think I have slept 10 hours total since weds.I said earlier - a man needs to know his limitations. I am beginning to think my A T limitations will be dictated by the hours of daylight.   Of course, everything I have heard says the White Mtns of NH are the hardest.   So far, the first 110 miles of the A T not as hard as the section if the PA MidState Trail.   Hasta Ma±ana
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Winding Stair Gap - Franklin, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

The 9 am shuttle back up to Winding Stair Gap was cancelled.Winding Stair is about 3800 feet elevation and the A T goes above that & 5000 the next 20 miles.Decided to take the 11 am shuttle along with about 8 -9 other hikers.On the way up, Ron Haven, explains what is ahead for the rest of the day on this section of the A T.   Ron is a legend here and now I know why. Not only does he rescue stranded hikers from 4-5 gaps (for free) he runs the free shuttle and had arranged for hiker rates all around town.Anyway, the weather is for more snow at elevations and 30-35 mph winds the rest if the day & night with single digit temps tonight. As I sat in the front seat taking all this in, Ron continued on about PRECAUTIONS for anyone getting out at the gap. He also too a call about a buddy that rolled his 4wd rescuing some hikers at another gap (all were ok).I consider myself adventuresome and slightly bold and aggressive; however, not an idiot.The conditions tonight will be life threatening for those Not Prepared. Still 6-7 people got off. 2 young hikers stayed on the shuttle with me for the ride back down the Mtn.With the ice, snow, wind today, exactly how many miles will those folks get? Shelters at 4, 11, & 15 miles.   EZ decision to come back down.   Simply will hike an extra hour a day in northern VA to make up the miles on that much easier section.Lots of other hikers taking zero days as well. Further up the trail (about mile 375) reports are another foot of new snow on top of the 2 foot there now @ Roan High Bluff @ 6200 feet. Crazy weather on the A T here on the southern end, but for a few miles it isn't worth risking your well being or being cold as hell overnight and regretting it later.Ron offered free camping, the hostel for 10 clams a night, so $$$ not a factor.No one wants to move northward more than I, but sometimes not be stubborn & bullheaded is prudent.   So I will lay around and hit the AYCE buffet later and rest my feet.   I can feel the difference already with my shoes off over the last couple hours.Figure I burned 15,000 calories last 3 days while eating maybe 7-8.Look out buffet later today.Also, did a little figuring yesterday.At 110 paces per minute (many were 120+)times 585 minutes = 64,000 steps yesterday.Anybody want to sponsor me for 1/10 of a penny for a day?Later
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) Wesser, NC
Miles today: 27.3

Longest Day yet - saw no snakes, but ate the shark!Option A - hike to unknown shelter and sleep in low 20's temp.OptIon B - try for NOCpicked B with option back to AStarted with free Breakfest @ First Baptist Church of Franklin - pancakes & bacon, O J & coffeeGreat folks but Ron Haven gets a BIG shout out for making hikers feel welcome in town along with driving the shuttle. The Budget Inn & Saphire Inn are SUPER HIKER FRIENDLY.Great conversation @ BF & the young lady I was talking with, please sign my guest book if you read this.   Shuttle to trail @ 9:40 making for a late start. Snow conditions varied from 3-10" with drifts to 12-15 in a few spots. Hiked with Fred Bear (quite the college athlete - 2:23 marathon, YIKES) & huckleberry for a couple hours.   Later hiked with Handstand, a X-army 26 year old gal, who hikes VERY fast. She stayed on my tail for miles & we had a great time together.   We parted ways @ Burningtown Gap, as Handstand got the shuttle to NOC. Kept checking pace & knew it was cutting it close to have a shot at NOC. Lucky the last 5 miles was downslope 3000 feet. LSS, got out of woods @ 8:11 & not 1 minute to soon. Went in first open door (business closed) & was told the Hostel office was closed. After 27 miles this wasn't good.   But was told HOW to get a bunk & pay in morning.   Lucky, 3rd door knocked on was let in for a vacant rack by 'fifteen, a 66 year old who has great stories. Also, Salad Days here, a cool 28 cat.Ate everything in my food bag so will resupply in morning.   Won't be an early start either & will tent somewhere.   No pictures today from the Balds.   Visibility minimal, but did see the sun 5-6 times for maybe ten seconds max.Long day, but rewarded with bunk & 2 great mates.LIFE IS SOOOOOOOO GOOD.Hasta Ma±ana Can't sleep so will add some more. Perfect temps today for me - mid 20's to 30. Occassionally lite wind. This means NO sweating. Hiked 8 hours in wicking tee & a 3 weight longsleeve top. No coat. Put coat back on @ 6:30 for the long decent into NOC. Temps Gunna rise soon& I will be getting a headband to keep sweat out of my eyes. How I only fell 1 time today was amazing, but will take it gladly. Disappointment was NO views from the Balds @ +5000 feet. Better than rain anyday. Seen the Carolina Mtns before - save the good weather for the high Balds of VA & NH......... Say 70 degrees. Maybe ISunbathe for an hour or so there!
Date: 2013-03-27
From: NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) Wesser, NC

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Rough day starting with late start from hostel @ NOC.First 8 miles almost all uphill with bottom graded and top section much steeper and snow covered. Little over 3300 foot gain to Cheoah Bald @ 5062 feet. Steep decent and then trail turns to mud after getting off the rocks.   Finished at the shelter @ 6:15, ate & now in bag.   Gunna be single digits - glad I bought the fleece blanket in Franklin for in my bag.Very testing coming out of NOC & those not in good shape will be laboring.Did get great view north to Smokies from the summit though & south back from where I came.11 miles into Fontana Dam in the morning.   Fontana is the highest (400 feet) dam east of Mississippi.   You enter the Smokies from Fontana.   Will be game time decision once I learn the trail conditions.   Lots of snow at elevation.   Might have to hole up in Fontana.Very late winter conditions for the trails first 400 miles.Perhaps some higher temps will soon appear.Nighttime closing in.   My very first shelter sleep on the A T.not crazy about tenting in snow!Hasta Ma±ana
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Fontana Dam

To: Northbound, undetermined
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The hiker hikes - mother nature dictates how far on a given day.Friday was a day of such.Got early start from Fontana @ 7 sharp. The trail crosses the top of the dam and starts switchbacking up ridges to attain elevation to reach the backbone spine of the Appalacians thru Great Smokie National Park. So there is about 2200 feet up first 4 miles with much more UP to follow.   I was hoping to make Silers Bald Shelter 28 miles out & complete a 3 day 'winter' (it ain't springIn the Mtns) traverse of the park.   Seemed doable UNTIL elevation 3500 out of Fontana and trail becomes snow covered and icy footprinted slowing progress. Anyhow, made a 5 pm cutoff @ Derrick Knob Shelter to go for Silers Bald another 5.5 miles.   At about 1 pm the weather changed and a storm was settling in. At 2 it began in earnest and out came the Packa (covers my backpack, unfortunately I sweat like a pig under it because of my hiking pace). Then sideways sleet.   Glasses so fogged up I took them off & hiked for over 2 hours.   I haven't walked 30 feet in 20 years without glasses, but snow & track made it manageable. There was tons of hidden elevation gain yesterday and my best guess would be over 8000 - my most ever. Anyhow, got to Derricks Knob @ 5:15 & past my SOLID cut off time. (good thing - took 2:45 today today to hike that distance.   Would have put me there after dark.   One of those ( HOC) enough of that crap.   As soon as I got to the shelter found it was past full (capacity 12). Started stripping off top soaked clothes & the steam Just started pouring out of me.   Dry topAnd then dry socks.   This old shelter (1931) had a fireplace but it was terribly inefficient as 90% of heat up the stone chimney.   Anyhow, helped with fire & ate (just 1 hot bowl & not nearly enough).Four of us slept on the dirt floor side by side 1/4" apart.Pretty much survival moad for all of us.   DidHave an old tarp covering the open side so with about 22 hikers in there it wasn't quite as cold.   Some of the things hikers have to put up with ? Where to put glasses when sleeping? I kept mine In my bag along with my almost dry gloves (fireplace, I volunteered as late fire tender & hence last in bag.   With that came the privilege of gloves closest to heat) & socks.   Body heat finishes drying them.   Woke up @ 6:30 and couldn't find glasses.   Yup, under my back, but luckily aok.All in all a good day of progress but physically taxing.   Feet burned for couple hours around 11 pm.   Had that same thing happen when I was hunting once.   Hopefully no permanent damage.   Will know by morning cause pounded hard again today in even worse trail conditions.   Will post today's hike later tonight.   Need to get some real food now.Later
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Newfound Gap

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: broken clouds

Terribly difficult hiking day. What should have been an Ez 4 miles to Charlies Bunion turned out to be very slow and painful.   Ice covered about 2 miles of this stretch and hence quit counting after falling 5-6 times.   Most of the rest of the way the trail was slush/slop covered resulting in more wet/cold feet.   Got to shelter in 10 hours & quite tired with right lower leg again throbbing even after the previous zero day in Gatlinburg.   Shelter full but squeezed a spot after giving my fleece blanket to an ex-marine who didnt bring his sleeping bag on a 2 day hike (forgot it).Went into sleeping bag at 6:50 (by far the earliest) for another sleepless night.   The champion snorer is always beside me & this time I had them both. Must have rolled over 50 times during the night & could only spend 5-6 minutes in one position last night.   All in all,   Not a fun day and even worse night.
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap & a doctor
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

Right lower leg much worse.   Mostly ez trail today and for most part kept feet dry. Once again the champion snorers were right beside me last night in shelter resulting in almost no sleep. Very painful downhill into gap but again got very lucky as Wild~Rain passed me.   Got a ride from her mother to Freeport, TN.For that generosity I bought Breakfest for all six of us and then got a ride over to Morristown to catch a bus first thing in morning.   Will see a doctor Friday to look at my leg.Funny, no foot problems & no knee problems unlike almost every hiker.If I could bend my leg far enough would check up see if I was bit by a spider.Regardless, continuing on not an option as lower leg really swollen and painful.Another thing, didn't hurt near as much going uphill so probably a breaking issue going downhill.Everything I read said trekking poles best for downhill & all hikers swear by them.Tried ski poles at home but didn't get the hang of them. Oh well.Special Thank You to Wild~Rain and her mother (a great driver)!I will be waiting for you when you pass thru PA for someGreat Trail Majic if I am home.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Home

To: Doctor/Home
Miles today: 0.0

Will see doctor in an hour.   Don't think I will be walking very far anytime soon. Am curious to what doctor says was the cause. Will update later today.Xrays were negative & nothing about cause from Doc. No kidding. How about hiking as a cause? Like maybe too much in horrid conditions? One thing I still thinking about is that the Doc asked: where you bit by anything? Hmmmmm. I assume not but spiders are in the shelters so imagine it possible. If so, must of been a powerful PH. Very doubtful IMO.So I chalking it up to excessive muscular activity with nasty trail conditions as an amplifier.It retrospect probably should have forced myself to a slower pace, but find that very difficult especially feeling so strong. In a normal warmer year I wonder ifAnything happens? Absolutely nothing wrong with left leg/ankle/foot & left ankle the one severely sprained (didn't walk for 9 days) right before first job out of college. Regardless, play the hand dealt and move on which leads toI got an offer this afternoon from a local section hiker. He wants to leave in 3 weeks to hike the lower 600 miles of the A T & proposes I go along. I could dropped him off above Damascus and drive to my stopping point. Then hike towards each other & he would have his van waiting @ that location to come back to PA. Wonder if it stops snowing down there by then? I can feel improvement since this morning and maybe in 3 weeks spring will appear down yonder?Also, as much as I sweat in sub 30 degrees, I will need to carry much more water. Perhaps carrying 2-3 gallons would be enough extra weight to slow the pace to a reasonable 15-18 MPD for the first ten days. Gunna re-evaluate & think things over.Later
Date: 2013-04-06
From: home 

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Added a bunch of pictures.Learned yesterday that Smokies Ridge Runners say this has been the coldest early hiking season in the last Ten Years. Still think cold constitutes the major factor in my leg injury.Lower leg and ankle much better, most of swelling gone, but with limited ankle movement ====== probably 2 more weeks, maybe less. At least the constant pain is gone.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Quick update.Looks like May 1st back to trail. Leg & ankle fine, but waiting onA section hiker who needs the southern 600 miles. That gives me time to have some white oak & maple logs sawed into boards and get them stickered for drying.   Installing new kitchen for a cousin now.To answer a guest book question -The Granite Gear AC 60 Vapor Trail pack is a great pack.   Lite at 34 ounces. A top loader that works perfectly with putting your sleeping bag on the bottom keeping the heavier items higher in your pack & keeping weight higher. As the side pickets stretch more it will allow for replacing H2O (Gatorade bottles - which I use for water) back in pocket on the move & easier. I don't notice pack weight at 21-22#s.   Takes a full load of 27-28 pounds before this pack really is noticeable, but that is almost a 25% increase over 40-50 mile food.My base weight is under 18#s & will be under 16 when IReturn to the trail.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Made arrangements today for shuttle from Hot Springs to Davenport Gap for Next Thursday, May 2nd. Hopefully is done snowing down there so close to the pole!Tons of things to tie up prior to that, but first must go out to dinner for 26th Anniversary. My contract is for another 24 years!
Date: 2013-05-02
From: Davenport Gap

To: Lemon Gap
Miles today: 21.2

No cell service last nite = no T J entry.Hiking down Mtn right now coming into HotSprings, so will post today's hike toniteYesterday, drove down to Hot Springs early (slept at Rest stop along 81 after dropping Randy off @ mile 605@ 9:18 pm!!). Took 9:30 shuttle ($72) to Davenport Gap & hit trail @ 10:35. Couple ez miles before hiking from 1400 to 4600. Nice weather below 4000 & hiked in shorts & tee.Cool views from Snowbird Mtn & Max PatchFinish later.   Coming into townSnowbird, 4263 & Max Patch, 4629 are Balds. NoTrees. Great views (at last). Max Patch used to be a logging camp & them they grazed cattle & sheep there, hence bald. In 1982 the USFS bought 392 acres here and keepIt treeless. Got a few cool pictures but until I can load a new iOS version I cant post from my phone.The days hightlight was @ 5 pm when I approached Max Patch road & met a 2012 thru hiker (forget trail name ). He said: we are set upDown there, so go take your packOff & have a cold beer & all the food ya want. SO I DID. Had great veggie spread and I ate a lot of them. Don't get veggies on the trail. So here is a big SHOUT OUT to Gumby & Apollo & crew. Believe all from Tennessee. Today is Friday& I just met Gumby again at Smokey Mtn Dinner! Ate lunch there and their gang heading back home.After the early feed, cruised to the summit of Max Patch & hiked to a campsite near LemonGap. This site was nice & protected from the high winds. Still very windy here today.Had camp food with a local (Ashville, NC), a couple from Laguna beach, CA & a fellow from Boston. By the way, Even though Asheville is 50 or so miles away INow know how it got it's name. The Mtns around here heavily forested with green ash - many very large near the trail.All in all, a good first day back. Good miles with late start. Great trail ( SMOOTHbottom). Great trail Majic. Good group at camp. Even slept pretty well! Might just stick around awhile longer this go round.Quite different hiking I'm Spring than hiking in Spring with WINTER conditions.Even the trail has Yhe forest smell - something that was buried under the snow & ice.Resupplied an hour ago . Need to repackage and pack up with all gear. Sitting in Randys car charging phone. Didn't need all gear to start withNo rainForcast, but all gear in pack meaning another 8-9 pounds with 3 days food. Plan on hitching to Erwin Monday for next supply. Probably midday. Kinda a strange entree with yesterday and right now mixed together.Will post tonite if cell coverage. About 2100 feet up & 8 miles closer to Maine.Want to book out @ 3:30 latest.They having hiker days here this weekend withA bunch of activities. Oh, noFoot soak in the HOT Springs - Gumby said it's about 100 clams.NADDARemember, No post - no cell coverage. It is very mountainous around here and next. Couple hundred miles.
Date: 2013-05-03
From: Lemon Gap

To: Rich Mtn
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Lemon Gap @ 7:30 for 14+ miles hike into Hot Springs with first business the climb up Bluff Mtn @ 4686.   The weather above 4000 is quite different and today it was quite foggy there.   Trees yet to start leafing out either.   From there is was mostly downhill to town with a few hidden crests.   First business in town was lunch at The Dinner.   Food was subpar and someone needs to get them a new cornbread recipe.   Regardless, my plate was MT quickly.Did most of resupply at Dollar General then walked over to the public parking area and repackaged food in nice sunshine in Randys car.   They having a weekend hiker festival in town but I elect to hike in good weather leaving bad weather for off trail.Left town @ 3:30 and took picture with 3 college girls on the bridge over the French Broad River.   That's the reason the A T goes thru Hot Springs @ a low elevation of 1300.From there the trail paralleled the river north for a ways before swirhbacking up a some knob.   Then on to Pump Gap & over U S 70 before the day ending 1300 foot climb up Rich Mtn.Tenting area here poor and I am only person here.   Rest in Hot Springs I guess.Wind blowing so I staying in tent nice and warm.Should be rain free again tomorrow so maybe another good day.   After about 10 miles will be above 4000 for ten, so who knows.   Taking a day at a time.Gunna read up on what's ahead now for tomorrow.Hasta Ma±ana