morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After a taste of civilization, it was back to the woods today. Only hiked for a couple of hours. The pack felt a bit heavy after re-supplying with 6 days of food. The all you could eat Shoneys breakfast probably didn't help either. Tomorrow is an exciting day because we will be crossing into North Carolina, leaving the Chattahoochie National Forest and entering the Nantahala National Forest. Remember the movie Deliverance? That is where we are headed. The trail will now run a little higher, mostly in the 4000 to 5000 foot range. Probably will be colder at night. Raining tonight, should be a good test for the new tent.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Well, we had a big time rain storm last night and my tent withstood the test. By morning the rain had stopped so I was able to pack up without too much of a problem. The hike was mostly uphill today. Rain was still an issue on the high peaks, and in combination with some high winds and clouds, it was a mess. By lunch the storm finally cleared out. But the big news is that I crossed the Georgia/North Carolina state line this morning. Georgia is done! Whew! One down, four to go (NC, TN, VA, and WV). Tonight we are camped on the side of Standing Indian Mountain. Cherokee Indian legend has it that a great winged monster once inhabited the mountain, and during the monster's reign, warriors were posted as lookouts. As the story goes, a tremendous bolt of lightening shattered the mountain and killed the monster. During the strike, a lone Cherokee sentinel was hit by the bolt and turned to stone, supposedly for being a poor sentry. Remnants of the stone "Standing Indian" are visible today. I will have to look for him tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained again last night only this time I did not have the tent set up right. Most of my clothes got wet. Great fun. There is a saying on the Appalachian Trail that comes to mind. It is a play on...No pain, no gain. It goes...No pain, no rain, no Maine. Can't get to Maine on the AT without some pain and rain. So true. Woke up this morning to the sound of owls. They went nuts when I turned on my headlamp in the dark. The hike today was gorgeous, followed the ridge mostly with outstanding views of the surrounding countryside. Albert Mountain was very tough and it had a fire tower on top with a 360 degee view. Nice. After today's long hike, we are set up nicely to get to Nantahala in 3 days, Tuesday. Sounds good.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

I thought we had a little rain the other night, but I was wrong. Last night we had a big time rain storm with lightening and thunder. Sounds incredible at 4940 feet from a tent. Hard to get any sleep. No complaints though, the tent kept me dry. The walking was good today. The rain stopped by morning and the clouds covered the trail. This made the going nice and cool for most of the day. At one point though around lunch, the wind kicked up and it started to hail! Bizarre. Then a short downpour of rain to add some humor. Oh yeah, lots of bear scat around just have not seen one yet. Also, Elk have been reintroduced to these mountains and I saw one of their scat piles as well right on the trail. Let's just say there was no doubt that a huge animal made it. Day after tommorow we reach Nantahala. Cooked meals and a warm bed. Hmmm, sounds good.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Got a taste of "Shelter Living" last night. Dried the tent and then the weather kicked up again and I quickly gathered up all my stuff and brought it into the shelter. Good thing. It rained again for the fourth night in a row. Plus, it dropped down to the 30's overnight with lots of wind. Very cold at 4600 feet. But the cooler temps made the walking nice. Eventually cleared and turned into a beautiful day. The highlight today was reaching, after a long climb, the summit of Wayah Bald, 5342 feet which afforded views south back to Standing Indian and north into the Smokies. Best view so far. Apparently it is a popular spot for folks to visit. The U.S. Forest Service built a road to the top and a stone observation tower. I could see to the south many of the major peaks we have climbed so far, such as Standing Indian and Albert. To the north you could see the Smokies and Fontana Dam. Shelter Living again tonight and the place is packed. For those who were concerned about me going alone, there were 16 hikers staying in and around the shelter. Practically a mob scene by AT standards. Present was Homeward Bound (lives in and walking to Maine), Bear Bait, Dr. Zay & Cornelious (Planet of the Apes characters), Hippo, Beth & Julia, Conductor, The Three Englishmen (whose better, Man U or Arsenal arguments), the 3 guys from Florida, Ringgold and me. All there staged to go into Nantahala Outdoor Center for restaurant food, shower, laundry, short term re-supply, and a night's rest in the hostel.
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Broke camp very early today, around 7:15, in hopes of reaching NOC for a lunch of burgers and fries. I hiked the 11.5 miles in 4 hours and 15 minutes. Yes, I was very motivated. From "The Jump-off" it is a 2500 foot descent over 4 miles. It was like walking down a set of uneven stairs the whole way down. But it was all worthwhile since we did get there in time for lunch and then got showers and laundry done (since Hiawassee 6 days ago). Man, I stunk! NOC is a whitewater rafting mecca. The Atlanta Summer Olympics held their kayaking events here. I remember seeing them on television. You can kayak or raft down the river. Absolutely beautiful place. I stayed in one of their cabins, re-supplied, and enjoyed an evening of friendship with the other hikers at the NOC Pub. We all had a great time getting to know each other.
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Back on the trail today. Hiked uphill all morning out of NOC. Rained a bit and got much cooler as we climbed. Big difference in temperature out here depending on your elevation. So I am hanging here for the afternoon in preparation for a long hike tomorrow. This will enable me to get to Fontana by Friday. I will take a "Zero Day" (i.e. Hike zero miles that day) on Saturday. Then I go into the Smokies. Can't wait!
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Today was our longest mileage day so far. And it wasn't too bad. Maybe I am getting use to this. Now we are only 7 miles to Fontana Dam, which should be easy. Got a little rain last evening, then this morning for the most part was just cool and cloudy. Then around noon it started to rain lightly and it just got heavier and heavier as the day went on. So we are just glad to be in a shelter this evening and out of the rain. Lots of little salamanders and lizards out here. Heard some deer scatter in the woods as I approached. And Bearbait saw a bear cub. Sounds like that could have been trouble. Otherwise, I am definitely looking forward to some rest at Fontana Dam before heading into the Smokies.
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained all night long last night. This morning we awoke to some sunshine, but then only minutes into the hike it started to rain again and it continued all day long. Wow, they are getting some weather around here. They need the rain though because last year they had a really bad drought. So bad that many of the water sources that I have and will depend on were dry last year. Got into Fontana Dam around noon today. Fontana Dam is the highest dam in the eastern United States at 480 feet. The dam is administered by the Tennessee Valley Authority and is used to generate electricity for the area. Spending the night at The Hike Inn, which has been taking care of hikers like me for the past 16 years. Really friendly people here. Nice to be dry, warm, clean, and wearing freshly laundered clothes. You appreciate the simple things of life out here which we often take for granted back home. Met four guys who are here from England to hike the trail. Of course they are soccer fans. One is an Arsenal fan, another supports Manchester United, and another Chelsea. Fun to listen to them argue about their favorite teams and players. I enjoyed talking to them about their favorite topic and contributing to the banter. Their goal in life right now is to get to Newfound Gap in the Smokies by Wednesday, so they can hop off the trail for the day to watch the Champions League final between Man. United and Chelsea. Feeling good about my progress so far. I have hiked 164 miles and I have no injuries. Slid down the steep and muddy trail this morning but managed not to fall and hurt myself. Historically, two out of three hikers who start the hike from Springer Mountain in Georgia like me don't make it to Fontana Dam. So now the next big challenge is Smokey Mountain National Park. After the Smokies the trail is suppose to get easier. We shall see. I didn't know it before but the section of trail between NOC and Fontana is known to be one of the hardest on the AT, and causes many hikers to hang up their boots. So I am just happy to be here and feeling really good about how things have gone. This really has been quite an adventure and a lot of fun.
Date: 2008-05-17
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero Day at Fontana. Spent the day just relaxing. Cleaned up and organized all of my gear. The rainy weather moved out and it was bright and sunny, so I laid out my gear in the sun for good measure. Getting ready now to go off into town for another nice restuarant meal. Tomorrow I enter the Smokies fully rested and ready to go.
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Nancy from The Hike Inn shuttled us back over to the trail this morning. You cross over the top of the dam and then into the woods for the climb into Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Gained over 3600 feet in elevation today. I wasn't more than an hour or two into the hike when I spotted a Wild Boar feeding just below the trail to my left. He was one fat little piggy. I never realized they were so big. There was several hundred pounds of bacon on that body. He was solid black in color, and after he noticed me he ran off. He was very fast. Then not more than 5 minutes later I saw a Black Bear. He wasn't very big so I assume he is only a couple of years old. He was foraging around looking for something to eat when I walked up on him. He was probably about 50 yards away and down below me on the mountain. He also ran off after looking me over. Dodged a huge rain storm today. I just happened to be in a shelter having lunch. Flood city. Though I did hike through a few showers during the day. Tomorrow is suppose to clear up.
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silars Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Bright and sunny day today. Great day for a hike. Best views from Rocky Top, the namesake for the famous bluegrass song. Itunes has it if you're curious. I was humming the tune myself the whole day. Saw a female wild turkey walking down the trail and got some great pictures of it. Also, in the sunny areas, there are a ton of crickets. Kind of funny, you walk by and they scramble everywhere for cover. Total panic and chaos.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Silars Bald Shelter

To: Ice Water Spring
Miles today: 15.5

Got up early today for the climb up to the highest point on the trail, Clingmans Dome at 6643 feet. Once I got above 6000 feet the forest changed to mostly evergreens. It looked like the forests I have hiked in Vermont, but I do believe I was still in North Carolina. When I got to the top the summit was fogged over so badly you couldn't see a thing, and the wind was whipping so hard that I had to descend right away. I made great time today and just got to the shelter before a storm hit. It thundered, then rained, and then marble sized hail came down. They really get some weather here. I was surprised to find Ringgold here after his zero day in Gatlinberg. Tomorrow the sun is supposed to shine. Good thing, since I want to do 20 miles.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Ice Water Spring

To: Colby Knob
Miles today: 20.3

The Smokies were a mess this morning. I know they call them the Smokies because of the natural haze that accumulates over the mountains due to the amount of vegetation. But over half the time here you are just walking through a wet fog because of the weather. Yesterday afternoon's rain/hail storm did not completely clear off until mid-day. It was the coldest hike so far. Went over two 6000 foot peaks and the temps were in the 30s. Am I suppose to be seeing my breath in May? When it finally did clear it was amazing. Clouds pouring over ridges and down into valleys. Great views and pictures. Our longest mileage day so far at 21 miles has made our descent out of the park and into Davenport Gap tomorrow a snap. May stay at Standing Bear Hostel then do an 18 on Friday to meet up with Marie at Lemon Gap. It will be great to see her and catch up with the news. Wait until she gets a load of me and my grizzley beard. Should be funny to see her reaction.
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Colby Knob

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning's shelter faced down a valley to the east so we got a really nice early morning sunrise to wake us up. Slept in a little after our long day yesterday, then hiked down to Davenport Gap and out of the Smokies. Now that we are out of the Park, I have the option of using my tent. Park rules say we must stay in the shelters, which during good weather is not my first choice. The Smokies certainly have a lot of personality. It is either a miserable or beautiful place to be. Kind of a love/hate relationship with the hikers. The Trail Registers at each shelter are filled with entries about how beautiful these mountains are or they are laced with profanity about how difficult the weather can make the hiking. No middle ground here. Either you are thrilled with the views on a sunny day or you are overwhelmed by the wind, cold, fog, rain, and hail. Nevertheless, I completed the AT in Great Smokey Mountain National Park this morning and am currently hanging out at Standing Bear Farm which is a hostel only 200 yards off the trail. Really nice place. Very rustic. Lots of small cabins (bunkhouse, kitchen, laundry, shower, etc.). Owner has a very impressive garden of Irises. Oops, just got interupted to go see a rattlesnake that was by the road sunning himself. He was mostly yellow/gold with the exception of the last 6 inches or so which was black. He had a nice set of rattles on his tail, and was about 3 to 4 feet in length. Really beautiful markings on his body. Oh yeah, I meant to say earlier that the locals here call this late season wintry weather in the Smokies a "Blackberry Winter" since the blackberry bushes are in bloom in the valleys. Common terminology apparently. Also, wanted to talk about Ramen. Yes, Ramen. That noodle/soup food item which comes in so many favors (Oriental, Chicken, Beef, etc.) is a favorite among hikers mainly because it is so cheap. So many college kids are out here trying to live on a couple of bucks a day. Well, Ramen is tasty at first until you have eaten it for dinner every day this week. Then it predictably becomes boring and not very satisfying after a long day of hiking. So it is interesting, and sometimes just plain gross, what hikers will do to enhance their Ramen. For example, they add instant mashed potatoes to the Ramen, add Stovetop Stuffing, add chicken, tuna, salmon, and yes, Spam. The worst idea yet was the guy who added peanut butter to his Ramen. Backcountry cuisine at its best. Tomorrow I will hike 19 miles to Lemon Gap and meet up with Marie for the weekend for some R&R. Yes!.
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Lemon Gap
Miles today: 19.0

Nice sunny day today but a lot of climbing out of Davenport Gap. Gained over 2000 feet in 4 miles. The morning highlight was Snowbird Mountain which was a bald that had an FAA facility on top. The building looked like a space capsule from the Apollo Space Program. I think they help the planes know exactly where they are. In the afternoon, we came to Max Patch which is a huge bald with great 360 degee views. Balds down here are areas on mountains where there are no trees, usually just a grassy field with wildflowers and the occassional shrub. They are the result of settlers who cleared the land so that their sheep or cows would have good land to graze on. How they stay that way today I am not sure, because you think that succession would take place and the trees would take over. Right now, Max Patch looks like a scene from the movie "The Sound of Music." The hills are alive....okay you get it. I write this as I wait for Marie at Lemon Gap. She has driven all day to get here so I don't know what time she will make it. Might as well take a nap...goodnight.
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Lemon Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero Day in Hot Springs, NC0 miles Marie picked me up last night at Lemon Gap and drove me into Hot Springs for some R&R. We are staying at the Duckett House Bed & Breakfast, which is an old farmhouse built around 1900. Beautiful architecture, fireplace in each room, and classic molding throughout. We sat around on the porch on rocking chairs and watched the clouds roll by. Really tough duty. Took care of some re-supply duties and the laundry before heading out to dinner at another B&B called the Mountain Magnolia Inn & Retreat. This old victorian style mansion was built in 1866. The gardens were immaculate too. They included two of the largest magnolia trees I have ever seen (taller than the house). Also sported a huge walnut tree whose branches reached out and then dipped down to the ground, re-rooted themselves and then out some more (at least 40 yards out in total from the trunk). Dinner on the covered porch was excellent, quite a contrast from my normal dinner on the trail. Tomorrow Marie will shuttle me back to Lemon Gap and I will hike into Hot Springs with just a daypack (we call that "Slackpacking") which should make the hike a lot easier. Then I will stay another night at Duckett's before returning to the trail on Monday.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Marie took me back to Lemon Gap this morning and I used her daypack to hike into Hot Springs. The terrain was mostly downhill so I booked into Hot Springs in 5 hours. Meanwhile, Marie visited Max Patch which is a popular spot on the trail I passed through last Friday. Classic bald with 360 degree views. Beautiful day for her to see the area. When I arrived back at the Duckett House, Marie was already there and had just completed her report cards for school while sitting on the front porch. At least she got something done this weekend other than just keeping me company. Her visit was great, the batteries have been recharged, and I feel ready to keep on heading north. Tomorrow's hike doesn't pull any punches. The first 11 miles out of town are pretty much uphill. Welcome back!!!
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: few clouds

Rewind Escapes Hot Springs Vortex! Always tough leaving a town after enjoying all the comforts of civilization. So I got up very early this morning and slipped out of the Duckett House and Hot Springs before anyone was stirring downtown (the trail goes right through the downtown shopping district). I wanted an early start because it has been warm lately and the hike out of town was an 11 mile stretch uphill. The cooler morning temperatures helped a lot and I completed the stretch by lunch time. Since it was still kind of early to quit for the day, I decided to move on to the next shelter. Things then went a little bad when a "Reliable" water source, according to the trail guide, was dry. As a result, I then had to hike the last 8 miles without water. That was not fun. When I got to camp I tried to drink the spring dry. I need to make sure that does not happen again. Tomorrow I will not go as far. Better not to at this stage to have back to back long days. I am not sure if the body is ready for such abuse. Oh yeah, I think I have invented a new sure fire way to lose weight. You got it, hike the AT. So far I have eaten everything and anything I have wanted and I have lost about 15 pounds. Crazy, I must be burning a ton a calories. One more thing. I hear while hiking a very high pitched metal sound coming from the tree tops. The sound is being made by cicadas. They sound like the UFOs in the old movies like War of the Worlds. I was unsure at first because cicadas back home come out late July and August. But a local told me that is what I was hearing and then I saw some cicada exoskeleton shells on tree branches and some dying cicadas on the trail.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain 
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike was very enjoyable. Lots of variety. We had great views, rocky outcrops, meadows, and even some mountain road walking. In one of the meadows I saw a lot of birds, to include a Wild Turkey, a noisy Ruffed Grouse who tried to distract me from her babies, numerous Brown Towhees digging around in the leaves for food, and a blue Painted Bunting which was absolutely stunning. I slept in late this morning and took my time on the trail. Consequently, the hike itself was more fun and less work. Yesterday was very tiring so I needed to go easy today. I am back in my tent again for the second night in a row. We are having a stretch of good weather and it is a lot warmer even at the higher elevations. Tomorrow we pick it up again with thoughts to get to Erwin, TN by Friday. P.S. I am basically walking on the NC/TN border for the next 80 miles before I leave NC for good and enter TN.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Flint Mountain 

To: Bald Mountain
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: moderate rain

The rain is back! Set my tent up last night since the shelter was full and hoped it would not rain. Well, it just rained all night. This morning it let up and looked like it was beginning to clear. Wrong again! It rained all morning. It took me 4 hours to go the 8 plus miles to the next shelter. By the time I got there I was soaked to the bone and cold. I got warm, had some lunch, and took a nap thinking that I was not about to go out into the rain again. When I woke up it had stopped raining, and again it looked like it wanted to clear. So, testing fate, I pushed on to the next shelter 10 miles away. Guess what? No, it did not rain. However it did absolutely pour shortly after I got to the shelter. Crazy mountain weather. I don't know what to think. Do know that I got a bit lucky this afternoon, but my tent and half my clothes are soaked again. Oh well. No rain, no pain, no Maine. On the plus side is that because I got some extra miles in today I have only a short day planned for tomorrow. Will be nice to sleep in a bit. Then I am only left with a quick jaunt into Erwin on Friday. Sweet! And, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time, I experienced what we call "Trail Magic." Someone had placed right on the trail a large tupperware container full of homemade brownies, cookies, and a thermos of hot coffee. Incredible! I couldn't believe it. How it got there I don't know. I snacked heavily on those baked goods and they gave me that last boost of energy I needed to get to Bald Mountain. Awesome! There are some very nice folks down here.