morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Today was not bad at all. One long uphill climb that we took very slow on purpose-wanted to try and enjoy the scenery-smell the roses if you will. Got in a little before 4pm and realized while cooking that I had accidently thrown away my spork. Crap. So it goes I suppose-Garrett let me borrow his for my ramen. Decided to get into my sleeping bag around 5pm to read and get warm. Evan lent me his copy of 'Slaughter House Five', by Kurt Vonnegut. And just like he warned I couldn't put it down. I read over 100 pages before dark and was tempted to read more however the story was beginning to negatively influence my fame of mind at the time...in doses I suppose. Listened to the Beatles for a good while and drifted off to sleep. I woke many times to what sounded like first a woman screaming at the wind and then later a monkey screaming at owls. maybe it was just a few different kinds of owls waiting for the mice that were gnawing at our shelter to poke their little bodies out into the open and be captured by the owls talons. Who knows. Tomorrow is supposed to be a good weather day so perhaps we will shoot for the moon and hit 15 miles. If not then 9 miles will do. Vultran
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Hogback Gap
Miles today: 10.5

Today was a great day for being outside. Sunny and warm with views all the way to the Smokys. Violets and white trilliums and dandelions were starting to peek out from under the soil and the red maples were in bloom with their bright red berries. I passed by 3 day hikers and 1 section hiker. Once I got to the Brown Fork Gap Shelter I met Turtleback, Prospector, and another section hiker. They were taking their time. Turtleback and I talked about trekking poles. He went back and forth from the shelter to the AT getting some "excercise." Garrett and I got some water and then we talked to Turtleback about the Kennedy Space Center-partly because he was from Cocoa Beach, FL. The other two section hikers tried to decide when the most appropriate time would be to smoke some pot...Garrett and I decided to try and make a couple more miles before dark just so coming into Fontana Dam tomorrow wouldn't be a 13 mile day-we always try to get into places with towns sooner in the day. We got to what we thought was about 2 miles out and set up camp. I battled with gnats for a while-and held my own I believe-and then there was food. mashed potatoes for me and the same for Garrett. We both didn't have to use our supplies to eat lunch because when we reached Stecoah Gap earlier in the day some former thru-hikers left a box of trail magic for the thru-hikers passing through. I had some oreos and a coke. Once I got to the picnic table to enjoy my treats I found 2 bananas and 2 more cokes. I treated myself to a banana and another coke...sweet! We got to a campsite somewhere on the AT and so here I am. Looking forward to the Smokys...looking forward to Fontana Dam. really looking forward to Gatlinburg. Allison's parents found a cabin for us with a hot tub!!! Can't wait for town food and a change of scenery. The Nantahala forest can stay put-I'm not coming back. Vultran
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Hogback Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Here at Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana Hilton). Today was a bust as far as towns go. We walked into the marina and got a shuttle to come pick us up for $2 a person to go into town. Town or the Fontana Village was a joke. Don't go to the Fontana Village on a monday during the off season...everything will be closed. We ate trail food for dinner and for lunch we had 2 honey buns. We had to figure out how to get back to the marina and once we did we still had a mile to go before we were at the shelter. Today was not so hot. Vultran
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

The dreaded climb from Fontana Dam into the Smokys was bad but not unlike the climb from the NOC. The coolest part was how Garrett just straight up decided to say screw it to the blue blaze trail around the dam-which we were supposed to take on account of the dam being under repair. We walked down to the dam, saw the men working, noticed the police line and then Garrett-after I triple dog dared him-started walking right on the dam, right past the workers, and kept on going. He saved us 2 miles or so of extra rail and we got to follow the actual AT. The days hike was uneventful. Little patches of grass and wild flowers were the only differences we found in this section compared to Nantahala. Well, that and more switchbacks and squirrels. Here at Mollies Ridge Shelter with 13 bunks full and one person tenting. Got a big day tomorrow. Vultran
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a day on the AT with many ups and downs...duh. Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mtns were amazing! The terrain here is much different than Georgia or Nantahala-more grass, wildflowers, and random patches of long dead grass. I really liked the first 8 miles..after that it was just hard. Imagine walking up and down around 7 to 8 mountains all day and tell me that you wouldn't be moving like a 3 toed sloth by the last few miles. For lunch yesterday I ate a pound of summer sausage. Today that summer sausage made me want to cry. Here at Derrick Know Shelter with a crap ton of annoying section hikers. I am tired but not dead. Slaughter House Five is a bad to the bone book. My head lamp doesn't work unless you hold it down-kind of defeats the reason for a head lamp. I am really starting to get angry with section hikers...and gnats. Anyway, I know that this is quite a bit of complaining so I will end with this. Life is good. Vultran
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was long but wonderful. Met Panther-a section hiker going from Davenport to Springer-and ended up going the 13.5 instead of the 7.2 we originally were planning on. Here at Mt. Collins Shelter with a great crowd...Tye Dye, 2 beers, Peggy, Toby, Panther and of course Garrett (Whiskers). We had an amazing fire going thanks to Panther and wood. Peggy and Toby even started sharing dried apples and chocolate...yahtzee! Today was amazing as far as the hikers I met goes. Love the AT! Peggy and Toby ( mother/son duo) have been road tripping it since September. They started from their home state of Maine and went straight across America along the northern edge then down the west coast and then along the southern edge all the way to where they are now-3 day hiking the AT. What an amazing adventure they seem to have been having. What nice people. Nothing but smiles and laughter here around the campfire. Vultran
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Collins Shelter

To: Townshend, TN
Miles today: 4.5

Boy did I race down to Newfound Gap. Wanted the zero day to start early I suppose. Upon arriving I was questioned by an entire bus full of senior citizens about what thru-hiking was like. Yes, I walked from Georgia. Yes, I am walking to Maine. Yes, I am hungry..."do you have any food?" The lady questioning me even had the bus intercom on as was talking to here-while random old folks took quick snapshots of me. We yogied some food from 2 families and have been waiting for Allison to show up for a few hours. Turns out she should be here very soon. I'll journal again sometime this Sunday when we get back on the trail. Until then...VIVA LA GATLINBURG BABY!!! Vultran
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Townshend, TN

To: Ice Spring Shelter
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much to say about todays hike. We checked out of the cabin we were staying at-THANK YOU AL AND DIXIE!!!-and we went to an internet cafe in Townshend right next to a dollar general. After some pretty gross chinese food in Pigeon Forge we headed on up to Newfound Gap. A picture couple of pictures later and we were headed up the mountain. Stayed at Ice Spring Shelter with a very large group of thru-hikers. All of them were planning on going 20 miles the next day. We didn't really feel that that was necessary for us. It is cold...23 degrees Farenheit, and it is snowing. Poop.Vultran
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Ice Spring Shelter

To: Tri Corner Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light snow

Today I broke down...bad. The cold and the snow and seeing someone from home made me just emotionally collapse. It snowed ll day and to make matters worse it also got colder. The hike itself wan't bad but after talking to my brother on a rige that I found service on I wanted to go home. He made me feel much better about myself however-which inadverdently caused me to want to come home more-just because I miss everyone so much. I walked down from that mountain having been choked up about to cry for the first time in probably 5 years. It was bad. We got to Tri Corner Shelter and got out of our wet clothes and into some dry ones. There was no use trying to get a fire going cause the snow was too high o find any wood. The only thing to do when it's this cold is get into your sleeping bag and hope that it is enough to keep you warm. Garrett and I are the only people in the shelter tonight and as the snow piled up outside we talked about life and the past and the future and forgot about where we were for the present.Vultran
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Tri Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

I feel good. Today we woke up to about 7-8 inches of snow and even though I hate the cold good ole Mr. Sun was up to greet us with a smile. Good. We trudged through the snow at snail speed as our bodies ached with the pain of pushing pounds and pounds of snow out of the way. It took 3 hours to go 3 miles and we wer nervous that we would only be able to get 7.7 miles to Cosby Shelter in the conditions but by the time we got to that shelter-which was around 3:30-we said screw it and knew that the snow would be gone and the temperature just right onaccount of it being 4,000 feet lower. We ate our lunch and got the hell out of there. I practiced running downhill and before I knew it I had gone about 3 and a half miles. I perched myself on a looking rock and gazed out at the sea of mountains...already warmer. I felt good and so I kept on running. Pretty soon I had ran the remainding 7.1 to Davenport Gap Shelter. I got there before dark...BAM! We had the shelter all to ourselves again and the temperature was mild with no snow. We set our camp up and ate. After dinner we shared headphones and watched Dave Chpelle-the Rick James episode-on my video IPOD. Nothing but some comedy is all you need before bed. Tomorrow we will leave the Smokys and enter a new wilderness. This Friday we will be at Hot Springs, NC-zero day this Saturday. Off to bed...night.Vultran
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Here at Groundhog Creek Shelter because I wasn't up to 8 more miles. I stepped on a rock a little funny which has led to me having some left foot trouble. No big deal though...just need to take it easy. Saw an incredible bald today on top of Snowbird Mountain. I called my mom from up there as I sat with my back leaning against a post nailed into the ground with a white blaze painted on it and my front staring at mountains and balds and valleys beyond. It was a long hike up but all the same it was just another day on the AT. Garrett was telling me about possibly taking the train into New York City when we get there to take a few zero days and stay with a couple of his friends-yes, there is a train station on the AT near NYC that will take you to the city. I think that we are going to try and make it happen. I would like to give a shout out to Mystique as I'm sure by now they are about an hour and a half down the road to Dayton, OH for Worlds...Congrats on the season. Nothing like a hard season to show perseverence and dedication. Congrats! Looking forward to Max Patch tomorrow-I bought a frisbee specifically forit. If you don't know what a bald is and by now you might be confused...it's exactly like it sounds-a big bald spot on top of a mountain. The Max Patch is famous for its size so I can't wait-I like balds almost as much as I like creeks. Speaking of which Garrett and I spent about 20 min. just sitting at the water source her at this shelter because of how beautiful it is. Looks like the tributaries feeding Trammel Creek out in Kentucky. I would like to say goodnight to my brother, Emily, Aidan, Tim Dahl, mom, Allison, Evan, Boatman, George & dad. Love you all very much.Vultran
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Sitting here at Walnut Mountain Shelter staring into the deep richness that is this sunset, under a full moon night next to a quiet fire I find myself full of wonder and amazement towards this beautiful earth God created. Today I scaled up Max Patch and as I was doing so I stopped myself just before the summit and gazed out over the fields and mountains below and up above the grass so green and said out lout..."this is one of the best days of my life so far." I know from experience that some of the best times of my life I never knew were happening until much later. I stopped today at that spot right before the steps and allowed myself the pleasure of realizing that this day was something truly special. I spent 2 hours lying around wih my shoes off in the cool calm breeze on this fine sunny day just admiring the view and filtering it all in. I thank God I am here to see this-the only misfortune being that I could not share this with all of my family and friends. Garrett and I threw the frisbee and drank a beer a piece-due to generous trail magic-and slowly sauntered off of the grassy knoll to more delightful and unespected surprises of trees, bushes, flowers, etc... I hope that if you are reading this then you may find yourself in on ofthose beautiful moments of your life. Thank you...everyone. On another note...the shelter we're at has bears entering the area every night for the past week. SWEET! Got to love the AT! HA!Vultran
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Well thankfully no bears tryed to get into our food bags, even though here was one around early in the evening. Turns out that some other thru-hikers that were staying at the previous shelter were the victims of a dreaded food robber. Raven got all of her food, her steripen, and her stove jacked by the bear. Flamethrower lost his food as well leaving the group only one option...to hike 18 miles into Hot Springs with no food. Fortunately a trail angel left a box of food and drinks us hikers at a gap. Thanks! Ankles are getting more and more sore so taking a zero in Hot Springs will be well deserved. I did kind of throw a hissy fit once we got to the campsite and were setting up our tents because I sliced my finger trying to pry a knot undone from my tent bag with Garrett's knife. I took a literal time out and sat on a picnic table. We resupplyed at an over priced outfitters ad decided to join Pacer, Poptart, Bear Bait and Flamethrower for food and beer at the Paddler's Pub directly across the street. I ate an entire 16" sausage pizza and drank around 5 beers. Pacer and Garrett also had a 16" pizza to themselves and between the 6 of us our grand total stacked up to $171.00-not including tip. So we paid up and Garret and I marched aimlessly back to our tents-myself taking off my shirt on account of me not liking shirts somewhere in transit. We moaned and groaned and died asleep.Vultran
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Elmers in Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

The rocky terrain at the beginning of the hike was a surprise, but a good one. My legs feel up to the challenge and every step after was no problem. I got to a firetower on top of some mountain and not to my surprise there was a young couple smoking pot in it. "Happy 4/20" they said to me as I entered their pot lair. They offered me some. I said no. I asked them if that was their truck. The guy said yes. I waited till they left and then I pee'd off the firetower. The day went on and then I reached the Spring Mtn. Shelter. The only other person there was a lady who goes by the trail name Mustang Sally. The party grew larger over the next hour and so I ate some dinner, helped with the bear bagging, and read my new book: 'The Road,' by Cormac McCarthy. Tomorrow is going to be a bid day...so time for bed.Vultran
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Spring Mtn. Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I am 24. What a great start to my birthday. Good weather. Nice terrain. TRAIL MAGIC!!! We got to US-70 and there on a post next to the trail was a sign for food and drinks 350 yds away. We went. The hosts were former thru-hikers in 1999-Fal and Hercules. They took my drink order, coca-cola pretty please. Then hey put a Belgian waffle in front of my face. I ate it with glee. They put my drink order in front of my face as well...a glass, ice, and a 2 liter of coke. Nice. Then came the pork stew and homemade bread. Excellent. I read some of the entries that other hikers had written and hen Fal asked for my dessert order. They had 4 monstrous desserts to choose from. I picked the banana split. When Hercules put it in front of me Garrett spoke softly "and it's his birthday too." Wow did Fal get excited. Immediately the dessert was ushered away and upon its return there was a hill shaped candle, lit. Everyone sang. I blew it out and ate. The terrain got fairly tough afterwards and even when the book said it was to level off we were caught surprised on a ridge line boulder hopping and cursing the rocks. We finally reached Jerry Cabin Shelter but Mustang Sally had gone missing. I ate my birthday dinner and then Whisers, Snow Plow and myself suited back up, grabbed out head lamps and went back. She was 2 miles back so we ushered her into the shelter in the dark. By the time we got back I was sick to my stomach from moving so quickly to try and reach her by night fall. At least she is ok.Vultran
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

Wow today was hard on me. I was exhausted from the start. I pushed nearly everything I had just to get to Hogback Ridge Shelter. I am so tired that weary has taken on a new meaning and sauntering has turned into trudging. I nearly cried when I saw the sign for the shelter. I believe it is all just accumulating faster than I am recovering. Not a lot to say about the trail. More streams than usual and I gt to climb over barb wire via stairs a few times. We are rethinking our current schedule as we have both decided we need more rest.Vultran
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Johnson City, TN
Miles today: 4.7

So we have decided to get off the trail for now. We got to Street Gap and just decided that we were happy about how much we had done but were not having a great time hiking every day. So far we have decided to catch a bus back to Nashville, TN and take a week or so to rest and then decide from there what we are going to do.Possible plans include either coming back to the trail or taking a trip out west.
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Johnson City, TN

To: Murfreesboro, TN
Miles today: 0.0

It's a very heart breaking and sad state of affairs when you find yourself stuck in a position where staying on the trail just doesn't seem like the thing you really want to do after all of the dreaming and preparation. I miss the trail but at the same time I am ready for something else. I am lost...that is the only truth I know at the moment for where I am.
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Nashville, TN

To: Nashville, TN
Miles today: 0.0

The trip out west was great but a little too short. We headed out going west on I-40 after reading a passage of 'Travels with Charley' by John Steinbeck to mark are departure. The voyage led us to Mesa Verde, Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Death Valley, Kings Canyon, Sequoia and the Grand Canyon National Parks with a stop in between at the Pacific Ocean and to Boatman's place out in Rancho Cucamunga, CA. On the way back we stopped in Texas at one of Garrett's aunt's. As for the AT...I miss it and I want to go back now but I just don't have the funds. Hopefully next year I will be able to go back.Right now I am working as a sautee cook at a restaurant called The Green Hills Grille and praying to get back into Dell so I can pay off my debt and not crash at Garrett's anymore.
Date: 2008-10-10
From: Street Gap

To: Campsite
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Whoo hoo! I am finally back on the trail! Even if I'm only on here for today and tomorrow I am still thrilled to be here. Here's an update of what has been going on in my world...First, I have been working at Dell and living with one of my best friend's Tim Dahl since July. Second, I started dating Megan Prickett (a beautiful girl that I sit next to at work).Past that I have spent every day thinking about getting back on the trail but just could not get the funds up to do so until now.I'm out here hiking with Boatman (he flew out from CA just to take a hike!) and am loving every minute of it.Vultran
Date: 2009-02-03
From: Erwin, TN

To: Nashville, TN
Miles today: 0.0

It's February and just to give you an update...I no longer work Dell (thankfully) and have since been teaching and writing music for a living. I am really enjoying this career path now and am much more interested in going for my Masters degree. I am still with Megan and we are doing better than ever. If anything, Dell gave me the possibility of meeting and falling in love with her. I am planning for another hike on the AT this June...hopefully around 3 weeks or so. I'm shooting for Pearisburg, VA but wish I was going to Harpers Ferry.For now I am fairly content on hiking on my spare time and seeing Megan as much as possible.Heres to curve balls...Cheers!Vultran
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Nashville, TN

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Update...So after the 2009 trip with boatman I came back to Nashville and decided to go back to college for a degree in music education. I proposed to Megan (she said yes) and we were married in 2010 (we spent our honeymoon in the smokies ). I graduated from college later that year after 3 fairly easy semesters and landed a job as a middle school band director close to Nashville. In 2011 Megan and I had our first child, Nicole, and are currently due to have our second child in October. As far as the trail goes, as I'm sure many of you feel like or why would you be on this forum...it still has a hold on me. It's such an obsession still for me that I'm starting to just embrace it and let it run it's course. Needless to say I'm planning another section hike for sometime this year.I thought the AT would be something I tackled once and walked away from...little did I know that it would become so important in my life.Until next time...
Date: 2007-12-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone. My name is Kevin Haynie, I'm 21 years old and currently enrolled at the University of West Georgia. To say that I'm excited would certainly be an understatement. My friend from back home, Spencer Palmer and I will be starting this journey hopefully sometime in mid February. I'm currently studying for a final but I hope to write many more of these.Peace.
Date: 2008-01-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again everyone. Just figured I would give a little update for everybody. I just recently landed a job in Cherokee County and will hopefully be working there until early to mid February. I realize that this is changing the subject a little bit but, after wrestling with this crucial issue and almost coming to a near fall, Spencer and I have decided to embark on the trail under the label of the "Dos Amigos". I'm sure i'll type yall again soon but until then..Peace.