morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Sapphire Inn, Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Sat, Mar 21, Day 11: Slept really well. Hit McDonalds at 0600 hours for deluxe breakfast with coffee and juice. Left Franklin with a group of hikers on the early morning shuttle provided by Ron Haven. He took us back to Winding Stair Gap to get on the trail and resume the trip Northbound. I was hiking by 0945. Hikers aboard Ron Haven's shuttle bus. Click picture to see full size. Ron Haven and SpokesHad lunch with Lil' Engine and her husband (didn't catch his name) beside a nice spring on the trail. My lunch consisted of Peanut Butter on Ramen Noodles and Krispy Rice, washed down with GatorAde. Yummy! The AT followed part of the Bartram Trail today. I pressed on to the Wayah Shelter at Mile 118.7 after climbing over Siler Bald (4670') and Wayah Bald (5,340'). Mile High Hiking! The views have been great, because the rain has stopped for now. Atop Wayah Bald Spokes on the summit of Wayah BaldThere are a few new faces in the shelter tonight. The illuminati include Ziggy Stardust, Thin Mint, Davey Jones, Adam, Mr. Green Tea, Wompus Cat, and me - all inside the shelter. A lady from New Hampshire named Finch showed up along with Wicked Waheenee. They tented outside the shelter. Not too much longer, a gentleman named Vagrant doing his second try on the AT arrived at the camp. He also tented outside. Great group of people, we really had a good time talking with each other into the night and learning about each others¢ experiences. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Wayah Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Sun, Mar 22, Day 12: It¢s been a great couple of days of hiking out of Franklin, NC. I tell you, the weather has just been gorgeous. The views from the vistas along the ridgeline have simply been fantastic. It really gives you a sense of what these mountains are all about to be able to look out and to see, literally, for miles and miles away. View from the trail on the way to the NOC. Click on picture to see full size.This morning I got up and left the Wayah Shelter and about 4 miles down the trail there was unbelievable trail magic in the form of a gigantic dome tent, at least 12 feet across, set up by the Nantahala Hiking Association. Inside was a gentleman by the name of Apple serving up hot chocolate. There was a propane heater to get you out of the cold. We even had fresh fruit. It was an unbelievable setup. I tell you, the trail magic has just been phenomenal. I¢m beyond words right now. Apple inside the Trail Magic tent. Spokes outside the Trail Magic tentI jumped back on the trail and made it all the way in to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, known throughout the hiking and kayaking and rafting world simply as the "NOC". I didn¢t know if I would make it or not but it was such a gorgeous day I decided to press on. I was going to camp at the A. Rufus Morgan Shelter (mile 15.5 for the day but I missed it. Sixteen was probably a few more miles than I should have hiked, but hey, I¢m here. Picked up my mail drop and after a long hot shower and a load of laundry I¢m good to go. Papa Jack, Ziggy Stardust, Thin Mint, Finch, and Vagrant showed up later. Trump said he is moving on. At the restaurant tonight I met Jeffrey, Bow Willow, Tuna (a girl from England), Millet, Turn Around, Finch, and Two Pounds for pizza dinner and beers. I'm full as a tick. Another fantastic experience where the trail meets civilization.The next milestone will be Fontana Dam, which should be about three days away. Then the AT enters the Smokies. I hear there¢s some pretty bad weather headed our way toward the end of the week that may produce some rain. Of course we'll be at the higher elevations of the Smokies (5,000+ feet). I don¢t know if I¢ll be hiking through snow or not, only time will tell. I feel that anything that Mother Nature can throw at us I think we can take at this point. Recap of Advice from Ron Haven:1. Don't hike faster to catch a hiker who is faster than you are. You'll just end up with leg problems and blisters.2. Don't carry too much weight. 3. Take an easy day every three or four days.Listen guys, I appreciate everybody following along. For the most up-to-date news, keep checking the audio journal (see the link below, it's at the bottom of each journal page). Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-03-23
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mon 3/23, Day 13: What a way to start the day. The climb out of the NOC was nothing short of horrendous. I tell you we went up from next to no elevation (1,750' at the NOC) to WAY up (5,062') at Cheoah Bald, only 8.1 miles from the NOC, and we did it steep and fast. The climb averaged over 7.5%, worse than some of those climbs over the Rockies last year on the cross-country bike adventure. Got to Sassafras Gap Shelter at Noon. Ate lunch, got water, and waited for Turn Around but she never showed. Water source at the Sassafras Gap Shelter, Click on picture for full size.Got to Cheoah Bald at 1300. Took in the view from the 5,062' summit. Then down to Stecoah Gap (3,165') and back up again. Blazes were few and far between, I caught myself taking time to make sure I was on the trail. The climb out of Stecoah Gap was hard as I found out that one thing North Carolina lacks along the trail is switchbacks. It's a whole lot easier zigzagging up a mountain than going straight up. Quite a pounding on the knees. I sure was glad to make it here to Brown Fork Gap Shelter at the end of a 16 mile day. When Iris Dement's "Easy's Getting Harder Every Day" came up on the mp3 player I thought "how appropriate".Interesting tidbit - almost everyone is complaining about their left knee hurting rather than the right. Wonder why that is? How did the Chi get out of balance?Not too crowded in the shelter tonight. A fellow that stayed with me at the NOC bunkhouse, Wounded Knee, arrived - then Turn Around showed up. We are the only three in the shelter and it makes for a good evening. Turn Around threw a bear bag cable up in the tree and got her carabiner stuck. Between Wounded Knee and myself we took about a half hour or so to fish that line out of the tree, so we are able to hang food to keep the critters out of the food bags tonight. Lots of anticipation about the Great Smokies. Rumor has it there are lots of bear issues, but all the shelters are open.Tomorrow - on to Fontana Dam! Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Tue Mar 24, Day 14: Two weeks into the adventure and I've made it to Fontana Dam, gateway to the Great Smokies for AT hikers. It¢s been a great couple of days of hiking. A place to meditate and start the day at the Brown Fork Gap Shelter. Click on picture to see full size.Left Brown Fork Gap Shelter (3,720') and hiked down to Cable Gap (2,880'), then up and over an unnamed 3,720' summit, then down to finish the 12.7 miles for the day to the Fontana Dam. Trail was rocky at time with skimpy blazes. The downhills sure are hard on the knees. Saw the first signs of trillium along the trail, some are starting to bud nicely.Once we made it to the road, we got our BackCountry Permit for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and caught a $3 shuttle to Fontana Village and Hazel Creek Outfitters. There we got extra fuel for the seven day hike through the Great Smoky Mountains and ate some junk food. I can afford the calories. I picked up my mail drop - a seven day supply of food. Pretty heavy! I¢m not sure if I¢ll use it all but sure don't want to run short on this next stretch. I'm still figuring out how much to take, it's always a balance between not going hungry while staying as light as possible.At the outfitter I saw Trump, Almond Joy, Indiana Ted, Chocolate Chipmunk, and Wishy Washy. We caught a shuttle to the Fontana Hilton Shelter. It¢s a double decker, nice shelter with restrooms and showers close by. One of the fellows out here who is staying the week is building a wonderful bonfire for us later on this evening so I can¢t wait for that. So far the legs are holding out and I have no blisters. I¢m very fortunate. Shelter sign The Fontana Hilton - a double decker shelter, sleeps 24, built 1982 Laundry drying at the Fontana Hilton Chilling outIn the shelter tonight are Red Bear, Wounded Knee, Ducky, Turn Around, Alone On The Summit, Cajun Dave, Retro, Jeffrey, Maryland Girls, Nick, Almond Joy, and Trump. Many of the hikers are staying over, but I must press on. The weather forecast is for about four days of rain so it¢s liable to be soggy. I¢m not looking forward to that but even more importantly at the higher elevations I wonder if we¢re going to see any snow up there. We may - that¢ll be a first, hiking through the Smokies in the snow. I can¢t wait! Should get through the Smokies in five days, seven at the worst. Suppertime Gathering around the campfireSpecial shout out for Dennis Hart, my cross country cycling buddy. Hey Dennis, the AT is a little bit tougher than the bicycle route across the country. It¢s not because of the cold, the damp, or the vertical climbs. It¢s because there are no Daddy Ray Fig Bars out here! I can¢t find any Daddy Ray Fig Bars. I¢m kinda having a food mood for those darn things for whatever reason. Maybe one will pop up at a Dollar Store in one of the towns, we¢ll see. Tomorrow we head into the Smokies. I'll see you on the other side. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Wed 3/25, Day 15: Brrr - it's cold! A cold front blew through during the night and brought gusty winds and rain. I was up early (0630) and on the trail by 0745 hours. By then the rain had slowed down to a drizzle, not too bad. Fontana Dam, click on picture to see full sizeLess than a mile from starting to hike at Fontana Dam, I entered the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but all you could see of the mountains were cloud covered peaks looming above the trail. We are now officially in the GSMNP Cloud cover all dayIt truly was a miserable day of hiking. Trying to stay warm in rain gear is hard. You sweat a lot inside as you are climbing the hills. Speaking of those hills, it was not fun climbing out of Fontana Dam. The entrance to GSMNP was at 1,715', and in the next four miles the trail climbed 2,305 feet before summiting Shuckstack at 4,020'!I didn't take the pack off all day, it was just too much trouble. I've learned to keep snacks always at an arm's reach! The ridge lines were covered with fog and the wind gusts blew the rain so hard it felt like bullets. It got calmer as you went down or when the trail moved over to the leeward side.I made it to the Mollies Ridge Shelter about 1400 hours. I'm beat and can't go any longer today.This is a double decker stone structure, built in 2003, it sleeps 12. A hiker is passed out up above. I think it's Spoons, but I'm not sure. As others drift in the first order of business is to get dry clothes on and eat lunch. Yum - peanut butter on a tortilla, cookies, and the Universal Fuel - Snickers. Assortment of hiking poles in the Mollies Ridge ShelterI grab a bottom bunk slot and organize my stuff out of the way. I'm not sure where the water source is and I really don't want to venture outside but I must make the trip sometime to get cooking water. Legend has it that a Cherokee princess stayed in this shelter and froze to death; her ghost still haunts the surroundings.In the shelter tonight: Cajun Dave, Red Bear, Wishy Washy, Turn Around, and Rehab. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Thu 3/26, Day 16: It was a miserable night in the shelter. The wind and rain were heavy all night long. The shelter was packed with people in the bunks and on the floors and we had several tenting outside.I decided to only do eleven miles today. The hiking was hard, especially since my boots are wet inside for the first time on the trip. You just can't get away from the rain.Gusts almost knocked me over twice as I was trying to get across mile high Little Bald (5,200'). All I have to say is "Wow!"Word is there are two fronts coming through so it may be wet through Sunday. I hope to be done with the Smokies by then.No pictures again today, the weather is just too bad to see much of anything. I've been eating a cold breakfast in the morning to save time. I always want to get out early and push on so the shelter doesn't fill up before I get there. So far so good, I know I'll have to tent eventually. In the Derrick Knob Shelter tonight are Brian, Selena, Trump, Hot Wheels, Turn Around, Cajun Dave, Conrad, Rick, Wayne, and Yawni. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-03-27
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: moderate rain

Friday 3/27, Day 17: I'm still not used to putting on wet clothes when it's cold. I left the shelter early and ran into an AT Ridgerunner. Trump showed up shortly after. The Ridgerunner (a female) said ¢Hey, listen, you¢re headed up towards Clingman¢s Dome. It¢s very bad weather coming in.¢ Her advice was to get off the ridge line as soon as possible. She was speaking the truth. When I got up there the winds must have been gusting at thirty or forty miles per hour. You would literally plant your hiking poles and get blown backwards. It happened to everybody. It was the talk of the shelter tonight. Everybody was just whipped. Shortly after we left her the rain and wind began, once again bringing miserable conditions. The trail was more like a mud pit. I stayed soaked inside even with rain gear on. I made it to Clingman's Dome, at 6,643' the highest peak on the entire Appalachian Trail. This was one summit I had looked forward to even before the trip started because I figured it would offer the most fantastic views of all. Today the visibility was near zero as we crossed the summit. The trail down the other side of Clingman's was like a creek - deep water and mud, simply horrible!Finally made it to the Mt Collins Shelter. This shelter, which sleeps 12, has been here since 1960. It is supposedly one of the most remote shelters in the Smokies. It's a half-mile off the AT and water is another 0.1 mile away. Why do they do that to you when you are cold, wet, and thirsty?I have a corner spot in the shelter and I'm dry and warm now. Everyone is cooking supper, I just finished mine. Looks like Trump, Red Bear, Turn Around, and Wishy Washy are all headed to Gatlinburg, TN (aka, Myrtle Beach of the Mountains) to get out of the rain. Not me. If I can handle these horrid conditions one more day it's supposed to get nice on Sunday. I want to be done with the Smokies! It has not been fun for several days now, the misery has been pretty steady since we left Fontana Dam. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-03-28
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Sat 3/28, Day 18: It's rained every day leaving Fontana Dam. A cold rain with pretty high wind gusts all the way through which really knocked down the mileage. I was amazed. You just couldn¢t do anything. I mean you were drenched through to the inside, cold, shivering, it was not fun. Of course there were no views from the vistas, completely fogged in. We were hiking the highest elevations on the AT and all we saw was fog and rain clouds. The shelters have been packed. There¢s a rule in the Smokies that thru-hikers don¢t have priority in the shelters. Our reservation just gives us the right to a shelter anywhere along the AT for up to seven consecutive nights. BUT the rule that reserves four sleeping spaces in each shelter exclusively for thru-hikers doesn't go into effect until April 1. That means that if there¢s a bunch of section hikers or seasonal hikers that come in that have already made a reservation you get booted out. However, with the miserable weather, nobody cared much about the rules. Everyone just said, it¢s too bad to stay outside, everybody huddle in. I bet you there were twenty people packed into a shelter (designed to sleep 12) the last couple of nights that way. But hey, it was the right thing to do. Short day today, the weather is almost too bad to hike. As a runner, I learned "There is no such thing as bad weather. There is only inadequate clothing." That theory is certainly being tested out here! Temperatures are dropping and rain, thunderstorms, and sleet are coming in. We may get snow. Our hope is always that tomorrow will be better.I made it to the Icewater Spring Shelter, it's three miles north of where the AT crosses US441 at Newfound Gap, the highway to Gatlinburg. Turn Around, Canyon Dave, and Red Bear all decided to hitch a ride there and head into Gatlinburg to ride out the storm. I'm pressing on, I can't wait to get out of the Smokies! It's been horrible hiking through here. I'll try to get in some good miles when the weather breaks.A group of hikers came through the shelter and gave away food. I got mashed potatoes and white chicken chunks. Yawni Bear also offered to share his deviled chicken and cappuccino.All my socks are now wet, so I'm sitting here barefoot wearing Crocs while updating the journal. Yawni Bear, Preacherman, Debbie, and Maggy are here now. Probably a few more will show up later. Click here for audio journal
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Sun 3/29, Day 19: The weather broke today, did a twenty mile hike from Icewater Spring Shelter to Cosby Knob Shelter. Most mileage so far for one day, it was so good to get out of the rain that I got an early start and just kept hiking. It was very cold this morning (the shelter is at 5,920'). I got up at 0615 and was on the trail by 0730 hours. No rain at the start - yeah! However, the temps are dropping fast.I was able to dry out one pair of socks by putting them under my sleeping bag last night. I will hold those in reserve for the next stop. The trail is slippery. I fell three times, once really bad. Nothing hurts or maybe I'm so numb from the cold that it doesn't matter.The weather up here on the spine of the Smokies does change dramatically - and fast. One time I caught a glimpse of a wonderful view and before I could even get the camera out the fog rolled over and wrapped completely around me! Often the sun will peek out for a couple of minutes then get obliterated by the fog. View leaving Icewater Spring Shelter. Click on picture for full size.Rumor has it that the temperatures are supposed to get down into the twenty degree range so I decided to get a little bit lower elevation at Cosby Knob (4700') rather than stop at the previous shelter (Tri-Corner Knob at 5,920). The ambient temperature drop is 3.5 deg F per 1000' of elevation so I figured I would stay a little bit warmer. It worked - the extra 7.7 miles were worth it. Glad I made it such a long day. I was the first one to the shelter, followed by Nice Lenses, Mrs. Mustard and Ketchup, and Phoenix.This is a nice shelter (built 1959, sleeps 12) with a water spring within sight. Of course there are bear cables here too. I went out to brush my teeth and it's beginning to snow. There are some big downhills tomorrow into Standing Bear Hostel, I hope I can stay upright!I need to work on keeping one pair of socks dry at all times. Gloves are especially hard to keep dry. My poor little fingers are cold! A hot shower is what I crave right now. Can't really describe the hiker odors here in a the shelter but it definitely is a funk. Nobody says anything...we all smell equally bad.
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Road - Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Mon 3/30, Day 20: Finally - I popped through the other side of the Great Smoky Mountains. Let me tell you, it has not been a good experience the past five and a half days going through this section of the AT. View from Cosby Knob Shelter. Click on picture to see full size.I woke up to frost outside but at least my clothes were reasonably dry. I was the first one in the shelter to get out and get on the trail. Frost and ice crystals littered the trail and the trees. View from trail past Cosby Knob Shelter View from trail View from trail View from trail View from trail View from trail View from trailThere was only one short climb up and over Sunup Knob (5,050'), the rest of the 10 mile hike was downhill. Got to the I-40 bridge, made a wrong turn, but it was only a brief diversion. Waterfall on trail past Cosby Knob ShelterI¢m staying just past Davenport Gap, a few hundred yards off the AT at the Standing Bear Farm Hostel. I got here at Noon and saw that Ducky was already here. Standing Bear Farm Hostel sign Grounds at the Standing Bear Farm Hostel Official GreeterThe hostel is housed in a great little place, it's a restored 1920s backwood homestead. I'm in the hiker's bunkhouse. One of the proprietors, Rockhound, gave me a tour. I picked a cabin bunk. At $20 it's pricey but I get a double bed and quilt. Sign on the bunkhouseI¢ve already had a heavenly hot shower, done the laundry (the old fashioned way with a wash board and wringer), and finally have on some dry clothes. I got a mail drop ¢ thanks to Kim, who is doing such a good job on logistics. This trip would not take place without her. Doing laundry the old fashioned way Cleaned up and relaxingManaging my food supplies is still a tricky thing for me. I am hiking faster than I expected hence more food is left over. It'll all work out. I am definitely OK for now on food since hopefully in a couple of days I¢ll be in Hot Springs, NC. There I'll take my first Zero Day, Woohoo! Rest the legs!Otto showed up with some "Mountain Juice" in a Mason Jar. It was lemon flavored and high octane stuff! Boots still holding up after 238 milesSitting around the camp fire now with Rockhound, Phoenix, Ducky, Wompus Cat, Mr. Green Tea, Nice Lenses, Trump, Finch, and Turn Around. Around the campfire Otto's dog camping out at the Standing Bear Farm HostelI sure am glad to be out of the Smokies and especially glad everybody¢s checking in and signing the guest book. When I do finally get internet access I love reading the guest book, sometimes I have Kim read the entries over the phone. Each one means a lot to me. Thanks everybody for checking it out - Hot Springs is next! Click here for audio journal