morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-19
From: Blue Ridge Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This morning I was awakened by a Golden Retriever ready to go get the paper. Since I missed going to bed at hiker¢s midnight I was not ready to get up. I was able to get her to lay down next to the bed with my hand on her and I got another half hour sleep. After breakfast I started cleaning gear including my trail runners. I then spent time answering e-mails from all the people who have signed my guest book. I hope I didn¢t miss anyone.At lunch I picked up my granddaughter from school and we spent the afternoon playing. I¢m sure that hiking the AT is not nearly this exhausting! Martin spent the afternoon at the doctor¢s office. After the examination he was told that yes he did have an infection and a round of antibiotics should do the trick. The pain in the ankle was probably due to the infection but he was told to wear an ankle brace for a few days just to be on the safe side. He returns next Wednesday for a follow up visit to make sure everything is okay before we return to the trail. Brian has time off from work starting next Friday and he plans to return to the trail with us. The good part is that everything is going to be alright and we get to see a lot of hikers again that we have already met. We also get a little time to evaluate the hike and our gear and can make some minor changes before we go back. Another plus is REI dividends come out this weekend!   The bad part is the trail is a week away.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Blue Ridge Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

Yesterday Martin got the go ahead from his doctor to return to the trail. So this morning Susan took us back to Georgia. I can only say leaving this time was harder than back on the 12th.After a meal at Wendy's in Clayton we drove the car as close to where we got off the trail as we could. It still required a half hour walk all uphill to get on the AT. As soon as we reached the intersection, three other hikers walked up. Their names were Seeker, Little Foot and Growling Bear. About 1:30, Martin, now to be known as Trail Trash, and I reached the first state line. Yes, Susan took us to Georgia and we walked back to NC about a hour and a half later. We walked up to Bly Gap for water and to take pictures at the odd shaped tree. Four other hikers came up. There was an older couple from Charlotte, NC. Two girls also came up. One of them was Llano. She is in the Tenner's Yahoo group. We actually met back near Wood's Hole Shelter a couple of weeks ago but we didn't introduce ourselves. When I met Erin Fuller (now going by On The Loose) that same day she told me I had passed Llano.Our plan had been to go to Muskrat Creek Shelter but we arrived at mid-afternoon and I suggested we go on an additional 5 miles to Standing Indian. Trail Trash agreed. About 45 minutes into the hike it started to rain. It wasn't a hard rain but it did cause us to be chilled from the wet.At Standing Indian the shelter was full. So we looked for tent sites as much out of the wind as possible. My tent is still flapping around.We cooked supper in the shelter. We had Italian Mashed Potatoes. One of the hikers in the shelter noticed my stove ran a long time without being refueled. When it had gone out I showed him how the damper worked to allow it to simmer.Well, rain is still hitting my tent and the wind is howling. Hopefully the weather will be better in the morning.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Standing Indian Shelter

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

It rained most of the night with wind blowing to the point that I thought the tent was going to take flight. It didn't and this morning I was warm and dry. Trail Trash and I were the just behind Geologist getting out of camp. The sky was foggy and the air was cool as we made our way to the tallest peak so far. Standing Indian rises to 5,498 feet, but it an easy climb compared to some mountains we have already crossed.The walk to Carter Gap for lunch was an easy ridge walk. The many ups and downs of Georgia are behind us. The hiking will get easier until we reach New Hampshire and the famous White Mountains. We saw very few people on the trail today. We passed Stick Walker and his dog Belle a couple of times. There were also a few section hikers. At Bear Pen Gap a couple of guys were setting up to do Trail Magic for the weekend. They gave us each a Coke and Little Debbie cake. That's all they had ready. A little over an hour later Geologist came through and they were passing out hot dogs.The sun did come out after lunch and I planned to take a bunch of pictures on top of Albert Mountain. The fog rolled in just as we got to the top so there were no views. Maybe we will have better luck tomorrow on Wayth Bald.At the shelter we saw Eric who we met at Gooch Mountain. It was a great evening of storytelling under clearing skies.
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Wayth Bald Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

This morning was cold but clear. Trail Trash and I were out on the trail a little after 8:30. An hour later we crossed the 100 mile mark. As lunch approached we found ourselves at Winding Stairs Gap. We had hoped there would be a little trail magic but the group that does it must had taken the day off. We sat by the side of the road and ate PB&J sandwiches.After lunch we started up toward Siler Bald. At this point we started seeing snow. All of the north slopes were covered.We crossed Wayth Gap and made a major climb up to Wayth Bald. This was my second trip to the old fire tower. On the first it was raining but today the views were spectacular. We didn't stay long. We had heard it was going to rain over night and we wanted a spot in the shelter. We got the last two spaces available.In the shelter tonight are two other thru-hikers. Their names are Powah Nap and Crusher. There are also three high school kids on spring break. Tomorrow we are heading to the NOC. There will be hot food, warm showers and a dry place to sleep.
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Wayth Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: moderate rain

What a day! We were awakened to the sound of pouring rain this morning. Fortunately we were warm and dry in the shelter. Lone Star had moved in over night to avoid a wet tent. As soon as it eased up Trail Trash and I started hiking. It wasn't long before the rain had stopped and we were down to shorts and rain jackets. We stopped at Cold Spring Shelter for breakfast and the rain started again. There were two hikers still asleep when we arrived. They woke up while we were there and one of them was Nemo who we met at Tray Mountain Shelter.As we left the shelter the rain tapered off again. At Rocky Bald the sun came out and there were some great views.At Tellico Gap we ran into Dr. Rock and Kitkat. We met them at Deep Gap Shelter. They were also headed for Wesser.It was a long climb up Wesser Bald. The wind picked-up and we decided not to climb the tower. Besides, the sky was getting really dark and cloudy.Just as we ducked into Wesser Bald Shelter the bottom dropped out. We ate lunch as the rain pounded the tin roof. And once again it stopped just as we were ready to continue hiking.Trail Trash made it to the NOC ahead of me and was told by several hikers the bunkhouse was full. He didn't look very happy when I got there and the skies were rumbling with thunder. We finally were able to talk with someone from the NOC and he called and found us a room. It's only 8x8 but it is dry and came with a shower.In the room, I called home and then Jeff at the Hike Inn. He will pick us up on Wednesday at Fontana for the night. We'll get our clothes washed and we will be driven to Robbinsville for supper and re-supply. On Thursday he will take us back to Fontana.We had supper at the Rivers End. The half pound cheese burgers went down with no effort. The next order of business was the shower. Hot water never felt so good.On the way back to the room I saw a hiker sorting through a re-supply box. I struck up a conversation and found out Longhaul (the guy who got all the Tenners started) was here. He also told me On the Loose was here too and they were at the restaurant. Trail Trash and I headed over and met them walking back. Longhaul is also going the the Hike Inn Wednesday. Also it turns out all of us are starting the Smokey Mountains together.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: NOC

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

This morning was gray and overcast. I had hoped it would burn off but it only got more dreary as the day went on.Trail Trash and I ate breakfast at the River's End restaurant. They serve Fontana Hash Browns. It's a combination of potatoes, cheese, tomatoes, peppers and onions topped with salsa. It was outstanding.Trail Trash needed a set of insoles for his shoes. The rocks were hurting his feet through the ones that came with his Merrells.We hit the trail about 10:30 and climbed out of the gorge. It was nothing but white all the way to the shelter. I was soaked from both rain and sweat. I spent the afternoon warming up in my sleeping quilt.Tonight the shelter is filling up. Some of the occupants are Doppler, Pebbles, Buck Snort. There is also a couple from Clayton, NC. Their names are Mule and Christen. They have a dog named Tuie.Time to fix supper.
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Sassafras Gap SHelter

To: Campsite near Fontana
Miles today: 18.2

The shelter ended up packed last night. We even had two dogs which was not a good situation. They definitely did not like each other. So at first light most everyone was ready to go. The first out was Buck Snort. I followed and then Trail Trash. I stopped on Cheoah Bald to take pictures of the ice crystals. The wind and mist had made a feathered pattern of ice on the limbs of the trees. I passed Buck Snort on the north side of the bald. Trail Trash said when he passed him he said "There's the other half". Not long after Trail Trash saw him, Buck Snort slipped and broke his ankle. We met the rescue squad at Stecoah Gap going to take him off the trail.We ran into Longhaul and On the Loose and ate lunch with them. They will both be at the Hike Inn tomorrow night with us. We got our first good look at the Smokys today. You can see the snow on the peak and we're still 46 miles away. I hope this warm up melts a bunch in the next 3 to 4 days.One of the things that has bothered me the most is all the trash on the trail. So many people are just dropping litter everywhere. It's especially bad at the shelters. I'm hoping after we get into the park it will get better. Tomorrow will be highlighted with a hot shower. I can't wait.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Campsite near Fontana

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: broken clouds

After a meal of tortellini, Trail Trash and I both hit the sack. It had been a good day hiking. The weather was great and so was the company of the other hikers we saw along the way.This morning, we got up a little later than usual. We talked with Hete a few minutes before leaving camp at 9:00.The sky was blue and clear. As we hiked we could see Fontana Lake below us. As I turned one bend I could see boats at the marina. At another I could see the big hydroelectric dam. In each case the water was so blue it looked as if someone had painted it.When we passed the marina I gave Jeff a call at the Hike Inn. He said he would pick us up at the dam in an hour. We were there in 30 minutes. That gave us a few minutes to walk around and even talk to a couple of mountain bikers.At the Inn, Nancy had our room ready. She collected our dirty clothes for washing. We laid gear out in the sun to dry and then it was off to the shower.For lunch we ordered out from a little cafe down the road. Jeff drove down and picked it up. We had bacon cheeseburgers with the best home fries I've ever eaten. But at this point all food is starting to be the best I've ever eaten.
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Trail Trash and I spent last night in Robbinsville with the other hikers from the Hike Inn. Supper was at a Mexican restaurant where the waiters barely spoke enough English to take your order. The food was good and there was a lot of it. We also picked up food at the grocery store for the next seven days. We then returned to our room at the Hike Inn to pack everything up.Longhaul invited everyone to his room for salsa and chips at 9:30. Nancy, one of the owners of the inn makes prize winning salsa. The jar Longhaul purchased definitely was award winning stuff.After a good night's sleep I took one last shower. When you don't have access to one you really miss them. At 8:00 a friend of Nancy and Jeff's drove us to the dam.When we arrived a man approached us and asked about parking his car in the parking lot. He was planning on hiking the park. His trail name is Take This Bread. He had started in February and got caught in the snow. He had hiked with Second Stage and Famah and was back to complete the park.The three of us started the long climb up to the ridge. The gain was over 2000' in the first four miles. As the hike continued we all got spread out and ended up hiking separately at our own paces. We all met up at Mollie's Ridge Shelter for lunch. Even Longhaul showed up.During lunch the ridge runner told us there would be seven section hikers at Spence Field Shelter. Section hikers have to make reservations so a lot of us had to tent tonight.The weather has made a big change. A few days ago it was cold and rainy. Now it is more like summer. Everyone was drinking tons of water the keep cooled off. The shelter is packed tonight. I'm in my tent thinking about going over Thunderhead Mountain tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Springs Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

The day started with pots and pans banging. It seems the section hikers were leaving early and didn't really consider the others in the shelter. I had pitched my tent 100' away and they woke me up. A trail maintainer had come in during night. He was really interesting to talk with. He teaches school during the week and works on the trail on weekends and during the summer.The first 6.2 miles this morning is reportedly the hardest in the Smokys. We crossed Rocky Top and Thunderhead. Every now and again we could see Clingman's Dome with snow at the top. We stopped at Derrick Knob Shelter for lunch. Take This Bread was there and Longhaul showed up as we were about to leave. The inclines to the next shelter were pretty steep and the day was hot. It made for a tuff combination. At Silers Bald Shelter I went down to the water source and washed up. It felt good to be clean. Trail Trash and I met a father and two sons doing a section. They will be at the shelter tonight. Trail Trash, Take This Bread and I climbed Silers Bald. There was a great view of Clingman's so we stopped for pictures. At Double Springs Gap tonight are On the Loose, Ron, Aikido Joe, Dirt Stew, Door Mouse, Eddie and Take This Bread. I think most everyone is getting up early to see the sunrise from Clingman's. Looks like rain is on the way.
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Double Springs Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

There have been some hard days on the trail and I'm sure there will be more hard days to come. However, I'm sure none will compare with today. The wind howled most of the night but Double Spring Gap is protected by the mountains around it so we were comfortable all night. At 8:00AM we hit the trail starting with a steep climb to Clingman's Dome. At first it was okay with a couple of blow downs and some hard packed snow on the trail. As we go to the summit things changed quickly. The snow was now as much as three feet deep and the crust was not enough to hold us up in places. We could walk several feet and be fine then on the next step go down past our knees. Trail Trash and I both lost count of the number of times we fell today. Longhaul strayed off the trail and sunk to his waist. After struggling for a couple of miles he decided to take the road to Newfound Gap. I was determined to make it by trail but at times my efforts were comical. I was going down a drop in the trail and decided to lean on the snow bank for support. The crust broke and my arm and shoulder disappeared in the snow. Aikido Joe saw it and we both broke up laughing at my predicament.   Noon passed and we had not gone five miles. At that point it became frustrating. Sometime after 2:00 two young girls came up the trail asking for EZ. They were trail maintainers that had hiked with Longhaul on a previous thru-hike. One of them went by the trail name Newt. Seems she almost drank one on her hike. What I didn't know is she was one of Trail Trash's friends from college.Our plan for the day was to go to Icewater Spring Shelter for the night. We were told to expect a crowd. It seems the locals head up there on holiday weekends without permits and camp. So in the back of our minds was the possibility of hiking an extra 7.5 miles to the next shelter. With it approaching 3:00 and everyone tired, that was not an option any longer. Instead I suggested hot showers and soft beds in Gatlinburg. That was all the arm twisting that was needed. Aikido Joe, Trail Trash and I stepped to the curb at Newfound Gap and in moments had a ride in the back of a pickup truck. They let us out a block from the Family Inn. As they drove off I realized I left my hat in the truck. About 10 minutes later they were back with the hat. We were standing on our balcony and they honked the horn and waved the hat to get our attention. How lucky was that for them to find us. After showers we headed out to meet a couple of other hikers, Take This Bread and Ron for supper. That steak was a lot better than the pot of noodles and tuna we had planned for supper.Today we passed 200 miles on the trail. By tomorrow night we will have completed 10% of the trail.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

This morning Joe, Trail Trash and EZ all hurried downstairs for the continental breakfast. What a disappointment that was. They were out of orange juice, the cereal was in bulk bags and only pastries were pecan trills. Since we were the only ones there, we ate almost everything.We got our packs from the room and headed to the new NOC store to get a ride back to the trail. Bread and Ron Burgundy met us there. We were way early which was a good thing. The manager walked out at 8:00 and said only the first five would get a ride. That was the five of us. On top of that the ride was free. How's that for luck!Once back on the trail we started the climb out of the gap. We met a family that had tried to get up to Charlie's Bunion but decided the snow was too deep. They stopped us and asked where we started. They were amazed people walked all the way from Georgia.Up Icewater Spring Shelter the climb was fairly easy. The snow wasn't too bad. We dropped in for a few minutes and checked the register. Trail Trash saw several names of hikers we met in Georgia.As we continued the climb the snow got worse. At times we were walking a ledge as narrow as 9" with a huge drop over the edge. When we weren't hiking in snow we were in water. The melting snow made the trail a cold flowing stream. Late in the afternoon we made it to Tri-Corner Knob. We saw Slackimus and Brisket from Franklin and Croft from Plumorchard.Some south bounders were in the shelter and said there is no snow after another 2 miles. My wet feet are excited about the prospects of a dry trail.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

We are out of the Smokys and all of the snow! This morning started out with more ice and snow. Fortunately we could walk on top of most of it. There were a few patches of ice. On one of them my legs came completely out from under me. Down I went in a big pile of snow.At Cosby Knob Shelter Trail Trash and I asked Joe and Bread about trying to make the hostel. Bread was good with it, but Joe indicated he was holding back waiting on On the Loose and Longhaul. Bread tried to talk him out of it but he is still in the Smokys tonight. I hope he catches up in Hot Springs, but it is unlikely. I enjoyed the time we hiked together.After lunch I ran into Ron Burgundy. I told him the plan. We picked up the pace so we could get spots in the bunkhouse. Trail Trash and I got in first. Curtis runs the place and remembered me from a past visit. He was impressed we had come from Tri-Corner Knob and arrived so early. The big attraction here is pizza. I ate a whole large one and I'm not stuffed. The hiker hungries have set in.There is limited cell service here so I got a chance to talk with Sydney. She is my granddaughter and is posting my location on a map each night. She asked how soon we would be near Watauga Lake. Susan, Erin and Sydney all plan to meet us there. I'm estimating around the 17th.Tomorrow is another big day. We cross Snow Bird. I hope it doesn't live up to it's name.
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: few clouds

Standing Bear Farm got interesting after dark. First a group had a little party at the fire ring. Just a small group but they made a lot of noise. After they broke up, one of the party goers climbed into the bunk above me and snored. To make matters worse the hostel dog wanted to sleep with me. After a quick shove off the bed the dog crawled under the bunk. I woke up later to the sound of snoring above me and snoring below me.This morning the four of us, Trail Trash, Bread, Burgundy and I set out early. At the top of Snow Bird Mountain I called Susan and we talked without the phones cutting out. It¢s always good to hear her voice.Bread made it to Snow Bird last and was complaining about his feet. I saw them last night. They were swollen and blistered badly. I don't know how he was standing on them much less walking on them. He said he was going to the next shelter. That was the last time I saw him. I'm hoping he got off the mountain and is resting. That's the only thing that will help.Half way to Brown's Gap I met three section hikers. They were two men and a little girl about ten. She looked like she was having a ball. They had started at Hot Springs and would finish at Standing Bear. That's a big trip for that little girl.I pushed on to Max Patch where I found Trail Trash taking a break. I stopped too but couldn't stay long. The bugs were eating me up. I'm definitely getting Deet in Hot Springs. Trail Trash and I moved on to Roaring Fork Shelter were we got water and left Burgundy a message. We were planning to go all the way to Walnut Mountain and if he couldn't make it we would see him in Hot Springs.It was 5:30 when we completed the steep climb to Walnut. There were several hikers out front cooking. I recognized Dark Star from when he passed through Standing Bear the night before. They were debating hiking to a campsite a little farther on or night hiking to Hot Springs. I told them about a good camping spot about 5 miles up. Tennessee Tom overheard me and said another group was already headed there. I suspect Dark Star and his friends went on to Hot Springs.As Trail Trash and I were setting up our tents I looked up and saw Burgundy coming up the hill. He had completed his first 20 mile day. He seemed to be in good condition and had a big grin on his face. Tomorrow is Hot Springs and a re-supply.