morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-21
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

In which I've had the most fun on the trail yet.It was cold last night! In the teens but not as cold as predicted. I think I'm finally getting my layering system figured out so I can stay relatively warm at night. Last night I was pretty warm. I crawled out of my tent around 0730 where all of us (Moxie, Val, Thin Mint, DaVinci and myself) assembled around the extinguished fire pit for breakfast after we retrieved our food bags from the trees. We shared coffee, breakfast and great conversation, packed up and headed out before 0900. Thin Mint was in the lead with me in the middle and DaVinci bringing up the rear. It was a cool morning but the sun was shining brightly. Conversation was light hearted and happy. Smiles were abundant, not forced, just there. We stopped for lunch at a bald on some beautifully warm rocks in the sun with fantastic views. Off came the shoes and socks. Out came our piggy toes. It was really hard to get motivated to leave this spot. Sweet Meat and Dad joined us for lunch.Eventually we did leave and were joined by our fourth Muskateer Moxie. We hiked single file for a while, stumbled upon a little garden snake and took some photos, took a "drink and release" break (the term for a water and pee break coined by Thin Mint) and made it to the shelter around 4pm. We set up camp, got water, cooked dinner and sat talking for a while around the camp fire two other hikers had started earlier. Food bags were hung on the bear cables, the privy was visited and now it's hiker midnight. You know what that means. I crawled into my tent, did a little journaling and am drifting off to sleep to the sound of Moxie and another hiker singing in the shelter. Doesn't get any better than this! Sure could use a shower! My feet stink! Tomorrow.....
Date: 2014-03-22
From: wesser bald shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

In which I had my first town food! And I managed to erase the whole damn entry I just wrote! So here I go again...A burger! That's what motivated me to hike strong and fast today. No stopping me. We were up and out of camp by 0900 with light packs having eaten all of our food. Onward we flew down the mountain pausing only briefly for a photo op at The Jumpoff, for a snack and for a "drink and release" break.We got to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) at lunch time and promptly head over to The River's End Restaurant. About 10 backpacks lined the benches outside the entry. Inside about 16 hikers sat around two tables in the enclosed patio area. We ordered the food that we have been obsessing, dreaming and salivating over every waking hour of the past few days. We chattered loudly catching up on events in anticipation of our meals to come. The food did not disappoint and the grease didn't settle too well either.The atmosphere in town was electric. It was like a carnival and family reunion all wrapped up into one event. There were tourists, hikers, students from the outdoor classes, kayakers and good people watching all over the place. Many hikers I hadn't seen in a while wandered through. We checked into our bunk rooms, set up shop for the night, changed into laundry attire (which is any clothing that hasn't been worn or anything that you can beg, borrow or steal-color coordination or style not required) and headed down the hill to complete our chores. We pooled our laundry, got a load washing and took turns doing a resupply, laundry sitting and making phone calls to home. Time flew by as we did our chores.And now for the highlight of the day....which was not the food or Ben and Jerry's ice cream. It was the video recording and picture taking of Moxie using sterile technique in the field to drain his infamous (and probably viral on You tube) blister on his toe. We all proudly have pictures of his toe, which currently is drained, dressed, wrapped and documented forever. And I can say I was there! Good times were had by all.This old dog has even learned a few new tricks and may even be able to use her smartphone sooner rather than later to make journal entries instead of waiting for weeks until a computer is accessible. Keeping up with a journal has been a little more of a challenge than expected. But if you know me I'm up for a good challenge and I always have to do things the hard way. But I'm making progress. So the rest time I have had today has been useful in figuring out my phone.Now it's way passed hiker midnight, probably 9pm and I'm off to never land to dream of bacon and eggs and pancakes for breakfast. It's been another excellent day on the trail.
Date: 2014-03-23
From: NOC

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

In which we had another cold, wet start to the day but ended with a beautiful sunset over the gap.Sometime during the night the rain began pouring down. It was a steady waterfall in front of the security light outside of my window as seen from my bottom bunk bed. The alarm sounded at 0730. I didn't want to get up. But no, wait, yes I do! Food awaits and coffee! I got dressed, gathered my belongings and packed my pack for now. I donned my rain jacket and pants and the five of us walked back down the hill to the restaurant. No weather was going to stop us from one last town meal! My dream of bacon, eggs and sweet potato pancakes was fulfilled washed down by two cups of coffee. Yum! So good. Boy am I going to be "drinking and releasing" today! Not such a good idea though before a 6.7 mile climb.Surprisingly, we were on the trail by 0930ish. It was cold. It was wet. It was slippery. It was foggy. It was dismal. It was gray. There were no views and when there was a view it was a black and white photo. Which was very mysterious and beautiful in it's own right. We made it to Sassafras shelter to cook a warm lunch. I ate my bar and made some hot chocolate I was so cold. The longer we sat then colder it got. Then it started to drizzle/sleet again. We booked it out of there. It was only 1330 and too early to stop for the day. We climbed up to 5000ft to Cheoah Bald which was totally whited out. Down we descended to 3690 ft. to Locust Cove Gap.On the way down the rain stopped. The clouds parted revealing specs of blue sky. Eventually the sun broke through and warmed us up a bit. We made it to the gap and set up camp. There are now 9 tents set up and 11 hikers here. We had a wonderful time cooking and chatting around the camp fire, we hung our food bags and in doing so were treated to a bright orange and pink sunset. The color was a real treat compared to our black and white forest earlier today.It's 8pm and we are all tucked in to our respective beds. Good nite moon.P.S.-took a "graceful" little wobble backwards as I bent down to take some pictures of the rain falling off the tree branches. Was too funny. One of those things where you know it's going to happen and there's not a thing you can do to stop it other than laugh and roll with it. Still trying to figure out if that counts for a fall.
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

In which the forest was my playground and my inner child was happy, joyous and free. Today was another very cold start in the teens. I awoke to frost on my tent and to a partially frozen water bottle. My filter was safe however nestled in my sleeping bag. This was definitely another hot chocolate and coffee morning followed by a pack of oatmeal and two pop tarts. Can't think of the last time I ate pop tarts. They tasted oh so good too. Off I went hiking by myself for a while. It was a brisk, sunny morning. The forest was smiling. The wind was blowing gently. I was happy to be alive. I skipped down the trail, hopped over rocks, splashed through and around mud puddles, slalomed down the mountain side and pretended to be a bird in flight soaring through the ridges in the wind. The vines hanging from the trees were calling my name but swinging or climbing one was not in the plan for the day, some day though! The mountains were magical. I've smiled more today than I have in the past ten years. Freedom. Joy. Contentment. Peace. Serenity. Bliss. That is what I've felt today. Don't know what else to say other than we had on hell of a climb up Jacob's ladder.
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

In which I now have two blisters!Today the trail is yet again a river and giant mud puddle. I started hiking around 0900 after a breakfast of carnation instant breakfast mix with powdered milk and a starbuck's via coffee mix and oatmeal. I sloshed through the mud which was unavoidable and deep. I was sliding everywhere. I was hiking up. I was hiking back down. I was panting. I was sweating. I was dehydrated and I got a good workout. There were no switchbacks. The guidebook was a bit deceiving. On paper the elevation changes looked easy. In reality they were tough and tore my heels up to the point where I now have two blisters. One on each heel! At least I'm symmetrical.The gift in all of the climbing and descending was that some great views were seen right from the start from Rocky Mountain. There was a 360* view of layers of mountains with all different shades of color from the sunlight. The sky was blue and laced with vapors from airplanes. It was peaceful, cool and one of the moments on the trail I live for. Simply glorious! Life doesn't get any better!There were also a few glimpses of Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail. I also passed a Ridgerunner who was hiking down to the next shelter. I had intended on pushing on today to the next shelter in order to get up and see a sunrise from Clingman's Dome in the morning. My body was telling me otherwise. I crashed and felt like I could no longer go on the 1.7 miles to the next shelter. So I stayed put at this shelter, claimed my spot in the shelter, gathered water, cooked dinner, wrote in my journal and met a bunch of new hikers: RW from Chicago; Murphy from St Augustine, FL; Opie and Superscout from Yorktown, VA; Tandom and her dad Buzz from GA, Shark, Inflammable and Rob from NY. Rain is threatening for tomorrow so I'm not sure how much of a sunrise will be visible. Time will tell. My blisters hurt but are happy to be airing out. So it's off to bed to watch and feel the mice scurrying by next to my head.
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Icewater Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

In which the trail was a river assisted by more rain.There was heavy dew on my tent this morning when I packed up so I carried a heavy tent today. I got a very brief glimpse of the sun peeking through the clouds casting an orange shade over the valley and mountains. Well worth the brief glimpse. I started walking in full rain gear expecting the worst. So far so good with just a little misting. I got to Charlies Bunion and walked on the side trail to check it out. It is the most photographed location in the Smokies from what I was told. There was cloud cover but an occasional ray of sun shining on the trees below. The mountains were jagged here in this gorge. The trees were predominantly pine. The rock outcroppings made for great climbing and was well worth the extra steps even in the foggy weather.I left Charlies Bunion and continued my river walk down the trail. There were threats of high winds, tornadoes and bad weather approaching. It soon started to pour, the winds picked up and thunder was gently rumbling around in the distance. This is also a motivator for hiking fast! Especially since a good percentage of the hiking today was on ridge lines. When not on ridge lines the forest was filled with fragrant pine trees and mossy downed trees. There also were many gnarly, twisted trunks of trees uprooted. An occasionally a view was offered through the clouds. One stretch of the trail looked as if a landslide had come through. There was a very narrow path that dropped straight down below. I didn't stop to take any breaks. I plodded through the rain and ate a few bars as I went.I was surprised when I made it to the shelter at 1430! Too early to normally quit hiking, but not today. I was soaking wet, cold and hungry. I changed into my dry clothing, set up my bed and pack and hung my wet stuff to dry. The rain was easing but the winds were still blowing. I cooked some tortellini for dinner at 1530 ate my Nutter Butters. I did my journaling and planning for the next day. Now I'm bored twiddling my thumbs. I don't sit well and it's too early to go to bed even by my standards! So the Ridge runner entertained us with some stories and three section hikers with reservations came in later followed by two Germans.I'm ready to be out of the Smokies and the mud and ice and mess!
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

In which I enjoyed an unexpected stay at Standing Bear Hostel.It got really cold last night, probably down to the twenties. I wasn't expecting that. My bandana was frozen hanging off my pack. My wet clothes were also fun to put on in the morning. But the remedy for that is to just get moving. So I had a quick breakfast of a tortilla with peanut butter, oatmeal and honey washed down by a protein shake. The trail did not disappoint. It was true to form. You guessed it. It was muddy and it was a stream, a frozen ice covered stream to begin with. The ground was frozen and a fine layer of ice covered the trail. Once again I was creek stomping, hopping from rock to rock trying to keep my feet dry but failing miserably.Sunshine was promised for today although I spent the first few hours above the cloud lines in patches of fog and clouds. The trees were covered in ice. I felt like I was in an airplane descending the mountain. The sun eventually came out above cloud line. As I descended through the clouds it got darker and gloomier and difficult to see through the forest. Eventually I broke through the clouds and the sun came out brightly melting the ice off the branches of the trees causing it to feel like it was snowing. There was a lot of crackling going on, especially when the wind was blowing. I stopped at Cosby Knob shelter for lunch and a break. That was followed by one more ascent that skirted around Mt. Cammerer which offered views of I-40 below also a view of upcoming Max Patch. I passes 3 men on horses and one horse carrying equipment. They were headed up the mountain to cut down the trees blocking the trail. The remainder of the trail headed down slow and steady to Davenport Gap which leads out of the Smokies. I had planned on going to Davenport shelter to stay one more night in the Smokies then bust out in the morning. I got to the shelter at 1500 and had already walked 14.8 miles for the day.The shelter was in the middle of a quiet gap. A chain link fence graced the front of the shelter. Legend has it that people inside the shelter would throw food from the shelter outside the fence to watch the bears come and get food. No one was at the shelter. It was a little bit creepy. I sat at the junction of the trail for 10 minutes and had a snack while I decided whether to stay or to go. The weather was beautiful so I decided to move on to Standing Bear Hostel.18.4 miles for me today, a new record and I feel relatively good. I got a bunk at the Hostel after crossing the Pigeon River and I-40 underpass. I also rewarded myself with an over priced but delicious cheese pizza for dinner. This is a cool, chill little place that offers a reasonable resupply, shower, old fashioned laundry and a kitchen for cooking whatever you desire. I didn't expect to be here today but am so happy I am. I am out of the Smokies and on to Hot Springs.
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

In which the race was on to get to the shelter and secure a bed before the incoming rains.I made my breakfast of a protein shake and tortilla with peanut butter, oatmeal and honey. Delicious. That powered me up a long, slow climb coming out of Davenport Gap up to Snowbird Mountain. There was no rain yet but I was prepared with my pack cover on and rain gear ready. It was cloudy and windy on arrival to Snowbird but fantastic views were had. We also got a glimpse of Max Patch that we would summit later in the day. The forest was more wide open today and there were hints of spring. The forest floor had a little green undergrowth. I saw three butterflies, two orange and one black. Trillium were trying to blossom. A few pink buds were seen on the tree tops and a few buttercups were appearing. I walked yet alone for the majority of the day. I passed Mark the section hiker I met on my first night back on the trail. he was concluding his hike today with a friend. I also passed 4 guys on horse back earlier on headed back to Harmen's Den. I took very few breaks yet again, ate my last two bars as I hiked and pushed on to Max Patch.I love it up on Max Patch. There is a 360* of the mountains. It's simply breath taking and beyond words. The pictures I have taken don't do it any justice. It's truly beautiful. I spent a little bit of time up there by myself again. The wind was blowing quite strongly and a few clouds were rolling in. So it is time to move on.The final descent into the shelter was equally enjoyable through lush rhodadendrum forests, around fences placed to keep the cows in and through thick, black, beautiful mud. The birds were chirping and it was very peaceful.Two people were at the shelter when I got there. Wet Dog and Gray Ghost. I set up my bed and in came Rob, followed by AYCE, Mack, Frankie the Sleeper, Listener and J rex. The shelter was made for 10 and 10 people we crammed into the shelter. A few more straggled in and set up their tents on the surrounding sites. Murphy, Superscout and opie also walked through to say hi on their slack pack down to Lemon Gap.It's been another long day and Movin' On is peacing out!
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring mountain shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

In which I got back on the trail after two zeros and encountered a steep climb out of Hot Springs.I had a nice leisurely morning at home before heading back to the trail. I made blueberry buckwheat pancakes. My mom made scrambled eggs and bacon. Had a few strawberries and my last two cups of coffee for a little while. I grabbed a green protein drink and hit the trail again. My parents accompanied me for the flat stretch along the French Broad River and along the first few switchbacks. Was nice to have their company again and to add to their resume of AT hiking.I also ran into I Believe and it was nice to catch up with her. I knew the climb up to Lover's Leap was going to be tough. I had hiked southbound down from there before. True to form it was a challenge. Actually all day long was a chanllenge, except for a brief stretch around a very pretty little peaceful pond. The day was beautiful with very warm sunshine and a cool breeze to provide a little relief from the heat. I drank a lot of water today but didn't eat much food, just wasn't hungry. I probably ate too much at home! The climbs seemed to take forever and kick my butt. I just wasn't feeling it. The shelter finally appeared after what felt like an infinity. It's a beautiful camping area on top of a ridge for the night with a gentle breeze blowing and a fuller moon forecasted. I'm fed, watered, writing and in my bed for the night. Feeling a little sore tonight but I know that will get better. There are about 7 of us camping and the boyscouts have the shelter. This is the third time I've passed them throughout their adventure. Funny.Also had to get a new pack. Ended up with a ULA Circuit and love it so far! More updates on that to come!
Date: 2014-04-11
From: spring mountain shelter

To: Jerry cabin shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

In which the theme for today is peanut butter and chocolate ant the elevation profile doesn't accurately describe the trail.I slept surprisingly well last nite. I was exhausted. The bard owls actually woke me up this morning instead of putting me to sleep last nite. When I was at home I went to the dollar store and found some poptarts, something I would never eat in "real" life, but they looked good to me so I bought them. They were chocolate peanutbutter poptarts made by Kelloggs. I had the pleasure of having them for breakfast. They were delicious! I was surprised. I also had my usually Carnation drink mix. Did I tell you they were really good?! So that powered my day off to a great start.I also decided this morning that I really like hiking early in the morning. The birds were singing away, the sun was warm, the breeze gently blowing, an airplane flew overhead, and dump trucks were working in the background. The trail paralle;led a road for a while so traffic was also heard.I stopped at the shelter for lunch. That consisted of a tortilla with again peanut butter and chocolate. That too was delicious. I like this theme going on! I'm going to make a habit of it! I also mixed up my green drink and was powered up the next mountains. I have also determined that Tennessee does not believe in switch backs. Steep ups and downs seem to be the theme here.This is were the fun really begins! The flat appearing elevation on the guide book became a boulder, ridge walk/climb! The sign foretelling of a bad weather trail versus the real trail should have been a sign. It was really amazing over all the rocks. I felt like a kid climbing up, over and around. And the views from the top were utterly amazing. I believe one side was North Carolina and the other side was Tennessee. Words can't describe the view! Simply breathtaking! But it was also at the end of a very long day and I was tired. I was ready to be at the shelter and set up camp for the night.After walking what seemed to be forever I finally came to the shelter. Rob was there! Yay. I set up my tent, got my water, cooked dinner finished my chores and climbed into bed. Guess what time it is? It's only 7pm and I'm done for the night! Oh by the way, my dessert for tonight was oreo cookies dipped in, yes, peanutbutter. Also very delicious!Also passed the 300 mile mark!
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Jerry Cabin shelter

To: hogback ridge shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

In which I had a great day hiking!I really enjoyed today. It was sunny again. Yeah! The day started chilly but quickly warmed up. I started with my puffy jacket on but that was shed after I left camp. Then the long sleeve shirt came off followed by the tights being unzipped at the ankle and pulled up. I have a gorgeous hiking tan-red neck, red face, red ears and a white strip across my hands where the strap from my trecking poles covers my hands; oh, and a watch and bracelet line on each of my wrists. I bet you're jealous! Oh, the life of a hiker. After the initial ascent the forest was pretty wide open, not much greenery at all yet, just brown, leafless trees. You can see through the forest forever, down the ravines and everywhere. It's really rather awesome. There was an occasional pine needle bedded forest which smelled great. We went over Bald Ridge which was a beautiful meadow then up Big Butt Mountain, love the names! I stopped by the shelter for lunch number one and back on the trail for another enjoyable walk. I had a long climb up Lick Rock with no view at the top but was treated to a sneak view of I-26 and the mountains beyond. Made it to the shelter about 3:30pm after snacking on bite sized snickers all afternoon. There's a fun bunch at the shelter tonight-Rob, Time for dinner, Nick (twizzler), RW, Phil-Professor and a section hiker. It's 7:30pm, late for me and closer to Erwin, TN.