morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 13.0

Day 6 - A Mother's LoveEverything I say or do is wrong according to you. We've all been wrong. That's the great joke. There is no need to go on pretending one was right.After that we begin living.There is no pretending that last night was cosy. It was downright cold. Up early, but it was still cold and windy. But no snow or rain. There was a covering of snow on the ground. Our water bottles had frozen overnight.Putting on frozen shirt, shorts and rain gear we were on the trail by 08:30.It turned out to be a good day. We have alternated, cold wet days with windy days. Hiked until 16:30, to the Addis Gap. It was so windy, that we had trouble putting up our tents. The water source was 0.5 miles on the leeward side of the mtn. That would have been a good campsite! Once you are in your tent, it was comfortable. The tent is low to the ground. I certainly was glad not to be in a hammock as was my fellow hiker - Jeff Palmer - trail name not chosen yet.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 7 - Domestic TyrannyKeeping promises to the dead, or to anyone else is very well. But absolute "respect for the wishes of the dead is a trap". This is similar to blind acceptance of a government policy or Scouting decisions. If the idea is not founded on a sound basis, the premise is faulty.On the trail, by 08:00 without breakfast. It is only 3 hours to Dicks Creek Gap and a possible stayover. The up hills are so tough! Why do we keep doing this AT! After the first hour, it warmed up and we shed our rain clothes. Reached the highway about 11:00, and Gary Poteat from the Blueberry Patch Hostel was just dropping off some hikers. We didn't know where we were going to stay the night. But when fortune smiles, pick up the change.Gary runs a Christian ministry hostel, and shuttled us to town, did our laundry, and is just a decent person. A true Trail Angel!
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 8 - God at your ElbowDoes knocking, kicking, and hammering at a door produce results? You need capacity to receive. Sometimes your own passion destroys the capacity.Gary and Lennie Poteat provided us with a good breakfast to start off the day.Talking about where life is taking us, Gary is going down to Mississipi to do relief work and then to Peru for mission work. Where should a nuclear engineer find work after retirement? Mercy ships! That is worth investigation! Gary dropped us off to the trail head by 09:45.The first border crossing @ 15:30.North Carolina should be a breeze. After Bly Gap, there were two huge hills to climb! Finally reached the Muskrat Shelter by 17:30.   Our longest day yet.There were several hikers already encamped. Many had been on the trail since the beginning of April. This looked like the social club of AT thru-hikers.Very loud, committed but slow hikers.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

Day 9 - Signs of AttritionFrom the Screwtapes, " Increasing reputation, widening circle of acquaintances, sense of importance, growing pressure of absorbing and agreeable work, build up in man a sense of being really at home in earth."The AT breaks a person down. The daily challenge is daunting. Every climb seems to be my last.Actually today was the easiest day on the AT, so far.Made it to Carter Gap by 16:00.Deny a Delta airline pilot on leave had a Hennessy Hammock for me to try out.After setting it up, I placed my Thermorest inside my sleeping bag as instructed and placed it up into the hammock. You must be a contortionist to then climb into the hammock from the underside, then wriggle into your sleeping bag. I lasted until 23:00, when my knee started to throb. With the thermorest inside the sleeping bag, it is impossible to bend over and massage your legs. I was worried about suffering a severe cramp and not being able to extricate my self from this cocoon! I managed to disentangle myself and return to the shelter for the night!
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 10 - Unravelling SoulsThis Screwtape reading requires further explanation."A great human philosopher nearly let our secret out, Where Virtue is concerned, Experience is the mother of illusion, but thanks to a page in Fashion, and also of course to the Historical Point of View have largely rendered his book innocuous."An illusionist requires his audience to have prior experiences to make his illusions work. We know that David Copperfield cannot really make the Statue of Liberty dissapear. But drawing on our preconceptions, it seems to dissapear. I haven't sorted out the Virtue part of this passage. Help!!On the trail by 08:15. Slow start, but easy travelling. The ridgeline approaching Albert Mtn was spectacular. We were told the trail up Albert Mtn was hand and foot climbing. We took the blue blaze trail. No regrets!Finally made it to Rock Gap by 16:00. In the shelter that night was Jeff, Peter from Missouri, Keith and Max the dog from Maine, and Deny the pilot.It was a really good mix of hikers with good stories to entertain. Later on, 2 more young hikers ( < 24 ) arrived after doing a 20 mile day.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 11 - The Secret Thread"You may have noticed that the books you really love are bound by a secret thread. You know very well what is the common quality that makes you love them, although you cannot put it into words."This was to be a short morning hike only 3.7 miles to the Winding Stair Gap to catch a 11:00 shuttle into Franklin. At the Winding Stair Gap, the local Baptist church had set up trail magic. We arrived with an hour to spare and recieve the goodness, the love and trail magic that they offered. It was a good time to just relax and take in the sun. Trail Magic is one of the secret threads that make the AT so wonderful.In my scouting life, I find that it is so difficult in making the kids reflect and verbalize what they really like about scouts. If they cannot define this quality, why continue in Scouts? I am continuing in my search to define my future role as a Venturer leader.Today promises to be an easy day, with a zero day tommorow?
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Campsite
Miles today: 10.0

Day 12The Hint of More "Here at last is the thing I was made for." The AT is a vehicle from which I hope to evaluate the secret signature of my life.Jeff & I were shuttled back to the trailhead by 0915. We took it easy for the first 5.9 miles where at Wayah Gap we saw a sign indicating Trail Magic @ Wayah Bald, 4.2 miles away. The time was 1250. We could not possibly cover the distance uphill by 1400. It was so cruel! Nevertheless, we raced uphill covering the first 2.4 miles by 1400. Gamely, we reached the top by 1500 to be greeted by the Anderson Hiking Club at their annual Trail Magic! We were only the 6th & 7th hikers to receive their generosity.A dozen club members from Anderson, N.C., 70 miles away, were serving burgers, drinks, fruit,and hiker treats to two tired & exhausted hikers. A third hiker -Bunkers- a female firefighter from Auburn, N.Y. showed up a half hour later. After taking parting photo shots, we spent another half hour taking in the views of Wayah Bald. The campsite was only another half hour away. We were the first to set up! By dusk, there were another 10 tents set up. Some of these stragglers had received sodas from the Anderson Hiking Club when they picked up their sign from Wayah Gap.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Wayah Bald Campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 13A Most Complete WifeOn the climb to Wesser Bald, I pulled out the day's reading "A Most Complete Wife". Jeff and I discussed the qualities of the complete wife. Definitely not a brother! Our conscience, organizer, scheduler, planner, friend, etc. Is there a day for the complete husband! Reached the shelter by 1530. Martha Stuart from North Bay came in about dusk. She has been doing 15 mile days. Her 2 older sisters have done thru-hikes in previous years!
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: broken clouds

Day 14"A World Starving""We live in a world starved for solitude, silence & privacy; and therefore, starved for meditation & true friendship." After a night of fighting off the mice in Wesser Bald, it was a relief to get going before threatening rain. Reached the NOC before 1130. The NOC is a wilderness outdoor centre featuring white water rafting, kayaking, rope courses and train stops. The NOC is a spot where thru hikers zero. A hostel village is built into the hillside, somewhat like an EWOK village. I picked up another box of blister bandages, a replacement cartridge for the water filter, neosporin, and for my temperment, a tub of Ben & Jerry's ice cream!The AT is a place to find solitude, privacy and I believe a true friend in Jeff.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: NOC

To: Locust Cove Gap Campsite
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 15"Welcome to the Family"Hikers on the AT belong to the Fraternity, "Looking for a Hint of More". The young thru-hikers are those just finished school, and the older hikers those just finished careers. Section hikers like myself have still to balance family, careers and finances. The unifying factor is solitude, deprivation, hunger, cold and hardship providing a personal challenge. After a good breakfast at the NOC, it was a big climb to the Cheoah Bald-- 5062 ft. in 7.1 miles. Only another 2.4 miles to the Locust Gap Campground by 1600. Already camped there was an elderly couple, Grandma Hero, age 70 and her husband. He had asked what she wanted for her 70th birthday. Consequently, they are thru-hiking. Been on the trail for a month and a half! They are part of the AT Family.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Locust Cove Gap Campsite

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Day 16"Immortality" -- Does hiking the AT have any bearing on your immortality? This passage is soooo deep!It was a warm start in the morning. Made it to the Brown Fork Shelter, 5.5miles, by 1100. Too early to stop, but starting to rain. Another 6.1 miles to Cable Gap Shelter in rain by 1430. The shelter was full that night, with all the hikers ---60 years of age! Rain let up finally by 1800.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Cable Gap Shelter

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

Day 17"We are marble waiting to be shaped, metal waiting to be run in a mold". A cook has to select the right ingredients for the special dishes. After a wet night in a crowded shelter nestled between big snorer on one side and bigger snorer on the other, it was a slippery, muddy hike down to Fontana Dam. Once at the dam, it turned sunny. There were a lot of bikers in town for a bike rally. This is the Tail of the Dragon, a renowned bike route.At the dam, we took stuff out of our packs to dry, while we waited for our shuttle from the Hike Inn to arrive. The owners are really Hiker friendly, but anti-biker. After 170 miles on the AT, it takes an adjustment to the noise of all the Harleys.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 18"The Right Job""Every individual is of infinite value. God is an employment consellor. With Christ we find our true place in life"Up at 07:00 and made breakfast for Jeff, Gimpy and myself using just the Hike Inns microwave oven. Microwave eggs, bacon, apple turnovers and OJ. They had never seen it done before! It was a good start to the day. We were going into the Great Smokies with no re-supply for six days.Dropped off at Fontana Dam - TVA's biggest hydro-electric facility - 238 MWe.Met Keith sans Max (dogs not allowed in the Smokies) at the Birch Spring Campsite. A deer was grazing within 10 meters. Arrived at the Molly Ridge Shelter by 14:15. A ridgerunner advised us that Molly Ridge would be busy and the next shelter 3.3 miles away was only an easy 90 minute hike.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 19 "Two Final Points""First - Individuality appears to be un-Christian worship" But "Seven of Nine" pursuit was individuality away from the collective. "Neither the individual nor the community as popular thought understands them can inherit eternal life, neither the natural self, nor the collective mass, but a new creature" Is it man's evolution to an energy form. Star Trek?Up early and on the trail by 07:45. Easy going to Spence's Field Shelter 2.7 m by 09:30 Jeff's knee was acting up. And we decided to stop for the day.Hikers in for the night were: Piper, Keith, Sugar Grits & Camo, Salt & Sweet.Everyone had trouble with the last 2 miles of unanticipated ups and downs.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 20"Troughs and Peaks"Made it to Silers Bald Shelter by 10:00.Then to the Double Spring Gap Shelter by 11:30 Then we were to summit Clingmans Dome 6643', the highest pt on the AT.It was hot and sunny. At this elevation, the sun just bakes you. Any shade is a relief. Arrived at the top of which I thought was Clingmans, but over in the distance was another peak with an apparent ski lift. Down another trough and up another peak. The ski lift was a circular ramp lookout for tourists! Another 4 miles to Mt Collins and arrived finally at 16:30. There were a lot of downed trees from the wind storm two weeks ago. Estimated about 10 % of the big trees were toppled. These were trees of 3 ft diameter. In tree management, do I spend 25% on root growth, 50% on leafs and 25% on branchs? The smaller trees that survive were in turn holding up the remmants of the toppled trees. Everyone suffers!
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Peaks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 21 - Total estimated mileage ~ 222.6 m"Servant Who Become Sons""The Borg want assimilation. The Enemy wants a world full of being united to Him but still distinct."On the trail early by 07:30. Made it to Newfound Gap 5 m - which is the turnoff to Gatlingburg and Knoxville and Dollyworld by 10:00. Made a spectacle for the tourist buses. They wanted pictures with AT hikers. But it did not result in any soda's! Pushed on to the Icewater Spring Shelter 3 m by 12:15. After a quick lunch, off to Charlies Bunion - A double rock spire. A plaque was found on the second spire. Apparently a fatality. "He has showed you O Man, what is good, And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" Micah 6:8 A group of 6 young Pastors age 25-30 were at Charles Bunion and one of them looked up the scripture on his palm pilot. We all ended up at Peaks by 17:30. It was our longest day yet, with the most spectacular scenery yet!The pastors were all from Missouri who discussed personal relationship with God but were not overbearing.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Peaks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 22 -"And Still Obeys""Inspite of hardship, loyalty!"On the trail early, to beat a possible thunderstorm? Made it to Tri-Corner Knob shelter 5.7 m by 10:30. Cooked raman noodles. Running out of lunch meals. Cloud cover was nice as it kept the temperature down. Made it to Cosby Knob by 15:00. There were 7 hikers already in the shelter. 5 were Baptist Men in the Mountains from Florida who were doing a circular tour and sharing fellowship. I was invited for their devotional for the evening.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 23"Mother's Day"I believe there already has been discussion of a Mother's Love. On the way down from Cosby Knob Shelter, we ran across some lichen on a granite outcrop. This reminded me of the soup my mom would often make using some awfull tasting chinese seaweed. I know that my mom who passed away in 1991, would be supportive of me on this journey on the AT. I spent the next half hour in tears, hiking down the mountain. Jeff, helped out talking about his parents who are 84 and 87 but still around.At the Davenport Gap, we encountered our third trail magic. But we had to work for it. The Knoxville News Sentinel had a photo crew out taking pictures of AT hikers and giving out sodas, sandwiches and chocolate milk. After 6 days in the Smokies, boy was it good! The photos and the articles will be sent to us via snail mail.Another 3 miles, and I finally had my first shower in 6 days! at the Standing Bear Farm Hostel! Boy It feels good.Don't forget Mother's Day!
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Max Patch - Below the Summit
Miles today: 13.0

Day 24 - "The Great Weapon""Death is Satan's great weapon and also God's great weapon: it is holy and unholy; it is ambivalent; the thing Christ came to conquer and the means by which he conqurered."Left the Standing Bear Farm Hostel by 07:30. The climb up the mountain to the Ground Hog Creek Shelter 7.2 m & 1500' elevation gain by 12:00 was fairly easy.Decided to push on the Max Patch a bald another 6.4 m away under threatening rain. It rained and it poured and it thundered. We dared not enter the bald.Jeff and I set up his 8 X 10 Tarp right across the trail for protection against the downpour. All we could do was wait out the worst of the rain and thunder for 2 hours. We then reestablished at another campsite just short of the bald.I was wet and cold and wanted just to get in my dry sleeping bag. With the storm abated, Jeff went up to the Max Patch Bald to use his cell phone. The view was spectacular 360 deg and the surrounding mountains were clearly visible.I thought it could wait until the morning.Rain is a nuisance but necessary for our existance.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Max Patch - Below the Summit

To: Garenflo Gap - Near
Miles today: 14.0

Day 25 - "Very Pattern of Reality""In science we have been reading only the notes to a poem; in Christianity, we find the poem."Up early and on the trail by 07:10 without breakfast. It is sprinkling. Finally summitted Max Patch. It is a huge grassy top with spectacular views. Unfortunately, with the rain the surrounding mountains are fogged in. Jeff had taken pictures the night before. Reached the new Raging Fork Shelter at 09:00 for breakfast. The discrepancy in distance between the old and the new shelter was almost 4 miles. The night before, some other hikers who had approached the bald during the thunderstorm were still astounded by the ferocity of the thunder. Still raining. Reached the Walnut Mountain Shelter by 12:00. Still raining. Pushed on to near Garenflo Gap by 15:30 when the rain let up. Time to stop. For supper was the last of my reserve of dehydrated ground beef. Not bad, Nancy had dehydrated this ground beef back on March 8th, and after 25 days on the Trail it was finally used up!
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Garenflo Gap - Near

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Day 26 - " New Life""One of our own race has this new life; if we get close to Him we shall catch it from Him."Is the AT, the mechanism to get close to Him?On the trail again by 07:10, without breakfast. It is raining. After a hour, we stopped for breakfast. The rain has stopped. Reached Hot Springs by 11:00.There are a lot of hikers here. Zeroing, and resupplying for another 5 day push to Erwin, Tenn. The AT is like a creek, and Hot Springs is like a pond filling up with fish many who stop and some who just swim on through.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs - 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 27 - Zero DayTotal distance completed is ~ 280 miles.Another 720 miles to go! It is discouraging. It is so far.You just can't look that far ahead.Look at what has been achieved - 280 miles and focus only on next week.We will be in Erwin Tenn 70 miles away in 5-6 days, then Elk Park another 50 miles by May 16th. Jeff and I will be picked up by this daughter who lives in Boone, NC. After some homecooking and shuttle forward to Damacus and Trail Days, Jeff will drop me back to Elk Park where I will continue on to Harper's Ferry.Jeff Palmer has been a good trail companion. He has shared with me with the readings of CS Lewis and taken on the trail name - Wormwood. An avid long distance cyclist, he has ridden through all the states except 2 and most of the provinces in Canada. A bike trip across Canada is also on my wish list. Jeff has built and designed a solar passive house near Syracuse, NY. Jeff and I part on May 20th, but there are a lot of common interests and memories for the future?
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Hot Springs - 2

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 28 - "It's Not Fair""To what do you look for help, but from that which is stronger than yourself."The climb from Hot Springs seemed easier this morning. Am I finally in shape? Made it to the Spring Mtn Shelter 8.3 m by in under 6 hrs. After a 2 hr stopover, pushed on just before Allen Gap. The last hill was punishing. The confidence in the morning had dissolved in the afternoon. I don't have the climbing endurance as Jeff; he is a long distance cyclist. It is not fair! I just have to compensate with making up on the flats, and on the downhills, and liberal use of my treking poles. We found out later that Otter (and Max) had injured himself less than 200 meters away at Allen Gap. If we had continued hiking for another 10 minutes we would have been able to offer help. Otter is back on the trail, but as of May 17, must take rest due to severe shin splints. Its not fair!
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Allen Gap

To: Shelton Grave Campsite
Miles today: 15.0

Day 29 - "Full Surrender""Repentance is no fun at all. It is harder than merely eating humble pie."No I am not giving up! The AT is hard; but, you just got to suck it up and keep on plugging away.On the trail early by 07:45 and made it to the Little Laurel Shelter 4.9 m by 10:00. Another 6.7 m to the Jerry Cabin Shelter by 16:00. Then another 3.4 m to a campsite. The going was slow, picking your way through the rocks with no end! The Shelton Grave site is a civil war grave site decorated with flowers and flags.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Shelton Grave Campsite

To: Big Bald Campsite (Just Before)
Miles today: 15.2

Day 30 - "With God's Help""We love and reason because God loves and reasons and holds our hand while we do it."To be honest, today was a blur. Reached the Hogback Ridge Shelter 11.2 m about 15:00. Too early to stop. Decided to push on further for another 4 miles to a spring and a campsite when my legs gave out. Just have to sleep!
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Big Bald Campsite (Just Before)

To: No Busines Knob
Miles today: 16.6

Day 31 - "Nice is Not Enough""We must try by every medical, educational, economic and political means in our power to produce a world where as many people as possible grow up 'nice'; just as we must try to produce a world where all have plenty to eat. But there is still a requirement for God's inspiration."Early on the trail today, was a tent pitched across the trail and the trail was barely 2 feet wide at this point. Bonnie and Clyde had hiked into the night, and in pure exhaustion, just pitched their tent on the only flat terrain they could find. They had a sausage pizza in their tent, and had been scared witless by some creature in the night that had been sniffing around their tent during the night. That was their state when we found them in the morning.Another 500 meters further, we encountered Trail Magic #4! Carrots, celery, boiled eggs, water, coffee, cookies. What a lovely surprise! Apparently left by Ashley who lives nearby. This was about 09:00 and we were the first today to find it. On to the Big Bald Shelter by 11:00 and onto the No Business Knob Shelter by 17:30. No Business also is no privy!One fellow hiker - "Wooly" is a proud father of a daughter in the NASA program. He was showing us pictures of his 26 year old daughter dressed in a full extramural space suit inside the command module of a space shuttle simulator.