morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Jarrod Gap

To: Neal's Gap
Miles today: 5.4

We got a better start this morning but it was still 9:30. We topped Blood Mountain, the highest spot on the trail in Georgia at noon. 4461 feet. We met Tom, Jake, and his brother Adam at all the rest spots. At Neals Gap there is an outfitter right on the trail and there were trail angels passing out hot dogs, burgers, chips, drinks, beef stew oer orzo pasta. (Jen said it wasn't stew it was something else, but I can't remember the name. Basically it was meat in a great sauce.)We rented one room of a 3 room cabin but no one else rented the other two so essentially we had the cabin to ourselves. The door was locked and they didn't have a key so Levi went around back and soon was in. Later on, when we got ready to go to dinner we were locked out. We went around back and I boosted Jen up to the second floor balcony where she went in the door up there. They told us when they took us to the cabin that either someone wuold bring us a Pizza or pick us up for dinner at 6 pm. At 6 Jim, another hiker, from Durham, NC showe up in the van. He had just got off the trail and they gave him the keys to the van, told him to pick us up, drew him a map and we were on our way. I don't know when they will pick us up in the morning. We told Jim to tell them 8:30We went to Blairsville with Jim and had the buffet at the Cookie Jar Resturant, and all you can eat steak house, buffet.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Neal's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

We left Neal's Gap at 9:30. It was a tough morning. Made slow time, only 4 miles by lunch. Our life seems to be a series of 1) Where do you get water and 2)where do you stop for the night.   This is our first night at a shelter. We are in our tent but used the table for cooking and eating and used the bear poles. There is no one in the shelter. Jim from last night is camping up the hill. He said he hurt his knee today. He kiked with six other hikers, 2 went on to the next shelter another 7.2 miles. 4 were going to go a little further to camp. (Jim reminds me of Stan Minchow)   We go to the shelter at 5:30. We say no North Bounders and only one south bounder today on the trail. For all of the hikers, we see very few.   We have seen very little wildlife. It is still winter in the GA mountains. My legs are tired, Jen's knees are sore and we both have a Lazarus Syndrome. You know, "Lord, by this time he stinketh."    Not sure how far we will try for tomorrow. The next shelter is only 7.2 miles, that is too close, Unicoi gap is 9.4. Unicoi gap is the gap to Helen Georgia, but it is too soon for a visit to town.
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

This morning was uphill to Blue Mountain. We made good time, had lunch at blue Mtn Shelter at 1pm. We met 3 hikers at the shelter. Kay and Gadget, a young couple from PA and Sugar______ (I can't remember sugar what?) from Fla. Sugar was going to take a zero day at Helen because she had walked 3 miles the wrong direction this morning. After lunch we went to Unicoi Gap, caught Kay and Gadget there and a new hiker for us, Sailor. He is an Older Gentleman from Fla hiking after 31 years in the Navy.   They left before us but we passed them hiking up Rocky Mountain. We found water and stopped at a campsite on the top of the mountain. Jake and Adam were there. Adam had enough. He had called friends and they were coming to get him. He and Jake were redistributing gear and food so Jake could continue.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Rocky Mountain

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

   When we got to the Cheeze Factory Site, there was Jake again. When they got to the site there was trail magic. Burgers, Brauts, beer, Jack Daniels, Cold Drinks. They had a party and we missed it by stopping too soon. They were going to make pancakes, but we had just eaten breakfast and so we continued on.    We were making good enough time we decided to shoot for Dicks Creek Gap and our first zero day. We stopped at Moreland Gap, 1.2 miles short of Dick's creek Gap and made reservations at the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee.    We made the Gap jsut about dark. Chip,( Earnie buff,) from NJ was there trying to hitch a ride to town. There was no phone reception so Jen put out her thumb and the first vehicle by, a pick up truck, stopped and gave us a ride to the Holiday Inn.    Jen rode in the front with him, Chip and I in the back. He told Jen he was a Christian and to help others was his responsibility.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day, and it felt good. Had another all you can eat buffet, then a burger for lunch then a ribeye steak for supper. Did the washing, of bodies and clothes.    The package from Marshall's with my poles came, but the bounce box we sent from home before we left didn't make it.   Gary, from the Blueberry Hostel will sent it to me at either Fontana or Standing Bear Farm, depending on when it arrives.
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Dick's Creek Gap

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

This was a killer day. The days coming out of towns will probably all be this way. First, the elevation of the towns is low so you have a long climb. Second, you are totally packed with food and fuel and water. Get used to it I guess.    This was uphill all day. The last climb was straight up. We did make North Carolina but my camera quit taking pictures.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Jen was sick most of the night. Upset Tummy. Threw last nights meal this morning. We had a very slow go today. Twice I carried Jen's pack for her. Once uphill then the last 1/2 mile or so down to deep gap.    I started looking for a way to get off the mountain and give her a good nights rest. When we got to Deep Gap though there were some hikers from last year who were setting up Trail Magic. Sandwiches, drinks, cookies, chips, moon pies.    I built a fire and toasted Jen a tortilla and got an orange soda from the angels. I spread out the Bill Richard Honarary Tarp and she lay down and took a nap. I made myself a ham sandwich and sat in a lawn chair talking to one of the angels while Jen slept.    The angels were from Gainsville Fla and tried to through hike last year and drove all the way from Fla just to pass out trail magic for the weekend.    After she woke up, we hiked another .9 miles to the shelter, we set up the tent and Jen is sleeping again.    Before trail magic I was thinking of getting a ride to Franklin and maybe spend a few days slack packing this section. But if Jen feels ok tomorrow we will go on.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wine Spring
Miles today: 8.2

We still had things to do in town so we went to breakfast. I wanted one of each thing on the menu. We took the 11 am shuttle to the trail. The hiking was totally uphill. Wonder woman wnet to breakfast with us. Then it turns out she was the hotel maid, working for her keep. We hiked the 8.2 miles by 4:30. Whenwe got to wine spring, did I say it was all uphill? swampfoot had his camp set up. Later arrivals were Fred, Diehard, Who-ya Slinky and Dog, and coyote. The two old hiker stayed onthe trail jus before the spring. Chip cheated. He got off the trail at Rock Gap but started back at Winding stair. He skipped 3.7 miles he said he had already down that section. While that is true, he has already done the whole trail as far as Harper's Ferry. It was nice to stop early enought to enjyou supper. Built fire to get away from bugs. I wonder what wonder woman would say?
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Wine Spring

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Got an early start. 7.6 miles to Cold Spring Shelter where we ate lunch at 1pm. Climed another fire observation site where we could see mountains we will be climbing in the weeks ahead. At lunch I listened to my messages 1 from amy and one from Krista and 1 from Gary at Blueberry hostel, they got my package today that I mailed from SLC on the 14th. HE is mailing to Fontana Dam. If we keep hiking we will make Fontana Dam on Sat afternoon, too late for Mail. It is closed Sunday. So I think we will Zero at the NOC which we will reach tomorrow.    The shelter is full and all the camp laces full because it is the only water for miles. Lots of people we know and some others who were at wine spring last night.
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

Got up at 7, tookour time and got on the trail at 8:45. So only 30 minutes later than yesterday whe we hurried. Our getting on the trail routine is beginning to take shape. Alarm rings, I get dressed and go out and thet the bear bag, boil water, while waiting for water to boil and drink an instant breakfast. water boils, make two cups of coffee and call JEn. In the meantime she is in the tent, gets dressed, stuffs bags intheir sack, deflates pads and puts them in their bags and gets all the stuff out of the tent. When I call she gets up for breakfast. She eats oatmean, me granola. This morning she had some cream cheeze on a bagel left over from lunches since we didn't need lunch today. Then pump water she starts taking the tent down. We pack it all up and hit the trail.    Today we hiked into Nantahal Outdoor Center at Wesser(on theMap) It is a recreation spot. Rafts, Kayaks, people wading the the river, a couple of resturants and lodging options.    First we had, well I had a hamburger, Jen a chicken salad sandwich with extra Mayo and black berry cobbler ala mode. Then we rented a 8x10 cell with bunkbeds. Bathrooms are in a different building with laundry. Motel rooms are available 1.25 mles west but no laundry facilities. Trying to decide whether to zero here or fontana. Those familiar with both say here.    Do you want to know how many flowers ther are on the AT? If we finish I will be able to tell you because Jen takes a piture of all of them. Most days that is no problem, give me an extra rest. Today--headed to hamburger, it was a problem. It rained on us lightly most of the morning, we got to the NOC right at lunch.    We saw two deer in a gap today and an oriole. It looks just like the one onthe baltimore Oriole hat i bought lat year. I invited Bluebell an tree and Fred to SLC, gave them address and phone number for some real skiing.
Date: 2007-03-30
From: NOC

To: Sasafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: scattered clouds

My turn to be sick last night. Supper did not sit well, lost it all. I felt much better this morning. checked aout a ride to Bryson City no luck without hitching so we paked up and hit the trail We are not getting Sprint service anywhere although the sprint chart says we should. Also dissatisfied with tthe NOC. They are ot very interested in serving hikers. Much more interested in Rafters. No shuttles, no internet, no laundry in their motel. We didn't want to stay another day so we decided to just take it esy on this section and get to Fontana Dam on Monday.   Heard that Clay and Branch are off the trail He hurt his ankle. some of the hikers last night at NO were talking about their handing out trail magic at Wayah Gap. We must have just gottenthere too late on they day they were there.    Tonight at Sasafrass shelter are Who-ah; Joe from Ashville, Dave from England, Slinky and Dog, and a new hiker to us, from NJ. Chill Out. Fred was shooting for the next shelter and I guess Bluebell and Tree went by too cempt they didn't sign the register. Fred's wife is meeting him at fontana no wonder he is in a hurry. Stealth Blew, AKA chip, was here two nights ago. Jake, AKA, BoCephus was here last night as was M&M.    While we were sitting around talking, two bear dogs showed up. Around midnight their owner passed by and collected them.
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Sasafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

   I knew it! I knew when we left NOC without a zero day, witha plan to mosey over to Fontana Dam, Jen would want to press on. At 4 pm we arrived at destination for the night--Bown forkGap shelter. 9.1 miles. We decided it was too early to stop so we pressed on to campsite at cody gap. 2.8 miles further. It didn't hurt that there were no level tent sites at Brown fork Gap Shelter. Who-ah pressed on with us. UK Dave was at the campsite alredy. Chico pressed on further looking for younger company. We go to bed too early. There was trail Magic at Stecoah Gap. Hikers from 2006 were set up to feed hikers. Hamburgers, cold drinks, fruit unending, watermellon, cookies, candy fresh water. What a blessing. From Brown Fork Gap Shelter we called and made reservations for Fontana Dam. We will be there tomorrow night. 8.4 miles.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Our first day really hiking in the rain. It started raining about 3 am and rained all the way to Fontana Dam. Reached here about 3pm and walked up to the picknic grounds. There was a family of Cherokee Indians just about to have a picnic lunch. The lady, "Grandma", Invited us to join them and so we had a picnic lunch then they drove us to the hotel. It was a fun time. She had been to church that morning in Cherokee, TN and they drove to the dam for the picnic. She said, "I am a Baptist." Tomorrow is going to be our first Zero day since Hiawassee (sp) We are looking forward to putting our feet up, ice on the knee caps, and some protein in the belly. A Sirloin Strip steak cooked medium with a Baked Potato really hit the spot. Sleeping in a bed is starting to get difficult though. They are so soft.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today is Zero day. After breakfast, (Jen says after the trail we have got to stop eating like this, and it will be like an addict coming off of heroin) we went to the Post Office to get our drop box and our mailed box from Amy. Both were there along with a delightful box of cookies from Robert and Donna Marshall. Now we have to go through it and make our cache for our assult of the Smokies. Tomorrow by the time we sleep, we will be 1) in Tennessee, and 2) under 2000 miles remaining. Joining us here we have seen KiWi, Chico, Breadless, M & M, Chill Out, BowLeg and Bono, Yorkshire, Hiker Girl, Blue Meanie. The last time we saw UK, he was still in his tent in the driving rain storm. They may know more about rain in England than we do here. OK. Off to watch the Yankees and then the NCAA finals, and 24. TV was a wonderful invention, as was the automobile.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a hard day - the packs were heavy and the incline was long, but had alot of switchbacks. We were wore out by 5:30 when we arrived at the shelter. Due to park regulations we had to stay in the shelter.The weather has been nice, but rain is forcast for tonight and then colder weather and perhaps snow later in the week
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The thunderstorms started at about 1pm and rained and blew all night, and finally let up about day break. No one in the shelter moved until 7:30. We were on the trail at 9:38. Fred asked us to pray for one of his students who was in a car accident. The hike was mostly level today, level meaning the ups and downs evened out. It was really misty in the morning. It cleared off for some spectacular views. One moutain we crossed was Rocky Top - don't know if it is the real Rocky Top of the song or not. The mileage figures are not always precise. Today especially - the miles on the map, the miles on the signs and the actual miles you walk don't seem to agree. We walked most of the day with Kiwi. He was here in the shelter with Slinky, Dog, Retriever and the section hikers from last night are tenting. There are two other guys tenting - two new thru hikers, Billy and Shasta, a young couple. They have built a fire in the shlter fireplace - hung their tent over the fence (bear fence) and are getting it toasty in here. The wind is blowing in over our feet though.Tomorrow the plan is a 14 mile day - over Clingman Dome, the highest point on the trail. We need to get over that before the snow comes tomorrow night. -Flint & Jubilee
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Clingman Dome
Miles today: 10.1

Well, we didn't make it. We got to Clingham dome, 4 miles short at 4:15. We went to get water and realized it would be 5:30 when we got back on the trail, which would put us at the shelter between 7:30-8.A couple from MD gave us a ride in to town. They said they would take us into Sugarland about 2 miles from Gatlingberg, but Jen had them so engaged in conversation they took us all the way. We shared a room with Kiwi - he promised pizza and all the beer we could drink. He got off easy with us -Flint & Jubilee
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Clingman Dome

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

The shuttle picked us up at 8, we got to Clingham Dome at 8:45, on the trail by 9. Passed Bryson (we went further than he did in "A Walk in the Woods", we also passed 200 miles. Cold days are good for hiking. We got to the shelter at 4 pm. It was cold. We cooked pizza let over from last night. It has started snowing and supposed to get cold tonight. Two hikers just showed up. -Flint & Jubilee
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to 17 degrees in the shelter and 6 in. of snow on the ground. James, a young man thru hiker headed north so we decided we would too. After a few miles - maybe only one - we came up behind Granbo, a 65 year old woman who was at the shelter in bed to keep warm already when we arrived. So we spent all day helping her. Jen carried her tent, then Kiwi carried it a while. Jen let her use one of her poles. Granbo had a walking stick only. The hiking was good under cloudy skies.The weather has been cold and windy in TN and warm and no wind in NC.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

How many ways can you spell COLD? 19 degrees in the shelter when we got up at 7 am. HAPPY EASTER!!!!When weather is cold the hiking is good. The sleeping is good. But the stopping is cold and miserable. Hiked today mostly in the snow. Beautiful clear skies, very little wind. It's still cold - frozen water. Left Grambo at Shelter , informed Ridge Runner of her presence. Ear worm was "Up from the grave he arose" then later "Jesus is Alive". When we got to shelter 3 guys from Ohio were working hard to build a fire. It warms up right in front of the fireplace. 36.6 degrees at my bed which is closest to the fireplace.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Waterville Shore Road
Miles today: 10.0

It's much warmer this morning. We all woke up singing Beach Boy songs. It was a marvelous 28 degrees in teh shelter when we crawled out at 7 am. We were actually able to thaw out our drinking bladder for the first time in 3 days. After a rough start with Nick, he and the other two turned out to be real nice guys. They helped get boots, socks,and gloves dry. My fleece shirt was wet from hiking sweat so I put it on the line to dry and instead it frose. But the fire warmed it up and it was nice and toasty when I put it on. Very few hikers left in the Smoky's, most bailed to get out of the weather. We plugged on an at 3pm today we hiked out of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, under I 40 and into Standing Bear Farm which is a hostel for hikers. That is another story. Really nice owner Curtis Owen but the place is quite rustic. He has a bunk house with 16 bunks and a wood stove, and a cabin with two double beds and a loft. Problem - there is no heat and the temp is supposed to dip into the 20's again. After looking both over Jen and I opted for the cabin. After 6 nights in shelters and one in a shared motel room listening to others snore, I am ready to do without the snore chorus. There are 2 showers, one practically outside. The restroom is a privy. THe supply house is sparce, on a hillside. The kitchen has a burner, a microwave and a toaster oven. The laundry, in which i am sitting now, has a washer/dryer and a computer hooked to the internet. He gave us a piece of paper to keep a running tab and we will settle up in the morning. One of the hikers we have been with the last few nights, Bruce, is getting off here and his son came to meet him. They tooks us to 'town' for BBQ. 'Town' turned out to be a BP station with a restuarant in the back. So we ate ribs while we watched the munsters on TV. This is high class!
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Waterville Shore Road

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 10.5

Whee! - What a day. Woke up a little late at 7:30 because we were burrowed so deep in the quilts of the bed in the cabin with no heat that we neither heard the alarm or saw the light coming in the room. While getting ready for breakfast of instant grits with cheeze, Bruce the section hiker with the car volunteered to go to the store for pancake mix and syrup. So he did. By the time we had pankcakes and were ready to hit the trail another guy with a car was talking to us, mostly about dogs and cats and I was trying to find someway to carry the camera case Amy sent with the camera. He said he was going to Hot Springs today and would take it there for us. So we put everything we didn't need for 3 days - trail mix surplus, batteries, chargers, etc. - in a box, gave them to a guy we don't know trusting they will get to Hot Springs and we can get them. Then at 10-11 we finally start hiking. At 4:30 we are finishing our decent into Brown Gap, our destination for the night, when all of a sudden Kiwi who was out in front, let out a yelp. When we rounded the corner we saw what his yelp was about. There was a homemade sign psoted to the Brown Gap sign that said "Trail Magic Ahead - Cold Drinks" A guy from Austin, TX, retired from IBM had a gazebo set up with chairs and a cooler of soft drinks. As we were visitng he casually said "I have to go to town to get hot dogs for tomorrow, I would be glad to take you in. So - we ate supper at an AYCE buffet at KFC in Newport, TN.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Brown Gap

To: Garenflo Gap
Miles today: 16.7

Warm night in the tent. Got up at 6:45, ready to hike at 8:10. Walked up trail to Kiwi's camp, he wasn't ready, so we left at 8:40. Our plan was to eat lunch at Roaring Fork Shelter, and stay at Walnut Mountain Shelter. First over Max Patch Bald. Incredible sites - a bald mountain they used to land planes on. Windy and cold, so we hurried on. Met a hiking club from Meyerville, TN. The Smokey Mountain Whizzers. It was a group of 10 older men on a hike. The shelter log told of a bear attack in the shelter last night. The hiker yelled at the bear and it left. We got to the 2nd shelter at 2:30, but it was an awful shelter. It was small, no cooking area and the opening faced the wind. We pushed on trying to beat the weather. At some point Kiwi decided we ought to try for Hot springs even though it would mean some night hiking. The rain caught us before we got very far. We were hiking downhill toward Hot Springs and trying to make good time when all of a sudden my left knee said, "enough." I could not put weight on it. When we got to Garenflo gap Jen and I found a flat spot and pitched our tent in the rain. We were 6.4 miles from Hot Springs. Kiwi did not stop, he continued on toward town. It is a wet night with water falling from the sky, but we have very little water for eating and drinking. We will have to get to water in the morning before we can have breakfast.