morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Hiawassee Budget Inn, Hiawassee GA

To: Plum Orchard Gap shelter
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 7 and ready to go. Got b/f at Subway. The girl there didn't think I should have a sandwich toasted if it had tomatoes on it. Oh well. Shuttle left at 11 and we were at Dick's by 11:15 there was a group there setting up to do trail magic. They had chili, dogs, burgers, coffee, sodas and such but as I was already pretty well fed I didn't take any. Thye trail in was fairly easy and only 4.7 to the shelter but I didn't want to go too hard and besides, it's the journey not the destination.Got to Plumorchard in about 2 hours and set up. I was in the shelter and K3 tented. About 4, Alan ( Earl Grey) and Mammoth from Germany showed up. The shelter is unique in that it has 3 floors and probably could sleep 20. All in all a pretty uneventful day...those do happen up here!
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Plum Orchard Gap shelter

To: Muskrat Creek shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

Woke around 6:30 and it's still dark. When it's like that I just don't wan to get out of the bag.Finally up and about at 8. K3 and I decided to go to Muskrat Creek...not too far, but still progress.7.3 mi. but it's been about my average so far. I think it's about time I start pushing for a few more miles every day. The climb up to Bly Gap was fairly easy, and there it was, the first state line of the trip. Took a short break by the gnarled Oak in the clearing at Bly. Sharp Top and Courthouse Bald were a lot tougher. Took a lot of pictures today of the state line area and the sunset along the ridge near the shelter. Had a nice fire going at the shelter and the group here is lively and a lot of fun to be with.
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Muskrat Creek shelter

To: Standing Indian Mountain
Miles today: 6.4

Another nice day and another late start. I was originally going to just stop at Standing Indian shelter but decided to push on once I got to the shelter. Only 6.4 miles but mostly uphill on a gentle grade. I'm glad we did go the rest of the way. The views from the summit were spectacular. The summit is at elev 5498 ft. I needed to get some water when I got there so I looked at the map to see where water was. AWOL's map says there's no water but the ATC official map and the companion both show water on a blue blaze on the other side of the trail...if I had read carefully I would have seen that it is on the UNMARKED blue blaze. Instead I walked 1/2 mi. downhill on the Long Trail Ridge Trail blue blaze. no water...boy was I pissed at myself. Anyway, a bunch of other thru's came in about 6 or so and set camp directly on the summit. They came down about 15 min later and tried the other trail and came back up with the water. OK so twice now I've had to go get water only this time I took everything I had that would hold water and brought back about 2 gal. Drank most of it that night too! Have a nice little fire and had diner then went up to say hi to the other guys and watch the sunset. Only took a few pics of it. the rest are memories for me...sorry. The wind started to kick up around 9 so I doused the fire and went to bed.
Date: 2011-03-23
From: Standing Indian Mountain

To: Carter Gap shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Started late again. I just don't like dealing with packing up in the morning. Didn't get rolling until 10:15. Dilly Dally....Not really too much inspiring on the trail but I did get to the Beech Gap in about an hour. 3.1 mi/hr Not bad but it was all downhill! Really, it was! I thought I lost K3 between standing Indian and Beech Gap. I got to Beech and took a little break. A thru Hiker came by and I asked her if she had seen K3 she said she had seen a big guy near the top when she started down and she showed up just minutes after me. Her name is She-ra ( didn't get her real name)and she's from Perkasie, PA. So I waited for about 1/2 hr for K3, he didn't show so I motored on. Got to the Carter Gap shelter around 1P and was quite surprised to see him there. He must have hiked past me when I was at Beech answering natures call. He decided to press on and camp at Betty Gap. I decided to stay even thought the new shelter was full...so full that 3 guys were going to camp underneath the shelter. I went to look at the old shelter and saw why noone wanted to stay there. there is a huge hole in the floor and from the looks of it a strong sneeze could have knocked it down. I set up in what I thought looked like the best spot. I knew the weather was supposed to turn foul on us so I was glad to at least be in a shelter rather than try and brave it in my tent. Good choice!Gathered up a bunch of firewood.; Folks started to come in and before long we had 4 in the shelter and another 4 or 5 tents in the area. Got a nice fire going and around 6 it started to rain. By 6:15 it was a full on hell driven storm. Lightning, 50MPH gusts that sounded like freight trains coming through the woods and torrential rain. Rain that came in sideways, even rain that came up at you...just like in Forrest Gump! Tried to get to sleep but trying to get to sleep and sleep are 2 very different things. That's when I discovered the one drip in the shelter roof was directly over my bag! Oh Well! Over the years, people have removed boards from the side of the shelter to build fires with DUUUH! So the sides of the shelter offered very little in the way of protection to those sleeping by the sides. Squirrel and Chase both got their bags soaked. Red Oak and Sarge both spent the night battling the phantom drip in their tents. I just put up with the drip and it really wasn't that bad. I actually slept pretty good. At least the other guys in the shelter thought so because they said it didn't affect my snoring one bit!
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Big Spring shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

Another late start. But most of that was spent surveying the damage of last night. I did stay drier than everyone else so it wasn't too bad. I'll bet the guys at the new shelter who slept underneath got soaked. At one point last night I thought the whole shelter was coming down or at least the roof was going to blow off. You can shake the whole shelter just by pushing on it so it isn't the sturdiest thing ever built. A couple of times I felt rain on my face and I was sleeping with my head at the back wall. I made pretty good time coming down Little Ridgepole Mountain. Stopped to talk to a guy and his dog, and take some pictures. There's a formation across the the valley called Pickens Nose. Who says Tarheels don't have a sense of humor. I don't know if the mountain folk consider themselves Tarheels or not but North Carolinians doesn't have quite the same ring does it? I also got waylayed at Bearpen Gap by 2 fellows by the names of Gatorade and Fisherman Fred. Gatorade is from FL and Fisherman Fred is from MI. Both of them have hiked the trail and spend some time every year set up at this spot doing the best trail magic I have ever seen. I had 3 cups of fine coffee and Gatorade made me a grilled cheese sammich with Jalapenos. Just what I needed! Oh Yeah! These2 guys are tops in my book! And if you need anything in the way of bumper stickers...Fishermanfred.com is the place to go! The coffe really helped with the climb up Albert Mtn. 700 ft vert. in .3 mi...that's steep...mostly steps.The view from the top was pretty darn good though, and there is an old fire tower that you can climb to get an even better view. Funny...I fly and skydive and I'm still afraid of towers like this one...it's been standing for 50 some years, probably longer, but I always think that today it is the day it falls down... with me at the top! I really didn't like the gusts of wind but the view made my irrational fear were worth it!Got to the Big Spring shelter about 4P. Nobody else was here but a few guys started to come in and everyone decided to tent. I ended up having the shelter all to myself. That will probably be the last time that happens for quite some time. It's supposed to get pretty cold...low 30's tonight so I'll get my thermals and bag liner ready and try and stay warm.
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Big Spring shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap...Franklin NC
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Slept very cozy last night. Had to get up a few times to answer the call but that's what happens...got out of bed around 7:30 for a change. Had a nice b/f and listened to the other guys complain about how cold it was. Someone got last nights fire going again so we did have some heat.Started to walk at 9:30 and got to Glassmine Gap in about an hour. Glassmine Gap marks the 100 mile point on my journey. Had to stop to get rid of the thermals and to take some pics at a little stream near Rock Gap. I stopped at the Rock Gap shelter for a break and something to eat. Met Cap'n. Hook and discovered that K3 was going to get off the trail for good. He left a log entry to that effect. Bon Voyage and safe travels friend! Cap'n Hook was cleaning up and taking an impromptu count of the hikers coming through. Had a quick snack and pushed on to Wallace Gap. Got to Wallace in about 10 min. It's only .6 mi away! There were 3 kids who were out for the weekend there. I stopped and talked to them while I had my lunch. At 1P, I got going again on the way to Winding Stair Gap and the shuttle into Franklin. I ran into a couple on the way up the hill who said that they were going to Siler from Winding Stair....I told the guy that Siler was the other direction but he said he had checked the map and Siler was this way!...Boy oh Boy is his wife gonna be pissed! What do they say about guys never asking for directions?Also ran into Prince on the trail down the hill...we were only about 1/2 mi. from the road. I passed him and was at the Road at 2:30. No phone reception...but Prince made the call to Ron Haven's for the shuttle. Got into Franklin around 5. Got checked in, took a shower, and did my laundry.It sure is nice to be clean again. Walked down to a little place called Cafe REL.It's in the same building as the Hot Spot convenience store, but don't let the looks deceive you. The food is decidedly more upscale than your typical diner. I had the shrimp curry bok choy, the veggie eggplant Napoleon and a ceasar salad. The food was excellent and the decor and ambience were not what you would expect. the owner came and sat at my table with me for a little while and we talked about life on the trail. Turns out he's from Harrisburg, PA and classically trained as a chef. The menu reflects that. There was so much of it, and obviously my eyes are bigger than my stomach, that I had to take a doggie bag. That's a first! On the way out, Richard, the owner, gave me a piece of chocolate cake to take to the trail. Went back to the hotel and let my belly settle...what a great day!PS If you are ever in Franklin...you owe it to yourself to check out Cafe REL...I guarantee you will not be disappointed!
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Franklin NC

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Another zero day! Took a walk up the hill to the outfitters where i raided the hiker box and got some oatmeal. Also bought some Gold Bond and alcy fuel. Went next door to the Scottish Tartans Museum. It's a nice little gift shop and downstairs they have a real Museum that chronicles the history of the tartan and kilt. It was quite nice to see the Clan Young Tartan represented. I'll have to see that they get a swatch of the newly accepted Christina Young Tartan. While I was there, I had a nice chat with the Asst. Curator and also bought some canned Haggis and a pack of Walkers shortbreads. That's right folks I'm going to attempt the unthinkable! A 1 lb. can of Haggis on the trail! Not only am I going to attempt to eat a whole can by myself It will also be the first time I've tried canned Haggis. Disaster or delight! The sheer audacity and Herculean effort just to carry such stout fare to the trail is worthy of mention. Any Scot worth his kilt knows of what I speak! Aye laddies, it shall be a feast!Also walked down to the other end of town just to see whats here and went to Subway for lunch. Did some shopping at the Dollar General. Got back home and Ron showed up with the shuttle bus and informed us that the town shuttle would be at 3 instead of 5 so that he could take those that wanted to, to the local schools BBQ dinner fundraiser. Prince and I went to the small Ingles in town and got our shopping done. Just my luck, the freezers were all being replaced so they didn't have any frozen shrimp. I'll just have to make do with the canned stuff. I'm planning on making Shrimp and Apple Curry over Ramen for the first night out. Nice juxtaposition...Shrimp Curry with fresh veggies and Ramen. I told you the guys at the Low Gap shelter wanted to rename me Emeril. I say there is absolutely no reason to eat the same crap day after day for 6 mos. I don't like the Mountain House or other freeze-dried stuff that much and Ramen is a great base for anything if you just use your imagination. We went to the Cartoogechaye Elem school for BBQ. It was good for a fundraiser and we helped out the local school...though I am going to need something else. Got home and prepared all the food that I bought for the curry, and field stripped all the other stuff. Got mostly packed up and ready to go. Walked down to the Hot Spot and got a soda and some candy bars.
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Winding Stair Gap...Franklin NC

To: Siler Bald shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: broken clouds

back to the trail today! It's stopped raining for the moment but is expected to continue until Tuesday! Wish me luck! I was up around 7 and packed and ready to go by 8:30 Ate the last Almond Joy and a half a bag of Whales from last night...not the most nutritious breakfast but tasted good! Ron Haven drove us on the shuttle bus back to Winding Stair Gap and gave us a great run-down on what to expect ahead in the way of trail services. There's a kid on the bus who just got accepted to Warren Wilson College and says it's a great school! (hear that Kate?) Got to the Gap at 12:00 and started up the trail and made it to the first log bridge where I stopped to take a few photos and strip out of the extra layers of clothing. Also stopped at Swinging Lick Gap, to take a pic. Someone had changed the sign to read Swinging Dick Gap. Green stone and Thimbleberry were not aware of the real name. Had lunch at Panther Gap with Junsi. Got to the Siler Bald shelter fairly early. Mike and Mischka arrived soon after as did Jen and her boyfriend. I made a shrimp curry with apples, green onions and red peppers over Ramen for diner. Frozen shrimp if your wondering and the Ramen adds a nice juxtaposition. I had a nice little fire going but I think it bothers the other folks as there is some plaintive coughing going on. I don't think that they are LNT nazi's or anything, but I'd rather cook over a fire than a stove, and they all have the latest and greatest gear. They are all carrying a ton of electronics with them as well...Kindles, folding IR dockable keyboards for their iPhones...just the stuff I came out to the woods to get away from... The shelter is nice and there is a stream nearby that has a nice background sound...it almost drowns out the sound of typing on a keyboard. I think in the future shelters should be declared technology free zones. I checked the Doppler this morning and there was a line of T-storms heading East below Atlanta. It looked like they will stay there. If they do we'll have at least 2 more days of decent hiking weather. We are above 4500 ft. elev. and up here the weather can change pretty quickly. I'll put on the thermals and use the liner tonight just n case.
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Siler Bald shelter

To: Wayah shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It was pouring at 7:30 when I got up. I stayed in the bag until about 9 and didn't get going until 11. The trail up to Siler was muddy and steep. The hill is completely socked in so I didn't even bother going up to the top. I talked to a guy who was just coming down and he said you couldn't see a thing. I was going to try for Cold Spring today but the weather is slowing me down, so I think I'll just go to Wayah Bald shelter instead. Ran into Walking Man going up Wine spring. Took a small break at the road leading up to Wayah Bald, where I ran into Cotton & Shutter The Bald is completely shrouded in fog. I went up in the tower anyway and you could see a little but nothing of note...mostly just the valley below. I've seen pictures of the tower before and I was under the impression it was a lot bigger than it really is. I was thinking it was more like 50 to 60 feet tall and all it is is a 2 story rock tower with a roof on it, though the interpretive guide signs are quite nice at identifying local features. I got to the Wayah shelter around 4 or so. The folks there didn't seem too enthused about having a sixth in the shelter with them but that's what they got, so they all moved over to make room. Shepherd was next to me with Daisy, his dog. I don't mind dogs, but I'd rather they not be in the shelters with us. She was right by my head all night but she didn't move too much so it wasn't bad. It sure beats someone reading their Kindle and texting all night! I had a small fire going and had the canned Haggis for dinner. I was quite surprised...it was good! Real good! So much so that I think I will consider having it more than once on this trip. the extra weight of a 1 lb. can was more than made up by it goodness! My concern about the Haggis is allayed. I was worried about; 1. Would it be any good? 2. I was trying out canned Haggis for the first time... on the trail. 3. What would it do to my digestive system. my fears were groundless.
Date: 2011-03-29
From: Wayah shelter

To: Cold Spring shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

Slept fitfully last night. The 2 folks on either side of me kept moving around and my bladder was full by 4AM, but it was too damn cold out to get up. It was also still raining pretty hard and I didn't want to get wet. When I did finally get up at 7:30, the valley below us was filled with fog. It looked like a lake of fog and if you just walked down to the shore about 100' below us you'd find a rowboat. Had breakfast and got going about 10.Stopped at several overlooks on the ridge and took photos. I had heard there was going to be trail magic at Burningtown Gap Rd. I got there around 11:30 and stayed til 2. Grits puts on one hell of a good trail magic. Had a great time talking with everyone. Got up to the Cold Spring shelter around 3:00 or so. Breeze and Depends showed up around 4:30. Followed by Montana, Peanut, Model T and Tomahawk. Had nice dinner of mashed taters and veggie soup mix. Montana noticed that the roof needed some repair work over his end of the shelter, so he repositioned the tarp on the shelter roof and added some more rocks to hold it down. Afterward, we sat around and talked about some of the other folks we've met on the trail. there is a bunch of guys up at the campsite. When they came in they said "we're gonna rage tonite". We haven't heard a peep from them all night.NOTE: I just got word today that Model T aka Tom Buckley, passed away in his sleep at the Davenport Gap shelter on 4/11/2011. He was 70 years old. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Model T went out the way a lot of hikers would like to...doing what he loved to do. Godspeed friend.
Date: 2011-03-30
From: Cold Spring shelter

To: Wesser Bald shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: moderate rain

It stormed like hell last night! Montana's repair work on the roof held through the night and everyone slept dry, including Tomahawk who had the unglorious spot across the front of the shelter. This little shelter, which would be crampe dwith 6 in it, held 7 last night. The floor sags and every time someone moved they all slid down a little until I was jammed into the side wall. Not a big deal. I had a full bladder again at 4 AM but didn't want to get out of the sack and try and make my way out of the shelter. Besides, I would have inevitably stepped on someone else. I just put up with it until dawn. Eeryone else had already moved on by the time the next wave of hikers hit. Most of them seemed to be coming in from the Burningtown Road area. I took advantage of the time to myself with some thoughtful reflection. Got going about 10:30. I left the shelter in just a long sleeved shirt and long pants. I didn't want to put on the rain gear as it's terribly uncomfortable and only makes me hot and sweaty. I took a chance and it paid off. The rain of last night did not appear to have been that bad. The trail was fairly dry and most of the drips seem to have been brushed off by the other hikers before me. Everyone else in the shelter was planning on hiking past the NOC. I'm planning on taking a zero there and doing a little exploring. I'm not out to set any records and my mileage reflects that...after all it's my hike. I want to see as much as I can before I have to go home. I'm also trying to shed a few pounds that I gained in the last 3 years of a fairly sedentary life. I weighed 257.6 lbs. when I left on Mar. 7 and hoping to lose at least 20 lbs or more if possible. I only made it as far as the Wesser Bald shelter. I got to the shelter about 3:00 and was followed by Mary, Earth and Heartsong who showed up around 6. I have 3 women as shelter mates tonight and they can talk. I'll try and keep my mouth shut and not annoy them. They're nice folks and I have a habit of pissing off people when I open my mouth. I was ready to get in the bag at 6:30 but not yet ready to go to sleep. I'll just stay in the bag and do a little reading, and finish this entry.
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

April Fools's Day and my 24th day on the trail so far. I took the zero and did everything I need to do. Went to the outfitter and bought an ankle brace...hope it helps! Mary has been hanging out with me most of the day. She's a fairly talkative 60 year old. I don't mind the company it's nice to have someone to chat with. I think she's probably a little lonely and maybe a little homesick. We spent a lot of time talking about how these kids are just blowing right on by the both of us. Most of them are just packing on the miles like it's some sort of contest. They never get to see the real trail or enjoy the sense of community that relaxing in a town can bring. The trail is 2100 miles of rocks and dirt and if that's all they want to see...well, God bless 'em, but I prefer to take my time and see everything that the trail has to offer. I guess I should just chalk it up to hiking your own hike. I stop to look at just about everything and my mileage reflects that. My trail legs are naturally going to take me a little longer to acquire than an 20 year old's will. I do have to start stretching them a little more than I have been...all these short days aren't going to help me lose a whole lot of weight or get any miles behind me. This next week is going to be a bit tougher than what I'm used to so far.