morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Nantahalla Gorge

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Don and Tammy made recom and me a hiker's dream dinner last night. Steak, huge baked potato, asparagus, baked beans, and salad. AYCE was never better. They also made us a wonderful breakfast. Don got us to Nantahala Outdoor Center in the Wesser Gorge by noon, but we ran into Karma, Bluto, Voodoo, Chef, etc. at the restaurant. They told us Windmill and AT-73 were dropping out. Recom and I left at 1:00 and hiked only 6.8 miles but climbed over 3000 feet. Recom decided to stay in the shelter because of tent problems but I pitched my tent. One night in the shelter seemed like enough. I was thinking today about how much my 2 hiking poles are helping, but also that my pack is very uncomfortable.   tomorrow- Cheoah Bald at 5062 ft. We hope to get to Fontana Dam by Friday and Newfound Gap by next Wed.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Brown MT. shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a beautiful warm day. We climbed Cheoah Bald and enjoyed the vista. Then we had 5 miles of mostly downhill which seems to be very hard on my knees and hips. Got to Stecoah Gap and took a long lunch break- we needed it. The climb to Brown Mt. shelter was pure hell. Seemed straight up, 800 feet in about 1/4 mile it seemed. At one point I saw Recom laying down in the middle of the trail and my first thought was, "BRILLIANT!(I actually laid down in the middle of the trail several times to rest.) Got to the shelter at 3:00 and decided to go on to Cody gap shelter. Very tired 11.9 miles. Molly (my daughter) is sick in MX. and I've been very worried about her but today I found out someone was checking on her every day and staying with her at night. Molly may come home for afew days to recuperate.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Brown MT. shelter

To: Fontana Dam Hilton Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiked 10 miles to the road to that leads to Fontana Dam. Sat down for a few minutes to use the facilities and wrestle with the coke machine that was clearly broken, when suddenly Karma appeared. He said,"You guys are hard to catch! I wanted to hike with you guys today because I'm getting off." His leg has been bothering him. I felt really bad about hiking ahead of him. He has been a great fried and I will miss him. We caught a shuttle into Fontana and restocked at the General store and did some laundry. I'm staying in the shelter tonight. The Fontana Hilton is huge, sleeps 24 and has toilets and showers.  The sun had already set and I saw a little off in the distance approaching camp. I watched in awe as Chef came in by herself and set her tent. It is amazing to me how tough so many of these ladies are.
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Fontana Dam Hilton Shelter

To: Mollies ridge shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Left Fontana shelter and the dam too entering the Great Smokies National Park at 8am. By 11:00 we had only kiked about 4.8 miles but climbed over 2250 feet. Very tiring. after Shuckstack Mt. pushed on to Mollies Ridge a very grueling 11.3 day. By the way, Fontana Dam was used in the movie the "Fugitive" with Harrison Ford and the train wreck took place in Franklin, NC. The Flying biting gnats have been merciless today. they were bad when we left Springer but the weather got cooler and they disappeared. Now it is very, very- someone said record setting hot in the Smokies. All I know is I had to fill my bottles several times and I moved like a snail all day. I'm thinking about losing my filter and going with aqua mera to treat my water. It seems faster and it's lighter too. They recommend you boil or treat water in the Smokies. One local last week said about the water in GA/NC, "The wate3r is good to go as long a it ran over 2 rocks and 3 lizards."
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Mollies ridge shelter

To: Derricks Knob
Miles today: 0.0

Today is my son's (Alex) birthday. I tried calling many many times but no reception in these mountains. Today is Recom's birthday as well. Molly should be home today and I hope she is feeling better. The first 6 miles went great today but the final assents were tough. At least today the weather was nice with a cool breeze We're at derrick Knob went 11.7 miles putting us at a total 0f 186.7. I have hardly any food left. Going into Cherokee on Tuesday.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Derricks Knob

To: Double Spring or MT. Collins
Miles today: 13.5

Today was epic- 13.5 miles, passed 200 total miles, and climbed Clingman's Dome the tallest peak on the AT. This is the first night I didn't cook dinner. Too tired. I just ate peanut butter on tortillas, which is what I had for lunch and breakfast. We got to Double Spring shelter and decided to try and make the trip over Clingman to MT. Collin shelter. I have been staying in the shelters because it's a park rule but they are so filthy.
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Double Spring or MT. Collins

To: Newfound gap/Cherokee
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This has been an awesome day. We hiked out of the mountains to Newfound Gap by 10:30 and met Toubob, who had called a shuttle to take us to Cherokee. Surprise, surprise, the shuttle was actually a limo provided by the Starlite Motel. AND, surprise, surprise Queen Becky stepped out of the limo. QB has been amazing turning up at crazy places all the time it seems. QB told us she is going to drive the limo for the owner during prom week. They stopped at the Food Lion so we could get some food for tonight and delivered us to our rooms. Very cool.   We are going to take a zero day tomorrow. I have a bad blister on my left heel. The first 180 miles nothing on my feet, but these up hills the last few days have been killers. Also, I started feeling a hot spot on my heel but didn't stop and fix it. thought we'd get to camp sooner than we did. (I had been wearing the wrong liner sock, not coolmax,and actually didn't need liners because my wool socks have liners built in)
Date: 2009-04-29
From: Cherokee/Whitier

To: Cherokee NC
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a zero day in Cherokee, NC. It looks like rain for the next several days. Don and Tammy stopped by the Starlite Motel (last night) and invited us to stay with them today. Bob and Judy W. from Gregory, MI are visiting them but they insisted we were welcome and we couldn't resist the thought of another sauna and hot tub day so we accepted. It was nice to see people I know again and it was nice to sleep in a real bed last night. I've had problems laying on that little air mattress for 10 hours at a time and unfortunately it has a small leak which means refilling it at least once a night. Molly seems to be getting better and that is a great relief especially with all that is going on in MX. (Swine Flu) I hated to leave the Starlite Motel because the owner was so nice. She made cornbread and stew last night for all her guests. Awesome. This morning I got up at 6:45, showered, and walked across the highway to the little coffee shop. The owner was the motel owner's sister and she made me a fresh cup of decaf. Don and Bob picked us up at 9AM and we went off to find me a new knife and some aqua mera. I have decided to send my huge utility knife and filter home to lose weight in my pack. Moonlight
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Cherokee NC

To: Peck's Corner
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day in Whittier, NC at Don and Tammy's yesterday. Bob and Judy were there as well. Had a very nice day with some very nice people. the steam room and sauna were calling so the boys headed down there for a nice relaxing afternoon. Oh what joy to be really, really clean again was precious. Don and Tammy you did it again. I was overwhelmed by your hospitality to me and my friends. I will be forever grateful. Don took us to Peter's Pancakes this morning and they were delicious. We return to the trail at Newfound Gap, and the adventure continues. The weather report calls for rain the next few days. It was nice to have some spring in my legs again. I was an unusual day-overcast but clear enough to enjoy the beautiful vistas like Charlie's Bunion which is a huge rock formation with 360's of the never ending mountains. There were several ridges between mountains that were only 2-4 feet wide with sheer drops on either sides. Got to camp (Peck's Corner after Porter's Gap) and it finally started raining after threatening all day. (I did decide to send my knife and water filter home exchanging them for aqua mera, and a smaller knife. My pack still weighs more because I have too much food after visiting the store.)
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Peck's Corner

To: Cosby Knob Shlter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

8:09 AM I'm sitting in the Peck's Corner Shelter with a pouring rain pounding the tin roof. recom and I decided t wait a few to see if it lets up. I've enjoyed listening to Recom and Toubob describe their day at the Porters. Toubob said, "I'm not sure it really happened. It seemed too perfect to be real."   6:48 PM It cleared around noon today. Stopped at Tri Corner Knob shelter for lunch. Rain and lightning again at 4PM so we pushed on to Cosby Knob by 5:00...We were over 6,000 feet for much of the day's hike. Be out of the Smokys tomorrow.   228 total or 10% of AT.
Date: 2009-05-02
From: Cosby Knob

To: Standing Bear Farm hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Last night was very pleasant-UNTIL!! I had just fallen asleep when I heard a commotion. Eight sections hikers came into the shelter (after dark) and one announced, "How many of you are Thru-hikers? Thru hikers are suppose to give up spots to hikers with reservations." I would have gladly pitched my tent before dark, but wasn't crazy about pitching it in the dark, in the rain, especially after being so nice and cosy in my bag. Toubob said, "We all have reservations, they just overbook." So we all squeezed in together.Hiked 10.4 miles to Standing Bear Farm Hostel, what a truly unique place. It was cool to see Bluto there, although he was not hiking (still injured)and had rented a car to wait for Voodoo and Chef. Larry came in around dark after doing a 20 miler. I was in awe. For dinner I bought 6 eggs and fried them up in a cast iron skillet provided by the hostel. The owner took several hikers on a beer run but I had several cokes instead. I washed my clothes in a wash basin with scrub board, how cool is that. The hostel did have a dryer which seemed weird (no wash machine). It was nice to take a shower and hang out with a large crew of hikers. Planning a hike tomorrow of 13-15 thru an area where a bear has been bothering hikers. We'll need to be selective as to where we stay.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Standing Bear Farm hostel

To: roaring fork shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

this was a miserable rainy day. two hours into the hike we had already climbed 1900 feet. It rained until we got to Max Patch (which is cool, and has great vistas, so they say.) It was very foggy. Supposedly a bear had been visiting Max Patch because some 2008 hikers had cooked burgers, etc. up there for hikers and, of course, the bears for some strange reason thought they were invited too
Date: 2009-05-04
To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Arrived at Hot springs NC after hiking 18.8 miserable but epic miles from Roaring Fork Shelter. We were warned that a bear had been stealing hikers food and to take precautions. We were only planning a 15 mile day but the relentless rain finally got to me and I suggested going on in to Hot Springs. Of course, everything was booked but Elmer's hostel will let us sleep on the covered porch which should be fun with mist from the rain drifting in.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I started out today to do an 11 mile hike, but the weather was pouring as usual, so I stopped at the outfitters here in Hot Springs to have him help me repack my pack. He suggested we stay one more day because of storms that are continuing to move into NC. The thunder and lightening were enough to change my mind about leaving. I don't mind hiking in the rain, but electrical storms are another thing. I hate to take 2 zero days in a row, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do or in this case don't do. WE checked in to the local motel and of course it stopped raining by noon. Actually, a couple of days rest were just what the doctor ordered/
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring MT. shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Finally made it out of Hot Springs at 8:AM and hiked until 7 PM somewhere between Allen gap and Log Cabin Rd. Earlier we stopped at Spring MT shelter (after climing the tower at Rich MT for great vistas) and there was a young man (Collins) who only had the lid of his cook pot. Said a bear had taken the pot and only left a hole in the lid. It is cool to be talking about doing 12-15 miles per day instead of 7-9.
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Spring MT. shelter

To: Near Big Butt MT
Miles today: 0.0

Did not sleep well last night. Got into camp with less than a liter of water. Felt dehydrated all night but knew I had 4 plus miles to Little Laurel shelter and water today. The weather was threatening (imagine that, he said sarcastically) the whole way but the bad stuff waited until we made the shelter before noon. I made some hot cocoa and waited for it to clear before pushing on. This was a very tough day. The Thru-Hikers Handbook made it look like the hike after the shelter would be mostly down hill or level. IT WAS NOT! We mostly climbed up or down rocks for several hours and that just destroyed my legs. Instead of an easy 6.7 miles, it was hell. We finally made it to Jerry Cabin Shelter by 3:45. We made dinner but decided to push on to reach Big Butt Mt. so we could reach 300 miles. It was a mistake to leave so soon after eating so much. Recom and I both felt like throwing up as we climbed 900 feet in 2 miles. We finally made camp in a little clearing   300.2 total miles.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Near Big Butt MT

To: Hog Back Ridge
Miles today: 312.9

Hats off to Boy Scout Troop 237 out of Johnson City, TN. When we reached Devil's Fork gap on the TN/NC border, the scouts were waiting with tacos, and peach cobbler. I ate three tacos, 2 helpings of cobbler, and an apple. Trail Magic is always appreciated by us hikers. I told Todd (adult leader) that I could not have imagined anything any better. I was so full when I left that again for the second day in a row I felt really bad climbing 1000 feet especially in a driving rain. I pitched my tent at Hog Back Ridge Shelter. 312.9 total miles.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Hog Back Ridge

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained again last night and I had to put my wet stuff in my back pack again. I called my wife and wished her Happy Mother's Day and headed out on the adventure again. It actually was a great hiking day. By 10:00 we were at Sam's Gap which had a nice fence on the highway that was perfect for drying my stuff out on. Of course, I forgot to put my tent, and sleeping bag out, but oh well. We made it to Bald MT. which had incredible 360 degree vistas. Of course, by the time we got to Spivey Gap it was threatening rain again. I pitched my tent and battened down the hatches.
Date: 2009-05-11
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

It was raining when I woke up so by the time I got ready to break camp, all my stuff was wet. We had decided to hike into Erwin, TN today to get everything dry again. it was an easy 11.3 hike and I must say I was very disappointed in the Holiday Inn Express. We had seen a poster the motel had left on the trail telling about its hot tub. Guess what? No working hot tub. What da Hey? Still it is good to be dry again, even if it's only for a day. A few days ago A hiker had written in the resister, "A lot of people have complained about not seeing much wild life. Well, today I have seen every animal that inhabits this area. They were all lining up 2x2 for the ark."
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Erwin, TN

To: deep Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Today ws a beautiful day to hike. We left Erwin at 1:30 and immediately climbed 1000 feet within a mile or so. It feels good to be able to climb like that and not be bent over gasping for breath every few minutes. Because we left so late we didn't get into camp until 7:30. We wanted to camp on Beauty 'Spot but had no water and had to keep going. There had been a fire in the area and the camping spots were hard to recognize. 352 total miles.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: deep Gap

To: Greasy Creek Friendly
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiking the AT is a good thing. If you can survive it that is. If you think of life as a box of matches with only so many matches to start with then you figure you are using up matches when you eat all the crap we stuff in our faces sitting in front of our TV sets. Perhaps we add more matches by exercising and eating healthy. My resting heart rate was 60 this morning and I've lost 10-15 pounds. (We won't talk about the Snickers I eat everyday.)I got to Greasy Creek Hostel at about 4 today. We are hoping the owner will take us into Damascus for a few hours of Tail Days tomorrow, but it is not looking good. She said she would do it if we could get 5 people to go since it's 70 miles from here.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Greasy Creek Friendly

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Greasy Creek Friendly and her crazy neighbor who turned his lawn mower on at 4:45 AM and left it running until it ran out of gas. Fortunately the owner had given me some ear plugs so it didn't bother me. Unfortunately, I also left the hostel w/o my journal or trail handbook. I called C.C. and she said she would take my stuff to Damascus and leave it at the outfitters. Hiking was good except we climbed 4-5000 ft. during our 8.3 mile day. We didn't leave until 11:30 thinking we might get a shuttle to Trail Days in Damascus, but no luck. When we got to the 16 man shelter at Roan High Knob (the highest shelter on the AT at 6285') there were 2 men from MI. already there and Singe came in at dark. It rained like cats and dogs starting at 7 PM.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour
Miles today: 15.7

Left Roan at 7:36A   We had beautiful vistas today starting at Round Bald (5826) then on to Jane Bald. We moved on to Grassy Ridge Bald. We considered Overmountain shelter which is an old converted barn but decided to keep moving. Got to Little Hump Mt. where we met a guy that had stayed out on the bald in the storm the night before. That seemed kind of crazy to me. Got to beautiful Hump mountain which had gorgeous 360 views like the other balds but it also had a perfect view of a storm heading our way. I put the cover on my pack and tried to book it off Hump MT. I thought we had reached the summit, but NOOOOOO, it went up and up. The ridge continued and so did the developing storm. I could see lightning flashes below the 5600 feet of the ridge and above me as well. It was cool to be in the middle of an electical storm (he said in a suicidal tone) but it was time to get off the bald. All day long I had been bragging to myself about how strong my legs had been performing, well it was time to put them to the test. The 5 mile hike to Apple House shelter was done in a little over 2 hours. I was running on the trail wondering when a bolt of lightning or a fall over a bolder would be the end of me. I felt guilty for leaving Recom behind, but I told my self I should leave some room between us in case one of us got hit by a bolt. Finally I turned to see if I could see how far back Recom was behind me and he was standing right next to me. Evidently he doesn't like electrical storms either. Singe passed us part way down so he actually was on top of the bald when the storm was really blasting. I thought he must have really been crapping his pants because I know I was. When we got to the shelter, it was packed and we obviously were not welcome. We were dripping wet and exhausted but no one made budged an inch to make room. Soooo, we decided to continue on to Mountain Harbour Hostel which was packed as well. But, the owner said we could sleep on the floor which we agreed to do so we could at least get our stuff dry. A hiker named Lone Wolf came in with bags from town and asked if we wanted some pasta if he cooked it. "DAHHHH" iT WAS IN INCREDIBLE!. I've never enjoyed watching someone cook as much as I enjoyed Lone Wolf. I could tell he truly enjoyed cooking and Of course, I truly enjoy eating.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Mountain Harbour

To: mountain Harbour
Miles today: 0.0

A zero today. Slept on the floor last night because MT Harbour was full. The owner took Recom and me into town today to restock. She dropped us off and we ate at a little restaurant. Peace Pipe came in later that evening. He seems like a nice young man.   Just the three of us in the bunk tonight. Feels good to just laze around a little. But the trail keeps calling. Did I say I was tired of being wet? I think I said I was tired of being wet. Did I mention the forecast is more rain?
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Mountain Harbour

To: Abby's Place
Miles today: 12.6

Left Mt. Harbour late this morning after taking a zero yesterday because of the ever continuing rain. It was suppose to stop raining by noon but we couldn't wait. Hiked 12.6 to Abby's Hostel and it is quite a place. Just a bunk house but for $5 you get a shower and a clean towel. Tomorrow onto Kincora, another hostel because I am so tired of being wet. Despite hiking 12.6 miles today, if you look on the map, we are only about 1.5 miles from where we left this morning, but at least we saw some great views. Jones waterfall was quite cool, especially because of all the rain we've had. PS I did try to extend our hike today by going the wrong way twice. I made Recom lead after the second blunder. "Hike your own hike" only works if you stay on the trail,
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Abby's Place

To: usfs 50
Miles today: 12.0

Today we hiked 12 miles to Hwy 50 near Hampton, TN or is it NC. We have been hiking along the border of these two states, and have come out on roads where there has been a state line sign several times. The weather has been getting colder although today was beautiful and dry for a change. It is suppose to get down into the low thirties tonight. I had been thinking that most books say you are suppose to get trail hardened after 6 weeks. I figure most people do 500 miles in 6 weeks so since I'm only at 412 miles, I still have a week to get trail hardened (which of course means you no longer feel every ache and pain as you walk or sleep or sit or breathe) I should be in Virginia in a few days. Damascus here I come.Sometimes when I'm hiking I have silly thoughts: like I wonder about the cows I saw on Hump Mt. What time do they sleep? I suppose most of you hikers could care less because it's pasture bedtime. (I told you they were silly thoughts.) 412 total miles
Date: 2009-05-20
From: usfs 50

To: vande veter
Miles today: 0.0

Monday 5/18/09 we hiked to Laural Fork (Hostel) . We had tried to get to Kinkora but they were doing Hardcore Trail Maintenance so we had to go to Laural Fork. There we ordered pizza and watched movies in the rec room until late. The temp got down to 31 degrees but the owner gave us an electric heater to put in the cabin so RLB, Peace Pipe, Col. Mustard, Recom, and me didn't freeze to death. The trip out on Tuesday was cool. The Falls were spectacular and we also walked to Watuaga Dam and walked along the lake to Vande Veter Shelter where I tented. (18 miles)   Today was only a 14 miler but I did not feel great. It was one of the easier hikes as far as terain goes. I found I had been keeping my pack too tight around my legs which was cutting off circulation. Dah