morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day off with a mellow hike to Cheoah Bald. Unfortunately it was all fogged in so we had zero views. It was nice hiking through the fog, though. I really love when it's like that. At one point we were walking along a ridge high up and we actually walked through a cloud. You could feel the moisture in the air, smell it, and almost touch the cloud around you. It was really neat. It had rained all last night, so all the wet leaves smelt like fall. There was one climb that wasn't labeled on the map or in the book. It was straight up. No switchbacks, no little breaks, just straight up for nearly 900 feet. It was a killer!We got to the shelter and decided to push on the next six miles to the next shelter as the weather was still nice. We left Sunbeam and Busdriver there, eating cinnamon buns they found in a box at the shelter!It was a long day for us. Our feet hate us after days like this. We were the only thru-hikers at this shelter but were joined by a family of three brothers and two of their kids. The young boys, James and Charles insisted on helping me fill the water bottles and then carried them to our campsite. They informed me that that was the cub scout way and they were supposed to help people. I asked if they were busy for the next 5 months, but they declined being our water boys.Oh yeah, our excitement for the day. We were just walking along the trail today and all of a sudden a loud rustling comes from the woods above. An enormous turkey comes flying out of the trees just above our heads. I realize what it is and then am finally able to breath again. My whole life had flashed before my eyes in that splint second thinking a bear was coming to end my life. Thank god I was able to control my bodily functions! Ahhh...life in the woods
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Cable Gap Shelter

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

Rained all last night but we were warm and dry in our tent. We have been really lucky this week with weather. It has called for rain every day, but it has actually only been foggy and a bit damp. The rain has all come at night. It was cloudy and sputtered a few raindrops, but didn't actually rain. We had a mild uphill hike out of the shelter then another one of those treacherous downhills. The part that really gets me is that you can see the Dam at least 3 miles before you get there. So the whole way down, switchback after muddy, slippery switchback, I'm thinking I'm almost there cause I can SEE it, but the reality is that I am not almost there as this downhill lasts forever!We get to Fontana Dam and the workers are putting up sign telling hikers to go around. They are going to be doing some major work to it so it will be closed until May. We did get to walk halfway across before teh shuttle came to pick us up. Man, that dam is big and scary. Creeped me right out!The trail that leads around the Dam is an extra 2+ miles and is now the "official trail". Our shuttle driver made sure to tell us that if we skipped over this part we would be cheating and we would be lying when we got to Maine if we claimed to be thru-hikers. She was a bit upset about all the cheaters she shuttled around the trail, I guess. We will be doing the "official trail"Fontana Village is actually all enclosed in this little area. Post office, laundry, general store, outfitters, and then the hotel on the hill. It's kinda neat. We got a room in the main lodge and the restaurant hooked us up with soup and sandwiches even though they had just closed. Starving, stinky hikers have some serious pull around these parts We then did our laundry. Even this early in the trip, it's not coming out all that clean. It's still kinda smelly. Oh well, at least everyone else around us smells the same way.We picked up our mail drop and have tons of food!!! Time to get ready for the Smokies. Zero day tomorrow!OK weird info: my left big toe is totally numb and has been for a week or two. I was told this is normal for a hiker. Not sure if that's true???
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

A very lazy zero day today. We lounged around and ate lots of food. Brad rented a golf cart to get us around Fontana Dam. We will hike over 2,000 miles on the AT but we will NOT do any unnecessary walking around town! So, Brad received his trail-name today. He shall now be known as "Shitty Forecast" from here on out. And the story behind that is...people had been asking yesterday what the weather was going to be like today. Brad informed everyone that is was going to rain and pour and be absolutely miserable. He suggested that everyone take the day off. And what do you know, people listened to him. So, today comes and we roll into the general store big pimpin' in the golf cart with our shades on. The sun is shining bright and the skies are blue! And all the hikers are sitting on the porch. It was probably the nicest day since we had been out there, and here were all these mis-informed hikers missing a great day on the trail. All because of Brad's "shitty forecast"!!!
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Fontana Dam

To: Birch Spring Tentsite
Miles today: 5.6

Happy Birthday Mom!!!We started our day with a miserable 2.5 mile detour around Fontana Dam. They are doing construction on it, so it was shut down. The detour consisted of a lot of road walking and it was really boring. We eventually made it though. It was sunny with blue skies and high temps. We entered Great Smoky Mountains National Park and had quite a big hike. A deer crossed the trail right in front of us, then just hung out eating while I took some photos of it. It didn't seem afraid of us at all. That was our first real wildlife sighting, other than birds and chipmunks and mice, really.We hiked up to the Firetower and I started to go up but only made it up one flight of stairs (one out of five or six). It was wicked scary!!! The railings were wobbly and the landings had NO railings at all. I was all set with that dangerous scene. The views were beautiful though, even from the first flight of stairs. We hiked to Birch Spring Tentsite where we camped for the night. I think it is one of the only Tentsites in the Smokies. You are supposed to stay in the shelters, but if they are full, you are allowed to camp in sight of a shelter. The area was really neat. There were a handfull of tentsites spread out on both sides of a ravine, so you were far away from your neighbor and it was really private. There was a "common area" where the fire pit was, and the bear cables hung. You were supposed to do all your eating there so that you didn't have food odors where you slept. Good idea, huh?
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Birch Spring Tentsite

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

I think we may have gotten our earliest start yet; we were out of camp just before 9am. It was cloudy and foggy and wet. It sprinkled once in a while but only for a few minutes so we never really got wet. I'm not sure why, but since entering the Smokies of been much more "bear weary". I think it's because there is so much hype about them here. But I would look into the foggy woods and the downed trees and stumps would all look likes bears. I swear! Or, if I looked quick, I would think I saw something moving. I know it's only my mind and eyes playing games on me, but still, it's a bit scary because you can't see more than 20 feet in front of you through this fog! So, if there really was a bear there, I wouldn't know it until I was right on top of it! The cold and the wet really motivates you to keep moving, mostly to stay warm. The shelters in the Smokies are pretty close together, so we were able to hike for a bit, then take a quick break out of the weather. Some of the shelters have chain-linked fencing over the entire entrance from roof to floor, for bear protection. There are also huge tarps covering the whole front of the shelter to keep the wind and rain out. It's a very nice feature. You can't eat in the shelters here, so cooking and eating has to be done out front under the over-hang. It was not very enjoyable. It was so cold our hands were numb and shaking violently and it's hard to be happy eating when it's that cold! The field before this shelter was magical looking in the fog. That's the only view, if you can call it that, that we had today...It is a full shelter tonight. There is a gentleman here by the name of "Mr. Burns", and yes, he looks EXACTLY like the Simpson's character. It's awesome!
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Spence Field Shelter

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

Brad's description of the Smokies: turn on the bathwater really, really hot then leave the bathroom and close the door. Return ten minutes later and you will see the Smokies. Nothing but fog.The first six miles today were grueling and felt more like 12. The weather was cloudy, foggy, overcast, dark and wet. It didn't rain at all but it had poured last night so the trail was a muddy, slippery, dangerous mess. There is an insane amount of leaves on the trail and you don't know what is under them so they have the potential to be very hazardous. We both took quite a few rides, by which I mean slides, in the mud today. At one point my foot got so suctioned in the mud that my foot/heel lifted up in my boot.The terrain was difficult today, lots of uphills. The wind would kick up at times and nearly knock you off the trail. The balds and fields we walked over were beautiful and I'm certain the views would have been magnificent. We however, could see absolutely nothing. It was actually sad. We did hear wild pigs snorting really close to us up on a ridge, but thankfully they didn't come down to visit. They sounded scary.Along the way we met one of the Ridge-runners (I think the Smokies have five). He told us that the Northern part of the Park has better views and that the weather was clearing so we should have some good days coming up. I'm not sure if he was telling the truth, or just being nice because we looked so sad...
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Same weather as the day before and the day before that and the...I wonder if we will ever see the sunshine again. This weather is getting to be a bit dreary. We hiked to Clingmans Dome without much trouble. It was actually rather pleasant hiking, relatively mellow terrain. Only the last couple hundred feet in elevation were steep. 6,643 feet, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail! We hiked to the observation tower (which looked like a highway off ramp) but because of the weather, we couldn't see a damned thing! It was really disappointing.It was really wet, muddy hiking today. There are a lot of downed trees all over the trail and in the woods that we walked through today. We learned later that it is do to the fierce wind storms they have and because the trees have such shallow root systems. It was really surprising how big some of these trees are, though. We hiked on in the yucky weather to Indian Gap. This is terribly deceiving and disappointing because it is a road crossing, but NOT the one where our ride was waiting. The one we wanted is another 1.7 miles away!Brad's ankle has really been bothering him, and coupled with the weather he had about had it. So he says, all pleasant like, "you know what would make this better? RAIN!" Not ten minutes later it is raining. This is why he is know as shitty forecast!We make it to Newfound Gap and are waiting for our ride. A mini-van pulls up and a lady (Jenny from Michigan) jumps out and brings us each a mountain dew. We shoot the breeze and then she asks if she can have her picture taken with us. These events are always rather comical.Rodger aka "Corkscrew" picked us up out of the pouring rain. As if that wasn't good enough, his car was full of soda, chips, candy, and even hotdogs! Brad, Sunbeam and I hopped in and immediately began stuffing our faces.We got a room at the Grand Prix in Gatlinburg, TN where tons of other hikers were staying. We went out to dinner with Corkscrew, Sunbeam, Busdriver, Sunkist, Kyanite, and Wool E. Mammoth. It was actually disgusting the amount of food that was ordered and consumed by us. Dry clothes, full bellies, and good company makes for happy hikers!
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Brad, Sunbeam and I went out for breakfast. Brad stayed at the hotel resting his ankle while I went to do laundry with Sunbeam and Busdriver. The machine at the hotel was broken, so Corkscrew brought us downtown. I had to pre-rinse our muddy clothes in the sink before I put them in the washer cause I was afraid they just wouldn't come clean. They were filthy, and the water pouring out of our clothes was brown. We took the trolley back to our hotel for a mere 50 cents.We went to the Happy Hiker Outfitters and both got fitted for new insoles, as we think that may be the cause of some of our foot problems. We also both got new Patagonia rainjackets. Seam-sealed! Woo-hoo! Expensive, but being dry and comfortable is not something you can go cheap on. So, at this point it is about 3:30ish. We had been hanging out at the outfitters for hours: Brad had a mock tea party at a camping table set up, Sunbeam chilled in a crazy creek chair and I tried on rain hats. We really hung out for a LONG time. We had the best intentions to hike today, but laziness set in and we opted to stay another night. We also found Busdriver and conned him into staying with us.The four of us walked the Gatlinburg tourist strip in awe of almost everything we witnessed. They have a scenic chairlift, Ripley's Believe It or Not, an Aquarium (that has an all you can eat seafood buffet??? true story!!!) and the people watching is amazing! We ate dinner at Shoney's buffet then had funnel cakes and ice cream. We stopped in one of the courtyards and listened to Appalachian Bluegrass Band. It was awesome.Back at the Ranch, idle hikers will find trouble...Sunbeam recieved a haircut from Busdriver (while Brad photographed and I videotaped). He cut off at least 6 inches. She had promised to cut her hair at 200 miles, and she meant it! It looks wicked cute! And I think we found Busdriver's next career.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

So, back to the trail. We stopped at a convenience store for a small re-supply and ended up spending nearly $40.00. How does that happen? Oh yeah, snacks!Busdriver, Sunbeam, Brad and I start heading down the road with our thumbs out. The first truck stopped and we all piled in the bed of it. It was a warm and sunny day and we could see mountains!!! We took pictures when we got to Newfound Gap as we hadn't day it when we first arrived. (We had looked liked drowned rats and no one wanted to take their camera out) There was a tour bus there of elderly folks that got out at the Gap to take photos. The flocked to us, asking tons of questions, praising and admiring us and wanting to take pictures. I felt like a rock star! Well, I guess not really a rock star, as their not flocked by old people, but you get the general idea, right?It was so amazing to finally be able to see the Smokies! I was in awe to see so much undeveloped land pouring out as far as my eyes could see. I loved the terrain today, it was rolly and flowy with lots of little uphills and few downhills. We walked narrow ridges that had crazy drop-offs. Places where if any more erosion happened there would be no trail at all. We stopped at Charlie's Bunion, which I'm not quite sure what a bunion is in this context, but there were gorgeous views and we spent quite a while there taking pictures and enjoying our surroundings. Today, we are happy to be in the Smokies!
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday Brandy!!!Cue music "it's a beautiful morning!"Woke to the sun shining in my face. Up and out early today. It was sunny and warm. We didn't have quite the views we had yesterday, as we hiked deeper in the woods. The terrain was great, just like yesterday. We ate lunch at Tri-Corner Knob then hiked on to Deer Creek Gap and layed in the sunshine for nearly two hours! It was perfect. We layed on the slabs of pavement marking the heli-pad and they were roasty-toasty warm from being in the sun. Brad, myself, Sunbeam, Busdriver and Wafflehouse (a section hiker we just met) recited imitations from Napoleon Dynamite and laughed our asses off.We slowly, and I mean slowly, made our way to Cosby Knob Shelter. We were passed by two folks out riding their horses. It's amazing that the horses don't break their legs on all the uneven, loose rocks. The shelter was full, so we set up our tent. We hung out talking with Andrew and Morgan, two guys who work for the ATC and were out doing work. They are both former thru-hikers so they gave us the scoop on the neat stuff coming up.
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Painter Branch
Miles today: 12.7

Another beautiful, warm, sunny day in the Smokies. I guess that Ridge-runner wasn't just be nice...We opted to take a side trail to Mt. Cammerer where there was a neat, old lookout tower. It had a porch all the way around and you had nice 360 degree views. It was definately worth walking the extra 1.2 miles. We did not see a bear in the Smokies, unfortunately. We did see bear poop today. Not nearly as cool.We had a very long downhill out of the park. We hiked along a roaring spring part of the way, and had it been just a touch hotter, we all would have been in it. We crossed Interstate 40 under an underpass, and although it wasn't long, it re-affirmed my dislike in road walking. We hiked on to Standing Bear Farm, a private hostel only 200 yards off the trail. They had a really neat home-made hiker re-supply store. Like they bought food in bulk, then sold it in singles. They had a really good selection. We got soda and snacks, then moved on. The 2.5 miles out of there were all uphill, like crazy switchback holy shit is this ever going to end, uphill. I was literally soaked with sweat. Hearing the sound of water was the greatest feeling in the world cause that meant we were close to the campsite. We set up camp just off the Trail next to the stream. We all (at separate times) took a bath in the stream. It felt SOOO good to wash all the sweat and salt off. The water was a bit surprising at first, but it was refreshing.We had a nice fire and hung out talking. Our usual crew: Sunbeam and Busdriver.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Painter Branch

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 11.3

This morning started off with the remainder of the uphill we started last night. It wasn't nearly as bad as the first have, though. We hiked to the top of Snowbird Mountain and had some real pretty views.I unfortunately took not one, but two, terrible tumbles today. Both happened on perfectly flat ground. I was just hiking along and my legs seemed to just simply crumble beneath me. I went down hard - no time to brace myself at all. My poles flew out of my hands and my pack clobbered over my head. I lay there stunned for a moment, realized nothing was hurt, and attempted to get up. I couldn't do it on my own so Brad lifted my pack up as I lifted myself up. The second fall skinned my fore-arm, but otherwise I walked away unscathed. My confidence in my walking skills were pretty much shot, though.Today was a strenuous day. Lots and lots of climbing. It was really hot, too. The heat does a number on me, and I don't particularly like it. I thought I was getting in better shape, but today's terrain and hit hinted otherwise. We hiked on to Max Patch which I think may be the best views, and our favorite spot so far. It is absolutely amazing! We took pictures and video-taped, but the only way to do it justice is to see it with your own two eyes. It's beautiful. It is a big mountain with enormous fields at the top and views of mountains every direction you look. It felt so lovely to take off our boots and socks and rub our feet in the grass! We set up our tent, had dinner up there and watched the most sensational sunset. We also took tons of photos. Self photos where you set the timer, then run to the designated spot. Pretty hysterical when you're doing it with five people! Me, Brad, Sunbeam, Busdriver and Shiloh. I laughed so hard, my belly hurt. It was a day of hard work, but to be at that exact spot, at that exact moment with those exact friends, it hardly seemed like work at all.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Max Patch

To: Deer Park Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

We were woken up at about 6:45am by someone yelling "Brad, these guys out here want you!" I was scared to death, and think I caught a look of panic in Brad's eyes too, but he went outside anyways. It turned out to be Busdriver and Shiloh who wanted us to see the sunrise. I go out there and the wind is wipping like crazy, as it had all night, but we watch the sunrise. In my opinion, sunsets are way better. But, that may just have to do with the time of day...The first five miles are really mellow, like a walk in the park. We have a big hike up Lemon Gap and another up Kale Gap to Bluff Mountain. I feel pretty good hiking today. Brad struggles on with his ankle.The weather is sunny and warm, but not nearly as hot as yesterday. I have a farmer's burn. I say that because we all know that I will never have a farmer's tan. Sad, but true. I got it yesterday and it is mostly on my right arm. Very fashionable. Today was our longest day yet. A lot of miles for us. The last 3.5 miles were the longest. The profile map had showed nice and mellow. LIES. All lies. It was wicked! What an end to the day.The shelter is full so we are in our tent. I think we may need to switch out to cooler sleeping bags pretty soon. We have been too hot. I'm going to try using it as a blanket, as opposed to a bag, see if it's any cooler.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Deer Park Mtn Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained on and off throughout the night but we stayed perfectly dry. I love our tent. It was a miserable night of sleeping though. Very hot and muggy and sticky. The sleeping bag as a blanket does work nicely.We started packing our gear up and as all of it was out in the wide open, in a split second, without warning, it began to downpour! We raced to the shelter, grabbing as much of the gear as we could along the way. As soon as we get to the shelter, it stops. Ahh...the timing of rain. We got a little wet, but not too bad. I put on my new rainjacket, and the sun comes out.Our three mile walk to Hot Springs was sunny and mellow. The Trail goes right through the town. The crosswalk is marked with AT symbols and the sidewalk, which is actually the trail, it marked with bronze plates of AT symbol. It's pretty neat.We pulled in at the first restaurant we see and eat breakfast with Busdriver. We then walked around the town of Hot Springs which took about two minutes as it is really just a single street that has the stuff you need (food, laundry, bed). We got a room at Spring Brook Cottages, showered, did laundry, bought munchies, and went to the Outfitters. We bought a playtpus water bag so that we can send home our nalgenes. We also weighed ourselves. Brad has lost 15 pounds! Woo-hoo!!! I however, have lost nothing! I mean all I have done every day, all day for the last month is exercise...how can I not have lost anything? Not even ONE freakin' pound!I am told that women lose weight slower than men. And my body is apparently changing muscle into fat still. Muscle weighs more than fat. When I'm lean, I'll be burning fat like it's my job. That's what I'm told. All I can say is, it better be true...