morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

It was great weather today! Mostly ups and downs, rocky terrain, and a final decent into Fontana Dam. I hiked with Croc all day again and we made good time, but I learned that the thru-hiker shuttle into Fontana Dam was being stopped that day. As we were coming down we could see the lake and dam, which is the largest dam on the east coast at 480' high and it was built in the 1940's. Also, picked up our permits for the Smokeys. The day did get pretty hot and we finally made it to the infamous Fontana dam shelter, which was crap. So Croc and I split a room at the Fontana Village for a good rate. I had a huge bacon cheeseburger for dinner and had a really good night's sleep. I was resupplying, so I went to the post office and had to wait to receive my package, which turned the day into a zero day due of the rules of the GSNP which say you have to stay at a shelter every night. The nearest one was 11 miles into the park with a huge climb all the way up, but I won't complain because we met a guy named Steve at dinner the night before who was there for a Nissan Z car show; he let us come into the hotel as his guests and we ended up in the lazy river for a while! We returned to the Fontana Dam shelter again that night, and there were a lot of people, but I went through all my pictures and labeled them and I should be switching them to a CD soon and posting them for all to see. Hopefully the weather holds out for the Smokeys.
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We woke up early this morning and were hiking by 700. Croc and I headed down to the dam and walked around the closed visitors center and took pictures for each other, then we went across the dam following the AT to the Great Smokey Mtn National Park. It was a long climb like I mentioned - all day - but there were a lot more even sections, unlike anything before, which was good. I finally saw my first deer track on the trail and immediately could tell a difference in the way the animals behaved; for the past 160 miles, birds, squirrels and other critters were very quiet, as expected, but here they are used to seeing humans, like in the Shenandoah Park in VA. So in my first day of the Smokeys I saw deer, squirrels and 2 huge black bears. Both bear sightings were near the shelter and one was 45' up a tree. Croc and I looked at each other and asked the same question, "Why do we put our food up trees?" We had some decent views of the dam and surrounding mountains. The shelter was pretty full and I decided to tent, which is not really allowed but too many people mean a lot of snorers, and with my recent run-in only 4-5 days ago I was not going to risk a bad night's sleep (I also received permission to tent from a park employee due to the crowding in the shelter). Especially since I have planned the most agressive 3 days of miles since my knee. Second bear sighting was about 100' behind the shelter after everybody was done cooking; it was a bear b/w 250-350 lbs, got a decent picture of him. Hung around the campfire for a while and went to bed knowing that a big bear could be visiting me by morning... all I asked for from Croc was a decent picture of the bear outside my tent... haha! Another note: there is alot of wild hog damage along the trail. Oh, and the older guy who gave me a hard time was there but he was trying to strike up a conversation with me... didn't work that well. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Croc and I got an early start, but not without first seeing our bear from the night before strolling southbound on the AT about 20 yds from me! It was awesome to see it again considering it was pretty big. Got to the next shelter and a ranger was there hunting hogs and tagging bears. He pulled out his arsenal for taking care of business - bean bag bullets, fireworks that shoot out of shotguns - pretty cool stuff. We had great weather today and climbed up to some great views today. My knee flared up for some reason, and I'm starting to think that it's from the new insoles I bought at NOC. The trail had a lot of badly overgrown grassy trails, but the trail was also like a small trench ranging from 4-8" deep - kind of frustatig to walk in at times, plus there could be critters in the grass. Other than that, not too shabby of a day hiking. Got to the shelter and it was real nice and there were a couple of day hikers and Slim Jim and Mona Lisa and Croc. Saw a deer come through camp - a doe - but no bears. The day hikers made extra food. One woman was Italian and made Italian food, so Croc and I got a huge second dinner which was awesome because I want to do 13-14 miles tomorrow and hike the tallest mountain on the AT. Got some great pictures today, still great weather and not a lot of people on the trail yet, but I'm sure for Memorial Day weekend it's going to be crowded. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-27
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning with no bears or critter stories to tell. The weather was good and there was a turkey gobbling in the distance. The trail ran a ridge line, so I made some great time; even with two snack times I had done 7.5 miles in 4 hours. Unfortunately Croc pushed too hard on his knee and stopped at the shelter before Clingmans Dome, the tallest mtn on the trail. So I summitted by myself and just as I got up there the clouds cleared out and I had a great view of the surrounding area! The forest finally started to change into thicker evergreen forest and the trail had some ridge line bald spots which was great for views. Then I continued on, learning that I still was not taking into account water sources well enough because the water sources in the smokies were few and far between sometimes. Still had a hike to go so I went on and got to the shelter around 530. It sucks not having Croc around, but I met some great other people here. Birch, double cheese, rambling are also hiking with dc, who already thru hiked in 2008.
Date: 2010-05-28
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

So we woke up this morning at 500 to a bear inside the shelter sniffing around! We yelled at it the first time, dozed off, and it came back. DC chased it out, dozed off again, and the third time we noticed that one of Birch's boots was missing! We all got up by then and waited till it got lighter and looked for the missing boot but no luck.. he hiked into the gap in his crocs... sucks but at least he was close to a town. The weather was great for the hike in this morning and the forest was mostly pines and a wet path most of the way. It looked like the pictures you see of the smokies in guide books, but I have noticed a lot of dead trees and blow downs from the past winter. Talked with some day hikers and they said there was snow in March up here as well. My Lady Mink found my missing package since I sent it to a closed outfitter and she made a hotel reservation for me as well I got into the visitor center at 1000 and saw the other guys who were also waiting for a htich. Jim at the shelter said he would give us one when he got to the gap, but in the meantime I met some folks with their kids from PA who said I could give them a call when I'm in their area for a free night's stay... Sweet! But no hitch since they were all on motorcycles. Jim came in and we got a ride - the five of us somehow crammed in all our gear and made it into Gatlinburg, which was a tourist town just as I had read. Got all my chores done and went to the brewery after talking with the folks at home. I had a pizza and appetizer and later a bacon cheesburger with fries for a snack. Met up with the guys from the night before and hung out for a bit. Wish I had a fishing pole, I have been thinking of getting one since fishing at NOC - a fly fishing one with a couple of flies would be good...Oh a final note, I weighed myself at the Grand Prix Motel where I stayed and was at 160 lbs - in the last 14 days I have lost 12 lbs! Total weight lost is at 20-22 lbs... almost lost my pack weight!Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up early this morning and found some breakfast at the delimart, I got two sausage, egg, and cheese biscuits which were huge! I also added to my pack weight, yes added!! A small Gatorade bottle which is lighter than my other ones for mixed drinks. I have been extremely happy with my pack weight over the past miles. I have finally dialed in the exact amount of food for my times between resupply and I walked into towns with almost nothing, I must say the days going in for resupply feel great because your pack feels like nothing with no food, I pump out a lot of miles on those days. I was very happy because for the first time since my knee problems I did not have to take a zero day to rest - just a short hike - got things cleaned, ate some good food, and was out on the trail by 8:30 the next morning. I also packed out one of my breakfast sandwhiches for later. Ended up hiking with Birch and DC for the entire day at a good pace. The hike up was not difficult and I felt good after fueling up in town. We stopped to walk out to this huge rock outcrop and take some pictures and it was not as busy as we thought it would be with Memorial Day holiday on the trail. Today was one of the best hiking days I have had in my entire trip! The views were spectacular at one point we were walking on a ridge around 6000' with clouds on the west side and sun on the east side of the mountains. The weather was great as well - cool and good shade - but just right for our pace. We stopped a couple more times to get some great pics before ending up at the shelter which is where the fun began. We strolled up and were immediatly blocked to the entrence by the day hikers and one of them went into the, "we reserved this shelter, blah blah blah". So we went to get water grumbling to ourselves about the situation and I was the last one to leave the water source and got the million dollar question about "why are you thru-hiking" my response was quit your job and just do it if you want to understand. Not so rudely sounding as I wrote it. So it gets better... we went back up and sat next to the shelter and began eating where we sat and the day hikers came out and stood almost over us and stared without saying a word... weird... we were some other type of creature... hahahaha! Well, I finally met a NC Ridgerunner named Scott who came down to the shelter and we talked and he mentioned in front of the whole group that there were 4 spots reserved for thru hikers and suddenly all the bags were moved up to the second level in the shelter. We got permission to tent camp from Scott and had a good dinner and evening.Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-30
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Crosby Corner Shelter
Miles today: 13.4

Woke up this morning and felt good even though we had critter visitors last night. I woke up to some guys tenting above us saying that a bear was coming our way, and Birch yelling for it to go away, I had my tent fly open and Birch asked me if I saw anything but I was half asleep and it took me a moment, kind of used to the bears by now so I'm not too worried about them anymore so I listened and looked but didn't see anything out there, we listened for a bit and it was not making bear noises, but they were hogs so the guys relaxed for a bit, I taught them some trapping techniques last night so I think they have confidence in my critter identification, ha! We had another great hike along flat ridgelines again and walked among the clouds for most ofthe day with a little rain at one point. Again we encountered resistence at the shltr for the evening and heard we were called squatters...haha! Crock was there and it was good to see him again! We tented a little south of the shltr along The AT. Ate dinner down at the shltr and people had their stuff spread out everywhere; no shltr etiquette. We went back to camp and saw a huge bear walking along the trail and he walked away slowly looking sad. Another great day of hiking and last night in the smokies..woohoo!Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-31
From: Crosby Corner Shelter

To: Snowbird Mtn Camping
Miles today: 15.8

An uneventful night but the bear was around down at the shltr. We heard that they closed Mt. Collins Shltr due to bear issues, that was where Birch had his boot stolen. Most of the day was downhill, rocky, full of horse crap, and wet so a very slippery day, haha! In the smokies they allow horseback riding along the AT. Makes for a great hike. I got a great video of the clouds below us about two miles into the hike. Down down down we went for most of the morning and we got to standing bear hostel around 100 and the sun came out and we dried our stuff, ate some food and resupplied at their small store. The place was really neat! They had a bunk house, kitchen, laundry and the look was rustic backwoods. Birch, DC, and I decided to go for a climb and push on around 400, there were some camping spots a couple miles but the elevation change was drastic but the food and break made it easier. It was a tough climb. We summited Snowbird Mtn and the scenery was awsome! Took some pics and moved on to find a camping spot a mile or so down. We set camp, ate, hung our food, and just started a fire when the rain came down so it was time to retire to the tent and go to bed. I went to bed having broken the 15 mile mark, my biggest day.Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Snowbird Mtn Camping

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

The rain came down last night for a while but by morning it had cleared up. Got an early start with birch and double cheese. The tarrain was good, but we had some climbs that wore me out by the end of the day. The shltr was full but we had an awesome fire going even with wet wood and our campsite was up above the shltr on a wide ridge. Tomorrow is hot springs and a zero day after...I need some rest.Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Day 33/34 13.1 milesWalnut Mtn Shltr - Hot Springs, NCIt was a nice camping evening..meaning no rain!  Double cheese got an early start around 6, birch and i got going at 630. We had an early morning climb followed with the usual downs and ups but we got into hot springs around 100pm. The trail goes right through town and everything is along the trail! Food, hotel, bar, and of course the hot springs!  We had lunch at the smokey mountain diner and then went and didOur laundry and went to the bar for some drinks. Hung out with a bunch of guys one of them Bonfire who joined us at the hotel room with the room maxed out...it's also interesting to note that een with showers the room smells horrible when you walk into it from all our gear smelling.  The evening was uneventful but one of the section hikers walked outside and cut open his big toe pretty bad indont think he will be able to continue his hike but he has. Hopes after a few days rest that things will be good....I doubt it, too bad. We woke up with nothing to do except eat so we went to the diner and I had a huge breakfast. I aslo went over to the hot springs and soaked in the mineral water for an hour followed by a nice massage which left me loose. My knee is doing ok seems to come and go in spurts of pain but i keep on. Got some miles planned for the next few days tonget to Erwin, TN. At uncle johnnys hostel.     Best regards
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Little Laurel Shltr
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 35 19.6 milesHot Springs, NC - Little Laurel shltrIt was a good day for hiking, coming out of town always means a climb and hot springs was no differnt. It was not too bad and i had my biggest mileage planned so far. Did good most of the day and got done with the hike in 10hrs which was good but i was hurting some. Had a good dinner with birch and DC. Talked to this guy who said to look for the world ending soon the signs are out there...interesting. Also there was a beagel running around the mtn howlling for a bit but after thenrainnstorm he seemed to have moved on. There's another tail of a lost dog following a couple of hikers in front of me and he is a pup I've heard. Hopefully they make it home.Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Little Laurel Shltr

To: Hogback Ridge Shltr
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

Day 36 21.5 milesLittle Laurel shltr  - Hogback Ridge ShltrIt was a nice sleeping evening, I woke up feeling good after yesterdays hike. Today I am going to break 20 miles without too much damage to the body.  The hike was good I did 13.5 by lunch time but the knee was killing me...I took a long lunch and iced the knee down for a while talking to Oracle, named because she looks like the character from the Matrix movies, I had been reading here journal entries for awhile and it's always weird meeting the real person from the journals because for days or weeks you come up with an idea of the person and who they are...I love the journals, they ate at every shltr almost and that is how we stay in communication with each other. I finshed the hike after talking with My Lady Mink, I have had no service for days. I limped in and went to bed quickly. Tomorrow is only 15 miles see how it goes. Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Hogback Ridge Shltr

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Day 37 15.8 milesHogback Ridge Shltr - Spivey GapSo last night I met two section hikers who were brothers doing a 10 day hike. They had a fire going last night and ibwas able to dry out my socks. They weather was great for hiking unlike yesterday but that changed too throughout the day. Went over some balds called little and big, and had no views with the fog and the wind was howlin which was pushing me sideways out in the open. Jumped a deer on top of the first bald and caught up with the brothers from the night before. We hiked for a bit, birch and DC pushed on last night so I did not hike with them today. I got hit with a wicked rain storm climbing with the rain coming in sideways but I hiked through it nothing else you can really do. Saw a lot of widow makers come down with the high winds, I would hate to be hit with one on the trail, heard a huge tree came down and caught a thru's hammock main line, just missing 'em. Ended upngetting to the campsite about 700 since I slept in this morning. No more rain, at least I will be at a hostel tomorrow getting things dry...I hate wet gear, that's about the only thing that bothers me out here. Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 38/39/40 11.2 milesSpivey Gap - Erwin, TN Woke up this morning feeling good but the knee not so much. I had 11 miles into town so it waney too bad until the end of the day going downhill. The weather was great and I got an early start. Had Somme great views of Erwin and the nokichucky river coming into Uncle Johnnys Hostel. Ate my first blue berries of the season on some random spot getting into the hostel where birch and DC were already. DC said he was getting off the trail he was out of money and the World Cup was about to start and he wanted to get home to see it. It was sad to see him go he had really helped me out hiking and a good hiking partner. Got a hitch into town and got some food at Sonics. Saw the little dog that I had heard about and he was a small mutt pup but fun to play with. E slept under my bunk last night. Got up this morning and I am beading to the doctor to check out my knee again but all was the same except this doctor hiked so he gave me some extra strenght alieve and some excercises to do to help things get better. Another day of rest is what I decided again so I ended up watching movies at the hostel in my bunk house. I bought a new sleeping pad that cuts off 14oz from my current one! Plus it's way more comfotable. Had lunch at a BBQ joint and got a hitch back to the hostel in a sweet camero.  Legs are itchin time to move on tomorrow. Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Erwin, TN

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Day 41  12.1 milesErwin, TN - Deep GapFinally out of Erwin and on my own again. Heading towards greasy creek hostel so I call My Lady Mink for our anniversary tomorrow so 24 miles to go in two days not too bad. Knee felt decent today, got my new boots and resupply coming to the hostel as well. Also the World Cup stars so I want to try and catch a game while i am there. The trail was good not too tough but it dosent seem to matter what the trail is any more all I know is that I have to hike it no matter what. I hiked pretty late and had no views over Beauty Spot bit i did meet two 2008 thruhikers Peanut and Loveboat who gave me beer, brownies, fruit and other tasty stuff!  Very Awesome! I camped off a forest service road and met Offkilter who was hurt. He stared back in march but had to get off for bronkitis got back on and hurt his left foot. He also where's a kilt to hike in. Late night early rise. Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Deep Gap

To: Greasy Creek Hostel
Miles today: 12.2

Day 42 12.2 milesDeep Gap - Greasy Creek HostelWoke up this morning to fog and wetness got an early start and got the muscles warmed up. Offkilter got going early this morning so I caught up to him at the first shltr 4 miles in where he was taking a break. He had a ride from Chainsaw and Old School at Iron Mtn Gap. I hped pace him in the last few miles and met the guys helping him out, wow i finally caught up with people, i am getting my hiking legs. I got to the hostel about 330pm and was caught by surprise to see Hot Wing hanging out there. I had not seen him since my knee injury at Franklin, NC. he was getting off the trail it was his time as he had planned but he also told me that Popeye was off the trail as well...two more down..bummer. The lady who ran the place Cici had rules and hand washing was constant. She made me a sandwhich and I had some of her frozen foods section. We ended up watchin movies and then going to the bunk house. It was weird at first because we were in her house hanging out on her couch and watching TV but after a bit i didnt feel like a stranger. She also males some awesome deviled eggs! USA plays it's first game at 200pm tomorrow and I am going to stay to watch it. Best regards,
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Greasy Creek Hostel

To: Clyde Smith shlter
Miles today: 1.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 43 1.9 milesGreasy Creek Hostel - Clyde Smith shlter So I didn't get far today as you van see. I watched the USA play soccer and while ibwas Bonfire and Rambling came by and told me they were going to be at the next shltr, so after the ge I went there and decided to stay...bonfire had a good fire going and we had not camped out yet just seen each other in townoastly so it was good to hand out with somebody new. Ryder was also a hiker that I met at the hostel who is a laid back guy trying to hike the trail on $1000, although hard to do not impossible with some work for stays, good yogi skills, and hiker boxes. He is cool dude to talk to in the evenings. We sat around the fire before going to bed the four of us. Also met two brothers from Wisconsin hiking the trail for two months and there were four day hikers camping as well so it was a full house almost.  Time for bed. Best regards,