morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-17
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap Gatlinberg
Miles today: 12.5

During the night the wind picked up considerably and I worried about The inccoming now. My goal today was to try and make Newfound Gap and hitch a ride into Gatlinburg and take a zero day tomorrow. I'm very tired. I forced myself to get up to a cold (6 dgrees) and blustery morning at 6:30. OK privys... there are none... You wanna talk about an art form....... I decided to skip breakfast and eat a power bar on the fly. I drank a liter of water as I was pretty dehydrated. Once again it took a long time to break camp and pack because of cold hands. The urgency was that, even if I made Newfound Gap, it might be closed because of the weather. The heavier snow was due to arrive in the afternoon. My alternate plan was to stop short at Mt. Collins Shelter.   I started out in frozen boots just before 8. I stopped at Double Spring Gap shelter for a power bar and, on a whim, called into the shelter and, to my suprise, someone answered! A few guys on a weekend trip. The next 3 miles were tough as I climbed towards the highest point on the AT, Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet. As I climbed on the exposed ridges, the winds were hitting 40 to 50 mph and it was snowing. I felt like I was on an epic crossing of the North Pole. I arrived at Clingmans Dome just after 10 so I was making good time all things considered. The next 8 miles were relatively easy with only a few more climbs but mostlly down. Today I put on my Yaktrax and got my moneys worth as the trail was mostly icey. The last two miles I met up with Pat and Jeanne a really nice couple from Nashville who were out for a day hike. So the Gap was not closed! As a matter of fact, the parking lot was full of people just up to see the snow! Another couple drove all the way from Florida to see it.. Pat and Jeanne were very nice to give me a lift down to Gatlinburg right to the Happy Hiker Outfitters where they pointed the way to the Grand Prix motel, who cater to Thru hikers. After laundry a shower and some rest I got a knock on my door. It was Santas Helper, a Thru Hiker who started on January 1st. He's been here about a week to escape the cold. I don't blame him. We talked for quite some time and I found him to be a very interesting man with a positive outlook on life in general. It was cool to meet another '07 Northounder, my first! So this evening I met up with Pat and Jeanne for dinner and great conversation. I've hit the 200 mile mark. One step at a time.......
Date: 2007-02-18
From: Newfound Gap Gatlinberg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A zero day. Ate a big breakfast, called family and friends, walked downtown, ate lunch, entered in this journal, watched some TV, ate dinner..... I want to try and get back on the trail tomorrow. I understand there has been about 1 foot of snow fall on top of the mountains. I will call the park service before I leave to check on trail conditions. It's supposed to warm up this week so I'm hoping that the snow will melt quickly. The first challenge tomorrow wil be hitching a ride to Newfound Gap, 16 miles up. We'll see.I'd like to say THANKS! to all the people who have sent me encouragement on this site. It certainly helps. I've even had a couple of 3rd grade students from Marsha Rileys class in Mena, Arkansas contact me. You guys ROCK!Also - a HUGE Congrats to the SFHS Wrestling team for sending 8 wrestlers to State! WOW! Good Luck! Time for sleep and dream of trekking in the snow....
Date: 2007-02-19
From: Gatlinburg

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light snow

Got a hitch up to Newfound Gap from Dean and his son,Jeff. They are from Columbus,Ohio up for a couple of days in the back country. Thanks guys!Started out at 10 am with clear skies and temps in the 20s. There was 10" of new   snow on the trail! The east side of the Smokies is much different than the west. The ups are not as steep but more gradual in nature. There are many narrow ridges with some pretty nice veiws. The day would have been relatively easy had it not been for the snow! On some of the ridges there were 2 to 3 foot drifts to plow through. Just after Icewater Spring Shelter I took a spill on a hidden ice rink and slid a good 30 feet! On with the Yaktrax! I met up with Easy Feein', a southbounder, hiking with some freinds. I arrived at Pecks Corner Shelter at 3:30. While setting up camp another southbounder, Jim Byrd,stopped by. My first shelter mate! But he decided to move along and night hike to Icewater Spring. His ETA was midnight! Hope he made it...Beautiful sunset through the trees... Alone but good...I've noticed a lot of former students, athletes and Outdoor Adventure Club members have signed this Journal. Thanks so much! It was good to hear from you. It sure does conjure up some awesome memories!
Date: 2007-02-20
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

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

I slept fairly well last evening and woke up feeling pretty rested. The temps have moderated a bit, being in the 30's. Much easier on the hands and my water filter even worked this morning! I was on the trail at 9:30 am. There were a good number of steady ups today along with some nice ridge veiws. I took one good fall just before my destination but no serious injury... The temps got into the high 40's with a good amount of sunshine and then clouds later. The past two days my feet have been soaked by the heavy wet snow. I need to have it gone! Once again,I marlved at how different the two sides of the Smokies are. I arrived at the shelter at 3:30 with plenty of time to set up camp. The Cosby Knob Shelter has been remodled and is very nice. Tomorrow I hope to make it to Standing Bear Hostel and out of the Smokies... A big hurdle out of the way. They ARE beautiful though!
Date: 2007-02-21
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

So the Smokies would not let me go without saying goodbye... At about 1 in the morning a storm hit and kept on until 4:30. Heavy rain,lightning and hail! I was on the top shelf of the shelter and quickly moved to the bottom after the first couple of lightning strikes. I felt safe but it was a little unnerving.. All I could think of was Cosby Knob/Derricks Knob.. two Knobs.. Lightning.. I got up at 6:30 wanting to get an early start and get to Standing Bear early afternoon and have some time to rest a bit before my journey to Hot Springs. The weather had cleared and I thought it was going to be a nice day... Wrong! Not long after I got on the trail (8:30) I heard a rumbling and it started raining. Fortunately the rumbling stayed off in the distance but it did pour. As I left the Smokies, it stopped! Just like that! The sun came out and the temp rose to 60 degrees. With only a few miles to go I stopped and had lunch,changed into my shorts and tee shirt and made it to Standing Bear Hostel at 1 pm. The best way to describe this place is rustic! In a very good way. I'm the only hiker here (what else is new?) and I'm in this cabin with a creek running right under it. Curtis and Maria own and operate Standing Bear and for $15 I got to do my laundry,shower,use the internet and they also have a kitchen to cook in. Now if it was the busy season, I might be in the bunkhouse with 13 others so being early does have some advantages... Very nice people here! Oh, just as I was coming in a young man, Jamie Cannon (Young Gun southbounder '06) drove up just to stop in and say "hi". Nice fella with some good stories and insights. Tomorrow I will attempt a 15 mile day with quite an elevation gain over Max Patch to Roaring Fork Shelter. I think I can do it. We'll see. At least the trails are clear of snow for the most part. I'll part with a quote I've used with my Cross Country teams: "Take pride in how far you've come. Have faith in how far you can go..."
Date: 2007-02-22
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I left Standing Bear Hostel at 8:30 am after a great stay at Standing Bear Farm. It was sunny and about 40 degrees as I started the long ascent out of the valley up to Snowbird Mountain. A good friend and mentor of mine who passed away a couple of years ago, Tom O'Brien, was on my mind. He was an educator but, more, he was a visionary. A number of years ago he started a program called Workbound in several schools in our area. The idea was to get juniors to start thinking about their futures so when they graduated they had aa career focus. The motto for this program is: "You Can Go Further Than You Think." I thought about that as I hiked. It was going to be a tough day with a good number of climbs including Max Patch which was beautiful (windy)!The veiw was great with a panarama of the Smokies. I had planned on a 14.5 mile day to end at Roaring Fork Shelter. But I missed it!! Didn't see the sign at all! So I ended up hiking an additonal 5 miles to Walnut Mountain Shelter. I had to smile as I thought about Tom. He was with me today... I also noticed that my Leki Poles were good at picking up every leaf on the trail! I kept having to kick them off.. I also met a Southbounder, Little Engine. Amazing! Walnut Shelter is, by far, the most spartan shelter I've stayed at! But it's keeping me out of a cold wind that's blowing about 40 mph across this ridge. Tomorrow will be a 13 mile day to Hot Springs. Zach Bannow will pick me up there and I'll spend a couple of days in Ashville. I'm really looking forward to seeing Zach and his wife, Tracy. The rest will be good!
Date: 2007-02-23
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1

The wind blew all night long! At first I was worried a tree might fall on the shelter but then got used to it and finally drifted off to sleep. It was cold and windy when I got up at 6:30 today and my hands took a beating as I prepared to leave. The water source at Walnut was NOT good so I decided to get water where I could find it. I left the shelter at 8:30 with sunshine and temps just above freezing. There was one big climb over Bluff Mountain and a couple of other climbs that weren't so bad. The day was beautiful and it was great to be moving and out in nature. I've felt so lucky to have had dry trails and sunny skies the last couple of days. I still can't get over how vast this wilderness is. My thoughts were with the wrestlers from Sheboygan Falls who are competing in the State Wrestling Tournament back in Wisconsin today. I strolled into Hot Springs at 2 pm and immediately stopped at the Smokey Mountain Diner for a double cheeseburger, fries and a large pepsi! In Hot Springs the trail runs right though town and the sidewalks are marked with AT signs. Then I went to the Bluff Mountain Outfitters store and called Zach Bannow. I also resupplied my food for the next 5 days on the trail. They had a great selection. Zach picked me up at 5:30 and I am currently at his home for the next couple of days. OH - we just got done with a great meal of salad, steak, mashed potatoes and asparagus!! Life is good!
Date: 2007-02-24
From: Hot Springs

To: Ashville
Miles today: 0.0

Today I had a great breakfast with Jeff, who has been working hard for the past couple of months on the interior of Zach and Tracey's home. Great guy!! He showed me how to download my pictures onto this site. Finally! I hope you enjoy them. I took a trip into Ashville and browse the outfitter store there. Neat town! Tonight we went to a great little restaurant in Ashville that served Mexican/Carribean food. I had a lamb burrito! Yum! It's been a great zero day with great people!!
Date: 2007-02-25
From: Ashville

To: Ashville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another zero day! It rained here early but now it's sunny! Went to breakfast this am and had a breakfast burrito and french toast. While eating, Jeff said I'm like the Hobbit who ate several breakfasts in the morning.. It hit me like a bolt!! So that's going to be my trail name, "Hobbit". Thanks Jeff!! So I'll wait for a few days to change to my trail name on this site. Just scroll down to Hobbit and you'll also see my name underneath.... I called family and friends and downloaded the reat of my pictures. I hope I can keep up with that. Tomorrow I'm back at it. Can't wait. I'll start at Hot Springs and in the next 4 or 5 days will reach Erwin. One chunk at a time.. I've enjoyed the days on the trail and also stopping off at hostels, hotels and now, homes. I think I'm getting better at being alone but I haven't been out in a shelter for more than two nights in a row.. I've taken my share of zero days also. But I've put some pretty good miles in when I'm on the trail. I've realized that I need to go at the pace I'm at. It's just the way I'm wired. If that burns me out, so be it. But I can't go slow. So I am hiking my own hike. Each to his own. I DO appreciate the land I'm walking through and love being out in nature. I also love the physical challenge each day brings. I'm shooting from the hip as far as mail drops and resupply goes. My son Ryan has sent me one drop at Fontana Dam and I'm thinking about where the next one might be. I am taking one section at a time and going from there. It seems I have had more of a short term goal to get to various places or landmarks and that helps me a lot. I was looking at a map of the entire AT at the outfitters on Friday and noted where I was.... OH BOY! I have a LOOOOOONG way to go! So I have to just do what I'm doing to get to the next point and be happy about that. OK, I'm rambling... So one step at a time...
Date: 2007-02-26
From: Hot Springs

To: Log Cabin Drive
Miles today: 16.3

Zach dropped me off in Hot Springs at 7:30 am and I was on my way. Though town and then along the French Broad River and then back up into the mountains. The day was not particularly hard but my feet were bothering me somewhat even after a few days rest! I took some Ibuprophen at lunch and that helped a lot! Beautiful weather to hike, 50's and and mostly sunny. I met Combat between Rich and Spring Mountains. He's a southbounder who took some R&R in Erwin to recharge. Nice guy! My goal was to hit Log Cabin Drive and the Helmlock Hollow Hostel just a half mile off trail. I came to a gravel road where I was to, I thought, get off on but there was no sign there as I was told there would be. Just at that instant, several runners came up the trail and I asked them for help but they didn't have an answer for me. So I continued on with the idea that I would go back if I didn't see the sign and road within 20 minutes. After only a few minutes the runners came back down the trail and told me they saw the sign just ahead! I was relieved! A arrived at the hostel just after 3:30. A very nice place with everything one needs for a comfortable stay!! My goal tomorrow will be to hike to Devil Fork Gap and a shuttle in to Erwin and Miss Janet's Hostel. I went to sleep with a the sound of the stream just in front of the bunkhouse....
Date: 2007-02-27
From: Log Cabin Drive

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a lift back to the trail at 8:00 am. Beautiful morning! Cool with temps in the 40's, sunny! A much tougher day with several mountains topping 4,400 feet. Speaking of feet, mine were fine today. I walked a ridge that had the most beautiful views!! Miss Janet called me on my cell phone (we'd been playing phone tag) and advised me that the best thing to do would be to stay at Flint Mountain Shelter tonight and hike to Sam's Gap the following day to be picked up. She charges for shuttles and it could become a little pricey for me. I was quite dissappointed as I was not wanting to stay alone in a shelter but it made sense. So I was a little down after that. As I was nearing Big Butt Mtn. (Don't ask me where they come up with these names...} I came upon a huge grassy area and decided to take a long break in the sunshine and warm weather. I sat in the sun for about 45 minutes, the longest hike break of the trip! Veeeery nice! As I continued on my mood changed and I became somewhat depressed at being alone and away from my family and friends... I'm sure that's why I seek out the hostels where I can. Just to be around people.. This is surely my biggest obstacle.In the past few days I've come upon several grave sights right on the trail. One, this afternoon, was the Shelton Graves. William and David Shelton lived in Madison county during the Civil War but joined the Union Army.. They were coming home for a family gathering and were ambused by Confederate troops and killed. Coming upon this grave sight did little to lighten my mood.. I got to Flint Mtn. shelter at just after 4 pm. A very nice shelter with a great water source just north on the trail. It was a beautiful evening with the sun showing through the trees. I felt better as I did all of the things necessary to prepare to the evening. I laughed at myself, once again, when I tried to hang my food bag. Always an adventure! I was very comfy as I crawled into my sleeping bag, in my Hubba, in the shelter. The moon was shinning brightly as I fell asleep...
Date: 2007-02-28
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Pretty good night's sleep! I got up at 6:45 and on the trail at 8:45. It always takes me about 2 hours to get on the trail. Cooking oatmeal, having coffee, breaking down the tent, packing my sleeping bag, filtering water, personal hygiene, packing my pack; it all takes time. Anyway, it was a beautiful, sunny morning and I was happy to be moving. The trail was beautiful today with some nice views as always. My mood was better but I knew I would be staying in a hostel tonight. I had some pretty good climbs after I reached Devil Fork Gap and by the time I reached Sam's Gap at 2 pm I was kinda tired. All morning I was thinking of my grandson, Sam, when I thought of Sam's Gap. About two miles before Sam's Gap I called Miss Janet and she met me there to shuttle me to her hostel in Erwin. Very comfortable "digs" with an easy walk for a huge burrito at dinner. My plan is to do what's called a "Slackpack" tomorrow. For those who might not know, it's hiking the trail without a backpack or, at least, most of the stuff in it. As my son Tim would say: "It's legal in 47 states AND Porto Rico." I plan on doing a 24 mile section from Sam's Gap to the Nolichucky River, which is at the Erwin City limit. I'm sort of watching the weather. It looks like rain. I won't go if it is going to be severe. No hurry. I can afford to wait a day if need be. It's nice to be in a place where I don't HAVE to get something done.. OK, time to make some calls..
Date: 2007-03-01
From: Sam's Gap

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0

I took a "Rain Day" today. Storms were forcast for the area and since I wasn't out there I didn't need to move. I hope others are safe and stayed as dry as possible.Actually it's too much time to think... As the day wore on I kept wondering why I'm doing this.. I'm so lonely for friends and family that it hurts. I want to be home. I really love the wilderness but maybe not in such a big dose! I've been out a month and have hiked over 300 hundred miles. That's an accomplishment in itself. I mentioned in my first entry that I didn't have anything to prove and that still holds. I've just had so many people supporting me that I would feel terrible about quitting. So these are my thoughts. I need to print them in this journal because everyone needs to understand the feelings that go with the trail. Perhaps if there were others around me to hike with it wouldn't be as bad. I'm not sure...Tomorrow I will slack pack from Sam's Gap to the Nolichucky River on the outskirts of Erwin (24 miles). It will give me time to think and re-evaluate how I'm feeling at the moment. I'm not tired or injured, just lonely.
Date: 2007-03-02
From: Sam's Gap

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 24.5

Wait a minute!It stopped hailing!Guys are swimming!Guys are sailing!And I think I'm..Feeling betta!Mudda, Fadda kindly disregard this letta! (journal of 3/1)This was a popular song in the early 60's. "Camp Grenada"What a difference a day makes! Thanks SO MUCH to friends and people I don't even know, for the words of encouragement. I can't tell how much it helped me! Today Miss Janet shuttled me to Sam's Gap at 8:30 am. for a slack pack. Clear as a bell, temps in the 50's. The section from Sam's Gap to the Nolichucky River is gorgeous. The forests are awesome and going over Big Bald was outstanding. Glad I waited a day! A weird thing happened: While I was hiking my cell phone beeped indicating there was some sort of message. I looked and it was a message confirming to call Don, a high school classmate. I hadn't talked to him in over a year. So I called him from a mountain top and he answered saying that, in fact, he did NOT send me a message... It's funny because he said he had just been thinking about me.. Unreal! We did have a nice conversation and he was suprised when I told him where I was and what I was attemping.. Going down into Spivey Gap I came upon a lady and her father who were taking a hike up to High Rock. Nice people. Certainly it was easier with just food, rain gear and water in my pack but my pace was not as quick as I thought it would be. There were some great views coming down to the Nolichucky River. I got done at 5:30 pm. Nine hours of hiking! The last time I did that length of a hike I was in high school... OH yes, I was tired when I got done. Got back to the hostel, took a shower and went right to the Erwin Burrito for a huge burrito and a fajita side order.... Very good! Tomorrow I'll do a short slack with Miss Janets dog, Fabian, to Indain Grave Gap.
Date: 2007-03-03
From: Nolichucky River

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 8.3

Breakfast at the Huddle House (I'm a regular now..) and off to the trail by 9:30 am. Another beautiful day to hike! I took Miss Janets dog Fabian, along. He was a hoot. He would run off into the woods and start howling away and then return as if nothing had changed. He actually scared me a couple of times, showing up just off to my side as I was lost in thought. It was good to have a hiking partner... I met a trail maintainer along the way. Where would we be without them? Nice guy! About half way just past Curlely Maple Shelter, I met a group of people who were out for a Saturday stroll. After some conversation I found out a couple of them were from Madison! AND one of them had an aquaintance in Sheboygan Falls where I've taught for the past 37 years!! Ya never know... And a very nice lady in the group gave me more trail magic! Banana bread with cream cheese!!! Yum!!An additional note: I'm sitting here having breakfast on Sunday morning and thinking how neat it would be to meet all of the people who have been kind enough to sign my journal. I smile to myself a lot when a total stranger gives words of encouragement or a little humor. What a great thing! OK, my breakfast is served! Two eggs, one huge strawberry waffle, bacon, OJ, one biscut with gravey AND 4 cups of coffee. Just a snack for the trail....
Date: 2007-03-04
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: few clouds

Just so you know I'm actually quite a bit further than Clyde Smith Shelter as I type this on my cell phone. I'm at Vandeventer Shelter about 33 miles south of Damascus. But I want to update day by day so...Today Tim gave me a shuttle to Indian Grave Gap. It was snowing!   I started out hiking at 9. There were a number of pretty good climbs and the going was pretty slippery. It stopped snowing and got sunny around 1pm. A total of 3 inches. I was bushed when I got to the Shelter at 5 pm. The temps were dropping and the winds were picking up. Another cold night ahead. I did some damage control by putting my water bladder and water filter at the bottom of my sleeping bag so they wouldn'd freeze overnight. In the bag at 7.... It's going to be a tough day tomorrow with a steep, long climb up Roan Mountain.