morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: snow

Ashley, Lauren, AT70 and I hiked together from 7:30 -10:30. The visability was poor, the weather was windly and it was starting to rain. I wanted the girls to return to their car safely and not be chilled and have muddy trails. Even though there was no view our first day in the Smokies, it was nice to start the day with Ashley and Lauren. As AT70 and I continued to hike towards the shelter, then weather took several turns for the worse. After the rain came wind, then freezing rain and snow, then more wind. The trail went from mud to slush then was snow covered. We got to the shelter at 2 pm. I thought we would be the only ones here tonight, but now there are 9 of us. It accomodates 14 in the two levels. The shelter is a large three sided stone structure with a fireplace. We would be doomed here, except there is a huge tarp covering the open side, which is held down by logs. I have met Radar, from Lisbon, ME. Another hiker has built a great fire, but finding wood is not fun. I am so grateful to him. In addition to trying to dry out wet clothing, there is no privy! AT70 and I have plenty of food and water, but the temperature is very cold with the howling wind. There is no cell phone connecion here. There are two Rangers who know we are here. Since we have to have permits to hike in the Smokies, one Ranger checked with us as we hiked by and wrote down the state we were from. Another Ranger was carrying 50 gal drum to drop off for a future work crew to leave their tools in, during the week of work. AT70 has loaned me his fleece again. I am so happy to have the sleeping bag liner. I hope the snow and wind will stop soon. The hikers who just arrivd had trouble with the snow drifts! This is the first time I wish I was home! We are told that snow is supposed to continue in the morning then clear in the afternoon.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a beautiful start at 8:30 with all the snow sticking to the branches. We were the first ones on the trail. AT70 started breaking trail first, then I lead for the rest of the day. I was attentive to any animal tracks crossing our path. We saw bear and bobcat tracks and the smell of bear was near us several times. A mole scurried across the trail from one hole in the snow into another. After 3 miles we met Joe from MA who had stayed alone in the blizzard at the shelter. We continued towards Thunderhead, elevation 5,500! The weather was very changeable and made hiking the most difficult day for us yet.The snow was about 6 inches deep with the drifts 12 inches.The wind blew snow and ice off the branches which hit us several times. I accused AT70 of throwing snowballs at me. The trail snow turned into slush, mud and deep puddles. I fell forward onto my knees once. When a hiker passed us, we were grateful to walk in his tracks. My feet and toes were cold, since I had to put on wet socks in my wet hiking boots. Most of the day it didn't bother me. I didn't need to wear mittens all day. It was a slow and steady day, but we made it. There are 10 in the stone shelter with a fireplace. There seems to be no cell reception in the Smokies. If you would like to send a care package please include snowshoes, x country skis and a carrot for Frostys nose!
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

I was so exhausted after this hike that I basically went to bed without supper.I am writing this journal entry from the motel on the 18th. This day AT70 and I characterized as the obstacle course. The ground had frozen footprints 6 inches deep from yesterdays blizzard. You had to try to step inside them. Later they turned to slush and mud,then back to deep soft snow. The trail was sometimes covered with fragrant balsam needles, disguising the snow and mud that lay underneath. Blow downs were everywhere. Our bodies got poked over and over from sitting on waist high logs and trying to scoot over them. AT70 and I would tell each other All clear, as a signal that the other could get up off he snowy, muddy ground without getting stuck by another branch. We summitted Clingmans Dome, the highest peak on the AT, elevation 6643. We went up to the observation tower to take full advantage of the specacular panoramic view. We hiked from 7:30-6:30 today.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

AT70 and I had a delayed opening today. After saying good by to Mr Cooper and his 2 sons from Alabama, we left the shelter at 8:30 instead of 7:30. All week we have been with Radar from ME, Wrongway from Iowa, Moosehead from SC and Pokamo. Today we all decided we needed a break from the snow and blow downs and we are at a motel in Gaitlinburg,TN. A new state!! During the hike, we met a Trail Runner who told us there were 57 blow downs in the next 3 miles. This fact alone, convinced us to have a short hiking day. We crawled on our stomachs, walked on trees like balance beams, walked a detour route through the wood around the blow downs, and sometimes we hiked in the dirt from the uprooted tree with rootballs of dirt tangling in our faces! I felt like I was on Survivor! We were so disgustingly filthy, I knew noon we would pick us up as we hitch hiked from Newfound Gap. However, within 10 min a Hike Shuttle from the Grand Pix Motel picked us all up. We are going back on the trail tomorrow, but not all the others. Something new we saw today was fencing to keep the wild boars off the trail, but we didnt see any. It is great to have clean clothes, be clean, and we look forward to an AYCE buffet- all you can eat. We have hiked over 203 miles now, and I couldn't have gotten through this blizzard and the aftermath, without all our hiking friends, especially AT70. We were grateful for Gods provisions of shelters with fireplaces, strong young hikers to gather the wood and build fires each night, plenty of water and no injuries.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Newfound Gap

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

After a great AYCE buffet in Gaitlinburg,a good nights sleep and bacon and eggs at a local restaurant, AT70 and I hitch hiked back to the TN border to begin our hike. We started at 8:45, and remained at over 5000 ft elevation all day. The highlight for me was Chalies Bunion. It is a frequently photographed spot in AT publications. I counted 13 mountain ranges.We saw no hikers today, but there was a Ridge Runner doing trail maintenance.We only encountered 4 blow downs today thank to the hard work of others. We had a 30% chance of rai today and were headed right into it. We arived at the vacnt shelter at 3:15 and an hour later the hail started. The Ridge Runner is staying here and arrived just in time! Still no bear sitings, but I look in the mud for pawprints and sniffthe air hoping to see The bear came over the mountain...
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

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

AT70 and I woke to 2 inches of snow. April fools joke on us again! As the snow was dripping off the evergreen branches the sun was shining, making each droplet glisten like diamonds. It was beautiful. However, the dripping got us wet and the trail was snowy and muddy. Insteaad of drying up by noon, we discovered even more snow had fallen north of our shelter. In addition, horses had been on the trail leaving their calling card and deep rutted horseshoe tracks for us to dodge. We hiked the same distance as the Ridge Runner and Lynx and her retired Navy husband, who were with us last night. Just as we arrived at this shelter, the sun came out brightly, the snow has melted, and clothing is strewn on bushes everywhere to dry. I have met a new female hiker friend, Waterfall, from Manitoba, Canada, who also has a web site on trailjournals.Today culminates three weeks on the AT and 226.9 miles. I will summarize each week with the following: Wk 1: a wk of extremes, 2 days in the 80s, 1 rainy day, 1 night of thunder, lightning and wind, 1 night of freezing temp-Fun meeting lots of Thru Hikers Wk 2:The group has split up each finding someone who goes their pace. We keep track of each other by signing in the trail register Wk3:The blizzard in the Smokies posed many challenges with hiking pace, wet clothes and cold nights. Some avoided this by staying in a motel several nights. We are glad to have stuck it out. When hiking, we rarely see other hikers.Of our original group of about 15, it appears we are #2 and #3, but believe me, there is NO RACE! I would like to tell you about the Hiker Box. At each hostel or motel that caters to hikers, there is a Hiker Box. I had read that if you started out with an empty backpack, you could eventually get everything you need from a Hiker Box or at the shelters that hikers have discarded. Heres what we have found:tent, 4 ridgerests, 2 sleeping bags, hat, gloves, bandana, shirt, socks,fuel cannisters, all the food you can eat (we have taken hot chocolate, fuel, candy,salmon, tuna, and chicken) backpacking stove and cooking pots. We always check the hiker boxes and occasionaly leave something there ourselves!Its fun to shop for free!
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Road
Miles today: 10.4

AT70 and I started hiking at 7:20 after saying goodby to Waterfall and Woodrat. After 1 uphill, it was a gradual desecnt in overcast skies, with the temperature at 71'. It was nice to change into shorts since lately I have been hiking and sleeping in the same clothes!(It has sure made getting ready in the morning easy!)In the dead leaves beside the trail we heard a rustle, and I spotted a 4 ft. long black snake slithering beside us, as if it were a race. This was our last day in the Smokies, and we never did spot a bear! When we came out to Highway 40, Bruce and Linda Janicula from Asheville, NC had a great table full of Trail Magic...Sloppy Joes, carrot sticks, juice, cookies, fresh fruit, and lawn chairs! It was perfect timing for our lunch and really hit the spot. The Janicula's son had Thru Hiked last year in about 4 months. A little farther ahead we ended our hike for the day at Green St at Standing Bear Farm. There, I got my maildrop and a few letters from friends in Wo! lfeboro. My husband, Richard, arrived an hour later in his rental car, having flown from Logan to Charlotte that morning. It was wonderful to see him! As we left together to find a motel for the night, we saw Waterfall, and invited her to join us. We found a place in Newport, TN for two nights for the 4 of us. Once again, it is nice to have clean clothes, have a shower, and a maildrop of goodies for the next few days. Now, we look forward to slackpacking!
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Green Corner Road

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 12.8

Today we have completed 250 miles on the AT! Richard drove, AT70, Waterfall and I one hour north for our 7 hour hike south on the Trail. We hiked south because Richard wanted to be sure he could get to a drop off and pick up spot to connect with us during the next two days. The temperature was 80' for our slackpack. We wore our packs with only food, water, and clothing for the day. We left our tents, sleeping bags, pads and extra food and clothing in the motel room. We met several old and new hiking friends which was nice, because we would not have seen them had we hiked northbound today. While we were hiking, Richard provided Trail Magic where the Janicula's were yesterday, but he didn't have many customers! I enjoyed a sandwich with Asta's homebaked bread and cookies for lunch today! When we met Richard at Green Rd near Standing Bear Farm, he and AT70 had their feet in the brook so we girls were quick to join them. I tried hiking in my high top sneakers for the first time today, but prefer my low tops. We are looking forward to seeing the friends we passed on the trail today, tomorrow, for another day of slackpacking.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Max Patch

To: Garenflo Gap
Miles today: 14.0

In 2005, I hiked the 274 mile Long Trail in 24 days, which included 2 zero days. I wondered how many days on the Appalachian Trail it would take me to cover the same distance.Today was my 24th day on the AT. I have hiked 164.1, so tomorrow I will have covered the same distance as the LT but with NO zero days! I'm not sure what this means, but it's an interesting statisical analysis.Our hike today was fairly easy since we hiked 14 miles in 7.5 hrs. It started by summitting Max Patch, elevation 4250. It was featured in the Appalachin Impressions DVD with girls having a sack race in their sleeping bags going down the Bald. It was fun to recognize this location with a beautiful 360'view of multiple ranges, and especially to share the moment with my husband. Low Branch camped out on Max Patch hoping to observe the meteor shower, but he said he was too tired and fell asleep! Low Branch was in our origial group, so we have now caught up to him. Richard provided Trail Magic at Lemon Gap which we reached at 10:30. He had lots of customers enjoying the food and beverages he provided. AT70 then hiked ahead of Waterfall and me. We anticipated arriving at Garenflo Gap at 3:30 but were surprised to be greeted on the trail by Richard who said the car was just around the corner. Richard had rented a "cozy" cabin for the 4 of us in Hot Springs, NC for the next 2 nights. It is one room with a folding door for the toilet and sink. There is a bunkbed with a double on the bottom and twin on the top. If you cimb the bunkbed ladder, you can get to the second double bed in the loft which is over the porch!. So much for the Hilton! Richard picked up my maildrop, 2 bounce boxes and letters from friends at home. This is always a highlight of the journey. Thank you for keeping in touch by e mail or notes. Today was another beautiful day in the mid seventies. I wore sunglasses and sunscreen!
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Garenflo Gap

To: Tanyard Gap
Miles today: 12.5

AT70, Waterfall and I hiked 6.6 miles south of Hot Springs into the town of Hot Springs. AT70 and I hiked at 3 mph. After a snack at the cabin, Richard drove us north of Hot Springs 5.8 miles and we hiked south back to the cabin. Hiking south is fun because we get to meet other new Thru Hiking friends. Today we met Shiver from VT and June Bug. We saw miniature irises in bloom, Lily of the Valley, red flowers with forked petals, and male cardinals. In addition, I photographed a black snake that was stretched out across our path. He coiled up, then slithered up a rhodedemdrum branch. After that, I studied every rhodedendum branch looking for other snakes! AT70 "proposed" to me on the Trail today and I accepted! He proposed that we would make a good team to make it to Katahdin together! I agreed as long as my brother, Bob, be a part of the 3 Stooges or 3 Muskateers...whatever you want to call us! The highlight of the day for me was when my childhood friend from Dover, NH, Tommy Callahan, who now lives with his family in Asheville, NC came to Hot Springs this afternoon and joined us for dinner. It was so great to see him! Richard called the Amicalola State Park to inquire how many Thru Hikers were on the AT now. They said that 651 were registered. We feel that is a very low number in comparison to the three thousand that is often quoted. However, more hikers are starting everyday! The rumor is that Paul Newman and Robert Redford are filming A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson. Supposedly they are not filming on the trail, but did film at the Amicalola State Park...just a rumor, but I'll still keep a look out for old blue eyes on the trail!
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The 3 of us starting hiking at 7:30 after packing up everything in our little cabin. We started off together with brief stops to photogragh irises and take off shirts. AT70 hiked on ahead of us when we spotted a large brown owl. We observed him in the tree and then in flight. Today the birds were in full chorus and there were several varieties of butterflies. We stopped at a small shelter to check the register to see who had spent the night there recently. A section hiker from Canada was southbound and stopped by to introduce himself. I hiked on alone in 85' heat and it was slow going. I fantasized about a Cherry Garcia ice cream bar waiting for me at the shelter. When I did arrive there, 2 men were tenting, Richard, AT70, and a new friend, VanDyke, were settled in the shelter saving places for Waterfall and me. I took my pack towel to the water source and saturated it to wash my face. It felt so good! There is a privy here but there is no door! I got an e-mail from Kokopell yesterday and she saw 2 bear! She is 2.5 days behind us and has had a sinus infection. I'm glad we are able to keep in touch. Tonight will be fun being back at the shelter and having Richard's company to see what trail life is really like. I hope he enjoys my "home cooking" of Jamaican BBQ Chicken and Dark Chocolate Cheesecake. At least he won't need to help with the dishes since we will eat out of the pouch...how appetizing!
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Devil Fork Gap
Miles today: 15.5

Richard snored all last night and kept me awake. He kept wondering why I was elbowing him in the shelter! As usual, AT70, Waterfall and I went to bed at 6 pm, but Richard socialized with the men tenting and staying in the shelter who had made a nice campfire. This morning, we were all up at 6:30 and left the shelter at 7. We hiked a mile uphill to the tower where Richard had parked his car. When we arrived, we exchanged our heavy packs for waist packs for a 15.5 mile slackpack today. The weather was cloudy and cool. Rain was forecasted. AT70 and I chose to go without a raincoat, but Waterfall took hers. We climbed some ledges and had a great snack break location. Waterfall and I continued to ooh and ahh at the trilium and othe wild flowers. Today we noticed Solomon Seal. AT70 hiked ahead with VanDyke, who is on the Trail for a month. Waterfall and I signed in at a shelter at noon, but I moved on ahead, fearing the rain would be imminent, and she remained to rest. I hiked the last 8.3 miles in 3.5 hours! I passed a large group of men from a local church heading to the shelter and observed a wild turkey running parallel to the trail. I came out to the road exactly when we had told Richard we would be there. AT70 arrived an hour before me! It never did rain! We are staying at a Holiday Inn in Erwin, TN for 2 nights. The Hostels are full, but it is nice to have the privacy of a motel room even though it is twice the cost of a hostel bunkhouse.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Devil Fork Gap

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 8.4

Devil Fork Gap to Sam's GapRichard, AT70, Waterfall and I left the Holiday Inn and drove to Uncle Johnny's Hostel to pick up Bob and Ron, whom Richard had also slackpackd for yesterday. We were unsure how may miles we would hike today. Waterfall decided she would hike with her full pack and stay at a shelter tonight, so we said good by at the trailhead. I will miss her company and hope our paths will cross frequently in the weeks ahead. The four of us hiked at a good clip from 2900'elevation to 4580'. Ron had an altimeter, so he kept us informed of our status in today's climb. I took a photo of the purple field of dwarf larkspur. Our 4 hour hike ended exactly at noon, where Richard had lunch waiting for us in the parking lot. We decided to call it a day. Ron and Bob are going to stay with AT70 at the Holiday Inn tonight. The four of us made tentative plans to hike together this week and use their two cars to assist us with slackpacking or just storing extra food so we can hike with a few days food, rather than a weeks worth. Every pound counts! This is one of the advantages when the trail crosses the road and a car is available. I have now seen trilium that yellow, white and deep red. Some blossums are the size of morning glories. Spring is beautiful here on the Appalachian Trail. We are 1/7th of the way to our final destination!
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Sam's Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Richard drove AT70, Bob, Ron and me to Sam's Gap to start hiking at 8 am. First, we checked out of the Holiday Inn, then loaded our packs into Richard's car, and any gear and food we did not need for the one night out into Bob or Ron's cars, which they were leaving at the motel.It was hard to say good by to Richard after our week of slackpacking with him. He was such a big help and fun to have him experience the Trail from many aspects,ie staying at the shelter, hiking, Trail Magic, destination decisions, and meeting many Thru Hikers. Richard left us to drive to Charlotte to return his rental car and have lunch with our cousin Jeanie Smith and her daughter, Lauren, who lives in Concord, NC, prior to his 5 pm flight. Our climb was fairly steep, starting at 3800' elevation and climbing to Big Bald at 5516'. It was 45' and windy with a good view. We asked a hiker who did not have a pack to take our picture. He said he was a Thru Hiker slacking 24 miles today, and his name was Achilles. We introduced ourselves and he recognized my name from the shelter registers and said he is from Keene, NH and started at Springer Mt April 1st, the day after me. I told him he was the first hiker who started after AT70 and I on March 31 to pass us! He said he was actually the secnd one, that Raffike was a half hr in front of him. It was great to meet another Granite Stater, maybe around age 30(?). We arrived at the Bald Mt Shelter for lunch when it started to rain and get very foggy. Raffike was in the loft and said hello, but was going to take a nap. We put on our raingear and pack covers to continue our hike. It was a little slippery, and visability was limited. Raffike passed us as the rain and fog lifted around 2:30. At 3:30 we completed our hike at a campsite near Spivey Gap. It is only the 4th time I've used my tent on this trip. Ron made a campfire. AT70 and I used his coke can homemade stove to boil water for our dinners. Tomorrow, at some point we will need to get food out of the cars and shuttle them ahead on the trail. It is so helpful not to have to carry a week's worth of food...heavy!