morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Tellico Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Today was absolutely great! Our shuttle got us to the trail at about 11 and off we went to climb to Wesser Bald and tower. This tower is your first opportunity to see the smokies and Fontana lake. The temp was moderate ...40's....warmer than we expected thank goodness! Anyway the climb up was not too bad...I think I am getting a little stronger!!! HotSauce was first up to the tower.....the mountain top was pretty socked in and unfortunately we did not get the views but the climb up the tower as exhilarating and we could see the clouds and weather coming our way! Hmmm..mm looks like snow to me!!!! We all began our desent through a beautiful rhododendrum tunnel....long and green.....snow is definately in the air! The trail down is quite beautiful, the vegetation changes with each decrease of1000 ft in elevation.    After being on the trail for about two miles...sure enough it did begin to snow....I love walking in the woods in the snow...it is so peaceful! When I arrived at the Jump Off spot it was almost a total whiteout! Beautiful!!! It was not long before we had arrived at NOC....this setting is really relaxing. The Nantahala River is where a lot of people who want to whitewater raft or learn to kayak will come to train. There is a nice outfitter, restaurant, and lodging available here. Ohm, Peregrine, and I are splitting the cost of a nice double room with loft.....comfy, clean, warm, and dry! What more could you want! Laundry to do!!! Keep those boots haded north,
Date: 2008-04-15
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Today started out as a very cool day....gradually warmed up into the 60's....nice for hiking and especially since we were making a long climb ...approximately 3000 ft over 6 miles....all uphill today!!! The sky was clear and at one viewpoint we were able to look back down into the valley of the Nantahala and also we could look northeast to the snow capped Smokey mountains!!! Beautiful! Most of the terrain today consisted of green tunnels and then rock crossings. The rock crossings are sure tough on the feet....I wonder what I will think about the rocks in Pa? I enjoyed the climb out of the valley...this climb was not too steep and included a lot of switchbacks. I Think knowing we are only going to the first shelter has made anticipation of the day a little easier. We have decided to stay in the shelter due to the freeze warning for tonight...we hope the body heat of the shelter will help all of us stay warmer....we will see! Stopped at the jump off and admired the view. This rocky outcropping seemed to be a great place to gather for lunch. One by one....Johnny Thunder, Ohm, SlightN Peregrine and myself all congregated for a nice break in the day. Looking forward to the next few days of hiking...the weather should be perfect and I am feeling great! Keep those boots headed north!
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Wow! Today was another tough day for me.....warm...probably in the 60's and we had a lot of climbs! Oops....let me back up just a second....remember we stayed last night in the shelter due to the freeze warning???? It did get a little chilly....it was a pleasant 29 degrees when we all started stirring about 7:00 this morning....brrrrr!!!! Good call to stay in the shelter! As soon as we left the shelter (4330 ft.) We had to climb to Cheoah Bald (5062 ft) so... We gained 732 ft in elevation here....the view was spectacular....you could see for miles down through a valley...the colors are changing on the trees...Dogwoods (white and pink) are blooming along with redbuds and of course there is the green of the evergreens and rhododendrums. Nice to have a vista after a long climb. Of course after a long up.....there is a long down....so we went back to a little over 3000 ft and had a somewhat gentler hike for about 3 miles. In this three miles we saw lots of wild violets and daisies blooming as well as Trillium and little white flowers called anemones I think. (If somebody out there knows their flowers and wants to let me know what they are really called....please let me know!) There were about ten of us on this section of trail within just a few minutes of each other...we all slowly came together for lunch in Stecoah gap.....Ohm, Peregrine, Hot Sauce, BurrAss, Lynn, Ellen, Thor, SeaBass, Franklin, myself and two others that I can't remember their names.....sorry about that. It was not long that we were all huffing and puffing again because now....we have to hike up out of the gap (3165 ft) to the next shelter elevation (3800). Yep.....a gain of about 700 ft in just a little over a mile....so...pretty much straight up and whomever cut this trail section does not believe in switchbacks!!!!!! Gee. I thought I would never make it! Finally, finally we made it to the shelter, had a chance to get more water (which has been a little scarce the last 20 miles or so) take a little rest and then we decided to push on to the next campsite (an additional couple of miles) in hopes of making tomorrow a shorter day as we head into the Fontana dam area and then start the smokies!!!! By the time we got to our camp area I was DONE!!! Exhausted!!!! All I could do was pitch my tent, cook some broccoli cheddar rice, and go to bed...yep.....7:20 and I was taking two Aleve, wrapping myself up in my sleeping bag and listening to my MP3 player trying let the throbbing in my legs and feet subside in hopes of getting a good nights sleep! Eyelids closed and I was gone!!! Ahhhh! Life on the trail!! Keep those boots headed north!
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

Oh thank goodness I did sleep well last night....I was soooo tired but the night was warmer and the Aleve did help. Ohm and I have decided to stick pretty close together today as this may be our last day to hike together....I am going to spend a couple of days with my husband in Fontana and Ohm is getting off in Gatlinburg to celebrate his birthday with his wife. We have enjoyed hiking together and talking about Indian beliefs and customs.....thinking about the spiritual side of this walk. He is a nice gentle man and I have enjoyed getting to know him while on the trail....hopefully our paths will cross again. Todays hike was a consistently rolling terrain, the ups and downs seemed to be evenly spaced out......more ups than we expected since we were dropping a total of 1900 ft in elevation. We did finally get to see a few more fields of wildflowers and a little more water than the last few days....pretty and peaceful. You are also able to see Fontana Lake and dam several miles out which was nice to see a landmark you are hiking to. Looking forward to a couple of days off trail with my husband! The next time you hear from me I will be in the Smokies!!! Come on good, warm weather!!! Keep those boots headed north!
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was both great and sad....great to be back on the trail but also sad because that means my husband is back home. It was great seeing him and catching up on the last three weeks but hard to send him home alone.. Thank you Tree for a great weekend! My hiking buds enjoyed being chauferred around as well! Lynn, Ellen, and myself are hiking the east section of the smokies the next few days. This area is so different from the terrain we have been hiking. The trail is softer and the ups and downs are not as severe as the states before. You also have a lot of beautiful vistas from these mountaintops! The trees are primarily evergreeens here mixed with mountain laurel, rhododendrums, and some hardwoods. You can also see where the pine beetle is wreaking havoc on many, many pines. Sad to see so many dead trees. We also enjoyed seeing Charlie's Bunion....the sky was actually clear and if you look west you can see Mt. LeConte. Arrived at the shelter this afternoon a little after three...gathered some kindling in hopes of getting a fire started tonight. This shelter is made of stone.....has two sleeping decks which will accomodate 12 hikers but I doubt there will be more than three or four of us tonight.......also has a large tarp strung up across the front so that might help us to stay a little warmer tonight and we have the stone fireplace so.....if I can get that fire going......maybe that will help too. Amend that statement about how many hikers.....we had over 25 people. Keep those boots headed north!
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

Today was just an awesome day .....the weather was perfect and the views were phenomenal!!!! This section of the Smokies (east section) is by far the prettiest and easiest of the hike on the AT. The shelters are great and I have enjoyed the stone fireplaces and on occassion actually having a fire!!! - have taken several pictures and forwarded them so that you can get a glimpse of the smokies! Enjoy!! Hiking today with Wild Bill, Bar Fight, Bearbait, Pony, Bulldog, Hummer...and others ....too many to name! Everybody is looking forward to finishing the smokies and hopefully making it into Hot Springs on Sat. For the trail festival! Should be fun! Take care everyone and thank you for signing my journal and the emails for support. Keep thise boots headed north!
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Cosby Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning to the most spectacular sunrise!!! All shades of orange and crimson lined the horizon for over twenty minutes......awesome view! It was so very nice to have the day begin this way....I am sure I could get up earlier at home to watch the sunrise but when you live in the city.....it's not even close to the same! Everyone is anxious to begin our hike today because we know we will be finishing the Smokies....another milestone to celebrate in this hike!! WooHoo! Only one major climb today.....the rest of it is pretty much a soft trail and downhill! These down hills are not too steep so it won't be to stressful on the knees. I am looking forward to the hostel at Standing Bear. We had another huge crowd at the shelter last night...I think everyone must have bailed out of Gatlinburg and are trying to finish this section at the same time. Although the smokies are beautiful and the environment is different than that which we have been hiking in.....there are several rules that make this area less relaxing to hike. Before you enter the smokies you must fill out your backcountry permit with the dates and the names of the shelters you will be staying in. You are not allowed to stealth camp ......you must use the shelters and camp only if the shelters are full. So....everyone is confined at night to a much toooo small an area. But...as I said....today is the last day of the smokies!! Keep those boots headed north!
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 48.12

Last night I got to take a night off the trail and spend some time visiting with my brother. He lives in Louisiana but was close to Knoxville so he worked things out where we could spend some time together. Great to be with him AND he brought homemade cookies!!!! Thanks TJ! Yumm.....I will definately share with some of my hiking buds!!!! My brother also brought his laptop which has allowed me to look at my journal. All in all I am fairly pleased with how the entries are going however I do see a tendency towards the entries being a little brief so......please understand I am trying to make these entries on my Blackberry phone (which is small and a little difficult to type on) as well as at the end of the day when I am tired. So....new plan! I am going to try to write at a time when I am not so tired......and be a little more descriptive....ummm...that implies I know how to write???? ?well let's just say I will try to do better! Also.....I am adjusting the total mileage in this entry to reflect the west side of the smokies.....as you know I had no cellphone coverage there so there have been no entries for that area. OK.... I think that updates just about all areas. Take care and thanks for signing my journal!!!
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Standing Bear hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 12.8

I left the hostel this morning eager to attack the first climb of the day. I knew it was a long uphill and I also knew there was one other long climb so.....in order to get a jump on the day... I was up and on the mountain before 8. This section of the trail is really diverse. You begin your climb in undergrowth vegetation.....then you reach an area centered on a pretty steadily flowing stream so you see more rhododendrum and dogwoods. As you leave the water source you hike into an evergreen forest primarily consisting of Balsam firs. The higher the elevation the less dense the vegetation becomes again until you finally walk out of the trees and onto a bald. From this bald you can turn to the southwest and see the Smokies.....all the peaks we had just hiked!! Pretty cool to look back and see that sight! Once I crossed the bald I stopped for a quick lunch. I checked my watch and knew I was making the progress that I wanted.....I think I failed to mention.....My goal for the day was to be at Max Patch by 4PM because my brother John, who lives in Louisiana, will be in the area on business and is picking me up for a visit tonight!!! YeeeeHaaaa! Everyone loves a visit from family!!!!! Lots of motivation for the day!!!! The temp was rising quickly so I knew I needed to keep moving. After a lot of huffing and puffing I finally pulled that last mountain and there I was at the base of Max Patch! This bald is really pretty and so unusual to come across a 'treeless' mountain top after walking thru so many types of forests! I continued to walk down the forest service road and along came John!!!! Just as planned!!! Fab!!! I get to spend some time with my brother!!! Keep those boots headed north!!
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Allen Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

We all enjoyed the trailfest here in Hot Springs yesterday.....some fun games for hikers....food....music....and lots of time to just hangout. The weather began to change as the late afternoon drew near and the rain began as showers and gradually became a steady downpour! We awoke today again to the steady rain and decided to slackpack so we could come back to a dry, warm bed tonight. Four of us took off for the hike....Lynn, Ellen, Bulldog and myself. The hike was really nice coming south....this direction allowed us more downhills....yippee! You take those small victories where you can. Great to get almost 15 miles in today! I am staying tonight at The Sunnybank Inn.....some of you may know it better as Elmer's....hope I get a good nights sleep...hitting the trail towards Erwin tomorrow. Keep those boots headed north!
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Hot Springs

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

We all enjoyed the trailfest here in Hot Springs yesterday.....some fun games for hikers....food....music....and lots of time to just hangout. The weather began to change as the late afternoon drew near and the rain began as showers and gradually became a steady downpour! We awoke today again to the steady rain and decided to slackpack so we could come back to a dry, warm bed tonight. Four of us took off for the hike....Lynn, Ellen, Bulldog and myself. The hike was really nice coming south....this direction allowed us more downhills....yippee! You take those small victories where you can. Great to get almost 15 miles in today! I am staying tonight at The Sunnybank Inn.....some of you may know it better as Elmer's....hope I get a good nights sleep...hitting the trail towards Erwin tomorrow. Keep those boots headed north!
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Allen Gap

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Hiked again today with Bulldog. We seem to be hiking at the same pace right now. We have hiked together off and on since Hiawassee. He will probably move on before long as I anticipate he will start hiking longer mileage days.    Again....shades of Georgia have returned......foggy and rainy all day long!!! Just pretty miserable!! I had to stop at the first shelter we came to to change clothes and eat.... I was freezing and really low on energy. Other hikers were there and helped to make good decisions to avoid a hypo-thermia situation. Soon I was feeling better and began to hike again... I really wanted to get to the next shelter. The terrain was not too tough today...... I am just really tired from slackpacking yesterday....that was a long day for me!!! One fun and challenging part of the trail today was an exposed ridge walk. We came to a sign which showed a blue blaze trail that was referred to as a bad weather trail or you could do the ridge walk. By now the rain had subsided and we elected the ridge walk! Quite a bit more challenging than I expected.....rocky and steep at times. I later found out that the blue blaze was the original AT. The rocky ridge walk had been constructed with the help of the New Hampshire AT club.....that explains a lot!!!! Just a peek into the White's!! Settled in tonight in the shelter and just hope to stay warm. I have on just about every piece of clothing I have and it is not even dark yet!!! Oh well....maybe those hot flashes will kick in tonight!!!! The sky is beginning to clear which will allow the temps to drop. Just another night on the AT! Keep those boot headed north!
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Devils Fork

To: Erwin
Miles today: 33.1
Weather: clear sky

I have hiked this section in the past with my friends Roger and Rita. They were thru hiking and I enjoyed being with them for a short time. It is a good thing I went to the doctor....I do have an infection and needed some antibiotics.....also...I am dehydrated....so.....meds and gatorade and water today and tomorrow. Will be back on the trail soon! Keep those boots headed north!
Date: 2008-08-08
To: Newbury, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Ann and I are about to begin our 2 week section hike of the AT from Williamstown, MA up to Hanover, NH. This will be the longest backpacking trip that either one of us has ever attempted, but we feel well prepared and excited. I have already sent resupply mail drop packages to Manchester and to the Long Trail Inn. This evening, my daughter, Molly, and her fiance, Dave, followed us up in a separate car to my father-in-law's house in Newbury, NH, where we are spending the night. Our plan is to get back on the road at about 6:30 tomorrow morning and drive over to Dartmouth, where we'll leave one car. For anyone who may be interested in this section hike, the folks at Dartmouth are very good about letting you park your car there - no fees, no parking passes needed. Just let them know you're coming and you're good to go. After dropping off our car at Dartmouth, we will drive down to Williamstown, MA to the Pine Cobble Trailhead. Since we don't expect to arrive at the trailhead until late morning, we'll make tomorrow's hike a short one.Last summer, we hiked the Massachusetts secton of the AT. When we reached the VT border, we were both proud of our accomplishment, but I have to say it was hard to turn around at that point and walk back down to North Adams and go home. It didn't take us long to decide that we'd come back the next year and take care of some "unfinished business." So, here we are again, and off we go!
Date: 2008-08-09
From: Williamstown, MA Pine Cobble Trail

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: broken clouds

As planned, we woke at about 6:30 this morning, and headed off to Dartmouth College, where we left one car for the next 2 weeks. The weather has been extremely wet during the past month, but it finally looks like we might be in for at least one nice day without rain. After dropping off our car at Dartmouth, we took the scenic route down through Vermont, winding our way along Rt 100 and then over to Rt 7, which took us into Williamstown. We stopped for a quick lunch at a local sub shop in Williamstown before heading over to the Pine Cobble Trailhead. It was probably about noon time when we finally said goodbye to Molly and Dave and headed up the Pine Cobble Trail. The hike up this trail is fairly easy - only about 2-3 miles to reach the junction of the AT. We reached the MA/VT line at about 1:30 and stopped to snap a few pictures and reminisce about reaching this same spot just last summer when we completed our section hike of the MA AT segment. No sooner did we continue on into Vermont than we came upon what Vermont is notorious for, that being MUD. At first it wasn't bad, but before long we found ourselves hiking more on the fringes of the trail than on the trail itself. I have lived in New England all of my life and I can say that I have never seen it rain so much as it has during this past one month. Even though today was sunny and dry, the trail was just saturated with water. We arrived at the Seth Warner Shelter at about 3:00 and set up our tent off in the woods behind the shelter. It's always nice for us to arrive at our day's destination with some time in the afternoon to spare. We get our tent set up, sleeping bags laid out, and then we have some time to just relax and enjoy the beauty of all that is around us. At dinnertime, we walked over to the picnic table by the shelter and shared the space there with several other hikers. There was a group of men there who had also hiked in from Williamstown and would be returning there the next day. They were practicing up for a backpacking trip that they were planning somewhere out west. After dinner we relaxed in our tent and read our books until sleepiness got the best of us. It was a great day and I feel blessed to have the chance to be here and be part of the beauty and solitude that surrounds me. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.