morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: NorthCarolina
Miles today: 6.0

Hello everyone,Today we hit the 67.5 mile marker on the AT, seeing that I did most of the approach from Amicalola Falls you can add another 7.25 miles on top of that for my total so far. We got a ride into Hiawassee, GA today from a section hiker out of Dick's Creek Gap and we are staying at the Hiawasee Inn which is extremely hiker friendly. I'm staying with the "rabbit cabiners",Green Hornet and Scully, two friends we have met from Ohio. Dinner is at 6 and it's all you can eat so I need to keep this short and sweet. For the better part of Georgia I have been hiking with a few people who have become great friends, Phoenix Rising, B-Chucker, and Gumby (Matt). While in Neal's Gap we got a beautiful cabin on a running river which was called the rabbit cabin, so as a group we have become known to the other thru-hikers as the "rabbit cabinners" and we all made the decision a few days ago that we were going to finish Georgia together and then split up and start moving at our own pace. Well tomorrow we hit North Carolina, 9 more miles and a whole new state with much rougher terrain. In less than two weeks I should be through the Smoky Mountains, at which point my trail legs will be full fledge. Speaking of trail legs, I'm healthy and well physically and mentally and growing stronger everyday. My only blister at this point is on my thumb from my poles, my feet are doing great and my knee is holding up much better than expected. In four days I have only taken 2 ibuprofen's and I'm hoping to keep it that way. It's almost time for dinner and I'm gonna walk back to the hotel and enjoy a yeungling before, wow how great even cheap beer is when you're on the trail. I miss everyone from back home and hope all is well. I would like to thank my Dad for keeping everyone updated, he will be on vacation next week so I'll do my best to at least update this once next week with my progress. Take it easy, take it slow,Grove
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Hiawassee GA

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Just got a text from Groove, he is in North Carolina! One state down and thirteen to go. He got a ride from Hiawassee this morning and He reentered the trail at Dicks Creek Gap.The day started with a climb up Buzzard Knob back down to Blue Ridge Gap and onto the Georgia/North Carolina border a mile mark 76.4. That brought a smile to everyones face. From there it was straight up to Muskrat Creek Shelter 4600' where he will set up camp. He says it has been wet all day and rainning hard for the last hour, but that did not dampen anyones spirits.
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Great Day for a hike. We are getting up higher in the mountains and the views are amazing! Started the day at Muskrat Creek Shelter elevation 4600' and only got lower than that two or three times in the whole day. Went up to Whiteoak Stamp and passed Chunky Gal trail 4745'(no lie), came back down through Wateroak Gap and Deep Gap 4340' then climbed Standing Indian Mountain at 5498'. That is the highest elevation we have had so far, pretty awesome. From there it was all downhill, down into Beech Gap and Coleman Gap and finally Carter Gap Shelter where I will be camping for the night. I Did 12 1/2 miles today and feel good. It's all good.
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Happy Easter from Marco Island Florida! I got a quick text from Groove, He started out from Carter Gape Shelter and had a slight dip into Betty Creek Gap then over the next three miles a gradual climb up Albert Mountain 5220'. From there the next six miles were downhill, hard on the knees, ending in Rock Gap. He says he is camping about a mile past Rock Gap. He said to tell everyone Happy Easter.
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Rock Gap

To: Franklin North Carolina
Miles today: 3.0

Good evening from Franklin, NC. Tonight we are staying at the Saphire Inn in Franklin, we have been lucky enough to run into a trail angel Ron Haven who owns a few hotels in town and drives a free shuttle around town and also does pick up's and drop off's to different points on the trail. We just returned from the grocery store and I'm relaxing sipping on a Sweetwater 420 pale ale. Life on the trail has been more than I could have ever imagined and I'm only thirteen days in. Yesterday we got the best Easter present imaginable, sunshine all day with gorgeous views from the top of Albert Mountain. Albert was by far the steepest climb we have had, the final 500 feet were directly up a rockfaced incline. From there we walked another 6 miles and met up with some trail angels who reside in North Carolina. Every year for Easter they pick a spot on the trail and make 5 egg omelettes with you choice of fixins and they give you a sandwich and snack to go, along with fresh homemade sourdough bread, biscuits, and all different snacks. Myself and another hiker named Shenanigans were the first two hikers ever to eat two full omelett meals, in other words we completed the 10 egg omelette challenge. We spent a solid two hours with them laughing and smiling in the sunshine and walked away as the sun went down in an attempt to find a stealth camping spot to make our morning hike as short as possible so we could catch the 9:30am shuttle into Frankin.I'm having the time of my life out here and have met some of most kind amazing soul's that this world can provide. I truely feel blessed to be on the adventure I'm on. Non-stop good times, beautiful views, and hiking everyday. Tomorrow we are mixing things up a little bit with the help of Ron, because it is supposed to rain all day we decided to mix things up, instead of continuing north on the trail from where we got picked up today, we are going to get dropped off 10 miles ahead of where we got off, and slack-pack south back into Franklin and spend another night here. This way we get two good nights sleep and we still cover every inch of the trail. Slack packing is traveling without full pack weight, or even without a pack, so tomorrow we should cover the ten miles in less than 5 hours with a nice long lunch break. I'll try to check in tomorrow night as well, hope all is well back home, and I want to thank my dad for keeping everyone updated. Take it easy, take it slow.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Franklin North Carolina

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: clear sky

I spoke to Groove today, he has had a great couple of days. On Tuesday he slack packed in the rain, south bound from Usfs road 69 back to Franlin. he did not mind the rain because his pack was light which made the hiking easier. On Wednesday morning they got a shuttle to Usfs road 69 and started the day there. The weather was great and the views were amazing. Elevation were in the 4000' to 5200'foot range but the hiking was great. The picture attached is from the fire tower on top of Wesser Bald it is looking out over the Smoky Mountains, that is Clingmans Dome 6643'in the distance about 70 miles away. It's all good.
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Swim Bald
Miles today: 11.7

I heard from Groove last night. He started off the day with a quick six mile descent from Wesser Bald shelter at 4115' to the Nantahala River 1740'. He picked up his resupply package at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and purchased a new set off walking poles. He then spent some time soaking his feet in the cold water of the Nantahala River. After a short break they returned to hiking with a steep but long climb up to Swim Bald 4750'. Groove had a slight mishap along the way as he rolled his ankle about a mile into the climb, but after a short break he continued on and was able to make it without further incident to the campsite. He planned to elevate the ankle and take it easy for the night. Got a text this morning from Groove and he says the ankle feels pretty good and there is no swelling. He plans to take it slow today and do about ten miles. I guess that is life on the trail.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Swim Bald

To: Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Miles today: 23.4

Got a call from Groove this morning to fill us in on the events of the past few days. His ankle is feeling great but he says he will take it easy for the next couple of days to make sure there are no problems. They left Swim Bald on Friday morning and climbed two miles to the peak of Cheoah Bald 5062'. Once they crested the bald it was downhill for the next five miles to Stecoah Gap then back uphill to Brown Fork Gap Shelter where they made camp for the night. On Saturday morning it was downhill for the first six miles followed by a steep two mile climb to High Top then straight downhill for five miles to the Fontana Dam Hilton. That is the name they give the shelter at the Fontana Dam because it holds 24 people. He met some trail angels at the dam and they fed him well. One of the angels was AWOL who has written the book "Awol on the Appalachian Trail" which many of us have read. He got to go into town with Awol to a music festival and had a great time. On Sunday morning he did the 1.4 miles to the visitor center on the other side of the dam where he was able to pick up his park permit which will allow him to hike through the Smoky Mountains. It is rainning so He decided to take a nero day to rest his ankle and will set out tomorrow on his 72 mile adventure through the Great Smoky Mountains.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Great Smoky Mountain National Park

To: RUSSELL FIELD SHELTER
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Good Morning Folks, Today I'm writing you from the Fontana Village Resort where we spent the night last night. I was planning to upload some pictures however my batteries just died and walking back down to the room will most likely mean I am giving up the computer for use to the next hiker to enter the lobby. I'm looking forward to the Smoky Mountains and the varieties of plant and animal life they have to offer. Did you know there are more plant species in the Smoky Mountains than in all of Europe combined. I am lucky to be traveling with many folks who are extremely experienced with outdoor plantlife and hope to learn a good amount over the next five days. Today it appears to be partly cloudy out, but I can see the blue skies off in the distance in which case I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the rain stays away for our first seven miles, which is mostly all uphill. After the initial climb into the Smokys' it is mostly a ridgeline walk through the park. We are intending as of now to spend 5 nights in the park, but we are hoping that it is only four. If we push we even have the chance of making it into Hot Springs North Carolina for a small hiker festival which is being held next weekend. I hope to be in touch with everyone as soon as possible but it will most likely be a full week before I have access to another computer. I would like to thank Travis and Contessa for their hospitatlity, as well as Snowplow and his significant other who's name I happened to forget, they happened to be the trail angels who fed us dinner and overloaded our food bags on Saturday night as well as driving us to the village to see some music. Your kindness is greatly appreciated and I truly hope we run into others like them. It is official though, now I really do believe in angels. There are more good people out there than bad, I guess it just happens that many of them hang right around the white blazes. I hope all is well with everyone and once again would like to thank my friends and family for their constant support on my journey. Only 2,000 miles to go till Katahdin, and every step of the way will be a new adventure. Thanks dad for keeping the journal going, I will send out some updated pictures whenever I get the opportunity. Take it easy, take it slow.Groove
Date: 2009-04-21
From: RUSSELL FIELD SHELTER

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Got a text from Groove and he is enjoying the Great Smoky Mountains. On Monday they left the Fontana Dam 1710' and over the next 4 miles climbed Mount Shuckstat 4020'. The next 3-1/2 miles brought them down through Red Ridge Gap 3500' then up again to Doe Knob 4520'. Three more miles had them through Ekaneetlee Gap 3950' and back up to Devil's Tater Patch 4775'. From there they hiked into Russell Field Shelter where they set-up camp. Groove covered 13+ miles for the day. On Tuesday, bright and early, they left Russell Field Shelter 4360' and started their climb to even higher peaks in the Smokys. They passed the 5000' mark at Little Bald 5200' about 1-1/2 miles into their trek. Another 2-1/2 miles brought them to Rocky Top 5441'( famous from the 70's country song "Rocky Top Tennessee" and played from 1987-2003 by "Phish") and 1/2 mile later they reached Thunderhead Mountain 5527'. Then over the next 3/10ths of a mile they had a steep descent of 800' into Beechnut Gap 4750'. And this was all in the first 5 miles of the day. The rest of the day was spent traversing the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, never dropping lower than Sugar Tree Gap 4435' and reaching as high as Jenkins Knob 5650'. They made camp at Double Spring Gap shelter 5507'. Groove must have found his hiking legs as he covered 16.40 miles today, his longest day on the trail.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg,TN
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: few clouds

I got a call from Groove the other night and we have some good news and some bad news. First the good news, after putting in close to 30 miles the previous two days, Clingmans Dome is withing sight. The day started with a 2-1/2 mile climb up Mt. Buckley 6582', from there the next 1/2 mile brought him to the highest peak on the entire Appalachian Trail "Clingmans Dome" at 6643 feet. Yes, Clingmans is higher than Mt. Washington in New Hampshire by 355 feet. He said the view was amazing, and that he will be forwarding pictures as soon as he can. From there the rest was all downhill, 7-1/2 miles to be exact all the way to New Found Gap at 5045'. It was along this stretch that the bad news comes into play,as Groove began to experience severe pain in his right knee (the one he had surgery on back in high school). He is not sure if it is a result of compensating for the ankle he rolled last week, the increase in milage over the last two days, or the long down slopes he has just completed or a combination of all three. He just knows that he has pain and will have to take it easy for a day or two. With that said he hitched a ride from New Found Gap into Gatlinburg Tennessee and will take a zero day tomorrow to ice and rest the knee.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg,TN

To: Gatlinburg, Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I spoke to Groove a few time today and he is enjoying his day off in Gatlinburg. He is staying at the Smoky Pines Motel. His knee is feeling better. We think it is his "IT band" Iliotibial band which is causing the pain. Rest, icing, anti-inflammatory medication, and stretching are the course of threatment. In doing some research on mountain hiking this appears to be a common problem among hikers. It is brought on by the mountain descents which place added stress on the bands which run down and over the outside of the knee joint. Vitamin "I" (ibuprophen) and stretching will have to become part of his daily regime. The day off gave Groove a chance to walk through the town of Gatlinburg, he is totally in awe by the number of people who walk up to him on the street to ask about his hike and to wish him good luck.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Gatlinburg, Tn

To: Smokey Pines, Hotel
Miles today: 0.0

Well well well, I had a feeling my knee would eventually come into play. Luckily it has nothing to do with my old acl injury, it's simply a strained IT band which is causing me issues. I have been lucky enough to find a great cheap hotel which is not costing me an arm and a leg like everything else in Gatlinburg, which is basically a theme park of a town. This morning I ate breakfast at a place called Pancake Pantry and had the greatest blueberry pancakes ever. The food in the south sure is delicious, especially when you don't have to cook it yourself and simply add boiling water. I'm going a bit stir crazy here in town and am yearning to return to the woods where I have found I sleep much better. Tommorrow is another day though, and I'll be back out there trying to finish the smoky's in the next two days. Thanks again everyone for all your support. Zero is definately considered a four letter word out here on the trail, lets hope these two I took in Gatlinburg treat me well. Take it easy, take it slow. Groove
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Smokey Pines, Hotel

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

Got a quick text from Groove; He is on the trail again. He got back on the trail at New Found Gap 5045' and started the day with a 3 mile climb to the Boulevard Trail 6040'. From there it was varying ups and downs for the next 7.40 miles. He settled down to make camp at Pecks Corner Shelter 5280'. His comment about the knee, "it felt good not great".
Date: 2009-04-26
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

A beautiful day on the trail as Groove put in his first 20 mile day. He left Pecks Corner Shelter at 5280' and in the first 2 miles was at Mt Sequoyah 6000'. From there, over the next 7 miles,he traversed some of the highest peaks in the Smokys, he never got below 5600' and was usually in the 6300 ft range. At mile 10 he made his first major descent into Camel Gap at 4645'. He made one more climb up to Sunup knob 5050' then the rest of the way was all downhill. All the way to Davenport Gap at 2600'. This will complete his adventure through the Great Smoky Mountains. Hopefully he will be able to supply us with some details and pictures the next time he gets to a computer. He says that the knee felt good for the early part of the day and hurt more as the day went on, I am sure the added miles coupled with the long descents had something to do with that.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: clear sky

A quick day for Groove. He left Davenport Gap Shelter this morning and continued down the mountain. He passed through Davenport Gap, crossed the Pigeon River and went under Interstate 40 in Tennessee. He landed on Green Corner Road at The Standing Bear Farm Hostel, a 1920s backwoods homested with a hiker bunkhouse, cabins, and tent sites. He has a bunk, so he plans on taking it easy and resting the knee. He says the place is awesome and someone gave him a small kneebrace to use.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello all, since the site has last been updated I have made it from Standing Bear Farm to Hot Springs, NC. A small town about 33 miles from standing bear. The first day out I did twelve and a half miles from standing bear to Max Patch, which is complete bald, the entire mountain top has nothing but grass on it. We decided to set up camp on the bald since the weather report did not indicate any sever weather coming in, however to be safe we made a circle, away from all the tents, with our metal hiking poles to act as a lightning rod. Max Patch has a 360 degree view of all the surrounding mountains with an amazing view of the entire Smoky Mountains which we had just crossed. Good views and good people always mean a good time, which it could not have been better. Leaving Max Patch I pushed 20 miles yesterday to get into Hot Springs by around 4:30pm, only to find out my friends were already in the spa waiting for me, it was perfect. I got a room, signed up for dinner, grabbed a six pack and headed for an all natural mineral salt soak. When I hopped into the tub I was massaging my feet and felt it, my first blister of the trip on my feet. It is on the bottom of my left heel and hurts really bad. I found it odd that I did not feel it once while walking, yet now that I was aware of it I could feel it every step I took. This plus the fact that I rolled my ankle once again in my final mile yesterday convinced me to take a zero day today. Hot springs is a great small town, it is a 5 minute walk from one end to the other, but it's filled with happy hikers with smiles on their faces. I'll be heading out tomorrow morning by 10 am aiming to do eleven miles. I hope all is well with everyone following, life really could not be better for me out here. Take it easy, take it slow.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a quick text from Groove, He left the warm comfy confines of Hot Springs, NC and is on the trail again. He covered 11 miles today. The 1st nine miles of the trail today were all uphill peaking at Rich Mountain 3550'. The next two miles covered a steep downhill into Hurricane Gap 2900' followed by another rise into Spring Mountain Shelter 3300' where he made camp for the night. I did not receive any updates on his physical ailments so let's say that "no news is good news".
Date: 2009-05-02
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Another quick text from Groove:He began the day with a two mile ridgeline walk. This was followed by a two mile descent into Allen Gap 2235'. From there he had a hard six mile climb which brought him to the top of Camp Creek Bald at 4600'. His next two miles were spent walking the cliffs, White Rock Cliff and Black Stack Cliff, at 4400' the views were amazing from both sides. Groove finished his day with three and a half more miles before easing into camp at Jerry Cabin Shelter. He covered 15.40 miles for the day.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

The latest text from Groove;Groove left Jerry Cabin Shelter abount mid-morning on Sunday. He spent the first two miles of the day climbing up Big Butt Mountain 4840'. From there he had two miles of open field hiking which brought him by the "Shelton Graves" where two men and a boy are buried. The story goes that the two men were union soldiers coming home to recruit for the north. When the confederate troops found out they surrounded the cabin and everyone was killed.The next five miles had Groove going mostly downhill through Flint Gap and Devil Fork Gap to Rector Laurel Road 2960'. Over the last 5-1/2 miles he crossed a few streams at 3100' then climbed up Frozen Knob 4580' where there were a few waterfalls. He came down from Frozen Knob through Rice Gap 3800' and settled in for the night at Hogback Ridge Shelter. Groove stated in his text that he encountered his first torrential downpours while hiking today. He did not say where or for how long he encountered these downpours but I guess he just followed his mantra "slowly but surely, one step at a time" and kept on trudging.Groove hiked 14.70 miles today.
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Another rainny day on the trail;Groove left Hogback Ridge Shelter in the rain with plans to do 21+ miles today. He started his day with a climb up Big Rock 4460', came back down into Sams Gap 3800', then went uphill for the next 6-1/2 miles to the top of Big Bald 5516'. The last 1/2 mile was very steep as the elevation increased by over 600 feet. Big Bald was wet and windy with no place to hide. But then a strange thing happened as he was trudging across the bald, the song "Divided Sky" by Phish came on his Ipod, and a minute later the rain stopped and the sky cleared. It only lasted for a few minutes then the sky openned again and the rains came back. Strange but true. From Big Bald it was all downhill. 7-1/2 miles going downhill on muddy, slippery trails was enough to convince Groove to call it a day when he reached Spivey Gap 3800'. He made camp along the stream and will do 11 miles tomorrow to get into Erwin TN where he will dry out and rest the knee.Groove hiked 15.80 miles today.