morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-07
From: pavilion at 6 miles

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

AT day 2 - a very wet daySo you may have noticed we had pizza in a hotel tonight. Today was wet, wet and more wet in addition to hilly and wet. We started off strong, the first out of the pavilion and up our first mountain! Sassafras was intense but we made it fairly quickly and felt good to have completed our first big climb. But as the rain came down and the hills kept on coming our spirits started to fall. Walking in the rain wasn't bad, but stopping was miserable. We didn't get to enjoy many breaks or much food (it's annoying to go in our packs for food or even to sit on wet logs and eat it while it's pouring). And when we stopped walking and generating heat, the sweat on our bodies quickly froze us. I couldn't sit or stand idle for more than five minutes without shaking. We had a great idea of having a nice long recovery break in a shelter. However, everyone else had the same idea. The shelters aren't huge in the first place, but throw 30 wet hikers and their packs in and they get much smaller. So we took a short cramped break and went on our way. As we got closer to Woody Gap (where we planned to camp just after) the rain continued and the temp dropped so we made the decision to get indoors for the night. Unfortunately, a ton of other cold, wet hikers decided to do the same (of course) so the hostels were full. We found a card for AT transportation and called the driver. He picked us up within minutes to take us back to Dahlonega to a hotel. So here we are back at the very same Holiday Inn we stayed at two nights ago! It was awesome to take hot showers and lay our gear out to dry. Plus they have a fantastic continental breakfast and comfortable dry beds. How could we go wrong?A couple highlights of our day were meeting some great people including James from Wisconsin and Sara whose trail journals we've been reading. We also saw an amazing waterfall that went down the entire mountain! It was beautiful and worth all the climbs! Sara was also looking for a dry place for the night so we asked if she wanted to share a room with us. I know how strange that sounds when you're not a hiker, but out here you can ascertain the good people from the weirdos really quick. Sara is very nice and has traveled the world so it made for some great conversation over pizza. Tomorrow we will head back out with dry packs and clothes and a renewed sense of excitement, I'm sure. But now I need some sleep! Goodnight and thanks for following us. Your comments have been wonderful to read and we appreciate the encouragement.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Bull Gap

To: Poplar Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

At day 4 - a cold start!This morning started off very very cold! We all started with lots of layers and it became a game of how long we could wear something before getting so hot we had to shed the extra. Only to stop and re-put it back on for a break, as the sweat makes us cold when we stop!The day was fairy difficult with lots of ups and downs. Including Wildcat Mountain which was super steep over a very short distance. But at the top was an amazing view where we sat eating our lunch and visiting with other hikers who also needed a breather. The real kicker was that we came down onto the same road we started on just a short ways up. Everyone kept joking that we should have taken the road (No way. I've done enough road walking on the Florida Trail)!At one of our breaks we did our best to figure out where we were on the map. We thought there was only a mile and a half to a shelter where we could break for a bit and then finish our last mile and a half to camp. But as we walked on and on and on, we discovered we were wrong. Kind of depressing. But when we finally got to the shelter we met up with some people we'd camped with the night before and caught up!Eventually, we made it to camp at Poplar Gap. At camp we were joined by Billy and Donna (who we camped with the night before, section hikers to NC), Sara (who we now call Carmen Sandiego), and CAT (the man trying to be the first from his country to complete the trail). We had another fire and enjoyed the company. Everyone we've been meeting has been very nice and really interesting. I've got to say, the people out here have been one of the best parts! The other best part is turning on my phone and seeing the support from home. Thanks again to everyone who's been writing!
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Cheese Factory

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 13.0

AT day 6 - a tough day with a great ending!Today was a rough one. We had lots of uphills including Kelly Knob our biggest yet. It was 870 feet of elevation gain over a mile! And lots of downhills which sound nice but in reality hurt my knees! We were all ready to be done walking by the time we finally hit the road crossing that leads to Hiawasseee at Dicks Creek Gap. However, we had a few super nice things happen that made this a spectacular day! We got to the summit of Kelly Knob and took a short break. While there a lot of our friends also made it to the top, so we got to be the smiling faces at the end of a killer climb. We also got a shuttle to town right as we arrived at the road. We had to go to town to get a resupply, so it was nice having an immediate ride. But the best part of our day was meeting a lady named Katrina and her daughter Kendra while having dinner at a Chinese Buffet! Katrina heard us talking about walking the mile to the Dollar General to get our food and asked if she could bring us. As you all know, walking an extra two miles off trail to get food, is never welcome. A ride is always nice! We gladly accepted. Katrina dropped us off at the store and said that after she went to her church she would be back to pick us up! We didn't even have to walk back! Awesome! But to make things even better, she had quickly run home to get me some oil to rub on my foot. She had seen me limping and went to get some of her own stash of healing essential oils. Let me tell you, it feels great!On our way back to the hotel we saw some of our friends from the trail trying to hitch a ride. We mentioned we knew them and Katrina offered to give them a ride since we could vouch for them. So we picked them up and brought them to a hostel since all the hotels in town were full. As she went to drop us off, Katrina brought out a box of food for us from her church! It was filled with fresh fruit, snacks and even cheesecake! It was way too much for us to eat alone so we will get to be heroes tomorrow when we share with other hikers! An amazing day overall! Tomorrow we take a zero day either at the Blueberry Patch if there's room for us or Top of Georgia where we can do our laundry and rest up. Kent is coming down with a cold so we are trying to load him up on vitamin C and get him a couple goods nights of sleep. Hopefully, that will be all he needs. Hope you're enjoying our pictures and posts!
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we are taking a lovely zero day at the Top of Georgia Hostel! It's my first hostel and I;m already spoiled. I know they won't all be this nice but am happy to enjoy it! The hotel we stayed at last night was a little sketchy to say the least. The beds were old and creaky, not very comfortable. The tub flooded our room. And the management wasn't friendly. We were happy to leave. The Top of Georgia on the other hand, the oppposite It's clean, the owner is super friendly and they even gave us scrubs to wear while they do our laundry! They have a sitting area where the boys are watching AT movies and I've been enjoying the rocking chairs on the front porch! We are all kicking back with our feet up and enjoying the day off. Kent is coughing pretty badly. We are hoping a day off will do him good. Otherwise, we have basically no issues! Equipment seems to be working out well, shoes are holding up and not giving us blisters, tents are keeping us warm and dry, and our packs are holidng up well. Thanks again to everyone who has been writing! I have no idea how to respond to guest book entries, but I am getting your messages!
Date: 2014-04-13
From: zero day

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

AT day 8We were abruptly woken this morning at 6:23 am by the grumpy old man who cooks for the hostel. He turned on all the lights and yelled that check out was at 9 and breakfast, for those who payed for it, was at 7. We weren't eating breakfast there, but figured since we were up now, we may as well head out. To date this is the earliest we've gotten up on the trail. I think we all would have liked an hour more of sleep. Oh well! On trail it was cool with a slight wind which felt great as we took on our first climb of the day. A day off did our bodies good. We all felt great and the first 6 miles went by fast! Soon we came to another big milestone: the North Carolina border! So I am now writing to you from NC! We arrived at our scheduled destination super early in the day and took a nice long break before deciding to go on another 5 miles. What we didn't realize is that almost all of the five miles were uphill! So much for feeling really good! The AT is boss and she let us know! Right before our last mile to camp we crossed a road called Deep Gap. It was bittersweet because we knew that's where our friends, Billy and Donna had finished their section hike of Georgia. We were hoping we might catch them before they left for their drive back to KY but they were gone. The YWAM van was there though and they gave us some water and snacks which is always nice! We found a great campsite on a stream and set up for the night. As we were sitting around the fire we realized this was the first night just the three of us had a campsite alone. It was weird. We miss our friends! Taking a zero day also meant that we had lost our "group" of other hikers too. Hopefully, they'll take a day off and we'll catch up to them soon. All in all it was a nice day. Our earliest on the trail and our longest day too! We finished with 16 miles under our belts! Watch out Kathadin here we come!
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light snow

AT day 10 - we finally get warm and dry!Last night was pretty awful. It rained all night and as I suspected, my tent leaked. I didn't get much sleep and when I finally woke, I was in a puddle. A very cold puddle. Luckily, my air pad is two inches thick so I managed to stay dry but any part of my sleeping bag that hung over was wet. Wet down is no bueno. My clothes from the day before we wet, my backpack was soaked, and the outside of my tent looked like it had bathed in mud. Thankfully most of my things are packed in zip lock bags so my food was still intact but that was about it. It was still raining when I "woke up" so I used my air pad as a floaty and packed what I could while under the cover of my leaky tent, getting splashed as rain drops fell from the roof! Once I got what I could in my pack, I got out to dismantle my tent in the rain. I shoved it all in a jumbo zip lock so it didn't get everything else in my pack dirty. I wish I had taken a picture of how gross it was but I opted to once again keep my phone dry. Hiking is such a joy sometimes! Once everyone was packed up, we set off on our journey to Franklin NC. It was a nice walk with some easier gradual ups and downs until we reached Wallace Gap where the trail went up pretty steeply. Once there it got super windy and the rain started to pelt us even harder. It was starting to freeze! Thank goodness salvation was at the bottom of that mountain where the trail comes out on a road! We got on a shuttle to town and found a hotel (yes I know, another hotel). We all grabbed hit showers and are airing out our wet stuff. Jon and I walked to a laundry mat to wash anything that could go into a washing machine, including my tent! We came back to fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and hot tea! Not sure I want to leave!!!! But we've already called to arrange a ride back to the trail tomorrow so I guess I have to. Thanks again to everyone for your comments! I don't want to sound like a broken record, but you have no idea how much they help!
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Wonding Stair Gap

To: Burlingtown Gap
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

AT day 11 - an awesome day!This morning after hot showers and a good nights rest, we had the most delicious breakfast at the Hampton Inn! Belgian waffles, fresh muffins, yogurt, omelets, and breakfast sandwiches! Plus, I may have thrown a few yogurts and creamers (to add to hot tea) in my pack for later, not to mention a full Nalgene of hot chocolate! A perfect way to start what would turn out to be a wonderful day!Our ride, Kathy (a lady who helps hikers get to and from town) picked us up and took us back to Winding Stair Gap where we immediately came to a beautiful waterfall. The sun was out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was pretty cold still, but that makes for great walking weather!The trail took us up over two thousand feet higher than we started over a ten mile period. We arrived at the top of Waya Bald where from the observation tower we could see mountains 360 degrees around us! We could even see Albert Mountain and the bald we had crossed earlier in the day. It's awe inspiring to see how far we've traveled over just a short time!We walked a few more miles and found the cutest stealth campsite ever! It's right off the trail under a few rhododendrons and small trees. We quickly made a fire and sat on a log to eat our dinners. We all enjoyed some hot chocolate too! We finished the day with 14 miles and will walk into the Nantahala Outdoor Center tomorrow! This is another milestone for most hikers and it's exciting to be so close! Tonight is supposed to be very cold and the temp has definitely dropped drastically now that the sun is down. I've got three hot rocks in the tent with me! I'm crossing my fingers it's enough! If there are no more posts from me, you can assume I'm a frozen Popsicle!
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Burlingtown Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

AT day 12 - a cold start! Have you ever been so cold you couldn't stop shivering? That was me last night. I'm not sure how low the temps got but I could see my breath in the tent and was shaking uncontrollably. It was pretty awful. I hate being cold. It's even worse when I'm trying to sleep and can't. To add insult to injury, Jon was sleeping outside on the ground in the same sleeping bag as me taking clothes off because he was hot. I don't get it! I know some of you are probably thinking, "why not get a warmer sleeping bag?" Good question. Sleeping bags are super expensive for good quality warm ones that compress into a small little package. And I already have to invest in another tent, so a new sleeping bag is not going to happen for this trip. Hopefully spring will arrive soon and things will start to warm up. Jon did restart our fire so we could warm our hands while we packed up. It was hard to tear ourselves away though when it was time to walk. But as always, there were miles to cover. Away we went down the frozen trail. We had a beautiful day in which we covered a total of 13 miles. Seven of them or so were downhill into the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The sun was out in full force. And after the ground de-thawed, the walking was quite nice with beautiful views and pretty scenery!As an added bonus, someone left a cooler of beer at the bottom! We've missed a lot of trail magic by a few inured on this trip, so it was nice to receive some!Once at NOC, we set up our tents in a stealth spot along the river and found the coin operated showers! That shower may have been the best dollar I've spent out here! We then went up to the restaurant, where we had a delicious dinner while watching people kayak the river and visited with some of our friends over a beer!It was nice sleeping by running water. I had Jon sleep in the tent with me, which warmed it up a bit and I believe we all had the best nights sleep so far on the trail. Another successful day!
Date: 2014-04-18
From: NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

AT day 13 - a much easier day than most thought it would be!After a hot breakfast and hot tea (yum) at the Rivers End restaurant (thanks to Glades Man), we set off on our climb out of the NOC. It's eight miles uphill, so many people were worried about it. We had planned to go to the top to camp but the forecast called for rain, and I wasn't up for another cold wet night. So we decided to shorten our day by just a bit and try to make it to a shelter before the rain came. It turns out the uphill wasn't bad at all! We took it slow and before long the worst of it was over! Glades Man and I felt pretty good about ourselves! When we got to the shelter, there were only three people there! And the coolest thing was that two of them were people whose trail journal I had been reading before we left! The even better part is that they were Murray and Osiris, who are related to Jon's aunts good friend!!! We knew they were out here but weren't sure if we'd ever see them. It was nice to finally meet!We all collected wood and started a fire that became the hot spot (pun totally intended)! As more hikers strolled in, our fire circle got bigger and bigger. It was nice to visit with everyone who we would be sleeping with in the shelter. Not everyone could fit, but we did our best to make room for as many as we could get in. Overall, it was short day. But sometimes a short day is a welcome change. We made lots of new friends, got some good relaxation in, and I got to get caught up on my trail journal'. Plus, I'm excited for my first shelter experience!
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

AT day 14 Well it did rain last night and I was so very happy to be in the shelter! Even though there was lots of snoring and other noises going on, it was well worth being dry! Not sure I want to frequent shelters, but in poor weather, they are nice. And it was great not having to pack a wet tent in the morning. Unfortunately, the weather people never seem to get it right. And we had to walk all day today in the rain as well. It sprinkled on and off until the last three miles of our hike, when it started really coming down. The rain in combination with doing a healthy 15 mile day with lots of ups and downs definitely had us worn out. As I've said before, it's hard to take breaks on rainy days, so our legs were hurting by the end. We ended up finishing our day at Cable Gap Shelter, where we thought we'd tent. Kent set his tent up, but the persistent rain, had me running for cover (I haven't been able to order a new tent yet- long story). There were lots of people in the shelter when we arrived, but luckily only three were staying! Jon and I laid our air pads and sleeping bags out and spent the night playing "pass the pigs" with two of our trail friends Aquaman and Tricks! It was such a fun way to end the day! We laughed a lot! Tomorrow we will go into Fontana Dam. It'll be a short day where we can do laundry and get our re-supply box (we sent it ahead in case there was not a ton of food options). Hoping it'll be a nice walking day for our Easter Sunday!
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

AT day 15 - Happy Easter!We woke up nice and early with the sun shining and birds singing! It was a tad cool but warmed up quickly! We were excited to walk into Fontana Dam and to enjoy a short day. Kent booked us a room at the Fontana Dam Village Inn, so we knew we could get some hot food and lay around with our feet up! I didn't mention in yesterday's post, but we are all starting to get hungry. Really hungry. I call it hiker hunger. It's when food becomes a total and complete obsession. We knew we had a box of food waiting for us at the Inn (that we had prepared before we left) so none of us wanted any extra food when we got there (there's only so much room in a pack and we sent five days worth of food to get us through the Smokies). We all carried from NOC exactly what we needed to get to Fontana. However, we didn't count on being as hungry as we are!   This mornings walk felt like twenty miles because we were all starving by three miles in!We crossed a road and were hoping that some kind soul may have left some Easter trail magic for us. We missed some yesterday once again. But there wasn't any to be found. Oh well just one more mile to our shuttle into town. While waiting for our shuttle, another hiker came up to our group and offered us a few Krispy Kreme doughnuts and tangerines! We were ecstatic! But still hungry!We checked into our room and grabbed our box of food to see if if was going to be enough to feed our newly enlarged appetites for the next five days. To our surprise, there were a few extra treats for us! Jon's mom Susie sent us some of our favorite things!!!! It was awesome! But we had to control ourselves to not eat them all immediately!After getting much needed showers, we walked down to the laundry mat. To our surprise someone had left trail magic laundry detergent for us! That was especially nice since we had just found out the grill was closed as was the ice cream shop. And we were kind if bummed. We ended up walking to the gas station and getting hot dogs and nachos. Not quite the feast we were hoping for, but good nonetheless!I keep forgetting to let everyone know, that kent is feeling a little better but still coughing pretty heavily in the mornings and nights. He's not getting worse though, which we take to be a good sign. I've offered a few times to go into to town to get him a chest x-Ray but he keeps declining. I think his lungs are probably just still adjusting to strenuous exercise. We are giving all of our lungs quite a workout with the numerous climbs everyday. Tomorrow we start our trek through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. It will take us about five days, so if there are no posts until Sarurday, please don't worry! Thanks again for all your support and comments! We love getting them!Oh and ps, I ordered a new tent today which should be waiting for me on fri! Cross your fingers for no rain in the next five days!