morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-06-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.4

Day 1. We left Amicalola Falls Lodge at 8am sharp. We arrived in the hotel restaurant when it opened at 7am for a buffet breakfast. We kept telling the kids this was the last food they would eat for awhile that they didn¢t have to carry. We finished up, took one last potty break and shouldered our packs. Before walking out the hotel doors we stopped for a moment and I told the kids that once we stepped over that threshold, we would never be the same again. A bit dramatic maybe but I truly felt we were embarking on an adventure that would leave its mark on each one of us.  We started up the trail full of anxious energy. There was a lot of excitement as we saw new trees and insects and wondered what would lie ahead. 7 miles of hiking brought us to the top of Springer Mountain, the official Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. We stopped for a snack and to let the kids climb a large, old, gnarled tree where they rested in its branches like weary baby birds. We grabbed a family photo and started our ¢official¢ hike of the AT. We quickly came to our first shelter, the Springer Mtn Shelter. It had a ladder going up to a loft which in our kids eyes was the wilderness equivalent of bunk beds. They were ready to stay for the night even though it was about 2pm. We debated staying or pressing on, knowing the next shelter could be worse or already taken. I had cell service so I was able to search for an image of the next shelter less than 3 miles away. I showed the photo to the kids and with just one glance between themselves, the decision had been made. The photo of the next shelter showed it was even larger AND had a ladder. It was unanimous. Onward we pressed!We arrived at Stover Creek and found a lovely camping area and shelter with picnic table, it was all we could have hoped for. We were one day into our hike and things were looking good.
Date: 2023-06-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

We awoke to a beautiful, cool, sunny morning here in North Georgia. The air had that freshness that only happens after a good rain. After a hearty breakfast at the hostel we got on trail at the point where we stopped for the storm yesterday. We left our packs at the hostel and just used one of their small backpacks for our food and water. The practice is called ¢slackpacking¢. Some say, once you slack pack you never go back :)We set off at a great pace and ran into ¢No rush¢ and our other new hostel friends from the night before.  They were hiking south so it was fun to pass familiar faces on the trail.  The trail begins to quickly feel like a family.it was so nice hiking all day without carrying all of our gear. The younger kids especially loved it as their packs really slow them down. We made it a whopping 14 miles today which is the most our kids have ever walked in a day. Keep in mind there is almost zero level ground on the AT, so that 14 miles includes ALOT of ups and downs.  We pushed hard today to get the miles in since tomorrow we climb our biggest mountain yet and we¢d like to keep the miles to six or seven total. We had perfect weather again and only saw a few other people all day. What we did see a lot of was evidence of yesterday¢s storm. We were reminded all day of how thankful we were for our trail Angel experience yesterday. The entire trail was littered with leaves, twigs, branches and even trees. It would have been so frightening to be in the forest during that storm. One thing we¢re learning is the unique challenges of hiking with kids.  Our kids are doing fantastic physically so far, it¢s other, unforeseen challenges we¢re learning to navigate. For instance, our youngest son talked for 14 miles straight today. That¢s no exaggeration. 14 MILES of ¢Daddy, do ants poop?¢ ¢Daddy, can a great blue whale eat all other animals¢, ¢Mommy, can we play 20 questions again¢ (once the answer was a broken branch and the next game a broken twig). Erin, bless her heart, hiked with him most of the day and listened as only a mother could for almost 9 hours straight. I made a point of hiking up ahead and making sure no bears were on the trail. We got picked up off a forest road about 6pm and came back to the hostel to shower and eat all the food we could. The young man in charge of the hostel, ¢Achilles¢, brought us ice cream tonight about 9:30. After 14 miles of hiking you wouldn¢t believe the kids could still run to the kitchen that fast!
Date: 2023-06-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.2

After two consecutive nights of comparative luxury in a hostel we were ready to get back to roughing it so we packed up our things and bid farewell to our hostel family and hit the trail with full packs on. Yesterday we hiked an easy 6.2 miles including a mountain that was not as bad as we anticipated. After lunch the trail passes through on old CCC building (the only building the AT passes through on its 2100 mile journey).  That building is home to a wonderful backpacking outfitter that knows just what hikers need and want.  We were excited to arrive as this is one of the landmarks on the AT and a place of refuge for weary travelers.  As we approached the entrance a thickly bearded gentleman named ¢Just Bill¢ called out to us to come on in.  As we got closer he said ¢welcome home¢.  I was moved at those simple words and realized how much it means to be shown hospitality when you¢re tired and dirty and far from home.  The kids all picked out a candy treat and we got some free items as well as someone before us had left $20 with the cashier as ¢trail magic¢ for the next thru hikers that came along (so many kind souls out here). We also bought a frozen pizza that they cooked for us and we sat outside taking in a great view and using their water spigot to refill all our bottles. We hit the trail again and after about a mile of climbing found a suitable campsite right off the trail. We arrived about 4:30 which felt too early to stop but we decided since it was our first time making our own camp (no shelter or privy here) we¢d give ourselves plenty of time. There was a lot to do. We found a tree with a low enough limb for our bear hang, walked 1/4 mile to find a small spring and carried back 20 liters for filtering and ¢showering¢ (we brought an ultralight shower bag on the trip and each night we take an invigorating cold spring water shower). We lit a fire and started our water boiling for dinner. Set up two tents and unpacked all our bedding. We ended up transforming a bare spot of ground in the middle of the forest into a happy little temporary home.  We¢re so thankful for all the practice we did setting up a camp, learning how to hang food in trees to keep bears out, etc.  There¢s a lot that goes into setting a camp up especially with kids.The wind picked up during the night and it was very cold. We¢re all in jackets and shuffling around very cold this morning. Ready to hit the trail and warm up!
Date: 2023-06-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

Day 5 on the trail. Perfect weather again, temps 60¢s to low 70¢s with gentle breeze. We hiked 10 tough miles. About midday we reached a mountain peak and ran into a local hiking group of retirees. We had also met them the previous day on Blood Mtn. We all had a laugh at the irony that we were on the same peaks at the same time 2 days in a row but they had comfy beds, showers and hot meals since we saw them last. They warned us about some copper heads under a rock ledge further up the trail. We really appreciated the warning because rock ledges are exactly the kind of place our kids love to explore. Sure enough, when we arrived we found a nest of copperheads under a ledge on a sunny outcropping. I poked one with a stick to see what reaction we got but the snake didn¢t pay much attention. Mainly I wanted the kids to see just how fast they could strike so they¢d have a healthy fear of vipers. We had seen at least one snake each day so far but all non-venomous.  We observed a large 4ft black rat snake outside our first shelter. After watching how easily he moved across the terrain we all moved our bedding from the ground floor to the second story of the shelter. Then we saw a small snake crossing the trail the next day. Last night we had a beautiful ring-necked snake crawl out of our campfire and I was able to catch him so the kids could pet him. Seeing the copper head though was a good reminder for us all to watch where we sit down or place our packs during a break. After that the last few miles were tough as we pushed on to the next shelter. We had to bribe our youngest with treats to get to the finish line. I suppose really good trail parenting involves knowing when to break out the secret stash of motivational candy. We finally arrived at a simple but pleasant shelter in a grove of splendidly tall trees and a quiet little babbling brook. I believe in these parts it would be called a ¢holler¢.  We arrived about 6pm so quickly set up our camp and got water boiling for another fine dinner of Erin¢s dehydrated wonders she whips up in the camp kitchen. ¢Cheesy Spuds¢ and Alfredo Beef pasta never tasted so good!We collected water from the stream 30ft away for filtering and our new tradition of nightly showering. The kids are really enjoying the cold showers at night and this water is COLD. It bubbles up from the ground as cold and clear as can be. We fill our shower bag and take turns washing away the day¢s dirt and grime and laughing as the cold takes our breath away. We were in bed by 8:15 and spent a peaceful hour quietly reading and whispering to one another while watching and listening to the forest around us transform into night. Right before we fell asleep, a pack of coyotes began to howl, weaving their eerie music to our thoughts which soon turned to dreams.
Date: 2023-07-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 7 - This was our first ¢zero day¢ meaning we made no progress on the trail. We rented a cabin for 2 nights and had a day off in Helen, GA. Our plan is to take a zero day once per week, hike 6 days and then rest 1. The Sabbath model you could call it. Our bodies, minds and gear need a day to rest and repair.  Plus it gives us little mini-vacations along the way to explore new areas  We focused a lot on eating today. We¢ve eaten a LOT of dessert!  They say calories don¢t count on the trail so we¢re taking that to the bank. We¢ve had ice creams, strawberry pie, peanut better pie, cookies and more. There is a sense of urgency when you come to town to start eating as much as you can while you have access to food you don¢t have to carry. We have the coolest store ever about 100 ft from our cabin. They sell everything g and I mean everything. We¢ve bought lots of goodies there and resupplied for the next leg of hiking.The kids and I floated the river through town for 2 hours which was just the right mix of relaxation and excitement. This town is like New Braunfels 40 years ago, even all the building are German architecture. We had to walk a mile each way to get to the float outfitter but a mile seems pretty tame to us at the moment.  Especially a flat mile of sidewalks with no rocks to dance over or poison ivy to weave around. After a week in the woods I was sort of secretly hoping our kids would magically become perfectly behaved.  No toys, no screens, no sitting at desks; Just lots of fresh air and exercise and adventure. That¢s not unreasonable is it?  I¢m not sure why I thought that but I¢m here to report that our kids still bicker and argue just like before. However, I have noticed a change. I have not heard complaining. Almost none (that¢s from myself as well). This rental we¢re staying in has some serious flaws, including very scratchy sheets. I noted that scratchiness the first night and then contentedly crawled into the sheets, thankful for a dry, soft bed and a room with 4 walls that I wasn¢t sharing with strangers¢¦ I mean, new friends. This wasn¢t a forced thankfulness such as, ¢You could be in a tent right now so you better be grateful for these scratchy sheets¢. Or when your parents told you to eat all your food because children in China were starving but that didn¢t really foster a sense of true gratefulness for your own food. I think everyone in our family is feeling more grateful for those simple things we¢ve always had. If I am being really honest, I think one of our reasons for doing this trip is we wanted our kids to learn to do without. We wanted them to understand how much we have in life. Erin and I probably need that lesson just as much as them. I am also happy to report that we are all missing the trail and are excited to return. There something so clean and simple about the rhythm of trail life. Wake up, pack up, hike for 8-10 hours, eat, sleep, repeat.  Our first week is in the books, our second leg will include our longest stretch in the wilderness yet. We¢re excited to see what¢s ahead.
Date: 2023-07-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.7

Day 8 - 5.7 miles.  Today was a low mileage day since we got back on trail at 11am.  We hiked just shy of 6 miles though the terrain was very challenging.  We ascended 2400 ft and descended 1100 ft during those 5.7 miles.  The younger kids struggled physically but some fun music played on our mini speaker and a stick of gum lifted their sprits enough to get the job done. About 4 miles into the hike we started hearing the deep rumble of thunder. Not a reassuring sound when you¢re climbing a mountain. We were trying to move quickly to get to the shelter before the storm arrived when Erin slipped and fell on a slick rock.  Her forehead got banged up pretty good but we made it to the shelter and were able to clean it up, dig out some little embedded pebbles, and got her all bandaged.  She¢s one tough mother. When we arrived at the shelter there was another family here with 2 kids the same ages as ours playing cards in the shelter.  They are from Nashville, and live in the same area Erin grew up and even know some mutual friends.  They are both attorneys and also have a daughter with the same name as ours. Lots of fun connections. We really enjoyed visiting with them and cooking dinner together.  The husband had thru hiked the AT during law school so we asked lots of questions and he told us stories from hiking the AT ¢back in the day¢.   After dinner they retired to their tent and we spread out in the shelter for the night.  With a frightening clap of thunder, the long threatened storm finally showed up in force.  Some of us stripped down to our shorts, turned up the music and danced around in the cold driving rain for our evening shower. After drying off, we all put on our sleeping clothes and spread out our sleeping pads and bags. We sat on tbe shelter platform playing cards and listening to Kenny Rogers while a peaceful steady rain fell outside. So here we are. All bedded down back in the wilderness. A cold wind is blowing the treetops around, the temp has dropped below 60* and the kids are peacefully asleep in their bags. We¢re definitely adjusting to the forest.  It¢s much less scary than a week ago. Each day on the trail brings so many unexpected events. So many ups and downs.  Just as the trail goes endlessly up and down so does our experience.  A great view, then a knee-jarring downhill; a lunch break, then an arduous uphill; a good steady pace; then a slip and fall induced first aid stop. You just never know what¢s around the next bend. But we¢re learning to be okay with that.
Date: 2023-07-05
To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5

Day 11 - The Talking GameToday we hiked 12.5 miles of the AT. That¢s our most with packs on I believe. Weather was fair, temps in 60¢s and low 70¢s again.  We climbed 2307 ft and descended 2305 ft.  Ha!  A lot of work and no vertical gain to show for it.  There actually is a term for this AT phenomenon - PUDs or Pointless Ups and Downs. The AT is infamous for them. A full day of ascending and descending only to end up at the elevation you began at.  It¢s part of the fun. So after a great night¢s sleep by all we hit the trail at 8:30 and immediately got something right.  Our hiking order.  The trail has been single file width almost the entire time so hiking order is a big part of our day, as in who hikes in front of or behind who. When we get it correct, hiking pace and conversation flow along easily and our family hikes like a well-oiled machine. When the order is off, things break down and tempers flare or tears flow.  Hiking order changes throughout the day but you¢re often stuck in the order for extended periods. Sometimes people want to talk or play 20 questions. Some hike fast, some slow. If you want to be quiet and the person in front of and behind you want to play the ¢I¢m going on a hike and I¢m bringing an Apple¢¦¢ game, well you¢re in for a long hour.  This morning our two oldest paired up and hiked out of eyesight into the lead. Our two youngest paired up and played ¢The talking game¢.  Erin and I hiked in the back and got an hour or more of uninterrupted time. A first in almost 100 miles!  Now this talking game, It¢s basically just what it sounds like. The kids just talk, and somehow it¢s a game. I don¢t get it. It usually involves outlandish scenarios and big houses. I overheard snippets today and they included discussing a giant home with an arcade and skating rink in the basement. Jet skis were somehow involved as well as various weapons. I didn¢t even try to understand but what I did understand and greatly appreciate was the kids didn¢t even realize they were hiking. We went 5 miles before our first break. We didn¢t even stop for a standing break. It was glorious. A lot of what Erin and I do each day has nothing to do with hiking, it¢s what we call ¢Trail Parenting¢.  It has all the challenges of normal parenting 4 kids but then you add heavy packs, long miles, ticks, poison ivy, snakes, going #2 in the woods, etc¢¦ and try to motivate your children to move 2mph through wet rocky terrain while being grateful and thinking of others first while you work on your patience. Easy peasy. The hiking is easy, it¢s the trail parenting that is tough, very tough. Hats off to our kids though as they have come so far. They are showing so much gratitude and more and more often think of their siblings needs first. We¢re in a shelter right now. We made it just before a storm blew in and we it rained for a hour then cleared for a gorgeous sunset. That¢s all for now. Daddy long leg spiders are crawling all over me, as I write this. Everyone else is asleep but I may go set up the tents now¢¦
Date: 2023-07-07
To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 7.3

Day 13 -  Hello Minivan! 7.3 miles. Today we had a short hike to our pickup point where our very own mini van was waiting for us. Freedom on four wheels never looked so good!We woke up about 6am to a beautiful dawn with crisp air. We all moved fairly quickly (some of our kids more quickly than others) and hit the trail at 7:40. At this point a 7 mile day is not really even hiking for us. Our youngest even shrugged off the idea of hiking 7 miles when he asked this morning ¢Daddy, do I even need to put snacks in my pack if it¢s just 7 miles?¢This is the same son that claimed he could go no further after the first two miles of our first practice hike back in the spring. We made good time and made it to the van by noon. It felt SO GOOD to have our own transportation again.  We drove straight to town for lunch at noon. We all are burgers and smoothies with great delight. The restaurant was a nice place with outdoor patio seating by a creek. There were a lot of dressed up older people out for lunch. I looked at our family, kids with dirty faces and filthy shirts, wife with black eye and we all stunk.  When the food came we all ate like we were famished. I¢m sure the other patrons were wondering about us. After that we ran by the grocery store and bought three tubs of ice cream along with some less important food groups and drove to our vacation rental. We had a great afternoon relaxing and catching up with our old friends who came to stay a couple days with us. Our oldest son said the blessing for dinner that night. He thanked God for the ¢non dehydrated food¢.  :)
Date: 2023-07-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.4

Day 14 - Our First BaldToday we just did a day hike with our friends along the next section of the AT from where we had left off. We hiked 6.4 miles and crossed our first ¢bald¢. These balls are features of the southern Appalachian Mountains that are a bit of a mystery.  While the majority of mountain peaks around here are covered in trees, these bales are bare if trees. No one knows why for sure. Many tribes of Indians lived in these mountains and some think they cleared the mountain tops for agriculture or villages. Some think the early European settlers did.  Possibly it was fire or a disease that killed the trees. Whatever the reason, they are wonderful. There are views and sunshine at the balds. Something you don¢t get much if on the AT. It was an easy morning hike for us all and it was fun to have friends (and no packs) with us. We ran into our trail friend Miranda that we had camped with at our last shelter. Running into people you¢ve met on the trail feels like seeing an old friend again. We took it easy the rest of the day. Eating and napping.
Date: 2023-07-09
From: Franklin, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 15. Our second ZERO day. Not much to report. We ate, rested, cleaned and washed and repacked gear. Had burgers and shakes for dinner.  We definitely have our hiker appetites at this point. The kids are eating like adults.  Lots of food resupply mailing for the second half of the trip.