morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-01-12
From: Deep Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter at 8 a.m.   Got to Dick's Creek about 10:30.   Began walking and hitching the eleven miles into Hiawassee. Soon a white pickup stopped for me. "Buzz" was the driver. It turns out we had several things in common. He was a delightful person and dropped me off at the Holiday Inn Express front door. Took a shower, did laundry, picked up my food box at the post office, and ate lunch at Daniel's buffet. It is supposed to snow tonight.
Date: 2012-01-14
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

Got a shuttle from Sally. Arrived Plumorchard 1 p.m. Shawn, a thru-hiker, was just packing up to leave...with two-weeks' worth of food. He left an hour later. About 3:30, four young boys and two men showed up: "North Georgia Boys" scouts going to Bly Gap and back out. They are camped behind the shelter and are amazingly quiet. I am solo in the shelter. Nice to have the company nearby.
Date: 2012-01-16
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light snow

It suddenly got extremely cold. Two day hikers just came in for lunch. They said the temperature must have dropped 30d. Eating cold food to save fuel. It is too windy to waste fuel. This section will take me six days instead of four. I packed food for four, but can stretch it. Bitter cold now.
Date: 2012-01-17
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

Southbounders Sabie and Ripple came in about 6:30p.m. It was dark. Sabie was a Coastie. The cold wind blew into the shelter all night. Was on the trail at 7:30 a.m. Arrived at another cold, wet shelter. It rained all day, but it is a little warmer (36d. at 7a.m.) than yesterday. No one else here tonight. Had a good, hot Enertia Trail Foods meal.
Date: 2012-01-18
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night it rained longer and harder than I have ever heard it rain on a tin roof. The thunder seemed strong enough to shake the rocks. Was alone, and had a restful night. Awoke to cold temps. The sky stayed clear blue, sunny and calm. What a relief. Big Spring Shelter has been trashed. Swept the floor with magnolia branches and the register. Carried some trash out back. Having a hearty meal.
Date: 2012-01-19
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

The Thermarest All Season air mattress with the Bibler Toddtex bivy sack have worked very well in the shelters to keep me warmer and more comfortable than on previous winter hikes.Gingersnap, AT 2011, left a box of trail magic and a note South of Rock Gap. I ate two muffins and brought along some cookies. Thanks, Gingersnap. Her note ended with this quote: because......"going into the wilderness with your whole life strapped to your back is the ultimate expression of freedom."
Date: 2012-01-22
From: Franklin, NC

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Socked in with fog all day; so foggy that I cannot see what's around this shelter. Saw on the trail today: one man camped about 1/2 mile north of Winding Stair Gap, one day- hiking couple with a yellow lab, another day- hiking couple, Ashley and Bill, who were taking pictures of this shelter when I arrived. We talked for a while; nice young couple. This shelter floor is wet. Roof Leaks? This is the third shelter in a row where the hauling cables on the bear cable set-up is missing.
Date: 2012-01-23
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: snow

It poured rain all night at Siler Shelter. Hiked in rain all day. This was my hardest day yet. No breaks. Just keep moving. Didn't even stop at Wayah Tower; too wet, cold, and windy. After Wayah tower, the trail descends. Got to Wayah Shelter about 2 pm. Good time, for me, as I left Siler at 9 a.m. Kitchen Sink is here. He's a big, young army dude. Since I, myself, was once a soldier, I enjoyed the military talk. Good large, dry shelter.
Date: 2012-01-24
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

A beautiful crisp, sunny day. Left shelter at 8:40 a.m. Arrived Cold Spring Shelter about 12:15 pm. This shelter was built in the 1930's by the CCC. Although it appears to have a new roof, part of the floor has caved in. Swept the floor with magnolia branches. This is the kind of shelter you take one look at and keep going. The area is wet and cold; doesn't get much sun. The spring, though is right in front of the shelter. Convenient, but this helps keep the area wet. Trail here from Wayah was easy. About 5:30 pm. two men, one kid, and two dogs arrive. One dog is a white huskie/shepherd with a blue eye. The other is a large brown boxer aptly named, Brutus. The five are camped just North of the shelter.
Date: 2012-01-25
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

Mostly an easy trail except for the ascent from Tellico Gap up to Wesser Bald Tower. Saw no one on the trail today. Did see two trucks driving through Tellico Gap. There is no one at this shelter, but it is surprisingly clean. Lost my winter gloves today, but still have glove liners and rain overmits.It was an extremely long night. Some body part was always calling for attention. Plus, got into the sleeping bag at 6 pm. I don't need that much sleep.
Date: 2012-01-26
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center, U.S 19 U.S 74, Wesser, 
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: moderate rain

Was on the trail at 7:35 a.m. hoping to beat the rain. Saw smoke from a campfire at Rufus Morgan Shelter. The outfitter here had a replacement cap for my MSR Dromedary Bag - and did not charge me for it. Had lost it about two weeks ago. Is there anything better than a hot shower. It is raining. Staying at Base Camp, a bunkhouse, tonight. Good lunch at River's End Restaurant watching the Nantahala River flow by.
Date: 2012-01-28
From: NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: broken clouds

Elevation at the Nantahala Outdoor Center: 1,723 ft. Elevation at Sassafass Gap Shelter: 4,330 ft., a gain of 2,607 ft. Wore the new trail runners, which felt great. I might actually be able to hike more than four miles a day. But, they are not gortex, so I carried these old boots, too. Temperatures have dropped. It is supposed to get down to 22d. tonight.   Heavy fog is rolling in. No one else is here. Shortly thereafter; two men, Jamie and Ryan from Atlanta with their two small dogs (not poms but look like poms) came in for the night. We are trying to keep the dogs off my gear. The dogs turned out to be well behaved; so were the gentlemen. Rested well with these congenial shelter companions.
Date: 2012-01-30
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

What a change in temps from last night. A sunny, mild day, blue skies. Life is good -- again. It was an easy, graded trail all the way from Brown Fork Gap. Oh, what joy: my gear is all set up in the shelter, my clothes are changed, my hands are thawed, the sun is still high in the sky, and I'm sitting on a rock eating M&M's. After dark: two male thru-hikers from Kentucky hiking by headlamp arrive to spend the night in this CCC-built shelter that sleeps four.
Date: 2012-02-02
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Mollies Ridge
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got a ride to the trailhead by a Fontana employee so was on the trail at 7:45 a.m. It was a good first day in the Smokies. Blue skies and sunshine. Arrived shelter 3:30 pm. There is a tarp over the opening to block the wind. cooked outside, as you are supposed to, but kept looking around for bears. I am carrying the biggest, heaviest food bag ever. Restocking at the Pit Stop is expensive. No one else here. Elevation at Fontana Dam this morning: 1,740 ft. Flevation at Mollies ridge now: 4,570 ft.
Date: 2012-02-03
From: Mollies Ridge

To: Spence Field
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: overcast clouds

A beautiful, blue sky, sunny day. Took my time on the easy trail. It was very windy, though. four men pass me, also going to Spence Field. When I arrive, they inform me that four more men are on their way. Soon, all eight men, out on a five-day jaunt doing about 10 miles total of hiking, have secured themselves bunk space for the night. They are entertaining in a decimating army frat party way. There I am with eight alabama brothers and cousins to protect me with their hatchets, knives, log bustings, dozen plus candels and excellent fire-building skills.
Date: 2012-02-04
From: Spence Field

To: Derrick Knob
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: light rain

The alabama boys are all "good guys." Three are firefighters. Almost took a zero at Spence Field because of the pouring rain. But, packed up in 45 minutes and was out of there at 9 a.m. What a cold, windy, wet hard hike. No one at Derrick Knob. I'm in my sleeping bag after hot oatmeal and tea. Buying running shoes without gortex was a mistake. I might stay here till the sun comes out.
Date: 2012-02-05
From: Derrick Knob

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Hiking yesterday in the cold wind and rain was not what I wanted to jump right up and do again this morning, so I'm taking a zero day here, hoping that by tomorrow some equipment will be less wet. The storm appears to have blown over, but the shelter still is engulfed in heavy fog. No one else is here. I don't build fires. Nothing dries without sun.
Date: 2012-02-06
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double spring Gap
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light snow

Got up at 5 a.m. It was already daylight when I started. Did not look at my watch until I got to this shelter at 1:20 p.m. Hiked in dense fog. At Siler's Bald, ice was raining from the trees. This shelter has been rebuilt, as have all the others, so far. No one else is here. The sun is peeking through once in a while to tease. tidy.
Date: 2012-02-07
From: Double spring Gap

To: Mt. Collins 
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: scattered clouds

My zero paid off. Today was clear and sunny; a perfect day to go over clingman's Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail at 6,643 ft. Today and yesterday got much colder. Water in my cookpot froze overnight. A thru-hiker named Justin, just out of the army infantry, is here tonight. This shelter is the neatest, cleanest, prettiest shelter thus far in the Smokies. The privy even has a half-moon cut into the door. Someone has taken a lot of care around here. The bunks have been swept, the floor raked, the grounds raked and tidy; a four-star shelter. Today was my first clear long-distance view of the Smokey Mountains. WOW.
Date: 2012-02-08
From: Mt. Collins 

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

Heard snow on the roof during the night. Left the shelter at 7:30 a.m. The closer I got to Newfound Gap, the harder the wind blew and snow fell. At the Gap, park personnel called a shuttle service for me. It was like a blizzard up there. Fifty-five minutes later, A Walk in the Woods arrived to take Justin and me into Gatlinburg, TN. Gave up waiting for the trolly to take me to the laundromat. Must get something to eat. Jerry Sue, sorry to have missed you.
Date: 2012-02-15
From: Tri-Corner Knob

To: Cosby Knob
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a sunny, really lovely day. Almost out of the Smokies; one more shelter. Cosby Knob is very nice and clean. Water right here. The tarps are rolled up so it is not so dark in the shelter. Saw one human today going South from Harper's Ferry. He was delighted to see the snow. I'm delighted to be getting out of it. Still a lot of snow on the ground around this shelter.
Date: 2012-02-16
From: Cosby Knob

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

Raining all day but good trail. Saw two humans going North this morning. Didn't stop to chat. This is the dirtiest shelter yet. No broom. No privy. This is the only shelter that still has a bear fence across the front, probably because of its low elevation. Now I feel safe. Done with the Smokies.
Date: 2012-02-18
From: Standing Bear Farm - Hostel

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Up, Up, up away from the Pigeon River and I-40. A pleasant, sunny day. Ate lunch on Snowbird Mountain, which is cleared like a bald, and there is a FAA radar station on top. Spoke with a worker outside the radar station. Passed two hikers, father and son(?) going South about a mile south of Groundhog Creek. We did not chat. No one at this shelter. It is very still now; like the quiet before a storm.
Date: 2012-02-20
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Longest day's hike so far. Began at 7:30 a.m. Hiked continually until 4:45 p.m. Did not sit down once. At first, because there was too much snow. Then too many miles to go. .....and miles to go before I sleep. (R. Frost) Expected a sunny day and got one. Did not expect three inches of snow that fell overnight. You cannot get traction on snow. Bluff Mountain is no Bluff.
Date: 2012-02-21
From: Deer Park Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: few clouds

It's still winter in the mountains, but down in towns, it's Spring-like. A beautiful, sunny day. Checked into Elmer's Sunnybank Inn where, in 1980, Dale and I stayed on our honeymoon hike. The Inn looks much the same. Doing laundry and stuff. Very windy last night and today. March is approaching.
Date: 2012-02-23
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

Carrying six and a half days' food. The day is sunny and warm. Hiked in shorts and a T-shirt. Began 7:30. Ended 4 pm. This shelter is old and beat up. My bivy takes up most of the space. Three southbound section hikers are putting up their tents. So much company!
Date: 2012-02-24
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Hemlock Hollow Hostel
Miles today: 5.0

It was starting to rain, so I opted to try some place new: There are no signs to tell you that you are on Log Cabin Drive. One point six miles past Allen Gap, you come to a dirt road. Look right. If you see a log cabin, you are in the right place. This hostel, like all the others this time of year, was not fully stocked for the hiker season. Nevertheless, I was impressed with what they did have. They even have aquamira (water purification). The store and cabin were very neat and clean. Was happy I came here. Met a retired couple from New Zealand who, I think, are hiking to Maine. Accent, you know. The afternoon sun is out and tomorrow promises....?
Date: 2012-02-25
From: Hemlock Hollow Hostel

To: Jerry Cabin
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light snow

Ten point one miles in six hours. It snowed today. Took the old A.T. around the Exposed Ridge. The blue trail was well blazed. That took me about 45 minutes. Here tonight are Tolstoy and The Kiwis (the couple from New Zealand). The themometer in here reads 30 degrees. It is very windy. Tarps cover the opening. Jerry Cabin is not a cabin. It is a stone shelter with an inside fireplace.
Date: 2012-02-28
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 10.2

Interesting, varried trail; easy until the climb up Big Bald Mt. at 5,516 ft. Spent 20 minutes on Big Bald with shoes off and snacking. 360 d. views. This shelter is one of the highest on the AT at 5,100 ft. It was a beautiful, sunny day..a shorts and T-shirt day for a while. Waiting for the Kiwis.
Date: 2012-02-29
From: Bald Mt. Shelter

To: No Business Knob
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The day began foggy, then turned rainy then sunny. Mostly down hill and good trail. Went from 5,100 ft. to 3,180 ft. Saw no one. After dark, the Kiwis arrive, as does heavy rain and lightening.
Date: 2012-03-01
From: No Business Knob

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

Left shelter at 6:50 am arrive Uncle Johnnies Hostel 10:30. Say "Hello". Walk 1.3 miles to hotel. (I need my own bathroom.) After laundry and shower, walk three miles to post office. Fill up at McDonalds. Walk three miles back to hotel. Trail miles: 6.3 Town roads: 7.3 Total: 13.6 miles. Appalachain Trail, easy. Town roads, not so much.
Date: 2012-03-04
From: Erwin, TN

To: Curley Maple Gap
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Stopped at Johnnies to say goodbye to the Kiwis. Got to shelter very early in the day. Snow flurries, windy and very cold. Just sent some cold weather gear ahead. Two Southbounders stopped for lunch. A day hiker stopped briefly. Still snowing. Wishing I'd stayed in town.
Date: 2012-03-06
From: Erwin

To: Curley Maple Gap
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: clear sky

Grim, at Uncle Johnnies, declared winter officially over. So, this is a beautiful, warm, sunny day. I surprised M&R, as they thought I would be about two days ahead of them. M has a nice fire going. HP stopped to chat on his way to Cherry Gap. He has a monkey on the back of his pack.
Date: 2012-03-07
From: Curley Maple Gap

To: Cherry Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

A cold, windy day. Began hiking at 6:40 am and ended at 3:40 pm. Good, varied trail. Too cloudy, cold and windy to stop at Beauty Spot. Got to bottom of Unaka Mt. at 12:15pm. The morning went quickly; not so the afternoon. Excellent piped water source here. Two young men from ETSU on Spring Break are sharing the shelter with me.
Date: 2012-03-09
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Roan Mountain High Knob
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

Oh, so cold. Muddy, icy trail up Roan. The shelter is a former firewarden's cabin. Hands cold. Three young men sectioning came in for the night...staying in the loft. Am grateful for their presence. At 6,272 ft., this is the highest spot on the AT until New Hampshire. It is also the coldest spot year round in the southern Appalachians.
Date: 2012-03-10
From: Roan Mountain High Knob

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

Word for the day: MUD. Day is beautiful, sunny and less windy going over the Balds: Round Bald, Jane Bald, Grassy Bald, Lovely views. Am sleepig upstairs in the barn. Lovely setting. Three young men are tenting. A man and boy just arrived to share the loft. Today was dog day. On trail with their backpacking owners was a small hound, a shepherd collie mix, a jumping-up-with muddy paws puppy. Apple House Shelter has been torn down. Mountaineer Shelter takes its place.
Date: 2012-03-11
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Rt. 19E, Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 9.2

Glorious day over the Roan Mountain Highlands. The Balds are spectacular; wide open spaces & views. Passed a large group of young people going South. Last night's father and son team and I leap-frogged each other all day. This barn at Mountain Harbour, which has been converted into a hostel, is as neat, clean and cute as a little doll house. Tom and son arrive for two days of AT rookie backpacking. Great end to a terrific day.
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Richmond, VA

To: Dennis Cove, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Spent evening of the 15th in the Greyhound bus station then nine hours to Johnsoin City where got picked up by Black Bear Resort. Staying in one of the cabins. What a lovely place to re-start. Two other cabins are occupied by hikers. Met The Two Tetons, Wendy, Paula and Bruce. Northbound for a little more backpacking.
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Dennis Cove, TN

To: Watauga Lake 
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

A month off is like beginning January 1, except my pack weight was lighter then. Watauga Lake Shelter was trashed, so I camped about a half mile north. As soon as I got the tent up, it began to rain. Managed to cook dinner, though. Four hikers passed me today then three more passed by the tent.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Watauga Lake Campsite

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Met Fireweed, Doc, and Kitty. Stopped early today at a nice campsite on the hill looking down on the shelter. Drying out the tent, tending to feet, and recovering. The window fell out of my tent. Patched it with moleskin. First time I have not carried some kind of tape.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Thought I could pick right up with 15 mile days. Not going to happen. Many hikers are on the trail. Am camped at the spring just south of the shelter. There are nice campsites at the shelter. Didn't think I could walk even another 1/4 mile.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: light rain

Very good trail from Iron Mt.Shelter. A lovely morning with intermittent clouds. Got here about 1:30. Took a long time deciding on a tent site. The water is an extremely long way down a blue-blazed trail. Just as I returned from the water hole, thunder shower. Four hikers were at the shelter. Then a boy scout troop arrived. Had two cups of oatmeal and a cup of hot chocolate for supper. Had packed food for four days, but was able to stretch it to six.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

It rained all night and all morning. Rain stopped just before getting into Damascus. The town looks cold and empty. However, seeing lots of hikers. Don't know any of them. Was going to stay at Dave's Place, but need some private space. Checked out about five B&B's: no vacancy. Finally was accepted at the Lazy Fox Inn, which also soon became full with hikers. There is a hiking club in town from Blairsville, GA. It is supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Damascus, VA

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Ascending all the way on short switchbacks. The four hikers from Lazy Fox continued farther north. Here are two section hikers, two thru hikers, one south bounder; so far. Four tents. Very windy today. Will be a cold night. The zipper on my tent broke. Good conversation with a couple of men my age at the shelter during dinner.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

It rained all night. The tent floor got wet. That never happened before. Morning is socked in. Walked north for about half a mile. Listened to my gut feeling, which said to turn around. Hiked back to Damascus. Got a shuttle to Marion, Va, then a bus to Wm'burg. Gear, body part, motivational issues. All's well that ends.
Date: 2012-01-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everyone!Welcome to my online hiking journal! Some of you may be asking why I set this up... well here it is. I am leaving March 13th to go hike 2,172 miles on the Appalachian Trail! I will be hiking the entire thing starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. I will hike through 14 states and it will take me around 5 months to accomplish. I am doing this simply because. I have a great job, great family, and am not having some midlife crisis. But I have decided that I wanted to take on this endeavor and go for it. Starting in March I will leave my job on a sabbatical and quit my other jobs. I am leaving my car with my mom and flying down to my aunts in Georgia where they will bring me to the start of my journey. Currently I am reading everything I can about the AT and planning things out. I plan to restock as I go without having to depend much on home for mailing things to me. I am going light as I currently have my pack down to under 15 lbs without food/water/fuel. Right now I am trying to find a few connections along the way... I am looking for places to mail things to, places to stay for the night and get a warm shower and laundry. I will stay in hostels otherwise when needed. I am not going to be camping much in a lean-to as I would rather be a little more on my own. I have a light 1 person tent that I will be using, a nemo obi 1p elite. Back to reading AWOL on the Appalachian Trail... Talk soon! Thanks for coming, and please check back frequently! I will be posting about my adventures along the trail.Goodbye for now!Eric McKinley(still needs to find a trail name)