morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-16
From: hot springs

To: hot springs
Miles today: 0.0

Day 30: 4/16/15 Second zero day in hot springsI stayed a second night at laughing heart hostel. This hostel was amazing! It has private showers, a kitchen, was clean, and the staff was so nice - by far my favorite place so far. I woke up early again and joined the coffee drinkers on the porch. At about 10 I left the hostel to go do laundry and hang out at the hikers ridge ministry. I spent a few hours down town doing those chores. When I got back to the hostel I hung around for a little while and then spotted Toby coming off the trail. I was reunited with the guys! Once everyone was there and we had snacked (ghost left ice cream in the hostel freezer so we finished that for him) we left to find free camping. Kyle and I set up our tents and then met Toby, Ben, the Ohio brothers, broke down, and solo at the Mexican place for a beer. After we had enjoyed the company we all parted ways and we made our way back to camp. We had dinner and made our way to tents. I had a very restful time in hot springs and fully enjoyed the relaxation.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: hot springs

To: spring mountain shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 31: 4/17/15Hot springs to spring mnt. Shelter 10.6 milesIn the morning we spent a little more time in hot springs. Ben and I went to the local diner for breakfast and I had the biggest yogurt parfait of my life. We went back to the hikers ridge ministries and had coffee and fresh bake cookies! We hung out there for a while charging phones, using wifi, and other town duties. Around 1 I set out on the hike. We had decided to hike about 10.5 miles to a shelter outside town. The first part of the hike was steep up a cliff - it offered views back to town. After the first climb it leveled for a bit but the last miles has many false peaks. Once I rolled into camp I made dinner and settled in. There was a large group at the shelter so we had a fire, roasted marshmallows, and hung around. As the sun was setting we heard owls calling to each other and watched then soar between the trees behind the shelter.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: spring mountain shelter

To: jerry cabin shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 32: 4/18/15Spring mountain shelter to jerry cabin shelter 15.4 milesFor some reason this day I was so tired! I had very low energy and even the smallest climb took a lot of me! Ben and I slowly hiked about 6 miles before 1 when we stopped for lunch just shy of the first shelter. We are and rested for a while before hiking to the shelter around 1. We stopped there for a bit and I was tempted to just crawl into my sleeping bag and sleep right there. Instead we decided to push on and made the steep climb that was right after the shelter. After that climb we crossed an exposed ridge that was a lot of rock scrambling! I like that kind of hiking so I enjoyed that section of trail! I made it to camp at about 7:00 after crossing the 300 mile mark right before. I was so tired that night that I filtered water, set up my tent, and crawled right in.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: jerry cabin shelter

To: hogback ridge shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

Day 33: 4/19/15Jerry cabin shelter to hogback ridge shelter 15.2 miles In the morning we woke up to no rain but it started raining as we were eating breakfast. So we ate in the cover of shelter and I made a coffee and lazily sipped trying to wake up. We took a little extra time in camp this morning but left at about 8:30. We had more energy today so we hiked about 6.7 miles to a shelter for lunch. We had a nice break and then hiked about 3ish miles to a gap where someone had left a cooler of beer so Ben and I drank one there and packed one to the shelter. It was a rainy and cold afternoon so when we made it to the shelter we quickly set up and got dry. Everyone was really cool and made space in the shelter for us to cook. After dinner mushu got a fire stated and everyone sat around it trying to dry our socks. Though it was a bummer weather day everyone was super cool and we all had fun in the poor situation.
Date: 2015-04-20
From: hogback ridge shelter

To: sams gap
Miles today: 0.0

Day 34: hogback ridge shelter to sams gap 2.8 milesThough everyone last night was cool about the rain and we had dried our clothes a bit when it started raining again in the morning Ben and I decided to go to town. We hung around the shelter for a while with everyone and let the hard rain pass and then hiked 3 miles to the gap. At the gap we were able to catch a ride to Erwin, TN. We got into the hotel and laid out all of our clothes to dry. We went out to an AYCE pizza Buffett and resupplied. We then spend the remainder of the afternoon resting in the hotel.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: sams gap

To: spivey gap
Miles today: 13.0

Day 35: 4/21/15Sams gap to spivey gapBen and I decided to slack pack today. We though we could the 24 miles so we set out early and began hiking. It was weird to hike without our full packs but we didn't go much faster. We had beautiful weather and hiked over a beautiful bald with amazing sun and views. We continued on to a lunch spot and ate quickly. After lunch it was downhill to a gap. As we approached the gap we found more trial magic beer so we drank that and when we were done it was 3:00. We had another 11 miles and we knew that we would get back after dark and we would have to hitch so we decided to call a shuttle and went back to the hotel and met back up with Toby and Kyle. We ordered pizza for dinner and went to bed because we would hike again in the morning.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: spivey gap

To: curly maple shelter
Miles today: 15.4

Day 36: spivey gap to curly maple shelter15.4 miles Ben and I again set out early, this time with our packs and went back to spivey gap. We hiked the 11 miles that put us back in Erwin. The miles were easy and we were there about 1:15. There is a hostel right next to the trail so we went there to wait out the rain shower and Toby and Kyle were already there. We all hung out and had lunch there. We set out about 3 to do 5 miles to the first shelter. It was a nice hike and a really nice shelter. We decided to stay in the shelter so when we got there we cooked and sat by the fire before bed.
Date: 2015-04-23
From: curly maple shelter

To: iron mountain gap
Miles today: 15.9

Day 37: 4/23/15Curly maple shelter to iron mountain gap15.9 milesIt was a very cold morning when we woke up, I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag! Once I finally pulled myself out and packed up I had breakfast. The first 4 miles were nice and relatively flat and we came to a gap around 10 and a man was there serving coffee and homemade banana bread, which I love, so I was pretty happy! After that we continued hiking for a while. Right at the end of the day we stopped at a shelter for a snack and chatted with some friends who we have made on the trail and then continued to the gap. When we got to the gap Toby hoped out of a van and told us to get in. We obliged and met rob bird who took us to his apartment, we showered, he did our laundry, and we went to a Chinese buffet. We are our fill, went back to the apartment, and went to bed. I was very glad to e inside because it was supposed to be very cold!
Date: 2015-04-24
From: iron mountain gap

To: carvers gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 38: 4/24/15Iron mountain gap to carvers cap 15.9 miles In the morning we woke up and rob made is coffee and breakfast. After we got ready he brought us back to the trail and we began hiking. In the morning the terrain was pretty flat so we made good time. After lunch there was a long climb so we took our time climbing that. On the top of roan mountain there used to be a hotel so that was pretty sweet to see the remains of that hotel. At the top of the mountain we also checked out the shelter that is the highest on the AT but we decided to descend to a gap where it would be warmer. As we approached the gap we smelled good and there were people there who shared their food and we made hobo dinners.
Date: 2015-04-25
From: carvers gap

To: roan mountain, TN
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 39: 4/25/15Carvers gap to roan mountain, TN14.8 miles We woke up in the morning and had to hide from the rain in an awning that covered the bathroom. After a while we sucked it up and set out in the rain. In the morning we crossed some grassy balds of the roan highlands and were walking in rain and wind. It was a very rainy and cold morning. We made it to the first of the smaller peaks we had for today's climb. We hid among the rocks and ate a quick lunch. After that the sun came out as we climbed the last big climb of the day. This mountain was misted in on one side and clear on the side. It was really cool to hike among the mist. We ended the day in town and decided to eat at a BBQ place. While we were there the owner said we could camp on his lawn so we set up camp and chilled out for the night.
Date: 2012-02-07
To:  prep overnight 1
Miles today: 0.0

For the one night the things that went well; we stayed fairly warm as the wind roared above us and the temperature dipped to the low 20's overnight in the closest town, the rain fly flapped only once and we had a hot dinner and breakfast. Things we need to work on; staying warmer-I will use a full length rather than short pad, become more efficient at setting up the tent and the biggest challenge is reducing pack weight-aiming for 25 lbs food included. We have a lot of work to do.
Date: 2013-04-04
To: Raven Rocks practice hike
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Took a successful practice hike along the Rollercoaster to Raven Rocks. Note to self, remember to securely screw close the water reservoir otherwise all the water squishes out, soaks the pack (thank goodness for my trash bag liner) and leaves no water left for drinking. Filtered and drank water at a stream.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Amicalola Visitor Center

To: Amicalola Lodge
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: fog

We have begun! Walked up the stairs and admired the falls. Tomorrow we hike with the packs.    They say you pack your fears. My top 3 are: 1-falling and hurting myself. Of all my falls only 1 was serious-concussion and broken nose last year. 2-hypothermia. I know I will be cold. I sleep cold and my fingers and toes lose color even in 40 degree weather. 3-losing too much weight. After a few weeks of hiking my weight loss alarms my family. Hopefully all my worrying and over packing is all for naught.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Amicalola Lodge

To: Black Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: moderate rain

Perfect day for a hike, sunny and warm. Everyone we met was cheerful and in good spirits. Hiked to the Black Gap shelter about a mile and a half from Springer. Tomorrow we will get to Springer and make a short day since the forecast is for severe thunderstorms. Relaxing in the tent after a good day.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: broken clouds

Black Gap Shelter to Stover Creek Shelter.Springer!  Photos and signed the register.  Listened to the enthusiastic hikers and caught some of their optimism. Slept well in the tent. I love bear cables. Our tent has new red splotches from my assault on the biting gnats or whatever they are. Ted's legs are covered and my arms are full of welts. Small price to pay for a dream.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Last night was stormy. The shelter shook from the thunder. Beautiful day today. Our sunburn will not have a day to heal. Photo at Long Creek Falls. The short side trip was recommended by a local who thru hiked in 07. I could have spent an hour easily but there were miles to cover. Goofy note of the day. Backtracked up hill 100 yards to fill the reservoir from a small stream only to find a small stream around the next bend. Bonus miles. Trillium are blooming and catching my eye. Tomorrow 2 significant ups in the first 3 1/2 miles before we can water up. Had to save some of this evening's water for tomorrow's first cup of java.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Horse Gap

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 4.9

2:30 am listening to the winds howl thru the gap and imagining our mostly empty backpacks have blown down the mountain. 6:30 am backpacks have not blown away. 45 degrees and the wind still strong. Bundled up in my fleece and mittens and topped off with rain pants and jacket.  Then the winds abated and the layers quickly came off. Took a coffee break on Sassafras Mt.  Lunched in the sun on Justus Mt. with a fantastic view. Splashed in Justus Creek. An enjoyable day.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Gooch Mt. Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided to overnight at the delightful Hiker Hostel. Watched the mist roll in at Woody Gap while we waited for the hostel shuttle. Showered, washed the stinky hiker garb, Walmarted for food that already has water and can be eaten with a fork. Good company here getting ready to party upstairs. Will sign off for now.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Woody Gap

To: Burnett Field Mt.
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to the smell of coffee and eggs. I passed on the oatmeal since that is my trail breakfast. Passed on the waffles since I learned the hard way not to overeat before a up hill climb out of a gap. I did eat the grits...discovered I enjoy them when hiking. Dropped off at the gap as the mist was dissipating. Great view from Big Cedar Mountain our first up of the day. Lunched at Lance Creek and basked in the sun. At that point the "5.0 mile 1581' ascent of Blood Mountain over knobs and gaps" begins according to the guide book. Blood Mt. is the highest point on the Georgia AT. Set up camp close to Jarrard Gap. Regulations require that overnight campers must use a bear canister between Jarrad and Neels Gap which is at the other side of Blood Mt. It is a 5 mile stretch and tomorrow's hike. Had to fetch water from an intermittent stream. Glad it is spring with plenty of flowing water sources. All in all another delightful day.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Burnett Field Mt.

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

6 am Alarm went off. Still dark outside so reset it for 7. 7 am misty but comfortable so time to rise and shine even if the sun wasn't. Up to Blood Mt. Trail is marvelously constructed with stone steps and well maintained. Lunched at the summit still in the clouds. The descent was a bit more difficult than the ascent. Rocks were slick and falling on slick rocks is one of my fears. Thankfully my sleepless worrying about Blood Mt. was all for naught. The sun finally burned thru and once again the layers were shed.  Ended our day at Walasi-Yi. Resupplied and treated by the good folks from the Blairsville First Baptist church who brought a delicious dinner. Their generosity and good will were a delight.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Neels Gap

To: Hog Pen Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

7am lights on at the hostel. Breakfast of last evening's oatmeal raisin cookies and coffee. Yum. Left a little after 9. Sunny and warm unlike yesterday morning. Lunch was a different story. I had just taken my first bite of bagel and peanut butter when the rain and thunder started. Hastily packed up, scarfed down my food and growled up the hill. On rocky Cowrock Mt. the rains started in earnest accompanied by thunder. We waited out the worst of the storm down in Tesnatee Gap. The closest I counted was 3 seconds after watching the lightning on top of the mountain to the thunder clap. Rains did stop on our way to the next gap. There were campsites near the creek so we decided to tent at Hog Pen Gap.   We had wanted to do more miles today but feel we made the smart decision. Listening now to the thunder and occasional rain drops on the rainfly snug and dry in my sleeping bag. Hoping for better weather tomorrow.
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Hog Pen Gap

To: Chattahoochee Gap
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Started in the mist for 2 hours rooting for the sun. Lunched at Low Gap Shelter and watered up. Then 3.8 miles on an old CCC roadbed that looked like it required lots of manual labor. Some of the stone walls supporting the trail still stand. Walked through a rhododendron tunnel, no flowers yet.  Set up camp at Chattahoochee Gap and fetched water from down the steep side trail to the origin of the Chattahoochee River. Dined and bear bagged then lay in the tent relaxing watching the clouds gather.  Random musings while walking..... Relativity is not just about time. Cleanliness-I am now looking for a semi dirt free space on my pants to wipe my hands. Wetness-sopping wet vs damp they will dry on me as I hike clothes. Privacy-the less said the better.  Yes I have poison ivy. It was never a question of if but when. Tecnu to the rescue.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Chattahoochee Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 4.4

Woke to rain and wind. Waited for an hour to see if the weather would improve. Ha! Packed up between showers without breakfast. Walked in the pouring rain for 2 hours to the very windy Blue Mt. Shelter. Even with raingear I was soaked. Made a cup of coffee and felt human. A hiker had arranged for a shuttle ride so we asked if he would mind calling to see if we could also ride along. The forecast was for deteriorating weather (overnight in the 20's) and we decided to be safe and get out of the cold and wet. Our supply of dry clothes was dwindling. Clean and dry in the hotel watching the Weather Channel.... high winds, tornado watches and videos of Mansfield GA where buildings were destroyed by the winds. For us this was the right choice. Tomorrow is another day.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: light rain

We started at 11:40 after a hearty town breakfast. Today was 2 big ups. Rocky Mt which had fantastic south views and Tray Mt. Lots of rhododendron today. Down in Helen the azalea are in bloom along with the wisteria. Up in the mountains there is still not much color.  Took some photos of the tremendous views. Not a cloud all day. Ended the evening around the campfire with about 10 other hikers. Our tent is facing SE for the sunrise.  Today is the polar opposite of yesterday.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Vista campsite
Miles today: 8.5

6:30 lovely sunrise, temperature around 35 degrees, water not frozen so back to the sleeping bag.8:00 Oh my! Overslept. Running out of fuel so heated only enough water for coffee and had cold oatmeal. First part of the day was fairly easy. Good footpath and not much elevation change. Then......Kelly Knob. One mile and 800 feet of up. Disheartening because each time we thought we had reached the high point the trail made another unexpected bend and ever upward. We were not the only ones who had that impression. We huffed and puffed our way to the top. Watered up .2 miles off the trail at Deep Gap Shelter and trudged to the campsite so we would have a shorter hike in the morning to catch the 11 am shuttle to town.  The view from the vista into the valley was magnificent. Great place to camp even with the wind.
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Vista campsite

To: Dick's Creek Gap / Hiawassee 
Miles today: 2.6
Weather: light rain

Up at 6:30 and staggered on the blue blazed trail to see the sunrise. I am a walking disaster first thing in the morning so did not venture too close to the rocks and still enjoyed the view.  Left without breakfast or coffee just to be on the safe side allowing plenty of time to walk to the trailhead. Not a cloud in the sky and temperature around 40 with the ever present wind. Dressed in 3 layers and rain jacket. Finally shed down to shirt sleeves after an hour. Backtracked uphill to get a photo of Carne's Cascade; a bench was placed at a small cascade in a rhododendron thicket. We sat down and admired nature. I must take more photos. In town, basking in the sun, freshened up, fuel purchased and planning on where to eat. The mudslide fall, ankle roll, lung sucking ups, chilled to the bone soaking wet for hours plodding are all a distant memory. I know there will be more of those trying times ahead but for now I can truly say I am enjoying myself and so very lucky to have Ted along on this adventure.
Date: 2013-04-23
From: Dick's Creek Gap / Hiawassee 

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0

Hiawassee is so friendly, people are smiling and drivers stop on the busy Main St. to let pedestrians cross. This is something I am not used too!Mmmmmm. Woke up hungry and had a 2 oatmeal packet first breakfast and a cup of coffee. Guess my hiker appetite is in full roar. Last night I had 3 heaping plate fulls at the all you can eat buffet! Today's agenda.... Laundry (love the on site laundries), eat, go to the PO and mail back some stuff (hardly used camp shoes and the GA maps since we are 9 miles- 2 Snail days from NC and a finicky headlamp that won't turn off), weigh in and see if I have regained some of the 4 pounds I shed, finish the grocery shopping for bagels and snacks, eat and then pack up for tomorrow's 9 am shuttle back to the trail. Weather today is sunny and mild, perfect for hiking but we decide we needed this zero day to rest.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Hiawassee

To: campsite
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's lesson is timing. Caught the 9am packed to the gunnels shuttle and started on the trail around 9:45. There were about 25 hikers at the trailhead all raring to go.  Timing #1: put on my raingear before lunch then 5 minutes later the sun beat back the clouds. At least we were going downhill.  Lunched at the luxurious Plumorchard Gap Shelter. Someone even put an outlet faceplate on the back wall. Thanked 2 trail maintenance crews who were working.  Timing #2: Arrived at the campsite as it started to sprinkle. Should have put on the rain pants with the jacket. Put up the tent, pumped water to drink and started a pot to boil for dinner. The rain was increasing. Ate inside the tent then washed the pot and bear bagged in the rain. 15 minutes later the rain stopped. I took a short walk to warm up and dry off and cool my temper. The forecast is for nasty storms this afternoon into the night. What we had was just a shower and not the beginning of the storms.  Had to lop off a bit of my reservoir tubing since it got moldy on the inside. No wonder my water tasted funny. On a positive note we decided to hike on past our intended destination of the shelter feeling pretty good after our day of rest. Tomorrow we enter North Carolina!
Date: 2013-04-25
From: campsite

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 9.1

Hurray! The Snails made it to North Carolina! Then.....the reality check. Just as highways have welcome centers that offer a glimpse of the benefits of visiting their state the steep and rocky climb up out of Bly Gap into NC was a welcome to the AT in North Carolina and a hint of miles to come.  We were tired at the end of our day as the sun was setting below the mountain and not really in the mood to fetch water and then cook dinner then bear bag.  A wonderful group of hikers; Sue, Jeff, Ryan and Josh of Youth with a Mission YWAM, out for 30 days on a trial AT hike prepping for a thru hike next year offered to warm up some dinner, let us have some of their water and said we could store our food bags in their support car. Wow!   One more reason to hike, to see the good in people. Today's goofiness....forgetting the watch in the tent and packing it all up. Shamefully I time check throughout the day, I never realized how much.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Deep Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 5.3

Woods sounds, distant howling at night, grouse (?) drumming in the morning and evening.  Today's highlight was the view from Standing Indian Mt. Well worth dropping our packs and going to the summit. Overlooked the Georgia Blue Ridge that we have hiked. Lunched near the summit at one of the many campsites. Early day so relaxed, rinsed my stinky socks and let them air and had a leisurely dinner. Sunny with a slight breeze and a few high clouds. All in all a superb day.