morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-17
From: Turkeypen gap

To: Tent City- Damascus
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Trail Days is tomorrow & we are still 32 miles away. I was just happy Fawn did a 14 yesterday, asking her to do a 32 seems crazy. Our first plan was to try for it, But today was also extremly hot and humid. We figured out today that she is afraid of thunder storms, thats why she shivers. It stormed this morning. She seems pretty attatched to us now. When we hike she goes without being tied to a peacord. She also always hikes inbetween us if she cant see both of us she stops and waits untill she can; pretty cute. Toward the middle of the day, we walked up on some section hikers camped near the trail. They too had a dog, a big dog. The big dog sprinted at Fawn and she darted back towards me on the trail. She was running so fast I thought she was gone for good. Once she got to me she stopped behind my legs. Then I ran at the big dog with my poles and made an X, so he couldn't pass. Usually She only darts off when she sees a squirell or bird, all we do is yell HEY and she comes back. But the couple with the big dog did give us some dog food. After 15 miles she started sleeping and walking at the same time, maybe we pushed her to far today. So, while we were enjoying some trail magic we debated about it for a good while. We gave her a good long break, and hoped she could keep going; 2 miles later and tired again. In the end we decided to try and hitch into town. It took a bit but we got a ride to a country store down at the intersection that would take us into town. We sat there for 5 minutes and then some section hikers we passed earlier came over to chat, 1 of them bought us 2 cheesburgers, 2 tatertots, and a can of dog food...WHAT!!!! awesome! we also bought icecream but before I could finish any food an SUV pulled in right in front of us and asked if we needed a ride...we didnt even have our thumbs out yet..But before we started loading up, Ms Janet pulled in and called me over and caught up with us real quick and offered a ride. She was happy to see we already had one though. So we loaded into the SUV toward TrailDays. The man driving the SUV was named Dog Pound, and offered us to stay in his area of Tent City- Camp Mellow. HighLife helped him put up the huge tarp while I stayed in the tent comforting the scardy dog during the storm. Finally when HighLife dragged himself into the tent after hanging out with them, we tried to fall asleep. BOOM!!!!!!! Some idiot threw a gas can in the fire. The police were all over the area asking who fired a gun. Lucky for us we had no part in that. But people went to jail....Trail Days Night 1
Date: 2012-07-25
To: Journal Catch-Up
Miles today: 0.0

Hey everybody, sorry about late journal entries. librarys are hard to come by, and they take up too much hiking time. Megan Roberts will catch me up in the meen time. Megan was with us from here until the Shenidoahs so she has the first hand experience and is a great help. She is going to refer to herself as Mouse (her trail name). Thankyou everyone for your patience and understanding. Once she gets to the SNP I will take over again...hopefully I can keep up better.
Date: 2012-03-08
To: WARNING!!!
Miles today: 0.0

WARNING: Hiking the Appalachian Trail may become addictive! My name is Red Hat and I have an addiction. It all started nine years ago when I took Warren Doyle's class, the Appalachian Trail Institute. My plan for 2003 was to hike about 450 miles that year. I only did about 100. But the hook was in.Every year since then, I get Springer Fever. I long to be just walking the AT. It is truly a love/hate relationship. When I walked in 2010, I got so frustrated that I sometimes did road walks to keep my sanity. Near the end, I stopped 90 miles short of Katahdin, because I had already done that section. My plan for this year is first to walk 108 miles in March. That is what I call walking from festival to festival. March 16-18th is the Dahlonega Spring on Springer festival. From there, I'll head up to Springer and walk until Winding Stair outside Franklin. That will put me in Franklin just in time for the April Fool's Hiker Bash March 30-31st. I love hiker reunions...Then, in August I'll be walking south from Katahdin, doing all of Maine. Time has made me rethink my walks in Maine and I want to do it right. Having a great hiking partner for this section will make a big difference, I think.Yes, I'm old. I'll be 65 when I walk Maine. But, like I said, I have an addiction. My hike this year is for the Great Girl Scout Hike 2012.
Date: 2012-03-18
From: Springer Mt.

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: scattered clouds

The Dahlonega Festival was great! I got to drive a shuttle bus out to the campground to pick up people. Except there weren't any people that wanted a ride. Then I got to speak on the hiker panel. Lots of good questions. But after a day and a half, I was ready to hit the trail. Dennis from South Carolina drove me up to Springer in his jeep. When I tried to give him gas money he just said to have a great hike. So I will...Took the walk up the mountain to the plaque on top of Springer. John, the Springer caretaker, was up there. He took several pictures of me. I signed the register and headed back down. It wasn't very long before I was at the shelter. I sat and visited with all the hikers that came through. Most were moving on to Hawk Mtn shelter, but Maverick, Echo, and Jeremy decided to stay. Warren Doyle came in and visited for a spell. Then Lake, a triple crowner (completed the AT, PCT, and CDT) came in. This year he started hiking at Key West and hopes to go all the way to the Canadian Border! After dinner, I crawled into my sleeping bag and fell asleep. It was a nice day on the AT. My first day of the Great Girl Scout Hike 2012.
Date: 2012-03-19
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Justice Creek
Miles today: 10.0

I laid in my sleeping bag for a good while, not wanting to disturb the others in the shelter. But about 7am, I got up and packed everything, as quietly as I could. I was out by 7:30am, as was Lake. At Three Forks, I came upon Warren Doyle again. He is doing a Smart Start for a couple, slacking them through Georgia. I said hi again, then moved on. It wasn't too long before I came to Hawk Mtn Shelter. There were more than 50 people here last night, folks said. I was glad I did the stay at Stover, as it is a nicer shelter, and less crowded. I signed the register and headed back out.The temperatures were in the low 80s! Lots different than the other times I've hiked here in March. At Horse Gap, I met Hooch. We had lunch, then he walked ahead, while I took a short nap. It is important to be rested when climbing up Sassafrass. About 1pm, I headed up the mountain. It wasn't too bad. Then it was up Justis Mountain and back down to the creek. When I got to the creek, Razor was there counting heads. I sat and rested, then set up the tent. We cooked dinner and went to bed. Great day on the AT!
Date: 2012-03-20
From: Justice Creek

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

Up early and made breakfast. On the trail by 8am. Headed to Gooch Shelter and met up with a lot of folks headed out. Hooch was there, trying to change the shelter name to Hooch...   Razor packed up a bunch of trash and we tried to decide if a jacket belonged to anyone still there. When it didn't I carried it out. Planned to leave it at Neel Gap in case someone needed it.Again it was hot, but the day was pleasant walking with friends. Razor and Hooch, plus others like Mick and Matt, the "Broomstick Brothers". We had lunch at RamRock, then walked down to Woody Gap. A guy was there giving foot washings and tapings. He claimed to be a nurse. I suspect he was just a guy with a foot fetish since everyone he worked on was female. I declined, thank you. We got in the car and headed to Suches for a snack. Tonight it's dinner in town (BlairsvilleL) and a clean bed. Tomorrow, Hooch and I will slackpack from Woody to Neel Gap.
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I was going to do a slack from Woody to Neel, but when we got to Hwy 180 that goes down to Suches, it was closed with electrical work. So instead, I got dropped off at Neel Gap and hiked south. That ended up being excellent, because I got to see all the folks going the other way.It started out a little overcast, but ended up being the nicest day on the trail yet. The cloud cover made it cooler and the hiking was great. I passed a lot of friends from the last few days. At Blood Mountain Shelter I saw Hashbrown and several of the Spring Break hikers with her.I met the Forest Ranger a little above Slaughter Gap. Then it was great down to Lance Creek where the crowds were already arriving around noon. Lance Creek is the last place you can camp without a bear can in this area, and very few hikers are carrying bear cans. So it gets really crowded at Lance Creek.As I headed toward Woody, I came upon Maverick from my first night on the trail. She was still hoping for a better trail name. I said "what about Shrink?" She liked it and the double meaning, as she is a psychotherapist and she is shrinking as she walks.I sat for a spell at Woody Gap, then my ride came. Nice day on the AT
Date: 2012-03-22
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

It was cool and damp when I left Neel Gap, so I was dressed in my full rain gear. But as I walked up to Cow Rock, it got warm, so I took them off. Just before Testnatee, the sky opened up and poured, so I put everything back on.That is the way it went most of the day. One of the highlights of the day was coming up to the area I worked with GATC and Konnorock last year. I helped belay rocks for the stairs. This was my first time to actually walk that staircase. It was awesome.At Testnattee, there was trail magic from the AT Servants, a missionary group. The best part was the huge tent where we could stay dry for a few minutes. I had some cheetos, and walked on. The climb up and over to Hogpen was nicer and shorter than I remembered. At Hogpen, Hashbrown and Inchworm were having lunch. I walked on, as I expected to meet my friend, Sierra Echo. She is a postal worker and was planning on hiking with me for a few days.She was there when I got to Low Gap. We pitched our tents, and I picked up a bunch of trash to carry out. Then we had dinner, and played cards till time for bed. Great day!
Date: 2012-03-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

I packed up my very wet tent and headed out in the rain. Sierra Echo planned on staying at the Blue Mountain Shelter, while I was heading to Hiawassee from Unicoi. I passed Bayou, a friend from Louisiana, on the way. At the shelter, I visited with a couple of hikers. SE arrived and we said our "see ya tomorrow"s and I headed out. Soon I met up and Razor and we headed back down to Unicoi and a shower! I got a message that my friend, Skylarke was also in Hiawassee, so we made plans to go to dinner together. Great day on the AT!
Date: 2012-03-24
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I got back to Unicoi in time to catch the shuttle bus to Helen for breakfast. Georgia Mountain Ministries, is serving breakfast every morning for a couple of weeks at the First Baptist Church in Helen. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, fruit, juice, and coffee. I was surprised to see Hopper there! She hiked with me in 2005 and again in 2010. Nice surprise. After breakfast, I headed back to Unicoi to meet up with Sierra Echo again. She said she was just taking it slow and to go on ahead. I did. At Tray Gap there was more trail magic! This time I had a gatorade and a snickers bar. I also got eaten up by the bugs in the area.I headed up to the shelter, pitched my tent, and got water. About an hour later, SE showed up. Then the rains came... I cooked and ate under my rainfly. We played cards for a while, but it was getting really cold, so we decided to get into our sleeping bags early. It poured and the wind blew all night.
Date: 2012-03-25
From: Tray Mountain

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

I was awake off and on all night with the rain and the wind. But when I awoke again about 7am, Sierra Echo had already left. I packed up my wet tent and headed out in the cold wind. I caught up with her a few hours later. It looked like the weather might be clearing, so I de-layered. As we started up Kelly Knob, SE told me to go on ahead, as she was taking it slow. I did.When I got up and over, and down to the Deep Gap Shelter turn off, I waited for her while I ate lunch. An Asian man came up and started talking to me about my hike. While we were talking, several more came. Eventually, I realized that they were part of a hiking group of some 40 men, women, and children! As I hiked down, I passed more and more of the group. Eventually I saw and ribbon of highway and thought I was near, but it was another hour before I finally got to the road. The Budget Inn shuttle showed up and I headed back to Hiawassee for another dry night.
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: clear sky

I spent the morning doing "town stuff" and caught the 11 am shuttle back to the trail. Since I only planned on doing less than 5 miles, it worked out well. I bought a Subway to enjoy for lunch and slowing meandered up to the shelter.As I walked, I thought about my years in Girl Scouting. It was back in 1954 that I learned the Brownie Smile Song: "I have something in my pocket, it belongs across my face, I keep it very close at hand in a most convenient place. I'm sure you could not guess it, if you guessed for a long, long while, So I'll take it out and put it on, it's a great big Brownie smile!" After 58 years I still remember. I don't remember all the words to the Brownie promise, but I know it ended with a promise to "help other people every day, especially those at home". My troop was #944, from Housman Elementary School in Houston, Texas. In Brownies I learned to make a situpon, and a simple teepee fire. I attended day camp, and remember getting rained out on our first overnight campout. After troop 944 folded I joined troop #332, led by Avis "Clancy" Faulk and Helen "Twiggy" Glickman. These leaders and girls would become lifelong friends. I remember our "flyup" ceremony. I was very excited to move from the brown shirtdress and beanie to a green shirtdress, badgesash, and beret. I remember that you were not considered in complete uniform without white gloves. I earned Adventurer, Campcraft, and Pioneer badges, among others, as well as my First Class Rank. We learned how to make bedrolls (I don't remember anyone ever having a sleeping bag back then). I attended Camp Robinwood, Camp Arnold, and Casa Mare. We weren't nearly as excited about uniforms when we moved from Intermediates to Seniors, as wearing a uniform to school was a bit embarrassing to a teenager. We graduated from high school and took a senior trip to Six Flags over Texas. (back then there was only one Six Flags!)My mother (who shares the March 12th Girl Scout Birthday) kept up my membership while I was in college. Pretty soon, I had a daughter of my own and was leader of her troop. Backpacking came into its own in the 70s and I did my first backpacking trip with my 8 yr old daughter when I was 6 months pregnant with my second daughter. (she never has been especially fond of camping)In the 80s, I was again leader for my second daughter. I gave up my official membership when my girls grew up. But during drives between New Jersey, where I lived, and Texas, where my parents lived, I noticed the Appalachian Trail on the maps along Hwy 81. I thought I would like to hike it someday. (I had no idea that it went all the way from Georgia to Maine)In 2003, I first set foot on the AT. Since then I have some 4000+ miles including GA-ME in 2010. When I read about the Great Girl Scout Hike 2012, I knew that I had to be part of it. It's been 58 years since I first became a scout but I still feel like one. People ask me how long I've been hiking and I'll say "since I was about 7 years old". Thanks to the Girl Scouts!
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

I was up early and headed to North Carolina. I hit the sign at Bly Gap about 10am. Then it was all uphill with the "welcome to North Carolina" climb. Today, my thoughts were on dogs. I like dogs, in fact, my late husband and I rescued and raised Boxers for years. But I have a problem with dogs on the Appalachian Trail. Last night was a perfect example...I was set up in the shelter, and playing cards at the picnic table when a hiker came in around sunset and asked "Does anyone have a problem with my dog sleeping in the shelter?"   I said "Yes, I do". She looked at me like I had a plague and said "really?" She didn't speak to me again. I began to feel like the bad guy for speaking up, but I really don't think dogs belong in shelters. I have allergies to long hair dogs (especially labs). My friends who hike with dogs all carry tents for them to share. In all my years of hiking, I have only found a handful of dogs that were up to the strenuous work of hiking the AT. And their owners have worked to make sure they are well trained. This is my little list of things your dog should be trained to do...1. go to the bathroom off trail (if not, you should move it off the trail)2. come immediately when called3. not play in water unless given permission (don't give permission when it is the drinking source upstream)4. not sniff people's food or beg for handouts5. not bark at hikers6. not climb into the shelter7. not chase wildlife
Date: 2012-03-28
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Bearpen Trail area
Miles today: 13.5

I left camp early and saw virtually no one along the trail today. The trail was fine, but I was getting tired of being alone. Early in the morning I passed three younguns playing in the water. Funny, we had been following the stream uphill for nearly half a mile, but they chose to wash and play at the top, where the stream crossed the trail, where most people would get water to drink... I feel like such a grouch, but don't people even think??? So I just plodded along today. About 3pm I came to USFS67 at Bearpen. I recognised the area as where Mary, Terry, and Fishing Fred had done a huge hiker feed for a month or so back in 2005. When I came through in 2010, the roads were all closed for ice and snow, so this was my first time back. I kept thinking that it was too early to stop hiking for the day, but I was way too tired to climb up Mt. Albert. I said to myself "I wish Fishing Fred was camped here, I'd just stop and spend the afternoon visiting". Just then, a truck came up the road. It couldn't be! But it was!!! Fishing Fred! He had been hiking in the area and decided to check out the old spot. Now that is real trail magic!!!He showed me a spot to camp with an amazing view. He gathered some firewood so I could keep the bugs away until dark. We shared a sandwich and coffee, then he pulled some candy and a sausage out of his day pack. We sat and visited a bit, then he went back to town. He turned my boring day into a great one. Thanks Fishing Fred!
Date: 2012-03-29
From: Bearpen Trail area

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

I was up early to see the sunrise. Then I was ready to climb Mt Albert. I remembered it as a rough rock climb, but it wasn't so bad this time! I was at the top in 30 minutes. Then I just rocked and rolled down to Rock Gap. My 100 miles is done, and I got a ride into town. Now I'm cleaned up at the Sapphire Inn. Great Girl Scout Hike 2012, 100 mile section for 100 years of scouting is finished.
Date: 2012-08-29
To: Ready for Katahdin!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After hiking 100 miles for the Great Girl Scout Hike 2012, I spent the spring in Georgia, seeing other hikers off on their adventures. I headed home after Traildays in May. Now I am ready for part two of my Great Girl Scout Hike 2012, 300 miles in Maine! My pack is ready. My food drop is set. Tonight I head over to Baxter State Park and tomorrow I climb Mount Katahdin. I will have two friends hiking with me, and both are Appalachian Trail ridgerunners. Not bad hiking companions... I just hope they will be patient. The last time I hiked this piece, it took me 12 hours to do 10 miles. (5 up and 5 back) This trail is not nice clean pine needle trail. It is miles of bouldering. Sometimes you are climbing over house size rocks! I did a good bit of it sliding on the seat of my pants... I promise to take pictures, but I'm not sure when I can post them, as I head into the 100 mile wilderness on Friday. But as soon as I can, I will post them. See ya!
Date: 2012-08-30
From: Ready for Katahdin!

To: Katahdin Stream 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent the night at the camp house for Baxter workers, thanks to Jonathan, the Abol Bridge Ridgerunner for Baxter State Park. He was off for the day, so he joined us on the hike. We took just a few snacks and water for the trip. We planned on taking about 12 hours to complete the journey up and back down the Hunt Trail. Signed in at 7:30 am...The first few miles wind around Katahdin Spring on nice trail. We passed the falls and crept up towards the beginnings of boulders. The rocks get bigger and bigger until you are climbing over boulders the size of buildings. I was able to get one picture taken climbing, but honestly, most of the time it is just too dangerous to stop and try to take photos. You need three touch points to keep from falling. Most of the time I crawled on all fours up and down. This slows me down considerably, but keeps me from feeling like I am falling.We eventually reached the tableland above treeline and it was surprisingly less windy. Onward and upward we went until the last final push up and over the top of Katahdin, seven hours later. We took lots of pictures, ate, and rested.Finally after about half an hour in gorgeous weather, we headed back down. Downs are difficult for me, especially rocky, bouldery ones. I had underestimated my water use and the water at Thoreau Springs was not good. Again I was reduced to crawling, and sliding on my rear.   Time was adding up and I realized that it would be dark before we reached the bottom. I hadn't brought my headlamp... but luckily both John and Razor had. We got past the biggest boulders when the unthinkable happened... my legs gave out. I stepped down from a rock and couldn't support my weight. I fell and began to cry. I was so frustrated, but I could do nothing but sit until my legs would cooperate. I got up a few minutes later and went on. Razor and John were very patient with me. This happened several more times before we finally reached the campground where the car was. It was 10:30pm!   I was exhausted! It had been a wonderful, but frightening day. I am pretty sure this will be my last ascent of the Great Mountain.
Date: 2012-08-31
From: Katahdin Stream 

To: Abol Stream Trail
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

John and Razor were concerned about me hiking on. But I knew that I could do it. I realized that my problems coming down from Katahdin were due to dehydration and exhaustion, not any physical limitations. I was determined to hike on.We decided to hike just to the Abol Stream Trail where we could meet John and spend another night in the camphouse. We got a ride to the Katahdin Stream trailhead from Dan, a volunteer at Baxter State Park.The hike was perfect. This 10 miles from the bridge to Katahdin Stream might be one of the nicest parts of the whole AT! I even forded two water crossings without problems. John met us near the Baxter sign in kiosk and we returned to the camphouse. I made some great alfredo and pasta with sausage, which was a hit.