morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-02
From: Springer Mountain Parking Lot

To: Cooper Gap, GA
Miles today: 11.2

Left Neel Gap a little after 8 for the Springer Mountain parking lot. Our shuttle with Brett only cost us $50 for all 3 of us. It was a pretty good deal. We traded business cards. I figured that this is the guy I need when I'm guiding clients in northern Georgia. The wind wasted no time greeting us with fierce gusts right from the parking lot. I had made a schedule with excel with all the places I would be on what dates so that it would be easier for friends and family to meet me on the trail but we delayed a day because of the rain so I was already 17 miles behind schedule but schedules are meant to be broken. I had purchased 17 days worth of food in PA on the cheap not really knowing exactly how much I would eat and how long before I'd get sick of eating the same stuff. I bought a lot of instant grits and knorr rice sides. Luckily I only needed 9 days worth of food in the beginning to get me to my first resupply and the other 8 days will be waiting for me when I get to Boiling Springs, PA. I decided that I would just buy all my food for the whole hike. The grits were getting a bit much today for me. We enjoyed Atlanta, GA from a distance on top of Sassafras Mountain. So far no pain. The pace was a bit slow but this was expected and needed as well. It was pretty chilly all day, I never made it out of my rain gear. Made it to mile 12 today, only a few more to go, right?
Date: 2018-03-03
From: Cooper Gap, GA

To: Miller Gap off Dockery Lake Trail
Miles today: 10.8

Left camp at 8:30. Very cold start today although it did warm up enough to strip down to just shorts and a T-shirt later. Met Scarlet from London at Gooch Mountain Shelter. Got some trail magic thanks to McGyvier. He was grilling hot dogs and had bananas and chips. Woody Gap was packed. We were hiking with Pat for a decent part of the day. We were the first to arrive at the campsite which we decided to stay at because the Lance Creek was pretty full and also heard that the Nora virus has been reported there in previous years. Pat joined us shorty, followed by Scarlet, old Mart, and the family (3 kids, a 2 yr old, and the parents). We had a tent city going with our 8 tents. Hoping tonight will be warmer then last night.
Date: 2018-03-04
From: Miller Gap off Dockery Lake Trail

To: Hogpen Gap, GA
Miles today: 15.0

Left camp at 08:00. Watched the sunrise from camp. We were the first to hit the trail. Seemed to climb a lot today. Climbed to the highest point in Georgia on the AT, Blood Mountain. The climb was actually not too bad and the views were amazing from the top. Lots of weekenders and day hikers but it's Sunday so that happens. The trail down to Neel Gap was aggressive with lots of large rocks to scramble down from. Rick, Kathy, and I made it to Neel Gap around 2. They are both staying the night but I am going to press on. I passed my time at Neel Gap with a frozen pizza and some trail magic PBR. Good times. After a resupply, I left my Rick and his sister Kathy and hiked another 7 miles in under 3 hours until almost sunset and set up my tent by Preston for the night. He was a former Philmonter as well. He told me to look for his friends Zoltan, Meg, and Matt. It feels strange to finally start hiking my own hike.
Date: 2018-03-05
From: Hogpen Gap, GA

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

Left camp at 07:15. Got some water at Low Gap Shelter which was apparently the place to be, maybe 20 people there. Received some trail magic at Unicoi Gap. Had myself a Gatorade, crackers, rice krispy treat, and a snickers. I met 2 thru hikers there as well. Josh, who was also a SUNY ESF alum like me but considering that everyone from my college wants to hike the AT, it really shouldn't come as too big of a surprise to run into a few. The other hiker I met was Eric. First 20 of the trek , and I did not feel too bad. I had company at the shelter tonight a different Josh who didn't have trekking poles, Shadow, Poncho Villay, and Road King. The trail was a bit rocky today. Calling for rain tonight.
Date: 2018-03-06
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Left camp at 7:30. It rained until 13:00. Trail wasn't too bad just slippery from the rain. I hungout at the Top of Georgia Hostel for 2 hours to warmup, dry off, charge electronics, drink free coffee, and print out my Smokies permit. My Tray Mountain friends were supposed to make it to the Plumorchard Shelter but the rain caused them to change their minds and stay at the hostel. I met to more ESFers at the shelter. Nick was one of them. The shelter was 3 tiered, which was good because there must have been 27 people there.
Date: 2018-03-07
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: few clouds

Left at 6:30 today so I was the first to leave. Crossed into North Carolina today and it instantly dropped 10 degrees. There were some passing snow showers as well. I was surprised to find Preston's Zoltan and told him that Preston was on his way. Every ridge was super cold with powerful wind gusts. I am thinking of buying more layers at NOC before I go up into the Smokies.
Date: 2018-03-08
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left at 06:20. Super cold hiking today, hopefully today is the worst of it. Camping with Little Foot, Future, Mark, Strangler, Devin and Mark from London. 6 weekenders are here as well, not sure why they would want to backpack on such a cold weekend. You know it's cold when your pen won't write and you have to use a marker.
Date: 2018-03-09
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 22.3

Left at 06:40. Very cold but almost ended up in shorts and a T-shirt, almost. Visited 2 fire towers today both had great views. The trail down from the second one after the shelter was very rocky and precarious but also very breath taking. Met some more thru hikers at Rufus. Charlie Horse, Professor, Fox, and another gentleman that I didn't get his name. I found a hat on the trail today and carried it about 4 miles to Kristin from Tennessee at the second fire tower. We talked for a bit while enjoying the stunning views. It was nice, normally I just snap a picture and leave. This shelter is very cozy.
Date: 2018-03-10
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Slept in late, 06:48 and left camp at 07:30. Got to the NOC at 08:15 but they were closed still so I road hiked up to the mini mart to resupply. I figured the prices might be a bit better as well but I was wrong. It was $50 to resupply for 7 days and I bought ramen noodles because everything else was priced so high. I did get a free orange out of the deal though. There must be a ww kayak festival at the NOC today because the parking lot was full of boaters. Seemed to be a lot of up hill again today. 6 people were at the shelter when I showed up. Some weekenders had some trail magic whiskey which was fun. Should be in the Smokies tomorrow.
Date: 2018-03-11
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Left camp at 07:13, first day of Day Light Savings Time. Trail was pretty easy to Fontana Dam. Got to the dam at noon. Took a shower, first real shower since I began my trek. I did my laundry in the shower as well and just hiked with my wet clothes on to dry them out. I checked out the "Hilton" of the AT shelters, Fontana Dam Shelter. I was originally planning on only going to the first campsite in the Smokies but I heard the weather was supposed to turn bad tonight so I pressed on to the first shelter instead. It got quite cold when I got to the shelter but lucky for me and everyone else there that night, it had stone walls and a nice tarp to block out the weather. It was cloudy/foggy but warm all day until the shelter. Met a group of hikers doing longer miles like me Cheddar, Stumbles, 50 lb., and Luke. I also saw my first bear today about 3 miles before the shelter, he was only about 150 lbs.
Date: 2018-03-12
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

Left camp at 08:00. Rained most of the night until it switched over to snow. 1 inch of snow was already on the ground in the morning. It was just a blizzard today. It only snowed about 2.5 inches total but the wind made snow drifts up to 1.5 feet deep in places. The wind was just howling all day. Camping with some PA Spring breakers and Cheddar, Stumbles, 50 lb., and Luke again. Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer.
Date: 2018-03-13
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

Left camp at 08:00. Very cold and windy again today. Hiked through some 2 foot snow drifts on my way to Clingmans Dome. It was crazy to see this large concrete structure on the top of the mountain. Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see anything except the ice build up on everything. The ice looked like 3 inch feathers on the trees and structures. I said goodbye to my pseudo family at the gap, they were happy to hear that the road was open. I got 5 bottles of water and 2 handfuls of chips at the gap after talking to a man who was just driving through. We took a photo together. I remembered to loosen my shoe laces before I went to bed so it would be easier to put my frozen shoes on.
Date: 2018-03-14
From: Ice Water Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Left camp at 08:30. Very cold and windy again, this seems to be the norm for the Smokies. It snowed until 13:00. Lots of drifts today, some were up to 2.5 feet deep. The trail was very treacherous today, I fell 5 times today and I don't fall. My one water bottle was so frozen that it broke last night so I'm only down to 1 liter of water capacity but half of it is frozen solid. I heard that family got giardia but are still on the trail. Hopefully this is the last cold night for a while, tomorrow is supposed to be 55! Today was my first good views of the Smokies. Slowly getting my $20 worth. Camped with Magic, Bailey, and Jay who got named Apollo after he made us a fire.
Date: 2018-03-15
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

Left camp at 08:42. It was still cold in the morning. My hiking shoes weren't rock solid frozen for the first time in 2 mornings. The trail finally had only a little snow and it was rated for horses all the way down to Davenport Gap so it was fast. Magic and the guy she was with passed me running down the trail. We took a snack break together and walked down the rest of the way. There was leftover trail magic from a day ago that consisted of a burger and fruit. I took my chances on the burger. The 3 of us walked into Standing Bear Hostel where I got 2 PBR's and found a replacement water bottle in the hiker box. All my hiker friends from last night stayed at the hostel. It felt like we experienced every season today. Can't believe we made it through the Smokies, it feels really good to be out and warm. There were 27 high schoolers with 5 leaders at the shelter area but they were tenting. I met Fire Starter at the shelter.
Date: 2018-03-16
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

I left camp at 7:40. Finally enjoying the weather i expected to have during my hike, 50's and sunny with passing clouds. Very easy hike with an easy grade today. I had the best trail magic so far on the trail at Lemon Gap. Fresh Ground and his Leap Frog Cafe had it all. I had 2 bowls of chili, 2 grilled cheese, 1/2 lb. of french fries, 1 hot dog, 2 fudge cookies, and lots of fruit punch. I need to look him up on Facebook. Took a creek shower and did some creek laundry as well before heading to Hot Springs tomorrow. Also met Ellie at Max Patch and she is sending me pictures from her fancy camera.
Date: 2018-03-17
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light snow

I left camp at 8:20. The trail was pretty easy down to Hot Springs. When I made it to town, I checked out Laughing Heart Hostel. Then I resupplied for 3 days but ended up buying food for 4 days at Dollar General or "the mall" as the locals call it. I noticed the visitors center and got the inside scoop on where to eat/drink in town from the employee there, Robert. I decided to pitch my tent on the bank of the river and then go back into town to enjoy the Saint Patrick's Day fun. I decided to eat at Mosaics and had a few beers before checking out Tobacco Road to get more craft beer. I ended up sharing a 6 pack with two locals on the hill behind the store. There was an older gentleman and a girl named Shelby that I chatted with for a while. Shelby preformed an original song which was quite amazing as she played her Ucayali. I ended up going to Spring Creek Tavern and Inn for a few more beers and food. I met up with Apollo and Bailey, then the Hammock Girls later. I walked them to my tent and we drank under a tarp and watched the lightening from a passing thunderstorm. I managed about 7 beers that night.
Date: 2018-03-18
From: Hot Springs

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 25.8
Weather: moderate rain

Left camp at 9:15. Felt a bit hungover as expected. Sad to say goodbye to the hammock girls, they were a fun bunch. The trail had a nice overlook of Hot Springs. The trail was pretty easy until after Little Laurel Shelter. It had lot's of rock climbing but very nice views. There was a trail angel at Little Laurel Shelter. Bloodhound had wine, cheese, crackers, summer sausage, and cottage cheese with black berries and raspberries. He also had a snickers bar. He writes for "The Trek" and has a Facebook page. I stayed for about an hour and a half, long enough that I needed a headlamp to finish the trail to the shelter. I got there by 8:30 pm. There was only one guy there with a tent when I got there, which was the least number of people I have seen at a shelter so far this trip.
Date: 2018-03-19
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Left camp at 8:35. Caught up to Joker, gave him one of my cards. The trail was pretty fast today not too many views until Bald Mountain. Also met Inside Out, she had some police matter involving a creepy guy named Castle from Erwin, TN. Talked to Brian at the shelter. Five other people were here tonight as well. Had 4G at the top of Bald Mountain but nothing at the shelter. I stopped at Laurel Hostel 10 miles in for two beers and a pizza for $7. I ran by a father son team Tim and Paul. It got cold and windy again. Winter is coming....back.
Date: 2018-03-20
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter NC
Miles today: 21.1

Left camp at 7:30. Warmed up after the rain stopped at 1:00 AM. Warm throughout the day as well. Temperature dropped again after I reached the shelter again. I got caught in a little rain right before the shelter. Apparently it is supposed to snow 2-4 inches or maybe 8-10 inches tonight/tomorrow. I stopped at Uncle Johnny's Hostel today to charge up and rented a bike for $3 to go to town to resupply since Johnny's resupply was pricey and slim. I ate an entire large cheese pizza by myself near the grocery store I resupplied at. Pretty sure Uncle Johnny's has craft beer. I pressed on to the shelter and was the only one there. I should run into Fresh Ground from Leap Frog Cafe tomorrow. Hopefully the snow isn't so bad. This was the first day not seeing snow since Georgia!
Date: 2018-03-21
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter NC

To: Greasy Creek Hostel, NC
Miles today: 20.0

Left camp at 7:40. There was a 1/2 inch of snow on the ground when I woke up, then an additional 3-4 inches fell while I was hiking with drifts up to 3 feet. Although most drifts only reached around 2 feet. I fell down twice on this very challenging day. I stopped at Cherry Tree Shelter for a snack and someone left a pound of spam, so I ate that instead of my snack. I also found someone's sleeping pad 5 miles before the hostel. I only had to pay $7.50 to sleep on the hostel floor with a shower (a price too good to beat). It felt good to be clean again.I spent a total of $16 total with snacks and such. I mooched off some spring breaker's pizza they offered me for dinner. This will make tomorrow a lot more tolerable. I met Shorts at the hostel for the first time.
Date: 2018-03-22
From: Greasy Creek Hostel, NC

To: Over Mountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 17.5

Left camp at 8:30. Realized my water bottle fell out of my bag so I ran all the way back to Greasy Creek Hostel ( about a mile back). Ended up with a late start because of that. I stopped at Hugh's Gap for the Leap Frog Cafe experience with Fresh Ground. I eat 4 grilled cheese with sliced chicken on them, 1 hot dog, 3 chocolate swirl things, some fries, hot chocolate, and cool aid. I left because my toes were frozen. There was about 3-4 inches of snow on the ground with many 2 foot drifts with some 3 foot drifts. It was pretty slow going today but 17 miles isn't too bad for the given trail conditions and water bottle situation. I climbed to 6,300 feet today. I should be around only 4,000 feet until Damascus, so hopefully it will be warmer. I am sleeping in a big red barn tonight. It is pretty cool actually. I'll be closing out North Carolina tomorrow!
Date: 2018-03-23
From: Over Mountain Shelter, NC

To: Moreland Gap Shelter, TN
Miles today: 27.6
Weather: clear sky

Left camp at 7:30, I was the first to leave. Frozen shoes and socks today, not fun. Humpback Mountain had some great views. I went over some 2 foot snow drifts today. The snow thinned out a lot at the lower elevations and it also felt pretty warm today. Only passed 1 thru hiker all day and it was a very long day. I did the hiker marathon today! Tomorrow will be long as well. Hopefully the rain isn't too bad. It is very windy at this shelter tonight. I finished North Carolina today!
Date: 2018-03-24
From: Moreland Gap Shelter, TN

To: Vandeventer Shelter, TN
Miles today: 24.0

Left camp at 8. Not too cold this morning but it was snowing as I left. Probably a coating to a quarter of an inch of fresh snow. I never found the owner of the sunglasses I found yesterday. I didn't pass any thru hikers today but I haven't been seeing many in the last few days. The snow changed to rain during the day, then freezing rain at 7 PM. I stopped in at Black Bear Resort for 2 beers and a pizza. The owners were nice and even drove me back to the trail. The Laurel Fork Gorge was very cool to see. I saw fresh bear footprints about 2.3 miles from the shelter I was staying at. Makes me wish that I didn't get my bear bag rope stuck at Curly Maple Shelter. I hiked 52 miles in the last 48 hours, which is pretty crazy to think about. Pro tip, don't eat mashed potatoes before they fully rehydrate or else they will block your throat worse than peanut butter.
Date: 2018-03-25
From: Vandeventer Shelter, TN

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter, TN
Miles today: 22.7

Left camp at 8 AM. I listened to trees and branches breaking all last night. I thought it was bear activity at first. I woke up to about 0.3 inches of ice on everything. I watched a 2 inch diameter branch fall just 15 feet from the shelter. For the first 8.5 miles I'm not sure how I didn't get hit with any branches. It was like holding a 12 foot metal rod on a treeless mountain with a thunderstorm coming. Branches were falling every few minutes. Some were just over 6 inches in diameter. the next 2.5 miles of the day was done in a forest hail. The sun and rising temperatures melted the ice enough that the wind blew the ice off in mini hail storms. It felt like you were target practice for new paintball players, a lot of shots fired but only a few good hits. It had a punch to it. The second half of the day was beautiful with full sun and zero hazards. I met Deb and K---something. They found a lost puppy and gave me the rest of their hiking snacks. I was very grateful and gave them my card so they could follow me on my journey. I'll be done with Tennessee tomorrow!
Date: 2018-03-26
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter, TN

To: Saunders Shelter, VA
Miles today: 19.7

Left camp at 7:45. I am still climbing over ice storm damaged branches/trees. I made it to Damascus at 11 AM. I went to Pizza Plus for the lunch buffet and ate about a 1.5 large pizzas. I felt sick and so incredibly full that I had to waddle out and take a nap in the grass. After 45 minutes, I could walk normally again and went to Food City and got snacks for 7 days and dinner for 4 days. I used someone else's rewards card to save $42 while only spending $37. Someone told me the brewery was closed and to go to Mojo's for a beer. I had 2 then walked 8.5 miles to the shelter. It is the first time in 4 nights that I am not alone at a shelter. The weather is supposed to keep improving!
Date: 2018-03-27
From: Saunders Shelter, VA

To: Wise Shelter, VA
Miles today: 24.0

Left camp at 7:40. The trail was pretty easy up until the base of Whitetop and Mount Rodgers. I had to ford a river before US 58. The trail was covered in snow from the base of the mountains to this shelter. There was 6 inches of snow in some places and 6 inches of water in others. My bottom retainer broke off. The top of Whitetop had an amazing 360 degree view. Mount Rodgers had a decent view it is the highest point in Virginia. After descending from Mount Rodgers, the AT became hard to follow and extremely wet. This was right before the wild ponies. I saw quite a few today. I'm sleeping with 4 new thru hikers today, Lotus, Big Sky, 3 Mile, and Ultra Runner. I might be seeing them again.
Date: 2018-03-28
From: Wise Shelter, VA

To: Trimpi Shelter, VA
Miles today: 20.1

Left camp at 7:30. I walked through snow and water for about 3 or 4 miles. I ran into Fresh Ground today at Fox Creek and I had a banana pancake, fries, a fresh burger, two grilled cheese minis, and lots of snacks! The trail after that was fairly dry and my shoes finally dried out. Lots of mosquitoes at this shelter. I am staying with Big Sky and Lotus again. They gave me lots of food because they didn't want to carry it all.
Date: 2018-03-29
From: Trimpi Shelter, VA

To: Relax Inn Attkins, VA
Miles today: 21.4

Left camp at 5:00 AM. Trail was very fast and easy for the most part. Got to the Relax Inn at 1:30 PM. I wasn't planning on staying but got suckered into it. I got my clothes washed by machines for the first time on the trail and got my third real shower. We went to The Barn for dinner. It seemed like everything was disapointing except for the Hiker Burger with cheese. I had 2 of them (4 patties total). I got some beer at the gas station to unwind with. Big Sky and Lotus are just great guys to hangout with. I really feel refreshed and I ended up staying at the hotel.
Date: 2018-03-30
From: Relax Inn Attkins, VA

To: Chesnut Knob Shelter, VA
Miles today: 23.9

Left at 4:45 AM. The trail was wet again today and there was also lots of damage (fallen trees/branches) on the trail. I had to walk around plenty of trees. We forded a stream today through 6 inches of water over top a roadway. The last uphill seemed to take forever and there wasn't even a view at the top because of the clouds when we got up there. The shelter was super solid and even had a door. A new thru hiker is staying with us tonight, he is just Blaze for now. I hiked 3 PBR pounders up here today and gave one to him and Big Sky and I drank the other 2.