morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-07-13
From: Campsite at mile 1902.8

To: Hot Springs NC 
Miles today: 15.7

2021- Day 11Trail miles: 15.7Total miles: 16.4Total time: 9:29Speed: 1.7 mphCalories: 2353Elevation gain: 3927 (4544 Guthook)Elevation loss: 5009 (5709 Guthook) Weather: Mostly cloudy, comfortable temperatures, a breeze at times, a few drops of rain in midmorning I was up at 5 am after a great night's sleep. I was on the trail a 6:35.After a short descent to Allen Gap, there were multiple climbs to Spring Mt Shelter. The total elevation gain was 1318, but there were also some ups and downs in between so the total was more like 2000. Several of the climbs were steep. Next was another drop and then climb to Rich Mt Lookout Tower. The view from the tower was excellent. Next I dropped down to Tanyard Gap where I stopped for a quick lunch. There was a little more climbing but mostly it was downhill to Hot Springs, NC at elevation 1326. Walking through town I had a couple of tourists ask if I was a thru hiker. I said no, I was a section hiker and had done over 1900 miles over 12 years. They were impressed. I saw no one on the trail until 11 am when I got to the turn off for the Rich Mt Lookout Tower. This was typical for this year, there were long stretches of the trail where I saw nobody. Overall today I saw two section hikers and one thru hiker who was going to flip up to Maine. There were multiple groups of day hikers around Mt Rich and near Hot Springs. One woman with her two sons where hiking up the ridge out of Hot Springs. As she trudged up hill, the woman asked me if this way the way to the parking lot? I asked which parking lot, the one in Hot Springs? She said yes. I then told her that she needed to turn around and hike down to get to the parking lot. She said she was so glad that she had encountered me. I wondered how someone could get so confused on an out and back hike where one direction was all up hill and the other was all down hill.No significant wildlife today.I reached my car at 4:15 and was ready to start the drive home at 5 pm. In total I did 196.3 miles with over 10 miles of elevation gain and loss. This was a much more strenuous section of trail than any since New Hampshire. I have 274.6 miles left to go to reach Springer Mt. If all goes well, I'll complete the trail next year. With that distance, if I have any sense, I'll take one or two zero days to recover in the middle of the hike.
Date: 2022-10-04
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

My plan for this year is to complete my section hike of the Appalachian Trail. Over 11 seasons (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021), I've completed 1918.5 miles, Mt. Katahdin to Hot Springs, NC. With the exception of 2009 when I did the southern 2/3 of the Long Trail, which coincided with about 100 miles of the AT, I've done the hikes in order as a SOBO. In 2010 and 2015 I was out west and completed the Colorado Trail.This year I hope to complete the final 275 miles from Hot Springs, NC to Springer Mt. All my other hikes have been in July. This will be a new experience hiking in the fall. I have my shelter reservations for Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I have my food and gear organized. The long range weather forecast is good. I can't wait to get on the trail!
Date: 2023-09-25
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Last year events conspired against me and I was unable to do my annual backpacking trip. Hopefully I'll have better luck this year. My plan is to backpack 275 miles from Hot Springs, NC to Springer Mt. in Georgia. If all goes as planned, this will complete my section hike of the AT. In total, I will have done 12 separate section hikes. Except for the first year, I've done the sections in order going from north to south. I like the feeling of having a continuous set of footprints behind me and every step ahead of me being into new territory.   All but this year's will have been in July.  By hiking in the fall this year, I hope to be completing the AT with some SOBO thru hikers as the last several years in VA, TN, and NC I've pretty much been hiking by myself. Also, this will avoid the heat and humidity of July. Maybe I'll be able to catch some fall foliage.While home in Maine, I'm very fortunate to work with the most incredible group of volunteers from the Maine Appalachian Trail Club as part of a 15 year effort to replace all the privy's in Maine with 8 ft x 8 ft, above-ground, moldering privies. We are over halfway. If all goes as planned, we will complete the last one in 2029.I have a little more packing to do and then I'll be ready to hit the road. I can't wait!
Date: 2023-09-28
From: Hot Springs NC 

To: Stealth campsite at mile 1931.8
Miles today: 8.0

2023 Day 1Trail miles: 8.0Total miles: 8.24Total time: 5:00Speed: 1.6 mphCalories: 1731Elevation gain: 5324 too high?Elevation loss: 4704 too high?Weather: Mostly sunny, low 70sNote on stats:Trail miles: on the AT from the trail app Far OutTotal miles: From Garmin Watch - includes side trips to shelters, campsites, view points, etcTime: Time from pack on at start of day to pack off at end of daySpeed: trail miles/Total timeCalories: from Garmin WatchElevation gain: cumulative elevation gain from Garmin Watch and Far Out (if available)Elevation loss: cumulative elevation loss from Garmin Watch and Far Out (if available) Yesterday I drove 770 miles to the middle of Virgina. Today I drove the rest of the way and took care of logistics.I started hiking south out of Hot Springs at 1:40 PM. The trail climbed steadily through hardwood forests. The leaves are just starting to turn red and orange on a few trees. There were a few limited views of the surrounding forested peaks. Soon I was out of earshot of human activity.  It was great to be out backpacking again, but it will take me a few days to fully get into the rhythm of the trail.The only hazard on the trail were acorns and other tree nuts. In some places, it was like hiking on ball bearings!It was warmer than I was expecting and it is forecast to stay warm. I was hiking in long pants - too hot.The trail app Far Out indicated a campsite at mile 1931.3. It was a lumpy, unusable site. Even though I was at my target quitting time of 6 PM, I trudged on. The trail contoured along a steep sideslope, so no campsites. I found a marginal, sloping site for my tent at mile 1931.8. By the time I got camp set up, I cooked dinner by headlamp.Insects are making a racket in the trees. In addition, I can hear several dogs barking non-stop.  I guess I'm not really in the wilderness. Aminals: two gray squirrels.Saw two day hikers and four section hikers10.6 miles to hike tomorrow.  Time for sleep!
Date: 2023-09-29
From: Stealth campsite at mile 1931.8

To: Campsite 1 mile north of Max Parch
Miles today: 10.6

2023 Day 2Trail miles: 10.6Total miles: 11.3Total time: 7:42Speed: 1.3 mphCalories: 1964Elevation gain: 7,414 (Far Out 3,018)Elevation loss: 6,988 Far Out 2,126)Weather: Mostly sunny, low 70sI slept like a log last night from a combination of sleep deficit, a good hike, and sleeping in the great outdoors. I got up at 7 AM, 30 min before sunrise. As I was eating my breakfast, it was completely quiet, no rustling leaves, no birds chirping, no insects buzzing, and nothing intruding from the outside world. I can't remember the last time I experienced that. I felt at peace.It took me 1:45 to break camp and be ready to hit the trail, 15 min longer than my target. The trail was relatively easy today with gradual ups and downs. One area passed through a grove of chestnuts. There were brown chestnuts on the trail. I saw two SOBO (south bound) thru hikers and about a dozen NOBO (north bound) section hikers.I'm camped at a site about 1 mile north of Max Patch. There is a view of the bald about 50 yards from my tent. After dinner, I hiked up to the bald with my camera to watch sunset. There were a few scattered clouds on the horizon to capture the last few rays of the sun. The top of Max Patch is about 0.5 miles from a parking lot.  With this ease of access it's no surprise that about 2 dozen people were also there, including a photographer taking wedding pictures of a happy couple.Tomorrow I need to cover 18 miles, so I'll get up at 6 AM for an early start. It is 15.3 miles to the I-40 underpass, then another 2.7 miles to the Davenport Gap Shelter. This will be my first stop in Great Smoky Mt National Park.It's almost 9 PM, hiker midnight, so it's time for sleep.
Date: 2023-09-30
From: Campsite 1 mile north of Max Parch

To: Davenport Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 18.0

2023 Day 3Trail miles: 18.0Total miles: 18.0Total time: 11:00Speed: 1.6 mphCalories: 2478Elevation gain: 9,429 (Far Out 4,117)Elevation loss: 12,096 Far Out 6,604)Not sure why there is such a large discrepancy between the Elevation gain/loss from my watch and Far Out??mWeather: Mostly sunny, 70s, maybe 80s in Pigeon River Valley. After another great night's sleep, I got up at 5:50 and was out of camp at 7:30, just after sunrise.I took pictures of the alpine glow on Max Patch. It only lasted for a few minutes. I also took several pictures of the full moon setting behind Max Patch, as well as on the trail up to the summit. From the summit I took pictures of the fog filling the valleys below. It was beautiful. Since I had 18 miles to cover today, the longest daily total of this year's trip, I needed to make steady progress all day. The big climb was to the summit of Snow Bird. The top offered a few views.  The rest of the day was in the green tunnel.  I passed through another grove of chestnuts and took pictures of beautiful blue flowers that were about to bloom.I saw about a dozen section hikers and a few others that were out for a over night. I'm at the Davenport Gap Shelter. There are four others here.
Date: 2023-10-01
From: Davenport Gap Shelter 

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 14.6

2023 Day 4Trail miles: 14.6Total miles: 16.3Total time: 9:15Speed: 1.6 mphCalories: 2292Elevation gain: 10,570 (Far Out 5,335)Elevation loss: 7,462 (Far Out 1,972)Again not sure why there is such a large discrepancy between my watch and Far OutWeather: Mostly sunny, 70sI was up at 6 AM and on the trail at 7:30. There was a lot of climbing today which started as soon as I left the shelter. The climbing was not overly steep but it just went on and on and on.There were a few spots with views. The foliage has started to turn but the predominant color is brown, compared to the orange and yellow of New England.In one area there were tall hemlocks. At the higher elevations dense groves of spruce predominate with green moss covering the forest floor. The leaves have fallen off the mountain ash, leaving bunches of bright orange berries behind. I'm keeping my eye out for a tree close enough to the trail to photograph.I started the day at Elevation 2592 and ended the day at Elevation 5859. The latter is representative of the elevation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.I'm at Tricorner Knob Shelter tonight. There are five in the Shelter (Frog, Thrift Shop, Tim and one more plus me). The first two were at Davenport Gap with me last night. My hope of having hikers on the same schedule as me is starting to pan out. Tonight there are also four others tenting near the shelter.Tomorrow I need to get an early start as I need to hike 15.7 miles to Newfound Gap where I have a 3:35 PM shuttle scheduled to bring me into Gatlinburg for the night. It is going to be close to get to the Gap on time.It's 7:30 PM and everyone in the shelter has turned in for the night. I'm going to sleep too.
Date: 2023-10-02
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter 

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 15.7

2023 Day 5Trail miles: 15.7Total miles: 15.7Total time: 8:30Speed: 1.8 mphCalories: 1471 (seems too low?)Elevation gain: 4,629 (Far Out 3,533)Elevation loss: 5,277 (Far Out 4,432)Weather: Mostly sunny, 70sI was up at 4:50 AM and on the trail at 6:10 AM. I needed the early start so I could hike 15.7 miles to Newfound Gap in time for my 3:35 PM Shuttle pickup. The first 1.25 hours I hiked by headlamp. It was a nice sunrise but no good pictures as I was on the wrong side of a ridge. Backpacking and good photography don't always mix because you have limited flexibility on being at the best viewpoints at the right time.I hiked at a fast pace for an old guy with a heavy pack. I took only two pack off breaks. The first was a quick stop to remove my fleece once the temperature warmed up and the other was a 10 minute snack break at 10:30. The last stretch was 4 hours hiking non-stop. No lunch stop today. I made it to Newfound Gap with an hour to spare.There were great views along the way. Clouds filled the valleys to the east. I had a great view of the exposed rock face of Charlie's Bunion then more great views from the top of the Bunion itself.I'm at the Hilton Garden Inn in Gatlinburg for the night. Tomorrow will start with a hearty breakfast at FlapJacks and then a shuttle ride back up to Newfound Gap. Tomorrow will be a three-fer: summit the highest peak on the AT (Clingmans Dome at 6,643), pass the mark where I have only 200 miles left, and pass the mark where I will have completed 2,000 miles from Mt Katahdin. A big day!
Date: 2023-10-03
From: Newfound Gap

To: Double Springs Shelter 
Miles today: 10.5

2023 Day 6Trail miles: 10.5Total miles: 10.7Total time: 7:05Speed: 1.5 mphCalories: 1741Elevation gain: 6,679 (Far Out 2,792)Elevation loss: 6,410 (Far Out 2,323)Weather: Mostly sunny, 70sThree-fer!Passed 2000 mile completed, less than 200 miles left, and summited the highest peak on the Appalachian Trail!The day started with a great breakfast at FlapJacks. My shuttle brought me back to Newfound Gap arriving just after 10 AM. Two back country park rangers were starting their day and checked my overnight permit. A tourist had the two rangers and myself pose for a picture before the tourist hopped back onto their bus.The hiking to Clingmans Dome was through spruce forest. The forest floor was covered with green moss. It was an emerald wonderland. The hiking was relatively easy.As I neared Clingmans Dome I could hear the buzz from all the people talking. I walked the spiral to the viewing platform. Great views but too many people.  A family from Houston snagged me for another picture of a "real hiker".I met Tennessee, who is a section hiker. Rabbit, who I'd met four days ago passed by.There are six others in the shelter with me. They are a mixed bag of section hikers, folks out for a couple of days, and a Smoky Mountain Club trail maintainer.It is coming up on 8 pm. Time for sleep.
Date: 2023-10-04
From: Double Springs Shelter 

To: Spence Field Shelter 
Miles today: 13.5

2023 Day 7Trail miles: 13.5Total miles: 14.1Total time: 10:00Speed: 1.4 mphCalories: 2,337Elevation gain: 8,992 (Far Out 3,553)Elevation loss: 9,639 (Far Out 4,117)Weather: Mostly sunny, 70sI was up at 6:30 and on the trail at 7:50. The morning hiking was relatively easy. In many places there was evidence of invasive wild boars. This included mud wallows and torn up ground cover where they had been grubbing for food earlier in the season. There were more chestnut trees but no chestnuts on the ground. I think the wild boars got them all. At the high elevations the maples had shed many of their leaves so I was walking on a carpet of orange leaves.The afternoon hiking had some very steep climbs but I just kept chugging along.  Great views from Rocky Top.At least a dozen people out for a few days or a week passed me going north.I'm at the Spence Field Shelter.  There is a big crowd here, at least a dozen. Peter who was at Double Springs last night is here. A SOBO thru hiker who did not flip is here. He is the 9th SOBO thru hiker who did not flip. He is doing 30 miles a day and will be at Springer in a week! It's going to take me two weeks.
Date: 2023-10-05
From: Spence Field Shelter 

To: Fontana Shelter 
Miles today: 18.0

2023 Day 8Trail miles: 18.0Total miles: 18.1Total time: 10:15Speed: 1.8 mphCalories: 2,323Elevation gain: 4,232 (Far Out 2,516)Elevation loss: 8,477 (Far Out 5,696)Weather: Mostly sunny in the morning, becoming overcast in the afternoon, 70sI was up at 6:30 and on the trail at 8 AM. Just as I was making final preparations to leave the shelter, a bear was sighted. He or she appeared to be a young full grown bear. It proceeded to circle the shelter just inside the surrounding treeline. The bear knew there was food with all those people but couldn't figure out a way to get at it. The bear was still there when I left the shelter.The trail today was relatively easy. There were long sections that were mostly flat and the uphill and downhill grades were mostly moderate.  As a consequence, I made great time. I was at my intended campsite at 2:30 PM. That was too early to stop, so I continued 6.6 miles more to the Fontana Shelter. I started the day at elevation 4914. At the higher elevations, the fall colors were strong and I took several pictures. On the way down I stopped at the Shuckstack Fire Tower. There were great 360 degree views. While at the tower, I encountered two guys who planned to camp at Russell Field.  This was 10 miles away and the time was 3:30 PM. I counciled them on options that were less ambitious. The day ended at Fontana Shelter, elevation 1833. Almost none of the trees are turning colors down here. The shelter is called the Fontana Hilton because it sleeps 20, has a water spigot 10 ft from the shelter, flush toilets just up the hill, a shower with hot water, and trash cans. What luxury!!!Tennessee and Thrift Shop are in the shelter with me.Sometime around 10 PM, two SOBO thru hikers came in (they are #10 and #11). They are being supported through the Smokies by one of the hiker's mom. They slack packed (i.e., carrying only a day pack) from Newfound Gap to Fontana Shelter (42 miles) in a day!Tomorrow I'll hike 1.4 miles to the Fontana Marina and then get a ride up to Fontana Village. This will be a "nero", a day with almost no mileage.  FYI, a "zero" is a day off with no mileage.  Hence the term nero, as in nearly a zero.
Date: 2023-10-06
From: Fontana Shelter 

To: NC 26, Fontana Village, NC
Miles today: 1.4

2023 Day 9Trail miles: 1.4Total miles: 1.5Total time: 0:45Speed: 1.9 mphCalories: 135Elevation gain: 229 (Far Out 276)Elevation loss: 301 (Far Out 243)Weather: Mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming overcast in the afternoon, 70sI got up at 6:30 and took advantage of taking a hot shower at the rest rooms. What a great way to start the day. I took pictures of the sun rising on the Smokies as I ate a leisurely breakfast. Fog was rising from the peaks. It was very relaxing. The two thru hikers who came in late last night eventually got up. They are numbers 10 and 11 SOBO. They have been supported through the Smokies by the mother of one of the hikers.I hiked the 1.4 miles to the Fontana Marina. While there I ran into Frog who was at Tri-corner Knob Shelter with me several nights ago. He was just picking up a few supplies and continuing on the trail. A Marina employee gave me a ride to the Fontana Lodge.  My room wasn't ready, so I headed to the laundromat to get my clothes clean and then the post office to mail a few things home that are not needed because the weather has been so warm and the seven day forecast is for the same. I had a mushroom Swiss burger for lunch. YUM!While waiting for my room, Peter, who'd been at shelters with me on two previous nights walked by. We will meet for dinner
Date: 2023-10-07
From: NC 26, Fontana Village, NC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.7

2023 Day 10Trail miles: 13.7Total miles: 16.3 (includes 2.5 mile roadwalk from Fontana Lodge to trailhead)Total time: 9:37 (includes 40 min for roadwalk from Fontana Lodge) Speed: 1.5 mphCalories: 2,673Elevation gain: 5,200 (Far Out 4,455)Elevation loss: 3,992 (Far Out 3,104)Weather: Mostly sunny, a breeze at times, high of about 60I was up at 6 and out of the room at 7:30. I decided to roadwalk the 2.5 miles back to the Fontana Marina/NC 28 trailhead. It was downhill.  I did it in 40 minutes. The rain from late yesterday and overnight had completely cleared out leaving deep blue skies with a few fluffy white clouds. It was a cold front that came through so the air was cool and crisp. It was perfect for hiking!The first order of business was a 2,000 ft climb out of the valley of the Little Tennessee River. I just chewed away at it. After that it was only moderate ups and downs for the rest of the day. I moved right along.I encountered four NOBO'S who had been out for a week, as well as a couple of other NOBO'S.  Three slackpackers heading south came into the Cable Gap Shelter while I was finishing up lunch. They were also going to Stecoah Gap. Since they just had day packs, I thought they would pass me later in the day, but i never saw them.The highlight of the day was the view from Brushnell Knob of Santeetlah Lake and the green mountain sides behind it. On the top of the knob there was one species of tree whose leaves had turned crimson and had Spanish moss hanging off the branches.  The leaves on a few maples were also turning. Other than that, not much fall foliage today.I arrived at Stecoah Gap at 5:05. Elizabeth from the Appalachian Inn arrived a few minutes later to take me to her inn. It is a wonderful log home with five guest room each with a private bath. There is a grand fireplace in the great room and a deck outback with fabulous mountain views.  Elizabeth made me a salad and pizza for dinner. It was delicious.  This is the second of four nights in a row that I'm sleeping in a real bed. What a luxury for an AT hiker!
Date: 2023-10-08
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 13.9

2023 Day 11Trail miles: 13.9Total miles: 13.9Total time: 8:30Speed: 1.6 mphCalories: 1591Elevation gain:  3,543 (Far Out 3,179)Elevation loss: 5,088 (Far Out 4,593)Weather: Mostly sunny, cool breeze for most of the day, high of about 60 at Nantahala Outdoor Center but high of about 50 at higher elevations Elizabeth at Appalachian Inn prepared a great breakfast for me: egg casserole, fruit, yogurt, and toast. She drove me back to the trailhead at Stecoah Gap. There were great views of the early morning sun on the clouds filling the valley. I was on the trail at 8:15. The morning was a 2000 ft climb to Cheoah Bald (Elevation 5062). My pack was as light as it is going to be on this trip as I was carrying just lunch and one day's worth of snacks and of course, all my backpacking gear. The weight was probably in the mid to low 30's lbs. Thus, the climb was relatively easy. Cheoah Bald had the largest bald area since Max Patch on day 2. Great views to the south and more limited views to the north. There is not much fall foliage evident in the distant views. The hills are a solid green. The trees are almost all hardwood. There is no evidence of logging like we would see in Maine. I guess there is only modest demand for hardwood compared to softwood.The miles on the 3000 foot drop down to the Nantahala River flew by. There was one great viewpoint where I could see the river. I could also hear the river eventhough it was more than 1,000 ft below. I was at the Nantahala Outdoor Center at 5 PM. When I checked into my room I saw that they put me in room "D6", which is my trail name. That is surely a good omen.Today marks the halfway point of my 2023 hike. I've completed 138 miles and have 137 miles to go to reach Springer. I'm making great progress and am fully into long distance hiking mode.I had a hearty dinner at the restaurant and am turning in early. Tomorrow is a zero.