morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-15
To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 14.2

Been having a lot of trouble with connecting ( AT&T) so have not been able to update till now.Last night was very cold again, slept in the springer shelter and had a mouse do a dance on my head so that's it for shelters for a while. Today was a longer day than I wanted but campsites we're awkwardly placed so had to make it either a really short day or a long day.So, no picture of me on springer Mountain, a mistake, but it was freezing cold, hugely windy, and a lot of people up there and as we were milling about a SOBO guy arrived to finish his south bound trek so in the excitement, I forgot to get a picture. Also I have a copy of the observer ( our local paper) which I was supposed to have posed with, now I have to carry it all the way to katadahn for a picture there.
Date: 2018-03-16
From: Justus Creek

To: Lance creek
Miles today: 9.8

Another beautiful sunny day for hiking, morning started cool and got up to 20C which was awesome. I forgot to mention that yesterday I was up an over sassafras mtn which was a really tough climb. Halfway up I passed big lucious, an awesome guy, very friendly, and hiking with a prosthetic leg. I can't complain about aches and pains when someone is facing a challenge like that!So called it a day early at 2 pm, averaging about 2.2 miles an hour including all breaks. Rain coming in tonight so planning an early start to get up over blood mtn before any lightning.
Date: 2018-03-17
From: Lance creek

To: swaim gap
Miles today: 11.3

Rain started overnight, packed up by 6 am in the thickest fog I have ever seen. It was also pitch black so had to be hiking with my headlamp. Took a wrong turn getting back on trail and walked south for a few hundred metres before realizing my mistake - hey it all looks the same in the dark! Was more than halfway up blood mountain before it was light enough at 730 to turn off my headlamp.It was too bad the fog was so thick, blood mtn is the highest point on the AT in Georgia and no views. Going down the other side was brutal, slippery, muddy and hammering on the joints. Rolled into Neel gap and mountain outfitters ( right on the trail!) Got a hot coffee and pizza and resupplied for next three days. Then continued on to just past Swain gap where I camped with a 20 or so hiker bubble. They were a fun group of young folks and campfire was a good time. I have been exhausted though and called it an early night, in bed asleep by 8.
Date: 2018-03-18
From: swaim gap

To: Blue mountain shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I seem to have messed up the mileage counter so need to record a .5 mile day when it was really 14.5 miles. The terrain over this stretch was mixed, the hill climbs- are now straight up the mtns instead of switchbacking so are a lot harder to climb.It was a good weather day for hiking, sunny and warmed up to 70ish. Hiked most of the day with Muddy shoes and soothsayer who kept a good pace and better conversation which made for a quick day - pace was around 3 mph. Looks like the nickname might be changing, I'm getting "Canada" more often than gypsy life, so could be a switch coming.To nephew David, today was a big day - it was change your underwear day :-)Thanks to you guys posting in the guest book, it is great to see the interest.I forgot to update you on final pack weight at start of the trip, it was 34 lbs. My hike starting weight was 76.2 kg which I can't translate to pound as I am brain dead and ready for bed. Supposed to rain overnight and most of tomorrow.
Date: 2018-03-19
From: Blue mountain shelter

To: Deep gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Rain overnight, broke camp with wet tent, rain, fog on off all day. Pruny fingers by 10 a.m.. tough miles today three major mountains- Rocky, Tray and Kelly Knob. Uphills were over3700 ft, it was too long a day and almost too much for my legs, I was really gassed by the end. Hiked with soothsayer and honeybun for a good piece before they left me in the dust after the second big climb. Looking forward to a short day tomorrow and a trip to town for food.To clarify, I only have the front page of the observer not the whole paper!7 days without beer as of today, looking forward to a burger and beer tomorrow. Also, way down on coffee with only a single cup and not every day either.I do have to start eating more but haven't been overly hungry for the standard hiker fare.
Date: 2018-03-20
From: Deep gap

To: Dicks Creek gap
Miles today: 3.6

Monster thunderstorms overnight. Rain settled in around 8 then the storms started around 1030 and continued until after midnight. Massive lightning that burned your retina even with you eyes closed, then thunder you could feel in your chest. Accompanied of course by pounding rain. Man, I could have stayed in the shelter last night by opted for my tent - bad choice. Packed up wet and headed for dicks Creek a short 3.6 miles away. Got to that point and walking man provided fantastic trail magic - fruit, juice, sandwiches and more - awesome. IIforgot to mention earlier at Cooper gap lionhart had a fantastic trail magic spread as well, that was my first experience, what a great gift these folks provide, it really lifts the spirit.Top of Georgia hostel picked us up gave us medical scrubs to wear while they did our laundry, took us to town where we had burgers and beers and resupplied for 5 days on the trail. They will also take us back to trail tomorrow. A great mini break!
Date: 2018-03-21
From: Dicks Creek gap

To: Standing Indian shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light snow

Dropped by shuttle back to dicks Creek at 815 into bitter cold and trace snow which increased with every foot of elevation. Passed the NC border at around mid day and decided to only go 3 more miles to get aspot in the muskrat crek shelter. I was second person to arrive there at just after 2 and it was bedlam with a crew of college kids milling about trying to stay warm. They had slept there the night before and we're trying to figure out what to do, some we're borderline hypothermic. I was getting too cold hanging around so decided to keep going5 more miles to the next shelter.Conditions got worse, sideways snow up to probably 3-5 inches and starting to drift into knee high burms. I think climbing the last hill to the shelter, that this has been the closest to true hypothermia that I have been. There was no turning back and no warm fire waiting. When I arrived around 6pm the shelter spots were taken so had to tent. Setting up in high wind, freezing fingers was brutal. Feet were wet and freezing so had to get out of those first, then right into sleeping bag. Attempted to cook dinner in the vestibule, while still in A mummy bag - a bit of a disaster. Jumped out, hung my food then back in the bag, I think I might have got a 15 minute stretch of sleep-constantly changing positions to stay warm. Have to decide what to do next....
Date: 2018-03-22
From: Standing Indian shelter

To: Long Branch shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I had lost my hiking crew yester day, soothsayer, honeybun holed up at muskrat. In the morning at standing indian re- met Max and London, who imet that first night on springer. We decided to shoot for long branch. It was actually a good hiking day, cold and snowy so slippery footing but sun came out. It was going below zero again tonight so I wanted to get to a shelter, then it would only be a few miles to get to a road and thaw out in Franklin.Today's hike was over Albert Mt at 5052 ft. On top was a firetower you could climb, which I did u ntil I hit my head on the top platform trap door- doh! Tremendous view.Shelter was only half full and was warmer with less wind so slept very well, making up for no sleep last night. In bed by 7ish.Thanks all for comments on the guest list! G-bolt, nice to meet you at TOG, happy hiking, see you up the trail! Muddy shoes, thanks for finding a home for that travel bug, I will shout out to those guys, should see them in Franklin tomorrow.
Date: 2018-03-23
From: Long Branch shelter

To: Rock gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Taking another Nero to escape into town and stay warm for a night. Have everything hanging to dry. Forecast is not looking good with Rain expected everyday for next seven, with temps on the mountains overnight at or just under freezing for the first few days, then it warms up to the 40's. There is an all you can eat pancake breakfast at the Baptist Church tomorrow, so we will be heading for that, but first, off to the lazy hiker brewings company!Had to update this entry, Franklin is a fantastic town! Really friendly people and lots of service s tailored to hikers. A huge thank you to the Baptist Church in town that hosted a delicious all you can eat pancake and bacon feast. They also had us write letters home that they will mail with a photo to show how we are doing.
Date: 2018-03-24
From: Rock gap

To: Wayah Bald shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Shuttled back to the trail by 930, and hiking in on again off again rain, fog. Traveled with Max Na London who are great company and conversation helps pass the miles. Any of the lookout spots were completely fogged out. Got to camp by 430 and got set up before rain really set in. 1 inch of rain over night everything prettying damp by morning but at least it wasn't raining to break camp.Camp dinner mashed potatoes and chicken plus trail magic chocolate. We had two trail magic spots today which was fantastic- fresh fruit, Gatorade, cookies! Awesome.
Date: 2018-03-25
From: Wayah Bald shelter

To: A Rufus Morgan shelter
Miles today: 15.4

Rain had stopped by morning but packed up all the wet gear had breakfast then on the road by 8:30 ish. Seems to be taking about 60-80 minutes from waking up to breaking camp and getting on the trail. I have been heating water for coffee and oatmeal which is great for a damp morning like this one, but could get on the trail earlier if just had pastries or something cold.Lunches have been mainly protein bars, pB straight from the jar and chocolate. Dinner tonight was knorr side dish macaroni and tuna which ended up being crunchy noodles, tuna covered in a cheese sauce, let me know if you would like to have me cook you some when I get back.The day really improved as it went on, sunny, no wind, we stopped at a good site, and hung things to dry. Soothsayer, honeybun, shiver and babaganoosh caught up with us and we had a good evening catching up. After 8 pm so headed to bed.
Date: 2018-03-26
From: A Rufus Morgan shelter

To: Stecoah gap
Miles today: 14.4

Started out as usual around 8 ish this morning to be in nantahala outdoor centre for when it opened. I had forgotten my gloves in Franklin and needed new ones for the cold nights. Found a pair in a hiker box! Score! I guess I am even, as I am sure my gloves are in a hiker box in Franklin.Didn't get back on trail until close to 10am, it was a long climb, 7 miles and over 3000 feet to get back on top of the mountains so it has been a bit of a rough day. Landed a stecoah gap and was trying to figure out what to do when a hostel owner stopped by and offered his place for 25 including laundry so that's where I am tonight- awesome!The NOC is a great looking spot for Whitewater kayaking, canoing, with a course set up for gates. There is also rafting further down the river.
Date: 2018-03-27
From: Stecoah gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 15.2

Service has been bad, I am trying to catch up some entries, so will hopefully get back and fill these in a bit more.Got to Fontana, hiking with Max and London, stayed at the Fontana Hilton a shelter that has potable water, and cell phone charges.We got on to the lodge to pick up our mail drops and some beers, had a good evening trying to get organized for entering the smokies. My pack is probably over 45 lbs as my mail drop was 13 pounds and was meant to cover 7 days in the smokies.Weather continues cool windy with spots of sun.
Date: 2018-03-28
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell field shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Photo comingFirst day in smokies was a tough climb. All three of us were dealing with too much weight, blisters and sore knees so it was a tough touh clmb and long day. We caught up with honeybun and soothsayer and gang at the shelter though, that was good. Saw first large wildlife today- a deer, not shy at all. Hiking weather was nice under 10 but on off sunny.
Date: 2018-03-30
From: Russell field shelter

To: Newfound gap
Miles today: 12.4

Pounded rain last night, so thankful for the shelter, but everything damp when packed up. Rained on and off all day plus walking through cloud so trail was muddy and at times walking through streams on the trail. Aiming for newfound gap where we will catch a ride to Gatlinburg for at least tonight and maybe a zero tomorrow. Haven't taken a rest day yet and have had 16 days of straight hiking. Everything feels ok, touch wood, but it wouldn't hurt to take a low impact day and catch up on some eating. Hiked today with Max, London and Babaganoosh and everyone is feeling some trail wear.Today we passed over Clingmans dome, the highest point on the AT at 6643 ft, way up there, and unfortunately in deep cloud so you will have to Google Earth it and tell me what it's like :-)Oh yeah, passed over the 200 mile mark today!!!
Date: 2018-03-31
From: Newfound gap

To: Pecks corner
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Intended to stay another day in Gatlinburg but it was a brilliant sunny day so changed my mind at breakfast and headed back to trail. Max, London, baba, are staying for the zero so hope to regroup in hot springs.Hitched back to newfound gap and got on the trail around 1230 so only made 10 miles to pecks corner. It was a nice spot but way off the trail .4 miles. My shoes have only 250 mileson them but have developed two large tears in the uppers on both feet which leak in water in any puddle deeper that a qtr inch which is basically all of them. Will need to look at replacing soon.Today was n wesome hiking day, beautiful sunshine and fantastic ridge walking.
Date: 2018-04-01
From: Pecks corner

To: Cosby knob
Miles today: 12.6

The Smokies are beautiful but I'd like to clear them if only to be blessed to sleep in a tent again (shelters are required unless full).I forgot to mention that I I was able to get enough service on Easter to call home and talk to Dad, MP and There's whicjh was great. Today another shorter walk,a little cooler but still a good hiking day. The trail is starting to come to life with several different types of wild flowers coming out each day and hearing new birdsong daily.Another night in noisy shelter! Can't wait for hot springs and a hot shower and clean clothes.
Date: 2018-04-02
From: Cosby knob

To: Groundhog Creek shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Longest one day walk so far at almost 17 miles. Today was just right for walking in the morning - sunny and cool. It also helped that it was a huge down hill of more than 5 miles. Met up with Fixed Gear and New York at the standing bear hostel, resupply just outside of the smokies. This is a really cool spot, with basic resupply, a hiker kitchen, beds and most importantly, beer! I got here just around midday and made the mistake of having 3 beers sitting in the sun. We were able to pull ourselves away, but the last 7 miles into the now warm afternoon with 3 beers of lethargy made the rest of the day a bit tough.We tented at groundhog on a nice almost flat site. Spaghetti dinner with a side of pasta carbanara, I think my appetite is increasing. Pack is lightening up, now down to two days of food and it feels great.
Date: 2018-04-03
From: Groundhog Creek shelter

To: No Man's land
Miles today: 19.6

Another great day, cooling morning hot in the afternoon.more and more flowers coming through the forest litter. Hiked for first half of the day with Fixed Gear up to Max Patch which is a huge Bald on top of a mountain. It was originally cleared for livestock or farming. Very windy but big sky sunny and glorious. I hung out there while fixed gear continued on and we would meet again at walnut shelter..........or not, there was a reroute in place for a prescribed burn planned for the walnut shelter area. I took the reroute and didn't catch up so continued until I found a flattish place to set up camp and collapsed. Longest day yet and am paying for it. Hot springs tomorrow!!!
Date: 2018-04-04
From: No Man's land

To: Hot Springs NC Laughing Heart Hostel
Miles today: 7.5

Major thunderstorm overnight, high winds lots of rain, started about 230am and continued till about 1030. I broke camp by 730 in the pouring rain, no breakfast, and started walking. Quite cold around 5C and hands got too numb to take my pack off and get at my gloves. Started a weird shuffling run to warm up which helped a bit. My raincoat was soaked right through as we're both my shirt and undershirt. Made it to laughing heart by 1030 and they had a spot for me so in a hot shower by 11, yes!!!!Lunch, resupply, dinner, tavern for beers is the agenda for today. Then will need to decide whether to take a zero tomorrow (maybe the number of beers I have tonight might influence that decision :-)
Date: 2018-04-05
From: Hot Springs NC Laughing Heart Hostel

To: Spring mountain shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

The day in hot springs was refreshing, lots of good food, got restocked for trail food and we had a huge campfire last night at the hostel. I had intended to zero today so had one or two beers more than usual. Unfortunately I had neglected to book the second days accommodation so was out and back on the trail again by around 11 am. The day has been cool (it was down to freezing last night) and will be close to that again tonight.The combination of full pack, bit of a hangover and cumulative days of hiking with no rest made for a bit of a forced march day despite nice sunny skies. Two very large climbs today didn't help, hopefully the legs will feel fresher tomorrow. Rain coming Friday night and snow and rain on Sat, f#$&. I have 4-5 days to get to Erwin TN for the next town break.I just had a chance to go over all the notes you guys have been leaving, thanks so much for all the well wishes, they are great to see and inspiring, so thanks for sending them!
Date: 2018-04-06
From: Spring mountain shelter

To: Jerry cabin
Miles today: 15.9

Overcast and threatening rain most of the day. Got to the shelter about 3 pm and decided to lay up and take a shelter spot for the rain coming tonight. Just got settled when skies opened up and it rained heavy from 430 to 839 next morning. People that ended up tented we're pretty wet overnight with lots talking about heading to hostels early.The cabin must have been named after the Tom and Jerry cartoon as it was heavily populated with bold mice. The sleeping platform was very short and my 6 foot mattress hung over the edge which made for a restless night. That and the cold didn't help. But woke up dry and that was a bonus for sure.
Date: 2018-04-07
From: Jerry cabin

To: Hogback ridge shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Got on the road earlier, around 745, foggy and wet but rain stopped by 830 then just thick damp fog that hung around the entire day. Forecast is for a cold night overnight (low 20sF) so I wanted to get a shelter spot again at hogback. Photo is want we awoke to as all the fog had crystalized on everything. It was beautiful to see, hoarfrost over 2 inches thick!
Date: 2018-04-08
From: Hogback ridge shelter

To: Spivey gap stealth spot
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Walked all day with stunning sights of frost in the sun, had to stop myself from taking pictures as I wasn't making any headway.Added bonus today, Quiet Paul was doing a eggs and has browns trail magic at about mile 3 of today's hike - super fantastic awesome deliciousness - thank you Paul!Had a great lunch on top of the Bald in the picture above, beautiful sunshine and frosty views everywhere. While I was lunching, two helicopter/ planes fly directly over the Bald - these planes have helicopter blades that then switch to propellers very cool to see and they were so close it felt like you had to duck!Ended the day at a stealth camp site and had a great evening meal with heartseeker, bumblebee and shivers, very nice and quiet after all the bustling that goes on in the shelters.Hey here is something you can try at home to simulate trail experience- find the smallest sleeping bag in your house, preferably a mummy bag, then take off all the clothes you have been wearing all day long and throw those into the bag to keep them warm for morning, then put on a full set of new clothes plus your winter coat, then throw in your phone to keep it warm and a 5 inch block if wood to represent your water filter - sweet dreams!
Date: 2018-04-09
From: Spivey gap stealth spot

To: Uncle Johnny's hostel
Miles today: 11.1

Nice rest day in a cabin at Uncle Johnny's. Got a bit stir crazy by the end though, too much hanging around watching old vhs movies from the 90's. Got resupplied, all you can eat pizza and salad and some take home dinners. I think I will plan to Nero in the future, a full day seems too long to be off trail.
Date: 2018-04-10
From: Uncle Johnny's hostel

To: Beauty spot gap campsite
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Regrouped with gravity and Kenya this morning and hiked out to beauty spot gap which is just past a beautiful Bald peak. Finished early and while setting up camp, broke my tent pole somehow so now I am in trouble for accommodation. I have splinted it but don't know how long it will last. Can't get service to contact big Agnes for replacement yet, maybe not until I get into Hampton inn 5 days, AT&T really sucks for service gaps out here.I will come back and post pictures once I have transferred them from my camera.
Date: 2018-04-11
From: Beauty spot gap campsite

To: Clyde Smith shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

Sunny, low 70's, great day, lots of birds (that I have know clue what they are), and snakes. Jinx took pictures of a cottonmouth that lay on the trail in front of him.Stayed in a shelter to save my tent for emergency. Awesome camping when the weather is fine like this. Really getting used to being outdoors 24/7. Camp grime is real though, and hands seem to be permanently dirty even after washing.
Date: 2018-04-13
From: Clyde Smith shelter

To: Over mountain shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Made our way to over mountain shelter which is a converted barn that sleeps 20+. Beauty view down the valley, high winds coming through the cracks in the barn but a great unique spot. The trip here was stunning up and over Roan mountain was a big climb 2400'. On the way down Kenya and I met gweem and pop who were 82 year old trail magic distribute RS. They had hiked halfway up roan my and handed us each a pack that included an orange, hard-boiled egg with salt and pepper, hard candies, Twinkies, wetnap, and I am missing a bunch - it was fantastic thanks gweem and pop!We then headed up to three successive balds that were really stunning (I need to work on my adjectives, it gets hard to come up with superlatives for these views). We took a side trail mile long trip for some added height and even better views.Pictures to follow.
Date: 2018-04-14
From: Over mountain shelter

To: Mountaineer shelter
Miles today: 18.0

Sorry for the spotty updates, I am backtracking to get these entries in. We had a big day today, leaving around 8 we hiked to a highest and stopped at a roadside hostel - mountain harbour - where we did a light resupply and a major hamburger and fries feast. We hung out for 2.5 hours then continued on another 8 miles to the mountaineer falls shelter. We crossed 400 miles today, yeah! It was a great day to be on trail, warm and sunny. I have been hiking with gravity, Kenya, Jynx and Paul and Amber, which has been great, they are a great bunch to travel with. My shoes are wearing right out and will need to be replaced in Damascus. Several holes, and no bounce anymore, sections of the tread are coming off as well.