morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-10-23
From: High Top Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Awoke to a fog/cloud bank surrounding everything. Visibility down to a few yards at most. Winds swirling the mists back and forth. WHAT A Wonderful start to the day. Temps were upper 50's. Just Bob and I sat around waiting for some clearing that did not happen until 1130. At least enough to see a bear coming down the trail so that you could get out of the way!Finally had to go, so we booked down the mountain to Simmon's Gap Ranger Station for more water. Got there at 1500, rain starts falling at 1505. Whoooopee!Climbed out of Simmon's Gap in the rain for about 700 feet. What a thrill ( stop whining, you asked for this).Made it to Pinefield at 1630 to find Phoenix there already. She passed us while we at ranger station.Dropped everything in hut and changed out of wet clothes. Sleeping on hard wood hut floor tonight since I did not bring a sleeping pad (dumb). Laid out everything I had on the upper tier and tried to make the wood as comfortable as I could (Ha Ha). A northbound hiker - Omega - came in at 1830. Did not stop talking until 2030. Questionable as to why he is out hiking based on all his worries. Not much sleep, but mice did not bother me tonight.o
Date: 2017-10-24
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain was gone. Cool and crisp morning around mid - 30's. Just Bob was gone when I got up. Phoenix and Omega got out with me around 0845.I was down to only one breakfast after this morning's meal. Will re-supply at Loft Camp Store today. Did a couple of 700 footers including Loft Mtn before getting to store at 1230. Food - yeah!. Washed clothes and dried all my hammock gear on the grass behind the store. Hot lunch of pasta and chicken. Stocked up for next 3 days to Waynesboro. Phoenix came and went on to Black Rock Hut at 1400. Too far for me to go this late and there is no water at that hut. Paid the fee for the campground and sacked in at 1800 to watch a beautiful sunset. Another short day tomorrow so that I can make Calf Mtn Hut on Thursday, allowing me to get to Waynesboro on Friday afternoon.
Date: 2017-10-25
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: few clouds

The wind howled all night coming up slope from the valley to the west. Temp around 35 when I finally got up at 0800. Wind got me while packing my stuff. Tarp was flying around and a guy line hooked a loop on my boot throwing me to the ground like roping a wild steer, then tried to hog tie me to the ground. Something stuck my nose as I hit the ground. It took almost and hour to stop the blood flow from front of the old nose. Painted it with Blistix and got ready to stumble on down the path.The rest of the day was a great trail and pleasant, easy hike for a change. Left the campground at 1030 and reached Black Rock Mtn view point at 1400. One giant pile of boulders with a good trail around the base. Nice picture area. Turned on iPad and talked with wife on FaceTime so she could see the valley, mountains and fall colors. No need to show her the rocks !Reached the hut about 1500.Seven folks eventually came in. Jason was out trying some new gear. He headed back to his car since there was no water. As two more came in he agreed to get his car and they would go to Loft store for water. They all came back with 6 to 8 liters. Issac and Tim came in then Skittles (lady) and Dan ( as old as me). Water was shared as needed.A nice fire and shared conversations until 2000. Time to hit the dry hammock.
Date: 2017-10-26
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Calf Mointain Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Burrrrrr! Low 30's this morning. Clear and cold to start. Need a good day to reach the Calf Mtn spot. Found really good trails today. Long grades and flats. Prepared for the bear on Wildcat Ridge that everyone said was there. As usual, I don't get to see "the" bear. Must have been too cold for him this morning.Travel times were really good as I made the 13 miles by 1500. Skittles was already in and set up. She does not socialize very much, mostly stays in her tent. Issac and Tim rolled in about 1630 heading back to their vehicle at Rockfish Gap early Friday morning. Talked with them for a while. A little later another couple rolled in and set up their tent. The guy wanted to empty his liquor bottles so he could get water. I gave home my empty. Bad decision as he got drunk and talked until well after midnight. Not sure how his lady friend/ significant other was able to suffer through that.Down to one set of breakfast meals left after tonight's dinner. Waynesboro tomorrow - finally. And out of Shenandoah Park at last.
Date: 2017-10-27
From: Calf Mountain Hut

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Clear and cool morning. Temps in the 40's for a change. Reached 60's by noon.Since this was a short hike, I waited until 0930 to start as I could not check in at the motel until after 1430. There were a couple of small ups and many downs today. Good views from Little Calf Mtn summit. The final set of downs was a rock scramble around many side hills. Rough walking and slower than I like, but there was no need to break something on those sections. Slow and steady wins this operation.Reached Rockfish Gap ( US Hwy 250/ I - 64) junction at 1400. Picked some names from a list of free shuttle drivers. Got lucky with first call to "The Southerner", Mr. Brown. He had lived in GA 5 times through the years. A real southern gentleman. Took me all over town to show me where everything was located, to include picking up my box at the P. O. and then to the motel. Checked in at 1445, got my first shower in a few days and went to wash clothes and pick up next food supply.Called home and found out I had forgotten to renew the tag on the TN truck. It will expire Oct 31 - Oh heck!!!! Stronger words are appropriate but not here.So a decision was made to schedule a shuttle to Amtrak as near as possible to Waynesboro and get home ASAP. Found shuttle with Dubose "Yellow Truck" Egleston here. He suggested Charlottesville, VA as closest station. Arranged for picked up on tomorrow at 1115. Made hotel reservations in Charlottesville, as train departs for DC at 0709 everyday. Made Amtrak reservations for Sunday with arrival back in Savannah at 2100 Sunday night. Confirmed all this junk with the wife.As an aside, it turns out this was a good decision. There was little to no water over the next 30 miles to the Tye River crossing near Montebello. Also, heavy storms and deep cold are due Saturday night and Sunday morning. Not the best of conditions for high mountain hiking with about 3000 feet of total climbing over the first 2 days from Rockfish Gap.
Date: 2017-10-28
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Charlottesville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Yellow Truck got me to Charlottesville at 1200. Stopped at PO to send old boots home with other stuff not needed in the pack. It took 30 minutes in line. Would have thought it was Christmas mailing season with all those folks mailing boxes today. Yellow Truck said he thought they might have arrested me for mailing something not allowed. Dang lines.Got to the Holiday Inn and was told to come back at 1330 as rooms were not ready.Went for lunch and found a new L L Bean store one block away. Yeah!! Spend more money. I did buy a new fleece jacket as the one taken to the trail was getting ragged. Lunched at a place called Burger Bach. I can recommend that establishment highly. Great burgers and many varieties of liquid refreshment to choose from.And to end the day - a great bashing of those nasty Gator folks. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!Home tomorrow and then to TN for that dang tag.
Date: 2017-10-29
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

After all the issues with Amtrak today, I think I will stick with driving from now on. At least I can find shuttles that will get me back snd forth to the trail or truck. There were also issues with late Amtrak travels on previous trips.First thing today, Amtrak was delayed 4 hours in Charlottesville. I was re-routed to DC for a 1505 departure. New connection now delayed unknown amount of time. Would have been home at 0300, now, who knows.Now for trail summary: This was still a bear to walk with no previous practice for the mountain work ahead. Some struggles with legs and lungs as usual for me. As I was finishing, everything started to come together after 2 weeks. Again as usual for me.Initial section from Harper's Ferry had lots of rock and rock gardens. Rough on the boots and feet. You have to watch each step to miss a rock or risk a twisted ankle at least. Surprisingly, I moved through without any issues other than being tired at end of the day. I did strain a muscle or ligament somewhere around the 3rd day. Probably pushing too hard in the Roller Coaster section. A zero day at Front Royal helped tremendously to ease that issue.Gaps are still a problem for me, especially in these mountains. Always a steep rise coming out of the gap. My solution has been - do a little, rest, do a little. Slow, but I eventually will get there, at least so far in these last few hikes. By the 13/14th day, the climbs were getting much easier, with less stops to rest. "I Hate Those Day Hikers". No weight, no timeframe, no cares!So much for the whining!Lessons learned - again! Hammocks are a blessing; Remember to take a light weight sleeping pad for going to ground (wood floors are hard); slow down and enjoy the trail; be prepared to change your plan anytime; Get Pack Weight Down Some More. Twenty-nine pounds (5 days food) is still toooooo muuuccchhh!New Zimmer pack did well for the first time out. I think it is a bit small for 5 day runs. Pretty full with that much food and gear. 3 to 4 days would be better. But at 2.5 lbs for the pack, it would be hard to add back the approx. 2 additional lbs for the ULA Catalyst pack. Looks like another round of downsizing for the gear. This pack would do well for summer weather as I could cut a couple of bulky pieces ,or about 2 lbs worth.More thoughts later.Edit Nov 6th: Amtrak finally got me back to Savannah at 0615, 3 hours late. At least it let my wife get a couple hours more sleep. Driving from now on.
Date: 2018-01-08
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It has been a little over 2 months since I got off my last section hike. I had a tune running thru my head for most of the hike and now it is somewhat stuck there every time I think about the next hike: AC/DC ----It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.Seems to fit most sections of the AT and my personal observation of ---- 5 "ups" for every "down". Keep climbing!!!!!!!
Date: 2012-02-28
To: First Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, here I am again. Looking forward to my next big section hike of the AT. I will be starting sometime between September and November 2012. I plan on doing 210-280 miles in 14 days starting from Dick's Creek Gap in Hiawassee, GA and ending somewhere in Tennessee. I am starting the training now. A friend of mine is planning on going with me. He is starting his prep now also. I have already decided on some gear changes and started purchasing. I am listing them in my gear section. I will write as I can on my preparation.
Date: 2012-03-21
To: I can't wait
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Looks like I may be adding a few people to our little trek. Beau, Lope and his wife and maybe Penny may go on this big adventure. We are still in the early planning phases but we will see how it will all shake out. I have purchased some new equipment for this hike. I have added it to my planned gear list and updated the pictures. It is still a work in progress so bear with me. I am so excited I can't wait!
Date: 2012-04-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Training has started for the trail. The goal now is a minimum of 300 miles in 21 days. Maximum is trying to reach the Virginia Border. Training is key to this planning. That would mean averaging 19-20 miles a day. I have 5 months to prepare so I think this is attainable. Another friend is thinking about going. Right now it looks like Beau, Lope, Rosson and myself (maybe Lope's wife) are on the list. This morning I ran 3.5 miles in 33 minutes at 5000ft elevation. I plan to start walking with a pack more and continuing to hit the gym. I have purchased most of my gear. I still lack my waterproof/breathable jacket and trail shoes. I will be buying the jacket around July and the shoes right before I hit the trail. My gear has changed considerably this year. My old gear list is under my old trail name (Facetious (2011) - on the option menu on the left if you would like to compare). I have strived to get some lighter equipment. My gear list is dependant on when I can actually hit the trail. The range is between September to November. If it is September I may drop a few things out but towards November I don't want to take any chances. Let me know what you think?
Date: 2012-04-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It looks like the list of people has changed again. Beau, Lope and I are definitely going. Rosson and Penny are still hopefuls but it looks like that is the list for now. I can't wait. Beau, Lope and I did a practice hike this morning of 5 miles with packs. Everything is on track so far. I changed all my bags out for Cuban Fiber. My base weight right now is around 15 pounds. Not bad for a winter weight for me (I know I could go lighter if I had to). I still have a short list of stuff I want to buy before my hike. I really hope I get to go in September. I will be going regardless of when I get home. My 11 year old Son may be doing the first day with us. That would be fun. That's all for now...
Date: 2012-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I am looking at changing cameras. I think waterproof and shockproof may be a good idea. I am looking at a Fuji model. The XP20 (14 MP) to be more precise. I think I can get a pretty good deal on one. Looks like the list of people going is now down to Beau, Lope and I (maybe Rosson too). I am sure it will continue to evolve. More preperation has been done. Hiked a mountain in Surobi with combat gear for fun and ran 5 miles this morning. When I actually get back on the trail it will be surreal!
Date: 2012-05-09
To: Me again...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I am still here in Afghanistan. Doing as much prep as I can from here. I am always thinking about ways to lighten my pack. I like my creature comforts so I can't imagine that I will ever get down under 10 lbs (except for maybe summer). One of the ideas I have been thinking about is I usually carry 1 more full meal when I am hiking than what I am expecting to eat. I have been doing this for safety reasons. I am now rethinking this and may begin to just carry 2 small pouches of Lipton soup as a light weight alternative. Let me know what you guys think of this? I have put up a pretty comprehensive list of gear with pictures. I would also be interested to hear your opinions of my gear including ways to shave weight. Every time I think I am as light as I can go I think of another way to lighten it some more. Right now I have my base pack weight down to right at 15 lbs with about 4 pounds of clothing worn (including hiking poles and shoes). It looks like for family reasons I may shorten my hike back to 14 days. The plan is constantly evolving. This would still put me through the Smokies which is my goal for this hike. It is still Lope, Simmons and myself going. Lopez said his wife is seriously considering it again. I haven't heard from Rosson if he is still going or not. In the end it doesn't matter to me. I will go all by myself if need be. It would be fun to go in a group but isn't necessary. I can't wait!
Date: 2012-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Still in the Stan. Updated my gear entries with a few last minute changes. The clock is ticking!!! I can't wait. It may be down to me and Beau now. Lopes is still hanging on. We will see what happens. The plan is back to 2 weeks through the Smokies starting at the GA/NC border. I can't wait. I have my meal plan and resupply planned. The plans are becoming finalized. It is almost time!!!
Date: 2012-07-21
To: Time is dragging...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Let me clearify a few things. First I have purchased all equipment except my shoes. I will buy those and make sure they are broken in right before the hike. I am looking at the Inov-8 X-Talon 212. I have heard good things about them and figure I may give them a try. I have purchased some of my food. I am going with Mountain House Pro-Packs and Packit Gourmet meals for some of my dinners. I have a full list of groceries to buy right before I leave. The trail has pretty much been planned and everything is as ready as I can get it from here (Afghanistan). I have detailed spreadsheets with everything that needs to be done as soon as I get home. It is settling into the 14 days of hiking starting at Dick's Creek Gap Hiawassee, GA and hiking through the Great Smokie Mountains National Park. Hopefully starting in mid September. The temps look like they will be between 70-80 during the day and cool at night. Taking a minimum amount of cold weather clothing for elevation. I am so pumped. Enough for now. I will write more soon...
Date: 2012-09-15
From: Dick's Creek Gap, Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: fog

I got to the trailhead at Dick's Creek Gap around 9 am. I was waiting for Beaux to show up when he called and said he was still an hour away. I made a few gear videos at one of the picnic tables and then repacked my food and backpack while I waited. Beaux finally arrived and we got started a little after noon. We started North Bound from Dick's Creek Gap at Hiawassee which is where I ended my last section hike of Georgia (6 days North Bound from Springer to Dick's Creek Gap in 2010). The climb was steeper than I remember. Funny what your memory does to things. We crossed over the Georgia/North Carolina in roughly 9 miles. We stopped and took pictures at the sign and then took pictures of the bent tree just into North Carolina. We easily made it to Muskrat Creek Shelter and decided to call it an early day and started to get settled in. Muskrat Creek Shelter is pretty run down. I would not recommend staying there unless you have to. It was quiet though and we decided to bear hang our food bags more for the practice (there were no bear poles at this shelter) than anything else. We ate dinner and turned in for the night. This reminded me of how tired you get every day and how a good night sleep can change things for you.
Date: 2012-09-16
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Beaux and myself left Muskrat Creek Shelter around 7:30 am hoping to make up the miles we were short the day before. The terrain was a little easier so we made good time today. We passed Standing Indian Shelter (our intended shelter the night before). I was so tired I did not even go check it out. We had a good day though and decided to continue on to Big Spring Shelter to make up for a few miles. Albert Mountain was more than I expected! It is straight up and became a crawl up on hands and feet up the mountain. I should have known when I saw the bypass trail. I was exhausted when we reached the top! We got to the Fire Tower and decided to climb it to take pictures. We were disappointed when the top was locked but we got some great pictures anyway! We then limped towards camp, both exhausted. We agreed to stay in the shelter to ease the camp chores at the end of the day. When we got to the Big Springs Shelter we found only 2 guys already there. Unfortunately hey had already set up their tents in the shelter and pretty much had taken up ALL the space. Beaux and I set up our tents, cooked dinner and turned in for the night.
Date: 2012-09-17
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Campsite near Bartram Trail to the West
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Beaux and I got an early start again around 8:15 on the trail. We agreed to do around 15 miles today after yesterdays climb of Albert Mountain. Once out on the trail we took a rest stop at Siler Bald Shelter. There is a sign there warning of an 8 foot black snake in the rafters. I looked but I didn't see the snake. When we left the shelter we ran into a guy going Southbound on the trail that asked if we could take a dog he found down to Wayah Gap Rd and give it to the owner. He said he had called her but was going in the wrong direction to deliver the dog. Beaux and I agreed to do so. We walked the dog down to the roadway. We waited for a time and then called the phone number on the dogs collar. At first I got a ring no answer. I called back and the owner answered but said she wasn't on the way. She said it was too far and she was trying to have a friend come and pick the dog up. She told us she would call the friend and then call us back. We waited about an hour or so and called the number back. There was no answer on the phone. By this time it was starting to get dark and I needed to get water. We left and headed Northbound and could not get the dog to remain there. The next 2 listed water sources were dry so we ended up going much further than intended. We finally found water at a campsite near the Bartram Trail about 3 miles South of the Wayah Bald Shelter. As we started to set up our tents it began to pour down rain! I quickly set my tent up and began to dry up the inside. I looked over at Beaux and he looked like he was already in his tent. I buttoned up for the night and hoped it would clear by in the morning. Amazingly I slept dry and warm. My legs are finally kicking in.
Date: 2012-09-19
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up, got packed up and readied for the trip into the NOC. I ate quickly. Janna, the girl who came in late was ready to leave also. We left the shelter and said goodbye to the 2 guys in the shelter. We made time quickly. It was pretty flat for most of the way with a few climbs and descents with good views. We stopped and snacked for lunch. We made it into the NOC around 2:30 pm with the dog in tow. When I crossed the street to the NOC I saw Shiva on a bench next to the river. We all crossed and got rooms at the hostel. When I came out I noticed the dog was missing. Once we settled into the hostel we all took showers and changed into our cleanest clothes. As I walked back to get my resupply parcel from the outfitter I noticed one of the employees had the dog. She said they had called the owner and if it didn't work out one of them would give the dog a good home. I was glad to hear that. I knew I couldn't take the dog through the Smokies. At least he was well taken care of. Afterwards I met up with Shiva and Janna and we went to the local diner and ate dinner. After dinner we went to get our clothes and take them to do laundry. As we walked to the laundry Shiva said he was thinking about eating again at the diner and I had been thinking the exact same thing! When we arrived at the laundry Janna said the same thing so while we waited on our clothes we walked back across the street and ate another course! On the walk back after dinner I noticed a headlamp coming down the trail from the mountain. Shiva said the hikers would be very upset when they got down because the hostel had closed for the night and the diner had just closed. We decided to wait for the hikers. When they arrived it was the 2 from Wayah Bald Shelter! They had force marched in. They were both completely worn out. They said it was the first leg over 15 miles they had ever done! I was impressed! They were a little upset the stores were closed although I think they were most upset they couldn't get a beer. We all went back over to the hostel and I laid all my equipment out in the hostel to dry and went to bed. I was so tired I didn't even unbox my resupply.