morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-09-02
From: Nahmakanta Lake 2143.4

To: Hurd Brook Lean To 2165.8
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: light rain

We were out of our campsite at 6:40, and started up the nine hundred foot ascent to the top of Nesuntabunt Mountain, then back down. We stopped for a break with Russell, Workout, Rocket,and Skinny Rambo, then continued to the Rainbow Stream Lean To for lunch. Skinny Rambo and Rocket, Workout, and ridgerunner Razor and his friend Red Hat were there as well. (Random note: Razor had thru hiked in 2008 and Red Hat in 2010. They had met in Georgia in 2010, near the beginning of Red Hat's thru hike, on a shuttle, and had started dating after Red Hat finished her hike.) We watched Rocket and Skinny Rambo as they scampered across the two long bridge over the Rainbow Stream. Then I carefully eased myself across it, and Gary eased across even more carefully, as Aqua Blaze waited patiently to scamper across. Aqua Blaze had started March 21 and would finish September 7. (Random note: Something we had noticed the last few days was that fall was in the air. There were a few red leaves in the trail...more each day...and yellow leaves on some of the plants along the side of the trail. It has also been cooler at night.) When we got to the campsite where we'd planned to camp, I was REALLY tired. Russell, Rocket, and Skinny Rambo were taking a break. Rocket and Skinny Rambo were planning to hike another seven miles to the next shelter. When Duffer and Chicken Feathers arrived they wanted to go on four more miles. Since I didn't want to be a spoil sport, I said OK...groan. We started hiking along the lake, planning to hike to the end of the lake to camp. However, there wasn't water where people wanted to camp, and Gary and I weren't carrying enough water to dry camp, so the two of us decided to continue to the shelter, while Russell, Duffer, and Chicken Feathers dry camped. We got to the shelter at 7:20 pm, just before dark. To our surprise, no one was in the shelter. (Random note: Many thru hikers, we found, preferred sleeping in their tents to rather than the shelters, especially in clear weather. This was especially true in shelters such as this one, which had floors made of baseball bat sized tree trunks. Since we used thick air mattresses, we were still comfortable sleeping on these shelters, and liked not having to set up our tent, especially when we arrived late.) Gary volunteered to get the water for dinner, and I gratefully accepted. Then Aqua Blaze gave us a bag of blueberries to eat, since we had had to move as fast as we could to make the shelter before dark, so we hadn't had time to pick blueberries at the top. Thank you Aqua Blaze! Workout was also there, as were Rocket and Skinny Rambo, and a father/son team of hikers. The son, 11 years old, asked lots of questions about thru hiking. Nice boy. Workout got his name because he did pushups and carried a stretchy exercise cord with him, which he used each morning! Life is great on the AT when you can survive a very long, tough day, and a fellow thru hiker gives you blueberries!
Date: 2012-09-03
From: Hurd Brook Lean To 2165.8

To: The Birches Lean To, Baxter State Park 2179.0
Miles today: 13.2

We slept in, then enjoyed a campfire with other thru hikers, since Russell, Duffer, and Chicken Feathers were behind us, and we only planned to hike the four miles to Abol Campground. Once we started hiking, however, Gary suggested that we might consider hiking to the Birches Campground in Baxter State Park and hike Mount Katahdin September 4, rather than the fifth, as planned, depending on the weather, which was predicted to be better tomorrow than the next day. When we got to Golden Road, our two future thru hiker friends and their canine Bambi were there with trail magic! Cokes, cookies, and lots of other goodies were there for our enjoyment! Thanks! After stuffing ourselves we continued to the Abol store, to get food for dinner and breakfast. After resupplying, we ordered breakfast: a bacon and egg sandwich for Gary, and a Hundred Mile Wilderness Burger for me, then went back to the hiker canopy to wait for the food. Meanwhile, Duffer, Chicken Feathers, and Russell arrived. They suggested that we should try to climb Mount Katahdin the next day, since they had figured out that they needed to get home sooner rather than later. We, of course, concurred! At 11:00 am we all went to the newly opened cafe, for lunch. When we went back for our packs, Jon, who is the Baxter State Park Appalachian Track thru hiker liason, was there. He gave us the scoop on camping at the Birches. Soon we started walking to the kiosk to sign up for camping spaces at the Birches, since there were only twelve spaces and you needed to sign up for them when you entered Baxter State Park. Once we signed, in we started hiking towards the first stream ford. When we got to the stream, we found it had slippery rocks. I fell and got a bit wet, but it was warm out, so not a problem. We hiked another mile, then rock hopped the second ford. We continued past Big Niagara Falls, and past Daicey Pond to the ranger station, where Betsy signed us in. We were thru hikers numbers 331 and 332 to come up from Georgia. As we were leaving the ranger station, Chicken Feathers, Duffer, and Russell came in. We all got water, then walked to the campground. Gary and I found shelter space, while the others set up their tents, as was their preference. We organized our packs for tomorrow's climb up Mount Katahdin, putting all unnecessary gear in our pack liners so we would have very light packs tomorrow for the climb. After dinner, Jon came by with cake to enjoy by the campfire. We enjoyed it with Rocket and Skinny Rambo, Workout, Russell, and Duffer. Life is great on the AT when you're SO close to fulfilling your dream!
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Springer Mt., GA

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

My wife and I drove up USFS 42 to Big Stamp Gap this morning. We had made the 6 hour trip from Illinois yesterday. She waited at the parking lot while I hiked the one mile South to the first white blaze,registered and retraced my steps to the parking lot. There was a trail runner there giving new hikers some valuable tips. With final goodbyes, it was back down the road for my wife and headed North for me. I was ready to begin; to see how I would do on these mountains, something we have none of back home. I'd been putting in a lot of 15 mile days to get in shape for this adventure. I came upon Hawk Mountain Shelter and decided to keep on going. Made it up Sassafras Mountain and Justus Mountain. Whew! Finally arrived at Gooch Mountain Shelter and ready to call it a day. There are at least 30 other hiker's staying here tonight.
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Left early this morning ready to see what this new day on the trail would bring. Had a good hike all day which allowed me to make it to Neel Gap. There is a 5 mile area before Neel Gap that has had heavy bear activity. You are required to have a bear canister for your food supply if you plan to overnight between Jarrard Gap and Neel Gap. I'm camped in my tent a little above the Gap and I haven't seen any bears yet. It's now pouring rain. It started about 7 p.m. right after I got the tent set up. Only one of the hiker's from last night caught up with me and that was about the time we got here. My day is done.
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Neel Gap

To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 12.9

Ready to start a new day. Lot's of people are having knee problems, so far I'm doing okay. Hope it stays that way. These mountains are tough. I really had to push myself to get off Blood Mountain yesterday. Today was much better over Cowrock Mountain, then Wildcat Mountain. Although, Wildcat was steep and it rained all day so it was a slip n slide hike. Passed Whitley Gap Shelter and Poor Mountain. Came to Low Gap Shelter but it's crowded with hikers. Decided to go just a little further. Found a tent site at Poplar Stamp Gap and that's going to be home for the night. Ready to get some much needed rest so I can do it all again tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I packed everythintg up, ate breakfast and left Poplar Stamp Gap around 8:00 this morning and got to Tray Mountain Shelter at 5:00 this evening making a 14 mile day today. Lots of hikers are doing about eight miles per day so I guess I'm not doing too bad. There were two huge climbs to tackle today. The first one was right after Unicoi Gap up and over Rocky Mountain then down to Indian Grave Gap. I passed by the old Cheese factory site and could have camped there but decided to go on. Next came Tray Gap then the very steep climb up Tray Mountain. You always know there's going to be a mountain to climb right after a Gap. I'm staying in the shelter tonight which is a first for me. I've always tented before (in my Eureka Solitaire)but it's nice to just pull out the sleeping bag and crawl in after a long day. And that's exactly what I'm doing so good night all.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 11.0

Left Tray Mt. Shelter at 7:30 and hiked 11 miles today. It rained off and on all day. I'm staying at the Blueberry Patch Hostel tonight and will get the shuttle back to Dicks Creek Gap in the morning. The Hostel is very nice! So was the hot shower! My first real shower since my hike started on Monday. Four big climbs later, yeah, the shower was a major priority. Just can't say enough about how nice the people are here at the Blueberry Patch. They got me a sub sandwich after I had missed the shuttle into town for the food run. Thanks, again. They are doing everyone's laundry and are going to fix breakfast in the morning. Looking forward to that! Clean, fed and dry, what more could a person ask for? Time to kick back and plan the next few days. I've done a total of 69.6 miles so far which is a little below what I had hoped. A hiker learns quickly though that the 15 miles they can do in a few hours at home cannot compare to hiking the likes of Tray Mt. and Kelly Knob. I've got a good idea now of how many days my food will last before I need to get into a town for a resupply. Nothing else I need to do tonight so I think it's time to get some much needed rest because in the morning the adventure begins anew. (Right after that big breakfast they're fixing) p.s. If all goes well, I will cross into North Carolina tomorrow. Yoohoo!!
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Blueberry Patch Hostel this morning after fueling up on the breakfast they provided. And what a breakfast! Sausage, biscuits, gravy, eggs, buttermilk pancakes, OJ, Cheese biscuits, hash browns. What a place and what a meal. I suddenly had plenty of energy to finish the remaining miles in GA and hike right on in to NC! One state behind me, thirteen to go. There's an old and twisted tree here as soon as you cross into NC. It's much photographed and a good welcome to a new state. I continue on the trail which, of course, immediately heads uphill. Had some tough, steep climbs but made good time and ended up at Standing Indian Shelter for the night. Almost 17 miles and my best day so far.
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Broke camp around 9:00 this morning in the rain, again. Standing Indian Mountain was my first climb of the day. It is the highest mountain so far with a long steady climb and I made good time. Then came Albert Mountain. It was a steep hand and fist brutal climb. When I finally made it to the top I took a break to celebrate. I have now hiked 100 miles. I sat down on a rock to catch my breath and didn't think I was going to be able to get back up off that rock. It was that hard of a climb. I did get going again and made it down to Big Spring Shelter for the night. The temperature has fallen and it is cold, cold, cold. All I can do is get in the sleeping bag to stay warm.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin)
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Just 9 miles today. Left the shelter at 7:30. I almost froze last night. It was bitter cold with howling winds. I was at too high of an elevation with those conditions. It was 20 degrees this morning an hour after the sun was up and it snowed a little. When I arrived at Wallace Gap I had my first Trail Magic. This is when someone leaves food or drinks for the hikers. There was a bag of oranges hanging on a tree limb. I ate one right on the spot and took two more with me. Left some for the next person. There was a shuttle at the Gap that was picking up hiker's and taking them into town. I decided to keep on going but a few miles later at Winding Stair Gap, Poncho talked me into taking the shuttle. It was just too cold to stay on the mountain. Poncho and I and two other hikers are sharing a room at the Sapphire Inn in Franklin. Split four ways it will only cost me about $15.00. We took the shuttle to Walmart where I bought a hoodie on sale for $5.00. Also, bought some longjohns to sleep in for $2.00. Bargains are great and it looks like some warmer clothing is just what I need. Went to the Outfitters and bought a pair of Thorlo socks as I had left a pair drying on a tree and unfortunately took off without them. Ate at the Mexican restaurant and then back to the hotel. I've had a hot shower, made some phone calls and am ready to call it a day. Will take the shuttle back to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin)

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

Took the shuttle out of Franklin back to the trail and started hiking about 9:30. The weather started out great but went downhill really fast. It was very windy, cold, snowing and sleeting. There were big, long climbs today, too. Up Siler Bald and then Wayah Bald which has a fire tower made of stone. Passed Wayah Bald Shelter after about 11 miles and decided to keep going for a few more miles. Finally arrived at Cold Spring Shelter where I will spend the night. It's my 9th day on the trail with a total of 125.6 miles. Just hope the weather changes for the better soon. I'm about 2-3 days from entering the Smokies. That's all for now. Good night.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a long 18 mile day today with a total of 144 miles of hiking so far. Passed the Wesser Bald Shelter this morning then stopped for lunch with the guys at the Nantahala Outdoor Center area. That is a large kayaking area on the Nantahala River. There is a restaurant, snack bar, motel rooms, etc. I finished the day with the longest uphill climb I've had so far. I also had a VERY BAD FALL today. I slipped on some roots about an hour before N.O.C and fell off the hill. Yes, I fell off the hill! It took me 20 minutes to climb back up to the trail. Hurt my left knee, have some bumps and scratches, but really lucky. The fall wasn't straight down but pretty much so. I was grabbing at every bush I went by! I had to crawl back up. So I now have a new trail name of AVALANCHE!! It rained again before I made it to the shelter at Sassafras Gap. That's just the way the day went for me. I'm done in for the day so good night to you all.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Left Sassafras Gap Shelter at 7:45 this morning. It was mostly downhill except for one long killer hill climb they call Jacob's Ladder. It goes straight up starting at Sweetwater Gap. It started raining this morning right after I left the shelter, then it started hailing big time. I heard a lot of the hiker's went back to the shelters.   Did 15.2 miles today so a total of 159.2 miles so far. Tomorrow I will be in the Smokies unless I layover at the "Hotel Hilton" at Fontana Dam. You are required to register before entering the Smokies and I will be able to do that at Fontana. I'll see how the day goes for me. That's all for now. Good night.
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Cable Gap Shelter at 7:30 this morning. It is beautiful weather for a change and it's supposed to be nice for the next few days. I made it to the Fontana Dam Shelter (Hotel Hilton) around noon today and have decided to spend the rest of the day here. The "Hotel" is just a shelter, fancier than some so they call it the "Hilton". It does have a shower that I'm going to take advantage of in just a few minutes. I've walked up the hill now though to get cell reception so I can call Carol. Just want to hear her voice. This has been the only really pretty day so far. So, I only did about 7 miles today which is probably a good thing as the knee I hit pretty hard the other day was bothering me some. I had a nice SHOWER and also washed my clothes out while I had the opportunity. I got my tent and everything else dried out since I got here so early in the day. I've just been taking it easy and will start fresh in the morning. I will definitely be hitting the Smokies tomorrow. I've done a total of 165.8 miles so far, I think. Someone called the town for pizza delivery. Earlier in the day someone brought out McDonald's burgers and chicken sandwiches and said here you go. TRAIL MAGIC!! Life is great.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

My 13th day on the trail today and I'm in the Smoky Mountains now. I left Fontana Dam Shelter this morining about 7:00 a.m. and it's SUNNY. No rain, no sleet, no hail! It's a little hot for me when I'm doing hard hiking; but, I'm not really complaining because I'm elated that the sun is actually shining. Fontana Dam was a very nice place. So was the pizza I had delivered there. I did 16 plus miles today so a total of 182.5 so far. This is the most miles I've ever hiked in one trip. I got here about 5:00 p.m. You are required to sleep in the shelters in the Smokies and only tent camp if the shelters are full. So, you have to plan each days hike to make it from one shelter to another shelter. They are not that far apart so it shouldn't be a problem for me. I've been flushing soome grouse and hearing turkey's as I've been hiking. I met a trail ranger today. He said a bear tore up someone's tent this morning. Okay, just what I needed to hear my first day in the Smokies! I'll try to get a good nights sleep now!
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

Left the shelter at 7:00 a.m. Had a hard climb right off, but it was so worth it because at 7:30 a.m. I saw my 1ST BEAR!!!! It crossed the trail right in front of me and it was a big one! Excitement time for me. After that, lots of PUDS (pointless ups and downs) today, some very steep, like Rocky Top and then Thunderhead Mountain. The weather is warm and sunny. I've got everything done for the evening, ready for another day in the Smokies tomorrow. Maybe another bear to see! But for now, good night.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

15th day on the trail. Three of my hiking buddies and I decided to leave the shelter at 5:00 a.m. so we would be at Clingman's Dome at sunrise. This meant hiking in the dark, a first for me. It was pretty awesome, both the dark hike and the sunrise at the Dome. There is a tower there that you can climb, up to the observation deck. Clingman's Dome is the highest peak on the trail at 6,643 ft. There were lots of hard climbs today. We passed Mt. Collins Shelter about six miles into the day. Four miles later, we crossed Newfound Gap, where US 441 crosses the mountains. There is a huge parking lot there, with restrooms, etc.; lots of people drive there to do day hikes. We continued on to Icewater Spring Shelter. Since we got to the shelter in the early afternoon, the others decided to go on to the next shelter which meant another 7.5 miles of hiking. I decided the 14 miles I had hiked were enough for the day. So, yeah, I'm stopping here at Icewater Shelter. Hike your own hike! I broke the 200 mile mark today with a total mileage of 209.8 miles. Woohoo!! No bear problems today that I know of, just that one I mentioned from the other day where the bear ripped their tent to pieces. I heard they may have closed that shelter. It was very hot today; it is cooling off now and is windy. It pretty much stays windy all the time, so nothing new there. I should have two more days in the Smokies, then another two or so to Hot Springs where I will spend the night, resupply, shower, etc. There are about 12 to 15 hikers here, some are tenting, as the shelter is full. I've done everything I need to do for the evening and am ready to crawl into my sleeping bag. So, good night all.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: overcast clouds

16th day and 27.4 miles, my longest day of hiking, ever! Left the shelter at 6:00 a.m. hoping to catch my trail buddies. Started out with some climbs but then lots of downhills so made good time but, of course, so did they. Heard they did a big day also and were pushing for a hostel about 3 miles past where I stopped. Bummer! I've stopped at Davenport Gap Shelter. Right before I got to the shelter I saw a bear with cubs and was able to get a few pictures. The Smokies are awesome but I'm glad to be done with them. I got a very big surprise when I reached in my pack for my phone. Couldn't find it. Can't see how I lost it. I took everything out of my pack, very frustrated. Nothing to do but just go ahead and keep hiking. I normally send Carol a text at the end of each day if I have reception. Fortunately, I was able to borrow a phone to contact Carol. As I was starting to tell her about the whole incident, she stopped me with the happy news that a hiker had found my phone, contacted our son, Alvin, to let him know he had found it and would bring it to me. Thank you, Tom!! Alvin contacted Carol with the guy's name and phone #. My plans are to contact him when possible; Carol will also try to contact him. You can go a long way in the mountains before finding a spot with reception. Tom and I should be able to meet up in Hot Springs as the trail goes right through town. I'll layover there until he makes it in as he is a couple days behind me. The rest will do me good and it will be great to have my phone back.   That's all for now. Good night!
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

17th day. Left the shelter about 7:00 a.m. Had a couple of hard climbs today, the first being Snowbird Mountain. Max Patch was a surprise, it's a big grassy hill. Did 18 miles today and a total of 255.9 so far. That's all for today. Good night.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

18th day. Left the shelter at 7:00 a.m. There was a lot of downhill hiking today but I had two big climbs, too. Bluff Mountain was about a 2 mile climb. It was a pretty uneventful day. Mostly the woods look like the woods back home. I'm staying at Deer Park Shelter just outside of Hot Springs to save a nights lodging in town as I'm waiting for the guy with my phone to catch up to me. That's all for now. Good night.