morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Lance Creek Tent Site

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Rained all nite at Lance Creek tent site. I was dry and comfy in my Eureka Spitfire one person tent. Breaking camp and rolling up a tent in the rain is part of the fun (not!) Anyway, no breakfast and a desent start at 7:45 am. In fact I was second one out. Did not rain so much during hike but there was a lot of tree drips and as you might expect the trail was quite wet, and slushy and mushy. You try to walk the trail edges because the trail itself is full of water, in some places. Besides for the wetness, the challenge today is the hike up and over Blood Mountain. Todays hike started at 2,880 feet and peaked at 4,461 ft. Not overly difficult as the climb was over a distance of four miles. The last mile was the steepest. The really hard part today was the 1,300 foot drop to Neel Gap at which I arrived at 1:30 pm. The hostel at Neels Gap was very full so "Rabbit", Abbie, Jay and myself elected to share the $60 dollar expense of Blood Mountain Cabin, .3 mile from trail. "Rabbit", bless his little Missouri heart, invited two late arrivals in to sleep on floor (everything was full of hkers). Heck, they got a shower and all our good company. She was from Canada and he, "P E", was from Buffalo, NY. As part of the cabin package, the owner, at no charge, washed and dryed all our clothes and ran our wet tents thru the dryer. 10 pm, lights out.
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: moderate rain

First up at Blood Mountain Cabin. Prepared instant oatmeal and hot chocolate in micro. Started hike at 7:25 am and arrived Low Gap Shelter at 3:30 pm. Terrain made for something like a roller-coaster day. Up some and then down some and then up some and then down some, times 3. A real workout. Although first out of Neel Gap, I was passed all day and was almost last to arrive at Low Gap Shelter which only sleeps seven. Needless to say the shelter was fully occupied. I visited for a little while and then pitched my tent. Many other tents were also pitched. Today was a rainy day but not to cold a hike. By the time I reached Low Gap I was pretty tired and a little chilled from the hike of 11.5 miles. Right away I climbed into my tent and, although you are not supposed to do this, I cooked my dinner of Ramen and fried Spam and hot chocolate in the tent. After dinner I went to the creek 30 yards away and filled my 16 oz. Platapus with water, treated it with Aqua Mira drops, hung my food bag from the bear cable and climbed, gingerly, into my tent, into my linen/silk liner into my sleeping bag and into oblivion.BTW, During today's hike I was treated, as other hiker's were, to some outstanding trail magic. A local church group consisting of about 8 individuals had set up shelter and served food. I had a hamburger with all the fixins' and a hot dog and a sprite and some chips and some chocolate. Several prayed for my safe journey. I left with both body and soul nourishment!
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Tent Site
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning my alarm went off at 5:50 amd and I was the first on the trail at 7:10 am. My Fingers were so cold it was a challenge to take down and roll-up my tent. My clothing for this cold day was: silk long-johns, shirt/pants, vest, gloves, knit cap, hat and two pair socks. I always wear two pair of socks: a silk pair under the Merino Wool pair. I was very comfortable after I started walking. I warm up pretty fast with a 35 pound pack and 3.5 lb. boots. During the night there was a light dusting of snow, not in the Gap where I did have ice on my tent but, a 100 or so feet up the hill above camp. The first 7.2 miles of today's 13.4 mile hike was easy going. The biggest climb was from 3,000 ft to 4,000 feet over Rocky Mountain. I arrived at Cheese Factory Tent Site at 4:45 pm. The toughest part of today's hike was from mile 51.4 to 56.6 where the trail had a big down followed by a big up followed by big down followed by a big up to the Cheese factory. Long hike today so I pitched tent, collected water from spring (no treatment necessary), prepared dinner of cheese tortilla and Polunski sausage and hot chocolate. At camp today there was "Chops"( a physical therapist from Lowell, Ma.), "Captain" (a hiker from Germany), "Cross Country" (a 20 something from Michigan with a bum knee, she has not let "Chops" out of her site), "Chuckles and Giggles (a pair of hiking machines, "Chuckle"s is 4'11"), "Lost and Found", (a little older diving instructor and also hiking machine), Paul ( a Chef from Rhode Island, he carries no trekking poles) and a few other I don't know. 8:00 pm, lights out.
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Cheese Factory Tent Site

To: Hiawassee, Ga.
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept in this morning and was almost last to leave at 9:10 am from the Cheese Factory tent site. There were 9 tents and and 3 hammocks. (I personnaly would not want to sleep in a hammock), others swear by it: always level, off the ground and light weight in the pack. A hammock and tent were still in camp when I left. The hammock person was carrying a eukelaly (sic), didn't get to hear him play. The morning started with a 560 foot hike up Tray Mountain over a distance of two miles. By 12:30 pm today it started getting pretty warm. The next big climb was up and over Kelly Knob. In a word, Tough. Over a distance of 1.8 miles the climb was from 3,304 ft. to 4,171 ft. and then back down to 3,583 ft. By the time I topped out I was pretty worn and warm, and thirsty for some cool spring water. Ola', there was a spring called John's Spring a mere .1 mile down a steep decline. I cameled up and carried my filled 16 oz. Platapus back up the hill. I soaked my bandana in the spring and draped it over my head for some heat relief. "Spaghetti" and "Meatball" a young couple from WV were doing the same. However challenging Kelly Knob was, it was not the toughest part of the day. That was the part that was all downhill, from a high of 4,171 ft. to Dicks Creek Gap at 2,675 ft. The downhill covered a distance of 4.4 miles. Downhill is punishing to the knees and toes. I reached Dicks Gap at about 6:35 pm and caught a ride from there to Hiawassee at about 7:15 pm. I was beginning to think I would not get a hitch, but I did, from a transplanted talking machine out of Chicago. Got a drop off at the Budget Inn, unloanded, showered and walked next door to DQ where I nourished myself with a double meat, double cheese hamburger, a side order of frys and three Sprite refills. Smiling myslf to sleep.
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Hiawassee, Ga.

To: Hiawassee, Ga.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I stayed at the Budget Inn in Hiawassee. A Zero day. I Took time to wash clothes, get groceries and update journal. I wanted to rest my body and I picked a good day to do it. When done with Journal posting today, I will stretch out for a few minutes in my room and then walk a couple blocks for a Fried Chicken dinner. Most of my gear is ready to pack which is what I will do after dinner. After that, A little TV and then to bed. "Soul Asylum" and I went for a chicken dinner up the block. he will take some time away from the trail and get some hiking done up in the New Hampshire White Mountains.See ya' down the trail my friend.Tomorrow the Inn's free shuttle will deliver me back to the AT where I got off yesterday At Dicks Gap.Thank you all for reading this journal, signing my guestbook and offering words of encouragment. Sorry So long to catch-up with journal posting, there is not always a signal in the hills. More pictures are forthcoming. If you have any questions about this hike and the Appalachian Trail, let me know and I will try to answer.In the Pic L to R are Chops, UKN,UKN, Cross Country and Captain
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Hiawassee, Ga.

To: Bly Gap, Ga/NC State line
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

After a zero day in Hiawassee I was ready to hit the trail. The free shuttle from Budget Inn dropped four of us off at 9:15 at Dicks Creek, the same place where I got off the trail two days previous. During the first half of the day I hiked with an experienced hiker name Mark. He has already hiked the entire Appalachian Trail and his pace was one that was very comfortable for me. After noon he stopped for water and repositioning of his gear so I continued on. I arrived at the Bly gap which is in North Carolina just across from the Georgia state line into North Carolina. Today was quite warm as it was also on Monday. I arrived at the Bly gap tent site at 4:00 PM. I had a difficult time finding good ground for my tent and even now I am on sloping ground. Not looking forward to a real restful sleep. Tonight for dinner I had Ramen, a slice of spam, a cheese tortilla and Coco. At this site there are about 10 hikers. Those I know our Rabbit, Olympias, PE, Banana Hands and Kiwi, and Abbie. There is a 40% chance of rain tomorrow, Thursday, and 100% on Friday. Therefore, I will try to hike to the next shelter which is called Carter gap. It has lots of space for hikers and would keep me out of the rain. Taking down a tent and breaking camp in the rain is like washing a big dog that likes to do a lot of shaking. Not real pleasant. It is now 8:21 pm Eastern standard time and time for me to call it a night.
Date: 2014-04-03
From: Bly Gap, Ga/NC State line

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Left Bly Gap at 7:10 am after packing up and taking down tent. Since I arrived later than most other hikers most of the very level sites were occupied. I set up on ground with more slope than I like so did not have a very restful sleep. I kept sliding down toward the bottow uf the tent in my sleeping bag. Oh well, I won't do that again! The hike out of Bly Gap was pretty steep from the get go, however, the rest of the day was more generous. Breakfast was cereal bars and lunch was a Cliff Bar.Today's hike was fairly long at 15.3 miles, the longest day hike yet. The reason is the distance to Franklin, NC is 31.2 miles and I wanted to reach Franklin by Friday April 4, today is April 3. I figured 15.3 today and then 12.1 miles to Rock Gap Shelter and then a short 3.8 mile hike into Franklin. A free shuttle runs from near Rock Gap to Winding Stair Gap where the shuttle will pick up at 9:00 and 11:00 am.Standing Indian Mountain was the only other obstacle after the climb out of Bly Gap. Before I attempted that hill I took a break to soak my feet in a cold stream and to take on an extra 16 ozs of water which I reated with Aqua Mira drops. No blisters so far. This probably attributed to the fact that I put mole skin on the my feet where I know hot spots occur. The climb was 1,100 feet over a distance of 1.5 miles. From the peak of Standing Indian to Carter Gap Shelter was a gently downhill of 6 miles. Hoping to arrive at the Carter Gap Shelter in time to stay in the shelter was fantasy. By the time I arrived I barely found a decent tent site. Water was down the hill about 70 yeards. I filled my resavoir with 3 liters which I treated. Dinner was Knoors Chiken flavored rice and pasta. I also prepared a tasty cheese tortilla and topped of with a coffee. I hung my food bag with Abby and in the morning before I left I took both bags down and delivered Abby's to here in the shelter where she was sleeping.I started packing up at 5:50 am and was on the trail at 7:05 am.
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I was on the trail this morning at 7:05 am. Did not take time to prepare instant oatmeal so ceral bars and cheese crackers were the fare for the day. A gap is a low point between two mountains. So whenever you start from a gap you immediatly have an uphill hike. Some uphill starts are more dramatic than others. As previously mentioned, the hike out of Bly Gap was intense. Not so steep, however, from Carter Gap. I was the first out again this morning but was soon passed by two 20 something females. Never saw them again! Hiking alone very early in the morning is very enjoyable. The climate is cool and the morning forest has a clean and refreshing smell. Most sounds are the wind blowing thru the trees and occasionally the sound of tree branches high in the canopy rubbing together which sounds are short and sometimes eerie sounding. Woodpeckers doing their days work are never seen but do make their presence know by the pecking they do.I have not seen any bears or other animals other than an occasional squirrel. More animals were seen in Virginia last year. I focus my attention a lot on the trail so more animals have seen me than I have seen them.When I started today's hike I intended to end the day's hike at Rock Gap Shelter to which I arrived at about 2:30 pm. Since it was still pretty early and only 3.8 miles to a hot shower and Itialian dinner I decided to hike into Franklin. Abby and Happy Hiker decided the same so the three of us took off and arrived at Winding Stair Gap at 5:00 pm where we called the Sapphire Inn in Franklin for a free shuttle to their Inn. After starting on this 3.8 hike to Franklin I questioned the wisdom but Abbie and "Happy Hiker" were inspirational so in the end a good decision."Happy Hiker" and I shared the cost of a room and after getting cleaned up we walked to Lucio's for an Itialian Dinner. Revivied and relaxed I hit the sack at 9:00 pm. "Happy" met other hikers at a local bar and came in much later.
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Did town stuff today: washed clothes, bought groceries and caught up on journal. I now have a 5 day supply of food and two sets of clean clothes. My clothes consist of two pair of columbia cargo pants, two Columbia long sleeve shirst, two pair silk socks, two pair smart wool socks, two pair Ex Offiico draws, silk top and bottom long-johns, a vest, a rain/wind jacket, a down sweater, a pair of wool gloves, a full brim hat, fleece beanie, and a town shirt Peggy and I bought at REI. My boots have about 700 miles on them and are holding up pretty well. I do carry, and use a lot, a pair of trekking poles. My pack is a 50 litre Osprey Atmos 50. Today is Saturday. I get back on the trail tomorrow at about 9:30 am. Rain is threatening on Monday. A cool rain is better than a warm day.
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Franklin

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

The Franklin north Carolina first Baptist church picked up hikers at the sapphire in and took us to their church for a breakfast of pancakes, bacon and all the fixings. After breakfast the church delivered us back to the sapphire in for the 9:00 AM shuttle to winding stair gap where we were to get back on the trail. The van strained to deliver us 11 Hiker hikers up to the trailhead. Of the 11 hikers, five were a German family consisting of parents and three children ages 1416 and 12.I felt pretty strong today, maybe because of the zero day and or the pancakes. Also the temperature was cool and the sky was cloudy. Today's destination is why bald shelter, 11 miles from the days start. I did arrive in time at the shelter to claim a spot which slept seven. At this shelter some of the hikers were a little rowdy. The late night talking called before your plugs that I had talk to bring along. At about 10 p.m. it started raining. It was still raining when I left the shelter at 8:45 AM. During today's hike I came across some outstanding trail magic. I enjoyed a hard-boiled egg, sausage, drinks, and an apple. The trail magic was close to the days and shelter so a light dinner of cheap of cheese tortilla and coffee were all that I needed.
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

This morning I took time to prepare a breakfast of oatmeal and hot chocolate. I stepped out onto the trail into the cool morning rain at 8:25 am. Most all hikers were just stirring when I left. It only rained steady for about one half hour. The trail, however, was slushy and mushy and in parts was a running stream.Within about one quarter mile of my destination, the Wesser Bald Shelter, an ankle tendon in my left left ankle suddenly became very painful. This boot has several hundred miles on it and has always been very comfortable. I re-tied the boot laces for more comfort. Other then the tender tendon the day's hike was very enjoyable. Again cool with clouds and a little rain. I arrived at Wesser bald shelter at about 3 PM.For dinner I prepared cheese tortilla with a slice of spam with a packet of mustard over the spam. Also had a packet of pork Ramen and hot chocolate. At the shelter are jukebox, Lotus, rain, Abby, Keith, roadrunner, Happy Hiker, Rabbit, brewmaster, and another long distance hiker named Bear Trouble that came in at sundown and left before daybreak. Once again it was a little noisy until about 10 o'clock. I slept well all night. There were four girls and three boys in the shelter tonight. Including myself.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.9

Today's hike was mostly downhill. Tomorrow's hike is mostly uphill. Today I hiked into the & OC and have taken a cabin with Abby and brewmaster. The hike today was mostly downhill and not all that strenuous. I arrived at the NOC at 11:30 and met Abby at the main office where we made arrangements to take a cabin room for her me and brewmaster. Today I will wash clothes, and update my journal. I will not need to buy groceries until Fontana Village which is about two or three days down the trail.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.3

Got up at 7:30 AM at the NOC cabin. This morning I took a shower(the last for several days), made coffee and oatmeal and finished packing. I left the cabin at 8:55 AM and hiked 10.3 miles to Locust Cove gap. The first 5.8 miles was up hill, only parts of the uphill hike was strenuous. It did take 3.75 hours to climb the 2961 feet over the 5.8 miles distance. Abby caught up with me before I reached the summit. At 11:30 AM we had lunch at an outcrop of rock with a view. After lunch Abby soon passed me. I did not see her again until I arrived at Locust Cove gap where I camped with five other hikers all in their own tents. One Hiker called "bear bag" slept in a hammock. He is an ultralight hiker, his packed with food and water is less than 20 pounds. After the 3000 foot climb up Swim Peak, The trail took a little down and then right back up again to 5062 feet over the mountain called Cheoa Bald. After arriving at Locust Gap, I collected water and treated 3 L. I have a Sawyer filter in my pack but have not used it on this hike. Not much change in tonight's menu. Only difference was I combined a packet of albacore tuna with my chicken flavored Ramen. After dinner I hung up my food bag. Hoping no bears come because my food bag is only about 7 feet from the ground. My next town stop is Fontana dam day after tomorrow. I will need to re-provision here with at least a four day supply of food if I stop at Gatlinburg. The weather today started cloudy and then partly cleared. The wind was brisk and sometimes cold. Tonight we are expecting temperatures in the 30s. It is now 7 PM good night
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

This morning I left Locust Cove gap at 8:45 AM. I had a cereal bar for breakfast. Toughest part of today's hike was Jacob's Ladder. The climb of .6 miles was 600 feet or said another way 100 feet per 1/10 mile. I was glad this part of the hike was during the morning and not later when it warmed up. Still took me about 40 minutes to cover the .6 mile. Rest of day was fairly level with the usual short ups and downs. I started running low on water about 1.2 miles from my destination so I gathered 3 L of water from a small stream and moved on. At the cable gap shelter, which sleeps five people, there were four in the shelter. They are the same age as myself. Sleeping in the shelter tonight were major, spoon, Lisa and an unknown. Later Happy Hiker, Johnny O and jam arrived. Tonight for dinner I had a sandwich consisting of two tortillas filled with a slice of spam, cheese and a little mustard. Mustard really helps the spam. Also had the usual standby of Ramen and hot cocoa. Happy Hiker wanted to play a game called cast guess the TV show theme song. I was not much of a guesser unless the show was in the 1960s.
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today my destination is Fontana Village where I will need to re-provision for the next six days. I intend to bypass Gatlinburg altogether. I expect to arrive at a shelter near Gatlinburg in about three days. As usual the hike out of most towns and gaps is uphill. This morning's hike was no exception, though not as difficult as some. Two of the ladies that slept in the cable gap shelter left about 20 minutes before me. After a whileI passed them by. This is a first for me to pass anybody on the trail. I arrived at Fontana Village at about 1030. A shuttle transported us from the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and Road 28 into the village for a charge of three dollars. The first order of business was to get groceries for the next seven days. My food bag now it's pretty heavy but fortunately it will decrease in weight from day to day. After grocery shopping I walked over to the restaurant and had a BLT. Abby decided to join me and ordered a vegan burger. The food was really very good. Right now I am washing clothes. I am standing here in the laundromat waiting for the clothes to dry. From here I will order a shuttle up to the Fontana dam shelter also known as the Fontana Hilton. In the morning I will hike out fairly early with an intended destination of 12 miles. The shelter is called Molly's Ridge shelter. It does sleep 12 and it does not have a privy.
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Walked across Fontana dam which happens to be the largest dam east of the Mississippi. Built between 1942 in 1944. Beautiful lake set in the Appalachian Mountains. Immediately across the dam was a 9 mile hike with an increase in elevation of 2700 feet began. Although I started with a full reservoir of water, I needed to replenish at Elkateetee gap. It was a warm day. A Hiker named Tanner and his dog named copper were on the trail on this very warm day. I elected to hike past the first available shelter known as mollies Ridge shelter and stayed then at Russell field shelter. Mollies Ridge had a very unreliable spring. From Molly's ridge to Russell field was downhill. Downhill is not always a good thing as it is pretty rough on the knees. I like hiking early in the morning. Today I could hear three woodpeckers pecking away at three different trees. Each of their pecking sounds had a different timbre depending on the timber they were working on.