morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-08
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: moderate rain

Finally got to officially start the trail today! Beautiful scenery and you couldn't ask for better weather! Had a great day, 8.1 miles on the official trail, but 17 miles total. Signed the guest book and headed out as far as we could go until 7:00. Overall, had a great day!
Date: 2013-05-10
From: Lance Creek

To: Swain Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Great, fun day today only about 10 miles - visited the store at Neels Gap. Took 3 hrs and $600 dollars out of our day. Swapped out backpacks and now my back feels much better. Dog scared off 2 bears ( didn't see him but heard something pretty big) and we're finally startin' to be thankful that we took him along. Climbed up blood mountain, and went down (probably the harder part) but made it to swain gap and will sleep good tonight! Talk to y'all tomorrow!
Date: 2013-05-11
From: Swain Gap

To: Red Clay Gap
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Hi Everyone! Had another amazing day! Fun, tiring and a little scary! Only did about 14 miles, but feeling better every day and hoping to do about 21 miles per day. Saw a bear cub come running across the trail about 10 feet ahead, and the dog made it run faster down the hill - stayed and waited 2 minutes for the mother, but no sign so we kept plugging along. Ueventful, other than the bear, but another great day! Talk to y'all tomorrow!
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Red Clay Gap

To: Blue Ridge Swag Campsite
Miles today: 14.1

Hi All!Had a very scenic day today, Beautiful view from Tray Mountain! ( see pic ) very strenuous hiking climbed Blue Mountain, Rocky Mountain, and Tray Mountain. About 43 miles to NC - Exhausted now, but exited for another day of gittin' toward Kahtadin!
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Blue Ridge Swag Campsite

To: Camsite
Miles today: 13.3

Had another beautiful day! (I know it's getting old, but it's just so beautiful in the mountains!!) Very cold morning and off to a sluggish start, but got going very quickly after a good breakfast! Saw a tree devouring a piece of metal (see pic). Not much to say, but will be in NC tomorrow! Very excited!
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Blue Ridge Swag Campsite

To: Camsite
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

Had another beautiful day! (I know it's getting old, but it's just so beautiful in the mountains!!) Very cold morning and off to a sluggish start, but got going very quickly after a good breakfast! Not much to say, but will be in NC tomorrow! Very excited!
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Camsite

To: Carter Gap Campground
Miles today: 17.6

Had the best day of all yet! Made it to NC and determined to keep goin'! Did 17 miles (getting closer to my goal of 20 mpd) and could've done more except mom got tired. Got down in the dumps, but a big downhill got me back up to speed! Hiking tip: put on advanced up-tempo music - you get focused on the music and forget about hiking - did about 4 mph when I did that! Got 100 mile marker comin' up tomorrow!
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Carter Gap Campground

To: Rocky Gap (Budget Inn)
Miles today: 12.2

A great day for hiking! Sunny weather and 78°! Had a early start, and climbed up Albert Mountain - probably the hardest one yet... The dog was dead tired and chugged 2 1/2 bowls of water. Stopped for a break and chatted with another thru-hiker named Mike. Had a nice 7 mile downhill all the way to Standing Indian Campground, where we thought we would stay the night, but things never seem to go as planned... We needed to go to town to get our resupply box and get the dog a chain leash (he chews his leash and runs away at night). So anyway, the only shuttle we could get was to take us to the Budget Inn, and that's where I'm writing from - Talk to y'all tomorrow!
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Rocky Gap (Budget Inn)

To: Campsite
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: clear sky

Had a great (kind of) rest day, but rather scary night. Got done shopping around 12:00 and hit the trail at 1. We had a great walking distance for the time and got to go to the top of Siler Bald. Took at least 50 pics (No exaggeration). Found a great camping spot (or so we thought) and halfway set up. The dog didn't like it and mom didn't either. We had a very bad feeling about it and moved back up the mountain pitched the tent and here I am writing - Talk to y'all tomorrow!
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Campsite

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Had a very scenic day, and saw a sign dedicated to a park ranger by the name of Wade Sutton who gave his life to stop a forest fire (very sad). Anyway, we a a nice day, and hiked until about 10:00 to find a campsite. There were none, so we stayed at a shelter for the first and last time. (Can hear mice) talk to y'all tomorrow!
Date: 2013-05-19
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a very interesting day today. Got off to a late start (9:30) and hit the trail. Had a steep downhill, and a steep uphill. Had a small breakfast, felt weak, the battery died (no pics), and had a sharp pain in my left foot (turned out it was a hereditary malfunction). And if that wasn't enough, we were held back for about 30 minutes by rather aggressive cows. After a tiring, sluggish day I had the sense to get out some very salty sunflower seeds, and perked right up. Stopped at Cody gap for the night, with water a 1/4 mike away, and the air filled with mosquitoes. Other than that, very scenic and beautiful day! Talk to y'all tomorrow!
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam (Holiday Inn)
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

Had probably the best day yet! Got to see dad today and went to Cherokee to spend the night and get a wonderful burger. Had a nice walk to Fontana Dam over 8 and 1/2 miles by 10:30. Sent the dog to a kennel while we hike the Smokies, and will get him back on Friday or Saturday... Nothing more to really say! Talk to y'all tomorrow! (Note: The miles shown above aren't accurate for some reason - as of right now we have done 164.6)
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Fontana Dam (Holiday Inn)

To: Campsite 113
Miles today: 7.1

Hi all, sorry that I haven't been able to update for the past 4 days, you do not get a good signal in the Smokies! After a resup. and a shopping day we hit the trail. Had a very scenic, and easy day. Found a nice campground and set up tent - great day!
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Peck's Creek Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Had a nice day today! Did only 13 miles - Ned a rest from yesterday! Not much to say other than that we met these 3 hilarious guys Snakki, Gadget and Bearwatch (with Bearwatch in pic)- I now have an official trail name: All Night Log. (14 hours of sleep last night) Talk to y'all tomorrow!
Date: 2013-03-20
To: Home 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

As of midnight, I leave for Georgia in four days. I have been waiting for this moment for so long and now here it is a mere four days away. I find myself panicking. I know I'll love it. I know I'll never, ever regret going. But Dear God am I scared. Every day I am reminded of the people and things that I will leave behind. From vain comforts like television, or razors, to much more precious things like my younger sister, or a stuffed animal I've kept in my bed since I was five. The trail is about stripping away the unnecessary and the superfluous and embracing what one needs to survive. Food, water, shelter. But I know that the trail is also about human connection. And I have to keep reminding myself that what I will have to let go of here I will certainly find in abundance out there. But God am I scared. However, admitting this to myself now makes me feel better. As the countdown ticks on, the less time I will have to worried and scared. And then I can get down to the business of living.
Date: 2013-03-21
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Dad and I aren't sure if we're leaving on the 24th or 25th. I'm getting antsy. I'm crying or almost crying 5 million times a day. I just want to start MOVING.I renewed my license today because I'll be turning 25 on the trail. It makes me wonder where I'm going to be on my actual birthday. Will anyone want to celebrate with me? Will I even know that it's my birthday? I hope to god I'll still be hiking because it would kill me to have gotten off the trail after less than a month. There are a lot of dates that I'm going to miss. I'll be missing Easter, Father's day,Mother's day, the Fourth of July... I don't know Memorial day? I know that in the end they're only dates but it's odd to think that my priorities will have been shifted completely. You know what date I am looking forward to? June 21st. I think that's naked hiker day. I've been on the trail on naked hiker day twice and STILL haven't seen a naked person! Here are a list of some random goals:~Make it through Blood Mountain and prove to my Dad that I know what I'm doing.~Meet Winton at Mountain Crossings in Walasi Yi.~Get to Elmer's. Meet Elmer.~Sleep under the stars at least once. (Probably very doable).~Get a ride to Trail Days.~Eat at The Home Place.~See an actual naked hiker (even if this means getting naked myself or coercing a trail friend to do it. ~HALF GALLON CHALLENGE.There are so many more big goals, but it's the small ones that will really make the trip. For now I'm going to maintain that the assumed date of leaving on the 24th. If not I can make it another day. Besides, I still have goals here to complete in Ohio.
Date: 2013-03-24
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

If God wasn't telling me to get out of Ohio already he certainly is now with this impending snow storm. Supposedly Columbus is due for a good 6 inches or so tonight. But hell or high-water Dad and I are leaving for Georgia tomorrow. Today has been slow preparation wise;yesterday I did my last minute shopping for random food-stuffs and we took advantage of the then nice weather and grilled some excellent hamburgers. I said my goodbyes to close friends.However, last night I couldn't sleep. It might have been the coffee I had at 8 that night, it might have been that I had many, many thoughts swimming through my head about the upcoming journey. Regardless, I didn't drift off until around 5 and I awoke to an extremely disturbing nightmare about the trail. I don't think I've slept until noon since I was in College. Despite the bad night of sleep, today I got to see OSU beat Iowa and advance to the Sweet Sixteen which is always a good omen. I just got back from changing the oil in the car so that it'll be all set to go for our two-day drive. And once Dad finishes up tax paper work we can begin to get the food organized and packed up. I knew once the moment was close I would be calmer. I feel oddly serene. I know that it's all finally happening, and rather than making me stressed out it makes me feel.... centered. This is what I'm supposed to be doing. I don't care about the potential snow speed-bump because we're going to make this happen. I had been worried that for some reason I would have to cancel the entire trip, and that the approximate 500 something people that I've told would rise up and call me a liar. But now I'm not a liar. I'm actually doing this. Bring it on Georgia. Bring it on. I'm ready for you. (I just need to pack first)
Date: 2013-03-25
To: Knoxville, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

There is nothing like snow in Ohio. Especially in March. For those of you who aren't acquainted with the glory that is Midwest weather, Ohio is very bi-polar when it comes to Spring. It takes it a long time for it to decide what it wants. This evening it has decided it wants to engulf us in winter once more. I always feel bad for the poor flowers who fall for the ruse every year. As I take a break from packing up my endless mountains of food; Pre-packaging breakfast bags, bags of nuts, dried fruit, graham crackers, seaweed and everything in between, I am reflecting on snow. Snow and I have never really ever gotten along. I was born in the spring, so rain has usually been my ally. Not the cold, unforgiving rains that come in winter, but the rain that brings new life and new hope. To me snow can only bring death. I don't even like to ski. But for tonight, I will make my peace with snow and dig deep into my symbolism hat. While rain is normally the traditional symbol for re-birth perhaps the snow tonight is more appropriate. It will cover up Ohio and my previous life here. It reminds me that rain waits for me in Georgia, the good rain, and if I happen to see snow again it won't be of this magnitude. The snow here is special snow that I will only find in Ohio. Ohio is making sure that it leaves its mark on me and my departure. If I could leave it easily, then how would I remember it when I was gone? But I assure you my Dear Ohio, I won't forget you. And honestly, I really don't mind it when it first starts to snow. Everything looks clean. It's when people start driving on it, and walking on it, and making it dirty that snow loses its appeal. Tomorrow is going to be gross. But as I will have probably stayed up all night packing I will be gross too. The weather and I will be a pair. We are both crazy, indecisive, unrelenting bitches. And I have to respect that. So you gave me one hell of a show Ohio weather. But I have to leave you because the Trail is calling me stronger than ever. I'm hoping the next time I write I will be writing from the road.
Date: 2013-03-25
To: Knoxville, TN
Miles today: 0.0

It took longer than we anticipated (it always does), but Dad and I are about ready to hit the road and drive down to Georgia. I will have inevitably forgotten something, but the great thing about this first stretch is that Mountain Crossings can give us anything else I need. I'm starting to get a little jittery, but maybe that's just because I'm so tired. I slept much sounder last night but I'm still sleep deprived. "Changes in Latitude" by Jimmy Buffet is currently playing as we finish up the packing. Very appropriate. .... I'm blank. Honestly. I really don't know what to say right now.I've said goodbye to everyone that I could. Packed everything I could think of. So now there's nothing to do but double-check my work and head the f***k out of here.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Justus Creek 
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

First full day on the Trail for Adele. Stopped for a nice breakfast at Hawk Mountain shelter and met Caboose, Bella a hiking dog, and Tags. Was chilly but ended up a very nice hike. We camped near the creek on an old mountain road. Was a very nice spot to spend the night as it was in a gap protected from the wind.
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Lance Creek, GA

To: Mt Crossings Hostel - Neil Gap, GA
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

Hello! Oh how I wish I could express the sheer joy that I'm feeling right at this moment. I don't have much time to update but I just want to say that I am so incredibly happy that I want to burst. I'm here at Mountain Crossings waiting for a group of people from a Babtist Church set up a HUGE hiker feed for us. The people I've met so far are incredible. Everyone has a story to tell and everyone has been giving and fun. While my hike started out cold and shaky, every day has gotten better and better. I feel like I belong here. I am exactly where I'm supposed to be in life right now. This is it. I can't wait to share with everybody the adventures that I encouter on my way to Maine. Every day will hold something new and exciting and worth waking up for. I might even have a trail name already!! I can't wait to see if it sticks. Off to eat now! I love and miss you all back in Ohio. But just know I'm alive and doing fine.
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Neil Gap 

To: Low Gap Shelter Area
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Really good reception here in Low Gap. It's raining a little right now so we're all calling it a night. I'm hanging with a huge group of hikers who are the best sort of people in the world. We even started club called "The Black Jacket Society". Tomorrow we're hoping to make it to the Cheese Factory camp site (sadly no cheese will be there besides the block I bought at Mountain Crossings). If we can't make it due to weather we'll stay at Blue Mountain shelter. Then one more day of hiking and on to a huge party at the Budget Inn at Haiwasii. I'll be thinking of home tomorrow since I'm missing Easter, but I'm really proud of myself on my first day out alone. Thank you again to my amazing dad for getting me this far.I'll update in Haiwasii!
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Rainy day hike. Weather turns cold on Mountain and rain turns to Ice storm. Ice chunks start to fall from tree branches on trail. Stop at 12:30 pm Lunch at Standing Indian Shelter. Group decides to wait out the ice storm until Friday morning. Adele spends first night in a Shelter. She calls the experience awesome!
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Wallace Gap - Franklin NC
Miles today: 4.2

Nero day morning hike. Gets ride from Budget Inn in Franklin to Hotel. Have big meal at Ms. Lois Restaurant. Some couple who was eating there got a message from God to pay for all 9 hikers meals. Adele calls the trail magic they are getting 'truly incredible!' Re-supply, shower, and do laundry.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Wallace Gap - Franklin NC

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Adele reported no major problems. She has plenty of food, as the group she is hiking with is now starting to make big miles. Thus, less days before a re-supply site.   She complined of a small head cold but it has not been slowing her down. Her trail name has become "Siracha", as this is a must have food item, and she brought a huge bottle which she shares with all her hiker friends!
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.5

Her biggest mileage to date (16.5 miles). Adele reports her head cold is doing better, and she was thrilled to make it to the NOC this evening. She is staying in a bunk room with 3 other guys. The NOC is somewhat minimal, but has small cabin bunk rooms with bunk beds.   It also has community bathrooms / showers, and kitchen. The 'resort' also has a outdoor outfitter, and a nice restaurant, called the Rivers End where Adele orderd a Big Cheesburger when she first got in.    Adele and her gang also scored a ride to a local bar called the Nantahala Lounge. She is drinking draft beers and enjoying the NCAA Championship game tonight.She has a small blister on her pinkie toe, and her feet are sore from the distance and pounding of the trail delivers.   She will pick up a supply package I sent her last week and then the group hopes to make Cheoah Bald by Tuesday night. The summit at Cheoah is very scenic as it overlooks views of 280 degrees and has a nice fire ring and flat spots for tenting. The one down side is that it has no water so you have to hike it in. I spread some of my moms ashes on this site in 2005.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 5.5

Take a short day at Brown Fork Gap as the group is only one days hike to Fontana Village and the General Store and Laundry. Decide to take a short day and rest and take baths in the spring.   Adele had developed a painful blister on the top of her pinky toe. Tags, a formar rocket scientist, decided the best thing to do was to cut out that spot of the orthotic below the toe, giving it more room in the shoe.   That did the trick, no more pain!   Adele said she has a few small blisters on the tops of her toes, but is developing mostly good calluses on the bottoms of her feet.   On a long distance hike, one of the thinks you have to pay attention to is your feet.   If they get too sore, you cant hike!   Believe me, 5 million uneven steps on dirt, rocks, and roots takes a toll!
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Fontana Village Resort

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

Some of the group got separated here as some left the Village early. Adele, Tags, and another hiker, I forget his name had to show their $20 hiking permit at the new Gate on the AT at the Fontana Dam.   Their friend had forgotten and thus lost his permit at the Hotel. He had to turn around, go back to the Marina, get a ride back to hotel. Look for pass, could not find it, had to re-print it. He lost his trail journal as that was with the permit. He then turned around and caught up to everyone at Russell Field that night. Everyone was amazed with his recovery.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Another very tough day. This stretch of the trail is a great deal of ups and downs. Mostly ups. When Dave and I hiked this in 2005, we really had to grit it out. Dave was not a happy camper that day and I remember his exact quote, "This is a slog from hell". Adele called at about 8:30 pm to say she was in her tent and tired but fine and still having a great time. She sounded pretty tired. I remember what it was like! She said they don't plan to stop in Gatlinburg at Newfound gap like I did, but will press on to the Standing Bear Hostel right past the Smokies at Davenport gap. She said they saw their first 'wild' life today, two deer's walked causally by. Clingmans Dome the highest point on the trail is tomorrow! They should have a great view as things are cool and clear right now. Temp got down to 32 degrees last night. Will hit the 200 mile mark on Sunday! they plan to stop just past Newfound Gap at the Ice Water Spring shelter. Then on Monday night, likely stay point is Tri-Corner Knob shelter were Dave, Michelle Lisa and I were stuck for two days in 2005 for Tropical Storm Cindy.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Painter Branch - (Creek)
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Lunch at Standing Bear Hostel where 'Tags' was staying for the night. Adele decided to move on as Tags is somewhat slower than her. She is now hiking with a guy named 'Mouse', also 'Peaches' and 'Cowboy'. Stayed at Painter Branch a fantastic wilderness spot I camped at alone in 2006 on the way to meet Lisa in Hot Springs.  The hikers have been warned not to stay in Shelters as a bad Virus is going around that is highly contagious' It's called the 'Norovirus' and makes you very sick for a week or so, and can be caught at the shelters. Several of the folks Adele is hiking with have come down with this and had to take many zero days.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Painter Branch - (Creek)

To: Stream near Lemon Gap
Miles today: 16.4

Rainy and foggy today as Adele hiked alone up to Max Patch Mountain. On the road right before a former thru hiker 'OneSmith' had hot baked potatoes and grilled chicken for all the hikers. Many stopped as the storm came through. The rain had ended as Adele summated the famous bald mountain 'Max Patch' but the clouds and fog obscured the normally wonderful views. Still staying clear of any shelters to avoid the Norovirus.