morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-07
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Amicalola Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at Tahlor's around 7am. I along with B Man, Jo Cool, Deb (All Day), and Bobby went to eat with my mom for breakfast. We were pacing around the house all morning after getting packed up and went to eat lunch with Tahlor while waiting for Miss Janet to arrive. We got picked up around 4pm and I ran Miss Janet's van up to my buddy Jason's Super Lube and had some fluids changed out for her including the rear end and motor oil. The fluids along with a new Interstate battery and she is ready to roll for the 2014 hiker season. After that, we were off to Georgia. It seemed like a long and exciting four hour ride to Amicalola Falls State Park. We made a pit stop at Winding Stair Gap outside of Franklin, NC and Deb (All Day) got to step on the Appalachian Trail for the first time ever. Welcome to the mountains! Once we got to Amicalola Falls we checked out the Appalachian Trail Kick Off at the lodge. It is an extremely nice hotel in the park. I got to meet many faces I have only seen on the internet or in books including Skywalker, Blueberry, Gene Epsy, and a few others. We set up camp at the bottom of the falls and hung out by the fire for a bit. We called it a night around 11pm or so. I met a young man about my age named John who is from Kingfield, Maine. I slept like a baby! We are debating wether or not to hang out at the ATKO or hike out since it is supposed to be such a nice day tomorrow.
Date: 2014-03-08
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Springer Mountain 
Miles today: 8.8

Tonight I am camping right on top of Springer Mountain. I woke up around 8am this morning and got all my gear packed up rather quickly. John (Young Gun) , Jo Cool, and Deb (All Day) hiked the steps up to the lodge while B Man and I rode with the gear and Miss Janet up to the lodge. I signed the North Bound AT hiker register and was number 293 to sign in at the falls this year. John (Young Gun) was number 279 to sing in just a few hours before me. Therefore, there are a lot of people signing in this weekend. We all ate an awesome breakfast buffet at the lodge and decided it was way too nice of a day to not be hiking. So, after we ate, I was the first one to set out around 11am. I was so excited to finally be hiking I just hiked straight to Springer Mountain. This was my third time hiking the Approach Trail and I love it every time I hike it. I made it to the summit of Springer around 2:30pm. The summit was packed! I hung out for a bit and B Man hiked up shortly after I arrived. Then came John (Young Gun), Jo Cool, and Deb (All Day). We enjoyed the evening on Springer and had an amazing sunset. I also met Canada, Kelly (Legs), her dog Maila, and Napoleon. I hiked 8.8 miles today just to get to mile 0.0 on the AT. It was an absolute "great day for hiking" as B Man would say. I had an awesome first day! The weather was beyond perfect.
Date: 2014-03-09
From: Springer Mountain 

To: Justice Creek
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was a very long day it felt like. I woke up around 7am and the wind was blowing. The sun was rising on the other side of the mountain and it was great to watch it come up over B Man and Jo Cool's tarp just a few yards away from me. I already have three small hot spots on both my feet and they are rather sore. I guess not stopping yesterday was not such a good idea but I am in good spirits and they will hopefully heal themselves. My shoulders and hips are the sorest they have ever been in my life tonight. After I packed up and was the first to leave Springer Mountain, I stopped and used the privy at Springer Mountain shelter. I was hiking by 9am and it felt great! I had a snack at Three Forks which was 4.3 miles from Springer. Napoleon and Kelly (Legs) along with her dog hiked through shortly after I stopped. I kept seeing them on and off throughout the day. Sassafras Mountain felt like a massive climb although it went by rather quickly. There was one warm Pepsi Max that a section hiker and I split at Horse Gap which tasted unbelievably great. B Man, Jo Cool, All Day, and Jon (Young Gun) did not make it here to Justice Creek tonight. In 2011, I had already rolled my ankle twice by this point. Thankfully, NO ROLLED ANKLES TODAY! I am trying to decide if I want to hike the 17.3 miles to Neels Gap tomorrow or not. I may just stay at Lance Creek before Jarrard Gap and make it a two day hike into Neels Gap from here at Justice Creek. Bear Canisters are required from Jarrard Gap to Neels Gap therefore I cannot camp in that 5 mile stretch. My body is extremely sore but I love it. I was able to get a few texts to Tahlor out tonight which was awesome. She may come see me in Franklin, NC when I arrive there in a week or so. I'm going to try for Dicks Creek Gap which is mile 69.6 by Friday where I will get off for a few days and hang out with everyone at Gooch Gap for St. Patty's day. I may only make it to Unicoi Gap but I guess we will see. I'm hoping for lots of sleep and rest tonight. I am loving life on the AT. I missed this greatly.
Date: 2014-03-10
From: Justice Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

HOLY SHIT! Today was one of the longest days I have had in a while. I did the 17.3 miles to Neels Gap. it felt great to do it though. I left Justice Creek around 9am and I stopped to fill up a liter of water at Gooch Mountain Shelter. I also used the privy while I was there. I had a snack at Gooch Gap and did not stop again until Woody Gap. It felt like an easy 3.5 miles. TRAIL MAGIC!!! Leap Frog was set up with everything I had been dreaming about and more. I had four hot dogs, two cups of hot Dunkin Donuts coffee, two cups of mixed juices, a Mountain Dew, and a few other things. I felt like I was ready for another 100 miles. There was a sign that said 11.3 miles to Neels Gap. Bring it on! I felt brand new. It was around 2:30pm when I left Woody Gap and the trail magic. I arrived at Lance Creek around 4pm where Napoleon had been waiting for over a hour. Canada and Legs were shortly behind me. We had 8 miles left until Neels Gap and 4 hours until it was completely dark outside. Why not? Blood Mountain was awesome! I arrived at the summit just before 6:30pm and it was gorgeous! The sun was setting and there was not a cloud in the sky. In 2011, the summit was rainy and foggy so this beautiful day was great. I had some water, took a bunch of pictures, and started the two steep miles down to Neels Gap. Pirate had called Blood Mountain Cabins for me from Woody Gap to see if they had room. It was $60 for a four person cabin, so $15 a piece which is not bad at all. It is Napoleon, Red, Canada, and I in the cabin tonight. I just thought my body was sore yesterday...it's dead! My 3 hot spots on each foot have turned into pretty large blisters. I took a nice hot shower and then did not move out of the bed the rest of the night unless it was to get up and eat a pizza; or two..along with an ice cream sandwich. I am still shooting for Dicks Creek Gap at mile 69.6 by Friday, but I'm not sure how my feet are going to feel and so on therefore that is still up in the air. I have to check out of this cabin by 11am and I am going to use very second I have in here! I am loving the AT and the people that make this wonderful trail. I have met so many great people and it is only my third day in the woods. I am looking forward to the many more great days on this trail.I guess we will see what tomorrow has in store when tomorrow arrives.
Date: 2014-03-11
From: Neels Gap

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 6.9

Today was a nice and easy day. I got up around 8am because I was so excited about taking another shower. I took a nice, long hot shower and had everything packed up and ready to go by 10:30am. I went up to Neels Gap and got some resupplies. I met Uncle Fool who is the gentleman supplying me with jerky from Georgia to Maine. Baltimore Jack told us about a great campsite just before the road at Hogpen Gap that also had water right next to it so that is where we are staying tonight. Miss Janet rolled up just before I left Neels Gap and I got to talk to her for a bit. She had stayed the night with B Man, Jo Cool, All Day, and Young Gun at Gooch Gap. I helped her unload a sick hikers gear into the hostel and figured it was time to go. I took it slow and easy all day and my feet loved it although they were still very sore. The bottoms of my ankles have a lot of bruising around them from me babying my ankles and landing so hard on my heels. The blisters are also growing in size which I am not fond of. So far, Georgia feels a lot easier compared to when I hiked in 2011, but that may be because I have already done this section and I am so excited to be back out here. Tomorrow looks like it will be a much easier day as far as elevation gain goes. They are calling for heavy rain and winds tonight. I was able to talk to my mom and Tahlor in the same phone call this morning which was great. I also talked to Herb and he said if I need to give my feet a rest, to text him from any gap, and he will be there. Smoke from a nearby fire was in the air all day today so at times, that was rather confusing as far as safety goes. I only consumed one liter of water today and I was pretty dehydrated by the time I arrived to this campsite. I am only a few days away from the big St. Patty's day party and I am looking forward to that because my feet definitely need some rest along with my body.
Date: 2014-03-12
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Young Harris
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Herb had text me last night and said if I need to give my feet a rest to let him know. Well, I text him and said I am ready. My feet were hurting all night and it is pouring the rain so I figured why not. Herb showed up about a hour later at Hogpen Gap in the pouring rain with McDonald's breakfast sandwiches and coffee for myself along with Napoleon, Canada, Legs, and Baleau. After they picked me up, I helped them load some rocks in a trail because Herb is going to build a fire pit at his house for the few nights before we move to Gooch Gap for St. Patty's. I got to see something I have never seen done before today and the was the process for making "whiskey" from start to finish. Around 2pm I heard from Jo Cool and there had arrived at Neels Gap. B Man, Jo Cool, All Day, and Young Gun all came to Herb and Kim's today as well. We had a great dinner that consisted of baked chicken, rolls, beans, salad, and potatoes. Currently, it is in the high 20's and snowing, so I am very glad I made the decision to come here. Katahdin is not going anywhere and I started a week early for this reason exactly so I am completely okay with not hiking a mile today. B Man told us some hilarious stories tonight. There is one I thought was extremely funny I'll share it. B man started hiking in 2000. He hiked from Springer to Gettysburg, then hike in 2001 from Springer to Katahdin, and then from Springer to Katahdin in 2005. He said until after his last thru hike, he was terrified of cows. Cows, cows, cows. Every time he would go to cross a cow pasture, the cows would come running after him. No matter where he was, which state, or what part of the trail, the cows would come after him. Other would walk right through the pasture with absolutely no worries or cows chasing them. The second he started through a pasture, those cows would come running. He hates cows to this day for this reason. It turns out, that in early 2000, a lady he knew had give him a fine piece to take with him along on his adventures. It was a very cool looking bell that he hung from the back of his backpack. Well, when he hiked, he could not hear the bell ring because it was behind him and he was moving around. The cows could hear it behind him and they came after that bell, every single time. He said he tossed that bell and never once had another problem with cows. I thought this was hilarious. I called it a night around 11pm tonight after getting to talk to Tahlor for a while on the phone. We are all camping in the basement of Herb and Kim's house and it feels almost like a hostel. I am hoping to at least slack pack to Unicoi Gap before St. Patty's day arrives as I will definitely not make it to Dicks Creek Gap like I wanted to. That is how this trail goes. NO PLANS. Let the Georgia parties begin! Glad to be back at Herb and Kim's. I love my AT family!
Date: 2014-03-13
From: Young Harris

To: Young Harris
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a great day just hanging out with hikers. Herb cooked us a killer breakfast and then we listened to Classic Rock on Pandora all day. It was awesome. I was literally off my feet for hours and they are like new again. I planned to slack pack to Unicoi Gap or Dicks Creek Gap, but decided I'd just get dropped back off after St. Patty's at Hogpen Gap. I won't be stopping again until Franklin, NC which is only the 100 or so mile marker so not far at all. I'm in no rush and have been looking forward to this weekend with great friends for a long time. Herb picked up another hiker named Crazy Horse who is a professional drummer. He has thru hiked before and made it in 110 days. The day he summited in 2010 on August 29th was also the day his father passed away. He said he knew it but did not actually confirm it until after he had finished the trail and arrived back in town. There is an awesome household full of hikers right now! Lots of rest. Geek will be arriving from Pittsburgh tomorrow. Big party! Mexican in town then bonfire after. It's about the journey not the destination. I'm loving the journey so far! I was in bed by midnight after one hell of a great meal yet again. One more day at Kim and Herb's then we head to Gooch Gap for the big St. Patty's day party along with lots of trail magic for other hikers for a few days. Clothes are getting washed today as well.
Date: 2014-03-14
From: Young Harris

To: Young Harris
Miles today: 0.0

I slept in until 8am this morning. Herb had made a massive breakfast for everyone. We washed clothes and cleaned the house up a bit. It is a beautiful day here today. We made a trip to Walmart to resupply before we head to Gooch Gap tomorrow. We watched the documentary 180 degrees South which was awesome. We went to eat at a Mexican restaurant in Hiawassee around 6pm. Geek and Janice met us there. Also, Canada, Legs, Critter, and Baloo joined us. It was a blast! We had a fire and hung out at Herb and Kim's after. We are planning to head to Gooch Gap for St. Patty's trail magic around 9am. I was not going to start hiking until Tuesday but after all these zero days my body is ready to hike! I'm thinking I'll head out Sunday or Monday and try for Franklin, NC one week from today.
Date: 2014-03-15
From: Young Harris

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I was up around 7am and had some coffee while we packed everything up. I drove Herb's Expedition with the trailer we loaded full of wood. We all stopped and ate breakfast at the "Hole in the Wall" in Blairsville. It was great food and we had a huge group of us. After that we stopped at the grocery store and got over 150 hot dogs and ten cases of beer along with many other snacks and food items. We are going to make some hikers very happy on their 2nd or 3rd day of their hike. We finally arrived at Gooch Gap around noon and quickly set up. There are hikers, Boy Scouts, and Army Rangers all here this afternoon. We started a fire early and within a hour or so we started collecting hikers. The beers started going down, and hikers started setting up camp with is instead of moving on. This happens every year and makes for a great time! Hikers from all over the world are here and I met some great people that are thru hiking this year as well. By the time it was dark, we had a huge group. Miss Janet also showed up with a van full of hikers who are all over the Georgia part of the trail. ST. PATTY's TRAIL MAGIC! It was a great evening and a lot of fun. I called it a night around midnight and heard laughter into the early hours of morning.
Date: 2014-03-16
From: Gooch Gap

To: Young Harris
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is my LAST ZERO DAY (at Herb and Kim's). It started pouring the rain around 4am last night and never let up. We packed everything up this morning in a downpour and everyone was soaked. Good this we have a nice house to dry off in! It was raining so hard last night that I could not even hear someone walk by my tent this morning. I also had a nice little puddle under my rain fly this morning since I did not notice a root and rock directed the water right into the front of my tent. I took a hot shower when we got back and dried out all my gear. There are 14 or so of us here at Herb and Kim's today and they mad a big brunch for everyone. Miss Janet may be showing up with even more hikers this afternoon. It is still pouring the rain outside so I'm glad I did not decide to start hiking until tomorrow. I plan to rest all day today. 80% chance of rain for tomorrow as well but oh well, it's time to hike. St. Patty's day is exactly why I started when I did. Originally, I did not plan to start hiking until tomorrow. So, I started a week earlier and hiked a bit before St. Patty's day. Tomorrow, Geek is planning on doing some trail magic at Hogpen Gap where I got off the trail before the party. Therefore, I am going to get a ride with him when he goes and get dropped off. I am hoping for an early start but we will see how that goes. I'd like to make it to Blue Mountain Shelter which is about 12 miles away but we will see how tomorrow morning goes. I am days away from being out of GA! Bring on NC!
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Young Harris

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I absolutely flew down the trail today. 14.3 miles in a little under 6 hours. I woke up around 8am and took a shower. Geek gave me a ride to Hogpen Gap and we arrived just before noon. It was foggy and cold, so I hit the trail right then. I did the 4.5 miles to Low Gap Shelter in a little over a hour. There was even more fog now and the rain along with the wind had picked up. It was very weird to see Low Gap Shelter empty on St. Patty's day. Three years ago today, is when I met so many great people who I will be friends with for life including Pyro (Plan B), B Man, Herb, Kim, Green Abe, Geek, Mad Max, and many, many others. I did not stick around for long because I was getting pretty cold. I had my rain jacket on, my North Face Thermaball jacket on, and a t-shirt under that. I was soaked in sweat but when I stopped, I got cold. Therefore, I just kept moving. The trail after Low Gap Shelter was like walking a dirt road that was about to be paved. By far the easiest section of the trail thus far. I passed a few people but not near as many as the days before I got off at Hogpen Gap. I had planned to stay the night at Blue Mountain Shelter, but the next thing I knew, I was looking straight down off the top of the mountain. I was in hiking mode and with all the rain (now ice pellets), fog, wind, and cold, I hiked right by the shelter. I started down the steep, mud-slide like grade into Unicoi Gap. There is no camping at the gap so I told myself I'll do one of two things: 1)hitch a ride into town and get a cheap motel room for the night 2)see how far Unicoi Gap is from Herb and Kim's. It was just before 6pm when I arrived at Unicoi Gap but it was getting dark fast thanks to the fog. I called Herb and he laughed and asked "are you ready for a warm dinner?" Luckily I was not far from their house and he picked me up. I was covered in mud! B Man and Herb picked me up after what felt like a long day but was actually rather short. We stopped at Ingles and got a Starbucks coffee along with a few steaks and baked potatoes. To say the least, I'm pretty glad I called Herb when I did! After another hot shower and a great dinner, I was out before I knew it. It was a great day on the trail with mud, rain, ice, wind, fog, and the cold.
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

Worn out is an understatement after today. My body alarm clock is now 8am. I had some coffee, ate breakfast, and was packed by 9am. I paced around the house for a few hours and we did not end up leaving the house until just before noon. Herb gave B Man, Jo Cool, and I a ride to Unicoi Gap. We arrived just before 1pm and I wanted to make it the 13.1 miles to Deep Gap Shelter by dark. I started hiking right away and the first give miles were straight up and straight down over two pretty good climbs. One of those climbs was Trey Mountain. No view for me. No sun for me today either. It was sunny and 55 degrees when we left Herb's and about 3 miles before Unicoi Gap, it was 38 degrees and foggy. Jo Cool and B Man hiked to Deep Gap Shelter with me today (or I should say in front of me). Again, rain, fog, wind, and cold all day. I did not have time to stop today so all I had to eat was a snickers. This was not a good idea. I was dead by the time I arrived at the shelter just before dark. My body hurts tonight and I am sore all over. I have every piece of clothing I brought with me on tonight and I am still chilled. I have not left me sleeping bag since I arrived and set up camp. I ate tuna along with a few other things right in my tent to stay warm. Today felt like a 25 miles day to me. I do not feel 100% and can tell I have something going on with my stomach. I have the shivers on and off even though I am not really that cold. I am going to try and get out of here by 9am and make it to Muskrat Creek Shelter in NC. It is 15.5 miles from here. My body may make it further though so we will see. I have about 44 miles to do in 3 days to be in Franklin, NC by Friday. I'm hoping for lots of rest and sleep tonight, but we will see how the shivers, shakes, and stomach feels. It is dark so it is bedtime. I hope tomorrow brings better weather!