morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Mountain Crossing/Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: broken clouds

I actually got an early start!! I was on the blue blaze trail by 09:05 and on AT by 09:15. It was a hard slog up Blood Mtn, on top and a photo with the Blood Mtn shelter (masonry and built in 1934) by 11:50 (750 climb). The trip down the N side was MUCH worse, lots of seeps on the trail and mostly rock; tough going!. Made it to Mountain Crossing (famous store and hostel that is actually astride the AT) in time to get hamburgers and fruit from trail angels from a local church. I resupplied at Mountain Crossing (WAY too expensive) and bought a knee brace. I had them do a pack shakedown (the employee who initially picked up my pack said he wouldn't be able to reduce it much... I did send home my larger Ti pot, the pot cozy, my entire spice box (it hurt to lose my loose tea but it was simply too complex and too heavy) and my kitchen roll. I brought my weight (with 4 days of food and 3 liters of H2O to 34 pounds, not too shabby. The employee was concerned about the adequacy of my sleeping bag but I think he was just trying to sell me another one... A different group of trail angels (this time young people from another church group) brought dinner (homemade chicken & dumplings and green beans), it was wonderful and I ate until I was full to the brim. I feel good and strong and plan on doing 11 mi tomorrow to Low Gap Shelter.
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Mountain Crossing/Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

After good night's sleep (two resident cats so the mouse population is low) I was on the trail by 07:55. The temperature as I started through the breezeway (the AT actually goes between two buildings at Mountain Crossing) was 25°F. I talked to one person on the trail who said their thermometer said 18°!Tortuous day!!! Felt committed to get to Low Gap but twice looked at decent camping spots along the trail. While taking a lunch break, I met Razor, an ATC Ridgerunner. We discussed LNT (Leave No Trace) at length and also about the pressure the AT gets during March and April. Nice guy! I alerted him to some maintenance problems at Gooch Mtn and Woods Hole shelters. Also talked about continuing black bear problems North of Neels Gap. The climb out of Tenatsee Gap was pure torture! It was almost straight up. I tried taking photos that captured the degree of incline but was unsuccessful. I later found that other hikers had dubbed it the "Devils Ladder"! I also found when I got to Hogpen Gap (0.9 mi trail miles) that the Highway that passed by Tenatsee Gap went to Hogpen also, a road distance of only 1/4 mile. Had I know that, I would have yellow-blazed it! I had a nice phone conversation with Josh about resupply issues. My left knee may be an impediment to continuing the AT, it continues to hurt quite a bit... Got to Low Gap Shelter to find that it was full, so I tented down the hill towards the stream that serves as the water source for the shelter. It was wonderful to go to sleep by the sound of the running stream!.
Date: 2011-04-02
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

Another day of strenuous hiking. The trail out of Low Gap was on an old logging road grade so was consistent grade with good switchbacks. There were many springs along the way and while I appreciated the sound of them, I didn't stop to fill my hydration bladder - big mistake! Once I was back on normal, narrow trail, there was a paucity of water in any form and I sucked my hyd. bladder dry with only half liter in my Nalgene. I managed to stretch it out for the rest of the day... I met Buffalo Bobby (mid 50's, from NJ) on the trail but I passed him and didn't see him till later in the day. The trail later in the day was very rocky, much like Pennsylvania! Hard going and treacherous footing. Precise pole placement became really important!Finally made it to Blue Mountain shelter and drank water directly from piped spring. I had wanted to go on to Unicoi Gap but simply ran out of incentive... Buffalo Bobby appeared about an hour later and said I left him in my dust, made a nice comment that I am a strong hiker, especially going uphill. Buffalo Bobby tented so I was alone in the shelter. Ran into F-stop and Slewfoot but they went on to Unicoi Gap. Today I passed an incredible block of milky quartz that was about 36"x12"x15". I have never seen such a large block of quartz and at one end it was shot through with amazing red veins. It was so beautiful. I don't have enough food to make it to Dicks Gap to will have to go into Helen from Unicoi Gap to resupply. Then maybe go to the Blueberry Patch hostel and Hiawassee from Dick's Gap. Only 28 miles to the GA/NC border!!
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

I watched and photographed an absolutely beautiful sunrise this morning. It was wonderful to see the light creeping down the hillsides to my West also. Buffalo Bobby was out early and I was on the trail by 08:15. Made it to Unicoi Gap early and thought instead of hitching to Helen (a tourist town, fewer resupply opportunities) I would try to get in to Hiawassee. A genuinely nice couple from Atlanta (taking a quiet weekend drive through the mountains to decompress) picked my up and took me all the way to Hiawassee. The woman is a 3rd grade teacher and wanted to know about the Trail so she could tell her class about it and a hiker. Once in Hiawassee, I realized it was Sunday and the Library would be closed. I resupplied at Dills Grocery, then headed to Daniels (an AYCE, Buffet style restaurant). While charging my phone, I ate, and ate... and ate. I could barely shuffle out the front door.I didn't think I could hike the rest of the day so I hitched to the Blueberry Patch, a Christian hostel about 7 mi outside of town. I checked in and felt immediately overwhelmed by the hospitality of Gary (AT, 1991) and his wife Lennie. They are genuinely engaged in serving the hiking community. I read in the hostel register that Kara and Shayna and taking a zero there today and was so excited to see them again. So, this day turned out to be a "nero" (few miles, compared to a zero: no miles). After hearing that the NWS predicted very severe weather with large hail and tornadoes for Monday night, I decided to stay a second night, then start at Dicks Creek Gap Tuesday morning doing SOBO hike back to Unicoi (Gary says it's easier doing SOBO on that section). Four hikers left this morning, aiming to make it to Plumorchard Gap shelter before the storm hits.
Date: 2011-04-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a zero at the Blueberry Patch between Hiawassee and Dahlonega. The weather report for tonight is pretty dire so decided to sit it out under a solid roof. I was in Hiawassee today, trying see a doctor about my toe. The end of my second toe on my right foot isn't blistered, it just seems like the skin is breaking down. The skin has sort of disappeared and it is really painful. I found that my MinnesotaCare insurance is only good for emergencies...? I had made an appointment with a local doctor but she wouldn't see me without full payment. I guess I'll just continue self treatment and see what happens.I bought a new pair of camp shoes (pink Croc's lookalike) and they weigh about 1/3 of my previous camp shoes. Yes, every ounce DOES count! Assuming the severe weather has passed, I'll be back on the trail at Dick's Creek Gap (doing SOBO - that's southbound) tomorrow morning at about 09:30.
Date: 2011-04-04
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel-Hiawassee, GA

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

I took a zero day in hopes of seeing a doctor about my toe and updating my trail journal at the Library. I spent 2 hours on the Internet but was unable to have doctor look at my toe. I found that my insurance (MinnesotaCare) is only valid in Minnesota and only for emergencies outside of Minnesota. That means I am not going to be able to refill my prescriptions in trail towns... I got back to the Blueberry Patch (after 3 mile walk...what happened to that "Southern hospitality?) to find the bubble I've been with the last couple of days: Rebel, Benz, Baby Ruth, Coyote, Fishhead, Buffalo Bobby, and Bonza here, most very very drunk... It was a loud night with Rebel admitting he had lost his hiking poles and would yellow blaze (hitchike-on the road...) to Franklin to buy new ones and meet the other folks on the trail. They will be heading NO tomorrow and I will be heading SO (to make up section I bypassed).Storm finally arrived about 01:00 with a vengence! High winds, heavy rain, lots of hail; I feel sorry for any hikers tenting or tarping tonight...Mouse count: 4
Date: 2011-04-05
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Day dawned bright and clear, smelling clean after the major storm passed in the night. We all were the beneficiaries of Gary and Lennies generosity by eating a sumptuous breakfast complete with homemade blueberry syrup. What a meal!!Gary shuttled me out to Dick's Creek Gap and I started on the trail Southbound. Along the way I met many of the friends I made at the Hiker Hostel in GA. Some had horrible tales of weathering the storm under tents or in one case, a hiker whose tarp was shredded by the high winds and had no choice but to start hiking on the Trail(at 03:00) just to stay warm... I was angry to hear that the people in the nearby shelter didn't shuffle to make room for him, even if they had to sleep sitting up. Where has trail etiquette gone? I heard that Kathleen (of Portland, ME., and the hiker I helped at the Hiker Hostel) was still on the Trail. She was last seen at Neel's Gap. You go girl!!I arrived at Tray Mtn shelter completely drained of energy! It was very cold, I think around 35°F and very windy. I cooked dinner and was in my sleeping bag (with all Trail clothes and fleece jkt) by 20:00. I was fairly comfortable but boy was it windy.I'll never forget a woman I met on the trail today. She was 69 years old, a past thru-hiker but section hiking this year, and from Alabama. She gifted me with some sage advice: Don't try to keep up with the 20 year old hikers with 18 pound packs, you can't. Don't try to beat the mountains, you won't. Don't try to figure out what this hike means to you until you climb down from Katahdin and go home, you'll get it all wrong... Well said!
Date: 2011-04-06
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Plumorchard shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

My 64th birthday dawned clear and cold but no wind to speak of. I had a nice chat with Diamond Dave before I hit the trail. I was awake by 06:30 but was still the last hiker to leave the shelter? Overnight, I realized I had left my cherished Petzl Tikka XP (out of production and unavailable) headleamp at the Blueberry Patch. I had enough service to call the hostel and a camper answered on the first ring. I asked her to ask specifically: "who found the Petzl headlamp last night"... She came back and admitted somewhat reluctantly that someone had found it (and probably already had it in their pack...) but I asked her to leave it in the First Aid supplies and I would come pack to pick it up...On my SOBO hike, I found some trail magic at Indian Grave Gap. There were 3 coolers with pop, water, all kinds of trail snacks, and a register. There was even a trash can and a roll to TP if anyone needed it (and of course we all need it...) I took a break to enjoy the magic and GI Jane and Duck showed up. I was relieved to hear that Wings was over his cardiac problems and still on the Trail. I made it over Rocky Mtn (really tough climb) and down to Unicoi Gap. There, I found more trail magic. The Kenesaw Outing Club had hotdogs, cole slaw, pop and H2O, cookies, even homemade peppermint patties! I ate my fill and started hitching. Finally got ride down to Hwy 76 with friendly truck driver. I walked and hitched back to Blueberry Patch where Gary told me he knew we would meet again and that my leaving my headlamp there was no accident. We had a wonderful conversation about Tikun Olam and our individual obligation to lead a life of honesty and integrity. I told him I wanted to come back, after the hiking season and just help around their small farm in any way I could. Gary and Lennie are truly doing God's work.From Dick's Creek Gap, it was a long climb to Buzzard Nob (1,100') then down 550' to Plumorchard shelter. I love the design and execution of construction of this shelter. It utilizes true Post and Beam construction and is pegged not bolted. It is a three level shelter and a work of art. I will try to post photo(s) of it when I can. There was a large crowd and good sleeping weather.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: Plumorchard shelter

To: Muskrat Creek shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

I got an early start, 08:00 on the Blue Blaze trail, watered up at the spring and on the AT by 08:20. Lots of incline heading to Bly Gap, hit GA/NC state line and took some zany photos of myself. ONE STATE DOWN, THIRTEEN TO GO!! Another 10 minutes brought me to Bly Gap, site of the famous knarled tree. I stopped for lunch, soon met Two Chicks and a Dog, and took their photos with the tree. From there, it was ALL UPHILL!!! Lots of stair ladders, few switchbacks... I sucked my hydration bladder dry by 13:00 but found no springs or seeps. I finally decided to stop at Muskrat Creek shelter, I just couldn't make it to Standing Indian as I hoped. It was very buggy and not much wind.I'm still wondering if I have enough food and alcohol to make it to Franklin, NC. It's 28 miles and at my pace, that's 3+ days...Collecting a sizable crowd at the shelter including a troglodyte who hung his food bag in the shelter where everyone kept running into it. His defense was: first come first serve... AAA had the fixins for smores and wanted to show the German girls what smores was. I gathered lots of firewood and a really nice fire was built. I was asleep before the festivities ended
Date: 2011-04-08
From: Muskrat Creek shelter

To: Carter Gap shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke at 07:00, cooked breakfast and was on the Trail by 08:10. Long hard climb up Standing Indian Mtn (approx elevation gain today: 1,756) but I stopped in the shelter to filter water from the piped stream and eat lunch in the shelter. Both of my knees are hurting and my left bunion is starting to hurt as well. I wanted to make it to Big Spring shelter (19.3 mi) but just didn't have the energy to make it happen, still did my longest day so far though. I'm hoping tomorrow I can make it to Rock Gap shelter (12.1) tomorrow, then Franklin the day after. Of course that will be Sunday so the Library will be closed... We had a nice fire then I was in the bag by 20:20.
Date: 2011-04-09
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Rock Gap shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up at 07:00, cooked breakfast and on trail by 08:10. I stopped at a beautiful spring and filled my hyd bladder. At 09:37 I reached Betty Creek Gap (3.7 mi) making great time! My left bunion is hurting more, might take opportunity to see Podiatrist in Franklin if they will see me for small fee. Amazing trail magic at Mooney Gap!! Group from hiking club in SC had chili, pancakes, all kinds of drinks (I had V8) and lots of trail food and snacks. Tidewalker's Dad was there (she is doing fully supported slackpack thru-hike, doing 25 mi days!) and had hotdogs and lots of fresh fruit (I filled up on green grapes...).HARD (did I mention DIFFICULT?) climb up Albert Mtn (400' in 0.3 mi) but the view was worth it. At the top of the stairs of the fire tower, the wind was strong enough that there were no gnats so I just sat there for a while. I took lots of photos and can't wait to share them with you all. I stopped at Big Spring shelter and watered up and ate some lunch. At mile 100.7, there is a HUGE blowdown on the Trail. At least 2 large conifers block the trail, with many large branches making it difficult to cross it safely. I called Nantahala Hiking Club to warn them of it but wasn't able to reach anyone. Right at Glassmine Gap, it started to rain. I had heard a large T-storm coming `for some time and it concerned me. After a few minutes, it started to hail marble sized (then golf ball sized) hailstones. I threw off my pack and took shelter under a large blowdown for the 10 minutes or so it took for the hail to pass. I finally made it to Rock Gap shelter (really run down, from the Trail, it looks like a run down corral or pigpen... broken bear cables too) and grabbed a spot. Second 12.5 mi day AND passed 100 miles today.
Date: 2011-04-10
From: Rock Gap shelter

To: Winding Stairs Gap/US 64
Miles today: 4.0

I was slow to get moving (just 4 miles to Winding Stairs) but finally on Trail at 09:30. Easy going all the way to Winding Stairs, there by noon. I hitched into town (woman who picked me up was retired deputy sheriff in Macon Cy, the first woman ever hired as law enforcement officer in these parts, very interesting woman! She took me all the way to the Franklin Motel where I checked in, resupplied at Ingles down the block, then walked 0.5 miles to other motel where coin laundry was. After I finished my laundry, I walked back through the center of downtown, a lovely downtown. Lots of art shops, book shops, gem/mineral shops, really a captivating town. I settled down for the evening, ordered a Pizza Hut pizza (large...I ate it all but one piece I shared with another hiker) and two beers. I should have slept on the floor because this bed had what has to be the worst mattress in all the developed world!
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Franklin, NC

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got 06:30 wakeup call and a van arrived at 07:15 to take hikers to First Baptist Church (established 1824!) for free pancake breakfast. I had seconds and after spirited conversations with church volunteers, shuffled back to van for ride back to motel. I finished repacking my pack (with 5 days of food, it is WAY TOO HEAVY) and hitched to the Macon CY Library where I am now, updating my Journal.When I leave here, I will hitch back to Winding Stair Gap and hike NO to the first bald I will experience on this trip, Siler Bald. I plan on tenting on top of the bald. I won't be able to update my Journal again until I reach NOC, about 5-6 days from now, talk then,TicTac20:10-tenting just a little below the summit of Siler Bald. Huge storm came in (I saw it coming and decided NOT to stay on the summer)after I cooked dinner and was in the bag.
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Siler Bald

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

I had set up the tent just below the summer of Siler Bald. I cooked dinner as an obvious storm rolled in. The storm was incredible in it's ferocity, very high winds, frequent light strikes. I spent the night - not sleeping but - supporting the tent frame from inside to keep it from collapsing. I feel sorry for the three guys who were on the summit. Finally, at 08:30, with high wind and rain continuing, I decided I needed to pack up and get off this mountain. I took no time to cook breakfast, in fact I ate nothing- a decision that would haunt me later... Eventually, I ate no lunch either and as the day wore on, I - totally soaked through and getting progressively colder, became disoriented and hypothermic. At one point another hiker stopped me to ask why I was hiking - SOUTH? -. I got within 0.25mi of the shelter and another hiker (Calgon) passed me asking if I was okay. I answered that I didn't think so. He helped me get to the shelter and another man started water boiling for a cuppa tea. They all helped me get out of my wet clothes and into my sleeping bag but it was two hours before I stopped shivering... I never ate anything at all that day. Of course, all of this was my fault, I set myself up for this hypothermia and can blame no one else... Stupid mistakes!!
Date: 2011-04-13
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

I spent the morning drying out most of my pack's contents: tent, clothing, food bag, just about everything. Most everyone left the shelter by 08:30 but I didn't get on the Trail until 11:45. I'd like to get to the NOC by Fri am since major storms are predicted by Fri night. NOC has hiker bunks so maybe another hostel night?I reached Cold Spring Shelter by 14:45 and while reading the shelter register, found someone had left some Trail Magic. In a plastic shopping bag hanging from the ceiling was cookies, all sorts of trail snacks and candy, and cured ham slices... I helped myself to some of it, filled my hydration bladder at the eponymous spring and hit the trail again.Later in the day, I hiked with TrailDust again and as we climbed Wesser Bald, we decided to tent just below the summit. We cooked dinner and each was in their sleeping bag by 20:10. He is on to NOC tomorrow, not sure what I will doMouse count: 3
Date: 2011-04-14
From: Wesser Bald

To: NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) Basecamp
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

I was up at 07:15, I had limited water so I only made a cuppa tea and had 2 Pop Tarts (frosted blueberry!) and was on the Trail by 08:15. I got to Wesser Bald Summit, climbed the tower and took some wonderful photos, then on the the Wesser Bald Shelter which was empty and no register?? I spent 15 minutes watching and listening to the interaction of a hawk (never able to identify) and an owl. It was obvious one of them had found and injured a small animal but the two of them were fighting and arguing over who would get it. I kept creeping closer but could not readily identify either of them.It was a long and frustrating decline into the Nantahala gorge. I watered up at a lovely stream that I had been listening to for at least a half hour. Finally I got to the NOC and registered, got a bunk, ate a great meal (really cute waitress, Kristin and I told her so...). Few resupply options here, mainly potato chips and beer... I bought a few things in the outfitter, sealed the seams of my tent again (they leaked like the proverbial sieve while on Siler Bald). I did my laundry, took a long hot shower and went to bed. I'll have to travel to Bryson City tomorrow to resupply.
Date: 2011-04-15
From: NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) Basecamp

To: NOC - zero day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

When I heard the weather report, I decided to take a zero day and stay in NOC another night. The forecast is for severe storms coming in from the mid-south that have already killed several people. Since I have the time, I hitched over to Bryson City, NC. It is a wonderfully peaceful little town that totally captivated me. I walked down the main street, going into shops and talking to folks. In a used book store, I met two delightful women, one of whom (Gail) said she would try hiking again because of me. I was flattered but assured her she should start hiking again for her own sake and that of her husband. I sincerely hope she does pull that Woman's Kelty pack out and try it on again. If so, Good on YOU Gail!I resupplied in Bryson City and, being so impressed with the city, stopped into the City Hall to let them know how much it impressed me. I talked to all the folks in the front office, then the Mayor came in. We talked about the mountains, hiking, oh and of course his lovely town. He gave me a commemorative bronze coin struck just for the town, sort of a key to the city. Yeah, I'm impressed!I hitched back (after walking a couple of miles on the highway) to the NOC gorge and settled down to the computer to update my journals. To all of you reading these journals, I want you to know it is such a privilege to give you some sort of a sense of how special this journey from Georgia to Maine is. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you.