morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-01-13
To: About a month out
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Anticipation is growing with less than a month before I set out on my hike. I am infinitely more prepared this time around than I was the last time. Heck, I didn't even know there was a trail guide last time out. I planned my last hike in less than two weeks and made it over half way before family issues at home pulled me off the trail. I guess I just winged it most of the time - but it was a great experience. Granted I almost died two times (not really but it sure felt like it at the time!) but I survived. I did learn after the second time - if you have a chance to get water - get it - cause the next opportunity may be too late. Anyway... A gentleman I met on the train ride down "Birdman" I think was his trail name, was shocked with my two weeks of "planning." I felt I was ready to go and had no worries. Funny how now years later and with more experience I feel less prepared. I guess it is just the jitters of the "pre-game" warm up... Once on the trail I know I'll be fine. Trail names tend to stick: I remember Birdman, Stan ( a virginia beach guy who loved to talk and was a great guy on the trail - I recall him quoting his mom on many things - one that really stuck was his mom saying; "Stan - showing up for life is half the battle." Pearls of wisdom from the trail. Then there was Chris, a Methodist minister who became a dear friend. Though we have had on and off again contact - he is a special person I'll treasure. He ended up baptizing my daughter. Then there was a guy "Naked Tom" who spent most of his "camp time" naked - which fortunately I never had to experience as we just crossed paths from time to time while hiking - as I made a point to not camp near him! A young woman Seattle whom I hiked with for a few days. Then someone Chris will never forget... Indiana - a young guy who would just not stop talking - ever. I'm sure as my hike begins I'll remember more from the first and comment on it... such as the great potato salad story which I'll go into later... and yes - you can make potato salad on the trail!
Date: 2016-01-14
From: About a month out

To: Loose ends...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I find every passing day that brings me closer to my departure date also brings with it additional loose ends to tie up with ever less time to get everything done. At times it can become overwhelming - but in the end it will very much be worth it. I have decided to set high goals for the hike - though they are not totally unrealistic. We'll see how that plan goes!
Date: 2016-01-15
From: Loose ends...

To: Test hike
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The temperature dropped to 12 last night around 8 pm so I decided to put on my gear and go out for a 5 mile test hike. Test was successful... made it well under my 2 hour guess... and came in about an hour and a half later. The cold kept me going at a brisk pace. I did realize my lightweight base layer may need to be upgraded to a newer midweight. Getting old I guess! Also maybe need to look for a new insulating layer that comes down a little lower than waistline...The good news is no soreness so another night hike tonight as soon as the sun goes down and the temperature drops is in order - and I finish my shopping spree so to say... Time to go shopping for a few more things
Date: 2016-02-02
From: Rt 55 crossing in CT

To: Algo Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I arrived at the Rt 55 parking lot later than planned and started out not sure if this was my "actual" start of my thru hike since I'll be heading down to Springer in a few days - but it is the "AT" and it was Groundhog's Day so not a bad day to start. I was about to take a photo of the beginning of the trail when I caught my shadow making a nice outline on the road and snapped a quick photo. A little iconic to have started on Groundhog's Day and to unconsciously see my shadow- I guess that means Six more months of hiking??? Nothing is like hiking on the AT - no matter how many miles you put in training the AT still has it's surprises for you. The day was perfect for hiking with the sun shining and temperatures in the 40's-50's. A comment from Slipknot helped out to start out hiking "cold" and then add layers as needed. I found my hiking pants and a t-shirt were all I needed most of the day. The trail from 55 to Algo shelter was significantly more rugged than I had imagined with a fair share of ups and downs and plenty of rocks for everyone! I was surprised to meet one other couple who appeared to be out for a quick day hike. Other than them I had the trial to myself. As I was walking - a song came to mind - Paul Simon's (Simon and Garfunkel's) Sound of Silence... with a few modified lyrics... "Hello trail my old friend... I've come to hike with you again..." That's about as far as I got with that one... But the trail is like an old friend. It was good to be back again.
Date: 2016-02-15
From: Atlanta Hotel 

To: Atlanta Hotel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm enjoying a basic breakfast in the hotel as my thoughts wander everywhere. Tomorrow morning will be the last breakfast before hitting the trail. Freezing rain is in the forecast for today so no sense in starting a day earlier than planned. The tomorrow and the following days look clear and warmer... perfect window for a hike from Springer to Neels Gap. I just have to look up and say:"Thank You!" I spent Saturday with my wife who will not be joining me on the hike but has been extremely supportive even though I know she will miss me about as much as I will miss her! (Which is a lot!!!) We drove up to Mountain Crossing for a gear shakedown by Jason and I was pleased to hear my gear looked ready to go. Maybe a little heavy on electronics but all doable. As I ditch winter gear my pack should lighten up quite a bit. My ULA-CDT is pretty much maxed out with all the extras for winter and it is small enough that I have already left a few things out that I might have brought if I would have had room... but we'll see how it works out.My wife has a suitcase of "extra/optional" she can mail up if needed but would require the sending back of something to make room or figuring out how to make it work. Breakfast is done... more later.... Happy Trails!Ok... It is later... I took the MARTA to the North Springs Station and caught a shuttle to the hotel from Survivor Dave... plans went off without any issues. I booked a Thai massage for this evening. .. time to kill and a nice last night in civilization indulgence... plus some stretching would be a good thing! So many people ask "why" do you want to hike the AT... There are a million or more reasons.... everyone has their own... and frequently it isn't a simple answer... of the million plus reasons... any hiker can have any assortment of multiple reasons I would guess. A few of mine are to lose weight, to get in shape and to finish what I started last time... I'm sure the list of reasons will grow as I move north.And to everyone out there following my journal I'd like to say thank you now for all your support and kind words... whether they be past, present and/or future. I'm not sure how much time I'll have to reply but I will do my best as battery life, time and connections permit.Seven minutes until massage therapist is scheduled to arrive... They said 5 on the dot. Sour wemail shall see..
Date: 2016-02-16
From: amicalola

To: hawk mountain shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light snow

2.16.16. Arrived at Amacola visitor's center a little before they opened and they were nice and opened early so I could sign in and get moving.   I liked the sign near the falls... 425 steps. Difficulty.   STRENUOUS.   I had no idea the AT would be strenuous.   I made it up to Springer around 2 pm. I met up with Suman and Suds along the way.. it was a good day. I felt good and decided to push on to Stover Shelter. I was hoping for a big day and decided if I made it to Stover before 4 I'd push on to Hawk Mountain shelter.   I arrived at stover 20 minutes before 4 and headed out to Hawk. I had second thoughts along the way as my left knee was acting up a little. About an hour out from Hawk it started to rain... so I just kept going... in for a penny in for a pound. I made it to the shelter and settled in for the night.
Date: 2016-02-17
From: hawk mountain shelter

To: Gooch mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

2.17.16.   Headed out for Gooch at 9:30 with the thought of getting to Gooch shelter and re-evaluating the situation there.   The hiking was good... a little cool at times but the sun did come up and warm things up a little.   Hawk to Gooch is a good hike... up and downs. I arrived at Gooch early afternoon and decided it was a good place for the night.   I wanted to get closer to Neel's gap but there was not a convenient place to camp within range of Gooch.   We'll see how tomorrow shakes out...
Date: 2016-02-18
From: Gooch mountain shelter

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up around 6 am and it qas still dark out. My previous hike took me 5 says to get to Neel's gap. This one I really wanted to make it to Neel's gap in 3 days. That meant if I were to have any chance I'd need an early start. I quietly packed up my gear and was ready to head out by 7am. I made it to Woody Gap so far...mile 20.8 From 15.8 so about 5 miles from 7am to 10:30am... 3.5 hours.. I got some trail magic from a trail Angel named Coach/Pilgrim on the trail... a pastry and a chicken sandwich from Chic fil-a... pretty nice and was definitely yummy!I kept moving and along the way, I caught up to Rabbit taking a break to get some water near Lance creek camping area. I was already getting stiff/sore from hiking... being old and out of shape is highlighted on the trail!!! Rabbit was kind enough to notice I was having a little difficulty stooping to collect some water and offered to help. So far everyone on the trail has been amazing. At the water source Rabbit mentioned Subman and Suds and he were going to get a cabin at Blood Mountain Cabins and there was room for a 4th if I was interested. I said I was and moved on after filtering a bottle of water.Sub caught up to me and confirmed the offer of being 4th in the cabin. I wasn't sure if I would make it... I really hoped I could make it... but didn't want to take the spot and then fail to show up... So I conveyed my thoughts to Sub and he said if I showed up I was welcome and if not there would be only 3 there. I arrived at the turn off for the woods hole shelter and made the decision to push on. My left knee was causing some pain, my feet were hurting and my pace was slow... but I felt somewhat confident I could make it. Going up blood mountain was challenging but I knew the down hill would be a #%¢¬$!!! I was right...the down hill was "not super fun."I made it to the cabin about 7 pm.. it was already dark when I arrived.. 7am to 7pm... about 15.9 miles or so... not bad for a half day of hiking!
Date: 2016-02-19
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up in a nice warm bed at Blood Mountain Cabins just down the road from Neel's gap crossing. After yesterday's big day it was a needed rest. Shared the cabin with Subman, Suds, and Rob who is now Rabbit.   Subman named him today after our cabin name and because he hikes fast.... like a rabbit. Unlike your's truly who is moving along at my own pace....   my feet are feeling the miles and my left knee still has a twinge on the down hills but was feeling a little better today.The weather was great and my clothing and gear has been just right so far. I can't wait for warmer weather to ditch the cold weather stuff.   For now it is a necessity as it gets REALLY COLD at night and I'm sure there will be cold days ahead still.I have plenty of food as I have not been really hungry the past few days. Drinking plenty of water so no worries there. With the upcoming rain and my sore knee I'm planning another medium day tomorrow. .. about 10 miles or so to Unicoi Gap and then head in to Hiawassee for the night... then Sunday do a quick hike from Unicoi Gap to dick's creek.. about 17 miles then back in to Hiawassee. .. I'll plan to slack pack the 17 to give my knee, ankles and feet a break and still get in some miles. ANY TRAIL ANGELS that are following my journal I could sure use a ride from Unicoi gap to Hiawassee tomorrow    it's about a 9.7 mile hike and I'm hoping to arrive at the gap by 2 or 3 Thank you in advance just in case someone is there Happy Trails
Date: 2016-02-20
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

My knees and ankles were feeling the miles of the pack with winter gear and the extra weight I am carrying personally. Coupled with rain in the forecast I decided to head in to Hiawassee at the earlier location, Unicoi Gap, and stay at the Holiday Inn Express which had a hot tub. As it turned out, my room had a jacuzzi tub which was perfect for a long Epsom Salt soak that should pay off tomorrow. The plan is to shuttle back up to Unicoi Gap and slack pack up to Top of Georgia Hostel, about 17 miles. The slack pack should take some of the load off my knees and ankles and keep most of my gear dry if the down poors come. I'd rather try a slack pack day then a zero day at this point. Hopefully the Epsom Salt soak, some ibuprofen a slack pack day and stretching tonight will do the trick.A special thanks to Trail Chef for some amazing rice and red beans with sausage and cold drinks. Definitely an awesome surprise at Unicoi Gap.Also a special thanks to Aaron who picked me up at Unicoi Gap and brought me to my hotel safe and sound. We had a chance to talk on the ride and from what I heard he has his own challenges but is an amazing guy. THANK YOU Aaron!Hiking with Subman, Suds, and Rabbit is a privilege on the trail. Three of the best hikers you could meet on the trail. You can't say enough about them as good people. Hopefully I'll be able to do the 17 slack pack and be back up to where they're at on the trail. And to save the best for last... a special special thank you to my wife Rose who is beingoing So supportive and making many sacrifices so I can hike the trail and lose the weight I need to get off. Thank you!
Date: 2016-02-21
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dick Creeks Gap
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm still in the Holiday Inn Express eating breakfast and waiting for a shuttle to take me up to Unicoi Gap. The shuttle is scheduled to be here at 8 which is a little later than I wanted but it is better than walking! It will be interesting to see as the days ahead unfold if my decision to come in to Hiawassee yesterday works out. I have 17.5 to go today and I really have no other viable options as just about all of my gear is waiting at the Top of Georgia hostel so there really is no option to stop along the way. I'm fairly confident I will have a good day but it is the AT so you never know.The first 7 miles will be a challenge with about a mile in total elevation changes with a 1000 ft climb to start and a 1500 right after... I'll try to update tonight from the hostel. I made it to the hostel pretty wet from combination of pouring rain and sweat from rain gear. I SERIOUSLY wish I still would have just skipped the TOG hostel and went into town. I don't have enough time to enumerate all the issues with top of Georgia hostel but suffice it to say for now I would have chosen to hike to the next shelter on the trail than stay here had I known what I know now. If you think the airlines are bad for adding baggage fees etc... top of Georgia hostel has them all beat. FREE shuttleshipping into town are extremely limited and if you miss them -last one into town is 4pm you have to stay another night or hang out until 1pm the next day AND PAY $10. It is total B.S. The guy Bob "thinks" he knows what he is doing and is a shrude business person but word of mouth regarding ripping off hikers will spread... I guess he'll always get the "left overs" once the town fills up but I can guarantee you the shelter on the trail is better for the price.
Date: 2016-02-22
From: Dick Creeks Gap

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

Heading out soon for Standing Indian Shelter. Can't wait to get out of Top of Georgia hostel after a Horrible stay. I was ready to go then remembered that I paid the extra $$$ for breakfast without realizing they don't open until after 7. If breakfast isn't ready at 7 can you say "refund?" When businesses advertise services with misleading phrases customers get upset.c Free Shuttles to town means TOG has limited shuttle service into town and they go when they want not when the paying customers want. Free WiFi means sketchy connection. 14 bed bunk house has ONE coed bathroom... Can you say hold it and wait??? Anyway... I'll never Stay here again nor recommend it to anyone. The weather looks sketchy but it's either go now or wait 4 days for the sun to come out. I'm mentally prepared for 3 to 4 nightmare days followed by a day in Franklin... Good bye Georgia Hello North Carolina! I had to wait until 7am for breakfast at tog... then had to wait again after breakfast for the 8 am shuttle back to the trail so the $6 breakfast and "free shuttle " cost me 2 hours of dry hiking as I was ready to head out at 6am. With heavy rain in the forecast I really Really REALLY wanted to reach Standing Indian Shelter before the rain started falling. Well... the rain came about 2 pm as the weather forecast had called for. I arrived at Standing Indian Shelter at about 4 pm after hiking in the rain for about two hours! So.. the delays at TOG really cost me.I arrived at Standing Indian Shelter pretty much soaked - either from rain or sweat under the rain gear - which wasn't great! Fortunately all my camp gear was dry so I stripped off all the wet clothes being fortunate to be the only one at the shelter. I hung up my wet clothes and used my camp towel to dry off. I used some wet wipes to clean the mud off of my legs. Then I put on my thermal base layer and set up my tent in the shelter. It was probably about 5:30-6:00 when I got in my sleeping bag for the night. I was thankful to be in the shelter as it thunder stormed all night with numerous big boomers. I woke up around midnight to go pee and found the inside of the tent was damp from condensation so I removed the fly. Also all the clothes I hung were still wet! Actually they were wetter than when I had arrived! The damp foggy mist had permeated the shelter area. I moved everything to places nearer the shelter walls hoping that would help and went back to bed.
Date: 2016-02-23
From: Standing Indian Shelter 

To: Long branch Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

I woke up and briefly thought about just taking a zero in the shelter. It was still raining, my clothes were still soaked and I had 16 plus miles to go according to my "plan" to get to Franklin before the snow/bad weather. I thought I may have made a HUGE mistake by not playing it safe and going with my hiking buddies to hang out in Franklin and wait out the bad weather. I really didn't want to take 4 zero days in a row. The weather was in the 60's with rain and wasn't supposed to drop below 50 at night so I thought I'd be ok... OK in the sense of not life threatening.... not OK in the sense of being comfortable! I debated about putting on clean dry clothes but then really didn't have a good way to pack wet clothes in my pack... so I bit the bullet and put on the cold damp clothes from yesterday. I packed up as quickly as I could and started out hoping my body heat would help dry out somethings. It didn't happen! It rained hard most if the day and anything that didn't get wet from the rain got wet from sweat. I kept moving the whole day out on necessity to keep warm and to make it to long branch shelter 16 plus miles. There was no signal at standing Indian shelter. (Thanks AT&T ) nor at many points along the trail from Hiawassee to Franklin. I made it to Long branch shelter which ended up being an amazing shelter for the night. It was a double decker shelter and someone had hung two tarps on the upper deck to keep out the moist mist from blowing in. I actually went to bed around 5:30! I was warm and dry and had the entire shelter to myself. Again... there was no signal from AT&T so thinking about getting a burner phone from Verizon.
Date: 2016-02-24
From: Long branch Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

It rained and poured again all night. The wind was blowing through the mountains and sounded like a freight train roaring my way. I was warm and dry in the shelter and thankful someone had hung 2 tarps to help keep me dry. I woke up around 6 and put on my wet clothes for the last day before heading in to Franklin. Another bout of rain came through as I packed up and got ready to head out. After the past two days of 16 plus miles I had a short 7.3 mile hike into Winding Stair gap but then again... 7.3 miles is still a good hike for a day.I got on the trail a little after 7 am and was fortunate to have a bubble of nice weather - no rain - follow me for the morning. I arrived at Winding Stair Gap around 11 and it started to rain hard once again. It was a cold rain and I was somewhat at a loss as to my bearings. I needed to call for a ride into to town. I had no signal but then just as I was wandering around and was able to make a call to Trail Chef... there he came pulling up with Subman, Suds and Rabbit to pick me up... What a great sight to see!
Date: 2016-02-26
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Way ah Bald Shelter 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

After spending a well timed zero waiting out a day of bad weather with an AMAZING host Trail Chef I'm heading out for Cold Springs Shelter. It looks like the next 12 to 14 days of weather will be favorable to hiking. I am hoping and praying the weather forecasts are somewhat acurate and I'll be able to make it on to the NOC, Fontana Dam and through the Smokies without incident. My AT&T signal will be sporadic so I'll try to update my journal as signal allows... more later...It was a beautiful day to hike but 6 to 8 inches plus of snow made the going slow. I made it to Wayah Bald Shelter and decided to call it a day since it was already getting late and the temperature was forecasted to drop.
Date: 2016-02-27
From: Wayah Bald Shelter 

To: A Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

The weather was nice again today which made the snow on the ground seem not as bad. The hiking is still tiring like walking on a Sandy beach. Every step is just a little more tiring than it would be on a dry trail. I have nice photos on my camera to add but no way to migrate them without a computer... Thank you to all the well wishes and comments of support.
Date: 2016-02-28
From: A Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

The hike up out of NOC was very challenging as I came to believe the climbs would never end. Coupled with snow and ice on the north sides of the mountains made the going slow. I received an email that I had 15000 gold points with Wyndham that were to expire the end of the month so I wanted to push for Stecoah Gap and hitch in to the Microtel in Robbinsville. My ankles and knew are still taking a beating but are generally feeling better and getting stronger. Another Epsom salts soak helped.
Date: 2016-02-29
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 8.5

After a nice night at the Microtel in Robbinsville I hitched a ride back up to the trail and set out for Cable Gap Shelter. The weather was great for hiking if maybe even a little too sunny/hot for me. Since I had a late start out of town I didn't push hard for extra miles. Cable Gap Shelter was a nice way point between Stecoah Gap and Fontana Dam.I arrived at the shelter early and met "Dream On." Dream On was soaking his feet in the cool stream. After setting up in the shelter Dream On started to work on a camp fire. Not that we really needed a fire but with time to kill I decided to join in. Dream On mentioned his first grand child had been born earlier in the day. It was a pretty special day. Poor kid though... only one birthday every four years!