morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Neel Gap/Mountain Crossings Hostel

To: Tesnatee Gap 
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

As predicted the heavy rain hit early today. Hoping for some break in the liquid sunshine, I used the time for a "pack shakedown" at Mountain Crossings. A very talented young lady on the staff, Carly, ran roughshod through my pack to slim its weight. We tossed out food (carrying enough for Coxey's Army") as I don't have that ravenous appetite yet and other odds-and-ends so that I was carrying 31.8 pounds in Total Weight. Some hikers were carrying over 50 pounds prior to their "crash diets," respectively. Ouch!Rather than take a "zero" day, I decided to push on. Prior to leaving we were treated to trail magic from the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Georgia Southern University and East Georgia. The hamburgers were GREAT and THANK YOU!I walked thru the breezeway (this is the only place on the trail where the trail goes thru a building) on the trail. Of particular note is the large tree where hikers who have experienced boot issues have customarily tossed those boots in the tree to dangle for all to see. It looks like something from a Harry Potter novel or movie.Frankly, the trek to Testastee Gap was in a monsoon and misery. Hillape (from Georgia) told me there were several spots along the way to pitch a tent if the weather was just too much. Tom and Brenda pitched their tent just prior to Cowrock Mountain. As I came into Tesnatee Gap, the fog was heavy, the rain was becoming icy, and the wind was gusting mightily. I remembered Jim "Mango" Moody's advice: there will be times on the trail you need to use two things, and those are your best judgment and your credit card. Making it another five miles to Low Gap was unrealistic, so I invoked the Mango Doctrine and flagged down a lady who was driving on the Senator Richard Russell a Highway. She most graciously gave me a ride to town where I secured a motel room and a hot supper. I told her she was a "Trail Angel First Class" for her kindness.Watching some NCAA basketball action. I was sorry to hear that the ETSU Lady Bucs lost in the WNIT. They had a season for the ages. Well done, Lady Bucs!Friday's forecast is for more rain. We're building character..
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7

Day 6This Saturday is different from other Saturdays when I have hiked over the years. First, I haven't hiked much at all since I have had heart issues, and also this is my first Saturday as a thru-hiker.I popped out of the tent to cloudy skies but not any rain. After packing the pack and heading out of Low Gap, the sun began to shine brilliantly and seemed to energize all. There were numerous mountain springs pouring forth along this section, as they delivered crystal cold water that often ran across the steel gray granite and the muddy trail.As I headed toward Unicoi Gap, I met four young ladies from the University of Georgia.   They were offering apples to hikers; I accepted. It was very juicy and absolutely delicious.When I told them I was from Tennessee, they said they helped all hikers, even those from a rival in SEC sports.I passed on staying at Blue Mountain Shelter because I had a reservation for the Top of Georgia Hostel. There was considerable rock hopping on the steep descent to Unicoi Gap. Caruso Fire (West Virginia) hiked with me. His son, Colt .45, was ahead of us and he is a speedy hiker. When the reached the bottom and crossed the speediest highway in Georgia, Colt .45 was waiting with chicken from Wendy's. Miss Janet had taken him there in Hiawassee while he waited on us speed-challenged hikers. Staying at this new hostel offers me a shower and shave, laundry, and a good bed for a good night's sleep off the ground. Good night and sweet dreams!
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Zero Day

To: Top of Georgia Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday, March 22Injuries or ailments are always a bane and concern for long-distance hikers. I awoke in the Top of Georgia Hostel with a swollen left knee; thus, I needed to make a decision of whether to hike a ¢typical¢ day, hike a ¢nero¢ (a shorter hiker day but not a ¢zero¢), and to stay at the hostel for a ¢zero¢ day. I am not enamored with the term ¢zero¢ as it implies for me that you are doing nothing for that day. To the contrary a ¢zero¢ can be productive in the sense you are listening to your body¢s feedback to rest and take treatment, re-supply in a trail town, catch up with messages and e-mails, or update your trail journal.I iced my knee throughout the day, took Vitamin I (Ibuprofen), and also elevated the knee.   Having ¢blown out¢ this knee in 2008, I didn¢t want this situation to elevate into a situation that would take me off the trail for an extended time. This regimen was very beneficial as I expect to be on the trail again on Monday.I also took some time to work on the spiritual dimension of this trek. Prior to leaving Tennessee, I obtained a copy of Max Lucado¢s book, You¢ll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times. This is a great read and resource that is not specific for hiking; rather, it is guidance for all those situations where we are deep in the valleys of our lives. Utilizing the Old (First) Testament story of Joseph, an early theme in the book is ¢In God¢s hands intended evil becomes eventual good.¢ I think this principle is crucial for us as people of faith to remember that God is with us every step of the way in life¢s journey, and especially when we find ourselves in ¢the pit¢ as Joseph found himself quite literally in the pit after his own brothers sold him into slavery.   I¢ll keep you posted as I go through this book.Top of Georgia Hostel is operated by Bob (¢Sir Packs-a-Lot¢) Gabrielson, a Triple Crown hiker, and the staff, many of whom are volunteers.   They do such a great job as they support hikers¢ needs and provide encouragement for the journey.   I certainly recommend a stay there.Here at the hostel are Sunrise (Oregon), Beancounter (Louisiana), Spirit (Tennessee), T.K. (Minnesota), Trail Chef (North Carolina), hikers from New Jersey, Maine, and many others.   In the ¢it¢s a small world category,¢ the hostel¢s shuttle driver, Paul, who is a former AT thru-hiker has a brother-in-law in Limestone, Tennessee! Paul was such a huge help.Good Night and Good Hiking!
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap/Top of Georgia
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

Tuesday, March 24There is nothing like an uphill climb to get the blood pumping, the heart beating, and the body overall in a forward gear for the hiking day. Leaving Sassafras Gap that climb directly ahead is the ascent of Kelly Knob. But this climb had a reward at the top---trail magic! Colt .45, Moment, Meadow, and I met Tater, who had completed his thru hike in 2000. He gave us Orange Crush and what I call ¢Brand X¢ soda in Georgia as it was not Coca-Cola, but it was still wonderfully ice cold cola drink. Tater also had his playful puppy, Daisy, with him. Down the trail at the ¢intersection¢ of the AT and the side trail to Deep Gap Shelter, I saw Shrek and his girlfriend; regrettably, she had twisted her ankle and her pace had been slowed as a result. Shrek impressed me with his outdoor skills as he had a very effective way to use an MSR gravity filter in tandem with a Sawyer mini-filter to effectively treat a larger amount of water than most of us. Shrek thus saved me a long trip off the trail for water with his trail magic for us as thru hikers. Thanks, Shrek! He also is originally from Tennessee, but spent most of his formative years in Texas. At this juncture I also visited with a group of seniors who undertake a day hike each Tuesday in this area. One of the ladies continued the trail magic theme for the day as she distributed tangerines to thru-hikers;   we appreciated the tasty Vitamin C! My destination for the day was Dicks Creek Gap, with a one-night stay back at the Top of Georgia Hostel.   I arrived at mid-afternoon, where Sir Packs-a-Lot picked me up for the short shuttle to the hostel. Having experienced some sore hiking feet, the gear guru at the hostel helped me put some new Form insoles in my Salomon boots for added comfort.   I guess I shouldn¢t be surprised that you can invest handsomely in hiking boots, but the insoles that come with virtually any brand of boot is simply too skimpy to support foot well-being over a period of days, especially when you carry at least 30 pounds for several miles each day over rocks, roots, boulders, and other conditions on the trail.At the hostel tonight are Grasshopper and Full Throttle, Slingshot (Ohio), a young couple from Connecticut, and others, too. Grasshopper and Full Throttle plan to hike to Bly Gap tomorrow, turn around, and then hike back to the hostel on Thursday as their section hike will end. They will volunteer some work at the hostel and then catch Amtrak back to Delaware. They¢ll certainly be missed on the trail, but I hope to see them this spring on the trail in Pennsylvania.It is time to sign-off and pack the pack tonight so that I¢ll be ready to pick back up at Dicks Creek Gap for the trek up and out of Georgia and to cross into North Carolina at Bly Gap. THANK YOU VERY MUCH to all my friends and family who have signed my Guest Book on this site. Please know I appreciate your taking the time to send those messages as your interest and encouragement are so important to keep me going onward and forward with a good spirit!
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Dicks Creek Gap/Top of Georgia

To: Bly Gap, NC
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The late Ray Charles did a wonderful musical salute to the state of Georgia with "Georgia On My Mind." All the great folks who gave us assistance, trail magic, and warm Georgia hiker hospitality are on my mind as we hike out of Georgia into North Carolina today. Sure, on the AT Georgia is hard; however, that trail toughness is great to turn out tough hikers.At the trailhead I saw Crazy Horse, a former thru-hiker who was dispensing Snicker bars and packets of Kool-aid. He told me he was from Knoxville. He saw my ETSU cap, and told me that he and his buddies in the 1960s would come to Johnson City to date ETSU coeds. I told him I was very fortunate to marry one in 1987!At Cowart Gap on the trail I visited briefly with a father and his ten-year old son who had been on the trail for a few days. I was impressed. The next stop was Plumorchard Shelter. I did not intend to go stay the night there as Bly Gap awaited over the NC line, but there was a good spring at Plumorchard to fill up the water bottles.Once at Bly Gap, I saw there was another kaleidoscopic tent city as many camped here. On a ridge over the silnylon encampment, Full Throttle, Grasshopper, Caruso Fire, Colt .45, and a couple from Harrisonburg, VA set up camp. We joked that this was the "penthouse" suite at Bly Gap. As this was Full Throttle and Grasshopper's last evening on the trail prior to hiking back to Georgia to catch Amtrak for their return to Delaware, we joined the penthouse campers for a campfire and a BYOD---Bring Your Own (Dehydrated) Dinner. Colt .45 and Full Throttle worked hard on the fire as the rest of us gathered wood to keep the fire stoked (that reminds me of a Coach Sonny Smith tale growing up in Roan Mountain that he was six years of age before he realized his name was not "Git Wood"). The rain cut our impromptu dinner gathering short as we beat a hasty retreat to our respective tents. Gnome is camping next to me; I hope to hike with him tomorrow. He has a vast knowledge of edible plants that should prove interesting and tasty.Good night and pleasant dreams!
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Bly Gap, NC

To: Standing Indian Mountain
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Thursday, March 26The rains and winds hit at midnight. My tent was flapping like a banner at Wrigley Field in Chicago, but the tent stood its ground well and I slept warm and dry. Now, onward into North Carolina. The first stop was only a few steps up the trail. The unusual, twisted tree at Bly Gap is photographed so often it as an obligatory picture. Courthouse Bald was the next climb, and MamaGoose had warned me that it was a challenge. She was right on target with that guidance. After the climb with Gnome, we headed down to Muskrat Creek Shelter for a lunch break. On the way there Gnome shared that rock lichens were very tasty and could be prepared like a seafood dish. Gnome also collects ramps, which are popular in Tennessee, too. I know these are in the woods around the Roan Highlands and Flag Pond. Fred Sauceman at ETSU has done some fascinating work regarding ramps and other Southern Appalachian cuisine.Late in the afternoon on a large creek located just south of Standing Indian Shelter, the Minnesota Twins, Marie, Rock Steady (Tennessee), and Gnome set up camp. I am still kicking myself for not making a photo there as the scene reminded me of the vivid imagery Hemingway used in "Big Two-Hearted River," a Nick Adams short story. I think this creek, with its mountain laurel overhanging the pools of icy cold mountain water would produce some plump rainbow trout or perhaps the colorful brook trout.I disliked having to decline the invitation to pitch my tent in this memorable setting, but I wanted to put in a few more miles as there was still daylight. My goal was to tent on top of Standing Indian Mountain. Although I had regretted missing the prior creekside site, my perseverance was rewarded in a spectacular way. On the climb in the twilight, I flushed three ruffed grouse, and each drummed the air noisily as it flew away. The wildlife report was about to get another chapter as just to the west side of the trail below the summit, I saw a very large Great Horned Owl. It look at me with what could be called an inquistive look for humans. A fe seconds later it launched itself in to the dusk as it lifted away on its long, silent wingspan. I was impressed. I had the summit of Standing Indian all for myself. And I enjoyed it immensely, as the misty fog shrouded the summit, encompassing my tent home. The trail rumor mill says that Friday night will be quite cold. Now I am pleased that my winter bag will be get its first good tryout as I dive deeply in the bag for a night's sleep. Here's to staying toasty and dry on the AT.
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Standing Indian Mountain

To: Mooney Gap
Miles today: 10.6

After a warm, peaceful sleep I awoke on Standing Indian Mountain. I retrieved my bear bag of food from its suspended state in a barren tree, took down the tent, and packed. Hitting the trail in good order, I began the winding descent of the mountain. The morning was cool and the sky misty; it made me wonder whether that cold front was moving our way. Along the way I met Ten Speed, a strong hiker who is from Switzerlad. I asked whether he knew Philippe Poget, our great friend in Tennessee who is also from Switzerland. Ten Speed said "Everyone in Switzerland knows Philippe!" I've been told over the years by storytellers that one should never let good facts get in the way of a good story, Philippe.I arrived at the Carter Gap Shelter to warm up and to have lunch. The Nutella and gorp hit the spot for a hiking meal today. Here at the shelter were Bill from Illinois, who had stayed at the Top of Georgia to heal his feet and was now back on the trail, Irish (Ireland and New York), Jamaica (New York), and Tucson (you'd be right if you guessed Arizona). Irish very kindly let me borrow his charger to power my phone as both my phone and charger had power. Thanks for your great help, Irish!Back on the trail the sun began to shine brightly, making the afternoon sojourn a beautiful walk in the woods in the crisp air. I hiked to Betty Creek Gap, where water was available along with a good tentsite; however, there was some daylight left so I thought I had at least another mile in my tank.After a slight climb out of Betty Creek, I met a hiker from Minnesota who was hiking in shorts and a tee-shirt as he stopped then to fill his water bottles at a trailside spring. I did likewise.   The Great North Woods must have prepared him well for these conditions! I also determined (not too scientifically) that there are so many Minnesota natives hiking the AT now that they are closing the state for awhile. I am happy to meet each one as each as been a good hiker and a pleasure to meet.There was a "No Camping" zone along the USFS road in Mooney Gap, so I went up the trail for a bit. I saw the Minnesota Twins tenting there with supper underway. They kindly invited me to join them there, and I was happy to do so.I was rather tired and that exhibited itself in my mistake to put my tent's fly on wrong-side out. Oh well, back to the drawing board on that one.The dehydrated Chili Mac from Mahoney's was quite good for supper. It is time for bed and to stay warm during the subfreezing temperatures this evening. Tomorrow is the very steep climb over Albert Mountain as we head closer to Franklin, NC. Thanks again for the thoughtful posts to my Guest Book. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement each day. Good Night.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Rock Gap

To: Wayah Gap Road
Miles today: 9.6

After a Sunday of rest in Franklin for the knees and resupply for the pack, it was time to return to the trail at Rock Gap. I had called Beverly, a Nantahala Hiking Club member, for a ride back to the AT as suggested in AWOL, and she was happy to oblige.Then a minor crisis arose.When I went to take my heart medicine, it was missing. Where had it gone? Hiking on the AT without the med would be foolhardy and could create an untenable situation. I called Beth; somehow my med had wound up with her back in Johnson City! She or my parents could bring the medicine from Johnson City to me in Franklin, but here trail magic or kindness would intervene to support me and my thru-hike. Beth was able to reach Tom Mooney, our long-time friend and pharmacist. Tom quickly provided his great, caring, and helpful service by getting the prescription called in for a pharmacy in Franklin. Moreover, Beverly was happy to take me by the pharmacy on the way back to the trail. These acts of kindness are what AT thru-hikers experience to enable them to hike to Maine.   Thanks, Tom and Beverly!Once I was hiking again, there was trail magic at Winding Stair Gap. The sodas and baked goods from Ingles were greatly appreciated. At the Gap I met Daybreak's husband (Wisconsin), who asked if I needed anything, including trash disposal (note: carrying trash from food prep, hygiene, and other waste is dead weight for hikers; I told him that I was just back to the trail but his offer was certainly thoughtful). The waterfall on the north side of the trail was stunning. A hiker had pitched his tent there among the mountain laurel. What a great campsite!I climbed up Siler's Bald as the afternoon was waning, so I decided to move on to find a campsite. As I worked my way past Siler's Bald and its compact, grassy meadow at the summit, I thought about stealth camping on the backside of the mountain. There were a few stealth sites that looked quite inviting; h owever, water was not available.Rock Steady (Tennessee) came down the trail behind me. We found Bill (Illinois) at the Wayah Gap picnic area, and we joined Bill by pitching our tents there. I slept like a hiker baby in my warm sleeping bag after a long but encouraging day on the trail. For dessert Rock Steady gave me a Three Musketeers Bar. What a perfect way to end the day that showed me how trail magic or kindness exists in so many ways from so many people, whether they are on or around the trail or even back in your hometown.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Wayah Gap Picnic Area

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

Climbing out of Wayah Gap, I met two young hikers who were training for a later thru-hike. They offered me a very helpful practice tip for the trail   when you need to take a rest break on the uphills, get out your camera and make a picture. With that practice you never stop hiking, you are just making a photo. Thanks for the tip, ladies!A valued people highlight for me today was to meet a group of four hikers from the Hartsville, SC area. These guys were out for a week. One of the group, Volt, had his dog, Atlas, with him. I'll post a photo of Atlas and his backpack soon, I hope. A scenic landmark highlight for me was the Wayah Bald Bartram Stone Tower. This area was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. Of special interest to me was the fact that Beth's late father and Olivia's late grandfather, Garland Johnson, was in the CCC prior to his combat service in the U.S. Navy during WWII. I thought of how Garland and other young people his age did so much for our trail system and related buildings and how their efforts still endure today, some eighty years later. Thanks to that Greatest Generation!Toward then end of today's trek, there was a climb of 709 feet in elevation gain in 1.2 miles from Burningtown Gap to Cold Spring Shelter. Although I have spent many nights in many shelters along the AT, I had yet to stay in a shelter on this thru-hike due mainly to the number of hikers on the trail. This time, Irish told me there was a spot in the Cold Spring Shelter as many hikers arriving prior to me decided to tent nearby. I was glad things worked out this way.Who could imagine this line up in an AT shelter? There were Irish(Ireland and New York), Dora the Explorer (South Carolina but originally from Peru), Kiki (South Carolina), Paul (Quebec, Canada), and me. We had some wonderful,lively interesting conversations. Of particular interest was Paul's description of his 1978 thru-hike and how the trail has changed in almost forty years (such as much more rocks and roots now). Good Night to all from Embassy Row on the Appalachian Trail! Tomorrow it is a climb and then steep descent to the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

The dawn greeted us with a very cool wind but the forecast was for a warm day. After eating dehydrated granola with blueberries (adding water gives you the milk), I made a brief climb up to Copper Ridge and its great views of the North Carolina mountains. Along the way I met Wildman (Idaho) and his son, Kane (Massachusetts). They are a great father/son team, and I enjoyed visiting with them on the trail. At Tellico Gap the bugs were out in full force. I decided I had better call ahead to reserve a bed in the bunkhouse and fortunately had a cell signal to make that reservation.The climb to Wesser Bald and the tower there went well and once there, I enjoyed the views of Fontana Lake in the distance (Note to Frank: I'll send you a photo to prove that I have now climbed Wesser, but I climbed it from south to north!) I still had many miles to cover to get to the NOC, and many of those miles were in a steep descent. Steep descents may be easier on the lung power, but these can be tougher on the knees. Much of this descent was hopping from boulder to boulder and at one point I was glissading (fancy French word for sliding on your backside) down a rock face I thought was too high for safely stepping down the trail). At a water break I visited with Brandon (Kentucky). Arriving at the NOC I just missed being able to order a meal at the NOC restaurant. Trail magic and kindness came to the rescue as Wildman and Kane had some leftover, absolutely delicious pizza. Thanks to these thoughtful hikers. The reservation did pay off as there were many more hikers seeking a bunk than bunks available. After a hot shower, it was time to hit the hay.Some of the guys here are already asleep at 8:30 p.m. (approximately "hiker midnight") as they are going to attempt to hike all the way to Fontana Dam (over 25 miles; WOW!) By the way if you are looking for whitewater rafting, a zipline, and other outdoor activities, the NOC may be of interest for you.Tomorrow will feature one of the more "notorious" climbs on the AT as we will climb 7.9 miles on the way to Cheoah Bald. Legs and lungs, don't fail me now!