morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-09
From: Hawk Mountain Campsite

To: Blackwell Creek Campsite
Miles today: 8.1

Wow, two mountains named Sassafras and Justus taught me an early lesson. I hope the legs start adjusting soon because this is not easy. It's impossible to rethink back 22 or 14 years ago when I hiked this same spot, not with ease, but not with this much 'help me God!" prayers I was stumbling along in a bubble with three or four hikers who were experiencing the same difficulties. We literally leap frogged each all the way up and down. There was a fairly stiff wind blowing with temps in the low-30's making travel both hot and cold. My problem, which has always existed, is the I was born to sweat. Twenty degrees? Not a problem I can sweat thru my hiking shirt like a marathon runner in the summer's heat. I have a fairly straight forward routine of being able to shed the base layer and put on something dry in a flash. This is normally done as soon as the pack drops in the camp area. I haven't taken many pictures at all since it has been too cold to take the time or expend the energy. I focus only on one step at a time and where is Indie. I cannot make journal entries unless I am warm (which hasn't happened so far) or unless staying in an Inn or Hostel.Some lessons learned: bad tent selection for cold and windy weather. I would go with a single wall tent such as Black Diamond which I will get after I feel confident in my hike. I used one for 20+ years when they were called Bibler Tents. No wind blowing thru unless you use top vents. Second lesson: Indie doesn't do the 24 inch footbridges-she seems to be afraid to walk across them and goes thru the stream instead. Third: Indy does exceptionally well during the day but is having difficulty with the nights regardless of how much I pile on top of her. Thirdly: I cannot tolerate the cold as well as in the past. There is no place to take shelter from it except in the sleeping bag. I do have the right clothes but when the bones are cold-it takes a while to warm those boys up. Again, on the personal downside, are the sheer number of hikers about and its not even prime time. This is not a walk in the woods seeking the meaning of life, its constantly looking behind to see how many are coming and when we need to move over. So far this is one of the eye openers from my last hike on AT some 14 years ago. Time to go."If your dog doesn't like someone you probably shouldn't either." - Unknown
Date: 2018-03-09
From: Blackwell Creek Campsite

To: Slaughter Creek Trail Campsite
Miles today: 12.7

Tough day, early start and pounded it out. I most likely, no, rather, I overdid it. I haven't taken to staying in the shelters as of yet. Too many people, too many tents. As I mentioned previously there are many, many people here with many more to come. I will have to adjust to this situation. Another reason to tent is not everyone loves dogs,even Golden Retrievers - that has become obvious and I am well aware of that fact. Indie still having challenges with the night. Hopefully can find some remedy to the situation. The mountains are cold. Sun may come out but wind blows constantly. Wind chill is something to take quite seriously. \looking forward to getting WARM! Only about 3 miles tomorrow and rest time - probably longer than originally thought.
Date: 2018-03-14
From: Slaughter Creek Trail Campsite

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: clear sky

Short but demanding day - but being motivated by a nice rest, warmth, sleep does help. Trod up Blood Mountain, one foot in front of the other, head down, poles swinging in assistance, Indie moving well, packs hurts needs major adjustments. Finally on top! The shelter there has always reminded me of something out of the Blair Witch Project - spooky. As usual it was very very crowded inside and out. No reason to stay here. Only a tad over a mile to relief - but wait! Old Man AT wants to make sure you enjoy your walk out by throwing in some slammer down hill sections guaranteed to make your knees quiver like a young man on his first date. And it doesn't help that after years in the Marine Corps I have undergone knee surgery and rehab multiple times.Finally at Neel's Gap. Craig the Inn Keeper is on his way, the picture is of the Inn where I will be staying. Wind is horribly cold, must be 30 + hikers milling around outside and more coming and going. The "Shoe Tree" is bending under the weight of hundreds of boots and trail shoes tossed on its branches as a final F--U for those that have had enough. I can"t blame them, this has been a horrible start. Maybe its because my last AT adventure was 14 years ago and I am now 71 years old. I need a serious rest. So, be seeing you later. Aloha - rest time for Robby.
Date: 2018-03-22
From: Neels Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sorry for such a long delay between journals.Much has happened in the past week or so.After I got to Neels Gap I needed two days rest. The weather was still forecasted as high winds, rain, sleet possibly snow.After needed rest We started back at Neels only to again encounter adverse weather. Funny that rest days were fine! Again she handled the hiking days great. Nighttime wasn¢t so good. Again, a poor tent selection on my part was not helping the situation. Two more days of this and enough was enough! I called my wife who was at a dog show for advice. It baffled both of us as all our dogs love the snow and never showed any cold weather problems. Jeannie was committed for a few more days. However, the AT passed thru many forest service roads and there are shuttle services that will, for a price, pick you up. I called, they came, and back to the Inn to await Indies pickup by Jeannie. At some point we do hope to bring her back on the trail. I do miss her-particularly when, on steep climbs, where she gets ahead of me, sits down and looks into my eyes and seems to say: ¢Come on old man, you can make it.¢
Date: 2018-03-22
To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 96.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sorry for the delay in journal entries.  I am really remiss in this area. Basically, by days end : there is no signal, I am too tired (usual reason) or I simply forget. I had to fiddle with the mileage to get where I am today.Where am I ? Today I am at the Nantahala Mountain Lodge after the worse night of my hiking life. It snowed 1-6 inches depending what section of Trail I was on. Winds up to 40 mph! Walking was ok, keep moving keep warm. First part of hike was uphill (slow) but warm, last half was down (still slow but button  up).Found a tent site area around 3:00-anyplace would do. Finally got tent up with extreme difficulty. Tossed everything in, put on all available clothing, got in bag and the day was done. For me this was close to dangerous stuff. As a young man it would have been an adventurous day. When you are in your seventies- well things take on a slightly different perspective- to me that is, maybe not you.Got thru the night, saw in the Guidebook there was a lodge somewhat nearby that did pickups on a forest road only a mile or so away. And, the rest is history.I really don¢t know what the future holds. I get on Trail - weather is BAD. I get off trail- weather is FINE!Physically I¢m doing worse than anticipated. I try to keep miles down. But old man AT keeps putting these obstacles called mountains in my way-all uphill! And the weather is not helping.Well enough. Thanks for reading.
Date: 2018-03-27
To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I made it to NOC and rented a 4 person bunk house for myself. I needed time to think over how the first 3+ weeks had gone. After much reflection I came to certain conclusions I wanted to refine and think thru. In no particular order:Planning this hike was fun and challenging. Buying and trying new gear but mostly using my old stuff.It was fun to do pre-hike training with my dog in Panthertown park.It was fun to talk about the GREAT time I had in 2004 (trail name Lopaka still in Trailjournals).Much of my attitude came from the 2004 hike. It was a great time.It was fun to start with my dog on 7 March while my wife waived goodby.It was not a good feeling to continually see so many hikers on the trail-one after another they would pass by. The majority saying nothing, just pass by. Very few took time slow down,say hello,where you going, where you from? This was very predominate in years past, hikers used to be more social. When you got to a shelter or campsite you sort of knew someone.It was not fun to see my dog suffer in the cold at night. she was great during the day but the freezing temps at night (even wrapped in my extra clothes) did not help. She shivered uncontrollable. She had the best food, pack, equipment. Eventually, my wife met me and Indie went home to maybe try another day.I stayed at campsites to avoid shelters. I heard complaint after complaint about shelter life. Too loud, late hours, smoking,and "smoking" all happening. I am sure there were others that none of this happened but the frequency I heard \ saw about it was discouraging. I stayed mainly in shelters in 2004 and still have great memories.Hikers and more hikers on the trail-where did they all come from? As a slow hiker I never seemed to be alone,someone always coming, coming from behind. Not what I envisioned. There are apparently over 4,000 who are attempting in 2018. Look at the window and do the math.To sum it up it was, for me, like going to my high school reunion and everything, everyone had changed. I did not have the comradship, the enjoyment, motivation I anticipated. Physically it was demanding but it always was and will be. Snow,sleet,rain, high winds, freezing temps---that's just part of the AT, live with it. However, I did learn that what used to be an adventure (snowing and pitching a tent in freezing sleet) didn't quite give me the same macho challenge it did when I was younger. Now it was more like survival!!So, I lost my motivation, my desire to thru hike. It's not there and without that the suffering simply is not worth the challenge. Loseing my dog Indie and the support Honest Kitchen dog food was providing to keep her well nourished was dishearting. Her departure was heart breaking to me. She did all she could do.So, that's it, that's my story. No, I don't feel good about not achieving a 45 year old goal. But as the saying goes: better to have tried and failed than to have failed to try.Sorry always remember- hike your own hike, travel your own journey.
Date: 2018-02-21
From: Amicolola Falls Park

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

My Amtrak train from Philadelphia arrived in Gainesville early morning on time, which according to shuttle driver Ron Brown is a rare event.  I registered my thru-hike at the Amicalola Falls Park office (hiker number 242).  After having my picture taken at the approach trail archway Ron dropped me off about 200 steps up the falls.  The lower steps were closed, apparently due to the extensive rainfall and concerns over flooding.  I could only see the outline of the falls as I climbed the remaining 400+ steps in foggy/rainy conditions. Heeding advice from Ron, I took the Len Foote Trail rather than the steep/rocky middle portion of the actual approach trail.  I met Sour Kraut, like me a 1st day NOBO thru-hiker, at the upper portion of the approach trail. We traded cameras and photos of ourselves at the southern terminus before heading to the Springer Mountain Shelter.  I arrived at the Springer Mountain Shelter very tired.  I couldn't help but think I was heading for a major butt whuppin' in the GA mountains based on how I felt.  One foot in front of the other.  Repeat.
Date: 2018-02-22
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up sore.  Some leg cramps during the night.  Legs don't know what hit them after yesterday's climb from Amicalola Falls.  My original (na ve) plan was to hike NOBO ~15 miles to the Gooch Mountain Shelter.  With Hawk Mountain Shelter as the revised goal, I turned the wrong way leaving the Springer Mountain Shelter trail and instead SOBO'd back to the southern terminus.  Not a very auspicious start.  Nice weather though, sunshine with a high around 70.   Did not realize at the time that it would be one of very few warm sunny days for the next several weeks.  At the Hawk Mountain Shelter I saw a big helicopter hovering just above adjacent mountain tops, occasionally diving below eye level into the valleys.  Seemed like a training exercise.  I was told there is an Army Ranger training camp nearby.  One foot in front of the other.  Repeat.
Date: 2018-02-23
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.0

I thought I stayed at Gooch Mouuntain Shelter but on checking my Garmin tracker app (connect to Fenix 5x watch) I actually hiked on to Woody Gap... now I remember:The training I did with a full pack back in PA (at Green Lane Park) established some baseline conditioning that prevented me from completely imploding during the first couple of weeks on the trail.  However the park terrain while somewhat hilly did not prepare me for the Georgia mountains.  The ascents seriously challenged me, with descents not too far behind as my legs tried to control speed and foot placement.  Several weeks prior I downloaded an electronic diary to my iPhone ("Day One" app, I like it).  I intended (naively) to make entries at the conclusion of each day, taking pictures throughout that I could imbed in those entries. However I quickly reverted to survival mode given the physical rigors.  My world contracted to 3 feet in front of me while hiking and at days end to setting up my tent, filtering water, eating, and crawling into my sleeping bag.  No daily diary entries, few pictures.  I did try to socialize with fellow hikers in the evenings, but fatigue combined with the onset of winter darkness generally meant I as a goner (succumbing to hiker coma) by 7pm. In retrospect I was in vary degrees of survival mode for at least the first couple weeks. I had leg cramps nearly nearly every night that were manageable thanks to compression sleeves (Zensa) that I slipped on before going to sleep.  I routinely dissolved NUUN tablets in drinking water while hiking and I think the electrolyte replacement helped as well.  There were a couple days where I ran out of tablets and the onset and severity of cramps seemed worse.  I set up my tent at a slight incline near the banks of a small creek just past Woody Gap, in company with thru-hiker Wise Man and mother/son section hikers (Momma Bear and Grant).  Before I nodded off I heard voices, seemingly far off.  I got out of the tent and could see headlamps of night hikers ascending the ravine on the other side of the creek. It looked surreal seeing lights steadily floating upward. The sound of running water was soothing throughout the night.  The tent pitch endured although at morning wakeup I found me and gear piled up on the downhill side.One foot in front of the other.  Repeat.
Date: 2018-02-24
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 12.0

Remember it being a very nice day.  Hiking with Wise Man. Stopped at the Blood Mountain Shelter.  An unusual all stone shelter.  Great views at top of Blood Mountain.  Lots of people at the top of mountain, apparently a very popular place to day hike as well as section hike.  Met section hikers Turtle Murderer and Cashmere. Continued on and after a couple miles could hear music filtering through the trees.  I descended to Neel Gap, arriving late in the day (~4pm).  News travels fast on the trail and rumors of a hiker festival and food were true, however things were staring to wind down.  Free hot dogs!!!  Picked up my first resupply box.  Momma Bear and Grant decided to end their section hike, sorry to see them go.  I decided to hike NOBO another mile to the Bull Gap campsite.  Plenty of flat tenting areas.  Only folks there were me and Sour Kraut.  No water nearby, had to use water I obtained at Neel Gap.  One foot in front of the other.  Repeat.
Date: 2018-02-25
From: Bull Gap

To: Whitely Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.6

I quickly realized my legs were kaput after setting out in the morning to reach Low Gap Shelter 11+ miles NOBO. First climb was Tesnatee Gap which is described by hikers in the Guthook app as a ¢very steep climb¢.  Definitely. Selfie on Wildcat Mountain says it all. Crappy weather with mood to match. I revised my plans to overnight at the Whitely Gap shelter which is a whopping 1.2 mile walk off of the trail.   Given how I felt it was not just little ironic to walk to a shelter so far off the trail.  I was surprised to find someone at the shelter.  The guy told me he had purposely selected that shelter because he wanted solitude.  I set up my tent a good distance from the shelter.  As the day came to a close a section hiking couple reached the shelter, setting up their tent in same vicinity as mine.  I was glad to have the company, nice talking to them.  Interactions with the solitude guy were unsettling.  I decided to bug out as early as I could in the morning, and did just that.  One foot in front of the other.
Date: 2018-02-26
From: Whitely Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

Made it, but again in survival mode.  No memory of any significant events except exhaustion and hunger (and cold/rainy weather). Ugh¢¦ I thought of quitting and not for the first time.  In retrospect I think periodically entertaining no-so-serious thoughts of quitting were therapeutic, a temporary escape from suffering.  I resorted to variety of forms of relief behavior... I recall sending a "This sucks ---!" text to my wife one particularly crappy (cold, rain, fog) evening during the first few days. In my rush to leave the Whitely Gap Shelter I forgot my tent stakes.  Upon arriving at the Blue Mountain Shelter I used rocks to anchor my tent guy lines.  Worked pretty well.  Later in the evening I joked about how well the rocks worked and that I might just pack them up and take them NOBO.  In response a fellow hiker pulled a set of stakes from his backpack and gave them to me, explaining that he was getting off the trail and did not need them  Quite an act of trail kindness.  Wow.  I left the rocks at Blue Mountain Shelter.One foot in front of the other.  Repeat.
Date: 2018-02-28
To: Dick's Creek Gap - Top of Georgia Hostel
Miles today: 11.0

Tented on Tray mountain as usual.  Have not yet slept in a shelter.  On a positive note my sleep system was working great.  Very comfortable.  Woke up at 5:30am to assure I had enough time to get to Top of Georgia Hostel. Desperate to get to a dry and warm place. Very tired, both physically and mentally.  Tired of the crappy cold overcast foggy rainy weather.  Light rain became progressively heavier throughout the morning as the temperature rose only slightly from high 30's to low 40's.  I donned all my rain gear except for rain kilt.  The Tray Mountain descent was hellish.  The trail was awash.  I fell twice sliding on mud, and in doing so learned to recognize the subtle signs of unstable mud, avoiding additional falls.  I used trekking poles to soften the first fall but heard a crack. The 2nd fall was deliberate as I was sliding down the trail towards a sharp turn with a sudden drop-off; decision time.  A few days later the cracked pole would break completely.Constant cold rain. I was instantly cold anytime I stopped. Realized I'd go hypothermic unless I kept moving.  Legs very cold and wet, a big mistake not wearing kilt.  Mountain Laurel Designs (MLD) gaiters worked well; kept the cold rain from soaking into my hiking boots.  Still ended up with wet feet but warm wet wool socks vs. cold wet.  Arcteryx hard shell jacket saved me... the only place I was relatively dry was upper body.  The Beta AR jacket kept the rain out, an amazing piece of gear worth every penny.  MLD rain mitts collected pools of water inside at my fingertips, which I attribute to user error. I did not overwrap the mitts within the sleeves of the hard shell.  It was raining so hard that the jacket, with its DWR finish and the help of gravity, channeled water into the mitts.  Now I viscerally understand the difference between cold wet and warm wet.  Was wearing an all-synthetic polyester upper baselayer.  Although the hard shell shielded the rain, the baselayer became cold and clammy from perspiration.  Not the first time I was cold and clammy in an all-synthetic base layer.  I resolved to replace all synthetic base layers with wool blends.  Lots of lessons-learned.  Arrived a Top of Georgia Hostel in early afternoon. Was offered a hot cup of tea... best tea ever!!  Peeled off clothes, donned hospital scrubs, and took a shower for the first time since getting on the train in Philadelphia to head south.  Headed into Hiawassee that evening to an all-you-can-eat buffet.  More hard rain forecast, so planned for the next day to be first zero.Resume putting one foot in front of the other are tomorrow's zero.
Date: 2018-03-01
From: Top of Georgia Hostel

To: Top of Georgia Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

A day of cold steady rain.  Very happy to be taking a zero.  Put my gear back in order early in the day, then spent time in the hostel common area talking to other hikers.  Compared notes Tray Mountain descent.  One of the hikers noted that she saw where someone had slid and fell just before a big drop-off.  My guess is she was looking at the artifacts of my second fall.  Later in the day took the shuttle with a bunch of folks into Hiawassee to chow down and resupply.  Ingles grocery store was nice.  Talked a bit with Sir Packs-A-Lot, the hostel proprietor and Triple Crowner.  Apparently some of the in-town scenes of the movie Deliverance were filmed in Hiawassee, including the iconic dueling banjo scene.  The kid that played the banjo stayed local and now works at a hardware store in a nearby town adjacent to Hiawassee.  Wow.  If I ever hear a banjo on the trail I'll have to change my underwear.
Date: 2018-03-02
From: Top of Georgia Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the Top of Georgia Hostel feeling better after a zero day (and food and rest).  Nice day for hiking, mostly sunny, warming to low 50's.  Lots of ridge walking with mostly gradual up's and down's.  Highlight was crossing the GA/NC border.  Stopped at the small marker sign for a break and traded photo ops with several other hikers (Wise Man, Gabriel,  Brett, Chandler etc.).One foot in front of the other.  Repeat.
Date: 2018-03-03
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Significant climb up and over Standing Indian Mountain.  Climbs seem a little less stressful.  Not sure whether that's due to increased fitness and/or mentally adjusting to the routine of big climbs. Trail legs seem to be developing slowly.  One foot in front of the other.  Defacing trail signs is not cool but whovever it was exercised considerable skill to make the ¢E¢ look like all the othervmachine routed letters.