morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-24
From: suches

To: Neels Gap/Blairsville
Miles today: 14.5

Well we left Suches with a shuttle ride by a local in his two door SUV (an old Bronco). We had to travel in two groups due to it's size and Daniel, HB, Mother Teresa and I were in the second group. I didn't catch his name but it was a very entertaining ride with him describing typical Friday night fun in Suches. Mentioning the rifle strapped to the interior roof of the car also prompted display of his small .25 calibre pistol which he brandished about explaining how it couldn't hardly kill anything anyway. At one stage the single velcro strap holding the rifle released causing it to slip so it was precariously close to aiming at HB's head. I helped reattach it as I had a feeling it had one in the barrel.We made good hiking time and eventually caught the other three and stopped to discuss things at Woody Gap. We started discussing the possibility of making Neels Gap after all and were motivated by the low temps forecast. HB in particular is worried as he only packed his 30 degree bag and it is not warm enough for these conditions. We decided to see how we felt at Jarrad gap. Daniel and I noted with amusement that one of the bins there contained a foldup chair that looked like one carried by a hiker who called himself Chair Man. If it was his, is he now hiking as "Man"?We climbed Big Cedar mountain and I started to doubt whether Milkman in particular would be up to doing Blood Mtn at the end of such a day. Still we all decided to go for it. I cautioned everyone that in all my journal reading it had shown that the descent of Blood Mtn has more injuries than any comparable length of the whole trail. If anyone reading this in Western Australia sees Pack Animal, tell him that Miss Hallowell has a big sister and her name is Blood Mtn. It was hard going up but the descent was downright nasty in spots. It didn't help that all day it had been light drizzle and with heavy overnight rain, the trail was very slippery and mushy. Blood Mountain shelter is a relic of the original shelters built in the 1930's and would have been quite a place in its day. Now it is dank and cold and I would not fancy staying there. Three young locals were members of the National Guard (I think essentially the same as our Army Reserve) were spending the night there.In very foggy, wet conditions we made it to Neels Gap and the Mountains Crossing outfitters. A young staff member of the outfitters on a walk up the hill to stretch his legs carried Milkmans pack down the last mile. Army Ant had seen him starting to suffer and had relieved him of his pack and was intending to take turns carrying it with Daniel before the help arrived.The hostel and all the nearby cabins were full (hikers are flocking out of the hills everywhere) and after warming up inside we opted to take a shuttle to nearby Blairsville where we got accomodation at the Best Western Motel (two rooms for the 7 of us). Again we had to split into 2 groups for the shuttle but as he was closing up the owner (Winton Porter) and his daughter (I think) took us in the second group.
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Neels Gap/Blairsville

To: Blairsville
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day in Blairsville.Milkman and myself particularly were sore from the previuos day and I suspect everyone with the possible exception of Hikerboy felt a day off avoiding more of the cold conditions was a good move.We did walk 2.7 mile to a Walmart and bought a few items, mainly snacks and drinks. Halfway back we picked up in a SUV even though we weren't hitch hiking by someone who thought we looked cold.Friendliness of people in Georgia is truly amazing so far.
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Blairsville

To: Campsite just past HogPen Gap
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light snow

We got a shuttle back to Neels Gap from Lumpy - a staff member at the outfitters there.While waiting to get going at Neels Gap we received Trail Magic from Hobby, a Whiteblaze.net member and cyber cafe regular, who brought us two trays of doughnuts that went down very well.Also chatted to a lot of other hikers including four younger ones from Oklahoma, who we naturally referred to as the "Okies", who we also shared a room with at Suches. One is wearing denim overalls and has the trail name Overalls. One of the Okies had picked up Daniel's buff coming down Blood Mountain and he went with them to get it from their cabin.This meant that when we were leaving Daniel was nowhere to be found again. Along with the period he was missing at Hawk Mountain and a few other incidents, including the previously unmentioned hour and a half that I lost him in Dubai airport, Daniel was bestowed the trail name The Invisible Man. Invisible for short - he is never to be seen when you look for him.Given other circumstances his mother may see some extra amusement in that one.The hiking today was stunningly beautiful but very cold. Some of the pictures should show this pretty clearly. We are both still not trail fit and the uphills hurt a fair bit, but again the trail is actually easier than we had expected.It was very cold today and we were beat when we found a campsite to set up our tents. It was not ideal and quite windy. I noted a temperature on my watch of -4.8C during the night and we had significant wind chill to add to that. I was definitely beyond the limits of my sleeping bag and only got through by wearing all my warm gear and sharing the tent with Daniel. His bag is rated to 15F but he was also quite cold.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Campsite just past HogPen Gap

To: Unicoi Gap/Helen
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

A very cold morning and we all got going at different speeds.Invisible was just that with his buff over his face the only thing showing in the small hole in his sleeping bag for quite a while.With more cold weather most of us wanted to get to a town again so the decision was made to get to Blue Mountain Shelter and possibly on to Unicoi Gap and either go into Hiawassee or Helen. Hikerboy was keenest on staying on the trail and not going into town, but we suspect that this may have been partly because he had just got a warmer bag at Neels Gap and being warmer the motel didn't have the same draw as it did to the rest of us. At one mountain top stop, we had a bit of a vote and Hikerboy opted to stay at Blue Mountain Shelter while the rest of us opted for Helen.We are well aware that we are making slow progress and heading into a motel or hostel at every opportunity but it has been bitterly cold at night and we all feel that we don't want to stress in the first two weeks. Daniel and I are feeling more fit every day but are well away from being able to put in long hard days yet.On the descent into Unicoi Gap Army Ant called and booked two rooms at the Best and Western in Helen and we got a shuttle ride down in two cars by the manager and the owner who was visiting at the time.
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Unicoi Gap/Helen

To: Addis gap
Miles today: 11.3

Due to time constraints I will have to fill in more details on these few days when I get more time.Unfortunately Milkman has a bad knee injury and left the trail at Helen but is joining us on Saturday for our day off with Train Wreck from Whiteblaze.net.Tented 0.5 mile off trail at Addis Gap. Shared campsite with Blissful and Don's Brother who is keeping a very comprehensive journal on this site. He may mention us in his journal.Very nice site and much warmer than last tent site.
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Addis gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap 
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked the relatively short distance to Dick's Creek Gap where Milkman and his wife Shuttle Shelly picked us up (in two instalments) and took us to Train Wrecks cabin in Hayesville, North Carolina. We are having a zero here and a getting to know you time between those of us who are Whiteblaze regulars. No wifi or phone signal at the cabin though.Quickly posting some pics and a promise of more info at Franklin before leaving the PC here until we hike back through here in about 4 days.Daniel has had sore calves and a painful instep so have purchased him some Super Feet insoles at the outfitter here. Otherwise no other problems for us. His mattress has a slow leak but no suitable replacements here. He will make do probably until NOC.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Dicks Creek Gap 

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hikerboy, Invisible man (Daniel) and I finally rejoined trail after sad farewells to MilkMan and Shuttle Shellie and Train Wreck and Jim.It was obvious pretty quickly that Invisibles legs were still not fully healed from the strains he had picked up when hiking the last part of the day into Addis Gap. We caught up to Hikerboy at one stage when he waited for us and told him not to wait up for us as we would be going slow for a while.We were determined to at least make the state line as we had been zeroing in North Carolina and didn't feel right spending another night in Georgia.We duly made the GA-NC border at Bly Gap and after taking the obligatory photos camped for the night. Hikerboy was ahead of us and camped at Muskrat Creek Shelter.Our tent site was on quite a slope (as was pretty well everyone's) and we were in danger of tearing the bottom of our tent as we slid down into the foot end all night. The tent was also sliding on the tyvek groundsheet but everything held together.
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

We didn't get underway until 10:05 as we both felt pretty dead from a bad nights sleep. We have been hiking a lot with a group of young blokes who are a fun mix. There's Lucky from Ireland, Dutchie from Holland, Chug from Alabama, Groundhog from Ohio, Gandalf and several others. Two girls are hiking together, Fire Fly and Head Butt. DON'T ask Head Butt how she got her name as she will head butt you. Nearly every campsite we have stayed at has at least 15 tents and that's not at the shelter sites. The trail is very crowded this year.The hike started with a very tough climb up Courthouse Bald. I feel my trail legs are coming along fine but both of us concede our aerobic fitness is still very poor (the photos will support this unfortunately).Invisibles legs are still sore but are definitely improved. Our pace, like yesterday, is inhibited by his being tender and slow downhill and my being wheezy and old uphill.After Courthouse Bald the trail for a few miles became what we both agreed we had signed up for. Long winding foot trail along the sides of mountains with incredible views through the trees still leafless from winter. We also started to get more patches of the rhododendron "green tunnel" for which the AT is famous.And then, just as all was perfect in the world came Standing Indian Mountain. I would like to thank the trail planners and maintainers for all the switchbacks but I really would have preferred walking around his waist. Having to go over his top (5498 feet) was a tough day.Invisibles legs were better but not good and we called it a day at Beech Gap (along with the usual 12+ other tents) at about 4:00pm.
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Winding Stair gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Zero day in Franklin.Picked up PC from outfitters where I had left it last Saturday.We went to Ingles and did some food shopping and are now in our room stripping the packaging and rationing it to make the the food we need for our next leg.We are planning to have one night on the trail and then get into Nantahala Outdoor Centre for the next night. We plan on carrying about 3-4 days food as we understand that resupply at NOC and also at Fontanna Dam may be limited and expensive so want to keep our resupply needs down. This may be difficult as Fontanna is last resupply before the Great Smoky Mountains which is 5 or 6 days without resupply unless you "bug out" halfway and go to Gatlinburg (like Bryson did in "A Walk in the Woods").We did laundry earlier and Invisible bought some Crocs as he has finally conceded the value of camp shoes. No large mattresses to be had so he got a repair kit and is trying to find all his neoairs leaks in the hotel bath.We will be getting a shuttle tomorrow at 10:00am and get back to the trail. Before we leave we will have to repack this PC and a few other small items into a box and forward it to Hot Springs where our main "bounce box" is. This will mean that my only posting for about 10 or 11 days will be by phone (the SAP - SmartAss Phone). I will try and get mileages and stop points loaded without much detail until then.I want to apologise to everyone sending me PM's in Whiteblaze or signing my guest book. I am getting them and appreciate the help/info - e.g. thanks Astro for info re Outdoor 76. However my use of the SAP is limited and my first priority is emails home, then TJ info if I can.Impressions so far.....The AT is way much harder than the Bibbulmun. We knew this in theory before we came but the reality is still humbling.Everyone here is talking about the late sting in winter. The groundhog - Punxatawney Phil was actually indicted in Ohio I believe for creating a false expectation of an early spring.While we essentially have had two zero mileage days because of "social" contacts with Whiteblaze people, we have also had two purely because the cold has driven us out of the hills. My sleeping bag is inadequate for some of the nights we have had and while I am not at risk I am certainly not comfortable on the really cold nights. We have with our zeroes mostly avoided the rain so far.The hospitality of the people, especially those through Whiteblaze is unbelievable. An example being the "targetted" trail magic of the doughnuts Hobby gave us at Neels Gap, but just the everyday people are great too. Our accents get us lots of smiles.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Clingmans Dome/Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Invisible and I stayed in Gatlinburg and visited the walk-in clinic.I received an antibiotic needle (stand on your left leg while I pop this into your right buttock) and a course of pills to try and cure my persistent chest cold (been bothering me since Hayesville).Invisible didn't get the needle but also got the pills as he was showing early symptoms of same cold.Mother Teresa, Wilson and Army Ant returned to Clingmans Dome and hiked to Newfound Gap and returned to Gatlinburg.We have decided that Bill Bryson made another universally accepted observation in his book when he described Gatlinburg as "tacky".
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Clingmans Dome/Gatlinburg

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Took shuttle back to Clingmans Dome (awesome trail magic courtesy of Mountain Mama and Godspeed who do this every Sat and Sun with their big "truck" and then give out goodies and sodas at Newfound Gap).The weather was good and Invisible and I wanted to make ground on the others (AA,W and MumT) who were starting from Newfound Gap and planning on making Pecks Corner Shelter. With bad weather coming we made it to the shelter and although a couple of spaces were available we (I) made a bad call by deciding to tent.I had thought only rain was forecast but there were strong winds from early evening until about three in the morning. Our larger tent was not well equipped to deal with the wind. Although the rain was quite light we got water in the sides which ran down (there are no flat tent sites) to our feet and wet our bags and mats.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Packed later than most as gear aws wet and took us a while to get going.Made fast time and pushed to get to Tri-Corner Knob to dry gear out and get a spot in the shelter. Succeeded (some of last nights shelter residents did shorter or longer days) and with the sun being out when we got there were able to dry out gear.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Big day. Exited Great Smoky Mountain National Park and while the profile shows downhill most of the day, mile after mile of downhill hurts. Especially hard on Invisible.At the end of the day the climb up from the I40 underpass was extremely hard and at the road crossing where you turn off to go to Standing Bear I laid down for 10 minutes too exhausted to continue. I got going just as Invisible and Wilson came down to find me with a cold Coke. The extra mileage reunited us with Army, Wilson and Mum T.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: SR 1182, Max Patch Rd (Hot Springs)
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

The climb out of Standing Bear was very hard and I am extremely glad I didn't start it from the I40 underpass.Original plan for all of us was to make Brown Gap and then another moderate day and "nero" (very low mileage day) into Hot Springs.Brown Gap did not appeal as a campsite so we pushed on.Invisible had a stroke of brilliance (at least I thought so) when he pointed out that a shuttle might be possible from Max Patch rd to Hot Springs. With our tent not waterproof enough to our liking we did not want another wet night on the trail (our second tent was in a box in the Hot Springs outfitters).Luckily everyone else agreed and we got Chuck Norris (NOT a trailname I understand) from the Laughing Heart Lodge and Hostel came and collected us, but not before we had some trail magic from Onesimus and his dog Senior Sargeant Spencer at the road junction.
Date: 2013-04-18
From: SR 1182, Max Patch Rd (Hot Springs)

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

Yes people we have sinned again.Sold our souls to the devil and slackpacked.NOC to Fontana was our previous sin and was due then to the fact that I felt too sick to get out of NOC any other way.Today was because we wanted to do the whole 20+ miles in the one day.Having said that it was still hard. In this terrain I think anything over 10 miles is a hard day. I am at a level of fitness that I was when doing 30km a day on the Bibbulmun Track but that kind of mileage here is totally beyond me. Max Patch is an amazing place and we had beautiful 360 degree views from the top.Because we were slackpacking we only carried a small water bottle each along with our sawyer squeeze filter. The filter bag split on our first use and Invisible and I were very dehydrated at the end. It was quite warm today and I completed the last 7.5 miles without water. We will not repeat that.About 2 miles before town, Wilson and Army Ant videoed and photographed a timber rattlesnake about 2 feet off the trail.I was about 2-3 minutes in front of them and did not see it.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0

Spent night at SweetPeas Hostel in Asheville (except Mother Teresa who stayed with family). IM got a new mattress as we have been unable to fix slow leaks in his neoair and he has had to blow it up 3 times a night since we started.Due to one of our tarptents not being water tight in wind we have also got another tent. Lastly on gear front I have replaced my shoes as first pair have worn out in patches and I was starting to get blisters on my heels.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Hot Springs

To: Log Cabin Drive/Hemlock Hollow
Miles today: 16.3

Hard climb out of Hot Springs but then really nice trail for the day.At one stage we (IM and I) stopped to filter water. We had been going steady uphill at about 2mph taking our time. I started off as IM was finishing repacking and a few minutes later I stopped to let 6 young ladies who were day hiking past. Hot on their heels was IM, doing about 3.5mph, grinning ear to ear. As he passed me he said out of the corner of his mouth "there is a God".They stopped and let us past a bit later.Further up the hill there was a fire tower. I gave IM the camera as he wanted to go look and I stayed at the spur trail junction with the packs. The 6 young ladies also went up to the tower. 25 minutes later IM returned with not one photo but an invitation to spend a night in Asheville. Unfortunately he could not accept. He shortly after developed a sore quad which became very painful by the end of the day. I do not think the quad was a direct result of the young ladies attention but.....?Spent the night at Hemlock Hollow cabins. Had a lemonade "spider".
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Log Cabin Drive/Hemlock Hollow

To: Campsite just past Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Continuing to avoid shelters through this area as there has been an outbreak of norovirus which has had up to 50% of hikers violently ill for 2-3 days.Wilson, IM and I tented about a mile past the Flint Mountain shelter and Army Ant and Mother T tented a mile or so further on.Long day with the highlight being the climb over the ridgeline of Fire Scald Knob.Views in all directions on these ridgelines is awesome. Particularly good views of what I believe was Greeneville Tennessee from this one.IM is taking several ibuprofens to ease quad pain and seems to be getting better.My new shoes are too small and I am getting a lot of toe pain (hammer toe). We are very happy with being a tent each now and will probably stay this way for the rest of the hike.
Date: 2013-04-23
From: Campsite just past Flint Mtn Shelter

To: Sams Gap 
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Hiked to Sam's Gap where Mother Teresa's brother, Kent, picked us up and took us to his house. Another awesome place. I gather he is a builder and this is a good example of "builders own" - a brick two storey house on 30 acres I think. Hard to reconcile different house values here as it is on the market at about $450k and something similar would be at least double that in somewhere like Bridgetown back home.Again Mother T's family showed up in numbers and another great meal was had by all. As well as the usual 5 of us, we have "picked up" as part of our sometime group Oreo and Quahog who are a great young couple.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Sams Gap 

To: Spivey gap
Miles today: 13.4

Well today was dominated by Big Bald.Balds are mountains where although the height and climate don't make the mountain tops avbove treeline, the mountaintop is treeless and grassy. They usually provide 360 degree views and Big Bald certainly does. They also make for excellent hiking and today was no disappointment.Spivey gap was a big campsite and we all had lots of good tentsites.IM is continuing to take ibuprofen for his quad and I have put the inner soles of my shoes into my cheap "water" shoes I have for camp shoes and am hiking in them. This has stopped the hammer toe but they have limited sole and no protection from toe stubs so it is not a long term fix. I hope to get different shoes in Erwin.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Spivey gap

To: Erwin Tennessee
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

IM was off by 7:00am today (still half hour behind Army Ant) and when Wilson left at 9:00 I was the last there (and still in my sleeping bag). I got up and packed up (wet tent) and got going at 9:50am.Like all "Gaps" the start was a climb and I took my time getting to the top.Someone had put a stone against a tree with the words "here lies norovirus" written on it. Not sure if it was a warning for someones vomit or wishful thinking but didn't get too close. At the top I took off my long sleeve top and checked my watch. I decided that it was time to "put the hammer down" and from that point on I pushed hard to get to Erwin (and some new shoes).I made it to Erwin (about 10 miles) exactly 3 hours later, passing Wilson and Mother T (only just in her case) along the way.Trail angel Miss Janet took lots of hikers to hotels etc and a few of us to the outfitters in nearby Johnson City. I got new shoes and IM got some new bladders for our Sawyer water filter as the original had split.Staying at the Holiday Inn with IM.We are looking at a short day today and a longer one tomorrow to get us to the Greasy Creek Hostel where Army has booked a cabin for us to avoid some more bad weather forecast. Army and Wilson are looking at a long day today and a shorter one tomorrow.We expect we will then go on to Damascus (and Virginia) as fast as possible.