morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Neels Gap/Mountain Crossings

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: moderate rain

Got up pretty early at Neels Gap today, got to talk to Deb and Sam before school which was cool. Got on trail and caught up to Jim and Bama about a mile ahead before they broke camp. It was very foggy this morning and the trees looked like tall skeletons in the fog. A very cool yet erie look. Wore my rain shell for 1st time today. Clearing my head some today and getting my emotions in check. That feeling of not being home for awhile messes with your head here, but the walk continues! I talked with Phoebe, my daughter, yesterday and she was very encouraging. My kids, Phoebe-Caleb-Sam, are all encouraging. They are tough kids and I love them so much for putting up with me and my hiking. Thanks guys Fog lifted around 1130 and day turned out pretty nice. It is amazing the little things that boost your spirit out here, like a breeze that lasts just long enough to cool you off after an uphill climb. Got to camp around 230 today and took my time setting up. I like to let a few people cook and the smells of food kick my hunger in. After my Ramen and tuna, I had hot chocolate with a small snickers dropped in-yummy! Tonight the after dinner conversation was nice, included were Jim, Bama, Walkabout, Julissa and Rambler. Good laughs and good getting to know new people. I am starting to get real comfortable in my tent. I like being able to unpack and pack inside it and I can sit up and move easily inside. The privacy is nice as well when I want to write, which I am doing a lot of here.
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Old Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

Good news was NO RAIN last night. Bad news was IT WAS COLD! Got hiking quick to warm up, left around 845 and did 5 miles by 11am - nice! Then it got rocky and slowed things down abit. One climb was 1000' of elevation gain in .7 miles. Translation being - it was a buttkicker of a climb. Got to top and there was a gravel road and a old guy sitting in his truck bed playing the violin. We sat for a few minutes and listened to him which was cool. He played in a band called the Georgia Mudcats. Then cam to a piped spring from under a road so filtered water then did a bandana wipedown which was very refreshing. Jim, Bama and I were almost to camp and we came up on Walkabout and he was already set up and had a fire going. That was enough for me so jim went on .1m to Cheese Factory site and Bama and I camped with Walkabout. Well, that was a great decision we made because Walkabout had hauled brats, bbq sauce and buns out of town and he shared with us. AWESOME! We had a good night talking around the fire and cooking the brats on sticks, it was a great ending to the day. We made reservations at a hostel for Monday so tomorrow we will hike as far as we can to get close to the road to the hostel. I am missing everyone, family especially. I am meeting many new people. It is hard but rewarding. Its scary at times but amazing. All I can say is WOW!
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Old Cheese Factory Site

To: Moreland Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

It was windy last night but I put in earplugs and slept well. A full belly of brats helped. I have had weird dreams out here lol. They make very little sense. I slept in my down jacket last night and it was much warmer. Looks like rain at some point today ugh. Met ridgerunners today, Dayglow and Ladybird, they were an older couple working for a friend for a week. Met Jade and Steady, Shawn, Catfish, Kevin Bacon, Laurel, Two Sticks, Papa, Draggin and Bottlecap. These are all trailnames and have various meanings, often not what the name actually implies. Dinner was very filling tonight. I added some of the bbq sauce to it. There is a little rain falling as I am writing in my tent tonight, hopefully it won't get too bad. My activities are getting more efficient as I become more comfortable with all my gear. Sleep is calling me. Goodnite
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Moreland Gap

To: Top Of Georgia Hostel
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: light rain

Had a wet morning. Rain was hard and packed up in tent then quickly got tent put away and headed to the road. We walked about half a mile down the road and came to the hostel around 9. We were the first few people there which allowed us to pick from the bunks and get settled. Got showered and put our laundry in. Then got a shuttle to town and ate and did resupply shopping. Looked around a bit and ate some icee-pops on the sidewalk in front of grocery store. I had a craving for icee-pops lol. I did get a rechargable lithium battery charger for my phone and sent home my radio crank charger. Made phone calls and text updates while in town. When we got back to hostel after dinner there was a footbath in the main house. They gave each person a small tub of hot water with epsom salts and marbles in the bottom. You just sat and rolled your feet over the marbles and they added hot water every few minutes. It felt amazing!I dried out my tent and had everything clean and ready to go. Sleep should be good tonight. I noticed my first blister today, not too bad. I even got to use their boot dryer here which was nice. Today has been very refreshing!
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Top Of Georgia Hostel/Dicks Creek Gap

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

Got shuttle back to trail from hostel after breakfast. We hit the GA/NC border around 130 today! Leaving Georgia-WOW! Took some pics and a break. I will try to post pics here soon, I just gotta figure out how lol. Got to camp and people are pouring in here and it feels like it is going to be a cold night. After setting up, dinner and hanging my food, I started helping gather firewood. There ended up being about 10 people around a fire which was cool. There is a guy Gandolf here who is very knowledgable about plants and mushrooms. Interesting stuff. Another guy, Barking Spider, has a choc lab named Charley who is a cool dog. I actually like camping where a dog is near because he is a great alert system lol. Tomorrow is going to be cool because my total miles will top 100! Since the Approach Trail doesn't technically count for the 'trail' mileage, it won't be 100 'trail' miles, but I know I have walked 100+ miles tomorrow! Another WOW!
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It wasn't as cold as I thought it would be last night. After eating breakfast and packing up, got hiking and within 30 minutes it was sleeting on us! That lasted for about an hour off and on. Never saw much sun today and the hiking wasn't too bad. We only have Standing Indian Moutain today which hits 5498' above sea level. WHen we got to the top it was AWESOME! felt like you are on top of the world! Had lunch there and actually laid on some grass in a clearing at the summit for awhile. We hit a parking lot this morning where a ladt gave us oranges, I ate it right there and it was great. We got our reservations for a full day off Friday! Got to the shelter area and did the normal night routine. I always try to set tent up on a bed of leaves. It is dryer, softer and cleaner than dirt. Tomorrow we are doing a long day so we can get into Franklin NC for some rest. My new battery charger for my phone is great! Goodnight, I got to get to sleep for an early rise and head to town tomorrow!
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap/ Franklin NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Got up early and woke up the group I am with. Had to get a quick start this morning, this will be our biggest day yet at 15.9 miles. Hiked from 8-430 and hiked hard, my feet are yelling at me lol. Got a shuttle to town and going to enjoy some rest timeI had all you can eat (AYCE) RIBS tonight and I am in a rib coma, I can barely move. Going to rest!
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Winding Stair Gap/ Franklin NC

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Staying in Franklin today to rest and relax and shop a bit. Got updated on trail journals and am feeling good I just want to say thanks to everyone for thinking of me. Sign my guest book, I like to see the encouragement. I miss you Sam, Caleb and Phoebe! I love each of you very much. I miss everyone. I am having a great time though. I have crossed some emotional hurdles and have learned to recognize 'triggers' that make me miss things, and I turn those to positive thoughts so that is good. Thank you all for your support. Will update again soon. Stay tuned!
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Franklin NC

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today has been great! I am clean, resupplied, updated on journals, ready to pack up, full of good food, got to talk to a lot of family and friends and was able to just chill. I am actually ready to get back to walking lol. I did realize I miss hearing music, I would hear it in stores and when eating. I am hopeful we get an easy ride back up the mountain tomorrow. I hope to update maybe in a week or so, or when I get through the Smokies. This next week has some high elevations so hopefully I will have service most of the time. Okay, eyes are getting heavy. To Phoebe, Caleb and Sam - I love you guys, keep being great kids! I miss you guys :-) Thanks everyone for following my journal. More to come!
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Winding Stair Gap/ Franklin NC

To: Meadow campsite
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

We left the Microtel Inn and tried our hand at watching. We got a ridepretty quick from a lady, Annette, which was great! But the great feeling quickly left as we startedhlking about 1pm. It was hot! We had been SOFT in town for too long and the day was brutal! That 8 miles felt like 20! Today was also the first day I felt pain. Not the soreness kind but the kind that makes u wince. It is in my left ankle so I popped an Aleve and kept eye on it. I def slept good tonight cause I was dead tired. He good thing was that we carried out of town a pack of hot dogs and buns and cooked them over a fire. It was a nice aaddition to the dinner. There must be a gun range close by because there is a constant gunfire every few minutes. It was nice as I got ready to go bed and I had service so I got to talk to Sam and Caleb. Went to bed feeling a bit better.
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Meadow campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up around 720, ate breakfast and started packing u p. Weird dreams last night, but that is normal out here lol. I use my bandana to wipe condensation from inside my tent. It also comes in handy for a wipedown at a creek, oh it feels refreshing! I am trying to be careful with my ankle todayand hopefully it stays good. Stopped at Cold Spring Shelter for water and a break. I wet the bandana and wore it under my hat and draped on my neck. That felt great. Got to camp tonight and level space is not really existent so a slippery sleep is in store, but it's not raining so that is good. The good thing is we are planning to stop at NOC tomorrow. Met some hikers from Germany today. Tina who has same tent as me, Mary Popping, and Crazy Moose. Also leapfrogged with Madman and Lumberjack and got to know them a little better. I liked their back and forth banter. I thought alot today about the word BALANCE and what it should mean to your life. You need a balance of everything in life and it takes effort to ensure you are balanced. A lot of the timewe get so consumed with one aspect of life that our balance is off and then we just can't feel happy. I hope I can work towards a balanced life in all aspects. I know that carrying everything I need to live on my back has shown me just how little I really need. In normal life you need more than a backpacking worth, but I know I had too much 'stuff'. Think about it. What do you really need? Sleep is calling :-) goodnite
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: light rain

Got up and got moving fairly quick. I sleptgood but was all jammed up on the downhill direction of my tent. Majority of day was downhill and mileage was short. Got to NOC and checked in. Got showered and then me, Bama and Jim combined a load of laundry which still wasn't a full load lol. Then it was time to eat so I ate 7 pieces of an 8 slice pizza! It was very good:-) I am happy to be here cause I saw some muddy people walking in. Who knows what tomorrow's weather will bring, it is supposed to rain first half of day then get down to 25-28degrees! Lets hope not! Well I am caught up on journals and typing them on my phone is much slower lol. I do appreciate everyone reading my journal and I appreciate everyone who has signed my guidebook. The encouragement is great and it really helps keep me motivated. So drop mea note, I check the guidebook whenever I can. Goodnight :-) I am going to try and post some video to YouTube so I will let you know here if I get that done.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: NOC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Up around 7 and it is chilly but sunny so rain looks to be gone for now. NOC has been nice but I gotta hike! It is supposed to be 65 today but another freeze warning is in forecast ugh. Today's hike was a solid climb out of NOC and the miles dragged on. You can try and hustle but this thing on my back with all my stuff in it seems to have other ideas. The park takes on a personality. It sometimes tries to hold me back and keep me from going uphill. Other times it tries to shove me done a hill even trying to make me fall lol. Then it becomes the provider of food or warm dry clothes sp I think it is being nice...until it jumps on my back in the morning and tries to hold me down again. The thing is, I have become pretty in tune with this pack.I can feel when a strap isn't right or the load isn't evenly distributed. So I have learned that the more care I put into packing my pack, the nicer it is to me when on my back. I have to take good care of this pack 'friend' of mine, because in it I have my kitchen, my closet, my toiletries, my shelter, my bed...basically my existence is in my pack...on my back about 8-10 hours each day. I find it pretty wild that all the 'stuff' that I truly can get by with fits on my back! Okay back to the day...we get to Stecoah Gap and it is a road crossing. We are 2.4 tough looking miles from next shelter and only have about an hour before dark. We either camp off the road aways, push to the next shelter after a tough hike already anx pretty much guarantee a after dark arrival, or...call a shuttle and go into Robinnsville and get a hotel. I mentioned that freeze warning earlier so...hotel it is! Trip to grocery store, Subway/gas station for a sub and mistake and oh what a nice night. Forest Gump is on...double nice. A warm night for sure :-)
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Woke this morning in a warm comfy bed, had a smoothie for breakfast and got a ride with a Larry Jones who was a nice older guy who drove part his house several miles just to drop us off at top of the mountain. Hitching is not something I would recommend by the way. I wouldn't do it by myself nor would I do it at night. Today's miles were easier because there were more rock-free smooth sections. We got to the Fontana area and grabbed a soda from a dockside drink machine, it was cold and tasted so good. I went to a lodge and picked up my maildrops. I had stuff from home, the fleece sleeping bag bein a very important part of the box. This will give me extra warmth for the Smokies-thanks Phoebe for the loan of the bag! Thanks to for the box Phoebe, Caleb and Sam! I also had a box from some great people I worked with. So I had lots of great stuff from my great family and friends. Now I have to carry it! All good tho. Well a sidenote...I met a girl yesterday from Blacksburg, VA and after a couple minutes of talking, we have a mutual friend...very cool. Then while at camp today, I meet a guy hiking who was from...Roanoke! Very cool! Two people from home-VA is taking over out here lol. I had all the food from boxes so I ate a huge dinner. There must be 50+ hikers here at the Fontana Shelter which is referred to as the 'Fontana Hilton' since it sleeps a lot of people, plus has a real toilet, and showers. Cell service is sketchy in this area, hopefully it will get better. Oh joy, it is late and I am in my tent and ready for some sleep and wait! What is that noise? A deer? A bear? Oh no, it is a loudmouth hiker chick and loudmouth old guy at the fire, babbling their mouths about absolutely nothing important! Earplug time! Goodnite and I want to thank everyone who has signed my guestbook and read the entries in the journal. I love telling everyone things about the trail.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Up this morning after a pretty good sleep, with Earplugs mind you. Did a bit of pavement walking to get to the actual Fontana Dam. It's probably small as dams go, but it still is huge! Got to the trail after walking right over the Dam and dropped my permit in the box at the trailhead. You have to pay $20 for a thru-hiker permit for the Smokies! Plus there are numerous rules to follow while in the park. Gear out here just gives out from time to time. What is giving out for me? My headlamp! Can't go dark! I plan to get one in Gatlinburg. Tonight will be my first shelter. It has a fireplace so should be cool. No service in Smokies for the first day :-( but was able to get a shelter spot which saves me tenting in cloudy weather, cool. I saw several stones today that gave me ideas for my next living place when I finish my hike. Lots of thinkin time out here. I plan to one day build a circular gazebo over a fire ring with chimney in top to have fire rain or not. I am def writing all these ideas down or else I forget them lol. Well I am turning in for the night. Let's hope noone snores too loud tonight. Earplugs are in!
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

Started at 815 this morning and stopping at 245. It is a short day but with the shelters being spaced like they are and weather, you take a space when you can get it. Plus there is a fire already going-nice!There apparently was a bear at last nights shelter but i slept thru it. There is also talk of a bear that was at this shelter last night. As soon as we started unpacking at this shelter a little mouse came out of the stone wall and walked all around. It wasn't even scared. I said I would squash it and of course all the sympathetic hearts starting crying. I had to promise not to squash it to stop the crying lol. I never saw it once it went back in the wall. One guy picked it up by the tail and held it over his mouth like he was going to eat it! basically just for the pic. Tomorrow will be Easter and it will be the first one that I am not home for, a little weird but I sent the kids a card and will just have to make up for when I get home. Okay who will get this joke? Someone asks where is my Nalgene? I answered, right between your X and Y chromosone... I did Spam with my Ramen tonight but it wasn't as good as tuna. Tonight there were a couple coyotes hanging around the shelter, I saw one of them from about 25yds and it was pretty big. Service in the Smokies seems almost non-existent ugh lol. I have my shopping list for Gatlinburg, my headlamp is dying so time to replace it before I am in the dark. The Smokies are living up to the story of the first three days being climbs, it seems like all we are doing lol. Maybe the Easter Bunny will leave me a treat on the trail.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Was up before 7 and on trail about 8. Took a water and snack break at Silers bald Shelter around 11. We came over Clingmans Dome today which is the highest point on the AT at 6655 feet above sea level. The views were awesome because we had such a clear day. Perfect! I guess that was my treat from the Easter Bunny, good weather Right before the dome area, I met Richard and Truke from Holland, cool. Today also on the way to the dome, the smell of the pine forest areas was great, it was so strong that you would think you were right next to fresh cut Christmas trees. The woods also were very cool today because they looked mystical like pictures from a fairy tale book. There have been those moments where I wonder why I am doing this, mainly on the uphill climbs, and then there are those moment where I feel free and feel like I am the luckiest person on the earth because I am getting to do this! Not many people get it when it comes to why do the AT, but if it was easy then everyone would do it and it wouldn't be so special. I am really enjoying this!
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap 
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

A nero day! Gatlinburg bound! After a quick downhill of 4.5 miles we arrive at a parking lot and need to get to Gatlinburg. A very nice, and hip, lol man named Mr. Holder gave us a ride. he was 75 years old and was quite a character. His dog was a bit annoying but you can't complain when the ride is free. he was blasting a Led Zepplin cd! Doing some shopping at the outfitter and staying the night at Days Inn. Did a big spaghetti dinner at Smoky Mtn Brewery. It was good! Trying to rest today but always a lot to do in town!
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Newfound Gap 

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Caught a shuttle out of Gatlinburg, started hiking and my ankle was rocking! It is pouring rain! It is cold! okay no more complaining lol, it still beats working. We decided to hold up at this shelter, i am gonna eat Motrin and nap and elevate my ankle. Like I said, in the Smokies you take a dry bed when you can get it. Rain is steady and as soon as you think it is letting up it starts up heavy again. I am planning a early wake up and get going quick tomorrow. I went out to the woods before climbing in the bag for the night and saw 2 big deer and one baby deer. I got within 8feet of them and snapped some pics, cool. I actually had service at this shelter so i got to talk to the kids. I bought a hemp bracelet from a guy in Gatlnburg yesterday, he seemed to just be a local guy that really just sold bracelets and things he makes. By the end of this short mile day, my ankle swelling is down and I feel a lot better about hiking on it. The therapy day has worked, plus I got some rest. Overall, a great day on the trail.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

Yes you read that right, I did over 20 miles today! My first 20+ mile day. I was up and hiking by 720am. It was cold and I was hiking fast to generate some warmth! I took a quick side trail to Charlies Bunion which a rock outcrop that is fairly famous on the AT. it was cool but the wind was whipping so I didn't linger. Today i started warming my breakfast in the top of my fleece shirt. My shoulder straps and chest strap hold my poptart in one little square against my chest and after 30 minutes or so of hiking it is nice and warm. Much tastier than a cold pop tart.I took a break at Tri Corner Shelter and quickly moved on. I knew I was planning a 20 miler so I didn't linger on breaks. My ankle is feeling good so I was moving! Todays views were overwhelming due to being able to see so far. Awesome! There is a ridgerunner staying at the shelter tonight, he is good for information about the Smokies. Todays thoughts were about different ways to cut my pack weight some. It is not too heavy but anything that I can do to trim weight is good. I ran into a hiker going by Animal tonight. I had read about him on Trailjournals and was hoping to meet him. Sad news tho, he blew out his knee and tonight is his last night on the trail. It just shows that no matter what you do to prepare and plan, it can all be over in the blink of any eye-until the next time though. I was glad to meet him though, very interesting perspective from his journals. Good luck healing quickly Animal.