morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: few clouds

A quick day today (known as a Nero since it's nearly a Zero).  Our first goal had been to knock off a little over 7 miles to reach Winding Stair Gap, which is the more common exit point for Franklin...but after just a couple miles, we reached the first road gap where a local motel runs daily shuttles.  I have to be honest, I saw two things and got stopped in my tracks: 1. A bunch of bananas and 2. A bench.  Ah well, the Trail will still be there in a couple days There were three of us waiting for a ride at this more obscure stop, so when the 'shuttle' came to pick us up, it was only a maintenance truck dropping off one hiker.  The back of the truck was full of boxes, a tv, a ladder, and other odds and ends...not much space for our gear and ourselves.  The driver apologized, but welcomed us in anyway and so in we squeezed.  I was wedged safely in the bed of the truck and not too worried...until the driver passed a second gap and pulled over for three more hikers.  We could only manange to stuff our gear into the truck, which meant we had to sit perched on the side of a pickup for the 11 mile ride into town on windy roads with a cruising speech of well over 50.  I held onto my Red Sox hat and my glasses, put my head down, and tried to block out thoughts of pebbles or flys zooming at my face at the speed of light.  I again thought of the fact that's it's safer on the Trail and that town stops are where things are bound to get sketchy.  Sorry, Mom!Looking forward to a whole afternoon and evening of R&R - taking a Zero tomorrow and will save all chores until then.  I wonder how many episodes of Tosh.O we'll watch today...
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Rock Gap

To: Sapphire Inn - Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

And so we have reached the end of our second week on the Trail.  Franklin has been our favorite spot to Zero so far - found an excellent used bookstore, ate at a restaurant recommended by locals, Toretto got a makeover on his feet from the local outfitter, our laundry is 'clean,' and we have been in reclined positions for hoursss.  On the Trail, they say, "No pain, no rain, no Maine." This week certainly brought its share of pain and some epic rain.  But it also brought an incredible new group of people into our journey, a lot of laughter, our first state line, and our 100th mile.  I've got a lot of warm fuzzy feelings for week two and am excited to see what this week brings!
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Sapphire Inn - Franklin, NC

To: Wine Spring Rd - meadow
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

It was bound to happen one of these days: today, I didn't want to be on the Trail.  Although it's great to be off the Trail for a bit to catch my breath, shower, and eat something other than dehydrated meals or junk, I've found myself repeatedly in a post-zero funk and today I couldn't completely shake it.  Reasons why Zeros leave a bad taste in my mouth: I've inevitably spent more money than I intended, I've eaten far too much fast food, and I've wasted hours turning into a zombie watching bad reruns.  Of course, the flip side is it's hard to leave a comfortable bed and a good nights sleep.  So today I'm a Negative Nancy and I'm letting that be okay.  I pampered myself by listening to three albums at the beginning of the day and eating extra Wheat Thins at lunch On a more positive note, it was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, I stripped down to shorts and a short sleeved shirt, I've got a massive amount of summer freckles showing up, and tonight I'm finally sleeping in my tent again (yayyyyyyy!!!).  It's even warm enough to leave my rain fly open, so a gentle breeze is making its way inside.  Tomorrow is a new day and I'm hoping to wake up on the right side of the...sleeping bag!
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Wine Spring Rd - meadow

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

First, and most importantly, the Trail and I have made amends: I loved today.  Second, we jumped three shelters over the course of 8 hours!!  Granted, we had camped within three miles of the first shelter, but it was still a satisfying day of work We got a late start (surprise, surprise) - we woke to dew soaked tents and comfortable t-shirt/shorts weather.  Reading between the lines would have suggested the day was going to be a scorcher; instead we reveled in the temperate weather, had a leisurely breakfast, and didn't leave camp until 10.  By 11:30, we were hot, sweaty, and dreading the nearly 14 miles we'd planned for the day.  Temps hit 81 with humidity to match.  So long winter, hello...summer.  A few things became clear over the course of the day: 1. I stank.  2. Piped springs are as magnificent as trail magic.  3. Privies get exponentially grosser with an increase in temperature (this I knew, but hoped against hope would suddenly not be the case).  4. I need a bug net for my head.  5. Blisters can grow on top of other blisters.  6. Knee braces = the worst and most excruciating heat rash OF ALL TIME.  Lucky for #6, I've been switching the knee brace as needed for each leg - both are now graced with odd tan lines and weird rashes.  Wicked attractive Trail maintenance also was a bit questionable this morning.  This, however is not a complaint - as I worked up, over, around, and through fallen trees, the Trail took on an obstacle course quality.  For the first hour of the day, I got to live out a childhood dream in which I pretended I was on an episode of GUTS headed up the AgroCrag ('back to you, Moe!!'). We managed to make it into camp before sunset, I treated myself to my first Mountain House meal (easily consuming both portions myself), there were cables to hang our bear bags, and I found a decently flat piece of ground (miraculously) on which to wedge my tent.  Some section hikers had built an excellent fire and I watched the sunset melt into a sky full of the brightest stars I've ever seen.  I finally tucked myself in just after 9 do I could read a couple chapters of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' - so, so happy to have a book at night again.  It may be a few extra ounces, but I am a book nerd above all else.  I stole one more look at the stars before zipping my rain fly down for the night.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: overcast clouds

A quick hike today: 5.9 miles dowwwwwn!  I was bit wary waking up this morning, knowing the hike ahead, and well aware that my knee brace was out of commission for both legs.  Ah well, the best way to tell if the body has healed itself is to put it to the test: way to go, body!!!  There were some big drops and my knees handled it well I had flashbacks of the way I hobbled into Unicoi Gap - today was a much bigger descent and I ambled easily into the Wesser General Store at the NOC, treating myself to a Coke when I reached the bottom.   Toretto had a rougher day of it - he seems to have traded one foot problem for another: the insoles are helping the bottom of his feet, but now he's getting massive blisters on his heels.  Today, he hiked in flip flops...and lived to tell the tale!With a 100% chance of thunderstorms and 1-2 inches of rain predicted for the evening, we were more than happy to call it an early day.  The general store sold all of my favorite beers from CO, so I happily bought a six pack of Mama's Little Yella Pils.  We joined other hikers by the river for the duration of the afternoon, drinking beers and swapping stories.I've also discovered a massive perk to being a girl on the Trail: when hostels are separated by gender, you get tons of extra space I'm in a room with four beds and there are only two of us in here tonight.  I've got a fan pointed directly at me, rain is pouring down outside, and I've got a bunk to sleep on.  If I capture a night sans snoring, this will be a roaring success.I also picked up a mail drop that I packed weeks ago.  I had Christmas morning jittery excitement opening it up and found that my brother had even thrown in some extra treats: Swedish Fish, sour gummy worms...and a foot long tobasco flavored Slim Jim.  B - you are THE BEST, but I might trade the Slim Jim
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: moderate rain

Well, they say, 'what goes up must come down,' but today it was the opposite.  Yesterday we went down, so today we went up and up and up...and up some more.  It was a day of endless false summits with one stellar view back to the NOC and the mountains beyond at the Jump-Off.  Uke is up here tonight, as well as Moose (not my cuz - another Moose!) whom we haven't seen since Georgia...but otherwise it's a whole new crew again!  So cool how people weave in and out of this journey.  Tonight is our first night forgoing bear bags - yikkkkes!  There are about 10-15 mouse can traps hanging in and around the shelter, so we're seeing how they work out.  If a bear comes, he'll have his pick of the litter...and if he's smart, he'll go straight for mine which is so overloaded right now.  I cursed my bag the whole way up the mountainside today.  I foolishly had a mail drop sent to the NOC thinking it would be more convenient than Fontana since the NOC is right on the Trail.  Rookie mistake.  Rather than carrying the 2.5 days worth of food that I really needed up the hill, I'm carrying food that will more or less get me halfway through the Smokies!!  I know I'll be glad to save myself a shopping trip in a few days, but I'll probably continue cursing my pack until then It's chilly out there tonight!  I started the day with my lightest layers and tonight am wearing everything I own. Thankful again for the warmth of good fires, even better company, my sleeping bag, and my double knit hat care of Mom
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was: INCREDIBLE. Bliss points included...-Listening to music for every step of our 15 mile hike.  With no worries about saving my phone battery, I gave today the most killer soundtrack -A reader commented on my Missy post that the birds I was hearing was her...although I'm not often prone to have such thoughts, today a little bird literally walked with me for 5-10 minutes.  It stayed right in the middle of the trail, hopping along the switchbacks with me.  Each time I attempted to take a picture of the bird, it would flit away, but return as soon as I put the camera away.  I finally realized it was a moment that was not meant to be captured on film, but kept in my heart.  Thanks for making yet another guest appearance, Missy -Reaching the top of a ridge line and turning around again and again, seeing only mountains in every direction. I hadn't seen another soul for miles and from the vista, there wasn't a town in sight.  Love the mountains!!!-Toretto and I had decided to meet up at a shelter for lunch...but I realized early on I was starving.  I decided when I reached the next gap, no matter what, I was stopping to eat.  I yelled ahead to Toretto as soon as I saw pavement to let him know I needed lunch - he turned to me with a shit eating grin and said, "We're definitely stopping for lunch here."  I took ten more steps and saw a huge orange tent with lawn chairs set up in a huge circle.  Our first hot lunch!!!  Hopeful, a two time thru hiker was celebrating his birthday by providing an epic spread. He'd even dug out a latrine for the hikers down a hill The meal included: Hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, coleslaw, krispy kreme glazed donuts, girl scout cookies, and a million kinds of soda.  Every time my plate was emptied, I was offered more...and more...and more!! -Spring was in the air: mild temps, cool breeze, butterflies, lots of little flowers, and buds on the trees (even over 2500ft!). -Another beautiful sunset followed by a sky full of stars and a perfect crescent moon. Before I started the hike, people asked how I was mentally preparing.  I said although I knew about the weather, the aches and pains, etc., I was choosing to expect that everyday would be full of rainbows and unicorns.  Today might be as close as I get to that day - and I loved it.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam - Lodge
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

Well, my highs and lows appear to be as extreme as the mountains I'm climbing.  I have noticed a direct correlation with my mood and the amount of sleep I get...which  in turn is directly correlated to how much snoring is happening in my vicinity.  To end our perfect day, Toretto and I had staked out a spot away from the shelter crowd and down by the stream.  There were only two other tents close by...what we learned the hard way was that these two tents were occupied by heavvvvvy snorers.  To make matters worse, some night hikers strolled in and set up shop next to us as well, chatting away until nearly midnight (which would be like a party happening in the apt below you until 3am when you have to work by 7...just to put the awfulness into perspective).All problems are solved by Neros!  We cruised into Fontana, got a ride into the resort, I took three showers, did laundry, printed our passes for the Smokies, and ended the night with a fancy dinner because we figured we'd earned it: a spinach salad & crab stuffed mushrooms with a glass of Pinot Grigio followed by a creme br»l©e and an Irish coffee.  I will dream of this meal for days to come. Looking forward to stellar sleep - I have four pillows and a queen size bed to call my own.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Fontana Dam - Lodge

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

First off: happy birthday, Padre!!Second off: the climb into the Smokies was looooong.  It would have been more enjoyable hiking, but the heat and humidity are back with a vengeance...and so are the bugs.  My legs have already survived heat rash and sun burn...now they're being treated to gnat bites like whoa.  Unfortunately, not much more to report.  9.9 miles of a 3000 ft elevation gain seems to have wiped out my ability to put together coherent thoughts. Cooked in the dark, happy to see the return of cables for bear bagging, scared to explore the "bathroom area" sans privy, and crawling into our first of many shelters since we can't tent in the Smokies...fingers crossed the snoring will be at a minimum!!  Today we also passed another state line!!  We will be in limbo between Tennessee and North Carolina for the next couple hundred miles, as the AT often is the actual border between the two states.  Now, to pee in Tennessee or North Carolina??
Date: 2012-03-09
To: The road to anything and everything AT related!
Miles today: 0.0

I have started the preparation to start my thru hike of the AT in 2013. I have decided to keep a journal so that I can have something to look back on when all is said and done, and so that my family will have a little something of the experience that I am about to embark upon!My interest in doing this hike started last summer (2011) when I was watching a show about the AT, it then progressed when a friend and I started talking about it, and the desire has just gotten stronger and stronger. My friend Jamie and I are currently planning on doing a section of the AT this summer (2012) and since plans for that have started I have been obsessed with reading anything and everything about the AT. As I have been reading, the little voice in my head has taken over. I thought that I would be ok with being a section hiker, but the more that I read the more and more the little voice in my head keeps telling me that I won't be completely happy until I have a thru hike under my belt. I am the type of person that once the seed has been planted there is nothing stopping that seed from growing and growing until it has reached it's full potential. And the seed has been planted.... I have even taken the first few steps in making this dream become a reality. The first step was telling my mom. My parents have always been supportive of every thing that I have ever decided to do, whether they agree with it or not. I am the wandering soul of my family, the one who doesn't have roots, the liquid one. So I think that over the years they kinda just sit back and wait for whatever my next adventure will hold! So I told my mom the other day that I was thinking about doing this hike, her response was pretty typical...I don't think it is a very safe thing for you to do by yourself! Me, having already expecting this response and having also read many blogs and journals on this, had my list of things that I could respond with. I know that this is the argument that I am going to have over the next few months until my parents fully get onboard with it. But I know my parents and I know that they will see that there is no way to tell me no, so they will come around. I also know that I will have to include research on safety for females and cell coverage and personal tracking devices, ect. into my prep. All which I am fine with, I want the support of my family so I will do whatever I have to in order to get it!The first steps of many steps to come have been taken. I am excited for this adventure and can not wait for this dream to become a reality.
Date: 2012-03-14
To: One Step Closer
Miles today: 0.0

I just got off the phone with my friend Jamie...I am one step closer to getting on the AT!!!Last Summer Jamie and I started talking about hiking the AT. Well we really started talking about hiking the AT the beginning of the year when we found out that Jamie had a conference for work that would take her very close to the AT...So we have decided to do a section hike this summer. Due to jobs, hers not so much mine, she has decided that a section hike is all that she will be able to do and I look at it as a great way to see what I am going to be getting myself into next year when I start my thru hike!!!We have decided to start at Springer and hike as far as we can in the time allowed. So we will see what will happen!!!
Date: 2012-03-15
To: My couch to read my thru hikers companion!
Miles today: 0.0

I just received my 2012 thru hikers companion as well as my 2012 AT data book! I am so excited, I have barely put the companion down and feel like this book will be going everywhere with me as I actually start to lay out a plan for my thru hike! I feel like I am a little kid in a candy store and just want to touch and play and see and do everything right now!! I get up every morning and grab some coffee and jump on my computer...my first stops prior to this adventure that I have started to embark on would be Facebook and my email...but now that I have dove head first into my dream of a thru hike, my first stops in the morning are either here on trail journals, to read about those that are currently hiking or past hikers, or I stop by whiteblaze to find out about what other people think about something that i have thought about or just to read what others are saying! eventually I get around to checking on my Facebook and other sites but they have dropped off the priority list! Ok enough of the journal time, I hear my companion calling my name!!!!
Date: 2012-03-29
To: Plane Tickets Booked
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am one step closer to my section hike of the AT this summer! Plane tickets have been booked!!! I will reach Atlanta July 20 and spend the next 2 weeks out on the trail. I am hiking with my friend Jamie for this section and as she will only be able to do sections hikes for now, so we have decided to start at Springer and work our way north as far as we can get in the 2 week window that she has to hike. It might not seem like a long time to be doing a section hike but we are both very excited for this adventure...I am hoping that all goes well, because if it does then my dream of a thru hike for 2013 will be on full force when I come home!!!
Date: 2012-07-21
From: USFS 42 Parking Lot

To: Springer Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

12/05/2012- Sorry this has taken me so long to add these journal entries, in the craziness of life after the trail I misplaced my journal form my summer section hike! But I have found it and will now enter them as I get the chance!!!21 July 2012So our journey begins. My high school friend Mike Waters drove Jamie and I from Atlanta to the parking lot on the northern side of Springer, from there we set out the .9 miles up to Springer Mtn. The southern terminus of the AT!!!! I am so excited!!! We hit the summit just before dark, took some pictures, and then headed to the shelter. We set up our tent a little ways from the shelter as there was a semi shady drunk guy camped out in the shelter for the night. It was rather funny trying to figure out the bear cables, but we finally managed and now lay in the tent ready for the adventure to begin! The next morning: the bugs here are so loud!!! Kept me up most of the night. We will see if they do the same after our 15 mile day today.First night on the trail, Check!!!
Date: 2012-07-22
From: Springer Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Left Springer at 7:52 am. Hiked all day today and I am beginning to understand the meaning of PUDs, as we hit a few today. My legs felt pretty good all day, shoulders hurt at the start of the day, and my feet are KILLING me!!! Maybe 15.8 miles on out first day out wasn't such a great idea! But tomorrow should be great. We made it to Gooch Mtn so we are on schedule. Made Mac and cheese for dinner. We had lunch at Hawk Mtn shelter. Mad props to those that maintain this part of the trail!!!
Date: 2012-07-23
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Woodshole Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Started out of the shelter this morning at 8:13...a little later then we wanted but still made it into woods hole. We are a little behind but not my much! We have met 40 people on the trail so far. We met a guy just north of Woody Gap that is doing our same distance only opposite. He has been out on the trail for 9 days so far, clearly hiking faster then us, but it was nice to get some insider info on the trial that lies ahead of us.We are currently at Woods Hole shelter, we had originally stopped at Jarrod Gap to camp for the night but jamie wanted to press on. My feet are killing me and I really didn't want to do another 1.8 miles, but alas here we are.We are sharing the shelter tonight with Gabriel and his son Matthew. Gabriel used to be in the CG, so we had some things to talk about. They are out doing the father/son bonding thing, neither is very trail savvy but they are enjoying them selves none the less. They came from Neels Gap and plan to hike back there tomorrow. We have decided to hike with them tomorrow into Neels Gap, a shower and laundry sounded really good, plus the pancakes that they said were served at the hostel.My body is screaming at me and there were times today that I thought how am I ever going to do a thru? But I guess if I take it a little easier to start and listen to my body, then I will be ok.