morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

Hello Journal ReadersI got up as hikers were gettting ready to get on the trail. It was overcast and breezy. I didn't eat breakfast, I just wanted to get packed and ready to go. I had an adventure with my tent as I was taking it down, and got all the stakes out, I stuffed my rain fly in bag before I could get sticks out of my tent a big gust of wind came and blew my tent and footprint across the tenting area. I must have looked pretty silly chasing my footprint and tent. I grabbed the footprint stuck in in a tree and caught tree laying up against the same tree. It got sticks out of my tent and started stuffing it into my stuff sack. Problem solved. Blue Rock was almost ready to go then it started raining. I had to rush to gt everything inside the shelter and out of the rain. Early start gone rain is not an incentive to get going. Finally all was packed I started out on the trail first. I passed through McClure Gap, Powell Mtn, Moreland Gap and then some streams. I finally made it to Dick's Creek Gap. When I was hiking the rain was increasing in volume. When I arrived at Dick's Creek Gap it became a downpour. I got to the shelter area before it became a downpour. There was a lady hiker sitting where with an umbrella and he bird waiting for someone to pick her up. They were coming from New Hampshire, her cell phone was dead, she didn't want to leave because they wouldn't be able to find her. I think someone took their truck out there for her to sit in. Hiking in the rain wasn't bad, I got hot and sweaty in the rain gear. The shuttle arrived soon after I called. I am finally nice and warm. I got a room for some privacy. I had to walk to get some cheap clothes to put on so I could do all my laundry. Of course, it was raining. I also got some extra food. I showered, went to Subway for a meatball sub. Enjoyed the warm room and just chilled out. Life is a climb, but the view is great!Jannie
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Hiawasee 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello All,I took another zero day. My legs are really tired and achy today. I spent the day writing in my journal, went to the library, post office and spent most of the day in my room. It was breezy and cool today.Life is a climb, but the view is Great!Jannie
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Dick's Creek Gap

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

Hello Journal Readers,I'm back on the trail today. Hiking to Bly Gap and will cross over to the North Carolina/Georgia border. I hiked from Dick's Creek Gap it was steep up as usual. At the top it was a really nice camping area. It is a cool breezy day nice for hiking. I passed through Cowart Gap, Bull Gap, came to Plumorchard Gap Shelter early in the day. So I knew I could make it to Bly Gap before dark. So I continured on over As Knob, through Blue Ridge Gap and another nice camp site. Next came Rich Cove Gap, and I was getting tired. Finally I saw the sign for North Carolina/Georgia boreder "Yea, I have crossed over the stateline". There were 3 gentleman hikers there also they asked me to take their picture. They said thank you and I hiked on. Bly Gap was just down the trail a bit, I got there about 5pm. I saw some hikers early in the day we passed each other of and on all day. There were also header to Bly Gap. A lady hiker named Katy, I don't remember her brother's name, but his son's name was Josh. They asked if it was OK to build a fire, we said of course! There was another gentleman hiker there he tole me his name and of course I can't remember. I am so bad at remembering names. He was an engineer by trade. He was polite an nice. We all had dinner by the fire and talked. Josh helped me hang my food bad and he also buil the nice fire we sat by. A little before dark a gentleman hiker came in. He was wearing a kilt. A very talkative, nice guy. His trail name was "Heres my socks". We listened to him talk for awhile, then I went to my tent.Everything quieted down pretty quickly. Tomorrow I will hike to Standing Indian Shelter.Night, Night all.Life is a climb, but the view is Great!Jannie
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello To All Journal ReadersI woke up around first light. Here's Your Socks was packing up and was gone soon after daylight. It was cold and I didn't want to get up. Finally I decided to get started. I ate some breakfast made sure I had water and started packing. Katie, her brother and nephew Josh and the engineer were on the trail before I finished packing. I kept thinking it was Sunday. All weekend hikers were of early to get back to their jobs. As I was hiking out at the top of Bly Gap I passed the Old Oak Tree. Took pictures and went on down the trail. I hike through Sassafras Gap, passed Muskrat Shelter around noon. The came to WhiteOak Stamp, Chunky Girl Trail (I thought that was a funny name) I came upon WaterOak Gap, then Deep Gap. I almost missed Standing Indian Shelter. The sign was tin with a picture of a bearded man. I thought this was strange compared to GA signs. Today I had some steep climbs and some long winding paths that were easy to hike. The trail is more rocky, and has lots or roots. Lot of Rhododendron groves which keep the sun out of a person's face. The shelter was a bit off trail. When I got to the shelter I met a older gentleman his trail name was "Mom". He was already set up camp for the night. Soon after a young man trail name "Mandog". Mandog hung my bear bag by his. No bear cables. I ate, got my tent set up and went to bed. Several other hikers came in later. Overall a slow day. I didn't see many hikers on the trail today.Y'all have a good day.Life is a climb, but the view is Great!Jannie
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

G'Day Readers,I got up past daylight. Most of the hikers were gone when I got on the trail Mom and I passed each other of and on all day. Not many on the trail, lots of space between hikers. I met an austrailian couple, she calls herself "Tipper" and he is "Wizard of Oz". A very nice couple. The trail today took me through Lower Ridge Trail, Standing Indian Mountain, Beaech Cap, Timber Ridge Trail. I came to Carter Gap and had to look around for the shelter. Finally, I saw it, walked up a rock and log step path. It was narrow. I didn't look down nor did I look behind, just kept going up. I had to crawl up and over a couple of big rocks. My short legs didn't do well on this short mountain climb. When I got to the top I could see for miles and miles. On the top of the mountain is a old fire tower. I actually climbed up the tower and took in the view. It was fabulous and well worth the climb. I met a hiker with trail name "Food Network". Very interesting guy, plays a ukelalie and he say he is a chef. Traveler and Mandog were already at the shelter. I fixed some food, and got my tent set up. Two older hikers came in to rest and called themselves "Old Geezers", a funny, interesting pair. I went to my tent early and was tired. It got chiily during the night. It was a slow, interesting day.Life is a climb, but the view is Great!Jannie
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

Welcome All Journal Readers,I got up early and ate some breakfast. I got packed and was on the trail about 8-830am. I just guess at the time. I don't look at my phone, I usually keep it off. Hikers were all gone by the time I started off. The hike today was about the same as yesterday. I passed lots of running water today. My big feat of the day was Albert Mountain. Hikers call it "Fat Albert". This mountaing goes straight up with rock and log stairs. I had to crawl over a a couple. My legs weren't long enough to step up. At the top of Albert you can see for miles. I even climbed the fire tower that's on top. The view was awesome. I took pictures, met Food Netwok, he plays the ukelalie. Anyone that plays music is interesting to me. All the young people on the trail were hiking their butts off to get to the shuttle into Franklin, NC for the night. I hiked on down trail to Big Spring Shelter and camped with Tripper and Wizard of Oz. Easy day except short climb on Fat Albert. Tomorrow is a long hike to Winding Stair Gap. Hopefully catch shuttle to Franklin, NC.Night All.Life is a climb, but the view is great!Jannie
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin, NC
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Yo Readers,I woke up today before daylight. I started gathering my things and packed. I got on the trail early. I hiked through Glass Mine Gap, came to Rock Gap Shelter, Rock Gap, Wallace Gap and then Winding Stair Gap. The hike down the gap was interesting. I got confused on the trail, wow was that scary. I saw Tripper and Wizard of Oz coming and they helped get me oriented. The trail led us down a creek path through a sawn log. Everything was OK. The hiked on. I kept hiking and my leg stared hurting and it slowed me down. Finally, I could hear the road, and kept hiking. I came to a stream of water the was really pretty. There was a tree down over the trail and I literally had to climb over the tree. I could hear the road and finally saw cars and chairs. Tripper and Wizard of Oz yelled "Hi, Jannie". I was so glad to see them. The other people were from a Baptist Church. They were trail angels. They had soda, chips, hot drinks, and pastry snacks. I was so hungry and the food tasted great!! Tripper and Oz had called the shuttle. They told him to wait about a half hour. So I could make the shuttle to Franklin. The ride to town was interesting. Lots of different houses and red bud/dogwood trees were in bloom. I got cleaned up and then it was time to get shuttled to get all my town chores done. I ate a good supper and went to my room. I had to much caffeine and didn't sleep well. A zero day tomorrow.Life is a climb, but the view is great!Lil Jannie
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin, NC

To: USFS 69
Miles today: 11.88

Hello Readers,Today I will be leaving Franklin, NC. It's a small town and Ron Haven is a really nice guy. He has 3 motels in Franklin and if you stay in one of his motels all shuttles are free!! Having a room to yourself feels really good. I got my packages and new harness for my pack hoping it will help me carry my load better. As you start up Winding Stair to Swaying Lick Gap you pass a really neat looking waterfall rushing over the rocks. It is so pretty, I just stool watching the water for a bit. I loved it. I continured on up to Swinging Lick Gap, passed over through Pather Gap, came to Siler Bald shelter and had to decide, do I stop for the day of go on? I had planned to make it a short day but it was to early in the day to stop. So onward I went. If I had only known what was ahead. I met 2 young girl hiker with their dog. Cute little dog. From Siler Bald to Wayah Gap to USFS 69 was all up hill or should I say up mountain. I got up to a flat ridge from USFS 69 saw where camping had been done so I decided this is it. I'm not going any further. I set up my tent, got a rock tied to my bear baf rope, found a tree, tried 3 or 4 time to get the rope into the tree. I finally did and I was so happy! I got my food hung plus cooking pot, all personal items (toothpaste, deodorant, and such). I wasn't gonna attract any bears to my tent since I was camping by myself. I ate a cold supper and got in my tent. I said a little prayer "God, please sen out your angels to protect me from the bears." Then I went to sleep wondering what tomorrow would be like. I forgot to tell you all bears had been see in the area where I camped. Night All !!Life is a climb, but the view is great!Lil Jannie
Date: 2010-04-17
From: USFS 69

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

G'Day Readers,Today I awoke to chirping birds. It was cold last night too. I got my food, ate a cold breakfast, took down my rent and got on the trail by 9am. Thankful no bears found me last night. Wayah Bald was well worth the hike up. There is a stone tower and it also has a stone wall and patio area. The walkway to towere with white blazes was very pleasant to hike. On the way to Wayah Bald I passed Wine Springs that has water and a camping area. I passed Wayah Shelter and continured on to Licking Gap, Burningtown Gap. Guess what there was trail magic or I prefer trail blessing. I had 2 cokes, 1 hamburger, 1 hot dog and a cookie. It tasted so good since I had a cold breakfast and supper the night before. I visited with everyone. We all exchanged trail names. I remember all their face but not their names. Sorry. Thank you all so much for your kindness and the food.I continured on to Cold Spring shelter which was about 1 1.2 -2 miles away. I arrived at shelter at 3-4pm. Didn't have to cook supper still full from trail blessings. I looked for a good tent spot, got my water, made up some hot chocolate. I built a camp fire and then a hiker named Terry came in He found a tent spot and set up. We talked about various things then it was time to go to tent it was getting pretty cold out. I slept pretty good, but it got really cold about 4am. I had to get out my jacket and cover my sleeping bag, then it warmed up nicely. Overall it was a diffifult hiking day. I did okay. Tomorrow is Wesser Bald shelter or may farther.Life is a climb, but the view is great!Lil Jannie
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Happy Good Day Readers,Today I am hiking to Wesser Bald Shelter, possibly further.It seemed like as I was hiking up Copper Ridge Bald lookout, trail to Rocky Bald lookout, spring and a deep down into Tellico Gap and way up to Wesser Bald observation tower. That I was going up always going UP. And believe it or not Jannie actually climbed the tower. It was beautiful up there. The views were fabulous. I could see for miles, all the hard up mountaing hiking was forgotton. Loved the views. I continued on and arrived at Wesser Bald shelter about 5pm. Let me tell you all get your water as you pass the source or you will have a long hike back up the hill from shelter to get it. There was a young girl hiker there with her dog. I ate, set-up tent, did my camp chores. A few more hikers came in and then I went to tent. I slept pretty good. I didn't go further today I was to tired.Life is a climb, but the view is great!Lil Jannie
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi Readers,I woke up early so I could get to the NOC early or so I thought.I got on the trail about 9am. The trail started down, down and down some ups some more downs really rough trail. I encountered a narrow trail, scooted down boulder, came to jump-up lookout. I was hiking along all of the sudden there are big boulders right there in front of me. I could see over the edge and it gave me the willies. The view was great but when I looked down I thought now how am I gonna do this to continue on. I couldn't stepp down, my legs are too short. I looked for something to hold onto. I had to hold onto a rock and gently slide down the boulder and hope I didn't go over the side. I didn't think much about it, I just did it. Thank god my answer to problem worked. So I continued on down, down through pine needles on trail. Sure was glad it wasn't raining. Next obstacle, a big tree across the trail. I thought you cut down all the little ones and left this big one?? Ok, how do I get around this, I couldn't so I sat down on my behind and scooted under the tree. Backpack and all. I am small it worked for me, but I am sure some of the other hikers had to remove their packs. I continued on past Rufus Morgan shelter. I was very tired. Finally I could hear cars, which means getting close to NOC. This is a grea place to me many of the people I had seen on the trail previously.I have seen Half Moon, Itch Balls, Met Yathz, Serenitina and a few face I knew but I couldn't put names too. I got my room, towel an shower.   I feel so much better. I will take a zero day tomorrow. Overall the trail from Franklin to NOC is difficult but the last part was most difficult so far. It is fun listening to all the hikers talkd about the bad down mountain trail they had just done. I am resting and getting my knees back in shape for big hike up to Fontana Dam. I lightened my pack for big hike to Fontana Dam. Planning to make it there on the fourth day. Have a good day everyone.Life is a climb, but the view is great!!Lil Jannie
Date: 2010-04-20
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Readers I am taking another zero day. Noc is an interesting place. If you would like to have a white water adventure I would say that this would be a great place to come for that adventure. I mailed some of my things ahead to Fontana Dam so I wouldn't have to carry so much. Serenitina stayed another day also. I met a nice gentleman "Master Chief" he is retired navy. I will be leaving here tomorrow. I have enjoyed my stay here. LIFE IS A CLIMB, BUT THE VIEW IS GREAT!Lil Jannie
Date: 2010-04-21
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: scattered clouds

G'Day Readers,Today I got up early and got packed, ate breakfast with Serenitina. Oatmeal and hot cocoa. It got on the trail about 8:30am. I saw Halfmoon at about 6:30-7am and he was leaving for the trail. The trail went, up, up up and up. Wright Gap was 2390 ft, Grassy Gap was 3,050 ft, Swim Bald was 4710 ft. I don't remember what time it was when I got to Sassafrass Shelter. McGuyer was there taking a break. We discussed miles and how far it was to Locust Cove Gap. She decided to keep going. I was to tired after all the up mountain I had done.I put up my tent,about the time I finished the other hikers started coming in.I met Jessica whom I had seen at the NOC. Mastechief came in while I was fixing my supper. A group of hikers with their dogs came in too. There was a husky named Stella, a beagle named Cooper, a springer type dog and a yellow mixed looking dog. The dogs were having a good time and they were very protective of the camp.We all sat around the camp fire talked, there was some guitar music and some singing.I went to my tent at about dark it was another chilly night.I didn't sleep much because I had to fight the hill all night. I want to try for some big miles tomorrow. Night, night readers!Life IS A CLIMB BUT THE VIEW IS GREAT! Lil Jannie
Date: 2009-12-24
To: Getting Ready!
Miles today: 0.0

The adventure has been in planning for about a month now and I can hardly contain myself. The days are creeping by like molasses in the winter time. My name is Jesse Brown and i will be going by "JB" on the trail until another name comes about. I will be attempting my thru hike with one of my best friends Dave Brannan who was a fraternity brother and a baseball teammate of mine at Lagrange College in Georgia where i got my undergraduate degree in Biology. I am currently about one semester away from my Master's degree at the University of West Georgia in Biology as well. I am pursuing this degree in hopes to have a career in a Fish or Wildlife Management/Research position. The window of opportunity has presented itself for a thru hike and I am taking it! Specially before I get into the big boy world with job and family. I am extremely excited for the challenge and experiences along the way. We will be starting very early (beginning of February) so that will be a challenge in itself with the cold weather but I know we are up to it.! Ive accumulated alot of gear in the past but still need a few things like a 0 degree bag and a jacket and some clothes so hopefully santa will be good to me! I am gonna try and do a very thorough gear list so everyone can see exactly what i'm carrying. Thanks for looking sign the guest book and I'll keep everyone posted!JB
Date: 2010-01-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My Gear is complete with my down jacket. Dave and I have some preparations to do as far as some mail drops and some logistical things. It is cold out! Dave and I are gonna hit the woods up this monday and test out our gear in some real cold weather and see how miserable it really is. We have decided that we are looking at leaving in the second week in february depending on the weather. I'll post another entry after our first test trip in the woods.
Date: 2010-01-13
To: trial run
Miles today: 0.0

Dave and I took a trip on the AT north of neels gap and spent the night to experience some cold weather camping. It was Cold! We walked through about four inches of snow and at time more the entire hike and pitched tents in the snow and frozen ground. Temps were in single digits. We camped on a ridge kinda between two peaks which we won't do again cause it was just too windy which severely decreased the temperature as well! Not much hangin out after dark, just got in our bags and tried to stay warm. All in all it was a great experience that made me feel really alive! The next entry will be from the thru-hike!Happy Trails
Date: 2010-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.8

Starting today it was beautiful out but a little chilly! My lovely girlfriend drove us to the trailhead at springer mountain and after a really tough goodbye we walked a mile south to the southern terminus of the trail. After retracing our steps we began to hike north to our and ended up doing 7.8 miles due to our late afternoon start. We stopped at hawk mountain where we ran into another thru hiker (someone who plans hiking the entire appalachian trail in one continuous effort) named Bobby from Virginia. It was a little reassurance that Dave and I weren't the only ones completely crazy enough to start this early. I liked Bobby alot until he fell asleep then I didn't like him anymore due to the rythmic yells that came from his deep sleep. Some would call this snoring I would call it screaming in your sleep! This is the first night to one of the greatest adventures of my life and I can't wait till tomorrow!
Date: 2010-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.3

We woke up this morning at nine and took our time cooking a hot breakfast (2 packs of brown sugar cream of wheat and a nutri grain bar). We only planned on hiking to gooch mountain shelter so we could spend the first few days getting our legs under us. Hiking in Georgia is pretty tough. It's straight up and over then straight down the other side over and over. Justus mtn and Sassafrass Mtn. were a couple of good climbs. We stopped at a really nice place called justus creek for lunch and to restock on some water. Lunch cosistd of a tortilla filled with pepperoni and mozarella cheese a snickers bar and some fruit snacks. At the shelter we found Bobby again sittin in a lot of pain. He told us he had tripped over a rock and had fallen hurting his leg and ankle and would most likely be done with his thru hike on only the second day!! That just goes to show you how tough the terrain is and how fragile the dream of making it all the way to Maine is. Dave and I proudly managed to build a nice warm fire with nothing but wet surroundings and enjoyed a few hours of some good ole' fashioned cowboy t.v. Dinner consisted of cheddar broccoli rice, cheesy potatoes w/bacon bits and yogurt covered raisins and gummi bears for dessert. After dinner I just read the trail guide and i'm writing thes before bedJB NOBO '10