morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Gooch Gap and Suches, GA

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 12.2

Name of last night's lodging was actually Wolf Pen Gap Country Store.Beautiful hike today over Blood Mountain with carpets of wildflowers - Dark Maroon Trillium, Blood Root just starting to bloom, and Lady Slippers.Had lunch at a classic CCC Stone Shelter on Blood Mountain with a equally classic privy with a view. Fog obscured the view today but one could tell the view would be dramatic simply by the siting of the structures.No rain today until after settling into a cabin at Neel Gap with This Guy, Twister, and Frank (no trail name yet). C gets the bedroom and pays $20 more - the guys get the living room. The first beer of the trip enjoyed on the porch while talking to the faithful trail journalist. Slack packed for the first time today. Seemed like cheating but very pleasant. Talked to Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer who were hiking together. Huck was slack packing and Tom wasn't - he was in for the full experience. Going to take an easy day tomorrow by spending the morning at Neel Gap and doing a 4 mile hike to Wolf Laurel Top in the afternoon.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided to spend a rest day in Neel Gap and do a longer hike today. A beautiful sunny day with a blue sky above and the ancient,vast, tree covered Georgia Mountains below. The Dogwood is in bloom. "Best scenery EVER seen in entire life" (spoken in true Mann fashion). A few miles into the day, somewhere near Wolf Laurel Top, C passed by a man making an Appalachian Trail Hiking stick. His name was Andy Bauer and he gave a hickory one to her. The stick is carved with the words "Take me to Maine." Reached camp in time to wash out some clothes in the stream and set up tent near the shelter. Dinner of couscous with salmon and dehydrated tomatoes and a cup of raspberry tea.Rain predicted for tonight and tomorrow but planning to hike all day and get off the trail for a night in Hiawasee GA. Journal info whispered to Ellis so as not to bother Stephanie and Christin in nearby tents.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Rte 76 and Hiawasee
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Two days of very pleasant hiking after spending two nights in Helen,GA which, inexplicably, has been fashioned as a Bavarian Alpine Village. See photo nearby for a flavor of the town. Camped at Trey Mountain Shelter last night, surrounded by 20 other tents. Was able to leave the fly off the tent until 11PM and gaze up at the stars. Not as many wildflowers at these higher elevations. Beautiful sections along the tops of ridges with views of the lower land to the east and more mountains to the west. Deep Gap Shelter made a nice lunch spot. Plan to spend the night in Hiawasee and then set off tomorrow for the last of the trail in Georgia and the crossing into North Carolina.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent last night at Muskrat Creek Shelter, the first shelter in North Carolina.Lunch today at Standing Indian Shelter where Box Turtle called Ellis (Terrarium Turtle)who is posting these accounts. Had a lunch snack of Wild Boar Jerky. YUM. Making good mileage in fine weather. Have a short hike planned for tomorrow because rain is predicted. Plan to stay tomorrow night at Long Branch Shelter, a brand new one built by the forest service, and then Franklin NC on Sunday. Beautiful weather and feeling great.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Carter Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap and Franklin, NC
Miles today: 14.9

Hiked Saturday in light rain and drizzle and got to Long Branch much earlier than necessary. Hiking easy except for brief,steep rock climbing section at Albert Mountain. The leaves are not out at these upper elevations so still having great long views through the trees. Made first early morning hike this morning and enjoyed the early morning light and birds. A Pileated woodpecker flew out of the fog across the trail and then called to another one nearby; a pleasant early morning pairing of woodpecker calls followed. There have not not been a lot of birds along the hike so far - lots of Dark Eyed Juncos and one Rose-breasted Grosbeak have been noted. Met Snacks and Recon who were hiking together. Shared a dryer with Double D at the motel this evening, and later, Snakeman knocked and handed C her gaiters which had been left behind at the last shelter. Possibly the gaiters were left behind due to the distraction of naked hiker who sauntered through camp the day before. The hemlocks have all died in these North Carolina Mountains so dead wood stands along the streams where one expects to see green conifers. In four days will meet Megan at Nantahala and hike the next 60 miles together!
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Winding Stair Gap and Franklin, NC

To: Wahalah Camp Site
Miles today: 10.5

Here are two pictures from Siler Bald, today's lunch spot. The one with the back pack is looking south and the other view looks north, to the trail ahead. The Georgia Poem, "Springer Mountain" has been committed to memory. The one for North Carolina is by A.R. Ammons, is much shorter, and is written below:Sit down and be patient:sure, it's a beautiful,endless, lonely Sundayafternoon,the old peopleare in their graves:the old places are deserted:the times of all thosetimes, faces, flavorsa few minds left hold:sure, ahead the chiefbusiness is tearing the restof the way loose:but bythe empty take the full:sit down, find somethingto read: a grand possibilitywas made:who knowswhat became of it
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Wahalah Camp Site

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

Decided to do the longest hike yet and push through to Nantahala Outdoor Center and relax two days there until Megan arrives on Thursday. Hiked for a while with Shaggy and his German Shepard. Bunking tonight with three women, including Arnery. At the top of Wesser Bald, Michelle was handing out "trail magic" and gave me a candy bar, zip lock bag, and bottle of water. Previous trail magic has included a beer and the hiking stick.Heard a pair of Barred Owls in the middle of the night - did not see them but they were close and loud. Great. Heard a Scarlet Tanager FOT (First of Trail) today and saw more of the ubiquitous black eyed Juncos.See pictures entries for plants along the trail and bunk house accommodations. Trail Journalist has not figured out how to put more than one photo in an entry. Now that Megan has joined the hike, the real Box Turtle may make her own journal entries using Megan's smart phone. Watch for it!
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 28.2
Weather: few clouds

These miles are over 3 days of enjoyable hiking in great weather. Box Turtle having too much fun hiking with high school chum to make her own journal entries so this is written by the Trail Journalist (who will join the hike for two days next weekend). No new plants or birds to report but discussion on the trail about bear activity in Smoky Mountains NP. Campsite tomorrow night planned for Birch Spring campground but that may change based on Park Ranger advice.   Resupplied at Fontana Dam for five days. Next road crossing Sunday morning at New Found Gap where will we take a day off in Gatlinburg TN.
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Fontana Dam

To: Double Spring Gap
Miles today: 31.3
Weather: few clouds

The daily miles are for four days. Saw two bear cubs in a tree maybe 100 yards away down a hill. Very cool. Kept moving in case Mama was around. There are trail runners that are volunteers for either GSMNP or the Appalachian Conservancy that keep hikers informed of bear activity and tell us where we should and shouldn't sleep. Have been directed to sleep in shelters each of the last three nights. Fontana Dam to New Found Gap is the longest stretch of the AT without a road crossing until Maine - about 40 miles. Notice how talk is turning from flowers and birds and other hikers to just logging miles?
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Double Spring Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 21.2

The mileage is for 4 days which includes two nights in Gatlinburg and one at Le Conte Lodge. Box Turtle and Fat Hen(Megan) got to Gatlinburg a day before El Loco (trail journalist's trail name) and Maple Leaf (guess who). All enjoyed the sights of Gatlinburg and a good dinner at The Peddler.The next day, Maple Leaf drove everyone back to New Found Gap and waved good-by to the three of us who set off for the 8.5 mile hike to Le Conte Lodge, 2.7 miles of which were on the AT. Le Conte pre-dates the national park, and was used as a place to entertain visitors who could influence the establishment of the park in 1934. Comfy cots and lots of hot food in the dining hall were the main attraction at 6,600 feet. The next day, the three of us returned to the AT where Box Turtle headed north for two more days in the Smoky Mountains and the El Loco and Fat Hen turned to head south to New Found Gap - but who should appear running up the trail just in time? Maple Leaf!! The picture here shows the four of us on May 11. There are six more pictures posted in the Photo section of this journal with the dates May 10 through May 12. When you go to photos use the scroll bar at the top to view them. If you use the "previous" and "next" buttons, the site shows EVERY hikers' photos in the order they were added.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: broken clouds

The miles are for two days. Spent last two days and nights in Smoky Mountain National Park. The Veery has replaced the dark-eyed junco as the "bird of the trail". Forgot to mention earlier that BT saw an Indigo Bunting while hiking with FH. Took a .6 mile side trail today to look at the historic stone and timber Mt Cammerer Fire Tower. Coming down and out of the Smoky Mountains the vegetation got much greener and denser, what would be considered mid-summer growth in Pennsylvania. The Mountain Laurel is in full bloom. Highlights today included crossing the first Interstate Highway of the trip- I-40! At the Standing Bear Farm Hostel this evening BT washed her clothes on a wash board and squeezed the water out with a crank and rollers. An electric dryer finished the drying however. Trail Journalist for.....
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Walnut Mountain 
Miles today: 20.3

These miles ARE for one day. Time to get moving. Lots of birds to report. Bobolinks in the grasslands around Max Patch Summit, a Scarlet Tanager, Oven Bird, Eastern Wood-Pewee,and Wood Thrush. The trail here follows the North Carolina-Tennessee border.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: Walnut Mountain 

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1

Met Abby from Pittsburgh, shortly after leaving Megan and Ellis last week. Abby Day (trail name Hobbit) is in her 20's and went to Taylor Alderdice. We worked at it and finally came up with one or two names of people we knew in common.Got into Hot Springs Saturday and am staying at Elmer's Sunny Bank Inn. A large Pecan tree fell on the roof a few days ago and part of it rests on the roof over the room where BT is sleeping. Seems to be holding up so far.Spent Sunday at the spa courtesy of Mother's Day gift from wondrous daughters. Part of the spa looks just like it sounds and part looks like a WWI internment camp, which is what it was. Met Popeye on the trail, a retired ship captain for NOAA, and Bumped into Spider and Backfire in Hot Springs, a couple about BT's age, who Megan and BT first met in the southern Smokies, and the first people to ask what the initials on the hats meant. They won a GooGoo Cluster as a prize for being the first to ask.Next four days will be at campsites and shelters. Next trail town is Erwin TN.
Date: 2015-05-20
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hogback Shelter
Miles today: 41.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The miles are for three days. After a morning rain yesterday, had a beautiful walk under clear skies in the afternoon and found a nice tent spot last night. Hiked a rocky ridge today with great views that recalled some of the hikes in Acadia NP. Ran out of fuel but a hostel, that was picking up hikers, delivered a new canister. While waiting for the fuel to arrive, phoned in this brief report.Next town on the trail is Erwin TN on Friday.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Hogback Shelter

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: clear sky

Saw the first blooming Rhododendron on Hogback Ridge. (the picture in the previous entry was from the AT web site,in winter). Enjoyed Big Bald which is just what it sounds like - a big high spot with no trees and grand views in all directions. Some wildlife over the past two days - grouse, three small snakes, and a salamander. Heading into Pisgah National Forest for three days after departing Erwin.Will be staying near Roan High Knob Shelter on Monday - the highest shelter on the AT. 6,275 feet.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Erwin TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Said goodbye to Box Turtle nearly two weeks ago, after 88 miles together from Nantahala Outdoor Center through the southern portion of the Smokies, up Clingman's Dome and ending with a side trip up to LeConte Lodge with El Loco (Ellis). It's all still totally fresh in my mind - rubbery thighs after hiking uphill for hours, tasty oatmeal-fruit-nut breakfasts, multitudinous wildflowers on the trail, and Box Turtle's patience in helping me learn to identify an Ovenbird by its call ("tea-cher, tea-cher"). I'll try to add some pictures here - there are some real beauties along with some of the more prosaic - fellow hikers sleeping inside the shelter, food bags hanging from the bear cables and our colorful bag of garbage - Leave No Trace! It was truly wonderful to share this adventure with you, Box Turtle. Thanks for having me!
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Erwin TN

To: Roan Mountain, NC
Miles today: 50.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The miles are for four days. Found a beautiful campsite last night on Roan Mountain and started to set the tent up when Utah and Big Foot came along and (because they had a smart phone) told BT there was a storm coming. So set up the tent in an old barn nearby which had been converted to a shelter. Three hours later, a driving rain began. Stayed warm and dry on the upper level of the barn while watching the mist blow through the spaces between the diagonal siding. Today's hike was across a large bald, which, with its complete lack of trees and the blowing fog and mist felt like a Scottish Moor. Or perhaps a Yorkshire Moor since BT though she heard Heathcliff calling. Spending tonight at a B&B in the village of Roan Mountain. The B&B picked up BT at the road crossing and drove her to the store and then the pharmacy before dropping her off at the B&B and heading out to pick up more hikers. Other hikers at the inn tonight are Huckleberry, Hulkspiration, and MacKensie (with her dog Cash). BT is not taking a many pictures so EL is adding pictures swiped from the web. Nearby is the barn view and in the picture section is the Roan Mtn Pharmacy.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Roan Mountain, NC

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 56.6
Weather: scattered clouds

The miles are for four days. Four days on the trail and one night at Megan and Erek's outside Blountville TN with Barb and Joe. They picked BT up at Rte 91 on Friday and deposited her there again on Saturday. Picture is of BT showing trail map to future AT hiker Gable.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 20.4

Did the longest one day mileage so far - 21.3 on Sunday and tented near Abingdon Gap Shelter Sunday night. Crossed into Virginia this morning. In a Damascus Hostel today (Monday). Fellow hikers include Don (Quixote), Dr. Shelton Cooper, Mama Longlegs, and Big Sexy. Sharing a room with a nice kid in his twenties - Octopus. (this last little bit of information concerns EL Loco!!)
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Damascus VA

To: Davis Campsite
Miles today: 76.1
Weather: few clouds

The miles are for six days. Not checking in as often!! Hello to to all guest book writers. ElLoco reads the entries to BT and will take Ipad to rendezvous with BT next weekend so she can enjoy them directly.Saw two pileated woodpecker chicks squawking in a hole of a tree and wild ponies north of Damascus (not at the same time). Rhododenron and Mountain Laurel are in full bloom. A stop in Marion VA was a little discouraging - long hitchhike into town, long unpleasant walk along a highway from the motel to the laundry - and was beginning to feel a little discouraged walking around Marion looking for something interesting when a man parked along the sidewalk rolls down his window and says "Are you turtle?" His name was Mr Sparks and he offers rides to hikers whenever he sees them. Fellow through-hikers (alas, EL did not write down their names) had been in town the day before and had told Mr Sparks to keep and eye out for BT. He drove BT to a couple of stores and then drove her back to the motel with her laundry. This morning he drove her back to the trail head. All is well in Marion VA!!!On Friday BT and EL will meet at the Woodshole Hostel near Sugar Run Gap and explore and/or hike the area. Pictures promised.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: Davis Campsite

To: Sugar Run Gap
Miles today: 75.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello, any readers out there, this is the Real Box Turtle "speaking" through the miracle of modern technology! I'm taking my first day off (a "Zero," as it's called, suggesting that it's not a day that's worth much, which is Not Accurate) in Virginia, at about mile 650. Husband Ellis, or as you unfortunately may know him, "El Loco," (although this is certainly an improvement over his first moniker, "Terrarium Turtle") is visiting for a few nights of conjugal...well, much-needed human connection.Thank you so much to Ellis for making entries, and for BF Megan for hiking with me and taking many wonderful pictures and posting them for our delectation, and for JFS for hiking to meet me near Mt. leConte.More coming, Box Turtle writes/thinks slowly...
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Sugar Run Gap

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 9.9

This is El Loco writing while BT slack packs 20 miles to the next road crossing.I enjoyed a day on the AT yesterday with BT and did all of the following:Saw a great crested flycatcher, heard a wood thrush and a black and white warbler, saw a fawn, hiked ten miles, filtered water at a spring, ate lunch on a log, stood on rocks and looked at views, talked to other hikers ,walked past beard tongues along the trail, walked through a rain shower that threatened to be a downpour but didn't and took a shuttle!!Here are the things I did not do:Sleep in a tent amid a dozen other hikers and wait in line for the privy, cook and eat breakfast and dinner and cleanup afterward, pack up at the beginning of the day and unpack at the end, carry any weight heavier than water , get caught in a rainstorm, get a blister, I posted a bunch of pictures from these three days in the photo section. After dropping BT off at the trailhead this morning, I saw a young bear running across the road !!!
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Pearisburg

To: Curry Creek
Miles today: 101.2

The miles are for 7 days. No more Virginia Blues - that feeling that the novelty has worn off, no climb or view or meal or town is that much better than all the ones that have come before. There was a 300 year old Oak (see pictures), some variety in the trail and the views, and the promise of an intersection with the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Peaks of Otter Overlook today!!
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Curry Creek

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 20.0

An earlier attempt to make an entry at the library in Glasgow, VA two days ago ended with the deletion of my carefully written observations when my time online expired. Today, the Buena Vista, VA library closes in 14 minutes, so no more carefully written entry attempts!The hiking is great, and the single best thing about the AT is the sctual hiking itself. I love it, and I think that's what will enable me to finish the trail. Every day is a gigantic workout, and I feel like my body's been re-formed--sort of like collegiate rowing. I was a lot better looking then, but I'm in the next-best shape of my life now. (And i can't deny enjoyoing the comments from admiring twenty-somethings at my hiking speed, distances covered, and even my "sixpack.") The endorphins from the exercise are the next best thing. It seems like my brain is literally being washed clean as I walk, with creative and positive (among other)thoughts flowing through my mind to the backdrop of breeze, birds, and the not-so-infrequent airplane (including the occasional military fighter jet), train, and lately automobile noise from the Blue Ridge parkway paralleling the AT for this current stretch. My poetry memorization has been terrifically distracting, fun, and gratifying. El Loco should be posted a couple more of the poems...The nature is the third big attraction to the adventure. Even though I can't say there's a huge abundance of wildlife observed (after all, I'm moving by at such a fast speed!), in the aggregate of 70-some days (maybe more now), you see quite a lot. yesterday I fluched a big Wild Turkey and got to see it fly for a good distance...still no Box Turtles, though; I seem to be the only hiker who has not seen one yet along the trail.OK, got to go. Sorry I can't be more profound. That is definitely something one searches for on the AT, and yet I come to the conclusion that the meaning is in the doing itself, as much as in any revelation that will come from it. As you can see, I haven't learned much yet, but I am having a great adventure!!!
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Seeley Woodworth
Miles today: 64.6
Weather: clear sky

This entry includes items the trail journalist has neglected to enter over the last few weeks.1. The mileage gets BT to the correct location on the trail. Last week BT put in three 20 mile days, the actual sequence was 8.6, 19.6, 8.4, 19.7, 0, and 20. BT admits that the lure of a bed and a beer goes a long way toward encouraging 20 mile days. 2. The All-You-Can-Eat Buffet was enjoyed at The Homeplace in Catawba, VA.3. A poem by the West Virginia poet, Louise McNeill will be posted but has to be found first, BT has it committed to memory so, if you see her on the trail you may hear it before you read it.4. Following is the Virginia poem by Willa Cather. BT has memorized this also, and there is still a fair bit of Virginia to hike so EL will take another poem by Cather to her July 6.IN the tavern of my heart Many a one has sat before, Drunk red wine and sung a stave, And, departing, come no more. When the night was cold without, And the ravens croaked of storm, They have sat them at my hearth, Telling me my house was warm.  As the lute and cup went round, They have rhymed me well in lay;-- When the hunt was on at morn, Each, departing, went his way. On the walls, in compliment, Some would scrawl a verse or two, Some have hung a willow branch, Or a wreath of corn-flowers blue.  Ah! my friend, when thou dost go, Leave no wreath of flowers for me; Not pale daffodils nor rue, Violets nor rosemary. Spill the wine upon the lamps, Tread the fire, and bar the door; So despoil the wretched place, None will come forevermore.