morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-03-04
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Today began at Hawk Mountain shelter. I was awake many times during the night and back to sleep so I got plenty of rest. You can almost tell what time it is as the dawn approaches but has not yet started to change the lighting. Then on to a very slight rosy glow in the east, which comes on pretty quickly from there as the long ridgeline off to the east is edged in a fiery glow before the ball of the sun comes into view. It was cold overnight but I was warm with all the clothes on plus my sleeping bag and liner. The tent did well, even in the wind, and I was snug. I was surrounded by tents and hammocks, people everywhere, and when the first one begins to rustle around the entire group is signaled to get the day started.Everyone was breaking camp, eating and packing up. We were all rusty as we tried to figure out where everything was and where everything goes. Finally I was ready and left ¢ probably about 8 (Marlene was right, I will need a watch). Before I got back down the shelter side trail and all the way back to the AT, I stopped to shed several layers. It was a cold night and raw morning but the physical activity of carrying the pack and hiking uphill warms you very quickly. Down to Hightower Gap and later Horse Gap, then up to Sassafras Mountain and down again to Cooper Gap, up Justus Mountain and down to Justus Creek ¢ get used to that. It was a difficult day 2, and honestly my outlook was up and down, depending on whether I was going up or down. I was planning to hike fewer miles for a week or two to give myself time to break in, but I had gotten excited and thought about going to Ramrock Mountain like last time and then on to Neels Gap on day 3. Today¢s hike was tough and I stopped here and will do 4 days to Neels Gap as originally planned. I¢d like to say I¢m doing that to be prudent, but really it¢s kicking my butt. So I planned to hike to Lance Creek tomorrow and on to Neels Gap the next day.I am at Gooch Mountain shelter. Tent set up and many of the same hikers and some new ones are here. I remember this shelter, but the trail looks completely different as it is a winter setting and it was May when I came through here the last time. Gives it a whole different look. We have a good group here tonight and most hikers are new enough to want to talk about gear, food, etc. so we¢ve been chattering away all over the area.One thing that is different is the ability to send messages if you are in the right place. It is spotty and I have my phone off as I hike. But, I turn it on at some of the summits and have gotten service ¢ sometimes in and out but a text message can get thru. That has been nice and Marlene and I have kept in touch, even if cryptic. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-03-05
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek Campsite
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

Up and ready in a crowd again. We are all in the same boat and having the same experiences. The trail does that as the group has all ages, backgrounds, lifestyles and life stages but everybody puts that aside and we are just hikers. So much fun. The details of the morning are about the same as every day. Today is Sunday. There are lots of weekend hikers and bikers out. Shortly I came to Gooch Gap and McGuyver (sp?) was there and set up to do trail magic. Trail magic is the term given to the experience of having someone come out at access points along the trail to give hikers a little kindness purely out of their own generosity. McGuyver had a grill set up and cooked sausage, eggs, etc, and had fruit, drinks, a place to offload trash and lots of advice from his experience on his 2015 thru hike from Georgia to Maine. His kindness powered me all morning.It was a very hard morning for me. I made it to Woody Gap and had lunch with Strider (sp?) and Tin Cup. There were lots of people around and we got lots of questions. Fun. The next obstacle was Big Cedar Mountain. That was the hardest so far and I began to be concerned about doing this. It was a warm day and the climb was not just upward, but also pulling up over huge boulders and rocks. It was a struggle. I did have time to myself as I hiked alone (almost always do) and I like that. I got to Lance Creek fairly early. Got set up right away, filtered water and changed into evening clothes as it gets cold almost as soon as you stop hiking. Strider and I were first in so we got good tent sites right above the creek. I felt better quickly and we talked as the other hikers came in. So we rested, ate and got into the tents for the night at sunset ¢ our routine so far. It¢s funny how your outlook can change with circumstances. So hard as you struggle along on some never-ending climb but then when you arrive for the night and get a little food and rest you are crazy enough to look forward to the next day. Great experience. I slept on and off all night. It began to rain around 3:00. When I would wake up I couldn¢t help but think of how hard I¢m struggling on the uphill parts. Hope to get my trail legs soon. The rest helps. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-03-07
From: Baggs Creek 

To: Chattahoochee Gap
Miles today: 12.6

Up today at daylight, packed, ate and ready to go. I could not keep up with Strider (as expected) so he moved ahead. Cowrock Mountain was a huge climb and I was struggling again on the climbs. Made Tesnatee Gap, then up Wildcat Mountain and down to Hogpen Gap ¢ much later I made it to Low Gap shelter. Strider was there and ready to leave so we got a picture of the two of us and he was off. I don¢t expect to see him again soon, but it is funny as I read hiker journals how someone like that will show up again during your hike even if 500 miles north. Papa and a few of the others were also at Low Gap but it was early afternoon so I decided to hike on a few miles. I hiked to Chattahoochee Gap ¢ about 5 miles further. It got cold, windy, and started to rain and I decided Chattahoochee Gap was where I would stop if I did not find a campsite sooner. Chattahoochee Gap is a saddle between two mountains and got the brunt of the weather. I set up my tent in high winds and light blowing rain, tossed everything inside and got into clothes for the night. Ate food that did not require cooking and lay down to watch the evening approach. It was a pretty stark situation but I felt ok. Suddenly my outside tent pole ¢ using one of my trekking poles - collapsed because of a very high wind swell. I got out to take care of it and found a large rock to place on the tent peg to help hold it. I had prayed to ask God to protect me and He had that problem occur before it got dark so I could more easily handle it. Hard wind swells all night with hard blowing rain. My tent whipped and strained and I prayed for it to hold ¢ it was a great night. I would sleep awhile and then wake up to listen and see the power of the storm. I was safe and snug all night. Praise the Lord for His protection.I was glad Marlene was not aware of the situation as she might worry how I was. I thought of her and tried to keep my head as the day was ending and there seemed to be no good place to set up except the exposed gap. But it was kind of a cozy night in a strange sort of way. I thought of her often during my wake up times and knew it would be alright. So good to have someone who cares. Goodnight Sweetheart
Date: 2017-03-08
From: Chattahoochee Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Woke at Chattahoochee Gap still in the storm. Quickly got into hiking clothes and did all I could inside the tent before breaking it down. Packed as fast and I could and moved on. It was very cold until I got to lower elevations. I¢m glad I did not hike ahead last night because there were no tent sites ahead for a long time and I would have been in the dark and in the storm without having set up for the night. Very grateful to the Lord for answering my prayers and leading me to set up for the night at Chattahoochee Gap.The first climb up to Blue Mountain shelter was very difficult. Really today was the hardest yet by far as I looked ahead at the terrain and the huge climbs and descents. At the shelter I took all my gear and clothes and dried them in the wind and they were dry in about 15 minutes ¢ it was great to have them dry (and lighter to carry). Blue Mountain and especially the shelter area are known to be very exposed and windy almost all the time. I ate more for breakfast while at the shelter, then packed up again and left for the huge downhill to Unicoi Gap. There the hikers were treated to cheese, oranges and drinks by Laurie and her friend. That tasted so good. Packed up and left for the big climb up Rocky Mountain out of the gap ¢ up about 1,100 feet ¢ and the name of the mountain was very appropriate ¢ rocks to get over most of the way ¢ very difficult. Then a long and very hard descent over rocks and roots down to Indian Grave Gap ¢ hard like the climb. This was followed by a 1,300 foot climb up Tray Mountain ¢ difficult but I seemed to get a second wind after stopping to eat a second lunch half way up. I needed the encouragement as the struggle had me wondering if I could do this. But, beautiful views from the top of Tray Mountain ¢ which is a short area of exposed huge chunks of rock and then immediately down again. Then a fairly easy 12 mile down to the shelter ¢ Tray Mountain Shelter. I was anticipating that if I could get to the summit then this half mile to the shelter would be a time to recover my strength and perspective, and that was exactly what happened. I felt much better by the time I arrived. Many hikers were there. I set up quickly and spent some time chatting with the various groups. Very stiff and sore when I first got here but it was so good to be here after this hardest day so far. It is a good group here tonight and I talked with hikers by the fire ring. Made a trip down to the spring to filter water and we had a great time of talking about our hikes down there. A big crowd here tonight. Got into my tent before dark and saw many lights down below in the valleys. Then a bright moon came out for most of the night. I woke up and wondered what was the bright light, thinking there was a hiker standing outside with his head lamp shining in my direction, but it was the moon ¢ so pretty. Slept well after the hardest day so far. Traded some messages with Marlene as we could make contact. That is so good to have that tie back home. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-03-09
From: TrayMountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap - Hiawassee Georgia
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Town day! I awoke motivated to get ready and move out. Today I would get to Dick¢s Creek Gap and hitchhike into Hiawassee Georgia for the night. I am considering taking a zero day (no hiking). I had that incentive for the day and was packed and ready soon. Out to the main trail and a 600 foot descent to Wolfpen Gap. It was a pretty day, later very hot ¢ about 70 degrees ¢ about 55 degrees is perfect. But the scenery was great all day. There were many ups and downs of a few hundred feet but the big obstacle for the day was Kelly Knob at 4,126 feet. I moved along well and am starting to wonder if after a week I am going to get better on the climbs ¢ feel like that is starting to happen. (It also helps that I¢ve eaten most of the food in my pack). I finally got to the summit of Kelly Knob and could tell I was gaining the highest point and over the top and starting down ¢ felt so good. There were a few more challenges ¢ down to the Deep Gap shelter side trail and up Powell Mountain ¢ but Dick¢s Creek Gap was definitely ahead. Finally I began to hear the occasional vehicle noise and came out onto this major road crossing. Right across the road Greeter, Bigfoot and Miss Bigfoot had a huge spread set up ¢ Trail Magic again. They had too many things to remember¢¦ But hot dogs with condiments, burgers, pasta, various fruits, drinks ¢ just hard to describe how good that was. Steady stream of about 10 hikers at a time were there ¢ hikers from everywhere. Finally I was settling into a food-induced coma while sitting in a real chair ¢ funny there is no chair like a real chair ¢ logs don¢t do it. Miss Bigfoot offered to shuttle me into town and I learned that she and Bigfoot have lived/are living in my home town and the next one nearby ¢ Maple Lake and Buffalo, MN. They did not offer their real names so that is all I know of them. We arrived in Hiawassee at the Budget Inn. I planned to stay for two nights. I got a room and did laundry and had a shower (so nice) before going to a local BBQ place for ribs ¢ more real food!! I woke up today (Friday, March 10) and checked weather, finding that rain and snow is expected the next 4 days ¢ at least some of each during that time. Struggled to decide if going out today would be better but there seems to be no way to avoid the weather without taking several days off ¢ if even then. So I resupplied at Ingles Grocery and am here at the library. Please pray for the next section ¢ lots of big obstacles and the weather. I need God¢s protection and wisdom for this. Bye Sweetheart. By the way, please feel free to sign my guest book by clicking the Sign link at the left. It would be great to be able to see if you are following along. Thanks.
Date: 2017-03-11
From: Dick's Creek Gap - Hiawassee Georgia

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Today began at Budget Inn at Hiawassee. John the shuttle driver picked me up at 7:00 as planned. Quick stop at Hardee's for breakfast to go and then up the mountain to Dick's Creek Gap. Talked with John on the way up and had an enjoyable time. The climb out of the gap was steep but fairly short and I was soon on a beautiful side hill hike along a ridge, watching the early morning woods and the sun a long, long way off coming over line after line of peaks and ridges to the east. Several significant climbs of 500 to 800 feet and I passed the turn to Plumorchard Gap Shelter. Progress ok. I was looking ahead to the NC/GA border sign for another major milestone - both for my physical progress and mental encouragement. There were 3 day hikers at the sign and we traded picture-taking duties and hiked on together .1 miles to Bly Gap and the famous gnarled oak tree (which they called the "Sitting Tree") and had lunch together. From here it was progressively colder and I could almost predict the arrival of snow flakes. Sounds scary but almost perfect hiking weather.   From Bly Gap NC wants a pound of flesh to allow you in and the climb up Courthouse Bald, about 900', serves that purpose well. Then down to Sassafrass Gap and up to Muskrat Creek Shelter for the night. Tonite I took a space in the shelter since we expected snow overnite - last shelter space available. This turned out to be a good thing. Cooked, ate, filtered water and dressed for a very cold night. By dark the snow was accumulating and coming down in big heavy flakes. Getting up in the middle of the night to go to the privy was an interesting experience, but I could see without a light or glasses on due to the white snow and black rocks and tree trunks. More fun to look back on than to do. So it was a good day and I did well enough. I needed to test myself and my equipment in snow and it turned out well. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-03-12
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light snow

Good morning North Carolina snowstorm! It was good to be under a roof overnight - making it much easier to pack up and get ready. I was first out and faced with locating and breaking the trail. The AT is marked by the occasional 2" x 6" white rectangle painted verticallly on trees, rocks or whatever is handy. Snow covers the rocks and also sticks to the tree trunks. Sometimes you have to go by intuition - especially on a foggy gray early morning walk in the woods and mountains. The trees and especially rhododendrens were full of snow and the shrubs were bent over and heavy with the stuff blocking the trail. I would swing a treking pole up to knock off the snow and the shrub would spring to attention as I went past - that was the best scenario - there were others. Today included the long grinding climb up Standing Indian Mountain. Crunch, crunch, crunch and swish, swish, swish as I would walk along on ice or loose snow. Took a break at Standing Indian Shelter and then just gutted it out for the rest of the day to Carter Gap shelter over fairly familiar obstacles - was a long and challenging day. A large crowd at the shelter. I set up my tent - tents all over the shelter area - and we all had snow clumps falling from the trees and rhododendrens for the rest of the day and evening. But the wind blew and eventually during the night the snow was mostly down and the wind blew the tents dry, with some ice clumps clinging to the tent fabric. Probably the coldest night so far - in the teens. Could not communicate with Marlene much today at all or overnight. I miss that and wondered if she was worried. I'm fine though. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-03-13
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Wallace Gap - Franklin NC
Miles today: 12.8

Most difficult breakdown of my campsite so far - cold and windy and fairly stark conditions. Took it slow and steady trying to do everything but take down the tent until the last possible minute. Finally stuffed it all into my pack and started out. A frozen trail is better than wet and slushy so I had better footing and crunched along. Many climbs and descents but two stand out. First Big Butt Mountain with steep cliffside trail and a precarious tread clinging to the mountain side along rocks, roots, or root balls from struggling trees and shrubs clinging on for dear life to the mountain with whatever footing they could get. However, I had been through this part of the trail 15 years ago. It was much improved this time. I got through without incident. The next thing of note is Albert Mountain - extremely steep mountain with a fire tower on top. Saw the tower as I approached the area and wow - I have to go up there? On other hikes through here I could not see the mountain coming because it was later in the year and the trees were in leaf so I could not see what was coming. My 4th trip up there so I knew what to expect - just difficult when you can see it ahead. The climb was like a long steep stairs and climbing (pulling) up over boulders. Thankfully it is short (about .3 miles) and I got there - stopping to catch my breath along the way. On top I climbed the tower and got pictures. Very exposed and raw windy conditions so I had a snack and left. The remainder of the day was more tame after that. I got to Rock Gap and then Wallace Gap was .6 miles further so I continued there where I was picked up by Ron Haven and his free shuttle to the Budget Inn in Franklin NC. So nice to get here and safe from the weather. Will take tomorrow off and possibly a short day Wednesday too if needed. There is some really cold weather coming and I must see how to schedule around that. Also have several things to do here regarding prescriptions. I'm warm, well fed and snug in a "real bed". Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-03-17
From: Wayah Gap Road

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Up at 6:00 to shower, pack and walk to the Kountry Kitchen for a quick breakfast. Spoon Man was set to take Mountain Music and me up to Wayah Gap on Wayah road to start north. We loaded up our packs on the road and started out. I felt strong and even though Wayah Bald tower was 3 more mountains further than the one I had picked out, I did very well and got there fine. The trail has many miles of forest that was burned in 2016. Snow and ice covered the trail the whole way to the tower and tree trunks were charred black, obliterating any white blazes to guide the way. The tower area was particularly hit by the fire. I got pictures and then spent time to check in with Marlene and also see about a night in the bunkhouse at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) for Saturday night. Conditions were bleak with cold chilling high winds, and the contrast of the snow and charred black tree trunks and forest floor. I was glad to leave this exposed summit and move on. However, the next 6 miles to Cold Spring Shelter were a continuous uphill slog. When I finally got to the shelter it was packed. Everyone was talking about how hard the walk there had been with alternating frozen snow and ice, and slushy wet and slippery conditions where the sun could hit the trail. Snow at the shelter was extra deep. Campsites were buried beneath the snow, above the shelter on the exposed ridge. I decided to move on. Major locations were Tellico Gap and then a climb up to Wesser Bald and the fire tower on its summit. There were no good sites anywhere in this area. About a mile further is Wesser Bald shelter on a slick, muddy and slushy trail downhill the whole way. Only the next morning did I realize I had hiked 15.7 miles. Way more miles than I had planned to hike this early in the trip. The shelter was full long before I got there and many tents were set up. I found a site with a little more of a slant downhill than is best, scraped the snow and slush away and got my tent up. This was a slow process in the raw conditions. Filtered water and headed to the shelter to cook and eat under the overhang with the others. I ate 2 full meals - didn't want to carry it tomorrow. Hung my food on the bear cables and got into my tent and ready for sleep. It was cold and windy and the snow and slush began to stiffen. Finally I was in the my sleeping bag and very snug and cozy. Around 10:30 it began to rain hard with high winds. This continued all night but I was very comfortable. A long, hard day. Goodnight Sweetheart.
Date: 2017-03-18
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light snow

Woke at the rainy campsite at Wesser Bald shelter to find that the rain had completely melted all the snow. It was still a mess since we were in the area of the forest fire and the ground was wet (mud) but the slushy stuff being gone was a big help. It was slow going to pack up and the tenters went to the shelter to have breakfast under the overhang roof. Soon I was ready to put on my pack and leave. It was 6 miles to the NOC for the day. I had a place in the base camp hostel and looked forward to real food, laundry, and resupply. Most of the day was downhill. A few small climbs and the really tough and sometimes technical descent over something called "the Jumpoff", where the trail lost altitude very quickly over some difficult near-cliffs. This was slow going and put a hurt on my legs and feet. The remainder of the day was just a long downward descent to the A. Rufus Morgan shelter where I met a husband/wife trail volunteer couple out checking the trail from NOC southward. Onward again for the final one mile hike to the NOC. Got my bunk and messed with gear, showered and then lunch at the River's End Restaurant. Then picked up my drop box for resupply and did laundry. Bunks are basic 2 x 4 and plywood bunk beds that you can use with sleeping bags and pads. No frills but much improved over the muddy hillside tent site. Appreciate the little things!! Marlene and I were able to send texts so we could catch up and also take care of the next few resupply mail drops to locations where I will be. So good to have contact. Goodnight Sweetheart.