morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 9.1

>Wow, what a great day! Beautiful weather, high 60's, couldn't of asked for a better start. Met several folks, Vincent, Bobby (i named Garbage Disposal), because he can put some food away! They were both section hikers from PA who were railroad engineers. Fun to hike with for part of next two days.Also hiked 1st day with Condor and his buddy from CA. I somehow lost them, they were faster than me! I'll get better! Have consistently hiked with Joe from CT, very nice young man, who has picked up the trail name, Great Legs! I met his father in the Amicalola Falls visitor enter just after Great Legs had started approach trail. Seemed like a very good and supportive Dad. I think Great Legs And I will be hiking together for awhile and at least through the cold Smokies. He has been fun to hike with, and reminds me of my son David. Wish David could be with me. This was part of our dream together. Unfortunately, the Air Force needs him more. Yes, I'm a proud father of an Air Force pilot! He will join me for a few days in the Shennadoahs! Can't wait!So for the trail, toughest mountain today was Big Cedar, 3226. Whenever you hear Gap, this means "pain"! But, I am so blessed to be able to experience this adventure after thinking about it for almost 35 years! Again. Big kudos to Nanci for making this possible.HAd first "trail magic" today provided by past thru-hikers. Thanks Lepracon! All the hot dogs you could eat. Then my 2nd trail magic not 100 yards away provided by a Christian family who supports thru-hikers every year for a few days. They said they do this as a mission and to just serve. Awesome home made chicken noodle soup, salad, and topped off with Dutch oven peach cobbler! Wow! The only down side to all this food is I haven't been real hungry yet, ( don't have hiker appetite yet), but this will come! The other down side is, I haven't been able to eat much of my packed food and been able to reduce my pack weight! Ouch! This will all change soon enough everybody says.Scenery has been unbelievable, made me think, how in the world can people not see that an awesome God made this! Don't want to be preachy, just have to share my thoughts! Big Bang theory, primordial soup, yeah whatever!!! I do miss my Friday fishing with Pastor Joe though!Just a final word for today. I appreciate all the emails and encouragement from friends and family, folks I've never met from Trail Journals, to name a few. Wifi, and cell service is a little sketchy in this here, back woods. So I'll try and respond when I can, but it may take several days. But, thank you, and keep the prayers and encouragement up. It really helps on the tough days to come! I'm loving it all though.50/50
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Lance creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

Awoke to first rain, cold, and wind. Awesome! Hiked out about 6am in dark, thick fog. Very spooky in a cool way. Headed over Blood Mountain, big elevation, high winds at top and cold!! A few people saw a momma bear and two cubs. Garbage can and Vincent heard a bear fairly close and didn't waste anytime heading down the trail. It was pitch black, raining, and very foggy. Kind of like in a horror movie! Nice!Blood Mountain shelter is a stone made shelter, pretty famous on the trail. I'll try and post pics. We didn't stay long as the rain, wind and fog was not not conducive to our health. Think hypothermic conditions. But, a very enjoyable day, and we had Neels Gap, and a hot shower to motivate us. The "us" in all this is with Great Legs and a few other folks at times.Now as I write this, I am sharing a rustic warm cabin with a really nice married couple about my age from KY. There trail names are Leap and Faith. Great deal to share expenses, cabin for three for only a $60 split, three ways!!! Pizza, fireplace and great conversation! Thanks, Leap and Faith for an enjoyable evening.Now for Mountain Outfitters that the trail goes right through in Neels Gap. Terrific support, excellent choices in gear, and very accommodating. Had a pack shakedown from a past thru-hiker who was very helpful, reduced my pack weight, and helped me deal with my blister problems. I must say, I know there in business to sell merchandise but I never felt pressured, or felt like the advice was to make a sell. I'm sorry I didn't get the name of the guy who spent over an hour and a half with me. I'll try and get it before I head to trail tomorrow. I highly recommend him. Met the infamous Baltimore Jack of Appalachian Trail fame. Nice guy. A little quirky in a good way! Seems to never tire of greenhorns and really loves the trail! Well tomorrow calls for colder temps, and a longer hike so as I get ready for some needed sleep, I'll sign off for now. Loving it all!!!50/50
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Young Lick Knob
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: broken clouds

Tough day! Huge elevation changes. Up 1500 feet, down 1000 etc.... Highest mileage day so far. I found today's hike much harder than Blood Mt . Weather turning colder tonight with lows in the 20's. Next few days supposed to be cold and possible snow. Heading 9 miles to Hiawasse for first zero day! Need the rest, and feet need a break!Still a lot of fun, and scenery today was great!
Date: 2013-03-21
From: Young Lick Knob

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.3

Very tough day after yesterday's mileage. Awoke to temps in teens and a snow dusting. Stayed warm in tent thank goodness. Was a little worried about the cold being from Florida and not use to cold anymore. Ok, equipment lowdown so far:Tent- fly creek UL2- so far so good. Therms rest NeoAir- awesome, very good thermal protection. I think it saved me last night, and of course lots of prayers from my better half!Old Marmot 15 degree down sleeping bag. Good, a little heavy, but I need it!Back pack- UAL Catalyst, lightweight but wish I had some pockets. I just need to get better at packing, and carry less!More gear updates to come.Today's hike was cold and I was tired from previous days high mileage day for me. Didn't plan on so many miles so early but weather required me to move on. Got out of stealth camp, and hiked over Powell Mountain to Dicks Creek to hitch ride to Hiawasee and hotel stay. 1st zero day tomorrow to ice knees and treat blisters. Well needed rest! 1st stop, Subway, and then 1 mile walk to hotel. (What else)! Ha! After long soak to get the stink off and soak sore feet knees, then iced knees (pretty swollen) , then of course more food. Shared pizza with hiking partners of last few days, Rocket, Great Legs, and a little speed demon, Avocado! I don't hike with him. Good kid, beat testicular cancer and is now thru-hiking. Very admirable, and good heart! Looks like I'm losing my hiking partner tomorrow, Crazy Legs! I've really enjoyed his company and will miss him! He wanted to stay together at least through Smokies but I've encouraged him to press on as he is a lot younger and faster. I told him I would end up hurting myself trying to keep up. He totally understands and really didn't want me to hurt my chances. I hope to catch up with him again if he takes a zero up the trail and I can catch up. I'll miss him. Well in a soft bed and its past hikers midnight 8 pm! More to come. Hope to upload some pics tomorrow. Good night family!
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Hiawasee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Enjoying first zero day. Resting, eating, resting, oh, did I say eating! Went to see Doctor for sore throat that wouldn't go away. I started trail on 15th with URI. Feeling better except throat, thought I better get it checked out. Taking antibiotics and should be good to go tomorrow morning. Have shuttle scheduled to pick me up and take me back to Dicks Creek Gap where I got off. Should be back on trail by 11am and then onto NC!Going to try and listen to body more so I can enjoy hike more with a little less pain! Still loving it all though. Blisters are healing and Knees a little less swollen. Thank you Lord!Have received dozens of e-mails and calls checking on me and encouraging me. Thanks all!Well that's all for today!See you on the trail!
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Hiawasee

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

March 23Start- Dicks Creek GapFinish- Muskrat Creek Shelter   Miles- 11.8Left Hiawasee and got shuttle from nice lady named Sally. She stopped at Blue Berry Hostile so I could get a mail drop. Still way to much food! Left a bunch behind in hiker box. Was able to meet Lennie, wife of Gary the hostile caretakers. Very generous and caring folks!The zero day in town (no miles) hiked, was just what I needed, and allowed my knees and blisters to get a little better. Still more edema to both knees that I care to have. Will have to be careful. The downhills are what is causing the swelling. I am really slow on the downhills. Today was only the 2nd day that I hiked totally Solo! The trail was in great shape, wet and muddy in spots, but all in all real nice and soft from the leaves and pine needles. Also, first day I could actually smell the sweet aroma of the woods since I've had a major cold from day one! Awesome! Oh, had to visit emergency room in Hiawasee to get antibiotics which seem to be helping already!! All is good! I still love to feel the tiredness from a day of hiking as I lay in my tent! Camping in Muskrat Creek tonight with several other folks. Water source is a little sketchy, so I filtered twice! Weather- was suppose to rain all day   90% chance, but other than a few drops at start, has been great all day. This too will change, as they are calling for heavy rains tonight and tomorrow. Could be interesting and slippery hiking! I really hope I set my tent at the right angle or I could wake to a river runs through it!Oh! The best thing today, I crossed into North Carolina today! Yeah, one state down, 13 to go!!!'Ran into a group of Boy Scouts at the GA/NC sign, even wrote there troop number and where they were from and somehow lost it! sorry guys, they asked for me to post it so they could read my blog and see there name. If you send me an email with info, I'll fix it, sorry. 50/50
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

Cold, wet, what a day! Rained most of day, everything is wet! Trail was very slippery, and visibility was poor. Almost lost one of my shoes in a mud big. That was close! What I could see was pretty cool! Stayed warm as long as I kept moving. Met some nice section hikers from Wilmington, NC. Leap frogged with them most of day. They had two great dogs, which make us feel safer from bears! May be just a psychological thing! I learned from Great Legs, who learned from section hiker, Vincent a neat way to hang bear bag without tying the distal end to the tree trunk. Bears can swipe the line tied to a tree, but can't paw over paw bring the bag down. Make since? Have learned quite a bit from watching and asking pertinent questions on "best practices", on better ways to pack, short cuts etc.. I'm really getting the hang of this thru-hiking thing! Almost 100 miles of learning! Really enjoying hike even with the pain, less than great weather!More to come!
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Mooney Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: snow

What a cold night! Set up tent in rain after tough day of hiking night before. Then temps dropped into teens, and started snowing about 10 pm. Cooked dinner in tent, and then straight into sleeping bag. Everything wet except sleeping gear! Yes! Tent sopping wet. Awoke to snow all over tent, shoes wet and frozen. My snaps on rain fly froze so I had to use my lighter to unfreeze them so I could unclip them. Very slow and painful hands packing up with this weather. Definitely my most unfavorite part of hike. It is very hard to get moving when it is so cold and wet. The only push to get started is the miles I have to get done! Hiking in snow was beautiful and fun. Slippery yes, but I go downhill very slow because of knees and safety. So far so good. Nook or falls. Thank you Lord! I planned on hiking to Long Branch, but when I got to USFS road 83, I saw a car that had slid and hit a tree. I stopped to check it out and there were 5 people sitting in car. I asked if everybody was alright, and it ends up Passion Flower (thru-hiked) last year was hiking a section with a German couple she met last year. She was hiking a section with them. Very cool and nice lady! Anyways, apparently they had called the guy in the wreck (shuttle driver), to get off trail for a couple days due to weather turning south. After stopping for about an hour with them, they were waiting for wrecker service and new shuttle, I decided it best to get off the trail for 2 days and let this dangerous weather pass! Long story short, I'm sitting in Microtell motel, warm, fed and happy! All my gear is hanging everywhere drying. What a mess! Oh, I got a text message that Great Legs is holed up in Franklin also. They hiked one day further, and then shuttled to Franklin. I'll try and see him tomorrow.See you on the Trail
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Franklin Zero Day   March 26, 27Well planned to hike out tomorrow but weather had another plan! i didn't want or plan two zero's but the prudent thing was to be safe. Several folks came in today and said snow drifts at the higher elevation, where i am heading, had waist high snow drifts and averaged 1-2 feet in large areas. Had shuttle scheduled and now have to find another for Thursday. Starting back at Mooney Gap and immediately hike up about 800 feet! Should warm me up, considering how cold it will be. Supposed to stop snowing tonight sometime. Cold forecast for next 4 days into NOC.Will hike with Blood Orange, nice guy from Columbus for next couple days. We shuttled from Mooney yesterday. Pray for tolerable weather, and safe trail!Wanted to mention Troop 599, the Philmont Boy Scouts who are following my journal! Thanks guys!See you on the trail!
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Franklin

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Finally made it out of Franklin. That place was like a vortex! It just sucked you in and wouldn't let you go! Warm bed, showers, and real food! Awesome. Actually the weather was so bad it made getting on the trail pretty dangerous.Albert Mtn had beautiful views. Very cold, so a few pics and back to trail to warm up. The fire tower was cool! Hiked until I couldn't go anymore. Stopped and tented at Siler Bald shelter. Very cold night!50/50
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Siler Bald

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Toughest day yet! Total concentration on each foot placement! Snow and ice trail all day. Stayed in first shelter! 4 man shelter, and we stuffed 6 people in it. Unfortunately had a major snorer, so the rest of us didn't get much sleep. Nice guy, and I won't give his name because not his fault. I must say, shelters are not my thing, but necessary with the weather.I wish I could of got my camera out and taken pic from shelter. Wet snow completely covered the trees. Couldn't even see the limbs, totally covered in heavy wet snow! Too cold get move out of sleeping bag! Ain't it great!!!Wayah Balds view was breathtaking! Awake every hour of night. Was glad for daylight, and packed and back to trail!
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Made slight adjustment to mileage to coincide with trail journal. Not sure how mileage got off. According to guide I'm at 137.3Motivation was to get to NOC for shuttle to motel, warm shower, food, and bed. Will take a zero for Easter! Yeah! Plan on Church service In morning, then Easter dinner at Wendy's! Ha! I know, not exactly exciting for non-hikers! Met several thru-hikers today after hiking alone for most of last 4-5 days. There names were, Salsa, Twix, a mother daughter team . Very nice folks. Also met Aquaman, Why Not and Can Do, a husband and wife team, One-Two, and a few others. Finally ran into a few my age! First 6 miles were in heavy snow, and ice, and fortunately the last few hours were just heavy mud and slippery roots! I sustained my first fall, and fortunately fell on my pack! It was close. Heard a crack, and after laying there a few moments making sure nothing was broke, started laughing! I have a small back problem that I go to a chiropractor for adjustments. The reason I was laughing is my back had been hurting some, and I realized I just gave myself an adjustment! The crack I heard was a trail adjustment! My back felt great! Thank you Lord!Got to NOC really fast, actually smelled burgers on a grill! What motivation!Got shuttle to town-Robbinsville for a zero tomorrow! All is good! Just what I needed. Oh, got a message from Great Legs, saying where he was. He is heading to Fontana until Monday waiting on mail drop. At this rate, I'll never catch up! Stay safe my trail friend!Good night!
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Robbinsville
Miles today: 0.0

Easter Sunday!Celebrating a risen Lord! I'm amazed what The Lord created for us to enjoy. HIS love is overwhelming! I've been blessed with so many prayers answered in my life, and continue to be in awe of our sovereign Lord. I know The Lord is walking with me. In the solitude of the woods, I feel confident he hears my prayers and needs! I pray for all our safety, the faithful and non-faithful. Let them have ears to hear. It's all about perfect timing! That's all my preaching today! What a day!I pray for my Mom daily, who is fighting the fight of her life with cancer. I hesitated putting this in my blog, but finally realized, maybe others of faith on the trail, could pray for my Mom. I pray for peace, removal of pain, and blessed assurance! I originally wasn't sure of the direction my blog would take. I thought originally I would document the day to day happenings, and keep the most personal thoughts to a pencil and paper journal. After realizing how tired I am after each day, I realized keeping 2 in depth journals wasn't possible for me. I have really lousy typing skills, and then trying to only use my I-Phone, it really slows me down. I will keep some of the really private thoughts to paper, but otherwise will document everything on TJ's. IF i offend anyone with my faith comments, feel free to not read my journal. No hard feelings. There are plenty of great journals, much better than mine. I will still share my water and food with anyone in need. For those that continue to follow my journal, thank you, and keep praying for my safety, knees etc... Now for some trail explanations. The trail has its own jargon, terms, I will explain:Thru-hiker- someone who hikes the 2,187 miles in one year. My goal!Section Hiker- one who hikes sections. I've met a lot of great section hikers already.White Blazers or somewhat purist- this is a little controversial, but basically is a hiker than hikes every white blaze! No skipping any of the trail. My objective!Blue Blazes, these are markers that direct you to the shelters, water, views etc.. The shorter the blue blaze trail, the better. Long distance blue blazes to shelters we don't like!!!Privys - you got it, rustic outhouses! Some are nicer than others! Beats doing your business in the woods! Trust me on this!!! Some are quite fancy! Ha!Zero- is when you get off trail for full day, no miles, rest, food, laundry, and most important, a shower. Can be a hostile, motel, or even a tent! Love these to recover! Will take less and less once the weather improves! Can be costly. Also when we resupply our food bag. I try and not carry more than 4 days of food due to weight. Nero- very low mileage day, then take care town chores. May stay in hostile, motel, or tent. Usually back on trail next day.Note- as the weather improves and I get stronger, I'll stop in town, resupply, do chores, and head back to trail, without spending night! Think VA, for these opportunities, and increased mileage.Well that is just a few word descriptions we use, not rocket science, but now you know, what I do! Ha! More to come.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Robbinsville

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

What an awesome day! Beautiful blue skies, and warm day! So nice hiking without snow for a change. Huge 5000 ft hike up for the first 4-5 hours of day. What a difference slack packing made! Slack packing is when you only carry a small day pack with some snacks, water, and clothes, for weather. Our regular packs were shuttled to a hostel were we were staying tonight right off the trail. Nice! Oh,my awesome wife let me know I have been misspelling (hostel), for some reason I've been spelling it hostile! She wanted to know we're hostels, hostile!! I actually have pretty strong spelling skills, until I started trying to keep a journal with an IPhone. Plus, I'm usually spent by the end of day when I journal! Give me a break! I'm tired!!! Ha! Enough excuses!Awesome scenery today. Trail was in great shape, pine needles, and dead leaves for the most part. The woods smelled, well woodsy! Love that smell! Took some great pics, a weird tree that looked like it was growing out of a rock. Huge vistas everywhere. Met thru-hikers, Beacon and Trucker, from Austin, and a very nice lady named, Obie, from CA. Actually met her as she was high-tailing it down the trail, and frantically asked do you have any toilet paper?? I was going to mess with her a little, but she looked distressed. I happily obliged her need, and told her I would take a 5 minute break, and let her do her business down the trail before I started hiking! I know, I am a gentleman. Ha! Then when I came off the trail at Stecoah Gap, she was sitting there waiting for a ride to hostel, shivering. Yep, I gave her my down jacket to use. Twice the gentleman! Trail Angel! Then I forgot to get it back. She is staying down the road at another hostel, and will get it back tomorrow. I hope!!! Ha! She looked honest!Sharing a 2 bed hostel room with Blood Orange. This hostel is awesome run by a couple named Phil and Donna. They seem to love stinky thru-hikers! Real Trail Angels. They have beautiful cabins, and provided us with a great meal, meat loaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, and pineapple upside down cake! Awesome! Also, the 1st day I have had an appetite since I started trail due to antibiotics I have had to take! My hunger was fierce, especially after smelling her kitchen. I was starting to worry because I was dropping weight way too fast. No scales but my belt has a few more notches. On top of that, breakfast is eggs, ham, and all the pancakes we can eat and OJ! Sweet!Well head to Fontana tomorrow. About 14 miles, and then get ready to enter the Smokies! 50/50 Out!
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Immediately hiked up Jacobs latter about 800 feet! Great views! Hiked with Obie, and Beatle Juice. Man can they hike! We alternated taking the lead all day, I'm much better up, than down because of knees. Good hike, we made almost 14 miles in 5.5 hours. Very good considering elevations. Head into Smokies tomorrow! Suppose to be decent weather tomorrow and then heavy rain the next day! Oh we'll, no rain, no pain, no main!!!!50/50 Out!