morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-12-31
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer Mountain summit
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

New Year's Eve! Had breakfast at the lodge then hiked the Approach Trail to the summit. I thought I would be one of the first hikers there and have my pick of the tent sites, however, many of the best sites already sprouted tents. By dark, there must have been about 20 people hanging around the shelter, meeting and greeting, cooking, hand warming. A group from Mississippi kept the fire going then cooked steaks over the open pit. I met Rocky and Swampfox, Dartman, G-Walk, Whistler, Mr. Parkay, One Pint, Peanuts, five Leaf clover and her daughter, Elena, Gaiter, and others. It was extremely windy and cold today. the night is clear with a starry sky.
Date: 2009-01-01
From: Springer Mountain summit

To: Hawk Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: few clouds

A sunny, cold day. Five-Leaf Clover and Elena went on to Gooch Mountain Shelter. Here at Hawk Mountain are Rocky and Swampfox, Kayak Karl, and Sergeant Rock(retired Army). Sarge and Karl are hammocking. Rocky and Swampfox are in the shelter, and I, unfortunately, am tenting. This is not a smart move, as I bet it will rain tonight. It is a very cold night.
Date: 2009-01-02
From: Hawk Mountain shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light snow

It rained last night, so I carried a wet tent today. The trail was very strenuous: all up and down.   At the Shelter, Rocky & Swampfox, Kayak Karl, and Dartman were all commenting on the difficulty of Sassafrass Mountain. Tonight I have the upper level of this shelter to myself. Three bodies rest on the first level. One hangs from two trees.
Date: 2009-01-03
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

At 9 am I was first to leave the shelter, but the others soon caught up with and then passed me. Last night and today my left shoulder was frozen. Today my clothes were too hot, too heavy, too many, too tight. I had to stop often to get this monster off my back. At noon, it began to rain. At Woody Gap were Rocky & Swampfox and Kayak Karl. Rocky had already phoned the Hiker Hostel and been informed there was not room for the four of us. However, after I told Rocky that I have a reservation, she phoned again, and mine was confirmed. The three hikers continued North in the rain. Soon Stacy arrived for me. We went to WalMart in Dahlonega. Back at the hostel was a group of eight young athelets from Canada here to bicycle, climb and run. One set of their parents also here. By evening, all but the parents had left for their drive back to Canada.
Date: 2009-01-04
From: Woody Gap

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It is hard for me to hike through this area without spending a few days at the Hiker Hostel. Since today is Sunday and the post office is closed, I have a reason to rest, to catch my breath, to heal. Outside: heavy fog. Inside: three dogs: Maggie the mut, Fred, Stacy's border collie, and Dutchess a pit mastiff that will be going home today. The athletes left behind a refrigerator full of food and wine. You don't usually find vegetables - salad ingredients - in a hiker frig. This particular group was big on peppers: red peppers, green peppers, orange and yellow peppers. I spent the day mostly eating. Last night I picked up the Hostel's copy of A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson; good for some laughs. I am the only guest here. Back to the trail in the A.M.
Date: 2009-01-05
From: Woody Gap

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

After a day and a half rest at the hostel, my frozen shoulder thawed. It is fine now. Bounced some gear ahead and sent some home. Pack is now manageable. A warm - in 50's - hiking day. At 2:30 it began to drizzle. No one at Woods Hole when I arrived. Set up tent and ate. Then Bruce and Squirrel came in. About an hour later, a group of students from Penn State came in - wet. By that time it was raining, and it rained all night.
Date: 2009-01-06
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: moderate rain

Packed the wet tent and headed for Neels via the Freeman Trail. Was soaked when I got to Mountain Crossings. Staying tonight in the hostel. The Penn State group came in; waiting here for a shuttle. Bruce and Squirrel came in. It is still pouring. I am counting on a rainless day tomorrow.
Date: 2009-01-07
From: Neels Gap

To: whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

Six point two miles to Whitley Gap sign plus 1.2 to the shelter plus .4 down to Hogpen Gap and back up to the Whitley Gap sign. It was not raining when I left the hostel at 7:40 am. Around 11:00 it began to drizzle. Climbing out of Tesnatee Gap, it began to sleet. The time was only 12:30 when I got to the Whitley Gap cutoff, so I continued on down to Hogpen Gap. As I was heading up the trail toward Low Gap, a blizzard came blowing through Hogpen Gap. Expecting to arrive at Low Gap about 5pm, in good weather, but not knowing how long this blizzard would last, I backtracked South and into Whitley Gap Shelter, planning along the way to set up my tent in the shelter; few hikers use this shelter, as it so far off the trail. I've been to this shelter several times in the past. It's a nice spot and has a great spring. Today, though, the place was totally trashed. Garbage, broken glass, clothes, food, sleeping bags, cook pots, a mini beer keg. It looks as if someone's been living here or partying here on a semi-permanent basis. It is unnerving. I half expect the local psychopath to show up any minute. It is 5 pm. I have eaten. It is snowing, windy and very cold.
Date: 2009-01-08
From: whitley Gap Shelter

To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 6.4

I think I am about two miles passed Poplar Stamp Gap. It has been very windy and cold all day, but no rain or snow. At 2:15 pm, I saw coming toward me the only person I met all day. This was a man (a senior citizen) who had hiked from Hogpen Gap to Brasstown Bald and was going back to Hogpen Gap - in one day. That's about 30 miles! "I'm a day hiker," he said.   Another cold, windy night. Amazingly, I managed to get my noodles cooked.
Date: 2009-01-09
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Unicoi Gap, GA
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

My three-liter Nalgene canteen had ice in it this morning, so after banging it on the ground to break the ice, I succeeded, instead, in puting a hole in the canteen. The climb up to Blue Mountain Shelter was quite a struggle. Then there were three or four more humps to negotiate before finally descending to Unicoi Gap. As I was walking toward town while hitching, a woman in a jeep stopped for me. Inside the jeep were two large barking dogs. One that I think was a Newfoundland was particularly aggressive. The woman kept yelling at the dog, pulling on its ear, assuring the animal that the hiker was O.K. The dog was ignoring her. The lady assured me the dog would not bite. As I was fastening my seatbelt, from behind me, the dog chomped down on my head. It felt like someone had hit me with a hammer. I got out of the car. The skin isn't broken. I have a lump on my head. Shortly thereafter, an entirely respectable woman sans animals gave me a ride to Betty's Country Store, where, across the street, I have secured a room at the Quality Inn.
Date: 2009-01-11
From: Unicoi Gap, GA

To: Tray Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 5.5

This time I took a taxicab the nine miles from Helen, GA, back to the trail: $25. It rained heavily all night, but had stopped by the time I got into the taxi at 7:30 am. There was, however, heavy fog all day and it got colder. By 3 pm my water bottle was freezing. There was ice on all the trees. Three day hikers stopped at the Shelter: Amanda, Daniel, and a thru-hiker from 2008, Off Season. Off Season brought trail magic in the form of a six-pack of coke, which he put in the spring to keep cold. After I put up my tent, got water, changed clothes, I took a short nap. At 5pm, a father and son team out for two weeks came in and set up their tent. It is very cold and windy up on this 4,430' ridge. Note to myself: When winter backpacking, carry a winter tent.
Date: 2009-01-12
From: Tray Mt. Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

What a cold, windy night. I really should have set my tent up in the shelter. This morning, the trees and tents were covered with frost. I ate a Cliff Bar in the tent and packed up. On the trail at 8:15. I didn't fill my water bottle because I Knew it would freeze. In the bottle was only about a cup, plus some ice, so I sipped on that all day; passing up springs because they were too far down hill. The lack of water kept me dragging. Two hikers passed me going South. We didn't chat, but I have a feeling at least one was a Southbound thru-hiker. Last night's father/son team are supposed to be here tonight. This is still a good, clean shelter; a great spot. The sun is out so I'm drying my tent. It is still cold. Tonight I'm sleeping in the loft.
Date: 2009-01-13
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap - 
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

It hasn't rained or snowed yet, today, but there was a ring around the moon last night. The father/son team didn't show up, so I was solo at Deep Gap Shelter. It felt very, very cold in the loft, but for some reason, my feet were warm and, the water didn't freeze. At Dick's Creek Gap, I walked the road for about 45 minutes then got picked up by a local woman who routinely picks up hikers because she, herself, is one. We talked about our newly-found appreciation for dogs. I'm staying tonight at the Holiday Inn Express, Hiawassee, GA, having showered, eaten lunch, done the post office chore, but not the grocery store chore. It looks as though I'll be in Franklin, NC, in time to watch the Inauguration on TV. But that might mean staying here another day. I can think of worse places.
Date: 2009-01-15
From: Dick's Creek Gap - 

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: clear sky

Got a ride to the trail by Sally: Sally's Ride. Left the Holiday Inn Express at 10:30 am; on trail at 11:00; at the shelter by 2:30. Set tent up in shelter. No one here. Very cold. It is supposed to be 14 degrees tonight. All body parts warm except feet.
Date: 2009-01-16
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Saw no one today. My water bottle leaks or else its the ice around the cap. Set up tent in the shelter. The Aqua Mira is frozen. The tuna and salmon are frozen. The olive oil is frozen.   Had a good hot dinner of ramen, tuna, crackers, hot chocolate. Into the sleeping bag to get warm. It is supposed to be 12 degrees tonight, but that is down in Hiawassee, elevation 2,675 feet. I'm now at 4,600 feet. Had a nap, now guess I'll go watch TV.
Date: 2009-01-17
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Beech Gap campsite
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

Help....it's snowing on my 3-season tent. It was a sunny day. Climbed all day. It started to cloud at 2:00 pm. I have to boil water and drink it immediately, as it freezes as fast as you fill a bottle. Carried a quart of gatorade inside my jacket to keep it warm, but found that the bottle leaked. I had gatorade frozen to the inside of my rain jacket.
Date: 2009-01-18
From: Beech Gap campsite

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It snowed about four inches last night. Packed wet, frozen tent. While hiking today, ate snow and drank right from streams. Took the Mt. Albert bypass trail. Obviously, a group was here last night. Many tentsites are visible where dry leaves are surrounded by snow, and everywhere the snow is trampled. Set tent up in shelter. Saw no one all day. O.K. I'm not fighting it anymore. I'm ready for the old folks home.
Date: 2009-01-19
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light snow

The mice were all over my tent all night long, keeping me awake. There was a lot of trash in the shelter. Was on the trail by 7:25 am. Soon it began to snow. About half a mile before Winding Stair, saw two guys hiking up to Rock Gap. They had been out for a few days. Arrived Winding Stair Gap at 12:30. A man in a green pickup was waiting for the arrival of a southbound thru named Adam. Got a ride from a road-crew contractor, who I swear, was the same guy who gave me a ride into town last year. I was at the Microtel by 1:00 pm. This last week has been brutal. Tomorrow I'm staying here to watch the inauguration.
Date: 2009-01-23
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Hi folks. I got off the trail at Winding Stair Gap. When I began on January first, I was not sure how far I would go; but I figured I would have a better chance of going all the way, if I said that I was going all the way to Maine. I simply had had enough of the cold and steep climbs, and I knew exactly what lay ahead, as I have done from Springer to Davenport Gap about five times. Don't know when or if I'll be back. Good luck to Rocky and Swamp Fox and Kayak Karl. Happy Trails. Thanks for your interest.
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Amicalola Visitors Center

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Part IWell, this is it folks. All the the talking and planning is done and it's time to head out. Like my Dad says, "It's all over except for the crying". 3 months ago this seemed so far away and now it's here. It hasn't really sunk in yet. When I'm coughing up a lung trying to climb the 600 stairs on the approach trail this morning I'm sure it will set in! I really want to thank all my friends and family that are supporting me on this. Jen and Birdie for being my support system at home. Jen again, for letting me impose on her for the last month. It's time to get on the road, I'll try to update as much as I can. So with a high and tight, a clean shaven face(which I haven't had in 5 years), and the last bit of deodorant I'll be putting on for quite some time, I now walk into the wild! Part IIDid the Approach Trail today. I only did 7.3 miles today. Short of my goal, but it's all good. I ended up at Black Gap Shelter instead of getting up to Springer Mountain. I felt like ass. My shoulders were sore from a 39lb pack and my breathing was shot. It's going to be slow going for a while, but I'm ok with that. I met some great people at Black Gap Shelter. I met a Brit named Kevin that's from the next town over from my Aunt in England. A very remote, off the beaten path area of England. I set my hammock up next to the shelter which was a good idea until 6 teenagers from Atlanta showed up just before dark. They were good kids, but a little noisy. One of them was a black kid with a bullwip???????????? Never seen that before! Truth be told the hike today sucked, but I'm sure things will get better.
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: few clouds

9.3 miles today! Today did get easier despite more miles. I'm sleeping in my hammock again tonight. 12 people headed out from Black Gap to here and 5 didn't make it. I stopped for lunch at the Stover Creek Shelter and met a cool chick named Amy from Detroit and we hiked part of the day together. We took a wade in a waterfall basin and it was awesome! I actually went under the water a couple of times. It was FREEZING, but exhilirating. As I'm writing this the rain is coming down good. The first 2 days were beautiful, but they say we could be facing snow and below freezing temps tomorrow. The people out here are all good people so far. Backyard Boogie, who thru hiked in '07 gave us many tips and words of encouragement. Amy finally got a trail name, "Voodoo". I played a prank on the high school kids today. I got to the top before they did and set up my camera for video and waited for them to come into camera view and went running back on the trail yelling "bear, bear, go back!!!" They looked like they probably needed to check their drawers,LOL. I hope things will get even easier tomorrow.
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Sorry there's no pictures for now, but I put my camera cord in my bounce box and it hasn't made it here yet(4/14)Day 3 was pretty damn cold! I only did 7.3 miles today which is a slower pace than I'd like, but I'm listening to my body and stopping when I should. Voodoo and I hiked most of the day together as we have a similiar newbie slow pace and the company is good. A few of us stopped on top of Sassafrass Mountain to rest and grab a snack. Sassafrass was a tough climb. So why did we stop on top of a mountain when it was 38 degrees and windy??? A little while before we got to camp the freezing rain started, good times. Moonlight, Recom, Karma, Voodoo, and myself finished the last stretch together. I'm meeting more and more cool people everyday out here. A Korean guy named Yun came wandering into camp today. Some guys in camp met his family back at Amicilola and they said he doesn't speak any English and is planning to thru hike the whole trail. While I think he's insane, I have enormous respect for him. His pack is way to big, I don't think he even has a stove to cook with, but the next day, 2/3 of the way to Woody Gap he blazed right by me with a smile on his face and leaving camp after I did! It's not like an English speaker going abroad where someone probably speaks broken English somewhere. He's speaks Korean and is trying to survive among mountain rednecks for 5 or 6 months. Good luck sir! Firebug got his trail name tonight for being the bad ass that collected all the firewood to treat us to a killer fire.
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light snow

It snowed pretty much all night with gail force wind bursts at times. It was soooo friggin' cold! 25 degrees! For some reason I'm one of the first ones to wake up and the last to leave camp. Voodoo and I left around 9. It was only 5 miles to Woody Gap, but the snow made it much harder. It was well worth it though, the scenery was breath taking. I got to the gap about 15 minutes before the shuttle came to pick us up for a hot shower and a good meal in town. After we arrived at the motel I found out that my randomly picked roommate, "I Have Gone" is from Richardson, TX. Two towns away from where I grew up. Small world huh? There was a McDonald's in our motel parking lot so needless to say we went and raged on some burgers! We're in Dahlonega and went to Smith's house for dinner before coming back for a good night's sleep. Most of us are planning a zero day for tomorrow to let the snow clear out a little.
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The Hiker Hostel is amazing! Josh and Lee could not be more nice. They thru hiked in 2000 and decided to open up this hostel there after. The place is top notch. A few of us went into town for lunch and a resupply. I got some beers for everyone and we all just sat around and BS'd most of the evening. I talked with Itay today(pronounced e-ty). He's a 26 year old guy from Israel starting a thru tomorrow. We talked a lot about our respective countries and even delved into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict a bit. I learned a few things from him about the situation and felt privileged to learn about some things from someone who was actually there and fairly unbiased about it. It was my first night at a hostel and I must say it rocked! There was some weird guy from NY named Gordon that kind of lurked about the place who kind of lives there and who decided to use our doorway for morning stretching?????? Tomorrow is the slack pack to Neels Gap.
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was absolutely brilliant! The weather was gorgeous. I made 10.6 miles in 5 hours. We slack packed. The hostel gave us day packs and brought our heavy packs to the next stop. I hiked with Windmill and AT73 most of the day. AT 73 will be 73 this year, hence the name. He has thru hiked once before and done numerous other section hikes. He has actually ridden a bike several times from Southern Illinois 600 miles to Amicilola state park, given the bike away and just started walking on the trail. He is a fountain of knowledge about the trail and just a good guy in general. I made it to Neels Gap aroung 2p.m. and grabbed a bunk. Even though it was my first double digit mileage day the slack packing kept me from being worn out and sore. The hostel here is a hell hole compared to the Hiker Hostel, but as long as there's hot water for a shower, it's all good! I met some more people here. A young married couple named Bubbles(yes, that's the dude)and Birdie and some friends hiking together named Willow and Goathy. Goathy is a riot and they both thru hiked 12 years ago.
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

Day 7 - Rain, rain, rainVoodooo and I hiked together most of the day today and the rain rarely subsided. Right after we passed "Hog On Ice" we hit our first bit of "trail magic" at Tesnatee Gap. There was a cooler full of sodas and a bag full of fruit and snacks! When the weather is kind of sucking the life out of you trail magic like that REALLY brightens your day. When we got to Low Gap it looked like a refugee camp there were so many people and tents. Chef (a really cool chick from Canada) decided to sleep under the shelter and when the rain started running under it she had to make trenches with a stick to divert the water, it was hilarious. The shelter had no vestebule so there were a lot of us trying to crowd under the 2' over hang around the shelter. I was able to get some phone signal after I set up the hammock and tarp and was getting ready for bed and told everyone I was soaked though and through and covered in mud, but couldn't be happier. It was the God's honest truth. Despite the weather, it was a great day.
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 8It finally happened! A good nights sleep in my hammock. I almost bought a tent in Neels Gap yesterday to save the weight, but I'm glad I waited. I woke up a few times, but nothing like it was. We only did 7.2 miles today. Voodoo and I hiked together again today. She's been great company on this trip. We learned a lot about each other on this cold, gray, overcast day. We're all out here for different reasons. Some of us just want an adventure. Some of us are looking for answers. Some of us are trying to escape something or somethings. Some of us are doing all of the above. There's been about 8 or 10 of us going from shelter to shelter together and forming trail bonds. It's been a lot of fun.