morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-24
From: Franconia Notch

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0

We didn't get up as early. But it was still early. Said goodbye to Blazer's friends and got on the trail by 7:30. We had a lot of climbing to get up to Franconia Ridge which I keep hearing described as the most beautiful mile of the AT. We climbed right up into a cloud. Got to where the ridge starts and stoped for a snack break while we were still blocked from the wind. We kept hoping it would clear because we kept hearing that it was going to clear the afternoon. Backstreet and Wise Owl came by. It was cold so we had to move. Little did he know it was freezing on the ridge. A SOBO said his thermometer read 44 degrees and the wind was maybe 40 mph. It was wet and blowing us sideways. We saw Sundance, G-Funk, and Frost on the summit. They were trying to wait for the weather to clear too but were too cold. We hiked as fast as we could fighting the wind and wet rocks. It was a long exposed ridge, that's for sure. As soon as we got back down into the trees we took another break, still hoping it would clear. Lunch was over and it was still cold and wet. I guess I have to come back to see this section. We had to go up and over Garfield which looked brutal on the map but wasn't really that bad. Got to Galehead Hut just before 5. We asked if they had work for stay positions but they said they'd heard two more hikers were behind us and they were saving the positions for them. They asked us to push on but if we kept going we'd have to go up and over Twin Mountain and there was no place to camp for miles. When we told them we couldn't they suggested a campsite a quarter mile back down the trail. We decided to hang out with Wise Owl and Backstreet, eat some soup, and see if anyone else showed up. Atlas and Glover came in not too much later. They told us they would take two for work for stay and we could decide amongst ourselves. They let everyone else camp outside the hut. I was ready to draw straws but everyone said Blazer and I could do it. We ate dinner after the guests around 7:45 and when we were done, washed dishes and reset mouse traps. It is freezing outside and I'm glad we're inside. I feel bad for everyone else. I wish we could all at least sleep inside. There's plenty of floor space.
Date: 2013-08-06
From: South Arm Rd. Campsite

To: Sabbath Day Pond Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

Yep. I missed the pool float. A lot. It's worth the extra weight to sleep as well as I do. Blazer had a hell of a time getting me out of bed this morning though. We left around 8:15...oops. We had a long climb first thing but took it slow and it wasn't as bad as I expected.Right before lunch break I ran head first into a tree and just about gave myself a concussion. It had fallen across the trail but was leaning on another tree so it was just at face height. I was focused on my feet (as you have to be) climbing down some rocks. Didn't see the tree above the brim of my hat and plowed into it head first. It certainly rattled my teeth and put me in a terrible mood. When we stopped for lunch I laid out my tent to dry. The fly almost always gets wet from condensation. Blazer got a text that our friend Guard had finished. I'm so excited for him. It really feels like we're getting close now. We had some great views on the way down. There were more blueberry bushes than we've seen yet and we stopped to pick some. Stopped in at Bemis Mountain shelter for some water and to sign the book. A group of girls from a camp in Canada were there and a section hiker. We stayed too long talking to them and I couldn't convince Blazer to stay the night. He said we needed to get these miles done and he's right. At the pond right before the shelter there's a small beach area. Too bad the weather has been so chilly. We did have an incredible sunset reflected off the water though. I set up my tent at the shelter because of the bugs. The pond is the water source which is kind of gross but you do what you have to I suppose. I've been really impressed with the MATC (Maine Appalachian Trail Club). SOBOs warned us that only the moose maintain the trail so I expected the worst. The trail is rocky and there are lots of roots but there isn't much that can be done about that. There are boards over maybe 3/4 of the muddy areas and there is re-bar on steep sections of rock and in some areas where it's not even needed. On some sections of the trail A LOT of work has been done to put in stone steps. I've been surprised more than once at how long the stepped sections are. There are certainly areas where the trees have overgrown on the trail and you have to bushwhack through a bit but so far it hasn't been any worse than any other state.I can hear loons out on the lake tonight. I love the sound of their calls. It's a very peaceful way to fall asleep.
Date: 2007-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I have made some big decision re my gear. I have purchased an Osprey Aether 70 pack, a Hubba Tent and an alcohol stove. I may use my Jetboil Stove but will try the alcohol stove on a weekend trip and make a final decision. My hike will start in mid April after Easter and will begin at Springer Mtn and end at Winding Stair Gap near Franklin, N.C. I am concentrating on reducing my pack weight and beginning to plan the actual hike.
Date: 2007-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have selected all my gear and have a pack weight of 23 pounds without food and water. I am working on food preparation and will have two mail drops at Neel's Gap and Hiawassee,GA. Of course, I am exercising by running, using my stairmaster and hiking at Oak Mountain State Park wich is close to Birmingham. My reservations for the hostels and one for a motel have been made. I am eagerly anticipating the hike.
Date: 2007-04-12
To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0

I left today from Medical Center East at noon bound for Franklin, N.C. I have reservations with Ron Haven at the Budget Inn. No problems with the drive to Franklin. I arrived at about 6pm. The Budget Inn was full of thru hikers so they moved me to the Sapphire Motel. The room was fine for the price ($35). I ate a good dinner at a BBQ restaurant across the street. I will leave my car at the Motel and Ron will shuttle me to Springer Mtn tommorow am.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Springer Mtn

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

I woke up early at the Sapphire Motel and ate breakfast across the street at Hardies. Ron Haven picked me up at 9am for my shuttle to Springer Mtn. Kentucky Hippo was also in the truck for the shuttle. We saw a black bear near the road close to Suches, GA and stopped for pictures. WE arrived at the parking lot at 12 noon. I began hiking at 12:15 and went up to the top of Springer Mtn where I met Many Sleeps, a trail runner, and signed in as a section hiker.I also met Macgyver at the top, a General Surgeon from Fayetteville, AR. I started my official north bound hike. A friend of mine from Birmingham, Frank May, had planned to meet me at the Hawk Mtn Shelter. He wanted to hike the first three days with me but I saw him just as he left his truck; so we hiked the firsr day together. We stopped at Stover Creek Shelter and had lunch. Kentucky was also there but he decided to stay. Although we heard about bad weather moving in, the day was beautiful. We arrived at Hawk Mtn Shelter at 4:45pm and decided to tent. I have never stayed in a shelter but I am sure that will change.There were 12 to 15 hikers scattered around the shelter with 4 or 5 staying in the shelter.Overall, it was a good day of hiking and the beginning of a great trip.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

I woke up at daybreak, 7am, and had my usual breakfast consisting of a cereal bar, hot oatmeal and coffee. I do freezer bag cooking and had CyndiH's Super Oatmeal(Freezer Bag Cooking by Sarah Svien Kirkconnell) and it was delicious. We departed the shelter at 8am, another beautiful day.Our first big Mtn was Sassafras but it was not too bad. We had to carry extra water because the first water source was 6 miles at Justus Creek. We stopped for lunch at Gooch Mtn Shelter and I had a peanut butter and raisin wrap, Nutty Buddy Bar and dried fruit which was my lunch all week and it was good. We arrived at Woody Gap at 3:15pm and called Josh for a ride to the Hiker Hostel. Leigh and Josh Saint were our hosts at the hostel and did a great job. Their home was only 3 or 4 years old and was very comfortable. Frank and I stayed in a loft that accommodated 4 hikers with our own bath. There were 2 single bunk beds and I was on top which was not good for my nightly trips to the bathroom, but I managed. I washed my clothes and took a good shower. The hostel was absolutely filled because of a storm that was headed our way.Leigh took several of us to Dahlonega to Wiley's restaurant and I had a good steak. I had a good nights sleep.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Woody Gap

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

I woke up warm and dry at the hostel after a good nights sleep. Josh prepared eggs and french toast for breakfast. Josh shuttled us back to Woody Gap to start up the trail and we noticed an immediate change in the weather. The winds were gusting and later we heard they were recorded at 30 to 50 mph in the mountains. A notheaster was moving into the New England area and there was foul weather all up and down the east coast. The Boston Marathon was even in peril due to the high winds and rain. Frank and I had a difficult time hiking in the wind but finally made it to the Blood Mtn Shelter which is the highest point in GA. Rain turned into sleet then snow. We ate a hasty lunch at the shelter, it was very cold with the wind chill factor in the teens.We arrived at Neels Gap at 2:30pm looked around in the outfitter store and called for our shuttle from Goose Creek Cabins. With the bad weather, I was fortunate to have made reservstions in advance. Luke came from Goose Creek Cabins and took us to our cabin. The cabin had 2 bedrooms with a kitchen and a bath, nice for $20 each. Luke shuttled Frank and me into Blairsville for BBQ and the food was good. It was cold and the winds shook our little cabin and rattled the windows all night. It was good to be inside.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

We slept very well in the cabins but the high winds made us a little nervous. We ate breakfast in the kitchen and were shuttled back to Neels Gap. Two hikers fron Ohio rode the shuttle with us. Frank caught a shuttle back to his truck at Springer Mtn and had to return to Birmingham. At this point I started up the trail alone. It was still very windy and cold. It was difficult to walk on the windward side of the Mtns. I could hear the wind howling long before entering one of the many gaps. The gaps were especially testy and I had to "hold on to my hat". Several times I thought I would be blown off my feet. There were many trees and large branches blown across the trail and were obstacles to climb over and around but also the obvious danger with them falling. I stopped for lunch at the trail junction to Whitney Gap Shelter; the shelter was 1.2 miles off the trail and I thought that was too far to go for a lunch break. I arrived at Low Gap Shelter at 2:45pm and was alone until other hikers started coming in at 4:30pm. I saw my first snake close to the shelter; I think it was not poisonous. A nurse and her husband from Oregon tented next to me and they were nice and interesting to talk with. My tent was on a hill by a log to block the wind but it was too much of an incline and I slid all night long. Alas, I will learn.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I had my usual breakfast at Low Gap Shelter and was on the trail by 9am. A few PUDS but nothing major before I stopped for lunch at Blue Mtn Shelter. From Blue Mtn there was a 1000 foot decent to Unicoi Gap and then an immediate 900 foot ascent to Rocky Mtn and it was tough! I passed a man with a huge white dog on Tray Mtn Road close to the Cheese Factory Site. He was nice but I did not predict the trail magic I would receive from him the next two days. His name was Mike. Zack and Kentucky were already at the site and Martha, from Canada, would join us later. Zack was also from Canada. It was a nice camp site with good water from a nearby spring.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.5

I left the Cheese Factory Site at 8:30am and started climbing Tray Mtn. I saw Mike again with his dog, Clyde, at Addis Gap.I played with Clyde for a few minutes, Mike was car camping a short distance away. The climb up Kelly Knob was straight up and tough. I ran out of water ( I forgot to fill my water bladder) and became dehydrated. It was my worse day on the trail. I stopped at Deep Gap Shelter for lunch and to rehydrate. The descent from Deep Gap to Dick's Creek Gap was 1200 feet over 2 miles. I finally arrived at the Gap at 4pm and was fortunate to get a ride at the parking lot with a guide for the Ocoee River. My first trail magic. He took me to the Holiday Inn Express where I had reservations. After checking in I used one of their free bikes to go to the grocery store and to look for a fuel canister. I bought the groceries but no canisters to be found in the entire town! So I had a big problem. When I got back to the motel I saw Mike's van with Clyde inside. Apparantly Zack and Kentucky stopped at Mike's camp for chicken and a few beers and then he yellow blazed them to the Holiday Inn Express. Mike was kind enough to drive me to several outfitters on the outskirts of town but still no fuel canisters. We decided to go back to Neels Gap the next morning, Mike knew a short cut and was kind enough to offer to drive me.Zack. Kentucky and I ate AYCE at Daniel Steak House and it was very good for about 7 dollars. Mark and Sean Lena from Maine were also eating. I had a good shower, washed clothes and enjoyed a good nights sleep.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: heavy intensity rain

The three of us had a good breakfast at the motel and Mike was there at 9am to take us to Neels Gap to get my canister. It was a beautiful drive with numerous large magnificent mountain homes in the area around Hiawassee, GA. I got my canister and Mike dropped us off at the parking lot at Dick's Creek Gap. We started hiking at 12 noon, a late start.I had to drink a lot of fluids because it was hot and I did not want to dehydrate again. I had an immediate ascent of 800 feet to Little Bald Knob. I stopped and had lunch at Plumorchard Shelter with several other thru hikers. I proceeded past the NC/GA state line on past Bly Gap to Muskrat Creek Shelter. I did not arrive until 6pm and still had to set up my tent,get water and prepare my dinner etc. I was cold and tired but at that point several of the hikers built a campfire and that lifted my spirits. Among the many people there were Zack, Kentucky, Mark and Sean Lean (trail name Maine-iacs) and a young 17 year old girl from Mass named Elizabeth.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Muskrat Creek shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept well in my tent. The temperature was hovering around 32 degrees and felt cold but not too uncomfortable. I had my usual breakfast and started hiking at 8:30am. Hiking up Standing Indian Mtn was a gradual slope for one and a half miles. The same repeated motion in my foot strike gave me my first blister on my right heel. I ate lunch at Standing Indian Shelter and arrived at Carter Gap Shelter at 3:30pm. I set up my tent ,ate supper and was in bed by dusk, no campfire tonight. Most of the same hikers were at Carter Gap Shelter.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to a beautiful day and started hiking at 9am with the same folks. I decended to Betty Creek Gap and then hiked up Big Butt Mtn (4600'). Next was Albert Mtn (5220') and it was another tough climb using both hands over rocks and up steep portions of the trail. I passed Glassmine Gap which is the official first 100 miles of the AT. The views from Albert Mtn were great. I stopped a short way down from Albert Mtn at Big Spring Shelter for lunch. I met a nice couple who lived just outside Franklin and now love doing trail maintenance on the AT. They were originally fron Orlando. I enjoyed talking with them. The next shelter was Rock Gap and the tent sites were awful, the worst thus far. I managed to find a site on the side of the Mtn and it was just OK. Another large group of hikers stayed at the shelter and most of them were stopping in Franklin and were excited re the R&R. No campfire so I went to bed at dusk again.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: few clouds

This will be my last day of hiking on my first section. Kentucky and I arrived at Winding Stair Gap at 9:30am and three more were right behind us. A nice lady from Pensacola, FL dropped another hiker off at the trail and offered to give us a ride back into town (11 miles) in her truck. Thanks for the Trail Magic. The Budget Hotel was full, so I again went to the Sapphrie Motel. I paid for the room just in order to get a shower and change clothes. I loaded my Yukon and left with Kentucky. He turned his ankle and needed to get off the trail early. He had hoped to get a shuttle from Ron Haven but he was carring a hiker to Damascus therefore not available. So I gave Kentucky a ride to his van at NOC. Overall it was a great first section for me. The weather was good except for the early winds, we had very little rain. My feet had a few minor blisters and physically I held up well. I definetly will be back in September for another section.It was a long drive back to the Longleaf Shelter (my home). It was good to see my wife, daughter and my two precious grandchildren.
Date: 2007-09-12
To: Second Section Hike of AT
Miles today: 0.0

I hiked my first section of the AT last spring and will start my second section tomorrow.I had planned to hike solo but Allen Crocker, an experienced ultralight hiker, asked to go with me and I was delighted. We left Birmingham at noon and drove to Fontana Dam to the Hike Inn Hostel operated by Nancy and Jeff Hoch. Highway 28 in NC is called "Tail of the Dragon" because of the many curves and elevation changes. It is a popular road for motorcycle riders but after 5 hours of driving was awful for me in my Yukon. We arrived at the Dam only to discover that the bridge was closed, so we had to backtrack and take a 30 to 40 mile detour.We arrived at the Inn at about 7pm. Nancy recommended the Stecoah Valley Diner for dinner and the food was delicious. Later that evening we watched the weather channel and repacked our packs. We were eager to get on the trail tomorrow. The plan was to leave my SUV at the Inn and take a shuttle to Winding Stair Gap and hike back to Fontana Dam.Our biggest concern was the severe drought in the area and Jeff said it was a significan problem.
Date: 2007-09-13
From: Second Section Hike of AT

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Jeff shuttled us to the Winding Stair Gap near Franklin, NC. The drive was beautiful and most of the trip we were adjacent to the Little Tennesee River. We started hiking north at about 9am. There was an immediate 1000 foot elevation climb to Siler Bald where we stopped to enjoy the views and take pictures. We stopped for lunch at the Siler Bald Shelter, not knowing that this was our last good water source for several days. After a good lunch break, we headed to Wayah Bald and on the way discovered all the water sources were completely dry! At Wayah Bald Tower, I met two couples on vacation from Ohio: when they understood our water problem they graciously gave us four bottles of water from their cooler(in their car). At that time Allen was virtually out of water. Their trail magic saved us and was our drinking water and cooking water for the night. The new shelter was located about 0.7 miles from the tower, was brand new (opened in May) and beautiful but there was not one drop of water coming out of the spring. There was a hurricane in the Gulf that hit Texas and we knew rain was coming our way and hopefully that would help us with the drought. We had a good night at the shelter with no mice activity! It was my first time to spend a night in a shelter.
Date: 2007-09-14
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

As predicted, it started raining hard at 2am; therefore, we woke up and found a small drip coming out of the pipe at the spring and were able to get enough water for breakfast and for the day's hike. We left the shelter in a heavy rain with our rain gear on and covered packs. Our destination was Wesser Bald Shelter. We stopped for lunch at Cold Spring Shelter. There was good water at the nearby spring. It was a very old shelter; we had been spoiled by the new shelter at Wayah Bald. After lunch, we continued to hike in a heavy rain to Wesser Bald Shelter. The water at the creek was so muddy that we caught rain water coming off the roof of the shelter, but at least we had plenty. (We learned later that a total of 4.5 inches fell during that 24 hours.) There was significant mice activity so I set up my Hubba tent(without the fly) inside the shelter and that worked great. We passed a few hikers heading south but never had anyone else at the shelters for the entire trip. We enjoyed a good supper and had a peaceful night of sleep.
Date: 2007-09-15
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

Our destnation today was Sassafras Shelter with a planned stop at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The rain had stopped and the ground had completely soaked up the rainfall(4.5 inches) and the streams were dry again. We enjoyed a good lunch at NOC; hamburgers, fries, coke and Blackberry Cobbler a la mode. The kitchen and communal area at the hiker's hostel was very nice. I picked up my resupply package at the outfitter's store, repacked my food and gear and filled up four liters of water to take to Sassafras Shelter. We had been warned that there was no water along the trail or at the shelter. We arrived at the shelter at 6pm, our latest arrival for the week. There was a 2000 foot elevation gain from NOC to Swim Bald and Sassafras Shelter was 300 feet down from the bald. It was a tough hike with the heat(high 70's)and trying to conserve water. As expected there was absolutely no water at the shelter.
Date: 2007-09-16
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a dry breakfast, no cooking water, and headed to Stecoah Gap where we hoped to find water. Allen had been having pain with one of his knees and had been going slow for the last two days. I arrived at Stecoah Gap first and within a few minutes was given water by a couple who had stopped to take a few pictures. The word was out re the hikers dire situation with the drought and they all responded graciously. Allen arrived a short time later and decided to get off the trail because of his painful knee. He called Jeff and asked for a shuttle back to the hostel.We met a young lady, who owns the Appalachian Bed and Breakfast in the area, on the trail. She was out for a day hike. We told her about a lost dog on the trail that we encountered and could not call to us. Later she came back to the parking lot carrying the dog(a woman's touch)! Before leaving, she also gave me extra water; therefore, I had four liters to carry to the next shelter and I decided to keep going. Shortly after she left the owner of the dog showed up and we gave him directions to her B&B. This was a good outcome for the dog.I left Allen at the gap and headed to Brown Fork Gap Shelter. It was only 2.4 miles but I had 800 feet elevation gain, again in the heat and trying to conserve my precious water. I drank sparingly and only used one cup with my freezer bag meal for dinner. Alone at the shelter but I had a good night's sleep.