morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Rain in the forecast. I guess one downside to staying in a shelter is that once somebody gets up in the morning, it is hard to stay asleep. I didn't mind sleeping a foot away from a stranger and slept pretty well. I was up and off by about 6:30. Turned out that was lucky, about 7:30 or so it started to rain. It was slow at first but got progressively worse. Started with the rain jacket and soon added the pants and ultimately my hiking umbrella. The umbrella was nice as I could keep my hood down and my jacket partially unzipped and not overheat. Some natural trail magic, about the time I needed a break I came upon a large rock overhang that was dry underneath. It was nice to be able to get into my pack from a dry spot. Again at about 11am I pulled into Gootch Mountain shelter. I had some oatmeal for lunch and claimed a spot in the shelter getting ready to settle in for a boring and damp afternoon. Campfire and Young Guns were heading to Wolfpen Gap Hostel, and it didn't take much discussion for another four of us to join. So another 1.4 miles and a quick ride. The hostel is over a gas station which is a plus because they have food and drinks and pizza. So Corky and Jarod and Jeremy and the two others and I are in one of the areas of the hostel. We're all strategizing how to hike the next couple of days with hostels every night to stay out of the cold rain at night.
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Gooch Gap

To: Neel's Gap (Blood Mtn Cabins)
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

It is way too early to cheat and way too early to bail. Blue blazing is where you take a side trail that cuts out distance or elevation. Today would be my first climb over the first real mountain and this sign was at the base (a blue blazed shortcut). I spent last night at the Wolfpen Hostel. It was nice to get clean and dry but I didn't sleep well. It was too hot in there. We were all debating about what to do today; we all agreed that another night warm, clean, and dry was a good thing. But that meant a 4/10/14 mile hike and we were all debating the best plan. We got back to Gooch Gap at about 7:30 am and started hiking. It was foggy, warm, and muggy. I was shivering yesterday and sweating this morning. I quickly passed Woody Gap and then Jarrards Gap by about noon so decided to press on. As I began climbing Blood Mountain I thought I could see the summit to my left but the trail was taking me right. I was getting frustrated that I would have to drop to climb. Soon enough my frustrations were over as I topped out at the real summit (I don't know what mountain I was looking at). I guess there are bear problems at the summit, and the shelter was damp so I pressed on. A short time later I was down at Neel's Gap, decided to bypass the hostel and get a cabin down the road. Don't have to share the shower or bathroom, can spread out and sleep in. One negative to a shelter or hostel is it seems once one is up, we are all up. So if you are counting, one night in a shelter, one in a hostel, and now in a cabin. Already so many have dropped out, talked about skipping ahead ( yellow blazing), I think as long as I am making faithful mileage, staying dry and clean is a good trade.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Neel's Gap (Blood Mtn Cabins)

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light snow

Spent a wonderful night at Blood Mtn Cabins and was at the outfitters at Neel Gap by 8:30 for a pack shakedown. I emptied everything out and they went through and critiqued everything. Sent home some stuff sacks, my pants ??, carabiners, and my travel deodorant (memorize this list, quiz tomorrow). I refused to give up underwear, 2nd T shirt, and rain pants. And I wanted to upgrade my water purification (see below), my tent, and my camp shoes, but they didn't have what I was looking for. All totaled, sent home 1.9 lbsThe hiking day was steep and long, starting with a 500' climb right out the back door of the outfitters. I passed up a few water sources in the first few miles, so was forced to get some water from a roadside drain pipe. ( you can see it in my photos). My problem is using a Steripen I have to stop, take my pack off, scoop water into my bottle with a cup until full, then light it up for about a minute. It sounds simple enough but mentally it prevents me from topping off so therefore I run short. I need to get the Sawyer squeeze so I can simply fill a bottle ( or partially fill) and then sip through the filter. It is on my list and I wish I had taken that advice before I started. Anywhoo a mile later and a rough climb up Wildcat Mtn brought me to Hogpen Gap and good water so I emptied my bottle and refilled, which brought me to my second problem, flies and gnats. Not bad while you are walking but vicious when you are stopped. Insect repellent is on the list. After the gap it was a pretty easy 5 ish mile walk to the shelter. I set up my tent as no rain was in the forecast. I met my neighbors, Professor, Hakuna Matata(sp.), and Bluebird. Bluebird is 70 years old and hiking with her daughter (H/M). It was incredibly cool to spend the evening with them talking about gear and their dreams of being on the trail. They are hiking slow (understandably) so I may not see them again. So I don't have a hiker appetite yet, and don't have my trail legs yet, so pretty much all I think about as I am walking is my gear and how I can be more efficient. The goal is to make miles. Lighter is better except at the sacrifice of comfort and sanity ( bug spray). With a few exceptions gear is useless unless you use it (water purification) so those things are occupying my mind all day.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap (Budget Inn)
Miles today: 9.7

I slept well in the tent, but it was a bit too warm. We were all lamenting all the cold weather gear and warm bags we have, hopefully it will cool down a bit. I showed 83 degrees today. I got up about 6:30 and was on the trail about an hour later. The day started with an easy 6 mile uphill walk. Some of it looked to be on an old road bed so was good walking. Near the top of Blue Mtn the trail got a bit steep and rocky. I had a nice break at the shelter but pressed on quickly due to the gnats. The trail down to Unicoi Gap was pretty steep. On the way down (with a drop of about 1000') I debated whether to push on or stop in town. To push on would turn 9.7 miles into about 15 with 2,500' of climb so I decided to stop and make a town visit. A forecast of rain made the decision easier. At Unicoi Gap, there was some great trail magic from the First Baptist Church of Cleveland. I had a burger, chips, and a Sprite while waiting on our shuttle. Tonight I am staying at the Budget Inn, which is a hiker friendly hotel. They will shuttle me back to the trail tomorrow morning. Granted I have limited experience, but town is different from a hostel. I was able to go to the drug store, the grocery store, and a store to swap my Keens for Crocs. I shipped home two pounds while replacing with about a half pound, a good trade. I walked back the mile from the store in the Crocs, I think they will work. I did pick up bug spray and deodorant (I am definitely not used to my stink yet). Haven't found the water filter yet. Rain in the forecast tonight and tomorrow. Shuttle options are 9 and 11am so I will leave depending on the weather. Will probably only do that five miles tomorrow, then 13ish to the next hostel. Will re supply again then 40 miles after that to the next stop.
Date: 2015-04-10
From: Unicoi Gap (Budget Inn)

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

So I overnighted at the Budget Inn, and in the morning was watching the weather channel to see when the storms were to pass through and debating whether to stay another day. They were talking about how bad the thunderstorms would be but by 9ish it looked like they were going to miss norther GA so I hopped the 11am shuttle back to Unicoi Gap and started hiking. Steep climbing right away up Rocky Mountain, could see a band of rain coming. It rained On me for my climb up Tray Mountain then easy walking through the SWAG of the Blue Ridge. Camped beside the trail at Addis Gap. Two Germans were tenting by me. Apparently there was some documentary of the AT in Germany so there are about 10 of them I have run into. Interesting to hear their stories of trying to get a visa into the U.S. I guess hiking for 6 months raises suspicions. I had a little trouble with my Steripen but apparently was the batteries.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Addis Gap

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 9.9

I slept great in my tent at Addis Gap, and was on the trail by about 7:30. On my mind was to sto at either the Top of Georgia Hostel or go back to Hiawasee to supply up for the 3-4 day push to Franklin. After a steep uphill out of camp it was an easy downhill to Dicks Creek Gap. There was no cell service at the gap so I walked the half mile down the road to the hostel. I figured I couldn't resupply their I could get into town. Let me tell you the hostel was great. For about twenty bucks I got a nice hot shower, all of my laundry done, a pizza and a coke. It took about two hours but during that time I got a bit of food and a new tent from their supply shop. I had been debating whether to upgrade my tent since before the trip. While in it this past week I noticed that some of the seams had delaminated. So not wanting to wake up to a wet floor, I replaced it and shipped my old one home. I had a Big Agnes and one of the few dings against it was that water could drip inside with the door open. This one overhangs a bit to prevent drips, but takes more dexterity to get in and out. So after the rest, back up the road and on the trail. It was a warm sunny afternoon and steady uphill so I drank a lot of water. I got to the shelter and picked a good tent site and put up my new home. It had a great water source, someone dammed the creek and put a pipe in so it was easy to fill bottles. So one week in and 74 miles down, some random thoughts:- I have yet to get "comfortable" walking. Instead of deep complicated thoughts I am thinking where to put my feet or poles, or whether that step is going to be muddy. - I am annoyed by my hiking poles. I get hyper sensitive to the hand straps and am always stopping to de-spear leaves. I need them though so we are going to have get along. - Shelters are odd. In theory they should be great, but most of them have mice and are damp and dirty. They are also the congregating place so are loud late.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept Ok in my new tent. I was out of camp early as there is a forecast of rain tonight and want to get in some dry miles. The last bit of trail in GA was pretty easygoing, then I crossed the border. Almost immediately after crossing the state line the trail got steep and hard. I stopped at Muskrat Creek Shelter for lunch. Shortly after I got there another guy came in. He collapsed on the floor and said, "Welcome to North Carolina, how do you like our (expletive) switch backs?" I thought it was funny and fitting. However, the trail got much easier after that. I put on my headphones for the first time after lunch and it made a world of difference. I don't know why, but I was able to focus on the trail and think about other things. The miles went by fast and soon enough I made it to a good tent site. I met some nice people in camp and hung out a bit by the fire. We were all lamenting the rain to come.
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Beech Gap

To: Rock Gap (Franklin NC)
Miles today: 15.4

It was windy last night and made it tough to sleep. I got up once and saw stars and got hopeful. I woke up again to the sounds of rain hitting my tent. It was an interesting experience trying to pack everything but the tent into my backpack, then quickly take down my tent and put it in the outside pocket to keep the dry and wet separate. I think I would be OK with two wet night in a tent but after that everything would be wet. I started walking with the Long Branch Shelter in mind for a 12 mile day. It rained off and on and misted when it wasn't raining for a pretty soggy day. One thing I have with me is a lightweight umbrella. Now everything is a trade off between utility/luxury and weight but I am pretty happy with it. The umbrella allows me to leave my jacket hood down and unzipped keeping me cooler. If there is no wind I don't even need my rain pants (my shoes are wet anyway from the trail). Today had a climb up Albert Mtn. It wasn't too bad but very steep and some rock scrambling. It was probably a site watching me climb up this wet rock with an umbrella in my hand. There was a watch tower on top but no views due to the fog. After Albert it was a wet muddy walk downhill two miles to the shelter. My feet were wet and hurting. When I got to the shelter there was a guy in there talking about how sick he had been the night before (in that shelter). There were a few other people in there already spread out so I ate a quick snack and put the pack back on. 3.5 miles away was another shelter and a road crossing. The trail wasn't too bad down to the road. I met an interesting cast of characters at the road. Corky who I met the first day, Ambush (who I am sharing a room with), and a guy who cannot be named (but it is a very small world). We caught a shuttle into Franklin, had dinner, and are now winding down.
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Rock Gap (Franklin NC)

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My first "zero" which is what it sounds; a day off from hiking. My feet were tired from the past two long days of hiking. Also, since I got into town late it would have been a rush to get all my chores done. The four of us that stayed here last night all sort of went our separate ways. I went to the outfitters to look for a few things (mostly unsuccessful). Then to the laundromat and then to the store. I left the hotel around 9:30 and back about 1:00. Even in a small town if you walk for all your errands it takes time. After lunch, one other guy and I researched and ultimately signed up to slack pack the next 30 miles over the next 3 days. We leave our big packs with a hostel, borrow smaller day packs, and get dropped off in the morning and picked up that afternoon, staying over two nights in the hostel. With rain in the forecast for the next few days, the opportunity to walk light and give my feet a break should be nice.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Rock Gap (Franklin NC)

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: moderate rain

Today was my first day to slack pack. We left the hotel in Franklin and we're back at Rock Creek Gap by about 8:30. We had to walk 0.7 miles to Wallace Gap to meet Steve "Wiggy" to swap out for our day packs. He showed up right on time and took our big packs and would meet us later at Wayah Gap. Today I walked with Tin Man as we were both slack packing. We had a small up and down then a 1,000' gain up to Siler Bald. It rained on us the whole time, making it impossible to keep feet dry. When we got to the "top" we didn't even go over to the viewpoint as we were socked in by fog. About a mile or so after that Wiggy was waiting on us at Wayah Gap. As we were coming to the hostel Wiggy gave us a bit of backstory. He thru hiked in 2010 and was very disappointed in U.S. style hostels. When he got back to NC he built this lodge and runs a quality place. First, all the gear goes into a warming/drying hut and doesn't come inside. Then you shower immediately upon entering the lodge and either get your dirty wet clothes laundered or they go back out to the hut. Thusly, the lodge doesn't smell bad. They give us loaner clothes too. We all have to sleep in the same room, but it is very nice accommodations. We all had chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner and are all sitting around the living room now. Tomorrow we slack pack again, and will be back at this great place.
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Wayah Gap

To: Burningtown Gap 
Miles today: 8.7

We were supposed to easily knock out 15 miles today.....the best laid plans.This morning at Nantahala Mtn Lodge was nice, we all were up by about 7, breakfast at 8 and left for the trail about 9. Slack packing again today. So it may be obvious by now, but any time you start from a "gap" you are starting the day with a climb. We gained about a thousand feet In a bit over a mile. The trail was still very wet, muddy, and mushy from all the rain. For me it seems I start the day with hopes of dry feet, then my foot slides in the mud and my feet are wet and muddy. Then it is a constant vigil and battle to keep from sliding around, and invariably that leads to a slower pace. After a bit of up and down I got to Wayah Bald with a cool stone watchtower. Tim Man, Salamander and Ice Man were there (they stayed at the lodge last night) so I got to chat with them a bit before they took off. The two other than Tin Man are making bigger mileage so I doubt I'll see them again. The trail down was steep and muddy. It was about two miles of misery, then flattened somewhat for the next two miles to Burningtown Gap. I got there a bit before Tin Man, when he arrived we had a BRIEF discussion about whether to press on to Tellico Gap. It would have been another 5 miles. We bailed. As if to validate our decision, not 10 minutes after we were picked up it started to pour down rain. We are back at the lodge now, dinner done and relaxing. Tomorrow we slack pack 13 miles to the N.O.C. Still trying to shake this rainy weather.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Burningtown Gap 

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I could get used to slack packing. My third day with a light pack, still trying to let this rain get passed us. There were four of us dropped off at Burningtown Gap around 9:30am with a 13 mile day ahead of us. There was a 4.8 mile up and over then drop to Tellico Gap where I walked under (I think) the first power line in 130 miles. That doesn't seem right but I cannot recall one earlier. Then a relatively short up to Wesser Bald which had a watchtower. Emily asked, I guess the towers are there just to get a view above the trees as the balds are not yet real balds. After the tower a 2,800 foot drop in 7 miles with some of the steepest and slickest trail yet. (I know they can't all be the slickest days). I passed somebody's fresh boot slide print and thought to myself, they had to have gone down. Sure enough, a few hundred yards later there was a guy dressing his bloody hand. A bit later down the trail I saw a slide print that went down about 6 feet below the trail. From the trail it looked much worse than the photo shows. At some point Keebler whizzed past me stating that (1) they sell beer at NOC, and (2) the store closes at 5 pm. Side note, I camped with Keebler 5 days and 45 miles ago so it seems everyone is slow in these conditions. so I picked up my pace only to hit the NOC about 40 minutes later at about 3pm. I checked into my room (private room but shared bathroom). And went to the outfitters and the store for some snacks. I also decided to continue the slack packing a few more days as the trail is steep and we have 2-3 more days of rain. It feels like this is slowing me down but I am seeing too many fast people going equally as slow and I get to sleep dry. I had dinner with Tin Man (slacking with me), Jinglebutt, and Bryan (I have been calling him Arizona). Pepperoni pizza, Blue Moon and a V8. Now off to bed at 9pm on a wild Friday.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Stecoah Gap

To: N.O.C
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Slackpacking again. I stayed overnight at the NOC. After pizza for dinner I went to my room and organized my gear into my daypack and my full pack. Went back to the restaurant for breakfast, as did most of the other hikers. The bench outside was full of packs. The trail northbound was a three thousand foot climb in about nine miles so our host suggested we hike backwards and we agreed. Picked up from NOC and dropped off at Stecoah Gap. I still had a climb of about two thousand feet in about five miles. At the top of Cheoah Bald I ran into Salamander, Ice Man, Glacier, Magma, Jinglebutt, and Brian (all I have met before)After a brief lunch I headed downhill. On the way down I saw Arrow, Med Kit, Crash, and Forest. It was kind of interesting going backwards in that I got to see a whole bunch of people again. The trail down to NOC was pretty nice (the weather was dry). There was a snake laying across the trail that wouldn't move off so many people saw it. Once I got back to NOC I ran into Corky, Tom Selleck, and Bull. I relaxed with some blackberry cobbler. A little while later I had a pizza. Then got picked up and delivered back to the lodge. Good day of hiking and relaxing at NOC.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Yellow Creek Gap
Miles today: 7.7

"Easy" day of hiking planned. Relatively flat trail with the exception of Jacob's Ladder. Raining from the get go and all day. After about a mile from the gap I started up Jacob's Ladder. I was expecting something more steppy and rocky but it was just a bunch of muddy switchbacks. Soon enough I was up and the trail leveled out a bit. Then a steep, muddy downhill with a brief stop at Brown Fork Gap Shelter for lunch. After the shelter another bit of steep downhill then pretty level for about three miles and down into Yellow Creek Gap. It was a long way to/from the lodge so had to stand around in the rain for about an hour. Now back at the lodge and very full from dinner.
Date: 2015-04-20
From: Yellow Creek Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Pretty easy walking today, the weather was good and the trail was mostly dry into Fontana so I'll share some randomness today. I hiked with my full pack today after slack packing for the past five days. It took a few miles to get used to the weight, but all my things were in the right place (the day packs were essentially book bags). I think I gained strength over the past days and have rested my feet, hips, and back. The true test will be tomorrow when I enter Smoky Mountain National Park with up to a three thousand foot climb in about twelve miles. The Smokies have been the topic of discussion the past few days. We'll have about eighty miles with only one real break in the middle. Most folks are planning to break it up into two 3-4 day chunks stopping in Gatlinburg halfway. The odd challenge is that hikers are supposed to stay in the shelters versus tents. However, if a hiker with a reservation show up (thru hikers don't have reservations) then you have to get out of the shelter and tent. So everyone is strategizing how to either show up early to claim a spot in a shelter or show up late to hopefully tent. I think everyone is anxious about it. One upside to the Smokies is we get to hike over Clingmans Dome, the highest spot on the AT. I started my hike today with a brief stop at Cable Gap Shelter and ended at Fontana Dam. My friend LouAnn Cable is from this area and mentioned that her grandfather helped build the Dam (maybe the shelter too?). I didn't know that the Fontana Dam was built to provide power to Oak Ridge for the development of the Atomic Bomb. Cool bit of history but I'm bummed that LouAnn didn't come back from Colorado to greet me. . Emily asked tonight if I was lonely. I miss her a lot, but that aside.... Most days I hike alone for most of the day and that can be lonely/reflective but almost every place that is a stopping point I know people. The other day on a summit I knew everyone up there and today in the store I knew about half of the hikers. So I guess the answer is yes and no. I think I am getting pretty dialed into my gear, at least for the next few weeks that could still be cold. I sent home a shirt and some water gear as I switched to the Sawyer Squeeze. I also pared down my first aid kit a bit. On the neutral basis I swapped out a stuff sack for a waterproof compression sack for my clothes and on the add side I now have a sitting pad to keep my shorts a bit cleaner. One think lacking on the trail are clean places to sit.So after two weeks I'm still having fun, we'll see what the Smokies bring.