morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-07-03
From: Stealth campsite

To: Black Swstara Campsite
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

July 3: We started early this morning, Cowboy, Braveheart, Coffeebean and I. We had to finish going up the mountain we started last night but then it was pretty level the rest of the day. Level, but not easy! The trail was filled with rocks just big enough to have to walk over or around or on. It really slowed us down but it was nice at least not having to go up or downhill.Several times we really had some big rocks to scramble over. Those were fun!We crossed a pretty meadow with a beautiful view of the valley. The sun was out so we pulled out all our wet tents and gear and enjoyed a break while everything dried.Cowboy and Braveheart crossed the 1200 mile mark today! So proud of them and happy we were there to witness it!Later in the day we were crossing what looked like an old forest road and Cowboy spotted a large black rattlesnake laying in the sun. I didn't know some were black in color. I had only seen pictures of the ones out West and they are more sand colored. Coffebean comes walking up and I said "Look at the rattlesnake!". He walked toward it "to get a better look". The rattles started and the snake raised its head! Braveheart yelled at him to stop and the snake headed off into the grass, in the same direction we were headed! So we hurried down the trail.Cowboy owns a farm and cattle ranch in Ohio. He is one fascinating person to talk to! I have learned so much about farming and cattle!We were trying to get to the Black Swatara Campsites before the rain started but didn't make it. We were about a mile away when the skies opened up and poured buckets! We were drenched within minutes! Luckily I had my pack cover on but I didn't take the time to get my Frogg Toggs out (dumb move). I was drenched and my glasses were covered with rain and i had to keep wiping them just to see. And the trail! It became a fast moving river with minutes! You had no choice but to slosh through it, so my boots were squishing with water and covered in mud.We got to the campsites area and it was a lake! So the bright side was that if we had gotten there before the rain, we would have set up right where there was now 6 inch deep puddles! We walked a little past that and found an area that was a little higher ground. It wasn't a cleared campsite. There were low plants and grasses. The rain was starting to slow so we all picked an area and cleared away any rocks or sticks and quickly set up our tents. I closed the vestibule on my side, stripped, and got in the tent to dry off and set up. I wrung my clothes out as best I could but knew I would be wearing wet clothes in the morning. I didn't even come out for dinner. I just asked David to hand me a tortilla and a chicken salad packet and ate in the tent.We broke our mileage record though! 20.8 miles!
Date: 2019-03-07
To: Gainseville, Ga
Miles today: 871.0

My journey started this morning at 9:00 am. My wife took 2 kids to school on her way into work, one home sick, one still getting ready, and one driving me to the train station (with the sicko).  From the train....with my bright green cut down lawnmower box serving duty to protect my pack for the road, I headed to the greyhound station in downtown Dallas, TX. This was not my most favorite way to spend close to 3 hours, but in a strange way, it solidified the fact that my journey, my adventure had started...and I liked it... A few things I've picked or obvserved worth mentioning from possibly the only place on earth better to people watch than a Wal-Mart...A downtown Greyhound station..Guy with a make shift monicle, traveling with a man in drag who was not quite able to hide facts in his yoga pants outfit...they seemed like a happy couple though...Runaway girl lying about her age with a ticket to somewhere, in filthy clothes, and appears to be vomit all down her left side...I'm sad about that...and grateful for my family...I now need to wash my sandals before I get to the trail to get off all the stuck on ...crap...from just walking through the station...Not once did they check my ID. Not to get on the bus. Not to place a large, suspicious and heavy box in the underbelly of the bus. Just downright frightening.  I'm going with....My name is Huckleberry.(they wouldn't have cared...)While standing in a crowded corridor, with a 100 or so folks in line, I overheard a great conversation...regarding phones. It was an elderly lady speaking to a younger woman about her super cheap phone that her kids make fun of her for having. It was not a smart phone like everyone wants her to have....It was her last line that hit me. She said that phones were making everything worse, not better....and that "..the less I know the better..." that may be my new moto...  I was glad that my Franken-Box containing my backpack was a great chair for this nice lady after our buses had an hour delay.  If you have to wear basketball shorts under your pants to cover your but because your pants are falling down....it's because your pants are too big. Take the next size down next time...or simply sinch the freaking belt you are wearing a few knotches...we all don't need to see this...I eventually got on an hour late....and piled onto the bus right behind James....who just so happens to be heading exactly where I am....and starting the trail on the same day......small world......I'm officially on my way to knowing less...(as soon as I post this entry...)
Date: 2019-03-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I never thought I would find him...but I did! I found the single human being left on the planet that did not know you were not supposed to smoke cigarettes in a public transportation...like the Greyhound. The bus driver threatened to pull over and call the cops.......meanwhile the guy next to me is complaining that the driver isn't taking breaks....we've been on the road for just over an hour...
Date: 2019-03-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am heading out of Atlanta. Heading to Gainseville where I will have a shuttle to take me to the approach trail in Amicalola Falls.  I just got a bit nervous actually...Do I have enough gear? I feel certain that I do. Do I have too much gear? I feel certain that I do. Do I have the right gear? Less certain.I find that I'm nervous of what others will think of my choices. I partly blame Youtube for that. The hiking community on youtube has been where I spend a lot of time. I love all that I have received as far as perceived knowledge and entertainment.. but it does sort of put pressure on people who don't conform. I don't think it is intended in most cases, but it is just the world we live in. I'd like to change that in my world...for me. My gear is not mainstream. It is like me...just a bit different...so why am I caring. I honestly do not know. I just need to get on the trail.I just need to walk!
Date: 2019-03-08
From: Gainseville, Ga

To: AT Approach trail
Miles today: 0.0

24 hours in a greyhound was quite an experience. While trying to be as thrifty as possible, I decided on greyhound for my pre approach because....well...it was a bad decision.  I have miles with AA to have flown out, but they were going to charge me $80, to use my "free" miles. Out of protest, I chose Greyhound that could do it for $65...wow! How can they do it? The answer...barely...Here is where the whirlwind comes in...Due to not wanting to have to pee on that bus, I drank very little water, and ate very little food...and slept even less. That worked ok...for sitting, however I hopped straight off the bus into my shuttle to Amicalola. On that ride, I got an absolute lesson on ....hmmm...perhaps I should have planned a little.  Once we arrived it was a rush to get my picture under the arch, and into my AT 101 class at the visitor center. It was rushed because it was raining...a few minutes later and i was walking slong the approach trail with the falls in site. I was still trying to determine if I had everything from the bus....while walking and checking all my pockets and pouches...About half way up the stairs to the falls...I realize I think my water filter fell out of my bag at some point....getting on or off the bus...in or out of my shuttle ride...or the multiple places i put down my gear at the visitor center.Immediately I was stressed....emptied everything in my pack....twice....cant find it. After a few minutes, I was resolved to boiling water for .....man a few day...not sure....but I wasnt getting back on the bus..I made it to the top, emptied my pack again. No filter. I called the lodge and the nearby Inn...no luck.My goal for the day was to get just outside the park boundries, so I could camp along the trail...and literally made camp just after the boundry. As I was racing the Thunderstorm to get my hammock and tarp up....I find my filter. I'm not going to die....Then....I was hungry....from my Greyhound fast, and I was thirsty, now that I wasnt going to need to be on rations, and I was tired....from riding this whirlwind that dropped me on this mountain.But....I'm right on schedule.  Tomorrow is my birthday, and I will be hiking on the appalachian trail....if this lightning right over my tarp doesn't get me first...
Date: 2019-03-11
From: Gerrard Gap

To: Gerard Gap?
Miles today: 0.0

So, the down side to this journal is that you need service to post....most places I've stopped do not. I will catch up my days as soon as I have good dervice. We got caught today by a surprise storm which prevented me from attempting Blood mountain and getting to Neals Gap. Perhaps I'll post from there tomorrow! Anyone know if this jornal has the ability to write offline and then sync up with service...like a mobile app or something?-Jerrod
Date: 2019-03-13
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I have found, that from my journey to GA, to the beginning of my hike, I've put too much thought into trying to capture stuff for others...I'm done doing that...plus it is too dang hard. I dont like to keep looking for signal and trying to post. You guys that do this for an entire hike are amazing! That is not me.:)
Date: 2019-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A couple of things about training for ahike this year. My weight this year is the same as last year. Thelast two years my trail pack weight was 35 pounds, and I am planning forabout the same this year.Two years ago, I trained with only a 25pound pack weight, and paid for that the first week of the hike. Lastyear I was hiking out at Pearson Park with a pack weight of 38pounds, and was walking from my apartment on the 15thfloor down to the 1st floor and back up with a 50 poundpack. This year, I have joined RossfordCommunity Center and have been in the weight room three days a week,and using their Jacobs Ladder to train on (not very well I need toadd). Again walking the stairs at the Commodore Perry with increasingweight. And walking three miles or so either at Pearson Park ordowntown Toledo three or four days a week.
Date: 2019-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am planning on doing this year's hikewith my friend Boo Boo, who I met on the trail two years ago. Thehike plan for 2019 is to start at Amicalola Falls State Park inGeorge hike the 8.8 miles of the approach trail to the southernterminus of the AT, then God willing, hike 468.7 miles to DamascusVirginia, for a total of 477.5 miles. This will take me back to whereI started this hike two years ago. I'm thinking that this hike shouldtake somewhere around six weeks to carry out.On March 28, Dave Ziems and I willleave Toledo Ohio meeting up with Boo Boo at Amicalola Falls Statepark. The hike start date is set for Friday March 29th.Our plan is to start with low mileagedays and increase the miles as we can. Please note that the veryfirst thing that we will have to do is go up a 604 step staircase tothe top of the falls.
Date: 2019-03-28
From: Springer Mountain

To: Approach Trail
Miles today: 24.6

3/29: Hiked 8.8 miles of the approachtrail that takes you to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus ofthe Appalachian trail (AT). Full disclosure, at the start of theapproach trail, Boo Boo hiked the 604 steps of the staircase to thetop of the falls, I did not. Tented the night at Stover Creekshelter, 2.8 miles into the AT. 3/30: Hiked 13 miles on a real nicetrail. About ten miles in we met our first trail Angel, who gave useach a can of pop. We tented at Gooch Mountain shelter. It rained allnight.
Date: 2019-03-31
To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 10.6

3/31: Hiked 10.6 miles. After an allnight rain, the day was cold and very windy. Stopped at Jarrard Gapto spend the night, but the cold and wind were an issue. We ended upsetting our tents up on an old Forest Service road that was on theback side of the mountain, that got us out of the wind. This was avery good decision.
Date: 2019-04-01
To: Blood Mountain
Miles today: 5.0

4/01: Hiked 5 miles. It was a cold day,and today was the first real test for the trail. The climb up 4,457'Blood Mountain was not as bad as I was thinking it would be. After ashort day to Neel Gap, we stayed at Blood Mountain cabins withanother hiker named Robo Knees for $24 each.
Date: 2019-04-02
To: Tray Mountain 
Miles today: 23.9

4/02: Hiked 12.9 miles. I do not recallanything special about this day. We ended up at Poplar Stamp Gapwhere we tented for the night. 4/3: Hiked 11 miles. The day's hike wasall about going over Rocky Mountain at 4,017'. Coming into UnicoiGap, GA a south bound hiker told us that trail angels were justahead with free hamburgers. I proclaimed that I would not be eatingone on this day. A couple of minutes later, as we came into theopening, I was asked if I wanted a hamburger, and I said yes. It wasa hard climb, but the payoff was that our friend Stealth, whom Ihiked about 200 miles with last year, picked us up from the trail atTray Mountain for a zero day at his nearby cabin.
Date: 2019-04-04
From: Stealth's

To: Stealth's
Miles today: 13.3

4/4: / Zero day. Had a great zero daywith Boo Boo and Stealth. We went into the towns of Helen GA. Atourist town known for its Bavarian-Style buildings, and ClevelandGA, where we resupplied, and had lunch at Rib Country BBQ. Again,what a great day.4/05: Hiked 13.3 miles. It rained mostof the day. The hike was up and down all day. We came back off ofthe trail for the night in Hiawassee GA, and stayed at the HolidayInn Express.Story of the Day. Knowing thatit was to rain all day, we decided to stay off trail this night toget dry. Boo Boo called to make a reservation at the Top of GeorgiaHostel the day before we were to get there, but was told that they donot take reservations and there would be no issue with us stayingthere the night of 4/05. Coming out of the woods at Dicks Creek Gap,there was a shuttle from the hostel dropping hikers off. As I came upto the van, the driver told me that only people with a reservationcould get in because the hostel was full. Another hiker told the driverthat he had a reservation and I asked him when did he call for it, hesaid that morning. We were not happy people at that moment. We wentover to the side of the road to hitchhike, and no one was stopping.Maybe 20 minutes later, an old small pickup truck stopped for us andtold us to ride in the back. He had a small step ladder, and a numberof Jesus saves signs already back there, but in we went. This guy wasgoing down the road at 60-70 MPH with us in the back. Boo Boo told meshe was most concerned that the ladder was going to come lose, and takeher head off. For me, I was thinking that the back tailgate wouldnot hold, and I would be sent out the back at 70 miles per hour ontothe road. Well, somehow we made it to the hotel, and when we gotout he told us that we needed to pray with him. After that ride, weboth agreed. First he put oil on our forehead making the sign of thecross, followed by a pray that went much longer then itshould have. Just before I was going to speech up, he ended it by telling us that God loves us.
Date: 2019-04-06
To: NC Border
Miles today: 11.8

4/06: Hiked 11.8 miles. Nine miles intothe day's hike, we crossed the Georgia, North Carolina border. The1,000' climb up to Court house Bald summit at the end of the day wasthe big event. The trail went just about straight up. We tented nearMuskrat Creek shelter for the night. Story of the Day: The welcome toNorth Carolina climb. The first 72 miles of the trail were inGeorgia, and it was for the most part just a warm up for the legs.The real action was yet to come. As we came up to the border, therewas a creek there and we stopped to get water. At the creek, therewas a young woman there also getting water and the three of usstarted talking. At one point, she told us how hard Georgia had been,and how happy she was that it was over. Per her, now the trail wasgoing to get easier. Boo Boo and I just looked at each otherdisbelieving that anyone would say that. Just over the border, thetail goes just about straight up with a 1,000' climb up to CourtHouse Bald summit. We went slow but worked our way to the top. Twodays later, I saw that young woman again and asked her about thatclimb, she told me that her legs were still feeling it.
Date: 2019-04-07
To: Albert Mountain
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: overcast clouds

4/07: Hiked 12.5 miles. This day's hikewas all about going over Standing Indian Mountain with a summit of5,435'. We tented at Carter Gap shelter for the night. We met aGerman hiker today who was about our age named Camp Finder. His lifewas all about hiking.4/08: Hiked 12.1 miles. Another bigclimb, this time up and over 5,250' Albert Mountain, which has a firetower on the top. It was a good day for a hike until late afternoonwhen very heavy rain came in from about 4-7 PM. We spent the nightin our tents at Rock Gap shelter.
Date: 2019-04-09
To: franklin NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: overcast clouds

4/09: Hiked 3.8 miles. Our first realnero day. More heavy rain from 5-7 AM. As planned, we were going tospend a long day and a good night in Franklin NC. We picked up a freeshuttle that dropped us off on the far side of town at the ComfortInn hotel. A week earlier, Stealth had told Boo Boo to make sure thatwe went to the Lazy Hiker Brewing Co. in Franklin. I had two nicebeers.Story of the day: From the startof this hike until today, there has been a group of 5 or 6 men hikingthe trail about the same mileage per day as us. These guys were knownas the ¢Flat Earthers¢. Each of them carried a 8' spear withthem. Yes, an actual spear.
Date: 2019-04-10
To: Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 26.5

4/10: Hiked 12.3 miles. The trailinclined 1,300' over the first five miles, which wasn't bad. It was agood and long hiking day. We ended up tenting at Lick log Gap.4/11: Hiked 14.2 miles. This day was nojoke, One hard climb after the next, and to top it off, at the end ofthe day, the trail went down about 2,500' at a slope that one wouldnot like. We tented at A. Rufus Morgan shelter for the night.
Date: 2019-04-12
To: Seven Mile Up
Miles today: 54.6

4/12: Hiked 11.4 miles. Today was the¢seven mile up¢. Every step you take is higher than the onebefore. On the way up, we passed Wade Sutton memorial, which I donot recall, but I noted it. Stayed at Locust Cove gap in our tents.For the last week, we have been hiking about the same pace as aFrench Canadian women named Frenchie. This would be the last time wewould see her.4/13: Hiked 10.7 miles. Late in themorning come 500' ¢Jacob's Ladder¢. I was thinking this was goingto be all stairs, but it was not as bad as we prepared for.Mid-afternoon, we came to Yellow Creek gap where we were picked upfor a stay at Creekside Paradise bed and breakfast. 4/14: Zero Day. Went out to lunch,resupplied, laid around and used the hot tub. Great day.To make it all the way through theSmokey's without resupplying would mean for us to carry seven days offood, neither of us wanted to have anything to do with Gatlinburg TN,but by going there we would only have to carry four days of foodweight. We agreed to get off at Newfound Gap to resupply, but nozero's.4/15: Hiked 7.9 miles. With us near theGreat Smoky Mountains National Park southern border, we were going tobe forced to go long, or go short. Long was just too far, and in thispark, you MUST stay only in the shelter area's. Boo Boo's solutionwas to slack pack for the day right up to the visitor center ofFontana Dam, and stay another night at Creekside Paradise. This planwas a good one. The morning started out cold, but warmed up nicely.My backpack, normally around 35 pounds, was at 8 pounds. At thatweight, the day's hike was a lot of fun.4/16: Hiked 12.6 miles. The day againstarted on the cold side, but ended up sunny and in the 70's. Thisday we were going up all day. It wasn't bad, but it was up. Tented atMollies Ridge shelter for the night.4/17: Hiked 12 miles. We stopped forlunch at Spence Field shelter that had a new privy that is wheelchair ready, but a person in a wheelchair could NEVER get into thatprivy, NEVER. What a way to spend our tax dollars. Went over RockTop, and Thunderhead mountains. Tented at Derrick Knob shelter forthe night.
Date: 2019-04-18
To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 19.2

4/18: Hiked 13.5 miles. Today is a bigday. The climb up and over Clingman's Dome at 6,667' is the highestpoint one will be at, on the entire trail. The incline going up wasvery nice and easy. All the other hikers that I talked to about thisincline said the same. The trail goes very close to the tourist towerat the top and of course you need to go up there to get some photos.At the end of the day, we passed the 200 mile marker for this hike.We tented at Mt Collins shelter, which was a big half mile off thetrail. Again, you must stay in the shelter area's when in this park.4/19: Hiked 5.7 miles. Going to bed, weknew that we were going to wake up in the rain, but our plan had beento only hike to Newfound Gap, spend one night in Gatlinburg TNresupplying and drying out from the rain, before being back on thetrail first thing in the morning. Per the plan- There would not be a zero day in Gatlinburg. The rain started at 3 AM, and it rainedsideways for 12 hours. The speed of the wind was off the chart. Thefear of a tree coming down on your tent was real. When morning came,my tent was literally in water. By this I mean that the inside floorof my tent had standing water everywhere. When I opened the tent doorand looked out, I could not believe what I was seeing. There were maybe 12-15 tents that I could see, and they were all in the same¢lake¢ that I was in. It looked to me like Boo Boo's tent was acouple of inches higher than everyone else. I'm not saying that shedid not pack up wet, but maybe a notch less than me. Most of the 5.7mile hike to Newfound Gap was in ankle deep water. Upon coming intothe Gap's parking lot, Boo Boo told me that there was a hiker onthe far side and we headed over to him. He only had bad news. He toldus that the park was closed, all roads in the park were closed, awinter storm warning was posted for that night, and we should expect4 inches of snow. The Gap's restrooms were open, but the men's wasalready full of hikers. We set up shop on the floor of the women'srestroom, and tried to hang some of our things to drip dry. It wasn'tlong before floor space in the women's restroom was also full. Mostcell phones did not work, Boo Boo could only text here friend Sarah,and there was one guy in the other restroom who could get through tothe Ranges. The restrooms were heated, but only at a level to keepthe water pipes from freezing. I was becoming more certain that wewould be sending the night here leaning against the wall. Me sleepingwith Boo Boo on one side, and a women hiker named Phoebe on theother.