morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-10-18
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

I got to the Lewis Mountain Campground in no time at all. I needed water so walked up the side trail to the campground. Again light snow flurries, it really feels like winter today. I found a heated restroom and stopped there for a little bit to clean up and get warm. I also had a chance to charge my phone and make some calls. I stopped at the South River Picnic area for lunch and to get some water. The faucets were all shut off! Shit, I need water. Without water to make a warm meal I had snacks and continued on my way. Crossed over US Rt 33 that leads to Elkton Va. An easy climb took me to the top of Hightop Mountain. I stopped and got water at a nice spring and continued on to the Hightop Mtn Hut. I knew this was going to be a cold night on top of this mountain at 3200 ft. I decided to set up my tent, thinking I should be warmer. I had found I was getting a liitle cold at night when I was sleeping in shelters. The cold air underneath the shelters would suck the body heat right out of me, as my sleeping pad has a minimal R value. For the most part I stayed warm, but I felt I was at my limit temp wise. For the first time I slept with medium weight long johns, wool socks, balaclava and a fleece hat. My sleeping bag is rated for 20 degrees... I later found out the temps that night dipped into the low 20s'. When I woke up I was surprised to find the underside of my tarp was covered in frost. The condensation from my breath collected on the tarp and froze overnight! Yikes! It was very hard to get out of my sleeping bag! Since I knew I had a short day planned I decided to get up and start a small campfire. The heat from the fire felt good as I ate my breakfast. I went back to my tent and scraped off the frost. The sun was up so I hoped it would help dry out the tent a little...I left around 11, knowing I was only walking about 9 miles.
Date: 2013-10-19
From: Hightop Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I got to the trail that lead to the Loft Mtn Wayside pretty fast. There were a few options on how to get to the Wayside. I took the first trail and was glad I did. The trail went past Ivy Creek and a small Park Maintenance Building. A thermometer on the building read 38 degrees... I was a little low on food and fuel and hoped to get some of both at the Wayside or a small general store in another mile or so. The Wayside didn't have much as far as groceries but they had a small restaurant so I had something to eat. Blueberry pancakes and hot chocolate... MmmmmI went on to the general store but didn't have much luck. They were getting ready to close for the season so they did not have fuel that I needed and had limited food, but I was able to pick up enough to eat till I made it to Waynesboro.
Date: 2013-10-20
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Another cool day. The trail remains the same as it has been throughout the SNP. Gradual climbs up and down and nice views of the Virginia hills. I continue to see a lot of deer, it seems every day I see 10-20. I stood as close to a buck as I have ever been, it was an 8 point but not real big. We stood no more than twenty feet from each other. My buddies back home that hunt would love it if hunting in the woods in Pa was this easy. It was a short climb from Blackrock Mtn to the shelter. Again I find myself arriving early but not sure if I want to try to push on or risk trying to find a good spot to stealth camp. Prior to this trip I rarely ever camped around shelters but that is the habit I have fallen into. I don't always like pushing until dark and hoping to find a good spot to set up camp. Plus my headlamp has not been working, I guess the batteries are almost dead. I don't want to get caught out on the trail in the dark without any light. So I make my way down to the shelter and find several good tenting spots. I set up and get things ready for another cold night. After I ate my dinner I called home and spoke to Pixie. I tell her I think I'm done and I'm ready to come home. It's not any single thing driving me off the trail. I'm just ready. We make plans to meet in Waynesboro and say goodnight. Sitting here thinking about the trip leaves me with mixed feelings. I have few regrets but there are some things I would do different given another shot. Too may short days, too many days off... Oh well, hike and learn. If this was easy everyone would do it.Just before dark I see a guy trail running. The thing is this guys is barefoot and trying to run on the rocky trail covered with leaves does not look easy. He looks like someone running on hot pavement. He doesn't see me and I enjoy a good laugh at his expense. Whatever floats your boat, but that doesn't look fun to me...
Date: 2013-10-21
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

It did not get quite as cold last night, or it didn't feel like it anyhow... Maybe Im getting used to it. I'm up and out pretty early ready to enjoy my last full day of hiking. I hike through the day deep in thought and the miles pass quickly. Several more black bears today... I haven't seen any big bears in the park but I have seen a lot of them. Still the biggest bear I have seen was in NJ two years ago. That was one big bear, who showed little concern from my presence. I read a lot about black bears to lessen any concerns, and I know I am at little risk, but still can't help but think about the fact as humans we are not always at the top of the food chain. Black bear attacks are not common, but that big bear could have ruined my day!I cross over the Skyline Drive more today than any other day, or maybe it just seems that way. What I would have really liked was for my last hiking day to be in deep undisturbed forest, but it's not to be. Short steep little climb up Calf Mtn to the shelter. I knew there was a section hiker behind me who was coming here, not really in the mood for company I look for a spot to set up my tent. As I do I see something I have never seen before... I'm not sure what the correct name is, I call them Stick bugs, 'cause they look like sticks. They are everywhere! On my shoes, tent, backpack, everything. They move very slow I sit and watch them for quite awhile. There must have been hundreds of them. I have only seen one or two at a time, nothing like this.A little while later the section hiker I saw on the trail earlier arrives. Her name is Last Call, she says she is usually the last one to the shelter and the last one to leave. I didn't think I wanted company but I find conversation comes easy. She was hell bent on starting a campfire and gathered a nice size stack of wood. I felt a little guilty just sitting there but I'm more concerned with eating than collecting wood. I make it up to her by using the last of my fuel to get the fire going after it looked like she was ready to give up. We talked about the Chinese buffet in Wayensboro and we both wished they delivered to the shelter... After the fire started to die down we say goodbye and I retire to my tent. My headlamp is dead now so I'm glad I had everything set up already. As I lay there I could coyotes in the distance, they remind me of a dog I had who would howl at sirens, my beloved first dog Melody... I fall asleep with their songs in the windy cool night.
Date: 2013-10-22
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Waynesboro Va
Miles today: 7.7

The seven miles to town pass too quick. Before I know it I'm at the end of the Skyline Drive and arrive at Rockfish Gap. It's about 3 or 4 miles to town so I decide to walk. Not the best road to walk on and I soon realized why there was a list of people who offered rides from the trailhead to town. I'm happy to have my blaze orange hat on as the traffic wizzes past me. Wayensboro seems like a nice little town. I see the infamous Ming Garden Buffet but I decide to check into a room and take a shower before eating. I don't usually like Chinese buffets but this is a nice one and the food tastes delicious. Needless to say, I ate a lot, and then a little more. Gorged I walk back to my hotel room to chill for a little bit. The hotel does not have a laundry room so I need to go find the laundromat. I think I missed it and find myself walking a little further than expected, I don't mind, its a nice night and the sun setting behind the mountains is really beautiful. The laundry place sort of sucked, the first machine took my money but didn't work, the second wouldn't even take my money. I found one that worked and loaded most of my clothes in to it. I had to nonchalantly change into my rain pants and a somewhat clean tee shirt so I could clean the clothes that stank the worst. The dryers are even worse than the washing machines but I finally find one that works. After my clothes are dry I quickly change again, hoping to avoid any attention.I stop at a little burger joint on my way back to my room for some dinner. I order and while I am waiting I see a small snake on the floor! I noticed him as I was walking back to my booth from the restroom. I bent down to make sure what I was seeing, yep a little feisty snake! I thought nobody saw me looking at it so I try to ignore it and go back to my booth. But a woman asked me what was on the floor and I told her it was a snake. She said A REAL Snake!?! Her husband quickly walked over to it and bent down to look at him, I thought he was going to take it outside but he didn't. By this point this poor little snake had everyone's attention! Quite a but of excitement. My food arrived so I lost interest. But couldn't help to laugh at all the fuss over this little guy. I thought someone would take it outside, but no luck. Someone walked over and acted like he was going to step on it. Several of us yelled no!!! I am not crazy about snakes but I don't want to see it get killed, so I grab it and take it outside and put him under some bushes... My good deed done for the day, I go back to finish my burger. That was my closest encounter with a snake on this entire trip. Too funny.
Date: 2013-02-27
From: getting ready

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I packed everything in my pack tonite except for food and it weighed 30 lbs. I have to go through it yet again and try to trim it to 30 lbs with five to six days of food included. My wife watches me load and unload three or four times and each time I lose about 1.5 lbs. I just did the math and will repackage four more times to meet my goal. She doesn't say much but her facial expression seeks volumes. We are expecting our first grandchild about April and I think Alison will be busy being a nana while I'm gone.
Date: 2013-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As I sit here thinking about all the excuses I could come up with to not do this hike, I think about all of the adventures I've had through the past 37 plus years of hiking and camping on the AT. I first hiked the trail when I was 13 years old in Kent,ct. St. Johns ledges overlooking the Housatonic River. I've since hiked all over the Appallachian Trail in New England. I've climbed over twenty five of the forty eight 4000 footers in NH including mt. Washington four times. It took me four summits of Mt. Katahdin before I successfully hiked the Knife Edge. This year I completed a climb of all the high peaks in New England culminating with a summit of Mt. greylock. This year I will be fifty years young and have accumulated a few physical issues along the way to include;Left knee meniscus tearRight quad tear with visual deformityDiabetes type twoAcid refluxCholesterol issues Sinus IssuesAll of these ailments have not been able to stop me from hiking in the past and I will not be deterred from my goal of completing this trek. Remember , it's not a race, just a simple pace. Hike safe!
Date: 2013-03-18
To: The end / beginning
Miles today: 0.0

Tonite is the eve of my last day of work and the start of what I believe will be my greatest challenge. I would like to express thanks and much gratitude to my extended family at Brooklyn C.I. It was truly an honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to come into a new facility and immediately feel welcome and part of the team. I finished packing and my pack weighs 38 lbs. I feel pretty good about the fit and hope to get my trail legs back soon. As it turns out we have a winter storm warning for tonite and will get 3 to 5 inches by the end. Tomorrow I leave for Georgia and Springer Mt. Via Dahlonega,Ga. I'll be sure and post the first pictures hiking in similar snowy conditions. As I move north and into spring and summer I'll exchange my winter stuff and loose another few pounds. My food weighs approx 8 lbs which I think is heavy but I'll have to see how long it lasts and make adjustments. My theory is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Date: 2013-03-21
From: half way there

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I can't believe that I'm actually here on the AT. I officially started @ 10:30 Thursday morning with Alison hiking the first mile to the trailhead on Springer Mt. and back to the vehicle. It was sunny and 20 degrees with a 20 plus mile wind. I hiked 9 miles and pitched my tent at Hawk mt. Shelter. I've been hiking with a group of seven hikers and are having a blast except for blisters on my left foot. Today we hiked about 11 miles andarestaying at a hostil in Suches,Ga. Taking a zero day to tend to my feet and hope to be in neels gap soon.
Date: 2013-03-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I climbed Blood Mountain in about 40 degree temps and rain all day. Visibility most of the day was 300 yards or less so we had no views. We logged 14.5 miles today and are staying around Blairsville,Ga. tonite. Got my pack down to 35 lbs and is a lot better packing. The only way to get it any lighter is to buy new gear and I'm not ready to spend anymore. I've only eaten about three l s of food out of eight and could lose weight in that area to lighten up. My new grandbaby Sophia has a touch of pnumonia but is doing much better and should come home by Tuesday.
Date: 2013-03-24
To: neel gap
Miles today: 14.5

Today I climbed Blood Mountain in about 40 degree temps and rain all day. Visibility most of the day was 300 yards or less so we had no views. We logged 14.5 miles today and are staying around Blairsville,Ga. tonite. Got my pack down to 35 lbs and is a lot better packing. The only way to get it any lighter is to buy new gear and I'm not ready to spend anymore. I've only eaten about three l s of food out of eight and could lose weight in that area to lighten up. My new grandbaby Sophia has a touch of pnumonia but is doing much better and should come home by Tuesday.
Date: 2013-03-26
To: unicoi
Miles today: 0.0

Today we left Neel Gap with the temp. about 23 deg. and 25 mph winds. I hiked about 8miles and set camp up near hogged Gap. Right now it's about 15 degrees with the windchill and snowing out. I put my fuel canister And my water filter in my sleeping bag with me to keep them from freezing. I heated my water bottle by the fire and am resting warm and comfortably. Looking forward to some warmer weather hopefully by Friday. I hung my bear bag and hope I still have food in the am. I guess I'll find out. I have to stop writing now as my fingers are not working that good. Must be the cold.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: unicoi

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This morning was a freezing experience trying to get out of a warm sleeping bag and break camp in about 15 degrees with 20 mph winds. After the initial shock I realized the importance of movement and broke camp as quickly as possible. We hiked about 14 miles today through some crazy weather starting with cold, cloudy and snow squalls. Then the sun popped out for a moment and my attitude instantly aroused as a ray of warmth overcame us. Here I am walking up the sunny side of the mountain in the heat, sweating and happy and then hit the shady side of another hill and my mustache freezes my sweat and snots solid. We walked to Unicoi Gap and got a ride to the town of Helen, ga. Had a shower and did some laundry, then had a nice dinner before settling in for the night. It feels good to avoid another 16 to 20 degree night in the comfort of civilization. My beautiful grandbaby Sophia is doing well and I get pictures all the time. Keep them coming! It looks like the weather will improve as a warming trend is coming by the weekend.
Date: 2013-03-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

WOW! Hello world. I've been out of range for two days because of location. Thursday we hiked about 12 miles and stayed at Addis gap at the base of Kelly's Knob. It was quite a contrast compared to 10 degree nights as it was just at freezing. Yesterday only a 6 miler to dicks creek gap where we hooked up with some real Georgia southern hospitality staying with Kaye ( train wreck) and her husband Jim at their cabin half way up the mountain somewhere. Nice and warm, you wouldn't ever expect the opportunities I've had to this point and I will never complain. Working on preventing blisters still and am thinking about a new pair of shoes if I continue to have issues. Thank you to everyone come ting on my journal. It gives me real strength when I think about the support. Right now I'm sitting in an outfitter in Franklin,NC. using their wifi and sipping on free coffee. I got interviewed by a man who is filming a documentary on thru-hiking the AT. PRETTY COOL! Today is the AT Trailbash and I should see hundreds of hikers, venders and outfitters.
Date: 2013-03-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Back again. I got back on the trail Sunday morning from Dicks creek gap and made it to Muskrat gap shelter in the rain. When I got there the shelter was full so guess what happens next, tent time! Did I mention it was raining. At least I was able to keep my gear in the shelter while setting up the tent. I cooked inside the vestibule and stayed nice and warm in my 17 degree bag. The Mountain House beef stroganoff was very tasty and I didn't even care about the potential for bears visiting me from the scent in my sanctuary. I'm starting to get a better idea of the amount of walking during the day and right now about twelve miles a day my feet say ENOUGH!! Today I woke about 7:00am after another restful night and broke camp about 9:30. I climbed over the top of Standing Indian Mountain at 5498 ft. Spectacular views on a beautiful sunny and about 50 degree day. Camping near Carter Gap with about 45 other campers and am once again in my abode listening to my I-pod and slowly typing on this life saving device. This amazing connection with my world makes me feel less lonely. I have enough food for two days and will call the shuttle at Winding Stair Gap to resupply. I'm finding that you can actually hike this trail hostel to hostel almost all the way to Maine. Every where you cross a road you can shuttle in and back from town, stay in a hotel at a reduced thru hiker rate. Do your laundry, have a nice meal, shower and feel a sense of civilization before heading back to the wilderness. I see warmer weather I. My future and can't wait to lighten up my pack some more. Trying to get to 32 lbs. I'm settled in for the night now and won't get out of this tent til the am. My hiking friend says the Wild Boar are nocturnal and are more to worry about the any Blackbear. Enough said! ;-)
Date: 2013-03-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday morning I woke up with a swollen left knee in severe pain and to add to the agony was muscle spasms in my lower back. Once I got out of the tent my back pain subsided but my knee was throbbing. About 9:30 I broke camp and hobbled up the toughest trail so far, the straight up side of Albert Mt. It took me awhile but I was determined to make the next shelter 8.5 miles away. The view on top of Albert was spectacular at 5250 ft. and the town of Franklin, NC was nice to see. Some parts of the mountain top ridge trail went through endless 8 to 10 ft. tall canopy coverings of rhododendron and mountain laurel. Their was a fire tower on top and the view was the best. We stayed at Long Branch shelter and for the first time I stayed in the shelter with about 16 other thru hikers. It was a newly constructed, two level type shelter with new privy and was nice. It's hard to sleep in a confined space with so many people and on top of my pain, the noise kept me awake most of the night. Today I woke up with less knee pain but still experiencing back aches. I cried for the second time on this trek today when I got phone reception and called Alison to find out my cat Sylvester met his fate to an automobile tire yesterday. God must have needed a super mouser and he chose well. I'll miss you pal. I made it to Franklin at 1:00 or so and checked into a local hotel where three days of trail dirt and stink were washed away and after a nice piece of red meat am resting easy in my room. Tomorrow about a inch of rain will fall and so I'll take a zero day to do laundry, resupply my food and pick up my drop box at the post office. Friday ill hit it again. Oh, by the way, yesterday I reached the 100 mile mark ontop of Albert mt. ( about 5% done)
Date: 2013-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The past two days have been exciting. I climbed three bales over 5000 ft. and the weather has been excellent. My knee is feeling a lot better and no more blister issues, KNOCK ON WOOD! My cardio is improving and I'm developing a good routine. 12.3 miles yesterday and 15.2 today brought me to the Nantahala Outdoor Center just in time for free food and music. It feels good to take off hiking shoes after a fifteen plus mile day and walk around still. I'm staying at the hostel where I was able to shower and do laundry. Tomorrow I climb 3000 plus feet out of this beautiful gap on my way to Cheoah Bald at just 5062 ft. Fontana Dam is about 27 miles and I'm hoping to split that distance between two days. The weather is gorgeous and I even got sun burnt without knowing it but it felt good compared to 5 and 10 degree weather. I'm still trying to figure out this journal and so I've put in a mileage adjustment in my daily miles and hopefully the journal will correct it for me. Don't know how phone reception will be in route to Fontana so I guess we'll just see what we'll see.
Date: 2013-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 27.1

Yesterday I hiked out of Nantahala outdoor center, which by the way was an excellent place to visit, and climbed about 4000 ft over a distance of almost 8 miles. I wason ly able to walk a couple of miles after that and tented at locust cove gap where I was able to get a good nights rest. Today I decided to take a chance and hike all the way to Fontana Dam, about 17 miles. It took for ever but the accommodations at the Fontana Lodge made it all worth while. Just Gordon's eating a nice piece of red meat and enjoyed a couple Nantahala Amber beers and am about to call it a night. Tomorrow I will do laundry and get my resupply , enough for five days I think which will get me to Gatlingberg. Some people are carrying for eight days but don't plan on stopping at Gat. By the way, tomorrow I enter the southern entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , about the 166 mile mark. For the next 75 or so miles I will be staying at park shelters do to the huge bear population in the park. It's the largest Blackbear protection habitat I the lower fortyeight.