morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-03-01
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Gap Road
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 13March 1, 2017To: Wayah Gap Rd From: Rock Gap Shelter Today's miles: 12.1Total miles: 105.7The rain had stopped at some point in the night but the wind continued to howl all day. Naked Savage was the first one out this morning, then I left. There was a trash can at Rock Gap. It's always a nice surprise when you find one as sometimes your trash weighs more than your food. At Wallace Gap, I called to confirm my stay at the Nantahala Lodge. I was looking forward to seeing Wiggy and Maggie again. If you don't need to go into Franklin and want an upscale hostel, this is the place. The wind blew so hard at times it almost knocked me over. I hiked the four miles to Winding Stair Gap and found Naked Savage, Trinity, and Ben all still there. Trinity and Ben were hitching as they needed to go into Franklin to see if she could get new boots. As I walked up, a truck pulled in to pick them up. I scurried across the busy highway and back up into the woods. The trail then goes up for over four miles. Two trail maintainers came up behind me and we chatted for awhile. I told them about the leaky roof at the last shelter. They asked me if I had seen any Trail Ambassadors and I said no. Then they told me a bad storm was expected around noon so I hurried on. Around 1:00 I felt the first drops, so once again I got suited up for bad weather. It did rain but not too badly. I reached Siler Bald around 2:30 and called the Nantahala Lodge. They said they would meet me at Wayah Gap in about an hour so I went down as quickly and carefully as I could. After waiting just a few minutes Wiggie pulled up and as soon as we got my gear and me in the car the torrential rain started up. It poured all the way to the hostel. I took a shower and they got a phone call to pick up Trinity and Ben. The lights kept flicking on and off. I was very glad to be there. Maggie fixed the three of us a wonderful dinner with a salad and dessert. The three of us sat around until almost 10:00 pm talking. That's almost unheard of in the Hiker world. A good way to end a day. Good food and good friends Makes the hard miles seem better Cherish those moments!
Date: 2017-03-02
From: Wayah Gap Road

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 14March 2, 2017To: Tellico GapFrom: Wayah GapToday's miles: 13.5Total miles: 128.9It was wonderful to wake up inside. After a great breakfast cooked by Maggie, we loaded up and Wiggy drove Trinity, Ben, and I back to Wayah Gap. I was slack packing today. That's when you just carry the essentials for the day. It was really nice not to put that small child on your back and walk for miles. It was a cold but sunny day and I went up to Wayah Bald. Even with full packs, Ben and Trinity soon past me by. I'm really struggling on the up hills. I reached the Bald and the devastation was awful. There is a beautiful stone tower up there and although the tower is still there, the roof is completely gone. Everything is pitch black and all the beautiful rhododendrons are dead. I didn't stay long as I had a lot of miles to put in. With a light pack I just kept walking all day. There was actually some flat areas today and when I reached Burningtown Gap there was a couple set up with trail magic. About 6 hikers were standing around partaking and enjoying the sun. I grabbed a Gatorade, a donut, thanked them and kept going. I didn't even stop to eat the lunch Maggie packet me until Cold Spring Shelter. There was no one there, so I took a short break and again moved on with still over 3 miles to go. I hiked to Rocky Bald and called to tell Wiggy where I was, so they knew when to pick me up. It's a really long hard down and I was glad to arrive at Tellico Gap around 4:30. No one was there so I sat down to wait. Soon Trinity and Ben came down the trail and were going on to Wesser Bald Shelter. That would be a 15 mile day for them. I was glad to be going back to the hostel. Soon Wiggy drove up and we were on our way. I had another shower, a great dinner, and I was totally alone in the house. It was superb. Some times I just likeTo hike along the trail andBe alone with me!
Date: 2017-03-03
From: Tellico Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 8.1

Day 15March 3, 2017To: NOCFrom: Tellico GapToday's Miles: 8.1Total Miles: 137.0Got up and had another wonderful breakfast. I ate 3 pancakes, fried eggs, and tater tots and hot tea. Since I was the only one there, Maggie fixed my breakfast early and I had packed up last night, so I was on the Trail by 8:30. It was cool and windy but a beautiful day and I was determined to enjoy it. I started up to Wesser Bald and then climbed the observation tower. The grandeur of the panoramic view was incredible. I stood in the morning sunshine and soaked it all in. After a while, King James and his service dog came up the stairs. We talked for awhile and then I moved on down the way, but once again I was walking through a fire burned forest. There were many small potato hills (ups and downs) until the Trail started down for good. At the Jumpoff Rock, the trail goes straight down. I then had to sit down and slide down those rocks. My legs are sometimes just too short for this trail. I scrapped my leg and know I'll have a bruise tomorrow. I continued down and the trail was so badly damaged in places it slowed me to a crawl. There's one place when I looked down there was no trail. I had to hang onto the rocks and make sure my foot was on solid ground before lifting the other foot. I was glad to get down to better trail at the bottom. I texted Trinity and Ben as I walked across the road to the NOC and they were in the restaurant. We then all walked up to register. They had gotten a room in a cabin, not the Hiker Hostel, so I splurged and did the same. I was so glad I did. In 2015 I was on a plastic mattress with port a johns outside. This time I had a beautiful room with my own bathroom and shower. I dropped my stuff, went to re supply, then took a long hot shower. Trinity, Ben, and I went to the restaurant for dinner. On the way there, I saw the North Dakota bothers. I was very glad to see them. It's amazing how much you feel like family out here in the woods. I had my first glass of wine since I started and a large hamburger. Trinity ordered a dessert and the three of us shared it. We went back to our rooms and I packed up and went to bed. Another night alone and I have to admit it felt good. Trinity is leaving in the morning, renting a car and driving home to PA then to Ohio for a medical school interview. I know she'll do well as she is very mature for 22. Tomorrow I climb out of the NOC. Blue sky and sunshine But so much black around you,Soaking it all in!
Date: 2017-03-04
From: NOC

To: Locust Grove Gap
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 16March 4, 2017To: Locust Cove GapFrom: NOCToday's miles: 10.1Total miles: 147.4I had one of the best nights sleep so far, as I was in a really nice room all alone. I got up at 6:00 and was on the trail at 7:00. Like yesterday's climb down, today's was just as hard getting out of the Gap. It's pretty much up for 5 miles. It has a few breaks here and there but it's mostly up. But it was a sunny day and I just kept going. I feel like everyone else is speeding up but I'm slowing down. I finally took a break after I passed Swim Bald and I had reached the top. I ate lunch and that apple I've been carrying for days. It was delicious. I then walked the mile to Sassafras Shelter to load up on water. Ben and I were planning on going a few more miles passed the shelter so tomorrow wouldn't be so long. I wasn't sure about water at the campsite so I thought I'd get some extra. Ben caught up to me shortly after I left the shelter. We took a long break up at Cheoah Bald. It is so beautiful up there. In 2015 I spent the night here. But we soon moved on as we had 2.4 more miles to go. I eventually got there, but the ankle on the leg I broke in 2015 felt like it was on fire. It has been bothering me more each day. I think that's why I'm going slower. Ben and I set up camp behind a clump of trees. He threw a bear line and we ate dinner. Soon some other hikers arrived and they built a fire. The smoke rolled downhill right into my tent. It bothered me most of the night and I worried that they hadn't put the fire out. I was glad when 6:00 am arrived and I could get up. The mountains go onFor as far as you can seeThe beauty abounds!
Date: 2017-03-05
From: Locust Grove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 17From: Locust Grove GapTo: Cable Gap Shelter Today's Miles: 11.5Total Miles: 158.9I woke up many times in the night as the smoke kept rolling down into my tent. I was glad when it was time to get up. I was on the Trail about 7:15. It was a chilly but sunny day and soon I had to stop and take clothes off. It was a very long down into Stecoah Gap but then what goes down must then go up. And an ugly up it was. It is called Jacob's Ladder and each "rung" gets steeper until you feel like the trail is inches from your nose. But I finally made it to Brown Fork Gap Shelter and took a break on a log down from the shelter to eat. As I was sitting there, a hiker came along and sat down. He was there for awhile but the only thing he said to me was "When did you start?" I told him February 17 he said the 24th and that was the entire conversation. Pretty strange, I thought. But then North showed up and we caught up on each other's happenings. His brother had gone home. I still had 6 miles to go so I left first. Mr. Personality passed me and by the time I reached the top of Brushnell Knob, North caught up to me and we enjoyed the beautiful view together. I made it to Cable Gap Shelter around 4:30 pm and only North was in the shelter and as it was going to rain, I decided to bunk in tonight. I'd never stayed in this shelter. It's very small. Thor arrived and he also decided to stay in it. The rest of his crew came down the mountain one at a time but they all choose to camp down the hill. I was glad as they are very loud at night. Your nose in the dirtClimbing up Jacob's Ladder You get to the top!
Date: 2017-03-06
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 17To: Fontana Dam Visitors CenterFrom: Caleb Gap Shelter Today's Miles: 7.1Total Miles: 166.3I awoke to rain drops on the roof, so I was glad to be in the shelter. Both North and Thor were up and out before me, but I soon followed. And of course the trail headed up. But when I got to the top there was a great view of Fontana Lake. Even in the gray morning mist the lake below looked stunning. There were many small potato hills again and I was feeling pretty sluggish. My ankle was hurting and my broken leg was bothering me. The down hill was the worst, because of the rain and wet rocks it was treacherous and I had to watch every step. Add to that I'm afraid of falling again and it makes for a slow trek to the bottom. But I finally made it to the marine boat area. You need to call the Hike Inn from there but of course the phone was out of order. I panicked a little, but read a sign that if you had Verizon, you could call from the Fontana Shelter a few miles north. A few years ago they re-routed the trail so now you walk along the edge of the lake. I was nervous about not being able to get in touch with Nancy (the woman who runs the Hike Inn) so every time I got to the top of a hill I tried to call her. And the third time I got through. Then I had 30 min to get to the pick up spot. As I walked by the shelter I waved to North. I was at the parking lot waiting and he walked up and we talked some more. Then Nancy arrived and I was whisked away to my own room and hot shower. The Hike Inn is just a very small motel of 5 rooms. I was in room 5. It was nice to again have my own room and especially nice to have my own bathroom. I took a shower, dried every thing out and wrote in my journal. After a lot of thought, and a few days of hiking in a lot of pain, I've decided to end my hike here at mile 166. I'm safe and warm and can get picked up easily by a friend tomorrow. It's been another great journey, but my broken leg/ankle is just not up to the strenuous daily grind of a Thru hiking. I will go back to section hiking and enjoy every moment I have in the woods. Thank you all for joining me on my journey even if it didn't turn out like any of us wanted and maybe I'll see some of you up the Trail someday! Dreams are forever,But changing day to day, toBecome real for you.
Date: 2016-04-05
To: Charles Deam Wilderness Day 1 Apr 2016
Miles today: 0.0

First practice hike. Drove down to this site south of Bloomington, IN. Stopped for a big lunch. Drove on and parked at Blackwell Campground about 2:00. Nice clear day in 50's. Hiked about 7 miles. Rolling hills and heavily forested. Nothing too exciting. No undergrowth, so can see a long ways through woods. The campsite I wanted to stay at was on a high point and in the wind. As it was to get down to about 30 this night, went a little farther and found a decent site off the trail a short ways and out of wind. Stealth camp! Got camp set up, gathered firewood and started fire. Ate supper in the dark, but that was ok. Stayed up quite a while reading and enjoying fire. Did get down to 30 as predicted. Took my down coat and wore it in evening. Stayed comfortable in 15 degree sleeping bag with a base layer.
Date: 2016-04-06
To: Charles Deam Wilderness Day 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up when got light. Got fire going and kept warm. Made some coffee, and just ate a granola bar. Water is low and need to keep a little to drink until I get to water source. Packed up and got going. Going to be warmer today and stayed clear and sunny. Got into the 60's at warmest. First part of hike was on a trail that has been forest road and probably was originally a road to farms, etc when this area was farmed up until the 30's. There were a few places where an alternate trail went around some low spots that were muddy. This trail can also be used by horses, so they can make things more muddy. Turned off on the Axsom trail and this was my favorite of the hike there. Went down steeply on a single track and bottomed out at a stream. I filtered water here and filled up. Was my first real use of new system. Kind of hard to fill the bag from the stream, but got the job done. Then got out my stove and fixed a hot breakfast and enjoyed the site. Hiked on to Sycamore trail and this was mostly single track too. Took a side trail out to a small pond and a cemetery just to check it out. There were 3 campsites near the end of this trail They were nice spots and I set up at the last one. Had nice logs and rocks to sit on and use for setup. Quite a bit warmer tonight. Another nice fire. Cooked supper and stayed up quite a while. Hiked about 10 miles today. Felt pretty good at end.
Date: 2016-04-07
To: Charles Deam Wilderness Day 3
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept a little later. Made some oatmeal for breakfast and packed up. Filtered a little more water from the stream next to my camp before I left. Hiked rest of Sycamore trail. Up a very steep climb out of the creek valley. This was another pretty area of the park. There was a fire tower, but did not climb up it. Kind of getting tired and not that much to see. Hiking the Grubb Ridge trail most of rest of day. It parallels the road that runs through the park. Most of the time it was out of sight, but when one of the few cars went down it, could hear it. There was about half mile where I had to hike on the road to continue that trail. Total distance today was about 7 miles.Back to car and hit the road home. Good hiking trip.
Date: 2016-05-09
To: Ozark Trail May 9 thru May 12
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

See my other Trail Journal about this hike. I have preparation entries and an entry for the 4 days on the Ozark Trail. To see this, look down the column on left under my picture for the button which reads 2016 OT. Then you can click 2017 AT button to get back to my AT Journal.
Date: 2016-06-01
To: WV stay with friend
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Left home yesterday morning and camped in Wayne National Forest at far east southeast part of Ohio. Had a fire and cooked supper. Nice night.Up early next day and drove into West Virginia. Heading for Manongah, WV to meet up with Steve, my brother in law's brother (got that). Arrived about 5:00. Steve is staying here temporarily while he works in nearby Morgantown. It was his grandmother's home that he and brother in law Anthony spent much time at growing up. The town is a traditional coal mining town. Mine closed now. We toured around town and then went to a great Italian restaurant. Back and enjoyed the rest of the evening. Great to see Steve, and visit he and Anthony's childhood town. Also met Uncle Mike up the street who shared some of his homemade goods.
Date: 2016-06-02
To: Maryland Scouting Trail / Meeting Hikers
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left Monongah early and drove into Maryland. Camped tonight at Greenbriar St Park. Set up camp early, then worked my way south and stopped first at Fox Gap. AT Mile 1068. There was a small battle here leading up to the Anteniem battle south of here a couple days later. Met one couple hiking. Gave them the location. She was doing a lot of phone talking. He just looked tired. They were about my age and were section hiking a few days.Drove south to Gathland State Park and War Correspondent Memorial. Talked to several hikers. One young couple were through hiking but had only been out about 10 days. They were Veronica and Chad. She said her blog was BezzleWrites but have not found it. She was hurt and going to an Urgent Care in the area. I offered ride, but their Uber showed up not long after that. Another couple were on 3rd of 4 day section hike going south. Talked to them quite a bit. Ended up running into them again the next day in Harpers Ferry. They made it to their destination!Drove on down to Anteniem and toured the battlefield, etc.
Date: 2016-06-03
To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Packed up this morning and drove down to Harpers Ferry. Went to Nat Park Visitors center and then rode bus down to the center of town. Should have just drove down there and found a place to park. Saw a few of the sites there and then hiked the official AT trail from there up to the AT Conservancy. Hung out there a while. Talked to a lot of hikers. Cheap and Easy / MorningLori were a couple I remember. MorningLori is on Trail Journals. Fun place to visit and talk to lots of people about the trail / equipment. Walked back down to center of town on streets. Got some lunch and then rode bus back to get my car. Decided to hike up to the Split Rock overlook. About 3 miles and 1000 feet up. Parked below bridge over Shenandoah River. Had my day pack and some basics. Walked across bridge and started to sprinkle. Off bridge and started up to top of ridge. After a few minutes met a hiker Spoonie. Talked a few minutes and headed on up. Right after that started to rain hard. Trail turned to a stream. Put on rain coat. Just kept climbing. Made it the 1 mile and to the top in about 45 minutes. Rain let up then. Took off down the side trail to Split Rock overlook. Dropped down about 400 feet to get to it. Stayed there a while and enjoyed view, sun. While heading back, heard sound and saw movement to my left. Thought I would be seeing a deer, but no. It was a bear. Bear took off running away at quick pace. Surprised me. Sure was not expecting that. Other sightings were Eastern Box Turtles. I think they come out after rains. Very Orange colored on legs, etc. See picture. Got back to car quite a bit quicker on the down hill return track. While driving through town, saw Spoonie walking down street. Offered her a ride. Went to nearby hostel and she went in to check it out and see someone who was there. I stuck around as she thought might want to go to another campsite in town. She came back and I dropped her off at the campsite. Young lady in first year after graduating HighSchool in NY City. Really nice to talk to her. Needed to get on the road after that. Headed west toward home. Drove about an hour and stayed at another MD state park called Rocky Gap near Cumberland. Got in there about dark. Drove on home the next day.
Date: 2016-08-04
To: Tent
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Did get my tent decided. MSR Hubba. One person, free standing. It is free standing and I like that. Good size vestibule on door side and another smaller one other side. Got some Tyvek and made a ground cloth. Not sure if that will be going with me. Never have been a big ground cloth guy. Is tight, but for the quality and weight, seems the right choice. I will be able to fit my empty pack in vestibule along with other things. Then inside will be the essentials for sleep and my clothes.I bought a Big Agnes UL tent at same time, but Hubba is the choice. Mainly the more rugged construction was the tie breaker. And the BA was a two person taking up a lot more ground space with a little more weight.
Date: 2016-08-15
To: Hiking with Pack to get miles in
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I have set up enough stuff to put in my pack and make 30lbs. Have been hiking with this at several area parks. Usually is hot, so am stopping at 4 to 6 miles most of the time. Starved Rock, which has a 5 mile out and 5 miles back distance is one location. There are also the long steps there, so that is a good workout. And to Silver Springs which is a 3 mile loop. Keeping a log and trying to get a couple days a week at least.
Date: 2016-09-12
To: Porcupine Mountain Wilderness Day 1
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Decided to go up here to this 50,000 acre park at kind of last minute. My brother in law was in the Wisconsin Iron Man race in Madison on the 11th, and I wanted to see him participate. That was a good start for the trip up, so was able to tag this trip on. After the Iron Man, I drove on up to Wausau and got a cheap hotel. Then on to Porcupine Mountains on the 12th. Got on the trail about 10:00 after checking in at Visitors Center and paying fees, etc. $24 a night with entrance fee and camping permit. Park is really awesome. Borders Lake Superior on north and then lots of virgin forest and mountains of sorts. I parked at Lake of the Clouds parking lot / trailhead. Had to hike about half mile on the road to get to the Lake Superior trailhead. Asked a ranger if there was a trail instead and he said not really. Superior trail started in some previously logged area, but well forested now. Generally downhill for a while, then up a little to a ridge overlooking lake about 100' below. Followed this a while and then dropped down to near lake after about 3 miles. Trail was back from lake usually 100 to 200 yards. Lots of mud, but was able to rock and root hop a lot. Hiking poles helped out a lot with this. There were also some areas with simple boardwalks of a couple 2 x 6 on blocks.Stopped at Lone Rock for lunch. Beautiful day. Passing occasional camps along lake, but heading for basically the last one before the trails / rivers intersections area ahead. Got to my camp at 5:00. Hiked 11 miles today. Beautiful spot with a small stream emptying into Lake Superior. Chairs of rocks and logs around fire pit. Got camp set up and fire. Then not long after started looking like rain. Light rain for a shot time. Then paused, so got my supper cooked and eaten. Rain came back about dark, so had to call it a night. Rained lightly most of night. Wind picked up and waves got louder. No threat, but got tired of the louder noise of waves.