morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-05
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap and shuttle into Franklin
Miles today: 4.0

Hiked  ~4 miles to Winding Stair Gap.  Shuttle to Franklin.  Stayed at Baltimore Jack's Hostel March 5 and 6.I felt great my first day back on the trail after the zero at TofG Hostel. I knew zero's would help physical recovery, but the extent surprised me.  I felt completely rejuvenated the first day back on the trail.  As I hiked towards Franklin each subsequent trail day was progressively harder as I accrued fatigue from both the mileage and pack weight.  I starting looking forward to more zero's and realized I would experience the same pattern throughout my thru hike, that is, a day to day increase in trail fatigue between zeros.  The problem with zeros is that they're zeros.  I might recover effectively but that recovery did not get me any closer to Mt. Katahdin. It seemed there were 3 "level of effort" variables that contributed to fatigue. Mileage, weight, and walking speed. I was currently averaging about 10 miles a day which was fine for the early going, particularly considering the weather.  However 10 mile days was not adequate mileage over the long term.  If anything daily mileage would have to increase.  The speed variable, particularly up hills, was something I was starting to manage better.  I started out in GA attacking climbs but quickly realized that far less energy was expended if I deliberately climbed more slowly.  I might get to the top 10 minutes later but with dramatically less expenditure of energy.  The only variable left to exploit was base weight which was currently ~21 lbs.  As I hiked my way to Franklin I started thinking of making some major gear changes (mostly deletions).  Outdoor 76, an outfitter located in the center of town, helped me with several gear changes.  I sent 5+ pounds of equipment home from Franklin.
Date: 2018-03-07
From: Franklin - Baltimore Jack's Hostel

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: fog

Pretty cold weather.  Got a bit of late start due to technical difficulties with the shuttle bus.  Once I got on the trail the benefit of reduced base weight was immediately apparent after the first few steps. Incredible that 5 fewer pounds could make such a difference, particularly considering that about 300 lbs was hitting the ground with each step I took carrying a full supply of food and water.  I initially targeted Wayah Bald Shelter but upon reaching decided to press on the Cold Spring Shelter.  Arrived at Cold Spring Shelter the same time as another thru-hiker (Zane) from Alaska. Temperature was plummeting. Tent area was uphill above the shelter on a ridge with a great view but exposed to the wind.  It was a cold night in the teens. One of the gear changes was replacing my bear canister with a bear bag.  First hang went well.
Date: 2018-03-08
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (the NOC)
Miles today: 12.0

Big descent (~3000') down to the NOC.  Knees took a bit of beating but not too bad overall.  Spent 2 days at the NOC, nero followed by a zero.  Starting to like zeros a bit too much. Stayed in condo-style building, very nice rooms with nice common area.  First day had a late lunch with Class Act and husband/wife thru-hiker duo Plodalong and Grandma Shorty.  They're vlogging their journey on Youtube.
Date: 2018-03-12
From: Yellow Creek Gap

To: Fontana Dam / entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park
Miles today: 9.0

2nd day of slack packing.  Picked up resupply at Fontana lodge and printed Smokies camping permit.  Highly volatile weather.  As I hiked across the dam I could hardly see anything... a virtual whiteout from a passing snow squall.  15 minutes later blue sky as I reached the picnic area near the park entrance.  Returned to Wolf Creek Hostel for another night.
Date: 2018-03-13
From: Fontana Dam / entrance to Smoky Mountain National Park

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Shadow (thru hiked the AT a few years back, doing work for stay at Wolf Creek ) dropped dropped Class Act and I off at the picnic area.  We did the big climb to Mollies Ridge shelter.  Winter weather, cold.  Rough day.  Shadow gave me some rain mitts after I mentioned I had lost one of mine.  Quite an act of generosity.  Night extremely cold... slept in a shelter for the first time per park rules.
Date: 2018-03-14
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: few clouds

Only took a couple steps at start of day and knew that I was bonked.  Legs dead. Back in Franklin I sent my microspikes home as part of a ruthless effort to reduce base weight. The trail was snow covered and icy... I definitely missed the microspikes.  It was all I could do to hike the 6 miles to Spence Field Shelter.  Class Act decided to end his hike after reaching the shelter¢¦ I was very sorry to see him go.  A ridge runner at the shelter checked our permits.  With a very cold night in the forecast, there was quite a bit of jockeying over shelter space.  I set up tent.  Very cold night down to ~8 degF but I was OK in tent with 20 degree bag and sleep layers. Ultimately about 25 people shoehorned into the shelter which had a nominal capacity of 12.
Date: 2018-03-15
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Again completely crappy day, legs dead, winter weather.  2nd day of only progressing NOBO 6 miles.  Class Act headed SOBO back to Mollies Ridge Shelter.  I caught up with MM (Motorcycle Momma) at the Derrick Knob Shelter.  Morale at a very low point... again entertained not-too-serious thoughts of quitting.
Date: 2018-03-16
To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.0

My 61st birthday.  Hiked a good portion of the time with MM.  Set my sights on Mt. Collins shelter 13 miles off.   Decided to do the miles since rain was forecast and I wanted to get to Newfound Gap and then into Gatlinburg ASAP.  The initial part of the ascent to Clingman's Dome was pretty cool... most of it winding through a mature forest of evergreens.  Both the ascent and descent were extremely challenging due to an almost complete layer of ice blanketing large portions of the trail.  The descent in particular was a nightmare, particularly with no microspikes. Ironically any exposed roots, which I typically avoided since they could be as slippery as greased pigs, were often the only spot to step that was not sheer ice.  I was pretty tired by the time I reached the Mt. Collins Shelter.  Shelter was full so I set up my tent again
Date: 2018-03-17
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap then into Gatlinburg
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to a short hike mostly downhill to Newfound Gap.  The weather became progressively warmer as the elevation dropped. Sunny and almost warm when I reached Newfound Gap.  Hitched a ride to Gatlinburg in the back of a pickup truck with thruhiker brothers from Ohio. I had met them before up the trail around Clingman's Dome.  They did not have trail names and I resolved to remedy that during the ride to town.  By the time we reached Gatlinburg they had settled on, from oldest to youngest,  "Impact", "Spork" , and "Zero" with some good stories behind each name.  It had to be every bit of 70 degF when I was dropped off at the Johnson Inn. It felt great after all the cold snowy weather up in the Smokies.
Date: 2018-03-19
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Shuttle dropped me back to Newfound gap to resume NOBO through Smoky Mountain National Park.   The shuttle driver was a part time ranger/guide, leading groups through the Smokies teaching backpacking basics.  Snow was in the forecast for next couple of day.  When I mentioned the projected snowfall was ~4 inches he said it is always more, and often much more, at the higher elevations.  This day turned out to be one fo the nicest days yet on the trail.  No rain, no snow (yet) mostly sunny with temp in the 50's.  Stopped at Charlies Bunion along the way.  Took my pack off and scrambled up the rocky "bunion" for some nice views.  Met a family that was day hiking and we took turns capturing pictures of each other.  Like the weather, the section of trail just NOBO of Charlies Bunion was one of the nicest yet.  Quite a bit of walking on narrow ridges with steep drop-offs on each side.  Incredible views and often contrasting weather on each side of the trail.  It could be sunny on one side with the other side ensconced in fog that I could practically reach out and touch.  Then moments later the fog would dissipate, replaced by sun.  All in all my favorite day on the AT so far.  The remaining days in the Smokies would be snowy and cold.One foot in front of the other.  Repeat.
Date: 2018-03-20
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob
Miles today: 12.9

The cold snowy weather hit as forecasted.  All in all about 10 inches of snowfall that on the trail, depending on exposure, wind, elevation etc. would either be zero inches or nearly 2 feet.  I bought some microspikes in Gatlinburg and they came in handy for various sections of trail.One foot in front of the other.  Repeat.
Date: 2018-03-21
From: Cosby Knob

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 11.0

Standing Bear Farm is just off the trail a couple miles past the northern boundary of Smoky Mountain National Park.  One of the few options for NOBO hiker refugees exiting the park.  Stayed at the hostel and resupplied for next leg to Hot Springs from the small store on the hostel property.
Date: 2018-03-22
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light snow

Decided to try to transit from Standing Bear Farm to Hot Springs in 2 days.  Need to start putting in more daily miles.  Average to date is just over 10 miles per day, not the rate needed to get to Maine in a reasonable time.  Departed Standing Bear Hostel around 9:15.  Two major ascents today, ~2500 ft to summit of Snowbird Mountain, then down into Deep Gap followed by another 1700 climb to Max Patch.  Incredible 360 degree views from the bald at Max Patch summit but did not spend as much time as I wanted given very high winds combined with cold. The photo is taken just before the summit. An otherworldly landscape. The dark line is the trail north lined with post markers.  First time I¢ve seen post markers. No doubt they are there to mark the trail if a winter squall hits. Arrived Roaring Fork Shelter around 6pm.  Lots of snow cover, trail icy. Another cold night in the teens.  One foot in front of the other.
Date: 2018-03-23
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 17.9

Second day with intent to do high mileage.  1st part of day through late morning was spent on ascent of Bluff Mountain which was not too demanding since the Roaring Fork Shelter was already at just over 4000 ft.  The balance of the day was big descent, 3,300+ ft, from Bluff Mountain summit into Hot Springs.  Near the end of the descent small pinky toes on each foot started to hurt.  I confirmed that they took a beating when I reached Laughing Heart Hostel and  removed shoes/socks. I had purchased boots a half size larger than my size 12 feet.  No doubt my size 12 feet "expanded" over the month+ of hiking.  That, combined with a big descent which puts pressure on front of foot explains the sore toes.  Will transition to a size 13 boot.  Laughing Heart Hostel is nice, got a private room.Very happy with the 2 consecutive 15+ mile days involving significant ascents/descents.  That is the type of mileage I will need to cover on a daily basis to reach Mt.Katahdin in a reasonable time.
Date: 2018-03-24
From: Laughing Heart Hostel

To: Laughing Heart Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Decided to take a break and head back to PA for a few days.  I spoke to the folks at Bluff Mountain Outfitters.  They said the 2018 winter was harsher than usual.  Decided to extend my break inn PA to ~10 days in hopes that spring might "catch on" upon my return to Hot Springs.  Arranged a flight 2 days hence and booked a room near the Asheville airport for tomorrow.
Date: 2018-03-26
From: Hot Springs

To: Home for ~ 10 days
Miles today: 0.0

I'm belatedly making a first journal entry capturing my 2018 NOBO Appalachian Trail thruhike attempt.  Additional entries will recollect trail experience from a February 21 start at Amicolola Falls. Today I'm fly home from Asheville to Philadelphia (Lansdale) for the Easter holiday.  I miss family and am hoping spring weather becomes at least an occasional companion upon my return upon me return to the trail.  The downtime will enable me to reconstruct the first month of what more feels like an odyssey (an adventure on steroids).  Like the encounter Odysseus had with the Sirens I took precautions to assure the comforts of home did not derail my quest. I bought a round trip ticket returning to Asheville April 6 and deliberately left my backpacking gear back in Hot Springs.
Date: 2018-03-26
To: Appalachian NOBO 
Miles today: 0.0

Everything I read about the wintry conditions in the GA/NC mountains didn¢t fully hit home until I was on the trail. The day to day weather variability casually observed from the comforts of home took on huge significance in the mountains.  I found out quickly that changes in elevation and topography (sharp peaks, meandering ridges and deep gaps) created microclimates.  My internal body furnace, so welcome on cold mornings, would become a sweaty damp liability if not properly managed as the day progressed.  I became accustomed to venting and peeling layers, often reversing the process as evening approached.
Date: 2018-04-07
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Spring - yet another zero day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Forecast today for Hot Springs is  rain, cloudy, temp in 40¢s.  I then checked the weather for the actual trail at elevation heading north and the forecast was rain throughout the day turning to sleet and then snow into the evening with day temp in 30¢s and evening in low 20¢s.  Deja vu all over again.... I remember my descent from Tray Mountain in exactly these conditions, soaked and skirting hypothermia.  Despite the forecast I resolved last night to head out today, anxious to make some miles, frustrated with the weather, and resolute about actualizing my ¢one foot in front of the other¢ mantra. I went back to my room, and set an alarm to get up at 6am, intent to hit the trail around 7. Went to bed with a sense of foreboding.  Could not sleep.  Eventually grabbed my phone and made a reservation for a second night at the Laughing Heart Lodge.  So today¢s a yet another zero day after spending 10 zeros back home. I am disappointed and frustrated but I think I made the right decision.  Then again maybe I¢ve wimped out.I went down to the post office this morning to pick up a package from my brother Brian.  I saw several groups of hikers exiting town heading north through the cold drizzle.  None seemed happy.P.S.  Post Office could not find my package
Date: 2018-01-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

As the sun sets on a 36 year Army career, my wife and I are ready to set out on a new journey -- an Appalachian Trail (AT) thru-hike! My military stint kicked off in 1982 as a Private in the Kentucky National Guard, where I served six years, while earning a degree and commission from Eastern Kentucky University. Fast forward to 2018, when I retire as an Army Colonel with 30 years of active duty service. The AT bug first hit me during in the winter of 1989 while undergoing Ranger training in the North Georgia Mountains. My post-Ranger School vow to never again be needlessly cold, hungry, or tired was eventually superseded by that incessant calling to hike the AT. The passion took residence deep in my gut and intensified with each passing year, and every AT book/article I read. There is only one cure now -- WALK IT OFF! It is an even greater blessing to share the pending journey with my beautiful wife and best friend. I reckon she just couldn't stand to sit back and watch as I had all the fun. We plan to begin our journey on 24 February 2018, just a couple of weeks after my 55th Birthday, at Springer Mountain, Georgia (AT southern terminus).  From there we will plod northward, following the ¢white blazes¢ for 2,190 miles, to Mount Katahdin, Maine (northern terminus). We will hike under the aliases¢trail names¢Which Way (her) and Next Step (him). In no hurry to end our adventure, we anticipate that we will summit Mt. K in late August, just a few weeks after our 30th Anniversary. After years of romanticizing and preparation, we are excited beyond words to start our trek of a lifetime. We hope to record our hike in this digital trail journal, which we plan to update daily, and hope you will find both interesting and informative. All of the encouragement and prayers you care to send our way are welcome and will undoubtedly help to keep us strong, as we pursue our dream.
Date: 2018-01-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, commonly referred to as the Appalachian Trail (or simply the AT), is a continuous footpath extending from Springer Moutnain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The Appalachian Trail was conceived by a forester named Benton MacKaye in 1921. MacKaye's idea detailed a grand trail that would connect a series of farms and wilderness work/study camps for city-dwellers. His dream took hold, the AT was completed in 1937, and it continues to be improved upon and maintained by 31 trail clubs and multiple partnerships. The trail is managed by the National Park Service, United States Forest Service, and the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Reportedly the longest hiking-only trail in the world, the AT is approximately 2,190 miles long and runs through 14 states¢Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The majority of the trail is in forest or wild lands, although some portions traverse towns, roads and farms. The AT is well marked with 2x6 inch white blazes, painted at close intervals, on trees, boulders, and posts. However, the terrain is often rugged, with steep ascents and descents. The cumulative elevation gain of the AT is equivalent to climbing Mount Everest 16 times. It is estimated that more than two million people set foot on the AT each year. The nearly 3,000 individuals who attempt to hike the entire trail in a single season are referred to as "thru-hikers".¢ It is said that less than one out of every four hikers that set out to thru-hike the trail complete their goal. Many books, memoirs, journals, websites, and fan organizations are dedicated to these pursuits. The Appalachian Trail, the Continental Divide Trail, and the Pacific Crest Trail form what is known as the Triple Crown of HIking in the United States.
Date: 2018-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We are in a mad dash to the start line. Since I set up our trail journal in January it has been a flurry of activity, mostly revolving around retiring from the Army and re-locating to, uh, the Appalachian Trail. The Reader¢s Digest version follows...Up until 19 January, the primary effort was handing off job related responsibilities and organizing a retirement ceremony, which turned out being a very nice and emotion-filled event. It brought together family and many friends and we all reminisced over memories spanning a 30-year Army career and did a little contemplating about the ¢Next Step.¢ The days since the ceremony have been filled with medical appointments and other transition activities. As it turns out, getting out of the military is harder than getting in. Most of our energy over the past two weeks was spent on moving out of our house in DC. The bulk of our belongings were packed up by the moving company and sent to storage for an unknown period of time. However, we kept back our most-prized possessions (i.e. backpacking gear) and a few things required to sustain us post-hike, as our next place of residence is unknown. After ¢clearing quarters¢ in DC we crammed our temporary possessions into a small utility trailer and hauled it to Alicia¢s parents¢ house in Kentucky. After taking all day Friday to set up our post-hike living quarters, yesterday we turned our attention back to AT planning. This involved sorting medications, food, etc. and stuffing them into five separate mail drops and a bounce box. The mail drops will eventually be sent to various locations along the trail, where we anticipate limited re-supply. The bounce box contains medications and other items we will need to access frequently, but opt not to carry in our backpacks. The plan is to simply ¢bounce¢ these items ahead of us as we work our way north.So, now we find ourselves with under a wee until our AT journey begins. But, let¢s not get ahead of ourselves. We must travel back to DC on Monday to finish up some Army business and tie up some personal loose strings. On Wednesday we dri to my stepmom¢s place in Atlanta, where we will make final preparations on Thursday and Friday and perhaps squeeze in a little family time.  Saturday will come soon enough and we will undoubtedly find ourselves sprinting the final leg of our race to the start line¢Springer Mountain.THEN, we can slow our pace and live in the moment!P.S. We want to thank everyone who has signed our guest book and offered words of encouragement. It means a lot to us!
Date: 2018-02-25
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

Rain was in today¢s forecast so we figured it would be a good idea to break camp early and start moving before the skies opened up. I rolled out of the tent about 30 minutes before daylight and it immediately started to drizzle. Even though it was dark I could see that the air was thick, so I suggested to Which Way that we should kick it into high gear. Too late! Within 30 seconds we were in a downpour. Working from inside the tent, we managed to get our stuff into our packs. We then dashed up to the shelter, where we hung out until the rain let up a bit. Then we packed up our tent and started hiking a little after 8:00AM. It wasn¢t long before the rain picked up again and continued to come down pretty hard until about 10:00. We were almost to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest climb of the day and we were discussing how good we were feeling. About that time, as I was working my way over a slab of wet, moss covered rock, my right foot slipped out from under me When I tried to catch myself, my upper leg buckled up under me and I severely torqued my quad. It felt as if I had applied 10 more pounds of pressure, my femur would have snapped. I laid there for a while waiting for the pain to subside before trying to gather my feet under me. Of course, Which Way was worried that a bone might be sticking out. Fortunately, that was not the case. After a few minutes, I was able to stand up. I them gimped along  for a bit before the pain let  let up enough for me to hike on. I felt pretty good until we stopped to filter water and it started locking up again. Just wondering what it¢s going to be like tomorrow when I wake up! We made it to the shelter around 3:00, which was nice. Which Way and I had time to get everything set up and go hang out with the other hikers before making supper. The Ridge Runner staying at the shelter counted 14 thru hikers, most of which stayed at the same location as us the night before. Our first mini hiker bubble!Getting dark and rain is picking up again. Tomorrow¢s forecast, more rain. Embrace the suck! - Next Step             Elevation Data:Ascent ~ 2,000Descent - 1,770Grade - 9.6Weather:Day - 50 / RaimNight - 45 / RainOver the Horizon: Blood Mountain