morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Gooch Shelter

To: Slaughters Gap
Miles today: 12.4

It was with fear and trembling that we set off today with Blood Mountain in our sights.. However, the weather was cool with a stiff breeze and it made the constant ups and downs much easier to handle. We really enjoyed todays hike despite the difficulty of the terrain. We kept reminding each other that we really are in America and that we really are on the AT at long last.We saw two little birds today and a squirrelTas managed to pee on her boot trying to pee standing up!!!! Gross.Laughs galore as Roo tried to throw a rope up for the bear bag, after half an hour he gave up and put the food in the tent with us. Oh my gosh, we might be eaten by a bear!!!It was our first cold night and by 6.30pm we were in our sleeping bags and Tas even had a beanie on.
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Slaughters Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was the heaviest fog when we got up at 5.45am. We thought it was raining so we donned all our rain gear. The tent was saturated to pack up but it wasn't cold which was a blessing!We missed the white blazes and walked all the way back down the steps to slaughter creek and about 15mins down the road before I realised it was a blue blaze trail. BACK uphill we slogged to the right trail and continued going up and up to the peak of Blood Mountain. Checked out the shelter and the privy and then started the descent. It was harder going down than up, rocks, boulders, rock steps and all slippery. We expected to get in about 11am so were extremely pleased to arrive at 10.20am. Trail magic again, Burgers cooked by a church group and given for free. They were delicious. Collected our parcel and trudged another couple hundred yards to Blood Mountain cabins. What a delightful couple, $60 for a cabin that has two bedrooms, lounge, kitchen and bathroom AND the laundry was done for free and the internet provided.Life doesnt get much better!There will be a bit of a gap for our next entries as Dan is going to do them for us and I have to post my notes to him in New Hampshire.To all the people who keep sending us messages, thank you, we really appreciate them.
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

Early start from Blood Cabins, 6:30am. Lovely - cool. Made it nice walking. We came accross Fartis - Speak Easy and several others who had camped 1 mile beyond Neels Gap. They had a very hungry, very smart bear who stole food bags throughout the night. They had stayed up on bear patrol all night!   A couple of climbs were tough today, but the downhills were tougher!   Trail Magic at Tesnatee Gap, icy cold soft drinks, chocolate bars, nuts, chips etc - and a chair to rest on - heaven!   The slog up Wildcat Mountain was a horror. Tas kept retasting her soft drink - not so good second time around!   It was a relief to see the shelter. Tas sat with her feet in the icy cold stream to put out the fire in them! We love the social aspect of the shelters when we are all cooking tea. So many great stories from such interesting people.
Date: 2011-03-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Lazy start this morning. We didn't leave until 8:30 am. We took extra water today after almost running out yesterday. The gentler walk we had expected turned into a rocky path and Roo took a nasty tumble. I thought he'd broken his hip when I heard the crack but true to his name he bounced up again.   The temperature dropped around lunch time and the wind picked up. By the time we reached the shelter at Blue Mountain it was an icy wind. Most of the crew we've been traveling with have gone on but we decided to stay in the shelter. SpeakEasy is here as are a few others. Tas has all the clothes on she is carrying. Snuggled under the sleeping bag at 4pm writing this - I am cold!
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

The wind sounded like a freight train in the night. The other hikers estimated it was 70mph gusts! At one stage I had to convince myself that the shelter had been there for years and would have survived many such winds. Sticks put the tarpaulin accross in the night as it was raining on the sleeping bags.   We left at 8:30am and it was icy cold. The wind was fierce. We left in beanies - gloves - fleeces. It was mid morning before we took them off.   Roo took yet another fall today and hit the side of his knee that he hurt on the first day. It is still swollen like a football. We were delighted to find yet more trail magic near Unicoi Gap. 2 tabs, one full of chocolates, chips, etc - one full of soft drinks. Both of us had honey cakes, they were delicious and tasted like donuts. We are enjoying the different foods here.   Had been expecting a really tough day so we put the kettle on at lunch time and made a cuppa. It ended up being one of our best days! We did Tray Mtn. without any grief and arrived at 3pm. Saw a garter snake and he stayed still whilst Tas took his photo.   This is one of our coldest nights so far and we are in the tent at 6pm!
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Tray Mtn. Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Ice on the tent this morning - it was cold! We got up at 8:30 and the sun was just starting to warm up.It started off as a good walk but a couple of mountains soon put a damper on that! I am not sure which is worse, the ups or the steep downs, and the rocks are never far away. Sometimes when I step downwards onto a rock, the weight of my pack feels like it is going to push me right over the edge of the mountain - scary stuff!   Roo was happy today when Micky gave him a couple of smokes. At least it slows him down so I can keep up! Deep Gap Shelter is the prettiest one we have seen so far and it was nice to get in at 1:30 and dry the tent off. Lots of hikers coming in through the afternoon.We have decided to take a zero day in Hiawasse and give Allen's knee a chance to rest up. Tough trails but loving it!
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Rained durning the night and then poured down just as Tas started to take down the tent! Huddled in raingear we hiked, sloshed - slipped our way to Dick's Gap. We both enjoyed walking in the rain, it was lovely @ cool.   Arrived at Dick's Gap - started the 11km hitch into town. Luckily for us the Bluepatch Bus picked us up as neither of us thought to stick a thumb out, we've never hitched before. Bluepatch was full so we got a room at Mull Motel. We went to an "ALL you can Eat". Ate - Drank coffee for a couple of hours while they cleaned the room.   Laundry done - busy catching up on the world news. No internet access here which is a bit of a pain as I wanted to contact my family back in Aus. When Roo stripped for his shower we discovered his ankle is horrendously bruised - swollen - he had no idea??? He's had 3 falls so far! Doddery old sod!    Zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Hiawassee

To: ZERO
Miles today: 0.0

We did the shopping today for the next stretch. There is so much yummy food in the supermarket that the temptation to over shop is huge!   We ended up with too much food but the Hiawassee Inn is going to transfer it to Franklin for us @ we will pick it up next week. We laid around watching T.V. and relaxing.
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Hiawassee

To: Plumorchard Gap
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We had breakfast of porridge in the motel room at 8am. At 9:30am we wandered down the street and had a second breakfast, Roo had Bacon, Eggs and Hash Browns. Tas had pancakes. Sent a parcel back to my parents in Australia of stuff we aren't using - over 3 pounds, most of it out of Roo's pack!   We got a ride with the Hiawassee Inn shuttle back to the trail at 11am. Happy to be back on the trail but Tas ate too much and found the hike tough going. It was only 4.4 miles but it felt like 10 miles! When we got to the shelter Speak Easy was waiting for us. By the end of the day there were 13 of us at the shelter. It is the coldest night so far! Good comraderie in the camp.
Date: 2011-03-29
From: Plumorchard Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

It was a thick fog when we left the shelter at 8:30 am. Tas really struggled with burning caves for the first hour. Roo was like a long legged goanna with his 2 new knee braces. There was no stoping him!   Finally left Georgia and crossed into North Carolina. Then the trail went up @ up - above the clouds. Welcome to North Carolina! Some easy stretches around the side of the mountain made for some great walking. Lots of streams running over the trail today. We had lunch at Muskrat Creek Shelter and then pushed on to reach this shelter at 5pm.   No bear cables here and lots of laughter as people can't find decent trees to hang their bags up in. There are about 15 people here. We have taken a chance and stuck ours in our tent again!
Date: 2011-03-30
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: moderate rain

After a night of thundering @ lighting we had a very wet tent to pack up. The first part of the hike was uphill so Roo sent Tas ahead whilst he took off his raingear. The uphill finished fairly quickly and Tas found her stride on the downhill - made very good time. After an hour, and still no sign of Roo, Tas ducked off the track for a toilet stop. Meantime Roo came along going flat out trying to catch Tas. Tas is told that Roo is now in front so she goes flat out! A couple of hours later they finally meet up again!   The terrain today was far easier than most of our other days.We stopped at Betty's Creek Gap with a group of other hikers. Cold @ damp with the fog that hasn't lifted all day.   In bed by 6pm to stay warm.
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Tas was very apprehensive about todays walk as she had heard horror stories about the climb up Mt. Albert. Set off before Roo to try and gain some ground on the first hill. I really enjoyed the climb out of Bettys Creek Gap. Lots of rock hopping and streams running down the trail. We got to the base of Mt. Albert - Roo took the lead - up steep steps, rock scrambles, more steep steps, more rock scrambles - all the way to the top. It was a tough climb but interesting and a different challenge to just walking. We walked along a winding trail cut into the hillside for about 5mi, very easy walking.   The leaves in the many shades of brown and gold look sensational against the trees. The green tunnel of rhododendrums is going to be sensational once they flower.   We had lunch at the shelter decided to push on the last 4km and camp at Winding Stair Gap. Ready for an early shuttle into Franklin tomorrow.   Found a box of trail magic on the trail and had a soft drink and some home made biscuits. There was a lovely campsite hidden in the trees and Toto - another thru-hiker joined us shortly after. We got the tent 3/4 dry which is nicer than sleeping in it dripping wet. Franklin tomorrow!
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Franklin to Zero
Miles today: 0.0

We walked down Winding Stair Gap steps at 8:30am and we were delighted to find yet more trail magic of chocolate bars and soft drinks.There was a dusting of snow on the tent when I took it down this morning - no wonder I was cold all night. By 9:00 there were 16 of us hikers waiting for the shuttle into Franklin. It was incredibly cold and we all abandon our packs and sat on the other side of the road in the pale wintery sun!The itinerary for the April Fools Hikers Bash seemed a little overwhelming at first. By the time we had showered we were ready to tackle all the festivities! I did the washing and appeared to have lost a glove. Went to town and paid $20 for a new pair only to have discover the other later on, tucked in Roo's jumper. We then wandered down to McDonalds and tried a Southern Fried Chicken Burger - still tasted like McDonalds though. The spaghetti dinner provided by the Rotary Club was nice. Side serve of salad @ garlic bread. Unfortunately all the guys could have eaten it 3 times over.We bought some beer @ wine and settled down to watch T.V. And guess what was on - Deliverance - like I need to hear the Banjo playing when I'm about to sleep in the woods again? We were cold in the night - the air gets too dry with the heater on. Still, it was a comfy bed!
Date: 2011-04-02
From: Franklin 

To: ZERO
Miles today: 0.0

We were picked up at 7:10 by the Baptist Church for a free breakfast. I think they had about 20 of us in their 12 seater bus. Had to sit on Roo's knee, he didn't complain so it must be better!   Pancakes, bacon, juice and coffee, all you can eat. We both went up twice! They gave us an envelope and asked us to address it, and they took a photo of us to put in it. So I hope my Mum @ Dad get a lovely surprise! We wandered around town, did a bit of shopping and took some photo's done with Nascar which we have sent to our 33yr old son in Austraila to make him drool.   Had a great lunch in the auto resturant in town. We took our trekking poles to Chris Hall, the leki man, and replaced all the worn @ broken parts on them and straightend Roo's badly bent section. We met up with Speak Easy and his wife Angie, but I think we will be a day in front of him now. Cog will be leaving tomorrow with us. Scott has had to leave the trail for a couple of weeks to heal his knee but he is probably going to rejoin us all at Hot Springs.   We have met so many fantastic people already on the trail and the hiking community on the A.T. is really special. It was great to hear that Jess (Slick) is still going, she inspires me with her positive attitude.
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Franklin

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 6.0

We didn't arrive at Winding Stair Gap until 11:50am. It seemed so late to start walking and it was warm and uphill! I ate too much food over the last two days and I am now carrying too much food! Heavy pack + warm day + steep hill made Tas very slow. Roo went ahead thoroughly enjoying himself! Aha - Roo took a wrong turn and headed down the side trail to the shelter, Tas was much more observant - continued to follow the white blazes. Roo did an extra 1/2 mile - haha! We filled all our water bottles up and walked down to the picnic area at Wayah Gap. It was great, we had tables and grass for the tent. Cog, Mike @ Margo also camped here.
Date: 2011-04-04
From: Wayah GapWayah Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Up and on the trail by 10.am. Tas did much better on the uphills than the previous day. Roo just strolls up them like they arn't even there. The view from the Wayah Bald Stone Tower was awesome. We could just see the top of the fire tower on Albert Mtn.   Some of the downhills and strights were very easy walking. The last climb up to Cold Spring Shelter had nearly everyone sweating @ panting. The shelter is very tiny, it was built of chestnut wood in the 1930's and has a very low roof. A 2nd Garter snake slid between Tas's feet today!   The clouds started building to the west and we made the desicion to sleep in the shelter. The thunder started at 3pm and by 5pm there were seven of us crammed in plus a couple of tents as the rain started - then the hail! By 6pm there were 8 of us inside, a tarp out the back with 2 guys, 2tents and a hammock in the campsites. All ready for a cold night.
Date: 2011-04-05
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

What a night. The thunder - lighting was still going 12hrs later at 3am. It was warm and snuggly in the shelter. The wind was ferocious, slamming into the side of the shelter like a freight train. When we got up in the morning the ground was covered in snow! The tarp out behind the shelter had a thick layer on it. The guy in the hammock (Scratches)had a really bad night as his tarp blew off. All his gear was frozen, his rain trousers looked like a cardboard advertisement, they were frozen solid.   It was hard getting dressed and out on the trail when it was so cold and it was 9:45am before we were out and walking. The first uphill was hard going with cold fingers @ toes but by the time the downhill came we were enjoying the Winter Wonderland. Roo finally got his wish of walking in the snow.We were pleased to arrive at the shelter for lunch and enjoyed a hot coffee before heading out for the next shelter. Some of the downhill was scary, big steps down with the weight of the backpack, pushing you and a 200' drop off on the side of the trail - no time for daydreaming. I saw a large cave - wonder if there's a bear in there? One side of the mountain had lots of tiny white star-like flowers out, and the other side had pretty little mauve flowers everywhere. Everything is in bud now and it will be beautiful in a couple of weeks.We arrived at the shelter at 4pm. Three others here and a lovely stream close by. We cooked tea - chatted around the campfife, before crawling into the tent at 7:45pm. Just i mile to walk tomorrow into N.O.C. - a nero day.
Date: 2011-04-06
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 1.0

We walked 1 mile into N.O.C. The first stream we came to was interesting, it was a sheer rock with water cascading over it. Needed a bit of twinkle toe action to get accross it. Hostel was full and the only accommodation available was a 3 bedroom cabin at $215.00!!! Not a hikers budget. However 'That Guy' and 'Double Check' each took a room so it worked out at $72 per room. Joker @ Jingles joined us in the afternoon.   Our food parcel wasn't here! And the selection of food was very limited. We have bought a Platapus gravity filter, our Steripen isn't good when it is cold as the batteries die. We ate huge breakfast's and only had room for an ice cream at lunch time. We sent another box of unused things back. It is amazing how mininal we can get down to.   The weather today is beautiful.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: N.O.C.

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

We set the alarm for 5:45am and we were walking by 6:45am. It was a great time to be walking, cool and crisp. The hike up the hill to Sassafras Shelter took us until lunch time. It was our hardest climb so far. I think I sweated a couple of kg away in that 5 hrs. We arrived at our camp for the night at 3:15pm. We used our new Platipus Gravity Filler bags today. It was fantastic, in just 2 1/2 minutes, cloudy water was turned into 4 liters of sweet crystal clear water.    It was a day of clothing mishaps for me. The wire popped out of my bra - so now I am a lopsided Tas and a hole appeared in the crotch of my tights so now I have my own personal air conditioning! Roo is loving his Walkabout adventure, he is much faster than me and never looks like it is much effort for him.
Date: 2011-04-08
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

We left at daybreak at 6:35am. It was a lovely - cool, which was just as well as we started on yet another hill! By 7:30am we were both sweating profusely! Thought the ups @ downs were hard until we hit Jacobs Ladder! Oh my gosh, what is with all the PUD'S (pointless ups and downs). I rekon I sweated half my body weight today.   Our walking paces are not very evenly matched. Roo's legs are so much longer than my short ones, he takes long strides and I have to take 3 to every 2 of his. When he walks in front I play 'catch up' all the time, having to do a jog trot to keep up.If he walks behing, I am so slow he breaths down my neck! And then I stop to take photos!!!So the new game plan is that he will waltz down the trail until 9:30am - then stop - wait for me and then he will go until 12 and wait for me again, and then he will go through to wherever we are stopping for the night. At least then he can stride out. I won't have to run all day! I took photo's of many wildflowers today, they are all starting to come out with the sunshine.
Date: 2011-04-09
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

Wow, yet another heart pounding hill to start the day with! Roo has become Walkabout Roo, it suits his personality, he is always on some sort of a walkabout!   Walkabout Roo took a layabout today when he slipped on a rock, twisted mid-air,went over the edge of the trail and did a pretty spectacular roll with arms, legs - poles everyhhere! Tas lost 10yrs growth with the fright of it! But true to his name he bounced back up with no more damage than a couple of scratches on his arm. Tas had to go back down the mountain to find his glasses. Not many minutes later Tas lost her dignity when she went flat on her bum on another wet rock. No damage, still plenty of padding there. We arrived at Fontana Dam, did the laundry @ resupply.    The shelter has a shower just 100meters away - bliss. We had to dry ourselves with the cloth that we dry the tent with! Now it's time for freeze dried Lasagna and Instant Pototes for dinner! Life on the trail is very good.
Date: 2011-04-10
From: Fontana Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

We both fell asleep again after the fire alarm went off so it was after 7am when we left. It was a lovely walk accross the Dam Wall. Shuckstack Mtn was zig zagged @ not too steep but the humidity was a killer. We were soaked in sweat @ guzzling water non stop. We kept stopping every 1/2hr and resting. There was no cloud cover, no breeze and a million gnats waiting to swarm whenever we stopped. A hard day! But we are finally walking in the Smokey Mountains. I have dreamed of this for so long!   It is crazy to think we expected to walk in snow and instead I have been soaking my t-shirt in the stream @ putting it on to keep cool.Tas sewed her bra wire back in so the girlies are no longer lopsided, and discarded her tights due to the heat. I packed a pair of Roo's boxers for under the kilt for deceneys sake!
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derricks Knob
Miles today: 11.7

The day started late when we decided to ignore the alarm again. We made really great time for the first 5 1/2 miles. Easy gradients and good surface. But the last 6 miles were hard yakka. The downhills were very eroded @ full of rocks @ shale. Hard on the ankles - knees - so steep. And the uphills could only have been improved with a ladder. Ouch ouch ouch!!! But our highlight was our first sighting of a deer. She was so much bigger than I expected them to be.Beautiful big soft eyes, very graceful @ not a bit afraid of us. We saw some animal scat today that we wandered if it was bear poo, if so it strolled along the trail for a while.   Very,very windy tonight, the tent is blowing like mad, but it's lovely @ warm inside it.
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Derricks Knob

To: Silers Bald
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: moderate rain

We had a Thunder @ Lighting show during the night and lots of rain. Thick misty fog when we got up, not a very encouraging day. Within an hour of walking the temperature was dropping, the wind was rising and the rain was falling! Although I had rain a coat and rain skirt on I was shaking with cold. Walkabout Roo was also feeling the cold but was more excited by the fact that the rain had become snow! Trudging up yet another hill I gave way to tears, I was beyond cold @ couldn't feel my feet or hands anymore.   Silers Bald Shelter was a welcome sight although it was still 7.7 miles to our final destination. When we went inside 3 other hikers were already seeking shelter and had a fire going. We stripped off our wet gear and huddled into dry cloths. I snuggled into both mine and Roos sleeping bags to warm up. By 3pm there were seventeen of us huddled in avoiding the storm outside. The wind houled most of the night and there was lots of talk and laughter as we all slept inside.