morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-11-18
From: Dennis Cove road (Kincora's)

To: US19e
Miles today: 24.3

Today is Ekg,s (vermont mafia) birthday. We all headed out early! Bob dropped us off at US19e so we could slackpack back to denis cove road. Mostly more ups and downs but pretty much snow. The tallest today was White rocks mtn (4206ft) and a very long climb. Hiking today was just long and near the end my legs were moving out of sheer instint because they were bone tired! I believe all of us fell at least once today. There were some pretty sweet vista views which I truly enjoyed.
Date: 2008-11-19
From: US19e (trail work in Damascus)

To: US19e (trail work in Damascus)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We got up about six thirty am, and once bob arrived we headed out to the trail south of Damascus. A section going up the mountain south of Damascus needs to be re-routed because of trail erosion due to weather. Our joub is to build (Dig) a new trail (about 240ft) and then "Blaze it" with white blazes of course. Pretty sweet! We met with Bobs pals who are members of the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoing club (Ed,Paul, and a few other members) who showed us what to do and how to dig a trail. There are lots of roots and rocks to clear out with digging ax's. They also explained that it takes about three years to get the ok to re-route the trail because many agencies need to review the site first. After a day of digging we all finished the trail and then took turns putting the white Blazes on the trees. That was pretty special. Before we headed back down the mountain to the truck the club presented us with the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoing club Volunteer patch. Its a special patch presented to hiking who put a days work into the trail. I really wanted to earn that patch as a birthday present so I am extremely happy now that I have one. After we all finished we headed back to Kincora's hostel for the evening.
Date: 2008-11-20
From: US19e

To: Roan High knob shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

We left Kincoras bright and early today to some unsuspecting bad weather. Our objective for the day was to reach Roan High knob shelter at 6285ft. I believe its the highest shelter (elevation wise) on the trail. The weather turned very cold and snowy. Most of the day was spent hiking through blizzard temps and over various mountains ranging from 4000-6285ft. This was the coldest day on the trail so far! We were hiking through a winter wonderland. By the time we arrived at Roan High knob shelter the winds had been blowing fierce for a long time and sooooo cold! The shelter has four sides but it was still extremely cold due to the absence of any real insulation. It definately made to keep you alive, not to keep you comfortable! There was actually snow in the shelter! Haha oh....a mouse was chewing on the cooking pots (jetboil) sometime last night. In the morning my boots had froze solid once again (inside the shelter)! The views up to Roan were spectacular though I must say.
Date: 2008-11-21
From: Roan High knob shelter

To: hughes gap
Miles today: 3.3

As I left the shelter this morning I hiked on through the snow and stopped to glance at the thermometer someone nailed to a tree. It read six degree's! Coming down off Roan mtn. the snow drifts ranged from one foot to almost our waists at times. On of the girls had ice actualy forming between her toes! We knew we had to get down and off this mountain! At Hughes gap we took a small dirt road off the mountain. A truck drove by (it was snowing again) and they gave us info on the distance to the hostel (six miles away). They drove away then returned a few minutes later and picked us up and took is a short distance to their house to warm up! They were the Ingram family and they were really awsome people! We ended up staying with them for the night! I will come back and put in the details of the evening later because it was absolutely a great time there. I had my first real taste of Southern cooking here!
Date: 2008-11-22
From: hughes gap

To: iron mtn gap
Miles today: 9.2

Yesterdays stay with the Ingram's was so pleasant. The whole family was just great company and hosts. The weather today was calm and a little sunny. Nothing like the crazy cold spell had. We hiked out and after 11 miles descended into iron mtn gap accourding to our original plan. We met friends Doc and Nina.We all drove to Boone, NC. to the outfitters then on to their house for some R and R.
Date: 2008-11-23
From: iron mtn gap

To: Erwin, Tn.
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

We hiked a long full day today through the snow to Erwin, Tn. area. At the Nolichucky River we went to the hostel Uncle Johnnys and checked in (it was last by now) and we all were out like a light right away.
Date: 2008-11-24
From: Erwin, Tn.

To: Bald Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 16.9

In the morning Uncle Johnny shuttled us into town to re-supply then we hit the trail again. The climb out of Erwin was very long but a nice view of the local area was afforded as we neared the top of the mtn. We ate lunch at No Business knob shelter (3180) then continued hiking with a large amount of ups and downs for the next few hours- ranging from 3400ft to 5185ft. - eventually ending the day at Bald mtn shelter in the dark and freezing rain. Bald mtn shelter is at 5100ft.
Date: 2008-11-25
From: Bald Mtn. shelter

To: flint mtn. shelter
Miles today: 18.9

the morning started off with my boots frozen again. I fell asleep last night as soon as I entered the shelter and didnt put them in plastic bags. Right off the bat we went up into a very exposed area called Big Bald where the wind blew something fierce. As the day went on things cleared up a bit. Ended the day at Flint Mtn. shelter.
Date: 2008-11-27
From: Spring Mtn. shelter

To: Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

We arrived in Hot Springs today about two. Its a small town nestled in the middle of a lot of mountains and the Appalachian Trail goes straight thru it. We all checked in at Elmers Sunnybank Inn. I asked about "work for stay" and Elmer said I could. Elmers is a victorian Inn with many rooms. The beds were most comfortable and plush. We had a vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner elmer cooked up and it was excellent (but different for sure).
Date: 2008-11-29
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Walnut Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 13.1

Yesterday the Vermont Mafia took off and today D-wreck took off early. I had to do "work for stay" until the afternoon to take care of my dues at the inn. I went to the outfitters and my sis phone charged me a pair of shoes for the smoky mountains which was awesome. Thanks sis. I climbed out of Hot Springs in the fog and rain after dark up to a shelter atop Bluff Mtn (4686ft)
Date: 2008-11-30
From: Walnut Mtn. shelter

To: Waterville School rd. 
Miles today: 22.7

Last night I ran into Mtn. Goat and Timber (sobos) in the shelter. Later i ran into d-wreck at another shelter. We all hiked into Standing Bear hostel right before Davenport gap (mile 238.3 from springer mtn.) and out of the rain.
Date: 2008-12-01
From: Waterville School rd. 

To: Tri corner knob shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light snow

Hiked out of the hostel and into the Great Smoky mtn Nat'l park this morning. The weather was so snowy most of the morning but cleared a bit in the afternoon. Not much to say. We couldnt see anything but the trail until later on where we had a few views of distant mountains. Mostly fog though.
Date: 2008-12-04
From: derrik knob shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: moderate rain

Today we hiked into Fontana Dam in the freezing rain and thick fog..and I mean thick. Also we crossed the 2000 mile mark (yahoo) but it was to cold to celebrate at the shelter we were at earlier. Its very exciting but kinda unbelievable that we are less so close to Springer Mtn and have only about ten days left in my journey to Georgia. Some of these recent entries have been shortened due to the fact Ive limited time on the internet but shall add all the details from my journal at a later time. Today we are staying at the "Fontana Resort" which is an awesome place. So warm and cozy. Hiking out tomorrow after checking the post office. Hopefully I will recieve my re-suppy and can move on with the group. The Vermont Mafia are here also. We did two 21 mile days in a row.
Date: 2008-12-05
From: Fontana Dam

To: cable gap shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was so refreshing in the warmth of the hotel room. We all needed to be energized as I cant even relate properly how miserable the weather was coming off that mountain and into Fontana Dam. After checking out in the morning we went down to the post office and I recieved a package from my pal Dan and a care letter from my brother Larry! Thanks so much! I was so glad since at this point I really needed it. Well, we all did our laundry then re-supplied before heading south. The trail didnt seem so strenuous today but then again there wasnt much snow down here in the lower elevations. The smokys were sooo cold I will never forget it. D-wrecks birthday is today and i presented him with the customary "Birthday Snickers Bar" in the evening at the shelter!
Date: 2008-12-06
From: cable gap shelter

To: stealth site mile 132.0
Miles today: 25.0

Hiked out about seven thirty with the intentions of hiking to the Nantahala outdoors center 21 miles away. I was feeling pretty good today and pretty strong to hike. I believe that last nights good rest helped. It was all business hiking today and I arrived at the N.O.C. just after dark. The Vermont Mafia were already there and the D-wreck showed up with booboo. We ate then I took off for the first shelter south but for some reason passed it in the dark. I wasnt the only one though..haha...a few miles up I found the Vermont Mafia stealth camping at the bottom of a mountain because they missed it too! I stealthed on the side of a mountain at mile 132.0! This is the last time I am stealth camping in my hammock also. It is way to cold now and last night the gust of wind at about 3 were nuts. Thank god for a good sleeping bag!
Date: 2008-12-07
From: stealth site mile 132.0

To: Wayah shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

I heard that this is the last day on my A.T. hike that the weather is going to be bitter cold. Hmmmm...well see. That would be pretty sweet though. I summited up to 5200ft (copper ridge bald) then a couple ups and downs to the Wayah shelter (its a really nice shelter by the way). We hiked through snowy trials then to clear trails depending on if the sun melted parts of it or not. Im currently hiking on and off (we all meet up at the end of the day though) with the Vermont mafia, d-wreck and booboo, timber and mountain goat. Are plan is to hike onto Springer Mountain next Monday morning on Dec. 15th!
Date: 2008-12-08
From: Wayah shelter

To: rock gap shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night I really had a great nights rest. Probably because there were so many of us in the shelter it was actually very warm. I hiked alone during the early morning and came up to Wayah Bald (5340ft) where i came across a stone observation tower. I went up and took pics of the surrounding landscapes which were nice. I ran into Mountain goat and timber as we hiked 11 miles to Winding Stair Gap (us64) and we then hitched a ride into the town of Franklin, N.C. (eleven miles away) to re-supply. We were in and out in no time thanks to the cool locals who gave us rides. The mafia came up to the shelter later and said that a lady named blackbetty who was the first one to sign my guest book said "hi"! I missed her by less than five minutes it appears. awww. that would have been cool to have ran into someone who signed my guest book so long ago. Well, HI blackbetty and it looks like Im going to make it! Thanks for the support! We ended the day at Rock Gap shelter. Only one more week until Springer...yahoooo. Its pretty wild to even think we are this close.
Date: 2008-12-09
From: rock gap shelter

To: standing indian shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we did 20 miles to the Standing Indian Shelter. Today is also the day we are officially less than 100 miles from Springer Mountain! Very cool. My hike today started out rainy and foggy. I hiked up my first mountain then traversed the ridge for quite a bit. Not bad hiking. It looked like there could have been some nice views but the fog didnt lift all day so I just hiked on. At the shelter I ended up at the rain really picked up alot and as I dozed off it seemed to really start pouring. Sure nice to be in this shelter.
Date: 2008-12-10
From: standing indian shelter

To: Hiawassee, Ga
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Woke up to pretty heavy rain this morning. Last night it became very stormy and rainy that it actually blew into the shelter and soaked all our sleeping bags and gear. We woke up, got up, packed up and did what we do. Hiked out baby! Were getting pretty excited now just thinking about Springer Mountain. Its only four days way!!! ok...four nights and one day (Monday morning we summit)! So I was hiking with mtn. goat and timber and .....we hiked...right into....Get this.....THE STATE OF GEORGIA!!!!! Yahooooooooo! All this time Georgia was always a dream away....just a name down the trail so far away...then it happened...I was standing there staring at this little wooden sign on a tree that read "NC-GA"..yep..the border sign!!! I'm now only 76.3 miles from completing the Appalachian Trail southbound. Totally Awsome! We continued on to Dicks Creek Gap and then hitched into Hiawassee, Ga. to the Holiday Inn Express. I, being the third person, didn't have to pay to stay in timber and mtn. goats room which was pretty awesome. We celebrated entering Georgia by getting tubs of cool whip and loading M and M's into them! Now that's a celebration meal!! ha-ha. As of right now (here in Hiawassee) were now 76.5 miles to Springer. - Springer Mountain!!! Here I come!!!!
Date: 2008-12-11
From: Hiawassee, Ga

To: tray mtn shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Headed out with mtn. goat and timber in the pouring rain today. We went about 11 miles to a shelter and ended the day there. Most of my stuff was soaked but hey...thats what rain does! Sucks but not as much as AT&T for trying to rip me off on my cell phone...Im not done with them yet baby!!! hahaha. It actually stopped raining half way through the day and the georgia trail was very nice. Pretty exciting to be so close to Springer Mtn. but it really hasnt sunk in yet but the closer we get the more I get excited. Im enjoying the last few days and will be feeling balistic walking onto Springer Monday morning!!!! When dreams become reality baby!!!! Thank you all who have signed my guest book. I will be writing all of you later when I have more time but thank you so much for the support. You all rock!
Date: 2008-12-12
From: tray mtn shelter

To: low gap shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, I finally got smart since yesterday my shoes froze AGAIN!!! haha. I put them in my sleeping bag last night and they are toasty thawed today! Yahoooo. Hiked out after breakfast (poptarts..yum) and coffee of course-the day was nice...the trail was nice...we were in high spirits just enjoying Georgia and the last few days before our summit. I still cant believe Springer Mountain is so close. We got into the shelter right before dark and ate dinner in our sleeping bags. It was bitter cold but the moon was full and bright and lit up the forest all about. Good hiking day.
Date: 2008-12-13
From: low gap shelter

To: Walasi-yi (hostel) neels gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

We hiked out and about two we hiked into Neels Gap- I was pretty pumped about that because during all my research before this trip I had always read about Neels gap this and Neels gap that. The outfitter here is awesome and I will be checking there website out later on sometime. I am next door in a hostel here for the night. My down bag got wet in the rain and I need to dry it. Its damp and that wont do in the cold. Im about 30 miles from Springer Mountain now and feel it. Blood Mountain is my last big mountain and I hit that first thing in the morning! I can see it from the window. One more night in the woods tomorrow then its eight miles to springer monday morning from the shelter. Im in really good spirits tonight and am just feeling satisfied with my life now. The here and now. Its pretty awesome. After hiking so far (2145 miles) and about to summit Springer....nothing could be sweeter than the now! Peace and respect everyone...I will be updating this journal after I reach the terminus and tell ya how it went. All I know is come Monday morning I am going to have one big smile on my face! -Bearwalker
Date: 2008-12-14
From: Walasi-yi (hostel) neels gap

To: Hawk Mountain shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Pirate made an awesome breakfast this morning of banana pancakes and an assortment of pastries. I was the last one to leave the hostel - I dont feel like rushing today. I enjoyed the break and relaxation here at Neels Gap. I took off about eight and headed up Blood Mountain which had some nice views (4461ft)- I hiked 22.9 miles ending the day at Hawk Mountain Shelter with D-wreck and booboo, The Vermont Mafia, Mountain Goat and Timber. Its unbelievable that this is the last full hiking day on the trail. Tomorrow its about eight miles to Springer Mountain and the end of the trail for SOBOs. Its going to be great to step on that mountain. Here at the shelter everyone is pretty excited about our last day and looking forward to completing the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2008-12-15
From: Hawk Mountain shelter

To: Springer Mountain, Georgia
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

An early morning and a quick eight mile hike....I walked onto the summit of Springer Mountain ending the journey from Maine to Georgia!!! I did it!! Myself,D-wreck and booboo, the Vermont Mafia (Dfault,flamebo,beef,EKG), Mountain goat and timber summited together. We Hung out on the summit for a bit taking pics and just taking everything in! I came to the trail with the notion to walk from Maine to Georgia. Leaving Maine I was steadfast on hiking to Georgia...but somewhere along the way the trail started teaching me lessons I could never get anywhere else. Lessons of the Trail. Its been one fantastic journey....   The friends Ive met have been wonderful,   The views Ive seen have been majestic,   The forests Ive hiked have been magic-   The Appalachian Trial has given me more    than I ever expected. I wish for a moment all could    see the scenes and grand vistas I now have   in my minds eye.    Its been a wonderful trip baby!!!! Thank you all who have crossed my path, supported my efforts, and enjoyed my journey. Peace all- Rick (Bearwalker) Carbonell                                          Southbound thru-hiker class of 2008
Date: 2008-06-05
To: First Journal
Miles today: 0.0

I'm going to set out on my journey on Monday June sixteenth. I'm going with my family to New York City for a wedding, and then later that night i will hop on a greyhound and head over to Bangor Maine. From there i will take a bus to Medway. And from Medway i can take a taxi over to The Appalachian trail. And then on the nineteenth of June i will begin the actual trail.
Date: 2008-06-18
To: Bangor
Miles today: 0.0

Entered By Willi at the Bangor Public LibraryWe left from Ohio at 1:00 in the afternoon (originally intended for 6 am). After driving for a few hours, i realized i had forgotten my boots at home and that it was too late to turn back. We stayed at a motel for the night, and then left at 7 am. we arrived in brooklyn at 3. Went to a wedding at 7. Left at 9:30, got something to eat and went to the bus station. On the way there, due to a misreading on my behalf, we went 80 blocks out of the way. After we got there, i couldn't find my ticket so i searched for 10 minutes, until susie told me i had put it in the top of my bag. Then i realized i had left my trekking poles in the car, where my mom went to get them. Then i went downstairs to get my baggage checked, and waited for a half an hour and then found out that no one would be back to check baggage 'till 1:00 am, and my bus left at 12:30. so i slapped some name tags onto the bag, that Mimi found, and loaded them onto the bus. I arrived in boston at 4:30 am. Waited till 6 to find out that the bus driver was late, so an other guy, who had never done the route, had to take us. Got on the bus and couldn't find my camera. Bus driver gave me 2 minutes to look, but that turned up nothing. The bus made five stops along the way to random little cities with populations of 10 each. at one of the stops, i went to the bottom of the bus and found my camera sitting on top of my bag. the bus ended up in bangor an hour and a half late. I went to a sports store and bought some things i had forgotten. got something to eat, then went to the public library to type this message. Hope everyone is having fun. Can't wait till i do.
Date: 2007-03-07
To: T-12 days
Miles today: 0.0

Well, this is my first entry into the on-line journal. So, far pretty easy.I can't believe that I will be leaving for GA in a little more than one week.Scary, yet exciting all at the same time.I pretty much have all my equipment and am ready to go.   I just need to put the pack together again. I am going to try to update this journal as often as possible. At this point, I don't know how often that will be. I finished work last week. My employer has been super supportive. It seems unreal that they actually agreed to giving me a leave. I will forever be in their debt.
Date: 2007-03-08
To: T-11 and counting
Miles today: 0.0

This is my last Thursday at home.   Still trying to decide how to cut my pack weight down. I am just about at 29 lbs and this doesn't include food or water.   Uhm.Talk to my father in Rome, GA today - the weather down there is in the 60's during the day and 30-40's at night.   Don't think I can cut out any clothing, but will relook at everything again this weekend.   Still trying to decide if I should go with the water filter or use chemical. That would take off some weight, but then I don't really want to have to wait to purify the water.Maybe the Gods will speak to me in a dream....
Date: 2007-03-12
To: T-8 and counting
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I spent today going through the food that I have collected.Packed up the food that I will bring for the first four days.Intended to buy the next 4 days at Walasi-Yi Center, but decided to send a drop also.   I will drop breakfast, dinner, and snacks and will pick up the lunch stuff there. I have stockpiled quite a bit and I am afraid that I will be eating packaged oatmeal for months after I come back if I don't use it all now. Here's the menu for the first four days: Yum, Yum.Breakfast- 4 oatmeal packages (2) days- 2 poptart packages (2) days- powdered milkLunch- PB & J and tortillasDinner- 2 cup of soups and 2 ramen type noodle soups - first course- dehyrdrated rice pilaf & tuna- instant mashed potato & dehydrated veggies & salmon (thanks Dad)- mac & cheese & tuna- couscous, salmon jerky & dehydrated veggiesSnacks- 4 protien bars (snack before bed)- 2 candy bars- 2 granola bars- 2 fruit roll ups- dried fruit (2 peach slices & mangos & bananan)- gorp In total about 7 lbs.   This will be a good test to see if I am carrying too much. Not really worried about the meals, but maybe too many snacks. We'll see.