morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-10
From: WolfPen Hostel

To: Woods Hole Shelter 
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

After a warm, warm, warm night in the hostel we got up and ready for the 9 am shuttle. Well we thought it was 9 but in reality it was 10. So we went into the wolf pen country store and had coffee. Gonna miss little foot, blondie and timber and Rex. Rex was such a good pup who was at the hostel last night. Made me miss sandy pup a bunch. We got to woody gap at 10:45 am. Same guys were doing trail magic and I thanked them again. We headed in and started up to preaching rock. It was a slow go for Sharon when we got to the ups especially with the rock scrambles they are hard for her. After reaching preaching rock we had big cedar mountain and more rock scrambles. Sharon did well and we made it to lance creek at about 2:30. I said do you wanna stay or push on trooper said push on... I think she regretted that decision. As there were more ups. I started having my first tough day on the physical end. Not sure if it was stopping and starting or doubling back just to make sure trooper was good. The last mile was tough and I felt famished. I'm eating like every 30 minutes. Trooper on the flip side at one point said she wanted to go home. I said we gotta get to Neels Gap before we can do anything and then you can think about it. Your not quiting on a bad day. We finally reached the sign for the shelter and were like hurray. Then we walked what seemed like a mile long blue blaze to the shelter. Finally made and no one I mean not a soul to be had was here. I gues we are the only bozos carrying a bear canister on a thru hike. I was gonna try and keep mine thru the smokies and then send it home. It was good having it because for trooper to do lance creek to neels gap would have bee really taxing on her. At least this way she only has 3.5 miles to go. We did chores, filtered water, ate food, food, food.. All with a cold wind blowing. We crawled into our bags at 8pm and are ready to zonk. I wanted to write this up first. Blood mountain tomorrow.
Date: 2016-04-12
From: Neels Gap: and then to Holiday Inn Express

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up at the Holiday Inn and had a fantastic nights sleep. We booked a shuttle back to Neels Gap and were on the trail by 10. Oh my god this day consisted of 12 ups and downs. The first 1/2 of the day was good and our spirits were high. The sun broke out and felt good on our skins but quickly turned into an energy draining yellow ball in the sky. We made it to Tesnatee Gap and saw the climb in front of us and wanted to give up. It was 565 feet in elevation gain in only .70 miles. I made it to the top end came back down to where Trooper was to carry her pack and we got her to the top. Ugh! We were spent. What a bitch of a climb for the end of the day. We made it to the junction of the blue blaze trail where the shelter was and it was 1.2 miles. We wanted to cry. We pushed and the trail dropped steeply to the shelter and we thought darn it we are gonna have to come back up this thing in the morning. Ugh. But we have to embrace the suck it will get better. Late addition this morning. I forgot to mention that I met Luigi and Knobbies yesterday. They both have trail journal so here. Ive been following them so it was nice to meet them in person. The plan is to take an easy day and go to low gap shelter.
Date: 2016-04-13
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

The name says it all. We started the morning at Whitley Shelter and the climb up was to say at least not fun. When Trooper got up to the top she said well that was a hell hole and it stuck. The day was filtered sunshine and the wind died which made for pleasent hiking weather. We had three mountains to summit today. After our 1.2 miles out of Whitley we finally got back to the AT. That sucked, you walk 1.2 miles and it doesn't count for anything. We took our time to do the remaining 4.8 miles to low gap shelter. The scenery today was pretty lackluster but I did see a lot of neat flora. We made it to the shelter about 4:30. Trooper did a nice job today. Everytime I turned around she was right behind me. We got in the shelter again. We have not used our tents once yet. We set up shop and filtered water. We made dinner separately and I had chicken flavored Ramon, some of Sharon's pasta salad, 2 honey cups (from the holiday inn) and a snickers bar.   We now are hunkered down for the night at 7pm
Date: 2016-04-15
From: Unicio Gap/ Helen GA

To: Tray Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: broken clouds

So this day was full of emotions. First we woke at the hotel and I went in the pool and hot tub again. Trooper spent most of the time after we had breakfast setting up to have a shuttle/taxi pick her up and bring her to Atlanta. When she found a driver she had an hour to book the flight and pack before he arrived. We both packed and walked down to the lobby to check out together. We both sat on rocking chairs. Her ride arrived and I put her pack in the back of the van we hugged shed some tears and she was off. 20 minutes later my sister arrived from Ellijay with the whole clan. We had lunch at Big Daddies, my sister brought me resupplies so I repacked my gear in the parking lot. Then went to post office to mail stuff home and mail stuff forward. We then stopped at a gas station so I could buy a bunch of snacks. My sister then drove me to Unicio Gap to hop back on the trail. We said goodbye again tears and I was on my way. Tumbleweed and Max and the crew were back at it with trail magic. She gave Trooper and I a ride into town the day before. I grabbed a Gatorade and chugged it, thanked them again for everything and started up Rocky Top mountain over 1000 foot climb out of the gap. I was thinking about Jeff, boy do I miss him and today was his birthday. After being together for 19 years this was his first birthday we weren't together for. Ugh!! I kept pausing and turning to look for Trooper but she wasn't there. This was turning into my first emotional day and I'm sure more to come. I summitted Rocky Top and then dropped 950 feet down to Indian Grave Gap and then back up 1345 feet to summit Tray Mt. Arrived at Tray Mt shelter, was able to get in the shelter. I was way too tired to set up my tent. I made dinner and ate and now relaxing... Tomorrow I'm not sure where I'm headed.. 7 miles to the next shelter, 11 miles to a hostel or 15 miles to the next next shelter. We shall see what I can do comfortably in one full day solo.
Date: 2016-04-16
From: Tray Mt. Shelter

To: T.O.G.
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early in Tray Mt shelter. Made breakfast and hit the trail before 7:30. Saw the kitty that is hiking with a couple. It makes me laugh. Poor kitty must be tired each day. Made it to deep gap by 11:30 and completed 7.4 miles. I boogied right along. Didn't see anyone except one man who was packing up his camp. I said good morning and he was running around yelling I'm late I'm late. All I could think of was the white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. I was laughing inside and never found out if he was headed north or south. Stopped at Deep Gap shelter and only one hiker there who was taking a zero at the shelter. He was nice and read while I ate my lunch. Left the shelter and stopped on my way out to filter water as I was getting low. I went up and over Young Lick Knob and Kelly Knob. Kelly Knob was quite the climb at 4126. My pack felt like someone had put a cinder blocks in it by the time I got to the top. Met another hiker who I think is called Chris. We kept flip flopping each other the last 3 miles and finally arrived together at Dicks Creek Gap at about 2. We started walking the road back to T.O.P (top of Georgia hostel) when the shuttle pulled over to pick us up. We were thrilled even though it was only a .50 mile walk it felt like 10 miles. We checked into the hostel and this place is known for being the best hostel along the AT. They gave us a free cold soda and gave us a tour of the facilities. The check in place is in a great room with three large tables and benches, two large couches, flat screen tv. They have a kitchen area for staff which has coffee on all day, snacks and you can purchase pizza and other food. They also have a private bath in the common room with a shower. The big bunkhouse has a kitchen, stove, microwave, sink and a private bath. The big bunk house area has 18 beds. Then the wolf den is for guests with dogs. I got put with all the pups and was in heaven. I took a shower and relaxed. They have a front porch and a back porch with rockers and benches. So nice. They serve breakfast for free (included in price) is offered in the morning and they run a shuttle to the gap every 1/2 hour. It's going to be a nice night here. I'm excited that a whole bunch of familiar faces are here tonight. Little-foot, Luigi, Ompi, Kate, noodles, the librarian and a bunch of other familiar faces are here. Trooper and I met them all on our first 10 days. Tomorrow the plan is to get back to Dick's Creek Gap in the morning and shooting for Muskrat Creek Shelter. That would give me an 11.8! Mile day. My plan is to be in Franklin in 3 days.
Date: 2016-04-17
From: T.O.G.

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 12: We woke up at Top of Georgia Hostel. Bob and his staff were amazing and every thru hiker should stay here. He did a talk at 8:30 about tips to successfully thru hiking. It was really good. We were offered free coffee/tea and homemade muffins in the morning. They were yummy. I took the 8:30 shuttle to Dick's Gap. It was nice to be with the crew again last night. They really are a great group of people. I boogied again today and made it to plum orchard shelter at a about 11:00 and guess who was there. Timber and Dexter... Yay!!! I haven't seen them since Sucches. I had an early lunch and dried out my feet. Then filtered some water and jumped back on the trail. Then we climbed and boy did we climb. Finally reached the GA/NC border took some pictures and made it to Bly gap. Had to filter water again and stopped at the funky tree and took a picture. Then North Carolina showed what she's made up with a steep horrendous climb over a knob. Welcome to North Carolina! Ugh. Then another and then another. Finally arriving to the shelter at about 4pm. I practically crawled on my hands and knees to get up the last knob. At the shelter I set up my pad and bag. I was so spent I was so not looking forward to setting up a tent. So I still have yet to be in my tent. Once summer comes I'm sure I'll be in it more often. I walked up to Raven Cliffs and there was an old plane crash. The cliffs offered a fantastic view. Got back to the shelter and ate cold dinner as I didn't wanna cook. The rest of the crew from the hostel are here... Luigi, Tranquility, Timber, Ompi, and Tune up from Gooch shelter. It's nice to be with all the people I have met from the beginning.
Date: 2016-04-18
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at 7am at Muskrat Creek Shelter. Made breakfast and packed up and hit the trail. I was the first one out. The crew left sometime after me. The morning was bluebird skies again and not a cloud to be seen. The weather has been perfect and no rain. Knock on wood that it stays. The trail was good to us today. She gave us a gift after yesterday's horrendous climbs. One slight climb and then a steady downhill to low gap. I shedded all of my layers at low gap to begin the climb up Standing Indian Mt. The climb followed an old road and very much resembled a climb up Hunter Mt in the Catskills following the old road out of Spructon Valley. Made for an easy climb and I reached the summit at just about 12. No really good views from the summit but you could see nice views through the leaf less trees. The summit stands at 5435 feet. The climb down from Standing Indian was awesome. Bright sunshine and temps in the 80's it was almost hot. I was just in my running shorts still ahead of the pack. The temp increased as I dropped lower in elevation. The trail was through a tunnel of Rhodendron in an archway. Suddenly a stream popped out of nowhere with a huge pool of cold water. I was in heaven and soaked my head and soaked a bandanna which I wrapped around my head. I continued on my way with just one more climb to end out the day. I arrived to the shelter at 3:15 and was the first person there out of the group from camp. I set up my tent, filtered water, and got organized and soaked in the sun. The crew started filtering in at about 4:15 so I guess I was about an hour ahead of them. I cooked dinner and ate, then relaxed around the fire. Went to bed about 9:30. Tomorrow we have several big climbs including Albert Mt where the 100 mile mark is. Holy crap I've almost walked 100 miles. We all are shooting to get to rock gap and get a ride into town. The 8 of us are going to try and split a suite at comfort inn. Today was a great day.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Franklin N.C.

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early today at 6:30am in the bunkhouse. I packed up my gear and walked down town to get breakfast. After breakfast I headed back to the bunkhouse grabbed my gear and walked to the post office to pick up my 3 packages. I had to stuff it all in and boogie back for the free shuttle. Jumped on the shuttle and got dropped off at Rock Gap. I dumped everything out and repackaged it and realized shit I have so much weight in my pack. I didn't realize Jeff had sent some of the things I had bought last night. I began the days hike and felt pretty good till I got to the ups. My feet instantly responded to the weight and were sore. I kicked off my boots and bandaged up my feet and duct taped them. I hiked on. Climbing out of winding stair gap I came across Little-foot who I had heard was sick. She said she thinks she had heat exhaustion and was taking it easy. I carried on and suffered up the climb to 5010 feet. I stopped a bit from the top to have lunch. After lunch I came across a blue blaze to the top of the bald I was climbing. I dropped my pack and hiked up in the blazing sun. The view was phenomenal. I carried on cringing at my feet. I got to the fire tower for another fantastic view. I finally arrived at the shelter to full full.. Not a lot of places to camp normally so I'm set up on a hill. Hopefully I don't role downhill in the middle of the night. I did 14.7 miles today, my biggest day yet. I'm beat and gonna crash. The crew I was with were going to take a zero today and I wasn't wanting to do that so I moved on. They will catch up.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Another tough day on the feet today. Woke up in my tent with my head facing downhill. Never have slept that way but I slept super well. Got up packed up and got on the trail at 9. My feet hurt before I even started so I taped them, and put on 2 pairs of socks for added padding. I took my time as the climbing was not terrible but it was up. At the first shelter I came across I stopped and had s snack. Then continued on for more slow walking. I'm not sure if I have blisters under the skin, or bruised bottoms of my feet or what. All I know is each step was pain. At Tellico Gap I stooped for lunch and took off my boots and socks to let everything dry. I had one more big climb of the day then it was all downhill to the NOC. At the top of the last climb was a tower with an observation deck. Granted there were clouds at this point but still great views and great pics. I continued on the climb downward. Taking my time to go the miles. When I arrived at the Morgan Shelter I had not realized I missed the shelter I really was going to stay at. I had just walked 15.5 miles my longest day yet. Tomorrow only 1 mile to the outdoor center and hopefully able to get a bunk in the bunkhouse. My feet need a zero and this will be my first one. ANYONE READING THIS AND GETS TO THE NOC TODAY FRIDAY AND CANT FIND A PLACE TO STAY IM UP THE STREET AT THE LODGE AND WILL SPLIT MY ROOM WITH YOU. Email me at chanelzee@gmail.com 40 bucks.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

So I woke up at Nantahala log cabin lodge about a mile up the street from the NOC. I showered lounged and got packed and on my way by 9:30. I walked the mile back to the NOC to see how the feet would do. They feel better than they did the day before but still were tender. When I arrived at the NOC I stopped at the river view restaurant to get breakfast. Afterwards I headed over to the outfitter to print my Smokey Mountain permit. While I was there I looked at insoles for my boots to see if they would help with my feet. After trying on a pair I was sold my feet felt fantastic. I had about three hours to kill while waiting to check in so I wandered the campus exploring it. At 2 I was able to check into my room or should I say closet. Lol. Hey I was happy. There was a bed and a lofted bed, fan and a air conditioning unit in the wall and the door locked and you needed a key card to get in. I left my gear and walked down to the water relaxing my feet and putting them in the very cold river water. Around 3 I headed back to base camp as they call it here and took a nap. Around 4 I got up and headed back over to the general store when Luigi texted me she could see the NOCthrough the trees. She popped out of the woods around 4:30 and we were gonna split the room cause I had a whole other bed I wasn't gonna be using. We dropped of her stuff then went and ate dinner and did our laundry. We were offered beer by a couple of thru hikers who had bought a case. We thanked them and took one and drank beer while waiting for the laundry to finish. Once we got the laundry done I took a hot shower and am about to crash. Back on trail bright and early tomorrow. Fontana Dam is in my sight and then onto the smokey mountsins. My feet seem better, still not perfect but they are healing. The insoles should make a huge difference.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Slept in this morning and didn't get up until about 8am. Luigi and I packed up out gear and headed down to the restaurant for breakfast. We had little foot and keg legs join us. Great breakfast again. Afterwards we headed into the outfitter and checked out the hiker box to see if we can score anything good. Then went to the general store as I needed snacks. We got on trail at about 11:40. The climb was not as bad as I originally thought it was going to be. We went 4 miles slowly. My hips were killing me as my body got used to not carrying a backpack the last two days. As for my feet the right one is ok and back to normal. The insoles are awesome and are very helpful. As for my left foot the deep blister has surfaced and though it doesn't hurt the puffy fluid part is heading north toward my toes. I haven't pooped it and really don't want to. Will see how it does in the morning. The last mile to the shelter was rough and straight up. 800 feet in about a mile in elevation gain. There were fantastic views down to the NOC and we had bluebird skies again. We arrived at camp at 5 and set up our tents. Then we filtered water and made dinner. Now we are relaxing by the fire. Only did 6.6 miles today but it was 4000 foot gains. Tomorrow we are shooting to either do 9.1 to the next shelter or 15.1 to the next, next shelter or split the difference and stay at the campsite at 12. Gonna crash soon.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: few clouds

Day 21. Woke up at Cable Shelter at about 6:30. Packed up, collapsed the tent and started breakfast. I've just noticed that every day seems to be the same routine. By the time I was eating Luigi was getting up and packing. I forgot to mention that the plant lady is also here at the camp sites. Her and I have been comparing plant pictures from the first 167 miles. I've been identifying the ones she doesn't know through Leslie and Brenda from Lowes. I pushed off at about 8 onto the trail. We only had one big climb today up to black gum gap. The hill did not have a name but it was about 600 foot climb. Once to the summit I had cell service again and could update my journals. Then all we had was the climb down to Fontana. We arrived at the marina at about noon. They had a soda machine and I bought, well attempted to buy a soda. All were sold out except for Diet Coke, which was fine I do drink diet. All that mattered to me was it was cold. We hiked on from the marina 1.2 miles to the Fontana Hilton.   Which is a shelter on the trail which holds 20 people and has a shower and bathrooms nearby with running water. We set up our tents on the pads nearby and got the shuttle into town. I stopped at the post office and picked up my package from Chris Lovell in Massachusetts. Then Luigi and I did our laundry and resupplied at the general store. Afterwards a bunch of us walked down to the gas station where they had chili dogs and nachos. We gorged ourselves. We then proceeded to take the shuttle back to the Fontana Hilton where we organized our food bags for our 5 day trek into the Smokies. Just for the record we set the record for most people in the shuttle. 13 people and 2 dogs!!! We sat around and chatted. I got up at 9 to head to bed, hiker midnight. Need a lot of rest as tomorrow we begin our climb into the smokies.