morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Amicalola State Park

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was the big day. Decided during breakfast to hike the approach trail. The first of many last minute decisions. Out of the 13 hikers leaving from the hostel only 3 of us (Gonzo, Last on the Bus and myself) decided to hike the approach trail. Since I was here and may never be here again, I want to see it all, so the approach trail is where I am starting. On the way to the state park, the hostel owner told us that only 35% of the hikers leave from Amicalola State Park and hike the approach trail. The other 65% start on the forest service road near Springer Mountain. I signed in at Amicalola's vistors center as #406 and my pack weighed 34 pounds. Based upon the above memtioned ratios, I am estimated that between 1,000 - 1,200 hikers have already started their hike north.My partners in crime that day were LB (Last on the Bus) and Gonzo. During the day, we discussed my trail name. After much discussing, the winner is.....Wingin` it. The runner up was Last Minute. For some reason, it just didnt click with me. It was a beautiful day. Warm around 70, not a cloud in the sky and just a slight breeze. Even through the weather was perfect, it made for a tough hikeing day as there was no foilage on the trees and the sun was hot beating down on us all day.I am very glad that I did the approach trail even through it was a "ass-kicking" section. Within about 1/2 mile from the start, we had to climb 610 steps build along side the waterfall.   And the trail really didn't get any easier from there.In the end, we made it to Springer Mountain and camped a 1/4 mile from the top near the shelter. During the day, I ran into Anansi who was taking a break. She is also on trail journals, so stop by and say hello.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

During the night, the weather took a turn for the worst. It became colder, foggy, windy and even tried to rain for a few brief moments during the day. As I was hiking down from the top of Springer, I ran across the shuttle from the hostel dropping off that days hikers. Included in that days group was Christy, who also has a trailjournal that was reading before deciding to hike this year. So drop by her journal. She is hiking with Liz, who is carry an black umbrella with plastic red roses. Compared to the day before, this was an easy day. Had to wear my rain gear all day due to the wind and chance of rain, but I stayed dry and warm. The thought for the day from a person that was just out for the day....Make Smiles Not Miles. Sound like good advice.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather was overcast, foggy, misty, windy and cold all day, but actually a pleasant day to hike. Another pretty easy day except for Sassafrass Mountain, they had to throw one hard mountian in the way. Mainly the day consisted of PUD's (Pointless Up and Downs). Still for the most part traveling with LB. Gonzo and Country Gold. We meet Country Gold last night at the shelter. John and Lisa (Two of a Kind) were also at the shelter last night. A section hiker with his dog was also at the shelter, more on him in a couple of days. We did learn at the shelter while taking group photos that Gonzo can set the automatic timer on any camera.
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

The weather still is holding out. It was overcast in the morning and clearing in the afternoon. The wind was still very gusty. My knee starting hurting which made a long day, but made it to the shelter. Three of the hikers at the shelter had already been on the trail for a week. They were only averaging 5 or so miles a day. During the night, we had a very hard storm, but were dry in the in the shelter. When I got to the shelter Christy and Liz were getting ready to leave to hike to Neels Gap. Christy trail name is now H2 because she misunderstood something the Liz said to her. Liz is now Mary Poppins because of the umbrella she is carrying. Liz is only carrying a 24 lbs pack. I am jealous. At the shelter last night, Christy's water filter broke so I let her use mine at the shelter and at a rest stop during the day. Hopefully, she can get it repaired at the Outfitters at Neels Gap. I have a feeling that this will not be the first time I help out another thru-hiker on this journey. The picture was taken the next morning as I was leaving Woods Hole Shelter on my way to Neels Gap. Because H2 and Mary Poppens left the night before for Neels Gap I was able to get a spot in the shelter. I was glad I didnt have to sleep in my tent in the rain. Thought for the day, "Have a great day today, and a better day tomorrow."
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: moderate rain

Still raining in the morning, I decided to hike to Neels Gap while the others in shelter decided to stay put. Because of the weather and my sore knee, I decided to take the "blue blaze" around Blood Mountain. A blue blaze is a side trail that some local told me about the day before in the parking at a road crossing. While I am not trying to be a purist and pass every white blaze on the trail, I do have to pass most of them. I will miss White Blazes for safety reasons. Another cold, windy day. Made it to the hostel and got a bunk. It ended up being a full house for the night. I found Country Gold a sleeping pad and some other gear he needed from the hiker box. A hiker box is where hikers leave unwanted gear for other to grab if the need it. Country Gold is hiking the trail with little experience and no budget. So the other hikers have been helping him out when possible ie: heating up hot water in the morning so he can have a cup of coffee as he is cooking on a wood fire. So on days it is raining, he doesnt cook. At the hostel, there was a church group from Warner Robbins, GA cooking hamburgers for the hikers. They said they do it daily for about three weeks every spring. I like trail magic.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I decided to take a zero day (no miles) to let my knee heal a bit before getting back on the trail. I walked through the outfitters about 20 times today. I was just a bit bored. During the night, a man was camping up on Blood Mountain with his dog, he hung his food bag but left the food for his dog in his backpack. You guessed it, a bear came into camp and stole his backpack. Of course the dog slept through the incident. Because of the section hiker's stupidity, there is a good chance that the bear will be hunted down and killed. This was the section hiker from the shelter the other night. Instead of gathering up his gear, he basically just left it all on the mountain. A couple of the employees from the Outfitters hiked up the mountain after worked and picked up his gear. At least they had a nice full moon to hike under. The section hiker did give the employees a very nice tip for their effort. I guess I should talk about the hostel for a bit. A hostel is just a bunkhouse for a small fee. This bunkhouse has 16 beds and charges $15 a night. For the price, you get a bed, a shower and laundry facilities. Most importantly, you get to sleep inside. Miss Janet rans the hostel. She is a trail legend. She used to run her own hostel in Erwing, TN. Miss Janet collects a small donation from each hiker and makes a homecook meal (breakfast and dinner). Baltimore Jack is also at the hostel helping out Miss Janet and the Outfitters. He has hiked the trail in the neighborhood of 7 to 9 times. Also at the hostel, is a father and son team trying to thru-hike, Chilli (son)and Pepper (father). Chilli is only 10 years old. They signed in at the start park right before I did. However, they didn't hike the approach trail so I hadn't had a chance to get to know them yet. After hike addition - Chilli tested out of the 5th grade early and is now being home school because of the number of day he missed hiking the trail. I think the education is his getting hiking the trail far exceeds what he will learn in regular school. They have posted several short videos on You Tube. You should check them out. Hitting the trail again tomorrow, hope the knee holds up.
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

The morning was windy again, but the afternoon cleared up nicely. Around lunch time I came across trail magic by King Tut and his AT Services. They provided chairs to sit in, which is just a treat since we normally sit on the ground, rock or downed trees, soda, Little Debbie snacks, water, chips and miscellaneous supples such as moleskin, medicine, toothpaste, etc. The one question they always ask hikers....What else do you need? Even though I have provided Trail Magic in Shenandoah National Park, it still amazes me that non-hikers will go out of their way to help thru-hikers, complete strangers. Especially in a world that teaches people to be afraid of strangers. The AT Servants is a loosely organized group of churches that provide trail magic from Georgia to Damascus, Va. At trail days, they provide most of the services at Trail Days in Damascus. They provide a cookout on Wednesday, a sit-down dinner on Thursday, they bring in doctors to bring medical services to the hikers, showers, laudry services and internet services. They never ask for a donation. North of Hogpen Gap, there was considerable amount of storm damage. From the look of the damage, it look like it is from this year.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Campsite
Miles today: 13.0

The last few entries were kind of short as I have been having trouble getting online and was trying to catch up. This was a very interesting day of hiking. First, I didn't leave camp until almost 10 am, this bad decision will be compound later in the day. I was waiting for Gonzo, LB and Country Gold, finally left without them. During my hike to Blue Mountain Shelter, I decided that even through I like hanging around the guys, I need to HYOH (Hike Your Own Hike). I made it to the shelter about 1 pm, which was good time. Then I got to thinking, very bad idea, which just compounded the late start. I decided that I would hike another 5 miles to "The Cheese Factory" campsite to setup an easy and short day the next day into town. Sounded like a great plan. However, the decision to leave very late from camp this morning is compounded. I didn't leave Blue Mountain Shelter until 3:45 pm and I still had to hike Rocky Mountain which is about 4,000 ft. Before I left Blue Mountain Shelter, I talked to Baltimore Jack about the upcoming trail and my decision to hike further. He told me about the water sources and campsites that I would run across before "The Cheese Factory" campsite. Very important information to know. It was a hot day, but I did make it to the campsite about 7:15 pm and I was extremely tried. Of course, I know this will bite me in the ass tomorrow. A couple of interesting things happened to the day...went through my first "Long Green Tunnel" and I saw my first wildflower. The long green tunnel is a nickname for the Appalachian Trail due to hike through sections of foliage that looks like long green tunnels.
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Cheese Factory Campsite

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 6.0

What a day!!! I managed to do a whopping 6 miles in about 8 hours of hiking. Due to the prior day's bad decisions, I had absolutely no energy today. I am not even sure how I made 6 miles. It was also a very hot day with no shade, which also compounded the problem. I also think I caught Gonzo's upper chest cold. He had to go to the doctor and get a Z-pack. Hope I dont have to do that. The climb over 4,400 foot Tray Mountain probably also had something to do with my slow day.I ended up solo camping at Addis Gap at a very nice campsite, except the water source was 1/2 mile away, one-way. I don't like camping alone, especially when feeling sick, but I know I will do it and have no problem in it. It was a very peaceful night, no snoring.
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Addis Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Still sick, still very hot and still had to hike 5 milesover the 4,200 foot Kelly Knob to the parking lot, but in the end I knew there was a hot shower, cold drink and a soft bed. About 10 minutes after arriving at the parking lot at Dick's Creek Gap, Gonzo and Country Gold arrived. LB had gotten off the trail to take care of a foot problem. They camped at Sassafrass Gap, which where I was going to camp, but decided to do the extra mile. A couple of minutes later the hotel shuttle arrived and I didn't have to hitch into to town. Of course things in town didn't go as planned. Since it was Good Friday (who knew that one) the local library was closed and the hotel doesn't have internet access yet. But I did manage to get my mail drop, do my laundry and mail a bounce box. A bounce box is a package a hiker mails themselve down the trail instead of carry items not needed for a few days. In my case it was extra food.
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Town
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Since my last post stated that I didn't have internet access in town, I bet you are wondering how I am updating my journal. The owner of the hotel I was staying in also has hotels in Franklin, NC. By luck today was the 3rd Annual April Fools Hiker Bash. So I took the shuttle to Franklin to attend the party. And this hotel has internet access. As time permits, I will go back and try to update some of my past journal entries. Tomorrow, a shuttle back to Hiawasee, Ga and back on the trail. In a couple of days, I will be at my first major milestone, the GA/NC border. In 5-6 days, I should be at the N.O.C. and able to update my journal again. Still not even close to being ready to come home. This is to much fun.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Town

To: Plum Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Easter morning in Franklin, NC. I went to the The First Baptist Church of Franklin for an all you can eat pancake breakfast the church prepares for the hikers. They picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel. They do it daily for about three weeks every spring. They are members of the AT Servants memtioned in a previous post. It is amazing how much of their time these folks spend helping out the thru-hikers. Caught the shuttle back to Dick's Creek Gap and start my trip northward once again. It was an easy hike to Plum Orchard Shelter, but it was a hot day. I arrived at the shelter early in the afternoon. Thought about hiking further, but ended up staying at the shelter. The last time I had this thought it didnt turn out on the good side. So I do seem to be learning. Later in the day a father and his two sons arrived and set up camp at the shelter. He had two well behaved boys. Other then being to hot it was a good day. I did decide that next time I do this that I will be bringing my summer sleeping bag and a down blanket. This 15 degree bag is just to heavy to use when it is only in the 40's at night.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Plum Orchard Shelter

To: Standing Indian Gap
Miles today: 11.0

Hit my first major milestone today....The Georgia/North Carolina border. One state down and 13 more to go. It was another very hot day and realized during the day that I am still very sick. The trail takes a vengence on the hike as soon as you enter North Carolina. It goes straight up, not over one mountain, but two mountains. I had to take two naps just to get up and over the mountains. I finally made it to the shelter about 4:00 and just curled up in the back of the shelter and rested. About 5:30, parachute arrived. He turned on his Spot Unit. (A GPS device that broadcasts a signal to a designated person' email.) The other hikers at the shelter was joking with him about calling for a helicopter. In fact, he was arranging for his girfriend to pick him up at the next road crossing, which was 4 miles away. He offered me a ride to town and told me not to worry about when I got there as he had all night. I made it to the parking lot just as he was loading his pack into the car. Parachute and his girlfriend Katie gave me not only a ride to town but to the hotel. It is amazing how AT hikers look out for each other and do anything they can for each other, even when they first meet. Talk about family.
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Standing Indian Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Went to the doctor today, have an upper respitory infection. Got a prescription for a "Z-Pack" and a cough syrup with codiene. According to the Nurse, the clinic has seen many, many hikers this year with the same illness. Hopefully in a couple of days when the drugs take effect I will feel better and can hit the trail again.I did find the perfect weight loss program. A AT Thru-hike. I am able to eat all the food, candy, soda, junk food and ice cream I want. I dont have to join a gym. I dont have a personal trainer yelling at me to work harder. So far on my diet I have several inches around my waist and 20 pounds.
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Another zero day in town. Getting bored. Basically just laid around and watched TV.Back to the hiker boxes from a previous post. It is said that you go to Springer Mountain with nothing but the clothes on your back and hike the entire trail just by using items from the hiker boxes. From what I have seen in the hiker boxes, I believe it is a true statement. I have seen more food then you can imagine, water purifiers, stoves, sleeping pads, tarps, clothing and many other small items.
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Another zero day. (A zero day is a day with no hiking.) I am beginning to feel better and another day of rest will not hurt. Was going to head out to the trail this morning, but rain was forecasted all day. Being sick I really didnt want to hike in the rain. And for once the weather guessers were corrected. Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be sunny and cooler. I am definitely leaving for the trail in the morning. See you at the N.O.C.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Franklin, NC

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: clear sky

Finally, made it back to the trail. I had two choices in getting back to Deep Gap (1)try to arrange a shuttle for $45 or take the free shuttle bus and hike about 4 miles back to Deep Gap. I chose the second option. The blue blaze Kimsey Creek trail as a beautiful hike along a small mountain stream. The forest finally has started turning from brown to green. I hiked past several new species of wildflowers coming into bloom including several patches of Ramps. Ramps are a very strong wild onion.   Once I made back to the AT at Deep Gap, I hike a mile up to the Standing Indian Shelter. There was a group of Boy Scouts from Jacksonville, FL also camping at the shelter. They even shared their leftovers with the thru-hikers. Yay, free food. On a sad note, I heard of several people I met along the way have left the trail. I know they have to be disappointed as some of them spent many months preparing for the trip. I hope in time they take the lessons learned on this trip and try again. I know a couple of them were carrying way too much weight and really wasn't prepared for what they had gotten themselves into. If they come back out for a second try, I think they will be better prepared and will make it.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

It was a perfect day for hiking, cool and sunny. I definitely feel better. Even through we started the day by having to hike over the 5,500 ft Standing Indian Mountain, the day was an easy hiking day. The trail the whole day was easily graded and the climbs and decents during were gradual the entire day. However, at the end of the day, someone pulled a very mean joke on the hikers, they made up go up and over Albert Mountain. The trail only gains about 650 ft in elevation, but the trail is said to be the steepest part of the AT south of the White Mountains in New England. Steep is a bit of understatement. It was almost like climbing to the 65th floor of a building on a ladder. It was steep. At the top of Albert Mountain there is a fire tower hikers can climb. I chose not to as it was late and I wanted to make it the shelter before dark.I may have finally gotten my trail legs, I kept a strong pace and long stride during the entire day, even on the uphills. Even during my longest day to date, I really wasn't that tired at the end of the day. Maybe now I can start getting some miles behind me. If any company is looking for professionals, the AT is were I would look. I met several hikers that had PHD, many with Master's degree who in the fall was going back to school for another Master degree or their PHD, Including one who was going to go back and get a Master degree in Quatum Physics, not sure what that is, but is sounds important. Seems like most of the hikers have an advanced degrees of some sort. Of course, there are the few bums out here. I met one guy that has had about 300 jobs in the last couple of years. He works, saves up a couple of hundred dollars and then goes hiking. When he rans out of money, he gets a job for a month or two. Regardless, whether we have an advanced degree or just a bum. we are all family and will do whatever we can to help each other on the trail without giving it a just of thought.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Yea......I hit the official 100 mile mark today. I am going to have to correct the mileage at the top. It seems to be off a bit. Another easy day today. I was not as strong as yesterday, but still kept a strong pace and good stride all day. I am sure my big day yesterday took a bit out of me. But I does confirm to me that I have gotten my trail legs. I was looking at some of the other thru-hikers. I don't seem to fit in with them. First of all I am still shaving every couple of days. Most of the other thru-hikers have bushy breads by now and I am clean shaven. The other area the I seem to stand out is that I am not up and out of camp by 8:00/8:30. Today, I didn't leave camp until almost 10:30. I wish I could get hiking earlier, but for some reason I can't get moving in the morning. I think part of the issue is the medicine I am taking as it makes me sleepy. Like they always says I need to Hike My Own Hike (HYOH). And if I can get the miles hike and not leave until 10:00 or 10:30, then that is what I am going to do.Went back to Franklin, NC again today to resuplly. When we got to the road, I tried to hitch hike for a minute or two with no sucess so I called for the hotel shuttle. I ended up sharing a room with Dan and False Start. This is the second time this year that False Start started the trail. The first time he stayed only a few days before heading home. Luckily he is from Georgia. He started with a 60 lbs pack. He went home, rethought his gear and finally reduced his pack weight by 15-20 lbs. Now he is back trying it again, this time with a much lighter pack.