morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-08
From: Woody Gap, Georgia

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7

We began our day with more Trail Magic. Fresh Ground (trail name) cooked dozens of eggs, home fries and banana pancakes - all at no cost to the hikers and we had a large group of hikers this morning for breakfast. We had a glorious day for hiking, the temperature reaching around 60 degrees. There were scores of people on the trail - children, senior citizens, day walkers, thru-hikers. Todays route to Neel Gap took us over Blood Mountain, the highest mountain on the AT in Georgia (4,461'). At the top is an old stone ranger station which had seen some maintenance since I last saw it. I believe it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. After descending 2,4 miles to Neels Gap we experienced more Trail Magic - free hamburgers prepared by a local community church. There is a most amazing outfitter store at Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap. Not only does it stock everything a hiker could need, but the staff are willing to examine a hiker's backpack, identify anything that is unnecessary (therefore adds weight), and then ship it back to the hiker's home. What a service! Amusingly, the store and the tree outside contain hundreds of pairs of abandoned hiking boots. Another hiker and I rented a cabin for the night and we've been able to do our laundry, have a shower, and enjoy pizza and ice-cream. What a life!
Date: 2014-03-09
From: Neels Gap

To: Former Rocky Mountain shelter
Miles today: 17.9

With the change to daylight savings time and having to return an item to the Mountain Crossings outfitter store, we didn't hit the trail until 10:30 am. The weather was beautiful today. It started cool and then warmed up, with sunshine and blue skies.The trail was one of constant ups and downs. One hiker said "God created these mountains and wilderness; the devil laid out this trail." Actually, Georgia successfully constructed a trail that isn't level.We arrived at our destination at sunset. The temperature dropped quickly so we set up our tents, had dinner, and got into our sleeping bags as fast as we could. There are just three of us tonight - Nick, who shared my cabin last night and one other. After our 18 mile hike (our longest to date) my body is sore and I'm looking forward to a good nights sleep. Today, we ran into our first boy scout troop and the leader gave us his blessing: "have nimble feet and a light pack." I also met a couple (Grasshopper and Brakeman) who had thru-hiked the AT in 2008 and are currently training to hike out West on the Pacific Coast Trail.
Date: 2014-03-10
From: Former Rocky Mountain shelter

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 13.7

Still trying to adjust to daylight savings time, but again we were blessed with a warm day and blue skies. The number of AT thru-hikers has thinned and there were only a few day hikers. However we met two young ladies from Atlanta, Georgia at lunch. They had set up a Trail Magic station at a road crossing and served us hamburgers, coke, chips and cookies. We made it to Sassafras Gap after climbing three more 4,000' peaks - Tray Mountain, Dismal Mountain, and Kelly Ridge. There are just the two of us tonight. Weatherman started with me at Springer Mountain. This isn't an official camp site, but once again, we have a beautiful evening. The map shows my progress through Georgia so far. I'm about six miles from Dick's Creek Gap.
Date: 2014-03-11
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I had a short day today, although I climbed the final 4,000' peak in Georgia. Ahead lie the 5,000' peaks of North Carolina. Arrived at Dicks Creek Gap Road on US 76 and am staying at the Blueberry Patch hostel run by a husband and wife team who are Christians. We have a full house with lots of hikers concerned about the predicted change in the weather - temperatures in the teens in the mountains and rain. As the saying goes, "No rain, no Maine." So tomorrow will be a zero day i.e. one with no hiking. Tonight I'm one of ten sharing a bunkroom. Half are men and half are women. The bunks are on three levels. Fortunately, I'm in the middle level. Since we finished our hike early today, I went in to town. It was so nice to get a prepared meal - dinner at Subway and desert at a Dairy Queen.
Date: 2014-03-12
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This was our first zero day i.e. a day with no hiking. Eleven of us sat down to a gorgeous breakfast at the Blueberry Patch Christian Hostel - pancakes, blueberry sauce, eggs, sausage, and home-made biscuits. After this, most of us headed to town to get a motel room and wait out the anticipated storm. By dinner time, the wind was howling and the temperatures were low. Although it will be cold tomorrow, it should be sunny and that will allow us to get back on the trail. Today was refreshing. It gave us time to arrange our gear and clothes and to renew our bodies and minds with chatting and rest.
Date: 2014-03-13
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice sunny but cold day hiking into North Carolina. Had some snow to hike on. Highest peak today was 4800' and tonight we are camping at 4600' The temperature will be in the teens so I will be able to test the effectiveness of my sleeping bag. I cut my hike short today so I could get my tent set up, eat, and get in my sleeping bag before the sun went down. There are about 10 of us, all in tents. There are fewer and fewer day and section hikers. Most are attempting a thru-hike of the AT. The AT is internationally known and during the Georgia section I met hikers from England, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Korea.
Date: 2014-03-14
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Eddy Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.2

Even with the proper sleeping bag, wearing all the clothes I could, and having a hot water bottle, it was a really cold night. We were glad to get up and on our way. The highest peak today was 5500' - Standing Indian Mountain. However, the climb was gentler than in Georgia, so not as challenging. We started as a group of 10. There was a lot of solo hiking. Tonight there are four of us - the couple from Korea, one hiker from Michigan, and myself. During my hike, I thought about a young lady I met at dinner the other night. She grew up in an abusive home with lots of cursing. Her only relief came when the family attended church for one hour each Sunday. I wondered how many people only spend an hour a week with God. Happily now God is in this lady's life 24/7.
Date: 2014-03-15
From: Eddy Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2

Glad to say we had a much warmer night. The day began hazy, but the sun came out before noon. Our goal today was to get up and over Albert Mountain. Most of our hiking today was gradual climbing except for the last 400' which was almost straight up over boulders and slabs. The view from the top of Albert Mountain of mountains, valleys, and rivers made the climb worthwhile. At the top I received a text from a reporter from the Franklin newspaper. He offered to collect us at our finishing point and drive us the 16 mile to our motel. The hiker motel is owned by Ron Haven. It costs about $40 a night and has running water, a bed and television. What more could I want? The reporter wanted me to attend church tomorrow, but unfortunately I am one day behind schedule so decided to hike instead of falling further behind.
Date: 2014-03-16
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: moderate rain

We had an early wake up call to get the shuttle to First Baptist Church in Franklin where the members provided a great hiker breakfast with pancakes, bacon, orange juice, coffee etc. After breakfast, the shuttle drove us back to our motel to check out and then to the trailhead by 9:45 am. It was raining when we arrived and it rained all day. We climbed into fog, then into the clouds and above the clouds, even walking briefly on a section of asphalt on the top of a mountain! We reached our shelter at 6:30 pm and pitched our tents to camp above 5000'. Sadly, my Gortex boots leaked all day and the bottom of my socks were wet, so I need to get new boots as quickly as possible.
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC @ Wesser, NC
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night and was still raining when we took our tents down. As a result, there was a lot of standing water on the trail - 2 to 4 " so it was like walking in a stream. Footing was a challenge since we had slick and muddy conditions. Most of today was downhill. We descended almost 3200'. This can put a lot of pressure on knees if hikers use them as brakes. So I tried to use my poles to find firm footing and keep my balance. The rain ended around mid-morning. I arrived at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in time for dinner at the River Edge Caf©. Had a good conversation with a Congregational Pastor from Connecticut who goes by the trail name, G. Walker. Maybe this was more than a coincidence.
Date: 2014-03-18
From: NOC @ Wesser, NC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.4

Got up bright and early and unlike last couple of days it wasn't raining, just foggy. Had a long 3500' uphill climb (six miles) to the top of Cheoah Bald. It was most difficult for the terrain alternated between little grades and steep climbs, added to which I was breaking in a new pair of boots. So it was very rough on the feet and legs. By the time I got to the top, the skies were blue, it was sunny and the views were spectacular. Three years ago, these views tempted me to pitch tent on the Bald so I could wake up to a scenic view. But what I didn't know was in Spring strong winds can come up at night and I ended up spending the night hanging on for dear life and trying not to lose my tent. I didn't make that mistake this time and kept going for another six miles. By the time I reached Stecoah Gap, N.C. I was exhausted. I'd planned to go two miles further to the next shelter but just couldn't. I phoned to get into a hostel; so I've had a shower and great dinner and look forward to sleeping in a real bed. There were lots of north bound hikers today because many of them had taken two days off from the AT to avoid the rains. Some had been on the trail since February. Tonight, I'm with the same six hikers I've travelled with for about a week. Today, I met 6-8 teenagers on an excursion from NOC for 2-3 days so they can learn to exist on the trail in tents and with backpacks. I also met Grandpa Dave, two young boys about 9-10 years of age who were having lots of fun on the trail. Also met their Mum who had a backpack bigger than she was. Their dad had gone ahead to set up camp. It was great to see a family together doing this. So, today was a struggle - I hope tomorrow will be easier.
Date: 2014-03-19
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 15.4

Had a wonderful evening at the Cabins-in-the-Wood Hostel, with great rest and fellowship. The owners, Dorothy & Phil cooked us an excellent breakfast and we were on the trail by 7:30 am. Before starting I met two interesting people. A young man introduced himself by his trail name, Quickstep, which I thought was cool given that mine is Shortstop. He shared some of his Cheerios. Then I met another international hiker - a young lady from Australia. Today was a lot of ups and downs with the section culminating in a long downhill hike at the Fontana Dam Visitors Center. Before that we passed a really interesting shelter known as the Fontana Hilton. There are actually two shelters facing each other with a covered area in between. Each shelter holds 12 - 16 people. About 50 yards away is a brick building which serves as a bathhouse. With showers, running water, toilets, and pebble-size rock walkway (i.e. no mud) it is indeed a Hilton for AT hikers. Amazingly, the gentleman who had a tent doing Trail Magic in Georgia was at the Fontana Hilton making breakfast, lunch and dinner for hikers going North and South. He is a true Trail Angel. Tomorrow, I will cross Fontana Dam and enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It will be 70 miles until the next road crossing at Newfound Gap so I'm staying at Fontana Lodge, will have a good dinner, shower and stay in a real bed, once again. Still in a lot of pain in my right leg and taking pain medication. I will need to address this soon.
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Fontana Dam

To: Medical advice
Miles today: 0.0

Well folks, my plans to cross the Fontana Dam today are on hold. As I mentioned earlier, I've been struggling with severe leg pains. Yesterday, I hiked without a back pack to see if this would help, but it didn't. So I decided to take a zero day and solicit medical advice. The prognosis is that the leg pain is related to back problems I've had for a number of years. The recommendation is to come off the trail and have two weeks of intense sports therapy. There's an old saying about taking the doctor's advice and I've decided to do this. I will post my progress periodically and pray it will not be too long before I can think and plan about resuming my mission on the trail.
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Medical advice

To: Healing
Miles today: 0.0

I did get the shuttle back to Knoxville, Tennessee for therapy on my legs - four hours of intense therapy, helped by some Ibuprofen. Glad to say the pain level has eased. To try to keep in condition, I hiked eight miles on Saturday without a back pack. I have a couple of further therapy sessions scheduled for this week. Until then, I'll wait to see if and when I might return to the trail. Being in Knoxville also gave me the chance to attend the inaugural Saturday evening worship service at Cokesbury United Methodist and to watch my favorite team, the Tennessee Vols, move into the Sweet 16. Life is good. I will keep in touch.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Healing

To: Therapy
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have spent 6 of my 8 days off the AT in therapy sessions - stretching, ice, heat, lots of pain, but today I'm feeling the best since my injury manifested itself. I'm not quite ready yet and will have 3 more therapy sessions next week which may allow me to resume hiking around a week from now. My major decision is how to resume. Do I start at where I left off at Fontana Dam and risk getting too late to Katadhin in September or do I restart from the point I originally planned to be at when I start so I can definitely make Katadhin in time. I would then flip-flop and going south pick up those sections I had missed on the way north. I'll keep you informed.
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Therapy

To: Recovery
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi folks. This is my thirteenth day away from the trail. The objective of hiking is to walk every day and move towards the goal of Maine. So, day after day of not making progress towards that goal is frustrating. However, I am making progress with my recovery. The pain in my leg is pretty well cleared and I'm feeling stronger. I do have soreness from my treatments but this is more manageable. I have some more sessions with the medical community this week and hope soon to be able to develop plans for getting back on the trail. Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I hope to be back with the trail community where I desire to be. Anyway, you've heard the saying, "No pain, no Maine." I think I've got my pain badge covered for this hike!
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Recovery

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi folks. today is day 16 off the trail. However, we drove from Knoxville to Roan Mountain, where tomorrow I'll resume my AT journey. I'm delighted and looking forward to it. Tonight, I'm at the Mountain Harbor Hostel with approximately 18 other hikers. It is especially good to be in the village of Roan Mountain at this time for, on this day many years ago, Lala and I were here to rehearse for our wedding which took place the next day. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. As I return to the trail, I trust the issues with my leg are behind me.
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Mountaineer Falls Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: broken clouds

After a very comfortable night at the Mountain Harbor Hostel and a breakfast worthy of a five star restaurant, I resumed hiking in sunshine, with beautiful views looking back at Roan Mountain. This was my 16th actual hiking day on the AT and I've had 16 zero days due to my leg therapy. Today's hike was not very difficult and I had the pleasure of Alan's company for the first five miles or so. I met quite a few section hikers and three trail maintenance volunteers from the Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club who were checking the trail and completing minor repairs. I finished quite early (around 4 pm). At the trailhead, Patriot, Rambo and myself met the owner of a cabin and he invited us to stay the night. It was four-tenths of a miles away, and it let us stay the night in a heated cabin rather than freeze in our tents, and we had lots of time to prepare dinner and make our beds. Tomorrow, I expect to start roughing it in the mountains!
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Mountaineer Falls Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

I'll start today with an African Proverb that my friend Jim Johnston discovered in the May 2014 edition of Readers Digest: "If you want to walk fast, walk alone; if you want to walk far, walk with others." Today I began walking alone, but as the day progressed I met quite a few people including a young lady who remembered me from Springer Mountain at the beginning of this journey. It was a beautiful day for hiking - sunny and warm and there were no major climbs. Tonight I am at the Kincora Hiking Hostel with 18 hikers. Some of us went into Elizabethton for groceries which brought back many memories since I was born and lived there my first 20 years. We came back, all hands to the kitchen and made salads, pasta and chicken for supper. The forecast is for rain and heavy winds, so the jury is out on whether we will hike tomorrow or take a zero day!
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

Well, we listened to the weather forecast - 100% chance of rain; 20-30 mph winds, gusting to 60-70 mph in the mountains - so took a zero day and guess what? It turned out to be a beautiful day. Anyway, I contacted some college friends from many years ago. The best man at my wedding collected me and we went into town for lunch with another friend. The fellowship, both at lunch and later back at the hostel. was great. I will resume hiking tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: zero day

To: Watauga Lake
Miles today: 8.6

This morning I got a lift to my end destination and hiked south, back to the Kincora Hostel where I will spend my third night. The hostel is run by Bob Peoples, who is a legend on the trail. He built the hostel in the mid 1990s and serves hikers. He is regarded as one of the top ten trail maintenance folks in the country. He is known for rerouting trails by replacing steep climbs with switchbacks etc. and this month is featured in a Blue Ridge publication. Most of the day I hiked by myself, and got back to the hostel around 2 pm. I reconnected with a couple of hikers from the past, including Quickstop who I'd met in North Carolina and a lady I'd met at the Blueberry Patch outside of Hiwassee in Georgia on my first night on the trail. It is amazing how diverse the AT hiking community is. Sometimes there are more females than males, other times the reverse and one most of the hikers will be young and the next not so young. The fellowship is amazing.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Watauga Lake

To: Wilbur Dam Road
Miles today: 4.2

I'm introducing a new term today, called NERO day. This is not a zero day, but it is almost a zero or near zero day. I did this because I have medical tests scheduled for tomorrow, so could only go so far today. I rode with Bob Peoples (owner of the Kincora Hostel) and four other hikers (two guys, a girl from Germany, and a girl from Australia - see photograph). They were doing the north/south section that I hiked yesterday. I walked by myself today. I didn't meet anyone. My hike took me along the road by Watauga Lake, pretty much at lake level, It then ascended about 100' to where I crossed the dam. Watauga Dam was the world's largest earth-filled dam in the 1940s. Water from the dam goes through a series of tunnels to drive generators. I hope I don't have to report too many NERO days in the future. However, tomorrow will be a zero day as I complete my testing.
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Therapy

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

Had a 5 am wake up call. I picked up my friend Noel in Kingsport and we traveled to the trailhead where I resumed my hike. I climbed for about 2 or 3 miles, then the rest of the day was ridge walking which is excellent for making good miles. I started hiking at 8:45 am and hiked until 6 pm. I met only three other northbound hikers today. We sort of played tag as each of rested at different times. I also met some southbound section hikers, including one who has been reading my trail journal. I'm amazed at the thousands of hits my journal is receiving. I pitched tent at the Double Springs Shelter. The northbound trail community has really thinned out, but I'm told we are just ahead of a huge bubble - 200+ hikers who started the trail in April. It is really nice this evening, lying in my tent with the rain fly open, looking at the big bright moon through the trees. Nights like these are so magical.
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.7

Today was another of those days with a trail that accommodated lots of miles with relatively little effort. The day started earlier than anticipated in the middle of the night. I'd gone to sleep with the moon dancing in and out of the clouds, but was awakened by water falling on my face. The forecasted chance of rain (10%) had become a reality. So I got up, closed the rain fly and went back to sleep. When I awoke again, the tent was dry, so the shower must have been slight. I slept later than usual, had breakfast, and then set out on my second successive 19 mile hike. It was a good test for my leg, and I came through it fine. Even though the trail wasn't difficult, one false step can be disastrous. I pray every day for God to keep me focused, to pay attention, to stay upright and out of trouble. So far, he has done just that. Last night I stayed at the Hiker Inn, a hostel which was clean as a pin. I slept on a mattress on a bunk, with fresh sheets, plumbing, a shower and laundry. There were three section hikers there; two from Raleigh, NC and one from Cleveland, Ohio. I asked him if he had heard of Danny's Boy restaurant in Rocky River and he said he knew it well. It is owned by a former student of my wife. Earlier in the evening I dined at the Blue Blaze Caf© with a gentleman from Jefferson City who goes by the trail name, Journeyman. We both had bean burgers and fries and great conversation. We plan to meet up tomorrow Sunday at a local church for worship.