morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-07-31
From: Kinsman Notch

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today, I hiked from Kinsman Notch to Eliza Brook Shelter. This shelter was built in 2010, so is one of the new ones. It was nice and clean.Today's hike was "relatively" easy compared with the hike up and over Mt Moosilauke. ( pronounced moose-eh-lock ) The E is silent. It means bald mountain in area's native american language.After yesterday's hike, I felt I needed to take things a little easy.
Date: 2012-08-01
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike was more of the same, but not quite as difficult as the big Moose. I had to make my way up and over South Kinsman Mountain, and then North Kinsman Mountain. Oh by-the-way, I'm in the whites.The highlight of today was passing by the first of the famous White Mountain "huts" These places are maintained by the Appalachian Mountain Club. It costs $85.00 per night to stay. You do get wonderful food including dinner and breakfast, but there is no heat or showers, and all you get is a bunk. Someone has done a great selling or con job to make these huts as popular as they are. Sometimes a hiker can get what is called a "work for stay" You do some cleanup, or whatever, and you can sleep on one of the tables, and eat what ever food was not consumed by the paying guests. I inquired about this since I was in there so early in the afternoon. I was told they did not start work for stay procedures until later in the day.So, I made my way down to Franconia Notch where I was picked up and went back to Lincoln to stay at the hostel, One Step at a Time.I have a few fairly big days coming up, but so far I feel fine.
Date: 2012-08-02
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: light rain

Today was sort of a bittersweet day with lots of difficult hiking up and especially down trails of boulders and roots, yet a couple miles of above treeline hiking over three 4,000' plus peaks which was truly exciting.The day started with a 2800' three mile climb to Liberty Springs Campsite. A hiker there said there was no water ahead for 7 miles. I left there with a liter and a half which would not be enough. Soon, I had hiked upward and came upon short hemlocks on a wide path which soon lead into a couple miles of "above treeline" hiking, across several peaks: LIttle Haystack Mt at 4800'; .7 mile to Mt Lincoln at 5089'; .9 to Mt Lafayette at 5259'; then down back into the forest to Garfield Mt at 4500'. Coming upon and hiking above treeline was an exciting time even though the trail was still rugged and all hard ground and mostly rock stepping and manuvering. It was a truly beautiful day, sunny with a slight breeze. There were at least 50-75 day hikers there, who came up to the peaks via other trails. On top of Layfayette, I mooched a full liter of water from a very nice gentleman hiking with his dad and teenage sons. I was blessed with his generocity. The views over the Whites from those peaks were spectacular, just like in brochures I had seen but there's no camparison to a picture vs. being there, just like the Grand Canyon.Got into the shelter about 6:00, late for me. The water source was good, cool and refreshing. There was a lot of commotion and noise in the shelter with hikers arriving late. I didn't rest very well, knowing and looking ahead to another 65 miles of challenging ups and downs into Gorham, NH the last NH community before Maine. I'm feeling as though I've had enough and while today's above-tree-line hiking was exciting, was losing my resolve to continue.
Date: 2012-08-03
From: Garfield Ridge Shelter

To: Parking lot near Galehead Hut
Miles today: 2.1
Weather: light rain

Acutally hiked more than six miles today but only a couple of them were AT miles. I had decided to end my hike today. As I approached Galehead Hut, about a half mile out was a side trail of 4 miles leading to a parking lot which somee trail maintainers told me about.With a stroke of luck, as soon as I hit the parking lot (Unbelieeable!), a shuttle van from Lincoln NH crossed right in front of me, dropping off a passenger, and we bartered for a fare and he took me back to Lincoln where I spent another night at One Step at a Time hostel, and made arrangement to bus it to Logan, and fly home the next day. Had I been another minute or two before hitting the parking lot, I would have missed the ride. Another blessing and there have been many and mostly in the form of people and their generosities.So I'm off the trail as of today, Friday 8/3 and am writing this journal on Tuesday, having had time to settle back into home and think about things. Nothing actually went wrong as I tell myself, I have the desire and the ability but not resolve to get it done. Wasn't having much fun and was just exasperated with what I felt was the kind of hiking/climbing I've experienced before but not all day long, day after day. I stayed injury free with only some scrapes and bruises I didn't know I had.What next? Don't know right now. Still have 360 miles to go to complete the trail, should I decide to try it again.I can't thank all of you folks out there enough for you support through this year's comeback efforts. I did get in like 339 miles, finished up CT, and hiked all of the AT in Mass and Vermont and half of NH, about 81 miles.Thank you.
Date: 2012-05-21
From: Springer Mountain, Georgia

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Took the Amtrak overnight after graduation to Gainesville, GA with Jonathan. Ron Brown and his creepy GPS shuttled us along treacherous forest service roads to a parking lot 1 mile from the Springer Mountain summit. We hiked up with full packs. Mine weighed 40 lbs (about 20 lb gear, 12 lb food, 8 lb water). The view of endless forest from the mountaintop was beautiful but narrow. Where I usually hike, the forests are not so unbroken. Saw 3 groups coming down the summit. Wasn't exactly leave-no-trace up there, as an abandoned campfire was smoldering next to a tree that had recently been felled for firewood. Finally, we started our real journey down the trail. A car in the lot we were dropped off at had a bashed rear window. We also checked out the famous Spring Mountain Shelter. As we followed the creek, Jonathan acted like he had never seen mountain laurel. At Three Forks (MM 4.3), we again saw the three pairs of fellow hikers, plus a large family that came up Amicalola over several days. We climbed our first Mountain at Hawk Mountain, seeing a game food plot (courtesy of the forest service) and a marker for an old school. We cooked lunch at Hawk Mtn Shelter (MM 8.1), and the Heet we used in the alcohol stove burned really well. After debating for a while, we decided to keep hiking. Distant thunder almost made us regret the decision. Over the next mountain, we ran into a band of army rangers training in the woods. One guy scared us by yelling, "Get off the trail!", but he was yelling at his army students. At one point, I saw a copperhead and yelled "Copperhead!" Jonathan thought I had yelled "Go on ahead!" and rushed past me toward it. After the close call, we threw rocks, but that only angered it--it slithered toward us striking the air as we quickly moved back. At Justus Creek (MM 14.3), the rain began pouring with thunder and lightning. We decided to keep hiking without ponchos the 1.5 miles to the Gooch Mtn Shelter, and got drenched. There were a bunch of people there, including a guy carrying a laptop on his long thru hike. He very curiously asked me how I was going to access a computer while on the trail. As we ate dinner, the sound of automatic gunfire rang through the gap--presumably war games still going on. The bear cables were really nice there, but it rained through the night and my food got wet.
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap Hostel
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 4 am to explosions and grenade fire. Also, the shelter smelled like weed. Ate poptarts and headed out. Apparently the Georgia ATC doesn't like switchbacks. There's been a handful, but less than you'd expect--the trails tend to wind around the mountains more. Throughout the day we kept seeing 4 of the guys from the shelter, plus another who left the trail at Woody Gap. We ended up ahead eventually though. After easy hills, we reached our first paved road crossing at GA-60. It was a nice spot with picnic tables and bathrooms. Unfortunately, I was out of water going up Big Cedar Mtn. Got water at Lance Creek and started the climb toward Blood Mountain, the highest point of the AT in Georgia. We stopped at Bird Gap for lunch, then made the 1.2 mile climb up Blood Mountain. The climb was a little easier and the view a little less than we thought. The shelter was right on the peak, and we could look back on the whole trail, including Springer Mountain in the distance. There is no camping on Blood Mountain without a bear canister, so we headed down to Neels Gap. The climb down was very steep and the hardest downhill yet, and we finally saw a deer. At Neels Gap, traffic was relatively heavy, and we had to sprint across the road at a blind curve. At Neels Gap, we decided to try for the NOC as our next resupply so bought a couple days of food to last 6 days. Also got burgers and ice cream. The temperature dropped and the clouds got ominous, so Jonathan wanted to stay at the hostel. It's nice, but the dogs have ticks. We watched Rambo 2. We've only been on the trail 36 hours and we're already in a hostel.
Date: 2012-05-23
From: Neels Gap Hostel

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: broken clouds

Slow walking up cause the hostel was dark inside. Leaving the hostel, the trail goes right through the hostel/store walkway. Decided Jonathan's trail name is the Scholar, since he's so thoughtful, but I don't think he can spell it. Ate a 700 calorie brownie for breakfast from the store, and later, a box of fig newtons. After climbing Levelland Mtn, we descended into fog. We emerged to a rocky overlook and watched the fog tumbling down the mountain and evaporating in the sun. I think I saw a snail out of its shell for the first time ever, but it was an uneventful day otherwise. Watched motorcycles go back and forth at Hogpen Gap, then walked a ridge for a while and had lunch at Low Gap. Took a wet cloth bath and ate tuna, a bagel, craisins, and peanut butter. Hiked along an abandoned forest road, from before the area was a wilderness area. These roads are marvels of engineering. The one we came in on to Springer was on the mountainside. All the trees on the downhill side were gashed from vehicles hitting them in the fog. My knee started to hurt at the end of the long day. Hopefully it strengthens because there are lots of big mountains tomorrow. It started pouring the last couple miles. We passed Chattahooche Gap, headwaters of the Chattahooche. It wasn't hotter than a hoochie coochie though. We ended up at Blue Mountain Gap soaking wet. My sleeping bag is wet, I need a better stuff bag for it, and probably a new pack cover. Apparently the mice are bad here. There are two others at this shelter. We left our other hiking companions behind today--they are staying at Deep Gap. May not see them again. A wet sleeping bag is the worst--I need better water proofing.
Date: 2012-05-24
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Moreland Gap campsite
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: few clouds

Had a slow start today. My knee was hurting and I didn't know if it would just get worse. Jonathan had blisters too. Didn't think we'd make 5 miles but God gave us strength. It was a tough day with several big mountains, including Rocky Mountain and Tray Mtn. A guy from Blue Mtn Shelter stopped for a smoke halfway up Rocky Mtn--seemed like a bad time. Passed a 3 land road at Unicoi Gap, then saw a recently torn apart skunk. Someone saw a bear near us, but we only saw droppings. Ate lunch at a cheese factory historic site, and there was nothing there. Because it was a hard day, I cooked my best meal--mexican rice, shrimp, and ham. We also passed through the Swag of the Blue Ridge, whatever the heck that means. I don't know what kind of land feature a swag or a stamp is. There are a ton of crickets along the trail. I've never seen so many in the forest. You hear them sometimes and think there is a snake or something just off the trail. Had dinner near Deep Gap Shelter, and it was very crowded. For the first evening so far, it doesn't look like rain, so we hiked a little farther and camped out for the first time. We're at Moreland Gap, just above Dicks Creek Gap and Hiawassee. Watched the sunset and got to bed early. We actually have cell reception. We left wilderness area for the first time in a while. I don't usually like taking drugs, but had a couple advil. We will be headed into North Carolina tomorrow!! Hope to do 18 miles.
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Moreland Gap campsite

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: few clouds

Got up this morning at Moreland Gap. We have a curse where we can't get hiking before 8:30. But, we saw Ben and Todd as we were leaving, who had hiked 23 miles yesterday to Deep Gap Shelter. Apparently Rich had hiked 23 miles and gone into town. They hitched into Hiawasee just down the trail. Some things I forgot to mention from previous days: Jonathan kicked a garter snake in the trail without noticing. It went flying and frantically slithered into the bushes. He never saw it. Yesterday we saw a trail crew above Indian Grave Gap. The AT is entirely volunteer maintained. These guys were out for a week making rock steps (there were 20 or 30 of them). Today started with some big climbs. Both my knees are now weak and it was a challenge. Hopefully they heal and only get stronger. I borrowed Jonathan's trekking poles for much of the day and they helped a lot. I'll probably buy some when we get to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center)--if I make it. Just realized we'll reach the NOC on Memorial Day. After an easier stretch, we hit North Carolina! We took off our shirts in celebration, at a sign that said "NC/GA", and a pipe in a tree. Above a spring we saw the more traditional, but less accurate state line--a gnarled oak in a clearing. North Carolina hit us hard with some steep and rocky climbs. In the middle of nowhere we ran into a girl hiking in a dress with the same pack as Jonathan. They might have been soulmates if she wasn't going the opposite direction and he didn't smell so bad. After a grueling last couple miles, we arrived at a crowed Memorial Day weekend shelter. Boy scouts were even camped across the creek. Shelter has no bear rope, so I tied the rope to my shoe and threw it over a tree. But my shoe got stuck in the tree and I spent forever trying to get it down as Jonathan took pictures. Seems like a lot of people here (who aren't weekenders) are southbound. Hopefully my knees will heal for tomorrow--sleep is the best medicine. One couple had extra food and gave us nutella and peanut butter!! Also of note, we hiked past "Chunky Gal Trail" today.
Date: 2012-05-26
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: campsite near Swinging Lick Gap
Miles today: 24.4

Finally started before 8 am for once. The hills in North Carolina seem bigger, but more gradual and overall easier. Hiking is hard, it is very difficult to do more than 20 miles per day for more than a few days. Saw a couple and 11 year old who are out here for 28 days. A lot more hikers are around for Memorial Day weekend. Hiking has become like a machine--the tiredness doesn't matter. There were surprisingly scenic views at Ridgepole Mtn and above Mooney Gap. The trail is at a much higher elevation now, we nearly reached 5500 feet. Albert Mountain was a very steep but short climb. It was our 100 mile marker. There was an observation tower on top, but the top deck was closed. The views were great from the stairs though. We barely made it 20 miles to Rock Gap, since Jonathan was hurting. I think my knees are a little better--I did most of the day without Jonathan's poles. Rock Gap Shelter was very crowded. Suddenly, Jonathan wanted to get to the NOC tomorrow night and do 4 more miles tonight. So after dinner we kept on, crossing US-64. At 64, we crossed a bridge over a beautiful waterfall. Nearby, we found a bag of Reeses Cups and a 24 pack of Pepsi on ice under a tree. I think the phrase "trail magic" is corny, but that was it. Just at dark we arrived at a campsite full of sleeping people. Hanging a bear bag in the dark is the worst.
Date: 2012-05-27
From: campsite near Swinging Lick Gap

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

I feel sick, I hope its not giardia... Today was a hard day. We wanted to do the 26 miles to the shelter near the NOC, but were wiped out from yesterday. Jonathan has lots of blisters and my feet are just sore. I had a stomach ache the last couple miles. Jonathan referred to the last few miles as "the Trail of Tears". After leaving by 8, we hiked 10 miles in 4 hours. We went over 5 "balds" today according to the map. However, only one of these actually had meadows on the summit--Siler Bald. We got some good views of the Smokies from two observation towers; one at Wayah Bald and another at Wesser Bald. There was even a group of women sleeping out on the observation platform at Wesser. The Smokies did look pretty hazy in the distance. We noticed a lot of dead trees in the area and wondered why. As a result, the trail was very grassy today. There a lot of black and yellow centipede things around--I've never seen them before. Jonathan keeps stepping on and crushing snails on the trail. The shelter we're in is blocked by a hill from the wind. Many people don't sleep in shelters. We haven't seen a rat or mouse yet, but there was a big toad the first night. Hopefully my feet ad stomach will feel better in the morning. Only 6 miles to the NOC, with food, showers, and rest. NC-1365 is an awesome gravel mountain road. I feel sick.
Date: 2012-05-28
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC "Base Camp"
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Started out today slow. The six miles to the NOC seemed to drag on, but there were a couple great views. I feel low on energy. When we got here we checked into a room. Met a thru hiker--Isaac, and his father Sam from two nights ago. Ate ice cream, showered, did laundry, and napped. Eventually did a resupply at the outfitter and general store, but good food was sparse. Got a waterproof stuff sack for my sleeping bag. Sat with our feet in the river and went to dinner. We went to a restaurant and got a table out side, next to the river. Had a burger and salad--haven't had vegetables in a while. The people here are really nice. Still feeling sick though. Hopefully we get a good start tomorrow and get to Fontana Lake Wednesday afternoon, but it might rain. Overall, this was one of my favorite Memorial Days ever though.
Date: 2012-05-29
From: NOC 

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a late start, at about 9:30 this morning. It was almost six miles straight uphill. Resupply is a bit of a curse. When your pack is lightest and you are low on food and water you're going downhill. But after you get water at a gap or food at a town and your pack is the heaviest, there's always a long uphill. Coming out of the NOC we passed a guy who worked there, who was commuting to work. His commute is a three mile hike down the AT. I'm not sure if this is the coolest commute I've heard of, or the guy near Lucketts who waded across the Potomac with his bike over his head and then rode into DC on the C&O canal. At Grassy Gap we saw a sign for a very overgrown looking Grassy Gap Trail. On the sign was scribbled "Waste of time" in marker. Glad we didn't come all this way to hike on that trail. There were a bunch of section hikers when we had lunch at Sassafras Gap shelter. Cheoah Bald was the best bald we've seen so far. One side was clear with good but misty views for 120 degrees. It was drizzling though for an hour or two, but I was shirtless so my clothes were dry. It cleared up eventually though. At Stecoah Gap, a ranger pulled up and asked if we had seen an injured hiker. We hadn't seen anyone but they were searching. We cooked dinner at Brown Fork Gap shelter. We planned at heading to the next shelter, but the sky was very ominous. We went back to the shelter as it started pouring. Good choice. Should be at Fontana early tomorrow anyway.
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter ("Fontana Hilton")
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Wanted to get an early start this morning, but didn't get going till 9 am. Catching up to a bunch more late thru hikers now. With about 5 of them now. I'm surprised by how many guys smoke weed out here--one even has a medical permit from another state. The trail has definately gotten steeper since we entered the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club's territory. Last night we hiked over "Jacob's Ladder" right before the shelter and it was a killer steep uphill and down, although short. It was a fairly easy hike in 13 miles to Fontana. All the downhill, started to hurt though and I wish I had got hiking poles at the NOC. Met a guy at lunch who was retired and hiking really slow. He said he'd probably finish next year. On the peaks here, I've noticed the trees are just covered with lichens and spanish moss. Finally we dropped down and could see the dam. We met a guy who was doing a big loop through several states who said he was doing about 38 miles a day. At the road, the map showed a flat mile to the shelter. Instead, we found a very steep series of ups and downs. This shelter is famous for being extra nice--the "Fontana Hilton". Showered at the shelter then got a $3 shuttle to Fontana Village, a resort area. Probably bought too much food at the store--donuts, a muffin, and jellybeans--they had a much better selection of trail food than the NOC too. Ate at the restaurant and chilled on the porch for a while. While we were sitting there, Rich walked up again. Haven't seen him in a few days, and he's going fast now. He said he shot a rattlesnake with his slingshot, so his trailname is now 3 shot. Afterwards, they cooked it up and ate it. Hearing a lot of other crazy stories at the shelter here tonight around a big fire.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Fontana Dam Shelter (

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Fontana Dam Shelter last night is known as the "Fontana Hilton". It's big and new, with picnic tables and trash cans. There is even a bathroom and showers within walking distance, courtesy of the TVA. In the middle of the night, a massive tree cracked loudly and fell into the lake. It was a still night and probably a very rare but scary occurance. ONe guy who's been with us 2 nights now had bitten into a Clif Bar and chipped a tooth. He's really swollen but reluctant to get it looked at. Slept in this morning, then headed to the Fontana Dam. Its the biggest dam in the eastern U.S. and was built in 3 years. We interpreted the interpretive signs and moseyed along the top of the dam while eating lunch. Started hiking around noon and entered the Smokies at the other end of the dam. It was all uphill for a while coming into the Smokies. There are a ton of crickets in these woods. Theres also a lot of wild flowers. We saw two turkeys right next to the trail. After passing the first shelter, we spooked several deer, and got very close to a 6-8 point buck in velvet. This shelter is very spacious with two levels and a large covered eating area. The ceiling is even clear plastic. Thought we might see the stars, but instead there was a thunderstorm. We're here with a group of 4 weekenders. Think the guys from last night are spread out over a bunch of shelters. There are a ton of bear warnings here. One campsite was closed due to bear activity. There are signs that say "garbage kill bears", but I think that just encourages some people to litter. At the dam, we noticed that there was an alternative A.T. bypassing the dam to be used in times of heightened national security. Apparently there used to be tours of the power station itself, before 9/11.