morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Unicoe Gap

To: Afternoon Zombie
Miles today: 0.0

We have discovered a physiological condition that happens daily after about 8 hours of up and down hiking.....we've dubbed it "afternoon zombie syndrome". It's a semi-catatonic state where you are just mindlessly putting one foot it front of the other like the zombies on the Walking Dead (how's that Robert). While we have not actually seen any zombies out here, about 5pm you start to feel the onset of becoming one. It's a dangerous time (easy to misstep or twist an ankle) and steps must be taken to combat it at early onset. Stopping at a creek, telling a story, or having a snack usually adequate treatment to counteract it.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Hiawassee

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a took a zero day today (that is trail slang for a rest day)Scott got packed up and we drove to Hiawassee, GA where I sent my second mail drop of food. Upon arrival I sorted out everything I will "need" for the next 53 miles. Scott left around 10:30 am.Located and checked in the Budget Inn (of course). 39 bucks a night.I watched the first episode of "Years of Living Dangerously" on my iPhone, an eight part series on climate change that focuses on the human impact at several locations around the world. It is produced by 60 Minutes producers. Very interesting and thought provoking. Took a walk through town. Saw a "Everything is 2 bucks" store and had to stop. Got some good Cabelas jerky (normally 6.50 for 2 bucks. (See photo john). The ladies in the store where having a spirited discussion on healthcare reform, the rumor of computer chips will be implanted in everyone by 2017, and other interesting theological perspectives on issues.Stopped in a hunting/gun store. Chatted with three tobacco chewing fellas telling hunting stories that included alligators, deer, bear, turkeys and hogs. Laughed for a solid hour between the stories, dialect, and customer comments.One guy came in and bought some bait with his three grand kids. It was clear he had his hands full. One of the guys in the store showed him a picture on his cell phone of a huge catfish someone got noodling (a practice of catching them by hand while the fish hides in the riverbank) and said "bet you all hope you gitcha one like this un?" Grampa turned around and with a straight face said "Sure in hell hope not" as he and the three kids ambled out the door.Went to eat with a bunch of other hikers (see photo). Learned they are supposedly starting to film the movie based on the book "A Walk in the Woods" this week here. The book tells a comical story about two guys walking the trail. Robert Reford and Nick Nolte will be the main characters.Back to trail at Unicoe Gap in the morning. Supposed to rain in AM and then temps plummet to the 20s tomorrow night in the mountains. Too cloudy to see the moon eclipse tonight here. I plan to walk half way to Dick's Gap (8-10 miles) and set up camp a little earlier than normal in a low spot out of wind. Wind whips up pretty good at night on mountain and will want to avoid wind chill with temps in 20s.All for now.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Deep Gap

To: Dicks Gap
Miles today: 4.0

Today was an interesting day. Started out with temps 22-26 degrees(depending on whose thermometer you believed). Water bottle iced up. Slept with water filter in pocket of down jacket to prevent it from freezing. Go Lite Z10 bag was great, Big Agnes Seedhouse tent endured the wind good. Had to use all the tie downs to hold it in place.Boiled some water for a lady who was pretty cold. Young fella from Florida who was pretty cold, he left without a hat or gloves. He's getting both today.While hiking to Dicks Gap I noticed some itching and telltale blisters of poison ivy on my leg. Scott has similar rash when he left. Had it before so I need to get handle on it ASAP. Went to Top of Georgia Hostel to wash clothes to get ivy oil out.Then got a ride to Hiawassee (13 miles). Went to drug store and got a tube of Tecnu Extreme to treat ivy.Had not really been hungry the last week, but today seemed change. Many hikers had similar experience the first week. Must be a metabolism thing where you body shifts a different gear after so long.Ran into the German fella we started with today when I got back from town. He had rough day yesterday. He ended up night hiking to get to Tray Mountain Shelter for the night and out of the wind and cold. The cold and wind was challenge for everyone.Met another German fella today. He's a physical therapist. Ironically, he is nursing an Achilles' tendon that is giving him trouble.Sounds like four inches of snow fell in the Smokies last night.Saw Unsure today. He will be walking by the white camper with CT plates from now on.Arriving at Dicks Gap makes 69.6 miles so far with one zero and short day today to manage ivy situation.Tomorrow I should hit the North Carolina state line early afternoon. Will go about 5 more miles beyond there.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Dicks Gap

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Started out Thursday the 17th at Dicks Gap. Went about 8 miles and hit the North Carolina border. See videos.Set up camp in the vicinity of Muskrat Shelter. Nice location by a creek.Went up to the site of a plane crash near the campsite. See video.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Carter Gap 

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.8

Saturday the 19th started in a steady rain. It rained all through the night pretty hard. Temps in the upper 30s up here overnight.At Carter Gap Shelter ran into a woman who is a professional dancer from Austin Texas area. She was sporting some rally bad blisters. She said she's physically in great shape but her feet were in bad shape. She said she was used to foot pain, but nothing like this (she had the blister shuffle). When I left she was doing some foot surgery. Body able, feet not so much. She was thinking technical solution (it must be the shoes). I'm thinking adaptive, accepting the fact you are only going as far as your feet will take as opposed to how far you can push your body. I did not see her on the trail today.Broke camp in the rain. That was a treat. Packed everything possible inside the tent then put pack outside under pack cover. Then dismantled test as fast as possible, stuffed it in bag, and stuffed tent bag in pack. Started hiking by about 8:15. Between rain and water falling off trees it was wet start. At about 7 miles in had to climb Albert Mountain (5250 ft). Goes up 800 ft in a quarter mile so there are some real steep spots. Got to the top and cold and windy. Fog blowing in and out, managed to get a short video with some views. Ate a quick lunch there on downwind side and kept moving.Came across a family from southern Georgia hiking. Father, wife and son. Wife was originally from Marquette County in WI. Son twisted his knee two days ago and was in tough shape. Knee twist only half the problem. Once hurt on the trail people give to the injured side and it's not long before a secondary injury develops due to limping over this terrain. Offered to help carry a pack out, but father said he was OK doing it.Covered about 12.8 miles today. It rained more all day. Arctryx rain coat was outstanding. Hooked with a solar technology engineer from AZ and Hitched a ride into Franklin,NC. Washing clothes (poison ivy spreading) to get poison oil out. Ran into three Germans doing laundry, see video.Going to get back on the trail at Rock Gap and head for Wayah Gap by mid afternoon tomorrow. I'll end up about 10 miles further along than originally planned. Found I can sustain12-14 mile days and still feel good.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Wayah Gap

To: Bears Den
Miles today: 22.3

With the first two weeks of the leadership training complete, I left the National Conservation Training Center at 7 am. Dale Caveny dropped me off at Harpers Ferry. The Potomac was roaring after 4 inches of rain. See the photos contrasting pictures I took on May 5 as compared to those taken today. The trail was closed northbound due to flooding.Started walking at 8am. It was a beautiful day in the 60s. Many sections of the trail were flooded. Had to navigate around flooded areas. Lots of water still running down hill.Took a while to get my trail legs back. Got back in the groove by mid afternoon. Covered 22.3 miles from Harpers Ferry to Bears Den. Not too many people on the trail today.Several nice views and some videos.After 17 miles I entered the 13.5 stretch called the Roller Coaster. It was a difficult 5 miles.Had dinner and drank a bunch of fluid. Got a little dehydrated at the end of the day.Met a father and son from Michigan. Son was in tough shape with chafing, they had to turn around and head back. Dead tired. Went to bed at 930pm.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Bears Den

To: The Roller Coaster
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Got up about 6am. Had a chat with "Moxley" a premed student who will be starting medical school this fall. He started March 8 in Georgia and will make Harpers Ferry today which half way to Maine. His family is meeting him there to celebrate. He has toted a guitar the whole way. Nice kid.Made pancakes on a griddle (crispy edged Robert and Tom). Had a nice chat with a fellow from Michigan, a helicopter pilot who had two emergency landings in one day. He had his brother along in the chopper. Was his first (and last) ride in a helicopter.Left about 8am. Great vista see video.Did 11 more miles of the "roller coaster". It is a series of steep up and downs. Had to drink a lot up water and even then got dehydrated a bit (light headed feeling). Drank a quart of water to rehydrate and sat for about 20 minutes and off again.Stopped at the Rod Hollow Shelter. Met a doctor from Greensboro, NC and his son. Very nice people. We chatted about the similarities between the medical and law enforcement professions, adaptive challenges in the medical field, and a host of other topics. Had to recall biochemistry and immunobiology from 35 years ago. His has a dream of going Quetico. He has been studying maps for a couple years. He was astounded that I had been to the lakes he wants to visit. Left him my phone number so he can call when he goes. Small world.Also meet a gal who is a social worker in Germany and two women from Australia. When the gal from Germany learned what I did prior retiring, she asked about the Chai Vang shootings (a situation where a hunter shot and killed six other hunters) from 2004 and our efforts in the aftermath. It was big news in social worker circles in Germany back then. Met a guy from Maine whose grandfather was a warden in Maine.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: The Roller Coaster

To: Manassas Gap
Miles today: 13.0

Got up about 6am. It was a cool night, upper 30s. No wind.Beautiful morning with lots of birds singing. Heard tom turkey off in the distance.Had coffee and a Cliff Bar. Visited with Doc and son. We parted ways and hit the trail a 7:30. Doc and I laughed, noting before we left that all the 20s year old thru hikers were still sleeping. Doc is 67. See photo of sleeping 20 year olds.Came across a rock wall out in the middle of nowhere. See video.Trail was much easier than the Roller Coaster. Hit some beautiful country on a mountain top. Great deer habitat. Saw several deer in short period of time. See video.Ran into Survivor Man sporting a kilt up there too. See video. Otherwise not too many people on the trail. Starting to hit the leading edge of thru-hiker that started in Georgia in early March.One has to drink more now as opposed to when it was colder, about 16oz an hour or dehydration sets in pretty quick.Covered 13 miles today, ending up at Manassas Gap. This is about 12 miles from Shenandoah National Park.A small no-seeum type bat showed up today. Does not seem to bite like those Canada.I went light on food, so I have 2 Cliff Bars and a Lasagna mountain house to go 12 miles to resupply tomorrow. This is about 1000 calories (plus the fat on my ass of course). Had a little foot issue start on left foot near heel. 400 g of Ibubrofen ASAP and it subsided.Set up camp next to a creek in the gap.Had Lasagna and rice for diner.All for now.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Manassas Gap

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up about 6:30am. It was warmer, in the 40s, and got more humid overnight.Broke camp and got on the trail by 745am. Ran across two gals on the trail with a dog that was an exact replica of Petey from the Little Rascals.Covered 12 miles today, from Manassas Gap to Front Royal. Swung into the Mountain House Hostel on 522 3 miles out of Front Royal, VA. It's located 100 yards from where the trail crosses 522. Met the owner Scott Jenkins. Very nice guy. He thru hiked SOBO in 2012. Stayed at Mountain Home for the night. Scott and his wife Lisa have done a great job converting a small house likely built in the late 1700's into a B&B. It was very comfortable, very clean, and immaculate. Highly recommend you stay here.And that is just the beginning of Scott and Lisa's vision. Scott grew up in this area and purchased this property to convert it to a B&B. The property is on the National Historic Register. It has a large house on it that was built in 1847. See photo. A young woman Anne Gardner, lived in the house during the Civil War and wrote a diary about the Union and Confederate troops who stopped by the house as the road in front of the house was a main transportation route during the war. Records show Robert E Lee camped on the property. Union troops used the house as a hospital.Scott and his wife Lisa are converting it to a B&B. He gave me a tour of the house. It's amazing how solid the house is. It's going to be another great place for AT hikers and others staying the area.Went into Front Royal to wash clothes, resupply and have dinner consisting of cheeseburger and vanilla shake. Will get into Shenandoah National Park tomorrow. Going to hike about 13 miles. Scott is going to pick me up the other side of the Marshall Mountains.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Gravel Springs

To: Gravel Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up at 6am. Had yogurt, granola and bagel for breakfast. A turkey strolled through the yard while we were eating (see photo).I decided to return to Mountain House tonight after hiking. Great place and easier for Peg and Ron Morrison (Sandy's sister and brother in law from DC area) to find me here for pick up than searching for me in SNP. Scott will pick me up the other side of Marshall Mountain (named after first US Supreme Court Justice John Marshall) about 6pm.Started hiking about 9am. Warmer, more humid day. Today is largely uphill all day. The trail runs along a fenced enclosure owned by the Smithsonian Institute. The SI does research on endangered species in the enclosure. While walking along the fence something big ran off through thick brush. Could not get a glimpse, only heard large amounts of crashing going westbound.Got to first shelter about 1030. A young woman was there. She had covered nine miles already and saw three bears. As the day wore on, I could see how she covered 9 miles by 1030, she was going downhill all the way and I was going uphill all day.Hit the northern boundary of Shenandoah NP about 11. Registered at remote check in station on trail (free, just fill out tag and put it on your pack). Had a straight flat stretch for a couple miles, can really make time on these.Had lunch at Compton Gap.More climbing to Compton Peak. While climbing to Compton Peak, started to smell a fragrance from some type of wild flower. It should be bottled and used for air fresheners. Upon investigation I found the flower, see photo.Great views from Compton Peak, see video. Watched two turkey vultures work the currents. They never flapped their wings in the 15 minutes I watched them, just hovered by skillful use of air currents in the draw.Stopped and got a load of water at Compton Springs. Definately need to drink more now, about 40 oz an hour.More up hill to top of Marshall Mountain. Great views. Continued on to the pickup location. Total of 13.1 miles today. Had dinner with Scott at a family diner in Front Royal.Went to bed by 10.
Date: 2014-09-08
From: mile marker 90

To: Loft mtn
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Stayed at Mountain Home B&B Sunday night. Picked up couple last minute supplies in Front Royal then went to bed.Had arranged to get a ride from Front Royal to Waynesboro from Sharon Johnson at 7am. At 7 am sharp Sharon wheeled in with Subaru wagon. Through the pack in and was greeted with a hot egg and cheese sandwich (she's a great cook Wrasse and less maintenance than you and Robert). Had a nice two hour ride chatting with Sharon. Her husband was in the foreign service and has lived in Country's all over the world. She was interesting to talk with her. Very nice lady, recommend using her for shuttle service in SNP area.Weather today was windy and rainy. Temps in upper 50's to low 60's. Clouds were low, lots of fog (see photos).I saw more large mammals than winged insect today. Bugs nonexistent today. Too cold.No bugsIf you want to see how an in hunted whitetail reacts to people, see the video of deer along the trail.Saw two bear today. One crossed in from of me about 70 yards out. The other I saw him before he saw me and I got within 20 yards of him (see video). I followed him for about 20 minutes. He was eating berries and flipping rocks looking for bugs/worms ect. Walked 14.7 miles today. Set up camp in wind sheltered area. Using a Henessey hammock instead of a tent. Much more comfortable and only need a couple trees to set up. Using a 800 down Hammock Gear underquilt. Very comfortable. (See photo).
Date: 2014-09-09
From: Loft mtn

To: Hightop mtn
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Started out in heavy fog. Today was several uphill climbs over a couple miles each one. Humid day. Had to drink a lot to stay hydrated.The bear are hitting the Cherry trees and acorns hard. Saw one spot where bear had climbed free and broke off lower limbs to get acorns.Ran into a recently graduated social worker from Denver and friend from Washington DC. The deer are also on the acorns. See video. I watched this deer eat acorns for five minutes without moving.Spending the night on Hightop Mountain.Walked 12.2 miles today.
Date: 2014-09-10
From: Bearface mtn

To: Bearface Mtn
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning started out with heavy fog that turned to a heavy rain. Made everything very slippery. Rain subsided and remained overcast until about 5pm when sun came out for first time in 3 days.Ran into four guys doing memorial walk for a fellow church member/hiker who passed away.5 climbs with rocky downhills today. My plan was to stop at a campground to wash clothes. Upon arrival wash machine broken. Did it the old fashion way, by hand in the sink.Ran into a women from Ukraine at a shelter. She had many stories to tell about life there now, Russia and Mr. Putin. We are lucky to live where we do. Talked to a through hiker from Boston area. He hopes to get to Springer Mountain by Holloween.Went 12.7 miles today.Set up hammock near Bearskin hut (see video).Fixed dinner and went to bed.2:35am....owl in tree next to me hooting. Very loud as echozs
Date: 2014-09-11
From: Rock Spring

To: Rock Spring
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Woke up to sunny skies after 3 days of fog. Broke camp, had coffee and a cliff bar and hit the trail about 8amBeautiful morning for hiking. Sunny, strong winds and low 60s.Had two good hills to climb then a long stretch of good walking.Stopped at Sky Meadows Campground to refill water. Saw a herd of habituated deer in picnic area (see video). Walked up to within 5 feet of a habituated deer eating acorns along the trail (see video).Passed an old family cemetery along the trail. All names from a handful of families.Total of about 12.2 miles.Rain on the way. Set up camp to weather a long rain. Meet two retired school teachers and a retired helicopter pilot. The teachers fought like cats and dogs, but they manage to not kill each other. Helicopter pilot got giardiasis in Vermont, got really sick. Lived in a church basement for a week recovering.Pretty sunset. Freeze dried Lasagna for dinner. Cover of log book in shelter full of teeth marks. Last entry says a hiker got peanut butter on it and they had to defend shelter from bear determined to have at with the broom (which was broken). Another reason to stay hammock away from shelters, don't have spent all night fending off bears and kmice.All for now.
Date: 2014-09-12
From: Rock Spring

To: Thornton Gap
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

Woke up to a heavy fog and cooler temperatures, in the upper 40s low 50s.Did coffee, cliff bar with Nutella and hit the trail.About three miles in I came across a bear eating acorns under an oak tree about five feet off the trail. Acorns falling like crazy all morning. He was too busy eating and did not see me. I stopped and slipped behind a tree to fire up my phone (battery was on life support with less than 10% left. While phone firing up, watched him eat acorns non-stop. Once I got the phone going, I walked up within about 20 yards when he looked and saw me an ran away for a few steps. He he walked back and resumed eating acorns near the trail and not about to leave. I started the video and took a short snippet (trying to save battery). I then smacked my walking sticks together to get him to move him on. He was having none of it. He was doing the snorts and hurumphs bears do when they are showing off (seen this behavior many times around baits and in Quetico in camp). As I started the video to record him doing it he did a classic false charge (although one never knows if it's false until they stop which he did). You see the video scrambling around for a second as I jumped behind a tree until I was sure he was bluffing, which he was. I then decided I was not going to wait here all day as it was a big oak tree with lots more acorns. Pitched a rock his way and he was not impressed, back to eating acorns on the trail. Threw him a loop and pitched a rock up in the tree over his head, that got his attention. Pitched another in tree and he finally decided to leave and find another oak tree.Had lunch at Pinnacle Mountain picnic area. Helped maintenance guy fix a toilet (he needed a light to see what he was doing).Ran into three young guys who had jumped on the trail a few miles back. They were sweating profusely. Upon conversation I learned their packs weighed 50 lbs. One guy had a musical instrument and another what appeared to be a 3-4 pound sword of some type. Next time time they said they were going to lighten packs. I did not have the heart to tell them it was a long uphill with no place to camp for at least 4 miles.After a long, rocky decent got to Thornton Gap. Scott from Mountain Home B and B picked me up where trail crosses Hwy 211.Walked 14 miles today.Have to pull off trail and go to National Conservation Training Center. Another fun week on the AT.
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Wayah Gap

To: Aquone Hiker Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

Scott and I arrived at the Aquone Hiker Hostel near Andrews, North Carolina. Got our packs organized. We have six trail days to work with on this section hike. The plan is to start at Wayah Gap and go 50 miles to Fontana Dam in the next 4 days. Whether we probe the Smokies or go around them and do a few days on the other side of the Smokies (I plan to hit the Smokies later this year).We'll get on the trail around 8AM tomorrow morning. I'll be blogging on a daily basis depending on cell coverage.