morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-31
From: home

To: lazyboy chair
Miles today: 0.0

I arrived home yesterday, getting to the Woodbridge bus station around 10am. My wife arrived shortly thereafter, and we had a quick ride home. The bus trip overnight from Knoxville was OK, didn't sleep much, and had feelings of regret.But regret is a waste of spirit. While I'd like to still be on the trail, it was good to be home. I took a shower and took a nap.A buddy and I will go on a day hike next week, climbing Old Rag in Shenandoah. Thus ends my thru hike journey. I told my wife I plan to do some section hiking this year. She stated that she'd like to go back to the Smokies, drop me off at Clingmans Dome parking lot and have me finish the AT in the smokies. I can do that....Thanks to all that encouraged and supported and prayed for me.AND thanks to all of those people I encountered on the trail.
Date: 2016-04-16
To: Back to trail via car
Miles today: 0.0

Found myself and wife driving back from Atlanta and spent the night in Dahlonega...visited Mountain Crossing at Neels Gap to see the boot tree, drove thru Winding Stair Gap to Franklin, NC, to get a stamp I missed for my AT Passport (they remembered me, I didn't smell that bad did I?), and then past the Fortuna Marina.Safely tucked away in Maryville tonight, dreaming of the trail and resolved to continue Section hiking..
Date: 2014-05-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Never say never againHow many times did I say that I will never come back on this Trail.And now in 60 days we come back. We are so excited. We know it want be easy but we hope that this time everything goes well. On the picture you see a Trail Magic where I have eaten my first Hamburger of my life and it was delicious.
Date: 2016-11-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Start on springer mountainAfter our experience in 2014 we now know that we need less weight in our backpacks.The first days on the trail we've had a overweight from 15 pounds. In Neels Gap they have shown us what we really need. But they still were to heavy, my backpack was about 17 Kilos an Right back's 23 Kilos without water. Our overweight gear was sent to a Motel in Hiawassee end then to Franklin were we met Renee and Mike from the Sunset Restaurant and they kept our box at there home until our return. We cant say thank you enough for there help and kindness. What we also never forget is the nice and helpfull people on the trail or in town and especially the trail angels who drives you for free or for a fee and of course trail magic you get drinks,food and sometimes more than that for free.Please excuse the writing faults but english is not my mothertong.
Date: 2017-02-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was our first real hike with a packed backpack after our return from the A.T in june 2014. We had the feeling as if we were on the trail, it was about 14 miles with steep ups and downs. We go daily for a hike in the forest usually with a smaller backpack, but it was nice. In just 27 days we are on the A.T, we're glad and we hope we can make it this time to Mount Katahdin.
Date: 2017-03-08
From: Luxembourg

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Hello hikers and thru hikersOnly 3 days left until our adventure starts for the second time at the appalachian Trail. In 2 days we fly to Atlanta, at the Airport where Right Here is waiting for us a former thruhiker which we met on the Trail in 2014. We can spent the first night in his house and on the other day he give us a ride to the approach trail at the Amicalola Lodge where we go up to Springer mountain. We hope that everything goes well until then. We look forward to come back on the trail again.See you all out there happy trails to everyone.Get set go !
Date: 2017-03-11
From: Approach trail Amicalola Falls

To: Stover creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: clear sky

After we did ressuply Dean and his wife Soon drove us to the amicalola approach trail. We got our registration number I have 651 and Right back is number 652.We climbed the 606 stairs it was not so bad and we continue to Stover creek where we put our tent on.In the middle of the night it began to snow.
Date: 2017-03-12
From: Stover creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We have problems with Jetlag we were wake at 4 a clock and we got our breakfast and we were waiting untiil 7 to go out the tent. Everywhere was snow as we walked 8.7 miles we had our first trail magic at Cooper Gap ( Cool Hand ) a marine and his son were there with hot coffee and Team an grocery. Thank you. After that we met Gipsy and Forest they know us from the journal. After 13 Miles we were at Gooch Mt Shelter were we pur our tent on
Date: 2017-03-13
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Blood Mt Cabins
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Today at Woody Gap we met Kathy and she asked us how far we wanna go today und I said if we can we go to Neel Gap.Then she invited us to come to her and her sister June at the Blood Mt Cabins so we could share the Cabin. We walked to the Blood Mt Shelter the highest in GA 4457 Feet.It was not easy the weather was foggy and rainy but we did it.The way down was muddy but at 5 o clock stand in front of Kathy's door.What we didnt know it was 6 o clock now.We took a shower and Kathy and June began to cook for us all. Thanks.
Date: 2017-03-14
From: Blood Mt Cabins

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: snow

Before we leave the Cabin Kathy made us breakfast an gave us a ride to Neel Gap 0.2 miles were we met Miss Janet.During the night the snow was fallen.It was a very windy and frosty day we couldnt make a break because of the cold. On our way we met Bionic man. On the trail we saw a dying Skunkso sad .At 4.15 pm we put our tent on and ate chocolate. We wear all our long underwear evenour pants and long Shirts .It was the coldest night ever.In the morning the tent was frozen in and outside.
Date: 2017-03-15
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hurry out here without breakfast .On our way we try to eat an orange our water was frozen in our bottles but after 3 minutes our feets and hands were so cold again that we walked as fast as we could to become warm again.At Unicoi Gap we asked someone for a shuttle to Hiawassee we payed each of us 10 $ there was Candle from Texas and a nother young man from New York.We got the last room at the Hotel .The whole town was complete everyone was trying to get a room the next night was a frozen one again.
Date: 2017-03-17
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Spring to west camp
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning it was a bit cold on our way we had to cross a street and a man asked us if we don't need to ressupply or something else he was the owner of the Hostel 0.5 miles away.He gave us a ride and we ate a Pizza an drunk coffee and soda after that he brought us back and he told us from the fire at this area.They had to close the Hostel for 10 weeks.We walked the way up and we could smell the fire we walked 1.2 miles through burned woods.The weather became warmer and so we decided to go further as we have planned this morning.
Date: 2017-03-18
From: Spring to west camp

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 9.1

The whole night it was raining this section from the trail i remind it from 3 years ago its gonna be a rough day.It was a steep climb after 2.2 we were on the border GA -NC .After 8.4 miles we decided to call a shuttle to go to Franklin the man on the phone says he will be there in 30 minutes oh thats fine we wait,after a while another man and his son came and they would do the same as we. So we were waiting for 45 min.and the other man called again the shuttle service and now he said he could pick us up the road is closed an we have to walk about 7 miles.Thats what we did after a while I looked behind me and the other 2 people were no more there. So I phoned to friends in there restaurant i Franklin and I told them I think we are lost. So they called the 911 and when we finally came down this 7 miles on that lonely road in the middle of nowhere.A red car stopped and asked us if we were lost and if my name is Margot. It was Trevis a rescue man ho came to pick us up and gave us a ride to his station where Renee and Mike our friends came to bring us to the Hotel in Franklin where we gonna stay 2 nights after this adventure.
Date: 2017-03-20
From: Winding Stair Gap ( Franklin )

To: Wayah Bald 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Today we had breakfast at the restaurant Sunset in Franklin after this we said good bye to Renee and Mike gave us a ride to Rock Gap he could go closer to the trail because the streets are closed until april 1.In the afternoon we had another trail magic with sodas,juice,fruits and cakes thank you Kicho
Date: 2017-03-21
From: wayah Bald11

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

What a night at 8 pm a strong wind began and it became stormy later.We slept perhaps 2 hours.Today it was difficult a few miles steep uphill and for about 7 miles everything was burned on the ground.We are happy now to be in our tent hopefully this night will be calm.
Date: 2017-03-22
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

At night we had again a thunderstorm with pooring rain for 2 hours.And my sleepingpad has a whole.When it became clear outside we had a cup of coffee and walked to the Nantahala Outdoor where we had breakfast and buy a new sleepingpad we could print also our permits for the Smokeys 20 $ each.It was about 11 am when we got on the trail again, very late,This day was very exhausting we walked from 1771 up 5062 and down again on 3165.We had both problems with our knees downhill.When we came on Stecoah we knew that we couldnt make it to the next Shelter and we had not water enough so we called Cabins in the wood.That was a good idea in 10 min Phil came and we were safe for the night.
Date: 2017-03-23
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana AT crossing
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

It was not planned to stay in the Cabins but we won't regret it,they are very beautiful and clean.We ate dinner and took a shower and we were gone to bed at 8. It was funny we go to bed earlier as our grandchildren.After 5 hours approximately ,we woke up and could see the stsrs from our bed. This morning after breakfast Donna has driven us to Stecoah Gap. Then we had a steep uphill in front of us called the Jacobs Ledder.After that it ran more or less until we had reached our goal.This night we stay at Fontana Lodge, tomorow we will be in the Great Smokey Mountains
Date: 2017-03-24
From: Fontana AT crossing

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

After we have made some ressuply we started again at 10 of the point where we had left yesterday. After 40 minutes we reached the Smokeys we had an uphill from 1700 to 4586 Feet but in the meantime also downhills .At 17.30 we reached our today's destination. In the Smokeys you must sleep at the Shelter except they are full what a stroke of luck we can sleep in our tent.
Date: 2017-03-25
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today there is not much to talk about, difficult up and down terrain, tired legs and very windy. Against 16.30 we had arrived to set up our tent and waited that it gets dark. On the way today we met a ranger who told us about hikers wth abdominal pain problems.
Date: 2017-03-26
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night it's started again raining and this terrible wind all night long. This morning there was only fog . At 8.30 we were on the way to Clingmans Dome located at 6667 Feet the highest mountain on the At. It was difficult just fog, wet, mud and slush. We progressed very slowly also because of me up I am like a turtle. At 17 we were on target everything was wet even our backpacks despite rainprotection , not pleasant. At least the place was sheltered from the wind so we could sleep despite moisture.
Date: 2017-03-27
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: light rain

This morning we tightened our wet clothes packed everything and were on the way to newfound gap. There is a parking lot where we and 3 other hikers attempted with hitch hiking to go to GAtlinburg 15 miles. We were all taken from a pickup where we took place back on the loading area. So we could admire the Smokeys during our 15 miles journey from the buttom. We stay the night at a hotel have showered, our clothes washed and eaten. It is very warm here 70 degrees
Date: 2017-03-28
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knop
Miles today: 15.1

During the night was again a thunderstorm. We took a bath in the morning to relax the muscles. After breakfast came a shuttle at 9 and drove us back to the Smokeys 15 miles. It was often very foggy windy and cold. As the fog lifted up, we had a wonderful panorama. Wen we. reached our today's goal we pitched our tent at the same place as 3 year's ago
Date: 2017-03-29
From: Tri-Corner Knop

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

This morning it was still pretty cool when we went off at 8 but we could see the sun. It was a wonderful spring day it was about 70 degrees. Today will be the last night in the Smokeys. Its now 18 and we are already prepared for the night
Date: 2017-03-30
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning we were out of the Smokeys.It was a very painstaking slow climb which took 3.5 hours.In the evening we could not reach a Shelter so we set up our tent in a valley. There was still another tent.At night we wake up because of the rain and the terrible cries of the owls
Date: 2017-03-31
From: Brown Gap

To: Deer park
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Today the weather was again very bad: foggy, wet and cold but by noon it was nice.On the way we encountered 20 volunteers they keep the trail in good shape. An elderly has given us chocolate. In the afternoon we met 5 section hikers. One of them is from Duesseldorf but lives in Switzerland. We were in good shape so we managed today 20.1 miles
Date: 2017-04-03
From: Hot Springs

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After 2 sunny days in Hot Springs, the weather forecast for today didn¢t look good. We left at 7.30 AM and indeed at around 11 o¢clock it started raining an there was a heavy wind. We arrived at 1 PM while it was raining more and more. We mounted our tent behind the shelter to protect it from the storm, whose strenght even increased. We quickly entered the tent and let the storm happen. It was frightening. Two hours later it was over and the sun came out. We tried to dry our belongings.
Date: 2017-04-05
From: Big Butt Mountain

To: Low Gap Campsite
Miles today: 19.7

What a pleasant night! We found a big meadow and were there all by ourselves without any noises from the other tents or the shelter. We thought it would be a nice day but at around 2 PM it started raining. We stopped at a shelter to eat, but quickly moved on as they told us the rain would become even heavier. At 6.30 PM we arrived at destination and 2 hours later a heavy storm began blowing. Although we were afraid that it would take away our tent, the night went without problems.
Date: 2017-04-08
From: Erwin

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

At brakfast we met 5 other hikers. With their car, they took us to the place where we left the trail the day before. The way started gently along the Unaka River until we had to ascend from 1673 to 5180 ft. Today was the first time we walked through the snow in T-Shirts.
Date: 2017-04-09
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roon High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

It was a relaxing night. We fell asleep at 7 PM. Today the weather was fine, but the higher we climbed, the colder the temperatures were. There was a lot of snow left from last week. We arrived at the highest situated shelter on the AT 6193.
Date: 2017-04-12
From: Campsite

To: Dennis Cove Rd
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

We got up at 6 AM. It rained lightly during the night. We only had 8 miles to walk. The shuttle that was to pick us up arrived 90 minutes late. We stayed in a Little Chalet without comfort but ok for a night. We could take a shower in the garden an do the laundry. Jim drove us to Hampton to shop for food. During the night it got so cold that we slept in our sleeping bags in bed.
Date: 2017-04-13
From: Dennis Cove Rd

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Today we had breakfast with other hikers. After that, Jim took us back to the road and we started walking. In the afternoon, the temperatures were high again and we had to go 4 miles through an area where a family of bears had lived for 6 years. But we did it and mounted our tent near the Watauga Lake.
Date: 2017-04-14
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Low Gap US 421
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

It was a quite long night: the moon was full and in the shelter there were 6 men snoring and doing all other kind of noises. We got up at 6 AM and only 45 minutes later we were on the road again to avoid the high temperatures as much as possible. We did a lot of breaks and drank lots of water. We found a nice place to stay for the night, all alone.
Date: 2017-04-18
From: Stream campsite

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We went out at 8 AM the night it started again to rain.In front of us we had 2 difficult Mountain stages sometimes we had to climb over rocks like the chamois. On top of White Mountain an icy wind blew.Today we have seen the wild ponies which are no longer wild but steal everything. Almost at the end of the day we reached the 500 miles.
Date: 2017-04-19
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

And again rain,we stayed in the tent until 8 AM.The trail it self was not to difficult but everything was muddy and we had to take care not to fall over rocks and roots.As we should cross a street Right Back made a joke,now someone is there doing a trail magic. He said that yesterday too but today he was right.There was a Pavillon at the parking lot and a young man asked us if we would like something to eat.Of course there were hot dogs with chilli sauce,sodas,beer,and candys.Thanks "Chukles" from Kentucky
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Dickey Gap

To: Mt Rogers Visitor Center 
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Everything was wet, we put on our rain pants as well as the last 4 days. But after 20 minutes the sun came out. Unfortunately I was mentally and physically down. We had decided to go the Visitor Center to stay there in the tent and to travel tomorow with the bus for 50 cent. As we walked I saw a brief moment to the right and I tought I saw an a imal in a trap it struggled terribly it looked like a litle deer.I started to cry so we decided to go to Marion today.
Date: 2017-04-22
From: Mt Visitor Center 

To: Crawfish trail to east campsite 
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we went back on the trail with a taxi because the bus don't drive on weekend. We payed 25 $ instead of 50 cent. The weather is not the best but some how it must go for ward. We had to put our ponchos 20 times over. Today we have passed the mark of the quarter way. As we were at the tent the poring rain cames down again.
Date: 2017-04-24
From: VA 42 O'Lystery Pavilion

To: Walker Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

This was a good idea to coming to this Hostel we could take a showe and dry our clouthes.M Lumbermack gave us homemade salsa with chips. In the evening he made us pancakes and gave us his homemade sausage ,coffee , tes and applepie.This morning he made us breakfast eggs with bacon, toast,jam,coffee and orangejuice.We don't like Hostels but we had a private area with bathroom. Then he drove us back to the Pavillon. Previously we saw its animals donkeys and goat bucks. Today we got no water from above but from below.To get to the other side of the Creek we had to remove our shoes.The water streamed from anywhere. A stream became a river after days of rain. When we had to cross a street there wad also a parking a woman get out of her car and asked if we would like to drink something.Her name was Kim and she came from New Jersey she is Maple's mom, Maple is thruhiking.
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Walker Gap

To: Trail Boss 
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: moderate rain

This morning we wouldn't go out of our sleeping bags.It had been raining again. About 8 o'clock we were still on the trail we have to continue. It was foggy wet and muddy.Around noon it was brighter but the sun didn't come out yet.The longest piece of the trail is in Virginia 550 miles. We hope for better weather.
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Va 606 ( Trent's Grocery)

To: Docs Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: few clouds

This morning we went off at 7.20 o'clock to avoid the heat. The first 8 miles were ok, then came a steeper uphill and the sun slammed down on us. We were glad when we finally arrived at our campsite.
Date: 2017-04-30
From: Pearisburg

To:  Bridge over stoney creek
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was a nice day, so was the weather. No difficult mountain stages but nearly 23 miles. We encountered many hikers also an elderly couple with whom we talked. They were proud to talk german with us because we've said that we came from Luxembourg and they knew that in our country we speak many languages. The man, a retired mechanical engineer, had often been in Luxembourg.
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Bridge over Stony Creek

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

At 7 o'clock we went off, but we were still tired from yesterday. We progressed very slowly. By 1.30pm we took a break at a shelter and a young man from Louisiana joined us. He was happy to be able to speak with us in French. His mother is a Cajun. It started to rain, so we extended our break. There were only 5 miles left for us today. When it stopped to rain, we went out but the last 2 miles it began raining again. But when we finally arrived at our campsite, it stopped again and we were completely wet.
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Laurel Creek Shelter 

To: Audie Murphy Monument
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today it was still pretty cool at the beginning, but it became a hot and exhausting day. First we passed the 300 year old oak. We passed through green meadows and went, as so often, steeply uphill into the Audie Murphy Monument: the most decorated American soldier of World War ll. He is better known in our country as an actor.
Date: 2017-05-03
From: Audie Murphy monument 

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

This day was cruel. First we went to the Dragon Tooth over rocks and Stones. That was so very stressful and tiring, that I even started to cry. Then I was pleased again as mandarines hung on a tree. Later we found even water bottles, candies and bananas. We had achieved our goal and tomorrow we are going to one of my favorite places.
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Catawba mountain Shelter 

To: Daleville 
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Tonight our crazy bird was very active again and has twittered the whole night through and it only stopped at 6 o'clock. At 7 o'clock, we went up to my favorite rock: the McAfee Knob. We wanted to stay another night in the tent, but when we realized that it would rain again, we decided to go a few miles more and to stay for the night in a hotel in Daleville.