morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-06-28
To: JO MARY ROAD
Miles today: 15.4

We were hiking by 5 so we could make the extraction point. Tumbler asked this person was she waiting with Spirit or leaving us high and dry. She said no i wouldnt do that i know im your ride home so i will wait with Spirit. We crossed West Branch Ponds Road and then had a very precarious ford across East Branch Pleasant River. There was 6 hikers trying to ford the creek so we helped each other cross except the person we have been mentioning. When we got her across she left with no concern for anyone else. We then hiked on flat trail but still some rock fields and mud bogs. We were making great time and stopped for lunch for 1hr after 11 miles. We then hiked on good trail with flat terrain for 4 miles to Jo Mary Road. We arrived at 130 and that person at 230. When she came to the road she literally said the best thing for me is to go home when i get picked up, leaving us with no transportation home. We had changed everything to meet up and hike with this person to finish up. We had no cell service and wouldnt for 3 more days to arrange a way home. We had no choice but to go back to Monson with her only 50 miles from the end. We were livid but when we arrived at the Lakeshore House Rebecca told us we were not going home and she went and raised enough money in 5 minutes to pay for a rental car, gave us a free meal, free room and board and free shuttle back to the trail. That person took a shower and hopped in the car and left the 3 of us without a word. This is why i never mentioned her name. We realized she only cares for herself and has no thought or concerns for anyone else. So we are here at the Lakeshore House and tomorrow with finish this journey to Katahadin. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-29
To: RAINBOW STREAM LEAN-TO
Miles today: 25.9

So, after the very crazy day yesterday with both of us thinking we were going home 55 miles short of Katahadin, everything worked out and Spirit shuttled us 1hr 30 minutes back to Jo Mary Road. We started hiking by 7:30 knowing we had to hike 2 high mileage days to get to the base of Katahadin. We had terrain ranging from 625ft to 964ft in the first 18 miles so we knew we could make great time. After about 2 miles we hit the mosquito Armada with 100's of mosquitos everywhere. If you stopped for any reason they were all over you. We hiked fast the first 4 miles to Antler Campsite where we had planned on camping during this hike but with all that went on we could not camp here. This place sits on a pristine lake with nice campsites and a nice clean privy. We had to move on so next we hiked around Jo Mary Lake and passed the beach we camped on in 2012. We then made our way to Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to for a snack. After 8 miles we were feeling good but the mosquitos were still bad. In the next 4 miles we around 550ft on pretty good terrain. The trail in the hundred miles has many mud bogs and huge roots to hike over and around. We then made our way to Nahmakanta Lake where in 2010 we met 3 old guys who were drunk but very friendly who we camped with bc we were low on food. They had 8 coolers so hey we had to stay back then or starve. One of the guys fixed us pork tenderloin and potatoes and they told us to eat anything we wanted while we camped with them. They were great guys and told us their wives told them if they kept the bills paid up they allowed them this friends week camping and fishing trip. We then had to make our way up to the top of Nesuntabunt Mountain at 1520ft, this was the last climb before Katahdin. We then descended down to 600ft before climbing back to 1020ft where we arrived at the shelter after 25.9 miles. There was 1 tent sight left bc there was a girl scout troop camping along with many hikers. We knew tomorrow was the last day into Baxter but we had another 25 mile day. So we ate and went to bed. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-06-30
To: Baxter state park
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: clear sky

We were up and moving by 5 bc we knew the birches which is the campsite they reserve for thru hikers only holds 12 and we had to be 2 of the 12. If it was full we didnt know what we would do. We first had to make our way up to Rainbow Ledges in 9 miles on wet,muddy,slick rock and roots trail. It rained the first 15 miles on us and the bushes were soaking us as bad as the rain. When we reached the ledges we seen a huge bull moose with a giant rack. After photos we continued on bc we were both starting to chill. We hiked 6 more miles to Abol Bridge and we seen Fresh Grounds set up under some tarps feeding hikers hot meals with hot chocolate. This definitely warmed us up for the last 9.9 into the park. We met teradactyl who said he had been following us on this journal sight, so that was neat. After eating 4 tacos,2 hot dogs, 3 plates of deep fried taters,2cokes and a warm hot chocolate we started our last 9.9 into Katahadin streams campground. Thank you Fresh Grounds for everything you do, it sure helped us get warm and also the rain stopped. The last 9 miles is in Baxter State Park with the first 3 or 4 completely flat. After that there was a sign with a blue blaze trail for high water route bc you have 2 fords but we stayed on the AT. While we were fording the second one up to our waist 3 of the group of ten young people had taken the blue blaze and stopped to take photos of us in the water. Found out only 1 of the ten stayed on the AT and forded like we did. We then basically ran to the check in and when we arrived we were number 5 and 6 and right behind us the group of 6 showed up to fill the 12 spots. We hiked 24.9 miles by 3 oclock. Good thing we did or we would have been begging to camp with someone who had paid for a spot. In the park there is no running water,no phone service,no drink machines,no snack machines. You get your water from the streams and eat what you carry into the park. This evening we sat around and talked about the trail and how glad it was almost over. We met a man and his grandson who were climbing Katahdin in the morning, they were from Knoxville and the man had been section hiking the AT since 1997 and tomorrow he finishes his hike. After talking to him, he said he worked at REI in knoxville and we remembered him waiting on us at the store. Small world right. We went to bed early with the anticipation of Katahadin in the morning. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-01
To: Mt Kathadin 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning we were up and ready by 5 and we were told it was a perfect day to climb the mountain. We went to the rangers station and signed in and we were number 5 and 6 heading up the mountain. The first mile was flat but rocky and after crossing the bridge over a waterfall and passing the last privy we started climbing. The next 1.5 was rock steps,roots,grabbing to trees,boulder hopping and walking thru water coming off the mtn in the middle of the trail. When we arrived above treeline we had to put jackets on bc we had about a 20 to 40 mph wind gusts which made it chilly. It was a great day with some clouds and fog blowing in and out but every time it cleared out and you could see for miles in all directions. The next mile or so is grabbing onto metal bars,boulder climbing,shear rock climbing and scooting. It one giant obstacle course. We then reached the tablelands where we could see the sign but it waz still a long way off. The wind was whipping and it was still cool. Then we reached the last 800ft climb up to the top on rock steps with some boulder hopping. We arrived at 9 and told each other that seemed easy today. There was a father and son who lived in Maine who took our photos and gave us a power bar each. We stayed for 30 minutes bc we knew it was the last. We then started down and ran into our shuttle back to monson, cody and lydia about 2 miles from the top. We told him the fathed and son was giving us a ride into Millinocket to eat so pick us up there. After passing him every person that saw us said the honeymoon hikers your shuttle driver is looking for you. They wanted photos with us bc he told them it was our 4th thru so we felt like famous celebraty hikers with everyone yelling as we were coming off the mtn. We made it down by 1 and stated we loved that hike up Katahdin more than the others,except for 12 when ratmans son climbed the mtn with us. We are now heading to Spirits to celebrate the 4th before going to springer and heading to Damascus to get this record hike over. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-02
To: Chattanooga 
Miles today: 0.0

After climbing Katahdin we purchased our rental car and headed back to Chattanooga. We left Monson around 8pm from the Lakeshore House. We want to thank everyone at the Lakeshore House for making the last 50 miles happen, especially Rebecca and Cody. We drove 22 hrs straight to Chattanooga and arrived tonight at 6pm. We will stay here until july 5th when we will begin our journey from Springer to Damascus. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-04
To: Chattanooga 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last 0 day tomorrow the last 486 miles begins. Want to wish everyone a happy 4th and a safe one. Here are the stats so far that we keep up with when thru hiking. For the most part we met hikers from 30 states and 8 countries. We have hiked 1673 miles and have 519.0 to go. On strave we have hiked 1691.3 miles with 353,805 ft of elevation. Wildlife totals are as follows, Grouse 20, deer 121, snakes 60, Raccoons 1, Turkey 9, Bear 3, Ticks so far 23, only one yellow jackets nests on trail 1, Quail 4, Porcupine 1, Bald Eagles 2, Beaver 4, Moose 6, Game Chickens 5, we have received 123 trail magic encounters as well. We have hiked 8871.3 miles total on the AT in 9 yrs and 13,078.1 total hiking miles since 2010. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-05
To: Gooch mtn shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We want to thank Spirit and her family for having us there to celebrate the 4th. We also want to thank Spirit for all she does for us and tell you one of the best things that happened to us in 4 thru hikes was meeting you we love you and you will always be family. After a 3hr drive we hiked .9 up to Springer to start hiking North. We started at 9:45. After stopping in the parking lot to give spirit a hug and say our goodbyes we were off hiking towards home. We then hiked 4.3 down to Stover Creek running into many weekend hikers and families just out for the day. We were so glad to be back in our neck of the woods. We then hiked about 1 more mile and had a snack at the top of the falls. We then hiked 3 miles to Hawk Mtn Shelter where we sat out a bad thunder storm for about an hr. While there met some great section hikers. We then headed back out after the storm and made good time. It was a very humid,hot day but we were so glad to be near home. We hiked to Justus Creek where we filled up with water and drank a lot as well. We then climbed 1.3 up to Gooch Shelter and decided to stay bc we were close to a water source. With the humidity high and with the way we were sweating we wanted to stay near water and drink as much as we could. Lucky for us a storm came thru right after we set up the tent around 6:30 or 7. We did 15.7 miles and we were glad to be in our tent. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-06
To: Tesnatee Gap
Miles today: 21.6

After a couple thunder showers passed over us last night we were able to sleep well. We were hiking by 6 this morning with a descent down to Gooch Gap then we hiked by Liss Gap,Jacks Gap and Tritt Gap. We then made it to Ga. 60 at Woody Gap where they have bathrooms and trash cans. We then climbed up to Big Cedat Mtn at 3737ft before hiking past Dan Gap and Miller Gap. The heat has made it rough and the water sources are running low. We then made our way past Lance Creek and Jarrad Gap. In 2.6 more miles we reached the summit of Blood Mtn at 4334ft. We were seeing many day and weekend hikers especially at the top of Blood Mtn. We then hiked 2.4 down to neals gap where we stopped in to get a pizza with a few sodas. The workers took our photo and will post it to their website bc of our 4 thru hikes. We then climbed up Bull Gap where they have bear problems all the time. We then made our way over to Swaim Gap then onto Wolf Laurel Top. We then hiked 2.5 to where we made camp after 21.6 miles. The trail is good but a little weedy and right now the climbs are not that bad. We are just glad to be in our home mtns. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-07
To: STEELTRAP GAP
Miles today: 22.7

We started hiking by 6 trying to beat the heat. Its so hot and humid you sweat just getting ready to hike. We first climbed 500ft before descending down Hogpen Gap. We then hiked over White Oak Stamp at 3470ft and Poor mtn at 3650ft. We then made it to Sheep Rock Too before reaching Low Gap Shelter where we took a break. We then hit easy flat terrain for 4 miles along the ridgeline before reaching Cold Springs Gap. We then stayed around 3500ft to 3700ft for 1.6 miles before climbing up to Blue Mtn summit. We then descended down to GA. 75 and took a break in the parking lot. We then climbed 1100ft in 1.4 miles to Rocky Mtn. We then descended to 3113ft before starting our climb up to Tray Mtn at 4430ft. We were racing thunder boomers around us but knew we had 2 miles to reach Tray Mtn Shelter. It didnt rain and while taking a break at tray mtn we met a family from Texas hiking from Dicks Creek Gap to Neels Gap. We then hiked 1.8 down to camp after 22.7 miles. It was another hot day but a good mileage day. We are getting closer to finishing. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-08
To: Bly gap
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

We started with a 400ft climb up to Young Lick Knob before descending down to Sassafras Gap. We then descended 200ft more to Addis Gap. We then made it to the blue blaze trail to Deep Gap Shelter and water. We went .1 to water and filled up and had a snack. It was very humid again with no air flow to speak of today. We then hiked 3.6 miles until we reached Dicks Creek Gap. After 9 miles and the heat we decided to hitch into Hiawassee to get some real food since it was only 11. The second car gave us a ride 11 miles down the mtn. We sat at dairy queen and ate until we were stuffed along with charging our phones. After 2 hrs we started hitching and this truck pullsover and overs us a ride. The guy is know as the Encourager and he offers shuttles in the area to hikers. He had hiked section since 2015 and uses the AT as his ministry for the Lord, he will hike sections and help anyone that needs anything. He told us he would be out of town for awhile but will be back in time for the Sobos, his number for shuttles is 706-897-7281 for shuttles. Thank you for the ride and for praying for us as well. We started hiking again at 1:30. We knew in 9.0 miles we would leave Georgia behind and enter NC. We also knew we wanted to camp at Bly Gap for the first time. We made our way up to Buzzard Knob at 3675 before descending to Bull Gap. We then made our way over to Blue Ridge Gap where we met 3 ladies from Alabama doing a section hike. They had many questions for us about thru hiking and what our packs weigh. We then started climbing up to Bly Gap where we made camp at 6:00. The weather is very hot but we are loving the trail. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-09
To: ROCK GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: clear sky

Today we were hiking by 5:30 with a climb 700ft in 1.1 mile. We then hiked 1.4 more miles around 4600ft until we found water. The streams are very low so it has been tough finding water at times. We then hiked 4 miles until we reached USFS 71. This is where a group every year does trail magic on Easter weekend. We then started our 2.5 mile climb up to the top of Standing Indian Mtn at 5500ft. We then ridgeline hiked for 3 miles until we descended to Beech Gap where we had lunch after 13 miles. We met a day hiker who thru hiked in 1999 and he gave us trail magic while sitting there. We then stayed on flat terrain 2 miles until we started climbing up to Carter Gap Shelter. On the way up we got hit with a bad rain storm and were soaking wet before reaching the shelter. We met a guy section hiking at the shelter, he said he was done for the day and we stated we still had 12 miles to go. We then climbed up to 5000ft after the rain stopped before descended to Mooney Gap. We then climbed Albert Mtn up to 5250ft where there is a fire tower you can climb up into for great pics. We then started descending in 2.2 miles down to Long Branch Shelter but didnt stop. We continued hiking with one 200ft climb before descending to our shelter in 3.7 miles. We hiked thru many Rhododendron tunnels and the trail was very weedy and overgrown. We made 27.4 miles by 7 and were ready to eat and go to bed. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-10
To: WAYAH BALD TOWER
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

We were hiking by 5 with headlamps this morning. We enjoy hiking in the early morning because its so quite and peaceful. We hiked 3.8 miles mostly in the dark before reaching Winding Stairs Gap. We filled up with water at the road where there was a pipe. We then started a climb up to Silers Bald at 4600ft in 3.7 miles. The neat thing was we came around a corner and these bushes were moving around violently, we thought is was a bear or turkeys but after about 1 minute about 10 to 15 wild boars scattered so fast we didnt get a photo. It was still great to see where they tore up to forest bed looking for food. After reaching the bald we hiked 1.7 down to NC 1310 where we met Spirit. She has come up to slackpack us for a few days. We slacked the 4 miles up to Wayah Bald and finished at 11:45. We are in Franklin washing clothes and taking many baths after 6 days in this heat. We will hike Wayah to NOC tomorrow. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-11
To: Noc
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: broken clouds

This morning Spirit had us at the top of Wayah Bald by 7. After taking photos of the great sunrise we were off on our 17 mile hike to the NOC. We first started by hiking .1 up to the tower, we were glad to see they had put a new top on the tower. The tower had burned a couple yrs ago when a forest fire broke out on the mtn. We then had to descend down log step offs before hitting the dirt path for the next 1.9 miles until we reached the Wayah Shelter. We then hiked about 3.6 more miles descending down to Burningtown Gap where we had provided trail magic for hikers for 3 days in 2014. We met a guy from NY hiking the AT North for 1 month. We then climbed up to Cold Springs Shelter where we first met our friend AT trolle on our first thru hike in 2010. After that we climbed up to 5080ft before making our way down to Tellico Gap at 3850ft. We had lunch there where we met another hiker going North, these were the only hikers we would see the rest of the day. We then climbed in 1.4 up to Wesser Bald where there is a platform you can climb up onto to get 360 degree photos. We then had some rocky ridgeline hiking for about 4 miles and you could see scars still from the huge forest fire they had a couple yrs ago. We could also see rain and hear thunder in the valley over Fontana Lake. We then hiked 2 miles down to the NOC where Spirit was waiting for us. We did 17 miles in 7 hrs and now have 330 miles to go. At the NOC there was people everywhere watching the kayakers and eating at the restuarants. Tomorrow we attemp 29 miles over to Fontana Dam. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-12
To: FONTANA DAM
Miles today: 29.2
Weather: light rain

First of all a shout out to Irma and Woody those 29 miles were for you to show you we were slowing down and smelling the roses. We were on the trail at 5:00 this morning donning our headlamps. It was a huge climb out of the NOC and to make it harder we were hiking in the dark dodgeing orb weaver spiders across the trail. We climbed from 1700ft to 4710 at the top of swim bald in the first 6 miles. It was a great sunrise with many differant colors around 6:30. The trail was still overgrown with bushes which we have found in common in NC. We then climbed on up to Cheoh Bald at 5062ft in 2 more miles where we took our first break. We then started making our way down to Stecoah Gap in the next 5.7 miles. So far all was going good with us making 13.7 miles by 11. As we came out of the woods a couple who are volunteering at Fontana Dam gave us two breakfast burritos and 2 apple pies. We started back out at 11:30 with no rain to this point, but it was all about to change. After about .5 heading towards Fontana it started raining and it rained hard 4 times in the next 7 miles lasting 20 to 30 minutes each time. The trail was a river as well. We climbed up Jacobs Ladder a steep portion of the trail before reaching Brown Fork Gap Shelter where we stopped and Ratman rung his shirt out to get the rain water out of his shirt. But it rained hard 2 more times after stopping to do that. We started hearing thunder to the West, but to the East nothing but sunshine. We started hiking faster because it didnt look good to the west of us. We stayed between 3000ft and 4000ft the next 12 miles before starting our 3 mile descent down to Fontana Lake. When we crossed the road into Fontana we had 1 more mile to the shelter where Spirit was waiting on us to arrived. When we got there she was grilling burgers and corn on the cob, we very much appreciated that bc we didnt stop once the rain started for water or food. We were going to stay at the shelter but a teenage kayak group had taken over the shelter so we decided to stay in a motel for the evening. We stopped at the visitors center to thank that couple again for lunch and then headed to the motel. We were pleased with 29 miles in 12 hrs with 8900ft of elevation. We enter the smokies tomorrow with 14 days to go and 303 miles to Damascus. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-13
To: Derrick knob shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today we did 24 miles with ovee 8000ft of elevation. Thats, 53 miles and 17000ft of elevation in 2 days. We started at 8 and hiked over the Dam at Fontana becore entering the Smoky Mtns. We started with a 2800ff climb in 4 miles up to the Shuckstack Tower. We then climbed up to Doe Knob at 4500ft. The weather was great so far with no rain. We then passed 9 hikers total heading down into Fontana. We then reached Mollies Ridge Shelter for a break. We could hear thunder all around us but above us blue skies. We then hiked 3 miles ovee to Russell Field Shelter where we stayed about 45 minutes waiting to see if it was going to rain. We then headed fast 3 more miles to Spenc Field Shelter with no rain but thunder all around us still. We ate and waited an hr to see if it was going to storm but it never did. So we started climbing up to Rocky Top and Thunderhead mtn at 5440ft and 5560ft. As we were climbing the sun came out and the thunder went away. We then descended down to 4400ft before climbing up to 4800ft where we set up camp after 24 miles. We met some great people at the shelter and after socializing we went to bed. GOD BLESS
Date: 2019-07-14
To: Newfound gap
Miles today: 17.9

This morning we were up hiking by 5 and in the first 2 miles scared 2 bears. We made our way up to Silers Bald in 6 miles with hiking mostly on ridgeline. After a break we headed towards the summitt of Clingsman Dome at 6646ft. When we arrived many many visitors were at the Dome, we talked about what we were doing with a few of the visitors to the Dome. We then started our very rocky up and down from Clingsmans to Newfound Gap. The trail was wet and muddy from the storms that missed us. We made it to Newfound by 130 where Spirit picked us up and we are camping at Smokemont tonight. Spirit will leave us tomorrow and we will have 12 days and 262 miles to go. GOD BLESS