morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-02-23
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

There was a light fog at the start,then some light rain and ice later in the day. (similar to hail,but really frozen rain.) Got into Mountain Crossing at Neel's Gap about 4:15. Mountain Crossing is an outfitter and hostel on the trail,so we had another night inside and a hot shower, which is good because it is supposed to snow tonight and be cold for the next three days.
Date: 2010-02-24
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

One of the three guys from Virgina, Gary, has sectioned hike the AT twice and his friend Mario has hiked most of it. They have been very helpful with hints and information. Plus they have a great sense of humor. It was really nice to have some company on the trail.I am #33 on the trail for the AT class of 2010, which is much lower than normal due to the weather this year. The "official' statistics for the thru hikers apparently are taken from the register at Mountain Crossing. About 25% of those who make it to there complete the hike. However, there is a 10% drop out rate at Mountain Crossing,so it is actually closer to 15%. It will probably be worse this year. I found out at Mountain Crossing that 2010 is the coldest and most snow of any year in recorded Georgia history!! I should never have listened to Al Gore when planning this trip.The trail reports are that there is a six foot drift on the trail at the NC/GA border! We slept in the shelter and got snowed on at night. I had a pretty cold night. My 20 degree bag is too light. It was a cold foggy at the start. The trails were very icy and steep. The wind was very strong and it never got above freezing. My right thigh is getting worse, especially on the downhills.>
Date: 2010-02-25
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It was cold last night. We slept in the shelter and got snowed on. Some stuff got damp but not too bad.My 20 degree bag is a bit too light and I had a cold night.The guys from Virgina were great to be with. One of them has section hiked the entire AT twice. The other has a lot of AT miles. They were very helpful with hints and information.The trails were very icy today. It was cold enough that our water bottles started to freeze within minutes. Plus, according to NOAA, wind gusts were over 30 mph. So the wind chill was below zero. We had planned on doing 12 miles today, but we decided that is was simply too dangerous to continue. We stopped about 1:00 pm at Blue Mountain Shelter and set up tents inside the shelter. Normally, this is a big trail no no. However, we were the only ones there so we went ahead.
Date: 2010-02-26
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a much more comfortable night last night. I wore wool socks, down booties, fleece pants over long johns, and three shirts. (I only have three.) Part of the learning experience.The trail was icy and my leg hurts on the downhills.Bailed out to the town of Hiawassee GA.
Date: 2010-02-27
To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I am taking a zero day in Hiawassee today. A zero day is when you do not hike at all. My leg needs rest and I am taking two vitamin I's every four hours. I tried to buy a heavy down jacket at two outfitters today. They were sold out.I did get a compass in case I need to navigate out in a snowstorm and some heavier gloves. I have some heavy mittens, but you can't set up a tent or cook in mittens.I am staying at a motel watching my new favorite station, The Weather Channel. They are predicting two fair days and then another big snowstorm. I had breakfast at McDonald's, lunch at a BBQ place, and will have dinner with salad, and a margarita at a Mexican food restaurant tonight. Then sleep in a warm bed. I will be very happy. Tomorrow I will hitchhike out of town and head toward Franklin NC. My new strategy is to try and dodge the snowstorms and stay in towns as needed. There goes the travel budget.The good news is that I have found that I can travel faster than I thought. The bad news is that the weather is worse than I thought and is predicted to stay that way.
Date: 2010-02-28
From: Dick's Creek Gap

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

I hitched a ride from Hiawassee to Dick's Gap.The weather was pretty decent at about 25 degrees at the start and warming to about 40 in the early afternoon.There was a significant elevation gain of 2675' to 4,600'. Most of the first half of the trail was pretty clear of ice and snow. The area near Bly Gap had a lot of snow and I had some problems staying on the trail due to the snow and the amount of tree limbs that were down. Under normal conditions it would be easy to follow the trail, but not this year. I learned another lesson, which is to put on traction devices on your boots at the beginning and leave them on. I have some Yak Trax Pros which are somewhat like tire chains on your car. It is a lot easier going with them on. However, the snow and ice are making progress much more difficult than normal.I was alone at Muskrat Shelter and the log indicated that it had been at least three days since there had been a couple there. The shelter itself had a nice design, with good cover for food preperation, benches, and a fire grill. Some previous hikers had left a lot of trash. I have a small radio and the weather forecast is for snow on Tuesday.
Date: 2010-03-01
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: clear sky

I have decided to "yellow blaze" today. The Appalachian Trail is marked with white blazes on the trees. Trails that connect to the AT are marked with blue blazes. There are a few times when you can cut some mileage off of the AT my taking a blue blaze trail. I have decided to do so today. There is a blue blaze that cuts the mileage to Winding Stair Gap to a little less than 1/2. The weather forecast is now for two days of snow starting tomorrow. I am pretty sure that there will not be anyone behind me for at least a couple of days. So if I slip on ice or something else happens, I would be in a world of hurt.Since I am a coward I am taking the shortcut out. Hence, the new term "yellow blaze". Note that I therefore did not do 28.4 miles today!!! I left that in so that I can better track the miles to Mt. Katahdin, which is now only 2071.4 miles away.The weather was pretty nice, low 20's at the start and getting up to 40 at mid day. Most of the trail was snow and ice. As expected I did not see any hikers.I got a hitch in the back of a pick up with a couple of "good ole boys" who took me to the Franklin Hotel. I went to a Cody's Roadhous restaurant for steak and wine. I have a group of friends that have done a lot of backcountry ski trips in Colorado, numerous marathons, etc. Whenever we have a difficult situation someone will put out a challenge "Are we mice or are we men." My answer today. mee mee mee
Date: 2010-03-02
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: NONE
Miles today: 0.0

I made a good decision to "yellow blaze". I am in Franklin, NC and it is snowing and the forecast is for snow for the next 2-3 days. Even before this snow the trail conditions were unusually difficult. I am as good at picking the time to hike the AT as I am forecasting the stock market.There is a good network of trail information available while you are on the trail, either by checking reports of hikers ahead or talking to local sources. The owner of the hotel where I am staying, Ron Haven, is very hiker friendly and has hiked the trail north of here in the past. He also talks to others up and down the trail. This snowstorm is stopping hikers up and down the trail. It appears that most of the next 300 miles or so have snow, especially in the Smokies which is frequently a tough area. Based upon what I have heard so far, I do not think that it will be possible to hike the trail for the some time. I am not sure what I will do next. It is snowing hard here in town now.
Date: 2010-03-03
From: NONE

To: NONE
Miles today: 0.0

I never knew that watching the Weather Channel could be so interesting. The report is for some more snow flurries today, clearing Thursday and sunny on Friday. There is snow on the ground here in town,but the sky is clearing and it actually looks like a good day to be back on the trail. However, the reports on the trail are all pretty brutal with lots of snow. All of the hikers seem to be holed up in towns.Smokey Mountain National Park is reporting over four feet of snow.There are trail reports of 7' drifts. The Smokies are 6-7 days away.After considering all of the options I ordered some snowshoes from Cabela's, which will arrive tomorrow. I plan on starting back on the trail on Friday am. It appears that this has turned into a winter trip, which is highly unusual.There is a report from another hiker who will be starting on Friday, so I hope to meet up with him. Note, to other hikers. Ron Havens is the owner of the Franklin Motel and Haven's Budget Inn. He is offering free shuttles to and from Winding Stair Gap. He is a very good friend of the trail and worth supporting. The phone number for the Franklin Motel is 800-433-5507 and the Budget Inn is 828-524-4403.I also have picked up a new cell phone to replace the one that I got wet.
Date: 2010-03-04
From: NONE

To: NONE
Miles today: 0.0

It is a nice day here in Franklin, and I wish I were able to take advantage of it on the trail. The forecast is for good weather until next Tuesday and I hate waiting here. However, I have some snowshoes coming in this afternoon and I do not feel comfortable in the mountains this year without them. I have a ride arranged with Ron Haven of the Franklin Motel tomorrow morning to the trailhead. It should take 2-3 days to get to Nantahala Outdoor Center, which is the next stop.
Date: 2010-03-05
From: Winding Stair Gap

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

Got a shuttle from Ron Haven from the Franklin Motel back to the trailhead. It was a sunny day, but there was a lot of snow on the ground, up to 2 feet. The snow is making travel slow and harder than normal. Stayed at the shelter with Mike and Doug two college students from Florida. It was a cold night, low teens, but I was warm all night. I have learned how to stay warm in this bag. The good news is that my kit is working well. No problems other than slow going.
Date: 2010-03-06
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

We made the Wesser shelter have a fairly long day. The weather was good, but the snow has gotten a bit worse. There are other hikers ahead of us who have postholed the trail. That makes it easy to follow. The weather is staying sunny, but the it is still in the upper 30's so the snow is not melting much. It is now 2-3'. I will get to the Nantahala Outdoor Center tomorrow and check the trail conditions and weather before going on.
Date: 2010-03-07
From: Wesser Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

There is a steep downhill from Wesser Shelter to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The upper portions were snow and somewhat icy, but cleared up as we got to lower elevations. We got in about noon in time for lunch after a hot shower.The NOC is a pretty cool spot right on the river. It is a big rafting and kayaking company. They also have cabins and bunk beds for rent and a nice restaurant. When I tried to use a credit card to rent a bunk and order some lunch the card was refused. After some long phone discussions with the card company it turns out that someone has stolen my credit card number and has been running up charges in Atlanta. They canceled my card and will mail another one to my home. Things are not going well on the hike. I met up with Frost, Ben, and Seaman who started their thru hike on the same day as I had. We spent a fair amount of time discussing the prospects of getting through Smokey Mountain National Park. The park report is that there is over four feet of snow with seven foot drifts. Apparently two hikers did make it through the first 30 miles and then had to be hauled out. The weather report is for a four day storm to hit on Tuesday with a second one coming. The odds of getting through the park in the next 3-4 weeks do not look good. I will ponder the options tonight and make some decision on what to do next.
Date: 2010-03-08
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: NONE
Miles today: 0.0

The information on the trail in Smokey Mountains National Park and beyond continues to be bad. There is over four feet of snow and a storm is starting tomorrow and is expected to last 4-5 days. The forecast if for another storm soon after that one passes. There are also a lot of blowdowns on the trail, making travel slow. After talking to the locals I have decided to come off of the trail and wait for conditions to improve. I may also decide to go ahead to Virgina or Harper's Ferry and return later to do this section. Everything will depend upon the weather.I am hoping for a warm spell soon to melt the snow.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: NONE

To: NONE
Miles today: 0.0

I have decided that rather than fight the current trail conditions in the Smokey Mountains I will restart this trek at Harper's Ferry sometime in April.. That should guarantee some nice weather and trail conditions. Some brave folks who are much tougher than me are making it through the Smokey Mountains, but the trail reports are pretty bad with a lot of snow and blowdowns still present. There is also going to be a lot of flooding in Tennessee and Virgina for the next few weeks. I think I can do without that.
Date: 2010-03-20
From: NONE

To: NONE
Miles today: 0.0

I have finally decided on Plan C or maybe it is M, by now. I will restart the hike on Saturday April 10, at Rockfish Gap which is the southern end of Shenandoah National Park and head north. If everything goes well then I can figure out a way to complete the sections in Tennessee and southern Virgina later. The advantage of doing this type of a flip flop is that I should have good weather all of the way. However,the way this winter has gone you might want to place a bet on a weather derivative on an April snowstorm in Virgina and maybe a summer hurricane in New England while I am on the trail. The downside is that I will miss a lot of the class of 2010 going north. I am anxious to get back on the trail.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Shenandoah National Park.
Miles today: 13.0

I flew into Washington DC and then took Amtrak to Charlottesville VA. Boo Boo gave me a ride to the trail head at Rockfish Gap. I am always surprised at how helpful everyone on the AT is to hikers. Spring is here finally. Everything is budding out in the lower elevations, but the trees are leafless higher, where I am mainly hiking.So there is a lot of new life, just like this hike. It is great to be back on the trailThe weather is great low 60's for a high and upper 30's for a low. I got in late last night due to Amtrak being delay so I started a little later than planned. I did not make my first location and made a "dry" camp,(no water)about 13 miles from the start. Not many people on the trail.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Shenandoah National Park.

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

I did not quite make my destination of Pinefield Hut. I camped next to a small stream about 2 miles south. It was a great spot. There was a young couple at the same spot who shared a cup of Cabernet with me. Great trail magic. The best part of hiking the AT is hearing all of the stories of the other hikers. One constant theme is that long distance hikers are going through some sort of transition. The male hiker had just quit his job as an engineer and was looking for another career, possibly in some type of farming. She was also rethinking her current job as a landscaper architect for something unknown, maybe teaching. I really admire someone who quits there job in this economy to go looking for something more meaningful.I do miss not being with the NOBO( northbound) AT class of 2010. A lot of people got knocked off the trail with the bad winter weather this year. Hiking is fun, but the real fun is the people you meet along the way. Saw some whitetail deer with beautiful tan coats. Weather is still good.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Hightop Hut

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got to Lewis Campground about 3:30. It was starting to rain and I could get a shower so I decided to stay. They had a camp store so I bought a few items including a can of Dinty Moore stew. The hike is going great except that I miss the company of the long distance hikers and I am not putting on the mileage I should.
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Lewis Mountain Campground

To: Rock Springs Hut
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Went from Lewis Campground to Rock Springs Hut with a one mile deviation to a restaurant at Big Meadows, where ther is a large lodge which was closed. I missed the easy way to the Wayside restaurant where I had a large hamburger, which was great. I met two brothers at the hut who are both unemployed due to the current recession. One was in construction and the other was in mortgate banking. It makes you value being able to have the choice of taking time off of work to just hike. I am really lucky.I was passed by Trek who had started in GA in February. He has done the AT every year since 2003. He said this was the worst winter.Having a good time, but going slow.
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

It was a warm day, upper 60's so I sweated a bit. I hit Skyland Wayside restaurant at 10:25, just five minutes before they stopped serving breakfast, so I stopped for sausage & eggs. The european style of hiking from hut to hut is looking better. "Frijoles" was the only hiker at the hut. He just finished his masters in geology and was doing a long section hike. We both thought of another description for the "Kissing Tree".
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Gravel Springs Hut

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

Another great day, except for allergies are killing me. Everything is in bloom. My eyes are hurting and lots of nasty drip. Pretty disgusting sight. I met "Tenderfoot" on the trail in the morning. A young 70 year old doing a section hike of about 500 miles!
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Gravel Springs

To: Front Royal 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: few clouds

Another nice weather day. This sure beats GA in February. Shenandoah National Park is really nice. Some great vistas and quite different from the west where I have done all of my hiking. I am glad that I am doing this section.I met Chuck on the trail who is a big fan of New Mexico. He is training for a long hike on the AT. We hiked to his car where he had a New Mexico tshirt with the zia symbol. He dropped me off in Front Royal. I walked another 4 + miles in Front Royal looking for some canister fuel. The outfitte that I planned on using was out of businee. I tried a couple of other places suggested by the visitor center. No luck, so I bought some sterno at Kmart.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Front Royal 

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Hitched a ride back to the trail head. The elevation is quite a bit lower and the plants are different but I am still getting killed by allergies. Benadyl is helping some. Got to Diok"s Dome Shelter about five and decided to call it a day.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

Today was a really nice day and I finally got some good mileage. The last several miles had a lot of up and down, but it was worth the effort. Bear's Den Hostel is very nice. They have a hiker's special of pizza, a pint of Ben and Jerry's, bunk, washer and a shower for $27.50!!! Run by a very nice couple. Some guy by the name of Ray passed me while I was having a break. He was at the hostel that night. It was Ray Jardine who is the father of light weight backpacking. Nice and modest guy. It is 20 miles to Harper's Ferry, which is a little too hard. There is another hostel about 7-8 miles north, where I will stay tonight. I am a real wimp and easy to tempt off of the trail. I am lacking the motivation to hit the trail hard everyday, but I am having a good time.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent the morning drinking coffee and talking to the caretaker and his family at the Bear's Den and a second year medical student, Stefan, who was doing some short days on the trail while studying for his next board exam. It is 20 miles to Harper's Ferry, which is more than I want to do.I did an easy seven mile trip to Blackburn Trail Center which is a steep 0.2 miles off of the trail. There is a really neat view to the east and you can see DC from here. It is a neat place with a hiker's hostel, which is free. The caretaker, Brian, gave me some ice cream and a choclate pastry after dinner. Pure sugar, which I normally would not eat. It was great. I am the only hiker here,so I will be up early and hit the trail to Harper's Ferry. Another observation is that most of the hikers that I have met on the trail have not hiked in the west, just as I have never hiked in the east until this year. The allergies are affecting my eyes and I am hoping for some rain to cut them down.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Harper's Ferry 
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

There was a light rain most of the day and there was no one on the trail. By the end of the day my right eye was almost completely swollen shut and my left eye was sore and blood shot. Otherwise it was an easy hike and I made Harper's Ferry by the early afternoon.Several years ago there was a legally blind hiker who thru-hiked the entire AT. I got a small test of what that most have been like. I stopped by the Appalachian Trail Center in Harper's Ferry and got some information on an urgent care center in nearby Charles Town. I will take a day off tomorrow to get my eyes looked at.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Harper's Ferry 

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The doctor at the urgent care says that both eyes are infected. The right eye is worse. He suggested that I get off of the trail for a few weeks until the eyes have healed and the pollen count is lower. The infections were probably the result of the allergy problems. I got a prescription filled at Wal Mart. I plan on waiting to see how the eyes do the next few days. I will hike some of the Maryland section, but stay in motels at night to keep things cleaner and reduce eye irritation. This is very frustrating.
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Turner's Gap
Miles today: 17.4

This is an easy trail and you can make good time. I am also not carrying a full pack, just enough for the day.I am staying at a hotel at night and doing day hikes on the trail hoping that the eye's will heal quickly. I also have rented a car to leave at the end of the day's hike. I am hitching rides back to the start of the trail for the day.
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Turner's Gap

To: Mason Dixon Line
Miles today: 23.5

Spent two more days day hiking to the Pennsylvania border. Parts of this I hiked twice to avoid having to hitchhike. It is easy hiking, especially without a full pack. The left eye feels like it is getting a little better, but the right one is still blurry and sore. The doctor appears to be correct, and it might be best to get off of the trail. However, that would destroy any chance of doing a thru hike, which was already pretty remote.