morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-07
From: Dicks Creek Gap

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

After a great and warm night's sleep at the Blueberry Patch Hostel, my gear was dry, my body clean and rested and I was ready for a new day on the trail. Gary and his wife had prepared a wonderful breakfast, that among other treats, included pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup. They welcome you into their home, treat you with exceptional kindness and serve with a true believer's heart. Gary and his wife really make you feel like family. Gary drove those of us who were returning to the trail back to Dick's Creek Gap. The day was beautiful- dry and sunny! I actually started the hike about 10:00 a.m. Cowart Gap had tall pines and the path was lined with pine needles. I passed an older couple and noted that there are just people of all ages out and enjoying nature the beauty of the trail. Near the top of Buzzard Knob, I heard a hollow thumping three times and a deep whistle, probably a bird that I could not identify. I wished that I had a better knowledge of bird songs and identification. I also heard what sounded like a cuckoo. The temperature had started to warm up and snow was fallng from the trees.I briefly stopped at the Plum Orchard Shelter and met hiker "Cody Coyote". The shelter appears to be a very nice three tiered structure. I reached the Georgia/NC boarder around 3:45 p.m. and had the challenge of ascending Bly Gap. I spent a good bit of time taking pictures of the "crooked tree". It took me about thirty minutes to get to what I thought was the summit, only to find another summit to scale which took another thirty minutes. It was quite a challenging climb but well worth it.I ended the day at Muskrat Creek Shelter around 5:45 p.m. There I met a hiker named GRRR as well as a grandfather from Raleigh hiking with his grandsons from Pittsboro, NC, and lady who was section hiking. I was in my sleeping bag by 7:30 p.m. A long but rewarding day.
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

When I got up this morning, it took a while to break camp. I had set up my tent last night as the shelter was full. GRRR had a space in the shelter but there were two guys and a girl who had set up their tent inside the shelter and took up most of the space available. The grandfather and his two grandsons, myself, and the lady section hiker all were in tents. I was the last to leave and I found that I had trouble getting my hands and gloves in my trekking pole straps. I later figured out that another hiker had similar poles and must have packed mine up by mistake as they were of similar make and model but the ones I now had were smaller than my own. As it was a beautiful but cold day, I pushed myself a little harder than I should have to try to catch up with the other hikers and exchange back to the proper poles. Over the course of the morning, I was able to catch up to all but the lady section hiker. None of the other hikers had poles similar to mine and it made sense that the smaller poles would have belonged to one of the females or one of the young grandsons. I then remembered that the section hiker was SOBO (southbound) and therefore I would not see or catch up to her. Perhaps there is a lost and found section on the internet for AT hikers.I had left the tent site about 9 a.m. and was at Standing Indian Mountain (from about 4580 feet elevation to Muskrat Creek to 5498 feet at Standing Indian summit) by around 12 noon. I would have liked to get some good pictures from that elevation but the trees were too thick. On one part of the trail, there was an almost luminescent green moss lining the sides of the trail--very pretty to look at--almost like a dream path. I arrived at the Carter Gap Shelter around 3 p.m. (elevation about 4520) and met a section hiker from Rhode Island. Bethany had sent a couscous meal for supper that was very good.
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Stream past Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: few clouds

The night in the mountains had been a bit stormy but there was a fresh spring like smell in the air. I saw Goat, Tracker, and Rocky, some hikers I had met a Springer Mountain at the start of this journey. They had apparently arrived after dark and were low on food. I was able to share a little bit from my provisious but wish I could have shared more. I had been signing in the shelter registers and going by the trail name "Mike B" but they said they wanted to catch up with me and give me the Trailname "Doctor Phil" as Bethany had told them I had a background in mental health and addictions counseling. I appreciate the thought but figure that as I only have a BS in social work, do not have an advanced degree and the famous Dr. Phil probably would not appreciate it, I'll put that Trailname on hold for now.I was on the trail by about 8:15 a.m. I ran into GRRR again at one of the overllooks. I noticed a VietNam vet pin on his hat and, as is my custom, thanked him for his service.As I was going up one of the mountians, I saw a leaf in a small brook with the stem bent over a rock. It made the water drip off the end of the stem in an interesting fashion. I tried to take a picture but it did not turn out well. At the Albert Mountain Fire tower, I finally reached 100.1 miles on the AT! Thee were times when I was ascending that mountain that I found it useful to use my hands to help pull myself up and for stability. It was pretty steep in places.I had recently heard a sermon that mentioned what I interpreted as "sensory prayer" and guessed that to be an attitude of prayer and awareness of God's presence and work manifested around us. I took in the beauty of the surroundings, smelled the fresh earth, listened to the songs of the birds and the cruch of the dried leaves beneath my feet on the trail. I could feel the coolness of the air and very much appreciated a sense and appreciation of God's presence and creation.By about 12:30 P.M., I was at the recently built, Long Branch Shelter. It is very nice and still smells of freshly cut lumber. I had not seen Punkin Pie since the start of this journey but saw that he had signed the shelter register 3/08. Around 2 p.m., I saw a large cat sized animal that was dark gray but did not see a tail - perhaps a bobcat?Around 4 p.m. I was at Wondering Stair Gap and met Ember's mom. There was also a couple of fellows in a truck that were pulling out of the parking area that asked Sweet Brown and I if we needed a ride to town. Both of us had recently resupplied so we declined. Up the trail a little ways, we came across some Trail Magic - sodas in the creek, bananas, apples and donuts - It was great!. Further up the trail, we set up a campsite near some day hikers who go by the trail names of Shrek, Fiona and their dog, Donkey. Nice folks - nice setting.
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Stream past Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Although I was awake about 5:30, I did not leave camp until about 8:00. Sweet Brown was already up and on the trail. I talked some more with Shrek and Fiona. They apparently have a website called Peacelovehike.com. Fiona plans to send me a link for a basic alcohol stove. I wanted to use the canister stove during the cold weather due to my understanding of the difficulty involved in lighting an alcohol stove when it is cold. While the temperatures last ight were not too cold, Shrek and Fiona had no problem with their alcohol stove. I do not think that Sweet Brown cooks. He just seems to pack light and easy meals. As I left camp, Shrek and Fiona's dog, Donkey, followed me briefly up the trail.On the hike towards Panther Gap, I saw a bird flying that was bigger than a crow, with black feathers and white underneath. I have frequently been seeing a lot of smaller robin sized birds, maybe slightly smaller, that are slate grey with white tail feathers underneath. I wish I knew my birds better.When I arrived at Siler Bald, I took off my pack and made the climb to the 5014 foot summit. The view was great and I started taking pictures by facing north and turning clockwise. I came back down the mountain and hiked on past Wayah Gap until I ascended Wayah Bald at about 5342 feet. On the hike up the hill, I did see a butterfly that was black with yellow around the edges of its wings.I was slightly confused at Wayah Bald as the guide book indicated that there was a stone tower. After I hiked up through the parking lot, I was on a mountaintop with a wonderful view but only a lot of large rocks in a grassy area. I presumed that the tower must have fallen down and after I tookk some pictures and had lunch, I hiked back down. It was then that I followed the trail to the actual stone tower. Not only was the structure itself impressive but the views were also enjoyable.I finally remembered the time change to Daylight Savings Time around 2:05, now 3:05. The sun will still set and my day will be the same length.As I walked past Burningtown Gap, I wondered how that area got its name. I arrived at Cold Spring Shelter around 5:15. I met Hambone who had hiked north last fall and is now doing the southern portion from Springer to Harper's Ferry. He started on 2/26. I watched the sunset from the tent site area with views to the east and west. Trees partially obscured the view. It has been another beautiful day. This evening is quite windy on the ridge and it may be an interesting night. Elevation ranges 3866-5342.
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The wind through the night sounded similar to an approaching subway train. Except for a few rattles of the tent and some rain, the night was not too bad. I tried to get the water off of my tent but was only partially successful which meant I would be packing and carrying water weight that I could not drink. I took a picture of the dense fog.Around 10:00 while goint up towards Rock Bald, I saw a long, white animal cross the path about 25 yards ahead. The Bald itself was foggy. As I hiked it occurred to me that on the trail, as in life, sometimes one is so focused on the path ahead, that he or she fails to see the beauty that surrounds them. So, with the fog, I have ben forced to "ignore" the overlook and grand vistas and notice that which directly surrounds me.I was able to get a picture when descending towards Tellico Gap about 1.4 miles from Wesser Bald. I arrived at the Wasser Bald abservation tower about 11:30 and the wind was so strong it almost took my hat off of my head. I was able to obtain some pictures, starting with a view to the north in the direction I would be going. Although not marked, I think I got some pictures of the jump off. I arrive at the A Rufus Morgan Shelter around 2:45 and decide tohike on to the NOC-Nantahala Outdoor Center for some resupply.
Date: 2013-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(This journal is an exact duplicate of the handwritten journal that I carried with me on the trail - including all errors. I started hiking with one small notebook and had 2 more mailed out to me along the way. At the end of my posts here, I may add more information that wasn't included in my original diary. Those afterthoughts will be surrounded by parentheses.)Today is Friday and I've spent the last couple of days in Atlanta before heading out on the Appalachian Trail. I didn't do much on the 20th except sleep because I took a red-eye flight. Yesterday I hit the Georgia Aquarium and The World of Coca-Cola. The aquarium is touted as the largest in the world and was definitely worth a visit. The highlights were the 4 whale sharks in the main tank, the dolphin show, and the 3 beluga whales. The main tank also had huge rays, a sawfish or 2, reef sharks, monster groupers, and tons of other fish I couldn't identify. But the best part was the glass tunnel underneath. Watching the whale sharks cruise over you was amazing.The Coke museum wasn't as great after that, but it was okay. Most of the story I already knew from ESL books in Korea, and it was posted all over, along with memorabilia from the 1880's to the present. The coolest thing was standing in front of the vault with the "secret formula" inside and tasting Coke products from around the globe - 64 of them.So I spent most of the day doing that and then today I took the train to North Springs where I got a ride to the Hiker Hostel. The hostel has a log cabin look on the outside and is tucked away on a hillside just outside of Dahlonega, Georgia. It's a great looking place. I also met Keene from Ireland and Dennis from the Netherlands. A couple of nice guys - everyone has been nice so far. So now it's time for dinner and then bed before starting out tomorrow.(I highly recommend the Hiker Hostel! They will pick you up, give you a comfy bed, and drop you off in the morning, leaving you nothing to do but get a good night's sleep before heading off on your trek.)
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Springer Mountain

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Made it to Gooch Mountain Shelter at 15.8 miles (16.7 including backtrack to drop-off point) by around 5:00. We were dropped off in the rain around 10 so we made good time. I hiked with Vicki who is getting ready to start her Master's in August and is a rower on a crew team. We lost Keene and Dennis a couple miles in, and we set a pretty torrid pace. Tomorrow I'll take it easier I think, but it was good to get the miles in.No wild animals but a squirrel and a frog. The weather broke about noon or 1 o'clock and we even got some sun breaks. Now it's near 7 and time for bed. I'm full, my stove and raingear worked well so I'm happy.(I remember seeing icicles along the road to the drop-off point and wondering if maybe I should have waited a couple of weeks to start. Little did I know how cold it was going to get later on! We also chose to skip the approach trail from Amicalola Falls since it doesn't count as part of the AT mileage. Who needs 8 extra miles?)
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neel Gap - Goose Creek Cabins
Miles today: 15.9

Last night we had a huge lightning and thunderstorm along with torrential rain. I'm glad I was in a cabin, but my stuff hanging downstairs blew onto the ground and my boots got soaked. The rest of today was spent hiking in the fog/misty rain and I never got dry. At Neel Gap the hostel was full so 6 of us got a ride to Goose Creek Cabins to spend the night. It's crowded for a 3-person cabin, but better than camping. Tonight is going to be windy, cold, rainy and maybe snowy - and that should continue for the next 2 days - Yay.(I said "cabin" above, when I really meant "shelter," but the Goose Creek Cabins were true cabins and we really packed into one and spread out all over. I've never seen so much gear hanging in such a small place. Nothing really dried out, but it was less damp the next morning.)
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Neel Gap - Goose Creek Cabins

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 21.2

Woke up this morning to snow on the ground and more falling. Keith, the owner of Goose Creek, who is a really nice guy, drove us to Neel Gap for a 9:30 start. There were 3 others with me - Joe, Vicki, and another guy. The latter 2 disappeared quickly, but Joe and I stayed together all day. The snow was light but steady all day. I only wore a T-shirt and a fleece and I was fine, even though my water bottles froze later on. We made it to Low Gap around 1:45 and decided to go on to Blue Mtn. So we left at 2 and made it there by 4:30 - 7.3 miles and then down to Unicoi Gap. We hitchhiked in to Helen - a great Bavarian Village - population 300 - and got a double room for 40 bucks. Awesome. Then it was next door to Wendy's for a huge dinner. So I'm averaging 17 miles a day and I'm hardly touching my food because I'm eating in towns. maybe when it's warmer I won't do that as much, but it's nice. And the next town is 17 miles down the trail tomorrow - perfect. I can probably wait to resupply until Franklin NC. I feel great and have no blisters yet. The only bad thing is the weather so far. Today was so windy and cold that I couldn't believe it's spring. I haven't seen the sun in 3 days. And more of the same tomorrow - Yay!(I think this was the only time I split a hotel room on my whole trip. From this point on as soon as I hit a motel, I was stripped down to nothing and my gear was hanging on every nook and cranny to dry off and/or air out. Not exactly something you want to share with a stranger.This was also the first time I met Flip, Blue Eyes, and 2-Speed, and the last time I ever saw Vicki. When I was training in Korea I thought I was pretty fast, but I was hiking with a much older crowd there and it took me awhile on the AT to realize that I am not nearly as fast as I thought. It took me even longer to realize that that's not a bad thing and trying to keep up with the younger guys is a bad trap to fall into. Live and learn.Oh, and Helen is a cool town and worth checking out! It reminds me of Leavenworth back in Washington State.)
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Helen, GA

To: Dicks Creek Gap - Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept great at the Helendorf Inn but I wish I'd had more time to explore the town. The Swiss/Bavarian motif would have made for a nice side trip. But Doug the Taxi Driver was there at 8 to haul me to the trailhead and send me away. He told me the story of Helen though, and that was interesting. It's a town of about 450 people stuck in a valley between two bigger towns. When the road came through, people just drove by without stopping and the local businesspeople needed a way to make them stop. So they called a local architect who had lived in Switzerland and they did half the town in that style. Soon everyone was stopping so they passed an ordinance requiring all buildings to follow suit along with making cobbled lanes. Even Wendy's (McDonald's refused). Now they host up to 30,000 people on peak days (Oktoberfest). So there you go.As for me, I picked up where I left off yesterday and headed out for a 16 mile day. The snow was coming down and the wind was howling all day. It was always nice to tuck down on the leeward side and get out of the wind. The sun peeked out a few times but not enough to warm things up. I caught a couple of great views from the 4,000 foot peaks I was on, but was too cold to stay long. For the first 3 1/2 hours I saw no one and I broke trail all the way to the first shelter (6 miles) before I finally saw more tracks. The only other tracks I saw were squirrels, birds, and some stray dog's tracks that came and went and backtracked for a mile or so.Speaking of dogs, I forgot to mention the one at the end of yesterday's hike. he wouldn't walk the last 1/2 mile so his owner carried him and we took turns carrying his pack - what fun. Anyway, I finally got down to Dicks Creek Gap and after 20 minutes hitched a ride to the Blueberry Patch Hostel. The owner (Gary) is a former thru-hiker from '91 and a very nice guy. I got one of the last bunks, showered, got my clothes washied, and now I'm going to kick back and relax until bedtime (after eating of course!).(I got my name "Sherpa" from helping to carry that dog, who in the end was as spry as could be when I saw him later at the Helendorf. I guess my trail name should have been "Sucker!"I actually had the choice between "Sherpa" and "Transplant" (because I've lived in so many places), but Transplant sounded like I was an organ donor or recipient and Sherpa sounded more appropriate, so Sherpa it was. Thanks to 2-Speed and Flip for the suggestions! 2-Speed is the one who took turns with me carrying the extra bag down the mountain. I think she actually carried it longer, but I got the nickname out of the deal.)
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Dicks Creek Gap - Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

Gary at the Blueberry Patch hooked us up with a great breakfast of eggs, sausage, hash browns, biscuits, and pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup w/berries in it. It was awesome and a great way to start the day. The only problem with the hostel was the 9:30 start, but at least I was warm. The weather dropped to 22 at the hostel and was probably in the teens on the trail So I got on the trail and hit the shelter by 2:30 but decided to go on to Standing Indian Shelter instead. It was empty so I got a spot, cooked dinner, and am now about to go to bed. The sun is setting over the mountain across the way at 7:30. It's going to be a cold night and I'll probably have to wear all the dry clothes I have. Not much interesting happened today.(Breakfast at the hostel was wonderful, but the cold weather outside was not. Several people showed up at the shelter after I arrived and we crammed like sardines into the sleeping area. I don't think we accumulated much body heat with the open shelter, though.)
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night was fucking COLD. I wore a t-shirt, long shirt, hooded fleece, down shirt, winter cap, underwear, shorts, hiking pants, and wool socks inside a 20 degree bag and I was still cold. My hips were killing me all night and I barely slept.When I finally got out of my bag at 8, the temp was 18°F. Who knows what it was at 4. My wet socks were near my head in the bag and were almost dry. So I got up, packed quickly and got on the trail by 9.The main things on the trail today were Standing Indian Mountain and Albert Mountain. Standing Indian had a .2 mile blue blazed trail to the summit and had a great view toward Blood Mountain - whichever one it was.Albert Mountain was better, with a 360°view from an observation tower on top. The tower was locked, but the staircase below was just fine. It seemed like you could see almost all of North Carolina from there. Albert was also one of the most difficult hikes so far - at least the last .3 miles, which were straight up 400-500 feet or so.I also ran into a dog at Carter Gap with saddle bags but no owner. I called out but no one answered and then the dog ran off. I followed her tracks a couple miles down the trail and then they disappeared.At Long Branch Shelter I found out that a guy named "Burrito" lost his Ridgeback named "Salsa" and had moved on to Rock Gap Shelter. So I moved on down there to let him know. He was glad to get the message, but I don't know what he'll do about it until tomorrow.All I know is I put in an extra 3.5 miles and with the lack of sleep yesterday, I'm beat. Tomorrow I'll go to Franklin and figure out what to do from there. But we might have a campfire tonight so who knows when I'll go to bed.(One of the guys at the shelter had a thermometer zipper-pull and he told me the temperature at 8 in the morning. I'm sure it was much colder overnight. It was so cold that the ink in my pen wouldn't flow. That's cold. As for the dog, I never heard if she was found again. I hope the guy got her back, but I doubt it. Dogs get lost all the time along the trail and often aren't seen again. And with the cold weather, I don't think she would have lasted very long. So sad.)