morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-04
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Awakened by sound of T-Mack getting together to head out early. The wind seemed to be picking up, and despite the tight boards of the shelter, hibernating wouldn't make it any warmer...so others followed the lead and started putting on layers of clothes and packing to go....a mere 17 degrees, matter of factly announced by Rossi. Traildust started heating water for oatmeal and apple cider while I tried to pack sleeping bags with numb fingers. Neat trick of putting hand and foot warmer packets in bottom of socks and in gloves helped, but my fingers were having trouble compressing the mats and pushing the bags into their compression sacks. Reluctantly left shelter for the trail, last in line, but determined to get someplace warmer by the coming night. Going up first hills was so windy and biting my face hurt and fingers went numb. Traildust gave me his "baklava" to cover my face and nose...mine couldn't be found and was thinner anyway. By noon we had warmed up and despite a few stops to catch our breath, plodded up and down hills determined to get someplace out of the wind and cold. Late lunch at Gooch Mountain Shelter for lunch...beautiful and new but a little too open for us to consider staying in.Met Garrett, another 22 yr. old thru-hiker freshly graduated with a degree in English. Also passed seniors, Maine and Albany, who'd been wintering in Florida but now endeavor to thru hike back to their home in Maine. Traildust and I agreed that 1 pm was too early to stop our day, so we decided to press on the Woody Gap in hopes of getting a ride to the new Hiker Hostel for the night. We were both pushing ourselves and found an SUV in the parking lot waiting with some of our new friends already aboard...with room to spare for us to be transported to our desired location. What a beautiful sight: a new log cabin with bamboo floors and fine finishings inside, not to forget warm greetings from our hosts for the night. Hot showers and a ride into Delonaga for Mexican food with some of the other hikers were added blessngs. I am so excited and happy to see former thru hikers providing the kind of hospitality I hope to extend to others some day! A needed oasis from the extreme cold overnight expected again (lower than last night). Met "PawPaw", an 86 yr. old hiker staying over at the hostel, and "Tambourine". If I forgot anybody, forgive me....the warm and hot food are starting to make me sleepy.
Date: 2007-03-05
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Aroma of coffee woke me and minutes later a call to breakfast by Hiker Hostel hosts. Wonderful choices and time to pack everyone into shuttle vans and return to Woody Gap. Wind as we got out of heated transportion to start climb up hill was sharp and blistering.Traildust loaned me his face mask since mine was too thin to cut the cold. Neither were my gloves warm enough, but thankful he'd brought toasty toes and hot hand packs to bring my fingers back to life.The downhill off Blood Mountain where the Cherokee and Creek Indians once fought, left my knees and the pads of my feet tender.When we finally descended to the road at Neels Gap, several others we'd met were resupplying at Wassali's Outfitter...neat display of worn out hiking boots hung around ceiling with trailnames and years of thruhikes on them. Decided to walk downhill to cabins where we could get a shower and have heat for the night. Started feeling tired very quickly after eating. No desire to socialize...just get rest.
Date: 2007-03-06
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Took break at Cal Rock. Great to feel sun. So quiet you could hear a lone leaf rustle as it longed to let go of it's limb to make way for new growth. A tree budding on hillside, and 4 hawks circling overhead...took 10 to just lie down on my back with feet elevated and "float". Beginning to notice I am better at uphills than Traildust, who takes the lead on downhills with his longer stride.Also noticed tendency of toes to tingle like pins and needles after long down hill stretches. Embarrassing at end of day on a long flat spot when I tried shifting my gaze up a bit, anticipating the approaching shelter where we could hear voices of other hikers...leaves covering a rock tripped me in no time and suddenly I was face down in the dirt. Even though my left knee hit the "stone in the road", I was fortunate enough to catch my full body and pack weight (180lbs) with my hands without breaking anything. Only consequence a palm abrasion similar to rips I used to endure when a gymnast (before grips). Traildust quick to stop and offer help and make sure I was "good to go". Low gap shelter and tent sites maxed out...good to catch up with so many others we'd met earlier along the trail.
Date: 2007-03-07
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Condensation on inside of tent proof that warmer weather coming. Pleasant sounds of stream and an owl hooting in middle of night made it easier to sleep.Also learned that maple brown sugar oatmeal is the dominant flavor when combining packs for breakfast. Of course we were last to leave the shelter, but caught up with at least Todd and John and The Nashville Sisters by the end of the day. More fatigued today than any other so far. Chilling winds have given way to sun and warmth, prompting the layer-peel of jackets and hat/glove insulators. Traildust giving me a hard time about so many stops to take pictures of moss and fungi that broke up the brown and grey monotony of most of the trail. Saw my first lizard running back under a rock and little tufts of green grass and early perrenials. Took break at Blue Mountain Shelter for a late snack of Snickers, peanuts, and gatorade....repatched blistered feet and considered the options for the rest of the day. Tears past, Traildust led the way down to Unicoi where we sunned and stretched for a few minutes before The Nashville Sisters' mother, Nancy, offered to give us a ride into Helen. Funny watching guys down 2 bags of complimentary McDonalds carry outs.
Date: 2007-03-08
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Mailed home 6 lbs. from our packs. Ate a hearty breakfast at a Huddle House in Helen,GA before getting a ride back to trail head. Couldn't have been better temps for hiking at 70 degrees and sunny. Peeled down to tank top at mid afternoon. Saw our first animal--a squirrel-- bounding across moss covered tree trunks along the trail. I smelled chlorifill in bright green shoots competing for space in dry grass clumps bordering the trail on straight-aways. Fairytail like sections hosted a profusion of rhodedendron and mountain laurel canopies as the trail borders where lined in green moss....a stark contrast to most of the hillsides still barren with defoliated trees. Felt exceptionally good most of day until we encountered Kelly Knob's ascent/descent before concluding the day's hike. Loose leaves covering rocks and roots on downhills made the way slippery, and at times treacherous. Glad to be at a shelter tonight where the clear skies allow us to enjoy a brilliant constellation. It's also a boost psychologically to see other hikers and hear their comments/goals regarding the trail. I'm amazed still at the diversity of personalities attempting the "long haul"...some with great confidence and enthusiasm, and others with reservations as they break into "trail shape"...a painful process from my own experiences.
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

Slept through most of night but woke to other hikers bustling about to get an early start. Stiff joints and every fiber of me wanted to stay under wraps for "just 10 more minutes"...wow, just like home! So we were the last again to leave this morning, after repacking...still not down to a science like others who have less "stuff". Came across a southbounder who said he'd started in Sept. from Katadyn...hard to believe considering the brutal weather of the passing winter in New England. We were passed by other thru-hikers doing research along the trail for a graduate study's "dissertation"...alot harder in my eyes than sitting in lecture halls and reading in a comfortable library. A section hiker (and former thru hiker), Willow, happened to have her car waiting at Dick's Creek Gap. She willingly gave us a ride to the Blueberry Patch hostel to pick up a food drop mailed over a week ago; then on to Hiawassee. Folks at McDonalds stared, but fun to see an elderly man with a cane ask: Didn't I see you here last week?" (A sure sign that other hikers are making their way into town for a brief respite from the rigors of the trail.) Traildust and I have a theory that if you don't take breaks and take it easy in the first week or two of a "thru", burnout is more likely....especially at our ages of maturity....so tonight we're taking advantage of the Holiday Inn's hiker rates to get a hot shower and clean clothes....and, oh by the way, Traildust just HAD to tune in to the KY NCAA basketball game before anything else! Considering the warming trend, I'm ready to take a short hike across the street to a second hand clothing store to see if I can find a pair of shorts suitable for warmer days. Forgive me, if you're a puriest reading this journal entry. Enjoying the journey and not feeling beat up and discouraged is a priority this time out. Enough things in life do that already....the depression of winter is lifting....drug free!..and there are some weight reduction benefits if a reasonable pace can be established. Still, I am curious about each person's reasons for wanting to attempt the AT Trail...not a couch potato type of passtime!
Date: 2007-03-10
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Congestion and swollen eyes upon waking. Knees stiff and aching too...one of those days when you ask yourself why you're out here punishing your body, wondering how much you can take, day after day, pounding up one hill and down another with a loaded pack. No concerns about wild animals, so far, but our shuttle driver back to the trail was a young man who's driving up and around the winding road scared me more than any resident of nature we might encounter. Relieved to be let out and start the obligatory climb out of yet another gap in GA. Talking is minimal along the way with Traildust, and that's OK. Well trodden paths give us time to get in "the zone" ...a state of mind where you're completely absorbed in navigating rocks, roots, ledges, mud, and leaves covering them all, without getting tripped up. You strike a kind of rhythm with poles and boots on straight aways, and if you're not paying attention or start to congratulate yourself on smooth sailing, that's the time you're most prone to trip and land on your face (2nd time for me since starting hike happened on a long stretch when I arched my neck to get out the kinks from leaning forward.) Transition into NC a little disappointing--only a small plaque on a tree on a rim ledge. It was more encouraging to see the "NY5"who had paused to take a group picture before pressing on. Traildust seems to take great pleasure in giving NCAA Basketball updates and offering friendly trail advice. The soil composition has changed noticeably to a fine, dark compost like quality. I saw a few miniature violets along the rocky ledges before entering yet another wonderland of rhodendrum thickets encompassing the trail, lined with moss....the end of the days are always better than the beginnings...a sense of completion, anticipation of rest, and promise of deep sleep.
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

Last to leave the campsite again. Us older folk just having a hard time getting greased and oiled to go in the mornings it seems. I have to have a cup of instant cappucino, since coffee is a luxury that takes too long. Took a long time reorganizing our bags, and talked a while with Umbrella Lady and Habitual Hiker as they paused at the shelter where they'd met on a thru hike 25 years ago...this being an anniversary thru-hike for them.Pathways mostly gradual slopes, noticing more mud and slippery ridges."Standing Indian Mountain" at 5,200 ft. took a while to climb, but not as terrible as expected. Climbed to lookout there and laid in sun on grass...rather baked in sun for about 15 minutes. During day met "Aquaman" (disabled vet hiking with one eye), and "Texas" (from Loredo) at campsite. Shelter full again...just as well. Lots of nice open tenting places at Carter.
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 12.8

Water way down hill from shelter, and privy on opposite side of new shelter...too far for my aching legs and back....but neccessary to visit. Best part of day was 75 degrees and sunny...had to roll up my pant legs and roll up my sleeves. Need to get a pair of shorts and short sleeved top tomorrow or cut off ones I have. Traildust leaves me "in the dust" on downhills with his long legs and wider stride. We kept a steady pace all day, stopping only to reapply blister pads, rehydrate, and re-adjust backpack straps. Visited briefly at last Shelter on trail before descent to Wallace Gap...11 hikers there. Lucky to hike down to gap as section hiker couple concluding a training hike for next year prepared to leave. Another amazing dog (this time a dachsund), had hiked right along with its masters....no problem! They gave us a ride into Franklin where we found a greatly reduced hotel ($35)at the "Saphire" with hot showers, real food across street, and someplace to start a ZERO day tomorrow. A VERY HIKER FRIENDLY town.
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Wallace Gap

To: Franklin,GA
Miles today: 0.0

Takng a ZERO Day to do laundry, rest, eat real food, and give blisters and aching knees a short time to heal some. Planned next 2 weeks of hiking, hoping to make it to Hot Springs Spa by end of month. Great to talk with other hikers and people providing hospitality here. Brings things into focus. As my cousin Johnny quotes, "There was never yet an uninteresting life.." (Mark Twain).Thanks to all the people signing my trail journal. It's a great morale boost to know others are encouraging you along the way.
Date: 2007-03-14
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Shuttle bus ride back to trail by Ron of The Sapphire Motel. Wearinf shorts and short sleeve top expecting a significant warm up from yesterday's cooler temps.Good to be fresh off a zero day, but Traildust says his legs just aren't "there" today for the climbing. Lunch at Wayah Bald and spoke some with "Nat", one out of several young men who made it back to the trail after others stopping Franklin made a late night of liquoring up...or so we heard. Treked through a "controlled burn" area of forest just days before still smoldering and glowing (later met up with hiker who'd taken short video clips of the end of the burn along the trail. Smell of charred wood pervasive as we walked through blackened forest floors on the seemingly unttouched brown of the compacted trail. Near end of day we saw a bright orange dome in a clearing at a gap. Trail Angel "Apple" was offering free hot dogs and sodas for thru hikers there. Stopped to see the interior of the geodecic dome tent made for Mt. Everest expedition to house 20 bodies. A 3K investment for a Good Samaritan from Austin, TX. Climbed another mile or so to Older Shelter with a storybrook watering hole nearby, but decided to climb up a bit to pitch a tent since we noticed bugs and flying insects starting to appear. Beautiful sight from boulder just avove campsite. We watched as lights came on in the valleys below. Clear night and star brite sky. Slept well.
Date: 2007-03-15
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke to gentle rain on tent. Fog thick even at 8am. Coughing alot probably due to cold and humidity. Started routine of pulling things out of tent to pack up and coughed hard while bent over reaching for my sleeping bag. Immediately I was in so much pain I could barely move. It felt as if I had a dagger thrust into my lower back. The next half an hour I cied, tried to stand, stretch on a ground mat, then finally pull myself up to shuffle behind a tree to pee. All excruciatingly painful. Traildust calmly told me to take my time- no hurry- and quietly packed the heaviest items from my pack into his.Honesly I didn't know if I could walk very far much less strap on even a light pack and head downhill.After giving a heavy dose of painkiller to take effect, he gave me the choice of hiking backwards 1.5 m or forward to the next road 3.5 m along variable terrain. Pride and anger made me say "forward", but as we started down the steep slope it was more fear of being stranded on some mountaintop with temp. drops and heavy rains forecast for that evening and the next day. Somehow keeping the hip belt tight and shoulder straps tight to keep bouncing weight down, we managed to get along towards Nantahala. I couldn't speak much, just tried to walk thru the pain and prevent a boot getting hung up on a rock or root. Felt numb most of day. When we finally started the steep descent into NOC, it started to rain a little. The Promise of a hot cup of real coffee and food that wasn't dehydrated, encouraged me to The River's Edge Restaurant. Afterwards, a 1.5 m walk up the road, rain or not, promised a hot shower and someplace to put the pack down. All night we heard heavy rains, and sure enough the temp. did drop considerably on Friday.
Date: 2007-03-17
To: Fontana Dam Farewell
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After a day to rest my back, it seems there are still issues with it that suggest I need to get off the trail for a while to get adjustments and let it heal. News of snow in the Smokies, the next challenge from here, makes me want to wait for warmer temps and a less compromised physical condition before attampting it.I am not out here to punish myself, nor to prove anything to anybody. So, the fact that I'm back to being a section-hiker of the AT is nothing shameful. We rented a car and drove up to Fontana Dam with another hiker who is also feeling a need to get off trail for family reasons. We saw other hikers just arriving at FD we'd met earlier in our 2 week adventure. Power to them. Hikers are a hearty breed to be commended for their perseverance. But each must choose, according to conscience and ability from day to day. I for one am thankful for a wonderful time, and the assurance that the AT will be there for years to come, if we choose to traverse other passages not yet attempted. Best wishes to all still pressing through.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Standing Bear Campground

To: Ground Hog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

After several days off to heal, got a late start in day at 3pm, agreeing to hike with Traildust to test out lower back and knees for a few days back out on trail. Sunny and warm enough to make hiking a pleasure after a long ride in the car parked at Standing Bear. Curtis, the host there, was very friendly, despite his busyness servicing and shuttling a steady flow of hikers through his "safe haven". Right knee feeling "spongy" and left arm muscle sore after tripping on rock at end of day on approach to shelter that landed me flat on face in the dirt....always seems to happen at the end of a day on approaches to shelters when I'm least suspecting an opportunity to trip-up...or down. Twenty or more hikers in shelter and tents around Ground Hog Creek Shelter. A Hiker's Tribute:Today I walked with the spirit of my grandfatherQuietly reveling in the sunshine as we walked.He threw back his shoulders, tilted his head upward with closed eyesFilling his chest with the fragrances of springAs he once did in the "Old Country".Today I walked with the spirit of my fatherDelighting not only in the broader,scenic vistas we passed,But also in the small signs of life emerging along the pathPushing up through dried leaves and fallen branchesIntricate in design, flushed with spring's first colors ofWhite, yellow, blue, and violet.I walked today in front of my companion in lifeThankful I didn't have to explain the tears on my faceBecause I had the privilege of walking with them all,Understanding a little more about why I am and who I am becoming.I cried because I miss my grandfather and fatherMore in their absence than I remember missing them in this lifeNever-the-less thankful they are here, nowWalking with me as if to redeem lost time....And they do not judge me,But simply share in simple delights still ours to enjoy in this world...As we step out together for a few more miles.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

Very fatigued today. Hard to get started. Tried to focus on wildflowers emerging and green of grass as a distraction to hurting right knee and feeling of defeat trying to keep pace....reprieve at top of Max Patch while waiting on other hikers to arrive with hiking poles Traildust loaned to a section hiker earlier in day. Interesting to see families pulling 2 coolers up the steep incline from a parking area below to play ball, fly a kite, picnic and enjoy the view from the top of Max Patch. Other hikers strewn over lower landings of the bald, even as we dropped our packs. I took off my boots to rebandage blisters on heels, soaking up the sunshine, though the wind was strong at times. Dried sweat out of shirts. Incredible views in all directions from this location. Another hiker making peanut-butter and Nutella tortillas for snack.After Traildust got his poles back, we finally made it to the shelter before dark to set up tent and reconstitute a freeze-dried meal. No cell service again. Fought feelings of faintness all day, knees hurt, and just plain exhausted anyway...just want to sleep, sleep, sleep.
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Walnut Creek Shelter

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

Heavy winds that sometimes sounded like a train and torrential rains woke us in the middle of the night. Seemed our tent would blow away if we didn't stay put. Glad I'd pulled out packs to the small overhang of the tent and covered our boots just outside. Spent half of night extending an arm out from under a warm sleeping bag to keep the side vent of the tent from becoming more of an entry point for rain blown sideways into our small shelter.Misty and noticeably cooler in the morning. Packed wet tent and sleeping bags and dressed in 3 layers with rain gear on top. Even watery hot chocolate tasted good. We were the last to leave the shelter, but got to meet incoming hikers stopping for water after an early morning start. Traildust always good about heating up water and patiently waiting for me to down something warm before heading out. Today I am sore and fatigued...not happy about the prospect of a 13 mile day ahead....but the thought of zeroing in Hot Springs is my motivation. At one point anger took over and I simply jammed my poles into the ground on an uphill climb....today seems like one damn hill after another....my mind wandering to what I could or should be taking care of at home....wondering what I'm doing out here, punishing myself. Every chance I get to take a picture of a wildflower is an excuse to pause and try to regroup. Long descent into Hot Springs some relief, but feeling like I need to give Traildust to hike without someone struggling to have a good attitude about the challenges of hiking in pain and changeable weather patterns.It's hard to hike when my thoughts are pulled in a different direction.