morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Hawk Mountain Tent Site

To: Lance Creek Restoration Tent Site
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Time change from west coast to east coast was an issue for me. I didn't fall to sleep last night until 1 am. I began hiking at 7 am. By 11 am I was at Gooch Shelter. I was exhausted, nap time. One hour later after a power nap I was ready for the hills!Hills are short and intense, straight up and down. The climbs so far have only taken about a 1/2 hour this translates to a little less than a mile and half climbs. In the west our climbs are longer and at higher altitude but not near as steep! Out west we use a thing called the switchback.Numerous rain showers today. At 4 pm., intense downpour that would not let up so I decided to call it a day. I set up camp at the crowded Lance Creek Restoration Tent Site. It was crowed with at least 20 various tents and hammocks set up. I finally found a spot after some fellow hikers said they could make room for me.I met some nice people at the campground. We had a short get together. One hiker made a pot of hot coffee and shared it with about five of us. The get together ended because of intense rain, we all had to seek refuge in our various shelters. It rained all night.Hiker tips: It is alright to hike in the rain. It gets dangerous when lightning is present and it is smart to find a place preferably mid-slope to wait the storm out. I'm not always smart and will often continue until I feel the lightning is near. Also my rule of thumb is to quit if I get cold.
Date: 2016-05-13
From: Lance Creek Restoration Tent Site0

To: Low Gap Shelter (Tent sites above)
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up at 6 am it was still drizzling so I packed up my tent wet. After leaving the tent site, I was greeted with an immediate uphill climb.This upward climb is called Blood Mountain. Blood Mountain has an elevation of 4,461' so I had to climb 1,400'. I would love to say I powered up it no problem. I can't say that yet, I still have some fitness work to do. So at about 3,800', I started rewarding myself after every 100' of elevation gain with a 5 breath rest. My Casio Pathfinder watch's altimeter was very useful.Atop Blood Mountain, no views were available because it was in the middle of a cloud. I made good time down the steep descent on the North side of the mountain. I arrived at Neel Gap at 10:30 am. When you arrive at Neel Gap the first thing you see is a tree with countless hiker shoes and boots hanging on the tree. These shoes and boots are thrown up into the tree by hikers that have decided to quit. Besides feeling tired from the time change and getting use to the steep inclines of the AT I'm nowhere near wanting to throw my expensive trail runners up a tree!At Neel Gap's store I bought and guzzled down two Mountain Dew sodas. I then asked if I could stay at the hostel for a couple of hours to nap and charge my phone. So for $10 the hostel was all mine! All the previous day's hikers had left and the Neel's Gap store staff had just finished cleaning it for today's round of incoming hikers.I power napped for an hour then wrote two journal entries with my now fully charged phone. I went back to the store and saw several hikers that I met yesterday at Lance Creek. They had just arrived and were devouring Dejoirno's pizzas. I said good by and began hiking. Once again it was uphill but after about a 1/2 hour the trail leveled out and I enjoyed ridge running (hiking at same elevation on side of a mountain) for about 3 hours. One final uphill then a long downhill to Low Gap where I camped.Over the last three days if I had so desired to collect abandoned backpacker items on the side of the trail, I would have accumulated a tent, tarp, chair, and a sleeping pad. This is evidence of backpackers having to much weight on their backs. Hike light and be safe!Hiker tip: Get hiker fit before you thru hike; this means hike, preferably with a pack.
Date: 2016-05-14
From: Low Gap Shelter (Tent sites above)

To: Unicol Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

On the trail at 7 am. Once again I started with uphill climb though it began with a gentle upgrade. Hiking was fairy easy even though I climbed 1,000' to top of Blue Mountain. Once at the top of the mountain I began going downhill for the most part. On the way down I passed a few thru hikers, a troop of boyscouts, and numerous weekend hikers since today is Saturday. Weekends on the AT become very busy I've been told. Today was evidence that it is.At 10:45 am, I was at Unicol Gap where GA 75 intersects with the trail. Called a motel in Hiawassee and I arranged for a shuttle driver to pick me up. So 30 minutes later with $15 less in my pocket I was in a Budget Motel in Hiawassee, Georgia.Immediately after getting a room, I jumped into the shower then power napped for two hours. I then got up to do my Hiker chores.I did my wash at the motel coin laundry. I did two journal entries during the two hours it took to do laundry.Then I went to an R&B for a late lunch having a pulled pork sandwich. Then to Ingle's grocery store for resupply. Besides food, I bought some allergy medicine to deal with my constant sneezing and itching eyes on the trail. After the grocery store, my final stop was a Subway deli where I bought a foot long sandwich for tomorrow Trail meals.After finishing all my errands. I caught up on Trail news with a hiker named Bo he told me of an incident where a hiker got biten in the leg by a bear. This happened like yesterday in the Smokey Mountains!Another young hiker named Matt stopped by my room and we talked a while about hiking.I got phone calls to family in. Had pizza delivered to my room for a late dinner. Tomorrow I'm ready to go!Hiker tip: To get a ride to town you have several options such as hitchhiking, arranging a shuttle through a hotel or hostel,or calling an independent shuttle operator. Sometimes a bus ride is available at busy trailheads.
Date: 2016-05-15
From: Unicol Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I shared a shuttle with Bo, Pappy, and Mathew to the Unicol Gap trail head from the Budget Motel. Pappy gave me a weather report of clear skies for the next three days on the trail based on the AT weather site.Back on the trail I began an uphill climb.After about 6 miles I ran across two hikers, Cog and Grant, I had previously met voth of them but at separate times. I talked to both of them then took off.After about 5 minutes I noticed Grant behind me. It appeared I had a hiking partner. Grant is a college cross country runner. We made it to Plumorchid Gap Shelter and set up our tents.Hiker tips: Don't worry about hiking alone on AT it is hard to do somebody will want to hike with you. When beginning a hike from a trail head the majority of the time you will be headed uphill since most trail heads are at low points such as valleys or low passes.
Date: 2016-05-16
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: scattered clouds

We began hiking at 8 am. We left the state of Georgia and we hiked into the state of North Carolina about 10 am. One state is now in the books with 13 more to go! Grant asked me to give him a trail name. After much thought I came across a name I thought fit him, "Achilles." He liked it.We made it to Carter Gap Shelter to end the day. No bear bag cables were located at the campground so I taught Achilles the way you had to hang bags in Yosemite before they started requiring bear canisters. I taught him the counter balance method using two food bags roughly of equal weight. Next I'll teach him how to do it with one bag and a caribeaner. I went to sleep fast.Hiker tip: Stop to eat dinner an hour before you stop to set up your night's campsite this will reduce food odors that will attract unwanted visitors (bears).Hiker tips: It is nice to know several different ways to hang your food. It is amazing to see so many food bags hung right next to the trunk of the tree or above or next to a tent.
Date: 2016-05-17
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

It rained hard last night! Pappy was one day off in his forecast. It was still raining hard when I got up at 5:45 am and it looked like it was not going to let up. I forced myself to get up and get dressed and get my rain jacket on. I then went out in the dark with rain pouring to get our food bags. It took me awhile to find them in the dark. Somebody else hung their bag on the same branch bringing our bags closer to the ground then I prefer. I then took Achilles' food bag to him and woke him up so he could get ready.At 6:30 am it was still pouring so I decided to wait until 8am to start hiking on the reasoning that even though it would still be raining it would be a warmer rain.I dosed off in my tent ready to go with everything packed except the tent itself. I awoke at 7:45 then packed up the wet tent and started walking.Even though it was raining hard we made good time on the wet muddy trail. We climbed the slick wet rocks of Mt. Albert encountering no problems. At the top of the mountain we ate snacks and celebrated that we not only summited but we were at the 100 mile mark of the AT.We made great time to Rock Gap where we met Ron Haven, the owner of the hotel that we would be staying at.On the ride to the hotel Ron told us it would be at least 100 trail miles to the next good supply town. So in Franklin we shopped for 5 days of food. I still have no physical problems and I am enjoying the trail.Hiker tips: In town first thing I like to do is wash my clothes and shower this makes me feel instantly better. Then next thing I like to do is get a good meal in me then I shop for supplies. If it is 4 days to the next town I need 11 meals figuring I'll eat breakfast in town. I usually buy a deli sandwich for my lunch and dinner the first day. Frozen burritos, pre-cooked bacon, salami, cheese, peanut butter, and tortillas are some of my staples.Hiker tip: By eating breakfast in town and buying a foot long Subway sandwich my first day of food is taken care of on departure from town.
Date: 2016-05-18
From: Rock Gap

To: Mile 127 unofficial campsite 
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a good breakfast at Country Kitchen. We were there right when they opened their doors at 6 am. By the time we left the restaurant there were eight other hikers there eating breakfast.Ron Haven the motel owner gave us and six other hikers a ride back to the Rock Gap trail head. We started hiking at 9:45 am.We had a 3,000' climb to get to a beautiful stone observation tower on Wayah Bald. Best view for us so far.This is day 1 of an estimated 5 days before our next resupply stop. We need to average approximately 20 miles a day to resupply in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.We met our first day goal and found a beautiful bluff to camp on. The unofficial campsite was a good choice for us. We slept well.Hiker tips: When hiking with another hiker it helps to have a few ground rules so you don't get separated from one another. One guideline is to wait for one another at trail intersections, top of mountains, and have an agreed upon lunch meeting time where the lead hiker stops and waits for the other hiker.
Date: 2016-05-19
From: Mile 127 unofficial campsite 

To: Locust Cove
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Another day, another observation tower for us to appreciate. After our usual morning climb, we came upon the Wesser Bald Observation Tower. At the top of the stairs to the tower, I was met by a wolf dog growling at me. He was guarding three sleeping hikers. He warmed up to me but he kept a close watch on Achilles who he continued to growl at. Once the wolf settled down we enjoyed a beautiful morning's view of the surrounding mountains.After the usual ups and downs we made it to Nantahala Outdoor Center at noon. We had lunch there at a reasonable price. We found out the hard way not to buy at the small grocery store where one bottle of Gatorade costs $3.00.Big big climb out of NOC after 2 hour break. 3300' climb to Cheoah Bald. I felt it was the hardest climb for me yet. View looking to the east from Cheoah Bald was awesome. No one knows why these peaks are bald at the top there are a lot of different theories. We finally had some downhill hiking to our campsite located at Locust Cove Gap. We hung our food bags, for the second night in a row, using the counter balance method.Hiker tips: Hiker was bitten in his leg by a bear while he was asleep in his tent this week in the Smokey Mountains. Hikers should not sleep wearing suntan lotion or other scents that can be taken for food. Rumor is that hiker's suntan lotion had the scent of coconut. If available use bear bag cables and bear proof storage lockers provided at campgrounds and shelters to store your food. If you're comfortable with the weight carry a bear canister for carrying and storing your food. I personally prefer the counter balance method for two bags. For a one bag hang, I use the counter balance method modified with the use of a carabiner with a stick. I feel the popular method of hanging a bag with a rope over a limb and tying the other end of the rope to the base of a tree is not the best way to keep food from bears. But HYOH.
Date: 2016-05-20
From: Locust Cove

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Achilles and I got after it today. We took no prisoners, not letting the rain slow us down. We made it to Fontana Dam at 4 pm. After a dinner of junk food from the visitor center we decided to go for it and go into the Smokey Mountains. Other thru hikers, that we did not know, looked at us like we were idiots (high probability we are) as we walked across the dam in the pouring rain.We hiked uphill in a torrential down pour only seeing big frogs and salamanders on the trail. We finally made it to a tent site. We set up our tents in the rain with a strong wind gusting. Fortunately the tent site had bear cables so we didn't have to worry about finding a tree to hang our food. I climbed into my tarp tent and got my wet clothes off. I climbed into my sleeping bag and put dry clothes on. I went to sleep with rain pounding on my tarp tent.Hiker tips: I don't have a problem hiking in the rain as long as lightning isn't present or there is not a danger of high winds bringing down trees. When I do hike in the rain my stop point is if I begin to shiver, at this point I immediately stop and set up shelter then get my wet clothes off and crawl into my sleeping bag. HYOH
Date: 2016-05-21
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Derrick Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

We woke up to pouring rain. We decided to wait for a break in the weather so we hunkered down in our tents. At 10 am we took off with our wet tents and with our only remaining set of dry clothes on. The plan today was to make it to a shelter to spend the night since we wanted to avoid using our wet tents. It is also a requirement in the Smoky Mountains to sleep in a shelter if shelter space is available.Going today was slow because of the rain. We had to stop once and go into a shelter at lunch time so Achilles could warm up. He is still learning so I have to keep my on him as far as him being aware of signs of hypothermia and dehydration. We reached the Derrick Knob Shelter at 7 pm. There were 10 people in the shelter including us. The shelter had tarps hung on the open side of the shelter to keep out the wind. A small fire was going in the shelter fireplace which was nice. Achilles enjoyed the shelter experience and the social aspect of it. I prefer my tarp tent. It rained hard that night changing my viewpoint on shelters slightly. I was grateful that no one snored loud or that I was awakened by mice as a fellow bunk mate that night was.Hiker tips: Don't be hesitant to tell fellow hikers not to eat or store their food in the shelter. Have hand sanitizer and use it often in the shelter environment unfortunately norovirus is a big problem in shelters. Sleep on top floor. HYOH (means you don't have to take my advice).
Date: 2016-05-22
From: Derrick Knob Shelter 

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Wow, how a couple days can change your attitude! A couple days ago I thought I had my trail legs but today and yesterday say it ain't so.We woke up with wind howling and rain pouring. Once again, we had to wait to hike until rain and wind died down. Finally once again the weather settled down at 10 am. At least Achilles and I thought it did but the other hikers in the shelter stayed put and watched us go off into the rain and wind.We slogged through the mud on a mostly uphill climb towards Clingmans Dome. After about 5 miles going uphill I checked my phone and I had service at this point. I had Achilles call his parents. His parents were worried because they hadn't heard from him in two days. Unfortunately the phone situation will happen again I'm sure so it is kind of a good thing to happen early in the trip.We reached Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian Trail at 6,643'.We thought we had it made thinking we would have all downhill the rest of the day but after a steep descent we had another steep climb up Love Mountain at 6,446'. Finally we had all downhill to Newfound Gap.We hiked the last 2 miles with a hiker named Brave Foot who hiked the AT in 2006. He now section hikes the AT every year.At Newfound Gap we were officially in Tennessee. We got a ride to Gatlinburg from a couple on my first ask. It was Achilles first hitch! I guess I'm a bad influence. Anyway Justin and Jordan, our ride givers, were generous giving us water, cheese, and crackers on our ride to Gatlinburg. We checked into a motel. Tomorrow we'll take a zero, no hiking at all!Hiker tips: When hiking in wet conditions be especially carefully going downhill don't trust slanted rocks. Trekking poles are especially helpful in wet conditions.
Date: 2016-05-23
From: Newfound Gap

To: Gatlinburg, Tennessee 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Horrible night at Grand Marquis Motel, Achilles and I woke up with bites on our legs. First thing we did was get a new room at the Travel Lodge. It cost us a night's fee since we had paid for two nights at the Grand Marquis. Still it was worth losing money to not stay there another night.Usual town chores. We found an awesome small outfitters not listed in the guide books called the Day Hiker. It had awesome prices. I bought a hiking shirt for $16 that you usually couldn't get for less than $50.Achilles parents and his twin brother Grayson came and took us out to dinner and then to a store to resupply. They treated me very well, Thank you.Travel Lodge a definite upgrade, we slept well.Hiker Tip: Don't always go by recommendation of past thru hikers on where to stay especially if recommendation is based on an experience long ago. If you can inspect the room before you pay, I knew this and I still made that mistake this time. My bad!
Date: 2016-05-24
From: Gatlinburg, Tennessee 

To: Cosby Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: clear sky

Started day with a big country breakfast I then had a good laugh at Achilles expense when we began our hitch out of town. I told him to stick his thumb out for a ride, he then proceeded to give passing cars the thumbs up sign, I guess telling them they were all right. Ha ha. I then showed him the proper procedure of putting your thumb sideways and looking towards the vehicle. We got a ride immediately from a kind couple who went 20 miles out of their way to give us a ride to the Newfound Trailhead.Hiking was great today with expansive vistas of the surrounding mountains. After an initial climb we hiked on the ridge of the mountain range. The highlight of the day was Charlie's Bunion. I got Achilles to go out on a rock for a picture, he is afraid of heights. I scrambled up and down the rocks including the high point. Another older cautious hiker commented that I was nuts. I responded back that I had made my living being nuts and climbing ladders. We ended the day at Cosby Knob Shelter. We had to stay at the shelter because it is required in the Smokey Mountains.Hiker tips: Often side trips on a blue blaze trail will offer the hiker the best vistas and challenges. Many purists avoid blue blazes. My rule of thumb I use for myself is that if I decide to use a blue blaze and it adds extra miles to my day's hike I won't back track. If the blue blaze cuts AT mileage then I'll backtrack. Either way I add mileage. I'm not a purist and I won't see every white blaze. By the end of this trail I will hike more mileage, that won't be documented, and see more sights then a purist. HYOH
Date: 2016-05-25
From: Cosby Knob Shelter 

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

Hard day especially with the heat and the humidity I thought I was back in high school wrestling trying to lose weight in a sweat suit. Also the climb I think was the most difficult so far.I have never heard of Snowbird Mountain before but I know it well now. Staring at an elevation of 1373' at Pigeon River Bridge to an elevation of 4,263' at the peak of Snow Bird Mountain a total elevation gain of 2,890' in 5.5 miles. I was exhausted after that climb.We ended early at 6 pm., Camped at Brown's Gap using our tents.Hiker tips: To avoid bugs especially mosquitoes avoid setting up camp near water.
Date: 2016-05-26
From: Brown Gap

To: Hot Springs, North Carolina 
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: few clouds

Started day after a short uphill climb with a magnificent 360 degree view from Max's Patch. I was a little jealous when I saw a tent atop it knowing the occupants must have seen a beautiful sunset last night.Another beautiful day though the humidity was felt by this west coast boy! We ended the day in Hot Springs, North Carolina. The AT runs right through the middle of town. We got a room at a local motel. As of late we've avoided hostels because of rumors of norovirus being prevalent at those establishments. Hikers are dirty, myself included.After getting settled in our room. Achilles and I went to the local tavern and ate and listened to a two person band that played some authentic blues. They were called the "Night Shirts." After dinner we called it a night.Hiker tip: Carry hand sanitizer, use it. Hikers are generous and will often offer you food. Politely refuse the food if other people's hands have touched it. Wrapped gifts like a Snickers bar though are fine. One final thing on being sanitary, on the trail people fist bump instead of shake hands when they greet each other and say goodbye. HYOH