morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Gooch Mountain, Ga

To: Woods Hole Shelter, Ga
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

"Only had to hike over 3 mountains today" (sometimes my notes written during the days hike to remind me what to write about later crack me up), but some seemed like they went on forever.(Big Cedar, Burnett Field Mt. and Ramrock Mt). How much up-hill can there be? One highlight was coming across a mother deer and her baby eating along the trail. I nearly fell off the mountain-side trying to get a picture and just ended up chasing the deer away. I am starting to run into many of the same hikers along the trail - Thomas, Patrick, Lady Green, Jason, Jake the snake, Lindsay,and Chardonney (each 1/2 of "The Girls"). I also met a cute college couple from Atlanta at the very top of Ramrock Mt. where they had set up a tent. What a perfect view from their campsite. They had found a small cave nearby that could block the continuing stiff cold winds so that they could have a fire. It is amazing, every one of the hikers has his/her own story. It is too bad there is not time to learn them all, or is there? From time to time I will try to feature a little profile on some of these people. Today was a tough day with 3 or 4 ups and downs in one mountain. Just when you think you are at the peak, you turn a corner and start UP all over again. The weather looks like it may turn rainy tomorrow - I hope not, a short day is planned BUT it includes Blood Mountain which was named for the trememdous loss of lives during an Indian battle. The most interesting part of the trail goes beyond the trail itself into the personal reasons, physical challenges and social interactions with other hikers. The thru hikers are kind,generous and all willing to share personal experiences as well as advice. The brotherhood of these thru hikers is unlike any I have experienced anywhere else. Not enough is said about this bond that forms immediately between one thru hiker and another.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neel's Gap, Ga
Miles today: 3.7

Starting elevation 3,600. Today is the day I had planned to start the AT and by the end of today will have already completed close to 31 miles. It rained overnite and as a result some things got wet and muddy especially the tent. There is simply no way to dry out and put away a tent when it is still sprinkling. I started out damp but not cold. I was able to eat breakfast with the hiker group under the shelter before heading out to Bird Gap, Slaughter Creek, Blood Mountain (4450' elevation), Flat Rock Gap and finally Neel's Gap. Blood Mountain shelter is at the top of the mountain. It is built of stone and resembles an old church. Gigantic rocks surround it with fantastic views of the surrounding valleys. Unfortunately for today, it was pretty foggy and had no view. At the shelter I met a young woman who is a firefighter and she runs to the top of Blood Mountain and back every day as part of her training. No poles! After the rain, the trail and rocks are pretty slippery. The rewards outshown the sore muscles, aches and pains of the trail. Walasi-Yi Hiker's Center at Neel's Gap was a great end to the day. It is amazing how fantastic a hot shower can feel at the end of 4 days of hiking! It is really nice when you have walked there instead of taking the winding Route 19 thru the mountains. Hikers first hit the store and gourge ourselves with hot dogs, pretzels and candy! I had some great memories and flashbacks of hiking to Blood Mountain many years ago. So much of the trail caused return memories of previous hikes. The hikers are really starting to bond and form their little communities. It is very difficult to find others who hike at the same pace. The bonding is almost as important as the hike itself. Thru hikers come together in twos, threes, and more; as miniature "families" headed for a common goal. Katahdin, the "Greatest Mountain" in Maine seems so far away for now.Trail Magic - Walasi-Yi and the store's owner Winton Porter provided a HIKER FEST cookout for all the hikers both in their Hiker Hostel and those of us who stayed in nearby cabins. If you have three or more in a group, the cabins are a better deal, bigger, and quieter. I elected the Beaver cabin at Blood Mountain Cabins with a nice large deck on which to air out tent, sleeping bag and gear. I continue the journey north alone.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Neel's Gap, Ga

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

I have heard statistics quoting that about 25% of those starting their thru hikes at Springer bail out here at Neel's Gap. Only 2,133.5 miles to go to complete the AT and I am still hiking! What an up and down day. That describes today: mentally, physically, trailwise, weatherwise and literally. I continued North. NO ONE was awake at the Neel's Gap Hostel due to the daylight savings time change and (surprise) some of the hikers stayed up late last night to party. Yes there was alcohol involved. It is one of those times that NOT DRINKING paid off for me. I waited til 0820 then hit the Trail alone, but it did not appear as if any of the other hikers was getting up anytime soon. Only one other hiker was out that I saw. He zipped past me on the first uphill, then I found him sound asleep a few miles further; on another hilltop laying out in the full sun and inviting grass of the hillside. I was tempted to get lazy myself but knew I had to get some miles in today, so on I went. The trail was nice, shady , then over some rocks. Great views at times and I took many photos. It was not the "easy 10 miles" I had been told but not too bad either. There were at least fifty people camping between Neels Gap and the next road crossing! I've already seen more hikers in four days on the AT this year than on the whole Florida Trail. A nice weekend brings out all of the day tripping nature lovers. Just before Whitley Gap a day hiking couple told me about some great cliffs down a blue blazed side trail so I took a half hour to go check them out. It was a worthwhile view, but the air was cool and it started to rain again, so I hurried back to the AT and on again. About 1:15p rain really began coming down and it cycled from rain to sunshine for the next two hours. Finally reaching the Low Gap Shelter I found it full of loud spring breaking college kids who had been eating, dropping crumbs and cooking etc. inside the shelter. It was a mess. As gently as I could I explained that you should never ever do these things in a shelter as the food and odors attract unwanted wildlife, from bears to mice. Then another large group (25) of Boy Scouts showed up. This made it a full shelter plus about 35 thru hikers tenting out and around the shelter, and the Boy Scouts everywhere. I was definitely tenting as it is the only way to get any peace and quiet this early on the AT. Until the crowds thin out after Clingman's Dome, tenting is the only viable option. I am going to sleep early if at all possible. I hear the next 30 miles are the hardest so far, high tops and steep climbs. Good Night (snore snore!). Georgia on my mind.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Low Gap Shelter, Ga

To: Cheese Factory, Ga
Miles today: 13.0

It's nearly 8 a.m. and the Low Gap Shelter still surrounds me in its wooden solidness. I type quietly on the soundless keyboard of my Pocketmail. I had decided to bear the noise in favor of dryness as the rain kept up all night. All night heavy rain pounded down and room was made inside somehow for additional hikers hiding from the massive lightening bolts which crashed and boomed over this wilderness home and lit up the mountainsides with blazes of color and sound. We are packed in like sardines. I am waiting to see if the rain slackens but will venture forth soon either way as I have a date with the final mountain still over 2,000 miles away. The cold wind sweeping into the open faced three-sided cave of a shelter is brisk but I enjoy it's fresh ozone tinged scent. As long as I stay warm I do not mind rain walking as it is nature and it sure beats being inside at home. Thru hiking makes you choose to accept the weather or curse it. It is a lot easier to just let it be what it is and go on. Evening note:   I left at 0830 and made it to my intended camp too early so I hiked on up and down to this windy mountaintop. Back in the 1800's it was a dairy farm thus the "Cheese Factory" name but no trace remains. I am alone as everyone else went on to Trey Mountain. Lady Green and hubby, David got off the trail to have his bad knee checked out in Hiawassee. It looks like a cold, windy and lonely night for me. Once again rain and lightening pound the mountain top and it is very cold as my tent shakes and threatens to blow off the mountain top. Those MSR Zoid people build a good tent. I like that I can sit up in it as I am sure spending some long hours cooped up due to the weather so far.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Cheese Factory, Ga

To: Deep Gap Shelter/Dick's Creek
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

I am approximately 67 miles from Springer as far as I can figure. Already I am losing weight and feeling stronger as my legs re-learn how to work under stress. It reminds me of the long days of track and cross country of my youth. Unfortunately my muscles remind me I am not 16 years old anymore! At 3,150 feet of elevation I still feel hard of breath at times and wonder if I will have a heart attack before I get in shape for this. Today I hiked 3 miles further than my planned "Plum Orchard" stop and experienced the best Trail Magic so far. It seems Cindy and Paul Shumpert (Roman Noodles), former thru hikers set up a Trail Magic Station at a trailhead. WOW, they thought of everything: drinks, cheese, candy, and everything a thru hiker dreams of on nights like last night when it was a rainy 30 degrees! Apparently the Shumperts do this one day a year and this was it! Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. I ate all I could and took a few snacks along to help me get to the next food drop without cutting myself short. This thing called Trail Magic is really something. I hope to be able to do something like this myself in the future! As a thru hiker you try so hard to keep your pack weight down and these Trail Magic stops help a lot as you can pig out, take in a few thousand extra calories and you didn't have to carry them. The food is fresher and better tasting than hiker stuff as well.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Deep Gap Shelter/Dick's Creek

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter NC
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

Frankly, I was still tired from yesterday when I headed out this morning and another cold windy night did not help. I had read in the Thru Hiker Guide to expect two severe climbs before reaching my planned camp so I planned a short day accordingly. The big news was crossing the first STATE LINE!!! Out of Georgia and into North Carolina. YAHOO! The first thing was a big uphill to even get started to do this, but I warmed up fast and quickly forgot about my burned oatmeal breakfast. The large "knarly tree" used to mark the state line was definitely a landmark: two big climbs later I was doubting those who had said N.C. was easler than GA. Not judging by these first North Carolina miles! We were all just settling in at the Muskrat Shelter when some Rescue guys roared up the Trail on ATV's. They had gotten a call about "a man down on the trail having a heart attack". We are all waiting to see if it is anyone we know. Sad night regardless! It is that kind of brotherhood amongst hikers. Once again I tent outside of the shelter to try to spare others from my snoring. I have come to enjoy the solitude of the little tent. It has become "home" and I have a routine and a place for my meager belongings, penlight, 1 inch mini knife, compass, etc that I carry and use constantly. My pack fits inside but makes it a little cramped so I try to hang it outside whenever possible (no rain nights) and the food is always hung separately from a tree branch to keep it away from critters. This area is full of hikers everywhere. Some have even managed to pitch their sleeping bags under the shelter's edge. Too mice-ee for me thanks.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

What a nice hiking day! Perhaps it is just because I am starting to get used to the altitude and the 'work' of hiking every day. Absolutely the easiest miles on the AT so far. The weather has been cold and windy at night but the days are usually cool and enough breeze to make it nice while walking and exercising.  Today I left on my own at 0800 after hearing that "Roll Tide". a 58 year old hiker had been found along the trail having a heart attack on the second big uphill of the day yesterday just before Muskrat Shelter. I had passed "Roll Tide" just before the peak and asked if he were OK because he looked like I felt at times; and he said he was OK but it must have been shortly after that when he went down on the trail just after reaching the top.  The Search and Rescue crew took him four miles down on the fire road via ATV then by Medivac helicopter to Asheville, N.C. He was expected to survive and we are all happy to hear he was OK, in a hospital. Hiking today I met "J Man", Terry Stuart, who is a forty year old man who lives between Nashville and Texas. He has been hiking these mountains for years and is on his first AT thru hike. He has been a youth counselor. We had a lot in common and I enjoyed his company. It seems as if I have been on the Trail a long time already, but it is only days. I suppose the long days of the Florida Trail before my AT start make it seem that way. Whether that will help me or hurt me make the end is still to be seen.  Quite a nice day all around.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Carter Gap Shelter

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

Albert Mountain was today's big Up.  Only 3/10 of a mile, but it was nearly straight up. Brutal, I will remember it as one of the hardest climbs I am sure. It required climbing with "all four hands" as they say (feet and hands). But, the views were spectacular, visibility was around 50 miles and I took lots of pictures to prove it! The rest of the day was relatively easy ups and downs that are so typical of North Carolina. Remember I have hiked parts of this before so know what to expect although thru hiking is so different. There is a whole different aspect when you know that you are staying for the whole thing, 2175 miles and not stopping in two weeks, or ten days. I have done several 500 mile section hikes both on the Appalachian Trail and on the Pacific Crest Trail; yet mentally it is totally different. At Rock Gap Shelter the weather report was for a tornado watch, hail, and heavy rain for the next 24 hours. It sounded like a good day to get into Franklin, N.C. to see the outfitter about my new North Face boots that are already falling apart! 100 miles of trail should NOT blow out barely broken in boots. I am not a happy North Face customer now. At the Shelter I have overtaken two ladies, "H Bomb" and Shasta whom had met in Tanzania while in the Peace Corp together. Very cool. They have many stories to tell and I have secretly started counting how many times they say, "Tanzania". They have been having "foot problems" and are trying to rest up by doing short five-mile days. "J Man" and I hiked all day together and I will be sorry to part company but he has no reason to go into Franklin and once I get a day behind I will probably never see this group again. Sad to leave them, but necessary. It is amazing how quickly hikers bond.Trail Magic once again as CRUTCH, AT2005 was at the shelter. He has been hanging out for a month just to help out the thru hikers. He is working for Ronnie Haven who owns several motels in Frankin, NC. He seems very sincere that the AT experience should be an ultimate turning point in people's lives. He is shuttleing hikers into town for supplies, rooms at the Budget Inn, outfitters, etc. First thing in the morning I'll catch a ride, but am staying in the shelter tonight to save a few dollars. Most of the group, "Dick Tracy", "Shasta" and "H Bomb", "Lone Wolf" and his dog "Max", Terry "J Man", are all doing the same. It is a windy and rain filled night once again. Mostly the rains have been at night so that has been better than splashing thru it all day. Fortunately we have expereenced mostly light rains during the day.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Budget Inn, Franklin N.C.
Miles today: 0.0

My first ZERO DAY. After a rough night of rain, hail and winds up to 50 mph, we (Shasta, H Bomb, J Man and Bare Bear) were picked up by Trail Angel Crutch who drove us into Franklin for a zero day of resupply, fuel, a way too much AYCE Buffet, then beer and bowling until 11 p.m. (way way past hiker midnight). I didn't know they had bowling along the AT. We were exhausted after going to bed in our tents at 7 p.m. for the past two days. Terry Stuart (J Man) is staying an extra day to rest his knee then hopes to make four 15-mile days to get to Fontana to catch the group. I bought new North Face boots that are too narrow for my growing feet (common trail problem) so at 10 a.m. I will be going back at Three Eagles Outfitters to exchange them and then hurry if I am going to catch up to the group. The weather is clear - very cold 35 degrees and all uphill for the next 8 miles to Siler Bald.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Budget Inn, Franklin N.C.

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

After a 1 p.m. start due to going back to the outfitters to exchange shoes (yes, again), I got to the Rock Gap drop off to continue the AT only to find the whole group sitting around "Mud Bottom" and "Bluey" who were passing out cookies, fruit and Trail Magic! I grabbed a couple Oatmeal Cream Pies and kept going. Everyone blew past me in no time, then I realized I was the only one carrying a pack! They were all going to slack pack up to Winding Stair four miles away! I was of course, outraged and gave them grief for the rest of the day. There is a great debate going on in the camps at night about whether thru hikers should slack pack, flip flop, etc. I figure I want to go north bound, carry my pack and that is it. Others can choose what they want to do as well. Near Winding Stair a new hiker passed with her pack - "Erika (Butterfly)"from Crested Butte, Colorado. She is a slim athletic lady, or so it seemed as she zoomed past. She slowed enough that I understood she was used to running the Colorado Mountains! Hiking today was under clear cool skies of blue. There should be wonderful stars for viewing tonight but it will be in 35 degree weather. It has been around freezing every night so far, but inside the 15F degree mummy bag I have (Second Dimension by Mountain Hardware) I stay warm and even have to open it up some until about 3 am or so as it gets too hot inside. I am also wearing my gloves, a wool beanie cap and Smart Wool socks, my zip off leg pants and short sleeve shirt. The days still are warming up to 66F or so. Later at camp we all had dinner together. I made garlic mashed potatoes with zesty lemon pepper tuna followed by hot chocolate for desert. This is the life. A gourmet I am not.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Pleasant day with a few big climbs then four miles all up to Wayeh Bald which has been a viewing and picnic spot since the 1800's. There is a nice drive up to the park at the top and I was hoping for Trail Magic but none was there due to the off and on again rainy weather I suppose. In the sun it was deliciously warm and it was tempting to sit too long. Several people took naps and made it a major stop of a couple hours. Since I hike slower than most I kept the break short and moved on. The view was, of course, wonderful and the next four miles to this Cold Spring Shelter camp was mostly downhill. That means it will be uphill out tomorrow morning. That is usually how it goes on the AT. You camp downhill as that is where the water sources and shelters are then have to climb first thing in the morning. At least it warms you up fast! I am always trying to find the 'up side' of every problem both on this hike and life itself. The rest of the group went on a couple more miles but I am still having problems with my new boots and sore feet. I wish these new boots had come already broken in!
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Grassy Gap (Past NOC)
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

If you are driving, 14 miles is nothing. However, if you are walking (hiking) with a 35 lb. pack on your back breaking in a new pair of boots, it is FOREVER! The magnificent view from the lookout tower at Wesser Bald is not to be missed! The rest of the day consisted of a down, up and then mostly down hill trip into Nantahala Outdoor Center which is a major mountain destination with restaurants, camping, kayaks, river rafting, etc. A lot of hikers stop for a couple of days, but I have been here before; and after a gallon of iced tea and a veggie burger, I hiked on as I didn't want to pay the hiker hostel fee of $15 and was able to get in about 3 more miles of the all uphill mountains leading out of NOC. This is one of the harder sections of the AT and one I have done before. That is the problem with going down into Gaps, you always have to climb out of them to face the next mountain. I am now 137 miles from the start at Springer Mountain, as I figure it. But 2,037.6 miles to go sounds like a million. Peace and love to all and thanks for stopping by my journal. Please sign in the guest book and leave me a note!   I look forward to hearing from home! Even though I hike with people on and off everyday, they are still in their groups and I have not found one that fits me and my slow pace yet, although I suspect the pace of everyone will change as the terrain and views change. I do not understand why some are going so fast. They do not take the side paths to the views, and I can not get anyone else to take any of the side (blue blazes out and back) trails so far. Most are a half mile or so and go to better views, cliffs, waterfalls, etc. Then you have to hike back to the AT to go on. The blue blazes are admittedly extra miles but how often will we walk this way again? I figure to see it now while I am here. If I take longer then that is OK, as long as I get to Katahdin before October 15th. I have to average twelve miles a day and I do not see that as being a problem if I stay healthy.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Grassy Gap

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter (tent)
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

First, let me describe last night's symphony. Laying in my tent camping alone (there are several others camped a few hundred yards away) I got Atlanta Public Radio on my mini headphones and enjoyed a classical piece joined by a family of owls residing in the tree next to my tent.   Apparently hikers spill enough food at campsites (micro garbage) to attract mice which the owls feed on. A wonderful symbionic relationship.... now on to today's hiking....Considering I have large blisters on one foot and my knee locks up from overuse stress, 12.9 miles today is not too bad. This is a very hard section of trail. Stecoah Gap then up up up for miles again. I was hiking so slow that between 0830 and 6:30 pm. I was averaging only about a mile per hour! Even for these mountains, that is ...S L O W...! I hope to heal my physical problems by slowing up for two days only going into Fontana Dam. I have a much needed food drop there. It is always a balance between having enough of what you have to have vs. the weight of the pack. I am losing weight steadily and suspect I am losing a pound a day now. Hiking and breathing is getting easier and my clothes are starting to hang a little. They are definitely not tight. I knew enough to start with tighter stuff so it won't fall off too soon. It helps to have belts and lots of elastic too. For a person as social (talkative) as me it is surprizing how nice it is to just listen to the forest as you fall asleep.