morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-24
From: Gainesville, GA

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: light snow

Looks like daughter and betrothed camped at Springer Mountain Shelter the first night after getting on the forest road after 3:00 pm for the long approach (I believe the roads were iced over and closed at the time...).They hiked 8 miles or so to the Plaque... but only got credit for 0.2 miles. Rotten dirty shame. They walked more on the first day than I do in a month. Anyways.... Shelter was the way to go the first night after stumbling in the dark for hours. Nice digs, but daughter said it was pretty noisy. That might be why the Dude and Her tented the rest of the way... something about it sounding like my (her Dad's) bedroom door vibrating at night. Wild Appalachian Apneas perhaps...(related to feral Texas boars or something like that). Too cold for bears,.. and probably not the grunting Squatch...I wonder if anyone came across someone named Apnea along the sleep-deprived trail? If I ever get en-route, I might be dubbed Wheezy, or ApneaApe. Or worse.For now, I have to live (and log) vicariously through the kids' adventure(s).Woo Hoo
Date: 2015-02-26
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Pit Stop... Sattelite GPS turned off at 4:00 pm. Kids on trail by 10:00 a.m. or so... they used excuses just like they did in high school... sleeping in "'cause their shoes were froze."ha!...when I was their age,... we had blocks of ice for shoes... nevermind the thawing.and 7 miles?that was a trip to school on a weekday.and they're hungry again? sheesh.
Date: 2015-02-28
From: Blood Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap (Cabins)
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Cold night, fresh foot of powder according to the lady at http://bloodmountain.com/... I called ahead the night before and booked a cabin for the kids. Separate beds I told the clerk. They were thankful for the warm room and Pizza for dinner. Nobody threw their shoes in a tree that day.I was informed later that the cabin only had a single queen.shockedshockedshockedI say
Date: 2015-03-02
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Hiawasee Highway GA 75
Miles today: 9.5

Hiked 9 am -2 pm... at HWY 76 for yellow blaze to town. Thumbs didn't get cold... looks like the first car to pass felt sorry for them.I don't remember much about this leg of the journey... I hope the kids TOOK SOME PICTURES...not obsessing or anythinglol
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Hiawassee Hotel

To: Kelley Knob (just shy of Deep Gap)
Miles today: 12.3

Rustled early from the a warm bed at Hiawassee to the trail at 9 am. According to SPOT. 9-5 hike again. No timeclock to punchNestled in frozen mountain cleavage near Deep Gap.
Date: 2015-03-04
From: Deep Gap Shelter 

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 16.2

8-5:30... no overtime pay ... just cold coming in9 straight days hiking... 2 nights in a bed....Just in case.. I want the Daughter know... I sent a package to Fontana Dam ... in case she needs dry boots...If she's set, she can give them away.we have about six more pairs of these in the basement packed away. along with some golden slippers. no micro spikes... I'm afraid.
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 12.5

Pushing it... 3/5/15 or so... this is when I started scouring Trail Journals for folks with similar start dates... hoping that the Princess would capture pictures of my daughter on the trail.I hoped that they would not catch up with TWISTED... cause he's too much like me. Hard to take twisted humour day after day. I'd rather rely on Silverback and the likes..anyways... I decided to document my experience through my daughter's travels... if only because the GPS info with SPOT expires in 30-days.the problem isI don't know what's really going on.....and that troubles me...at least I have a GPS device stuck to her...--that she turns on and off at will.I know the Dude will take care of her on the trail... I remote-viewed his ascent photo on Katahdin. We all abide one way or another....
Date: 2015-03-06
From: Carter Gap

To: Highway 64
Miles today: 15.9

Tried to go around deadfall, got confused for a bit... GPS thingy comes in handy.Hit the highway at 6:00pm... microtel bound and real food. Zero times 2 is still zero... so one more day off won't hurt? Recoup on the 7th and 8th. Dad sent packages forward to NOC and Fontana Dam.... I have a great idea for a T-shirt..."My kid Hiked the Appalachian Trail ... Stayed at the Fontana Lodge... Thank god all I had to do was wear the Dam T-shirt"
Date: 2015-03-09
From: Highway 64 from Franklin

To: LickLog Gap (hair past frog lip creek I reckon)
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

14th day out. Back on the trail after a couple zeros in Franklin. All you can eat diners I hope. Looks like they hit the trail hard but stopped at an unusual place?This confuses me. ... The waypoints don't address a hairs-breath past the "Licklog Gap".........how the heck am I supposed to log daily miles for this one? ...... That location could change your trail name... if you're not careful...Great news... the kids ran into Rocketman and the Princess that day..My (their first) trail pic ... Hooray!
Date: 2015-03-10
From: LickLog Gap (hair past frog lip creek I reckon)

To: A Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Found out that a Lick-Log was used by farmers to put salt in for their cattle. Enjoy the vintage pic.Kids lingered for a while at a makeshift mountaintop cafe around 10:00. Looks like someone stopped shy of Burningtown Gap first to do a 200-foot off-trail "refresh." (har har). GPS is cool. Stalker-creepy, but cool.Rocketman and Princess' post from 3/9 described the AUCE Leap Frog Caf© diggs pretty well (Leapfrog). They stayed about an hour before heading off to the Wesser fire tower for some views. No Pics. I'm just deducing by GPS at 2:30. Looks like they had clear skies from my position at the internet research helm (intellicast radar). But, just like trail maps, old people farts, and politicians... internet weather forecasts can't be trusted. While I was waiting with nervous excitement for GPS movement from Jump-up Lookout, I went surfing for mental exercise. Was wondering what they're going through in the field.Ran across a 1994 journal series/entry by Paul Vail ... as he was hiking, he amused himself with mental exercises (this one by trying describe the "Through Hiker" or as he puts it"... an A.T. Anthropology - Thru-hikers as a Subspecies?" He is/was a college professor, I surmise..."Thru-hikers - territorial animals, found on a strip of North America 2 feet by 2000 miles. Migratory habits - usually beginning from March to May but known to range year-round.Travel both alone and in packs with little or no discernable social order. Known to congregate at dens deemed 'shelters' governed by field mice, skunks, white-tail deer and occasional juncos.Unlike dayhikers or weekenders, the food and hygiene habits of a typical thruhiker resembles that of traditional hunter/gatherers. For instance, thruhikers will willingly accept offers of food in a nearly tame or domesticated manner. If found near a picnic site or road crossing, thruhikers seem to take on a pitiful - sometimes pathetic stance, hunched over beneath the burdensome weight of their packs.Don't be afraid to approach as they are not known to attack the hand that feeds them. Do be prepared to accept a certain natural aroma, as complete cleanliness isn't possible in their natural environment and bathing is an erractic (some would say traumatic) event for the hiker. Dayhikers and weekenders are far less accepting of food offerings, often acting with far more suspicion at acts of generosity. Dayhikers, and to a lesser extent weekenders, will rarely have that wild scent -- occasionally seen even in buttondown shirts and reeboks."Looking through the photos in his journals, I find it interesting how blue the skies were (no tic-tac-toe) then. hmmmm...?
Date: 2015-03-11
From: A Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Betwixt Bald Chia Pet and Locust Cove
Miles today: 10.0

Down from Rufus Morgan to NOC at 11:00. Looks like they didn't stop to shave or shower--just opened the care package and moved on. I hope they're not disappointed overall, I was shopping at Wal-Mart in a hurry for them last Thursday. Thought that it would be nice to throw some meat into the mix for the Dude. Made him smile. Glad for that.I got a text from the vegetarian girly...that made me smile too. Woo Hoo.Planted a tent probably...on the ridge between Cheoah Bald and Locust Cove at 5:30. Don't blame them for tenting short of Brown Fork Shelter...the last entry in the Sassafras shelter log book read:"I'm hungry. I'll wait up for you at the next shelter.' - J. Dahmer"Kidding, bad Vegetarian joke. I just lifted that from Paul Vail's journal notes from 1994... funny... -Vail Link- maybe not? ... I recall growing up in Colorado ... the state celebrated Alferd Packer Day...
Date: 2015-03-12
From: Betwixt Bald Chia Pet and Locust Cove

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 19.9

Daughter called home from the trail this morning with b-day wishes. The hand-crank charge operator (the "Dude") must have wrung one out for 30-minutes to charge that cell. She took time out during the hike to send presents to Mom and Dad. She timed the package perfectly (Thanks for the AT Coffee Mug girlie... means a lot.) She sent pics too, I think it's the first sighting of Fontana waters in the distance. Looks like a beautiful day for a stroll and petting trail bunnies (first mammal sighting of the trip they said). I can't give them credit for a 20+ but it was strong over 19 based on the mileage in the 2015 AT Companion. Might need the chains brought on the field to measure this one folks...Dam Fontana Hilton Bellhop was probably off duty when they checked in at 8:30 pm. Ill bet those four dogs and twenty toes will be barking all night. I can't be there to smile with her, but I started reading "A Walk in the Woods" (Bryson) today...and I'm not a reader much. Haven't smiled that wide in a while. Call me Katz, flinging spam.
Date: 2015-03-13
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: End of the Dam Driveway
Miles today: 0.2

Spot GPS activity started at 08:36 -- shut off at 08:46. Looks like they walked from the Fontana Dam Shelter to the end of the Dam driveway -- to take the shuttle to the Lodge I suppose (2nd care package waiting at the front desk). Walked 20 miles yesterday so they could stop this morning and wait for the Dam Tour bus. Go figure.Daughter texted that the care package was better than the last. I included Altoids along with Beef Jerky for the Dude. I'm sure they're just stopping to eat into the package before they head out again. The less you carry the less you hang...Not talking about belly over the belt (my case),... I'm talking about food packs in trees. Just good advice Bear Country ... Hangem' High ... Sigh... tomorrow they'll clear the area and I'll have to quit with the damn Dam jokesVery little to go by so far. A few texts... Daughter responded to "What you up to?" with, "Chillin out maxin relaxin all cool and shooting some bbal outside of the poolJk (just kidding) resupplying and then heading out! We just got breakfast yumm." Well then... I 'spose I'll just have to make something up to fill the void... Hmmm... there's something rattling around in my attic...I'm sure of it...I can feeel it knawing at me just as sure as I wish I were on the trail myself.
Date: 2015-03-14
From: Shuck Shack Fire Tower

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Reached Spence Field Shelter just before 4:00. Seems like they're in a bubble of OK weather, I read about those in front and those behind having a messy time of it. -Weather Link Satellite Loop-No real intel since leaving Fontana, 0nly a quick text (they're saving batteries). Plenty of internet pics available of the shelter at Spence Field... I thought it might be interesting to dig up an old photo, since batteries aren't included on this trip (sarcasm). Hard to imagine scratching out a life up there. Here's some more... -Vintage Smokies Photos-And more...-More Vintage Photos-
Date: 2015-03-15
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Hope they had good weather, it looks great from here. Camped near Double Spring Gap Shelter poised for a great morning next at Clingman's Dome. Where I'm SURE they'll take pictures and share.For now, under the stars...they're a couple of smelly meat sticks, rolled up in feather sacks, 2-for-1 price in a nylon rip-stop carry out bag.in Bear Country.Incognito Bear-Snack Burritos.What... me worry?
Date: 2015-03-16
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

GPS shows them clinging at the dome at about 11:00, meandered a mile or so and then POOF, Up in Smokies....The last transmission after lunch just stopped. At a cliff. For hours. I was worried... many scenarios ran through my head. Kept checking... refresh, checking... rinse... repeat... I finally chose to imagine that they ran into another couple named Cheech & Thong and decided to hang for a while. Hang Drums and a trail guitar.... yeah. Thaaat's the ticket. (The "Dude" had an axe on the Amtrax to GA, but I'll bet he sent it home by Franklin fearing it might look good as firewood the way things were going back then).Anyway, not wishing bohemian antics for the kids as a responsible parent, mind you, but you don't want to know the other ponderings I had. Anyway... GPS tracks came back 4 hrs later (across the Highway) near Icewater Spring -- sending shivers down my spine. No messages, but they must have found enough signal to send two pics.I need to get a life. I need to chillI hope they have enough food and clean underwear. Clean Food and enough to wear under anyway.They didn't stop to roll in G'burg. Might be my fault. I "might" have told them about some YouTubes that I saw about how hard it is to get a ride there, and how "A Walk in the Woods" described it...I forgot to read or forgot to tell them the rest of the story where the Author got off and skipped to Virginia... I forget.Not sure the duo have a map or guidebook, I think my daughter makes stuff up as she goes along. (Gets it from her mother, I'm sure of that.)Here's to whatever there is 3 days from where they are....Beautiful weather for hang drums though. Cheers!---- CLICK HERE TO CHILL ---- HANG DRUM ON THE MOUNTAINS-------<>Or
Date: 2015-03-17
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Dunno, Somwhere Past The Last
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

Someone lost the map showing shelter locations apparently... or SPOT3 shut off before the Knob of Cosby. (There's a Jello pudding joke in there somewhere, but I wouldn't want to be accused of indiscretion... ah, hum.) Longer hike this day, short sprint tomorrow to see bear standing? No news is good news if you're standing near a Snake Den Trail. Since I had time on my hands, thinking how much that pack rubs on the backside and what a pain it must be to set tent every night... I present... The Tent-Stake Mini-Mallet, with built-in Bear Whistle. Leather Back Chap Protector accessory at additional cost. If nothing else, a Smokies Park Ranger seeing this accessory while you're putting up a tent mid-trail will probably let you off by warning your parents (to check the kids' meds). I'm mailing one ahead to Hot Springs for the kids to use, or as a Demo unit for the cause. I doubt the Outfitter stocks these as I'm generally ahead of most Outdoor Venture Capitalists, and pretty sure I'm uniquely impressed as of this writing.If you want to join the crowd-funding opportunity on this one, you can reach me at "GreatIdeasLeftBehind@SpringerMountain.com"(edit: looks like the kids made it to Cosby Shelter after all... I was afraid they were camping off the trail, waiting for a ticket from Smokey... gave credit for the 20.3 this day.)Bill will be happy that they went all the way, along with a slew of un-named others. Not sure Cosby's wife shares the same sentiment. da dum, dum.
Date: 2015-03-18
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Daughter said it was a rough hike for 11 miles to Standing Bear Hostel. "Pulled a muscle early on" and someone was apparently "itchy" withaB. Not sure whom she meant of the pair, I only got a 2-line text message. I've been married long enough to know not to ask too many questions...that's why I'm pretty silent. I just nod a lot in old age. Or nod off, depending on the circumstances.I've heard the Standing Bear Hostel is "Magical." Soda Bottle walls for windows, vintage washtubs and rustic nails. I'm sure they'll stay a while to rest. Who'd want to leave? My best to the proprietor's family... TWISTED mentioned in his journal that the owner passed away last week or two (memorial on 3/5/15). I called ahead for the daughter to see if it was still open and ask if I could upgrade with a bottle of champagne, silk sheets and a bubble bath for the honeymooners suite. (Not like that as I learned... first come first served, ... all served well and equally, apparently). Talked briefly to the owner's brother. Nice people. Real People. I'm sure I wouldn't want to leave that place, and if I did, it would be like Curtis Owen did.. with millions of blessings that passed through with cheer and thanks. Dance with the standing bear... and sing. Not everyone leaves this world as a king. No crown needed, he just did his thing. ...... NamasteTribute ala Curtis Loew/Lynyrd Skynyrd...close enough I think...
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Got some good intel from Silverback's Journal, kids are in good company. Shout out to the Silverback for stopping to help my daughter adjust her pack mid-trail... weight distribution is key. If I could just manage to move some belly pack to the pecs... I'd be in good shape too! Apparently nobody could lay for long at the Standing Bear... can't waste good weather. I suspect the majic of the Hostel only needs to touch you to be effective. Soaking not required.I'm getting the hang of this chair-hiking thing, working on my HTML programming and lingo (I'm slowly developing a trail accent too!). I might just get on the yellow blaze trail myself, I'm hankerin' to be on the Road to Damascus.... Word(s) for the day: Appalachian Trail OrnamentUnnecessary gear that pissed (someone) off so much, (they) didn't even wait to leave it behind at a shelter. (not condoning the practice, BTW)Helicopter Hiker A hiker observed to make a lot of noise and flailing trekking poles in rage after stubbing a toe on a root... or something like that ... In tomorrow's lesson, we'll examine Trail Regret...
Date: 2015-03-20
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0

Head fake. GPS stopped at Big Rock Spring for the day... thought it was to be a short one for the duo. Found the GPS beeping first thing in the morning at Hot Springs so they must have made it in late evening. Kids taking a rest on Saturday, daughter just couldn't gather motivation to press on after resupply.I've been shopping for resupply too... prepping a USPS box for next way point in Erwin. BTW...I found a great deal on campfire food, ....the last BOCA code change up here made folks switch to new-fangled smoke detectors, causing the older (more reliable) Mountain Fire Alarms to become obsolete. I packed two along with a bag of GORP and fresh wet wipes...Get'm while they're HOT!
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Hot Springs-Zero

To: Deep Gap (on the Way to Big Butt)
Miles today: 12.5

Professionals Hard at Work. Hard to work out the actual location, it's not in the rule books (AT Guide). Somewhere shy of Big Butt (@302.7) and Frozen Knob (@ 313.2) -- they can wait for the 'morrow.I have another pic from the road and some meaningful (text) conversation this time...it goes like this...Daughter (sends pic): "Camping, making a fire, eating bean burritos. Found a cool powdered refried bean mix"Father: "Stay clear of fire when breathing from other than mouth...I always say...Lol. sleep well"...and so I go off to work on communications skills...
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Deep Gap (Blasted Past the Big B)

To: Shelton Graves
Miles today: 17.4

"In short, like a lot of folks, I became much better educated after I dispensed with my schooling. -- Jack Tarlin 2005"School's out and the kids are camped near a grave site with a storyline similar to the movie "Cold Mountain." I used the think I knew what that war was about, but there's a lot more to it than the victors wrote in the history books. Long trek this day... keeping guard(ians) alert this night... Not gonna get Bushwhacked that way....not at this site.This is merely a Hike of Northbound Transgression...photo not an actual pic from the trail, just something I picked out to portray the thought and moment. link to quote above and some interesting discussion here: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/archive/index.php/t-7586.htm
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Shelton Graves

To: Little Bald 
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: few clouds

Smokies well Behind...Well ... har, har... Big-ass miles today. Rearranging the hyphens... Big As Smiles ... touche'.either way...The large 23.2 milestone is something to congratulate.To my little moonshine girl (and Dude, not to remiss...)we'll settle for a "little bald" company, with the glow of campfire hiss...Woo Hoo!Must have been practicing the art of Yogi- this day....Feed ME! eh boo boo?
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Little Bald 

To: Erwin
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I knew it would happen. Last two times I sent care packages, I sensed that some items didn't get used. They ended up in the re-use "Hiker's Box" somewhere near where the package was opened.So this time I planned ahead for Erwin resupply. The care package this time included fake fingernails and a hair-extension kit for the DUDE, so he can look the part on the trail. The fingernails were not for him.I understand the $10 summer/bacon sausage roll will probably hit the box too, and that item isn't anything to joke about. It would probably have given extra fuel mileage, but no catalytic converter included on the biped-DUDE-mobile to process the complex protein chains. The duo prefer running on less volatile, more environmentally friendly vegetable oil.Somebody put their foot down on the beef jerkey consumption thing.Anyway. If you're a thru-hiker peering into a Hiker Box at Uncle Johnny's, or somewhere along the trail... you'll know where the pink fingernails, 4" cast iron skillet, and 3 lbs. of summer sausage came from.Joke's on me!(At least the Hair Extension and Jiffy-Pop Popcorn went to good use...?)
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Erwin

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Out from Uncle Johnny's place just before noon, long day/hike, though they did pause at the Beauty Spot... fingernails probably got loose.Looks like they found the shelter just before 9 pm.... Need beauty rest....I'm sure.The Journey Commander can't get lost with the Human Compass........Guess which way is North?...
Date: 2015-03-27
From:  Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Ducking into Greasy Creek 
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I think the weather broke the spell check function on Daughter's cell phone. Text from the field: "Staying at Greasy Creek Hostel because duck this snow and hail and cold weather" Not what the message really said, I had to manually correct the speeling."I know how cold the fingers get and how hard it is to type, but what the hell are ducks doing out in this weather?(Rocketman & Princess were in the area, caught a picture of a duck in the background, if you squint and turn your computer screen sideways... you can almost see it...)3/27/15 Pic Rocketman & PrincessWhere Credit is Due... Rocketman & Princess Journal