morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-02-17
From: Springer Mtn

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 1 To: Hawk Mtn Shelter From: Springer MtnToday's Miles: 8.1Total Miles: 8.1I was up early took a shower and then packed my stuff and hung around until 8:00 am and everyone started to get up. Breakfast was at 8:00 and delicious. There were 8 of us there for breakfast but I was the only one going to Springer. All of the others were back to Woody Gap as they had already done 3 or 4 days. Pootz drove us and dropped off all the boys and he drove me up to Big Stamp Gap. You have to walk a mile south before you actually get to Springer Mtn, the actual start of the trail. Pootz decided to walk the mile in with me so it meant I could slack pack. We took pictures, hiked back, I picked up my pack and off I went. It was a beautiful day. I took my time and just enjoyed the day. I took a break at Stover Creek Shelter and changed into my capris and a short sleeve shirt. It is February correct!   There was another thru hiker there, Hickory who apparently walked south a few miles today by mistake. That would not be fun. There was a section where I didn't see a white blaze for awhile. I know I shouldn't panic but as you walk along you imagine all sorts of things. Did I miss a turn off? I was on a logging road and often the trail does shoot off sharply, but finally I saw one and breathed a sigh of relief. When I'm alone I tend to panic more. But now I have that Guthook app and that helps a lot. I took a few more short breaks and arrived at Hawk Mtn Shelter around 3:20. And I felt good! There was only one young man there, Bearspray. He squirted his bearspray inside the Hiker Hostel and they had to move everyone out of that room. I knew there was 6 or 7 guys behind me but they were taking longer breaks than I was. I put my stuff out in the shelter and the others started to arrive. So here tonight are Hickory, Bearspray , Tru Grit, Treeline , (a father and daughter) Air Force, and a few more that I didn't know. It was a nice group and a warm night and we were all in our bags by dark. Hiking the ATDeepens your soul forever Changing you inside.
Date: 2017-02-18
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 2To: Gooch Mtn ShelterFrom: Hawk Mtn ShelterToday's Miles: 7.7Total Miles: 15.8I didn't get much sleep but the whole shelter was slow to get up out of our warm bags. It was 9:00 before I was on the trail. It was cool but not too bad. I moved right along to High Tower Gap and the rest of the day kind of went downhill from there. The rain stated and never stopped for the rest of the day. I put my wind shirt and a pair of gloves on and just hiked kept going. I actually caught up to the section hiker I've been calling Air Force three or four times. I kept watching all day for the rest of the hikers to come up behind me but the never did. Because of the rain I only took standing breaks all day. I felt very pleased as I hiked up Sassafras Mtn and Justus Mtn with out stopping. A lot different than last year when I could only go 100 steps without taking a break. I arrived at Gooch Gap Shelter at 1:20. Most of the others came in within the hour. I was going to go on and camp with some of them, but decided against it. I was finally warm and dry after changing into dry clothes and having hot chocolate. It was the best decision as it rained into the night. Others came in to stay and a Boy Scout Troop arrived but luckily they camped. It turned out to be a very pleasant evening talking to each hiker as they arrived. Whistler, an older gentleman, a young man who has a bear canisters, and then after dark 3 southbound section hikers kept us entertained for the night. I was tired and crawled into my bag as it got dark. One step at a timeYou make your way back to health Walking to your place within.
Date: 2017-02-19
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Day 3To: Woods Hole Shelter From: Gooch Mtn ShelterToday's Miles: 12.1Total Miles: 27.9I was up and hiking by 8:30AM. I had slept much better last night. The cold rain continued well into the night but had stopped by morning. The wind had picked up though, so the day was cool and foggy. I moved along well this morning and I was at Woody Gap around 11:00. Perfect time for a break as there is a bathroom and picnic tables at the parking lot, but the cold wind had a different plan. I used the restroom, took an orange someone had left for hikers, and hurried up the hill to get warm. It didn't take long as I was soon climbing up to Preaching Rock. I thought it was appropriate for a Sunday morning. There were lots of day hikers on the trail today. At the top I met Giggles and his son Chris. Giggles has a Trail Journal also. We hiked on and off together for the rest of the day. I also started calling the Hiker with my bear canister Bear, as I couldn't remember his name. When I got to Lance Creek, I had to stop for water as there was not going to be any more water for the next four miles or at the shelter. One of my least favorite things is to have to carry water as it adds so much weight to your pack. But at the creek, we had a small reunion. Giggles, Chris, Bear and myself were all there and from up trail I hear Signage! It was the two young hikers from Hawk who had left Gooch in the rain. They had gone to a hotel and were slack packing already! But HYOH, so we caught up on who was where and off the went. As for myself, I sort of trudged on the last four miles as my pack was heavy and the sides of my toes started to blister. But the weather had turned sunny and warm so I tried to just enjoy the day. I was glad to see the shelter sign for Woods Hole. It is .4 miles off the trail. It was a beautiful night with a gorgeous sunset. Here tonight are two brothers from North Dakota who I've dubbed one North and the other Dakota, Giggles, Chris, and Bear. A very nice group and we just talked over dinner and went to bed. In the shelter it just Bear and me. Meeting new hikersYou instantly become newFriends walking Northward
Date: 2017-02-20
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 4To: Neel GapFrom: Woods Hole ShelterToday's Miles: 3.5Total Miles: 31.4I woke up at 1:30 to go to the bathroom and when I looked up the sky was filled stars. It overwhelmed me with just how small I am and also who might be out there watching us!! The day was warm and sunny and the climb up was not too difficult. My only problem was that my toe blisters were making me very uncomfortable. Our small band of hikers took a long break up top in the warm sunshine before heading down the mountain to the hostel. We all checked in, picked our bunks, took showers, and walked down to the Country Store for pizza. It was a very pleasant day. I purchased a pair of new Oboz boots as my feet were killing me by the bottom of the mountain. I figured they couldn't be any worse. We will see how they do tomorrow on a long day. I mailed my others home as they are still good boots as long as I don't have 30 lbs on my back. I resupplied for four days to get to the Top of Georgia hostel, wrote in my journal, and rested my body! It was an overall great day. Walking over Blood Mountain gives you the feeling Of being sky high
Date: 2017-02-21
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 5To: Low Gap Shelter From: Neel GapToday's Miles: 11.5Total Miles: 43.2The hostel was up early, packing up and talking with each other. It was very pleasant. Giggles and I left together around 7:00. I was glad, as I was meeting Winkle (I got to know her when I hiked in 07 and she would write to me on Trail Journals). She was going to hike in from Tesnatee Gap to meet me and then back. On the up the hill from Neel Gap, I passed a few tents and then a gentleman from Scotland, William. He is an older man with quite an accent. I hope his name becomes Scotty as then I will be able to remember it. Bear soon came up behind me and said he might go all the way to Blue Mtn Shelter. Then I met up with Chris and we were talking and all of a sudden Dakota and North came up to tell him his dad Giggles was going back to Neel Gap. He was stopping. I felt bad for him as I know how it feels to make that decision. My new boots were working well. I did need to stop and put my liners on, but after that they felt fine. After a few hours of hiking I saw Winkle hiking toward me. It was really good to see her and we hiked back to the gap together. The wind was blowing and it was cold so we sat in her car and I ate the cookies she had made me. It was wonderful. Then she hike up and over Wildcat Mtn. We stopped at the top for lunch. At Hogpen Gap we met Just Lenord. He was giving out some trail magic. I took a small Gatorade, said goodbye to Winkle and off I went. I went up and over White Oak Stamp, Poor Mtn, and finally Sheep Rock Top and then down to Low Gap Shelter. I was pleasantly surprised that Bear, North, and Dakota were there. I joined them in the shelter as they were predicting rain. A little while later other hikers started to arrive. I think there is probably 10 or so others here tonight. There was room in the shelter but no one joined us. Tripping (I met her on Springer Mtn going down with her children), Doc, and a few more came to sit at the table to eat. It was nice to see another woman out here. Most of these people l will probably not see as I am only doing 7.3 miles tomorrow. Meeting a friend onThe Trail is so fantastic.It fills you with joy!
Date: 2017-02-22
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Day 6February 22, 2017To: Low Gap ShelterFrom: Blue Mtn ShelterToday's Miles: 7.3Total Miles: 50.5 We'll it poured all night long. I was soooo glad I was in a shelter. We all were slow moving as we were waiting for it to get a little clearer. It still sounded as if it was raining but it was just the fog dripping from the trees. It was deceiving. Dakota, North, and Bear all left before me and that maybe the last time I see them as they were all going to Tray Mtn Shelter. The rest of the hikers were going to the Cheese Factory campsite. I was just going to Blue Mtn Shelter 7.3 miles away. It was really a great day for me as I took many breaks along the way, enjoyed walking in the fog, and felt as if I was the only person out in the woods. The trail was fairly easy but I felt tired. I stopped at one point and made reservations at Top of Georgia as everyone last night was talking about going and taking zero there. And because I made the reservation, I got to request a bottom bunk. Later on the trail became very rocky and I really had to slow down and watch my steps. The water source was .7 miles from the shelter. Did I say I HATE to carry water. It adds about 8 lbs to your already heavy pack. But you must have water to cook and for the next day. I walked into the empty shelter about 2:30 and took my time setting up my tent. This will be my first time in my tent but I figured with no one here, it would be the better option and it is not supposed to rain. I boiled water, made hot chocolate and had a peanut butter tortilla. The wind had died down and the sun was trying hard to come out!Trinity and Ben arrived at 5:00 PM. I was prepared to stay alone but was glad to see someone else get here. A security blanket! They set up tents and then we ate dinner together. They are from Pennsylvania and hiking to the halfway point. That is one long section. We call them LASHERS. Long ---- section hikers. Later on two brothers came in. One set up in the shelter and set up a hammock. I won't see them again as they are already doing 18 mile days. It was a beautiful sunset and it's probably the coolest night so far. Walking in the fogA sense of being aloneWashes over you
Date: 2017-02-23
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 7February 23, 2017To: Tray Mtn ShelterFrom: Blue Mtn ShelterToday's Miles: 8.1Total Miles: 58.3It certainly takes me a long time to pack up in the morning. It doesn't matter if I'm in a shelter or tenting. It was a beautiful morning and I texted Winkle about 8:15 that I was leaving and it should take me about 1.5 hours to get down to Unicoi Gap. As I walked down the mountain she drove in. She was bringing me the Velcro pieces to hook my Dirty Girl gators to the back of my boots. She also had a bag of tangerines. I ate two and as we were talking the boys from last night came down and they ate some. Then a pickup truck pulled in and out jumped the North Dakota boys.I said goodbye to Winkle and started up Rocky Mountain. It was a tuff climb. When I reached the top I stopped for a long break and dried out my tent and had lunch. My legs are tired and I'm looking forward to a break at the Top of Georgia. While I was sitting two more Thru hikers came a long. A couple, Sara and Jay arrived and then for the rest of the day we kept switching positions of who was leading. I finally made it to Tray Mtn Shelter around 3:45 and the Dakota boys were there but packing up to go a little further. Also the couple I had been passing all day but they also were going on. Trinity and Ben from last night showed up and I set my tent up near them. Another gentleman arrived but there's no one in the shelter. That's very unusual. Trinity has a very bad blister so we'll see what they do tomorrow. Going up hill for For a long,long time can wearYour legs out quickly!
Date: 2017-02-24
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 8February 24, 2017To: Dicks Creek GapFrom: Blue Mtn ShelterToday's Miles: 11.0Total Miles: 69.3When I woke this morning, I could hear rain on my tent but when I got out it was actually just a very heavy cloud. But everything was as wet as if it had rained. I packed up almost everything inside my tent and put the rest in quickly. I was walking about 7:30 but it was slow going as I didn't feel well. My stomach was hurting and a little nauseous. I stopped and took the first of many long breaks of the day. After I ate something, I did feel better. The hiking was fairly easy until Addis Gap and then you have to climb Kelly Knob. I thought it would take me an hour but I was pleased to be up in 45 min. I took my last of 5 breaks on top of Powell Mtn before heading down in Dicks Creek Gap. I also put my ankle brace on for the first time on the hike. That is one hard long down and I was so pleased because as I walked out of the woods the Top of Georgia Hiker Hostel van pulled into the parking lot saving me a half mile road walk. When I got there who do I see but North and Dakota. And I knew everyone in the bunk house. There was Tripping and the gang she's hiking with, Take it Easy who I met at the Hiker Hostel day 1, Tarzan who I met at Hawk Mtn Shelter, the other brothers from PA, and finally Sara and Jay who we're sort of calling the Killer Tomatoes. It was a fun night just sitting around talking. It was wonderful to have a hot shower and especially to have clean clothes. I can't believe I had been wearing those same clothes for 8 days. But the Icebreaker clothes did pretty good with the smell. I still went to bed around 8:30. Walking down the hillToes pressing against the boots Relief when you are down!
Date: 2017-02-25
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Day 9To: Dicks Creek GapFrom: Dicks Creek GapToday's Miles: 0.0Total Miles: 69.3I took a zero (no hiking miles) today at Top of Georgia hostel. I've never taken a zero so early in a hike but I so enjoyed today. I woke up to rain and thought "really good decision " but the rain stopped and the sun came out and as I watched the people I've been hiking with leave I was not so sure. But I had breakfast, updated my journal, talked a lot to Bob ( Sir Packs A Lot), the owner and the staff, went to town to re supply, and took another shower. All in all a good day. I called and made a reservation at Nantahala Mtn Lodge. I stayed there in 2015 and really enjoyed it so instead of going into Franklin, I'll go there for two days and slack pack one. Tarzan stayed also (I met him at Hawk day 1) and we went to town together and got Zackby chicken and brought it back to eat. We talked a lot and I got to know him better. Tonight in my bunk room is a young man just out of high school who has already joined the Coast Guard but has to wait October to actually go in. His trail name is a Cruz Control. The person over me is Naked Savage from Cape Cod. And then there is a whole other group who are hiking together. I can't remember their names but they seem to be having fun. It was a good day and my body and my feet certainly feel better tonight. Tomorrow I'm back on the trail. But I'm glad I'm here as they are predicting temperatures in the 20s. I hope this beautiful weather is not over. Zero days are good For resting and relaxing.The body says thanks!
Date: 2017-02-26
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskcrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 10February 26, 2017To: Muskrat Creek Shelter From: Dicks Creek GapToday's Miles: 12.5Total Miles: 81.1 I was up at 6:00 am packing my pack as I wanted to be ready for the first shuttle out at 8:00. A few of us were getting ready in the hall by the night light. I had breakfast, said goodbye to Sir Packs A Lot and his crew, and climbed aboard the van. Almost all the other hikers were waiting until 9:00. It's a pretty big climb out of Dicks Creek Gap so even though it was cold, I had to stop and take off clothes. I met a few different section hiking groups that were coming out of Plumorchard Shelter. They had been out for the weekend and they said they froze last night. It was a great night to be in a hostel. After Plumorchard, the 9:00 am shuttle hikers started passing me. I was taking a break and Tarzan walked up. He sat down and we talked for a while. Then we walked together but he is so much faster that he eventually had to pull away. After Rocky Knob, I walked down to the GA/NC border!! One state done, 13 to go! Tarzan was waiting for me to cross the border. Sweet. We took some pictures and then had a big climb out of Bly Gap. It seemed to go on forever. As I approached the top, I met Take My Time standing on a rock taking pictures. Tarzan had still not caught up. Take and I walked together until the shelter. We arrived at Muskrat Creek Shelter and I got a spot in it. It was going to be another cold night. Tarzan built a good fire and the whole group joined us. There were at least 12 hikers sitting around the campfire. I soon settled in the night. Crossing a state lineBrings a feeling of wonderAs you walk closer!
Date: 2017-02-27
From: Muskcrat Creek Shelter

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

Day 11 February 27, 2017To: Carter Gap ShelterFrom: Muskrat Creek Shelter Today's miles: 12.5Total miles: 93.6Got up early and was walking by 7:30. I was the first one out this morning but it doesn't take long for everyone to pass me by. It was the first morning when I've left camp that we didn't go uphill. For about 2 miles I just moseyed along. I was coming down into Deep Gap when Naked Savage passed by me running down the rocks. I told him he was going to pay for that in the long run. When I arrived at the bottom, we started talking and walking together. After about 15 min, I noticed we were going down and I hadn't seen a white blaze for awhile. I checked my Guthook app and of course, we were not on the trail. We lost about 30 minutes of hiking time on a already long day. We finally started up Standing Indian Mtn and I took a lunch break at the Shelter. This whole mountain had been on fire and the devastation is very evident. It's heartbreaking and it was very eerie to be walking through it. All the trees are black and the trail is in poor shape. The big group of hikers I've been with the last few days caught up and past me and we all commented on the weird feeling we had walking through the dead forest. As I was hiking down, I could see weather coming in and the temperature was falling quickly. Before I knew it the snow started and I stopped to gear up. But luckily it didn't last long and was just cloudy for the rest of the day. I made it to Carter Gap Shelter and Naked Savage was nice enough to give me his spot in the shelter and had gotten enough water so I didn't have to do the long trek down to the stream. I think he felt awful about missing the trail in the morning. I put my stuff out next to Hat, who I'd not met before, and made dinner quickly to get some warm food in my belly. The big group started a fire away from the shelter but I didn't feel like joining them. It was almost dark when Tarzan and Take My Time came into camp. I was already in my bag so I just talked to them for a short time and then snuggled down to keep warm and go to sleep. White blazes are your Guide to the path you follow.Be aware of them!
Date: 2017-02-28
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 12February 28, 2017To: Rock Gap Shelter From: Carter Gap Shelter Today's Miles: 12.1Total Miles: 105.7 I was up and walking around 7:30 this morning and of course, the trail went up, but it was a beautiful morning hike. At Betty Creek Gap I changed into cooler clothes and took a break. It's a good spot to stop as it has a great log to sit on. Two young hikers past me and said a big storm was approaching and getting to us around 1:00. That put the fire under me, as I had to climb Albert Mtn (a rock scramble) and did not want to do it in the rain. I made it by noon and up I went. So for those who don't know me I'm a pretty small person and any rock scramble is a challenge for me. I have to figure out how to get up areas I just can't reach. It's not a pretty sight as I throw my hiking sticks ahead of me and many times have to get on my knees and push myself up to the next level. It would be so much easier without the 30 lbs weight on my back. But I did make it up to the top. There's a fire tower at the top, but I've been up it a few times before, and decided I'd rather put the time in on the trail with the storm now gathering around me. I headed down to Long Branch Shelter, but at 1:00 it was still not raining, so just kept going. Around 2:15 at the top of a hill I felt the first sprinkle. Generally I'll walk awhile before getting suited up but I knew this was going to be a whopper of a storm. I put all my rain gear on (first time for rain pants). Of course it just sprinkled for another 20 minutes but then the lighting, thunder, fierce winds, and torrential rain hit all at once. I then just slowed down and was careful with my footing. A group of four of the young hikers passed me completely soaked with no rain gear on as they had waited too long. One was hiking in jeans and a cotton sweatshirt!!! A recipe for hyperthermia. After 2 miles, I arrived at the shelter and was actually pretty dry. Thank you Gor-Tex. Those four hikers were all in the shelter and the roof was leaking so only half was usable. They all decided to catch a shuttle into town and I settled down on the dry half. Two more of their group arrived and they went on as well. Naked Savage (the last of their group) came hobbling in (running down the trail had caught up with him) and he stayed and set up next to me. Meanwhile the rain continued to come down in torrents. Then Trinity and Ben arrived and the boys first tried to fix the roof, then rigged up a system to divert the water using their tent footprints and it worked. We all cooked and ate inside and crawled into our bags. I didn't even brush my teeth. The rain and wind was so hard it was coming in about a foot inside the shelter. We all talked for awhile then grew quite and tried to sleep. It was a big day!Being chased by a Thunderstorm makes one crazyCringing from the sound