morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-10-20
From: Wind Gap

To: Stealth Site near Palmerton at 927.7
Miles today: 16.0

I awoke at 6:30 and tried to quietly get dressed and gather my stove, water, instant coffee packet, ramen and eggs and go onto the front porch of the motel room to make breakfast. I think I was successful in allowing Guru and Mega to get a few more winks. After breakfast, I heard Guru moving around in the room and the three of us gradually did our morning things. As we completed our packing, I opened the room door and a few seconds later, Tommyhawk showed up in the doorway. He¢d spent the night a couple miles back on the trail and had come over to the motel for water.A few minutes later at about 8:30, we were all heading back to the trail for a short ascent back to the ridge with Guru in the lead. Guru, Tommyhawk and I walked together all morning and much of the afternoon. The weather was cool and overcast most of the day. Red Eye and his dad - who joined Red Eye for most of the day - caught up to us at lunch and Red Eye¢s dad snapped today¢s photo.  At 2:50 we reached a thinly used side trail to Blue Mountain Resort - a ski resort with a large lodge near the summit. A couple day hikers that we met earlier in the afternoon had provided very good instruction on how to get to the lodge. We headed over to the lodge for an early dinner of burgers and endless fries. Mega showed up as we were eating and joined the party. We all then struggled somewhat with getting back on trail - contemplating whether or not to camp nearby and return for the costume party at 8. Prizes were to be awarded for the most creative, best couple, fan favorite, scariest, sexiest costumes. I felt certain that with our buff hiker bodies, beards and hiker eau de cologne that one of us was bound to win sexiest. Alas, we decided to press on.We had hoped to make it to George W. Outerbridge Shelter on the other side of Lehigh Gap, but we left the ski resort around 4:30 with seven miles to go. Instead, we hiked about a mile further to a very nice stealth site. We all got set up for the night and pretty much got into our tents or hammocks right away as it was cold and a steady wind was making it colder. I massaged my feet for a while and then attempted to work on my journal, but fell asleep before writing twenty words.  The trail was rocky in parts today, but there were no several mile long stretches like yesterday. Or, if there were long stretches, the good conversations we had took my mind off of the rocks.
Date: 2018-01-29
To: Greenacres FL
Miles today: 0.0

45 days until I leave for Amicalola State Park, where the A.T. approach trail starts. That will be a flight to Atlanta on 3/13, taking the MARTA system to North Springs station, and a shuttle to Amicalola with Ron Brown's Appalachian Trail Shuttle Service. We can sign in to start the A.T. and camp overnight at the base of the start (i.e. at the base of 600 steps up Amicalola Falls !!)46 days until we start hiking, which will begin with 8.8 miles up to the top of Springer Mtn., the start of the A.T., and these miles won't count as A.T. miles !!!Today is seam sealer on my tent, a Marmot Force 2P. This will be followed in the next day or two with a waterproofing spray. This also helps since I have to look closely at the tent, to find any holes that need repair. Found 1 hole today and patched it.My shelter is the Marmot Force 2P tent I mentioned above. The extra space over a 1 person tent will allow me room for my pack and a little extra living space, plus room for Silvia, my wife, and NinaMoo, our dog, to join me for parts of the hike.Other gear: Osprey Aether 70L backpack, Big Agnes Lost Ranger 15F down sleeping bag, Thermarest NeoAir Trekker air mattress, REI hiking poles, JetBoil cook stove, Osprey 2.5L hydration pack, Platypus 2L gravity water filter, Black Diamond headlamp and a few other assorted items.I have had the opportunity to test out all my gear. I have twice done 3 day hikes on the A.T. around Springer Mtn., including the approach trail. Also multiple weekend hikes on the Florida Trail, and twice in Washington with my son Kyle. As for getting myself in shape, Florida is pretty flat and I will depend on low daily miles to start and get into mountain shape as I go. I am doing a 6 mile walk each morning now, and have done several day hikes of 8-12 miles. In early February I will do a 3 day, 40 mile, hike on the Citrus Trail in central FL.That's all for now.
Date: 2018-02-12
To: Greenacres FL
Miles today: 0.0

The last few days was a hike with the Loxahatchee chapter of the Florida Trail Association. This is a well organized group with many volunteer hike leaders ... hikes and shorter walks every weekend, plus many backpacking trips. Next week is the Ocean to Lake Trail, 6 days backpacking from Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic Ocean.  I believe it is 63 miles, however I will not be able to participate as I will be volunteer working at the Honda Classic PGA golf tournament.As for last weeks Citrus Trail hike, it was 40 miles over 3 days and 12 people all hiking their own hike. We had clear weather, only one quick rain shower the 2nd night, and a little bit of heat to drive up the water intake ... 3.5 liters each day. The picture is from a burn area we went through. Some trees were still smoking although an estimate from a guy I was hiking with (a forest fire fighter from Washington) was the burn, most likely a controlled burn, was about a week old. It was a good chance to get a good break-in on my relatively new Keen hiking boots. I had to replace my other Keen boots as they were size 10.5 and originally large enough but now pinching my toes. That is not good so I went up to a size 11.5. Only 1 blister after the 3 days, so that is very manageable. I also have a pair of Asics trail runners that I can use and my current plan is to start with the Keen boots through the Great Smoky Mountains and then switch to the Asics after that. We will see.Getting closer ... only 4 weeks and 2 days !!!
Date: 2018-02-18
To: Greenacres FL
Miles today: 0.0

HI everyone !!!Let me start out with a great big shout out to my little sister Sue ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! She will be watching over me from heaven while I am on this adventure. I will have lots of spiritual support. Love you Sue and your kids are doing great. Your grandson Ethan is going to join me on part of this hike.Well, the start date keeps getting closer and I am still out every day to get ready. I thought I might give you a few comments on the perils of training. You see, Florida is more than pretty flat, an elevation change here is to step up on the root of a tree !! So, although I am not getting any elevation training, I am doing my 6 mile dog walk every day. Starting tomorrow I will do this with my backpack.Actually, I have discovered that the morning walk is probably more dangerous than hiking the AT. Why you ask? Well, it is not the paved path that is occasionally broken up by a tree root, the bicycles that zoom by without warning, the other dogs out for their walks, the signs that say "beware of alligators", errant tennis balls or any of those type dangers of this trail. The danger is using the crosswalk to go across Jog Rd to and from the parks I walk to. Yeah, really. Drivers down here are freaking atrocious. Stop lights and crosswalks are either suggestions for the drivers, or in some cases I think they are for sport. Today was a perfect example. Push the button to cross the cross walk, wait for the light to flash walk, wait some more to avoid the cars running a red light, then start across the road, in the painted crosswalk path, with both eyes looking in different directions for the vehicle that views driving as an Olympic contact sport. Almost half way across, a white pickup truck with license # (oh, I wish I had really gotten the #), accelerates through a turn crossing the crosswalk 3 feet in front of me, sees me at the last second, hits the breaks (by which time I would have already been ambulance fodder if I had not stopped), throws his arms up in the air like I should not have been there, and speeds off. Ahhh, a typical day out for a walk.Unfortunately, this did happen this morning, and something similar happens 2 or 3 times a week. Fortunately, I am on to these dirty tricks and they "aint gonna get me" !!!24 days to go. Yessssss.
Date: 2018-03-02
To: Greenacres FL
Miles today: 0.0

Hard to believe it is now only 11 days until I leave for the AT and 12 days to start hiking. In preparation I painted a white blaze on my backpack, and the pack cover. Why? Well, the AT is marked by white blazes, 2 x 6 inches, on trees and rocks, fence posts etc. If you follow the blazes, in theory, you will never be lost. So now, anyone behind me can follow the blaze on my pack and be never lost !!! What a great idea. Oh wait, this assumes that I am not lost to begin with !!! Hmmm, I guess I might have to reevaluate this.I wanted to point out that this trail journals website has a guest book where anyone can sign in and leave me a comment. Feel free to do this at any time ... offer up encouragement, ask questions, anything. However, I will say if you have complaints, I think complaining, although great fun, is way overrated and I will probably ignore them.Here is some feedback to those that have already left guest book entries:Anna - I look forward to meeting you on the trail. Just look for my bright green tent or the white blaze on my backpack.Rolando, Aaron, John, Bob, John, Howard, Debbie, Connie - Thanks for your words of encouragement.Nate - Catch you when we get to PA.Mark - best of luck on your section hike. Hope your friend catches the backpacking bug.Amy - glad to hear you will be following our hike, happy anniversary on the day we start our hike, enjoy your section hikes and you WILL fulfill your dream to thru-hike.Kim - this hike is for Evan and Becca and I sure hope to meet your two brave children fighting Fanconi anemia.Just a follow up ... although I have been dreaming of doing an AT thru-hike for years, it is only since last summer, on the anniversary of my son's passing, that I came up with the idea of doing this hike as a way to raise awareness for the KATA foundation and Fanconi anemia. I have never met the Atkinson family or had any experience with people affected by this disease. I trust that Ricky is acting through me to continue the work he was doing ... and to have fun doing it. You all have a great day.
Date: 2018-03-10
To: Greenacres FL
Miles today: 0.0

Only 3 days until I fly up to Atlanta and make my way to Amicalola SP.  Anxious and a little nervous but ready to get started. This picture is 3 ladies who are giving me needed support for this adventure, Silvia my mother-in-law, Silvia my wife, and NinaMoo our dog. I could not even start without their support and blessing. My thanks to them  I wanted to let you know about my plan for updating this journal. Although many people provide daily updates, I expect to update every 3-5 days, when in towns with good internet connection. I will be making daily notes the old fashioned way with pencil and paper, and refer to those when writing my journal.This is also my very first post using my cell phone, as all previous posts were from my computer. Just testing out how to do this and how easy it is. If I run into difficulty the backup plan is to email my entry to my wife who will copy and past into the trail journal.Next post will be from the trail !!!!
Date: 2018-03-11
To: Greenacres FL
Miles today: 0.0

I was not planning to add another post prior to starting the hike, but I received the note below from Silvia, my wife. It reinforces to me that this is not my hike, but our hike. I could not do it without her encouragement and support. The impact of undertaking this adventure is not just me, it is my family, friends and those I will meet along the way. I am so proud of you and happy that another bucket list item will become for you a reality. You are soon leaving for your A.T. adventure and you are already enjoying the journey by sharing your story with family and friends. People have just jumped in with encouragement, ideas, offering places to stay, asking if they can walk sections with you, and others supporting you by donating to the KATA Foundation. Mom and I offer you our daily prayers for you and Werner for health and safety and for you to be able to accomplish whatever physical, personal and spiritual goals you set up for yourself.  I look forward to reading your blog posts. I will miss you terribly but also missing you will be that little 11 pound companion that rain or shine has trained by your side every morning, our doggie NinaMoo!Happy Trails !!!!
Date: 2018-03-20
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 49.9

Updates delayed by poor cell reception. Hope to remedy that by changing service providers ... soon. Here is what has transpired so far:Day 2 - Hawk Mtn campsite. 8.9 miles but only 7.4 AT miles as we finished the approach trail to Springer.  My hiking partner came down sick and went off trail, hopefully we will rejoin at some point. Day 3 - Gooch Mtn Shelter. 8.3 miles. Day 4 - Jarrard Gap campsite. 10.4 miles. St Patty¢s day Trail magic. Free beer at 9:30 am then later hot dogs, snacks, sodas for lunch. Great hospitality. Day 5 - Bull Gap campsite. 6.1 miles. Stopped at Neels Gap for lunch (pizza) and a shakedown of my gear. Only 1.5 pounds extra. Good for me !!  Then continued on. Day 6 - Low Gap Shelter. 10.4 miles. Day 7 - Blue Mountain Shelter. 7.3 milesTotal AT miles are 49.9. It¢s been sunny every day except yesterday was rain. Had some cold and heard some more cold, below freezing and snow may be coming our way. Either way, one step at a time, one day at a time. Still waiting for a trail name. They say I have to do something memorable first. I figure just getting my body this far without issue is memorable !!!
Date: 2018-03-21
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 2.4

A nero day (only a few miles) to escape the snow, cold and wet from last night. In Hiawassee GA at the Holiday Inn Express with Dusseldorf (his trail name, sharing a room) for laundry, shower, hot food, resupply and a warm bed. No official trail name yet although Dog Whisperer has been mentioned as hiker Alayne's dog, Aida, likes to lay at my feet, play fetch and tug of war, and snuggle up to me around the campfire.Still need the time to upload pictures which I will go back and add to most entries.Taking a zero day tomorrow and going to a Verizon store to see about switching my service so I get better reception. Also want to rest my body although I feel very good with no blisters, aches or pains. Loving every moment. Great to have the support from home and having Ricky, Kendall and Taylor as angels on my shoulder.
Date: 2018-03-23
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.7

Another quick update. Had a zero day (no miles) yesterday to escape the cold and snow, birthday dinner for Dusseldorf (55 years old), clean bed and real food. Then today was a slack pack (left most of my gear at the Top of Georgia Hostel) for 16.7 miles. It took 8 hours and 20 minutes. Heading out towards NC tomorrow. Staying at the Top of Georgia Hostel again tonight. Weather forecast is for cold and rain coming up for several days. Hopefully Ricky will protect me.Also, I have been given a trail name ... Dog Whisperer. Named for the relationship I seem to have with the trail dogs. Here is a picture of Aida, who seemed to take a like a liking to me.
Date: 2018-03-27
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 40.2

Access is hard, but here is a quick update for the last 4 days.I crossed from Georgia into North Carolina, which means one state down and 13 to go !!!  Have stayed at the Muskrat Creek Shelter, Beech Gap tent area, Long Branch Shelter and now the Baltimore Jack Hostel (not sure I can recommend this place, but it is all part of the adventure).The weather was been mostly cold (25-35 at night and 40-45 during the day).  Mostly overcast, drizzle, damp and who cares, I am still going on.Currently at 109.2 total AT miles.Been hiking lately with Dusseldorf and most of the rest of the group we were with moved ahead as they are much younger ... or so I thought until we met up in town today.  Time to go grab a beer before I get some sleep and I head out tomorrow morning ... after an all you can eat pancake breakfast.One step at a time.
Date: 2018-03-31
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 38.1

The last 4 days have had some wonderful sights, as well as significant elevation changes. There was Siler Bald, Wayah Bald, Wesser Bald, followed by a visit down to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center).  Then came a 5 mile up. The ups and downs have taken their toll so today was only 5.3 miles. We finally had sun, warm temps and a place to set up my tent and a quick nap under the sun. I have been amazed by the trees I have encountered. It is early spring and those that have fallen are slowly and peacefully assimilating back into the earth. Providing homes and sustinence to so many organisms ... moss, lichens, insects, worms, snakes and more. At the same time new trees are trying to push through the soil and older trees are just starting to bud, depending on the elevation. A truly remarkable process to watch. Well, almost out of battery juice so time to go for now. Back in a few days from Fontana Dam.
Date: 2018-04-03
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Fontana Dam Visitors Center
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

Happy belated Easter !!!The last few days have, as always, been filled with difficult ups and downs. I do not think the AT has seen a mountain it does not want to go over the top of ... unless there is a different taller mountain nearby that it can go over. So far the last few days have been really good weather as I finished hiking to Fontana Dam. The Fontana reservoir is majestic although I am sure it was disheartening to the people displaced by the dams creation back in 1947.There are signs of Spring at the lower elevations, with small flowers, green growth and budding trees. I do not expect that to continue as today is a zero day to rest my body, resupply and relax but tomorrow is heading into the Smoky Mountain NP. The weather prediction is cold, snow, rain and generally not great conditions. Also the first area to shelter/camp is about 12 miles in, and all uphill. There is a camping area that is only 5 miles in but it is now closed due to a bear recently rampaged through it destroying tents and supplies. I plan to hike straight through the park in 7 days so that i can hit Hot Springs NC in 10 days to meet up with my wife, dog, sister and maybe a few other family members (should I have listed my sister and family members before the dog?).Stayed at the Fontana Village Resort last night and think I will go out to the Fontana "Hilton" for tonight to get an early start tomorrow. "Hilton" just means this shelter with running water, electricity and showers ... the one and only shelter like this on the trail !!!My next post will most likely be in about a week, once I get through the park. Until then, please check out www.katafoundation.orgThank you,
Date: 2018-04-08
From: Fontana Dam Visitors Center

To: Clingman's Tower Path
Miles today: 33.7

Well, I did not make it through the Smoky Mountains. The cold, damp, rain, sleet, and projected snow made my decision easy to get off for a couple days. That plus my cold, and the blisters from having to break in new hiking boots. The hiking boots I started with were all well broken in with about 80 miles on them, however they ripped across the top of the toes from a tree root (disappointing). REI sent me overnight a new pair (great customer service) to Fontana Dam, also Keen's but a different model (the Durand) which is the same as a previous pair I have but my feet out grew. Anyway, after one night sleeping on the floor in a semi finished room at a renovating hostel, last night in a bed at a timeshare one of my hiking partners had reserved from Australia before he started his hike, and tonight also in a bed at the same place, I will be somewhat healed and ready to go tomorrow morning.The hike up from Fontana Dam was grueling. Mostly uphill for 12 miles to Mollies Ridge Shelter (day 22, 11.4 miles). As at most shelters I stay in my tent to have my own personal space and usually a little warmer and a quieter nights sleep. Then was Derrick Knob Shelter (day 23, 12.1 miles). Finally, to Clingmans Dome (day 24, 10.2 miles), the highest peak on the AT, where I got off and hitchhiked into Gatlinburg TN. Little did I know that it is spring break and most every hotel and space to sleep was no vacancy. Two zero days (day 25-26) to recover from my cold, let my feet heal up, and get a little restaurant food.The scenery has been amazing. I will upload a few pictures to try and give you a rough idea. It is truly inspiring and sure helps to reinforce the beauty of nature. I urge you all to try it --- day hikes, walks in the park, anything outdoors and away as much as possible from the "comforts" of home.Tomorrow I will start hiking again, aiming for Hot Springs NC next Friday to meet up with Silvia (my wife) and NinaMoo (our dog), plus my sister Dee and a couple of her grandchildren. Leaving from Davenport Gap at the end of the Smoky's. This means I will have about 39 miles of the Smoky's that I have missed and plan to come back in the fall and complete.Until next week, y'all take care.
Date: 2018-04-15
From: Pigeon River bridge

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 34.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, all healed and felling better. Tried to take a shuttle to Davenport Gap, but ended up at the Pigeon River bridge. All is good, it's still on the AT. Thought it might be a relaxing 4 night hike to Hot Springs to meet up with my wife and dog, but things went well and it was only 3 nights, First was 8 miles to the Groundhog Creek Shelter with some snow patches, frozen ground and mud to hike through. Then 8.3 miles to Roaring Fork Shelter, which included a visit to the top of Max Patch Bald. What terrific views but a little to cold and windy for me to stay there. Followed that with 14.7 miles to Deer Park Mtn Shelter. That day I realized I would be in Hot Springs a day early, so I called Silvia and she drove all night from Florida to arrive the next day in Hot Springs and meet me there. Finally a short 3.2 miles into Hot Springs. Had lunch at the Spring Creek Tavern (really good food and beer), stopped by the Hikers Ridge Ministries to rest, and shortly after Silvia and NinaMoo arrived. A great reunion.Friday we headed into Ashville for some time with Kris O'Brien (married to my niece Lyndsay) and his sister Kari and a tour of the New Belgium brewery where Kari works. It was fantastic. Then a late lunch at 12 Bones Smokehouse for some excellent ribs, some groceries and then picking up Reboot who I have been hiking with for most of the past 2 weeks. Reboot stayed with us for 2 nights at the AirB&B place we had rented. It was on the French Broad River and also had a zip line, fire pit, trains going by daily, a great porch, and quiet !!! Was able to put a few pennies on the train tracks and have them squished thin by the train. Great fun.Saturday we were in town again and my sister Dee and 2 of her grandkids (Kruz and Kennedy) arrived for the day and night. We also saw Dusseldorf who we had not seen for the past few days. At the outdoor market in Hot Springs we got some goats milk, and a rustic handmade wooden stool for or home in Florida.Sunday is a rainy day and a day of rest for some of us. Dropped Reboot on the trail as he was heading off to Erwin TN. Hope to see him next weekend. Also picked up Dusseldorf from the Laughing Heart Hostel and he will stay with us today and tonight before we start hiking for Erwin tomorrow morning.I expect the next update to be in about 6 days, from Erwin TN. Plan to meet Werner there, who I had started hiking with on day 1 but had to get off trail due to an illness. We start again !!!