morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The final hurdle appears to be behind me: a good friend will be my transcriber and I've set up the data service with my cell to permit emails. This sure beats the heck out of sending multiple text messages every day. Now everything is set: gear, transportation to Springer, and trail journal connection. To my fellow hikers - if you see someone on Springer Wednesday morning with a grin that can't be wiped off, that will be me, Ankle Express.I wonder how this year's weather will turn out?Ankle Express
Date: 2010-04-06
To: North Spring Station
Miles today: 0.0

My flight out of Manchester, NH was at 5:40 and got me to Atlanta by 10:30. My pack was covered and I tied my 60" wooden walking sticks to it and they all arrived intact. I took the MARTA from the airport to the North Spring Station where Josh from the Hiker Hostel picked me up. The Hostel is nothing short of outstanding. Good accommodations, good hospitality, a ride to the trailhead and trail information are all part of the package. A good nights sleep and breakfast were great.
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: moderate rain

The Hiker Hostel shuttle dropped a few of us off at Big Stamp Gap, 1 mile north of Springer. My hike started by walking south before I could head north. The trail up to the mountain was like most New England trails, rocky and full of roots. Once back to the gap, the trails were beautiful; well groomed, few rocks and roots, well marked and wide in many places. I arrived at 3:30 and after setting up camp, I took a nap. Life is tough on the trail.The forest are primarily oak and ash with some pines for color. The trees are budding and the leaves should pop in a week or so. Much of the lower vegetation is rhododendron, mountain laurel, and some holly. Today's temperature was in the 70's and the humidity was 35%. Just the best hiking weather. Thunderstorms are due tomorrow afternoon so early out of camp.
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

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

The weather forecast was for thunder storms this afternoon, so everyone hurried to break camp early and get up the trail before the storms. We all lost to the weather. It started to rain immediately and I was promptly soaked. I got to Gooch Mtn Shelter at 1:30 and decided to stay.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was a miserable night's sleep. The heavy rain stopped in the afternoon and cold air moved in behind it. After dark the winds picked up and blew very strong all night. The shelter is a nice new one but every wall and floor board had a quarter inch space between them and it did not block the wind very well. Barring emergencies, I'll stick with the tent.Today's hike was very nice. The wind blew strong until about noon and then dropped right off. It's a little after 5:00 now and the wind is picking up again. I wonder if it will be a daily event. Tomorrow is the Neel's Gap Outfitter store where the employee's tear hiker's packs apart to try and lighten the load. All of the hikers are looking forward to this. I weighed in at 45 pounds the day I started. I sure would like to drop a few. The hikers I've met so far are all very nice folks. Some have trail names but most don't being this early in the hike. I've met Ohibro, Raleigh, Boone and his husky Little Bear, Button, Raven and Mike, Todd, Matt, and many more.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gas
Miles today: 7.4

Today I climbed my first 4000 footer and I'm staying at the Walasiyi-Inn Hostel. It's amazing how wonderful a simple shower can feel. Today's weather was perfect, sunny with gentle breezes.Tonight the famous Miss Janet is cooking us dinner. She used to run a hostel in Erwin and is running this place until she opens a new one. I spoke with a Forest Service Ranger today who said the hardwoods I thought were ash are actually tulip poplars. I've had no leg or foot issues to date so it's one less thing to worry about. A lot of newbie hikers are pushing themselves and most are hobbling around. Low and slow until the body adjusts to the workload.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Neels Gas

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

What a day on the AT!   I am tired. I left Neels at 9:00 a.m. and arrived in camp at 5:00. Miss Janet runs the hostel at Neels Gap and sent us off after a nice breakfast. Today is the first day I've got sore muscles. I went up and over five or six mountains today of at least 500 feet elevation change. My next supply is four days out so I left Neels fully supplied with fuel and food. My pack weighs in fully loaded at 45 pounds. Time to eat and hit the sack.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Low Gap

To: Rocky Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 10.7

Another beautiful day in the Georgia Mountains. Todays hike started with a two mile walk on a very old railbed. It was a gradual uphill, so I moved right along and arrived early at my intended target. Since it was still noon, I decided to get the tough Unicoi Gap out of the way - 1000 feet down and then 1000 feet up - each change happened inside of a mile. That is pretty steep. It's also hard to do at the end of the day. Tomorrow is Tray Mountain, another 4000 footer like Rocky Mountain where I'm camped right at the top.The country around the trail is all up and down. From the views, there are few homes or farms, it's just forests and mountains.Hiawassee is my next resupply and I should get there in two or three days.
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Moreland Gap
Miles today: 9.8

Today's mission was to end hiking as close to Dick's Creek Gap as possible so I can meet the 9 a.m. shuttle service into Hiawassee. I need to buy food, wash body and clothing, pick up new batteries for the Steripen water purifier and a few other things.The hiking today was nice. It's been very hot, so all my clothes are caked in salt. The water sources are too small to rinse clothes in, so I'm just wearing what I have. Needless to say, I'm setting personal bests on the stink meter.Do you know how sometimes you get something stuck in your head and it's with you all day? Well, I've been thinking of a cold long neck since coming off Tray Mtn. Tomorrow I think I'll have a few.Ankle Express
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Moreland Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 1.2
Weather: moderate rain

Today is called a nero day - short mileage, as opposed to a zero day - no mileage. I camped close to the gap last night so I could catch the early shuttle the Hiawassee Inn offers its guests.I needed to visit town to resupply and other chores. If you get into town early, you have time for a shower, laundry, and rest without having to rush around or take a zero day. I finished my chores by noon and had a good day lazing around and drinking a few beers. Temperatures are still well into the eighties. Sleep on the trail hasn't been great, so I thought a real bed would be the answer - it wasn't. I slept from 10 until 3 and couldn't get back to sleep. I guess it's just another adjustment I've got to let happen; hopefully it'll come soon.Ankle Express
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Hot weather again today. Numerous stops for water breaks along the trail today. Many of the small streams are beginning to dry up. Rain is forecast for tomorrow so maybe it will help fill the streams and cool off the woods. The forecast is for seven days of clear weather after tomorrow with temperatures in the 60's and low 70's. As info, Bly Gap is just over the North Carolina state line, so Georgia is behind me. Georgia was a good state. It reminded me of all the work involved in backpacking. It also provided an outstanding trail and wonderful hospitality from its citizens. Thanks Georgia and thank you trail maintainers.Ankle Express
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

The day started windy and cool with rain due this afternoon. The hike out of Bly Gap was tough - pretty much straight up hill for 700 feet, then down and promptly straight up another good climb. After several miles of surprisingly flat hiking, it was back to up and down ending in an uphill climb to the shelter. By 3:00 p.m., the threatening clouds cleared and a steady breeze came up. Due to the late hour and the four miles to the next campsite, I decided to stay at Standing Indian Shelter. As a note, the shelters have camping areas surrounding them, so I pitched my tent and enjoyed the company of other hikers. This area is part of the Nantahala National Forest and is a bear sanctuary. Whenever camping here in the southern Appalachians, all food and food trash has to be suspended from trees at night to avoid bears eating it. The black bear is no dummy, he has learned that hiker food is far more calorie dense and less work than grub, worms, roots, etc. and to get at hiker food, he's not afraid to enter camp, rip open tents, rummage around, and generally be a bother - hence the need to hang my food bag. It is interesting to note that all the shelters in Georgia have a system of cables which are pretty much bear proof and easy to use; however, now that I'm in a bear sanctuary, there are no cables! Ho hum.I'm 24 miles out of Franklin, so I should be there in three days. The Verizon signals are very spotty here so I'm afraid my journals will be entered when I have a good signal or I'm at a computer.Ankle Express
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The shelter last night was at 4760 feet and when the wind picked up after dark, it got very cold. I started sleeping with a fleece jacket and hat on but awoke at midnight rather cold. I then put on socks and fleece pants. I slept until 3:00, but couldn't get back to sleep after that - it was noisy from the wind and chilly. The day started with a climb up to 5498 foot Standing Indian Mtn which wasn't too bad. Switchbacks are the greatest. All of the mountains down here are tree covered - I haven't run into a 'bald' as yet. The view from the summit was beautiful. As I looked to the north, there was a wide deep valley that curved around to the east. Around this big valley was a high ridgeline ending at a high mountain (Albert) to the north. The trail off of the mountain ended up following this ridgeline. The trail stayed between 4300 and 4700 feet for the next 14 miles. The hike today was very nice - plenty of water, soft treadway, and cooler weather. The day's hike did end at Albert Mountain with a brutal 500 foot climb in three-tenths of a mile.Think climbing the Washington Monument with 40 pounds on your back!Ankle Express
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.1

Big Spring Shelter to Winding Stair Gap (US 64, road to Franklin, NC) 9.1 milesLast nights camp was at 4940 feet and cool. The wind was calm and I dressed up before sleep so I slept pretty well. The springs at the shelter are just a trickle and everything is getting dusty from lack of rain. Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow - another reason to take a zero day! The lower elevations are starting to turn green with leaves, but the upper reaches are still leafless and the arms are a bit sunburned. SPF whatever doesn't work well because it is promptly washed away by sweat. These woods are full of woodpeckers. They are heard constantly but rarely seen. I did see a pileated woodpecker the other day while heading for the Standing Indian Mountain Shelter. The walking today was excellent with a long descent from near 5000 feet down to the gap at 3850 feet. I called the Inn from the gap and because there were half a dozen hikers hitching, the Inn sent out a truck to pick us up. I was in my room and showered by 2:00 p.m. Nice, nice, nice. I spent yesterday afternoon dealing with Verizon Customer Service and they say everything in this area is covered by digital service and my phone should be working. Well, it is not transmitting e-mails, so unless I get it worked out today, my e-mails will continue to be spotty.Dinner last night was barbecue ribs and they were mm mm good.Ankle Express
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Today I came out of town after taking a zero day. It rained yesterday and a cool front moved in so the weather was excellent for the day's hike. A gap is a low point between mountains or ridgelines and are called notches, passes, cuts, etc. depending on what part of the country you're from. This means that when leaving a gap, you have to climb. Part of the zero day included resupply. This is a big resupply of six or seven days to get me to Fontana Dam. All this explanation is to let you know today was tough with several big climbs with a heavy pack and legs that wanted to be back in Franklin relaxing. I climbed several 'balds' today. I thought a bald was a grass covered summit like Siler Bald yet Wayah Bald is tree covered - if I figure it out, I'll let you know. I am camped at 4800 feet with 30 degree temps predicted. I will be sleeping in fleece jacket and pants, socks, hat, with a second fleece jacket and gloves on standby.Supper is done, food bag is hung, the tent is warm, so I think I'll plan for next week.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wessar Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6

Last night's camp was at 4800 feet and lows in the 30's were predicted, so I dressed for bed with almost every stitch of clothing I carried. The low turned out to be in the 40's and I had a pretty good night's sleep. The shelters on the trail sleep anywhere from six to twenty people with most sleeping eight to ten. The shelters also have a privy, water source and tent sites. Wayah Shelter is 10 miles out of town so it is a popular stop when leaving town. Last night the place was packed with fifteen or more tents. Next to my tent, a hiker set up a hammock. Hammocks are becoming popular on the hiking trails because they are light and easy to set up. After watching this guy set up his rig and proceed to toss and turn a few times at night, I'll stick with a nice tent.Today's hike was mostly downhill with two big ups at midday and at the end of the day. Wessar Bald ended the day and had an old fire tower on top. The views from the top are spectacular. Fontana Dam is my target for Sunday night and from the fire tower, Fontana Lake looked very close. Fontana is the southern gateway to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. I'll hike 75 miles in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and their skyline was visible today - they are mostly 5000 and 6000 footers. Sunny, cool weather today with light rain due tomorrow morning turning to thunder storms by the PM.
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Wessar Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was the toughest day I've had yet. I left camp at 7:00 a.m. and hiked until after 5:00 p.m. From Wessar down to the first gap was a six mile downhill run which proved to be gruelling. The ridgeline the trail followed had numerous knobs that the trail went right up and over instead of slabbing around them. They weren't hard climbs but each one had the affect of shortening the downhill which made the backside of each knob extremely steep. This kind of walking is tough on the knees. At the gap is an outdoor adventure center called the Nantahala Outdoor Center. This facility caters to river rafters, bicyclists, and other outdoor enthusiasts. The complex of buildings includes several restaurants. I had breakfast at the Nantahala Outdoor Center before I tackled the climb out. The climb out goes from 1700 feet to 5062 feet over an eight mile stretch. I hit 4700 feet before dropping down to the shelter at 4300 - I'll finish the climb in the morning. I think I've mentioned it before but these mountains are very steep. In most places, if you dropped a rock off the trail, it would roll for a week. On the climb out, there were dozens of large (24 to 30 inch) hardwoods that were completely uprooted and over on their sides. They had a lot of snow this passed winter and the trees were hammered.Ankle Express
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

For the second day in a row I had a long down and it was tough. The day started with a 700 foot climb up to Cheoah Bald where the views were spectacular. It is surprising how many mountains can be found in any given area - no farm land or fields - just different size mountains. The descent was not gradual and included numerous ups and steep downs. I experienced my first trail majic today; I arrived at Stecoah Gap with no water expecting to get some there. The spring was just a drip and I had a 2.4 mile climb to the next shelter. I needed water. A gentleman at the road rest stop saw my predicament and gave me three bottles of assorted drinks. Thank you sir for your generosity! After this gap, I headed for the shelter just as a thunderstorm rolled in. I walked the last two miles in the rain and arrived at the shelter cold and wet. I'm dry now and enjoying the dry shelter - no tent tonight! I'm here with Mom who says the report is this should blow through tonight (the woods really need the rain) and windy tomorrow. Fontana Dam tomorrow if the trail is good.
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Yellow Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was a tough night to sleep in the shelter. I got into camp mid-afternoon after walking in the rain for an hour. The shelter was a welcome spot to change clothes, dry off, and watch the rain come down. A couple of late hikers came in and we made room for them in the shelter. The roof was made of old shakes and covered in moss. It turned out the roof leaked and one of the steady drips was over my sleeping bag. The only solution was to break out my tent's plastic drop cloth and wrap myself up in it. It worked well and kept me dry although sleep came hard with the constant drip, drip, drip.My plans were to go to the dam and call a local inn, but when I got to Yellow Creek Gap, I was offered a ride to the inn and I jumped at it. This gap is at mile marker 156.2, 7.8 miles short of the dam.I decided today to leave the trail. There are lots of reasons why, but the bottom line is that I am not having fun. This trek has turned into a daily grind I did not plan on. The thru hike requires total commitment to finish and I'm not ready for that. Maybe section hiking is in my future.Ankle Express
Date: 2014-03-13
To: 10 days and counting
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Transportation and hotel room reservationS are made. I leave from San Antonio on Amtrak at 6:25 am on Sunday, 3/23, and arrive Gainesville Ga at about 10 PM on Monday 3/24 (I have a one night layover in New Orleans). In Gainesville I will take a hotel room for the night. I have arranged for a shuttle from hotel to Springer Mountain, trail start, early on Tuesday, 3/25. I should start hike NLT 10 AM on Tuesday.
Date: 2014-03-18
To: ALMOST FINAL PREPARATION
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

YESTERDAY I SPRAYED PERMETHRIN INSECT REPELLENT(24 OZ.) ON PACK AND PACK COVER, OUTTER CLOTHING, TENT AND FLY, AND BOOTS. APPLIED THIS SAME PRODUCT LAST YEAR AND ONLY ACQUIRED ONE TICK. THE STUFF SEEMS TO WORK AND IS SUPPOSED TO LAST ABOUT 5 WEEKS AND FOR ABOUT 6 WASHINGS.
Date: 2014-03-18
To: TRAIL NAME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

STILL TRYING TO DECIDE ON A TRAIL NAME FOR THIS YEAR'S HIKE. UNDER CONSIDERATION ARE: DASHER, PINTO, FOXTROT, JITTERBUG AIRSTREAM, SPENT, SPROUT. AND TUMBLEWEED. LEADING THE LIST IN MY MIND ARE JITTERBUG, SPROUT AND AIRSTREAM.
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light snow

Ride to Springer Mountain picked me up from hotel in Gainsville Ga at 7:30 am and dropped me off At base of SM at 9:00 am. Hiked 1 mile to top of mtn. for pictures and sign-in. Destination from S M today is Hawk Mtn Shelter, 8.1 miles. Many hikers starting section and thru hikes today. Today's hike was not difficult. I did take my time during 4 hour hike to Hawk. I averaged 30 minutes per mile. It did snow a little during the hike and a little more at the shelter. Dinner was a Mountain House Chicken and Rice and a cheese tortilla and hot chocolate. Purified one qt. water for tomorrow hike. 11 people in shelter and about 30 in tents.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: scattered clouds

March 26 8 PM-last night cold, Camelback hose froze, up at 8:15 AM had breakfast of oatmeal and sausage. Packed up and left shelter at 10:05 AM. arrive Gooch Mtn Shelter at 3:30 PM. Started hike today with Garrison, a 21-year-old from Missouri, student, skinny, has lots to learn. Good company. His pack weighs about 47 pounds, probably half his wait. The army left potable at Coopers Gap for hikers but it froze and tank busted so there was no water where we thought there would be water. I did have enough water to get to my destination. set up tonight in shelter, got water from spring, did not treat water, prepared dinner of Lipton soup, cheese tortillas, sausage and coffee and grape drink. Hung bear bag from cable. Talked with hikers from Germany, Four are at this shelter. Taught one German some Texas slang which he wrote down. He liked "mightyfine" and " I reckon". Visited with physical therapist called Chops(in process of growing chops) from Lowell Michigan Massachusetts for a while. no signal at Gooch. Recorded this 3/27 at 10:45 AM while on the trail.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek Tent Site
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

Lance Creek tent site does not have a shelter so everybody staying overnight will pitch a tent. Very full as evident in the picture. At Gooch had breakfast of cheese and Polunsky's dried ring sausage. (deliscious, Peggy is sending more to me down the trail). Since I did not have to cook or take down my tent I was on the trail at 8:45 am. I arrived at Lance Creek at 2:00 pm. Due to rain in forecast, I seriously considered hiking seven more miles to Neel's Gap. However, Blood Mountain is between here and there and at 4,461 feet it is the highest peak in Georgia. I decided to stay at Lance Creek. The highest peak traversed today was 3,737. At Lance I pitched my tent,(not visible in picture). There were some tent pad sites but all taken, no great loss, I like where I set up. Pretty tired so climbed into tent, gingerly I must say, and rested for a while. Later made dinner of cheese tortilla (mmmm mmm) and also cooked some grain cereal that mom gave me for the hike. Tasty. Hikers "Chuckles and Giggles" and "Cross Country" were hanging their food bags so I hung mine with theirs. (no bear cables at tent sites like there are at shelters. "Giggles" is writing a thesis onwhy people hike the AT. She asked to interview me. Took about 20 minutes. No fire at this tent site but did set and visit with about 12 others before people starting calling it a night. It's now 7 pm and I am turning of the light.