morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-08-03
From: Farmhouse Inn, Rangely Maine

To: Poplar Ridge Lean To
Miles today: 10.9

A hiker in the next room had some intestinal distress throughout the night, and the bathroom was within hearing distance, so I didn't get much sleep. The hiker crud had reached Rangely and I was happy to be on our way out! That being the only available bathroom to me, I opted for the woods and steered clear of it.While remembering to get my newly purchased cheese from the fridge before leaving, I realized that the 4 lbs of potato salad we had purchased for the hiker feed last night had been forgotten. Bummer. I'm sure Shane and Stacey can make good use of it.We said our goodbyes to Shane, Stacey and the kids, the 27 chickens and the 2 put bellied pigs, Pearl and Sadie. It's been an amazing 3 days with the trail's newest hostel owners. With their good business sense, big hearts and strong work ethic, they will do well in their new venture. Shane makes really cool decorator things for the house out of metal and wood.....check him out on etsy at Broadside Barn Designs.Today is my oldest son's 38th birthday. I remember that day like it was yesterday. He was blond and blue eyed, 8 pounds 14.5 oz and 21 inches long....a biggun for sure. Normally I call the boys at the time of their birth, but that may not be possible at 5:20 PM today. I thought of him off and on all day.Shane dropped us and 3 nobos at the trailhead and by 7:50 we were hiking north once again.We hiked up from ME 4 past Piazza Rock Lean To at the 2 mile mark. We hiked over Saddleback Stream, past Eddy Pond, and up, up, up Saddleback Mountain. There were beautiful views from the top, so we took a short break to have something to eat.We hiked down Saddleback and up The Horn. We hiked down The Horn and up Saddleback Junior. It was a day of many elevation gains and losses, but we've grown stronger, so though not as difficult as when we started 3 weeks ago, it's still tiring and I look forward to the end of each and every day when I can put my weary body into my warm sleeping bag and just rest. Our day ended at the Poplar Ridge Lean To where we're sharing the shelter with 3 men. The one next to me has a wonderful, juicy cough and made the comment, "I sure hope my medicine works tonight". Why would he sleep in a shelter full of healthy hikers instead of putting up his tent, you might ask. Because he does't carry a tent! I asked what he would do if he got to the shelter and there was no space left. He told me that he would expect a younger hiker to give up his space. So I asked him what he would do if they said, "No", and he said he'd ask for their tent. Then we had a long discussion about being responsible for yourself when you go into the wilderness, but in the end, he didn't get it.I'm having foot issues with my new shoes. Ugh. Two more days into Stratton. I'll survive.
Date: 2014-02-28
To: Dahlonega, Ga
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, it's finally here. I've been planning this off and on for months, and now it's time to go and hike the Appalachian Trail, or at least give it a good shot. My dad, trail name BCM, is giving me a ride and hiking up to Springer with me and spending the night, which is cool.By the time we got to the Super 8 in Dahlonega, we'd had several misadventures centered aroundthe fact that the address provided on the Internet was a bit iffy. Ah well.Tomorrow, we hike.
Date: 2014-03-01
From: Dahlonega, Ga

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, today I began this as-close-to-2200-miles-as-makes-no-difference trek. After dropping off the first food parcel at Neel Gap, BCM and I drove down to Amicalola Falls. After signing in and taking pictures for home and hearth (read: Mom), he drove up to the parking lot over the falls while I climbed those hundreds of steps.Anyway, we met at the parking lot and hiked up Springer to the shelter. We met some interesting folks there--two fellows who were each out for the weekend, another thru-hiker named Mickey, two trail veterans named Stumpknocker and Mrs. Gorp, and a fellow named Pooh Bear, who intends to hike from Springer to Katahdin and back for charity. Had a good time talking before bed.Note: there will be pictures when I do this from a computer instead of my Nook.
Date: 2014-03-02
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Justus Creek Campground
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

BCM headed back down the mountain this morning, after we took the photos at Springer we forgot to take the day before. It was about as emotional as fathers and sons usually get when parting.Anyway, I hiked on down Springer to Stover Creek Shelter, where I met Charlie, Charlie Jr., and Sage--the latter two intended to thru-hike, while the former was getting off at Hogpen Gap. I let them go on ahead of me, and caught up with Pooh Bear over the creek. Apparently he's using his iPhone to post videos to Youtube.Anyway, I hiked on to Hawk Mountain Shelter, where I met Stumpknocker and Mrs. Gorp again, as well as a family from Mount Airy that was planning on hiking the trail on the weekends. I also cooked lunch there, and, not wishing to stay at the rapidly filling shelter so early in the day, pushedon, intending to stop at Horse or Cooper Gap.I ended up doing neither. Horse Gap was full, so I pushed over Sassafras, and Coopwr Gap, while empty, was at an intersection of two forest service roads. Not wishing to stay alone, I pushed on over Justus Mountain and into Justus Creek as darkness came down, which made set-up, particularly of bear bags, a nightmare--especially because my headlamp stopped working. I ate lunch for supper, then went to bed. Before this, however, I met a thru-hiker named Blaze and a weekender named Judd.The long day was a mistake.
Date: 2014-03-03
From: Justus Creek Campground

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 6.6

I woke up to an extremely wet morning. It had rained for hours the night before, and was still raining as I convinced myself to crawl out of my tent and pack. I planned to dry everything at Gooch Mountain Shelter, after getting some food from Judd, who intended to get out a day sooner than he planned. Also, it tunred out Blaze and I had a mutual acquantince, although his was more distant.Anyway, I ended up staying at Gooch until lunchtime, and eating Judd's food there for lunch. Nothing dried, as it was still too wet and there was no sun, although the rain had stopped. I was told the sun was supposed to come out by three, but there was nothing but mist and wind all day. Also, my knees started acting up on me because the fourteen miles they'd gone the day before. Fortunately, at Woody Gap there was a fellow named Fresh Ground who has something called the Leap Frog Cafe that he takes along the trail every year. Hot food, hot drinks--good trail magic. I got my tent dried as best I could and ended up staying longer than I planned. I saw Pack Rat again, and he and I and a girl named Flashlight, who got her name because her father packed her six of them, stayed the night at the gap in a nice alcove, while most of the others went into town.
Date: 2014-03-04
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 10.7

We ended up getting more trail magic from Fresh Ground that morning in the form of breakfast, a needed boost since my tent was iced over. Hiking to Neel Gap was interesting--the trees and plants were covered in ice. It was right beautiful, but my camera died. Anyway, I was pelted by melting ice from Jarrard Gap to Neel Gap, where I stayed at the hostel after getting food--mail drop and pizza. I managed to get my tent dry, which was nice, and spent a lot of time talking with the folks there. Baltimore Jack, trail legend, hung around and provided advice for a bit. Pack and Flashlight moved on. A woman from Germany named Dinosaur was the first person I've met who didn't go to my college who knew Blind Guardian's "The Bard's Song", which was cool. I ended up talking history with a fellow named Snorlax, another guy named Happy ended up high as a kite, and a young fellow named Mr. Blue Sky met my dad on the second day.Also: hot showers are awesome.
Date: 2014-03-05
From: Neel Gap

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

I decided to shelter-hop my way to Hiawassee, as my knees were still hurting from Day 2. In the morning, I listened to Baltimore Jack talk until the store opened. I then got my first milk in four days and hit the trail. On my way up the hill out of Neel Gap I got some very unexpected trail magic in the form of a glove I'd lost going down into Neel Gap from Blood Mountain. It was a right good glove, and I was glad to have it. I made it down a brutal climb into Tesnatee Gap to find trail magic in the form of snacks, soft drinks, and chairs provided by King Tut of Nudge Ministries. After partaking, I made it out of Tesnatee Gap and into Hogpen Gap, where some person had left hot dogs, candy, and soft drinks. After partaking, which included the last hot dog, I reached Low Gap around 5:00. I ended up tenting, as the shelter was well past full.I spent until 9ish talking with folks around the campfire, these being Mr. Blue Sky, Charlie Jr., Sage, and three girls, as well as a woman named Plan B and the parents of one of the girls. This was where I acquired my trail name--Facts.I went to bed hoping my knees would feel better tomorrow.
Date: 2014-03-06
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got off slightly later than planned. Hiked to Blue Mountain shelter in time to catch crew from Low Gap planning to go into Hiawassee due to incoming snow storm. They did that, while I took the space behind the shelter, as the thing was facing into the wind. Some other folks came up, but everyone but Snorlax and a fellow named Paul headed on down for fear of being stuck on the mountain due to ice. We decided to see how it went. By 5:00, there was snow, and it was cold. By 9:00, the snow had stopped, and I was toasty.
Date: 2014-03-07
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

Left Blue Mountain an hour later than intended with a sopping wet tent--the snow and ice all melted during the night. It was wet and foggy until about the time I hit Tray Gap. The view off of Tray Mountain was lovely as anything. I ended up sharing the shelter with Mr. Blue Sky, and the three girls, one of whom had picked up the name Canary. Paul, Pooh Bear, and the mom of one of them slept outside. An expatriate Englishman and his son came by briefly, but left to seek less crowded environs. Mr. Blue Sky taught me how to use my knife's can opener attachment, there was a campfire with good conversation and stories, a lovely sunset--a very good evening. I set up my tent to dry, and was in bed by 8:30, intending to watch the sunrise.
Date: 2014-03-08
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, Ga
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Mr. Blue Sky woke us all up early to watch the sunrise, which was kind of amazing. I then hiked on to Dick's Creek Gap, after grueling climbs up Kelly Knob and Powell Mountain. Most everyone else went on, but as I'd planned to zero in Hiawassee at the Blueberry Patch Hostel, I caught a ride from the gap with a fellow named Tater, who owned a cabin in the area and provided trail magic in the form of cold Pepsi on top of Kelly Knob.Inhabitants of the hostel by the time everyone got in were a woman named Dandelion, who I'd briefly met at Hawk Mountain Shelter, also met at Neel Gap, and went down into Unicoi from Blue Mountain. Turned out she had knee trouble. Also there were the Englishman and his son, Paul and Kellum, a couple named Alex and Naomi, and a man named Fisherman.I went into town to get supplies and food, and ended up palling around with Fisherman. We ran into Pooh Bear at the Dollar General, where we found out his sponsors put him up at the Holiday Inn Express for the night, and where I had my first milk in three days.We ended up eating at the Georgia Mountain Restaurant, which had an all-you-can-eat buffet for 8 bucks, and was pretty good, too.After we got back to the hostel, everyone spent some time talking about various things, like TV shows, differences between Britain and America, and what we did off the trail. I then did some foot doctoring on myself, and went to sleep.
Date: 2014-03-09
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, Ga

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, Ga
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up to a delicious breakfast of pancakes, eggs, cheese biscuits, hash browns, sausage, and orange juice. Paul, Kellum, and Dandelion went on, while Alex and Naomi went to the Budhet Inn in Hiawassee. Fisherman and I stayed, him to pick up some medicine, me to finish drying my tent and healing up. Also, it felt good to put on clean clothes again.We went to church with Gary Poteat, the owner of the hostel, and have spent thetime since takinv care of business of various kinds--like, in my case, writing this journal. Tomorrow, I begin my journey to Franklin, NC--and, thence, to Katahdin.For those who might ask, yes, it's worth it.
Date: 2014-03-10
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, Ga

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I ended up spending the night at the Blueberry Patch again with Fisherman as the only other ocupant. I headed out this morning around ten, while he stayed to take care of his meds. I got a little bit of trail magic in the form of fruit at Dick's Creek Gap, then hiked on. I met Dandelion going up Buzzard Knob--her knees had been killing her all night, and she was getting off the trail. I ended up meeting Fisherman's buddy Chowder further up, then met a trail maintenance crew from the University of New Hampshire and the Georgia ATC on the way down into Plumorchard Gap--good folk. I ended up lunching with some of them and Chowder at the gap, then met Bismarck and Hopper on the way out. After that, it was uphill all the way to the Georgia-North Carolina border. I took a long break in Bly Gap, and there found out the solar charger was not working on my Nook. The three hikers I'd met came in as I headed out for Muskrat Creek Shelter. The climb out of Bly Gap was grueling as I headed up Courthouse Bald. I made Muskrat by 7, to dind a bunch of people. Met the older fellow BCM and I spent the night with at Springer-trail name Turkey Bird. Also there was Dan, a father of two from New England; Stakes and Cliffwalker, a husband and wife also from New England; and Class Act, so named because he brought some wine and cheese the first night on the trail. Had a good conversation around the fire, but my bear bag rope gave me fits, as parts had gotten frayed that windy night at Woody Gap. Thing broke twice before I finally got it to work. Square knots are lovely things.
Date: 2014-03-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I got a late start in the morning, and was further delayed by issues with my foot doctoring. Very frustrating. However, I made it to Carter Gap at a decent hour, and everyone who I mentioned yesterday was there except for Chowder, along with a woman named Griswold. I slept on the gravel along with Class Act, as the weather was supposed to be bad and we wanted an early start in the morning.
Date: 2014-03-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up to the rain that morning, had a cold breakfast, then hiked behind Bismarck all the way up Albert Mountain, the last bit of which went nearly straight up. Loads of fun. We took a few pictures, of the top, as by then the rain had stopped, then continued on. Everyone else went down into Franklin from Rock Gap due to impending cold weather, leaving me with a hiker named The Believer. She was on some kind of spiritual quest that she didn't want to talk about, so I let her be. I ate a bit, bear bagged, then decided to stay in my sleeping bag 'til dawn. We shall see about tonight.
Date: 2014-03-13
From: Rock Gap Shelter

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

The day began cold and miserable, as everything outside of my bag, including my boots, was frozen. I pried myself out of my sleeping bag, then hiked over to Winding Stair Gap, where I was picked up with Bismarck, Hopper, Stakes, and Cliffwalker by Ron Haven. An interesting fellow, as he runs three motels, shuttles hikers, is a county commissoner, and used to do back before it became a WWF sort of thing, and apparently did lucha libre, a form of masked wrestling, in Mexico. I ate lunch at a place called Martha's Kitchen with those four hikers, then made my way to Three Eagles outfitters for a mail drop, where I left some food, and to the library, where I did internet things and tried to charge my Nook, which gave an excellent brick impression. I would have updated this there, but it wouldn't load the website. I got a ride back to Winding Stair with an old friend of my parents named Sammy Gunter, then hiked on up to Siler Bald Shelter, where I ran into some trouble finding the place. But I did, and also found Chowder, who hauled a 12-pack of cheap beer up there. No clue why.I spent a bit of time on my way up to the shelter thinking about the transience of trail life, as almost everyone I'd hiked with was either back of me in Franklin, or somewhere well ahead of me. Such is the way of things, but I think I'll see them again.
Date: 2014-03-14
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Like most of the days so far, today began cold. Chowder said he was going to take it slow, as he was meeting his girlfriend at Newfound Gap on the 28th. So I bid him farewell and started heading north. The day was lovely, and the views off of Siler and Wayah Balds were breathtaking--panoramic views for miles and miles in all directions. I met two guys named Long Island Iced Tea and Bic coming down from Wayah. They were hiking the Bartram Trail, which is apparently more difficult and less well-maintained than the AT.My good, however, was mildly spoiled by the fact that my food package for the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which contained my Nook charger, was guaranteed to arrive by Tuesday, when I was planning to leave Monday. Ah well.I camped alone at Cold Spring Shelter, and read Ecclesiastes 1-5. I hope this trip is not mere vanity.
Date: 2014-03-15
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The day began cold, and as a result I got a late start prying myself out of my sleeping bag. As I was preparing to leave, I met two new folks named Two Forks and Professor T, both from New England, and Joules, who was one of the three girls I mentioned earlier, and Sun Bear. I thought Fresh ground would be at Tellico Gap, but he was not. There were some lovely views all along the trail, which I thought was nice. I took some pictures on top of the Wesser Bald observation tower with the New Englanders, then took lunch at the shelter. There I had a feeling of nostalgia, as I'd camped there with BCM two years ago. I rolled into Rufus Morgan near to 5:00, and spent the night there with Sun Bear, Canary, Joules, and a fellow named Grease. NOC tomorrow.
Date: 2014-03-16
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The day began cold and rainy. I got off right after the others did and hiked down to the NOC, where I had a second breakfast at the River's End Restaurant with the other four, and a hiker named Gwalker and his wife, who'd come to meet him there. The other four pushed on, while I got and printed my permit for the Smokies. I got a space at the hostel, there to find that I was sharing a room with Chowder, now called 12-pack for hauling a 12-pack of beer up Siler Bald, and two guys named Live 'n Learn and Goliath. I had lunch in the communal kitchen with Dan and a fellow named Survivorman, who did tour guiding in Honduras for a few years before moving back to the states to do this. I took a shower after, then went down to the general store, where I met a fellow named Gary, who lived a few miles upstream.He was an interesting fellow, as he came down from the Detroit area to look for work. He didn't find much, and was basically doing odd jobs to make ends meet while living at a river camp. While there, I also met the British guy and his son again. I ate supper at River's End with Columbus and Queen of the threefer that I'd last seen at Low Gap--Doomsday had rolled on long before, and also talked some with Bismarck and Hopper. Afterwards, I went back to the kitchen to relax, charge electronics, and listen to music. I also talked some with Dinosaur, Survivorman, Stakes, and Bismarck. Good folk. I went to bed a bit later than intended, and I hope my package will arrive tomorrow.
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up to the sound of rain hitting the hostel roof, took another shower, and at breakfast in the kitchen. I then transferred by stuff to the kitchen, as I was sure that I could get to it when I needed to. i swung don to the outfitter to do internet things and wait for the package. Around 11:30, I saw the Fedex truck go by, and went to inquire. No such luck. I asked my parents to send a return request to Fedex to send the package back home, then headed back up to get moving north. I ended up getting a dollop of trail magic from Gwalker's wife in the form of some supplementary food for the journey to Fontana. I then ate lunch, doctored my feet, and headed out just before one.It's a long hike up out of the Nantahala Gorge, just like it's a long hike down.I found a couple of interesting things on the climb up, though. One was a group of four thru-hikers who decided to spend their zero at one of the few flat spots, just before Grassy Gap, and the other was a death site marker for a ranger named Wade Sutton, who died fighting a forest fire near there in 1978. Honor to the brave.Anyway, I met a family of seven who didn't look like they were having a good time on the way up (protip: don't take a ten year old up the Nantahala Gorge when it's cold and wet).I also met Motor and Spaghetti, then hiked down into Sassafras Gap Shelter to find Bismarck, Hopper, Columbus, Queen, Dinosaur, a female hiker named one day and a male one named Midnight Sparkle. All of us but the first two moved on to Locust Cove, up through the mists and the clouds.I ended up making the hike with one day, who did wilderness therapy before she hit the trail, and went down into Locust Cove to find Survivorman and a group from Morehead State University in Kentucky there. Room was found for everyone, and we all had a grand time, although I spilled supper. 'Twas a bummer, but I should be good 'til morning.
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

The day began cold and damp, so I had the trail mix I got yesterday for breakfast and hiked down into Stecoah Gap. There I met the rest of the Morehead State folks, who I regaled with tales of what lay ahead while eating some of their extra food. I made it up Jacob's Ladder, which worse than I remembered from doing it with BCM a few years ago. I cooked breakfast for lunch at Brown Fork Gap Shelter and had a bagel with One Day while my stuff dried. I was wondering whetger to push on to Fonrana today, but my knee said no, so I stopped at Cable Gap. There I stayed with Bismarck and Hopper, Columbus and Queen, One Day, Dinosaur, Survivorman, and Sir Laughs a Lot. Motor, Spaghetti, and Midnight Sparkle pushed on to Fontana. Now, I hiked for a bit with him, and he's an interesting fellow. He got his name from his friend's daughter, who's convinced that that would be his name if he was in My Little Pony. He did 3 tours in Afghanistan, at least one of which he did in a civil affairs battalion. He's blogging his hike at Walking off the War. I can't remember whether it's blogspot or wordpress.I read Ecclesiastes 7-12 tonight, and took comfort, as I have ate, drank, and found joy. So long as I fear God and keep his commandments, I should be fine.