morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-04
From: GMS

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: scattered clouds

What A GREAT DAY!!! The sun was out and it was the first clear day we have had hiking. Got up this morning, had some breakfast and got out later because we knew we only had 5 miles to do today. Me, buffer, and spoon were all feeling good. The big climb for the day was over blood mtn with an elevation of 4400' and it was an amazing view on top of the mtn. This is also where the bear was snagging food bags - warnings and notices everywhere about it - actually matt, radio and pin cushion saw the bear last night and according to the journal it was a big boy!Going down blood mtn was a lot more difficult than going up and it kills the knees going downhill, but the views for the first time were tremendous!We got into Neels Gap around 2:30 and got some snacks and decided to stay at the hostel for the evening. Lots of people were there most of the regulars that I have been mentioning and a couple more new ones. Some guys got lost we heard later on in the evening and made it in, my only question was " did you see any white blazes" blank stare...enough said. Matt, PC, Radio were getting ready to hit the trail so said good bye to them. Met a German guy who said some german did a film documentary last yr on the AT and it was aired in Jan this yr..interesting.Got a shower, did some laundry, lost another 5lbs from the pack so now i am at 35lbs with 2L of water and 4 days of food. Weighed myself at 170lbs but I don't know what I started at. Got my first resupply!! And had pizza for dinner which was alright. Another day done!
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Wow! What a great day to be outside!! Clear skies and sunshine! It took me forever to get out of the hostel. Me and spoon left at 11 and had a long day ahead of us, some really steep climbs out of the gap but the best views yet! Got lots of pics and could see the mtns we had climbed and where we had come from! Buffer had a buddy come in to hike for a week w/ him. Had a wicked climb up hogpen mtn almost straight up w/ switchbacks. Took a late lunch and buffer and his buddy (who sculpts sand castles for a living) caught up with us and we walked the rest if the way in. Knees hurt a little more today...I will hike shorter tomorrow. Got to camp around 6:00 and had to get into dinner time mode, shelter was full so we camped above, haven't stayed in a shelter yet. Mainly because I don't want to deal w/ the mice and people moving around at night.
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

Last night was weird. As we sat around making dinner a lot more people came in and they all decided to make camp with us, but the thing is there was no level ground where we were - but there was a good campsite right above us... weird, like i said. All four of us broke camp real quick this morning and headed out toward Helen, GA, where Buffer and his friend were going to spend the night. Spoon and I decided to stay at Blue Mountain Shelter and it was a short day hike, but a great day! We ran into a rattle snake - a huge one - about a 4 foot timber; it's interesting to meet people who have never heard a rattler before and it was close! Got a decent at best picture of it. Had a great lunch and nice hike with the group. We passed and were passed by many of the usual people, saw some really nice small mountain creeks/falls, heard there was a bear on the trail in front of us but didn't see it. We got to the shelter around 3:00 and ate and I sat around on top of the mountain just relaxing in my tent trying to rest up because tomorrow we have some huge climbs ahead of us. Buffer and fresh legs went into Helen and stayed at a hotel. At the shelter I met a guy outdoors who hates the outdoors; he's young and wanted to go live outside but one of his buddies recommended the AT instead. Interesting note he is a professional competetive eater, I'm sure we will find him a good trail name. He also had all his food eaten the first night by a bear, which also destroyed his rain pants because his food was in them. The evening was relaxing, knees are doing better but big day tomorrow up Tray mtn. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Swag of the Blue Ridge
Miles today: 11.4

Heard a bear last night in camp, got out of the tent to see it but couldn't, but did scare it away with some noise. Broke camp easily this morning and getting better and faster at it. Spoon and I hiked down Blue Mtn and he was flying because he was taking a day off in Helen, Ga. Had a great encounter with a timber rattlesnake; it started rattling about 10 feet from me as he was crossing the trail and then decided to wrap up on the other side of the trail, so I waited because I heard the rest of the group that was at the shelter behind me to tell them. Got a great picture of the snake as it crossed the trail! Continued on down the mtn and had my first bit of trail magic, PBR ice cold, drank it, caught up with Buffer and Pat and Spoon, and went to town. Hiking today was tough, climbed Rocky and Tray Mtn back to back which was killer. The weather was hot but great breezes and views. Stopped by Tray Mtn Shelter and got some water and read the register to see who was in front of us. We continued on to Swag of the Blue Ridge and set camp off the trail as it was late. Dinner was awesome as Buffer brought out his culinary skills and had packed some taters, onions, garlic and we had just about everything combined into dinner - summer sausage, spinach tortellini, garlic, taters, onions, and the cheese from a mac and cheese....tasty! Hit the sack around dark after hanging food! Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Swag of the Blue Ridge

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: few clouds

Last night the wind was blowing from the west and I could hear it starting from way down the valley and working its way up, but we must have been protected because by the time it got to us it was a slight breeze - lucky us. I also realized in the night that I did not check the tree I was under for loose branches. I woke up this morning with my knees feeling real tight, so I decided to rework my entire stride and pace. I took it real slow into Hiawassee today, but the hiking was great! I stopped by a vista that overlooked the town and took a couple of pictures and hiked my way to the road. It didn't take long to get a ride from a man named Alf and his wife Marie, who had just dropped off their son further up the AT and were heading into town for a couple of days to check out the area. I checked into the Holiday Inn for two nights to take a zero day (a day of no hiking in hiker terms). I unpacked everything to take a look at all my stuff and analyze weight once again. I took a long shower and went to Smokeys BBQ next door, which was tasty. I ended up resting and watching TV for the night enjoying a pillow! I woke up Sunday, ate some breakfast, went back to bed, woke up for lunch and then went for a resupply run at Dill's grocery. The competetive eater I met earned his trail name today at the BBQ place, which had a chicken wing challenge: 10 wings in 10 mins and then a 5 min waiting period before napkins and drinks....well, he is now Hot Wing! (pronounced wang with a southern accent). All I have to say is that seeing competetive eating on TV one thing; in real life...wow! I could never do that for a t-shirt and a picture - so painful. Let's just say that a couple hours later with 1 out of 3 Hardees milkshakes still in him, Hot Wing recovered wearing his t-shirt with pride! I have to call some friends and My Lady Mink and talk for more than a few minutes. I got the bag packed and am waiting for tomorrow to come and get back on the trail. Enjoyed my pillow for one more night and got some good sleep. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I came out of town feeling good. Alf gave us a ride back to the trail and we were hiking by 8:30. The trail started out easy and we stopped early to eat food to take weight off our backs. 7 miles in we crossed the GA/NC border...woohoo! Took some pictures and headed for Bly Gap where the most photographed tree stood. It was an old oak bent over and then straght up, wasn't too impressed but took a pic and Buffer did a pose on the tree. Had some lunch with the weather starting to change, and fog started rolling in. The weather said it was going to be in the 70's in town but it was 55 and dropping. We hoofed it into the shelter with few stops and the rain caught us about 1.5 miles out. We could see the rain coming and climbed two straight up straight up peaks with the second one more difficult, but my legs and knees felt great. We got into the shelter around 5:00 with rain and a cold breeze outside, so I stayed in a shelter for the first time on this trip. Everybody jumped into their sleeping bags and I cooked dinner for Buffer and myself. I also had a couple of cups of tea to warm up. We were packed in the shelter head to feet, and there was a symphony of snoring while i wrote in the journal. I had to put in my ear plugs to go to sleep. The rain and cold weather doesn't bother me that much, probably from those freezing cold trapping mornings - those were cold mornings compared to 45 and cold rain. Bonus - today I wore the raincoat all day. I didn't think I could ever hike in it, but it worked great with my baselayer. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Coolllddd night with the breeze coming in. Met a few new folks at the shelter last night: popeye, mike, and Georgia traildog. Ulysses, hot wing, John boy & giggles, and pat were there as well, it was a nice reunion from the hotel. I ended up hiking in the rain and fog today going over Standing Indian Mtn and I probably missed some good views. I said goodbye to Pat about 4 miles into the hike. He had to go to Myrtle beach to carve some sand, plus I think he was done with the AT experience, and he got it all. Hiked up the Mtn with GeorgiaTD; he was part Cherokee Indian and had all the history of the area to tell us, plus we talked about huntin, fishin, trappin the night before which seemed humorous to the rest of the crowd. He told us the tree (most photographed) was created by the Cherokee to identify trails, towns, and water sources along the trail. They would bend a young sampling over to make it grow funky. Not much on the trail today, after the mtn climb it was walking on a ridge forever. Got to see and take a picture of one of the original shelters built back in the 1940's and slept at the new one underneath on a platform. The weather warmed up to around 55 and Buffer had dinner prepped waiting for me: black beans, taters, garlic, rice, summer sausage...tasty and filling. Hope the weather clears up for tomorrow. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Carter Shelter

To: Bear Pin Trail
Miles today: 6.3

I woke up feeling good. The night was foggy and a little chilly. Everybody in the sheltr was rushing to get out and by 8:00 and we had the shelter to ourselves for the rest of the morning. Everyone wanted to rush to the next shelter because of the weather. The hike started out well with lots of fog, and then my right knee started hurting badly. I walked some more and decided to call for a ride into town (moonwalker came and picked me up). The rest of the crew rolled on to rock gap shelter and I went to the Budget Inn in Franklin, NC. Bonus - got a free AT guide from moonwalker! (I haven't carried a map since day one). Spoon was there and we caught up and went to dinner. He was taking a zero day. I ended up having a couple of beers with Spoon and Popeye outside the hotel. I went to the doc - just some tendinitis of the right knee. I went to the outfitter and picked up my maildrop and bought some more dry bags that were lighter than the ones I currently have. I had everyone at the hotel feel the differnce between the old and new ones and we all agreed I dropped maybe 6-8oz of weight...sweet! I went to dinner the next night with hot wing, buffer, and mike. Had a couple of beers at the hotel watching TV. Created a bounce box of some items to reevauluate some equipment and supplies at the next stop. My knee feels decent. I have the next 40 miles planned out at a snail's pace to allow my knee to recuperate. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Bear Pin Trail

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Recap of the first two weeks:First three days in GA were rain and fog.Met and formed our group, the Quiter's, at Jarrods Gap.Hot Wing destroyed the wing challenge in Hiawassee.Earned my first knee brace at mile 67.5.Hiked through my first state (GA).Picked up my second knee brace at mile 98.6.Broke through the first 100 miles.No Cash and Old Man Walking said so long.I am behind schedule!
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Bear Pin Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: light rain

So I started off where I had been picked up on Wednesday. And I took it real slow. Of course, about 30 mins into the trail it decided to rain. I got up Albert Mtn, and it took forever because I was taking it real easy. At the top there was a fire tower, but I did not go up because there were not good views today, but it did clear up a little for some ok pics. I ate my sweet roll from the bakery this morning, taking a break there as well. It was a slow process to the shelter, not because my knee was hurting, but because I didn't want to hurt it again. I arrived at the shelter around 8:00 and I was the only one there for the evening. There was a journal and I read over the past couple days; there were messages from the group who lost me and then some from those who came a day later wishing me well. Giggles got off the trail as planned in Franklin. Went to bed late with the rain coming down.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shltr
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I realized that I broke the 100 mile mark yesterday! Knee is feeling ok but then again I am not sure of it's the cortisone shot or it's feeling better. Got started at 900, with the sun coming out and then for the rest of the day it was hit or miss with rainstorm or sun. I stopped for a bit and talked with My Lady Mink, actually an hour break and all I ate was a bar, should have eaten more, my hunger is coming back even though I'm only doing 8 miles a day right now. I opened the legs up a little more and felt decent, but I took my time as well. It feels like I am starting all over again with my pace; it's hard to get going. I got to the shelter around 6 and met the Three Amigos who are hiking at a breakneck speed; I wish I could keep up with them but they have to be back at school by September 1st - great guys though. A few more straggled in later. Two guys had space blankets and a tarp for their bedding and those things are loud, like a plastic bag being crinkled, but louder, and it took 20 mins for them to quiet down. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: moderate rain

It rained hard last night and I woke up for a bit from the rain pounding the tin roof in the shelter. So far NC shelters have really been in bad shape; most of the bear cables are not working, the privies are in bad shape and the shelters look like they may be falling down. The hike from the shelter was a good warm up, 0.5 miles back to the trail. I would never have slept there if it weren't for the knee, it was too far from the trail. Rain again today, blah, went by Silers Bald but it was fogged in, so I didn't climb the blue blaze trail to the top. Trail was decent - some tough climbs with the knees, opened up the pace a little more but ended up slowing down as the day progressed, still haven't gained the power back yet. The sun finally broke through about a mile from Wayah Bald and when I got up there it was a great view and even nicer sun!!! I ended up sitting up there for 2 hours soaking up the sun and drying my gear out and I even had service so I waited for My Lady Mink to get off work and talked to her. I did meet some tourists/locals and that kept my time busy. A couple was really interested in talking with me and we ended up taking pictures for each other and they wanted one of me with my gear so that their friends believed that I existed...hmmm... So I gave then the big smile and two thumbs up for their picture. Got to the shelter and I was the only one there for a bit; two brothers showed up and we ended up hanging out for a bit, they tented and I slept in the shelter - I didn't trust that the rain was gone. I had an excellent dinner - mixed some beef jerky into the veggies! The shelter was really nice because it had been built two years ago; I hope they keep improving. Actually, I just want to get in my tent again..go away rain! Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

So a long journey today, pushed my legs too hard and was feeling it by the end of the day, but the sun was out and I had some great views all day. Passed a couple more shelters, read in the journals where my group was in front of me. I have missed them but it's been great hiking by myself and meeting some new faces! Met a couple of ultra light hikers, one guy is going to do the trail in 90 days, 8 lb pack. Speaking of backpack weight, that's all I have been thinking about now for the past three days. Actually, obsessing - what can I get rid of? cut down everything! It's one of the few things to worry about out here and it's controlling my every thought. I will take care of it at NOC. Met up with the same brothers from the night before and we tented!!! Ahh it's nice to be back in the tent. We had started a fire and hung around it keeping warm, had a nip of rum that the brothers brought, nice thing about section hikers, they have the good stuff! The fire seemed to really help loosen the knees up, met another hiker who is hiking super fast as well - Nick was his name, no trail name yet. Also scored a venison sausage link from one of the brothers as well, it was tasty with my cheese and crackers I had for lunch. We have a 3300' decline tomorrow over 4.1 miles, worried about the knees. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up this morning early, first one up and it was great weather, got the fire going again and got out of camp around 900. The views were good today and the downhill was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. Saw a trail work crew heading up to a huge tree that was down over the trail, had to take my pack off to get around it. Got into NOC around 200 and it is an oasis in the woods with the trail going right through it! However, it was the first time that I was overwhelmed with all the people and stuff around, guess that happens when you're in the woods by yourself for 4 and a half days and the only thing you hear is the critters and woods. But I quickly got to business getting a room and booking my fly fishing trip! Yep going to take a zero day to go fishin'. I had been planning on this for a while. Got a nice shower and my stuff unpacked, stayed in a two person bunkhouse by myself - it was decent. Met a couple more people, Kim and Croc, Jon and Jonathan (who is actully hiking to Chicago by back roads). From the journals, Jon-boy got off the trail for family reasons - hope she gets back on. Spoon is well ahead of me, not sure where Hot wing or Buffer are, but I heard they were a couple days ahead from a southbounder. Food at NOC was excellent, I had whole wheat pancakes w/ blueberries and a schnitzel and mashed potatoes, also a breakfast burrito and somewhere in there a bacon, cheeseburger... tasty!
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Got out of NOC around 1100 and went for a short hike today because of a 3000' climb out of there, and of course it was raining so the view at Cheoah Bald would not have been worth another 700', 2 mile climb and wet gear the next day. The climb was steady and, for the first time, straight up in some sections - I mean straight up. Spent the entire day hiking by myself and stopped at the Jump Up to get a decent view in between the clouds. About a mile from the shelter it poored rain but it wasn't that bad and I got in at 630 to a crowd of the Pink Panthers (husband & wife) who thruhiked in 1994 and and for her 80th birthday wanted to go back to the trail - he was 82. Also met some older guy section hikers, I think. One guy called me a mercenary of the land plus some other things I can't remember, with Croc sitting next to me. I handled him with a lot more composure than I really wanted to, but he was from Maine, so I hope to never see him again. Croc, who is 57 and from Conneticut, told me the next day that I had handled myself well. Also met "Chainsaw" (not her real name - I gave her that nickname in my head because she is a snorer!). She kept the entire shelter up all night and I even had my earplugs in! We all awoke very tired! I had lasagna for dinner, not bad. Best regards,
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

So Croc and I decided to hike together. We both have hurt knees, although I have stopped writing about them because the pain is always there but my knees are getting stronger. We had a 700' climb with clouds and rain in the forecast. The morning was slow going and then we went downhill, which was tough. About 3 miles into our hike we met some boyscouts, Troop 914, who kept passing us telling us they had food for us at Stecoah Gap...woohoo..trail magic!! It seemed like it took forever to get there, but we finally did. They had a huge buffet: chili dogs, canteloupe, salad, cheese, candy. I ate everything I could! It was good and a great morale booster, because by then it was becoming a hot day. We sat ther for two hours talking, eating. We even got goody bags and I got a new toothbrush! I also showed the troop what was in my pack, put up my tent (the dads were more impressed with all my light gear) - it was fun! Got a great picture with the troop and had to leave the chili dogs behind. Croc and I took off for another 5-6 miles of hiking. I also have decided to hike from 7am to 7pm; that should get me up to speed with the longer mileage days. We actually passed up a shelter to out-hike "Chainsaw." But it was nice and quiet that evening in the tent. The trail was tough and rocky today; it hasn't been well kept and there are a lot of trees down along the trail. I have only seen one trail group out working so far. You can also tell when you are getting close to a town because the trail is more well groomed, but in between it's rougher than I had imagined. There were again some straight uphill sections for about 0.5 mile at one point today - slow going for sure. Today the sun was out all day and it was great. Croc and I got some great pictures at a ridgeline and as I went to leave I heard a noise and realized I had been pretty darn close to a baby rattler the whole time. We saw three snakes that day but it wasn't that surprising because the sun was out for a full day for the first time in a while. We hiked for 13 hours today...nice! Best regards,