morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-19
To: One Month!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

My start date is in one month! I'm panicking a little. I took the death of my cat pretty hard. This last month has been a little fuzzy. Things are starting to get better even if I'm still putting everything off that I should be doing to get ready. I haven't been hiking but I've made some changes to my gear list even though I thought I'd made up my mind. I got a stunt double for my wedding band. It's a cheap ring that I won't feel bad if I lose on the Trail. I've switched out my rain pants for a rain wrap from LightHeart Gear. I've dropped a small handful of items to save a little more weight. I'm not really worried about the hiking part but more with squaring everything away at home. I'm trying to fix everything that needs fixing around the house so my husband has less to worry about while I'm gone. We're going out of town for our anniversary soon so, hopefully, a relaxing getaway will help reset my brain so I can get things done. It's like I had all the time in the world and now there's no time for anything!
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Top of Amicalola Falls

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: light rain

My family had three beautiful days in Amicalola Falls State Park. Then it was time for them to say goodbye and leave me in the freezing rain! I chose to start at the top of the falls since I had already done that part with my guys. I don't regret it. Today was pretty miserable. There was nothing but fog for 7.9 miles! And rain. There was a guy at a gap who slipped in the mud and thought he broke his ankle. There were plenty of folks around and they said they didn't need anything since help was on the way so I pressed on... carefully. Made it to the top of Springer and had it all to myself. I'm guessing because of the weather. I could've kept going past Springer Mountain Shelter but I'm trying to force myself to start with tiny miles. And I'm freezing. Time to recharge for tomorrow!
Date: 2015-03-20
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

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

Today was a looong day. I could've stopped earlier but I stopped early yesterday and regretted it. I came out here to hike so I'm hiking. It was still foggy today with a little bit of rain. Not enough to put my Packa on. I don't mind being wet but muddy I could do without. I slowed down a lot when it was muddy downhill. I'm clumsy enough as it is! Met some nice folks today. We'll see if we have the same pace. It's too early to tell. It's 9pm and way past my bed time. No signal here. I think I've decided to skip the pictures on here. It's too much to keep up with my WordPress blog and Instagram on top of this. Oh and I already have a hole in my shirt. Tomorrow we test my sewing skills!
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Justus Creek

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It looks like the miles aren't quite the same in the A.T. Guide and Guthook's app so I'll just start using one consistently.Today was a great day! The weather was finally nice. Without fog everywhere I could actually tell I was hiking in mountains. The views were actual views! Came across two hiker feeds and I gladly accepted. I don't have the hiker hunger yet but a delicious apple is still a delicious apple. Someone sang happy birthday to me on his guitar even though it isn't my birthday. Laughs around the campfire for a perfect ending.Also, my water bladder is busted. I'm not sure how much of this stuff I plan to fix or replace but everything is falling apart. Good thing I hit Neel Gap tomorrow so I can get everything sorted out. Unlike my gear, my body is holding up just fine. No blisters and my knees are behaving. Some stairs claimed a bit of skin from my knuckles this evening but that won't affect my hiking so I'm okay.
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Lance Creek

To: Mountain Crossings Hostel
Miles today: 7.4

Aaaand again with the rain. Blood Mountain was perfect and worth the trouble getting down. Short legs and tall rocks is a knee busting combination. Took a half day off at Mountain Crossings to resupply, recharge, and repsyche myself. There are a couple cats that live in the hostel so I got my fix. Feeling pretty good. Did laundry, took a shower, called my family, and ate a frozen pizza prepared by someone else! The group I'm hiking with has a great sense of humor. Got some advice from Baltimore Jack and some smokes from Miss Janet after the hostel guy tried to teach me how to roll my own. It's apparently not on my list of skills. Thanks, guys! I wasn't ready for a zero but a half day out of the rain was exactly what I needed.
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Mountain Crossings Hostel

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

My favorite part so far, other than the hiking of course, has been everyone's attitudes. Everyone has been in good spirits. There's such a positive outlook. Everyone I've met is still excited to be here! There were quite a few smiling faces coming out of Neel Gap, that's for sure. I know many left with lighter packs. I about evened out. I made three changes. I switched my silk mummy liner for one with some stretch to it. I bought a new dry bag for my food. Mine got wet the first night in the rain so let's hope this one is actually waterproof. I realized I was only taking pictures with my phone so I sent my camera home. It was a tough decision because I love taking photos but I think it was the right choice.The hiking today was easy compared to Blood Mountain yesterday. I am still going slow uphill but as long as my knee keeps feeling fine I'm killing it downhill to make up for the time. No blisters still and all my human parts are working the way they should. I've done a good job making sure I don't go too far each day but that I don't stop so early that I'm bored. It's a delicate balance. I took lots of breaks today and enjoyed the good company.Saw the sun all day. It was a nice change of pace. Even some wildflowers and bees. Spring is definitely making its presence known. I think someone counted that we went over 6 mountains today. I don't know if that's right but it sounds pretty cool.
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain
Miles today: 11.1

Today was tough. I don't know if there were lots of uphill or if it just felt like it. Blue Mountain is not blue and Rocky Mountain is not rocky. Feeling happier after a hiker feed of delicious fajitas and Cherry Dr. Pepper. I didn't make it as far as I'd planned but got a nice sunset and roasted marshmallows in exchange. I am a happy hiker. Today was also pretty exciting because it's the most days I've ever backpacked in a row!
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Rocky Mountain

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I finished my first week! If you add in the days at Amicalola Falls it's been even longer. I am ready for a day off. I think I'm planning to stay in Hiawassee tomorrow night. In a bed. In my own room. I've been doing fine until today. I mean, I'm still fine but I'll be even better after a day off. Four miles to Dick Creek Gap and then a shuttle to town. I have spent more time socializing in the last week than I have in the last year. This is a big deal for me. I hiked entirely by myself today and even ate lunch solo. Everyone I've met appears to be behind or ahead of me. Part of me misses them but part of me was happy to be alone. When I walked up to the shelter it felt like the Twilight Zone. It was full of people I'd never met! It was exciting and a little awkward to have to introduce myself to a whole new set of people. Fortunately everyone was super nice as usual.Today was foggy again and raining now. Kelly Knob was hard especially at the end of the day. For the first time I really missed my guys. I've had plenty of people to talk and laugh with but I didn't realize just how much I would miss physical human contact. I hug and kiss both of them every day! It's nothing I can't handle yet but it surprised me how suddenly the feeling came upon me.
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.6

Took a half day off today. I feel like I've earned it! Caught the shuttle to the Hiawassee Budget Inn in the morning and spent the afternoon doing laundry, showering, eating all the sandwiches, resupplying, and drying out my gear. I sprung for my own room and am happy as can be. I have three real pillows and they're all mine! I felt like I just needed to be in a room where I was the only one snoring tonight. Another Miss Janet sighting. She said she hasn't heard back about that Exxon free gas contest. I really hope she won. If anyone deserves it it's her!I just had a video chat with my guys plus kitty! I love technology and free motel wifi. It's amazing what something simple like that can do for morale out here. I'm feeling ten times better than yesterday ... emotionally anyway. I'll know more about my toe tomorrow. See you soon, North Carolina!
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Dicks Creek Gap

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

Took the first half of the morning off. Two half days make a whole day right? It was nice to pack up leisurely. Caught the 11 o'clock shuttle back to Dicks Creek Gap. It was cold during the day for once and even colder at night. Not a single bug flew in my eye! I think I counted 21 coming out of Unicoi Gap the other day. I crossed over into North Carolina and was welcomed with snow! I got in close to dark so thought I'd save time by staying in the shelter instead of pitching my tent.
Date: 2015-03-28
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 9.3

Last night was my first time sleeping in a shelter. I think it was too cold with the snow for mice so that was good. I don't think I like shelters though. Today was the first day my back hurt and I think it had something to do with it. The wood floor was really hard and I think I didn't turn as much because I didn't want to disturb people so my hips hurt too. My toe is still bleeding so I took an easy day today. It's supposed to be cold again tonight so I also wanted to stop early and get warm. I'll try to wrap the toe better tomorrow.It didn't snow today but there was still a lot on the ground from last night. It made for some pretty hiking. Trail life is good.
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Beech Gap

To: Long Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Another freezing night. I'm doing okay except for my gloves. My fingers are the only thing not warm. I may browse for new gloves in Franklin tomorrow. Haven't decided if I'll stay the night or just resupply. I just stayed the night in Hiawassee so I feel like it may be too soon. Plus I'm not far from the Nantahala Outdoor Center which sounds like a better place to chill out at. We'll see!Today was super easy hiking all the way to Albert Mountain and then it wasn't. That was the first time I actually had to stop and shorten my trekking poles. It's not very far but it is steep and I have tiny legs. For me, it was the toughest thing so far. I made it though and the 360 view from the fire tower at the top made it all worth it. Passed the 100 mile mark today and feel pretty good about it. I know I have a long way to go but I also know several people who have already gotten off the Trail. I feel fortunate to be healthy and happy...Mostly healthy. This cracked toe nail business is getting old. It doesn't hurt but it keeps bleeding and I don't want it to get infected. I wrapped it today and ended up giving the toe next to it a blister. Doh! My first blister but it's a tiny one and I know exactly how I got it. I'm going to buy some liquid bandage in town tomorrow. I don't know what else to do.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Long Branch Shelter 

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 7.3

I slept right through a thunderstorm. I must be doing something right with my sleep system. Another foggy morning with nothing to write home about. I booked it to Winding Stair Gap for a shuttle to a motel. I need to sort some things out. I got my second blister but I know what made this one happen too. I switched out my wool sock liners because they were too hot in Hiawassee but the new pair ended up being too big. They slid down and bunched up resulting in a tiny blister on my heel. Luckily Ron Haven is a scholar and a gentleman. He picked me up and took a group of us to the Chinese buffet, outfitters, and to resupply. I bought a new rain jacket and some gloves. When we had snow the only thing that was cold were my fingers. Hope to test out my new toasty digits in the Smokies soon! Also walked around in my Crocs for the second half of today and no toe bleeding! Gonna take tomorrow off for my first zero and put this liquid bandage to work the next day. Cross your fingers and toes for me.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Watched t.v. for the first time last night. I don't have cable at home and I don't feel like I'm missing much. I fell asleep to River Monsters on Animal Planet. It was okay.My first zero day! I walked to the post office to mail my Packa home. It just wasn't working out for me. It is really great when I'm hiking. Vents well and is comfortable beyond belief when I'm hiking. The problem is that I eventually have to stop hiking every day. Having a single piece of rain gear is too much trouble at the end of the day when it's time to set up my tent. In the morning I don't mind taking the time to keep things dry but when I'm exhausted at the end of the day, it's just more than I'm willing to mess with. Especially when it's been so cold lately!I got a bunch of things sewn and repaired today. It was nice not to have to be anywhere but I have to admit I was antsy by the end of the day. Ate some tasty BBQ though.This zero is making me feel like it's the first day again. I can't sleep and I'm running around my hotel room trying to make sure I have everything I need.Can't wait to get back out there tomorrow!
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I overslept and missed the breakfast at the church in Franklin. My late night bubble bath was totally worth it though. Caught the 9am shuttle back to Winding Stair Gap and hiked all day. The hiking was easy but my body didn't think so. Some day hikers gave me cheese at Siler Bald and I may have forgotten I'm lactose intolerant. My husband and son always remind me to take a pill. It was a lesson I won't soon forget.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

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

I'm not sure if it was the zero in Franklin or the liquid bandage but my toe has stopped bleeding. Can't complain today. There was some fog this morning and clouds the rest of the day so I skipped a few side trails that sounded like they would've had great views if I'd been able to see anything. Right place, wrong time. Saw my first shelter mice when I stopped for lunch with the twins. They are good company. The twins, not the mice. Ate the best trail magic egg sandwich at Tellico Gap. Didn't really rain until I was already going to bed. Everything about today was just right.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center Bunkhouse
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: overcast clouds

My son had an orchestra concert last night and my husband's phone died so he didn't record any of it. This was the first time on the A.T. that I wished I was somewhere else. I've never missed anything his whole life. I thought about it all the way into the NOC today.I was grateful for distractions. The twins found a salamander when they took down their tent this morning and showed me. I've been looking for one since Springer! It was very exciting. I'd never seen one not in a zoo before.Easy six miles for a half day although not so much for others. I'm lucky on the downhills that they don't hurt my knees. I got mine for gloating though because I did fall backwards off a log with my pack on and everything. It was in slow motion and pretty hilarious. I had to ask for help to get back up. Imagine an upside down turtle. My fall count is up to seven and still none of them have been while hiking.
Date: 2015-04-04
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center Bunkhouse

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: broken clouds

Had a hookup to go rafting this morning but he bailed on us. I was pretty bummed but decided not to let it stop me. Shelled out the big dollars to the NOC and went with them. It was a lot of fun. I've never done anything like that so it was pretty exciting. Ate some lunch and headed out. It was a short day of hiking but felt extra long. The trail went up for forever and I got slowed down several times. Saw my first A.T. snake. It wasn't venomous but I figure a snake bite hurts either way so I gave it a minute to work its way across the trail. It was too steep on either side to go around. I guess I could've shooed it but it felt rude. Then a few miles later I got bonked right on the top of the head by a falling branch. It was about as wide as my elbow. I've got a knot on my head but it mostly just scared the crap out of me. I'm lucky it wasn't any bigger. Then a while later there was a section made of rocks. Big, loose, stupid rocks. I hiked out so late in the day that it was really the first time that I thought nobody would be along if something bad happened. But I took my time and everything was fine. Happy to be at a shelter with people tonight.
Date: 2015-04-05
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was beautiful. It was freezing last night but I actually kinda like it. It makes the morning uphills feel better. Then it warmed up and got cold again. I sat on Cheoah Bald by myself for half an hour. The silence was golden. Sometimes it is a nice contrast to the socializing I do in the evening. Both are necessary for my sanity. Jacob's Ladder is a lie. There is no ladder. There is a steep forever that made my achilles scream though. Got to the shelter and couldn't waste the daylight so I hiked on with a couple other hikers. I'm glad we did because it puts me closer to Fontana Village tomorrow where my first maildrop is hopefully waiting for me. No Easter Bunny sightings but I did score a delicious protein bar. Apple pie flavored! Section hikers are my new best friends.
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

What a day. Light rain off and on throughout the day. I didn't let it get to me because I was hopeful for my first maildrop at Fontana Village. Took my first fall like a champ. I did an epic slide onto home plate in the mud. Still wasn't upset. My plan was to run into town, grab my mail, eat some lunch, and then go to the shelter for a shower. Ready to tackle the Smokies tomorrow! Then I waited for the shuttle for over an hour and the post office was closed. The shuttle driver didn't even bother to offer an apology. I've been rained on, snowed on, had gear fail, broken a toenail in half, been bonked on the head with a branch, bitten by flies, and had a 17-day period ... all with a smile. I wanted to throttle this shuttle driver with my bare hands. Instead I took the opportunity to do laundry and take a shower. I lost a freakin' sock somehow on top of missing the post office. Then I ate something. Turns out I was just hangry! I didn't eat lunch because I thought I was going to a restaurant in ten minutes. Now me and everything I have (minus one sock) is clean, my belly is full, I got to text my family, and now I'm out of the rain and in a bed with four pillows. I still have to waste time going to the post office in the morning but I'm currently less angry about it. Rant over.Something very important happened today. It was a little thing but it was a change that I felt happen as it happened and that made it huge. Since I've been out here I've been mesmerized by the surrounding mountains. Houston is flat so it's a big deal for me. Plus, it's all the talk among hikers. The views past, present, and future. "Did you see the view this morning? Isn't this view great? Oh, man, there's supposed to be some great views tomorrow!" Today I was hiking, concentrating on the trail, and trying not to fall in the mud again. I stopped and looked up to see an absolutely gorgeous scene. It was on the way down into Fontana and it took my breath away. There were ten different shades of green, flowing water, giant rocks, and little flowers scattered everywhere along side the trail. I half expected to see some Ferngully fairies or seven dwarves headed SOBO. Tiny birds were chirping everywhere for Pete's sake! For the first time I fully appreciated that I was ON THE MOUNTAIN. It wasn't a distant view I was longing to get to or feeling nostalgic about leaving. I was there. This WAS the view. I was in it. I was there.I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail. Teehee!
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Fontana Dam Visitor Center

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Since my plans had to change yesterday because of the late shuttle, I took a zero today. I didn't feel like I needed it but the P.O. didn't open until 11:45 and I felt like that's too late in the day to start hiking since there's no stealth camping in the Smokies. So I picked up my boxes. One of them has the baby blanket I'm knitting for my soon to be niece or nephew. I knitted the afternoon away in a rocking chair. Just call me Granny Loppers! Bounced the knitting ahead and staying the night at the shelter here to save some dollars. It feels weird to be negative miles since I hiked all the way to the Visitor Center yesterday! Oh, well. It is what it is. Excited for the Smokies tomorrow, not so much for all this rain everyone is talking about.I felt like such a fan girl today. There were two different WordPress bloggers that I've been reading at the lodge this afternoon. I was really excited to see them. We've all been talking about this for so long and now we're actually doing it! I wish them the best.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiker boxes are a magical place where dreams come true. I saw a guy back in Hiawassee totally bummed out that the outfitter had just sold out of mummy bags and then he found one in the hiker box. Hiker boxes are NOT for your used panties and dead glow sticks. Gross, ladies. That's what trash cans are for. A hot, muggy, gnat filled day up into the Smokies. I would like the gnats better if they didn't bite. Zero days make me sleepy! Didn't get as far as I'd planned but my body knows best so here I am. There was a beautiful stretch on Doe Knob that had little flowers scattered all over the place. It was the most wildflowers I've seen so far. It makes me miss the bluebonnets at home.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The gnats weren't as bad today. Woohoo! Nice view from Rocky Top. You're supposed to be able to see things from there like Clingman's Dome but they all just look like mountains to me. Had a nice lunch partner today and staying at the shelter with people that make me laugh. Talked about my husband a lot today and it really made me miss him.The Smokies are nice but the lack of privies is not. I'm not sure if people aren't burying things like they should or that they get dug up. Either way it's a toilet paper and tampon mine field here. Super gross!