morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Boots Off Hostel

To: Ridge top
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I had 43 miles to Damascus but I couldn't help sleep in. Best mattress in a while. I hung out with Topo while reading and plotting my day. Drank a lot of water because this ridge top section is hot and dry. I got back on the trail about 1 PM and followed it around Lake Watuaga. Tempted to go swimming but I needed to hike today. The climb back up the ridge was a few miles and continued to roll up and down (mostly up). At one point while I was in my zone I walked into a bear. We were both shocked and luckily he ran away from me. It took 6 miles to get to water again so I cameled up and rested a bit. I got to the first shelter about 6 PM and visited with Faye who at 68 is backpacking and section hiking all over the country. Pretty cool. I decided to keep going to shorten my last day into Damascus and within a mile my body told me to stop for the day. I'm still up on a narrow ridge but found a small clearing to stop, eat and sleep. The coyote are active in the valley below me. There are bears up here so all my gear and food is hung up in the trees. I'm 3 feet from the trail sleeping out on my ground cloth. I hope a bear doesn't go out for a midnight stroll along the trail and decide to visit. I'm sure my beard smells like something. Usually does. Tomorrow could be a medium or long day. Weather should be good so I'll see how easy I can make it in Tuesday when I roll into the next town. Basically 32 miles left until next resupply. I'm already thinking about chocolate milk. I'll probably dream about it shortly.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Ridge top

To: Abingdon shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

It was hard getting started today. I had a buck around snorting and prancing in the spot where I slept last night. I kept waking up and yelling at him to move on. At least it wasn't a bear. It was also a dry site so I enjoyed my remaining water with pop tarts and hit the trail about 7 AM. It was 5 miles to the next water source so I was anxious to get going. My legs weren't. Thoughts of a 30 mile day soon vanished. At least the terrain was easy. After drinking a couple liters at the next spring things picked up. I passed three groups of students on the trail heading the opposite direction. Everyone looked clean and I could smell the soap. They could probably smell me too, but it wouldn't be as nice. I came across 3 trail volunteers and thanked them for all their hard work. One said that she is weird and likes doing it. The oldest one said they also accept tips. All three were older than my parents. I often see the more "seasoned" folk on trail crews. There are other crews I've heard of, and I'll likely join them in the future. Back on the trail I decided to stop at a shelter for lunch and take a nap. I've heard of people starting early in the AM and then resting and eating after 1 PM before hiking again around 4 PM. Today was perfect for it. Had a nap and some chilli mac. Hiking was slow after a big meal, but within an hour I was fine and everything started to cool off. I took plenty of breaks and drank about 7 liters of water today. Still had 2 hours of light left when I stopped for the night. I'm in a freshly painted shelter (covers graffiti) with a southbound section hiker named Sideways. He had a lot of good tips in different foods for protein instead of all simple sugars and I intend to try them out. Tomorrow morning is basically 10 miles into Damascus and starting the longest stretch of trail in Virginia. I have packages waiting at the post office, hope to try out a hammock, eat a pizza, and get the correct part for my broken pole. It hasn't been the same with just one pole and the company sent me the wrong part. At least I'll be well rested and fueled for my big day. Looking forward to chocolate milk.
Date: 2016-06-21
From: Abingdon shelter

To: Broken Fiddle Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

Easiest hike to date. Knocked out 10 miles in 3 hours to get into Damascus. Got my chocolate milk then picked up packages from Andrea and Handlebar (thanks!!!). Those packages really help me, especially now when I dipped into my reserve to buy a hammock. I gave up trying to sleep flat. I should note that Jeff Patrick at Mt Rogers Outfitters totally hooked me up and explained it all, which is good since I know squat about hammocks. I got the "big guy" setup which is a double hammock with thicker hanging straps. After the outfitters I headed to a new hostel folks were talking about. Bonnie runs the Broken Fiddle and is super cool. It's a nice place and the hikers keep it clean. I got cleaned up, laundered and ate my pizza here. Good times.
Date: 2016-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The Gear Highlights ...Pack - Gregory Baltoro 65 LiterTent - MSR Nook ("2" Person)Bag - Mountain Hardwear ExtraLamina 20 Deg.Sleeping Pad - ThermARest ProLite Plus L Starting Boots - Keen Marshall Mid + Green Super Feet InsolesStove - MSR Pocket Rocket (Takes IsoPro canisters)Water - Sawyer Squeeze Filter, MSR Sweetwater drops for possible virus contaminated water, Smart Water bottle for dirty water collection, two 1L Nalgene type bottles for clean water.Other / Entertainment - Small notepad & pen, iPhone with waterproof case, Baby Taylor guitar with trash bag water cover and soft case with the neck cut off to reduce weight.
Date: 2016-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Currently two full days before the beginning of my hike. Spending time relaxing with my family and absorbing the comforts of home while rounding up gear and finalizing plans. One of my main struggles is working to strike a balance between bringing enough items and supplies to be comfortable and prepared without having too much excess weight on my back.Some background about myself: I am 24. While originally from Winter Springs, a town near Orlando, Florida, I had been living in Washington, DC recently working as a government contractor. Captivated by the AT for many years and ready to go in a different direction in life, I saved up what I could and left my job with the goal of having an adventurous transitional experience and avoiding any and all media coverage of the 2016 presidential election. I have a good amount of outdoors experience from the Boy Scouts but have never been on such an extended hike and as such needed to update a lot of my gear.
Date: 2016-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Attached is a picture of my gear load out plus or minus one or two items.I met three enthusiastic and helpful thru hikers on the Florida Trail a week ago during a shakedown hike. One of the hikers, a woman trail-named 'Nails' gave me some good advice along these lines: Out on the trail, don't decide what kind of day you're having, good or bad, until you've been hiking for at least an hour. Will do, Nails.
Date: 2016-03-20
From: Springer Mountain

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 43.2
Weather: clear sky

March 21: Springer Mtn (Mi 0.0) to Hickory Flats Cemetery Pavilion (Mi 6.2).March 22: Hickory Flats Cemetery Pavilion to Gooch Mountain Shelter (Mi 15.8)March 23: Gooch Mountain Shelter to Henry Gap (25.1)March 24: Henry Gap to Bull Gap (32.8) - First rain stormMarch 25: Bull Gap to Low Gap Shelter (43.2)Well I'm on the trail after a bumpy shuttle ride up to Springer Mtn with my Dad who joined me for the first three days of the hike. It has been very enjoyable and challenging hiking in Georgia so far. The trail is defined by intense uphill climbs rewarded with stunning views over nearby valleys (the panoramic views leaving Suches, GA really stuck with me). These ascents are followed by knee-jarring descents into gaps. It's great meeting new people every day who are out here doing the same thing as well as getting more familiar with a smaller group of hikers who have been keeping roughly the same pace.After six days, I'll be getting off the trail Sunday night for a shower and laundry at the Top of Georgia Hostel in Hiawassee. Can't overstate my excitement for that shower. The hostel will provide a free ride from Unicoi Gap (Mile 52.9) and back the next day. I should get into North Carolina late next week.I will be trying to increase the journal entry frequency- it's been tough conserving phone battery on the cold nights we've been having. More to come.
Date: 2016-03-28
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 21.0

March 26: Low Gap Shelter to former site of Rocky Knob Shelter (Mi 49.5)March 27: Short day from Fmr Rocky Knob Shelter to Top of Georgia Hostel via shuttle from Unicoi Gap (Mi 52.9)March 28: Unicoi Gap to Addis Gap (Mi 64.2)Some highlights: Woke up to my tent being vandalized by mice just after dark at the Low Gap Shelter site. I spent about 20 minutes hitting the walls of my tent until they got scared away or realized there was no food to be had. Camped the next night with some great people and an irresponsibly large camp fire at the former site of the Rocky Knob shelter. I crossed off 50 miles up the trail the next day on 3/27 (Easter Sunday) as clouds and rain moved in. The same day, at Unicoi Gap, I found a hiker feed set up under tents in the pouring rain by some wonderful former AT hikers and their parents with Easter candy, ham, hot dogs, beer, and much more. Caught a shuttle from there to the Top of Georgia hiking center where I camped for the night (their bunks were already full). At the hostel I had my laundry done and got a much needed shower. They gave out scrubs for guests to wear while their laundry was being done. This gave a bit of a mental hospital or cult vibe but it worked out well.March 28 was my longest hiking day yet at about 12 miles. This was the best section of the trail yet and there was an excellent view on Tray Mountain (4430') with a mountaintop hiker jam session thrown in for good measure. I'm glad I have my little guitar with me!
Date: 2016-03-29
From: Addis Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.4

You know you're hiking on the AT when you're binging on vegetables while sitting in a room of a motel you wouldn't usually even want to pull into the parking lot of....Today started out rough. I was feeling negative and off from the start of the day, which began immediately with a long uphill hike. I was exhausted from the start and had to to stop every few dozen feet to catch my breath. I had been planning on quickly getting in and out of Hiawassee today for a food and stove fuel resupply. Instead, I decided that I needed to punt and got a room at a motel in town for the night. To get there, I hitchhiked for I believe the first time in my life from Dick's Creek Gap with two friendly glass installers who had some time to kill. Recovery plan: Jumbo bag of baby carrots, yogurt, water, USA soccer on TV.
Date: 2016-04-04
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 40.2
Weather: clear sky

March 30: Dicks Creek Gap to Unnamed Campsite (Mi 76.3)March 31: Unnamed Campsite to Muskrat Creek Shelter (Mi 81.4)April 1: Muskrat Creek Shelter to Beech Gap Tenting Area (Mi 90.7)April 2: Beech Gap to Betty Creek Trail Campsite (Mi 97.6)April 3: Betty Creek to Rock Gap Shelter (Mi 106.0)April 4: Rock Gap Shelter to Winding Stair Gap (Mi 109.8)I've had very little cell phone reception at my stopping points for the past week so apologies for the lack of updates. I completed Georgia, and crossed the 100 mile point at the peak of Albert Mountain. I am currently in wonderful Franklin, NC for the night to get some groceries and a shower / laundry.I've had "trail magic" on my mind a lot recently. Trail magic is a pretty broad term and means many different things to many different people, but to me it is composed of the things that balance out the not-inconsequential difficulties of day-to-day life on the trail. Here are two recent examples: March 31st was a day-long slog through the rain. My lunch was a rain soaked tortilla wrapped around rain soaked cheese, and I set my tent up in a steady downpour. But right near sunset, the clouds unexpectedly broke and I was able to take a quick hike up the Raven Rock Cliffs side trail near the campsite that I had read should not be missed. The next day, as I sat by a dirt road in Deep Gap, drying out from the previous night and thinking about this journal entry and trail magic, a pickup with two former AT 2000 milers and a grill, cold drinks, and burgers pulled in.P.S. - The Raven Rock trail wound through the wreckage of an old plane crash before emerging out onto sheer cliffs and a mind-altering view over a valley and the local mountains. It was indeed not to be missed.
Date: 2016-04-08
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 27.5

April 5: Winding Stair Gap to Siler Bald (Mi 114.4)April 6: Siler Bald to Cold Spring Shelter Camping Area (Mi 125.6)April 7: Cold Spring Shelter to Wesser Bald ShelterApril 8: Wesser Bald Shelter to Nantahala Outdoor Center (Mi 137.3)Despite very cold weather the last few days, I saw the first signs of spring hiking down into Nantahala Gorge and the NOC (see picture). Taking a zero mile day at the NOC. I wasn't planning on the zero but I've got some blistering on a couple of my toes that I think may be from athletes foot or poison oak. I'm hoping it'll heal up if I take it slow.
Date: 2016-04-10
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 6.7

April 9: NOC zero dayApril 10: NOC to Sassafras Gap Shelter (Mi 144)Had a memorable day off from hiking yesterday at the NOC which I happened to pass through right during their annual Trail Magic Festival. I spent the night of the 8th in a four person bunk shack with fellow thru hiker Mr Fabulous and two section hikers from Atlanta, Campbell and Twinkle. That night I was tentatively given the trail name FunGuy based on the weird blistery thing possibly growing on my foot (I bought some cream for it don't worry) and my penchant for a good time. For the second night we moved to a free campsite down the river from the NOC with about 15 other hikers.The Trail Magic festival had manufacturer booths set up with free gear (dry bags, lighters, utensils, etc.) during the day and a free all you can eat spaghetti dinner for AT hikers plus live music by local band Bird in Hand and lots of cheap beer by night.I'm chomping at the bit to knock out the three days hiking from here to the Fontana Dam, where I will resupply on food and hopefully do laundry. After that the trail jumps up into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Date: 2016-04-12
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

April 11: Sassafras Gap Shelter to Cable Gap Shelter (Mi 159.2) (Longest day yet at 15.2 miles in 8 hours)April 12: Cable Gap Shelter to Fontana Dam Shelter (Mi 166)Fontana Dam Shelter. The "Fontana Hilton". A double-deck, twenty person shelter with adjacent facilities including bear proof trash cans and hot showers, and a killer view overlooking Lake Fontana. I don't usually sleep in the shelters, and instead prefer to just set my tent up nearby as many others do. That's what I did tonight, but will hang out around the shelter in the morning to use the solar-powered phone charging station down there.I hung out in the afternoon in the nearby Fontana Village thanks to a ride from Campbell, who's section hike has sadly come to an end. Did laundry and resupplied at the well stocked but expensive general store. I'm carrying about five days of food to get to Newfound Gap / Gatlinburg for my next food resupply, halfway through the Smokies.
Date: 2016-04-13
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Birch Spring Gap Camping Area
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

April 13: Fontana Dam Shelter to Birch Spring Gap Campsite (Mi 172.1)First bear sighting of the hike on the first day in the Smokies... HOW PERFECT IS THAT!! Schnickelfritz and I came across it on the short side trail leading to the Shuckstack Fire Tower. It seemed pretty unafraid of hikers- we had to yell and wave to get it to run away from the trail. We walked to the fire tower which the bear then proceeded to circle for a few minutes before losing interest and wandering away. Relieved, we ran down the firetower stairs to check on our packs which we had left on the side of the AT.
Date: 2016-04-15
From: Birch Spring Gap Camping Area

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: scattered clouds

April 14: Birch Spring Gap Campsite to Spence Field Shelter (Mi 183.2)April 15: Spence Field Shelter to Silers Bald Shelter (Mi 195.0)I wanted to get into some background about hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There are a pretty ridiculous amount of regulations in the park in my view. It's a bit of a shock coming from the previous 150 Mi or so of trail that were much freer and often provided a nicer hike with better maintained trail and facilities, but I understand that things may be different in the most frequently visited park in the US. Anyway, for the Smokies all thru hikers must buy and print out a $20 permit before entering the park. Hikers are required to stay in the park's shelters unless a shelter is full in which case thru hikers must give up space in the shelter to section hikers (that is hikers who are out for a few days). If a shelter fills up then you can set up a tent within sight of the shelter. The water sources in the park are so far weak and far between. The trail is also poorly blazed and signed and does not offer as many overlooks as other sections so far. With that said, I have been working to focus on the positives in the park: Lots of excellent side trails and tons of wildlife to be encountered. I have been trying to wander down at least one side trail each day, and have seen a bear, wild hogs, a huge turkey, and lots of friendly two legged tourists.
Date: 2016-04-17
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.1

April 16: Silers Bald Shelter to Mt. Collins Shelter (Mi 202.8)April 17: Mt. Collins Shelter to Newfound Gap / Gatlinburg, TN (Mi 207.1)Had a great time speaking to some folks out for the day at the Clingman's Dome Observation Tower on Saturday. It was a gorgeous but tough hike up to the highest point on the Appalachian Trail. It feels like hiking on Endor from Star Wars with all of the huge evergreen trees. Much thanks to the lovely day-hiking ladies of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg for the snacks and fruit at the Mt. Collins shelterCurrently having a few beers with new thru-hiker friends Smurf and Turtle at the Econo-Lodge in Gatlinburg, TN. What a town. Caught a free shuttle from Newfound Gap to the NOC Outfitter's Gatlinburg branch this morning. Proceeded to then eat two double cheeseburgers, fries, and two quarter pounders (those were on the house) at McDonalds. I feel pretty disgusting from that but I've been really, really hungry the last week. Plus some free "moonshine" tastings at the distillery across the street helped wash it all down. I think the infamous hiker hunger really kicked in the last few days and I resupplied accordingly today- More snacks and bigger lunches. Deciding between Mexican and BBQ for dinner. That's a tough choice.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Newfound Gap

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 33.5
Weather: clear sky

April 18: Newfound Gap to Peck's Corner Shelter (Mi 217.3)April 19: Peck's Corner to Cosby Knob ShelterApril 20: Cosby Knob Shelter to Standing Bear Hostel (Mi 240.6)I take back what I said about the trail through the Smokies not having many views! The last three days were awesome with the Charlie's Bunion rock formation being especially memorable. I caught a free shuttle from the NOC outpost in Gatlinburg back to the trail on the morning of the 18th and saw three more bears (Mama and two cubs) next to the road on the drive up to the gap. Several cars had pulled over and a few people were getting what seemed to be dangerously close to them.Ended the Smokies with a night in a bunk and a resupply at the Standing Bear Farm (I did work for stay, moving scrap wood into a burn pile for about an hour in the afternoon). The hostel was having a little party with a live band and a free hiker dinner and it was a really nice time. I'm feeling really proud to have hiked all the way through the GSMNP.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 52.7
Weather: clear sky

April 21: Standing Bear Hostel to Roaring Fork Shelter (Mi 255.7)April 22: Roaring Fork to Deer Park Mountain (Mi 270.5)April 23: Deer Park Mountain to Hot Springs, NC (Mi 273.5)April 24: Hot Springs to Little Laurel Shelter (Mi 293.3) via shuttle to Allen Gap (Mi 288.5)I'm really hoping to get better with the journal updates! There hasn't been any good cell service at my stopping points and I didn't get a chance to update the journal in Hot Springs. I'm eating breakfast at Little Laurel Shelter and there is a good Verizon LTE signal so I thought I would get caught up real quick.On April 21st I hiked over Max Patch, a wide open bald with 360 degree views. On that day I also began hearing rumors that day that the AT might be closed out of Hot Springs, NC due to a wildfire near town. After a hike in heavy rain on the 22nd, I did a short three miles into Hot Springs on the 23rd, getting off trail at the Laughing Heart Hostel for laundry and a shower. After going into town and finding out the trail would be closed for at least several days (probably longer), I decided to pay $10 for a tent site at the hostel and signed up for a free shuttle from the outfitter in town that would take hikers around the closed section of trail. So keep in mind that my mileage on the journal here is about 15 short of what I have actually hiked.I'd rather not miss the 15 miles of the trail but I didn't want to be sitting in town spending money for what could be a week or more. In fact, as I packed up at Laughing Heart on the morning of the 24th, the fire reignited on the mountain side just above town. One resident said the authorities were very close to ordering an evacuation of Hot Springs on one of the days prior.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Unnamed Campsite Off Trail
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

April 25: Little Laurel Shelter to Unnamed Campsite (Mi 307.8) I'm glad this section of the trail wasn't closed. I got great views from Whiterock Cliffs, Firescald Knob, and Bald Ridge, hit mile 300, and climbed Big Butt Mountain in the afternoon.My "normal day" of hiking is now up to around 13-15 miles. As the daily mileages increase, so does the hiker hunger, both for me and other hikers. In the past week I've witnessed someone eating a chunk of summer sausage that they had "rescued" from a hostel trash can the day before, a hiker grab and eat an unfinished plate of food from a restaurant table waiting to be cleared, and of course we all pick up and eat without a second thought food left by strangers in the woods for thru hikers.
Date: 2016-04-28
From: Unnamed Campsite Off Trail

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 34.3
Weather: light rain

April 26: Unnamed campsite to Low Gap Campsite (Mi 321.3)April 27: Low Gap to campsite near Ogelsby Branch (Mi 332)April 28: Ogelsby Branch campsite to Erwin, TN (Mi 342.1)Hit my real 300 mile mark on the 26th with smoky, hot, and humid conditions. A hiker feed set up near the I-26 crossing was much appreciated by all. A few bags of chips and 2 ice cold PBRs hit the spot.We had some pretty severe thunderstorms the night of the 27th. After some convincing from Wolf and Nado, who's trailside campsite I came across, I stopped short of my goal for the day. I had time to set up my tent and cook but before I could eat the lightning and rain started. I finished my dinner (A Knorr rice side with a pouch of tuna) in my tent listening to nearly constant thunder and pondering the electrical conducting / insulating properties of wet tent. To be fully honest, I also pondered the symbolism of dying in a tent in my underwear eating a Knorr rice side with a pouch of tuna. A few other bad storms rolled in overnight with lots of close lightning strikes. Fortunately I was able to dry out and get the pizza I had been craving in Erwin, TN tonight.