morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-27
From: Goosh Mt Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5

Shoes were frozen solid and very difficult to get on. Didn¢t start until 9 am but was the second one to leave. Hiked by myself all day. Made great time in the beginning but about noon started having trouble with my knees. Met a 2-time thru-hiker from Minnesota and chatted with him and his wife for a while at Woody Gap. Then , moved on up out of there and just took my time to get here. Tenting by myself as everyone else went to Jarrod Gap 2 12 miles past here. Dakota stopped short of the shelter yesterday and has not caught up yet. Hope he gets this far or I will be alone tonight. It¢s up and over Blood Mt. tomorrow. Will wear my knee braces and hopefully get an early start. Starting to get a little dark so calling it a night.
Date: 2015-02-28
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap (Walasi Yi Conter)
Miles today: 7.4

Last night, just at dusk, a raccoon must have come up the trail and was startled by my tent. He wasn¢t happy. Left the camp at 7:50 am and started my climb to the top of Blood Mt. It¢s like a 5 miles hike almost all uphill from the camp. Didn¢t see anyone until I got to the top. I got a day hiker to take my pic sitting in front of the shelter and took a pic of the view. Was surprised to have a view at all. Knees were bothering me all the way down Neels Gap. When I got to Neels Gap the Walasi-Yi Center was having a little shin dig with live music, some vendors, free hot dogs, and s¢mores. I ate 5 hot dogs. Bought a new stove and sent 2 12 pounds pf gear home. Heard Mingo will be back on the trail soon. He was dehydrated which is why he was taken off the trail. Rebecca got off because of her boots and came to the hostel to say goodbye. She was only going to do a few days anyhow. She said Dakota is a day behind us and that she met Ramblin Man who I hiked with some in 2012. He will be starting tomorrow and will probably catch me in a week or two. Well, it¢s getting later so I am going to hit the sack. One other note, the same cat that I petted last time came right up to me as I was making calls.
Date: 2015-03-01
From: Neels Gap (Walasi Yi Conter)

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

Woke up at 5:30 and moved all my gear from the bunk room to common area so as not to make too much noise packing up. Holcomb was out there and said he was going to take a zero there because his heel is swollen. He is in his early 70¢s and has run the Iditarod Dog Sled Race twice. He is steady and strong when he hikes so this is a disappointment for him. I hit the trail at 6:45 am to foggy conditions. Wasn¢t sure if I would make it up here. I took my time to let Amy catch up to me as it is just the 2 of us left that started together. She caught up to me at 1:15 and we decided to push up to here. The trail conditions are getting slushy as the snow and ice are melting. The spikes I am wearing help but with the slush I slide once in a while. We thought we were at the top of Sheep Rock Top 4 or 5 times just to be disappointed each time as I was tired and Amy¢s ankles are hurting. Finally we started to descend and 20 minutes later we made it to here. 5 of us in the shelter and 3 are tenting. Should be our warmest night and tomorrow should be fairly nice. Sun starting to set so will call it a night.
Date: 2015-03-02
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mt Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Super late start at 10:30. Amy needed to get off the trail due to her ankles. Decided to do short days between now and Thursday as Passionflower is sending me a care package to Hiawassee. Met many new people here tonight but I can¢t remember them all. Bubbles I remember as she is sleeping next to me. Finally has a snow/slush free trail but did get a little muddy. Sun came out all afternoon. That was great to see that. No rush getting up tomorrow as I will only have 8.1 miles to go but will have 2,300 feet of elevation gain and loss in 2 climbs. Slow and steady, one step at a time.
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Blue Mt Shelter

To: Tray Mt Shelter
Miles today: 8.1

Forgot to mention I ran into Bacon and Eggs when I arrived at the Blue Mt. Shelter. He¢s just bouncing around for a few weeks. He was at Hawk Mt Shelter our first night out. Left at 8:30 am and had two long descents and ascents. I did about 2,600 ft in ascents and 2,300 ft in descents. Knees doing some talking, letting me know they are there. First time staying here as I always stopped at the Cheese Factory Site to camp. Sun came out for a couple of hours so was able to dry out a little. Full house here tonight. Another short day tomorrow. Heard from Amy so I know she made it to town and is resting. Goodnight.
Date: 2015-03-04
From: Tray Mt Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

Nice day. Made good time as the terrain wasn¢t too bad and the weather was great. Hiked alone again today but did leapfrog with Hairball who got picked up from the bus station the same time I did. She was having trouble so I made sure she at least got to the shelter before she went on to go to town. Knees still talking to me but not screaming so still taking my time. Only seen a few birds, a couple of squirrels and a few shelter mice. Was hoping to find someone to split a room with me at the Budget Inn but there are only 3 other people here tonight. I gave Zack the trail name Zoom as he is a fast paced hiker. He is tenting as he is a section hiker. Bubbles and I are staying in the shelter. Think there will be some rain tonight from a storm front that will move through tomorrow so should be a good day for a nero. Hope all is well with everyone. Onward I go!
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee Budget Inn
Miles today: 3.6

The shelter has a loft with a window and as Bubbles and I were laying on the bottom level talking I saw a mouse run in front of the window. I told Bubbles that and she moved away from the wall some. Glad I hung my poncho across the door as when the first rain hit it came with a big wind which would have gotten me wet. Got up before daybreak with the others but took my time packing as I didn't need to be to Dick's Gap until 11:00. Figured I would leave earlier than planned and glad I did as it started to rain pretty good about 1/2 way there. When I arrived at 9:45 there was another hiker waiting on the 9:00 am shuttle which was late. It finally arrived at 10:10 and we headed to town. When we got in the office another hiker Mingo (not the Mingo I started with) asked if I wanted to split a room which was perfect for me as I was looking for someone to do just that. We got settled in, took showers and headed to Subway for lunch. After looking at the forecast we decided to take a zero day and start hiking again on Saturday. For dinner we went to Zaxby's for chicken. Sorry it has taken so long to get the journal started but I forgot to mail the first few days worth when i was in Neels Gap. Not many pics either as the weather has been crappy most of the time.
Date: 2015-03-06
From: Hiawassee Budget Inn

To: Hiawassee Budget Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Nice relaxing day. Had a foot long breakfast sub at Subway for breakfast then started my normal town routine of laundry, shopping and post office. Went to the library to get our permits for the Smokey Mts. But it was closed so will get them when I get to Nanatahaka Outdoor Center. Bought a lot of food and sent it to Fontana Dam as I was sending my Yak Traks and some other items forward. Seeing we had lunch at Subway yesterday and breakfast today, Mingo and I went to Subway for dinner. The guy that works at the outfitter here remembered me from 2012 which was cool. Going to take a shower and hit the sack to catch a 9 am shuttle back to the trail.
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Hiawassee Budget Inn

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Caught the 9 am shuttle and started hiking at 9:30. Took jacket off early and the sun shone all day. Met a father and son team called The Diabolic Duo. The father is called Boondoggle and his 11 year old son is named That Guy. They are putting in good mileage days. We had some steep climbs today, especially when we entered North Carolina. That means 1 state down and just 13 more to go. When I got to the shelter Amy was there. What a surprise. She said she did some slackpacking to take it easy on her ankles. Several people here tonight. Getting cold quick as the sun is setting, Should be near freezing in the morning. Big climb tomorrow over Standing Indian Mountain. 2 12 miles up and 2 12 miles down.
Date: 2015-03-08
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and on the trail at 7:50. The climb up Standing Indian was nice as it was very gradual. Hiked steady all day with about 4 breaks in between. Met Bear Bait who I had heard about and she said that she heard of me also. She was doing a 25 mile slack pack which was probably too much. Hopefully she makes her destination before it gets too dark. Thought about pushing in further but decided probably easier to do extra miles tomorrow. They are calling for 50-70% chance of rain the next 4 or 5 days so will be breaking out the poncho. A fire is being built so think I will head out there and warm up some before dark.
Date: 2015-03-09
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Swinging Lick Gap
Miles today: 17.6

Woke to rain this morning but still had to hike. Ate breakfast and headed out at 9 am. Wasn¢t a hard rain and the temps aren¢t bad. Was able to take off my poncho just before I started my climb up Albert Mt. The climb up is very steep and took me a little while. Once I got up there I was surprised to have a view. The clouds can be seen down in the valley with the mountain tops above them. After coming down from Albert Mt. the terrain wasn¢t bad at all and I made good time. Stopped at the Long Branch Shelter which was built in 2012. Nice shelter but I had to move on. When I got to the Rock Gap Shelter it was only 3:30 so I hiked the extra 5 miles to here. When I got to the bottom of Winding Stair Gap I met Ron Haven who is a great supporter of the hiking community. I stayed at one of his motels in Hiawassee. He told me if I needed anything to give him a call. After I left him it started to sprinkle and I thought I would have to set up in the rain but God gave me a break and I am nice and dry in the tent. Looks like 3 or 4 more days of rain.
Date: 2015-03-10
From: Swinging Lick Gap

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 13.5

Rained off and on all night. It stopped at daybreak so I packed up and started to move north. Rain started just after I left camp. Not much to see today with the bad weather. By passed Siler Bald and continued on to Wesser Bald where I checked the weather. It¢s supposed to rain through Saturday. Will try to enter the Smokies on Sunday. Got to the Wesser Bald Shelter at 2:00 PM and decided to push on another 5.8 miles to Cold Springs Shelter. When I got to Burning-town Gap trail angel Fresh Ground was set up with cover from the rain, fresh coffee, hot dogs and French fries. I had 5 hot dogs and 2 large helpings of fries. A couple of hours later he cooked a big batch of spaghetti for all of us. Tenting here as he is going to cook banana pancakes for us in the morning. Here tonight are Furball, The Diabolical Duo, Boyd, and Croc Rocke. Helping with the Trail Magic is Sheperd who thru hiked in 2013 and knows Robotcus who I hiked with a lot in 2012. Saw her name along with Passionflower on the tailgate of his truck along with many others, He let me sign it as I have already thru hiked. He said he will wait till later in the season to let the others sign it. Into the NOC tomorrow and hopefully get a bunk. Need to get my permit for the Smokies also. Have a good night.
Date: 2015-03-11
From: Burningtown Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 13.1

Woke up at 6:15 and packed up. Went to see if pancakes were ready but Fresh Ground overslept so I just hit the trail at 7:00. Started to rain again just after I left and it rained all the way. It was a long descent and was steep in many places which put a hurting on my knees. Seems to be raining every time I go down to the NOC. Called ahead to reserve a bunk in the morning. Got to the NOC at 1:30 and was told my key and envelope would be at the store between 2 & 3 o¢clock. So I went to the Outfitter and got my permit for the Smokey Mountains. Then went and had a burger and fries at the restaurant. Went to get my key but it wasn¢t there so I had to get it at the office. Got my shower and did laundry then headed back to the restaurant for a filet of trout sandwich. Man that was great. Hope to get an early start as I have a big day planned for tomorrow.
Date: 2015-03-12
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Started out at 8 am. Later than I wanted as I had a climb just to get out of the gap. Seemed like forever as it took many miles to get out. Then I had to go over Cheoah Bald which I had no view as I was walking in the clouds. Knees are very painful by now but kept pressing on. Met a young man by the name of Lorax. We took a break at Stechoah Gap and he took off while I took a pic. Started climbing out of there and all of a sudden my knees felt better. Then I reached Jacobs Ladder which is 600 ft. of elevation gain in 6 tenths of a mile. That is like straight up. About 12 way up the knees started acting up again but I made it. Just after that I reached the shelter thinking it was going to be packed but there were only 4 people there. There are now 5 of us in the shelter, Code Red, Brie, Boondoggle, That Guy, and 1 other hiker with Lorax tenting. Into Fontana Dam tomorrow.
Date: 2015-03-13
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana AT Crossing
Miles today: 11.6

Started at 7:45. Pushed hard to get to the village P.O. Walked in the rain again all day. Easier terrain today. Got to the marina and decided to call it a day. Went into the village to get my 2 mail drops and they only had 1. As I was waiting for my shuttle to the shelter a car drove up and asked if I was Mike Olson and gave me my missing package. It got mixed up with the lodges mail. Only 5 of us in this large shelter that sleeps 24. It¢s called the Fontana Hilton as there are bathrooms and showers a very short walk away. Here tonight is Justin, Sirri, Chef and HutMaster, Code Red might join us later. Trying to eat some of my food weight. Only hiking a little over a mile tomorrow. Enter the Smokies Sunday.
Date: 2015-03-14
From: Fontana AT Crossing

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 1.2

Woke at daybreak and went to the bathroom, When I got back a 2014 thru hiker LoJack had brought Apple Fritters, Banana Nut muffins, Bananas and Tangerines. I took a shower and Code Red and I went to catch the shuttle to the village. On the way to the parking lot Fresh Ground showed up with hard boiled eggs and more bananas. Got to the village and did laundry. Fresh Ground showed up there also and have me a ride to the marina so I could slack pack the 1.2 miles I skipped yesterday. It stopped raining enough for my hike. A woman came to the shelter and asked if anyone needed a ride to Robbinsville and when we all declined she asked If we wanted free pizza and of course we all said yes. She said she would be back in an hour and a half so we are waiting for her return. Entering the Smokies tomorrow to great weather for a change. Will see my friends Polly and Robbie on Wednesday when they meet me at Newfound Gap and we go into Gatlinburg for lunch. Looking forward to it.
Date: 2015-03-15
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.9

The trail magic last night was overwhelming. Stick Chick bought us 6 pizzas, 2 liters of soda and Klondike Bards for dessert. If that wasn¢t enough, 2 trail maintainers bought us bananas, strawberries, donuts, and root beer. No one went to sleep hungry. Woke just before daybreak and left to foggy conditions at 8:30. I crossed the dam and headed into the Smokies. The sun burned through the fog and it was a great day. Seen mire sun today than all of the other days combined. When I got to the first shelter, Carl, a trail ranger at this site for 9 years, checked my permit and welcomed me back. Was able to take a few pics today and seen a lot of college students on spring break. Full shelter tonight and many tents. Going to eat my dessert and call it a night.
Date: 2015-03-16
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Started at about 8:15 and had a lot of ups and downs. The first big climb was up to Rocky Top, the one the song is about, and Thunderhead Mountains. Many more ups and downs then we started to gain elevation. Camped here at Silas Bald to another full shelter and tents. Was another beautiful day with the sun out all day. The 15 miles today took a toll on me so looking forward to a short, but not easy, 8 mile day.
Date: 2015-03-17
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up to pee last night and as I walked out of the shelter a deer that was grazing by some tents took off and scared the hell out of me. Took it easy getting packed up this morning as we were hoping the fog would lift before we reached Clingman¢s Dome but to no avail. Sat at the base of the tower and had lunch. When I started down from there it was very icy. Went to get my Yak Traks out of my bag and couldn¢t find them where I thought they were, so I just took my time going down. As soon as I got here to the shelter the sun came out. Looks like we will be full up again. Looking forward to seeing Dolly and Robbie tomorrow who are coming up from Kannapolis to see me for the day.
Date: 2015-03-18
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg)
Miles today: 4.5

Woke up at 5:30 and decided to go ahead and pack up and hit the trail in the dark at 6:15. Luckily I found my Yak Traks when I got to the shelter yesterday as when I left this morning I immediately hit ice. These woods in the higher elevations are really eerie in the dark. About 1/2 hour into the hike the batteries in my head lamp died. Luckily there was enough light from the moon and stars that I could still see the trail fairly well. I knew I would get to the gap early so I wasn¢t in any hurry. When I did get to the parking lot I turned on my phone. I sent a message to Dolly and Robbie 3 days earlier confirming I would be on time. When the phone got done loading up her return message had come through saying that they will be there. I then looked behind me and they were pulling up to me. They were early too so it was perfect. Went to see about a room for me and then went to a breakfast buffet. Had two full plates of food and 2 large glasses of milk. They then took me to the grocery store to get my resupply. When we got back to the motel they gave me 2 zip locks of smoked pork and a bottle of homemade BBQ sauce and some buns to make sandwiches. Great trail magic from 2 great trail angels. After they left my roommate and I went and got some ice cream and went to the outfitter. Got back to the room and laid back for a while before going to the market down the street and getting more ice cream for dessert. With bad weather coming in tomorrow decided to take a zero tomorrow.
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg)

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Called trail angels Connie and Randy and talked to Connie who said she would be willing to take me to the trail head at Newfound Gap tomorrow. It is a very hard hitch out of town so this is great magic. Did laundry today and ran into Mingo who I roomed with in Hiawassee. It has been raining all day, so I know I made the right decision to stay. I know I will have to walk in the rain but I have all summer to do that when it is warmer. I ate up the rest of the pork sandwich magic given to me yesterday and hope the rain stops long enough to go buy some ice cream. Back to the trail tomorrow. Next stop will be one of my favorite trail towns, Hot Springs NC in about a week. Time to check the radar as it looks like the rain has stopped. At least for a little while.
Date: 2015-03-20
From: Gatlinburg

To: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

It was great having a ride set up out of Gatlinburg as it is so hard to hitch hike out of there. It is so awesome that Connie had left her number for me if I needed anything in the Smokies. She picked me up at 10:30. It was cloudy and within 30 minutes a light rain started to fall and it rained all day so I just walked all day. There are only 3 of us at this shelter, 1 thru hiker and a Ridge Runner named Twinkle Toes. We were all in bed early as it was getting cold. Fingers going numb, calling it a night.
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Tri Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

What a great day. Weather was fantastic. Stayed above the clouds all day. I sat and looked out over a sea of clouds with the mountains poking up here and there. It was just so peaceful. The trail was fairly muddy but at least it wasn¢t icy in the afternoon like it was in the morning. Dropped 1,100 ft. in elevation which my knees took well until the last 2 miles. Met Mamaw B who, at the age of 71, thru hiked in 2012. I didn¢t meet her then but would have loved to have hiked with her. She gave me an orange and assured me that the shelter was real close. When I got to the shelter a boy scout troop, Troup 248 from Florence had trail magic for us consisting of summer sausage with red beans and rice, coke, and for dessert cheesecake. What an amazing group. It¢s great to see young people out here enjoying life. Time for bed.
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a packed shelter but very quiet. I have been very fortunate to be in so many shelters with so few snorers. After the scouts made us breakfast I headed out as it was only a short day for me but I did have to go over Snowbird Mt where there is an FAA tower. It was another great day so got some very nice views from there as it is a bald at 4,263 feet. That was a total 2,800 foot climb from Davenport Gap. Got here early and met a new group of hikers who started on the 3rd & 4th of March. There is Laugh Track, Briteside, Sweet Blood, Chef, Frodo, Trail Ninja, Happy Baby and a couple of others who I can¢t think of their names at the moment. A real fun bunch. Wish I could keep up with them. Shooting for Lemon Gap tomorrow as Fresh Ground should be doing trail magic there. I hope he is. He is a lot of fun to be around. That¢s all I got for tonight.
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Deer Park Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

I almost forgot. Yesterday was my 3 year anniversary of my 2012 start date. Passionflower had sent me a message that reminded me. Had a hard time getting to sleep last night as we were all laughing so hard. Laugh Track reminds me of a friend of mine, Linda Brugger, the ways she looks and acts is so similar. Day started rough as I had a 1,700 ft. climb right off the bat but made good time to Lemon Gap. Fresh Ground was there cooking hot dogs and fresh cut fries and had plenty of snack cakes that a couple of other hikers had donated to the cause. After 5 hot dogs, 2 handfuls of fries and 3 honeybuns I started the climb up Walnut Mountain which was a steep 900 ft. climb. Being so full made it difficult. When I got to the top I sat at the shelter there for a little while and decided to push on a couple more miles. When I got to that destination I felt pretty good so I kept on going. There must have been something in those hot dogs as I ended up doing 23 miles, which I had no intention of doing. I am at the shelter with the same group and Croc Rocket is here also. Going to go into Hot Springs in the morning straight to the Smokey Mountain Diner for breakfast. Man am I looking forward to that. Nice to be in my tent tonight as I haven¢t stayed in it much but will once the weather gets better.