morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-11
From: VA 630

To: Craig Creek Road
Miles today: 10.5

Hit the trail today at 8:30. A beautiful day after a night of constant rain. Still overcast but temperature is great for hiking. Dixie Grits' son, Ryan, dropped us off at the trail after a breakfast at Panera. I ate one of the cinnamon crunch bagels and, for the first time, did not feel guilty. Stopped at the Keefer Oak and took some pictures. The oak is one of the largest oak trees on the AT, if not the biggest. At about 12:00 the rain started again. I could hear the thunder, but never saw the lightning. I actually enjoyed hiking in the rain. It wasn¢t cold and the woods looked cleansed by the rains. By 1:00 the knee was acting up. I heard what I thought was a tree limb fall and looked to my left. I saw a black streak running toward the trail behind me. It was a black bear. I stood there watching to see where it was going and then I saw the other one. They both crossed the trail behind me. I had forgotten how pretty they are in the wild.I hiked on to Sarver Hollow Shelter and by this time my knee was killing me. I realized my cortisone shot from April had worn off. This was the third day in a row that I had pain in my knee and I just couldn¢t walk it off. I met Ramp at the shelter and he said he was gong to hike out with me to VA 621 just to make sure I got out of the woods. He offered to carry my pack, and even carry me piggyback (he was joking, his way of making me laugh). We finally got to 621 and started trying to hitch a ride to Catawba. After several unsuccessful attempts to stop passing cars, we decided to walk down the road. We noticed a farmer working in his barn and walked over to ask directions to be sure we were headed in the right direction. The farmer felt sorry for us and offered to drive us to the Catawba Grocery. From there we were able to get a ride to the Four Pines Hostel.I had to make a decision. I was bearly able to make eight miles per day, my knee was getting worse and my thigh was getting more numb. The pain in my back was not unbearable, but it was getting more frequent. I am afraid the back pain is causing the numbness in my thigh. I called Doggie Momma to come get me. I was leaving the trail after 682 miles.Doggie Momma picked me up on Wednesday. I said goodbye to the hikers at Four Pines and headed for home. Plan to see the doctor and get the back problem checked out. If I just have a muscle problem, I will return to the trail. If I have a disc problem or a nerve issue, I will not return.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Craig Creek Road

To: home
Miles today: 0.0

6/14 FridayThis will me my last entry for a while. Have to get appointments with the doctor and that may take some time.My journey has been a great adventure. I have met so many nice people on and off the trail. It has been fun. It has been challenging each day and I have learned so much. I never dreamed when I started at Springer on March 28 that I would get as far as I did. I could never have made it that far without the support of my friends and family. My Sunday school class was such an inspiration to keep me going on. I so much appreciated the cards of encouragement they all signed and sent to me along the way. Special thanks to all the friends that called and left messages and texts for me. To those that signed my journal thank you for taking the time to read about my trip. I am not the best writer but I hope I somehow entertained you at least part of the time. I can¢t thank my wife enough. I never would have made it one week without her support and help along the way. One thing the trail has done for me is given me a whole new appreciation for my friends and my wife. I realize we sometimes take so much for granted that we don¢t take time to say thanks. To all my newfound friends on the trail I will always remember the hard times and the good times we shared. Even the hard times were good. I wish everyone good luck.Who knows, if I get a good report on the back, I will be back.Doggie Daddy out.Woof Woof
Date: 2013-07-21
From: home

To: MRI
Miles today: 0.0

Received the results of my MRI. I have a bulging disc between 6 and 7. Dr. recommended further evaluation by a specialist. I guess this was causing my problems on the trail. Don't know about next year, will have to wait and see. I miss all my new friends. I wish them well. Thanks to everyone that read my journal.Doggie Daddy
Date: 2013-07-22
From: MRI

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Received Dr. report yesterday on my disc issue. The numbness in my leg was caused by a pinched nerve in my hip and not the disc in my back. He recommended PT and back exercises to strengthen my back. If I can get in good condition by March, I may go back and start at Springer again. Will have to wait and see. Doggie Daddy
Date: 2013-02-19
To: Three weeks...
Miles today: 0.0

So we'll see how active I keep this journal going, but i'll do my best to keep anybody who's interested posted on my experience. I think the idea of doing the trail came up in this past summer when I realized this journey no longer had to be a dream but could become a complete reality if I work for it. The opportunity was ripe. That alone was liberating, I finally had something to plan and to create. I was quickly encountered with obstacles; fear, separation from loved ones, the massive shadow of this 6 month unknown thing that i wanted to undertake...but what's easy is not always right, and I accepted this fear, and continued to push farther and farther outside of my comfort zone as my departure date neared. This is not just what I want to do, I feel, ultimately, it is what i have to do.The Appalachian Trail will be my friend and my foe for the next 5-6 months. 2,186 miles. I am prepared to encounter highs and lows. Please send your support to keep this train movin'.
Date: 2013-02-28
To: The Appalachian Trail: A Breif Background
Miles today: 0.0

As many people vary in familiarity with the Appalchian Trail, I will include a little section here about it so you know what I am refering to. The trail is a continous footpath traversing mountains, valleys, roadways, and forests across 14 states from Springer Mt. in Georgia to Mt. Katahdyn in Maine. This is a distance of about 2,180 miles, marked by about 165,000 white "blazes" to guide the way. There are over 250 shelters reasonably distanced, about a day's hike apart. These shelters are generally three-walled structures with campsites in the vicinity. The shelters are maintained by volunteers, as is the rest of the trail.The term "thru-hiking" is given to a single season completion of the trail, while many others section hike or just visit for a day hike. Roughly 2,000 people attempt a thru-hike each year. They generally start in March-April, but some will venture off in January or February to beat the crowds. The majority of these hikers will be traveling northbound from Georgia to Maine, the term NOBO refers to this direction. SOBO refers to hikers who start in the summer in Maine and hike to Georgia. Only about 20% of these people will complete their thru-hike.The things you need are carried in your backpack. It is typical for hikers to carry around 30 pounds of gear, food, and water. Of course there are those who carry more, and, with the advances in technology developing lighter equipment, the are those who carry less.Foor food, hikers can resupply in towns that the trail goes near or travels directly through. Some opt to send maildrops of food to predetermined locations in advance (that seemed far to complicated, and expensive for me).So why do people want to thru hike the trail and why are so many not successful?
Date: 2013-03-05
To: Last day in town
Miles today: 0.0

I have much to do before my approaching send off to the AT. Many friends and family members to thank for the support. I have a nice little vacation/roadtrip with my girlfriend, Kelly, to make the departure a little easier. I am both excited and nervous at the start of this journey. I hope it is one that i will see to the end despite any hardships that arise. The trip always seemed distant, and even now, as it is so near, it still feels more surreal than i anticipated. I have all my gear and supplies to get me to the first resupply destination, Neels Gap 31.7 miles in...thats about 4 days. I have limited my expectations, in a good way, to wait and see what happens.I want to mention briefly why i am doing this...When it comes down to it, my reasons may be similar to others' that i will see out there, adventure, accomplishment, the challenge...these are similar themes on the AT. I cant say im different in those regards. But far outweighing them is my reason for personal growth, the experience, and fullfilling a responsibility to seize an opportunity that does not occur for many. Much like Thoreau, i wish to live delibrately, to learn the payoff of hard work and to uncover the meaning to the seemingly meaningless and tedious everyday. To subject myself to pain and dread if, for anything else, only to have experienced them. Thanks for checkin in, you can leave a comment or question in the "guest book". You can check out most of the gear i am taking the the "gear" section. I will try to update this with pictures and posts when i can.
Date: 2013-03-06
From: Springer Mt

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 31.7

Well, I left Springer Mountain half teary eyed and in the wrong direction. Fortunately a man named Barefoot told me to turn back to get to Springer. Im and idiot i know. The first hiking day went well enough. I made it to Hawk Mt shelter where i shared the night with about 30 others camping or and in the shelter. Sleeping was virtually non existent, especially when i heard the fully automatic guns firing pretty close to camp. Not to be too explicit, but i nearly shit my pants. Turns out Army Rangers use the mountains as training grounds. On the second day i woke to a thick fog that swallowed the mountains. I rushed and packed my things rightfully thinking that my watch was right..10:30..gotta get moving! Turns out my watch, or myself, entered a time warp because it was 2.5 hours fast. I stared for a minute after going uphill into the bare tree limbs as the low clouds swam through em. It gave me a nauseating tunneling effect, i realized my head is in the clouds and continued on. Made it to a crowded Gooch Mt shelter where i slept under the picnic table to avoid tenting in the downpour that lasted the night. It was better than a soaked tent, but not a 5 star hotel bed.Left Gooch early and headed to Lance Creek, the last place to camp before entering an 8 mile bear canister rule. Made it there early, finally had some good sleep in the form of an afternoon nap in the sun.From Lance Creek, it was about a 8 mile or somethin hike into Neels Gap where there is a hostel and outfitter. Also where i type this on the lone computer in the store. I resupplyed and am planning to get a ride into Hiawasse, Ga..about 3-4 days. Apparently theres a good deal on a place to stay there. but for now, i      had a hot shower and a hot meal cooked by a guy named Pirate. Till next time...
Date: 2013-03-14
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

After spending a frigid night indoors with fellow thru hikers and luau host and chef,Pirate, I left in the still cold hours of the morning. I heard nightmarish stories of the cold night out. One hiker's Camelback was a solid brick, completely frozen over. The hose from my water bag was a thermometer enough as i started walking; it too froze solid. Fortunately, it warmed up throughout the day, though the wind was still whipping. I arrived at Low Gap Shelter and spent a half-slept night in my tent near a stream. There were plenty of hikers spending the night there, some section hikers and many attempting a thru.
Date: 2013-03-15
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory site
Miles today: 13.4

Woke up to clear blue skies. I quickly shed layers and continued to throughout the day as it warmed up to the mid 60's and no clouds. Even got some sunburn. Todays hike, like the other days, was up and down, up and down. Under your winded breath, you curse the uphills. But you curse aloud at the steep decents. It's the decents that accelerate blisters, claim toenails, and ruin knees. The term "gap" has a positive and negative connotation. A gap is a low point between two peaks, often times the trail is intersected by a road. This means its accessible by car, and that has the potential for "trail magic". People will park their cars at some of these gaps and hand out food and beverages to hikers passing by, a real moral booster. Unfortunately, a gap also includes a steep decline to the gap, and a steep incline climbing up from the gap; the best of both worlds i suppose. Nearing the destination for the day, we did encounter some trail magic from two generous men named Panda and Fish hook. Although we were the 60th hikers passing through that day, we still got some Coke, Gaterade, cookies, and fresh fruit. We did however miss the pizza, chicken, and beer, but that's ok. The destination was a place in the guide book called the "cheese factory site". There was however, no cheese or factory-just open space for tenting and a nearby dirt road where some kids had fun reving their engines at 2:30 in the morning. This was the longest hiking day so far with 13.4 miles. But my body feels good, feet feel ok. Just some minor blisters so far..hopefully they stay that way, or even go away, i wouldnt mind that either.
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Cheese Factory site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Again, greeted with sunshine and clear skies. Beautiful weather so far. The day started off with a climb up Tray Mountain and with a great view of the mountains. I always enjoy when the trail passes through a rhododendron patches as they are some of the only green things out right now. This was probably the warmest day as temps were well into the 60s im guessing. From here it is a short hike to Dick's Creek Gap where we will catch a shuttle to a town called Hiawassee. Looking forward to the food and other comforts waiting for me there.
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee)
Miles today: 3.6

A short, but longer feeling that expected, hike to the gap. A local couple pulled up as we were waiting to be picked up and dropped off a familiar face, Barefoot. He's having some troubles with a cold but will hopefully overcome that. The couple gave me, a hiker tentatively named EagleRunner, Bearknife, and Mozyin into town. EagleRunner and i reserved a room at the affordable Budget Inn which does a fancy job at catering to hikers. A group of us quickly determined plans to get beer. A small but delicious Chinese buffet was enjoyed, and i resupplyed at the supermarket. Camaraderie was shared around a charcoal grill which the Inn hooked us up with and we grilled a late night dinner. Overall, it felt like a vacation...from what...i dont know, but the hike resumes tomorrow. Also, i will be saying goodbye to Georgia, and hello to North Carolina.
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee)

To: Plumorchard shelter
Miles today: 4.5

After a day of indulging in some of the simpler comforts in Hiawassee, it was time to hit the trail again. A group of us got dropped back off at Dicks creek gap in a misty afternoon. The deep fog limited view to around 50 yards but it was quite enjoyable. It had a rainforest, or even better, a Jurassic Park vibe to it. Despite this pleasurable walk through time, we called the day short on account of some thunderstorms rolling through the area. So, we huddled into Plumorchard shrlter to hide from the cold and rain, a wise decision as the skies opened up a few times. So, what do you do with hours and hours spent in a small, crowded shelter? Well, you share and listen to stories, and when that gets old you listen to the rain. The thunder was the soundtrack to an evening card game. Eventually, the skies cleared and the forest was engulfed by a pink hue of the evening's sunset.
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Plumorchard shelter

To: Beech gap camping area
Miles today: 16.3

After two short days previously, i was ready to put some miles in for the day. 16.3 miles and some sore feet later, i was content with the daily accomplishment. Crossing the GA/NC border was velebrated with a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and some reflection on how and why im here. While hiking, your mind wanders in an even less linear direction than your own self. In fact, it usually wanders in circles, starting with a thought, trailing off then winding right back at the start. Keeping your mind pleasantly occupied, or unnocupied is sometimes more difficult than the accual miles. Looking forward to things is important, like a package from Kelly, a town stop, or sometimes just lunch. Saw a heart shaped rock, took a picture, and thought about Kelly for a good chunk of the day.
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Beech gap camping area

To: Rock gap shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Ran into some wonderful folks with a camper in the middle of the woods. They were handing out oranges, soda, advice, and stories. Much needed before the vigorous climb up Albert Mountain, the first peak with an observation tower. Beautiful views from above and a decent lunch of tuna wrap with pepporoni. The small rock gap shelter was conveniently placed on a steep slope. The small shelter said it would fit 8, but we were snug enough wigth 5. Maybe people were smaller back when it was made. An early night as it was too cold to do anything else. Franklin tomorrow to get a package Kelly has mailed.
Date: 2013-03-21
From: Rock gap shelter

To: Wayah Bald picnic area
Miles today: 9.6

Woke up cold and to a thin coating of snow. The cold is conducive to hiking; its the only way to warm up and stay warm. The snow on the trail was already pretty well packed dowm from some of the early birds hiking. It was a short 3.8 miles to Winding Stair gap where EagleRunner and i, along with a van load of others, caught a ride into Franklin,NC where i eagerly expected a package from Kelly. Unfortunately, it was not there upon my arrival, but we killed some time and resupplyed and even ran into a familiar face from the trail and share trail stories over a few 11:00 am beers. Eventually, the package was in my hands and i quickly went through all the good stuff inside. A wonderful treat. While standing on the back deck of the outfitter trying to find a ride, an older man named Cracker graciously offered to take us back to the trailhead. I am motivated by the genorousity and hospitality of others. The hoard of thru-hikers seems to be thinning out at this point. I have caught up to people who started before me, and others have caught up to me. Still, it is nice to meet new people and see the familiar people.
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Wayah Bald picnic area

To: Wesser Bald shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

EagleRunner took the point in our 15.8 mile hike through the secluded woods. We went the day with only seeing 3 different faces, two of which were trail angles who had a car filled with goodies. A couple cups of choco milk and too much food made the accent out of the gap more difficult im sure, but it was worth every bite. Very grateful for that suprise. Two of the mountains that we climbed today had observation towers, the better of the two was Wesser Bald which offered a 360 degree view. The shelter seemed all too far away after this long day. Cookies from Kelly's package were beyond delicious and the small bottles of Jim Beam added a few degrees of warmth to my sleeping bag. The shelter was empty when we arrived, the first empty shelter ive seen. Soon another hiker arrived with some music playing from his very large but efficient phone. Sleet tinged off the metal roof. A small hike tomorrow to the Nantahala Outdoor Center for a stay at the hostel.
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light snow

Maybe the 6.7 miles in the snow was a bad idea. It wasnt bad at first, just a light flurry and just barely a dusting on the ground. Up at higher elevations and on the ridge however, the snow was getting pretty deep. Following in someone else's tracks the entire way. The snow drifts on top of the ridge were about a foot deep at this point. Approaching the first shelter, decided to call it a day...an early day. Hunkered down in the shelter. To cold to get out of the sleeping bag.
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Sassafras Gap shelter

To: Gable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2

A longer day through snow that continued through the night. I found this pretty enjoyable though. Snow drifts today were up to my hips in some places. I followed in someone else's tracks, which made getting lost nearly impossible which was good because seeing the white blazes when the trees are plastered with snow is pretty difficult.I expected snow coming out here, i cant say i expected anything like this though.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Gable Gap Shelter

To: "Fontana Hilton"
Miles today: 6.6

A short hiking day with EagleRunner and Packrat as we walk into the Fontana Village to warm up and resupply before heading into the Smokeys. It is very nice to be out of the cold (for now)and some of the snow started to melt on the decent. The "Fontana Hilton" is a big shelter nestled right near Fontana Lake. It fits up to 20 people and even has showers within 20 yards, thus the "hilton". I got a maildrop from my mom loaded with some good things to get me a good ways down the road. Some people at the shelter here have been waiting for 5 days to wait out the weather. Personally i would have been bored out of my mind, but they seemed to survive ok. I can understand not wanting to hike in bad weather, nobody wants to do that, but it's not unavoidable...it's gonna happen.
Date: 2013-03-28
To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

I entered the Smokeys across Fontana Dam. There is a new rule in for the Smokeys where thru hikers have to buy a $20 permit to hike through the park, and we have to stay at shelters every night, so no tenting. There has many hikers griping about this new rule. The worst of the rule is that if a section hiker walks into the shelter and it is full, they have priority over thru hikers and the thru hiker would have to give up their spot. This did not happen, thankfully. I hiked the majority of the day by myself in the wet snow/slush. It was peaceful and i was pretty happy with entering the Smokeys, just as soon i would want to leave them. The trail opened up to a field lined with cherry trees, i would have loved to see them in full bloom. Spence field shelter, .2 miles off the trail, i was relieved to see the sign as i was quite tired after this day. I walked in to a full house of people, for some reason i was expecting less. i grabbed on of the last spots on the bottom row. Quite literally we were packed like sardines into this thing. 22 people in a 12 person shelter. 2 on the floor. i slept straight legged the entire night and very uncomfortably on my foam sleeping mat. I am already eager to be out of the crowd which is the Smokeys.