morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Standing Indian Mounntain

To: Franklin TN
Miles today: 23.8

I woke up in a cloud on top of Standing Indian Mountain. The rainfly was soaked. I packed it into a plastic bag and put it towards the top of the pack in case I hiked into a sunny spot where I might dry it out. I hated to leave the mountain top, but I knew I had to get started. I looked at the map. I was 23.8 miles from Franklin, TN. I would love to be able to hike all the way and take a zero day. In fact tomorrow would be Sunday, I could go to church in Franklin, but 23.8 miles! If I could go 20 miles to Rock Gap Shelter, I could do the last 3.8 on Sunday morning and still possibly make it to church - if I could figure out how to shower before church - that would be a necessity. I did 18.3 miles yesterday, so 20 seemed doable. I packed up and headed out. Within 30 minutes I came to a sunny clearing with a small dead tree that was perfect for spreading out the rainfly. I had breakfast of an apple and almond butter while the rainfly dried, then I hiked on. I made good time and kept wondering, "Could I actually make it all the way to Franklin." The challenge of the day was Albert Mountain, almost 5500 feet. The last half-mile was climbing over big boulders. Hiking poles didn't help, it required hands and feet. At the top there were great views to the south and if you climbed the fire tower above the trees you could see to the North. Now only a person with a fear of heights will understand this, but while I was okay climbing a 5500 foot mountain, climbing another 60 feet on an open metal staircase was terrifying. I made it up four flights , could not yet see over the trees, but my knees felt so weak that I wondered how I would hike down from the mountain. I gave up, came down from the tower and hiked on.About 5:00 I came to Long Branch Shelter. I decided to stop for supper. It was a bran new shelter with a new privy. Don was there for the night. I was tempted to stay for the great accommodations and the company. But it was 7.5 miles from Franklin; that would not feel like a zero day tomorrow. Instead we talked while I ate supper and I moved on.About 6:30 I made it to Rock Gap Shelter. It seemed depressing after eating supper at the new one. Also, it was in a very dark, closed in valley. I had phone service so I called the Franklin Budget Inn to see if they had a room for $39.99. They did. I decided to go for it and I hiked on. The last 2 miles my shoulders started to hurt from the straps, but I walked 23.8 miles! I got to the road and tried to hitch a ride into town. I was just about to give up when a man in a beat up old Subaru stopped and gave me a lift to the hotel. I checked in, showered, and actually walked a half mile to a convenience store for an ice cream bar before going to bed.
Date: 2014-04-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Here is a repeat of how I got the name Cellphone.Florida Gary a.k.a Cellphone. Several of the people I am camping with noticed I was always on my phone. Chucktown commented that I was either eating or talking on the phone. Cropduster christened me Cellphone and it seemed to stick after awhile.Florida Gary was just an easy way to identify myself until someone out on the trail christened me with a trail name that seemed to fit. I don't even like to talk on the phone, but I do like to keep in touch with Sherry.I will start hiking on Friday. I am excited, but will try to take it easy starting out. I will probably post at Mountain Harbor Hostel on day 3 or 4.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Erwin, TN

To: Unaka Mountain
Miles today: 14.0

Arrived in Erwin on 4/25 and stayed at Uncle Johnny's Hostel. Met some thru hikers and prepared for a Friday morning start. It rained off and on all day, but was not bad hiking weather. Even had some views on Beauty Spot. Weather dropped into the low 40's that night. Set my tent up on the first flat spot I found climbing up Unaka Mountain.
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Unaka Mountain

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 61.5

Miles shown are totaled for days two thru six.Hiking, eating, camping. Some great weather and some gale force winds on Little Hump and Big Hump Mountain. Roan Mountain took two and a half hours to climb. The climb is over 4 miles long reaching up to 6,212 ft. Had a great stay at Mountain Harbor Hostel with a bunch of other thru hikers. London broil for dinner and a super all you can eat gourmet breakfast. I am now at the Black Bear Resort Hostel where I finally found a computer. Two things I miss about the Southern Appalachians the hostels had computers and the shelters had outhouses! Overmountain Shelter was the only shelter north of Erwin that has an outhouse and all of the hikers were talking about it. I wish I would have taken a picture. It had three sides and was open in front facing a beautiful view of the valley. The sides did not go to the ground similar to normal bathroom stalls so that people approaching could see that it was occupied. Enough on that.75.5 miles covered so far.Remember your most important piece of gear when you are out here is your spoon.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Dennis Cove

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Pictured from left to right are Sprinkle Burst, Cupcake, Cellphone, Fifty Shrimp and Marathon.Stayed in Vandeventer Shelter. Arrived late and it was on top of a mountain with no flat places to camp. We all cooked, ate, talked a little and went to sleep at hikers bedtime (dark).
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 33.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Took a zero day in Damascus, VA. Had to buy a new pack since mine pretty much fell apart. Having some trouble fitting everything in. May have to start later if I have to mail some things home. I had an 18.7 mile day coming into Damascus. My thoughts were on the Apostle Paul and his road to Damascus.I have been out eleven days now counting this zero in Damascus which is quickly coming to an end. Oh and my shoes are giving me fits, but Merrell is going to mail me ahead another pair for free that I can pick up in Adkins, VA. I asked them to give me the kind without the Goretex. Goretex works like this. When it is raining your feet are dry. When it is dry your feet are wet from sweat. This makes for some pretty sore feet.Some of the characters that I am moving along at a similar pace with are Sprinkle Burst and Cupcake, Science Tooth and Bo, Woodstock, Hawksbill, Isn't Black and Curious George and others. There are quite a mixture of young and old. Everyone is having fun, but seriously hiking toward Katahdin.Anyway, I am done for the day and will try to update whenever I can. Will upload some pictures when I can.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Damascus, VA

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 75.1

Waiting to pick up my new pair of Merrell shoes at the Post Office tomorrow morning when they open. Turns out that I should have had them sent to Marion. From Partnership Shelter I could have caught a 50 cent bus ride to Marion. Instead I arrived in Atkins and had to walk at least 2.5 miles of road before someone picked me up. Right time maybe. I met a truck driver at the Subway next to the hotel I am staying at and he said he could give me a lift back to the next exit on I81 which is right where the trail comes out. I will find out tomorrow if it really was the wrong town, but the right time.I am signing off for now.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Atkins, VA

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 88.6

I have hiked 289.8 miles according to AWOL's Trail Guide from Erwin, TN to Pearisburg, VA. I think my trail journal miles may update at some point in time, but do not know. The day after I sent my cold weather sleeping bag home and started using my warm weather bag it got really cold. On Friday night I stayed at Wapiti Shelter and froze most of the night. The temps were in the 30's. Saturday I stayed at Wood's Hole Hostel. They had extra blankets to use with my sleeping bag. It was colder, but I woke up in the night sweating. It felt good to be warm. Arrived in Pearisburg. Ate mass quantities including slim jims, cheese, Wendy's frosty, french fries. Ten minutes later I ate Mexican and had a marquerita. Finally, I feel full. I think I may have lost ten or so pounds depending on how you trust the scales. All I know is that I keep having to tighten my belt on my pants. I bought them on the small side! Tomorrow is a big climb and out in the wilderness for a few days.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Pearisburg

To: Daleville
Miles today: 92.7

Whenever anyone says it is all downhill, beware. On the AT it is never all downhill. Also, ten 100 foot climbs equals 1,000 feet of climbing. Going into Daleville it almost seemed like I was climbing more than I was going downhill, but I knew better.Strange things on the trail.The Nick Grindstaff Headstone was actually on Iron Mountain a day back from Damascus. The epitaph reads: He lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone. Here is a link to get the story. http://appalachiantreks.blogspot.com/2012/07/uncle-nick-grindstaff.htmlAfter Jenny Knob Shelter and before Trent's Grocery on the side of gravel road VA 611 I saw several deer skeletons. These were the entire skeletons and at least 6, 8, 10 or more. They were everywhere. It was kind of strange and they were whole skeletons.Hiked 382.5 miles according to AWOL's guide. My longest day was 21.2. I took one zero day in Damascus to replace my pack. I lost 13 lbs. Observations, strange happenings and statistics, but most important was being there. I met a lot of great and wonderful people. I lived in the woods. I was cold and hot, happy and miserable. I drank good coffee in the morning. I drank good bourbon at night and had an occasional cigar. I played hard and slept good. I prayed and sang hymns daily as I hiked along the mountains.Best of luck to the many people I hiked with.
Date: 2014-03-27
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, here I am at home in Atlanta, GA on the evening of March 27, 2014. I've been dreaming of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail since I was in high school (many years ago), and decided that 2014 was the year to chase my dream. I'm really looking forward to finding out what this adventure has in store for me. In my next entry, I'll explain what the Appalachian Trail is. In this entry, I'll give a little bit of background information about me. I'm a 28 (29 in 2 days) year old attorney that lives in Atlanta, GA. I recently left my job, and am fortunate that I am able spend the next 5-6 months adventuring up the east coast between Georgia and Maine on the Appalachian Trail (AT).Each year, between 3,000-4,000 ambitious souls attempt to thru-hike the AT, and only 300-400 actually complete their journey. For those that are mathematically challenged, the AT has a 90% failure rate. Many of the people that quit the trail do so because of injury. Others realize that the trail isn't what they thought it would be. Others just get homesick, and decide to get off trail. I pray for the strength (physically, mentally, and spiritually) to complete the trail. I hope to update this journal several times a month while on the trail with pictures and a daily account of my journey. That is it for now, stay tuned for another journal entry in the near future.
Date: 2014-03-28
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today I picked up the last remaining odds and ends that I'll need for my hike. Every ounce on your back really matters when you are lugging your pack up and down mountains all day, so I've really tried to keep the pack weight at a minimum. So far it looks like the base weight of my pack is around 15 pounds. Base weight does not count food and water, because those change throughout the day. With food and water, I am looking at a total pack weight of around 23 pounds. I am pleased with this. Another journal entry to come tomorrow.
Date: 2014-03-31
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

I'm currently at my parents' house in Hiawassee, GA, where I brought all my gear to do one last inventory check before I hit the trail in the morning. I will have my mother & father drive me to the USFS 42 trailhead, which is 0.9 miles north of Springer Mountain. Then I will hike south on the AT to the summit of Springer Mountain, sign in, pose for the obligatory pictures, and officially begin this adventure. For those that don't know, the Appalachian Trail is a 2,185 mile footpath that winds through 14 states (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finally Maine). Along the trail there are shelters, which are 3 sided wooden structures that hikers can sleep in, or they can choose to tent nearby. While most hikers are spread out during the day, these shelters usually become crowded with hikers at night. The time it takes to do a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail really depends on how fast one can hike 2,185 miles. It takes most people 5-6 months, including days off in various towns along the way. I hope to complete the trail in this time-frame as well. I'll be going into a new town about once a week to resupply, clean up, and eat something other than trail food. I will also be updating this blog from these various towns as well, usually from a computer at the public library. Most hikers take it slow in the first few weeks, as to avoid injuring themselves by pushing too fast too soon. After several weeks on trail, thru-hikers develop what is called "trail legs" which basically means your body is in the shape necessary to do 18-20 mile days without injury.While it depends on the mileage hiked in a given day, most hikers on the AT burn 5,000 to 7,000 calories per day, so obviously eating is a big part a successful thru-hike. My daily food will resemble what most thru-hikers will be eating. I'll be changing up the contents of my food bag throughout the hike, but typically my daily meals will be a package of Pop-Tarts for breakfast, a meal bar for lunch, another meal bar for a mid-afternoon snack, and dinners will be Ramen Noodles with tuna fish mixed in, or a similar type dish. It doesn't sound too good, but it is important for my dinners to be light-weight, as I have to carry it on my back for miles and miles. The first leg of this trip will take me from Springer Mountain to the Walasi-Yi Center, a distance of 31.7 miles. I hope to make it there in 3 days, where I'll resupply and prepare for the next leg of the hike, which will take me to Hiawassee, GA, where I'll take a zero day (a zero day is hiker talk for a day off, which usually happens in a town and not in the woods). That's it for now. Tomorrow I begin my Appalachian Trail thru-hike. I am nervous and excited. I pray for the strength to successfully complete this journey. Next update will come from the trail!
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: few clouds

Today was a surreal day! Today was the first day of my Appalachian Trail thru-hike, and it couldn't have been better. My father took me to Amicalola Falls State Park, where I signed in as the 859th northbound thru-hiker this year. Of course, this number isn't completely accurate, as many thru-hikers do not sign in at Amicalola Falls. From there, I rode up USFS Road 42, which took me 0.9 miles north of Springer, and I walked to the summit of Springer Mountain, the official Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The summit was very crowded, and had around 25 people up there, including Crazy Horse, who has thru-hiked the AT 5 times! I met lots of other people starting the trail today. My dad went with me to the summit to see me off, where we took some pictures, and I took my official starting picture at the Southern Terminus sign, with the first white blaze of the trail. We spent about 30 minutes at the summit of Springer Mountain, and then we began hiking north, retracing our steps for the first 0.9 miles back to the car at the USFS Road 42 parking lot. From there, my dad went home, and I continued north on the AT, following the white blazes (the trail is marked with white blazes every so often, and lead a hiker all the way to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, my ultimate destination on this trip). I soon met Tortoise and Hare, from Canada and Pennsylvania, respectively. We hiked together for about 2 miles, and I soon sped up and was ahead of them. Then I met up with 3 really fun guys from New Jersey at Three Forks, where we filled up on water, and saw an Army chopper fly about 100 feet above the trees. It was very loud! We hiked the rest of the way to Hawk Mountain Shelter together. They were a lot of fun to walk and talk with, and I really enjoyed their company. Once I got to the shelter, I set up my tent and made dinner. I had Ramen noodles mixed with tuna fish (gourmet dinner, I know). After dinner, I hung my food bag on the bear cables (cable and pulley system set up at the shelters, in which you can hoist your food bag high off the ground, so bears and other animals can't eat your food).I ended up hanging around the campfire with the NJ guys until about 9:30pm, when I went to my tent to write this entry into my journal. The weather today was gorgeous, about 80 degrees. Tomorrow I plan to hike to Gooch Mountain Shelter (7.7 miles away), or maybe Woody Gap (12.9 miles away) at GA HWY 60, and hitch a ride to the hostel down the road in Suches, GA. Goodnight from Day 1 on the trail. Mt. Katahdin seems so far away right now, but I know that by taking it one step at a time, I can make it!
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

I awoke today around 6:30am to the sound of other tents unzipping around me. After a good night's sleep, I quickly got up and broke down my camp. I ate a pack of Pop-Tarts and was on my way, heading north on the Appalachian Trail. The day was tough, but manageable. The first big climb was up Sassafras Mountain, which was tough, but easier than I expected after hearing so many others say how hard it was. I filled up my water bottles from an Army water trailer at Cooper Gap, and then met Jaleesa, a 20 year old girl from Manchester, NH who is also thru-hiking. Jaleesa and I hiked together for the rest of the day. I also met Walkabout, a 41 year old thru-hiker from Stuart, FL. Today was a good second day, and I covered 12.9 miles, which I'm happy with. I also passed Froggy Pete, who thru-hiked in 2003, and is out to do it again. When we got to Woody Gap, we called Hiker Hostel, but they were full, so Walkabout, Jaleesa, and I got a ride to Wolfpen Gap Country Store & Hiker Hostel, where we all got a room for the night. Zip Code, a 63 year old thru-hiker who decided to quit the trail was here, waiting for his wife to pick him up. All I can say is: WHAT A DUMP! Note to anyone hiking this section- do not stay here! They charged $20 each for a nasty bunkroom, a low pressure shower, and to top it all off, 3 local rednecks were hiding in the room next door and were listening to Zip Code, Walkabout, Jaleesa, and I talk. They proceeded to come into our room at around 10:00pm, and to our surprise, all 3 were carrying handguns, and they were visibly drunk, with more beers in a 6 pack ring hanging from each of their belts. Jaleesa asked them why they were in our room, and they told her, "If you tell us to leave, we'll either say f*ck you and keep drinking, or we'll leave and keep drinking." I was so mad at them, and wanted them to leave immediately. Finally, I had enough. I politely asked them to leave, telling them that we all had a big day tomorrow, and we needed sleep. Luckily, they left. Tomorrow we are hiking to Neel Gap, about 10 miles away. Neel Gap is home to Mountain Crossings, a store that the AT actually passes right through! Goodnight!
Date: 2014-04-03
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap- Walasi-Yi Center
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 7:30am at the hostel, and went downstairs to get a cup of coffee, which was terrible, just like everything else at this hostel. Again, a warning for hikers going through Woody Gap- do not stay here! I had breakfast with Jaleesa, Walkabout, and Zip Code. We said our goodbyes to Zip Code and got a ride back to the trailhead at Woody Gap, and continued hiking north where we left off yesterday. We hiked a quick 5 miles to Jarrard Gap, where we stopped for lunch. I had a Powerbar and a Snickers bar. We then continued for a few miles where we met Die Hard and Draggin'. Draggin' is from MA, and thru-hiked the AT in 2005. We hung out by a small creek at the base of Blood Mountain for about 20-30 minutes, when Jaleesa and I decided to go ahead and tackle our next objective, Blood Mountain, which is the highest peak on the AT in Georgia. After 0.8 miles of challenging uphill, we made it to the summit. The views were incredible! At the summit of Blood Mountain, there is a 4 sided stone shelter, where we hung out for a few minutes. Soon after Jaleesa and I made it to the summit, Walkabout showed up. Jaleesa was planning on staying at the hostel at Walasi-Yi Center, so she went ahead and hiked down. Soon after, I began the 2.5 mile descent down to Neel Gap, where I had visions of a cold soda in my mind! The descent off of Blood Mountain was the toughest yet. It was extremely steep for 2.5 miles, and was really hard on my ankles and knees. After what seemed like forever, Mountain Crossings and the Walasi-Yi Center was in view! When I got there, I bought an orange soda, which was delicious after 31.7 miles of hiking. Luckily, my parents live near Mountain Crossings, and I called them to come pick me up to take me to their house for the night to clean up and do laundry. While I was waiting for them to come, I hung out on the patio of Mountain Crossings with about 30-40 other thru-hikers. When my dad showed up, I got in the car, and we took Jaleesa to a nearby cabin where she will spend the night. We also took 2 other thru-hikers to a gas station in Blairsville, GA where they could buy beer. It was nice to be at their house for the night, where I had a home cooked meal and prepared for the next stretch of trail. I will be back at their house in a few days, when the trail passes US 76 at Dicks Creek Gap. They say that 25% of all thru-hike attempts end at Neel Gap, as it is the first convenient place to get off the trail. It feels really good that I made it to that point, and am still feeling strong.