morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Amicalola Falls Lodge

To: stover creek shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I arrived at the Amacalola Falls Lodge about 1:00, got settled in and decided to hike the first couple of miles of the approach trail for a little stretch and to get a slight jump on things tomorrow. The trail parallels magnificent falls and features a 720 step stairway! It was quite lovely and certainly more interesting than I had imagined it would be. The flight and the overland trip to the lodge, which is about 70 miles north of Atlanta, was smooth and without a hitch. The shuttle driver, Survivor Dave, proved to be quite the character and extremely helpful. His local knowledge and friendly mannerism made the trip a joy. The weather is quite a bit colder than I expected with temperatures in the low 30's and light snow. The start tomorrow will be on the chilly side, I'm sure! Dave says a number of people have gotten off he trail to wait for things to warm up. Boy, I'd hate to walk off the trail in the first 2 days!Well I guess we'll see how that goes tomorrow when the adventure truly starts.
Date: 2013-03-28
From: stover creek shelter

To: gooch mt. and neels gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

March 28 Stover Creek Shelter to Gooch Mtn Shelter 13 miles. Today I walked to Gooch mountain shelter, a total of 13 miles. I had my first experience with trail magic. I was just thinking about needing water when I walked out into a gap and there was a water tanker waiting there! It was a fairly easy walk with one good climb towards the end. I got to the shelter about 3:00 and set up. On the way I stopped at Hawk mountain shelter for lunch and ran into some big ol boys who decided to leave behind a 5 pound and a 2 pound jar of peanut butter. Unbelievable!At the Gooch, a guy tried to actually a set up his tent in the shelter. We all had to point out to him just how uncool that was. He did however build an awesome camp fire for redemption. March 29. Gooch mt shelter to Neels Gap. 15 milesToday I walked with Snot Rocket and B-line, a girl and guy from NH. It was a 15 mile hike to Neels Gap where I will spend the night In the hiker hostel. Today was really Trail Magic day. First we got to Woody Gap and there was a group of people serving hot dogs, burgers, chips, soft drinks, and brownies for dessert. Awesome! Then at the Hostel we were fed by members of a local church fried chicken, Mac and cheese, and a huge beautiful green salad plus cookies for dessert! These trail angels are amazing people who just do this for their love and support of the hiker community.On the biggest climb so far up Blood Mountain, we were treated to a snowman about two thirds of the way up. Pretty cool. At the top the views were fantastic and the shelter was a great stone building. The descent into Neels Gap was a bit painful as our feet were starting to really hurt. For the first time I am plagued with blisters and sore feet. Tomorrow is going to be a challenge. I just hope my feet feel better in the morning. Well a hot shower and a great meal felt pretty good. 8:30 and time for lights out!
Date: 2013-03-29
From: gooch mt. and neels gap

To: low gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

March 30. Neels Gap to Low Gap. Well I now have an official trail name. It's Dip n' Sip because of the way I stop at every spring and fast running stream and dip my cup in and have a drink of water. That way carry a lot less water and stay well hydrated. Today's hike was easy and John and I made the 11 miles in just over 4.5 hours. We got to the shelter early and caught up on lots of stuff.I saw my first quiter today. The poor guy just had bypass surgery and 27 stints and weighed about 300 pounds and was 64 years old. He looked pretty beat up and demoralized. I felt bad for him because his dream was over so soon. The group is really gelling now and we are having a great time. It's loosely knit but we all watch for each other and keep track of everyone's progress. Tomorrow is a big, long, hard day. 15 miles and 3 big climbs. I hope my feet feel better. They've been a little sore but slowly getting better. Well, off to bed. It's hiker midnight (dusk).
Date: 2013-03-30
From: low gap

To: tray mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

March 31. Low Gap Shelter to Tray Mountain Shelter. 15.5 miTough day on the trail today. It rained all night so breaking camp was slow and wet. Lots of big up and downs in the afternoon and my feet and knees were really aching. Just before we got to the shelter it started to pour. The shelter was full so GQ and I had to set up our tents in a downpour. glad we're getting into Hiawasee tomorrow where I plan on taking my first zero (day off from hiking). The zero day will be my birthdays and now we just found out the county is dry! Just my luck. People I met on the trail today: Badass, Caboose, Big Mac, Why Not, Whambat, and Funny Bone. A great bunch of people that make the trail the special place that it is. I'm looking forward to a day off to heal my feet and moving on into North Carolina in a few days.
Date: 2013-04-03
From: tray mountain

To: Muscrat creek shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, April 3. Hiawasee to Muscrat Creek Shelter.11 milesI had an amazing night at the Blueberry Patch Hostel , a Christian hostel for hikers in Hiawasee, Georgia. It is run by the nicest people I have ever met who provide bunks for up to 11 hikers with a kitchen, bathroom with a shower, plus they do your laundry for you. They then make what is surely the best breakfast I have had in years served in their adjacent home. All of this for a donation to keep their kind service to hikers a available. Blessed people to be sure. After breakfast Gary drove us back to the trailhead and I then walked 11 miles to Muscrat Creek Shelter. The highlight of the day was crossing over into North Carolina. One state done! The toughest climb of the day was over Sassafras Mountain just before arriving at the shelter.Tomorrow it is going to get interesting. We are expecting a wintry mix and have our biggest climb yet, Standing Indian Mountain at over 5400 feet. I'm in the Shelter now and it's getting really cold and the wind is picking up. It feels cold enough to snow and if it does we could get over a foot! Thankfully I have 4 days food with me. Well, time for beddy bye, it's 8:30!
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Hiawasee, GA

To: muscrat creek shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had an amazing night at the Blueberry Patch Hostel , a Christian hostel for hikers in Hiawasee, Georgia. It is run by the nicest people I have ever met who provide bunks for up to 11 hikers with a kitchen, bathroom with a shower, plus they do your laundry for you. They then make what is surely the best breakfast I have had in years served in their adjacent home. All of this for a donation to keep their kind service to hikers a available. Blessed people to be sure. After breakfast Gary drove us back to the trailhead and I then walked 11 miles to Muscrat Creek Shelter. The highlight of the day was crossing over into North Carolina. One state done! The toughest climb of the day was over Sassafras Mountain just before arriving at the shelter.Tomorrow it is going to get interesting. We are expecting a wintry mix and have our biggest climb yet, Standing Indian Mountain at over 5400 feet. I'm in the Shelter now and it's getting really cold and the wind is picking up. It feels cold enough to snow and if it does we could get over a foot! Thankfully I have 4 days food with me. Well, time for beddy bye, it's 8:30!
Date: 2013-04-04
From: muscrat creek shelter

To: standing indian shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Thursday , April 4. Muscrat Creek Shelter to Standing Indian Shelter. 5 milesI had to cut my hike short today due to weather. I arrived at the shelter at 11:00 and called it quits for the day. Temperature has dropped to the mid 20's with freezing rain. The trail is too dangerous to hike with icy rocks and roots and large limbs coming down. Also I have ice building up on my rain gear and poles. When I arrive at the shelter there was a tent set up in it and Nathan who I hiked with yesterday. He said a girl had just abandoned it and decided to hike out to town. The shelter was covered with ice and there were branches crashing down on the roof. There are now 8 of us crammed into here huddled in our sleeping bags trying to stay warm. It's going to be an interesting night for sure.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: standing indian shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Friday, April 5. Standing Indian Shelter to Long Branch Shelter. 17 milesLast night was definitely a crazy night. The ice storm raged most of the night with limbs and trees crashing down all around us. The temperature fell to about 23 degrees and it was tough hitting the trail this morning to be sure. Today I covered about 17 miles and it featured 2 big climbs. One over Standing Indian Mountain and the other over Mt Albert which has a fire tower on top. That was a good steep climb, but not that long. Then I had a long run out to the shelter which is brand new and quite spacious and sleeps about 14. Our ad hoc group now has picked up Cowabanga with his sheep dog Jake, Titan, and Boomerang.   We seemed to have lost GQ for now and a few have moved on at too fast a pace for the rest of us. That's the way it will go from now on I'm sure. Tomorrow a group of 8 of us are planning on going into Franklin for a Nero and hiking out the next morning. Should be fun! All for now!
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Saturday, April 6. Long Branch Shelter to Rock Gap. We walked out to Rock Gap this morning and caught the hiker shuttle into Franklin, NC.   We squeezed 11 hikers and back packs plus one dog into a 9 person van and went into town. We immediately headed for breakfast at Ms. Lois's. We all had a huge delicious breakfast plus a slice of home made peanut butter pie. Then something astounding happened. The waitress told us the entire tab was taken care of by a couple from the local church who felt God had asked them to take care of us. Unbelievable. We left a huge tip and wrote and all signed a thank you note for our trail angels. This is at least our fifth encounter of trail magic where someone performs an unexpected act of kindness or generosity. I believe it is something greater than magic as more often than not God is mentioned We are all hanging out now after our showers doing our laundry. We will soon reload our growing hiker appetites and setting out for another meal. We're thinking about the all you can eat pizza place. Honestly, our hunger is insatiable. The saying is a thru hiker runs out of money before he runs out of hunger.This evening we all went to a pizza parlor for inhuman quantities of pizza, salad, and for the first time on the hike, wine. We watched the first first final four game and called of a night. The place advertised free shuttle ride to the place but when we asked for a ride back to the hotel they said they didn't do that so we walked the mile and a half back to the hotel. Pretty funny policy!Off to bed with an early start planned.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

April 7 Franklin at Rock Gap to Wayah Gap Shelter. 14 milesWe went to another amazing church sponsored breakfast this morning before leaving Franklin. Despite an outrageous pizza gorging last night, I ate two huge platters of pancakes with bacon.   The Southern Methodist Church that fed us also took each of our pictures individually and gave us a copy of the picture with a note page and an envelope for us to mail the picture home. The kindness and generosity of the folks on these southern trail towns takes my breath away. I will always remember this as a true highlight of my hike. I also have vowed to pay the kindness forward as I hike my way north. I only hope I can come close to doing so. I then hiked a fantastic 14 mile section of the trail and came to my first two major balds, Siler and Wayah. Balds are naturally occurring clearings that have existed for as long as folks can remember. They appear at about 5000 feet of elevation and look to be somewhere around 50 to 100 acres in size. Wayah Bald has beautiful views and a large stone tower at the summit. I then dropped down a mile to the shelter and am staying with my adopted group of hikers. Today I also met L dog, Turtle, Head Butt, and Neals from Belgium.Tomorrow we will make 17 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and resupply for our push to Fontana Dam where we will enter the Smokies. I can't wait!!
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Natahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Monday, April 8. Wayah Bald Shelter to Natahala Outdoor Center.   17 miles. Today was quite a day. Just as I left camp I pulled my shoulder strap to tighten it up and it broke off! Now I had 17 miles to go and a broken pack strap. I tied it up the best I could and pushed the miles to get to the outfitter at the NOC before they closed for the day. I covered the miles in just over 6 hours and got there in plenty of time. The folks at the outfitter fixed my pack free of charge and even arranged for Granite Gear to send me a free replacement hip belt because the original one is now to big as my waist is now down to 31 inches. I'll pick it up in Hot Springs. The hike today featured two short climbs and a long 5 mile descend into the NOC. Some of the ridge views were quite spectacular and there was another fire tower with fine views. I had lunch there with four high school guys that really wanted to know all about the thru hike. I was happy to fill them in. The NOC has a hiker hostel and a restaurant which meant a shower and another hiker meal. We all ordered the hungry hiker special which consisted of an entree sized salad, a one pound hamburger, and a giant brownie sundae. I felt full at last. I can't wait for breakfast. The thing is we are burning a out 6,000 to 7,000 calories a day on the trail and can only consume about 3,000 with hiker food so after a few days we are running tremendous deficits and we have to catch up in town. We have just 2 days until the start of the Smokies and will resupply in Fontana Dam. I have a drop box waiting for me there. The weather is supposed to be mostly good so we're all quite excited.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Natahala Outdoor Center

To: brown gap shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday, April 9. Natahala Outdoor Center to Brown Gap Shelter. 16 miles. Today was my toughest day yet on the trail not because of the terrain but because my feet were really killing me. I have big sore areas on the balls of both feet just below my toes. One is split open and I can't get it to close. So I basically hobbled most of the way and over some difficult terrain. I am looking forward to taking a zero in Fontana Dam on Thursday after arriving there tomorrow. I have got to get my feet fixed!Today's hike started out with a big 7 mile climb out of the NOC to a beautiful bald where I stopped and had lunch with Chaos who I hiked with most of the day. The Natahala National Forrest features some beautiful country with most of the mountains and ridges being near to or above 5,000 feet of elevation. Many of the ridges, although wooded, had good views down a thousand feet or more on both sides, known as knife edges. I then did a long descent of nearly 6 miles followed by a very steep climb up Jacobs Ladder and a descent to Brown Gap Shelter. I pulled into the camp site about 6:00 to find a full shelter and no good place to pitch a tent. So tonight I will be in my tent on a pretty severe slope and angle. I'm so tired that I doubt it will matter.   Tomorrow it's 12 miles into Fontana Dam and some much needed rest!
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Natahala Outdoor Center

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday, April 10. Brown Gap Shelter to Fontana Dam. 12 miles. I walked into Fontana Dam today and it turned into something of an adventure. The day started early, on the trail by 7:30 with the intent of covering the 12 miles by about 1:00 and having a nice long day in town and following that up with a zero tomorrow.   My buddy Chaos who I will be sharing a room with hiked on a couple of extra miles last night and I walked by his camp about 9:00 and told him I'd get the room set up in town. The miles went by easily despite my aching foot and I came out at the dam right on schedule. Then things got weird. I wound up walking 2 miles in the wrong direction then had to finally grab shuttle back to the lodge. Later Chaos did the exact same thing and wound up walking 4 extra miles. Nothing worse than extra miles when you have over 2,000 miles to cover. I did my laundry, took a bath and a shower (just because) and had a soup and sandwich for lunch at 3:30 followed by a nice dinner at 5:30. I'm all ready for breakfast now! Tomorrow will be a full zero with just rest and relaxation on tap. My foot needs a full day of rest before starting in the Smokies on Friday. Chaos and I are a day ahead of the rest of our group and hopefully we'll all regroup tomorrow. Met on the trail last two days. Hawaii, Albaquerkie Dave, Uncle Noodles.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Fontana Dam

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

Just finished my zero in Fontana Dam. Plenty of rest, food, good company, and just enjoying the whole AT experience. Up into the Smokies tomorrow and 5 days until my next journal update. Big storms rolling in tonight and it should be clear weather for the Smokies. Awesome!
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Friday, April 12. Fontana Dam to Russell Fields Shelter. 15 miles. Weather overcast to start, clear and sunny later.Temp 60 hi, 28 low. Chaos and I did a long climb out of Fontana Dam and reached the ridge line in about 3 hours. We then flew across the ridge and reached our shelter before 3:00. We decided not to push on because the afternoon was so beautiful and we were the first ones at the shelter. We then saw about 25 riders on horseback come thru and traded photos with them. Strange how the Smokies allows horses but not dogs. There are now about 20 hikers here for the night. It's a beautiful clear cool night and we have a great fire going. My food feels much better and I'm looking forward to a 17 mile hike tomorrow which will include the famous Rocky Top Mountain. Hee Hah!
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday, April 13. Russell Fields Shelter to Double Springs Shelter 17 miles. Weather clear and cool, hi of 62 low of 34. Beautiful day in the Smokies. There were great views from Rocky Top and many of the ridges throughout the day. It was a challenging day with several moderate climbs and descents in a never ending up and down. Most of the day was spent above 5,000 feet but that is not above tree line this far south. I also had my first experience with thinking I wasn't on the trail even though I was. I guess it is common as the daily miles pick up and you begin to travel on auto pilot.My foot is still a mess. I just can't seem to get it to fully heal. I also have now had the shoulder strap fail two more times on my backpack. I hope I can get my bag fixed or changed at Hot Springs which I will reach in 5 or 6 days. At this stage all thru hikers are dealing with pain and equipment issues so I'm certainly not alone. Tonight after dinner we were sitting around the campfire and were treated to a special sight. A doe and her fawn walked right thru our campsite about 30 feet from us. They were completely unafraid of our presence. Really cool!Tomorrow we will go over Clingmans Dome which at 6,600 feet is the highest point on the AT. We are all hoping they serve hot dogs there. I was hungry enough to eat two complete meals in camp tonight. Wonderful!New people met on the trail: Indian, Honey Badger, Mudslide, and Slider. Baby Bear and Pinoy Airman have quit the trail.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, April 14. Double Spring Shelter to Newfound Gap 11 miles.   Weather clear to start, clouded up as the day went on. What a day. Where to start! We got up early with the intent to hike 11 miles by noon to catch a hiker shuttle from Newfound Gap to Gatlinburg TN. We were 't originally planning on stoping there but we decided to work around some now forecasted rain. We hiked the first 3 miles to the top of Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT at 6,600 feet. The views there were phenominal in every direction. We received the first of much trail magic in the form of home made muffins and fresh strawberries. We then flew the remaining 8 miles to Davenport Gap and were greeted by trail angle God speed and Mountain Momma who made us sandwiches with old Cokes, chips, brownies, and apples. We devoured it. Then we hears that the hiker shuttle would not be running but a man a d his son who we had stayed with in the shelter the night before offered to give us a ride in to Gatlinburg. He was a former thru hiker and we came to find out that he had waited for us just to make sure we had a ride into town. Then to our amazement, he insisted on buying us a huge lunch of barbacue steaks, all the fixings, salad bar and dessert. His only request was that we pay it forward some day which is, of course, how trail magic lives on. I continue to be just amazed at the wonder of the trail and its many angels. We then experienced the town of Gatlinburg in all of its glory. If you have never had the opportunity, you are lucky. This just might be ground zero of hillbilly hokydom. It's relentless in its hokeyness. Wax museums, Cooter Themed go cart and mini golf, and best of all the Dollywood Dinner Theater featuring a reenactment of the Hatfield vs McCoy feud done as a musical. I am not making any of this up. We then ended the evening with a pizza feast and great trail talk with other hikers.   What a day. Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Davenport Gap

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday, April 14. Double Spring Shelter to Davenport Gap 11 miles.   Weather clear to start, clouded up as the day went on. What a day. Where to start! We got up early with the intent to hike 11 miles by noon to catch a hiker shuttle from Davenport Gap to Gatlinburg TN. We were 't originally planning on stoping there but we decided to work around some now forecasted rain. We hiked the first 3 miles to the top of Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT at 6,600 feet. The views there were phenominal in every direction. We received the first of much trail magic in the form of home made muffins and fresh strawberries. We then flew the remaining 8 miles to Davenport Gap and were greeted by trail angle God speed and Mountain Momma who made us sandwiches with old Cokes, chips, brownies, and apples. We devoured it. Then we hears that the hiker shuttle would not be running but a man a d his son who we had stayed with in the shelter the night before offered to give us a ride in to Gatlinburg. He was a former thru hiker and we came to find out that he had waited for us just to make sure we had a ride into town. Then to our amazement, he insisted on buying us a huge lunch of barbacue steaks, all the fixings, salad bar and dessert. His only request was that we pay it forward some day which is, of course, how trail magic lives on. I continue to be just amazed at the wonder of the trail and its many angels. We then experienced the town of Gatlinburg in all of its glory. If you have never had the opportunity, you are lucky. This just might be ground zero of hillbilly hokydom. It's relentless in its hokeyness. Wax museums, Cooter Themed go cart and mini golf, and best of all the Dollywood Dinner Theater featuring a reenactment of the Hatfield vs McCoy feud done as a musical. I am not making any of this up. We then ended the evening with a pizza feast and great trail talk with other hikers.   What a day. Back to the trail tomorrow.