morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-10-04
From: US19, US74, Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Bryson City
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Trail Update: Molasses is not ready to hike today! Needs another day or two of rest before he is ready to hoist his 40# backpack and trudge 12-16 miles. Had lunch today at Wesser BBQ&Brew at Nantahala Outdoor Center on the river - and fed the ducks on the river. Molasses and Mac&Cheese saw the EMTs who had helped Tom yesterday, as well as quite a few hikers they had met along the trail. Two of them were a father-daughter hiking team (Clint and Mandy)they had met earlier in Damascus.We checked out of the Nantahala Inn because of no cell service or wifi (thank you AT&T...) to a hotel in the town of Bryson City. This delay is throwing off their finish date - they will definitely not be back on October 12. Still 10 days of hiking ahead."RICE" = rest, ice, compression and elevation!Another good thing - Scott has gotten all his Journal entries onto the website!!
Date: 2013-10-05
From: US19, US74, Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Bryson City
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Bryson City Recovery Interlude:Still in Bryson City - a very small town. Two blocks of downtown, but still has several good restaurants. The Fryemont Inn is almost 100 years old - built in 1920s by the Frye family and is up on a hill overlooking town. Great seafood - 5 different preparations of trout + much more. Huge fireplace in the lobby that can hold 8 foot logs. Big porch with rocking chairs and a great place to enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee overlooking the beautiful view. Had dinner there tonight - pecan-crusted trout - delicious!
Date: 2013-10-06
From: US19, US74, Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Bryson City
Miles today: 0.0

Bryson City Rest & Recovery:Last day in Bryson City. Tom considered going back to trail this morning, but then decided he needed one more day of rest for his left leg before the uphill hike the first day will bring. So tomorrow is departure-day! Had a great breakfast in the historic Fryemont Inn. Later watched the Braves on the hotel room TV and Scott picked up dinner for us from Anthony's Pizzeria. Not sure now what day Mo&Mac will finish at Springer, because not certain how many miles Molasses will be able to handle a day. But tomorrow will tell -- hope his bruised thigh holds up because he won't be able to ice it on the trail.
Date: 2013-10-07
From: Wesser Creek Trail

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Molasses and Mac&Cheese are back on the AT! First day back on the AT after the R&R in Bryson City. Molasses' backpack is a little lighter - took out a few things he thought he could live without and sent them home with Cassie. The first 1000 feet were all uphill, but discovered that now it is the DOWNhills that are harder on the injured thigh. But the day turned out to be beautiful! Met two women doing a section hike together who called themselves the 'Doddering Duo'. Stopped for lunch at Cold Springs Shelter and made it to Wayah Bald Shelter. M&M have now hiked together over 900 miles! About 8pm two more hikers came rolling in with headlamps on: 'Numbers' and 'Moby's Dick'. They were both recent college grads, Numbers from Wake Forest and Moby from Yale. They both started in Maine and met each other in Damascus and started hiking together. They had hiked 27 miles that day! Numbers said he was going to reach Springer Mtn from Maine in 111 days. Tom attributes their speedier hike to the fact that they are both about 22! P.S. NEW JOURNAL ENTRIES from MOLASSES posted finally for last week of August - and MAC&CHEESE has posted his journals through the end of September and lots of new photos.Scott's Journal:We decided to keep hiking. I am optimistic. My mom dropped us off and headed home. So we are slower, but on a level and groomed trail. I love this NC section. I can enjoy the hike and not have to push myself over the hills. My dad and I are being team Hutch. We hiked 8.4 miles to Wayah Shelter. It is clean and nice. The leaves are falling and the air is chilled. I love it.
Date: 2013-10-08
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Update on Mac and Mo:No cell service all day today - not able to call home at all. But they made it almost 15 miles ... over Wayah Bald Mountain, where there is a stone observation tower called John Byrne Tower. By the way, 'wayah' is Cherokee for 'wolf' ... no, haven't seen any but they have heard them at night! Then over Wayah Gap, Panther Gap, Swinging Lick Gap, Winding Stair Gap, Wallace Gap and lastly Rock Gap. Molasses' injured thigh is doing okay, although he said it was a very difficult hiking day. Tomorrow will be shorter and hopefully a little easier.Rock Gap Shelter is an older shelter, built in 1965, and in a low area which Tom does not like because of lack of breezes. It also has a tin roof, and he said all night long they were under aerial bombardment with acorns and small branches from overhanging trees. Noisy night!There was another hiker there from the Czech Republic, Jiri, a very interesting guy who lives in Birmingham, AL, and is under contract with UAB (U of AL Birmingham) for microbiology research. This AT section hike was his first trip away from the Birmingham area.
Date: 2013-10-09
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Update from Mo & Mac: Today was "only" a 12 mile hike. Went over Albert Mountain (5,250 feet) and up the observation tower on top. Great 360 degree views of the surrounding countryside. The top of Albert Mountain is 100 miles from Springer Mountain! Getting closer every day. Beautiful weather today. Had cell service on Albert and even when we reached Carter Gap shelter. Carter Gap used to have 2 shelters, one old and one newer, but the old one has been removed.Each shelter has a log for hikers to write in, and Mac&Cheese checked the log and saw that Patty and Michael (the 2 northbound hikers who had helped pull Mo off the mountainside) had stayed there earlier. Still looking for signs of Natty and Moxie and wondering how far they have gotten. They are further south than Mo & Mac because of the R&R delay in Bryson City. Natty had thought they might reach Springer Friday or Saturday, the 11th or 12th.
Date: 2013-10-10
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Update from Molasses and Mac&Cheese:No cell service all day today. Made it over 12 miles to Muskrat Creek Shelter which can sleep 8 hikers. We met a father-son hiking team there, Hawk and his son 10-year-old son Aidan. Hawk had hiked the PCT when he was 28 and now at 39 is taking his son for an AT section-hike. He shared some stories from his PCT adventure. Also met Matt and his 8-month-old Siberian husky dog Lailu. Matt has a beard and said everyone on the trail keeps assuming he is a thru-hiker because of his beard, but he is a section-hiker who just happens to have a beard! He is from 'everywhere' ... Maryland, Miami, Peru, Colorado, Seattle, and California.Weather still beautiful but cold in the early morning. Mo's injuries are healing and leg is holding up well. Looks like the hike is back on track.
Date: 2013-10-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Trail News from Mo and Mac: Crossed over the state line into GA today! There is a gnarled oak tree in a clearing called 'The Twisted Tree' and got a photo of it. Cell service finally at 'As Knob' which is over the state line, so stopped and had lunch in Georgia. Met a 3-generation hiking team: grandfather, father, son all hiking together! Also met Robert, a very enthusiastic hiker from Houston who had started hiking north from Springer 5 days ago. He said he loved it, and although this was a section-hike, he planned to come back and do the whole thing. Robert had seen Natty and Moxie a couple days ago, so hopefully they are still on target with their southbound hike to Springer. Mo & Mac are planning to do 15.4 miles today - a tough hike with lots of "PUDs" (pointless ups and downs).
Date: 2013-10-12
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: GA75, Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Update from Molasses and Mac&Cheese:Arrived at GA75 Unicoi Gap AT Crossing about 3pm and Cassie picked up Mo & Mac for a night with friends in Hiawassee GA. Terence & Rita hosted the weary hikers for a rest before beginning their last 4 days push to Springer Mountain. Enjoyed a sunset pontoon cruise on Lake Chatuge and dinner at the Blue Otter Restaurant on the lake.
Date: 2013-10-13
From: GA75, Unicoi Gap

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Update from Molasses & Mac&Cheese:Great pancake breakfast at Mary's Southern Grill in Hiawassee, GA. Made it there before the big Sunday morning rush, which was good, because there were people waiting in line when we left. Cassie dropped us at Unicoi Gap for the last 4 days of hiking before reaching Springer Mountain. Had a 14.5 mile hike that began with an uphill climb.Made it to Whitley Gap Shelter, which unfortunately was 1.2 miles OFF the trail. Did not like that. Doubt this shelter gets used much because so far off trail ¢ it was spotless and no mice though! Had the shelter to ourselves. After today, we have only 3 days left to hike before we reach Springer!
Date: 2013-10-14
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

Update from Tom (Molasses) and Scott (Mac&Cheese):We must be in Georgia because we have cell service on AT&T. Called home mid-day from Neel Gap. Large area with parking lot, day-hikers, Walosi Outfitters, picnic table area with viewing spot. Had lunch at picnic table and talked to lot of day-hikers. Walosi Outfitters is famous for their ¢pack analysis¢. They are only 30 miles from Springer Mtn so when thru-hikers start northbound, they come to Neel Gap after a few initial days of hiking and get their backpack contents evaluated. Guess the outfitter sells a lot of gear that way! Lots of old boots hanging in a big tree outside the store. An employee (girl named George) took a photo of us for the bulletin board. Probably most of the south-bounders coming from Maine are about 2 weeks away. Except for Danka, Rooster, Mercury (did not get to talk with them) or Numbers and MobysDick (See October 7 journal and photo).Headed to Woods Hole Shelter tonight, but first have to ascend Blood Mountain (1300 foot climb). Hiked Blood Mountain ¢ beautiful views. Scott took lots of photos and gave out our trail card to all the hikers we passed. Met another father-son hiking team. They were section hikers from Massachusetts. They tried it last year and the Dad got tendonitis in one knee and had to call it quits, so they're trying again this year. They started at Springer and hiking north. Trail names ¢Skim Milk¢ (the son, who is a policeman) and ¢2%¢ (dad). Also met John (El Sordo) on Blood Mountain where he had set up his tent. Blood Mountain Shelter is an enclosed stone shelter at the very top. It¢s right on the trail and gets lot of day-hiker activity. We are staying in Woods Hole Shelter, a little further down and 0.4 mile off trail ¢ more private. No one else there. Built by state of GA to honor Roy & Tillie Woods from Roswell who loved hikers and ran a hiker hostel called 'Woods Hole Hostel' in VA, now run by their grand-daughter. (We stayed there while in VA) Only 2 more hiking days from Springer Mountain and our goal. Problem at this shelter ... no water at the water source!
Date: 2013-10-15
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Blackwell Creek
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Update from Mac&Cheese & Molasses:We met another father-son hiking team today. Had lunch in a park picnic area with day-hikers around. Went to the bathroom to fill up our water here and it was locked! (US Forest Service and Government shutdown) Decided we wanted our last night on the AT to be in our tent, not a shelter. Met a couple hikers today, a husband and wife, who recommended a spot on Blackwell Creek where you could pitch your tent right next to the creek. The woman had done a thru-hike about 10 years ago with her daughter, hiking north from GA to Connecticut. We found the site and set up our tent right next to a gurgling stream. Beautiful! We were about 0.3 mile past Gooch Mountain Shelter, so were able to use that privy. Scott met a couple female hikers at the shelter who were hiking from Pennsylvania to Georgia, and they told him they had been following the shelter logs (notebooks that are in each shelter for hikers to make entries) and had been reading about Molasses and Mac&Cheese!Tomorrow is Springer Mountain!
Date: 2013-10-16
From: Blackwell Creek

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Day 111 ¢ Blackwell Creek to Springer Mountain ¢ 15.5 milesTom's Journal:Woke up at 5 am this morning after a great final night in the woods as we slept in our tent next to the beautiful sound of a flowing creek. Just like the first day of the hike 111 days ago, the anticipation and excitement of finally finishing the hike had the adrenaline flowing. We quickly ate breakfast and packed our gear one last time. We began hiking before sunrise so we were using our headlamps for the first hour. Yes, we were anxious to get to the finish line!The day¢s 15 mile hike was a series of numerous ups and downs ending with the culmination climb to the top of Springer Mountain. None of the climbs were backbreaking, but tough enough to remind me how strenuous hiking can be. I still found myself disliking the uphill climbs while feeling I could hike forever on the straightaways. Scott and I spent much of the day reminiscing about our many experiences of the last four months. I was also paying particular attention to our surroundings as it sunk in that we were nearing the end of our journey.We climbed Justus Mountain and Sassafras Mountain and then stopped for lunch in a clearing near Hawk Mountain Shelter. We pulled out our ultra light chairs for the last time. Both Scott and I agreed that our chairs have been worth their weight in gold during this entire journey. As we encountered northbound hikers, we stopped and chatted. Most recognized from our bushy beards that we were long distance hikers nearing the finish and they gave us much appreciated congratulations.About a mile from Springer Mountain, the AT crossed a parking lot. Cassie and Erica were waiting to meet us and hiked the final mile with us. One last push and we soon reached the summit of Springer Mountain and touched the large rock representing the southern terminus of the AT and the end of our journey. As Cassie and Erica took photos, we opened a bottle of sparkling cider and toasted all around. I was filled with tremendous emotions - the incredible relief associated with finishing such a long journey, the excitement of the accomplishment itself but also the sadness of leaving an old friend behind, the AT. After almost four months in the wilderness, the AT had become an integral part of our lives.For Scott and me this was truly the experience of a lifetime. To do this as father and son was very special. Scott now joins a very select group of people having completed the entire AT from Maine to Georgia. For me, I have now finished half the AT and Scott is already encouraging me to complete the remaining half. Stay tuned.
Date: 2012-12-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've had 2013 in my plans for about 8 years. It looks like it is going to happen. I have done most of the AT south of Mt Rogers during section hikes over the last 8 years, so I have at least some idea of what I am getting into. Several of my friends have thru-hiked the AT and I have learned a lot from them.I am wanting to start in late Feb or early March. That is a bit earlier than most. I have done enough winter hiking on the AT to know I like those early conditions. If the weather is crazy I am prepared to pull off the trail and wait the weather out. I will be starting out slower than I do a section hike. My plan is to do 50-70% of my abilities for the first week or so. Being from Central Illinois I do not have the mountains to help me prepare for day 1.
Date: 2012-12-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I just finished backpacking sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas. We got out on 12/20, just in time to see if the Mayans were right. It was a good test of my winter gear but not as cold as I expect in late Feb on the AT. My buddy Randall and I did the 70 miles without issue. The last night was interesting as a severe storm rolled with strong winds. We had selected a protected area in a valley to camp, after I saw that storms were in the forecast. We got kinda lucky as I hadn't had much cell signal for a couple days. Lightning, thunder, high winds, heavy rain were kinda fun to listen to. What was not so much fun was the sound of trees snapping and hitting the ground. It was hard to tell how close the fallen trees were. Fingers were crossed.My dog Mugsy has probably logged a couple thousand miles with me. He is over 9 years old now and will not be going with me on the whole AT. It would be too hard on him and too hard on me. I am hoping to do a section or two with him.All my gear held up well except for my camp water canteen. Had that failed on the AT it would have been easily replaced at Neels Gap.
Date: 2013-01-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Did a hike with my buddy Dawg at Lake Clinton today. This is a trail I have been using since 2001. For Central Illinois it is as good as it gets. It is about a 9.6-mile loop with about 1300' for gain/loss. It ain't the AT but it helps to keep the legs in shape.We both hiked with full pack. Dawg is preparing for a late January trip to Mt Washington with his sights on Rainier and Denali down the road. Temps were very comfortable in the high 20s. The recent snow and ice gave me a chance to test out my Kahtoola Microspikes. The Microspikes performed perfectly giving me solid footing on sheer ice. The Microspikes were easy to place over my trail runners and easy to remove once done. I was totally impressed.I also tested out a piece of gear called the Packa. It is a rain jacket and pack cover in one. The model I used was the silnylon version. I found that it was just too damp inside, trapping in too much of the moisture my body was generating. I was impressed with the function of the Packa and will probably choose to use the eVent version.
Date: 2013-01-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The southern AT and Mother Nature showed this week how careful the early starters need to be. Major flooding in the lower levels and snows at higher elevations just about stopped any travel on the trail in some places. Highway 441 goes though the Smokies. A large section of this road was washed out. This will close travel from Newfound Gap to Cherokee, NC for quite awhile. Gatlinburg to NFG should be reopened soon. Hopefully all of the early class on '13 heeded the weather warnings and took a couple zeros. A buddy of mine with tons more experience than me got himself in trouble on the BMT (Benton MacKaye Trail) which is a trail similar to the AT. Days and days of heavy rains about trapped him with high water. He said the woods were roaring with flowing water. Cold can get you too. A father and his two sons met their ends from hypothermia on a trail near where Randall and I backpacked in December. They were just out for a "simple" dayhike when the weather changed. Dad got lost and they were not prepared to survive the night.I am planning on starting earlier than most. Feb 23 is my penciled-in date. I hope to be paying close attention to the weather and will by pulling off the trail for forecasts of crazy weather.Just did a short 6.5-mile hike with my new eVent Packa today. Temps were near 50°, much warmer than the upper 20s I hiked in with the silnylon Packa. I intentionally overdressed so I would sweat under the Packa. To my pleasure and surprise there was no dampness on my arms. Only my back was wet, which is almost unavoidable when carrying a pack. I was very impressed with my first use of the eVent Packa.
Date: 2013-02-10
To: Deam Wilderness
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Just got home from a weekend trip with friends at the Deam Wilderness (just south of Bloomington, IN). This was a social trip with around 12 miles over easy terrain. Two of my buddies on this trip have completed an AT thru, so it was good to hear some insight from friends that have walked the walk.
Date: 2013-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Did another 10-mile loop hike yesterday at Lake Clinton to keep the feet and legs ready. The hike reminded me of the importance of hiking poles for me. The sun had warmed up the south-facing slopes of the trail, turning the top inch to a slick, greasy mud. Those areas are almost as slippery as ice. I could see the tribulations of those that had preceded me, as long skid marks were common. The slickness added about 30 minutes to my normal time, with the poles saving me from numerable falls. I had my Microspikes with me but chose not to put them on.There are plenty of folks that backpack without poles. I just don't know how they do it when the conditions get like this.
Date: 2013-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today had a weird feel to it. It was my last day at work for maybe 6 months. I have not taken more than 10 days off in a row in over 25 years. There was pride in knowing my son would be taking the reins of the business for those 6 months and that my patients will be in good hands. I am so fortunate to be able to do this adventure and be able to return to my practice once it is over. Many my age would be faced with hanging it up in order to do this.I leave for GA in the morning. Everything is packed, 20 pounds with food/water. I am very pleased with that for a winter start. The weather forecast is everything I could ask for.Now all I have to do is walk.........
Date: 2013-03-03
To: False Start
Miles today: 0.0

We have reservations at the Amicalola Lodge for Sat and Sun. I had planned to hike to Springer on the Approach Trail and have Sa pick up at FS42. She wasn't sure she could find it so I decided to drive us there this morning and hike BACK to the Lodge. After signing in at the Visitor's Center the ranger asked my plans. After telling him he asked if I had 4WD. He said it was too icy for my Prius. OK, that changes things. I decided to put things off til tomorrow. We went to Dawsonville and ate at Chin Chin Chinese Restaurant. I wonder why I picked that one. Drove back to Amicalola and hiked the stairs up to the Lodge. Will say goodbye to Sa in the morning and head north to Springer.
Date: 2013-03-04
From: Amicalola State Park

To: Three Forks
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: few clouds

3/4I've been on a bunch of section hikes but was told by a buddy that starting a thru was totally different. He was right. Stepping into the woods with no plans of going home for 6 months is daunting. Slept in fairly late at the Lodge and had a good breakfast.   I knew I had enough daylight for the hours I wanted to put on my feet. Made it to Springer in about 5 hour and got the requisite picture.      There were about six people up there with only Kyle and me moving on. I went on to Three Forks and found a beautiful campsite along a creek all to myself. The 12ish miles were move than I planned but the last 4 were too easy to pass up.7:39 duration2398 ascent 2441 descent