morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-29
To: Heading South
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Travel from Detroit to Atlanta went smoothly.Hiker Hostel was awesome. Full house Sunday night. My roommates were Melissa, Dan and Hammer.It was nice being in a place full of people who knew exactly how I felt about the impending hike.Thunderstorm Sunday night. Glad we were in the hostel and not on the trail. Was gifted a canister of fuel by Bruce who was leaving the trail so I didn't have to purchase one.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: few clouds

Breakfast was served at the hostel. Shuttle to starting points. Eleven hikers in my shuttle and ten got out at the top of Springer Mountain. I was the only one who went down to Amicalola to start from the AT Approach Trail. The approach trail does not count as AT miles hiked so of the 9 miles I hiked this day only 0.2 were actual AT miles. I registered as hiker #870. Began my hike at 10:45am and reached Springer Mountain shelter at 5:00pm. Was exhausted from the 2,000 ft elevation gain on the approach trail.When I summited I was the only one there. Moments later Lewis from Germany arrived and took my photo.Had dinner with thru hikers Peevy McG and Early Bird at the shelter and Lewis played his little guitar that he was packing. Thru hiker welcomer and counter, Mountain Squid, visited the shelter. He had counted 32 thru hikers that day.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail at 7:40am. Downhill for miles, it was wonderful. Hit my first incline and by body reminded me how tired it was from hiking the approach trail yesterday.I only had enough food for a three day hike to Neels Gap but when I reached Hawk Mountain shelter I was already tired and not sure I could make it to my planned shelter. Terry offered me an additional days worth of food because he was getting off the trail and going home. Trail Angel!! I was able to stay and rest at Hawk Mountain.Hiker count at this shelter: about 30
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Blackwell Creek site
Miles today: 7.5

Quick storm last night. Hit the trail at 8:50am. Legs felt much better today on the climbs. Hiked half the day with Clementine.Camped at a beautiful site at Blackwell Creek, alone. Site is right next to the creek. Since I am not at a shelter with bear cables I had to hang my food bag from a tree limb.Peak thru hiker start day is today.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Blackwell Creek site

To: Lance Creek site
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

On the trail at 8:30am. Within moments is was sprinkling and it did this all day. Chilly and wet.Leapfrogged a lot today with Nancy Drew, Rainbow, Duck and PreFontaine.Lance Creek site was full of hikers because the shelters between here and Neels Gap require a bear canister, or you could be fined.Thunderstorm rolled in at 7:00pm.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Lance Creek site

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we conquered Blood Mountain. The highest mountain in Georgia on the Appalachian Trail. Views were awesome.Leapfrogged with a lot of hikers from Lance Creek site. Hiked for a little while up Blood Mountain with Duck.Stayed at Neels Gap where my first maildrop was. Ate lots of food to get my calorie count up. I am bonking in the afternoon because I am not eating enough.Got some sunscreen because I am getting sunburned.I am moving slower that I expected as far as miles per day. This terrain really takes some getting used to.
Date: 2015-04-04
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

On the trail at 7:30am. Had a GREAT hiking day today. I was well fed with plenty of calories for the day, well hydrated, decent terrain and best of all my first trail magic was at Hogpen Gap. Burgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, candy, pop compliments of Echo Ministries out of Atlanta.Lots of us at Low Gap shelter tonight: PreFontaine, Jepordy, Topher, Fig, Jester, Zephyr, Squirrel, Rainbow, Ukelady & Possum, Teddy Bear to name a few. Feels like it is going to be a cold night.
Date: 2015-04-05
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Rocky Mountain site
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

HAPPY EASTER!!Left camp at 8:40am. Saw Rainbow a lot on the trail today. She got off at Unicoi Gap to take a zero day on Monday.I hiked up to the top of Rocky Mountain and camped alone. This site doesn't have a water source so you have to carry water 1/2 way up the mountain so most thru hikers probably move on to the next camping area a few more miles up the trail. Hung my food bag again, getting pretty good at it.Looking forward to Tuesday for a nero day (small miles, nearly a zero day)and my first town resupply, laundry and hair washing.
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Rocky Mountain site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

On the trail at 7:40am after 1 hour on the trail it started raining constantly all day.Took a break at Tray Mountain shelter to warm up and refill water. Didn't see hardly any other hikers on the trail today. Misery loves company and I had none.Arrived at campsite just after 5:00pm with just a sprinkle so I quickly set up my tent and got in. Lots of hikers here but I don't know who because I didn't get out of my tent due to constant rain after I got my tent up. I was in dry clothes and didn't want to get them wet.Kelly Knob was a killer climb and all the down hills today were mud luges.
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.6

NERO!!! Nearly a zero day. Just 3.6 miles to Dicks Creek Gap and then shuttle to Top of Georgia Hostel for shower, laundry and resupply.Wonderful to have clean clothes and dry equipment.Group went out for lunch and have 1/2 lb burgers at Bear Meadows Grill. We were all in town dressed in scrubs while our laundry was being done at the hostel.Roommates: Tumbles, Putt-Putt, Eons, Mark and Rebel Yell.Also at hostel: Kansas (fellow Ultimate Hiker), Wings, PreFontaine, Zach, Pony Boy, Eggs, Kora and Harry Potter.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we left Georgia behind and hiked into North Carolina and right off the bat she gave us two really steep climbs.Today was also a day I have been dreading. That day when the strong hikers start putting in more miles and moving on to the next shelter.Here at Muskrat Creek shelter are: Mark, Kansas, Kora & boyfriend who just joined her on the trail today, Wings, Eggs and Peaches.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

Today had a lot of downhill which made hiking easy today. Temps were nicer and lower humidity. Hiked with Advil and Hasher part of the day. Got to shelter about 4:30pm. At shelter: Peaches, Jeremy, Hasher and Eggs.Need to snack more during the day. I keep running out of energy.Had ukulele music and singing at the shelter tonight. Jeremy handed out Cuties. Fruit! Yum!
Date: 2015-04-10
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: moderate rain

Peaches asked if anyone figured out a trailname for Jeremy. I said, "he gifted all of us Cuties yesterday." So Jeremy now has the trailname Cuties.Few minutes after leaving the shelter it started to rain, hard. Rained intermittently throughout the day. Big climb today was Albert Mountain and in some places it wasn't trail, it was rock climbing. Great views from the top and the fire tower.Rock Gap shelter was the first time I slept in the shelter with: Cuties, Inchworm & Denali, Stealth Bomber, Cyborg and Rebel Yell. General was tenting. The guys actually got a fire going after all that rain, very impressive.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 0.1
Weather: overcast clouds

NERO....actually should be ZERO. Shuttle into Franklin with Cuties, Stealth Bomber and Cyborg to Budget Inn.Laundry, shower, resupply and town food.Went to dinner at 50/60's diner with Cuties and Nancy Drew. Nancy Drew has been in town a few days with a sore knee. Hope she will be able to continue.Met some of The Hiker Family during the shuttle to resupply. The mother asked if I just finished college and was hiking before career. I told her I was 43 and this was a mid-life break.Rooming with Hasher.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Rock Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail at 10am with heavy packs from resupply. Weather was great. Lots of up and down terrain today.Started getting really tired on the climb to Wayah Bald and considered just camping before reaching the shelter. That is when I ran into Cuties and Peaches and we pushed on to the shelter giving us a nearly 15 mile day with heavy packs. So glad I saw them so they could motivate me the rest of the way. We camp limping in to a very busy shelter area around 6:45pm. The views were amazing from Wayah Tower.The Hiker Family is here as well.
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Reached Wesser Bald shelter at 3:30pm and decided to push on to the next shelter 4.9 miles down the trail giving me 15.5 miles for the day. Didn't realize Cuties and Peaches were at Wesser Bald shelter saving me a spot in the shelter.Very steep descent after Wesser Bald shelter. Actually rolled my ankle a bit and fell off the side of the trail on a very high ridge. Luckily I fell into a pile of leaves and a small tree was there to keep me from falling further down the slope.Extra 4.9 miles was harder than I thought it was going to be. Finally made it to shelter before six. Also there were: Rebel Yell, Excalibur, Harry Potter, Colleen, Perk and Chance.Tomorrow we head to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) for breakfast just one mile down the trail.
Date: 2015-04-14
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

One mile to breakfast at the NOC. To get to the NOC is a 2,000 ft elevation drop. So guess what happens when you leave the NOC? Yes, a 2,000 ft elevation gain on the other side to climb.Saw Advil and Kansas throughout the day and at the shelter when I arrived about 3:30pm. Hate to stop so early but after this shelter is another big climb.Lots of new faces at the shelter. The Hiker Family rolled in at about 5pm. Peaches and Cuties showed up as well.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain, took down the tent in rain, hiked in the rain, put tent back up at end of day in the rain.It wasn't the uphills that were tough today. It was the downhills because they were mud luges and it took every ounce of concentration to not slide down the mountain.The uphill actually felt easy in comparison today. We were halted on the trail today so they could remove a tree that had fallen across the trail. Met one of the trail maintainers again at Stecoah Gap. Shelter was full and no good camping spots so I moved on the gap. Cuties joined me shortly after I got my tent set up. We had to set up in a steady rain. We jumped in our tents and chatted between tents until hiker midnight (9pm). Something hit Cuties tent just before we fell asleep. Still don't know if it was a branch of a flying animal.Cuties called from his tent and made reservations at the Fontana Lodge for Thursday so the three of us can get a break from the rain.
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Eager to get to Fontana Lodge to dry out. Terrain was nice today so we were able to hike quickly. Steep drop into Fontana Dam and after all the rain of course it was muddy. Went down 1,500 ft over 2.5 miles. You pass through Fontana Dam to enter the Smoky Mountains.When we reached the road to Fontana Village Cuties and I didn't want to wait 25 minutes for a shuttle and we thought the 2 miles to town was a downhill. So we went down the road, in the rain, thumbing for a ride. After half a mile the road started going up. We must have looked pitiful enough because the next vehicle that passed us was a pick up truck and he let us climb into the bed of his truck for a ride the rest of the way to the lodge.After we checked in we put on our rain gear and headed down to do laundry to get some clean, dry clothes on after a shower.My rain skirt is see-thru so I made sure to wear my sleeping shorts under it.After we were clean and dry the three of us had a nice dinner and drinks at the lodge.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Fontana Village

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 0.0

ZERO DAY!!!! Staying at the lodge again for a zero day with Peaches and Cuties before I head into the Smokies tomorrow.If Peaches' food box arrives today he will head out tomorrow as well. If not he will have to wait for Monday's mail.Cuties has friends showing up on Saturday to hike the Smokies with him and they start hiking on Sunday. THANK YOU!! to everyone leaving encouraging words in my guestbook. It is so wonderful to see at the end of the day.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Fontana Village

To: Mollies Ridge shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

Took the 9am shuttle back to the trail. Said "see you later" to Cuties and Peaches.Previous thru-hikers Birdman and Critter had oranges at Fontana Hilton. Apparently 2 locations of trail magic popped up after I left the Fontana Marina and the Fontana Hilton. Burgers & BBQ. One of the trail magic providers approached me at Fontana DAm and offered me fruit. I took a Halo.Climb into the Smokies had me moving really slow. It was humid and I don't think I was hydrated enough.Arrived at Mollies Ridge shelter just before 6pm. Full house plus tents. I stayed in the shelter. Ridge runner, Gray Beard was there.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Mollies Ridge shelter

To: Derrick Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

We woke up to high winds and rain. Slowly hikers ventured out of the shelter and onto the trail. It was windy with a light rain. First six miles went pretty smoothly, comfortable.After passing Spence Field shelter had a big climb to Rocky Top and when we got there there was no view and some major wind gusts.As the day progressed the trail just got wetter. It went from mud luges to hiking in a stream and back to mud luges. The weather was so wet I didn't want to stop to eat lunch and get cold. No lunch meant I was bonking the last few miles. Moving ever slower toward my destination.Reached the shelter just before 5pm, it was full so I set up my tent along with 17 or more additional tenters. It at least stopped raining so we didn't have to set up tents in the rain.Peeled off all the wet clothes, got into dry clothes and into my sleeping bag to ge warm. Kansas and Advil were fellow tenters here.
Date: 2015-04-20
From: Derrick Knob shelter

To: Double Springs shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Thunderstorm this morning. Most people waited for the rain to stop before hitting the trail. On trail at 9:15am. Just when I thought I was getting my trail legs, the Smokies has be rethinking that. But what has been hard about the Smokies is the constant wet trails, making for slower hiking for me.Dry most of the day and actually had views today as well.When I left camp this morning I had planned for 13.8 miles so were many who stayed at Derrick Knob. When I reached Double Springs the weather was nice enough for me to hang and dry my tent so I stopped after 7.5 miles today.Kansas and Advil tenting. I stayed in the shelter. Ridge runner Andrew on location.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Double Springs shelter

To: Icewater Spring shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

It was really cold this morning, but no rain during the day and the trail was in much better condition for hiking.I left the shelter at 7:50am and throughout the day most of the people from the shelter passed me. I was getting kind of down today because I feel like I am hiking so slow. I am currently averaging 1.5 miles and hour.It got to the parking area before Newfound Gap and met Harley who offered me a peanut butter cup. That sugar moved me right up the next 1.7 miles in a hour. Harley said he is hiking 1 mile and hour. So I finally met someone hiking slower that me.At Newfound Gap there was a bus of seniors wishing me well. A man approached me with a bag of apples and another approached me offering trail magic in the form of sodas, fruit, chips, Cliff bars.The Mountain Dew I drank moved me right up the last 3 miles slightly quicker than my usual pace and some thru hikers from the parking lot that I left before never passed me. Small victories.At Clingman's dome today saw Stealth Bomber and Cyborg, first time since Franklin.Stayed in shelter.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Icewater Spring shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

The Tennessee shelters in the Smokies have lots more tent space but no privies. The North Carolina shelters have privies but not many tent spaces.Cold morning, we had a few snowflakes. First half of the hike today felt fast with gradual terrain and there were lots of amazing views because we were on the ridges of the mountains most of the time. (photos to follow later, hard to find places to upload photos) One viewpoint was Charlie's Bunion and as I stood there at the trail to the viewpoint I heard harmonica music. I moved on. Come to find out later it was Gone who was up there playing.One of the things I do when hikers pass me is see how long I can at least keep them in view as we move up the trail.Got to the shelter around 4pm. Cool and windy today, but dry. Quick passing rain a few times once we reached the shelter. Tented.
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Tri-Corner Knob shelter

To: Davenport Gap shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

Frost on the tent this morning, chilly start to the day. Beautiful weather, great views and the weather warmed up as we dropped in elevation.At Snake Den Ridge trail I took a break and up a Smokies trail came four guys who come to find out after talking a bit were from Vickburg, MI out for a five day hike in the Smokies. What a small world.Lower elevations mean more flowers are blooming. Most of the miles today were downhill. This shelter has the fencing on the front to keep the bears out. They are more active at lower elevations.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Davenport Gap shelter

To: Green Corner Rd, Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 3.6

OUT OF THE SMOKIES!!!!Nero! Up and on the trail at 7:15am and didn't get passed at all before reach my destination.Others from the shelter came to the hostel to eat and resupply then moved up the trail. Right On, Wayward and I stayed. Peaches caught up with me today. The second hiker family is here as well. Harley made it here as well.Spent the day eating and drinking. Showered, did some laundry, by hand. Resupplied for 2-3 days to Hot Springs. Was able to do half of my resupply from the hiker box!Strider and Ride Along were here yet we never saw them hiking on the trail. Hmmmm?
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Green Corner Rd, Standing Bear Farm

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: light rain

Everyone left Standing Bear Farm headed for Brown Gap trail magic this weekend.Got there about 2pm and they were still serving lunch: burgers, hot dogs, chips, fries, beans, snacks, sodas. Many of us set up tents so we would be around for dinner: steak, salmon, chicken, pork chops, corn, beans, baked potatoes, coleslaw, veggies. It was amazing!This is year 24 of this food fest, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, done by former thru hikers from the 90's. One of them was Ox a trail maintainer I met back at Stecoah Gap. There were about 50 of us that stayed at the gap. They had a bonfire, music (guitar), never ending snacks, sodas and stories.My shoes are falling apart recently. My quick lace broke this evening on one of my shoes. Did a super glue/duct tape repair that I hope holds.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Brown Gap

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Breakfast was served at Brown Gap and then we climbed back on the trail to push toward Hot Springs, NC.On Max Patch there were no views just clouds and extreme wind gusts. Hiked all day with Peaches.Cloudy until noon then it started to rain until about 4pm. Cloudy mist in the air all day. Snack break at first shelter, lunch at second shelter. It was 2pm, wet and cold and lots of hikers trying to decide where to end their hike that day. Peaches and I moved on and finally found a stealth site about 3 1/2 hours later.Outro joined us at about 6:30pm to hammock. The Hiker Family had planned on staying at Catpen camp area but ended up hiking passed our campsite just before 7pm.
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Up early and on the trail headed for Hot Springs, NC for bed, shower, laundry and food.Staying at the hostel at the Laughing Heart Lodge. After shower and laundry headed into town to the outfitters to see if anything could be done about my shoes falling apart. Called Salomon and they are sending me new shoes in Erwin, TN. Got new quick laces at Bluff Mountain Outfitters to get me to Erwin.Peaches got a text from Cuties who is currently at Standing Bear Farm.
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain shelter
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

Up early and on the trail today to beat the rain. Put the new pack cover on my pack. And guess what? It never rained. Funny how that works.Miles went pretty smoothly and I arrived at the shelter at 3pm to an empty shelter wondering if this was going to be my first experience alone in a shelter. About an hour later other hikers started to arrive. Four in the shelter and about 15 tents.Met some new hikers to me: Heidi, Ma'am, Red Pepper, Andrew, Nick Nack and Bandit.
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Spring Mountain shelter

To: Jerry Cabin shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Month-a-versary! Here we are the 30th of the following month from when I started. Hit 300 miles today as well.When the guide mentions a bypass trail there is usually a good reason. These are sometimes referred to as Bad Weather Trails. Today's bypass mentions the actual trail was rocky and strenuous. As I started up the AT trail in this section mist and rain moved in. About a half mile up I learned what they meant by "rocky and strenuous" and "exposed ridge trail". Cold, wet, cloudy and no view. As I came down it stopped raining.Made it to the shelter at 5:30pm.
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Jerry Cabin shelter

To: Hogback Ridge shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Thunderstorm last night. Woke up to everything misty, wet, cold. Fell back asleep after my 6am potty break. Finally got on the trail at 9:30am.Pretty easy hike to the first shelter for lunch. Lots of downhill lately has my knees and feet aching today.Ended the day with plenty of uphill, 1,500 ft elevation gain in 3 miles.Some beautiful views later in the day.About 10:30pm an owl joined our camp to enhance our camping experience.
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Hogback Ridge shelter

To: Bald Mountain shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up today planning another 15 miles day. It became very apparent pretty quicly into the day that my legs were not in agreement with the plan.About 4pm made it to the shelter at the 10 miles mark. Hoping the shorter day today will allow for another 15 into Erwin, TN tomorrow. Amazing 360 views from the top of Big Bald Mountain today, finally some clear skies.Guide listed that there were trash cans at Sam's Gap. When I arrived there were no trash cans. A local couple, 2013 section hikers, Early Fire and Pokey Dot, were out for a day hike and kindly offer to take my trash to dispose of later. I always look forward to getting trash weight out of my pack so this kindness was very much appreciated.As Right on and I were standing there someone drove up and asked us for directions to Erwin, TN. We deferred that question to the locals.