morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-09-07
From: East Branch Lean To

To: Anthers campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Got moving early, long night in the shelter. A lot of noise from other hikers. Hands down one of the greatest days of hiking on the trail. Great weather, extremely flat easy terrain. Can't believe its coming to an end. Jo-Mary lake is amazing. I'm glad I got to see it. It's hard to explain, just have to be here to enjoy it.   I'm starting to finally think about what is next for me after the trail. PCT? Job? Not sure yet.
Date: 2014-09-08
From: Anthers campsite

To: Sand Beach on Nahmakanta lake
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Woke up to an awesome sunrise. Got moving again like always around 7am. Another beautiful day on the trail. Hands down best day of hiking on the trail yet. (Besides the ones where my dad hiked with me, just to funny)It keeps getting better and better, but I'm getting closer to the end. I'm excited to finish, I'm ready for the adventure to be over, but apart of me wishes the trail would go on further.Only saw a few SOBO hikers, no NOBO's at all I think that was a first. Came to Lake Pemadumcook my first view of Katahdin. WOW!! Awesome view and finally go to see the beast. It's really starting to sit in that its almost over. Camped on Nahmankanta Lake on a beach, I had the whole area to myself. It was great, went swimming, sat back and soaked it all in. Great sunset.
Date: 2014-09-09
From: Sand Beach on Nahmakanta lake

To: Hurd Brook Lean To
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Amazing sunrise on the lake. Got moving around 6am. Another excellent day of hiking, great views of Katahdin all day. The final mountain is within striking distance. I just kept on moving north and I'm feeling good. Starting to make the decision I need to find a successful career. I need to save up, live comfortably and retire with enough money saved up so I can hike when I'm older. I wish I could just hike the PCT next, but realistically I need to find a career and think about the long term future. Camped out at near the shelter, talked with other hikers and went to sleep around 8pm. Under 20 miles to the finish.
Date: 2014-09-10
From: Hurd Brook Lean To

To: Penobsco River
Miles today: 3.5

Got moving like always at 7am. Final 4 miles of the 100 mile wilderness completed. Camped out on the Penobsco River, awesome view of Katahdin. Camping in the shadows of the beast. I want to tackle it tomorrow. But we are only hiking the Birches Lean To campsite to meet up with everyone from Warrior Hike and summit together on Friday the 12th. Bigfoot and I just hanged out all day at the campsite, enjoying some beers and watching Katahdin. Towards the end of the day, Viking and his wife showed up. It was an great site to see them hiking on the Golden Road.
Date: 2014-09-11
From: Penobsco River

To: The Birches Lean To's
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Got moving around 8am. Crappy day out alot of rain. Hiking with Bigfoot today, it was a long 10 miles, it took forever to get to the campsite. Finally got there soaking wet and freezing. Had to wait for the park ranger for 2 hours. We registered for Katahdin and campsites. Got some dry clothes on and just waiting for Soaring Eagle and Sean to show up to the campsite. Eagle showed up brought some awesome food and it was just great to see him again. Just hanged out at the campsite and got some sleep before the big day.
Date: 2014-09-12
From: The Birches Lean To's

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

Got moving around 9ish. Everyone is excited, everyone from Warrior Hike is here today. Weather cleared out, we have a great day for climbing Katahdin. Incredible climb, nothing like on the whole trail, a lot bouldering and climbing up rocks. The views were amazing. Once on top the Tableland it felt like we were on the moon. The final climb was amazing just to see the sign from a mile way, then 300 yards to a few feet its a great feeling. Finally hit the sign and didn't hit me that it was over.The experience was unlike anything I have done in my life. I'm glad I participated in the Warrior Hike and hiked the Appalachian Trail. I'm glad I got to hike with a great bunch of guys, couldn't ask for a better group. From the hikers that finished to the other hikers that couldn't finish due to injuries. Everyone was great. Also meeting the hundreds of other A.T. hikers will always be a part of me. Meeting great people who provided Trail Magic and gave rides to the hikers. From all the people that helped support Warrior Hiker and other A.T. hikers thank you!! I will always be able to look back on the hike and said I did it. And I can now do anything I want. There will be nothing more mentally challenging of hiking the A.T. day in and day out. I will miss the trail, but it's time to push ahead and see what the next chapter in my life is.....
Date: 2014-02-16
To: Springfield, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We are one month out from our departure for Georgia. Attended Mike's Army retirement ceremony yesterday - 39 years of service. Congrats Mike to you and your family. Now that he is officially retired we are moving quickly towards our final prep and getting ready to launch from Springer Mountain 19 MAR. Photo of Mike and me on our earlier Kili adventure.
Date: 2014-02-20
To: Springfield, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

My nephew had some questions about our upcoming hike - thought I would go ahead and post them for all. Thanks Chase!Good questions! Let me see if I can answer them in the order you asked them.- How long will you be gone? We are planning on taking 5 to 5 1/2 months to do hike from Georgia to Maine. To do that we will have to hike about 14 miles a day from March 19 to August 19. The trail is about 2180 miles long.- Where in Georgia will you start? We will start at the top of Springer Mountain which is the southern end of the Appalachian Trail. It is in between the towns of Ellijay and Dahlonega in northern Georgia.- Will you camp or sleep in cabins? We each have a small one person tent. Here is what mine looks like: http://www.tarptent.com/momentdw.htmlWe plan to sleep in the tents mainly and about every 6 or 7th day we will come off the trail and stay in a motel or hostel so that we can buy more food to carry, wash our clothes, take a shower and eat at places like Pizza Hut or other place with lots of food. I think we will be pretty hungry with all that hiking.- How much are you taking with you? I am carrying a backpack with the tent, sleeping bag, an air mattress, stove, extra clothes, and some medical stuff to help us if we get a cut or need to take care of a blister on our foot. My pack weighs about 17 pounds and I will probably carry another 10 pounds of food and 2 pounds of water - probably a little less than 30 pounds total. A picture of all my planned gear is on the first entry of this blog. Just so you know, we will be updating this blog as we go and we have also posted a neat map link at the bottom of each blog entry so you can track our progress as we move north - check it out!- Are you going alone or with other people? I am going with a friend of mine, Mike, who just retired from the Army. He was an Army Nurse so that will help if I have any medical problems come up. He is a great guy to hike with and we have hiked many miles together. There are a lot of other people starting to hike in March so I am sure we will make new friends along the way as well. I think meeting new people will be one of the best things about hiking the AT! Good questions, thanks for asking. Let me know if you have any other questions. Here is a great link about the trail. http://www.appalachiantrail.org/about-the-trailLove you too!Uncle Al
Date: 2014-03-18
To: Powder Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Final day of prep! We are at Paul's house in Powder Springs. Picked up Mike from the airport after his drive down from Virginia today. Lots of running around to get food and final gear prep and weighing. I am at 25.5 lbs to include 4 days of food and 32 oz of water. Very pleased with getting down to that weight. Base weight was a bit over 17 lbs. Finalizing blog and putting in gear pictures. Very excited but expecting little sleep tonight. Up at 5 to get ready and drive up to Ellijay to meet with Bob and Nancy. Kim is driving the two of us up. All systems go - tomorrow it begins...Load the car and write the note. / Grab your bag and grab your coat. / Tell the ones that need to know. / We are headed north. - The Avett Brothers
Date: 2014-03-19
From: Springer Mountain

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

Great day today! After finalizing prep (thanks Paul and Lynn for allowing us to use your house as base camp!), Kim, Mike and I drove up to meet Bob and Nancy in Ellijay for breakfast. Then drove up to parking lot which is just south of Springer Mountain start point. Kim, Bob and Nancy joined us for the hike to the top where we took the ceremonial launch picture. Said our goodbyes (thanks for the great send off) and headed down the trail. Lots of hikers starting their thru hikes today. We did about 8 miles and stopped to camp at Hawk Mountain Shelter. Many folks in the shelter gathered around a couple of guys with a fiddle and banjo playing folk music. With the fog, music and all of the backpackers it was an apt start to the trek.I apologize for the delay in updating this blog and map. It looks like we will only have intermittent access, bandwidth and iPhone battery so will do the best I can but likely when we are in town once a week will be the best time to get caught up on all. Also, if you are having difficulty seeing our progress on the map, don't forget to slide the bar to the right which will show multiple days and then zoom in.Thanks to all for checking out the blog. If you want, feel free to sign blog (see left side of blog).Fortitudine vincimus    - Shackleton family motto (tip of hat to Tom and his father)
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: moderate rain

Learning to get organized on the trail. Remembering where we put things so that we do not have to dig to bottom of pack or look through multiple bags. Camped out with other hikers (Jake who speaks fluent Chinese, John a clay pottery artist, and Mariel and Maryanne, Colorado adventure guides. Mariel was carrying Prince Caspian, by C.S. Lewis and is planning to go through the Chronicles of Narnia series while on the trail. Jake read a chapter out loud while we were all eating our dinner meals.Hike on the trail was warm, 52 degrees, sunny, light winds. Breakfast a delicious oatmeal (apple and cinnamon, coffee with hot chocolate. Departed a bit late, almost 1000 hrs but getting better as we get organized and on our way.Trail was multiple ups and down as expected. Lunch at Coopers Gap (tuna, PB and honey on tortillas, water) and with an afternoon Snickers kick into camp. Another good day on the AT.
Date: 2014-03-21
From: Gooch Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Good tough hiking day today. Didn't sleep well but after a hot breakfast and getting going moved through some beautiful scenery - northern GA has some great views. Pressed on and over Blood Mountain - 2 church groups taking advantage of the good weather to hike to the top. Name of the mountain comes from a battle between the Choctaw and Cherokee Indians in a gap that took place nearby.Meeting a lot of interesting people along the trail. When we stopped for the night at a bunkhouse at Mountain Crossing, we had some great conversations (and pizza!) Those we have met include LoJack, Duke, Colonel Chaos (no, not me), Whisper, Snickers, Lego, and Baltimore Jack. People met so far are from Germany, Minnesota, Kansas, New Hampshire, Ohio, Illinois, Virginia, Tennessee. As we come from varied backgrounds, the owners of the bunkhouse felt it necessary to post these rules. Quite the crowd.
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Dmitry (good friend from Georgia Gwinnett College) and his bud Troy + dog Frisky met us this morning in Neels Gap and we set off together. Good conversation as always with Dmitry along the trail on various topics - thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, had a good fast pace hike in the afternoon with Troy (his mountain biking buddies call him Crash) arriving in Low Gap around 4 pm.Beautiful day with sun out, quite warm at times.In camp, set up just above the shelter. In addition to 3 of us, were joined by Duke, Terry and Mike, former Navy, Army guys now living in Columbus and northeastern Tennessee. Good conversation around our dinner meal.Eating some meat and beans that Mike had dehydrated ahead of the hike, excellent chow. Wrapped up the day as the sun set. Dmitry and Troy brought some high speed hammocks to sleep in. Hung the bear bag and turned in.Very warm night in a sleeping bag, upper 50s.
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light snow

Long day with lots of hills. Took off as it was starting to rain at 0905 hrs. Made our way up and over Blue Mountain. With the rain and mist, needed to keep adjusting our gear to make sure we did not overheat. Mountain Hardwear jacket worked great as did wool hat and gloves.At Unicoi we said goodbye to Dmitry and Troy - good hiking buddies (thanks for coming out) and pressed on to knock out another 6 miles. We are using AWOL's AT Guide which does a wonderful job telling us what water source or site is coming up and giving us a sense of the elevation climbs and drops. Although the climbs consistently looks easier on paper than they do when actually doing them...Took a picture of this lone hiker who was up ahead of me disappearing into the mist. Finally made it up to Tray Mountain Gap and found a superb campsite overlooking the valley. Quick mashed potatoes and bean soup dinner. Temperature dropped quickly after sun went down with winds blowing hard over the ridge line. Garmin watch showed that temp was down to 22 during the night. Cold but we were prepared with good sleeping bags, tents and clothing (and calories for heat).All good - on to Hiawassee tomorrow.
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Packed up and out by 9 AM and headed to Dicks Creek to get our shuttle by 3 PM.Stayed at Tray Mountain on the ridge line overlooking valley. Nice but a bit chilly.Learned about trail angels on or around the AT today.Story #1: I was hiking up a 3rd major hill today, a bit beat pushing on up the hill listening to my tunes on my iPhone. Half way up the hill, I ran into a gentleman sauntering down the hill with a day pack. We stopped to talk - he told me his name was Willie C. from Atlanta. As I was getting ready to continue pushing on, he pulled out a Snickers bar, hands it to me and said, "here's a bit of trail magic." I managed to take his picture before he disappeared down around the bend.Story #2: Made good time and made the Gap by 2:45 PM. Unfortunately, shuttle never showed (guy took the day off but part of hiking the AT is rolling with the punches) so we started hiking toward Hiawassee. Stuck out our thumbs and picked up within 10 minutes by a woman trail name South Dakota, who is restoring a house here in the area. She told us to throw our packs in the back of the car around the toilet unit she was transporting to get fixed. She would not take the $$ Mike offered her at the end, said she was glad to give us the 11 mile lift into town; took another hiker to the grocery store. Good people and as we get ready to leave GA for NC, they leave a lasting mark.Hiawassee and into the Budget Inn.
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Hiawasee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Taking a down day in Hiawassee.Excellent dinner (all you can eat buffet) at Daniel's Steak House and the folks in Budget Inn placed us in a large kitchenette unit. Plenty of space to spread out our gear. This morning, breakfast at GA Mountain Cafe, photo at left.Washed clothes, got cleaned up and spent the day resupplying and getting caught up on the blog and map. May be a bit of a break before my next series of blogs and map updates - thank you for your patience. On to NC tomorrow. Thanks GA for the great start!
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Hiawasee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Picked up at Budget Inn and departed around 0900 hrs from Dicks Creek Gap. Immediate hill climbing but nice weather throughout. Took our time today with an appropriate stop at the border for pictures. The Shrimpers were sitting on a rock on high clapping for hikers as they came up over the hill and passed into NC.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

Nice weather today as we walked bast the summit of Standing Indian Mountain and down past some very nice views. Stopped for a nice lunch at Beech Gap, took off shoes and socks and ate leisurely lunch looking out into the woods. Not a single hiker came by, very peaceful lunch. Moved on to Betty Creek but before arriving, running out of water, came upon this leaf with new sustenance - never know what surprises are around the bend!
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Wet, misty day. We moved out in the rain early - good to get moving. Lots of mud and the climb to Albert Mountain was along a pretty steep dropoff. Narrow path and about an 80' drop off the right as we slowly made our way through the mud and rain. Do not want to slip here, they would likely not find you down in the ravine until sometime next year. But the best part of the hike was saved for last - a steep hill 500' climb over a quarter mile to the top of Albert Mountain. As we make our way up in the fog, a strange banging coming from the mist like a door to a porch not quite shut. Suddenly out of the mist stands the fire tower and we are on top looking up at it - the banging was the door at the top of the tower responding to the wind gusts. We decide with the coming thunder storms and 65 mph wind gusts to pull up and dry out in Franklin. I also need to get my shoe inserts looked at to see if they need replacement. Outdoor 76, a supplier in town has good potential for help on shoes. Mike calls from just at the base of this tower and gets us a room and shuttle - now the race is on to make Winding Stair Gap by 3:00 p.m. - which we do with 15 minutes to spare. Into Franklin and immediately to wash clothes. While there I get into a conversation with the owner who is a Chinese woman who moved to Franklin 16 years ago from Chengdu, China and never left. Dinner that night at Fatz across from the hotel where I have a Shiner Bock, probably one of the best beers I have ever tasted; I am sure the AT does not have anything to do with that...A good day.
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Nowhere
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Made the call to stay another day in Franklin. Severe thunderstorms, snow predicted just out of Franklin with wind gusts to 65 MPH. We have a lot of faith in our tarptents but that might be a bit much.Instead we resupplied at Ingles in town and spent a very interesting couple of hours getting educated by Rob at Outdoor 76 about feet, foot care, shoes, inserts, etc. Rob trained as an engineer and was very helpful in explaining what we should be looking for replete with references to the foundation, cornerstone, the front porch as he talked about fit. Learned a lot.Stopped for coffee at the Rathskeller, lunch at Sunshine Restaurant and the back to the hotel for an early morning launch.
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Up at 5:35 AM, quick breakfast and dropped off by Mary and shuttle at Winding Stair Gap to start hiking at 7:18 AM. Blowing wind, sun just starting to come out and of course the obligatory up hill climb out of the gap (we have learned not to like the word gap since inevitably a downhill means that an uphill is coming on the other side). But good progress. Mobius and Guardian start out with us and we talk a bit but mostly everyone is into their own thoughts as we brace ourselves against the winds and climb with the rising sun. Initially topped out at Siler Bald where I took this picture of the snowy landscape.Run into Isaac/Townie who has been having foot problems - he is headed south in the opposite direction and we stop to talk. He said he rolled his foot again but it was a rough night in his hammock at the shelter. Rain which turned to snow and wind gusts - heavy wind gusts- most of the night which kept things very cold and pulled out his hammock stakes. He looked dejected as he headed back into town. Very sorry to see him go but hope after he takes a break to see him heading north again.Despite the winds and snow we made good time over the rest of the day. Ran into Guardian who had gotten ahead of Mobius and was worried about why he had not caught up. With a text message that night they were able to link up following day. Also ran into a family, Jeff and Lisa and their girls who were putting cokes and cakes into Wayah Bald shelter - trail angels in action. In the same shelter, someone had left the book "The Vagina Monologues" leaning up against the back wall. Interesting choice of reading for a hiker (2 days later, I ran into the guy that left it, Kennedy, who said he found it a great read with good insights into his family's feminist views). Again, never know what you will run into out here.Pushed on and finally got into Wesser Bald - our first 20 + mile day. Mike has been impressive throughout and this day was just another one that displayed his doggedness and ability to steadily march forward.
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Wesser Bald

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

A bit of a late departure today - headed out at 8:50 AM. We had a nice day and walked down to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. A bit of a shock coming from the woods to this fully developed whitewater center with restaurant, cabins, store along the Nantahala river.We stopped there to recharge phones and dry out. After a good lunch we headed up hill... and kept going uphill. The temps were in mid 70s so I changed to shorts for the first time and put on long sleeve running shirt. The long pants and Sugoi shirt I placed in my pack seemed to be pretty heavy as we trudged up the hill. We climbed from 1749' to 4710' over the course of about 6 miles. What I would call a character builder (or character revealer) hill. As always, one foot in front of the other and we get to the top, Swim Bald, and then down to the shelter at Sassafras Gap. There we ran into the Flume Canyon Boys, a fiddler and banjo player who we first heard our first night out on the trail at Hawk Mountain. They entertained all that night at the fire - very enjoyable.