morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Neel's Gap

To: White Oak Stamp
Miles today: 7.3

We couldn't get a shuttle back to Woody Gap until around noon. That seemed to late a start for us. We made the decision to start at Neel's Gap. We are thinking we can talk the Le Conte hiking group into coming back in the fall and slackpack from Neel's Gap to Woody Gap. We can stay at Blood Mountain Cabins again. Note to self, when we come back, bring wine and beer to celebrate filling in that hole in our hike. The cabins are in a dry county.It is uphill out of Neel's Gap into the Raven Crest Wilderness Area. Nice and shady big oaks and Mtn. Laurel. The trail gods were not kind today. Lots of rocks (ankle turners) and tree roots. One of Bear's pack hurt her knee on Cowrock Mtn. Ms. Janet picked her up at Tesnatee Gap and took her and Bear to Hiawassee, GA. The views were amazing from the top of Cowrock Mtn. First view of Yonah Mtn. This mountain is easy to spot as it is the highest and most prominent mountain in your view. We ended up circling Yonah Mountain for about 2 days. Every time we made a summit we looked for Yonah Mtn. It was a tough climb up Wildcat Mountain. We knew that when you came down Cowrock Mtn. into Tesnatte Gap, you practically land on GA 348, you could take a right up the road and meet up with the AT again in about 50 yrds. Hot Wheels you would be proud of us. We went straight up Wildcat Mtn. and never considered the short cut.   After Wildcat Mtn. is Hogpen Gap. We got water from the spring. We are filtering all our water with the Platypus Gravity filter. I have seen other hikers drink straight from the water sources. We are not comfortable with this, so we will keep filtering. Takes a little longer, but, when my stomach starts rumbling I know it is only hunger.We bypassed the Whitley Gap Shelter. This shelter is 1.2 miles off the AT, and that is the reason it is the least used shelter on the AT. We stayed on the AT, heading north, and camped north of Hogpen Gap. I saw bear scat, didn't look fresh, though. Pretty night, the stars are amazing.Hiker Tip #6 If you tent, do not walk away from your tent after you remove the ground stakes. The slightest wind will turn it into a hot air balloon. I am kind of surprised at how fast a sore hiker can move when their tent becomes airborne. Temp's 40's to high 70's
Date: 2010-04-11
From: White Oak Stamp

To: Chattahoochee Gap
Miles today: 8.5

We started out with a colorful sunrise. I saw a pilated (sp) woodpecker working away on a tree. Beautifully large bird. The holes they make in a tree are rectangular in shape. I'm learning all about birds from my hiking partner, Full Tilt. She showed me Towhees and Juncos today.We stopped at Low Gap Shelter to have lunch. We met Nimblefoot, he thru hiked in 2008. He has a neatly trimmed salt and peppered beard and wears a baseball cap emblazoned with "Crazy Coot". He liked the trail so much, he is doing it again. He is a retired from the armed services, the Coast Guard I believe. He is a big believer in finding shade during the hottest part of the day and taking a break. Sounds like a good idea to me.The trail got rocky going up Poplar Stamp Gap. It was too hot for me, highs in the upper 70's. We had a tough time finding a place to camp. The area between Poplar Stamp Gap to Chattahoochee Gap is a narrow mountain ridgeline with lot's of steep ups and downs. The trail was littered with stuff hikers had thrown out of their packs. I saw lots of men's underwear and shirts along the trail. At least they looked clean. We found a good place to camp at the intersection of Chattahoochee Gap an Jack's Knob Trail. I believe we will fall down and sleep here tonight.Hiker Tip #7 If carrying a map, you should really check to see if the place you plan to camp is on a very narrow ridge line. Temp's 40's to high 70's.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Chattahoochee Gap

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 4.4

We ate breakfast to another glorious sunrise. I slept without the tarp and the stars put on a brilliant display. Breaking camp is getting easier. Lots of Mtn. Laurel, trillium, galax and bloodroot along the trail today. After you pass the former Rocky Knob Shelter the trail becomes stretches of boulders. I looked up one rocky path and was surprised to see it was marked with a white blaze. Oh well, up and over. Once you get over Blue Mountain it is all down hill, for a very long time. I had to stop half way down the mountain to cool off my feet. I could feel them getting hot enough for blisters to form. I stopped and pulled off my boots and socks and let those puppies cool down.We were almost to the bottom, which is Unicoi Gap, and we saw lawn chairs and cars through the trees. We wondered, hoped, we were about to be the lucky participant's of Trail Magic. Woo hoo, our 1st trail magic. Lawn chairs to sit on, home made cookies and a cooler full of ice, gatorade, water and soft drinks. Thank you Gangsta's Momma. Gangsta thru hiked last year. Her momma was paying back all the people who helped her daughter along her journey. The cookies were good and the drinks were very cold. A local ridgerunner gave us a ride into Helen. Full Tilt had a mail box to pick up and we were meeting her partner for a zero. Looking forward to a steak and cold beer. Hiker Tip #8 When receiving trail magic, always stand down wind of the giver of trail magic. It's the nicest thing you could do for them. Temps high 40's to low 80's.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Helen, GA

To: Zero day
Miles today: 0.0

We are staying in Helen, GA. to visit with a friend. What can I say about Helen, GA. To quote another hiker, it is a town which Oktoberfest threw up all over. The population is around 450 and of course swells to record numbers in the summer. I expected it to be encased in fog, it feels very surreal. Every building in town is made to look like a stucco/wood cross beam architecture. There are music speakers in the flower beds. The sound of German polkas and waltz surround your very being, EVERYWHERE . If the "twinkie defense" was used as an excuse for murder, after 2 days in Helen, I Know the canned polka music would be a justifiable defense in any court of law.We are staying at the Helendorf River Inn, which, in it's time, I'm sure was a very nice Inn. Let's just say, now, it is the Inn which remodeling forgot. I recommend the Super 8, they are very hiker friendly.Hiker Tip # 9 Never take a Vegan to a town that celebrates Oktoberfest year round., i.e., bratwurst, wiener-schnitzel, etc.
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Helen, GA

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

Great to be out on the trail, thanks Mead for the ride to the trailhead. The climb out of Unicoi Gap was a steep one. It took us one hour and ten minutes to reach the summit of Rocky Mountain. I'm pretty sure I only saw my feet and the trail. In honor of the mountain's name, I sang Rocky Top Tennessee all the way to the top. I'm fairly certain Full Tilt was able to quicken her pace due to my serenade. We stopped at the Cheese Factory site for a long lunch. There is no evidence of any kind of building or business at this site. But, it was grassy and shady. There were two hikers breaking their camp at noon and talking about doing fifteen miles. I looked at Full Tilt and we both cracked up. We could break camp at four a.m. and still not walk 15 miles. Siesta was soon over, pack up the babies and grab the old ladies, cause everyone goes, everyone goes, over Tray Mountain. We hit the ascent of Tray Mountain in the heat of the afternoon. Not a good idea. We sweated up a 1300 feet gain and traveled 2.6 miles to the summit. It was so hot we didn't even stop to look at the view. We headed straight for some much needed shade courtesy of the Mountain Laurels. I cooled off and ventured out on the rock face to take in the view we had earned with our efforts. You could see for miles. Miles upon miles of blue, hazy mountains. The dogwoods could be seen in clusters on the still bare mountain sides. Their white and pink colors stand out against the browns left over from winter.Once you leave the summit and head down you quickly come to the view on the other side of Tray Mountain. I saw Fontana Dam and lake in the far distance. It is hard to believe we are going to walk to that lake. Enough views, time to get the packs off. On to Tray Mountain Shelter, a mere half mile away and downhill.Hiker Tip #10 The slowest hiker sees the most wildlife.
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: few clouds

A cold and windy night on Tray Mountain made for a very cold morning. Full Tilt and I had our breakfast of oatmeal, cherries and honey overlooking the eastern views. Colorful sunrise. Great way to start the day.Packed and ready to go, downhill to begin with, yippie! I prefer not to sweat in the first five minutes of my hike. I like to keep the aroma of yesterday's sweat as fresh as possible.Round Top and Sassafras Mountains were tough because of the heat. We decided to take a siesta at Sassafras Gap and wait out the heat of the day. The big climb of Kelly Knob was in front of us. I did not want to tackle that in the eighty degree heat. Can you tell I am not a warm weather gal! Nice nap, up and over Kelly Knob we went later in the afternoon. We are staying at the Deep Gap Shelter. The shelter conversation was which was worse, Kelly Knob or Blood Mountain? No clear consensus has been reached by this tired crowd.I gave a young man his Trail Name today. He is from Ohio and talks excessively about doing the Bourbon Trail in Kentucky or what is the best Tabasco sauce. He really isn't a Bourbon kind of guy, so Tabasco it is for him. I made him kneel on one knee and I knighted him, "Tabasco". I had no sword, so I used a rusty horseshoe I found at the shelter. You would be amazed at what you find at these shelters. I made sure to hold the horseshoe with the ends up. Anyone from the horse country of Kentucky knows you will lose you good luck if the ends of the horseshoe point downward. Your good luck will pour out. I think Tabasco liked all the pomp and ceremony of his "christening".Fun over, it is starting to rain. Everyone heads for their tents or hammocks. Eight PM, Hiker midnight, night all.Hiker Tip # 11 It is really hard to clear your toothbrush of toothpaste from brushing your teeth. Try this, brush your teeth, then take about half a mouth full of water, stick the toothbrush back in your mouth and brush again. This removes the stuck on toothpaste from the brush and saves water, too. Not to mention the white shine emitting from your mouth will scare the bears away.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: few clouds

The owls were amazing last night. We were surrounded by the calls of Barred Owls, Screech and Great Horned Owls. The calls were as if Dolby Surround Sound had been installed at the shelter. Oregon Sunshine later said it took all her control not to yell out at 3AM, "It's a hoot-a-nanny"! Everyone at the shelter was up early in the hopes of hoofing it the 3.5 miles to Dick's Creek Gap. The reason for the early start is Ron Haven has a free shuttle at 9AM and 11AM at the gap to take hikers into Hiawassee. Ron owns the Hiawassee Inn. He just recently bought it this year, it had previously been operating as a Meth Lab. Ron intends to remodel the hotel this summer and it needs it. I'm sure he will get it up to the standards of his other hotels he owns in Franklin, NC.We were not in any hurry, so we watched everyone pack and leave the shelter. By the time we strolled into Neel's Gap it was too late for the free shuttle. There was a gentleman at the gap with a red pickup truck, w/split rails and deer antlers attached to the bed of his truck. He offered us a ride for $5 bucks apiece and we accepted. Oregon Sunshine and I climbed into the bed of the truck and Full Tilt hopped in the cab. Let's just say that after walking for several days the speed of a local driver on winding mountain road can make your knuckles go white and thoughts of redemption scream through your brain. We made it into Hiawassee without being ejected from the truck. I am proud to say I did not whimper as I crawled out of the truck.We are staying at Mull's Inn. Looking forward to a shower and food, can't wait.Hiker Tip #12 Ask to see the room at these "hiker hotels" before you hand over your credit card and why your ride is still in the parking lot.
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Hiawassee

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

The nicest women in the world run the Mull's Inn. Cordy Wood is the owner, she is a young 80 something. Her beautiful white hair is coiffed perfectly by her hairdresser of 50 years. Miss Cordy has eyes that light up behind her glasses when she talks about her life at the Inn. In the 50's and 60's Mull's was the place to go in Hiawassee. Her office is lined with publicity photos from country music bands and famous people whom stayed at her Inn. Such acts as Jeannie C. Riley, The Statler Brothers, George Jones and about 50 other famous bands of that era enjoyed Miss Cordy's southern hospitality.Miss Cordy's hearing and sight has faded with her advancing age. If you have a little patience she will grace you with some really fascinating stories about the performers and politicians who stayed at the Mull's Inn. I enjoyed reading all the personal notes the bands had written on their publicity photos thanking Miss Cordy for her gracious spirit. I found her stories about working for the Defense Department during WWII a trip into history. Miss Cordy was a very good riveter and she spoke of how the "girls" had to prove themselves to the foremen. They eventually won them over with their stubbornness to prove they could do a "man's" job. When the war was over she came home to her first love, the mountains of Hiawassee.Miss Cordy's daughter, Darlene, helps out with the hotel. Darlene would like for her mother to retire, but Miss Cordy is having none of that. As long as Miss Cordy can still physically get around Mull's will be open for business.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Hiawassee

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Karen has made the journey to Hiawassee. She braved a flat tire, returning home to retrieve her forgotten wallet, traveling with two pugs, and a long wait along highway 64 for the clearing of a bad accident. Brave girl to keep coming south. Sounds like fate was trying to tell her something.We moved to the Ramada Inn which accepts pets. Beautiful hotel on a hill with views of the lake from either side of the hotel. Karen went to Young Harris College in her youth, one of many colleges she attended on her way to her doctorate. We took a road trip up to YHC and she was surprised by all the growth around this sleepy little college. She regaled us with stories of her youthful exploits, it was fun to see the area through her eyes.We lucked into an amazing restaurant on the way to Young Harris, it is on the right hand side of the road coming out of Hiawassee. I think the name of it is La Dolca Vita. It is in a strip mall with a Sherman Williams paint store. It doesn't look like much until you step through the door. I felt as if I had been transported into the finest Italian restaurant in New York City. White tablecloths, upholstered seating, and Italian opera playing softly over the sound system. We started to back out because we were dressed in crocs and hiker attire. The owner came up to us and made us feel at home and seated us in a corner of the restaurant. When we were presented with the menu, we couldn't believe our eyes. The selection was worthy of any five star restaurant. The food was equal to any five star restaurant I have eaten in before this date. Everything is made from scratch and is authentic cuisine from southern Italy. We highly recommend this restaurant. The best part was my meal would have cost me around a hundred dollars in NYC, in Hiawassee it was under twenty-five dollars with a twenty percent tip. Priceless.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Hiawassee

To: Campsite pass Wheeler Knob
Miles today: 6.8

It was tough to see Karen and the puppies leave. Thank you Karen for coming to GA and supplying us with "wheels". I believe a good time was had by all.Karen dropped us at Dick's Creek Gap on her return to Kentucky. Full Tilt and I headed up Little Bald Knob and Buzzard Knob and As Knob and Wheeler Knob. Get the picture? It was a day of steady ups and downs. The trail was a soft bed of pine needles under out boots as it took us through the Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area, the name Congress designated in 1984 for the remoteness and wild beauty of this area. In May and June the rhododendron, azalea, and the smaller mountain laurel are in full bloom on the ridgetops. From Buzzard Knob you can make out Standing Indian Mountain our future destination. The sounds of pileated woodpeckers and warblers provided us with their serenade along the trail.Our campsite for the night was atop a steep knoll about 70 feet from the trail. We had a birds eye view of the coming and goings of hikers and wildlife. We were visited by a deaf couple with the trail names of RainShine and Adventurous Cane. They were hammock hangers so we had a lively conversation about hammocks, many hand gestures and note writing for this conversation. They decided to move on because most of the remaining trees were covered with poison ivy. We made a table out of rocks and played cards until bedtime. Night all.Hiker Tip #13 Not all mornings will be conducive to cooking breakfast, be prepared with some cold food you can eat as you are packing up.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Campsite pass Wheeler Knob

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

It was raining when we woke up this morning. Packed up wet and headed up the trail. We were excited about crossing into North Carolina today. A small wooden sign and an embedded iron pipe on a tree denote the state line. Pictures of us in our rain gear finery were taken to mark our first state line. It was a short hike to Bly Gap and the famous gnarled oak tree. I was told it is over a hundred years old. It had the appearance of a weathered survivor. Pictures again and then up and onward. I think the trail planners for North Carolina meant to send the hikers a message with their first choice of climbs to send us hikers over. I believe the translation would be, "and you thought GA was hard ... you ain't seen nothing yet"! I heard Full Tilt mutter several times, "you have got to be kidding me". I just stuck to the standard cry of hiker woe, "Jesus"! Two amazing ascents and then the NC trail planners gave us a break. Thank you to whom ever meted out the mercy.Just pass the summit the AT meets a blue blaze trail to Ravenrock Cliffs. A small plane crashed here in the '70s. The pieces of the wreckage are still scattered across the mountain for about 100 yards. The engines are recognizable along with other parts of the plane. Our stop for the night was Muskrat Creek Shelter. The weather was turning ugly. High winds, blowing fog, rain and cold temps were moving in fast. I decided to hang in the shelter. Full Tilt choose her tent and I said a small prayer to the mountain gods I wouldn't find her under a fallen limb in the morning. The winds howled with a vengeance all night long. It was definitely the coldest night on the trail as the temps fell to around 37 degrees. I felt pretty warm and snug in the shelter. The driving rain woke me up on occasion through out the night. I worried for my hiking partner all night long.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up to swirling, dense fog and very cold temperatures. I climbed out of the hammock and put everything I owned on my body. I made the walk to Full Tilt's campsite and was very happy to see that it was not flattened by a huge limb. I hailed Full Tilt as I came closer, asking if she was still alive? Full Tilt stuck her head out her tent and very eloquently replied, huh? I told her my fears and fully expected her to be doing the backstroke in her tent with the monsoon rains we experienced last night. Full Tilt looked at me liked I had grown 3 heads. Apparently, she hadn't heard the tornado like winds or the driving rain of last night. She slept through the whole scary storm. We both laughed about my worries for her and her yellow, MSR tent.We started out uphill in the cold and fog. The trail's only greenery coming from pine trees and running ground cedar. Running ground cedar can just be a few plants which send out hundreds of scaled fronds through the loose soil. They resemble miniature bonsai plants. This is the kind of plant that was around to feed the herbivorous dinosaurs that populated this area in times gone bye. The ghosts of the past travel with us on our journey.We spy strands of yellow birches shedding their bark on Yellow Mountain. Soon we must watch where we place our feet, as the trail turns to rocks and tall roots. We cross boulder fields and only see the bloodwort growing where we place our feet.Our plan is to stay at the summit of Standing Indian Mountain. This mountain is the highest point south of the Smokies, topping out at 5498 feet. It is also known as the southern most mile high peak on the trail. Our plans change as the signage along the trail warns us we are entering a Bear Sanctuary. Scratch marks on the trees show us the signs do not lie. The Bear Sanctuary runs from the Standing Indian Shelter to Coleman Gap. The southern Appalachians are estimated to have over 4000 black bears in residence.The decision to keep on trekking was pretty easy to make. We arrive at Beech Gap, still in the Bear Sanctuary, but too tired to go further. We hang our food high and far away from our sleeping area. The sound of owls is all I remember as I fall asleep.Hiker Tip #14 The easiest way to keep "floaties" out of your water is to use a knee high nylon stocking (a clean one). No Nonsense is my preference. The elastic top attaches snugly to the top of your water bottle, gravity filter, bladder or what ever you are using to collect water. The addition of the nylon hose insures your filter will not become clogged with silt or your water bottle will not have debris floating in it. It is a cheap filter and weighs nothing.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Beech Gap

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

I awake to a pretty morning, much better than the last morning. I check our food and I am relived to see two bright bags hanging high and dry. Yea! Moving on out the trail has become a long rhododendron tunnel for the first time. We leave the Bear Sanctuary around Coleman Gap. We have lunch at Carter Gap Shelter. She appears to be one of the older shelters and her life was not gentle. The lady has some age on her, but she still stands (with a little coquette tilt to the left) offering shade and a dry haven.This area has plenty of switchbacks and the views show rounded, hazy mountain tops. I understand we are looking at the source of the mighty Nantahala River being cradled by those distant, hazy mountains. We reach Beech Gap and call it a night. We are soon joined by The Bard and his hiking partner Buck. The Bard is a curly headed young man with a jaunty scarf loosely tied around his neck. I spy a Martin backpacking guitar strapped to his backpack. He has just returned from a three year stint with the Peace Core. His friend, Buck, is helping him re-discover America. They sing us to sleep with lovely folk songs as the moon rises over the dark silhouettes of the enfolding mountains. Pure Trail Magic.