morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Brown Fork Gap shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up to a dry tent and a beautiful morning - but almost hot in the tent at 6:30 am. I was the only one in or near the shelter last night. What a difference from a couple months ago! Today's big climb was up over Cheoah Bald. I was a little worried as the trail since the Smokies has had some pretty steep sections. Nice switchbacks going up today though. Had lunch on the Bald. Limited and hazy views. Then it was down, down,down into the Nantahala Gorge. Felt like a furnace at times as I descended. Got to the Outdoor Center (I had already called and knew the bunkhouse was full which was okay because I was ambivalent about staying anyway) picked up my care package, charged my phone, did laundry, showered, and ate at the restaurant all in under 3 hours. I came into the area tired, hot, and dirty and I left clean, fed, and feeling good. Walked a mile - the first part eating a frozen banana cream bar - and got to this shelter with a huge tenting area. Again I'm the only one here. Well, in a little over a week I'll be up in Maryland with the crowds so I better enjoy this. Even have cell reception so I'm going to check in at home. Ready tomorrow for another day on the AT!
Date: 2015-06-17
From: A. Rufus Morgan shelter

To: Wine Spring campsite
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke up, packed up, stretched out, pigged out (two granola bars) and on the trail by 8 ish. First task was to climb out of the Gorge. Hats off to the trail builders. Not an easy place to build trail but they did an excellent job. Steep but well designed. 2,400 ft climb to Wesser Bald observation tower. 360 degree views and good summer-type visibility. Had an early lunch there - I do love my crunchy peanut butter on Wasa crisp bread - and on to Rocky Bald (via side trail) for another nice view and a snack. End of the day it was up to Wayah Bald with another outstanding view. I could see the Smokies and I could see my route over Standing Indian Mountain nearly 35 trail miles away. Lingered for awhile on Wayah Bald as I was only going a couple more miles. Talked to a young couple just starting their thru hike (wow that's late) and several section hikers. Weather was beautiful all day. Humidity is little lower or maybe just the result of being around 5,000 ft most of the day. A little thunder as I hiked here from Wayah but no rain and skies are partly cloudy now. I'm by myself at this nice campsite with spring next door. Elevation here is 5,290 ft, very pleasant now and hoping to be able to sleep in sleeping bag after a couple nights on top of it. Only complaint of the last few days are the small flying insects. Bearable at camp with Deet. When hiking they kamikaze into eyes on regular basis. Ah well, every paradise has its issues
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Wine Spring campsite

To: Long Branch shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Some days everything works out. Today was one of those days. Another great morning weather-wise. The section of trail between Wayah Bald and Wayah Gap is through some pretty disturbed forest but my campsite last night was very nice. From Wayah Gap the trail climbed to Siler Bald. Great 360 degree views. Also talked with some real nice day hikers from near Harrisonburg VA. The rest of the morning was a meandering gentle downhill to Winding Stair Gap. Got there at 1 pm, hadn't eaten lunch and so made the decision to try and catch a ride into Franklin. By 1:20 I'm in Franklin sitting at an AYCE pizza place chowing down. Got ride from about the 10th car that went by. Great guy from Cherokee NC. I had lived there a couple years in the early 80's and we shared several friends. Small world. Stuffed myself on pizza, salad and root beer and then headed to McD's for a ice cream cone. Got $3 shuttle via Macon County transit back to Winding Stairs and was hiking by 4pm. Pretty soon it started to thunder and continued to thunder all the way to this shelter. Thought for sure I was going to get wet but no rain and still no rain. Nice new shelter and just one real nice section hiker here so I'm spending night in shelter. Note: as we head to bed just saw mouse so ... Hopefully things will work out tonight as well as they did today.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Long Branch shelter

To: Muskrat Creek shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Well I heard a little pitter pattering of mice last night but no damage. Out hiking by about 8 am after wishing my shelter mate, Scott good luck. Another beautiful day - wow that's starting to sound repetitive! Up to Albert Mountain fire tower first thing this morning. Great 360 degree views though a little hazy - wow that's sounding repetitive too. Then down from Albert Mountain. It's only about a 400 ft descent but very steep. Rest of the day the trail was great with the biggest "climb" being Standing Indian Mountain. Took the side trail to the summit and some rock outcroppings with a nice view. Had enjoyable snack up there as I watched the summer storm clouds begin to build. Ran into a hard 10 minute rain on the way down and then a longer drizzle. Got to Muskrat Creek shelter about 6:30 pm. Ordinarily I might have gone on but 21+ miles is enough for me today. I'm tenting tonight. Lots of nice flat spots. Four NOBO section hikers here. Two college age hikers from New Bern! Early in the day I went under 100 miles to Springer and am now less than 3 miles from Georgia! Exciting but tempered by the knowledge that once I reach Springer I still have another 1,200 miles to go! So, for now, I'll just try to continue to enjoy these Southern Appalachians!!! They've been beautiful so far.
Date: 2015-06-20
From: Muskrat Creek shelter

To: Top of Georgia hostel
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and gone by about 8am. Had a late arrival at camp yesterday who was not in the best of moods this morning. Ah, even on the AT you run into unpleasant folks. Luckily, only occasionally. Several miles along I'm at Bly Gap and take the required pictures of the old twisted tree there. Another 0.1 miles and I'm in Georgia. Spent some of the rest of the day hiking under pine trees which seemed appropriate. Nice trail so far but my first impression of Georgia is it sure does have a lot of poison ivy. Think I've seen more in the first 8-9 miles of this state then I've seen on the whole rest of the trip. Luckily, none that couldn't be avoided. Came down to Dicks Creek Gap and walked 1/2 mile to this hostel. It's only a year old. Beautiful setting, beautiful main house and nice folks. Got here a little after 2 pm so had time for shower, laundry, etc before the 4 pm shuttle into Hiawasse. Ate at Daniels (AYCE) and now I'm back at the hostel working on the 4th of 6 Italian ices that I got in town. Don't think I'll be up too much later. I need my beauty sleep!!!!
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Top of Georgia hostel

To: Blue Mountain shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: few clouds

Didn't sleep all that well in the hostel. Don't know whether it was the mattress or the idea of sleeping through the 7am breakfast. Well at least I made the breakfast. Got a shuttle and was back on the trail a little after 8am. I've really enjoyed the hostels I've stayed in and that was certainly true of Top of Georgia. Very nice, highly recommended. Today's hike was a chance to experience the hills of Georgia. Maybe because it's the first state NOBOers experience but Georgia has a reputation for steep trail. Today I had five climbs - up Powell Mountain, up Kelly Knob, up Trey Mountain, up Rocky Mountain and finally up Blue Mountain. Weather was nice, actually cloudy with some wind early and nice blue skies later. Perhaps it was the fuel provided by breakfast and my AYCE dinner but I didn't have any trouble with the hills. By now my cardio is pretty good and as long as I go at a pace comfortable for me I can go quite steady. Stopped for lunch at Steeltrap Gap and had nice chat with The Duke of Windsor. He spent last night at the hostel and was slackpacking north from Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek. Not many pines today but the Georgia poison ivy continues to be most abundant. I'm tenting a little ways from the shelter. Only one other tenter here. It's thundering in the distance so I'll batten down the hatches in case that 20% chance of rain becomes 100%. Good hiking today. A couple more and I'll be knocking on Springer's door! Note: just had a thunder clap that was not so distant.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Blue Mountain shelter

To: Neal's Gap (Mountain Crossings)
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

We had a little rain last evening but by morning everything was dry. On the trail by 8:30am. Most of the day the trail was quite flat (or, at least, not very hilly).   But the dominant theme had to be poison ivy. It's everywhere - constantly along the trail, at the springs, at the shelters, the campsites, the rest stops. Again, it's everywhere. Trail maintainers are battling it - thanked two older maintainers out today - and they've kept it off mid trail usually but you still need constant vigilance and an occasional swerve to the right or left to avoid it. Think today may have been the hottest day so far - despite the ease of the grade any uphill sections had me sweating profusely. I intended to camp at Bull Gap about a mile north of Neal's Gap but I couldn't find the spring that AWOL's book mentioned. Looked for over 20 minutes and finally gave up and came down here. It's okay but, frankly, I'd rather be camping. But I am looking forward to getting something to eat at their store tomorrow morning before I tackle Blood Mountain. For now, it's time to hit the hay.
Date: 2015-06-23
From: Neal's Gap (Mountain Crossings)

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: moderate rain

Slept until 7am as I heard the store didn't open until 8am. About 6-7 others in the hostel last night. Not only was I the first one up but when I left after 8:30am ( the store opened a 1/2 hour later than I thought) I was still the only one up. Not an early rising crowd. Couldn't find any food that appealed to me in the store which is saying something. Almost brought a bite sized (okay two bite sized) honey bun for almost $2 but the freshness date was 5/15 so I passed. Mountain Crossings has a bunch of positives going for it (history, location, structure) but it also seems like they could improve a bunch. The first and only real climb of the day was 1,300 ft up Blood Mountain. Fueled by a 20oz root beer ( okay that's a positive Mountain Crossings did have) I didn't have any problem reaching the top. Neat stone CCC looking shelter on top. Neat looking on the outside but pretty dark and depressing inside. Don't think I'd want to stay there. The rest of the day, with minor exceptions, was either flat or downhill (I'm beginning to think the reputation of the toughness of the Georgia AT has been exaggerated). The poison ivy was somewhat less than yesterday - that is it was plentiful but not EVERYWHERE. The trail though was generally wider today so you felt a little safer than yesterday when it seemed you were constantly inches away. First half of the day seemed especially pleasant weather-wise. Seemed to heat up as the afternoon wore on. Got to this shelter around 5pm. Unheard of early to stop usually but I'm planning on spending tomorrow night near Springer and I'm within pretty easy reach right now. Set up camp, ate, filtered water, got all my chores done and it's 7:30pm. It's going to be tough to stay awake for another hour. We'll see.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Had an interesting start to the day. Woke up and, as I do each morning, reached into the vestibule for my hiking shorts. Took off my lightweight "sleeping" shorts and put on my hiking shorts. Immediately I felt something was different. Felt it because there was a whole bunch of scurrying going on in my shorts. The shorts came off pretty quickly and I discovered at least 50 large black ants had taken up residence in my shorts (evidently they must have had a nest near the designated tent site I was camped at). So now the ants were on me, my shorts, and scrambling towards the far corners of my tent. More ants hiding under everything else in the vestibule. Luckily, they weren't the stinging kind but, in for some primal reason, were quite satisfying to squish. Which is good because that's what I had to do for the next 15 or so minutes to pack up. Back on the trail by about 8:30am but still plucking hitchhiking ants off me at Justus Creek 11/2 miles away. The trail this morning had a series of short but steep uphills where the trail just barrels up. These are the climbs that gives Georgia its reputation but really they weren't anything worse than on the "roller coaster" back home and not nearly as many ups. Weather felt hot and muggy until I reached Hawk Mountain. Had a lunch break somewhat beyond the shelter and picked up a little breeze. The rest is of the way to Springer was good. A couple miles from the summit it started to rumble so I headed first to the shelter area to set up my tent. Did that, threw some stuff inside and the skies looked good enough to head to the summit 0.2 miles away. Snapped a bunch of pictures and just hung out there (no one else around - that's different than April). Finally the bugs, and the increasing frequency of thunder forced me back to the tent. Got some water from the spring and by this time the skies were really getting dark. I tucked into the tent and, while listening to a little Willie Nelson, waited out a pretty good thunderstorm. Had to cook dinner in the vestibule. Storm stopped long enough to hang my food bag, etc but now I'm back in the tent and there's more rumbling going on. Act 2? Think I'll be asleep before it hits.
Date: 2015-06-25
From: Springer Mountain

To: Amiacalola lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we never did get that second storm. Temperatures cooled off nicely and you would have thought I'd slept great. BUT .... For some reason I couldn't get comfortable temperature wise - too hot with bag and too cool without. Maybe it was just the anticipation of an AYCE meal at the lodge. Anyhoot, up and gone by 8:30am (after squishing two more ants in the tent). Think it was a measure of my tiredness that I looked on the trail profile and saw that I had several small uphill climbs descending Springer and thought "oh no!" But, of course, they were not bad and I was down to the Visitor Center by noonish after many pictures by the Falls. Not too much later the world's best trail angel was there and we drove to the lodge to check in. Consumed way too much food at the AYCE lunch, went on a couple mile walk down, up and around the Falls, ate a so-so dinner (still full from lunch) and now ready to collapse for the night.
Date: 2015-06-26
From: Amiacalola lodge

To: Berryville VA
Miles today: 0.0

It is the nature of our modern transport system that a distance that took me 60 days to walk (plus 29 zeros) was covered in less than 11 hours by car - with stops for delicious Georgia peaches, lunch at Cracker Barrel (our kids cringe) and ice cream at Dairy Queen). Home again home again ... But just for awhile.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Ashby Gap

To: Snickers Gap
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: moderate rain

The weather was great today - stormy and cool .... And I'm serious. After hiking in the Georgia heat it felt great to be able to hike all day (or at least 14 miles worth) without sweating and having bugs constantly dive into your eyes. The hardest part of the day by far was the shuttle. Rebecca was working today so we put my car at Snickers Gap and then she dropped me at Ashby Gap. I've been to both places many many many times but in the fog had trouble locating both trailheads!!   Finally on the trail and it felt great - in truth probably a combination of cool weather and light pack. Rained steadily most of the day but when you know a shower and dry clothes (plus a banana milkshake) awaits at the end it doesn't matter. Pass Rod Hollow the "rollarcoaster" begins - a series of ups and downs over cross ridges that continues for 13+ miles. In summer's heat this can be a bear - today it was no problem. The only concern I had was stream crossings. Each descent ends in a water crossing and, although most are small, a couple can get big (especially since we were under a flash flood warning). The creek at Reservoir Hollow, just pass Mingus Mill Rd, was roaring but quite passable. Stopped at the Sam Moore shelter for lunch and to pick up trash and make sure everything was okay (I'm it's shelter keeper). Except for a few wrappers, etc things were in great shape thanks much to Chris Brunton my PATC "boss" who's been looking after the place while I'm off hiking. The last stream of concern was Spout Run and it was roaring too. The usual crossing spot was under water ( probably could have crossed there with very wet feet) so I elected to unglamorously shimmy across a large log fallen over the creek downstream. The rain started to slacken the last couple miles and I was at Snickers Gap by 3 pm. Now on to that banana milkshake!!!
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Berryville VA

To: Berryviile
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

No hiking today. No Pants flying in from New Orleans for a few days of AT filming so we picked him up at BWI. Great to see him! Had perfect weather - dare I say a little cool - so we barbecued some chicken for dinner and ate on the back porch - chicken, scalloped potatoes, corn on the cob and tossed salad ( finished with a banana milkshake). That's a thru hiker's dream. At least THIS thru hiker's dream
Date: 2015-06-29
From: Snickers Gap

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light rain

Another perfect day weather-wise. This time sunny with temps in the 60's in the morning and getting just over 80 in the afternoon. The world's greatest trail angel had me at Snickers Gap by 7:30 am. Today's trail was another very familiar one for me. Back along the rollarcoaster for the first few miles. Stopped for a snack and views at Raven Rocks. Personally I think that may be the best view between Shenandoah and Harpers Ferry. After the rollarcoaster ends the trail really flattens out. Was going to stop at the Blackburn Center to see Chris Brunton but he was out supervising a tree felling operation at one of the shelters. The Blackburn Center is named for Ruth and Fred Blackburn who were great workers for both the ATC and PATC. The Blackburns were long time members of our church. Growing up I particularly remember Ruth as being a very positive, high energy person. Had lunch (barbecue chicken, now that's trail food!) near the Lesser shelter, with chainsaws buzzing. Pulled into Harpers Ferry by 4:30pm. Picked a couple handfuls of wineberries on my way down from Loudon Heights. Yes, it is a nasty invasive species- but a delicious one! Got to the ATC visitor center where Rebecca was waiting, had my picture taken, talked with Dave, Lori, and "Peter Pan" for a bit ( what great dedicated staff and volunteers the ATC has!) and it was back to Berryville for another home cooked meal. Yes!!!
Date: 2015-06-30
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Dahlgren backcountry campsite
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Rebecca had me back to the trail by 8am. Another very familiar section of trail. The C&O Canal was pretty quiet this morning - just a couple bikers and a group of backpackers coming down from the Ed Garvey shelter. Climbed up Weverton Cliffs and took the side trail to the cliffs for a snack. A surprising number of thru hikers never take any of the "blue blazed" trails that lead off the AT to views, waterfalls, etc. Well, hike your own hike I guess but I try not to miss any of the close by features. Been to Weverton Cliffs many many times but, hey, it's a great view, easily best of the day - perfect place to spend a few minutes contemplating life. Back on the trail things were quite muddy south of the Ed Garvey shelter. Weather was nice though - just a little warmer than yesterday. Sometime in the morning - either just south or north of the Garvey shelter I passed through land that my Uncle Bill once owned. All the farmers in the valley owned wood lots on the mountain. Back in the early 80's I guess it was the state of Maryland that bought his property when they were establishing a permanent corridor for the AT. Had lunch at Gathland State Park (used to go to Easter sunrise services there when I was young). This section of trail is full of Civil War history. All the mountain gaps today - Crampton, Fox, and Turner - saw battles as the Confederates tried to slow the Union advance and give Lee enough time to consolidate his troops which he did just west of here along Antietam Creek. Despite a less than blistering pace and a lots of lollygagging and reading historical waysides I pulled into this campground around 4:30pm. Usually too early to stop but in Maryland camping is restricted to designated sites and the next one is 6+ miles away (and right next to the Interstate- lots of noise all night) plus we're under a severe thunderstorm warning. It was enough to convince me to stop. Tomorrow I hope to get an early start and cover the remaining 23+ miles thru "Maryland, my Maryland."
Date: 2015-07-01
From: Dahlgren backcountry campsite

To: Penmar 
Miles today: 23.4
Weather: light rain

We had a pretty strong thunderstorm come through right after dark. A lot of rumbling and cracking before the deluge. Meanwhile I was quite cozy (and appreciative) in my tent.   Another rain shower early this morning but I checked radar soon after and it looked good so I was out, packed, stretched, and fed by 6:45am. Gone before any other camper was stirring which is unusual for me - a combination of an expected long day, an early "alarm" clock provided by nearby Washington County commuters heading over Turners Gap toward DC and some evidently "sleeping in" camp mates. Stopped at "the original" Washington's Monument but, unfortunately, it was closed due to some repair work. Later I took the 1/4 mile sidetrail to White Rocks. Great view. A group of kids from a nearby camp had rope rigged up and were getting ready to do some climbing and repelling. Trail was still quite muddy in spots today but the weather was excellent and I made good time. Shopped again at High Rocks. It was hazy but you can tell this can be a great view. Unfortunately you can also definitely tell this is a hangout for restless local youth. Spray painted graffiti everywhere including the sign asking folks not to spray paint!!!!! Got to Pen Mar about 5:30pm and met up with No Pants who was doing trail magic and interviewing hikers. We headed back to Berryville with a stop at Dan's in Boonsboro for dinner. Tomorrow I have a dental appointment about that tooth I chipped off north of Hot Springs.   Then I'm going to take a couple of zeroes to enjoy July 4th at home before crossing the Mason Dixon line and invading the north.