morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-16
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Okay, camping at Neels Gap last night was insanely windy!! My whole tent was shaking! Good thing that my stakes held firm and I made it to morning without incident (can't say the same for a few other campers!)I wanted to push to Low Gap Shelter area today to set myself up for a smaller push to Dicks Creek Gap and a "nero" (near-zero miles) day in Hiawassee. Today is my original start date! I'm glad that I started a bit earlier, though, even if it meant that I had to handle some bad weather right off the bat. A hard start is better than an easy one! This way I can always look back and say that I conquered a thunderstorm on day one, what could be harder? Today's views were incredible. Of course, that was because I was climbing approximately five thousand mountains in a row, but still! It's almost relaxing to only worry about how to stay motivated on the next uphill - a nice change from my sometimes overly-anxious self. I mean, look! I am so lucky.I also had the pleasure of discovering that I stink. I mean, seriously, I can smell how badly I stink. The first thing I did after setting up my tent at Low Gap was to mix up some soap and water and wash my dirty clothing. This was quickly followed by bird-bathing my equally dirty hiker body. I'm proud to report that I now smell like a delicious peppermint flower and my spirits are quite high.Oh!! And I got more incredible trail magic today at Hogpen Gap!! I'll let a photo tell the story:My Pennsylvanian family will be so proud
Date: 2016-03-17
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Old Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

I lollygagged around this morning talking to people at Low Gap, because brisk mornings make me chipper and social (unlike evenings when I'm sore and tired and tend to hide in my tent). The plan today was to get "a bit past Unicoi Gap" - I'm currently four miles further than that. Lots and lots of up and down today! The uphills are a workout but it's simply a matter of motivation and strength - I'm great at both of those. The downhills, though... they are just full of miserable pain and sadness!Today's descent of Blue Mountain made my left knee complain a bit, but for the first time since day one my feet didn't hurt much at all. I'm glad to feel my joints and muscles starting to adapt to the mountain conditions and I know I'm already stronger than when I started. Today was a 13+ mile day!! I'm killing it!My reward for pushing the Blue Mountain descent was MORE TRAIL MAGIC! Could I be any luckier? There were burgers and soda and fruit and donuts! And THEN, on the painful Rocky Mountain climb, we found Bud Light Clamato pounders!!! A gift from the St. Paddy's Day gods, I think. That was enough of a morale boost to power over Rocky Mtn and halfway up Tray Mountain to the "old cheese factory site" (ha ha). There are a lot of people camped here and I'm glad for the company after such a long day. I leave you with this magnificent hiker dinner photo:
Date: 2016-03-18
To: I'm hiking!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm not in preparation mode anymore but I wanted to let everyone know that I am on the trail!! I have not had consistent data service to make updates and not much time after long days of hiking. I'm at mile 56.6 (old cheese factory site on Tray Mountain) and planning a nero/zero day soon. I'm having an AWESOME time and loving every minute - this is everything I hoped it would be and more.I'll be able to upload all my updates soon!! Stay tuned and thanks for being patient!
Date: 2016-03-18
From: Old Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

(I updated a bunch of entries at once. Please click this link for the first day of this update set)Today was a damn struggle. I struggled to get out of my sleeping bag. I struggled to pull on my cold hiking clothes. I struggled to pack up and I struggled to push my way up, over, and down Tray Mountain. Man, do I ever resent those downhills. My morning view (pre-struggle)My slow start set the tone for my day. Addis Gap seemed like it took forever to show up and Kelly Knob required at least three stops for water before I conquered it. Super disheartening.But now I'm finally at Deep Gap Shelter and past the 3% mark for the trail! I even snagged a spot inside the shelter so I can make a quick exit in the morning to catch an early shuttle from Dicks Creek Gap into Hiawassee for a nero town day.It's only 6pm but I'm wiped. Early bed tonight and hopefully a hot shower and a hotel bed for tomorrow!! Looking forward to restaurant food and a short hiking day!
Date: 2016-03-19
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: light rain

Left Deep Gap campsite early this morning and covered the 3.6 miles to Dicks Creek Gap fairly quickly. Caught a shuttle into Hiawassee for a town resupply and hotel night and was fortunate enough to snag a room at the Holiday Inn Express in town! Not a lot of options for overnight stays here but I think I made the right choice.The hot shower was amazing and I stuffed my stomach at the buffet next door until I thought I was going to explode. I picked up a few resupply groceries and odds and ends from the Ingles nearby and did a quick tub wash of my hiker clothing. At 7:30 I'm already into bed for the night!! I'll just sort through and organize all my new food, watch some basketball, and get a good night's sleep. The next few days are supposed to be very cold so I'm extra thankful for this town day right now.
Date: 2016-03-20
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm in NORTH CAROLINA! Left the Holiday Inn this morning after a session of hair-drying my still slightly damp clothes, packing up, and enjoying a good breakfast.Two guys that Shoe and I have been seeing a lot were also at the Holiday Inn last night. They don't use trail names but I've been calling them 'Peanut Butter' and 'Fluff' for a while. They also go by Pinky and The Brain or Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Either way, they are nice guys!It took a bit to find a shuttle willing to take us back to the trail but the Top of Georgia Hostel shuttle came through!! It was pretty cold waiting in town for the van and we started talking about cold weather gear and gloves. I didn't bring any, since I was planning to use my extra pair of socks as mittens and wanted to save the weight. A nearby hiker overheard me say that and gave me his too-small pair!! Trail magic!!!!I was very anxious to get back to the trail, even knowing that a rain/sleet combo is in the forecast. Trail life makes me happy.The cold didn't bother me at all once I got moving with my pack. It started hailing (very tiny pieces of hail, almost snow) after a bit and walking alone in the woods listening to the *ping* *ping* and watching the ice pile up was surreal. I'm just glad it's not rain!!I felt awesome for the 9 mile hike today - not sure if it was the hotel bed last night, talking to my parents for hours, or just happiness at being back on the trail, but I made it to the GA/NC border in record time. I made some hot dinner and apple cider after pitching my tent. The temperature is dropping fast and the snow/hail is coming down more heavily. I wonder if it will accumulate tonight?Tomorrow will be a long, cold day if it snows!
Date: 2016-03-21
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

It snowed.Kind of a lot...Which led to my shortest non-town day yet. This morning was truly miserable after a long, cold, windy, SNOWY night. I just couldn't get the energy to move on from Standing Indian Shelter. The climb out of Bly Gap, up Couthouse Bald, was plain awful. The temps were freezing, it was snowing and the wind was blowing incredibly hard. I had to stop every two minutes to blow warm air into my gloves and restore feeling to my fingers. Finally the trail turned toward the lee side of the ridge and there was a wonderful break from the wind. When the air was calmer it was actually pleasant to be hiking in the snow cover. Everything is so quiet and still, especially in the morning. Even so, I think I prefer warmer weather. Packing a cold and frozen tent is pretty shitty. My half-frozen liters of water also made for a crappy day.It did warm up a bit as I descended but as soon as I stopped at Standing Indian Shelter I got cold again. That drove away all motivation for an additional 7.6 mile push to the next shelter. I felt like a bit of a failure for stopping after so few miles, but I did politely decline an offer to overnight in Franklin in favor of continuing north, and I packed up and kept going in freezing temperatures this morning. That's some success, right?
Date: 2016-03-22
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

This morning was cold again but much better than yesterday. Standing Indian Mountain, the one I didn't want to climb yesterday afternoon, was easy as pie. It's a beautiful gradual up and down on smooth trail. The snow melted throughout the day and is now almost entirely gone. I tried to stop and notice little details today in an effort to kick my negativity about the low miles yesterday. I saw some budding treesAnd a beautiful unexpected view from the top of an unnamed ridgeI'm currently camped in a grove of laurels next to Betty Creek. I'm nervous about Albert Mountain tomorrow morning so I'm going to get up early and hit it fast. Lots of awesome people are camped around here too, including Shoe, Pokey, Lupine, and Puma. I even got to see Maria today - I hoped I'd run into her again! Shoe said today that it feels a bit like the first week of school, because we are meeting everyone and wondering if we'll see each other again and end up friends or never be in the same place again. I agree!
Date: 2016-03-23
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was SO MUCH BETTER. I got up early and was packed and hiking by 7:45. I love morning hiking - I go so much faster and I'm much happier. Albert Mountain was an awesome climb that reminded me of the mountains in New Hampshire. Rock scrambles, vertical climbs, and incredible views from the top? Yes please! And I crossed the One Hundred Mile mark! Kicking butt!Caught the shuttle into Franklin for a resupply and hotel night. The town is nice and the shower and FATZ dinner was extra nice. Going to get insoles tomorrow since my feet are in so much pain lately. I think they will help!
Date: 2016-03-24
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept great last night in the Microtel in Franklin. It was very quiet, which was surprising since there were construction people walking around any time I ventured into the hallways... Anyway, Shoe and I walked down to the laundromat at 8am to wash our very stinky hiker clothes. He says his socks have stopped absorbing moisture because they are so dirty. Mine aren't quite there yet but it was great to get everything clean anyway. Our failed attempt at laundry last night did give us a beautiful sunset, so at least there's that!I grabbed more food from the grocery store nearby while the laundry machines did their thing. I definitely have too much food... like maybe 8 days worth... but it will be good practice for those long stretches with no resupply. I just wanted lots of options!!After laundry we headed over to Three Eagles Outfitter because our entire team has had foot pain issues on the downhills. I picked up some fancy new Superfeet insoles, a backup fuel canister, and they gave us free beer!! This hike is basically a beer and food tour lately. I'm not complaining.We also tried to print off our Smoky Mtn thru-hiker permits but the site is still down. ARGH!I finally got around to packing up my 70 lbs of food before we got some Wendy's for dinner and caught the MCT shuttle back to Winding Stair. The Macon County Transit shuttle service is awesome. $3 and it will pick you up anywhere in town and drop you off at any of the nearby AT crossings - AND part of the proceeds goes back into maintaining the trail system. And the drivers are super nice. I like it.Soooo... The actual hike up to Siler Bald Shelter was awful. It started pouring about a mile in and since I have no pack cover and my rain gear was in the bottom of my pack, I got soaked. Shoe stopped to put on his pack cover when the rain got heavy and rather than wait up for him I just took off down the trail like a bat out of hell. I was legitimately running for the shelter. I made it just ahead of Pokey and Lupine (yay!! love them!) and watched it rain on everyone setting up tents. I was super thankful for a space in the shelter so my thoroughly wet gear could dry out a bit (even if it is very cramped). Looking forward to the end of this storm and a hopefully sunny tomorrow.
Date: 2016-03-25
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Back in my tent tonight and very happy about it. Last night was rough - it stormed until the morning and I slept next to a guy who used one of those 'pool floaty' mattress pads (the ones that squeak every time you move) and the dude did not stop tossing and turning all night. I really do prefer my tent to anything else.My morning was slow. I've noticed that my slow mornings correlate with bad days, but I have no idea if there's any causation. Is the day already doomed when I wake up or do I doom it by taking forever to get on the trail? More research is needed. Or just more early starts.Today was a long slow slog of a climb. Wayah Bald was really pretty but it was work to get there. Sometimes hiking starts to feel like more of a job and less of an adventure. That feeling tends to set in during long afternoon stretches, so again, maybe it's just a timing thing.Plus, Wayah really was pretty!!'Orbit' and her mom (who doesn't have an official trail name yet) are at the campsite tonight and I'm glad to see them. Dave is also here and helped us hang our bear bags - thanks!!I also heard more incredible stories about the trail angels 'I Believe' (thru hiked in 2014) and her husband, who seem to show up at every town and road crossing with awesome bursts of trail magic. They've offered to slackpack multiple people, brought pizza and soda and snacks to crossings, given space in their cabin to a tired hiker, and helped out with encouragement and advice - and that's only in the past week!! I'm so happy that I got to meet them in Hiawassee and I hope to see them again down the trail.On to NOC tomorrow!!
Date: 2016-03-26
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I made sure to get up early today and get on the trail by 8 and SURPRISE SURPRISE it was a good day. My morning hike up the remaining bit of Copper Ridge Bald was great and I grinned to myself with the thought that my new 'job' has this type of office setting:The trek down into Tellico Gap and back up Wesser Bald was awesome. I really hauled butt and had a gorgeous (and solitary!) early lunch break at the top of the Wesser Bald tower. Then it was a long slow 5 mile descent into NOC, where I'm sharing a bunkroom with three awesome hiker friends and enjoying a beer. I even stopped in the Outfitter and got a rain cover, so no more trail sprinting for me! Dinner later at the NOC restaurant and then bed... Need energy for the huge climb tomorrow!
Date: 2016-03-27
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

This morning STUNK. Though it was fun to wake up in a bunkhouse with friends, I was still on the trail by 8:30. And oh Lord, the 5 mile climb out of NOC was every bit as terrible as anyone said. I was very nearly in tears trying to motivate myself upwards. I've heard advice to start the climb in the dark so you aren't able to see the massive distance you have left but it was so foggy today that I couldn't see anything anyway. The weather was threatening rain so I was wearing my waterproof gear... which turned me into a bad impression of Rocky wearing a trashbag and sweatily running around Philadelphia. It was gross.I finally finished the climb after 4 hours and was freezing my butt off at the Sassafrass Gap shelter by 1:30. After a cup of hot cider and a piece of chocolate (courtesy of the best hiker buddy ever, Shoe), I perked up enough to keep going. We planned to camp after 10 miles, at Locust Gap, but we both felt pretty good and pushed the last 3 miles to Stecoah Gap. The last mile before the gap is awful - you can see the road but the dang switchbacks seem to keep you from getting any closer. Argh!We felt entitled to a hostel night after that mega challenge day and called Donna and Phil from Cabin in the Woods. We're staying in "the Loft" which is a TINY HOUSE!! I am obsessed with the cuteness and I'm so happy for the reward.TINY HOUSE! YES!
Date: 2016-03-28
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Donna shuttled us back to the trail by 8am and Shoe and I charged up Jacob's Ladder first thing. I had only planned a ten mile day but after that beast of a climb I was actually energized and wanted to make it Fontana Dam (15 miles!)It was a very, very, very long day. The descent into Fontana was at the end and at times it seemed like I'd never get there. The fact that my bowels decided to move at the most inopportune time ever (on top of a ridge!) didn't help. My cathole was not even close to big enough so I performed my first poo-then-dig. Excellent.Managed to make it to Fontana and catch the shuttle to the village to print our Smoky Mountains permits. The fact that the GSMNP permit website was broken for a week was just ridiculous. How are thru-hikers supposed to plan out their 8 nights (no more allowed!) more than a week in advance when we can barely time tomorrow's hike? Just dumb.Anyway, the Fontana shelter has a great view of the water and a lot of my hiker friends are here, so I'm excited for tonight and the Smokies!
Date: 2016-03-29
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Left Fontana after freezing all night in the drafty "Hilton". The walk across the dam was super neat and the climb up into the Smokies was hard. I'm not sure if its because I've been doing big days lately or because I didn't sleep well last night, but today was a drag. There were a few highlights, though!Shuckstack Mountain (and accompanying tower) has incredible views and I wrangled a huge garter snake off the trail. I'm also very glad to be officially in the Smokies even though that means I'm required to stay in the shelters. I feel like I'm becoming a true thru-hiker!
Date: 2016-03-30
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Since tenting in the Smokies is AGAINST THE RULES if the shelter isn't full, I spent last night and will spend tonight in a big two-level stone shelter full of stinky, snoring hikers. It's extremely windy up here and there are tarps covering the shelter openings so there is very loud flapping all night. At least it's warm when you're packed in a small room with 14 people!A windy morning made for a slow start, but I knew I had 12 miles to go and I wanted to get moving. (please start listening to the song "Rocky Top" for the remainder of this post. It will help set the mood!)I chatted with some day hikers as I ate my lunch snack after Russell Field Shelter and ended up running into them again a bit later on the top of Rocky Top Mountain. As I summitted, they started playing "Rocky Top" and singing and of course I started dancing along. It was hilarious!! Then they gave me an extra special trail magic gift that hit extra hard at 5000+ feet (wink wink, don't tell the park rangers). They even took a photo with me!!! So, so fun. shhh... there's moonshine in those cups!Needless to say, I flew for the last miles and huddled into Derrick Knob Shelter just as the wind started picking up. It's supposed to storm heavily tomorrow so I'm not sure if I'll make it over Clingmans Dome or stop at the shelter before. Have to respect the weather!
Date: 2016-03-31
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, the weather did not cooperate with my plan to get over Clingman's Dome and to the next shelter. 13+ miles sounded easy after these past few days, but it wasn't meant to be. It's raining like CRAZY now and it looked awful at noon, so I stopped just before Clingman's and grabbed a spot in the shelter. I'll have to do 10.4 miles tomorrow to Newfound Gap but there are only two mountains in the way (funny how now that seems like an easy day!)Lots of members of my hiker bubble had the same idea to stop early today and as a result we've all been here since early afternoon, hiding from the weather in the shelter. Hikers get weird with too much free time on our hands and we've done everything from group crossword puzzles to furious journaling to telling far too many poop stories. Personally, I'm anxiously waiting for it to be late enough to start dinner. Hiker life!Everyone crowded into the shelter and trying to find things to occupy time until we can sleep!:
Date: 2016-04-01
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

If I could only use one word to describe today, I would use "squelch". Today was wet. So, so wet. Climbing up Clingman's was like walking upstream, and going back down I almost felt like I could have floated on my sleeping pad all the way to the end, Lazy River style.The top of Clingman's Dome tower, the highest point on the AT, was fogged in. No views, but that was okay.I did see FoB at the top making a short video to post online and was lucky enough to get called out, on camera, for pooping in the woods this morning while he walked by. Hey, at least I wasn't on the trail (like some FoB relatives!)Despite the extreme dampness, cloudy start, and muddy conditions of the trail, it did turn into a very pretty hiking day.My hiking day ended at Newfound Gap, the Gatlinburg crossing, because I'm taking the weekend to spend in town and relax! I finally got to see an NC/TN cborder sign and snapped a quick photo:And now... Into town!!
Date: 2016-04-02
From: Newfound Gap

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

My first zero day ROCKED.I'm spending the weekend in town with this guy, who drove 7 hours just to visit a goofy hiker chick (pictured here with his first Five Guys!).Today was full of breakfast, resupplying, fudge, moonshine tasting, more moonshine tasting, naps (induced by the moonshine tasting, I'm sure), dinner, and watching movies. We did a bit of Trail Angel-ing by shuttling some folks to and from the trailhead and providing some cold beverages to thirsty hikers. I also saw my first black bears (while in a car, driving from Newfound Gap to Gatlinburg, but still!!!)It was the perfect zero day!
Date: 2016-04-03
From: Newfound Gap

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Laundry, lunch, final groceries and then it was back to the trail for me today. Thoughts of going back to "real life" crossed my mind after such a fun weekend with Matt, but I knew (and he was firmly in agreement) that I couldn't quit. There are lots of people at this shelter tonight, a few I know and a lot that I don't, but it's a bit nice to have a new 'bubble' to meet. I miss my old group but I'm sure the trail will bring us together again!
Date: 2016-04-04
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

I had planned on doing 19.8 miles to Cosby Knob today but I didn't reach Tri-Corner early enough to feel comfortable pushing on. Today was chock full of beautiful views and lots of up and down, so I'll just let this be a photo update!Oh, and this weird obstacle...