morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-10
From: springer mtn, georgia

To: hawk mtn shelter
Miles today: 8.1

In which I quit reading about thru hikers and become one...After breakfast at Amicalola Lodge we made the 45 minute bumpy and often exciting drive (equivalent of an 8 mi. hike up the approach trail) around and up to the Springer Mountain Parking area. My parents strapped on their hiking shoes and off we hiked 0.9 miles to the official start of the Appalachian trail. I signed the register and we got the obligatory photos of the plaquard and white blaze. Onward we hiked back to parking area with a steady flow of hikers and their families passing to and fro. It was a regular highway up there! The Ridge Runner said 64 people started thru hiking the day before and from the looks of it I'd say just as many if not more were at it today. I'm proudly one of the many beginning my journey today! Hiker number 354. Once in the parking lot I hoisted on my pack, met trail icon Ms. Janet, ate a cookie, took a few more pictures and joined the masses after a few tearful good byes. Off I went with no regrets. I don't think I've ever done anything in my life where I felt fearless, determined, confindent and at peace like I did at this moment. I felt liberated and happy to be doing what I've dreamed of doing for such a long time. I had to pinch myself to see if this was real.I met soooo many wonderful people today. More than I can even begin to recall. I hiked with some great women Speck and Lotus, leapfrogged with Blue Jay and her family, hiked with Aaron and Scott, set up my tent near Wingin It and was shown how to use the bear cables by Cory. I counted at least 45 tents set up around a full shelter of at least 12 people, crossed some beautiful streams, enjoyed the warm sunshine and cool air, listened to the birds and the wind blowing through the trees and ate the best dinner ever of Thai ginger rice noodles.I'm in my tent now at hikers midnight (really only 8pm!) listening to a campfire crackling, Orangatang singing, an airplane flying over head, tent zippers zipping and a quiet buzz of voices throughout the woods. It doesn't get any better than this!Quote for the day: "Some times you just have to quit walking and looking at your feet to look up and enjoy the views!" Helen J. aka my mother.So true! What a red letter day! Made possible by my very gracious parents who are such troopers.
Date: 2014-03-11
From: hawk mtn shelter

To: Gooch Gap Campsite
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

In which I earned my trail name.I was up, packed, fed (after spilling half of my oatmeal in my lap) and on the trail by 0900 this am after a fair night's sleep. The trail was once again a highway of North Bounders (aka NOBOs). I hiked by myself for the first half of the day through Hightower and Horse Gap. I passed a group of trail maintainers going South Bound (aka SOBOs) getting ready to go clean the privy at Hawk Mtn. Shelter. Good timing because that was overflowing! Can't thank them enough for their service! I then walked through a tunnel of rhodadendrums which led me to a babbling brook just in time for a delightful lunch break. This afternoon I met Indy and hiked with Speck, Lotus, Wingin It and Thin Mint to the campsite in Gooch Gap. We set up camp in a sunny, grassy field and were joined by many others throughout the night. I'm guessing probably 30+ hikers here tonight once again gathered by the campfire cooking dinner and singing songs.The weather is predicted to turn cold and wet for tomorrow. A plan is hatched to slackpack with Lotus up and over Blood Mountain to Neel's Gap as Speck would deliver our packs to Mountain Crossings and secure bunks for us there. With all the plans made I settle into my bag in my tent and listen to the ado around camp fully prepared to pack up in the rain in the morning.So, I wish I had a brilliant, life altering story to tell you about earning my trail name but I don't. It seemed to have been the phrase for the day and in hind sight a metaphor for my life at the moment. When signing the notebooks at each shelter when passing through for lunch I kept writing Cheryl J. is Movin' On (to the next shelter, or up the trail). Hence I have become Movin' On.Now Movin' On is movin on to bed! Good night.
Date: 2014-03-12
From: Gooch Gap Campsite

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 14.5

In which I did my first slackpack over blustery Blood Mountain.Sure enough the rain started pouring down as predicted at midnight. I awoke to a little pool of water under my tent but that didn't matter much since everything was soaking wet and therefore heavy! I packed up camp, assembled my snacks for the day, grabbed the camera, put on my rain gear and charged up the trail in the rain with Lotus after the boyscouts camping next to us exclaimed, "your not hiking in this weather are you"? We grinned and smuggly said, "sure we are". And off we went clicking away the miles.The rain continued to fall for a little while. We were somewhat sheltered by the forest trees. The trail was slick and full of mud puddles, wet leaves and slippery rocks, was wonderful. As we approached Blood Mountain, the highest shelter on the trail in Georgia at 4461 ft. the wind began to pick up, the clouds rolled in obstructing any view from the top. The clouds and mist eerily blew through the shelter and the temperature plummeted. Not very many hikers were on the trail today! Very peaceful, mystical hiking. After scrambling down many rocks we descended into Neels' Gap and secured our bunks and backpacks. Just in time because the wind chill was below zero and ice pellets were falling and my fingers were frozen.After warmed up by a hot shower Lotus and I split a pizza then feasted on dinner brought in by a church group to the Hostel. Our next meal consisted of baked ziti, salad (and lots of it) and bread. Next up a few phone calls, laundry and a cacauphony of snores throughout the night. I was so exhausted it just didn't matter. I slept like a rock at least for four hours, a record for me and a new record for the number of miles hiked in one day. All possible by the generosity of Speck who transported our packs to the Hostel for us allowing Lotus and myself to hike without our packs today, which is the definition of slack packing- hiking without ones' pack.
Date: 2014-03-13
From: Neels Gap

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

In which I froze my buns off!We took our time this morning getting up and moving. I packed up my stuff and placed it in my pack. Then I left the warmth of the hostel to walk up the stairs to Mountain Crossings Outfitter where I met Baltimore Jack, another trail legend. I needed food so did a resupply for the next three days. Also found some yogurt and cheese sticks for breakfast which was a nice change of pace.I got a late start this am around 1000. The rain stopped and the sun peeked out however, the wind continued to blow. We hiked straight up the mountain and had to stop 10 minutes into the hike. My fingers were freezing to the point they hurt. My lesson for today is that socks make great mittens in a pinch. I also learned yesterday not to eat a bar on an uphill climb!It never really warmed up today. The temperature stayed in the 20s while hiking. We hiked up switchbacks. We hiked up with no switchbacks. We rolled in to an already packed camp around 3:30 which was four mini camps in one large area. In our area was Indy, Random Man, Brian from Arkansas, Hector aka Ginko from Germany, Lotus, a couple out for the week an me. We cooked our food at the main shelter then retired to our camp for a brief fire. It was way too cold to linger outside. Was already 20 something going down to the teens tonight. It's7:30 and I'm crawling in to bed. The barred owls are calling and I hear Moxie playing his guitar down below. Good night!
Date: 2014-03-14
From: Low Gap Shelter

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

In which I spend the night 4000 ft. up on top of a mountain.I didn't sleep a wink last night and was very glad to get up and get moving this morning, only after coffee and hot chocolate of coarse. Had to attempt to warm up some how. I got on the trail around 9:30. It was cold but the sun was out and blue sky abounded. We had a gentle walk today to Blue Mountain Shelter for lunch. We were treated to some warm sunshine, a great view, a privy and great company. Lunch today was a tortilla with peanut butter and honey and some trail mix. Tasted soooo good but then again anything and any combination taste soooo good out here.We had a long descent into Unicoi Gap, followed by a long ascent to Rocky Mountain. Here we decided to call it a day and camp on top of the mountain. It was windy and cool but a pretty place to camp. Sucches and Pooches and Chris joined Cory, DaVinci, Lotus and myself. We ate around the campfire, talked to Mariposa and her dad as they came by and had a relaxing evening listening to the wind blow through the trees. Also got to hang our food from the trees for the first time. We looked like pros throwing our rock sacks up and over those tree branches and hoisting our food bags up into the air. I was quite impressed. It got cool quickly so that means off to bed to do a little journaling. Sleep well!
Date: 2014-03-15
From: Rocky Mountain

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

In which I spend my first night in the shelter and have a loft all to myself.I felt heavy, sore and tired this morning but was on the trail by 1000. It felt like most of the day was spent climbing, up, up and away. I hiked by myself for the most part today which I rather enjoyed. Solitude and alone time have been rather hard to come by with the large number of hikers out here already. So much for beating the rush of hikers. But I enjoyed the time I had. On top of Tray Mountain the view was fantastic and I met up with Lotus, Cristof from CA who hiked the PCT last year, Cory and DaVinci. I had a snack and then moved onward. Word on the trail is that rainy weather is coming in yet again. So now the decision to be made is to head in to the hostel tonight or wait until the morning and take a nero.As I was approaching Deep Gap Shelter I had the pleasure of meeting Flash and Noodles who were out finishing their hike. I enjoyed a snicker bar break while talking with them about their adventures and strategizing a plan for the incoming bad weather. They were going in to Top of Georgia Hostel for tonight and tomorrow to ride out the rain. DaVinci was going to join them. I decided to head on the Shelter and check out the situation there. Lotus was there and planned on spending the night. It was relatively quiet there so I decided to stay. This shelter had a stair ladder going up the middle to a loft area on the right and the left on top of the main floor. I took the top left. Lotus had the top right. It was rather cozy. About 5 other people ended up sleeping in the main shelter below that night. A few people set up their tents, a few hammocked. I was very grateful to be under cover of the shelter when the rains came down at midnight! Even more grateful when I didn't have to pack up and carry a wet tent in the morning. Great nite overall. I even slept pretty well.
Date: 2014-03-16
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Top of Georgia Hostel
Miles today: 3.6

In which we received trail magic from the Glen Loch Church group.The rain was coming down hard having started like clockwork at midnight as predicted. I ate breakfast, packed up my pack, put on my rain gear and trudged onward down to Dick's Creek Gap. We were wet rats by the time we got to the gap. And there they were... a church group who had driven four hours from home had set up tents in the rain and were providing trail magic. They had a big pot of soup, hot dogs, granola bars, fresh fruit, water, chips and other goodies. I ate some soup, then an apple, then a granola bar. Oh so good! Then we were going to get a shuttle in to Hiawasee to get a room in town. That failed because the hotel was booked. So the wonderful ladies, Olivia, Nicole and Ashley shuttled seven of us in to town to see about getting lodging for the night. First stop the Blueberry Patch was full, then no one was at the mull hotel. Next stop the Holiday Inn were Lotus, Cory, Sucches and Chris stayed.I went back to Top of Georgia and spent the night in the hostel with 35+ other people. This place was crawling with soaking wet, cold, pathetic looking hikers all so very glad to be out of the pouring rain which was now turning sleetish with gusty winds. I got a bunk in "the girls" room with Davinci, Noodles, Flash, Quill, Ruthie and one other hiker. The first order of business was to shower and warm up. Then laundry was pooled and done. Finally a trip in to town to resupply for 7 days and make a few phone calls. The rest of the day was spent eating and hanging out talking with other hikers. Restful. Went by way too quickly. I also received trail magic from Flash who had more food than was needed and was the beneficiary of toilet paper, fuel, coffee and ramen. Score!It's hard to believe I've been out here a week already. Time has flown by and gone really slowly. The trail has more than met my expectations, it's been amazing. Even more amazing are the people I've had the chance to meet. Everyone's got a story and everyday is a new adventure. You never know what's around the next corner. So fun. Lovin this!
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Top of Georgia Hostel

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

In which we were welcomed to North Carolina with an insane, cold, blustery, bitter climb.Disappointingly the rain had not let up by this morning. So you know what that means. Time to put on the rain gear and prepare to get wet and probably cold. Well the day did not disappoint.DaVinci and I pushed through. We ate as we walked. It was too cold and wet to stop so we forged through and nearly missed the mile marker into North Carolina. Had it not been for Cristof taking pictures at the tree we would have completely missed the GA/NC sign. We got our pictures. Another mile stone. One state down, thirteen to go! We next passed the old, twisted most often photographed tree on the trail. We once again got our obligatory pictures and moved on. At this point the wind was blowing, it was foggy, there were no views from any summit or through the forest, it was cold and wet. And then things got really tough! During the last 3 miles of the day we climbed straight up! It seemed to go on forever. We never stopped for lunch because it was too cold and too wet to quit moving even briefly. My fingers were freezing and sore once again. Up, up and away we went. By the time we arrived at the shelter we were exhausted. The rain began to trickle, then stop. We were able to set up our tents. Then Thin Mint shows up and we all camp together. What a nice surprise! And things just got really good from there.The shelter and surrounding area was packed. Scortch, Random Man, Quill, Ruthie, Corey, Collin, Growler, Camomille, Moose, I believe, Magic Man, DaVinci, Moxie, me and many others were present. Moxie got out his guitar and was playing. Quill sang a ballad she wrote when hiking today. Fun and many laughes were had by all. So all in all another wonderful but challenging day on the trail.Another lesson learned today...don't set your tent up under the trees even when it stops raining for the day. It will continue to rain on you throughout the night as the wind blows and the branches sway!
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Muskrat Shelter

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

In which I feel like a kid slogging through the mud puddles and hopping over rocks.Today was a wonderful hiking day. The trees were glistening in the sun, the brooks were babbling, the birds were chirping, wood peckers were pecking, the sky was blue and the sun was warm. The trail was full of remnants from the rain. Slippery leaves and giant mud puddles to be exact, many unavoidable and when surrendered to that fact were quite fun to walk through. My socks even stayed surprisingly dry. I relived my childhood fearlessly and daringly slogging through the mud. When that got tiresome rocks presented themselves along the ravines in the crevasses of the mountains. It was like playing hop scotch with rocks. Unfortunately the trail won at times. I took my first not so graceful but unwitnessed fall. I was rather relieved to get that out of the way. Happier yet that no one witnessed my clumsiness. I was walking along in my own little world when my left foot got caught under a limb across the trail. I proceded to trip myself and landed on my left knee and hands. My pride was injured more than my knee or hands thank heavens. I did even find myself laughing out loud when I realized no one was around. I amaze myself out here too.Had a lovely view of the clouds over the mountains from the top of Standing Indian. Thin Mint and I ate lunch up there, sent some texts and were joined by Collin, Ruthie and Moxie. Then on to the shelter where it was much of the same bunch from last night. Another great day on the trail!
Date: 2014-03-19
From: Carter Gap Shelter

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

In which I passed the 100 mile mark, the sun finally came out and we were treated to gorgeous views from Albert Mountain fire tower.It started raining last night yet again around 8pm. It continued to pour all night long and into the morning. Therefore, I had the pleasure of packing up in the rain again. I've gotten rather good at that, plenty of practice the last four days. Mud was plentiful, puddles were unavoidable and the trail was a river in some parts. As we walked through the tunnel of rhodadendrum and mountain laurel the sun began to peak through the clouds. The birds began to chirp as the rain eased up. I took a few breaks to collect water, snack and shed a few wet layers. Then came the climb to Albert Mountain fire tower. The climb culminated in a steep, literally breath taking, very slow, painfully tedious, quad/hamstring burning ascent to the top which graciously offered spectacular views. The clouds were rolling over the tips of the mountains like a waterfall. The sun was bright, warm and a welcomed friend. I was in awe and very grateful that we even got the pleasure of a view. This morning if I were a betting person I would have put money on fact that we would have no view for the day. Any view would have been a wash. Gladly I'm wrong. We quickly tore off our boots and socks and let the warm sun bathe our wrinkled, withered, blistered, naked wet feet and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the warm rocks below the fire tower while we stared at the 100 created in the chain link fence by twigs. We passed the 100 mile marker. Another mile stone knocked off the list. Another step closer to Maine!Onward we hiked another 8 miles to the shelter in which there was very little flat space to camp. I set my tent up next to a tree on the downhill slope and was sliding all night long. In the shelter was DaVinci, Cory, Chris, Moxie, Val, Simba and Magic Man. The wind is howling through the trees down the gap. It's 7:45pm, I'm cold, I'm tired and going to bed.Thoughts for the day included but were not limited to..."what do I want to eat when I get to the NOC?", "sure hope it doesn't rain for the next few days", "I'm cold and want a good night's sleep", and "I want my warm down quilt I ordered but didn't arrive before I left for the trail". All in all I'm still loving this and wouldn't trade any of this experience for the world.Other observations include....haven't had a shower in four days, my hands are really dirty and tough and tan, my feet stink and are doing surprisingly well, my little toes are sore but better than after I run a marathon, my two hot spots on the back of my left heal are gone, the crowds of hikers are starting to thin a little and it's a fun bunch of people here at the shelter tonight.
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

In which I hike my longest day yet.It's already been a glorious day because I didn't have to pack up in the rain! Awesome. Even better since I had coffee with my mashed potatoes and bacon bits for breakfast. I hit the trail around 0830 and was one of the last people to leave. I hiked until Winding Stair Gap predominantly by myself and totally enjoyed the sounds of the forest. The leaves were rustling in the wind, the birds were singing loudly, the brooks were babbling and the sun was providing warmth. Was a peaceful morning and I descended into the gap to find trail magic being offered. A gentleman from town comes up to the gap periodically and provides goodies to hungry hikers. I had a peanut butter cookie (best ever!)and banana. Also made a reservation for a bunk at the NOC in two days with more impending weather predicted, worth the peace of mind!Now powered up by my snack DaVinci, Thin Mint and myself hiked up the mountain to Siler Bald for a delightful lunch in a grassy field just below the bald. It felt really good to sit and take a break in the warm sun and cool air. Tuna fish and wheat thins with trail mix were on the menu for today. The shoes came off and socks aired out while we ate. Could have lounged here all day! But onward! Many miles to go.Six more miles to be exact up a very long hill that kicked my butt. I had to stop and eat a snack at one point because I was crumping out. Thin Mint and DaVinci went on and I figured I catch up with them in just a few. Well not to happen today! I kept hiking onward by myself. The trail became very barren with many trees snapped at the top and blown down. The path was not well maintained and looked like a wasteland at some points. I started wondering whether I was still on the AT. No white blazes were seen, then a few yellow blazes appeared. What's up with the yellow blazes! I want my white blazes. No people were around any where. It had been quite a while since any sign of life was spotted. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared for a brief moment. I was fearful and full of doubt. Just when I was letting my imagination run away with me I rounded a corner, saw a white blaze and heard two hikers up ahead I had yet to meet, Lobo and Luna. I was never so happy to see people. They restored my confidence that this in fact is the AT and we were headed in the right direction!All is good! I finally made it to the stone tower atop of Wayah Bald. The view was phenomenal. The best on the trail to date. I was never so happy to see DaVinci and Thin Mint! We could look back and see Albert Mountain fire tower where we had been the day before. It seemed light years away. I took some pictures, sent some texts and hiked the final mile to the shelter. What a day. I ate my macaroni and cheese with tuna, climbed into my tent and was serenaded to sleep by Moxie who was playing his guitar by his tent right next to mine. Sweet dreams!