morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

I got my things together and left the shelter before everyone else. It was raining pretty good. I told Encyclopedia, Sprinter, Zing, and Townie I'd see then when they caught me in the next20 minutes. I started off slowly. After about 2 miles I actually began to feel really good. The rain kept me cool and I stayed dried and well ventilated wit my Precip jacket and homemade rain kilt. The Group never caught me, I trucked on through the rain and made it to my first projected stop and decided to keep going to TrayMountain Shelter. The Rain slacked and I set up in the Tent city. 30-45 minutes later the Gang rolled in Minus Townie who went into Helen for a burger. A father and son packed in mcdonalds burgers, apple pies, coke and Pepsi up to tray and handed them out then took all of our trash and headed back out for the most awesome trail magic I have experienced yet. They said they would see us in the smokies, I am looking forward to it! We all decided we would head to Top of Georgia Hostel the next day for a shower, bed, and clean clothes. Weather got nasty for a bit but the Lightheart Solong 6 held up great and kept me dry.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

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

Woke up before the crowd at Tray Mountain and Zing, Sprinter, Encyclopedia and I hit a very quick pace to get to Dicks Creek. Sprinter lead the pace, which is how she got her name. We arrived at Dicks creek for 12:45 just enough time for some trail magic hotdogs. The TOG shuttle arrived and we headed to the hostel. Cleaned up and headed into town for AYCE at Daniels, Zing, et al went to Mcdonald's so I ate with Charlie Montana who I had just met at the hostel. We headed across the street for beer tasting where we met up with 2 section hikers Chewpie and Mogley and then did a quick resupply.Unfortunately TOG Hostel is alcohol free so had to get our fill there. Told Charlie how I had kicked coffee and was just using electrolyte gels,etc for caffeine. Well the resupply had a Starbucks and I had a gift card so he made sure to rag me for getting coffee. TOG was decent, it was clean but the bed's did not lend a good nights rest. It was still nice to get a shower and clean clothes.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: Dicks Creek Gap

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

Woke up and got the "free" breakfast at TOG. It was pretty lacking but at least it was something, I finished off my resupply and jumped on the 8am shuttle back to the trail. We all decided to take it easy. Encyclopedia and I got to Muskrat around 3. The shelter was pretty rough but there were decent camp sites. Zing and Sprinter came in about and hour later and we setup up camp. Not long after Mogley and Chewpie came set up by us followed by Charlie Montana. We ate then walked up the trail .1 to play cards on a rock ledge and watch the sun set over Hiawasse. Ended up staying up pretty late chilling by the fire.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to see Encyclopedia was gone. Sprinter and Zing mentioned sleeping in so I headed out solo around 8am. The night before we all talked about how tough the profile for standing Indian looked, it ended up not being as bad as expected. I pushed on to the planned Betty Creek Campsite to see it barely had any spots, was already basically full and Encyclopedia was not there. I waited some to see if Zing and Sprinter would show and then saw a guy from our TOG stay that said Encyclopedia pushed on to Long Branch, so I decided to follow.I got to Albert Mountain and that was fun to say the least, felt like I was climbing instead of hiking for a bit. The Fire tower gave some great views. I arrived at Long Branch around 6 to see Encyclopedia, Jolly Roger and Task Master (father daughter duo we had bumped into a few times). Joked about him trying to lose us. We all agreed it was probably nice to get ahead of the bubble that was at Muskrat so we can get some better rest. We were surprised but happy to see Zing and Sprinter roll in shortly after me.The Shelter was nice and only 3 years old but I decided to tent it as I find my tent way more comfortable.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

We got up from the shelter and headed out with Jolly Roger and Taskmaster and a few others to catch the shuttle into Franklin for Beer at the Lazy Hiker. While waiting on the $3 county shuttle we got a free shuttle from the guys at the Budget Inn. They provide free shuttle in to town for hikers even if you aren't staying at the Budget Inn which is pretty awesome. I got a burger at "A Fork in the Road" food truck and we grabbed a well deserved beer at Lazy Hiker. We then hit a quick resupply and headed back to the trail for 4 mile hike to Siler's Bald were Zing and Sprinter already were due to not wanting to go into town.It's a 1/2 mile hilly Blue blaze to Siler's Bald Shelter. Upon arriving I met Jem getting water who greeted me with "Welcome tot he AT's Practical Joke". She was spot on. The blue blaze sucked, I definitely wasn't staying in the shelter and the only tenting was a sloped field. I me Booby Trap who gave me tips on shimming my pad so I wouldn't slip all night. This worked out decently.
Date: 2016-04-27
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We headed out to Cold Spring. Jolly Roger and Task Master left early but got lost on the blue blaze and met up with me on the way out.We all had lunch at the observation tower at Wayah Bald . I got a Text from David (Townie) that I had pocket dialed him and I should be called "Pack Dial" I said that's fine as long as he is Townie since he was in Franklin and had now stopped in at just about every town he could.We got to cold spring and the water lived up to the name. There was a nice campground up a .1 blue blaze. Got a little rain but overall got some good rest which was really needed.
Date: 2016-04-28
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Campsite Near Wade Sutton Memorial
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I got packed up and set off a little before the rest of the Gang knowing they would catch me. I tried hanging with them a few times to find myself incredibly sore so learned it best to just meet them at the destination and hike my own hike. Sprinter and Zing are from New Hampshire and Encyclopedia is from New York so they are more used to the hills and elevation then this Louisiana Boy. They were planning on stopping 1 mile short of NOC and going in the AM. When we got to our destination we decided to just go into NOC. NOC was awesome! The Nanty was super cold, perfect for swelling feet. I got a beer and pulled pork sandwich and a shower. We all figure we should be able to find a campsite right past NOC. Unfortunately it took about 3 more miles then planned but we found a decent spot. Had to got .7 to get water for the night which wasn't too fun but we knocked out a good bit of the big climb we would have the next day.
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Campsite Near Wade Sutton Memorial

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

This was by far the hardest day on the trail. The climb up Sassafras sucked, and then Jacob's ladder sucked even more. After Sassafras we ran across a dog that came right up to us. Some other hikers said he was a stray that had followed them a few days, he then decided to follow us. Zing and Sprinter got attached quickly. He was later to be named Mooch due to his A+ Yogi'ing skills. We went into Brown Fork Gap Shelter worn out and set up camp. We all decided to head out by 6am to get to Fontana before Lunch to prepare for our first 0!
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Marina
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We rolled out early, Mooch in tow. A mile in a realized I forgot my knife at the campsite but definitely didn't feel like going back. I just hoped Jolly Roger or Taskmaster would find it but unfortunately they did not. The group got to the Marina about 11:30 and I showed up 15-20 minutes later. We headed to the Fontana Resort. Rooms were full but I was able to split a cabin with Encyclopedia at the same hiker rate a room is! We met Ox for supper who is a friend of Zing's family who they met from there thru hike years ago. We ate at the restaurant in the Resort and I was able to get my Ribeye I had been dreaming about while hiking the last week. OX treated us all to apple cobbler with ice cream.OX maintains the trail in this area and is a wealth of knowledge. He joked how he was almost the mayor of Fontana but lost by 1 vote and he wasn't even running nor does he live in Fontana. The Current Mayor is also a Bartender at the Bar at the Resort. Small town for Sure.Ox is taking Mooch while we are in the Smokies and Sprinter's mom will come to get him in WV to take him up to New Hampshire.After the meal I still went back to the cabin and ate 2 Totino's pizza's. Hiker Hunger is for real.
Date: 2016-05-01
From: Fontana Dam Marina

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

0'ing at the Fontana Village Resort.My sister and brother in law will come in tmw where I will spend time with them before heading into the Smokies. I was hoping they could make it today but I will just have to make tomorrow a shorter day then originally planned. I should still be able to get through the Smokies in 5 days. Zing promises really easy hiking for a good section after the Smokies.
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Fontana Dam Marina

To: Birch Springs Gap
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

My sister and brother in law came in late the previous night. They dropped me were I left off and I did about 2 miles until I came to the Dam and met back up with them. Somehow my sisters car would not open although she had the beeper and the car was on. They ended up going to the visitors center to call a locksmith. A guy from the visitors center came to help, Kylie said she never got a key only the beeper, well we found out the key was there. It was an a funny experience and we eventually took off into the Smokies. About 2 miles in we came across a ridge runner he told us of bear activity at the campsite we were headed to and that the 2nd shelter was closed due to bear activity. We climbed shucks tack fire tower (well Dustin and I did Kylie changed here mind after 2 flights of stairs, it was waayyy up there!). We got to the campsite and set up then had lunch. Spoke with several day hikers that were interested in my travels and one gave me 5 boiled eggs which Made for a great lunch the next day. It rained hard, I didn't get a good pitch on my tent and was getting some condensation. I had to adjust things in the middle of the night and Jy and Dustin thought I was a bear or something haha. The best part was when I "let out some gas" (high protein diet and hiking will do that to you) and they thought it was a bear growling. Short day but was nice to spend it with family.
Date: 2016-05-03
From: Birch Springs Gap

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up and said my good byes then headed north. My first day back to normal mileage after the 0 and Near-0 with family. I felt a little sluggish for the first stretch. It was raining pretty good but I was still making a decent pace. I rolled in to the shelter to luckily find a few spots open. With a soaked tent and cold weather I definitely wanted to stay in a dry/warm shelter. Heard a little more about the bear at the second shelter. 2 hikers were allowed to stay there last night due to the weather even though it was closed. Said there were two guys with an AR and a Tranqulizer gun trying to bait the bear. Allowed them to stay but told them things may get loud. Nothing eventful happened while they were there though.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Rolled out early as usual. It was cold, I would sweat andGet hot climbing up then get on top and freeze with the winds. Finally resorted to rain jacket only which worked a lot better than warm layers. I went to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT and took a few pictures. Having trouble uploading pics to here without aComputer, but they can be found on my Instagram @j.j.dontplay.I got to the shelter and met Dutch, Dusty, and Tron. Dusty is from an area I worked in in Ohio which was pretty neat. They started 8 days before me, so had been taking it a little slower. Letter Pepper joined us. She was from New Orleans, I knew we had another Louisiana hiker on our hands when I saw the Winn Dixie peanut butter. A few more came later one being Curious George. Apparently his father was at clingman's holding a photo of him and asking hikers if they had seen him. Curious George said of his dad doesn't get a spot mag he freaks out. He drove a few hours to check on him. I laughed because my parents would do the same if they were closer. We got a fire going in the fireplace (yep the smokies shelters have fireplaces) to keep us warm through the cold snowy night
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Tri Corner Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

We'll never thought I'd be hiking in snow on Cinco de mayo but anything can happen in the Smokies. I headed out early as usual while everyone else stayed in there warm sleeping bags. The snow made for a beautiful morning. Eventually got more snow and heavy gust but I pushed on to Tri Corner. 2 older say hikers told me they saw Encyclopedia and he went on to the next shelter 7 miles up. I knew I could catch him the next day. Another guy who was also at myCollins the last night was pushing on for a 26 mile day but I didn't wantTo chance the shelter being full with more snow on the way. Turns out it was full, when I caught up to Encyclopedia the next day he told me he had to sleep in his tent. I was glad I decided to stop were I did, only had 7 of us in the shelter. This was the first day I realized that my trail legs have arrived.
Date: 2016-05-06
From: Tricorner Shelter

To: Wildcat Springs
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Side note the mileage I put on here isn't exact. I use AWOLs guide book and Guthook app and they don't always agree. So it's my best guess using the tools I have.I got up and didn't want to leave my jacks r better quilt. It was COLD. It got down to 28 that night, got to say I continue to be impressed with this quilt, it is way warmer then I would have ever thought, super comfortable and way lighter than the majority of sleeping bags out here. I started hiking in 2-3 inches of fresh snow, slip sliding my way North. First on the trail for this area. Ran into a ridge runner, Chloe who told me they saw a bear that am at the next shelter and checked to make sure I wasn't having any symptoms of norovirus. I hiked on to Davenport gap were I finally had cell reception. Shot encyclopedia a txt to see he was at standing bear just a few miles away. Always got a txt from zing that Mooch was indeed chipped and returned to his owners. Hiked on to standing bear and caught up with Encyclopedia. Decided not to get a bunk, I just wanted to keep hiking! Hiked on to a nice little campsite near Wildcat Springs and called it a night.
Date: 2016-05-07
From: Wildcat Springs

To: Deer Park Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: scattered clouds

We'll definitely feeling my trail legs and getting a "hiker high". I start a little slow then slip in to a trance where I am hiking way faster than normal without even thinking about it, basically running down hills, jumping obstacles all pain free with a smile on my face. Once I stop for lunch It usually takes a few miles to get back into it but with my body finally being adapted and the trail getting a little easier than it was previously the daily miles are increasing and all I want to do is hike on!I left camp around 8am, a little later than usual. The morning brought some pretty significant climbs but a trail magic fudge round gave me the power I needed. I got to max patch which was nothing short of amazing. Unfortunately my phone was shutting off saying low battery when it had 30%. So I was unable to get any pictures! (Side note my Instagram is no longer private so anyone can view my photos without having to have an account www.instagram.com/j.j.dontplay).I was at a blistering pace for the majority of the day and actually passed the campsite I was shooting for at an 18 miles day. I was at around 21 miles when I realized this , Oops! Definitely could have made it into hot Springs but decided to stop 3 miles short at Deer Park MTN shelter to setup a Near-0 for Sunday. Original plan was to do around 10-12 Sunday into hot springs then 0 Monday. This now saved me $ (only needing to find a place in town for one night now) and put me a day ahead. Setup camp and wasn't really hungry or tired just had a ton of energy and really wanted to hike more. Actually ran to the water source to try to get rid of some of the energy.
Date: 2016-05-08
From: Deer Park Mtn Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Got up around 6:30am and took my time getting things together. Freshened up a little bit to minimize my stench when I got into town. Got into town around 8:30am and got a big breakfast at the Smokey MTN Diner. Eggs, pancakes, ham, biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns, orange juice, and 4-5 cups of coffee. Went on to get my laundry taken care of. Next I needed to find a place to stay, didn't feel like a hostel so I decided to pay a little more and go with a motel. Got a room at Alpine Court. Not a Marriot but it is nice and clean, way better than the Budget Inn's in Franklin or Hiawassee. And the workers and really nice. Also wanted my own room with shower so I could take multiple showers haha. Going almost a week without a shower I'm sure I'll take atleast 3 before I get back on trail tmw. I went back to Smokey MTN diner to get a pulled pork plate to support the local Lions Club, at $8 for a plate lunch with cake and a drink it was a must. Hot Springs is a tiny but very nice trail town full of hikers. I have managed to get ahead of "the bubble" I started with and caught up to another one therefore I have seen no one in town that I have met on the trail. Kind of stinks but I'm sure I'll meet more great people as I hike on. It was nice to hike with a group but I am enjoying hiking on my own schedule and just hiking until tired rather than setting daily plans to meet up. I went to the Artisun Gallery which has art for sale from hikers and also a coffee shop. I got a coffee and when I went to pay for it the guy there said " Your a hiker right?, when did you start?" We chatted a bit and then he said "Trail Magic, I got you just tell everyone about the Gallery!". So if you are ever in Hot Springs go to the Artisun Gallery! Really awesome gesture, the trail continues to amaze me.Side note:I am not in any need of any support other than continued encouragement and prayers! The trail can be tough but at the end of the day I am on a extended vacation! However I have had friends/family who out of there love/care and/our living vicariously through my travels ask to help wanting to send supply boxes etc. Supply boxes can be tricky, where to send, what to send, how much to send varies a lot and you'd need to be in close contact with me to get it right which is tough to do. The easiest thing to do is donate to my balance here: https://www.zerodayresupply.com/donation.php?x=885&y=jordanjtemplet@gmail.com This way I can put the box together my self and you don't have to worry about getting it to me in time and zero day will worry about getting it to me on time. Plus Zero day breaks down things by calories so it actually allows me to put together a better more though out resupply . Again totally not necessary, this will just upgrade some Ramen meals to Mountain House.
Date: 2016-05-09
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: mt laurel shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

Was waiting on the outfitter to open for 9am and saw Encyclopedia. Skipped the outfitter and hit the trail with him. The trail had just reopened in this area due to fire. We made it to our destination early so decided to go onto the next shelter for a 19.6 day. I took off ahead showing off my new trail legs and got to the destination at 5:30. We met a past thru hiker, Crank Daddy there headed for Damascus and spoke with another hiker Mike about his bear experience in the Smokies. A bear came into camp and tried to take off with another Guy's pack. And
Date: 2016-05-10
From: mt laurel shelter

To: Hogback Ridge
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a little behind on the journal, more then I would like but with the miles and other events that happened over the last few days I'm sure ya'll will understand haha. Today makes 1 month on the Trail and I am in Damascus! Very pleased with covering this much mileage in month 1 being that I was out of shape, never back packed or really hiked before, and only put about 1 month of planning into my thru hike. So far everything had been great and there really hasn't been any truly tough or disappointing times.Encyclopedia and I decided to take off for a 22 mile day to Hogback Ridge. The profile didn't look too bad. I felt pretty sore from flying down the trail the day before. Encyclopedia hiked ahead and I would meet up with him when he'd take a break. We got a little trail magic with about 5 miles left. We both agreed that this was some tough terrain to do a 20+ day. It started to rain a little with about 1.5 miles left but I didn't want to take the time to put on the rain gear or pack cover so I just picked up my trekking poles and basically jogged the rest of the way. It was a tent city, and we both agreed we had left our "bubble" and hit a whole new one.
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Hogback Ridge

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up around 5:30am to other hikers lowering the Bear cables. I figured I'd get up around 6, then light rain started so I figured I'd sleep until it stopped. 8am and it was still going so I got up and packed up. Encyclopedia was still in his tent and said he would take off around 9am. I decided to just wear my rain top with running shorts rather than my zip-offs and homemade rain skirt. I liked this combo a lot better. Shorts got wet but dried quickly. I got trail magic at the first gap: a doughnut, banana, and a coke. It was the perfect energy for a decent climb coming up. I chugged along at a really good pace but eventually slipped on some roots and landed on my arm. With the way I landed for a split second I thought I likely broke my arm but luckily it was fine other than a knot and a scrape. I arrived at the shelter and set up my tent. I was about to go to bed and saw that Encyclopedia had arrived also. We were both looking to head into Erwin the next day.
Date: 2016-05-12
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up a little later than normal and took off around 8:30am. Encyclopedia had already rolled out. I felt a little sluggish but made it into Erwin at a decent time. I got a ride into town and got lunch at Rocky's Pizza, then resupplied at Food Lion. Encyclopedia decided to stay in town due to ankle pain. I decided to hike on to the next shelter and stay there due to the forecast being rough for the night. Just outside of Erwin I FINALLY saw some deer on the trail, 2 big does. I watched them for a bit then continued on. I figured it was going to be a quiet weekend on the trail with the bulk of hikers headed to Damascus,VA for Trail days. There were a few people at the shelter but plenty room so I snagged a spot. I had gotten way too much food in town but easily but a good dent in it that night.