morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-02-21
To: ItÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs all about Consistency
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After completing many long distance adventures, I find for me it is all about being consistent, and by saying this I mean in all areas of the adventure. Some of the areas I¢m talking about are, your start/end time each day, the food supply, laundry, keeping yourself clean and well fed, taking the time to cook a hot meal after a long day, to name a few. It is not always about doing huge miles each day, it is about how consistent you are with the miles you are doing. Many times I see these bigger mileage people flying into a town and their still there when I roll in a day or two later. So by being consistent you can do smaller miles and still get where you want in an acceptable amount of time, granted you don¢t want to take too long because this directly relates to how much food you have to carry. I also try to stay as consistent as possible with my training, as long as I¢m out there consistently, I don¢t worry about how many miles or how much weight I¢m carryingTake for instance you have hiked 15-20 miles, you get into camp, your beat, you crawl into your tent, eat a snickers bar and hit the sack, you randomly do this three or so times a week. The consistency of keeping yourself well nourished is out the window. This opens you up for injury, sickness, weakness, weight loss, and overall poor health. This also goes for the mileage too, you hike 25 miles a day for three or four days, you get beat up, you might get blisters or some other injury and you have to take time off. Another thing that happens is sometimes it is easy to get pulled along by other hikers or groups of hikers. This can certainly affect your consistency by making you move at a different pace and do things you haven¢t planned on doing. I guess it is part of the social aspect of the A.T., or just an overwhelming need for human contact. I try to maintain this type consistent mindset throughout the adventure weather it is a long distance cycling trip or backpacking. It seems to work for me and gets easier the longer you are out there. It can make the trip much more manageable and enjoyable which means less stress!
Date: 2014-02-27
To: Game On!!!
Miles today: 0.0

It¢s time to rock!!! I just turned in my notice and bought a bus ticket to Georgia. I¢ll be ¢Draggin¢ my butt to the trail on April 1st, April Fools Day!!! It¢s been a long time coming, to finally get back to Springer and quench my Springer fever that I get every year. As always, I¢m looking forward to an exciting trip with many interesting people on and along the trail. For my job, I¢m sure I will miss the money, benefits and co-workers, but like the old saying goes ¢A Man has to do what A Man has to do¢!!! Especially the way the world has become, we need to start living NOW!!! There will be other jobs, I¢m sure, who knows, maybe I¢ll come up with something during the hike, anything is possible!!!
Date: 2014-03-12
To: My Semi-retirement card!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Some of the people I work with, surprised me with a card and an awesome gift. It really was a surprise, I have never had anything like this before and it means a great deal to me. I¢m really not officially retiring, but just retiring from the job. I figure I will always have to be working at something so actually at this point retiring doesn¢t seem to be in my near future!!! This is the last week of work, then two weeks of vacation, then off to Georgia!
Date: 2014-03-30
To: Greyhound Bound
Miles today: 0.0

Very soon this morning I will be off for Albany NY to catch a Greyhound bound for Georgia. I'm confident that what is at the end of the ride will more than compensate for the long cramped and frantic 30+ hour bus ride that I'm about to partake in. The last couple weeks have been crazy trying to tie up all the loose ends!!I'm hoping my feet hit the ground pointing in the right direction! So let the journey begin! Dream Big, Dare To Fail
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Springer Mt Georgia

To: Hawk Mt Shelter
Miles today: 9.1

4/1 Springer Mountain to Hawk Mt Shelter 9.1miVery long bus ride to get down here. Stayed at hiker hostel yesterday, nice place. Today was long and hot. Lots of hikers on the trail, tent city here with a few hammocks thrown in. Everybody is just feeling it out. I never really got a chance to try out all my new equipment, so I'm testing it as we speak. Early bed tonight.
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Hawk Mt Shelter

To: Woody Gap Campsite
Miles today: 12.9

Did not sleep well last night. Spilled my pee bottle so I had clean that up at two in the morning. Started very early, had wait for it to get light out. I got to Gooch Mt. Shelter and decided to push five more miles to this place (Woody Gap Campsite). Very tired and sore, I must sleep now.
Date: 2014-04-03
From: Woody Gap Campsite

To: Neel Gap Hostel
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Third day of hiking, so far so good. Went over Blood Mountain today. Trying to keep my thru-hiker mindset by getting up early and start hiking by 7am. This hostel is full with many tents outside. I am amazed at how many people are starting this trail this year. Should be entertaining to say the least. There was a church group that came to the hostel and fed us. It was very good.
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Neel Gap Hostel

To: Low Gap Shelter (Campsite)
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Did not sleep good in the hostel last night. Besides the place being disgusting, I had a snorasaurus under my bunk. Today's weather was very good for hiking, cool with lots of wind and some light sprinkles off and on. Once again, lots of people here with tents everywhere. The legs are sore. It's raining now so I'm in my tent.
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Low Gap Shelter (Campsite)

To: Cheese Factory Campsite
Miles today: 13.4

It was windy last night and the coldest night yet. I had to wear more layers of clothes this morning until the sun came out and it turned out to be a beautiful day. Most hikers have acquired their trail names, now just having trouble remembering them. The trail is crowded now. Last night I bet there was 50 people around there. I'm usually in my tent early just trying to get as much rest as possible until my trail legs come back.
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Cheese Factory Campsite

To: Moreland Gap Campsite
Miles today: 12.0

Sorry for the lame journal. I hope to get caught up soon, still adjusting to trail life. Looking at rain coming in tonight. It will be a test to see if everything works. Camped one mile from the gap where I will go to the town of Hiawassee GA. I hit the food just right, just enough food left for breakfast. The food is a huge part of the strategy, knowing how much for how many days. The creations you can come up with are endless. I couldn't eat what I eat out here in my real life, if I did I would be an overweight diabetic with salt issues.
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Moreland Gap Campsite

To: Dicks Creek Gap (Mulls Motel Hiawassee GA)
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: light rain

Lots of rain and wind last night, everything is fairly damp. Quick hike out this morning. In town to do chores, for the next 4 days sharing a room with BC (Bottle Cap)
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Dicks Creek Gap (Mulls Motel Hiawassee GA)

To: Bly Gap Campsite
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

4/8 mulls motel - Bly Gap ga/nc Finished up town chores and got back to the trail at 11 am. I have now reached the GA/NC border. One state down, 13 to go. Starting to get the equipment and routine dialed in, seems to get easier setting up and taking down every day you do it. This campsite is excellent, nice view and right on the border. Camped near Steady and Jade.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Bly Gap Campsite

To: Beech Gap Campsite
Miles today: 12.1

4/9 bly gap campsite - beech gap campsite 12.1 miVery foggy windy cold and damp this morning but I managed to get out of camp fairly early. It started sleeting as I was descending down to deep gap. Before I forget there was the biggest blackest and hairyest spider inside my tent last night needless to say I won!! The sun came out and it was a nice day. I called merrell about my r shoe the heel messed up on the inside. I will have to deal with this in franklin nc.
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Beech Gap Campsite

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

4/-10 Beech Gap Campsite to long branch shelter 11.8 mi tentToday started out a little chilly but warmed up quick into a very nice day. I reached the 100 mi mark at Albert Mt. where I ate a celebratory meal of tuna cheese cocktail sauce and mayo wrapped in a tortilla. The shoe problem has given me a blister on ths side of my heel, so I get to try out my blister skills. As soon as I arrived here, the shoes came off and the feet were in the stream. Just what Dr. Draggin ordered!
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin NC Sapphire Inn))
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Started Walking when it was still dark this morning. I got to the gap just in time to catch the shuttle to Franklin. I have a room at the Sapphire Inn. Went up to the outfitters to get fitted for some new shoes. The shop was great, it took about 1.5 hrs to fit me with some new treads. They feel good despite the blister on my heel. Lots to do today.
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin NC Sapphire Inn)) I

To: Wayah Bald shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday Tommy!9am start, happy to be out of the town. Too caotic and expensive when you stay too long. Nice views today, meeting new hikers every day. So far so good with the new shoes (Brooks Cascadia trail runners). My right heal is still sore from the old shoes.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: wayah bald shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgon shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

14. The hike today started out fine but it started to fog in then rain. I stopped at wesser bald shelter, almost stayed there but it was getting crowded and then the sun came out so I left and ended up here, got all set up and ate my dinner now it is raining.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: A. Rufus Morgon shelter

To: Sassafras Gap shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: moderate rain

15 It poured all night but stopped very early this morning. I got up and out early and made it to the NOC (Nanathala Outdoor Center) before it started to rain again. I had breakfast at the restaurant, did laundry, resupplied, printed my permit for the smokies, and had lunch. It poured until about 12:30 pm, then I headed out. The higher I got, the colder it got until it started snowing and blowin hard. I got to this place where there was kind of a freak show going on. I found a nice uneven tent spot, pitched it, got in it, and never came out. Listened to the wind blowing and the snow hitting of my tent.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Sassafras gap shelter

To: Campsite near Walker Gap
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

16 Nearly froze last night, it got down to the low 20s, very uncomfortable night. It really tested the equipment to it's limits. Out early, the trail was still frozen so it was easier to walk on with good traction. Sun is out, cool breeze blowing. Stopped for water and carried it up to this site, just above Fontana Reservoir, must be a better place than the shelter where I got water. In here by 6:30. Life is good!
Date: 2014-04-17
From: campsite near walker gap

To: Fontana Dam NC (lodge)
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: broken clouds

It was very cold last night with wind. It was a good move to stage myself right before a 4 mi downhill to breakfast. Call this a nero day if you will. Staying at the Fontana Lodge tonight, need to regroup for the Smokies. I like this job better than my last job!
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Fontana Dam NC (lodge)

To: Russell Field shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

18 I totally saturated all the luxeries of the lodge, for me it was a good move. I had a semi late start at about 8:45. I have entered the Smokey Mountains. I had to turn in my permit in a special box to hike through the park. I saw a bear cub and it's mother about a mile from the Mollies Ridge shelter. The cub ran across the trail about 15 yds in front of me and off to the left was it's mother running close behind at full speed. I stopped and yelled "hey bear" and they ran off. I ate dinner at the last shelter and left at 5:30pm and hiked the 2.8 miles to here. Lots of hikers, the shelter is full. MY PAWS HURT TODAY!
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Russell Field shelter

To: Silers Bald shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

19 Woke to rain at 4am, it was still sprinkling at 6am when I started to pack up. Drizzled all day on and off. I'm gladly in my tent and it is pouring now. Shelter is full and very noisy. I have no desire to sleep in a shelter, lots of young people partying. I burnt a hole in my new down jacket, I was pissed! Did it with the heat shield on my stove. I think it will be a long cold night.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Silers Bald shelter

To: Newfound Gap Gatlinburg TN GrandPrix Motel
Miles today: 12.5

20. Poured most of the night with high winds. When I got up it had stopped and the wind had blown my tent totally dry. Today, I summitted the highest point on the AT (Clingmans Dome in TN) and I have passed the 200 mile mark. The AT runs near the border of TN and NC. When I came out at Newfound Gap, there was a couple who had an awesome spread of food and drink with about 25 hikers enjoying the trail magic. I got a ride to Gatlinburg from a very nice couple who are planning a 2014 SOBO thru-hike. Life is awesome!
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Newfound gap Gatlinburg TN GrandPrix Motel

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0

21 Started out with AYCE breakfast, then Post Office and market for resupply. Today was a nero out of town, only hiking 3 miles to this shelter. I got back on the trail at about 3pm after a 45 min. hitchhiking session. Once I'm glad to be out of that chaotic atmosphere of Gatlinburg. For now, one night seems sufficient for a town stay.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Ice Water Spring shelter

To: Cosby Knob shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: moderate rain

22 Nice early start today, off into the fog I went. Soon after I started walking. I saw something moving ahead on the trail, it was a large red squirrel trying to carry an egg the size of it's head! That was crazy! I took a picture of the egg. Long day, decided to push to this place. It was raining and too early to stop. My heels are cooking, got to rest. Very muddy trail today.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Cosby knob shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

23 Wow, last night's tent site was very quiet, but I did hear something scurrying around near my tent. I was the only one tenting in that spot. Starting to see lots of signs of spring. Flowers, leaves, and ferns are starting to show up along with allergies. Stopped at Standing Bear Farm to resupply and I also bought some hot dogs and buns and carried them up to here. I'm too lazy to build a fire, so I boiled them on my stove. Can you imagine, I ate the whole package, 7 full size hot dogs with buns and nothing on them! They were good, but would have been better if I had the nuts to build a fire.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Groundhog creek shelter

To: Bluff Mt. Summit
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

24 Camped up on Bluff Mountain summit 4686ft all alone. It might rain so it is a risk. Spent some time today on Max Patch, it has a spectacular 360 degree view. It was so nice with a breeze blowing. I'm going to try to make it for lunch in Hot Springs tomorrow, it's about 10 miles from here. Did a double dinner tonight.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Bluff Mt. Summit

To: Hot Springs NC Elmers Sunny Bank Inn
Miles today: 10.7

25 It got very windy up on Bluff Mountain last night and it rained a little early this morning. Just before I reached Hot Springs two deer showed their faces for a photo op. Strolled in to town around 12:30 and was able to get a room here, which is hard to do. There is another hiker in the room. This place serves only vegetarian dinners and breakfast which I will try in the morning. I couldn't get to the shower soon enough, I was really rough. Eat, resupply, eat, rest, eat, typical town agenda today. Still meeting new hikers every day. This town is full to capacity today.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Sugarloaf Gap Campsite
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: moderate rain

The terrain today was the rockiest we have seen so far, there were even a couple places you had to use your hands. When I got to Flint MT. Shelter it got really dark in the sky, sure enough it started to rain. I sat there for a minute and then walked out of a perfectly good shelter into the rain, , then the sun came out for the rest of the afternoon. Made it to this campsite, looks like we are going to get a storm tonight.
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Sugarloaf Gap Campsite

To: Whistling Gap Campsite
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light rain

Well, I felt the poser of the storm last night, very high winds and heavy rain with lots of flashes of lightening. The tent held up really well, I didn't get wet at all. It was tough picking up because it was still really windy and the tent was wet. It cleared up, except for the wind. When I got to Big Bald 5516' the wind was blowing like crazy. I stopped at Big Bald Shelter and ate dinner, then left and hiked to here. VERY WINDY!
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Whistling Gap Campsite

To: Erwin TN Super 8 Motel
Miles today: 12.9

Whistling Gap lived up to its name last night, the wind whistled all night, very strong but the tent held up well. Up and out of camp very early, got to town about 1pm, caught a shuttle to this place. Now the usual town frenzy to get stuff ready for the next push.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Erwin TN Super 8 Motel

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Late start out of town, had chores to do, very nice hiking weather today. I had Trail Magic at Indian Grave Gap by BT...brownies, bananas, and sweet tea. It was great. I'm starting to feel myself getting stronger, I think my hiking legs are coming back. I still can't believe how many campsites there are since my 2005 hike, they are everywhere.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Ash Gap Campsite
Miles today: 15.2

Stopped by the Greasy Creek Friendly to eat and resupply and visit CC, who I remember from 05. To me, it is one of the coolest places on the trail. CCbis a sweetheart and makes you feel right at home. Even though it was a 1.2 mi detour it was worth it. Camped on the side of Roan Mat 5350 ft.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Ash Gap Campsite

To: Elk River Campsite
Miles today: 24.1

Very cold last night, up and over Roan Mt today, it was freezing and windy. Nice views today on Little Hump and Hump Mts. Lunch at Over Mountain Shelter, love that place...it is a large converted barn. Made it to here just before dark, my longest day so far. It wasn't intended, it just happened.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Elk River Campsite

To: Campsite near trail to Hampton
Miles today: 21.4

5/4 RIP TommyLots of dew last night, my tent is soaked with condensation from the grass. Washed up in Elk River, it was cold for the boys and it took miles for my feet to warm up. The sun is out. The last part of the day was tough on my feet. This place is nice, camped next to a river. I got to take a shower.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Campsite near trail to Hampton

To: Campsite N of Wilbur Dam
Miles today: 10.1

5/5 It was about 5 mi round trip walk into Hampton TN for resupply, breakfast, and lunch. Once I got back to the trail it was a very hot walk to this spot. I kept walking until this flat spot showed up. The ground around Watauga Lake Shelter was not flat and all the good sites around the lake were taken.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Campsite N of Wilbur Dam

To: Campsite above Low Gap
Miles today: 22.6

5/6 I heard something walking around not far from my tent about 3am, then I heard a turkey gobble, hopefully that is what it was. Shortly after I started walking this morning I heard some major crashing going on through the bushes, maybe a bear or deer. I also heard my first tree fall, very loud, sounded like it must have taken several others with it. Today I would classify as a perfect day weather wise, sunny with a light breeze blowing and mild terrain as well. I stopped by the Double Springs Shelter for water and there was a sketchy dude with jeans on there. Later I heard he was wacked out on meth. Even out here there are some nut jobs.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Campsite above Low Gap

To: Hiker Inn Damascus VA
Miles today: 15.4

5/7 Took my time getting going today. Very hot and my allergy symtoms have kicked in due to spring blooming. Stopped to get water at the last campsite, just before town I saw a fairly large black bear. He saw me too and went crashing through the forest. I'm staying at the hiker inn. My shoes are starting to get the banana peel symtom. I would like to get several hundred more miles from them if possible. Will be in VA for 500 mi, glad to be out of TN.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Hiker Inn Damascus VA

To: Pond Campsite
Miles today: 11.6

5/8 I decided not to stay another night in Damascus. The guy sleeping in the bunk house with me was another snorasaurus all night! For some reason Damascus didn't float my boat, so I did what I needed and left. Now I have my summer sleeping bag and sent my winter one home. I also had to replace the insoles in my shoes, actually the shoes are about spent. I ordered new ones and they are being sent to Pearisburg (thank you sweetie). I discovered that fish tacos are good! I had two deep fried catfish tacos along with a 12" philly cheesesteak and fries. The furnace is running!
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Pond Campsite

To: Wise shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

5/9 The bullfrogs were a croakin last night it rained and drizzled on and off all day. Went through Grayson Highlands State Park and got some good pics of the ponies. Got here late, walked by the shelter freak show. Happy to be in my ten! It's raining, no it's pouring! 500 mi whoo! hoo!
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Atkins VA Relax Inn
Miles today: 22.2

5/11 The rain finally stopped sometime early this morning. I moved out early, stopped by the partnership shelter which has a cold shower and a sink. Pushed on after two sodas at the visitor center. Got here at 6pm. I have two blisters, my right foot has a strange blister between my big toe and the one next to it. My left foot has a large blister on the little toe, basically the whole tip of the toe is a blister...nasty! I'm defintely sure the shoes are worn out. This room stinks, but it stunk before I came in.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Atkins VA Relax Inn

To: Crawfish Gap Campsite
Miles today: 6.3

5/12. I was going to take the day off, but the restaurant up the road was closed and the room smells too bad. I picked up the resupply stuff and ate lunch, walked to here and relaxed the rest of the day to give my blisters a chance to rest along with my body.
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Crawfish Gap Campsite

To: Walker Gap Campsite
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

5/13 Last night just before dark the whip-poor-will's came out, they make this call and it goes on forever and there about 1/2 doz of them doing it all at once. You think you are in a jungle. When I came out of the the tent this morning it was still a little dark so I had my headlamp on and glanced over where the fire ring was and there were two eyes looking back suddenly. It flew right towards me, it was a whip-por-will it turned and landed in a tree and started it's sound. Today was a challenge, lots of climbing in high heat and humidity. I met Lumbermac who was leaving cokes and pb&j sandwiches, he hiked the trail in 05/06. After I got to this place several other hikers and myself were cooking dinner when a huge dead tree decided to fall right across from where we were, about 50 yds away. If you are in the woods long enough you will see a tree fall.