morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-19
To: Home- Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well today I flew down to Atlanta which can only mean that the trail is so very close!! I can't believe that in 3 days I will begin my thru. It seems like only yesterday that I was just thinking about doing this and now the time is actually here! I think that I am ready... I do have a few things left to pick up and some more arranging of the pack to do but other then that I feel pretty good!I did however have to say good bye to some of the things that I won't be taking a long with me like my make up and blow dryer, my really comfortable bed, my good smelling shampoo and conditioner and a few other things! In all seriousness it's kind of hard to walk away from the things that you get use to using on a daily basis... But I think for me it's harder saying good bye to my friends and family. They are the ones that have been my constant support through this whole process. When I hit the oh shit what if I don't finish and I let everyone down, they were the ones that gave me the perspectives that I needed to realize that it would be ok. Do I actually think that I won't finish? No but I certainly hit that moment a couple weeks ago! So to all of you that have been there to support me, thank you!! You all mean the world to me and I wouldn't be where I am today with out you!!!
Date: 2013-03-20
To: Hike Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well the time has finally come... Tomorrow is the start of my thru.. Where has the time gone? It seems like only yesterday that I was getting home from my last work trip and now 6 weeks later I'm back here in Atlanta about to get me hike on... Crazy! I'm still super excited and can't wait for this adventure!I'm hiking with two girls that I have never met before. We found eachother in whiteblaze. Well yesterday I finally met one if them and its funny how similar we are... There's going to come a time on the trail that we will pretty much be twins as we have the exact same outfit, backpack, and shoes!!! It's great to finally be putting personalities to the people that I've been talking to for months and even better knowing that we are going to get along! We will both meet our third member tonight at the hostel and I'm sure she's going to be great as well!!!Tomorrow I write from the trail!!!!
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Springer Mtn 

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today it all began... Thru hike 2013... I'm so excited!!! Last night we spent the night at the Hiker Hostel, great place with great people, Thank you Leigh and Josh and everyone else at the hostel for a great stay! I'm currently hiking with 5 others from the hostel including Kara and Amy my original hiking partners. We met up with Tim- Saint Croix, Dave- Doc, Tom- Banana Shake Dry at the hostel and are still with them here at Hawk Mtn Shelter. There are also a bunch of others here tonight, Flip, Burning Daylight, Scorpion, Robert, Steve and a few others I can't remember their names some thru hikers some section hikers but all super nice. We all sat around a camp fire for quite awhile tonight chatting.... It was a good night. Also here tonight is my good friend Mike Water, he's been my base camp in Atlanta both times I've come to hike and he drove up this morning and met us at the parking lot and hiked with us today. He'll return home tomorrow... I could not be more grateful to Mike and his wife Mary for putting up with me!!! You guys truly are the best!!! The hiking today was much like I remembered only the trees are bare and its a lot colder!!! It wasn't to bad once you got moving but once you stop it's chilly!!! Tonight calls for rain so we will see what that brings... I guess it a good time to test out the new tent, sure hope it doesn't leak!!!
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It did indeed rain last night and I'm happy to report that I woke up dry as a bone this morning!!! It's cold and wet today but eerily pretty with the fog creeping in around the trees. It's so different then hiking this section the end of July... I said goodbye to Mike, as he climbed back into his tent to wait out some of the rain, he has that choice... The rest of decided to suck it up and hike on, Destination Woody Gap a 12.2 mile trek for the day... Today brought one of the longest sections that I remember from last summer, Hightower Gap to Cooper Gap... Up over Sassafrass Mtn... Jamie Miller if you are reading this I'm happy to report that even though it still sucked, it wasn't as bad the second time around!!! And waiting at the bottom of Cooper Gap was our first trail magic!!! Mountain Man with cookies and drinks!!! You were a god send on a dreary cold day!! We actually ran into Mountain Man and his trail magic twice today as he was picking up Sherlock and Circuit Rider at Gooch Gap!! So a double blessing and a huge huge thank you!!! And Sherlock and Circuit Writer it was great meeting you! Enjoy your time with friends and we will see you on the trail!!Our little starting group has broken down into 2 groups... The fast hikers and the slow hikers... Myself, Amy, Banana Shake Dry, and Michael- Bo Jangles have all hiked together into Woody Gap, we are also here with Burning Daylight, Robert, and Chuck... The rest are 3 miles ahead of us and I'm sure we will see them at Neels tomorrow.It's getting colder by the minute as I lay in my tent and type this, it's suppose to rain tonight so we get to enjoy that again... I doubt it'll be the last time! But as my fingers are freezing I'll bid you all a goodnight!
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: snow

Last night was interesting to say the least. It rained and was windy. But best of all was the thunder and lightning that literally felt like it was sitting on top of us. Rather scary when you're sleeping in a tent out in the open under a bunch of dead trees! But we all survived, some a little worse then others. Both Amy and Shake Dry are doing the hammock thing and neither one of them was very happy last night. Shake dry ended up in Bo Jangle's tent... Little sleep was had by most of us between the rain and the lightening so it made for a long nightAfter a restless wet night we said good bye to Shake Dry as he was catching a ride into town to get dry and find a tent. I'm hoping he will rejoin us tomorrow. He was catching a ride with a couple that also had coke for us this morning!! When it's wet and you don't feel like breaking out the stove a coke will go a long way!! So thank you for that... And also to the gentleman who had little Debbie cakes at Woody Gap for us, they were delicious!!! The day was pretty wet and miserable... One of those days that you start to freeze as soon as you stop moving so we didn't stop a whole lot! We were also trying to make it into Neels Gap so we could have a dry night! Neels Gap fills up fast on wet and miserable days! So thank goodness we had the fast group ahead of us so that we were all able to get bunks in the hostel for the night! Even after a few days you take for granted a dry roof over your head and also a warm shower but boy was I grateful for both of those things today!! The slow group has decided that we are going to stay another night in Neels Gap to rest some blisters and sore knees, we will move over to the cabins in the morning and rest up! The fast group is heading out and going to try for a 18 mile day... I wish them all the best!!! My legs would kill me if I tried to do that many miles this early in the trek.. So I'll take it easy and enjoy a dry roof over my head for one more night!!!
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Neel Gap

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

I woke up this morning to blueberry pancakes and coffee... It can't get much better then that!!! Pirate does an amazing job of keeping hikers happy and feed!!! Thanks for all that you do Pirate!!! It was nice to have a slow morning where all I really had to think about was browsing through the outfitters and getting a few things to tied me over for the next couple of days!!! We also woke up today with white stuff on the ground, I know that I'll have to hike in it eventually but I'm happy to delay it a day... Kara- Two Speed, Doc, St. Croix, Flip, and Blue Eyes all took of for blue mtn shelter this morning, an 18 mile hike. Doubtful that we will see them again as they are hiking likes batts out of hell... But I wish them all the best and a safe hike! Shake Dry is still holed up in Dahlonaga, so by the time we leave tomorrow he will be a little bit behind us... Hoping he's feeling better and ready to get back in the hike.It's funny how fast you bond with people out here. I'm sad to see the people that I started with on day one no longer hiking with me but I'm also happy to have the group that I do and I also know that we may not all stay together for the long haul but that I have made some good friends in just a few short days. The group heading out of here tomorrow and that will be the group that I hike with for at least a little while any ways will be myself, Amy- Nighting Gale, Bo Jangels, Burnin' Daylight, Robert- Walmart, and Bitter Goat who caught up with us last night! It's a fun group and I'm sure they will keep my spirits high as we face the snow and cold days that await us... But the cold, wind, rain, and any other weather out here on the trail is so much better then a day spent behind a desk so tomorrow we continue to hike north!!!!Tonight I write this from the warmth and comfort of Blood Mountain Cabins, it's been a great just chilling and chatting... Tomorrow calls for cold, so I bid you all good night...
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Zero Day

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning at a very leisurely pace, we planned to head out around 10... Let me just tell you, it's cold out here and not getting any warmer!!! I'm currently holed up inside my tent and sleeping bag trying to stay warm!!! But the day itself wasn't so bad, yes it was cold but it finally wasn't raining and you could actually see stuff! So we were all pretty happy about that. Happy enough that someone drew a little smiley face in the snow along the trail!There was a huge group of us that started out of Neel Gap at the same time this morning and we leap frogged with most of them until about lunch and them never saw them for the rest of the day. Due to the cold we didn't end of stopping a whole lot today just pressed on to Low Gap Shelter. We got in set up camp, ate dinner, and crawled into sleeping bags... It's suppose to get down to 18 to tonight! Chilly, I'm just hoping that I can stay warm!!!! Over all the hike has been pretty good. My feet hurt a little bit, mainly just my right heel, but they are fairing way better then I thought they would and the rest of my body seems to be holding up as well,super happy about that... Huge shout out to everyone at the Militia Box, pretty sure I would be way worse off if I hadn't of spent the last month with you guys!!!Nighting Gale took a face plant today, she's fine, but when she first stood up it was so hard not to laugh as she had mud all over her nose and face! Oh the joys! It's not surprising as the ground is super muddy!I'm going to turn in and try and stay warm!!!
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.8

It was pretty cold last night but I was able to stay warm, glad I decided to bring my warmer sleeping bag! We started out this morning in cold but it warmed up throughout the day. It's been really nice hiking in the sun! Today was our longest hiking day so far at just over 13 miles! I'm feeling pretty good about it. The trail has been wet and muddy but overall not to bad!!We are currently camped out at the Cheese Factory Site, a place where some guy actually had a cheese factory in the mountains, crazy... Especially considering he hills you have to climb to get here!!!Nothing too exciting happened today, just a freezing cold morning into a sunny afternoon... Finally!!!
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Broke up camp this morning and headed up Tray Mtn... That's one big climb up hill!!! And GA doesn't believe in switchbacks so you pretty much hike straight up hill!!! This would be the first of 2 big climbs of the day... The second one came at the end if the day when we climbed up Kelly's Knob, another straight up, Not sure which one was worse, but they both just about killed me!! We are at Deep Gap shelter tonight and the first shelter that we will actually stay in as we were the first ones here and we are going to try and get a super early start tomorrow so that we can catch the 9:15 shuttle at Dicks Creek Gap into Hiawassee for showers, food, and laundry. And so the Nighten Gale can rest her ankle and Bo Jangles can rest his knees. I feel kinda if bad, everyone has something that hurts and I don't have anything! My right heel had been killing me but it didn't hurt today at all so we shall see! A few other hikers rolled in after us, so it's been a fun night chatting with others while sitting around a fire. The best part is that it hasn't been freezing so I don't feel like I have to climb into my sleeping bag just to stay warm!!! It's a winning situation
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawasee Budget Inn
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: few clouds

Well we have made it into Hiawasee!!! The laundry has been done, the showers have been Aiken, food has been eaten... So all is good in the hiking world!!! We started out the day before the sun was up so we got to see the sunrise while we were hiking into town, very pretty...We met up with a few other hikers, Mailman and Nova, very cool people! We had dinner and then came back to our room with a few beers and some NCAA March Madness... Overall a very good day... Tomorrow we will head into Franklin for the Hiker Bash and to see the fast group... It should prove to be a good couple of days off!
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Hiawasee Budget Inn

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So today we finally found a ride into Franklin and were able to meet up with the rest of out starting group!! The Hiker Bash was kind of a bust but any time we get to see the rest of the group it's always fun! We found out that Saint Croix is starting to take it a little easier, so we might meet up with him along the way and if not then he should be able to hook up with Walmart and Bitter Goat! 2-speed, Doc, Flip, and Blue Eyes are all still hiking like crazy so we shall see them again in VA at Trail Days!We have officially become the Wolf Pack with the haulers and the crawlers!! It's amazing what some laughs and a few beers can do!!! We like it and I feel fortunate that I've been able to find some good people right out of the gate to hike with!! Tomorrow we will set out once again and by this time tomorrow night Georgia will be left behind as we enter into North Carolina!!! Bring It!!!
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Hiawasee Budget Inn

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Happy Easter Everyone!!! While most of you celebrate with family and Easter baskets, I spent my day hiking in Gods country!! Couldn't have been better!!Today we left the comforts of town to once again brave whatever Mother Nature decided to throw at us. We also crossed into North Carolina! Woot one state down, 13 more to conquer!!! North Carolina brought some wicked up hills and the rain! Not a very nice welcome into the new state, but then again we've been rained on before and we've climbed up some hills so I guess it's nothing new! Although I'm pretty sure the climb into NC has got to be the longest one we've done so far!It was a pretty nice day, warm even until the rain kicked in and even then it wasn't all that bad... Just wet which makes the trail a muddy mess, one that I saw first hand as I slid my way down catching myself and only coming away with one really muddy hand! I was kind of impressed with my gracefulness!As the sun is about to go down its gonna get cold so I bid you all a good night!! And if you've got nice weather, send it our way, we could all really use a break!!
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

It rained once again last night... I have every faith that one of these days it's going to stay dry for a few days in row!!! But until then we shall endure the rain and the mud! The day however was gorgeous!! Sunny and amazing, yes the trail is still muddy but so much easier hiking in the sun!! I love hiking in North Carolina!! They actually believe in switch backs! The ups and downs here are much longer but the switch backs make it so much easier!!We made it into Carter Gap pretty early so we were able to set everything out to dry and actually had a nice afternoon chatting with everyone here at the shelter! I have to say, it seems that my legs and body are finally coming around and it is starting to get a little easier! Yesterday my pack felt so heavy, which it was as it was the first day out of town and I was heavy on food and liquid... But today I felt amazing!!! My feet start to hurt towards the end of the day but overall I feel pretty good!!! Tomorrow we will hike over Albert Mtn. I'm actually excited about it! It had rained all day last summer when we hit there and tomorrow it's suppose to be sunny again so I'm excited to see it when it's sunny!!! It's getting late, 8pm so I shall turn in and get some sleep!!!
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

It was a very cold night for me in the shelter last night! Not sure why but I froze.... Today however proved to be a very good day, at least the part after I totally face planted proved to be a good day! Yes I once again fell today and this time it was pretty good, the best part was that it was totally flat and I honestly can't tell you what happened except for the fact that I was looking up and around instead of at the ground!! So note to self, look where you're walking!!!Albert Mtn was once again amazing!! The rock climb up to Albert was just that, a rock climb and as hard as it was, it was still pretty fun! The view at the top of the fire tower was so worth the rock climb! With Albert Mtn behind us, we also pass the 100 mile mark, woohoo only a few more to go! The day ended pretty early and it was a very warm day, so we set up camp at the shelter and enjoyed the warmth and the other hikers! We also got a visit from Happy Jack who brought chips and beer up to the shelter!!! Thank you ever so much! Beer is always a welcome trail magic treat at the end of the day!!! Tomorrow we hike into Franklin for the weekly shower/food resupply/laundry stop!!
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We got into town yesterday and got all the normal town duties out of the way, even got a ride back to the hotel from a true trail angel Mosey, she was awesome giving 3 hikers loaded down with laundry and groceries!!! Nighten' Gale ended up at the urgent care for an infected toe, so we ended up staying here in Franklin for a full zero day. It's been nice since we also missed a day of rain out on the trail! Tomorrow it's suppose to be nice so we shall head out early and hit the trail once again!Today we headed into downtown Franklin to Outdoor 76, if you're a hiker go see these guys! They are super nice and helpful!! We took the county transit bus into town and got to see a little bit of the town... The bus driver even stopped to deliver a paper to a woman who recently had knee surgery, it was great to see the small town atmosphere in action!!It's getting late and tomorrow we hike, so Good Night and I'll talk to you all from the trail!!
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Franklin, NC

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today we left Franklin... It was calling for showers in the morning but we had an amazing day!!! It was a little eery on the trail as there was ice everywhere! We had heard from a couple hikers that things froze Wednesday night to the point where they left tents in place because they were frozen to the ground! So knowing that it was still a little crazy to see ice where it had fallen off the trees... We also had to deal with mother natures obstacle course, downed tree limbs everywhere... Not sure when all of that happened but it made for an interesting hike!We reached Wayah Bald around 2:30 and it was gorgeous! I love the view from that tower since you can look back onto some of the other mtns we had already climbed! Seeing as it was early we decided to press on a few more miles making this our longest day yet! Tomorrow we should reach the NOC!!
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was yet another gorgeous day!!! Sunny and we were finally able to wear one layer of clothing and I didn't start the day out with frozen fingers!! It was awesome! We did have to deal with more of the obstacle course that is made up of massive trees across the trail! I have also come to realize that the trail did not take into account short legs with 35lbs on their backs! Some of the step ups and downs you have to take are insane!!! But with all that it's still pretty fun out there and Nighten' Gale and I just laugh at each other when trying to get up, down, or around things that were not made for our legs!!!We found out early in the day that there was a hiker festival going on at the NOC, so that made for an even better hike! Nothing gets a hiker going like the threat of free food!! I was just excited because the NOC sits on a river, and as much as I like hiking, I really love being on and around the water!!! So at the end of a day when I can sit and watch some rapids and some kayakers playing in those rapids I'm a happy girl!!! The downhill into the NOC is just that downhill!! Burning Daylight made the observation yesterday that the up hills are always up and the downhills are mostly down but can also be up!! So so very true!!! But once you start going down into the NOC you go down, about 3500ft down.... Which means we have to climb that much to get out of here... It might not seem like much but as soon as you strap a pack to your back its a huge uphill!!!The hiker fest turned out to be a lot of fun! Tons of hikers all in one place make for a loud and fun crowd! It was also nice to see everyone that we have been leap frogging with all in one place!!!Tomorrow calls for a big uphill so I will say goodnight with a full tummy and a happy heart!!!