morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-11-02
From: Sugar Run Gap

To: Lickskillet Hollow
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: light rain

Great hiking day. Trail was good and the weather perfect. Today's count 4 hunters, 4 section hikers, 1 thru hiker (Afternoon Delight) zero Bears I hadn't seen AD since the Doyle in Duncannon. He contracted Lymes disease and had to leave the trail for a few days but all is good now. His Dad came down from New Hampshire this weekend and they will hike a few days together.   Speaking of Lymes disease Holly was bit by a tick yesterday and I had one on my pants today so we will be more diligent with our tick checks. These are the first ticks I've seen since I started my hike. I haven't taken any photos of flowers but thought I better since there is a possibility of snow tonight. Hike on.
Date: 2013-11-05
From: O'Lystery Pavillion (VA 42)

To: Brushy Mountain (VA601)
Miles today: 27.2
Weather: broken clouds

Dogs are tender. Long day even if the hiking was fairly easy. Couple of good climbs early over Walker and Little Brushy mountains. Beautiful day and little warmer (35 degrees) starting out. Met Buddy Backpacker a five (that's right) five year old AT thru hiker. He came down the trail and I was like whoa are you lost. Then his mothers boyfriend came around the corner. See link to his page. http://www.buddybackpacker.com/about/.
Date: 2013-11-06
From: Fox Creek

To: Elk Garden
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

Started at Fox Creek so I could hike Grayson Highlands before the rain predicted for tomorrow. Even so the clouds were very low this morning (very foggy and wet) but got better through the day. Holly hiked up to Maasie Gap and we spent time with the wild ponies. The Highlands are pretty amazing. Another great day on the AT.
Date: 2013-11-12
From: Hampton, TN

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

They predicted snow showers and they were right. Started hiking at sunrise and got over Pond Mountain and down to Laurel Falls. Started lightly raining then turned to snow just as I got to Dennis Cove (USFS Rd 50) where Holly was waiting. We drove down to Erwin, fixed some chili and I'm sitting in the Mountain Inn watching the Mountaineers play Virginia Tech. Life is very good.
Date: 2013-11-15
From: Carvers Gap

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 15.2

Nice day walking through the woods straddling the North Carolina and Tennessee state line with the left foot in North Carolina and the right foot in Tennessee most of the day. One thing I noticed this morning were the nesting boxes while climbing up Roan High Knob. Later I saw what appeared to be a very small owl fly overhead and I wondered if they were related. Sure enough an internet search revealed a graduate student placed the nesting boxes there in the early '90's and they are used by the Northern Saw-whett owl. If it was a Northern Saw-whett, very cool. Hike on.
Date: 2013-11-16
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Nolichucky River (Erwin, TN)
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

Beautiful day on the AT. Nice climb through the evergreens leading to the summit of Unaka Mountain then a ridgeline traverse through knolls and balds (Photo is of Beauty Spot Gap) including Cherry, Low, Deep, Indian Grave and Curley Maple Gaps then the descent down to the Nolichucky River.
Date: 2013-11-18
From: Spivey Gap

To: Devil Fork Gap
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: clear sky

Nice day on the trail after the heavy rains yesterday afternoon. Crossed Big Bald (see days other photos) a superb example of a true bald of the Southern Appalachians. Photo is my "art" shot of the Hogback Ridge Shelter through the trees. Hike on.
Date: 2013-11-19
From: Devil Fork Gap

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: clear sky

Crossed Big Butt and Coldspring Mountains and the high barren ridge of Firescald Knob consequently lots of climbing with lots of roots and rocks. The photo is of a single grave with military headstones located on the ridgecrest of Coldspring Mountain. David and William Shelton joined the NC Company backing the union cause and were killed in an ambush by Confederates along with a boy lookout when they returned to rendezvous with their families at a mountain cabin.
Date: 2013-11-22
From: Max Patch

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Saw my first bear since Virginia between Max Patch and Brown Gap. He was hauling and not interested in checking me out. Probably because of all the hunters with dogs I've seen the past couple of days. Photo is my first close up view of the Smokies from Snowbird Mountain Not sure how much I'm going to see over the next couple of days given the rain/snow forecasted. It is what it is. Hike on.
Date: 2013-11-23
From: Davenport Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knob
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Entered the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on a rainy dreary day. Cleared later in the day but didn't see much in the beginning but trees and fog. The plane wreckage photo is the remains of a F-4 that smashed into Inadu Knob at the intersection of the AT and Snake Den Ridge Trail on 1/4/84. Unfortunately both crewman were killed. Since 1920 more than 55 planes have crashed into GSMNP. Another interesting factoid is the land comprising the park was deeded to the US by John D Rockefeller with the stipulation that there be no charge for admittance. No wonder it is the most popular park in the country.
Date: 2013-11-24
From: Tri-Corner Knob

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Winter wonderland but cooooold. 10 this morning and snowing. Great day on the trail once I warmed up. Shoutout to Rodney and Stuart (good guys from Alabama) who shared a very cold shelter with me last night. It would have been a really long night without your company.
Date: 2013-11-25
From: Newfound Gap

To: Clingmans Dome
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Walked to the top of Clingmans Dome (highest point on the AT - 6643') but decided not to continue due to the severe storms coming this way. Plan is to stay near Gatlinburg until Thanksgiving morning then head back out on the trail. Photo is from Clingmans observation tower looking South toward Fontana lake.
Date: 2013-11-27
From: Clingmans Dome

To: Smoky Mountain Resort
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

We are settled into a nice cabin just outside of the park. Rained all day yesterday. Woke up to several inches of snow this morning and still snowing. Plan is to wait for the storm to move through today and check the amount of snow on the trail tomorrow then decide what to do. I would like to get through GSMNP before shutting it down for the year.
Date: 2013-11-29
From: Smoky Mountain Resort

To: Spence Field
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

The Newfound Gap road was closed until 9 this morning so that meant I would be getting a late start and might not reach the shelter before dark. Not exactly what I wanted to do with 10 inches of snow to hike through. It was a beautiful sunny day and I felt good. There were several section hikers out so there was only about a six mile section that I had to break trail. After over 2000 miles I'm in pretty good shape and made it to the shelter with daylight to spare. When I got to the shelter I had company (Haiku and Barefoot from MARYVILLE, NC). They even built a fire Very nice. As an added bonus it was a beautiful clear night with no moon so I got up several times to gaze at the stars. It was then I firmly decided this would be my last night on the trail and what a great night it was.
Date: 2013-11-30
From: Spence Field

To: Fontana, North Carolina
Miles today: 16.4

My last day on the trail. What a great day. I've hiked over two thousand miles since I retired. Hard to believe after the inauspicious start in July. Had nice visits with former through hikers Trickster (no regrets) and Peach who is a friend of fellow Southbounder Chaco. I'm not sure how to put into words what the the last five months has meant to me and how it has changed me so I may add a postscript at some point. But I definitely realize what a great love I have for my family and how important they are to me. Without their support (especially Holly, my incredible wife who I love more than life itself) I wouldn't be writing this. I also discovered that when it gets right down to it we don't need very much to make us truly happy. Sometimes just a dry place to sit down and a little water can be incredible. There remains a little over 160 miles of the trail to hike to Springer Mountain and I plan to come back next fall and hike the final section after I support my youngest daughter and daughter in law at the Ironman in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I hiked my own hike. Hike on. Mdot.
Date: 2013-01-21
To: Introducing... ME!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello fellow AT enthusiasts!My names Andrew and I would like to be the first to welcome you to my trail journal. I would also like to thank you for taking the time to listen thoughts, opinions and gathered knowledge on this whole exciting journey.Everyone has there own reasons for this pilgrimage, these are mine:I follow my gut, that natural impulse that you have to either do something or to not do something. That impulse drives me, my life takes a turn for the worse when I don't put my faith in it. That Impulse finds me a new overwhelming challenge ever 3 years or so, every three years it seems to become a bigger and badder task. These big bad tasks always feel overwhelming but I can just about taste the satisfaction that will be mine when I've completed it. There is a fair amount of unknown for me.This is what I do know:1. An AT thru-hike on my resume will open up many doors that I want to walk through career-wise. I want to be a trail guide for Outward Bound.2. My physical stature is fine (for someone whose worked in the food industry his whole life), but I want to enjoy working out and know what it feels like to have that physical strength inside me.3. I want to challenge my mind and complete this task. Completing things to the fullest are hard for me, I tend to get bored after I get over the hump.4. Hiking the AT is one of my father's dreams and I'm sure he'll attempt when he retires, I love the fact that even though it's MY HIKE his fathers prerogative can still take some credit and pride in it.5. I want to discover new attributes and abilities I didn't know I have or have yet to develop.Everybody hiking the trail has some sort of plan, some more elaborate than others. I have a planned itinerary for every day on the trail, I'm under the impression the mileage won't be accurate after the first few weeks but the itinerary will still serve as a valueable tool. This is my plan.March 2nd- Stay at Unicoi Gap with my dad in a hostelMarch 3rd- Take shuttle to Approach Trail to Mt. SpringerMarch 8th- Say Farwell to Dad at Unicoi GapJune 16th- Get off the Trail in approximately MassachusettsJune 19th- Being Work at Camp Yawgoog Rockville,RI for the summerAugust 10th- End Work at Camp Yawgoog Rockville,RI for the summerAugust 12th- Start SoBo from Mt. KatahdinOctober 10th- End up where I left off, Completing my AT Thruhike.October 11th- Planning my next adventureI need to read more of these journals and see what people write so I can follow suit in some ways. I do promise to keep this updated while on the trail and will certainly share with you about the people I meet and about the emotion that I'm sure will flow rabid in my veins.Good Night Journal
Date: 2013-01-23
To: More Gear Came Rolling In
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Over the weekend I had my birthday which was very nice, spent it with family. My dad sewed me some silnylon drawstring bags (varying sizes), I got strapping and lightweight heavy duty carabeeners for my sleep system, as well as some money which I quickly spent it on gear I had been meaning to get.This post is being written because what I had ordered came in and I'm extremely happy with my purchases. The superfeet and my smartwool smartloft jacket are exactly what I had hoped they were (secretly wish the jacket was A LITTLE warmer, but it will serve it's purpose very nicely throughout the ENTIRE trail). Finances are adding up nicely just as planned, only issue (DUM DUM DUM) are my maps. MY MAPS!I ordered the maps months ago at a huge discount which also prompted me to join the Appalation Trail Concervancy. So I wrote emails to the ATC as well as to the gentlemen from thepacka.com to check on my maps and raingear in which I need for the trail. My packa will be on it's way shortly, no anxiety there. My maps however won't be here until mid march, allow me to remind you I'm leaving march 1st. The holdup on the maps are due to a revision in the NC/TN portion of the set.Hopefully I can get it worked out so I have maps to start the trail, I'll start the trail with or without them. I'm not afraid to trust that all I need to do are follow the white dotted trees and numerous other hikers surrounding me, but it'll set my mind at ease some having a map to conference with on my lonely travels. If not for me(I can handle not having maps, really), then for my mother who will be reluctant to let me go without them. This trip is not a way to "get away" or "rebel from society", I love my parents dearly and they have done everything possible to support me. In short, I want the maps.Having my gear surrounding me sprawled out on the floor at this very moment is a very surreal feeling, and it's nice. This very moment is the calm before the storm.ON AN UNRELATED NOTE:This being a journal, I want to tell you more about what is happening besides what is specifically about the trail. I currently live with my best friend from high school, his wife and their two kids. I help them out as much as possible because I love them all dearly. The kids I've grown especially fond of. I had the opportunity to babysit them all day (yes, i see it as an opportunity), I will miss them beyond belief. Waking up alone next to a tree is a sad thought for me right now. It's not swaying my decision any but it's sad none-the-less. Nobody will need me when I'm on the trail, besides me. I will need to be all there and I've spent so much of life serving other, gladly. I enjoy feeling needed and wanted, it fulfills my life and provides meaning. I hope the meaning of this thru-hike hits me hard from the get-go, it'll help me for sure. Lack-less monotony will hurt me.
Date: 2013-03-01
To: Enroute to Green Majesty
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

My father and I are on our way on down to Georgia. With a pack weight of 37lbs with 8 days of food n water I believe I'm ready. Mentally feelin better since we left, early on today. Theres only a few things left to get, I have no regrets on any goodbyes.I worked about 140 hours in the last 2 weeks before leaving so that planet smoothie would have an easy transition with me as outgoing manager... It went well. I feel very confident in the shop. My work crew are some of my beat friends so we got to spend that quality time in and outside of work. All my other most important friends and I found our time to ihop it one last time. Last night was terribly exhausting mentally. Besides having to finish up at work, I had to put my bag all together cause my folks had some of my intended gear n food! What's a pack without food n water? An inaccurate portrayal of the hardship to come :/ All I need now is a lil bit of r ope for my tarp, rainpants, new phone(free upgrade available today!), Nd new shoes. My new balance shoes I planned on wearing for atleast 500 to 1k miles are already wearing apart. I have bad luck with shoes, so unfortunately ill pick all this up in at needs gap on our way down. My dad decided to drop off half his food there to pick it up on our way this week.
Date: 2013-03-03
From: AT Approach Trail

To: Springer Mt Shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: light snow

Day #13/3Started at: AT Approach TrailI rediscovered kindness and a kick-butt breakfast at "The Hiker Hostel" this morning prior to the approach trail. I've already come across potentially permanent friends which is nice. Trading my basic knowledge of knots for an even more basic knowledge of yoga has sparked a friendship with thru-hiker Molly! Throughout the day i found myself mildly uncomfortable, potentially bad if i hadn't adjusted my layers in a smart fashion. I managed nicely, who would've figured snow would coat the ground on my first day in Georgia, NOT ME!!! Dinner was nice and filling, not as hot as i would've liked with my tea but i solved that problem for next time. Tomorrow morning will come around cold and fast. I hope to be comfortable tonight, only accompanied by 4 others (probably due to the weather up there, -16 degrees)Slept at: Springer Mt. Shelter
Date: 2013-03-04
From: Springer Mt. Shelter

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 8.1

Day #23/4Started at: Springer Mt. ShelterWaking up was a frigid and frozen experience, I'd be happy to NEVER not feel my feet again. Early morning, (8am) Molly left ahead of my dad and I are now part of the league of trail-name hikers. I'm Roosta', spelt Rooster and my dad has been tagged as Cubicle. My name was given due to my unmistakable accent and my dad's was given being that he's hittin' the trail straight from a cubicle (and kickin' it's butt if ya ask me). The hike was excellent, no fussing with gloves or hats today. I went out in shorts n' a shirt all day. The scenery reminded me so much of Rhode Island, the plants and weather were identical to hikes through Camp Yawgoog. I feel fortunate to have my father with me through this for the first week. Meeting cool people like Hobo, Ben, Shaggy, Molly, Ow, Chicadee, Beerdra and Monkey have made this experience one of the coolest to date. Off to a comfy night hammocking!Slept at: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Date: 2013-03-05
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

Day 33/5Started at: Hawk Mt. ShelterMet up with Onebell in the morning; intruiged by his smoothie meal I engaged him in conversation. He puts in some carnation instant to sweeten his mix up. I passed along a few Planet Smoothie Planet Pro packs for him to try, he was impressed by the 40 grams of protein and extra fiber. I hope to hear from him again. The day continued a little wet and a little dry, nothing to really talk about. The hike was beautiful though, some amazing outlooks. I can't wait to get some pictures up. The big dilemma of today is tomorrow. There's an area of the trail we need to skip because to camp there we would need bear canisters(heavy bear proof boxes). If we just hiked to the next shelter today (Gooch Gap Shelter) we would have a 14 mile hike tomorrow. We decided to push on, of course as we did that the rain came down, I mean it really came DOWN! I wasn't expecting pea sized hail to accompany us, but they did. Needless to say we heard of some trail magic (in this case it was a man a few miles up giving away hotdogs, soup and hot chocolate) so we busted a groove accompanied by Ow and Chickadee and aunt and niece thru-hike team. Much further than we had expected we got over Ramrock Mountain and were overjoyed to see the man there. The day ended with us staying the night at a super 8 being that it IS a vacation for my dad, we WERE wet and we did have A FREE ride into town. All 4 of us destroyed some burrito's from Mo's (ameri-mexican food), I devoured the calories like i haven't eaten in days. I wanted to jump on the computer while i have to send you these updates and all my love. I'll see how well i do with uploading the pictures too.The support is amazing, and I'm feeling really good. My body is always a lil' tense when i start but the mediocre yoga helps with the stretching and once you move... best bet is to just not stop moving ;-)Hiking out,RoosterSlept at: Super 8/Woody Gap
Date: 2013-03-06
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: snow

Day 43/6Started at Woody GapEarlier on in the trail I acquired a camera from a person I recognized from my stay at "The Hikers Hostel", figured id have the best chance of getting it back to her. Come to find out she had contacted the hostel, the same one picking us up at 7:30 so I started my day by returning a long lost camera, they will get it to the owner up the trail. We were on the trail at 8am. Immediatly upon open the doors vans the wind howled past us, around us and into our core. It was cold fast, I booked it for the trail trying to warm up. Quickly I decided to add more layers, providing me with the catch-up game I love so much. My dad and I pulled away past owl(not ow) and chickadee and found ourselves in blizzard like conditions battling the approach of blood mountain, the tallest so far. I didn't like separating ourselves too far but I couldn't keep going my pace and then waiting, the wind bit me every chance it got. We decided that we would meet at Neel Gap, our destination for the day, not expecting a comfortable opportunity to break from harsh weather. As the situation stood, every hair sticking out of my face was an icicle. My nose was generous enough to supply the moisture. The blood mountain shelter was superb, and degrees warmer than the outside, I waited there instead. By the time he had come I had warmed(relatively speaking) and begun eating(as I often do).I started on some hot tea, just as the second cup came out our friend Owl and Chikadee showed up for the hot treat. More came and went, we all made our way down to Neel Gap and rented a room at the hostel, it ooozed(and smelt of) hiker culture which is majorly cool. As I unpacked my things I wondered and worried of Miss Molly(as capable as she was) I knew it was gunna be a long hike for her from gooch gap. As that thought crossed my mind I heard she had just got in, but all the beds were full. I cleared it with my pops real quick n fully expected to give up my bunk(honestly I feel like I've spent too much time indoors on this trip). It was her and Jacob, before I had to change my plan around we were offered nicer accommodations for less money in a private cabin! They needed 2 bodies, so I volunteered my dad and I. It was beyond cozy and awesome. We cooked a small feast for our tight knit hiker squad, Jacob is now christened Alpha-Dog, and we spent our night relaxing discussing and enjoying the company of 4 friends.We did spend a little time at the hiker hostel, mingling... There are so many good people sharing the trail with us!Slept at : Neel Gap
Date: 2013-03-07
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 11.5

3/7Started at: Neel GapThe morning started off much like an Alpine Dream, an alpine cottage dream where the only stipulation was that your body was tenderized as you slept. The dreamiest part of the morning besides the snow covered mountains in the distance was the chocolate pancakes n' honey I had bought n' my dad had made. It was a great way to start the day. Before hitting the trail we had stopped in at Mountain Crossing Outfitters for a few quick purchases. I bought nothing thanks to the staffman who helped me rework my gear and food so that most the weight was above my shoulderblades, compacting my sleeping bag down. It provided me with more room in the bag. My pace had started strong but quickly slowed to an unusually slower rate, my pack had WAY TOO MUCH FOOD in it. That is a fact i knew prior to the days hike but was too ignorant to remedy by dumping any food. The food was mine and I would eat it, I couldn't waste money. The weather was significantly nicer today, however, we were still forced to deal with the treturous mudslides and ice patches all day. The 12 miles to Low Gap seemed to drag on and on, not rainsing my spirits on the trail any. Fortunately for me meet Dirty Bird was exactly what the doctor ordered for my mood. She was an older woman made of humor, gentle words, and a dirty mouth. We crossed paths and I had smiled. Come dinner time I lightened my food pack significantly, I ate atleast 3 lbs of it! I met quite a few characters that night, but remained closest to our dear Molly, A-Dog and my dad Cubicle. A-Dog decided he would take a zero in Helen, GA for Unicoi Gap. Molly & I, being his friend noticed the possibility of him leaving the trail and said our peace. We were honest, as thruhikers normally are. We don't want to see him leave, but however you hike the trail you must hike your own hike. Off to bed!Slept at: Low Gap