morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2022-04-26
From: Rich Mountain Lookout Tower

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

What a hard day. I really didn¢t have much fun. Waking up for the sunrise in the watch tower was just beautiful! The sun coming up over a mountain in the distance words fail to describe. And that was the highlight of my day. It started raining an hour or so after that it was a cold rain. The rain pants I did have ripped so I had thrown them out and the rain jacket isn¢t worth it. I got soaked the first time I wore it. So I didn¢t even bother wearing it. I wrapped it over my pack to see if it helped keep my pack dry.It was just a miserable day trudging along in the rain. Lunch was a hurried event at a shelter because of how cold it was. My puffy coat isn¢t waterproof so I kept it tucked away in my bag. I really wanted a hot lunch but there were so many people crammed into a tiny shelter just trying to stay dry it just wouldn¢t have worked.The rain did clear out for about an hour. I came across a sign in that time that gave two options with arrows. Left was the ¢Bad weather alternate route¢ and right was ¢Exposed Ridgeline¢. So of course I chose the exposed Ridgeline. It was actually the most magical climb I¢ve seen so far. The stones were stacked like stairs from a bygone era. With massive rocks forming a pathway you had to follow. There were old trees whose roots crawled over the rocks. I just was amazed. And then to get up on the Ridgeline was so cool. I was up above the tree line and above the surrounding bushes. However, due to the rain and clouds I was in a complete white out. I couldn¢t see more than maybe 30 feet. It felt like I was just out on my little island. Adrift on the mountain air. I loved being up there. The climb down from there was really technical and I almost fell a few times. At the bottom of it I hit mile marker 300. It felt so good to cross it. It was the next dream I was pushing for.The rain started to pick up again when I made it to the shelter I was staying at so I quickly put my tent up and climbed inside. I got my shoes and socks in by the fire in the shelter and then got water. After that I got changed into dry clothes and took a nap. I got up late to make dinner and see other roll into camp. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Date: 2022-04-29
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Uncle JohnnyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

It was an easy walk down into Erwin, TN today. There were some great views on the way down of the river and the town in the distance. I spent some of the morning with Zen and Dubz. Zen is retired from psychology and Dubz has spent the past 6 years in the Army as a Ranger. I really enjoyed hearing more about each of them and why they are on the AT. While we were walking I got a text from Evan with the name of my new nephew. It¢s a good one! I love it.I made it to the Hostel by 10:30am and got a tenting spot. I got a text shortly after being set up that Summer and Brian were on the way to me. I was so excited. They arrived and I gave them both big hugs. It was so great to see them! We went to lunch and they had so many questions for me. They brought my resupply food and items from my parents. So it was good to be able to get food without having to pay for it. Summer and Brian were shocked to see how much I could eat. For every item that I put into my bear canister I would tell them about it and then eat one or more. And I did it with every thing I packed. Even after eating lunch I just continued to eat. They had brought me fresh pineapple. It was so good! I ate almost the whole container.After they left I caught a shuttle into town and hung out at the outfitter with a few people. I got my picture taken with Billy the Bigfoot. Whom they had sitting in a camp chair in their window. I loved it. I volunteered to ride a towny bike back to the hostel and let Igor ride back in the shuttle. It was so nice to be on a bike again. Even a crappy old towny was a joy.
Date: 2022-04-30
From: Uncle JohnnyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel

To: Campsite under power lines
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Big breakfast at Bojangles. Igor/Flint left. Evening into night hike with Paula. Paula asked me if I had heard that people are either running away from or running to something. I said that I had. She asked if I thought it was true. I told her I thought both were true. We are all both running from and running toward something else. It¢s a duality. She agreed with me but couldn¢t put it into words. She wanted to know what I was running from/to. I told her about how God put a reset on my life last year and I am out here trying to figure everything out. I asked her in return if she would share. I won¢t share it here in respect for her privacy, but she is struggling with figuring out who she is and wants to be. She is young and others will make decisions for her if she doesn¢t begin to. It¢s a tough position. Met up with Cracker, Gumby and Sing Along at the campsite under big power lines to set up for the night. We could hear the power popping all night. It was kinda scary.
Date: 2022-05-02
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Yellow Mountain Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Great day. We went up and over Roan Mountain today. It was a long, hard climb. We stopped and had lunch at the shelter on top of the mountain. It¢s the highest one on the AT. It¢s actually a cabin. It has 4 walls, a door, and a second level you have to climb a ladder to. How cool?! First one we have found like this. Camped at an old barn that was a shelter that had been closed. The barn seemed to be still in good shape but with its age I guess it had to be taken out of service before it did begin to fall. The privy was great! It had a bejeweled seat cover and a great view of the mountains. I woke up in the night to pee and I happened to look up. I was shocked to see the Milky Way in the sky. Just faintly I could tell where it was. I had my fast fly open on the side so I could see out. I was awake for a long while just watching the stars and Milky Way slowly turning. It was an awesome night.
Date: 2022-05-04
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it to down to Dennis Cove Road and up the road half a mile to the Black Bear Resort to get a bunk for the night. It was a long day with not many views. I think one of the things that really kept me going was getting to the resort to get a shower. The shower was really nice. The loaner clothes were even better. They were all nursing scrubs. So I have a crazy shirt with barn animals having a picnic and baby blue pants. It¢s a look for sure. We took over the bunk house. It has 5 bunk beds so the 8 of us in the group took most of the beds. I¢m thankful that we got the beds. The other options for us were to rent a whole cabin and all of us split the price. Which would have been fine but more expensive. I really like the resort area. They are right on the river and have plenty of space. I think this would be a really cool place to rent the whole place out for a weekend for like a wedding or family retreat. I will have to tell Emma about it in case she has someone looking for a location.
Date: 2022-05-05
From: Black Bear Resort

To: Campsite by Spring
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Slack-packed up and over Pond Mountain. It was a 2000 feet elevation gain and loss over 6 miles. It was a good climb. Our packs were taken to Boots Off Hostel. It only cost each of us $5. It was a great deal for us. We went by Laurel Falls. And we climbed in and swam around in the pool. It was freezing cold. I wasn¢t going to but then decided I would regret it. So I climbed in. The trail then followed the river for a while. We actually had a path that went out and around a big rock that jutted into the river. It was really cool. I stayed at Boots Off for a little while hanging out with the group. We all set out together to go around Watauga lake. It was nice going around it. I have plans I¢m trying to make happen so I planned to go further than the rest of them. I stayed to eat supper where some were going to set up. But then Rocket, Messenger, Sing Along, and Gumby decided to move on to find a better place to camp. So we walked out and over the dam. It was really cool. Then when we got the trail again I pushed on ahead.We met Thing 1 and Thing 2 a few days ago and they have been around us. They pushed on to a spring about a mile from the shelter. So I made it here to them as they had pushed on while I ate. They saw 3 bears on their way up here. I didn¢t see anything. The climb up to this ridge was pretty challenging. I¢ve done harder ones it taking it on in the evening sun and racing the sunset made me push hard. I was going to cowboy camp with the guys but then the forecast says we could get rain in the night. Better to wake up and be dry in the morning than to wake up with it raining in the night.It¢s pretty warm tonight. To warm for my 15 degree sleeping bag. I need to look into getting something else for these warmer months.
Date: 2022-01-31
From: Amacalola Falls lodge

To: Springer Mountain 
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Stayed at the lodge. Hiked DOWN the famous stairs to get to the visitor center so I could sign in and get my thru-hiker tag. Then we had to hike UP the stairs and to the top of Springer Mountain. Weather was beautiful. Got very cold at night.
Date: 2022-02-03
From: Above the Clouds

To: NeelÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: moderate rain

Hike today was great. 14.4 miles. We slack packed so we only carried a day pack. It poured down rain ALL day. We were completely soaked. I learned a lot. One is once your boots and socks get totally soaked it doesn¢t matter anymore and your feet will be fine. The other is that slack packing is the way to go when you can do it. The trail was like a river. The water was just running down the trail almost ankle deep. I posted a video of a waterfall that went across the trail. The bad part was there no views. Because we were in the clouds all day we could only see about 200 feet. I posted pictures of our ¢view¢ from blood mountain. It was in the 40s so no ice but was cold in the wind. I know others have had horrible weather so I feel blessed.
Date: 2022-02-04
From: NeelÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: moderate rain

Hiked 6.8 miles today. Today is Matt¢s last day on the trail with me.  We either had to stop where we did or go like 10 more miles. It was an easy decision. He heads back to Indiana tomorrow and I continue on north. Rained today and got colder.  Was quite a bit of ups and downs. Tomorrow supposed to be in the 40s for the high and 20s for the low.  Planned for 11.2 miles.  I¢ll see how it goes. Will send a few pictures in a little bit.
Date: 2022-02-05
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Blue Mountain shelter
Miles today: 12.17
Weather: broken clouds

First day without Matt  I miss his company already  Was very cold here. My Garmin watch said the average temperature was 23. Everything was iced over but it was sunny.  I¢ll post a few pictures. Did 12.17 miles today with a full pack. I know it doesn¢t sound like much but the extra two miles were really tough. It was a very steep uphill and then I had to walk back down the hill to refill my water. I got a resupply box yesterday that I mailed to myself at the inn.   Staying at the blue mountain shelter tonight.  Sleeping in my tent outside the shelter because it¢s warmer in my tent. Shelters only 3 sides. There is a guy Josh here with me who stayed at above the clouds Hostel. He¢s a younger guy says he wants to do 22 miles tomorrow.  He is sleeping in the shelter so he can get an early start tomorrow and doesn¢t have to take his tent down. Sounds crazy. He¢s a nice guy. Another couple just showed up  they are staying in the shelter too I think I have an 8.8 mile day and then an 11 the next two days.  I am going to see if I can make closer to 10 and 10 but changing where I spend tomorrow night.
Date: 2022-02-06
From: Blue Mountain shelter

To: Steeltrap Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Good day today.  Hiked 9.42 miles. Was very cold today and the water tube for my water  bladder froze.  Also the button release on my trekking poles froze and had to pour hot coffee on the other to melt the ice. After I posted last night a group of  7 University of Georgia students came to the campsite and set up in the dark. I got a picture all of our tents  and some scenery shots.  I met a guy on the top of Tray Mountain and he took my picture and I took his.
Date: 2022-02-07
From: Steeltrap Gap

To: DickÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Good day today.  Stayed at Steeltrap Gap last night. Got very cold and when I got up I was in deep fog. My tent got pretty damp on the outside. I was the only one there and it was little creepy seeing the fog roll in out of the valley.  Anyway the sun came up and I hiked onward for about 9.4 miles and got picked up by a shuttle driver and am now at a Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee, GA.  Taking a ¢zero¢ day tomorrow, which means no hiking.  I did a load of laundry already and went to a buffet some hikers were talking about. The buffet was terrible, which is unfortunate because it is right across from the HIE.  Going to put my tent up in my room so it will dry out. Just a few pictures of views along the way. Twp potential trail names. I forgot to mention that there was a second group of UGA students on the trail and they were moving quickly and came up behind me. I let them pass and one jokingly said ¢we name you ¢speedbump¢ because I was slowing them down. We ran into another hiker named speedbump and he told us his name came from similar circumstances. I think it¢s a common name. I ran into another hiker and we talked for a while. He was pretty cool and said he retired as an agricultural extension agent for the US Department of Agriculture and his name was ¢professor¢. He asked what mine was and I told him I didn¢t have one and he looked at my pack and said we should call you ¢heavy lifter¢. He was not a thru-hiker just a day hiker. Anyway. I¢m exhausted and going to bed.  I need to figure out my nutrition and mileage and sleep.  This reminds me a lot of training for a marathon. There are times I feel like I run out of energy and hit the wall. On the other hand I can tell my back and legs are getting much stronger.  I¢ll figure it out and dial it in.
Date: 2022-02-09
From: DickÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Very hard day today. 11.52 miles. Made it to muskrat creek shelter.  Was going to stop at 10 miles but realized that tenting site had no water.  5 other people at the shelter here. 2 couples - one from Michigan and the other from DC.  And a young guy named Hollis from Lancaster, PA. He has no tent or stove and is wearing a big fur coat. He is friendly and tried to build a fire to cook but gave up. He stays in shelters. My shuttle driver was sick this morning so he sent his wife. She said he has colitis.  She is VERY religious and asked if she could pray for me. I said ok and she said like a 3-4 minute prayer for me. Stuff like ¢Dear Lord we ask that you watch over Joe and keep him safe on his hike . . ¢  and how thankful we are for him to have this opportunity to enjoy this wonderful outdoor world You have created . . .   It was very touching and totally unexpected. I thanked her for her prayers. She said she would pray for me on her drive home. Finally, I tried to update my Garmin using the computer at the Holiday Inn. It was a Gateway computer!  I think they went out of business in the 1990s. So I was unsuccessful. I will try again asap.  Barely one bar of service. Not sure if I can post  pictures tonight. I think I got a few posted. Made it through Georgia!  One state down 13 more to go.  0.1 mile past the border is this ¢iconic ¢ gnarled oak. Two people told that ¢supposedly¢ it is the most photographed tree on the AT. I have no idea how anyone would know that.Also a view of the town I stayed in last night, Hiawassee, GA.
Date: 2022-02-10
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter 

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hard day today. 9.42 miles but went over Standing Indian Mountain, the first peak above 5,000 feet for north bound (NOBO) hikers. The couple from DC, Rob and Helen, were with me at the tent site. While we were eating dinner we heard an owl hooting loudly close by. Helen said it was a Bard owl. I asked how she knew. She said she only knows one owl and that was it. She then imitated the call almost perfectly. It kept hooting and then we heard another one of the same owls hooting behind us. Then we saw it take off and fly towards where the first owl was. Pretty cool. Passed a side trail called the ¢Chunky Gal¢ trail. In Guthook someone wrote beneath it ¢make the rockin¢ world go round¢.
Date: 2022-02-11
From: Beech Gap

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Long day today. Today I FINALLY got my pack adjusted properly. I kept thinking it was not tight enough and at the end of the day my lower back was really hurting to the extent that it was hard to hike the pain was so intense. Since tightening wasn¢t working I loosened the straps. Immediate relief!  By pulling it tighter, the pack was resting on my lower back. When I loosened it up it slid down and was resting on my hips so the weight was being carried by my hips and legs. Still exhausted but at least no pain. We climbed Albert Mountain today. It was the first mountain you had to ¢scramble¢ up. There was lots of rock climbing and you couldn¢t use your trekking poles. It also was over 5,000 feet. You could scramble and then rest and then take on the next section. It was at least half a mile. Once at the top the views were amazing!  There is an old fire tower there and you could climb part way up. I have a number of photos and a video I will try to post. Also I took a shot of the elevation profile in Guthook so you can see how steep it is. I must have claimed for 10 minutes and my Garmin watch registered no distance traveled because it was all up in a straight line. Also Albert Mountain is the 100 mile point on the AT north bound.  I took a picture of the scrawling on the fire tower and the geologic marker for the mountain  Ran into Hollis at the shelter. He¢s the guy with no tent or stove and a big fur coat. It will be really cold the next couple of nights. He has no money and it sounds like he is estranged from his family. I told him I was worried about him and asked if he would come with us to Franklin and I would pay for his hotel room. He was extremely grateful. To be continued tomorrow.
Date: 2022-02-12
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Short day today. Got picked up by Bobby DaGreek shuttle driver. Cool dude. Has a huge Ram pickup. Matches him. He told us he weighed 537 pounds. He lost 200 pounds after moving to Franklin from Chicago. Had lots of stories about his prior life as a social worker  Met up with a couple from WAY northern Michigan. He is a farmer!  His wife works for the local school district. Al and Sandra. He said they are 3 miles from Lake Huron. I have a picture of the three of us at lunch. We decided to slack pack for a few days. How long is indeterminate right now. At least two. Maybe three. Bobby brought us to Franklin to the Hilltop Inn, an old timey motel. It¢s clean. Hollis came and I got him a room.  Al and Sandra were also worried about Hollis. He only has a kid size sleeping bag!  We went to 76 Outfitters in town here. Super nice outdoor store. They bought Hollis a sleeping bag and I bought him a stove and a gas canister.  Ate lunch downtown and then walked to Ingles to get stuff for tonight and tomorrow morning.
Date: 2022-02-13
From: Rock Gap

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Very good day today.  Slack packed from Rock Gap to Wayah Gap. 9.62 miles. Was cold but sunny. Got some pictures of us hiking.  Saw a nice waterfall. Will try to send a video of it. No restaurants open in Franklin, NC on Sunday!  We walked to the place that was recommended to us to watch the Super Bowl. It was closed!  We walked to the other end of town and found a Mexican restaurant open.  Ordered pizza from Dominos. Shared mine with Hollis. He is staying with Al and Sandra tonight. Slack pack tomorrow. 13+ miles.When you hike a lot with a group of people they are called your ¢tramily¢ which is short for trail family.  Had a really good talk with Hollis today while we were hiking. Talked about books and movies and all kinds of stuff. He just bought the book Siddharta by Herman Hesse.  I told him I just re-read it within the last year. He was raised as a Mennonite on a family farm in PA.
Date: 2022-02-14
From: Wayah Gap

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Long day today.  13.74 miles. Slack packed but still long and lots of ups and downs. 3,389 feet of ascent.  Was VERY cold this morning. My water tube froze.  I thawed it by putting it under my shirt and then it froze again.  Got picked up 7 AM.  Great views from Wayah Bald.  It¢s 5,342 feet high. Don¢t know why some are called balds and others mountains. I am sure there is an explanation. Last night at the Hilltop Inn. Going to the Hike In Hostel tomorrow night.  Will try to slack pack until we get the Smokies.  Getting picked up at 9:30 as it is a relatively short day tomorrow. ¢Only¢ 8+ miles.
Date: 2022-02-15
From: Tellico Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 7.36
Weather: clear sky

Have not had cell phone or internet service the last 3 days. Let me get caught up. On February 15 we had kind of an easy day. 7.36 miles. We had some very nice views from Wesser Bald. Will send some pictures and a video of the views.  We hiked along the ridge and it dropped straight down on both sides. I tried to take photos showing the steep drop offs. The trail and the ground on both sides was wide - at least 10 feet so I never felt I was going over the edge or anything.  There were sections on the way down where the trail switchbacked and if you weren¢t careful you could get in trouble but it was fine if you went slowly. We ended at the NOC. Nantahala Outdoor Center. They are all about white water kayaking there.  I did a video so you can see the chutes the kayakers have to go through.  In the video I say it¢s the Little Tennessee River but it is the Nantahala River. I also thought this was where the 1996 Olympic event was held but it was on Ocoee River, which flows into the Nantahala. We stayed at the Hike Inn. Tom and Nancy were wonderful hosts. They do your laundry and give you scrubs to wear while they are being washed. We all wore them while we went to a Mexican restaurant in nearby Robbinsville, NC.
Date: 2022-02-16
From: NOC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.52
Weather: clear sky

Tough day today. 13.52 miles. The first 7 miles we¢re all uphill. Over 4,800 feet of elevation gain. Very windy. The views from Cheoah Bald were great. Will try to post a video. Got a picture of the geologic marker at the top Met two guys slack packing sort of all the way to Maine.  One of the guys and his wife live in an RV  and she was following them.  She only picks them up every 2-3 days but they were getting picked up that night because of the potential rain on Thursday  Stayed at the Hike Inn hostel. Went to Bryson City, NC for dinner and then swung by Ingles to resupply.