morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Unicoi Gap/Helen GA

To: Zero Day, #2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Well, the weather is not cooperating at all! Snow, cold, windy. Stayed another night here in Helen, Ga, a quiet, quaint little German town, way over-priced but I have a room to myself (yayaya) a flat screen TV, laundry-mat right down the road (about a mile) several different restaurants, hardware store (with stove fuel) and a grocery store so all set to leave in the morning, weather good or bad, I am out of here in the morning after breakfast. Got all my talking out today. Talked to my dad, my significant other, my daughter-in-law, so all in all it was good to stop for a couple days in a row.Hoping someday that Spring will arrive in the mountains and from the sound of things, everywhere else too. A shout out to neighbors Jeff and Hunter for mowing the lawn at home, "thanks guys" miss the happy hour crew!
Date: 2013-03-26
To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 10.2

Left Helen this morning, hitched a ride back to Unicoi Gap, then suffered through the cold, the snow, the mud. Alternated between freezing and sweating, hat was soaked with sweat but it was in the low 20's. Rocky Mountain 4,017 feet, then Tray Mountain was a bear at 4,430, was going to stay at the shelter but was so windy and cold decided to go down and try Sassafras Gap camp grounds, built a fire, met back up with Noodles (who is sick as a dog) and Knut. Freezing, have on all my clothes and in my sleeping bag, in my tent but still really cold. Made 10.2 miles today and will have to go to Hiawassee, Ga tomorrow about 6 miles to get another camp stove (the one I got at Neels is junk, and broke my tent pole today (thought it was titanium but must not be unless it froze and got brittle??). Right now I am 15 miles to the North Carolina Border.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dick's Gap
Miles today: 6.1

Very cold last night even in the gap. I literally froze all night, could not get warm, did not sleep all night, even my water was frozen solid, so was not a happy hiker today but made it to Hiawassee, Ga where I will go to the outfitter for a few things, like another camp stove! When is the weather going to turn. The hike today was straight up Kelly's Nob. Snow going up, ice on top and ice and mud going down, I nearly lost it 3 times, close to going over. Then after that struggle, up Trey Mountain, same scenario, snow, ice, mud. Very difficult day but the weather held . Daniels all you can eat steakhouse is the best restaurant ever!! We had the best waitress, Layla, she kept us filled with ice tea and was very nice as Noodles, Knut and me ate everything in sight, fried chicken livers, fried chicken, meatloaf just to name a few of the things I inhaled. Staying at Holiday Inn Express, going to go to bed asap. Have a long way to go to the next town, 40.8 to Franklin, N.C. so need to stock up on food, seems like that's all I do. Here's hoping for a rapid change in the weather. Night all. Sign my guest book if you are visiting so I know who is watching, my dad told me tonight that all of Cape Coral Florida are rooting for me. LOL and a hello to Phil, who Lin says has been following and calling me Daniel Boone, Hi Phil.
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Dick's Gap

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Having suffered through the last few freezing days decided to take today to restock before the 40 mile stretch without towns. Will try to make Muskrat Shelter area tomorrow, no hope of using a shelter, they are just too crowded. Got my tent pole MacGyvered and hope it will work, also got the right fuel for my camp stove so hopefully I can boil water on this stretch (if it is not frozen). No sleeping bag liners here, really wanted one bad, so having one sent to Franklin, N.C. along with other goodies from home. Ate again at Daniels, 7.99 can't be beat. Got a huge salad, craving fresh food. Watching my Miami Hurricanes getting trounced by MARQ in the Sweet 16. Night all and will update tomorrow night if I have cell service.
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Dick's Gap

To: Blys Gap
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

Morning all. Finally made it to North Carolina! Camping tonight in a clearing, didn't want to deal with the crowds so set up in a small clearing and was soon joined by Scott and his 4 excellently behaved children from 13 down, all with backpacks and very polite, they are 4/10! They are on a 40 mile hike and were a pleasure to be around and 2 others who I have met before but can't remember their trail names (sorry guys). It was a difficult day, overcast all day and still cold here in the mountains, ice on all the cliff faces. Lying in my tent last night I heard what sounded like a pack of monkeys (I know they are not monkeys because we don't have monkeys in the mountains of Georgia/North Carolina) but they sure sound like monkeys, they scream, and howl and seemed very close to our campsite last night, coyotes'? birds? Don't know but creepy.Today begins with a few smaller mountains the a hike up Standing Indian Mountain, welcome to N.C. Cell service is spotty. Will write when I can. Still having a hard time but have notched by belt another inch tighter so I must be losing weight, which is good. Bye ya'll wish me luck.
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Blys Gap

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

Slept better last night than I have on the entire trail, thank God for some good sleep. However, I started this morning almost burning down my tent. Was boiling water for a second cup of coffee when I accidently turned around to reach something in my tent and knocked over my camp stove, alcohol running and leaking, burning a trough toward my tent! Poured my cold coffee on and learned a valuable lesson. Put your stove on a good sturdy surface and keep it away from your tent!Then a very strenuous hike today, not that the mountains were steeper but there is snow and ice going up and mud going down, I did fall one time, but no harm done. Have heard a lot of stories lately of people having to be rescued with broken bones and frostbite. Hiked a lot today with Scott and his kids, and Highlighter (he has a neon green tent, hence). As I was truckin' along I met a guy who told me I had to stay where I was @ Deep Gap, off highway 71. I said dude I am burning daylight, I can go a couple more miles before dark. He then led me around the corner where big tents were set up, big fire going, and food, glorious food. They were a local group of past thru hikers and they had a big spread, Kielbasa, hot dogs, potato salad and cole slaw with all the fixings. So I said I'd eat, then he gave me a menu of breakfast that was going to be available and showed me the 400 eggs in the back of the truck and he had me and the rest of us settling in for the night. They are providing a packed lunch for tomorrow, too. Trail Angels all along the way, this one representing North Carolina in style. So as hard a hike as I will have tomorrow, this was all worth it. Thank you Trail Angels, for everything you have done for me.By the way, I left Knut and Noodles in Haiwassee. Knut waiting for a package from home and Noodle with a broken pack trying to get to Franklin, NC. Hope to run into them again down the trail.First thing tomorrow is up the 5500 peak of Standing Indian Mountain. Hoping to make Carter Shelter area (8 miles) but rain in the forecast, will have to see. Take care all. Sorry no pictures but am saving my battery and will post them all from Franklin.
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Deep Gap

To: Carters Shelter
Miles today: 8.3

Hello from Carter ShelterLate start this morning, what with the Trail Magic folks making a breakfast like you would not believe, thought I woke in a restaurant instead of hiking the AT. First they gave me a menu, yes folks, a menu. I ordered a ham and cheese omelet, when they called my name the cook said "your going to need both hands on that plate! Yes siree, huge omelet, must have been at least 4 eggs, then they added sausage, bacon, potato casserole, plus fresh fruit, orange juice, chai tea, oh my god, thought I would never make it out of there I was so stuffed. I tried to make a donation, it was refused, they do this every year for Easter! What a great group of people. Please see the pictures under photo's. About half the people who stayed the night there opted to go to Franklin because of the rain and expected storm, the short way, by car, but I am sticking to the long hike. Had a bad storm last night, a lot of people got a lot of wet, including the family I hiked with yesterday who called mom to come and pick them up. Bye to Scott and his 4 children who were a pleasure to spend a hiking day with. Remember, he has 10 kids and is a school teacher!So I started out today with Gumby, a Marine and made it to the top of Standing Indian without too much trouble. Visibility was about 50 feet with fog hanging over the mountain, so no good views from there but Gumby did take the picture of me, thanks, Gumby. Spent most of the day just watching my feet because I couldn't see anything else. Misty rain all day, cold, still have on my gloves, winter ski hat, and winter jacket. Ate my made to order turkey sandwich, chips, and fruit all provided by the Deep Gap Magic. Have made my way to Carters Shelter, have set up my tent and am making dinner (which amounts to boiling water without setting my tent on fire) and pouring into Mountain Trail dinner, which I have found to be very good, but I'm not too picky about trail food.Heard from Knut, he is only a couple hours behind me so will probably see him tonight or tomorrow. Will try and make it somewhere between Big Spring Shelter and Rock Gap shelter tomorrow about 9 miles, will see, but Big Spring is only 6 and Rock Gap is 12 so, hopefully at a creek somewhere in between.Thanks for all the support on my guest book it is great to get the encouragement from everyone. Night, will add tomorrow if I have cell service (can you believe I have cell service out here in the middle of nowhere?)
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Carters Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 13.0

Yeah, in Franklin!! Made 13 miles today. Rained all night long, of course my tent leaked but I can not find any holes in it, I think it is the rain fly and I am going to buy some stakes at the outfitter here to try and stop it. April showers...... more to come I'm sure. Knut caught up with me last night, he looked like death warmed over, he had hiked 12 miles a day to catch up and was exhausted. Started out this morning climbing 5200 feet, Albert Mountain, which to put mildly, was a straight up bitch. But then the sun came out of the fog and it was the best day for hiking and viewing the scenery so far. Beautiful day, I think it might have been in the high 40's, crossed my 100 mile mark, crossed 3 creeks and came out of the mountains at a road with a taxi waiting!! Caught a ride in to Franklin where I have packages from home to pick up.Hiked today with Icarus and Nimble, both in their 20s and Knut.Staying at a Micro Inn, going to eat at Fatz across the street. Showered already, then eat, then go thru the pack, do laundry and relax until tomorrow a.m., post office, verizon (to get an extra battery for my phone), the outfitter, pretty busy day lined up. Night all, I am exhausted again.
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Rock Gap

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

I'mmmmmm back. Took the day off, zero day, at Franklin yesterday. Restarted at Rock Gap this morning about 10:30 straight up day, that is the direction we went today, up, up, up. Stopped early, 3:30 so we could get a spot in the 8 person shelter at Siler Bald (you can see more photos under photos) because we got rain coming in tonight, tomorrow and the following day. Lots of mice nests in this shelter so will have company tonight for sure. Pleasant day today, clear this morning, not too cold, not to hot. Beautiful waterfall, nice views. Feeling much stronger now, especially my legs and back. Bought a new sleeping pad and hope it is a better sleep than my old one that I dropped into the hiker bin at Franklin. Had a good Trail Magic in Franklin at Fatz restaurant, where 6 of us thru hikers were having dinner and drinks. When our bill came only drinks were on it, the waitress said don't ask, someone paid your bills! Well, then a man came up and asked when we wanted to get back on the trail, he would take us for nothing! I had each of the guys write their trail names on a $10.00 bill and hide it under the mans car seat, to remember us by and pay for gas. He was a Brit too. Will talk later, bye all.
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Siler Bald

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well everyone, I have to tell you that, honest to god, this was the worst day of my trail days. It started raining about 1 a.m. last night, it rained, rained, rained, then it got cold, cold, cold, I mean freezing cold. It got so cold, foggy, misty, rainy, and again, did I mention cold? How cold you ask? How about when your walking tree branches are snapping and falling down on your head! How's that for freezing! One big branch snapped and fell right behind me, scared the shit out of me, I turned around so fast that I unbalanced myself and fell on my ass! Damn it man, this SUCKS! Swear if I had a car today I would quit, quit, quit. Where is global warming? So honestly, it was a cold, wet day on the AT today, you really need to look at todays pictures to get grasps of how the weather has turned once again. There are a few amazing photos. I am frozen, so cold I don't want to cook, but I have to get some water boiling, which means a mile walk to the creek, then filtering the water then starting the stove... ok good night all.A shout out to Jackiethehiker for editing my photo of the Wounded Warrior with the flag, he did an amazing thing to this photo. Thanks Jackie (he also makes a mean omelet, he was part of the Trail Magic back at Deep Gap).
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald, just past the shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Better day today, long, about 11 miles. Started out sore but the day warmed up and the sun came out and will have a short hike tomorrow to Nantahala Outdoor Center, hopefully a bed, a shower and a stock up. Hiked today with Stupid (he really isn't, and I don't like calling him that but that is his choice, he's a former Marine and a good guy), and Knut. Knut and I are about equally tired, sore and we just need a day off every few days to rest our legs. I thought my stamina would get better, I am getting stronger but still tiring by mid-afternoon. Today I made some oatmeal for snack (I was out of everything else and I am totally sick of tuna at this point, may have to try peanut butter next. We choose to camp away from the shelter tonight since the weather is good, still good now that the sun is down but mostly to get away from the young people who like to complain an awful lot and many are very smart, college educated, but don't want to work, just hiking to avoid getting on with life. I find it very depressing to listen to them complain about life they have not even lived yet.Anyway, much better day today sorry about my down day yesterday, but it was a bad day all around. Here's to hoping that the weather is breaking. Thanks for all the support in the guest book, you all are inspiring. This is for cousin Ned, anytime, would love to have some company anytime, anywhere, just send me a message and will meet!
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Wesser Bald, just past the shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 6.0

Absolutely great day today, new friends, beautiful weather, short hike mostly down hill, which sounds easy but is really hard on your knees. But it was a short hike. Sharing a room, really only a room 8x8, nothing in it but 2 bunks here at Nantahala Outdoor Center, Wesser N.C., but it is dry, off the ground and they have showers and laundry facilities. Will restock tomorrow and have a zero day before taking off to Fontana Dam. Slow Joe's providing food for thru-hikers tonight, music by Rye Holler Boy's and a speaker: Warren Doyle who has hiked the trial more times than anyone else at 16 times thru! It's a regular party here tonight and I'm sure I will have a great time. Fellow hikers Sunshine and Hannibal Curious and their dogs arrived late tonight and Knut and I helped them set up there camp, they are jugglers and performed one morning at a shelter and have been hiking for 4 years. Thanks again for everyone who is sending support, be talking to you all soon.
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.7

Hello from Sassafras Bald. Great day today, spring has sprung, leaves are coming out in the lower elevations, saw a few snakes, spiders, flies and bee's today, has to be a good sign. Hike was straight up today to 5100 feet. Had lunch on Swim Bald and met someone, Dave, from my hometown of Sarasota, Florida, had a nice conversation about people we both know and he left with a "go Rams" for my Riverview High School alma mater! Also met a lady (60 something) and her daughter, she was finishing her thru hike section. Good two story shelter here, spring for water is near-by, which is good since I ran out of water today (drank 64 oz) and is going to cool off to 35-40 and is windy. Going to meet my significant other in Fontana Dam for the weekend, can't wait.Good night and thanks again for the support. Ned, whenever you are ready, let me know!
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Sassafras Bald Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 9.6

Good evening everyone. Just lying down, and guess what, bugs, heat, it is so hot, I know, I know, just the other day I was bitching because it was so freaking cold, and now it is HOT! Bugs, bugs and more bugs and you all are now LYAO (laughing your asses off at me, 4 days ago I had on every piece of clothing I brought with me and was freezing)Really, here we go. Last night was so hot I slept in my underwear (oh yes with the mice in the shelter, and the snoring symphony too)! I couldn't sleep until somewhere around 2 a.m. when I proceeded to dream about mice in sheds eating popcorn, then they became rats about a foot long, then I'll be damned if they did not turn into mountain lions!!! Swear to God, I am not sleeping in the shelters again! (Unless maybe it's raining) But I digress. Got up at 6 and was on the trail by 8. It was a very steep day starting with Cheoah Bald at 5,000 feet where I met Piper who had the best campsite on top, then down to 3,500 feet then up what seemed like the steepest yet, Brown Fork Gap, oh my God, it was a killer (oh yea did I mention it was HOT?)! It wasn't all bad, I guess. Met Harold at Stecoah Gap having run out of water (64 ounces of water) and was lying on a picnic table. I had to ask Harold his name 4 times before I could grasp his accent, ya'll see, Harold was in his 70's (having 5 by-pass surgery's) and was born and raised in that holler, before the road was paved and it was still grivel(I swear). Harold was kind enough to put 3 of us in his Chevy S10 and take us to a spring where he swore the water was just fine. We filled up our bottles and Harold proceeded to let me know I had an odor and that they had showers at Fontana Dam, which he actually helped build by the by. I bid a fond farewell to Harold and started climbing up Brown Fork Gap at just over 4,000 feet.Oh yes, I got my first blister today, very depressing as it is my very first blister. Have mole skin will travel. Called the better half and asked that she bring the bug spray when she meets this weekend. Got to the shelter and set up my tent then made my dinner (Mountain House beef stew, not bad but man, wish they could just spice it up a bit everything seems to be so bland) and ate in my tent to keep the bugs at bay. Oh yea, did I mention it is freaking HOT! That is for everyone telling me I would miss the icicles, YOU WERE RIGHT!Good night all, hope for a good night sleep tonight without the snoring and mice! Thanks again for reading and sending encouragement. P.S. Hunter, don't wreck my truck, seeing how you just wrecked yours and have to borrow mine while yours gets fixed and all!
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Long time no check in! No cell service, or not enough to upload anyway. Started at Brown Fork, hiked to Cable Gap, then heard a bad storm was coming so headed down to Fontana to beat the storm and meet my better half, Lin, for a well deserved zero weekend. She drove up from Savannah and rented a cabin on the Yellow Creek. It was great, home cooking, beer, ice cream! Did a little fishing for local brown trout, met a local, Rusty, who tried to teach me the finer points of catching brown trout, but sorry to say, failed to catch anything but a log and a tree!Got to watch some of the Masters, got to see the race Saturday night, had steak, baked potatoes and salad one night and manicotti the next and it was so nice. Tried to get Lin to take me home but she would have no part of it! She did however go with me and Knut to the NOC (which is much closer in my truck than on foot!!!) and I got a new pair of lighter weight boots which I hope is not a mistake on my part. Loaded up on Mountain House for the long trek through the Smokies, not planning on stopping in Gatlinburg, just going to high through. Showed Lin around the NOC then it seemed like the weekend was over and we were heading back to Fontana Dam. Lin dropped Knut and I at the trail head on 28 and we slack packed (amazing feeling to hike with no back) down the mile down to the dam and she walked the dam with us and said good-bye.So, I am back on the trail again after a nice visit and a nice stock up. Will be checking in when I can, which doesn't look like it will be until after the Smoky Mountains!Talk to ya'll soon.Gbman
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Shelter, Derrick KnobDouble Spring Gap
Miles today: 29.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hi everyone, not much cell service up here in the Great Smoky Mountains but it is beautiful and I saw my first real wildlife in the form of deer every day in the park. First night out of Fontana Dam was a long steep climb. I (and 30 others) stayed at Mollies Ridge a 11.1 mile hike right out of my 2 day break with Lin. Had a little rain but nothing to speak of, not enough to soak you to the bone or make the trail muddy. Woke up to deer and fog and had a killer hike up Thunderhead Mountain at 5527, and surprise, my pack broke! I swear, if it can go wrong it will. I need a bolt, which broke in half, which means I will have to get off and try and get a shuttle or ride to NOC in Gatlinburg, which is not what I wanted to do but by shoulder is carrying most of the weight of my pack and my back is feeling it. My new boots are awesome, so much lighter weight than my old ones, whew, thank god I didn't trade weight for blisters. Hiked 11.9 to Derrick Knob, it was a very hard, steep hike. Today hiked to Double Spring Gap a measly 8 miles but with Clingman's Dome tomorrow, it will be hiker's midnight for me tonight (8 pm). Lots of folks at every shelter, 30-35 but it is a good mix of short and thru hikers and the ridge-runner has been great. Having read a few other journals I was worried about rules and reg.s but nothing like that with this group. I just can not describe the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, I am so high I can see the mountains stretching out forever and the fog hangs low in the early mornings. This has been the hardest part of the hike so far, very steep, very hard. Well, will continue to update as I can, which should be tomorrow from Gatlinburg. Night all.A shout out to Tony and Tammy-thanks for following! Can't write everyday!