morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-21
From: Neels Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

He called this AM.   Had a good night at the hostel in Neels Gap. Is heading out today for either Whitely Gap (abt 6mi)or Low Gap (abt 12mi).He said it was really cold last night (glad he was inside a building) and there was a little snow on the ground this AM. But mid-day temps are due to get up to about 50 degrees.   Stay tuned....NancyFinnegan appears to be doing a long haul today...about 12 miles all the way to Low Gap Shelter as opposed to Wide Gap Shelter. [ That's a joke !]FOUND THIS JOURNAL PAGE ON THE INTERNET. "Snuffy" has a good description of Finnegan's hike, though the weather may or may not apply. Here it is.... I head up the hill out of Neels Gap. At 9:40 AM it starts to drop rain. By 10 AM it's raining enough to get wet and make the rocks on the trail slick. Over the next hour I get rained on a few times. I stop once to rest my shoulders and once to rest my feet before taking a real break at 11:10 AM. A real break is when I shed my pack and or boots and write for a few minutes. I'm on top of something in a clearing (Wolf Laurel Top) overlooking the mountains below. I've hiked 3.4 miles so far. The sky is breaking and the sun is trying to peek through. My pace is getting better and my feet are hanging tough this morning. Ten minutes later, I'm ready to move on.   At noon I stop for a brief rest on top of Cow Rock Mountain, elevation 3,842 feet. Eight-tenths of a mile to the highway below. I plan a longer stop there at Tesnatee Gap. At 12:30 PM I reach the gap and stop and rest for thirty minutes. I've covered 5.5 miles.   I reach Hog-Pen Gap at 1:45 PM. I check out the spring, but decide to pass. It doesn't look all that appealing.   I cross the highway, turn left, and look for where the trail reenters the woods. The next couple of miles are some of the easiest we've had. Nearly level, wide sandy trail. Although the trail is good, I find myself walking a slower pace this afternoon. I finally stop just short of Low Gap Shelter at 3:15 PM for a break. So far today I've done pretty well. But I'm getting tired. Come on shelter. Get here quick. I find the sign to Low Gap Shelter at 4:05 PM and the shelter itself at 4:15 PM.   SNUFFY writes well, don't you think ?      Stay tuned.Update 4:04.   Bob called and is about 20 minutes away from Low Gap Shelter. He says it will be quite crowded tonight, with about 20+ hikers spending the night there. Presumably only about 7 fit in the actual shelter. He met another hiker, and his wife, from The Brunswick area.   LAST CALL.....7:15.....he's tired and sore and took an Advil. And gazing longingly at a nearby Irish Setter.   Go Figure.
Date: 2016-03-22
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

8:15 AM.   Rec'd text message that he is starting out from Low Gap Shelter. But he didn't confirm that he is heading for Blue Mountain Shelter, so time will tell.   Will update later.UPDATE: Finnegan arrived at Blue Mountain Shelter about 1pm.   This was his easy day in between two hard days. He may log in later, during his down time. Please note: earlier this week the total mileage numbers in the prior reports were incorrect while the daily numbers were fine. They appear to have fixed the problem. Just noticed, Finnegan has logged into his Facebook page with a posting. Nancy.
Date: 2016-03-23
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: few clouds

An 8:15AM text message indicated that Finnegan was ready to leave camp and start his day.   It's a tough one today. Only about 8.1 miles but the trail goes up and down two mountains.   Have a good day, Finnegan. More later.Update: late afternoon.   He made it to the designated shelter on Tray Mountain. He had to go up and over two mountains to get there.I found an interesting description of Tray Mountain and attached it with the photo.   Nancy
Date: 2016-03-24
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Chatted briefly about 7:30. He was starting out and heading for Deep Gap Shelter.   More later.   Nancy.Update 1pm.   He should be arriving at the shelter soon. I remembered to ask Finnegan Bob some questions.   No, he hasn't seen any animals on his hike, other than the requisite shelter mice.   This is good because in his Prep notes section he talks frequently about Snakes and Bears!He said most of the hikers avoid actually sleeping inside the shelters unless it is downpouring, and maybe not even then. If you do, sleeping is in very close quarters and health issues abound. Also, the shelter mice love the shelter and long ago figured out how to get into the hanging food bags.On Friday AM, he has a short 3-4 mile hike into the town of Hiawassee, GA. He is staying at a hostel there and will stock up on food, etc and take a shower and maybe wash clothes.   So it will be an easy day, which is good, because he has a 15+ mile hike on Saturday. Sometime on Saturday, he actually passes out of Georgia and into North Carolina. Update 2:00PM.   Finnegan has arrived at Deep Gap. But he is staying on top of the hill, as the shelter is further down the hill. He also strained his leg muscle a little today, so needs to take it easy. Good that he has an easy walk tomorrow.
Date: 2016-03-25
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Top of Georgia Hostel, Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: broken clouds

He left Deep Gap at about 7:30 this morning and has already arrived at the hostel (10:30am). He'll rest up and do some chores here. He has a 16 mile hike tomorrow, if he sticks to his schedule.   I hope his leg is feeling better. See cute signpost in the Photo section.   Reminds me of some of our signposts here in Maine.   Nancy.Finnegan here. First ten days. Georgia has been very hard, sort of a shock to the system. The hills and mountains come at you like a wave train, one after another, never ending. I think the second day was the hardest, probably just the shock to the body. The weather has been good, snow once at Neel's Gap, rain last night. I'm being careful with water as many of the sources are way down off the trail. Also, I'm trying to hold myself to 8 miles a day if I can, to build my strength up. Hope to increase it a little next week. The Top of Georgia hostel is top notch. Well worth staying a night. Can't say enough about it. Had four trail magics : a church group, a ladies hiking club and some local Fellows. All were much appreciated. So, I should be in NC for the next posting.
Date: 2016-03-26
From: Top of Georgia Hostel, Hiawassee

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

Nancy here.   Looks like Bob made a posting to yesterday's journal entry. Don't forget to go back and read it.Today, he is supposedly heading to Bly Gap Shelter which is near the NC border. Only about 8 miles, he should be there by 2pm, if all goes well. I need to go find some photos for Bly Gap.Here's an interesting comment: At Bly Gap the AT leaves Georgia and enters North Carolina. Here the trail enters the Nantahala National Forest. Nantahala is Cherokee for 'land of the noonday sun'. The largest of North Carolina's four National Forests, the Nantahala encompasses 531,148 acres with elevations ranging from 5,800 feet at Lone Bald in Jackson County to 1,200 feet in Cherokee County along Hiwassee River.   Nancy.UPDATE: He arrived at the Shelter by 2pm. The sign reads NC / GA .
Date: 2016-03-27
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Finnegan here.   Breakfast is either cold cereal with dry milk or oatmeal, and coffee. I ditched the regular coffee for individual packets because they are lighter. One day it was a Snickers bar. Lunch is turning out to be pepperoni, cheese sticks or trail mix. Dinners so far have been freeze dried meals or Ramen with olive oil. I like the Ramen because of the liquid with it. Coming up I'll try some instant mashed potatoes. I also try to have some soup with it and a cup of tea. I way over planned food these first few weeks. I just don't have a good appetite yet, but that will come. Update at 2:30pm:   Finnegan called and they made it to Standing Indian in good shape. Though, I told him that, according to the SPOT map, they added on an extra hour when their "leader" took a left instead of a right. That's what they get for following blindly.   It always worries my when he goes off trail.   Nancy.
Date: 2016-03-28
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: light rain

Morning, everyone. Nancy here. He called about 7:30 with some requests to go in the next box which I am mailing today. He had some rain during the night but it looked like it was going to be just a cloudy walk today.   UDPATED: 7:15pm.   The SPOT device indicates that he did arrive at Betty Creek Gap in NC. But he hasn't called or texted, so I am assuming that there is no cell phone reception there.   Oh well.   Nancy
Date: 2016-03-29
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

Nancy here.   Bob called me this morning, once they had climbed out of the valley they were camping in. He has sort of teamed up with two other guys and they hope to make it to Rock Gap Shelter after an 8 hour hike.   Interesting, that he has teamed up. Click on the photo and read the description; interesting story.They are currently discussing the possibility of hiking down into Franklin, NC, in a day or so, and will spend 1 or 2 nights there. Resting, recouperating and re-charging all their gadgets.Doing well otherwise. Says it is a clear sky down there today, but tomorrow might be messy.This new photo is on top of Mount Albert, one of the mountains they went up and over today.   Note the 100 mile marker on the steel beam, behind his head.UPDATE: 2:30.   They've arrived at Rock Gap Shelter and will settle in for the night.
Date: 2016-03-30
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Finnegan called and said that they were heading to the Town of Frankin, North Carolina. They have a 4 mile walk out to the road and then they will hitch a ride(s) into town. They hope to find a motel room for 1-2 days.   I'm not putting any miles down for this day, as they aren't AT miles.   Maybe he will log in later.   NancyUPDATE, 3:00pm.   Just heard from our favorite hiker. He is enjoying the down-time in Franklin NC.   A pretty little town with friendly people. They've decided to stay for two nights. He's very surprised at "how tired" he is. All for now. Nancy.
Date: 2016-03-31
From: Franklin, North Carolina

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Morning. As mentioned yesterday, Bob and his co-hikers are spending an extra day in Franklin, NC, on a much-deserved rest break.   NancyUPDATE, 9:15.   Finnegan contributed the attached photo. Click on the photo to read the description with it.   NancyUPDATE, 4:15.   Finnegan emailed me some photos and I have added them to the Photo Album. Be sure and go over to the Options Column on the Left, and look at his photos ! He's had a fun day, playing tourist and is now all packed and ready to move on. Thinking about doing a Chinese Buffet for dinner.   They'll do the church breakfast again tomorrow, then ride the shuttle back to the trail. All for now. NancyForgot to mention: one of his new hiking buddies had to leave the hike as it was too strenuous for his knees. Finnegan is now hiking with a Tom, from Syracuse, who also has great memories of the Adirondacks. They have a lot in common.   Nancy
Date: 2016-04-01
From: Franklin, North Carolina

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Finnegan here. Aches and Pains is my story today.Well, some thoughts about aches and pains after two weeks on the trail. Remember, these are thoughts from a 69 year old guy. I think I was in reasonably good shape for my age when starting out. The first day out was warm and I made sure I drank plenty of water. But that night I had leg cramps so bad I almost screamed. I didn't plan for this, just something I missed. My wife sent down some magnesium pills to help. After the first night I've had only a few twinges. Others have mentioned the same problem. Water. I normally hike with a liter but consume more than two a day. There were some sections in GA where there are relatively long distances between water points. One thing I noted was that the first week or so I urinated only twice a day, morning and night. And it looked like used motor oil. I know that means I'm dehydrated, even with drinking 2+ liters a day. By now I'm back to normal. Just a heads up. Muscle pains. I had very bad muscle pains for almost a week. Everyone on the trail seems to have them, or knee problems. Mine were so bad I seriously thought I had to get off trail. I could barely hobble down a hill, but going up was not so bad. So, I've been downing the Advil and icing my legs when I can. It's a lot better now. One of the fellows I've been hiking with dropped out yesterday due to his knees. Even the young people are not immune. One last thing: I want to thank "Sam I Am" from last year who's video convinced me to wear a knee brace from day one. My knees have been ok, just not my muscles. Blisters have been about what I expected. I just tend to get them often, no matter what I do. I try to soak and powder my feet as often as I can. I haven't noticed anyone complaining of any illnesses like diarrhea. I'm pretty anal about keeping things clean. Day off: I really recommend you plan for a zero day, not just a NERO, sometime early in your hike. I did not know how exhausted my body was until we stopped yesterday. You need to give the body a break now and then. I think that's it for now. I wrote this last night while it was pouring rain, I was sitting on a porch in Franklin, NC, dry, and soon heading out for a milk shake and burger. Life is good.
Date: 2016-04-02
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

He made his usual start about 7:30. Heading to Wesser Bald Shelter today, which is about a 10.6 mile hike.   Have a good day !   Nancy.UDPATE: 5:45pm.   Finnegan and his hiking buddy made it to the campsite area about 3pm. They had more Trail Magic this morning.   Another Baptist church provided biscuits and gravy and sausage and eggs and all that good stuff. He's getting ready for a cold night as the high temp is going to be only about 28 degrees. All for now.   Nancy.
Date: 2016-04-03
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: clear sky

Good morning, everyone.   Finnegan started out this morning, a little later than usual, as they were going less than 5 miles today. He even slept in. They wanted to end in a specific spot. The downside was the short trip involved a lot of downward walking, which Finnegan's knees don't necessarily like.Just like it was cold in Maine today, it was cold in NC also. The temps there were due to get down to 28 degrees during the night with a strong wind. If you want to look him up on a map, he is now near Bryson City, NC;   southwest of town where routes 74, 28 and 19 intersect.   All for now.   Nancy.UPDATE: They've arrived safely and will enjoy a quiet afternoon in the sun. Temps about 50. They are resting for tomorrow which will start with a steep downward hike and then straight up for 3000 feet.   Nancy.
Date: 2016-04-04
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Good evening, everyone. I almost forgot to do today's entry. Finnegan and Tom were going to do a quick hike DOWN to the Nantahala Outfitters where they would each pick up their mail drop boxes with supplies. Then it was a 7 mile hike up a mountain.Here are Bob's comments for the day, which came to me via email: I have been thinking about today's hike since the beginning of this trip. It was a 3200 ft climb from bottom to top. This was the longest climb so far on the trail. We've hiked several thousand climbs, once two in one day but this was the first big one. So, it was difficult. A hot day and probably a 34 +/- pack. It took us just about 5 hours to top out. All in all, Tom and I were very pleased with how it turned out. So I get to do it again on Friday, our first day in the Smokies. Also saw my first snake today, a baby garter snake. Also, Finnegan Bob wanted to let you know that he does find it difficult to be "wordy" after hiking all day. But, apparently, his hiking partner is very good at it. His partner is Tom Bebee and his trail name is xCuse. Bob says to feel free to read Tom's reports.   If you start in about March 25th, that's when Tom and Bob started walking together. I'm impressed with Tom's writing, which he does on his smart phone.
Date: 2016-04-05
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap at Mile 153.1
Miles today: 9.1

Morning everyone. I just received my opening email that Finnegan turned his SPOT device on. They are doing a 9.1 mile hike today, ending at Brown Fork Gap Shelter. It should be a lot easier than yesterday's upward hike. Today's weather report at their starting point says: Sunny, with a high near 57. North wind 9 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.   Their ending point weather is about the same.   It's sunny in Maine, today, but still chilly at about 20 degrees.   The attached photo was sent about an hour after he started today's hike.  Nancy
Date: 2016-04-06
From: Brown Fork Gap at Mile 153.1

To: Walker Gap at 162.0
Miles today: 8.9

Good morning from Mrs. Finnegan. Finnegan has officially been on the trail now for 21 days or three weeks !Also #1, don't forget to go over to the left column of the page and check out the photos being attached to the photo album. We are only allowed to attach one photo per journal entry. But we are allowed as many as we like in the photo album.Also #2, don't forget to check out the trail journal entries for Finnegan's hiking partner, Tom Bebee. His trail name is "xCuse".   He writes really well, though not every day.They got off to a slightly later start than usual this morning but their hike today is only about 6.1 miles.Yesterday's hike held a few surprises and wasn't as easy as anticipated. Something about a section called "Jacob's Ladder" that went straight up.They have one more overnight tonight, at Cable Gap and then head into the Fontana Dam Resort area tomorrow, for some R&R and where they will sleep in a bed.More later.   NancyUPDATE: they lost cell phone reception but walked on and stayed at Walker Gap which is closer to where they wanted to be on Thursday.
Date: 2016-04-07
From: Walker Gap at 162.0

To: Fontana Dam Resort about Mile 166
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: moderate rain

Morning, trail followers.Finnegan and his partner, xCuse, have made it to the Fontana Dam Resort where they have a room reserved for the night.   They are currently enjoying showers and washing machines and, perhaps, shaving.   And Food !   And Fox News !They were disappointed...the room, on top of the hill, has no cell phone reception, but the laundry facility, at the foot of the hill, had 4 bars. So Finnegan called while he was sitting on the front porch in a rocking chair, waiting on his laundry.Nancy
Date: 2016-04-08
From: Fontana Dam Resort about Mile 166

To: Fontana Dam Resort about Mile 166
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm sorry to report that Finnegan got sick yesterday afternoon, after eating lunch. He will spend an extra day at the resort resting and drinking plenty of fluids. His hiking partner, Tom (aka xCuse), is going back on the trail today. More later. Nancy.UDPATE, 1PM:   Chatted with Finnegan on the phone. He's up and sitting in the lobby as that is where the cell phone reception is. He's hoping to find some soup for supper. He's already worrying about tomorrow's hike and who wouldn't worry. What he hadn't told me was that, since he is now in the Smokey Mountains, he is required to stay in a shelter area at night. The closest shelter is a 12 mile hike tomorrow. So, it is either a 12-mile hike tomorrow or stall another day.We could use some prayers for Bob, at this point.UPDATE, 5pm from Finnegan: I arrived here yesterday morning feeling fine. However, within two hours I started to feel nauseous and began vomiting. I was up all night being sick and decided I needed at least a day off. So, basically I haven't eaten or slept for almost two days. It's some sort of stomach bug ( Norovirus??) I heard from "Cold Turkey" that he was aware of several others getting, one of whom had to take himself off the trail. I'm planning on continuing tomorrow. Tonight I'll see if I can eat something light and keep it down. Also, Fontana Resort is a nice place to spend the night. It's a good break from the trail. UPDATE, 6pm.   Finnegan has agreed to stay where he is for another day.   And I didn't twist his arm! I am so glad !   Nancy aka Mrs Finnegan.
Date: 2016-04-09
From: Fontana Dam Resort about Mile 166

To: Fontana Dam Resort about Mile 166
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Good news !   Finnegan is feeling much better this morning after having a good night's sleep. The minimal amount of food that he ate for supper yesterday stayed down and he was off looking for some breakfast. He's going for a long walk after breakfast.   Nancy.UPDATE, 2PM: He hiked about three miles around the dam. Was feeling a lot better. Heading back to the general store to buy some supplies and then was going to re-pack his backpack, for tomorrow's hike.