morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-26
From: Parking Area

To: Hawk MountainShelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Start: Parking areaDestination: Hawk Mountain ShelterTodays miles: 6.7 milesAnother beautiful day in north Georgia, sunny and warm(upper 50's?)Started hiking around 9:30am got here around three. Other hikers we've met with trail journals are Socrates and Woodstock. Woodstock was cruising, I may not see him again! Also met PaPa today and hiked with him a little bit. He's 89 and hoping to thru-hike.We had a fire at the shelter tonight. Josh, PaPa, and Judith were here with Den and me. PaPa told us stories of his time on a submarine during WWII. It's now 8:30 and everyone headed to bed. 9pm is hiker midnight, so we're actually up pretty late. This shelter has a nearby privy and bear cables to hang our food bags. Note to self: Invent a pill that induces deafness for 8 hours before sharing a cabin or tent with my brother.
Date: 2007-02-27
From: Hawk MountainShelter

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Tough six miles today. Twice the elevation gain as yesterday, but a beatiful day: high near 70. Hiked in t-shirt and shorts! While taking a lunch break going up Sassafas Mnt, a turkey vulture sat in a tree 30 ft from us. I think it was waiting to see if Sassafas would claim another hiker!Met Butch and Sundance, Wendy, Eddie Bison and Dale, Nebs and his dog (he got hear at 8 tonight). The rest of this entry will be entered by 'Falling Rock' and is not necessarily the opinion of the author of this journal!!   Time for some truth. First Twofer tried to make my Pack way heavier than   his, so to get even I stayed up Sunday night and pretend to snore. Today I   realized that I might be a pound or two over weight. Why did not someone   mention this to me?    Here is a list of the parts of my body that do not hurt:       my right ear lobe...    But I am glad I am here, to take care of my older Bro. I think I will have   him trained by Friday so he can continue on his own.    Lots of prayers to you. I am going to sleep now.
Date: 2007-02-28
From: Justus Creek

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

Another great weather day but it was chilly last night; we had ice in the water bottles this morning. We're hiking slow just like we planned, getting to our campsite about 3. Butch, Sundance and Swish are camped here tonight also. They built a big fire and we hung out there for a while this evening. Butch thru-hiked a couple years ago and is trying it again with his 27 year son. Swish is Sundance's girlfriend who is hiking to North Carolina with them. 'Falling Rock'(aka Den) gave her her trailname after hearing about her awesome college basketball career. I got lots of good info from Butch as well as just some good stories. There's a chance of rain tomorrow, that will be interesting as we head up Blood Mnt.Hello this is Falling Rock:   What, I am not going up Blood Mnt. in the rain!    Today, my right ear lobe got a cramp, which makes everthing on my body   hurt. But still Twofer sends me on half mile water runs because he is a   little parched. We are having a great time, met friends I will remember a   life time. Hope everyone had The Greatest Day of Their Lives!    Remember, the sign says "watch out for Falling Rock"
Date: 2007-03-01
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: moderate rain

The great weather came to a temporary end today. We woke up to rain, packed up and started hiking. We were planning on camping, but that changed the wetter we got. We debated going to a shelter, but it was noon when we got to the shelter cut off, so we pushed on the last 3.8 miles up and over Blood Mountain. If the weather is good you can see Springer Mnt, but with the rain and fog we couldn't see 100 ft. This ended up being our longest day-- but now we are showered, fed, laundry done, and my gear scattered over the hotel room drying out!Tomorrow Falling Rock(soon to be Den again) will drop me off at Neel's Gap. I'll walk north and he'll drive back to Iowa(if the current snowstorm is cleaned up). The weather forecast here is no rain for the next five days, but slightly cooler temperatures.Next town stop is four days in Hiawasse, GA.Final thoughts from Falling Rock:   I just hiked 5 days on the AT. I put 35 pounds on my back walked 31 miles.   I climped about 8000 feet, sweated, tripped and stumpled over rocks and   tree roots, walked half a mile to get water, I have blisters on my feet,   hung my food in trees to keep away from bears, built fires, slept on the   ground, and today I walked in freezing cold rain for seven hours.    Along the way I got to see Bro stand on top of Springer Mountain, met   friends from 10 states and Great Britain, and saw some awesome sights. I   did all this in about 75,000 steps in 1.5% of the AT. Just think of all the   fun Twofer will have in the next 4,925,000 steps and 2143 miles. I was   trying to come up with what us common people could do 2174 times. I know   some of Twofers friends are thinking drinking beers, but you have to drink   a six pack every night till Feb. 25th 2009.    I had a great time walking in the woods with Bro, thanks.
Date: 2007-03-02
From: Neel's Gap

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

Woke up to sunshine today. We packed up, ate at Waffle House, then Den drove me back to Neel's Gap. Butch and Sundance were there just getting ready to head out so we talked to them a minute. I bought a t-shirt to send home and a water bottle holder for the waist belt of my pack. Then Den headed for Iowa, and I headed for Maine - at slighty different speeds! Thanks Den for driving down and hiking with me. It was a blast.The hike today was fun, but tough with 9 uphill sections ranging from 100 to 800 feet. The uphills do warm you, so with temps in the 50's I was hiking in shorts and a t-shirt. A half hour after getting to the shelter I was wearing long pants, long sleeve shirt, and my down jacket. It's suppose to be below freezing the next few nights. At the shelter tonight are Butch, Sundance, Swish, Pinky and The Brain, Erin, Rockhound, and Alabama Bob. Saw Beater-- headed south to finish his thru-hike. Yesterday, Den and I talked to Easy Feelin who was within 24 miles of finishing. He started in early August. Congrats to both of them.I don't think I've really described the trail itself-- so here goes. These are heavily forested hills with most of the trees being deciduous-- without their leaves yet. There are several kinds of evergreens also; pines, spruces and firs. There are also patches of rhododendrons which sometimes form tunnels that the trail goes through. Those will be beatiful in a few weeks when they're blooming. The small woodland plants are starting to peek through the dead leaves on the ground. Spring is on the way!Another thing I forgot to mention is the tradition of picking up a small rock on Springer Mnt and placing it on Mt Katahdin when you finish. (Pat, this is a SMALL rock, unlike the 5 pounder you snuck into Tony's pack.)
Date: 2007-03-03
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Tent Sites
Miles today: 13.0

I was planning a 7.2 mile day today, but Butch told me that Blue Mountain shelter was cold and windy-- and that this site was much nicer. I wasn't sure I could do 13 miles, so was just playing it by ear. I left Low Gap at 8:40 this morning and was at the Blue Mnt Shelter at noon. Had lunch there and headed another 5.8 miles. We had a 1000 ft drop into Unicoi Gap then a 1000ft climb out of it. That wore me out-- and the last 2 miles were slow, but I still got here at 3:40. 13 miles in 7 hours, pretty good for me at this point.Camping here tonight are Butch, Sundance, Swish, and me. Sundance built a nice fire tonight, but now it's 8pm, and I'm in my tent. Swish is getting off the trail in Hiawasse the day after tomorrow, and I think I'll hike with Butch and Sundance for a few more days if I can keep up!That's all for tonight, for some reason I'm tired.
Date: 2007-03-04
From: Cheese Factory Tent Sites

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

I hope everybody had their brass monkeys inside last night. It got cold. My water bottles partially froze, and they were inside my tent. I stayed warm, but it was hard to get out of the sleeping bag. I did leave camp before Butch, Sundance, and Swish. I put my small water bottle inside my coat as I hiked but it was 2pm before it totally thawed.The plan today was to do 9 miles to Deep Gap Shelter, but as the day progressed I was making good time and the wind kept blowing, my thoughts turned to town. Swish caught me, and I gave her my cell number so we can hopefully meet up for dinner tomorrow.It was 2:30 when I got to the shelter cutoff, so I kept going the 3.5 miles more to Dick's Creek Gap and the road to Hiawassee. There was a box of cookies near the trail as I came up to the road, Trail Magic! I put my thumb out to hitch into Hiawassee. Andrew, another thru-hiker, came over and asked if we could hitch together, I said sure. After several cars went by with no luck, Bill, a day hiker from Athens came off the trail and said he would give us a ride. He went 22 miles out of his way to take us to town. Thanks Bill!So now I'm at a Holiday Inn Express, my clothes are washed and my belly is full! Tomorrow I'm taking a zero day (no hiking).
Date: 2007-03-05
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This Holiday Inn Express is a handy place to stay. Daniel's Steakhouse is across the street and Dill's grocery store is next door. The motel has coin laundry machines, a computer for guests to use, a good continental breakfast, and a hiker box in the lobby. This is a box where hikers can leave extra stuff/food for others and take what they need from the box. I took a Lipton Rice Sides and will leave some extra cocoa packets. The motel also has bikes for hikers to use if they want to get around town. Also the front desk has a list of people who provide shuttles (for a very reasonable fee). I just told them when I wanted to go back to the trail and they arranged it.Had supper tonight with Butch, Sundance, and Swish. It's time to start getting the pack organized and be ready to hit the trail in the morning.My wife emailed me a Native American saying that I thought was pretty neat. It says "The quality of life is not measured by its length, but by the fullness with which we enter into the present moment."
Date: 2007-03-06
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Sunny and warm today. Caught my shuttle at 8:30 and was hiking before 9. It was good to be back on the trail. Lots of uphills today. I crossed into North Carolina about 1:45pm. Stopped and took pictures with Butch and Sundance. One state down, 13 to go!I'm staying in the shelter, so we'll see how that goes. Butch has a reputation for snoring. Also in the shelter tonight are Butch, Sundance, Iceman Dan, and Rick. Rockhound is here tenting.
Date: 2007-03-07
From: Muscrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Another nice day to hike. Cooler than yesterday with some hazy clouds. Today's highlight was going over Standing Indian Mnt with an elevation of 5498 ft. The first time over 5000 ft on the trip.Here tonight are Butch, Sundance, Iceman Dan, Rick, Tito, and Bamboo Bob. I'm tenting tonight, and it has nothing to do with Butch's snoring last night (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). Actually, I like the tent, and it's not much trouble to put up.These 11 to 12 mile days are about right for me now. I started at 8am this morning and got done about 4pm. This gives me a little time to relax when I get to camp then set the tent up, inflate the sleeping pad, etc. The shelters usually have a table and some benches so dinner is cooked and eaten there. I had a Lipton Cheddar Broccili Rice Side. Then I boiled another cup of water for cocoa-- which also cleans the pan. Dishes done!Now it's 7:30 and I'm in the tent. I'll listen to the radio for awhile but sleep seems to come pretty easy.Things are going well and the weather has been amazingly good. Butch was telling us that when he stayed at this shelter 2 years ago he had 6 inches of snow.
Date: 2007-03-08
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Today may have been the warmest day yet, or maybe going up Albert Mtn just got me heated up! Actually, it was both, had to be around 70 deg today. The climb up Albert was steep, but the views were great. I had lunch there, called Julie and waited for Butch and Sundance. I spent an hour there.The hike after Albert was a nice, gradual, and (mostly) downhill, and I got to this shelter about 3:15pm. Butch and Sundance continued on to Franklin since they have a deadline to get to Gatlinburg.Here at the shelter tonight is Just Rick, Iceman Dan, Quiet Paul, Diablo, Snakebit, T-Mac, Rockhound, and one other hiker without a trailname. Crutch and KTR were here for awhile. Crutch provides shuttle rides into Franklin, NC, and he'll pick Just Rick, Quiet Paul, and me up at the road to Franklin tomorrow morning about 9:30am. So I need to get up, pack, and walk 3.8 miles by then. So tomorrow will be a nero (near zero day), I'll stay in Franklin tomorrow and head back to the trail Saturday.Some of the young guys here tonight started March 1, so they're moving pretty fast.
Date: 2007-03-09
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiked the 3.8 miles today in 1.5 hrs and got to the road about 9am. Ron Haven arrived in his old school bus. About 12 hikers got off the bus to head north, among them Butch and Sundance, Pinky and The Brain, the two Brits and Erin. Rooms were still being cleaned, so they shuttled Just Rick and me to a restaurant for breakfast. After that I did laundry, showered, then got to check out Trail Journals. Good job posting things, Jule!This afternoon Ron shuttled us to the grocery store and the local outfitters for the next few days supplies. I just got back from dinner with Quiet Paul and Just Rick. I haven't shaved since I started hiking and there appears to be some gray in it. After paying for my meal, I looked at the receipt and I'd been charged the senior rate! Just Rick and I will probably hike together for the next few days. He's 53 and from Illinois, and we're both wanting to stay around 12 miles per day for a while longer.Other hikers staying here tonight are CB and Mean Joe. Falling Rock and I saw them our first night out. Mean Joe has a sore foot and is resting up a bit. Socrates came in this evening and said he may zero tomorrow.I'm heading out tomorrow-- even though there's a chance of showers in the afternoon. As they say "No rain, No pain, No Maine!" Why can't we hike to a state that rhymes with hot fudge sundae?
Date: 2007-03-10
From: Winding Stair Gap

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

Today started with getting shuttled to breakfast at 7am, then back to the motel to finish packing. and the shuttle to the trail left at 8:20 with Quiet Paul, Just Rick and me. The plan was to go 10.5 miles to a tent site, but I got there at 2 and the others had moved on-- so I knew they were headed for the next shelter, another 5.3 miles. I made it by 4:45pm, but I was whipped. Staying in the shelter are Just Rick, Frito, and me. Tenting nearby are Quiet Paul and Iceman Dan and his parents. Iceman Dan had a cigar for me when I got here! Rockhound was here but just packed up to night hike some. Doc Narly came by as Rockhound was packing and he hiked on with him. Doc Narly is the hiker that left oranges at the visitor center-- which I got one of when I signed in to start this hike.A highlight of today was the stone observation tower on Wayah Bald. It had horizon profiles of each direction and I could see Albert Mnt where I was 2 days ago.This was my longest day yet. It'll be interesting to see if I can stand up tomorrow!
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Campsite / Spring
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yesterday's rain never materialized. We got a couple sprinkles in the morning and I heard rain a couple of times during the night. This morning started out foggy, but by 11am the sun was out and it got hot. Spring is on the way! I saw my first wildflowers, first misquitos, a couple of bees and a salamander.The plan for today was to hike 11.3 miles to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center). When I got there all their lodging was full(spring breakers kayaking and white water rafting). I used a pay phone and sent the last 2 day's journal entries, bought some more grocerys and denatured alcohol(stove fuel), then I went to the restarant and had a cheese burger. Then I hiked another 2.6 miles 1140 feet up to this tentsite. Also here are Just Rick and Quiet Paul. The hike out of the NOC is a killer, 3300 ft up over 8 miles, so coming here today will make for a little less climb tomorrow.I met Bushwacker and ?? and David and Ilana. David and Ilana are brother and sister and are from Davenport, IA. Bushwacker is also on Trailjournals.I did remember to spring ahead today, so now it's 7am before the sun comes up. As I right this it's 8:45pm and I'm ready for sleep
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Campsite / Spring

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

I ran down a couple of outlaws today. Butch and Sundance were at the shelter when I got here. Didn't think I'd see them for awhile. I must be doing too many miles!There was a lot of ups today and I felt like I was moving slow. I left camp at 9am and got here about 5:30pm. Staying in the shelter are Butch, Sundance, Just Rick, Tony and me. Quiet Paul is tenting nearby.Had a lunch break on Cheoah Bald and had great views. Could see where the forest service was doing a controlled burn across the valley.Weather was great again today. Heading to Fontana Dam tomorrow and a zero day on Wednesday!
Date: 2007-03-13
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another sunny, warm day. There were good views of Fontana Lake through the leafless trees as I was coming down. I walked to the dam's visitor center and was going to call for a shuttle but didn't have cell coverage or 50 cents for the pay phone! There's a fine line between thru-hiker and bum! I walked a little ways back towards town and here comes Iceman Dan and his dad. Iceman was spending the night at the shelter, so he got out and his dad gave me a ride to the village. I got to the post office to get my mail drop (food for the next few days) then checked into the motel for two nights, zero day tomorrow. I had dinner with Quiet Paul and Just Rick. They're both heading on tomorrow as are Butch and Sundance.I'm having a lazy day tomorrow, giving the legs a little rest and tending to a blister on the middle toe of my right foot. I'm also going to go through my pack and send some things home that I'm not using.It's now 10:15pm, way past my hiker bedtime.
Date: 2007-03-14
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a nice relaxing day today. I rented a golf cart to get around this little resort village. Did laundry and talked to Dogfather and Fish and Chips. Fish and Chips are from Britian and Falling Rock and I met them our second day out.The AT is a moving community of people, when I introduced myself to Dogfather he said "Twofer, I've heard of you." I'd heard of him too. He's hiking with his dog, a 115 lb Akita. Dogs aren't allowed in GSMNP so he'll be boarded and transported around. They're all hiking out tomorrow too so I'll probably see them again.I got to the outfitter and filled my fuel bottle. They also had a computer for hikers to use. Went to the post office and mailed some stuff home including a memory stick with more photos. Other things I hadn't used were; spare flashlight, spare cell phone battery, bandana, strap to camera case and maps.The Thru-Hiker's Handbook is all that's really needed. I'm planning on hiking straight through GSMNP so I have 6 days of food. The pack will be heavy for a few days, so I really wanted to get rid of anything I wasn't using.I'll catch the shuttle back to the trail from the outfitter at 9am tomorrow.Had dinner tonight with Bushwacker, his daughter Taken, Pegasus and Caboose the brother and sister from Iowa, Freddy, and Boy. The three RIBs (Rhode Island Boys) were at the next table. It's time to start getting the pack organized for tomorrow.
Date: 2007-03-15
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a shuttle to Fontana Dam at 9 this morning. As I was getting dropped off, Thrills and Dogfather were getting dropped off also. When we went to the place to get our backcounty passes for GSMNP, Rockhound, Fish, Chips, Tony, and George were also there. Then we all walked across the dam and entered the park. The first 3.7 miles were uphill, but the grade wasn't too bad. It was cloudy and cooler today but I still got plenty warm going uphill. Got sprinkled on a couple times around noon. I got to Mollie Ridge Shelter about 3:30 and the ridge runner told me it was an easy walk to this shelter (another 2.5miles). I fell for it and headed out. Ten minutes after I left it started raining. I got to Russell Field Shelter about 5:15 and it wasn't too bad a hike. So now I'm fed, the food bag is hanging from the bear cables, and I'm warm and dry in my sleeping bag. Everyone but Tony made it here tonight.There were no state line signs-- but the Tennessee/NC state line follows the AT so for a lot of the next few days my left foot will be in Tenn and my right foot in NC.We saw lots of spring break hikers heading out today. In March the shelters can be full, but there's only us 7 thru-hikers here tonight.It's still raining at 7:30pm. I'll see what the weather is like tomorrow before deciding how early to start and how far I go. The day off yesterday was a good thing as I felt pretty good today.
Date: 2007-03-16
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light snow

All right, who stole spring! It was still raining when we woke up and nobody hurried out too fast. I finally headed out about 10am and had decided to make it a short day today. It was misting when I started, so I was wearing my rain jacket and pants. Sometime after noon my hands were freezing, so I stopped and put my gloves on. Another 50yards up the trail, I noticed ice on the trees. It just seemed to get colder and windier all day. I got to the shelter about 3pm. It'll be a cold night, but hopefully the sun will be out tomorrow.Here tonight are Rockhound, George, and me. The younger hikers headed on a few more miles.That's all for tonight, I'm going to try and stay warm.
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: few clouds

As expected-- it got cold last night. Water bottles partially froze, and there were many loud thuds of ice blowing off trees onto the tin roof of the shelter. I didn't get out of the bag until 9:30am. There was enough blue sky to make a pair of Dutchman's britches, so I knew it was going to clear off! Had some hot chocolate and a few snacks, packed up, and headed out. Retro (George's new trailname) headed out just before me. Rockhound said he was going to zero at the shelter.It was beautiful hiking with the frost/ice covering many of the trees, and I was only going 7.2 miles-- so there was no need to hurry. Yesterday was foggy, so there weren't any views, but today was partly cloudy with good views. Got to this shelter about 3pm. There are three spring break hikers here and Retro and me. Rockhound showed up shortly after us, had a snack, then moved on. So much for his zero!It's 6pm and everyone's in their sleeping bags. What a bunch of party animals!Tomorrow I go over Clingman's Dome-- which is the highest point on the AT at 6643 feet.One other thing that I forgot to mention two days ago is that I now have less than 2000 miles to go!