morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Green Corner Road

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero day in Hot Springs, NCHot Springs, NC (pop. 563) has long been known for its healing hot mineral springs and scenic mountains. A hiker-friendly town, the Appalachian Trail runs along downtown¢s main street and climbs the mountains on either side of the French Broad River.In the heart of Hot Springs is a 100-acre resort and spa. The hot tubs are supplied with a continuous flow of world famous natural hot mineral water.   Of course, I had to reward myself for being on the AT by spending time at the Spa soaking in the hot mineral springs and other spa services!I don¢t have much to write today so I¢ll just humor you with the trail names of some of the hikers we¢ve met since being on the trail: War Horse, Gold Star, Hammer Toe, Greenbay, Mountaineer, Pilgrim, HazMat, Wisconsin, Lucky Duck, Tin Man, Lone Hiker, Maple, Cabernet, Scout, Bandit, Rainbow; Galatic Ape and Lunar Worm and their dog, Phaser. A couple of days ago I mentioned a lady who is attempting a thru-hike with her two children. Well, here is one better: We met Ice King last night at the B&B we are staying at. He¢s a 17-year old boy from Dallas whose family is doing the thru-hike: Dad, Mom, and five siblings!! We¢ll be getting back on the trail in the morning.
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We left the B&B at 7am and had a hardy breakfast at Smokey Mountains diner in Hot Springs before heading out to meet our shuttle. We arrived at the Green Corner Road trailhead at 10:45 and were back on the trail. We started at an elevation of 1,775 feet and climbed to Snowbird Mountain topping out at an elevation of 4,263 feet. Hike uphill was long and strenuous as usual, but once we reached the top of Snowbird the panoramic view made it all worthwhile. With all of the switchbacks, NextWhite Blaze jokingly said she felt like she was part of a Mario Brothers pinball game.We arrived at the shelter around 4:30pm and met up with a new group of hikers. We enjoyed their company through dinner and the evening. Be sure to look at additional pictures by clicking on the ¢Photos¢ link
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: few clouds

Today was the first day ever that I encountered trail magic . . not even last year. Trail magic is when some nice folk(s) leave treats on the trail for hikers. NextWhiteBlaze and I came upon a cooler filled with candy bars and soda. Although it all looked inviting, we passed since we had just had our lunch shortly before.We arrived at our Max Patch Summit by midafternoon. It was pretty much an uphill climb . . 1,700 feet. There were quite a few ¢touristy¢ people up on the bald enjoying the vista. For those of you who have watched the ¢Sound of Music¢ with Julie Andrews singing ¢the hills are alive . . . ¢ this is exactly how the bald looked with the mountains, green grass and blue skies. After resting for about an hour, we moved on to the next shelter, another two miles up the trail. Before leaving, more trail magic came our way. Two guys brought up several boxes of pizza with pepperoni and some soda/beer. The pizza tasted ssooooo good.Finally, before leaving the bald, NextWhiteBlaze was interviewed by a reporter from the Raleigh News and Charlotte Observer. A perfect day for hiking¢¦mild temperature, dry, blue skies. A whole new group of hikers at the shelter tonight.Everyone has been great.I received word that two beautiful babies have been born since I¢ve been on the trail¢¦ Cooper and Logan. Congratulations to their parents and grandparents. They are truly precious gifts from God.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Old Road, Trailside mile marker 266.4
Miles today: 10.1

Rule #1 when walking the AT: Pay attention to the white blazes! I left the shelter in the morning a little ahead of NextWhiteBlaze knowing she¢d catch up to me.   Just before crossing a creek, I stopped to say good morning to another hiker I had met. After crossing the creek, I started walking the path on my merry way. It didn¢t take me long to think that maybe I wasn¢t on the trail¢¦.the path was too narrow, it was going up hill which I knew it shouldn¢t be, I wasn¢t seeing any white blazes. I continued to walk on for a while longer (cautiously) and realized I was on the wrong trail when I came to a dirt road at the top. Thankfully, the trail was marked well enough that I could just turn around and get back to the bottom where I needed to be and found the white blazes.About six miles into the trail we came upon more trail magic¢¦.I couldn¢t believe it¢¦.three times in two days. A brother and sister who completed the thru-hike last year brought fresh fruit, soda, water, crackers, candy, you name it. Nothing beats biting into fresh fruit when you¢re out in the middle of nowhere!I told you about two families on the trail -- one a mother with two children; the other a family of seven. Well, today I met a young father with his five year old son (Race). They started the AT on April 1 and hope to make it to Maine. The father is caring about 80 pounds and they are walking 8-10 miles a day. Little ¢Race¢ is as cute as can be. God bless ¢em.The distance between the two shelters for today did not work out with our schedule so for the first time on the trail, we just found a ¢spot¢ to set up our tents for the night. That all seemed to be well and fine until at 3:50 a.m. I woke up to the sounds of two men walking around our tents. As it turned out, they were just two night hikers and were having difficulty finding the white blaze. I guess our tents on the side of the trail must have caused some confusion. But once they turned their flashlights on and found the markings, they were on their way¢¦
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Old Road, Trailside mile marker 266.4

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today was the start of Week Three of our journey.It was a peaceful morning to wake up to. I guess there is something to be said for setting up camp away from other hikers and shelters. Other than our 4 a.m. visitors (which btw, NextWhiteBlaze never heard) all was comfortable. It was pleasantly warm and dry and the birds were out singing. We made our breakfasts, packed everything up and were on the trail by 8 a.m.This was one of the few days that we stayed close and hiked together. We only saw two or three hikers on the trail today. I believe it was because we were so close to Hot Springs that the day before, all the hikers were anxious to get there so hiked the 20 miles to make that happen (obviously they were all a lot younger and stronger than us). Regardless, we were fine taking our time today, enjoying the views and the wildflowers in full bloom.We arrived in Hot Springs at 1 p.m. and decided to get rooms at the Mountain Magnolia B&B where we stayed previously. We then found someone to shuttle us back to Max Patch Summit to retrieve NextWhiteBlaze¢s Jeep. Once we got back, we hung out downtown (a one-block strip) which is a mecca for hikers. We watched hikers come and hikers go. Some we recognized from the trail; others we met for the first time.We wrapped up the evening sitting on the front porch of this grand mansion, looking out at the mountains in front of us declaring, ¢just think¢¦.we were just up there!¢ while drinking hot tea with our cr me brulee.A great day!
Date: 2015-05-05
To: Going Home
Miles today: 0.0

Today, NextWhiteBlaze and I made the decision to get off the trail. No regrets. We hiked over 100 miles which included covering the length of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We met many wonderful people, are coming away with fond memories, and feel good for what we have accomplished.Since we only had two more hiking days before we had to leave for home, we felt Hot Springs was a logical get-off point.I hope you enjoyed reading my journal and viewing the pictures. Thank you for the wonderful encouragement and prayers before and during my journey.
Date: 2015-02-13
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Blood Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

Made it to Blood Mtn... Barely. Last 40 mins were in the dark. I lost my friend Wye Knot around mile mark 19. I figured he was just a few paces behind so I pushed on. I didn't see him for the rest of the day. He is legally blind and turns out he got lost. Was worried he fell but thankfully he is fine only 3.5 miles behind me. Will wait here at Blood Mtn until he shows up then we will continue.
Date: 2015-02-14
From: Blood Mtn Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 2.1

Got to Blood mountain last night in the dark by myself. Was about 4700 feet up and winds were every bit of 40 mph. Kinda eerie that high up alone in complete darkness. But pitched my hammock quickly (winterized of course) and stayed warm as possible. Woke early this morning and waited a few hours for Wye Knot to show up before we hiked in to Neels Gap where we plan to stay in the hostel due to bad weather coming in. Good start but kind of disheartening to be hit with crappy weather this early.
Date: 2015-02-15
From: Neels Gap

To: Hog Pen Gap
Miles today: 7.1

Hiked out of Neels Gap this morning in the blistering cold. Unfortunately only got 7.1 miles into Hogs Pen Gap before getting a ride from a trail angel into Hiawassee. May be hunkered down here for a few days due to Winter Storm Neptune coming in. Another disheartening, low mileage day. But nothing we can do about it. Not risking sleeping in snow, sleet, and rain in sub zero temps... Esp. in a hammock. Not necessarily asking for warmer weather, just clear skies!
Date: 2015-02-16
From: Hog Pen Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

At the budget inn in Hiawassee, GA. Haven't been doing my entries, sorry, getting caught up on them now (Feb. 19). Went to hospital yesterday (16th) for my foot. What started out as a regular blister turned into in infection but I got some antibiotics and was on my way. May be here a few days before we can hit the trail again due to the weather.
Date: 2015-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well today would be just another day in good ol Hiawassee, GA... but it's not because my beautiful girlfriend, Leah, surprised me and drove out to see me since her classes got cancelled. She got us a room at a nice little hotel on Lake Chatuge. Always happy when I'm in her company so can't complain too much about the weather.
Date: 2015-02-19
To: Low Gap
Miles today: 11.4

Well we headed out this morning back to Hogs Pen gap. But 8 miles before the trail head our ride came to a halt. I looked out the window and saw a sign that read "ROAD CLOSED". We were 8 miles away from the trail but knew the road may be closed for a few days so we jumped out and took our chances. Even an extra 100 yards in the wrong direction can be disheartening when we still have over 2100 miles to go. So needless to say, the extra 8 miles SUCKED! But we arrived at low gap shelter around 3:30 today, and immediately set up our sleep pads and bags and huddled in trying to stay warm in negative temperatures. That Budgett Inn in Hiawassee isn't looking so bad anymore. I'm freezing!
Date: 2015-02-20
From: Low Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Only got 7.3 miles today trail is still pure ice. Lucky if we were moving at 2 mph. I wanted to push on and night hike into Tray Mountain shelter but my hiking partner didn't wan't too so we stayed here. Much warmer tonight than it was last night. Never thought I'd be so happy to sleep in 20 degrees!
Date: 2015-02-21
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Had an awesome day today despite the ice snow and sleet we pushed on and got 16 miles done. I don't have my AT guide handy at the moment so don't quote me on the 16.1 from blue Mtn to deep gap it's just an approximate estimation. After passing tray mtn shelter we had no option but to push for deep gap. We were not walking back up trey Mtn and we're definitely cowboy camping in hammocks with sleet coming down. Law pushed to Deep gap shelter and had an awesome night. Best shelter by far I've been too so far. 4 walls and a loft. Full house with 8 hikers total. Two college football players came out for a 2 day hike and brought 4 pounds of hamburger meat, rice, cheese, and Mexican seasoning. It was awesome. Almost killed my first mouse with my slingshot I brought along.BEWARE HIKERS- There is literally an army of mice at deep gap. Hang your bear bag or have it chewed apart.
Date: 2015-02-22
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.6

Short hike this morning into dicks creek gap where we checked into Top of Georgia Hostel. Awesome place, awesome people, and awesome service. I recommend. Is a bit pricy for a hostel but the knowledge Sir Packs A Lot has is invaluable. Will be hiking out tomorrow morning with hikers I met today, Griswold, Scout, Dakota, and Tim. Today was a great opportunity to dry my gear out re supply some food items and talk to some awesome people. Also met back up with Felix today who has already hiked the entire AT 3 times and working on his 4th at 48 years old. He is an awesome guy and always in good spirits. May be a couple days before I get to NOC outpost, but I will try my best to update blog daily! 8 miles to North Carolina!
Date: 2015-02-23
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Long hike into Standing Indian today. Left Top of Georgia Hostel this morning at around 0800. Passed into Norty Carolina today and it felt great to be out of Georgia. Got into shelter around 5:00 after clearing almost 17 miles. Expect some show tonight, we will see what happens.
Date: 2015-02-24
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Well we got 8 inches of snow last night. Breaking camp sucked this morning the snow came all the way into the shelter and covered our bags in snow. This is my second day without my hiking partner, Wye Knot. He decided to hike with a former thru hiker, Felix, and we haven't seen each other since. But I met a different group with wonderful people: Griswold, Scout, Lucky, Tim, and Dakota. Scout and I hiked out this morning making for Long Branch. Long day and sucks walking in 8 inches of snow. It wasn't until dark that we showed up at the shelter. Long, cold, and tiring day.
Date: 2015-02-25
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Franklin
Miles today: 4.0

Today was bittersweet. I made it into Franklin, NC but I am now completely solo. My group decided to get a hotel which was too pricey for me. Wye Knot, my original hiking partner, decided that we should part ways for good. So I am now currently in a 15$ a night Hostel with no company. I plan to set back out on the trail tomorrow but unfortunately, another 8in of snow is coming tonight. I hope to meet back up with the group of wonderful people I've been hiking with, but if not, then I will continue on solo. Can't wait to meet new people and see new places. Also I CANNOT WAIT FOR WARMER WEATHER!
Date: 2015-02-26
From: Franklin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last day in Franklin, NC before I'm back on the trail. Staying with a new friend I met, Tobasco, at the budget inn hostel. Was planning on heading back out today but just too much snow on the ground. Thankfully, it's warming up quickly and this snow is starting to melt. Starting back at Wallace Gap tomorrow as early as I can get there.
Date: 2015-02-27
From: Franklin

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Got dropped back off at Wallaca Gap this morning. Still plenty of snow up at these elevations. I hiked the 9 miles into Wayah Gap fairly quick. While crossing the road at Wayah Gap I heard a familiar voice. It was Griswold calling my name! Griswold, Scout, and Lucky left out of Franklin earlier that morning and made it to Wayah Gap just before me. I was blessed with a good amount of trail magic at Wayah Gap. Lucky' friend had brought coffee, apples, oranges, bananas, brownies, cinnamon buns, and muffins. I stuffed my face and then continued on for 5 miles more all uphill to Wayah Fire tower. The view was awesome! Then another mile down the trail to the shelter where we crashed for the night.
Date: 2015-02-28
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.5

Woke up this morning at 6 to snow on my sleeping bag and frozen boots... so basically just another day on the AT. Got going at a decent hour this morning after packing and had a LONG day into NOC(Nantahala Outdoor Center). Probably the most exhausting day so far, but some views that were well worth it. After the long hike into Tellico Gap today, we had a grueling hike up Wesser Bald Mtn. Only after making it to the top, I realized I didn't hate this mountain as much as I thought I did while trudging up it. There is an old rickety Fire tower on top of Wesser Bald Mtn, and putting safety aside, definitely recommend climbing it. Can see four different states at once! After climbing back down the tower we had another 7 miles into NOC. They were downhill, but Wesser Mtn proved that downhill can suck just as bad as an uphill. Anyways made it into NOC at last and ordered the biggest burger I could find. Good nights rest and then 8.1 miles straight up in the morning!
Date: 2015-03-01
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Hardest 8 miles I've walked in my life. In my Appalachain Trail guide it showed 8.1 miles uphill out of NOC, then summiting at Cheoah Bald. Well the book was wrong. This climb was not uphill. Uphill is an understatement on all accounts. This climb was an absolute bear. Going nearly complete vertical in some places. Rain, mist, and sweat didn't make it a whole lot easier. After summiting Cheoah Bald, I didn't think today could go any better but I was wrong. I had to make a final climb up Jacobs Ladder before I could get to shelter. Jacobs ladder is only about a half mile long but the steepest half mile I've ever encountered. Finally I made it into the shelter, first one in, I strung up the tarp and collected my water. Later Smokes and Griswold showed up. Had a good night rest other than being soaked. Killed 3 mice tonight with the traps I bought in Franklin.
Date: 2015-03-02
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Dam NC
Miles today: 12.8

Fairly easy hike into Fontana today. Got in around 1:00 this afternoon and got a $3 shuttle into the visitor area to do laundry and take a shower. Ended up splitting costs with Griswold and Smokes to get a room here so we could dry our boots and bags and re supply our gear and food before heading off into the Smokies tomorrow morning. Gonna be a long haul through the smokies with no pit stops. Should take about 5 days to clear the Smoky mountains but things can get pretty stinky after only 1. The hike out tomorrow morning is about equivalent to the hike out of NOC... rough. So trying to rest up well tonight and prepare for tomorrow's ascent. Really excited for the Smoky Mountains!
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Fontana Dam NC

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a good day. Started out at the Marina a mile and half south of Fontana Dam because that's where Smokes, Griswold, and myself had left off. I devoured a stack of hot cakes and then a breakfast burrito at Fontana village before setting out. When I came off the trail my pack was probably in the range of 35-37 lbs. Now, after re supplying with the drop box my father had shipped me, my pack is now in the mid 50's. I would like to throw half the food out but I'm not stopping in Gatlinburg, TN so I'll have about a week long haul until my next re supply so I'm forced to make this 7 mile uphill climb into the smokies with a 50+lbs pack on my back. Fortunately the climb was not as bad as expected. I actually found the climb out of NOC to be much more challenging. I arrived at Russell Field with the Hiking Vikings today around 16:30, Lucky and Stretch already settled in. Griswold trailing in shortly after. Unfortunately, Smokes wasn't able to make it out of Fontana today due to a late drop box that did not come in yesterday. He is an awesome guy who thru hiked the PCT last year, and with his hasty pace, should have no problem catching back up. It's raining cats and dogs currently, I am just great duo that the shelters in the smokies are stone and have waterproof roofs. Tomorrow's 15 mile hike will be done in extremely saturated grounds.
Date: 2015-03-04
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a good day. A lot of uphill and somehow not a lot of downhill. Very windy, especially up on the balds here in the Smokies. I hiked with Griswold today because she didn't want to be 'bear bait'. We had fun and talked just about the whole hike. We came to Siler Bald shelter today but our thru hiking friends were not there so we pushed the extra 1.7 miles to Double gap only to find a shelter full of 12 spring breakers plus the thru hikers we have been with. Full shelter tonight with 18 people. Tomorrow we will cross into 200+ miles of the journey but also encounter the highest point in the AT, Clingermans Dome. Tomorrow will be a good day!
Date: 2015-03-05
To: Ice water spring shelter
Miles today: 10.8

I know in my last entry I said today would be a good day. I was damn wrong. I awoke this morning at around 06:45 and it was raining out and just below 40 degrees at our current elevation. I figured I'd start out cold (as I always do when I'm hiking) because it's inevitable, I start sweating after 20 mins. Well today was different. I simply could not warm up in my t shirt with the constant rain. The higher I climbed the colder I got until finally I started going into early stages of hypothermia so I had to strip down at over 6000 ft elevation and try to wring my clothes out... not easy when your fingers just simply can't operate when they are that cold. I finally managed to slip my slightly less soaked t shirt on and then pull on my wet rain jacket. My body finally started warming up as I hiked on. Shortly after moving on I noticed that Griswolds footprints had disappeared. This was reasonably because the trail itself was no longer a trail, but a small river. Literally. The trail, being worn down and trailing along the ridge line acted as a perfect place for snowmelt and rain to flow. I thought she just walked in the water. Well a mile down the hill I came to a sign that informed me the Appalachian Trail was a mile in the direction I just came. I don't think I've ever sworn as much in my life. I trudged a mile back up the "river" and found out I had taken the Clingman Dome bypass trail on accident. I got back on trail and have never walked in worse conditions in my life. The entire trail was a flowing river but there was a couple feet of snow on either side so you couldn't walk in the snow and and you were forced to walk through the water. Staying even remotely dry was not an option. I was soaked head to toe and had fallen 3 times into the river, backflop style. Finally I met up with the Hiking Vikings and Griswold and we made it to Newfound Gap at 5045ft elevation. Winds were 45+ mph and almost whiteout conditions. We found a woman's bathroom at the top of Newfound Gap and tried to stay warm in there until a Park Ranger was eventually able to make his way up the closed road in his 4 wheel drive to rescue us. I swore I wouldn't come into Gatlinburg, but here I am. Staying at the microtel with a few other hikers for awesome price and plan to get back on the Smokies tomorrow.