morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-01-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A little over a year ago I took a great interest in hiking the Appalachian Trail. My daughter and I did a couple of overnight weekend trips. We did 24 and 27 mile respectively. I was hooked. I went out and purchased a book about it.Then another and another. Books were being delivered every week. I couldn't get enough of it. My wife said to me "you really want to do a thru hike don't you"? I said "yeah I do". So she said "well go ahead". I'm like REALLY!!! that's all it took, I got my wife's blessing to do the AT. Now over the last year I have researched everything about a thru hike. The gear, what preparation, what do you eat, etc.etc. It has pretty much consumed all my free time. Let's fast forward to today......I am a little less than a month away from the greatest challenge of my life. I am so excited and nervous at the same time. But a good kind of nervous. About 95% of my gear is purchased. Still need a few small items. I have done my first shakedown hike. I am getting things buttoned up at home, trying to make things easier for my wife and two daughters while I am gone for 5 to 6 months. Now its just getting in more hikes and counting down the days.                       The Hankster                         T - 27 DAYS
Date: 2019-01-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last weekend I did my first overnight shakedown hike. I started at Waywayanda State Park in northern New Jersey to Wildcat Shelter which is 8 miles across the New York border along the AT. Aside for a minor issue with my pack, the gear tested out well. The tent held up well on a pretty windy night. My sleep system was fine. I was nice and warm. The overnight real feel low was 9°. Total round trip 26 miles. I plan on doing a bunch more shakedowns in the coming weeks.
Date: 2019-01-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My flight is booked. I will be flying to Atlanta the morning of Friday, Febuary 8th, where I will be picked up at the airport by a long time family friend Linda and her husband Leo. They have graciously invited me to stay at there house Friday night and will drop me off at Amicalola Falls State Park Saturday morning. From there I will begin the unofficial start of my journey. When I say unofficial I mean to get to the official start you have to hike to Springer Mountain the southern terminus of the AT. You start by climbing 604 steps to the top of the falls and then hike 8.3 miles. For a total of 8.8 miles and have gained in altitude of just over 2000ft. Then on Sunday February 10th I will take my first of what is said to be over 5 million steps.
Date: 2019-02-10
From: Springer Mountain Shelter 

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Today started the official miles. I did 7.9 miles. It was cold with freezing rain I cut the day short as the forecast called for heavy rain later in the afternoon. Hiking in 30 degree rain is alot different than in 50 degree. It's not fun .But nobody said it would be. I'm going to take the first 2 to 3 weeks slow. Somewhere between 8 to 12 miles. The bigger days will come. No sense in risking an injury early the game. Its 8:30 close to hiker midnight which 9:00. Time for bed.I'm safe and warm in my tent.
Date: 2019-02-11
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 7.6

Last night I was awakened by assault rifle gunfire. The Army Rangers do maneuvers during the night. They practice in about 20 miles of the area. At 7::00 this morning they let off a loud boom. Time to get up. Lol. Today was very foggy with on and off rain. Saw some soldiers on the trail getting ready for tonights practice. I saw shell casings on the trail. Pretty cool. Got my first trail magic today. There were four gaIlons of water next to a tree for us to fill up.I'm with a group of other hikers. There are 7 of us, we were together last night. Everyone heads out in the morning at different times. And you see them on the trail. Everyone has their own pace. You eventually meet up at the next shelter.I realized that my lengthy post from Saturday never went through. So I am going to give you an abbreviated version. I started the Approach Trail at Amicalola Falls State Park by climbing 600 steps then hiked 8.3 miles to Springer Mountain (the southern terminus of the AT) for a total of 8.8 miles. They say if you can do the approach you are good to go the rest of the way. I got to Springer Shelter and set up my tent. Then went to catch a most beautiful sunset. The first of many to come. What an ending to my first day. There are people I would like to thank. First to my beautiful wife Maureen for giving me her blessing to fulfill my dream. And to my daughters Beki and Bri for their continued support. I'm sorry I bored all of you with all my talk about the AT over the last year. LOL Thanks for listening. To Linda, Leo, and Chole Cruz for picking me up at the airport. And graciously inviting me into their home. Then taking me to the trail for my start. Trail Angels before I'm even on the trail. To all my family and friends who have supported me.To everyone who has liked and commented words of encouragement on facebook. WOW!!  I Feel The Love.To my family, friends and people I don't even know who wrote on my guest page on this site. I thank you. It means alot.To all the wonderful people that I met doing the stairs and on the approach. All the well wishes and encouraging cheers were awesome.Thanks so much.Ha ha and I thought I was going to give a short version. I hope you enjoy the ride. It has only just begun.THANK YOU ALLIt has just started pouring. I am dry, safe and warm in my tent.DON'T COUNT THE STEPS MAKE THE STEPS COUNT
Date: 2019-02-12
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter 

To: Blood Mountain Cabins
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: snow

Heavy rains overnight. Got up this morning to fog. Had some banana pancake trail magic this morning. Had the honor of meeting Fresh Ground, the Angel of all trail Angel's. He runs Leap Frog Cafe. He follows hikers all the way to Maine making sure we are all fed. I'm part of a small trail family. I'm with Atermis, Broccoli Rob, Lucas. We been together for the past three days. It got pretty bad today a big storm came through. We got to a road where there was a pavilion and restrooms. So the four of us were holed up in the ladies room for two hourswaithing for a shuttle. Artemis had a cabin reservation for a few days from now that she switched to tonight. So the four of us are sharing a cabin. It is supposed to go down to 28 overnight with wind gusting to 35 mph. Pretty much all of our gear is wet from all the rain. No sense being cold and wet. Plus a shower and laundry sounded good. It also gives us a chance to dry out our gear. THANK YOU ARTEMISSo tonight I am safe and nice and warm sleeping in a cabin.
Date: 2019-02-13
From: Woody Gap

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

Our day started off with us finishing the drying our gear. Then a nice breakfast at the Blood Mountain Cabins dining area. We got shuttled back to Woody Gap, where we left off yesterday. The sun made an appearance with temps in the low 40's today. Finally got to see some more of these beautiful mountain ranges. It started off with a nice climb up to Preaching Rock where got our first view. There were a few more challenging uphills throughout the day. Got to the shelter in time to set up and make dinner just as the sun was setting. Tomorrow we will start with a tough 800ft ascend in just over a mile. I have been hiking with our little trail family of four. What a fun group, all of us have a fun time together. Its 8pm time for bed.I'm safe and warm in my tent.
Date: 2019-02-14
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.6

This morning we climbed Blood Mountain, the highest on the AT in Georgia at 4457ft. Artemis left camp at 4:30 am to catch the sunrise at the top. We cut off our day at 3.6 miles at Mountain Crossing. It's an outfitter that the trail goes right through the store. This is the point on the trail that alot of hikers quit. The trees out front have loads of boots hanging from the branches. It's pretty cool. You are not going to see mine up there. Broccoli Rob had a resupply box waiting for him.Tomorrow Artemis and Lucas have some new gear being delivered late in the day. So we are going to spend the night at the Blood Mountain Cabins and again tomorrow night. We are going to take a zero (no miles) tomorrow. The upcoming forecast is calling for rain just about every day for the next two weeks. It should get very exciting and challenging. Tonight I am safe and warm sleeping in a cabin.
Date: 2019-02-15
From: Blood Mountain Cabins 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We took a zero today. Did a resupply and purchased some gear. We got some good rest and ate pretty well. Our plan is to hike the next five days to our next resupply. Then play it by ear from there. The weather for the next couple of days is calling for about two inches of rain. The beginning to the middle the week is going to be very wet. Around five inches of rain being predicted. I am safe and warm in a cabin.
Date: 2019-02-16
From: Hogpen campsites

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 5.7

Another rainy night, In the morning I waited for it to slow down enough so I could pack up. Everything was soaked, .....it was so cold and windy breaking down I couldn't feel my fingers. I broke camp first the rest of my family (trail family) were still in there tents or not quite finished. I wanted to start hiking towarm up. It was raw, ......the wind was blowing the rain sideways up on the ridges. We planned on doing ten miles today, but that didn't take long to change. As I was hiking along I came upon a guy and his dog doing a section hike going southbound. I saw them coming distance ahead of me so I made my presence known as not to spook the dog. But awhile later Lucas was coming up a hill with his head down, (it's what you do most of the time as to not look to see how much more you have to go). So this dog charges at Lucas barking and tugging at his flapping poncho. It startled him and as he went to fend him off he twisted his knee. Ouch. I was a ways ahead but I stopped to filter some water and have a snack. When I was ready to start of again I saw him limping up a hill. Upon hearing what happened I suggested we go back a quarter mile to a shelter. While he rested I went back to the trail to meet up with Armetis and Broccoli Rob. About two hours later we hiked out to find a stealth site to spend the night.....Later we heard that the guy said Lucas should have been looking where he was going. NO his dog should have been on a leash. So we only got in 5.7 miles today. That's ok we look out for each other.So after eight days I am feeling good, nothing to complain about. I am satisfied with what I have accomplished so far. I am in it for the long haul.I have nothing to prove to anyone by putting in long miles now. They will come.The views are magnificent, just wish I could see more. But that will come also.I am part of a little tramily. We met a week ago. And have been together since. We all encourage and look out for each other. They are all so cool. I am so glad I met them....Armetis is originally from Maine, now living in Georgia.I guess you could say she is hiking home from home. Broccoli Rob is from Georgia. And Lucas is from Alabama.It's still raining and calling for heavy downpours overnight. Oh well!!!! That's all part of being a thru-hiker. This is so much fun.Tonight I am dry, safe and warm in my tent.
Date: 2019-02-17
From: Neels Gap

To: Hogpen campsites
Miles today: 7.1

This an update from Saturday. I wrote one Saturday night but when I tried to post it I lost the signal I had and lost everything I wrote. That's twice it has happened. I think in the future if the signal is weak I am going to hold off on writing unless I can find a way to save them. And post when signal is stronger. Ok here goes it rained all night ending just before daybreak. The first patt of the day we hiked in fog. The sun came out in the afternoon. When we do get a view it is incredible. Seems like we are in the clouds most days. When I started a week ago it was forecasted for rain 11 out of the first 14 days. Pretty much how it has been. We had some trail from a gentleman named Bobby. Very nice guy. He had coffee, lemonade, water, cake, choclate and fruit. He also had chairs. Woo hoo!!. While we were sitting there a car pulled up and out jumped this family from Tennessee. A husband, wife and three kids. They were so intrigued to meet thru hikers doing the AT. He asked all sorts of questions. He even offered us water and snacks. We took pictures with the family. We felt like celebrities. Ha ha..... I can see them doing trail magic in the future..... Back in the woods we hiked a short distance to a campsite and set up for the night. Overnight forecast is calling for heavy rain......Still taking it slow. Do not want to risk injury. There are some hikers that I have been following on social media that started before me that are sidelined with injuries. I do not want to be patt of that statistic. Tonight I am safe and warm in my tent. Remember this post is for Saturday.
Date: 2019-02-18
From: Stealth Campsite 

To: Cheese Cake Factory Campsite 
Miles today: 12.1

It rained during the night, downpoured at times. Woke up at about 7:30 to sunny skies and a nice breeze. We hung around camp for a couple of hours to let our tents dry out. It was sunny all day in the 40's. But when you got to the top of the mountains it was very blustery, it really made things cold. We were moving along pretty good today, the first seven miles were not to bad. Then we had a rough eleven hundred foot decend over boulders for a mile and a half. Man those downhills hurt. That brought us to Unicoi Gap. Artemis left us there to shuttle into town where she will stay at a hostle tonight and to resupply and get some better rain gear. Hopefully we will meet up with her again soon. The climb out of Unicoi Gap was brutal, an eleven hundred foot ascend in a mile and a quarter. That was a killer climb near the end of a long day. We put in our longest mileage today 12.1 miles. We're camping at the Cheese Cake Factory Campsite, not like the place I'm used to. Update: Lucas is feeling better.I have no internet signal so I am writing this in my notes and hopefully I can copy and paste it when a signal is available. I am safe and warm in my tent.
Date: 2019-02-19
From: Cheese Cake Factory Campsite 

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 7:00 to the pitter patter of freezing rain hitting the roof of my tent. It was a sign of things to come. I was in no hurry to break camp. Broccoli Rob and Lucas left around 9:45, I was about twenty minutes behind. There was a steady drizzle, heavy at times, throughout the day. The trail was a sheet of ice crystals and all the branches had a coating of ice. It was a bone chilling day. I got to the shelter at 2;30 just as it started pouring. I was soaked and cold, my fingers were numb. There was no way that I was going to set up my tent in that. After about a half hour it let up. I got the tent up and got out of my wet clothes and hung them up wherever I could. I then crawled inside my sleeping bag which I wasn't leaving. Nothing is going to dry, I'll just put them back on wet tomorrow. I had an early dinner just as a round of thunderstorms rolled in. The lightning flash and the clap of thunder were right over us. Damn it was bright and loud. I believe tomorrow we are planning on a nero ( not a zero but not to many miles). We may stay at a hostle. Today we did 9.4 miles not bad giving the conditions.I would like to thank all of you who signed my guest book. Your encouraging words are overwhelming. I feel blessed .It really means alot. To my niece Robyn who comments just about every other day. Hopefully someday soon I can give you a call.To Phil Barlow for the tip on writing these journals in my notes when there is a weak or no signal at all. Then copy and paste them when a signal is available. Secondly CONGRATULATIONS on completing this amazing journey last year. I thought your name sounded familiar. I was following your journals. Way to go Bald Eagle.Tonight I am finally dry , warm and safe in my tent.I dont know about being dry tomorrow. Lol
Date: 2019-02-20
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Top Of Georgia Hostel
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: light snow

Guess what???? .....it was another rainy night. I had to get up in the middle of the night and my tent zippers were frozen. My tent looked like an igloo, it had a sheet of ice all over it. This morning the trail was covered with ice that fell from the branches. They looked like ice cubes.Today was an easy day, only four miles as we neroed, arriving at the hostel around 1:00. After showering and getting our laundry done we got shuttled into town for dinner and a resupply. I managed to get my tent dried out using fans supplied in the bunk room. Why, I don't know, it's only going to get wet again tomorrow. I guess it's nice to at least start out dry. I guess it's the little things thatmake me happy. There are five of us tonight. Myself, Lucas, Broccoli Rob, and a married couple Jeremy and Julie who we have seen at the shelters a few times. Very nice people.I am hiking out with them in the morning as the guys are sticking around for another gear delivery on Friday. Lucas has a theory that you see what you really need as you go. He started his hike at 18 lbs. Including food and water. He was carrying what looked like a book bag. He is now at over 30 lbs.He got a new tent and now a new larger pack. Rain is forecasted again for tomorrow, what else is new. I believe sometime over the weekend we may see the sun againI am safe and warm in a hostel.
Date: 2019-02-21
From: Dicks Creek Gap 

To: Bly Gap Campsites 
Miles today: 9.0

Got the 9:00 shuttle to the trailhead this morning. I hiked out with Jeremy and Julie. They have a slower pace than I. Out here everybody has a different pace you "hike your own hike". I hiked alone today. My little tramily has temporarily separated. We planned to hike to Plum Orchard Shelter. Seeing that it was 11:40 when I arrived I had lunch while waiting for them. About an hour later they show up, seeing that it was early and I was feeling good I decided to hike at least another five miles. They said they would do the same after they took a break.Today we had some breaks with the rain. It started off rainng steadily then to a drizzle. Then it got so foggy, and after a few minutes the sun trying to peak out. I was finally able to take my phone out and take some pictures. It didn't rain for an hour or so.WOW .Then of course after taking off the rainjacket it downpoured for a minute. Oh well I'm soaked from sweat anyway. It actually felt good. Today I hit a milestone. I have completed the state of Georgia. I have crossed into North Carolina. No more singing "Another Rainy Night In Georgia".One down thirteen to go. Now as I'm writing this it's pouring in North Carolina. LolI forgot to mention in my previous journal, the town (Hiawassee) where we stayed last night is where they filmed the movie "Deliverence". I thought I kept hearing banjosI am dry safe and warm in my tent.
Date: 2019-02-22
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1

Got up at 7:00 and looked at the forecast. I had a 45 minute window of no rain. So I shifted it into high gear and packed up and broke down my tent. Made it just in time. As I started a climb right out of camp the skies opened up for a long rainy day. Jeremy and Julie left before me. We decided to hike to the second shelter. I soon passed them. About two hours later I saw Artemis and she was also going to the same place. Well I blew by the shelter, and when I checked the gps I was 2 miles passed it. I don't like taking my phone when its raining. No way was I turning back. So on I went for another five miles to a tent site. I took my second fall today, the first was yesterday. I was climbing around a blowdown and coming down the hill it was all mud. I went sliding down on my butt then got to my knees for another ride. I was covered in mud. I got up and looked at myself laughing. It was pretty comical. At least it didn't take long to rinse it all off. Lol. There were alot of blowdowns to negotiate. And the trail was extremely flooded. I just hike through the puddles, no need to try to avoid them, my boots are water logged for the past three days. I believe we have one more day of rain in store. Some of the people I am with have you tube channels videoing their hike.Artemis........."Artemis On The Trail"Jeremy and Julie......"Everyday Walk"I hope you enjoy reading my journal just as much as I enjoy recounting the days events. I would like to thank everyone for following along on my journey. Your comments are most heartwarming. I try to read them each day, signal permitting. I can't thank each of you individually but know that I have read all of them and your kind words are much appreciated.I would like to thank my family and friends. The people folling from my hometown.My camping family from the The Great Divide Campground.The people I met on the approach trail who cheered me on.To the couple, Dave and Katie who I sat next to on my flight to Atlanta. To my fellow thru hikers. As well as their families.And to those of you I have never met.I THANK YOU ALLI have no signal so I will post this when I can.12.1 miles todayI am safe and warm in my tent.
Date: 2019-02-23
From: Beech Gap

To: Betty Creek Gap Campsittes 
Miles today: 6.9

I had no service the last two days.So those entries were posted today (Sunday).The last entry was supposed to be dated for Saturday. I forgot to change the date. My bad.Also the milage total is off. I am adjusting today's 8.5 miles hiked, to 4.3 to get the actual milage correct.Hopefully that clears everything up.So it rained overnight. Only to wake up to blue skies. I was the last to leave camp, only to catch up a couple miles down the trail. We were all headed into town to resupply, do laundry and shower.I am in dire need of drying my boots out, they are so wet. Everything needed drying out again.We achieved another mile stone today, we crossed the 100 mile mark. Just before that we had to climb up to get to a fire tower. It was a butt kicker. That put us at our highest elevation to date at 5250 ft. The view from up top was spectacular. All you could see were mountain ranges for 360 degrees. After that the hike was a nice downhill to meet our shuttle to the hostel. I'm at the Gooder Grove Hostel in Franklin N.C. It's a nice place and the owner is super cool. I am back with half of our little trail family. Tonight Artemis and I are here. And a day or two behind are Broccoli Rob and Lucas, who is now Scooter.Two weeks in so far and I have completed 105 miles, an average of about 7.5 miles a day. Right on the schedule of low miles at the beginning. I will be gradually adding a couple each week.Tomorrow is a zero to resupply and to rest my knee from my fall yesterday. The knee swelled up pretty good.and is quite sore. The downhills are a killer.Tonight I am safe and warm in a hostel.