morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-09-18
From: Ore Hill Campsite

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 8.2

The temperature wasn't as bad as expected last night but I still didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag at 6am! We hiked a few ups and downs but they weren't bad so we were able to do 2 MPH for some of the morning.    We got to Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff by 11:50am. So I took a shower in the outdoor shower stall (brrr) for $2.50 and did a load of laundry for $5. Then Legion, the caretaker, gave me a ride to a convenience store 5 miles down the road. They didn't have much food to choose from so it's Mac & Cheese for me for the next 2 nights.   We were back on the road by 2:40pm and made it to the shelter by 3:15. Knight and Pirate, two SOBO thru hikers, were already at the shelter. Turns out they're from NC.    We all put our tents up inside the shelter so we could stay as warm as possible! Hope it works. We plan to be up by 5am and hiking by 6 in the morning. Brrrrr. I hope it goes well for us tomorrow. It's our longest day since gb joined me. Only 23.7 miles and 2 sleeps left!
Date: 2014-09-19
From: Jeffers Brook Shelter

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.9

This would be gb's longest and hardest day yet! We made it to the top of Moosilauke by 10:15am. It was so windy and cold but the view was over the top beautiful! I chatted for a bit with a NoBo hiker I had met when we were camping out in Frank Lavardi's back yard in Dalton, MA.    I was able to talk to Ronnie on the phone and I got very emotional when I was telling him I could see Franconia Ridge which is my finish line!    We reached the bottom of Moosilauke at 1:40 and had our lunch at a picnic table in the parking lot There was a port a potty and bear proof trash can so we made use off both before pushing on at 2:10pm. We had another 7.5 miles to go and it was a long hike so we ended up doing a little night hiking. I managed to fall several times today. We shared my Mac & Cheese for supper at 8:45pm. Fortunately we were the only ones at the shelter so we didn't have to be careful or quiet setting up.
Date: 2014-09-20
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: Franconia Notch-THE FINISH LINE
Miles today: 8.8

So today is the last day of my 2,185.3 mile journey. I have such mixed emotions. It's been an adventure to say the least. And I'm so grateful to have experienced all that I have. I'm looking forward to seeing my family and friends and to being warm at night! It's going to take time to process all my emotions. I had hoped to be able to see Franconia Ridge from the top of Kinsman but the weather is cold, wet and cloudy so there won't be a view today. The hike up and down Kinsman turned out to be less difficult than anticipated which us fine with me! We stopped at Lonesome Lake Hut which is where I took my first backpacking trip in 1983. It's the trip that caused me to dream about thru hiking! We had hot chocolate and a snack and headed out to meet my daughter at the finish line only 3 miles away. As I hiked past the lake, I was hiking on one of the 2x4x8 foot boards that are used to cross over wet lands, I managed to fall hard on my face and I broke my nose! I wasn't able to stop the bleeding so I held my handkerchief over my nose for pressure and hiked out the last 3 miles with a sense of fear and humor. Fear that I might fall again and do more damage and humor over a broken nose. Who does that in the last 3 miles of a 2,185.3 mile journey? Just another story to tell, I guess.It was great to be greeted by my family at the finish line! Were they ever surprised by the mess my face had become. But we celebrated with wine just the same. Not the finish I pictured but I'm so grateful that I was still able to finish....and with all my teeth intact!
Date: 2013-10-24
To: I'm (still) not much of a one for prep entries
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello (again). I don't really like doing a lot of prep entries, but you have to make at least three entries to be given a direct link to your page. I attempted my first thruhike in 2011. I made it 364 miles, which is better than some I guess :-) I'm heading back for my second attempt in 2014, with more knowledge and experience and much more confidence. I wasn't really ready last time, but this time I'll make it all the way. This time I have the benefit of knowing the trail, towns, and resupply points for the first 360 miles.I also know exactly what needs to be (and doesn't need to be) in my pack. Last time was a bunch of educated guesses, most of which were right, but several were wrong. Now I know from the start every last item that going into my pack. I also know what to expect from the trail this time. There's no unknowns. Last time I had never set foot in the Georgia mountains before. My start date should be Monday, March 17. I'll be hiking the first 21 miles to Woody Gap with my friend Jim, who is driving me to Georgia.I'll get into gear in the next entry in a day or two. Till later.
Date: 2013-10-25
To: About Gear
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Most of my gear is the same equipment I used in 2011. I'm using the same external frame Kelty pack, which made me an oddball on the trail three years ago; I'll probably be more so now because most hikers use internal frames. It's just what I'm comfortable with. I'll also have the same sleeping bag, stove, cook pot, spork, platypus water bladder, platypus water tank, trekking poles, and crocs. I'm still using a Thermarest closed cell sleeping pad, but a slightly heavier and thicker one. I'm planning to use my Hennessey hammock for at least the first part of the hike. The thicker sleeping pad won't matter in the hammock, but there are times I will have to sleep in shelters. In the Smokies, for example. I have the same Big Agnes tent I used three years ago which I may or may not switch to when I get my summer pack. I also have the same summer pack and sleeping bag. The only gear I've replaced are my hiking boots of course, though the ones I'm starting the trail in are a perfect clone. I've also got a new hiking shirt and a new pair of convertible pants, but I've got the same pair of hiking shorts. I also have the same capilene light and medium base layers. I've still got the same hiking shirt and pants from three years ago, but I'm using them for town clothes because they are very light weight, and I don't want to have to wear my rain suit while I'm doing my laundry. I'm replacing the synthetic Columbia jacket I had last time with a down jacket, since some of the people I was hiking with had them and really seemed to enjoy them. I'm also going with a lighter head lamp that uses button cell batteries instead of 3 AAA batteries. The batteries don't last as long but they and the lamp are incredibly light.
Date: 2013-10-26
To: Training
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Like last time, I'm doing most of my training in the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area, which is in Tulsa, OK and has about 30 miles of trails very similar to the AT in everything but the extreme ups and downs you get there. The trails are primitive and wind through sandstone hills that provide an excellent cardio workout, for being right in the middle of a large city and just two miles from my house. I've hiked more than 2000 miles since leaving the trail in 2011. Most of our has been on Turkey Mountain with a 12 to 15 pound day pack on my back. My job gives me 15 days off every month, so I have lots of time to hike. Right now I'm doing 10 to 12 miles most off days, but I'll increase those numbers as the hike gets closer.
Date: 2014-03-09
To: Getting Ready To Leave
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

As I said, I'm not much for Prep entries. I'll be leaving for Georgia on Friday with Jim. Well get into the Amicalola Fails area on Saturday around noon. No particular plans for Saturday, but Sunday we'll likely drive up to the parking area at Mile 1 on USFS 42 and get the first mile out of the way. That way, when the Hiker Hostel drops us off on Monday we can just head north immediately instead of having to backtrack to Springer. That will also allow us to spend some time at the trailhead without feeling rushed. This will be my last prep entry. I'll start my trail entries on Sunday.
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Springer

To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 10.5

Jim and I started out at the Springer parking lot about 10 a.m. It rained all day Sunday, and was still raining as we were being shuttled to the trailhead. Fortunately, it stopped soon after. I'm very tired now due to lots of mud on the trail, so this one will be short. We stopped at Horse Gap about six. We didn't have the energy to tackle Sassafrass Mountain at the end of the day.
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Horse Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It rained lightly all night. I couldn't find two trees the right distance apart, so I ended up hanging a little too much. That also made my rain tarp sag, so my hammock got wet from touching the rain fly. My sleeping bag was wet when I woke up this morning after little sleep. We got started about 7:30 this morning. It was another day of cold and thick fog. It took us eight and a half hours to hike the 10.5 miles to Woody Gap, where we caught the shuttle back to the Hiker Hostel. I'm staying the night and slack packing to Neel's Gap tomorrow. Jim started back home to Oklahoma, glad to do the first 21 miles, but happy to be finished with the cold, fog and mud.
Date: 2014-03-19
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel's
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

Another day of mud, mist, fog and more mud. No views in the first three days. The hiker hostel offered to slack pack me from Woody Gap to Neel's Gap. I've never slack packed before, but it was great. Even with the mud, did 10.7 miles in 6.5 hours, partly because the cold and mist made taking any breaks miserable. Right now I'm in a cabin at Neel's Gap with Bubba and Nineteen, whom I met at Woody Gap yesterday. $60 split three ways for cabin with full size beds, stove, oven, fire place, free laundry and a deck with a great view of the mountains. Just baked a pizza. I planned my first zero for Franklin at Mile 110, but I decided after three days of non-stop mist and mud to keep the cabin a second day. I'm hoping to meet a couple of the hikers from the Hiker Hostel to share the cabin with the second day. I'd be surprised if anyone wants to stay at the cramped hostel instead of a comfortable cabin for the same price per person. The zero isn't for physical reasons, just mentally worn out from the crappy weather. I should also say some good things about the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega. They do a great job, and the hostel is fairly priced and comfortable. The only strike against them is that the breakfast they serve is meatless. I'd be happy to pay $2 more for my bed and get some sausage with my breakfast. I'm going to relax tomorrow up at Neel's Gap and talk to some hikers and get all my gear dried out and clean.
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Neel's

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning when Nineteen and Bubba started packing up. They left at first light. I napped again until about 10, then went up to the store at Neel's Gap to enjoy the sun and look fire some hikers to split the cabin with tonight. Met Swashbuckler and Spring Breaker in the hostel. They'd already paid, but were up for getting a refund to stay in more comfort at the cabin. One of the great things about being out here is that Swashbuckler and Spring Breaker are entirely different people than Nineteen and Bubba, but they're all great people. There's so much diversity out here. Met Miss Janet, the famous Trail Angel, at Neel's today. I've read about her in lots of journals, but hadn't met her before, even though we both started the trail on the same day in 2011. I bought a new Sawyer Squeeze filter system to replace the "Life Straw" that quit on me the first day. The weather today is beautiful. Wish it had been like this before. I don't regret the day off, though. Swashbuckler and I are going to leave early tomorrow morning and try to push for a fifteen mile day. If we can make it that far, on fresh legs, we can easily cover the seven remaining miles to Unicoi Gap for the 11 a.m. shuttle to Hiawassee, where I will get my tent back that Carol was kind enough to mail to me and mail my hammock back home.
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Campsite at Mile 49

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 3.9
Weather: light snow

Michael also didn't sleep well in his hammock and was up by six. I hadn't slept much and was up soon after. I was quick to pack up and soon headed out, since I was out of water. Michael gave me some of his, which I happily accepted since the next spring was 1.6 miles away. The Sawyer can easily filter 2 quarts of water in under 5 minutes. It's also rated to 100,000 gallons of water. Wow. Michael was still packing up when I headed out. I was happy I had stopped at 49 the day before, because the next 1.5 miles was a rock scramble. It was followed by a very steep knee pounding descent into Unicoi Gap. Art the Gap,I was greeted by 2013 thruhiker Invictus, hope I got that right, who gave me an orange soda, and offered to take my trash. Minutes later, the Warrior Hike people showed up and also began setting up trail magic. I scored two hot dogs, some chips, and another soda. They also had candy, but at the moment, candy holds no appeal. Something about hiking just makes it unappetizing. Michael and Swashbuckler both showed up shortly before the shuttle to Haiwassee. I had failed to foresee the need to make a reservation at the Budget Inn, which had no vacancies. I guess I got lucky in 2011. They apparently fill up quickly. I ended up getting a nice room at the Holiday Inn Express. I also had to arrange for a different shuttle service back to the trail. I almost called Miss Janet, but I'd rather save that for a real emergency. I'll end up paying about an extra $70 between hotel and shuttle costs, but it's a lesson learned. I did walk down to the Budget Inn to pick up my tent that had been mailed to me there, and made reservations for next Tuesday, since I'll be here, one way or another. I'm going to try to put in a long day tomorrow to at least Addis Gap, so that I can reach Dick's Creek Gap early on Monday. If so, I'll stay at The Blueberry Patch and then go to the Budget Inn on Tuesday. My knees are a little sore after climbing down into the Gap, and since I still averaged 10 miles a day in the first five days, with three days of mist and mud and one zero, I feel like I've paid off the first zero art Neel's Gap. If I can't make Addis Gap tomorrow, I'll go to Deep Gap Shelter on Monday and then get the shuttle to the Budget Inn on Tuesday, this time with a reservation. I'd still like to go to the Blueberry Patch the following day, but that will give me a strong start on the 40 mile section to Franklin. I had the great buffet at Daniel's for lunch, right next to the hotel, and picked up a light resupply at the Dollar General. I've still got some food left over, so I didn't need much. I'm also looking forward to the full breakfast that comes with my stay here at the Holiday Inn before my shuttle arrives around 8 a.m. to take me back to Unicoi.
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

When I woke up this morning and looked at the weather, the radar showed a line of thunderstorms moving into the area. I was a bit nervous about getting drenched with cold weather moving in, but I figured the hard climbs to start the day would keep me warm. As it was, the thunderstorms fizzled and we only got a brief rain shower. I had to pay $20 to get a shuttle back to the trail, but she showed up right on time and got me to the trail within 15 minutes. I started about 8:15 with the tough climb up Rocky Mtn. Tray Mountain immediately followed and both were tough, but I reached the turnoff to Tray Mountain shelter about 11:45. I needed water, but didn't want to make a half mile round trip to the shelter to get it. Fortunately, I found a seep spring on the trail, and after about five minutes was able to filter enough water to refill my water bottle. The trail was hard today, but I decided to try to make it to Deep Gap, 13 miles in, to set up an easy hike to Dick's Creek Gap and the Blueberry Patch in the morning. I had tweaked my left knee hiking down into Unicoi Gap, so I took it easy as much as possible, but now my right ankle is sore from favoring the left knee. I'm going to zero in Haiwassee on Tuesday to rest my legs. Right now I'm in my tent at Deep Gap, because the shelter is full. I could have probably squeezed in, but figured I'd be a little warmer in my tent, not to mention away from the snorers. I'm the only person tenting though. It's supposed to get down to the low 20's tonight.
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: clear sky

Forgot to mention Kelly's Knob at the end of the day in yesterday's journal entry: Ouch.This morning I woke up early so that I could get to Dick's Creek Gap for the 9:30 pickup for the Blueberry Patch. It was only a 3.6 mile hike down to the gap, but my ankle was sore and it was a very tough little section. I left camp at 7:15, and I made it down to the road six minutes before the shuttle showed up. I really wanted to get to the Blueberry Patch before it filled up, but I needn't have worried because even now at 6:30 p.m. there are still empty beds. The day before, it had filled up by 1:30. Today has mostly been spent relaxing. Had all you can eat baby back ribs at the Georgia Mountain Restaurant in town. Tomorrow I've got to try to hitch into town, because I have a reservation at the Budget Inn. Looking forward to a zero tomorrow to recharge my legs before the 40 mile section to Franklin.Kinnickinic asked how to pronounce my name. Wraijth is like "wreath", but with a long A sound. Thanks to everyone who has signed my guestbook. It's appreciated.
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: The Budget Inn in Haiwassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I left the Blueberry Patch about nine this morning. Those people know how to cook a good southern breakfast. I walked out to the road to try my hand at hitchhiking, which I had never done before. The road going into Haiwassee is supposed to be a very easy hitch, and I estimated that I'd get picked up within ten vehicles. I'm not sure if it counts, but number eight pulled over for me, but it turned out to be the shuttle from the Budget Inn returning from dropping hikers off at Dick's Creek Gap. I'm still glad he stopped. The Budget Inn is where I wanted to go anyway. I had made a reservation last week for tonight. I really needed a zero to rest my sore right ankle, which I got by trying to take it easy on my left knee through the last tough 17 mile section. I'll be good to go tomorrow, though. I did make some improvements with my gear while I was here. One of my biggest concerns has been trying to keep my hands warm in cold wet conditions. My hands get cold easily, but I'm hesitant to wear my gloves if they might get damp. I bought a pair of waterproof over-mittens that I can wear over my gloves which should solve that problem. I feel much better having them. I also mailed home the rainfly for my hammock that I still had in my pack. I had donated the hammock, but the rainfly was an after market item that I wanted to keep for camping. I also sent home my medium capilene pants, since I have yet to wear them on this trip. They're just too hot to wear when hiking. That shaved a pound of weight off. I've still got the light capilene pants. I also trimmed a few more ounces off be putting a few little things into the hiker box that I've been carrying for seventy miles but haven't used. I'm also trying to do a better job of figuring out how much food I need to carry. I tend to pack too much. I've got a jar of goober grape that I've been carrying since Neel's Gap that I haven't even opened yet. I find that Dollar General has most of the things I need for my resupply. Tomorrow I'll cross the Georgia/North Carolina border for the second time. When I got there in 2011, I swore I'd never hike Georgia again. I'll probably say the same thing tomorrow. Georgia is TOUGH.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: The Budget Inn in Haiwassee

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

The shuttle dropped us off at Dick's Creek Gap and I started hiking about 9:15. My goals were to make it to the GA/NC border and to take care of my ankle. The weather was nice, but it was a tough section. I made it to the border about 3:30. I didn't really want to stop so early, but I was exhausted and there were two more steep climbs right after the gap. There was a fire going, which was nice, because it really started to get cold at the end of the afternoon . I ended up staying. I didn't get much sleep because there was no level ground to pitch a tent on.There ended up being about 20 hikers camping at the gap and up on the ridge by the twisted oak tree. It was nice to get out of Georgia, I'm looking forward to some less horrific terrain.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Bly Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

I packed up at first light and started hiking about 7:30. It was freezing. The two steep climbs to start helped warm me up though.It didn't seem to warm up today like it was supposed to, but the sun stayed out. The terrain got a little less tough after the first couple of climbs I spent most of the day listening to my IPod, since I'm still hiking without a partner. I meet several people each day, but no one that I've hiked with any distance. My goal was to do about 11 miles to Beech Gap, but I got in about 3:30. The last forecast I had was for showers after midnight on Thursday and all day Friday. I decided to push on to Carter Gap Shelter in hopes of getting into the shelter in case the showers come. I made it in about 5:30 and there was one spot left in the shelter, which I grabbed. This is the first shelter I've stayed in on this trip. Tomorrow is probably going to be a short day to Long Branch Shelter, about 8.5 miles from here at Mile 102.5. The next day will be another short run to either Rock Gap at Mile 107, or Winding Stair Gap at Mile 110, and then catch the shuttle to Franklin for the night. My ankle actually feels okay after 15 miles today, so I don't intend right now to take another zero. I might change my mind though. I need to get about three day resupply to get me to the NOC, at Mile 137.