morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-05
From: Three Forks

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 10.6

3/5Comfortable sleep with night temps only dipping into the 30s, was hiking in only a T-shirt and Packa for torso from the beginning. Saw my first hiker today when I stopped at Hawk Shelter for breakfast.   He said there were 11 at Stover Shelter last night.   I was later told that Hawk Shelter had an amazing 30 there that night. I have seen maybe 6 thrus on the trail and camped alone both nights. I guess the trail is as crowded as you want it to be. The section today included Long Creek Falls. I hope everybody took the short side trail. It was really flowing. Today also included Sassafras. It is the first significant climb for folks just starting the AT. There are many just like it to come. Got a cell signal from up there and read there was a Thunderstorm Watch followed by a Winter Storm Warning......oh boy. It was a nice 50 when I read this but knew things were going to get interesting. I checked the radar are saw storms coming. I did the math and saw I probably wouldn't make it to camp before it cut loose. I was right. I got to Justus Creek and found some platforms. They looked like they would be a mud pit so I looked to see if nature had something better. She did. I waited for about an hour for the rain to let up but it didn't. Setting up a tent in the rain is not my strong suit.   These conditions had hypothermia written all over it if you screwed up. I managed to set it up and get situated without getting any of my down gear wet. I am now warm and dry and expecting a cold night. 7:26 duration2828 ascent 2589 descent
Date: 2013-03-06
From: Justus Creek

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 6.1

3/6Yep, it was cold. Slept very well in what was a cold/windy night. I leave my watch just outside of the tent and it reads 25 as I type.   Quite a change from yesterday afternoon. Looks like we got a couple inches of snow and I'm in no hurry to get up. Seriously, no hurry to get up. Made a command decision at about 10:30 this morning. Needed to get up and get water anyway. Decided it wasn't that bad and quickly found out that I forgot to loosen my shoe laces last night. The shoes were frozen solid in a way that made it difficult to get my feet in. I knew better too. Managed to jam them in and packed up.Hiking was cold/windy but fine. The downhills were a bit dicy due to the snow/ice. I made the decision to catch a ride to Dahlonega from Woody Gap to clean up and get a couple good meals. It was a short day but still did around 6 miles. The forecasts were for more cold and wind which made the decision easier. I was planning on only hiking a couple more miles anyway.   If things go well in the morning, in getting a ride back to the trail, I should be at Neels Gap tomorrow night. 4:25 duration1645 ascent994 descent
Date: 2013-03-07
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.5

3/7My limo, I mean Papa Johns delivery driver, picked me up at the hotel this morning and took me back to Woody Gap. There was Trail Magic from Fresh Grounds at the gap but I had just had breakfast.   I'll get em next time. The hike from Woody to Neels Gap was harder than I remembered. It was too cold to take a nap up on Big Cedar like I did a couple years ago, so I just took a picture. On the climb up Blood Mountain I met AWOL. He writes the more popular trail guide for the AT. There were great views and clear skies from Blood. Got the final spot at the Neels Gap hostel. A church group fed all us hungry hikers with spaghetti, apple cobbler, and sweet tea. It's past hiker midnight (9 pm) and time to hit the sack. On to Low Gap or a bit further tomorrow. 7:28 duration 2567 ascent2631 descent
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Neels Gap

To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

3/8Had a great stay at Neels Gap. I highly recommend taking advantage of their hospitality. Today was the biggest elevation gain I have had so far and I didn't see it coming. The miles came slowly and now I know why. The weather was beautiful with not a cloud in the sky. It started out around freezing and climbed into the 50s. I started to run low on water and then the following happened:There were a bunch of folks at Low Gap Shelter so I decided to water up and move on. I decided I would camp at Poplar Stamp Gap and to my surprise there were several tents already there.   What a great group of kids to chat with around a campfire. I have my sights on the Cheese Factory for tomorrow night. 9:00 duration3301 ascent3094 descent
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Cheese Factory
Miles today: 12.0

3/9Woke up to another perfect day and a sunrise over my tent to boot. Day started off with a smooth old logging road, and finished with some tough ups/downs. I was totally spent when I arrived at camp. I am tenting at the Cheese Factory. All is well but they are out of Gouda. A Scout Troop 419 is here from Duluth, GA. They asked me to join their campfire and one scout cooked me some Chicken Pad Thai.   My first Trail Magic. Trail Magic is when a hiker receives help in some unexpected way.I am going to try for Dicks Creek Gap tomorrow and get a ride into Hiawassee. I plan on staying two nights in Hiawassee, taking my first zero (a non-hiking day) on Monday. 9:36 duration3081 ascent2799 descent
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Cheese Factory

To: Dicks Creek Gap: Hiawassee
Miles today: 13.0

3/10A little more on the Cheese Factory. It is nothing more than a nice place to camp. In the 1800s a real cheese factory existed on this site. As far as I know, no remnants remain. Shortly after leaving camp I stumbled across a Boy Scout troop cooking breakfast for hikers at Tray Gap. BSA Troop 605 out of Baldwin, GA fed me scrambled eggs with cheese, pancakes, sausage, hot chocolate, and orange juice. I think I drank a half gallon of OJ. Troop 605 does this every year. Upon leaving I about floated up Tray Mountain with all this energy. That energy must have run out by the time I got to Kelly Knob. Just when I thought I was getting pretty good at climbing hills, I met Kelly. I was humbled. My third Trail Magic came from Dave & Robin Hering. Upon noticing I was low on water they gave me a liter since they were getting close to their car. That water came in handy as the next water source was a ways away. I made it to the highway at about 5:15 and was promptly picked up by the shuttle from the hotel. After cleaning up, a substantial task after a few days in the woods, I ate at Daniels Steakhouse. Tomorrow I will be taking a Zero (a rest day with no hiking) and planning the next section. 8:26 duration 3396 ascent4265 descent
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Dicks Creek Gap: Hiawassee

To: Dicks Creek Gap: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0

3/11Enjoyed my zero day. Was glad the rain held off for most of the day for the hikers that were on the trail. I think most were able to get in nearly a full day of dry conditions before she cut loose. Will hit the trail again in the morning. I should be saying goodbye to GA in the afternoon and entering NC. The first of 14 states will be in the books. Plans are to tent near Muskrat Shelter. I'd like to get to Franklin, NC in three days. Gonna be a bit chilly on Wed night.
Date: 2013-03-12
From: Dicks Creek Gap: Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.8

3/12Been in an AT&T dead zone the last few days. This is being posted on 3/14. Got the 9am shuttle back to the trail. I knew it was gonna be a long day as I have done this section before. My altimeter watch (Suunto Core) was dead on with the altitude all day but the ascent/descent numbers below surprised me. It says I had over a mile of total climbing today. Really glad I took that zero day yesterday. During the morning I was either hiking in the clouds or it was just foggy. The temps were below freezing and the water vapor was freezing and collecting on the trees. At some point the ice would get to heavy and a gust of wind would cause the ice to fall. You had to put a hood on or the ice would sting.   I found the ice to be a free treat. This is called Rime IceSaid goodbye to Georgia today and hello to North Carolina. The first of 14 states are complete. Met a young gal, Molly, early in the day that graduated from Athens, IL HS in 2008. Small world. Others met today: Silver Fox, Snow Frog, Patriot, Grasshopper, Prayer Walker, Irish Charm, Sarah, Gray J, Chickadee, Escargots and Snowman. Snowman is 65 and has done multiple thru-hikes. Gonna try for Betty Creek Gap tomorrow. It would be my longest mileage but the terrain looks smoother. If I'm tired I will stop at Carter Gap Shelter. 8:08 duration5518 ascent3770 descent
Date: 2013-03-13
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.2

3/13Today would have been my Mother's 80th birthday. I shed some tears, and had some smiles, on top of Standing Indian Mountain (5500') remembering her.This was my longest day in miles for the trip but yesterday was harder. Will be going over Albert Mountain tomorrow. It is not all that long a climb but it will be the steepest to date. Saw most of the folks that stayed at Muskrat while hiking today.   Am camping at Betty Creek Gap with Snow Frog tonight.   Man, it's gonna be a cold one. Tried to pick a site down low but the winds are still finding me. Rumor is it could be low teens up here tonight. Glad I got my parka and 15° bag. 8:55 duration2792 ascent2989 descent
Date: 2013-03-14
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 12.2

3/14Felt like the coldest night of the trip so far. I tried to tent out of the wind but was only partially successful. It got down to 16 according to my watch. The first climb of the day was the legendary Albert Mt. Along with being steep it was icy to boot. Most of the rest of the day was down to Winding Stair with a couple bumps along the way. Got a ride into Franklin, NC and am staying one of Ron Haven's places, Sapphire Inn. Ron really takes care of hikers, shuttling them around town. Plan to sleep late and get on the trail before noon. 100-mile update:Wildlife - 2 squirrels, 1 chipmunk, and 1 birdInjuries - none except for minor soreness. I've been very fortunate. 7:03 duration2139 ascent2894 descent
Date: 2013-03-15
From: Winding Stair Gap: Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Gap: Aquone Hostel
Miles today: 5.9

3/15Slept great at the Sapphire Inn. Had dinner last night with SnowFrog at Mi Casa. Finally got a cell signal and caught up on my journal. It's a little less than 30 miles to the next natural stopping point. It would be hard for me to knock that out in 2 days so I have chosen to do a leisurely 3 days, getting into NOC on Sunday afternoon. I already have a reservation at the NOC bunkhouse. The climb out of Winding Stair oddly felt pretty easy. I hope that is a sign. I hiked most of the way up with Sarah, who I met at Springer. She stopped at Silar Bald Shelter. There was Trail Magic from "Fresh Ground" at Wayah Crest Picnic Area. My goodness the man makes good soup. A buddy of mine said if he had it to do over again he would stay at more hostels. I'm going to give that a try on this small section, and stay at Aquone Hostel , run by 2010 thru "Wiggy".   This hostel just opened in 2012 and seems to be not well-known to hikers. Today was a very short mileage day but they only pick up at certain roafd crossings. The Aquone can only be described as a 5-star hostel and I am the only one here. The following video will show what I mean. Wiggy has built an establishment beyond anything I thought I would see on the AT. I might just stay here two nights since he does a pick-up about 14 miles upstream. That will set me up nicely for an easy day into NOC. 3:10 duration1545 ascent1060 descent
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Wayah Gap: Aquone Hostel

To: Tellico Gap: Aquone Hostel
Miles today: 13.5

3/16Wiggy dropped me off at Wayah Gap at about 9:30. Early in the hike a SOBO spots me and says, "Thank God, another human!". I gave it my best Three Stooges impersonation and said, "Where?"Turns out this young man was lost and had lost his map. Seeing that he was deep in the woods and wearing blue jeans I figured he was a newbie.   He had been hiking the Bartram Trail and didn't know where to go now. He wanted to get to Franklin. I told him a 100% solution would be to take the AT to route 64 and hitch into town. The yellow-blazed Bartram Trail might have gone there but I had to go with what I knew for sure. He was a strong kid so the 10 miles via the AT should have been a piece of cake for him. Hope he made it. A bit later I get to the Wayah Bald Fire Tower.   Coincidentally trail maintainers for the Bartram Trail were busy digging post holes for a sign. They said they were PHDs (think about it). Met a couple families at the tower that were interested in the AT. One asked, "Why are you doing this?" I said, "Everest wasn't in the cards". I think I'll use that line again. Had a nice hike the rest of the day with Wiggy showing up at Tellico Gap to pick me up about 2 minutes after I got there. He will take me back to Tellico in the morning and I will continue north. I should drop into NOC in the afternoon. 7:36 duration3077 ascent3248 descent
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Tellico Gap: Aquone Hostel

To: NOC
Miles today: 8.1

3/17Said goodbye to Wiggy at Tellico Gap.   I cannot say enough about my stay at Aquone. Some of you folks behind me need to consider this place. You have at least a couple options. 1: Stay a night in Franklin like I did, sleep late and take the 11am shuttle. Do a short day (6 miles) to Wayah GAP (not Wayah BALD, as in AWOL's book), and call Aquone. Slack pack the 14 miles to Tellico the next day and hike the 8 into NOC on day 3. This worked like a charm for me. 2: You could blow by Franklin with the food you got and do the extra 6 to get to Wayah Gap. I didn't as I wanted to visit with and support Ron Haven. You can get real meals at Aquone, Maggie is a great cook, and top off your food bag if needed. I'm sure there are other variations but I needed three hiking days between Franklin and NOC. Hiked the first couple hours with K-Fox. The hike today was highlighted by the severe drop down to NOC, starting at the Jumpoff. It's one of those descents that tests your knees and toes. The video below will give a bit of an idea how far we had to drop. Tomorrow will be the opposite, with over 3300' of gain in 8 miles, topping out at Cheoah Bald. I'd love to stop and camp up there but the weather may have other ideas. Thunderstorms are in the forecast. Had dinner tonight at River's Edge, a staple at NOC. I survived the "Cool Jewel" dessert. I now cannot complain about lack of fuel for the climb tomorrow. Got my 6-bed bunkhouse room all to myself right now. Hope that holds up. Spring Peepers are chirping outside my window. Ah, the memories of Deam. 4:39 duration1096 ascent3120 descent
Date: 2013-03-18
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0

3/18Woke up, looked at the updated weather forecast, and decided to take a Zero here in NOC. At 7 this morning the forecast showed a 100% chance of thunderstorms right when I would have been going over Cheoah Bald (5062'). By delaying a day this may allow me to camp up there tomorrow night. I have heard the sunset from Cheoah Bald is amazing. I had planned to take a Zero every 7-10 days anyway, but was wanting to take it at Fontana. I guess there are no rules from talking another one there should the weather warrant. Smokies Weather has the overnight wind chill at -11F for Wednesday. I hope our folks are ready for that. I wouldn't want to be up there in those conditions. I've seen lots of familiar faces coming into NOC this morning. Very few are heading up. Those that are have Sassafras Shelter in their sights. I bet that thing fills up quickly. Today: Rest, Eat, Repeat.
Date: 2013-03-19
From: NOC

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 7.9

3/19I have been without good cell service between NOC and Fontana so this is being posted on 3/21. Had another nice night at the NOC bunkhouse. Ordered a large pizza from River's Edge last night. Saved two pieces for breakfast and two pieces for camp. I love taking real food out of town for the first night. As all AT folks know, the climb out of NOC is a big one. It's 1749' at NOC and 5062' at Cheoah Bald. It took me 5:35 just to do that climb. As the climb starts you can hear the river and tires on the road. After about 1K of climb the river is silent but you can still hear the tires for a bit further. Finally you can see everything you left but you can't hear it. I have a picture of NOC from over 2K up in my photo file. Patriot passed saying he was meeting his wife in Hot Springs in 10 days. I doubt I see him again. I still had some gas in the tank, but after I did this section a few years ago I promised myself that I would camp on Cheoah Bald if the weather allowed. Since I took that zero day, that opportunity was there. The views during the day are great. The views of the sun setting over the Smokies is just top notch. I have loaded several pics of the sunset. 5:35 duration3911 ascent692 descent
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

3/20The weather cooperated with the winds being blocked by some trees. It did get down to 23F according to my watch, outside the tent. I slept comfortably and well. Got up to get some pics of the sunrise but it couldn't match the sunset. The day didn't look that hard on paper but I was pretty beat after 14 miles. I was glad to see Cable Gap. The highlight of the day was climbing Jacob's Ladder. It is not all that long of a climb, at 600', but it is the steepest in the southern half of the AT. The young bucks can walk right up it. I was hanging onto trees trying to catch my breath. It's gonna be a cold/windy night here tonight. I hope the hikers that are in the Smokies tonight can stay warm. One forecast had the overnight windchill at -17F at Clingman's Dome. That is crazy cold. Tomorrow I should make it to Fontana Dam, at the base of the Smokies. I will be getting the best weather forecasts I can in deciding when to enter the Smokies. Spring is late this year. Winter still has the mountains in her grasp. 8:42 duration2864 ascent4993 descent
Date: 2013-03-21
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Shelter: The Hike Inn
Miles today: 6.6

3/21Yep it was cold and windy last night. It got down to 20F on my watch. After settling in for the night it started to snow as well. We only got about half an inch which did not affect anything. I heard that the Smokies had significant snow and the road from Gatlinburg to NFG (Newfound Gap), that splits the Smokies into a north and south sections, was closed for at least awhile today. The hike today was down to Fontana Dam but the AT always manages to throw in 1000+ feet of climb even on a down day. I don't know if it kosher for me to call a 6.6-mile day a Nero (near zero day), but since I got to my destination before noon I am calling it one. Bean and I hiked most of the way to Fontana together since we were both staying at The Hike Inn. We had trouble getting the phone at the Marina to work, so we hiked to the shelter area before getting a cell signal. By staying together The Hike Inn only had to make one trip. The Hike Inn is a hiker-friendly stop on the AT. It is one of those places I wanted to stay. They pick you up, do your laundry, and take you Robinsville so you can get dinner and resupply. There is no cell or wifi here but once in Robinsville there is. I weighed myself for the first time since starting and have lost 13 pounds in 17 days. This is actually about what I would have guessed. I got a "few" more to spare. I have noticed over the past few days that my inflatable sleeping pad was going almost flat over night. I didn't think this was due to Charles Law (cold decreasing volume) and was probably a very small leak. Small leaks are notoriously hard to find. Once at The Hike Inn I filled the tub with water and went through the process of pushing the inflated pad under the water to look for bubbles. Just when I was about to give up I thought I heard something. On an area I had previously checked I now found the tiniest of bubbles. I marked the spot, let it dry, and have now patched the tiny hole with a patch kit I carry. Hope that takes care of things. I am going to go with the advice of The Hike Inn with regards to weather and heading into the Smokies tomorrow. Winter is hanging on. They have lived here for 21 years and seen it all. As of this typing I do not know if I will start the Smokies tomorrow. If I do I will be out of cell service for as much as 4 days. 3:32 duration1558 ascent2694 descent
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Fontana Shelter: The Hike Inn

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

3/22Decided the weather window was doable to get to road that bisects the Smokies (441). Sunday looks bad but if things go well I can do those 41 miles in 3 days and head to a hotel Sunday night in Gatlinburg. Day 2 looks like it might be my toughest to date. Day 3 will take me by the highest point on the AT. The hike into the Smokies from Fontana Dam is up, up, up, as can be seen from the ascent number. I thought it was a harder climb than the one out of NOC, but I did that that zero day of rest in NOC. Staying at my first shelter tonight. By Smokie's regulations thru-hikers must stay in the shelter, unless full. The shelter I chose to stop at was not full. I got my earplugs ready as soon as I get done typing. 9:11 duration 4803 ascent2208 descent
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

3/23Slept well last night. There was already a trio of snorers going before I put those earplugs in. After that I didn't even know it poured rain over night. I'm sure I made it a quartet at some point. Ridge Runner Billy let us know that it would be best to get to Newfound Gap as early on Sunday as possible as bad weather is rolling in. That meant some pretty big miles today over some harsh terrain. Day 2 for NOBOs is known to be a rough one. To top it off the trail was very slippery today. Any wrong step and you were going down. We got some pretty tired pups here at the shelter tonight. Shaggy, Bean, Trekker, Pilgrim, and Rob are here. Somewhere midday today we crossed the point where we have less than 2000 miles to go. Woohoo. The picture on this page is of a "piped water source" on the AT. Trail maintainers drive a pipe into a spring to make it easy for hikers to collect water. At most of these sources the water is pristine, but I treat it anyway. For today, and most of the rest of the Smokies, we are on the border of TN/NC, so our left foot is in TN and the right foot in NC. There is no special tree like there was for GA/NC. I forgot to mention yesterday, Chickadee and Owl are temporarily off the trail. Chickadee has to attend a sore foot. I kept seeing this pleasant aunt/niece duo. I hope they can return. Gonna try to make a beeline to NFG tomorrow. I'm gonna be one wet/muddy hiker by the end of the day. I should have a "surprise" waiting for me.....10:01 duration4688 ascent3589 descent