morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Springer Mountain, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well it's March 10th and I don't seem to be on the trail. Did I oversleep again? Crap! Guess I'll go next week instead. Yes, my new date is Saturday, March16th. Sorry to all my fellow hikers who are awaiting my celebrated arrival. You'll just have to go on without me. I just couldn't get going in time. And we're now having the best weather of the year! It would have been a great week to start, but it just wasn't to be.   This will give me time to cook more, prepare more, and just not be so rushed. That dreaded honey-do list just won't go away. It's hard to prepare to be gone for six months! Believe it or not, I still don't have all my stuff. I decided I would get a pack rain cover, and some arch supports, and a beanie cap to keep my brain warm. If I keep delaying my trip I won't even need any cold weather gear. Hmmmm. No, I better go so I can get to Katahdin by October 15th when they shut the doors. Thank ya'll for signing my journal. I don't plan to update again until I'm really doing this. No more delays! I'm going this time for sure! That's it in a ... Knuttshell..._ _ _..._ _ _ ...Knutt
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Hawk Mountain, GA

To: Gooch Mountain, GA
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we hiked from Hawk Mountain to Gooch Mountain Shelter, a distance of only 7.2 miles. One thing I¢ve learned is that it¢s not how far you hike, but how difficult the hike is. First of all, we lost our good weather. It started raining during the night, so we woke up with wet tents. That somehow seemed to transfer to everything else. Now everything is wet. You don¢t feel like making breakfast or heating coffee and especially not gathering your stuff and putting it with your soaking wet tent. But part of doing the AT, is you have to endure the weather. All you want to do is get going, hoping for a better day. If it¢s not there, maybe if you walk far enough, you¢ll find it. Not only was it wet, but so foggy you couldn¢t see any of the beauty before you, knowing full well it existed outside the fog. As for me, I sported my new rain pants that I apparently didn¢t notice are a size or two too large, so I spent my time pulling them up every 15 minutes as if I wasn¢t miserable enough. Take them off? Too cold. Besides, I don¢t want to get my only pair of hiking pants wet too.I was previously told that a good way to prevent blisters is to wear a pair of Injinji socks under your regular socks. Supposedly this keeps your toes from rubbing together. Just as Nyquil keeps me awake all night, my Injinji¢s created blisters I didn¢t have before. Preparing for this adventure, I hiked 9 or more miles on many occasions but never got blisters with one pair of hiking socks. There is some truth to ¢If it ain¢t broke, don¢t fix it¢. So now the trail gets even harder. I have wet gear, no breakfast, no coffee. I¢m not even sure I brushed my teeth and my feet are killing me walking on blisters. I could see on everyone¢s face, but mostly those over 50, ¢Why am I doing this? If someone looks at me wrong, I¢ll either assault them or quit and go home.¢ But no one did.I learned something today, that humans have great resolve. It¢s easy to go home and get back in your nice, comfortable bed. But if you want to accomplish something difficult, you have to be tough, and thru hikers are some of the toughest people I¢ve ever met.We hike another 7.7 miles to the Gooch Mountain Shelter. Though the hike wasn¢t as long as the day before, we had to hike up the largest mountain yet, Sassafrass Mountain¢¦ in the wet rain. I know, all rain is wet, but when you¢re hiking in it, it¢s even wetter. Just trust me on that.Gooch Mountain shelter is a little different than Springer and Hawk. It wasn¢t as large, so by the time I got there, there were no other level camping spots available. It¢s going to be even more fun tonight!
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Gooch Mountain, GA

To: Woody Gap, GA
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

It rained all night, or so it seemed, and just for fun, there was some really close lightning. I woke up to even wetter conditions, but the sky was clear. I learned something else today. I¢ve been asked so many times, ¢Where do you go?¢ ¢What?¢ ¢You know, to potty?¢ Well, you sometimes have a privy, or outhouse, and when that¢s not available, you dig a hole and fill it up. This is to keep the animals from messing with it. Maybe it¢s not something to write in a journal, but it¢s part of doing the trail¢¦ an important part, I must say.We decide when we stop tonight, it¢s time to take a break, sleep in a bed, take a shower, eat food that¢s not dehydrated, and resupply with those items you learned you need or need more of. I needed to get fuel. I had plenty of food but no way to cook it. Plus, I learned that lunch on the go does not include cooking. I wanted to get something I can simply open and eat, so I bought a couple of packages of tuna¢¦. Something I have at home but failed to pack.When we reached the end of the days trail, we got our first taste of trail magic. This is when good people decide to help hikers for no benefit to themselves except for being good. These nice ladies, who we thru hikers call Trail Angels, prepared hot dogs, drinks and chips for all the hikers coming off the trail at Woody Gap¢¦ not too far from Suches. We ate our food and called the two hostels listed in the ¢Hikers Companion¢ book that provides trail information. We called the ¢Hikers Hostel¢ but it was full. They even offered to take us to the next town, but we told them we would try the other hostel, which had plenty of room. We¢d heard the ¢Hikers Hostel¢ was very hiker friendly, even providing guitars to guests. But since they were full, we went to the Wolfpen Hostel and found out why they had plenty of room. Real nice people, but what I wanted more than anything was a bed. I got one all right¢¦ a bunkbed with a surface made of particle board. Next time I call a hostel, my first question will be, ¢Does your bed have a mattress?¢ Live and learn. I might as well be on the ground. It¢s still nice to eat regular food, take a shower (first since leaving) and have my clothes washed. I also had a chance to dry my tent and everything else as well.Tomorrow will be a challenge. There is a four mile stretch where bear canisters are required to keep food while camping. No one has these. I hear they aren¢t cheap, so we have to avoid stopping in that four mile stretch. This means we have to either stop after only 2 miles or do ten of the toughest miles yet, up Blood Mountain. Being that I have blisters on both feet, I¢m leaning toward the former. Stay tuned.
Date: 2013-03-21
From: Neels Gap, GA

To: Zero day in Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we took it easy to get some rest and let our bodies heal a bit before getting back to the trail. We said goodbye to Spider and Hawaii as they commenced their hiking that morning. Went to the Outfitter to get a hat for my big, cold head. While we were there, we met Baltimore Jack, who is a trail legend who knows more about hiking than most people. He has a free service where he will look through your backpack and advise on what to take and what to leave for weight. It was cool meeting him. Later, Noodles hitched a ride into town (Blairsville) and came back unexpectedly with arms full of groceries. What a guy! We made a big spaghetti dinner and snacked all day, and watched movies and basketball on the 13 inch widescreen TV. My feet feel better, my muscles are rested, and hopefully I'll be recharged and ready to hike again tomorrow. I hear there is a chance we will be hiking in snow or rain tomorrow, and Noodles is filling our heads with staying another day. It's tempting not to endure another day like we had earlier this week, but I'm ready to move on. I may change my mind once I wake up to cold GA mountain rain. Stay tuned till tomorrow!
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Neels Gap, GA

To: Whitley Gap 
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Blood Mountain Cabins near Neels Gap after taking my first zero, which means "zero trail miles walked". After being well rested and well fed, we hit the trail again towards Whitley Gap. When we arrived at the sign to the shelter we saw that it would be 1.4 miles each way to the shelter and back, so we decided to forgo the shelter and find a place to camp near the trail. We found a place and put up our tents and made a bonfire. Noodles cooked some macaroni and cheese with peanut butter and raisins, which doesn't sound appetizing but everything tastes better in the woods! It rained all night so we woke to a lot of wetness. All of our gear was soaked and it's so hard to get up in the rain. Anyway, we sort of regretted not hiking the extra 2.8 miles off the trail. We would have been dry, but on the other hand, we had a nice campsite and avoided the extra walk.
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Whitley Gap 

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Due to the rain all night, we woke up soaked. We had to pick up everything and pack it wet to go to the next destination. We trogged through the woods all day in heavy fog. It was like walking through a Blair Witch Project setting. When we arrived at Low Gap Shelter, there were only two people there, so we knew we could get a spot in the shelter and out of the pending rain. By the time we were ready for bed, there were eight people set up in the shelter, but we all fit fine right next to each other. Noodles had everyone in stitches as usual, so we had a good time. We met Morris the Cat and Stupid, Ryan and Aussie, Turtle, gMan, and OBie and Mollie at the shelter.
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap - Hiawassee
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Our next order of business was to head to Unicoi Gap, which is the road to Helen or Hiawassee. We headed to Hiawassee. When we arrived, the plan was to look at the map to determine how to get a ride into town and where to stay. As our luck would have it, we arrived right when a group of hikers was leaving for town. We hooked up with them and got a ride to the Budget Inn where we shared a room with Mustard and Natures Own. We got showers, washed our clothes and drank beer and moonshine until lights out. So today, we did 9.7 very wet and muddy miles.
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Dicks Creek Gap - Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today we took a zero day (no miles hiked) to resupply. Gman had to get supplies, I have to get my package, and Noodles has a broken backpack.   There were many backpackers in the hotel and among the community. Everywhere you look you see the typical hiker clothes: clogs, tan or green hiking pants or shorts, and standard down shirts and jackets. It's typical to talk to hikers as you see them, such as: "How far ya'll going?" or, ¢Stopping for a zero?" and of course any mention of pending weather. We went through our gear, resupplied and fattened up for the trail, and got some nice rest on a comfortable bed. It was such a nice day to hike today... it's a shame we had to spend it in comfortable luxury! No doubt we'll get cold rain again by the time we hit the trail, which I hope is tomorrow. At least I have a tarp now.
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

When we got up at about 8 o'clock or so this morning, G-man was ready to hit the road. Noodles was planning to get a ride to Franklin to pick up his new backpack because he had busted the strap on his other one, and couldn't hike anymore. I was still waiting on my package and everything depended on that. Deb had talked to the post office that morning and found out that my package would not arrive today. That bites because I really need to get back on the trail. However, I guess I have no choice but to wait. So I paid for another night at the Holiday Inn Express because the Budget Inn is still full. However I advised the front desk and called the Budget Inn to inform them both that if other hikers are looking to share a room, mine is available. I went into Hiawassee and finally found some suspenders for my rain pants. Yeah! Now my pants won't be falling down while it's raining. So all I'm doing is waiting around in my room waiting for time to pass. I'll get my package in the morning and be on my way. I stopped by the post office and asked if I could pick it up there instead of wait for it to be delivered to the hotel and they said yes. The post office opens at 8:30. The weather forecast for tomorrow is bleak. It calls for rain and more rain and colder temperatures. Unfortunately I've been in Hiawassee for two very nice and clear days waiting and now the bad weather's coming in. Still, I have no choice but to move on. The friends I've made are now ahead of me, but like I've said before, I have 2000 friends on the trail. It's a tight community and I'm sure I'll hook up with new friends. Maybe my new friends will have hired Sherpas to carry our backpacks.
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Dicks Creek Gap - Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

First thing this morning, I went to the post office, saw Max and intercepted my package. Now I can finally continue my hike. I caught the shuttle to Dick's Creek where I started my hike, thinking I'd like to get as far as I can to make up lost time waiting for my package. Along the trail, I saw Turtle and several other hikers. This hike was special because 9 miles down the trail was the North Carolina border. It was great to make that first milestone plus there was a nice camp area past the border called Bly gap. However, once I got to Bly gap, I decided that I still had time to make Muskrat shelter. It looked like rain was in the forecast, although it had been a beautiful day all day. I knew if I could make the shelter, I could avoid pitching my tent and packing it up wet, which is the most miserable experience I've had on this trip.I hiked the entire 12 miles and boy, I was exhausted. At Muskrat, there were seven other people and it was very quiet. We had dinner and went to bed very early and it rained all night. I was extremely thankful I made it to the shelter.
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Carter Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

I didn't sleep real well last night as usual. I don't really like sleeping in shelters because it's very tight since you're sleeping on the floor with people all next to you. It's just not that comfortable. We all got up this morning and prepared breakfast coffee and whatever... Then I continued on the trail. Today is much like yesterday. I'd like to get as far as I can to make up the time I lost in Hiawassee.About 4 miles down the trail, I ran into some trail magic. There was a church group feeding the hikers as I came off the trail. It was unbelievable! They actually had a menu to fill out to give the ingredients for omelettes. They had cookies, bread, biscuits, drinks of all kinds, anything that you could want and more and they just. kept. feeding us! They even sent me off with a sandwich for my lunch! Although it was a delay, I got good calories much needed for the trail, so hopefully I could do the 12 miles to Carter shelter. Along the trail I met up with Icarus. He's 30 years old and a very good hiker. He pushed me so that I could actually make that 12 miles even after doing 12 miles yesterday. By the time I got to Carter shelter, I was completely worn out. Guess who was at the shelter? G-man. I caught him after only one day by doing 24 miles in two days. The shelter was full so we had to pitch our tents with the threat of rain in the evening. At least I have a tarp now so we put that up over my tent to keep the rain off my tent. It seemed to work well. I guess we'll see in the morning.
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Wallace Gap (Franklin)

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0

We got a good nights rest and took care of the things hikers take care of in town ...showers, laundry, good food (Carolina Barbrcue), rest, refuel and restock, and powering up our electronics. At the hotel we met Don's Brother, who is hiking in benefit of his brother who passed away last year of ALS, and is raising money for the ALS cause.   We also met Jolly from Northern England, who later bought us shots at the bar to party England style, Highlighter, a young man who got his name from the color of his tent, and Chugg, a young man from Alabama with a hurt knee who was named fir his drinking style. Jolly, Nimble, Chugg and I were talking outside the hotel when a guy a little older than me walked up. I overheard him talking about giving Chugg a ride to the Budget Inn, so I asked if he ran a shuttle. He shrugged his shoulders and said he could give us a ride back to the trail the next day. He said he could be a shuttle. so I asked what he would charge. He said he wouldn't charge us and Nimble saluted the "TraIl Angel". The gentleman, whose trail name was InTents, then told us that he was a thru hiker in 2004, but only went about 200 miles and decided it wasn't for him, but he still liked to hike and moved to Franklin from Cleveland, OH. Now he helps thru hikers and said he wanted to take us to dinner after he took Chugg to check in at the Budget Inn. As hikers don't usually turn down trail magic, and I'm a hiker, I accepted the offer. About half an hour later he came back and took me and Chugg to Fatz Steak House to eat. When we arrived, Jolly, Highlight and Nimble were already at the bar. G-man, Icarus and i joined them a few minutes later. Jolly started buying shots and a party ensued. Once we all decided to call it a night, G-man informed me that InTents paid not only our food bill, but also the bar tab. What a guy. We'll get a chance to thank him tomorrow. There is magic on this trail...
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Wallace Gap (Franklin)

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

The Trail Angel who paid the bar and food bill last night was 10 minutes early to take us back to Rock Gap, where we left the trail. Icarus decided to stay in Franklin another day, so it was left to Gman, Nimble and me. We hit the trail during a nice morning weather wise. As it always seems, we started the day going up a steep incline. Further down the trail it got better, as the terrain was not obnoxious as it sometimes was. To rest my body, I decided to make it a relatively short day of less than 8 miles to the next shelter at Siler Bald. On the way we passed a group of folks hiking with name tags. They asked questions about being a thru hiker, like, "Who named you Knutt?"."My mother called me Nut.""Because you act like a nut?""No, because I lost the other one."Silence. Then we all laughed and I admitted it was indeed because of my activities as a nut.As Gman and I approached the shelter, we saw a guy wearing a t-shirt on a 40 something degree day playing Hacky-sack, and a girl in pigtails twirling a very bent up hula-hoop. We arrived and met up again with Nimble, who I thought would be further away, but who explained that he didn't want to get caught in the rain, which was my sentiment exactly. At the shelter we met K2Summit, Radagascar (hula hoop girl) and Lt. CooCoo Bird (hacky sack). We had such a good time that night just talking and joking around with our new quick witted and really funny friends. K2 Summit was wearing superfeet insoles with strings between her socked toes like flip Flops. Radagasgar asked, "What does her feet look like?". We all looked at each other, like "I know it's Camel Toes, but I'm not saying it". Then she broke the ice by saying the obvious.   We laughed all night after that and I had the best night yet in a shelter. We made a big fire and had a good old thru hiker bash.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter 
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

I got up and made oatmeal, something I rarely take the time to do in the mornings, to have a positive moment after last nights freeze-a-thon. It was so cold, I had real concerns about hypothermia for myself and fellow hikers. We let everyone at the shelter sleep on the floor, making for some discomfort, but we were all warm and cozy. A guy slept in the middle and at everyone's feet making it impossible to stretch my legs. I woke up with a very stiff back, but Im so glad the guy was out if the rain. He was comfy, I was not, but I'm soooo happy. I was the last out of the shelter, right behind Sunshine and Cannibal Curious, a couple who really know how to live on the trail. They're the ones who gave up their spot in the shelter, only to get their tent ripped by a falling icy tree limb.   As I'm following them, I see that they are doing a great service to the hiking community by picking up limbs and trees off the trail that fell last night during the ice storm. I felt I should do the same, so I help Cannibal Curious drag this huge tree off the trail and it's not helping my back... at all. But I did my duty and helped.... until I hiked away sort of naturally. So I'm hiking down the trail and get a text from GMan telling me he was sitting with Noodles. About 30 minutes later, I arrive to an open field with several tents surrounding a fire pit. There was Noodles with that big smile, or what some may call a shit eating grin. He had been camping there for three days waiting on us. We all took our back packs off, made lunch and had a mini hiker bash with Mountain Man (who actually built a fire last night with everything wet and frozen), Hawaii, Cannibal Curious and Sunshine, Noodles, GMan and even Stupid appeared.It was good to see old friends and meet new ones. I'm seeing hikers all the time now who I recognize and they me. It's cool having so many friends even though in reality, I haven't known anyone for more than two weeks. After the break we all continued our inevitable hikes toward our next destinations. I wanted to get close to the next restocking place, which is the NOC, so I was determined to make it to the second shelter, Wesser Gap. Several hikers met at the closest shelter, but most are going past it. It was a cool shelter because unlike the others, it was right in the trail, and the water supply was just feet away. As I was about to put my back pack on, up stepped Radagascar and Lt. CooCoo bird. I was torn about moving on now, but really needed to get closer to NOC so I could make it the next day. It seemed like we climbed this mountain for hours when we finally arrived at Wesser Shelter. We made a fire, had dinner and met Puddin from Mississippi and Paddy Cakes from Michigan.