morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Tray Mountain Shelter Campground

To: Top of GA Hostel, Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

The Swag of the Blueridge Gonna be a longer day so we get an earlier start, it's mostly down to Hiawasee but included in the days events are a climb up Kelly's Knob. and an oddly named gap called the "Swag of the Blue ridge", swaggie and matilda can't resist a photo.It's a bit steep so we stop for a breather, it's a great view for lunch and there's a couple from NY and a Londoner for company, then down down to Dick's Creek.There's a guy with trail magic at the gap, he has watermelon to share, it's quite a warm spring day and we're thirsty, so the watermelon tastes great, he's Native American and goes by Crazy Horse, Eastern Cherokee, we chat for a while.The Swag of the BlueridgeWe'll bump into him again several times in Hiawasee, he's looking for news of a blind guy attempting to thru-hike the trail, we haven't heard about it yet so can't help.Soon enough a van rolls up from Top Of Georgia hostel, it's brand new and really nice, we basically have a private room because it's only sparsely populated, there's a stove and microwave for cooking in the community room, but a no alcohol policy because of some wild times some hikers had, bummer.We catch the evening shuttle into town to get dinner to cook, hot pizza with soda and brandy to relax.We chat with a woman from Seattle, then Fern Lover and Hopalong arrive, it's a big reunion, but the loud snorer is with them (from Neals Gap).Crazy Horse Doling out Trail MagicWe beg them to take him and they do, oh joy! I celebrate by smoking a cigar under the stars sitting on the porch, down wind from Matilda and Seattle girl.
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Top of GA Hostel, Hiawasee, GA

To: Holiday Inn, Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Coffee and shuttle in the morning to the Huddle House again for brekkie, there are some friendly locals hanging around there, we head to the Holiday Inn for an early check in, no worries, then off to look for shoe goo to hold my holy sneakers together, also need a ground sheet for tent (maybe) since Matilda won't be around to carry the rest of the tent.By the Lake in HiawaseeWe head off the NC to buy liquor, GA has weird liquor laws and NC is very close by indeed, we get some very hard liquor, 75% alcohol, good to carry but tastes awful, I never thought I'd have to say that about liquor. We also get some fruit based liqueurs with the fruit still in the jar, looks yummy, it's for home.Back to Hiawassee for wine, it's a surprising town that has quite a nice wine shop, who'da thought in a small town in rural GA.The woman staffing the place seems quite knowledgeable and friendly and tells us of a great place for a genuine local lunch, it's called Mary's, I remember it from our trip to NC, right at an intersection, so we head back to get fried trout for lunch and come back to the lake to sit and eat.Noshing on Fried Trout by the LakeBack to the hotel for a nap and a shower, and then to the nicest place in town, the Chophouse, it has a lovely view of the lake. Back at the Holiday Inn, Jaws is playing on TV, what a segue.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Dick's Creek Gap, Hiawasee, GA

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Calorie LoadingIt's brekkie at the Holiday Inn then to Ingles Supermarket, really nice spot, getting biscotti, instant espresso etc for the trail.ISO of a small bottle of hot sauce, this stuff works wonders for trail food, and another stop at Rite Aid for drugs.We pack and head to a local coffee shop for an espresso drink and chocolate cake, another surprise for a small town in rural GA, they may not have beer on Sunday but there is a nice little coffee shop with yummy chocolate cake.Up to the AT trail head on the mountain, there's a hiker trying to hitch a ride into town there. Sad goodbye to Matilda heading off to New York City for Grandma duty, alone till Winding Stair Gap on Friday.The AT is deserted this day, there's no one on it till the shelter and there's 6 there, 2 are pushing on, Dude, Shepherd and Utah Red staying.I sit down to write, smoke and take a leak, then get the serious munchies, Wayne has canned ham, we can't stop eating it, then the Dude brings out mashed potatoes and we lace them with ham, so yummy, we sit around a great fire till 10 pm.Loaded Up Cappuccinos
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

The Dude at the GA-NC State LineIt's a great group brekkie, Grits and Ham with extra flavor added by hot sauce, wish every trail brekkie could be this good.Floating down the trail now, feeling at one with nature it's a slow start in the high country of Georgia on a beautiful morning in the woods, trying to melt into the trail.We come to the GA-NC state line, Georgia is done, really a pretty easy state, and nice comfy start to the AT for those going North, plenty to time to work you way into the trail.We stop for pics at a sign on a tree marking to state line, then just a short hop to Bly Gap with it's famed old oak tree, there are a cupla tents pitched nearby, more pics from climbing the tree, it indeed looks really old and gnarled. Georgia is definitely over, the AT jumps right into a steep climb outa Bly Gap up to the knob on top.Perched in the Old Oak Tree at Bly Gap There's a crowd at the next shelter for lunch, including a couple selling dried trail food and a woman who bats her eyes to hawk a dehydrator, it's a bit of a weird scene come upon at a shelter in the woods, and they don't have anything good to eat for lunch.It's very slow for me outa the shelter, trip and stumble up the trail, the AT has gotten more difficult, there are wet roots and rocks to keep a hiker on his toes, hopefully. I take a short break at Deep Gap, it's warm now in the mid day sunshine and some layers come off. There's an easy climb to Standing Indian Shelter, there are 2 others camped here, we get a bit of fire going with some green wood, then off into the sleeping bag early, feeling a bit weary.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3

It's a chilly, windy, sunny morning, too cold for a quick start and there's garlicky grits for brekkie with added chili powder and hot sauce to warm up a cold belly, so I linger a bit with the Dude another hiker called Toothbrush.I step out ahead on the way up Standing Indian Mountain, the Dude is a bit slow and Spike stops for a breather on the way.There's no view on top, there IS a good cell signal though and I send a text to Matilda in NYC to check up.Heading into Beech Gap and running a bit low on water so scouting around for a source, it's not readily apparent, there are some folks camped there and they point me to a small spring for the crystal liquid.Eric and Sister, Homemade, Utah Red and all stopped at the next shelter, Eric has a very heavy pack and it's hurting his back so he's resting a bit with the others.Feeling energetic today, maybe coulda gone all the way without stopping, roll along singing the musicized version of Henry Lawsons Poem "The Tent Poles are Rotten", it seems to relate well to the AT.It's only 3.7 more to the gap and camp sight, it's mostly downhill, meet Spike and Toothbrush along the way, we come on a nice view that's not marked in the guides, you can never tell, Dude just blows past it though, in a hurry to get to the camp sight.There's a group there already with a fire going, how nice is that, have a man-to-man chat with Dude at the water source, he was gonna push on but decides to stay, there's a guy there from University Park who bores everyone to death, you to almost be my neighbor, there are 3 ex-military types there as well.I stay up for a smoke with the Dude, it seems he has a taste for cigars as well, they help me sleep if I smoke them before going to bed.The sky starts to turn threatening, one hiker was gonna cowboy camp in the open but decides to set up his tent instead, smart move, getting wet in the middle of the night in early spring is not a great feeling.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Sapphire Inn, Franklin, NC
Miles today: 12.2

Stormy Skies and Wind on Albert MountainUp early in the am, it's raining a bit, good thing the hiker from last night set up his tent. Brekkie is the last of the grits and garlic with some added hot sauce. It's off quickly to Albert Mountain, a very steep and rocky uphill for a 1000' to 5250', pretty high for the AT.For NOBO's a little taste of what's coming up much further North in New Hampshire, pass Dude on the way up.It's very windy and cloudy on top, a great view obstructed a little by all the weather formations and the wind making a bit uncomfortable, there's a fire tower to get an even bigger dose of wind and a better view. Utah Red does some cooking in the tower, then Spike and Dude roll up too to climb the tower, then a very fast downhill to Long Branch for a Privy stop.The Dude on Albert MountainFeeling a bit hungry and cold after the fire tower and wind on Albert so some hot tea and PB&J make for a good combo to warm and calorie up, messaging with Matilda while eating and drinking.Plenty of time till our meeting point at Winding Stair Gap so rest for 2 hours. Short Leash and Home Made show up, they wanna get to town, the Budget Motel has a shuttle pick up in the am. I head off at 1.It's a gentle roller coaster to Rock Gap, there's a shelter there with some hikers but I don't stop, need to get to Winding Stair early just in case.Trillium Growing at Wallace GapThere's some trillium growing at Wallace Gap, pretty little wild flowers in the forest floor, one has just popped out while the others close up.There's a bit of a climb outa Wallace Gap with a huge downed pine tree across a stream crossing.It's so big it's comfortable to sit on and message with Matilda, then an easy down to Winding Stair Gap, get there 1 hour early despite all my stalling techniques.There's a note pinned to the sign at the Gap from Dude and Utah Red, offered them a ride but they caught a hitch into Franklin, a shuttle pulls up looking for riders, I'm all alone now so no takers, the driver says he'll be back in 15 to check again. Got plenty of time so string the tent out on a tree to dry a bit, it got wet last night in the rain, listen to some music to pass the time. Finally oh so happy re-union, Matilda drives past and then turns around, it's not obvious that there's an AT trail head and I'm off to the side a bit, we head off down the mountain and into Franklin, a town that used to be famous for precious stones, mostly gone now. We have to wait a bit to check in at Havens Budget Inn, it's a very hiker friendly place so we sit around chatting with other hikers who are on the trail, finally Janis shows up to get us in. I'm really hungry so we go off to Vitos Pizza, it's slow service and has a very conservative vibe to it, the pizza is pretty good and fills a spot.There's music at a cafe tonight, bluegrass of course, it's a pretty good band that we can sit and enjoy while downing more beers, perfect way to end the day. Bluegrass Musicians in Franklin
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: clear sky

Kountry Kitchen for brekkie, real local place, they have nice breakfast wraps that come slowly, no worries it's a short day for us. Back to the Budget Inn to pack up and get ready, Dude is there getting ready too, we go off to (yet another) Ingles Supermarket to top up our resupply.It's Ham flavored grits again, becoming a trail favorite, also get some PB&J and go off to the Microtel to check Dude in and avail ourselves of the toaster to brown our English Muffins to get the doughy taste out for the PB&J, brilliant idea.Grilled NY Strip @ Caffe RelGot plenty of time so we go to the fanciest cafe in town, Caff© Rel, nice salad and a steak to fire up the legs for the next section. Drop Dude of then back to the Sapphire Inn to finish packing, we park the car in the back of the lot, the owner is very accommodating to long distance hikers and we can leave the car here for quite a while we continue up the trail.The shuttle sweeps us up the mountain, back to Winding Stair Gap, driven by a very quiet woman in a very noisy and smelly (exhaust fumes) jeep.There's always a climb outa a gap, and this is a bit tough with heavy packs, carrying a big can of ham to last us for a few days.Siler Bald ShelterWe're headed for Siler Bald Shelter, it's just a little short of the bald itself, we'll get there tomorrow. Meanwhile Utah Red has arrived at the shelter carrying a case of Yeungling beer, almost trail magic, no problem to drink the beer but he'll have to carry the empties out to the next trail head, no trash cans in the wilderness on the AT.We get a small fire going and attempt to heat up the ham from the flames we it still in the can, no grill here, it doesn't work out quite so well, the tin falls apart in the heat, the ham still tastes great with potatoes and some left over BBQ pieces from another hiker.We have a nice after glow from brandy. Thespian and Twinkle Toes join the merriment, plus another young woman.
Date: 2014-04-29
From: US 19/74, Nantahala River

To: US 19/74, Nantahala River
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Breakfast is in the big House, we'd like a shuttle to the NOC but Gwen is busy and can't help for now so we hoof it down the busy US 19/74, there's a point where the road narrows around some overhanging rocks and we don't have much of a shoulder and we're almost on the road, which almost causes a rear-ender as someone overreacts.Need to arrange to print a couple of pages and send a fax, the NOC staff turn out to be helpful and it's all arranged without a hitch. My new shoes have arrived from Lowa as replacements for my current falling apart pair, I know they're trail runners but they shoulda lasted longer than this, they're supposed to be waterproof but the sides have fallen apart and they'll likely leak.It's already lunch time so we head into the Rivers End, we wanted the Brew Pub just across the river but it has weird hours, we wander in and they say it's closed, oh well. Utah Red is on the same schedule as us and joins for lunch but can't afford rafting.Class 2 Rapids on the NantahalaOur white water adventure will be with Paddle Inn, they have accommodations too but don't look too impressive. It's a quiet time, the season hasn't really kicked up yet, a bit early, cold and rainy until the heat of summer when folks seek the cool of the river and the water.The mum who runs Paddle Inn is short and plump and energetic, she rolls up on a loud quad and accuses me of being too tiny to fit in the PFD. I'm on the trail, what does she expect, it's all in good humor though.I mention to her that Paddle Inn is not in the AT guide, that would direct a lotta business her way so she takes down the info.Chris is our guide, we go off with 4 Floridians doing Duckies and get a quick lesson in white water rafting, it seems a little intimidating, we've done this before and the water doesn't look too rough so should be OK.There are some Class 2 rapids on the river, Chris does his best to entertain us, part of the role for an extroverted river guide. There's a great gorge on the river, which is lined with some fancy looking houses, must be nice.There are falls at the end of the run, Chris flips the raft around 180 degrees and we fall over backwards, totally set up to have some fun.Relaxing at the End of the Day with Wine and CigarWe head back to the NOC after all the fun on the river for a beer and a bit of snack, some of the hikers at the NOC have decided to have a toga party and getting around dressed in sheets from their room. Twinkle Toes and Achilles are there too taking a day off.We get some beer and hitch a ride to a nearby gas station for pizza and supplies, then back to the cabin for packing and cleaning, smoking a cigar and having a bottle of good Aussie Red wine to finish the day.
Date: 2014-04-30
From: US 19/74, Nantahala River

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Surprisingly hungry in the morning after downing a whole pizza the night before, it's tempting to start noshing right away, we restrain ourselves because we know the River Side cafe has a real brekkie and we just have coffee for now while we pack up.Gwen is gonna drive us down, it'd definitely a walkable distance but nice to get a ride, we've seen a whole bunch of minis getting around and were wondering what was going on.Gwen clarifies that they gathered from all over the country for an event called "Minis on the Dragon", there's a piece of road outa Fontana Dam that has an insane number of curves and folks come to drive it, not as a race, more like a fun event with some spirited driving, and she's gonna participate. We'll see more of them later as we approach the dam, which is on the AT.Carpets of Trillium in the MountainsIt's a nice brekkie at the NOC, French Toast, Eggs and a Biscuit, nice to fill up before heading off into the wilderness again.Do a little shopping at the NOC but they don't have much that a backpacker can carry so it'sjust a t-shirt, nice and light.Then across the river for the last time and up the mountain with only short breaks for the view, we have a late lunch at Sassafras Gap shelter, not meaning to stay, it's in the clouds and the rain sets in so we decide to stay put and keep a little dry.Clouds Build as the Day ProgressesMaybe we shoulda pushed on, the shelter has mice and one runs over my hand and wakes me up, really annoying, plus a woman is snoring pretty loudly, Matilda bangs on the floor next to her and she rolls over. The toga party group are also there.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter Campground
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Up early to get away before 8am, we have a long day to make up some miles that we didn't do yesterday, it's still 22 miles to Fontana Dam and we only have food for 3 days so gotta hopalong.We have a bit of climb right away up to Cheoah Bald, the days only bald, get up there pretty easily but then tire out, we're headed down into Stecoah Gap but there are some short steep up's along the way and they tire you out.Trillium Carpeting the WoodsThere's a German couple at Locus Cove, they're notable because they always carry huge packs, we've seen it enough to notice a trend. The trillium is out all over the place, lovely carpets of pink and white flowers to grace the still wintery landscape.There's some trail magic just short of Stecoah Gap and we stop for lunch, there's a nice view and and the German couple come by without stopping. We press on to Brown Fork Gap Shelter and make a water stop, it's another dirty trashy shelter.Another 2 miles of bumping up and down and we're at Hogback Gap, the German couple are lunching there, another mile to Coy Gap and there's a nice camping area but we press on, only 3.2 to Cable Gap, we can make it even though feeling very tired.Snake Hidden in Last Years LeavesStumble down to Yellow Creek Gap and email the Dude, there was a rumor of trail magic here but alas nothing, we and the German couple are on the same schedule and they pass again as we rest for a bit, a short nap and then a gel pack to try and get energized again.It's finally an easy section to Cable Gap, overall this was a tough one, lotsa ups and downs and some nasty shelters, blowdowns on the trail and one spot where a fallen tree has skidded down the side of the mountain and left a big gouge in the trail. The Great Smoky Mountains Hiking Club doesn't do much of a job at maintaining this section of trail or the shelters.First Glimpse of Fontana DamCable Gap is a small shelter, it doesn't look too dirty but it's not raining so up goes the tent and we get a small fire going to close out the day.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Cable Gap Shelter Campground

To: Fontana Hilton Campground
Miles today: 5.7

It's a bit of a climb the first few miles and some ups and downs of course, then an easy roll down into the Fontana Dam area, daily total only 5.7 so we'll have lotsa time to explore the area.Pit Crew in Action on a MiniThe AT seems to go way outa the way and away from the dam, then makes a big u-turn and comes back towards it, I think they coulda cut a few miles off with a more direct route.It's easy terrain and we make good progress, come to the AT Route 28 Crossing and a parking lot with a marina and a bait shop, there's a pay phone that can be used to call for a shuttle into town.There's also an intrepid kayaker who is trying to get his boat onto the racks of his truck, we offer a hand and he gives us a ride into town, it's very small and there seem to more minis than people.A Classic Mini Cooper SWe spy a grill of in the distance across a lawn and road where the minis seem to be lining up, it might a kinda "pit lane", love to check them out but time for food and beer, priorities of course.There's a classic old Mini Cooper S from the 60's, it's cute and a little boxy but so much smaller than the newer ones (made by BMW) so Matilda poses for a shot by it.After lunch we wander around checking out the action, people are working on their cars, one group has the car under a cover they have dubbed a "mini-skirt".It almost looks like a race, though of course it's not, lotsa folks are doing last minute prep to the vehicles, they bring a pit crew and tons of equipment.Some Hot CoupsWe'd planned to stay at the Hike Inn, there's a package waiting for us there to resupply, they don't have any space for us but will deliver our resupply package for nothing, very nice, they'll deliver it to the AT crossing so we catch a shuttle back there to meet them.Now we gotta lug the box about a mile and a quarter along the trail to the Fontana Hilton, it's so-named because it's one of the nicest shelters on the trail.There's already a party going on, lotsa cans of beer floating around despite all the "No Alcohol" signs, and there's trail magic in a nearby parking lot, they have pork tenderloin and fried tortillas.No openly dispensed alcohol because it's on some kinda park property, they've gotten around it by putting all the booze in a car with an open door, so it really is an open bar, you just go help yourself.Fontana LakeThe shelter is very crowded and will probably get noisy late at nice, somebody always snores, we head to nearby campground and set up. Then we gotta figure out how much food to take with us into the smokies, it's four days to Newfound Gap and then end of our hike for this section, can't afford to come up short in the middle of the smokies wilderness.It's been a very pleasant day, we finish up chatting to a hiker in the hilton who has been to Australia, we talk for a while but gets a bit boring so we head off for the tent.