morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Brown Gap

To: Garenflo Gap
Miles today: 16.7

Pushed on again today, rain forecast for Friday and Saturday. We were going to stay at the hostel in Hot Springs Friday night and zero on Saturday but with rain in the forecast we decided at $20/night it was worth it to push Thursday, stay an extra night at the hostel, slack 7 miles in the rain Friday and still zero Saturday. Today's hike was a cacophony of of meteorological experiences. We went from cold to relatively hot, snowdrifts up to two feet to dry to mud, windy and calm, sun and clouds, the only thing we didn't see was precipitation, but we saw plenty of that the last couple of days. A spectacular view at Max Patch which is a bald with a beautiful 360 degree panorama and would be a great place to spend a sunny afternoon. Unfortunately today was a cold and windy at Max Patch so we only spent enough time to walk across it. The legs are getting stronger, they only complained during a two hour climb and then again at the end of the day. Right now they are looking forward to Saturdays zero.
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Garenflo Gap

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

A seven mile trek from Garenflo Gap to Hot Springs. An uneventful trip except for one point where I thought I saw a grave stone just off the trail. Upon investigation it was two gravestones. Born in the 1880's she died in the 1940's and he in the 1960's. Turns out they owned the property when the government was buying (usually against the owners will) the property for the AT. Part of the agreement was the they could be buried there. Our seven miles ended shortly after noon so in all, tomorrow's zero will be like a zero and a half. With this free time I've been doing some reading. Not having read many of the classics I've load quite a few onto my kindle. Some are good some are boring. The most recent one was boring me so I switched to a non-classic, Tim Allen's Don't Stand to Close to a Naked Man. I was only a couple of pages in when Radar walked into the room, out of the corner of my eye I could see he was doing a double take and had that are you all right look on his face. He must have thought I was incredibly home sick or something. I do believe there was a year running down my face I had been laughing so hard. So much for the classics. I just heard today that some people had to be rescued from Tuesdays storm in the Smokies. I don't think it was anybody I know as they all seem to be accounted for except for one couple who were one or two days behind us and they are very smart experienced hikers who I am sure are just fine. Most of my pictures are on my camera so until I have access to my computer I can't put them on here. I am going to attempt to post one that Radar took durning the snow storm but if all you see is white then pretend it's a real bad blizzard. Actually, because my beard is so white the picture may not show it but the left side of my face is encrusted in ice. Never mind, I've just been informed by one more technologically advanced than my that I need some other program to do it. Those of you who know Carol, ask her she has a copy but blow it up so you can see the ice.
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 231.8

Cool & cloudy this morning, rain this afternoon and evening. Spent an hour at the the natural hot springs down by the French Broad River, it was a very relaxing afternoon (thanks for the suggestion R,A,&R). This evening a 2006 thru hiker named Johnny K and a few others, whose names I have forgotten (I apologize) provided some trail magic - burgers, hot dogs, chili, salad, cupcakes, brownies, and pop. Thank you to all. I spent the evening in town catching up with others I hadn't seen since the blizzard. On the walk into town a car pulled up and and the driver said "Hey you guys, get in" it was Happy Feller who we hadn't seen since Fontana Dam. His wife was in Charlotte on business and came up for the weekend helping him slack pack. It was nice getting to meet her. 16.3 miles on the agenda for tomorrow. Supposed to be windy but the rain ends before we leave, highs in the mid 50's. Mid to high 70's by Tuesday and following. We shall see.
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Log Cabin Drive
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Well, we knew it would be windy but we thought we'd gotten the weather we wanted. High in the mid 50's, sunny by afternoon. I guess, technically, we got what we expected but not how we expected it. No snow when we left Hot Springs but we could see it on the mountains. The mountains are full of rhododendrons and the rhododendrons were covered in snow. The snow was falling off the rhododendrons unto the hikers below. The trees above the rhododendrons were covered in ice. As the day warmed up the snow melted and fell on the hikers as water, the ice on the trees however didn't bother to melt but jumped right out of trees and pelted the hikers below. By the end of the hike we had our mid 50's (I guess) but the wind makes it seem colder. The sun is shinning. They still say temps climbing through the week into the high 70's, perhaps then the rhododendrons will bloom and we will be pelted with petals. It's warmer back home than it is here and I'm sure we have more snow here. It's two days from April and we are in the south (TN/NC) for crying out loud. Tune in next week when I will be complaining about the heat and the bugs. Did I mention that my legs ache and I'm hungry? P. S. I believe total miles are now correct if it says 290.2
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Log Cabin Drive

To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Weather today was great so here is my complaint of the day. In the mountains there is still a significant amount of snow from what fell two days ago. Warm sunny weather melts snow. When a lot of snow melts it creates a lot of water. Water seeks the lowest spot, the lowest spot is where we walk, it was like walking in a stream. Okay, that was a complaint for consistency sake. It seems that the last couple of days I have been complaining. In all honesty today was nothing to complain about. So our feet got wet, big deal, the temperature was well into the 60's, no wind, sunny, it was our longest day yet and we are staying in a garage that has been converted into a bunk house. There were some climbs over boulders and great views. All in all it was a good day.
Date: 2014-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have seen a few people fall, thankfully nobody has been hurt. Me, no I don't fall, after all I did play High School Football 40 years ago so I must have pretty good balance, I don't fall. Pride goeth before a fall, two of them to be exact. The first fall was like something out of Cops and I was the main bad boy. I started to fall and thought I'd caught myself when the centrifugal force from a 40 pound pack spun me around and spralled me out face down and spread eagle, I thought the I was about to get cuffed. We pushed kind of hard today, probably the most physical demanding day yet. Got a great view from tall big bald. Scheduled for ten miles tomorrow, six miles Thursday and a zero on Friday. Went through 8 liters of water, a lot of sweat, I sure do stink.
Date: 2014-04-02
To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

When it follows a hard day there is no such thing as an easy 10 miles. Another excellent weather day but the hiking, although not a particularly vicious profile sure was a struggle. I believe it is because our muscles are broken down from yesterday. Once again I am in my bag before the sun sets. Looking forward to a near-0 and then a zero.
Date: 2014-04-03
From: No Business Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Set up last night in the shelter, shortly before putting down my kindle for the night a man and his dog came and set up his tent. It was a good looking dog named Loki. About 2:30, as happens to men my age, I had to get up and go to the bathroom. Not wanting to disturb the others in the shelter I very quietly got out of my bag, this was the quietest I had ever been. As I left the shelter Loki saw me and started barking up a ferocious racket. Well, I figured everybody and their brother who was within 5 miles now knew Nordo had gotten up to pee. Not so, it turns out I had been so quiet getting out of bed everybody thought I was still in my bag and that Loki had spotted a bear. I don't don't know if they were relieved or disappointed when I returned to the shelter and they found out it was me that Loki had been barking at. During the aforementioned potty break I couldn't help but notice that there was not a cloud in the sky and the stars were shining incredibly bright. I was awakened around 5am by the sound of rain drops hitting the tin roof of the shelter. So our hike into the town of Erwin was done in a thunderstorm. By afternoon it was a beautiful sunny day made all the more wonderful by a surprise visit by my lovely wife. I had no clue whatsoever that she was coming but apparently everybody else in the entire world knew. Everybody back home knew, Radar with whom Carol had been planning this had known and had told most everybody we knew on the trail. I was totally surprised and pleased. This explains why we HAD to be in Erwin by Thursday when we have no schedule.
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Erwin, TN

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I would like to take a second to thank everybody for the prayers, thoughts, and words of encouragement. Exactly one month from the day I left home I have decided to return home. The AT is an amazing , wonderful place. I would highly recommend that anyone who has even a bit of curiosity consider it. Section hiking at least a part of the trail is something I would recommend to anyone with any interest in backpacking. The people who anonymously maintain the trail do an amazing job. Many thanks to them for all their work. I need to thank my wife, Carol, without her support and encouragement it would have only been a dream. Thanks also to Kim "Radar" Roy without him I don't believe it would have gotten out of the planning stages. Good luck to him as he continues along the trail. I have met a lot of wonderful people some of whom have done the trail before and others who will soon be "thru hikers". For me it became a case of did I want to continue for another five months of missing my family and friends so I could say "I am an AT thru hiker" and I decided that being with family and friends was more important. I am just short of 350 miles which is a pretty good hike in it own right. As of now I don't have any regrets for doing what I did and I have no regrets going home. As W C Fields said "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Then quit, there's no point in being a damn fool about it."
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Oregon, WIsconsin

To: Nashville, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Hello everyone --Well, were going to for a re-start this Monday, April 7. Family medical situation resolved.Scott is swinging by 8AM Monday and we'll head down as far as Nashville (again) by Monday night.Then Tuesday we'll travel on to Dahlonega, GA where we'll be staying in a bunkhouse at the Hiker Hostel.Wednesday about 9AM we'll get dropped off at the trailhead at Springer Mountain (elevation 3782). We'll hike hike about 9-10 miles and set up camp by a water source near Hawk Mountain/Hightower Gap area the first day (elevation 3209). Blisters are one of the leading reasons people are forced to leave the trail. I stopped at REI today and picked up a blister treatment kit in the event we develop any blisters so we can get on them right away before they create a debilitating situation. You can look forward to me posting videos on this blog (thanks to Karl Brooks for lending his computer expertise in helping learn how to post videos). I'll do a post tomorrow with some gear information.
Date: 2014-04-05
To: Dahlonega, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Updated some of the gear I'll be using in the "Gear" section of the blog. Did considerable research in an effort to find the the best, lightest (and of course on sale) gear so I thought I'd share it. I'll continue to add a few things each day prior to launch.Checked the weather and it looks good for launching Wednesday at this point. Looks like 60-70 during the day, and 30-50 at night (will have to shave about 10 degrees off both ends due to being in the mountains though). Low chances of rain W-TH-F-Sat.....hope that holds.
Date: 2014-04-05
To: Dahlonega, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Updated the mail drop locations under "Mail Drops" based on the schedule change.I packed up three boxes of food, one for each drop. Had to pack four days food in each box, and a put a pair of sock in the second drop in case I need replacement from wear and tear along the way. The contents of each box weighs about 8 pounds. Put the first one in the mail, it's headed for Mountain Crossing in Georgia so it should be there when I get there if things go as planned.
Date: 2014-04-06
To: Dahlonega, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Hi Folks --Walked 4 miles on treadmill with 35 lbs yesterday at 8-15 percent inclines. The shoes I have are working good (Solomon XA 3D Ultra2 GTX with Green Superfeet inserts). And yes Joanne, I'm keeping good posture!Stayed in the tent last night in the yard to get any last equipment wrinkles ironed out. The dog Roscoe wanted to come along but no way.....I had visions of him clawing a hole in the mattress and ripping on the down down bag. The Thermarest X-Lite mattress is very comfortable. No cold coming up from the ground. The Go Lite Z10 10 degree 850 weight down bag was very warm. It got down to about 29 degrees last last at my house and was very comfortable. Using a Nemo pillow, it worked good, just the right height.I put a video out showing what four days of food looks like. Weighs about 8.5 lbs when all said and done. I added some photos of the tent, pad, and one the gear that is ultimately shoved in my pack. I'll at about 33 lbs right now without water on board. Will take a hike later today with the pack as it will be at the start of the hike Wednesday.All for now.
Date: 2014-04-07
To: Manchester, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Hi FolksLeft Oregon at 8am. Ended up in Manchester, TN for the night.We have about three hours in the morning to Hiker Hostel near Dahlonega.Drove through rain through central Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee.Weather is nice now. Weather for first few days on the trail still looks good at this point.All for now.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Manchester, TN

To: Dahlonega,GA
Miles today: 0.0

Left Manchester Tennessee about 730 this morning and traveled to hiker hostel located north of Dahlonega on Highway 19. Arrived approximately noon today. See short video. Upon arrival got checked in and made arrangements to get Scott shuttled back from Hiawassee Georgia in about a week. Then went into Dahlonega and had lunch at a great Mexican restaurant (great stuff Karl and Steve). Then walked around downtown, learned about the history of Dahlonega which includes being one of the first cities in the gold rush in the early 1800s. Found an antique shop with more junk in it in one place than I have ever seen. We then went to work and trimmed off another 3 pounds of gear between us. See short video. Then traveled to Mountain Crossing approximately 15 miles away to drop off a cache of food for Scott since will be crossing that location in four days. While there we came across a young lady from Ohio thru hiking alone who had twisted her ankle pretty bad up on the mountain. The folks at Mountain Crossing were going through her pack taking out excess weight. More to come on the story later.Next post in couple hours.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Dahlonega,GA

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

After thinking about it, I decided to jettison the gators to save another 14 ounces.Met a fella from Germany who quit his job as an electrician to hike the trail. He was reducing the weight of his pack. He's got a big pack with a lot of stuff and he intends to through hike the trail. Nice guy.Met and IT consultant from Florida. He's going to hike the trail for three weeks. His dad was a commercial fisherman from Florida.Met two other people one from Kansas one from Maryland will also quit their jobs to walk the trail.Back to the gal from Ohio who sprained her ankle on the trail..... She left Monday and sprained her ankle 4 miles into the hike. Fortunately for her some people had setup some trail magic along the trail and were able to help her off the trail just as large rainstorm was approaching the mountain. They brought her back to the hostel where we are staying and actually took her back to their home in Atlanta for five days to recover. She she weighed about 120 pounds herself and was carrying a 38 on pack. The folks at Mountain Crossing trim 7 pounds of the pack. She intends to return to the trail in about five days. She's lucky the people who set up the trail magic were located where they were and were able to help her when they did.Breakfast at 730 and on the trail by around 9am tomorrow.All for now.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Dahlonega, GA

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up at 6 AM prepared pack and got in the Chow line at hiker hostel. See the photo of Scott in the Chow line. They have a scale at the hostel and everyone was weighing their packs with trepidation. Everyone says they are too heavy. Heading to Springer now. See loading photo.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Springer Mountain

To: Horse Gap
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Marginal cell coverage here. Messages will be short.Started hiking at 0940. See several videos and photos.Covered 10.9 miles. Camp set up now at 1830 hours.Hiked for a while with a guy from Maine. Said he shut down electrical business to hike back to Maine. Said he trained in a Lazy Boy chair. Trail name On Purpose. Name came from a waitress in Dahlonega. She asked what he was doing in town being from Maine and all. He said he came here so he could walk home. She then asked inquisitively "on purpose?" He said yes of course. She walked away shaking her head and his trail name was born. Scott picked Cheese Man as trail name. Old college story with that one.No blisters.Sending now, will try another post in a while.
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Horse Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Clear morning, it warmed up overnight, mid 40s in AM.Started the day climbing up Sassafras Mountain. Pretty good grind for a couple hours. See video.Had lunch at Jared Creek with Ankle Express, retired Postal Inspector from New Hampshire. He's walking home. Also met a guy from Australia, and a retired Army LT Colonel from Alabama.Once we hit the top of Sassafras, had good going for a few miles on the "Autobahn", a rock less gentle downhill. See video.Then a series of rocky up and downs. Stopped and changed socks every couple hours, alternating wearing and strapping back of pack to avoid blisters. So far so good on that front.Thanks to Chris Noyes for the Black Diamond walking sticks retirement gift. Scott and I each used one today, great help on the steep up and downs.Beautiful weather, sunny in 60s. Almost too warm when doing hills.Several good views today. See video.Covered 11 miles today. Set up camp on an overview .5 miles from Woody Gap near a spring. See videos on getting water and view from camp.While cooking dinner a guy and a gal in their early 20s came by totally exhausted and out of water after a 16 mile day. We guided them to the spring.Had Sweet and Sour Pork and Scott had Spaghetti for dinner. Hung the food in the tree. Another great day.All for now.
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Woody Gap

To: Mountain Crossing
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Packed up and left camp at 8:30 this morning. On the first mountain in from Woody gap we met hiker "Unsure". See video.We had lunch at Jarred Gap with a guy from Boston whose son wanted to attend UW Madison and two snow plow drivers from New Hampshire.We then tackled Blood Mountain, four miles uphill. Took photos and video from the top. The trek down was really rocky (see videos)We covered 11 miles today. Arrived at Mountain Crossing to our first "Trail Magic" experience. A local Southern Baptist Church put out an outstanding spread of hamburgers, hot dogs chips, salads, pop and desserts. Scott who has not been to church in 50 years was first in line.A blind guy with a seeing eye dog was getting a pack shake down in advance of hitting the trail. See photo.Met recently retired Georgia Game Warden Eric Wood at the Trail Magic stand. Discussed deer, bear, turkey's, and retirement plans.I did another pack shakedown after 33 miles. Gone is the camp chair (1 lb 12oz), tarp and associated ropes/hooks (3lbs), and extra food (5lbs). Estimating pack will now be 29 lbs with food and water.Staying at Blood Mountain cabins. Blood was named by Cherokee and Creek Indians who fought each other on the sides of the mountain. Blood Mountain is the highest peak on the AT in Georgia.Having some trouble with videos on YouTube in case they don't show up. Working to rectify. All for now.
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Mountain Crossing

To: White Oak Stamp
Miles today: 8.0

Got up this morning and went over to Mountain Crossing to pick up mail drop of food and sort through it. I carried about four more pounds of food than I needed for 32 miles. Dumped some food and more stuff I thought I "needed" and replaced a ripped tent bag. See pack shakedown video starring local talent named "Pirate".Got on trail about 10am. Hot day. Had to break out the sun screen. Some spectacular views today and several tough climbs earning our way to them.Longer distances between available water meant carrying heavy loads of water up and down several steep climbs. Managing water availability, ensuring we have enough water and not unnecessarily carrying to much requires constant attention. See video.Ran into a guy from CT where the trail crosses a highway. Suffice it to say America is going to hell, CT is going Communist and going to take his guns, they are disparaging facet Crockets reputation at the Alamo and he's on his way down to San Antonio to straighten them out. See the video.Ran into a guy on the trail in kilt.Set up camp in some pines, had lasagna, drank a bunch of water to rehydrate.One more nice day, then drastic change in weather Sunday....t-storms and then turning cold and heavy rain.Cooling down now.All for now.
Date: 2014-04-13
From: White Oak Stamp

To: Unicoe Gap
Miles today: 14.0

Very windy and interesting night.Got started on the trail about 0830 after sorting out the origin of our dreams - determined to be haunted campsite at White Oak Stamp. See video.The six degrees of separation is evident each day on the trail.Had lunch with a retired pharmacist from Atlanta area who went to school at UW Madison.Met a woman on the trail who went to Lawrence University in Appleton.Met up with Mike from Australia around noon. Arranged to meet him at 5pm at Unicoe Gap 7 miles away to get a ride back to Scott's car with his shuttle. We arrived with Army Mountain Ranger precision at 4:59pm (note: there is an army ranger training camp near Springer Mountain where we started).Had our longest day to date at 14 miles. Consisted of two big climbs right away, then good going for 5-6 miles. Then half mile of boulder slide followed by long steep downhill to Unicoe See videos.Scott leaves tomorrow. We covered a total of 54 miles in 5 days. No injuries or blisters at this point. Alternating socks every few hours to dry them and cooling feet in streams does the trick. I seen some pretty bloody and messed up feet in last five days. Blister management is critical.Got a ride back to hostel. Staying here tonight. Once I get food drops squared away for next leg, back at it for me. To Dick's Gap, re-supply, and on to Franklin NC. Wet weather coming, with cool down to 29 Tuesday night.All for now.