morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The first 5 miles was pretty flat, so we kept going. The last 6 miles were not... We got to Justus Creek just in time to hang our food and set up camp before dark. We have probably gone much further than we should have for day 2. Our knees are fair now, but we'll see how we feel tomorrow. It was still raining when we woke up at Stover Creek Shelter. Jill is pretty sure a mouse ran over her face, and I thought I felt something bump up against the head of my sleeping bag a couple of times. We had a couple of snorers on the shelter (I was probably one of them). I got very little sleep again.The shelter had cables to hang our food. Apparently they are not perfect. A mouse (or something) chewed through my bag and through two layers of ziplocs. It got inside my candy bag, but I'm not sure it got anything. One woman had a mouse chew into her tent. She will not keep her food inside her tent again. Tenting far from a shelter tonight. Hopefully the morning won't have such suprises.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Justus Creek

To: Dockery Lake Trail
Miles today: 9.2

Morning temp,25   Current temp, 30Heard wind all last night, but luckily we were in a relatively safe spot. Woke up to 25 degree weather, but there was finally sun! Long like today. My knees have been doing great, but I may have gone a little too far - my right knee is beginning to give me trouble.Met a woman who is looking for an intern and I referred her to the Career Services Office at the Univ. of FL MBA Program (where I work). I should be getting paid!Though the day started out cold, the sun helped to warm things uo. It was a great day for hiking.7:30 PM and it's already 30 degrees, though we'll see the temp tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Dockery Lake Trail

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Morning temp, 30 degrees      Evening temp, who caresCamping - Cabin@Vogel State ParkIt was really cold this morning, but the sun was shining and warmed things up pretty well-for a while. Then it got quite overcast for the rest of the day. Chilly and breezy all day until we reached Neel's Gap and the Walasi-Yi Center.Yesterday, my knees were giving me a little trouble. They got a little better whin the celebrex kicked in. Overnight I stretched while half asleep and felt a sharp pain in my left knee. The pain remained for a few minuits. I tried to ice it with my water bottle, but it didn't have a good shape for that.This morning I wanted to ger the celebrex going through me before we started moving, so I got my food down and cooked breakfast in my vestibule(the wind was too cold to do it outside). The knees were doing OK until Blood Mountain. The up was the longest sustained up we've had, but not too steep. The down, however....well, lit's just say my knees could have finished the day without that.We needed a resupply, my knees hurt, and we heard it's going to rain tonight, so we got a ride 3 miles to Vogel State Park. We've got a cabin, and have taken hot showers, done REAL laundry (in a machine) and ate white bread and butter, ravioli (spaghetti and meatballs for Jill), and I'm about to eat a bouble-decker moon pie. Oh, and we each got a hot dog at Neel's Gap. Great Dog.Tomorrow we'll check the weather and my knees and figure how far we want to go (or maybe have a day....)
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Neel's Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We considered our first zero day to let my knees rest, but after some celebrex, stretching, hot shower, icing, etc., we decided to just hike 4-5 miles. We got a ride back to the Walasi-Yi @ Neel's Gap.   As we drove the 3 miles, we went higher into the mountains and everything suddenly turned white. It had snowed up in the mountains. We were excited about hiking through the beautiful white landscape. However, in the store the hikers coming off the mountain said it was miserable up there and that the trail was icy. We took this as a sign that my knees needed one more day to rest.So here we are at the same Holiday Inn we stayed at in December. We had another hot dog at Neel's Gap and when we got to the hotel we walked to Pizza Hut. Tonight, we had Mickey-D's. They didn't have any caramel, so I wound up with a strawberry sundae. Not as good but hit the spot.At Pizza Hut, Jill talked me into drinking something other than water (a rarity) so I got a pink lemonade. Now I am obessed with drinking sweet drinks and am currently enjoying a large Fruitopia from the big M.Jill's father lives nearby, so he's coming to pick up up tomorrow and take us back to Neel's Gap. The weather is expected to be better the next few days. We shall see....
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Neel's Gap

To: Cowrock Mt.
Miles today: 4.7

Tried to save my knees and stopped just short of a steep descent and ascent. We've got great gear here, but it is windy and cold. Because of the low milage, we got here early and have been trying to pass the time. WE had a few brief snow flurries.We've been in our tents trying to stay warm for a while now, but a quick "pee-before-it-gets-dark" run offered a chance to see a beautiful sunset - briefly. Took my first picture of it.7:30 pm and I think it's already under 30. Wind has died down a bit, so that's a good sign. Hopefully the knees will be fine tomorrow and we'll start working back up the mileage. Jill was not happy about stopping so early in the day. I'm hoping I can keep up with her, as I don't think either of us are ready to split up, but I don't want to slow her down.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Cowrock Mt.

To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 7.3

Morning Temp. 20   Current temp. 35   High 45?It got so cold last night! It snowed inside Jill's tent! We both had frost/snow/ice on the outside and inside of our tents (though mine is designed so it doesn't fall on me). We saw a beautiful sunrise, and said hello to a bright blue sky we know would eventually help to warm things up a bit. It stayed windy and cool all day, but the sun stayed with us. It turned out to be a great day for hiking. We started with a couple of rough ups and downs, but most of the day was relatively flat. We made better miles today and plan to make it into Helen tomorrow for another "night on the town" (i.e. hot showef). Jill's Dad actually lives closer to Helen than to Dahlonega so he's excited abojut the opportunity to come pick us up. We wouldn't want to disappoint him now would we?We are camping just before Poplar Stamp Gap. I'm pretty sure this is he exact same place I camped when I came here by myself about 10 years ago and hiked for my birthday.I've got the fly on my tent open and am watching the sun go down over the mountains. The cold is on its way, but it shouldn't be as bad as last night. Let's hope......
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Unicoi Gap (Helen,GA)
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

We decided to take advantage of the fact that Jill's Dad lives even closer tp Helen than to Dahlonega. We hiked into Unicoi Gap and afteer that "down", we didn't want to go up the next "up" anyway ('cause we all know, Flat Rocks). We figured we'd call one of the hotels that shuttles to get us into town and have Jill's dad take us back in the morning. We'll it turns out there was a former thru-hiker bringing some Trail Magic to Unicoi Gap just when we got there. He had a coller full of sodas and a box of oaatmeal creme pies. I LOVE these, but unfortunately was stuffed from lunch(Lipton chicken flavored noodles with freeze-dried veggies and "snausages".The guy with the Trail Magic, Bill Strickland (or Jakebrake) offered us a ride into Helen. He liked the trail over 2 section hikes-in his 60's! We should all be so fit....The Super 8 gave us a hiker rate of $35. Then we got a real experience-walking through the most cheesiest of tourist towns, off-season, on a Monday evening. We finally found something open other than Wendy's (not that a Big Bacon Classic wouldn't have hit the spot). The Old Banoson Inn Restaurant was a small, quaint restaurant. We weren't into the German food, so we ordered from the American menu. We shared a N.Y. Strip and trout with lemon butter sauce, mashed potatoes, veggies. I added a potato pancake and Jill added potato leek soup. I brought dessert back to my room - homemade apple struedel with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. I want more....
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Unicoi Gap (Helen,GA)

To: Wolfpen Gap, GA
Miles today: 6.7

We may actually be in Steeltrap Gap, but who knows. Today we had a bunch of up and a bunch down. I finally feel like I'm improving my cardiovascular fitness (the ups get you heaving). Of course, this could have more to do with the fact that I started out the day with a good breakfast at the Helen Huddle House. We re-upped out food in Helen, enough to get us to Franklin, though we could be in Hiawassee tomorrow night. I think that might be a bit of overkill, but I will not be the one to talk us out of another hot shower and warm bed.The weather was beautiful today. Showers were predicted in the morning, but it was just cool and overcast, with the sun coming out in the afternoon. A perfect hiking day. It may not even freeze overnight, but it does sound like it's getting a bit windy.Most of the trees are bare this time of year. It's neat to be able to look over to the next mountain and see the ground instead of the treetops. It's also nice to be able to look throught the trees around you at the distant view. Today we passed through more green space than we have the whole time we've been out - a lot of pine trees nad rhododendron. I'm looking forward to seeing more of this land getting some more shade for my head so I can take my hat off more often!
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Wolfpen Gap, GA

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: few clouds

As I was packing up my pack this morning, I looked down and realized I'd left my water purifier at the shelter we stopped at to get into yesterday, a few miles back, uphill. Not two seconds after I let out an "uh-oh", I heard "Good Morning". It was Weeks, who we'd met a couple of days earlier, and who was also at the shelter yesterday. "Ive got a presant for you", he said. Yes, he had strapped my filter to his already big pack and carried it ahead for me. He's going by Weeks, but I'm now calling him Godsend.For the rest of the day the only other thru hiker we saw was Seattle (he answers the first two questions everyone asks him). We also saw a day hiker who wound up giving us a ride from Dicks's Creek Gap into Hiawassee. His name was Chris and he works for the Forest Service and is about to transfer to Virginia. We got to the Holiday Inn Express. They have a hikers rate, a shuttle back to the trail, nice rooms, HBO, a steakhouse next door and the best thing I've seen so far-a jacuzzi! I'm about to hit that once I'm done writing.Today was hard. The guide book says the section we did yesterday and today "contains some of the longest climbs and highest peaks of the A.T. in Georgia. It seems like we've done werse, but today we felt it. Going up Kelly Knob seemed to never end. Coming down into Dick's Creek Gap was the same. Even though the terrain was not as rocky as , say, Blood Mountain, it still wwore us out. Wh thought it was the heat (got to near 60-the hottest yet), but when we got to the hotel, we ran into some other hikers we've met the last couple days and they were all wiped. Most of them got here yesterday and took a zero day today.We saw the father son team and learned the father is a pastor and his trail name is Leather Soul. We also ran into Hikezilla. Jill says he and I can't camp near each other because we break out in song. I also met Kegger from Texas, who I'd heard aabout but hadn't met yet.Today I stepped on a snake. It was small and didn't attack me. I don't know what it was-tan, dark grey with thin yellow stripes running lengthwise.We went to Daniel's Steakhouse next door. Jill got the buffet, but I got a 10 oz. prime rib with baked potato, lots of "whipped spread" and sour cream and one trip to the salad bar. I got homemade peach cobbler to go. It was good, but nothing like the apple strudel from Helen.Well, off to the jaccuzzi....
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap, NC
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Yes, you read it right. We're in North Carolins baby! One state down, 13 to go. We just crossed the unoffically marked border of NC/GA, and first thing in the morning we'll pass the famous crooked tree that is a landmark of the start of North Carolina.We ran into Seattle at the Huddle House in Hiawassee and ate breakfast with him. We've now heard he's ahead of us on the trail. We didn't see anyone the entire time we were hiking on the trail. We did see a woman named Red Truck at a shelter where we stopped for lunch and a guy named Jericho, who was setting up camp near us. It's amazing how we know there are at least a dozen people around this section but we wind up spread out enough that we never see them. Of course, a lot of people often stay at the shelters, so they see each other there.Directions for hiking the A.T. in Grorgia: Walk uphill. Walk Downhill. Repeat untill you get to the crooked tree. Then you can do the same in North Carolina.Today had some serious ups, but we did OK with the late start we got (10:30).We are expecting showers nad possible thunderstorms in the next day or two. At least it's not freezing cold. In fact, I may need to vent my sleeping bag to keep from sweating. I strongly recommend to anyone who has spent the day doing physical activity end it with a jacuzzi.I'm glad Jill talked me into Hiawassee, even though we didn'e need a resupply...
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Bly Gap, NC

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We had planned on going farther today, but we hear it's supposed to storm tonight. Rain is OK, but wouldn't want to be in tents with lightning. We're here at a shelter with 5 other people in the shelter and two tenting right behind. Unfortunately, There was only room for 6 on the raised platform, so I'm down the ground-1st line of defense for mice and bears. The guide book says there have been recent bear sightings at this shelter. Also, at Deep Gap, .9 miles before us, the ranger posted a note saying someone in this area reported a bear taking his pack and not responding to aggression (you can usually scare away a black bear). It also said the bear had a fear of humans. It should be an interesting night. At best there's a privy.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Just Past Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

I got almost no sleep last night. The rain was spraying in a little so I had to take my fly out and put it over my sleeping bag and tuck it under my sleeping pad. I was laying in gravel-filled dirt. Not soil, which is ground into everything. I have now Dirt. Jill likened the texture to cocoa powder. It's all over everyhthing-especially my stuff.While I lay there feeling the gentle spray on my face most of the night, I kept my sleeping bag cinched around my face to make sure no mice could come in with me. This made me too hot. The rain make an incredible noise hitting the roof of the shelter. Actually, the rain wasn't so bad, it was the large drops that fell from the trees. It sounded like a steel drum band. I probably got a total of 2-3 hours of sleep. Anyway, we got up and out of there by 7:30. My pad, bag, and fly were all damp.   Most of the terrain was relatively easy, so with the early start we were able to make up the miles we missed yesterday. We had planned on camping right before Albert Mt. (we have climbed this before and didn't want to tackle that at the end of a day). When we arrived at Bear Pen Gap, we saw a sign that said "Trail Magic" . Well, back at Deep Gap uesterday, we saw a guy who said he'd just left trail magic in Bear Pen Gap and that we'd see it today. We followed a tiny trail which opeded up into the most beautiful sight we'd seen yet. People had pulled up an RV and some trucks and had a fire going withe a grill made from a giant circular saw blade. There was a table withe chips, danishes, etc. and a cooler full of sode. These people had apparently been camped there since March 15th, and tonight is their last night. We scored big with some root beer, grilled cheese, danish and chips. They also had a giant tent set up for people who didn't feel like setting up their own.Several of the hikers from the shelter last night-Walker, Why Not, Caveman and his friend (didn't get her name), were all camping there and were looking forward to some breakfast the next morning. We got rejuvinated and decided to get Albert Mt. behind us. We had great views on top of the mountain (which we probably wouldn't have gotten in tomorrow morning's mist). It was a bear of a climb, but it's over with. And tomorrow, we have fewer miles to hike to get to Franklin (i.e. Pizza Hut, bed, laundry, etc.)We signed the hournal the Trail Magic people had and were pleased to see that Old Drum was still-he signed the journal yesterday. We have been wondering how he was doing. Nobody seemed to have heard of him, so we were afraid he'd dropped out.We heard of a couple people dropping out today-saw one get his ride into Franklin and off to home.Jill and I have been saying how cool it would be to come up here for a week or so and give out some trail magic. After today, we are definitly set on it. It was such a great exprience to see people doing something nice just for the sake of it. And the root beer!
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Just Past Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice to sleep in a tent again. Woke up to a very dry tent-nice. Relatively mellow terrain, so we dade it to Winding Stair Gap nice and early where my mom picked us up and took us into Franklin. We're staying overnighr to do laundry, shower, and resupply. Thunkerstorms are expected overnight, so we again are lucky with timing.In the last few miles, we crossed a stream. As we approached, we saw a lot of shiny objucts in the spring. It was way too hot for ice. Well, it turned out to be Capri Sun-like a dozen of them, cooling in the stream, glistening for thirsty passerby. I had wild cherry-sweet sweet trail magic.When we got to Winding Srair Gap, there was a group of college students with trail magic. I got a coke, a cookie and half a banana. These prople rock almost as much as Flat (maybe even more!)
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Lightning this morning, tornaado watch as well. Storms passed through during the morning, but the forecast for the evening was high winds - over 40 mph and possible hail. We decided to take a zero day. We had a chance to go to an outfitter and get some new supplies. I got a new sleeping pad which will hopefully be more comfortable.Mom went home today and we'll get a shuttle to the trail in the morning. I made the mistake of drinking coffee yesterday. I tend to get readdicted immediately, so unfortunately the second half of my "day off" has been laying around with a headache. I get them bad. Feel ill. Back to just water tomorrow.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Between Licklog Gap and Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 13.8

Got an early start and made up some miles. We have to be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center tomorrow. My headache lasted until I woke up, but I felt better once I was up and moving. No more caffeine for me. The "Trail Angels" were back today with some more sodas and snacks. I drank lemonade.We saw a number of hikers today-including a larger group of older day hikers. Not a cloud in the sky and cool. Very nice day for hiking. Jill finished reading the section of the book she brought and won't get the next pages until Fontana Dam, so she bought "The Da Vinci Code". She's ripping out pages and giving them to me as she finishes. I normally don't read, so we'll see if laying in a tent for 12 hours a night will change that.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Between Licklog Gap and Burningtown Gap

To: Nantahala River, NC
Miles today: 13.5

Sleeping-Cabin @ Nantahala Outdoor CenterOur feet are sore. We made good miles again today, but coming down into the Nantahala Gorge was rough-a 6.5 mile, 2,904 foot descent. Tomorrow, we get to climb back out of the Gorge - this time a 8.1 mile, 3,339 foot ascent. The guide book says, "This section involves long ascents and descents in both directions, but is especially tough for northbound hikers." It calls our first climb, "one of the toughest hauls on the Appalachian Trail south of New England". Should be an interesting day. We plan on starting late and not go too far - just getting to the top will be enough.At least we were able to treat ourselves at the end of today. We got a cabin at the NOC. (good thing we called ahead-I think they're booked now). We ate the restaurant. I got a bacon cheesebuger, fries and the salad/taco salad bar (which gave me an excuse to eat more bacon (bits). We split a brownie with ice cream. It was tolal yamma jamma. Those of you who know me well, know that I've got this funny wuirk (actually several) where I sneeze several times when I eat too nuch. Tonight it happened for the first time since I started this hike. I had forgotten what it was to be full. Of course, an hour later I feel like I could eat more.Well, off to give myself a foot massage and prep these babes for tomorrow.....
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Nantahala River

To: Locust Cove Gap, NC
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we went up Period. OK, we did come down for the last 2 miles, but only because there wasn't much room to camp at the top of the mountain, and it was very exposed for the storms that are expected to conme througgh tonight and tomorrow. Did I say we went up? We went up. I hate up, and down is hard on the knees and feet. Flat Rocks.We have been passing tons of rhododendron over the last week or so. I've always liked seeing them when I've hiked up here, but unfortunately, I've never seen them in bloom, well some buds are beginning to form, so hopefully, I'll finally get a show.Some of the trees are beginning to ger a red tint, hinting at new growth. It's almost like a reverse autumn.I am hooked on "The Da Vinci Code". It's a page turner. Every day I can't wait to finish hiking so I can see what happens next.I'm about to find out. Signing off.....
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Locust Cove Gap, NC

To: Stecoah Gap, NC
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: clear sky

We got very little rain overnight, and everthing was pretty dry this morning. We had great hiking weather-just warm enough that the strong winds weren't chilling. When we got to Stecoah Gap, there was one of our friendly trail magic guys (name is something like Whyah) who had not only sodas, but his car stereo blarring really good southern rock. We decided this would be a great restaurant, so we sat and ate some snacks. The guy had a weather radio which mentioned real bad storms coming through late afternoon through tomorrow morning. Winds of 60 mph plus. We decided to take a zero day and get a ride from him into Robbinsville. Of course, the weather has been great all day, but it looks like there is again a bad storm causing tornados in TN which is on its was.We ate next door at a semi-fast food bbq joint. I had smoked chicken, mashed taters with gravy, cinnamon apples, corn bread sticks (fried), cole slaw, and black cherry ice cream. And lots of water.We were originally planning low miles on Thurs., Fri., Sat. Since we went further than expected yesterday, we're still on track for getting to our destination tomorrow (assuming the weather lets up early enough to get on the trail in time). After yeaterday's climb, we probably needed a break.Scott is meeting us tomorrow night to hike the Smokies with us. We're staying a few nights in Fontana Village. I get my first mail drop there.I forgot to mention the other day the 2 guys we saw as we were coming down form Wesser Bald. They were probably around 16, climbing up to the bald. One had a hand drum and the other a guitar. I asked if they were going to jam at the top of the mountain. "Yeah man. We're gonna get as close to the sky as possible." I think they already had a head start.