morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Forest Road 42

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

Section Hike 06-01, Forest Road 42 to Hawk Mountain Shelter.Tuesday, 16 May 2006, Day 1.   Judy drove me back to the same parking lot on Forest Road 42. I started my AT experience heading north towards Hawk Mountain Shelter, a distance of 6.7 miles. I averaged one mile every 30 minutes, which is what I expected. Saw two orange salamanders on the trail today, but no other wildlife. Within three miles of my start, I came to a beautiful waterfall. Long Creek Falls was a very impressive start to my section hike. I stopped and relaxed for a while taking a good rest in the cool breeze from the falls.   On my hike this day it was just about what I expected. A beautiful walk in the woods with all of nature's wonders at every step and always accompanied by the singing of the birds. While this was a reasonable hike, with a forty-two pound backpack, it still got tiring.    I kept thinking I would have the shelter all to myself as I had not been passed or seen any other hikers. However, when I arrived at the shelter there were three other people there already By 5:00 PM there were ten tents set up around the shelter and 12 people positioned to sleep in the shelter. So much for thinking I would have the shelter to myself. The evening was a real social event with a nice camp fire and everyone gathered around the fire telling stories or funny tales.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap campsite
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Section Hike 06-01, Hawk Mountain Shelter to Gooch Gap campsite.Day 2, 8.8 miles.   Wednesday, 17 May 2006, Day 2. - Awoke at 7:00 AM and it took me until 8:30 AM to have my breakfast and pack. No aches and pains from my first day of hiking, some stiffness which went away after some moving around. Not too bad for being 72 years old. However, in spite of any aches and pains, when you see all of the forest streams, waterfalls, beautiful trails and great vistas, how can anyone complain.    Today my goal was the Gooch Gap Shelter about 8.5 miles away. At the end of the day, I ended up at Gooch Gap camping out. It turned out to be a very, very hard day with many steep climbs and steep descents. It is really hard on your toes, as they jam up against your boots. They say that the trail is the only true way to get conditioned for the AT. I am beginning to believe every word.   My hiking average was only one mile per hour, just to give you an idea of how tough it was hiking up and down with a heavy pack. I must reduce the weight on my pack if I am to make it this summer.   As I was climbing up a very steep section and about to pass out, a young girl in a plaid skirt passed me like I was standing still. Actually, I think I was standing still. She said that she was hiking to Harper's Ferry this summer, which was about 1,000 miles away. So much for my hiking ego.   Had my supper and went to bed in my tent at 7:30 PM and sleep until 6:00 AM. Yes, I was tired. Again the shelter area was full of tents and people in the shelter. Had the same social fun around a camp fire with a lot of laughs and talking. Many were the same hikers from last night.
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Gooch Gap campsite

To: Woody Gap (Hwy 60)
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Section Hike 06-01, Gooch Gap campsite to Woody Gap (Hwy 60).Thursday, 18 May 2006, Day 3.    Today I get picked up at Woody Gap on Hwy 60. It will be a short hike of only 3.6 miles. As I said, I need to reduce my pack weight down to about 30 pounds. I have the advantage of not having to pack clothes for long term and food for about seven to ten days. I really appreciate the load that the Thru-Hikers have to carry to complete the AT in one season.   The hike has been very enjoyable as it changed from grassy to rocky, through the forest to a steep ridge, some with switchbacks and some without. A couple of the younger hikers passed me along the trail, but I am expecting that to happen as everyone seems to be younger than me. I am enjoying the leisurely hike, stopping to take pictures or investigate some small thing along the path.    On my first three day section hike I have met a lot of nice people, ranging from college students, to mid-life folks taking a break from their job and/or life in general, and old retired folks like me. There are friends hiking as a group, fathers and daughters, several couples, old friends and several other solo hikers. You are never really alone on the trail, as other hikers pass you in both directions, yet you can spend much of your day hiking alone if that is what you choose to do. You must remember to "Hike your own hike".   I plan on returning in about three days with a lighter pack and a renewed interest in hiking my next section hike. I have started to number my hikes according to the number of hikes and the year. This first section hike will be recorded as 06-01.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Woody Gap (Hwy 60)

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Section Hike 06-02, Woody Gap (Hwy 60) to Wood's Hole Shelter.Saturday, 20 May 2006, Day 1.   Judy dropped me off at Woody Gap. I feel renewed with my lighter pack. Took my previous pack weight from about 42 pounds down to 28 pounds. Took out all non-essential items and kept only those items with frequent or multiple use. Switched to a smaller backpack and now I feel like I can make the big climbs and reduce the impact on my knees, hips and my toes on steep descents down the mountains.   The climbs are still there, but now they feel reasonable. Wild flowers continue to be in full bloom and it makes for a beautiful forest scene. My pace seems just right as I am allowing myself enough time to enjoy the trail. Today I had three different mountains to climb and descend into various Gaps. I am still getting tired on the climbs and my toes are still tender after a day of hiking, but not as bad as my previous hike.   Stopped at Wood's Hole Shelter for the night. When I arrived there was no one at the shelter, but a short time later, a solo hiker came in to the Shelter. His name was Frank from Minnesota and he did not have a trail name. Later as I followed his comments on the Trail Registers, he never did give himself a Trail Name, but continued to be known as "Frank from Minnesota". We ended up being the only two at the shelter that night as several of the hikers had continued on to the next shelter. The shelter was new and much to our surprise, there were no mice to roam through our gear at night.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Wood's Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Section Hike 06-02, Wood's Hole Shelter to Neels Gap.Sunday, 21 May 2006, Day 2. I awoke early and was the first out of the shelter and on the trail. Frank was behind me about thirty minutes. We ended up meeting again at Neels Gap later in the day. He was planning on stopping at Neels Gap to spend the night and clean up some. I would continue on to Dicks Gap where Judy would pick me up and we would return to Hiawassee and our RV.   Today the hike was interesting and full of valley vistas. There had been some rain during the night and the air was very moist. That sent rays of light into the forest and made for a great picture. At one of the rock outcroppings, you could see the mist floating across the side of the mountain. Air was cool and very refreshing.   Climbed up to Blood Mountain Shelter. This was a stone cabin used in the past by Forest Rangers who kept an eye out for any possible fires. The stone cabin was built on a big rock slab and had a nice view into a valley and distance mountains. Stopped at Blood Mountain Shelter for a short break.   The day turned out to be a short day with only 4.1 miles and Judy was at Neels Gap by 11:00 AM to pick me up. We looked around their store at the hiking supply and then we headed back to the campground. Neels Gap also has a very nice hikers hostel.   Our stay at the Georgia Fair Campground is very nice. Our RV site is right on the lake and we have lot of space around the RV. Facilities are nice, but not plush. The lake is very large and Hiawassee is very hiker friendly.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Section Hike 06-03, Neels Gap to Low Gap Shelter.Tuesday, 23 May 2006, Day 1.   Returned to Neels Gap and started a long day of hiking on the trail. Today, I would cover 10.6 miles, my longest day of hiking so far. My hike would start at the hostel and pass through the building. This is either the only building or one of very few where the AT actually passes through a building. There is a very well stocked hiking store at Neels Gap where you can purchase new gear and drop off old hiking gear that is proving to be not suited for the hike on the AT. There staff is very helpful in assisting your decisions on hiking gear.    From Neels Gap it was an 817 foot elevation gain and I felt it all the way. Still I feel like I am getting stronger with each day and each passing mile. On my way to Tesnatee Gap, I met an older hiker out for a day hike. He lived in Gainesville, GA and told me that he had "Thru-Hiked" the AT back in 1986. He would return to various sections of the trail to hike them again only because when he hike in 1986, he rushed to make miles and felt he had missed a lot of natural beauty along the way.   My long hike turned out to be a very nice hike and not as hard as I had expected. However, I was ready to stop by time I reached Low Gap Shelter. I was the first to arrive, but was again joined by a group from Indiana. We made a fire and enjoyed the evening listening to all the sounds and watching the forest grow dark.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap on Hwy 75
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Section Hike 06-03, Low Gap Shelter to Unicoi Gap (Hwy 75).Wednesday, 24 May 2006, Day 2.   Today is my pick up day. Judy will meet me at Unicoi Gap on Highway 75 near Helen, GA. I had another long hiking day with 9.4 miles to Unicoi Gap. I came across a "Stamp", which is like a "Bald". Both a "Stamp" and a "Bald" are patches or fields of grass located on the top of a ridge or mountain. They probably came about when settlers cleared the land for grazing. The second thing I have noticed is that there are more small springs or rock seeps that I am now encountering along the trail. Seems there is a small spring or small seep crossing the trail about every couples miles. These are great sources of water. The higher moisture environment has caused anything that lays on the ground to be covered with lush green moss.    The trail is beautiful with all the green plants, wild flowers and many types of trees. The vistas are breathtaking and I am always taking pictures all along the trail. I am starting to see more poison ivy along the side of the trail and you have to be careful.    I am enjoying this relaxed hiking schedule. My pick up days are great, especially when Judy hikes back up the trail a mile or two to meet me. It is nice to be able to return to the RV, clean up, have a great dinner and a glass of wine with Judy, my support team and best friend.      Have now completed 50 miles on the AT in Georgia. I need 26 more miles to complete my hiking in the state of Georgia. Then it will be on to North Carolina. So far my dear old body has held up well. However, doing nine to ten miles a day is just about enough for me.
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Unicoi Gap on Hwy 75

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Section Hike 06-04, Unicoi Gap to Tray Mountain Shelter.Tuesday, 29 May 2006, Day 1.   This section hike took me from Unicoi Gap where the trail crosses Highway 75 near Helen, Georgia to Dicks Creek Gap on Highway 76 near Hiawassee, a distance of 16.1 miles. Did the hike in a day and a half with only 5.5 miles on the first day. Had three climbs on this day that took me over mountains of 1000 feet elevation change up and back down. That gets you breathing hard and feeling like you are moving in slow motion.     I am about to reach my first real milestone - completing the Appalachian Trail within the state of Georgia. I've completed 66 miles and need only ten to reach the Georgia/North Carolina state line. While hiking 66 or soon 76 miles does not seem like a lot, when you hike the Georgia roller coaster, your body will tell you that it is tough.    Hiking in three day sections hikes with three days of rest in between seems to be a great plan.  The scenery continues to be beautiful, with wildflowers of red, blue, yellow and white all along the AT. Blackberrry bushes are everywhere, but so is poison ivy. The forest surrounds the trail in greens from bushes, ferns and trees of every kind as the final brush of color. The trail varies from flat (of which there is very little), to rocky, wet and muddy. The climbs are easier than the descents.    I've met hikers from all walks of life, all age groups, all participating in a challenging dream. Everyone will tell you that it is much harder than they had thought, and that includes me. Young hikers think that hiking the trail is a cool thing to do. Middle age and older hikers have had the dream or desire to hike the AT for many years and have just now decided to start. Some come out for significant challenge of Thru-Hiking. Others hike for a day, a weekend, thirty days away from the jobs, or, like me, take the summer to go as far as my will takes me. Some go for miles putting in up to fifteen to twenty miles a day. I like the much shorter hikes where I can take pictures and smell the flowers and observe the forest.  My overnight stop would be Tray Mountain Shelter. Again as in the past few days, I had company at the shelter. I am always meeting new friends.
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap on Hwy 76
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

Section Hike 06-04, Tray Mountain Shelter to Dicks Creek Gap on Hwy 76.Wednesday, 30 May 2006, Day 2.   Today is another road access pick up day. It will be a good long hike of 10.6 miles. When I figure out my hiking time and mileage, it runs about three miles in two hours. That takes into consideration taking pictures, rest stops, lunch breaks and just stopping to listen to the sounds of nature deep in the forest or up on the mountain. I am happy with this slower pace since I have waited this long to start my AT adventure. Judy will pick me up at Dicks Creek Gap on Highway 76 and we will have a short drive to Hiawassee where our RV is parked.   I have gone through a change in appearance, going from a large backpack of 42 poiunds, wearing long pants, a long sleeve shirt and a cap, to now toting a backpack of 26 pounds, wearing hiking shorts, short sleeves, and no hat. You see all kinds of hiking outfits and pack configurations on the trail. I am looking forward and wondering what I will see on the 21st of June, the Summer Solices, when a few hikers, it is said, hike naked. We shall see....   My overnight stays on the trail are in either shelters or in designated camp sites. Shelters usually have a water source, sometimes a Privy, a picnic table and a fire ring. Shelters are also the center of evening social activity. Lots of stores are related around the fire pit about daily hikes, wildlife sightings, weather forecasts and trail conditions. Shelters can be life-savers during rain, hail or thunderstorms. Capacity in a shelter ranges from seven to twelve, and at times, especially in a rain storm, it can get cozy. Some hikers like to enjoy the social environment around the shelter, but stay in their tents at night. Campsites around the shelters are nice and peaceful at night. In the shelters, tired hikers sometimes will snore. Ear plugs are essential if you plan on staying in a shelter.   My next section hike will take me from Dicks Creek Gap to Deep Gap which crosses Forest Road 71. This will be a short run of 15 miles in two days. North Carolina is near, but it will also have its shares of up and down challenges, but more ridge running.
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Dicks Creek Gap on Hwy 76

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Section Hike 06-05, Dicks Creek Gap to Plumorchard Shelter.Thursday, 1 June 2006, Day 1.   It was a short hiking day as it was only a twelve mile ride from Hiawassee back to Dicks Creek Gap. I started around mid day and hiked only 4.3 miles to Plumorchard Shelter. I am noticing more level ridges as I approach North Carolina. But, at the same time, I'm running into patches of rocky sections consisting of boulders, some as big as a house. Many parts of the trail have become very mountainous rock faces for a long distance before turning back into full forest.    The trail continues to be distinct and easy to follow, but watching for the "White Blazes" ensures me that I am still on track and have not wandered off onto some other side trail. Most side trails are identified by a different shape and color blaze. The side trails to campsites, views, or other points of interest are normally "Blue Blazes".   I continue to pass other hikers going south. Many look like they could be retired and doing a section hike or out for the day. I try to hike during the week, as the weekend brings out loads of people hiking the trail. Everyone is friendly, and all seem to have been hiking for years.    Spent the night in Plumorchard Shelter alone - that is to say the mice and I shared the shelter. You do not know they are around until it gets dark and you settle in for the night. Then they start scampering up along the rafters of the shelter. They don't normally bother us in our sleeping bags, but they sure explore all the backpacks hanging from pegs. People are advised to open all the pockets on their backpacks so the mice do not chew through the pockets to see what is inside. I made a nice campfire and relaxed, then went to bed around 9:00 PM.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Deep Gap on USFS 71
Miles today: 11.3

Section Hike 06-05, Plumorchard Shelter to Deep Gap on USFS 71.Friday, 2 June 2006, Day 2.   Awoke to a beautiful day and had a nice freeze-dry breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon. By the time I packed up all my gear, it was 7:30 AM. It really is beautiful and relaxing to hike in the early morning with the sun sending rays of light in through the trees. There is normally considerable due on the leaves and branches along the way. There is also numerous spider webs across the trail, evidence of the nightly insect activity. If you are the first off on the trail in the morning, you will have to keep wiping the wet spider webs off your face as you hike along the trail.   Today my plan was to hike up to Muskrat Shelter, 7.3 miles away. I arrived at the Georgia and North Carolina state line at 10:18 AM. There is a single tree beside the path with a pipe secured on the tree to mark the state line. The ever present white blaze is positioned right above the pipe. On the pipe is a notation indicating "GA-NC". This was my first milestone on the AT. I had now completed the seventy-six miles in Georgia and would be starting my trek in North Carolina. I was able to make better time due to more stretches of level ground on the mountain ridges.   I arrived at Muskrat Shelter about 12:15 PM and took a thirty-minute break. Since I felt rested, I decided to complete the remaining four miles instead of quitting for the day. Called Judy on my cell phone and asked her to pick me at 4:00 PM at Deep Gap on USFS 71. After arriving at the trail head, Judy picked me up, and we returned to the motorhome. We had a nice glass of wine to celebrate my milestone.   My next hike will be with Judy's cousin Glenn White from Pennsylvania. He will hike with me from Deep Gap to Winding Stairs Gap. Glenn should enjoy this coming hike as it has a little of every kind of challenge along the trail.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Deep Gap on USFS 71

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

Section Hike 06-06, Deep Gap to Carter Gap Shelter.Tuesday, 6 June 2006, Day 1.   Judy transported Glenn and I to the trailhead on Forest Road 71, a winding run of six miles up a beautiful mountain gravel road. We started at Deep Gap at 8:00 AM and headed to our overnight stop at Carter Gap Shelter, 8.5 miles away. Glenn and I traversed many types of trail conditions - level, steep, rocky, tunnel made up of trees growing over the trail, rocky and wet stream beds and grassy ridges. The trail was full of wild flowers in full bloom. The nearby trees and bushes were full of birds. Glenn being a bird watcher had a fun time spotting the different birds. We found two nests with tiny eggs hidden along the side of the trail hidden under fallen leaves.    We arrived at Carter Gap Shelter at 2:30 PM. There was a nice shady campsite near the shelter and we set up our tents for our overnight stay. During the day, our routine was to take a break about every hour and a half and eat a snack. Around noon we stopped for a 30-minute lunch break. This always refreshes and makes the rest of the hike more relaxing.   We soon met a group of ten from the Leesburg Methodist Youth Camp in Leesburg, Florida - this is the same organization that Judy climbed Mt Leconte with, 48 years ago. They ended up tenting near the shelter also, but on the other side of the shelter.   My trail name is "Papa Raul" and I always try to put an entry in the Trail Register normally found at each of the shelters. Hikers are encouraged to enter their names as a means of keeping track of who is on the trail.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Big Springs Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

Section Hike 06-06, Carter Gap Shelter to Big Springs Shelter.Wednesday, 7 June 2006, Day 2.   Up at 6:45 AM and had a good breakfast. Then we packed up our tents and gear and were off on the trail by 7:30 AM. Today our hike will be a shorter 6.8 miles, but we have a steep challenge on the climb up Albert Mountain. The Guide Books and fellow hikers going South say it is a very steep climb. When we arrived at the base of Albert Mountain, it looked and was the steepest climb yet. We had to scramble over high boulders and up sharp sides, where the only way up was to set our feet solid on the path and grab hold of a rock grip or a small tree within reach to pull ourself up the path. Upon reaching the top, there was an old fire tower. We had a gorgeous 360 degree vista of the mountains and valleys below. Climbing Albert Mountain was the highlight of the day, and the climb was actually fun and really not very long. Afterwards we descended to a level path and continued down the trail towards our overnight shelter. Glenn returned later in the day to get a picture of the sunset from the fire tower.   After about a mile, we came to Big Springs Shelter. We were the first to arrive and set up our tents again in a nice clearing near the shelter. Within an hour of our arrival, the same Methodist Youth Group filed into the area for the night.   Glenn has been enjoying the hike, but he is feeling some aches from the pack on his back. He continues to enjoy spotting different birds and has identified many of the birds.
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Section Hike 06-06, Big Springs Shelter to Winding Stair Gap.Thursday, 8 June 2006, Day 3.   Today is our final leg of this section hike. Judy picked us up at Rock Gap at 11:00 AM. Glenn and I were off on the trail early again and got to see the wonder of the morning sun rays shining into the forest. We had a nice short hike and experienced much of the same trail varieties that we have experienced the past two days. Our hike took us along a gentle rolling pathway, and the forest was alive with many nature sounds and lush green hues. Since we had only 5.4 miles to go, it took only about four hours of relax hiking to reach Rock Gap. About a mile and a half from Rock Gap, Judy joined us on the trail and hiked with us back to the parking lot at Rock Gap.    When we got back to the motorhome, we cleaned up, viewed our pictures and went out to dinner. Glenn treated us to dinner at a rustic restaurant named Deer Lodge. Glenn departed for home the next morning.