morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Gooch Gap

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was my favorite day yet. We started at Gooch Gap and got to see Wolf and Pirate one more time before they head to NC for a big hiker feed. Those guys are the real deal. We thought it was going to rain today but it wasn't when we headed out. You know that movie- The Mist or maybe it's called The Fog? When we hiked into the woods the trail went up and we hiked on a ridge. It had a steep drop off on one side. This mist rolled in alarmingly fast - Hollywood style- and hung in the air- it was so breathtakingly beautiful. The trees were like silhouettes, both in sharp contrast with the mist and also ghostly . Chris Price- you have to paint that! We walked awhile enjoying the ethereal time spent with creative condensation, then it started to drizzle a bit. I was hoping to get my pack cover out- it is my original design and I made it myself- but the rain never really made that much of an effort. The sun broke through and we were treated to some incredible views on top of Big Cedar. The pack cover will remain under wraps until it actually rains. We have been leap frogging with Birdsong, Circuit Rider, and Hopeful since the beginning. It is always fun to pass each other, and we usually meet at great views so we are all in a good mood. The trail was up and down and rocky and twisty, and it crossed over several small streams cascading down from the tall rocky mountain face. I sat for some time on a mountain I don't know the name of, on a rocky ledge with my feet dangling down. I felt very small and very big all at the same time. My husband texted me and asked how I felt and I replied "like a POWERFUL MOUNTAIN GODDESS! He said that was unusually confident for only three days in. He makes me laugh and laugh! Hanging out with No Spring Chicken again tonight. I told her to lose the No in her name because she is springier than most chickens out here. Her name should be Spring Loaded. Look for her in Maine.. Katwalk continues to make friends and charm everyone she meets. She is a wonderful woman- so glad I met her!I have been wearing the same clothes since Sunday and i'm going to sleep at 8:30. Translation: I stink and I'm tired!
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Blood Mountain. The name strikes fear in the hearts of many hikers. It is the day we have been anticipating with dread and excitement. According to Sam Duke, storyteller extraordinaire, Blood Mountain gets its name because back in the day the injuns and the white folk fought a ferocious battle up there. So many men died that their blood ran down the mountain and into the creek. Blood Mountain has an elevation of 4461 feet- much of it rocky. If I had attempted Blood Mountain on my first day, I could not have done it. It was a relentless uphill climb. There were big steps up rocks placed strategically by trail maintainers in order to make the climb possible. I climbed up the trail until I reached Blood Mountain Shelter. (See pics) It is a rock structure that has two rooms and 4 open windows. You cannot camp or or stay in the shelter unless you have a bear box to store your food. There is a cave next to the shelter and I imagined that a bear was slumbering in it while I was there. They wake up hungry and the first thing they see is the shelter with tasty hikers in it. It was very misty on top of the mountain so the views were not great, but the mist added a spooky dramatic element and I really enjoyed our time there.On the way down I met a guy by the name of Zero. That's his trail name and his real name. He gave me a handy tip to avoid bears while tenting. He says all you have to do is get some peanut butter and rub it on your neighbors tent. We both agreed that earplugs would be necessary if you wanted to sleep , what with all the chewin' and a screamin'. Climbing up Blood today made me realize that I am getting stronger. This was one of the toughest climbs and it felt like my easiest day. The hike down was another story. Knee jamming painful decent- going on for nearly two miles. It was a relief to see Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap. The AT goes right through the building. I ate some Motrin and waited for Katwalk. She has a sore knee so coming down off of blood was hard. She burst out of the woods in her colorful hiking clothes and charmed everyone sitting around at the picnic table. I want her to run for president. With her natural charisma- she would win! Met Baltimore Jack at Mountains Crossing and he politely pretended to be impressed with my homemade pack cover. Still in my pack- not enough rain yet! Hello to all of you at home. I miss you- I love you - and I owe you big time for giving me the space to have this experience.
Date: 2015-03-28
To: zero at Blood Mountain Cabins
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Zero day reflections: (a zero is a day when you don't hike at all) both Katwalk and I felt great and could have hiked today, but the temps are dropping and hikers are flocking to hotels and hostels. Better to be smart and warm. Sitting in the little living room of the Blood Mountain store today with a crackling fire and a nice cup of joe, we met lots of hikers. They were coming in cold with stories of near hypothermia and extreme discomfort sleeping in the weather last night. They all waited eagerly to see if a cabin would be available for them. There are folks of all ages and nationalities on the trail, men and women, fat and thin short and tall, fit and unfit. Nobody can predict who will make it- anybody can. I love that. Things I have learned so far: 1) if you put Leuko tape on the backs of your legs to prevent your boots from rubbing and you have not shaved your legs for 3 weeks and you leave the tape on for a week- when you rip the tape off you will also rip off all the hair under it. Sweet mother of God that hurt.2) when you weigh all of your gear separately and it weighs 18 pounds, it weighs 30 when you stuff it in a pack. Don't ask me why.3) if you come to the trail to avoid people and you are seeking some alone time- (like I was) you will be surprised within moments of entering the magical green tunnel that the real trail magic is the grace, the humor, the camaraderie of your fellow hikers. 4) the best trail magic is water and kindness. Thank you Survivor Dave and Liz.5) Baby steps. And rest often. Look up sometimes- there might be a view6) the advice you get is to move slowly the first two weeks. It's hard to do because your adrenaline wants you to rush forward. I have to have conversations with myself about keeping my miles low. But I have no blisters or knee pain yet, and I think it is because we are easing into this marathon and not engaging in the nearly irresistible sprint in the beginning. This is my humble offering- I am a first time backpacker, one week in.Had a spaghetti dinner with Infinity, Katwalk, Sonya, Lois, Honda Hawk, and Bounder. It was a wonderful time spent breaking bread with people who are having this experience. What did we talk about? Pack weight of course!BonBon
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Tesnatee Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was our last day at Blood Mountain Cabins and our first day carrying our full packs. We have been carrying about 20 pounds each day- so now the real deal begins. Both of us packed our stuff up and then flailed around like Cheryl Strayed trying to get the packs on. It was not pretty. Then we started deducting things we "needed" from our packs. We each ended up sending home, hiker boxing, and bouncing about 10 pounds. My pack is now 31.8 and Kats is about the same. Sam dropped us off for the last time and we all hugged. Kat and I waved good bye then we tried to get our packs on for the long uphill right out of Tesnatee. From a distance it probably looked like little men were on our backs trying to take us down. Finally we got our packs on, gloves on, hats on, and realized we both had to pee. We laughed hysterically and headed up th mountain. It was really hard and I am so grateful we used our first week to ease in to this. We are stronger than we were and have some understanding of the terrain- and that helps a lot. There were lots of steep ups - the trail was muddy-I love that. There is something so satisfying about feeling the mud squishing under your boot and hearing that squelch noise. The trillium is starting to come up and there were these cool ice formations on the edges of the trail. They looked like they were attached to something but they were completely independant. (See pics) All I could hear was my breathing and my heart beating . I bumped into Jot and Huckleberry and he showed me how to adjust my pack so it was riding the right way. That made a huge difference. When I took my pack off at the end of the day- I felt incredibly buoyant. We stopped at Low Gap because rain is supposed to come in tonight and we had to set our tents up. We wrestled with them for a while and finally got them up correctly. I understand Kats tent is visible from the space station(see pic)We walked down to the shelter and cooked dinner on our jet!boils. I had to read the directions And got a little help. After dinner- we hung bear bags, got cozy in our tents and now I'm trying to pretend it's warm in my bag. I watched he sun set from my tent. It was beautiful. I learned a lot today. Miss my family- but having an incredible experience.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

Sleeping in the tent last night was quite an experience. I was sleeping and a sound woke me up. It sounded like someone slowly pulling down the zipper on my tent. I woke up in a panic, ready to fight- but I was trapped in my mummy bag. One hand searched for the water filter I had in my bag so it wouldn't freeze and it grabbed the first thing it found. A big wool mitten. Luckily, the sound I heard was the beginning of raindrops, hitting the tent one after the other. Good thing. I was wrapped up like a spring roll and armed with a mitten. Soon the rain came down in sheets. It was howling outside, wind blowing , thunder cracking and lightning making my tent fill with white light. I calculated how far between the thunder and the Lightning and fell asleep pondering the possibility of a strike.Next morning, I put my headlamp on and walked down a very muddy path to get my food bag from the bear cables. I slipped on a steeper down, landed on my bigg asset, and literally bounced back on my feet. Katwalk had a tent malfunction in the night and her bag got wet. Same thing happened to Sonya. But they packed up and hiked out with smiles on their faces. Adventurous women.I got the Copper Spur UL2 , mostly because of great reviews by Left Turn last year, and so far I am very happy with it. I hiked out in a drizzly mist- not enough to breakout my packcover- and hiked to Blue MountainShelter.. The climb up was long, steep, and muddy. Rocks made the trail complicated. At some points, the trail was downright treacherous with a steep drop on one side. If I had slipped in the mud or on the wet rocks, I would have rolled and rolled, with nothing to stop me except a boulder or a tree. The hike down as equally treacherous, I thought, but just when I was congratulating myself for a particularly difficult section, Circuit Rider literally came running down with Houdini. Wearing sneakers. Katwalk headed to town to dry her bag and gear and I'm camping. I watched another sunset and dried my tent while I ate. Now snug in my tent, not expecting rain, I will meet up with Katwalk the day after tomorrow in Hiawassee. Feels strange without her. Sweet dreams Zoe, Mackenzie , and Gage. Hi Mom and Dad and Pat! Love you Mark.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Rocky Mountain

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

You know how annoying it is when you have to get up in the middle of the night to pee? It is 100 times worse in a tent in the dark in the woods. The night of the big lighting and rainstorm, I couldn't get out of my tent so I took my Jet Boil out of its ziplock bag and I peed in the bag. Next morning, after searching for my titanium spoon and finally giving up on it, I found it in that bag when I went to dispose of the contents. Last night, at Rocky Top, I was all alone. Nobody was at my site. I kept hearing critters walking around, and I imagined a bear making a pi±ata out of my food bag that I had hung high on a branch. I woke up and had to go, and I realized I would not get back to sleep if I didn't. I unzipped the tent and looked out. The moonlight was incredible, its brightness not diminished by artificial light. I scanned the area for bears and zombies, then satisfied that I was safe, I stepped out. At that point, the moon was at the head side of my tent. A few hours later, nature called again, and when I stepped out this time, the moon was at the foot end of my tent, as if chasing the sun that I had watched set earlier. Hey moon, I whispered-Hike your own hike. You are magnificent in your own sky.Next morning I packed up and hiked out- hoping to make Addis Gap, about 11 miles ahead. Katwalk had started at Dick Creeks Gap and was heading southbound 17 miles to Unicoi Gap. Crazy hardcore woman! The trail was very beautiful, some of it lined with moss on both sides. I was treated to some truly inspiring views. While hiking, my brain goes crazy. I bounce ideas in and out and sometimes settle on a thought and follow through it. I decided to name my pack Mark, after my husband, because it really keeps my shit together and I sleep next to it in my tent every night. I invented a new down sleeping bag that is not as constrictive as a mummy bag and would allow for more turning and self defense if need be. I thought about my dog Henry, who died about 5 years ago. He lives in a place in my heart where my children are still little. He would have loved this, he was such a runaway, like me.I [passed Lois sitting on a rock tending to her feet about halfway. They were wrapped up like King Tut, which I suggested as a trail name. About 10 minutes later, I saw a blaze of color come out of the woods. Katwalk! Heading south! I was never so happy to see anyone in my life! We shared a stinky hug, then she moved on. She had big miles to cover. A while later, Lois caught up to me. I wanted to stop at Sassafras camp ground, about 0.9 miles short of Addis Gap. She pushed me to move on, so I trudged that last mile, all uphill, and finally made it to the campsite. Set up my tent, cooked dinner, hung my bear bag, and fell exhausted into my bag before the sun went down. It was a very hard day- lots of big climbs.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.4

I woke up early today, finally getting a little sleep. It has been an adjustment, to say the least, to sleep on a pad on the ground in a straight jacket mummy bag. I am figuring out my routine. I heard today that INTJs, as a group, have a better chance of completing the trail than any other personality type. That would be my husband. I am the complete opposite. I don't really like structure and routine, but I am finding that it is very important on the trail. My break down routine is starting to shape up like this: I wake up, put my stinky hiking clothes in my bag to warm them, then I get dressed. I let the air out of my mattress as I look at the book for the hike ahead of me. I am experimenting with not using my endless stuff sacks, so the bag and sleep clothes go in the bottom of the pack in a big contractor bag. Pad, stove (unless I plan to have a hot breakfast) and food on top, then down jacket. All toiletries, headlamp etc. go in various parts of the pack and I am starting to figure out where they need to be. Then I get out and get my bear bag. Eat breakfast, brush and floss, pack tent, filter water if I need it, and hit the trail. This morning I brushed and flossed while watching the beautiful sunrise I have posted a picture of.My hike was short, about 5 and a half miles, but starting with a grueling climb over Kelly's Knob (elev.4171) The views today were stunning. The rest of the hike was smoother than I have seen in days, and a relief because I desperately need some protein and am tiring out faster than usual. Usually when I go up these hills I think about my trainer Ashley and her incredible legs. I want legs like that, and my uphill mantra is- I want legs like Ashleys, I want legs like Ashleys. Today may mantra was cheeseburger. Cheeseburger. I thought about various forms of food for the entire hike. When I got to Dicks Creek gap, some great guys were handing out cokes and candy. I caught a shuttle to the Holiday Inn ( the budget inn shuttle, very nice guy dropped me at Holiday Inn for a little extra) where a room was waiting for me, courtesy of PennTech International, my brother's company. He has lots of rewards points and I get a free night at holiday inns. Thank you Tom and Meg! Katwalk was here already and I headed out smelling like a walker to get a cheeseburger with her. I could only eat half. We did some shopping then came back to the hotel and I did laundry and chatted with Decaf and One Step, hiking couple from St. Pete. Then off to dinner with the wonderful Sam Duke, who drove here to dine with us. Tomorrow, we hit the trail. Thank you for your wonderful comments in my guest book. They are very encouraging!
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0

After a zero day in Hiawassee becuase of rain, we headed out bright eyed and bushy tailed. Ay Dick Creeks Gap, we saw Crazy Horse and Foot again, handing out trail magic. We asked foot how he got his name and Crazy Horse pulled up Foots sleeve to reveal his cool tatoo. (see pics) There was word of a rape at Deep Gap, and we were a little nervous about getting seperated, but today would be the day that we crossed in to North Carolina and we were stoked! The best days for my legs are the day after a zero. I felt strong and hiked with energy all day. That burn I usually feel in my legs on the ups was at a minimum. It did drizzle a little, but for the most part it was a gorgeous day. All day long I heard woodpeckers and turkeys and scampering all around me, but I never saw a single critter.The day had several steep climbs, some tough downs, and ended with a long sustained climb up to Bly Gap. Just before the campsite was the NC/GA sign. Kat and I were so happy, and I was glad we hiked together today. Usually we move at our own paces and are never together except for a lunch break. We took pictures of each other and congratulated each other for making it this far. Anywhere from 1 out of 4 to 2 out of 4 do not make it this far, so we do feel like we reached a significant milestone. As soon as we rounded the bend after the tree, we saw Bly Gap. A tent city with two fires going, and lots of happy people. Water was right there, no walk for it. We set our tents up and made dinner and hit the sack. That night, it was extremely rainy and cold. I slept soundly all night, but poor Katwalk- her tent leaked again. That is extremely demoralizing, but again, she planted a smile on her face and hiked out the next morning. She is tough.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

North Carolina welcomed us like the Indian convenience store owner in the Simpsons " Thank you for coming, now please go away" The initial climb was the toughest yet, and I felt as though the trail was trying to repel us back to Georgia. My legs were two days after a zero, so the burn was back. I would say the first two hours of this day was a trudge. One foot in front of the other..trudging along. After about 3 miles, the trail leveled out a bit and we had some relief. Saw Splinter and Mr. Ambitious eating lunch on a great overlook. Mr. Amitious had the biggest food bag ever! His Mom is a quilter he said, and she thought this quilting bag would come in handy. I peeked in to see what was inside, and realized the question was, what wasn't in there!The day was really pretty and I kept looking for animals. Still havent seen more than a bird and a salamander. I thought a lot about Georgia and the hike so far. What I did not do in Georgia-I did not put in my earbuds even once. I did not get sore knees. I did not get a blister (but I did rub the skin off of my left ankle)I did not sleep in a shelter. Those things are all ahead of me. The AT in Georgia is tough, it exposed me to lots of weather conditions, a wide range of temperatures, and mostly- great people who live and work near the trail. When we hit Deep Gap, a former thru hiker and his posse of friends were doing a day before Easter pulled pork BBQ. They had a fire going, good food, good stories. It gave us good energy to move on, although the menu they had planned for hikers the next day, Easter Sunday, nearly tempted us to pich our tents right there.We had one last climb over Standing Indain Mountain. It was tough and were were so happy to see the tents at Beech Gap. We set up, didnt cook, and crawled in to our tents exhausted. The temps went in to the 20s that night, and Kat's bag and tent were still damp, so she came and slept in my tent and it helped having two people. It was still miserable though, and neither one of us slept well. Morning came as a relief and we had a big day ahead.www.bigbigwalk.com
Date: 2015-04-04
From: Beech Gap

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was the first day I have felt blah. My energy was low, and I really did not feel like hiking. I whined and complained and Katwalk kept suggesting remedies. I was just blah. The hike started out relatively easy, but the long ups, even if they are not steep, can be tedious if your head is not in it. It was Easter Sunday, I was missing my family, thinking about how I have never missed and Easter with them, just basically having a little pity party in my head.We froze our butts off the night before, so not getting sleep did not help. We stopped for a snack and Katwalk broke in to her summer sausage stash. That was our Easter feast, and it was good! The protien perked me up a little. The Katwalk suggested I put in my earbuds and listen to music. I did that, and the first song that came on was Freebird. I defy any person on this planet to listen to that song and not feel competely energized! Every blood vessel, every nerve, every muscle in me came alive, becasue I. AM. A. FREEBIRD! Wo-oh-oh-oh- and this bird you cannot change! I was air guitaring my hiking poles and I took off like a shot. I danced my way along the trail like a demented middle aged rock star wanna-be until I got to the base of the infamous Albert Mountain.I know, you dont often use infamous and Albert in the same sentence, but you do in this case. I sat to wait for Katwalk. While waiting, a nice woman drove up on the dirt road. She rolled her window down and asked if I was having a good day. Please invite me and kat to your warm and wonderful home for a homecooked meal, tv in a barcalounger, and laundry I thought. But all I said was yes- we are having a fabulous day. She wished me beauty and safety on the hike, then she was gone.Katwalk showed up after about 30 minutes and now we had reversed roles. I was the one with energy and she wanted to stop. But, there was no where to camp, so we had no choice but to climb Mt. Albert. And climb we did- literally- with our hands- to get up the big boulders. This trail went straight up- very steep, very dangerous, with drop offs that went straigh down hundreds of feet. Disney would never allow this proximity to death. At the top was a fire tower.I climbed up, because I am a masochist, and was treated to incredible 360 views.Elevation 5250, plus the tower.We had also reached the 100 mile mark of our hike. It was a good moment. We hiked on to Long Branch Shelter and decided to stay. It was a new shelter, and very cedary smelling, so we decided to actually stay in the shelter. It wasnt bad, but I kept waking up to the sound of the most awful snoring. Everytime I woke up it mysteriously stopped. Hmmm. www.bigbigwalk.com