morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-19
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap - Hiawassee
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: few clouds

Up and out at 7:30. Sunrise is 7:45 here so I should try to be just little earlier, maybe 7:20. Once again I walked up the trail a mile to where Just Walking, Steve, and Sharon were camped. They didn't have enough food to last to Dick's Creek and needed to go to Hiawassee from Unicoi Gap to buy food. I have enough food, but I have been considering going into Hiawassee also. However, they are talking about walking to Unicoi Gap today, camping, and getting a shuttle into town tomorrow morning so they can have all day in town. If I go it will be today. I went on up the trail and left them to pack up. I reached Blue Mountain Shelter around 11:00 and stopped for a snack. The bugs were horrible there so I quickly ate and moved on. I reached Unicoi Gap about 1:00, still undecided about going into town or just hiking on. While deciding I met 2 'kids' (20 something) Devon and Kelly from Pitman NJ. Small world. Pitman is less than 10 miles from home. They were just returning from going into Helen GA and were heading on up the trail. Just as they left, a shuttle van from the Budget Inn in Hiawassee pulled up. My decision was made; I went into town. I was in Hiawassee about 1:20 PM, got a room, showered, and washed my clothes. Next I went to the Post Office and sent a few cold weather things on ahead to Fontana Dam so I don't have to carry them. I was considering sending them home, but decided to just send them on ahead incase I need them later. The weather has been unseasonably warm, and the forecast is for this weather to continue for another week. However, 20 degree weather is still possible; probably even likely here. I only sent a turtle neck fleece and down booties. I kept everything else. Together they may weigh a pound, but every pound counts when you are lugging it up a mountain.
Date: 2012-03-20
From: Unicoi Gap - Hiawassee

To: Dick's Creek - Hiawassee
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

16.7 mile slack packToday I did a slack pack from Unicoi gap to Dicks Creek Gap, 16.7 miles. I took everything out of my pack except a rain jacket, a long sleeve shirt, lunch, emergency kit, and of course water. It weighed about 8 pounds. I left everything else in the motel room. The shuttle left about 9AM and I reached Unicoi and started hiking about 9:50. After climbing Rocky Mountain and Tray Mountain, I was tired and stopped for lunch. After about 1/2 hour I continued on to Tray Mountain Shelter. When I stopped to go 0.3 miles to get water, it was 1:15. I did a quick calculation and realized that at my current pace I wasn't going to make it to Dick's Creek Gap by my pick up time, which was 6PM. I started to walk hard and fast. I kept that up for the next 11 miles, over Kelly Knob and several small inclines. I was beat, but I got to Dick's Creek at 6:10. My shuttle was there waiting for me. Back in town, I had a quick dinner, washed my clothes again, and went to bed tired.
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Dick's Creek - Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

First state line - I'm in North CarolinaAfter yesterday's hike I didn't have any energy. I got up and got ready to go anyway. I figured I would at least hike 4 1/2 miles to Plum Orchard Shelter and spend the night. Basically make it a light day so I could rest after the hard day yesterday. The shuttle left at 9am and I got started at 9:30. The hike to Plum Orchard Shelter was all uphill. I got there tired and worn out but after lunch and a rest I decided to push on to Bly Gap which is at the Georgia/North Carolina state line. After many short stops I made it there at 3pm. I've made it across the first state line. I'm in North Carolina! I took pictures and ate another snack and rested. Afterwards, I felt good enough to continue on to Muskrat Creek Shelter, my original plan. As soon as I started, it turned steeply uphill and I slowed to a crawl. It was a hard & slow hike to the shelter, but I got there a little after 5pm; the end of a very long and hard day. Sorry, my wife told me some of the pictures are upside down or sideways when viewed on the computer. On my iPhone they are all OK both when I post them and if I go back and view the page as a normal reader. Apparently the iphone is smarter than the average computer. It must store which way is up within the file and automatically display the pictures that way. I will try to fix them but it make take a few days.
Date: 2012-03-22
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

It rained all night. I was up early and it was still raining lightly. Three others were staying in the shelter: No Trace, Unbreakable, and Rainbow. They said they get up early so they can start hiking as soon as they can see the blazes. They got up about 6:15, so I did too. When they left about 6:45, I couldn't see anything yet. We are in the cloud this morning and that makes it get light even later. I stayed and waited for it to get light enough to see. I left about 7:15. I started walking through the cloud. It alternated between rain and just fog. There were no views. I reached Standing Indian Mountain Shelter at 9:15 AM. The campers from last night were still there. They left while I was snacking.I climbed up Standing Indian Mountain but there were no views, just fog. When I reached Beech Gap I finally dropped below the clouds and it was nice. There was a local gentleman in the gap, Tom. He had extensive knowledge of the area and the plant life. He pointed out funny looking trees which I had not noticed, talked about an obscure bald on the nearby mountain, and interesting bushwacking trips in the area which he had done. I enjoyed talking to him immensely. I finally continued on and it started to rain. It rained all the way to Carter Gap shelter. I got there about 2:30 and stayed the night.
Date: 2012-03-23
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap - Franklin NC
Miles today: 12.0

100 milesIt rained and poured all night. One lightening bolt had to be right near the shelter because there was zero delay between a bright flash and a very loud thunder clap. I woke at 6:30 and it was still raining so I rolled over and went back to sleep. At 7:30 it was still raining but I have to get up. I fooled around hoping the rain would stop. Finally about 9:15 it stopped raining and I left; but 25 minutes later the rain started again. It alternated between rain, pouring rain, fog, and dry, several times throughout the day. The climb up Albert Mountain is steep and rocky, made worse by doing it in the rain. It was slow going to keep from falling on the rocks. Of course, there was no view at the top so I didn't bother to stop at the firetower or go up. There was no reason to do either in the rain and fog. The summit of Albert Mountain was 100.3 miles from my start on Springer Mountain. My first 100 is complete! However, considering the rain, I didn't take any pictures and had no celebration. I stopped at Big Spring Shelter just past the top of Albert for lunch. Another camper and I huddled in the back of the shelter to get out of the wind. But even so, by wearing wet clothes I was getting very cold and had to hike on just to get warm. After about an hour of hiking, I was warm and fine. I was undecided between staying at Rock Gap Shelter or just going into Franklin tonight. When I reached Rock Gap Shelter it was a run down mud hole. Apparently the roof leaks or the rain just blew inside last night. The inside was all wet and all the ground around it was a couple inches of mud. So, when the hiker who was already there called the Budget Inn in Franklin for a shuttle into town, I was also going to town. Within minutes there were 9 of us who decided to take the shuttle to Franklin. The Budget Inn was already full so they took us to the Sapphire Inn which is owned by Ron Haven, the same guy who owns the Budget Inn. It was great to get out of the weather and get cleaned up.  I roomed with Santa and Cowtail.
Date: 2012-03-24
From: Rock Gap - Franklin NC

To: Rock Gap - Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0

First zero dayI took a zero day today. My first since I left Springer Mountain. This is a chance to rest the body, wash clothes, and buy food. The remainder of the day I just sat around, conversed with people and updated this journal. Santa and Cowtail continued on this morning so I switched rooms and am sharing a room with Saint Mike from Charlotte NC.
Date: 2012-03-25
From: Rock Gap - Franklin NC

To: Silar's Bald
Miles today: 8.0

Silar's bald Shelter, 8 milesI was up and went to get a free pancake breakfast at the local Baptist church. Nice, great trail magic. Back to the motel in time to pack up and catch the 9AM shuttle back to the trail. I reached the trail and started walking at 9:45. I walked the 4 miles to Winding Stair gap. Just past the road, I stopped at a beautiful waterfall for a while and started thinking. I was going to hike 14 miles to Wayah Bald Shelter today, but when I went by here on my section hike, I loved this area. It is beautiful. So I decided to slow down and only hike as far as Silar's Bald Shelter today, and enjoy a side trip up to the top of the Bald. I took my time and got to the shelter about 2pm. I ate and put out my stuff. When Saint arrived a little later we went for an excursion and hiked up to the summit. It was beautiful. There were a lot of ugly clouds. It wasn't like the last time when I camped on the summit and had a beautiful sunset & sunrise. However, it was very nice and well worth the effort and time. By the time we returned, it was after 5, so I made dinner. It is a lot colder tonight than it has been. I'm wearing my rain jacket and pants plus my under armour jacket and I'm still cool. So I'm going to bed where I'll be plenty warm in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Silar's Bald

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Up at 6:45 AM got ready and left camp at 7:30. It took me 20 minutes to get up the steep shelter trail and back onto the AT. So I really started on the AT at 7:50. I was at the Stone Tower on Wayah Bald by 11:00. Beautiful place. The tower is just above the trees and gives a nice 360 degree view. I hung out there for almost 2 hours. I hiked on to Cold Spring Shelter, a 11.5 mile day. The last climb up to the shelter was a killer. I got there about 3pm. I was the first one there, and settled in. Most people hiking the AT take a trailname. I chose my name, runnerhiker, years ago during my section hike of the AT. It originated from my having 2 hobbies, running and hiking. I was a runner for 45 years before medical reasons forced me to quit in 2010. My running extended from the time I was a freshman in high school until I was 59 1/2 years old. However, out here I seem to have to repeat my trailname multiple times before people understand me. Also, it just isn't easy to say. So, I am shortening it to 'runner'. From now on, I will be known as 'runner'.
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center ( NOC)
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Nantahala Outdoor Center Up at 6:40, first one out at 7:15. I hoped to roll along and get to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) by 12:30-1:00 so I would have plenty of time to resupply, shower, wash clothes, get dinner etc. When I got to Wesser Bald and saw the observation deck, I had to stop and enjoy. I spent an hour eating, resting, and enjoying the view. I'm out here to enjoy, not just click off miles. I did reach NOC until about 1:30. I went to the Outfitter there and tried to get them to replace a sea to summit bag I have been using as a food bag, which has developed a hole already. We called the company but they refused to replace it saying the ultra silk bags are not intended for such use. Of course everybody uses them that way. Instead, I bought 'seam grip' to try to fix it. I'll see how that holds up. I also had to buy a new buckle for my backpack (the original one was only holding on one side), and a new pair of sock liners. I completely blew out the heel on my first pair. We have generally been averaging 3500 to 5500 feet elevation. Today as I came down to the NOC which is only 1750 feet (Pennsylvania and NJ mountains average 1500-2000) I watched it green up. On the summits the trees are still brown and the only thing starting to come out are some wildflowers. However, as I descended I watched more and more trees have buds and then tiny leaves. Here at the NOC most trees are starting to leaf. Just tiny leaves, but things have that greenish tint. It will be completely green here soon. Tomorrow when I hike out I expect to watch the opposite happen. Fewer and fewer trees will have little leaves, then no buds and finally back to just bare trees. Spring time will come for the trees along the peaks in a few more weeks.
Date: 2012-03-28
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center ( NOC)

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Brown Fork Gap Shelter 15.8 miVery hard day. I bit off more than I should have. I was up at 6:45 and left NOC at 7:30. The trail goes steady up for 6 miles to Swim Bald. A very difficult climb of 3000 feet. Then it goes down 300 feet to Sassafrass Gap Shelter where I stopped to get water and have a small snack. From the shelter the trail continues up for another 600 feet to Cheoah Bald and a very nice view. Members of the US Forest Service were there. They were doing a controlled burn on neighboring peaks and were using the bald to observe the burn and ensure it didn't get out of control. I sat down and enjoyed a snack and talked to the fire fighters. I left Cheoah Bald about 1pm with 8 miles to go. I was tired from the start after the morning climb. The trail went up and down for the next 6 1/2 miles until it comes to Jacobs Ladder, a 1000 foot straight up climb. I was already exhausted from the morning climb followed by the ups and downs. I struggled up. I was completely exhausted by the time I reached the top. From there I struggled the next 1 1/2 miles to the shelter, it was 5:45. The total climb for the day was about 6000 feet and almost 16 miles. I was so tired I didn't even cook dinner. I just ate a cold dinner and went to bed. I am not ready for these miles. I need to rethink my schedule going forward and limit the miles.
Date: 2012-03-29
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Dam - Hike Inn
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Fontana Dam - Hike Inn 12 milesThe shelter was packed last night. No room to move, so even though I woke at 6:30, I didn't get up until 7 when someone else got up. I was ready and gone at 7:30. It seemed like a long long walk down to Fontana. I think I'm still tired from yesterday. I watched it green up as I hiked down just like on the way into NOC. It changed from bare trees to small leaves on the bushes and finally small leaves on the trees. Spring is popping out all over in the valley. When I got to NC route 28, I called the Hike Inn for a shuttle to their place and changed the reservation from a single to a double. Maniac is going to share the room with me. We walked another 1 1/2 miles over to the Fontana Dam visitor center where they picked us up at 3pm. The Hike Inn is a cozy and very friendly AT hiker motel on the side of the mountain. At 5:00 they drive you about 15 miles into Robinsville for dinner and to resupply at the store. We ate at a Mexican restaurant and then went to Ingles to shop. We were back at the motel about 7:30. I repacked everything, then Maniac and I talked until 10pm.
Date: 2012-03-30
From: Fontana Dam - Hike Inn

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Mollies Ridge Shelter 11.5 miles. I was up at 7am. The shuttle took us back up to the visitor center and I started hiking about 8:30. I crossed the dam and entered the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. Of course the trail started steep uphill. It was a long steep uphill slog to the Shuckstack Firetower where I stopped for lunch and the view. I continued north. After a couple of miles, thunderstorms rolled in and it started to rain. I walked the last 2 miles to the shelter in the cold rain with thunder sounding around me. I finally reached the shelter and got out of the rain, but I was cold and wet. I changed into a dry shirt and pulled my rain clothes on to warm up but I was cold until I got in the sleeping bag. It was cold and rainy all night. The shelter was full plus people tenting all around. In the Smokies, the rules say you must stay in the shelter or camp near it. You are not supposed to just camp anywhere. So it concentrates the people and the impact. A young Australian girl thru hiker, Short Step, fell and dislocated her wrist and broke a bone. With help from her fianc©e and other thru hikers she made it another 3 miles to the shelter cold had hurting. She was going into shock. Sharon, a thru hiker, is a registered nurse and took control of the situation; 911 was called. Another thru hiker had percoset for emergency use and gave her some. She was put into dry clothes and a sleeping bag to get her warm. Since she warmed up, had percoset to ease her pain, and since it is no longer life threatening, they are not going to evacuate her until tomorrow.
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Derrick Knob Shelter 12 milesI once again waited for others to get up before getting up. So I got up about 7 and left at 7:30. We were in the clouds and they were dripping. The walk to the next shelter was only 3 miles and an easy walk. I stopped there just to rest and talk, then walked on again to Spence Field Shelter. I heard, then saw wild turkeys there. From there it was a hard mile and half to Rocky Top. Fortunately, the clouds had lifted and there were great views. I walked on another 6 hard miles to Derrick Knob Shelter. I could see thunderstorms around but fortunately I made it there still dry but very tired. About and hour after arriving, a thunderstorm did pass through and it rained and hailed. Fortunately, I was at the shelter and dry. Today I reached mile 188.8. That means I now have less than 2000 miles to go. After 18 days of work that doesn't sound like much progress. Tonight there are only 7 in the shelter plus 8 tenting nearby. Shenanigans, Secrets, Walking Home, Medicine Woman, and 2 others were in the shelter with me. There was good conversation until hiker midnight (8pm).
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Mt Collins Shelter 13.5 milesUp at 6:35, gone at 7:20. While heading up the trail I heard turkeys, then I saw one ahead. He was walking right up the trail. I tried to get closer so I could get a picture, but I didn't want to rush him because that would just chase him off. When I walked faster, he just went faster. When I slowed down and tried to be quiet, he stayed the same distance ahead. I followed him up the trail for about 10 minutes but never got a good picture. I reached Silars Bald shelter and took a rest and snack. Then I hiked on up to Clingman's Dome. It was a hard climb. Half way up, 2 rangers came down the trail and asked to see my permit to be in the park. I had to drop my pack and dig it out. At least I got a 10 minute break out of it. I finally reached Clingman's Dome a little after 1 pm. Everyone else was already there. It was a nice day so the view from the tower was great. Secrets told us it was his nephews birthday., so we got a ranger to take a video of all the thru hikers singing happy birthday to his nephew, Reese. A lot of the hikers I've been with went on to Newfoundland Gap and into Gatlinburg TN for the night to resupply. I carried enough food out of Fontana Dam that I don't need to resupply there. It's nice not to stop, but I paid for it with a heavier pack. I stopped at Mt Collins Shelter. Because most hikers went on, the shelter was quieter. I spent the night with Sipsy, Precious, Hare, Tortoise, Neatherlands, Firecracker, and No Way. Today I passed 200 miles since Springer Mountain. My old body is really feeling the work. It is discouraging when all the young guys blow past me, but I just keep on trucking. It's not about who gets to Maine first, but enjoying the journey. A lot of times the young ones going fast or doing big miles are the ones who get injured and never make it to Maine.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Ice Water Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Ice Water Shelter 7.5I slept in. Up at 7 out at 8:15. It's only a 7.5 mile hike to the next shelter but 15 to the one after, so I'm stopping at the first, Ice Water Springs. It was an easy walk to Newfoundland Gap. When I got there I saw Hare, Tortoise, Firecracker, and No Way hanging around a pick up, so I went over. A man and woman ( I forget their names) were giving out Trail Magic. I got a bologna sandwich, coke, cookies, and a Colossal bar to go. After taking a few pictures and talking for a while, they took a bunch of hikers into Gatlinburg. I sat at the gap a while longer with Dirty Girl then continued on to the shelter. It was another easy walk to the shelter. I saw a lot of people day hiking or doing short overnights. I reached the shelter by 1 pm. All afternoon people kept stopping by. Day hikers stopped in to check out the shelter, eat lunch, take pictures, and went on. Thru hikers also stopped in and continued to the next shelter. Secrets and Shananigans were in Gatlinburg last night, came by and stayed. Sipsy and Precious from last night also stayed. KD and CapLocks came and stayed. There were a few other thru hikers plus a family of 5 out for a few days. The shelter was full.