morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-10
From: Cowart Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 13 on the Appalachian TrailApril 10Miles Today: 7.5Total Miles: 78.3I think today was my latest start yet. Once again I stayed in bed until 8. I wasn't too worried about getting going early this morning since it was going to be a short 7.5 miles to Bly Gap. I started taking melatonin at night to help me get a more restful night of sleep but I think that's why I've been getting up later than I was before. Maybe I'm just getting used to sleeping out on the trail every night. I don't think I started walking until 9:30. No big deal. As long as I get where I wanted to be with a couple hours of daylight left in the day I'm content. Joe ended up catching up with us before we even left camp so we got to hike with him for the day. We got the worst climb of the day done and over with right away this morning when we hiked up and out of Cowart Gap. About 3.5 miles in we decided to stop and have an early lunch at Plumorchard Shelter. We sat there, ate food and conversed with other hikers who strolled in for about and hour and then headed on our way. For most of the rest of the day the trail travelled continuously uphill at a minor grade. Shortly after lunch we travelled through an area where a wildfire had been. The trees were all charred about a foot from the base down. After a couple hours of hiking I made it to the state line of Georgia and North Carolina. It was a great feeling being able to check off one state from the list. 13 left to go! I waited at the border line for a bit to see Joe and my dad cross over as well. Once they had both arrived I walked up to where our camp would be for the night which was a short 0.1 from the border and filled up my water. Joe had already begun setting up his tent and when I found him I set mine next to his. Dad hung his hammock right in front of both our tents. The afternoon was spent hanging out, relaxing and determining how far we had to go over the next few days in order to make it to Franklin, NC at mile 109 by Thursday. We're planning on 12 miles tomorrow and then splitting the rest between the other two days. Camp is full tonight. Definitely the most amount of people I've stayed with since starting the AT. There's got to be at least 30 people here for the night. It's the first night I've felt the need to take out my ear plugs. My dad, Joe and I are all planning an early start tomorrow to get some of the miles done before it gets hot. Aiming for a 6:15 wake up tomorrow. Sorry for the short post tonight. Feeling pretty tired and looking forward to putting my head down for the night.
Date: 2017-04-11
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1

Day 14 on the Appalachian Trail April 11Miles Today: 12.1Total Miles: 90.4Up nice and early this morning just like I wanted to be. Well, actually about 15 minutes later than I wanted to be up. I forgot to set my watch alarm for 6:15 when I went to bed because I was so tired but thankfully I woke up on my own just before 6:30. I instantly hopped out of bed and began breaking down my gear. By this time Dad was almost done taking his hammock down and shortly after Joe got up as well. Dad rolled out at 7. I could've been ready to leave shortly after but I hung around and worked up some motivation for the day. I left at 8 while Joe was taking down his tent. The first climb out of Bly Gap was absolutely brutal. It was short but it was a real ass kicker. North Carolina doesn't mess around. After the initial climb out of the gap it was another climb up and over a knob and down into another Sassafras Gap. From there on out the trail was smooth sailing and mostly flat or downhill for several miles. It definitely made the intended 12 miles for the day a heck of a lot easier and faster. I was clipping right along at 2.5-3 miles an hour. Pretty soon I was dropping down into Deep Gap which was just before Standing Indian Mountain. I began the climb up Standing Indian, the highest point on the AT so far, and stopped a short ways in when I got to the shelter. Joe, my dad, and I decided that would be our spot for lunch today. I got there a few minutes past 11. Felt pretty good to get 7.7 miles out of the way in just a little over 3 hours time. 15 minutes later, Dad rolled in, also feeling good about his progress for the day. We stopped, had lunch and waited for about an hour. No sign of Joe. I carried on up the rest of Standing Indian Mountain. The rest of the climb ended up being surprisingly easy and I was rewarded with a terrific view at the top. It was definitely the best summit yet. It was clear, had a great view, and an awesome patch of nice green grass that I eventually laid down on for about a half hour. Off in the distance I could see smoke rising up out of the forest. A bit earlier at the shelter a guy had mentioned that there was a forest fire a ways up the trail and mile 109-115 were closed off. That's exactly where we are heading in the next 2 days so hopefully things are well by then. Worried about finding a decent camp site for the night due to the bubble we are in right now, I carried on down the mountain before everyone else to claim my spot. I cruised down the mountain and eventually ran in to my Dad. He had passed up on the opportunity to take the side trail to the summit of Standing Indian. We were the first to arrive in Beech Gap for the night. Not long after, people began to pour in. I'm glad we were the first ones here and were able to pick out good spots. Still haven't seen Joe, and I don't have service here to contact him, but hopefully he will roll in to camp soon. It's only 4:30 right now so he's got plenty of time to get here.
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Village 
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

Day 23 on the Appalachian Trail April 20Miles Today: 8.2Total Miles: 163.9Short post tonight. Currently sitting in the a room at the Fontana Lodge. It's getting late and we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow so I'll be trying to get to bed as soon as possible. We all got up at a decent hour this morning and got headed on the trail to get in to Fontana. I was on the trial right at 8:30 and quickly hiked the first 2 miles to our first water source where I needed to fill up. Jay, Sarah, and Joe all caught up to me while I was filling up. We all departed the water source together and trudged on. We quickly came to our first, and only big climb of the day. We all pressed on and we're at the top of the climb within a half hour of starting it. We all stopped at the top to eat a bit. When we got to the top, dad was already there having a bite to eat. After snacking we all headed on and worked our way towards Fontana. A couple miles after we arrived at the road where the shuttle to the lodge picks hikers up. After waiting about 45 minutes the shuttle came by and picked us up along with several other thru-hikers. After arriving at the lodge, which is extremely nice by the way, we were able to check in to our room early and begin getting things ready for the trail ahead. We all showered, picked up our supply boxes, and went through our bags. Dad and I then went and got lunch at the restaurant nearby. When we returned we gathered our laundry and I walked it down, washed it and dried it, then brought it back to the room for everyone to go through and pick out their stuff. We all ate dinner from the extras in our supply boxes and figured out our plan for the beginning of the Smokies. Tomorrow looks like a short day with a lot of climbing to a legal tent site. From there we will be required to stay in shelters for the remainder of the national park. We are planning on heading in to Gatlinburg, TN on our 4th day to resupply and take a zero. Hopefully all goes as planned.
Date: 2017-04-21
From: Fontana Village 

To: Birch Spring Campsite 
Miles today: 7.9

Day 24 on the Appalachian Trail April 21Miles Today: 7.9Total Miles: 171.8I woke up feeling a bit groggy this morning. My allergies definitely set in last night while we were at a low elevation where the pollen count was high. Everyone was up by 7 and packing their stuff up. First shuttle back out from the lodge was at 8:30 so we wanted to make sure we were on that one so we could get a decent start time on the trail. Dad and I were waiting outside for it just after 8. Joe decided to hang back and have breakfast and would catch the next one after 8:30. The shuttle dropped us off along with a crew of others where we had stopped yesterday. We had an easy 2.5 mile hike from there across the Fontana Dam. Dad and I made it to the dam in less than an hour and we slowly made our way across it. The dam was absolutely amazing. It's the 2nd largest dam in the states and only took 3 years to make. I stopped to take several pictures. After snapping some photos I continued across and met Dad on the other side. It was then a short walk up a road to the trailhead into the Great Smoky National Forest. We each dropped our permits in the dropbox and headed into the forest. I struggled quite a bit on the initial climb out of the dam. It was more of a mental struggle than physical. I couldn't stop thinking of home and Zealand. The miles came slow while but I continued my way up. After a few hours I made my way to the top of the Shuckstack fire tower and had 360 degree views of the area nearby. You could clearly see the Fontana Dam and what had once seemed massive now looked extremely small compared to the the forests surrounding it. I sat below the fire tower and had a tuna wrap for lunch. On my way down, I ran into Dad who was on his way up to also have lunch. I continued on for a little more than a mile to the campsite we planned on staying at. Birch Spring campsite is the only place in the Smokies where you are not required to stay inside of or directly nearby a shelter. Now we are up in elevation and the rest of the Smokies should be easier with smaller ups and downs. When I arrived at the campsite I was surprised to not see anyone else here. I was a bit early, I arrived at 2pm, and I expect more people to roll in as the day continues. Not long after I got here, Dad rolled in, and then an hour or so later Joe arrived. Everyone is set up now and I'm sure before long we will gather together to make dinner and chat about the day. I'm glad to be done for the day. The extra rest will be helpful and I'm looking forward to performing better tomorrow. Right now we plan on getting to Garlinburg, TN on Monday afternoon and to stay in a hotel that night as well as Tuesday night after a needed zero day.
Date: 2017-04-22
From: Birch Spring Campsite 

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 25 on the Appalachian Trail April 22Miles Today: 11.1Total Miles: 182.9Everyone headed to bed a little bit earlier than normal last night so we could get a good night of rest. We all wanted to get up early for a cool morning start. I got up at 6:45 and was able to break everything down and be on the trail right at 7:30. Slowly, I'm getting quicker at getting my stuff ready to go in the morning. The trail started off with a slight climb but nothing too bad. As I hiked I watched the sun try to fight its way through the misty morning air. It was fighting a losing battle and was never able to fully break through. Before long I was at the top of Doe Knob and was headed down. The trail became muddy and slippery from the heavy rain we got last night. I had a few slips from the mud but nothing that led me to the ground. The trail then began to climb up to Mollies Ridge Shelter. It was a gradual climb that didn't require much work. It didn't take long for Dad and I to get to the shelter where we stopped to have some food. I took out my rain fly and hung it so it could dry a bit. After 45 minutes we headed back out and worked our way down to the next shelter, Russell Field. Once again we stopped for a bit, chatted with some day hikers and headed back out. After another hour we made it to our stop for the night at Spence Field Shelter. We are expecting some heavy rain tonight as well as tomorrow so we decided it might be better to stay in the shelter tonight to stay dry. Should make for an easy morning as well without having to pack up the tent. Once we got to Spence we each had lunch and filled up some water. After about an hour, Joe showed up and had decided he was going to push on for another 6.2 miles to the next shelter and make for a 17 mile day. We won't see him again until we get to Gatlinburg. Dad and I are just hanging out now doing some journaling. Hopefully we don't have a crew of day hikers come in to the shelter and force us out. Day hikers have first rights to the shelters in the Smokies so if there is no room for them when they show up thru hikers get kicked out until there is enough room to fit the day hikers. Pretty BS if you ask me but it is what it is and we'll hope it doesn't happen to us. I'll be some kind of PO'ed if a bunch of them show up once the rain begins and I have to set up my tent while it's pouring. After tonight it's looking like a 13.5 mile day tomorrow and then a 10.5 mile day over Clingman's Dome and down in to Newfound Gap where we can get in to Gatlinburg.
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: light rain

Day 26 on the Appalachian Trail April 23Miles Today: 6.1Total Miles: 189It started down pouring last night which continued well in to this morning and for most of the day. Feeling the need to push further on down the trail, Dad and I both had decided to move on. I got up at 7am after a restless night in the shelter. People next to me and above me snored all night and kept me awake for a good portion of it. Aside from the noise, my back did not agree with sleeping on a hard wood surface even with my sleeping pad underneath. I fought my way out of my sleeping bag and got my stuff together. At least it was easier not having to break a tent down. I managed to leave the shelter at 7:45 after chatting with several other hikers and finally working up the courage to step out into the cold, wet rain. Within a half hour and a mile into the day I was soaked from head to foot. At the time my spirits were still high and I was jamming to some music as I headed down the trail. As my boots became more and more wet my spirits began to fade and I was soon walking in puddles of water. Eventually I caught up to Dad who had left about 45 minutes earlier and we decided it would be best to just stop at the upcoming shelter that was still about 3 miles away at the time. Knowing very well that the spaces inside the shelter would be full my spirits began to fade even further. The last couple miles were a grind but we managed to make it to the shelter a bit after 10. Completely soaked we headed in to the shelter to escape the rain. As expected, no one who had spent the night there last night had moved and the shelter was filled to the brim. I stood inside for a while and quickly became extremely cold. I was drenched, had stopped hiking which was the only thing keeping me warm, and had no way of getting in to a dry shelter and being able to change. I continued to stand in the shelter unsure of how to go about what I knew needed to be done. I was borderline hypothermic by the time I got around to setting up my tent. I got it set up as quickly as possible as to keep the rain from getting inside, threw my sleeping bag in, stripped off all my clothes and climbed inside. I huddled up inside and quickly fell asleep. I woke up a few hours later completely dry and warm as could be. I spent the rest of the day and night laying in my tent. Needless to say it was a long day and I spent the remainder of it fighting off the thoughts that were racing through my head, several of which were about getting off the trail and going home. Eventually 7:30 rolled around and I took a melatonin and I fell asleep quickly after. Finally I was at ease from my own thoughts. Things can get pretty rough when you're trapped inside your own tent for hours with no one to talk to and laugh with.
Date: 2017-04-27
From: Ice Water Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 30 on the Appalachian TrailApril 27Miles Today: 12.1Total Miles: 221.9Expecting rain by 8am this morning, I made sure I was up early enough in order to get broken down and on the trail before it started. I was up at 6:30 and was headed down the trail by 7:20. This morning was definitely one of my quickest break downs yet. It began sprinkling a bit soon after I left. I was glad I started with my rain jacket on so I didn't have to stop to dig it out. Once I start moving in the morning I really don't like to stop until I'm going to take a break for lunch or until I'm done for the day. Not long after the rain began I started to hear thunder. Once I got out on to the ridge I was able to see some lightning and it made me feel a bit uneasy as I was about to climb over the top of a 5,700ft mountain. Not exactly the type of place you want to be in a thunder and lightning storm but thankfully by the time o reached the top it had stopped. The wind and fog persisted however and made me race towards the shelter for the night. After climbing up over the mountain I found a decent spot out of the wind to stop and take a break for a quick breakfast. I waited for Kinsman to arrive and we both ate a bit and then continued on our way. The trail continued to climb up for small sections and the drop right back down. Today was a day full of what we call PUDs or pointless ups and downs. We descended just as much as we climbed. It certainly better than climbing all day but it can get a bit old after awhile. I ended up doing a really quick 12.1 miles to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter where we planned on spending the night. I arrived slightly before 12:20 and was impressed with my 12 miles in 5 hours. I easily could've pushed on to the next shelter another 8 miles ahead to make for 20 mile day but shortly after I arrived it began to rain heavily. I was glad to have made it just in time to avoid getting wet. About an hour after I got to the shelter Kinsman arrived. It looks like we will both be sleeping in a warm dry shelter for the night tonight. So far this afternoon I've just been sitting around, hanging out and chatting with some other thru-hikers here as well as some section hikers. Everyone is glad to be out of the rain and most are looking forward to getting out of the Smokies soon. We are planning on getting to Davenport Gap Shelter tomorrow which is 14.8 miles away but mostly downhill. With what looks like good weather for the day it should be an easy hike tomorrow. After Davenport Gap we will be exiting the Smokies and couldn't be more thrilled to do so. The shelter rule through this section of the trail has ticked me off beyond belief and I can't wait to be able to camp where I want again. Right now I'm not sure if BA and Parakeet ended up moving out of camp this morning. Hopefully they will arrive soon and get a spot in the shelter as well.
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Day 31 on the Appalachian Trail April 28Miles Today: 14.8Total Miles: 236.7Short post todayAfter a restless night in the shelter I managed to get up at 6:20 to my alarm and was out of camp by 7. With nearly 15 miles to go I wanted to get a quick start on the day before it got hot. To make things a bit easier, most of the day consisted of dropping in elevation. We ended up going down nearly 5500ft.The day started off with a short climb up Tri-Corner Knob where I was rewarded with a beautiful view over looking the valley below. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and you could see for miles. I quickly caught up to Kinsman who had left a half hour before me and we started to drop in elevation. By 9:30 we had gone nearly 8 miles and we stopped at a shelter to have some breakfast. After a half hour break we continued on our way and continued to hike downwards. We eventually came to a nice spot to stop and take a break. I checked to see if we had any cell service. With a few bars of service we decided to give mom a call and see how she was doing and to catch up. It had been a few days since I had last talked to her so it was nice to talk on the phone for a bit and see how things were going at home. It was past noon by the time we were done on the phone and we had a few short miles to go to Davenport Gap Shelter where we would be staying. We took off and had the day done with by 2:30. We claimed our spots in the shelter which we had no desire to stay in and sat around for the afternoon. BA and Parakeet arrived much later around 7:30 but we were able to make some room for them to fit in the shelter as well. It was a full house for our last night in the Smokies and I knew I wasn't going to get a good night of sleep again.Tomorrow we get to finally leave the Smokies and their nonsense behind.
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs 
Miles today: 13.4

Day 34 on the Appalachian TrailMay 1 Miles Today: 13.4Total Miles: 273.7The wind was whipping through camp last night and woke me up several times because it was so loud. It also rained pretty hard for a bit but by the time I woke up at 6:30 my tent was completely dry from the wind. Just as I woke up Kinsman was heading out. More rain was on the way and we wanted to make a good dent in the miles to Hot Springs. I quickly got my gear together and put away in my bag and was on my way at 7:05. I stopped at the shelter to check in with BA and Parakeet. They said they would be another 15 minutes so I headed on. I faced the biggest climb of the day right off the bat. It was a couple miles to the top of Bluff mountain and then down several on the other side. I quickly finished the climb and was happy to be done with the most challenging part of he day. From there on out it was easy sailing all the way to Hot Springs.On my way down Bluff I stopped at Deer Park Shelter to take a break and fill up my water. By the time my break was over, Kinsman had passed me. I caught back up to him after a mile or so and we finished out the long descent into Hot Springs. It felt like it took forever! We could see the town from quite a ways off and I thought we would be there a lot sooner than we were. After grinding out the last couple miles we finally made it. We found the AT symbols carved in to the sidewalk and followed them straight through the middle of town. When we arrived at Bluff Mtn Outfitters in the center of town it was just after noon. I couldn't believe that we had both done over 13 miles by noon. Kinsman picked up his resupply box at the outfitter while I grabbed a pint of Ben & Jerrys half baked ice cream and devoured it. After eating we walked to the Hot Springs Resort and were able to check in early. After dropping off our stuff at the cabin we quickly figured out how many days it would take to get to our next resupply in Erwin and what we needed for food. Next we grabbed our dirty laundry and headed back in to the town. We dropped off our laundry in the wash, walked to the store, resupplied, went back to the laundromat and put our clothes in the dryer and then got everything back to the cabin once our clothes were dry. Just like that we had all our town chores done in a matter of a couple hours and were able to relax for the rest of the day. A little later BA showed up at the cabin and was happy to be done for the day. We hung out around the cabin for a couple hours and then headed to dinner. After dinner, Kinsman headed back to the Cabin while BA and I went to meet up with some other hikers to have a couple beers and enjoy some time by a fire. We stayed for a while and then headed back to the cabin to get some sleep.