morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Neel Gap- Walasi-Yi Center

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

I got up at 6am this morning, and packed up my backpack, and my dad drove me back to the trail at Mountain Crossings, where I left off yesterday. We had breakfast at Waffle House in Blairsville, GA, which was very good. We got to Mountain Crossings around 8am, and the place was full of thru-hikers, most getting ready for the day. Others were visibly hungover, and were not hiking anywhere today! I saw Jaleesa right before I began today's hike, and we hiked together for the first few miles. The skies were threatening rain, so we put our pack covers on, but it never rained. Because I thought it would rain, I put my camera deep in my pack in a ziploc bag, which is a shame because the woods were very foggy and spooky looking as we hiked, and would have made a cool picture. I began to pick up the pace, hoping to get a spot in the shelter, but that didn't happen! I met Racewalker from Franklin, NC and Hey George from Ohio, and hiked with them to Tesnatee Gap, where we stopped for lunch. While there, we saw MRE, Mundo, Belch, Lover Boy, and several others. The next portion was about 5 miles to Low Gap Shelter, and it was fairly easy except for the very steep ascent up Wildcat Mountain. I made it to Low Gap Shelter around 3:00pm, and it was full, so I am tenting nearby (and under the bear cables). There are lots of other hikers here, and I am camped next to Walkabout, Bama (from Alabama) and Dale Earnhardt (from Roanoke, VA). I'm not sure where I will hike to tomorrow. It is supposed to be severe thunderstorms tonight, so we'll batten down the hatches and ride it out! Good people here tonight, and I'm having a really great time out here.Oh yeah, I almost forgot... I have a trail name. I am Rambler! Trail names are assigned by other hikers, or you give one to yourself. Trail names indicate something about your personality, or reveals something about your trail history. I chose Rambler because I liked the way it sounded, and those that know me know that I am a traveler, so Rambler seemed appropriate.
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Cheese Factory 

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 13.0

I slept good last night, probably the best sleep I've had on trail so far. I thought I heard raindrops on my tent around 5am, but it soon ended. I woke up again around 7am and quickly packed up in the cold wind. I ate a Pop-Tart (my usual trail breakfast thus far), and was walking northbound by 7:45am. The day began with an ascent up the rest of Tray Mountain, but wasn't too bad. I met Nooga at the summit, and hiked the next 6 miles with him. Nooga thru-hiked the AT in 2012, and is now hiking to Damascus, VA for Trail Days. He lives in Chattanooga, hence the name. Nooga and I decided to eat lunch at Sassafras Gap, and was soon joined by Bottle Cap. It was very windy and cold, and I hiked with my windbreak pants and jacket all day. I even wore my gloves for the first time on this trip. Nooga hurried to catch the 3:15 shuttle from Dicks Creek Gap to Hiawassee, GA, where he is staying at Ron Haven's Budget Inn and taking a zero tomorrow. I was by myself for the killer climb up Kelly Knob. It went up, up, up, and up. was sweating heavily, despite the cold wind. I saw Iron Cheeks at the summit, where I took a water break. AT the bottom of the mountain was Deep Gap Shelter, where I called my parents and told them I'd be at Dicks Creek Gap at 3:30pm, so he could pick me up and take me to their house for the night. My left ankle has really been bothering me for the last 2 days, and today, my left knee began to get stiff on the descents. I think it is from pushing hard the last 6 days. I painfully walked the last 3.5 miles to Dicks Creek Gap, and the road I was meeting my dad on.Unfortunately for me, it was 90% downhill, and it took a long time to cover the mileage in this painful condition. About 1000' from the road, I saw my dad hiking south on the AT towards me. We walked to the car together, where I was relieved to take my pack off and move without having to walk! The forecast for tomorrow is rain all day, but I will be taking a zero day and relaxing at my parents' house, so I don't mind. My body needs the rest, and I may even take two zeros while here, depending on how my ankle and knee feels. I'm proud of my progress so far, 69.6 hard miles up and down mountains.Stay tuned!
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today is my first zero day on the trail. I believe I have developed tendonitis in my left foot, which is a common injury on the trail. Hikers develop this injury from pushing too hard, too soon. I will rest it today and probably tomorrow also, and see if it gets better. When I got out of bed this morning, I had unbearable pain in my left foot. The pain lessened as the day went on, but I don't like the fact that this issue has developed in only the first week of my thru-hike. I drove to Ingles today to buy some food, and I saw Bama, Dale Earnhardt, and Iron Cheeks sitting in front of the store, waiting for the shuttle back to their hostel, and I chatted with them for a few minutes. They will be back on the trail tomorrow, and I will end up being a day or two behind them. That's it for now. Praying I get over this tendon problem in the next few days so I can get back on the trail and resume my hike ASAP.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day number two. My left foot feels much better than it did yesterday, but it still isn't 100%. It is very frustrating to be stuck inside because of injury when I want to be back out on the trail with my fellow hikers. Not sure if I will zero again tomorrow, or head back to the trail. I am leaning toward zeroing again tomorrow and getting back on trail on 4/10. I'll just have to wait and see how I feel in the morning.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up for the 3rd day in a row at my parents' house in Hiawassee. While my foot felt better than it had in days, I could tell that it still wasn't 100%. I went out for a cup of coffee around 8:00am, and while sipping my Starbucks, I decided that I would hit the trail today. While it was tempting to spend another night in a comfortable bed, that won't get me any closer to Katahdin. After looking in my guidebook, I decided to hike a short day to Plumorchard Gap Shelter, only 4.5 miles north of where I left off 2 days ago at Dicks Creek Gap. I want to take it easy for a few days and let my foot and knee recover some more while on the trail. I got to Dicks Creek Gap at 2:30pm, and cautiously hiked the 4.5 miles in about 2 hours, being mindful of my foot and knee. All new people here tonight, as the crew I've been with is now 1-2 days ahead. That's alright though, I'll catch up to them soon. Many people are here tonight, including Zone and Free High Fives, who gives you a high five when he sees you. It is cold here tonight, and I am hunkered down in my tent by 9:00pm. I'm not sure where I'll hike to tomorrow, but it will be in North Carolina! That's right, tonight is my last night in GA on the AT, as I am just a few miles right now from the GA/NC border, which I will cross in the morning.Crossing into a new state on a trip like this always serves as a big boost of morale and confidence, and I'm sure tomorrow will be no different. Praying that my left ankle and knee get better soon so I can start doing bigger miles. That's it for now. Goodnight from my last night in GA!
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 16.6

So much for taking it easy for a few days... today was my longest mileage day to date, although that wasn't my intention from the start. I woke up to a cold morning in my tent behind Plumorchard Gap Shelter, and quickly got packed up. I had my usual trail breakfast: one pack of Pop-Tarts. I was on the AT heading north by 8:30am. I knew the morning would be one to remember, because I would soon be crossing into NC. After several miles of mostly up, I began to look for the border, because I knew I was getting close. Finally, in the distance I saw what looked to be the border sign, and after walking several hundred feet closer, my thoughts were confirmed.The sign was a simple one, as it read solely "NC/GA" Soon after, Zone came by and we congratulated each other for making it out of GA. I was soon on my way, and within minutes I saw the famous gnarled oak tree that greets hikers to NC. The other thing that greets northbound hikers to NC is the most strenuous climb of the trail so far! For about 2 miles, the trail went up, up, up, and up! It was so steep, it felt like I was going straight up at times. Several miles later, I got to Muskrat Creek Shelter, where I relaxed for a few minutes with Everton (from Pittsburgh), and several others. I decided here to head to Standing Indian Mountain and pitch my tent. When I got there, it was cold. Standing Indian Mountain is the first place that the trail goes above 5000 feet in elevation. The summit where I was planning to camp was at 5,498 feet above sea level, and it was cold and windy. I decided to camp at a lower elevation, so I continued on for 2.9 more miles to Beech Gap. I was racing the sunset the entire time. It was getting darker by the minute, and I was hiking as fast I could to get to the Beech Gap campsite. I saw signs that read BEAR SANCTUARY, so I began to sing and occasionally tap my metallic trekking poles together, so I wouldn't surprise a bear and spook it. Luckily, I didn't see any bears, but I can't help but wonder if any bears saw me! I finally reached Beech Gap, which is still in the Bear Sanctuary, and I'm camped with Everton and James (from VA). I met James yesterday, but he doesn't have a trail name yet. I cooked Ramen, instant mashed potatoes, and tuna in the same pot at the same time. I was starving, and it tasted good. I'm exhausted. A big day on the AT, and I'm feeling good! Goodnight!
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)
Miles today: 3.8

Knowing today would only be a 3.8 mile day to Winding Stair Gap, I had a little more pep in my step. I quickly packed up and went to join the others by the fire, still burning hot from the night before. Soon, we decided to head to Winding Stair Gap, which is on US 64, the road that would bring us to Franklin, NC. I covered the distance quickly, and got to Winding Stair Gap around 9:30am, just in time for Ron Haven's 9:00 shuttle, which fortunately for me was 30 minutes late! About 50 smelly hikers crowded the parking lot at WSG, but we all somehow packed in the shuttle, and we were soon riding down the highway to Franklin, and listening to Ron Haven's stories. Ron Haven is a legend on the trail, and also happens to be the commissioner of the county we were in (Macon County). When I got to Franklin, I immediately saw the three NJ guys, who now have trail names (Viking, Baguette, and Trail Lobster). It was really great to run into them again. We haven't seen each other since day 1 of this trip, 13 days ago.We sat around in the parking lot of Ron Haven's hotel telling trail stories and catching up. We're going to try to stick to a similar schedule from here on out, so that'll be nice. That's about it for today. It feels good to be in Franklin. Time to do laundry, shower, and eat... not necessarily in that order!
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

I began hiking a little later than I had hoped today, at 9:15am. I knew today would be a long one, as I was planning a 15.8 mile day to Cold Spring Shelter, so tomorrow I only have an 11.7 mile day to Nantahala Outdoor Center. According to the elevation profiles in my guidebook, I could tell today would be mostly uphill, and boy was it! The day began with a 5 mile climb to Siler Bald, which I was able to complete rather quickly, even surprising myself. The AT then went downhill for a bit before beginning another brutal climb. This time it was a 4.2 mile climb to Wayah Bald. At Wayah Gap, the beginning of the climb, I saw a sign that read "Trail Magic Sunday 12-1:30, 4.2 miles north at Wayah Bald." I looked at my watch, it was 11:37am. I then looked at the guidebook's elevation profile for the climb and I could tell it was going to be a beast! Even though I didn't think I could make it to Wayah Bald by 1:30, I at least had to try. I kicked it into high gear and took off. My head was down most of the time, just trying to muscle through it. The next 4 miles was probably the hardest 4 mile stretch of trail so far. The trail steadily climbed, and I was steadily sweating. Finally, I get to Wayah Bald at 1:25pm, and I am greeted by Squirrel, a 2-time AT thru-hiker (1977 & 2008). By the time I got there, she was all out of hamburgers, but I was able to score some Goldfish crackers, a cold grape soda, and some other candy. I took another grape soda for Zone, who was hiking with me when we saw the trail magic sign, but said he was too slow to make it. I took the soda and put it in a stream about a mile north of Wayah Bald with a note that said "TO: Zone FROM: Rambler. This is part of the trail magic you missed."The next 6 miles to the shelter seemed to take forever, but during this stretch I did see my first snake! It was a small snake that was sunning himself (or herself) right on the trail. When I approached, it moved to the side of the trail. I gently touched it with one of my trekking poles, and it quickly slithered away into the woods. My feet were really hurting in the last few miles, and I was really dragging up the last hill to the shelter. I finally rolled into the shelter around 5:00, and was greeted by Viking, Baguette, Trail Lobster, and The Fonz. Lots of people are camped here tonight, probably the most I've seen camped at a shelter so far. Freebird built a nice fire, and we all sat around it talking until around 9:30pm. Most of us, myself included, are camped on top of a ridge overlooking the valley below, and man is it windy! I can hear the wind blowing through the trees with a lot of force. I'm planning on getting out of camp extra early tomorrow morning and make an 11.7 mile mad dash to the Nantahala Outdoor Center, and I'll take a zero day on Tuesday. They are calling for heavy rain Monday night into Tuesday, so the decision was easy. Goodnight from a windy ridge high in the NC mountains!
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day today. Rest and relaxation. It rained all night, and has been raining all morning so far. I'm glad I'm inside today. Heading back out tomorrow, and the forecast looks good for the next 10 days. I can't believe how lucky I (and my fellow early April starters) have been with the weather this year. I hope it continues! Very happy that it looks like we'll have good weather for our 72 mile trek through the Smokies.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

I began hiking this morning out of the NOC at 9:15am, and saw Bama, Iron Cheeks, and Earnhart also heading out. We hiked together all day. The climb out of the NOC was brutal. We climbed for 7.9 miles, from the Nantahala River to the summit of Cheoah Bald. It is impossible to truly put the AT experience into words, but I try my best. The climb was super steep, and my leg muscles were burning the entire time. When I got to The Jump-Up, I had lunch with a group of other thru-hikers. The Jump-Up is a rock outcropping that overlooks the Nantahala River, far below. Finally, when we summited Cheoah Bald, we all took off our shoes and socks and relaxed on the grass, soaking up the warm sunshine. According to the guidebook, the trail from Cheoah Bald to our destination looked fairly easy, but it was anything but easy! The trail was very rocky, and at times we were hopping from one boulder to the next.We planned on making it 15.8 miles to Brown Fork Gap Shelter, but when we got to Stecoah Gap, 13.4 miles in, we were beat. Bama, Iron Cheeks, Earnhart, and I decided to hitch a ride into nearby Robbinsville and split a hotel room. We stayed at the San-Ran Motel. Definitely not the Waldorf-Astoria, but it kept us warm and dry. My feet feel pretty beat up because of all the rocks I hiked over today. I also saw my first ice and snow of the trip. On the climb out of NOC, there was rime ice on the vegetation along the trail, but we were all in shorts and short sleeves, and sweating heavily because of the hard climb. Tomorrow is going to be a long day, 15.1 miles to Fontana Dam. I have to get there tomorrow though because I only have one day of food left, so I need to get to Fontana Dam to resupply. I'm exhausted and my whole body feels sore. Time for bed!
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana Hilton)
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

I slept a little later than planned today, and woke up around 7:30am. We didn't leave the hotel until around 9:00am, when we walked to the road going back to Stecoah Gap, where we left off last night. After thumbing it for about 20 minutes with no luck, a nice man in a pickup truck pulled over and offered us a ride back to the trail. Earnhart rode in the cab, and Bama, Iron Cheeks, and I rode in the bed of the truck. It was about 40 degrees outside, and riding in the bed of a pickup truck going 60MPH was frigid! I was so cold. We finally got back to the trail where we left off. The first mile wasn't too bad, but then we hit a 0.6 mile long stretch of trail called Jacob's Ladder. It was straight up! Seriously, it was so steep I didn't know how the dirt on the trail didn't slide down the hill. The next 10 miles after Jacob's Ladder was nice, with just a few steep climbs and descents. Once I got to Walker Gap, I could see Fontana Dam, and the massive lake it holds back (Fontana Lake). The trail descended rapidly to 1800' in elevation, which is much warmer than it was on the high ridges. The shelter here tonight is the largest on the Appalachian Trail, because of it's proximity to the Smokies. Sometimes hikers are forced to hole up here for days until the weather in the Smokies clears. Tomorrow morning I'll be entering Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and will be in it for the next 71 miles. Lots of people are here tonight. My plan is to make it through the Smokies in 5 days, but I'll take it as it comes. Flexibility is key out here. It is currently 9:24pm as I write this in my journal. I'm tired and my feet hurt. I'll sleep good tonight.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana Hilton)

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

I didn't sleep too good last night, but I was awake at 7am, and packed up by 7:30. I was on the trail by 8:00am. The first order of business was to cross over Fontana Dam. The AT goes right over the top of the dam, which is also the biggest dam east of the Mississippi River. Fontana Dam stands 480' tall. It was very cool walking over it, and the views were incredible. As soon as I crossed the dam, I entered Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I met Caddy, a woman from CA, and we hiked the next mile together down a deserted road, which was also the AT. Before long, the white blazes went from the road into the woods, where the AT resumed its wild mountain path.Today's hike was essentially a long climb, as we climbed steadily for 9 miles. We went from low elevation at Fontana Dam to above 5000 feet. It feels good to finally be in the Smokies. The Smokies are also the only place on the AT where a thru-hiker needs a permit. When the AT left the road, there was an AT thru-hiker permit box. About a mile into the park, I took a side trail with Earnhart, Wild Turkey, and Lopsang to the top of Shuckstack Firetower. This is the 4th fire tower I've climbed on this trip, and this one was the highest. It was also the most rickety. It went several hundred feet up, and my fear of heights was in full swing. Some of the steps leading up to the top were old and dry-rotted, but I figured that it was safe because plenty of other hikers went up. The views from the top were phenomenal. I could see an unobstructed 360 degree view. It was also extremely windy, and something about being 400 feet above the ground on a rickety fire tower in the wind made me feel uneasy, so I climbed back down. From this point, it was 9 more miles to my destination for the night: Russell Field Shelter. In the Smokies, you have to sleep in the shelters if there is room available. If the shelter is full, then you can pitch a tent. Park Rangers patrol the Smokies and enforce this stupid rule. I'm in the shelter tonight. This is the first night I've spent in a shelter on this hike so far. I usually camp at a shelter and enjoy the night with my fellow hikers, but retreat to the privacy of my tent. Most hikers prefer to tent near the shelter rather than actually sleep in them. The shelters in the Smokies are really nice, and have fireplaces in them. They also have tarps strung across the open front to keep the wind out. Bears are common in the Smokies, and hikers here tonight have already seen some. I've seen bear scat and bear fur on some trees, but no bears so far for me. Lots of people are here tonight. About 16 in the shelter, and 20 or so camped outside. It will be a cold night tonight, but I'm warm in my sleeping bag.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

I slept really good last night. At about 7:00am, I woke up and began getting packed up. Then the rain came. For the first time on this trip so far, I began my day in the rain, and it rained all morning. About 30 people were in the shelter this morning to stay dry, and weigh their options for the day. The Smokies are full of rules and regulations that hikers must follow, and one is that you must sleep in the shelter if space is available, and you cannot camp between shelters. That means that today is either a 9.2 mile day, or a 14.7 mile day. I planned on a 14.7 miler, but after slipping and sliding in the mud for 9.2 miles, I was ready to call it a day!Today was very cold, rainy, and windy. At times the gusts were over 50MPH. Despite the uncomfortable conditions, I really felt alive! My shoes and pants got muddy very quickly into today's hike. I also had my rain jacket and pack cover on, and just kept pushing north, regardless of weather conditions. I was on the lookout for bears, but still didn't see any, although signs of bears were everywhere (scat and fur). I had lunch on Rocky Top, the same mountain that University of Tennessee sings about. Be jealous, Ross! It was so windy on Rocky Top, I had to leave after about 15 minutes. About 5 more miles of muddy trail later, I arrived at Derrick Knob Shelter, and decided to stay. I sure hope the weather clears up overnight. As I write this, I am laying down by the fireplace in the shelter, warm for the first time all day. A mouse was running around the shelter, and showed no fear of humans. I picked it up by the tail, and dangled it over my mouth and had someone take a picture. Don't worry, I let it go! It is only 4pm and it is nice to be here and done for the day. I'm sure plenty of people will be rolling in over the next few hours. so far Earnhart, Bama, Iron Cheeks, Sassafras, Pop-n-Squat, Justin, myself, and many more are hanging out in the shelter, trying to stay warm and dry. I can't really complain about the weather though, because out of 19 days on trail so far, 18 have been beautiful. Tomorrow I'll be hiking over Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT! Exciting stuff!