morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-12
To: home
Miles today: 0.0

Hello and War Eagle!After spending the winter elder-sitting, we are happy to report that the health of both of our mothers has improved to a point where we can pursue our AT hike. We are both in our middle sixties so we will start our hike VERY SLOWLY until we get our trail legs under us. Afterwards, we will just be plain SLOW.Hope to see as many of you as we can on the trail; otherwise, please follow us through our journal. Tom and Brenda
Date: 2015-03-13
From: home

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light rain

After driving through rain and fog we arrived at Amicalola Falls State Park where we signed the 2015 hiker register as hikers #388 and #389. We were shuttled by Ron Brown, supreme supporter of hikers in this part of the AT, to Big Stamp Gap where it was chilly, windy, and rainy. We hiked one mile south to the southern terminus of the AT on top of Springer Mountain. The trail was a river of mud -- slippery, sloshy, and squishy. We signed the trail register located in a drawer inside a large stone on top of Springer Mountain and headed back down the mountain. Because of the fog there were no views from Springer.Since we got a late start we only hiked 2.8 miles and stopped for the night at Stover Creek Shelter. The shelter was full so we pitched our tent along with several others.It was a good wet day to be in the woods.
Date: 2015-03-14
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: light rain

Happy Birthday to our daughter.Rain poured down rhythmically on our tent all night --packing a wet tent is always a challenge. Rain soaked equipment feels much heavier -- at least five to ten pounds. What is easy for young legs is much more difficult for over sixty-five year old legs -- especially walking the foot log across Stover Creek. We love this part of the AT with the magnificent hemlock trees. It is very picturesque.We made our way in the mud past Three Forks and stopped to take photographs at Long Creek Falls.At the dirt road leading to Hickory Flats Cemetery we had our first trail magic provided a group of nice people from Atlanta.It rained off and on all day and again we walked in a trail of mud. We stopped for the night at Hawk Mountain Shelter where we counted twenty-eight tents pitched all around the shelter. Even with the rain the hikers are jovial and in good spirits as they start the adventure of a lifetime.
Date: 2015-03-15
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Justus Creek Campsite
Miles today: 6.9

The sun came up this morning!The trail is difficult in this area with many gaps -- Hightower, Horse, and Cooper with always a steep climb out of a gap. Of course, Sassafras Mountain is tough with a one mile climb out of Horse Gap and with hikers not yet in good condition.At Cooper Gap we got trail magic in the form of power bars which helped us get to Justus Creek where we tented on the creek bank for the night. Again it was a tent city with dozens of hikers.There is an adorable four year old, Willow, out here with her family attempting to make history as the youngest hiker on record.It was great to walk in the sun today.
Date: 2015-03-16
From: Justus Creek Campsite

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The morning was chilly on the creek bank so we hastily packed and hiked up to Gooch Mountain Shelter for breakfast. The trail is less muddy with a second day of sunshine and temperatures up to around eighty degrees.We had trail magic at Gooch Gap -- great hot dogs, Reese Cups and fruit juices compliments of Captain Kip and Hailey from Pennsylvania. We are beginning to hike with the same community of hikers.We stopped at Woody Gap where typically a chilly wind blew all night. We find gaps to be windy and cold.
Date: 2015-03-17
From: Woody Gap

To: Lance Creek Campsite
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: broken clouds

During the long night we slept poorly because of the strong howling winds shaking and flapping our tent -- and the smacking winds presented a comical moment and much amusement to those watching our attempt to dismantle our tent.There was more trail magic at Woody Gap this morning! Two lovely trail angels, sisters, Joan and Lavon, cooked scrumptious hot dogs and savory baked beans and provided potato chips and Tootsie Rolls for all thru hikers --numbering about 70 per day according to the sisters.Today was an intentional short hiking day because current Forest Service Regulations prohibit hikers from camping in the area from Lance Creek to Neel's Gap, a distance of 7.4 miles, if one does not have a bear proof storage container for their food. This regulation is due to bear activity in that area. Since we and many other hikers had no such container, most of us hike to Lance Creek and stop for the night there so we can avoid spending the night in the bear regulated area. If caught camping there without a bear proof container a hiker would be subject to a fine.At Lance Creek practically every available desirable tenting site was taken --late comers like us had to pitch their tent on uneven ground.We have met many, many thru hikers from several states and Canada as well as numerous groups of college students on their spring break from throughout the United States.Another short but good hiking day in the sunshine.
Date: 2015-03-18
From: Lance Creek Campsite

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: scattered clouds

The biggest challenges today were climbing 4461 feet Blood Mountain and then maneuvering the rock-strewn descent down to Neel's Gap at 3125 feet elevation. The AT in this area is not for the faint of heart -- even the strong young hikers are challenged. It is a challenge for the soles and for the soul.The trail in this area is heavily used, with Blood Mountain being a popular destination for section hikers, local hikers, college students on spring break and, of course, thru hikers.We arrived at Neel's Gap and rented a couple of bunks, washed clothes, and -- finally -- took a much-needed bath.The hostel at Neel's Gap was completely filled and there was a small tent city outside. We were blessed to have dry weather for today's hike.
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Neel's Gap

To: Cowrock Mountain, GA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Rain starting falling about 2 a.m. and continued as we hiked out of Neel's Gap. Again, today the trail was miry, oozing mud and in some places water was actually flowing down the trail.It was virtually impossible for any hiker to stay dry and to keep their equipment dry. We thought of a favorite weather poem of ours:Whether the weather be fineOr whether the weather be not,Weather the weather be coldOr whether the weather be hot,We'll weather the weather Whatever the weatherWhether we like it or not.After five miles the rain continued, the temperature dropped to the thirties, and a strong wind came up creating hypothermia conditions. At the first available campsite we quickly pitched our tent in the rain, ate a cold supper an crawled into our lifesaving sleeping bags.It was a challenging day of fog and rain.
Date: 2015-03-20
From: Cowrock Mountain, GA

To: Wide Gap, Georgia
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The foggy morning dawned and we walked in a cloud to Tesnatee Gap. Tesnatee means turkey in the Cherokee language and this gap is thought to be a place where John Muir crossed the mountains in his famous 1000 mile walk to the sea through this area.On the hike down Cowrock we met Buzz, an affable hiker from Cincinnati, who recognized us from having followed our previous journals.The greatest climb of the day was Wildcat Mountain, the 35th highest peak in Georgia. The summit is actually off the AT on the Whitley Gap Shelter side of the trail. On a clear day no one will regret a visit to the overlook of this peak with views back at the bare rocks of Cowrock Mountain.The sun never did shine today but the rain did cease briefly and we spread our tent and rainfly out in the Hog Pen Gap Parking Lot to try to dry them a little while we ate a meal.Rain started falling and fog rolled in again as we came to Wide Gap, so after another short day we pitched our tent and crawled in for the night.Everything we have is wet except for our sleeping bags. It was a damp, wet, but still enjoyable hiking day in the woods.
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Wide Gap, Georgia

To: Rocky Knob Campsite,Georgia
Miles today: 8.4

Chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees all night. When we awoke this morning there was a small rosy glow in the eastern sky -- the sun! We know what our grandmother meant when she said, "that blessed sunshine!" after a long period of damp weather.Today we passed Chattahoochee Gap near where the Chattahoochee River originates from a spring on Coon Den Ridge near Jack's Knob. Chattahoochee is a Muskogean Indian word with Chato meaning rock and huchi meaning painted, possible referring to the many colorful granite outcroppings which occur further south near Atlanta and near Tom's home town of Phenix City, AL. From its beginning as a trickle the river increases to a fast-flowing, raging river after only going a few miles to Helen, Georgia and then increases in volume and in width as it travels further south.We continue to meet numerous interesting hikers, many of them with beautiful dogs as their hiking companions, There was a series of rocky outcroppings along the trail near Rocky Knob, which is certainly aptly named. We stopped for the night at a campsite near Rocky Knob,It was a good, tough day on the trail.
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Rocky Knob Campsite,Georgia

To: Unicoi Gap, Georgia
Miles today: 3.3

Raindrops on our tent awakened us and hastened our packing as we wanted to keep our tent dry. We stopped for breakfast at Blue Mountain Shelter and then climbed to the summit of Blue Mountain (elevation 4025 feet), almost a mile long climb.At Unicoi Gap we had trail magic! A church group from Florida and a couple from Troy, Alabama were serving up hamburgers, hot dogs, and all kinds of condiments. Brenda happened to mention she is a Winston County, Alabama native and one of the trail angels said, "My brother-in-law is from Winston County, Alabama." It turns out the brother-in-law is a first cousin of Brenda's father! Small world! They gave us a ride into Helen where we avoided a rainy day and got to do laundry, shower, and, finally, sleep in a bed.It was a magical day on the trail.
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Unicoi Gap, Georgia

To: Tray Mountain Shelter, Georgia
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: few clouds

Today was an unexpectedly sunny morning and temperatures were moderate as Neema and Friend, partners in preparing the AT Yearbook, gave us a shuttle back to Unicoi Gap.The hike up Rocky Mountain, approximately one and one-half miles, was tough on us -- we took many small pack breaks, because our lungs were heaving like a blacksmith's bellows.The climb up Rocky Mountain and Tray Mountain were both greater than 1000 feet --- very tiring for us but great for continuing to get our old bodies in better condition.We stopped for the night at Tray Mountain Shelter. Today there were noticeably fewer hikers on the trail -- they have probably just gotten far ahead of us. We are having a great time out here.
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Tray Mountain Shelter, Georgia

To: Deep Gap Shelter, Georgia
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's weather was a perfect spring day with warm temperatures, a gentle breeze, and tons of fresh air. The toughest part of the trail was Kelly Knob -- if you've climbed it before, you know. The increase in elevation is only 887 feet but it's a steep 887 feet -- for us old folks it requires a lot of effort. At Sassafras Gap we took a break to filter water and we had quite an eclectic gathering of hikers there -- Mr. MaGoo, sixty-three years old, lean, personable, jovial, great outlook on life, a Dutchman able to outpace hikers half his age -- Ginger Tea, a red-haired Britisher with a marvelous accent -- Squabbler, an ex-military young man from Texas who helped Tom adjust his hiking poles -- and a few other hikers. We had an enjoyable break. Deep Gap Shelter is 0.3 miles off the trail down a steep side path so we pitched our tent right beside the AT and avoided the extra hike down to the shelter.Today was a good day of hiking.
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Deep Gap Shelter, Georgia

To: Dick's Creek Gap, Georgia
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: broken clouds

We awoke to a misty rain falling on our tent. We ate our morning cereal inside our tent and packed our bags in order to keep items as dry as possible.We scurried out to Dick's Creek Gap. Today is a short hiking day (known to hikers as a nero -- a near zero mileage day) due to our need to re-supply food to carry us into Franklin, North Carolina. We hiked the half mile down to the new Top of Georgia Hostel where we were warmly greeted and secured our bunks in what is known as the Wolf's Den because the other rooms were full. There was only one dog in the Wolf's Den -- a middle aged bloodhound named Gertrude -- a wonderful thru-hiking dog from Massachusetts.After a quick shower we were shuttled to Hiawassee where we stuffed ourselves at Daniel's Steakhouse All You Can Eat. It sure was good to get town food.The Top of Georgia offers shuttles almost hourly in the afternoons for their guests' convenience. All bunks were filled at this hostel this night.A good day to be a thru-hiker.
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Dick's Creek Gap, Georgia

To: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter, Georgia
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: haze

We were awakened for breakfast at the Top of Georgia Hostel at 7 a.m. -- two eggs scrambled, three pieces of sausage, two pieces of toast, juice and milk -- a great hot breakfast.We caught the shuttle back to Dick's Creek Gap where we met the infamous Miss Janet, great supporter of the hiking community. It seems after a while we get into a little hiking group who hike about the same speed. Lately we have been meeting up with Doc and Jersey Kelly, and the two Al's.The toughest section today was Buzzard Knob -- 808 feet elevation change in 1.3 miles. We stopped for the day at Plum Orchard Gap to rest up and prepare for colder weather. Snow is predicted for tomorrow.We are doing well so far out here.
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter, Georgia

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter, North Carolina
Miles today: 7.3

Rain fell on our tent during the night and the mountains were shrouded in mists again this morning. The cold wind chapped our exposed faces as we walked northward; the wind impeded our progress as it attempted to push us backwards as we slowly climbed and climbed and climbed.Our spirits were lifted when we arrived at the GA-NC boundary and the sun came out momentarily but unfortunately it did not bring any warmth.We stopped for lunch at Bly Gap -- windy and cold -- but we did take the time to photograph the gnarled old oak tree at the gap.North Carolina welcomes hikers with a steep upward climb over a mountain appropriately named Sharp Top, followed by a strenuous climb over Courthouse Bald -- no longer a bald -- but rewards us with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Near the end of the day we had a long climb out of Sassafras Gap to reach Muskrat Creek Shelter. We wondered why this place is called Muskrat Creek and if there is any connection to the song "Muskrat Love" by the Captain and Tennille. By the way Toni Tennille attended our University, Auburn, and for a year she was the only female member of the Beach Boys Band, thus making her the only "Beach Girl".
Date: 2015-03-28
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter, North Carolina

To: Standing Indian Shelter, North Carolina
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: clear sky

It started snowing about dusky dark last night, followed by rain, then snow again as a cold northern wind lowered the temperatures into the teens.Besides us, there were ten other thru-hikers at the Muskrat Creek Shelter. As it turns out -- because of the very low temperatures and cold, cold winds, all of the other hikers decided to take Chunky Gal Trail, a 5.5 mile side trail, to hitch a ride into Franklin, North Carolina.We packed up our snow and ice covered tent and started hiking -- it was cold! We gazed in awe upon the new soft fallen snow covering the surrounding mountains this morning -- a beautiful sight.The trail for the first one and one-half miles was a dark and leafy glade of rhododendrons, almost like walking through a canopy-covered tunnel. Next, the trail became a path of large embedded rocks and tree roots of every size, shape and form. The trail crosses USFS 71 at Deep Gap. We were informed that there is a population of horsetails growing along this road but it was just too cold to walk the extra distance to photograph it. Today's horsetail plants grow about pencil size in diameter whereas we have horsetail fossils at least five to six inches in diameter which Brenda discovered on an archaeological dig in Alabama. Horsetail plants are dense in silicates and were used by pioneers to scour their iron skillets. Many mathematicians believe that the pattern of spacing of the nodes in horsetails with the ones toward the apex being increasingly close together inspired the discovery of logarithms. It was a cold, cold day on the trail!
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Standing Indian Shelter, North Carolina

To: Carter Gap Shelter, North Carolina
Miles today: 7.6

We awoke to 15 degrees temperatures --- COLD!!! The water in our bottles was frozen, the water filter was frozen, our boots, hiking poles --- you get the message. To us, the coldest task on cold mornings is dismantling tent poles covered in frost.The task of the day was climbing 5498 feet Standing Indian Mountain, called the Grandstand of the Southern Appalachians. The climb is surprisingly easy because whoever designed this section carefully graded the trail and included lots of switchbacks.On top of Standing Indian Mountain, because the trees are still bare, hikers can observe views on both sides of the trail.The weather warmed up slightly and it was warm enough to filter water by the time we arrived at Beech Gap.The old Carter Gap Shelter has been torn down so we tented near the new Carter Gap Shelter. Late in the day, a large group of Boy Scouts from Homewood, Alabama doing a section hike, shared our campsite. It was a clear but chilly day on the trail.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Carter Gap Shelter, North Carolina

To: Long Branch Shelter, North Carolina
Miles today: 8.1

Rain, thunder and lightning awoke us in the pre-dawn hours. Once again we packed up a wet tent and hiked a muddy trail with many seep areas which are exceptionally oozy and squishy underfoot.We lunched at Betty Creek Camping Area an proceeded to Mooney Gap -- the rainiest spot in the United States east of the Mississippi River, receiving 94 inches of rain per year.Before our ascent of Big Butt Mountain we passed the group of Boy Scouts from Alabama who greeted us with a cry of War Eagle! The trail does not go over the summit of Big Butt Mountain but rather requires a narrow ledge walk over rocks, roots, and dark mushy muddy areas.Next comes the biggest challenge of the day -- Mount Albert. There is a blue-blazed trail for those weak at heart who wish to avoid the difficult hand-over-hand climb -- but, of course, we chose the white blazed official route and slowly and painfully crawled and struggled to the top where there is an old fire tower. This tower marks the 100-mile mark of the trail.We continued a pleasant hike through rhododendrons again and ended our day at the new Long Branch Shelter -- a nice shelter but with not enough tent sites.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Long Branch Shelter, North Carolina

To: Rock Gap,North Carolina
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: light rain

Weatherwise we had a perfectly gorgeous last day of March. There is only one small climb between our starting point, Long Branch Shelter, and our goal for the day, Rock Gap. A strap on Brenda's backpack has been breaking loose, stitch by stitch, and finally it gave way completely on her hustle to reach Rock Gap. Whilst we are in Franklin we will need to replace it.Ron Haven is a great friend and supporter of thru-hikers and he picks up hikers at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at three local gap locations during the months of March and April and shuttles them into Franklin free of charge. Departing Long Branch Shelter before 8 a.m. we just managed to reach Rock Gap for the 11 mile bus ride into Franklin. Thank you to the Haven family for all they do for hikers and for the Franklin community.We plan to nero hike tomorrow and get back on the trail on Thursday, after resting up and celebrating the completion of the first 100 miles on the trail.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Rock Gap,North Carolina

To: Winding Stair Gap, North Carolina
Miles today: 3.7

If you stay in Franklin, North Carolina during March and April the Baptist Church serves hikers a free, complete, all you can eat breakfast at 7 a.m. There was a large gathering of hikers who took advantage of this opportunity. We enjoyed pancakes, bacon, fruit, and a delicious black walnut cake along with juice and coffee. Thank you Franklin for your hospitality.Ron dropped us off at Rock Gap and we continued our hike to Winding Stair Gap where we took the 11 a.m. shuttle back to Franklin.It was a beautiful first day of April.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Winding Stair Gap, North Carolina

To: Wine Spring Campground, North Carolina
Miles today: 8.2

It was a party-type atmosphere on Ron Haven's standing room only bus as thru-hikers were jovial, alert and re-energized to resume their thru-hikes after spending time in town. We stepped off the bus at Winding Stair Gap, thanked Ron for his services, and continued our journey.After we passed the picturesque water fall at Winding Stair, the trail to Siler Bald increased over 1000 feet, a very difficult climb, especially after over-indulging our bodies with town food in Franklin, North Carolina. Besides Winding Stair Gap, we had Swinging Lick Gap, Panther Gap and Snow Bird, the Gap where Siler Bald is located. At Siler Bald we had no views due to fog blanketing the mountain. However, we met several thru-hikers taking a break at Snowbird Gap.The trail from Siler to Wayah Picnic, is memorable and special because we hiked it with our grandchildren this past summer. It was still early afternoon when we reached Wayah Gap and we began the long arduous climb up Wayah Bald, a seemingly endless incline -- especially coming near the end of the day.Low-hanging clouds which had threatened rain all day began to splatter us with rain drops as we entered Wine Spring Campsite. We hastily erected our tent and climbed inside just as torrential rain began to fall. Steady raindrops fell on our tent for hours.We were happy to be warm and dry inside our tent.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Wine Spring Campground, North Carolina

To: Cold Spring Shelter Campsite
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

We awoke to a cold and very windy morning -- too cold and windy to cook so we hiked up to Wayah Bald Tower where it was still cold and windy but Tom managed to cook in a cold, damp room at the bottom of the tower. The Bartram Trail runs along the AT in this area. William Bartram described the view from the top of Wayah Bald as:   "I beheld with rapture and astonishment a sublimely awful scene      of power and magnificence, a world of mountains piled upon      mountains."Spring is coming late to the mountains this year as evidenced by our finding only two species of wild flowers in bloom so far this spring and the old apple trees at Burningtown Gap show no signs of blooming yet. We have seen newly hatched spring azure butterflies fluttering about searching for food but nothing is blooming yet.As soon as we arrived at Cold Spring Shelter Campground we pitched our tent. Soon every tent site was occupied and the shelter was full of hikers also -- as storms are predicted for tonight. Indeed, we began to hear the distant rumbling of thunder as soon as we crawled into our tent. Strong gusty winds brought torrential rains for many hours.Several hikers put stones on their tent stakes to re-enforce them against the heavy winds. The walls of the tents were flapping loudly like laundry on a clothesline in a strong wind.It was a wild, stormy night.