morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Woke to a cool and windy morning, but it was offset by a beautiful sunrise coming up over the ridges.Another hard day of hiking. I thought it was going to get easier as we put in the days!! Hikers often refer to getting their ¢trail legs¢ where they have the stamina to push on. Mine haven't kicked in yet, so I think there are times when God is carrying me. Let¢s see - - I¢ve walked 66 of my 166 mile goal. 100 miles to go . . . I don¢t think it is going to happen, but I¢m taking one day, one mile at a time.Orphan Annie and I met up with a dozen or so day hikers early on and one ridge runner. ¢Blue Eyes¢ is a ridge runner who patrols and maintains the trail, interesting guy. Other than two other section hikers who are with us tonight at the shelter, we haven¢t seen another soul. Deep Gap Shelter is nice, but I think we will sleep in our tents.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.6

This morning we awoke to a mild morning (no wind). The many sounds of the birds singing is so welcoming to awaken to. I slept especially well because I decided to put my tent inside the shelter since no one was occupying the space (see photo collection). It was a comfortable hike to Dicks Creek Gap. The attached 'selfie' is Orphan Annie and me as we stopped at an overlook. Unfortunately, pictures never capture the beauty and depth of the mountains -- the scenery here is really breathtaking. We were met along the trail by Orphan Annie's parents who drove us and BeBe and Wallet Guy to Hiawassee, GA (about 11 miles away). After arriving at the hotel, picking up my resupply box from home, and getting cleaned up, I decided to walk the mile to the ER to have my wrist/arm checked out. Even though I didn't think it was a serious injury, I didn't want to get back on the trail only to find out I was wrong. After some x-rays, it was determined I just have a bad sprain and the doctor gave me a brace to wear to keep my wrist stabilized.Tomorrow will be a zero day for me. I need to re-evaluate my plan and make some adjustments because I'm not putting in as many miles as I thought I would (could) nor did I factor in the zero days that I'm taking. I'm only 10 miles from the North Carolina border.... Oh, about Adam and his mandolin from a couple nights ago. There was no entertainment - we all fell asleep after dinner!!
Date: 2014-05-05
To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0

This morning I said goodbye to my trail angel, Orphan Annie. She and her parents left for their home in Toledo. She is a caring, smart, mature and considerate young lady. I am so happy I had her company for the past few days ¢ I¢ll miss her.Tomorrow, BeBe (Billy, a diver from the Bahamas) and I will catch Sally¢s shuttle at 8am for the thirty minute ride back to the trail. It will be another short day . . . somewhere around 5.5 miles. But since I am carrying extra weight as I have food for six days rather than the usual three or four ¢ that should be about right! As I mentioned before, I¢m not putting in as many miles as I can, but I think by going slow and steady, it is paying off for me.This morning I spoke to two different hikers in town with real issues because of blisters on their feet. The first young man has been off the trail for three days and expects to be off at least three more before he is in any shape to hike again. He was giving serious consideration to a visit to the local hospital (which is known in this area for their blister care!) The second older man I seen came limping into the drug store asking for the pharmacist. I felt so bad for him. He mentioned that he¢s trying to put in 15-20 mile days, but his aggressive approach and the resulting blistered feet brought his hike to a screeching halt.It¢s another beautiful 80+ degree day . . . perfect for just relaxing and walking about the stores picking up a few extra supplies for the trail. Tomorrow I¢m headed into a more desolate stretch of the trail. I will be out there for six nights this time. Cell coverage is suspect - I hope my battery life holds up for the distance.Have I mentioned how great ¢sweet Georgia tea¢ really is?? You can¢t beat it. And the southern hospitality is so darn delightful.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap Campsite
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Pushed on harder and further today than planned. A good day for hiking, but still tough. I can barely see the mountain tops as the trees are starting to foliate out well, but the shade the canopy provides is welcome. There are nasty black flies flying around now!Reached my original destination too early in the day and decided to push on. I didn¢t really want to stay there anyway as the guide book says the stump in front of the shelter has been home to copperhead snakes.¢When you see the gnarled oak in a clearing, you are officially in North Carolina¢. I celebrated my first state line crossing at 3:50pm when I left Georgia and entered North Carolina. See photos. I reconnected with C-Paw not having seen him since we shared a shelter about a week ago at Low Gap. Met Jess, Chef, Leatherneck and Kyle for the first time. Jess started the same day as me, but this is the first time we¢ve seen each other. It was another good day on the trail.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Bly Gap Campsite

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

In Patti¢s text message covering today¢s events, she wrote . . . ¢While hiking today I was startled by a rustling sound about 30 feet from me. It was a deer . . relieved it wasn¢t the other animal that rhymes with deer but starts with B.¢ After a chuckle, I texted the kids to see if they knew what their mother was talking about ¢ the reply: "Mom¢s lost contact with the civilized world and is losing grasp of the English language. She has forgotten that bear doesn¢t rhyme with deer."Moving on . . . Patti took her mid-morning break at Muskrat Creek Shelter ¢ tuna fish, trail mix and a Sqwincher to drink. No Hurry and Gobnu were there, they were the first two hikers she met the first day on the trail ¢ two weeks ago today. After snack and before leaving Muskrat Creek, she signed the trail log as she always does at every shelter . . . ¢Lightning Struck Here!¢ Patti crossed Standing Indian Mountain, a 5,498-foot summit on her way to the Standing Indian Shelter where she arrived at 4:30. The mountain was given its nickname ¢Grandstand of the Southern Appalachians¢ because of the magnificent view from the summit.A milestone was reached today with 86.3 miles under her belt; it is past the halfway mark to her goal of Fontana Dam.Spaghetti and meatballs for dinner, the group is in for the evening and her remaining battery life is at 49 percent.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Five of us shared the shelter last night. I woke at 6am and was the first to leave. Wanted to be ahead of the sun ¢ and it ¢paid off¢ as it was cool and breezy going over the summit of Standing Indian Mountain. I have to correct something Mike wrote in yesterday¢s journal ¢ we crossed some high mountains, but it was today that I crossed Standing Indian Mountain. The summit of the Standing Indian is shown in the photo taken from the Standing Indian Shelter.Hiked all day by myself, rather uneventful day arriving at the Carter Gap Shelter in the afternoon where I plan to spend the night. BeBe has fallen a day behind. I¢m happy to be out here, it is all interesting.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Long Branch shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept well, was on the trail by 7:30am headed for Long Branch Shelter. Climbed over Albert Mountain - at times literally climbing on all fours, 700 feet straight up in less than half a mile (maybe less). Very cloudy this morning. Crossed through Mooney Gap which has been identified as amongst the wettest places in the eastern U.S., with an estimated annual precipitation of 93.5 inches.Met Radio Man on the trail and walked three or four miles with Bullfrog. Arrived at Long Branch Shelter by midafternoon. Seven high school students and two chaperones from a boarding school in Iowa are spending the night with us. Light rain most of the day, but this evening it is just pouring buckets, with the high school students in their tents.This shelter is a timber-frame structure built just last year, neat double decker, only problem is the ceiling on both levels are only three feet high!!   The other noteworthy item ¢ I hiked through the 100 mile milestone today. In good shape and still enjoying myself.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Long Branch shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)
Miles today: 7.3

I left shelter at 7am, first hour and a half was comfortable hiking, still damp and cool after the overnight rain. Mid-morning light rain returned and quickly turned into a downpour. The trails became a sloppy mess, the rocks slippery and the footing tentative. Originally I did not plan to go into the town of Franklin, but after talking to other hikers, it seemed to be everyone¢s destination, and because of all the rain, I was just happy to go to town as well.As I was being driven into Franklin, I couldn¢t help but marvel at just how beautiful this part of the country really is. First thing I did after checking into the room and spreading out my wet gear, was to treat myself to an ice cream cone.Let me talk about Albert Mountain which I crossed yesterday. That is another mountain I affectionately renamed ¢ 'Fat Albert'. At an elevation of 5,250 feet. There were sections of that ascent that I was literally rock climbing, on all fours, my fear of heights became real, not looking down, not looking up, not looking to either right or left. Petrified that I would drop a hiking pole and the fear of having to back down to retrieve it. It was my scariest experience on the trail. I am so happy to have those slippery, damp, moss covered rocks and the sheer climb behind me.Tomorrow I¢ll be back on the trail by 9am. Happy Mother¢s Day to all you great mothers.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 5.9

Quiet day on the trail. Hiked three hours before I saw another hiker.   Then I saw a dozen or so who appeared to be day hikers. I started out the morning at an elevation of 3,770 feet and crossed the Siler Bald summit at 5,014 feet. The trail had dried up nicely after yesterday¢s rains, but the humidity was stifling.All in all, it was an uneventful day, just putting in the miles! Spent the night at Wayah Gap.Spending two nights at the Aquone Hiker Lodge. The Lodge owners, Steve and Maggie are wonderful hosts.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Wayah Gap

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 8.7

Another quiet day on the trail. Other than seeing seven southbound hikers at Wayah Bald around noon, there were no other hikers on the trail that I was aware of. I stopped at the Wayah shelter to eat lunch and sign the trail log book.It was a good day for hiking. The humidity from yesterday was gone; there was a lot of cloud cover, a threat of rain but a nice breeze. I could have hiked another two or three miles but my destination for the day had me coming off. Tomorrow I was to hike a difficult section of the trail ¢ the section is rocky and drops 3,000 feet in three miles. That in and of itself was not going to deter me, but the lack of other hikers on the trail did cause me concern. Might not be prudent to be in such difficult terrain alone if I were to fall or get hurt. So I made a strategic decision to change my trail plan.Another fellow I¢ve hiked with is a day ahead of me, so I made arrangements to have the shuttle take me past the difficult section and put me on the trail with my friend. We then can hike on together.   Since we are all friends, I think it is okay for me to share my most embarrassing moment on the trail.A few days ago, I was walking with a fellow hiker when I realized I had to ¢go.¢ I told him to continue on, I would catch up with him later. Once he was up the trail and out of sight, I stepped off the trail behind a large maple tree; after making sure no one else was coming down the trail.Well - - just as I¢m about to pull my pants back up, I hear him talking to me from below! Wonder of wonders, what I didn¢t know was just as he walked out of sight, the trail made a sharp hairpin turn that brought him right back to me! I had stepped off the trail into full view of him walking back along the lower trail. Oh well, at least he can go home and say he saw a bare in the woods. It¢s tough to be a lady out here!!
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Met Meekness at 9am at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) and set out on our hike. Even though it was only 6.7 miles, it made for a long day The ascent was 500 vertical feet for every mile.Every time we thought we were at the top - that was never the case. It went up and up and up . . . . There was a lot of rain and a few thunder booms, but fortunately, we managed to miss the rain.It came after we got to the Sassafras Gap Shelter. Reunited tonight with the school kids from Iowa, C-Paw, Wallet Guy and Leatherneck. Also saw Bullfrog at the NOC. He was getting off the trail today so I¢m glad I got to say goodbye.Another good day on the trail.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Meekness and I were the first to leave the shelter this morning. We thought we were doing well when we reached Cheoah Bald Mountain (elev. 5,200 ft) just after an hour of hiking. Not so.Today was the most miles I¢ve hiked so far and the most hours (almost 10). Quoting a hiker who talked about this stretch of the trail from two months ago, ¢¢¦ today on the trail was not for sissies¢¦.¢ One of the guys in the shelter who thru-hiked several years ago said this was the worst stretch from Georgia to Maine (in his opinion). I posted to the photo section a nice view from "Above the Clouds" too.After getting through Cheoah Bald and dropping down to an elevation of 3,200 feet, we peaked out at 4,000 feet. Several ups and downs in the 9-mile stretch. This coupled with several areas where we had to climb over rocks, narrow trails and a lot of straight up/down climbs. But, we made it and before the rain! It will be a different story tomorrow as 100% precipitation is predicted.I said goodbye today to another hiker and shelter mate. His knee has been giving him a lot of problems and he was afraid if he climbed this last mountain today he may in fact blow it out. I might have lost another as well because he hasn¢t shown up yet and we expected him a while ago.Today marks the third week of my journey. Hard to believe I just might make it to Fontana Dam in two days! Three of us in the shelter tonight . . two men (ages 66) and me. I¢m referring to the shelter as the ¢Nursing Home!¢
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: light rain

First evening in over three weeks Patti has been on the trail that we have not received a text message covering the day¢s events.   The region experienced heavy rain starting last night and continued all day. Terribly heavy downpours at times and now miserably cold.Let¢s hope she comes walking out of the mountains to me into Fontana Dam tomorrow wearing lipstick and a smile!! :^)
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 6.6

Thursday was the longest short-mile hike that I can recall. When I left the shelter in the morning it was raining and it never stopped. The temperatures were in the mid-50¢s. Trail conditions were terrible because the rocks were slippery, the leaves were slippery, and the moss was slippery! The trails turned to mud. This portion of the trail was not as well maintained as others; I was having to deal with getting around fallen trees, as well.I reached the shelter around 4 pm. The first thing I did was boil some water to warm up. It didn¢t really help. Four of us were spending the night in the shelter and at 6 pm we all decided there wasn¢t anything better to do so we retired for the night. Before doing so I tried getting a text message out but there was no service.Meekness had a large tarp that he covered the shelter opening with. That seemed to help keep the wind from coming in. Other than dealing with some mice, I slept until 6 am this morning.About the mice: hikers have all heard stories at one time or another about mice being pests in the shelters. Other than hearing them at night or seeing one scurry away, they haven¢t bothered me. Last night was a different story. Four times I woke up feeling something walking (scurrying) on top of my stocking hat and realized it was a mouse¢¦.I just brushed it away and it was gone¢¦.until the next one came along! In the morning I asked the other guys if they had issues with mice and they all said yes. This morning was my final day on the trail! I left the shelter around 7:30 and for the first time didn¢t care how well I packed my pack. I stuffed everything in the best I could and headed up the trail. It was a comfortable morning¢¦the temperatures were cool, there was no rain and once in a while the sun would peek through. There were some up and down hills but none too strenuous. Around five miles into the hike, I looked up the trail and there was Mike/David walking toward me. The closer I got to him, the more I began to tear up and when I reached him, all I could say was ¢I did it ¢ I made it to Fontana Dam!¢Today was a fulfilling day knowing I reached my goal. In the next day or two I will post my final blog.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Home Sweet Home
Miles today: 0.0

This was an amazing journey. I came to experience the Appalachian Trail with all my preconceived impressions, apprehensions and emotions. I was not disappointed. From my start at the Amicalola Lodge to the Southern Terminus to the many shelters along the way with their inquisitive mice to the gorgeous scenery to the crystal clear springs to the steepest of mountains to the depths of the valleys to the grandest of mountain top vistas to the rhododendron thickets to the rocky pathways to the song birds to the towns with their southern hospitality to the animals on the trail to simply the most genuinely delightful and considerate hikers I met and befriended, I am totally thankful for and blessed by the experience. Above all, I thank God for His guidance and protection. And to my family and many friends for the love, support, and encouragement provided to me before and during my journey. The AT will always hold a special place in my soul.Finally, my utmost respect and admiration go out to the thru-hikers - - those individuals who have ¢gone the distance¢ from Georgia to Maine. You inspired me. I hope, in some way, I have inspired others to take a leap of faith and to follow a dream of their own.
Date: 2014-03-30
To: Westlake Village, CA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We are eight days from our departure from LAX to PHL. Laura and I spent last night putting together a spreadsheet of all of our gear and the weight of each item. Without food and water, all the gear I'm to carry weighs in at 29 pounds and Laura's at 22. This feels about right. Our cat Mia was curiously, and a little nervously, checking out everything. She's now purring comfortably in my lap as I read another thru-hikers book: "On the Beaten Path" by Robert Alden Rubin - a well written account of his 1997 Trek. He quotes Whitman a lot. Here's a good one:Afoot and light hearted I take to the open road,Healthy, free, the world before me,The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.
Date: 2014-04-06
To: Last day in CA
Miles today: 0.0

We are down to about 15 items on our "To Do" list, and one is sending the link to our trail journal out to all our friends and family. We also need to decide where we will be forwarding a couple supply boxes, get a better pair of gloves for me and say our final goodbyes to David, Nathan, Chen and Laura's mom. The last couple days have been busy and fun. I golfed Friday (for free! Thanks Bob!) with good friends Dan, Bob and Bill at Calabasas Country Club. Wasn't one of my better rounds, but a good time was had by all. Bob asked if Laura will be carrying my clubs on the trail? Not sure she'll go for that.In addition to packing and weighing our packs with just about everything we'll be taking with us, we discovered a few additional items that we need to pick up at REI today. I also had a good Skype with Paul and Simi (in Geneva) yesterday,   and started to firm up plans for Nathan and Chen's wedding in August with my siblings and their families. We ended the day with a very nice Sushi dinner with Dan and Gemma followed by cards at our place. Dan and Gemma brought a wonderful little berry cake (pictured above) as a send off.Sugeera will be taking us to the airport at 6 AM tomorrow. Thanks Sugeera! Our next entry will be from Pennsylvania.
Date: 2014-04-08
To: At the Millers in Bryn Mawr, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We arrived in Philly Monday at 4:30, picked up our rental car and headed to Larry and Cindy Miller's beautiful house in Bryn Mawr. Cindy prepared a great pasta dish with bacon and the bacon aroma in the house was a wonderful welcome. It was good to catch up with Larry and Cindy. Larry is doing so well! He has such a heavy cross to carry, but is doing great mentally and spiritually. Larry, you are an inspiration! Today was a beautiful day in Philly, sunny and in the 60s. I spent a few hours getting a few final item including a couple camp stove fuel canisters - not allowed on planes - and a new Swiss Army knife - my old one seems to have gone missing or is in a really "safe" spot in my backpack. VWe took a late afternoon walk with the Millers and then had a nice Italian dinner with Jon Bergey (whom I worked with at W L Gore from 1998 to 2001) and Jon's girlfriend Stephanie. Laura and I carbo loaded - code for ate too much, but we're not feeling too guilty about it. After dinner, we boxed up our street clothes and got our bounce box ready to ship to my mom's place in Arlington.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: US route 11 (Carlisle Pike) outside Carlisle, PA

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 8.0

Our first day on the trail began at the Miller's house. We went to Mass with Larry and Cindy at their parish St. John Vianney in Bryn Mawr, mailed our bounce box and other boxes to my mom, and then had breakfast at the Miller's. Thank you so much Larry and Cindy. It was great being with you again.We drove down to Penn Station in Philly, but had to first return the rental car. We put a little too much faith in technology as the Google directions to the rental car return were wrong. Had we simply looked up and watched for signs we would have returned the car in time for us to make the 10 o'clock train from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. Instead we circled around the station a couple times then looked for the signs . . . duh. We missed the 10 o'clock by a minute or two, so we waited another hour and caught the 11 o'clock.We had lunch in Harrisburg and then took the bus from Harrisburg toward Carlisle where we picked up the Appalachian Trail at US Route 11. We got on the trail at 2:30 and had 8 miles to go to Boiling Springs where we spent our first night on the trail at Gelina's Manor House. The hike was flat and easy, and the weather was perfect. We arrived at Gelina's at 5:20 and got a ride to the local grocery from Mike, the son of The woman who runs Gelina's. We had a fantastic dinner at Boiling Springs Tavern. We highly recommend both Gelina's and the Tavern to thru hikers. Boiling Springs itself is a very neat little town with roots in colonial era iron making. We look forward to more good weather tomorrow as we tackle our first hills.