morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-26
From: Neels Gap

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

Snowy hikeWoke up warm in the cabin this am to 6 inches of fresh snow. After briefly panicking because I could not locate my meds(they were right where I put them) I had a quick breakfast biscuit, cup of coffee and a protein bar to set up the morning. We packed up and hiked to the Hostel at Walasi-Yi, next to the outfitter at Neels Gap, where Exodus mailed a box of food ahead to Top of Georgia hostel, our next planned stop off trail. After signing the register we were on trail by 9:45. We purposely waited for two reasons. First, we only planned to hike 7 miles, second, we waited for the young bucks to hike out first and blaze the trail. The fresh snow ranged from 6 to 10 inches along the entire hike. Our destination was Whitley Gap shelter, 6 miles of trail away, and a mile off trail to the shelter. Hiking was not too bad but I was in the rear. I suspect Triathlon Bill was breaking trail purposely which he confirmed later in the day. He decided, just cuz he is a nice guy, to sort of drag his feet knocking down the snow for others who would follow. We hiked up over several peaks and through several gaps. Temperatures ranged from 26 to 36 during the hike, with considerable winds in the gaps. The overcast skies made it like hiking in a cloud all day. The frost it created on the trees was varying and magical. We distinctly noted two kinds of frost on the branches. In Wisconsin we called it hoarfrost, where passing moisture adheres to the edge of the branches it hits and forms frost on the leading edge. The other kind was amazing to see. It appears as if the winds drive the moisture so hard past the branches that beard like icicles are formed on the trailing edges. We missed some amazing views due to the cloud cover, at least, based on the terrain drop away from the trailside. All in all the experience was good today. We even hiked through tunnels of Mt Laurel on the path to the shelter.On arrival at the shelter we joined Big Bear and Tiny Elf . They hiked in earlier from the hostel at Neels Gap and were mid struggle trying to get a fire started. We appreciated their welcome, and Tiny Elf even remembered me from repairing her spikes when we caught her on the ride up to Springer. We pitched in to get the fire going amidst getting settled with refilling water, changing to warm clothes, getting dinner and preparing to crawl in. Temps now at 6:30 are just below 30, and the wind is blowing firmly at the back of the shelter. It is overcast so we are hoping temps stay above 20. The shelter is full so it will be slightly warmer. Nevertheless, we are a few minutes from crawling in and hoping for the best. I am thankful for new friends to hike with and enjoy this part of the adventure. Yes, it is colder than normal, by a far piece as they say, but we are all prepared for the Smokies and have the gear. We were not, however, planning to move this slow due to weather. The forecast for fifty degrees in a couple days will be welcome.Silverback
Date: 2015-02-27
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

Low gap shelter 2/27After a long cold night where temps reached 20 degrees we arose to frozen water and stiff gear. We slept with our water filters to protect them, but water bladders and bottles froze. My breakfast was no water any way, so I was ok. I did have a small amount of water that was near me in the shelter to wash down my protein bars. Tiny Elf and Big Bear left the shelter first. They were headed for Unicoi gap, and a night off the trail. We hit the trail at 9:45 with a relatively short hike, 5 miles, to Low Gap Shelter. It was 24 degrees when we started but as we crested the second ridge the sun broke through the fog, and temps climbed nicely ranging from 32 to 45 degrees. With sun all day it was jackets off hiking. We hiked in fresh snow ranging from 10 to 18 inches deep. The cut trail was OK but we needed to be careful about stepping off. The pace with this group is good training. My first two days my ankles ached front and back, that is gone now. Last night my hip flexors were achy, but they warmed and loosened today. By keeping to shorter days we will condition for several more days, and then see what happens from there. We have set a course for Hiawassee, one of the more hiker friendly towns along the trail, and will be staying at the Top Of Georgia hostel. Today we agreed we are looking forward to our first all you can eat buffet in Hiawassee. After being passed by several hikers we arrived, and joined them, at Low Gap shelter. Shelters on the AT are three sided, built to face away from the wind with a picnic table, fire ring, water source and a privy built nearby. Ironman Bill and Just Pete decided to set up their tent, and Exodus did as well. That left a spot for me in the shelter. Its quite a mixed group here, all through hiking except for one who is going as far as Fontana Dam before going back to Med School rotations. We arrived here at 3:15 and pitched in gathering firewood. One of the guys is a near Eagle boy scout and they are all challenging him to get the fire going. I think we are in good hands. Its 4:30 now, so the fire will be started soon, but I will crawl in to my warm bag around 7 at the latest. We plan a short hike again tomorrow, 7.3 miles, and are expecting warming temps, and sloppy trails. Silverback
Date: 2015-02-28
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Feb 28 Blue Mt ShelterWe arrived here at Blue Mt shelter early, around 2:30 pm. That was our plan, so we can get a good rest for multiple climbs tomorrow, and prepare for our Monday 11 miles into Hiawassee. Temps last night were more moderate, around 28 degrees, and I slept well. Rising with the sun I was up at 7:30, made my daily privy trip, and began to gather gear. My breakfast this morning was blueberry biscuits, coffee and as many protein bars as I want. I had one. Packed up, cleaned up and warmed up we hit the trail at 9:15. We are getting earlier every morning and hiking stronger each day. Today temps warmed to mid forties with sunny skies, and lots of melting snow. The base amounts are 6 to 8 inches and the deeper gaps are drifted to 18 inches. With melting the trail started getting soft and slippery around noon. We found the edge of the trails several times and realized the benefit of hiking with poles. Pete actually fell once today but with poles, was able to right himself quickly.We take pack off breaks about every 60 to 90 minutes, depending on terrain, but the time between is getting longer as we get stronger. I have been feeling my legs condition physically, ankles the first two days, hips and thighs more recently. Today they felt very strong. The shelter here sits on the top of the Mt with a beautiful valley view in front. The local club has fixed a tarp to the shelter opening so we expect to be quite warm tonight. There is room for eight, but with only four of us here tonight we can spread out a little. The water here is a trickle out of the hillside about 200 yds. back on the trail. It is not the best, but we were able to get enough for breakfast and tomorrow. I have yet to locate the privy but, just for those who are interested, in Georgia they are three stall type walls, no roof and a throne. It can be a cold seat first thing in the morning.I called my wife and my mother, in that order, from the shelter, to let them know we are planning to stop at the next shelter tomorrow night then on to Hiawassee. Well, the guys have started a fire with a local hiker hammock hanging near the shelter, so we will warm ourselves a time before turning in.Silverback.
Date: 2015-03-01
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

March 1I am Resting here at Tray MT shelter where we arrived around 3:30 after 8 miles and two large climbs. The word for today was slog. The entire hike was a slog through melting snow and ice. We slept good last night, with a tarp covering the shelter opening and temps staying above 40. We were joined late by a local out for an overnight. He really wanted a fire so he gathered dry wood, and Just Pete set about making it burn. Within an hour we had a nice warm bed of coals in time to watch the sunset behind the shelter. We turned in with hopes of an amazing sunrise, which were no to be. We awoke to overcast, amidst a rolling cloud. Here at elevation the clouds that wisp by as we watch from below, are clouds that roll through the high areas we are hiking. It is like hiking in a mist, that occasionally gathers on the branches and drops like a raindrop, that isn't really rain. We had two climbs today, the first up 1000 ft of elevation over a mile of trail, the second, less steep, covering 1100 ft of rise over 2.5 miles. Blue MT and Tray MT are separated by a deep gap, and were both covered in the aforementioned rolling cloud.Here at Tray MT shelter we have been joined by Tiny Elf, catching us once again after her stay in town. We are hiking into Dicks Creek Gap tomorrow and staying at the hostel. Four nights on trail is the longest stint so far, but our plan has been to stick with 8 mile days. Out of Hiawassee we plan to step up our pace to twelve mile days. That should put us in Franklin NC in four days. I find myself thinking each morning as the hike begins, how fortunate I am to be able to do this. I remember in my prayers each morning Kathy first, my family, and all of you following my journey with interest and prayers. Each day is filled with basic needs; sleep, hike, eat, hike, eat, hike, drink, hike, eat, gather water, repeat. But each day also brings new challenges and personalities. Oh what tomorrow may bring.Silverback
Date: 2015-03-02
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0

Top of Georgia hostel. 3/1Arrived here around 2:30. We set out this morning after a warm night, in the fifties, but bundled up for predicted rain. While we hiked all day in the clouds, it never did rain. Overnight rain had cleared the trail though, and we found nicer footing on the trail surface. Our 11 miles today took us up two pretty stiff climbs. The steepest to the top of Kelly Knob, was 1000 ft elevation gain in 1 mile. Roughly a 20% grade. We were definitely in low gear. The cloud hiking is cooler, but means we have no views. I am sure we missed a couple great ones. Our goal was to increase our mileage today and we are pleased with how we are doing. Tonight, we are all ready for a planned eleven tomorrow, and may be in to the next phase of conditioning where we plan 11-12 each day. The hostel here is new, and clean, but kinda run a little strange. The main common area closes at 7 pm, which is the only area with a wifi signal. I was planning to update my journal posts tonight but without a good signal, either wifi or cell, I'm stuck. I guess we will have to wait until Franklin NC, where we will be staying in a more hotel like setting. We also had our laundry done, which they have not yet returned. I hope it is here soon so I can get my pack packed. We plan to take advantage of the four person discount in Franklin and take a regular room at the hostel there since it is cheaper than four individual bunks by a couple bucks. There we will be right in town and able to utilize wifi wherever we can find it.The hike is going as planned, with minor delays for weather. Other than the two day start delay, I am averaging 8 miles per day for the first week as planned, and stepping up right on schedule to longer mileages. Eventually, in the Smokies, I plan to cover 12-15 miles per day. Our permits only allow us to stay seven nights so we will need to move quickly. We will probably be entering the smokies in ten days or so. Physically, my legs are ready and my back is superb. The only injury I am battling right now is a split fingers at the corner of my thumb. I was able to get proper bandages today, so it will soon be all mended. I picked up a resupply box of food and essentials that Kathy and I left here last week. I am now equipped with a full pack, with six days of food, after tomorrow. I will get to Franklin, NC with a couple days left, and buy enough resupply to get me through to Fontana Dam. I think I will have Kathy send me my first mail resupply there.During the day I enjoy extended times of quiet, even though I am hiking with others, and today found myself praying for many of you individually. Too often daily life does not afford us the time to think carefully through praying for each person as they come to mind. Out here on the trail, though, with nothing to do but walk, and snack, and drink, I am able to pray personally for folks as they come to mind. As the days go on I am sure these times with God will be increasingly meaningful. Than You Lord for making this possible.Silverback
Date: 2015-03-03
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Tough Day!Slept good at the hostel last night, too warm in fact. Started packing up around 6:30, to meet the other guys at the breakfast. They decided to pay extra for breakfast, I decided to eat some of my extra food. Turned out I made the better choice...enough said. After breakfast, Exodus let us know he was going to take a zero, no hiking miles, day at the hostel. He was pretty worn out after our hike yesterday so I don't blame him. Ironman Bill, Just Pete and I decided to continue on so we exchanged emails just in case we don't catch each other later. We packed up for the short shuttle back to the trail and set out. On the very first rise we caught up to Scout who was deciding if he should go back to the hostel. He had been sick several times in the morning, and wasn't sure about hiking. We told him to go back and take care of himself. We set out at 8:45 with the goal of reaching Muskrat Creek Shelter, 11 miles away. Additionally we would be hiking out of Georgia, and into North Carolina. We hiked and talked along and suddenly found ourselves 4 miles in at 11am.   Then things changed. The last seven miles of our hike today were sharply up and down. Steep climbs and steep gaps slowed our progress and kicked our shorts. We trudged our way to Muskrat Creek shelter, arriving here at 4 pm. We hiked all day in the cloud cover, then afternoon, we hiked in the rain. Temps are moderate in the 50's, so hiking was warm, but arriving at the shelter, we quickly chilled. Dry clothes, dinner and into warm bags was the order of the evening. I am now in my bag, writing and settling in for the night. We have been joined by three other hikers so the full shelter will be warm.:{(>
Date: 2015-03-04
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Great day! After an interesting night of characters, more on that later, we got up and hit the trail around 8:15. My shirts were still wet from yesterdays rain so I was glad for the uphill warming to start. The breeze was firm, and temps starting were in the upper 40's so I dried within an hour. Our hike today was much more gradual, so we headed for the twelve mile shelter as planned. Temps warmed to nearly 60 but the breezes were steady so hiking was not too warm. We arrived at Carter Gap shelter around 3:15, and joined two guys already settled in. Nice guys, one from Iowa, and one from West Virginia, through hikers all are we. Here at Carter Gap we are in a North Carolina bear refuge. That probably means the black bears per square mile are like Northern Wisconsin, so we will be cautious. For bears we keep no food or trash, including toothpaste, in the shelter overnight. We hang it all away from the tree trunk on a high branch, then hope for the best. Reports are that we have some weather coming in, possibly snow, but right now temps are still in the 40's, so I expect we will be fine. Tomorrow we plan 12 more miles to the next shelter stay, then the day after we have a short day into Franklin. Hopefully we get into Franklin early enough to settle, shower, launder, eat AND update my journal. Time will tell. For now Ironman Bill, Just Pete, and Silverback are settling in for a long nights sleep.Silverback
Date: 2015-03-05
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Another 12 miles today and wow is the temp dropping fast! We hiked most of the morning in the rain, after listening to rain and wind all night before. Our big challenge today was Albert MT. We were at the base of Albert by 11:15, and over the top by noon. Unfortunately the grand views from the top were shrouded in rain and clouds. We hiked on past the next shelter at eight miles and into Rock Gap shelter, leaving us 3.8 miles into Franklin for a shower, laundry and good rest. By doing a "nearo" tomorrow, which is near zero hiking miles, we knock off some trail and avoid the zero as long as we can. By all counts a successful thru-hike depends on as few zeros as possible. If weather was dryer or warmer, we may not even stop because we all have enough food to reach the NOC(Nantahala Outdoor Center), but need a night of rest. We have hiked solid 12 mile days for the last three, and feel very good. A nearo will let our bodies recover and give me a chance to catch up on journal uploads. I will write more tomorrow, in a warm room, but for now I am crawling in the warm bag for the night. And yes, it is only 4:50 pm.Silverback
Date: 2015-03-06
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin N.C
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

We are nestled into a room for four at a hostel/motel in Franklin, North Carolina after a short 4 miles to Winding Stair Gap this morning. We had hiked in to Low Gap shelter yesterday in order to get to Franklin today and take care of some things. My hiking partners are making some gear changes, and I have a couple small additions to make as well. We woke up this am to clear skies, and 19 degrees. I was pleasantly surprised it was that cold since I slept warm through the night. The morning trip to the privy was a bit teeth chattering, but all in all not awful. We set out for a quick cold hike wanting to catch a regular shuttle into Franklin at the gap trailhead scheduled for 9 am. We missed it by 5 min, but after a quick call, he headed back, and we were on our way to Franklin. We ran into a group of hikers we have been bouncing into since Neels gap, who were heading out after a zero to wait out the rain. We are quickly becoming a bit of an item as the group of older guys moving steadily down the trail. I credit Ironman Bill for setting our pace as we intentionally trained 8 mile days until we were ready for 12 mile days, of which we have now completed several. Todays hike is what we call a nearo, and we will nearo tomorrow am to the next shelter after breakfast and a post office stop.One of the gear additions I am making is a Bivy Sack for my ground pad and sleeping bag, out of Tyvek material. Bill and Pete have been using them and I like the way it will keep my ground pad clean, and my bag dry, in the shelters. It also cuts the effects of wind on the bag, and will make it warmer, nevertheless, I am mostly interested in the protection it affords. A final thought before I go. I noticed my last few posts were shorter and shorter each day and when I reflected on a reason, I realized the length of my posts tends to coincide with the temperature. You see, it seems I can only type so long as I can feel my finger tips. Enough said. Also, I apologize for the length between uploads. I have not had good service, and then today with good service, I could not access the Trailjournals site from here. These latest posts are being emailed to Kathy, where she is able to post them from Ohio. I don't know what the hang up is but I hope trailjournals figures it out soon.Silverback.
Date: 2015-03-07
From: Franklin N.C

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: clear sky

Siler Bald Shelter. 3/7, 5 pmWe are 5 miles out of Franklin at the next shelter. We took a full 24 hrs in town, got a lot done and planned our next couple weeks. Todays hike was the best yet for weather and views. 52 degrees, full sun and hiking atop the North Carolina highlands. The short hike was intentional. We are now two twelve mile days from the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), where we will fill out or food for three more days, and rest in the hostel. We arrived here early, had a nice rest on the sun, and decided to gather firewood for a fire. After getting the fire going we cooked dinner, and I am writing as my dinner "cooks". Tonight I have a chow mien noodle with teriyaki seasoning and pepperoni dinner that rehydrates with 1 cup boiling water. The ingredients are combined into a quart freezer ziploc and placed in a thermal bag to "simmer". It is usually ready to eat in five minutes. After dinner my cleanup involves tossing the ziplock in my trash bag, and thats it. I never did like doing dishes, even in the woods.Tonight I am trying out another addition to my equipment. Bill and Pete have their sleeping bags inside bivy bags they made from Tyvek. I made mine this morning and will sleep in it tonight. I am already pleased with having protection from the dirty wood floor of the shelter for my ground pad/air mattress.It was kinda strange to be in town for so long and we were all anxious to get out on the trail this morning Its funny that I was cold walking around town last night, but here on the mountain I am comfortable. The temp is probably around 40 degrees so I expect it to be below freezing overnight. That means it will also be another night sleeping with my water filter to keep it from freezing. I want to close with a great big hey ya'all to the town of Franklin North Carolina. They gave us easily the warmest reception yet on the trail. I would limit my time near Hiawassee to get hear ASAP on the trail. Many folks were very supportive of us as thru hikers, most asking if that was what we were doing in town. Additionally, Outdoor 76 is one of the best, most personable outfitters I have been in. They cater purposefully to the thru hiker and all our needs. So its a tip of the hat to our forst town stay in North Carolina!Silverback