morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-08-21
From: Fontana Hilton Shelter 

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter 
Miles today: 12.0

Both Mile2go and I were up early and walking at 7:30. We crossed Fontana Dam together then he went on ahead. I caught up with him at the thru-hikers permit drop off station just past the entrance to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. He was going farther than I was planning today and I didn¢t see him after the permit station.The hike today was not long on miles, but it made up for it with elevation, climbing about 4300¢ to get to the shelter. I got to the shelter at 4 and decided I would stay even though it was early.  It is definitely cooler at this elevation (4583¢) and I expect it will be good sleeping tonight. The water supply here is just a trickle, and it took me about 10 minutes to collect a liter. Apparently they are not big on privies in the Smokies - a sign near the shelter says ¢toilet area¢ and points to the woods. I expect I will be alone here tonight.The excitement for the day came around 2 as I was taking a break on the side of the trail, sitting on a log. I looked up and happened to see a very large rattle snake about 10¢ away and heading towards me. I quickly grabbed my poles and pack and moved up the trail before returning to get some pictures. It was 4¢-5¢ long and 3¢-4¢ across in the middle. That definitely got the heart pumping!
Date: 2019-08-22
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter 

To: Derricks Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 12.1

I was up with the light this morning and was ready to leave just before 8 when it started raining. I decided to stay put and see if the it was just a passing shower. By 9 there was was no let up so I put on my rain gear and headed out. After 11 the rain became intermittent, and around 1 the sun was popping in and out. At 4:30 I thought I was going to get hit with another storm but it missed me.I made it to the shelter a little after 5, hung my pack on the bear cables and went down to the spring to get water. I was eating dinner when another hiker, SharpShin came in for the night. He started the trail last year and will complete it when he gets to Springer this year.Around 8:40 a severe thunderstorm came rolling through. High winds, heavy rain, and it felt like the temperature dropped 10 degrees. Glad I¢m in a shelter!!
Date: 2019-08-23
From: Derricks Knob Shelter 

To: Mount Collins Shelter 
Miles today: 13.3

Last nights storm didn¢t let up till after 11, then light rain on and off till morning. When I woke up at 7 we were in a foggy cloud and the trees were dripping water. The day stayed overcast And it started raining again at noon. Fortunately I had just gotten to a shelter and was planning to have lunch there. The rain ended as I was leaving the shelter, but was sporadic the whole day.Today I went over Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT. I was in a cloud at the time so didn¢t bother going to the observation tower. It was raining again when I got to the Mount Collins Shelter around 6, but the sun came out shortly after. Pajamas joined me at the shelter right after I returned from getting water. He is completing the southern half of the trail this year and is planning to do the northern part next year.A fleeting glimpse of something scurrying out of the shelter confirmed what I thought I saw at last nights shelter - a rat. This was confirmed by Pajamas who has also been seeing them at the shelters. I haven¢t been bothered by them during the night and I¢m guessing the are also just using the shelters as shelter and are not looking to nibble on toes!
Date: 2019-08-24
From: Mount Collins Shelter 

To: Newfound Gap 
Miles today: 5.2

Today is a nero to Newfound Gap. I left the shelter at 8 trying not to disturb Pajamas who was still sleeping. Once again I started the day in a cloud with the trees dripping from the fog. The dense forest was rather dark and dreary!  I crossed into a fenced off area of the park specifically set up to protect the forest from wild hogs. I have been seeing signs of their rooting activity but I¢m glad I haven¢t run into any on the trail!When I got to Newfound Gap I talked with a couple of Rangers and told them about the bear cables that had been disabled at the Derricks Knob Shelter. They said it was a common occurrence there and they didn¢t know who was behind it. I told them I was looking to get a ride to Gatlinburg and the said they were heading in the opposite direction but that the best place to hitch a ride was at the Stop sign exiting the parking lot. It took about 25 minutes but I did get a ride from a couple who were from Florida and in the area visiting relatives and checking on some land that they own and plan to build on. They are both in the Coast Guard Reserves and help with rescue operations off the coast of Florida.When I got to Gatlinburg I found a hotel, took a shower (soap is a gift from the gods!), then headed out to find a laundromat. Ended up getting an Uber as the closest one was a couple miles away. Walked (a long f¢in way!) to a grocery store to resupply while my clothes were drying, then waited an hour to catch one of the public trams to get back to the hotel (no Uber available). Ended up walking the last half mile back rather than wait however long for the next tram going my way.
Date: 2019-08-25
From: Newfound Gap 

To: Icewater Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 3.2

Today was a choice between too short or too long. Given the long drive back to the trail I thought it would be a late start at best so I decided to just do another nero and hike into the first shelter north of Newfound Gap. I arranged for a noontime shuttle and made it to the shelter a little after 2.Around 3 a law enforcement ranger came to the shelter. He was carrying a full pack and hiking the trail. He asked if I had my permit and also wasted to know if I was carrying a firearm. He said it was illegal to carry as long as I had the correct permit. I gave him my backcountry permit which he reviewed and returned. I asked about the closed shelter I would be passing and he said they usually close them when they have a bear that tries to enter the shelter when people are in it. The rangers name is Austin Henderson and I enjoyed talking with him before he had to leave.Around 5 a couple from Missouri, Stephenie and Joe, came in for the night. They were section hiking south from Davenport Gap, and Stephenie is planning to thru hike the trail in the future. It was a pleasure talking with them, they both laugh easy and are enjoying life!
Date: 2019-08-26
From: Icewater Spring Shelter 

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 12.6

Up at 7 this morning, Stephenie and Joe were also up and we ate breakfast together. The morning was in the clouds and I decided to put my rain gear on before hiking out a little after 8.  I hiked the whole day in the clouds. The day was cool and windy at times and I had to put my fleece sweatshirt on to stay warm when I stopped for lunch. The trail today followed a long series of ridges with many overlooks. Unfortunately, there was nothing to see but clouds. As I reached the shelter I ran into a trail maintenance crew who were just finishing up for the day. They were tenting behind the shelter but came down to the shelter to have dinner. David, Makenzie, and Jenna were great company and it was nice talking with them before they went to their tents for the evening.Just as the trail crew was leaving BirdMan came in for the night. He is a former thru hiker who is now working on the Smokies 900 - hiking all 900 miles of trail in the Smokies. Just as it was getting dark Backwards Chicken came in using a headlamp. She is also a former thru hiker, and is now attempting to summit all the 6000¢+ peaks in the southern Appalachian mountains.
Date: 2019-08-27
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter 

To: Standing Bear Hostel 
Miles today: 18.1

It started raining again around 8 last night and continued on and off throughout the night. Backward Chicken was the first one out this morning, leaving just after 6 using her headlamp as it was still dark. It was also raining again. She is definitely hard core! Many of the peaks she is summiting do not have trails and require bushwhacking in order to summit.The trail crew came down for breakfast so I got to say bye before I left just after 8. It was still raining lightly, but soon tapered off to just the clouds condensing on the trees. I had planned to go to the Davenport Gap Shelter, just short of the Northern boundary of the Smokies. This was my last chance to get some 6000¢ views before leaving the Smokies, unfortunately all there was to see today was clouds.As I arrived at the Davenport Gap Shelter the sun came out and the air was warm, still, and humid. I decided to push on to the Standing Bear Hostel. About a half mile north of the shelter I scared a bear and her cub who were crossing the trail about 200¢ ahead of me. I gave them a moment to get away from the trail then continued on, talking to them as I went. As I approach the area that they crossed I heard what sounded like claws on tree bark but didn¢t see them.
Date: 2019-08-28
From: Standing Bear Hostel 

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 7.4

Again this morning I woke to the sound of rain. I was planning a late morning so didn¢t get up till around 8. By the time I had eaten breakfast, resupplied, packed and settled up it was 10 and the rain had let up to a light drizzle.By noon the rain was over and the sun was out. When I reached Snowbird Peak the sky was clear and the views were fantastic!  When I arrived at my campsite I thought I was alone but after dinner I noticed a tent set up not too far away. I went to say high and met Turtle, who was also hiking north bound. Turtle came up to the shelter and we sat at the picnic table and talked till it was dark. He is hiking the trail and living off his social security income. The last time he hiked the trail he made it to the PenMar road before the snows stopped him. Not sure how far he is going this year.
Date: 2019-08-29
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter 

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 13.2

I was up with the light this morning and left camp around 8. I heard Turtle moving around but he didn¢t come up to the shelter picnic table before I left so I didn¢t see him.Today I climbed over Max Patch, a 4600¢ mountain with a large grassy top. The views were spectacular! The day was cool and breezy so it was still comfortable out in the open sun. The forest service has posted signs requesting the hikers stay on the trail and respect the privacy of the rattlesnakes and ticks. They also had a warning to stay away from the mother elk and calf that are sometimes seen on the mountain.  After coming down from Max Patch I met two day hikers going my way and hiked with them for several miles till we reached Lemon Gap where they had a car parked. It was nice talking with Justine and Marie as we walked, and they knew a lot of the wildflowers we saw along the way. When we got to Lemon Gap I was the recipient of Trail Magic - Justine took my garbage to lighten my load, and Marie gave me a delicious bag of grapes!Its getting dark and it looks like I will be at this site alone tonight.
Date: 2019-08-30
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter 

To: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs North Carolina 
Miles today: 12.8

I was the only one at the shelter last night, and I set up my hammock on the ridge above it. Nice cool night with a light breeze made for good sleeping!As I hiked the trail this morning I heard a pack of hounds in the valley below me.  At one point I caught a glimpse of dogs running on the trail ahead of me and was expecting them to run into me, but apparently they turned off the trail. I stopped for a break and was sitting on the side of the trail when a small hound came running down the trail. He stopped to sniff my pack, swung by to give me a sniff then continued on, turning off the trail and up the mountain side. Further on I saw a man in a pickup truck with a large kennel parked just off the trail. I stopped to talk with him and he said that this was the training season for the dogs in preparation for bear hunting, and that they were currently chasing three bears. I was told that unlike the bears in the Smokies, the bears in North Carolina want nothing to do with people - the reason is clear!I only met one other hiker on the trail today and he was from Israel. He only has three months to hike so he has been doing various sections of the trail. He appeared genuinely thrilled with his hike! Like me his last week was in the rain but when I told him about Max Patch his face lit up with the prospect of having a view other than the inside of a cloud!I made it to the Laughing Heart Hostel a little after 4, settled in, showered, got my laundry going and went into town for dinner. Nice place, taking a zero here.
Date: 2019-09-01
From: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs North Carolina 

To: Spring Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 11.3

I left the Laughing Heart Hostel this morning after a day of resting and eating too much! I wanted to grab breakfast at the diner in town as I was leaving but it is closed on Sundays so I bought a turkey grinder on my way back from dinner last night, and I had an extra bagel from my resupply. Unusual breakfast but it did the trick.A couple hours into the day I scared another bear on the trail. It took off down the trail and I thought it had turned off and into the woods. I couple minutes later I met a trail runner who ran into the bear on the trail as she was running around a corner. Caught between the two of us it decided on a quick departure on the down hill side of the trail.There were some good views as I was climbing out of town this morning, but the best views of the day were from the Rich Mountain Fire Tower. I took a detour off trail to get to it, but it was a nice place to take a break.When I got to the shelter I was planning to camp at I was surprised to find it full! There were 6 section hikers staying in and around the shelter. It was nice to have company for the evening.
Date: 2019-09-02
From: Spring Mountain Shelter 

To: JerryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Cabin Shelter 
Miles today: 15.9

I got up this morning extra early to try to get a head start on a long day. I packed up my gear by headlamp and went down to the shelter picnic table to make breakfast. The three people who stayed in the shelter were already gone and a short time later Mike came down from the tenting area and joined me for breakfast. We talked for a while so I really didn¢t get an early start!I went over a long exposed ridge today with some nice views. I saw a few day hikers on the trail but no one else backpacking. I am alone at the shelter area tonight.
Date: 2019-09-03
From: JerryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Cabin Shelter 

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter 
Miles today: 15.6

Started hiking just before 8 this morning and soon came to a half mile long section of trail passing through what I assume was once an agricultural field. The field is now over grown with weeds and briars. While the briars were trimmed back from the trail, the grass and weeds around the trail are about a foot tall and were glistening with a heavy dew. It didn¢t take long to get soaked from the knees down! As I hiked into the field I came upon a large pile of bear scat and realized I could easily have some unseen company hidden in the brush! I started whistling as I walked to let my presence be known.  Today I met my first south bound flip flopper! I had met Skinnykid when he and 3Mile passed me in Vermont, I think just before crossing into New Hampshire. He summited Katahdin in mid July and flipped to Harpers Ferry to finish in Georgia. He only has about 300 miles to go, and his grandfather is joining him for the last 110 miles south of Franklin NC. Meeting and talking with him made my day!!
Date: 2019-09-04
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter 

To: Whistling Gap 
Miles today: 13.6

Today I met a couple on the trail hiking in the same direction as I was. We talked as we walked and I stopped for a while to chat when they came to their exit point. I noticed more of what looked like chestnuts, but they thought they were Buckeyes. That would explain the smooth outer casing holding the nuts, as the chestnuts I had seen in the past all had a very prickly outer casing.  I met a Nobo through hiker who had gone off trail at Sams Gap to take care of a family matter, then rejoined her tramily at Carver Gap and summited Katahdin last week. She was finishing the section she missed and was about 2 hour away from completing the trail when I met her!!When I went to get water I found the spring was no longer running but there was a puddle I was able to get water from. I treated the water and plan to also filter it prior to use.Another night by myself. This will be the third night running that I have not set up my tarp as the weather appears to be holding. Unfortunately under this dense canopy of trees I have only seen a glimpse of stars at night.
Date: 2019-09-05
From: Whistling Gap 

To: Uncle JonnyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel 
Miles today: 13.5

I ended up only using the water I collected last night for washing. I had a half liter of good water and figured that would get me to the next source.Trail magic comes in many forms, and today¢s magic was once again seeing familiar faces on the trail!!! I met Matador and Hardy on their way to Springer. The last time I saw them was at the Safford Notch Campsite in the Bigelows in Maine. They summited Katahdin two days before I did, and went to Harpers Ferry to start their journey south. They are doing high mile days to get done in time to attend a wedding. Meeting them lightened my heart on this lonely stretch of trail!I took a room at Uncle Jonny¢s Hostel for the night, went to town for dinner and did my resupply shopping.
Date: 2019-09-06
From: Uncle JonnyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Hostel 

To: Curley Maple Gap 
Miles today: 4.2

Nero today out of Uncle Jonny¢s. Slept in till 8 then packed up my bag which is now heavy with over 4 days of food! Got a shuttle into town to get breakfast and left the hostel around 10:30.  I was alone at the shelter till around four when two other hikers came in for the night. Won¢t GetUp is finishing her flip-flop heading to Springer, and Phase2 is also completing his last section of trail from Damascus to Springer. It was nice having company tonight.
Date: 2019-09-07
From: Curley Maple Gap 

To: Cherry Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 12.8

Won¢t Get Up and Phase2 were up at 6 this morning using headlamps to pack up so they could leave as soon as there was enough light. They were both out of food and were on a mission to catch the 9 am shuttle into Erwin from Uncle Jonny¢s hostel. Getting some breakfast was a high priority!I met my first SOBO hiker who started at Katahdin on June 15. His name is Legs, and he planned to complete the remaining ~350 miles to Springer in 11 days. I also met Colin who is completing the southern end of his flip-flop thru hike.When I got to camp there was a local weekend hiker, Eric, who was setting up for the night. He had spent the day in the area picking up pieces of stone that appeared to be ruminants of flint napping.Sunrise , who I passed on the trail earlier also came in for the night. Small world, he lives in Rhode Island and works at EB. Even stranger, his current supervisor is the ex-husband of Stacy Howley, who I worked with at Pfizer. He is hiking from Hot Springs to Damascus.
Date: 2019-09-08
From: Cherry Gap Shelter 

To: Hughes Gap 
Miles today: 12.6

Sunrise was the first out this morning leaving by headlamp at around 4:30. Must be how he got his name! I got a late start as I was talking with Eric till almost 9. Caught up to Sunrise just after noon and we had lunch together. He was going to the next shelter for the night but I was planning to continue on as I knew I would get there early.When I got to the shelter I stopped to get water as there was no water where I planned to spend the night. Sadly, this meant adding on an extra 6 pounds of water to the last 3.5 miles of the day. I¢m not a fan of dry camping but it sets me up for tomorrow¢s hike.I came to a really nice camp area about a mile from Hughes Gap where I wanted to camp. I continued on figuring I¢d find a place at the Gap. When I reached the Gap I didn¢t find anywhere I wanted to stay so I ended up backtracking 0.3 miles to a spot south of the Gap.
Date: 2019-09-09
From: Hughes Gap 

To: Over Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 12.0

This morning started out fantastic! I was all packed up and getting ready to filter my remaining water when a south bound hiker came up to my camp area (I was close to the trail) and said hi. As I turned around to say hi she said ¢AG, is that you?¢. It took me a second to recognize her - It was Joy, another flip-flopper who summited Katahdin with Matt and I! It was great to see her again and exchange trail info. We talked for about half an hour before she moved on. Like me, she wants to finish the trail, but also is looking forward to the end. As she said, it¢ll be nice not smelling like a dog!Shortly after Joy left Sunrise came by and we hiked together for a while before I moved on ahead. I don¢t expect I¢ll see him again till I get back to Connecticut.When I got to Over Mountain Shelter I was initially very disappointed as I had walked by a very dry ¢piped spring¢ that I thought was the water supply for the camp area. I kept going to the shelter, which is an old barn that was recently closed due to structural issues. There was a couple camping on the large mown grass field in front of the barn and I asked if they had found water anywhere. The kindly directed me to a trail that I had passed by, without notice, which lead to a good flowing piped spring.I was able to hang my hammock in the woods next to the barn. The view from this campsite is spectacular! Best campsite I¢ve had since heading north from Georgia.
Date: 2019-09-10
From: Over Mountain Shelter 

To: Station 19E Hostel 
Miles today: 9.2

I was out before 8 this morning walking by the two tents set up in the field. The morning was humid and the grass was soaked with dew. Got a little wet walking through the grass and weeds on the trail as it climbed to the first Bald. The Balds of Little Hump and Hump mountains are spectacular! When I got to the top of Little Hump I stopped to take a break even though I was not tired. I just wanted to enjoy where I was. The Seals & Croft¢s song ¢We may never pass this way again¢ came to mind.I made it to Route 19E just before 1, and the hostel picked me up about 5 minutes later! Shower, Trail Magic (in the form of a free beer!), food, laundry. Even better, Sleeve, another flip-flopper who summited Katahdin with Matt and I had stopped in to have lunch at the hostel. Awesome day!!The Station hostel had a decent resupply, and will take me to a dinner for breakfast before I head back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2019-09-11
From: Station 19E Hostel 

To: Upper Laurel Creek
Miles today: 12.6

Got a shuttle to a local diner a little after 8. I sat with a bunch of local men who come to the diner on Wednesday¢s to socialize and have breakfast. Great breakfast and good conversation!  With the 8 am start and a full diner I didn¢t get on trail till 9:30, later than I wanted to get to my destination for the day, but the trail was nice to me today and I got to camp around 5. Found a spot to set up about 10¢ from the creek which was flowing nicely. The downside to the location is it¢s in a depression so it will be dark early tonight and light late tomorrow morning. Met some section hikers today, but I am alone at this site tonight.The sound of the creek reminds me of growing up with the Little River running by the house and my window open on a summer night.