morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-16
From: Franklin NC

To: cold spring shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Nice hiking day, 1st day that I could wear shorts & t-shirt, although there is still some snow, mostly on the N or W? Mtn sides where there is less sunight. I hiked w/Winston for part of the day. Tomorrow will be an easY day, to the NOC, to restock & sleep inside, then on to Fontana Dam. My hiking poles have saved me from falling numerous times, most hikers use them, I couldn't hike without them.
Date: 2010-03-17
From: cold spring shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Short day to the NOC, which is a big white water kayak and raft facility. I took couple pictures but will have to wait until I have access to a real computer to post, probably Gatlinburg. I saw some section hikers last night, at the shelter and again today, they looked like they were having a good time, they do a new section each year Last night's shelter was one of the old ones, not as nice as the new ones, but it was nice to read all of the name carvings, a lot from the 70's. I looked for Grandpa Joes name, but didn't see it. He is a friend of mine who is my main hiking technical advisor. He hiked most of the AT back in the 70's. I listen to him most of the time, the rest I learn the hard way, because he's usually right.
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

Hard day, lots of hills. Tomorrow will be shorter, 11.6 to Fontana Village, then enter the Smoky's with all of it's snow. Between here and home I have already seen enough snow to last 5 uears, I should have brought my snowblower with me. I'm looking forward to Spring.
Date: 2010-03-19
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

I'm at the lodge, at Fontana Village, where I have picked up my supplies and am about to hike the additional 1.1 miles to the shelter. This is the first place where I don't have cel phone service, I'm using the lodge computer. There are alot of other hikers coming in today, and starting the Smokys tomorrow. I am still planning to stop at Gatlinburg (half way through the Smokys), to pick up my boots and take a zero day, but I have enough food to get to Davenport if the expected snow, Sunday, closes the road to Gatlinburg. I am using new boots, which I ordered while I was off of the trail, and they are also showing signs of a blowout, I am planing to repair them tonight (by sewing and sealing). I am hoping that they will last longer when I get out of the snow (N of the Smokys). i don't have time to download any photos today, maybe when I get to Gatlinburg.
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

Last night I stayed at the Fontana Dam Shelter, which is called the Fontana Hilton, because it is very nice and officially sleeps 20, but could easily hold 25 to 30 hikers. The shelter also has a nearby bathroom/shower available. A TVA police officer stopped by to ensure that no-one was violating the no alcohol policy, he was a nice guy and stayed and talked, around the outside fire, for awhile. Hiker Dad, his son Specks, and his friend Tom were at the shelter, I hiked with them for a little while, which was nice because they were fast and good to have as pacers.Entered The Great Smoky National Park today, walked across Fontana Dam and started a very long gradual climb, above Fontana Lake. It was a fairly warm day although it started to snow, lightly, about 10 miles in. The trail wasn't difficult, but was sloppy, due to wet conditions from snow melt. The shelter was full with section hikers, six thru hikers and ATC Trail Ridge Runner "TBone". TBone was a great source of info., refence weather reports, etc.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Hard day of hiking, due to deep sloppy snowpack, very high winds and steep terrain. It started to rain about one mile from the shelter, thus I was fortunate, some hikers ended up stopping at another shelter, due to the rain. I climbed Rocky Top, from the bluegrass song.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The plan for today was to hike to Newfound Gap and then call for a shuttle into Gatlinburg, where I would take a much needed zero day. The weather forecast called for light rain/snow showers. The hike covered the AT's tallest peak, Clingmans Dome. The conditions were difficult due to the snowpack (2 to 4 feet), but we were able to walk on top of most of the snowpack, due to the hard crust, I only broke through it a couple dozen times. You could see where the previous hikers, from the snowstorm days, had postholed (their feet sank into the snow) the entire way, sometimes as deep as 2 or 3 feet. The main hazard for us was avioding the deep holes, from the previous hikers. The light snow showers turned into moderate snow showers, so by the time we (8 hikers) arrived at Newfound Gap the Park Service had closed the road, to Gatlinburg (15 miles). Our remaining option was to hike 3 miles further, to the next shelter, which we later learned was full of boy scouts, thus we would probably have had to put up our tents, in the snow. Fortunatly the Park Sevice Ranger was still in the parking area and he arranged for us to get rides down to the visitor center, where we were driven, by Hiker Dad's brother-in-law to downtown Gatlinburg. I am staying in a motel tonight and tomorrow (zero day). I will restock, do laundry, etc, before heading back into the Smoky's and to Hot Springs.
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: few clouds

Departed Gatlinburg via free ride from the NOC staff, NOC'c new Gatlinburg outfitter store opens April 1st. Hiked all day with Craig and Kurt, 2 brothers (mid 20's) from Wisconsin. They are both also into distance running. They don't have trail names yet. It was the best day, since starting, a warm bluebird clear day with no wind, and great views. I took some pictures but still don't have access to a computer, with the right connection, to download them to this site. We hiked on snowpack all day, but it was hard enough to walk on top of the snow for most of the day. We made really good time and arrived at the shelter early, around 3:30, and eventually started a fire (it was difficult to find dry firewood). Also, I forgot to mention that on the hike over Clingman's Dome (2 days prior), I was the first to leave the shelter and since it was snowing lightly I had first tracks, except for a cat's tracks which followed the trail for at least 4 or 5 miles, I think that it was a bobcat, or something about that size. I never got a chance to see it.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Grren Corner Road
Miles today: 18.1

Craig, Kurt, and I departed for the Standing Bear Farm Hostel at around 9am. The first half of the hike we hiked on snowpack, sometimes sloppy wet, due to snowmelt and intermittent rain showers. It was also very windy during the morning hours. The weather improved by afternoon, and the hike became easier, with lower terrain, no snowpack, no rain, or windy conditions. When we passed Davenport Gap, TN, we exited the northern boundary of the Great Smoky National Park. thus we survived the Smokys. We arrived at the Hostel around 4 pm and were able to restock, for the hike to Hot Springs NC, which should take two full days, but we are planning on three, just in case. The hostel is very unique, with wood stoves, old manual washing machine (scrum board, with ringer), etc.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Grren Corner Road

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

Hikes with Craig and Kurt, who now have trail names, Seabiscut and Charlie Brown, respectively. It rained all day, with some wind. Max Patch Summit is reported to have one of the best views, of all of the AT, but it was cloudy, I think we were actually hiking inside of a cloud. We were very cold and wet when we arrived in camp. Other thru-hikers at the shelter included: Hot Lips Hooleran, Enoch, and Brother Time, with his dog, Paxson.
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

The weather improved overnight, so we woke up before sunrise and slackpacked (hiking without a pack) back to Max Patch Summit to watch the sunrise, it was 1.8 miles, each way. The hike was worth it, because the views were great. I took some pictures, but still can't download them, since this computer doesn't have a card slot. We returned to the shelter for breakfast, then hiked into Hot Springs. The AT passes through the town, down the sidewalks. We stayed at Elmers Sunnybank Inn, which is a nice hostel, with homemade food. Earl Shaffer, stayed at Sunnybank, in 1948, he was the first person to complete an AT thru-hike. We are taking tomorrow as a zero day, and then it's off to Erwin Tn, which should take 3 nights/4 days. I estimate that it will take approx 12 hiking days to get to Damascus, Va.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Log Cabin Drive
Miles today: 16.3

Hiking w/ C-biscuit & Charlie Brown. Rain all day, thus sloppy trail with a lot of blowdowns, causing slipping, sliding, & falling. Stopped at Hemlock Hollow Farm Hostel, .7 hike off trail. Very nice hostel, Hatti was the lady in charge, great place to get out of the rain.
Date: 2010-03-30
From: Log Cabin Drive

To: hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: broken clouds

Hike to Flint Mtn Shelter (16 miles). Started out cloudy but turned into a great, warm, sunny day. We ate dinner, then C-Biscuit & I started a night hike to the next shelter. There was a full moon, thus it was a nice hike. We arrived at 1 am.
Date: 2010-03-31
From: hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 13.5

Slept late and took our time, so Charlie Brown could catch up later in the day (he stayed at Flint Mtn Shelter yesterday (didn't do the night hike). He did a very fast speed hike and caught up at lunchtime, a lot faster than we thought. We stopped at Bald Mtn Shelter where we ran into a weird section hiker, he wasn't dressed or equipped like a hiker and carried a big knife. He gave vague answers to our questions. We chose to continue hiking, leaving the weird hiker behind. We had to get through some snow fields and then camped at Whistling Gap.
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Whistling Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Fast hike into Erwin TN, staying at Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel, great place, a lot of hikers are staying here. We will leave tomorrow and plan to resuppy at Kincora Hiking Hostel (S of Hampton TN) then on to Damascus, VA.
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Hot and sunny day, lots of uphills, great pine grove at the top of Unaka Mtn - where the hiking was very soft, due to all of the pine needles (it would have been a greaat place to take a nap). C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown and I stopped at a road crossing, next to some horse trailers, to eat lunch. The horseback riders returned, while we were there, and gave us some cold drinks and food (trail magic). Other hikers at the shelter included: Firstman (just back from 2 years in Poland), Walt and his dog Patches (a retired police officer - who was very nice to talk to), and JP (Magellan). During the night Patches barked at, and briefly ran after, what we believe to have been coyotes. Also, for those of you who wanted me to grow a big beard (fire co. guys), I tired but had to shave it off, it was too hot, and I am too hot natured to begin with, thus I have been shaving when I reach trail towns.
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunny, great weather day, although hard, with a lot of up hills. We stopped at Hughes Gap, TN 1330, where a husband and wife were providing trail magic, sodas, water, chips, etc. It was a great rest spot prior to starting up Roan Mtn., which was a very long, hard climb, with a lot of snow and ice at the top, changing to sloppy trail conditions, on the descent, due to the snowmelt turning the AT into a shoe soaking creek. This is supposed to be the last of the snow, for us, finally! A group of five of us hiked together to the OverMountain Shelter ( C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown, Mouse, myself, and Sockburn (Andreas from Germany, who has, so far, burned 3 socks while trying to dry them). The shelter is a large red converted barn, with two sleeping levels. At night, we could hear coyotes howling, in the distance. There were 8 or 9 section hikers at the shelter, plus Mellowyellow, Deathmarch, Sugarbush (from Vermont), her dog Cole, Mouse, Sockburn, and us.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Great Easter Sunday hiking day. We (C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown, Sockburn, and myself) crossed the NC to TN state line for the last time (the AT crosses numerous times). The next state line we cross will be TN into VA. We hiked at a very quick pace, around 3 miles per hour (normal is approx 2 1/2 per hour). At US 19 we hiked half a mile to a Steakhouse, which had an all you can eat buffet. Fortunatly, they had an outdoor seating area, so we didn't stink up the restaurant where everyone else was dressed in their Sunday church clothes. They lost money, with us, as we were very hungry, and went back to the buffet many times. Due to the feast, our hiking speed slowed down for the rest of the day. We arrived at the Mountaineer Shelter (a very nice new shelter) about an hour before sunset. Pappy and his grandson, Happy, were already there (section hikers).Also, when we went to the steakhouse, to eat, Sockburn did not want to go, because he wanted to get to town, where he could get some money, from an ATM, even though we offered to loan him some money. While we were walking up the half mile hill, he exited a truck, ahead of us. It turns out that some people, at the road crossing, felt sorry for him not being able to eat, and gave him $25 for food. Then the trail angels, from yesterday, happened to drive by and gave him a ride to the steakhouse. Pretty good trail magic.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: mountaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove
Miles today: 15.6

This morning while getting ready to leave the shelter, we saw two coyotes run past, with a hounddog in pursuit. C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown, and I hiked to Dennis Cove (USFS 50), then proceeded .2 west to the Kincora Hiking Hostel, which is a donation only hostel. It's run by Bob Peoples, who gives hikers free rides to Hampton TN, to resupply. Mouse, Campchair, and some other hikers were there also. We are going to try to get to Damascus, VA, by Wed afternoon (50 miles over 2 days - but not very hard terrain) so we can meet up with Collin (from my beach gang), who has offered to put us up for the night and feed us (trail magic).
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Dennis Cove

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.6
Weather: clear sky

Very hot hiking day. C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown, and I wanted to get in a high mileage day, so we could make Damascus by Wed afternoon, where we would meet Collin, for some trail magic. We stopped at Watauga Lake, where we had a great view of the lake, and some boat traffic. We then hiked to Vandeventer Shelter, where we planned to eat dinner, prior to a night hike. We also planned to stop at a spring a couple miles prior to the shelter, for water. Unfortunatly the spring was either dry, or we could not find it, since all we saw was a pool of nasty water, which we declined to use. Thus, we ran out of water and when we finally arrived at the shelter we had to scramble down a steep .3 mile ravine to get water. After a lengthly dinner break we hiked on to the Iron Mountain Shelter (night hike).
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Marathon day (almost). We got an early start at 6:10, before sunrise, and hiked fast over mostly gentle terrain into Damascus. We stopped at all of the shelters, for quick breaks, and arrived at 4 pm. About 3 miles from town we entered the Mount Rogers Park area, which is also the Tennessee-Virginia state line, thus we finally get to start Virginia, which is the longest AT state, at over 500 miles. Collin was waiting for us and drove us to his and Margie's house, stopping, along the way at Dip Dog, for fresh corndogs and milkshakes - they definately hit the spot. We enjoyed an excellent home cooked meal, washed laundry, and watched some TV. It was well worth the high mileage days and we very much appreciated Collin and Margie's Trail Magic. Tomorrow we plan to take a much needed zero day, in Damascus, and get back on the trail Friday.
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day in Damascus, VA, after a great day in Wytheville, with friends. Thanks again to Collin, Margie, and Dundee. We are staying in The Victorian Inn B&B's cottage, which is very nice, so nice that we took off our shoes, at the front door. It doesn't cost very much, although it's more than the bunkhouse fee, but after yesterday, and last night's feast, we wanted to extend the comfortable lifestyle until tomorrow. It's raining today, thus it's perfect timing for a zero day, the weather is forecast to be nice for the next 7 or 8 days.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Spent the morning in town, thus didn't get on the trail until after 1 pm. Stopped at the first shelter. We will have to hike some 20+ days to keep on schedule. Hiked with C-Biscuit and Charlie Brown. We saw Cakon, in town and also at the shelter.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

Hiked with C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown & Cakon. Hiked along the VA Creeper Trail for awhile again today. There were a couple of big climbs, up to 5000+, first to Buzzard Rockn where we saw a wild mtn goat, but couldn't get a picture., then up to Mt Rogers, which is VA's highest peak at 5729', which was covered by a Frazier Fur forest, thus no views. We stoppd at the Thomas Knob Shelter, which had an attic (where everyone slept - since it was warmer). Wild ponies were in the area, and visited the shelter during the night.
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Dickey Gap, VA
Miles today: 21.2

Hiked with C-Biscuit, Charlie Biscuit & Cakon. We meant Oops at the Old Orchard Shelter7n he is a photographer, carrying a lot of photo gear, which looked heavy. We entered the Grayson Highlands State Park, and stayed at the Troutdale Baptist Church Hostel. We estocked at Jerry's Kitchen & Goods (they also picked us up near the trailhead- after were able to finally get enough cel-service to be able to call them)m Shlep and Gerta were also at the hostel. Gerta is visiting fom Munich Germany.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Dickey Gap, VA

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Had a huge breakfast at Jerry's Kitchen & Goods. C-Biscuit ate biscuits with sausage gravy, for the first time, he liked it and wants some more.Hiked today with C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown, and on & off with Cakon and Shlep. C-Biscuit experienced another first when crossing a cow field, he was able to pet a cow (city boy?). We stopped at the Mt Rogers Visitor Center, where we enjoyed sodas and chocolate bars. We continued on to the Chatfield Shelter, for the night, where we meant Bloodhound, who is a very nice retired guy from NC, near the VA border.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Easy day, with a couple of good climbs. C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown, and I got up early to hike the 4.5 miles to Atkins, VA, so we could eat breakfast at The Barn Diner. It was good and cheap, which are both hiker favorites. We crossed under I-81 and into an area of farmfields, then into the hills, crossing some fields with cows again. We stopped to eat lunch at what we estimated to be the AT's 1/4 mark, since there wasn't a sign marker (mile 544.7). Also at the shelter were BloodHound and BlueMoon.
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Campsite
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

Hiked on and off, all day, with C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown, Bloodhound, and BlueMoon. There were a couple of big climbs, greater than 2000'. we stopped for lunch at the Chestnut Knob Shelter, which is a converted fire warden's cabin. We then hiked to Jenkin's Shelter, enroute most of us ran out of water, but it wasn't too bad. After a rehydration break, C-Biscuit, Charlie Brown, and I hiked on to the Laurel creek Campsite, so we would be able to get to Bland early tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Laurel Creek Campsite

To: Bland, Virginia
Miles today: 7.5

Nero day. A "Nero Day" is a day where you hike into town early enough that it feels like you have been there all day, so it feels like a Zero Day. It was a pretty easy hike into town, although we went the wrong way at the road intersection and continued hiking for approx a 1/2 mile, thus we hiked about an extra mile to get to town. We hitch hiked the rest of the way into town, getting a ride fairly quickly. We are waiting for Joe "Grandpa Joe - as previouly described" to pick us up, and are going to get together with Collin, Margie, Joe, and some other people this evening, which should be another great time.PS: I adjusted the mileage, to equal to trail guide. Today's actual mileage was 7.1, but shows as 7.5. I am not sure how the totals got off track.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Bland, Virginia

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: few clouds

We had a great nero day yesterday, capped off by another one of Margie's great home cooked breakfasts. Yesterday afternoon Joe picked us up, from Bland, and took us to Collin's lake house, which is beautiful. Collin then gave us a tour of the lake, via boat, with C-Biscuit doing some slalom skiing on the way back (the rest of us were too tired to try). We were treated to a huge rib, corn, and all the fixings cookout. Some other beach gang members were there, including the Lester's, and Mike and Lisa. Everything was great, the best kind of trail magic possible. This morning Charlie Brown decided that it would be a convenient place to get off of the trail, to go home. He found out that he needed another pre-req class to be able to take his fall college classes, thus he knew that he would have to get off the trail eventually, and by doing it now, he could work and save up some money. He was happy to make the AT's 25% mark and enjoyed Collin & Margie's trail magic. He is already greatly missed, it won't be the same without him, but we will go on. Today, C-Biscuit and I hiked to the next shelter, where we feasted on some of Collin's left over ribs & corn (the best shelter dinner ever). Thanks again to Collin & Margie. Goodbye Charlie Brown, "gone but not forgotten".
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Sugar Run Gap
Miles today: 20.4

Stayed at Jenny Knob Shelter last night, where we spoke to Crusty Dusty (who moved on for the night) and Bud (who stayed at the shelter). We hiked 6.4 miles to VA 606, and then 1/2 a mile to Trent's Grocery where we ate corn dogs and homemade milkshakes, Bud also stopped there. Had a couple long hills to climb today, including one after lunch, after the Wapiti Shelter. We stopped at VA 663 and hiked a 1/2 mile to Woods Hole Hostel, which is a very famous hostel, run by the granddaughter of the lady who ran the hostel for many years, they are know for their homemade biscuits. Tomorrow we have a short, approx 10 mile, hike into Pearisburg, Va. I will post more pictures, hopefully, in Pearisburg.