morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-10-13
From: Roan Knob Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: mist

Day 122 10/13/ 15From Roan High Knob Shelter to Cherry Gap Shelter for 17.6 miles. Jay and Bret got up at 6 and got going early but it was misty and cold and I didn't want to head out on that stuff. I bid them farewell as they headed to their motorcycles. I finally got off at 9 as the day was like you were walking through a cloud. Once I came down off the mountain things warmed up and I came out of the clouds. When the sun came out it became a nice day but still cool. During the day I passed several hiker headed to Roan High Knob Shelter. I felt bad for one old guy as he said he didn't feel right and was waiting for Uncle Johnny to come pick him up. During the day I flushed out a few grouse, many do I hate doing that because they take off with no warning and scare the bajeebees out of you. When I arrived at the shelter there were 3 local guys already there. They had hiked in for the night and were going to sit around the camp fire and drink so whiskey. They were nice guys, they reminded me of Scavach, Moore, and Bad Cote back home. It's funny on the trail different people remind me of people back home. The guys stayed up to about 2:30 AM partying but I had set my tent up away from the shelter so it didn't bother me. During the night it got pretty cold I think down to the high 30s. During the day I took a picture of what I thought was a centipede. I wasn't sure if it was a centipede or millipede so I didn't touch it. I thought the centipedes bite or sting
Date: 2015-10-14
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Rover Road in Erwin TN and Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

Day 123 10/14/15From Cherry Gap Shelter to Rover Road in Erwin TN and Uncle Johnny's 17.1 miles. I got up left before the local guys stirred. I didn't think they were going anywhere fast because they were up at 2:30 still getting cocked and hooting and hollering. The day started off cool but it warmed up and was a beautiful fall day. The smell of the fall leaves was in the air and you couldn't beat it. About 8 miles from Uncle Johnny's I was met with the first trail magic since PA. A guy from the Christian ministry was parked at a road crossing and have me an apple, a brownie, and two pieces of pumpkin bread. I saw a few section hikers but not too many people on the trail. I made it into Uncle Johnny's by 15:30 and was able to take a shower and hang out a bit before taking the shuttle into town at 5:30. I'm not sure if Uncle Johnny felt sorry for me but he had his worker put me in a small cottage by myself instead of the bunk room. At dinner I ate to meals then went to Walmart and resupplied. Before retiring for the night I met a guy who was section hiking. He taught animal science at Auburn and both his kids went there. He and his daughter were going to hike parts of the Smokies so I said maybe I would see them.
Date: 2015-10-15
From: Rover Road in Erwin TN and Uncle Johnny's

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter 
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: few clouds

Day 124 10/15/15From Uncle Johnny's to River Road in Erwin TN and then to Hogback Ridge Shelter for 26.9 milesI started early because it was about 5000 feet of elevation gain today and I wanted to do 23 miles. I had decided instead of 4 days to Hot Springs if I did it in 3 I could bank a day. I climbed for most of the morning. I took a nice picture of the son rising over the river valley where Johnny's was. It seemed like the terrain kept going up and up. I passed Robyn and Ishba at a shelter just before High Bald. I was shooting for a campsite after the bald. Just before high bald there was someone with the forestry department tagging birds. The had a pigeon on a ripe and bets around it. There was also a blind with people in it. I passed this and made my way to the summit. At the top of high bald I met Devin, his wife, and his brother. They gave me a Coke, a cookie, and some cheese-its. I thanked them graciously and took everything they had to offer. Devin asked several question about me and the hike and then gave me his contact number and stated if I ever wanted to stay at his cabin in the valley at Wolf something, I can't remember the name to give him a call. I headed down the hill and passed a lady that I would see hiking again outside of Hot Springs. I kept going looking for my campsite when I passed Grouse who was friends with Robyn and Ishba and had missed them at the last shelter. Grouse said he was going to the next shelter but I told him it was too far for me. About a mile after speaking to him I realized that I had passed the campsite I was shooting for and the next shelter was the next spot for water. I continued to the shelter even though I had to hike in the dark for an hour and a half. A lot of people like night hiking but I don't see the allure. I wouldn't have done it if not for the water. I arrived at the shelter and there were two people already there but they were tenting so I set my tent up in the shelter saving room for Grouse but he never showed that night. When u arrived I made small talk with a guy that said he was from New Hampshire. When I asked him twice how long he had been on the trail he snapped at me saying 10 weeks and 2 days. I told him he was the rudest person I met on the trail and don't bother talking to me anymore. He tired to make small talk and I said I wasn't talking to him. I wanted to unload on him after a long day but I bit my tongue. I think I angered him when he said he was a thru hiker but he was hiking from ct to springer and he had done the other portion when he got out of college. I had called him a section hiker and I think that made him mad. The next day I said nothing but to have a nice trip and I left
Date: 2015-10-16
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter 

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 125 10/16/15From Hogback Ridge Shelter to Little Laurel Shelter for 22 milesAs I said in the last post I headed out early with few words for the rude guy from NH. Today I flushed another 5 grouses startling me each time. I stopped at Jerry Cabin shelter for a snack where I met three peoplefrom Germany and I let them use my filter because they had no water treatment. There was a section hiker there enjoying the sun. I asked him to explain to the guy from NH what a thru hiker is according to ATC. The trail climbed over a ridge and I thought I was back in NH but there were limited views. This climb was not worth the time as it slowed me down and I got no real good views. I made to the shelter and met 4 older guys from Tenn who were out doing a section hike. The guys were very nice and asked me if I wanted to join them around their fire which I did. About an hour after I got to he shelter the German folks showed up. I let them use my filter agin and then watched them as they made their dinner. They had a head of celery, another vegetable I'm not sure what it was that they were going to add to a big metal pot of lentils that they were cooking on the campfire. The night was another cold one getting down close to freezing but I stayed warm with my gear. My mattress has a slow leak so at night when I get up to relieve myself I blow my mattress back up a bit because it gives me more warmth and is better when I sleep on my boney hips. During the day I came across a grave stone of a guy from CT so I took a pic of it so I can look it up when I get home.
Date: 2015-10-17
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC and Laughing Heart Hostel
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 126 10/17/15From Little Laurel Shelter to Hot Springs NC and Laughing Heart Hostel for 19.6 miles.I slept well in the cold air and would have over slept if not woken up by my friends from TN who were packing up. I got my stuff together and got out before everyone else. I said good bye to my new friends and began to motor. I had an early down hill and then had a few steep climbs with no switchbacks. It being the weekend I saw several day hikers. I saw even more day hikers as I neared Hot Springs. I even saw a woman that I had seen hiking on Big Bald. I made it into town by 4:30 a little later the. I wanted but still went to Iron Horse for a burger hen made my way to the Hostel. I was glad that I made it when I did because the caretakers helper almost gave my room to someone else. While at the hostel I met Inspector Clue So and Nameless who had jumped ahead 100 miles to hike in the Smokies with a friend. They told me that many of the people I knew were only a few days behind. I had my wash done went to the diner in town for dinner and family dollar for a few additional item.
Date: 2015-10-18
From: Hot Springs NC and Laughing Heart Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Day 127 10/18/15From Laughing Heart Hostel to Roaring Fork Shelter for 18 milesIt was cold in the morning and I knew I didn't have huge miles today so I didn't get off until 9. So after I started a couple passed me like I was standing still. Granted I had 5 days of food so I could make it through the Smokies but I thought that Thea people had to be thru hikers. I found out later that these were in fact flip-floppers Sassafras and Ascot. I passed a few section hikers headed into Hot Springs. One of the section hikers I met was a guy from West Hartford, his trail name was Ghetto. We talked for a bit he told me that people on Max Patch last night had their water freeze. I continued trough the day and made it to the shelter by 5. It was already getting cold so I decided to stay in thee shelter. I pitched my tent in the shelter and event lit a campfire to keep warm. This would be my coldest night yet.
Date: 2015-10-19
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 128 10/19/15From Roaring Fork Shelter to Davenport Gap Shelter for 18.7 milesIt was tough to get going because it was cold but I had to in order to get warm. Lynn posted to the blog and wanted to know what it looked like so I took several pics. I was moving along early and messed up. I missed a turn and had to walk over Max Patch in reverse NB. There was frost on the trail where the sun had not yet touched. As I climbed up Max Patch from the south I rubbed my nose and I got a bloody nose that was gushing. It took all the tissues I had to stop the bleeding. On the way down the north side of the Patch I met Smoke Signal and Gandalf the Brown. Lynn Max Patch was beautiful. There were no more flowers but red and yellow fall colors. The grass was still green and the views went as far as you could see. Check out the pictures. As I made my way down the slope to Standing Bear hostel I met a few folks who told me I needed a permit for the Smokies so I called BLT and she got me one, there is no one better than her. I made my way down the hill but did not go into Standing Bear, I continued on to the entrance of the Smokies and to he Shelter. There I met Sassafras and her partner I think his name was Ascot. I also met two section hikers Goodtimes and his friend. His shelter had a gate on it with a fireplace inside. I got some wood for Goodtimes and we had a good fire. Later that night after dark Smoke Signal and Gandalf he Brown came in I can only think they went to Standing Bear.
Date: 2015-10-20
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Peck Corner Shelter 
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 129 10/20/15From Davenport Gap Shelter to Peck Corner Shelter for 20 milesI was the third to head out from the shelter. Good Times and his friend got up at 6 and left and Smoke Signal and Gandalf the Brown followed right after them. The hike was mostly up hill as I headed into the smokies bit there were not many views. I caught up with Good Times and his friend after a couple hours. I talked with them and listened to Good Times stories as he had done a SOBO hike last year that started in July of 2014 and ended in March of 2015. He had many interesting stories. But at one point I realized that he and I had hiked ahead of his friend so I decided to hike alone. At some point Sassafras and Ascot passed us. I made it to Tri-corner knob Shelter and saw Smoke Signal, Gandalf, Sassafras, and Ascot. Smoke and Gandalf continued on as did I and Sassafras and Ascot stayed. I made it to Peck Corner Shelter at about 6 I was not happy that it was .5 from the trail. There was room in the shelter so I set my stuff up in the shelter and started cooking dinner. I had passed Smoke and Gandalf on the trail so they showed up a bit later. I had just finished cooking my meal and was talking to a guy named John who was a personal trainer from Ft Lauderdale, when a group of 8 people from REI showed up. The leader was a bit rude as he said I have a group of eight who have reservations who are the through hikers. Knowing the process I said I was and I know the deal I just needed time to get my stuff together. His presentation just seemed very rude. Myself, Smoke, Gandalf, and another guy packed our stuff and headed of to tent. The guy almost kicked out a French girl who didn't have a permit. He was just over the top. Before I feel asleep I heard the Barred Owl and knew it would be a good day.
Date: 2015-10-21
From: Peck Corner Shelter 

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 130 10/21/15From Peck Corner Shelter to Double Spring Gap Shelter for 21.2 milesI headed out before dawn because I knew I had some good climbs and I had to do 21 miles. John the personal trainer from Ft Lauderdale said good bye to me before he left. Thinking it was the Rei guy as his head lamp shined in my eyes I snapped at him which was wrong. I would later catch up to him and apologize. I met with John about 3 hours into the hike. John explained how he works with older clients training them how to keep in shape. I explained about my blog and how Big Sal monitors it regularly. I explained Sal situation and John stated he has a client with cortical basal cell degeneration. He said he and this client have been working to try to curb the symptoms. John gave his info in case I wanted more info. We hiked together for a while and then John told me to go ahead. I passed him and climbed Solutude and then Charles Bunion both the top and bottom. I started back south on the trail and met up with John again as I was getting water. I lent him my filter as I had done earlier. I then continued on to Newfound Gap and the parking lot was packed on a Wednesday. I had also passed many sat hikers wishing them all good hike. When I got to the gap I saw smoke signal and Gandalf the brown try to hitch a ride into Gatlinburg. I also saw Sassafrassand Ascot coming down the Gil right after me. I continued on the Clingmans Dome only passing a few day hikers on this section of the trail. I decided to cook my dinner below the tower as it was warm and sunny. People heard me talking to others about my hike and I became a celebrity of isorts. One nice couple from Minnesota gave me so trail mix and an apple, which I have to say was the best apple I had in a long time. What kind was that again. A few other folks congratulated me and took pictures with me. By the time I realized it, it was getting late and I had to push to the shelter where I set up my tent. I had met them briefly at the dome but spoke again with a family of three flip-floppers, sweet roll, Beyonc©,and I cannot remember the mothers name. All in all it was a great day on the trail.
Date: 2015-10-22
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 131 10/22/15From Double Spring Gap Shelter to Mollies Ridge Shelter for 20 miles.The day started off cold again I would say in the mid 30s at the elevation we were at. I hiked most of the morning with cold weather clothes on until about 11 when the sun has warned things up. I passed several section hikers head toward the dome. I took some pictures as the sun came up. One was of the clouds in the valley. I also later got some pictures of the fall foliage. The odd thing is that in certain spots the leaves have all fallen and in others they are just changing or still green. I have been trying to figure out what has been turning up the dirt near the trail and today I thought I had figured it out. I heard something scratching the leaves just over the ridge so I got my camera and started making my way up the ridge thinking I might get a picture of a bear but when I got to the top two turkeys popped their heads up and ran down the slope. I got to the nights shelter by 5:30 cooked dinner and set up my bed. I am typing my journal listening to the mice scurry around the shelter. I also experienced the Tennessee way, at this shelter, you go the bathroom on one side of the ridge, no privy, just a poop field and you get your water on the other side of the ridge. Yah nasty!!!!!! Also today I hit the 2000 mile mark. Tomorrow down to Fontana Dam and the end of the Smokies, with 167 miles to go.
Date: 2015-10-23
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Fontana Dam then to Hike Inn
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Day 132 10/23/15From Mollies Ridge Shelter to Fontana Dam then to Hike Inn for 10.7 miles.I started the day early because the mouse / squirrel / rat activity during the night drove me crazy. I'm not quite sure what was in the shelter but then were pretty load all night. I thought that I would motor to the dam and have a lot of time to update my blog, eat, and resupply. I was making great time for the first two hours getting 6 miles down, then it happened. The sides of the trail was all dug up and the bears were having a field day picking through the overturned earth. Within a 2 mile distance I saw 9 bears within 25 feet of the trail. Of the 9 there were two moms with 2 cubs each. Then I saw the cause of the overturned earth, a 400 pound wild hog. I thought the hog was a huge bear because it had black hind quarters but as it rooted around I realized it was a hog. Like with the bears as I approached the hog it ran away. I was all set with wild life and just wanted to motor to the dam when I round a corner and almost stepped on a rattlesnake that was choking down chipmunk. I had to walk down the slope to get by the snake. I then continued on to the dam warning folks as I passed them. I got to the dam and observed that the water level was down about 50 feet. I found out later that this was done on purpose to make sure there was space for their rainy season. I went inside the visitor center and spoke to the volunteer, Leon. He was very interested in my hike and the animals that I had seen today. I used the courtesy phone to call the Hike Inn and they picked me up and they brought me back to the Inn where I am now doing my blog now. While I was making my way down the hill I took a side trial which lead to a fire tower where I was able to get a pic of the fog rising from Fontana lake.
Date: 2015-10-24
From: Fontana Dam then to Hike Inn

To: Locust Cove Gap campsite
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 133 10/24/15From the Hike Inn back to the Fontana Dam Visitor Center then to Locust Cove Gap campsite for 18.7 miles.I got a ride back to the Visitor Center at 7:30 but stayed at the center for a while using the Internet and face timing BLT. Once I got started the trail lead to the shelter called the Fontana Hilton past the marina and then up a big climb. The weather had projected no rain until Monday but during the day I got sprinkled on twice. While at the marina I took a picture of a daddy-long-legs orgy on the bathroom wall. Later in the day I saw an owl glide soundlessly across the trail. I was able to get a picture of it perched in a tree. I thought it had too much brown in its feathers to be a barred owl but after it few away I heard a barred owl calling in the area.   As the day grew longer and the light got muted I noted how spectacular the pink/peach and yellow color of the fall leaves looked. Just before getting to camp I took a picture of three green beetles wrestling. I thought the caption on the picture should read three's a crowd. Even though the weather didn't call for rain until Monday I am sitting in my tent listening the the pitter-patter of the rain on my tent. I was going to stay in a shelter but decided to tent since it wasn't going to rain, what are you going to do.
Date: 2015-10-25
From: Locust Cove Gap campsite

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 134 10/25/15From Locust Cove Gap campsite to US 19 & 74 and Nantahala Outdoor Center for 10.3 miles.I had camped with Sassafras, Ascot, and a kid by the name of Bret. When I got up my tent was a little wet but not too bad. I took my time getting started because I knew I only had 10 miles to go. The first climb today reminded me of a climb in Vermont. The climb yesterday and today seemed to be steeper then anything in the Smokies. As the day progressed the sun actually came out and it ended up being a nice day. I got to the NOC before 1:45. There were people kayaking in the white water and others hanging around the river. I got a room for the night and then went to lunch. I invited the kid Bret to stay in my room since I had a spare bunk in the room. The weather for the next 4 days appears to be rain. I guess I'll be hiking in the rain.
Date: 2015-10-26
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

Day 135 10/26/15From Nantahala Outdoor Center to Wayah Bald Shelter for 16.5 miles.I left the NOC at about 9. I let Bret close up the room because he wanted to leave later. When I started it was misting and drops would fall off the trees when the wind blew. The climb out of the Nantahala River valley was the last climb over 1500 feet, it was about 3500 today. When we got to the top of the mountains we were in the clouds very similar to the rainy days in Virginia. The rain started coming down heavier at about 2 and it got considerably colder. Ascot, Sassafras and I passed each other during the day and when I showed up at the shelter they were there with two other gentlemen from Mississippi. During the day I flushed out another grouse which scared me as usual. The weather report is predicting more rain and cold temps tomorrow so I may see if I can get into Franklin for the night to dry off. I will see what daylight brings.
Date: 2015-10-27
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Rte 64 Winding Stair Gap and into Franklin NC and 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 136 10/27/15From Wayah Bald Shelter to Rte 64 Winding Stair Gap and into Franklin NC and the Microtel for 11 miles.Well it rained all night and was cold enough so that in my 20 degree bag I was on the verge of uncomfortable. During the night the wind must have been blowing into the shelter because everything was wet or damp. It was raining early so everyone was moving slow in the am. You had to get yourself psyched to get going in the morning. Sassafras and Ascot were heading out first but I told them I could not hike all day in the rain and was going to go into Franklin after 11 miles. Because of me tapping out for the day we said good byes and congrats as I didn't think I would see them again.The judge used me as an excuse to also call it quits. He was going to hike to the Bald where he was going to get a ride. During the day it rained most of the day and the cold wind was blowing. At one point I had difficulty working the zipper on my pants as my hands had frozen in the position of my hiking poles. As I was hiking I was passed by Mountain Goat and Chedder. The weather was so bad that at one point I came across a camp site that appeared to have been abandoned. There was a tent overturned with a couple quilts in it along with two rain tarps. About a quarter mile down the trail I saw a pair of boots on the side of the trail. I finished the 11 miles to Rte 64 and attempted to hitch hike into Franklin but no one was stopping so I started walking the 11 miles to Franklin just to keep warm. About 5 minutes into my walk a young guy working for a rental company picked me up and brought me directly to the Microtel. Where I took a warm shower to thaw out. Later that day I ate at a few restaurants and did laundry in case I was going to go back out the next day.