morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-06
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Ugh. So to continue the story from last night, after I finally made it to bed it started really storming around midnight. The lightning and thunder seemed like it just feet away. I also realized that I forgot to stake the rain fly right by my head, only the most important one! I probably slept about four hours, when I woke it was misty and windy but not pouring anymore. I was so out of it, I put everything except the tent in my bag and walked down to the shelter just to be away from the elements. The tents down there definitely got wetter than mine, but they were blocked from the wind so were able to easily break down camp. I had some cold oatmeal and kind of watched everyone from the shelter get up, get ready and leave. It was like I was just paralyzed and couldn¢t process anything. I lied down for a second and considered taking a zero, but wasn¢t really sure what I would do for a whole foggy day there. I finally decided to cook some warm oatmeal, which seem to help and finally mustered up the courage to break down my tent. There were a bunch of people coming in to have breakfast so they motivated me as well. It was really hard trying to break down my tent in the wind, but I finally got it to a place where I could hide behind a tree from the wind and bag it all up. I think I finally got out of that shelter around 11 and still wasn¢t doing great. I walked out with Packman, who was very nice but a large slow fellow with a big bag. Passed him, And basically hiked alone to Stecoah Gap. I was going to eat lunch there, but on the picnic tables a church from Robbinsville had left bananas and little snack packs. Official trail magic! There was a trash can there too (yes these things are super exciting for backpackers) but it was overflowing. I talked with and hiked out with the Indoor Kid, but he slowed down so I went ahead. Here was Jacobs Ladder, a notorious climb up. It was definitely steep (there were times I was walking on my tiptoes), but it was only half a mile and not that bad. Someone said it used to be worse, but they added switchbacks at the top now. I hit the shelter pretty early, and indoor kid showed up a bit later. We stopped to have lunch and fill water, and were debating staying or continuing on. There were not a lot of good campsites, so indoor kid pressed on. After the night/morning I had was waffling but decided to stay. More of just a chance to regroup mentally in addition to drying out my tent and footprint. About an hour later Rob, who I had shared a hostel with in Franklin showed up later and decided to tent. He offered to hang my bear bag (what had been my clothes dry bag) with his since I had left my line and carabiner in all of the craziness the previous night. Then a big group arrived within an hour of each other - two older women from Australia and 3 kids from Philly. Could tell they had great banter and we all watched the sunset then slept in the shelter together. It was a great evening and exactly what I needed for a fresh restart!
Date: 2018-05-07
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

So even though there were no old guys at the shelter (who are usually the culprits) we still had a couple snorers. I woke up at 4 AM and put in earplugs and slept all the way until 8! The latest I¢ve slept in so far, think I needed it. I left with the Aussies and Philly crew but got ahead of them. I was feeling motivated after having a short/lame day and booked it the first few miles, ended up catching The Indoor Kid and Lawn Chair. You could get peeks of Fontana Lake, but no good views.When I got to the Marina/Hwy 28 crossing around 2, Rob and a couple other guys were there. A shuttle was on the way to take to the Village where there was restaurant, laundry, store, etc. So I waited a few minutes and the van pulled up. It was 3 dollars for a ride that was only a couple miles, but I didn¢t like my hitching chances so went in. The laundry was free so did that right away to jump ahead of people. So I was walking around in my jacket and rain skirt, which provided ample conversation. I saw some familiar faces like Peaches, Aing, Fartender, etc. and resupplied at the store. Someone had a bottle of orange juice that looked so good I downed a whole gallon!Peaches was going to the shelter on the shuttle and offered to take my full backpack so I could slackpack the mile from the road to the shelter (called the Fontana Hilton which I will describe later). Super nice of her. I finished everything and went up to the restaurant at the lodge where I saw Banana Boy, Fartender, and Drop Bear (cool guy from Australia). I wanted to sit by myself and update blog with their WiFi but the group wouldn¢t let me sit by myself. After a couple beers and nachos (with fake cheese:( later, Indoor Kid and Lawn Chair stopped by and said the shelter and tent sites around it were filling up. We weren¢t sure exactly what our stealth camping options were given so much private property, so I went back to get the shuttle. I wasn¢t really thinking, and when I got off the shuttle, it was at the shelter. So I never actually did the miles from Highway 28 to the Hilton. Oh well. The Fontana Dam Shelter is affectionately known as the ¢Fontana Hilton ¢. This is because it is a huge building on a aloe that sleeps 20, and right next-door is a bathroom running water and a shower. I was super excited for both! It is also a notable spot as being right before the Smoky Mountains.When I rolled up, it wasn¢t the typical shelter scene. Not sure how to describe it, but basically the words ¢grody party¢ came to mind. There were people that I think had been staying for days, and not because of injury. There was a guy leaving that said, ¢I've been here for days, starting to get sick of it¢ and walked out with his dog and a cardboard box with a flower vase in it. Which may not seem that weird in real life, but on the trail¢¦ I was debating finding an uneven or super stealth campsite, but since there was room at the shelter I just stayed there. Luckily some of the shadier people left or went to bed. A bunch of snorers, but I had my earplugs and slept beautifully!
Date: 2018-05-08
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Everyone was up around 6am. Apparently the snorers kept a lot of people up and no one slept except me! Since I had showered yesterday and didn¢t have to break down a tent, I utilized the running water and got an early start with Peaches and Grits. We all walked across the Dam together (which I believe is the tallest in the US after the Hoover Dam), entered the smokies, and put our permits in before Peaches and I got ahead of Grits. Peaches is originally from Kentucky but lives in Tacoma now so we talked about The Pacific Northwest. Grits is from Florida, probably at least in his 60s and looks like Willie Nelson. The Smokies are a but unique since they are trying to manage all the people coming through especially with bears. Thru hikers have to apply for a permit which is good for 30 days from purchase and you basically have 8 days from entering the park to get through, only staying at shelters. I believe section hikers actually have to reserve space in a specific shelter for the night. So if a shelter is full of sectioners, the thru hiker has to tent next to the shelter. Basically a lot of rules and tourists and I just wanted to get through. The morning was pretty uphill, but between talking with peaches and good views it went pretty quickly. We got to Mollies Ridge shelter which was about 12 miles in, but it was crowded and early so just had a snack and pressed on. The trail was lovely- compacted dirt and following along ridges rather than up and down over peaks. I think it helps too that there were no roads, which would mean going down to and up from a gap. We were above the leaves so had good views too. When we got to the next shelter it was still early, but didn¢t really press on so stayed there. I will say that the shelters in the Smokies were amazing- stone, fit at least 12 people, tarp in front, bear cables... Rob, Connor, Philly crew and a few other thru hikers came but no sectioners so there was plenty room in the shelter. As it was starting to get dark around 8, a thru hiker comes running in out of breath. I guess she had just seen a bear, made a lot of noise and it did not run away. That¢s the Smokies for you, the bears are aggressive. This does not mean they would attack a human, but they are not skittish/frightened by us and will stop at nothing to get food. That is why they require acres to stay at our camp near shelters. Sweet dreams!
Date: 2018-05-09
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

I started alone this morning, with Peaches/Rob/Aing ahead and passing the Philly crew. Definitely got steeper uphill and I was struggling to lunch at the Derrick Knob Shelter where I saw everyone again. Took a long lunch and drank a bunch of water so felt more refreshed. Basically the Smokies is a couple days up to Clingmans Dome and a couple days down so I was i the harder part. About a mile after lunch I walked past a wild turkey just kind of chilling on the trail. Passed the Silers Bald Shelter, but Double Spring seemed to have more water and privy so decided to continue on. Walked the last mile with the Philly crew, they are super cool. Professor is an art teacher for kids with disabilities and is raising money for his school. Recruited two of his rock climbing friends, Fedex and Four Step, to join him. They started after me but have been putting in some big days. I like their pace though and hope to stay around them. The last mile was through a pine forest, which was a nice change of scenery. When we got to the shelter, there were a bunch of thru hikers there including Rob, Aing, and Peaches. It was still early, but the next shelter was over 5 miles away and I wasn¢t looking to put in a 20 miles. Plus the privy was SUPER nice. It was decent weather out so was thinking about tenting, but I was lazy and didn¢t want to be the only one camping. Other people did come later to tent, but by that time I was already set up in the shelter. There were a few deer that stopped by that weren¢t skittish at all, which was cool (and less intimidating than bears)!
Date: 2018-05-10
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Left the shelter in the morning with Rob around 8am, and we were one of the last ones out! It started to switch between drizzling and pouring so we kept taking on and off our rain gear. It cleared up a bit when we got to Clingmans Dome, which is the tallest point along the AT. There is a cool walkway above the top to get a good view, but it was cold and windy so we didn¢t stay long. Not many tourists even though can drive right to it. Although I think we were lucky because when the Philly crew was there, they got hailed on! A few easy miles later we reached Newfound Gap. Not only was this the first road crossing we had seen for days, but it is a huge parking lot and destination for tourists. For through hikers it is great because there are flushing toilets, trash cans, and easy hitching to Gatlinburg. When we got there, it was like a big reunion with a bunch of through hikers we hadn¢t seen for a while. Peaches was getting picked up by a friend, who had brought a carton of supermarket turkey sandwiches. Even though it was dry hamburger bun, meat, and cheese, tasted delicious! Was sad to see Paches go though, she is taking a few zeros to go to a wedding and hopefully she will catch back up. Rob and I continued on the few miles to the shelter in a mix of rain and sun. When we got there, it was packed with section hikers but luckily we were early enough to get a spot with the bad weather. There was a cool group of five or older guys from St. Louis and a trio of college girls from Michigan. We all ended up playing euchre even past the dark!The Philly crew had gotten a ride from Peaches¢ friend to grab a burger so got in late and had to tent in the rain. Luckily I had brought enough food to make it through the Smokies so didn¢t have to go to Gatlinburg. It would have been interesting people watching, but seemed out of the way and since I started after the bubble don¢t really have that kind of time to spare.
Date: 2018-05-11
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Since we had such a short easy day, Rob and I took our time. We got to Charlie¢s bunion and spent probably an hour there. It was one of the most beautiful spots I had seen in the Smokies if not the whole trail (apart from the Standing Indian sunset). Much better than Clingmans Dome, I think because you are on rocks feeling more in it than above. There were a few day hikers there, and when they found out we were thru they had a bunch of questions for us. Same as the college girls had the previous night. Felt kind of like a celebrity they looked at us with amazement. I remember being on the other side asking the questions, but I feel we have only been out a few weeks and aren¢t hardcore yet! The main Appalachian Trail is ¢white blazed¢, meaning there are small white paint marks on trees indicating where to go. Side trails are ¢blue blazed¢, so those marks are blue. It could be a path to water, landmark, etc. we did about three short ones that led to overlooks. I stopped for a beautiful lunch on the rocks at Bradley¢s View. Even though it was a short pretty easy day, the last few miles hard and I was happy to get to the shelter. There were lots of spots open inside so I set up in there. It was the usual crew of me, Rob, Philly crew, etc. A couple of Germans as well, which is probably the second most common foreign country of origin after Australia. A ridge runner showed up, which was interesting. Ridge Runners are seasonal paid through Appalachian Trail Conservancy to monitor sections, report issues, etc. But in the Smokies they also check permits. Not sure how that works since I don¢t think they have legal authority and the permits are through the park, but oh well I didn¢t ask. She was actually really cool about and told us the reason one of the shelters ahead was closed. A few weeks ago, there was a group camping/hammocking away from the shelter. She told them to go closer, but they didn¢t. One of the hammockers woke up with a bear under him! He made a bunch of noise and the bear slashed the hammock. Luckily no one was hurt, but still scary and unfortunate.There was also a guy Ball Flap (has to do will ball of his foot) that was hiking in sandals and had already done PCT as well. They both agreed that the AT is actually harder in terms of steep ups and downs, which was interesting.The Philly crew introduced Teledraw, which I haven¢t played in years! Even though a lot of us weren¢t super comfortable with each other, it still got wacky and inappropriate which was good.
Date: 2018-05-15
From: Sunnybank Inn

To: Sunnybank Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After 23 straight days of hiking, I finally took a zero. Meaning no putting on my shoes or pack, just resting. After some bigger days in and out of the Smokies, I was ready!I got up around 7, and had signed up for breakfast which was at 8:30. Connor actually had a family friend visiting who was really cool. Had worked for the National Park Service all around the country and had interesting insight.While still full from the night before, I still had room for omelette, toast, and granola with fruit!It was time for chores, so I went to the laundromat which was a dump. Half the washers and all the dryers were broken, trash everywhere, etc. Sad because they could have made it really nice. While clothes were in the wash, I used the desktop computers at the library. I forgot how easy things are with a big screen and Internet!There was no dinner at the hostel because everyone was that a memorial service for the owner of the outfitter who had passed away. I¢m glad I visited them and got the Sunnybank dinner the night before!I wanted one final big meal, so went to the diner across the street for the 12 ounce hiker burger. I should have guessed when the server never asked me how I wanted it, because when it came I was a little underwhelmed. Basically frozen Mcdonalds patties. Oh well.When I got back to the hostel, it started to pour so Connor and I sat on the deck watching the rain. It was lovely, could have done that for hours!
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Sunnybank Inn

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night and we woke up to a downpour. I got up at 5:30 to go to the bathroom, thinking I would be up for a while. Next thing I knew it was 6:30 and Connor was getting up. I asked him if he was headed out but he said he was going to the bathroom. Next thing I knew, it was 7:30! I gathered all of my things in the dark, and by the time I found everything I finally headed out around 9.I really liked the place, it was happy without being too preachy/over-the-top and had some rules but not too many.It was still pouring as I walked down the Main Street, across the French Broad river, and up the mountain. There is supposed to be a good view by lovers leap rock, but it was too foggy/rainy to really see. I think a bunch of people were sleeping in with the weather, so it made me feel a little more hard-core that I was out in it. The trail crossed a bunch of gravel roads and some fields which would have been interesting if not so exposed!The rain slowed to a drizzle as I stopped at a shelter for lunch. I had just passed a few Mennonite girls wearing bonnets who are apparently thru hiking. All afternoon it kind of drizzled or was cloudy, but at least didn¢t pour.I finally got to the shelter around 5:30, which was pretty good for 20 miles! An old guy had laid out all of the stuff in there, and since the weather seemed pretty clear and buggy I decided to camp. Another guy showed up and camped as well. Then Cam and Seamus arrived, they are cool and have been with the group various times. Seamus also gave me a few NY times crossword puzzles when I mentioned my book was too easy (his were too hard though!). They had done a Nero in Hot Springs and camped a few miles past. They wanted to dry out their tent, so actually stayed in the shelter. There was still extra room, so I hung my bag and some other clothes in there to dry that wouldn¢t fit in my tent.It was super nice to tent away from everyone... didn¢t need earplugs and could make as much noise as I wanted!
Date: 2018-05-18
From: Flint Mountain Shelter 

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 6 and was the first one up. After Spiderman I was the next one out around 7:45. The beginning was pretty flat and I made good time. Then it got steep up, but along a waterfall so was a pretty. I passed Cam and Seamus who had tented near the top.After playing the rain gear on/off game, finally the sun came out! Stopped for lunch at the Hogback Ridge Shelter, where water was like a half mile away. Luckily, Sharice was already filling his so added mine!Rick stopped by and we hiked out together. He is super cool section hiker, has done the whole trail in sections and right now doing Smokies to Damascus 300 miles. Former Army at Fort Bragg and lives in western NC. Looking at him and watching him, you¢d never think it but he¢s been pushing 18-20 mile days. He always says ¢can¢t keep up with you young guns¢ but always does!There was a a big climb to Big Bald at the end that had amazing 360 views. Clouds were looking dark, but luckily held. At the top there was a group that drove to a close parking lot, and they grew up I Mount Pleasant!Even though it was a bigger shelter, pretty full with a big group of thru hikers that only did ten since the last shelter. Even though only the top was available and there was no ladder, the weather was still looking iffy and I want to get an early start tomorrow so decided to stay in the shelter again. It¢s funny, I rushed out of the Smokies to avoid having to stay in shelters but am doing it anyway!
Date: 2018-05-19
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Uncle JohnnyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs, Erwin
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

It was rainy and windy all night so I was glad I was in the shelter. I was one of the first up and probably woke a bunch of others up starting to clean up my space since I didn¢t want to jump down yet.Unfortunately my jacket fell down from the wind and got wet and muddy. Luckily, Luna had an extra jacket for some reason and let me borrow it since we were both going to the same destination.Since I didn¢t want to to get to town that late, I tried to get ready quickly and was the first out at 7:15. Of course Spiderman passed me momentarily as he averages like 3 miles an hour. The cold windy fog gave an eerie feeling, and luckily was downhill so I pushed it quickly, passing a few tenters.I just had trail mix to keep me going, but ¢lunched ¢ at No Business Knob Shelter. There are different trail clubs that manage sections of the AT, and you can tell the difference. Shelters here don¢t have privies or bear cables. But the trail overall is still nice with only short sections of steep ascent or descent.Leaving the shelter, it started to sprinkle but I did not want to mess with rain gear. Luckily the weather held and I won for today:).The last few miles were pretty much downhill switchbacks into town. Very similar to Hot Springs, when you get close you see buildings and heat motors but are still so far away.Right off the trail on the Nolichucky River is a hostel called Uncle Johnny¢s a lot of people stay at. It has been around for a while and another trail institution. I was worried it was going to be another Standing Bear, but luckily was nice. Spiderman and I shared a double private room which was only slightly more expensive than the bunkhouse. I showered and washed my socks in there as well; with them keep getting wet it is giving my feet issues so hopefully we have some dry days.The hostel had a daily shuttle to a shopping center that left in the late afternoon. It dropped you off at a strip mall with a Mexican restaurant, liquor store, and Italian restaurant. Apparently the Italian was BYOB and could bring in anything from the liquor store. I wasn¢t feeling pasta (or alcohol) so went with Rick and Erich from Switzerland to the Mexican for delicious fajitas.There was a Walmart across the street and the shuttle was picking us there. I haven¢t been to a Walmart in years so of course got overwhelmed. At least they had produce!When I got back to the hostel, Double O and the Philly crew were there! They had pulled a 27 mile day... wow... not me!
Date: 2018-05-21
From: Beauty Spot Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up at 530 to go to the bathroom of course but still didn¢t get out until almost 9. I was alone for most of the morning with some steep hills, but I took it slow. At the campsite after ours, there was a creepy Christmas tree in a pretty spruce forest. The weather was nice and cool with some spots of sun. Lunched at the shelter with a few people, but spent most of the afternoon alone. It was supposed to storm around noon and I heard thunder ahead, but only got a few sprinkles. Still Eric and Braino, an Australian, joined me for the last few miles.We were about 20 minutes from the shelter and I was thinking how nice my feet didn¢t get wet when it started to pour. Which sucked, but luckily we could recover in the shelter. It was only about 3, but I was not feeling tenting so just stayed. A bunch more people came that had been at trail days but most tented so the shelter wasn¢t that full. The sun actually came out for a bit and I was considering tenting as well, but my stuff was already laid out.