morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to howling winds and very cold temperatures.Stepped on my water bladder while packing up this morning and cracked the tubing. Luckily, I have a 12 oz bottle, but sometimes it is 5-8 miles in between water sources.Lots of mud, ice and 3-4 inches of snow on the trail. Very slippery. Took my first fall today. Ouch!Only about 10 people here at the shelter. A young man in our shelter lost his sleeping bag while hiking. Several people helped search for it, but could not find it. Luckily he had extra warm clothes and stayed close to people with warm sleeping bags.
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5

It rained hard most of the night, but not as cold in the morning. It kept on raining lightly as I packed up. I took off before most of the other hikers. Easy start, but it rained ALL DAY, and the trail was a muddy, snowy mess.Met a ridge runner (ranger) along the way who gave me a 1 liter bottle of water out of his trash bag, so I won't have to fill up on water so often. Will need a new bladder when I get to town.Up and over Clingman's Dome. It was about 4 miles of ice skating. I would slide to a root or rock, then pick my next slide. Got to the shelter with only 1 hiker in it. Nice for a change. It was a very quite night.
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Not very cold last night, but still raining this morning. Almost stayed the day, but glad I didn't. Threw on my cold wet hiking shirt, wet rain gear, soaking wet socks and boots and started hiking fast. Started to get warm after first mile.Got some trail magic by Mamaw B just before Newfound Gap. Two donuts, fresh fruit and coffee. Two miles later at Newfound Gap, got 2 sandwiches, hot soup, cookies and snacks!! Thank you, thank you, and Thank you!! Wonderful people.So rainy today, much harder rain than yesterday. I'm in an almost full shelter with Moxie, Tentmaker, First A, Camel Rider, Left Turn, and Val. The weather forecasters are calling for freezing temperatures tonight but the rain was supposed to stop around noon. It hasn't stopped. Everyone has wet clothes hanging everywhere. Gloves are on everyone's hiking poles. Moxie played some songs on his guitar.
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.4

Wow, what a night! About 8-12 inches of snow overnight and down to 25 degrees. Everything is frozen. All shirts, socks, and gloves all frozen in hanging positions. Even my pack is frozen. I had to thaw out my boots with my stove in order to get my feet in them. Most of the people in the shelter left before me.I walked in 6-12 inches of snow for several miles, some drifts were up to 2 feet deep. I tried to walk in other people's footprints, but slipped off the side of the mountain once. I immediately dug into the ground with my knees and poles and dragged myself back up the mountain.A funny thing happened when I stopped for a break. A small mouse was trapped in a footprint. I made a deal with him, if he told all his friends to leave my gear alone, I would help him out with my pole. He was able to run away once I put the pole in the hole, but I can't remember if he agreed to our deal.I could only hike about 7 miles today since it was so hard. There were only 5 other hikers in the shelter with me tonight.
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: few clouds

Not as cold as last night. I put my boots in my sleeping bag about an hour before getting up. It made them pliable and easier to put on. Very messy conditions hiking today. Lots of mud and very deep water. There is no way to walk around the puddles. When I step on dry land, water squirts though all the holes in my boots. My boots have been soaking wet for 4 days now, both pairs of socks are soaked too.The shelter is so packed with several loud young people. They block our exits with their gear and make way to much noise. One even knocked over a water bottle and didn't even notice until I mentioned the water heading toward our sleeping bags. Left Turn is here and I met a German couple Robert and Ivanya. They are in the upper deck chocking on smoke from the small fire started by the young group. They are very unhappy with the situation.I tried to put my earplugs in, but ended up dropping one and it fell through the gap in the floor boards. Ugh, not going to be a good night's sleep.
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.4

Yep, not much sleep. The woman next to me snored like a banshee. I don't blame her since I often snore myself. My own fault for dropping my earplug.It was a much warmer day. I got an early start leaving at 8am. The first 8 miles was nice terrain and fairly easy walking, but the last 2 miles the sun came out full blast! Nice to see the sun, but the mountain and the heat took a toll on my body. I took a long break and totally dried out my boots and socks in the sun.Shortly after leaving the Smokies, I ran into Robert and Svenya, a couple from Germany. Svenya was not doing well and seemed like she was suffering from the sun. First thing I did after getting to Standing Bear farm was eat a whole pizza. I was so full. Tentmaker and First A are here to resupply and do laundry. I was able to hand wash all my socks and take a much needed shower. This place has a great resupply shack with reasonable prices. Only a few hikers are staying the night. I wasn't able to sleep well, my spring allergies are killing me.
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

A long uphill climb today. It didn't seem too bad, I must be getting my hiker legs. I met Robert and Svenya again at the FAA tower at the top of Snowbird Mountain. Neither one was feeling well. I think they both had the flu. Found a purple sock and a water container while hiking. I recognized both from previous days. Tent maker and First A were waiting for me before the shelter asking if I found some stuff. Yep, it was theirs. Had a nice break on top of Max Patch. I was going to camp right below the mountain, but couldn't find a water source. Got lost coming back when I took the wrong trail. 20 minutes later I was back to where I left the trail walking the wrong way. Ran into Tentmaker and First A and turned around. I decided to hike onto the next shelter with them even though it was almost dark.
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Deer Park Mtn Shelter

To: Laughing Heart Hostel
Miles today: 3.2

It was a very short day known as a nero. Got a great breakfast at a reasonable price at the Smoky Mountain Diner. There is no cell phone reception in town but the library has several computers so that I could chat with my wife. I got my food supply at the outfitter, but the extra box with a new water bladder did not arrive. Since the forecast was for several severe thunderstorms and I needed that water bladder, I decided to stay at the Laughing Heart Hostel. I ate my own lunch since I had extra food. It stopped raining around 1pm. I walked into town after lunch and noticed a sign for a $5 lunch. I couldn't pass up 2 hotdogs, beans, potato salad, a piece of cake, and a coke at the community center.I was so full I thought I would barf on the way back to the hostel. A few hours later I was ready to walk back into town for dinner at the Smoky Mountain Diner. They had a great fish dinner, but I was stuffed again. Ugh. Eating all this food is tiring.
Date: 2014-04-05
From: Laughing Heart Hostel

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Picked up my replacement water bladder at the post office around 9am, but couldn't leave town without first getting a $3 sausage & egg biscuit.This was a pretty tough day, had to climb 3 mountains with 5 days of food in my pack. The trail out of town goes up and up for miles. You get several wonderful views of the river below and the town.I passed only one hiker today, but was passed by many. Talked with Schroomer for a while who did the PCT last year.
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

It was cold and close to freezing when I woke up in the morning. Got a quick start and left by 8am. I was feeling sluggish until after lunch, somehow I got a surge of energy and felt strong again. The coffee probably helped, but then a tough rocky ridge slowed me down again. I in a full shelter tonight.
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

It rained hard last night and this morning. Slept in for a while and the rain finally stopped. The day got better for a while, but turned to light rain, 40 mph winds and got colder by the end of the day.I'm sleeping in the shelter tonight in case it rains again. There are 7 people in this 6 person shelter.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Very cold this morning, 32 degrees with a slight breeze. Got some trail magic from Paul. There were muffins, eggs, and hash browns. A huge plate full of food.Then I crossed the road to more trail magic in the form of hot coffee, mini muffins and fresh fruit. Drank some coffee and grabbed some stuff to go.A lot of uphill climbing today. Never got above 40 degrees. Going to be very cold tonight. Only 7 people in a 10 person shelter.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's in Erwin TN
Miles today: 16.9

Started off cold and rainy. Stayed below 40 degrees for the morning then got much better. Did my biggest day today, over 16 miles. Not too many uphills, but a lot of downhills.Staying at Uncle Johnny's hostel. Just missed the dinner shuttle. Rented one of their bikes and rode to McDonalds for cheeseburgers and apple pies. They now charge a bit for the bike rental. Not bad, but seems weird to charge me when I missed the free shuttle. They seemed very unorganized and the place was much dirtier than I remember. Critter is bunking across from me in the back room with the old computer.
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Uncle Johnny's in Erwin TN

To: Beauty Spot Gap - Campsite
Miles today: 11.1

Got a ride to McDonalds this morning with 2 section hikers that I have been walking with the last few days. I got a nice huge breakfast. Got some stuff to go for Critter while he slept in.Turned into a beautiful day. The hike out of Erwin didn't seem that bad with 4 days of food in my pack. It's a gradual uphill. I ended up camping with one other hiker. It doesn't seem very cold tonight.
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Beauty Spot Gap - Campsite

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

We had a very warm start to the day. I was out by 9am going over Unaka Mountain which was the hardest climb of the day. Got some trail magic from Rob Bird, previous owner of the Bird Cage Hostel up north. I'm staying at the shelter with several hikers that I have run into before. Whiskey Bill, Chamomile, Coley, and Heartwood.It doesn't seem very cold tonight. I met Chamomile the first day at Springer mountain.
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Very nice weather this morning. I started off going over Roan Mountain, which is about 4 miles uphill, but I felt good today. Then over 2 balds for some great views. The last 2 miles were easy walking, but I was very tired and glad to see the old barn shelter.I passed 4 old men hiking before I got to the shelter. Once I got to the shelter I found out they had called 911 because one guy was having chest pains. The rescue unit sent up some 4 wheeler's to get him out.There are lots of college kids at the shelter, but most of them are tenting or setting up hammocks. Whiskey Bill, Chamomile, and Coley hiked on to Mountain Harbor hostel. They tried to talk me into it but I was too tired. I slept in the same spot I slept back in 2011 when I hiked with my wife. The water source is by the shelter where it comes out of a pipe in the ground.
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 9.2

Another warm morning. Got out early at 8:15. I was only planning 9 miles today, but it will take me over 2 huge balds. It was more difficult than I remembered. I'm staying in a full bunkhouse in the hostel's barn. They are driving us to Subway for dinner. I'm looking forward to their wonderful and legendary breakfast.Weather is about to get ugly again. It looks like 1-2 days of rain followed by another arctic blast. Should be in the low 20's by morning. Ugh!!
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 8.8

Happy Birthday to my wife. Due to no phone reception, I wasn't able to call home, but I did send her some flowers.The breakfast was fantastic, so many tasty items. Still rates the best breakfast on the trail!Today was supposed to rain, but didn't by the time I reached the shelter. I decided to stay instead of push on to a campsite. We are supposed to have a big storm tonight and rain tomorrow. I am hoping for the best.We passed a marker made of sticks that spelled out 400 miles!There is a questionable guy here at the shelter. He's wearing the wrong kind of boots and clothes for hiking but talks like he's a hiker. You begin to develop a sense of what's wrong out here. I don't trust him around my gear. I felt better once a man and women couple decide to stay.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

It rained most of the night, but stopped in the morning. Around 11am after 3 hours of good weather, it started to drizzle, then rain off and on. Around 1pm, it got colder and started to sleet. By 3pm, it was snowing and I had blizzed like conditions.I was wet, covered with sticky snow, and tired by the time I got to Kincora. Lumpy greeted me stating that all the bunks were taken, but I could stay in an unheated room outside with Oops and Cupcake. Well that might have been ok if it was summer, but the temperature was going to get down to 20 degrees and there were half inch gaps in every wall board. Yikes! Going into the main area I was amazed to see so many hikers that I knew. Oops shared a bunk with someone inside and Cupcake and I decided to sleep on the couch and recliners in the main area instead of outside. It turned out great. Plus we got some crazy good trail magic. First someone gave me 3 hotdogs. Then someone bought 50 cheeseburgers and fries from McDonalds, so I was able to get 2 of each. Then someone baked cookies and made potato soup with cornbread. I was stuffed, warm, and happy. Almost everyone that I have met in the last few weeks was there. It was like a family gathering.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 15.8

It was a cold start, but I got out by 8am. Everyone else was either slack packing 9 miles and then staying at Kincora another night or had done so already and got shuttled 9 miles North. They tried to talk me into slack packing but I just didn't want to spend another night in a hostel. I felt kind of trapped by the idea. I felt good at first, but after about 8 miles I was dragging and somewhat depressed. I think it was because all my friends either stayed or got 9 miles ahead of me. I was exhausted looking for any flat tent site. Well, it wasn't that flat but I found one about 50 yards off the trail.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 15.2

I slept good but was dragging today. Wasn't passed by anyone. I met a mother and daughter at the Iron Mountain Shelter who were day hiking. Ate an extra large lunch with a candy bar for dessert. I felt better after lunch. I also listened to music for only the 2nd time since I began. It really lifted my spirits as I was started to feel down.Then about 3 miles before I reached the campsite, I found a cooler completely stocked with drinks and treats. Wow! Now that really helped cheer me up. Then I remembered I could call my wife from a bench not far from this trail magic. I walked the next quarter mile really fast, but she wasn't answering the home phone or her cell. I was only able to leave messages.I decided to call my mother in Oklahoma. I'm hoping to contact my wife when I reach Damascus.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 12.0

The day started off just a bit cold. Thought I had some thru hikers come past my campsite around 6am, but it turned out to be 2 Turkey hunters. I met up with them again at a shelter. Seymore and Koko passed me some time today.My campsite is ten feet off the AT tonight, so I expect a few more to come by. We will see. I have a nice fire going. I'll be in Damascus in the morning. I plan to spend the whole day there. Need to rest my feet since both are sore.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Campsite

To: Damascus - Dave's Place
Miles today: 19.4

I woke up in the dark to the sound of light rain hitting my tent. I checked my watch to find it was only 5:45am. I didn't want to pack up my tent in the rain, so I got my food bag down from the tree and began packing up inside my one person tent (very confined space). Right about the time that I finished changing and packed up my sleeping gear it stopped raining at 6am. DARN! Should have waited.It was still dark at 6 am, so I ate some cereal and packed up my now dry tent and started hiking by 6:15. The sun was just barely visible now. It was too dark to see the trail but too bright for my light to help.I reached the TN/VA border sign around 7 am and took some pictures. 3 states are now done - Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Onto the longest state- Virginia. Checked into Dave's Place in Damascus, then went straight to a cafe for second breakfast. They had an all you can eat pancake breakfast challenge, which I did not do, but Half Rack ate 19 pancakes to set the record for 2014. He was staring at a pizza slice of a pancake and I asked him why he wasn't eating it. He said he was deciding whether to walk out or eat it. He ate it for 19. Afterwards, he did not look well. I picked up my resupply box and then headed to the barber shop. Needed to get a crew cut. Yes a crew cut, I was tired of my messy crazy hair. Had 3 slaw dogs for lunch and then Pizza and beer for Dinner. What a great zero day!Only bad thing was no cell phone reception, so I couldn't call my wife. Also the post office closed at 11 am, so I missed my chance to mail home some stuff. I met a guy at the hostel named "the Goat" who volunteered to mail my package so that I could leave first thing in the morning. So many nice people on the trail.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Damascus - Dave's Place

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early and started hiking at 7:30 am. Just a bit cold in the morning, but turned into a beautiful sunny day in the 70's. The terrain was easy for the first 2 miles and then turned into switchbacks for several miles of uphill climbing. I stopped for a long lunch at Saunders Shelter and met 3 lady section hikers. They later stayed at my final destination at Lost Mountain Shelter. I met a guy named Backdraft on the trail to the next shelter. He was coughing a bit and seemed out of breath, so I asked how he was doing. He informed me he was getting over a bad cold, so I backed off a bit. No-one wants to get sick out here. Several hikers that I've met before also showed up at the shelter. Critter, Spiderman, Moose and about 6 other hikers were there. Only 2 stayed in the shelter, the others tented or used their hammocks. Critter informed me it was national weed day so I may or may not have had a smoke.
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early with Hopper and Bismark in the shelter. I was hiking by 7:45, the first one out. I hate being the first one out, since it is your special duty to collect all the morning webs with your face. Yikes!!Good terrain for the first 8 miles or so and I was feeling good. Saw several wild ponies in the highlands. One actually kicked Rugby (a fellow hiker from England) when he wouldn't let the pony eat his hand sanitizer. He might have a bruise later, but not too bad, it was a little horse.The terrain through the highlands is brutal with many rocks. When I arrived at Wise Shelter, there were 10 high school students on an outing. So all the thru hikers had to tent or hammock. Luckily the expected rain didn't come yet. Oh did I mention that I passed the 500 miles today. Woohoo!! There were signs made of rocks and sticks.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Wise Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

Got out by 8am to a fairly warm day. I felt really good today and the first 6 miles to the shelter seemed easy. Had first lunch of mac & cheese with spam at 10:45. The weather stated to look bad so I walked faster to the next shelter.It started to rain hard about a mile before the shelter so I quickly put on my rain coat and pack cover. It rained on and off until I got to the shelter. I decided to stay since my feet were sore from the previous day. Too many rocks and miles. Just hung out with Critter, Pepper, and Raven. Pepper was very funny and had a dog on loan from a guy in Damascus.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

The morning started out cold and breezy. Got an early start by 7:45, because I planned to do almost 20 miles today. The first 9 went pretty fast. I stopped with several other hikers and had a long lunch. Things got much tougher for the next 11 miles. Just a long long day.The shower at Partnership shelter was broken, but at least I was able to order and eat a medium supreme pizza. YUM! I was so full that I immediately had to crawl into my back and sleep. I woke up later to brush my teeth. Lots of hikers here. Critter and Raven are here.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Crawfish Campground
Miles today: 17.9

Got out first again around 7:30am. Are they letting me do this so I clean the webs from the trail with my face? The first 11 miles went fast. I got to the Barn Restaurant in Atkins and had a cheese burger with fries. Yum! After that I spent some time getting my resupply box and packing 6 days worth of food into my pack. It takes up at least half my pack space. I am packing and eating 2 pounds of food per day now.I was able to get phone reception in Atkins and was finally able to call my wife. It was so good to hear her voice.I took the next 3 miles out of Atkins pretty slow, since I had a full almost 40lb pack, full belly, and the sun was out! There are no leaves on the trees yet, so I've got quite a farmer's tan. The trail was covered with leaves which made it hard to see the edge. I stepped one foot off the edge of the trail and went face down hard. I got a few bruises and covered in mud.The last 3 miles seemed endless. More like 5 miles. I was going to camp in the a large area with several tent spots, but when I went to get water, I ran into Critter. He had setup right next to the trail where my wife and I camped last year. I was just able to set up my tent and eat before it got dark. Critter got a nice fire going. It gets dark at 8:30pm in the woods. It's 9pm now, so it is way past my bedtime. Suppose to have thunderstorms tomorrow, lets hope that the weathermen are wrong.