morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-10-30
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Beauty Spot
Miles today: 13.9

Didn¢t wake up until 7am! I slept great. Had coffee, oatmeal, turkey sausage biscuit and a huge honey bun. I waited until the sun was out for a while and got hiking at 11am. It was hard finding the trail back from Greasy Creek Friendly. Mary Poppins and Rare had left early and they also made a huge arrow in the snow pointing to the trail at a sharp turn. Thank you to them. There is a lot of snow up on Iron Mountain and I almost thought about going back. Glad I didn¢t because the snow is disappearing quick. Had to take off long johns by noon. So happy to have an umbrella for another reason. Snow falling off the trees hurts. It really is beautiful today but I hope my toes don¢t get frostbite. I got to Cherry Gap Shelter at 3 pm and made a tuna wrap for lunch. Mooskie arrived and planned to stay. I changed my socks and put umbrella bags over the dry socks and put my thicker wool socks back on over the bags. This worked great. I hiked up Unaka Mountain and my toes were not freezing. Just a little cold. There was a lot of snow up on that mountain at 5183¢ elevation. I hiked fast and got to Beauty Spot at 6:20 pm and watched the most amazing sunset. There were about 6 other people up there. It is so windy up there I kept hiking hoping to go down where the wind would be blocked to set up my tent but it got worse and more snow on the ground so I went back up to Beauty Spot and sat up my tent where there was no snow. I can see the lights of Erwin up here. The stars are amazing and the moon is bright. It¢s cold and windy but gorgeous. I think it will get down to 36 tonight. Made Chile Mac and buttery potatoes and going to bed by 8:30pm.
Date: 2017-10-31
From: Beauty Spot

To: No Business Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Well I had another night where I slept so well I forgot where I was. The wind reminded me though. It was so strong I thought my tent was going to rip. I got up at 6am and got out to pee. Oh, man, that was hard. It is freezing cold wind. I felt like I was going to blow away. The sun was coming up and so dark orange but before it came over the mountain, the Bald was instantly socked in. Big fog and mist all over my tent. I made biscuits and gravy and coffee and hurried to pack up. I slept in all my clothes and put my shoes and socks from yesterday in my sleeping bag with me. Good decision. I even put my shoes on in my tent. Got on trail at 8 am. Wish I would have kept going last night because within 20 minutes I found a nice campsite with very little wind. The fog has blown off quickly and I warmed up fast. It is going to be beautiful today. Stopped at Curley Maple Gap where there is an old house foundation and had lunch. The hike down went fast and the last mile to Erwin is beautiful. Got to Uncle Johnny¢s at 1:30. Washed up in the bathroom and had a big lunch. Bought of few resupply items. One hour break and back on the trail at 2:30pm. Straight uphill with amazing views of the Nolichucky River. I arrived at No Business Knob Shelter at 5:30pm and decided to stay here. There is no one else here. It is so quiet except for a couple of loud owls and I am so happy there is no wind. I sat up my tent and found a tree to hang my food. I don¢t think I¢m going to cook tonight. I will just have a snack. It was a really lovely day today. I can¢t believe I am going to bed by 7:30pm! Goodnight.
Date: 2017-11-01
From: No Business Knob Shelter 

To: SamÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

November is here already. November! So I slept without earplugs last night. I could hear the critters scampering about and kept thinking they are climbing my slick skinny rope to my food bag. From now on, earplugs. I got up just before 6 am. My food bag was fine. I tried a new breakfast food. Mountain House Breakfast Hash. I don¢t think I will get it again. It¢s okay just a little too spicy for me. Packed and hiked out at 7:15am with my headlamp on. Got to a lovely water source in 5 minutes and took my time getting water. Was able to put the headlamp away. As I went up the hill and watched the bright orange light coming over the mountain, I had a big smile on my face. I NEVER get tired of it! Pictures don¢t do it justice. You must come see this for yourself. It has been so quiet today and even yesterday. No hikers. Finally going up Little Bald I saw one hiker. Smoky is hiking north to Virginia. I got up to Big Bald at 2:30pm. It is a 360 degree view up there at 5516¢ elevation. I hiked down out of the wind and stopped right on the trail and made some potatoes. I was so hungry for warm savory food. I had five miles to go and needed the carbs. I got to Sam¢s Gap and called Natures Inn Hostel for a pickup. I rented a creekside cabin but when Taft picked me up he said I was the only one there and gave me the whole house for the same price. Awesome, awesome, awesome! He found a cheese pizza for me to cook and a Sprite. I took a shower, washed clothes and am a zombie in front of the TV. Think I¢ll watch the World Series!
Date: 2017-11-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Dave picked me up yesterday at Natures Inn Hostel so I could come home and get winter gear. My two little toes on each foot got very minor beginning stage of frostbite on them. It¢s painful and my feet looked like stuffed sausages. They are much better already. I will be taking my car down to Amicalola Falls and leaving it there, then going back to Sam¢s Gap and hiking on SOBO to my car. So, yes, that means I have to do the 8 miles approach trail down. It¢s okay I¢ve done it before. I had to sneak out of the house to IHOP so Dave doesn¢t see me eat so much! Haha. Life is good.
Date: 2017-11-04
From: SamÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap

To: Stealth 1877
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: light rain

Dave dropped me back off today at Sam¢s Gap at 4pm. I have 317 miles to go. It¢s going to go quick. I feel great and my feet are fine now. I have GoreTex Salomon¢s now so my feet should stay warm in the cold weather. I got up to High Rock and saw a beautiful rainbow! Then hiked on and found a lovely stealth spot with a beautiful view looking north. It was a lovely 2 days off and a lovely short day today.  Bed by 8 pm and I might get a little rain overnight.
Date: 2017-11-05
From: Stealth 1877

To: Stealth 1894.6
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Fog! Thick thick fog rolled in about 8 pm last night. Everything gets super damp in thick fog. I had to wipe condensation in my tent several times during the night. I got up at 6:30am and wiped inside and out. Got my wet food bag out of the tree. Everything is dry inside. It takes a while to get packed up when everything is so damp. I made coffee and a burrito and had a delicious muffin provided my my neighbor, Vickie. Thank you Vickie! Packed and hit the trail at 8:15am. The fog cleared out about 9 am. I feel like I don¢t have much to write about today. I went up Big Butt Mountain and there wasn¢t much view. I got to Jerry¢s Cabin Shelter and there were 5 women there. 4 are hiking together for several days going south and the other is hiking north by herself. There is s sign at this shelter showing 300.3 miles! I hiked 5 more miles since it was only 2:30pm. Beautiful scenery here. Lots of rocks though. Whiterock Cliff View was gorgeous. I found a stealth little spot near a bigger campsite. No one here but me. There is an amazing spring here. I made spaghetti and potatoes for dinner. Sat down at the spring and soaked my tired feet in the cold water. I miss my SpeedCross4 shoes. These GoreTex UltraX Salomon¢s are stiff. It¢s only been two days with them I¢m sure I will get used to them soon.  Going to bed at 7:30pm. Goodnight.
Date: 2017-11-06
From: Stealth 1894.6

To: 1916.4 in Hot Springs
Miles today: 21.8

Let me begin by saying I STINK! In the warmer months I washed my clothes by a creek at night but now it is so damp at night I don¢t do it. I put my clothes in my sleeping bag to keep them from being wet in the morning. Ugh. It is some serious hiker stink. I keep telling myself it will be okay I have less than 300 miles! I got this. It wasn¢t foggy last night but it is just wet everywhere. I didn¢t have to wipe inside my tent all night but I sure had to before I sat up. I got up at 5:30am and made coffee and burritos. Packed up, on trail by 6:40am. I hiked fast all day in light sprinkles. I put rain gear on for a little while but just got too hot and took it off for good. Finally got to Lovers Leap and could see the French Broad River but there were too many people and I just wanted to make it to the outfitters in Hot Springs before they closed at 5pm and it was 4:15pm already. While going down the hill I slipped and landed flat on my back. My pack completely saved me. I was not hurt at all but it could have been bad since it was a huge wood block step that I slipped on. Be careful would you, I tell myself. I made it about 4:30pm and got some Mountain House resupply. Then went across the street to the Spring Creek Tavern and had a burger and fries. Got a room at Iron Horse Station and finally a shower. I had to walk to the tobacco store for change to wash clothes so I went to the Dollar Store while I was out. There was no laundry soap at the laundromat so I put a few drops of camp soap in the machine. I am tired and my ankle is a little sore. I hope I sleep well in a bed with sheets. No TV in my room so I am going to bed early. Nity nite.
Date: 2017-11-07
From: 1916.4 in Hot Springs

To: Kale Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Rain, rain, rain! This room doesn¢t have windows but it has a ceiling skylight. The rain started hitting it at 4 am and I couldn¢t sleep anymore. I went to the lobby and made the pot of coffee at 5 am and watched the news. I don¢t like news it¢s always something bad so I changed it to Dr. Phil. Just as bad. I walked to Smoky Mountain Diner at 6 am and had a huge breakfast. I wore my sandals and had my rain gear on. It¢s raining hard. There may be a window of no rain from 11am until 2pm. I will make myself go. I stopped at Dollar General and had a Mountain Dew and some Cheetos and hiked up the mountain at 11:30am. The sun is out and it is wonderful but super muggy. I have been slipping on wet leaves, roots and rocks for hours so I decided to look goofy and wear the micro spikes I have been carrying since Saturday. They work great! I haven¢t slipped for an hour. I took them off going up Bluff Mountain because I do admit the bottom of my feet are a little tender from them. Bluff Mountain is the hardest mountain I have done in a long, long time. I don¢t remember the last one this tough. Oh, how soon I forget. I finally got to the 4686¢ peak at 4:45pm. No view, no marker, just a rock. I am so thankful I have not been even sprinkled on all day today. It is a little windy. I went down the mountain and carried some water I got at a cute little waterfall. I found a stealth spot at Kale Gap. Had a tuna wrap and some potatoes for dinner. I didn¢t see but one person all day today. Bedtime is 7pm. Hope to sleep better than last night in the hotel.
Date: 2017-11-08
From: Kale Gap

To: Green Corner Road
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Yes I did. I slept better. I woke up at 4:30 but kind of went back to sleep until 5am. It sprinkled for hours this morning. I wiped the condensation and got out of the tent to retrieve my food bag. Made biscuits and gravy and coffee. It¢s not cold but cool out this morning. On trail at 6:50am with my headlamp and spikes on. Straight up Walnut Mountain, I reached the shelter at 7:10am and one man and his dog were there. Talked for just a couple of minutes and kept going up to Max Patch Bald. Mysterious, magical, mystical Max Patch. There was a tent up on top but the whole mountain was socked in with fog. I got down the other side and had to stop for lunch. Hiking on I met Fiction and NonFiction who are thru hiking. They started in Harpers Ferry June 6 went north and flipped up to Katahdin from Gorham. Went down to Springer to hike back to Harpers Ferry. They skipped the Smokies. They have a ways to go yet. It was nice seeing other thru hikers though but they are NOBO so I won¢t see them again. My next big mountain was Snowbird. When I got to the top it was a bald and I was freezing. I put more layers on and used my new Mountain Hardware gloves for the first time. I got warm fast. It was nice. It got dark at 5:15pm and I rushed down as fast as I could safely go. I arrived at Standing Bear Farm Hostel at 6:00pm. There are a couple of section hikers here. I had a pizza and took a shower and washed clothes on the washboard and put them in the dryer. Lights out at 8:30pm. Goodnight. Smokies tomorrow!
Date: 2017-11-09
From: Green Corner Road

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

It was very quiet in the bunkhouse last night. No snoring! I woke up about 6 am. Jim had the coffee brewing. It rained all night and was still raining this morning. I¢m moving slow because of the rain. I had a breakfast sandwich and pop tarts and packed up my stuff and walked to the trail at 10:45am. I got to the Smokies about 11:30 am and put my Thru Hiker permit in the box and proceeded up the long, long climb up to Mt. Cammerer. It got colder and colder the higher I got. I would get cold and put stuff on then get hot and take it back off. I did this at least 5 times. It drizzled all the way and I finally had to put my rain gear on and my gloves and I used my umbrella too. SOBO thru hikers Guru, Scuba, Wildcat and Achilles past me like I wasn¢t moving. They are all about 20 years old and wearing nothing but T-shirt¢s and shorts and are completely soaked. Wildcat was the only female and she had on leggings and a long sleeve shirt but no rain pack cover and no rain gear. I know she has to be freezing. It is about 45 degrees maybe even a little colder than that. They are doing 25-30 Mile Days through the Smokies and hope to finish the rest of the AT in less than 10 days. I stopped earlier than I wanted to today because of the Smokies rules. They want a small footprint so if the shelter has room you must stay in it. I would be hiking in the dark to the next shelter anyways and I want to actually see the Smokies. I got here about 5 pm and I am the only only one here right now anyway. I got some ice cold water at the spring and washed my feet but they about froze solid. Put my warmest socks on and put them in my sleeping bag while I made hot chocolate. Had some leftover pizza and made potatoes. Hung my food bag on the cable. No looking for a tree here in the Smokies. There is a huge Bears Active at this shelter sign. This is the Shelter Brenda and I stayed at but I had to go to my tent because the shelter was packed. The bear had been roaming around for hours. Brenda told me she couldn¢t sleep because I was up the hill in my tent. Hopefully it will be quiet tonight. Going to bed by 7pm.
Date: 2017-11-10
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: few clouds

There were no bears and believe it or not, no mice! Nobody else showed up last night so it was super quiet. I had a hard time falling asleep because of that bear warning sign. I slept well once I did fall asleep. I got up at at 5:15am and my food bag. Made a chicken and rice burrito and coffee. The rain and drizzle completely disappeared and today is suppose to be sunny! I tried to hike out at first light but it was 7:15am when I got on the trail. I had to hike in my down jacket and gloves for the first hour. I¢m sure it¢s in the mid 30¢s this morning. Going up Mount Guyot was just freezing cold. There were two guys from South Africa in shorts and T-shirt¢s. They said they weren¢t prepared for this and they were freezing. Go figure. I got to Pecks Corner Shelter about 2 pm and decided to continue on to Icewater Spring Shelter. I ran in to Nemophilist. I had met way back in the beginning in Maryland I think. I knew I would be in the dark my last mile and I sure was. I did have a gorgeous view of the sunset at Charlie¢s Bunion though. I got to the shelter and there are several men here. I made potatoes and Ramen noodles for dinner. I had to fix the way these men hung their bags on the cables so I could hang mine. I am on the upper level in this shelter and the guy next to me is already snoring loudly and it¢s only 8 pm. It will be a very rough night.
Date: 2017-11-11
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: SilerÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Bald Shelter
Miles today: 15.1

First one up at 5:15am. I slept great. Here was light snoring and mattresses moving around all night but I still slept great. This shelter location has the best sunrise in the Smokies! Just counting shelter sunrises. Made coffee and burritos and was gone at 7:30am. Wanted to leave earlier but I was talking with the others. It took me one hour to get down to Newfound Gap. I was so excited about a trash can that I completely forgot to get the famous picture at the gap. Oh I¢m kind of sad about that but I¢m not going back. This time anyway. As I was hiking to Clingmans Dome I met Maury, Dick and Pete who are working on the trail. They are awesome volunteers with the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. Thank you for your hard work. I hiked on and got to Clingmans Dome just to find it CLOSED. Rarely do you get this clear of a day. So many disappointed people up here. I¢ve been up there before. I continued on and the trail really did go downhill for a while until I had to go up to Siler¢s Bald. It was a pretty steep climb going south this time. More amazing views all along the way. I arrived at Siler¢s Bald Shelter and found a huge group of kids talking loud and making a fire inside the shelter and outside the shelter. It was already 4:30pm and I didn¢t want to hike in the dark again so I am staying here. They have a great choice of music anyway. I think it¢s supposed to rain in the morning. We may get snow flurries. I made some potatoes and chicken and rice and going to bed very early. 6:30pm early. I am sure I will have to get up one more time but I hope not.
Date: 2017-11-12
From: SilerÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Bald Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

There was a guy chopping wood last night after I was in my sleeping bag. He must have chopped wood for over an hour but the fire inside the shelter was wonderful. It lasted until about 3 in the morning and then it got super cold. I slept very well and got up at 5am. When I went out to the cables and got my food bag I was thankful it was not raining. It is super windy and cold though. Made breakfast and was on the trail at 6:45am. I hiked out with long John pants and my arm sleeves with all my rain gear on. Within an hour I stripped the extra clothes but kept the rain gear. It¢s drizzling a lot but not really raining. It¢s not as cold as I thought it was going to be. I didn¢t think anybody would be out hiking today but I met LG-Life is Good taking a break. He is hiking north across the Smokies. My hard climb of the day was Thunderhead Mountain at 5527¢ elevation. I just kept getting super hot. I finally just took off the rain gear and after eating a Snickers Bar I had some energy. I think the plastic feel of rain gear just zaps me of energy. I got to Rocky Top and of course there were no views. The drizzle and fog has lingered all day obscuring any views. I got to Russell Field Shelter at 10 til 4 and had a tuna wrap and a Kit Kat Bar and hiked on to Mollies Ridge Shelter. When I arrived I had the biggest surprise. Sparky was there! Wow!!! I just couldn¢t believe it. He is a trail maintainer with the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club and he was here with a couple of other men, including his son. It was so nice to see him. The day was really kind of just blah with the cold and the drizzle then this surprise made my day! This is my last night in the Smokies and now it will be a very memorable one. Made dinner, bed by 8pm and looking forward to Fontana Village tomorrow. Goodnight. The Smokies have been wonderful.
Date: 2017-11-13
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: NC 28
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, the mice at this shelter more than made up for the other three shelters with no mice. One just loved my Burton beanie cap and kept snuggling with it while I slept with it on my head. Maybe it was Gus Gus. The pitter patter of little feet all night long was disturbing. One was chewing on someone¢s hanging pack also. Ugh. It was awful. I didn¢t sleep well and finally got up at 5:30 am. Made breakfast and talked with the others and Sparky for a while. Sparky told me my spikes made a bad imprint on the trail causing damage. I will have to look into that. Can¢t be worse than trekking poles. I still told him I¢m hiking in them anyway of course after I asked if there was a rule against them. Said my goodbye¢s and was hiking at 7:45am. It¢s still fogged in this morning. Not raining but water coming off the trees. By 10 am the sun was out. So nice. I went to Shuckstack Fire Tower and found Charles there. He was at the shelter last night and did a 125 mile section. While at the tower I got a message from Sparky. I left my bag of first aid stuff back at the shelter. First time I ever left something behind. He may try to get it to me on Wednesday if it¢s not out of the way. Charles hiked on while I lingered at the tower in the sun. Beautiful view in the tower of Fontana Lake and Dam. I hiked down and caught up to Charles at the Dam. We hiked together to the marina and he gave me a ride to the Fontana Lodge. Thank you so much Charles. I got myself a room and took the longest, hottest shower I have ever taken on the trail. Talk about STINK, STANK, STUNK! I was in bad shape. Then I walked to the laundromat. The lady at the desk told me it¢s not far. Ugh. It was a grueling walk. The store is closed on Mon-Wed and the other little convenience store closed at 5pm and I had walked there too. It was 10 after when I got there. What¢s a hiker to do? I am so happy I sent a box of resupply here to the Lodge or I would be in trouble. I walked back to the lodge in complete darkness. Didn¢t think about needing my headlamp. I think I am the only hiker in the village. No, make that the only person at all here. It is deserted! I took my clothes to my room and went to the Mountainview Bistro. Wow! Two other people are here. I had the rainbow trout and took the chocolate cake to go. The food was out of this world delicious! Back at my room I flipped channels and soon zonked.