morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Birch Spring Gap campsite 113

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I left camp early. I wanted a picture of the bear warning sign and while taking this picture I noticed a note left for the ridge runner under a rock. Of course I read it. As soon as I opened it I saw the large filthy words and didn't even read it. I just stuck it in my pocket not wanting the ridge runner to read this. I forgot about it and hiked on. I got to the shelter I was assigned to stay at but it was way too early so I went to the next one hoping I wouldn't get a fine from a ranger. I made it all night without a ranger in sight. Here I met Mosey, my first bunk mate. She is from New York. A retired postal worker of 33 years. She was having serious leg pain and planned to stay another night here. Another no no. You are not suppose to stay two consecutive nights at any location whether you are a section hiker or a thru hiker. There were some other men that didn't seem to want to be bothered and then some of the same kids from the previous night and a guy named Splinter. Also a man named Greywolf who started talking way to much to me. He was nice at first and hung my bag for me but then kept wanting me to take bites if his food. I did once and found that was a mistake. I crawled in my sack to be left alone.
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: light rain

Arrived at this shelter and met a mom and 19 year old daughter, Jada and Jessa, who were waiting for the shelter to fill up so they could go set up their tent. Another rule. Rules, rules, rules. This is one reason thru hikers seem to hate the Smokies. You must stay in a shelter and can only set up your tent if there is no more room. Even I don't like this rule. Anyway, it filled up and they set up their tent. So did I even though I am special because of the fact I am a section hiker and I have reservations. I prefer my tent. Would I even ask a thru hiker to leave the shelter? Never! Here I met Old Scout in the tent next to me. We talked gear. He seemed to like my gear and when I said thank you he told me it wasn't meant as a compliment. Hmmm I'll take it as one. I liked him. He told me about the four types of hikers. The thru hiker, the section hiker, the pot smokers, and the bums. He didn't talk much about himself and then he said he would ask 10 questions to someone to see if that person would ask anything back to him. He found people really like to talk about themselves. So, I started asking him lots of questions. I have done this ever since. I loved his advice. Even though he wasn't giving me advice. This is what it is all about. The people. Now I get it. People are so amazing once you shut up and listen to them. So much fun. Other names at this location: Johnny Walker Red, who is having a hard time being away from his grandaughter and has decided he needs to get off the trail, and Icefire, who is legally blind. Greywolf, who I mentioned earlier, also has made a decision to get off the trail. I won't write about the things he told me. It is personal for him but he did tell everyone he has PTSD. I forgot to mention a little more about him. I had been in the shelter all set earlier today when he just would not stop talking to me so I said, "I think I will go set up my tent it is kind of nice out". There were thunderstorm warnings for the night. Well as I was going out there, he FOLLOWED me. Ugh. He didn't get it. I set up as he talked very personal about his situation. I told him I would pray for him and he asked if he could give me a hug. Ugh again. I think I did the right thing though and gave him the hug. It was nice. Not a creepy hug at all. I think if I had been rude he may have flipped out. I am happy I gave him the quick hug because he left and left me alone. That is until the next day when I passed him on the hike and he told me if he could catch me he would kiss me. That is when I told him that I will hike faster than because that is inappropriate. He apologized and then told me how the kids at camp had messed up his pack and now his back is really hurting. Again he said he is definitely getting off the trail at Clingmans Dome. I told him (as I thought GOOD) that I think he is making the right decision. I hiked on, quickly away!
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Names heard today are Professor, Fatboythin,(I told him I was going to call him Thin), Sparrow, Lady, Maps, Big Easy, Red Panda, Gorp Gobbler, and Marathon. Marathon was my bunk mate. He was listening to something on his iPod and gently laughing out loud. I was laughing at his laugh. It was contagious. I liked talking with him. Tonight I found the note I had stashed away that was meant for the ridge runner. I read the note and learned it was written by the 19 year old girl, Jessa who was hiking with her mom. I was SHOCKED. I liked them and thought they really had their act together. I was guessing it was from a pot smoker but noooo. It was the sweet gentle speaking young lady (right). I refuse to say what the ugly note said. I will just say I am still shocked. I don't think mom knows anything about the note or maybe I hope she doesn't. Something about Thin, he snored like a chainsaw the night before and I had told Red Panda there will be no sleeping tonight. I have to say it was soooooo quiet. How do people control the snoring? I was so thankful. I think he heard me talking about his snoring so this morning I apologized to him for talking bad about his snoring and told him thank you for being so quiet las night. He is so sweet and has a soft good ole southern boy accent. One last thing.....rain, rain, rain, and more rain.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri Corner Knob shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Was suppose to stay at Peck's Corner but got there by 4. Just not ready to stop so I kept moving and got to Tri Corner Knob at 7 pm. 15 miles! It was such a beautiful sunny day. Made the hike easy. Saw a beautiful red squirrel 10 feet away from me on the tree. I called out to him "Herbie". It just stayed still and looked at me and slowly jumped away, similar to Herbie. Some of you reading know what I am talking about! This shelter was full of women. Only two men were here. Food truck is a retired Fairfax, Virginia police officer. Shewedee, Grousewhisperer , Melanie (she who cannot be named), and TicToc, who I previously mentioned. I have to mention Foodtruck and Shewedee here. Foodtruck got her name by packing all of her pockets with trail snacks and Shewedee got hers because she uses a stand up pee type thing for women. I think I might change that if it were me. These two women have been hiking together for awhile now. When they found out I had only started my hike at Fontana, Shewedee was quick to point out that they had 200 miles more than me and that is why they were miserable. I politely told her that Fontana is at mile marker 166 so they reall only have 166 miles on me. I did say I understand and I feel for you but remember I, too, have been in 3 days of rain with serious mud right along with you. I had told them I was going to keep going, all the way, you know, to Maine. They are very condescending about this and started asking all the other hikers how long had they been planning for this hike. Complaining about everything...how hard this is...the hardest thing they have ever done. I sense they are miserable. Just not happy. To me it's a game. It's not the hardest thing I have ever done. I think being dispatched to horrible crime scenes dealing with children is hard. Watching one of my very dearest friends battle with cancer for the second time in her life, that's hard. Walking in the woods and eating food people throw at you at every turn, that's easy. I laugh a lot about this journey. I remember when I was in basic training my drill seargent would yell at me "private Hardison, come here. Why are you laughing? Is it funny? Get down and give me 50 then tell me it's funny". I was still laughing and had to do more. I was always laughing. I laugh all the the time on this journey. I pray that these two women would learn the power of laughing at it all but they instead choose to talk bad about others. They make up names for people. The funny thing is the names they give have truth in them. I asked them what names they had for me, I won't be offended. But Shewedee walked away mumbling "You don't want to know". I am sure they are annoyed with my cheerfulness but I won't stop being happy. I pray it is the light of my Lord, Jesus Christ, shining in me. I have affectionately named these two, Anastasia and Drizella!
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Tri Corner Knob shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.4

Beautiful Saturday morning. No rain! Nervous as I left the Smokies because I have no I idea what to expect. I didn't study any of this part. All I knew for sure is that there was a Hostel 4 miles out of the park. My destination. I hiked 18.4 miles to Standing Bear Hostel. My longest one day hike ever! Got a bunk space and took a hot shower. Washed my clothes on a washboard and put them in the dryer and proceeded to eat two hamburgers. This was just a cute little place. Not fancy but cute, warm and cozy. I met Walnut who was in the bunk over. He is a retired banker. He let me look at his AWOL guidebook to figure out what I will do next. I took pictures of the pages through to Hot Springs NC and set my new goal. I will call Dave on Monday to let him know where to pick me up.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Left the hostel at 8:30 am after Jimmy Dean bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit microwaved. Rain, rain and more rain. 15 miles later arrived at Roaring Creek shelter at 6 pm. Went over Max Patch in the storm. Eerie but beautiful. Windy and cold. Met a man name Fig today. 70 years young. He did the AT in 2000, 2005, 2010 and now again. Also did the PCT in 2012. He was talking on the phone when I saw him and so I hiked fast to make some distance between us but he caught me and passed me anyway. We talked for about 2 hours as I hiked behind him. I had to stop and stretch and he kept going. When I arrived at the shelter for lunch I introduced myself and said I don't believe I met you. He said "well we have been talking for the last 2 hours"! I told him to turn around....ah yes now I recognize you.....the best legs I have ever seen...and he is 70!!! Hiked with him half of the next day and he was teaching me how to forage. Teaberries and the leaves are delicious. And the striped maple leaf makes a great toilet paper or sweat towel. I just love this man. He is from Maine and has the cutest accent. Hiked the next day in to Hot Springs with him and had a huge breakfast. Dave met me here this afternoon and we stayed at the Alpine court. I zeroed the next day and took Dave up to Max Patch. It was sunny this time but even more windy. After whooing Dave for a couple if days I convinced him this was the year for me to hike the entire AT. He thought about it and said let's just do a 5% plan at a time. For every 22 miles, you accomplish 1%. Every 110 miles is 5%. I said emphatically OK! As of Tuesday April 21st I have hiked 107.8 miles from Fontana Dam in 10 days! 2.2 miles shy of my first 5%. Onward I go.
Date: 2015-04-20
From: Roaring Creek Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Gave a hiker a trail name today. Steve, who I could never recall this name, is a friend of Twisters who is hiking a section with him to Hot Springs. He came in to the shelter talking about a sign he saw that said N AT S. I think he was wondering what it meant. I told him it says nats...like the flying insect But it means North Appalachian Trail South. He laughed and said something about sometimes he hikes north and sometimes he goes south. HA I said that is your trail name!!! NATS!! He likes it and is going to keep it. Now I can remember his name. Great day today. 3.2 miles in to Hot Springs in the morning. Mountain Diner for big breakfast!
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked the 3.2 miles to Hot Springs with Fig. This is the section he taught me about the Teaberries and the Striped Maple leaf. I think I got it out of order a bit. Still trying to organize this journal. Tons of poison ivy on the trail down near Hot Springs. It is even hanging from the trees overhead. Must be careful not to bump into this. Got to the ciner by 9 am. HUGE breakfast, western omelet, coffee, orange juice. Stuffed. Dave and I had a huge miscommunication. I thought I told him I will be here by 11. He thought I said to leave the house by 11. Oh well, I got a cute room at Alpine Court, cleaned up, took a hot shower, and washed my clothes. He arrived at 4 pm after going two hours out of the way. HMMMM how did he ever make it as a police officer on the streets? oh yeah he used a compass when he was in training! It was so much fun with Dave. I had to woo him and shmoo him and tell him this was the time for me to do the entire trail. This year! My 50th year and his first year of retirement. Oh and also that I promise not to cut my hair! He was like, really? you promise? At breakfast he thought about it and said why not just do a 5% at a time plan? OKAY I can agree to that! Fantastic! I am a 110% kind of girl so this is great. I had my first zero day (no hiking miles) with Dave and took him up to Max Patch and we retraced my steps from Sunday. It was magical. I think he understands why I want to do this. He also got to meet several of the folks I have been hiking along with. He doesn't get the whole mentality of it all but can see why I do. Had a fantastic dinner at the Iron Horse with Twister and his girlfriend, Whiffi. she is not on the trail. Salmon, potato dish, and grilled zucchini. Had a fun time with them. Dave left after dinner. I slept like a baby that night after our awesome honeymoon weekend. Ironic that our first real honeymoon was in Hot Springs but that was Arkansas. Life is so amazing and beautiful on the trail. I know I will see people and everything differently when I end this journey. So for now, onward I go, 5% at a time. Ermin, TN here I come.
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Erwin, TN

To: Campsit at mile 355.2
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Who hoo. Back to the woods. Dave took me to breakfast at Waffle House. Before waddling back up the trail stopped in Johnson City at Best Buy to hook up camera wi-if. Two hours later (geek squad couldn't help) employee Jonathan got the correct app loaded. Got on the trail at 1:15 pm. Dave hiked with me for 10 minutes and went home. At first he told me he could put me on the trail 40 miles up ahead, who would know? He was joking. Today was an absolutely beautiful day. While hiking I met a couple from Germany, Oak and his wife Acorn. Stopped at Curley Maple Gap Shelter for lunch and met Stripes, marine sgt., Outro, Neemor, Gypsy, and Gadget man and his dog, Dante. Hiked on to campsite. Set up and ate left over pizza before hiking back 1/2 mile back to the most beautiful spot today. It is appropriately named Beauty Spot. Amazing sunset. Amazing! Ran in to Handsandmouth up here. Have not seen him since he came to Double Spring Gap shelter in the Smokies cursing and soaking wet on April 15th. I am catching up even after 4 zero days. At camp met section hiker Beans, section hiker JP, and thru hikers McGyver and Sweet Time, who talks extremely loud. Crawled in bed at 9. FULL moon. Amazing day.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Campsit at mile 355.2

To: Greasy Creek Friendly
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

6 am wake up. Last night I kept my food bag in my tent. Yes took a chance with the bears. Just tired of having to go fetch my bag from a tree! No bears. Hiked out at 8 after oatmeal and the left over raisin bread from the Waffle House. Major steep climb today up to Unaka Mountain. One section started at 4114 elevation and climbed only 1.5 miles up to 5180 elevation! Glad I had a huge granola bar before this climb. Cherry Gap Shelter for lunch. Met Hoot, has an owl tattoo, and Yahoo, can't remember how he got his name. This mountain is a gorgeous dense spruce forest. Kept hiking and arrive at Iron Mountain Gap and needed a Snikers. I was sitting on the ground watching the fast motorcycles driving by when a section hiker, Pete, talked with me. He gave me some fig bars. A van pulled in to the parking lot and called out to me that he has snacks and sodas. His name is Rob. He used to have a hostel but now just does trail magic. I think doing trail magic could be addicting. Hope I can pay it forward. There is a campsite at mile 367.2 but if you hike 0.6 east through the woods on an old foot travel only road you come to this place where I am at now. Greasy Creek Friendly. I arrived at 6 pm but it was all locked up. The owner arrived at 7 pm. Connie lives here and opens her home to hikers. She does not like the word hostel so she calls it a Friendly. I got a room inside for $15.00. I shared it (3 twin beds) with Coolbreze. His real name Steve who lives in Pennsylvania. He didn't snore! He is a section hiker and is doing 20 miles Monday and driving back to PA he same day. Exhausting. He gave me his address and phone number and told me when I get up to PA he would pick me up so we can grill at his house. He live right near the trail. Can walk out his door to the trail. Sweet. I will take him up on it since I paid for his Ben and Jerry's pint that he forgot to pay for. I am really enjoying my time here. Talked a ton with Connie and will zero because I have a painful spot (first one) on my left foot. I need my feet. I think I needed to be here. We talked about God and where all the pagan customs began. We have a bit of the same history, Worldwide Church of God in the 90's for her, the late 70's early 80's for me. Love talking with her. When I arrived here a potbellied pig showed up. So cute and friendly. Her tail just wags all the time. I named her Truffles. While here I met TwoFeathers, and a young engaged couple named Colby Jack (guy) and Pepper Jack. Slept well after sharing pasta Alfredo with salmon made by Coolbreeze.
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Greasy Creek Friendly

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

No hiking today. Went in to Buladean with Naps and Gypsy. Got a burger and fries and a large supreme pizza to go. Connie went to a mom and pop pharmacy and found my foot fixer, Blistop! Just hanging out at her house and watching Django and soaking my feet in Epsom salt foot bath. Really enjoyed staying here. Before leaving I signed her log book and noticed that Twister and Walnut were here on April 29th. So I am a week behind them.
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Greasy Creek Friendly

To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

A beautiful amazing day today. Left the Friendly at 830 am. So many places I passed today. Clyde Smith Shelter where I met Sunshine and Red Cloud who are from Colorado. Had left over pizza for lunch at Hughes Gap. Arrived in Ash Gap. There is this amazing Ash forest and beautiful campsite here. Climbed up to Toll House Gap where an old hotel once stood. I missed the sign for High Roan Knob Shelter. The highest and coldest shelter on the entire AT. Next shelter 5 miles. Ok. The climb through the forest was tough and going down to Carvers Gap was all rocks. Feet hurt. But crossing the road and going up to Round Bald....gorgeous. My favorite place yet. Long walk over to Jane Bald and now rain. It rained for an hour on me. I hiked hard and fast to the shelter. So tired. Small shelter. Naps, Boda, Bandit, Wheaties were here. Slept very well.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour B&B
Miles today: 11.1

Left shelter at 7:30 am and immediately went up Little Hump Mountain. After a 3 1/2 mile hike up I was so excited to run into Marathon and Fatboyslim! Couldn't believe it. I had not seen him since I was at Newfound Gap waiting for Dave. Weeks ago. Nice to be in his bubble. We climbed up, up, and up some more to Hump Mountain. This is truly the prettiest spot I have been yet. Everyone needs to come here! I stayed up here an hour and ate lunch and walked barefoot in the grass. Just WOW! But when you go up you have to go down. Ouch is all I can say. Everyone's feet hurt. It was huge rocks all the way down. 5 miles doesn't seem far but it was the longest walk ever. Passed the final North Carolina/Tennessee border sign. No more NC for the rest of the AT. Finally arrived at the road where Mike with his dog, RayRay, was waiting for a ride. I told him the B&B is only 0.3 miles. So we hoofed it. Beautiful little bed and breakfast In Roan Mountain, TN. Can't wait for the smorgasbord breakfast buffet in the morning!
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Mountain Harbour B&B

To: campsit at mile 410.5
Miles today: 16.7

Just could not sleep at this beautiful B&B. To much traffic noise. Got up at 5 am due to the smell of buns in the oven and went downstairs to watch Mary cooking tons of food. There were 32 hikers in for breakfast at 8. She said that is the most she has ever had. Best buffet breakfast ever!   Hiked out (waddled) at 9:50am. Beautiful waterfalls today. Marathon and Fatboyslim decided to slack pack. They paid someone to take their packs forward and are hiking 26 miles to get them at the next hostel. To many miles for me and besides, I like my stuff. Saw Strider and Lola on the hike. It was hot, sunny and beautiful. Then at 5:30 pm the rain came. It came without much warning and it came down hard, fast, and furious. My feet were soaked because I didn't even have time to put on my gaiters. I can't walk much with wet feet so I did make my goal to the campsite and put up my tent in the rain. I was wringing things out for an hour. At least I have dry socks for tomorrow. Goal will be the 8 mile hike to Black Bear Hostel for a shower, wash clothes, and pizza! I just don't understand why rain can make me stink something ferocious.
Date: 2015-05-08
From: campsit at mile 410.5

To: campsite at 423.7
Miles today: 13.2

Slept so well in my tent. First time. The rain cooled things off and I had a very flat ground site! No sliding for a change. Got to Black Bear Hostel before noon. Found Indy here! Strider arrived with his dog Lola. I planned to stay just 2 hours to get my shower and wash clothes and eat,eat, eat but the company was so nice it ended up being 3 hrs. Got to hiking. This next section to Laurel Falls was one of the hardest for me. Hard time seeing the trail because it was a bunch of HUGE rocks. Got to the fall though and it was gorgeous. Could have been an add for Sandals Resort in the Bahamas. There was a couple swimming under the waterfall dispite the warning not to swim here. I think I will return someday to do the same. You can see them in the picture. Had a hard time finding the trail when Boda came down the rocks and pointed out the way. I met a couple, Backwoods Barbie and husband Beaver setting up tent about 4 pm. They did not want to get caught in rain again. They are section hiking from Erwin to Damascus. I trudged on straight up the mountain for 3 hard miles. Seriously straight up. Accidentally found the old AT and went up that. Realized I was lost. Saw a hiker who went the right way and told me to just keep going from there. Nope. I am a purist so I had to go back and do the real AT section that was re routed. Arrived at camp before the rain. Set up, ate, called my neighbors. Had Internet for a bit way up here on Pond Mountain. No pond, no water. Glad I had some. Crawled in my cozy and the rain hit hard at 9 pm. Sleep!