morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Winding Stair Gap-Franklin Budget Inn

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Kathy Miller advertises shuttles in Franklin, and I called her yesterday and set up our pickup in front of the motel. Carey will also ride along to the trail. After breakfast at the Kountry Kitchen again, Kathy arrived at 7:30 as planned. She moved to Franklin from South Carolina 3 years ago, and drives a 1986 Jeep Cherokee with 400 thousand miles on it. I was wondering if we were going to make it from town to the trail head without breaking down. The morning in town was pea soup thick fog. As the highway climbed to Winding Stair Gap, the sun broke out to a beautiful morning.   Ready to hike, Carey wanted to write in his tablet for a while so I hiked on ahead.   The Bertram Trail runs concurrent with the AT for a few miles, and there were a couple signs set up for the Make A Wish Foundation for terminally ill children. I then met a couple who were hiking for the foundation to raise funds. I congratulated them for their efforts just as the Bertram Trail split off the AT. I, of course, went their direction for a half mile before I realized the trail did not seem right.   I verified my mistake with my phone GPS.   That's an extra mile walking today. My plan was to hike 11 miles to Wayah Bald Shelter, at which I arrived at 1:00. Too early to stop so I decided to push for Cold Spring shelter.   Uphill all the way.   As I arrived, a steady hard rain began.   I would like to set up my tent, but the rain keeps me in the shelter. Carey arrived soaked as did Tom, an IT salesman who just out for a few days. Tom told us the story of a bear incident at Low Gap shelter, where we stayed a few days ago. Apparently one of the hikers in the shelter left his food bag on the table in front of the shelter. In the middle of the night, a bear came right in the shelter, and sat on the table and helped himself to the food bag. Everyone in the shelter was yelling and throwing things at the bear, who took the bag and left. That made me a firm believer in hanging our food on a bear bag line.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

What a night.   This is the most mouse infested shelter I've ever been in. As the evening twilight waned, they came out in force. As I was lying in my sleeping bag, I could feel them running over my legs. They came out of the corners where there is a space between the wall and floor hear them scurrying and I jerk quickly and shine my head lamp in the corner and I can see their faces peering at me. It became a game. I would quickly jump and turn on my light, and they would scurry in their holes. They're super fast. It seemed like they settled down after a while, but I didn't get much sleep. That's not good because I am planning an 18.4 mile day today.The good part, it's 12 miles, mostly downhill to the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC). What a complex. The NOC is a combination restaurant, hiker hostel, whitewater canoe training facility for national competitions including the Olympics. Arriving at noon, I park myself in the restaurant and order and snarf down a hiker cheeseburger and fries at the outdoor table.   With seven more miles to hike, better get going. The last seven miles were the hardest as they are all uphill.   But Sassafras Gap shelter is big, clean, and mouse free.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday pushed me to my limit of strength, with the last half of the day up hill. So even though I slept good last night, I just didn't have enough gas, and I stop often. The day was uneventful except for Cheoah Bald. The opening of that top with the view to the mountains is breathtaking. Cable Gap shelter is one of the older on the trail. It is built like Cold Spring shelter, directly on the ground. There are spaces between the floor and log walls. I know this is another mouse hotel. The newer shelters are built up off the ground so there is much less chance of rodent infestation. I choose to pitch my tent tonight. Looking forward to tomorrow and Fontana Dam.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Visitors Center - Lodge
Miles today: 7.1

Not sure why but with only 6.9 miles to hike, I feel worn out. Fontana is a welcome sight. I hike to the Visitors Center where a retired couple staff the center. Linda calls the Lodge, and they come pick me up as one of their services. The Fontana Lodge gives hikers a break with their rates, $59 for the night. My room is very upscale with plush pillows and such. The laundromat is a separate building. I want to wash everything, including what I'm wearing. I take my rain gear with me to change into while everything washes. The laundromat is cracker box sized, and there's no restroom where I can change. Their is a lady and a young child present, so I guess I won't wash what I'm wearing. Later at the "Wildwood Grill", I order the half pound Dam Burger. The lady I met at Cable Gap shelter came in as I ate. She said Cary came in the same shuttle with her.   I called the lodge and asked if Cary checked in. I invited him to dinner to catch up on our days of hiking. Now I await breakfast in the morning.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Fontana Dam Visitors Center - Lodge

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

I never knew much about Fontana Dam until I saw the history at the Visitors Center.   Amazingly, it was built in two years.   The engineering is incredible. The Fontana Lodge, a rather upscale hotel, are kind to hikers by giving them a break on the room fee. $59 for the night, which is less than half the regular price.   The restaurant in the lodge serves a great breakfast. Open at 7:30, Cary and Marnie (the lady I met at Sassafras Gap shelter) came and sat down. Marnie is her Trail name, the character from Little Women. We order the sunrise, eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, toast.   At 8:30, hikers wait for the shuttle to the trail. A father-son duo is impressive. The dad, trail name Avatar, and the son has the name Tic Tac. Tic Tac is 7 years old and is hiking 16 mile days with dad.   We pile in the shuttle van together along with Cary. We drop off Cary at the Crossings, then the rest of us go to the Visitors Center where we start our hike across the dam. Avatar and I trade taking pictures if each other by the dam and the Smokys sign. We drop our permits in the collection box, then I pull ahead of them.   Now that we are in the Smoky Mountains, I am hiking with my left foot in Tennessee and my right foot in North Carolina. The trail straddles the border. The hiking is easier than I envisioned, and I arrive ten miles later at Mollies Ridge shelter for a break. Gas Can and Mike are here also. We chat for a while, then I head out for the last 3 miles to Russell Field shelter. There are already 5 people here settling in. The spring is another 0.2 miles down hill, so I where my pack to carry full water bottles. As I fix a dinner of BBQ spaghetti, a family of three arrive, then four young men, then Avatar and Tic Tac, then Mike whom I met at Mollies Ridge. There are 14 in all, lots of conversation as rain pitter pats the roof.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Of the 14 people packed in the shelter, the one person who snores loud enough to wake the dead sleeps next to me.   His trail name is Big Country. I don't sleep well. I am the first up and Big Country says cheerfully, "Good morning!"   I look at him and grunt morning under my breath. I am on the trail by 6:30 and the terrain is difficult, especially up Rocky Top.   The views would be great except heavy fog creeps in. My goal is Siler's Bald shelter, and arrive there at 2:00. Double Springs shelter is only another 1.7 miles. The water is closer to the shelter than at Siler's, and the fact it has a privy convinces me to press on. I did see four wild turkey's today, at different times, all of then were walking on the trail. I was able to get as close as 20 feet before they walked off. Standing about four feet high, they are a magnificent looking bird. As I hike the fog is very thick and it starts to rain in earnest. The wind is picking up giving me a chill. It is only 63 degrees. I arrive at Double Springs and am greeted by a couple my age who started thru hiking on April 28. He is retired from the Navy, and he and his wife are enjoying the hike. They are only making about 8 or 9 miles a day, and they are having second thoughts about finishing this year. I eat my beef stew dinner, but I am shivering cold. The rain, fog and wind continues to blow, so I turn in at 5:30 to warm up. A young man arrives, and is with three others hiking the Park, but his friends lagged behind and there is no sign of his friends.   He waits here concerned.   A half hour later they arrived soaked.
Date: 2014-06-06
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 13.8

Day 17. I'm looking forward to seeing Clingman's Dome again. Our family vacationed in Gatlinburg for many years, and the tower was always a regular visit. Only this time the approach is from the trail. Too bad the fog still has everything socked in. That's ok, I've been here many times before. Later at Newfound Gap, what a change from trail life. Hundreds of tourists park and enjoy the now bright sunshine.   Many ask about my hike. Where I started, when will I finish, how much does your pack weigh. My real intent was to yogi a cold drink from a tourist. Sure enough, one gentleman brought me an ice cold Dr. Pepper and a water. No more than a tenth of a mile from Newfound Gap, a bear was ambling along the trail feeding on the vegetation on the side of the trail.   He didn't seem to care I was behind him. I clicked my poles and shouted, but he just looked back at me, then continue walking slowly on the trail.   This went on for 20 minutes when two young ladies approached from the opposite direction. I could hear them coming as they were talking loudly. I tried waving to them but they suddenly caught sight and abruptly stopped.   The bear slowly ambled off the trail until we could pass. Once again, the shelter is full, 12 people.   Avatar and Tic Tac came in, two older gentlemen in their 70's who are very experienced hikers, a single guy roaming the park, a man from Belgium who is in the US for a business conference with some extra days for hiking, and then a family of five from Michigan, including a 2 year old boy.The skies finally cleared, and what a gorgeous view from Icewater Springs shelter.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Icewater Springs Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 18. I caught up to four middle aged gentlemen taking a pack-off break on a steep uphill section. One was hoisting his huge pack, and it was so heavy, he had to bend over forward to pull the pack in place. I was afraid he was going to have a heart attack. I think gear sales people oversell to the first time backpacker. There are so many gadgets that dazzle the eyes, it's really hard to say no. So far, the Smokys shelters have been full every night. Cosby Knob shelter has a group of three dads and four boys, a single gentleman in his 70's who has decided to take up hiking, a couple I passed on the trail earlier, and two Ridgerunners, Carl "Gray Beard" and David "Star Child".   I was asked to show my thru hikers permit, so I guess they really do ask. They are here to oversee the installation of a new privy that will be dropped in tomorrow. Ridgerunner Carl said if anyone else shows up, I'll have to tent, since the daily reservation holders have precedence over thru hiker permit holders.Luckily, no one else came.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.7

Day 19. Quite frankly, I am glad to be leaving the Smokys. I feel I am overly regulated. Sleeping in a crowded shelter is a requirement, and it's illegal to camp on my own off the trail.It's ten miles to the I-40 overpass, and two more to the Standing Bear Farm Hostel. On arrival, host Curtis hands out an envelope on which you write your trail name, then you keep your own tally of the items taken from the food pantry. He only looks at the bottom total. They trust the hikers who stay.   There is a bunk house with 14 bunks, a separate kitchen building with stove, refrigerator, table; everything for making your own dinner. They so have a pantry with some frozen foods.   When I arrive, I eat two jumbo cheeseburgers. I need to wash everything so input on my rain gear. The laundry is a double sink with a washboard and a wringer. I can't remember when I've done laundry by hand. Afterward, I get a frozen pepperoni pizza from the pantry for dinner, and cook it in the special pizza oven in the kitchen. Maria have a great place with friendly atmosphere.
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 20. Standing Bear Farm Hostel is a great place to zero, but the climb going north is hellacious. The first two hours is straight up.   The day is up and down, then the climb up Snowbird Mountain made it worth the climb. That's one of the best views so far. I saw bear number four today. At the top of Rube Ridge, I startled a medium sized bear and he climbed a tree right in front of me. He looked around the tree to see what I was going to do, so I backed up slowly. He jumped down and scurried away. Bears can move very fast. Max Patch Bald is equally impressive. There's a parking lot close enough for day hikers to walk to the top with lawn chairs. Several groups of people were either enjoying the view, flying kites, or having lunch. As I was standing at the top one couple about fifty yards away waved at me as they were seated near the trail. I walked over to then and they asked about my hike. They introduced themselves as Ken and Nikki, along with their four year old grandson Skylar. Ken then asked if I would like some cold fresh cut fruit. Wow this is real trail magic. I dug in my pack for a container and spoon and indulged. I topped it off with a glass of Welsh tea. The skies appeared to darken a bit so we said our farewells, and my thanks. The rains came in buckets before I got to Walnut Mountain shelter. When I arrived, "Granny" was there with her granddaughter Abby, a sixth grader. They are out for a couple days and they've set up their tent. The shelter is very small and old and I'm afraid the mice would keep me company so I set up my tent. Some of the floorboards in the shelter are missing. Avatar and Tic Tac also hiked the 20 miles today. There is a nice new picnic table here, so all of us sit and have fun conversation while we fix dinner.   The other hikers start a campfire but I'm too tired and retreat to my tent for the night.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It poured rain last night but the morning brings bright sunshine. I started the hike today seeing my fifth bear. A cub darts off a tree and scampers into the woods. Halfway down Bluff Mountain is a tent setup along the trail.   I meet Kinder, an amiable white haired elderly lady, who is very interested in my hike. She asked if I met Granny at Walnut Mountain. The people from my home town of Port Clinton Ohio think it unbelievable that I would go hiking the AT, yet older people who live in the Appalachian region think nothing of climbing mountains. I suppose it's ingrained from youth. Walnut Mountain shelter is at 4600' elevation, and my destination of Hot Springs is 1300'. That's a drop of 3300', and is incredibly hard on the feet and knees.   Long downhills are as difficult as uphill climbs. Hot Springs is indeed a hiker friendly town. The trail goes through the Main Street of town, where the town has embedded bronze AT trail markers in the sidewalk every hundred feet. Elmer's Sunnybank Inn is unique for a hiker hostel.   It is a very large four square style home with seven or eight bedrooms, listed in the National Register of Historic Homes. Elmer greets all hikers and is very welcoming.   The door to my room has a plaque that says Earl Schaffer slept here on two different thru hikes in 1948 and 1998. After going to the laundromat I go next door to the Still Mountain Restaurant, and order the pulled pork dinner with baked beans and fries. My legs are spent, and I hit the bed early. I think I'll zero here tomorrow.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - Hot Springs

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0

Day 22. Elmer makes breakfast of waffles, strawberries, grapes, cantaloupe, muesli cereal, and coffee. Seven hikers sit around the table family style and enjoy great conversation. Elmer and I share the same last name, as does Josh, who hiked in with me. Elmer is a former college professor at Dartmouth. Avatar and Tic Tac are ending their hike today. They will be back next year to pick up here in Hot Springs for another month of hiking. Young 10 year old Tic Tac was walking 20 mile days through the mountains with his dad. I'm sitting on the back porch typing this journal, when Cary shows up walking in this morning. I haven't seen him since Fontana Lodge. Cary continues to write his AT book, and goes to the public library to use the computer. The library closes at 1:00pm today, so he goes to the local outfitter and uses the computer available there. I nap through the afternoon, recovering from the last few days.   Later, Josh, Wolvereng, Cary and myself go to the Smoky Mountain Diner across the street for dinner. We all come back and watch AT videos with Elmer. The Sunnybank Inn is part of a couple of the videos.
Date: 2014-06-12
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - Hot Springs

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

Day 23. It's easy to get soft when sleeping in a great bed at Elmer's. I forewent Elmer's great breakfast only because he doesn't serve until 8:30am. I rose at 5:30 and walked across the road to the Smoky Mountain Diner for bacon, eggs, hash browns and toast. So back to Elmer's and I'm ready to hike by 7:00. Hot Springs is quiet in the early hours, and I sit on the bench in front of the outfitter store to use their wi-fi. I later head out of town across the French Broad River bridge, then turn into the mountains where the trail turns steeply up. Today I am hiking alone, and as quite often happens, the monotony of step after step causes the mind to think about the past events of my life.   I walk along faced with a myriad of thoughts. Some happy, leaves me laughing out loud, some sad leaving me in tears. Out of nowhere, I suddenly missed my mother, who died six years ago. Only out here is there time for that to surface. Then I felt tremendous repentance for my lack of parenting skills and all the little ways my three children were injured. Then I feel overwhelming love for them. Then a rush of loneliness for Yvonne my wife.   Thoughts and feelings and emotions come and go so quickly. The trail does that to a hiker. I handle the weight of my five day supply of food ok. Just go slow trudging uphill, and the miles roll by. I'm finally at the high point of today's hike, at Rich Mountain. I decide to take the side trail up to the lookout tower, an old forest service fire tower. The surrounding view is spectacular. A cellular tower stands a couple hundred feet away, so I'll try calling Yvonne. She answers standing in line at Mickey D's, to buy a couple salads.   As we talk I notice dark clouds to the west, so I hasten the conversation and give my love. I arrive at Spring Mountain shelter at 1:00pm. This shelter is a small and can hold perhaps five. This one of the oldest on the trail, built in 1938. I consider walking another 8.6 miles to the next shelter, but thunder rumbles ever closer. I rush to get water at the spring, and no sooner got back to the shelter when the skies opened up with pounding rain. I think I'll stay here for the night.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4

Day 24. I slept well but the mice took the opportunity to chew a couple holes in my hiking shirt. I could hear them but I thought they would keep to themselves. Four gentlemen were camped about a mile North of Spring Mountain shelter. As I passed one asked how far I was going today. When I said Jerry's Cabin shelter he said, "Whoa that's a long way. You better get going."   15.4 miles to them seemed undoable. I saw no one else on the trail today, but a couple had spent the night in Jerry's Cabin, and had there stuff scattered all over the shelter. They are a local couple, and his grandfather took care of this shelter for years. He is a down home good ole boy. When they finally got packed up it started raining. She's going to hike the eight miles in flip flops. This shelter is right at the 300 mile mark on the trail. Only 168 miles to go.
Date: 2014-06-14
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Hog Back Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 25. It rained through the night, but the day looks promising at 6:00am. I know the top of this mountain Jutes out into a grass covered bald, which will be soaked from last night's rain. I think I'll wear my waterproof socks and rain skirt. The trail skirted a civil war era grave of three young men, one was only thirteen. I took the time to say a prayer for them. The trail is noticeably tougher the last couple days. I was spent after yesterday's 15.4 miles. The Firescald rocks at mile 297 was a real obstacle course. Today there were a lot of ups and downs.   I completed the 14.7 miles by 2:00, and would have considered going farther, but the long climbs and rocks wore me out. Luckily there is a 3G signal at Hog Back shelter, so I spend time chatting with Yvonne and checking my e-mail. I'm alone again tonight, and have seen only two people in the last three days. Snapper rolled in at 8:15. He hiked 30 miles today!   He only has 3 months to they hike the trail.   From the looks of his equipment, he's hiking even lighter than Ian. That's incredible hiking.
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Hog Back Ridge Shelter

To: Uncle Johnnies Hostel, Erwin Tenn. 
Miles today: 26.9

Day 26. I know today is going to be long so I'm up at 5:30am and ready to head out by 6:30. As I leave, Snapper is just stirring. My original plan was to go 10 miles today, leaving 16.7 miles to Uncle Johnnies Hostel in Erwin the next day. But if I do 20 miles to No Business Shelter today, that leaves only 6.7 miles to the hostel. That way I can get there in the morning and have the day to regroup. The hike today goes over Big Bald Mountain, which is impressive with its wide open grassy top, and a view of a hundred miles in every direction. I always limit the water I carry since that's the single most heavy item a hiker carries. I plan my water from The AT Guide, which shows the springs and stream locations. What I didn't realize is Tennessee is now five inches short of normal. As I neared the 20 mile mark at No Business shelter, the listed streams were dry. I still had a liter with me, but not enough for dinner and breakfast.   I got to No Business shelter at 3:30. No water, no privy, no thank you. I'm already tired but the next 6.7 miles to Erwin is mostly downhill. I decide to go for it. I've never hiked 26.5 miles.   On top of the last mountain, the guide shows it being fairly flat, but actually it's a roller coaster of five steep ups and downs. What a killer.   On the final descend, fabulous views of Erwin appear through the trees. It's like being in a plane. When I step out onto the road on Erwin, Uncle Johnnies is the first beloved sight. Thank you Uncle Johnny.