morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a very hard day, but I knew it would be because after leaving Fontana Dam I entered the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.  I have a lot of great memories connected to the Smokies, and in a way I feel like Brer Rabbit being thrown back into the briar patch.  I know and love these mountains, but also respect how challenging they can be....and they were challenging.  I ended up at my first shelter in the Smokies tired and hungry.  My appetite has recently really increased.  I've decided some of my favorite camp mates are section hikers because they almost always carry too much food.  Melissa, from Texas, announced she had some MRE snacks she was tired of carrying and I was gifted with a dessert called spiced apples. It was indescribably good.  Later, an Indian couple (Upbeat and Bells) shared a package of Maggi authentic Indian flavored  2-minute noodles.  The sense of commradorie that develops among hikers is hard to describe but it's authentic and much appreciated.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Mollie's Ridge Shelter

To: Siler's Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

Day two in the Smokies and the weather couldn't have been better.  It's hard to explain what's different about the Park,  but there are sections on top of the balds that look like enchanted forests.  I think this was the most intense natural beauty I've experienced so far.  It has been a very long day which calls for a quiet night.  Lights out at 8:00 pm.By the way...for those of you 'in the know' I caught SwampRat!
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Siler's Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Got up early because I needed to hike 12 miles to Newfound Gap to catch a shuttle into Gatlinburg.  Tomorrow will be my first zero (day of no hiking) since starting almost two weeks ago. The hike involved climbing to the top of Cingman's Dome,  and there were some  unbelievable views.  I'm still amazed I've hiked three days in the Smokies with no rain.  Plus Two decided to resupply in Gatlinburg, so we caught the 1:30 shuttle which took me directly to my hotel and only charged $5.  Checked in at the Grand Prix  and found not only my resupply box waiting but four letters from family and friends.  What a wonderful surprise! Looking forward to a relaxing day tomorrow wearing clean clothes, sleeping late and eating as much as I am capable.
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Newfound Gap

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a wonderful relaxing day.  Got up around 7:00 and met SwampRat, Steady,  F 100 and Plus Two for breakfast at Bennett's....a local place known for it's breakfast bar.  We ate until we could eat no more then enjoyed visiting over real coffee.  SwampRat shared that he will be getting off the trail when his wife arrives from Louisiana, tomorrow, so he can be home when his son has an unexpected surgerical  procedure  on Tuesday.  He plans to return to the trail in a week or so, but we're all very sad to see him go;  even though we all totally support his decision.  He has been so inspiring, to so many, in how he has handled all the obstacles that have dogged him since the very beginning of his hike.  God speed SwampRat.  The rest of the day was spent resupplying, doing yoga, making phone calls and planning where my 'last supper' for at least eight days will be.  I feel sound....body, mind and soul...but know most of the credit for that comes from the over whelming support I'm receiving from family and friends.  Love and thanks to each and every one of you.
Date: 2012-04-05
From: Gatlinburg

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Well I know the names of at least two angels: Bernie and Beth.  They're from FL and took a week vacation just to provide trail magic plus transportation for  hikers from NewFound Gap into Gatlinburg.  They gave me a ride back to the trail so I got a pretty early start.  It threatened rain all day, and sprinkled a time or two, but I made it to the most remote shelter in the Smokies (Tri Corner Knob) before the heavens opened up and it poured.  We had a full shelter: Smooth Sailing and Soleman (formerly Coleman who hiked barefoot, but is now wearing shoes). Plus Two, Early Bird, Stretch and Connect Four (she carries a Connect Four game with her and is virtually unbeatable).  It was a great group of thru hikers, but just as everyone was settling in two guys appeared.  They'd been caught in the storm so they were totally soaked, loud and obnoxious.  It was a long night with ArJoe and Craftsman.  They are thru hikers but behaved like Bushwackers.  One was a former Marine and kept bragging about the gun he was carrying. They also told a long drawn out story about how their friend Machete Mitch had gotten arrested in Gatlinburg and was off the trail.  We survived the night but most everyone left at day break to avoid the two of them.
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

It rained all night so as I left the shelter the trail was more like a stream than a trail.  I decided to make the day longer than planned because Smooth Sailing had said there was a rustic hostel if you pushed for 18 miles.  I certainly didn't want to take a chance on seeing ArJoe and Craftsman again so decided that was a good plan.  It was a beautiful last day in the Smokies.  I can't believe what great weather I had.  Right before we left the park, a ranger questioned Plus Two about the guys who had been so disruptive.  Seems there have been lots of complaints about them and the ranger was intent on tracking them down. The Standing Bear Hostel ended up being a wonderful schedule change.  They had a moderate supply of food you could buy so I got a coke, candy bar and chips.  Then I discovered that they had a fridge and you could buy eggs.  I bought three eggs for a $1 and boiled them and plan to have them for snacks tomorrow on the trail.  I thought that would be fitting since it's Easter weekend.  It was a tough day with a happy ending.
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Left the hostel at first light and it was a cold morning ( had to wear gloves) but beautiful hiking day.  I started out hiking with Smooth Sailing.  He's a really cool guy who has hiked most of the trail before.  He has a great perspective about the whole thru hike experience.  He has a very 'calming' vibe.  We summited Snowbird Mountain mid morning and I thought that was beautiful until I summited Max Patch mid afternoon. Max Patch has to be one of the most beautiful mountain views I'll see the whole trip. Trail magic abounded today.  A former hiker named Apple had treats at the bottom of the mountain and two different families had trail magic at the top.  The top of my foot hurt ( from a fall I took right after leaving the Smokies) so I stopped after 15 miles even though my new friends were pushing on.  It ended up working out cause I met two new cool guys; Sit-a-bit and Flash.  Later, Catnap, Yowman and Dropout showed up too.  Another cold night but I stayed warm.
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sit-a-bit and I decided to get an early start cause Smooth Sailing had told us that the little town of Hot Springs, NC was only 18 miles away.  I left the shelter at 6:30 and I think it was the prettiest hiking weather yet. Cool and crisp morning that turned into a breezy warm day. When I first started hiking this morning, I passed a shelter where a Mom and Dad had stayed with their two boys.  As I got closer I realized the boys were hunting Easter eggs.  Their parents had packed the eggs  in and hidden them in the woods for the boys to find  The day was spent mostly descending with only one climb to the top of Bluff Mt.  I felt good and was really glad I had stopped when I did the night before.  I'm starting to listen to my body and it's paying off.  I ended up hiking 18 miles in 6 and a half hours.  It was 1:00 when I got to town. The trail goes right down main street, so I stopped at the Smokey Mt Diner and had their Easter special; turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, turnip greens and cornbread.  I hate to keep writing about food but now instead of thinking about what hurts, all day when I'm hiking, I'm thinking about what and when I get to eat  After eating I checked into the Sunnybank B & B which I will not be making a picture of and posting, because all my family and friends might get the idea that I'm not exactly roughing it  It's a beautiful Victorian house that caters to hikers.  The owners name is Elmer.  It would be tempting to stay here an extra day but I will push on tomorrow....however,  I don't think it would hurt to delay long enough to see what Elmer fixes for breakfast
Date: 2012-04-09
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mt Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Had breakfast then left Hot Springs, but I felt sluggish all day.  I was glad I'd only planned to do 11 miles.  I did a better job today of taking my time and 'stopping to smell the roses.' It was a beautiful day, so about 5 miles in I saw a side trail, going straight up, that led to a fire tower.  I usually only follow the white blazes, of the AT, but I went to the top of the hill, climbed the tower and saw some amazing views.  I also met a section hiker, named Options, who  ended up being a wild flower authority.  I was so glad to meet her because she helped me identify some of the plants I didn't know and had been curious about.The shelter tonight was a whole new cast of characters.  Einstein, Dakota Dan, Lime Green, Runner and GranBob.  It was really cool to meet GranBob because I followed  his blogging on Trail Journals before I  started my adventure.  I had talked to another hiker who had met him a few weeks ago and the kid said, " Yeah, I know him.  He's old, but he's really cool!"
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Spring Mt Shelter

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

Left early,  but after only a mile or two I met Tortise,  Hare, Diesel and Big Sky.  They told me about trail magic just 350 yards off the trail at the home of former thru hikers John and Jodie Nelson.  They were fixing Belgian waffles for morning hikers and pork stew for people passing through after noon .  They are originally from Kansas City, but after hiking the trail in 1999 they were so changed by their experience they moved to TN and built a house close enough to the trail so they could provide trail magic every year.  Unbelievable!With real food under my belt I powered up the trail and ended up being the first one at the shelter for the night.  I gathered firewood and started a fire.  My first time to be the fire builder.  I've decided it's a great way to make you popular with your shelter mates
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

It was incredibly cold and windy hiking today.  There were moments when my hands were so cold I was feeling downright miserable.  Many of you know the story of me cutting out hundreds of tiny circles, for a bullitan board project when I was in college.  After hours of free hand cutting, my room mate came in and said, " Wow, cool dots....what did you use to make them; a hole punch"After two or three hours of thinking, "My hands hurt, my hands hurt", a light bulb went off, and I realized, " I don't need these trekking poles to walk! I can stow these in my pack and get my hands warm!  I put my hands in my pockets, and I felt instant relief.
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Buisness Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Coldest morning yet.  One hiker's thermometer read 22 degrees.  I didn't leave as early because of the cold and the rumor that there would be trail magic at Sam's Gap at 8:15.  The trail magic turned out to be legitimate and I had scrambled eggs, hash browns, a muffin and orange compliments of 'Quiet Paul' a former thru hiker who has completed two AT adventures; one northbound and one south. It was a good start to the day. It was a cold morning but not as miserable as the day before.  I've decided that too many cold days in a row could be something that might make me choose to leave the trail early.  I hate being cold.  The weather continued to warm, so I did almost 21 miles, so I would be close to Erwin for a nero (near zero) tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-13
From: No Buisness Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

Up early and it was almost all down hill into Erwin.  I made it to the hostel by 8:30;  just in time to catch the breakfast shuttle into town.  The hostel is called Johnny's and had everything a hiker needs but seemed a bit commercialized.  There was a pot of coffee in front of the office, but you had to pay 50 cents for a cup.  I ended up sharing a cabin with Lime Green and Smooth Sailing. Lots of people I've been hiking with showed up, so it ended up being a good stop.  I am starting to have moments of homesickness though.  I went to a Dollar Store and saw all their Easter stuff on sale...made me miss Brady and Henry Byrd.  Had a great meal at a Mexican restaurant with GranBob, Runner and Dakota Dan but was glad my cabin was near the 'loo' later in the evening.  Sometimes the transition from trail food to town food doesn't go smoothly.PS.. I had lots of mail waiting for me when i got to Erwin which is always a spirit boost.  Thanks Tom, Lee, Rupa, Alec and Kay!
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the hostel at day break and felt better than I did leaving Hot Springs, but my pack felt heavy with seven days of food.  The day was going well with lots of climbing when suddenly I realized I'd rolled my ankle.  It wasn't sprained but felt strained the rest of the day.  As soon as I got to the shelter I soaked it in the creek and got some immediate relief.  I have to admit I am a bit discouraged and hope it's better tomorrow because we climb Roan Mountain.  I also feel a bit of pressure to keep to my schedule because I want to be in Damascus next Friday for a zero day and to see Mark (my husband) for the first time since starting the trip.  Of course that worries me a bit too.  Not sure what I'll feel like after connecting with loved ones from home.  It was a quiet night at the shelter.  Only 6 thru hikers and everyone in their sleeping bags by 8:00.
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 16.2

How is it most things we worry about never happen anyway?  I was worried about how the day would play out and it ended up being a great day.  I woke up to the early morning hooting of an owl around 5:30.  It was so cool!  Of course i have to be wary of birds of prey with a name like Mouse. Smooth Sailing and I were the first ones up and he agreed to pace me, so I wouldn't further aggravate my ankle.  As many of you know, I have a 'fast twitch' and it's hard for me to pace myself.  Smooth is a big proponent of not hiking more than 2 miles an hour which he claims conserves energy and can help ward off injuries.  We hiked together the first 10 miles with a moderate pace, and I have to admit it did me great good.  When we got to the base of Roan Mt. we hiked our own hike and I was glad to discover my ankle feels much better going uphill than down. The shelter tonight is the highest shelter on the trail.  I'm in my tent because I wanted to make sure I can still set it up, but if it gets too cold I've warned the guys I might slip into the shelter in the middle of the night.  Same gang here as last night with the addition of Santa Claus , Gnome and Bird Man.
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Roan Mt. Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel and B&B
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The great thing about life on the trail is that no matter what problem you have, if you share it with fellow hikers everyone seems to work together to solve it.  I was scheduled to stay at Apple House Shelter, but found out that it was dismantled March 7, so I wasn't sure what to do.  Lime Green discovered there was a hostel at Hwy 19 E, just .3 miles off the trail, so that ended up being today's destination; Mountain Harbor Hostel and B&B.  Today was really a beautiful, beautiful hike.  I started on Roan Mt. and went from one mountain to another....Jane's Bald, Little Hump, Big Hump.... and the views were just beautiful all day long.  I was reminded today why I love hiking.  Tomorrow there is a forecast for rain, but that's OK.  What's the old saying "All sunshine and no rain makes a desert."  Of course deserts can be amazingly beautiful!
Date: 2012-04-17
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel and B&B

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Mountain Harbor wins as my favorite hostel so far!  The breakfast, this morning, was like something out of Southern Living.  Lunch was unbelievable too....first time I've had romaine lettuce since I left home. The hike today was moderate and pleasant.  There were a couple of beautiful views, the terrain was rolling hills and the trail was mostly soft pine needles.  The forecast for rain held off until I got to the shelter, but then the rain came.  It's still raining and looks like it will probably rain all night.  I'm so thankful for shelters.  There are only six of us here for the night....Lime Green, Sit-a-Bit, Dakota Dan and two, cute,  23 year olds from the Carolina's named Stretch and Early Bird.PS: I've finally gotten more confident that my cell phone battery  will keep it's charge if I keep it on airplane mode when I'm not using it , so I'm hoping to post more consistently.  And a huge thank you to Blake who gave me his Lifeproof case before I left for the trail.  It has been a major relief to not worry about unexpected water damage.
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up to rain and since the forecast said 100 percent chance of rain all day, I didn't delay heading out....left right at 7:00.  The forecast proved to be true, and I walked for 7 hours in the rain....it never stopped.  It was certainly a good day for testing rain gear, and I was very pleased with my rain pants but disappointed in my jacket.  I got to the shelter around 2:00 and changed into dry clothes.  I didn't notice a lot about the trail today.  I just put down my head and walked.  I can't believe I'm so close to Damascus.  It's funny, but most hikers treat Damascus as a  milestone and increase their mileage as they  get closer.  I find myself wanting to do the same.  I've met two interesting women the last couple of days.  Shanti (Peace) is a woman who started hiking on her 50th birthday (March 9), just like me.  And then there's Kitty...she's 39 and just decided on New Year's Day to hike the trail never having been back packing or hiking before. She has great energy and a great sense of humor....a real spitfire and seems to be doing great.  We think it's pretty funny that tonight's shelter is dominated by 'kitty and mouse'
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 30.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was the complete opposite of yesterday.  Absolutely beautiful all day long.  I started at day break (6:30am) and planned to do a high mileage day....at least 21 miles.  The miles came easy and every time I thought about stopping, I met someone who was pushing on, so I kept going too.  I ended up at the last shelter before Damascus completing my longest day so far....30 miles in 12 hours...but most importantly I'm only 10 miles from town.  Met some really cool section hikers at the shelter.  Most were from Memphis and they built a great fire and told funny stories until bedtime.PS:  One observation I've made.  At the shelter last night I asked the six people sleeping in the shelter if they had ear plugs.  3 did and 3 didn't.  The three people who didn't have ear plugs were the three that snored!
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

As I hiked the ten miles into town today, I thought about a girl named Rachel.  She's in her late 20's now, but when she was a little girl she was badly burned when her night gown caught on fire.  My mom knew the family so as the years passed, and Rachel had to make numerous trips to numerous doctors in the neighboring city of Nashville, my mom would always take a bag of nabs (snacks) that the family could have at the hospital, so they wouldn't have the added stress of having to maneuver around the city.  I was there one day when Rachel was looking through the bag and she pulled out a bottle of Easy Cheese.  She excitedly said, " I've seen this cheese at the grocery before, but we've never gotten it cause it's kind of expensive. Thank you so much!" The other story I remembered about Rachel was the year she was going to prom and came by my mom's house to show off her dress.  When my mom asked where her date was taking her before prom she enthusiastically said, "Fazoli's!  I've heard they have great bread sticks." As I approached town I realized that because of the trail I can genuinely appreciate easy cheese and bread sticks.  I'm thankful to be thankful for the small things in life.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

A month ago today I began this adventure and I can't think of a better way of celebrating the date than with my husband.  Mark drove down the 6 hours from DC, and we checked into the Damascus Old  Mill Inn B&B.  It's an amazing place, right on the river, but still accessible to everything Damascus has to offer.  We thought about going to the bigger town of Abingdon, but I'm so glad we didn't. Damascus is the perfect hiker town, and Mark really got to glimpse what these stops in town are like for hikers.  He also got to meet a lot of the people I've been talking about.  He couldn't believe that everyone really calls me Mouse, and goes by their trail name...in fact it's sort of strange if someone even divulges their 'real' name.  The origins of some names can be pretty funny.  The people I've met that made the mistake of confusedly walking in the wrong direction on the trail are WrongWay UK (he's from England), DoubleBack and Wayward Wind.  I met a guy named Flash who I assumed was a fast hiker but it seems he forgot he had his head lamp on one evening and went to the edge of the campsite to relieve himself and while looking down, spotlighted himself for the whole camp.  There is also a guy who ran out of underwear, so was going commando but didn't realize he forgot to zip up.  He will now forever be Peek-a-boo.  Oh, and one pretty tough guy told his Dad he was hiking the trail and his Dad said,  "Fine.  Just don't come home with some sissy trail name like Kittens".  Of course, when he told the the first group of hikers that story there was no question what his name would be. It's a different world out here, but a good one.  I have to admit I'll be sad tomorrow when Mark goes 'home' and I continue on....but at least I'm hiking toward home.  My next big milestone will be Front Royal....just 100 miles from DC.