morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

A full shelter last night. Last hikers pulled in just before darkness. I'm not able to be on my feet that long yet. After about 8 hr.s my dogs are barking! A bit warmer this morning than yesterday. All 13 of us started moving about the same time, rustling the sleeping bags and getting breakfast.A unique location. I got water last evening from NC and used the privy in TN. Apparently the shelter sits right on the state line. Can't tell you for sure which state I slept in.Today I think Puff got her trail legs. She went steaming up the trail to Clingman's Dome. Like a jet was up her tail pipe. They say the view is clear only about 40 days a year. Well we lucked out. The morning fog lifted and by the time we reached the top of the AT at 10 o'clock, there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We did break another of Mother's rules today - no playing in the mud. It was ankle deep most of the way and I added 2 more falls to my total. Many nice hikers on the trail today including two couples that were previous thru hikers greatly interested in how we were doing and if there was anything they could do to help.At Newfound Gap we caught a ride from the NOC Outfitter Store in Gatlinburg. Kevin was also shuttling Magpie back up to Clingman's Dome where she, Motown, Cheese-It and the other dude(don't know his name yet ) got a ride out yesterday. Both Kevin and the other people at NOC were GREAT! We got new belts for our backpacks since we both have lost so much weight from the start. Also got more fuel, a few dinners and stuff to put us in good shape to head in to Hot Springs in a week.Holed up at the Grand Prix Motel tonight. Had dinner at the Smoky Mt Brewery, then walked around the town a bit. What a circus!! Combine Las Vegas, Niagara Falls and a college town on Spring Break. That's a hint.Back to the trail tomorrow!
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Newfound Gap/Gatlinburg

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: few clouds

Had a bit of a hiccup this morning. While packing up our freshly laundered clothes, Puff realized she'd left her rain jacket at the last shelter. Rats. So, we waited until the Outfitter opened at 10am and bought a new fuscia colored jacket we'll be sure never to miss.Then we made our first attempt at hitch hiking. Got picked up within 2 min. by a family heading to Cherokee. The kids made the mom take a picture of us since she'd never picked up hitch hikers before. We took a picture since we'd never hitch hiked before. They peppered us with questions about our hike. So glad to get back on the trail. Heavy day hiker traffic today. Very crowded with people hiking to Charlie's Bunion, a steep rock formation about 4 miles from the Gap.Much of the day's trail was along a ridge up and down named The Sawteeth. There were steep drop-offs on either side. Made itHard to go the customary 100 ft from the trail to make a nature call.The views today of the mts. were gorgeous. A truly wonderful day. It would have been so nice to share.Everyone is well fed tonight sinceWe've all recently resupplied in town. Only two nights left in the Smokys.
Date: 2012-03-28
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Crosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got an early start on a partly sunny morning. Last night the owls were having a convention on the top of the ridge. I will so miss that sound after the trail. After the owls were done, something else started to howl. Coyotes?Lots of up and down today, then rocky and DOWN. Same thing tomorrow as we leave the Park. Thanks Smokies!
Date: 2012-03-29
From: Crosby Knob Shelter

To: Painter Branch 
Miles today: 13.2

A note on our last night in the Smokies...I had just finished journaling for the night when a ruckus erupted. Trey, the ridge runner, started hooting and hollering and throwing rocks - at a bear I never saw. He then explained to us all how to "properly" hang our food bags, since apparently some bears have learned how to knock them off the lines.   Made for a restless night.Secondly, a gentleman popped up around dusk that had hikes up from the northern direction. He looked "Casperized", my name for someone as white as a ghost. I asked if he had water and some food-replied "yes", but the dude didn't move for the next half hour. Later, while the capacity crowd in the shelter was sleeping, the same guy erupted with the worst case of snoring/sleep apnea I've experienced. A few people actually left And pitched their tent in the rain to get away from the noise. Not the best night.OK, so the next morning, as the thru hikers and boy scout troop are mustering out, the guy (no one is talking to) is sitting there with a blank look on his face. I politely asked him if he was ready for another day, and got a grunt. Hoo ha.Leaving the Park was a long downhill to Davenport, TN. My knees HATE long downhills. The songbirds were serenading us the whole way. Just before we crossed under I-40, the trail weaved its way back and forth across a creek. There were many beautiful waterfalls and lush groupings of flowers-trillium, wild geraniums, trout lilies, fern-leafed bleeding heart, yellow and violet violets, false and true Solomon's Seal and all kinds of ferns and moss. Beautiful!We made it to Standing Bear Farm and got our drop box. 6 other hungry hikers watched us unpack and stow. Since it was only 2:30p we made the fateful decision to push on to the next shelter 7 more miles away. After two hours of toiling uphill and only being 2 more miles along, I gave up and called it quits before I dropped from heat exhaustion. Turned out Puff was happy to stop too. Magpie joined us and we made a nice little campsite next to the creek just as thunder started. No storm for us - passed right by. More owls sang us to sleep.
Date: 2012-03-30
From: Painter Branch 

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today was the long-anticipated traverse of Max Patch - a treeless mountain also called a bald. This particular one is famous for the view from the top. Very large. At one time had a landing strip. You can see it from miles away. As we hiked nearer, we started to see some morel mushrooms next to the trail. Oh, for some butter and a saut© pan!We leap-frogged today with hikers White Water and Duffer. At the base of Max Patch, they pulled off to get water from a stream as we slogged on. As we started up, the drizzle started to become a full-on rain shower. About half way up we could see the great view that everyone had talked about. Then came the thunder. We hesitated, as being a treeless bald we would be the highest point on the mt top. Then came a second clap of thunder. That cinched it. We bailed and headed down, only to run into Duffer and White Water. They continued up while we headed for the foul weather bypass. As we hiked below, we saw them up on the ridge hightailing it across. They came down ahead of us and I breathed a sigh of relief they made it.We waited for awhile, as I hoped if it cleared I could drop my pack and run up with a camera for the view. No luck-the thunder kept on. So we made our way to the shelter and got water for the night just as the skies REALLY opened up. Rainy nights I DO prefer shelters.A hiking couple dropped in for a while also hoping the skies would clear. Their car was parked about 2 miles away. Puff, Duffer, Whitewater and I all considered tackling them for the keys. They finally departed, playing Santa Claus as they left with gifts of coffee, candy and scotch since they had planned on being out 3 days. God bless section hikers!With all the mouse hangers I thought we'd be in for a rough nite, but I only heard one or two running around and no damage done. Spent a good rainy night with the late addition of another section hiker, Wings, who is out for 10 days traveling southbound. We gave each other previews of coming attractions. Tomorrow, a long haul to Hot Springs.
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Rainy night. Misty, wet morning. Hard to get into damp clothes, but easier knowing a town is at the end of the day.Had to make two backtracks today as we missed the trail twice when it made sharp turns. Once was a side trail to Max Patch Road, and the other was where two old roads met and the trail went down a side ditch. Arg.A long trip up and down Bluff Mt was today's highlight. Walked out of and back into Spring with the elevation changes. Everything is turning green-again!There was an owl hooting at 2 pm - don't know what that was about. Kept on for hours. A good omen?The final 3 miles of the 18 mile day was crazy. I told Puff I was going to dump out all my water and toss my food bag to lighten the load so I could make it to town. I kept moving slower and slower. Crawled into town about 7 pm and found our way to the Sunnybank Inn. Elmer showed us around and we slumped into our room. After a shower, we hit the town. (All three blocks of it.)The laundromat and outfitter were closed, but the Spring Water Tavern was rockin'. A good meal and three pints a piece later, the town looked even better. We caught up with lots of hikers we had met before - Boxhead, Motown, Cheeze-it, Bookworm, Duffer, Whitewater, Sunshine, Rocky and others I recognize, but don't know their trailnames. Did not join the fierce pool table competition. We wandered back to the Inn and hit the sheets before 11pm - way past our usual 8 pm bedtime. A really fun night!
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Our first zero. My knees and feet are SO happy. I can't believe how lumpy my toes are with all the calluses.Breakfast at Elmer's-whole wheat walnut waffles, melon, granola, coffee and juice. Heaven.We went to the Outfitter's three different times. I kid you not. Well, some of that had to do with the aforementioned three pints of beer and needing the rest room conveniently located at the laundromat. Their scale indicates we both have lost 12-15 lbs. Puff needed new hiking pants and the ones I just got in our mail drop are almost too big. Unfortunately I don't yet fit her old pants. Maybe in another month or so. We also got enough food to make it to Erwin, TN 5 days from now - heavy packs tomorrow........Went back to the Inn and sorted thru our packs to put together a box of stuff to send back to our faithful Shipping Sherpa. Anything to lighten the load.Then back to the Outfitter to weigh and UPS the aforementioned box. They didn't have any stove alcohol, so we went across the street for lunch by the river. Yum. Then back to the Outfitter (they know us by name now) to once again check on fuel and get tomorrow's breakfast for an early start. Town chores done!Had fun watching a thunderstorm roll in about 4:30pm. Glad to be in a 140 year old house when the trees are dropping branches. Even more glad not to be hiking in it. Good timing! Ready to go in the morning!!Two side notes: Thanks for the call, Coach. Looking forward to next weekend, A&M!
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

This morning we left Hot Springs reluctantly. Time to make more miles. The trail runs along the French Broad River as it climbs for the first few miles. And I mean climbs! Rugged trail on a hot day (another 80 degree day).First day other hikers are finding ticks on their bodies. Daily tick checks from here on. Storms predicted for the entire week, with lower temps and clearing for the weekend.We quit relatively early at 11 miles, but many at this shelter continued on to the next one 8.6 miles away. Too tired on da feet to continue. Will hit it hard tomorrow. 8 others tenting with us tonight. We got a cooking fire going, then others kept it going for socializing. A nice group consisting of Dave, Bomber, Sunshine, Rocky, Video, a mom and son are chit chatting as it gets dark. Good Night!
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

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

Long day with tough miles. Got out first by 8am. and we're passed by everyone. I still don't feel like I have "trail legs. ". It does take longer to be completely out of gas, but I guess my expectations are not realistic.Tonight's campsite is packed. When we turned in there was a full shelter and 9 tents. Since then, I think there are about 8 more people setting up so far. People that walked over 20 miles today. Noisy people. Arg. Thunderstorms predicted for tonight. We're as ready as possible!
Date: 2012-04-05
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Our first 20 mile day. Long. Left the shelter at 8am. A speedy bunch of us! There was a sign last night promising trail magic 2.4 miles away. And boy, was there! "Quiet Paul" who thru hiked in 2009 comes for 10 days to put on a hiker feed. From the back of a pick- up truck he had a two burner propane stove. On one side the hash browns were frying. On the other, scrambled eggs. To the side was a table with fresh muffins and fruit. In the coolers was soda, juice and milk. Absolute Heaven!I now realize how much better I hike with a full stomach! The miles were much easier. We had a big climb to Big Bald for a lunch view. Mountains all around. Suddenly, the clouds closed in within minutes. Now I know why there are blazes on posts every 30 yards on the balds. Instant whiteout when the clouds blow in.A proper lunch was had at Bald Mt Shelter. Puff made a friend for life when she lit into another hiker for dumping his orange peels into the fire pit. Really, the amount of garbage people dump, especially around shelters, is disheartening.After a quick break, on we went for the second ten miles of the day. Rain started with about 8 to go, and the true deluge came for the last 5. The trail became a stream. Little streams were raging torrents. I fell again. Mud is soft. Got to camp 1/2 hr before dark. Got Puff into dry clothes after pitching the tent. Made some hot drinks with the last of our water. Spilled mine getting into the tent. No dinner tonight - more important to get warm. Looking forward to getting into Erwin tomorrow!
Date: 2012-04-06
From: No Business Shelter

To: Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we survived the night. Cold and wet, but still functioning. Did not die even though neither of us had the energy to hang the food properly. The spilled cocoa remained untouched.The morning birds were singing, but rain was still in the air. So we waited. And waited. Finally it stopped about 8:30am-a late start for us, but well earned from yesterday's effort. Everything was soaked! We had enough water left for 1/2 cup of coffee a piece. Then rolled all the wet stuff up and headed into town.The eight miles down into Erwin was scenic and somewhat steep for my knees. I've come to accept that I am one of the slower hikers. But, I'm still here!Got to Uncle Johnny's and signed on for our cabin. Two friends from MI, Ann and Marilynn came to visit for two days. Luckily, we were enough ahead of their arrival to get much of our stuff dried out, laundry started, and showers taken. The cabin is very rustic. Did I say rustic? 4 bunk beds and a small fridge and microwave. The bath house was around the corner thru a few mud puddles. Bath sandals a necessity. "Steve" checked us in and gave us towels for the shower, detergent for the washer, and then promptly quit. Seriously.The rest of our time there "Grimm" was the manager/shuttle driver/recycling expert. (Burned the cardboard in the firepit in the morning.)Anyways, we got cleaned up and prepped for Ann and Marilynn. It was great to see some familiar faces. And they were good sports about the accommodations, the boring conversations thru hiker's have, and cheerfully schlepped us around town. Erwin is really spread out. Not anything like Hot Springs. Dinner tonight was at the Mexican restaurant - yum!A bright moon tonight too. Sweet Dreams!
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's

To: Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero Day!Had breakfast at the local market/deli/lunch counter we had biscuits and eggs/cheese/bacon personalized for the four of us.Then off for a hike on the Appalachian Trail! What a difference without a pack and looking around instead of at my feet! We drove back to Spivey Gap, interesting in itself cruising the back hills of Tennessee. Then walked a few hundred yards in both directions. I got a thorough lesson in wildflowers. Especially how to identify poison ivy! We found bloodroot, morel mushrooms, spring beauty, sweet cecily, Christmas fern and others too numerous to name.Later, we drove down to the Nolichucky River and watched kayakers and rafters coming down the rapids while we drank beer, ate nuts, fruit and other delights. Watched a guy catch a beautiful rainbow trout, then filet it in a stream and go back to fishing.Dinner was at Rocky's Pizza-the local spot instead of Little Caesars and Pizza Hut. Back to the cabin for a nightcap. Slight interruption from the gang playing Easter Beer Hunt. Crazy kids! We finished watching "Saturday Night Live" reruns from 1976. Feeling old. Nite all!
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Erwin, TN - Uncle Johnny's

To: Deep Gap Campsite
Miles today: 10.8

Happy Easter!Had breakfast at Hardee's. Ann and Marilynn dropped us off at the trailhead. Hiked to the same place we watched the rafters yesterday-and both had fast food G.I. problems. Euuuu.Many streams to cross-can't imagine going thru here right after the rainFriday. Lunch at Cherry Creek Shelter. Ran into BLT who was slack packing 20 miles back to Uncle Johnny's. Also crossed paths with two locals in jeans with a big dog, big knives and a hatchet. Never saw them again. Ram into Two Isles on the trail to "Beauty Spot Bald." Too cold to enjoy. We all were looking for the campground/water source. Never found it, but Two Isles found some somewhere. I tried to set a good pace, but got out of breath trying.Finally saw a sign for water ACROSS the road, not on the map, and decided to set camp there and tackle Unaka Mt in the morning.Wind is howling tonight, so I put rocks on top of the stakes. We'll see how that holds. G'night!
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Long day. Thought we started up Roan Mt. just to find out it was a warm up. Starting again from Hughes Gap, a long , long climb is needed. We came across a trail crew relocating trail. Thank God. The newer section is graded so much better and the tread way is devoid of the funky rocks and roots that mess with my knees. Watched the crew moving a large log to help avoid erosion - a very large log! We thanked them profusely for their work. Farther up, we ran into Bob Peoples who runs the Kincora Hostel in Dennis Cove-a few days away. Promises of town trip to Hampton for Arby's is enticing! On up Roan-it drops down after a hellish climb into Ash Gap. The wind, up to that point, had been roaring. In the Gap, the wind dropped, the trail flattened, and the ground was carpeted with tiny white wildflowers. Magical.Back up the side of the mt, we understood why the relocations are going on. The trail is deeply rutted, gouging out around trees and boulders. Future hikers will have a better time of it when this section is completed. Finally at the top, we were greeted by snowflakes and frozen streams. Not very scenic. Stopped at the Roan High Knob Shelter for lunch. Would not like to stay there on this cold night. This shelter is the highest, elevation-wise on the entire AT.Down and down some more to a parking lot. The light clothing worn by the day hikers gave a hint on the weather lower down but the wind didn't quit. Past the parking lot we turned upwards again, crossing a series of balds. More huffing and puffing. Finally came down into a valley that could have been named for "The Farmer in the Dell". A barn was constructed 30 yrs. ago for a movie set. The ATC renovated it into a hiker shelter years later. It's a two story affair with places to cook and have campfires on the first level, and room for about 20 hikers on the second level. The floor shakes when anyone walks across it. It does block some of the wind, so should be an improvement over being in a tent. Tonight is supposed to be the coldest night yet since we started.There's few tenters in the field outside the shelter-hope they stay warm tonight. The valley view is beautiful towards the mts in the distance. A great place!
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour B&B
Miles today: 9.2

Brrrrr! A beautiful day, but cold! Spilled water making oatmeal breakfast and the puddle immediately froze. BLT's water bottles froze, but we had used ours last night as hot water bottles, so we had usable liquid.Puff's asthma gave her a hard time as we climbed out of the valley. The wind was fierce as ever. I pulled out some heat packs for her to put into her mittens and we both pulled on our warmest hats.I uses to have "experiencing a hurricane's force" on my bucket list. After climbing Little Hump and Hump Mountains in a howling gale, that one is off the list. We were shoved sideways off the trail repeatedly and spent much effort just staying upright. If anything had blown off the packs, it would have been in the next state before it landed.We switchbacked down to Hwy 19 and walked the shoulder to the B&B. I was putting us up there for Puff's birthday tomorrow. Good timing, since tomorrow morning is supposed to be even colder.Dinner was a shuttle ride into the community of Roan Mountain to BBQ at the Highland House. Met up with LeeBob and SkunkApe who had picked up Sweet and Low on the way into town. Happy reunion! Terry gave us a ride back up to the house-a full house tonight along with a full barn/hostel and people camping in the pasture. Three goats keep guard along the creek. Mary, Terry's wife and the chef of the house, informed us the goats keep the grass low and less attractive to the copperhead snakes. Good deal. We hear the breakfast here is fabulous-looking forward a warm night and good food to start tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Mountain Harbour B&B

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday, Puff!The whole crew of 17 sang at breakfast. And what a breakfast! Puff had seconds! I could not dream of a better meal! Mary is an awesome cook. Finally we pushed away from the table and put on the packs. Climbing out of the valley, a herd of about 8 deer blasted out of the bushes below us, straight up the side of the mountain. Even they have to work hard on these slopes!A short day to Mountaineer Falls Shelter. Called it quits for the day and got a nice campfire going for the evening. This is a three story shelter built in 2006. We were the only ones there. Much warmer tonight, and going to sleep by the sounds of the Falls.
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.6

400 miles! Whoever would have believed that! I keep telling myself when the days are hard that I've done it before and can do it again. And again.We saw 5 hikers dropped off at Walnut Mt. Road. 3 of them were slack packing back to Mary and Terry's. They affirmed that morning's breakfast was indeed as good as the one we had the day before.An hour later, the other 2 hikers caught up to us after I made a nature stop. Turned out they were going the wrong direction and had to turn around after we let them know Roan Mt. was the other direction. What heartbreak!The dinner shuttle left the hostel at 5 pm sharp. After almost running the last two miles, we arrived with 10 min. to spare. Arby's !!!!! Vanilla Shake! Life is good! Resupplied at IGA, had a hot shower, ready to go in the morning.