morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Old Road

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 7.5

On the trail by 0830, we were all in a good mood, knowing we were heading into town where there was NORMAL FOOD. I really haven't said much about what I'm eating, but will try to add a bit about it here. For breakfast, nothing hot, I don't want to set up the stove(ran out of fuel last night anyway). I did try one of my Starbucks Via coffees cold. Not too bad, but halfway through, found half of the powder a thick sludge at the bottom of the cup. After vigorous stirring, got it all to dissolve and drank it down. I usually just start hiking without eating, but break out a Clif or other granola bar within the first hour and eat on the way. I may have another snack bar a couple of hours later. At lunch(or Dinner for those who grew up like I did), I'm generally eating a 2.5 ounce package of Salmon or Tuna on a flour tortilla, sometimes with a bit of cheese added if I have it. I've started adding Gatorade powder to my Camelback water system for the electrolytes during the day, and drink it in small amounts all day long. I have some almonds and other granola bars during the day during short breaks. For Dinner(or Supper for my real Southern friends) I usually have something hot like Ramen with added meat of some sort, olive oil and maybe curry I brought along. Since I had no fuel, last night I ate Salami wraps(YUM!). I'll have to try that more often!! We made it into town by 1130, and immediately started looking for a place to eat. I was lucky enough to get a room at Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, a historic old house now run as an B&B. Elmer is a former thru-hiker from the 70's and is well known for the hospitality towards like-minded people. The house is a beautiful old place, built in the mid-1800's, and with period furniture. Elmer cooks gourmet vegetarian meals and we all sit together for them in the dining room. He has a music room for those so talented, and doors are never locked. The townspeople have a pot-luck dinner every Thursday night, where hikers are welcome, and I enjoyed. We had about 30 thru-hikers there last night and we all had to stand up to say our trail names and where we were from. It was fun to put an face to names you had heard about or read about along the way.
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Log Cabin Drive
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

I had a pleasant stay at Elmers, and ended up with a single room and my own private balcony overlooking the backyard. Noname, Salty Hat and I had one more hearty breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner, and hit the trail at 0830. As usual, the trail started with a long climb that provided beautiful views of the French Broad River and the lovely town of Hot Springs. Made a new distance record today, with 16.3 miles. The decision about how far to hike each day depends on lots of things and I'll name a few. Weather, terrain, distance to a hostel, camping place, or town, physical condition, and desire. The next town will be Erwin, TN, 68 miles away. At this point I'm able to manage 12-16 miles per day, which makes it a 5-6 day journey. There are some steep climbs ahead, and another storm is on the way in a few days that promises to give us more cold and wet conditions. As I stated before, I would rather have a short day when arriving at a town, to take maximum advantage of my stay(good food, a warm bed and a good place to resupply). Knocking out big mileage is easier in the first days after a zero, obviously, but you have to be careful not to do too much. My left knee seems to be a bit better, so the goal today is to go at least 14 or so miles. When I reach Allen Gap at 14+, there is a sign that says, "Mom's Store, Hikers Welcome." I know my hiking friends are just ahead, so for a lark, I buy a six pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon, thinking we would share it up the road. I had already taken on my water for the night, so with the 4.5 pounds of adult beverage, I'm sure my pack weight was back up to 50lbs(ugh). I thought I would catch up to them within 1.3 miles, but ended up hiking all the way to the Hemlock Hollow Inn, which brought my total miles to over 17! I was exhausted!!!
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Log Cabin Drive

To: Flint Gap
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

Another beautiful day on the AT! Started with a breakfast at the Hemlock Hostel. The sign said scrambled eggs, I asked if they could do two over well for me, no, we only have scrambled eggs, okay, I guess I'll have the scrambled eggs. By the way, I never met up with my hiking buddies, so I was faced with a PBR problem. I certainly was not going to lug it any further, so I had five last night, with microwaved Salami wraps for supper. Sometimes empty calories can be a good thing. Hattie's son gave me a ride to the trail head about 9, and I was off again. As usual, the AT went up and over every possible hill or mountain, but my knee handled it pretty well. I caught up with SH and N at the Jerry's Cabin Shelter, a few miles after descending from Firescald Bald. This bald is more like the ones in New England, with big jutting rocks to climb and descend along a sharp ridge line with really beautiful views. I love to see the settled flatlands in the distance over the mountains, and wonder what it would be like to live there. After a short break to collect enough water for the night and a Snickers, we were off to Flint Gap for the night. We arrived at 5PM, and quickly set up tents and prepared our meals for the night. I had bacon flavored mashed potatoes, with added bacon bits(Yum!) I also have a cup of hot chocolate most evenings, if I have it.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Flint Gap

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

For the first time in a few weeks, I actually got the stove out and heated up water for a hot cup of Via Starbucks coffee. Expecting rain at some point in the day, we were off by 0820 headed for Sam's Gap to be picked up and taken to a hostel. The day was overcast and cool, pretty much perfect for hiking. The climbs were reasonable and overall it was a pretty good day for my left knee. This was the third fairly high mileage day out of Hot Springs, and I was starting to feel the fatique. The rain started with a fine mist just before our pickup time at 3PM. We stayed at a house in a resort area, but I had to sleep on a couch, with no linen and a "Dora the Explorer" quilt, that was an appropriate length for someone who might be enthralled with Dora. I had to put on my hiking socks in the middle of the night to keep my toes warm. Our plan to miss most of the rain seemed to work as it came down most of the night.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Said goodbye to SH and N as they continued NOBO from Erwin and I got shuttled back to Spivey Gap, where I had gone off trail two days ago. The day was nice and clear, with temps in the sixties. It was a pleasant day of hiking, with 10.7 miles done by 2PM, putting me right back in Erwin at Uncle Johnny's Hostel. My left knee was right back where it was before two days of rest and elevation and I was not very happy about it. I had decided on the way that day to make some major changes, reducing my pack weight by buying a smaller, lighter pack and sending away more gear. Uncle J's offered to help me through that process, but had no beds for the night. I needed a place to spread out my gear, so I was back to the Mountain Inn for another night. As I considered my options that evening, I came to the conclusion the only wise choice would be to give my knee even more rest, and I decided to rent a car to drive home to Charleston for five days or so. I checked with rental companies and shuttles, but decided to wait until the morning to book. Over a fitful night, I changed my mind and became determined to make it to Damascus, VA before taking more time off, even if it meant walking stiff-legged the entire way. I was able to find another 4.5 pounds or so I could live without, and took it to U. J's the next morning to bounce on to Damascus (my third box to Damascus so far!)
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Elk Park, NC

To: Campsite at Mile 409
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

After a day of rest at Roan Mountain B&B, Steve gave me a ride to the Mountain Harbour B&B for breakfast. I was to meet up with hiking pals SH and N there for our start to Damascus. Chef Mary had prepared an amazing breakfast, served buffet style for about 8 guests that morning. When done, and ready to go, I texted SH about leaving time and didn't get an answer, so thought they might have taken an early start and were already on the trail. I hiked up the hill 0.3 miles to the trailhead, crossed the road to make sure I didn't miss a foot of the trail, then recrossed and got started at 0900. I hiked at a fairly fast pace in hopes of catching my friends, but never did. My goal was to get to a campsite at mile 409, which meant my second 17+ mile day. The hike, as usual, was lots of up and down, but the left knee felt fine (with vitamin I) and I was able to make my goal by 1800. Along the way, I was passed by RouteStep, who had been at breakfast that morning. We stopped at the same time at Mountaineer Shelter for lunch, and found a young hiker(Swashbuckler) there by himself suffering from diarrhea. We both offered meds for him, and he planned to hike out the next morning. Last year Norovirus was a big problem on the trail, near this area, so we all are very wary of anyone with symptoms. My campsite was small, but I found a reasonably flat area for my tent and a nearby stream for water. I built a small warming campfire after a dinner of mashed potatoes, with bacon bits, olive oil, and a small sliced sausage. It was starting to get cold, so into the sack at 1930, just before sunset.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Campsite at Mile 409

To: Pond Flats
Miles today: 13.2

Struck camp between 7 and 8 AM, after trying to dry my fly and ground cloth, even though the sun had barely reached my low location by the time I left. 1.7 miles later at Moreland Gap Shelter, I stopped to put away my down jacket and wool cap, and have a snack. FireWalker was there, a hiker I've met in the past. While there, lo and behold, here come Salty Hat and Noname. I had thought I was behind them, but turns out they figured I would come by the bunkhouse at the hostel where I had breakfast and had actually started out 15minutes after I did. They had camped less that 1/4 mile from where I did and had even smelled my campfire that evening. We hiked together for the next 6.3 miles or so until we reached Dennis Cove Road(farewell picture above), where they had to exit the trail to seek medical help for Noname's ailing left leg. We were concerned he had a stress fracture just above his left boot. I hiked on for another 5.2 miles to get to a campsite on Pond Mountain, in an area called Pond Flats. First I had to hike down a very steep, big rock step trail to the base of Laurel Falls, all the time saying, "The AT doesn't really do this to us does it?", knowing I had a big climb up Pond Mountain to follow. Well, it did, and the climb out was no fun. Laurel Falls is a beautiful spot, and despite the added ascent, I'm glad I was there. I was really suffering on the climb, I suppose because of the big day before, and the late afternoon timing. I found a campsite near the top, and thought it was the flats, but after hanging tent parts up to dry, I went further up the trail to find water that was supposed to be just 0.1 mile North. After about 0.2 miles uphill, I realized I had stopped too soon, and needing water for dinner that night, went back, packed up, and continued for another half mile or so. I finally got to the flats, dropped my pack, took by water bottle, filter, and CamelBack and headed up the 0.1 miles to a small stream to fill up. The forecast was for rain the next day, and I hoped to strike camp prior to its start. The prediction was for the rain to commence around 1100. I had good cell coverage, a rarity at a campsite, so I gave my sister Mary a call, just to say hello. I had made my nightly hot chocolate, and feeling exhausted, made the dumb decision to forgo the evening meal.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: clear sky

I was packed up and ready to go slightly after 0700, and desperate to get water at a site 1.7miles away. There were lots of little ups and downs, and I felt as weak as I have yet. It was difficult to put one foot in front of the other. Thankfully, I made the trek in about an hour, found the small spring, and filled up myself and my water containers. It took a while to regain my strength and vigor, and hoped that the day would get better. By 1100 or so, I was feeling much better, and really started putting on the miles. Just in time, I reached a trail magic location I had been told about, placed by a local church group, where I found snacks and soft drinks. It is truly amazing how much you yearn for a soft drink on this trek. I think it's partially the caffeine boost you get, because that afternoon, I was moving fast and strong. I walked about 0.5 miles through a beautiful green pasture on my way to an new record day of 22.5 miles!
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Abingdon Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.4

Abingdon Shelter was "Tent City". I counted about 8 tents, the most I have seen in one site since I started. It was a pleasant evening, and I caught up with RouteStep. In one small area, Blue, Towhee and I had set up our tents to find we all had the same Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2's. With only 10.4 miles to go the long-awaited destination of Damascus, VA, everyone's spirits were high. RouteStep and I hiked together, and rapidly covered the distance, arriving a little after 11 AM and getting our picture taken by Blue at the famed Arch. We had to wait a bit for the Blue Blaze Restaurant to open, but had a fantastic hamburger and fries just after noon. Our waitress recommended the Dancing Bear B&B, and that's where we ended up. Aaahhh, Virginia, my other home state!
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Damascus, VA

To: Pond near Ben Sawyer
Miles today: 11.6

Zeroed for two days at the Dancing Bear B&B in Damascus, a beautiful old house on Main Street, near everything needed, that is, a good outfitter, good food, and resupply. Many thanks to Melissa, a great hostess and owner. With a few things left to do, I had a late start, hitting the trail at 1100. I had to leave my new friend, RouteStep, behind as his ankle issue had not improved enough to move on. As always, started with a climb, and felt fatigued with each step. Every time I restart after a break, I feel the same. Usually after an hour or so, I'm charged up and moving well again. Although most other hikers had stayed in Damascus for weather concerns, I got lucky and had no rain and a cool overcast day to hike. At about Mile 10 for the day, I passed a group of about 30 10-12 year-old's who were taking a break from their hiking at a small stream. They were all crowded at the crossing and parted just enough to let me through. One young girl asked, "Are you going to Maine?" I said, "I'm trying", which led to "You can make it!", which became a chant of 30 voices, "YOU CAN MAKE IT!, YOU CAN MAKE IT!, YOU CAN MAKE IT!" I joined in with "I CAN MAKE IT!", while pumping my fists and walking sticks with the beat. I quickly walked up the next slope until I was completely out of breath. It was a wonderful experience, and with that kind of encouragement, I just might make it.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Pond near Ben Sawyer

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

Well, the predicted rain came that night, but started after I was tucked in, and stopped before time to get up. I packed up a wet tent and was away by 0830. It was a beautiful day for hiking, mostly sunny and cool. The AT followed the VA Creeper Trail along a beautiful rushing stream with many crossings on wooden walkways. I caught up with Owlbear during the day, and we enjoyed Trail Magic together at Elk Garden from a former thru-hiker from 2013. He and his wife grilled burgers, asparagus, and zucchini for us, and of course, offered a big Mountain Dew as well. We started discussing pack weight, and I guessed I was back to mid-forties again, to the astonishment of all. He had a scale, and my pack weighed out at 45 pounds, even after two days on the trail and minimal water. I had really been suffering from the weight, especially on the downhills. I said to myself, "I will fix this problem at the next stop!" We continued to Whitetop Mountain, a bald, and were rewarded with beautiful views. Next came Mt. Rogers, where pitched my tent, on the edge of a pasture, with expansive views of the mountains to the South. There was a cold wind blowing, that became frigid as the sun set. I realized I had set up on a completely exposed slope at 5100 feet, and was in for a cold night.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Fox Creek, VA 603
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Wow, did it get cold!!! I have been hearing the advice from other hikers to hold on to cold weather gear until after Mt. Rogers, and now I know why. There was frost on my tent the next morning, and the frigid wind did not let up all night. I got up at 0700, bundled up and headed up to summit the highest peak in Virginia, Mt. Rogers, a 0.5 mile walk up a steep, rocky and wet path. The top was a bit disappointing, as it was a USGS marked rock surrounded by trees, with no view of the surrounding countryside. Back at my campsite, Owlbear came by as I was packing up and I soon followed him past the Thomas Knob Shelter. During the night, I was awakened by the sound of heavy breathing, for which I clapped my hands loudly attempting to discourage a bear if that was what it was. I heard a snort, then a whinny, then realized it was the famed ponies. I did not get much sleep that night as they grazed all around my tent, with loud chewing noises keeping my awake. In the morning, they were not to be seen except off in the distance, so I thought my interaction would be minimal, however, a couple of miles down the trail, I came upon Owlbear, Dregs, and Puddleduck surrounded by a small group of ponies. I took some pictures and had my picture taken with a pregnant mare and a younger pony. Further along, entering the Grayson Highlands State Park, I read that the ponies were introduced by the Forest Service to help control the vegetation in the area to preserve the balds that had been used as cattle grazing areas after the timber was first cut away. The USFS rounds up the ponies each Spring to check on their health. The trails around this entire area were very rocky and unpleasant for downslope hiking. I reached Fox Creek campsite around 5PM, and found two groups of Trail Angels providing great Trail Magic. I decided to camp there for the night as did several others.
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Fox Creek, VA 603

To: Campsite at 524.8
Miles today: 0.0

The day started with a steep 900ft climb up Hurricane Mountain, then continued with lots of SPUDS(seemingly pointless ups and downs). I felt pretty good for the day, feeling my climbing was strong. I was ready to stop at mile 524.8 at a small area for one tent, near a small spring.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Campsite at 524.8

To: Mt. Rogers Visitors Center
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was a happy one, with a pleasant walk in the woods on my way to a town, Marion, VA, and a planned zero day. I got to the visitors center at 1100 or so, and immediately got a ride into town in an old Army vehicle that had just dropped off a bunch of hikers. I stayed at the General Francis Marion Hotel, a grand place, originally built in 1927, but refurbished only a few years ago. It still retains the feel and charm of an old, classic hotel. I rented a car the next day and set about solving my pack weight problem. I drove to Damascus, and bought a ULA Catalyst, a smaller and lighter pack that many hikers choose for this trek. I also bought a summer sleeping bag, a Marmot 45 synthetic that was both smaller and lighter than my Kelty Cosmic Down 20. I sent off my old backpack and everything else I thought I could do without, including my cold weather gear. I was really making some progress on weight reduction. Marion is a very nice town, with a good laundry and plenty of places to get real food!
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Mt. Rogers Visitors Center

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.5

I started out strong today, with a new lighter pack, feeling strong!! I ended up with a 2hour visit to the emergency room back in Marion! The hiking was great, as was the weather. I was hiking fast and planned on a 16-18 mile day. Just before the Chatfield Shelter, at about mile 6.5 for the day, I tripped on a root or a rock, as I do many times during the day, but this time I did not catch myself. I suppose the back foot that I normally rapidly bring up to catch myself caught on something too, because in what seemed like a millisecond, I was crashing headfirst into a sharp-edged rock that was in the down sloping trail below me. It happened so fast, I was unable to get my hands out in front of me, and I wedged between a rock and a tree with my pack holding me down. I was gushing blood, and first thought I had a bad nose bleed and probably a broken nose. I did not lose consciousness. I pressed on my forehead to slow the bleeding, and realized I had a deep laceration just above my eyebrow level in the middle of my forehead. I was then trying to get up, but could not with only one hand, so I had to release the pressure and let the blood flow. This left a couple of very bloody rocks right in the middle of the trail. As I was getting up, a couple, Unity and Stick in the Mud, who had been resting at the nearby Chatfield Shelter came to help, but not much could be done. I used my bandanna to tie a tight compression dressing around my head and stopped all but a slow drip of blood. I then hiked out another 4.5 miles, with the steady drip going, doing neuro checks on myself as I went, hoping there was not a closed head injury sneaking up on me. I also stuck close to the aforementioned couple for the first couple of miles just in case I needed their help. I walked out at Atkins and a truck stop a couple of hours later and got lots of looks and remarks as my face was covered with blood. I asked if anyone could drive me to a clinic for treatment, and a real Trail Angel, Virginia Methena, stepped up and volunteered to drive me to the ER in Marion. There I got stitched up, 25 6/0 Ethilon in the forehead and six in the right brow. Most stiches I've ever had! I still had no other symptoms, so Virginia (she had insisted on waiting for my care) drove me to the pharmacy to pick up antibiotics and then back to the Relax Inn near the truck stop for the night.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Atkins, VA

To: Lynn Camp Creek
Miles today: 15.1

I got started at 0820, first hiking through some pastureland, and away from the interstate. I had a good night, no headache and nothing but Ibuprofen for the usual pains. I did feel like I had been in a car wreck, with aches and pains all over, including neck, back, left ribs, left shoulder and left knee. When I fell, I bruised and abraded my left side in multiple places. It was an up and down day, and very hot. I began to feel real fatique in the afternoon, and was happy to reach my camping spot at Lynn Creek.