morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-12
From: Franklin ,NC

To: Zero Day - Franklin, NC 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today was my first true zero day. The whole group pitched in and shared rooms at Ron Haven's Budget Inn. Ron is the owner of the motel and he also shuttles hikers around town and to and from the trail. We walked around town today getting resupply foo and gear. I ate a delicious roast beef sandwich with green onion cheese on a pepper rye roll. Can you tell I really enjoyed that sandwich? We sent off a mail drop to Fontana Dam Village for our trek into the Smokies. We are hearing conflicting tales about the lack of resupply opportunities up the trail, so The Stover Creek boys and I decided not to chance it and went in together in a priority box to mail ahead. Getting to enjoy the small town was fun today. I had a cafe Americano at the Main Street cafe and met Helen. She makes the best raspberry scones. I also visited the Franklin Tartan Museum. I wasn't able to buy anything because I didn't wan to carry anything or have to mail it home. They have a web site so maybe when I get home. Another place I when to was the Franklin Museum. I learned that the last confederate surrender ceremony was held in Franklin. They had some wonderful artifacts representing this small community all the way back to the civil was. Did you know there was a three dollar bill? After all our errands when all gathered in the motel parking lot and talked as we waited for our pizza from Vito's was delivered. I got a spinach an drive tomato pizza. Mmmmm! So far I'm not losing much weight. I guess I need to get back on the trail.
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Newfound Gap/ Gatlinburg, TN 

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Our stay at Gatlinburg was short and sweet. The shuttle from the NSC leaves at 10 AM to return hikers to New Found Gap. This road takes tourist up to Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Smokies and there is a huge tower, a spiral tower, that people can walk up to see 360 degree view of the Smoky Mountains. On the day I went there it was a clear day and I can see very far. There were tourist up there that was asking me tons of questions, some even took my picture. I felt like a movie star. But today we were heading north to finish our trek in the Smokies. We stopped for the night at Pecks Corner Shelter. It was very cold, but thankfully we had a fire. "Fly" noticed some writing on the wall that declared this shelter to be haunted. This led us to tell the story of poor Peck and his trusty horse. It was a sad story resulting in the death of Peck leaving him to haunt the shelter for all eternity. Being on the trail and away of modern technology brings back the old fashioned entertainment of storytelling.
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was the first day back after our time in Hot Springs. Leprechaun's dad drove us to Tanyard Gap the last place we slacked pack from and off we went heading north again. It felt good to be back on the trail again but first day back are always hard after a re-supply because your pack get very heavy with all the food. I'm getting smarter as to what food to buy and how much I really need to the next re-supply. I'm learning what foods are easy to cook and clean. One thing that is very different on the trail is the availability of water. Although the trail has many water sources sometime the water source at the shelters or the campsites are a tenth or even half a mile away from the shelter, so using water wisely is good. I have one liter Nalgene bottle and a three liter Camelbak with me. These a very helpful in carry water. My favorite foods right now are: chicken noodle soup, minute rice and tortilla with peanut butter. And of course chocolate and any sugar candies like Jolly Ranchers and Twisters. My trail appetite has definitely kicked in.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Flint Mount Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 14.9

Today's hike was one that skirted civilization. We crossed a major highway, I26, which we walked under an overpass to continue back into the mountains. Today hike had a few unique points. There was a beautiful waterfall which I took the opportunity to wash my face and hands with my new Dr. Bronners soap. It¢s a biodegradable soap, so it is OK to use in streams. It was refreshing. We ended up camping at a place called "Low Gap", but I think we were in the wrong spot because the campsite was terrible. I slept well and got up early and head out for another day of unknown adventure.
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Low Gap

To: Erwin Tennessee
Miles today: 20.4

Heading to Uncle Johnny's Hostel"Leprechaun", "Fly" and I met back up with "Dragon" and "Slapp" today. "Dragon" and "Slapp" had gone ahead a few days ago and said we would probably meet up with them at Erwin. It was a long day, first day over twenty miles but we made it. I didn't get in till 7:30, the sun had just set. I was lucky to get the last bunk at the hostel. Also "Noman" was getting ready to take people to town so I could get some hot food, Wendy's! I ordered a double cheese, baked potato and a frosty. This was my first fast food in over a month. We also got to go to Walmart to   get some resupplies stuff. I was glad to get everything done because I found out that everyone was going on a slack pack from Iron Mountain Gap back to Erwin the next day to get some easy downhill miles instead of the huge climb out of Erwin. It cost twenty dollars for the shuttle but it was worth getting those miles done without a pack.
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Kincora Hiker Hostel

To: Shook Branch Recreation
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

As I'm hiking everyday along the AT I often think about how they came up with all of the names for the mountains and other locations. Today I spent four hours climbing up three miles of trail to a place called "Pond Flats". I guess there is a pond up there somewhere but I did not see it. It was a short mileage day by choice, first of all the long climb was tough and second the trail went through the Shook Branch Recreation Center which had a beautiful lake and campground. We had a nice fire and spent time playing games and talking. Later in the day "Cat" and 'Firehands" came up with a new hiking partner. They had found a stray dog on the trail. It looked really skinny so they were going to call the pound so see if anyone was looking for her. They might keep her if not. They named her Lucy Jones after the place they found her. The weather is clear and warm tonight and I think I will sleep well.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: At a campground near a stream

To: To a CampGround outside of Damascus
Miles today: 20.2

We decided to hike to a campground just outside of Damascus so we can "Nero" into town. "Nero" is a day with little miles into a town. It counts like a zero day yet you do have some miles to hike. I crossed the Tennessee - Virginia border today. Virginia has the largest amount of miles out of all the states on the AT, around five hundred miles. So today starts the long haul that some hikers have dubbed the "Virginia Blues" because you stay in Virginia so long. The trail today was relatively easy with pretty miles. Mostly a wider path than usual and the elevation change were also mild. The day was warm, probably in the seventies and the water was scarce again today. Tonight is calm and warm with clear skies and lots of stars. I sleep without my tent fly on so I can gaze at the stars during the night. From here you can also see the lights of the little town of Damascus in the distance. Tomorrow we say goodbye to "Dragon". We will celebrate our time together in town the best we can. You really never know what to expect in these small towns.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: To a CampGround outside of Damascus

To: To Damascus
Miles today: 2.3

We all woke up before the sun rise in order to get to town early. We thought this would give us a better chance of getting a place to stay. We actually arrived before any of the outfitters or hostels were open and ended up waiting. "Dragon", "Slapp" and I ate at a gas station/restaurant and had blueberry pancakes. They had a cappuccino machine so I enjoyed a sweet coffee. The town of Damascus is famous on the trail because each year in May they host "Trail Days" which draws in over thirty thousand hikers over the weeklong event. But our visit is much quieter than what I imagine trail days being like. After we finally settle in to "Dave's Place", which is a hostel, we all went up to wash clothes at the laundry mat. Dragon's dad and sister came down from New Jersey to pick him up. Were all gathered at Blue Blaze cafe to have a few drinks and have some pizza for dinner. Now trail magic can come in many different forms, sometime it might just be finding a needed item in a hiker box, but today trail magic was just that, magical. It came in the form of bring so many of the hikers we have met so far all together in this mystical sort of way. As we sat at the bar it just seemed like people were just showing up like in a dream. "Joe the Hiker" was first, it so happened he was getting a ride from "Nomad" and "Shutter Bug" and they stopped at the Blue Blaze. "Rozwell", "Tracker", "Twix", "Paraguay", "Cat", "Firehands", "Biscuits", "Twelve Oz", "Trish", "Goat", "Cricket", and of course my group, "Dragon", "Slapp", "Fly" and "Leprechaun" were all there. We really did have a fun evening. It was karaoke night so we all had a chance to sing and celebrate being together, it was really magic.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: To Damascus

To: Zero Day - Damascus
Miles today: 0.0

This was my second true "Zero" day, a much needed rest for my tired feet. We ate breakfast at the "In the Country" restaurant and had a full spread breakfast with biscuits and gravy, grits and fried apples - mmmmm it was so good. Then the rest of the day I just did errands and resupply stuff. I received my new water filter and bounce box in the mail. It's pretty neat how the general delivery mail will work for hikers. If you didn't read the first week you might not remember how my filter froze on the first night. I waited till the weather warmed up to get a new one. I'm using the sawyer squeeze water filtration system. I also treated myself to a new pair of sock liners. I believe they are helping keep down the blisters. I've only had one small blister on my left heel so far. We ate at the Blue Blaze last night and were surprised when "Woodrow" walks through the door. He stayed at Hot Springs a couple of extra days with his girlfriend Sonya, but wanted to catch up with us. He knew from our journals that we were in Damascus so he hiked thirty four miles in one day to get here. He will take his "Zero" and then try to catch up again. Said our final goodbyes to "Dragon" this morning, tonight will be a different camp without him. Glad he taught us how to make a good fire. I learned a lot from him and we¢re all looking forward seeing him again as he promised to take a weekend when we get to New Jersey and come and see us.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: To Lost Mountain Shelter

To: To Wise Shelter
Miles today: 18.3

I have come to believe that the AT is not free! Yes, it may be true that it does not cost anything to hike, the AT at least charges you for the experience, but the trail make you pay in other ways. For me it is definitely taxing my feet, knees and back. In exchange for this price you are rewarded with fantastic views and great experiences. But it never lets you forget, just when you think this is going to get easy, BAM. How about walking on a stream bed of rocks for five miles going up and down hills. Then it will change to a deep forest with roots making the trail seem like it has multiple layers of roots and rocks. So the AT has a way of making you pay for the 360 degree views and the beautiful Appalachian Mountain range. It is worth it but I would have to say it is expensive. Today I reached the five hundred miles mark. This milestone lies in the Grayson Highland State Park. This park is famous for the wild ponies that make it their home. I was rewarded today by seeing a few mama ponies and their babies. They were prancing along and playing with each other. Just like I said, I walked eighteen miles of some of the toughest terrain yet just to be rewarded at the end with a treat to see those beautiful ponies. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: To Wise Shelter

To: Zero Day - Wise Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well we all tucked in early last night and when we woke, "Slapp", he is usually the first out of bed to have a morning cigarette was still asleep. We find out he has been sick all night. Luckily not with vomiting or diarrhea which is the sign of the dreaded Norovirus but just a bad head cold with sinus congestion. We all agreed that rather than getting separated we should all hang out for a zero day. Not a bad plan as the weather was forecasting for rain and it just drizzled all day. The day off gave me some time to rest my feet. We all sat around and eat too much. I was able to bring out my knitting and probably the only hiker on the AT knitting socks, Ha Ha. They really don't take up that much space or weight and it is good to have them for times like this.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Twenty miles planed today and I'm starting to have feelings that I want to leave the group. They're great people but so many years younger than me and wanting to do back to back long days. My hikes have become a rabbit chase and that is not what I want to remember from this hike. Everyone talks about "Hike you own hike", or often said "HYOH", and this is very good advice. Leaving the group won't mean I will be alone, it will just mean that I can make my own decisions about how long to hike and where to stop and what I want to spend my time doing. So I think this is a good decision. I know that my friends that I have spent the last forty five days with will understand. I know I will see them again. When I said goodbye to them, they were very emotional because you spend so much time with these people that you become very close. I felt sad making this decision but I still think is probably the best the best decision.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

I arrived at the shelter around twelve-noon. I met "Atlas", a sectional hiker from Florida, and a couple backpacking the U.S. The couple started in Utah. The gang is in town resupplying but will be back soon. I will tell them about my decision not to try to keep up with them tonight. I hope I don't cry because it will be sad to see them go but I know I need to hike my own hike. I am doing very well health wise and I want to stay that way. If I try to keep up with them I believe I'm going to injure myself trying. I also don't like the feeling of trying to catch up with them every day. I want to be able to make decisions on how far to go based on how I'm feeling physically and mentally for that day's hike. (Later in the day)I don't say anything to the group when they all get back from town. I delayed telling them my decision because they are all excitedly planning for the week, and the time doesn't feel right. I second think my decision; it always seems so possible when we are all talking about the hike. But I know in my heart I'm kidding myself. I will tell them in the morning.
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins Virginia
Miles today: 10.6

When we were planning for the next few days everyone knows that I'm going to Atkins for my resupply and to get my new backpack. They believe that I will catch up with them, funny because I have a hard time keeping up with them without being behind in the first place. So I tell them that I what to say goodbye and I start to tear up. I explained about the "HYOH" and that I hope to meet up with them again. Which I do believe will happen. Trail Magic does happen! I hiked todays hike knowing I will be alone tonight. Lucky for me it will be at a hotel with a soft bed, a shower, electricity and a hot meal at a restaurant. But I will be sad without my friends. Today's hike was good though. It was like the trail was telling me that things are going to be OK. The flowers are blooming and the views of the green farmland were gorgeous. It also wasn't raining. When I arrived at Atkins I stopped at the restaurant called the "Barn" to see if the gang was there and they were. I said my last goodbyes again, for now. They are a great group of young people and hope they all get what they want from this experience. I'm so glad that I met them and was able to keep up with them for the first five hundred miles.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Knot Maul

To: Davis Campsite
Miles today: 16.1

Last night was much colder that the last few nights and has reverted me back to my old way of not wanting to get out of my sleeping bag. Being cold in the morning and knowing that you have to put on cold wet boots is very hard to take. Somehow I pull myself together, although I am the last one to leave the shelter at 8:45. The first part of the hike was relatively easy with nice downhill accessible switchbacks among many beautiful mountains stream flowing with fresh water from yesterday¢s rain. After an hour or so I stopped to take a look at my pocket map, which gives a short mileage guide and elevation plot. I pause to see that what I have before me is a five mile two thousand foot elevation gain. As I lookup I can see the large mountain looming in front of me. Well not much else to do but start climbing. It is slow going because this trail does not really use switchbacks very well. The optimist in me is very happy it is not raining. When I get near the top I see "Twix", "Paraguay" and "DLL" taking a break. We all continue to the top to find a stone fully enclosed shelter. Inside there were two sets of bunks and a picnic table. We stay for a snack and because we had good phone service we make reservations for the Woods Hole hostel dinner that we plan to be at on Tuesday. Now rumor has it that Virginia is flat or some say flatter that the rest of the trail. I think someone forgot to tell Virginia about this because we have been nothing but going up and down all day today. Our destination is a campsite that is supposed to be half a mile west of the AT. To a thru hiker those are miles that we don't like to do. So we decide to find a flat spot and pitch our tents. Luckily we find a very nice campground and "Paraguay" made a great fire. The temperature is dropping in the thirties tonight, I felt great, hot water bottle needed to night!
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

Our original destination for today was back to the Plaza Motel for the night. But as usual plans change quickly. "Twix" was expecting to see her family this weekend as we were very close to her hometown, Beckley West Virginia. But sadly her Grandmother had a fall and her Mom and Dad will not be able to come and see her. But within a few phone calls she arranges for us to get a ride from a college friend. So now our plans are to get to Pearisburg and then go to Beckley for some down time. This is good because "Daddy Long Legs" is having problems with his foot and shins and now he can see a doctor in town. The hike to town, Pearisburg, is seventeen miles and we have a timeline to make today. "Daddy Long Legs" has a mail drop at the post office which closes at 4:30, so as the time ticks away we are really pushing to get down the mountain. This is about a four thousand foot elevation drop in three miles of trail. We are also hoping to meet "Twix's" friend DeAngela to get a .8 mile ride to the post office. We get to the road and we don't see DeAngela, so we decide to hitch a ride or at least try. The first car zooms past; the second car slows and then stops. I think to myself, Wow that was easy! Just to find out that this was DeAngela, "Twix's" friend, Yeah! We are so happy. DeAngela rushes "Daddy Long Legs" off to the post office and I wait for "Twix" and "Paraguay" to get to the road. I'm telling you this journey has really turned into an amazing adventure for me. Last night I was sleeping in a shelter on the AT and tonight I'm in a bed in West Virginia.
Date: 2013-04-27
From: Zero Day - Beckley WV

To: Zero Day - Charlotte North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0

Well our hearts are low today as we plan on how to get "Daddy Long Legs" back to Pensacola Florida. We bounced around many ideas. ¢DLL¢ sister graciously said she would drive the eleven hours to get him. But the best choice was for ¢DLL¢ to fly out of Charlotte North Carolina which meant we needed to get him to Charlotte. "Twix" with her planning magic made a few calls to some friends that live in Charlotte and we were set. We would stay in a condo owned by Aaron's Mom. The condo was beautiful with modern decor and had a super soft bed. We also met a few of "Twix's" and "Paraguay" friends. Tomorrow we will drive "DLL" to the airport and then back to Pearisburg. This will be the third time we go to Pearisburg. But this will be the last!
Date: 2013-04-30
From: Wind Rock

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

With only 10.7 miles on my planned hike for today I decided to sleep in. The extra time was also used to let my tent dry as it had rained most of last night. I took my time packing up and enjoyed a last look at the view of Wind Rock. I started off North soon to find myself without the easy to locate white blazes. I checked my GPS and could see that somehow I was off the trail. Yet I was still hiking parallel to the trail. I thought to myself that maybe my GPS was off but after a few minutes or two I decided to take a detour into the woods to see if I could find the AT trail. Sure enough I was off the trail and with the use of my GPS I found the AT and the white blazes again. With this little lesson I discovered how accurate the GPS view is on my Garmin. Today¢s trail was a continual ¢up up up" and "down down down" with a few ridges along the way. One of the highlights today was Kelly's Knob. Which is a rock outcropping that you actually have to hop over a two foot gap in the rock to get to the furthest point. I was glad to have some cell service so I sat and updated my photo stream file and sent a few emails. Ahhhh, technology can be comforting. I met a whole new group of hikers who seem to be pretty fast. I probably will not see them again. I like to meet new people so then I can put a face to the name that I will be seeing in the shelter journals. Most of the shelters have a notebook that hikers will sign or leave messages. Reading and keeping up with who has been through and how they are doing is fun.