morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-08
From: Cat Pen Gap

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Packed up early and got moving a couple hours before first light...its town day!!!Mostly all down hill so we made good time. We saw another herd of deer, but only their eyes with our headlamps. Watched an amazing sunrise, mostly pink. Stopped for a quick breakfast and then took off again. Hiking down reminded me of hiking down into Cascade Locks, except the river here is smaller.The town has no cell service for ATT and the hostel where we are staying at has no WIFI (Elmer's Sun bank Inn) and no laundry but hey, I'm sleeping in the same room that Earl Shaffer slept in when he did the AT, Very cool!Food first, then the outfitter for a couple of things. Cleaned up and did laundry then hit the dollar store for a 4 day food supply. During lunch, the state fish and game came by and put a whole bunch of trout into the stream next to the tavern. Big fish!Rest and more food the remainder of the day. In the 70s in Hot Springs, NC Note: Because of the less than idea WIFI, my mileage was screwy. I'm at 274.
Date: 2016-03-09
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: A bit past Hwy NC 208
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

I slept in since I finish all my resupply stuff yesterday. Went to breakfast and mailed a couple things home. Updated the journal and then hit the trail late morning. Roadrunner had a couple of things to finish so he said that he would catch up. Hot Springs is a nice little town with lots of history, and a great place to take a NERO.We had a big climb up to the ridge leaving HS but I got a great parting photo. Seeing a lot of pine trees now and getting that pine smell. Water on the trail hasn't been a problem. The most I carry is about a liter. Initially, I wasn't filtering but I met 2 guys that got Giardia on the trail last year so now I'm using my mini sawyer and MSR tablets and the only untreated water I drink, is from springs where I can see the water coming out of the ground. We stopped for a late lunch just after crossing HWY US 25/70.Met some section hikers and we talked trail for a bit then ran into a trail crew and got some info about the trail ahead. We thanked them then moved on. Mostly followed ridge lines today and had a nice breeze that kept us cool on the uphill's. Back into the leafless trees but spring is coming. Perfect weather and another great day on the trail. Camped a bit pass Hwy NC 208, TN 70
Date: 2016-03-10
From: A bit past Hwy NC 208

To: A bit after Sugar Loaf
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Breezy and warm night and I slept like a baby. I heard some movement outside my tent during the night and thought it was some deer grazing but Whodat, who camped with us last night said it was a white rabbit hopping around our camp...this must be Wonderland. We met Whodat at Max Patch and we caught up to him yesterday an hour before we quit, real nice guy.Breezy and overcast and we had a big climb first thing so we packed up and took off. Stopped for breakfast and water at Little Laurel Shelter and the Roadrunner showed up...finished up and got going. Just after passing Whiterock Cliff we popped up on a exposed ridge which lasted about a mile. Great views up there and some Class 1 and 2 rock. Reminded me of the rib between the east and west summit of Mt Russell. Crossed the 300 mile mark at noon then stopped for lunch at Jerry's Cabin. Met another thru hiker there named Tess and we talked trail a bit then said so long to her and Whodat then got moving.I haven't had a cell signal over the last couple of weeks, it's like ATT has limited service on the east coast but today on top of the tallest mountain, facing Tennessee, I finally got 4G and 2 bars, so I called my Ma to check in...Hi again Ma!! Call you later.Most of the afternoon was little ups and downs, siddling and ridge walking and the afternoon brought sunny skies. Finished the day a bit past Sugar Loaf Gap. Another great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-03-11
From: A bit after Sugar Loaf

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a windy night and early morning the wind stopped then it got extremely humid. I've been dragging in the morning since we started having breakfast after a few miles because I need coffee to wakeup. Today, I mixed up some rocket fuel to drink with my protein bar before we took off, a couple servings of Whey protein and a couple servings of freeze dried coffee, it did the trick. Then boomerang mixed some too, but substituted instant breakfast for whey and I think he's starting to like coffee.Another overcast day but no wind. We watched a pretty nice sunrise and also got a good photo of it. Had breakfast at Hogback Ridge Shelter, then got moving again. Roadrunner didn't feel good so he stayed to eat.Crossed over I-26 mid morning and as we started up the other side, trail magic. There was no register but whom ever left it....thanks a lot, it was wonderful.Most of the day we had uphill with a big climb before lunch and before we camped. We had a couple hours of drizzling rain in the morning then we were in a cloud when we passed over Bald Mountain and had no visibility. The afternoon was still a bit overcast but the sun would come out from time to time and we would have some nice views. Roadrunner caught us an hour before we camped at No Business Knob Shelter. All in all, a very pleasant day on the trail. Setup for an early arrival into Erwin, TN.
Date: 2016-03-12
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, Tennessee
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up normal time, had some breakfast and started down the mountain. It was fast trail so we got to Uncle Johnny's Hostel a bit before mid morning. I tripped a few hiker booby traps on the way down. It has always amazed me how a spider can get it's web across the trail. The weather has been warmer, so I'm sure there will be lots more.With the exception of the Smokies, the landscape has been similar since Georgia, clusters of pine trees, groves of Rhododendron, mountain laurels and bare trees. I haven't seen but a hand full of cairns on the trail, but I saw a nice one on the way down this morning. Checked into the hostel, took a shower, laundry then caught the shuttle to town to eat and grab a 7 day resupply at the Dollar general store. Boomerang's girlfriend's roommate Aimee brought some magic to us at the hostel. Cookies, fruit and chocolate so we talked trails and indulged....Thanks again Aimee!! The Boomerang and I had Mexican food and Margaritas then got Whey protein at Walmart. Roadrunner got back on the trail today. Punxsutawney Phil says an early spring, 76 degrees here in Erwin Tennessee.
Date: 2016-03-13
From: Erwin, Tennessee

To: A bit before Iron Mt Gap
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: fog

Retired one year today!Uncle Johnny's hostel is a very nice place to stay and has everything you need or will shuttle you to it. Boomerang and I finally got our Mexican food and Margarita's and I'm paying for it today. Good times! Daylight savings time, Ugh! We slept late then had breakfast, packed up and got going.We hiked a gradual slope for a couple miles initially along the Nolichucky River then up a valley with streams. We are loaded with 7 days of food so we had time to adjust to the weight before we started up top. Overcast skies and some drizzle on and off all day. Stopped for a break and water at Curly Maple Gap Shelter then moved on.Mid afternoon we had a big climb and on top, was a dense area with Spruce trees and green moss. It was about a mile long and looked like Sherwood Forest. It was a long, but very pleasant day. Camped a bit before Iron Mountain Gap.
Date: 2016-03-14
From: A bit before Iron Mt Gap

To: Over mountain Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke to a beautiful morning with no clouds in the sky, had a bite to eat then got moving. We started late today, it was nice to sleep in. The coyotes were going to town last night so I fell asleep to the sound of howling.Stopped for a late break at the Clyde Smith Shelter and I had my very first peanut butter pop tart then started over towards Roan Mountain. I saw my first snake today, Boomerang walked right over it. I think it was a gardener snake. Stopped for lunch about half way up Roan Mt at Ash Gap, then moved on.The trail up the mountain was great, even had switch backs, rock steps and moss, looked manicured, very nice climb. Got to the top without views then dropped down to Carvers Gap. The weather changed quickly, windy and thunder then the rain started and I barely had time to put on my pack cover. We started the Highlands in a rain storm, the worse so far on the trail.Got to the Over Mountain Shelter late afternoon but just before the storm had stopped and we saw a very nice rainbow. I had put my phone in my high dollar North Face Summit Series jacket pocket and it got soaked and died when I turned it on. Time for a new rain jacket.Finished the day wet, cold and muddy.
Date: 2016-03-15
From: Over mountain Shelter

To: Mile 406
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: light rain

It rain most of the night, when we got up it was foggy with no visibility. My phone is dead so I'm writing by hand and will update the journal after I get to Damascus and buy a new phone. We got going normal time, went over Little Hump a bit before mid morning and Hump Mountain an hour later. Left the Highlands just before breakfast and stopped at the Tennessee border to eat and the sun started to come out. The trail down was mostly siddling and then into a canyon all the way to Hwy 92.It was a big climb out and we stopped on top for lunch and to dry out our things. Passed Jones Falls and took some photos, very nice waterfall. Mostly short ups and downs the rest of the day. Turned Into a very nice day. Camped at mile 406.
Date: 2016-03-16
From: Mile 406

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

We got up 2 hours before first light and neither of us could sleep so we packed up and got hiking, we passed the Hardcore Cascades an hour later. All of our gear was damp from the night next to the waterfall so we dried it out at lunch. Our first break was at the Moreland Gap Shelter and it started to rain just before we got there. Never caught Roadrunner, I guess he's doing high miles to finish 1 Jun....so long RR.We got to Laurel Creek Falls at noon, stopped for a photo op then hiked along the creek until the start of the big climb of the day then had lunch. So far, all the falls we've seen have been pretty amazing. The sun came out late morning and turned into a gorgeous day. During lunch, I had a butterfly messing with me, very cool.It took us about 3 hours to make the climb over Pond Mountain. What a climb!Passed Watauga Lake late afternoon, dumped our trash and checked the water for a swim, but it was too cold. Moved on and camped at the Watauga Shelter. Another great day on the trail!
Date: 2016-03-17
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: 4 miles past TN 91
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

Happy St Patrick's Day!Cool morning since the shelter was next to the lake. We got up normal time and got started for the day and I caught a great sunrise over the lake. We climbed most of the morning then got started on the "Tennessee turnpike", fast trail to Damascus. Stopped for lunch at Iron Mountain Shelter then got moving again. Most of the day was ridge walking with perfect weather. Briggs, Boomerangs girlfriend met us at TN 91 and decided to hike with us to Damascus. She made arrangements for a ride back and we took off...and she brought cookies, fruit and avocados but didn't last long. At dinner she brought out some vino and peach moonshine. Oh Yeah!!! Thanks again Briggs! We stealth camped about 4 miles past 91 and had a very pleasant evening.
Date: 2016-03-18
From: 4 miles past TN 91

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 16.0

I slept great and woke up to another beautiful morning. We watched the sunrise over breakfast and packed up and got going after. The landscape hasn't changed since leaving Erwin but the trail is getting easier. Yesterday, a couple miles before TN 91, there was a tombstone and grave site close to the trail. The headstone said "Uncle Nick Grindstone, born alone, suffered alone and died alone". It was kind of sad. Anyone know the story about Nick?Stopped for lunch just shy of the TENN/VA border then moved on, we got to Damascus late afternoon. Went to the outfitters to pick up Boomerang's new Osprey pack and was met by Briggs dad Tom. He dropped us at AYCE pizza and then ran Briggs back to her car.  Boomerang and myself stuffed our faces and waited for Tom's return then it was boys night out. First stop was the Damascus brewery for a sampler and then a beer. Next was the Old Glade Brewery in Glade Springs where we got another sampler and some of the best BBQ I've had. YUM!! Then, he took us to his home and we walked downtown Marion for some more beer and conversation. He opened his home to us and we stayed the night and it was an absolute great evening. That's what I love about the trail, you never know where the day will end or who you'll meet. It was another great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-03-19
From: Marion, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I've been on the trail a month and having a blast, averaging about the same mileage as the PCT. I slept great and woke to birds singing outside the window. Tom's home is beautiful and what you would image a home in the south looks like. He made us a great breakfast then we use his truck to drive to Bristol for my new phone. I got a galaxy S7 which is water resistant. I hated giving get up my Note 3 because of the screen size but oh well. After, we hit the Walmart for 9 days of food. 4 to Atkins and a 5 day resupply leaving Atkins.Got back to the house early afternoon and organized the food. Briggs got there right after and then we drove back to Damascus to drop me at a hotel. We had a beer at the Damascus brewery where there was some live entertainment then they left. I'm meeting the Boomerang tomorrow when we get going again. Thanks again Tom for your hospitality!
Date: 2016-03-20
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Slept in late, had some fruit and updated my journal. Walked To Mojos and had breakfast. On the way back I found a visor at the Sundowner, some days it's too hot for a hat. Walked the town then headed back to the hotel.I'm staying at the Virginia Creeper Lodge, reasonable rates and very clean plus WIFI, The city wide WIFI is no good and this is another town without AT&T service. There was one family here yesterday and today, I got the place to myself. There's a full kitchen and grill here so I picked up a steak for dinner. Lazy day but back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2016-03-21
From: Damascus, VA

To: A bit past US 50
Miles today: 17.0

Hiker Monday...Slept in then packed up and walked to the post office and shipped some stuff home. Breakfast at Mojos again and met Boomerang there and we got started late morning.Small climb out then we hiked parallel to the Creeper Trail and the south fork of the Holston River and then had a big climb...stopped on top for lunch. Rained most of the weekend, today it's sunny but cold and windy. Suppose to get warmer through the week.Hiked a ridge after lunch and stopped at Lost Cover Shelter and met a group of thru hikers. Got some water then talked trail for a bit then got going. Crossed US 50 and hiked a bit farther and camped. Beautiful day, just a bit chilly.
Date: 2016-03-22
From: A bit past US 50

To: A bit past Old Orchard Shelter 
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke to a chilly morning. Had to put on my sweater about midnight because of the cold. We packed up quick and got moving to warm up.Big climb on the approach trail to White Top. Made it to Buzzard Rocks about mid morning and took some photos, lots of great views from the top. Got a shot of the Cumberland Shelf in the distance. It's a fairly level ridge made by uplifted tectonic plates...pretty cool! Some snow and ice on the backside of White Top. Stopped for breakfast then headed over to Mt Roger.The approach trail to Mt Rogers is fairly easy and doesn't go to the summit, there's a Spur trail for the summit. Mt Rogers is the highest point in Virginia. Stopped for lunch at Thomas Knob Shelter then headed to Grayson Highlands. About an hour later we went through Fatman Squeeze and then crossed into the State Park. The ponies were right there so we took some photos and I tried to pet one, but they are kind of squirrelly. The rest of the day was short ups and downs and the trail was rocky and muddy, warmer day but still had the wind. Hiked through some more dense spruce, pine and hemlock in 3 locations.  Camped just past the Old Orchard Shelter. We had another great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-03-23
From: A bit past Old Orchard Shelter 

To: A bit past VA 622
Miles today: 25.0

Windy night but with some warm air and it kept up till about mid morning then it slowed a bit. We got moving at our normal time and stop at the Hurricane Shelter for breakfast...very beautiful day.After breakfast we dropped down into a canyon and did some siddling and then a climb up to Comers Creek waterfall. Passed VA 16 a bit past midday then entered the Raccoon Branch Wilderness. Stopped for lunch at Trimpi Shelter, there was another thru hiker, a retired Sergeant Major and he represents the Unified Warrior Foundation. He was carrying name tags of soldiers with PSD who killed themselves. We talked about the Foundation and also the trail then said so long. Hike on Keeper!! Also saw my first bush with blooms at the shelter...spring has finally hit the trail.The weather was absolutely perfect today and the trail was fast and easy. Got to the Partnership Shelter early evening. Boomerang was tired and wanted to stay. Since I refuse to stay in anymore Shelters unless I'm force to, I told him I'd see him up the trail and I put in some more miles.I'm camped a couple miles past VA 622 on a ridge with a great view. I even watch a wonderful sunset. Another great day on the trail.
Date: 2016-03-24
From: A bit past VA 622

To: AT Trailhead mile 555
Miles today: 21.0

Packed up and got going before first light, I slept pretty good. Heard some movement outside my tent, either deer or boar but what ever didn't stay long. The moon has been so bright the last couple of nights, it looks like a flashlight is hitting my tent. I watched another great sunrise but I haven't been able to get a photo because I've never had a clear shot, too many trees... maybe up north. Started today with some roller coaster hills then I followed a canyon down to FS 644. Fast trail and the canyon was full of Rododidym. Passed through a couple of fields with green grass. The smell of wet grass was overpowering, this is what I pictured the south to look like.Got to I81 late morning, went to the Barn for a bacon cheese burger and fries and pick up the resupply box. Organized my food and got hiking again. Big ups and downs all afternoon. Hiked through some beautiful pastures late afternoon passed the 1/4 point of the trail.Storms coming in this evening so I'm hunkered down just after VA 42.
Date: 2016-03-25
From: AT Trailhead mile 555

To: A bit before VA 615 
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night and was raining this morning. Hearing it hit my tent, put me right to sleep. I ate and packed up in my tent then got moving. My new OR Helium I rain jacket worked great and it weighs about half of the other one. I tried some stove less cooking last night...about 3 yesterday afternoon, I put some water in my Ziploc Rice a Roni and when I checked it after I camped, it was all puffy and perfect. I added the spice pack, shredded cheese, a tuna pack and hot sauce...it was great.Big climb first thing then I followed a ridge for a few miles. Rain stopped about mid morning and the sun started to show itself early afternoon and by late afternoon I had a clear sky. Not much going on in the forest, I hear Woodpeckers or Ravens from time to time or see a white tail deer, but not much else.I passed through a rock farm today. Huge slabs and most were sticking out of the ground and on top of the ridges. I was told recently that the Appalachian Mt are the oldest in the world, that they were formed before the continents broke apart which is pretty cool.Even with the rain it turned out to be another great day on the trail. Camped a bit before VA 615.
Date: 2016-03-26
From: A bit before VA 615 

To: Tent site mile 606
Miles today: 26.0

With no cloud cover, it was a chilly night. I woke up with a lot of condensation in my tent and on my bag. Very few clouds when I got up but as I topped the ridge, a lot had developed. I think the mountains generate their own weather. If you look down on either side into the valley, the sun is out but cloudy on top. It finally got sunny a bit past midmorning.The carbon tips on my Leki trek poles finally failed, they have 1900+ miles on them. I'm not sure how I'm going to get the tips replaced, but I'll see what's up in the next town. Had some road walking before I77 and some after I passed over. At the point the trail went back into the bush, there was a trash can cared for by an elderly couple in the area so I dumped my trash. Who ever you are, thanks for the trash dump, every little bit helps!! There was also a stream there so I washed my socks and grabbed some lunch water then climbed back up to the ridge.Stopped for lunch a couple hours later and dried my gear. The rest of the day I've been on the ridge doing the roller coaster. I'm starting to see some wildflowers and I took a couple photos and I hope to see more. Some of the trees are starting to bloom. Mid afternoon I passed the 600 mile mark. Woohoo!Passed through another rock farm on the ridge...I remember I was also told that these mountain were once as tall as the Himalayan but have eroded with time. I'm going to have to check these stories out. Another easy day with some fast trail and great weather. Camped at a ridge tent site mile 606.
Date: 2016-03-27
From: Tent site mile 606

To: Just short of Pearisburg
Miles today: 27.0

Happy Easter!! There was cloud cover last night so it was warm. I left my vestibule open so my tent was dry this morning. I must have been above a farm on the ridge, cows were going to town late evening. The crickets were also going to it. Packed up and got start before first light. As I dropped down from the ridge, I jumped some deer, you couldn't see their bodies but you could see their white tails bobbing back and forth as they ran off, kind of funny.Crossed Kimberling Creek on a suspended foot bridge, really cool! Started up a valley after I crossed VA 606, made a side trip to Dismal Falls. I'm not sure why they named it that...gorgeous waterfall over that slab rock formation I've been seeing. Took some photos and then grabbed some breakfast water and moved on.Passed through some gorgeous lowlands most of the morning, towering pine trees, crossed a number of streams and a pond then after I passed the Wapiti Shelter, I started back up to the ridge. This climb was in typical AT fashion, no switchbacks, just straight up the mountain to the top. Stopped for lunch when I finished the climb and called my Ma to wish her a good day....hi again Ma, then had lunch. Roadrunner caught me mid afternoon and we hiked together a couple of miles and caught up on trail talk then he said see ya up the trail...beep beep! I was hiking ridge the rest of the day and it was slow going because of rocks. The sun didn't come out today and I've had a stiff neck all day. I guess it could be worse, I could have to go to work tomorrow...now that would be a flipping nightmare.Camped just short of Pearisburg, setup for a early arrival.