morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-04-25
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Made my way out of Franklin with a local town shuttle that only cost $3 to get back to Winding Stair Gap where I got picked up yesterday. But I made sure to stop at the local breakfast diner and get myself a big breakfast first. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits n¢gravy and a couple cups of coffee. Planned an 11 mile day to get back up into the mountains. But my legs and body sure are tired. I haven¢t recovered fully after putting in that 20 mile day so early in my trek. Yesterday I only hiked about 7 miles to get to my destination but I think I walked another 3 getting around town to the restaurants, etc. I need to rest which is the plan for tomorrow. Rain on the forecast tomorrow and I¢ve had my fair share of being soaked so the plan is to wake up early and make it to the next shelter 4.8 miles away. Ideally I can get a spot in the shelter and spend the day laying in my sleeping bag listening to music and chatting with other hikers. But it¢s only a 6 person shelter and it¢s really crowded where I am now. If I don¢t get a spot then I¢ll tent. I don¢t think the rain will be as bad as a couple days ago. But since I¢m ahead of schedule for Fontana Dam my priority is rest and letting my body catch up to miles I¢ve been putting in. Cool part of the day: When I¢m walking around town, and this happened in Hiawassee too, you can see the mountains off in the distance. These looming forests and rolling hills, clouds pillowing over them. That¢s where I live now. It took Short Mile and me about 2 hours to hike 4 miles back up to an elevation of 5000 feet and then we get the reverse perspective. Hidden in the forest behind hundreds of trees, looking down at a miniature world.  Id also like to thank Zen and Aubrey on running a great hiker hostel, Gooder Grove.  Such a comfy and welcoming environment.  I wish I got to be there for the bonfires they were talking about!I try to post pictures with each day but the service I have at campsites is terrible. I usually use half my battery just trying to get one entry to post.
Date: 2018-04-26
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning was really beautiful. Some clouds were out but so was the sun and I finally got a few good views now that I¢m in North Carolina. But the nice weather was short-lived. Got out of camp around 8:30am and hiked the 4.8 miles to the next shelter and got a spot. Started raining lightly around 11:00am and has continued all day and night. Glad to get a few miles in while also staying dry and relaxing for the day. For the rest of the day I just listened to music and podcasts and watched the rain come down. Tomorrow I¢ll hike the approximately 11 miles to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Seems like a cool place. Will be able to resupply and spend the night in a bunkhouse or cabin. Then I¢ll move on about 30 miles to get to Fontana Dam which is where the Smoky¢s begin.
Date: 2018-04-27
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂNOCÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Happy Two Weeks! I can¢t begin to explain how much of a mood lifter today was. It¢s rained every day since Sunday. Most of the time I¢ve been in some form of cold and wet. Which is fine. But it wears you down. Woke up to rain this morning too. Packed in a shelter which I¢m getting tired of doing. Started hiking a little after 9:00am after the rain stopped and an hour later the skies had cleared and it had finally become a SUNNY DAY!Not only did it become a nice day but the hiking was a lot of fun. A good chunk of today¢s 12 miles was along the spine of several mountains. Steep cliffs to your left and right but constant amazing views. It¢s like you¢re walking on the edges of two bowls that are side-by-side, deep gaps to your left and right filled with trees only to rise up again on another mountain range off in the distance. The hiking was technical too, rocky, steep at some points. You really need to concentrate while you hike so you have good foot placement, I like that hiking. Reminds me of New Hampshire. On top of the nice weather I really took my time. When you¢re hiking in the rain all day your thought process is go go go, keep moving, stay warm. But the day can¢t last long enough when the weather was as good as it was today. I took some good breaks and took everything in. The picture for this post was one of those breaks. I sat there for 20 minutes, relaxing, eating fig newtons and sipping water. It¢s tough to get better than that for a hiker.  This great day of hiking led up to making it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The AT runs straight through it. The NOC is an outdoor hub but mainly for hiking and white water rafting/kayaking. Restaurants, outfitter, cabins, and a beautiful river to watch all day.  Short Mile and I met back up with Tree Hugger and Mousetrap at the NOC. When we split up a few days ago they pushed on but did too many miles too quickly. Both had swollen feet, Mousetrap¢s Achilles was swollen too so they took a few zeros here.  We were able to get a 4-person cabin, only $16/person which is a steal.Tomorrow I¢ll be taking my first zero day here at the NOC. I¢ve officially finished 2 weeks on the AT. Time flies. If I stick to 8-10 miles days I still have sufficient time to get to Fontana Dam in time for when my friend Melanie is coming down. On top of that the base joint on the second toe of my right foot has swollen up the past couple days from overuse. Not worried about it, it¢s a familiar strain from running sports. I¢m sure dipping it in the cold river a few times throughout the day tomorrow will help. And maybe a few beers! It will be a Saturday after all. But a zero day will do me good in body and mind.
Date: 2018-04-28
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂNOCÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂNOCÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Really loving this weather! Took a zero today and it was a great day to make that choice. I am still at the NOC and today they are having a big kayaking event. Lots of people, music, and a big river for me to soak my feet in all day. Took care of my chores first. Resupplied on food for my hike to Fontana Dam. Not much of a selection but that¢s okay. I¢ve eaten well the past two days.Also got my Smoky¢s permit printed from the outfitter here. There¢s some additional rules for hiking the Great Smoky Mountains but I¢ll go over that later. There weren¢t any bunks left when I tried to book one in the cabins but it wasn¢t a problem. I¢ve run into so many hikers that I met on the trail and we all found out there were camp spots down the river just a hundred yards so we all set up our tents and made campfires. Good relaxing day. I¢ll make my way to Fontana Dam over the next few days. It¢s about 30 miles from where I am now. No need to rush, will take my time and make sure I¢m healthy. I¢ve seen a lot of hiking injures so far. It¢s actually difficult to find someone who doesn¢t have some type of injury or something bothering them. Tomorrow is my birthday!!!
Date: 2018-04-29
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂNOCÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

Started the final leg to Fontana Dam. Began with a hike of 3,300 feet of elevation gain over 8 miles out of the NOC back into the mountains and with the good weather streak it all went really well. I never mind climbing mountains. Descending is just annoying especially on the knees. But I love the climb. And couldn¢t ask for a better hike on my birthday! Was able to get a real breakfast from the restaurant at the NOC before I started too. Gotta cherish those meals it¢s much better than what I¢ll eat tonight. My plan was for 8 miles. A mile past Sassafras Gap Shelter. In my time at the NOC I spoke with a hiker going southbound on the AT. He recommend staying on top of Cheoah Bald Mountain. Good camping and great views. I took his recommendation and have gotten the best camp spot so far on my journey. The picture for this post is my tent and its view. Soon after setting up camp a middle aged couple set up camp nearby. They are doing a 3 day hike from the NOC to Fontana Dam. Pretty much exactly what I¢m doing but then they¢ll go home. Their names are Drew and Hika. New to backpacking and really nice people. I told them about the thru-hike I¢m doing and in their questions they asked how old I am. So I told them I had actually just turned 27 today. Shortly after that Drew comes back from his tent with scotch and wine and says we have to celebrate. In the most unpredictable fashion trail magic strikes again. Scotch on my birthday on top of a mountain. How does this stuff happen??Was able to talk to my family too these past couple days which is always fun. Definitely have to give this a five star birthday. Two more days and I¢ll be at Fontana Dam Mile 165.
Date: 2018-04-30
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Just a really good day of hiking. Weather has continued to be amazing in the 60¢s and 70¢s during the day. Even got some trail magic at Stecoah Gap. Apples and bananas. Put that together with some ritz crackers and peanut butter and you have yourself a great hiking lunch! Put in 14 miles today so I have an easier hike to Fontana tomorrow. I purposely did not bring much food to cut down on the weight since I planned on eating at Fontana village. Should be able to hike the five miles or so to Fontana and grab a shuttle into the village by lunch. The Smokys are quickly approaching.
Date: 2018-05-01
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana 28 AT Crossing
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

Made it to Fontana Village today! Getting there was a tad more difficult than planned. The Fontana Village shuttle was out for maintenance today so myself and a few other hikers had to walk the 2 miles uphill into the village. Worth it to get lunch though. Chicken Quesadilla and a burger. Gotta get those calories in when I have the chance. Spent the rest of the day hanging at the shelter which is called the ¢Fontana Hilton.¢ It¢s one of the best kept shelters on the AT. I decided to put up my tent but it was still really busy. Probably 20 hikers tented or in the shelter. Good times.
Date: 2018-05-02
From: Fontana 28 AT Crossing

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 1.2

Rest day today except for a mile I had back track and hike because I skipped it yesterday. Relaxed in the morning after my leisurely hike and then went into the village for lunch and to do laundry. I wanted to get that out of the way so I didn¢t have to do it tomorrow when I will have to get to my hotel in Robbinsville. It got really crowded around the shelter tonight. It was busy last night but a bubble of hikers came in this evening and there¢s probably around 40 people split between the tents and shelter. Everyone will be heading into the Smokys over the next few days. I ran into a hiker buddy who I met while ascending Blood Mountain just before Neels Gap on day 4. I had actually heard he was a day behind me thanks to the thru hikers trusty trail name system. There¢s only one hiker out here whose name is Strawberry so if you hear that come up in conversation you know exactly who they¢re talking about. That stuff happens a lot on the trail. It¢s like running into an old friend unexpectedly because whenever you split up with a hiker or a group you never know when or if you¢ll see them.The picture for today¢s post is of a classic ham and cheese sandwich which I had for dinner. Sometimes the simplest of meals is the one that tastes best.  And my nephew, Marty, turned 4 today! I can¢t believe how quickly he¢s growing up. Tomorrow I am looking forward to a proper shower and a bed.
Date: 2018-05-03
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Robbinsville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Got shuttled into Robbinsville today. And by shuttled I mean picked up by a guy in his big pickup truck. Not surprising that¢s usually how things work in the hiking community from what I¢ve learned on this trip. Shuttle services are usually just people who make a buck helping out hikers. $20 for a 30 minute drive isn¢t too bad as long as you don¢t do it often. The driver¢s name was Steve. Older man maybe 60¢s and he has be shuttling AT hikers for 25 years now. He completed his thru-hike two years ago and when the hiking season slows down he leads fly-fishing expeditions. He said he¢ll camp about 200 nights of the year. I thought that was awesome. Always get to know somebody when they¢re helping you out. You¢ll never know what cool thing you¢ll learn about them. Got into Robbinsville by 1:30 and checked in. Chores to do and Melanie will be coming in late. Probably past 12am because of flights and driving. Had lunch and stopped by the post office to create a bounce box. A bounce box is simply a package I¢ve sent myself to a post office in a town up the trail. It¢s a way to have gear but not carry it. To start I put in my guidebook except the pages I need to get to Hot Springs. Then extra batteries, Aquatabs, nail clippers and the bags to my tent and sleeping pad. Came out to 1.5 lbs I saved. Nifty way to take off weight. So about the Smokys. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park. And being a National Park there are a couple more rules. Mainly is everyone is supposed to stay at shelters. No campsites and no stealth spots. If shelters get full there are space for tents near the shelter. If that¢s full..well you¢re on to the next shelter. Furthermore, thru-hikers and section hikers are treated differently. Section hikers must get a permit stating which shelter they will stay at and which night. This guarantees them a spot in the shelter. The thru-hiker permit grants the hiker 8 days to get through the approximately 70 miles. They do not need to state which shelters but they must still stay at a shelter or camp in the shelter grounds. Ridgerunners walk the trails of the Smokys and to check your permits  This is all due to the amount of bear activity in the Smoky Mountains. All food and toiletries are strictly hung on bear cables or put in bear boxes. Bears have attacked people, yes, but keeping food away from the sleeping area is the best deterrent. The Smoky Mountains also have the highest point of elevation on the Appalachian Trail. Clingman¢s Dome at 6,658 ft. Overall I am excited for the Smokys. I¢ve heard they¢re challenging. I¢ve also decided not to resupply halfway through. Not in the mood to deal with going into Gatlinburg. Instead I¢ll carry 7 days of food. At least I think it¢s 7 days. It¢s heavy. But I plan on going through in 6 days. There is a hostel a few miles outside the northern border of the park. That¢s the destination. This will be my longest leg of the trip so far.
Date: 2018-05-04
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Well then, started the Smokys and got my butt kicked. Today was just a whirlwind of things in my way. But Melanie and I made it to our destination, Russel Field Shelter, and had a fun time doing it. To start, the hiking was strenuous getting out of Fontana Dam and into these mountains. Plus, we planned going to the second shelter on the AT from the southern boundary. Partly because we need to stick to a schedule for Melanie to get to Newfound Gap by Monday but there has also been frequent bear activity at the first shelter and it was not recommended to stay there. So the day was about 15 miles and between 4,000 and 5,000 feet of elevation gain. Tough to calculate the exactly amount. On top of that I have what I think would be 6 or 7 days of food to get me through the Smokys but I wouldn¢t be surprised if I overpacked on food. It¢s at least another 12-15lbs on my pack. The most I¢ve carried so far. And then there is my stomach. Haven¢t been feeling too great the past couple days. That¢s led me to not have an appetite today. All this food and I¢m not hungry...And it¢s been getting hotter too so I may be dehydrated. I am definitely the most fatigued I¢ve been so far on this trip after this hike. A bummer since I had two days off before today. So, yeah I got my butt kicked. These days happen. Gotta readjust a few things and keep going that¢s the only way to do it. Tomorrow is a 14.9 mile day but less elevation gain. Maybe half of today if I had to guess. Forecast looks like 50% chance rain. Ideally the rain isn¢t bad and it keeps the day cool. Oh there were also the flies. The damn flies. If you stopped moving they started swarming. Nothing like it¢s been on the rest of the trail. Maybe warmer weather? Maybe the area? Not sure why but gosh those were bothersome. Highlight of the day was getting to the top of the fire tower 4 miles in. Just fantastic views. The picture with this post is from there. Off in the distance is Fontana Dam which Mel and I walked over to start our hike today. Really cool walking over a dam! It¢s also a very rewarding experience being able to see your progress throughout the day. To see where you started and where you are now. Special highlight of the day. I got to see Sara and Steph! They made it to Fontana Shelter yesterday afternoon.  They¢re doing awesome.  Didn¢t get to see Nacho because he lost his phone and was looking for it. Poor Nacho.  Both Sara and Steph have trail names now.  Sara is Goon Bag because it¢s a slang term for a bag of wine which she always carries in her pack and Steph is Forrest as in Forrest Gump because of the knees braces she wears.Well that¢s that. Tomorrow is another day. Can¢t wait!
Date: 2018-05-05
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  Another tough day of hiking but felt better than yesterday. Still a lot of elevation gain and loss. Steep sections. Started off in tough shape too. Stomach really wasn¢t feeling well again but I picked up as the day went on. Listened to a lot of music and thankfully it was cooler today than yesterday. And no rain which was on the forecast. I¢ll take it! We do need it to rain soon though because the water sources are becoming meager. I still dont feel at 100% with my stomach and digestion all messed. But seems to be getting better. Ate a big dinner and some candy. Staying hydrated. That¢s about all I can do while I¢m out here. Tomorrow Melanie and I will be climbing Clingmans Dome and will reach the highest point of elevation on the AT. A great milestone in addition to crossing mile 200!Interesting occurrence of the day. We stopped at Derrick Knob Shelter for break and a snack when we saw four horses march into the shelter grounds. We had heard there could be horses on trail because we¢ve seen the posts to tie them too. In this case it was because someone had called the park service because they had injured their foot and couldn¢t walk. So two park officers and what looked like a guide came up to get him. But he was nowhere to be found. I got the number for their dispatch in case we found out any info. Made it to the shelter all battered up. Tough hiking for both of us. But a big plus side to our shelter is a slanted roof with a horizontal cross beam which makes a great way to put your legs up and relax. Oh did I mention the temperature dropped? Yeah it¢s pretty cold but not bothering me a bit. I haven¢t had service at the shelters so I¢m adding this part after I fell asleep. Got to experience a pretty intense thunderstorm last night at 5,000 feet of elevation. Started around 1:00AM. It definitely passed right over us. Kept seeing the flashes of lightning which was just cool. Listened to it for awhile but eventually put my headphones and fell back asleep.
Date: 2018-05-06
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

We lucked out on the weather these past two days. This morning not so much. More cloud hiking, high winds, showers here and there. How is it on the days of milestones and good views do I get the bad weather?! No problem. The hiking was much easier today and my stomach is feeling much better. Summited Clingmans Dome and crossed Mile 200 today! Mel and I were feeling good and getting our miles in so we decided to change up our plans and head into Gatlinburg, TN for the evening. Mel needed to get into Gatlinburg anyway so she could get a ride to Asheville airport. Soon after we made that decision the sun started coming out! And by the time we made it to Newfound Gap it had become a beautiful day. Love how the weather can change like that. We made our way to the parking lot and immediately saw a group a thru-hikers huddled around some Dunkin¢ Donuts trail magic. The trail angel was a guy named Sweet Monkey who hiked the AT southbound in 2017 and was down here to hike a section that was closed due to a forest fire during his thru-hike. Sweet Monkey even gave us and some other hikers a ride into town! Perfect. Gatlinburg is a lively place. I described it to my sister as Main Street in Magic Kingdom of DisneyWorld. Restaurants and attractions everywhere. Definitely happy I came to see this place. I really enjoy getting to visit all these towns that I haven¢t been to before. Went to a Texas Roadhouse for a steak and a margarita for our late celebration of cinco de mayo and then stopped by the Smoky Mountain Brewery to try their flight of beers. I am really happy Melanie was able to make it down to do this section of the Smokys with me. In usually fashion we had a great time. Great time hiking, faced some challenges and overcame them, saw some great views and not so great ones, met fun people and got to visit a cool town with good food and drinks. Not much more you can ask for in three days! I am looking forward to the next section she comes to do!Tomorrow Mel will head back to Boston and I will head back into the Smokys. Hopefully the weather is good!
Date: 2018-05-07
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

Just a heads up to anyone reading. Posting has gotten difficult lately because I¢ve had practically no service anywhere I go so I¢ve been posting multiple days at once. Before I start I need to give Melanie a shoutout that I forgot to give in yesterday¢s post. Melanie was my trail angel for buying me dinner in Gatlinburg and it was a steak dinner. Thank you!!!Got a taxi for the short ride back to Newfound Gap. My driver was Kathy. We talked a lot about the wildlife in the area and how humans have been affecting it. We also talked about the wild hog population in the Smokys which I didn¢t know about until yesterday when Mel and I saw a fence along the trail and a sign explaining it was to protect a section of the forest from wild hogs. Apparently in the 1950¢s wild hogs were introduced to the forest for be hunted. Wild hogs dig up a lot of plants with their tusks and as their population grew so did the damage. Their are plants in this that do not grow in other areas so the fence along with hunts and used to protect the plants. So I am feeling a lot better. Still not sure what made me sick. Bad food, bad water, norovirus, still not sure. But I¢m doing better. And weather was great today so it turned out to be a really enjoyable day of hiking. I caught up to the bubble of hikers who left Thursday morning from Fontana Dam. The two nights Melanie and I were at shelters it wasn¢t too crowded. The first night we almost filled the shelter and the second night we may have had five. But tonight there must be 30 people at the shelter grounds. Shelter is packed and tents are everywhere. It¢s fun being with other people but not sure if I¢m a fan of being with such a big bubble. On top of that the next shelter is closed to increased bear activity. So everyone here is either doing 15 miles to the second shelter or 19 to Standing Bear hostel. There is a 6 mile section of the AT closed due to a forest fire coming up before Hot Springs, NC. I will need to check once I am out of the Smokys where it is exactly. I¢m really hoping it somehow opens up in the next couple days. I don¢t think I¢ll be too upset but I¢m here to hike the AT. I don¢t want to leave out 6 miles left behind. We¢ll see.