morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Grand Prix Motel (Gatlinburgh)

To: Zero Day 1
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We slept in and woke up around 11 and after cleaning up we went out to walk around town. We ate at the KFC which was right down the street and starting at the NOC we walked a couple of miles to the end of the drag before walking back at a leisurely pace. I again brought up the suggestion of her going back and she showed that she is a proud woman refusing to acknowledge weakness refused and we argued again and I demanded that she go home and even bought a bus ticket and arranged for a shuttle out of fear, love, concern, frustration and even selfishness. I feel ashamed and relieved at the same time. Ashamed of my actions that drove her home and relieved that I won't have to worry about her falling of of the mountain. I arranged for the shuttle to Knoxville with Zoro who wanted to go to Texas and spend some time left on his visa driving to and around California and another hiker from Minnessota. We grabbed dinner to go from KFC and headed back to the motel. Sassy was mad so we didn't talk much as we ate and as I did laundry and cleaned up and got ready for the next day and went to bed.
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Zero Day 1

To: Zero Day 2 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Sassy packed her things and said that if she went home that she wouldn't come back again and that I had better get my act together before I came home. I promised her that I would as I helped with the packs and then went out and washed my tent by the pool and hung it all out to dry. Soon it was time to see sassy off as the shuttle arrived and it hurt like crazy to say goodbye and to see her disappearing down the road. I wandered around town aimlessly before returning to the motel to write in the journal before going to bed.
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Zero Day 2 

To: Tricorner Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

I hadn't slept that well and didn't get to sleep until after 11 but I got up at 6:30 and finished putting my pack together and arranged a shuttle to the Newfound Gap where I took a picture of the NC/TN state line sign. I spent a lot of time in thought and before I knew it I was at the Tricorner Gap shelter and had put in 15.8 miles in around 10 hours.I saw Crystal and Pyro along with some hikers that I hadn't met before and I set up my bunk. I borrowed a water filter while I had help cleaning out my msr filter which had clogged up. It was late and I was tired and thankful for the help. I remembered the family that I had passed along the way called Crowd control which consisted of a Mom, two daughters - one in her early teens one around 8 and a son around 10 I think who were headed for Maine! The shelter was surrounded by bird frogs which tried to sing us to sleep but were too loud so I put in my earplugs and went to sleep after eating.
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I had some difficulty finding the trail when it went on a road for awhile and finding I had service I called Sierra Trading post and ordered a smaller and lighter sleeping bag to have delivered at the inn at Hotsprings.This was the hardest and most painful day of the entire hike. I really felt the weight of my pack and I had to stop constantly every time I found a log I could sit on. The climb up was nonstop and to top it off there was a thunderstorm rolling in when I was on the top of Snowbird mountain where I saw a strange sight. I walked up to a strange looking building with a cone on top and a wraparound porch which turned to be a support system for the FAA and was surrounded by a small wooden fence. I was tempted to hop the fence and use the outlet to charge my phone which was almost dead but decided that federal time from the FAA wasn't worth the chance. I pushed on in the rain to the Groundhog shelter and was happy to reach Deep Gap. But the trail there only lead to a road in the woods past the campsite so I was confused. I continued down the trail where I saw a sign pointing to the shelter and I staggered into camp where I met two ladies who were raised in Mass but who lived in TN and still had their accents even after many years of living in the south. There was a man at the shelter as well who I didn't get to talk to much as he spent most of his time writing in his notebook. A second man came in and pitched his tent away from the shelter who we didn't get to talk to that night. I cooked dinner and filtered water and changed into my shorts to go to bed hanging up my wet cloths to dry before going to bed.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Groundhog shelter

To: Sonnybrook Inn
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: moderate rain

I left early and got on the trail after the latecomer gave me the chills for some reason. He told us about himself but what he said didn't add up so I went with my senses that something was wrong and I got on the trail and away as fast as I could. It was hard and painful as I was very sore and it began to rain again so I had to be careful. I felt like I was being watched and it was probably just paranoia but I couldn't shake it so after going to Max patch I caught a ride into Hotsprings and to the Sunnybrook Inn where I asked for 2 nights to await my package. I ate dinner at the Smokey Mountain dinner and they fed me very well with chicken fried steak smothered with gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cornbread finished up with strawberry rhubarb pie with icecream. I was stuffed and finally warmed up after 3 cups of coffee. I then stopped by the outfitter and bought a one man tent and went to the laundry mat and cleaned my clothes before heading back to the Inn. We watched Gradiator that evening before I was so tired I fell asleep but didn't sleep well due to pain in my hip and lower back. I had stretched some but that had only helped somewhat.
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

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

I heard Caveman's alarm go off at 5:00 and went back to sleep for another hour and got up at 6:00. It was fast hiking all the way to Laurel Road where I ran into a good climb. It was drizzling when I arrived at the Hogback Ridge Shelter and soon the rain began in earnest and the shelter filled up quickly. We had Greybeard and his son Jackson, Farout, Hickory, Candyface and Catipilliar, Ryan, Alee, Iced Tea, Swampfox, and several others. We had just got the fire going when the rain started and strangely enough the rain only made the fire burn better! There was some singing and soon everyone settled in to sleep as we listened to the sporadic rain that night.
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I was not feeling right when I woke up and was feeling nauseaus and my stomach was feeling funny. I got my pack together and felt like I was moving in slow motion down the trail and I almost threw up. When I reached Spivey Gap I decided to just hitch a ride into the hostel and call it a day. I tried to call and every hiker that came through had either no service or battery for their phones. It was an hour or two before I caught a ride to the hostel. On the way my ride stopped in and showed me my first big waterfall along the way. It was beautiful and over 100 feet tall. At the Uncle Johnny's hostel I signed up for two nights and set my gear in the bunkhouse and ordered a sub sandwich and waited for it to arrive. I ate and did laundry while I visited with Ron Burgundy and Bunny along with several other hikers around a fire. As soon as my laundry was done I called it a day and crawled into my sleeping bag and wasn't feeling well as I had the chills and thought that I might vomit. I actually slept ok and woke up feeling still unwell but better than before. I had coffee at the outfitter and waited for the shuttle for breakfast and soon we were on our way. Breakfast was awesome and my omlette biscuit only cost $1.99 and it was huge and delicious! With my buscuit I had a stawberry milk and was feeling better after. We stopped at the Walgreens where I got some anti-diahhrea meds just in case and then we returned to the hostel. Erin called and was wanting me to come home and it was hard to say no but I am not ready to go back and need to finish what I have begun even if it is very hard to be without her as I love and miss her so much. Today I saw   Caveman getting some gear and Swampfox checking in so I stopped by to say "Hi!"
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

7.7 miles from Hawk Mountain Shelter to Gooch Mountain Shelter with Sassafras Mountain in the middle. Today was a tough day. I'm gonna sleep good tonight. Will have to camp at Lance Creek tomorrow because we are required to have bear canisters to camp past there. Looking to be at Mountain crossings around noon Friday, which will put us at 31.7.
Date: 2013-03-21
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek Campsite
Miles today: 8.5

Hiked from Gooch Mtn shelter to Lance Creek camp. Tents strung out on an old logging road for a quarter of a mile. Everyone wanting to get to Neels Gap tomorrow to re-supply and get showers. Fingers crossed, it is supposed to snow tonight, hope it holds off! Last night everyone's water froze. Don't know what the temp was but it must have been under 20 degrees. I had every piece of clothing on and was still cold! Today three friends abandoned their hike, sad to see them go! Hiking these mountains is not easy.
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Lance Creek Campsite

To: Neels Gap (Blood Mountain Cabins)
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Awake and breaking camp early this morning. It does not get daylight until 7:30 so breakfast and packing up was a lot of fumbling around in the dark. Got on the trail around 8:15. Today's hike was only 7.4 miles but the Hostel at Mountain Crossings and Blood Mountain Cabins are on a first come first served basis so there is a little urgency to make haste. I was able to get a bed at the Cabins so I am now clean, clothes washed and full of pizza. Heavy rain and storms are forecast for the area tomorrow so a group of us are going to do a "slack pack" (hiking without full gear) and return here tomorrow to see of the weather will move on out. I have hiked this section before so I (technically) don't feel like I'm cheating . Some people take a dim view of slack packing but that's ok by me, they can hike any way they choose.
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

Damp and cold, brrr. Last night a friend called a coworker and got him to come pick us up. At first he was only supposed to shuttle some of us back to Neal Gap but during the conversation he extended an invitation to the whole group to spend the night at his cabin. Of course we accepted! A hot shower, meal and warm place was great but we also had some beers in the bargain. Ken and Cindy you are the epitome of what trail angel is about! I will never forget your kindness. Thank you so much. This evening I am ensconced at the Blue Mountain Shelter. Temps are predicted to be in mid 20's. Oh to be in a warm cabin tonight!
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Called for a 9 am shuttle and it showed up at the hotel at 9 on the dot. Delivered my group to the trail and we were hiking by 9:25. Kristen from Pa. And Star child from Hawaii were gone before I could get my pack on.The ascent out of the gap was steep (nothing new) with an elevation gain of a little over 1000 ft. I guess the day of rest worked out for me because I was on the top in an hour. That was all done in just a little over a mile. Snow made for some pretty tricky footing too. I reached my intended destination at 7.5 miles much sooner than anticipated so after eating lunch and thinking about how miserable it would be to stay all afternoon I decided to push on to the Deep Gap shelter, 8 miles away. I was pretty sure I could make it before dark. A more judicious use of my time than sitting around the other shelter waiting for dark. I have completed most of a section in one day that I had planned to take 2 1/2 days! I will head backing I Hiawasse again in the morning to resupply for the push for Franklin NC. This will also mean another night in a Motel, clean linens, hot shower and town food...ahhhh.
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap (NC-143)
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at daybreak, packed and on the way to NOC to be the first for breakfast. 11 stinky hikers waited hungrily at the door.After breakfast we all descended on the outfitter then hit the trail.My plan, at first, was to lay over at the NOC to see what the weather was going to do but since the day was so clear I decided to join Frank and Veronica, a German coupe, in hiking to Stecoah Gap then catch a shuttle to Robbinsville Nc and spend the night in a motel to wait out the weather. There is an 80% chance of rain tomorrow. If we get rain I will probably lay over until it passes.I am super tired tonight, two long days have taken their toll. I actually hope it DOES rain so I can take a day off. On-On
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Crosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Cabo and I hauled it out of Cosby wanting to get to Davenport Gap because we were positive there would be "Trail Magic" there. As we went along we discussed whether to hike the .6 miles on a blue blaze trail to the Mt Cammerer fire tower but opted not to go, first was because that was a whole mile of walking that was not credited to the trail and besides we have seen three towers now so we figured it would be no great loss, and 2nd, we had trail magic on our minds, we just KNEW there would be Magic at the Gap...and there was. Thin Mint (At 2010) and her husband showed up within minutes of us reaching the Gap and produced Colas, Chips and cookies.There was some "official" looking dude there who had come to collect hiker permits that we all thought was a Ranger so Thin Mint was hesitant to set up but Cabo quizzed the dude (he was not a ranger) and the guy said she could set up outside a row of rocks that lined the road...so...she was in business and within seconds we were slamming cokes and cramming cookies and chips down!Thanks Thin Mint, that hit the spot. The coke and sugar from the cookies gave my feet wings and I literally flew up the next two hills! We arrived at Standing Bear Hostel around 2:30 and to my dismay the cabin I had hoped to stay in was already taken and the bunkhouse only had four beds left and they were all top bunks, not something I was all that excited about. So, after visiting with friends I had not seen in a few days I checked my food bag to make sure I had enough to get me to Hot Springs and then set out again.As explained in a previous rant about gaps, I hiked uphill for what seemed like a mile before I found a spot that looked flat enough to pitch my tent, and now here I am for the night. There is a 30% chance of rain tonight. Hope I get the other 70%. It has spit and sputtered a little but nothing serious. Maybe my luck will hold and I can have good weather for the next three days to make it Hot Springs in the dry. On-On
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Another bad day! I could tell from the moment I got on the trail that this was not going to be a good day. I was lethargic from the start and could not navigate the hills without stopping to rest numerous times. I made it 15 miles though, so that was good. I passed several landmarks today, one was the FAA beacon and the other was Max Patch, a "bald" near the end of the day. I don't know if Max Patch is mown to keep it bald but I suspect it is. It's a pretty popular tourist attraction.Ordinarily I would not hike as many miles as I did today except that Cabo took off early from Standing Bear trying to catch up to me then passed my tent site which caused me to chase him to catch up. Caught up to him at the end of the day. Tomorrow will be a shorter day but still lo g enough to enable us to get into Hot Springs before noon on Thursday which will allow us to clean up and do laundry before heading out again.On-On
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

A much better day today, although the afternoon turned into a struggle. Once again I hiked further than I intended but the thought of getting up and hiking down to a "real" breakfast in the morning was the driving force.Cabo had knee trouble on the downhills and I had trouble on the uphills so we evened out our pace and managed to hike together. Two fifteen mile days has us both tuckered out. I don't foresee that happening again for a while. Rain is in the forecast for the next few days so hotel/motel rooms may be a problem tomorrow. Everyone watches the weather and hangs out in town till it passes. If I can just get a shower and wash cloths I will be happy, I can always walk to the outskirts of town and pitch my tent if no rooms are available. Tomorrow is also resupply day for the next leg that will get me to Erwin TN. That's a pretty long stretch so I will be hiking out with a heavy pack. On-On
Date: 2013-04-24
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3

Unusual night in my tent. First though i had to fight the gnats and No-seeums while getting dinner and pitching the tent. I am allergic to the No-Seeums and wound up with several pumpknots on my forehead.Started out laying on top of my sleeping bag then put my Marmot jacket on, then put my feet and legs inside the bag and finally wound up inside with the zipper pulled up to my chin! Crazy weather on top of a mountain.Originally we had planned to get up early, like we did at Hot Springs, and come into town for breakfast but after checking the guide a second time we realized that it was 6 miles to town and neither one of us wanted to hike that far to get breakfast. As it turned out we did not get to town until 10:30.We came off the mountain to a hostel and I immediately went for a hot shower!! We could not wash clothes until after 4 pm so that was out of the picture because Cabo's wife was coming to pick us up for a layover at a cabin they had rented. Unfortunately, sometimes plans go awry and I wound up staying the night at the Holiday Inn. A flying trip down the road for a resupply and I'm ready now to head back into the woods tomorrow morning. On-On
Date: 2013-04-29
From: U.S. 19E, Roan Mountain B&B

To: Stealth Camp Site
Miles today: 15.0

**This is Bryon(YoungSon), Sparky's son and "trail liaison", haha, its a self-created title...just wanted to let all of my Dad's readers know that I have gone through and updated his journals from April 23rd to today's entry. I did not have internet access for nearly a week...I know, I know, no excuse...I promise it wont happen again **What a difference a day makes! Hiked yesterday in a raging storm and hiked today in some of the prettiest weather I have seen this spring. From hell to heaven in 24 hours time. The B&B we stayed at did not serve breakfast so they arranged with Mountain Harbor for us to come down and have breakfast there. Mountain Harbor is famous for their breakfast and they did not disappoint us!Today's hike was such a pleasure that the miles seemed effortless (or maybe it was because of the super breakfast) and the miles rolled by without even thinking About them. One of my hiking buddies, "Orion," calls it Zombie walking, where you just walk and let your mind go blank and suddenly you realize miles have gone by that you weren't even aware of. Today we had intended to camp at 12 miles but did not find a suitable site until 15.5 and that was at 4 pm so we had a pretty good day. I guess it makes up for the debacle yesterday. Looks like we will be able to get to Hampton tomorrow. I had originally planned for that to take 2 1/2 days. Suits me, another shower and clean clothes will feel good. On-On
Date: 2013-04-30
From: Stealth Camp Site

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up to a wet tent from the heavy dew. Anything that was left outside was wet too, including a pair of socks I had hung in a bush to dry...sigh. The day was warm and sunny and views of the mountains and valleys was spectacular because the recent rain had washed the smog and other crud out of the air. A trip by the shelter, four miles away from our camp site showed a menu for the new Big Bear Resort that showed vitamin B under the beverages so I knew immediately that I would be staying there tonight. Violet had phone service so she called and reserved us a cabin and we made tracks as fast as possible for the resort arriving here at close to 1 pm. Needless to say not much else was accomplished this afternoon. Tomorrow we head for Damascus. I hope to be there in 3 1/2 daysThanks again to everyone for your comments, I read and enjoy hearing from everyone. They make my efforts feel worth the work. On-On
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Stealth Camp @ Spring
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Looking at today's profile map it looked like there was only going to be one hard climb but as so often happens the profile map does not always tell it like it is. The last 6 miles of the day was mostly uphill which meant over 50% of the day was going uphill. That's why we stopped at this spring to camp. The shelter we were headed for was only 2 miles away but it was uphill too! Enough already! We had 14.8 good, hard, solid miles under our belts (Violet emphatically told me not to say 14.8,, as far as she was concerned we had 15 miles!). I did not get on the trail until nearly 9 am. I had to wait until the office opened at 8 and then was able to get a sausage biscuit and then a honey bun before settling my bill and heading out, walking half a mile just to get to the trail.We need to rethink our hiking strategy and add more rest breaks because we were both exhausted when we stopped tonight. Tomorrow will be a long day too but we should be able to get a lot earlier start and with a mid morning and and afternoon break, hopefully we won't be so tired tomorrow night. We both need to be in Damascus by Saturday morning to pick up mail drops before the P.O. closes and neither one of us knows if it stays open after 12pm, so just to play it safe we need to be in early.Hiking is hard. On-On