morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Pecks Corner Shelter 

To: Cosby Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night it continued to rain all night and even though there were a few snoring hikers all night the rain hitting the tin roof drowned it out and I got a good night of sleep. We got up at 7:30 and started back up the half mile trail to the AT around 8:45. For the start of the hike, the sun was out but that only lasted for a little; by 10:00 the clouds rolled back in but it did not rain. The trail went back up to 6000 feet and stayed there for a few miles then it started to go down out of the Smokey¢s. We stopped at the next shelter for lunch and when we got there we were greeted by a group of trail maintainers that use horses to carry all their gear and tools...I wish we could use horses back in PA when we do trail maintenance!! We took a long break then headed back up the trail. We finally got to the top of the last climb and started down out of the Smokey¢s. We were making good time because it was all downhill but it was getting to our feet and knees. Before we knew it we got to the shelter just past 3:00, that was the earliest we ever got to the shelter. At the shelter, we ran into the two brothers and dad from Hawaii and Einstein, they eating snacks. We set up our sleeping pads and bags in the shelter and sat there trying to figure out what to do until dark. The only thing we could think of to do was eat! So we sat around and ate snacks. Later on Grand Bob and Precious showed up and we all had supper together. Tomorrow we only have 8 more miles until we are out of the Smokey¢s and I can¢t wait. It rained most the days and our gear was wet every day the whole way through these Mountains. Tomorrow night we can camp out wherever we want so we will go until we feel like stopping!
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter 

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night off and on and when we woke up, it wasn¢t raining but very foggy. It was only 45 degrees out at 7 am so we were all slow to get out of our warm sleeping bags. We finally got out of them at 8 am and were on the trail by 10:00, that was our latest start yet. We all had to put on wet cloths and boots so we were all a little grumpy but once we got moving we began to dry out. We hiked about 4 miles and we ran into Apple, he was hiking southbound on a day hike. We got to talking and found out he had a stand set up down the trail with sodas and snacks. He has been coming out to the trail for the last six days doing trail magic. We took our packs off and each had a soda and a frosted honey bun...thanks Apple that trail magic really picked up my spirits. Once we had our fill, we set out back up the trail and the trail went up really steep, we all felt those sodas and honey buns the whole way up but it was worth it. Once we got to the top of the climb the trail leveled out with only a few ups and downs and we dropped down to a dirt road. We ran into three section hikers that stayed with us last night and we all took a break before we started up to Max Patch. As we made our way up to the top of Max Patch, we found a spot in the green grass and laid out all our wet cloths and gear to dry in the sun and wind.   Max Patch is a huge natural clearing on top of the mountain that is covered in green grass and the views were spectacular. The hot sun felt so good we stayed up there just relaxing for over two hours, after yesterday¢s rain and last night¢s cool temps the sun really hit the spot. We finally packed up our gear and started down off of Max Patch to the next shelter and where we met the three Hawaiians again and chatted with them for a bit. The trail slowly went downhill for the next five miles and we made good time to our last climb of the day before the shelter. After taking a break at the bottom of the hill, we started back up. We were going really slowly because we were in no hurry to get to the shelter and we got passed by the Hawaiians. Last we heard they were staying at the last shelter but they decided to push on and do a 20 mile day. We arrived at the shelter and found that it was a very old shelter. It was supposed to sleep 6 people but the sleeping surface was warped and had sections missing in it. It was made with logs and had many holes in the walls. The privy had a good lean to it and the water was a quarter mile away and it was all but dried up. Oh and there are a lot of mice living in the shelter too. We did manage to fit six in the shelter but I had to sleep on the section that was missing a board so it is very uncomfortable and the wind is blowing right through the shelter walls. It is 9:30 now and the temps already dropped down to 45 degrees and it may drop down to the thirties tonight...glad I kept my down coat because I needed it tonight.
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

Last night was a cold night. When we woke up it was 38 degrees and the wind was blowing right through the shelter walls. We once again were slow to getting out of our sleeping bags so we did not start up the trail until 9:45am. We had two climbs today and the rest was downhill to Hot Springs NC. Our first climb was up Bluff Mountain first thing in the morning so that warmed us up quick and we had to shed layers half way up. At the top I had phone service so I was able to make a few calls home. Then we started down the other side. We caught up to Moondog and Streamer on the way down and ate lunch on a small outcropping with a great view down the valley. From that point we had about 6.5 miles to go until we had to start looking for a place to camp before we got to town. We had planned to camp right out of town and go into town first thing in the morning to save money but when we got to the last downhill before town, we found that the trail was on the side of steep mountain and there was no where to camp, so we just decided to spend the night in town.We finally got to the edge of town after going downhill for 2 miles and found that right beside the trail was a hiker hostel that just opened three weeks ago so we booked a room for $30 a night. There we about 15 or so other thru hikers, and more came in throughout the night so it was a hoping place.After we had showered, we walked down to the main street in town and ate at the Smokey Mountain Diner. I had the Hungry Hiker Burger with a side of mac and cheese and a side salad...oh and about a half-gallon of coke. After we had our fill, we walked to the other side of town to get some ice cream but found that the ice cream place was closed. We settled for ice cream bars at the dollar store and went back to the hostel and watch a movie.There was a group of hikers that were going to the spa to take a dip in the natural hot springs and there was room for one more and I decided to join them. We had a reservation for 11pm...I guess they make the smelly and dirty hikers go last. We arrived and found that they no longer allow people to go into the actual springs but they pump the naturally heated water into hot tubs but it still felt amazing. We were in there for an hour or so before we had a long cold walk back up to the hostel at around 12:30am. Now it is 1am and I feel great so I expect to sleep very well tonight.
Date: 2012-04-08
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Somewhere in the woods
Miles today: 5.6

Today we are taking a zero day and we could sleep in...but we all woke up at 7:00am like always so there went sleeping in. Tortoise, Hare, Big Sky and I packed up our gear and headed down to town for breakfast and to pick up our mail drops. We ran into Granbob at the dinner and we talked for a while until our food was there. Granbob just arrived in town today and was staying at a bed and breakfast tonight. After we were once again stuffed to capacity, we went to do our laundry and to dig through our mail drops. Rayo was there doing his laundry and soon after Shenanigans, Secrets, BP, SOS, Granbob, Maxis and GQ showed up to do their laundry too! It was a full house at the laundry mat. I opened my mail drop and to my surprise I found homemade walnut chocolate chip cookies...thanks mom!! They were awesome. I ended up eating half of them right there in the laundry mat and decided to take the other half with me on the trail.Once our laundry was done, we hung out for a long time talking with all the other hikers. By then we had decided to just hike five miles to a campsite beside a pond so we planned on leaving around 3:00pm. Tortoise, Hare and Big Sky went for lunch but I was still full from breakfast so I just went to the coffee shop to upload more pictures and videos from my phone. While I was at the coffee shop, I was also able to Skype with my family that was all together for Easter. It was only for little while until the wifi stopped working for some reason....to all my family back home even though the video chat was cut short I still got to see all of you and that meant the world to me, I love you all and miss you much and hope you have a great Easter. ?After I was done, I went and found the other three at the ice cream parlor...I am usually the one that pigs out in town but they really went to town this time. I got two scoops of butter pecan with a waffle cone and we all decided we had better get going because it was now past 4:00. By the time we had our boots and packs on it was 4:45 and we started up the trail which went right through town. The trail crossed a river and then it was straight up the cliff side with a bunch of switch backs. Once we had got back up to elevation, the trail was easier and we arrived at the campsite with the pond at 6:30pm. Well the pond was nice, but there was only one flat spot and we needed more space so we continued on up the trail and found Bird Man was also looking for a tent site so we all continued on together and finally found a spot that we all could fit in. By then it was around 7:00pm so we quickly set up our tents and called it a day.
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Somewhere in the woods (again!)

To: Big Butt Mountain
Miles today: 13.7

This morning we packed up in a hurry because we wanted to get back to Hercules and Fal's place for breakfast. We got to the road and ran into Mouse and told her about the trail magic we were going to and she decided to join us. We got to their house at 8:15 and once again were greeted by their dog Heidi on the front porch. We went in and sat down at their table and we started to feast. We each started out with a homemade Belgium waffle, then a cup of coffee, then a bowl of pork stew and topped it off with warm bread pudding with ice cream and caramel. While we were there Neon Green, Einstein and Dakota Dan showed up for breakfast too. Once we were stuffed to capacity we headed back to the trail and were on the trail by 10:00. We had a 4500 foot climb so we were going really slowly because we were all so full. About half way up we ran into Gran Bob and talked for a while. We made it to the next shelter at around noon and took a break to eat some snacks and Gran Bob showed up not too long after we did. We only had about 1200 feet up to go from the shelter so we pushed on.At the top, the temperature was down to 46 degrees and the wind was really blowing so it was pretty cold but after the top the trail stayed off of the ridge line and it was blocking the wind from hitting us. The trail got real easy after the top so we made good time to the section that Hercules had told us about. The trail went back up to the ridge line and it got real rocky and narrow...they call that area The Knives edge. There were lots of steps that went up and over the different rock outcropping and this went on for about a mile.Once we got through the rock scramble, the trail once again got easier and we got to the next shelter in no time. We got to the shelter at 4 pm and found that Mouse, Runner and Neon Green were already there and had a fire going inside the shelter. We all piled inside to soak up the warmth from the fire and to eat second lunch. We were undecided if we were going to stay or move on but Gran Bob and two other hikers showed up so we decided to move one.By then it was 5pm, so we decided that we would camp the first good looking spot to camp. We climbed up and over Big Butt Mountain and just down the other side we crossed through a small field that was shielded from the wind so we set up camp there. From the field we could see the sunset perfectly but we had to get into our sleeping bags early because it was getting cold and the wind changed directions and is now blowing right on us. So tonight is going to be cold, its now 46 degrees and with the wind it feels like it¢s in the 30s. Hopefully we all stay warm and get a good night¢s rest because we have a big day to do tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Big Butt Mountain

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was freezing, the wind changed directions and was blowing on us all night. When I checked the tempurature at 8:30am it was 25 degrees and the wind chill must have been in the teens. All our water froze and even Big Sky's contacts froze in the cass so she had to wear her glasses today. We all pack up as quick as we could and started hiking at 9:00am, we could not eat breakfast because our water was frozen and we were way too cold so we just started hiking.  We hiked 3.6 miles to the next shelter in a little over an hour and we finally ate or breakfast there. Medacin Man was still there from last night because he was too cold to even get out of his sleeping bag...he finally left the shelter at 12:30. The trail was a little tough after we had breakfast because there weren't any flat spots; just ups and downs but we soon got to the base of a 1600 foot climb so we all took a break. Going up the mountain was not too bad but it went up gradually so it took forever to get to the top. We finally got to the top and of course, then started right back down the other side 600 feet down. Then once again up 500 feet to the next shelter. We were all planning on going past this shelter and stay at a campsite 4 miles up the trail but there was a sign that said there would be breakfast for thru hikers at the next road crossing one mile up the trail and we were not going to miss that...so we stayed put. That shelter was full when we got there plus there were eight tents already up so I quickly took the flatest spot I could find and set up my tent. Throught the evening about six more hikers showed up after us so we have a little tent city going on behind the shelter. Some of the hikers started a fire and soon all the hikers were flocking around it trying to get warm. Tonight is suposed to get even colder than last night but hopefully because we are not ontop of a mountain ridge it will not get as cold plus the wind is really howling up on the ridge now and so far is going over top of us...I hope it stays that way. Tonight I have on all my long sleve shirts and even my gloves, this is the first time I've had to use them...hope I stay warmer tonight than I was last night!
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whistling Gap Camp Site 
Miles today: 13.7

Last night was not as cold as the last two because there was not any wind but it was still down in the 20s. We were cold so I did not get out of the tent until 8:30 and everyone was gone except 3 other hikers..I gues everyone wanted to get to the trail magic in a hury. Big Sky and I packed up and stood by the fire one last time and headed out at 9:30. We did not eat breakfast because we were getting breakfast on the road so we blew through the 2.7 miles in under 45 minuets. We got to the trail magic and found that a former thru hiker Quiet Paul was making eggs, hash browns and bacon. We each downed a muffin and an orange then ate a full plate of grub and soon after Maxis and GQ showed up and did the same. Right as we were leaving Craftsman, Robo and Smooth Sailing showed up and also got to enjoy the great breakfast. We crossed under I-40 and right on the other side we found two coolers, one filled with sodas and the with snacks. So we decided to eat more and we took some snacks for the trail and continued on. We had a long climb back up to 5000 or so feet and the climb just went on forever. Near the top we ran into Gran Bob so the three of us took a break and finished the climb togeather. At the top was a bald with some great views but we did not stay long because the wind was really blowing. We hiked another 3 miles to the next shelter and decided to take a break. Already there taking a break was BP and Step Ahead, they were moving on to one of the camp sites but Gran Bob decided to stay. We left the shelter and hiked another three miles to the next camp site and found that Tortuise, Hare and Einstine had decided to stay there for the night so we decided to stay too. Later on Maxis and GQ showed up and also decided to stay because by then we had a fire going and it was getting late. We all stayed up until around 8pm and then called it a nigh. Tonight is not to be as cold so hopfully we will say warm and get a good night of sleep.
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Erwin, TN 

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning we ate breakfast at the hotel and then went back to the room to pack up our gear. We called Miss Janet for a shuttle to Wal-mart to get some gear and she then took us back to the hotel to finish packing up. She had to take some other hikers back to the trail then she came back. The five of us went to eat at a all you can eat pizza place. While we were there Gran Bob, Medicine Man and a few other hikers showed up to stuff their faces also. We were there for over an hour eating and chatting with everyone.Once we were all filled up Miss Janet took us back to the trail head and we started back up the trail at 2:30pm. We decided to stop at a picnic area because we were too full to hike and just sat around and relaxed till 4:30 and then we started up the again trail. We were only going to the first shelter about four miles in and found that it was all up hill. We were very slow going up because we just ate so much food and we also had full food bags so our packs were really heavy. We finally arrived at the shelter by 6:15 and we claimed our spots in the shelter, Steam Roller and Slim were already there and we had not seen them since before the smokies so we all got caught up on each others hikes before we called it a night. Sorry folks this is a short and boring entry but not much happened today!
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter 

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Last night I did not sleep well, some of the hikers in the shelter were a little loud and the mice kept running all around me. We were on the trail by 8:30am and I could tell that today was going to be hot one. Big Sky and I decided to take it easy today and go at a slower pace due to the heat. We soon found out that by going slower we took less breaks and we actually did more miles in a shorter amount of time.We ran into Medicine Man while he was eating lunch so we joined him and ate our lunch also. We had a big climb next so we refilled our water bottles and started up the mountain. Near the top we ran into Swinging Jane and Spirit and they were once again slack packing south bound. We took a break and chatted with them for a little and then finished hiking to the top of the mountain. The top of the mountain was a pine forest so we got some releif from the sun and we were soon heading back down the other side. We arrived at the next shelter at 2:00 pm and because it was so early we decided to stay there until the hot part of the day was passed and finish the remaining four miles to the next camp site when it was cooler. An hour later Torouise, Hair and SOS showed up at the shelter and Tortoise and Hair decided to stay at the shelter and SOS was going three more miles to meet his wife and was going back to Erwin with his wife. We all got to talking and SOS offered to take us back to town for the night and then bring us back to the trail tomorrow morning. I was totally sold on it but no one else was because they did not want to pay for another night. SOS then offered us some of his own trail magic and offered to pay for our room for the night. We did not want him to do that but he insisted so we all agreed to do it. We finished the next 3.3 miles in under an hour and before we knew it we were on our way back to Erwin for the night.We arrived at Holiday Inn and SOS got our room and it was the same room we had the last time. We all showered and gave Miss Janet a call to see if she could once again take us to Hardees to eat. She was very suprised to hear that we were back in town and she said she could give us a ride. We got our food to go and headed back to the hotel room to relax.Tomorow we are heading back to the trail at 9:00am and will be heading north once again.
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Erwin, TN

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning we ate at the hotel then all piled into SOS's suv and headed back to Iron Mountain Gap to start our day. We got to the trail at 9:45am and thanked SOS and his wife for paying for our room and taking us to and from the trail and got on our way. The trail went up and down all day until we got to the shelter where we planned to eat lunch. SOS and Old Blue Eyes were already there eating their lunch so we joined them. We stayed there for about an hour and headed back to the trail to finish the last two hills before going up Roan Mountain. The second hill caught us by surprise and it was very rocky and went straight up, we had to use our hands at some spots and it was a complete PUD....grrrrr. We then went down for a few miles to the beginning of Roan Mountain. Roan Mountain is the last big mountain for a long time, from the bottom the trail goes up 2235 feet back up to over 6000 feet. Luckly the local trail maintaining club decided to make the the trail much easier by adding a bunch of switch backs. We could see how steep the trail was because the new trail passed over the old trail many times.  We got half way up and the new trail ended because the maintaners did not have time to finish the trail last year so we had to use the old trail the rest of the way up. It was hot today and there was no shade because the leaves did not start growing yet at this elevation so I was flying through my water the whole time. Every time I would take a drink I could feel it go right through me and I would sweat it out instantly. There was a day hiker hiking with us for awhile and he was completly out of water and the next place to get it was at the top so I gave him one of my gatoraid bottles to drink so I had to ration my water the rest of the way up.  We were going sooooo slow up the mountain and we finally got to the top at around 6:15pm. We were all way too tired to keep going so we decided to stay at the Roan High Knob Shelter. When we got there there was only two other hikers there, Old Blue Eyes and a section hiker. This shelter is the highest shelter on the trail at 6194 feet and it is like a cabin. It has four sides, a porch, a door, four windows and a upstairs to fit even more people. Old Blue Eyes decided to sleep in his tent so it was only the five of us inside of the shelter. We are all inside and the wind is making howling noises and we think we hear something outside...hope its not a bear because the door is only held shut with a rock and if it comes in we would have to bail out through the windows...well its time for bed good night.