morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy Mother's Day! Breakfast early at the Mountain View Diner, packed up and off on the trail by 9:15. As usual the hike out of town is up. Up to Lover's Leap, rocks with a good view of the French Broad River and Hot Springs. Paradise is nice but you cant stay there forever. Not a hard day, the weather remained cool which I prefer as I hike very warm even in a tee and shorts. I was lookin spiffy in my new electric blue lightening gaiters from Dirty Girls ( i don't name the company) Elton John would approve. Once you get to the summit the terrain gets easier to hike. I was planning on taking it easy anyway as I am not 100%. I got to Spring Mountain Shelter just after 3 Pm and felt like moving on but I stopped. It was the easiest 11 miles I have done yet. I ate a club sandwich I had made for me at a deli in Hot Springs. I met Beatnik, also from NJ and Ninja. I took a nap and woke up to a Tent City. The place was booming with all kinds of hikers. Wonderboy, Half Life, The Wiz, Lost, Tedly, Stitch and many others are here tonight. Most are people I had passed way back when, but with 3 zero days I am in a new hiker bubble. A fire is going and marshmallows are toastin'. Feeling pretty good and ready to take on bigger miles tomorrow. Still smilin'
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry's Cabin
Miles today: 15.4

Monday May 13thSlept well in my tent and up early and leaving Spring Mountain Shelter by 7:04 am. I walked a couple of miles and took a morning breakfast break. It was a peaceful campsite. Along the way I hike briefly with Stitch. I also met Bear and Kiwi from New Zealand. They had stayed at the Hemlock Hostel. I took their picture and on I went. Up the hill I went to the Little Laurel Shelter where I took a break for about an hour. I don't seem to have the energy today so I take frequent and long breaks with the pack off. The first 10 miles today went very well. The last few miles were STREN U OUS as noted in the AT Guide Book ( by AWOL, Dave Miller). There were rock climbs up and down ridge walks that didn't climb really high elevations but were steep ups and down. Sometimes requiring climbs with hand and feet in toe holds. I had to ditch my walking poles several times. When there weren't rocks there were roots, black mud, and Rhododendrons that reach out and tug at your arms and legs. It was like running a gauntlet at times. I ran into Stitch who was now heading south as she had gone to the Hemlock Hostel and they offered to drive her north so she could slack pack back to the Hostel. The trail reminded me of being back in the Smoky's where ridge walks were common. This was the condensed version of the Smoky's as it was only a couple of miles long.I arrived at Jerry's Cabin Shelter near 6:30 PM. Wings, Tom &Tabby ( from Charleston, half life, Ninja are in camp tonight. Others arrived late but I was in bed before 8:30 Pm
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Jerry's Cabin

To: Hogback Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

Tuesday May 14th.Packed up left by 7:40 am. The highlight of the day was a stop a the Shelton Gravesite. A very peaceful spot on the trail. The story is the Shelton's were Union soldiers from North Carolina who were returning to North Carolina for a Family Reunion and were ambushed by Confederate soldiers and killed. The graves are lovingly tended to still. I had breakfast here. I met overload at Flint Mountain Shelter, he told me he got his trail name by carrying a 65 pound pack when he started at Springer. He says he still has a pack weight around 55 pounds. He was carrying an hatchet and lots of food. He has adopted a lost black Labrador puppy. There seem to be many owners that take their pets on the trail and lose them. Many are day hikers. It takes a special dog that is very socialized with humans and other dogs to walk the Appalachian Trail. Overload isn't feeling all that well eitherToday was another day of ups and downs and ups and downs. Again I didn't feel 100% and the miles seemed slow and taking longer and longer. I took many long breaks and the last few ups took a lot out of me. Essentially what we call false summits, where you go up a steep grade and think your at the top only to look up and see another steep up.I got in to Hogback Ridge Shelter around 7 pm. Wild Rover & Gulliver were here, with Ninja, and Screaming Steven. I ate and settled into the shelter. It was nice seen Gulliver and Wild Rover again. The y will be leaving the trail in Erwin.
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Hogback Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Up and ready at 7:30 hitting the trail. I was planning to hike to the nearest road and go to the Little Creek Cafe for breakfast, 2.8 miles off the trail east. I tried to hitch down but had no luck. I made my breakfast in a parking lot. I saw Rambo and Wings come out of a truck, they had walked to the Cafe and ate. The day was full of climbs and I was again not doing well on the ups, seemingly endless. I met a man whose trail name is ""It's the little things" He is a retired GE exec looking at a transition in his life and decided to hike the trail.. He started in March and has recently been off the trail averaging 8 miles a day. He stayed in Erwin for 3 days to re- energize. He said hes lost 55 pounds..Any way I only did 10 miles today, but had some Awesome views on the Balds- 360 degree views not obstructed by the trees. Most days I hike through a green tunnel unable to see many views. I slogged into Bald Mountain Shelter around 3 PM and caught up with Wild Rover and Gulliver again. I really feel like we "earn " our miles lately. Today was near 80 degrees thankfully with a breeze. I washed my shirt in a creek as it was salt encrusted from four days of hiking. I took lots of breaks and hydrated often. Hopefully tomorrow I get to Erwin.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.4

I slept well last night, lots of others joined us later in the day at Bald Mountain Shelter, Lost and Maps, The Wiz, Strider and Wonderboy. I was up and out of the shelter at 7:15 am. Today was a "fast track" kind of a day. The trail had some ups but was mostly down. My senses were being stimulated by touch, sights, smells, sounds, and tastes. There was a perfume in the air, most likely mountain laurel and azaleas. Woodpeckers were percussing on hollow trees, brooks were babbling, waterfalls were speaking a lulling peaceful music, the earthy loamy soil of the trail pierced my nostrils. What a different day today, must be because I know I am headed to town. The endorphins were flowing and my pace was faster than usual. I still managed to stop for 3 long breaks along the way. One stop was at the waterfall.I managed to get to No Business shelter by about 1:00PM where most of us took a break for the day. Gulliver and Wild Rover came along around 2 PM as they are going to stop at No Business Shelter for the night. I asked Wild Rover why No Business Shelter was called No Business, he replied because they don't have a privy here and ya can't do your business here. Hmmm well actually its called No Business Knob shelter and I have no idea why it got it's name.I left the sheler to do the last 6 miles at about 2:30 and was in Erwin by 5 PM. Strider joined me and I tried to match his stride down the mountain but he was fairly running. We went to the Nolichucky Hostel and had sodas and chilled a bit as the day had turned warm. I was heading up the road to stay over night at the Holliday Inn Express. Most hikers are leaving the trail to go to Trail Days in Damascus tomorrow. The Hostel is running a shuttle for 20 dollars round trip. I won't be going to Damascus. I got to the Holiday Inn and did my wash and ordered a pizza from Rocky's Pizza which was so so. I couldn't finish it so I gave the last 3 pieces to Lost, Strider, Maps and a whole bunch who decided to stay at the Holiday Inn too. All and all a good day and I am feeling better. I am still smiling snd loving the trail
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Erwin, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I took a zero day because I could! No aches or pains or illness, just a relaxing rest. I walked up the road to the IGA and Dollar General and resupplied for a 4-5 day section from Erwin to Elk Park. I got a hitch back from the IGA and was glad for it as the day was getting warm. I generally lazed around today, helped the Holiday Inn manager get this computer back on line and took an old mans nap in the afternoon. After a violent thunderstorm I hitched a ride with Carl who was just ending his shift at a nearby nursing home, to the Primo Restaurant and ordered Lasagne and a salad with sweet tea. I went to the Walmart to get a few more items for my next section. After that I got a ride with Dallas who told me now I could say I met a redneck hillbilly from Tennesee. He asked many questions about my hike which I was happy to fill in the blanks about the how, when, where from, where to etc. He told me a story of how his Dad got lost in the woods 2 weeks ago for 3 days and they thought he was dead. I asked him where was his white lightening still at? I did tell him that my momma told me never to accept a ride with a feller that had a hammer on his front seat. Dallas said he has a job as a carpenter. He laughed and drove away.All and all a good day!Yes momma I did eat my vegetables
Date: 2013-05-18
To: Campsite USFS 230
Miles today: 12.7

Day started with thunderstorms. I left the Holiday Inn around 10 am and walked the mile to the trail in the rain. I saw Gulliver one last time at Uncle Johnny's Hostel. I sat outside the Hostel procrastinating, just didn't want to hike in the rain. At 11am I decided to walk in the rain. The terrain was fairly easy, well it started easy. Just when I think boy this is easy the trail throws in a few steep ups. The rain abated and on I went. Hazards on wet days are the wet roots and rocks. Singing Paul Simons slip sliding away is one of my favorite pastimes on rainy daysI had lunch at Curley Maple Gap shelter. Beatnik and another fellow Mess came saying they were spending the night there. I pushed on another 8 miles. I finished my day at 5 PM at a campsite off USFS 230. Tenting tonight with heavy moisture in the air. There will be rain all this week. Alls well
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Monday May 20thI awoke to rain at 6am, which was how yesterday started. I had breakfast in the shelter packed my stuff and waited for the rain to stop and I was singing Raffi's song Mr Sun Mr golden sun hiding behind the clouds, these little children are askin you to please come out so we can play with you....I was on the trail by 9 with Mr Sun shining down on me. Todays hike featured a climb over Roan Mountain which is 6,212 feet at its highest. On top of the mountain were the ruins of the Cloudland Hotel which offered rooms for 30 dollars a month in the 1880's. The Tennessee and North Carolina border ran through its dinning room and they painted a white stripe as it was legal to drink in Tennessee but not North Carolina. I dried my tent out at High bluff and Knob up top. My boots are still wet and squeshy, and todays hike is through many puddles and mired mud. Sometimes its hard to gain purchase on steep ups as the mud gits ya sliding backwards, but on we slog. When you get to the top you have to go down to go up again. The next climb was up Jane's Bald which had spectacular views360 degrees. I met a SOBO hiker named Sugarplum on the trail and got the scoop about the next few miles ahead.I pushed on to OverMountain Shelter which is a converted barn with two levels and excellent views into the valley and mountains above. I arrived at 7:45 pm very tired. I ate, chilled and went to sleep in the shelter.A full day on the trail with excellent scenery along the way.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: 19E Roan Mt Tennessee
Miles today: 8.7

Day started out foggy but the sun broke through and it started heating up. I dried out my boots, sleeping bag and pack. I woke up next to Little bird and her dog.   I still had wetness and the damp air at night didn't help dry things out. I did some journal catching up while things dried out. I wasn't looking forward to todays climbs. So I sat around and didn't get going until NOON. I put on my clean dry socks and off I went. The climbs included Little Hump bald and Big Hump bald. Wowsers excellent views. I actually walked up Big (*&$#) Hump Mountain with out stopping once, which would have been improbable a month ago. I have improved my cardio vastly since Springer Mt. I was leapfrogging with Critter and Boomerang a couple who had just returned from Damascus from Trail Days. They didnt see the accident at Trail Days but said most initial reports were blown way out of proportion. However people did suffer injuries and were hospitalized but all were out of the hospital. Critter states he worked at the Len Foote Hostel before deciding to do a thru hike. The Len Foote is at Amicola Falls a the Springer Terminus of the AT. Critter and Boomerang were slack packing 15 miles today and recommended I stay at the Mountain Harbour Hostel. I made my way down to 19 E Tennessee and hitched a ride with a man who was a retired physics teacher and retired to this area and loves it after a exhaustive search of many states to retire in, including the Olympic peninsula near Seattle he chose Roan Mountain. I got to the Mountain Harbour Hostel and not much was left in the way of beds. The owner shuttled me into Roan Mountains town, where I ate at a Subway and got a room at the Roan Mountain B&B. My hosts were wonderful and run a clean spacious home. I did my laundry and chatted with the owners Steve and Ann Campbell and fellow hiker "Mess" whom I keep running into.Thunderstorms are currently booming and alerts for hail the size of quaters with 60 mile and hour winds reported. I am glad I am inside safe and sound.Yes mom I am going to Maine!
Date: 2013-05-22
From: 19E Roan Mt Tennessee

To: Vango Abby Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 12.6

I left the B&B about 8:30 and got a ride to Bob's Dairyland for breakfast. I had a country breakfast of ham steak, two large biscuits, eggs and hash browns. After breakfast a couple transplanted from Florida to Roan Mountain gave me a lift to the trail. I was hiking by 10:20am. The going was wet and mucky most of the day. I passed Ferdinand who had spent the night by a stream. He said he weathered the storm well in his Six Moons Designs solo tent. He did hang all his stuff up to dry and was waiting for them to dry. The trail was fairly easy but as I said very mucky muddy mired mud. Makes for difficult ups and downs. Around 1:00 pm the skies darkened and rain was imminent. Thunder roared in the distance. On went the pack cover. There was some sprinkling until about 3 PM and then the thunder and lightening came through. Fortunately I had made it to Mountaineering Shelter by then. Critter and Boomerang were there as well and were going to stay the night. I was just gonna wait out the storm and then go on to Vango Abby Memorial Hostel about another 4 miles. I left at 4 pm and hike to the hostel by 5:30. Along the way a dog followed Statue and Spitfire over 10 miles. They called the owner who wasnt very concerned as the dog runs away when theres a storm.When I arrived at the hostel Scotty informed me that his internet was out due to lightening strikes last night. He let me have the private room for a reduced rate. I had Ben and Jerry icecream, some chocolate concoction and a frozen pizza. I was able to beat the storm and not get soaked today. As I write this another Lightening storm is rolling through.LIfe is good on the trail, still smiling and sitin a bit....
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Vango Abby Memorial Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road USFS 50
Miles today: 12.3

It rained most of the night and part of the morning so I felt good about staying in a Hostel to get out of the rain. I started the trail around 9:40 am and came upon Moss, Stella and Dream Crusher. They stated they were heading to the Black Bear Resort as Moss had been there before and its a good place. I was hoping to make the top of the next mountain and camp at Pond Flats.The day started with rain and rhododendrons bowing low to offer me a morning shower. The pack cover went on and I was soaked to the skin, but warm as long as I kept moving. At noon I stopped at Moreland Gap Shelter and eat a lunch of honey, peanut butter on a bagel. Soon Dream Catcher, Moss & Stella arrived with Wings. I chatted for a bit and then set off down the trail and up the trail. I reached Dennis Cove Road around 4 PM and the weather looked like another thunder storm was coming. I hustled down to the Black Bear Resort and got a cabin for the night. At Black Bear I saw, Little Bird, Waffles, Mooch, TBNY, and Rambo. Dream Crusher, Moss & Stella arrived later. We took a shuttle into town reprovisioned and got McDonald's to go. Hampton TN seems rather blighted and depressed. Our driver stated that this county is the poorest in Tennessee. That night the rain came hard, seems it has rained every day for a week. Temperatures are down in the 30's as well. I had a wam shower and I am dry .
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Dennis Cove Road USFS 50

To: Shook Branch Recreation Area
Miles today: 8.6

The morning started with heavy rains. I waited until they stopped and I walked the .5 miles to the trail head. The morning was cold and wet, the second coldest morning yet. I made my way up Laurel Fork Shelter after several river crossings. The rivers must be approaching flood stage. I sat at the shelter and had a second breakfast. Unfortunately I was chewing a soft granola bar and it was very crunchy. I had lost a filling in my molar, drats! Ann is coming to wisk me away from the trail on Saturday and I was thinking I had to make 17 miles today and about 11 on saturday to meet her at the pre-arranged Shady Valley TN. Now I was concerned that I needed some dental work and the holiday weekend is approaching. I raced up and then down the mountain, which had quite an elevation gain. On the way down I ran into Wings who was slack packing going south she had stayed at the Kincora Hostel, hosted by Bob Peoples. I also met Trail Light who is hiking the AT for the second time. He was headed North. They both suggested I call a dentist.I got down to Watauga Lake by 2:30 PM and tried to call Dentists all of whom seemed to be in Elizabethton, TN. Trail Light was able to get a hitch from a fellow by the name of Dave who happened to be going to Hampton and then to Elizabethton where he lives. Trail Light got out at Hampton and Dave drove me to a dentist in Elizabethton. Dave is a recording engineer and his wife teaches Japanese at ETU in Johnson City. Dave's brother in law hs hiked the AT and has a Podcast in which he interviews many legendary AT hikers. I told him I would give the pod cast a listen. I walked into Dr. Jack Holly's office and was told the doctor was leaving early today and couldn't see me. I guess I looked pathetic and smelly so they asked the dentist if he would see me. Xrays were done and Dr. Jack stated he could repair my tooth but a crown might be needed when I finish. In less then an hour I was walking down the road smiling broadly. I decided to stay in Elizabethton and await Ann's arrival tomorrow as Johnson City is near by.I had steak for dinner yummm.   I want to thank Dr. Jack Holly and his staff for making my day and allowing me to keep smilin'
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Carnegie Hotel - Johnson City, TN

To: Carnegie Hotel - Johnson City, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday we went to do laundry in Elizabethton and retrieve a credit card I had left at a restaurant, duh. Afterwards we went looking for the best Barbecue in the area. However every place was closed on Sundays. We ended up eating at Cootie Brown's which had excellent food. We then went to an outfitter's named Mahoney's where I made some key purchases to lighten my load. I went from my Baltoro granite gear pack to my Osprey Kestrel pack. I ditched the winter gear, gloves down jackect sleeping bag. I calculate I dropped at least 10 lbs. of weight. I also ditched the Zamberlin boots for trail runners. This was as planned prior to my hike. Now with 4 days of food and two liters of water I am around 30 lbs.Dog only jumped up on the bed once tonight.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Carnegie Hotel - Johnson City, TN

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

Ann drove me to Lake Wataugua and after a good bye I was on the trail by 9:15 am. Yes it was hard to get back into the swing of hiking. A new pack felt different and needed all kinds of adjusting and getting used to it. The trail runners were brand new and a bit big but my feet have swollent and a size 12 wasn't fitting me. Trail runners require more care in foot placement as you can turn your ankle easier. I did feel lighter and faster.I met a fellow by the road going on a re-route of the lake as the lake is high and part of the AT is submerged. He told me he stayedy at the Lake Wautauga Shelter last night and a mother bear had charged him and he had his dog with him. He had hiked the AT twice and camped by the lake a lot and said he'd never a bear charge him. He said they need to shoot this bear as it got a hold a hikers pack and shreded it. I had no desire to check the Lake Wautauga shelter so I kept moving. There was a little climb up above the Dam but nothing major. I hiked to Iron Mountain Shelter by 5:30 and called it a day. I met skywalker, chief, thumpa, tread well and Titus is her too. I set up camp and ate mash potatoes and beef sticks. I slept well tongiht as I was somewhat tired from the 2 days of zeroes. I do feel stronger hiking now that I dropped hte winter weight. It was somewhat hot today too, but the woods are a little cooler with the forest canopy.
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abbingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9

I was on the trail by 8:37 am after a good nights sleep. I was hiking along a ridge road that gently went up and down like 50 times during the day, but mostly very gently. The trail had tall grasses growing on either side of the trail which impeded the use of my hiking poles. I was often carrying hte poles so they wouldn't get bogged down in the grasses. The butterflies were flitting everywhere and frequently dive bombed me pulling up just before running into me. I think it was my blue shirt they were attracted to. I arrived at Abingdon Gap Shelter at 4:30 PM and went to get water which was down a very steep incline. When I got back up the hill I had decided that my hiking day was done. Originally I thought to hike on at least 4 more miles as it was early. I do feel strong and the terrain has been easier of late.In camp tonight was Fat man Walking, Titus, and in the morning I met Spider, Crystal and J-Rock. J Rock is from Cherry Hill NJ, Spider is from Michigan, and Crystal is from Halifax Nova Scotia. Spider got his name because he had a spider bite on his foot that swelled his foot badly. He had an infection and had to get off the trail for a week.