morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

It turns out there would be another hiker feed today on the trail scheduled from 12 to 4 PM at Sam's Gap. Again, there was excitement in the hiker community regarding this event. The morning was exceptionally beautiful with a stop for coffee at a pastoral setting being hosted by the group "Youth With a Mission". Several from this group had stayed at the shelter the previous night, and had indicated that there would be coffee 3 miles down trail. The coffee certainly brightened my day and cleared my head. I got to Sam's Gap at a little after 1:00 PM and to my surprise, the food was all gone. I ended up finding a couple of cheese sticks and a dumdum sucker. The group that sponsored this Trail Magic had obviously miscalculated the size of the group that was going to be present. So I sat down and made myself a peanut butter and tortilla sandwich for lunch. After leaving the gap, I ended up hiking with a young guy from mid-state New York, who goes by the trail name of Lumberjack. We talked a lot about environmentalism and shared other philosophical ideas. He was planning to "Cowboy Camp" on top of Big Bald, a high exposed grassy Knoll that we would be climbing at the end of the day. He tried to convince me to join he and the others in the group as it was going to be a cloudless night and it would be a good opportunity to view all of the night stars. When I got up on top, the wind was howling and I knew I would not be staying up there on such a windy and cold night. I ended up cooking and eating my dinner up there, which consisted of mashed potatoes and summer sausage, but then I left the group and headed down to the bottom to the safety of the woods.In the distance, I heard the calling of a Barred Owl, which I had not heard for a few hundred miles, so we were not completely out of their range yet. As I entered the woods, I saw the strangest thing. There were two white folding chairs arranged in perfect order right in front of a large rock outcrop and facing a few small trees in the other direction. I started thinking of every horror flick that I have ever seen, and I swear that I actually looked towards the trees to see if there was a cross bow or some other weapon aimed at the chairs that would be triggered if you sat on the chairs. That night as the wind howled, I though of the kids that were on top of the bald and how cold it must have been.Trail Scat: Hiking during the day is usually filled with a lot of solitude, and at times, you feel like you are the only person on the trail. But as soon as you stop to use the bathroom, someone usually shows up. I like hiking to a planned shelter location because it is a brief chance to socialize and meet new people or old friends on the trail. The AT gives you as much solitude as you want, but generally not more than you can handle.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Super 8 Hotel
Miles today: 16.4

Another beautiful, but cold morning. Today was a short 16 mile day to get into Erwin for a little R & R & R (Restaurants, Recharge, and Resupply). Had a beautiful view looking down several hundred feet into the Nolichucky River.Had a Big Mac, fries and a Milkshake, before AZ and others, including Slim, One, and Running Nose were picked up by Miss Janet, a legendary Trail Angel, and taken to Walmart and a nearby Mexican restaurant for a proper dinner. Trail Scat: Saw another Indigo Bunting at close range as well as another Rose Breasted Grosbeak.Trail Scat: I hiked the first 240 miles wearing the same pair of socks with no problems. I switched one morning because they were wet and within 30 miles, I had my first blister. It was minor, but I put my spare socks back on the bench, and brought back the A-Team.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Super 8 Hotel

To: Unaka Mountain 
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Our ride back to the trail was delayed as Miss Janet had to attend to some other trail emergency so we didn't start hiking until afternoon. The problem with getting to lower elevations is that you alawys have to climb back out.Today was pretty uneventful until later in the afternoon when I crossed Indian Grave Gap. At the Gap, I met AZ, Slim, One, Shawnagain, and Kevin Bacon. We were all resting and talking when a lady, Cheryl and her husband Chong asked if we wanted something to eat. Of course, the answer was yes.They cooked hot dogs, served chips and cookies and even had beer to celebrate Cinco De Mayo.We didn't leave until after 5 PM and still had miles to make. One suggested that we climb to the top of Unaka Mountain, which reportedly had a dense Spruce forest on top. Since there was no water on top, we would need to carry it up to the top. On the way up the steep hill, I came across a deer standing right in the trail. I stopped and it started walking towards me as if it wanted to play. As it was within about 10 yards, I reached to get my camera and then it bolted back into the forest. Once I reached the Spruce forest, the sun was starting to set. Even though there was still light out, the woods were completely dark, eerily dark. The camp site was beautiful and the ground was spongy. With each step your feet sank several inches into the pine needle and moss carpet. Since we had eaten at the Gap already, there was nothing left to do but set up the tent and go to sleep. Trail Scat: At the entrance of most hiker friendly hotels and hostels, you will find hiker boxesHikers will leave equipment and food that they no longer need. At the Super 8, I found a Mountain House Chicken Walnut dinner. It was absolutely delicious spread on tortillasI also found an uopened 8 ounce jar of peanut butter and ended up putting my unopened 12 ounce jar into the box .
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Unaka Mountain 

To: Ash Gap Campsite
Miles today: 18.7

Another beautiful day on the trail. Not much to report, although we did run into Chong and Cheryl again at Hughes Gap who were serving hot dogs, cookies, and donutsAZ and I cllimbed close to the top of Roan Mountain and camped in a quiet undeveloped camp site. I was awakened about 1 AM by a pair of Barred Owls hooting in the trees just over our headsTrail Scat: Early on I wondered how they were able to get the materials up to the tops of mountains with no roads nearby to build the sturdy wooden shelters that are present every 5 to 10 miles along the AT. Some are single layer, but I have seen double and even triple deck versions. In the Smokies, the shelters were stone sided. I found out later that in cooperation with the U.S. Government, military helicoptors were used to airlift the materials during training operations.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Ash Gap Campsite

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 17.6

AZ and I had planned to leave early this morning, so we set our alarms for 5:30 AM and broke camp in the dark. The plan was to hike 17.6 miles to a hostel that offered a ride to a burger joint and grocery for resupply, but you had to be there by 5:00. We made great time and today was my favorite day on the trail as far as scenery goes. We hiked over grassy bald mountains as part of the Roan Highlands. On the last bald we summited, there were exposed hogback ridges of schist and banded gneiss. The views were beautiful and you could see for miles in all directions. AZ and I reached the Hostel at 2:30 PM.Today we crossed into Tennessee for the last time. For the past several days we had been skirting the North Carolina and Tennessee borders. We are at the hostel with One, Slim, 3G, T-Bird, Loba, and others. As it turns out, the Mother and 3 young children and dog that I met on my first night on the trail are also here as they had to skip the Smoky Mountains because of their dog.Trail Scat: Today I saw a Chestnut Sided Warbler and watched 3 male Indigo Buntings flying in circles over my head chasing each other. There must be a shortage of females in the area.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

I had trouble falling asleep last night. I guess there was just too much comfort in the loft of the hostel. There were four of us including AZ, T-bird, and 3G. The hostel host, Vagabond, a 71 year old Grandmother, slept downstairs. Vagabond hiked the AT in it's entirety only a few years ago with a surgically repaired knee. We stayed around for the 8:00 AM breakfast, which was unbelievable.   There were fresh strawberries, watermelon, and locally grown tomatoes. Biscuits and gravy, sausage, various types of quiche, eggs, french toast and ham and croissant sandwiches. It was a feast. I hit the trail at about 9:45, which was a late start compared to the day before.   The first 7 miles of the trail was diverse with waterfalls, open fields next to woody areas. At one point, the trail dropped down to a beautiful river (Elk River) that was wide and shallow with a sand and rock bottom. The water was too inviting on such a warm day so I walked upstream away from the trail and stripped down and jumped in. It was cold but very refreshing. I ended up taking another dip further up trail. Even though the Elk River was running north in the direction I was heading, the trail inexplicably turned west away from the river and into the drab forest. For the last 11 miles, the trail ran west and even south for a time. I swear it felt like we were in North Georgia at one point. At the shelter tonight are Az, 3G, T-bird, Pockets from Switzerland, Wood Chuck, and Fire Fly.Trail Scat: After about the first 80 miles, I started experiencing pain in my right knee to the point that I was taking 2-3 Ibuprofen per day to ease the pain. In Hot Springs, I bought a Cho-Pat compressionBrace and haven't had to take an Ibuprofen since.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Watauga Lake Shelter 

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: light rain

At about 5:30 AM, we were awakened by a Whippoorwill just outside the camp that was as loud as a car alarm. We broke camp and walked out into the dim light knowing that it was probably going to rain for most of the day. The plan today was for the biggest hiking day yet, 21.6 miles to set up a shorter day of only 18 or so to get into Damascus in 2 days. The terrain was not too difficult, but hiking over 21 miles with a heavy pack is still a long way. I met Dragon Fly at a water source, who is 74 years old and attempting to become the oldest person to complete the trail. She was definitely an interesting lady.Near the end of the day as I approached a road gap, I heard gunfire relatively close to the trail. It sounded liked a 9 mm pistol as 4-5 rounds were fired. I decided to wait back in the woods until the firing stopped as I had no idea in which direction the shooting was occurring. After 8 rounds were fired, I heard 2 car doors slam and a vehicle drive off. As I got near the road, I saw a sign on a tree from a local religious group that was offering a written prayer for all hikers safety on the trail. below the sign, there was a bear proof box with a cooler inside. I was a little disappointed when I only found ice water in the box; apparently, all of the cold drinks they had left had already been taken. So I continued on and the trail entered a nice field and cow pasture and knowing that I was within 2-3 miles of our planned camp with plenty of daylight left, I figured I would get to the other side and rest in the nice grass for a while. When I rounded a bend, I heard music and saw tarps and tents and figured things were already looking up. The hiker group called "Riff Raff" were sponsoring Trail Magic at this location and had beer and sandwiches. I had a beer and sandwich so as not to be disrespectful and then moved on.I got to the Double Springs Shelter after 21.6 miles and met Slim, 3-G, AZ, Pockets, Hobo, and Caddy. Caddy and Slim are both from Boston, so they had a lot in common. I had hoped to pitch my tent that night because I don't sleep well in shelters, but there was no suitable flat ground around, so I reluctantly set my sleeping bag in the shelter.The next morning, I complained about not getting much sleep during the night and then the talk turned to the torrential storm that pounded the shelter during the night. I said "What rain?" Everyone laughed at the irony as I had apparently slept through the violent storm.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Double Sprinngs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.7

Everyone got up at 5:30 AM and broke camp in the dark eager to get to Damascus at the end of the day. It was misty and we walked out into the pre-dawn light shrouded in fog. During the day, I saw a small orange salamander in the center of the trail and later also saw my first Pink Lady Slipper flowers. They do in fact look like slippers among other things. I think they would have also been a worthy subject for Georgia O'Keefe to have painted.The terrain was relatively easy today and Slim and I ended up reaching the Virginia border at the same time and stopped and took pictures. As we reached the bottom of the hill at about 2 PM before dropping down into Damascus, we found a cooler filled with ice cold Bud Light Beer. Slim and I toasted to our day and that we had reached another milestone and then we met AZ in town for a late lunch.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Damascus

To: Dancing Bear Bed & Breakfast 
Miles today: 0.0

Last night Az, Slim, and 3g and I met up for dinner at a Barbeque restaurant just outside of town along a tributary of Laurel River. Just Bill, who works at Mount Roger's Outfitters showed up with his dog. In the shop, the dog lounges in the middle of the floor and invariably gets stepped on and then vigorously petted in apology. It almost appears to be a strategy as the dog was bouncing around on the outdoor patio of the restaurant. While we ate, Just Bill was pointing out a trout that kept rising to the surface feeding on emerging yellow dunns. I had also noticed this earlier and had been keeping watch. He indicated that there was a healthy population of Browns and rainbows in the river.After dinner, AZ and I walked across to the other side of town to the Food City grocery store to resupply and buy food for breakfast in the morning. Since we were staying in a separate unit of the Dancing Bear bed & Breakfast, we assumed that breakfast would not be included. The next morning, I had cereal, a bagel, and some fruit and yogurt and then AZ and I started walking down the street to meet Slim for coffee. Before we got 10 feet down the street, Shannon, the owner of the Dancing Bear said that breakfast was being served in the main house and ordered us to go in and eat. So, we went inside and had second breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt and egg and bacon quiche. It was a beautiful day to spend in such a quaint small town. The population is only about 900 or so and the town is neat and well maintained, with a bicycle shop or some other outdoor shop on every other corner. Victorian style homes with lush green lawns line main street, many of them also Bed & Breakfast establishments. There are two rivers that converge right near the town's main park.I spent the morning at the library trying to get all of my pictures downloaded and journal up to date. I also cleaned all of my gear and washed my pack. AZ, Slim, and I had lunch with Chinook and Scout at the Blue Blaze Cafe and afterward I stopped in at the outfitter and bought a new pair of socks. I didn't have the heart to throw out my old pair that had served me so well through about 400 miles of trail so I sent them home along with some other gear I no longer needed. The town is getting ready for Trail Days, an annual festival of past and present AT hikers and many thousands of people are expected to attend. Many hikers that hike past Damascus take shuttles back and many others time their pace to get into town near the start of the festival. Unfortunately, we will not be attending due to our short time frames for getting through the trail to reach Maine. It would be nice to see some of the hikers we have met along the way and to meet with equipment vendors who will be attending.After spending a nice evening soaking in the hot tub in the backyard of the Dancing Bear, I walked down the street to see who might be showing up and ran into Storm Crow, Ireland, Dragon Fly and others. All in all, it was a fantastic day.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Pine Forest Campground 

To: Wise Shelter 
Miles today: 15.9

Today we crossed into the beautiful Grayson Highlands, with high rolling grasslands and exposed bald hill tops. Some of the balds are natural and some are managed areas that are beneficial to both livestock and wildlife. Many years ago, the Forest Service introduced ponies into the area to keep the area cropped and prevent trees from overtaking the land. The ponies are wild and are certainly an attraction to the area. I approached the ponies and started taking photograghs. I noticed a small colt standing next to its mother. The colt surprised me and left the security of it's mother and approached me and started gnawing on the tape on my hiking sticks and then walked behind my back and then leaned into my back.Other than the beauty, the trail was difficult to maneuver as it was filled with angular blocks. You had to be careful with every step, especially going downhill. Toward the end of the day, we encountered Thunder, who was handing out beer and other treats to thru hikers. 3G commented how he really liked the name Thunder and wished he had a more powerful name. I suggested Thor and he liked it and said he would now be known as Thor.We reached the 500 mile mark at this point and I have to say that the State of my Union is good. I feel good. My legs, feet, and joints also feel good, and most importantly, my spirit is high.With a certainty of rain in the forecast, we ended staying in the shelter for the night. There were 7 of us including AZ, Slim, Pockets, Thor, The Kid, and Flatlander. Bearjuice showed up later and without reluctance, we all slid over and made room. We were shoulder to shoulder and were happy to be inside when the torrential downpour hit later that night.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter 
Miles today: 20.0

With the heavy rain from last night, the river was swollen and was a raging torrent of tea colored foam and white water. I was able to manage keeping my feet dry for the most part. Although it rained off and on, I was able to walk between the raindrops and really didn't need to wear my rain jacket. Later in the day, I climbed into an area and noticed several rhododendrons starting to bloom, which is exciting since we have literally walked by, under, and between thousands of these plants over the past 500 miles. Within 5 miles of camp, the skies let loose, and before I could get my rain pants on, I was completely drenched. I arrived at the shelter soaking wet and cold, as did Bearjuice, Pockets, Slim, Thor, and AZ.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Wise Shelter 

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 10.9

It rained hard most of the night but at least it stopped by morningWe awoke early and had hiked 10.9 miles by 10:00 AM to catch an 11:00 AM 50 cent shuttle into town. Lunch at McDonalds and dinner at Pizza Hut.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Marion, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 25.4

There are moments on the trail that are just so peaceful and serene that you just have to stop and take a moment to reflect on everything that is special in life. Today taking a break at a historic school house (1894) right on the trail was just one of those moments. The school includes matching boys and girls outhouses on a well maintained lawn. The trail at this location borders forest and open fields and it is these transitions that I truly love to hike through. Inside the old school house, a local Baptist Church had stocked coolers with snacks and cold drinks and other needed hiker supplies. I sat on the porch of the school house and drank a Mountain Dew and ate some crackers and just looked out at the beautiful scene. The interesting thing about emotions on the trail is how quickly they can change. You can go from complete peace and serenity to a deep and dark sense of loneliness almost within a few hours of each other. Because we all hike at different paces, most of the time I hike in complete solitude, sometimes it may be hours before I cross paths with anyone. It is always nice at the end of the day to meet up and see some familiar faces at shelters.Today AZ and I were not sure where we would end of stopping for the day, so we met up late in the afternoon and came up with a plan to hike to a certain time and then look for a suitable place to camp. As the hours rolled on and we didn't find a place, we decided to keep pushing for the next shelter and ended up completing a 25.4 mile day, just shy of a marathon. We spent the evening with some old friends, including Bearjuice and Pockets and some new (Frankenstein, Mocha Pot, and Rod and Real. Rod and Real passed a whiskey bottle around to celebrate crossing the 1/4 mark.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter 

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we hike in some beautiful open country side with forest and field transitions. Had lunch at the beautiful Chestnut Knob Shelter, which is one of the few shelters that is set in an open field with a nice view of the valley floor. Most other shelters are set in the middle of the woods with no view.In the afternoon, we hiked on the upper edge of steeply dipping quartzite ridge. It was very rocky and the footing was poor and hiking slow. Everyone was glad to be through this section at the end of the day. Spent the evening at the shelter with AZ, Bearjuice, Pockets, Bliss, Mocha Pot, Frankenstein, Rod and Real, Borrego, and Wild Turkey and her dog. When Bliss, who is from Nova Scotia, Canada found out that I was of French Cajun descent, she said an interesting thing in a joking manner. "My ancestors kicked your ancestors out of Nova Scotia". We laughed about it and she was certainly aware of how desperate the plight of the French people at that time and how brutal the English were even talking about the poem "Evangeline" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.Trail Scat: Saw two more Indigo Buntings today and spotted a Scarlet Tanager on the ridge. I started climbing up on the ridge to get closer to the Tanager to try to get a picture and before I knew it, I looked down and realized I was on the edge of the ridge with about a 50 foot drop below.