morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-11-17
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Log Cabin Rd. (Hemlock Hollow Hostel)
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: snow

The rain and wind continued all night, but the temperature rose into the low 40s. We planned a 9:00 start, but by the time we got organized and got on the trail, it was nearly 9:30. The rain had let up, and the walking was not too bad for most of the morning. We did take the bad weather bypass trail below one ridge that AWOL described as rocky and strenuous. The rain, the wind, the fog, and the wet rocks covered with wet leaves seemed a combination that would qualify for a bad weather bypass. By the time we got to the high spot at 4750', the front was really coming through, with colder temperatures and much higher winds. I was glad to be headed down to lower elevations. We stopped for a break at Little Laurel Shelter, and I added my wind shirt under my rain jacket. For the next couple of miles, my fingers and toes were numb, but they eventually warmed. We made good time to Log Cabin Drive, getting there about 2:50, and began the .7 hike to the hostel. Hattie met us in the main building, which has a reception area, camp store, and dining room -- a nice facility. She checked us in, we got sodas, and we walked past the garden and over a bridge to the bunkhouse. One hiker was already here, Dragon Head from Colorado, who is doing a long section from near Daleville, VA, to Springer. He came in from Sam's Gap so is a bit behind us, and he plans to zero tomorrow. The bunkhouse is heated with a wood stove and is quite cozy. It has 8 bunks, a nice large table, a refrigerator and sink. The bathrooms are in a separate building not far away, and I enjoyed a good hot shower. Hattie fixed cheeseburgers and fries for dinner, and I spent a bit of time on the wifi before heading back for bed. We plan to slack pack tomorrow back here from Tanyard Gap, if the snow is not so bad that Mark, Hattie's son, can get us there. Saw the weather report on the TV in the dining room, and it looks like we may be dealing with wind chills below 10 degrees. That and snow and ice on the ground. But we will give it a shot. Glad I have some hand warmers!
Date: 2014-11-18
From: Log Cabin Rd. (Hemlock Hollow Hostel)

To: Log Cabin Rd. (Hemlock Hollow Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We decided to take a zero, given that it was snowing, blowing, and very cold. Instead of slack packing, we'll hike the whole 16.3 miles to Hot Springs tomorrow. So we had a quiet day. The wifi is good, so I had a full hour Skype call with Lee. Great to see her and have a good chat. I spent most of the day in the dining room dealing with email. Dragon Head and Traildog both took naps back in the bunkhouse.Mid-afternoon, Traildog came in and said, "Come here. You need to see something." I went to the door, and Doyi was standing there. I gave him a big hug, and we all went inside. He had sent a message to Lee asking where were, and he came and found us. What a treat. He wants to do trail magic and some slack packing for us, and we talked about going to his place in Robbinsville for Thanksgiving. I told him about Socs's offer, and he said she and Connor would be welcome too. He went to her wedding in August and said it was wonderful. Doyi had dropped an Australian, whom he had met several days ago, off at Tanyard Gap to hike back to Hot Springs. The guy had wanted to hike part of the AT, so Doyi had to go back to meet up with him. We did come up with some places he could meet us, and we said we would figure out Thanksgiving. It was great to see him, and he even left us with trail magic -- packages of cookies and Reese's.Traildog and I sat with the maps for a while and concluded the best plan, assuming the weather cooperated, is to get off the trail at Newfound Gap Wednesday night and go to Doyi's, getting back to the trail on Friday. It will change the finish date to December 15, but that probably makes more sense anyway. Hattie made honey glazed chicken, stuffing and green beans for dinner, and in conversation afterwards, she was telling us about finding a cousin of some remove who owns a local place that is known for its milkshakes, I said how much I crave a good milkshake on the trail, and she said, "Do you want one?" Of course we all said yes, and she made us excellent chocolate shakes.
Date: 2014-11-19
From: Log Cabin Rd. (Hemlock Hollow Hostel)

To: Hot Springs (Elmer's Sunnybank Inn)
Miles today: 16.3

After another good breakfast thanks to Hattie, we waited a bit for Mark, AKA Chainsaw, to get ready to take us to the trailhead. He was also taking Dragon Head to Devil Fork Gap. Finally got started at 8:45. My thermometer said 25, but once we got going, I warmed up quickly and took off the gloves and the wind shirt, leaving the mittens (I admit to using hand warmers) and my heavier jacket. It wasn't long before the wind shirt replaced the jacket. We planned to go all the way to Hot Springs so tried to keep up a pretty good pace. We had three steepish uphills and a couple of short downhills before reaching the Spring Mountain Shelter, where we stopped for a break, and Traildog called Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. He said he had two rooms available, so we had warm beds and Elmer's famous organic, vegetarian breakfast to anticipate. After starting out again, we both realized at the same time that we should also call Bluff Mountain Outfitters to arrange for a shuttle tomorrow. In looking at the profile, I thought a slack pack from Lemon Gap back to Hot Springs looked like a good plan. We could do Bluff Mountain with the longest elevation change being downhill instead of up. They said it would be $70; we choked and agreed.The remainder of the hike had a few climbs but was mostly downhill. We left Tanyard Gap at 3:15, with 5.9 miles to go and hoped we could make it before dark. We almost did, but for the very last bit along the French Broad River, we put on our headlamps. We got to Elmer's about 6:15. He made us welcome, told us about the house -- the oldest in Hot Springs, an Italianate Victorian built in 1840 -- and showed us our rooms. I walk through a small bathroom with a claw foot tub and toilet to get to mine, which has a double brass bed frame, desk, dressing table, bureau and a couple of chairs, as well as some wonderful old lamps. Elmer recommended the Iron Horse Station Restaurant, which is where Betty, the only other guest had already gone. We got settled and headed out to a very good meal. I had a strip steak with fries, corn, a couple of Asheville Brewing Co. Shiva IPAs, and apple crisp with ice cream. Yum. Got back and took a bath and am ready for a good sleep.
Date: 2014-11-20
From: Garenflo Gap (NOBO)

To: Hot Springs (Elmer's Sunnybank Inn)
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Elmer served a wonderful Mexican omelette.Good conversation with Traildog, Elmer, and Betty, a guest who frequently takes breaks at Elmer's for a couple of days. She is a real estate broker in a town a couple of hours away.Post officeBluff Mountain OutfittersShuttle driver, Dan, said he thought road to Lemon Gap would be too icy and suggested Garenflo Gap instead. Later saw Traildog's map and realized why the cost was so high and why it was not a good idea. Had an easy slack pack, starting at 10:30 and arriving at Elmer's just after 2:00.Elmer off to an organizational meeting in Asheville to oppose the logging of Bluff Mountain. He said the local people are mostly opposed.LaundryFried mozzarella and a beer while using wifi at Iron Horse Station. Traildog had a full meal.Bluff Mountain Outfitters. Got credit for shuttle cost and apologized to driver for even thinking it might have been a good idea. They will take us back to Garenflo Gap in he morning, and we will do the long climb up Bluff Mountain (2000') after all. I hope we can make it to the Roaring Fork Shelter and then to Standing Bear Farm on Saturday. It is supposed to rain Sunday, and if the Thanksgiving plans with Doyi work out, we'll take another zero Sunday.Organized stuff Back to Iron Horse Station for dinner. Traildog was full from his late lunch, but I had prime rib with some excellent potato cakes and broccoli, another Shiva, and apple crisp. I am happily full.
Date: 2014-11-21
From: Garenflo Gap

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

We had another excellent breakfast at Elmer's -- waffles with strawberry sauce, also maple syrup. He is a fine host, and the hiker rate is not that much lower than for other guests. He said he likes keeping rates low. He has lots of progressive stickers and little signs, and he is active in causes about which he cares. We got to Bluff Mountain Outfitters at 9:30 and spent over 20 minutes at the computer applying for, paying for, and finally printing out permits for the Smokies. Had to promise not to do all sorts of things. We must stay in shelters unless they are full, and other users with reservations have preference over thru-hikers. I doubt that will be a problem, given the weather, but it is a holiday week. We'll see. Hard to think about having to go out and set up a tent on a windy, snowy night when some late arrival shows up.Bill, who retired to the area, drove us up to Garenflo Gap, and we got started a few minutes before 11 on the long climb (nearly 2200') up Bluff Mountain. Then down some 900' to Kate Gap and up again 500' to a grassy clearing on Walnut Mountain. Part way up, we stopped at the Walnut Mountain Shelter for lunch. As we were leaving, Smooth D arrived. He is a flip-flopper as well, but he started in Damascus after Trail Days. We were all headed for the same place and figured there would be room for our three tents. Smooth D passed us on the clearing while Traildog was calling Standing Bear Hostel to make reservations for Saturday and Sunday nights. We got to Roaring Fork just before dark, and Smooth D was making a fire. Sweet. His tent was in the shelter, and there was plenty of room for ours. We went first for water while there was still light and then got set up. The temperature was just below freezing, and I hurried to get water heated so I could do some instant potatoes and eat in my sleeping bag to get my toes warm.
Date: 2014-11-23
From: Green Corner Rd. (Standing Bear Farm Hostel)

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Smoke and too much heat were a problem the whole night, not to mention someone snoring. I had trouble sleeping and finally got up at 8 with the idea of taking a shower. The hot water heater is the on-demand type, and it was clear the pilot light was out. I couldn't get it to light so gave up and got my breakfast food and took it to the kitchen. I made my usual, but it was nice to have it hot for a change. I mentioned the shower, and Captain Guts found Rocket Man, who said the igniter for the pilot was broken but he had taken the cover off and lit it with a lighter. He surmised that the high wind that had come up overnight had probably blown it out. After breakfast, I did get a good hot shower.I had been thinking overnight about asking if we could move to the cabin, as Jeff and Lydia were leaving, and Smooth D brought it up. Rocket Man said it would be fine and that it would be just $5 more apiece. Traildog and I each have a double bed in the downstairs, and Smooth D is in the loft. We have one of those fake fireplace propane heaters -- no smoke. Hooray.I finally got to Doyi with a FB message, and he said the plan to meet us Wednesday would work fine and that he and Socs might hike with us Friday. He also said he might come here. Doyi had invited another hiker, Marathon Man, to come as well, and Marathon Man arrived here a little after noon. He will move faster than we and hopes to be at Fontana Dam for Doyi to pick him up Thursday morning. Dragon Head also arrived early this afternoon, so there are five of us here. The most we have been with since Pearisburg. Marathon Man says there is a small bubble of a dozen or so about 40 miles behind us. I did have a chance to talk with Lee, who is depressed about the plastic Ralph has put on the Vicarage windows. It is translucent, not transparent. At least he did not do the one by her desk upstairs, but it looks like it will be really claustrophobic. I won't have that lovely morning view,of the church from the bedroom window that I so love.Doyi did come by, and we have a couple of plans for Wednesday. If the road through Newfound Gap is open, he and a friend will go there and hike in to meet us. If not, we will go down a side trail and meet him at a shelter near where they usually close off the road. I am looking forward to meeting his family and seeing Socs.
Date: 2014-11-24
From: Green Corner Rd. (Standing Bear Farm Hostel)

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept well in the cabin. Warm enough but not too warm, and no one snored. Got up about 6:30 and went over to the kitchen building with my breakfast fixings. Another morning with hot cereal and coffee --woohoo! Smooth D and Marathon Man were already there. They plan a long day today -- over 17 miles. Would not be so bad except that it has over 5600' of elevation gain. We will have almost 4000'. Marathon Man is trying to make Fontana by Thursday morning. Smooth D is meeting his father at Newfound Gap Tuesday.We packed up and left at 8:30. Dragon Head asked if he could hike with us today, and I said sure if he didn't mind my slow uphill pace -- his legs are much longer than mine. He wanted a slower pace for the long uphill and planned to stay at Cosby Knob Shelter. He'll have a long day tomorrow to make Newfound Gap and meet his parents, but it was good getting to know him a bit better. He has spent quite a bit of time abroad in the last few years, including four months building an orphanage in Cambodia and time in Costa Rica learning Spanish. At 33, he still wants to arrange his life so he works for a couple of years and saves enough to take off and do things like travel and hike the AT. The hike was not bad, and since we got a reasonably early start, we could take our time. The sun was shining, the temperature rose to the high 50s, and I quickly removed the gaiters and my wind shirt. Had a snack at the Davenport Gap Shelter shortly after crossing into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and depositing our thru hiker permits in a box. Meant to get a photo of that but forgot. Two older men with packs came by headed north and said Marathon Man and Smooth D told them to say hello to me. Sweet. We ate lunch at the trail junction to the summit of Mount Cammerer -- the top of our longest climb, and then headed the remaining 2.8 to the shelter. Near the end, Doodlebug and her son came by. They are from Jacksonville, FL, are staying in the area for the week, and were doing a loop day hike. She has hiked some 240 miles of the trail with her friend, Judy, and said I am an inspiration. She took my picture. I encouraged her to keep at it.The shelter holds 12 on two levels. Besides the three of us, there are two men from Chicago, so we have plenty of room. There is a tarp hanging over the opening, which should keep the wind out and some heat in. I hope so, though it should not go below freezing tonight. The Chicago guys said there were 12 people last night in the shelter we are headed for tomorrow (Pecks Corner). A weekend thing, I hope, though when we come back after Thanksgiving, we'll likely have weekenders. Maybe there will be enough that I'll have to tent.Food is hung on the cables, and we are not supposed to eat in the shelter, so no breakfast while still in my sleeping bag. The up side is that I won't have a tent to dismantle. We are shooting for an 8 or 8:30 start tomorrow so we can arrive well before dark. I think it is supposed to be colder.
Date: 2014-11-29
From: Newfound Gap

To: Siler's Bald Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Original plan to drive to top of Clingman's Dome, hike down, meet Doyi and drive back up to begin the rest of the southern section of the Smokies, but Clingman's Road was closed. So we began our hike at Newfound Gap at 10:15. Lots of uphill in 3-6" of snow. We did not stop for lunch, mainly because there was no good place to stop, and because as we approached the top, we hiked into the cloud over the mountain and into very strong winds.Because we did the section out of order yesterday, I realized that my 2000 mile mark would be at the top of Clingman's, which is the highest point on the AT. Pretty cool. Traildog said I needed to do the short trail to the observation tower, since it went to the high point, even though there would be no views. The road had opened, so there were a bunch of people there, and he told them I had just reached the 2000 mile point of my hike. He got them to clap. Lots had questions, and some took our picture. He later said it was the only thing he could think of, since he had not been able to find a small bottle of something in the store Wednesday. It was cute of him to want to make a celebration of some sort. I was almost too cold to appreciate it as much as I should have. As we headed back to the trail, Trucker Bob introduced himself. He has done sections in all 14 states of the AT, as well as sections on all the national scenic trails. We continued on, dealing with wind gusts on the ridge that were probably somewhere between 40 and 50. I was glad to get to a lower elevation, though the wind didn't quit. When we got to the Double Spring Gap Shelter a bit before 5, we decided to continue on another 1.7 miles to the Siler's Bald Shelter. I am glad we did, because there were several people there, and we have this one to ourselves. The only drawback is the racket the tarp across the front is making in the still strong wind. We are both on the bottom level, and we have both rigged up extra wind breaks. I have tied my tent footprint across the opening, and Traildog used his rain fly. Smooth D had written in the shelter log that he stopped in about 3:45 and was heading for "his" shelter, Derrick (his first name) Knob. He was the one who broke trail for us today. Must have zeroed a couple of days. Hope we see him again.We have over 14 miles to do tomorrow to get to Russell Field Shelter. Not a dramatic elevation change, but lots of shorter ups and downs that look like we might be on a ridge for much of the day. We also have to do Thunderhead Mountain, which Doyi says is rocky and tough. I hope the snow has at least partially melted, that the temperature is above freezing, and that this wind dies down.
Date: 2014-11-30
From: Siler's Bald Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Wind continued, melted snow, temp around 39Walked through lots of slush and mudGot to Derrick Knob, and Smooth D was still there. Said he was heading to Russell Field also.After Starkey Gap, there was a climb of a little over 500 feet that was a killer. Steep, a bit rocky, and lots of slush and mud. Ugh! I had thought Thunderhead Mountain was going to be the tough climb, but it was not as bad as the prelude.Great views from Rocky Top, and Traildog took my picture by a rock that had "2000" painted on it. Some ups but mostly down to Russell Field Shelter. Did the last half hour with head lamps, mine dim.Smooth D had built a good fireGot out of wet bootsCooked and ate by fireOrganized, and then we all sat by fire talking
Date: 2014-12-01
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

All three of us left at 9:15, with Smooth D hoping to get to Fontana Village, and Traildog and I planning to meet Doyi at the Fontana Dam Visitors Center by 4:00. We knew Smooth D would be faster, but wished we could include him with our visit to Doyi. The day was comfortable and the trail pretty well dried out. At one point, I thought we might get some rain, but the skies became just mostly cloudy with some patches of sunshine. We had two climbs of over 600', but the hike was mostly downhill. Lots of bear scat on the trail, but none showed themselves for us. Probably just as well. My big toes and knees were glad to get to the level ground of the road to and over Fontana Dam. The water level is down some 30 feet in anticipation of the winter snows and spring rains, but the spillway is impressive. Looking over one side is the lake; over the other side, the drop off is nearly 400' to the power facility and the river.Doyi met us on the dam, and on the way out, we saw Smooth D by the road hoping for a ride to the village. We stopped, and Doyi offered to bring him with us. The car is small. My pack and some of Doyi's things were under the hatch back, I was in the front, and Traildog and Smooth D sat in the back with their packs on their laps. A tight squeeze, and getting in and out was a challenge for them. We made a stop at the grocery store and then went to Lou's house for dinner. She had made what they call Indian tacos -- fry bread with chili and lettuce, tomato, and cheese for toppings. The guys shared the six pack of beer Doyi had bought, and I drank some of the wine I had left for Lou. What wonderful hospitality! Lou left for basketball practice -- she plays in a senior league, and we piled back in the car headed for McDonalds, where we had milk shakes and used the wifi. I needed to pay some bills and download email. Then to Doyi's house for showers, Monday night football, and bed. Tomorrow is a slack pack from Stecoah Gap to Fontana Dam for all three of us.
Date: 2014-12-02
From: Stecoah Gap (NOBO)

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

BreakfastSlack packed with Smooth DJacob's LadderStop at shelter for water; Smooth DLunch at halfway pointSaw a buck with a good sized rackSaw Sawbones, whom I had met in NH, the Oreo cookie guyLow gasNOC River Bend RestaurantLou joined usDinner, dessert and Highland Brewing Kashmir IPAStayed at NOCCall with LeeOrganize food
Date: 2014-12-03
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: mist

Rain in morningStopped when we left at 9:30Pack probably at its heaviestLong hard climb to Wesser BaldLunch at WB Shelter in cloud, but lifted some when we leftSteep climb out of Tellico Gap to Rocky BaldShelter to ourselves. Small but well cared for log structure.Windy, but entrance on lee side. No tent. Over 4000' of climbing, with only about 800' of downhill.Only 125 miles left!