morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Roaring Fork shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we got up knowing we were going to try for Hot Springs. But we made a mistake last night and didn't refill our water bags. In the morning we couldn't eat breakfast without water so we just took off around 7:30. At the first creek crossing we stopped to filter water but Trekker's filter wouldn't work. We used my filter for the both of us. When we walked 5 miles we came to a shelter and we stopped for more water and to eat breakfast. Stopping there also were most of the people from our last shelter. It was a long uphill then a long downhill day. Finally we made it into Hot Springs where the Main Street sidewalk is actually the Appalachian Trail. We found a hotel and immediately went to eat. All over town, as we walked around, we met other through hikers. While eating we met Northern. He needed a place to sleep so he is going to sleep on the floor in our room. Northern helped Trekker fix his filter, and then we all went out for a couple beers
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

Today we lazily got up at 7:00 and went over to the diner for breakfast. Then we resupplied at the Dollar General, packed our bags, and were on the trail by 11:10. We crossed the French Broad River on the bridge and headed straight up. We continued our long climb virtually all day. We took it slowly and had a break every hour. I was able to resupply with summer sausage and cheddar cheese, so I had a good lunch. We made to the shelter by 4:45. Joining us is Soho (Sarah from Ohio). And later Linus joined us. He tented it. Today for the first time I began to see gnats flying around near the ground and was buzzed in the face by a big fly. Also saw a couple butterflies. It's cold tonight and we are expecting rain Thursday and Friday.
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter 
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was cold, wet, and freezing. When we got up at 7:00 it was just starting to rain. We were on a mountain top so it was really windy. So it was hard to leave the nice warm sleeping bag. So we got up, put on our rain clothes and started walking. We stopped after an hour to eat breakfast. It did our bodies good but my fingers were frozen. As we hiked along, my fingers would thaw but after every break they would be frozen again. While hiking, Northern caught up to us and he stayed with us. When we reached the first shelter, Northern, Trekker and I said ¢This is enough¢. My fingers were still frozen and I had to sit with my sleeping bag over my head till they finally thawed. So at 12:30 I ate my dinner and got in my sleeping bag. Later Rainbow Braid stopped to eat then went on. Then Linus ate and continued on. Maniac, Wild Blue, Duffel Miner stopped and decided to stay.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Little Laurel Shelter 

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

It was real hard to get up out of my sleeping bag this morning. It had rained all last night and the trees were full of ice and the morning was misty. But I did get up because Trekker was already dressed and eating his breakfast. So I quickly got dressed had 2 pop tarts, found my spork under my air mattress and also had a cold oatmeal in its packet. I wore my rain gear today and my mountain gloves. Even though it was cold and wet, my hands stayed nice and toasty. The trail had tree branches sagging with the weight of ice and we had to use our trekking poles to fend them off. But we generally got a good soaking as we tried to get through them. Then we had to climb Big Bluff Mountain. Straight up we went. We had to use our hands to climb up some of the rocks. While walking on the top I caught my rain pants in some thorns and the leg ripped. Finally, after 2:00, the sun started to shine and the trail dried out. We then made good time to our shelter. When I arrived I was surprised to find that Trekker wasn't already there. He came in about a half hour later after recovering from a wrong turn. Duffel Miner is here and he is expecting Jean Jeannie to arrive soon. Jean Jeannie had also come in late last night in our last shelter. He ties his hammock to the beams of the shelter. He got his trail name because he started the trail wearing blue jeans.
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night was a night to forget! It started an hour after dinner when Duffel Miner went to his tent feeling sick. About 15 minutes later he started vomiting in his tent. He continued with dry heaving until about 5:00 in the morning. Then, just as it got dark. his buddy (Jeany), who was taking care of Duffel Miner, started throwing up all night. Jeany was sleeping in his hammock, so they weren't in the shelter with me, Trekker, and Soho. But then, late at night, Trekker got up and ran to the side of the shelter and threw up. He didn't have any dry heaves and he was real quiet about it, so I learned he was sick when it got to be 7:00 with the sun out and he didn't want to get up. So we slept in until Trekker decided he would like to try for the next shelter. So we set out. It probably was a mistake. It took 6.5 hours to hike 8.9 miles. Trekker trudged. He drank little water and wouldn't eat. He walked like a zombie, slow and with his head very still. We stopped about every 30 minutes. Then every 15 minutes. Along the way we called up to a hiker camping above the trail and he said he had caught the bug and had been there the whole day before. Finally at 2:00 we made it to the next shelter. There we met Wild Blue who was staying here all day because he had been sick. He said Maniac had also gotten sick but had gotten over it and started hiking again. Even Rainbow Braid had gotten sick. So everyone at Little Laurel Shelter got sick except me. There was a note that was pinned down at the connection of the Little Laurel trail and the AT trail. It said that the night before we were there that there was all kinds of vomiting going on. Trekker, kiddingly, said I must be the carrier since I alone escaped the bug. Needless to say, we aren't going any further today.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whistling Ga Shelter 
Miles today: 13.6

Well, today was my turn to feel ill on the trail. I never threw up while walking but I did have some dry heaves. We started about 7:30 and all went well for the first part of the hike to Sams Gap. We got a ride quickly to the market and just as fast got a ride back to the trail. That¢s when it hit me. I had to go very slow all day. I remember finally getting up to Big Bald and just curling up and resting in the sun. Looking at the trail ahead, we decided to go past the Bald Mountain shelter because of all the sickness associated with the shelters. So we went 4 miles further mostly downhill. When I arrived, I set up my tent, ate a honey roll and curled up go sleep.
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Whistling Ga Shelter 

To: Erwin, Tenn
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: broken clouds

Today both Trekker and I feel good except we are leery of eating anything. It was a pretty easy hike into Erwin. Trekker's wife is visiting. It¢s perfect timing for us, as we need the time to get our bodies back in shape. His brother-in-law's basement is going to be my sanctuary.   There is a pool table and dart board and bed down in his basement. What a perfect recovery room. Signing out till we get back on the trail.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Erwin, Tenn

To: Low Gap Campsite 
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a wonderful R and R at Ron and Sandy's. They fed me steak and potato dinners, steak and egg breakfasts, grilled cheese and soup for lunch. So with all that food and their hospitality I feel like a whole man again. Thank you very much Ron and Sandy. Today I started out at 8:00. Trekker and I made the mistake of carrying food for 6 days to reach Hampton and skip Roan Mountain. My load was too much. I couldn't get back in the stride of things. Luckily we ran into Fresh Ground's trail magic. After getting our usual hot dog and hot chocolate I was complaining about the weight of my pack and it just so happened that Fresh Ground was going up to the Mountain Laurel hostel up at Roan and he offered to drop Trekker's and my food there. We quickly agreed and pulled 3 days worth of food out of our bags. After that I started to enjoy the trail even though it was mostly up. We met Camel, Monk, and Borounder at Fresh Grounds and saw them as they passed us along the trail. Ran into Smiley and Lucas who were recovering from being sick. At our campground are Condor and Hawkeye.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Low Gap Campsite 

To: Ash Gap Campsite 
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a big uphill day. Not too bad as the trails are pretty much object free. Today we again noted that no one is sleeping in shelters these days. But no one is sick on the trail. Hopefully the virus has run itself out. Again, the only hikers we see are Condor and Hawkeye. They are here at Ash Gap too.   Today for the second day in a row we ate our dinners for lunch. We feel it gives us more energy for the climbs and it makes settling in at the end of the day easier, we just snack on our lunches then hit the sack. We are at 5350 ft.   Tonight we'll see how cold it gets sleeping.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Ash Gap Campsite 

To: US 19E- Elk Park NC 
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we thought Roan Mountain would be the big challenge. But it was all the balsa we traveled and down to that were the problem. Roan turned out to be an easy climb with some trenches filled with rocks on the down side. Then we started hitting the balds. First Round bald all the way through Hump Mountain. We had to hike straight up those things with the wind howling more than 50 miles an hour. The wind drained me. I think we were out in it more than 60 percent of the day. We finally finished the last bald and were at the hostel by 5:30. The hostel was full but we were able to rent the bed and breakfast room. The owner drove us into town where we ordered submarine sandwichs and chocolate shakes. After a shower I was ready for bed. They say the breakfast is to die for so we are stay g for the 8:00 serving. The owners are from Reseda and when I couldn't name my wife's high school they guessed Cleveland. Staying in the hostel are Chin Music, Truck Surfer, Condor, and Feed Bag
Date: 2013-04-16
From: US 19E- Elk Park NC 

To: Upper Laurel Fork
Miles today: 13.2

In the morning of the 15th, I found out that Trekker had been throwing up all night. We called his in laws again and they took us in again. I stayed over at Ron and Sandy's. Trekker and Jill are at her parents. That night Trekker gave me a call and said he was leaving the trail. I felt really bad for him and said he could rejoin me on the trail any time. Trekker is a great hiker and friend and I really am going to miss him. Sandy gave me a big chicken and rice dinner that night and eggs and bacon with a large banana smoothie (I wish all my hikes could start with a banana smoothie that was great) in the morning. They left me off at Roan Mountain and we once again said our goodbyes. The trail was actually the easiest it's ever been. I walked on pine straw without hardly any roots. I went through meadows and through rhody tunnels. For a while I walked on a grassy trail by a wide meandering river. Along the trail I met section hiker John from Chicago and we walked together. We then came upon Feed Bag, Truck Surfer, and Spacey (formally Borumble). They were taking a break on the grassy trail by the river. It was so comfortable there I took a half hour break with them before continuing on. I made it to Mountaineer Shelter at same time as the 3 boys. They decided to stay there for the night. I ate my dinner, refilled my water supply, then took off for my camp site at Upper Laurel Fork. Tonight I am sleeping by a stream and it is very soothing. Trekker -   it was great. We had a great time and it will always be something to remember as you get older and want to recall the adventures of your 'youth'.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Upper Laurel Fork

To: Laurel Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

April 17 Day 42   13.6 miles/418.4 total milesUpper Laurel Fork to Laurel Fork ShelterLast night it started to rain at 2:30 in the morning. In a strange way my tent saved me from being flooded out. As it rained on my high side, my tent rain cover indented like a pool and collected all the water as it sank down against my tent floor. By doing this no runoff from the hill above me could get in the tent. Anyway it kept me dry. In the morning I had to break camp with it raining. Not a problem anymore, I¢ve got it down now. As I was walking in the rain I saw a baby deer. It sort of froze when it saw me, then finally ran away with the underside of it's tail up. It was a nice fluffy white tail. About an hour and half into my walk I stopped to change jackets and to eat. That's when my head lamp fell off my head-still on from when I was packing up to go while still in the tent. Maybe that's why the deer froze- it saw my one headlight coming at him. Ah hah! So I continued walking through rain and thunder most of the day. The walking got precarious when I had to walk down to a waterfall and then on some ledges as I walked next to walls of stone on the river's edge. Finally after not seeing anyone all day I stopped for the night at a shelter. As I was drying my tent out from last night, Disciple and his dog Kooey showed up. Tomorrow I plan on resupplying in Hampton and then on my way to Damascus. It's the hiker town and I can't wait to see it.
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Laurel Fork Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

April 18 Day 43 ¢ 15.6 miles / 434.0 total milesLaurel Fork Shelter to Vandeventer ShelterLast night the mice scurried around so much that I got out my tent and slept outside the shelter on a nice piece of grass. Slept like a baby after that. My first decision of the morning was whether to take the 1 mile blue trail into Hampton and be close to town or to take the 6 mile hike that crosses the road about 3 miles from town. I opted to take the 6 mile trip. (Why carry a fully resupplied pack over a big climb if you don't have to?) I got rides in and out of town pretty easily. It only took 2 hours (includes going to McDonalds to gorge and charge up my phone). The whole afternoon walk was uphill. Along the way Sunshine and then Shaggy passed me by. Arrived at the shelter around 5:30. Four of us are here for the night: Mosyin, JP, and Pappia. Rain is supposed to start around 4 in the morning. Looks like tomorrow is a walking in the rain day.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light rain

Well it rained today, but it took till around 12:30 for it to open up and pour. Whoever said this section was a piece of cake may be right on a clear day, but the rain really took the icing off the cake. On the way I met Chin Music hiking south bound. He said he was slack packing using a hostel as his shuttle. I passed Mosyin, Shaggy and Carpenter staying in one of the shelters out of the rain. Staying with me are Sunshine, Papui, and JP. I dived into my sleeping bag and am calling it a day.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up with the sun just coming up making a red horizon. It was beautiful. I had to hike way down a hill to get water as I was completely empty when I came in last night. Finally got on the trail by 8:00. The trail was mostly downhill but not too steep. Stopped to take a photo of the Tennessee / Virginia state border. Got into Damascus around noon. Got a $20.00 room at an outfitter hostel. Saw Camel, Sunshine, and made plans to meet Condor at the Blue Blaze cafe for happy hour. Then I received a text from Trekker that he and his family were going to visit me here. They arrived when I was at the laundromat. We talked while I finished up there. Then we went over to the Blue Blaze where Trekker gave me some trail magic by buying me a hamburger. After Trekker and his family left I spent the rest of the evening at the sports bar with other thru hikers. I think I am going to take Sunday as a zero day just so I can shop around tomorrow.Oh, then there was this guy I met in the laundromat.   He was a little younger than me but he told me he had finished the 3 things he wanted to do when he retired. He has thru hiked the AT, he rode his bicycle across the US, and he ran a Boston Marathon. He was in Damascus after riding his bike up from Florida and now was going go ship it home and hike a section of the AT with the guys he met on his thru hike. He said he only got into the Boston Marathon because in 1996 they had a lottery for runners who couldn't qualify and he was one of those who won. I think Boston should have another lottery for next year so all of America can show we will not be intimated. I would certainly go back to running for a chance to run the Boston Marathon.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Damascus

To: Mile 478.7 Pond Campsite 
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Last night I heard it was going to rain again on Wednesday. That would put me near Mt Rogers if I waited to leave on Monday. So I decided to do a nero day. I got up after 8:00, had a nice breakfast at Cowboys, went over to Dollar General and resupplied, turned my room key in and was on the trail by 10:30. Leaving town I generally stayed by a river, fording many of its inlet streams. Then the trail left the river and went out of this gorge for about 45 minutes of switch backs. At the top I ran into Doc and Boone and we talked for a while. I made it to camp by 4:00.   Two lady section hikers set up on a nearby site and Glover and Atlas (a young couple I met at the hostel) came in later and took another site. As I was trying to throw my bear bag line over a limb it got stuck and I had to cut the line to save the rest. I don't want to forget telling about going to the Mt Rogers Outfitter in Damascus. My feet have been slipping around in my boots and the Super Feet insoles I put myself back home were cut to short and my toes were getting sore from the short edge. So the outfitter sold me another set of Super Feet insole and then said that I have a big problem with volume due to my flat feet. So he cut some thin pieces off of some other insoles that were spongy and thick that he had around and placed them over the tongue of my boot but below the laces. Then he showed me best way to lace my boot for my foot volume problem. The result today was the easiest hike I've ever had. My boot and foot act as one unit now. No more foot moving around in the boot causing pain. Thank you Mt Rogers Outfitter. My hike is now going to be a lot more enjoyable
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Mile 478.7 Pond Campsite 

To: Thomas Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was all up. I got up late because I thought 16 miles would be fairly easy. But it was really steep in a lot of sections while I went up the switchbacks. There were a few section hikers and only Atlas and Glover and myself on the trail. I stopped and ate my dinner around 1:00. It was on a nice grassy spot on top of a mountain, with the sun shining brightly overhead. After lunch I continued climbing going through boulder filled trails, then through very dense pine tree forests. Finally I arrived at the shelter. The section hikers here gave Glover and Atlas a blueberry cream cheese pie freeze dried. They shared it with me. It was cold last night at 3000 ft., tonight we are over 5000 ft.
Date: 2013-04-23
From: Thomas Knob Shelter 

To: Mile 514.1
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I couldn't go to sleep. This wild pony came by around 10:00 and looked like he was going to stay all night. He got closer and closer to our shelter which was surrounded by huge boulders. He worked his way over to one side and was about to slip right alongside our shelter front when I decided to move my boots back out of harms way. He sort of just sighed then backed out and finally left our area. He must have been there around an hour and a half before I finally figured out what he wanted. All the hikers slept thru it all. In the morning he came again and tried to steal some food off the table with everyone but me there. The older couple and Glover and Atlas were kind of at a loss of what to do, so I, remembering my horse days, came out of the shelter, put my shoulder into his side and the pony easily was guided off away from the table.   On my hike that morning I saw many more ponies out grazing as I passed by.I spent the morning getting off of Mt Rogers and had to do a lot of boulder hopping to get down the trail. My original intent today was to stop at Hurricane Mountain Shelter but that would have left 19 miles for tomorrow. But with a storm forecast for tomorrow I decided to put in 3.5 more miles and also leave early to be able to deal with the weather and still hitch a ride into Marion to spend Wednesday night. That way I can get a full dinner and the following morning eat a big breakfast before hitting the trail again after my resupply. Well, let¢s see if the best laid plans work out.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Mile 514.1

To: Mt Rogers Visitor Center 
Miles today: 16.6

Got up early expecting rain but it was clear and warm. I ate my dinner for breakfast so I would have plenty of food in me for the hike. The hike was a fast track and I made good time. Around 12:00 came up on some trail magic left in coolers along the side of the trail. The local Baptist Church youth group left me a Dr Wow (Tastes like Dr Pepper) chips, 3 Oreo cookies, a mud pie cookie, and some peanut butter crackers. I really appreciated the timing of it as I barely had any food left at the time. Saw some workers going up to a shelter to fix some floor boards; they said it wasn't going to rain until 4:00. So I get up to my destination and try to hitch a ride into Marion. It wasn't till 4:15 that I got a ride in the back of a pickup truck. Luckily I had my rain coat on, as it started raining almost the instant I got in the truck. They let me off at a gas station about a half mile outside of town. I had nodded to a guy as he walked up to pay for his gas prior to pumping it and he was the one that gave me a ride all the way to a motel. Then after going out of his way to do this he said he was going back over the hill tomorrow and would I like if he picked me up at 8:30 on the morning in front of the motel. I readily agreed, hope it works out. I walked up a couple blocks to a Mexican Restaurant and had a T Bone steak with shrimp and rice and beans. Then went over to Wal Mart and resupplied (more than my usual as I have lost a lot of weight). Then I cruised across the street to a Sonic and ordered a Banana Shake to go. By 7:00 I was back in my room, sucking on my shake and writing up my trail journals.