morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-13
From: Silers Bald

To: Clingmans Dome
Miles today: 4.6

Although very cold this morning, the wind had eased off as the sun was shining. Due to running out of coffee, tea, sugar and gas we decided to walk to Clingmans Dome and hitch into Gatlinberg to resupply.   The grade was not to arduous, just all uphill! We were stunned to discover that just a couple of miles from the shelter it was like a winter wondedland with snow underfoot and the fir trees covered in snow, it was magical.   We hitched a ride with 2 more hkers and some people picked us up in their truck. The four of us piled into the trayback and had a great trip down the mountain. We went stright to the outfitters and bought a JetBoil and some shorts for Roo.   Booked into the Grand Prix Motel for $33pp for 2 nights. Huge dinner at Smokey's Grill and a wander down the very "cheesy" Gatlinberg before bed.
Date: 2011-04-14
From: Clingmans Dome

To: ZERO
Miles today: 0.0

We had a lovely lazy day. Caught the trolly to do our resupply. Already we are staring at the supermarket sheleves wondering what else we can eat without it weighing our packs down. The hiker hunger has kicked in and we are looking for high carb foods!   Spent some time writing out postcards to my family and friends back home in Australia. Many of our hiking companions left today, although some of the others are also taking today off.   We have rearranged our packs yet again as Roo has insisted on taking my part or the tent off me. He is now carrying the entire tent, the stove, large gas bottle, his cloths and half the food. All I have are the charges for the camera, ereader, and phones, the guide book my cloths and half of the food 2 water Piller. He must be carring 5 or 6 lbs more than me now.   We have organised the shuttle to drop us back to the trail at 7 am. We have stayed at the Grand Prix Motel, they only charged us 33.50 per night for a King Size room. Free coffee and Kringels Donuts for Breakfast, free internet and coin laundry. Very welcoming towards hikers. I would recommend it to anyone.
Date: 2011-04-15
From: Clingmans Dome

To: Icy Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Beautiful hot donuts for breakfast supplied by the motel. The shuttle dropped us at Clingmans Dome at 8am to start the day. The fog was really thick and the wind was icy. Roo took off to find a loo to put his thermals and rainpaints on. I started the .5 mile trudge up the bitumen road to the AT. When I got to the A.T. I put my rain pants on and huddled in my raincoat 2 waited for him. Half an hour later I was sure I was going to die of hypothermia. Eventually Roo came strolling down the hill, he had walked stright past the trail and was waiting at the dome up at the top.We eventually got started at 9am. The wind was constant and there were trees snapped off all over the trail. When we got to Mt. Collins Shelter a maintenanceworker was fixing the gutters on the shelter. He told us that the storm that was coming through was "not pretty". We decided to push on and we managed to get a good pace going.We had lunch just after we skirted Clingmans Dome Rd. Just as I started off again some sort of Mountain Cat crossed the trail. It was about 3' high and soft and silvery grey color. One of the other hiker's said it may be a BobCat.I got to NewFound Gap about 15mins before Roo!!! Almost unheard of for me to be in front! The last 3 miles were big rocks and were hard work. A bit more uphill than I expected. By the time we reached the shelter the wind was really picking up and the Shelter is packed like sardines again. Only one brave soul has put his tent up. The rest of us are hunkered down to sit out the storm.
Date: 2011-04-16
From: Icy Creek Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It blew a gale all night and poured down. But by the time we left at 8:45am the rain had stopped and the wind was not blowing as strongly. The trail was like a river bed with water gushing everywhere. I had a cracker of a headache that just wouldn't clear up, so we made the decision to just do one shelter today instead of the two we had planned on.   Roo spent a couple of hours getting the fire burning. All the wood is soaked but eventually he got one going. About 4:30pm a rush of hikers started arriving. It is tipped to go down to 30F tonight-Burrr.
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

It was really, really cold this morning. On the way up the Spur Trail we were walking on ice. On the West side of the mountain the wind was freezing and the trees were coated in ice. The East side of the mountain was really calm with no ice. There was a long slow dragging hill ( how unusual!) and the water was frozen on the ground. We had lunch at TriKnob shelter and then set off for the last 7.7miles. It was much easier terrain and we really enjoyed dropping down the elevation.   We were suprised to arrive at the shelter at 4:45pm as I hadn't expected to arrive before 5:30pm. I enjoyed todays walk although it is the first time I have hiked in my down jacket because of the cold.   The trail was very rocky and that is hard on the ankles! Walkabout Roo has strolled along today. He found his walking legs and he makes it look easy even though he says its hard for him too.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

Wow-downhill out of a shelter - almost unheard of!!! The 'rocky' path is hard on the ankles but at least it wasn't running with water today. The uphills were gently contoured around the mountains - very civilized! We noticed lots of flowers as we dropped in elevation.   Lunch at the Davenport Gap Shelter - we saw our first bear cage shelter! The trail went down a very pretty hillside and Walkabout Roo saw a silvery grey snake about 5'-6' long cross the trail in front of him. The trail went backwards @ forwards accross a beautiful stream with lots of waterfalls, it was picture post card pretty.   We arrived at Smoking Bear Farm (hostel) at 2:15pm. Smokestack,Chopsticks, and James were already here. We put the tent up - sheer luxury to have lawn under it. And we both enjoyed hot showers. We stocked up a few extra supplies and enjoyed a pizza for tea. Walkabout Roo had his photo taken with a tiny squirrel that is the owners pet. It is nice to be out of the Smokey's as it means we can free camp again. We haven't enjoyed being restricted to the shelters.
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 9.9

All uphill start and warm! 5 miles of uphill non-stop had Tas questioning what the heck she was doing this for! Lunch time at Groundhog Shelter was a chance to refill the water bottles. After lunch Walkabout Roo really struggled - it was his turn to question why he was doing this.   The day ended up on a great note though when our trail friend Hopeful turned up, followed by Cog. And then Apostle John joined us, so we had lovely chats around our cook pots. Hopefully a better day tomorrow.
Date: 2011-04-20
From: Brown Gap

To: Walnut Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 10.3

Up early and out on the trail by 7am. There is a forcast for rain so we wanted some miles in before it started. The usual heart-starting hill first up! Raingear on by 8am. The climb up Max's Patch was strenous and there were no views because of the rain. The wind at the top was really strong and really cold. Once we went over Maxs Patch the terrain was lovely. Very gentle ups/downs. I loved it and we made good time - 2miles an hour which is great for us. We got to the first shelter in a heavy shower of rain so we had a cuppa whilst it eased up.   Half an hour after we set off again we had rain gear off and it was a great walk to Walnut Mtn. Shelter. I took loads of photos of flowers today. They are so different to our flowers back home.   Whilst we were setting up camp two chipmunks were playing on a rock. They are so cute but as soon as I got to the camera they scampered. Smokestack @ Cog have both put their tents up here too. Hopeful has pushed on an extra 13 miles to town. There are 3 young ones in the shelter besides us.   The loo here is even more open air than usual - no door! Great view though The water is down a very steep trail so poor old Walkabout Roo has done a few trips down there.
Date: 2011-04-21
From: Walnut Mtn. Shelter

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 9.9

Thick fog with a wet mist today. We didn't start until 9am as we were only hiking 10 miles. Started with raincoat on and Walkabout Roo his jumper. The first uphill saw them quickly come off though. A couple of tough hills but lots of downhill to compensate. Beautiful flowers but the camera has gone on strike @ refuses to work. I have changed the battery but no difference. Will get it checked in Hot Springs tomorrow. Trail Magic appeared today,some snickers bars, cheese crackers and a bottle of water. People are so lovely to take the time to bring these treats out for hikers!
Date: 2011-04-22
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light rain

A very quick walk into town, and then we went the wrong way! Turn around and trudge back - the diner - breakfast - hot, greasy and lots of it - delicious! Walkabout Roo was in his element with so much food. We got a room at Alpine Crt which was lucky as there were so many hikers staying in town and more flooding in. The usual town chores, washing, showers, shopping etc!
Date: 2011-04-23
From: Hot Springs

To: Allens Gap
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Our first Bear sighting and our Biggest Miles ao far! We got up at 5:30am and left at 6:00am. The street lights lit the way out of town and by the time we turned into the forest it was daylight. Walkabout Roo walked just a little too far along the riverbank and we had to backtrack to find the AT. The climb up was strenous but it was a pleasent morning, - cool -slight breeze. The downhills were toe crunchingly steep. We topped our water up at a stream and just 10mins later a Bear ran down the hill and accross the trail in front of Walkabout Roo. It then ran down the ravine. We were so excited, it was our first bear sighting. It was only a fairly small one and it ran really quickly.   We arrived at the shelter at 1:30, it was really hot and so we decided to cook lunch and rest for a couple of hours. At 3:45pm we set off again and it was nice to hike without the heat of the sun. We arrived at Allens Gap and found a nice tent spot. I went to check out if the water soak was ok to drink and found a note offering trail magic of cooked meals at a house down the road.   A walk down the road had us sitting with about 20 other hikers ( most of whom we know) being fed BBQ Pork rolls, potatoe salad, cole slaw, bean salad, cherry pie @ ice-cream. Bliss! People are so kind to the hikers here.
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Allens Gap

To: Jerry's Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: few clouds

We get up at 5am to discover there had been a very heavy dew overnight and our sleeping bags were quite wet. We started out by torch light. The good thing was that we couldn't see the top of the hill so we didn't know how high it was!The 6.5 mile up seemed to go fairly quickly and had nice switchbacks. The ridge walk was a rock/bolder jumble and as it was noon the sun was blazing.   We both found them hard and frustratingly slow. It was difficult clambering up the really big boulders with fully loaded backpacks. We reached the shelter just before three and the first task was to dry our wet sleeping bags.   Glad to settle down for the night, it was a tough day in the heat.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Jerry's Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

The alarm went off this morning but we both ignored it yet again! So it was 8am before we started walking. The usual ups and downs with a 2mile very steep downhill - the old knees felt it!   The 1500' elevation over 3miles this afternoon was quite a pull. Beautiful cascade waterfall. Thunder @ shower of rain. Didn't get to camp until 6pm - exhausted! Loads of hikers here tonight! Passed the 300mile mark!
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Hogback Ridge

To: Bald Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 10.1

It was very overcast this morning when we set off. A good strong wind kept the gnats away. I am covered in sores all over my arms and legs from gnat bites. I look like I have chicken pox! They itch non stop. Walkabout Roo doesn't have any - obviously his blood isn't as detectable!   The walk was so pretty today, lots of different shades of green in the trees make it look like a tapestry. And so many wildflowers are out, everyday we see different ones. We saw a turtle on the trail today. All these amazing photo opportunities and our camera is still not working. We will buy a new one in Erwin this week. My Amazon Kindle has broken too but I doubt if I can replace that in Erwin!   Bald Mountain was magnificent, quite a good climb up to it but the views were spectacular. The wind on the top was really strong and hard to walk in it.    We arrived at the shelter at 1:30pm. It was early to finish for the day but we are timing our stay at Erwin. Walkabout Roo is busy having an afternoon snooze, his snores are competing with the roaring wind outside!   We have made the decision that if by early August we are too far away to finish by Sept 10th then I will pull out and let Speedy Gonzales make a dash for the end! I am the slow coach.
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Bald Mtn Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 16.3

The wind this morning was pretty hectic, getting the tent down in it was quite an effort. I had visions of me floating off the mountain top hanging on to our little tent like a parachute.!!!   I always pride myself on being very organised but today I failed dismally. I was sure the profile map said all downhill instead I had some jolly steep breathess uphills!Having said that,it was actually a lovely days walk. Lots of paths cut into the sides of mountains. We had lunch at No Business Shelter @ decided to walk a couple of more miles to give us a head start for tomorrow. A passing couple told us there was a really bad storm due at 8:30 so we beefed up the pace and arrived here at 5pm instead. Now we are showered and have the washing in and tomorrow will be a full zero day - yahoo!!! Tomorrow I am going to replace my camera and hopefully my Amazon Kindle! So many great photo's missed this week.
Date: 2011-04-28
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel

To: Erwin -Zero
Miles today: 0.0

Uncle Jonny's Nolchuklry Hostel. What a night. The tent blew wildly and we had put extra pegs and ropes in preparation for the expected storm. Thunder, lighting and heavy rain fell all night. We slept on and off all night - amazing what a 16 mile walk will do!   It was distressing to hear that many, many people died durning the storm, some only 30 miles away. It certainly makes one realize how insignificant we are against the force of nature.   We went on the breakfast shuffle to a diner where we ate to our hearts content. I bought a new backpack today, a Golight, it only weighs 1lb as compared to my other one at 4 lbs 4 oz!! It feels like a school bag! We also bought a new camera so I can finally photo these glorious wildflowers. I was also able to get all the photos put onto disc from the card in the old camera. Thankfully my other purchase was to replace my Amazon Kindle e-reader that I broke. It was an expensive zero day for us.   We have enjoyed the day offf with so many of our hiking buddies, Cog Peter, Cookie, Oompah, Meltdown, Fishnet, Red Beard, Hooker, Spring and so many more. We said goodbuy to Smokestack yesterday as he has finished his section   We also had an email from Fortus which was great as we were wondering how he was. The hiking community on the A.T. is unique and we all share the highs and the lows togeather. We went to a KFC buffet for tea. If I lived in the USA I would be enormous! The food is so cheap here and at the eat outs!
Date: 2011-04-29
From: Erwin -Zero

To: Unaka Mtn
Miles today: 12.9

We left camp at 8am, neither of us slept well, the bed in the cabin was terrible!   The walk was deliightful today, not too strenous and gorgeous weather. I was very tired and also getting used to the new backpack so we thought we would make it a short day but we still did almost 13 miles.The new backpack is fantastic, it has already molded to the shape of my back and it feels like a school pack. It doesn't pull back like the Osprey did so it is much comfier going up hills.   The new camera doesn't take as good a photo as our other did, but at least it takes photos!   One of the other hikers, Oompah had his phone stolen out of the rest room at the hostel where he was charging it. It is auful to think a hiker would steal another hikers phone. That is the contact with family and friends out here. It is very windy on the hill where we have put the tent. I am in a down jacket and thermal pants and it is only 5pm!
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Unaka Mtn

To: Clyder Smith Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

It was a cool morning and we both set off in our Long John Thermals. BAD idea, they lasted 10mins before we took them off. Climbing mountains in thermals is guaranteed to get the sweat moving!   Today was up, down, up down and quite warm. We passed lots of day walkers doing a 30mile hike for charity.It is going to be hot tomorrrow and we have Mt. Roan first thing!!!
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Clyder Smith Shelter

To: Stan Murray Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Haha! Walkabout Roo wanted the alarm set for 4am for an 'early 'start. The alarm went off at 4am and he went outside to pee. He crawled back in muttering it's windy and dark so the alarm was reset to 5am. When it went off he said "I don't feel like getting up yet"! Sooooo - 6:30am we crawled out and started at 8am! Roan Mtn wasn't as bad as we had been led to believe. The top was steep but the rest was OK. The grassy balds after Carver Gap were lovely, but so windy. It is super cold and windy tonight and we are in our sleeping bags to keep warm.
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Stan Murray Shelter

To: Elk River
Miles today: 17.1

Up,up,up,up,and oh yeah, every now and then a toe crunching down!!! The climb up from yellow gap felt like it was vertical, but why was I complaining - Humpback Mtn made that pale into comparison! I didn't think I would ever reach the true summit and just as I was ready to collapse in an hysterical heap, this vision appeared, a true hero,not quite in shining armour (filthy sweaty hiking cloths) and no white horse but a pair of trusty trekking poles - yes it was Walkabout Roo running back down the mountain to save his damsel in distress. He hoisted up the Go Light and jogged back up whilst I continued to stagger my way up. What a MAN! He did that on Roan Mtn too!   The views at the top were sensational and it is awesome to see how high we had climbed.Some of the paths that were switchbacked were lovely to walk on - not so the rocks and tree roots.   We saw two snakes today, one just a skinny little one about 12" long with pretty brown/coppery patterns on it. The other one was shiny black and at least 6' long. Poor Roo was so busy keeping his eye on it as he walked past that he almost walked stright into a tree!   Circuit Rider and Sherlock passed us and gave us the fantastic news that the Navy Seals got Bin Laden last night and he is dead. One more evil removed from this world. Circuit Rider @ Sherlock were going to head down the road to a diner and they said they would get us a burger too. We spent an hour for lunch at the next shelter with stretch.    It was a hard afternoon, we had only 6 miles to do but they were hard miles.Beautiful green meadows - uphill of corse. I saw a turkey, it seems crazy that they are wild here, back home the foxes would kill them. We found a lovely spot by the river and set up camp at 6:50pm. Sherlock came through and gave us our burgers @ a pickle each. They were delicious, I had been craving meat the last couple of days. Cog arrived at 7:25pm and set up camp with us. No sign of Peter though. The frogs have a great chorus going on tonight.   Oh yes, nearly forgot, I did another face plant today - ouch!
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Elk River

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was the easiest terrain so far. Just gentle ups @ downs for the most part with the occasional short steep one to keep us awake. It was overcast and humid today with an occasional cool breeze.   Walkabout Roo packed all his gear into my new Go Lite pack to see if he liked it, and I carried his pack with my gear in it. He is sold, he's getting one in Damascus. We are definitely on a mission to lighten our packweight.We spent an hour at Hardcore Cascades having lunch. It was lovely and peaceful with the sound of the water running.When we arrived at Moreland Gap as it looked like rain, it was a good desicion as it was poring down in an hour. Only 6 miles into the hostel tomorrow.
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincorra Hostel
Miles today: 6.0

An easy walk in this morning, misty and cold.Hostel very,very busy, very lucky to find a place. Later on people were sleeping on the porch, verandah, floors etc. The trail is very busy as everyone is racing to Trail Days in Damascus in another 10 day's. We hope to have passed through by then and avoid all the chaos.   I have a urine infection that is getting worse by the day. Hopefully I can get something for it in Hampton tonight.   It was hilarious to go shopping. They fitted 5 of us in the cab of the truck and another dozen in the back and when we came back we all had several bags of food each! No luck with anything for my infection other than Cranberry Juice.   Cookie started our steaks on the grill whilst Walkabout Roo cooked our eggs inside on the stove. It is the first steak @ eggs we have had here and it was sumptious. We are really starting to miss and crave meat now.
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Kincorra Hostel

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well today was not good news for me. I have an accute urine infection. Antibiotics and rest! I have shuttled through to Damascus and will wait there for Walkabout Roo. He is continuing on from Kincorra Hostel with Cog. I would sooner have walked but Walkabout Roo was insistent I rest and get over it. Just discovered there is no kitchen at Dave's place and Walkabout has the stove and the tent. Mmm - coffee?
Date: 2011-05-08
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Just a quick updat for the last three days. Tas stayed at Dave's place in Damascus and the amazing Walkabout Roo walked with Cog to Damascus. He informed Tas that she missed the most gorgeous waterfalls at Laurel Fork. He also saw his first copperhead snake sunning itself on the rocks that they wanted to walk on. Apparantly it did not appreciate being asked to slither along, and gave Cog's sticks a couple of kisses! The biggest highlight for Walkabout Roo was his first 20 mile (32km) day. Cog and Walkabout Roo arrived about 10.30am Sunday. He had been using Tas's Go lite pack as it had pinched a nerve in her shoulder. He told her it was useless and that they needed to buy better packs. So, two Granite Gear Blazes later, both of them now have great lightweight packs. Fully loaded Walkabout Roo's weighs only 25lb and Tas's 24lb including food and water.
Date: 2011-05-09
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Left at 7am. Walkabout Roo has a very unsettled tummy this morning, probably all the food he gorged on in town. Beautiful walk this morning. The rhododendrums have brilliant pink flowers on them now. There was lovely dappled sunlight through the trees making it seem like a walk in fairyland.We got to Sanders shelter at lunchtime and spent a couple of hours resting out of the heat. We left for the next stretch at 2.30 and arrived at 6pm. There were lots of streams this afternoon and we both like the sound of running water on these warm days, it sounds refreshing.