morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-13
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Absolutely drenched from 9-12:30 today. Gear performed well with no noticeable dampness in the pack when I opened it up.  When the Sun broke through it did so with drama. The mountain greens immediately glowed as if they were burning off the clouds. Tough going though. The trail was a stream and the downhills were hazardous with mud and leaves. Very slick. Famous is heading into Gatlinburg for resupply and a zero, but I'm sure I'll run into him again in Virginia. It has been nice, man. I'll be doing 13 odd miles tomorrow heading for Icewater Spring Shelter. They are calling for record temps. Also, we will be climbing up Clingman's Dome first thing in the AM. Oh yeah.
Date: 2012-03-14
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: few clouds

This has been a perfect day in the Smokies. Leaving the shelter at 8:15 this morning, I was atop Clingman's Dome by 9:30 or so. Though visibility was not great, I managed to get some good views of the Sun rising and illuminating the NC side of the park. It was humbling.There has been a spectacular change of scenery, as well, as we moved from oak-dominated woodlands which tend to be uniformly beige and full of ground-leaf, to the polychromatic spruce/Frasier fir forests we find ourselves in today. The colors are dark and rich, the air redolent with evergreen and hummus.Gobs of tourists hiking up the AT from Newfound Gap. It was very strange for me to see so many people within such a short duration. Usually I'll hike for 7-8 hours and see maybe three people on the trail. We thru-hikers are easy to spot. We are unshaven, withered, hungry-looking and smell bad. We are considered odd and unique to the hoi polloi. They seem to treat us like primates.Big day as we passed the 200 mile mark. Yippee.The weather tomorrow is supposed to be bright and hot, with possible thunderstorms in the PM. It'll be a short one at 12.9 miles on easy enough terrain, and well known for its views (eg. Charlie's Bunion). Looking forward to it.Great shelter crowd I've been hanging with: Famous (who went int Gatlinburg today fr a resupp and a zero), Plus Three, Drop, Gold Bond, and the couple - Cliff and Antsy. Lots of laughs at night with these very bright people. We'll be parting ways as we approach Hot Springs, but I'm sure we'll link up in VA, or so.Guess who paid us a visit this afternoon. No, not a Ranger. It was the "Saucy Nancies," a University of Iowa female Ultimate Frisbee team. They were playing in a tournament in TN and went for a day out in the Park. As you might imagine they were charming, fit, good-looking, and friendly. Since Drop was paralyzed with a fit of introversion, I corralled the 20 or so girls and took a pic. I'll let you know when it, and many other photos, is posted. Drop told me, "Damn. You have game." I can't make this stuff up.Two more days in he Smokies. For now, another night in the bag. Sweet dreams.
Date: 2012-03-15
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Biggest mileage day thus far. First one over 20. Terrain had a few ups and downs, but they were minor. Great visuals today as I walked in the rainforest-like Frasier fir woodland system. Many pics.The thunderstorm they called for yesterday was menacing all day. I could hear the rumblings throughout the morning and afternoon. Consequently, I really pushed my pace to outrun it as much as possible. I don't want to be on high ground when lightning shows up. In racing the storm, I strained my left quad. Nothing serious, just moving too fast, especially on the downs. Turns out the thunderstorms did not get us during the day, but here I rest in my tent (shelter's full)...and the storm decides to come. Fickle thing. Scary as hell though, tenting in thunder and lightning. One strike to a dead tree near you, and it could be lights out. They call those trees widowmakers. But, I feel like I'll survive.Signing off for now. Hoping the bad storm will go away.
Date: 2012-03-16
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Rd (Standing Bear Hostel)
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: moderate rain

Short walk-out down the Mt. Cammerer slopes and I exit the park.Good bye, Smokies. It has been an exciting week.Well, the lightning didn't get me, and I broke camp and departed around 8:00. About a mile into the morning, I ran into a couple of Rangers coming up to the shelter. They were patrolling, checking for reservations and permits. I showed him mine, as I had my ducks in a row, and we had a nice chat about Rangering, etc. He told me that the Smokies just hired two new backcountry rangers for this season. So, future hikers, be sure you have the required documentation before you enter the park.Ironically, I saw some of the loveliest scenery I've seen on this trip, after leaving the National Park and approaching the I-40 underpass. About a 1/4 mile from the highway the trail follows a lively mountain stream full of lush green mosses, fast water, smoothed rocks and old limbs. I took some of that water at one crossing and doused myself with it, cooling a body which descended out of the park, in temps approaching the high 70's. It was shockingly wonderful. If I didn't have my pack on, I'd've jumped in. As I move up into VA, I'm sure I will bath in the natural baths, more frequently.I'm here at the Standing Bear Hostel tonight. Curtis, the host, is a trip. Did some laundry, got a couple of days resupp to get me into Hot Springs, updated my journal, and ate salty snack foods.Take care.
Date: 2012-03-17
From: Green Corner Rd (Standing Bear Hostel)

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy St Patrick's  Day, one and all. Great night yesterday at the Standing Bear hostel, hosted by the irrepressible Curtis. After demolishing two Angus burgers, a bag of Sun Chips, an ice cream bar, a pork sandwich, a quesadilla, and more than two beers, I hit the rack at around 9:00.  Curtis was a great hostelman and I'd highly recommend you make time to stay at the SB, if you can. On the trail at 8:30, the hiking day was clear and the weather hot. A day to mind one's water, for certain. About 4000 feet of up pushed some sweat out of the pores. The highlight of the day was Max Patch, a huge bald  up at 4600'. The views were breathtaking across 360 degrees. The breadth and range of sight was humbling. It makes a man feel puny. We can see a storm way out yonder, heading our way. So here I sit at the shelter, solving the world's problems with Drop, Gold Bond, and Plus Three.   Off to the bag, then. 'night, all.
Date: 2012-03-18
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Well, the word of the day is  "wet." Going to bed with clear skies and bright pinprick stars last night,  the early morning hours brought constant, hard rain. This meant breaking camp in a downpour. Never fun. As quick as I was in getting the tent un-rigged, it still got soaked in the process.   So, I stuffed everything in my pack, donned my rain gear, ate a breakfast of a cinnamon roll, and hit the trail in the cool rain.  I left camp right after Alien and Swiss Miss, so was able to chat with them a bit when I caught up. Nice people. Both from around Zurich. They tried to get an 8 month visa but were allowed only a 6 month stay - very frustrating for them.  They'll complete the hike in time, though. The rain stopped around 11:00 and the sun broke through hot and bright. I got to the campsite at 2:00 and immediately set up a clothes line on which to dry my tent and other wet things. After a while I cooked up some delicious ramen, inhaled that, and organized myself for the evening. The rest of the crew headed into Hot Springs today. I decided to wait until the morning. It's a short 3.2 miler into town. I'm meeting the gang (Plus Three, Antsy, Cliff, Drop, and Gold Bond) at the local diner at 9:00. Then it is off to the outfitters to do some business. I'll be meeting the esteemed J. Justus Ward at 1:00 at the local watering hole. I anticipate taking a couple of zeros with Mssr Ward and Rebecca, and then hitting the trail again on Thursday.  My plan has me getting to Damascus on April 1. We'll see how that goes. Talk to you soon.
Date: 2012-03-19
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: broken clouds

Chia Pet, Standing Bear, Lost Bear, Buckets, and I strolled into town this morning after spending the night tormented by particularly noisy rodents at the shelter.   The sound of little mouse feet running across the metal roof sounded like hundreds of jack-booted spiders sprinting across aluminum siding. Add to that an especially bold raccoon that decided to jump on to the roof at around 3 am, and you have a restless night. At least it didn't rain. I linked up with my friends Drop, Gold Bond, Plus Three, Antsy, and Cliff for breakfast at the local diner. Three eggs over medium, a slab of country ham, hash browns, biscuit and gravy, a pancake, and several cups of fresh hot coffee helped to mitigate the aggravations of the night before. Delicious. Antsy put jelly on her chicken biscuit. I did not understand this. After breaking fast, I hit the Dollar Store, as well as Bluff Mountain Outfitters for some resupply and equipment changes. I switched from a liquid gas Whisperlite rig to a Pocket Rocket and canister set up. Smaller and lighter. I also got some Smartfeet orthotics, summer socks, and replaced a silnylon dry bag that had been nibbled and be-holed by mice, back in Georgia. Now I am sitting here in the local watering hole enjoying a Reuben, salad, and my third pint of Shiva IPA. Jonathan is due to roll in to pick me up at 1:00, and then off we will go to his Fortress of Solitude at 3100' in the hills near Marshall. Back on the trail Thursday. I'm hoping to catch back up to my crew in Damascus, VA on or about April 1st. Okay, Ward just walked in. Gotta go.
Date: 2012-03-20
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Ward's Fortress of Solitude - Day 1
Miles today: 0.0

After an evening of reminiscing and music, I hit the sack and slept the sleep of the just for about 11 hours. Shelter and tent sleeping is not really restful for me. It is nice to sleep in a bed on occasion. Then this morning we headed out to lunch (the Noodle Shop) in Ashville, went for a drive along the French Broad River, and hit the PO so I could ship some things back. An easy and relaxing day so far. My body appreciates it. Another Zero tomorrow, and then back at it on Thursday. The road to Damascus awaits.
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Ward's Fortress of Solitude - Day 1

To: Ward's Fortress of Solitude - Day 2
Miles today: 0.0

Wow. Another 11 hours of sleep. Body must've really needed it. Woke up, made some high octane coffee, and proceeded to stack some wood for the next couple of hours. The labor felt good and had me looking forward to getting back to the trail tomorrow. After a quick drive down the mountain to do some shopping at Lowe's and Ingle's, we came back to the mountain pad where I prepared a Rigatoni with Meat Sauce and salad dinner. 'Twas good. Now I am repacked, lighter than my pre-Hot Springs load and set to commence finishing up in NC and TN. My plan still holds for me to hit Damascus on 4/1, but it means doing 118 miles over my first week back. Tough going, even tougher if the heat keeps up in the 70's as it has. I'll simply have to deal with whatever it is I get, though. Thanks again for all the comments. The encouragement from other planners, dreamers, friends, and acquaintances means a lot. I know some people have asked specific questions. I intend to answer some of those over the next leg, so stand by for that. Well, OK then. Back to it.
Date: 2012-03-23
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

This has been a long tough day over a wide mix of terrain. There was the typical wood- root -rock trail, a nice little mile and a half semi-exposed ridge walk, a lengthy bald, and several miles of trail over old road and stream beds. Went over 300 miles, today. From the time I left the shelter this morning to the time I arrived at tonight's shelter, I saw exactly one person. I grunted a "hello," he responded in kind, and onward rolled the day. It can be pretty lonely out here, salamanders notwithstanding. Plan is to hike 20 miles tomorrow, which should set me up to get into Erwin, TN on Sunday. Okay. I'm beat. Gotta go to sleep.
Date: 2012-03-24
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

20.7  No Business Knob ShelterThis turned into a remarkably good day. It didn't start that way as the Heavens pummeled us with thunder, lightning, and hail stones the size of pencil erasers. [note: pencils were wooden instruments with embedded graphite, used for writing, circa 1995;  erasers were cylindrical pieces of rubber approximately 1/4" x 1/4"  found at the top of the pencil shaft].  The hail stopped and I left. About an hour in, and having arrived at Sam's Gap, I met three people coming down the hill from the opposite direction. They were coming down to the gap to provide trail magic (hot dogs, ice cream, soup, etc).  They asked me if I wanted to stick around and partake; but I opted not to, and continued on, thanking them for their hospitality and generosity. As soon as I said goodbye, I saw several cold Powerades sitting by a fence. Good luck. At the ten mile mark, I stopped for lunch. Usually all I have is a Snickers. Today, I went for a hot lunch, choosing a Mountain House Chicken and Mashed Potato dish left over from Raincheck' s 2007 odyssey.  It hit the spot. Soon after lunch I overtook two very interesting guys, Zeph and Paul. Both were bearded, wore hats and tunics, and were very, very Christian. I enjoyed chatting with them for a spell. I  believe certain people have a tangible aura of grace and piousness.  These guys had that.  They gave me tea. The day ended with me arriving at the shelter. Just me and Pa Burt tonight. A 5.8 mile walk in to Erwin,  TN tomorrow, and some well-deserved soak time in the tub followed by AYCE pizza. Eyelids are heavy. Gotta go. Zzzz
Date: 2012-03-25
From: No Business Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: light rain

Did my 5.8 in just under two hours. Easy day after over 60 miles in three days. Stopped in to pick up some gas at Uncle Johnny's, and the chap was kind enough to give me a ride to the Holiday Inn. Pa Burt and I are staying here tonight.   AYCE pizza and salad heading my way. Also planning ahead to meet Carol and the boys in April. I believe we'll shoot for Waynesboro, VA. That thrills me. I'm told I missed Gold Bond and Drop by just half an hour this morning. Maybe I'll catch them by Damascus. Back to it tomorrow. Roan Mt on the 28th and then Damascus by the 1st of April.
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Really lovely day on the trail today. The walk out of Erwin for the first 5 miles or so was quite beautiful with much of the trail following a pretty vigorous mountain stream. Another highlight was the dark and dense spruce forest atop Unaka Mt. One guy said it seemed like it was like that scene from Star Wars with the speeders shooting around all over the place. Since I stepped out just after 7:00 this morning and had a pretty short day, I arrived at the shelter around 1:45. Ace, Boozah, Greazzy, and Ninja had lunch here and then took off for the hostel 7 miles downtrail. Boozah and Ninja were hiking in their dainties, as they had lost a bet. I didn't mind, though. Tonight it seems like its me, Pa Burt, Biscuit, and Bull (an Australian police officer) at the shelter, but more may turn up.  Delicious Alfredo with tuna and pepperoni for dinner tonight. Can't wait. Tomorrow is another fairly short day mileage-wise, but includes over 5000' of ascent, culminating with reaching the Roan High  Knob Shelter, the highest shelter on the AT.  Standing by for wind and cold.
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Tough day with a couple of big climbs. Roan Mt seems like it never ends. The story of the day is "small world.". I began my climb up Roan and ran into a trail crew doing maintenance on the AT. I thanked them for their work. One guy responded back with a thick Boston accent. I said, "You're not from these parts, are you?". We had a chat and it turns out he is from Boston. His name is Bob People's and he runs the Kincora Hostel about 25 miles north of here. The weird thing is that he is a retired Air Force guy and was a prof at Norwich University. Guess where he lived? Bethel, VT. My town. Strange. Anyway, my plan is to hike to his place tomorrow and visit some more. This shelter is the highest on the AT. Not in good repair, though. I think it may be haunted. To the bag, then.
Date: 2012-03-28
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel (Roan Mt, TN)
Miles today: 16.5

Sitting here at Mountain Harbor enjoying the day after a speedy hike off of Roan. The highlight of the day, though, was trail magic provided by past hiker Hoosier Ben. He met us at US 19 with cold beer, pastries, chips, sandwiches, and cigars. It was like manna from heaven. God bless Hoosier Ben!The next biggest story of the day was wind. We had to climb over a couple of good-sized Balds this morning, and were challenged by 45+ knot winds. Thank god for trekking poles. They were the only things that kept me upright. Tomorrow, after a hearty breakfast, it is off to Kincora. Still on track for Damascus by Sunday.
Date: 2012-03-29
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel (Roan Mt, TN)

To: Kincora Hostel (ivo Hampton, TN)
Miles today: 24.4

The most important note of the day is that it  is my precious son, Ben's, 12th birthday.  Happy birthday, Benjamin. You have been in my heart and mind all day. I wish I were there to share this special day with you. I hope your Root Beer Float Cake was delicious. Today was the day of the Juggernaut. I felt very powerful and energetic all day. Unstoppable, really.  No major hills to negotiate, just some smooth-backed  200-300 footers.  The morning was filled with birdsong and sunlight.  I wish I could identify the species. I do know that I have seen hundreds of juncos over the past month.  Not sure what they sound like, though.  I can ID the Barred Owl. They sound like bonobos mating.  Oh, btw, we went over 400 miles this morning. Should hit the 20% mark on Saturday. It was my biggest day yet, and I maintained a 2.7 mph throughout.  I think this is a testament to the epic breakfast Mary prepared this morning at Mountain Harbor: Fresh cinnamon rolls, French toast with honey & walnut syrup, muffins, fresh fruits, hashbrowns, egg/fontina/spinach casserole, three types of sausages, fresh OJ, and coffee. Sitting here in Bob People's Kincora Hostel. Bob's been telling AT stories and sharing lore with us for the past couple of hours. He is truly an AT legend. They should name a mountain after this guy. Backdraft prepared a pasta casserole loaded with meat and cheese....delicious. So tonight it is me, Pa Burt, Bull, Backdraft, Lorax, Halfsies, Ace, Ninja, Greazzy, and Boozah. Zzzzz time.
Date: 2012-03-30
From: Kincora Hostel (ivo Hampton, TN)

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Man, was it hot today! Beautiful first 3 miles leaving Bob's place. Running water, cliffs, cascades, and wood. Very flat and very quiet.   This quickly changed as we encountered a 2000' climb. Not a bad one though, but the sun started to burn in right toward the top. The last 5 miles of the day were hellish. Temps in the 70's, an unrelenting 1800' climb, and scarce water. By the time I arrived at the shelter, I was ready to stop and inhale a liter of water. But I had no water and the piped spring was .3 miles down a very steep ravine. So I went and got it. It was sweet and cold. Longish day tomorrow, but terrain looks relatively flat. Well, okay then. Thunder and lightning heading our way. Always fun.
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Vandeventer Shelter

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

Exciting news! Twenty percent of the trail is complete. Very easy, if homogenous, terrain, today, so the miles just clicked by. The weather was fickle, though. I started with 2-3 hours of rain, some hot sun, sprinkles, sun, downpour, sun, hail, thunder, and finally clear bright skies. Pretty much ran the gamut. Enjoying hanging out at the shelter with a Boy Scout troop, telling stories, sharing camping stories. Looking forward to enter Virginia tomorrow. Should be striding into Damascus around 11:00. I'll take a zero on Monday. I'm hungry for town food. Also a cold beer.
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

A beautiful vanGogh sunrise spreading wide across the morning sky greeted us in the wee hours before Pa Bert (I've been spelling his name wrong all this time) and I left Abingdon Gap for Damascus. It was very exciting to pass from TN into VA. Quite a psychological milestone. We arrived and settled in to our respective residences. I am staying at the Lazy Fox B & B. Pa Bert is at Dave's Place. I showered up and then went out looking for Goldbond and Drop, both of whom I knew were in town. I found them after a while. It is great to link up again. We are all taking zeros tomorrow and will hit the trail Tuesday. Pa Bert is going back on the AT in the mornIng. It has been great hiking with Pa. Given he is a past thru-hiker, he is a wealth of knowledge and helluva nice guy, as well. I hope we will link up, farther North. Until then, best of luck, Pa. After going to Mt Rogers Outfitters for new shoes and sundry items, I met the guys and Lorax at the pizza shop. I had nachos, which I'd been craving. Not the best ever, but definitely met the need. We enjoyed some quality brew and conversed on subjects ranging from Probability, Military Decision-making, Ayahuasca, kids these days, and Deism. I retired at 8:00 for a good night's sleep. Until tomorrow.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus- Day 2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This place is great! I was awakened by the smell of bacon and coffee. After showering (I have come to appreciate a good shower) I headed downstairs. Ginny, the owner of the Lazy Fox, is a fascinating lady. She was a real-life Rosie the Riveter. During WW II she left a clerical job and started work at a war goods factory in TN. She worked on quality assurance at a munitions detonator plant. After that, she spent a 35 year career as a CPA. Remarkable woman. I'm a big fan. We watched some TCM together last night. And what a breakfast! Eggs over, sausage, bacon, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, cheese grits, fresh fruit, and hot apple cobbler. Thank God I'm burning so many calories in the hills. Just finished shopping for the next couple of resupplies, sent some mail, and now I am in high intensity rest mode, getting ready to start VA in earnest, on the morrow.
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Damascus- Day 2

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

After a wonderful breakfast and a sad farewell to Miss Ginny, I left Damascus behind and began my first full day in Virginia. Drop, Goldbond, Antsy, Cliff and I linked up again and plan to stay together for a while. Tomorrow we'll climb Whitetop and Mt Rogers. It'll be a tough one.  I'm looking forward to it. Oh, here is a poem in honor of the past two states. I call it, "M-Theory."Tennessee and Cackalacky,your land is tough, your shelters tacky. Boundaries, borders doth bewilder;to know my place, I'd pay a guilder. Spirits, shades, and dryads fey,turn fear to joy and work to play. Your hills evoke a common lyric;what once was Form is now Empiric. A verse composed of sight and sound, is sung inside and made profound. And, all who saunter on this path,skip stones of joy; kick roots of wrath. So, Balds and Knobs, and meadows fair,and Gaps and Domes with thinning airFrom G-burg, Erwin, Boone and Roan;it's been a treat. I want a scone. Lord Byron had better watch his flouncy back.