morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-11-19
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

11/19/14 - day 1311717.7 - Damascus, VA0 miles467.6 to goSince I got here a day ahead of schedule I took a zero to allow the temp to moderate a little. Bought yet another pair of gloves at Mt Rogers Outdoors and met Dave. Maybe these gloves will be enough.Also met Crazy Larry, who was setting up a yard sale in his front yard. He told me his life story in 3 minutes. He's a great guy and a trail legend. He must be crazy to have a yard sale in this cold weather!So the three hikers ahead of me were all here last night. Tom Sawyer, who I last saw in ME. He said that Huck Finn had gotten off trail in Duncannon, so he's alone now. Ricki Ticki Taxi, who I last saw in Port Clinton, PA. And Herc, who started the same day I did but I never met. How odd. I probably passed him the first day and he passed me finally while I was sick. He left today and hopes to average over 20 a day to finish, so I probably will not see him again.But the star of my stay in Damascus is definitely Miss Jenny, who runs this B&B, the Lazy Fox. She is 90, and has been running it for 23 years. Now that's an encore career. Her cheese grits this morning were outstanding, so I will get a late start tomorrow for seconds. See picture.Picked up my box, enough food to get to Erwin, and divided it and sent half of it to Kincora Hostel, which is about 50 miles south. Hope it gets there before I do.There is town wireless here, free, but no AT&T cell phone. How odd.So tomorrow I will finally get out of Virginia!
Date: 2014-11-20
From: Damascus, VA

To: Double Spring Gap
Miles today: 13.3

11/20/14 - day 1321731.0 - Double Spring Gap14.0 miles454.3 to goGot a late start, since Miss Jenny's cheese grits were not served until 8. It was 9 before I got of Damascus and 11 before I got to the TN border - see photo. Finally I am out of VA! Only 3 states to go now - TN, NC, GA.But I didn't cover much ground because of the late start and just a general lack of energy. Its supposed to be 21 tonight down in the valley, colder up here. So I went way below the ridge to camp as much out of the west wind as possible. Sleeping with one of my water bottles too, since it was full and I did not want it to freeze.So getting home through this unseasonal arctic cold is a chore and a challenge. I can deal with 20s, if I am out of the wind. Getting up in the mornings is difficult. We'll see what tomorrow morning brings.
Date: 2014-11-21
From: Double Spring Gap

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

11/21/14 - day 1331750.8 - Vandeventer Shelter19.8 miles434.5 to goCold day, all day, with light snow covering the ground at the higher elevations. At one point the trail dropped and I went through a big field with cows and got a 360 degree view.Also passed the Nick Grindstaff monument. An old chimney high on a mountaintop with a tombstone set into the side. The epitaph reads: "He lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone." See photo.Saw Herc about lunchtime, which was a surprise. He was delayed getting the new shoes - they were red! He's passed me now for sure.I'm in good shape to make it to Kincora Hostel tomorrow. Its run by Bob Peoples, who is a trail legend that does a lot of trail construction and maintenance. The shelter here is full of graffiti about him, like "Bob Peoples gives his boots blisters." "Bob Peoples doesn't flush the toilet, he scares the crap out of it." Guess I'll find out tomorrow.
Date: 2014-11-22
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 17.5

11/22/14 - day 1341768.3 - Dennis Cove Rd - Kincora Hostel17.5 miles417 to goThe warmest day in awhile. I actually took off my long underwear in the afternoon. There was still snow at the shelter in the AM, but once I climbed down from there it disappeared.The trail skirted the end of Watauga Lake, which is a TVA lake that reminded me of Fontana, although the mountains are not as high and the lake isn't as deep.But the shelter on the lake is closed because of bear activity - see the photo.Laurel Falls was pretty, and the gorge rugged. At one point the trail skirted a huge cliff right at the water's edge. Impossible for me to capture in a photo.So I am at Kincora Hostel, which is a real experience. Baltimore Jack is here running it for Bob Peoples, so I didn't get to meet Bob. Jack says that Bob is pretty embarrassed by all the graffiti. This is a $5 hostel, so its basically a bunk in a cabin behind Bob's house. You have to bring your own food. But at least I am in out of the weather!Also here is a 20-something called Slim Jim, who started the same day I did! He recognized me from Maine, but he has such long hair and beard now that I can't remember what he looked like. That makes 2 hikers I have met recently that started July 12. He says there are plenty of hikers still behind us, so I am not bringing up the rear. He is waiting at the hostel for some friends to catch up so they can get off trail for thanksgiving.And the rumor is that the guys I caught in Damascus were zeroing in Hampton, so I have probably gotten ahead of them, at least temporarily.Now the task becomes how to get over Roan Mt, the first 6000 footer on the trail. Looks like it will take me two days to get into position, then I can make a one day dash over the top and down. Forecast is for warm rain. Will that be snow on Roan? Nobody knows.
Date: 2014-11-23
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 15.9

11/23/14 - day 1351784.2 - Mountaineer Shelter15.9 miles401.1 to goI had a talk with Baltimore Jack as I ate breakfast. He sleeps on the couch in the hostel to keep the wood stove going so the pipes don't freeze. So when I came downstairs at 4:45 I woke him.Turns out he carried his father's WWII dogtags on all his hikes, so I showed him Jerry's and we had that in common. He gave me a contact for Thanksgiving if I decide to zero that day, which was very nice of him.So it drizzled and was foggy all day. Managed to call Laurie at the top of the first climb, but forgot to check the weather, and got no more reception all day. Just as I got to this shelter it started to pour, so for once I lucked out on the rain timing.From here I have a long, hard 18 miles tomorrow to get in position to get over Roan on Tuesday. I really hope my bad weather luck is changing. Clear and not too windy and cold would be great for going over 6000 feet!One thing Jack told me this morning kept running through my mind - "You can stand anything for 3 1/2 weeks". I hope he's right.My latest problem is a swollen left foot. Very painful first thing in the morning and on downhills. And some aggravating numbness in the fingers. Not good for my piano playing...
Date: 2014-11-24
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

11/24/14 - day 1361802.2 - Overmountain Shelter18.0 miles383.1 to goLess than 400 to go, and I am in NC for the first time. And I have gone over 1800 miles now. Small goals keep me motivated.Great weather today, the type of weather that I think of for Fall in the south. I actually took all my coats off for the climb over Hump and Little Hump Mountains. The views were spectacular, the best in months, of mountains surrounding me on all sides. Photo is Hump Mt from Little Hump.The wind was fierce, but the warm temps made up for it.Saw Herc, Slim Jim, and Swish slackpacking northbound over Hump Mt. They are doing that until Thanksgiving since one of them lives nearby. Also saw a large group of section hikers, and there are 2 here at this shelter, which is an old converted barn. Very interesting, but breezy! All these people, especially after the solitude of the last week, is making me feel crowded!I am in perfect shape here to get over Roan tomorrow, all 6200 feet of it. Hopefully the weather will hold, although I expect high winds. I need to do as much as possible tomorrow to make the next day into Erwin easier, since there is snow in the forecast for Wednesday. If only the weather would cooperate, I might could make it the last 383.1 miles!
Date: 2014-11-25
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Apple Orchard stealth camp
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: few clouds

11/25/14 - day 1371821.9 - stealth camp19.7 miles363.4 to goOvermountain shelter was cool, in more ways than one. I had the whole hay loft of the old barn to myself, which was a little spooky. The boards are spaced for ventilation, enough that you can stick a finger in between, which makes for a breezy night.But I was up and back on trail by 5:30 and hiked over an hour in the dark. That's my "normal". There were two balds to go over before Roan, and they were cold and windy. Saw three hunters up there with big rifles, scopes, and binoculars. That's your picture for today. It must have been really cold sitting there in the wind - at least I was moving.Roan was different, with Spruce forests - reminded me of the Smokies. Managed to get over the highlands without incident. There are many more 6000 footers to come before I'm done, the biggest and tallest mountains of the trail.Then it was a long afternoon trying to make as many miles toward Erwin as I could. Herc, Slim Jim, and Swish passed me, going to a road crossing to get picked up. The forecast for tomorrow is rain turning to snow then back to rain. Oh well. Lovely Laurie called and reserved me a bed at Uncle Johnnys Hostel, which is right on the trail, and where my next resupply box is. So I just need to get there. Only one big mountain to get over - Unaka, but its 5180 feet. Hope there is no snow up there. Unfortunately, Erwin is 21.9 miles away. I must start early, no matter what the weather.
Date: 2014-11-26
From: Apple Orchard stealth camp

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: light rain

11/26/14 - day 1381843.8 - Erwin, TN21.9 miles341.5 to goStarted to rain about midnight, which changed to snow. Got up an hour early to do the big miles to Erwin and scraped the snow off the tarp. Not pleasant. Started hiking about 4:15, which meant over 2 hours in the dark. I'm getting good at finding the snow covered trail in the dark - this makes my third snowstorm.Of course it got deeper and came down harder as I went over 5000+ foot Unaka Mountain. It was a heavy wet snow, bending the rhodies over the trail again, probably 3 inches. But spectacular, see photo. Not much wind, and probably 20 degrees warmer than the last storm before Damascus.Actually saw 2 section hikers with a dog going up Unaka as I was coming down. "What are you doing out in the snow?" I said, and promptly tripped and fell on my face. Very embarrassing, but I have seen that happen many times when hikers meet. Your attention is diverted for just a moment while you make eye contact and down you go.As I made the long descent to the Nolichucky River the snow lessened. At the bottom, just rain. Crossed the river and got one of the tiny cabins at Uncle Johnnies Hostel. How odd, but warm and dry. I have stayed in many a unique place on this hike!Tom Sawyer is here, so we got the shuttle to town (a long trip) for Mexican food and WalMart. Bought fresh food to eat tomorrow, since the forecast is for snow all day and temps in the 20s down at the town elevation. I just can't face what that will be on top of Bald Mt at 5500 feet, which is my next crossing.So the current plan is to zero in this tiny "cabin". We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2014-11-27
From: Erwin TN

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

11/27/14 - day 1391843.8 - Erwin, TN0 miles341.5 to goThanksgiving. I elected to stay put and let phase 2 of this winter storm pass by. Down here on the banks of the Nolichucky it was just drizzle or wet snow or sleet, none of which stuck. But even the low hills behind us are covered in white now, so I'm guessing another several inches up high. I'll find out in the morning.I also decided to stay put rather than take advantage of an invite to dinner. Herc showed up (not sure what mile he's at now), and Tom Sawyer is here, so we got shuttled to Huddle House by John, who is running the hostel.So I was warm, dry, and had plenty to eat, in one of the tiny private "cabins" here. Got all my gear dry and sorted out my food drop. Thru hiking is very much a string of section hikes, where you have to resupply under varied and sometimes difficult conditions. That, to me, is the most unpredictable part of a hike. Hiking every day (after day after day) is physically and mentally difficult, but it has a sameness to it that doesn't require much thought beyond how far and how fast and how long to walk. Resupply is always different, and requires an easy-going adaptability to circumstances.All I can say is, only a few resupplies left. If I can get a decent weather window, I will be going out of Hot Springs next week with plenty of food so I can blitz the smokies if I get the chance. I don't think resupply at Gatlinburg is a reliable option for a late southbounder because the road at Newfound Gap is closed in bad weather. I will definitely have a drop at the NOC because it is on the trail, and will go in to Fontana if I have to before that. I've been over all that ground before, some of it several times, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can keep up a good pace.Today's picture is another snow scene from yesterday, the spruce trees on Unaka. Enjoy!
Date: 2014-11-28
From: Erwin TN

To: Bald Mt Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

11/28/14 - day 1401860.2 - Bald Mt Shelter16.4 miles325.1 to goDidn't think I would make it today. The problem was the dry fluffy snow that fell yesterday. I felt like I was taking 2 steps forward and one step back all day, so there was a lot of effort expended to get those 16.4 miles.Things started out well, with no snow down at the Nolichucky River, but the higher I climbed the more the snow. I guess I was OK with 2 or 3 inches, but up at 5000 feet it was mid-calf, dry, and slippery.Of course, it could be worse, so I shouldn't complain too much. The temp is supposed to rise over the weekend. Not sure what that will do, but I'm sure it will be different, whatever it is.Today's picture is from High Rocks. I could see big mountains across the valley that looked snow free - or maybe it was just wishful thinking. When I could take time to pause and look around me it was very beautiful in a cold and inhospitable way.I'm in this shelter alone. My main task tonight, besides staying warm, is to try to get my shoes above freezing for tomorrow morning. The only way to do that is to sleep with them!
Date: 2014-11-29
From: Bald Mt Shelter

To: Flint Mt Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

11/29/14 - day 1411879.1 - Flint Mt Shelter18.9 miles306.2 to goMy snow troubles continued this morning in the dark trying to go over Bald Mt and the big saddle before it. The ECW (evil cold wind) had drifted the snow knee deep and obliterated any trace of the trail. Its not marked with cairns but with little fence posts with white blazes on them. My headlamp was not strong enough to illuminate the next post. So it was a big struggle and sapped a lot of my energy. But there were gorgeous city lights visible off to the east - I don't know what city.Today's picture is looking back at Bald Mt a couple of hours later. Doesn't look like much from a distance does it? Certainly not as bad as it felt while I was up there.The trail generally went down from 5000 to 4000 to 3000 feet, and the snow got less and less. The shelter tonight is 2000 feet lower than yesterday at 3586 and its wet slushy snow here.So I'm hoping for another day of melting so I can do big miles and get within reach of Hot Springs on Monday. If I could get there early afternoon instead of at dark I could have time to do some chores.
Date: 2014-11-30
From: Flint Mt Shelter

To: Spring Mt Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: overcast clouds

11/30/14 - day 1421900.4 - Spring Mt Shelter21.3 miles284.9 to goWow, look at those miles. I did 21.3 today by getting up an hour earlier (3AM), so that I am now about 11 from Hot Springs.And I have now hiked 1900.4 miles. There are only 284.9 miles left to go. Hopefully, 2 days after I leave Hot Springs, I will go under I-40 and be on trail that I have hiked before, some of it many times, all the way to the end.The highlight of today was Firescald Ridge, a rocky knife-edge ridge with good views into TN and NC. The TN side was "flat" farmland, the NC side was mountains as far as I could see. Ridge after ridge receding far into the distance. Many of those I will have to climb!The snow got less and less as I lost elevation, but I spent most of the day with soggy feet from the slush. The forecast for tomorrow is "warm" rain, but who cares, I'm going to town!Today's picture is of Jerry's dogtags at Jerry's Cabin shelter!
Date: 2014-12-01
From: Spring Mt Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

12/1/14 - day 1431911.4 - Hot Springs, NC11 miles273.9 to goI did 11 miles by 11AM to get to Hot Springs, see photo. That's the French Broad River with the town and the mountains beyond.I got here early because there was a skunk living beneath the shelter last night, with mice scampering around the rafters. I know, I don't stay in shelters, but since I got my air mattress for the Smokies I have been trying it. Its pretty much as bad as I remembered it. The skunk was not a danger - that used to be common in the smokies, to have one living beneath the shelter, and the one last night kept rustling a plastic bag it had dragged under there to make a nest. The shelter was very old, small, and low, made of logs. So no problem getting up early to start hiking.No AT&T cell phone here, so I am sitting outside the library using their wireless to update the journal. I may not be able to update again for a long time, 8 days to the NOC, starting tomorrow. If I have coverage I'll use the battery to call home, not upload journals!Hot Springs is alive, unlike Damascus, which was dead for Southbounders. I visited the outfitter and got some stuff I needed, did my laundry at the laundromat (that was getting critical), got my resupply box, shopped at the Dollar Store, and am spending the night at Elmer's Inn. Its the oldest house in town (1840s?), and only has heat downstairs, so I have to keep my bedroom door open to get heat. At least there's no skunk under my bed.The house is very large and confusing, and looks like just the kitchen has been "updated". Elmer's a great guy. It must really be busy in the summer.So tomorrow I shoulder a too heavy pack with 8 days of food and set out across the Smokies. Looks like the weather will be "warm" rain. I'll take that over snow anytime.
Date: 2014-12-02
From: Hot Springs

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

12/2/14 - day 1441929.4 - Roaring Fork shelter18.0 miles255.9 to goTwo more southbounders I had never met showed up at Elmer's last night - Landfill and Buckeye, 20-somethings. And then today, at this shelter, I caught Apple Pie and Goose Chase, a male/female couple that started together 6 weeks before I did. So within a few days of me there are 10 southbounders including me. Everybody is pushing to finish before Christmas.No one is planning on my strategy of no more town stops though. I have 2 more maildrops, at the NOC and Neels Gap, both places that are on trail. If I can do it, that is.It was certainly tough this morning, going out of Hot Springs with 8 days of food. I weighed the pack at Elmer's - 40 pounds with food and 2 liters of water. I'm carrying a lot more food than I did when I started this epic adventure, and eating all of it.It was warm and moist today. Sprinkled a few times but never really rained. Nothing to see, really. There was an ~11 mile 3200 foot climb to the top of Bluff Mt that seemed to take all day. Met a section hiker who was carrying a 75 pound pack. Yikes!No cell phone, so I couldn't call home. Tomorrow, trail gods willing, I cross into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Date: 2014-12-03
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Davenport Gap shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

12/3/14 - day 1451948.1 - Davenport Gap Shelter18.7 miles237.2 to goStarted the day by climbing up and over Max Patch, a rounded bald with wonderful 360 degree views. At least that is what I've heard, but I have no evidence, since it was very dark when I crossed. Way back on the TN side I could see city lights. The NC side was almost totally dark, which exemplifies the difference in terrain and population.After the sun came up I crossed Snowbird Mt, another bald with great views. But I have mo evidence of that either, since the summit was in the clouds and raining. This wasn't my day for views! But there was cell phone reception so I got to call Laurie, which made the climb worthwhile.In the early afternoon I stopped by Standing Bear Hostel for a snack. No way I was going to stay - I was on a mission. But Curtis said that a couple of days earlier about a dozen southbounders had headed into the Smokies. I have no reason to doubt him, but I find it hard to believe. Hopefully they have spread out now ahead of me - I have no desire to get stuck in a bubble of hikers competing for shelter space.I suppose that I have been catching people, and passing most of them, since I got back on. I'm not really trying to do that, but just hiking the same way I have the whole trip.At about 2:15 I crossed I-40, which marks an important point. Since I have hiked everything south of that point already, I have technically hiked the whole trail now. Just not a thru-hike - yet. Only 237.2 miles to that goal.So I am at Davenport Gap shelter, all alone, for my first night in the Smokies. I stayed here once about 30 years ago. It hasn't changed much. It has a new roof, with an additional clerestory with plastic windows to let in light, and an overhang on the front. But they kept the original stone walls and log roof joists. They got rid of the old wire bunks (that I hated) and have plywood platforms. They kept the old chain link front though, and I had heard that they had all been removed. See photo. There are no bear cables here, so that's probably why they kept the fence.The couple from last night said they were coming here, but I suppose Standing Bear was too much of a temptation. Tomorrow I finish climbing to the crest of the ridge and then push on into the heart of the Smokies. The weather has been fantastic - "warm" rain, much better than snow/ice or arctic blasts. Here's hoping the pattern lasts for another 2 weeks!
Date: 2014-12-04
From: Davenport Gap shelter

To: Pecks Corner shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

12/4/14 - day 1461968.1 - Pecks Corner Shelter20.0 miles217.2 to goI climbed, climbed, climbed today, not reaching the high point until about 1:30 in the afternoon. I climbed all the way to 6300 feet at Mt Guyot, and there was NO SNOW. Well, maybe a little hiding in the darkest, coldest places. There was fog, mist, and a little rain, but I don't think the temp got below 40 degrees. I saw no one - that's two days in the Smokies and no other hikers. The photo is looking down on the TN side from Eagle Rocks, one of the many knife-edge ridges the trail follows along the crest of the Smokies.This shelter is pretty uncomfortable. The stone walls are damp and sweating moisture. There's a tarp over the open side that is trapping the wet air inside. A fire would be nice (there's a fireplace in all the shelters in the Smokies) but too much trouble and everything is soaked anyway. Besides, I'm exhausted.Tomorrow I have a shorter day planned, setting myself up to cross the highest point on the AT, Clingmans Dome, the day after.