morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-03-19
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 1111.5/81.4Muskrat CreekTentWell, I guess the big event for the day was crossing the NC/GA border. North Carolina welcomed us with a steep climb up Couthouse Bald. Yes I spelled that right if the guidebook is correct.Threatened rain all day, but didn't turn into much. Might rain tonight though. Georgia spoiled us with good weather and well groomed trails. The next couple hundred are a little tougher.Tonight is the first time we have had to hang our food bags. The biggest challenge is finding a suitable tree. I'm sharing mine with Voodoo and Caboose, who have a lot of food.The weather is expected to turn colder over the next couple of days. At least I can finally use some of this cold weather gear but I will surely miss the mild weather we have had so far.I got out of my tent at midnight to mark some territory, remembering a scene from this camp ten years ago. A short moonlight walk over the small hill to the west and it was still there. A beautiful lit up valley far below us surrounded by dark mountains.
Date: 2016-03-20
From: Muskrat Creek

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Day 12Carter Gap12.5/93.9TentAs I write the sky is raining white diping dots. Plain flavored I'm sure. It was cooler this morning and seemed to grow colder during the day. At least it didn't rain. Snow is just easier to deal with. However, tomorrow we climb Albert mountain and I kinda hope it's not icy.Hiking in cold is good. Camping not too bad as long as I'm wrapped in my bag. Now... Getting up tomorrow in 20 something degrees. Probably sleep in like I did this morning. I left camp at a pitiful 10 AM, but even with the 12.5 mile day I'm snug in my tent at 18:30.Although it was a nice hike, the day was uneventful. I am tired, but surprisingly feel pretty good. I say surprising because usually my feet are killing me by now. I have taken two Tylenol this entire hike and that's it. Those were on the first day. Somehow it's different this year, but I am not ready to say why for sure.
Date: 2016-03-21
From: Carter Gap

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light snow

Day 1312.1/106.0Rock GapTentWell it got pretty cold last night. Somewhere in the lower 20s. I did fine in my bag with a liner and woolies, but I sure didn't want to get up this morning. The wind blew hard all night and we had an inch of snow on the ground this morning. I was seriously considering taking a tent zero, but finally I checked the weather and saw that it would be sunny and 40, so I packed up and started another 12 mile day.Albert mountain was the big event today. A steep, but not especially technical rock scramble. The view from the top was spectacular. I didn't climb the fire tower. The view was nice enough from the base.Met another trail journalist today. El Tejano, sorry I might have misspelled that. A lot of new people because of the two twelve milers and most my my trail friends stopped short the last two nights. Oh yeah, we passed the 100 mile mark today. And happy spring by the way.It promises to be another cold night. But tomorrow is a town day. Franklin NC for laundry, shower and cheeseburger.
Date: 2016-03-22
From: Rock Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 14Winding Stair Gap3.8/109.8HostelA pre-dawn alarm and pack up put me on the trail this morning with a headlamp for twenty minutes or so. Frigid morning, but not as cold as yesterday. I watched the sun come up as I hiked and enjoyed the peacefulness of the cold morning on my way to the gap.I thought I was early for the 9:20 shuttle provided by Mr Ron Haven, who owns multiple hiker accommodations in Franklin. It was 8:20 when I reached the gap. As I stepped out of the woods a van pulled up an Ron himself stepped out and asked if I was headed to town. He had just stopped by on his way in. He no longer owns the Sapphire Inn, but he has created a hostel right across from the Budget Inn, which he owns. So, as I enter my hobbit sized private accommodation I see Ron loading up the shuttle with hikers for the run up to Winding Stair Gap. Yay, I'm ahead of the laundry rush and I feel clean too.Mosey on down the street and stepped into a coffee shop where Gramps was waiting for his wife to show up. His section hike is done, so we chatted a while about the trail. Said goodbyes and I moseyed on down the street to the Lazy Hiker brewery, where they have a great IPA named Slack Pack. Don't know anyone here at the moment so maybe I'll come back later after my resupply.Ok meanwhile, later in the day met a few more Thrus including a girl from Scotland (Super T) and a cool character from Germany (Spike) , who could tell me AT lore that I have never heard, like a haunted shelter in Virginia. Ohhh yeah, I'm stayin there Hey, here's a shout out to my friends at Eaton Vehicle (if they still call it that) and a song suggested by my long time friend Mike Chamberlin ~Fred Bear T Nugent. Back in the wild... Where I belong!
Date: 2016-03-23
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 15Wayah Bald Shelter11.0/120.8Tent Hit the trail at 9:30 with a shuttle courtesy of Mr Ron Haven after a restful night in the hostel. A few of us accepted the ride and excellent pancake breakfast from the First Baptist Church. Last year it was a full house, but this year only eight of us.The day was once again clear, so El Tijano, Tall One and I climbed the side trail up to Siler bald for the amazing 360 degree view. Albert mountain fire tower was a tiny spec in the distance.Likewise, the view from Wayah bald was excellent. Only seven of us here tonight, but it is only quarter to five. I'm sure more will arrive before dark.Storms may be coming in tomorrow. We'll see. Eleven miles didn't seem so bad today, even though most of it was up hill. It's getting so I don't freeze up when I sit down for a few minutes. Not a bad day. Pretty good actually and Hey! They had spam in Franklin, so I'm a happy camper.
Date: 2016-03-24
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 16Wesser Bald Shelter10.6/131.4TentFor the first time since I began this hike the shelter is full. Now why would you suppose that is? I made it into camp an hour before the rain came in. Looks like we might have some big storms tonight. I've got a nice flat campsite and I'm just enjoying the peace I find while in my tent during a rain storm. It's 4:30 in the afternoon.Looking back at this morning, I was being lazy in my tent after a pretty good nights rest. Probably should have crawled out a little earlier, but I knew I didn't have a long day. Wesser bald observation tower was along the route today. But before that, as I dropped into Tellico gap I met 2014 Thru Hiker and trail journalist I Believe doing trail magic and she offered me a much appreciated Mountain Dew! Really made the day kind of special.The NOC is booked for tomorrow, so I'm gonna do kind of a weird day. Move my camp to the next shelter and scoot in for resupply and a cheeseburger then backtrack a mile to camp. Skips the shower and the laundry, but it's only three more days to Fontana and I want to arrive on Monday when the Post Office is open.
Date: 2016-03-25
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1712.6/144.0Sassafras Gap ShelterShelterYep, first night in a shelter. Totally unplanned, didn't even expect to be here tonight, but one thing led to another and here I am.So today I started at 4092 ft, dropped to 1732 and climbed back up to 4391 ft, but not before I had a cheeseburger a beer and a pint of ice cream at the NOC.Then I was gonna go to the first water source, but it was dry. Then the second source was dry as well. Finally the third spring had some water. Of course by the time I got there this shelter was not all that far away. So here I am, rolling in at 6:45, cause as usual I was late getting up. The tent sites were all taken so I took a spot in the shelter.Charging phone tonight, so I'll cut this short.
Date: 2016-03-26
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 12.0

Day 1812.0/156.0Cody GapTentWell, two rough days back to back. Started out today with a climb up to Cheoah Bald. Great views, but with a long way to go I didn't linger. No cheeseburger today, but there was some great trail magic at Stecoah gap, which offered a great break right before the wickedest climb of the day. A ham and cheese sandwich and a can of soda really hit the spot. Now, ya know when a hill has a name it's not going to be easy. Jacobs ladder is only 600 feet, but it is very steep and after yesterday's long climb I'm pretty tired. So lots of steep ups and downs today. Tomorrow is a shorter day as we arrive in Fontana. I'll be sharing a room at the lodge with a hiker I recently met named NesQuick. It will be five days since a shower, so that's gonna be nice.I'm in good spirits and I feel pretty good. No serious foot pain yet, which is a definite improvement over last year. I'm tired, but that is to be expected given the difficult terrain.
Date: 2016-03-27
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam Road
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 198.7/164.2Fontana LodgeHotelAnother beautiful cloud walk as we traverse the foothills leading up to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. NesQuick and I are sharing a room at the Fontana Lodge, so we hiked down into the valley together. The descent took a couple hours. Everyone was complaining about their knees after that one. The trail is in good shape, but it was about 2000 feet down into the valley.As we arrived at Fontana dam road, a fellow who was waiting for some other hikers offered us a ride to the lodge. What a nice gesture, that saved us the wait and the cost of the shuttle.Earlier in the day I Believe's husband Jimmy was doing some trail magic at a road crossing. Such nice people. They are staying here at the lodge tonight, as are several of our thru hiker friends.The post office has very short hours here 11:45-3:45 so I have a small dilemma since my bounce box is here. May start out late, or may spend another night.
Date: 2016-03-28
From: Fontana Dam Road

To: Fontana Dam Road
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Day 200/164.2Fontana LodgeHotelWell, NesQuick and I opted to take a zero day, which made the mail run a whole lot simpler. Of course in my own dopey way, I made it more complex by sending the bounce box to the lodge. I had forgotten my decision to do that, which lead me dowwwwnnn to the Post Office only to discover my box was not there. Fortunately the gaiters Beth had ordered from REI were there, so the trip was not wasted. So baaaccckk uuuup to the lodge, to see if I sent it there. Yep. Was here all along.Still, the zero feels good and I am ready for the six night trek across the park, where we are required to sleep in the shelters, unless there is no space. With luck I will have a couple of those nights in my tent, but the trail doesn't seem all that crowded.Zero days early in the hike help a lot with tissue recovery. Relaxing, drinking and eating healthy food like salads and generally letting our bodies rest. It's a good thing. At least that is what we tell ourselves, when inside we feel the urge to put more miles behind us Depending on the service availability this may be the last post for a few days. The weather ahead looks good for the most part, but we do expect one or two days of storms. Should drop out of the Smokies next Monday. Looking forward to dropping out of the high country and seeing those trilliums in Davenport gap.Later in the day, Tall One and his wife Brenda invited NesQuick and I to dinner in Bryson City, and we all enjoyed a drive through the mountains and a fantastic dinner at Jimmy Mac's restaurant. Tomorrow I will move a day ahead of Tall One so our trio of El Tejano, Tall One and myself will be spread out over three days. Time will tell if we are all together in one place again. Such is the nature of the AT.
Date: 2016-03-29
From: Fontana Dam Road

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 21Mollies Ridge Shelter12.6/177.3ShelterOur entry to the Smokies came on a beautiful clear day with sun and cool breezes. We started back at NC28 right where we left off, opting not to do the short slack pack yesterday from the marina to the dam. So we hiked about an hour around the lake, past the Fontana Hilton shelter, where we stopped and talked to Rue for a while.The shelter is full tonight, with a couple of people tenting. It is chilling down quite a bit. Could be a cold night.Most of the day was climbing out of the valley. Then a little bit of ups and downs. This year I took the side trip up to the Shuckstack fire tower. Great views on such a clear day. Not sure the pictures will be all that great, but I will post at least one.
Date: 2016-03-30
From: Millies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 2212.0/189.3Derrick's Knob ShelterShelterA long tough day of sawtooth ups and downs. The first half was easy, but the last six tried our resolve. Up and over Rocky Top, Thunderhead @5527 ft and a dozen nameless climbs and named but waterless gaps.Magnificent views and the weather was nice, even if a little windy. Pretty much the same group of hikers tonight. There is a spring break group here, but they opted to use their tents. Technically they can all claim a spot and bump the thru hikers, but I guess they want to tent.Our weather Intel says it's going to storm tonight. And rain all day tomorrow. Possible rain the next day as well, but then the sun will come back. It always does.Either way, my plan calls for a short day tomorrow. That'll be nice.
Date: 2016-03-31
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 23Double Spring Gap Shelter7.4/196.7tentThe wind blew noisily all night, flapping the tarp enclosing the shelter loud enough to keep me awake.Today was supposed to be a rainy, windy day. Well it certainly was windy, but we hiked under the threat of rain all morning. Arriving at Siler's Bald shelter, I checked my radar and it appeared that a huge storm was bearing down on us, so we decided to wait it out before moving the last 1.7 miles to this shelter. Well, we waited. FOB, Stitch, Deadwood, NesQuick and myself. Being a little chilled we started a fire.   Not much wood around, but we did warm up for about a hour. The radar plot showed the storm moving along a line parallel to our ridge. Finally we decided to chance it. Fastest 1.7 miles I have hiked to date. Well, OK, I made it fifteen minutes before the storm. Stopping momentarily for my traditional photo on top of Siler's Bald. It's 2:30 and all of our Smokies Troop is dry and jolly behind the tarp. Pretty good for a day that was supposed to be 100% rain. After tonight and I will call it half way through the park. Tomorrow we will pass Clingman's Dome. Unfortunately, the weather report isn't favorable. If it was expected to be clear I would get up early. OK prolly not At 7 PM three hikers with reservations showed up to the already full shelter. Since I was last one in, I gave up my space and happily set up my tent
Date: 2016-04-01
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.4

Day 24Newfound Gap10.4/207.1HotelLast night was a series of unfortunate events. The full shelter, the storm, the late arrivals. I was sitting on my sleeping pad when there came a loud pop! Like a balloon exploding. $#!+ That can't be good. A baffle had come apart in the pad so instead of two nice comfy bumps I had one big ole humpty bump just off to one side.As I moved to my tent, giving up my shelter space to a guy who needed it more than I did, I managed to sleep around the bump. Actually decent sleep, but at 1 AM the real storm came in. I thought it looked like a good spot but the ground was saturated. A combination of things worked against me and as I began packing my stuff. I noticed a puddle under my pad. A PUDDLE! AAaRrrGggHhh! No puddles allowed! Anything that wasn't in a dry sack was wet. My tent was wet from the storm, my pad was wet all underneath. Rats!As I sat there collecting my thoughts, stopping to access the situation. Calmly minding my own business POP! Yep, a second baffle had given way. Exped-Winterlite: Don't buy it. Epic Fail! $#!+So against my hike plan to cross the park in six uninterrupted days, here I sit in Gatlinburg. More than a little annoyed, but more resolved than ever to see this hike thru. Hey, here's a song recommended by my daughter Elle, with a shout out to all four of them. Brooke, Morgan, Michelle and Jennifer. All my hiker friends hear about my four daughters. Cecilia and the Satelite Andrew McMahon
Date: 2016-04-02
From: Newfound Gap

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 25Peck's Corner Shelter10.6/217.3ShelterThanks to trail angels Mountain Momma and Godspeed I was back on the trail at Newfound Gap by 10:30 this morning. Super nice people who provide a much needed support to hikers.Lots of day hikers for the first four miles because of the Icewater Spring Shelter and Charlie's Bunyan view point being within range. It was fun to pass them going up hill as they huffed and puffed. Guess I was well fueled and feeling good. That's a good thing because it was cold today. I didn't even stop for lunch. Not hungry after an AYCE breakfast.Only three people in the shelter when I arrived at 3:30. Don't know any of them. One old fellow is in blue jeans. Prolly not a thru hiker Today's hike was one of my favorite stretches in the park. Lots of knife edge trails with broad views on either side. I recorded a movie of one, so when I am in Hot Springs I'll try and put it on YouTube.Gonna get cold tonight, so I guess I'll cook early and crawl into my bag. First night on the new pad. Hope it goes well.
Date: 2016-04-03
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 26Cosby Knob Shelter12.6/229.9ShelterAnother sunny but windy and cold day. We woke up to 21 degrees. Everybody was nursing cold fingers, while packing up. I was snug in my bag and not inclined to change that. I had crawled in and prepared for cold at 5 PM... At 8:30 this morning I was still in the bag with a determination to remain until 9. I almost made it, but by 8:55 I realized I was alone in the shelter. I reluctantly unzipped my bag and packed up.The hike was pretty nice. Lots of views minor ups and lots of gradual downs. The little rivulets of water from yesterday had turned to ice, so some walking took great care to avoid slipping.Mid day I passed the old heli pad, a couple of concrete slabs with a great view. So I took a little nap on the warm slab.It's gonna be another cold night, but tomorrow I will be out of the park, so bring it. Glad to be leaving the high country for a while.
Date: 2016-04-04
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 2710.6/240.6Standing Bear FarmHostelI set my alarm for 06:30 and was in the trail at 07:00. That alarm came mighty early, cause some dude pulled into the shelter after dark and snored loudly all night. I mean, this guy snored loudly all night. I never heard anyone who continued to snore after rolling over. It was industrial strength too. I will sleep well tonight. Nuf said.Standing Bear Farm is a classic hostel. Great place to relax after the somewhat stressful traverse of the Smokies. I got in at about 11:30 after the long descent from the high country. It is sunny and warm here. And the trees are in bloom.They have WiFi but poor phone reception. Hand wringer laundry and a moldering privy. Small scale resupply, but Hot Springs is only two days away. Feelin good, feet don't hurt, cold soda in hand. All is well.
Date: 2016-04-05
From: Standing Bear Farm

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

Day 28Roaring Fork Shelter15.1/255.7TentLeft Standing Bear at 08:30 for my first 15 mile day. The brisk morning air made the climb out pleasant, countering the heat generated by the exertion. I'm sure I will look back at these cool days with longing when the weather gets humid.The trail was beautiful today. Although it was mostly up hill, the trail was well graded and well maintained. A sharp contrast to the Smokies, where several trees were across the trail and sometimes the trail was simply a steep dry creek bed. Anyway, the trail today made the miles go easy. We crossed both Snowbird and Max Patch balds today. Since the sky was clear, the views were spectacular. And as if that was not enough to make it an excellent day, fellow thru hikers Baha and With Cooper were doing cheeseburger trail magic just below Max Patch.We've been enjoying a fire tonight and listening to hounds bark in the distance. Tomorrow is another 15 mile day. Hope it is like today.
Date: 2016-04-06
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

Day 2914.8/270.5Deer Park ShelterTentToday's hike went well, nice weather, nice trail. Nothing particularly interesting, like Max Patch, but we can't have that every day. I did the hike in just under eight hours, so I'm averaging almost 2 mph. I can say with confidence that I now have my trail legs. Feet hurt a little after two consecutive 15 mile days, but nothing serious. I did a trail leg test that I made up on the spot and passed. OK, go out and climb a 500 foot hill. No problem, right. So now do it with a 18 lb pack without stoping. Still with me? K. Now do it with pack without stoping and keep your mouth closed tightly. That's right, nose breathing only. And don't forget to smile Trail legs baby! Buff n Tuff.Hot Springs tomorrow, yay! Cause I smell really bad, as do ALL of my clothes. Might need to shower, do laundry, wash, rinse repeat. Before even trying for a cheeseburger. This is a small 6 person shelter. Full of course. 100% chance of rain tonight. Guess I'll be drying my tent out in town tomorrow.
Date: 2016-04-07
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 3.2

Day 303.2/273.7Hot SpringsLaughing Heart HostelOne month on the trail, Hot Springs NC, perfect. The storm came in last night about midnight. I had been watching it come across TN on my radar. Rained hard for several hours, but to my sheer joy, the tent stayed dry as a bone and even the rain fly was dry by the time I left the tent at 7:30. What could make a hiker more pleased with his gear than a dry tent after a storm.I have a room at the hostel, which is great! Getting some serious laundry done. Even stuff I don't normally wash, like my inflatable pillow. Nasty dirty it was. Next up, you guessed it CHEESEBURGER time!After the two back to back 15 mile days my feet were tender, but the feeling dissipated during the night. Still very happy on that score. Lots of factors go into that equation; great boots, highly regimented mileage build up, cutting back on sugar. However, I am now convinced that the turmeric is the primary reason. I have not taken any ibuprofen at all, nor naproxen. A couple of Tylenol, six in all. Facebook time at the library, coffee shop chillin with trail friends, what a great trail town. The best thing about it is that all the services a hiker needs and wants is actually on the AT. Ok, resupply is 10 feet to the west, but we can bend that rule a little. A shout out to Bon Bon GA-ME 2015, with a song she suggested that I listen to whenever I have battery to spare. Great version and video The Sound of Silence by the band Disturbed.