morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2020-07-10
From: Wise Shelter

To: Lost Mt Shelter
Miles today: 17.5

2020 - Day 9Trail miles: 17.5Total miles: 18.9 (incl. 1 mi roundtrip to Mt Rogers)Total time: 11:05Speed: 1.7 mphCalories: 3216Elevation gain: 2782 (3604 Guthook)Elevation loss: 3720 (4721 Guthook) Weather: mostly cloudy, warm, breeze most of the time, rain storm late afternoon I slept well last night. I was up at 4:50 and out of camp at 6:50. It took longer to get out of camp because I washed up in Little Wilson Creek and I did a thorough job of foot maintenance. I saw several more ponies including another mare with foal. I had to take another detour this time because the trail was blocked by a long horn cow! This was one of two long horns.The vegetation is partially eaten down by the ponies and other livestock, leaving scrub that resembles that found near the treeline in New England. The rock type and shape of the boulders was also similar. In one area the trail went through a cave formed between two massive bouders.The clouds during the early morning were low preventing good long distance views. I took a side trail to the summit of Mt Rogers, the highest peak in VA. The summit was all spruce and hemlock, much like the peaks in New England. In Elk Garden I saw another sight that reminded me of New England. A line of maple trees were tapped with a tubing system to gather the sap needed to make maple syrup.I made quick work of the climb up to Whitetop Mt Road at over 5000 ft. I passed a gurgling spring. After a short walk through the woods I emerged in a bald below the summit ot Whitetop Mt. There was a rock outcrop called Buzzard Rock. The bald itself was light green and beautiful in the afternoon sun with the summit of Whiterock Mt to the north. There were stupendous views to the east, south, and west. There were mountains as far as the eye can see. These were the best views in VA. There were thunderheads building but none had coalesced into a storm.A little after 4 pm I started to hear thunder. I picked up the pace in hopes of getting to camp before the rain. I didn't make it. It was raining for the last 45 minutes into camp, however, not too hard. My shoes remained dry which was the most important thing.I'm at Lost Mt Shelter. There is one section hiker here as well as four college age kids out for a few days. The section hiker talks nonstop. I'm in my tent which I set up during a rainstorm. There is still tree rain falling as I write this entry.I saw only two thru hikers. Both will be flipping to Maine. There were multiple backpackers out for a few days and many day hikers.This is my last night out for this year.
Date: 2020-07-11
From: Lost Mt Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 16.2

2020 - Day 10Trail miles: 16.2Total miles: 16.1Total time: 8:25Speed: 1.9 mphCalories: 2316Elevation gain: 2444 (4275 Guthook) Elevation loss: 3822 (5741 Guthook)Weather: Low clouds up until about 10 am then becoming mostly sunny, pleasant temperatures, a breezeI slept well last night. There were more rain showers until sometime after midnight. I was up at 4:45 and on the trail at 6:10. My tent and rain jacket were still wet from the rain so had to put away as is.The hiking was mostly easy with two climbs. For a short distance the trail followed the Virginia Creeper Trail, an abandoned rail line that's been converted to a biking and walking trail. The AT climbed up to a ridge before dropping down to US 58 then climbing Cuckoo Knob. This was the last climb for this year and the last view.I was at the outskirts of Damascus at 2:20 then a quick one mile road walk into town where my car was parked. I was there at about 2:40. I was moving fast today because of a light pack and the pull of the car.I saw no thru hikers and 12 section hikers including an extended family of 10.Overall this was an outstanding trip this year. I had the best views in VA on day 9 from Buzzard Rock. Grayson Highlands with the ponies was great. Sunrise from Chestnut Knob was impressive. The New England like vegetation around Mt Rogers reminded me of home. I only got rained on twice and the temperatures were mostly comfortable. So far I've done 1721 miles from Mt. Kahtahdin in ten years. This leaves 470 miles to Springer Mountain in Georgia. I plan on continuing my journey south next year.
Date: 2021-07-02
From: Home

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I spent yesterday and today driving from home and taking care of logistics.  I'm now in Damascus VA. Early tomorrow morning I'll resume my hike south. The goal for this year is to hike 196 miles to Hot Springs, NC. From Guthook, there is also about 10 miles of elevation gain and loss. This should be a good workout! The area recieved sever inches of rain in the last few days. All the streams are raging, brown torrents. The sun is out now. The forecast for the next few days is good. I can't wait to hit the trail.
Date: 2021-07-03
From: Damascus, VA

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 18.7

2021- Day 1Trail miles: 18.7Total miles: 19.0Total time: 10:02Speed: 1.9 mphCalories: 3778Elevation gain: 4662 ( Guthook)Elevation loss: 2759 ( Guthook) Weather: Partly cloudy, very comfortable temperature, a breeze most of the timeGoodbye Virginia, hello Tennessee I slept well at the Dancing Bear Inn. I was up at 5 am and on the trail at 6 am. Several miles south of Damascus I crossed the VA/TN state line. After three seasons of hiking in VA, it was good to enter a new state.The trail today was easy. I was at Abington Gap Shelter before 11 am. I had lunch south of the forest road at an abandoned log shelter at 11:30.The trail was almost all in the woods. There was just one view to the northeast about 1.6 miles north of Double Springs Shelter. I arrived at the shelter at 4 PM. This is the earliest I've made it to my intended campsite in years. The spring is 100 ft from the shelter with a good flow. Snoopy, a section hiker from South Carolina, is here. He is going NOBO and is out for three days.Other than Snoopy I saw two long distance NOBO section hikers (Willy, who is a splitting image of Willy Nelson including two pony tails, and Little Bird), two out for a run, and a couple taking a walk with their dogs.The only wildlife today was a squirrel and several raptors.
Date: 2021-07-04
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 1758.7ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 
Miles today: 17.8

2021- Day 2Trail miles: 17.8Total miles: 18.6Total time: 11:41Speed: 1.7 mphCalories: 1991 (This is too low. The heart rate monitor was registering way low today)Elevation gain: 4642 (3510 Guthook)Elevation loss: 5360 (4605 Guthook) Weather: partly cloudy, warmer than yesterday but still comfortable, a breeze at times, no rainI was up at about 5:15 today after a good night's sleep. I chatted some more with Snoopy. He is an electrical engineer who works for a manufacturing company.Today was mostly hiking in the woods. In the early part of the morning the trail passed through a pasture with cows. This was followed by the only road crossing of the day. After this, the trail followed a ridge. There were just a few places with limited views to the east. I had lunch at the spring and campsite at mile 1751.6. I refilled on water at the spring at 1754.4. It was flowing strong. I'm camped at mile 1757.4. There is a spot with room for just one tent. I saw two groups of section hikers. The first was a Mennonite or Amish family. The mother and three teenage daughters had ankle length dresses and head scarfs. The father was neatly trimmed, i.e., no long beard. They were out for just over 200 miles. In prior years they'd hiked from Springer Mt. The other was a couple from NC that are pecking away at the trail in sections. No wildlife today.I had planned to camp at the spring at mile 1754.4 but there were no suitable sites. There was a great site 0.2 north of the spring but I wasn't going to hike back to that. A comment in Guthook suggested that there was a site 0.9 south of the spring at an overlook but it wasn't suitable. I kept going until a found a site that was workable.It is going to be hot tonight. I'm just lying on top of my sleeping bag.
Date: 2021-07-05
From: Campsite at mile 1758.7ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 14.3

2021- Day 3Destination: Dennis Cove RoadTrail miles: 14.3Total miles: 16.0Total time: 10:06Speed: 1.6 mphCalories: 3033Elevation gain: 7060 (5446 Guthook)Elevation loss: 7293 ( 5138 Guthook) Weather: Mostly sunny, hot and humid, only an occasional breeze I slept well last night. I just slept in my sleeping bag liner. Early in the night that was too hot. By the early morning I was just a tad cold.I was up at 5:05 and was hiking south at 6:35, This was 90 minutes to get out of camp which is par for the course.First I hiked down to Wilber Dam Road. There was another campsite 0.5 miles south of the one I was in. It was nicer than the one I was had chosen. There was another campsite before the road.I crossed Watauga Dam, an earth/rock dam. There was a hydroelectric station connected to the reservoir by a tunnel. There was a glory hole spillway to pass high flows. The dam was constructed from 1942 to 1949. Today the reservoir was high as evidenced by submerged trees around the perimeter. This was most likely due to the rains last Thursday and Friday.The trail skirted the reservoir for a mile or two then the real work of the day began, a 1700 ft climb up Pond Mountain. I had lunch at the unofficial campsite at the top. The spring serval-tenths of a mile below the top was flowing strong. Next was a long drop down to the Laurel Fork. The trail along the Fork was very rocky with significant ups and downs.Laurel Fall was SPECTACULAR. It was by far the best waterfall on the AT. The river was high due to the rains so that added to the magnificence. After that there was a long rock staircase up to an old railroad grade which brought me to Dennis Cove Road. At one point the railroad grade emerged from a rock cut then into nothingness. There must have been a trestle across the river. The trial picked up on the grade after a short detour across the stream. Once I reached Dennis Cove Road, it was going to be a 0.6 mile road walk to the Black Bear Resort but the owner was driving by at the perfect time and picked me up. I'm now relaxing on the porch of my cabin listening to a small stream. I hope to get a very early start tomorrow.Today I saw one woman doing a random section hike, two women out for three days, and two people out for a day hike. There were lots of day hikers near Laurel Fork and the falls.No wildlife today.
Date: 2021-07-06
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Campsite at mile 1793.8
Miles today: 21.8

2021- Day 4Destination: Campsite at mile 1793.8Trail miles: 21.8 (plus 0.6 mile road walk from Black Bear Resort)Total miles: 21.9Total time: 12:38Speed: 1.7 mphCalories: 4201Elevation gain: 9488 (6608 Guthook)*Elevation loss: 8845 (5630 Guthook)**Note: Usually the cumulative elevation gain and loss from my Garmin watch is less than given by Guthook. I'm not sure why they are reversed today.Weather: Sunny, hot, humidI had a good night's sleep in my cabin. I sleep better in a real bed than in my tent - less tossing and turning. I got up at 4:30 and was walking down the road at 5:45. After a 0.6 mile road walk I was at the Dennis Cove Trailhead at 6:00, as planned.Today was mostly hiking through the forest. The forests are mostly mature hardwoods with some evergreens. Some trees are over 200 ft tall. In many areas there is little undergrowth because the giants are catching all the sun.The geology has changed to hard metamorphic rocks resulting in some major boulders and some limited exposed ledges. The latter gave a few views.I had lunch at the Upper Laurel Fork campsite near a small cascade. Later I passed by Mountaineer Falls.I was hiking strong all day which was necessary since I had lots of miles to cover. I'll need to do the same tomorrow.I passed a few NOBO section hikers: father and son, a threesome, a solo woman, and a solo guy who passed my campsite when I was eating dinner. There were also a couple of people breaking camp a few miles south of Dennis Fork Road.For wildlife I saw a turkey and a squirrel. I saw many deer tracks in muddy areas.I'm camped at an excellent campsite at mile 1793.8. This is about 0.2 miles north of Campbell Hollow Road. I can just see some homes through the trees. I can hear people mowing their lawns, vehicles, etc.It is going to be a hot night. I hope to get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2021-07-07
From: Campsite at mile 1793.8

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.8

2021- Day 5Destination: Roan High Knob ShelterTrail miles: 20.3Total miles: 20.8Total time: 13:15Speed: 1.6 mphCalories: 2601Elevation gain: 6059 (7464 Guthook)Elevation loss: 3959 (4747 Guthook) Weather: High, thin overcast for much of day, some sun, comfortable temperatures, a breeze on the bald, a few drops of rain at 3 pmI was up at 4:30 and on the trail at 6:00. This was a long day: 13.25 hrs, 20.3 miles, and lots of elevation gain. I'm beat so only a short entry.The highlights today were all the balds I crossed including Hump Mountain, Little Hump Mountain, and Jane Bald. There were mountains as far as the eye could see. Truly outstanding - this is why I hike. At the high elevations the hardwood forests with lots of oaks gave way to pure stands of maple. There were birch in a few areas. At the highest elevations were spruce-fir forests. I saw several Gray's Lillies which are very rare and found in only a few places. There were a multitude of day hikers and short distance backpackers, and a few long distance section hikers. There was a summer camp group with 20 boys out for about 15 days.For wildlife I saw deer and rabbits. I'm camped near the Roan High Knob Shelter. With an elevation of 6186 this is the highest shelter on the AT. The shelter was a log cabin that I assume was for the lookout at the fire tower what was on the knob. The cabin was very dark and dank so I chose my tent. The water source was flowing good. I'm the only one here but I can hear people noises through the woods.Today I crossed the 1800 miles completed mark!
Date: 2021-07-08
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.6

2021- Day 6Destination: Cherry Gap Shelter Trail miles: 17.6Total miles: 17.7Total time: 10:58Speed: 1.6 mphCalories: 2849Elevation gain: 3192 (4377 Guthook)Elevation loss: 5416 (6581 Guthook) Weather: mostly cloudy, three rain storms, comfortable temperatures I was up at 5:30 and on the trail at 7:10. Someone did stay in the shelter last night as I saw a headlamp just after my alarm went off.There were three rainstorms today. The timing for the first on was perfect as it started a little after 12 noon as I arrived at the Clyde Smith Shelter for lunch. I kept dry as I ate lunch. The rain stopped by the time I was ready to get back on the trail. The second was about 2 pm. I just put on my raingear and kept hiking. The last one was just after I got my tent set up. I filtered water in the pouring rain. I cooked my dinner under the cover of the shelter. I saw many red efts today. These are orange newts. In some spots I could see three at once. A young deer bolted through the campsite during the last downpour. There is evidence of people's prior use of this land. There are the remains of barbed wire fences especially at the TN/NC border, long abandoned apple orchards, and woods roads. One bulldozer trail cutting across a steep hillside at a very steep angle, combined with the upward sloping trail that I was on momentarily caused me to loose track of which way was vertical. I had to close my eyes for a moment to regain equilibrium. This was the same effect as optical illusions that are created to make it look like water is flowing up hill. For people I saw a local trail chapter work crew, several section hikers (grandfather and granddaughter, Rip as in Rip Van Winkle, and a husband and wife).I'm tenting near the Cherry Gap Shelter. There is a crowd here, maybe 10 total. It is after 9 pm, hiker midnight, it is time for sleep.
Date: 2021-07-09
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Nolochucky Hostel
Miles today: 17.2

2021- Day 7Trail miles: 17.2Total miles: 17.1Total time: 9:22Speed: 1.8 mphCalories: 2464Elevation gain: 3116 (4094 Guthook)Elevation loss: 5528 (6375 Guthook) Weather: cloudy, becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon, comfortable temperatures, a few light rain showers There were at least two significant rainstorms during the night. I was mostly dry in my tent but there was a little splash from big rain drops that found their way into the tent. Despite the rain, I slept well.I got up at 5 am and was on the trail at 6:30. The tent was soaked but there was no choice but to roll it up as is.For most of the morning I was hiking through low clouds. There was a big climb to Unaka Mountain (elevation 5,180). The top was a pure spruce forest. I went through an area where the trail was overgrown with grass and weeds. They were soaking wet. It was like walking through a car wash. My boots were full of water. At times it was very breezy. I wonder if this was lingering aftereffects of Hurricane Elsa. By lunchtime I'd already done 10 miles, thus I was making great time.By afternoon the weather started to clear and the sun came out at times. I met a woman from Eustis, Maine who is section hiking NOBO with her niece. I arrived at Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel at 4 pm. I unpacked all my wet gear. It's 8 pm and am still working on drying things out. I ordered Domino's delivery for dinner. I saw two NOBOs who are doing a thru hike. They will flip up to Maine at some point. A guy at the hostel (Ursa) will be doing the same thing. I saw a few other section hikers. There are several section hikers at the hostel. I spent quite a bit of time talking to Ticker who hopes to make it to Harper's Ferry this year.No wildlife today.
Date: 2021-07-10
From: Uncle Johnny's Nolochucky Hostel

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.8

2021- Day 8Destination: Bald Mountain ShelterTrail miles: 16.8Total miles: 17.3Total time: 11:30Speed: 1.5 mphCalories: 3359Elevation gain: 5980 (7847 Guthook)Elevation loss: 2877 (4518 Guthook) Weather: partly sunny in the morning to partly cloudy in the afternoon, comfortable temperatures, a breeze at times, rainstorm with thunder in the distance from 5 to 6 pmI got up at 5 am. It took me a while to get my gear organized, in part because my cabin was so small and most of my stuff was spread out drying. I got on the trail at 6:50.The first order of business was climbing the switchbacks out of the Nolichucky Valley. Part way up there were some views of the valley which was still filled with clouds. Once out of the valley, the trail contoured around the hillsides for miles. The trail miles were probably twice the straight line distance as the trail dipped into all the gullies.By midafternoon I'd made a long climb to High Rocks (elevation 4280). There were some views of the valley and a gathering storm. Just after High Rocks I saw two does. They were not scared of me. I got some pictures. Next was a drop down and then more climbing to over 5000 ft. The whole time I could hear thunder. I was trying to get over Little Bald (elevation 5220) before the storm hit. I just made it. I hiked the last mile to the shelter in the rain. The rain had eased off by the time got to the shelter. I'm staying in the shelter because of the rain still dripping off the trees. There is one couple in the shelter with me. There are two women tenting.I saw multiple people backpacking and a trail runner. One woman from Adams MA (Low Range) is out for 100 days. There are more women than men on the trial this year. Other than the two does, I just saw squirrels today.
Date: 2021-07-11
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mt Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

2021- Day 9Trail miles: 18.9Total miles: 19.2Total time: 12:17Speed: 1.6 mphCalories: 3121Elevation gain: 4806 (5138 Guthook)Elevation loss: 6459 (6677 Guthook) Weather: sunny, comfortable temperatures with a breeze in the morning, partly cloudy, warmer with a few showers in the afternoon I slept in until 5:30 in deference to the others in the shelter. I was on the trail at 6:45. By 7:30 I was on Big Bald. The views were magnificent. The bald was completely open. The clouds were still filling the valleys. Some clouds were blowing over the top of the bald. It was magical. After that it was a long descent to Sam's Gap and I-26. In the parking lot, a family getting ready for a day hike gave me an apple, the first trail magic in years. I had a late lunch at the Hogback Ridge Selter. The family who had given me the trail magic was there.I had 8.8 miles to go to my intended stopping point for the day. Thus, I had to keep moving. There were was one area with views. I got some good pictures of the gathering storm clouds. There were a few light rain showers. My legs are getting tired from many long days with no short or rest days, but I'm almost done for this year.I saw a turtle on the trail. He was SOBO just like me.I saw one pair of NOBO section hikers (father and son) and three solo section hikers. There were many day hikers out of Sam's Gap.I'm at the Flint Mt Shelter. I'm sleeping in the shelter. I'm the only one here. I had Good To Go Three Bean Chili for dinner. That one is a keeper. It's 9:20 and time for sleep.
Date: 2021-07-12
From: Flint Mt Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 1902.8
Miles today: 18.2

2021- Day 10Destination: Campsite at mile 1902.8Trail miles: 18.2Total miles: 18.2Total time: 10:45Speed: 1.7 mphCalories: 3068Elevation gain: 4527 (4324 Guthook)Elevation loss: 5597 (5379 Guthook) Weather: partly cloudy, comfortable temperatures, a breeze most of the day, a few drops of rain at 4:30It took me a while to fall asleep last night due to the accumulated aches and pains of nine days on the trail each with big miles and no days off.I got up a 5:15 and was on the trail at 6:45. The first order of business was a climb to the top of Big Butt Mountain (elevation 4815). Yes, that is its name. There were a few grassy areas where their could have been views, but the clouds were rising up out of the valleys so I was partially in the fog.After a short down and up, the trial passed over a series of ledges with views of a major, broad valley in TN to the west and seemingly endless mountains in NC to the east. The trail was very tricky with significant rock scrambling. This was the highlight of the day. There were also some ripe blueberries - yum!After that the trail skirted Camp Creek Bald on a moderately rocky trail. The trail transitioned to a mostly easy descent to Allen Gap. I'm camped about 0.6 miles north of the gap. The guides did not indicate a campsite in the area but there are often unofficial campsites near major road crossings or at the top of ridges. The map showed that both were checked off. Thus, my intuition was correct and I'm at a well used site.Today I saw three solo NOBO section hikers and a camp group with about a dozen girls who were out for a week.When you are on the trail a common question to ask is "How long are you out for?" This is the exact opposite of what you'd ask someone in prison: "How long are you in for?" The freedom of being on the trail is indeed the exact opposite of being confined in prison. No notable wildlife today.I crossed the 1900 mile mark today. I had Helen's Choice African Peanut Stew for dinner. It is worth having again.This is my last night out for this year. If all goes well, when I make a similar entry next year, it will be the night before summiting Springer Mountain and completing the AT.