morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-03-26
From: Fontana Dam (Fontana Dam, NC)

To: Fontana Dam (Fontana Dam, NC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Very solid night's sleep. Had to take another shower in the morning, 'cause I could! Off to the restaurant's Hungry Hiker breakfast. Other times I'd have a take home box. Not here! Had the usual zero day of finding resupply (food), laundry, a little lunch, journaling, etc. Really a nice resort. The lobby, as you can see, is quite welcoming and cozy. Lots of hikers hanging out here since it's where cell signal is best. Rooms are nice as well. Slow now in off season but lots of cabins, pools, play areas. Also caters to weddings and gatherings. In middle of moving about I lost my phone cord. Argghh! So unlike me. The store (another trip down the hill!) had a replacement. Actually worked out well. New cord lighter and can charge my backup battery and phone at same time. Flex check! Shirt sleeve weather, sprinkling of rain on and off but generally sunny.Ran into Crocs. He is now Sky, since crocs didn't fit properly and so abandoned that idea.Ran into the Brit Boys (Tea Bag and Big Style)in the lodge. Said that cold morning I left them they had to boil water to get stakes out of frozen ground.Left shin is a bit tight, so I used afternoon to ice that and my knees. Ahhh! Great stay, again a recharge before back on trail.Plan to stop in Gatlinburg in a couple of days. Onward at 8:30am tomorrow-first shuttle.
Date: 2017-03-27
From: Fontana Dam (Fontana Dam, NC)

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

Thought it was going to be a tough sleep night. Neighboring room going strong at 10:30pm. But earplugs and Motrin and it was OK. Wanted to slam doors and turn up TV in morning. But ... didn't go there. Was showered and ready before restaurant opened so sat in that beautiful lobby and had free coffee. Had internet so read GR Press and emails. What a magical half hour! In restaurant when open to have Hungry Hiker special-2 bacon, 2 sausage, 2 pancakes, a biscuit, a hash brown patty with dipping ketchup and a big pile of scrambled eggs. Ready for day! The hiker I ate with called city food- weak food. I guess implying backpacking food is - tough food. I like it all! Saw the Fontana Dam -a civil engineering beauty built in 3 yrs. Dropped off permit and was now in Smoky Mtn Natl Park. Sensations- 1. New load of food, heavier, also getting in groove after city. A tough start. 2. Hiking by self with birds singing felt like I was in own personal arboretum . 3. Sweating and struggling up hills and then breeze. Wonder if it's like life where we struggle up and down inclines and declines and then a cool breeze so pure and indescribable washes over us and calls us Hone. I wonder... I was called Home several times today but didn't go. :-) Later in hike, just like book and movie (Walk in the Woods), I had my first hanger-on. Island Poet-missing teeth, needed a haircut, chatty. Said he worked on Mackinac Island in summer scooping horse poo on main drag in return for food.Guess he wiles away off time on AT. Finally told him I didn't talk much and needed my space. He got it and disappeared! Overall a tough but satisfying day. Ended with a sore shin that will need attending.
Date: 2017-03-28
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: moderate rain

Thunder and lightning overnight and LOTS of rain. Not only did tent keep me dry but I slept like a baby -earplugs again. Rain over by morning so up for a hot breakfast and on way by 7:55am. Passed by Wild Thing. Turns out friends gave him that name as a send off with a t-shirt with that name and a list on back of all the US schools he'lll visit along AT. He's a Brit school teacher on sabbatical. Neat idea! Day was pretty foggy, looked like Jurassic Park. Expected a Velociraptor to come bounding out of the woods at any moment. The knees and left shin didn't like declines too much today. Hate that! Got into Shelter area with about 20 young hikers gathered around fire pit. I tented away from Shelter. Lots of laughter, biggest crown at Shelter yet, 30+. Today's reflection: How grateful I am for my smart, beautiful wife, Susie. She is a fiesty woman but that has kept me on my toes and has made our solid, 41 yr marriage what it is. Thank you for letting me do this. You are pure gold! I love you! (To other readers, I know, get a room!) :-)
Date: 2017-03-29
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Woke up with my spirits a bit down. Left shin was aching last night and still a bit sore this morning. Decided that rather than react, I'd respond. Took Motrin last night, did stretching. Decided to wrap that left shin area with a self adhesive gauze from first aid kit and off I went at 8am. Felt better after I was underway. Passed by a bunch of fast young hikers, Tea Bag, Big Style, Wild Thing, Feather and a new guy, Tiger Wiods. Apparently his real life initials are TW, and he is good at disc golf. Nope, he's Caucasian (actually have seen no persons of color on the trail yet). Later saw a good looking young man who, I told him, made me homesick. He had red hair and was sporting a beautiful red beard. Told him it reminded me of my son. Derek, a good looking young man with a red beard. Beautiful day. Took my time and with my sore shin made it a short 7.4 mile day. Got in early and could rest, stretch, elevate. Also had an opportunity to get a place in the Shelter, first time all trip. Got a great spot along wall( only a body on one side that way). Took an early dinner (backpacker beef stroganoff with noodles), then settled into sleeping bag to listen to audio book. Turns out my Shelter neighbor was Papa Choo Choo. He's thru hiking with his wife, Elsa (like in movie Frozen-this lady got so frost bitten in recent cold her fingers tips turned black) and 8th grade granddaughter- home schooled, Spring Dancer (she dances down to springs to fetch all their water). Papa Choo Choo not only puffs up hills but also snores, hence his trail name Thank goodness for earplugs. Sleeping by 9:00pm as was everyone else.
Date: 2017-03-30
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 5:45am before anyone else in Shelter. Cooked a hot breakfast-coffee, oatmeal, hot chocolate and then packed up and was in way at 7:45am. Passed Papa Choo Choo and family on way to Clingmans Dome. Turns out they slipped out early to get some miles in. Previous day would have been a clear nice photo op day but not today. Actually wisps of clouds blowing by. Oh well. Told wife, Susie later on phone, we'll come back some day. Clingmans Dome named after a Civil War general who explored this area in the 1800s. It is highest point on AT at 6,667'. Stopped for a lunch break mid day and then into destination of Newfound Gap at 3:10pm. Lots of tourists since this is Smokiy Mountain Park and lots of families on spring break. Took 45 minutes but finally hitched a ride (first time I have ever hitchhiked in my life!) with a family from Chicago, Great Midwestern friendliness from Joe (!) and his wife and high school sr son. They dropped me off at Quality Inn in mid town. Shaved and showered and went next door for some ribs and beer. Fresh veggies good too! Amazingly saw Papa Choo Choo and fam and two more of their friends Huckleberry (husband) and Finn (wife). Moved over to their table with my dessert (warm blueberry cobbler with ice cream) and shared stories. Fun! Off to a soft bed. About 207 miles in 21 days. Step by step!
Date: 2017-03-31
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)

To: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Doing my zero in Gatlinburg today. After my free breakfast with lodging got to the usual laundry and re supply. Added a trip to National Outdoor Center outfitters. .Decided to change up water filter system. Now on Sawyer. Saw it a lot on trail and is more practical than my old pump system. Also got an exercise ball for feet and shin upon suggestion of a GR massage therapist, Terri. Thx' My trip to Walgreens also included support socks. We'll see if that adds to comfort level out there. A liberating side trip to post office allowed me to ship home gear I haven't used. While waiting for trolley to bring me back into city after post office and food stop, I met a nice young man, Josh. Unfortunately, he's battling cigarettes and health problems. Hopes he can make it to his 29th birthday in June. Said I looked 45. I'll take that! Gatlinburg a very interesting city. Picture shows the aerial tram and in middle a wedding chapel. Has some touristy things and tonight, Friday night, was really hopping. It's spring break for lots of families who choose to spend it in the Smokies. A little here for everyone, including a Paula Dean store. I had Italian for dinner. A nice manicotti and glass of red wine. Buonissimo! Rested and ready for my 7:30am shuttle pickup tomorrow morning. Next city goal-Hot Springs, NC.
Date: 2017-04-01
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Back on the Trail! Had a shuttle pickup at 7:30am by Carol the local cab/shuttle owner. On the way back up to the trailhead she gave me a running monologue about last Fall's tragic fires in Gatlinburg. Loss of half of families-some gone to find info, the ones at home perished. The stubborn lady who didn't want to leave home but rather stayed to "smoke a bowl(marijuana)" and perished. The 91yo husband and 86yo wife who walked 15 miles out of woods and escaped with only scratches. He kept telling her "one step at a time". People running down the streets, businesses burning from flying embers . Stuff of apocalypse movies! Cloudy,windy,cool day- great for hiking without overheating. Hiked for 10.5 hrs. New compression socks worked well so leg not swollen and shin splint very improved. Shelter was full so tented but without flat spots and had to optimize. Just great, though, to enjoy a hot Mexican style chicken, rice and veggie dinner and wind down before it got dark. Ambitious but successful day.
Date: 2017-04-02
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

On way by the usual 8am. Felt like a million dollars! Really was refreshed, restored and renewed. Beautiful partly sunny day. Had breaks, including a lunch break and a Snickers break. Never ate candy bars before. Do now!!! :-) Met Carrot Stick (has orange hat, orange shirts, lots of orange clothes), Root 66 (he's 66yo and "trips on every frikkin' root on trail").He started Feb 28 and is at same place as me who started Mar 10. Feelin' good! Long day again with ups and downs. Shelter had a chain link fence and a chain link gate at entrance. One hiker said it looked a little "jail-y". Keeps the bears out. All young folks there. A little tough. Cooked and ate dinner with stinky socks airing a foot from face on fencing. Smelly hikers. One lit up some marijuana later around campfire (I was in shelter in sleeping bag). Lots of snoring. A mind over matter stay. All part of the experience! Oh and I cooked my first of what is a staple of AT hikers-Ramen Noodles. Added a tuna pack and it was delicious! I'm becoming one of them! Great day, all in all. Body parts feeling OK.
Date: 2017-04-03
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept pretty well, with the aid of earplugs. In the interest of speed and ease decided on a cold breakfast of caffeinated Crystal Light and an assortment of meats, cheeses, dried fruit and nuts. Rather random but keeps it from becoming boring. Off by the usual 8am and was quickly at north boundary of Smokie Mtn National Park. Pls allow me to rant: The allure of Smokie Mtn Natk Park eluded me. Yes it has more conifers than previous parts of AT but ... a $20 permit fee just to walk through, you have to get out in 8 days, you have to stay in shelters(many of which have no privies unlike all previous parts of AT), many tree downs across trail(more than in all previous AT). Your government at work! Glad to have the Smokies behind me! OK, I feel better now! :-/ Had my first major road interface when I went under I-40. What a contrast of loud, fast moving traffic to our AT tranquil world! Then I got my first real rain event. My "AT Baptism". Sprinkling at 9:30am so shifted into rain pants, my Patagonia M10 rain jacket (best piece of gear I own) and pack cover. Heavy rain until I got to shelter at 2:40pm. At one point I had to cross a bald(no trees on a hill top). Rain coming down sideways in the wind. Threat of a thunderstorm. Sweet Jesus, make me go faster. I practically ran for 10 minutes across the bald. I was the tallest thing up there!! Oh, sweet Jesus, the tree line. I made it in to the treeline just as a crack of lightning lit up the sky. Thank you, everyone, for your prayers. They're working. Just as I got into the Shelter area the rain let up enough that I could put up my tent and slip in to change out of wet, sweaty clothes. Amazingly it then cleared up and I could cook and journal outside. Delightful. What a day! And I survived!
Date: 2017-04-04
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Okay night's sleep. Heard raindrops in night so had to jump out and take stuff that was drying off line. Pretty efficient packout even with some hot coffee and hot chocolate. On way by 7:50am. New trailnames today. Lionhearted (braving battling through shin splints that took him off trail for 4 days). Started Mar 3 and a young guy so I don't feel too bad comparing my pace. His female companion is Trail Bait. Also met a threesome: Big Cheeks- she says reference to squirrels with cheeks full of nuts or ... the game Fuzzy Bunny where you try to stuff as many marshmallows in your mouth while still saying Fuzzy Bunny. Wildly amusing, I guess, Pom-Pom(he- who knows name origin?) and Hootchie Mama (not even going there!). At one point in that great tree sanctuary I'm in constantly all I could hear was the sound of my footsteps on the trail treadway. Stirring! Later experienced Maxx Patch, a mountaintop cleared off and never reforested. 4,629' elevation and what a view. For many AT thruhikers, one of best experiences on trail. I enjoyed it, even the strong winds - they cooled me off. Along next part of Trail slipped on mud and landed on left shoulder. Oooh, that!s gonna hurt. It did! Stopped at next steam, filtered water and took some ibuprofen. It helped. Got into Shelter area at 3:50pm. Really had no breaks in day , just grabbed energy bars from my waistband pockets and kept going, Small Shelter So no room, OK with me. Found a sweet nearby tent site that I had to myself for the night. No smells, no crazy laughter, just peace. Nice! Hung up a line to dry all stuff out from previous days. Worked well with good breezes and temps. Shoulder stiff from fall but all other parts good. Best day yet!
Date: 2017-04-05
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: NC 209 - US 25 / 70 (Hot Springs, NC)
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

Sore left shoulder was bothersome in night. Seems to be a little better though with only some loss of motion range. Saw sunrise over a nearby hill at about 7:30an. Wow! As I walked off past Shelter I talked with one of hikers who slept there. Said a mouse fell on his face in night! Whoa, glad I slept in my tent. Mostly downhill all day. Wasn't expecting rain but it happened. Rain jacket and pack cover on and onward. No stops today. Anxious to get into town. Got to the edge of town at 3pm and hiked through downtown Hot Springs, NC. Only town along AT where the Ttail goes right through town. Got to Mountain Magnolia B&B at 3:30pm , checked in and since they were nice enough to open their laundry room, I got that started and then the luxurious shave and shower thing. A short walk later back into town to the Spring Creek Tavern for a beer and burger. Top that off with peanut butter cheesecake and I was grinnin' ear to ear. The B&B was built in 1868 and is really cozy and the staff super helpful. It!s the slow season so after the staff went hone there were only 4 of us in the place all night. Really peaceful! Great place to do a zero tomorrow.
Date: 2017-04-06
From: NC 209 - US 25 / 70 (Hot Springs, NC)

To: NC 209 - US 25 / 70 (Hot Springs, NC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Lazy morning reading the GR Press, another shave and then a tub soak. Had the luxury of time since the breakfast wasn't served til 9am. I had the place to myself since others were no shows. Chatted with Lucy the cook about her yogurt biscuits with local honey and scrambled eggs, bacon, potatoes, cantaloupe and loads of oj and coffee. Reloaded! Off to the local outfitters who were amazingly well stocked. Food, gas, moleskin. Had it all. Spent afternoon blogging and icing body parts. Felt great! Dinner was quite an event. This place serves gourmet food Thurs-Sun. They bring in a prep chef, dishwasher, head server, another server, and the chef himself. I had roasted duck breast to die for! Add a few glasses of red wine and finish it with creme br»l©e and ... I'm ready for the trail tomorrow morning. In the dining room I met the authors of a book- Slackpacking the AT. They've gone the regular camping AT thru-hike. Now have done it again several times without packs and staying in B&Bs. She's Princess(now only does beds, no sleeping bags or tents). He is Rocket Man (retired NASA). Sounds like they got it figured out! Now a wind down tonight and getting a good night's sleep. With Trail in town I can walk out without a shuttle. Lot simpler. Really a splendid zero stay! Great B&B accommodations and staff. Highly recommended!
Date: 2017-04-07
From: NC 209 - US 25 / 70 (Hot Springs, NC)

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Fun morning! Breakfast not served until 9am so could put it into leisure mode. The predicted snow did not arrive. In fact beautiful morning so grabbed some coffee in dining room and strolled outside to gauge temp. Also took pics of pink dogwood in bloom. Spring in the South! Another big breakfast by Lucy and on way at 9:25am. Great walk out of town along the fast flowing French Broad River. Nice pics from bluff looking back at town. My Mountain Magnolia B&B is visible in right middle of pic. Green color mansion looking building. Cool , breezy, overcast day. Perfect for hiking. Took pack-on, standing energy bar breaks, otherwise no stops for 6hr 45min for the 11 miles. Hot backpacker meal of sweet and sour pork and rice. Great way to top off a pretty good hiking day!
Date: 2017-04-08
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Very chilly night. Slept with knit cap on. A hot breakfast helped to kick things off. On way by 8am. Had trail pretty much to myself all morning. At 1:30pm at a shelter along the way, Surprise, Trail Magic. Always fun when you least expect it! Two brothers, with a cabin near, do this once a year in Spring when they open cabin for the season. They dragged it all up the trail for 45 minutes. Penguin and Tar Heel Boy (still celebrating his team's March Madness championship) served us grilled hot dogs, baked beans, chips, chocolate milk, fresh strawberries and mini-Snickers. Wow! Thanked them profusely and moved on. The rest of the day was very challenging. Lots of ups over snow covered mountaintops with trail full of rocks, roots and mud. Got into Shelter site after 9hr 45min of hiking. Lots of folks. Full shelter and about 20 tents. Maybe because it's the weekend and lots of weekend hikers. No pain in shin or knees. Starting to think, though, with some foot swelling that I should upsize my shoe. Long day but very proud of putting in the miles.
Date: 2017-04-09
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Roughest day yet! Little chilly in morning so a couple cups of coffee, hot oatmeal and hot chocolate started things off right. Off at 7:50am. Not much later it was layering down time. Put on sunglasses and sunblock. Pretty continuous hiking except for a stop at a stream where I washed my wool hiking top ( was getting smelly) and put it back on wet. Really refreshing on a pretty sunny, warm day. Wow and then a really big up came. Really up. And I misjudged my water and ran out a couple of hours before the Shelter with no streams available. My first lesson in careful water management. Most of the afternoon I followed a German couple. From Hamburg. They've done sections over several years. In their 70s and celebrating their 50th anniversary this 4/14! I told them they were my inspiration all afternoon. They just kept going and going. When we got to the Shelter area they camped out away to avoid the chatting, dogs, smoking , etc that prevent a good night's sleep. Smart! I did the same. He is Turtle, she is Snail (trail names). Amazing couple! I went straight for water since I was parched. Used that opportunity to wash smelly compression socks and also my head and hair full of sweat and sunblock. THAT was a morale boost! Really an amazingly long, hard day but feeling better already. Still on track to make Erwin, TN as scheduled for my home visit over Easter.
Date: 2017-04-10
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 13.6

Windy, chilly night! Thank goodness for my warm sleeping quilt and a knit hat. A hot breakfast started things off right. Off at 7:50am. When I came to an Interstate underpass, I layered down since it was already getting warm. Just as I was getting back underway, another hiker alerted me to Trail Magic - this time for breakfast. There was Quiet Paul (2007 thru hiker) who is now giving back. He lives about 20 miles from the trail and does this every Spring for 10 days in a row. There he was whippng up a pile of scrambled eggs, hash browns and a cold, carbonated beverage (can't get that on the trail). He also provided lawn chairs for us to sit in while eating (can't get that in the trail either). After that I was feeling great! Came upon a clear grassy hill area (called a bald, you may remember). I felt like I was in a movie. You know which one. With my poles extended in the air, I rotated 360 and burst into song. "The hills are alive, with the sound of music". Jubilation! Lots of challenging ups today including one to Big Bald (5,519'). You could see 360 including a ski resort with lots of nearby cabins. Tented in a tentsite with several others. No shelter but a water source. A warm, calm evening for a change. Aired out everything. Dry socks, dry shoes. Nice! A spaghetti dinner hit the spot. Also decided to wipe off feet with a wet one antibacterial wipe. Refreshing. Maybe I'll add that to the routine. In tent by 7pm. Good day - met goal!