morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2021-04-06
From: Blackburn Tent Site

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

The second day of a hike is usually the worst. Sore from the first day's activities, still not in a rhythm yet. Today wasn't do bad. Barely sore at all. Packed up and headed south.The first few miles were easy, than I got to the Rollercoaster. Due to housing developments, there is a nearly 20 mile section of trail where the trail has been moved off the ridgeline and onto the side of the ridge. This results in the trail climbing 500 feet in elevation, then almost immediately descending 500 feet, then back up again. Like a rollercoaster. It's very tiring.I reach a shelter fairly early and decide to stop early. There's definitely time to reach the next shelter, but why push it? There's a Buddhist monk resting in the shelter, and I spend the next couple of hours listening to him tell stories about Buddha.After he leaves, a northbound hiker arrives. We spend hours talking; it turns out he's from southern Pennsylvania too, maybe half an hour from where I lived. I'm ashamed to say I don't remember his name, but I do remember his dog's name was Timber.I'm still not terribly hungry. I eat because I feel I have to, and snack rarely.Happiness is finally being proficient at setting up my tent.
Date: 2021-04-07
From: Sam Moore Shelter

To: Whiskey Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up feeling refreshed today since I stopped early yesterday. Finished the rollercoaster by lunch. The trail got easier and I made pretty good time in the afternoon.I think I'm going to get off the trail at Front Royal tomorrow. I hadn't planned on going into town until Waynesboro, but I'm still adjusting to trail life and could use a hot shower. And fried food. And a soft mattress.Happiness is mayo packets to go with tuna fish tortillas.
Date: 2021-04-08
From: Whiskey Hollow Shelter

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Got an early start, excited to be staying in town this evening.Stopped at a general store in Linden for lunch and picked up some soda and chocolate.Made it into town late this afternoon. Checked into a serviceable motel. The shower felt so good! Did laundry, bought some food for dinner. I'm still not terribly hungry, the hiker hunger still hasn't kicked in.Happiness is a Hungry Man dinner.
Date: 2021-04-09
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

My first zero day! All the muscles in the lower half of my body are really sore, so I'm glad I took a day off.Problem is, what does one do during a zero day? The point is to relax, so no walking or strenuous activity. I used to spend the day flipping through channels on local cable, desperately hoping for something to watch. My solution? An Amazon Firestick. It only weighs a couple of ounces, plugs into the back of almost every TV, and allows me to watch streaming services through the motel's TV.I bought food for the next leg of the journey. I don't need much, as there many places to resupply in Shenandoah National Park.Happiness is ice cold soda.
Date: 2021-04-10
To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Back on the trail this morning. My legs are still sore, but better than they were yesterday.Here's the problem with trail towns: they're almost always at the bottom of a climb. So when you leave a town (with a pack laden with days of food) there's almost always a big climb. This was the biggest yet, some 1500 feet of elevation gain.Lunch was a treat. In town I bought fresh rolls, a block of cheese, precooked bacon, and several tomatoes. That makes for some tasty sandwiches.I entered Shenandoah National Park a little after lunch, saw some bear scat, and filled out a backpacking permit.Made it to Gravel Springs Hut shortly before the heavens opened up. Luckily I was able to set up camp before the rain started.Happiness is a dry tent interior during a torrential downpour.
Date: 2021-04-11
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Byrds Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up this morning as the rain tapered off. Apparently it had rained all night last night. My food bag had hung on a bear pole all night; everything inside was still dry. I guess it really is waterproof.The trail is well graded in the Park, so hiking in the morning was pretty easy. Made it to the Elkwallow Wayside for lunch. The grill was still closed for the season, so I had a cold cut sandwich for lunch. It was still pretty good. Picked up some more food for the next couple of days.Reached Thornton Gap around dinner time and finished off my cheese, tomato, and bacon sandwiches. Yum.The last hike of the day was a long climb out of the gap, well above 3000 feet. It was getting chilly, and by the time I reached the shelter near sunset, it was already below 40 degrees. This shelter was an old picnic pavilion (complete with fireplace) that had been converted to an overnight shelter. Amazingly I had the shelter to myself and started a fire in the fireplace. I set up my sleeping bag as close to the fire as possible, got inside, and fell asleep, warm and snuggly.Happiness is a warm fire and a warm sleeping bag.
Date: 2021-04-12
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

It was cold this morning, right around freezing, and windy. Packed up quickly and started hiking to keep warm.Reached Skyland Lodge right at the beginning of lunch. This was my first time in a restaurant since the pandemic began. The tables were kept far apart, to provide some social distancing. I had a cheeseburger; it was delicious.I hiked to Big Meadows Campground this afternoon, a NPS run family campground. A rain storm hit me before I reached the campground. I was cold and wet as I set up my tent. By the time I finished eating dinner I was shivering uncontrollably. I had to spend time in a (heated!) bathroom to get warmed up.Happiness is a heated bathroom with running water.
Date: 2021-04-13
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: View
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Super cold this morning; got on the trail in a hurry. Stopped at the Big Meadows Wayside and picked up more food. I love Shenandoah National Park!The trail in this section is particularly easy and made it to Lewis Mountain Campground for lunch. Another cold cut sub and snacks. After lunch, hiked to Swift Run gap and then up Hightop Mountain. I had planned on spending the night at Hightop Hut, but it was crowded there so I pushed on.Unfortunately, there was absolutely no place to set up my tent south of the hut, so I hiked until near dark before I found an open spot near a viewpoint where i could pitch my tent.Happiness is a cold soda.
Date: 2021-04-14
From: View

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday was my first 20+ mile day, and I felt it this morning. Sore, tired, and in need of a night in a motel.  Tried to get to Loft Mountain Campground before a rain storm came through. Failed miserably, and got very wet. My rain jacket helped a bit, but there's just something unpleasant about walking with a wet hood plastered against your face. The store at the campground was still closed, but there was a covered area between the restrooms where I could have a dry lunch while the rain petered out. Tuna fish on tortillas, already getting old.Stopped early at Black Rock Hut. Wanted to go further today, to be in a better position for getting into Waynesboro tomorrow, but my legs were starting to feel weak. Had instant mashed potatoes for dinner and fell asleep before sunset.Happiness is being a day away from a break in town.
Date: 2021-04-15
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

Change of plans. My original idea was to start in Harpers Ferry, hike to Georgia, get a ride back to Harpers Ferry, and then hike to Maine. I realize now that would mean hiking through the bubble as it goes north (yuck). It also means hiking in Pennsylvania in July, when it's hot and dry (double yuck). So I'm getting off the trail at Waynesboro, taking the train back to Harpers Ferry, then hiking north to New York. Then I'll hike the southern section, followed by finishing with New England.Most of today went by in a blur, as I was in a hurry to reach town (showers! pizza! soda!). Reached the road to Waynesboro and started walking into town. A guy named Steve was kind enough to give me a ride and drop me off in the center of town. Got a room at the Quality Inn, showered, and did laundry. Ordered (and ate) an entire large pizza. I think the hiker hunger is finally starting to kick in.Happiness is completing the first segment of a longer journey.
Date: 2021-04-20
From: Harpers Ferry, Va

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

Well, that took longer than I expected it to. Between being lazy and staying an extra day in Waynesboro, trying to find a cheap place to park my car, and certain trains not running on the weekend, it was four zero days before I got back on the trail. I took the MARC train into Harper's Ferry yesterday afternoon and walked two miles on the trail to Knoxville, Md.
Date: 2021-05-17
From: Canopus Hill

To: Stormville
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

As soon as I get out of the tent, the bugs are on me. It¢s a race to pack my gear before I go mad from the itchy bites. Have to keep moving, or the bugs get me. But if I keep moving, I¢m covered in sweat. Ugh.Stopped for lunch at Canopus Lake Beach, part of a state park. It had a concession stand, so I had a cheeseburger, fries, and a soda. And more fries. And another drink.Later that afternoon, scary storms swept the area. Sought shelter in an underpass beneath the Taconic Parkway. After about 45 minutes, the storms passed and I was able to keep hiking. There was a deli ahead, not far off trail, so I hurried to get to it before it closed at 8. Got there at 6:55.There was a sign on the door saying they were closing at 6 today. Rats. Luckily, there was a pizzeria next door open until 7. Was able to snag half a pizza and a soda before they closed. Hurray!Hurried back to the trail, as there were more scary storms coming. Made it back to the trail and found a spot to pitch my tent just as it started raining. Quickly got the tent up and threw everything inside as the heavens opened up. Lay there for the next couple hours as it rained heavily and lightning flashed every few seconds. Not the most comfortable of evenings.Happiness is pizza.
Date: 2021-05-18
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got to Amicalola Falls around 1. Registered at the visitor center, then started the long climb on the approach trail to Springer Mountain. It¢s amazing how much heavier my pack is with a weeks worth of food in it. Got to the top of Springer around 6. It felt surreal to finally be there, after decades of looking at pictures of other people on this mountain. Set up for the night at Springer Mountain Shelter, which is a beautiful site with room for maybe two dozen tents, all with a decent amount of privacy.Happiness is a 2 pound bag of peanut butter M&Ms.
Date: 2021-05-19
To: Ramrock Mountain
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Springer Mountain to Ramrock MountainWoke up in a cloud. Had cereal for breakfast, with dehydrated milk. It wasn¢t bad. The trail in Georgia so far is pretty easy; it¢s well graded and there are very few rocks. It¢s also very pretty, lots of mountain laurel and giant pine trees. I met two people who had bear encounters either right before or right after I was at a place. I still haven¢t seen any bears this year. Boo.Happiness is having a privy when you need one, and not needing one when you don¢t have one.
Date: 2021-05-20
From: Ramrock Mountain

To: Wolf Laurel Top
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Another gorgeous sunrise. Much of the day was spent climbing Blood Mountain, which is an awesome name for a mountain. The climb down was very steep and long; my knees were aching by the end. The climb was well worth it, because at the end was an outfitter store, which had soda and candy. I found a beautiful campsite, at the top of a mountain. I¢m currently in bed trying to sleep, but the wind is so loud it¢s keeping me up.Happiness is a warm bed on a windy night.
Date: 2021-05-22
From: Rocky Mountain

To: Buzzard Knob
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

A hiker about 2 miles ahead of me got bitten by a rattlesnake today. By the time I got there, there were a ton of rescue personnel, and a helicopter circling to airlift him out. The hiker seemed OK, and they got him out pretty quickly, so I¢m sure he¢ll be fine. Five days ago, my food bag was this giant thing taking up most of my pack. Now, it¢s getting tiny. I think I¢ve got 2 days of food left, so I need to get off at the next town and resupply. Happiness is days and days of perfect weather.
Date: 2021-05-23
From: Buzzard Knob

To: Little Ridgepole Mountain
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

First thing I did this morning, I made reservations for a motel in Franklin. Now I¢m committed to walking the 37 miles to Winding Stair Gap by tomorrow evening. Finished Georgia this morning. Soon as I did, North Carolina decided to bump it up a notch. The trail went up a mountain more steeply than anything in Georgia. Then kept climbing higher, 4500 feet, 5000 feet, then topping out at 5500 feet on Standing Indian Mountain. The top of this mountain had spots to camp with spectacular views in every direction, but I had to push on so I could make town tomorrow. Had planned on spending the night at Carter Gap Shelter, but there was a small village of tents set up around it, so I pushed on. Found a beautiful spot to camp with views of the sunrise next morning.Happiness is reaching the top of the mountain.
Date: 2021-05-24
From: Little Ridgepole Mountain

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

Woke up early today, excited to be headed into town. It¢s been seven days since I¢ve slept in a bed, or even seen indoor plumbing. The day started with a steep climb up Mount Albert, a good 500 feet of elevation gain steep enough to require using hands as well as feet to climb. The top of the mountain had a fire tower with 360 views of western North Carolina. I got to the first paved road crossing in nearly 40 miles, and immediately a guy in an RV pulls over and offers me a cold beer. I politely declined and continued on (the cold part was really tempting). This sort of thing happens a lot, people offer me food, or beer, or rides. Got to the road crossing leading into town around 1. If I stood in one particular spot, the phone facing into town, while rubbing my head and chanting the hokey-pokey, I was able to get just enough signal to call for a shuttle to come pick me up. 45 minutes later I was in my room at the Microtel. There is such a pleasure in reaclimating to civilization. Taking a shower, sitting in a chair, not having to watch every step. Ate dinner at Fatz Cafe (such a great name for a thruhiker eatery); had a giant fried seafood platter. Then off to bed.Happiness is modern plumbing.
Date: 2021-05-25
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a zero day. A zero day is a day, usually spent in town, where a hiker doesn¢t do any miles on the trail. The day is spent doing laundry, cleaning equipment, buying supplies, resting, and eating. So much eating. Breakfast was the complementary breakfast at the motel. Second breakfast was the all-you-care-to-eat breakfast bar at Shoney¢s. Plate after plate of bacon, sausage, eggs, bacon, biscuits, sausage gravy, and bacon. Snacking on cookies at the motel. Lunch at Subway. Supper at Arby¢s. Dinner at Fatz Cafe again; enough fried food to give a bear a heart attack. I had meant to find some place that sold milkshakes, but for some reason I had a tummy ache. Time for bed.Happiness is a full belly.
Date: 2021-05-26
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Back on the trail! The town of Franklin has a hiker shuttle that took me back to the trail for only 5 dollars. Sweet deal. Got back on the trail around 9. It¢s always the same: the trail out of town is uphill, just when your pack is the heaviest. Today was the first day I reached balds. Balds are mountain tops where part or all of the summit are treeless, covered only in grass or shrubs. The views from these balds are amazing, endless row upon row of mountains, in every direction.Happiness is a scenic view
Date: 2021-05-27
From: Wesser Bald

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The morning was a long descent to the Nantahala River, 3000 knee-crushing feet of descent over 8 miles. At the end of this descent, on the river, is the Nantahala Outdoor Center, or NOC. The NOC is a destination for whitewater rafting, zip lining, and hiking. They also have an outfitter, restaurants, and lodging. Had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the river with another hiker I had met the day before. We had heard they had milkshakes; they didn¢t, but the waitress was able to make us root beer floats. Delicious! This place definitely sucks hikers in, with its laidback atmosphere, but I was determined to push on. The rest of the day was a nearly 3500 foot climb to Cheoah Bald, where I set up camp and watched an amazing sunset.Happiness is good food and good company.
Date: 2021-05-28
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Franklin Dam Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained; I got soaked. Dried off at a shelter. Rained some more. Had a neat dinner at a store in a marina that was way out on Fontana Lake, where I watched a torrential downpour from the covered marina. Sadly, the rain didn¢t stop, so got soaked again while walking to the next campsite. Set up my tent in the pouring rain. Happiness is dry socks.
Date: 2021-05-30
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning cold and super sore. My toes hurt so much I limped when I walked. The plan was to spend the morning at the shelter, drying my socks and waiting for the sun to burn through the fog and dry off the trail. Otherwise, the wet grass and other plants on the sides of the trail would immediately get my feet wet again. I waited until 11 and the sun was still shining through only intermittently, so I limped on. The trail gradually climbed higher, 4500 feet, 5000 feet, then around 5500 feet, the flora changed. Many more coniferous trees such as fir and pine. Everything covered in moss. Stopped early today, due to my sore feet.Happiness is a sunny day
Date: 2021-05-31
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

And the climbing continues. Reached Clingmans Dome this morning, 6612 feet above sea level. The tower on top of the Dome was super crowded (there is a road that leads to the summit) and the views were spectacular. At this point I was high enough that I could feel the thinner air while breathing on the inclines. I had hoped to get off the trail today and resupply in Gatlinburg, but my cell service was spotty and I couldn¢t contact a shuttle. It¢s 15 miles on a windy, narrow road into town, with no shoulder for me to walk on, so that¢s out. I had thought about bumming a ride from someone at the parking lot at Newfound Gap, but the throngs of tourists at the parking lot scared me away. There¢s a hostel after the trail exits the park, I can resupply there. Tonight¢s shelter is 5900 feet above sea level, and I think has the highest elevation of any shelter on the trail.Happiness is a hot dinner.
Date: 2021-06-01
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 29.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another chilly morning. I have barely enough food to make it one day, and 30 miles until the next place I can resupply. Time to kick it into a higher gear. I ran into the woman I had met two days ago, the one with the bear spray. She had had an encounter with a yearling bear that wouldn¢t leave her alone. Ultimately she had to hit it with her bear spray. The bear ran away but then came back and started following her again. She had to spray it a second time. Unusual bear behavior. This section of the Smokies had the most spectacular scenery by far. Went over a section called the saw teeth. It¢s pretty much what it sounds like; up and down little ridges, with a steep drop off on both sides. Stopped at the Cosby Knob Shelter for a break. This shelter has been closed for two months due to an aggressive bear biting a hiker¢s tent. Still haven¢t seen a bear myself. Finally got to the edge of the park just after sunset. Set up camp at the first flat spot. 14 hours of hiking. I¢m beat.Happiness is a comfortable sleeping pad.
Date: 2021-06-02
From: Davenport Gap

To: Walnut Mountain
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

At this point, the only ¢food¢ I had left was a Carnation breakfast drink and some Gatorade mix. Packed up and walked for an hour to Standing Bear Farm. The Farm is a very laid back hiker hostel. It has a bunkhouse, multiple cabins you can rent, bath house with showers, kitchen, and most importantly, food resupply. I bought nearly thirty dollars worth of food for the day and a half hike to Hot Springs; chips, cookies, peanut butter, tortillas; anything calorie dense. I meant to stay just long enough to get food, but kept getting sucked into conversations and hung around for a couple of hours. I met one hiker who is currently hiking the Eastern Continental Trail, which is like the AT on steroids. It goes from Key West all the way to northern Newfoundland. I hope to run into him again; I have lost of questions about hiking the Florida Trail (which is the southern part of the ECT). In the afternoon, I climbed over Max Patch, which is a famous bald. If it hadn¢t been raining, I might have camped on top of it.Happiness is a bag of chips (Cape Cod, Jalape±o flavor).
Date: 2021-06-03
From: Walnut Mountain

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up excited. Hot Springs! Had a short hike today into Hot Springs, which is the first town northbound hikers go through. It¢s a tiny town, but has lodging, several eateries, a Dollar General, and an outfitter. Had my first shower in 9 days (I¢m pretty sure that¢s a record for me, and not one I¢m looking to ever beat). Ate a lot of food and slept in a bed for a change.Happiness is a climate controlled room.
Date: 2021-06-04
To: NC Route 208
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Had breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner, I think it was called ¢the skillet¢, a massive pile of hash browns, cheese, and bacon. Also eggs and a biscuit. My tummy hurts. Spent the next couple of hours packing, buying supplies, and nursing a belly ache. Left the motel around 11 and headed north once again. I think Paul Simon summed up thruhiking best: A good day ain¢t got no rain A bad day¢s when I lie in bed and think of what might have been -Slip Sliding AwayHappiness is a full tummy
Date: 2021-06-07
From: south of Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

It¢s been two weeks since I¢ve taken a day off and I¢m starting to feel run down. I¢m going to take a day off in town. I got up and walked the nine miles to the road that would lead to Erwin, Tennessee. Erwin is several thousand feet lower than the trail, so it was quite hot on the 4 mile road walk into town. Got a motel room, showered (so nice), did laundry, then went to a grocery store to pick the sacrifices for the Sarlacc Pit that is my stomach. Happiness is going to the bathroom barefoot in the middle of the night and worrying about what I might step on.
Date: 2021-06-08
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Days off are surprisingly busy on the trail. Lots of time spent cleaning/repairing gear, resupplying, and eating. I went to the outfitter in town and bought a new pair of shoes, since I had pretty much worn off the tread of my previous pair. This will be my third pair of shoes on the trail. They are by far the ugliest shoes I have ever owned, but they are super comfy and are very popular amongst thru hikers.Happiness is being clean shaven.