morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Franklin, NC

To: Silver Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.2

Day 17Another great weather and hiking day. After a wonderful night at our host's home, John and Pat, we were treated to a large breakfast of ham and eggs and great tasting COFFEE. John then brought us back to the re-supplier for last minute items. Poppy and I were able to go on line and get our Smokey Mountain NP Thru Hiker Permits. We hit the trail around 2:30 pm to start our hike to Siler Bald Shelter. The trail started with an up grade right off, but the hike was not too strenuous. We found the shelter sign, but it seems no one could find the shelter. Many hikers camped right off the AT. We kept walking when the trail split and we finally found the shelter along with another hiker Dustin. At dusk several other hikers came into the shelter area. While trying to hang her food, Trillium caught her rope and small throwing bag in a tree. Dustin was able to get them by throwing a rock in a sock at the bag and it worked, the bag came down. After this feat, the group decided to call Dustin "MacGyver". Today was the first day I wore a knee support and it really seemed to help. My back also feels much better. Camping in a bald is much different from the other campsites we have been in, we acutely set our tents on grass rather then leaves and dirt. Also from our campsite we could see the lights in the valley below. Best experience of the day: Hiking and camping to our first Bald. A large grassy flat open area on top of a mountain.
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Silver Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 18Another beautiful day. We put in a long day of hiking. We looked in the Guide book and thought we would have a pretty easy day of hiking, boy were we wrong. It seems the upward grades would just not end, they went on and on. The AT passes right by Wayah Bald Stone Tower which provides an excellent view of the valley below. There is a road that leads right up to this area. We had a very long lunch at the Wayah Bald Shelter then back to the hike. The end of the day was the toughest part of the hike. Most of the campers at the Cold Spring Shelter are exhausted and ready to sleep including me. Best experience of the day: Mountain spring water. I am not a water drinker, but after filtering the mountain spring water, it is the best tasting water I can remember.
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 19Another beautiful day on the AT. The trail had several ups, but mostly downs with seemed to go on forever. You would think walking down a mountain would be a dream, but your toes get jammed into the front of the boot which hurts. There is a lot of strain on you knees and back front the constant pounding of going downward. Parts of the trail were very challenging due to the large boulders and parts of the trail almost washed out. We camped at A. Rufus Morgan Shelter which is only 1 mile from the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which is a re-supply center and food. My hope is that they have hamburgers, it has been so long since I have had one. Some of the younger hikers walked down to the center, without their packs, and returned. Best experience of the day: Walking the very tops of mountains, the ridge line, which might only be 10 feet wide with extreme drop offs on both sides. PS: You seem to lose all sense of time while hiking. Today my wife reminded me that today was Palm Sunday.
Date: 2014-04-14
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Nantahia Outdoor Shelter
Miles today: 1.0

Day 20In case you were wondering if it is possible to fall out of bed in a tent while backpacking? Well the answer is yes. Most of the camp sites on the AT are nowhere close to being level. I read a backpacking article on how to set a tent up sideways on a slope, rather then having your head higher or lower then your feet. Then come night time, stuff anything you have under the lower side of the mattress. Sounds good, right. Well now one side of my mattress is 5-6 inches off the tent floor, and you guessed it, I fell off the mattress! So yes, it is possible to fall out of bed.Another strange thing has started to happen, we are now getting requests for trail name dubbing. Yesterday we dubbed a different Dustin the "Governor" and another hiker "Sparkle Shoes". I hope these hikers know we have no authority. OK, enough with this foolishness, back to hiking. Today was a short hike into Nantahala Outdoor Center. We had to wait till 10 am to get a bunk house for the night. We all needed a day to rest and get things done like: eat real food, get re-supplies, do laundry, shower, and re-organize. At the end of the day we all wondered where the day went. Best experience of the day: Taking a really hot shower.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Nantahia Outdoor Shelter

To: Nantahia Outdoor Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Day 21Well I had plans to leave early and get on the AT trail, but it rained on and off and temperature my go to the middle 20's or lower tonight. I decided to rent a cabin about 1 mile from NOC and take another day of rest. I think my knees could use the rest. Poppy is staying at the NOC for day. Cadi and Trillium are on the AT.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Nantahia Outdoor Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 6.7

Day 22Good looking day outside. I had a great nights sleep in my own cabin and I was able to catchup on some of the news, sleep, email, and journal. The cabin is owned by Carolina Outfitters, who picked me up and dropped me off at NOC. Today's goal is the first shelter up a 3,000 foot mountain. Seems everyone is talking about the climb, so we are all a little apprehensive about the climb. I am writing this in the am, I'll write latter on how the climb went. I arrived at Sassafras Gap Shelter after about a 6 1/2 hour climb. I stopped several times for breaks and lunch. The climb was very long and after a while tedious, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I got into camp tired but not exhausted. The views all day were great. I started the day with Poppy, but spent most of the day hiking with Boomer who is also keeping a journal. Poppy was in camp when I arrived. Listening to other most of them felt the same as I did about today's hike. Tonight the temperature will probably go below freezing, but there is no wind or rain. Best experience of the day: After two days of rest, I felt stronger on the trail, with no major pain. I hope that will last. PS: Memorial for fallen NC Ranger Wade A. Sutton.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter 

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 23Sad day for our family today. I received a phone call from my wife telling me our dog Maggie was very sick with no hope of recovery. We had to make a decision about her which was very tough to do. I'll miss you Maggie. Maggie would sit with me every night "like a people". Thank you Mary for handling this and my sister-in-law Ceil for taking Maggie to the Vet one last time. So I hope everyone will understand why I am making this a short journal entry. The day started out very cold getting started packing everything. Once on the trail, it was great hiking weather. Soon the coat, gloves, and ear protection came of. Some of the trail just keep going down, never seeming to end. Then came Jacob's Ladder. The trail just keep going straight up for probably .6 of a mile. This part of the trail seemed to be a problem for everyone. Best experience of the day: Walking along the ridge line on top of mountains.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 24This morning was chilly but not too cold, so packing up was easy. I decided to cook breakfast in the vestibule part of the tent to keep me out of the wind. I was on the trail at 8 am hoping to hike into Fontana Dam shelter. The guide book looked like it would be an easy day with mostly downs, but there were several ups that proved challenging. On the trail there were several large boulder fields that were difficult to cross. One section of the trail was mud on an angle which made your foot have to slide to get across. Fontana Lake and Dam were beautiful from the surrounding mountain top. I took several pictures, but I am sure they will not due the scenery justice. I got into the shelter to find Trillium is taking a zero day for a bad knee, and my have to stay here several days. This shelter has a shower which felt real good. Tomorrow morning I'll shuttle into town to re-supply for the Smoky's and have a large breakfast, can't wait. Best experience of the day: seeing Fontana from the mountain tops.   PS: Buds and flowers are going along the AT. The only green grass in many areas is on the edge of the AT.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 25Today I enter the great Smoky Mountains NP so I will probably be without phone, text, or internet, so this might be all folks, for a few days. Rain this morning but pleasant. I just spent $113 for food to try and pass the the Smoky's without going into Gatlinburg, TN. Back at the shelter, there was Trail Magic presented by section hiker "Tracker". Thank you Tracker, it was awesome. I left just before 1 pm, only planning to go to the first campground in the NP. The trail passes right over Fontana Dam where I took several pictures. The Mountains to the north are the Smoky Mountains. I entered the park and had to deposit 1/2 of my permit into a box. The AT went up and up for miles with great views of Fontana Lake. At the top I saw a cub bear just feet off the trail. He was behind a tree and we both surprised each other. I snapped a few pictures and left, fearing the mother was near. I never did see the mother bear. At the campsite there are only half a dozen tenters here. I had to set up in the rain and cook in the vestibule of the tent. Best experience of the day: I thought it was going to be the trail magic, but seeing a bear that close was awesome.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 26What a beautiful day. Started out in a shirt on with sun shining, and it was sunny all day. The hike today was fairly easy. From many places I was able to see Cades Cove way down in the valley. We have driven the loop many times and I always thought it would be great to be in the mountains above. On the trail there were two Ridge Runners who were checking up on the hikers. They both were very informative about the trail ahead. They both said the next stretch between Spence Field Shelter and Derrick Knob Shelter is the toughest stretch in the Smoky's. Tomorrow I might expect to stay at Derrick Knob Shelter, I am not sure there will be phone service there. This is the first Easter in 45 years away from the family, Happy Easter family. Best experience today: Seeing Cades Cove from the mountains above.
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 27Another beautiful day. This was a strenuous day as the Ridge Runner had said. There were many ups and downs, crossing many balds, were the views were great. My favorite spot was on Rocky Top were you had a view of 360° of the Smoky Mountains. Some of the downs were very steep over large rocks. I enjoyed the balds trying to figure out if this was someone's homestead years back before the park, were would their house have been. At some point today or yesterday we crossed into Tennessee and are walking on the border between NC and TN. There are no signs to point out your exact location. The trail crossed a rectangular depression which I thought might have been someones foundation for a home which is lost in time. Best experience of the day: The 360° views from Rocky Top Mountain.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Springs Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2

Day 28Today it was raining or drizzle all day. It felt like you were walking in the clouds. There were no views today, just fog, but you could see several hundred feet in front of you. This morning a deer came walking through the shelter site. The trail was relatively easy compared to the past couple of days. The trail was muddy with standing water in most of it. You always had to watch your footing. This part of the trail is very worn. Some places the narrow trail is worn down a foot or two from the surrounding ground. A man with a German accent past me today, said he had to rush to finish the trail to Maine. This man half walked, half ran, slipping and sliding as he went. I wonder were the enjoyment is there. Tonight the shelter is full, so I set up tent. The winds are ripping around outside, but no rain and blue sky's. Three deer walked through this shelter site just before dark. I decided to stop early at this shelter so tomorrow I can have a fresh start to climb to the highest point in the park and on the AT. Also, tomorrow the weather should be clearer to see the views below. Best experience today: Seeing the deer just wondering in the woods. PS: Over 16,600 views on this site and so many comments. Thank you everyone. New Visions, thank you for including me in your year book. I can't wait it see it.
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Double Springs Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 29Hiked to the 200 mile mark on the AT, near Clingmans Doom. Woke up this morning with ice on the tent fly, but at least the sun was out. I was a little concerned about climbing Clingmans Doom since it is the highest point on the AT, but the climb was easier then I thought. Some of the climbs between Clingmans Doom and Newfound Gap were a strain and longer then I had thought. The climb out of Newfound Gap to Icewater Spring Shelter was approximately a 3 miles climb and an elevation change of over 1,000 feet. At the shelter there are so many hikers that every flat area around the shelter has a tent on it, and the shelter is full. The views today were spectacular. From many overlooks I could still see Fontana Lake that I had left on Saturday. Best experience of the days: Views from Clingmans Doom back to Fontana Lake.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 30Another beautiful day to hike. Most of the day was walking on mountain ridges with beautiful views to the east and west. The width of the path on some of these ridges was 3-4 feet with sharp drop offs. To the west you could see all the way to Douglas Dam. The Tri-Corner Knob Shelter was full when I got there so I tented in an area reserved for horses. Tomorrow I start the long decent toward the exiting the park. The forecast for tomorrow is rain. Best experience of the day: The views from Charles Bunion. This is a large outcrop of stone on the edge of the mountain. Tri-Corner Knob Shelter12.6 miles
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Day 31Today I head to the last shelter at the northern end of Smoky Mountain National Park. It was raining in the morning but I was able to pack my tent during a short time when the rain paused. It rained all morning and stopped about 11:00 am just long enough to take my rain gear off, then it started again. The hike today was almost like walking down a long down hill ramp for miles. At Davenport Gap Shelter there was a chain link fence that is meant to protect you from bears. This is the last shelter to have a fence, all of the other fences have been the same. Best experience of the day: Hiking 14+ Miles, a personal best.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm hostel
Miles today: 3.6

Day 32What a beautiful day. Almost everyone in the shelter woke up the same time. The trail out of the park was almost like being on a slide, mostly downhill. As the elevation decreased, it seems the leaves on the trees became more abundant as well as the flowers on the forest floor. Within a mile I was at the exit to the park. I deposited the top part of my Thru Hiker permit, and my hike through the Smoky's was complete. At the exit of the park there was Trail Magic by a church organizationYouth With A Mission Virginia. They provided COFFEE and snacks. Then as I entered the trail there was more trail magic, two oranges in a bag with no name, just a sign, trail magic. I took one orange. The trail leading to Little Pigeon River was beautiful, most of the trail was along a fast moving stream. As you walked along the stream, the volume of the water became stronger and stronger falling over several water falls. As I exited this section of trail there was more trail magic, apples. And then there was Standing Bear Hostile, what can I say. To see this hostel is to believe it. It is an old farm with a steam running through it. The buildings are very old farm buildings, and the newer additions are made to look old. There is a bunk house, separate kitchen building, separate shower house, and a re-stocking store. The hostel is very rustic. The re-stocking store is on the honor system, you run your own tab. Best experience of the day: The 1 1/2 miles after the northern exit of the park were the AT follows a stream. I rank this as one of the top five beautiful sights so far. Also stepping on a scale to find I lost 27 pounds, I hope the scale is correct.
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Standing Bear Farm hostel

To: Groundhog Creek Shelte
Miles today: 6.9

Day 33Another beautiful day. From early in the morning there was no need for even a jacket. After a long breakfast of a egg and sausage sandwich it was back to the AT. Boomer and I walked the day together, but right off there was a upward grade that did not seem to want to end. Boomer and I meet on Springer Mountain, the beginning of the AT, the first day on the trail for both of us. The first mountain we climbed was Snow Mountain which is a grassy bald and has an FAA tower on it. We decided to spend the night at Groundhog Creek Shelter. On the trail today we did not see many hikers, but as the evening came on, the hikers came in. At dusk the shelter was full and many tents were set up. Tonight and for the next couple of days we expect the weather to change to rain. Best experience of the day: From the grassy bald on Snow Mountain looking back at the Great Smoky Mountains NP that we had hiked. PS: To everyone who signed the Guest Book, I read all the entries and love the kind words and prays. I hope you realize that I can not answer all of the replies because of cell strength and limited battery between charges. Thank you all again and I hope the replies to the Guest Book continue.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Groundhog Creek Shelte

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 34The weather forecast was for rain, it did not come. The day was beautiful for hiking. I was just in a shirt all day and very comfortable. Most of the morning was climbing mountains and then this afternoon the hike was downhill except just before the campsite. To get to the campsite, there was a bit of a climb, just when you are so tired. Around noon we climbed to Max Patch, a mountain summit cleared years ago for cattle. To this day it is maintained as a bald. What a beautiful area this is. You can see 360° around to all of the surrounding mountains. We meet newly weds who drove up to the parking lot and were hiking around. As we sat and ate lunch they stopped by and were kind enough to take our pictures. Tonight I am in my tent with heavy winds. We have been told that we are in for some bad weather tonight and tomorrow. Best experience of the day: Having lunch in the middle of Max Patch.
Date: 2014-04-29
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Day 35And then there was wind. Last night it was windy when we all went to our tents, but this morning there was gail force winds. My tent as well as everyone's tents were laying almost flat with me in it. I used my backpack inside the tent to try to keep the tent up. At 6 am the rain had stopped but the winds continued. We decided to pack up and get off of the top of Walnut Mountain. The winds were so strong that Boomer and I had to help each other taking our tents down. At 8:30 am we where on the trail and as soon as we got off the mountain top, the winds subsided. All day the sky's threatened rain, but it did not come. The hike today was mostly downhill into Hot Springs, NC, which is a hiker friendly town. On the trail coming into town, the wild flowers were blooming all along the trail. The AT part the the sidewalk In town. The sidewalks also have the AT symbol embedded in them. I meet many hikers from the trail, as a matter of fact, most people walking around on the streets today were hikers, many who we had met on the trail. We tired to get a room in Hot Springs, but almost every place was full except a local campground which had one cottage. The cottage was just a small room with three levels of beds, no linen, and 1/2 bath. To shower you had to go to separate shower house.Best experience the day: The friendly people in Hot Springs.
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 36Zero Day. Today Boomer and I took a zero day. In hiker lingo, a zero day is when a hiker takes a day off. I did not mention in prior entries, that my right knee has been giving me trouble. Vitamin I, (Ibuprofen), and rub on muscle relief, helped me to get to Hot Springs. Today I ate, re-supplied, ate, rested my leg, and ate. Boomer and I were able to split a motel room. The room also came with linen, which was better then the cottage which had no linens. And then there was food. For lunch I had a pulled pork sandwich and then a 12 ounce steak for diner. It was so great to have food that you didn't have add water to before eating. At the Outfitters, I weighted myself again, I'm done another 3 pounds, but after my stay here, I'm sure I will be up again in weight. Best experience of the day: Sitting down at a restaurant with a 12 oz. steak in front of me.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Day 37And yet another zero day. After a day of rest yesterday, my leg feels sooooo much better. Boomer has similar leg or foot problems, so these 2 zero days have been great. So we are stuck in a small town, so what to do, did I hear you say eat? OK, you twisted arm, I guess I'll eat and rest my leg, and then eat again. Tonight this town is putting on a dinner for Thru Hikers, I love this little town. Leaving this town heading north, I'll have 6 days worth of food. I will be 5 days between re-supply, so my back pack will be real heavy. This afternoon, my right knee feels so much better without the need for any Vitamin I, so I hope I am on the road to recovery. There are so many hikers stuck here because it is so friendly and comfortable to be here. This evening we went to a dinner put on by the town of Hot Springs and probably 40 hikers ate real good. What an awesome little town. Best experience of the day: The dinner presented by the town people of Hot Springs.