morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-06
From: Day 27 Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Day 28 Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Well it wasn't as cold as expected last night, only got down to 28* and with the shelter full of hikers, it felt even warmer. The morning still is cold but the Sun is already up so I think it's going to be a great day for hiking. The hike today was mostly downhill, it's never all downhill, which should have been easy except for the ice on the trail and the melting snow. Since I am at 6000', any water on the trail from the recent storm and snow, turned to ice overnight making hiking today very slippery and dangerous, add that to going downhill and your legs really get a workout.  With the full sun and a lot of snow on the branches it looked like and felt like it was raining.  I got wet but quickly dried in the warm (44*) sun. Early in the day I had another one of those "You can't fix stupid" moments, and it was a real rookie mistake at that. I went the wrong way leaving camp. After climbing back up the .5 shelter trail, I went Southbound. I don't really have an excuse except I was daydreaming. It took me 13 minutes to realize my mistake and turnaround. So even though I left camp at 9:45, I really started Northbound at 10:45. Since once again the day was clear the views I saw were exceptional. The trail crosses the ridge several times letting me have fabulous views if both NC & TN.  While taking a break along the trail a couple of days ago, I got bit on my right instep.(by what I don't know)  At first it wasn't a problem but got much worse as the day went on. While I was in Gatlinburg I used neosaporin and kept my boots off and it seemed to get better. When I hit the trail yesterday it was feeling only OK but as the day wore on it got worse. It got so bad I was not walking correctly and when I finally got to camp both my legs really hurt. I took Advil before going to bed and hoped for the best. Before I left camp today I took 2 more Advil and it really helped. I had very little pain all day, in fact I made the 12.9 miles in 5hr 15min and was the first to arrive at the Cosby Knob Shelter, my home for the night. Pretty good for starting off stupid. Others slowly drifted in but tonight the shelter is pretty empty with only 6 hiker staying the night. Right now (7:30) it's not too cold only 48* and it isn't expected to get much colder than 35* so it going to be a great night for sleeping, and since the ones that snore aren't here tonight, it will be a quiet night and a great night to get some quality sleep. nite all.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: Day 28 Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Day 29 Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

It was a great night, not too cold and with only 6 in the shelter so it was very Quiet. I was up early (6:30) and hit the trail by 7:45. Again it was mostly downhill except for the 900' & a couple of 300' ups, I did the first 7.1 miles to the Davenport Gap Shelter in just 2-1/2 hr I was really moving. Just a little further down the trail as I came into Davenport Gap (TN 32 / NC 284) and the end of the Smokies, I was met by a whole bunch of trail angles. They were the LeConte Photographic Society and Hiking Club with Jane Brewer at the helm. They had multiple tables set up with a wide variety of good things to eat. Of course I sat right down and had a great time eating everything they offered. I stayed about 1 -1/2 hr before I had to push on. A big THANK YOU to: Jane, Jan & Nancy, Jim & Andy, Mary Ann, Annie, Rebeka & Ivvone . (hope I didn't miss anyone) They even took my picture and will email it to Gerrie. WOW am I lucky or what and I have completed the AT through the Smoky Mountains. Next town is Hot Springs NC. After pulling myself away from the feast (see picture) I continued on uphill another 500' in 2-1/2 miles to my home for the night; Standing Bear Farm where I have a resupply box waiting . This hiker friendly place run by former thru-hikers Curtis & Marie Owen is a very rustic retreat tucked deep in the woods. There is a bunk room for 20 and a small cabin (holds 6) for sleeping, and all the things hikers need, hot showers, laundry room, privy, Internet access, a kitchen where you cook your own food or can purchase food in their amply stocked supply room. Prices are very reasonable. Staff is very friendly and with a small stream running right under the cabin, the place is very relaxing and the bed is quite comfortable. I'm going to need to relax and recharge since tomorrow in just under 5 miles, I have to climb 2455' right from the start. Total miles today,10.5. Now it's off to bed for me.
Date: 2011-04-08
From: Day 29 Standing Bear Farm

To: Day 30 Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Wow what a day. I left Standing Bear Farm about 8:45, the weather was cool but the sun was up so it was shorts and a tee again for today, and like I said yesterday I headed straight uphill and climbed 2455' in 4.6 miles then down 1335' in 2.5 miles back up 933' in 2.2 miles back down 364' in .6 miles then back up 891' in 2.9 miles then up 231' in .3 miles to the high for today of 4629', Max Patch Summit. After hiking 13.6 hard miles to get there, I was in a state of pure euphoria and my eyes filled with tears of joy. I had actually made it. I was completely soaked but the brisk breeze on the summit quickly dried my clothes and pack. As it has so often this trip, I have been truly blessed by great weather when it really counts and this was no exception, from the top of Max Patch I could see forever and took many pictures. After enjoying the moment and the awesome view (15 - 20 minutes worth) it was back down 594' in 1.7 miles, arriving about 5:45 at the Roaring Fork Shelter and my home for the night. Whew was I tired? Yes I was totally beat but I felt terrific. Total miles for today 15.3 and now I am too tired to type anything else so good night.
Date: 2011-04-11
From:  Day 32 Hot Springs NC

To: Day 33 Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday, being such a beautiful Sunday, brought out a large crowd to Hot Springs with many couples arriving on motorcycles. This town is a destination for people from the surrounding areas who enjoy it's Spa, river rafting & kayaking and hiking, since there are many hiking trails in the area in addition to the Appalachian Trail. They also come to shop in the cute boutiques. Hot Springs is a town of less than 700 people that swells into the thousands on weekends like this. Everyone is so friendly and it was great just sitting outside taking it all in.  I went down to the Dollar General to find something for black fly bites, one of the clerks overheard me ask the checkout lady and came over and said I should try Tea Tree 100% essential oil. When I asked where could I buy it she wasn't sure of anyone on town sold it. She then went out to her car and gave me her bottle telling me to try it and just to bring it back before I left town. With people this nice it's going to hard leaving town tomorrow. On my way back to my room, I stopped by the outfitters and Yes they had it. So I went back to Gale and gave hers back. Meeting people in towns along the Appalachian Trail, like the waitress yesterday and Gale today, including the many others I have met and have't even mentioned, has made this a truly inspiring adventure and keeps me going Northbound. Tomorrow it's back to eating trail food once again but tonight it's dinner at the Iron Horse Station where Lisa my waitress even warms up the cup before serving my coffee and Tony Jones serves up tonight's special, pan seared Tuna w-Teriyaki glaze, Mashed red potatoes, saut©ed Mushrooms, Red peppers & Zucchini all perfectly prepared. For desert it was locally made apple crisp with home made ice cream. YUM YUM YUM. Everyone here and in town just seams to really care about every thing they do, and every customer. I'm going to miss this.
Date: 2011-04-13
From: Day 34 Little Laurel Shelter

To:  Day 35 Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

You know the old saying don't judge a book by it's cover, wait until you read it. Well on the trail it's don't judge the day by It's morning, wait to the end of the day, such as was the case yesterday and today.  Well after such a miserable night the morning wasn't any better. My alarm went off at 6:00 and when I looked outside I noticed it had been so cold there was a layer of sleet on the ground. It took all I could do to get up, and with everything wet or damp, get dressed. Since it was so cold (34*) I decided NOT to wear the wet stuff instead I put on my long wool pants and long outer pants as well as long wool shirt, and fleece jacket under my windproof jacket. It was THAT cold, damp and foggy. It's not raining but just as wet. It took a lot time to get everything packed up and back onto my pack then back outside to pack up the tent. It's 8:45 and away I go. As I started out of course it was all uphill. Today's hike went like this; everything wet and there a thick fog, climb 1188' in .3 mile, yeah that will warm me up, so 1/2 way up I took off my jacket, fleece, the long shirt. Shortly after that and the sun came out and it quickly warmed up. So it was out of all my pants and back on with the wet shorts. I also hung any thing wet off the back of the pack, socks and all, the shorts quickly dried. The air cleared and as I reached 4700' the sun was warm and the air temp around 60*, things were looking up.  Then drop 600' over 6 miles, mostly down but of course with usual 300'-400' ups and ending at Jerry Cabin Shelter where I stopped for lunch. Then up 500', this section was really rough tough rock climbing up to and then back down from Big Firescald Knob  As I reached the top of Big Firescald Knob the sky was clear and bright and I could see forever. (see pics). As I hiked along everything dried out and life was good, then down 1055' in just 1.4 miles over very difficult terrain, and hard on my feet and legs, ending at Flint Mountain Shelter and my home for the night. I arrived at the shelter about 4:45 and went about setting up my tent so it could dry out. Old friends at the shelter tonight are Shutter, Leap, Animal and new friends. Steak & Shake,(section hikers) UHaul (caring at least 185 lbs, 60 lbs of food) & Squatch who is making a film of the trail and filmed us as we talked around the table. Total miles today 12.7  So at the end of this day, it's great being on the Appalachian Trail.  Nite all.
Date: 2011-04-15
From: Day 36 Tenting @ Low Cap

To:  Day 37 Nolichucky HostelÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 
Miles today: 20.5

Ok since I ate so much at the Trail Magic yesterday and didn't hike as far as I had panned I knew that if I wanted to get to the Hostel before a big storm hit tonight I had to hike a long way today. I was up at 6:00 and on the trail by 7:30. The weather was mild (52*) but with a heavy overcast.  The first thing I had to do was the big climb I didn't do yesterday, so I ate my last dinner for breakfast to give me lots of energy. By 9:00 I had hiked the 3 miles to the top of Big Bald (5516') a climb of 1180'. No great view today since with the pending storm, it was, cold (45*) foggy and very windy (40 mph). With me in my shorts and tee I didn't hang around but kept on going. By 9:30 I had hiked  the first 7.2 miles and arrived at Bald Mountain Shelter where I met up with Leap. After the trail magic yesterday he continued on to the shelter like I had planned.  From there it was mostly downhill (remember it's never always downhill) there were several acute 600' & 800' ups and numerous 200' ups and downs, finally a 3 mile down, in very strong wind, ending at the Nolichucky River bridge and my home for the next 2 nights; Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel & outfitter. Getting there at 5:45 and only 15 minutes before the shuttle left for a dinner run to town. So I had to really hurry if I wanted to eat dinner tonight since I ate my last dinner for breakfast this morning. I quickly just dumped all my gear out of my pack onto the bed to find clothes to wear after my shower. As I was getting out of the shower and running back to my cabin, a large tree was blown down very close by taking out a utility pole and all the power to the area including the Hostel. We, all 16 of staying at the hostel, went to town (Erwin TN) anyway and I went with several others over to the KFC all you can eat buffet and had a big meal.  Returning to the hostel it's pouring down rain and we find the power is still out but the local electric company is there trying to get the power back on but first they have to install a new pole, in the pouring rain, not the best time to be working with electricity. It's now 11:00 and still no power so I might as well try and clear the bed, using my head lamp, so I can sleep in it tonight.  Nite allTotal miles today 20.5.
Date: 2011-04-16
From:  Day 37 Nolichucky HostelÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 

To: Day 38 Nolichucky Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

After the stormy night with the power being restored around 12:30 the morning started off lousy but by the middle of the day the Sun was out in full force. By 5:00 it wad raining once again. The shuttle to town for breakfast left on time at 8:00 and the van was full. The small diner we stopped at was great and the food tasted good. The one woman behind the counter took the orders and did the cooking. She really did a terrific job but boy we sure kept her busy, after all we are hikers and very hungry when we get to town. Later in the morning good friend Shutter arrived at the Hostel and after listening to his harrowing story of his night in the shelter during the storm, I was even happier I had hurried down off the mountain yesterday. My boots arrived from home and boy do they sure fell great and make me want to get back on the trail ASAP. For a while I thought I had to take an extra zero day so I could go to the post office on Monday to mail my old/new boots back home. Hearing of my plight from another hiker, Steak & Shake, who had already finished their section hike and had left the trail for home, returned back to the Hostel and offered to take them to the post office for me so I could hit the trail tomorrow. I call that Trail Magic. THANK YOU thank you very much. The rest of the day was for laundry, planing tomorrows hike, resting and posting journals. Before I knew it, it was 6:00 and time for the dinner shuttle. This time myself and 7 others went to the Mexican restrauant and we all had a great meal. I even took desert (flanx2) back to my room to eat later,I'm trying to gain weight.  Well I have packed up everything I can tonight and I will finish packing after breakfast.  My alarm is set for 6;00 and I hope to be hiking by 7:30. Total miles today 0.0
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Day 38 Nolichucky Hostel

To: Day 39 Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

Well I was on the trail by 7:00 today, because of the help I got from Steak and Shake, Thank You again I really appreciated it. Today's hike was a challenge right from the start. Leaving the Hostel it was all uphill for 6 miles climbing 1633' then drop down 600' in 2 miles then up 1200' in 3 miles then back down 600' in 1-1/2 miles then the big climb of the day, 1050' in 1-1/2 miles then back down 1280' in 2 miles then up 600' in 1/2 mile then down 400' and finally up 200' to the Cherry Gap Shelter (4012') and my home for the night arriving at 5:00. What all that adds up to is a low to high gain of 3478' but that doesn't count the ups and downs getting there because it's never s straight line on the trail. Just like it's never all downhill it's also never all uphill. It was a cool but clear day with the highest point being Unaka Mountain @ 5280' where on top there is a dense Spruce forest without any clearings where I could take pictures, bummer, it was so clear I bet they would have been beautiful. Most of the day I leap frogged with Gipcgirl and Dexter and they are here at the shelter tonight. Of course I am in my tent and Gipcgirl is in hers with Dexter in the shelter with Night Hawk and several others. Cactus Jack,  Bud heavy & Stan tented nearby.  It was a hard but rewarding day of hiking. Oh yeah, my boots felt terrific, thanks again Gerrie. After seeing what packs were available in Erwin, I decided to wait until get to Damascus VA where there is an Osprey pack dealer who might be able to readjust my pack for a better fit. It almost 9:00 and the moon has just appeared over the mountain, and it looks like a full moon, so it's going to be a cold clear night perfect for sleeping. Total miles today 17.6.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Day 39 Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Day 40 ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: broken clouds

It was a great night and I was up @ 6:00 and, after a full breakfast, on the trail by 7:30. I knew I was going to need all the energy I could get for today's hike. Leaving the shelter it was 300' up, 600' down, 300' up, 200' down, 400' up, 200' down to the Clyde Smith Shelter for a 9.2 mile morning.  I stayed there for 1-1/2 hr. and had a really big lunch. I needed the break for what was coming up next. First it was 900' up then 900' down then came the highlight of the day, 2250' up in 3.5 miles to the top of Roan Mountain and the highest shelter on the AT @ 6285'.  Those 3.5 miles were some of the hardest hiking I have ever done and took me almost 2-1/2 hr.  There were times I thought it couldn't get any harder, then it did, then it got even harder still. The incline was so steep it was all I could do to move forward. The hike wasn't made any easier with today's temps in the mid 80's. My heart was pounding so loud i could hear it and I was sweating from every pore in my body. Sweat was dripping from my nose, my eyebrows, running down my face soaking everything I had on, and yet I still hiked on.  I filled up my water bottles (2 liters) at lunch and had to refill them twice and drank it all, when I got to the shelter I was out of energy, out of air and out of water again. As I was climbing up the last mountain I said to myself that maybe having this big climb at the end of a long day wasn't the smartest thing I could have done, but Yes I had made it, arriving at 5:30, but I was totally and complexly   E X H A U S T E D, I dropped my pack and collapsed. After a short rest I went about my usual camp setup, got water, set up tent, had dinner etc. etc.  With me tonight are several from last night, Night Hawk, Dexter, Gipcgirl, Morgan Creek, Red Oak and 2 others. A very hard day of hiking is putting it mildly so now it's off to bed for me. It's a clear night and at this altitude I bet it's going to be a cool night tonight and a great night for sleeping. Total miles today 16.2.  Nite all
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Day 40 ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Day 41 ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 16.7

After such a grueling day yesterday you might think I would be taking it easy today, well you would be wrong. After a beautiful, cool night with a steady wind blowing through the tops of the trees, but not down at tent level, it was easy to fall asleep. As usual up at 6:00 and on the trail by 7:30. First it was down 700', up 300', down 600', up 300', down 200', up 500', down 600' to the Stan Murray Shelter for lunch and a 5 mile morning. From there it was down 2 miles to the Overmountain Shelter, a converted barn that was once used during the Revolutionary war. (these pics and many more coming as soon as I can get computer access) Then it was back up up 950' in 1 mile to Little Hump Mountain. Then down 500' then back up 600' in .9 mile to the top of Hump Mountain @ 5587'. Then it down 2700' in 5.5 miles and this time I mean all down hill no ups, and a real challenge it was. There were rock fields after rock fields and switchback after switchback bringing me down to US 19. From there it was a .5 mile hike to the Mountain Harbor B&B and  Hostel my home for 2 nights. I had to actually run the final 2 miles in order to arrive at the Hostel at 4:30, in time to take a shower and be ready for the 5:00 shuttle into town for dinner. Whew I made it and once again I'm beat but feeling great. Todays weather was superb with filtered sun and a brisk breeze keeping me cool and comfortable all day except for the 2 mile run.  At the Hostel tonight are old friends Night Hawk, Gipcgirl, MoFo, Roadrunner and Morgan Creek. Total miles today 16.7 (not counting the .5 to the Hostel)
Date: 2011-04-21
From: Day 42 ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Day 43 Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Yes it was another fabulous breakfast at the Hostel then it was back on the trail. Of course it was uphill. Uphill from the Hostel just to get to the trail head then uphill 870' then a lot of level and downhill with little 100' bump ups then of course a little 500' climb  up to the shelter. It's sure great not having any 1000' climbs today. Even though it looked like rain this morning it never really did and the sun was out for most of the day. Today's main highlight was Jones Falls. (I've been told these are the tallest falls on the AT) These waterfalls were very beautiful, and with the name Jones, I found a soft rock to sit on and took a 30 min rest to enjoy the view. The other highlight was the Elk River. I walked along this narrow band of swift moving water that looked right out of storybook land and I half expected to see some little farm boy fishing on the shore. Todays hike took me into forest of evergreens, over grassy fields and once again through tunnels of rhododendrons. All in all a beautiful day hiking the Appalachian Trail.  I have decided to stay in the shelter and not pitch my tent because the weather report gives a 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms tonight. Here at the shelter are Dexter, Toaster, Mayo, Tramp, Shiny (because he's new on the trail)  Road Dog, Spark. Sprout & Sherpa arrived late around 7:30 and got the last 2 spots in the shelter.  Total miles today 10.1.    Nite all.
Date: 2011-04-22
From: Day 43 Mountaineer Shelter

To: Day 44 Kincora Hiking Hostel
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Good decision to stay in the shelter, it did rain and was raining as I started out @ 8:45. Today I decided to hike with Toaster so I could have someone to talk to during the day. Toaster is a potter in Wheaton NJ so we had South Jersey in common. Like I said, we started out in the rain and hiked most in of the morning in the rain but gradually the rain let up and a few rays of sun poked through. We made the 9.6 miles to the next shelter, Moreland Gap Shelter, arriving around 1:30 and stopped for lunch. During lunch the rain picked up again and we debated should we move ahead or just stay there for the night. Being just too early, we decided to continue on down the trail. We set out again in the pouring rain but very shortly it stopped and the sun came out making it quite humid but otherwise a perfect hiking day. We continued on to Dennis Cove road. We made a left and went up to Kincora Hiking Hostel and our home for the night arriving @ 5:45, 45 minutes after the dinner and resupply shuttle left for town. Seiko, a member of the hostel staff, then offered myself, Toaster & Tramp a ride into town, more trail magic when you least except it. During the day I came across hikers going Southbound who said they were only section hikers and I said we are all section hikers and the only difference between us is how many zero days we take off between sections. Overall today's hike was quite uneventful with little ups and downs, nothing over 800'. Total miles today 15.8.