morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, North Carolina
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept very well and felt much better this morning. The swelling in my feet was better so propping them up was a good idea. I did a much better job of taping my blister and left the bandaid on. This really helped, as I hiked 17.9 miles today with much less discomfort than yesterday. They say, "No rain, no pain, no Maine," so I guess I am getting all of my bases covered. There was good trail again today with some very steep ascents and descents, but few were very long. I had some very nice views on Walnut Mountain early in the hike.  I saw Tump and Poke along the trail (they left later but hike faster than I do) and got their photo. They are very excited about having their son visit, as am I. I was able to get a text to Stephen, and he was successful in finding us a place to stay tonight: The Belle of Hot Springs Hotel. We will be zeroing in Hot Springs tomorrow and staying at Elmer's Sunnybank Hostel tomorrow night. We will hit the trail on Sunday. It was very cool walking into Hot Springs. This is the first town the trail actually passes through. The AT emblem is embossed in the sidewalk. I got into town around 5:15.  When Stephen arrived, we checked into the hotel, which is a very nice older home. It's really more of a bed and breakfast. The owner was very nice and helpful. We then went to dinner at the Smoky Mountain Diner. I had the Hungry Hiker burger and fries  (of course).  Stephen had the barbecue burger. We also had apple pie and ice cream for dessert. We then went to the Spring Creek Tavern for a beer and enjoyed the local craft beer and live music. We then called it an early night and went to bed.  I met some interesting people on the trail today. There was Snacks, the first southbounder I've met (she took the winter off).  I also met Waffles from Southhampton, England, sitting on a bluff enjoying the breeze. Instead of taking an off year after graduating from University in London to party, she decided to hike the AT. Her real middle name is Rose, and she was very impressed with how cute our Rose is. I hiked into Hot Springs with Dutch. He and I have similar ideas about making sure we take the time to enjoy the experience of the journey and not just hike from shelter to shelter. Talking with him really made the last few miles fly by. It was so exciting to see Stephen, and I am really excited about our hiking together next week.
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Hot Springs, North Carolina

To: Hot Springs 
Miles today: 0.0

Stephen and I had a wonderful visit at the Belle of Hot Springs B&B. Ann, the owner, was very kind. The house is beautiful and quite old. Ann's daughter, Rachel, prepared us a delicious breakfast of apple turnovers, hard boiled eggs, granola, and fruit. We shared breakfast with Classy and her mother, Mrs. Potts. Classy is thru hiking before she begins her residency at John Hopkins. Her mother hiked with her for the past week. We had originally planned on going across the street for "second breakfast," but we were both too full. We headed down main street so I could get my laundry done. Along the way, we stopped to buy some home baked bread and visited the public library. We met Billy and Alex, and Tump and Poke at the laundromat. I got my clothes washed by a machine, and they are cleaner than they have been in a long while. We then went to check in at Elmer's Sunnybank Hostel. The hostel is in the oldest building in Hot Springs at 170 years old.  It is full of history. We slept in the room next to where Earl Schaffer stayed in 1948 when he was in the process of completing the first thru hike. 50 years later, at the age of 80, he stayed there again for his second thru hike. We had a great conversation with Elmer about the building and about hiking in general. Stephen and I hung my tent out in the back yard and for the first time in a long time, everything is dry. We then organized everything back in the room in preparation for hiking out tomorrow. We ran a few errands and then met a bunch of hiking buddies at the tavern for dinner.  We ate with Alex, Dapper Dan, Kevin, Billy, Reed, Monty, Trail Mix, Nate, and Jose. It was a great time and so fun to have so many of us all back together. We then headed back to the hostel to go to bed. Hiker midnight happens even in town. It is not in the room, but I figure I'll sleep pretty well anyway.  Hiking again tomorrow! P.S.  As you probably realize, there have been huge changes made in the administration of Trail Journals. I am very confused and quite frustrated by these and have emailed the administrator for guidance.
Date: 2017-04-30
From: Hot Springs, North Carolina

To: Log Cabin Road/Hemlock Hollow Hostel 
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

It was hot and stuffy in our room at the Sunnybank Hostel,  but both Stephen and I slept pretty well. We were up early and ate breakfast in our room. We were on the trail by 7:00. We knew we needed an early start, because this would be our longest day together: 16.3 miles. The trail out of Hot Springs was rocky and challenging. We gained over 1,300 feet in altitude in five miles. We did enjoy some great views of Hot Springs. It's a wonderful trail town, and we both had a tremendous time there. The hike today was tough, and Stephen did a great job, especially since it was his first day. There were many very steep climbs today. One was up to the Rich Mountain Lookout Tower. Stephen and I hiked up the access trail to look at it. We climbed it as far as we could but there weren"t any views to speak of. We thought we would eat lunch at the Spring Mountain Shelter, but it was tiny and full and facing the sun. We both made use of the tiny little privy there. It is the smallest privy I have seen on the trail, but it served its purpose well. We ended up eating lunch sitting on a log in a shady niche in the woods. It was a much better place. The hike today to Log Cabin Road was tough, and, like I said, Stephen did very well. We called ahead for a shuttle to pick us up at the trail junction with Log Cabin Road to take us to the Hemlock Hollow Hostel, but I was only able to leave a message. We got to the junction a full 30 minutes early and found there was no phone service. We decided to walk the 0.7 miles to the hostel. So, Stephen actually hiked a full 17 miles today.  The staff and hikers at the hostel were greatly impressed (and rightfully so).  Stephen and I enjoyed a large pizza apiece and two Gatorades. We both took a shower in the shower house and bedded down in the bunkhouse. We're only planning on going a bit over ten miles tomorrow, so it should be a far easier day. They are forecasting rain, though.
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Flint Mountain Shelter 

To: Low Gap Campsite 
Miles today: 14.9

Today's hike can be summed up in one word: steep. Since we came 6.7 miles further than planned yesterday,  we consulted the guide book and decided today's destination would be the Low Gap campsite. We both slept well and didn't wake up until 5:15. We got everything packed up and hit the trail at 7:00 for a day with "only" 14.9 miles on the agenda. The day started easily enough with a three mile hike to Devil Fork Gap. We then hiked to the top of Lick Rock Mountain (one must wonder where some of these names come from. There was a large rock atop the mountain but neither Stephen nor I were in the least bit tempted to lick it).  The hike to the top required a gain of 1,500 vertical feet over three miles.  A large part of the way we walked along a picturesque stream that features numerous waterfalls. The route was beautiful and very, very steep. We then hiked to Rice Gap which went just as steeply down. We took our time because this can be very hard on the knees and toes (since your toes get scrunched into the front of your shoes).  Likewise, walking uphill can be hard on your heels, and Stephen encountered his first blister on the back of his heel. He applied KT tape and hiked on. We got water and ate lunch at Hogback Ridge Shelter. Hogback Ridge is aptly named, as it consists of many (innumerable?) steep up and downs. Hogback Ridge Shelter also may boast of the privy with the greatest  view on the AT. There is no door (the privy is a bit of a walk from the shelter and faces away from it). The seat is quite low and a board thoughtfully provided for your feet is quite high, so you sit with your knees up by your chin. But the view of the mountains is amazing!  One might be tempted to pass the day away in quiet reflection if there weren't more hiking to be done. After leaving the shelter, we completed Hogback Ridge and were treated to a gorgeous view atop High Rock, where we met a really cool dog named Hobbs and his two humans. They had day hiked to the summit from a cabin. We then hiked down to Sam's Gap and walked under US 23/I-26, right at the Tennessee border. From there we climbed a very steep  hill (perhaps those who laid out the AT feel that switchbacks are for sissies).  We were rewarded with fantastic  views from the meadow at the top. We arrived at the Low Gap campsite at 6:15. We were both pretty beat from the day but quickly got camp set up and supper cooked. For the first time in awhile it was necessary to hang our food from a rope, since there weren't any bear cables. I was excited to meet up with Sam and Martin, whom I hadn't seen in many days. We shared the campsite with Leap Frog and Extra Mile, Waffle, Lion, and a few other thru hikers. As Stephen and I were both pretty wore out, we went to bed early.  We plan for a 14.6 mile day tomorrow and expect to camp at No Business Knob Shelter. We'll start the day with a climb to the top of Big Bald Mountain where we expect great views (and, probably, few switchbacks).
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Unnamed Campsite at Mile 355.0

To: Unnamed Campsite at Mile 355.0
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I slept very well and woke several times to the sound of rain on the tent and strong wind in the trees.  I have no doubt that I have the equipment and ability to hike in this weather today, but the question that begs itself is, "Why?" The latest forecast I have is that tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and in the fifties. I checked my guide book, and I can make it to the Elk Park hostel  with plenty of food, even with an extra day off.  Along the way to Elk Park, I want to sleep at the Roan High Knob Shelter for two reasons. One, because it is the highest shelter on the AT and, two, because of its ties with the railroad that I model. Many years ago while attending an annual ET&WNC RR convention, we drove to the top of Roan Mountain to see the ruins of the Cloudland Hotel. We also came across the AT as it crosses the area near there. I should be there in two days of hiking, and then it is 16.3 miles from there to the Mountain Harbor Hiker Hostel near Elk Park, which was also a town served by my railroad, as well as my next scheduled resupply point. I've spent a very serene, restful day so far. The temperature has actually dropped during the day. It is now mid-afternoon, and my thermometer checks out at just under 30 degrees. The winds have abated somewhat but are still quite strong. I've listened to the first five chapters of Born to Run, and it is quite good. The only time I have ventured from my tent was around 2:00. Armed with my trusty trowel and toilet paper, I ventured out to do my "woodsly" business. I also retrieved my food bag but left the rope, as I will go back out this evening to hang it back up. I wore my rain pants and jacket and put my feet inside the two plastic grocery bags I carry for this purpose and returned to my tent as dry as when I left. The woods look very impressive in a dark, misty, wet kind of way. I ate a clif bar, a beef and cheese slim jim, and a peanut butter packet. I in no way felt hungry, but I know I still need to eat. It is presently 3:30 and the wind and rain are kicking up the intensity.  In fact, I just looked out of the tent, and it is snowing!  I'll finish the rest of this entry tonight.  It's now evening, and I am settling in to go to sleep. I just finished hanging the bear bag back in the tree. The rain has stopped. My plan is to head for the Clyde Smith Shelter tomorrow, which is 13.9 miles away. Lots of ups and downs, but the only major one is Unaka Mountain which I will encounter first thing in the morning.  The next day, I will only need to go 8.5 miles to get to Roan Mountain and will be over 6,000 feet again.  It is 6,212 feet at the summit. The shelter is at 6,193 feet. It's been quite a day, and I really look forward to getting back to hiking tomorrow. If nothing else, I am well rested.
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Unnamed Campsite at Mile 355.0

To: Clyde Smith Shelter 
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light snow

Well, today I have been one month on the trail. It's amazing how fast the time has gone. I woke up at 5:15 to 35 degrees but no rain. I was on the trail at 7:15. The hike up Unaka Mountain was steep, misty, and wet until I got near the top. The sun started to cut through the mist at the same time I got to the snow. Unaka is covered in a heavy spruce forest, and it was like a winter wonderland. Usually we think of Trail Magic as people giving us food, but the hike across the top of Unaka Mountain was true trail magic. I came across a very touching scene. A family has decorated one of the spruce trees as a perpetual Christmas tree in honor of their late son. I left a note in the register and plan on finding more about the story when I get home.  At the summit, I met Shepherd from Australia. He is completing his triple crown (Pacific Crest, Continental Divide, and Appalachian Trails).  Considering his pace, I doubt I'll ever see him again, but we spent time together sharing the awesome winter views and taking each other's photos.  The rest of the day went very well. It stayed cold for awhile, which suited me just fine. I ate lunch in a pretty little glen.  I only planned on 13.9 miles today, so I was in no hurry. I got to camp at 4:30 and had plenty of time to dry out a few things, do all my camp chores, and visit around the fire with other hikers. Tomorrow will be short miles, since I will definitely be staying on Roan Mountain. It will be quite a climb, going up 2,200 feet over 4.4 miles, but I have all day, and the total mileage for the day is 8.5. I am now hiking in "Tweetsie Country" where the railroad that I model used to run. It will be very nostalgic to be on top of Roan Mountain again, as we have been there before in conjunction with the railroad. Of course, that time we drove to the top. Tomorrow I get to walk there.Note: For anyone keeping track, I noticed my trip mile number is not correct. I'll have to check the entries to see where the problem lies.  For now, I'll just put the correct mileage in my entry. Total miles:  368.9
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Shook Branch Road/Boots Off Hostel 

To: Iron Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 16.0

5/12Shook Branch Road/Boots Off Hostel to Iron Mountain Shelter16.0 miles Total miles: 442.9I woke up at 6:15 to find that the rain had stopped during the night. I packed everything up and headed for the kitchen area of the hostel for the free continental breakfast. I couldn't resist a very yummy egg and sausage biscuit that set me back  $3.00. My total bill for staying at the hostel: $13.00. I lingered for quite a while, and I didn't head out on the trail until 9:15. Cow Girl, Anvil, Pirate, and Knight Rider decided they were going to slackpack all the way to Damascus today. Slackpacking is an option made available by many hostels. They will either drive you to a location north of the hostel and then you hike back or, like in today's case, the hostel will transport your pack to a forward location. That way, the hiker only carries a day pack for the day and is freed from the weight of a full pack. It is a fairly common occurrence on the AT, but a practice that I haven't felt an urge to do. Either way, 40 miles is a very long distance to try to cover in one day. I was happy to settle with my 16 miles. I hope they made it okay, because the weather turned challenging this afternoon. I started my hike along Watauga Lake and soon entered the area off limits to camping, picnicking, or "lingering," due to bear activity in the area. I kept my eyes wide open but didn't see a bear.  There were nice views of the lake, however. After about four miles, I crossed the Watauga Dam and then returned to the woods. The hiking was uneventful until the rain started back up at 2:00. I made it to Vandeventer Shelter by 2:30, just as the rain really  picked up. As I ate my lunch, however, the rain slackened and then quit. I headed out for Iron Mountain Shelter, 6.7 miles away. The rain began again in earnest at 5:00, and this time there was thunderstorm activity. I was as safe as I could be with a good stand of trees surrounding me.  Still, I was a bit nervous, and I made the last three miles in not quite one hour. I met Monty, Jose, and Angela in the shelter. I had planned on staying in the shelter, but Yeti and Hugable also made it here, and I started watching all of the mice running around in the shelter. The rain quit for a bit, so I set up my tent. It is presently pouring outside, although no thunderstorm activity. I have managed to keep most everything at least relatively dry. The rain is supposed to quit tomorrow morning with sunshine by afternoon. I plan on hiking to Abingdon Gap Shelter tomorrow  (15.9 miles) and then a short hike of only ten miles into Damascus, Virginia on Sunday.  Note:  I realized today that I am now over 20% complete with my thru hike. It is said that the AT is a journey of five million steps, so that means I have hiked over one million steps. Perhaps I should have worn a Fitbit . . .
Date: 2017-05-15
From: Damascus, Virginia 

To: Lost Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 15.8

5/15Damascus to Lost Mountain Shelter15.8 milesTotal miles:  485.0I woke up this morning in the Air Stream and started thinking about the possibility of taking a zero day.  I got up and began packing up and decided it was just too nice a day to not be hiking. I had purchased a piece of construction paper and a Sharpie yesterday, and I made a sign congratulating the two upcoming graduates from my school in Rolla.  I had tried to send a congratulations video without success. Lee took my picture holding the sign in front of the Air Stream. Monty and Jose stopped by to see if I wanted to go to breakfast. I watched them play a game of chess, and then we walked to Mojo's Coffeehouse for breakfast. We walked along the AT, which offered me a pleasant surprise after I started hiking after breakfast. By the time I got out of town and reentered the woods, I only had 14.5 miles left to hike, instead of the 15.8 I had expected. We had a great breakfast, and were joined by Spitfire, another thru hiker. It was 10:00 before I left Damascus, but I felt good and ready to hike. We actually got to hike on almost level ground for an entire mile today. The AT follows the Virginia Creeper Trail for 0.4 miles out of Damascus. The Creeper Trail is a Rails to Trails project and is very popular for bicycles.  It is about five feet wide and paved in chat. The AT meets up with the Creeper Trail two other times.  Once to bypass a damaged bridge on the AT, and once again for 0.4 miles near the end of today's hike.  Of course, the AT could share the Virginia Creeper Trail the entire distance of about ten miles, but instead it goes up and over Iron Mountain and any number of other steep up and downs getting from Point A to Point B in over twelve miles. Oh well, if it were easy it wouldn't be the AT. The trail was pretty normal. There were some pretty serious rock scrambles early on, a lot of steep up and downs, and a lot of rocky trail. We may be in Virginia, but the terrain still seems a lot like what we've hiked before. If course, this is only our first full day in Virginia. The rhododendron are more and more in bloom, which makes for pretty scenery. There were no real views today due to tree cover, but the weather was sunny and cool, and the mountains could be seen in the distance through the trees. I chose to hike a little extra today to get water and eat at Saunders Shelter, which is about 1/4 mile off the AT. It was a very nice shelter in beautiful surroundings, so I'm glad I stopped. I had been forewarned by Wild One, a hiker that I met hiking to the shelter, that the privy was overrun by bees. Fortunately, I was not in need of the privy, but I did notice a good number of bees around the shelter. I didn't get to Lost Mountain Shelter until nearly 7:00, but I was able to get all my chores done before dark. I plan on getting a far earlier start in the morning. It's a beautiful, cool evening that should provide excellent sleeping weather.
Date: 2017-05-18
From: Trimpi Shelter 

To: Mount Rogers Visitor's Center/Marion/Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

5/18Wise Shelter to Mount Rogers Visitor's Center/Marion/Damascus10.0 miles Total miles: 532.6I slept well and never closed the vestibule or got completely in my sleeping bag. Warmer weather is definitely upon us. I was up a little after 5:00 and on the trail by 7:00. The trail was splendid for walking. There was over a mile that I kept double checking for white blazes, as it was straight, flat, and clear of obstructions.  Could this really be the AT?  I made excellent time all morning.  It was a green tunnel, but there were all kinds of birds singing and there was often the fragrance of wild flowers.  I saw a king snake sunning itself by the trail. I hiked awhile with Weather Girl and, before I knew it, I was at the Mount Rogers Visitor's Center. I arrived at 11:30, and the next shuttle bus to Marion did not leave until 2:30. With the help of Steve, the ranger on duty, we called in a food order.  I couldn't resist the Texas Burger (1/2 pound burger with cheese, onions and barbecue sauce) and fries for $5.99.  A good number of hikers ended up relaxing and waiting for the shuttle bus. We were entertained by Pipes, who demonstrated the origin of his trail name by playing a penny whistle and his bagpipes. The bus arrived to take us to Marion and dropped us off at the Wal-Mart.  Uncle Puck, Juan, and I split the cost of a taxi to Damascus.  Juan and I got bunks at "The Place," a hostel run as a ministry of the local Methodist church. The care taker, Bayou, and Cahoda made us feel very much at home.  We went by another hostel to do our laundry and so that I could catch up on my trail journal. We then went to the local fire department for a free hiker feed. We feasted on fried chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, and dessert. They fed hundreds of people. Not much is going on with vendors, but that will change tomorrow. I did meet Nate, Sharon, and Asher, the Hiking Vikings. Nate and Sharon thru hiked a few years ago and made excellent you tube videos of their experiences. "Tips from the Trail" are very informative and fun videos. The Hiking Vikings were the first set of videos I watched as I began to seriously prepare for the trail, and it was very fun to get a chance to visit with them. I'm looking forward to the rest of Trail Days. I will stay in Damascus Friday and Saturday and will get a shuttle back to Marion on Sunday to start hiking again. I am showered, very full of food, and my clothes are laundered. And, oh yes, porcelain toilets that flush with limitless toilet paper.  What else could anyone ask for?