morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-21
From: spring mountain shelter

To: little laurel shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up about 7:30 am, made instant oatmeal breakfast and Left spring Mountain shelter at about 8:30 am. Terrain not as tough as yesterday but was still challenge as I am not in shape. Hopefully I will get in shape soon. Cloudy start then party sunny then rain for about an hour just before camp. I was soaked but I did get cover on pack. Everything dry but me. Arrived little laurel shelter about 4:50. Was getting cold so put on dry shirt. Then I collected 4 liter water and cured it with aqua mira. Prepared dinner of ramen and vacuum packed chicken, added hot sauce, tasty. Also had crackers, peanut butter, hot chocolate and mango orange crystal lite. I was thirsty as my 70 oz camel was emptied before I arrived shelter. For lunch I had a tuna packet. On trail I had trail mix and dried sausage. I am now in bed charging my watch and phone. Time is 8:10 pm. There are three females and three males sleeping in this six person shelter. I was going to tent but rain washed me out. Today on hike I listen to Zero Hour, book about earth blackout from solar flare.
Date: 2017-04-22
From: little laurel shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

I was last to leave laurel shelter at 8:45 am. Shared shelter with : dove, atlas, sparks, ninja and olive. I gathered quart water at spring. 700 ft climb from camp then not difficult thereafter except for some very rocky places. Some rain. Had lunch of tuna and sausage. Pace was faster but for the day only 1.2 mph avg. arrived Jerry shelter about 4pm. Visited and rested, gathered 3 liter water, filled camel and had plenty for 16 oz with crystal lite, coffee and mountain house chicken teriyaki and rice. Not tasty. One hiker collected wood for fire that was smokey. Rain started and washed it out. Six in shelter and several tents and hammocks. Hikers I met: honey bee, spyro, witch doctor, rabbit hole, and others whose names escape me. Hike today was 7.6 miles. Now 7:20pm. In bed and charging phone. Concerned battery won't last until Erwin Tn 40 miles away.
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Rector Laurel HOSTEL
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: broken clouds

In the shelter Tom snored all night and his wife Carrie coughed incessantly. I finally had to get out of my sleeping bag about 11:30 and retrieved my ear plugs. Honeybee another hiker was equally annoyed. I prefer my tent unless it is raining and it rained all night and was still raining when I left camp at 8:30 am. For breakfast I had a cliff bar. Hike started with an uphill but soon was mostly easy. A section of the trail went thru a BIG rock field that was a scramble to hike thru. Other than that I made good so at Flint shelter (Picture below) I only stopped for lunch and kept hiking. Because of the continuing rain the shelter was full. Today On the trail was a stone marker with the name of a thru hiker that hiked the AT in 1968. I was making good time but too far from next shelter so after 2.5 hours I unexpectedly came across a hostel 150 yards from the trail. For $35 dollars I got a bed, shower, pizza and clothes washed. There are five hikers staying in this six bed hostel. Staying here are: Pun, Ninja, Patch, and Dove. Ninja and Dove were at Little Laurel shelter where I stayed two nights ago. Other hikers I met today were Scribbles, Bkazingberry and Atticus. Now 8:45pm.
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Rector Laurel HOSTEL

To: Natures Way HOSTEL
Miles today: 8.2

Stayed the night at the Rector Laurel Hostel. Also there was Ninja, Dove, Pun, and patch. Took shower and on my way by 8:35 am. Right away I had a 1,600 foot climb to 4,531 ft over three mile distance. Legs were burning. Next 5.3 miles was down, up and then down to Sams Gap where I had arranged with Sams Gap Hostel a ride to there hostel. I had my own bedroom in a house I shared with three other seniors: Joyhiker and her husband SOL and CaptainCrunch. I restocked with some cereal bars and snickers. For dinner I had a can of chili with cheese and a tortilla. On the trail today I met Snacks from Austin and FiveStar from Katy. Also met SemiPro, Honeybee, TSquare, Shammy, Atlas, ThreeSocks and a few others whose names I don't remember or never learned. Tomorrow is a big climb so I will slackpack for about 13 miles. Slackpack: I leave Hostel without pack and have it delivered to me by Hostel owner 13 miles later at Spivey Gap.
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Natures Way HOSTEL

To: Spivey Gap Tent Site
Miles today: 13.6

It is now hiker midnight (8:00pm) and I am in my tent at a little campsite by Spivey Gap where I ended my 13.6 mile hike at 5:45pm. Start was 8:15 am. I did not have to carry my pack as it was delivered to me here by the owner of the Hostel where I stayed last night in a three bedroom house. Nice change from the shelters. No rain today but the trail was for the most part wet, muddy, slippery and somewhat treacherous. I went down twice. No injury. Today on the trail I met Persistent, Grateful, Scout, Millie Vanille, MCHammer, mamabear, and a few others whose names I don't remember. For breakfast I had a couple cereal bars and for lunch a small piece of sausage I bought in Castroville and a handful of GORP from HEB. For dinner I prepared a cheese quesadilla with spam and mustard. Also a Sprite I asked the Hostel owner to bring when he delivered my pack to Spivey Gap where I am tenting tonight. Great views today from Big Bald. It is about 12 miles to Erwin TN where I will take a room and reprovision. I won't make it there in one day. I will camp tomorrow night and arrive Erwin early.
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Spivey Gap Tent Site

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 11.1

First nite in the tent and I slept well. Got up at 6:00am, repacked pack and took down tent left camp at 7:50. It was also longer to break camp when tenting vs staying in shelter. 1.5 hours is goal. Hike start was up hill from camp at 3,200 feet to 3,830 feet over a distance of 1.1 miles. Glad I had fresh legs for the start. Distance I hiked today was 12.7 miles into Erwin Tn where I am staying tonight in a house bedroom provided by Cantarrosa Farms. ($35 a nite). Hike start was a cool 51 degrees. In 6 miles I reached the 'No Business Knob Shelter 11:30 am, had chicken packet with mustard. A hiker there, no trail name Dwight, offered me a hot tea with honey that thoroughly enjoyed with my meal. Also at this shelter was Katniss and Bigfoot ( a couple), WitchDoctor and TNC. I left shelter after one hour and arrived Erwin six miles later at about 4:30 pm. Arriving at same time was Honeybee, TSquare and Dove, three females between ages of 26 and 48. All three started in Georgia, faster than me and are attempting a thru hike. Faster in part because have already been up and down the Appalachian Mts for 342 miles. There were several overnight accommodations. Uncle Johnnies Hostel is very popular and swarming twenty year olds. I opted for privacy at Cantarrosa though it did cost more. For dinner, Mike, the farm owner, recommended Hawg n Dawg BBQ. He drove me there and back. Dinner was good.
Date: 2017-04-27
From: Erwin TN

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

ZERO DAY: NO MILES. This morning before I got up I caught up with my journal at trailjournals.com. Reviewed my AT guide for next six days trip planning, i.e. Nights out till next provisions, potential camp sites (shelter, tent Hostel). Got my dirty clothes sorted and in the washing machine, delicate cycle and low heat tumble dry. Hung sleeping bag, tent and ground cover for airing and drying. Did an inventory of my groceries and made list for shopping. Peggy, accommodation owner gave me ride for breakfast to the'Huddle House). Having bacon (crispy), eggs (3 over easy), hash browns, grits and toast (wheat) and coffee. Today has been busy: Food Lion for groceries, Walgreens for knee brace, got clothes washed sorted, folded and packed, packed pack (35 lbs after I mailed some stuff home, KFC for dinner. I think I'm ready to hit the trail tomorrow. Will try for 10 miles, depends on terrain.
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Erwin TN

To: Beauty Spot Bald
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I started my hike from Erwin TN at 9:30 am. My altitude start was1,635 ft and now at my camp spot on a bald known as Beauty Spot mountain I'm at 4,425 ft. The climb out of Erwin was tuff as they all are out of a town. I had a 1.5 hour lunch stop at Curly Maple Gap Shelter where I finished off a tuna packet and Belvita Crackers.  I started today with 70 ozs in my Camel bladder and 16 ozs in my Platypus and both were empty upon arrival. Fortunately a trail angel provided water at camp for the hikers so I got enough to quench my thirst and prepare my Ramen dinner and hot Chocolate. The angel had also brought wood and made a nice fire to warm us from the cool altitude and wind. The temperature was hot at 85 degrees and stayed warm most of the day. By the time I reached camp I was exhausted from the heat and climb and 12.2 mile hike. At the camp fire was Dove, Honeybee, Jimmychagra, Barrel, Crazypants(from Japan), Nobeard(he's carrying a Mandolin) and Shehulk. Others are here that i did not meet. It's now 10:20pm. Tomorrow I will reach my next camp much earliers than today.
Date: 2017-04-29
From: Beauty Spot Campsite

To: Apple Orchard
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

12.5 miles today according to my apple watch. Miles may be different when i check the AT Guide. took down tent and left camp by 8:30 and (need to leave earlier to beat the heat). Lot of down hike from Beauty Spot then one big climb and several not so big. All-in-all not overly strenuous. iPhone and Apple Watch battery's low and so is battery pack. So this post will be short. Phone password was acting up so I text Peggy and got me fixed up. Finally made camp in an Apple Orchard with 6 other campers: Giggles(from England), a fellow from S. Africa, Whip from Dallas and the couple I mentioned before that snored and coughed all nite. Had Ramen, tortilla and Brevita Crackers for dinner. A little later a couple of fathers with their sons on a weekend camp trip about 1/5 mile from here walked over and offered us their excess pizza. We all had a slice. Apple blossom flower petals floated down from the trees we set under...pretty and peaceful.
Date: 2017-04-30
From: Campsite at 364.2

To: Roan High knob shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

13.2 miles, tough miles to Roan High Knob Shelter, the highest shelter on the AT AT 6,193 feet. Awake at 5am, left tent campsite at 6:30a and arrived RHKS at 6pm. I enjoyed the cool, breezy hike. Was not a hot hike day but was very long with my 35 lb pack. UBS packet lunch on the trail and ramen dinner and hot tea. Shelter holds 20 and is full. In my area is ULTRA, PLANNER and no trail name JACKIE. Rain forecast for tonight which will make for a difficult trek off this mountain. The other day I saw a 5 ft black snake on the trail and today I heard several woodpeckers high in trees. Also thought I heard people talking a couple times but was only trees high above rubbing against each other in the wind. Great view atop another hill. Met there a couple from Germany. Tomorrow I expect will be a shorter day. Will probably Shelter at Overthemountain shelter. We will see. Now 8:30p. Lights out.
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Roan High knob shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

7.1 miles from Roan Mountain Shelter to Overmountain S. Left at 8:00, first hiker out. It rained most of the day. Arrived Overmountain S. at 1:10p, claimed sleeping area, collected water, changed into dry clothes and prepared Ramen dinner. When about finished a trail angle, young woman, walked into shelter with sodas, chips and cookies. All hikers at shelter and myself had their fill. On Round Bald and Jane's Bald the wind was blowing hard with rain and some sleet and gusting to 70 mph, my estimate. Wind almost knocked me down several times. The blowing sleet was stinging my skin thru my shirt and rain jacket. Left leg was hurting but determined it was not joint or ligament but muscle I probably pulled hiking up Roan Mountain. Now only 4:00pm and I may have another ramen or just snacks. Hikers are still arriving. Now there are about 15 to 20 hikers here. About half here are female. The rain and wind are still present.
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel 
Miles today: 9.2

Today started from the Overmountain shelter. I missed my turn so cost me 20 minutes to get back on track. The 20 person shelter was full and there were many tent and hammock campers. Cool 45 degree start. Downhill for quite a while because soon I had to climb Little Hump and Hump mtns for a total 1,000 feet. It was windy again today and with clear skies. The blew me off the trail several times but managed to stay on my feet. After plateauing Hump mtn it was down hill to Elk Park NC where I tented at the Mountain Harbor Hostel, all beds were filled in hostel. I got my clothes washed, they needed it, and a shower and I needed it too. I set my battery, iPhone and Apple Watch to charge. Only was watch got fully charged. I have battery charging overnight. Five of us rented a shuttle for a trip into town for one of Bobs famous burgers. It was delicious after only eaten ramen, tuna pkts and cliff bars sine leaving Erwin TN. I'll leave out in the morning for a hike to Damascus VA 75 miles distance. I have enough groceries for 7 days but hope to arrive sooner. Because the wifi here does not work for AT&T and I gave no battery reserve I have not been able to update my journal at trailjournals.com. I'll have several days to post when service and batteries are fully charged. It's now 9:40 and lights out. Miles today was 9.2.
Date: 2017-05-03
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel 

To: Tent site at 406.4
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

11.3 miles today from Mountain Harbor Hostel to tent site. Started at 8:20a me arrived camp at 7:45p. I rested 2.5 hours at Mountainaire Shelter where I collected water had dinner. Warm day with little breeze but generally easier terrain with exception of day start. I walked a short detour to Jones Falls which was worth the effort and where I had lunch. Docks and his wife Pharmgirl there for snack. He is a boat dock builder on lake Gasten in NC and she is a pharmacist hence their trail Names. A $12 breakfast was served at the Hostel which I passed on and had Brevita crackers instead. Before I left tent I had to tend to some feet blisters and abrasions on my hips caused by pack. I was very attempted to stay at Mountainaire S. but had only completed 8.8 miles at that point and opted to walk two more hours. Glad I pressed on as I had the energy after dinner of Ramen complimented with bits of jerky I bought in Castroville TX. For lunch I had a tuna packet and a box of raisins for fiber. Also at my campsite was Dave from Richmond VA whom was on a week hike without sons and Boy Scout troop he leads. Dave is a Baptist Missionary recently returned from Ukraine. Pack is heavy after resupply at Elk Park NC. Its now 9:00 p and I'm tired. I'll catch up on journal when I get a signal, probably in Damascus VA in about 5 days. Rain and cold weather in the forecast. Another reason to press on after respite at Mountainaire where Crazypants, Shehulk, and her dad Rocket where staying the night. Hikers were arriving when I left at 5pm.
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Tent site at 405

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

13.4 miles: start at 6:30 am from trail marker 405, end at 3:15 pm at 418.5. Staying nite at Black Bear Hostel due to threatening rain. Weather today was cool and breezy and hike was not difficult. Couple of hills otherwise mostly just short ups and lots of downs. Had breakfast cereal bar and for lunch had tuna pkt at Moreland Gap shelter and was back on trail by 11:30. At about 12:30 I came upon a 20 year old German girl named Jacquline that had passed me earlier setting by the trail. She was in tears due to some bad hiking experience: 1). On her first day about 4 days ago she lost her phone while hiking southbound. So she backtracked looking for phone and was advised by another hiker that it was picked up by a Northbounder. So she continued north until she came to the Overmountain Shelter where she recovered her phone. That day, her first day, she hiked 24 miles over some strenuous trail thru some treacherous weather: wind, rain, cold. Her feet became severely blistered. 2). Separately She lost her ID and $240. The items were found and mailed to her USA address. 3). This morning while in her tent her bear spray went off in her face and upper body. Fortunately Jimmychagra was near and helped her recover. So when I found her by the trail she had given up on continuing her hike. We hiked together for several miles to the hostel I am at tonight. It helped her spirits. She called a friend whom picked her up and took her home to the family where she works as an AUPAIR. My hip abrasions are tender. I've made a pack adjustment; hope it helps. Weather is cold and wet for next several days and will make for tuff hiking. Especially since I start the hike with a 1,600 foot climb over a 2.9 mile distance and then down the same. At this Hostel I picked up a few essentials, had a hot shower and ate a pizza sold at hostel. I took some time after dinner to organize my stuff. It is now 9:10pm and I need to plug my phone in for a charge.
Date: 2017-05-05
From: Wilbur Dam road

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

13 miles. Slackpack hike from Wilbur Dam Road at 431.4 to Black Bear Resort at 418.4. Bob from the resort drove me north to Wilbur Dam Rd and I hiked back to the resort without my pack. Reason I slackpacked was because of cold threatening rain and an 1,800 climb over a mountain and then down over a 6 mile distance. I have abrasions from pack belt on both my hips and I needed to give them a chance to heal. The hike was pleasant as it paralleled a huge lake for several miles. Since I was hiking south I ran into several I've met along the AT that were northbound as I will be day after tomorrow when I start again with my pack from Wilbur Dam Rd. where Bob will drop me off. Before leaving the resort I had instant oat meal for breakfast. For lunch and snacks I had some jerky, raisins and Butterfingers. For dinner I had a couple sodas and a pizza. I've decided to take a zero day tomorrow as more rain and snow possible in the higher elevations. Tomorrow I'll take a shuttle ride to Hampton TN where I'll update my journal at trailjournals.com and have lunch. No wifi here at resort and I'm about 5 days behind on journal. It's raining now at 9:00 pm and I'm going to sleep.
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Black Bear Resort

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

ZERO DAY. Got up about 8:30 am. And with Steelhead, Bob from from Black Bear Resort drove us to Hampton TN. Steelhead and I had coffee at Dunkin Donuts breakfast at McDonalds. I caught up my trailjournals.com journal from the 30th of April. I called Peggy, Wes and Gina and caught up on family life. Bob picked us up and We got back to the resort at about 1:45pm. Steelhead and I washed and dried our clothes. I rested in the bunkhouse and listened to music on my iPhone. Finally took a shower and for dinner had a beefstick, tortilla, peanuts and orange juice. Settled my bill. Climbed into my sleeping bag about 7:30pm and been listening to hiker talk. All nine beds are occupied. Two females and seven males.
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Black Bear Resort

To: Iron Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

11.5 miles from Black Bear Resort to Iron Mountain Shelter. I was up at 7;00 am and had pack ready at 8am to go for shuttle to Wilbur Dan Road where I had day before yesterday started a southbound hike to the resort. Today I started again hiking northbound from Wilbur Dam road. First 4 miles was mostly uphill followed by short ups and downs on a pretty smooth trail, i.e.not so many rocks and roots to negotiate. Clear skies and great hiking temp in the mid 50's. breakfast was OJ, peanuts and raisins. Lunch was tuna pkt, and cereal bar, dinner was ramen in which I put some leftover jerky. Also has some butternut cookies and hot chocolate. Many hikers at this shelter and all but me are tenting. I am the only occupant of this six person shelter. I've seen either three mice in the rafters or the same mouse three times. I have my pack hung so as to discourage mice from exploring its content. It's cold now and expecting to dip into the thirties. Some hikers names today: BUZZ, BARLEY CARJACK SPHINX HATCHET FREEBIRD. Others but can't remember names. It's now 8:15pm. I expect to arrive Damascus VA on Wednesday where I have called ahead for private room accommodation, more pricey of course but also more comfortable and pleasant.
Date: 2017-05-08
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

15.9 miles from Iron Mountain Shelter to Abingdon Gap Shelter. Left IMS at 6:40 am and arrived AGS at 5:00 pm. Terrain today only involved two leg burners. The rest was like a mini roller coaster: a lot of short ups and downs. Came across the monument/burial site of Nick Grindstaff: born 1851, died 1923. Probably seen so far at least a half dozen burial sites. Also passed thru a privately owned pasture populated with some very disinterested cows. 38 degrees when I started hike. Dressed for temperature with silk undershirt, buff, gloves and vest. By the time I arrived Abingdon S. I had taken off and packed all the cool weather clothing. Temperature during most of day after morning was about 55 degrees. Hikers at Abingdon reported a Bear sighting about 30 minutes prior to my arrival. I never saw the Bear but I did see a chipmunk, a small harmless snake and a dear. (and the cows). I had originally intended to make a tent at a campsite prior to Abingdon but due to early start I kept going and made it here. Had cereal bars for breakfast, tuna and Belvita Crackers for lunch at Double Springs Shelter where I also collected water and had ramen with bits of jerky, cashews and hot chocolate for dinner. Also collected water here. Spring was .2 miles down very steep blue blaze trail. Including myself, it looks like 4 are going to sleep in this 6 person shelter. Many tents. BLAZE PIGPEN BUZZ OKIE MORNING GLORY BEAN HATCHET MCGYVER FREEBIRD and others whose names I do not know. Tomorrow I hike 9.9 miles and arrive Damascus VA where I have made reservations for a private room at the Broken Fiddle Hostel. I plan to take a ZERO on Wednesday and get back on the trail on Thursday. It's now 8:15 pm. Lots of hiker conversations going on. I'm tired.
Date: 2017-05-09
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter 

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

9.9 miles from Abingdon Gap Shelter to Broken Fiddle Hostel in Damascus 11.3. Left AS at 7:30a, arrived BFH 1:00p. I had made a private reservation for Wednesday but since I arrived today, Tuesday, I I am in a 4 bunk room with three other hikers including Steelhead I had made the reservations with. If I can, I will forfeit the private room as it's occupant tonight has an infected foot. Bunk bed is $25, private room is $60. After checkin to hostel I crossed the street and enjoyed a fried chicken thigh, potato wedges, roll and Mountain Dew. Yummy. For dinner I paid $5 with other hikers hikers for a spaghetti dinner made in the Hostel. Yummy again. Most of the afternoon I sat on the porch with about 10 other hikers. I plugged my iPhone into their sound system and all seemed to enjoy my music selection. Today it was raining when I left AGS and continued to do so for several hours. Only in a few spots did the trail have standing or flowing water. My boots got pretty wet and muddy, again. The terrain was gentle and I was able to hike the distance at an average speed of 2.05 mph, my fastest for the distance. Today I crossed into Virginia, state number three after NC and TN. On The hike today I saw so much green foliage I was amazed. Tomorrow I am taking a ZERO day. I need groceries, some toiletries, fuel and a pair of silk socks as one of a pair got lost when I washed clothes. It's a mystery. It's now 10:15p.