morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.6

Short day into Fontana Dam so I can clean up, do wash, resupply and get ready for the Smokies. Started out pretty cold but climbing always makes it nice. Again Waldo hiked in a few miles and took my pack. I love that man! We enjoyed the hike and visit. We walked on down to the visitor's center to take a shower. Then stopped by the Pit for lunch. Now we are at the Laundromat washing all our clothes. There is no cell phone reception in Fontana Dam but the General Store (next door) has free wifi so I can update my journal. I've got my tent and pack drying outside. It looks like a yard sale with all the hikers drying their gear! And there is this wacked out local guy (I've seen him on previous hikes) walking around looking at the gear like he wants to steal it. He's been by my chair at least 3 times. I've got Waldo watching him.The views into Fontana Dam this morning were gorgeous! I walked by the fingers of the lake for 5 miles. All this makes the walking worth while! Sleeping in the MH with Waldo tonight. Life is good!
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful day for a hike! Waldo carried my pack for the first 5 miles ( up almost 2,000 ft)! Then I met Not Yet Ready (nice young man from Florida) and we hiked and talked almost to the first shelter. There were some locals hanging out at the shelter that made me a little uncomfortable so we decided to hike on another 2.8 to next shelter. I decided to sleep in the shelter because we were predicted rain. The group in the shelter was very good and quiet. No snoring! As predivted it was raining in the am. Still was on the trail by 8am.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Ok this was my first bad day on the trail. It rainef, misted, was cold and windy. I probably hikrc too far too. But once you're out hiking and wet might as well keep going. The trail was so muddy that it was a struggle to climb and we climbed up and down all day. Got into shelter by to find it full of young section hikers so we had tent city going on with all the thru hikers. The mood was glum. At this point everyone was tired, hates the smokies and their pregerence for section hikers. The kids stayed up later, built a fire in the shelter that burned Too Long's socks and one shoe. I was warm in my tent. Only problem was putting on my damp clothes, wet socks and shoes when it was 40 degrees. But once I started hiking and the sun came out it was good!
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.3

Any day I have a Waldo sighting is a good day! The trail was very muddy and slick but I only had to hike about 5 miles to get to Clingmans Dome - the highest spot on the AT. It is 6655 feet! Waldo came in on motorcycle with a small pack full of sodas. All the hikers love him! Once the sodas were handed out we exchanged packs and I hiked on to Nrwfound Gap (7.9 miles). Without my full pavk I was flying. Waldo took the motorcycle back to Newfound Gap and started hiking south to me. He met me a couple of miles in. There was a family hosting a trail magic feed. They had hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, sodas. It was great. I ate a huge hot dog, soda, and cookies. Then we hiked on to the motorhome. We took a group of hikers into Gatlinburg, got groceries and dinner, came back up to gap to sleep. Gatlinburg is still as busy and noctious as ever. I'm ready to be out of the smokies!
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-corner knob shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Waldo comes thru again! We hiked out to Charlis Bunion ( about 4 miles). Waldo carried my pack. On the way we ran into AZ who told me theat Pecks Corner shelter was .5 mile off the trail. Who wants to hike an extra mile off trail to a shelter? So I filtered more water and changed my plan to hike on another 5.2 miles miles to Tri-Corner Knob shelter. It wss a nice day and the hike was easy! Into camp by 5::30. Great group at the shelter (AZ, A Bear, Class Act, Birch and Tinder). Also met Wired a young girl who has done the PCT and CDT. She is a fast hiker and it will be fun to follow her blog to see how she does. Rained during the night but was really warm. Cleared up shortly after I hiked out.Oh yea, crossed into another state, Tennessee (actually walking NC-TN border). And crossed 200 miles yesterday. Newfound Gap is MM 206.8!
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Tri-corner knob shelter

To: I-40 after Davenport Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Waldo never ceases to amaze me! I got up at 7:30 knowing I had a long day ahead. It spritzed but didn't really rain. I got a text from Waldo saying he was waiting for me at the next shelter. He started hiking at 6:30, worried I wss going to get caught in the storm. So I only had to hike 7.7 miles to meet him! He took my pack and we hiked on. It was a long day but the weather held out. A bad storm is moving in tonight. So we are holed up in a very nice hotel for the night! What a treat. Going to zero tomorrow because the storm is spawning tornados and won't move on until early Wednesday. Eating pizza watching TV. Life of luxury!
Date: 2014-04-29
From: I-40 after Davenport Gap

To: I-40 after Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day in Newport, TN. Wash clothes, repack gear and food, work out plan into Hot Springs, NC. Oh, and eat everything I can get my hands on. We have a mouse in the motor home that ate my sugar babies one night so I named him Sugar Baby. I need a pet! Will hike by hostel where I got Bear tomorrow (my beautiful golden retreiver). Miss her terribly.Thank you all for the wonderful supportive responses! It sure helps knowing so many great people are behind me! People I have never even met. I'm glad I can share my hike with you all and maybe meet you out there someday!To answer one question posed: I came up with this motor home sagged hike because I knew I wanted to hike the AT but I honestly can't be away from my husband for months at a time. This way he is participating in the hike, all the hikers know him well because he gives them cokes, snacks and updates. It has morphed into more than I planned too. I thought I would hike out at a typical town resupply place and he would be there. But he is showing up at many spots I never anticipated (thus the trail name Waldo). And he is carrying my pack in and out, usually 3-5 miles, when I meet him. Yesterday he got up early and hiked in 8 miles to help me out before a storm hit! All this makes it fun. Everone askes me where's Waldo and we laugh.
Date: 2014-04-30
From: I-40 after Davenport Gap

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Waldo walked up the first big climb with me. It was cooler and overcast all day. We took pictures at a neat FAA tower on Snowbird Mountain. Lots of climbing today. And hasn't NC heard about swichbacks? Oh well. Got a good picture of a storm over the Smokies headed my way while on Max Patch. Then I high tailed it to the shelter. Got there just as the rain started. The people in the shelter offered to move over and make room for me but I to.d them to save the space for Class Act (a very nice older man) coming in later. I pitched my tent, had supper and laid down to read. Class Act came in around 7pm and two other hikers came in later. Class Act ended up sleeping under the picnic table and another girl slept on top of it. I got the best deal. Wiz (a young man that is going to Harvard in thd fall) got up at 3am to start hiking. He woke everyone in the shelter up.
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Long day but so excited to be in Hot Springs. Lots of good memories of hiking in with Choco & Sketcher in 2011. Waldo met me about 3 miles out and carried my pack. We stopped at the Spring Creek Tavern for a big burger, fries, and beer. My appetite never ceases to amaze me! Then we rode the motorcycle up to Tanyard Gap (about 5 miles N of town) where the motorhome was parked. We were both tired and fell asleep by 8:30. There was a blue grass music festival in Hot Springs so the town was busy. I'm glad we aren't staying there!
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.8

You gotta love this! I hiked from the motor home south back into Hot Springs while Waldo rode the motorcycle down there to do the laundry. I had so much fun walking southbound, meeting all the hikers ahead of me (Walking Home, Syakb, Walking Tree, Cat, etc.) Such stories behind these great people. For example, Walking Tree is deaf and blind, Walking Home is retired Navy walking back to Maine where he lives now. His wife has lupus. Anyway, I walked into Hot Springs and Waldo took me and the laundry to the MH. Had lunch then he took me to Allen Gap and I hiked back to the motorhome while he cooked supper. What is not to love about that!
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Allen Gap

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

What a climb out of Allen Gap! It was 6 miles up. But the up was a series of small knobs that you climb straight up 300 or more feet then drop down 100 only to climb straight up another one. I was totally bonked when I reached the top. The only thing that kept me going was a NC Hiking club had trail magic at mile 7. They had fruit, veggies, candy, cookies, hot dogs and burgers and a lot more. I totally pigged out and sat there for an hour. Then it was time to climb Big Firescald Knob. What a trip! The sign said strenuous and exposed and they weren't kidding. But it was a fun rock scramble! I made it to thr shelter before 5pm, ate supper, did camp chores and was in my tent reading before 7. Lights out at 8pm!
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Sams Gap
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

Hike started out great after a good rest. I was on the trail by 7am. I knew I would see Waldo at Devils Fork Gap, 8.6 miles) so I was excited! He hiked in 2.7 miles and we talked our way down the mountain. While I was cooking sandwiches for lunch Waldo said he could meet me in 8 miles at Sams Gap. I looked at the guide and it was only 2 miles from the shelter I was going to stay at. So I grabbed my small pack and decided to slack the 8 miles to Sams Gap. Doc and Tex came off the mountain. We gave them a soda and I told them what I was doing, offered to let them do the same. They jumped at the chance. We all slacked into Sams Gap by 5pm feeling so much better. We decided to do the same tomorrow to Spivey Gap (15.8 miles). At Sams Gap we handed out at least a dozen sodas and cookies. We are a mobile trail angel machine!
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Sams Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

What a beautiful day! The temp was close to 70, sunny, with a slight breeze. I was slack packing while Waldo did the town chores (shopping, gas, propane, etc). I took my time, stopped for all the views, talked to everyone. And still hiked in around 2:30. Waldo never ceases to amaze me! He bought hotdogs, sodas, cookies, chips. We had trail magic for everyone! What fun! I'm hiking around a really nice group of people. Met a family of 5 hiking called the Wolf Pack. Several people on the trail have gotten sick. Worried about Norovirus so avoiding shelters. Later that evening Doc and Tex stopped by the camper and we sat outside, drank a beer and talked. Perfect end to a perfect day!
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

So excited to hike into Erwin I got up at 5:45 and was on the trail by 7:00. Slacking is so much fun. I can enjoy the walk without my heavy pack. I texted Waldo when I was about 6 miles from Erwin. He responded that he was setting by tne trail in Erwin taking a rest, waiting for me. Then later he texted me that he was enjoying a nice cold ice tea. I figured he was teasing and really hiking in to me. I laughed and hiked on! Sure enough I came up a small climb and he was hiding behind a tree videoing me. I love Waldo! He is making this hike so fun! When we got in we shopped at Uncle Johnies hostel, went to McDonalds for lunch and found a campground. Waldo will be slacking me for 4 more days because there are frequent road crossings. So nice!
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Erwin, TN

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 8.8

Another beautiful day to take a walk! Didn't see many people but it was nice to take time to reflect. Waldo was waiting with BT a trail angel when I hiked in. Red Robin and Walking Home (Navy guy from Maine) were there too.We talked a while then Waldo and I went to town to Walmart on the motorcycle. I didn't want to walk too much so Waldo pushed me around in a cart. Got a few funny looks! Had pizza, beer and a Redbox movie. Having so much fun hiking the AT!
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 11.8

I know this weather can't last but we are having a nice run of it. Short walk today. Got in early. Waldo was parked right at the trailhead. What service! Doc and Tex's parents came to pick them up and they brought 8 pizzas and cookies. We had ourselves another trail magic party. Some of the hikers stayed out there talking until after 8pm. I was tired and went in to read and relax. I still like to go to bed early and start hiking early.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Carver Gap
Miles today: 15.4

 Started out slow, didn't sleep well parked by the road at Iron Mtn. Surprised at how I miss sleeping in my tent in the middle of the woods! It seemed like there were a lot of hikers on the trail today. Miss my solitude. But I ate lunch with Rockman and Caboose came by. Then we had a big climb over Roan Mtn. I met a nice young woman named Dancer. We started talking and the next thing I knew I was on the top of the mountain. Thank you Dancer! This will be the last time we see a peak over 6,000 ft in quite a while. Just as I was getting go Carver Gap it started to rain. We had a cool rainy night. But I got to snuggle with my hunny! One more night before he leaves me to hike solo. He will be gone a week or so, going back to PA.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Carver Gap

To: US 19E Elk Park, NC
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Waldo hiked out with me to Jane Bald. It was cooler and windy, expecting storms today. The hike was on lots of exposed balds (Round Bald, Jane Bald, Little Hump Mtn, and Hump Mtn). All part of the Roan Highlands. Beautiful views but very windy and I could see the storm clouds building so I didn't take much time. Didn't even stop to eat. Luckily the thunderstorm hit just after I got back under tree cover. I made a rain skirt out of a cinch top trash bag (cut out at bottom) and rolled up my pants so they didn't even get wet. Who needs heavy rain pants! Rain stopped, Waldo hiked in to meet me, was done hiking by 2:30. Tonight we are having dinner with Doc, Tex, and her parents Barb and Blister. And their beautiful golden retreiver Max!Figure I'll hike out tomorrow with 5 days food and just head for Damascus. Going to miss Waldo!
Date: 2014-05-11
From: US 19E Elk Park, NC

To: Campsite at MM 409
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: clear sky

This started out to be a sad day. It was Mother's Day. Waldo was leaving to go back to PA. He hiked me in 4 miles. We sat at a small church and ate a snack. Then he headed back and I hiked on. I felt bad that I couldn't even call my children. Then I hiked on for a mile or so. I came across a group of young hikers packing up their camp. They all wished me a happy mothers day. They were so happy and upbeat. I told them they were my trail kids. It was the best trail magic! The rest of the day was good. Warm, but not too hot. I was getting used to carrying my heavy pack, loaded with 6 days of food. But was looking forward to getting back to camping again. I found a nice camp spot 1.7 miles before the shelter and set up for the night. Atlas and Jack Attack stopped by and talked for a while. I cooked supper, went in my tent and read for a while and slept the best night sleep I've had out here. I camped alone and was not afraid!
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Campsite at MM 409

To: Campsite by Watauga Lake
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I started hiking around 7am after a great night sleep. It was a pretty easy morning down to Dennis Cove Rd. This brought back a lot of memories because that is where I got off the trail in 2011. I think I'm hiking my hike this time and enjoying it so much more with Waldo along. The hike into Laurel Falls was beautiful (but rocky going down). Once I reached the falls I couldn't find the trail. One hiker told me it was just up the blue blaze where a woman was sitting on a rock. So I hiked back to her and asked her which way the AT went. She was a small, older Japanese woman named Jeanie. She told me in her broken English that she would take me. So I proceeded to follow her. She walked and talked a mile a minute and I had a hard time keeping up with her! But her life story was so interesting I didn't want to slow down. By the time she delivered me to her turnoff she asked if I wanted to come home with her for the night. I thanked her profusely, my trail angel kept me on track in a not so well marked area, but told her I needed to keep on going. We hugged and I hiked on. I had to climb 1722 ft up in 2.5 miles in the hot sun. It was 85 degrees. I sat down on a rock in the middle of the trail. Just then Half Moon came up, hiking south. He gave me a pep talk and told me the trail down the other side was an easy 3 miles and I could camp by the lake. I made it to the top and still wanted to pitch my tent at 3pm and just go to bed. Again, a trail angel appeared. My two German friends, also slack packing south, hiked up. They told me I could make it and gave me a cold coke! With that sugar and caffeine I rebounded and hiked down to the lake. Pitched my tent by the lake and had a nice evening. Later that night a thunderstorm came through but I was warm, cozy and dry!
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Campsite by Watauga Lake

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Another hot day on the trail. It seemed like I climbed mountains all day, which I did! There were a lot of people trying to do big miles into Damascus so the trail was busy. I met a young couple that warned me they had Noro-Virus. Kind of wonder why they keep hiking, spreading the germ, when they are sick. Probably don't have health insurance or means to do otherwise. I met a group of older women who seemed to be hiking together and having a good time. CJ, from Houston, is 64 and hikes in a cute little skirt with leggings. She is a strong hiker and very nice. I left them at Vandeventer Shelter having lunch and hiked on. The sky was clouding up and I wanted to get in early before the storm broke. Well I just made it! It hailed and rained buckets! The storm quit, the women and several others hiked in, some hiked on. Then we got round number two. After that I went out and pitched my tent. By 6:30pm we were getting round three. So I went to bed early. Around 8pm a huge group of hikers came in. They made a lot of noise setting up tents, cooking, starting a fire. No problem, I have ear plugs. But I bet they didn't like it when I started packing up at 6am!
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite at MM 461.2
Miles today: 19.9

Long day but actually not bad. The terrain was not to demanding. The trail was not too rocky. About 4.5 miles into the day I walked into a group of tents that was the Riff-Raff group. They were hosting a trail magic extravaganza! They yelled "hiker up" and someone ran over and grabbed my pack, offered me something to drink and said they were cooking breakfast! I drank a coke, talked a bit to some of the Riff-Raff group and some of the hikers. One hiker I had met early on named Gadget said he got sick around Erwin. He had shuttled forward to Kincora and then into Damascus so he wouldn't miss trail days. Then he heard that there was a Riff-Raff party so he shuttled back. Again, why is he out spreading his sickness?!?! I hiked on, enjoying they day. When I hiked into Deep Gap there was more trail magic. It was just one of those days where you took your time, enjoyed the environment and people and the miles flew by. I wanted to go as close to Damascus as possible because they were calling for heavy rain all day tomorrow. Set up camp by myself about 6 miles out of Damascus. Had a quite night. And the storms hit!
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Campsite at MM 461.2

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: light rain

It rained hard all night. I woke up to about 1/2 cup of water in the corner of my tent. But luckily nothing got wet. I slowly packed up my stuff and by the time I had to get out and pack my tent the rain had subsided. I hiked out with my rain gear (light weight jacket and trash bag skirt) on. It rained on me off and on going into Damascus but all was good. My dear friends Doc and Tex and her parents Blister and Barb had invited me to sleep in their cabin by the river. I hiked into town, bought my resupply food, stopped at the outfitter and talked to him about my tent problems. Solution was to put tyvek inside the floor of my tent, a $9 fix. Beats a new tent at $360! I hung out at the cabin, on the covered porch most of the day, repacking my food, drying my tent and gear. We had burgers on the grill for lunch and went out for dinner that night. I am so grateful to them all for inviting me over. I'm not sure what I would have done! They also found another young couple who were in the same situation and brought them in for the night. So we had the first slumber party I have been to in years! But we were all asleep by 10pm.Oh, and by the way I crossed into another state today. VA is going to be a long one (1/4 of the trail). But it is still a milestone!
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Damascus, VA

To: Camp by Creeper Trail MM 480.8
Miles today: 13.2

I slept in at the cabin, had a great breakfast provided by Blister and Barb, and hiked out of Damascus feeling great about everything. Amazing what difference a day makes! The weather was cooler and cloudy but I didn't think it was supposed to rain. On my way out of town I stopped by a house supported by a ministry that was handing out hand knitted caps, hot chocolate, cookies, etc. to all the hikers. It amazes me that just when I need something (a coke, a warm place to stay, a friendly helper to guide my way, or a warm hat) it has been provided. I know I'm not alone out here and that is comforting! The hike out of town was uphill but didn't seem too bad. Just as a approached Saunders Shelter it started sleeting! I quickly ducked into the shelter (1/4 mile off trail, but what are you going to do!) and waited out the storm. It didn't last long and in the meantime I met a really nice thru-hiker who was hiking with his aunt and cousin from Michigan for a day. What a lively group, wish I could have stayed the night. But I was on a mission. I hiked on and camped by the creeper trail near the river. Great site! It rained again that night and temps dropped to near freezing but I was cozy.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Camp by Creeper Trail MM 480.8

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

Long day hiking with two significant climbs (Buzzard Rock and Mt. Rogers). It was cold, windy and threatening rain so I didn't stop much. I did stop on Buzzard Rock to dry my tent out. I held it out in the wind and it was like flying a kite! The trail was mostly running water like a stream. This is the second time I've done this section and it seems like the weather is always like this (cold and wet). But the terrain is beautiful and this will be the last time we reach alpine conditions for some time. I got to the shelter by 4:30. I quickly cooked supper, cleaned everything up and made my bed. I was in my sleeping bag trying to stay warm by 6pm. I wore every bit of clothing, coats, rain gear I had, two pairs of socks, and put an emergency blanket over my bag. I also put my feet in a zip lock bag to keep them warm. It worked! I didn't wake up cold until 5am when I needed to go to the bathroom. My watch said it was 34 degrees then. Brrrrrr! But I was so excited because Waldo was meeting me at Massie Gap.