morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Clingmans Dome
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

May 7Derrick Knob to Clingmans DomeIt was a beautiful day. The sun was out but the temperature was perfect at @ 60. Beautiful fields, flowers, and ridge views. I stopped for lunch at Silers Bald shelter, were I saw two deer. Normally they see me and run right off but these two didn't seem that intemedated by me - they spot me and did a half circle around me about 20 feet away.   The climb up to Clingmans Dome was relatively easy with some great views of the surrounding mountains. Once I made it up I went down to the parking lot for the tourists. There was a little gift shop selling water and power bars - exactly the sort of thing that hikers don't want. I decided to try and hitch a ride into Gatlinburg. At first I had no luch but eventually a guy named Ed from Texas picked me up. He was an older fellow visiting the area with his wife, although she was not with him that day.   I was so grateful for the ride that I decided to keep him entertained. I started out with my bear stories (because eveyone likes bear stories), and then went into all the incredible things about the trail. I stayed at the Days Inn in town. For the money it was a pit.
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Clingmans Dome

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

May 8Clingmans Dome to Newfound GapDurning the night my corn came off, and in the morning the spot it had been at was tender. I hobbled to the drugstore to pick up some things, and on the way back to the hotel saw advertisements for rooms with jacuzzis at other hotels. I ended up reserving a room with one at the Quality Inn, and decided to spend the day slack packing from Clingmans Dome to Newfound Gap so that I wouldn't feel guilty about taking yet another zero.I had hoped to hitch back into Gatlinburg from Newfound Gap but without a full backpack I found it to be impossible. People will pick up a backpacker but not some random dude. I ended up calling a taxi.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Newfound Gap

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: overcast clouds

May 9th and 10thNewfound Gap to Pecks Corner ShelterPecks vorner Shelter to Cosby Knob ShelterThis is a 'catch up entry' for two days.I left on May 9th (a Saturday) rather late in the day - around noon. It started off as a really beautiful day - cool but not cold and sunny. During the early part of the hike I had a wonderful conversation with a section hiking couple whose names escape me at the moment. The trail was relatively easy and featured some amazing vistas. Those views really underlined how high up in the mountains the trail is.I had bought a turkey sub along with me that I had bought at Old Dads in Gatlinburg. I ate it while sitting on the slope of Kephart Mountain, a place that has special meaning to me. I filled out some postcards while eating. It rained later on in the evening, but it wasn't the monsoon rains. I arrived at the shelter about an hour before dark. It was full so I set up my tent While setting up I met a guy named Lost Hiker whom while I didn't know it then I would be seeing a lot of in the coming days.The next day I was the first out of the Shelter site. It was a good if a bit long of a day. Some hot part when out in the open without shade, and not as many good views as the previous day. One unique part of the hike is that it went through the debris field of a crashed airplane from a couple decades ago. I kept leapfrogging a thru hiker named Little Pea. LP is in some sort of romantic relationship with Lost Hiker - or so it seems to me. I made it to Cosby Knob Shelter mid-afternoon. I had more miles in me but not enough to make it to the next shelter, so thanks to the GSMNP rules I wasn't able to hike as much as I would have liked that day.At the Shelter was a group of woman. Indy, Pippy, Coyote, and some Australian woman whose name I didn't get. Also with them was a guy whose trail name was - amusingly enough and unknown to him - Boytoy. As I was getting set up I saw that Indy was looking my way a lot and seemed to be making a point to talk to me more than the others. This peaked my interest as she seemed to be a similar age as me and fairly attractive as well as interesting. I tried to flirt a little bit but didn't make a huge production of it.Soon enough Lost Hiker and Sweet Pea showed up. Those two plus the four womem, Boytoy, and two other guys made up of a group that I thought of as 'the group' for the next couple of days. They had obviously been hanging out a lot together.They soon brought out some pot and started smoking, filling the shelter with pot smoke. I don't smoke but hey, I lived in Amsterdam for two years so being in a haze of pot smoke doesn't freak me out.
Date: 2015-05-11
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Painter Branch
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: few clouds

May 11Cosby Knob Shelter to Painter Branch12.8 miles As per usual in a crowded shelter everyone woke up around the same time, a little after dawn. My morning routine is fast after a night in a shelter - stuff sleeping bag into sack, pee, pack backpack while drinking 'breakfast'. I could have been ready to go in 15 minutes but I lingered to chat with people for a while, specifically Indy. I was the first to leave the shelter (also typical - other people take much longer because they like warm breakfast).    It was a beautiful day, but not many views. The miles went by quickly. As I got into lower elevations the temperature shot up. I was soaked in sweat by the time I reached the floor of the valley. There was a river there that I was tempted to take a dip in.   A mile after the River I came to the Standing Bear Hostel. I bought and cooked a frozen pizza, as well as some Sodas and a pair of Socks. Then I just hung out for a few hours talking to people. I was resting but I also was waiting on the group from the previous nights shelter to show up - I knew they planned to stay at the hostel that night but I wanted to do more miles. I wanted to see them one more time.   By the time they showed up monsoon rains had set in. To everyones amazement (they thought I was crazy) I left the Hostel during a break in the rain. I ended up getting soaked and setting up camp in a less than ideal spot but I made a couple more miles. One of the annoying things about going down into a river valley is that means you will soon be going back up. This ascent is @ 4 miles, so by doing a couple of miles today I make tomorrow morning much easier. I hope to do major miles tomorrow so I need to make it as easy for myself as possible.
Date: 2015-05-12
From: Painter Branch

To: Roaring Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.0

May 12Painter Branch to Roaring Fork Shelter13 MilesI got a late start due to heavy showers. I waited for the rain to stop before getting underway. I was not positive I had camped at Painter Branch because there was no sign, so I started the day not being sure how far up the mountain I was, but I think I guessed right. It was not a bad ascent of Snowbird Mountain since I started the day half way up it. There is an FAA tower up there but I didn't see it due to the fog. It was a long day, the highlight of which was Max Patch. It is a mountain that has had it entire summit cleared so that livestock can graze. It is my favorite part of the A.T. so far - the views are spectacular. You have complete unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. If you are ever in western North Carolina or eastern Tennessee I as strongly suggest a visit. It would be an awesome place for a picnic and kite flying!    People apparently partied late into the night back at the Standing Bear Hostel. I suspect that those folks are now far behind me - I don't see them hiking major miles while nursing a hangover! A
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Roaring Brook Shelter

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

May 13thRoaring Brook Shelter to Hot Springs, NCIt was an unusually cold night, and for some reason my feet getting cold via contact with the ground suddenly was an issue. I had not had that up until then. I ended up needing two pairs of socks and even then it wasn't great.    I got up early and was off. Scenery wise there was not much unique to the day. A couple of mountains and a long downhill.   I flew by a group of section hikers who pronounced that I *had* to have my trail legs if I could climb a mountain the whole way without a rest break.    Originally I had intended to stop @ three miles short of Hot Springs at a Shelter but I decided to go all the way in. Once in town I headed to the diner even though I smelled and looked nasty. Afterwards I went to the grocery store to check out the options. There I saw Lost Hiker again. I was like WTF!? Last I had seen him was two days ago at Standing Bear Hostel where he was going to stay the night, and I knew he had not passed me on the trail.   Turns out he zeroed at the hostel and then shuttled into Hot Springs. With him was Indy, and they both proceeded to try and get me to stay at a hostel in town with them. I didn't want to initially because it was on the edge of town and I didn't want to walk any more, but they kept at it until I gave in. Lost Hiker kindly carried my pack to the hostel.   Lost Hiker then mentioned a gathering/party on the *other* side of town. I said I would go after I took a shower. When I got there it was @ eight people standing around a fire smoking pot. Stoners can occasionally be amusing but I wasn't in the mood after the long day. I left as soon as I politely could.    Back at the hostel I saw Doodlebug, whom I had last seen two weeks previously around Franklin. She had been hiking with Momma Skillet and Eric but they outpaced her. She said they were @ a week ahead of us.   There seems to be a few dozen thru hikers in town, and @ 80% of them plan to shuttle up to Damascus, VA for Trail Days which is a hiker festival (or Spring Break for hikers as someone said). I'm skipping it because I don't feel like I have the time.
Date: 2015-06-01
From: Damascus

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Some notable events over the past two weeks :One of my Leki trekking poles broke when I slipped a couple days out of Hot Springs. It made me realize how dependent I have become on them once I had to go without one.The whole 'crew' that I first met in the Smokies has largely disappeared. They went to Trail Days from Hot Springs and never seemed to return. I heard that Lost Camper could not get a ride back because his dog got a reputation for biting people. My favorite part of the trail so far is still Max Patch, but a close second is the two Hump Mountains just north of Roan Mt. Beautiful wide open vistas.I have encountered several people whom I had not seen since Georgia - notably Turtle and MacGyver (who started the same day as I and who blazed ahead of me).The breakfast at the Mountain House B&B and Hostel on 19e after the Roan Highlands is not to be missed. Twenty to thirty elaborate dishes served buffet style, all home made and all amazing. Only $12 and I would say that it is better than what you would get at a high end hotel where you paid $60 for the meal. I seriously would stay at the B&B just to have breakfast in the morning. In a very broad sense, the trail has gotten progressively easier since the Smoky Mountains. There are still difficult parts and sometimes events make sections that should be 'easy' more challenging. A couple of days ago I was hiking a section just north of Watauga Lake. I had anticipated it would be easy based on the topography map, but it was 15 miles of a slight and steady incline on a hot day. The water sources had dried up so I ended up having to go over 12 miles with a single liter of water. It really sucked.My Merrill shoes became unusable. When I first started they were great, but as it turns out they use air pockets as cushion which collapse after a few hundred miles. My sole inserts also flattened out. As a result when I hiked more than ten miles a day it felt like someone took a hammer to the bottom of my feet. I have replaced the Merrills with Orboz, but I am wary. The Orboz feel too tight on me because I have wide feet. I never had bad blister issues with the Merrills but I think I may with the Orboz. Unfortunately there is not much in the way of choice here in Damascus.Today I gave my foot corn yet another blast of Freeze. I really wish there was more I could do. I am almost to the point where it may be worth it to take a few days off, rent a car, and find an orthopedic somewhere. I have had pain with every step for the last 350 miles!
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Damascus, Va

To: Luther Hassinger Memorial Bridge
Miles today: 15.4

June 2ndDamascus to Luther Hassinger Memorial Bridge15.4 Miles I woke up very early - around 4am. I couldn't get back to sleep so I did some 'town chores' such as writing postcards and managing my 'real world' affairs. Due to my insecurity in regards to my footwear I ordered a pair of Keen hiking sandels to be delivered to a motel I anticipate on being at over the coming weekend.    When leaving town I try to get out as early as possible in the morning. I find that if I don't do that then I may get sucked into staying an extra day. The temptations of a comfy bed, warm shower, and real food are strong.   I was at the Post Office at 8:30am when it opened to send my postcards, get my food drop, and forward some of that drop to the motel.   Hiking that day was itself uneventful other than my increasing concern regarding the shoes. I injured my big toe a couple of years ago and these shoes seem to aggravate that injury. It's very worrisome because the injury from a couple years ago was so bad that I could not walk at all for three weeks and walk without pain for six. If that happens again the hike is over.   I was doing well when in middle of the afternoon the heavens opened up and the floods came. This was no normal rain! It started just as I arrived at a long pedestrian bridge, so I tried to take cover under the bridge. No joy - the bridge was too high and too narrow.   I tried to set up my tent (bad move as it turned out). The tent has two layers - a rain fly which is hung over the internal tent. By the time I got the rain fly set up over the internal tent there were some puddles as mush as a half inch deep on the bottom of the tent. I ended up having to 'bale' them out using my socks as a sponge. The rain eventually let up but by then I was settled.
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Luther Hassinger Memorial Bridge

To: Elk Garden
Miles today: 9.9

June 3rdLuther Hassinger Memorial Bridge to Elk Garden9.9 Miles Today was spent climbing Whitetop mountain. It is supposed to be one of the few big climbs in Virginia. It wasn't too bad relatively speaking. That said, by the time I was done with it I didn't feel like going any further.    The rain from the day before managed to soak all my clothing. I had put my clothing in a dry bag but I made a crucial error - I had also put my rain jacket in there so that when the floods came water got in the bag as I pulled out my jacket. Normal rains would not have been a problem for the few seconds the bag was open but as it was enough water got in to get everything damp. I tried to air things out today but although it did not rain it was so damp and overcast that my drying efforts were futile.    The new shoes continue to bother my big toe.
Date: 2015-06-04
From: Elk Garden

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

June 4thElk Park to Wise Shelter 9.4 miles I broke camp and immediately ran into Turtle. I had last seen here in Erwin, Tn a few weeks before. As a reminder she is a nice lady whom I first met on day two out of Springer but lost track of before I got out og Georiga. Ten Hut, if you are there I told her you found my TJ and she says hello. Anyway, she is part of a group of older women who are hiking together now. I saw them several times throughout the day.    It was a glorious day! The weather was great and the terrain was beautiful. The most special aspect were the ponies!   I was going through Mt.Rodgers and the Grayson Highlands. Those mountains and some of the connected by ridgeline had been logged in centuries past, with the summits turned into grasslands. Unsuitable for crops, people used it for cattle grazing. The park service purchased the land in the 1960's but quickly found that unmanaged the mountain tops were returning to forest. Due to scenery and environmental reasons they wanted to preserve the highland meadows. The forestry serive brought in ponies because they were hardy enough to survive the winters up and would help preserve the meadows. The ponies have essentially been feral ever since. I saw several herds and many individuals on there own.   I made it in good time to Wise Shelter. I had planned on taking a long break before heading on to make some more miles. Turtles group showed up and we chatted for a while. I got up to leave and discovered I had a problem. I had a chaffing issue - real bad.   Chaffing is like blisters - once you know you have it it's stupid to aggravate it further. I was surprised by this - it had not really been an issue on the hike up until now. I had a spot of it on my way out of Fontana up into the Smokies (part of the reason that day was so miserable). I had been wearing swimming trunks ever since to help the air flow and that seemed to resolve the issue - up until now.   I set up my tent near the shelter. I hope a good nights rest will resolve the issue.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

June 5th15.3 MilesWise Shelter to Dickey GapI woke up around 6am and proceeded to break camp. I decided to hike that day in my underwear to combat the chaffing issue. I know it sounds weird but my Under Armour doesn't look much different than bicycle shorts.    I was on the trail by 6:30am. What a beautiful day! The part of the trail leading from Wise Shelter towards 'the Scales' is very easy and lovely. The trails goes up several moderate hills and through vast fields that are larger than almost any others I have seen in the Eastern U.S. The day was perfect for it.   The Scales is the site of where the cattle who had grazed in the Highlands used to be rounded up and auctioned. It appears that now it is a staging area for managing the pony herds. Not much to it other than a large enclosed area and a privy.   After the Scales it was all a 'green tunnel' for the rest of the day. I was passed by That Guy and his hiking companion Twister. They had encamped next to me at Wise Shelter but I hadn't spoken to them that night.   I had heard about trail magic on a spur trail. It was late in the afternoon and I was exhausted so I was not enthusiastic about the idea of hiking an extra mile round trip for trail magic, but I figured a coke might do me good since I had skipped lunch and could use the calories and caffeine. I followed the spur trail to a campground but didn't see any obvious signs of the trail magic. I was pretty pissed off by the time I got back to the AT.   Dispirited, I ended my day earlier than I had intended at Dickey Gap. I took a nap but was awakened to the sound of a couple setting up their tent ten feet away from mine. I was pissed - our of the whole forest they could give me a little more privacy? There were other sites in the area! And they insisted on talking until well after dark.   The big toe still hurt towards the end of the day but I didn't have any chaffing problems.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA 
Miles today: 11.2

June 7thPartnership Shelter to Atkins, VA11.2 MilesI was up and ready to go at 8:30. As I was standing around waiting for my ride to show up I see That Guy and Twister across the parking lot of the motel. They spot me and wander over.   They had been up most of the night, after watching the movies at the drive thru. They said the movies were incredible (I was skeptical). They admitted to have been tripping. Later on I found out they tripped on 'shrooms and 'followed a deer into the forest before falling asleep in a hammock' for a few hours. I mentioned that I had a ride to Partnership and that they could probably come along. Jim (my ride) showed up and took us all over to Hardee's for breakfast. That Guy and Twister stayed at Hardee's while I went on to Partnership.    The days hike was fairly easy and went through both fields and forests. The highlight was the Settlers Museum where there was a 19th century schoolhouse that I was able to tour. There were two coolers of soda for hikers which was nice.   I made it into Atkins early in the afternoon. I would have liked to go further but I had a supply box waiting at the motel. The motel looked like it could have come off the set of an eighties horror film - one where people die -badly- in a nasty motel room.   There was a fairly decent Mexican restaurant in the gas station, so I was able to at least fet a decent meal.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: Atkins, VA 

To: Va610
Miles today: 9.8

June 10thAtkins, Va to Va6109.8 miles I had a late morning, making it out of the Slasher Motel late and then over to the 'Barn Restaurant' for a late breakfast. As I was walking up I spotted Turtle, who was on the phone. She would later come in to chat with me. By the time I left Atkins it was after 11:30am.   I knew it was going to be a rough day as soon as I set out. My pack was extremely heavy from eight days off food and my Orboz Shoes. Because I had wanted to get a few food items from the gas station I had placed my food bag in the top of my pack. I normally keep it second to the bottom (my tent, food bag, clothes bag with sleeping bag, then stuff sack). The idea is to keep the center of gravity near my waist.   There were some nice fields early on in the days hike. It is a break from the typical 'green tunnel' and so is appreciated.      I ended up with severe back pain. I suspect this is due to the high placement of the food bag. I was about four miles into the hike before I got around to reorganizing my pack, although it didn't seem to immediately help.   I arrived at VA 610 around 5:30pm. Realizing I was unlikely to make many more miles that day I decided to head over to a new hostile down the road. Arriving there I saw Turtle once again.    A lot of the people I have met on the trail have dropped out. That is to be expected, I guess. A number of the group from the Smokies dropped out - including Lost Camper and possibly Little Bean as well. To my surprise Mama Skillet left as well back at Clingmans Dome - she had always been so focused and determined! Allegedly Jeff is gone as well - I don't know about Gadget. I suspect that Doddlebug is gone, but she could just be far behind me.    The only ones I recognize that are left are Turtle, McGuyver, and Joker. There is a new cast, of course. I don't know yet how long our various paces will keep us together.    I think there is a chance that Turtle may leave soon. She isn't feeling well and doesn't think she is getting enough to eat. I first met her on my day two out of Springer, and she was thin then. Now she looks very emaciated. The A.T is one of the few things in American society that can force people to quit because they lose too much weight! Turtle would not be the first this year or even of people I have met. I selfishly hope she is able to continue - I really enjoy her company.