morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Tri-corner

To: Cosby
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning as I was leaving the shelter, I met Snail from Connecticut who was carrying a tree branch with a vine wrapped around it. A friend had given it to him to take on the Appalachian Trail. It was heavy and I can't imagine carrying it the entire way. See picture in photos. It was cooler this morning and very overcast and blustery. Left about 8:30 am. Actually took time to make hot chocolate to have with my moon pie for breakfast. I walked by myself all morning and felt stronger and hiked a little speedier (haha). About 11:30 I rounded a bend and saw Two Stix talking with Billy, the ridge runner, who was at Double Spring Gap Shelter on the day I thought I would end the journey at Clingman's Dome. To encourage me that day as I left the shelter, he had said " I will see you on the North side of the Smokys." Today I saw him and got to thank him for encouraging me. Isn't it amazing that I would pass him on the trail. God is good!
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Cosby

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.4

My ear plugs failed me last night. One guy on the other side of the guy next to me was a LOUD snorer. Wouldn't you know he is here and in the bunk above me for tonight. It was my first day on the AT with practically a torrential down pour. Started walking at 8 AM and covered 10.4 miles by about 1:45 pm. My trekking umbie is a jewel. Trail was one big mud puddle and the stream crossings were like rivers.  Under cover of my umbrella, I took some video and pics of flowers. The forest is a beautiful bright green with budding leaves. Everything glistened. When I arrived at Standing Bear Farm, I was shown a porch and told by Rocket that I could set up my tent on the porch. Then Rocket said he would check the bunk room. A young man, Gator, moved to the llama barn and I got that bunk. I was ecstatic until the snorer arrived from the last shelter and was put in the bunk above me. I am very grateful for the bunk and roof over my head as it continues to rain and it is 5 pm. I slipped and fell today enroute to Standing Bear Farm. Turned my right ankle but got up without removing Buddy. I am over working my guardian angel. It has not swollen and I am thankful. Two Stix is here and Elwood (retired Air Force meteorologist) who I met last night at Cosby Knob Shelter. Met a young woman named Joe Cool and a young man from Germany, near Bonn, named Scarecrow. I am waiting on the dryer because in this damp and cold my clothes would not dry by morning in the bunk room. I will put on wet trail runners though. They are too dirty to put in the dryer. Rocket said I could put my shoes near the dryer outlet which is in the kitchen section of the hostel and my shoes dried quickly - one benefit of trail runners.Will split a pizza from the store here with Two Stixs for dinner tonight. There is a pizza oven which does a great job on cooking frozen pizzas. Bought a few food items for next three days to get me to Hot Springs.There is someone really coughing a lot in the bunk room. Hope I can escape the germs.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: few clouds

After heating a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit, I left Standing Bear Farm after another night of interrupted sleep due to snoring. One person actually moved to the porch to escape. I knew it would not be a restful night when a man from the last shelter received the bunk above me. Thank you, Rocket, for the hospitality at Standing Bear Farm; it was a dry respite from the rain albeit a little damp in the bunkroom. It was a beautiful morning and the climb out was invigorating. I walked alone for most of the day. Lots of flowers are blooming and I stopped to capture the beauty. Snowbird Mt. views were fantastic. I was more than ready to spend a night in my tent and Brown Gap was the spot. I arrived first. Double Stixs, Lobo and Ash joined me. I was up and on trail early because 2 of 3 snored and our tents were very close with one being less than 2 ft. from my head. They asked if they could pitch it there because it was flat. Little did I know that would make for a sleepless night. I am thinking a hearing loss could be a blessing while walking the AT. My ear plugs failed me.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Brown Gap

To: Unnamed gap at 262.9 mile mark
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

This may have been my strongest walking day todate. It was a chilly morning and that may have helped to quicken my steps. It began overcast. Arrived at Max Patch Bald about 10 am. What a gift from God to see the incredible 360 view. Inspite of the ferocious wind and chilly temp, I made a little video. I followed the trail around and up to the top and took another video.I said a brief prayer of thanksgiving and walked on. There was a tent at the summit but no one came out while I was there. It would be a wonderful spot for extended prayer. I met a man going South to Fontana Dam on a 50 mi. hike and later in the day saw a group of teens with some adults on the trail. Passed through what looked like wooden turn styles. I guess they keep horses or cows off the trail. I had come through some pasture. The day warmed and I stopped at a little cascade in a rhododendron thicket, got water, moved away from the stream and shampooed my hair with Dr. Bonnets soap. Never in my life has my scalp ever tingled from such an icey cold shampoo. I went back to the stream, sat in the sun to dry my hair. What a great respite. Gathered water a little before the unnamed gap. It was the perfect place for the night and I found a great place for my tent with ease. This was my first place to spend the night on the AT with no one else around. Sweet solitude. I was serenaded by creaking trees and very strong winds all through the night.
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Unnamed gap at 262.9 mile mark

To: Hot Springs - Laughing Heart Hostel
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

There was a full moon last night. How wonderfully bright it glowed. Because of the strong wind all night and creaky trees, I did not sleep as well as I had hoped. Go figure - no one snoring. I was all by myself at this site.Started moving about 7 am and was on the trail by 8 am. Two Stix had tented just short of me by maybe a block or two but I did not know it and neither did he until I saw him walking up the trail as I was heading out. Walked with him off and on for most of the day. We have been blessed with THE best weather-sunny and cool. I am getting better at determining my whereabouts on the AWOL guide. Had some really easy trail today. Met a father and son thru-hikers from Penn. today - Rocky Top and Tom Foolery. The son is 34 yrs. and dad is 66. The son, Tom Foolery, is having back problems. It was exciting to see little Hot Springs from the trail. The AT passes just in front of Laughing Heart Hostel before entering town which is very convenient. There was one young man waiting for Chuck , me and a young woman. A friend, Winkle, told me to say "hi" to Chuck from her and so I did. He hugged me and said he was expecting me. It was so nice to have a private room AND there was a bathroom just outside my door -- luxury ! Hipsy Gypsy and Oak were there. Two Stix arrived shortly. Chuck said over the Trailfest weekend they had over 50 people in rooms or tents on the beautiful grounds. I am not disappointed to have missed the crowd. I quickly showered and went to Smokey Mt Diner and wolfed down a delicious patty melt and French fries! Checked out the Dollar Store for resupply, the outfitter, and the Wash Tub location. Went to look inside Elmer's Sunnybank Inn which must have been extraordinary in its day. I stopped at the library for computer time. In bed and asleep by 9 pm. The twin bed was so comfortable and I slept very well. Taking a zero (rest day) tomorrow.
Date: 2013-04-23
From: Hot Springs - Laughing Heart Hostel

To: Mountain Magnolia B&B
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

"The man who doesn't relax and hoot a few hoots voluntarily, now and then, is in great danger of hooting hoots and standing on his head for the edification of the pathologist and trained nurse, a little later on."~Elbert HubbardFor my zero day I moved to Mountain Magnolia B&B. It is beautiful and so are the grounds. I went for a 45 min. soak in a mineral spring outdoor hot tub and it was super relaxing. The grounds there have some incredibly beautiful trees. Afterwards I had a wonderful massage. Dinner at Iron Horse Station completed my day of pampering. Oh, I started the day with a good breakfast at Smoky Mt Diner and then did my laundry at the Wash Tub. Before I left Laughing Heart hostel, I went inside the Lodge there. It is beautiful and I took pictures of the inside and the lovely grounds. I would like to come back one day with my husband.
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Hot Spring, NC

To: Allen Gap NC 208/TN 70
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Slept well last night and enjoyed a breakfast of egg casserole, fresh fruit, bacon and blueberry pancakes. Coffee was good too. Today Chuck Norris from Laughing Heart Hostel drove me North to Allen Gap so I could slack pack back to Hot Springs. It was my biggest mileage day and more than my feet could take. Because I was so unsure of how long it would take me to complete, I did some trail running on the flatter parts. My feet really ache right now. I think today negated the benefits of the mineral soak and massage. Maybe I should take another zero for a redo but then I might not ever leave Hot Springs. It was odd hiking South. Probably saw 20+ hiking North. Stopped to briefly talk with Spoon, Hikergurl, War Cry, Alec. Saw Wales at a shelter having a snack. He was at Clingmans Dome the morning Nick came for me. Met Scott aka Nice Shirt day hiking and taking photos. Got turned around and made a right instead of left and repeated Tanyard Gap. I am grateful Scott was hiking back to Hot Springs and I ran into him and got turned in the right direction. Otherwise I would still be out there. Limped back to the B&B, cleaned up and hobbled a couple blocks to Iron Station for a delicious dinner of pan seared trout in a lemon caper butter, asparagus and pan roasted red potatoes with two big glasses of lemonade. Soon I hope to be asleep in this very comfortable bed. I learned the hard way today that I am not ready for a 15-16 mile day. Looking forward to another great breakfast in the morning.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Allen Gap NC 208/TN 70

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: few clouds

Arrived about 3:30 and decided to stay. Met Erin Burke from Alexandri,Va who was taking a break before going about 3 miles further.  She is 25 yrs old. I told her I had a great niece with the same name and she said she had heard there was another Erin Burke in Fairfax Co. and  she'd like to meet her one day.  I took her picture. A bottle of bleach is hanging in the shelter; there has been a norovirus in the hiker community. Maybe someone cleaned this shelter.  I have a nice grassy spot for my tent. Shortly after getting my tent set up, a man came up the blue blaze trail with a pack full of trail magic. His trail  name is Penguin and real name Alan Storrow from Greeneville, TN. He also brought a new moleskin log book for the shelter. Has a cabin about 30 min. from here and likes to run the trails. Clover from NY stopped and enjoyed strawberries and a coke. I had chocolate milk and cheddar fish crackers and Ghirardelli Sea Salt Soir©e intense dark chocolate. Shweasel, Crate and Shrek arrived about 6 pm after a 20 mile day From Hot Springs--WHEW! One of them has started a fire in the pit. It is chilly up here. I had Mountain House spaghetti for dinner and the chocolate mentioned above. I am enjoying an Izze sparkling blackberry brought up by Penguin. The Cisco Kid is here tonight as well; he's hiking with Shweasel, Shrek and Crate. Joanne and Frodo have stopped for the night. Crate pitched his tent about 8 feet from mine. Wonder if he snores? Maybe God is trying to teach me some sort of lesson since I can't seem to get a break from snorers...It is 7:35 pm and I am tucked into my sleeping bag and warm. Oh, Crate did not snore. It was a peaceful night on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Little Laurel Shelter

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

I was on the trail at 8 am and stopped about 5:30 pm. It seemed like a hard day. Views were spectacular from Big Firescald Knob but the rock scrambles were frightening in places. There was a bypass around this part of the trail for bad weather. I can see why. After I took pictures and video the scramble became more difficult and it just seemed to go on and on. Two men came up behind me and I was glad they consented to remain behind me until I had finished. If either of the guys reads this journal, thank you, again. Your kindness was like a gift from God to me. If I had fallen someone would have known. This day makes me questions whether I will be able to do the much tougher rocks in the future. But I won't dwell on the future. I stopped at Jerry Cabin Shelter for a snack and to sign the log. There was a man there cleaning up the shelter and cutting wood for hikers to make a fire and burning left over trash. There was a young woman sitting by her tent just past the shelter who approached and started crying. She said she had been sick with vomiting and diarreah three days ago and now it was back. Her trail name is Valkyrie (real name, Cynthia). I gave her some electrolyte capsules and offered to get water for her. She said she could not keep any water down. The guys who followed me off Firescald Bald gave her Immodium. She asked the man about the nearest road and he offered to take her to Hemlock Hollow if she could walk the approx. 2 miles down hill to his truck. Before I left, I approached her tent and asked if I could pray with her that she be able to get the help she needed and to continue her journey; she accepted the prayer. Norovirus has been reported on the AT between Hot Springs and Irwin. I have heard between 50-80% of hikers have contracted it.I was tired when I arrived at Flint Mountain Shelter and I started to sleep in the shelter with 3 guys but decided to set up my tent. I like the privacy. Rain is predicted. I hope I can pack up before it starts in the morning. There are two guys (The Cisco Kid and Crate) in tents and one hammock. Shrek (6'7" tall and 290 lbs.) and Schweasel and Tex are in the shelter. I am the lone woman but feel comfortable here.
Date: 2013-04-28
From: Sams Gap, Us 23, I-26 - Mother Marian Hostel

To: Mother Marian Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Not every rainy day holds within it the promise of a rainbow.I had not intended to stay at Mother Marian Hostel but when the weather turned cold and rainy this was a sanctuary for me. It has rained constantly all day. I don't know the temp outside but I expect it is cold and damp.I have laundered my clothes, dried out my tent and Tyvek ground cloth. So here I sit at their computer able to update my journal and add videos from the past couple of weeks to older posts. So go back and take a look if you'd like to see the videos.I had a wonderful nights' sleep in their private room. I could hear the rain pattering down all night and I was comfy and cozy in a bed. My private bathroom was just across the computer loft area and that is also a luxury. I awoke about 3:30 AM but that's kind of standard since I went to bed about 9 PM which is late for this hiker. I updated my journals for a time and then went back to sleep. Fred had coffee made about 7:30 am and it was delicious. Son, Bobby, made a breakfast for us of scrambled eggs, sausage, and hash browns with toast and jelly and OJ. I'm feeling so pampered. This may not have been in my original plan but I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit kept whispering Mother Marian Hostel as I hiked in the rain yesterday and when I followed through on the prompt, I could get a cell signal which has been almost nonexistent since before Hot Springs with AT&T and Nick was able to reserve the private room for me. I have posted pictures in the photos section of their beautiful home which they love to share. A couple of years ago Marian saw two hikers at a gas station who looked "needy" and she brought them home for the night. It was such a great experience and that is how Mother Marian Hostel came to birth.
Date: 2013-04-29
From: Sams Gap

To: Whistling Gap campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: few clouds

Fred, Marian's husband, from Mother Marian Hostel drove Tex and me back to Sams Gap after another delicious breakfast. I left with one of Marian's Cookie Bars. It would give me energy for the Balds of this day. Tex, a retired chemical engineer and former thru-hiker in 2000, from Houston, met a friend at the gap and they will hike together. It was about a 2 mi. climb up to a beautiful meadow.< What a difference a day makes - sunny and blue sky. It was an up/down times 5 kind of day. About the 2 mi. mark I arrived at the Meadow - so pretty.  Big Bald was the incredible view for this day. The first video was taken just before the top.This was video was taken just on the other side. Three young guys passed me just before I reached the summit and were spreading out their tents to dry so I walked down a little before making the video. However on the other side coming down, I slipped and went down on my right side. I could see the slide mark in the mud from someone else and what did I do?  Stepped there any way. Once again my  pack broke the fall. I was stuck and stunned. I released my pack and stood up. I was OK.  I said prayers of thanksgiving and moved on. That was my second fall of the day on slick mud. The first was an easy sit down  Stopped at Bald Mt. shelter to sign log and met Wolverine who had stopped for the same reason. The shelter was really trashy - so sad. A person had written in the log they had not slept due to vomiting and diarrhea - the norovirus continues to plague hikers.  I read that entry after using the pen attached to the log. Wolverine offered to remove his pack and let me use his hand sanitizer. Arrived at Whistling Gap about 4 pm and it looked inviting so I put up my tent. Actually I did not have any more miles left in my feet. Tex and friend decided to go for 2 more miles. Got water and settled  in. Rocky Top and son, Tom Foolery arrived along with a father and son from Georgia and their friend out for 7 days. I coughed all night. No one was close to my tent though and I hope it did not bother any one. It was a very quiet night aside from my coughing.
Date: 2013-04-30
From: Whistling Gap campsite

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The day began as usual. I woke up, packed up and began walking. Battled the mind a lot today. This cold virus and cough bog me down. I think about quitting when I reach Erwin and try to put those thoughts out of my head by singing How Great Thou Art in my head as I walk. I also pray for those who are ill as well as prayers of thanksgiving for many things. Weather wise another gorgeous day. Passed some huge rocks at High Rocks. Amazing. Pictures cannot capture their enormity. My pace over rocks is SO SLOW because I do not want to fall. Often times I ask God to place each step. There were beautiful waterfalls and bridges built to cross them. I don't think I will ever grow tired of listening to the sound of water as it flows down the mountain and through the woods. There were many places to get good drinking water but I had plenty for the day. Lots of birds were singing today and I thought about the scripture verse of how God cares for the birds of the air...I reached No Business Knob Shelter @ 1:00 pm. The area was pretty and since I was feeling puny with the cold, I pulled out my tent fly to dry and my ground cloth and sat down. Then I realized there was no water near the shelter. I had passed 3 streams a mile or two before but did not stop. I signed the log and noticed Dreamer's comments from April 13th. I hiked with Dreamer and Socks in March before Socks left the trail for knee surgery. Tom Foolery and Rocky Top arrived and took a break at the shelter but they were headed to Erwin. I decided to move on. My tent fly and ground cloth were dry. I had 5.8 more miles to go and figured it might take me 6 hrs. because I was dragging. I forced myself to move faster on the flatter areas and slowly trudged up each incline hoping it would be the last. I could hear cars before I could see them as I neared Erwin. I watched a train from my vantage point high above Erwin cross the bridge over the Nolichucky River. It seemed the walk down just went on and on but I kept plodding because I knew a nice room awaited me at the Holiday Inn and medicine Nick had mailed me. Daily I walk through rhododendron and mountain laurel and today I saw the first flowers on mountain laurel. Soon I will be walking in lots more beauty as more bloom and then comes the bigger rhododendrons. Stopped at Uncle Johnny's and asked about a ride to the Holiday Inn. He said in about 30 min. I could take a shuttle. My ears had filled with fluid from the cold and I didn't realize it until the man from Uncle Johnny's spoke to me. There is a clinic here but I expect my ears will clear. In @ 15 min. a man said who is going to the Holiday Inn? He said he was going to pick up a sick hiker but could take me to the hotel beforehand. I checked in, got my medicine and soaked in a hot bath. I ordered pizza to be delivered and just rested. All is good.
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Erwin, TN

To: Holiday Inn - Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

My cough capsule allowed me to get a night's quality rest. The hotel is very quiet. Enjoyed a good breakfast here. Talked with Tex who decided to stay here after stopping at Uncle Johnny's. he was hiking out today. I went to the front desk to ask if there was a Walgreens within walking distance. The woman said no but what did I need? I wanted Sudafed to dry up my rhinitis. She said a shuttle was available. I thanked her for the info and went to the computer. A short time later, she came up to the computer and said she was off work and was driving to Walmart and would like to take me there for whatever I needed and she would bring me back. Amazing. I replied she was my trail angel. She said she liked to help hikers. So off we went. Kathy is my age and we had a good conversation during the trip. I got what I needed and a few other things. Kathy is a wonderful and generous person (see her pic in the photos). I am in awe that God continues to inspire people to help me when I have a need and such special people too. THANK YOU, KATHY. Ran into fellow hiker, Wales, who I first met at Clingmans Dome in early April and then at a shelter after the Smokys. He is a young man and I am always surprised to see one after they pass me. His friends had been sick with the norovirus and they had been staying@ Uncle Johnny's. he had escaped the virus and had come here. I met Pink Lady today as she checked in. She left Uncle Johnny's after listening to someone vomit several times in the night. She is a very tiny woman and her pack looks more than half her size because she is so petite. I had leftover pizza for lunch today rewarmed in the microwave. Looking forward to another restful night and hiking tomorrow.