morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-05-15
From: Painter Branch Campsite

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: overcast clouds

There's this friend I've gotten to know well over the last several years. He lives in Portage, IN, with family of mine. We had a deal that if he still worked at Wendy's that he'd have to quit and go with me on the AT. I'm happy to say Chris completed schooling and is working in the HVAC field. Great work for a Packers fan! Well, Chris likes to always say it's glorious. But sometimes it ain't so. Having left the Smokies I stopped saying "hey now" and I'm sure you can guess the rest of the story. Within two hours of my day's hike, I rounded a corner and two bear cubs were on the trail about 120 feet in front of me. I froze in my tracks! Thinking only of the 1% of encounters that end bad. One went up a tree real quick, the other looked at me. Finger Licking came around the corner and when I told her two bears were in the trail they both took off down the side of the mountain. I didn't see where momma bear was and that concerned me. But we moved forward without issue and saw no trace of them when we passed their last known location. My adventure now includes seeing bears in the wild. By the time I reached camp it started to rain. I quickly setup my tent and was in it by 5 PM. I came out at 8:30 to hang my food on a cable, returned to my tent without dinner and stayed there until about 9 AM. It rained all night and was still raining. Braking camp in the morning in rain wasn't so glorious. No bear picture as my phone was off, sorry. For book followers, mile 261.4 page 31.
Date: 2018-05-16
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1

Waking up in the rain while camping is quite miserable. You can manage to keep most things dry but it's inevitable that you're going to end up packing a wet, dirty tent into your pack. And that's how the day started. MF Mouse and I were the only ones left in camp from our group. Nothing we could do but break camp and move toward town with visions of a hot shower and a dry bunk at a hostel. We hiked in mud and half inch deep water on most of the trail. Even uphill and downhill the water was there. My streak of no rain since returning to the AT April 28th was officially over. Like anything, you learn to adapt. Once soaked and shoes full of mud, the hiking got easier as there was nothing to avoid anymore. We reached town about 2:30 which was about the time the rain stopped. The day was looking better but we couldn't find a pet friendly place to stay. You see, MF Mouse is hiking with his German shepherd named Terra. I found a hostel for me and took a shower then hit the diner for chicken fingers with fries and a salad. Mouse was contemplating returning to the trail. Now Hot Springs is smaller than my home town of Sheffield Lake so it didn't take me long to locate the rest of the group I've been hiking with the past couple weeks. The sun even came out at times and I learned MF Mouse found a place for him and Terra. Soon we were all on a patio overlooking a river and having a good time. The day was now great. We all went to dinner at the creekside restaurant. A local gentleman even gave up his table to allow us to put two tables together. Southern hospitality surfaces yet again. After dinner I went back to the hostel and did laundry to clean all my wet hiking clothes. I was also expecting to pickup my first care package the following day. Oh, the excitement of what's in the box! For book followers, mile 274.5 page 31.
Date: 2018-05-17
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Log Cabin Road
Miles today: 16.3

I headed over to the post office with hopes and excitement to pick-up my first care package. To my disappointment it had not arrived. There was a possibility it would arrive on the late morning truck. The office would be closed 11:30 to 1:00. Therefore, I asked they forward to Erwin, TN. I did my resupply at the local outfitters and headed back to the trail about 9:45. It was an immediate climb out of Hot Springs and I was at it alone. The rest of the group was ahead of me since I was waiting for post office to open. Most of the day I hiked alone but we had plans to meet at a hostel when the day's miles were behind us. Finding the hostel was not easy. I probably walked two extra miles on roads that don't count in my total. We stayed at Hemlock Hallow, an excellent place I completely recommend. I had weighed myself at the outfitters in the morning but didn't believe the scale. The scale at the hostel confirmed it. I've lost 30 pounds since April 6th! I'm down to 185 from 215. Other hikers have said I'm not eating enough and this proves them correct. I'll have to step up my calorie intake in the morning and during hiking time. The good news is I can eat whatever and how much I want. For book followers, mile 290.8 page 32.
Date: 2018-05-18
From: Log Cabin Road

To: Devil Fork Gap
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: mist

There had been a good amount of rain overnight and it was sprinkling in the morning when we left Hemlock Hallow to get moving down the trail. Although it didn't rain much, it was an overcast day with fog high up in the mountains which limited the lofty views. Today was a great day as far as my energy goes. I kept pace with everyone even on the climbs where I tend to fall behind. I'm sure this is due to not eating enough. At the hostel the night before I did enjoy a whole pizza and four Gatorades. Perhaps this helped with today's energy. I crossed over 300 miles hiked for my AT adventure. I've been making great miles since my return from taking time off to address the molar I cracked back on April 8th. 300 miles puts me about 14% complete, still a long ways to go. Four of us stayed at another hostel (Nature's Inn) ran by a wonderful woman named Sara. This is three days in a row for hostel stays but that is due to a bad stretch of weather. No need to camp in rain if it can be avoided. For dinner she had made spaghetti with meat sauce and it was awesome! Remined me of my mother's. Other foods I had were two bags of chips, cheese danish, mini pecan pie, an orange and a large coffee. When Sara dropped us off at the trail, she gave each of us a hug and said, "Take it down the trail with you." I've still not had an energy drink since hiking and I used to drink one almost every day. I don't really miss them and I know if I bought one I'd drink it to fast to enjoy it. When I buy the large Gatorades I put those down in a few minutes or less. For book followers, mile 310.6 page 33.
Date: 2018-05-19
From: Devil Fork Gap

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: moderate rain

This day of hiking had a bit of everything. When the four of us were dropped off by Sara we met up with the rest of the group that chose to stay in the shelter the night before. It was nice to reunite so quickly. The skies threatened rain but to this point we were doing just fine. But then while hiking with MF Mouse and Terra we heard the wind start to zip through the trees and it grew louder with the passing of each second like a fast approaching train. Well, I knew better than this. I've heard this sound all to often fishing Lake Erie. Its the sound of rain hitting either water or leaves and it keeps getting louder and louder until it consumes you. I said to Mouse, "That's not the wind!" There was no time to stop to put on rain gear but luckily my pack's rain cover was on as a precaution. Immediately it was a cold downpour and I was soaked head to toe in a matter of minutes. Just as quick I'm now hiking uphill in a stream of water coming down the trail. The rain was over in about 20 minutes but the damage was done. Slowly things improved as I dried out over the next several hours. About 1.5 miles from our shelter destination I came upon two of my group taking a break atop Bald Mountain as the view was beautiful. My interest was peaked as they were eating apples. Before I could even set my pack down, a woman approached saying I get the consolation prize. She handed me a big cold strawberry. Then she returned with an apple. She was one of three sisters enjoying lunch atop the mountain. My apple core looked like a toothpick when I was done. I didn't rest long as I heard thunder and saw the dark clouds behind me. I made a dash to the shelter and was the first of 10 to arrive. We were maxed out! I ate, changed into dry clothes and into a warm sleeping bag by 7:30. Luckily I had cell service and enjoyed some texts before falling asleep. The roof was metal and I awoke mid night to hear buckets of water falling from the skies. For book followers, mile 327 page 36.
Date: 2018-05-20
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: River Road, Unaka Springs Road
Miles today: 16.8

When I awoke in the morning it was not raining but looked as though it could at any moment. From a hiker's perspective, I ate a small breakfast and packed one of my pockets with some snacks. With the city of Erwin being today's goal I wasn't planning on stopping for a lunch, I was hoping to have that in town. I left camp about 7:00 fully expecting muddy trails from overnight rain and hiked alone quite awhile until Jelly Bean caught up. From that point forward we were within eyesight of each other until the last hour of hiking. Jelly Bean is retired Army and has been very kind with his hiking advice and even gave me some food to try. I may not see him again as he's doing his hike in sections and is jumping up north. Thanks JB. Happy trails to you! It never did rain and the trail conditions improved the closer I got to Erwin. Most of the miles were downhill and yet tough as my energy was low. About a couple hours from Erwin I decided to make the following day a zero day (no hiking) to rest. On the final decent I stopped and chatted with a 71 year old woman for 15 minutes. She was hiking up the mountain, was an avid day hiker, and her favorite area is the Smoky Mountains. She goes by Walking Map. As we said our goodbyes, she asked my trail name and if she could include me in her mourning prayers. I said that would be nice. Excitedly I pressed onward as I could see the road below through the trees. Now I'd hiked nearly 17 miles this day through mud, irregular rocks, exposed roots and all other sorts of forest debris, and managed to escape without incident. When I exited the trail, happy the day's hiking was over, not ten steps onto a blacktop road I stepped to close to the edge, rolled my left ankle and fell into the ditch! I was like a turtle lying on its back. My pack protected my backside but my right knee (see photos section if you'd like) wasn't so lucky. It scraped the edge of the blacktop and was already red from bleeding. No stitches needed, just left some skin on the side of the road. After coming to my senses and getting upright I walked about 100 feet to a hostel where my group was already enjoying ice cold drinks and making accommodations in town. I chose to stay at Super 8 in my own room. They were moving on the next day. Therefore, it's not clear if or when I'll see them again. But, the trail is full of hikers and the next chapter of this adventure could simply bring new characters. On my rest day I just relaxed, did laundry, bought some large band aids, and picked up my first care package. Thanks! For book followers, mile 343.8 page 37.
Date: 2018-05-22
From: River Road, Unaka Springs Road

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

When I left the Super 8 this morning to head back to hiking it didn't feel quite right. The left ankle I rolled two days before was still slightly swollen, but was fine for hiking. The scraped knee was almost 48 hours into healing and looked good. I had spent $7 on large bandages at the drug store and the first one I tried to apply didn't stick at all. Into the garbage it went and I began hiking with nothing on the knee. The thing that felt the most different was knowing my day's hike was all my own. There would be no meeting up with the group I'd been hiking with for roughly two weeks. My initial sadness was replaced with a sense of relief as I realized this day was entirely mine. I could go as far, as fast, or as slow as I chose. My goal was to get to Cherry Gap Shelter, a hike of 17 miles, then assess the rest of the day from that point. It hadn't rained during the day but we've been on a stretch of daily rain for about a week. The shelter had spots available and 17 miles was a good hike and that convinced me to stay the night right there. Turns out I made the right decision. Within a couple hours the rains came and during the night it really came down hard. Z, I've since learned his full trail name is The # Z, had made it to the shelter as well and that was comforting having a known hiker to chat with. There was also trail magic today. A man was setup at a road crossing with snacks. I indulged in banana bread, a brownie and sweet tea. He said he does trail magic three or four days a week. A different feel all around but the result was the same. Seventeen miles crossed off my adventure. For book followers, mile 360.9 page 40.
Date: 2018-05-23
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It didn't only rain most of the night. It was raining when I awoke around 7 AM. I was in no mood to hike in rain again. Z was up and moving around that time and he moved out about 8 AM. Sure, this made me feel like a wimp, but I despise rain on the trail. Moments after he left I noticed the rain stopped so I started my morning routine and was hiking by 9 AM. If it rains once I'm on the trail, so be it. Before leaving I heard one hiker say he awoke in his tent to find out he was floating in two inches of water. Apparently he setup his tent in a location without a drainage channel. Reassurance to me that staying in the shelter last night was the right call. Today was going to be an aggressive hike of 19 miles. But, Z had mentioned the destination shelter was the highest one elevation-wise on the entire AT. He is full of these types of facts. And there were going to be some great views along the way. I must have missed those. Add to that climbing a mountain that seemed to go up, up, and up yet again, made for a tiring and fustrating hike. With the late start and long miles I didn't get to the shelter until 5:15. Z greeted me with, "This place is a dump!" It may have been. But it was a roof over my head and Z and I were the only two there, giving us choice of spots. To me that's a reason for celebration. He took one corner, me the opposite. Eventually others arrived and we had six on the first floor. Two others went upstairs and listening to them proved it was not ideal. Another looked up there and came down saying she'd rather tent. The elevation lived up to its reputation. While in my sleeping bag I saw fog, or was that clouds, coming through the window. Made no difference to me as I was both dry and warm. There was also cause for celebration earlier in the day. Trail magic again! This time I had two bags of chips, a Gatorade and a pickle. Yes, pickle! She had a whole jar, imagine that. For book followers, mile 380 page 41.
Date: 2018-05-24
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: US 19E
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

When I left the highest shelter on the AT the weather was on the chilly side and foggy. Similar to an early morning in the fall. The good thing was I was headed straight downhill for awhile which was the counterpart to yesterday ending with a serious climb. As I moved down the mountain the weather improved as the elevation dropped. Soon I was in the sun as it was coming over the adjacent mountains. It now felt like a fine spring day, sunny with a brisk wind. The views at my new elevation were great. As the hike progressed I was slowly moving uphill again and by the time I reached the peaks of the local bald mountains, it felt like a winter day. The wind was cold but my exerted energy kept me somewhat warm. The sky was covered with no hint there was a sun. I could actually see mist or clouds being blown up the sides of the mountains and passing in front of me. These tops were mostly tall grass, few if any trees. Visability was limited as you couldn't even see where the trail was headed beyond about 100 yards. That scene went on for about two hours. After flattening out the trail started a decline for the next five miles. Soon the sun reappeared and it now felt like summer was rolling in. By the time my hike was complete it was a perfect summer day. My next stop was another hostel, the Station at 19E. You can't beat a shower, bunk and Wi-Fi! Funny thing happened. Another hiker recalled seeing me before. He was there at Lance Creek when I busted my molar. He said, "I remember you but you're 40 pounds lighter." Close, its only 30 pounds. After talking with him I learned he lived in Westlake, OH, through 2016. Even on the AT its a small world. For book followers, mile 394.8 page 41.
Date: 2018-05-25
From: US 19E

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today did not start off well. When I was ready to head back to the trail, there was no hostel employee around to shuttle me the seven-tenths of a mile. That might seem insignificant but walking with a backpack on a highway with traffic going 55+ MPH is not safe. My impatience got the best of me so I walked down highway 19E. The sun was out in full force but with it being just after 8 AM there was still plenty of dew along the trail passing through grassy meadows. My shoes were soaked within the hour. Once the meadows were behind me the terrain was favorable for today's goal of hiking 18 miles. There were two water falls in today's adventure. See the Photos section for a picture of the Jones Falls. The second wasn't as spectacular. The adventure has also surpassed 400 miles. That's a long distance but still less than 20% complete. The miles do seem to be getting easier and faster though. The sun was out most of the day but it started to drizzle as I approached the shelter. I quickened my pace the final decent and arrived with barely any evidence I'd been in the rain which threatened then vanished. When I arrived I was greeted by a new hiker in my adventure. He has no trail name and is legally named Tom. We were the only two there and that afforded me a prime spot in a shelter meant for six. My red bandana that MF Mouse gave me was missing. I must have dropped it just as I began my dash to the shelter. Well, I wasn't going back uphill for it. I told Tom maybe someone would pick it up for me. About 30 minutes later I see the color red coming down the final approach to the shelter. The hiker who recognized me the night before, the one from Westlake, was kind enough to pick it up and bring it to the shelter. He took a short break then continued down the trail. Z also made it to the shelter and the three of us made it our home for the night. Trouble showed up too. But not the typical kind. Trouble is the trail name of a young girl from London that is here to hike the AT. She chose to setup her tent since the threat of rain had passed. For book followers, mile 413.2 page 44.
Date: 2018-05-28
From: US 321, Hampton, TN

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent my full day of rest by walking to a local diner for breakfast. The pancake stack, bacon and hash browns were excellent. Its tough to beat a real breakfast when on the trail. I've been eating granola bars. I proceeded over to Dollar General to get some food for the day and the trail. In these small towns, DG's are a hiker's goldmine. Its common to see a hiker sitting outside the store resupplying his/her pack. After spending the rest of the off day at the hostel watching VHS tapes (yes, old school!), it was time to continue with the adventure.We've been battling rain for nearly two weeks now. I think there's been only one 24 hour period in which it didn't rain. When I hit the trail the rain clouds could be seen in the distance. About three hours into the hike the rain started. Slowly at first but then came the medium-heavy rain which wasn't going to let up. I had a distance goal in mind and when achieved I'd determine if I wanted to over extend to the next shelter since Damascus, VA, was getting close. With the rain showing no signs of letting up and only two hikers in the first shelter, this was where I ended for the day. Now that I'd stopped hiking, the chill set in so I quickly changed into dry clothes and crawled into my mummy bag to get warm. I was pretty much in my bag until the following morning. Getting soaked, getting dry, only to get soaked again is getting old. I hear some hikers are even jumping up north to hike in good weather and will return here when conditions improve. For me, I'll just deal with it best I can and make use of all the available hostels for drying out. After all, the people supporting the hikers are part of my adventure and they've been wonderful. For book followers, mile 444.0 page 48.
Date: 2018-05-29
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus, VA (Laurel and Shady)
Miles today: 25.9

As it has been happening lately it rained most of the night. When I awoke about 6:15 AM it was not raining but it looked as though it could start at any time. I had an ambitious goal in mind for today. Would I have it in me to hike into Damascus, VA? Doing so would mean hiking just shy of 26 miles. It would be a personal best and there was a good chance of becoming soaked yet again. To mentally prepare I broke the day down into sections. There'd be two shelters to pass, one at 7.6 and another at 15.9 miles, and the TN-VA border at 22.4 miles. These would allow me to focus on milestones and estimate my arrival times. The hike started at 7:10 AM and I figured I could be there between 6 to 7 PM. There was one variable out of my control that would be a huge factor, that pesky rain! And so I was heading down the trail thinking of town food and a dry bunk this evening. I made the first shelter ahead of schedule and kept on moving. I arrived at the second at 1:01 PM, one minute past my estimate. I'd allotted 30 minutes to rest and eat lunch. For lunch I had some beef jerky and a drink consisting of two Carnation instant breakfasts and a pack of instant oatmeal. I'd need the calories to push my limits. In reviewing my guide I estimated I'd hit the border at 4:30, then 3.6 miles to go from there. I kept repeating aloud as I hiked, "4:30 to the border, 3.6 to go." I made the border just before 4:00. Then I calculated it would be another hour and 20 minutes to town. The terrain became mostly downhill, common for entering a town, and I hit town precisely at 5:00. From there the trail actually follows streets. I attempted to call the hostel to check on a bunk but no cell signal. As I walked through town I hoped the Hikers Inn would have a vacancy. The hostel sits right off the main road going through town. As I approached I saw a couple sitting on the porch. I said, "Hi, are you the owners of this fine establishment?" They were. There wasn't a bunk but someone had just cancelled on the private room with a queen bed. I said, "I'll take the private room tonight and a bunk for tomorrow." My ambitious goal paid off, I was good to go for the next day and a half. Oh, that pesky rain that could have put an end to my vision, amounted to no more than a drizzle for two hours spread out through out the day. That was manageable. I'd hiked the equivalent of running a marathon. I had it in me and the rewards of being in town were all mine! For book followers, mile 469.9 page 49.