morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a very tough, and frustrating day. It did not start out that way however. I filtered water by a spring sitting on a rock and saw a little bird looking for food, i saw the sun through the trees and thought it would be a sunny day, i remembered it was Good Friday and had a beautiful view from Rocky Top making me feel highly motivated. The trail just had a different day planned i suppose; the snow that had melted and turned to slush the day before re-froze overnight, and would not melt throughout the day. This made the trail a sheet of ice and hiking tough and slow. It reminded me of a Pennsylvania ski slope on a weekend night. It took twice as much energy to travel twice as slow as usual. I fell on my butt a few times. The sun quickly disappeared and it began to snow later in the day.My feet are cold and wet.Despite the bad weather, i do my best to stay positive. when i notice im getting overly frustrated because of my missteps and carelessness, i pause, breathe deeply and try to calm down. nothing make hiking worse than being miserable while hiking, so i try to eliminate that factor. I finally get to the shelter which is thankfully much less crowded than the night before. the snow continues into the evening and into the night. The one plus of these Smokey Mountain shelters is that they all have fireplaces, tho the area is pretty much picked over of all firewood. oh well..
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Double Spring Gap shelter

To: Pecks Corner shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

An early rise and we see the fresh 6-8 inches of snow. EagleRunner and I are the first out of the shelter, so we are the ones "blazing" the trail, leaving the footprints in an otherwise unmarked path. heaps of snow bend the limbs of the pine trees. i wack them to knock off some snow to pass underneath. it's 3 miles to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT where usually there would be tourists and visitors all over, but not today. a dense fog limited any kind of view from this high peak, but it did not take away from the beauty of it. it was quiet, that wonderful quiet of empty woods after a fresh snowfall. I felt great, and was slipping and sliding carelessly 11 miles which seemed to go by in an instant. the sun broke through the clouds and began to melt the snow, making it seem as if it was raining. i was soaked, but still feeling great. I popped out of the woods at Newfound Gap to see a parking lot full of cars and visitors out for the day, taking pictures and throwing snowballs. I, and the rest of the thru hikers must have look just different as the mountains for these city slickers. i noticed a truck parked with an older couple handing out bowls to hikers; i knew it was trail magic. My eyes widened and i threw up in the air, relieved, happy, excited. i hugged the woman,Mountain Mama was her name. her and her husband, Godspeed, were handing out very good chili and soda to thru hikers. the chili had fritos on the bottom, i had never seen this but it was amazing. i had two bowls and listened to their magnificent story about how Godspeed and his son hiked the AT after hearing the son had a brain tumor. very nice and generous people. I got word that their was another couple doing some trail magic elsewhere in the parking lot, so i found them too. Beth and Bernie from Florida were out all week giving happiness to thru hikers. they generously gave me food and supplies. Alot of people went into Gatlinburg, TN to check out the town, spend the night, and resupply. having enough food for a few days and resisting the temptation of a warm, dry room for the night, i continued on. I reached a shelter in about 3 miles, too early to stop today, so i continued on to the next shelter at around 5 pm- 7.4 miles away. But first, i checked out Charlie's Bunyun; a spectacular outcropping of rock which offers stunning views-sending chills down my spine. It was difficult to leave, but i knew i had to get moving to beat the dwindling daylight. the hike to the shelter was beautiful; all on a ridge as the sun was setting behind some distant mountains. i pause at each spot for a couple deep breaths and taking in the scenery. ER and i arrived late to the shelter but there was still plenty of space. i felt great for hiking that distance, and also due to the environment i encountered.
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Pecks Corner shelter

To: Cosby Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

It was evident that the trail had little to no mercy today. whatever it had, it threw it at us on this sloppy and slushy Easter. the deep slush was all to frustrating to walk through. just when you think your feet cant get anymore wet or cold, you step in 6 inches of slush, pouring into and over your boot. waterproof gore-tex is just as effective at keeping water in as it is keeping it out. my feet were soaked, and wet feet means trouble when your hiking. i could feel my food sliding around in the boot, and blisters on my right foot. it was glorious when i got below the snow and was finally walking on mostly solid ground. then the skies opened and it started to rain, lightly at first then heavier. soaked from head to toe, literally. The AT turns into a stream whe it rains. keeping in mind that i would soon be out of the Smokeys kept me afloat.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Cosby Knob shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

A small celebration once i reached Davenport Gap, the northern end of the Smokey mountains on the AT. my dogs were barkin tho, and i was tired. the group of us who stayed at the shelter ran into some trail magic under the I-40 overpass, greeted with hot dogs, soda, donuts, cookies, and comfortable chairs. I resupply at Standing Bear Hostel with some food to get me 2-3 days into Hot Springs. But by the time i leave the hostel im limping from the discomfort in my right foot. i see a campsite and cross a stream to get there. i set up my tent and get a little fire going, then my hiking friends EagleRunner and Packrat join. i fashion some camp shoes out of a plastic bag to get my feet out of my boots (i had left my crocs a ways back at Plum orchard shelter). sleeping in a tent is far better than those damn Smokey shelters. wore out from hiking in the slush and snow for the past week, but i know Hot Springs is just a few days away. enjoying some sunshine today and the next few; a chance to dry off.
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Campsite

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

the trail passed over a grassy bald early in the day and Max Patch later on. Max Patch has definitely been a highlight thus far. the sun was out. felt great. met a "legend" on the AT, Shepard, who offered ER, Packrat, and I some mountain dew and Magic Hat.uphill is no longer an obstacle,but and opportunity.downhill, well that's nostalgiaSometimes you just feel lighter, your pack seems to fit perfectly on your back, your knees absorb like perfect springs, and your trekking poles swing like timeless pendulums. Other days just aren't as graceful.
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

another cold night, i thought it was getting warmer too. the original plan for the day was to do roughly 15 miles and camp just outside of Hot Springs, NC and just take an easy walk in the next day. however, i was very low on food and was really just needing some warmth, a bed, and some food, so ER and Packrat and i decide to push for Hot Springs today, making it a long, but enjoyable day. the forest changes many times over the course of the day, my favorite being the dry pine forests. we conquer the last 6 miles in just about 2 hours, eager to get into town. the decent into town is cumbersome. we could see the town for about a mile, making it seem even longer to get there. the first thing we do is head into the diner. i got fried chicken, mac n cheese, onion rings, and mashed potatoes. im staying at Elmers Sunnybank Inn, a historic and legendary stay here on the AT. he has been around for over 30 years, the home is an old style Victorian house. taking a zero day tomorrow, and possible the next day.
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Hot Springs

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day today to finish some chores here in Hot Springs. Spent an hour in the hot tub at the Hot Springs Resort and Spa, finally washed my cloths, and filled my face and stomach with good food. Every thursday the town has a pot luck dinner and invites all hikers that are in the town. It is a delightful little town with a deep southern feel to it. I was surprised to see the cop car, which was a brand new Charger..you could certainly fight alot of crime with that thing. Another night at Elmers. Went to the library, had some pizza...you know all the mandatory town stop type things.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Hot Springs

To: campsite
Miles today: 13.4

The overcast skies cleared throughout the day and before i knew it there was not a cloud in the sky. The day was filled with gradual climbs, but nothing overly challenging. The newest challenge is my heavy pack due to the large food bag im carrying. But this does not bother me much because it is all great food and snacks courteous of Kelly and my mom on the mail drops. I enjoy a plethora of goodies throughout the day.In the morning, i was mozying around town and stopped into Hikers Ridge Ministries. They offer coffee, snacks, fellowship, and free wifi. Queen Diva treated us to ice cream at the local coffee shop.The campsite was nestled in a small gap. The water source was quite a hike away but necessary for me to get some wawa for my chow. Another delicious Mountain House...beef stroganoff. Overall, mixed feelings coming out of town. I feel refreshed and ready to get hiking again, but it also reminds me of the things that i left to come here. Still loving every day...the nice weather helps too.
Date: 2013-04-06
From: campsite

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

A beautiful day, shorts and t-shirt type weather. The strenuous climbs certainly are a little easier with sun out, though dwaddling about is a clear temptation; i want to just sit in the sun all day, maybe take a nap, but i know there's still some work to be done.The trail follows a ridgeline where a few side trails skirt off to the left or right. I check out one short side trail which leads to a cliff side with an amazing view. I stop, grab some eats real quick and take a seat.It is a nice feeling being able to climb to these places. I cross the 300 mile mark today and although there is no wonderful monument congratulating me on my accomplishment, I feel happy and humble for my place on the trail. The trail then travels up to Big Firescald Knob where it follows the crest of a rocky ridgeline; offering opposite views of a sea of mountains to the right, and flat farmland to the left. I camp at Flint Mountain Shelter for the night.I dont believe one can develope a tolerance to breathtaking views;I have seen so many already, andam always left breathless. Quitefrankly, I'm surprised i can still breathe.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: broken clouds

Upon leaving the shelter in the morning, the trail crosses several roadways. At each intersection, there is a sign telling you what state your in (the trail follows the border between TN and NC), the sign says NC. A few backyards are in close range of the trail, there are dogs barking, and the trail follows a stream, then an old barbwire fence for a good length. There is not much going on today, and i feel a little more tired then i usually do. There are quite a bit of up and downs that really wear me down. Soon the trail intersects I-26 at Sam's Gap. There is a parking lot where day hikers are visiting Big Bald. I take a seat and enjoy some snacks, the fellas i hiked with off and on throughout the day go off trail to try to find some hot food, I am content with what i have so i stay put and take advantage of the opportunity of being near some kind of civilization and talk to Kelly and my mom briefly. I leave the gap with the intentions to hike up and over 5,500 foot Big Bald. The climb is far tougher than i imagine, the sun is blazing, i feel exhausted and dehydrated. I stop a few times to guzzle some water but feel a little queasy at this point. At the top of Big Bald, i get sick, take a quick picture of the landscape, and hobble down to the shelter still over a mile away. Staggering into the shelter, i see one fellow in there who warns me not to stay. He has gotten sick there all day and the scene is not a pretty site. Exhausted, i set up my tent in the woods and share an unpleasent night with my neighbor.Apparently there was this type of norovirus or something rather going around the trail. It affected many hikers and seemed to have originated around Little Laurel Shelter, where i stopped for a break the day before. The illness seemed to pass hikers in 12-24 hours. Fortunately mine went away overnight..
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, Tn
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

The illness that i had cleared up overnight, but because of it i was very dehydrated and had an empty stomach. I was motivated mostly by the opportunity to stay in town tonight, but today was tough both physically and mentally. I found it made the day slightly more bearable to break it down into thirds; between 5-6 miles there was a gap or shelter where i would rest. I try to daydream to take me out of the less desireable situation of hiking in the heat, but i find that i am not in the right state of mind to daydream, so i simply zone out for a few hours at a time.The decent down to Erwin was steep and long, putting an additional hurt on my feet at the end of the day. I run into a guy i met in Hot Springs, Chinmusic. He talks to me about the sickness going around, how he has avoided it, and his life and proffession back home. I find out the next day Chinmusic unfortunately got the illness later that day..hope he is still movin along.I decided to splurge and got a single room at the Best Southern- i needed time alone. With the ability to eat again, i walk down to the all you can eat pizza buffet, and then get a BBQ chix sandwhich for the road. I talk to Kelly, and family and enjoy the solitude of the large bed and large tv. WWE Raw is on...mindless entertainment to satisfy my night.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Erwin, Tn

To: Fresh Grounds
Miles today: 9.0

My stay in Erwin proved to be just what i needed. A nice night sleep was just what i needed. I caught word that a man named Fresh Grounds was doing his wonderful trail magic just 9 miles out of town, so i take my time getting out and resupply at the dollar store. Its a nice day, and i feel rejuvinated by my stay. The trail gradually climbs out of town, following nice mountain streams along the way; i stop to splash the cold water over myself several times to cool off. The 9 miles to this guys site seems to fly by. This was my first time meeting Fresh Grounds where as others have run into him 2 even 3 times. He started doing trail magic a few times out of his own pocket, and now he runs off hiker donations. He has traveled from Georgia with the intentions to go all the way up to Maine. His set up has grown, and he offers a service to hikers that is difficult to explain. He establishes a community in the woods, serving all you can eat hot dogs, sodas, snacks, and fruit. In the morning he cooks pancakes or eggs, or both if you want. You can take stuff and leave stuff, he bought a case of beer for us to enjoy over a campfire. The hospitality and overal friendly nature emits from this man and people around him can feel it and their spirits are lifted. I am very happy i was able to catch him this time around, and he says he will be in Virginia past the Grayson Highlands next time.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Fresh Grounds

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

To think that one month ago today i was dropped off at Springer..I remember the feelings i had flowing through me; extremes of anxiousness, nervousness, fear, excitement. I cant say when, or that they have settled completely, but i can say that they have subsided a bit. The daily life out here has turned into an "everyday", though a much different and more unpredictable "everyday" than back home. I'm not really sure what exactly i look forward to every day, i guess i just enjoy walking through the woods. Backpacking in general is such a simple experience. I try not to get too caught up in daily mileage because that is not how i measure my success out here; although yes mileage is important, it is not the only experience of the trail..there is much more to it. A bubble of hikers leaves Fresh Grounds Leap Frog Cafe in the morning and hike the 18 miles to the Clyde Smith Shelter. The highlight of the day is Unaka Mountain where i enjoy the refreshing smell and shade of the dense spruce forest. My feet enjoy the comfortable walk over the carpet of pine needles. Other than that, the day is simple, much like the rest of the days. Two miles before the shelter, there is a gap, Greasy Creek Gap, and i trick myself into thinking that the last two miles to the shelter will be cupcakes...i was wrong. The last two miles were the worste two miles of the day; two miles at the end of the day is the difference between being tired and exhaustion. After setting up my tent however, i enjoy my dinner and the company of the hikers around. It was very hot today, as if summer was already overhead. The threat of thunderstorms tomorrow.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

A beautiful day! Though i felt a sense of urgency due to the chance of rain, but the skies did not read rain so i took comfort in that. The trail moves up Roan Mountain, the last 6,000 footer until New England. Again i enjoy the refreshing evergreen forest. After Roan Mountain, the trail travels up Round Bald and Jane Bald; two rounded balds. The wind sweeps across the open landscape, there are views all around. I find it very difficult to keep moving as i just want to sit and enjoy this one of a kind scenery, so i sit, and even when im slowly moving along my head is floating in the air. I am happy the storm held off for the daytime. Over 30 hikers seek refuge in the Overmountain Shelter, an old barn that has been restored for a hiker shelter. Nestled on the side of a grassy ridge with a view down into a valley. We enjoy the company of two section hikers, Cosmic Charlie and his dad. Cosmic Charlie hiked in 5 pounds of potatoes which he graciously fried and served with spam. The thunderstorm rolls in around 8 and shakes the barn with its thunder. I stay dry, but a few hikers marched in after the storm started; im sure they were happy for the available space in the shelter.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

A wonderful quiet on the Roan Highlands. A thick fog and light rain moved across the grassy balds. The fog limited view to ~50 yards, but i think it made me appreciate what was in front of me more. The trail skirts along the balds of Little Hump Mountain and Hump Mountain and over several barb wire fences. To conserve the beauty of the balds in the area, grazing cattle and horses are sometimes let roam the tops; there were none when i was there however. Still in the light rain, next came a slippery and tedious decent. This was the type of tediousness you could not neglect however, while climbing down the jagged, moss cover rocks and roots, one misstep or inopportune daydream could have you hurt. So i take my time. At the Doll Flats, in a grassy, open area, there is a sign that reads "Leaving NC". This is the point where the AT cuts into the northeastern side of Tennessee. It is also the place where the governement obtained the land from people to conserve a place for the trail; its a place where apparently some people are still bitter and unfriendly towards hikers, though i didnt experience this. I did however make sure i crossed the roads when no cars where in sight or heard. Mountaineer Shelter was one of the nicer shelters. It had three floors, plenty of space, and a nearby water source-which was the top of Mountaineer Falls.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora
Miles today: 15.6

The terrain has flattened out making hiking pretty easy and enjoyable. I cover 10 miles before my first break. The plan for the day is to spend the night at Kincora hiker hostel a little less that 16 miles away. After hearing a little bit about the place, i feel its one of the places that you have to stay at on the AT. The hostel is run by Bob Peoples, one of the friendliest guys i've met. 9 hikers load into his truck, three in the front, 6 in the covered bed. Bob drops us off in town to eat and resupply while he catches the saturday night church service. The Kincora hostel is run for hikers, by hikers; it runs off a $5 donation and offers free laundry, shower, and plenty of outside cats to pet. I very much enjoy my stay there.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Kincora

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Leaving Kincora ar 10:15 was nice. I had a desent breakfast and took my time before hitting the trail. I resupplied with two days worth of food, and i had some leftovers...enough to get to Damascus, Va. The day started off by going steeply down to Laurel Falls, a large waterfall. The day started off nice and cool down by the water but quickly heated up during the climb up and over Pond Mountain. I was drained off all energy as i took a long break at Watuga Lake. I could have fallen asleep there and it was discouraging to know that i was only about halfway into the day. The trail skirts around the lake and over the dam, then steeply back into the mountains. My tank is empty by the time i got to the windy shelter around 730. Fortunately i was warned about the water source here which is .5 miles down a steep hill. I enjoy the bubble of hikers i have floated into. We share many laughs and jokes. I hike most of the day by myself, running into others on breaks, and have shared camp with the same people for the last couple nights.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I am the third one to leave the shelter after rising a few minutes before the sun. The terrain in the guidebook does not look too bad and i am hoping to knock out a big day in order to have a shorter day into town. My goal is 22.7 to the last shelter before Damascus. The trail follows allong a forrested ridge with views to the right of flat farmland. There is a monument for a guy named Nick Grindstaff..."lived alone, suffered alone, died alone" read his memorial. After a climb down, i noticed a piece of paper taped to a tree, it said "help yourself..." thats about as far as i got. There was a metal bin with a cooler of sodas and snack cakes. I do as im told and help myself. Thanks to the good people at the church who left it there. And in the middle of the woods, some service to briefly chat with Kelly. From there, the trail followed a gravel path into some old pastures, on rolling hills with a nice view. I use the step to climb over a barbed wire fence to where there are 5 cows, four black, one white, lies in the cowpie covered green grass. I shake my way by them cautiously but also kind of in awe..i dont think ive been this close to a cow before with a barrier. Such weird animals. The trail leaves that wonderful open space and goes back into the woods. Several road crossings, up and down, a hanful of miles later i am tired but done. After a long day, the bosy part that aches the most is the bottoms of my feet. I do the AT shuffle around camp as my body gets stiff when i sit too long. A good group of hikers spend the night in and around the shelter, excited to cross into Virginia tomorrow and to stay in Damascus.