morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-09-20
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

We all left the NOC around noon. Shiva and Janna led the way out and were soon gone. I apparently had developed some bad blisters on the back my right foot. I stopped most of the way up the first hill and did some blister care. The 2 guys that made it in late caught up to me. One was having issues with his knee. I moved out much slower than before. It seemed like it took forever to get to the first shelter. I got water there and ate lunch around 2pm. I moved much faster once I left the first shelter. I made it to some switch backs that had huge rocks dispersed sporadically down the slope. I slipped and fell on one set. I realized late I wasn't going to make my intended shelter before dark. I tried to pick up the pace. I made it to Jacob's Ladder right at dusk. I was not prepared for the climb. It was brutal at the end of my day. 3/4 of the way up I was wiped out. Two Australian girls passed me going down and told me I was .3 from the top and the shelter was a short .2 from there. That was the longest .3 I have ever been on. I was lucky enough that I got to the top just as it really got dark. I hiked in the dark for more than .2 miles. I began to get concerned that I missed the shelter sign. I dug my headlamp out of my pack and decided to keep pushing forward. I hiked another .2 miles and I saw the shelter sign. I was VERY happy. I turned off my headlamp and headed down the shelter trail. Shiva was at the shelter when I got there. He said I scared him to death because he saw my headlamp on the trail he started calling out to me. I didn't respond and when he called out again I shut my headlamp off. when He thought I was coming to get him like in some "B" horror movie. I laughed and explained I never heard him and only turned my headlamp out to save battery. We laughed and stayed up late laughing and reminiscing about the Dave Chapelle Show. There was a mouse that kept running around in the shelter.
Date: 2012-09-21
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: clear sky

We woke up early and set out for Fontana Dam. The patching on my blisters on my right heal held up but today I noticed my left ankle is hurting. I took it slow and Shiva went on ahead. I ran into him at a shelter. We sat while I ate lunch and got water. I left and he decided to stay behind. After a short time he caught up with me on the trail. As we neared Fontana Dam he moved on ahead. I made it into Fontana Dam around 3 pm. I watched the backpacks and Shiva caught a shuttle into town. He came back with 2 hotdogs for me. Those were the best hotdogs EVER (lol)! It is hard to believe I am at the beginning of the Great Smoky Mountains! I walked down and soaked my feet in the cold water. I came back up and made dinner and prepared for bed. Around 10 pm more people showed up and the shelter filled up. I am praying my ankle holds up.
Date: 2012-09-22
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

My ankle REALLY gave me problems today. I decided to just keep pressing on. I hiked the entire day alone. When I got to "the Throne" I heard a commotion behind me on my right and saw the tail end of a small bear running away from me. He was WAY to fast for me to get my camera out. I pressed on to Millies Ridge Shelter. I got there kind of early and decided to eat lunch and press on to the next shelter. I met a guy in the shelter who said the rangers told him there was a lot of bear activity between Millies Ridge and the next shelter. As I made my way about 200 yards from the shelter I heard a bear breaking branches as he ran away. I only caught a small glimpse of him. I noticed a large amount of bear scat on the trail. There was a large pile every 75 yards or so. As I neared the second shelter I passed a Southbound thru-hiker named Daniel who warned me he saw a bear near the shelter. The shelter was empty when I arrived. I decided to push on to the next shelter which was Spence Field. There was hardly any scat between the last shelter and this one which obviously made me feel better. When I made my way into the shelter I was greeted by Shiva! I figured he had went past this one. I quickly ate dinner but was informed there was no water at this shelter. Luckily a weekend hiker graciously offered me some. He said he had been hiking the Smokies all his life.There were several other weekend hikers in the shelter. Afterwards I hoisted my food up the bear cable and tucked in for the night.
Date: 2012-09-23
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I rose early but was slow moving with my ankle. I noticed my ankle was swelling quite a bit. As I hiked my shoe laces began to cut off the circulation. I had to loosen them. Early into the hiking Shiva was right behind me and said "bear!". I was looking long but quickly realized the bear was about 15 yards in front of me to my left! He was moving right towards the trail in front of me. He saw me and there ws a moment of us just staring at each other. He then turned and ran away. Shiva and I were talking about it when I noticed a bear ahead in the trail about 50 yards downhill. I tried to get my camera out but he ran away before I could even get it turned on. We continued hiking. The views were awesome but It seemed like forever to get to the shelter. When I arrived at the shelter there were already 2 guys there. It was still early and I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I ate dinner. I built a fire. Shiva tried to call a friend so that he could get picked up in New Found Gap. He planned to get off the trail tomorrow and take a few days and spend it with his friends. He suddenly got the idea he could get picked up from Clingmans Dome tonight. He left the shelter determined he would hike to the dome and his friend would pick him up. I decided to wait and hike to New Found Gap the next day. I had been warned there was a loud squirrel at this shelter. When I arrived I was greeted by a very angry chipmunk who was very upset I was sleeping near his nest in the shelter. I plugged his entry hole and this seemed to quiet him for the night. (I made sure to unplug his hole in the morning.)
Date: 2012-09-24
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: New Found Gap 
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

I awoke and unplugged the chipmunks hole. I ate breakfast quickly and set out for the short trip to New Found Gap. I was doing what I always do which is look for landmarks to tell me how far I have gone. I was looking for a shelter so I could eat lunch at it when I saw a sign pointing towards another trail with the shelter sign on it. I assumed this was the AT and followed it. When I got to the shelter it had a sign saying it was .4 miles from the trail and I didn't want to go that far just to eat lunch. I hiked past the shelter trail noting I has just under 5 miles to go to New Found Gap. I saw a sign that had the name of a trail I didn't recognize and I thought it must be past the gap. I continued down the trail. The next sign I was at the side trail name. When I looked at the other side it said Appalachian Trail <- 4.8 miles. I had taken the wrong trail. My second mistake was I had run out of water and failed to fill up at the last water point figuring I would get water in Gatlinburg. I hiked back 4.8 miles to the water point. I was EXTREMELY thirsty! It was horrible. I made it back to the last shelter but was confused because there was no other trail. I continued back and found a sign that said Appalachian Trail <- .3 miles. I continued back to the original sign for the shelter. I realized the shelter was NOT on the AT but a side trail. I had made the wrong turn when I turned towards the shelter at its sign. I turned back onto the AT and hiked the remaining 4.7 miles. All in all my easy 10.8 mile hike stretched to right at 21 miles for the day when it was said and done! So much for taking it easy on my ankle! It was almost 6 pm when I walked into New Found Gap. I called a few hotels and finally settled on the Grand Prix Hotel. The $29 hiker rate fixed it for me. I called the shuttle and was told they don't run on Sundays and Mondays so I called a cab the hotel recommended. The fair was $30 but you can split it if you have multiple hikers. They gave me a ride to the hotel and I settled in. The hotel was nicer than what I expected. I took a shower and changed clothes and went into Gatlinburg for dinner.
Date: 2012-09-25
From: New Found Gap 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

I tried to stay off my ankle as much as possible today. I did walk into town to get breakfast at the pancake place. It wasn't bad. It had that Gatlinburg air about it. I walked over to the Walgreens and got some Naproxin for my ankle. I walked back to the hotel and again tried to stay off of it. Back at the hotel I did washed clothes though. I went out again to eat dinner. I had dinner at the mexican restaurant in town. It was good and I enjoyed the atmosphere much more. I headed back, propped up my leg and fell asleep.
Date: 2012-09-26
From: New Found Gap 

To: Tri-Corner Knob
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up and packed up. My ankle was better but still not great. I walked down and ate at Shoney's restaurant. There was confusion on where the shuttle picks you up from in Gatlinburg so I ended up calling a cab. The cab fare was another $30. It took me up to the top of New Found Gap. From there I again headed North on the AT. After a short time I rounded a curve and was shocked to see a doe standing 6 feet from the trail not 16 feet from me. We both startled! As she began to run I called out to her like I was speaking to a pet and said "It's okay girl, it's okay" and to my amazement she stopped! She slowly made her way back to the bush she was nibbling on when I startled her! I got my camera out and took several pictures of her. Finally when I went to leave she spooked slightly again and when I again spoke to her she settled and moved back to continue eating! It was one of the most incredible things I have ever seen! I continued on to Tri-Corner Knob and there were 2 hikers already there. They said they were engineers and immediately began talking about electronics that quickly made me ready for bed.
Date: 2012-09-27
From: Tri-Corner Knob

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

I can't believe today was the last day in the Great Smoky Mountains. I hiked down to Davenport Gap and crossed the street. I looked at the sign that asked if you killed a bear (a National Park add about using safe back country practices in bear country) and I saw a piece of moleskin taped to it that had "Charley Murphy killed this bear" written on it signed by Shiva! I figured he was behind me on the trail because he was saying he was going to spend several days with his friends off the trail but apparently it didn't work out and he is ahead of me by a day. I continued on. The trail followed beside a nice stream for a way and then it dumped out onto a road. The road crossed a bridge with white blazes on the curb. I crossed the bridge and made a right turn on the road following the white blazes. It was different walking on concrete for a change. I followed it down and turned left going under the underpass of I-40. About 100 yards past the highway the trail went back onto the dirt and climbed stairs up the hillside. I was a little confused by the lack of blazes on some of the turns during this leg. Thank God for the AT Guide during this section. The next mile of trail seemed pointless. It had several pointless up and downs (PUD's) and turned in a needless direction around a corner that could have been much shorter in my opinion. it emptied back out on the same road it left. I turned left on the raod and headed the 200 yards up the road to the Standing Bear Hostel. It had a old fashioned, rustic, air about it. The hostel is in the front building closest to the road. The owner was very nice. He is a veteran. When I walked in he was talking to one of the patrons about many veterans hiking the trail when they return from combat for decompression. I paid the $20 for the hostel (there was a cabin available for $25). There was 1 Southbound thru-hiker, 2 section hikers doing work for stay and Janna at the hostel. The 2 section hikers doing work for stay had obviously been drinking heavily when we got there. Janna asked if I would play a game of horseshoes. Neither of us could remember the rules. We just winged it. The 2 section hikers challenged us to a game and we skunked them. There was no doubt their drinking contributed to that. The hikers drinking continued throughout the night. I was worried it would cause an incident but that never occurred. They ended up taking mattresses out of the bunkhouse and sleeping in the floor of the kitchen. Showers are available at the hostel. The privy is a standard AT moldering privy. resupply is not readily available but some small items are available. Some frozen microwave meals are for sale and available from the freezer in the kitchen area. There is a microwave, stove and potable water available in the kitchen area. There is a fire ring if you feel the need for a fire. The hostel is a bunk room environment and has a pot belly stove for heat in the winter. Overall it was a fun experience.
Date: 2017-03-27
From: Damascus, V.A.

To: Adkins, V.A.
Miles today: 10.0

Preparing for another Section Hike of the mighty Appalachian trail. I plan on taking my 14/yo daughter on this one. I am excited and ready to go! Equipment has been purchased and I only need to add some food and we are ready to go! Should be an awesome adventure!
Date: 2017-03-17
To: Camera?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today's conundrum: I'm debating whether to take my camera or just use my phone. The camera (Sony RX100) takes much better pictures, including RAW, but the camera, strap, case, tripod, freezer bag, and desiccant add up to 12 ounces of extra weight. I've gone back and forth on this a dozen times. Way too much stress for an adventure that's intended to de-stress my life.
Date: 2017-03-21
To: Pack weight, heel pain, and other worries
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunday I hiked a dozen miles (2000' elevation gain) with 36 lbs in my pack. Those thirty-six pounds felt a lot heavier than the 32 lbs I carried last time. It was a valuable reminder of how important it is to keep my pack weight down.Since November, I've been walking ten or so miles of the MST most Sundays with a bunch of THOG (Triangle Hiking & Outdoor Group) regulars led by Justin P. It was a little sad to say farewell-for-now to our little group. I enjoyed their company and encouragement as I developed my plan to spend a few weeks on the AT. An even bigger change for me will be the end of my stint at Ciena on 31 March. I've genuinely enjoyed the 5 1/2 years I've spent there. I'll miss many co-workers who have become friends, the challenges, and the feelings of accomplishment. Now it's time to start looking forward. This weekend I'll get down to the serious business of packing, weighing, and paring my load.
Date: 2017-04-02
To: Trepidation
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Planning to start in Damascus Wednesday. I rode the bus to Asheville today, where I was greeted by a gorgeous afternoon. But I'm feeling some trepidation about what's to come. My heel hurts when I walk more than 1/2 mile. Furthermore, the mountain forecast is calling for 36 hours of snow starting Thursday night. Maybe that'll make the trail softer....
Date: 2017-04-04
To: Final shakedown
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Dustin and I day-hiked the Old Butt Knob - Shining Creek loop (8 mi, 3000' elevation gain) in Shining Rock Wilderness. Weather was perfect, scenery was beautiful. I carried my pack almost fully loaded; it felt heavy and unsettled at first but improved after a couple hours. The best thing was having some good quality father-son time. Off to Damascus tomorrow to start the green tunnel.
Date: 2017-04-05
From: Damascus, VA

To: Pond at trail mile 481
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

An Uber driver took me from Asheville to Damascus. "Are we really going to Virginia?" she asked as I got into the car. After buying some tortillas at the Dollar General, I walked out of town and into the woods. Planned to spend the night at Saunders Shelter, but I felt good so put in a few more miles. Stopped at a nice campsite by a pond. Saw only three other hikers once I got into the woods. Temp near 70, felt as if it might rain, but the sky cleared just before sunset. A good start.
Date: 2017-04-06
From: Pond at trail mile 481

To: Elk Garden
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained on and off all morning, and I got soaked. Turned to sleet and snow in the afternoon as temperature dropped. Wind increased all afternoon and was ferocious by nightfall. It roared all night. I shivered in my sleeping bag from 6:30 until I finally was able to fall asleep at 10:30. Twice during the night I had to shake the snow off my tent so it wouldn't collapse. Elk Garden is on a highway at the border of two counties. Each county sent their snowplow twice during the night. Between the scraping of the plows and the backup beepers as they turned around, it was pretty noisy. Two thru-hikers were in hammocks next to me. I'm sure their night was worse than mine.
Date: 2017-04-07
From: Elk Garden

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light snow

I was shivering again by the time I broke camp. It was too windy to light the stove and too cold to stand around and wait for water to boil, so I shoved a frozen Cliff bar into my pants pocket until it was soft enough to chew. My pack straps, soaked by yesterdays's rain, had frozen solid so I couldn't adjust them. My shoelaces were frozen too, but a little pounding with my fist loosened them sufficiently so I could tie them tightly enough that the shoes wouldn't fall off.From Elk Garden, the trail climbs up a wide-open alpine meadow to a bald. As soon as I stepped out of the trees, the wind hit hard (60 mph gusts according to NWS). There were a few stands of trees, but most of the day's walk was on open bald at 5000-ish feet. Footing was treacherous: sheer ice, deep snow (up to a foot in places), and slush. On this my third day, I wished I had worn boots instead of trail runners. Grayson Highlands, famous for its wild ponies and beautiful views, was horrendous. The white trail blazes were sparse and faded, painted on snow-covered rocks, so navigation was extremely difficult--not a challenge I enjoyed while trying to keep moving fast enough to stave off hypothermia. The roar of the wind provided a psychological downer to match the physical cold it induced. My hat blew off, and I was only able to retrieve it because it got stuck on a bush. A water bottle was blown out of my pack; I didn't even know it was gone until I looked for it when the other one froze.The famous wild ponies were hunkered down out of sight; all but one, who was wandering around Thomas Knob Shelter looking for handouts and trying to stay out of the worst of the wind. As the afternoon progressed, the wind subsided from a full gale to a stiff breeze. The trail also descended, which moderated the temperature a little. It was still well below freezing when I pitched my tent near Old Orchard Shelter, but I found a protected spot between a big boulder and a copse of hemlocks. Erecting my tent numbed my already-cold fingers (wet gloves). I had to wipe out the snow that had been in the tent since I packed it during the blizzard this morning. But some weekend hikers had a campfire going, and they welcomed me to warm my fingers and chat with them by the fire.  All in all, it was a good ending to a miserable day.
Date: 2017-04-08
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter 
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Snow melted as the I (mostly) descended through the day. The trail started snow-covered, progressed to slushy, then became just plain wet. By afternoon, I finally started to warm up and appreciate the scenery.I was the only to spend the night at or near Trimpi Shelter; surprising for a shelter near a trailhead on a Saturday night. Just before dark, a local couple strolled through with their dogs. We had a pleasant chat. They told me they checked out the shelter frequently and did some minor maintenance. I noticed, but didn't mention, he was carrying a big pack for someone who was just out walking the dogs.
Date: 2017-04-09
From: Trimpi Shelter 

To: Marion
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Todays walk was superb! Beautiful blue sky, mild temperatures, nice views, and signs of early spring in the mountains. I came across three deer, saw some early wildflowers, and got my first taste of trail magic! Crossing a fence stile shortly after starting out, I noticed a piece of trash: a cardboard soda carton. But as I got closer, I realized it was carefully placed, open, and full of cans of Sprite. A perfect way to start a hike. I suspect it had been left last night by the dog-walking couple carrying the big pack. Toward the end of my day's walk, I came across Partnership Shelter. A thru-hiker was zeroing (no positive trail mileage for the day). He had just ordered two large pizzas, and he was offering slices to any hikers who walked by. Trail Magic twice on the same day!My afternoon was less exciting. I hitchhiked into Marion, checked into a cheap motel, did laundry, took a long shower, resupplied, and feasted at a Mexican restaurant.
Date: 2017-04-10
From: Marion

To: Davis Path
Miles today: 14.8

First few hours were a rough Ridge walk, like walking on rip-rap. At Chatfield Shelter, the trail transomed into a delightful rhododendron tunnel alongside a creek for a couple miles. It ended at Lindamood School, an old one-room schoolhouse where there was a trail magic extravaganza: fresh fruit, cold sodas, knee braces, ibuprofen, and much more. Mrs. Lindamood was there replenishing supplies, so I had the good fortune to meet this trail angel in person. What a delight!Following afternoon trail magic and early supper at The Barn, I had enough energy to push on for a few more miles before dusk. Ended at Davis Path, the site of a former shelter. Although the shelter has been demolished, the picnic table and privy are still there.
Date: 2017-04-11
From: Davis Path

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Warm and humid; the heat got to me today. The footpath was relatively smooth, not terribly steep, but there were lots of PUDS (pointless ups and downs). Yoda and Rooster, recent retirees I met at The Barn yesterday, caught up with me as I was breaking camp. I walked and talked with Yoda, an IT guy, for a few miles.I had first crossed paths with Utah Jack and Permagrin five days ago, on the first day of the snowstorm. (What a contrast in weather!) They're recent grads from Smith. We criss-crossed three times today. Lick Creek proved to be a delightful place to camp. I found a spot under a rhododendron canopy from which I could hear the gentle sounds of the creek all night. The water was cold! Despite the warm weather, I could only stand to wade in to my ankles and wipe down with my bandana. But Utah Jack and Permagrin stopped for a dip and submerged themselves. It was almost dark when they left, planning to hike into the night. I had the place to myself after that.