morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Va. 603, Fox Creek

To: Va. 650, Va. 16, Dickey Gap Troutdale
Miles today: 8.5

I shuttled back to Troutdale this morning. I got there around 11:00 AM and stopped into Jerry¢s Kitchen and Goods. It is a diner/store in Troutdale. In fact, other than the church, it is about the only thing in Troutdale.At 11:30 I started hitching back to Elk Garden to pick up my car. It¢s a short hitch and I feel better about leaving it at the church/hostel here in Troutdale. A nice young woman, who is also a trail worker, picked me up and took me right to my car.I drove back to Troutdale, parked the car at the Troutdale Baptist Church Hostel, hiked back to the Virginia Rt. 603 trailhead, and continued my northbound hike. I stopped for a snack at the Hurricane Shelter. By 4:30 I come to the Comers Creek Falls Trail and check out the falls.Around 5:00 PM I¢m at the back out on Virginia Rt. 650 and hitching back to Troutdale to stay at the hostel. Here I meet M & M and Snowy. These three are quite entertaining in the way they entertain themselves. It is fun to watch. M & M are a couple and Snowy is their friend. We shared one of the bunkrooms. At some point in the evening, M (the wife), leaves the room.   M (the husband) and Snowy see that she¢s left her camera on the bunk. They look at each other for a split second, and then jump into action. Snowy drops his drawers and spreads his buns. M takes the photo. The camera goes back on the bunk.A few minutes later, M (the wife) re-enters the room, takes one look at their faces and says ¢What? What did you do?¢ ¢Nothing¢, they both reply in unison. She knows something is up, but doesn¢t know what. They don¢t tell.Later, Snowy says ¢Does anyone have any Velcro?¢ Mrs. M says, ¢Don¢t you mean ¢hook and loop¢ tape? Snowy groans and the M¢s laugh. They explain the ¢Name Brand¢ game to me. Throughout their hike, you are not supposed to say a name brand unless you really mean it. It¢s not Saran Wrap, its plastic wrap, and so on¢¦Good fun.
Date: 2011-05-06
From: Va. 650, Va. 16, Dickey Gap Troutdale

To: Partnership Shelter 
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The trail was a nice easy walk today. There were beautiful flowers and woods along the way. The most fun was the end of the day at the Partnership Shelter. I got in kind of late and there were a lot of hikers. The folks on the second floor were nice enough to let me squeeze in.You can order in pizza from this shelter. Zig Zag shared her pizza with me. It was wonderful! What a treat. Tomahawk was there, and I showed him my mono-pod camera holder that I use with my hiking pole. He is really into photography and has a full size SLR camera and tripod with him so I'm sure his photos are AMAZING!Funny thing. This is the only place along the trail where I've seen hikers catch fish and what's really funny is they were using pizza crust for bait! Ha.
Date: 2011-05-07
From: Partnership Shelter 

To: Va. 683, U.S. 11, I-81 Atkins, VA 
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

The morning walk was uneventful, but easy. It was hot, though.In the afternoon I met another hiker, whose name escapes me, at the Chatfield Shelter. And I saw and photographed a black dragonfly resting on a rock.However, the afternoon was fun and educational. I came to a sign that read:Settlers MuseumFree for AT Hikers1890 FarmThis place was really something to see. What made it really unique as museums go is that I was the only person there. There was not even a caretaker. The place consisted of several buildings including a very nice two story house, a barn, and various outbuildings including a chicken coop (I think), a granary, corn crib, root cellar, machinery shed and a farm shop. The farm shop was filled with all kinds of old implements; plowshares, scythes, an old stone grinding wheel, and had hoops on the wall that were probably used for making barrels. There was a large two-seater, horse drawn machine that looked to be a giant rake. I poked around the place for about an hour.The Settler Museum HouseUpon leaving, I immediately came to the Lindamood School. This 1894 one-room schoolhouse was open for touring. Inside there are benches and a wood-burning stove. What made this place such an attraction was the sign on the wall: Punishments!Inside the Lindamood SchoohouseThere were ¢His and Her¢ outhouses. I thought that was cute.
Date: 2011-05-08
From: Va. 683, U.S. 11, I-81 Atkins, VA 

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter 
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Overcast skies today. I started out down the road and under Interstate 81. So far, so good. Then I walked right past the trailhead and went down the road about half a mile. Once I noticed there were no white-blazes, I headed back and found the trail. It is much more common (for me, anyway. And I can only speak for myself.) to get lost while hiking on roads. In the woods you either see good trail, white blazes or both.I passed the Davis Cemetery sign, and another sign announcing the location of Davis Fancy, established in Smyth County, Virginia in 1748. It was easy walking. There were lots of fields to cross. Eleven AM found me at the Davis Path Campsite. According to the guide, the roof and walls of the shelter were taken down in 2008. It does not say why.   Then it was up and over Big Walker Mountain. I¢m fairly sure this is the mountain with the tunnel that leads into West Virginia. There was one stretch, for about a mile, in which the trail land was only 100 feet wide. There was a farm on one side and a field on the other. Both side lined with barbed wire.I climbed over a stile near the Holston River. Shortly thereafter, I came up on what I believe to be an old saw mill alongside the river. It was really something to see. I¢ll be sure to post pictures when I can.I didn¢t arrive at the Knot Maul Shelter until after 7:00 PM. The place was packed with hikers. Tents were everywhere. To my surprise, there were only 7 people in the shelter. It¢s supposed to hold eight, and I asked if I could squeeze in. If you are a hiker and have ever done this, you know that uncomfortable feeling where everyone wants to say ¢no¢, but doesn¢t say ¢yes¢. I¢ve been there before myself. Especially with dogs where someone with a dog comes up to the shelter and says ¢Does anyone mind if the dog stays in the shelter?¢ If nobody says ¢no¢ within a few seconds, this is usually taken to mean yes. Anyway, a nice woman named Jen made a spot for me and there was plenty of room for all.I met Jen, her husband James, Kebban, a man from Germany, and several others. Another great day on the trail!Moonwatcher just outside of Atkins VA.Old Mill along the Holston RiverOh yeah, almost forgot. This shelter is near mile marker 550. I¢m 25% of the way to Katahdin!
Date: 2011-05-09
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter 

To: Stealth site before Va. 623, Garden Mtn
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I said goodbye to Kebbon, James, and Jen and headed out down the trail. The highlight of the day was going up Chestnut Knob. The views back over the mountains I¢ve traveled on for the last few days were very unique. They looked like waves from the beach. I came to the Chestnut Knob Shelter around 3:30 in the afternoon. I considered stopping for the day knowing the next seven miles had no official campsites and was known to be a tough area to find any stealth sites to set up a tent. I was sure I¢d find a spot, so I moved on.As it turns out, the scuttlebutt on the camping was spot-on. I did find good water at Walker Gap, but no really decent tent sites. Around 7:30 I finally found a small spot that was just big enough for my tent. It was only a few feet off the trail, but I was desperate.Mountains like waves.
Date: 2011-05-10
From: Stealth site before Va. 623, Garden Mtn

To: Va. 615, Laurel Creek
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

Easy hike today. Stopped at Jenkins Shelter for lunch and met a couple from Germany that is thru-hiking. When I got to Laurel Creek I decided to tent for the night. Shortly after I got the tent set up it started raining, so I just cooked in the rain.   A truck pulled off the road and a very old couple was inside. The woman yells over to me, "Have you seen reed carl"? I was most puzzled. I asked "Reed or Carl?" She says, "No, a reed carl!"   Still uncertain I said "Are you asking if I have seen a red car?" Now she is getting frustrated and says, "No, a REED CAR, you know MOO!". Oh I laughed, no mam, I've not seen a red cow. Off they went.As it turns out one hiker I met named WIP (Work in progress) once worked for the same company I work for in Florida.This morning I decided my poor legs had had enough (and I did reach Bland (county) my goal). I hitched for about 20 minutes and then said the heck with it after 5 trucks zoomed right on by, and decided to hike on. Just as I was about to enter the woods, a car pulls up and out comes Snowy and M & M. Mike (of M & M) had gotten sick and they got off the trail for a while. Just my luck. I got a quick photo of them and then hitched back to the nearby Big Walker Hotel with their ride! This ends my 2011 hike.Thank you Turtle and RC Slowpoke, Fulltime, Lumiere, Kebban, Peaches, Maps, Pacemaker, Dixie, Winkle, Zigzag, Ranger Bob, Denob, Hopeful, Moss, Red Fred & Unc, Gumby, Snowy, M & M, WIP, Tomahawk, James and Jen, ... and all the others whose names I've not yet listed, for your company. It truly is the people you meet that make backpacking such a wonderful experience. Donna and Hardy - Thank you so much for the rides back to Troutdale!
Date: 2011-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As I sit in the office waiting for FedEx to get here, bored out of my gourd, I keep thinking about the AT. Only 3 more days and I will be stepping foot, again, on the approach trail in Amicalola Falls State Park and making my way to Springer for the official start. I think about the woods and streams I will cross and mountains I will climb over and days and nights of rain, sarcasm. I am really excited to get this adventure under way, I am filled with so many emotions. I am comfortable with the first 117 miles because I did them last year, but past that point everything is going to be new to me, the trail, hitch hiking and staying in trail towns. I am nervous, but ready to get started. On a separate note, I will be using this account as my primary way of updating family and friends on my status, when I can, and I will be using facebook to periodically post pictures and as communication. Well I guess that is it until Friday.
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

First I just want to say thanks to Jim and Lisa for letting us stay the night and watching Zeus and thanks Lisa for making us breakfast and driving us over to Amicalola Falls. Also, thanks to my dad and Nina for watching Winston, it is all really appreciated. When we got dropped of this morning at the approach trail the temp was around 34, but it didn't take long to warm up after walking up 604 steps along the falls. I forgot my watch, stupid, I will get one at Neel's Gap. We made it to Springer Mountain by 3 and started the official first steps on the Appalachian Trail and stayed the night by the shelter in our tent. We had dinner early and just sat under the blue sky and sun.   Just us, a guy in the shelter and the caretaker.
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Sassafras Mountain
Miles today: 10.8

Slosh, slosh, slosh is all we heard today. Woke up at about 6:30 to lightning and thunder and got everything packed up and then the rain started. We hiked in it all day until we couldn't take anymore and stopped at a campsite around 2. Our shoes, socks and shorts are wet but we are nice and dry right now in the tent. My sleeping bag got a little bit wet and I have a pack cover, lawsuit. But everything else is dry. It is still sprinkling and they are calling for more showers tomorrow. The temp has been hovering around 45 today. Couldn't make dinner so we had to eat or lunch for dinner. Hoping to get a couple extra miles done tomorrow since we have had a lot of rest today.
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Sassafras Mountain

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I forgot to mention in the last entry that when we came down off of Springer Mt, Mountain Squid was waiting with some trail magic, donuts and a drink, sweet. Well we stopped at 2 yesterday and it continued to rain the rest of the day and all night with a couple of bad thunderstorms. We woke up and had to roll up our wet tent, everything else was dry though. We hiked through a lot of fog today which blocked all the views. We saw three deer near Justus Creek. A lot of hikers are on the trail today. The sun came out for about 20 minutes today and we were able to pull out our tent and dry it. Then the fog came back out, made it to camp at about 6:30 now were cooking some dinner. Also, Brittany decided to get off tomorrow at Neel's Gap, bummer.
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all lastnight again and a lot of our stuff is damp. We hiked up Blood Mt, our biggest climb yet and down into Neel's Gap to Mountain Crossing Outfitter. Nothing but fog all day and they are calling for more rain through Wednesday. All our good views have been blocked so far. When we got to Neel's Gap we had more trail magic, First Baptist of Helen was grilling hamburgers, everyone was really friendly. When Brittany's parents came to pick her up they had to twist my arm(wink,wink) to get off the trail for a couple of days to let the storm go through. I am glad I did, my tent is soaked, my sleeping bag is really damp and half my clothes are wet. We had pizza for dinner tonight. My plan is to let everything dry out, do some laundry, take a shower because I am really stank, resupply with food tomorrow and get back on the trail at Neel's Gap. I found my watch too. Zero day tomorrow, hopefully filled with lots of food.
Date: 2011-03-29
From: Neels Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up this morning and Brittany shot her first turkey, lol. Went to Wal Mart and resupplied on food and then to Sportsmans to pick up a new water filter. Ate Taco Bell for lunch, yum. Looked up the forecast at Neels Gap and it is calling for 60% chance of rain tonight and 90% chance of rain tomorrow. I think I am going to go ahead and delay setting out until Thursday, after that it is all sunshine. I know I will hit more rain along the trail, but I figure I might as well take advantage of keeping dry for an extra day. Its not setting me back by much anyways.
Date: 2011-03-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It rained and hailed lastnight, luckily I was nice and dry in bed. Im glad I delayed setting off by a day. Weighed myself and I have lost 6 pounds already. But im sure I put a couple back on after eating pizza, taco bell, spaghetti, bbq, dunkin donuts and krispy kreme. Its going to be hard to get back on the trail after eating all that. Brittany shot a gobbler today and we took it to the taxidermy this evening. I am looking forward to getting back on the trail, hope to be walking by no later than 10.
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

Brittany and Lisa dropped me off at Neel's Gap today at about 10. The weather was the same as when I left on Monday, foggy and misty. The sun did come out eventually though, for a little bit. Made it to Low Gap Shelter by 330. Passed 11 people on the way, now there are probably close to 20 people here now. Met Mama D, Woodstock, Cool Cat, Silver Eagle, Roger and Toby and Lea from Germany. It is supposed to drop to 32 tonight.
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

It was really windy lastnight, woke up to 30 degrees. Talked to Strider for a little bit then left at 820. By 8:45 I hit snow flurries and the temp dropped to 28. At 9:09 I saw icicles from a spring running down a rock. Walked through more flurries at 9:45 and 10:02, pretty neat considering it is 80 in Florida. The sun did come out and the sky was blue. The Easter bunny visited the AT today and left eggs filled with snickers along the trail, that was a good pick me up.   Boy Scout Troop 605 was at Tray Gap cooking for hikers. I had three cheeseburgers and a hot dog, plus candy and oreos. Finally reached Tray Mtn. What an awesome day, snow flurries and trail magic twice. I have only been on the trail for 6 days and have had trail magic 4 times.
Date: 2011-04-02
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Lastnight at sunset there was more snow flurries and the wind really set in. I could actually hear the wind gusts coming through the valley and up the mountain before it hit my tent. The wind kept up all day and still is right now. According to my weather radio they said winds were 15-25 mph with gusts up to 40. I believe it. Met Bear Claw, Next Year, Buffalo, Buffalo Bob and Leap FrogFrog. I am starting to get the itch pretty bad, jock itch that is. I plan on getting off in Franklin with Ron Haven and getting some cream and staying in one of his Hotels, only a couple of days away.
Date: 2011-04-03
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Nothing to eventful today. Decided to do some extra miles so I can get closer to Franklin. I might go ahead and go all the way in by tomorrow evening and take a zero day Tuesday. Not sure yet, I will go in no later than Tuesday morning. I forgot to add that I crossed the GA/NC state line this morning around 10. Woo hoo, one state down 13 more to go.
Date: 2011-04-04
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up this morning and got to it. I wanted to get to Franklin before the storm set in. This morning I had the toughest mountain to climb so far, Albert Mtn. From Albert Mtn bypass to the firetower on top of Albert Mtn it is 410 feet of incline in .3 miles. When I was coming out of Rock Gap a previous thru hiker left some trail magic, a box of iced tea, water and fruit snacks. I thought they were all empty but I found the last fruit snack on the bottom, sweet. Made it to Winding Stair Gap and got a shuttle to Havens Budget Inn. Had a large pizza, take 5, chocolate chip cookies and a Dr Pepper, nice to have some different food other than pasta and clif bars. I plan on taking a zero day tomorrow and resupplying. Will hit the trail Wednesday morning.
Date: 2011-04-05
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day today. Just lounged around the hotel and watched some tv. Went to lunch at the Creekside Gazebo Restaurant and resupplied at the Dollar General. I saw in the guidebook that there is an outfitter really close to the hotel, Outdoor76. I decided to go there instead of taking the shuttle this afternoon. I am glad I did, the store had everything you could need, a really friendly staff and was just a short walk away. I would recommend this outfitter to anyone that comes into Franklin. Ate dinner at the Blue Ridge Roadhouse, ribeye, really, really good. Getting everything packed and ready to go for tomorrow.
Date: 2011-04-06
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

What an awesome day. At 7:30 First Baptist Church of Franklin picked us up and took us back to the church for an AYCE pancake and bacon breakfast. I got to meet up with NextYear and Buffalo Bob again. We were dropped off at Winding Stair Gap at 10. While walking I scared a turkey and it flew away. I had lunch at Wayah Bald tower. Came down into Burningtown Gap and there was some trail magic. A group of previous thru hikers had Coors light, PBR, cheeseburgers and Little Debbie's snacks. Made it to Cold Spring Shelter for the night.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Long day today, had about a 12 mile hike into Nantahala Outdoor Center and then a 6 mile hike out. I left this morning around 8 and stopped at Wesser Bald Tower. Had some good views, could see Fontana Lake in the distance. Came down into NOC and it was packed, people rafting and kayaking. Grabbed a ChacoTaco and MelloYello and headed out. The climb out was decent, got to Jump Up and had a really good view back down at NOC and the river. Looks like there is a fire to the east. Made it to the shelter at about 5:30.
Date: 2011-04-08
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Nothing to eventful this morning. Made it to Stecoah Gap and Five Eyes pulled up, a section hiker from Maine, he had a cooler full of beer from Maine, Baxter Pale Ale, coke, Gatorade, bananas, and candy. About 30 minutes later, Ultralight, pulled up and had a small pantry in his truck. I grabbed canned peaches, crackers and peanut butter. Gotta love trail magic. Made it to the shelter, now Im camped out by a small creek.
Date: 2011-04-09
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 12.6

Got up early so I could get into Fontana Village and resupply before the Smokies. It is hot and muggy today. Took the shuttle in and ressuplied and then took the shuttle out. Crossing Fontana Dam and looking up at the Smokies was really neat. Started climbing up into the park at about 2. The climb up Shuckstack Mtn nearly killed me, but the view from the fire tower was amazing. Fontana Dam looked small now. Made it to the campsite and am now cooking dinner._
Date: 2011-04-10
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

Another long hot day. I saw a big wild hog coming up to Mollies Ridge. All day I walked through huge areas of white flowers, it almost looked like snow. When I passed Russell Field Shelter I saw a sign that said it was only 5.1 miles to Cades Cove, I didn't realize the AT was that close to the cove. I also saw two horseback riders. I stopped at a small stream to get some water and while there, in an area of the stream that was only about 8 inches wide and 2 inches deep there were two salamanders. Rocky Top had some good views, saw a grouse after that, on the way down to the shelter.
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up this morning and saw a deer on the way to go get my food bag. From Double Spring Gap Shelter and up Clingmans Dome to Mt Collins Shelter was all evergreens. It smelled good and reminded me of Christmas. Climbed up Clingmans Dome(6643ft) the highest point on the AT. I walked past the tower but decided not to climb up it, since I have been there before and they are calling for 100% chance of rain for tonight, so I want to get to the shelter. Good views all day long. Made it to the shelter and got settled in, this is my first time staying in a shelter. At 6:30 a local married couple came up to the shelter with brownies and vanilla ice cream, yum.
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: moderate rain

It rained pretty good lastnight, but I slept like crap, everybody moving and people snoring. Got going around 7:30, started to have a light sprinkle. Made it to Newfound Gap a couple of hours later, it was raining pretty good now, I was getting hot so I decided to take my down vest off from underneath my rain jacket. Started heading out of the gap and twenty minutes later I was walking in snow showers for the next two hours, then more rain and wind gusts up to 35 mph. Im wearing shorts, short sleeve shirt and a rain jacket, my feet are soaken wet. I got a little chilly. My balls are so far up inside of me, I think it is going to take a week for them to drop, no kidding. Parts of the trail were a stream. Made it out on Charlie's Bunion, but there were no views, just fog and rain/snow blowing. Made it to the shelter shivering and got in the sleeping bag and didn't get out.