morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-22
From: New Found Gap

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Taking a zero day in Gatlinburg was a really good idea. I went to a couple restaurants, one was an all you can eat buffet. I also purchased a couple pieces of gear that will make life on the trail a lot better. I swapped out my heavy 3 pound synthetic sleeping bag for a very light 1 lb. 3 oz. Western Mountaineering Summerlite down bag. The new bag is rated for 32 degrees and better suited for warmer temperatures. The 20 degree bag I've been carrying is too heavy and too warm, it was making me sweat at night. I had been using a 9 oz. torso length foam thermarest sleeping pad. Sure , they are light, inexpensive, and durable but they don't make sleeping on the wooden floors in the shelters very comfortable. I replaced my foam pad with a Neoair xlite 12 oz. full length inflatable mattress. I haven't slept on it yet but my lower back is already thanking me. Last but most importantly I purchased a pair of Super feet insoles and Brooks trail runners. I'm totally sold on the Super feet insoles. The Dr. Shoals I've been walking in didn't support my arch properly. I could feel the difference right away in the store. My feet probably wouldn't be so sore if I had used Super feet  insoles from the beginning. The shoes I picked up are light and comfortable. I'm gonna go against lightweight backpacking edicate and take both pair of shoes out into the woods. That way I can swap between the two,  at least until until my foot feels better. I mailed home my extra gear and rode the trolly out to the supermarket for supplies. Tomorrow I get back on the trail.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This morning I packed up my gear and went to breakfast before checking out. While I was out a call came in, the water heater is out in one of my apartments. I called my friend Jon back home to look into it. I heard talk of bad weather and even some snow in the mountains when I returned to the hotel. I checked out and walked to the road leading into the park. There is no shuttle service today. The Outfitter bus is broke down and the Cherokee transit doesn't run on Monday's, I have to hitch. When I got out there I met a couple other hikers with the same idea. They said they had heard it was snowing up at New Found Gap. As I sat there with my thumb out I began to question if I should leave town. I hadn't resolved the water heater issue yet and I would probably loose signal up the mountains. Nobody was picking us up, I thought that maybe it was a sign. Just then a car going in the opposite direction stopped in front of us. There were two hikers in the back seat who said they hitched up earlier this morning but decided to turn around and come back to town. They said it was in the 20's and the snow was coming in sideways. That sealed the deal for me. I walked back to the hotel and asked my friend "SempleSee" (pronounced Simple-C) if I could sleep on the floor in his room, he said sure. I'm glad I spent another day in town. Jon was able to get the water heater working again so Mark and Debbie have hot water till it can be replaced. I also took the opportunity to order a couple things off the internet and have them shipped to Hot Springs. I have a Tarptent "Notch" on the way to replace my tyvek tarp as well as Frogg Togg's "Dri Ducks" raingear. I had a lot of fun hanging out with SempleSee, he's a good person.  We went to a fantastic pizza place (his friend told him about) for dinner. While we were out walking around we could see the snow up on the mountains. Back at the hotel we heard that some hikers had to be brought down off the mountain due to hypothermia.I'm glad I'm not up there tonight.
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Gatlinburg

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Some of the other hikers and I went down to meet the shuttle this morning. On my way a hiker who had just got into Gatlinburg told me it was 18 degrees on the mountain last night. We piled into the shuttle and as we gained altitude I had an excited feeling, similar to how I feel before getting on a roller coaster or taking off in a jet. I guess because I knew it was still cold up there. We got back up to "New Found Gap" the first thing I did when I got off the bus was put on my winter hat, wool glove liners, and my jacket. Then I headed out onto the trail. There was a fair amount of snow and ice making it slippery. Some areas were particularly treacherous because of a steep drop off to one side of the trail or protruding rocks that would have hurt to fall on. I took it slow and was grateful to have trekking poles. Part way through the hike the wind picked up and it began to snow. It was the first time I'd ever seen snow fall upwards, the wind literally blew the snow up the mountain. It was neat to watch. The uphill sections of the trail were nice because it would warm me up.When I got to "Tri-Corner Knob Shelter" the place was packed with hikers. They had a fire going and I managed to find a space on the lower sleep platform. It was cold and snowing, most everyone wanted in the shelter. After the shelter filled up a few slept on the dirt floor in front of the sleeping platforms. I suppose it's good we're packed in here like sardines, I'm sure the body heat is keeping it warmer. As of today I have officially done 1/10th of the A.T.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

It feels warmer this morning then it did last night. Some rain came in the early morning hours. The ice and snow has turned to slush and some parts of the trail are flowing rivers. My attempts to jump the puddles and keep my feet dry were futile, after I accepted that I just walked straight through it. My feet were soaked but my wool hiking socks kept my feet warm and smelly. It got dramatically warmer as the day went on and I made the 3,700 ft. decent to "Davenport Gap Shelter". When I got to camp I was comfortable wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and homemade flip flops. I arrived before 2:00pm, I had the place to myself for awhile which was nice. I washed my feet, hung my wet stuff to dry, and collected some firewood.Tomorrow I will be out of the Smokies.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn't want to put on my crusty wet socks and muddy shoes from yesterday. So I put on my extra pair of dry socks, and new trail shoes. I was 100% sure it was going to rain, but I didn't care. For the first half hour of today's walk my feet felt great. Then came the thunder and lightning, it started to downpour. I got soaked. I stopped to put my money, cell phone, and battery charger in the trash compactor bag that I line the inside of my pack with. Since I had my pack open I put my rain jacket on, not so much to stay dry as to protect me from the wind. About 12 miles into the hike it started to hail, some as big as a half inch. I hid behind a tree till it stopped. I will post pictures when I get a wifi connection. A couple more miles up the trail I saw a tree that had gotten struck by lightning earlier that day. The lightning blew big shards of the tree all over the trail, a line went from the roots all the way to the top. I have pictures of that too. Crossing "Max Patch" bald in the fog was both eerie and angelic, I would like to see it again on a clear day. Despite the crazy weather I felt good and made decent miles today. I arrived at the "Roaring Fork Shelter" around 2:30pm. I set up my bed and made dinner. Later on a fellow named "Servant" and his friend John showed up and started making a fire. It wasn't an easy task because everything was wet. I told Servant his trail name should be iron lungs because he didn't stop blowing on the fire till it was going really good. John was getting firewood and the two of them inspired me to help so I started gathering wood too. Servant soon had the fire blazing. So, I strung up a clothesline around the fire using a tree and my trekking poles. Servant and I had our wet clothes hung up around the fire but the rain started again. He suggested we string up a tarp over the whole works. I volunteered my homemade Lowes tarp since I'm picking up my new tent in Hot Springs tomorrow. It worked out pretty good and several of us were able to dry our clothes. I'm really glad Servant and Jon built a fire for everybody, it was really nice. Those guys would be an asset to any camp, hopefully I'll get to see them again down the trail.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Hot Springs

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

The ultralight hikers I met yesterday stayed at the hostel last night and asked if I wanted to walk with them today. It's been very helpful to talk to them. Although they've been very critical of many items I've been carrying. I was inspired to put together another package of things to send home this morning. We went down to the diner and got breakfast. Hot Springs is a nice little town with one main road and all the shops are on it. The cool thing is the A.T. is the sidewalk going right through town. So on my way through, I got groceries, went to the post office, picked up some more socks at the outfitter, and looked for a missing Smartwool sock at the laundromat. I'm glad someone found the sock and left it out on the bench for me, that one sock is worth $7.50. Sparrow's friend Blake did one more mini gear shakedown with me before we left, I added a small pile of things to the hiker box. These guys are hardcore about reducing pack weight. Every item carried is scrutinized, anything that can be cut off, downsized, or left at home is. I had to draw the line at toilet paper. I agreed to take less but I'm not ready to go without it.The four of us gathered at the edge of town and headed off into the woods. Keeping up with these guys was tough, they walk faster then me. Sparrow was jumping over streams and goofing off up ahead while I was dripping with sweat and gasping for air trying to keep up. The second guy "Stray Bullet" was still wearing long pants and a long sleeve shirt, he hasn't even broken a sweat yet! Blake (the third guy in line) had his pack casually slung over one shoulder. I was in the rear getting a real workout, we covered over 20 miles in 7 hours. It's really hard to walk 3 miles an hour in the mountains, with the breaks we took it must have been about that fast.By the end of the day I decided that I don't want to walk with these guys anymore. I won't be able to keep up with them and be comfortable. I like to walk at a more casual speed and take in the scenery.I'm really glad I met them though.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Ok, so I did some figuring and if I walk 20 miles a day from now on and include 20 more days off I can summit Mt. Katadin by the beginning of September. If I figure in a few shorter days maybe mid-September. Those other guys are pushing hard but I can see why. I got on the trail this morning at 6:15am. Getting up early is normal for me in the woods. I walked a few miles to "White rock cliffs" overlook, it was beautiful. I had cell phone service there too so I sent a couple emails and updated the trail journal. I also had a snack. While I was sitting there, ultralighter Blake showed up. He told me where they planned to meet that night if I wanted to try and keep up. I had really enjoyed my peaceful morning walk all by myself. Watching the sun come up and hearing the birds singing reminded me why I was out here. I wasn't interested in a grueling military march to keep up with them and I had told them so last night. But the speed was ok today and I walked with them for 21.5 miles (my longest day yet). I started thinking maybe they wanted me around because I'm like a walking hardware store : ) Last night Sparrow used my battery pack to charge his phone, and today Blake got a nosebleed and guess who was carrying toilet paper. One of them lost an earbud pad and I happened to have a spare. Blake also wanted to use the screwdriver on my multitool to make an adjustment to his trekking poles. Seriously though they are good guys. I started to fall back towards the end of the day and they kept on. I'm kind of relieved because I like walking at my speed by myself better. I felt rushed in that group. I learned some good tips from them, and I'm glad they crossed my path. Maybe I'll see them down the trail when they take a zero day.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Erwin

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

I thought about taking a zero day at Uncle Johnny's hostel but around 1:30pm I felt like I had enough of that place. I had already paid for another night of camping so I asked Grim if he'd refund my money in cliff bars, he did. The place is alright and the service is excellent, but being around a bunch of noisy drunk hikers isn't my idea of fun. Grim was funny though and made the time spent there memorable.I dumped a small pile of things that weren't worth sending home in the hiker box and hit the trail. My bag is lighter then it's ever been. I've decided to try going "cold" which means I no longer carry a stove, pot, or food that requires cooking. I've heard it's basically a wash as far as weight. In one hand food that needs cooking is lighter, but then you also need to carry the fuel, stove, and pot to cook it in. I may change my mind later, but for now I like eating hassle free cold foods. On my way out of Erwin I again neglected to resupply. I did get 4 cliff bars from Grim though and I have a tiny bit of food left over. My shoulders love not carrying much food, and it's only 50 miles to the next town. I also axed the backup water bottle. Now I only carry 1 liter of water at any given time. There are so many springs that it just didn't make sense to carry so much water. I'm really glad I met those ultralight guys the other day. They really encouraged me to make more miles. It turns out they weren't too far ahead of me. Yesterday I passed them.  Thanks again for your messages, I love them.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Campsites past Overmountain shelter

To: upper Laurel Fork
Miles today: 20.1

The 17 mile stretch between Toll House Gap and US 19 is awesome. I will bring friends to walk this section again in the future. I camped in the middle of it last night. The trail led out of the woods this morning and back out on the grassy ridge. It was so beautiful I was moved to tears. I'm so happy I get to be out here. God has truly given us an amazing place to live.I made the 6.5 miles down to where the trail crosses US 19. I wanted a ride to town so I could get some food. When I arrived at the road a nice woman named Virginia offered me a Gatorade. She meets with her husband every 200 miles along the trail to make sure he's ok. With his approval she gave me a ride to Roan. My first stop was a diner. On the counter was a sign that said "if you are really hungry order this"( I can't remember what the thing was called) but when I read that it had 3 beef pattys, cheese, bacon, ham, sloppy joe, onion ring, and mayo I was all in. I plugged in my phone and rechargeable battery pack while I waited. The waitress then brought out a glorious culinary concoction that must have been more than 1,500 calories. Well satisfied I walked across the street to the market and bought enough food to carry me to Damascus. I then went a little further into town to the pharmacy. I met a couple girls there who agreed to drive me back to the trail.The weather has been much warmer since getting out of the Smokies. I've been sweating a lot while hiking and figured I could use a wash. Down the trail I found a nice stream and followed it away from the trail. I stripped down and washed up with Dr. Bronner's soap. I must be pretty stinky because my heap of clothes on the river bank attracted flies...(I'll put them through the wash machine in Damascus).I camped out near a little waterfall at Upper Laurel Fork, it was very peaceful.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: unmarked campsite past Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap campsite
Miles today: 26.8

It rained hard last night and it was still raining this morning. I thought about hiding out in my tent, but the rain let up for a second so I packed my stuff and hit the trail. The rain was cold and constant. I wore my rain jacket and put my pack cover on. I past many dry hikers safely zipped up in their tents along the trail. The rain eventually stopped and I was glad to have gotten an early start.I came upon a large metal job site toolbox along the trail, to my excitement it was filled with goodies from a local church. I had a cookie, chocolate chip muffin, and a cold mountain dew! They actually had a cooler with ice in it out here, it must have been recently restocked. I walked a little further and crossed a road. The trail then went through what looked like an old farm. When I got further back I saw some cows grazing in a pasture. I guess the farm isn't abandoned. The trail was getting close to the fence where the cows were. I started "moo-ing" at them. Then to my surprise I came up to a step ladder thing that went over the fence, a white blaze was painted on the fence post right next to it. Could this be? Does the trail really go through this cow pasture? I looked beyond the fence, I could see wooden post every fifty yards with white blazes painted on them going right through the middle of the pasture. I climbed over the fence. This must be pretty entertaining for the cows. At least 20 of them looking at me. They aren't scared at all. One big heifer walked up to me, I put my hand out to pet her. When she got close enough to smell how stinky I was she snorted and walked away. I continued walking to the back of the pasture and climbed over another ladder thing. The trail went back into the woods.I set up camp a half days walk from Damascus. I figured out my food about right this time, I still have half a package of fig newtons and some peanut butter to get me to town.
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Double Spring Gap campsite

To: Damascus
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I saw another bear this morning. This one was bigger than the two cubs I saw in Georgia. Similarly to how I saw them the first time, I was the first one on the trail in the morning and I was walking quietly. I came up over a hill, I could here some rustling around, and there he was. The bear was about 20 yards away. As soon as I saw it I started whistling and clanging my trekking poles together. The bear darted off into the woods. It was reassuring to see how scared it was of of me. I started thinking maybe I shouldn't have scared it away so fast, I could have gotten a picture.By 11:00am I crossed the Virginia state line. I'm now in my 4th state. There were a few hikers sitting around the sign at the border, they said "welcome to Virginia" and "congratulations" as I passed through. The A.T. stretches over 500 miles in Virginia. I'll be on the trail for more than a month here before I cross into another state.Only 3.5 miles from the border and I was in Damascus. I got something to eat and tried to find a room, everything was booked up except the expensive B&B's. I was frustrated. I had hoped to take a zero day in Damascus but it would be too expensive to stay at a Bed and Breakfast two nights. I didn't know what to do. While I walked down the sidewalk I noticed a sign in front of a church that said "Don't worry about it, pray". I took a second and asked God to provide a place for me to stay. I checked the guidebook and there was one more hostel off the main road called "The Place". This really is "The Place" to be, it's a giant house run by the local Methodist Church. The house is two stories filled with rooms and bunks. There are three bathrooms and three showers. They also have a big lawn for tenting. They ask for a $6 donation. It's very comfortable here, no drugs, alcohol, or smoking permitted. The caretaker asked me if I wanted to go to evening service at the Baptist church at 6:30pm, I said I'd love to. I joined him and I was really glad I did. I miss going to church, tonight was the first time since I started the trail. I want to try and be in town on Sundays for church more often.I'm rooming with two other guys tonight. They are both really cool. I got a shower and I'm comfortable. I'm staying two nights here.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Damascus has been a good stop for me. "The Place" hostel has a communal hair buzzer so I shaved my head. After looking in the mirror I'm pretty sure I'm loosing weight. So, in the last 24 hours I ate a double cheeseburger, corn dog, tator tots, Gatorade, ice cream cone, foot long subway sandwich, bag of chips, sweet tea, most of a 16" supreme pizza, bagel, eggs, bacon, glass of milk, chicken tenders, mashed potatoes, gravy, fried okra, and pepperoni stuffed breadsticks.I got a new pair of shoes a size bigger here because my feet have swollen a bit. My old pair that I got in Atlanta were pretty beat up. I had worn the sole off the right shoe and had to cut a relief hole for one of my toes on the left. The bottoms of my feet have been sore from all the rocks. My new shoes have a heavier Vibram sole which should protect my feet better.It feels really good to be clean and have clean clothes. I restocked my food supply at the grocery store. I just bought what I felt comfortable carrying rather than trying to figure out how many days of food I needed. There are more opportunities for food ahead. I purchased a small titanium cup. I now have the ability to cook stuff again. I plan to only eat hot food at night using a campfire, I'm still not carrying fuel or a stove.I would really like to hitch hike back to Damascus for "Trail Days", it is the 17th-20th of May. I will be up the trail a ways by then, anyone want to give me a lift? I managed to upload some new pictures using a wifi connection in town, be sure to check them out. I haven't had a chance to update the gear page yet, that will be my next project. My phone has no cellular service town I can only get Internet at the coffee shop or the library.I'm super comfortable in the hostel, I took a little nap this evening. It will be nice to get back on the trail tomorrow after I get some ice cream.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Whitetop Mt. campsites

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: moderate rain

I caught up with the Australian guy who hiked up to base camp on Mount Everest last night. I guess I wasn't that far behind after all.It was another very rainy day. Those shoes I bought have a Goretex lining and now everything but my feet are soaked. I got to see some wild ponies around the Grayson Highlands! They came right up to me and let me pet them. I wish I had some apples for them. According to Bill Bryson you can consider yourself a mountain man after you've walked 500 miles on the A.T. So, as of this afternoon I'm now a mountain man.I started a fire in the rain so I could cook my dinner, cooking with fire isn't as convenient as a jet-boil.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Marion
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: broken clouds

I got up before the sun and started hiking by headlamp. I wanted to walk the 25 miles and get to Marion as early as possible. My new shoes are hurting my feet. I've got to get something different. They torture my pinky toes. I almost got out my knife and fixed them but I figured maybe one of my friends would like them. I got to the Mt. Rogers visiter center just in time for the last shuttle to town. Marion is great! There is a shoe store next to a Chinese buffet and it's in a Walmart plaza!! The cheapest hotel is only two blocks away, life is good. I purchased lightweight running shoes like I had when I started, only $40. Life is good. I added a couple pictures.