morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-18
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Tanyard Gap
Miles today: 9.0

Hot Springs is the first real town hikers see since leaving Franklin over 150 miles ago. Yes there was Fontana Dam but services there are very limited so reaching town is a big deal. I'm also told 50% of attempting thru hikers do not make it further than Hot Springs.I was excited to arrive. I left early and looked forward to the perrenial favorite, Smoky Mountain Diner, just steps into town. The town is small and doesn't really have too much to offer but to us it is close to nirvana. A great outfitter, post office, grocer, harware store, and 3-4 restaurants. Also a couple hostels and campground for showers and laundry.We also always have our antenna up for weather. Today was to be nice but tomorrow showed 100% chance of rain with the following day looking only slightly better. I knew I was taking tomorrow off. But what to do about the rest of this sunny day after having only walked 3 miles? After the promised Diner breakfast I wanted to add a few extra hiking miles to my day, an opportunity I could fulfill here. Six miles North the trail crossed the road again. I got a ride to the intersection and slack packed my way back into Hot Springs this time heading South. It was fun to record all the startled looks from my northbounding brethren. Lovers leap is the main attraction on this leg. Impressive rock outcroppings overhang the equally impressive French Broad river below. I was amazed at the water flow of this river, wide and fast right to its edges. It even created its own wind along its shores. Now to plan for tomorrow. Shower and laundry of course and more town food before heading out again. :)Hyper99
Date: 2019-04-19
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Waiting
Miles today: 0.0

I was going to post a nice picture of Hot Springs but then the day began to change. The weather forecast was for 100% chance of rain and it did not disappoint. But it wasn't a nice gentle rain, it was a constant heavy soaking, hours and hours of it. At first it didn't appear to be a problem. We stayed snugly inside, wandered out for lunch, got so decadent as to arrange for a soak the the "world famous" local hot springs and even added a massage. Ha! Nice dream....Flash flood warnings started coming across our phones. Our first clue that we had a problem was when they called to cancel the hot tub experience, the pumps were flooded and water not maintainable. Then in a late interlude of calm we noticed the French Broad River next to our campsite was rising. In fact it had risen so much that the Appalachian Trail out of Hot Springs was completely under water and so was the nearby parking lot. There was a pick up floating in the river! We all became Lookylues and headed over the bridge to gape. The vehicle seemed to be still on it's wheels for a while but then became unmoored and started floating. Oddly the windshield wipers were going. It bumped against a few trees and then seemed to get stuck thankfully facing into the oncoming waters. That's where my story of the pick up ends because our story picked up its pace. While we thought we were high enough in the campground we noticed the waters nearby were still rising now to a new level. A peek at the local weather service said the French Broad River would crest about midnight. That was far too many hours away for our comfort. The gate house staff told us we were fine but a random check in to the offices told a different story. The whole campground needed to evacuate. Here's your $50 dollars back now get out of here. Rain had started again. Dark clouds were still in the area though blue sky poked through in between. Another round of rain was also expected tomorrow. A mad dash of packing and hooking up took over the camp ground. What about the hike? Don't know, just get out of town now. So off we were to the unknown without a clear plan.We chose to head to the next expected AT crossing about 50 miles ahead. I'll hunker down tomorrow to wait out the next big weather front and then get a ride back to Tanyard Gap to resume. At least I'd already hiked the flooded AT section yesterday so I'll not have to miss any of the trail.
Date: 2019-04-21
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: light rain

Its not Easter when you're hiking. No one mentioned it. Its not a Monday or a Tuesday or a weekend. Its just a good hiking day or a bad one. Today was less than stellar.It was a raw day; that cold clammy chill that seems to sneak into every joint and muscle. Met some hikers camped at the top of Rich Mountain who said they'd had hail, sleet and rain over night. They were still there at noon trying vainly to dry their tents out before packing them up. We also had lots of ups and downs with at least two 4000 footers. Even though the weather report predicted clearing through out the day that clearing happened in the valleys not up here in the mountains where the clouds clung tenaciously. I made it to my goal but was absolutely beat. Everything was aching. My new knee was clicking like a piece of plastic against bicycle spokes and my old knee was not far behind. All in all I was contemplating the amount of permanent damage I was doing to my body trying to do this hike. It was not a good day for the heart and soul. The only campsite I could find near the shelter was quite sloped so I knew it would make for an uncomfortable night. Adding more trouble to my evening, everyone else hiking with dogs also showed up at this shelter so we had a total of 5 dogs running amock in the muddy leavings of the weeks' rains. For whatever reason Leila has decided she doesn't like one of these dogs and it of course became an issue. I try to keep away from this hiker because of this but he showed far later than I and I wasn't going to hike any further today. I corralled the girl into my tent and was anti social for the evening
Date: 2019-04-23
From: Laurel Hostel

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

If I had to give odds, I'd say there's a 70% chance I got my norovirus from the dog and a 30% chance it came from the hostel. Norovirus is like a blitz stomach flu complete with diarrhea and vomiting. Its associated with unsanitary conditions specifically involving fecal matter. The woman who sprayed down the bunk with Lysol had mentioned someone else sleeping there had gotten a "stomach bug", the "mattress" was a piece of foam where all the Lysol in the world wouldn't get it clean, but my dog had had her face in fecal matter earlier so I really don't know what to blame. I do know I started experiencing sweats and chills through out the night. The urge to hurl dinner was there but I tamped it down. By morning I had a quick rush to the privy for a round of explosive diarrhea. While I didn't feel well I also didn't feel completely incapacitated and I sure as heck wasn't going to spend any more time at this lovely "hostel". It was pretty unsanitary. So I headed up and out. My initial goal had been Big Bald, but I set my goals shorter, Sam's Gap was only 8.5.There was a fairly steep 2000 ft climb out of Devils Fork Gap and by the time I reached the top I knew I was in trouble. I was afraid to eat anything feeling anything I did eat would come right back up. I sipped water carefully but never too much expecting that to perhaps come up as well. The toll on my body was telling. I was struggling. It was 5.5 miles forward or 3 miles back. Terrain was in my favor so I continued on. With every passing mile things seemed to get worse. All I had to remember was one foot forward, just always one foot forward. I was a beautiful day but I was shambling like the walking dead, alternatively a bit light headed or delirious. It was scary. I guess it wouldn't have been bad if I had just camped and slept it off but I knew I had a ride waiting for me if I could just make it. Only 3.2 to go. Finally the shelter, only 2.4 to go. Made it up the last little rise, only 1.6 to go. Hiking in smaller and smaller increments. Up hill at all was utterly taxing and I would stop every few feet to rest. The stomach was both as glass and as twisted metal. There wasn't really any food in me to expel and the weakness was extreme. My muscles felt like a wrung out washcloth with all their strength sucked out of them. All the joy of hiking was also sucked out of me today. All the sunshine in the world couldn't help me feel better. Finally the last descent and waiting support. I made it. And now I'm going to crawl under a rock for a while.
Date: 2019-04-24
From: Sam's Gap

To: Recovering
Miles today: 0.0

Norovirus is known to be contagious for 3 days. I have to be careful. Everything unfolded slowly. I could barely just get myself showered and in bed. Today is also moving slowly. My belly is still queasy. My saliva and tastebuds are off. I'm still weak and strung out. I wanted to sleep or just lounge about all day and I'm still not very excited about food. I have eaten but I'm still somewhat surprised that I can eat. It's sitting very close to the surface. I've had one small meal and a few snacks. I don't know how long this will last but I'm not moving until this has passed. Crawling back under my rock for another few days. Rain is coming. Uncle Johnny's low country boil and chilly cook off is Friday and Saturday. Everyone is converging on Erwin for the event. The thought of that food is just beyond the pale for the moment. I remember Uncle Johnnys though. I have many memories from 20 years ago but could never really pinpoint where those places were along the way. I now am happy to learn this well known hostel is here in Erwin. Its where I remember taking a ride into town with a group of hikers where the only goal for the group was calories. They converged on the Ben & Jerrys display and none cared about the flavors only about the calorie count.
Date: 2019-04-26
From: Recovering

To: Recovering
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I might have hiked today but of course it became a rain day. I'm still not 100% but would have considered a small slack packing section. Thanks to the extra day though I have confidence I can do it tomorrow. Finally this evening I was actually hungry.Last week when I left Hot Springs I saw new signs up for Uncle Johnny's Low Country Boil and chilly events Friday and Saturday. Many of my hiking companions have hiked on but this event might have encouraged people to take some zero days of their own. I felt sure I'd see of my friends at the event. Stan and I drove over to visit, share and perhaps create a few more stories and then head back to comfort.The recovery time has been great for my feet and knees as well, but it's also exposed some concerns. Where my gait had been fairly smooth and normal before starting the hike, I'm now walking oddly. I don't feel like I'm in pain today but I've completely changed how I walk and it's not in a good way. I seem to swing my leg with the replacement knee like its a prosthetic. It has come about in response to carrying a pack and minimizing my impact per stride. I'm definitely processing pain when hiking. I can identify that when I see other hikers walk. I realize I could not walk like that because it would hurt too much, which then of course allows me to realize I am hurting. A number of doctors have pointed out that I have very high pain tolerance. This can be a good thing or a bad thing. Great, if you're being chased by tigers and need to that extra umph. Bad, if you're slowly inflicting permanent damage that you are not fully aware of.
Date: 2019-04-27
From: Sam's Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Finally hiking again. I made it easy on myself with a slackpack and tested out my stomach bug recovery. Sure enough I had a little bit still in my system. The stomach still clenched a bit when I exerted myself and the other effects were still around but at a much decreased level. By end of day however everything seemed to be worked out. The trail to Big Bald (5500 ft) was mostly gentle with some great breakout views of the top. Again the tiny flowers that resemble strawberry blooms were blanketing the ground. The backside of the mountain has an extensive housing development that seems centered on a local ski area but the trail carefully avoids it so we barely see it's existence until we reach the top. Big Bald is another grassy topped mountain followed closely by Big Stamp. Because the top of the mountain is so access able to people from the development it it a common spot for trail magic. Today was no different. Chips, snacks and beverages were available. Little Bald and High Rock completed the day before we descended to Spivey Gap. While I felt reasonably well at the end of the hike I could tell I was more exhausted than the workload would normally have cost. Good food and an early bed were on the ticket.Hyper99
Date: 2019-04-28
From: Spivey Gap

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 12.5

Second day hiking after stomach bug and still noticing it, but also still improving. Today was an easy "connecter" hike without any memorable climbs. I really enjoyed popping in and out a long series of steep valleys all while keeping a similar elevation. On a non topo map the trail looks like a zig zagging switchback for a climb or descent but it is not at all. A very fun way to experience the tight valleys of this area. The final descent into Erwin TN and Uncle Johnny's hostel, which is the first thing that greets you as you step on the road, is an amazing view of the Nolichucky River from what feels like straight up. This is one of the places where the trail has gotten longer as they've done a great job adding more switchbacks to the trail. Sadly I only just learned that Uncle Johnny died a few years ago but the hostel lives on, now bigger and better than ever.Hyper99
Date: 2019-04-29
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 18.8

Finally! Feeling good! Perhaps a little too good. Ugh. I had a place to pull off 6 miles shorter. It was only 2PM and I was still feeling good so figured I'd tack it on here rather than having to dedicate an entire day to it....You'd think I'da learned by now! No, had to push it. Those last 3 miles were hard. I'm still slacking today but while it helps, the feet and knees still have something to say at the end of the day. It was another beautiful day with a net downhill elevation. I had trusted others who'd said beauty spot to Johnny's was a nice gentle downhill but in fact after a long day it did not feel so gentle. Mt Unaka (5180) was my first climb. It was crested with a beautiful fir forest. From there I hit Beauty Spot at 4400. A road accessible bald where the AT was a park like grassy path. Then a little trail magic from a local mission and then the final 6 miles into the valley. That last bit was rougher and rockier than I had anticipated, but all in all done. Great weather is still holding out so trying to make the most of it.
Date: 2019-04-30
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Carver Gap
Miles today: 16.0

My last slacker of the section and of course the last of the nice weather. Its been getting warm in the valleys, upwards of 80 degrees! The mountains are still cooler and spring is still in slumber but, you can sense it. Again I'm letting gravity do the work starting at a higher point than where I finish. What a beautiful hike! I headed up to Roan Mountain first and stopped in to see the highest elevation shelter on the entire AT (6200 ft) It was an entirely enclosed building. More like an old style one room house. Even though it is in the woods I'm told it gets quite windy here at night. Just a few hundred feet off the top and you'd never know it was windy. Roan is also the former site of the Cloudland Hotel. One of those big fancy hotels of the early 1900s. Surprisingly, it did not burn down as so many others have done. It was closed and then dismantled when it became less fashionable. Roan was followed by a long descent into Hughes gap. Then up little Roan and finally Iron Mountain. Wandered through an old apple orchard. Fun to see how different it is from orchards today. The trees where huge! The could easily compete with the tallest birch/beech/oak in the area and as they were flowering, the bees were pollinating, but not the bees we're used to, wild american bees. They look much more like bumble bees than our imported honey bees. Was great to see nature taking back what we had wrought. I met a hiker at Hughes gap that had a surprising request. Sixtyish gentleman asked to use my phone, he was hoping for a pick up. What I was doing as a one day slack pack, he'd planned as a three day hike with two overnights. He was struggling and didn't think he could go on though he only at 9.6 miles to go and 24 hours to do it. I realized then that while I was lamenting my slower pace this hiker showed me how truly well I was doing. I also met my racers, Smoochie and Sniper. They had started yesterday at Uncle Johnnys, overnighted at Hughes Gap and planned to cross 19E by evening, so what was/will be a 3 day hike for me is an easy two for them. They started in Springer April 9. They're not running but just moving fast. Her pack base weight she said was 10-11lbs, but I still wasn't close to keeping up even without a pack at all! I met them the first time at Sam's Gap but they'd needed a town day to replace her shoes. The other surprising hiker I met again today is a guy carrying a duffle bag and tarp over his shoulder. No pack at all, no hiking poles, just a duffle slung over his shoulder. He's also moving quite quickly. It does not look comfortable at all but he appears to be making it work for him. My final siting of the day was Pop Tart. I hadn't seen him since the Smokies. Fun to do a bit of a catching up before I headed off to catch my ride. Weather is coming in soon but I now have to take over my equipment again. Tomorrow will be a zero and then I'll start hiking again. Sadly rain is coming and 7 of the next 10 days is supposed to be wet. I'm hoping to still squeeze in some views tomorrow as we have some nice balds to cross before heading to lower elevations.Hyper99
Date: 2019-05-01
From: Carver Gap

To: Zero
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Prepping today for a the next 8 days. Sending 4 days worth of people and dog food ahead and heading out tomorrow with 4 days+ packed. Planning on 7 of the next 10 to be wet. Thankfully the weather is slowly warming up. The valleys will be in the 70s during the day and 50-60s during the evening. I'm already off loading one sweater to shave that little bit of weight.
Date: 2019-05-02
From: Carver Gap

To: 19E
Miles today: 14.8

It seems like I say this a lot but everyday seems like the best new section of the AT. Today was no exception. Unbelievable views unbelievable balds one right after. another there was Round Top, Janes knob, Grassley Ridge bald, followed by the amazing overland shelter and then 2 more a balds Little Hump and Hump Mountain. All the hikers today were racing weather. When I was quickly climbing Hump Mountain, the last of the balds, the hikers before me were also claiming as quickly as they could because the storm clouds were gathering closer and closer as we hurried. I have not hiked this fast so far this year. The weather made it urgent. But then somehow the massive storm clouds parted around the mountain and continued on, dropping tons of rain beyond the mountain top and giving us a reprieve. It wasn't a full reprieve however It was another 5 miles from the top of the mountain to the road crossing and unfortunately storm clouds regathered and the last mile down to the road was very wet. The other amazing thing about today's hike was the overland shelter. It is actually a full sized barn that had been converted and repurposed as a shelter along the trail. It is an absolutely amazing space and incredibly picturesque both to look at and to be in and look out from. I would highly recommend this section as a 2 day hike starting at Carver gab staying overnight at the overland shelter and then hiking the rest of the way into the valley. While we are strong enough now that we can do this in an easy single day this would be something I would certainly take others on sometime in the future as a pleasure hike. Just stunning
Date: 2019-05-03
From: 19E

To: FS 293
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today was another weather sensitive day. While the morning was projected to be clear there was a 90% chance of rain in the afternoon. I accepted the offer by the Harbor mountain hostel to do I slack packing section back to their hostel which I would hopefully be able to complete before the rains began. It was a very different section from yesterday and there were lots of changes. Where yesterday we were at fairly high elevation and crossing balds we were now 2000' lower where the leaves have already sprouted and all the trees and the trail is deep in the woods with very little elevation change. We walked through some beautiful fields and waterfalls. There was a picturesque field along a beautiful river that was quite amazing. It was so different from yesterday. You could hardly tell what the weather was like simply because the leaves were already so thick. You couldn't really keep an eye on the weather and certainly had no sense of the mountains or ridge lines nearby. It was also much warmer and more humid giving it a completely different feel. This is more like what the trail will be like for the next many miles I just didn't expect all of those changes to occur from one day to the next. Also found my 1st tick as did others at the hostel. I made it back to the hostel around 2:00 p.m. with only small sprinkling of rain but within an hour it started raining quite furiously and the next few hikers that struggled in looked like very wet bedraggled cats.
Date: 2019-05-05
From: Laurel Fork Falls

To: Boots Off Hostel
Miles today: 7.0

Pond Mountain can fall off the map for all I care...What a miserable short day. Socks wet, shoes wet, clothes, pack, tent all wet. It didn't matter we were not staying for the promised sun. I put my shoes on barefoot, packed up my wet gear and headed out. Thankfully it wasn't cold as well. Today was only 7 miles 3.5 miles up and 3.5 miles down a singular mountain. It was dark and rainy all the way up and dark and rainy all the way down. There never was any sun. I passed by the side trail to the nearby shelter and didn't bother to look, but of course did notice two good camping spots only a few 100 yards beyond where I had camped. No matter. Squish squish squish. That is really all I remember about the day. Boots Off hostel was at the bottom of the hill and this time I was looking forward to improving my situation. Traveling with a dog creates special requirements. In this case they were perfect. I couldn't stay in the bunk house and would have to take a private cabin for a few extra dollars. What does that mean at a hostel? It means an enclosed room with only two bunks but at a premium. The outhouse is still up that hill and the outdoor showers are over there. The one benefit that mattered to me however was the small space heater that came with the cabin. My designated cabin mate went into town so that room became my dryer of all things. Thanks to this short day and a convenient space heater I was able to reinvigorate myself. Through careful rotating and shifting throughout the night I got everything dry!!! So happy.