morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2023-03-24
From: Station 19E

To: Station 19E
Miles today: 0.0

I mentioned that my left knee started bothering me a couple days ago. Today, in addition to my normal resupply chores, I made a concerted effort at resting and elevating my knee. Then for dinner we went to the bar that is attached to this Hostel. This is a favorite hot spot for the people that live in this area and Friday night is Karaoke night. One of the hikers (trail name is "One Gear") sang a few songs much to the delight of the locals. We all cheered loudly in appreciation of the performances done by the local people, and our band of hikers was embraced fully in the fun of Karaoke night. It was a really fun night and one that all of us will remember for a long time.
Date: 2023-03-25
From: Station 19E

To: Mountaineer Falls Shelter 
Miles today: 8.8

Today hike was a short 8.8 mile hike. Several factors played into the decision to keep today short. The first was the rain that rolled through in the morning. The second was availability of a driver to get us back to the trail. A third was the pain I am experiencing in my right knee. Hiking to the next shelter would mean hiking another 9.6 on top of the 8.8 that we actually hiked. In all the decision to hike a short day was beneficial for my knee, so I am good with it. I am hoping that I can nurse my knee on shorter days into Damascus. After that I hope I am able to turn up the steam. Today's hike went passed two beautiful water falls. The first was Jones Falls. It was a little distance down a side trail, but it was easily worth the walk. Jones Falls are quite tall with interesting cascades. The problem was that the sun happened to be situated right at the top of the falls making good pictures impossible to obtain. The second falls is just a little up the trail from here, and it is called Mountaineer Falls. It is a jolly little fall with a nice voice and easily approachable for the purpose of attaining water. I got to this shelter at a little after 5:00. I elected to set up my tent in hopes of getting a good night's sleep.
Date: 2023-03-26
From: Mountaineer Falls Shelter 

To: Waycaster Spring Dispersed Campsite
Miles today: 18.2

I have wandered through the woods for years and have passed countless down trees, but until today, I have never witnessed an actual falling tree. Don't worry, the tree that fell must have been at least 200 yards away, so I was not in any danger. I was walking along, and I heard the telltale snapping and crackling the happen when a tree is about to fall. I looked in the direction of the sound and sure enough, I saw the tree crash to the ground. It definitely made a noise and even at the great distance the ground shook. The tree was probably about 12" in diameter and the weird thing was that there was only a light breeze at the time. I had planned to camp at the Laurel Fork Shelter, but I did not like the tenting options there so I pressed on another .4 miles and found a little dispersed site right by the Laurel Fork River. I slept soundly to the sound of water rushing over rocks.
Date: 2023-03-27
From: Waycaster Spring Dispersed Campsite

To: Iron Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 22.2

Today I intended to do 22.2 miles, so I was up before the sun and on the trail at first light. The day started with a respectable climb then a respectable drop down to Watauga Lake. Then it was a climb up onto a ridge that went along the lake. The lake was in sight for the better part of today's walk. I made it to Iron Mountain Shelter a little after 5:00. My hiking friends did not make it to this shelter and they told me they decided to stop at the last. Since I want to say goodbye to three of the group, I will divide the 26.2 mile remaining to Damascus into two easy days instead on one marathon. I only took ibuprofen for my knee in the morning. It still hurts a little on downhills, but not as bad. Hope it continues to heal despite the overuse it is getting.
Date: 2023-03-28
From: Iron Mountain Shelter 

To: Abingdon Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

It turns out that Iron Mountain Shelter is exactly 26.2 miles from Damascus. The terrain over the distance is not that bad, there are a few climbs, but it is mostly downhill with the majority of the downhill having a civilized, gentle grade. I arrived at Abingdon Shelter, which is 10 miles from Damascus, in the early afternoon, still feeling good. From picture I have seen of the town of Damascus, I remembered that there is a AT Shelter in the park at the south side of town. Should I continue down the hill, sleep one night in the shelter and then one night at the Hostel? It would be fun to say that I hiked a Marathon in the Appalachian Mountains. A quick check of my Far Out (Trail Navigation and information App), yielded no result for a shelter in Damascus. I know it's there, but I am now thinking they don't allow it to be used except during trail days. My cooler head self prevailed and I decided to tent camp at Abingdon Shelter after a 16 mile day.
Date: 2023-03-29
From: Abingdon Shelter

To: Broken Fiddle Hostel
Miles today: 10.2

I was up and packed before the sun. I knew that if I was not going to zero in Damascus, there was a lot of work to do and not much time to go it in. I was hiking, by headlight, a little before 7:00 am. The mostly downhill nto Damascus was done by 10:00. Tried to contact my doctor to get a prescription called into the local pharmacy. Then I found loner clothes and jumped into the shower. I sorted my laundry into a basket provided by the Hostel, and waited for the Hostel staff to get me clean dry clothes. Once in my own clothes, it was off to the Dollar General for food resupply. They were out of Instant Mashed Potatoes (a staple for Thru Hikers) so I went back to the Hostel, grabbed a loner bike and went to the Food City that is on the outskirts of town. I sorted my 6 day resupply into my bear bag and by that time, it was time to go out to dinner. After dinner sitting on my bed with my knee aching, I decided that there was no way I was going to make it to McAfee knob, so maybe the smarter thing to do is rest my knee and do another zero. I really want to be out hiking, but this knee pain probably won't get better if I keep pushing 20 mile days. So I am doing yet another zero, and starting to think about how I can exit the trail to let my knee heal.
Date: 2023-03-30
From: Broken Fiddle Hostel

To: Broken Fiddle Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Last night, my right knee was pretty sore, so I decided to take a zero in Damascus. It was a pretty chill day. Looking over my pack I noticed that my stove fuel canister was getting a bit light, so I when with the guys to the outfitters down town. Typical and Big Willie Dawg needed new shoes. At the first outfitter, I bought a small fuel canister and I enquired about a knee brace. They were sold out. (surprise surprise surprise) but at the second outfitter, they had some in stock. I bought one. As soon as I got back to the hostel, I put it on my knee. The difference was apparent right away. I could do a deep squat without any pain. I wore it the rest of the day to make sure it would not get uncomfortable or cut off circulation. I am excited to give this brace a try tomorrow. Let's hope it fixes the problem at least temporarily.
Date: 2023-03-31
From: Broken Fiddle Hostel

To: Dispersed Site at White Top Road
Miles today: 21.5

Had a bit of a late start this morning. Final breakfast with One Gear. Once on the trail, I found that I could climb strong and down hills were little trouble for my knee. My plan was to stop after 18.3 miles at a campsite that was in a pine forest. Due to what I think was GPS lag, I never found that site, so I pressed on up a 2000 foot climb to Buzzard Rock. It had been a rainy, cloudy day since a little after I hit the trail, but the muted gray colors complimented the black and tan of the mountains to make for an interesting view. Looking around, once at the top of the climb made me think I might be in trouble. The winds are harsh up at this elevation, and the only trees that grow are small 9 foot tall ones. Where was I going to hang my bear bag? I kept walking, and short distance up the trail the forest became denser allowing taller trees to grow. I found a site, with a good bear bag hanging tree, near a dirt road that crosses over the top of the mountain, White Top Road. Today's walk in the woods was 21.5 miles
Date: 2023-04-01
From: Dispersed Site at White Top Road

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.5

It all started when my body decided that I needed to dig a cat hole at 5:00 am. Nothing unusual in that, but this morning was cold and it was raining hard. I am wearing my wool base layers and wrapped in my down quilt, both things that need to stay dry at all cost, especially since the weather report called for a low temperature of 30 this evening. I changed into my hiking clothes and put on my rain jacket. I took care of business, but then what to do with the wet clothes I am now wearing? I took off my raincoat in my cramped little tent vestibule, pushed my quilt to the side of my tiny tent, climbed in and tried to change back into my wool base layers without touching my down quilt. I did pretty well, but laying there I was hoping the rain would end. I waited for a half hour and there was no let up, so I got as much packed into the waterproof bag that lines my pack. Changed into hiking clothes. I climbed out of my tent to 40 mph wind gusts and sheets of rain. How to get the tent down without it blowing away? I waited for a 30 minutes with the rain pouring down on me and my teeth chattering from the cold. Eventually, I hatched a plan to keep the tent staked down until the last minute, and I managed to get my tent into it's tiny bag without getting much water on the inside. Only thing left is to walk 22.5 miles to the shelter I wanted to reach. Well the trail was a river whenever it wasn't a boulder field. Rough walking with wet feet and rocks that may or may not be slippery. Amazing that I never fell. At about 9:30 the rain stopped, but the wind didn't. Might have gotten worse. Over a portion of the trail called the scales, which is an entirely exposed climb through a old horse pasture (it is north of Grayson Highlands) I could not walk a straight line. The wind would push me into sticker bushes or into rocks I intended to walk around. Hikers tend to forget these hardships, but for me I will always remember this day as the worst. Add to that my knee pain and the development of hip and low back pain, it was a terrible day. At the top of the last climb I texted my wife to inquire about an exit strategy.
Date: 2023-04-02
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: VA Route 670
Miles today: 11.4

My wife graciously agreed to drive down to Marion, Virginia to retrieve her sore and beat up husband. I am now sitting at the point where the Appalachian Trail crosses VA Route 670 waiting for her arrival. It was a pretty uneventful, mostly downhill 11.4 mile walk from Hurricane Mountain Shelter. I feel bad about having to get off the trail, but I am worried about doing permanent damage to my knee. Not sure what is next for this hike. Need to get my knee working properly then I will consider next steps.
Date: 2022-03-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I will be returning to the AT after thru-hiking it in 2020-2021, on March 29.  I'll be hiking with "Wicked" who I hiked with in NE, VA, and TN, and we'll hike NOBO (northbound), starting at Winding Stair Gap on US64, west of Franklin, NC.  I will try to post entries and photos daily.  Feel free to post questions and comments in the Guest Book section of my blog and I will try to respond as quickly as I can!  Continuing to Klang-On!
Date: 2022-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I will be starting my journey late tonight, leaving home at 12:45am Monday, to catch the Amtrak train from Cleveland to Martinsburg, WV.  "Wicked" will pick me up there and we'll drive to Newport, TN.  The journey continues from there....Continue Klanging-on!
Date: 2022-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This is my 3rd entry, which should enable my 2022 AT Section Hike blog to start showing up.  Unfortunately, my departure via Amtrak from Cleveland is delayed, with my train projected to leave at 3:11am instead of 1:54am!  Yes, it's the only train of the day!  Supposedly I'll arrive in Martinsburg, WV only 30 minutes late, but we'll see.  More to come! Continue Klanging-on!
Date: 2022-03-29
From: Winding Stair Gap/US 64

To: Wine spring campsite
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 1 went well!  Wicked and I drove from Newport, TN to Standing Bear Hostel near Hartford, TN where we parked Wicked¢s truck and got shuttled to our starting point on the trail.  Hiked from 10am - 3:30pm, with 3600¢ ups/downs.  Not bad for our first day, as we begin getting our legs in shape.  Didn¢t see nearly as many NOBO¢s as expected as we¢re in the bubble hiking north from GA.Continue Klangin-On!
Date: 2022-03-30
From: Wine spring campsite

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 2 was a shorter day mainly because we¢re supposed to get rain and high winds during the night, and we didn¢t have in us to hike 6 miles to the next shelter.  Still getting trail legs.  Started out at 43 degrees and rose into the 60¢s.  3400¢ ups/downs.Continuing Klangin¢-On!
Date: 2022-03-31
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 3 went very well.  7 of us crammed into a 6 person shelter and stayed dry during last nights downpour and high winds.  Got sprinkled on a little during today¢s hike but not bad.  Hiked our longest day yet at 10.7 miles.  Descended from 4920¢ to 2090¢ with 5700¢ of ups and downs. Seeing more signs of spring at lower elevations.  Wicked led us most of the way and did a great job setting the pace.Continue Klang-in¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-01
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 4 was a short distance day at 7.9 miles and only had 4300¢ of ups/downs but was our toughest hiking day yet due to a 3000¢ climb out of Nantahala Gorge.  We did our first resupply at the Nantahala Outdoor Center so we¢re carrying 4 days of food up the mountains.  Seeing more NOBO hikers now; maybe because the weather is good and they¢re coming back on the trail after waiting out the rainstorm.  Back up at 4300¢ elevation there are no signs of spring.  Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-02
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 5 went well and included several surprises!  First one was a big one: trail magic at Stecoah Gap which coincided with lunch time!  Ate a cheeseburger, chips, banana, apple, and banana cream pudding!  Put on by a church group, they had everything a hiker might need, including first aid supplies and toilet paper! (Privies at shelters don¢t have it, so we have to furnish our own).  Second surprise was Jacob¢s Ladder, a 600¢ climb in less than a mile that worked out to over 1000 ft./mile.  Weather continues to be good and it was another good day!  5300¢ of ups/downs.Continue Klangin¢-On!
Date: 2022-04-03
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Stealth site at MM 162.1
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

Day 6 was a great day on the trail!  Weather was good - high in the 60¢s and sunny.  Met some very nice NOBO section hikers: Smog, Tom (I¢m going to offer him a trail name tonight!), Yoda, and Butterfly.  We all camped in the same area, near a shelter and had a nice campfire and discussions.  One that brought back fond family memories was the engineer vs. sales contrast, as we had 3 engineers and 1 sales guy.  Trail was ¢gentler¢ today, with only 4300¢ of ups/downs.  Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-04
From: Stealth site at MM 162.1

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 7 was a much needed and appreciated town stop.  Short 4.3 mile hike with 2400¢ ups/downs.  We were shuttled from the Fontana Dam visitor center to The Hike Inn, which is a former motel run by Tom and Nancy as an inn for hikers only. They do a great job and the hospitality is excellent!  Got a shower, clothes washed, and shuttled into Robbinsville for resupply.  Smog (for Slow Moving Old Guy) and All In showed up at the inn and we rode with them and J&J to a great dinner at Fontana Village.  We ate at the same restaurant that friends Meg, Neal, and Catherine Evans took me to for lunch, nearly a year ago on my SOBO hike they here.  The 3 other hikers were all doing NOBO sections like Wicked and me, but are coming off the trail.  Among numerous enjoyable discussion topics, were all the things we take for granted in our ¢normal¢ lives!Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-05
From: Fontana Dam Visitor Center

To: Fontana Dam/Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 8 has been my first zero day, thanks to heavy rain with a sprinkling of thunder for seasoning.  A good day for resting our legs, and figuring out how to pack 8 days of food in our packs before entering the 77 mile stretch of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Other than a 17 mile or so shuttle to Gatlinburg, there are no resupply options.  Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-06
From: Hike Inn/Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter 
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 9 marked our entry into the Smokies, with 5300¢ ups/downs and 2200¢ of a tough up at the start.  We carried 8 days of food to make it thru the 75 or so miles of the Smokies.  Started hearing ominous weather forecasts for the days ahead.Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-07
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter 

To: Derrick Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 10 was our longest day in distance and hiking time (8.25 hours), and had the most ups/downs at 6500¢.  Rained last night with a few snowflake in the afternoon- a sign of things to come!  Smokies require us to stay at shelters; normally in the shelter but with Covid we can tent in shelter areas.Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-08
From: Derrick Knob Shelter 

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 11 was our 3rd day in the Smokies and the weather we¢d heard and read about, hit.  Our hike started out in light snow around 25 degrees and the snow continued.  About 8¢ by the time we made it to a shelter.  Fortunately we had a couple hikers ahead of us to ¢pave the way¢ and make it easier to hike thru snow.  3800¢ of ups/downs, ending at 5500¢ elevation.Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-09
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: light snow

Day 12 was another cold one with more snow.  Winter Storm Advisory or Warning.  Roads accessing the Smokies were closed. 21 degrees with 3+ inches falling while we hiked, on top of the 8¢ or so, yesterday.  Made for slow going but we pushed on.  3000¢ ups/downs, and despite the short distance was our hardest day yet. 5958¢ elevation.  Hike past Clingman¢s Dome, highest point on the AT at 6600¢Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-10
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 13 seemed like Lucky 13, with warmer weather (40¢s) and sunny.  Snow melting at lower elevations made for ¢mush¢ - slushy mud.  3500¢ ups/downs, 5935¢ elevation.Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-11
From: Icewater Spring Shelter 

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 14 was our longest day so far at 12.6 miles.  Amazing how much easier it is to hike when not slogging through deep snow!  Still high up at about 5900¢.  5800¢ of ups/downs going from peak to peak.  Still hiking through the ¢mush¢ and rivers on the trail, as the snow melts.Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-12
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter 

To: Cosby Shelter 
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 15 was a wet one!  Started raining during the night and was pouring when I took my tent down and packed up my gear.  Still raining when we started hiking, which was frustrating not just because of getting soaked, but carrying extra weight of wet tent, wet footprint, etc.  But the rain let up as we hiked closer to the exit of the Smokies.  3400¢ of ups/downs as we came down to 4700¢ elevation.Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-13
From: Cosby Shelter 

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 16 was a welcome day for several reasons.  No snow nor rain!  Exited the challenging yet beautiful Smokies!  Arrived at our hostel for a much needed ¢refresh¢, with shower, laundry, resupply and good meals!  6 of our 8 days in the Smokies had snow or rain, and we¢re looking forward to better weather and less challenging ascents and descents.  Plus warmer temperatures at lower elevations.  Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-14
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Tent site @ MM 246.8
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 17 was good in that we finally got back on the trail.  We drove Wicked¢s truck from the hostel we spent last night at, to a hostel at our hike endpoint.  Took us 1 1/2 hours. Got shuttled back to our starting point, to resume our hike.  But thanks to an inept shuttle driver, it took over 3 hours!  Hiked from 3:15pm to 6:20pm where we stopped at a tent site.  2900¢ of ups/downs consisting of a steady 2500¢ climb.  It was a beautiful sunny day!Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-15
From: Tent site @ MM 246.8

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 18 has been a gorgeous day, in terms of the weather and the hike!  We hiked over Max Patch, a famous viewing site on the AT.  Photos uploaded from the summit.  5800¢ ups/downs.  Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-16
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Tentsite @ MM 267.0
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 19 went well, especially after a heavy rain during the night, with an iffy forecast of more rain today.  Fortunately the forecast wasn¢t correct and the rain stopped before we started our hike.  Carried wet tent, drop cloth, etc., but it¢s all dry, now.  5100¢ of ups/downs and I¢m at only 2900¢ elevation so seeing wildflowers and lots of green.  We¢ll be heading 7+ miles into Hot Springs, tomorrow and maybe I¢ll see the Easter Bunny!  Happy Easter to all!Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-17
From: Tentsite @ MM 267.0

To: Laughing Heart Hostel in Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 20 has been a great day!  Only 3700¢ ups/downs for 7.7 miles as we descended down to 1400¢ elevation at the Laughing Heart Hostel at Hot Springs,NC.  Took a much needed shower and did laundry.  Resupplied for our upcoming 70 miles of remaining hiking on our 235 mile section.  Had a great dinner at the Iron Horse Station Restaurant in town, and plan on feasting on the Smoky Mountain Diner¢s famous skillet breakfast tomorrow on our way out of town!  Lost a few more pounds - down 10-12 so far.  Great way to lose weight!Happy Easter to all and¢¦Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-18
From: Laughing Heart Hostel in Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 21 was a wet one as we had rain all day.  Temps in the 40¢s.  5400¢ of ups/downs with several big ups kept us warm!  Made it to an old 5 person shelter and got the last 2 spots so we didn¢t have to set up tents in the rain.  Supposed to stop raining and be cool tomorrow, then warming back up.Continue Klangin¢ On!
Date: 2022-04-19
From: Spring Mountain Shelter 

To: Stealth site @ MM 297.0
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: moderate rain

Day 22 has been dry, mostly sunny, and warmed up from last night¢s low of 28 degrees to 44 or so.  Trail was frozen initially but became muddy as we descended in elevation and it got warmer.  6100¢ of ups/downs.  Several things we do when the forecasted low approaches 32 degrees.  We sleep with our water filter and water bottles to keep them from freezing.  We sleep with our fuel canister to keep it warm so its pressure doesn¢t drop too low.  And we layer up in our sleeping bags and liners, to keep from freezing!Continue Klangin¢ On!