morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Fontana Village, NC

To: Spence Field Shelter, NC
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

Away from Lodge just after 7:00 am. Lodge staff shuttle me to Fontana Lake marina. Walk to Fontana Dam, again. No one else is at dam when I walk across. On far side of dam enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Walk uphill into fog, drizzle and wind. Meet hikers Solex, Lucky Charm, Pep Talk, 6-6, Carl (an A.T. Ridge Runner), Angel Hair, Rigatoni and Saturday. When I arrive at two-level Spence Field Shelter it already looks pretty full. But Angel Hair invites me to take a spot on the lower platform next to her and Rigatoni. I may have been the last person to get into the shelter this night. According to my notes, there are 16 of us in the shelter. A very cold night with light snow falling and covering the ground. I wake up several times in the night to shovel hard candies into my mouth.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Spence Field Shelter, NC

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light snow

At 6:00 am it is 26 degrees Fahrenheit. A cold day on the trail. The ground is white with snow. The sky is white. The trees are covered with rime ice. Get few views out from snow dusted trees. Have ice in my water bottles through the morning. Most hikers continue to Mt Collins Shelter including Possum, Almost Amazing and Old Dirty. Get a a very little bit of sun in the afternoon. Only a few of us at Double Spring Gap Shelter for the evening including myself, Blue Sky and Chainsaw who is from Florida. Spend another very cold night sucking on hard candies.
Date: 2012-04-24
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter, NC

To: Pecks Corner Shelter, NC
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Again this morning at 6:00 am it is 26 degrees Fahrenheit. A cold morning with ice and snow on the ground and trees. Arrive at Clingmans Dome observation tower at 9:00 am. I am the only one here. Every surface is covered with rime ice. Continue to Newfound Gap where there are many tourists. Pass hikers Trail Hippo and Happy Wizard from NYC who are bailing out and heading to warm Jamaica. Am passed by Johnathon, who I met on Day 1 and his companion Blake. Airy ridge walk from Icewater Spring Shelter to Pecks Corner Shelter. I manage to get into the shelter for the night, but it is full.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Pecks Corner Shelter, NC

To: Standing Bear Farm, NC
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

Pretty hard rain mixed with snow overnight. Not as cold. Not raining in morning. Trail is full of slush. Cold and overcast morning. Sun comes out about mid-day and it feels hot on the skin. Remove fleece jacket, rain jacket and rain pants. Cross Pigeon River and exit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Walk under I-40. Arrive at Standing Bear Farm and meet up with Angel Hair, Rigatoni, Almost Awesome and Possum. They invite me to join them in the cottage, which is much more appealing than the bunkhouse. They have the two beds on the floor and I have the bed up in the loft.
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Standing Bear Farm, NC

To: Roaring Fork Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Thunderstorm and hard rain before departing Farm. More scattered rain with thunder and lightning thru the morning including some pea sized hail. Trail is pretty muddy. Clouds lift at Snowbird Mountain, a grassy bald. Meet trail angel "Apple" (who is from Ohio and who I met last summer on the Colorado Trail) at Brown Gap where he is camped. Cross Max Patch Bald in the clouds. Walk a bit with hiker Late For Dinner. Spend night at Roaring Fork Shelter with big crowd where hiker Chatty Cathy serenades us with his guitar playing.
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Roaring Fork Shelter, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and away from shelter at 6:45 am before anyone else is even up. A dry day with warm sun. Have a very pleasant walk over Walnut Mountain and Bluff Mountain. After Bluff Mountain trail is mostly downhill to town. Cannot get cell reception until I am almost at Hot Springs, NC. See Angel Hair and Rigatoni on street just inside town. Arrive at Sunnybank Inn. Fortunately I am able to get a room even though Inn appears to be pretty full. Unfortunately my mail drop is not here. Call Cindy who assures me Post Office reports it is here. Walk with Inn employee Austin to Post Office and they do have my box. Call Cindy back to tell her I have it. Visit Hillbilly Market, Post Office (where I call Avaya healthcare provider to work on setup of my retiree healthcare), Dollar General, Library and Outfitter (where I intersect with Angel Hair and Rigatoni and which has a Whitewater pinball game upstairs). Shower. Meet up with Johnathon and Blake at laundry.
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: South of Little Laurel Shelter, NC
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Depart Elmer's before 7:00 am. Walk thru town on Bridge Street and cross French Broad River on bridge. Outside of town trail ascends steeply uphill. Pass overlook known as Lover's Leap. Take pictures along ascent. Pass grassy fields along Mill Ridge. These fields were formerly planted in tobacco and hay. Make side trip to abandoned but still intact Rich Mountain fire tower. See Angel Hair and Rigatoni at Spring Mountain Shelter where I make lunch and fill water bottles. Cross Allen Gap. Solo camp in tent on ridge south of Little Laurel Shelter.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: south of Little Laurel Shelter, NC

To: Sugarloaf Gap, NC
Miles today: 18.8

At Little Laurel Shelter fill water bottles. Say "Hi" to hiker Snickers. Talk about dance with hiker Tiny Dancer. Rocky climb over Big Firescald Knob. Nice views of West Tennessee Valley. Sunny and hot. Temp in low 80's. Pass Shelton Graves. Stop for water and make lunch at Flint Mountain Shelter. Meet NOBO's from Florida. Have a little distant thunder and a few rain drops at crossing of Rector Laurel Road. Have long hot climb to Sugarloaf Gap where I solo camp for the night. The sky settles with calm air and no wind.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Sugarloaf Gap, NC

To: Bald Mountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Nice night. Away from camp by 7:10 am. Have two hour walk to Hogback Ridge Shelter. Stop to fill water bottles and use privy. Take short break to get boots off and air feet. Send text message to Cindy, then call her to discuss gear for Damascus. Nice flowers along trail on hike over Big Bald. Good views at top with friendly clouds and a stiff breeze. Decide to stop early at Bald Mountain Shelter. Hikers Professor, Spot (from Canada) and River Rat are here. Another warm day. Not as hot as Monday.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Bald Mountain Shelter, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

Nice night. Away from shelter 7:10 am. Hightail it mostly downhill to Erwin, TN. Fellow camped at Whistling Gap campsite. Interesting small pink flowers among Rhododendron near Devil's Creek Gap. Meet Priest with cell phone at No Business Knob Shelter where I find honey bees on burned wood in fire ring. Has been a hot day with temps in the mid 80's. Final descent is on Cliff Ridge with views of Nolichucky River. Arrive at Erwin, TN road crossing 2:00 pm. Get ride from Miss Janet to Holiday Inn. Shower. Get food at adjacent truck stop. Do laundry. Call Cindy. Sort Gear.
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter, TN
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Leave Holiday Inn about 6:30 am. Walk back to trail. Cross Nolichucky River on bridge about 7:00 am. Long uphill pull past Indian Grave Gap. Morning relatively cool. Trail in shade. Pass burn area north of Indian Grave Gap. Continue to climb up to Beauty Spot. Cars can drive to this place. Nice views from Beauty Spot. Small drop to Deep Gap and big climb over Unaka Mountain which is covered with spruce trees. Good drop to Cherry Gap Shelter. Arrive there at 2:30 pm for the night. At shelter with hikers Chatterbox, Mulligan and Tree Piper.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Cherry Gap Shelter, TN

To: Stan Murray Shelter, TN
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: broken clouds

Relatively easy grades to Hughes Gap then big climb of Roan Mountain. Top of Roan Mountain is covered with spruce trees. Roan High Knob Shelter at summit area has loft. Visit USGS summit marker near shelter. No one is around. Decide to continue. Drop to Carvers Gap. Nice walk over open Round Bald, Jane Bald and Grassy Ridge. Descend through open woods to Stan Murray Shelter. Also staying at shelter are hikers Candy Man (from Dayton, OH), his dad Crispy (from Florida) with Loopy, Ogre and Pretty Neat.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Stan Murray Shelter, TN

To: Mountaineer Shelter, TN
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice night but hard rain before leave shelter. Hike into drizzle. Stops in about an hour. Cloudy over grassy and open Little Hump with racing wind and low dark clouds spitting a bit of lightning to the west. Hard wind and and stinging drizzle, fearing thunder and lighting, for long and open traverse of grassy Hump Mountain. Hold collapsed umbrella over head and shoulders in driving wind, but get pretty wet from the waist down. Pass three soaked hikers heading south near summit of Hump Mountain sharing a quick hello without stopping. Down from summit of Hump Mountain and finally into some trees, wind and drizzle abate. Sky clearing at crossing of US 19e where I divert 0.3 mile west along road to pick up mail drop at Mountain Harbor B&B and Hostel. Hostel is in separate building from B&B. Visit hostel and consider staying, but because it's still early in the day, decide to continue walking. Sun comes out for nice hike along Elk River. Clouds up shortly after arrive at newly constructed Mountaineer Shelter which has three levels. Many hikers here tonight including Hippity Hop, Balou, Tall Oaf and Day Glow. Hippity Hop marvels at my industry: filtering water, taking my sponge bath, rinsing my trail clothes. All she wants to do after a long day on the trail is sit. Light rain falls into evening.
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Mountaineer Shelter, TN

To: Black Bear Resort, TN
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Nice night in Mountaineer Shelter which has two main levels plus an additional loft. I am on the ground floor level. Have morning constitutional in woods over hill behind shelter as there is no privy here. Talk with Day Glow before departing shelter at 7 am. He and I are about the only ones up this early. Cross Laurel Fork. Nice warm and partly cloudy day for gradual 11 mile ascent topping out at extended and open ridge top traverse of White Rocks Mountain where there are some nice vistas. Call Carolyn and Cindy from trail. Day Glow passes me early on. Later Rhino, Tall Oaf and Bill go by. Two young guys pass me near road crossing. Decide to skip Bob People's Kincora Hostel as I expect it will be packed. Instead, I divert 0.4 mile east on Dennis Cove Rd to Black Bear Resort where I meet proprietors Bob, Brian and Mary Lee. Get one room rustic cabin for the night. Shower and do laundry. Check email and have heat and eat dinner. Hard thunderstorms with heavy rain after dark and into the evening. Glad I am off-trail for this downpour.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Black Bear Resort, TN

To: Vandeventer Shelter, TN
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: few clouds

I am up early to make miles before storms which are forecast after 2 pm. Hiking away from Black Bear Resort just before 6 am. Pretty dark along road back to trail. Use headlamp occasionally. Trail here is old railroad bed which includes some interesting rock cuts. Short stop at impressive Laurel Falls. Big climb up and over flat topped Pond Mountain and then down to Watauga Lake. Hike around lake and across gigantic rock fill Watauga Dam. Impressive views down valley from dam crest. Big climb up Iron Mountain to Vandeventer Shelter where I will stay the night. Back of shelter is at edge of ridge top with views far down of Watauga Lake. Have long 0.3 mile walk steeply downhill from shelter to water source. After return from water run, Angel Hair and Rigatoni pass thru and stop briefly to chat before continuing up trail. Later on Tall Oaf, Rhyno, Philly Steve and Bill come in for the night.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Vandeventer Shelter, TN

To: Double Springs Shelter, TN
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day starts drizzly. Then rain stops for awhile. Get pictures of blooming Rhododendron. Rain resumes. Finish traverse of Iron Mountain. Sky clears where trail crosses open, grassy fields that were a pioneer homestead with some dilapidated old wood structures. For short while trail is on wheelchair accessible tread paved with finely crushed gravel. Stop at bench to chat with hiker. Thunderstorms threatening again so head on to cover of trees. Rain starts again for last leg of walk to Double Springs Shelter. Meet hikers Jabs and Coyote. Tall Oaf, Rhyno and Bill pass thru. Alone at shelter until Slim Pilgrim arrives to stay the night. Rain on and off thru the evening.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Double Springs Shelter, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: moderate rain

Not much rain overnight. Cloudy morning. Hitting town today. Always some anticipation about a town stop after a long stretch of days on the trail. Hiking at 6:30 am. Soon starts to drizzle. Walk rest of the day in fog, mist and drizzle. See more purple flowering Rhododendron and more flowering Flame Azalea. See some piled stones, part of which were made into a wall. Duck into a small wooden cabin at side of trail to wait out a short downpour. 3-1/2 miles south of town cross Tennessee-Virginia state line, where there is a state line marker. Walk 18.5 miles in 7 hours to reach Damascus, VA at 1:30 pm. Get what is probably the last available room at the Hikers Inn owned and operated by wife and husband, Lee and Paul, who are both very personable and accommodating . Visit Dollar Store, supermarket, outfitter and Dot's Inn for burger and fries dinner. Sit with two other AT hikers at dinner.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Since my last e-mail from Hot Springs, NC I have walked 193 trail miles in eleven days and was off the trail one night at a Holiday Inn in Erwin, TN and one night in a cabin at the Black Bear Resort near Hampton, TN. The first two nights of this run I camped out and the remaining 6 nights out were in shelters. The last five shelters did NOT have privies, so I have been practicing my back woods potty technique. Yesterday afternoon, I crossed into the state of Virginia and a short while later arrived at the town of Damascus, where I am typing this update. Up until this point I have walked 467 miles of the trail out of a total of 2184 miles. From Hot Springs through Erwin we had a string of hot days with near record temperatures in the mid-80's. Since I like to start early in the morning I was able to do a lot of climbing before the heat of the day really kicked in. Recently there has been more rain - 4 of the last 5 days had significant rain and 3 of those days I hiked with wet feet. But, since I was in shelters or off-trail I kept the rest of my gear dry and was able to sleep with dry feet. I had an uncomfortable hour crossing open Hump Mountain in strong winds and a driving horizontal drizzle. I was using my umbrella, but had to collapse it frequently when the gusts got too high. Even collapsed I was able to cover my head and shoulders to keep them dry. I was soaked from the waist down. Fortunately the rain wasn't that heavy and there was no lightning. Am taking my second zero day here in Damascus. This morning spent time planning my next couple of town stops and food drops. Lee drove me to the Post Office. I redirected one box at the Post Office to Atkins, VA. Mailed another box to Daleville, VA. Called Cindy with details for the Pearisburg, VA food box. Bought some Milky Way bars and Crunchy Peanut Butter Clif Bars and topped up my denatured alcohol bottle. Lee drove me to the grocery store to pick up some rice dinners, tuna fish packets and tooth paste. Typed my email update at the library for two hours. Had lunch at In the Country. Mailed post cards to Mom and Cindy. Dozed in a chair in the living room at the Hikers Inn. Tomorrow when I leave town it will be my one month anniversary on the trail!
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Damascus, VA

To: Whitetop Mountain, VA
Miles today: 21.6

Depart Hikers Inn 6:30 am. Cool climb over Cuckoo Knob. Nice walk along Whitetop Laurel Creek. Fantastic blooming purple Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel on ridge after turnoff for Saunders Shelter. Beautiful blue sky day. Walk part of Virginia Creeper Trail along stream. Trail passes interesting railroad trestle which is now a bicycle path and part of the Virginia Creeper Trail. Meet hiker Lieutenant Dan. Cook rice dinner at Lost Mountain Shelter. Make big climb onto Whitetop Mountain. Pitch tent on my own at well used campsite near summit of mountain at 5150 feet elevation. Small group of hikers including Lieutenant Dan and Kennedy passes by and pitches their tents shortly up the trail.
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Whitetop Mountain, VA

To: Old Orchard Shelter, VA
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Clear cold night near summit of Whitetop Mountain. Put all my clothes on to stay warm. Early in the morning make nice traverse around Mt Rogers, the highest point in Virginia. Bypass side trail to Mt Rogers summit, as summit has no views. Get good pictures from north of Mt Rogers to Thomas Knob and rocky Wilburn Ridge. See the wild ponies twice in this area. Get views back to Mt Rogers and Whitetop Mountain. Have nice views through Grayson Highlands State Park. Ask local hikers to take a "500 mile" picture of me at Wise Shelter. See the wild ponies again on open Stone Mountain. Cross Pine Mountain to Old Orchard Shelter, where I will spend the night. Flash Gordon and I are the only hikers here tonight.
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Old Orchard Shelter, VA

To: Partnership Shelter, VA
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: broken clouds

Leave shelter at 7 am. Morning is overcast and cool. Make good progress. Call Cindy about my Atkins mail drop. She reports it's in Knoxville, TN. Cindy tells me to call Mom. Call Mom to wish her a happy Mother's Day. Bypass Trimpi Shelter because it's off trail, but only 0.1 mile. Cross gravel Slabtown Road. Keep going to Partnership Shelter. Drizzle thru the afternoon. Don't get too wet. Over a dozen hikers including Flash Gordon and Slim Pilgrim staying at two level Partnership Shelter. It's a zoo of activity. Climb ladder into top of shelter and find an open space on the wood floor. Shelter shower either not working or only with cold water. Decide to pass on the shower. Drizzle falling throughout the evening.
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Partnership Shelter, VA

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Leave shelter at 6:30 am in drizzle with my umbrella up. Pass Mt Rogers Visitor Center which is closed this early in the morning. Drizzle turns to rain, heavy at times. Trail is very wet. Pass nice blooming purple Rhododendron. Make short stop at empty Chatfield Shelter to get out of rain for a bit. Pass under loudly buzzing power line tower. Pass thru grounds of Lindamood School Settlers Museum. Take photos over farms in the Great Valley near Interstate 81. Get room at dilapidated Relax Inn, an old strip motel just off the interstate highway. Distressingly, my food box is not here. Get one pound burger and fries at The Barn Restaurant, a short walk up the interstate from the motel.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Atkins, VA

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Since my food box has not arrived I'm forced to take a zero day at Relax Inn. Call Cindy. She has no update on location of my food box. Get breakfast at The Barn Restaurant. Call Post Office. They have no update on the location of my food box. Read newspapers. Call Carolyn. Box does NOT come with delivery of the day's mail. Relax Inn owner's son drives hikers Blue, Knoxville and me to Marion, VA to buy food at Ingles Market and Walmart. Ride back to Relax Inn. Eat, watch TV, pack food and gear.
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Atkins, VA

To: Lynn Camp Mountain, VA
Miles today: 16.2

Depart Relax Inn about 6:15 am. Walk under I-81 and across the open, adjacent fields. Hiker Gimpy catches up and talks with me as we walk across the dewy, wet fields. My shoes get a bit wet. It is a nice, warm day with some breeze. Cross Little Brushy Mountain, Gullion Mountain and Walker Mountain. Pass thru nice farm fields with cows at Virginia State Route 610. More nice farms at Virginia State Route 742 at the North Fork of the Holston River. Cook rice dinner, fill water bottles and use privy at Knot Maul Branch Shelter with hiker Old Time Ed. Solo camp at height of land on Lynn Camp Mountain. Hiker Baltimore Bill passes by.
Date: 2012-05-17
From: Lynn Camp Mountain, VA

To: Jenkins Shelter, VA
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: few clouds

Fantastic camp spot this past night. Away from camp 7:30 am. Big climb of Chestnut Ridge. Fantastic walk across open grassy meadows. Hiker Baltimore Bill takes my picture at Chestnut Knob Shelter. Drop to Walker Gap followed by very rocky 6 mile traverse of Garden Mountain summit spine. Beautiful warm sunny day all the way to Jenkins Shelter, where I will spend the night. Moved into shelter and all set for the night when a big thunderstorm lets loose with pouring rain. But I'm dry! Hiker Horst from South Carolina and previously Lithuania and Carl from Akron, OH and two other section hikers are here. Rains in evening between 6 pm and 8 pm.
Date: 2012-05-18
From: Jenkins Shelter, VA

To: State Route 611, VA
Miles today: 20.8

Morning is overcast and dismal. Trail is wet along Hunting Camp Creek. But all day trail is flat with covering of leaves and few rocks and roots, making for excellent walking. Sun comes out about 1 pm as pass Helveys Mill Shelter turnoff. Cook rice dinner along trail about 2 pm (not at a shelter). This is the first time that I have done that. Rest of afternoon is delightful with sun and light breeze. Get water at I-77 and S.R. 612 and again at S.R. 611. Camp along trail about 3 miles south of Jenny Knob Shelter in flat saddle on low on ridge not too far from S.R. 611.
Date: 2012-05-19
From: State Route 611, VA

To: Sugar Run Mountain, VA
Miles today: 18.0

A deer comes to visit in the night between 3 am and 3:30 am. I wonder if it is prospecting for salt from my urine. It is a nice warm cloudy bright day. The trail is a bit rocky from S.R. 608 to S.R. 606. Pass and am passed by Carl many times throughout the day. Chat with Carl near S.R. 606. Cross big Kimberling Creek on suspension bridge and meet hiker Mr Breeze. Have seen him several times in recent days. Nice walk several miles upstream along Dismal Creek. Nice traverse thru pine woods for several miles. Meet and walk with hiker Whitewolf to Wapiti Shelter. Start climb of Sugar Run Mountain. Solo camp on shoulder of mountain. I can hear a rushing stream in the distance.
Date: 2012-05-20
From: Sugar Run Mountain, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice early morning walk over the top of broad Sugar Run Mountain. Get panoramic view of valley from rock outcrop at side of mountain. Many blooming brilliant orange Flame Azalea. See about six of these with pink flowers. See single blooming Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid. Taxing rocky up and down descent from Big Horse Gap to Sugar Run Gap. Get water with hiker Arius (originally from Lithuania, the "i" is silent, with a short "a", and "u" like oo) at Doc's Knob Shelter. Several miles of blooming Rhododendron along trail after Doc's Knob Shelter. Have nice high traverse of Pearis Mountain. Talk with hiker Solo at Wilburn Valley overlook. See Arius at Angel's Rest overlook. The two of us walk down to the road to get a ride into town. At S.R. 634 call local Don Raines for ride to Holiday Motor Lodge in Pearisburg. At motel Arius goes off to shop. He is not planning to stay in town for the night. From the motel walk across the road to get groceries at Food Lion and later walk into town to do laundry. Meet hiker K-Too in town. In evening get ride from Don to nearby Walmart.