morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-04-01
From: Allen Gap

To: Shelton gravesite 
Miles today: 15.8

15.8 mi. 900-500At my campsite, I cooked dinner on a rock which pointed me to a store that had the best vegetarian food you can imagine.The trip up camp creek bald was a breeze, not too steep, not at all rocky, and very pleasant weather. There was a book reading of lord of the rings for entertainment as well.At the top, it was balmy, and you could pick kiwis from the trees!But wait a minute, the best part is the fire tower on top. The bakery,in the tower bakes all kinds of goodies, but earlier they had an explosion and confectionary sugar coated some of the mountain. You could still hear the crack of the embers from the incident.The trail from there is known as candy cane lane, where the trees grow in swirls, and the branches are coated in icicles. You could just lick them. So refreshing!Afterwards I dared to traverse the high ridge route, but that was only because I had wolverine, aka Hugh Jackman, as my guide. We paused at Howard's rock, and we were impressed a team of men moved the massive rock in place.The way north from the end of the ridge was blocked by a mountain known as Big Butt. You could avoid the rocky bits by taking the bypass, but I went straight up. =0 A doctor should really visit this area (or a really good forester.) There is a single headstone on the approach to the mountain and it made me wonder what this person did in life to be buried on Big Butt Mtn.At the end of the day I bedded down in a quiet field beside 3 others that didn't stir once.Happy april fools...or is it? :)MetWolverine/hugh JackmanWait a minute2 guys listening to lord of the rings while they hiked.https://photos.app.goo.gl/fe1b...
Date: 2019-04-02
From: Shelton gravesite 

To: hogback ridge shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

11.8 mi. 930-400, +1 mile scouting, 1 hour pizza break at Lauren hostelFifty eight years ago, on this date, on Easter sunday, a woman gave birth to a 10 lb. baby boy. He was her 6th pregnancy, though this last would be the 5th to see life. She was a first generation Italian American, growing up in nyc, the youngest in a large family. There were many stories from those days, including the time she had hot water from dinner spilled on her that left a scar on her leg, and the time she hid a potato behind the chair to see if her sister cleaned (she did not).She raised her children in the Italian Roman Catholic way, sending them all to parochial school through high school. They all grew to be fine adults and good people. Life for the mother was not easy. She had many a heart break and fought ill health in midlife finally succumbing at a much too early age, especially for this last child. But while he knew her he remembers...her endless gardening in her beautiful yard; countless games of checkers in her room, (sometimes with prizes!); and watching Alfred Hitchcock presents after the 1000 news, where her favorite segment was Rona Barrett; the big pots of spaghetti sauce she would make on Sundays in the big white and red iron pot; the trips to the grocery store where she would meet friends and talk for what seemed like hours; breakfast and lunches with Madeleine, her friend and confidant; spring cleaning; visits with her sister Mamie just up the road; vacations to the shore; trips to go skiing, with hot bullion, and her saying "you'll ski like Jean claude Kiley one day"(I cannot); and ice skating on round pond, and so many other good memories. Thanks Mom (and Dad ;). I hope I've done you proud.I also hiked on this day. Met:Paul and Tim, proprietors of the Laurel hostel (which I turned down the wrong road gaining an extra Bday mile. Come on Dave, look at the map!) I bought a pizza for lunch which they grilled and they gave me a beer for my day,Cushy, hiking with wolverine,ScoutmasterJohn, aka Faceplant, as he fell getting out of a shelter at 300 a.m.Saw 3 turkeys at th end of the day. I haven't seen any since the approach trail. Sign of a new beginning?https://photos.app.goo.gl/fe1b...
Date: 2019-04-03
From: hogback ridge shelter

To: No business knob shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Wed apr 3hogback ridge shelter-No business knob shelter20.7 mi 800-530I got an early start today. Not sure why but everything just seemed to flow in the a.m. Good thing too, as this turned out to be my highest mileage and longest day on the trail yet.After a couple of short ups we descended to Sam's gap, where I26 crosses the trail. A sign at the state line cemetery road offered trail magic up a short-ish hill. There, a small group of us, were treated by Paul, thru hiked in 2007, who cooked eggs and hashbrowns on his Coleman stove. Drinks and cookies too! I declined the eggs and paul told me later, he detests them as well and has a hard time cooking them.Now on a full belly we climbed for 2.5 hours to the top of big bald mtn. 5309'. The climb was a bit grueling as there were several areas of slick mud. The unobstructed views made it all worthwhile.Exhausted, I rested next to tippy, who didn't seem all that tired (go figure). I celebrated with a package of honey buns I picked up the day before at the laurel hostel. Best $2 I spent yet. I noticed on the package serving size is broken down in half a bun, and a full bun. As this was a celebration I consumed the whole thing and licked the wrapping of glaze. Who could eat only half a one anyway. The perfect treat!The next shelter was in pretty bad shape, folks had left their garbage and things looked asunder. I guess that's what happens when you can drive (4wd) to the top of the mountain.I pressed on and found that I could make the next shelter, with the funny name, before dinner so I put it in overdrive for the last 5 miles, made camp in record time, ate dinner, and cleaned up in less than 1.5 hours.Again incredible weather, nice and cool for hiking. I'm sure this isn't going to last but I'm enjoying it while it is.Pics: honey buns on bald mtnTippy and me restingMet3 knots (the way she ties her shoelaces)https://photos.app.goo.gl/fe1b...
Date: 2019-04-04
From: No business knob shelter

To: uncle Johnny's hostel, Erwin TN
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: overcast clouds

What was supposed to be a nice easy day to nero into Erwin, shower, wash clothes, and resupply turned into a roller coaster hike. But i scored a cabin and was able to spread out. I received my first resupply package from my other friend Julie, filled with all kind of goodies. Trail magic!The Nolichucky river flows through this valley. Our shuttle driver said it means thr river of death. Erwin has a nuclear training site and the national storytelling center. I can imagine what stories are popular.The hostel provides transportation via an old van to lunch in Erwin TN, at a pizza shop with an all you can eat pizza bar. The side salad and spinach didn't help my overeating. For dinner we had a choice of mexican or italian, again too much food, with a pickup after at wal-mart. If you ever wondered who those homeless looking people were in front of your local store, they may just be hikers.Tomorrow, rain, and a big climb, so we'll work it off with our heavy loads. Only 1,822.4 mi to go.https://photos.app.goo.gl/kiJR...Met don't look back
Date: 2019-04-05
From: uncle Johnny's hostel, Erwin TN

To: cherry gap shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

But everyday on the trail feels like tgif! Sorry working world :)I started out the day at the tail end of a downpour. Wearing rain gear with the extra weight from resupply made for a sweaty start. But the rain stopped soon enough, so the rest of the day was just overcast which was fine for me. All totalled, it was about 3500' of elevation gain to Unaka mtn.On the way crossed a creek over 4 small wood bridges, past beauty spot, and the bald prior to the main event. Unaka mtn is topped by a dense spruce forest. It felt like the adirondacks, with wet tree roots and soft moss everywhere. You know, Keebler elf country. It had shades of green that you don't typically see. It reminded me of my friend Todd's trip to central America where he described that area as every shade of green imaginable.Though this was kind of like when you were a child and you got that big box of crayolas and marvelled at the selection of the various shades of primary colors.I also passed by a decorated tree, set up by a dad who lost his son. A couple of folks I met, have met the dad. It's a fitting tribute to a young life lost.Metginger goat and tortoise on the trail. Artimus at campMiles, thru hiked last year, just out for a section hike.Pics: fire hydrant flow at the spring. The best yet.https://photos.app.goo.gl/rdS3...
Date: 2019-04-06
From: cherry gap shelter

To: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂroan high knob shelter (highest on AT 6186')
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Long stretches of solitude, as I left the mist of cherry gap, with my wet, dewy, tent. Before too long i happened upon fawn and ? At greasy gap. They're section hiking, headed south, but wanted me to have these vegan bars a friend of theirs is making, lola. They were excellent and to lighten their load they threw in a couple of bags of nuts. Fawn also recommend "outdoor herbivore" as a good food supplier.As I left them I continued in solitude and stopped at the next shelter were I briefly met retriever, who apparently went swimming in Fontana lake to retrieve a ball for a dog that was too far out.I climbed little rock knob to surprise 2 deer. My first big animal encounter.At Hughes gap 2 couples put on a hiker feed that was all vegetarian. What luck! And right before the big 5 mile climb up roan high knob. Perfect. This day couldn't get any better, until...I took the .1 side trail up to the fully enclosed shelter, the only one with a door I believe, to find...noone. I could have continued to carver gap, another 1.5 miles, but I needed water, so I decided to stay, dry my tent out and sleep in the spruce woods. Before I knew it there were 5 others who joined me, and one couple brought beer. Trail magic indeed.MetOutdoor herbivore oregonLetter kenny, Canadian showFawn and ?, lola barsRetrieverKaraokeFireball (something to do with her stove) and Matt from coJeff from Jerseyhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/zsyw...
Date: 2019-04-07
From: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂroan high knob shelter (highest on AT 6186')

To: the station us 19E
Miles today: 16.3

Headed out with a wet tent from dew. Oh well, it was dry last night. I charged into the Roan highlands to stay ahead of the weather but the rain never came, just hanging above the tops of the balds.Climbed yellow gap mtn where there are markers about a revolutionary war battle. Surprised that there wasn't something about the civil war.I cross Doll flats and find a sign saying leaving NC. Since leaving GA I've been weaving between NC and TN. So its official, one more state down!My daily mileage is increasing and I'm anticipating hiking ahead of the next road crossing. But i have to look ahead and resupply so i head to yhe station with karoake, who I passed this a.m.. We walk .4 up the highway to a small house with a microbrewery.For $30, incl shower and laundry, with predicted rain, looks like I'm spending the night. Eddie, the resident manager/innkeeper shows us around. We get to pick our bunks and use the kitchen. They provide breakfast for $ 10 and have a small store. Such a pretty day, che bella giornata indeed.MetTailgater From binghampton nyPics: see if you can find the 2 hikers on the picture with the fence posts.Also, at the hostel, I asked what's in the first tap (see bar pic). He said nothing. Ah, yes we are in TN.https://photos.app.goo.gl/VS9Y...The AT train has left the station...https://photos.app.goo.gl/6t6v...
Date: 2019-04-08
From: the station us 19E

To: moreland gap shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

The prediction was for rain later today. It did not disappoint. The mountaineer shelter we had lunch at was built in 2006 and was super clean. Two levels and inside seating. Instead I pressed on to stay in an old cinder block shelter with 6 others. You just never know.Along the way the signs of spring were clear, dandelions and violets blooming, birds singing, and the rain.We passed the 400 mile mark and a sign identifying Springer mtn just 408 miles away. A cemetery that was lorded over by jesus, holding court at the bottom of the hill.A word about sticks on the trail. As I'm cruising along, every once in a while a stick will catch in my boot laces, aka, lace catchers vs others that jump up and catch me in my leg, aka, shin stabbers. Ah the dangers of the trail.Met 2 ladies from the b&bhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/7aC8...
Date: 2019-04-09
From: moreland gap shelter

To: us 321/boots off hostel
Miles today: 14.9

The rolling hills of this area continued this morning. While very pretty, things didn't get really interesting until the pond wilderness area about midday. The clouds began to break up and the descent into the falls area was steep on wet rocks but the payoff of the huge falls was well worth it.There was also a notice in the guidebook about a high water route. Since you wouldn't know if the route was passable until you get to the bottom it was interesting to see why there is an option. The route curve around the rock face a few feet from the raging current! After a pleasant stroll along the river, the trail climbs 2000' before descending to watauga lake. I opted to stay at the boots up hostel considering campsites along the lake are few and far between. Also the next shelter has been closed since 2016 due to bear activity.Among the cast of characters at the hostel:Art at the hostel, make your own art, music by the matchboxesArtist Bobbie drelick, trailname paint splash, gave some trail magic at the crossroads Joe Mitchell at 4 pines, near. dragons toothHelluvaGoing home (at shelter)Dash - the dash poem by Linda ellisMighty blue, British, 2x 2014Dudley do right and dynamiteThe purple people, the mailboxes, Chattanooga Tailgater from binghamptonhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/pfo4...
Date: 2019-04-10
To: Dbl spring shelter
Miles today: 23.6

Longest day ever and my body feels it. I was focused on doing 16 miles today but the beautiful weather and feeling good made me move on. That and hiker pride...A group of hikers decided to slack pack, ie. Ride in a car a distance, then day hike back. So they slack packed 20 miles south to where I started. So naturally I needed to hike at least 20 miles so that tomorrow I could be at the same location or beyond. Hiker pride.Along the way today I met father time. Who, it turns out, is a bit grumpy from a knee issue. Who knew!Also, a fellow thru hiker with 2 leashed dogs was accosted by another hikers unleashed dog. Responsible dog owners always leash on the trail. The dogs appear ok due to his fast action but something to remember when you're with your mans best friend.Shout out today for a special birthday! Sorry to miss it.MetFather timeShinsplints or splintshinsColoradoPics: uncle nick grindsstaff headstone"Lived, suffered, and died alone"I wonder how he would feel being on a trail that sees thousands a year.https://photos.app.goo.gl/7LWJ...
Date: 2019-04-11
From: Dbl spring shelter

To: damascus va
Miles today: 18.2

Today I say a fond farewell to Tennessee, who's mountain club motto is surely, "TN, we got mountains, and molehills, and our trails go over everyone of them."I got a nice early start to the day and played tag along the trail with the purple people, alladdin, and flat out.I remember being at thr va state line a few years ago with the spring hiking crew. A young woman thru hiker approached and was so relieved she made it this far. I felt the same energy and welcomed the smooth descent into the town of Damascus.Today i realized spring is definitely here by the budding of the tall trees, the biting insects, and the 5' black snake I spooked! First true snake of the journey.Another shout out for another special birthday! Again, sorry to miss it.MetFlat out(had to do with an air mattress incident)AlladdinPics: wwll death march survivor grave? I have so many questions.https://photos.app.goo.gl/7Vjk...
Date: 2019-04-12
From: Va route 600 elk garden

To: damascus va sobo slackpack
Miles today: 23.5

On a windy, foggy day, i decided to slackpack from elk garden north of white top mtn and head back, southbound, to Damascus. I shared a ride with Haymitch, who headed north.From the parking area i began to see a steady stream of folks I had already met and had spent time with. Including; Badger (from standing bear) 49er Irish 3 knots Pushing60 from Fontana Among many others.Along the way I got my picture taken by Arthur, a biker on the creeper trail because I was wearing the kilt.I earned a va. Creeper special at the end, raspberry sorbet with lemonade!But I hurt, as I've been dealing with a Shinsplint on my right leg for the past 3 days. I think a couple if days of rest are in order.Met:Haymitch/woody Harrelson Book bagSneak attackQHalo20lb (has been sick but recouping)Larry of Crazy Larry's hostelAnd his dog sallyPics One of the few places where this street name increases your property valueThe incredible start to my day at mojos with a hot chocolate with bagels and lox.My lonesome daypack. Flatout called it my brains.https://photos.app.goo.gl/y2pU...Sallyhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/6LLh...
Date: 2019-04-13
To: Abingdon VA.
Miles today: 0.0

Conversations along the trail can be brief and often its those short encounters or overheard conversations that bring a sense of comic relief to the daily grind of trekking all day. So this post is dedicated to those fellow travelers and their ruminations I've heard along the way, so far: (my comments in italics)Its just a ridge walk. It never is flat.Its all, or mostly, downhill. Sure, once you're over that mountain.A noise in the gap, sounded like flutter of wings. A woman says "it could be a bear." A bear...with wings i suppose.Its only 18 miles to...(pick a distance and a place). You realize, I'm walking with a pack, right?Get the water here, its better than there. Its all coming out of the ground.This is the best food in a bag. Enough said.Its not supposed to be windy tonight. Still I would second guess putting my tent up under that hanging limb.3 generations of men hiking uphill:1st gen (oldest): come on2nd gen: I can't wait to put you in a home.3rd: I guess I'll be sending you to join him.How do you like hiking in the kilt/skirt? If i had a dollar for everytime i get this question. And related...I was going to get one but chickened out.They were out of my size.I have one but just wear it in camp.I've never seen a kilt with pockets (18 year old guy).What would Earl Shaffer do?PicsSights around DamascusIf its not bears its Sasquatch.https://photos.app.goo.gl/NbkQ...
Date: 2019-04-14
To: Abingdon VA.
Miles today: 0.0

After a wonderful respite with family it's back on the trail tomorrow. It was fortuitous to stop for these two days as I appear to have gotten a bit of an infection from a sand fly bite on top of the shinsplint issue on my right leg. A couple of meds, for swelling and infection, appear to be doing the trick.After many meals, laughs, and conversations we enjoyed the first game of thrones final season 8 episode too.MetPatrick and Lucy building as long home on silver lake in the adks.Gail, works at Hampton, lives in DamascusFairfax, waitress at jj'sPatty, hampton innHappy birthday Pops!https://photos.app.goo.gl/yrZk...Check out Dave Does The AT (@DaveDoesTheAT):https://twitter.com/DaveDoesTheAT?s=09
Date: 2019-04-15
From: Elk garden trailhead

To: Old orchard shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Started out with a full belly from town breakfast and Tom Petty's tune seemed perfect on the drive. But maybe i was too full. I was dropped of by the family at the elk garden trailhead in a light snow. What was rain the day before in the valley turned into a light dusting and frozen branches at altitude. And all I could think of, I had landed in the kingdom of the north, headed to Winterfell.The wind was blustery but I could see the sun in the valley. And it finally poked through the clouds early afternoon. Quite a few day hikers on the trails and some thru hikers got off trail due to alot of intersections and pony trails.This area maintains wild ponies to keep the vegetation down. I was beginning to think I wouldn't see any but found a few grazing lower down as I approached the scales area.Lots of campers at the shelter area. Families with teens and some thru hikers. Heard stories of last night, snow blowing into the shelter, ponies coming up to the shelter, takitaking someone's boots but they were too frozen to eat, and biting cold in the a.m.I'm still experiencing some leg pain but the swelling is down. We'll see how it feels in the a.m.MetFargo (from Florida panhandle)Toejam and his daughter kaboom doing a section hikeJeff from Jersey now poppa smurfhttps://photos.app.goo.gl/QLP6...
Date: 2019-04-16
From: Old orchard shelter

To: Trimpi shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Took my time getting started today, favoring my good leg, the left one. The site of the bite is a bit painful but I'm managing. I began to wonder if anyone ever hopped all the way to Maine. I passed some very pretty waterfalls. The snow/rain has made all the springs gushers but thankfully the trail has dried up. The shelter, a very pretty stone structure, was shared by myself and karaoke. I saw a good size black mouse scoot up the wall right before it got dark but there were no incidents during the night.I had some chance encounters that made many bright spots in the day as well.MetCurly, thru hiker 1992 and a triple crowner, see the pic. She's going to be at Baxter on August 4 so I'll need to look for her.Man of many words, he was day hiking and a real talker from Radford. He too my pic and is posting on Facebook with my journal page. He had awesome ink (see pics) hence the days title.There's also a pic of a guy from Damascus who had great ink. Seems everyone wants to show their ink!Bed pan, nurse from philly, was off trail for a few days in marion.We were joined at the shelter by karaoke and scoutmaster.https://photos.app.goo.gl/7jDF...