morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-10-19
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Kinkora, Hampton, Tennessee
Miles today: 24.5

The sky opened up with an incredible sunrise this morning. It was as if nature was apologizing for pelting us with hail yesterday. Everyone was cold and probably a little wet, so no one was anxious to get going this morning. I was the early riser at 7:45 AM. I had a pleasant surprise this morning in the wardrobe department -- my awesome trail pants that most people mistake for jeans at a distance had completely dried overnight. I love those pants.The trail was a soggy mess this morning, but at least most of the hail had melted. Yesterday, the hail created dams along the trail where the water would normally drain, so the water ponded. Not a problem today. I enjoyed the hike along Iron Mountain as the trail is high above Watauga Lake and has excellent views in several spots, most notably Vandeventer Shelter. At that shelter, I went to see the view and accidentally startled a guy hanging out on the rocks. The guy turned out to be Shambo, a new-to-me MEGA, but one that I would bump into throughout the day. We made the descent to the Watauga Dam, which was an industrialized, Keynesian facility in stark contrast to the wilderness and recreational areas around it. At US Rte. 321, Shambo Yogied a ride into Hampton while I headed up and over Pond Mountain. Pond Mountain looked bad on the charts and wasn't a Sunday stroll, but it was largely more bark than bite. At Laurel Gorge, I followed the access trail to Hampton. Brown's Store was an adequate resupply, but one could not be picky there. I perhaps should have just headed back to the AT at that point, but I decided to go for a burger. The closest place was a Whattaburger (not the chain, but I am sure a trademark case would be won in an instant if the real Whataburger sued). I walked for over a mile. Fortunately, I got a hitch on the way back. I had to really move through Laurel Gorge to get to Kinkora before dark. Even so, I took enough time to enjoy the sights. The highlight is Laurel Falls, which at the time was set of dual falls both about 70' high. I am guessing in high water times it becomes one giant waterfall. There are also a lot of cool rock formations in the gorge.I reached Dennis Cove and here (Kinkora) right at dark. The famous Bob Peoples is off the property tonight, but perhaps I will meet him tomorrow. The hostel is attached to Bob Peoples' house and has several sleeping options, bathrooms with showers, a full kitchen, and laundry. Shambo made it here, as well as three other section / tour hikers.
Date: 2012-10-20
From: Kinkora, Hampton, Tennessee

To: Mountain Harbour Hiker's Hostel
Miles today: 24.4

I very much enjoyed my stay at Kinkora. Bob Peoples' generosity in running the hostel is exceptional. And speaking of Bob Peoples, I had the honour of meeting him right as I was leaving. Even though I didn't get to talk with him for long, I nevertheless got a couple of good stories out of him.The initial climb out of Dennis Cove was hard and tiring. Once a few miles out and up the mountain, the trail flattened a bit, or at least became rolling as opposed to outright climbing. Elevation profiles, while no doubt accurate, sometimes can't tell a hiker how the climb is really going to be. I had lunch beside a small cascade, which normally would have been extremely nice, but I was cold. I could feel the dexterity draining from my hands as I ate. Shambo and I intersected after lunch -- he had gotten a ride around to US Rte. 19E and was slack-packing back to Kinkora. After the Mountaineering Shelter, I saw the largest bear I have seen in the wild. Fortunately, he probably got large by being smart, and we gave each other wide berth. Elk River was a nice change of scenery, as was Jones Falls, another high waterfall that probably looks especially impressive with more water flow. There was a neat mountain community on the ridge above Jones Falls.I was pretty bushed when I finally hit US Rte. 19E. I arrived at the office here and was initially told there was no room in the hostel, but the owners then took pity and said I could sleep on a cot on the floor once everyone went to bed. They charged me the usual tenting fee, so that was all fine with me! We have spent the night watching movies, eating, and burning the wood stove. One of my hostel mates with a car even drove me and a section hiker out for pizza (no delivery in the area), so all is well in the world. I am here tonight with two guests by car, a few section hikers, and three other MEGAs -- Sherpa, Star Fish, and Anchor (all of whom I am meeting for the first time). I must be overtaking a bubble with all of these new MEGAs.
Date: 2012-10-21
From: Mountain Harbour Hiker's Hostel

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: clear sky

I slept beside the wood stove last night, which was wonderful (at least for the first third of the night before the fire went out). The hostel's cot was only comfortable when I was on my back -- I should have just broken out my air mattress. I took a shower and got rolling this morning. Everyone else stayed for the breakfast of myth and legend, but I decided to save the $9.00. I had been dreading this morning's climb for quite a long time -- probably since climbing the Priest in Virginia since today's climb appeared (again by the elevation profile) to be the next one of that caliber. The climb ended up being long but very well graded and not bad at all. The parts that were steep (toward the top of Hump Mountain) were on the bald portion of the mountain, so I stopped even noticing the climb as I was entranced by the views. The views really were extraordinary today. The area reminds me a lot of the Mt. Rogers high country with so many open vistas. I especially liked being able to see famed Grandfather Mountain. I stopped for lunch at Overmountain Shelter, the famous red barn. At Stan Murray Shelter, I stopped and talked with some weekenders from Bristol, Tennessee, who loaded me up with food without me even having to Yogi. The incredible views continued at Jane Bald and Round Bald. I was a little disappointed with Roan Mountain itself, at least the AT's scenery. The deep alpine forest was neat, but there were no big viewpoints. Further, the local trail club has switch-backed the south slope of the mountain to death and added a lot of mileage.I got here around 6:00 PM after a bump over Little Rock Knob. I am here with Ridgeway, an interesting section hiker from Johnson City. He made a fire, and we've been having philosophical discussions.
Date: 2012-10-22
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

Despite the fact that it wasn't cold this morning, I was still slow getting going (there goes my best excuse). Between talking to Ridgeway, having a shovel for a privy, and general laziness, I didn't get underway until 8:45 AM.The hike today wasn't very bad. Some of the ridges have steep knobs, and the same trail club that builds switchbacks for switchbacks on Roan Mountain suddenly uses the frontal charge approach on these climbs. Fortunately, they are short-lived climbs. The big climb for the day was Unaca Mountain, which proved to be in the moderate range. The top of Unaca was wooded, but I enjoyed both the sights and smells of the dense spruce forest there. The best view of the day was the aptly named Beauty Spot, a small bald with views mainly to the south. The downside was that I knew that I would be hiking the ranges that I was looking at, so that made it a little less pretty! The trail down from Beauty Spot, through Indian Grave Gap, and to here was an easy, nice walk.This shelter is a nice, new double-decker. I have the place to myself so far (and it's pretty late), which hasn't happened since Chestnut Knob in Virginia. I have my work cut out for me tomorrow with a resupply and plans to still do 20+ miles.
Date: 2012-10-23
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: broken clouds

I slept well last night -- it always helps having the shelter to myself so that I neither have to worry about others snoring nor be self-conscious about making noise when I roll around (I tend to re-position frequently). The hike to my resupply in Erwin was easy and even pretty along the Nolichucky River. I stopped at Uncle Johnny's and agreed to pay $5.00 to rent one of their bikes (in fact, the only bike in working order despite there being eight or so bikes there). I wobbled my way to the IGA, which was a disappointing resupply considering it is a full grocery store. The workers had a funny way of going into detailed history of why they stopped carrying certain items I wanted when I would have been happy with a "sorry, we don't carry that." I hit the Pizza Plus for lunch, which I would rank above Cici's but not as good as Pizza Hut's lunch buffet. I wobbled my way back to the hostel then headed back into the hills. Actually, the climb out of Erwin was over no hill but a true mountain. I met a flip-hiker named Catch Up at No Business Knob Shelter. We talked while I took a break, and I joked with him as I was leaving that he would have to live up to his name and catch up with me since I was heading on and he was staying for the night. About a half-hour later, I heard someone gaining on me from behind. There are faster hikers out there than me, but I do move, so I was surprised to have someone overtaking me. Sure enough, it was Catch Up who decided to not give me much of a head start. It turns out he was huffing it to catch me, but his real hiking pace was probably only a little faster than mine. So, we hiked together this afternoon. Our first challenge was High Rock, which was about typical for the area. Little Bald Mountain, however, proved to be a killer. There were at least three times when we thought we had it licked only to turn and see another part to climb. We made it, though, and arrived here just before dark. We also ran into Shambo a half-mile before the shelter.This is a nice shelter, it's in North Carolina so it has a privy, and we've had a great night with a small fire and telling jokes. There's nothing like good company.
Date: 2012-10-24
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: clear sky

Shambo, unbeknownst to me, set an alarm for 7:00 AM this morning. Needless to say, it was a surprise to awaken to what sounded like a warning about impending nuclear fall-out. The upshot was that we all got moving at a good hour. Catch Up had a bit of bad luck overnight. Even though he set-up his tent, he left his food bag in the shelter but not suspended from one of the mouse-canned lines. He was eating his honey bun this morning, and when he got to the very bottom of it, he noticed that part of the honey bun had already been eaten by a mouse. You know we gave him a hard time about it and might have had him genuinely worried about catching a disease.The day started with a modest climb to where two ladies were running a bird survey. They apparently use pigeons as lures (they didn't like it when we called the pigeons bait) to attract birds of prey into a net, count and check the birds, then release them. After that, we climbed to Bald Mountain, an absolutely gorgeous mountain. The views were 360-degrees and incredible. Much of the hike from there to Sam's Gap / Interstate 26 was rolling with a downward trend. Shambo talked me and Catch Up into trying to hitch on US 23 to a diner for lunch, but we sat on the road for fifteen minutes and never saw a single car. Defeated, we headed up Hogback Ridge. The rolling ups and downs graduated to PUDs as we seemed to hit every knob on the ridge, view or no view. The view from our second High Rock in two days was disappointing. After lunch at Hogback Ridge Shelter, Shambo just sort of disappeared, so Catch Up and I assumed he was intentionally parting company. We weren't too surprised since Shambo mentioned over lunch that he sometimes likes to take extended midday breaks and make up the hiking time with night hiking. It was more PUDs to Flint Mountain Shelter, but we were treated there to trail magic in the form of drinks left in the spring. The worst climb of the day -- a true killer -- came at unfortunately named Big Butt Mountain. The climb on paper was a moderate 1,000-foot climb in 1.3 miles, but the steepness was exceptional. Once on the ridge, the light began to fade quickly, and we found ourselves having to night hike to make it here. It was enjoyable, though, and we had some city lights views, we think overlooking Greeneville, Tennessee. We arrived here at 8:00 PM, which is late, but not terribly late. We fixed dinner and then Catch Up really wanted to have another fire. I agreed to build the fire, but there wasn't much wood readily available which helped naturally limit the fire. Catch Up and I haven't seen Shambo, but he is a bit of a maverick out here and could be up to just about anything. We may shoot for Hot Springs tomorrow, especially since we both liked night hiking tonight.
Date: 2012-10-26
From: Alpine Court Motel, Hot Springs, North Carolina

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The Weather Channel provided some bad news this morning. Apparently, a very late-season hurricane off of the Atlantic coast is going to collide with two fronts to create another "Perfect Storm" scenario. Even though the hurricane looks as if it will be to our east (and then northeast), what has me worried is the strong cold front coming from the west. It's never a good thing to have reports of bad weather when heading into the highest of high country on the AT. I was about 50/50 on whether to take a zero, especially since Catch Up is definitely taking a zero and we've made a good hiking team, but this weather report strengthened my resolve to head out today.Catch Up and I had breakfast at the diner -- very good eats for a fair price. After that, I resupplied at the Family Dollar and Hillbilly Market. The resupply was decent, even if it didn't have everything I wanted. One has to be flexible with resupplying. I then did my laundry at the Wash Tub, got my Great Smoky Mountains National Park free license [2012 is the last class that did not have to pay to use GSMNP], and bought HEET at the hardware store. For lunch, I asked locals where they would go for lunch, and they pointed me toward a yellow food stand just outside of town on the creek. The stand is run by Cliff, a former through-hiker who liked Hot Springs so much when he passed through that he returned there from Katahdin and called it home. He made me an awesome fish sandwich with a hearty side of black-eyed peas (and it's not even New Year's Day). Cliff is a quality guy and great to talk with. On my way out of town, I saw an informal bluegrass jam and stopped for a spell. I also happened across Shambo and Starfish. The hike out of town started with a moderate climb up Deer Park Mountain to the shelter of the same name. From there, it was up and down to Garenflo Gap. After that, it was a long, at times steep ascent of Bluff Mountain. A few switchbacks wouldn't have gone amiss. The summit of Bluff Mountain was rocky and wooded with only the most gradual of views. It was then a meandering downhill followed by a short uphill to here.This shelter looks as though it was built by Davy Crockett himself, which is a surprise due to its proximity to very popular Max Patch. The site is nice with a good spring about 0.2 miles below and a bald with limited views 0.1 miles south, but, as to the shelter itself, it needs to be replaced. I have also already seen and heard mice scurrying about, and it's only dusk! I have the shelter to myself tonight, but the famous Captain, who opens his property in the Stony Creek section of Virginia to hikers as a tenting site, and his wife are here along with Lead Dog and Slim Jim. Two ladies from Raleigh also came into the campsite a few minutes ago and are camped up the hill.
Date: 2012-10-27
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter, GSMNP
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

After writing last night, I accepted an invitation from the two Raleigh ladies to join them at their campfire. They turned out to be two of the finest people I have met on the trail -- both teachers who volunteer a lot of their time to help children through their church. We had a pleasant conversation during which they continually offered snacks, tea, and even a spot of wine. They insisted on treating me since they said they like to take care of through-hikers they meet when on weekend trips. And, like an idiot, I forgot to exchange contact information with them.The mice at Walnut Mountain Shelter have started their own city. It has streets, housing, and, from the sounds of it, a very active night club. Every mouse there has the same occupation -- annoy the AT hikers dumb enough to stay there. I would say the mice were scurrying all night, but this time they just walked at a leisurely pace since they were on their home turf. I awoke to heavy fog. I was hoping for one more clear day of hiking before the weather front, but no such luck. Of course, this happened to be the day that I was passing over one of the marquee viewpoints of the South -- Max Patch. In my view, it was just a pasture that could have been in any valley. It was the same at Snowbird Mountain only the fog had become a light rain. The hiking, at least, was just standard ups and downs. The highlight of the day was crossing under Interstate 40 near Waterville, the final interstate on my journey, and entering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.I am here at Davenport Gap Shelter, the last of the bear cage shelters. It does sort of feel like prison once the gate is closed. I keep asking every hiker I see about the latest weather report (though some of them have less up-to-date information than me). There is some talk about snow at elevation, which would be preferable to cold rain [at the time, the talk was of blowing snow or light accumulations]. Only time will tell as everyone is saying something different. I am here tonight with Easy Wind, a very chill Floridian and fellow MEGA.
Date: 2012-10-28
From: Davenport Gap Shelter, GSMNP

To: Pecks Corner Shelter, GSMNP
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

It rained heavily overnight, prompting Easy Wind and I to hope that our anticipated front had cleared the area. We took our time moving out as neither of us was in a rush to get into the elements.The climb up Mt. Cammerer was another one of those monsters on paper that turned out to be just a long, steady haul. Will, my section-hiking friend and Smoky Mountains expert I hiked with near Pearisburg, told me to add the extra 0.6 miles to the Mt. Cammerer fire platform as he said it was one of the best views in the park, but I wouldn't have seen anything but fog had I gone, so I skipped. In fact, so far I have had zero views since Walnut Mountain. I made good time to Cosby Knob Shelter, though I was pretty well drenched with moderate rain. Near Snake Den Ridge, I passed an ATC crew working frantically to load horses to move their gear down the mountain. They told me that the forecast had changed and that a little "blowing snow" at elevation had changed to 8" of snow at elevation. They wanted me to leave the AT and head to Cosby Campground. I declined that suggestion as I had heard so many different things from different people, not to mention that, being from the South, I am used to people getting quite hyped-up anytime the "S" word gets thrown around. But, sure enough, on the very next ridge, it began icing and then snowing. By the time I made it to lunch at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter, I was walking in a winter wonderland. I got very chilled while eating lunch, so I made quick time to get reheated on the way to here. The snow kept coming most of the way across the ridge, and it was being blown pretty hard. I almost had to laugh as I passed several spots where I just knew it was normally a great view, but my great view was white on white. I reminded me of those dumb postcards that are completely black and say "[Insert tourist attraction] at night." As I grumbled my way 0.4 off of the AT to here, I was met with a sweet smell -- smoke presumably coming from the chimney of the shelter. Sure enough, we have the makings of a small frat party here tonight. The main contingent is an outdoors leadership class from North Greenville University, a Christian college I had never heard of before. I guess that must be where all of the wild, rebel Christians go once they clear the barbed wire fencing at neighboring Bob Jones University. One of the class members is also from Roanoke, and I am sure we probably have some common friends (or perhaps siblings of friends since he is younger than me). It's always great to see fellow Roanokers. We also have a couple of guys from Hampton Roads on a soul-searching journey before one of them renews his wedding vows. Finally, we were joined just before dark by Kentucky Blue, a former through-hiker and ridge runner and a current LASH (Long A** Section Hiker). The snow just keeps coming and has only grown in intensity since I arrived here.
Date: 2012-10-29
From: Pecks Corner Shelter, GSMNP

To: Motel 6, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Today was one of the most memorable days of the trip, and I'm not sure I would want it to be any more memorable!As expected based on the ATC crew's forecast, it snowed heavily all night. It was entertaining seeing people's responses as they went outside (the view outside is cut-off by a tarp in the winter) and saw just how much it had snowed (and it was still snowing). We may not have gotten the full 8" anticipated, but we certainly had a solid 6" and climbing. The North Greenville group caused some alarm as they planned to forge ahead with their schedule. I was beginning to realize that something big was going on with the weather and that our overnight snow was just the appetizer. Kentucky Blue and I decided, wisely, to team-up for the day and get ourselves to Newfound Gap.Hiking along the ridge toward Charlie's Bunion was quite the adventure. Some places had only about 2" of snow, while there were already drifts of about 2.5' in other places. The average spot had about 8", though it was continuing to snow. Kentucky Blue and I made a good team. We took turns post-holing where necessary and actually averaged 2 MPH to Icewater Spring Shelter. Kentucky Blue, the old ridge runner, kept pointing out places where there normally would have been a view. It got to be a joke as it was just more white on white. It stinks that we had to work three times as hard as people normally do, yet haven't gotten a single view! We met a couple headed out to Newfound Gap at Icewater Spring Shelter. Kentucky Blue and I had a quick lunch then followed them out. Our big fear was that the road to Gatlinburg would be closed, but we figured that the NPS would have to let those already on the road through the gate. That would save us a 13-mile walk. When we got to Newfound Gap / US Rte. 441, nothing could have prepared us for what we saw. The place was a madhouse of tourism. There was a traffic jam of cars as people came to see the unusually early snow. A cameraman from a Knoxille news outfit took a shot of our snow-covered shoes as we walked out of the woods, so Kentucky Blue and I, or at least our feet, were on the news.My parents, who happened to be coming to see me in Gatlinburg before any weather events became known, picked me up at the gap. Amazingly, halfway down the ridge, the snow abruptly stops and it looks like just a wet fall day here in Gatlinburg. We got checked-in here where we have been eating and watching news about Hurricane Sandy all evening. I am hoping for a quick return to the trail, but the more it snows, the less likely that becomes.