morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-14
From: Rock Gap

To: Wyath Gap Sheltet
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the day in Franklin with a free pancake breakfast at the First Babtist Church. They picked up us up, fed us and brought us back to the motel in time for the shuttle back to the trail. Great group of people doing this every morning for the next month and asking nothing in return. Amazing. The trail was foggy and rainy all afternoon. Stopped at the Wyath Stone observation tower but had zero visibility so we marched on to the shelter. By the time we got there both Lucy and I were muddy, wet and ready for the warm tent. The rain stopped around midnight but we were awoken by a pack of coyotes running along the ridge line yipping to each other as they went. Lucy was so tired she just peaked out of her blanket, yawned and went back to sleep.
Date: 2015-03-15
From: Wyath Gap Sheltet

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Sunny and warm day, first in about a wenek. Dried everything out before breaking camp then hikked all day to make it to the NOC for the evening. A long steep decent down into the valley was tough on the legs but the pizza and beer at NOC's restaurant made it all worth it.   Lucy got a bit hot on the accents with the temps hitting 70 so I strapped her pack onto mine and she was fine after that. I got a question in my guest book on how I like having Lucy with me. It's definitely more work than if I was alone but she's a great companion. She's also more well known on the trail than I am. When I hike into a shelter area at the end of the day people we have met ion the trail will yell out a greeting to Lucy before me!
Date: 2015-03-16
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Sheltet
Miles today: 6.8

A tough hike out of the NOC, climbed around 3000ft over 6 miles. Sunny and warm so Lucy started panting a bit so I took off her pack and strapped it onto mine. She made up for it by helping pull me up the last few steep climbs (I keep her on a 10 ft leash strapped around my waist). Short mile day but felt like we had gone 15+!
Date: 2015-03-17
From: Sassafras Gap Sheltet

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 5.8

Neroed (short miles) into Fontana Dam to meet the person from Loving Care Kennel who will be boarding Lucy while I go through Smokey National Park. There are two locations on the AT that don't allow dogs, the Smokeys and Baxter State Park in Maine. The kennel picked up Lucy here in Fontana and will drop her off when I reach the northern end of the park. Going to feel strange hiking and tenting without her for the next 5 days or so. Spending the night here in Fontana Lodge to recharge, do laundry and shower. A few hikers who I've kept pace with are spending the night here so looking forward to a good dinner and drinks with friends. So far my knees and feet are ok and no blisters! Seeing some hikers who started with overloaded packs and/or too many miles too soon start to get injuries and have to take time off or leave the trail.
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Sheltet
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Headed over Fontana Dam with my hiking companion Happy and started the climb into the Great Smokey National Park. As soon as we got into the park the skies opened up and we had a very cold, windy hike to the Shelter. At one point it was sleeting to make things interesting! Missed Lucy but was glad she was in a warm and dry kennel. The Shelter is supposed to hold 12 but we jammed in around 18 people. What a welcome to the Smokies!
Date: 2015-03-20
From: Mollies Ridge Sheltet

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: light snow

Woke to a second day of rain and cold but not nearly as bad as the day before. Climbed Rocky Top Mtn to start the day but had no views due to the fog and cold. Pushed on to the shelter and was greeted by a nice warm fire in the shelter, three young marines on leave had gotten there ahead of us and got the place toasty (or as toasty as a shelter can get). Great guys and we are lucky to have them serving our country. My second day hiking without Lucy, just not as fun without her in front of me leading the way!
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Sheltet
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Woke to a chilly but beautiful sunny day! I was at Clingmans Dome by 10:30 and had a spectacular 360 degree view. Pushed on to Newfoundland Gap where three ladies, friends waiting to meet Signage, greeted us with trail magic. Sloppy Joes, fruit, cookies, candy, etc. A huge thanks to them for their kindness! It really hit the spot and gave me the energy for the climb out of the gap to the shelter.
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Icewater Spring Sheltet

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

A sunny and cool day perfect for a long hike! Happy, Clockwise, Shadowfax and myself all did our first 20 mile day. Mostly ridge lines with manageable up and downs perfect for making miles. The views during the day were breathtaking, Smokies are an incredible place to see.
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 25.4

A relatively easy hike down out of the Smokies to Standing Bear Farm. Got there around noon and Lorraine from Loving Care Kennels arrived an hour later with Lucy who was riding shotgun in the car. There is nothing like a greeting from a dog after being separated. She was ready to go right away but I decided to stay the night at Standing Bear. Great rustic place to spend a night. My mail drop (food and supplies mailed from home) was waiting for me here thanks to my wife who is my support team. She's making sure lucy and I get everything we need to keep going and I couldn't do this without her!!I want to thank people who have signed my guestbook, thanks again for the well wishes. One question I got was how much weight Lucy carries. The rule of thumb for dogs is that they can carry a max of 15-20% of their weight. I carry her rain jacket, ground pad and blanket along with most of her food. She carries her bowls and some food but I limit her to under 4 lbs which is around 12%. If her energy gets low during the day I will unclip the side packs and strap it to my pack and carry it for her.Another question I got was what I do when she gets wet. I have a camp towel that I use to dry her off as much as possible and if it's cold I then put on her wool sweater and her blanket. She dries pretty quickly (faster than me at least).Note: Hiked 11.6 for day but extra miles are to adjust total miles to correct amount, must have missed a day earlier.
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Lemon Gap
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A long climb from Standing Bear Farm and Davenport Gap but had a beautiful, sunny and warm day to hike. Lucy got a little warm so I took off her pack and carried it for her. Hiked with Happy and we didn't see another thru hiker all day, what a difference from the Smokies where it felt almost crowded. Reached Roaring Fork Shelter around 4:00 but decided to push on to Lemon Gap since there was a rumor of trail magic. Did a total of 19 miles which was our 2nd longest day so far but seeing Fresh Ground's Leapfrog Cafe set up at the gap made it all worth it. My reward was 4 hotdogs, fries and what seemed like a gallon of fruit punch! Lucy yoggied (hiker slang for getting free stuff) a hotdog and sausage. I can't say enough anout Fresh Ground and other Trail Angels like him. He will spend this week at Lemon Gap feeding hikers then set-up next week another 100 miles north and do it all over again. Hopefully we see him again!
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Lemon Gap

To: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke to pancakes at Lemon Gap courtesy of Fresh Ground. On the way to Hot Springs Happy had a 6ft black Rat Snake cross in front of him on the trail. Lucy and I were a couple minutes behind and didn't see it. After Happy's heart stopped racing we headed on down the trail and reached Hot Springs, NC by 2:30. I got a room at the Laughing Heart Hostel which is part of an old Franciscan Monk retreat. Quiet, clean and a great place to recharge. Going to take our first Zero day (no miles hiked) on Thursday to give my feet and legs a rest.
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs

To: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Enjoying a well deserved rest in Hot Springs. Beautiful sunny day to walk around town, eat lots of food and clean up our equipment. I think Lucy would have preferred to hike today, no rest needed for her! Going to be cold the next couple of days with a chance of snow showers and temps in the low 20's at night.
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Laughing Heart Hostel, Hot Springs

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Hot Springs and the weather was looking ok, a couple hours and 1,500 feet higher in elevation and we were hiking in snow and sleet! We pushed past the shelter to camp at a gap at lower elevation. Didn't know this before but for every 1000 feet of elevation the temp will be 3 F lower! At the gap we found Moma's grocery, a little local store open only during hiking season, and spent a couple hrs inside next to the wood stove. Great lady running it who let us hang out until she closed. Tented just up the trail for the night. Got down to around 20 by morning but stayed warm in the tent.
Date: 2015-03-28
From: Allen Gap

To: Jerry's Cabin Sheltet
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Sunny but cold day with temps in the mid 30's.   Spectacular views going over a rocky bald. As we we were starting to descend we found a lost hunting dog who was too scared to climb down the rocks. We got him down but couldn't get close to him to read the number on his collar. He ended up following us to the shelter a few miles away. At the shelter others were able to get a rope on him but of course no cell service to call his owner. Spent a very cold night with the temp going down to11 F. I wore most of my clothes in my bag to stay warm and in the early morning had Lucy on my air mattress and partially covered by my sleeping bag...we made it through but definitely don't want to tent out when it's that cold again! A fellow hiker, Rolling Thunder, threw a bivy tent over the stray dog and kept him in the shelter so while he was shivering he survived.
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Jerry's Cabin Sheltet

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail after a freezing night to get warm. The stray dog wouldn't go with anyone else but followed Happy, me and Lucy (I think he was following Lucy actually). We got to Devils Fork Gap where there was a road crossing and left voicemails on the owners cell and home lines. We then called a grocery store a couple miles down the road and the store owner said he knew the dog and owner and drove up to meet us. Long story short the owner finally came to get it and Happy, Lucy and I got a ride back/forth to the grocery store for a hot lunch! We then pushed to Sam's Gap and stayed at Moma Marina's, she and her husband run an informal hostel out of their house. We had a warm room, shower and laundry plus TV to catch up on March Madness. Quite an adventure so far on our trip out of Hot Springs!
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Sam's Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

After a great night at Moma Marina's we hit the trail. It rained overnight so we were in fog and clouds all the way over big bald. We had 30 mile an hour wind gusts at the top blowing us around an no views. It cleared by mid afternoon so we had good weather to push on to the shelter that was 6 miles from Erwin. Lucy did great on the long hike. I think I forgot to mention that I mailed home her packs in Hot Springs. She was only carrying her bowls when the temps got above 60 so it didn't make sense to have the extra weight.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin TN
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

We neroed (short miles for day) into Erwin and got a cabin at Uncle Johnny's hostel. We had some great views of the river valley on the way in. We were there by lunch giving us plenty of time to rest, shower, do laundry and of course eat! I also got another mail drop thanks to my wife who continues to keep Lucy and I supplied as we head north! We head out again tomorrow with the next town being Roan in 3-4 days.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin TN

To: Cherry Gap Sheltet
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Happy Warior who I had been hiking with since Springer Mtn took a couple days off in Erwin to see family so Lucy and I hiked on! We had trail magic twice during the day, lunch at Fresh Ground's leap Frog Cafe (third time I've hit his moving cafe) and later at a road crossing. These acts of kindness make a hikers day!
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Cherry Gap Sheltet

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Hiked up Roan Mountain at the end of the day and tented at the shelter on top. It's the highest shelter on the AT at over 6000 ft in elevation. Very windy and we were basically camping in the clouds so my tent and equipment were damp in the morning. Best way to get warm in the morning is to pack-up and get moving!
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Inn
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Hiked over several balds (mountains with grassy tops) during the day making for some beautiful views. Ended the day at Mountain Harbor Inn which is my favorite hostel so far on the trail. Had a very comfortable room over the barn for me and Lucy. The buffet breakfast the next morning was Incredible! The owner even made sure I brought back ham to my room for Lucy!
Date: 2015-04-04
From: Mountain Harbor Inn

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Rained hard overnight so was glad I was staying at Mountain Harbor. Cleared by the time we hit the trail. Went by an incredible waterfall during the day and hiked over a mountain covered in a dense pine forest at the end of the day (felt like I was in a scene from the hobbit). Amazing the variety of terrain you can see in just one day on the trail.
Date: 2015-04-05
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Pond Flats tent site
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked along a beautiful river with incredible falls for a good part of the day. We hiked with several other guys for the last couple of days including Four, Five, Boyd, Cruise and Stealth (there's a story behind each trail name but too much detail for here). Stopped after only 11 miles at Pond Flats with 4 & 5 and tented for the night. Built a fire and had a relaxing evening under the stars. We only went 11 miles since there was a no camping restriction for the next section of trail due to bear activity. We would have had to hike over 20 to get beyond it. Lucy and I had been getting worn down after some long days so a relatively short day was welcome!
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Pond Flats tent site

To: Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 19.3

Long day hiking. Met two hikers who had just got back on trail after being sick for a few days with Noro virus. Not sure that's the correct spelling but it's the same stomach virus that regularly strikes cruise ships. It's been an issue on the AT the last couple of years cropping up in the southern areas of the trail. I don't shake hands (fist bump instead), don't share food, and rarely sleep in shelters preferring to tent with Lucy, so hopefully that keeps me safe.
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

One of my shortest milage days yet. It was raining when we woke up but stopped long enough to pack up and get going. As soon as we started hiking it started pouring. To spice things up a thunderstorm would move through every hour or so. Lucy enjoys hiking but she is scared of thunder making for a stressful day. We hiked with 4 & 5 and when we got to the next shelter we stopped for lunch. Someone had stored firewood under the shelter and we were able to get a campfire going. We made a quick decision to call it a day and stay dry and warm in the shelter and hike the final 19 miles to Damascus in the morning.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA - Woodchuck Hostel
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: broken clouds

The rain stopped over night so we had a dry hike into Damascus (stopping at the shelter and waiting out the weather was definitely the right call). The terrain was mostly flat to down so we made the almost 19 miles in around 6 hours. We entered Virginia a few miles before Damascus leaving TN behind. It felt great walking the trail into Damascus, it's a huge milestone to make it here! I got a single cabin at the Woodchuck hostel for Lucy and I and will zero tomorrow to rest and resupply.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Damascus, VA - Woodchuck Hostel

To: Damascus
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day! Going to get a haircut, pick up some items at the local outfitter to replace some broken equipment, eat a lot of food and rest! We got a mail drop thanks to my wife so Lucy has her favorite wet food to eat along with a peanut butter filled bone as a treat! I know I've said this before but Lucy and I wouldn't have made it this far without the support of my wife back home! (Note that the miles hiked are zero for the day but I needed to adjust to bring the total to the correct amount. I either missed a day or my math was off earlier!)
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Damascus

To: tenting around Mile 487.5
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked out of Damascus following the Creeper Trail before heading up into the hills. Legs felt tired after two days off, took all morning to get warmed up and hit my stride. (I've heard the same from other hikers, for some reason it takes a while to get going after zeroing!) Pushed on and Lucy and I tented alone in an unofficial tent area. Quiet night and got a good nights sleep. One question I received was what brand pack/harness I used for Lucy. All of her gear (pack/harness, rain jacket, leash) are from Roughwear. I've been very pleased with the quality of their gear.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: tenting around Mile 487.5

To: Old Orchard Sheltet
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

Caught up to Ozzie the next morning at a road crossing, he hurt his foot so he was trying to catch a ride back to Damascus. Hope it's nothing serious and he's back on the trail soon! A great day hiking, first over Mount Rogers and then through the Grayson Highlands. Stunning views in the highlands and saw several of the wild ponies that inhabit the park. Kept my distance since I was with Lucy but they and her didn't seem to care about the other being there. At the shelter before Old Orchard I was treated to trail Magic by day hikers, a cola, ham & cheese sandwich and chips! It was our longest day so far but a good one!
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Old Orchard Sheltet

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 22.8
Weather: broken clouds

Packed up early and headed down a couple miles to the next gap where Fresh Ground had his mobile Leapfrog Cafe set up. This is the fourth time I've been lucky enough to meet up with Fresh Ground. He had a couple hot dogs for Lucy and a couple banana pancakes for me. What a great way to start the day. The weather forecast called for rain starting that evening so Lucy and I pushed hard to get to Partnership Shelter (just under 23 miles) so we would have a short day into Atkins the next morning. There isn't any tenting near the Shelter so we tented about 0.2 miles before it. As soon as I got the tent set up it started to rain and rained on and off all night.
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Relax Inn, Atkins VA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: moderate rain

Waited in the tent for a pause in the rain to pack up hit the trail. Rained steadily all morning and then intermittently in the afternoon. Stopped by the old school house museum to check it out, then pushed on to the motel. Felt great to be inside, shower, do laundry and relax! I don't like hiking in the rain but Lucy hates it! She has a rain jacket but still looks back at me like I'm crazy for dragging her outside in the rain!
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Relax Inn, Atkins VA

To: Lynn Camp Creek
Miles today: 15.5

Left the Relax Inn refreshed after zeroing. Met up with Boyd who I had been leapfrogging over last couple of weeks and hiked together. Found a great tenting area next to a creek and got a campfire going. Don't usually start a fire since I'm tired at the end of the day but enjoy it when I do.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Lynn Camp Creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: few clouds

Virginia is supposed to be easier than the previous states allowing you to do more miles each day. Well you definitely do more miles because you have your trail legs but Virginia isn't any easier so far! Had a couple 1200 to 1800 foot climbs during the day which seems to be typical of most days. Lucy has learned to go slow on the up hills to conserve her energy but loves to try and fly down the hills!
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Sheltet
Miles today: 15.3

Only went 15 miles since the next shelter and water source was another 10 miles. Got trail magic twice during the day! A previous thru hiker left sodas and snacks near a trailhead and further down the trail a section hiker was at his car finishing his hike and gave Boyd and me a Yuengling! Tasted great after a day of hiking! These little acts of kindness from Trail Angels make such a difference in a hikers life!
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Helveys Mill Sheltet

To: Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: clear sky

Woke to a rainy day. By early afternoon it was a steady rain with cold wind. I was hiking with Boyd and when we got to Trent's Grocery store we decided to call it a day and got a shuttle to Woods Hole Hostel which. A beautiful place to stay. It's a farm and the main building is a log cabin from the mid 1800's. We woke the next morning to find out that there was a state of emergency in the county due to the heavy rain overnight causing flooding. I was very glad we were dry and warm!
Date: 2015-04-20
From: Trent's Grocery

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

Had a great breakfast at Woods Hole Hostel and then hit the trail. Boyd, Werewolf, Lucy and I decided to hike south back to Trent's Grocery, where we got off the trail yesterday, and get a shuttle back to the hostel in the afternoon. This was our first slack-pack day (hikeing with only a light pack with food and water for the day). The trail was a river for most of the day due to the heavy rain overnight. The creek crossings were flooded and were knee or even thigh high so we ended up just walking through them. Lucy was a champ and just dove right through them! It was actually fun since we had light packs and knew we would be back at Woods Hole that night.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Woods Hole and hiked through the edge of Pearsburg VA. Had a couple thousand foot climb going out of town and tented on a grassy bald near the shelter. Had a beautiful view of the sunset but unfortunately slept through the sunrise. Was a sunny day but the temp got down to the high 30's overnight. Some people had sent all their winter gear home in Damascus, I'm glad I decided to keep most of mine for a couple more weeks!
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

Had rain showers on and off all day. At one point a thunderstorm blew through. Had some hail and a few lightning strikes but luckily we were down in a valley at the time. It would have been a bit too exciting for my taste if we had been up on a ridge line! We stayed at the shelter instead of pushing on a few more miles since the next tenting area would have been on a hill top. The temp went down to the low 30's during the night and there was ice on some of the puddles in the morning. Looking forward to warmer (and hopefully dryer) weather!