morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-05-27
From: Hot Springs, North Carolina 

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: broken clouds

We went for a big country style breakfast at the Smokey Mountain Diner. I had the skillet breakfast and I couldn't eat it all. Achilles had waffles and almost succeeded in eating the seven huge waffles on his plate. Another great thing about this restaurant was the artwork on the wall most of it Appalachian Trail related. After breakfast we resupplied at the Dollar General Store. Then we set on a bench in front of the library where I used their wi-fi to make some journal entries. We then went to the Hot Springs Resort.At the resort we sat in a hot tub for an hour. This was great. Achiness and soreness from my muscles disappeared. I was ready to hike.We left Hot Springs at 11:30 am. We crossed the French Broad River by bridge then following its northern bank before we started uphill. I moved well covering ground fast until the rain started falling hard and fast. I waited for Achilles who was having a slow day after having a wonderful day hiking yesterday. We stopped quickly at a shelter to treat our water. The shelter was filled with hikers not willing to hike in the rain.The hikers warned us that the next shelter was more than 8 miles away. We wished them well ignored their warnings and continued on. Shortly after leaving the shelter the rain stopped.At 8 pm we arrived at Little Laurel Shelter and found nice tent sites nearby. We set up our tents and ate dinner. We hung our food bags on the provided bear cables. I fell asleep fast.Hiker tip: I don't worry to much about getting wet in the rain as long as I have a set of dry clothes to wear when I stop. I also do not use a rain cover for my pack. All my important items are in a dry bag inside my pack.
Date: 2016-05-28
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Small Stream mile 318,3
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We had miles to cover today because we were meeting Achilles dad, Ray, at Dead Fork Gap at 2 pm. He will hike with us for two days. The big climb today was up Big Butt Mountain.5 minutes late we met Ray at Devil's Fork Gap. He was laying under a tree as relaxed as he could be. We joined him under the tree enjoying the sodas he brought. Then as we sat a car pulled up and a man gave us homemade cheese and crackers. The cheese, a spreadable type, was delicious.After an hour break we began hiking mostly uphill. I brought up the rear of our hiking trio. Ray is a strong hiker, he did not slow us down.About 8 pm we set up camp by a small stream. I had difficulty finding a tree limb that could support the weight of three food bags. I broke a huge limb of a dead snag with the weight of our bags that I guessed wrong on. Finally I found the right branch and hung our food. Side note is I'm usually the one to hang the food because of my expertise at throwing rocks.We covered some good ground today, I slept well.Hiker tip: Parachute cord is the rope of choice for most hikers when hanging food bags. Parachute cord also has many other uses that include using as a clothes line, shoe laces, guy lines for tents and tarps, flagging, belt, and it can be used as a safety line when fording streams.
Date: 2016-05-29
From: Small Stream mile 318,3

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a good short day with a lot of high lights. We started hiking at 7:30 am. We hiked well starting with a steep uphill ascent towards Big Bald. It was a 7 mile climb. After a valiant effort, Ray slowed down about two miles from the top. Achilles slowed down to hike with his dad. I took the lead and powered up the final two miles feeling great.At the top of Big Bald, I took off my pack and enjoyed the view. I had a conversation with a day hiker and found out that a parking lot was close by making Big Bald accessible to anyone. Once Achilles and Ray arrived we sat and ate.Next was an easy ascent of Little Bald. Then some downhill and then a climb up to High Rocks. I waited at a trail junction for Achilles and Ray. At this junction was a route to the top of High Rocks. I persuaded Ray and Achilles to take the blue blaze to see High Rocks. Ray regretted this choice because it involved very steep climbing. At the top we joined 6 other hikers in enjoying the view. I joked with Ray that he would thank me in about 2 months for taking him up there once his memory of the pain of climbing subsided.Two miles later we're at Spivey Gap. We hired a shuttle driver from Uncle Johnny's Hostel to take us to Ray's car. Ray drove us to a nice hotel in Irving, Tennessee. I got my own room and fell asleep immediately.I woke up at 6 pm. We had dinner at an Italian Restaurant. Pasta was exactly what I needed. After dinner we did laundry and resupplied. Back to the hotel where I finished the night making journal entries including this one. Good night.Hiker Tip: Study your guidebook and maps each night to know the options that will be presented to you the next day on the trail. Take advantage of high elevation to make your phone calls for shuttles and to reserve lodging.
Date: 2016-05-30
From: Spivey Gap

To: Beauty Spot Gap
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: few clouds

Happy Memorial Day!I slept well. I would recommend the Mountain Inn in Irving,Tennessee to anyone. Their continental breakfast was well done. After breakfast Ray gave Achilles and I a ride back to Spivey Gap. We began hiking at 8:30 am.The hike back into Irving was some of the easiest hiking on the AT so far. The view of the Nolichucky River was great as we descended into Irving. We then crossed the Christian Bridge and began an all day gradual climb reaching Beauty Spot Gap at 6:30 pm.We ended the day early at 6:30 pm. Our campsite had a spring near it and provided level tent sites with some nice trees to hang our food bags.One thing that I noticed today was I have lost so much weight that I will need a new pair of hiking pants soon.Hiker tip: If a Subway sandwich shop or a deli is available on your resupply get a big sandwich for your first day back on the trail. Today my foot long carved turkey sandwich provided a tasty lunch and dinner for me. Remember to go light on the mayo and wet vegetables unless you enjoy a soggy sandwich. I go with mustard, lettuce, tomato, and whatever meat I desire.
Date: 2016-05-31
From: Beauty Spot Gap

To: High Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 23.5

Today we hiked under the threat of rain all day. We seemed to be at the edge of a rain storm always seeing in front of us dark clouds and hearing the thunder. Fortunately we never gained distance on the dark clouds, we kept the same pace as the clouds as we traveled north. We saw evidence of the rain by hiking through the puddles and mud caused by rain.Roan Mountain where the storm seemed to be centered was a challenge as it consisted of two steep climbs. The lower ascent was the steepest. The final ascent was more gradual but exhausting still after the lower ascent took its toll.dOnce we reached the top of Roan Mountain, over 6'000 ' high, we were greeted by a sea of yellow flowers called Golden Ragwort in an expansive field. We were also greeted by three aggressive dogs that couldn't be controlled by their owner, who was camping on the field. Fortunately my experience with trekking poles made the dogs back off. A short while after our dog encounter, we came upon High Knob Shelter, the highest shelter on the AT. The hikers already there were complaining about hiking in the rain all day. There was a clothes line in front of the shelter filled with wet clothes. I felt lucky that I missed the rain.Achilles and I set up our tents a short way away from the shelter. As usual we hung our food bags and went to bed at 9 pm.We are running into more experienced hikers on the trail. As compared to our first couple weeks on the trail there are more hikers that are thu hiking and covering more mileage daily.Hiking tips: Easiest hiking is in the morning and evening when temperature is cool and the Sun isn't beating on you. It seems to me that it's just making it hard on oneself to sleep in until 10 begin hiking at 11 and quit at 4. You are hiking the hottest part of the day. Trekking poles are a great defense against aggressive animals, hold one of the poles high over your head and point the other pole towards the animal. I have used my trekking pole defense in encounters with bulls, mountain lions, and dogs with great success. You can use the pole you point to stab or shove, the pole above your head you can use to hammer or throw.
Date: 2016-06-01
From: High Knob Shelter 

To: Mountaineer Falls Shelter
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: broken clouds

We started the morning by descending Roan Mountain. At the end of the descent we reached Carver's Gap where the views of the surrounding mountains were magnificent. We also were greeted with the sight of the Moon and Sun brushing by one another. Our two big climbs today were up the mountains Little Hump and Hump. The steep climbs were made more difficult by the Sun beating down on us. I hate to admit it but I missed the coolness the "Green Tunnel" usually provides. At 2 pm we reached freeway E 19 and got a ride into the town of Roan Mountain. In town we ate pizza and resupplied. By 5 pm we were back on the trail fully resupplied with rejuvenated legs.Our planned tent site was taken so we continued hiking until we reached the Mountaineer Falls Shelter where we found two tent sites. I slept well.Hiker tip: The "Drive By," town stop is one of my favorite resupply tactics. Hitch into town have lunch get supplies then hitch back to trail. This tactic saves money, saves time, and keeps you in a good hiking rhythm.
Date: 2016-06-02
From: Mountaineer Falls Shelter

To: Pond Flat Tent Site
Miles today: 22.0

Highlight of day was Laurel Falls. It was loud and beautiful. Lowlight of day was the climb from Laurel Falls up to Pond Flats. The climb reminded me of the Upper Yosemite Falls hike in California. A steep climb, up a river carved gorge, with a southern exposure.The Sun really got to me. I felt I was on the verge of heat exhaustion. I went through 2 liters of water in a 3 1/2 mile span. Once I reached the top I was completely out of water. I was then greeted with a spring that barely produced a trickle of water. At this point I had to be patient because I really needed to rehydrate. It took me approximately 1 hour to get 2 liters of water.After I got water, I found Achilles at a tent site. We ended the day early at 3 pm because of the appearance of rain clouds. It was a wise decision, It started raining hard at 4 pm. My tarptent worked well. I slept well. Hiker tip: Taking your shoes off and putting your feet in a cold stream is a great way to reduce swelling in your feet and take away aches and pains.
Date: 2016-06-03
From: Pond Flat Tent Site

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: overcast clouds

One of the things I have had to sacrifice on the trail is watching my Golden State Warrior's basketball team. At home I watch every game on TV. On the trail I can't watch the games but sometimes I can follow the play by play on my smart phone.Last night was the first game of NBA finals. Well I over indulged in following the game and I ran my phone dead. I got little sleep going to bed at midnight when the game finished. The Warriors did win!So I woke up with no water, very tired, and a dead phone. My salvation that morning was hope that a bathroom at Shook Branch Recreation Area, on the edge of Watauga Lake, had an outlet for charging my phone. If no electrical outlet was available we'd have to hitch to Hampton.Well the bathroom had an outlet and running water. An hour later we had our phones charged.A lot of our hike in the morning went around Lake Watauga and then across the dam. After the dam we once again climbed. Today my hamstrings and calfs screamed each step asking, "When our you going to give us a day off." I answered thinking to myself, "We'll be in Damascus tomorrow night, hold on. We'll take a zero there." My hamstrings and calfs stayed quiet and kept doing their job!That night we camped at Double Springs shelter. As usual we tented near the shelter.Hiker tip: When looking for a place to charge your phone try a campground bathroom. If you're not shy you can maybe yogi a camper to charge your phone using their car.
Date: 2016-06-04
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus 
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Early start and a fast pace, all motivated by a trail town called Damascus had Achilles and I at the Tennessee/Virginia border by 1 pm. We are now in our 4th state of the trail. By 2 pm we were in Damascus.In Damascus we decided to stay at the Woodchuck Hostel. I took a shower, put on some loaner clothes and I did my wash. Wow did I feel better! Six days without me taking a shower was too long especially with the humidity of the South. I thought I often smelled ripe on the Pacific Coast Trail but on the Appalachian Trail I've taken offensive body smell to a whole new level.After our clothes were done, Achilles and I got a ride from Woodchuck to Bo-Bos for dinner. I then got some new trail runners from an outfitter. The first outfitter I went to only had boots and tried to convince me trail runners weren't appropriate for hiking. "Shut up!," I wanted to say. I've hiked close to 10,000 miles in trail runners and about 1,000 in boots and for me it isn't even close what I prefer. I exited the store politely and went to the outfitters literally next door. At the next outfitters they didn't have my size in two name brands that I was familiar with so I went with a brand called "Salewa." The shoe was expensive at $140 but the tread was aggressive and it has Kevlar shoe strings, a high tech shoe. I took a size 12. I'm becoming a hobbit as I become older, my feet are getting bigger and I'm getting shorter.Well back at the hostel, fortunately all my roommates were quiet sleepers. I slept well.Hiker tip: Buy shoes one size too big so when your feet swell the shoes remain comfortable. Another advantage of big shoes is that when your going downhill your toes won't hit the front of the shoe causing you to lose toenails.
Date: 2016-06-05
From: Damascus's 

To: Damascus 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today Achilles and I took are second zero day on our day 26 of our AT trek. We got up had breakfast at hostel then walked to a local coffee shop. Then we met Achilles mom, brother, and grandparents. They drove us to Abington, Virginia. We looked around then had lunch at a BBQ restaurant. We then went to a store to resupply.Back to Damascus where we went back to the outfitters. Achilles got new trekking poles and I got a new head lamp since I can't ever find batteries for my Ion headlamp.After Achilles' family left we relaxed at hostel talking to other hikers. We finally went out to dinner. Back at hostel hikers kept checking in until all bunks and rooms were taken only tent spots available.Warriors won! No TV so followed game with smart phone. I went to sleep at midnight. Hiker tip: Often at hostels you are charged extra for washing clothes. It is a cost saving and helps save water to combine a load of clothes with another hiker.
Date: 2016-06-06
From: Damascus 

To: Mile 490.8 Spring White Mountain Road
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

21.9 We had breakfast at the Hostel. After breakfast we packed up and went to the Post office. At the post office I picked up an awesome package from Scott Wales, a friend from California. Scott went overboard sending me coconut water, chia seed drinks, smoked salmon, and numerous other items. I walked out of the post office with my pack heavy with food.After the post office we went to Subway so Achilles could pick up a sandwich. We then started hiking. The AT followed a long side the Creeper Trail for the most part.One of the highlights of the day was seeing two Snapping Turtles on a log sticking out of a murky pond. A few hikers keeping pace with us.One of lowlights of the day was that Achilles fell for his first time after he stepped on a slippery log. Fortunately he was not hurt hopefully he'll avoid stepping on wet logs and roots in the future.Two big climbs today up Iron Mountain and Whitetop Mountain. Just after we passed Whitetop Mountain road we found a campsite. After setting up our tents we walked to a bluff and watch a magnificent sunset. from bluff.Hiker tip: Avoid stepping on wet roots and logs especially when their slanted. The same goes for slanted wet rocks.
Date: 2016-06-07
From: Mile 490.8 Spring White Mountain Road

To: Mile 518.2 campsite before Dickey's Gap
Miles today: 27.4

Today we hiked through the Graceland Highlands State Park. It was like hiking through Scotland so I imagine. The landscape was grassy bluffs with rocky outcrops. It was also quite windy as evidenced by a tent completely mangled by the wind.We came across two herds of wild ponies. The horses left us alone seeming in bothered by our presence. After seeing the horses we squeezed through a narrow rock formation called Fatman Squeeze.Today we saw a bear and also some deer. When we got to our campsite I experienced my first fall. I didn't fall while hiking bit while throwing a rock for a bear hang. As I threw the rock I stumbled off balance into a nearby log injuring my ego more than my body. It took me about 20 throws to make a successful throw threw a narrow target. Finally we hung our food. I was tired and slept very well.Hiker tip: Always give wild animals distance so they don't feel cornered or trapped.
Date: 2016-06-08
From: Mile 518.2 campsite before Dickey's Gap

To: U.S. 11 Groseclose
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: clear sky

Today I felt fast, I felt like I got my trail legs. In our first 3 hours of hiking we averaged about 3 mph. I didn't feel like we were pushing it. During the first part of the day we saw two bears and also a couple deer.Near the end of our first segment we passed a hiker just breaking down his camp. He yelled, "What are your trail names?" "BASA and Achilles," I answered. "The great Achilles," he exclaimed! Turns out he was from the same county as Achilles and they had mutual acquaintances in Caldwell County, North Carolina. The hiker from Caldwell County trail name is ""Options."Options hiked a couple miles with us before he took a break. A short while later we passed a shelter with a group of about 8 thru hikers they were ready to hike. Achilles and I took our usual 30 minute break at 10 am. During that time Options and the eight hikers passed us.After our break we began to hike at a good pace. Our primary goal was to reach the Mount Rogers Visitor Center by 12:30 am. Our secondary goal for fun was to catch all the hikers that passed us during our break. We had 5 miles to do it. Within one mile we caught one hiker. In the last 1/2 mile we caught the rest.At the visitor center we charged our phones and got some soda from the vending machine. We had a good chat with Options. Options was leaving the trail here and he was generous in giving us his unused trail food.Achilles and I hiked another 11 miles to end the day reaching the small community of Groseclose where we got a room in a motel. We ate at a small Mexican Restaurant.Today we ran into more thru hikers than ever before. We are catching the herd. At this point it is important to keep within myself and not put in big days quite yet. Those days will come but I need to be patient and keep building up my mileage slowly. It is a long trail and being healthy I think is the most important factor in completing it.Hiker tip: Stay healthy!
Date: 2016-06-09
From: U.S. 11 Groseclose

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: clear sky

I stayed up late last night watching the Warriors get blown out by 30 points by the Cavaliers. So I woke up a little tired. Achilles and I woke up and packed then we walked to a nearby cafe and had breakfast. We began hiking at about 9 am.Today we hiked in mostly rolling hills and in a lot of pasture land. At the end of the day we reached Chestnut Knob Shelter. A well built shelter with a front door. There were a lot of people at this shelter. Achilles and I tented it in the woods a short distance away.At the shelter we met a hiker named Mogley. He told us he planned on doing 34 miles the next day. We also met another woman who was having trouble setting up her tarp. Achilles met her first and volunteered my services so I ended up setting up her tarp for her using the tried and true diamond shape method with the low end of the tarp formation facing the wind.The camp site Achilles picked out was excellent keeping us out of the wind. He also picked the perfect tree for our bear hang.Hiker Tip: Set the lower end of your tarp pointed towards the wind. It is often an educated guess on which way the wind will blow at night but it a good rule of thumb is that the prevailing winds at night are usually down slope.
Date: 2016-06-10
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Campsite Mile 594.8
Miles today: 26.9

We had a hard time finding our hiking rhythm today. We had a lot of distractions and ended up getting passed by a few hikers as we struggled through the morning. One of the distractions was that Achilles was giving a phone interview to his local newspaper.About 11 am we finally got going hiking at a descent pace passing several of the hikers that passed us. We finally caught Mogley, the hiker going for 34 miles that day, at a stream filtering water. He began hiking with us.We started going up a hill and I pushed it not letting up yet I felt uncomfortable feeling like I would have to relent and slow up eventually. I resisted the urge to slow up and just took it one step at a time. I kept this up for about about a half hour until the fast pace finally felt comfortable. As we neared the top of the mountain I began jogging. We covered the next 13 miles in 3 hours, a pace of over 4 mph. We reached US route 52 and got a ride from Chet, the father of two AT hikers, into the town of Bland. We resupplied and had a cheeseburger. 2 hours later back on the trail, another successful town drive by. We felt rejuvenated and hiked easily for the rest of the day.Hiker tip: In town it is very effective to just ask people for rides when you are at a grocery store or gas station. While shopping for supplies conversations with other shoppers will naturally occur and often leads to conversations about your hike then leads to an opportunity to ask for a ride. This is much easier then hitching.
Date: 2016-06-11
From: Campsite Mile 594.8

To: Woods Hole Hostel 
Miles today: 29.8
Weather: few clouds

Hot day. Temps reached 95 degrees. We were motivated though because we wanted to reach a hostel. We called them and we were told that available beds were first come first serve and you couldn't reserve a bed by phone. We were also told that we had to be there by 7 pm to get dinner.After struggling through the heat we made it to the hostel about 15 minute before 7. We took quick showers and made it to a wonderful dinner. The dinner consisted of an organic salad and a main entree of rice, vegetables, and ground beef with a peanut sauce. It was good. Desert was a cone of homemade ice cream. The ice cream was so good that I bought myself a pint.After dinner we did our wash. We also made appointments for massages the next day. The bed was comfortable in the bunkhouse, I slept well.