morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-05-06
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 13.3

Woke this morning to a rooster crowing at 545!  I got up and did my laundry. Laundry consist of a small room with a double sink.  You wash your clothes in a wash basin in the left sink. There¢s a wash board in the right sink. Then you wring out your clothes and put them in the one dryer.I took my time today as I was enjoying the atmosphere at this hostel. I chatted with the staff and many hikers listening to their stories and getting advice. I spoke to a guy named Smoke who was doing work for stay where you work for an hour or two to earn a night in the hostel.  He had to do dishes for his. When the timing was right I hit the road with no real plan. I figured I¢d hike to the first or second shelter and decide.  As I was hiking I realized I could make it to Max Patch, late but I could make it.  Max Patch is a patch of grass at the top of a mountain with 360 degree views.  I am told Max Patch is the last opportunity for maybe a couple months to have an unobstructed 360 view. I didn¢t make it for sunset but the stars are popping and the moon is slivered.  I am hoping for a better sunrise than at Clingman¢s Dome. From 530 until  910 when I arrived at Max¢s I did not see another person. I hiked the last 1.5 miles in the dark. There are probably 25 tents up here. While walking I noticed the tree canopy is really coming in and the trail-is now lined with grass instead of moss, and it¢s long enough to have gone to seed.  I  heard an owl, it hooted different than the last one. This one did a series of four: who who....who whooo. I panned on sleeping with the rain fly off to view the stars but its too cold. I¢ll have to wake up and look at them. On a side note I weighed myself at Standing Bear 185!!! I left April 14 at 198. 13lbs in 3 weeks!!! I can¢t imagine what I¢m going to look like in 3 more weeks or months?!?
Date: 2019-05-07
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Deer Park Shelter 
Miles today: 16.1

I¢m glad I pushed last night to get to Max Patch.  I was sleeping and woke up during the night. I get lazy about looking at the stars. I opened my tent and the stars were raining down on me.  It was as though I could reach and touch them. At first I had a hard time finding constellations because of all of the stars but when my eyes adjusted they popped out of the sky nearer and brighter than I¢ve seen in a long time. The sky is mostly clear this morning as I sit in anticipation of the sun rise. I made my coffee. The sunrise was spectacular!!  I had a second cup of coffee and some oatmeal and started packing 16+ miles today, pulling up just short of Hot Springs. So I headed out from Max Patch and it was a very peculiar day. The hike was long with nothing really special, not even a good view. I did not pass, nor did I get passed by a through hiker in either direction, not for 8 hours!  I kept thinking I was on the wrong trail, or I missed some warning. Before 11:00 I saw other hikers stealth camping.  At the first shelter there was 3-4 tents, a guy said no one stayed in the shelter last night. At the second shelter nobody was there. Usually someone is taking a break or already done for the day.  I passed only two day hikers on the trail today. I did my 16.1 and walked into the Deer Park shelter and no one was there. It might be my first night alone?.  I built a fire and enjoyed the quiet. After about an hour and a half two couples arrived and we enjoyed conversation until dark, bedtime.Before the smokies the trail was very busy. Many through, section, and day hikers. You could also stealth camp between shelters.  The smokies were busy with the same, but you can¢t stealth camp, only shelter camp. So, every day hikers are hiking between shelters and they fill fast, as you¢ve read, I got booted. Now we are out of the Smokies and you can stealth again as well as use the shelters. I¢m still finding it peculiar that I did not see one through hiker today?.  While hiking I kept getting spider webs in my face. This is usually reserved for the first one out of camp and on the trail. I was definitely not the first one out. Apparently just the only one!  I had my first slip/fall today. Up to this point I¢ve tripped, slipped, and  stumbled, but never fell. One time I was flying downhill and tripped, I was able to catch myself on a tree. Today there was a steep down step. I noticed other slips in the mud. I grabbed a tree for support. I took one step and I was on my butt. So, not a bad fall but my first, I picked myself up and continued on.
Date: 2019-05-08
From: Deer Park Shelter 

To: Elmers Sunnybank Inn and Hostel 
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early as I wanted to get to get to Hot Springs NC for breakfast. I mean a real breakfast!!! I was on the trail by 06:30. There was an immediate uphill then it was all downhill to Hot Springs. I made the 3.2 miles in an hour and a half.  In high school I could run 3.2 miles in about 20 minutes.  Maybe when I¢m done with the trail and weigh 165-170 again I¢ll try that?. I was the first one on trail today so I got ALL of the spider webs. At one point I rounded a corner and could see all of them.  They were hitting my arms, legs, and face!! At about 1.5 miles out I swear I could smell the pancakes. That¢s what I had decided on, and they were soooo good. Hot Springs is a cute hiker friendly town.  First thing I did was drop my bag at the hostel. I then went to the outfitters. I needed new shoes as my others had not arrived. Seaneen tried and LLBean apologized, but they ultimately got rerouted home. I¢ve been walking 124 mikes with my right toe/sole flapping.  I got a pair of Solomon Sense Max 2 trail runners. The staff at Bluff Mtn. Outfitters was awesome, very patient, and super knowledgeable. In town I think I saw Memorial leaving several blocks up. I saw Kyle at breakfast.  I saw Apollo at the outfitters. I saw Harry/Shotgun at lunch, we were joined by Camelback Santa.  I¢m meeting Camelback & Shine, as in moonshine, for dinner. On the way back I saw Long feather. So injuries and illness.  I have been lucky. I came on trail and for about a week had some sinus congestion which only affected my sleeping a little.  I have a few days where I¢ve only done a few miles but I¢ve been injury free. I¢ve been listening to my body.  The people that are really pushing, and I look at as: wow they are really making miles, are coming up sick or injured.  Even the Raven family, triple crown attempters, have had 7 unplanned zero days.  Here is a list of injuries: shin splints, hypothermia, cold/flu, plantar fasciitis, concussion and blisters. My feet have been real good and I¢ve been taking care of them.  When its hot or my feet get hot I stop and take my shoes and socks off, and I remove the liners from my shoes and air them out. I also think having several people praying for me every day helps. Addition to earlier side note: I weighed myself at two locations today. 185!!! I still can¢t believe it.  I bought some vitamins today.
Date: 2019-05-12
From: SamÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap-NatureÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Inn Hostel & Cabins

To: No Business Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

Good day, and Happy Mother¢s Day to all of the moms.  I sent my mom a card when I was in Hot Springs.  I told her it was her upbringing that gave me the love of the outdoors and hiking.  When we were kids we camped quite often. From tent, to pop up, to a hard side and permanent location.  We hiked countless times Up Mirror Mountain, down to Mirror Lake, around Devils Lake, and to the rocks at Sky High. These were just a few of our adventures. The trail was sloppy today. It had rained most of Saturday, all night and most of today.  I wanted to do big miles today 18-23. You learn where to step and where not to, you learn to read the trail and watch others-footprints.  At times you still slip and slide. I saw it coming on a downhill and my feet went right out from under me and I landed on my butt hard. It was really thick sticky mud too. It was on my leg, butt, and hands. I was not injured though. I found a puddle and cleaned off. Not much in the way of views today due to the rain. I did go over two mountain top meadows in the clouds, that was eerily cool.  There was a box on top of one of the mountains that said: trail magic, take one. The box was full of rocks. I¢ve come across other ¢trail magic¢ boxes.  I have found: garbage, more garbage, the new testament, and garbage.  I have not had much luck with trail magic boxes. I did see an orange salamander today, it did not look real.  I made it to the shelter at about 18 miles and called it quits.  I am sharing the shelter with Smurf and Caveman.  Then a third hiker showed up.  Caveman was watching movies on his phone and hung his phone so we could see, we watched part of Dr. Strange before it started raining so hard you couldn¢t hear it.  I keep forgetting to mention; It¢s much easier to pick up your pack when you are not standing on the hip strap?
Date: 2019-05-13
From: No Business Bald Shelter 

To: Beauty Spot
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Thank you to everyone for your concern over the recent story of the attack and murder on the Appalachian Trail. There was a machete threatening incident near the GA/NC border about the time I was there, about week two.  This second incident happened about week three of my trip. I received an alert on my phone about an ¢investigation¢ near mile 600.  I was at mile 300.  Later that day I heard about the attack and murder. I don¢t believe I ever met or saw that guy. I do not know if it¢s the same guy from both incidents. Most people are worried about me and bears.  People like the machete yielding murderer scare me, not bears. I have met some odd people out here but not violent people.  Everyone has been nice, not always friendly, but nice. I keep away from the  crowds, partiers, and druggies. Yes, there are drugs on the trail. I hear of it, but its pretty discreet.  I started out early today. I did 6 miles and stopped at Uncle Johnnys Nolichuoky Hostel for resupply, breakfast, and phone charge. I spent about an hour there and continued. The afternoon hike was harder than anticipated. I was kind of in a weird  state. I was just walking along not really into it. I stopped at a shelter and was chatting with a guy, Lumberjack.  He offered me some black truffle sea salt. He had just gotten a bag of it in his resupply. It smelled heavenly.  His wife, Day Glow, then came along, nice couple.  That short break rejuvenated me and I was feeling good again. Then the hills came as they seem to always do late in the day. I made it to Beauty Spot. An open meadow area on top of a mountain, similar to Max Patch. There is a road and a parking lot nearby. I was chatting with a couple who were there camping in the lot for the sunrise and sunset.  They were walking their very happy goldendoodle?. The guy told me his name was Ed and if I needed anything they were right there in the parking lot.  I chatted with him for two minutes, and he offers that!  Many good people out here. I set up camp and walked a half mile for water. It¢s very windy up here and it¢s supposed to be in the 30s overnight, but I¢m warm. The sunset was nice but not spectacular.  Hopefully sunrise will be good. I saw a small snake on the trail today. I got a stick and moved him. He was not happy.
Date: 2019-05-14
From: Beauty Spot

To: Clyde Smith Shelter 
Miles today: 15.3

I got no view of the sunrise. I was in the clouds, cold, and wind. 30s cold.  I was not cold at night. I think the sleeping bag I bought for the trip helps and I bought a stocking hat for the trip too, and that really helps. I got going just before 8. I knew there was a big climb to start the day.  I was feeling really good, staying hydrated and I hit the wall at mile 13.  I ended at mile 15.3. There was a shelter and no one else was there I picked my spot, a penthouse suite. This shelter has room fir 4 on the bottom and two up top.I met frizzle from Milwaukee, she had noticed my Milwaukee Rd. hat. She is hiking buddies with Chef from LA and they walk together. Two guys showed up at the shelter, and I never got their names.  Then a guy named Little Joe showed up, I had met him briefly at Uncle Johnny¢s.  Little Joe is a really nice guy and he carries and plays guitar. I had made a fire and he played for us. Several other hikers showed up and pitched tents behind the shelter. There was a brief period on top of Unaka Mt. It¢s all sprice trees and the ground was all mossy. There was fog in the air and it made for a neat picture. I think hiker hunger has set in. I seem to run out of energy around mile 13-15 and I have been eating more than normal.
Date: 2019-05-15
From: Clyde Smith Shelter 

To: Overmountain Shelter 
Miles today: 15.6

It was cold last night. I do not like to put my head under covers because I hate breathing the warm air. Last night I did just that to stay warm.  I think I was colder because of the shelter. I think my tent holds heat.  I had a work dream where I was explaining something, I don¢t remember what, but I was being suffocated by a piece of fabric. I woke to my head in the sleeping bag. Today¢s hike was beautiful. There were meadows, balds, pine forest, and many views. There were challenges too like 2200 feet in 5 miles over Roan Mtn.  There is a foundation and chimney up there from an old hotel. I met a lady from Great Britain whose name is Ambassador, she is moving along quick, she is here on a Visa.  I also saw Little John, he was playing guitar on top of one of the balds.  I met a guy named Birdman who gave me the brief history of the hotel. At the shelter I caught up with Strider, she is doing 20+ a day. Little Joe was there and alot of other I don¢t know. Overmountain Shelter is an old barn converted to a shelter. There are about six sleeping spots on the lower level with open views to the South, and a beautiful Valley.  I chose to sleep in the barn loft which is a big open space. Wildlife update, I saw a blue bird today. Yesterday I hit the wall at mile 13, today was better I took more breaks today. I don¢t know if it¢s cumulative fatigue, lack of sleep, or not getting enough calories. Strider just got a huge bag of trail mix, She offered me some. It¢s mostly candy and nuts. Oh my it is SOOOO good. I can save my Snickers bar for tomorrow.?WARNING: Potty Talk. I have been carrying a small shovel on my pack and have not used it. I have it on a carbiner. It rattles and just hangs there. This section of trails does not have privies at the shelters. As my nephews would say I earned my Brown Bead Today. I am now like a bear?
Date: 2019-05-17
From: ScottyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Budget Solar Hostel 

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday to my mom, Maryann. I did gat a chance to talk to her.Yesterday I saw a downed tree that had been cut to clear the trail. I was going to try and figure it out it¢s age by counting a few inches of rings and calculating. I looked closer at the tree and someone had already done it. The tree was approximately ¢born¢ in 1600 and died 2000 something. 400 years old!!!! I slept well and I found eggs in the hostel common area fridge. Anything left in the fridge is open game. I made four eggs, found some toast, made two pieces, and threw some unopened salsa in to boot. I thought today was going to be lighter as I did more than half of what I needed to yesterday.  I was wrong. I had 12.6 to do and most was supposed to be downhill. Today was hard and uneventful, with marginal views. My legs reminded me at every slight incline that I had done 21.3 miles yesterday. They were tired! I had one hostel mate, Running Bear, a 58 year old gentleman from Germany. He is really skinny and tells me has run multiple marathons and triathlons. He also is an ultralight packer at about 15 lbs. He was doing 25+ a day and injured himself. He says he¢s a physical therapist. You¢d think he¢d know to listen to his body. He¢s taking a couple zero to see if he mends. The main thing I had to look forward to today is Seaneen is driving in and bringing Luci¢¤  ¢¤  ¢¤  . I was barely making it and felt exhausted. I heard some hiking poles clicking together ahead of me. That¢s usually a sign of a hiker warning of their presence to others, or warning of something else.  I noticed it was Ambassador. I shouted; what are you making all of that noise for? She said she just saw two of the cutest bear cubs and was not wanting to see Momma bear. We continued onward cautiously. Ambassador pointed to where she last saw them and the direction of their departure. I ended up seeing one cub and Mama way up on the hill. Bears are beautiful creatures, a black that cannot be described. Mom moved with such grace for being such a big animal. The bear sighting made mine and Ambassador¢s day?. I walked and talked with her for about 20 minutes, then I could not keep up and she continued on, slackpacking. I finally made it to Black Bear Resort. I had a pizza, Pepsi, and 16 oz Corona. I threw my laundry in and took a shower. I met a new person on the trail today: Mary Jane or  trail name Mar Jung. Her husband is picking her up at Black Bear, she hasn¢t seen him since March 19th. Seaneen and Luci, my dog arrived at 545.  We went for barbecue dinner and then both of us passed out exhausted in a hotel bed?. Wildlife update I saw a bear and a cub. I also saw a chipmunk today.
Date: 2019-05-18
From: Elizabethton, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today I woke up in a hotel room with Luci and Seaneen.  I slept in air conditioning on a bed, and it was great.  I had planned on doing a slack pack this morning but we could not work out a mileage that worked with Seaneen dropping me off and picking me up.  That means I took a ZERO today.  I am not sure how I feel about taking a. Zero but it is Trail Days. Seaneen and I cut my hair this morning with the clippers.  It¢s nice having short hair again, on the sides and back.  The top is still long.We drove through the mountains and were on the road for about an hour to get to Damascus for Trail Days.  As we were driving into town we really didn¢t know where we were going and a young girl walked up to the car.  I thought she was going to tell us were to park.  She asked if we we going that way and pointed ahead.  Long story short we gave her a ride about a mile down the street.  She jumped into the back seat of the Jeep and Luci jumped on her lap.We started walking around Damascus and stopped and chatted with many strangers as we meandered in and out of shops.  We went to the vendor area and checked out all of the booths.  We ran into many of the hikers I have met throughout my journey.  It was nice seeing everyone, some of which I have not seen in weeks.There was a hiker parade where hikers from all the years of hiking can walk with their hiking class.  Overall we had a nice time at Trail Days, and Luci liked being in the crowds, at times.We had dinner Camelback Santa and Kristy.
Date: 2019-05-19
From: Shook Branch Recreation Area

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

This morning I woke in a hotel room again with air conditioning, sleeping on a bed, taking a hot shower.  Today was going to be different.  Seaneen, my wife is here.  Seaneen brought our dog Luci, in the picture.  Seaneen and Luci were going to do some trail miles today with me.  We had made arrangements on Friday at Black Bear to have the owner shuttle us back to our car after we hiked in to the hostel today.  Travis is th owner of Black Bear and we saw him at Trail Days also.  We drove to Shook Branch Recreation Area and parked the car.  We started southbound, that right southbound (SOBO).  We were going SOBO for 8.6 miles.  We started with a 1800 foot climb in 3 miles.  We climbed for two hours.  Luckily I had about a third of my normal weight in the pack.  We stoped at the top, pond flats, and had breakfast.  I waterproofed my tent while we were there. Luci was full of energy and wanted to play fetch, little did she know.We had approximately 5 miles left to go and the downhill started.  We were walking along and came across a NOBO hiker who had a dog, or as she said the dog had been following her for about 4 miles, but it was not her dog.  We kind of laughed and then it started following us, Luci was not too happy.  The dog followed us for about two miles until another couple came along going NOBE with a dog, and then she started following them. :) Near the bottom of the decline we started following a small river.  We stopped and soaked our feet and Luci played in the water.  There was a waterfall up ahead and we headed for it.  The waterfall was much larger and prettier than we had expected. From the waterfall to the Black bear was approximately a mile.  The first quarter mile out of the waterfall was straight up rock stairs for 300 feet.  When you get to the road it is another .4 miles down a road in the direct sun to the Black Bear.Seaneen got a good taste of the trail today.  Incline, decline, stream crossing, stream drinking, bugs, sweat, dirt, and hiker meals. Seaneen is going home tomorrow, I could not convince her to stay and walk with me.  When we got back to the hotel Luci crashed, I don¢t think she wants to stay walk every day with me either.Wildlife update, we say two snakes today.  The first one was small and Luci stepped on it.  Neither the snake or Luci minded.  The second one was a black snake about 4 feet long.
Date: 2019-05-20
From: Shook Branch Recreation Area

To: TN 91-Rabbit Hole Hostel 
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up in a hotel again this morning. Seaneen was leaving today, and she had to get on the road. We drove from the hotel to the trail head. It was 615 in the morning, the sun comes up at 630. We let Luci out and she went ballistic!!! There was a couple in the bushes looking for their keys. I will admit it was weird being dropped off on the side of the road and disappearing into the woods. Today¢s hike was nice. I watched the sun come up over Watauga Lake. I then hiked along the lake and up over the dam, and then climbed quite a bit while overlooking the lake.  I made it to the first shelter at 11:00, 9 miles.  There was instant mashed potatoes and oatmeal hanging in a bag with a note that said trail magic.  I didn¢t need anything. I then read the shelter journal which warned of a bear in the area last night. I don¢t know if it was the same person but, if there are bears don¢t leave food unattended 5 feet off the ground. I continued on and made it to the next shelter at 3:30, and i checked the AWOL guide and Guthooks. I found a hostel 5 more miles up trail that will pick you up at the trail head, and they have $3 milkshakes!!!  I walked another 5 miles!!! The Rabbit Hole is a great hostel, and the Milkshake was awesome, served in a glass milkshake glass, with a metal recyclable straw. I took a hot shower and washed my clothes from today while showering. No wildlife today. The trail was empty I believe still from trail days. But, I did just over 20 miles?