morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-17
From: Green Corner Road

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

The hike today consisted of climbing and defending Snowbird Mountain; a climb of 2475 feet and a decent of 1252 feet. It was a perfect day with temps in the 70's and lots of sun. At the top of Snowbird is a strange looking structure ( see photo ) with signage proclaiming it to be an air traffic control tower but which looks more like a mussel silo to me. Whatever it is it must be pretty important with power lines running to it from way below and a propane powered backup generator with a large propane tank sitting next to it. On the way down Snowbird I saw my first snake of the journey; a brownish five foot long quick mover that crossed the trail just in front of me. I am sure I will see many more before I am done. Coming down Snowbird was steep and Rocky so by the time I got to Groundhog Creek Shelter my feet were plenty sore.
Date: 2016-04-18
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Lemon Gap Campground
Miles today: 0.0

Again today I had to climb and come down just one mountain; Max Patch Mountain. Max Patch at 4629 feet is pretty amazing. It is a huge grassy bald of at least 20 acres and probably more at the top of a solitary mountain with great views in every direction. Manny people, both thru hikers and day hikers were enjoying the view from the top and the glorious weather. One couple on a blanket were having a picnic and another group of a dozen or so we're sitting in a ring chanting or praying to someone or something. A group of ten or so thru hikers, most whom I knew, where sitting on the grass and planning to stay there to watch the sun set ( it was only 2:00 ). The climb down from Snowbird was steep but easy and I in my tent in my sleeping bag well before 8:00.
Date: 2016-04-19
From: Lemon Gap Campground

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 14.4

Today started out with a couple of climbs to the top of Walnut Mountain and then Bluff Mountain. The weather was nice; cool but clear. During the climb down from Walnut I rolled my right ankle pretty hard. I was paying close attention to my footing but there must have been a hidden hole under some leafs that got me. I immediately sat down but after a minute decided I had better walk on it. I walked gingerly for about a half hour and it stated to feel better. After summiting Bluff Mountain it was a long, long downhill to Hot Springs with only the occasional short steep uphill. It was a pleasant walk with lots of switchbacks. The forest grew greener and the weather hotter as I descended. At Hot Springs I shared a room at the Hostel At Laughing Heart Lodge, had a long shower, went to town for dinner ( a huge taco salad, two pints of IPA and a big piece of chocolate cake) and was in bed by 9:00.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a zero day. I was sore all over and needed to rest. I went to town to do laundry although it seemed a waste of $4 to wash and dry two pairs of socks, two pair of undershorts , two tee shirts and a bandana. I ate lunch at the same tavern ( on a big porch overlooking a river) as the night before with a group of 20 thru hikers most of whom I knew or at least recognized. I cannot say enough about the people on the trail; they are almost all friendly and there are as many normal everyday people as there are kinda crazy characters. There was lots of talk about the trail, about other hikers and lots of laughs about how damned hard the trail is. In the afternoon I journaled with my feet propped up on pillows to help the swelling. In the early evening I walked the half mile to town to the Hillbilly Grocery Store and bought 2 bottles of chocolate milk and a large hogey to eat in my room. I made some phone calls and was asleep by 8:00.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Log Cabin Drive
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

It was a difficult 900 foot climb out of Hot Springs with very steep sections and even some rock climbing. In the late morning I came to a pretty little man made pond with a nice bench I just couldn't resist sitting on and having a snack. I usually sit on a log or a rock to rest and snack so a real bench with a back was a treat. About then I noticed smoke to the south. I learned later that there was a major forest fire just north of Cold Springs right were I had walked 3 or 4 hours earlier. At 10:00 they shut down the trail and I the afternoon started shuttling hikers to a gap 12 miles or so north of Hot Springs. The trail remained closed and hikers shuttled until Tuesday. After my break I walked for more than a mile on gravel roads to the base of Rich Mountain. After a 2.6 mile climb that ascended 1350 feet it was back down again to Hurricane Gap and then up to the top of Spring Mountain. Up until the top of Spring Mountain the weather was beautiful; warm and sunny, but suddenly the sky turned very threatening with nasty dark clouds streaming in. The weather forecast had predicted rain late tonight and all day tomorrow but it looked like it was going to start early. It was 3:00 and I had 6 miles to go to reach Hemlock Hollow Hostel so I put on my rain gear and pack cover and kept moving it rained some before I got there but the real torrential rain didn't start until 9:00; two hours after I arrived. I negotiated for two nights star, ate supper and went to bed.
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Log Cabin Drive

To: Log Cabin Drive
Miles today: 0.0

It was raining when I awoke this morning. I made some oatmeal (bacon and eggs would have been better but the cafe was stilled closed for winter) and hand wrote journal updates ( no internet at this hostel). It rained all day so mostly rested and talked to other thru hikers on the porch of the main building. I was in bed by 8:00.
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Log Cabin Drive

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: few clouds

It rained all night and was sprinkling in the morning when I started hiking. There was a long 4.6 mile 2480 foot ascent to start the day. The rain stopped mid morning but it remained very overcast with a cold wind. At one point I came to an exposed ridge which was very Rocky ( the rocks very much reminded me of the rocks on the coast of Maine) with, I expect, long drops on both sides. I am not sure how much of a drop because the whole time I was on the ridge I was in the clouds. I took a break on a flat rock and it was kind of strange sitting there with maybe 15 feet visibility and knowing there was a drop of maybe a thousand feet so close but invisible. Too bad it was so cloudy because the view was probably incredible. After my real I finished my hike and spent the night in my tent at Jerry Cabin Shelter.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelt
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

After a initial climb up Big Butt Mountain ( I really don't make up these names ), a tree surrounded meadow with no views, the trail was nice and easy with a gently sloping downhill for nearly three miles. It then became a roller coaster of steep ups and downs until it crossed a rural road and went up through what looked like a cow pasture with white blazed posts every hundred feet. Up the trail went through thick forest 1600 feet to the summit of Little Rock Mountain that had some very nice views. During this stretch I first noticed the crickets. Every time I pushed my hiking sticks into the ground it seemed like the leafs shook and dozens of crickets jumped and skittered across the trail. There were thousands of them over the next half mile or so; I have never seems anything like it before. At the mountain top the weather was grand; sunny with a high in the upper seventies. Perfect weather for optimum sweat generation. I hiked to Hogback Ridge Shelter and tented.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: Hogback Ridge Shelt

To: Whistling Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 0.6

First, I just realized the total miles was wrong. Probably something I did. I apologize to anyone trying to follow along. Today I am correcting it, I hope, by using 0.6 miles traveled instead of the 23.6 miles I really traveled. This should make trail journals total to Whistling Gap Campsite match the guidebook ( I use AWOL's Guide) at 328.8 miles.Today was another long hike starting with a gradual, well switch-backed up hill climb to the top of Big Bald Mountain. Big Bald is another grass covered mountain top much like Max Patch Mountain only perhaps a little bigger. The only people at the top where a dozen thru hikers ( I knew every one ) laying on the grass, barefoot with their hands on there backpacks. I quickly joined them; it felt really good to air my feet on the warm breeze and night sunshine. It was one of those memorable moments on the trail. After Big Bald came Little Bald; a smaller grassy bald with lots of what looked like fruit trees. Then came a 2 mile gradual downgrade to Whistling Gap Campsite where I set up my tent, had a big supper and was in my sleeping bag by 8:00.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Whistling Ridge Campsite

To: River Road , Erwin TN
Miles today: 13.3

As usual, the day started with a steep climb ( is there some kind of rule against starting the day going downhill?) to High Rocks; a rugged, extended Rocky area just waiting ton break bones. Then came an equally steep drop to Spivey Gap where I crossed a rushing rigor ( thankfully there was a bridge of sorts ) before an 800 foot climb to an in-named mountain. From there the guidebook promised a long gradual down hill to Erwin but, of course, there were many unexpected, unwanted short,steep climbs, roller coaster like on the way down. I staggered into Uncle Johnny's Hostel got a bunk in the bunkhouse, took a long,hot shower ( I don't think I have ever been so sweaty or stunk so badly), did laundry, ate supper and was in bed by 9:30.
Date: 2016-04-27
From: River Road , Erwin TN

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I took the free morning shuttle from Uncle Johnny's to a truck stop where I got cash from a gas station ATM and breakfast at McDonald's (3 egg McMuffins and a large coffee and the noon shuttle to a grocery store where I bought trail food. That done I set off on the trail at about 2:00 and climbed almost 1400 feet to the Curley Maple Gap Shelter. I ate supper, set up my tent and was just getting into my sleeping bag when a thunder storm with crazy heavy downpours struck. The loud rain on my tent didn't keep me up and I was asleep almost immediately.
Date: 2016-04-28
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I continued climbing toward the summit of Unaka Mountain, elevation 5180 feet by way of Beauty Spot Mountain, an open, grassy bald at 4436 feet. of the two mountain summits, Beauty Spot was by far my favorite. I lounged there with several other thru hikers for nearly an hour enjoying the great views, nice breezes and bright sunshine. Coming down off of Unaka Mountain was a very pleasant walk with many switchbacks and not too many rocky or muddy places. i tented for the night at Cherry Gap Shelter.
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Round Bald
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I was packed, ate breakfast(pop tarts)and was hiking by 7:00 with a goal to get at least half way to Elk Park, NC so I could stay at the Mountain Harbour Hostel, nearly 40 miles away, on Saturday night. The weather was good for hiking with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70's. From Cherry Gap Shelter I climbed Little Bald Knob then several unnamed summits and finally summited Little Rock Knob, elevation 4918 feet. Then I worked my way down a steep drop to Hughes Gap, elevation 4040 feet before begging to climb Roan Mountain. Roan Mountain had been the subject of much hiker talk with it's 2153 feet of elevation gain over nearly five miles of difficult terrain. After trudging upward for nearly 4 hours I finally reached the summit where there are old foundations and even a large chimney which are the remains of a long abandoned hotel. The decent of Roan Mountain was terrible, with nearly 2 1/2 miles of jagged, softball sized rocks with ankle deep water flowing down much of it. By the bottom my feet were soaked and sore. Once down I crossed a paved road and a large gravel parking lot with a sign saying "entering wildlife viewing area" and started climbing up Round Bald in search of an overnight tenting spot. The first mile up Round Bald was nearly as bad as the climb down Roan Mountain. Some organization or group with way too much money and way too little thought about hikers had replaced the normal dirt trench of a trail with a five foot wide crushed stone path with two foot high steps every ten to fifteen feet; pretty to look at but murder on my feet and knees. Finally, near the end of the "pretty" walkway, I found a perfect spot flat enough for my tent and protected from the wind by a small stand of pine trees. I set up camp, ate and went to bed. This was my longest day yet in both hours and miles walked.
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Round Bald

To: US 19 E , Elk Park NC
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning it was so windy I had one hell of a time taking down and folding up my tent. From my tent site on Round Bald I continued up to Jane Bald, a big rock slab with terrific views of Roan Mountain. The wind continued to howl (easily steady winds of 35 mph and gusts well past 40); so bad in fat that I had to put my brimmed hat in my pack because it was constantly twisting on my head and blocking my sight of the trail. I had to wear my rain jacket with hood up to stay warm despite temps in the mid 60's. The trail at this point was indeed a ditch; 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide with a soggy bottom. there was no choice but to walk in it because the lumpy grass on the bald was simply impossible to walk on. From Jane Bald the trail headed gradually down to Yellow Mountain Gap then back up 800 feet to Little Hump Mountain; another grassy bald. After Little Hump came Bradley Gap and then a long, difficult, wind swept climb to Hump Mountain. Normally the climbs just sort of sneak up on you but the climb down Little Hump and back up to Hump Mountain were all over open, grassy areas, almost a huge field, and you could see the whole 2.6 mile trail; like a brown stripe weaving through a pasture. Hikers ahead of me then behind me were tiny figures trudging along, leaning into the wind. The views were so wonderful, despite the difficulty of walking in a narrow trench with howling winds, that it was well worth the effort; the views were the most picturesque on the trail so far. Coming down from Hump Mountain was the same trench through a grassy field for the first couple of miles then wooded the rest of the way for a total descent of nearly 2700 feet to US 19 E. I walked this paved road for a half mile to Mountain Harbour Hiker Hostel where I shared a loft over an old barn with three other hikers. After showering and eating I hit my bunk and slept great.
Date: 2016-05-01
From: US 19 E , Elk Park NC

To: Upper Laurel Fork
Miles today: 12.7

This morning I had breakfast at the bed and breakfast portion of the Mountain Harbour B&B/Hiker Hostel and had a great meal (see picture of my first helping; my second helping was four more blueberry pancakes with maple syrup). After breakfast I started hiking at about 9:00 in a steady rain. By noon the rain had stopped but it remained overcast the rest of the day. All afternoon it was very humid and the ground very muddy from all the rain so I slipped and sweat the miles away. About 4:00 I reached Upper Laurel Fork (a good sized stream) and took a half mile side trail to the Vango/Abby Memorial Hostel where I got a room, took a shower, had supper and spent the early evening listening to a talented thru hiker sing and play a guitar that was hanging on the hostel wall. I was in bed by 8:30 and slept well listening to rain pouring on the metal roof.
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Upper Laurel Fork

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: light rain

I ate breakfast and packed and was on the trail this morning by 7:00. It was a perfect morning for hiking with occasional sunshine and temps in the mid 60's. The trail was moderate with smallish hills with a mixture of forest and grassy areas. I made excellent time and had covered over ten miles before I took a lunch break on a nice outcropping with a pretty view. Soon after lunch I came to an area that had recently burned; the trail was black with ash and scorches brush for two or three miles. A hiker coming from the south told me he thought the fire had been a controlled burn to reduce the threat of a real fire. The occasional pink ribbon tied to trees just outside of the burned area seemed to support this. The last mile or so down to Dennis Cove Road was fire free and teeming with plants. At the road I headed east a half mile to Black Bear Resort where I rented a small cabin for the night. I showered, had a 12 inch pizza with two cans of Heinekan for supper and was in bed by 8:00.Note that today's miles is 26.8 to bring miles at Dennis Cove Road to 418.2 which matches the guide.
Date: 2016-05-03
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Last night it rained all night and rain is predicted all day today. I have not taken a zero day since April 22nd ant this hostel is pleasant with good cookable food so I think today is a good time to zero. I sod the much of the day doing laundry, journaling and resting. Went to bed early so I could get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

The first mile and a half today was mostly flat and very muddy with pretty much constant rain. When the rain stopped at about 8:30 the trail started up towards Pond Flats ( I never saw a pond or a flat area up there), an elevation gain of 1740 feet over 2.6 miles. The walk up was pleasant with lots of switchbacks. The hike down was. Almost the same as the himself up except a bit muddier. At the bottom the trail was flat for over 3 miles and I passed the Shook Branch Recreational Area ( the Watuaga Lake beach and picnic area ) and continued along the lake to the Watuaga Dam. After crossing the dam the trail started steeply up again to Veneventer Shelter where I set up my tent, ate and went to bed. I was in my sleeping bag no more than an hour when it started dos pouring and I went to sleep to the sound of rain on the roof of my tent.
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: light intensity drizzle

When I woke at before 6:00 this morning it was not raining so I quickly got up, packed and on the trail with the intention of beating the crummy weather ( a cold front with rain and possible snow) predicted to arrive at 5:00. The entire day's hike was on a ridge line above 4000 feet in elevation with numerous small ( 300 to 500 ) bumps but no real mountains to go over. It was overcast and breezy all morning and early afternoon but not too cold and quite pleasant. I was able to make good time and, except for a 20 minute lunch break, I hardly stopped at all. At about 4:30 the rain started, 30 minutes ahead of forecast, and I had to hurry against increasingly hard rain the last mile and a half. Once I got to the shelter it was absolutely pouring and it was quickly getting colder. The shelter, intended for 8 to 10, had only one other occupant. As I sat on the shelter deck ( shelters on the AT are usually 3 sided with a raised floor or deck taking up 80 percent of the space) watching the pouring rain I decided I just couldn't go out and set up my tent and get myself and half my gear soaked in the process so I decided to spend the night ( a first for me ) in the shelter. Soon after another hiker came and joined us. After we had all eaten and laid out our sleeping gear we sat quietly and watched the rain until at 8:00 we all turned in for the night. I awoke several times during the night to the sound of rain on the metal roof.
Date: 2016-05-06
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning it was still raining when I awoke. I stayed in my sleeping bag until nearly 8:00 just dreading getting up, putting on my still wet clothes and hitting the trail. At least I didn't have to take down and pack my tent in this weather. It is nasty days like this that past thru hikers will tell you are soon forgotten one you finish your hike but right then that was hard to believe. I finally was on the trail ( with probably an additional pound or two of water weight ) with frozen hands and feet. At least I only had 10.4 miles to go to get to Damascus where I had a room reserved in a nice B&B. By 10:00 the rain had stopped but it wasn't getting much warmer. The trail headed steeply and slipperly down toward Damascus. A couple of miles before town I came to the TN/VA border where a day hiker kindly took my picture. This sign encouraged me; I picked up my pace and headed for warmth. I arrived at The Dancing Bear B&B at Check in time (2:00) and was soon in my room. They had smartly left a 6' x 6' tarp in a Tupperware bin just inside the door to lay down on the carpet to protect it from hiker's wet gear. Within 30 minutes all my stuff, including all the clothes I was wearing, was on the tarp and I was in the shower. I spent the rest of the day first at the laundry, then at a local restaurant and finally in my room organizing my gear. I was in bed by 9:00 already starting to forget just how horrible the weather had been that morning.
Date: 2016-05-08
From: Damascus VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Today I had to climb my way back to the higher elevation where the trail normally resides. The first couple hours was steep and muddy and through a tunnel of mountain laurel. This sections of also ran parallel to the Virginia Creeper Trail except the AT went over the top of every peak and the Creeper Trail went around them. The Creeper Trail was also groomed for walking and cycling and the AT purposefully left natural and, oftentimes, very difficult. The rest of the day was one long mostly gradual climb to the top of lost mountain. I tented, as is my norm, near Lost Mountain Shelter.
Date: 2016-05-09
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was a big, long, difficult, seemingly never ending climb up 1930 feet to the top of Whitetop Mountain, down 640 feet to a place called Elk Gardens and then back up 1000 feet to within 500 feet of the top of Mount Rogers, Virginia's highest peak. The last mile of this climb, to Thomas Knob Shelter, is through a grassy bald area that is stunning. As I approached the shelter I could see Grayson Highland feral ponies in the distance grazing on the grass. I set up my tent in a grassy area in a grove of pines not far from the shelter. While cooking my supper several really big longhorn cattle with really big horns wandered into my campsite; a couple of them to within 15 feet of where I was sitting. They seemed just curious and within a half hour lost interest in me and wandered off. I was a little worried that they might return during the height and step on my tent but that didn't keep me from getting a good sleep.