morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-30
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Snowbird Mountain FAA Tower
Miles today: 8.0

Out of Davenport Gap Shelter at 0845. Made Standing Bear Hostel by 1100 and of course, the mail drops weren't there. Mail came at 1500 - package only, no maps. Still, the filters and drops helped. Standing Bear was interesting up to a point. Seemed to be a '60's throwback in a nice way. Had a great selection of books, fair re-supply and a good supply of things to cook in their kitchen. For washing a couple of sinks of dirty dishes, they let me shower and wash my clothes. The clothes washer was a couple of sinks, a scrubbing board and lye soap. Dryer was the usual type. Coming out of Standing Bear, t-storm rolled up. Heavy rain and pea sized hail beat down on me. When I got to the top of Snowbird about 1700, the view to the south was great - the view north was another system of storms coming in. The FAA tower actually had a roofed in area, so I decided to camp there. While looking, Video, John, and John's fiancee (Cat?) came up and camped under the porch with me. Heavy wind, fog and rain at 0400 - I turned on my flashlight and had FOG ROLLING THRU MY TENT!! It was NOT my breath!
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Snowbird Mountain FAA Tower

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Cold, wet, foggy start. Where you could see the line of posts over the bare mountain yesterday, I could only see about 50 feet from post to post today. Heavy, heavy fog. Ankle starting to ping, but I made the first 2.5 miles in just over an hour. Cleared a bit, but was still slippery and wet. Met a former capsule crew member at Groundhog Shelter. We traded war stories while the young pups just stared. Also met a guy from Seffner! Took too long a break - was out at 1120. Max Patch was fantastic. The first of the "real" Trail milestones, besides Charlie's Bunion. Much, much more than I expected. I actually teared up as I came up and saw the sign. I really feel like a long-distance hiker at this point. Made Roaring Fork Shelter by 1700. Nice campsites, so I stopped and set up. Really nice area. Coming down from Max Patch was really swampy - I was glad to find a dry, flat area to sleep. Place to cook, bear cables, etc. Getting short on food - some wonderful hiker decided to make his/her own Trail magic and stole two meals from me, including the Max Patch Mac and Cheese I had been saving since Fontana for this event. May Karma catch up to the thief and swiftly! Have to make Hot Springs by Monday afternoon or I'm out of food.Wonderfully beautiful shadow patterns from the rhododendron leaves from the moon as I woke up a couple of times before the moon went down. I wished I had a camera that could catch the patterns. Moon went down about 0330 or so. Slept for 6 hour stretch. *************** TIDBIT - TIDBIT - TIDBIT ***********The sound of a several weeks old beard scraping across the top of your sleeping bag at 0400 in a complely dark tent sounds EXACTLY like the food-searching sniffing of a North American black bear. The sound will NOT quit until you stop frantically turning your head from side to side, trying to find out which side of the tent said sniffing bear is on. Sheeesh. Good night!
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 14.8

Today was MY Trail! Mostly downhills and flats with moderate ups. Almost like Florida hiking! I was actually flying and enjoying the trip! Had great sleeping night - 6 hour stretch, no rain, nice moon shadow patterns from the rhododendron. If only the bear hadn't been sniffing around! Warm, sunny, breezy. Out at 0900 - 1st break 1.5 hours later. Ate lunch at Walnut Mountain Shelter - 1.5 hours long, but worth it. Water, rest, etc. Aired sleeping bag out on shelter roof. Wet socks from 29 March are almost dry as well. Took 45 minute break on Bluff Mountain - talked with wife and son. Was great! Had a 45 minute break while I sat under a rhododendron thicket and watched a t-storm pummel the opposite side of a 250 yard wide valley. Bad wind gusts, gales of rain, etc. were beating the opposite side while I had mild rain and no wind to speak of. The trees were thrashing, thunder was booming and I was sitting almost dry. I could SEE where the Trail was running through the middle of the storm! Made Deer Park abouit 1845. I was going to stop earlier, but decided to push on to within 3 miles of Hot Springs. Camp was up, supper eaten, all by 2000. Journaled a bit and then bed by 2030. Cool temps, clear skies, dry sleeping bag = heaven. Hot Springs tomorrow for re-supply, clean-up, download excess heavy winter gear and continue on Tuesday.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

Well, what a few hours difference can make. Got up this morning, trying to get out early. Heavy winds about 0400 and I thought it was going to start raining, but it never did. However, my left ankle is no longer just pinging, but really hurting. After 2 miles, it continued to hurt, regardless of ups, downs or flats. I'm really worried about it now. We'll see on Tuesday. Very slow going so far. Hot Springs is OK - Sunnybank Farm B&B is where I was going to stay, but seemed too liberal for me. The bathroom was too far from my room and if you name your dog "Jimmy Carter", sorry, I need to move on. Anti-Republican bumper stickers, Bush is a crook, it all adds up. It was a fantastic house from 1840, Mr. Hall seemed very nice, but I need a private room with private bathroom. I had no idea who my room-mate was going to be. Saw Chris and his mom - Chris promised me snow in the Smokies. I was glad to tease him about his weather predicting abilities! Video, et.al. have moved on, I think. ********* I'll update the rest of this entry later - it's 1600 and I need to hit the Dollar Store for 6 days of food. My ankle is going to slow me way down. I'm thinking a week for the next 70 miles. May need to check with the clinic up the road.
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Had to take another zero day - ankle will NOT stop hurting. This morning it's much better, so I'm at the Hot Springs library, updating e-mail, journals, etc. The rest of the day, I'm going to elevate it, ice it and pray for a better day tomorrow. I'm feeling a LOT more upbeat today than yesterday: I was thinking it was the end of the hike with the pain. Still not sure what happened. No slips, no falls, nothing in particular but almost 15 miles the previous day. The next 70 miles look to be my terrain again: moderate ups and downs with lots of flat looking places. If my ankle will do well, I should be able to crank out some miles. I'm going to keep it down to 10-12 miles a day max to start, just to make sure. That's being optimistic, of course. It all depends on what the ankle decides for me. No clinic in town. Nothing seems broken or swollen, so maybe just over exertion.Weather is supposed to be good with 30-40% chance of t-storms in the afternoons. I've had pea sized hail bouncing off me, so that won't be too much of a problem. Hikers are continually passing by as I type this. It's hard to stay in one place now. The hills are clear, cool and dry. Cirrus clouds indicate a change in a few days, but right now the weather is perfect and I'm stuck in town.
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Out of Hot Springs at 1030 - "Uncle Buck" came on and I started watching, with check-out at 1030. Slow - left ankle hurting. Too much weight, same old gripes. Made Spring Mt Shelter - 11 miles! Walk by river was pretty nice. Almost got confused about turn onto Trail after crossing the bridge, as I had lost the pages that described this portion. I just remembered "after crossing bridge, immediately turn right." A car stopped and asked if I knew where I was going, that the guardrail used to have a gap in it, but had been repaired with no gap. When I got to the shelter, I saw a hill to the north that was covered with tents, so I looked south. Up THAT hill, I found several beautiful campsites. No neighbors, no noise, etc. I could see the shelter 100 yards or so. Very peaceful night. Light rain just once. Weather cloudy, cool, with no major problems. ****This log entry was made on 07 Apr - couldn't remember much about the day. *****
Date: 2012-04-05
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Camp Creek Bald
Miles today: 10.0

The morning was pretty neat: got to watch the fog roll in over the shelter below me and coming rising up the hillside like a tide. Late start as usual, but good weather after rain once during the night. Had Trail Magic at Allen Gap - lunchtime. I was going to eat my tortillas and PBJ, when a sign said come on up the road: hot lunch, cold drinks, desserts, Belgian waffles! A Christian couple is using this as an opportunity to reach out to hikers. Very nice couple, great cabin, wonderful food! Had apple crisp for dessert and it was great. I was going to take pictures of the sink in the bathroom, as it was on an old oak stump with a free style sink, but forgot! Got the titles for some Christian books to get into when I get back home. This was a true blessing!T-storms rumbling in afternoon - started raining hard at 1500 or so. Wanted Jones meadow, as campsites were indicated there, but ended up at Camp Creek Bald about a mile short. Walked up 1/4 mile to see if the fire tower had a roof (not), then went back down to the Trail and decided to stop. Set up camp, dried off and went to bed pretty early.
Date: 2012-04-06
From: Camp Creek Bald

To: Flint Mt Shelter
Miles today: 11.9

Great weather after a cold and damp start. Front passed ** SCIENCE - SCIENCE - SCIENCE **, cold, drier air pushed in, blue skies, no to few clouds. Lots of rock hopping and lots of smooth trail, too. Made Big Butt (Yes, that's the name) - official 300 miles - about 1600 or so. Fire Scald Mt had great views with the cold air in place. Meadows with flowering apple trees, level to moderate ups and downs. Recommendation from brother for ibuprofen, but I'm reluctant, as it hurts my stomach. Tylenol was OK for now. Not too many problems today, just manageable pain. Supposed to be into the 30's tonight - new sleeping bag better be good! Getting cold at 1730, early camp.
Date: 2012-04-07
From: Flint Mt Shelter

To: "Meadow" North of I-26
Miles today: 12.9

Got out of camp at 0950. Cold, cold cold night. Bag OK, but I thought it was wildly optimistic about temp rating. No sox, shirt, or thermals, just shorts, so maybe a layer may be needed. May need to get my thermals back!Cold and sunny - good weather. Started thinking about 15 Aug deadline. Did not seem doable at this time, so I need to think about it hard for the next week or so. "Meadow" as it's described in my book was great - a long, sloping meadow that ended in a flat area behind a few trees. Great views from above and below. At least I'm north of I-26 now.
Date: 2012-04-08
To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: few clouds

HE IS RISEN! THE TOMB IS EMPTY! Happy Easter!Cold, clear AM - had a LOT of owls last night, almost sounded like howler monkeys at times. Moving fairly well - ankle not helping, still going well. Big Bald is better than Max Patch in my opinion. Of course, 25-30 MPH wind and 60* temp may have rushed my judgement a bit! It was really nice, large and not crowded like Max. Decided to make Erwin, TN Mon night. Clean up, shop and hit the trail on Tuesday AM. Hit Spivey Gap and found a Trail Magic cooler with soda, snacks and FRESH APPLES!!!! HD Mama 2010, Rick Angel started it and it was re-filled by Miss Janet and Old Crow. Nestle crunch, 2 apples, 2 orange drinks and chips! Yum! Thanks to all! Even had some Easter eggs around!Camped here by the road, but did not want to hike out in the growing dark. Met Sugarplum - retired Army Major. She decided to night hike to No Business Knob shelter to make at least 20 for the day! Hoo-aah and YIKES! Lots of space, no trash, running water for background noise - very nice.
Date: 2012-04-09
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

And thump!Had to zero - ankle would NOT let me continue. Had to go to the clinic where the Doctor stated my LEFT ankle had a pulled ligament probably and to take ibuprofen 600-800 mg every 6 hours. Got coated tabs to make sure my stomach does not get eaten through. We'll see. He recommended at least one day off, so I stayed at Uncle Johnnies. Great hostel! Great room! Uncle Johnny introduced himself and was very helpful as was Grym, the shuttle driver. Ate like a pig at the KFC all you can eat buffet that night: 2 pieces of chicken and the rest in veggies and desserts. Saw Mad Hat at KFC as well - retired railroad freight train conductor. Has a ton of wild colored hats he wears. The hostel has 3 free shuttles, as Erwin is 2 miles wide and 11 miles long. Every shuttle has a stop for food, supplies, etc. This is a wonderful service that was greatly appreciated! Got a ride from Miss Janet, Trail legend and Angel supreme. Actually, she was next to the clinic when I called and she pulled me into a meeting with the school personnel about Trail volunteers! I got to answer questions and give input on what the High School kids could do for the required volunteer hours for graduation. It was pretty neat. I could actually pretend I was a hiker who knew what he was doing! Miss Janet will pick you up anytime, anywhere and take you pretty much anywhere in the Erwin area for free. After the ride to Wally, I walked down to the Mexican restaurant to eat lunch and she and two other hikers showed up for lunch as well. I was able to pay for her lunch without her knowing to help pay for my rides! Pay it forward whenever possible. Scored full length ALPS sleeping pad to replace my 3/4 Therma-rest from the hiker box at the hostel: that means FREE! Hiker boxes have stuff no one wants anymore, so you can pick and choose. The longer length will allow me to stretch out and be more comfortable with my knees and hips. I also cleaned the box out for Uncle Johnny, as it was pretty trashy! Another front moving through - supposed to be cold with frost/freezes around the Erwin mountains. Got a cheap thermal top - I'm worried about when I get back up the Trail at night.
Date: 2012-04-10
From: Erwin, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero in Erwin to see the Doctor about the ankle, etc. Read entry for 09 Apr for update. A lot of that happened on 10 Apr as well. I highly recommend Uncle Johnny's. The room was about 15 x 15, but loaded with VHS tapes and books. No actual TV, but the TV had the tape player, so I got to watch several tapes. No Uncle Buck! I gotta finish that movie sometime!Shuttle service excellent, they will take you almost anywhere for only $5 if needed and come pick you up when you are ready, plus the wonderful Miss Janet is there to help as well.
Date: 2012-04-11
From: Erwin, TN

To: Somewhere past the Beauty Spot Parking
Miles today: 12.7

Late start, as shuttle didn't get back to Uncle Johnny's until about 1045. Breakfast was great, though. On the Trail at 1120. Sunny and clear, but very cold. Had to have the heater on in the room last night! Made the parking lot by 1800, but pushed on a bit and found a spot inside a grove of hemlocks by the meadow. Bagels and cream cheese for supper with hot lemonade was good. Glad I had the thermal top now: had it on, plus sox and thermal bottoms with hand warmer at feet. Slept warm with no problems. No problems with the ankle. Ibuprofen seem to be working!!
Date: 2012-04-12
From: Somewhere past the Beauty Spot Parking

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.1

Last night VERY cold: found out from a Scout and his grandfather a bit up the Trail it was down to about 25*!! I was warm, but worried the bag was NOT good. Layered in my thermals helped a lot. Cold and sunny today - ankle was great - no problems at all. Great Trail as well. Only moderate ups and downs, so that may have helped the ankle. Late start as usual: I hate to get up in the cold! Out of bed at 0800, on trail at 1000 or so, but stopped for water at the spring. Started at 1020 or so from the piped spring just past the parking area. Met Blue Meany and GA Lily (older couple), plus Hungry Bear and Amber Kat (young German couple), Trail Mix and a guy from Standing Bear. In bed at 2000 today to journal, read a bit and then sleep.
Date: 2012-04-13
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Awake and dozing at 0700 this morning. Heard woodpeckers, turkey close by gobbling and some deer going by. Woke up last night by fox barking nearby (remembered the sound from DC when I was at the Navy Security Yard) and lots of owls. Not as cold in the night. When I got here at Greasy Gap last night, no sounds at all. No wind, no animals, no people. Very nice. After a GREAT night and morning, the day pretty much went down hill. Lost Pink: my 6th Graders Against Bullies bandana, lost my green BDU liner, my hip belt buckle half way broke, found out while on personal leave my medical card could not be used and I had to tell my boss that I would probably NOT finish by 15 Aug as planned. The thermal top I impulsively bought at Erwin has turned out to be a God send, as it was very cold today with a stiff wind. Stopped at the shelter to see if anyone had found the liner or bandana, but no one had. One person saw the bandana and tied it to a branch, as he didn't know which way it was going! I got a plastic bag with my name on it and gave it to a SOBO to pick it up and give it to a NOBO. Maybe it will catch up! Hope so! Put a notice in the shelter register about the liner - I hope I catches up as well! Roan Mt Shelter is the highest shelter on the AT. I was very worried it would be too cold without my liner, but it was warmer than expected. I saw the springs and seeps all up the mountain were frozen, with large icicles everywhere.
Date: 2012-04-14
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 16.6

Early start today! Not as cold as expected, only had pop-tarts and oatmeal bar with no coffee, so on the Trail at 0910! Aiming for 10 miles today at least!Had lunch at Stan Murry shelter with coffee! Lots of people: section hikers, Father-man (he's important!) with entourage of young pups: Blueberry, Big-E and others I can't remember. HOO-AAH!!! After yesterday's panic call to my long-suffering and incredible wife to find, buy and emergency mail another liner to me, Bubble-Foot showed up with my liner!!!!! Another liner will be great, though, one for walking and to get damp if needed, one to keep dry and use for sleeping!Sunny and cool out of the wind today. Wind was very cold, though. Saw my first chipmunk today! Little fuzzy tailed, racing striped rat ran across my path, skidded(!) to a stop, looked at me, chirped and ran back to it's hole, where it stuck it's head out to watch me walk past. Very cute! Just before the climb to the top of Hump Mt, met a group of students from a regional college and talked with one education major. Her major was 1st through 3rd grade. Talked with her about my wife teaching 1st and 2nd overseas and 2nd here in FL. These kids were getting college credits for camping and hiking!!!!Up and over Little Hump and Hump Mountains. Lots of wind, cold temps, dry air gave me frostbite (not really, just felt like it!), sunburn (actually) and wind burn (lips!). Cold dry air gave incredible views. The saddle between the peaks were nothing but long, open meadows and balds.Got to Doll Flats about 1630. Fairly crowded with young pups, so I decided to push on a few hundred meters down the Trail to see if I could find a place not so crowded or open. By 1930, I was at 19E, so I hiked on to the Mt Harbor Hostel and tented there!
Date: 2012-04-15
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day today. RIGHT ankle hurting now. Legs stiff. 16.6 Trail miles may have been a mistake yesterday, plus .4 or so to the hostel. Can't get to Hampton too fast, as my liner won't get there until another day or so. The breakfast at the hostel was incredible. Sunday: ham, 3 types of scrambled eggs with add-ons, biscuits, gravy, french toast, honey with pecans, strawberry puffs, chocolate coffee cake, hash browns, fruits, and several other great choices!! Coffee, teas, OJ, wonderful! All you can eat as well. All for $9?!?! don't see how they do it, but they were great and I apologize for not remembering their names.Pack is starting to fall apart in a couple of places - need to stitch up the seams. Didn't bleed as much money for once. Dollar Stores: I love ya! Small blister forming on inside edge of left heel, probably from the inserts I bought at Erwin raising my foot a little, but also maybe from compensating for hurting right ankle. Inserts gone after one day: fell apart! Sorry, Dr. Scholls - I'm getting a refund on those! 2nd toe on my left foot now has a black toenail: I know that one will be gone soon! Looks like I've decided to go 10% Goth with black toenail polish. Right ankle is hurting now like the left one did. Ibuprofen not working at all. Left ankle, of course, is perfectly fine. Go figure. 16+ miles may have stiffened it a bit. I'm planning on at least 12 miles per day now to try and get through by 15 Aug and to see if the right ankle will heal as well. It's doable, I hope. Only need to get to Hampton, TN by Tuesday for my package.
Date: 2012-04-16
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: USFS 293
Miles today: 13.5

Hard to move today: right ankle hurting, seems like I'm moving in slow motion like the first few days. 13.5 miles, though, wasn't bad. Didn't seem that far, either. Sunny and hot, very muggy weather may have something to do with the speed. Drinking lots of water, sweating heavily. Very different from the last few days! No t-storms in sight or forecast, though. I wish they would form: the longer the humidity continues to build, the more severe the storms could be later. Saw Hungry Bear and Amber Kat at the Mountaineer Shelter - her ankle is hurting like mine, so they are going slow as well. Of course, slow to them is ONLY 15 - 18 miles per day!Saw my first REAL snake: at least the length of my hoe handle stick, as after it slithered off the Trail, I measured where it had been. Large black snake, which at first just lay there, trying to make a rattlesnake noise by vibrating it's tail in the leaves. Of course, I was just watching it instead of getting my camera out! Bad weather forecast for tomorrow or tomorrow night. We'll see. Found nice camping spot just off the Trail. Level, clear, sheltered from any wind. Looking forward to good night's sleep.
Date: 2012-04-17
From: USFS 293

To: Just past Coon Den Falls Trail
Miles today: 10.0

Warmish night for once. Woke once to something heavy rustling and breaking branches across the Trail from me. Not deer - they move to delicately. Must have been a wild hog or bear, but no idea what. Didn't care - rolled over and went back to sleep.Had top of vestibule door open partly - no condensation inside, but no dew outside either. On Trail at 0950 or so. Trail not hard at all, but still seems like first days. Right ankle and left blister are slowing me down a lot. I should be doing 2 MPH through this section with no problems. Actually passed Steamer, Goldilocks and another girl who had passed me before! No sign of Hungry Bear or Amber Kat. Did 2.5 miles after lunch in 1 hour! Ankle and blister either numb or ibuprofen finally kicked in. T-storm rolling in at 1630, so I set up camp. After all was set up, storm gone, of course. No rain from that one, so I was going to push on, but here came another one. Rain started about 1740 or so. Phone calls home and to hostel, then done for the day. Only 5.5 miles from Hampton,TN.