morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-03-29
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

The dark cloud that caused my two day hiatus had a silver lining, namely that I was sitting in a motel room when a rainstorm hit the region and that the skies turned clear when I reached Clingmans Dome. From atop the tower I could see mountains and hills in all directions for miles upon miles. Normally at this time of year the mountain is shrouded in thick clouds. I caught a break. Despite my title for this entry, Clingmans Dome is not actually the top of the world. It's not even the highest mountain on the eastern seaboard - that honor belongs to Mt. Mitchell (in NC). But it is the highest peak on the AT at 6667'. Still, I chose the title because it's descriptive of my present attitude. Climbing to the top showed me I had bounced back physically and mentally from the stomach bug. Being on the tower was a confidence builder. That I crossed the 200 mile mark further boosted my morale. Only 2000 more miles to go.
Date: 2017-03-30
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Tri-corner Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Inspired by my last two days of progress, hoping to close the gap between Scotty and I, figuring he was at least two days ahead of me, and wanting to get through the Smokies as soon as I could because I believed my cell service would improve on the outside, I pushed myself. By day's end, I had surprised myself with 19.4 miles - a new El Vago world record.During the course of the day I passed through Newfound Gap, which is on the border of NC and TN. The Gap has a busy parking area, with scores of visitors and day hikers milling about in addition to thru-hikers. There are also several trash cans at the parking lot, which offer a priceless opportunity to dump dead weight. I availed myself of this gift - I cannot fully explain why ridding myself of 4 ounces of garbage can bring so much pleasure.The joy was shortlived, however, when I came across a dry sack lying next to the trash bin. It was obviously accidentally dropped by a thru-hiker because it had an AT tag dangling from it. The owner was nowhere in sight, so I picked it up and attached it to the outside of my pack. Perhaps, I thought, I will bump into its owner at the next shelter. It weighed more than the trash I had unloaded, so I had not done well with this exchange.As I hiked up out of Newfound Gap, I found myself amidst many of the day hikers, some of which took a special interest in me. Those who were not overcome by my odor even ventured close enough to ask me what I was doing and why. Often they expressed admiration, telling me they hoped to do the hike some day. Truth is this was a real ego booster. I didn't have the heart to tell them the hike is not as glamorous as it seems on paper.One family of four, a husband, wife, and two youngsters, kept pace with me and peppered me with every question imaginable. How do you get food on the trail? Water? Where do you sleep? I loved the attention. While we were chatting, I saw a young man, in his twenties, racing down the mountain, leaping from rock to rock at a reckless speed. He wore no backpack and carried in one hand a wooden walking stick that was long enough to push a gondola through a Venice canal. He wore a frantic expression. When he came alongside me I asked if he had lost a sack. He stopped dead. I turned to show him the bag on the back of my pack. You're a lifesaver, he said. He unclipped the sack. So you're UPS, too, cried the husband who watched the event unfold. I laughed and said, No, just you're everyday mule. The youngster turned and ran back uphill, and within moments was gone from sight. Then I thought about what I'd said. I never did look in the sack. Perhaps I was in fact a mule.
Date: 2017-03-31
From: Tri-corner Knob Shelter 

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: moderate rain

If I were to get out of the Smokies today I needed to put in another long miler. Fortunately the terrain was predominantly downhill to Davenport Gap, which was a short 3 miles away from the Standing Bear Farm hostel. Those miles had me crossing a bridge over a stateline river, passing under I-40, and ascending a steep, stone stairway. I dragged myself to the hostel, out of breath, but full of hope, for I had reached civilation. Civilization, I discovered, had not yet reached Standing Bear Farm. It had a single privy to serve all guests, and you had to wash your laundry by hand (scrubboard provided). Still, it was better than the amenities offered by the wilderness from which I just emerged. For instance, it had a dryer, it had beds with matresses and linen, it had a shower with hot water, though it's dank smell reminded me of a privy, it had electricity in some of the cabins, it had a fully utensiled kitchen with stovetops, a sink, and a pizza oven, it had a storehouse stocked with snacks, juices, and cold sodas, and it had wifi, provided you stayed within 10 feet of the kitchen, which is, of course, what most hikers staying at the hostel did. The load we collectively put on the wifi bandwidth rendered it useless for anything beyond texting. The kitchen also had a power strip, each socket having a cellphone plugged into it. Charging was painfully slow, and I gave up after the clock struck hiker midnight.I shared a cabin with Slow&Steady and Bulldog, two retired gents who know how to hike, taking side trails to climb firetowers, enjoying towns along the way with multiple consecutive zeros. I asked them when they started their thru-hikes, and they said on the 17th. I compared their progress to mine, since I started on the 2nd, and tonight we were all at the same place. Holy smokes, I said, you guys are flying. They then set me straight. They started February 17th.My bed was in the loft. That night I slept like a baby: I awoke every two hours and cried myself back to sleep. A good night sleep eludes me this hike. I can count on one finger the number of times I've slept through the night.Today I heard surprising news. Another fellow traveler, called 8track, informed me Scotty was still in the Smokies. I assumed he was 2 days ahead of me. Apparently he had to leave the trail because his tent flooded during the rainstorm I missed while watching TV at the Talley-ho Inn.
Date: 2017-04-01
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Standing Bear Farm had one more surprise. A rooster crowed three times this morning, at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 a.m. It brought to mind that infamous occasion when a cock crowed thrice. I hoped this was no harbinger of the upcoming day.My plan is to make it to Hot Springs, NC, in three days, where real civilization awaits. Because I pushed myself hard the past couple of days, today I would take a leisurely walk of just 10 miles. My average speed is 2 mph, so I am confident I can cover the distance in five hours, give or take 15 minutes. I would then divide the remaining distance of about 23 miles over the following two days.One of the objectives of hiking the AT, albeit a strange one, is to confront one's fears. The AT makes me aware that I have many, which would never come to light if I had never left the comfort of home. When I reached my target distance, I found myself alone. I then became aware that I am a bit anxious to sleep in the woods, miles from nowhere, surrounded by eerie nighttime noises made by creaking trees, hooting owls, gobbling turkeys, and barking dogs (I hope they were dogs), when not in the company of othrrs, the ole safety in numbers idea. But when I set up my tent, got water, ate dinner, hung my bear bag, I crawled inside my bag feeling very secure. I still had a crappy night of sleep, but it was unrelated to be the lone camper at my spot. When I was still alive the next morning, I realized I had exaggerated the fear. "Be anxious for nothing." Easy to say; tough to put into practice.
Date: 2017-04-02
From: Brown Gap

To: Walnut Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

A magnificent day to hike, warm, the sun shone bright, barely a cloud in the sky. Today's 10 miler was easy, and I enjoyed all of it (okay, maybe not the hills so much).But if every day were like today, I'd never finish the thru-hike because I'd sit forever atop the grassy bald named Max Patch, stunned by the surrounding beauty of layer upon layer of brown rounded hills in the foreground with jagged blue mountains behind. None of the dozen or so panoramic photos I took can come close to reproducing the feelings I had when I gazed all about me. The grandeur of creation before me, I believed myself to be sitting on holy ground. I spent nearly an hour on that hill, unconcerned for the moment with making miles. If hiking the AT has any purpose, it is to bathe in moments like this.Eventually I moved on to Walnut Mt. It's vista did not have the same expanse as Max Patch, but it was remarkable just the same. I sat alone on its grassy top, watching the sun set. After the sun dipped behind the mountainous horizon, a cool wind began to blow, so I made a quick retreat to my tent that awaited me a short distance down the hillside. Three others were already tucked into theur bags within the shelter, and a latecomer was setting up his tent in the twilight. This may have been my favorite hiking day thus far.
Date: 2017-04-03
From: Walnut Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs 
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

The wind blowing across Walnut Mt. Shelter was gale force and unrelenting. My tent shook and rattled all night. If I had not been lying within it, I believe the tent pegs would have come out of the ground and the tent would have flown off like a box kite. The fly of the tent flapped madly within inches of my head. It sounded as though the wind was ripping it into tatters. The noise was deafening. In an attempt to drown out the cacophony, I put in the earplugs to my ipod shuffle and turned the volume on high. However, it's difficult falling asleep to blaring music, especially if it's the kind selected to get myself motivated to climb mountains. I turned off the music, keeping the earplugs in, figuring I had a better chance of falling asleep to the muffled sound of my tent being torn to shreds. As it turns out, this idea didn't pan out well. I fell asleep around 4:30 a.m., and awoke at 6:15 a.m. I needed to get an early start for Hot Springs. Rumors were that today was going to bring rain showers, and I wanted to get ahead of them.The rumors were wrong. The day brought cold torrential downpours, and I walked three hours through them. From head to toe there was not one dry spot. Even my waterproof boots were no longer waterproof. You get to the point where you are so soaked you cannot get any wetter, so you just plod on and the rain doesn't phase you anymore, no matter how hard it spits. And you don't stop because then you get cold. Besides, I knew a warm, well lighted place awaited me somewhere in Hot Springs. However, along the way I was wondering, where do I go, I have no reservation at a hotel and no cell service (curse you AT&T). When a group of women hikers passed me going in the opposite direction, the last in the line stopped to chat, perhaps to catch her breath. I told her my desire to reach town, and she suggested I go to the Laughing Heart hostel. Who am I do question fate?The hostel is adjacent the trailhead just as you get out of the hills. So convenient and I drenched, this place is a godsend. A hot shower, a washer and dryer, dry clothes, and I'm as good as new. If only my boots would dry out by tomorrow.
Date: 2017-04-04
From: Hot Springs 

To: Hot Springs 
Miles today: 0.0

My hiking chum made it into town yesterday, driven by the rain, and this morning we reunited over breakfast at the Smokey Mountain diner. We each had our tale to tell about the happenings over the past 7 days after we went separate ways. Tomorrow we will set off together for Erwin, TN, about a five days hike from Hot Springs. I look forward to walking with him again. In stark contrast to yesterday's miserable weather, today's was ideal. Sunny, in the 70s, not a cloud in the sky, it was the perfect day for hiking and the perfect day for taking a zero. Unable to do both, we chose the more perfect option to rest our weary bones, dry our equipment, and increase our calorie intake. I learned from yesterday's soaking and bought myself a rain kilt. It's quite the fashion statement. The weather this week should put it to the test. Rain forecast for tomorrow and Thursday and snow mixed with rain on Friday promise us a challenging week. Makes me glad I rested up before the next onslaught.
Date: 2017-04-05
From: Hot Springs 

To: Spring Mt. Shelter 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

I've been out on the AT for just over a month now, and I've covered nearly 285 miles. But I know there are some astute mathematicians out there who have calculated my daily mileage and are wondering whether I'll make it to Katahdin before the turn of the New Year. Well, I'm wondering, too. But here's how I think it will happen. First, I have just about developed good trail legs, which means I can average about 2 mph. Presently, I can do this for about six to eight hours per day. So, barring any injury, illness, or other setback, I should be able to average 12 to 15 miles per day this month.And summer is coming, which means more daylight hours. Not to mention, warmer temperatures allow me to unload the heavier gear in exchange for lighter stuff, like clothing and sleeping bag. A light backpack is a hiker's friend. These things can only help to beef up that daily average.Finally, I understand it's mostly flat or downhill from here on out, so it will be a breeze. Therefore, no worries. That said, I "only" did 11 miles today. The first day out of a resupply town normally has two disadvantages. One is that I'm carrying more food, in this case five days of food. That amounts to an extra 10 pounds. The second is that it's predominantly uphill. Towns are normally situated in gaps between mountains. You descend to enter them and ascend when you leave. It also did not help that it rained for part of the day. While I looked marvelous in my sporty new rain kilt, it did cut down on my mobility. These are my excuses, and I'm sticking to them. Just wait and see what tomorrow brings!
Date: 2017-04-06
From: Spring Mt. Shelter 

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter 
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Today's hike was tough. Normally 15 plus miles is a challenging enough, but the terrain was the most difficult we've seen thus far, climbing up and down an exposed rocky ridge line for an eternity. Moreover, rain turned to hail which turned to sleet which turned to snow. The going became slick and slow. My new kilt passed the test, keeping my pants dry, but I was still uncomfortably wet and cold at my core. As long as I kept moving I was fine, but one can't walk forever. Under such conditions we decided to go over to the dark side, to sleep among the mice, to share my snoring with the multitude, yes, to sleep in the shelter. It was a much faster way to warm up than pitching a tent. Also, two denizens of the shelter, named Frodo and Nopoles, hung their tarps at the front to block the wind. With seven guys inside, one more than the shelter's capacity, it got toasty and comfortable, even if it smelled like a gym. I slept well, which I attribute to the level flooring of the shelter. And no mice made any guest appearances, which my fellow shelter sharers attribute to my chainsaw snoring.Lastly, we went over the 300 mile mark today. We're almost 13% done!
Date: 2017-04-08
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whispering Gap Campsite
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

We left the Hogback Ridge Shelter shortly after 8 am. Our objective was to split the remaining 26 miles into two reasonable sections so we could reach Erwin by midday on the second day. There were two shelters along the way, Bald Mt. Shelter and No Business Shelter, but Bald was too close to us, only 10 miles, and No Business was too far, at 21 miles, so we chose Whispering Gap as a suitable midpoint.The day started magnificently. We came upon two trail magic stations within tenths of a mile of each other. Quiet Paul -- aptly named, since it was like pulling teeth just to have him tell us his trail name, he hardly spoke to us --manned the first station and served huge helpings of scrambled eggs and hash browns. He had coolers filled with soft drinks and beer. I had a Coke with breakfast, go figure. Scotty hesitated above an open cooler, gazing longingly at a Pabst Blue Ribbon can, his mind calculating the time in England as being well past noon. But he thought better of it, it being only 9:30 am after all. After filling our gullets to overflowing, we came upon an elaborate table arrangement, with fruit of various kinds, hot cocoa, and hot dogs. I had a Del Monte can of pears; its syrupy juice never tasted so good. I couldn't bring myself to have a hot dog, but I did run off with a banana in the brain of my backpack. Thank heavens I did, because that banana helped counteract the turmoil Quiet Paul's greasy hashbrowns were causing in my lower intestines. Reaching the top of Big Bald Mt. was today's highlight. The peak offered us a 360-degree view. The wind blew hard and cold up there, so we stayed just long enough to snap a few photos and fire off some text messages.Coming down from Big Bald Mt. was touch and go. The decline was steep and ankle deep in mud because of the melted snow. Each step was uncertain. Sometimes I was skiing through it. I narrowly averted falling at least a dozen times. The campsite at Whispering Gap was excellent for setting up tents, relatively flat, sunny, snowless, and mudless. Seven of us camped there that night, Pogo, Maple, Dead Guy Ale, Baseman, Toodles, Scotty, and I. I noticed the trousers of a few of them were covered in mud. They did not fare as well coming down the hill. Tomorrow, if all goes as planned, we reach Erwin!
Date: 2017-04-09
From: Whispering Gap Campsite

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We had been four straight days in the woods, with today being our fifth, and the desire to get to town was irresistible. It had been a grueling four days, and we were ready for a refreshing zero. The weather was ideal for hiking from the start, sunny, warm, short-sleeved conditions. Best yet, the trail to town was mostly downhill.I had a remarkable amount of pep to carry me the distance. My ipod shuffle had something to do with this. With Queen's "We are the Champions" booming in my ears, I felt like running up the mountains. The only downer of the day was the lack of privies along this final stretch. Some hikers have described crapping in the woods as a spiritual experience, a moment of becoming one with nature. I describe the experience as a colossal mess, causing a shameful waste of toilet paper and leaving an environmental hazard. I've yet to achieve the required 6 inch deep hole in the ground. Who has the time to dig that deep? And I've yet to hit a bullseye. I'll take a stinky privy over a log in the forest any day.We reached town by 2 p.m. Uncle Johnny shuttled us to the Super8, which is conveniently located between an electric powerplant and highway 26. Multiple fast food joints are within walking distance. We ate at Bojangles and the Huddle House, both bastions of fine dining. Tomorrow we do our resupply duties and rest our weary feet.
Date: 2017-04-10
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Scotty and I spent another fine day in Erwin. The town is a sprawl. We walked over five miles visiting the various pharmacies, grocery stores, and restaurants. Not having to carry a 35-pound sack made the walking easy. Surprisingly, we were the only persons in town walking about, despite the gorgeous weather. Scotty is astounded by the love Americans have for their cars, particularly large ones, and how rarely we walk. Guilty as charged. I'm reminded how infrequently I walk into my MA town though it's only about a mile away from home. On a different note, I'm trying something new. It's been no secret that a good night's sleep has eluded me on the trail. I do fare better in hotels, but even then I rarely sleep through the night. So I picked up Advil PM. Let's see how it goes. I just hope I don't wind up sleepwalking to Taco Bell down the road.Tomorrow it's back to the trail. It starts off uphill, of course, we are leaving town after all.
Date: 2017-04-11
From: Erwin, TN

To: stealth site 
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: broken clouds

After a full day's rest and five square meals, Scotty and I were anxious to get back to the trail. It was going to be a tough uphill 12 mile climb, and the sooner we started, the sooner we'd be done. We left the Super8 by 7:30 a.m. But first a stop at Huddle House for a quick breakfast. Mistake one. The diner was understaffed. Service was slooooooow. I had to get silverware myself from behind the kitchen counter. The lone waiter saw me and seemed appreciative of the help. While we waited for coffee, I used the idle time to call Uncle Johnny's shuttle service to bring us back to the trailhead, only 2.3 miles away. We understood that Uncle Johnny's made a scheduled stop at Huddle House. How convenient for us. Mistake two. Whereas the shuttle van would arrive at somewhere between 8:30 and 9:00, it would not leave until 10. Yikes. I dialed other shuttle services and found nothing better. Just as well, we might not even get our coffee by 10.At around 9, midway in our eating, the van pulled up to the diner and out poured 8 hikers and the van driver, a gray beard wearing a coyote hat with earflaps. He deliberately looked the part of a southern hick. They came into the restaurant and occupied two tables. They had come for breakfast. It was inconceivable to me that they would be fed before noon. I introduced myself to the driver to make sure he had space in the van. He did, and there would be 13 of us.When Scotty and I finished breakfast, we decided to wait on the front lawn in the warm sunshine. I watched the front door to the breakfast house, wary that they would slip out and leave us hanging. They did not slip out until half past ten. We joined them to reserve out spots. The group then huddled by the van and waited interminably while three other passengers finished their meals inside. Finally, 13 of us piled in (the driver made 14), and we pulled out. We were on our way, so I believed. Instead he drove us directly across the street to a fast food drive-thru window, where he proceeded to place a large order. Scotty and I looked at each other in amazement. Luckily it was a fast food joint.We then drove about a city block and stopped at Walgreens, where a passenger jumped out and disappeared for a dog's year inside, while we idled in the parking lot. We idled so long the driver turned off the ignition. I laughed aloud. At last, the person returned and we were truly on our way. We reached the hostel at 11:15, 45 minutes after getting in the van. Oddly, I was relaxed and resigned to the laid back ways of Tennessee. I even found the entire event amusing, more so than the hike, which was a 12-mile 3600' uphill jaunt that knocked the stuffing out of me. I find I lose a bit of umph after I do a zero.
Date: 2017-04-12
From: stealth site 

To: Clyde Smith Shelter 
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Sixty-five degrees and sunny today once the morning fog burned off. Green ground cover is sprouting through the brown coating of dead leaves. Flowers of many varities are blooming. Birds are more numerous, as are the butterflies, moths, gnats, and black flies. No mosquitoes yet - when they emerge, now that's a game changer. At higher elevations, the trees are still bare, but the farther down in the valleys, the branches are laden with bright green buds, getting ready to burst open. Have we turned the corner from winter to spring?The hike was moderately tough today although there were no big mountains to climb, just many pointless ups and downs. We reached the shelter far too early to settle for the day, but we did. I was in my tent by 5 p.m. My best sleep happened between 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. Such is the tenting nightlife.