morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: light rain

19th day. Left the shelter at 7:00 a.m. Only had to go about 3 miles or so to get to Hot Springs. It started raining right before we got to town, but we did okay. Staying at a hotel with Tex tonight. It helps to have someone to split the cost of the room. Tomorrow night will be at the Hostel which will be much cheaper. I heard the guy who has my phone should get in to Hot Springs tomorrow. Hoping he does! I had a BIG country breakfast Tex and I mostly just walked around town; it's not very big. I bought a few things at the Dollar Store. I also bought a pint and a half of ice cream and we shared it before it melted, lol. This layover will give me time to rest, resupply and eat real food versus hiker food. That's all for now. Back to my nice comfy hotel room. Good night.
Date: 2012-05-05
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

20th day is a zero day (no hiking miles). Slept great at the hotel. What a luxury after days of sleeping in my tent or the shelter. We slept late since we were taking a zero day and there was nowhere we had to be. After breakfast, we got our packs organized again. I had another nice, hot shower before checking out of the hotel. I bought more trail food at the Dollar Store. I'm at the Hostel now. I JUST GOT MY PHONE BACK, YEAH!! Told "Blue Eyes" lunch was on me. Thank you once again. Called Carol and talked to her for about an hour. I'll head back out to the trail in the morning. For now, Good Night.
Date: 2012-05-06
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

Left Hot Springs at 7:00 a.m. The weather was great today. Crossed the bridge over the French Broad River then had to hop over the guard rail and go down an embankment to follow the trail back into the woods. There was lots of climbing today. Climbed up to the rocky outcroppings they call Lover's Leap Rock. Also, climbed the Rich Mountain Lookout Tower. There were some great views from up there. Did almost 20 miles today with a total of 293.5 milles so far. It's nice to have the quiet of the woods again after being in town for two days. I'm done for the day so Good Night.
Date: 2012-05-07
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Sugarloaf Gap
Miles today: 17.3

I started to hike at 7:30 a.m. The wind howled all night and still was this morning. The group I had been hiking with pretty well split up at Hot Springs. Several of the guys went to Ashford, which I hear is a party town. Tex and I are the only ones left. He finally got a signal here with his AT&T service; I have Verizon. You never know when you're going to have service. The weather has been getting hotter during the day, for hiking, anyway. But it's still not too bad. I did lots of climbing, starting right after leaving camp. Got into thick fog as we went up, finally cleared about 10:00 a.m. Almost needed ropes to climb over the boulders around the Blackstack Cliffs and Big Firescald Knob. It was a hard day of hiking, did about 17.5 miles. Passed the Shelton Gravesite at mile 303.8. There are headstones for the Shelton boys and one other from the Civl War. They were coming home and were ambushed. What a surprise to learn about Civil War history right on the A.T. I'm tenting about 4 miles South of Hogback Ridge Shelter, around Sugarloaf Gap area. A total of around 311 miles. Woohoo!! I've gone over the 300 miles mark. I should be in Erwin, TN in two more days. Talked to Carol. She went to our son, Alvin's, honors program. He got honored for the most outstanding social science student where he is attending college. I'm proud of you, Alvin. I wish I could be there for his graduation, but I know he understands and wants me to continue my A.T. hike. We have three great kids, Cynthia, Chris and Alvin. Cynthia has a great job, Chris is in a Master's Program and Alvin is talking about going into a Master's Program. They're all encouraging me onward. Well, the day has been great and I'm ready to call it done. So, Good Night for now.
Date: 2012-05-08
From: Sugarloaf Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

It rained all night last night and was still raining when I broke camp this morning. I started hiking about 7:30 a.m. The rain finally cleared some but then the MONSOONS came. The trail became a mud slide!!! Tex and I fell three times each. There were lots of hard climbs today. Big Bald was the toughest at 5516' of elevation and it has two peaks. We did 20 miles in spite of the weather and the climbs. We did it so we can make Erwin, TN tomorrow by late morning. Tex heard that there is an all u can eat pizza place from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Hmmm! Sounds like Pizza Hut to me. I'm ready for some town food. We are planning on spending the night at a hostel or a bunkhouse when we get there. We heard they may have cabins as well, so we will see which we choose. Stopped at Spivey Gap for the night, which means I'll have a tough climb first thing out of camp in the morning. Anytime there's a Gap it seems that there is a climb afterward. But, it's only about 11 miles to Erwin so we'll be okay. Total of 330.8 miles so far. Good night for now.
Date: 2012-05-09
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: moderate rain

Broke camp at 6:00 a.m. Tex was totally focused on getting to town for the big pizza buffet. We made it and once we got there, we ate for an hour, nonstop. It was another monsoon today while hiking. We got to Erwin about 11:00 a.m. It would have been an easy hike except for the rain. Hiked about 11 miles today and a total of 341.5 so far thru the first three states. Tex and I are the only one's here from our main group. We're spending the night at a hostel bunkhouse. It's kind of a dump but I had a hot shower a while ago and it felt great. Now I'm doing my laundry and getting my food resupply so I can head back to the trail in the morning. That's all for now.
Date: 2012-05-10
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Left the town of Erwin, TN about 6:30 a.m. Stayed at Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel. It's on the Nolichucky River where they do a lot of kayaking and rafting. I hate to say it but it was pretty much a dump. The worse place we've stayed at since being on the trail. The shower felt good though and I did manage to do some laundry, so not all bad. There was lots of climbing today. The "Beauty Spot" was absolutely awesome. It's a big grassy clearing. Then came the climb up Unaka Mountain, awesome? not so much!! It was a HUGE climb with a dense spruce forest. Did 17.5 miles today, making a total of 359. miles so far.   I'm tenting at Cherry Gap Shelter tonight and I don't feel so great. I'm thinking I was allergic to something at the Hostel, but not sure. I did see SEVERAL cats there so......maybe!! It's COLD and WINDY so crawling into my sleeping bag. Good night for now.
Date: 2012-05-11
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

I left camp about 7:30 a.m. The key word of the day is CLIMB!! Up Little Bald Knob where the trail skirts the summit, cross a stream then down to Iron Mountain Gap. Next came Little Rock Knob, then cross another stream and down to Hughes Gap. Last climb of the day up Roan High Knob. The weather was good today and still is right now but it's supposed to get really cold tonight. I crossed a road about four miles into my hike today and received Trail Magic. I was given an orange, moonpie and lemonade. All greatly appreciated. I'm staying at the highest shelter on the entire trail at 6285'. Roan Mountain is the last mountain over six thousand feet until New Hampshire and it was a HUGE climb. Most everybody struggles their way up to the top. Actually, I'm tenting, not staying inside the shelter, as there is less mice. You always have mice to contend with in the shelters. They get in your backpack and everywhere else and can chew holes through anything. Nothing is safe from there gnawing teeth. I try to make sure all my food is secure in my bear bag so they don't get into it. I someetimes think you have to worry about them more than you do the bears. I haven't seen any more bears since the Smokies and some of the hikers haven't seen any at all. I've felt lucky to see the ones I did without having any scary encounters like the people that had their tent ripped to pieces. Did a little over 16 miles today and a total of 375.4 miles so far. I'm getting close to that 400 miles mark. Should make that in two more days. That will be a big accomplishment for me. Well, gotta go rest up now as I have more mountains to climb tomorrow. Good night for now.
Date: 2012-05-12
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Elk River (Campsite)
Miles today: 22.5

Left Roan High Knob Shelter at 7:15 a.m. It is COLD, COLD COLD!!!! Oh, and WINDY, too!! Of course, that is expected at this elevation. AND, I'm still meeting hiker's who got SICK at Uncle Johnny's DUMP hostel!! I'm so glad mine was just a cold or whatever and not that stomach bug that most of them got. It is still affecting my hiking though. I am feeling draggy, especially on the hills and we had two big ones today. Before the climbs, there were also a couple of grassy balds, providing excellent views. First was Round Bald, then Jane Bald right before coming to Stan Murray Shelter and then Overmountain Shelter, which I passed up. Then came the climbs up Little Hump Mountain and Hump Mountain, which had a lot of false summits!! Darn it, I thought I was there, already. Plus, I finally saw the last of North Carolina at Doll Flats and am now in Tennessee. The trail has crossed back and forth between the two states so many times that you didn't know which state you were in unless you saw a marker at a road crossing. I'm camping right by Elk River. It's stil just Tex and I from our original group. I don't know where the others are at. Some, maybe, have gotten off the trail for various reasons. I'm about two miles from Mountaineer Shelter, but did 22.5 miles today and just didn't feel like going any further. When you're done, you're done!! I'm at 397.9 miles so far. So close to that 400 mile mark I can taste it. It's trying to drizzle rain now. It's gonna put out the nice fire that I had built, LOL. I'm done for today. Good night all.
Date: 2012-05-13
From: Elk River (Campsite)

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.4

Left camp at 8:00 a.m. but not before I took about a 20 minute swim in the Elk River. IT WAS COLD!! Tex said I was crazy!! Duh? I'm out here doing this, aren't I? It rained most of the day today and it's getting colder. It's supposed to rain all night and part of tomorrow. I'm staying at Moreland Gap Shelter (in the shelter) so no wet tent tonight. Packing up a wet tent makes for extra weight in the pack. I will do about nine miles to Hampton, TN tomorrow and wil try to stay at a hostel, go into town and resupply. The more often you hit a town the less food weight you have to carry each day on the trail. Ounces add up! Did about 12 miles today (which I had planned so I could be at the shelter tonight during the rain) and a total of 410.3 miles so far. YOOHOO!! I hit the 400 mile mark. Fireworks, please!! So, town day tomorrow for food and resupply, then back to the trail. That's the plan. Good night for now.
Date: 2012-05-14
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Rd
Miles today: 6.0

Left Moreland Gap Shelter at 7:30 a.m. It's pouring rain and rained all the way to the hostel we are staying at, close to Hampton. Only had to do six miles today but with the trail a wet, muddy mess, that was enough. It's all good now, though. I'm clean, dry and well fed. I had a good shower, went to the Dollar Store and ate at McDonalds. It's stil raining, but supposed to stop soon. Total of 416.3 miles so far. That's the most I can say for this day. Good night.
Date: 2012-05-15
From: Dennis Cove Rd

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

I left the hostel at 7:15 a.m. and at least it's not raining! Laurel Falls was amazing!! Pond Flats had no pond and for sure was not flat!! It was a big, arduous hill to climb. I walked down to the HUGE Watauga Lake today and got big time trail magic. They had burgers, sodas etc. All the food a hiker could want. I'm now camping at Vandeventer Shelter which is positioned along a rocky ridge. Did about 18 miles today with a total of 434.0 miles so far. Thanks to all those who have signed my guest book. It means a lot to me. That's all for today. Good night.
Date: 2012-05-16
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: broken clouds

Started raining again last night; at least I was in the shelter. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Poncho caught up with us at the Hostel and was also at the shelter with us last night. As far as today, it was a long one!! We left the Shelter at 7:30 a.m. and didn't stop until we arrived at Abingdon Gap Shelter for the night at 6:00 p.m. It wasn't that bad a hike, as far as the terrain went, but 23 miles is still a long haul no matter what the trail conditions and the trail was still muddy from last night's rain. I flushed a grouse today; the first one I've seen in a while. I also saw a big patch of ginseng (yes, I left it right where it was). For those who don't know; ginseng root is harvested and sold, making the harvester quite a profit. It is a medicinal plant and you are required to have a permit to harvest and sell it. Tex saw two snakes today; better him than me. We are both tenting tonight instead of staying in the shelter. Total mileage is 456.7, so far. I'm ten miles away from Damascus, VA and will be in my fourth state. Everyone's looking forward to "Trail Days" at Damascus. FREE FOOD, FREE SHOWERS, and who knows from there. I heard they have competitions and the whole festival type atmosphere that lasts for a week. Damascus is the most famous trail town and they have been hosting "Trail Days" for about 25 years. Lots of hikers plan their days to make sure they arrive here for Trail Days. Past year hikers come here too, along with friends and family, so it's one big reunion for everybody. We're hoping to be in town by noon tomorrow, get our free food and free shower tickets, set up our tents in "Tent City"then just walk around and check out the vendors and the town. There will be all types of vendors selling hiking gear, etc. Damascus is a small town, but will probably have 20,000 people there for "Trail Days", it is that big of an event. We'll get to talk to past hikers and hear about everything they encountered on the trail. There will be some interesting stories told, I'm sure. Well, gotta go rest up for the big Trail Days experience. Free food, free food! I'm gonna dream about food tonight, I just know it! Good night, everybody.
Date: 2012-05-17
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Made it into Damascus at 10:30 a.m. I'm in Virginia! We decided not to stay in "Tent City" due to the chance of rain. We're staying in the bunkroom at "The Place", a Methodist Church-run bunkroom. There is such wonderful ministry. The church was handing out goody bags; we also got our tickets for free food and a shower. Our meal ticket was for 8:00 p.m. and the food was all good. The shower was great; they have a trailer setup with four different showers; you stand in line until it's your turn and the line moved pretty fast. There is a suggested donation of $5.00 to stay at the bunkroom and a lady does a "shared" laundry for $5.00. When it's done, you go in and sort out your clothes from the others. And, that's how I got my socks back that I had lost the 3rd day on the trail! No kidding!! I was sorting my clothes and snagged up a pair of Smartwool socks saying I thought they were mine or at least I had a pair that looked like them. A girl there said she also had a pair just like that. She told me she had found them hanging in a tree along the trail sometime back. She gave me a funny look when I started laughing. I explained how I had lost a pair after I had hung them on a branch of a tree, then walked off without them. She kindly offered them back to me as they were to big for her anyway and she had only been using them at night to keep her feet warm. I told her she could keep them but she insisted I take them back; a perfect example of how nice the people are on the trail.                           The sky opened up tonight with monsoon type rain, thunder and lighting. There wasn't much we could do with the water pouring down, so we listened to the Bluegrass Band by the Church until the storm became so intense they had to quit playing. I got to talk to Bob Peoples, the guy that runs the Kincora Hostel we stayed at a couple nights ago. He was telling us some of his hiking experiences. He's a very interesting guy, is really nice and very well thought of by everyone in the hiking community. We're all just hanging out tonight, visting with everybody. Tex, Poncho, Kleenex and I have all been hiking together the last few days. The firemen are putting on a big breakfast in the morning starting at 7:00 a.m. So, we'll be there for that. Then the vendor's will open up and we'll see what they've got. That's all for now. Goodnight!!
Date: 2012-05-18
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, the free breakfast wasn't free and didn't look that plentiful for the $5.00 they wanted to charge; so, we went down the road to a restaurant that was putting on a big hiker breakfast for $7.00 and it was plentiful and tasted really good. I'm taking a zero day today (no hiking miles) and just relaxing. I had intended to leave today but Tex is waiting on a Fed Ex package to come in. Plus, my knee started hurting a little so I thought another day might give it time to get a little better. I guess it is still aggravated from the fall I had days ago. I will definitely head out in the morning, though, and Tex will catch up with me later. His Fed Ex didn't come in so he has to wait another day for it. We walked over to "Tent City" to see what was going on there. I don't think it was too awfully quiet over there last night. Whole bunch of tents and lots of partying. Glad I was at the Hostel so I could get some sleep. Checked out all the vendors today to see what they were selling or demonstrating. And, those that know me well, won't be surprised that I found a library book sale. Found a couple books that I shipped home to Carol That about sums up the day. Tomorrow, back to the trail. Good night all!
Date: 2012-05-19
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

34th day. I left Damascus about 6:15 a.m. Before I left, I received some more free food and got another hot shower. Listened to some good music. The weather was great. Damascus is a fantastic trail town. There was quite a bit of climbing today. You head North from Damascus on the Virginia Creeper Trail. There was a steep set of steps right after leaving Damascus. Tex stayed in town waiting on his Fed Ex package. He may get here before dark tonight; if not, he should catch up with me tomorrow since he is a faster hiker than I am. I crossed a river/stream several times today. It was, actually, very nice. Also, walked along a bike trail (well used). The Luther Hassinger Memorial Bridge was very impressive. I'm staying at Lost Mountain Shelter in my tent. Lost? I don't know, I found it easily enough. Did 15.6 miles today with a total of 482.7 miles. I got here about 1:30 p.m. and could have pushed on but decided to take it easy plus give Tex and my other trail buddies time to catch up. I think some of them were staying in Damascus to watch the hiker parade. I decided to skip it as I just couldn't see anything exciting about it.   I will enter Grayson Highlands State Park tomorrow and am hoping I will be lucky enough to see the wild ponies the park is famous for. I'll try to send some pictures if I can get the time to upload them. I'm pretty bad about all that technical stuff. That's all for now. Good night.
Date: 2012-05-20
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Sunday, 35th day. It was a cold night last night, not terrible but still cold. I left camp at 7:00 a.m. Whitetop Mountain was never ending. I didn't think I would ever reach the summit; it was such a long, steep, climb. There was lots of other climbing today, as well. Mt. Rogers is Virginia's highest peak at 5,279 ft. I'm staying at Wise Shelter tonight. Did a little over 17 miles today for a total of 500 miles. WOOHOO!!! Never in my life did I think I would hike that many miles continuously. This trip has been a dream of a lifetime for me and I thank Carol for being so supportive about it all. I did get lucky enough to see the wild ponies today. What a sight!! Grayson Highlands State Park is an awesome area. It is mostly grassy and open and the wild ponies roam wherever they please. There is no tenting allowed in the park but the shelter is only a few miles further. About 15 miles into my day, I got "Trail Magic", as well. I got an orange, that tasted awesome, and also got a Fig Bar. I loved that!! When you eat the same old granola bars, etc. everyday, these special foods are a real treat and taste so delicious! The "Trail Angels" are a hiker's best friends. They are so giving of their time to provide us with snacks, etc. Thank you "Trail Angels". Well, I'm ready to call it a night. Gotta rest up so I'll be prepared for whatever tomorrow brings. Good night all!
Date: 2012-05-21
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Left camp at 7:00 a.m. It was a beautiful morning. There were a couple of hills, but not bad overall. Hiked through fence stiles where cattle graze in the area. Watch your step!! It started thundering before I got here tonight, but, so far, no rain. I'm staying at Trimpi Shelter. Well, actually, tenting. Did 20 miles today so a total of 520 miles. I will slide right on in to Partnership Shelter tomorrow, which is only 10 miles away. From there, I can go into town to resupply again. Not too much going on today. After leaving the wild ponies behind at Grayson Highland, the trail has been fairly easy. I feel like I'm trail conditioned now, so the 20 miles didn't bother me at all. I passed the Hurricane Shelter which is a fairly new, nice shelter. Until tomorrow. Goodnight.
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Went into Marion, VA today. Stopped at Walmart to get some things. Tex is here, too. His mom sends his food to him, so he hits a town every few days. I have found it is just as easy and cheap to buy what I need in town at Walmart or Dollar Store. Plus, I don't have to wait around in town for a package to be delivered. It was an easy hike today. Just 10 miles into Partnership Shelter so a total of 530.6 miles so far. There were no big hills, some climbing, but nothing that bad. We missed the shuttle into town but was able to hitch a ride with a thru hiker from last year. That worked out great because we were then able to catch the return shuttle back to the shelter. I also got big time "Trail Magic" this morning. And, we have now resupplied and I had a shower at the shelter. Yes, the shelter has a solar shower. It was cold by the time I got to it, but still a shower and it felt good. This shelter is pretty fantastic. It's a two story shelter and there is a Visitor Center next door that has a vending machine and phone. It's raining now; but, I'm nice and dry in my tent. Tried to call Carol but the signal is not good enough. Life on the A.T. Good night for now.