morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Davenport Gap

To: South of Max Patch
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The day started off with breakfast at the motel no then a quick trip to Walmart to see if I could find some type of brace for my lower shin. I hope that it is only inflammation and not a stress fracture. I couldn't find what I was looking for so I wrapped it in an ace bandage. I am not sure that was a good idea because when I took off my shoe tonight my ankle was very swollen. I think I wrapped it to tight and all the blood was pushed down to my ankle. I have it elevated now to see if the swelling will go down. We are stealth camping tonight. That is when you just find a spot and camp. You are not around one of the shelters. We are about 1.5 miles from Max Patch ( very popular place where cows used to graze and they keep grassy today. If the weather is right you have these magnificent 360 degree views). Our forecast is for rain. Today was very warm and I was just about as wet from sweating as I was from the rain yesterday.Today was a tough day. Since we came down hill all day yesterday in the storm we had to go right back up hill all day today. We climbed about 3000 ft in elevation today covering a little over 13 miles. We are about 22 miles from Hot Springs NC and will be there by lunch on Friday.The only major event of the day was that I took my first fall. Nothing major, slipped on a rock and landed on my backpack. It wasn't a matter if I was going to fall it was just when it would happen. Since leaving Georgia we have been following pretty much the Tennessee and North Carolina border.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: South of Max Patch

To: "Old Road" South of Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.1

This morning we were up and going by 7:45 because we wanted to get in15 miles today so we would only have about 7 miles into Hot Springs on Friday. The good news this morning is that the swelling in my leg was gone and I didn't feel much pain at all today. I did take some pretty big doses of Aleve during the night. I hope if Dr Landry is reading my journal I did the right thing. The highlight of the day was getting to Max Patch, a huge grassy bald where you cansee for miles. Right before we got there we found 4 oranges and 1 apple that someone had left on the trail as trail magic. We both took an orange and left the others for someone else. It was very sweet and juicy, just like I like them. Thanks to whoever left them. We were lucky with clear skies and could see for a long ways. Sixty-One told me to go ahead when we left the bald and said he would catch up but on my way off the bald I took a wrong turn and had to backtrack. In the meantime he passed me and was going fast to try and catch up. I knew I had to be the one going fast to catch him because we didn't even have each other's phone numbers and might never see each other again. This happen to be the easiest 5 mile section that we have had and I did catch up with him after about 4 miles.After this we both grew tired and had two steep climbs to make but after taking a break and getting some calories we were able to make it.We met Caboose today and she said she had seen 3 bears in the last two days. I guess we just missed them but that is okay with me. I am not in a hurry to see one.Tomorrow I will be staying in a cabin with How Far and his wife Angie. Can't wait to see them and also connect with my group that I used to work with. It will be a great day. I just ned to rain to hold off until I get there.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0

Today was rest day. After breakfast How Far ran me into town so I could pick up my external battery that I had left at the Hiker's Ridge Ministries on Friday. I was lazy all day sitting around watching people walked by the house and fish in the Laurel River in front of the cabin. About an hour before the girls called saying they were on their way home How Far got the grill going and grilled some steaks as well as making the homemade ice cream. When they returned we sit down for a huge dinner and later had peanut butter cake with the ice cream and they sung happy Birthday to both of us. It was good. We watched a movie and then it was off to bed.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0

Today Angie and Leslie were going home so they dropped How Far and me in town where we went to the Hot Springs Resort and Spa where my daughters had lined up a massage for me and How Far daughter's had set up him up with a hot tub soaking in the mineral water. We were both pretty refreshed after that.We walked on into town where I needed to buy my food for the next 5 days. Where else would you go but the Dollar General where I bought 5 days of food for a little over $15. Go beat that.We ended up at the local watering hole where we sit for a while and listened to the guy that was singing. I had another first for me; fried dill pickles. I had never tried any before but I think you can fry anything and make it taste good.Next it was back to the Outfitter in town looking for someone to give us a ride back to the cabin. We got lucky and got one for $10 and he agreed to pick us up in the morning and bring us back into town so we could start hiking where I left off on Friday.Back at the cabin we consumed more hamburgers, ice cream, cookies and a few other things and then it was off to bed.
Date: 2015-04-13
From: Hot Springs

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

Well it was time to get back to hiking today after taking two days off in Hot Springs. Since my leg was still a little swollen and How Far has not hiked in a couple of weeks we decided to take it easy and only hike about 10 miles today. That was plenty enough since the entire day was up hill. We climbed about 2500 ft in elevation. The trouble with going into towns is that they are usually in a low gap so you go downhill going into town and uphill coming out of town. We are meeting some new hikers now since most of the ones I know are ahead of us since I took 2 days off. It was a pretty uneventful day but we did get some trail magic from Food Walker who is following along while his wife thru hikes. They are from Wisconsin.We got to camp at about 3:30, set our tents up ( How Far has a new tent now) cooked and ate dinner and now laying in my tent typing my journal. I actually have Internet tonight. I almost forgot what that was these last few days.Spring is starting to show herself at the lower elevations but still not so much at the higher elevations.Bean Counter
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: moderate rain

It stormed all night last night. We finally were able to get packed up and headed out at around 9:00 am. The weather forecast for the day was for thunder storms all afternoon so we decided we would get to the next shelter and hope we could get a spot in the shelter out of the weather. We did get there in time to get a spot but we didn't get many miles in again today. When we got there the weather was still okay so we layed our gear out to dry and it almost dried out before we had to put it away. At about 2:00 am I woke up and the sky was clear and full of stars. I thought to myself this weather man did not get this forecast correct. Well all I had to do was wait a couple of hours and guess what the bottom fell out. I guess he was right.I didn't know anyone at the shelter but one the hikers that was at the shelter before me told me that Black and Blue had just left before I got there. I would like to see her again.I heard from Sixty-One that he is already two days ahead of me. One from me taking an extra zero but he made one full day up on me already. Tomorrow we are going to try and do about 13.5 miles. My appetite has picked up and I am not sure I have enough food to last until I get to Erwin. I have always had more than I needed. I may have to buy more than $15 worth for next week.
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: AT + Roadbed North End
Miles today: 15.5

We laid around in the shelter for about an hour this morning trying to decide what to do. It was still pouring rain and we had wanted to have a bigger mileage day today. The forecast was for 90% chance of rain all day. We decided to take off and believe me the weather man was wrong again per How Far. It was 100% all day. It never stopped for one minute. We made it to the first shelter and stopped long enough to eat lunch out of the rain and took off again.One big surprise today was finding Mom's store right next to the trail. I only wish I had taken a picture of the inside. Pretty much the same as the outside. The owner whose parents used to own this told us that in the day they sold thousand of cartons of cigarettes because the store is right across the Tn state line in NC where cigarettes were much cheaper. We bought a drink, cup of coffee and a honey bun for $4.50. It's funny when you are hungry or thirsty the price doesn't really matter. Never thought twice about it. That was 25% of my entire grocery bill for the week.We knew there was a hostel close by if we could make 16 miles today but when we got to the next shelter it was full and there were no flat tenting spots left. The folks there told us the hostel was full but we decided to move on. We would go about 2 miles to an old roadbed where we should be able to find a flat spot but we would also call the hostel and make sure they were full. The info you get out here isn't always correct. Well this time it was correct, no beds left at the inn tonight due to bad weather.Everyone wants out of this rain. We finally found the road bed and got our tents set up and then the rain finally ended. I cooked a little dinner and got in my tent, put on some dry clothes and now I am in my sleeping bag typing today's journal.I hope we can have two big days to get to Erwin on Friday night. My friend Phil is going to be here Saturday to hike a couple of days with me. That will be great.
Date: 2015-04-16
From: AT + Roadbed North End

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 8.9

It continued to rain most of the night so we had to pack up everything wet along with putting our wet clothes right back on. It's something about putting wet and dirty clothes back on that doesn't just seem right but that is the only way out here. We hiked in a cloud all morning but the sky did begin to clear up after lunch. Somewhere along the trail I threw out an idea to How Far to think over.We would hike to Sam's Gap and called a shuttle to come pick us up and take us into Erwin. We could zero tomorrow, get everything dried out and buy our food for the next five days and go back on the trail with Phil, my friend on Saturday. How Far liked that idea so we called the shuttle who said he could pick us up. When the shuttle driver got to us he asked us where we wanted to go to and I said any motel and he looked at me like I said something wrong. He said everything was booked up due to the NASCAR race in Bristol this weekend. That never crossed my mind. He got on the phone and found us a room for tonight and when we got to the counter I asked if by chance they had anything available for tomorrow night and she said they did but not at the hiker's rate of $79.00 but at $175.00. Well we didn't have much choice but then she looked at me and said I will give it to you for $125.00. I guess that is trail magic at its finest. We also saw Miss Janet who was there shuttling a couple of hikers. We spent the afternoon washing clothes and drying our tents out. This motel is not close to anything so we had to order pizza and pasta that could be delivered to us. It was pretty good. I couldn't even eat all of mine.I talked to Phil and he will be here tomorrow night to hike with us for 2.5 days. I am looking forward to seeing him. We will rest tomorrow and just hang around the motel.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Sam's Gap

To: Mountain Inn & Suites - Erwin TN
Miles today: 0.0

Today has been a day of relaxation and getting my gear organized again. Phil is bringing my old pack to swap out for the new one I have been using. The new pack is an excellent pack but it continues to cut into my left shoulder no matter what adjustments I make.Today is also a sad day. As you know How Far had some knee problems and got off the trail for a couple of weeks to give it time to heal and came back out on the trail this week. His knee isn't getting any better and he is in pain every step of the way. He decided yesterday that he wouldn't be able to continue on as a thru-hiker. I will sadly miss him because we have become great friends during our time together. I know this is just the beginning of a long term friendship but I will miss him a lot. Hopefully he can come out and hike a section or two with me later on.My friend Phil Williams is coming into town tonight to hike with me Saturday, Sunday, and part of the day on Monday. We will utilize How Far to take us back to Sam's Gap where we got off the trail yesterday and we will hike on into Erwin where How Far can pick Phil up and I will continue on. Phil will give How Far a ride to somewhere in Alabama where How Far's wife can meet them and pick How Far up. My leg is continuing to heal so I hope I can get back to doing more miles next week. I hope to be in Virginia in a couple of weeks. Once in Virginia I will be there for a long time because almost 25% of the entire trail is there, over 500 miles. That is where the Virginia Blues can get you because you get in a routine of just hiking everyday and a lot of people quit during this time. Phil should be here around 5:00 pm and will take me to Walmart so I can pick up some food for the next week. By the way today is my 60th birthday that I have been celebrating for over a week now. Thanks to all for the birthday wishes. I know God has blessed me with good health so that I can attempt to do something like this and I think him each day for that because I know there are many folks who would love to try something like this and can't due to a health issue.Until I Can Post Again. - Bean Counter
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Mountain Inn & Suites - Erwin TN

To: Big Bald
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night Phil, How Far and myself went to Hardee's for a good burger and fries. It was then off to Walmart to pick up food for this week. I will admit I spent a little more than the $15 I spent last week. My appetite is growing.This morning we had breakfast at the hotel and then headed back to the trail where I got off on Thursday. How Far dropped us off and went to find him somewhere to spend the night since everything in Erwin was booked due to the NASCAR race in Bristol this weekend. Phil and I were going to do about 8 miles today but there was one very big climb to get to the top of Big Bald. We took it easy but I know it was tough on Phil being his first day on the trail. We were rewarded with some great 360 degree views. We walked a little further and found a great camping site. We put up our tents and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing. Overall it was a great day.I saw hikers pass that I knew and met a new thru-hiker whose trail name is Fourteen. I asked him how he got that name and he said his mission on the trail was to bring 14 people to Jesus Christ while on the trail. He is from Michigan and retired just recently. We talked to him while he was cooking his dinner. I hope to get to talk to him some more. Very nice guy.The weather forecast is calling for more rain but I hope it will hold off just a little while longer so Phil can hike through Monday morning with me versus getting off the trail tomorrow. Once he leaves I will be back on the trail by myself again.I am starting my sixth week on the trail today. I don't think Cathy and I have ever been apart more than two weeks at one time. The separation is hard on both of us but she is my biggest cheerleader rooting me on. That makes a huge difference in your attitude out here when you know your spouse and other love ones want you to make it to Maine as much as you want to make it. Cathy will be coming to visit me when I get to Virginia and I will take a few days off and we will visit friends in Lynchburg, where we used to live. Can't wait to see her!!!My next mini milestone is to get to Damascus Virginia which is close to the 500 mile mark or 1/4 of the way there.
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Big Bald

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: moderate rain

Today started off with a lot of rain that had started just about the time we went to bed last night. Phil and I laid in our tents until the rain just about stopped and packed up quickly. The break in the rain didn't last long and it was back again. We had to hike in a lot of mud and had a couple large climbs today. I know the weather along with the climbs wasn't fun for Phil but we made it to Spivey Gap at about 1:00 pm where How Far was with the car. Come to find out How Far had to sleep in the car last night because he couldn't find a motel room anywhere.I got the additional 5 days of groceries that I had left in the car and we said our good byes. I hated to see them leave because I am back on the trail solo again. Having good company is very rewarding out here. I hadn't gone more than a quarter of a mile before the bottom fell out of the sky and it continued to pour until I reached No Business Knob Shelter about 3 hours later. The shelter was already full so I had to put up my tent in the pouring rain and just eat some peanut butter wraps in my tent. It's more trouble than it's worth to try to use your stove in this rain. I will have to put these soaking wet clothes back on in the morning. I promise you that isn't the most fun thing out here on the trail.Tomorrow I hope to get north of Erwin and I hope this rain stops. I think it is forecasted to rain tomorrow but after that we should have a few good days.I have to tell one secret: Phil did slip and fall one time today. Nothing major just a blow to the ego. (lol)Until tomorrow this is Bean Counter
Date: 2015-04-20
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Beauty Spot Gap
Miles today: 18.5

It rained me to sleep last night but I woke up about 3:00 am and there was nothing but million of stars lighting up the sky. I thought to myself that this is going to be a good day. When I woke up at 7:00 I could see the sun coming up and thought to myself again, our prayers have been answered. Just as I got my wet pack out of the tent and started to pack up you can guess what happened. The bottom fell out again. I ran up to the shelter and got everything out of the rain with the exception of my tent which was going to have to wait until the rain stopped. I stayed at the shelter watching the rain and talking to Fourteen.Before Fourteen left he said a prayer with me. That was nice. I hung around the shelter for about 45 minutes until the rain stopped and then got my wet tent rolled up and everything packed ready to go. I think my pack weighed about 10 lbs more due to all the wet items I was carrying. As soon as I started my hike the sky cleared and it turned into one of the most beautiful days I have had on the trail yet. I made it into Erwin at about 11:30 and stopped by Uncle Johnny's and bought a gator aid and coke to drink with my lunch. I was there for about 30 minutes and took off. I planned on trying to do 18 miles today and didn't want to waste any time.I made good time and made it all the way up to Beauty Place Mountain and a camping place by 5:00 pm. Pretty good day for me. There was only one person here when I arrived and come to find out it was Fireball and he went to LSU and was living in Baton Rouge for the past 6 years but will be moving back to Atlanta after the AT journey.I got my tent put up and tried to get everything dried out before the rain started again. I just about made it but while finishing up dinner the sky became dark and then thunder and then lightning and then the rain. I got everything pulled together in the tent and dove in myself. It was a downpour but the sun is back out now and I am already in my sleeping bag. I think I will sleep good tonight after doing 18 miles today.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Beauty Spot Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up to high winds and low temp this morning. Not sure how old it was but my hands were freezing by the time I rolled up my wet tent. My goals today was to do about 15 miles and I made it to the Clyde Smith Shelter by 3:30 and was shocked that I was the first person here. That has never happened before. Since I had to set my tent anyway to dry it out I just decided to stay in my tent vs the shelter. I don't really like staying in the shelters unless you know it is going to rain. It's nice not to have to carry a wet tent around all day.When I got in my tent last night there were only 3 other people camping where I was but when I woke up this morning there were about 10 tents set up. I heard Jersey Girl and Electric Lizard come in. I am not sure who else was camped here last night.Today was pretty uneventful but a good day to hike. Tomorrow my goal is to get to Overmountain Shelter, an old converted barn where you can stay. I think I remember reading that this barn was featured in some movie but not sure which one. Thursday night I have reservations at the Mountain Harbour Bed & Breakfast. I have the semi-private room in the hostel located above the barn. For $12 they have a huge breakfast than I plan on consuming.I met a young guy from Norway today that was carrying his water in a quart milk jug and was just carrying it with his hand. I asked him about this and he told me his trail name was Mammoth and that he was walking through every state in the U.S. withthe exception of Hawaii. He has already passed through about 30 states. He left Springer Mountain on the first of April which means he has made up two weeks on me already. He said he did 34 miles yesterday.The temps are suppose to be in the low 30's the next couple of nights. It will be nice when I can send my winter gear home and get my summer gear. That will lower my lack weight by about 5 lbs. I have had a couple of folks asked me to provide some detail info on some of my gear so over the next few journals I will try and do that. My tent is a Tarpent Double Rainbow. It weighs 41 oz and is made by Henry Shires. It is a single wall tent which makes it easy to set up in the rain without it getting wet while doing so. A double wall tent has a fly to go over your mesh tent and can get wet while getting your fly on. It is a two person tent but is great for me because I can get everything inside the tent vs having to put some of it under the vestibule. So far I have been very satisfied with the tent.