morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-03-11
From: Roaring Fork Shelter 

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 17.6

Last night I had set my sights on getting to Hot Springs today and knew that would mean getting up and on track pretty early. I set out pre-dawn, using my head torch to illuminate the way ahead. Very slowly by the light of a cool sun the day crept in.  The birds are just stirring and I¢m in awe of the peaceful silence that still hangs in the air.  A stirring in the undergrowth and I look down to see a multi-colored carpet of leaves looking jewel like in this dappled light.  There¢s now an increase in the bird song and the woodpeckers are going to work on the tree trunks, the sound resembles something like the flat ringtone of an old phone. Then as I rounded a corner I came face to face with a deer.  We stood looking at each other for a while, and then we both went about our business. The morning is in full swing now, and as you would expect on the AT, whenever the trail crosses a gap or road it means that you have to descend down to it and then climb out of it.  Let me tell you there is a large number of gaps and road crossings on this trail!Just past Deer Park Mountain Shelter off to the left, I noticed a well-worn track. I have always been fascinated by inviting little turn-offs and I found myself wondering where this track went  - I followed my fascination and going about 10 yards of non-trail steps I came across a number of grave sites.  I paid my respects and retraced my steps, then headed off into Hot Springs.
Date: 2019-03-12
From: Hot Springs

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

Today I took a well-earned zero in Hot Springs.  Great accommodation to be had at the Laughing Heart Lodge and what a great name for the business!  But its weird you know, out on the trail I sleep like a baby yet when I¢m in a hostel I don¢t sleep so well at all.   Oh well such is life. I have been spending time with Britta and Jim along with Raven, Hugs and Zack, as they are all great company. As always, trail talk was the topic of the day and today the mystery behind the full food bag I had seen at one of the shelters was revealed (see journal entry for Wed 6th March).  It turns out that Jim and Britta ¢ (the Better Together team) were staying at the shelter with some others hikers. The weather was foul and two section-hikers arrived soaked and hypothermic.  On witnessing one of the hikers audibly shivering uncontrollably Britta quickly alerted Jim.  Seeing the distress of this young man Jim immediately gave his dry clothes to the man put on.  Turning to the second hiker (who turned out to be the brother of the first) they saw that he too was greatly distressed.   So they quickly got him to lie down between them in their sleeping bags to get him warm.   This worked. Then in the morning they contacted the Rangers who got the section-hikers and others to take a side trail, where they would pick them up. And the big bag of hiking food?  Well, on departing they left all their food behind for others, as it was no longer needed. ¢ Mystery solved!A huge shout out to Jim and Britta for their selfless actions! - Doing the right thing irrespective of the personal cost. To me this epitomizes the spirit of the trail community. I spent the rest of the day resupplying and relaxing.  It was then that I reflected on our 2015 trek on the PCT to Timberland lodge.   I had the whole trail planned. However, for this AT trip I have deliberately not planned too far ahead because I want each day to be, an empty handed leap of faith into the void. (Oh! how dramatic does that sound)?  Trail madness is slowly creeping in .
Date: 2019-03-13
From: Hot Springs

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 15.1

The day started early at the Laughing Heart Lodge.As someone kind soul decided it was a good idea to do their laundry at 02:30hrs. - such is Lodge life.I tossed and turned for the next few hours and then recalled being told that the restaurant down the road was open at 06:00hrs. and served substantial breakfasts. Given that dawn is not till about 07.15hrs I paid them a visit. I soon regretted the decision, as there was a sharp and steep climb up from the river location of the restaurant and doing that on a full stomach was mighty uncomfortable. While I was in the hostel the couple in the next room introduced themselves.  It turns out that Kevin is a chef and he had samples of food that he had cooked and dehydrated and was wondering if I would be happy to take them on trail with me and send him a review. He is hoping to make a business out of sending his food out as mail drops to hikers on the trail. Watch this space!
Date: 2019-03-14
From: Allen Gap

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

At pre-dawn I started the climb out of Allen Gap by head torch.  As always there is a climb out of a Gap or where a road crosses the Trail. The day was overcast and a cool wind ensured I kept moving. I spent them morning following the trail up and down passing a hut.  Then the afternoon was mostly in rhododendron forests and along rocky trails with some exposed ridge walking.  This was made all the more difficult in that the terrain was concealed behind rolling fog driven by strong winds.I was hoping to do more miles today but at the shelter I met some section hikers who said that there is nowhere to camp until the next shelter, which is another seven miles down the trail. Given the strong winds and the large amount of dead trees still standing, I erred on the side of caution and stayed at the shelter.  My body thanked me, especially my left foot, which had been holding a conversation with me for the best part of the day!I am sharing the shelter with Tie who has been doing big miles but is getting off trail for six days in Erwin for family business then, he¢s coming back on trail heading NoBo.
Date: 2019-03-15
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Sams Gap
Miles today: 17.8

Today I awoke to an extremely dense moist fog making a pre-dawn head torch start quite interesting.The trail ascended to Big Butt Mountain and it had a bypass route! Is this political correctness gone mad? The actual route was a rocky rambling trail.In the heavy fog I passed Shelton Graves on a spur.  These are the graves of two union soldiers killed on this spot while visiting family in the Confederacy during the Civil War. Now I don¢t know about you but I was bought up proper and told not to take sweets from strangers but as a hiker passed me, he turned and asked if I was a thru hiker.  On finding out I was, he said he had some trail magic for me!!!   As if from nowhere he kindly produced a sausage burger still nice and warm.  When I had wolfed that down he then produced a box of three doughnuts all of different flavours:  Amazing!   I had to decline his generous offer of fruit and coke to wash it all down. I did not get his name but I am very grateful and did leave a thank you note (hopefully) on his car down parked on the roadside. (I am glad I did not take my parents advise on this occasion) I'm now camped by the trail at Sams Gap and was able to chat with Monarch for the first time in a while, which was great - I have to make sure she¢s not creating havoc back home as last time I went on a hike, she had renovated most of the house!  Love to you Monarch!!!
Date: 2019-03-16
From: Sams Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: broken clouds

When Tie passed me yesterday, he had warned me that it was freezing at the shelter ahead.  Indeed, my boots had been crunching on ice for sometime now. So I had camped just above Sams Gap (which is Interstate route 26) in a little spot that was sheltered from the falling temperatures. Now, I find myself walking with a chilling, westerly wind. The rising sun is doing little to abate the situation.  As I head down to the pass under the freeway, a particularly chilling wind attempted to snap-freeze me dry!   So I guess you could say in this battle of the elements, the wind is winning!I climbed to the Big Bald ¢ which as the name suggests, is a cleared hilltop mountain, the highest summit of this Bald Mountains Range, rising to an elevation of 5,516ft.  I can see an interesting building off to the east but I¢m not too sure what it is.The trail is becoming rocker. I passed Bald Mountain Shelter on my way to Little Bald.  The climb then continued up and around High Rock followed by a descent to Spivey Gap.  There¢s a nice little campsite here by the stream but I pressed on with the steep climb out of the gap.  I found myself on a very pleasant traverse of a steep-sided valley and that eventually led me to No Business Knob Shelter.It¢s been a long day; I think I might just take off my boots and call it a night.As I settle in I am reminded of my friend TAZ, a fellow thru-hiker and who is well on his way to his earning a triple crown.  He messaged me saying - ¢ No rain, No pain, No Maine.¢ Yep! this I understand.And as if to make me home sick, Monarch sent me this picture from the bottom of our garden, reminding me how beautiful Tasmania is at this time of year!  Good one, Monarch!
Date: 2019-03-17
From: No Business Knob

To: Erwin
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: clear sky

I awoke in the shelter just before dawn and got a wiggle on, as its always inspiring to be on trail just before the sun comes up.  The morning was spent on a fabulous trail, which lead down to the hostel in Erwin, where I arrived by mid-morning.I was soon having a shower, doing laundry and catching the hostel shuttle into the local ¢all you can eat¢ pizza buffet place.  Now it just happens that ¢hiker-hunger¢ has struck me and for those of you that you that have never experienced this raw-sensation, take it from me, there¢s no such thing as shame!!!!   Go for it!  I think I wore a path between my table and the food bar. The little waitress took one look at me as said ¢Thru hiker?¢  ¢Yes¢ I replied with my cheeks bulging with food. They get to know the look! Later that evening Miss Charlotte (hostel owner) drove Flash, Bill and myself to an Italian restaurant for an evening meal.  We then went to Walmart to top up our food requirements (yes, we are still concentrating on food) and were once again, kindly shuttled back to the hostel by Miss Charlotte. On our return, Scabs and Young Blood ( a triple crowner) were staying at the hostel and doing trail magic out the back of their bus.  We were treated to sausages imported from Ireland (Happy St Patrick¢s day!) with mash potatoes and beer.  (I¢m sure you¢re all scratching your heads, wondering how we managed to still wolf that lot down ¢ believe me, its possible)!Scabs shared a story about trekking the PCT and meeting three Australians who had walked together till monument 28 at the Canadian Boarder.  The weird thing was, these three Australians did not know one another until they met up on the PCT even though they all lived, within a stones throw of one another back home in Melbourne!  She kept friends with them and has enjoyed visiting all three of them in Aus.   Well here¢s hoping my digestion is as good as my appetite!  I¢m ready to get my head-down for some serious shut-eye!
Date: 2019-03-19
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent last night at the Cherry Gap Shelter with Bill and Young Blood who had walked in from Erwin. Young Blood had been leaving ¢trail magic¢ on the track for future hikers.  This is a great kindness, which is felt by all trekkers who come across these generous stashes.  Whilst in America, I have known them to consist of an icebox full of cool drinks and edibles, all the way up to walking into an area in the middle of nowhere and seeing a lovely shady spot decked with tables, chairs, drinks etc.  Indeed, one trail angel on the PCT even managed to set up a portable shower facility!  We don't have anything like this back home in Australia that I know of (but that¢s probably because I¢m off trekking somewhere very remote), their idea of a shower is a leap of faith off a rock into a pristine, ice-cool waterhole.Anyway, what do you know, today was another hard slog!  The legs felt like lead weights swinging from my hips and like the old pendulum clock at home, they had the rhythm of an old squeaky gate rather than a quick, brisk tick-tock motion.  (Steady on Monarch- You cut me deep Shrek)The climb from Hughes Gap to the shelter was all ascents.  The higher I ascended the more ice had to be negotiated over frozen ground.  I was concerned that there may be no water at the shelter so I picked up two litres at the lower campsite.  However, at the end of the day I was happy to see the water is running at Roan Shelter which is amazing considering its the highest shelter on the whole of the AT!  How do they do it?
Date: 2019-03-20
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Highway 19E - Station Hostel
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

Last night I stayed in Roan High Knob Shelter, which is a small but comfortable two-storey house. There were three young section hikers upstairs and so I found a spot for myself downstairs. I was just settling down to sleep when the door from outside opened and what a beautiful picture. Framed by the doorway, the light of a roaring fire illuminated the three youngsters.  Then two of the girls, obviously well practiced, started singing songs with great harmonies, which lasted about thirty minutes.  They were just singing to the Universe.  It was absolutely transfixing. Totally true and the best form of trail magic!   The next morning I continued to make my way up, down and through the Balds.  The trail went through some lovely woodland with open vistas.Arriving at Highway 19E I soon found myself on a free shuttle ride from the trailhead to Station Hostel.  It¢s a really good place and was responsible for the free shuttle ride. On arrival, Eddie and his dog Gizmo gave me the grand tour. The operation is smooth and the people are friendly and professional. There is a large bunk room and you can sign your name on a bed that you choose for yourself. Each bed has a draw curtain to give the sleeper privacy. There¢s also a bar, which serves draft beers and food. On going to the bar/tap room, I was delighted to find my first beer was free. Wondering how this worked, I was introduced to the ¢pour it forward" board, where you pay for a future hiker to have a beer or food.  What a great idea!  I signed up.
Date: 2019-03-21
From: Highway 19E - Station Hostel

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

At the hostel I met up with Johnnie Walker, Bill and Muffet. Bill had fallen and injured himself on trail and was calling it a short day so he could rest up at the hostel.When Dave (the owner of the Station Hostel) gave me a shuttle back to the trailhead, he warned me that sleet / snow was the predicted weather for the afternoon.The trail gave me some gentle miles along a river.  Then by mid afternoon it did indeed start snowing.   On arriving at the shelter two young ladies had put their tent up in the shelter and hung a tarp for protection.  This was a very smart move, as the wind was blowing hard and the snow was being driven directly into the shelter and onto my sleeping gear!There was not enough room to follow suit so I employed some other inventive strategies to protect the gear. The situation in this little shelter is further complicated by the arrival of another hiker.   I understand there¢s no such thing as a full hut but it¢ll be interesting to see what else the night brings.Meanwhile I¢ll try to get some shut-eye.  Night-night!
Date: 2019-03-22
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Boots Off Hostel and Campground
Miles today: 14.7

Last night at the shelter, it would have been a different story if the young ladies had not hung their large tarpaulin up for wind protection. The shelter is small so the tarp covered most of area exposed to the wind; that is except for the section where myself and the other hiker were sleeping.  It was pretty uncomfortable with the wind driven snow being blow directly onto our down sleeping bags and gear.  I had to use my waterproof rucksack liner over the bottom of my sleeping bag and mat to protect them.  Thankfully I was warm but the wind chill factor was serious, as I found out every time I lifted my head out of my sleeping bag.  This was not a situation to be taken lightly. The next morning, while we were still attempting to protect ourselves from the elements, Miss T and Grease Ball (the young ladies who had set up their tent in the shelter) were cooking up a storm from within, which included bacon sandwiches - it smelt delicious. We were all pretty keen to get on trail early and get moving out of this icy wind. It was still dark as we ventured out into the pristine snow. Thankfully the trail took us up hill, which got us generating some heat and we were able to maintain that warmth, till the sun came up and took over. The highlight of this part of the trail is the stunning Laurel Fork Gorge.   To get there we walked along a lovely peaceful riverbank and them climbed up high to traverse along the top of this steep-sided gorge.   Then suddenly, we found ourselves dropping down, down, down almost to the bottom and continued to follow the track as it went winding around a rock buttress just a few feet above the rushing river.   Stunning!A little later Bill caught up with me but soon showed me a clean pair of heels as he disappeared down the trail. Naturally, there was a steep long haul out of the gorge.   As I chugged my way upwards, the child¢s nursery rhyme ¢The Grand old Duke of York¢ kept playing in my head.   As the climb progressed the rhyme changed to:The Old AT DesignersHad many hikers to strainSo they zig-zagged up to the top of the hillAnd they zig-zagged them down again!Well strain I did, but I managed to catch Bill again when I checked into the ¢Boot Off hostel¢ and negotiated a shuttle to Shirley¢s all you can eat diner.  Judging by the look on the young waitress¢s face, I don¢t think she had seen thru-hikers with ¢hiker hunger¢ before.The bunkroom at this hostel is warm, well built but the bunks spaces are quite compact making me wonder if the designer / builder was a sub mariner in a previous life? Thankfully, I've been able to have my sleeping bag put through the dryer to remove any moisture. But even better, there¢s a good phone service here, so I've managed to have a nice long chat with Monarch - all is right with the world.
Date: 2019-03-24
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Stealth Camp
Miles today: 20.2

Last night we all made room for Co-Op as he had arrived to join us in the shelter. He knew Bill and before you know it, we were all catching up on the trail talk, checking out who was where on the track.  The next morning I managed to get out on trail at sunrise ¢ it looked like it was going to be a lovely day.   I met a few day hikers as I walked towards Uncle Nick Grindstaff Monument.  Nick was the son of Isaac Grindstaff and Mary Heaton. He and three siblings were orphaned at an early age, and raised by relatives. Like young men back then, he sold his share of the family property and went west to seek his fortune.   However, he was robbed of all his assets, so he returned to Tennessee and eventually settled on the highest peak of Iron Mountain on the county line between Johnson and Carter Counties (between Doe Valley and Stoney Creek). For over forty years he lived as a hermit, building himself a hut made of logs and boards. He cleared land, built fences, had a garden and gathered roots and herbs which he traded for supplies. He was found dead in his bed one day, guarded by his favourite dog. Local men laid him to rest near his cabin, next to the Appalachian Trail and now the Cherokee National Forest maintains the monument that marks his burial site.  In case you can¢t make out the inscription in the photo, it reads: "Lived alone, suffered alone, and died alone."Having paid my respects, and moving on, Co-Op and Bill kept leap frogging me as they both pushed for the town of Damascus.  I decided to push on to Stealth Camp so that tomorrow I would not be tempted to take a Nero. That is tomorrow, if I have to walk about 10 miles to get to town I would be tempted to get a hostel overnight and get my re-supply together.   But, if I only have 6 miles or less to go, I would get into town re-supply and head straight-off back on the trail and get a few more miles under my belt for the day.Don¢t worry, if this sounds a little convoluted ¢ its all good in my head!Oh, and before I forget, some friends back home have been asking what I mean by Slackpacking: Well its backpacking without all that hard work of carrying gear or having to sleep outside.  While I might be setting up camp or sleeping in a lean-to (shelter), a slackpacker is jumping into a car and either driving home or driving to a hostel/hotel each night, all the better to enjoy the dignity and convenience of indoor plumbing and sleeping arrangements.
Date: 2019-03-25
From: Stealth Camp

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

I arose early and headed down trail. I¢d like to say that I caught up with Bill but I¢m pretty sure he was walking slowly so I could catch up to him.  Anyway, together we descended into Damascus and head straight for the diner.   Naturally, I am in hiker-hunger mode but there is a little trepidation coursing through my veins as I enter the facility.  Please understand, I¢m all for having a choice but in Australia, you simply walk into a caf© and order a big breakfast.  The reply comes ¢No worries¢ and within minutes a big hearty breakfast is in front of you.  Done.  But in the States, the waitress smiles, and holding a pen and paper at the ready, she quickly fires off a whole barrage of options!  Woo! My poor hiker-brain. Previously this would force me to retreat under the table and then to come out, shyly stuttering like Oliver Twist ¢Please miss, can I, just have some food¢?But today I was ready.  I took a deep breath and trying to walk nonchalantly, I took my seat.  Then when the questions came rapidly, like cards being dealt at a casino table, I fired back in equal quick succession, my well-rehearsed reply.  No Worries!And to add to my arsenal, under Bill¢s tutelage, I was educated in the correct way to eat biscuits and gravy.   For folks back home; it is basically a scone with white sauce +/- sausage bits randomly sticking out of it.  Looks a bit like an unformed cosmos!  However, it is with some degree of satisfaction that I can say, learning and appreciation has occurred.  And talking of food, I¢m pleased to report that my re-supply plans are working out. I¢ve brought five days food to carry, posted five days food ahead of me and re-directed my bounce box  further down the track. Now with a ¢Subway¢ in the top of my sack I am happily back on trail!   Oh! And I have sent to REI for my ¢trail legs¢ hopefully they will be coming soon!Oh yes, and I was going to mention that I met ¢Shiner¢ and ¢Jack¢ who are thru hikers but they were slack packing a section because Shiners wife was in town and if the truth be known I think one of them was sensibly trying to avoid the that rain was forecast!    I chatted with Jack who at sixty-eight years old, was telling me about his ¢twenty-mile days¢.  We had a laugh about us oldies still being able to perform.The rain came and was steady for most of the day.  Strangely I quite enjoyed it as I made my way up the steep climb to the hut.   Must have been all that good food!