morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2019-01-16
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus Crazy LarryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs
Miles today: 15.2

Thought this morning was warmer however my shoes were still frozen - yuck! Also I never warmed up even though the temperature was just above freezing. It was that cloudy damp cold that felt like it was going to rain all day. We stopped at an icy rocky spot for breakfast. About a mile later we crossed onto the Creeper Trail which is a bike path that runs by a river. There are camping and fishing spots along the river which looked like great spots to stay when it¢s dry and warmer. Both the AT and the Creeper trail go to Damascus and I was told that the Creeper trail was prettier. I decided to take the Creeper trail and just hoped for no bikers and actually saw just one person walking. The trail was beautiful. There were at least 20 bridges that crossed over the fast moving river. We past through one little town and through some private property that had cottages on the river. About a half mile before town the AT came back on the Creeper trail.  We stopped at Crazy Larry¢s hostel which is right on the AT for the night. Crazy Larry¢s pup Sally greeted us on the porch. Crazy Larry welcomed us in and gave us our resupply boxes along with a soda and some venison he was cooking in his crockpot - yum! I took a shower and did laundry. Another great convenient hostel! Went to Trail Grill for a dinner and got a great 1/2 burger and salad.  Also got the highly recommended Yeehaw beer.  Tried both the IPA and dunkel and loved both.  Now am sitting at Crazy Larry¢s listening to the AT podcast he is included on which is very good.
Date: 2019-01-17
From: Damascus Crazy LarryÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: light snow

Started the day off great with Crazy Larry making me breakfast: coconut chocolate chip pancakes, eggs and sausage! He also gave me homemade staghorn fern juice which was somewhat bitter but tasty too and very good for you. I love learning new recipes!We started off with a mile walk through town. There are a lot of fun hiker/biker shops but none were open this early. Then we headed up into the mountains. We started off in a nice green forest but as we climbed it became snow covered. The sun came out for awhile and we had great views of the TN mountains. Around noon we stopped at a shelter for lunch.  About ten minutes after leaving the shelter the clouds moved in, the temperature dropped and it started snowing. I stopped to add a layer and put on my ski mittens. I warmed up quickly and was really happy it was snow not rain which was what was forecasted. Also Rusty loves running and pouncing in the snow.Around 3 the snow stopped. We got to our shelter around 4 and once again were tired. It was only about 2 inches of snow but even that makes it harder to walk. I did hang my damp clothes but don¢t think they will dry. There is a hostel 23 miles away so tomorrow will be a long day but at least I¢ll be able to dry everything out.  Around 7 it started raining. I guess it got warmer but I cannot tell. It is nice to fall asleep to the rain.
Date: 2019-01-18
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Shook Branch Rd
Miles today: 23.6

Woke up this morning to everything damp. I¢m not sure if the roof leaked or it was from condensation but yuck! Nothing was frozen so it must be warmer but I couldn¢t tell. We started hiking in the rain and fog. The path was a slouchy slippery mess with lots of trees and limbs covering the path. For the first 15 miles it stayed this way and it was very frustrating. No views and many falls, I would have been tempted to stop at the 14 mile point, the Vandeventer Shelter, but it was wet inside too.  Finally we descended down below 3000 ft and out of the clouds and had a great view of Watauga Lake.  Wow and great timing for me! The wet cold and fog really get to me. The rest of the walk was beautiful. We got to Boots Off Hostel around 530 and got one of their tiny cozy cabins. There is a 6 o¢clock shuttle to town to pick up supplies/dinner so I decided to wait and take my shower after that. It was either Subway or McDonalds for dinner so I got a meatball sub. After going back to the cabin and eating, I really didn¢t feel like showering. I did take all my things out of my pack and hang them in the cabin though. I also picked a book out of the hikers box to read. We really need a zero tomorrow but a friend just sent the chilly forecast for Sun/Mon so I guess we¢ll wait till then. My whole body aches from the slip sliding and falling today. Rusty is tired too.
Date: 2019-01-19
From: Shook Branch Rd

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Slept great in our cozy cabin. Enjoyed the donuts and coffee that were set out for us. Boots off has a real unique style and is set up great for hikers.  There are wind warnings and rain forecasted for the afternoon so we did try to start early. It¢s hard leaving fun places though we did start hiking at 8:30. We started with a three mile climb up to Pond Flats. The climb was nice though with lots of switch backs and great views. Then we descended back down to Laurel Fork stream. We walked by the stream for awhile before heading up and walking on the side of the mountain overlooking the stream. It was cloudy but warm and we stopped to eat overlooking the stream. Then we headed back down to Laurel Falls which was a beautiful waterfall. I can imagine how fun it is to play in when the weather is warm. About 1 it started very lightly drizzling and kept going for the rest of the walk. My shoes actually feel dry still though. The wind started around 2:30 but didn¢t get bad until we were in our shelter and fortunately is mostly hitting the back of the shelter. I only get 1 bar extended service so can¢t check weather.
Date: 2019-01-21
From: The Station at 19E

To: The Station at 19E
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a great day showing how much hostel owners take care of hikers. Dave the owner of Station at 19E did not think it was safe for me to hike Roan Mt without extra traction on my shoes. Crazy Larry also messaged me to let me know I needed to get traction for my shoes before continuing. So Dave and Eddie took me to the closest outfitters which was at least 30 mins away to buy Yaktrax, the store did not carry the spikes they preferred. The hostel owners also check up among themselves to make sure hikers are safe. It really made me feel great!  Thank you to our trail angels!  I really enjoyed my zero day shopping, eating at a great Indian buffet, reading and then enjoying the bar at Station at 19E!
Date: 2019-01-22
From: US 19E

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a beautiful sunny hiking day. The first 3 miles was a climb up to Hump Mt on nice switchback trails. We hit the first NC crossing and stopped right after on our first open field for breakfast - sunny and warm! Then we climbed to the other side of the mountain and the wind hit though the views were awesome.  We stayed up on top of the mountain for miles in balds with beautiful views. It was icy so I was very happy to have my Yaktrax.  We saw 2 runners that were going 28 miles today and they were really enjoying it. We also met a family from FL who was enjoying the different weather. They also loved that they pretty much had the mountains to themselves.  The last two miles we hiked through a pine forest. We got to our log cabin shelter and it was two stories with a door. Unfortunately though it¢s still drafty and cold inside so we did our nightly routine quickly so we could get under our warm quilt
Date: 2019-01-23
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Cherry Gap shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up to hail hitting the tin roof and felt very fortunate to be in an enclosed shelter. We did get up and get ready but waited until the loud hail stopped before starting. Even though it was freezing rain when we started, I was quite comfortable in rain pants and jacket and ski gloves. I had put on a new thick pair of socks too so my feet felt fine after about 5 mins. Rusty of course loves the cold.  We started on an icy path through a pine forest so once again I was so thankful to have my Yaktrax. Today¢s hike was quite varied starting in freezing rain, then fog, cold wind, sun and back to drizzly fog. We also walked on ridges, through forests, and on the sides of the mountains.  We met our first 2019 nobo GMD. He wouldn¢t tell me what it stood for though which did entertain me for awhile. He was hiking with Graduate who had just finished his master degree and is now section hiking before getting a job. GMD recently retired and then hiked Katahdin through the Notch before deciding he had to go home to mow his yard. He started nobo Jan 1.  Funny guy!We got to our shelter nice and early 3:30 and enjoyed the warmer night though I did have to give Rusty a bath first.  One positive about freezing temperature is no mud!  Unfortunately I don¢t get service so cannot check the weather or even send a text out.  Thanks Eileen for warning me about the upcoming storm.
Date: 2019-01-24
From: Cherry Gap shelter

To: Erwin TN. Uncle JohnnyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Nolichucky Hostel
Miles today: 17.5

Started raining hard last night but switched to light rain by morning. As we were getting ready the temperature kept dropping. The rain switched to freezing rain right after we started hiking. The first couple miles were enjoyable but then the wind hit and blew the freezing rain into our faces. Rusty looked like Two-face; half snow covered. I was too uncomfortable to take a picture though - just trying to walk as fast as possible to get out of the wind. We were also in the fog so no good views either. Also the path was completely water logged so my feet were cold and wet.We stopped at a really nice shelter Curley Maple Gap Shelter for a wind/snack break. Then we descended out of the clouds and it was beautiful though actually got colder. We crisscrossed a stream a couple time in a beautiful green forest. Then we climbed up for views of the fast moving Nolichucky river. We went back down and over the river coming to Uncle Johnny¢s Nolichucky Hostel where we were staying. I was chilled and they could tell so they showed me to my cabin first and I took a nice long hot shower. Then I went back to the shop to pay. Their shop is actually a great outfitters too though I did not need anything.  Carrie shuttled me to the gas station so I could buy food and beer, Yee Haw Pale Ale again! I really liked their little town and the hostel is set up great.  Also there are two cute pups to greet you on arrival!
Date: 2019-01-25
From: Erwin TN. Uncle JohnnyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Nolichucky Hostel

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

Loved my little cabin so had a hard leaving. I also think both of us could have used a zero (hiking in the cold really takes more out of me and I think Rusty too) but it¢s forecasted to be sunny for the next 3 days.  We started hiking around 9:30 in a very light snow. We headed up the mountain for about three miles on a nice switchback trail with great views of Erwin. There actually were great views almost the whole hike. There were mountain ranges on both sides; some mountains were snow covered and others looked clear. We met two more nobos today that started Jan 1st. They were in the balds yesterday during the wind and snow so had a rough day too. Today definitely makes up for it though. I also met a Fri hiking group from Asheville that was enjoying the day also. They said that a lot of their group canceled though because of the cold.  The end of the day was a harder climb over many obstacles making it hard to follow the trail. Also it started getting colder and windier. We got to the shelter around 5 and I was already chilled.  Usually I don¢t get cold while hiking but the temperature dropped quickly. Also this shelter is 5064 ft elevation. It started getting dark while cooking so I put my headlight on to check when the water started boiling. First I ran out of fuel so I had to find my spare. As I was doing that my headlight died. I replace those batteries then restarted my stove. Ug! Also I lost my glasses today I guess when I was climbing through the obstacles. Still the hiking today was great but not the nightly routine. I feel better under my quilt but am still not completely warm.
Date: 2019-01-26
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mt Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

Last night was really cold and some time during the night both water bottles and water filter rolled out of my quilt. (I rolled around a lot and Rusty also goes in and out of the quilt. He¢s likes to cuddle but then gets too hot.)  Everything was frozen in the morning. The water bottles don¢t matter but now my filter is broken so I will have to boil my water. Since it was so cold I decided just to get moving so cliff bars and nutter butters for breakfast and actually yummy! We started our climb up to Big Bald and I realized I forgot to put on Rusty¢s harness so we headed back to the shelter.  (I take his harness off at night now because of the snow that gets trapped in it then drips on my quilt.)  It probably was a mile round trip but when we restarted I was warm so can say that the whole hike was pleasant today. By the end I was dragging though; I do think it¢s the cold. Also the beginning had nice switchbacks but the end of as more steep. It was mostly downhill but steep is harder on the knees and feet.Big Bald was beautiful. There were beautiful views of mountains in every direction. We saw lots of day hikers today and lots with dogs. One guy was running in shorts with his golden retriever/Irish setter mix. I was wearing my thick pants, long sleeve, fleece with hood, puffy jacket with hood, buff and ski mittens and was comfortable. Pretty funny! I did talk too much today though because I did not get to my shelter until after 5. I do miss stopping when I¢m tired and setting up my tent. It¢s hard to get the stakes in the frozen ground though. Also my hands freeze during the take down.We did see the sun set as we were making dinner. It was warmer tonight until it got dark and then freezing.  There is no wind tonight though which is awesome!
Date: 2019-01-27
From: Flint Mt Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 20.8

Last night was nice and warm I thought so was shocked my shoes were frozen. I guess I¢m a terrible judge of freezing now but with no wind it felt comfortable. We got water, boiled it thoroughly and made oatmeal and coffee. As much as I know I won¢t appreciate the taste, I¢m going to switch to chemically treating the water. I just think it¢s too hard to make sure everything stays under my quilt so it doesn¢t freeze. I¢ll be in Hot Springs tomorrow and will buy some.  Today started with a steep uphill through the woods to Big Butt Mountain. Right before the top there was a Big Butt bypass but obviously I didn¢t qualify. Actually though when I was home at Christmas someone said my butt got bigger! There was a rock climb to the top which was fun. The views were great from on top too.  There was another bad weather bypass to avoid a rocky ridge walk. The ridge walk did take some climbing but was fun and beautiful. I love ridge walks on clear days!The snow made the trail beautiful but once again I was ready to stop early. I decided I could tent tonight even though there was snow on the ground; since i will be in town tomorrow for a zero so can dry everything out. We got water around 4:30 then found a spot around 5. The sun was setting by the time I set my tent up and it started to get cold. I thought we would enjoy hanging out enjoying the view but no - we got in our tent and made dinner. I really do prefer my tent . I think Rusty does too.
Date: 2019-01-28
From: Campsite

To: Hot Springs - Hostel at Laughing Heart Lodge
Miles today: 13.1

For the second night in a row we heard coyotes. Last night we heard them chasing something. Rusty first growls then barks. I grab him and pull him under my quilt but he still stays in high alert. They make a weird chorteling sound which is scary. I did just check and they rarely attack people. This morning when I let Rusty out of the tent he ran off barking. It did scare me some but then I read coyotes are nocturnal. They are beautiful animals but I don¢t like their cries.Woke up nice and early and tried to boil water but could not get my stove to light. I tried my lighter but could not get that to work either so once again we went with cold breakfast. The sun was rising while I was packing up. I did have a hard time trying to take pictures, pack and keep my hands from freezing, but it was a beautiful morning!The hike started with a steep uphill to the next shelter. Once again the trail was mostly steep not the nice switchbacks I got use to in VA. We stopped in a warm sunny spot out of the wind and I fed Rusty and tried again to light my stove. Once again I failed and also failed at getting my lighter to spark. I¢m guessing that the push button is broken so will by a new lighter in town.It did start cold but ended a great warm and sunny hiking day.  We really enjoyed stopping and sitting in the sun for nice long breaks. I actually stopped about halfway through to change my nice warm bedtime socks to the freezing stiff toe sock since I was getting so warm.  We saw the French Broad River about 2 miles before town. It was running fast. The walk down to it was beautiful yet steep.The AT goes right through town. We stopped at the dog friendly Spring Creek Tavern. We met the owners pup Stella, part St. Bernard part pit. Beautilful! We tried two great beers: Greenman Funk Jam Pale Ale and Wicked Weed Appalachia Session IPA, and had an awesome bacon burgers! Then we went across the street and bought my fourth pair of Salomon shoes and bought aquamira water treatment drops. We stopped at dollar general to buy new glasses.  I love when the trail goes through a town!We got to the hostel and were greeted by Jeff and his pup Hiker. I was happy they had a kitchen and went to Hillbilly Market to buy food to make spaghetti. When I got back Jeff offered me hot buttered rum which was excellent. He showed me the Karaoke/movie room which gets crazy in season. Then Ron, who works there, explained how the camp stove worked and that it would take 40 mins to boil water for pasta. I wish I had looked closer at the kitchen. I ended up eating around 8, but it still came out great and tomorrow will be nice easy leftovers.
Date: 2019-01-30
From: Hot Springs

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: snow

We enjoyed our zero reading, eating, drinking and laying around. I thought about taking another zero because of the windchill warnings but there is another storm forecasted so decided to hike. We started with a nice switchback climb up Deer Park Mountain. About halfway up I took off a layer and change from ski mittens to my light gloves. There was about an inch of snow at the bottom which progressed to about 3 on top of the mountain - very pretty. Once we got to the top the winds started and I added the layer back and switched to my ski mittens. It did stay cold and windy the rest of the day but I was comfortable except when the wind blew straight on. Today was mostly up hill which was nice in that it kept you warm. On top of the mountains there were snow drifts that made it hard for Rusty. We got to a shelter around 2 and stopped for a snack. When I started to walk again, Rusty did not move. I felt bad, but because we are meeting Kel tomorrow, we had to continue to the next shelter. I think the snow drifts wore Rusty out. Kel is watching him for 4 days while I hike the Great Smoky Mts, dogs are not allowed, which will be a good break for him too. Although once we started walking again, Rusty was back to watching for birds.  We did hit a nice grassy mountain top with 360 views but the wind kept me walking fast. We got to our shelter around 4. I bought a lighter for the stove and it did work but then the stove flickered out. I relit it and blocked the wind with my backpack. It still did not go on strong. I bought the 4 season canister but I guess that can freeze too so tonight I¢ll sleep with that too. I did get a lukewarm meal which still tasted good.  I am still a bit chilly under my quilt. I put toe warmers on my socks and my puffy booties over that which is helping. Right now Rusty is laying on top of the quit between my legs, but when I¢m done this, I¢m pulling my little heater under the quilt to warm me up. He likes it too for awhile.
Date: 2019-01-31
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Green Corner Road
Miles today: 16.2

Last night was chilly. I slept comfortably once the quilt was tucked under our pad, but every time one of us moved, I had to readjust the quilt. Not fun however the rest of the week is forecasted to be warmer!We tried to get up early to see the sunrise on Max Patch, a bald 2 miles away, but couldn¢t get moving fast enough in the cold. I did sleep with my water bottle and did check on it often during the night; however the top must have been out and froze. I could not unscrew it, so once again no coffee or oatmeal.  We warmed up on the climb up to Max Patch but once we got there the winds hit. It was absolutely beautiful though with 360% views of mountains. Once we got back in the trees on the no wind side of the mountain, we stopped for Rusty¢s breakfast and a snack.  We did climb back up Snowbird Mountain and on to another beautiful bald. Pretty much the rest of the hike was downhill. There were some deep snow drifts on top of the mountains that were hard for Rusty.We got to Standing Bear Hostel around 2:30 and this hostel is great too. Morgan and Zeus, a rott/lab/pit mix, and Rooney, a Mastiff, greeted us and showed us around. We are staying in the bunk house which is heated by a log burning stove and is quite toasty!  Laundry is done using a wash board though there is a dryer. The shower has a rain faucet and felt great.  After showering and doing laundry, I made a pizza and then sat by the wood stove with 2 other employees Jack and Chris.  Kel found out she could not watch Rusty for the next 4 days when I walked through the no dog not Great Smoky Mountains.  Jack offered to let Rusty stay here. I knew they watched dogs for hikers but I thought they kenneled them which I could not do to Rusty. (I got him at the SPCA and he did not do well in the kennel. He sat in the back of the cage and didn¢t move.) Jack and Chris both said they never put dogs in the kennel unless their owners ask them to. Rusty could sleep in the bunk house and they would walk him. Maria the owner came in and discussed it with me. She would keep him in her house since she has 2 teenage girls that would love to watch him. Wow - perfect for Rusty and I feel very lucky! Maria will bring him to the south end of GSM when I¢m done which should be Monday. It will be hard to hike completely alone but at least I won¢t have to worry about Rusty being neglected.