morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-07-31
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Beauty spot gap campsite
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

I was not in a huge hurry to leave early, as my plan was to hike 8 miles to a campsite,  and I didn't want to get there too early. If I had known those eight miles would stretch into more like 12 miles,  I might have considered leaving earlier. The trail was pretty easy except for a pretty rugged uphill climb,  the weather was gorgeous, and I was following the landmarks noted in the trail guide.  So, when I passed through the bald and reached the gravel road,  I knew I was close to the campsite.  But,  I couldn't find it.  I walked up and down the gravel road twice, and I didn't see any sign of the campsite or the white blazes that told me I was still on the AT, so I finally flagged down a motorist for direction.  I accepted his offer to take me to the location where he thought I needed to be,  but when we got there,  I realized it was four miles back to a point that I had already hiked.  Not keen on the idea of retracing the worst part of the hike, I asked the man if he could take me back to where we started.  He agreed,  and as we headed back,  he lit up a joint!  I told him I thought I saw the blaze (even though I hadn't), and asked him to drop me off, and he did.  Somehow, by the grace of God, I found the trail again.  I passed a hiker  (the only one that day) and asked him how to get back to where I needed to be.  He also confessed he had been confused at the same point.  It seems I missed a turn in the field when I first crossed the bald.  I backtracked, then continued hiking for a few miles before finding a campsite.  It was not the campsite I intended,  but it was a campsite.  I was exhausted, and it was getting dark, and I just wanted to get in my tent.  Another night alone, but I was too tired to care.  Tomorrow will be better.
Date: 2017-08-01
From: Beauty spot gap campsite

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The night breeze was cool, and it made for a good sleep.  I was up before sunrise and packed and ready to go by 7.  I did not want a repeat of yesterday, and the trail ahead looked to be mostly uphill.  I'm so grateful my feet are holding up to the stresses of the trail,  but today's hike might really put them to the test.  I knew I was in Unaka mountain as soon as I could smell the fragrance of the dense spruce forest.  The aroma made the challenging uphill climb a ltitle easier, and before i knew it, I reached the Cherry Gap shelter-- sooner than expected.  I stopped there only for a quick break and decided to keep moving.  The forest faded into a bald, and the trail took another downhill turn.  It was hot without the cover of trees, so I was glad for going downhill, and glad to see shade ahead.  The shade outlasted the descent.  When I reached Iron Mountain Gap, I crossed the road, and started another uphill climb, hoping to find water and a campsite soon.  About a mile into the hike, I saw the sign pointing to water, which I followed.  It took me through what looked like a cornfield with a row carved out for foot traffic.  My trekking poles kept getting tangled in the long stalks that covered the narrow path.  I finally reached the water source and, although it was a "piped" spring, barely a trickle dripped from the pipe.  Knowing I was close to the campsite,  I decided to fill up my water bottle,  camelback,  and two 64 oz sawyer water bags.  This will ensure I have enough water for dinner and breakfast without having to return to the spring.  Not a particularly good idea, since I really couldn't juggle the bags of water and my trekking poles.  One of the bags of water slipped from my hands,  and the impact caused the bag to split, which sent water shooting up in all directions.  I never saw the campsite that was supposedly right by the cornfield water source,  but I was sure I would not have wanted to stay there anyway.  I trudged up for aproximately another mile when I saw a "stealth" campsite that looked too inviting to pass up--it was near the traIL and had a dry, level spot for the tent.  Just what I needed.  I set up camp, ate dinner, hung my bear bag, and crawled into my sleeping bag.  The sounds of the strong breezes through the trees lulled me to sleep.  It didn't even occur to me that I was spending yet another night alone.
Date: 2017-08-02
From: Campsite 

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Short day planned, so no rush to tear down camp.  I contemplated checking out the hostel in just a few miles,  but realized I really didn't need anything--except maybe some company.   The "rock pillar" was a bit of a let down.  I expected to see something like Stonehenge,  but it was just a huge boulder--still one landmark closer to my destination.  When I reached Greasy Creek Gap, I rested for my second breakfast.  According to the trail guide book, the hostel is on a trail .6 miles east of the AT.  Problem is, I saw two trails going East, and neither had a sign for the hostel.  It wasn't worth risking taking the wrong trail, so I elected not to go.  I just kept moving on and reached Clyde Smith shelter early.  I wanted to stop here, because I wanted to stay at the Roan High Knob shelter, which was too far to go today.  I tried to find the water source.  A sign on the side of the shelter said to follow the blue blazes, and a sign posted on a tree seemed to agree, yet when I followed the blue blazes, the trail dead-ended at the AT.  I took this path twice, just to make sure I didn't miss a side trail.  I didnt.  Finally,  I tried a different trail, which led me right to a good flowing water source.  At least the search kept me occupied for awhile.I was prepared to spend another night alone when two tenters came in--then another,  then a young man who sheltered, then another tenter.  YAY!! It was so nice chatting with Matt and Stephen, both in ministry with the Christian churches.  I'm so glad I stayed here.Thank you, Lord, for sending me company.
Date: 2017-08-03
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: few clouds

I woke up early, but enjoyed a morning chat with Matt and Stephen, so didn't leave until after 8:30.  Matt and Stephen were section hiking southbound, so no chance our paths would cross again -- at least not on the AT.  I wish them well.I have not had a phone signal for several days, so I had no way of letting my daughter Monica know that I would soon be getting to Hughes Gap and Roan Mountain.  The first time I was on the trail, Monica and I talked about meeting up at Hughes Gap for a day hike together.  I was sad thinking that I missed the chance to see and spend time with her.  I can only hope there will be another opportunity to connect on the trail.There  was a short uphill climb before starting the descent, which was a rare rock-free, root-free, smooth trail.  I was cruising along when i moved to the side to allow a young lady to pass.  We greeted each other, then 30 minutes later went our separate ways.  Yes, we stood in the middle of the trail and talked for almist 30 minutes!  Foxtrot thru-hiked the AT last year; she was very passionate about the trail and all too eager to share her words of wisdom--advice about gear, best sections of the trail, hostels--you name it.  I lived her enthusiasm.  She was doing a day hike and plans to hike the PCT next spring.  It was so nice to meet her.I stopped at Hughes Gap and ate lunch by the granite stone memorial for the Hughes family.  I had to brush the broken glass aside before sitting, and I could not believe the amount of trash that littered the small parking area.  This is so disrespectful of nature and of the Hughes family.  I was already carrying about 2 pounds of my own trash, and I really didn't want to add another two pounds to the load,  so I left it behind, feeling guilty with every step up the next mountain. The various gaps and changes in terrain and elevation made for an interesting hike--they give some psychological assurance of progress.  But, I really knew I was approaching the shelter when I came to the fireplace in the middle of the trail.  I'll have to research this further--not something you see on the trail every day. Not long after the fireplace,  I reached the trail that would lead me to the Roan High Knob shelter,  the highest shelter on the AT at an elevation of 6193 feet.At the end of the root-filled side trail sat the log-cabin shelter.  It had 4 walls, making it very dark inside.  It was too spooky for me, so I set up my tent.  While eating dinner, Emily and Ryan dropped in to check out the site.  The brother and sister duo decided to stay; we chatted, hung our bear bags, then retreated for the night. This was a good meet-people day.  Thank you, Jesus!
Date: 2017-08-03
From: Roan High Knob Shelter 

To: Over mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: few clouds

I was looking forward to today's hike.  I had heard nothing but good things about what the next section of trail has in store.The start was a bit rough--hiking on the rocks of a creekbed--ankles rolling in every direction --then, the fall.  My trekking pole got stuck between rocks, and I kept slipping and sliding to the ground.  Not how I wanted to start the day.  After almost a mile of this slippery, rocky path, the trail turned west, and it was like being in a completely different place.  The trail was smooth  and wound through a beautiful park-like setting with several footbridges crossing the fast flowing creeks and springs.  After crossing the road at Carver's Gap, the scenery changed yet again. From the cover of forestry to the openness of several balds, which brought  a more spectacular view with each upward step.   A lot of people were enjoying the beautiful weather on this sectiion of the trail, and i enjoyed talking with a lot of them, including a man who looked so much like my brother Eric, that i did a double-take, and a man who was walking his bicycle up the mountain in order to make a video.  I took a lot of breaks, not only to catch my breath, but to take in the views--there were plenty of good resting points.Once out of the balds, I re-entered the cover of trees and wet, rocky road, but it wasn't long before I reached the Stan Murray shelter, where I stopped for a quick break.  Only two more miles to go.The last two miles were smooth sailing,  and I reached Yellow Gap--and the side trail to the shelter--in an hour.The shelter was hard to miss.  The huge red barn was a welcome sight.  This area has historical significance -- it was where the mountain men of the revolutionary war came.  I'll update this post after I research the facts.The barn was converted to a shelter that could easily accommodate 20.  Four of us took up residence for the night. This was the first shelter since before Erwin that has a privy--it was even be-dazzled to add that royal throne touch.  I took pics especially for Madalyn , my co-worker's daughter, who was concerned about my not having some of these creature comforts.  I hope I can upload them. I enjoyed talking with Joel and the young couple who came in later before calling it a day.  I slept well.
Date: 2017-08-04
From: Over mountain shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Heading to a hostel to resupply, shower, and do laundry.  Can't wait.However, the path was not hiker-friendly; two uphill and two downhills through balds, the second downhill looking better on paper (in the book) than in reality.  The miles of ups and downs were made much more difficult by the very narrow foot path--barely the width if your foot for most of the way--forcing you to either walk as if on a tightrope or walk with one foot on the path and the other on the elevated ground alongside the path.  In some spots, the grass was so tall, it flopped over the path, making it hard to see.  I was definitely glad to get back to "normal" ground--whatever that means on the AT.  At least the views were amazing, the breezes were constant, and each step brought me closer to my destination, and I officially crossed the border into TN. Until now, the trail criss-crossed between NC and TN.  Another milestone -- woo-hoo!To this point, i was going at a fairly good clip, despite the path, but my pace was slowed by the treacherous, steep descents and poor trail markings that came early in the TN trail.  More than once I found myself at a fork in the road,  looking for a white blaze, only to find it tucked around the corner,  behind a big boulder.My feet were starting to object to the terrain, and I was tempted to set up camp with the young couple who were at the barn last night,  but I decided to hike the extra half-mile to the main road that would lead me to the hostel.  Just as I reached the main road, the rains came.  I got my backpack cover on just before the monsoon hit.  I tried to hitch a ride to the hostel, but no one wanted a drenched hiker in their vehicle.  Fortunately, it was only a third of a mile to my destination; unfortunately,  they had no hostel spaces left--the man in the office seriously offered me a tent space.  Really?  The only other option was a room in their B&B,  at a cost more than five times that of the hostel.  I had no choice--I took it.I was grateful for a hot shower and a dry place to lay my head.  Breakfast was phenomenal.  Since I got in too late to get everything done--i.e laundry and resupply -- I bit the bullet and took a zero day on Saturday.  I blew my full month's budget at one place, in one weekend.  I hope I don't end up regretting that.Back to the trail on Sunday.
Date: 2017-08-06
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

I stayed at the B&B long enough to take advantage of another fabulous breakfast, which meant a late start.  At least the weather decent.  Luckily, the trail was easy, both in terms of terrain and of elevation changes.  There were also several landmarks that are helpful to guage progress.  Isaac's cemetery,  a little church,  a pretty waterfall. These little landmarks break the monotony of long stretches of trail with nothing but rocks and trees.  Not that rocks and trees aren't beautiful, but a change of scenery is welcome.   I reached the shelter before dark and was pleasantly surprised to see that Trent and Cody were there.  I met the father-son team a few miles back and thought they intended to continue past the shelter.  I was glad for their company.  As we talked, I learned they don't live far from my daughter and son-in-law in NC.   The rains came.  Cody checked his weather app which showed rain all week.  Since Trent and Cody had been section hiking as part of their vacation,  they decided to leave the trail and return home in the morning.   They arranged for a ride to meet them at the church we passed about five miles back.  I chose to go on. Thanking God for giving me such nice people to shelter with.
Date: 2017-08-07
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

Surprise!  It rained all day.  There would be a few momentary pauses in precipitation that fooled me into believing it would stop,  but it didn't,  and the last stretch of trail was a lot harder than the graphic in my guide book made it appear.  I was tired,  hungry,  and waterlogged.  I did not pass any hikers--other hikers were a lot smarter than i.However, this was probably the only time I was glad no one was at the shelter.  I stripped down out of my wet clothes and changed into dry ones as soon as I had taken care of my bear bag, then snuggled in my sleeping bag and listened as the rain pounded the shelter's metal roof all night long.  Yes, all night. At least I had a roof over my head.
Date: 2017-08-09
From: Laurel Fork Shelter

To: Hampton, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I made a mental error in my planning for today.  I'll blame lack of sleep for the bad call.  My phone battery was down to 18%, and I was not able to charge my charger at the last B&B, so,  in a bit of a panic mode,  I opted to follow a blue blaze trail to a main road through town after only a mile on the AT.  I reached the main road and had enough juice to call the Boots Off Hostel, and the owner, Jim, picked me up.  I didn't realize that, had I stayed on the AT for another 6 miles, I would have landed pretty much at the hostel's doorstep.  Of course, had I taken more time to study my guidebook, I would have known. The following day (Aug 10), Jim took me back to where he picked me up.  I hiked the blue blaze trail for one mile to the AT junction, then I hiked the 6 miles I should have hiked yesterday.  I got a new phone charger, and I'll be back on track again tomorrow. Jim has a great thing going with his hostel, and he and his staff go above and beyond for customer service.  I met One Up and Tracks there (whom I would also see later down the trail) and was entertained by an impromptu fire twirling performance.  Glad I got to stay for two nights!
Date: 2017-08-11
From: Hampton, TN

To: Vandeventner shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

it was hard to leave the hostel, but I was glad to be back on the trail.  There was some trepidation, however,  about the path ahead.  The guidebook as well as postings on trees warned hikers that they were entering an active bear area.  In fact,  the Watauga shelter had been closed for a couple of years due to high bear population--bears that were not afraid of humans.  Picknicking, resting, pausing--anything but hiking--was strongly discouraged for a four mile stretch in this area.  I think I may have broken my own speed record.  The trail to the closed shelter was uphill, but not too strenuous, then the bottom of the descent opened to the beautiful Watauga dam.  This area was still within the four mileSeasons where pausing was discouraged,  so I looked around cautiously before taking a couple of pictures and moving on.All was going well until just about the halfway point to the shelter, when the rains came.  I'm guessing it rained for only 20 minutes,  but it came without warning, so I really didn't have time to don my rain gear.  I was almost dry by the time I reached the shelter. I did not see the stream that was supposedly about 2 miles before the shelter,  so when I arrived at the shelter,  I had no choice but to drop my gear and take the extra .4 mi  (one way) trek down a very steep hill to the water source.  Halfway down the hill, the second wave of the torrential downpour came.  When I finally reached the water source,  it was not much more than a trickle of water and a puddle.  I could squeeze more water oit of my drenched shirt quicker than from the "spring".I made it back to the shelter, where my shelter mate announced that he was able to collect 3 cups of rain water without having to step foot outside the shelter.  Just what I wanted to hear. I waited til dark to change into dry clothes.  The rain continued all night long.
Date: 2017-08-12
From: Vandeventner shelter

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

The rain stopped by daylight, and I was contemplating passing up the next shelter and moving on to the following one, about 14 total miles.  I would decide once closer.I chose not to wear my rain gear because, if it's not actually raining, the jacket and pants feel like a sauna.  I would regret that decision.  The overgrown brush on either side of the narrow trail was much like going through a car wash--I was soaked on all sides.  Then, a stiff breeze would shake the water from the trees as if it were raining.  Then, it actually did rain.  Ughh. As I hiked on, the rain shower stopped, and the warm breezes helped me dry out, though by now, my boots were so wet, my feet were squishing in them.  I reached the first shelter by 2 pm, certainly early enough that I could have continued on, but a tiny sliver of sunshine invited me to stay, with the hope of possibly drying out my clothes from yesterday's deluge as well as my boots.   I hung my clothes all over the shelter, rearranging to capture the sun as it moved.   As I was settling in and preparing dinner, Tracks, a section hiker I met at the Boots Off Hostel, stopped in for a break before moving on.  Then section hiker Jeff came in and set up his tent for the night.  We chatted a bit, and he helped me hang my bear bag--just in time to take cover from a vicious thunder storm that managed to spend the night over our campsite.  The winds were strong enough to bring large branches crashing down on the shelter roof.  I had to reposition myself to the back of the shelter to avoid getting wet.  I thought about Jeff in his tent.  At least I could see the tent was still where he pitched it. Even though I was able to rescue my clothes and boots before the t-storm hit, nothing dried,  and I ended up packing wet clothes and wearing wet socks and boots for yet another day.  I am glad, though, that I did not continue to the next shelter, or I'd be packing a wet tent, too.  I am still on track to reach Damascus by the 15th, but I was hoping to catch up with One Up, another section hiker I met at Boots Off Hostel.  Somehow, One Up stretched her lead to two days, even though she left the hostel only one day before I did.  She had been leaving me notes in the shelter registries, and it was fun to read them, but it would be even more fun to catch up with her again.  We'll see what the next couple of days have in store.
Date: 2017-08-13
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Again, the rain subsided by daybreak, and again I hoped for a dry hike, as dry as one can be in still damp clothes and wet socks and boots. The trail was smooth and fairly level, and my pace was quicker than usual.  I reached the first landmark, a monument to honor Nick Grindstaff, a man who apparently made this part of the trail his home for 40 years.  It seemed fitting that the backdrop for this memorial was an eerily foggy forest.   I was able to maintain a quick pace, as the trail was smooth and level.  Interesting, though, that every wet root I saw now looked to be a black snake.  This wetness has affected my brain.Before I knew it, I had reached the road,  and what was the south end of the AT's handicap accessible section, a one mile section of gravel-like trail that crosses a beautiful farm pasture.  The sun was shining, with just a hint of storm-like weather in the form of dark clouds ahead.  The handicap accessible trail ended about halfway through the pasture.  It seemed an odd stopping point, but maybe there is a plan to extend this trail in the future.  The gravel-like trail became a muddy path,  but still level.  Just before leaving the pasture and entering the wooded area again, there were two places where a very large step was built to hurdle the fence meant to contain the cows.  I did not see cows.  A very strange passageway, for sure, and not optimal for the more "mature " hiker--or anyone with short legs.  Somehow I made it through.  Still hiking at a good clip, my pace was slowed the last two miles by a steep climb.  I reached a point where a huge tree had fallen across the path.  The trail maintainers devised a creative ramp-step combo using stones and branches, to get over it.  Finally, about a mile after this obstacle, I reached the shelter.  It had not rained a drop!!  And, as an added bonus, the water source was close with decent flow.  Thank you. Lord!I tried again to dry my clothes and boots by strategically placing them in the direct path of sunlight.  Unfortunately,  that sunlight gave way to the dark clouds, and, once again, the storms came.  I was thankful to be in a shelter and bedded down for the night, still dry.