morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Stealth campsite, Allen Gap

To: Flint Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got pretty cold during the night, but I slept well. Awoke to a turkey gobbling loudly up the hillside. Ate cold breakfast, then packed up. My fellow tenters were still asleep. I checked, and mom's store was open! I got my first dr. Pepper and the other sodas, then spied the cupcake near the register, and couldn't resist...this was the day for the photo re-enactment if there ever was one (if you have read AWITW you'll understand completely, if not, then read it). Both dr pepper and cupcake went up the Trail with me for later...the other sodas got delivered to the stirring campers, who hadn't believed I would do it...happy trail magic at work!And the Trail had its own surprise too...in the form of Whiterock Cliff...an open narrow ridge of spectacular views and wonderful trail work. I met a pair of trail maintainers, who were also passing out mini candy bars, as they cleared trash and told hikers about the new plaque in appreciation of a man who has logged a crazy amount of hours doing trail work (1000?... can't remember)...on this gorgeous clear weather day. They advised of a frost warning for the night. Later, I crossed Big Butt Mt. name self explanatory! after which the guidebook stated there was a "short bypass" followed by a 1 1/2 mile gravel road walk. Well, the road walk never materialized, and if that was a short bypass, then I really, REALLY don't ever want to see what a long bypass looks like. Very disconcerting that all the while almost NO white blazes to mark the new trail section. Very odd, and though I began the day happy and exuberant, this took the stuffing out of me. Still sunny and light out, it was cold enough that I had to stop and add clothes. My left calf started bothering me. I arrived at the shelter and set up tent, ate, and then put on almost ALL my clothes, climbed into my bag, and was just warm enough. Some hikers said the temp was as low as 28 degrees. I hope I don't have to test my gear any colder, I really dont. P.s. I crossed over the 300 mile mark today!!!!
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Flint Mt. Shelter

To: Bald Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

My hands nearly froze, packing my tent in the morning. I hurried away down the trail, to try and warm up. Shortly after, I came across a lone stealth camper standing by a fire, very unusual in the morning. I commented on it as I was about to pass by, and must have looked cold too, because he invited me to come warm my hands. Nice!!! I spent a while climbing Hog back Mt. Whew, that warmed me up, and then down into Sams Gap, where we crossed a multi-line interstate! 3 good things about Sams gap: the oatmeal cookie trail magic someone left, the fact that I had cell service and could get a few messages out, and then the family of 4 I met who were exploring the trail on the other side of the highway. Tom and Leslie and kids asked questions about what I was doing and where I was going, exclaimed over my backpack and bravery and gave me well-wishes after taking my picture. It really spurred me along up Big Bald, a long hard climb, but hugely rewarding....incredibly impressive, even more so than Max Patch....totally indescribable and photos cannot capture. I stayed in the very nice double deck shelter that night, as rain was forecast. It was again cold, but closer to 40. The leg is a bit worse. Sore tibia, irritated calf muscles. Need to watch these symptoms. Plus a weird burning swollen patch on my right hand. Needing to zero very soon.
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Bald Mt. Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

It did rain overnight, as promised, so I was glad to have chosen to shelter instead of tenting. Normally I don't sleep well in a shelter, but this was a happy exception to the rule. I was able to pack up dry and light-ish, with nearly empty food bag, also a happy thing. The rain wasn't a hard, driving one, and after a couple hours it stopped, and eventually the sun came out (naturally, while I was going up a steep climb) and dried most of the damp. The photo, by the way, was not taken with camera tilted...that's actually a true to life example of how the Trail often runs, with the earth falling away right next to you, and of course, no guard rails. The rather "level" switchbacks are preferable to the more direct ups and downs, by far, though. The miles seemed long today for me, as I was eager to reach town for some rest: my last zero day was way back in Hiawassee on day 4, so I was long overdue. As I descended, plants and trees became greener, the air became warmer, and I finally saw my first rhododendron in bloom. For several days we hikers had seen notices posted that there would be a big "feed" as we came off the Trail, and this was indeed the case, as we crossed a bridge and walked a short distance to a park near the river, where a church group had set up tents with tables and chairs, a hand-cleaning station (luxury!), grilled hot dogs and burgers, picnic salads and chips, cookies, cakes, and drinks. At the far end was a table filled with boxes of free take-away hiker snacks: granola bars, trail mix, little debbies, snack cakes, crackers, etc. I spoke with one lady who had made some homemade granola, and made separate snack sized baggies to take, and wanted to make sure I got some: it's now packed in my food bag waiting to hit the Trail as breakfast cereal, with some added dried fruits and powdered milk, just add water! So thankful for the people in these towns who care for hikers needs and give so freely. And speaking of that, meet Forgetmenot, my very own personal one-of-a-kind fairy godmother trail angel, who picked me up from the hiker picnic, took me to her house, gave me my own room to sleep in (complete with high headboard antique bed, felt like home) and my own bathroom to shower in, everything I could need for toiletries, etc, took me out for steak dinner, replaced some pieces of my gear...and more. And more again tomorrow. I am very, very blessed.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin and Unicoi, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Zero doesn't mean relaxing. It means zero miles hiked on AT. But there's a lot to get done. Taking care of gear, cleaning, fixing, or replacing. Taking care of body, all sorts of ways, and in my case, time for some hair attention. Voila, trail angel Forgetmenot just "happens" to have a professional hair salon at her house. What an absolute treat to simply walk through her garage and get my hair done!!! As a fellow hiker, though on a smaller scale, she enjoyed seeing and helping care for my gear, and even had ideas to improvise a few improvements, which she assisted with. She also helped me prepare my meals for the next several days, providing extra baggies and ingredients, emptying her hiker section of her pantry, finding a (bigger) box to bounce extras ahead to Damascus, re- waterproofing my mitts and my "pouch" I carry (I will say more about that another day) and so much more I cannot name it all. I was able to call one daughter and actually talk on the phone at long last, and text the other, and then catch up on some Journaling at Starbucks, before being driven to another trail angel's house (Rob Bird, who formerly had a hostel in Mass., now helps hikers by word of mouth here). In the morning he will take me to the Trail. More about that, well, tomorrow
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Erwin and Unicoi, TN

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: broken clouds

Rob Bird, aka Birdcage, drove me to my starting point this morning, and dropped me off to head southbound, or SOBO. As an added treat, on top of everything else she's done, my Trail Angel Forgetmenot had offered to slack pack me back to her house for another night. We wanted to test our theory that part of my leg problem was the need to replace my trail runners, which still looked fine, but had at least 450 miles on them. If I hiked today and felt better, then maybe we were right. If worse, then she offered to let me stay with her longer until the leg was ready to roll. It was a good test: 20 miles both up and down, over every sort of terrain...regular dirt trail, pine-needle-covered forest, grassy meadow, rocky ridge, and miles of bumpy, lumpy exposed rhododendron root. Passed with flying colors, and the leg felt better with each mile covered. A bonus of SOBO hiking is coming down the Trail towards northbounders...ones I have met before and those I havent...and stopping for short conversation, as opposed to the long miles of solitude I've grown used to until now. It was a refreshing change for a day. Of course, I was walking with a much lighter load, having left my tent, stove, and many other items behind. Tomorrow I will start with a much heavier load.Of note: I was under - dressed for the weather at altitude today, still very cold temperatures, with a lower wind chill. I was never sweaty while hiking....in fact I was outright cold until about noon, and never shed my jacket until 5 miles before the end.At one gap, a gentleman was doing trail magic from the back of his pickup truck. He told us he's there usually 5 days a week...he sits in a comfortable camp chair, with 5 or 6 others ready for hikers to take a load off. Today he offered sweet tea, fruit, banana bread, and brownies. Thanks!, trail friend
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

My good friend Forgetmenot, and her friend Marie (who runs a shuttle service out of Erwin), dropped me off at Iron Mt. Gap, only this time I crossed the road to head north on the AT. It felt a bit different than yesterday, carrying a full backpack with 4 days of food plus some water, weighing in at 28 pounds. And of course, since I was leaving a gap, I naturally started the day heading uphill. It was a quiet morning of hiking, and I encountered only a few SOBO section hikers.Later in the day, the job was to climb Roan Mt, which peaked out at over 6,000 feet after many, many switchback - filled miles. I arrived at the highest shelter on the AT at about 4:15, and debated moving along further, but in the end decided to stay just for the novelty of sleeping in the loft of this unusual shelter. I say unusual because instead of the typical 3-sided structure, with possibly a tarp covering the fourth opening, this was fashioned like a log cabin, and had a normal - sized man door which swung on hinges.Although the loft was a bit warm in the afternoon, it grew chilly by nightfall, and then very cold overnight. I awoke sometime in the wee hours wishing for yet another layer to put on, but instead dozed back off. I broke a few of the rules and kept my food bag inside for the night, and at breakfast time, heated water in my stove for hot chocolate while reclining in my sleeping bag to keep warm. Small luxuries on the Trail loom large, believe me
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel, Roan TN
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

After my breakfast "in bed" I left the shelter to start back down the mountain on a rock-strewn trail. A few miles later there was a road crossing with a day - use parking lot and restroom....when there's a service available, hikers put it to use..Then I entered what's known as the Roan Highlands, a section of Trail meandering up and over a series of grassy balds. And when I say up and over, I mean, nearly straight up and over!!! No switchbacking over the balds! It was a cool and overcast day, which aided the climbs, and dimmed the views of the surrounding mountains, fading into shades of purple and blue, with layers of color and shadow. In an attempt to show perspective, the photo at top left includes a distant hiker on the Trail. If you zoom in far enough you may be able to spot him, otherwise he will just blend in as a speck. I leap - frogged and hiked all day today with Single Speed, and enjoyed his company. He is nursing a sore ankle/shin issue, and wanted the extra motivation of keeping up with a pacer (me), and likewise, I appreciated the extra "battery pack" that comes from teaming up with another person while traveling up those big hills. Eventually, we pushed our way to highway 19E, and a quarter mile down the road to Mountain Harbor hostel, a very neat, well-kept haven for hikers, and B&B. I snagged the last of 4 beds in the loft, enjoyed a good shower, and then went for a burger in town at Bob's Dairy land with a few other hikers. On the way back to the hostel we had a teeny "accident" in a parking lot, where a woman backed into the car we were jammed into (6 of us in a little Honda Civic), scraping the rear fender. Her excuse was that her chihuahuas were barking so much she couldn't hear anything, haha how about looking in your rear view mirror??? No harm done, really, the Civic was a beater and the driver said it merely added character. Life on the AT is never dull
Date: 2015-05-02
From: US 321 Hampton, TN, Shook Branch Recreation Area

To: Erwin/Gray, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It wasn't really time for another zero already, but it was a "seize the opportunity" kind of thing...Forgetmenot offered me another night stay at her house, and tossed in an afternoon kayak paddling on a nearby lake. She didn't have to twist my arm....it was an ideal weather day (for once I was neither hot nor cold, but just right), she owns the kayaks plus gear. So we loaded up in the morning, and after she dropped me off for breakfast at a local Panera (my request....hadn't had their hazelnut coffee in over a month!) and to catch up my journal, while she went shopping, off we went. It wasn't hiking, and there was no backpack to carry. My laundry and resupply was finished yesterday. Totally relaxing and enjoyable. Supper was pizza made at home, and later dessert will be a repeat of last night's: broken little Debbie cakes topped with vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries, and drizzled with Hershey syrup. Life is good. Forgetmenot is my friend for life. That's the AT at its best.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Erwin/Gray, TN

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: broken clouds

This morning, Forgetmenot headed off on her own hiking adventure in one direction, and I left to get back on the Trail for mine. We were sad to say goodbye after such a wonderful ongoing connection through Erwin and then some for my AT thru hike. But we both agreed it had been grand, and we wouldn't change a thing! I hope we have an adventure together next year. Meantime, her sweetheart Darrell dropped me back in Hampton, where I left off on Friday, next to Watauga Lake. I hiked a few miles, relatively flat, skirting the lake, and with views of it through the trees. Then I happened upon McFly, a hiker I'd left behind somewhere before Erwin (my first visit to Erwin, that is), and we crossed the dam and started uphill together for awhile. And we saw Watauga Lake from higher up, through the trees. Then he stopped for a break, I kept hiking, got to a shelter where I had lunch, and yes, could still see yet another view of Watauga Lake. So that was pretty much it today...a hike along a ridge that makes an edge, or "bowl" to hold a lake. It was much warmer (where's the happy medium?) and is expected to be even more so (80s) over the next several days...watch out, extra stinky hikers, coming thru!!! The big news today is that I am at this moment writing, and about to post, my very first journal post from inside my tent. Drumroll, please! So excited to have enough cell service to do so. I think...
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Damascus, Va. Woodchuck Hostel
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: few clouds

What a treat to wake up in my tent, and not be freezing cold. And to dismantle my still dry tent, pack it away, and have warm hands. It's the little things... Of course, on the flip side, if you're that comfortable at 8am, chances are, you're going to be a bit too warm later on, particularly when lugging a full pack uphill. And that was true today, although for much of the day there was also a nice little cooling breeze blowing, and the uphills were generally quite mild, so I'm not complaining. I started out hiking by 8:30, and not too far into the day found trail magic near a road crossing for a second breakfast: little Debbie snacks and sodas ON ICE!!!! I chose pepsi. Thanks to the kind church group that left it for us. Then we crossed a livestock pasture, passing through several gates and over stiles, as shown in the photo. Didn't see cattle or horses, but the "patties" were in evidence. Had lunch at the next shelter and moved on, arriving at the one I had planned to stay at by 3pm. It was too early to quit for the day, but I did the steep hike down the ravine for fresh water, and was chased down the Trail by swarms of gnats there. Figured I would hike to the camp site just short of Damascus, after having crossed out of Tennessee into Virginia, my 4th state, and a 24 mile day. Once I arrived there, I found a pair of girl hikers with a campfire already started, but they told me the water source was another hike, and just a trickle. I was looking forward to a good "bandana bath" to rinse off the day's sticky sweat. Oh well, what was another couple miles into town, where I could have a real shower, and could claim my first trail hike marathon? Yep, 26.3 miles into the heart of Damascus. I hadn't planned to arrive until Tuesday, when I had a reservation for a room, so was grateful to be directed to Woodchucks hostel, where I found room to tent in the yard. A bonus being an included breakfast in the morning...all for $10. Tired, but happy camper
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: clear sky

As I approached the outhouse in the morning (they're called privies here) I saw a bird fly out. Upon entering, I spied an artfully formed nest in the corner, with three blue eggs in it (see photos for close-up shot). Interesting spot to set up housekeeping, I would say. Today we intended to take it easy and do shorter mileage, as a break from the past few, and because it's getting so warm during the hike day. The Trail was much milder and easier through this stretch, and we liked that. We also greatly enjoyed the short but very sweet walk through a gorgeous orchard during the afternoon. Problem is, we made it to the not-so-attractive campsite we'd chosen a bit too early, which made it tempting to move on farther. As I prepared and ate my early supper, sweat bees kept landing on me, and I got "stung" several times. Two other hikers arrived, on their way to the next shelter, making it a 30 - mile day for them. The fact that the next shelter had a shower (supreme luxury!!!) was the final lure, and we caved in to it. At 5pm we headed out once again for 5 or 6 more miles (do we ever learn?). Though not as tough as two evenings previous, there were several rather discouraging PUD'S (pointless ups and downs), and our desire to arrive before dark meant cruising along quickly on tired legs. Just before the shelter we saw a sign that announced no tenting allowed in the next half mile, which was discouraging: I wasn't keen to sleep on a hard floor 2 nights in a row, and in the loft at that, where it was quite warm from the day. A young man was standing near the shelter and we learned that he had been doing trail magic for the occupants by bringing in food and drinks and offering shuttles into town. We didn't have to be asked twice! and followed him to his car: sweet ride in a blue Beetle He dropped us off near the hotel choices, we found rooms, and after an initial miss in the old building where the water came out at a dribble, followed by a switch to the new section (thank you sweet hotel registrar lady!), we walked up the street to the local Mexican place to enjoy second supper, my Dr.Pepper, I admit, traded out for a frozen margarita. Zero day, here we come!
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Marion, Va.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The past few days on the Trail have been quite warm, and I've been dreaming of ice cream. So today when I went shopping for resupply at the grocery store, I picked up some fresh fruit, and ended with the frozen food section. I intended to get a pint of something, but since the price on them was $4.98 and the half-gallons were on special for $3.50 it was a no-brainer; save money and buy the bigger carton. Pralines and cream with strawberries, blueberries, and sliced banana from the hotel's breakfast. Yum. Single Speed had some ice cream after supper to help out, but I still have extras...sadly, I may have to toss some out when I leave in the morning (the room has a mini fridge/freezer where I've kept it frozen today). Supper was going to be steak, but the Italian place was out of their top sirloin, so I had to "suffer" through chicken marsala instead. Yum. Other than that it has been the usual zero: eat,laundry, eat, resupply, eat, catch up with Trail Journals, email, text, and family, then eat some more, pack up all the food (wow that bag is HEAVY!!!!!), and if there's any time left, maybe watch some mindless tv (HGTV if you really want to know). Thanks, all who wrote in the past week, the encouragement and interest are great!!!! Terrific response to my "random" thoughts, I will add more of that, I promise, as I can. Back out into questionable cell service for perhaps quite some time again, thanks for being patient...I feel like a broken record, but honest, the phone thing is what it is.
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Marion, Va.

To: campsite south of crawfish trail
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a very happy Mother's Day for me, as I was able to talk to both of my daughters while in town, plus receive and laugh over the e-cards they each sent me...thanks, girls! Love ya The happiness continued with trail magic we received from former thru hiker, Sparks, who picked us up from our motel and drove us back to the shelter, where we had left off. The Trail was rather straightforward for the day, with pleasant stretches through pasture, orchards with sweet-scented trees and flowers, and then a gorgeous ridge walk for the afternoon (there was quite a lot of poison ivy along the Trail today, yikes! Have to be careful of that!) The morning overcast sky made way for sunshine and deep blue later on, the air was warm, but dry, and there were great breezes. During the day I passed the quarter way done sign, an old school - house containing trail magic snacks, and then The Barn Restaurant, where I received a fantastic box of goodies from a friend back home (Lynn, it was just like Christmas!) which I stuffed into my already loaded backpack (well, a few of the lesser goodies I shared with 3 other hikers), a small, but ahem necessary envelope from Forgetmenot (I left something at her house, and she was kind enough to pass it along to me), and also, I ate a great burger and fries 2 Dr. Peppers (one free refill), and fully charged my phone. The day ended at a nice camp site set amid rhododendron bushes, next to a stream where I was able to bathe nicely and listen to it bubbling nearby in the night. Altogether, it was one of my favorite days of hiking so far. Happy, indeed!