morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2022-03-29
From: Licklog Campsite 

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Departed Licklog Campsite for Cold Spring Shelter. Took a snack break and refilled our water bottles there. Met Lost and Found, Matt and Cedar the dog. I shared my cheddar cheese with Cedar after asking permission to do so. Lost and found was on her last section of hiking the AT. Took the blue blaze to Rocky Bald and had a break there while admiring the view. Continued on to Wesser Bald Shelter. There is not a flat tentsite to be had there. Sat on a log and had dinner with Jay. Mark had Mountain House spaghetti and I had mashed potatoes with bacon bits and cheddar cheese. Used bear cables for the first time to hang our food bags. Met Tony from Warrior Expeditions and chatted with him. It's finally warm enough to stay up and socialize. Spent the night sliding off of our inflatable pads. Yippee!
Date: 2022-03-30
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: broken clouds

Beautiful sunrise at Wesser Bald. We thought it was going to be a short, easy day. It was short but definitely not easy. Hiked to the Jumpoff. Wowza! Took a snack and water break at Rufus Morgan Shelter. Continued on to the NOC, a huge milestone for us. Planning to stay at the Dogwood Motel for two nights to avoid severe weather. Lunch and dinner were inhaled at River's End. Lunch was burgers and fries for Mark and Jay and a chicken sandwich for me. The guys had pizza for dinner and I had a Greek salad with chicken. Mark and I split an apple cobbler for dessert. Crazy Cop is here too. Incoming rain and high winds. Also a huge wildfire burning in TN. Yikes!
Date: 2022-04-01
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Departed from the Dogwood Motel at the NOC and hiked to Wright Gap. Passed the Wade Sutton Memorial and Grassy Gap. Enjoyed the view of Nantahala Gorge from the Jump-Up. Continued on through Swim Bald to Sassafras Gap Shelter. Holy hill climb day. Are there any level tent sites in NC? We had Mountain House spaghetti for dinner and Kinder Bueno, Snickers and mocha for dessert. It was another chilly night with temperatures in the 30's.
Date: 2022-04-02
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter 

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

We had second breakfast with Jay on Cheoah Bald. Met SMOG (slow moving old guy). Hiked to Locust Cove Gap and enjoyed a pack off and lunch break. There was awesome trail magic at Stecoah Gap. Burgers, hotdogs, chips, cookies, candy, drinks... Thank you, Pete, Jennifer, Frankie The Sleeper and Foster Church. There was a great tent site just after the gap but it was too early to stop. We climbed Jacob's Ladder and then stopped at Brown Fork Gap Shelter. There were no good tent sites avaliable. We ended up setting our tent up on the blue blaze trail in Brown Fork Gap. Jay set his tent up just off the AT. We went to his site for cell service and he came to ours for dinner out of the wind. I recorded my third fall today when I slipped on a loose rock that was covered by thick leaves on the trail. Low of 39 degrees predicted for tonight. Heatwave! I cant believe we are almost to Fontana Dam.
Date: 2022-04-03
From: Brown Fork Gap 

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We took our time breaking camp. There was no reason to hurry because we will be getting off trail after the Fontana Hilton to avoid bad weather. Hiked through Hogback Gap, Cody Gap and Yellow Creek Gap. Met section hikers, Butterfly and Yoda. Called it a day at Cable Gap Shelter, hung our hammocks and soaked up some glorious sunshine. Mark watched a movie on his phone and I read a book someone left in the shelter. Jay came to our site for dinner and then we joined Huggy, SMOG, All In and a few other hikers for a campfire at the shelter. I finally got a warm night of sleep.
Date: 2022-04-04
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

Had protein bars and mocha for breakfast at the shelter to get out of the wind. Received trail magic treats from Laurel just before Fontana Marina. Did a small resupply, split a sandwich and a coke and signed the banner at the marina. Missed the last shuttle from the shelter to Fontana Village by a few minutes. No cheeseburgers for us. Set up our tent on a concrete pad. Woo hoo, hot showers and flush toliets at this shelter. We had Knorr sides with added chicken for dinner. Met Slider and Hatchet. Slider and Jay joined us for dinner at a real picnic table. Heading to Robbinsville NC tomorrow to resupply and avoid bad weather.
Date: 2022-04-05
From: Fontana Dam Shelter 

To: Robbinsville NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Shuttled to San Ran Motel in Robbinsville NC. Left our packs on the porch until check in. Walked to Southern Gals for breakfast and then to Ingles for resupply. Rainy, rainy day. So glad to be off trail. Did our laundry at Washboard Laundrymat. Went to Dollar General and Family Dollar for snacks and drinks. I bought a $5.00 fleece penguin blanket to carry through The Smokies. Walked to Ace Hardware to tighten our stove with an allen wrench and buy handwarmers. We had dinner with Jay at Wendy's and then spent the evening charging devices and catching up on email and phone calls. Amazing water pressure in the hotel shower to wash away thru hiker funk.
Date: 2022-04-06
From: Robbinsville NC

To: Robbinsville NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We had breakfast with Jay at Southern Gals. Picked up a few more things at Ingles. Mark and I walked to the library to print our Smokies Permits and so I could finish our taxes now that I finally received what I needed to complete them. We had buffalo tenders salads at Lynn's Place on the way back to the hotel. Also discovered that Ronnie Milsap is from Robbinsville. Missing our children and grandchildren. Went to El Pacifico for dinner with Jay. Mark and I had tacos. Nasty storms rolling in. Hopefully we will be crossing Fontana Dam and entering The Great Smoky Mountains NP tomorrow.
Date: 2022-04-07
From: Fontana Dam Shelter 

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Took Fred Laney shuttle to Fontana Dam Shelter. Dropped extra shampoo and conditioner in the bathroom and shared some extra resupply items with other hikers. We walked to the dam with Jay and explored the area around the closed visitor center. Took a snack break at a picnic table and chatted with our daughter while she prepared a resupply box to send us. Hiked to the park boundary and deposited our permits. Mark and I climbed to the top of Shuckstack Fire Tower. Awesome views, but hang on to your hats. Continued on to Birch Spring Campsite, pitched our tents and cooked dinner. There is some cold wintery weather headed our way. I'm not a fan.
Date: 2022-04-08
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Departed Spring Birch Gap at 8:30 am. Hiked to Mollies Ridge Shelter in the snow. There was a guy who appeared to have been living in the shelter for a few days. Took a pack off and lunch break and moved on in snow showers to Russell Field Shelter. Huggy and quite a few other hikers were there. Met Candle and Cow Bell. There was a nice fire burning in the fireplace. Snowy, windy, 24 degrees . Mark and I split mashed potatoes with cheddar and bacon bits added. Sleeping in the shelter tonight to stay out of the wind. So glad I bought the fleece blanket. It is definitely worth the pack weight for now.
Date: 2022-04-09
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 2.9
Weather: light rain

Hiked in the snow to Spence Field Shelter and called it a day. Tarps were up and a fire was burning. We made the wise decision to stay put. Met Jeopardy, Bacon, Bookworm, Kate, Curls, Oldun (sp?), Woodsman and Millspeck were there. Gathered around the fireplace for most of the day to stay warm. Had lunch and dinner near the fireplace. We played I'm going to the valley of the green glass doors and some hikers played 3 questions. Slept fairly well considering how cold it was and how much snoring there was in the full shelter. Hoping for better weather soon.
Date: 2022-04-10
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Miss Hadley's birthday. Departed Spence Field Shelter. The trail was a slip and slide. Snow, mud, slush. Yuck and more yuck. I recorded my 4th fall. Slipped and twisted my right knee. It warmed up and the trail turned to a river of ice cold snow melt. Cold wet feet are not fun. Took a break at Derrick Knob Shelter and then pushed on to Siler's Bald Shelter. It was a pretty miserable day. Oldin, Curls and Woodsman were a few of the thru hikers in the full shelter with us.
Date: 2022-04-11
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Departed Silers Bald Shelter. Stopped at Double Spring Gap Shelter for lunch and a privy break. Enjoyed hitting the 200 mile mark and the view from Clingman's Dome, highest point on the AT. Wasted time and energy walking to the gift shop with Jay only to have the ranger close the door in our face and tell us it was closed. Extremely slippery, slushy trail today. Had dinner at Mt. Collins Shelter and spent part of the evening waiting to be booted out of the shelter by a group of section hikers. The GSMNP shelter rules for thru hikers are crazy. There has to be a better system. Huggy was there and we met Keystone and Rosebud. Section hikers arrived late and set up their tents. It poured rain for most of the night.
Date: 2022-04-12
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: broken clouds

Had oatmeal for breakfast; not much else left in our food bags. Departed Mt. Collins Shelter in the pouring rain. The trail was a stream of ice cold snowmelt. Less slippery than the last two days and your feet don't hurt when they are numb. There was a break in the rain before Newfound Gap but it was short lived. Received trail magic from Nuclear Nugget and Mountain Goat. First Baptist Church of Sieverville was providing trail magic and hiker support in the form of free shuttles to Gatlinburg. So we changed our plans and went to Gatlinburg instead of Cherokee. We checked in at the Jack Huff Motel which is owned by the family who owns the LeConte Lodge. We walked around Gatlinburg and bought some gear and food at the NOC. Sunny and warm in Gaitlinburg. Had dinner at Burg Steakhouse, salad and hot bar for all of us. Prime rib for Mark, blackberry bbq ribs for me and shrimp poboy for Jay. Did laundry at The Gatlinburg Inn but their washer was no match for hiker funk. Redid our laundry at Howard Johnsons and hung it to line dry in our room. Hit the hot tub room and then took a second shower. Luxury!
Date: 2022-04-13
From: Gatlinburg 

To: Gatlinburg 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mark and I got up early and walked to the Donut Friar for donuts, coffee and hot chocolate. Gatlinburg is quiet in the early morning hours. Took the trolley to Food City for resupply. Had lunch at Burgs Steakhouse. Did you say unlimited salad bar? We wandered through The Village shops. I bought a sticker for my food bag and a some olive oil to add to our trail meals. We did another small load of laundry, Facetimed with Ashley and Katherine and wished Hadley a belated happy birthday. Enjoyed our stay in Gatlinburg. Back on trail tomorrow.
Date: 2022-04-14
From: Newfound Gap

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: clear sky

Missing Miss Katherine on her third birthday. We got mostly packed and then walked to Donut Friar with Jay. Finished packing and walked to NOC to catch the free shuttle back to Newfound Gap. More rain but it cleared out before we got to Ice Water Spring Shelter. It was a short hiking day because the next shelter will most likely be full before we get there. We claimed our spots in the shelter and spent the afternoon soaking up the sun. Snagged my expensive hiking leggings on a wire and ripped a hole in the butt.¢1   The shelter area was full of hikers. We met Atlas and Heineken. If you are a brewer from the Netherlands, your trail name might be Heineken. Split a Mountain House Spaghetti with Mark for dinner and sat in front of the shelter until sundown. Then crawled into our sleeping bags to stay warm. Nice weather predicted for tomorrow.
Date: 2022-04-15
From: Ice Water Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful sunrise this morning. Sewed my leggings with some bright orange thread from Huggy. Departed Icewater Spring Shelter. Hiked to Charlies Bunion. Strange name for such a beautiful place. Continued on to Pecks Corner Shelter and stopped to get water. Had lunch at the trail split to the shelter. Leapfrogged Huggy for most of the day. Hurt my knee trying to go under a large dead fall on the trail. Set up on the top level of Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. Had chicken and dumplings for dinner. Rainbow Brite and Mr. Clean arrived and set up their hammocks. It should be warmer tonight but there is more rain on the way. Nice fire in the fireplace. Looking forward to being out of the GSMNP.
Date: 2022-04-16
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Departed Tri-Corner Knob Shelter in the rain. Rocky trail today. Spring has arrived; there are tons of little flowers blooming along the trail. We saw a huge pile of fresh bear poop next to the trail but no bear sighting yet. Hiked to Cosby Knob Shelter and claimed our spots. Had a snack of chocolate and a mocha with added Tennessee Sipping Cream. Rainbow Brite and Mr. Clean are here. Hoping we have a clear day tomorrow for views from Mt. Cammerer. Talked to Troy from Arizona about the Colorado Trail. Put it on our list for next year. Our friends, the Yeagers, are pulling us off trail tomorrow and taking us to their new home. Hope they are prepared for our lovely aroma.
Date: 2022-04-17
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Jeff and Mary Lou's house.
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

Departed Cosby Knob Shelter and hiked to Mt. Cammerer Lookout Tower. Enjoyed the gorgeous views and took a snack break there. Continued on to Davenport Gap Shelter trail split. Mark went to the shelter for water. Miles of downhill today; hard on the knees. Saw Rainbow Brite and Mr. Clean. Hiked with Troy from Tucson for awhile. Easter trail magic at Davenport Gap. Baked potato bar, snacks and drinks. Thank you. Wimberley, Emma, Sarah and Chingon.The trail from Davenport Gap to Pigeon River Bridge is stunning. Flowers blooming, creek flowing, flat tent sites, beautiful waterfall. Welcome back to the AT. Happy to have dropped our permits in the overflowing box and to officially be out of the national park Trail magic at Pigeon River Bridge, snacks and drinks from Smokey Bear. Jeff arrived to pick us up bearing a cooler of snacks and drinks. He took us to his snd Mary Lou's new home and fed us an amazing fajita dinner. We did our laundry and played sevens. Then hit the hay. It poured rain all night.
Date: 2022-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We enjoyed an amazing breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage and toast at our friends, Jeff and Mary Lou's new home. They drove us to REI, Walmart and Ingles for resupply. We had lunch at the Bun Intended Thai food truck before touring New Belgium Brewery in Asheville. The tour exit is a fun slide from the second floor. Dinner was cheeseburgers and brats, followed by Girl Scout cookies for dessert. I was able to mend my hiking leggings and silk bag liner. We called the kids and then watched The Fastest Indian before calling it a night.
Date: 2022-04-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Breakfast this morning was cheese danish and real coffee. We started organizing and packing. Mark and Jay treated our tents and clothes with Permethrin. You have to love friends who will let you make their yard look like a homeless encampment. Especially when they are new to the neighborhood. Mary Lou loaned me a cozy sweatshirt and a pair of comfy slippers. You learn to appreciate the little things when you thru hike. It's so nice to be able to sit in a chair. We enjoyed a few hours around a campfire. We had a great time and are looking forward to getting back on trail refreshed after having been spoiled rotten.
Date: 2022-04-20
From: Pigeon River Bridge 

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Breakfast consisted of coffee, omelets and cheese Danish. We finished getting organized and packed before our friends shuttled us back to Pigeon River Bridge. They spoiled us rotten and even let us bring a stranger to their house. We got our butts kicked hiking up Snowbird Mountain where we checked out the FAA tower at the summit. We continued on to Painter Branch and had lunch near the stream. Hiked to Deep Gap. Mark and Jay went to get water and check out Groundhog Creek Shelter. We decided to tent in Deep Gap near the AT. Dinner was a yummy Peak Refuel sweet pork and rice. Had time to relax in my hammock. We are glad to be out of the GSMNP and back in our tent. We are camping in a high bear activity area. Food bags are hung PCT style and fingers are crossed.
Date: 2022-04-21
From: Deep Gap

To: Tentsite 
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

This morning we left Deep Gap and hiked to Brown Gap where we received trail magic from The JAMS. We had hotdogs, chips, fruit, cookies and Gatorade after Jay got their Coleman stove going for them. Awesome group of ladies. We climbed to Max Patch Summit and took some pictures. What a beautiful place. Glad it is being restored and hopeful that it will be respected in the future. Sad that we were unable to camp there because a few bad apples have to ruin things for everyone else. Received Easter candy trail magic from a day hiker after Max Patch. We took the Green Heart Trail to burger paradise after seeing a sign spelled out with sticks. Phillip and his dad were there too. Thank you Midnight Rider, hope you reopen soon. There were no good tent sites at Roaring Fork Shelter so we continued on. Stopped by a waterfall/water source then enjoyed the wild flowers on the way to Lemon Gap. We ended up stealth camping. No dinner needed after the burgers we had consumed earlier. We pitched our tent and enjoyed an adult mocha. Tennessee Sipping Cream for the win. 10.2 AT miles plus the Green Heart Trail.
Date: 2022-04-22
From: Tentsite mm 258.9

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left our tentsite and hiked past Walnut Mountain Shelter. It's in pretty sad shape. Pushed on through Kale Gap and climbed Bluff Mountain. Stopped at Big Rock Spring for water then continued on to a waterfall and took a snack/pack off break in a campsite near the water source. Hiked through Garenflo Gap. Stopped at Deer Park Mountain Shelter to look for Jay. Finally found him on the other side of the trail split to the water. Against our better judgment, we decided to continue on to Hot Springs. We tented out at Laughing Heart Hostel since we arrived in Hot Springs a day early. We had dinner at Spring Creek Tavern with Jay. Mozzarella sticks for all, burgers for the guys and an Italian wrap for me. Went back to the hostel for showers. Then hit the hay. Gnats were awful.
Date: 2022-04-23
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero in Hot Springs NC. Huggy is at Laughing Heart too. We had breakfast with Jay at Smokey Mountain Diner. Did our laundry at Laughing Heart, took our tents down and made trail plans with Jay while our laundry air dried. Finished packing up and walked down the trail to Elmer's Sunnybank Inn. Left our packs on the porch until our rooms were ready and did resupply at Dollar General and Hillbilly Market. Coconut cream pie, oh my. Went to the Taqueria at Big Pillow Brewing for lunch, picked up a few things at Bluff Mountain Outfitters and explored the rest of downtown. Relaxed on the porch at Sunnybank, then headed to Iron Horse Station for dinner. Finished our resupply and packed up for an early morning departure back to the trail.
Date: 2022-04-24
From: Hot Springs NC

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

It was hard to leave Elmer's Sunnybank Inn this morning. We walked through Hot Springs, crossed the bridge over the French Broad River and followed the trail to Lover's Leap Rock. There were some big climbs in the heat today. So glad we got an early start. We pushed on through Pump Gap and passed a beautiful dammed pond. Stopped to take pictures of a large double blazed oak near Cross Mill Ridge. Hiked through Tanyard Gap and took the blue blaze to Rich Mountain Lookout Tower. Enjoyed the views from the tower, then hiked to Hurricane Gap and passed two old headstones. Decided to call it a day at Spring Mountain Shelter. I was overheated when we arrived. Trail magic arrived at the shelter. Rootbeer floats? Say what? Bloodhound, a back country trail angel packed in the makings for rootbeer floats, ice cream cones and wine. Unbelievable!
Date: 2022-04-25
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

Departed Spring Mountain Shelter and hiked through Deep Gap and Allen Gap. Mark walked down the road to a marked water source but the locals told him not to use water from that creek and had him fill from their hose instead. There was trail magic at Log Cabin Road. A cute little table set up with individually wrapped carmel refrigerator cookies. It was another hot day spent climbing hills with no views. Set our tent up near Little Laurel Shelter. Expecting more rain tonight and tomorrow.
Date: 2022-04-26
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Shelton Graves 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Little Laurel Shelter before the rain arrived. Hiked past Jones Meadow, Whiterock Cliff snd Blackstack Cliffs. Skipped them all since we were socked in with rain and fog. No views to be had today. Hiked the ridge trail of Firescald Knob in the pouring rain. Cold, foggy raining and extremely windy at Howard's Rock. Arrived at Jerry Cabin Shelter cold and wet. Planned to have lunch and warm up there but 2 kids were smoking in the shelter. UGH! Mark and I continued on while Jay stayed at the shelter for lunch. We hiked Bald Ridge and stopped at the Howard C. Bassett Memorial. Climbed Big Butt Mountain. Fun part of the trail but would have been more enjoyable in better weather. We arrived at Shelton Graves and visited the headstones there. Decided to pitch our tents in the meadow there and crawled into our sleeping bags to get warm. Mark hiked down the trail for water and cooked dinner. I passed on dinner; too cold and tired to be hungry. Not our best day on the AT. The highlight was passing the 300 mile mark. (308.8 counting the approach trail.)
Date: 2022-04-27
From: Shelton Graves 

To: Stealth Site
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: light rain

Foggy and rainy with coyotes howling at Shelton Graves last night. Not creepy at all. We took our time leaving and tried to let the tent dry as much as possible. Mark left his wet socks outside overnite and they froze. Hiked to Flint Mountain Shelter and took a lunch break. Luckily, we had cell service there so I could text our friends a resupply wishlist. Pushed on to Devil Fork Gap and took a break in the grass with a bunch of other hikers. Dealt with Amazon Locker fiasco; medication, birthday flowers and chocolate covered strawberries that sat in the heat for 2 months. No notice of any deliveries were received for 2 months. Thanks for emptying the lockers Ashley, we owe you big time. Our plan was to tent at Big Flat Campsite but it was way too cold and windy. We pitched our tents at a stealth site at mm 315.4 and made dinner. Mac and cheese with Buffalo chicken for me and chicken Lasagna for Mark. Called and chatted with our son. Can't wait to meet our awesome friends at Sam's Gap tomorrow.