morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-08-19
From: The Scales Livestock Corral

To: Fox Creek, VA 603
Miles today: 4.5

We were concerned that we might not be able to get Maggie back up the rough road. Rather than have me hike SOBO from Fox Creek, VA 603 to the Scales Livestock corral and take a chance that Rod could not get there to pick me up, we thought it was safer for me to hike NOBO from the Scales Livestock corral to Fox Creek, VA 603.Once again we took Maggie up the rough road. For an old gal she did great. We were relieved when we safely reached the trailhead. Of course, this time I knew which direction to go. But first I had to take pictures of the wild ponies gathered at the trailhead, as if to greet me. These ponies were a little more skidish, only a few were pregnant, and there were no babies. Rod saw an interesting longhorn near the outhouse and took some great pictures. Then, as if on que, all the animals just wandered off.The AT climbed for a while, but unlike yesterday, the trail was in the trees, not exposed. And the trail was easy. I ran into a group of 5 guys just starting out on a 40 mile section hike. They had very large new looking packs. Further up the trail I ran into another group of 5 guys. Most of them had smaller external frame packs.Eventually the AT began to descend. Fortunately the trail remained easy. I took a short break at the Old Orchard Shelter, then moved on. After reaching Fox Creek, VA 603, I was hoping to stop at the visitors center at Grayson Highlands SP before knocking out a few more miles on the AT. Unfortunately the drive to the state park was many miles out of the way. But I doubted I would ever be in this area again, so we made the trip. The visitors center was very nice and in my opinion worth the trip (I do not think Rod agreed). There was yet another storm coming, and it was late in the afternoon by the time we reached VA 600, Elk Garden, which was on the way back to the hotel. Under the circumstances we decided to call it a day. (I thought I could hear my right knee give a little sigh of relief.)The AT is calling. Tomorrow is my last day slackpacking with my husband, then I will be on my own. I hope I am ready.
Date: 2016-08-21
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

On our way to the hotel last night we stopped in Damascus for dinner and discovered the Old Mill Restaurant, Inn, and Pub. We had dinner out on the deck next to the water - a couple of pretty good burgers. We asked if any rooms were available for Sunday night (tonight). Fortunately there was a room available, so I booked a room. The plan was for Rod to drop me off at the trailhead and I would hike to Damascus, where I would have a room waiting.The weather forecast for today was storms most or all of the day. Initially we decided to stop by the Inn and drop off some contents of my pack to make the load lighter. My room was not yet clean, but I was able to put some things in the room.As we were driving out of Damascus, Rod had a great idea -take a zero, avoid the rain, and find a shuttle to the trailhead tomorrow. I managed to arrange for a shuttle for 9 a.m. tomorrow, and I extended my room at the Inn by one day. I spent the day working on trail journal entries and worrying about Rod driving home in the rain. It did rain very hard most of the day. I was very glad to be warm and dry.The AT is calling. Hiking called today due to severe thunder storms.
Date: 2016-08-23
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night, when I stopped for dinner, I took off my knee braces and discovered big problems. For some strange reason the left knee brace had rubbed the skin just above my knee cap in an area about the size of 2 quarters. At least 1-2 layers of skin was gone and the area was oozing. In addition, the pain in my right knee was back with a vengence.With the diabetes I was very concerned about getting an infection in the left knee, and I knew I had over done it in the right knee. It needed ice and rest.As much as I hated to do it, I needed to take a zero. Fortunately The Old Mill had rooms available and plenty of ice. The only catch was that someone had booked my room. (I have no idea why anyone would specifically want that room. It was very small, with a small bed and the TV positioned at a weird angle.) To my great surprise, I was given a bigger room, with a queen sized bed, a private balcony overlooking the water, and a jacuzzi tub - all at the same price. I did not have to think twice about that generous offer!I took just a short and very slow walk in Damascus to pick up a few things, including large pad bandages for my left knee.I was looking forward to trying the jacuzzi tub. I thought it would really help my sore right knee. Unfortunately it did not work out as planned. I wanted to keep my left knee out of the water to help the abrasion heal. And I needed,to keep the CGM attached to my upper abdomen out of the water. I felt like a contortionist trying to submerge just my right knee near one of the jets without slipping and falling in the tub. After about 10 minutes I gave up. p>The AT is calling. Ah, so close! Heal knees, heal!
Date: 2016-08-24
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning my knees were a little better, but I still clearly had problems walking. Unfortunately this was not my only issue this morning.Hotel guests are given vouchers for a small buffet breakfast, served just for hotel guests, from 7 to 10. I went for breakfast at a little after 9 and found nothing. The buffet was all packed up, and there was no staff to be found anywhere.I finally tracked someone down. She was very apologetic and offered me a gift certificate to Mojo's Trailside Cafe so I could still have breakfast. I explained that the offer was very generous, but the cafe is on the other side of Damascus, I did not have a car, and under the circumstances I did not want to walk that far.Instead I was given scrambled eggs along with yogurt, fruit, and other items I had previously seen on the breakfast buffet. I was happy. Then the chef came out to personally apologize and to invite me to come back and have lunch on him. What a nice surprise. I had a delicious late lunch - a burger with Cole slaw.The AT is calling. I am getting VERY anxious to head up the trail. Heal faster knees!
Date: 2016-08-25
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I honestly had no idea what to do. I cannot stay here forever. It is expensive. In addition, the hotel had rooms available now, but it was likely to be completely already booked over the weekend. I was seeing some improvement in both knees, but I did not want to hit the trail and get myself into trouble to the point I needed to be rescued. Heading home was always an option, but the end of the month is the worse time for my husband to leave work to come get me. I could rent a car, but getting to a place with rental cars could be a challenge. Driving would also aggravate my knee. (Alternatively, if my knee was good enough to drive, I should be hiking.)In addition, if I went home, I would not be able to return to the AT until next year. I am currently in the "honeymoon" stage of my diabetes. Right now I can control my BG with minimal insulin, diet, exercise, and the CGM. My doctor has no idea how long the "honeymoon" will last. A lot could change between now and next spring. I might be totally dependant on insulin by then, and I might not be able to return.My room was available at the reduced rate for 2 more nights. I looked at the AWOL guide for the next resupply opportunity, and I looked at the elevations and profiles. Black Bear Resort is about 50 miles south of Damascus. There did not appear to be any huge climbs or descents. And the AT appears to bump along between 2000 and 4000 feet for almost all of the next 50 miles.I decided to have Rod send my resupply box to Black Bear Resort. I would stay 2 more nights and hike out of Damascus Saturday morning. If all goes well, I will stop at the resort, pick up my box, and keep going. If things do not go well, I will have Rod pick me up at the resort over Labor Day weekend.In the mean time, I will continue to rest, ice, and elevate!The AT is calling. It is killing me to look out the balcony doors and realize all the great hiking days I am missing.
Date: 2016-08-26
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a beautiful day. I knew that because I watched the day go by through the doors of the balcony as I iced, elevated, and rested my knee.I did take a very short walk, about 1 block, to the post office and the Dollar store for a Diet Coke. The left knee is healing nicely. A pad bandage and Luko tape should get me up the trail. The right knee, however, is still painful with weight bearing and walking. I have full range of motion, no swelling, no discoloration, and no fluid. Hopefully I can get by with Tylenol, Arnica creme, and the knee brace.I had dinner early - a burger and coleslaw - out on the deck next to the water. I will miss watching the ducks. There are several different species of ducks, and they all seem to get along. I have noticed that a Canadian Goose with an injured wing has appeared. The Goose seems to try to fit in with the ducks. The ducks do not chase the Goose off, but they are not exactly welcoming either. I wish the Goose had at least one other Goose to pal around with.I washed out my clothes in the sink, and hung them to dry. I also started to pull my pack together. Mentally I am very ready to go. I hate thinking of how many miles I should have already covered this week.The AT is calling. I am coming!!
Date: 2016-09-01
From: Black Bear Resort, Dennis Cove Road, USFS 50

To: Black Bear Resort, Dennis Cove Road, USFS 50
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I went to bed early, but did not sleep through the night. I woke up at midnight and could not go back to sleep. I emptied my pack and layed things out to dry. I studied the AWOL guide pages - I only have 8 1/2 pages left!! Eventually I went back to sleep.There appear to be a lot of road crossings and opportunities to get off the AT if I just cannot handle the knee pain. So I decided to continue hiking. I started my resupply list. My goal is to finish by no later than September 19th. I obviously missed the 12 month deadline to be officially considered a "thru hiker." But under the circumstances, finishing in one year plus 6 months is not so bad. I did not cause, know about, or even anticipate any of my medical issues. And I returned to the trail as soon as I possibly could. I feel I did the best I could under the circumstances. Thankfully I have an extremely supportive husband and doctors who may not fully understand what I am doing or why it is so important to me, but have been willing to work with me.I got my laundry done early so it could dry. Then I worked on my trail journal entries. It rained for a while, so I was glad I was taking a zero. I was also glad to give my sore body, especially my knee, a break.The AT is calling. Tomorrow I hike on!!
Date: 2015-03-17
To: Red River Gorge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's about time I had a shake down hike. I've been pouring over my gear for some time now, and visiting my friends in Kentucky provided a great opportunity to get out into the woods. Red River Gorge is a great place to hike, and I recommend it to anyone that is in the area. It was about 5mi from the Koomer Ridge parking area to where I camped off of trail 221. I had a bit of trouble keeping my tarp staked down in the wind due to a shallow soil later on top of a ridge of sandstone, but a few rocks and logs kept the stakes in place. I was warm in my hammock while it dropped into the 30°Fs overnight thanks mostly due to my quilt; thanks again mom for helping me make it. Another 6mi and I was back to my car. I need to work on my knots a little but am otherwise ready to start the AT on the 29th of March.
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

My sister drove me to Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia. I started to hike around 10am and made it to Springer Mountain Shelter around 4pm. The hike was hard, but it was 8 miles mostly uphill so I think I did well. I'll get my trail legs in no time.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

I hiked to Hawk Mountain Shelter today, about 7.9 miles. Last night it rained hard with thunder and lightning. I started dry in my hammock but in the morning I found sleet under my tarp; I didn't find anymore anywhere else. I kept leapfrogging a family of four while hiking. Every time I passed them one of the sons would would call out the number of times we had passed each other; we made it to twelve.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

I made it 7.7 miles to Gooch Mountain Shelter. My knee hurt a little on the down hills but it went away quickly. I was told that the top of my head was burning, so I smeared some sunblock in my hair. =(So far the top two things I like about the trail are:   1) Washing your feet in a freezing river.   2) Putting on new socks after washing the old ones in a freezing river.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

I somehow made it to Lance Creek Campground in 5 hours. I started at Gooch Mountain Shelter at 8:30 and made it to Lance at 1:30; that covers 8.5 miles over two mountains. I think the weather was a major factor. It started raining this morning and has not stopped as I write this. Everything was so wet I didn't sit down once and only took of my pack twice.
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Lance Creek

To: Neals Gap
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

I made it over Blood Mountain. I was worried about tackling it in case it would send me off the trail. At Neals Gap I tried to get a cabin buy they were all spoken for. I managed to get a bed in a cabin with a triple crown hiker, Jester. He is also a documentary film maker and has filmed on the PCT and the CDT. He invited over one of his friends, Baltimore Jack, who has hiked the AT 8 times.
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked to Tray Mountain Shelter today. The scenery was great our rather would have been great but it was to rainy and foggy to see very far. The highlight of my day was when I found a bite sized snickers in the mud; it tasted great. I am not toasty in my hammock.
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Moreland Gap
Miles today: 10.0

I put on all my wet clothes this morning. I could have out on dry clothes but it looked like it was going to rain and I didn't want all my clothes wet. As I was hiking today a day hiker commented that I, "have a magnificent beard." That lifted my day a bit. I hiked to Moreland Gap today. There was no shelter here, but it puts me a stone's throw from Hiawassee and my next resupply. After seeing up camp a few hikers pass by and warned of a mother black bear and two cubs were seen nearby. I hung my food bag high in a tree.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Moreland Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 1.0

After hiking one mile to Dicks Creek Gap I took a free shuttle the Hiawassee Budget Inn. Today I spent reapplying for the next few days. I went with a fellow hiker, Zephyr, to the Bear Mountain Diner for lunch. I had a pulled pork bbq sandwich with fries and a side of potato salad. It felt like it was the best thing I ever ate. Now I'm sitting in front of the hotel drying out my gear and catching up on my journals. Also my trail name is now Squirrel. Enough people assumed it was my trail name because of the plush squirrel on my backpack; I just accepted it.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I finally made it out of Georgia and into North Carolina. I think I got off the shuttle around 9:45 am and I made it to the shelter at 5:30 pm. This feels like the longest day so far. A few days ago when I was hiking in the rain, my feet puckered up something bad. The callus on each of my pinky toes feel off and have been replaced by blisters.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I made it to Carter Gap Shelter today. A few miles after starting I stumbled across some people giving a hiker feed. They were giving away various gear and sausage rice and bean stew. After spending half an hour there stuffing my face I made my way to the shelter.
Date: 2015-04-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Stealth campsite
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

I'm planning to resupply at Franklin tomorrow. I'll get off the trail at Winding Stair Gap. The trail was not too bad until I got to Albert Mountain. It was maybe 2/10th of a mile to the top, but it was mostly a rock scramble. I was rewarded with a great view from the top. There was a fire lookout tower that I would have loved to climb, but the rangers locked it up days before I got there. I ended up stealth camping on top of a mountain about one mile from Winding Stair Gap.
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It was foggy when I woke up this morning. It seems that a hammock does not prevent against morning dew, I'm not sure what I expected. As I hiked, mostly everything I was wearing dried out. About an hour before I reached camp the sky opened up and it started pouring. I am now all wet again. For dinner I ate mac and cheese, a pack of salami, 1/3rd off a pack of pepperoni, a pack of beef jerky, and some peanut butter crackers.
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 6.1

I made it to the NOC today. From the shelter this morning I ridge walked most of the morning. Then I descended about 2600 ft into the NOC. This seems to be a popular place to kayak and fish. I did laundry and ate a high chili hamburger with tater tots and some sicken wings. I washed it down with done water and an Appalachian Trail IPA. All in all it was around 3000 calories. I'm now in a bunk house with zephyr, nova, and hewey. Most of my stuff is dry now but it's going to rain over the next few days ad I hike into Fontana.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light rain

I hiked up the 3000ft climb up and away from the NOC today. It was warm and sunny and it didn't rain until the afternoon. While I was walking into camp I slipped and fell over; so much for clean clothes. It is going to rain tonight and all tomorrow. Soon I'll be in the Smokies!
Date: 2015-04-19
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I hiked from Sassafras Gap Shelter to Brown Fork Shelter today. It started raining at 4am and did not stop until I was just about to set up my hammock. I hung all my clothes to dry and it started to rain again. While I was hiking today I got lost in thought and slipped. I went down and bent one of my trecking poles and tweaked my knee. When my knee got tweaked I straightened my leg wick propelled me onto my backpack and shoulder with my legs in the air. About an hour later I had some bananas and a Pepsi that was left on a picnic table. It was a good day.
Date: 2015-04-20
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: moderate rain

I awoke this morning at 5 am to thunder and lightning and pouring rain. I had left my rain jacket hanging on a board at the shelter and at this point I assumed I would need to search the woods for it when the Sun rose. Fortunately Gordon Gecko (formally Nova) brought my jacket into the shelter during the night. It threatened to rain all day and sprinkled once or twice, but nothing more. The hike was not that hard into the Fontana Dam area. The trail was steep and muddy. I fell a few times and had to hike really slow in order to keep my footing. I made it to the shelter at 5:15pm. Tomorrow I'll be going into the resort town of Fontana to pick up the food drop my sister sent me.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0

I finally slept in a shelter, the Fonana Hilton. The shelter is located on the lake with a bathroom and shower nearby. I took the shuttle into Fontana Village and picked up the food drop my sister sent me. I also visited the general store and bought a Coke and a large bag of potato chips. Tomorrow I head into the Smokies.
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I started into the Smokies today. There were millions of little white and purple flowers in bloom. The hike was mostly on the incline and rain was threatening most of the day. Every so often it would sprinkle and then the Sun would shine and the grey cloud would be gone. I had planned on a 10.7 mile day, but after reaching the shelter I decided to push on a few more miles to the next shelter. As soon as I got inside the shelter it started to rain, that's trail magic.
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derric Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.1

The sky was clear today with high wispy clouds. The temperature was comfortable, but there was an almost constant wind which brought the temperature down at least to the low 50's if not the high 40's. Once up in the Smokies the terrain is all ups and downs but nothing too steep. Tomorrow I have a 14mi day ahead of me up and over Clingmans Dome, then the day after it's in to Gatlinberg for a resupplyand a shower.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Derric Knob Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.8

I made it over Clingmans Dome this afternoon. This is the highest point on the AT. I think I'm beginning to get my hiker legs. I was hiking faster than I had been before and was not getting as winded. I'm at the shelter with Hardware, Zephyr, Gecko, and Two Dogs.
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light intensity drizzle

After hiking 5 miles in a little less than 2 hours we were at Newfound Gap. Trail angles Godspeed and Mountain Mama gave us some chips and soda and offered to take us into Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg is one big tourist trap and it took forever to get to the supermarket. Now I'm catching up on way too many journal posts instead of sleeping.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Gatlinburg

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Today was slightly eventful. On the shuttle back to Newfound Gap, Bull started suffering from claustrophobia and had to change seats. Then Gecko started getting nauseous so we stopped again got him to get some air. I feel bad for the poor woman running the shuttle, but she was well tipped. It was misty and rainy all day and there were no views because off the rain. The shelter I stopped at was full and the only available place for my hammock was in a gully. I found a hole in my hammock, I probably hung it to low and wore it through on a rock. I'll be happy tomorrow when it's sunny.
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

I started out late today, but made it to Cosby Knob Shelter around 5:30pm. Today my shoelace broke and a hole got poked in my ground pad when my backpack got caught on a tree. It was sunny but cool which is great for hiking. I finally got to see some views. Tomorrow I will finally make it out of the Smokies!
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.7

I finally made it out of the Smokies! Spring started to show itself as I walked lower and lower in elevation. Leaves sprouted from the trees and plants from the ground. There were hundreds of tiny grasshoppers going on the trail to move out of my way. The weather was great and it was a long decent into Standing Bear Hostel. The hostel reminds me of a farm one of my uncle's lived at. Everything looks old and worn and piecemeal. I think it's my favorite place to stay so far.