morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter - NC

To: Deerpark Mountain Shelter - NC
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Awoke to rain at the shelter with predictions for cooler weather to follow. Left the shelter around 0720, reached Maxpatch Bald around midday to clearing skies and strong winds at the top, had to lean into the wind to walk forward it was so strong. First visit to Maxpatch Bald, a beautiful view in all directions on a clear day, I felt like I was in the movie "The Sound of Music" in the Swiss Alps. Later, stopped at Roaring Fork Shelter for lunch where "Bravefriend" arrived on a day hike. Bravefriend was the NOC guide who helped me so much on the afternoon in Gatlinburg at the new NOC outpost, what a good surprise to see him, he offered me some smoked porchchops for lunch, which was really just right for my lunch as opposed to Cliff bars.   Headed north on the trail around 1:30 pm, arrived Deer Mountain shelter after dark around 9:30, where El Flaco and Ryan were tented, and 2 other local section hikers were staying the nite in the shelter, with a nice campfire.   The section hikers were really nice, they offered to blow up my Thermarest Neoaire sleeping pad with their battery operated air pump. Long day, I thought I might make it all the way to Hot Springs that night, but decided it best to stop here and go into town early the next morning. The mountain laurel and rhododenrons are beginning to bloom along the trail in this area, a beautiful sight.   It has been an amazing transformation in the mountains over the last 3 weeks watching the changes as spring arrives at each elevation. I see new flowers and different birds each day on the trail. The evidence of the harsh winter continues, with huge blowdowns along the trail that have kept the trail maintenance crews busy. The evidence of the hemlock wooly adelgid blight are everwhere in this area, the hemlock trees are dying everywhere. The young hemlock appear healthy, its the larger ones that are dying here.
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Deerpark Mountain Shelter - NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: few clouds

Woke early and got out of the shelter by 0640, made it into Hot Springs, NC for breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner in Hot Springs. Have been busy resupplying here at the Bluff Mtn Outfitter and Dollar Store.  My first time in Hot Springs, its really a very charming small mountain town, and the AT goes right through the center of town.Weighed myself at Bluff Mountain Outfitter, and the good news is I've lost 20 pounds in 19 days on the AT since leaving Amicalola Falls State Park on April 19th.   The bad news is there is no AT&T cellpnone signal in this area, making calling home a challenge.   Will stay here overnight, doing laundry, etc, and decide in the morning on what time to head back out the trail. Next city on the trial heading north is Erwin, Tn, then on to Damascus, VA.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Hot Springs for the trail around 12:30 pm after final repacking and a trip to the Post Office on Monday morning when they opened.   The trail crosses the French Broad River bridge immediately after leaving town then makes a steep climb up the adjacent rock cliffs. The weather began to deteriorate late in the afternoon with clouds and wind. Stopped briefly at Spring Mtn shelter for a break around 6:30 pm.  It looked like tent city with a full shelter also.  I decided to push on to the second shelter, Little Laurel, and didn't arrive until 10:30 that night, with high winds and dropping temperatures. In the last mile, I saw another headlamp coming up behind me on the trail. After a while of stopping to look behind me with my headlamp.... I yelled out to the other hiker to say hi. He yelled back as he came closer. Finally we realized we had met each other in Hot Springs. It was Dewayne... a young thru hiker from south Florida, who had stayed at Elmers Hostel in Hot Springs. Dewayne is one of the 2 fastest backpackers I've met on this trip so far. We had met at dinner the night before in Hot Springs as a large group of hikers were eating and trading trail stories. Dewayne is a free spirit, comes from south Florida, says he has never backpacked before. He hikes long hours each day and I think is putting in more than 20 miles a day routinely. He had left Hot Springs after me, and caught up to me just before the shelter. We talked a bit, then finished the hike into Little Laurel as the rain and wind increased. Shelter was full, so I setup tarp nearby, and Dewayne found a suitable hammock spot. Started raining with high winds overnight.  Overall a difficult day with getting such a late start and late finish. During the night the wind was really howling, and to be honest I became concerned about a tree limb coming down on my tarp, so it wasn't the best night for sleeping in the tarp. Dewayne would later arise around 5 a.m., retrieve his food bag from the bear cables, and continue hiking north. I haven't seen Dewayne since that night, he is likely far ahead of me on the trail by now. After awaking, I met the 2 other hikers who were tent camped at the shelter, right next to me. They were 2 backpackers from Birmingham, AL that I had met last November on a section hike at Tray Mountain in Georgia. You never know who you may meet on the AT. They were hiking north on a section hike, and I would later meetup with them on the trail several times over the next couple days. Overall a long tiring day on the trail. I can't really complain about the weather on this trip, this was the first bad weather day in a while.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Overall this turned out to be one of the most difficult days on the trail, if not the most difficult. Awoke early to rain, high winds, and colder temperatures. I left the shelter around 0730. The trail goes uphill from here, and soon gets to Blackstone Cliffs, a very challenging rocky section along a high ridgeline.   There is a fork in the trail, with a blue blaze offered for bad weather. The white blaze goes along the rocky ridgeline. The conditions were cold, very windy, foggy and rain/sleet along the ridge. This was the most difficult one mile section of the trail so far, almost like Albert Mountain in GA, but much longer. On a good weather day, they say the views are beautiful along the ridge. In the high winds, I was clinbing on my hands and knees thru some sections to avoid being blown off the ridge. I live in Florida, have experienced numerous hurricanes, this wind easily exceeded tropical storm force winds with stronger gusts. Decided to stop earlier today at Flint Mtn Shelter, which was full. Setup tarp for the night. Lots of interesting hikers in this section which I am meeting for the first time.   Many are talking about going up early to Damascus this week for Trail Days this weekend.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Saw numerous beautiful waterfalls along the trail today, took a ton of pictures, but can't upload them to TJ for a while yet. The climb to top of Big Bald was late in the day, beautiful views from top with very windy conditions. Stopped at Big Bald Mountain shelter for the night, with tomorrow heading to Erwin, TN for resupply. Setup tarp behind shelter, fixed dinner at campfire with "Robin Hood" and "Alex", one of the young Connecticut hikers met the last few days. Should make it to Erwin, TN tomorrow. Lots of birds here at the shelter, singing in the morning awoke me early.
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke to the sound of lots of birds singing at first daylight. Lots of up and downs today, and it became very hot and humid in the afternoon. Felt a bit like Florida today on the trail. Lunch at No Business Knob shelter, and then the final 6 miles into Erwin, TN. Met more new hikers I had not met before along the trail, all nice folks. The trail goes along a high ridgeline before the descent to Erwin, TN, and there are spectacular views of the Nolichucky River and the railroad bridge near town. This afternoon, I got to watch a very long freight train loaded with coal cars as it made its way thru Erwin and across the river. Uncle Johnny's Hostel is right along the trail as it leaves the woods and crosses the Nolichucky River. Caught a shuttle ride to the Holiday Inn Express, I've been very, very lucky with hitchhiking and shuttle rides on this trip, the longest I've ever waited for a ride was not more than 5-10 minutes.Staying here in Erwin at the Holiday Inn Express, doing laundry, tomorrow is resupply run to store and a zero day here. Wanted to watch the Celtics-Cavs NBA playoff game here on TV tonight, so skipped Uncle Johnnys Hostel this trip. I finally have an AT&T cellphone signal here after almost one week with no signal, I can call home!
Date: 2010-05-14
To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero day in Erwin, TN.   Laundry, resupply in town, reorganize gear, tend to foot blister(s). Difficult to get around this town without a car, so I call a local taxi, and he is very helpful in getting to Walmart. Good to see Dejavu and Pete arrive in town from the trail, they are also staying at Holiday Inn Express, we catch up on what's been happening on the trail since we left Hot Springs.Decided late in the day to head home by Greyhound bus for a break from the trail, and plan a return later in May. Have to get a shuttle ride to Johnson City, TN where the bus station is, then the bus ride to Gainsville, GA and another shuttle ride back up to Amicalola Falls SP to pickup my car, then drive home.
Date: 2010-05-15
To: Panama City Beach, FL
Miles today: 0.0

Caught the Greyhound bus out of Johnson City, TN back south and I'm taking a break at home in PC Beach, good to see home and Natasha after almost one month away. Spending time uploading photos from the hike to trailjournals. As I go thru the photos, I see again how a 10mpx digital camera does not do justice to the spectacular views seen on the trail, as well as my amateur photographer skills are not the best. Most all pictures taken of myself were by setting the camera on the 10 second timer, and trying to balance the camera on top of my backpack or on a rock ledge to take the photo, then running around in front of the camera before it snapped the picture. Not always the best pics came out. Oh well, its a trail journal. Many rainy days I did not take the camera out of the ziploc bag it was in, and I missed some photos at good spots on the trail when it was raining. But I was incredibly lucky to have 4 straight days without rain in the Smokies, that rarely happens.I've met so many hikers on the trail so far this trip, made new friends, and I feel very fortunate to have met so many great people that were attempting to hike the AT. Friendships are often made during shared adversity and challenges, and to hikers I met on the trail, I wish you the best of luck in avoiding injuries and hope to see you again on the trail. Too many names to remember, like I said, I didn't have time to write down all the names and trail names. But those hikers listed below that I remember fondly, good luck and hope to see you again on the trail, if I can't remember your trailname, my apologies! Most all of you will be well north of me by the time I get back to the trail, but maybe we'll see each othe on the trail again. I also wanted to thank the trail workers who do so much to maintain the trail, the trail angels who offer rides and snacks and help to hikers. *Chris from CT (met on Springer)*Tim from Tennessee (no trail name, wears a UGA ballcap, last seen at NOC)*Tim's friend, (we ate BBQ in Franklin, NC after getting dropped off by Ronnie Haven's shuttle bus)*Daniel and his dog "Cooper"*Iowa Eagle Scout*Shelby*Mason*The 3 Chefs*Terrapin*El Flaco*Ryan*Deja' Vu*Pete*Brave Friend from Gatlinburg NOC*Radar and his gang*Options and her friends from Wayah Shelter*Moose DroolI'm planning a return to Erwin the end of May to resume hike. Now that we're into summer weather, I'm switching out to a summer sleeping bag, and lighter weight rain gear. Also changing out to a Verizon cellphone, since there is virtually no AT&T cellphone signal on the AT north of the Smokies. Taking a second pair of sock liners, and switching out the Black Diamond Betalite tarp for the Tarptent Moment, because bug season is upon us. Have done a couple 13 mile training hikes over at Torreya State Park, where it is much hotter and more humid and buggy than the AT. It is very, very hot and humid down here on the Gulf Coast, the folks here are watching the Gulf oil spill with great concern.   Everybody hope for a solution soon, that BP oil spill is causing a hugely adverse impact on the Gulf coast people, environment and marine life.
Date: 2010-06-03
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Resumed hiking on the AT at Erwin, TN this morning, after a long bus ride adventure from Panama City, Florida. I think a website could be created called "Bus Journals", where Greyhound bus riders could share their adventures on the bus and at the bus stations.   After getting back on the white blaze AT across the street from "Uncle Johnny's Hostel", the AT crosses the bridge over the Nolichucky River, then crosses the train tracks before climbing up the surrounding hills. Weather was sunny and fairly warm this day. After being off the trail 3 weeks back in Florida, the hills again get my attention, and I definitely feel the climb.I stopped for lunch at "Beauty Spot", a fairly typical North Carolina grassy bald, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and countryside.   Lots of wildflowers in bloom here this time of year, and I met three thru hikers during the morning hike. One hiker from Texas, with trail name "El Toro", who thru hiked over 10 years ago and has returned to the trail. I also met a father-son pair from a small town in northern Maine, who are doing a very unique type of flip-flop thru hike. They started at Harpers Ferry, WVA on March 5th, and hiked to southern Vermont. Then they rode the Amtrak to Atlanta, and got on the AT at Springer Mtn on May 5th and started hiking north to Harpers Ferry, where they hope to be by mid July. Then they will ride back up to Vermont, and finish the hike to Maine by end of the summer.   More on them later.Anyways, after lunch at Beauty Spot, I finished up for the day at Cherry Gap Shelter, after the afternoon climb up Unaka Mountain. Unaka Mountain is very unique, its just a bit south of Roan Mountain, with some similar type terrain and trees and plants. I would find out the next day just how much harder the limb up Roan Mountain would be.Ended the day at a full shelter, with some other section hikers and a couple other thru hikers who arrived later, and setup the Tarptent Moment near the shelter.   It seems strange in some ways to be back on the AT after 3 weeks away. The peak of the northbound thru hiker wave has now moved north, and I'm seeing more section hikers and some stragglers and some very late starters.   There are noticeably fewer hikers on the AT now then 3 weeks ago.   Summer has also arrived in the mountains, the long green tunnel is in full bloom, lots more blooming mountain laurel and some rhododenrons are in bloom now.
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Long day on the trail.   Lunch at Clyde Smith shelter, followed by the challenging afternoon climb up Roan Mountain. The rhododenruns are blooming near the top.   Strong thunderstorms come in the afternoon, motivating me to reach the shelter before lightning and rain arrive.   I get to the shelter about 15 minutes before the rain starts. Roan High Knob shelter is the highest shelter on the entire A.T., and it has reliable spring water just behind the shelter. The shelter was built by the C.C.C. in the 1930s and resembles an old log cabin. I take many photos during this hike, but can't upload photos to this website until I get back home again.During the hike today, I see many of the small orange salamanders along the trail between Unaka Mtn and Roan Mtn, and pass Greasy Creek Gap also.Temperatures get a bit cooler overnight when the rain stops, but not too cold.
Date: 2010-06-05
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Roan Mountain, TN (Mtn. Harbor Hostel)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

After descending north side of Roan Mtn, the At crosses several balds and tough climbs. It crosses Carvers Gap, Round Top, Janes Bald, you pass Overmountain Shelter midday, Little Hump and Hump Mountain. Finally the trail crosses US 19-E highway, where a short hike towards town brings you to the hostel.This section has some of the most beautiful views so far on the entire hike, crossing the Roan Highlands, massive rock wall formations, with a very rocky descent from Doll Flats to the highway.I don't stay at Overmountain shelter, since it is only 11:30 a.m. when I pass, but I take pictures. The history of the Overmountain trail goes back to the American Revolution and the Battle of Kings Mountain.The hostel is a converted horse barn on a creek, very nice place.   This is my first Verizon phone signal in 3 days here.A really incredible day on the trail.
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Roan Mountain, TN (Mtn. Harbor Hostel)

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

The nice thing about staying at some AT hostels is the owners serve amazing breakfasts. This is one of those places.   I highly recommend this hostel.I hike all morning with thru hiker "White Beard", a retired postmaster from a small town in Texas. When we arrive at Mountaineer Waterfalls, he unfortunately slips on the rocks and injures his side. We hike on to the shelter for lunch, where he decides to stay for the night. Later I hear from other hikers his injury was not serious, which was good news. I enjoy talking with him about hiking.It begins raining hard in the afternoon, and my last 4 hours hiking are in driving rain with wind.... the trail crosses many creeks here. I finally arrive at Moreland Gap Shelter around 7:30 pm, the shelter is full, so I setup my Tarptent Moment behind the shelter and try to dry out some gear after the rain stops.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Hampton, TN - (US Hwy 321)
Miles today: 14.9

Left the shelter early after the rain stopped in the morning. The AT descends to the Laurel Falls area, which is a very large waterfalls.   The trail follows the edge of the Elk River here, along a narrow rock ledge.   Finally I head into Hampton, TN for lunch, the come back to the trail to finish the last 6 miles up and over Pond Mountain. Finish the day back in Hampton, TN at the Braemer Castle hostel in Hampton. It is owned by Sutton Brown, who also owns the Browns' Grocery Store in town. Sutton is a super nice guy who helps hikers. He fixes my broken Easton alluminum tent stake for me with some JB Weld, at no charge. Just one example of how he goes out of his way to help hikers.The hostel is a large wood frame 2 story building, that kind of resembles on old school. He tells me it was built in 1909, and used to be the main HQ building for the local lumber company, with train tracks in front and rear of the building, back in the day when forestry was a large business in these mountains.One of the most beautiful days of the entire hike, the Laurel Falls section is really worth the hike.
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Hampton, TN - (US Hwy 321)

To: Iron Moutain Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

The trail climbs the ridgeline on the north shore of Lake Watauga, one of the many TVA dammed lakes. It crosses the dam then heads uphill. This section would probably be better hiked in early spring or fall, when the views of the lake were not blocked by the trees in summer. It is a hot humid day, and a tough climb. I end up at Iron Mountain shelter, and setup the Tarptent. I don't want to sleep in this shelter, other hikers report a raccoon has taken up residence here and is unafraid of humans, and the local Forest Service has posted alerts on the trail of raccoons with rabies in this area. This raccoon just likes garbage and food some other hikers have left in this shelter too often.He does not bother me during the night.   Another day on the trail. Only 26 miles from Damascus.
Date: 2010-06-09
From: Iron Moutain Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The AT begins a long series of up and downs with a final drop into the famous trail town of Damascus, VA.   Damascus is the site of the annual Trail Days festival in middle of May. It ends up being a rainy, foggy day with some beautiful scenery. I eat lunch at Double Springs shelter, take a break at Abingdon Gap Shelter, and get a second wind. I meet some section hikers in this section who are out hiking from Damascus into central Virginia, we talk for a while at Abingdon Gap shelter. They have hiked one day southbound, and are now heading back north. It is their first AT section hike, and they have lots of questions on hiking gear and the AT.Still lots of daylight left, I can almost smell the pizza from Damascus! So I decide to finish the last 10 miles and arrive at Damascus around 7:15 pm.   Eat some dinner at Quincys Pizza, and check into the Hiker Inn hostel.   The trail leaves Tennessee for the last time and crosses into Virginia the last few miles.
Date: 2010-08-18
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Seth Warner Shelter, VT
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

I traveled north to do a one week section hike on the AT in Vermont. I've never been in the state of Vermont before. I flew from PC Beach to Albany, NY on Aug 17th, got a shuttle ride to Williamstown, MA.   Started the hike from the AT crossing at MA Rte 2 in North Adams, MA, just a couple miles east of Williamstown, MA. This first day was very hard, it has been over 2 months since I returned home from Damascus. The AT rises over 2,000 ft in 4 miles when it crosses from MA into VT.   The first couple miles are very scenic along some beautiful streams. The trail rises through a large boulder field to a nearby peak called Pine Cobble. It then comes to the Vermont/MA state line, where a large sign indicating the start of the Long Trail, which goes northbound to Canada thru the middle of the state of Vermont thru the Green Mtns.   The AT and the Long Trail coincide for the first 105 miles, before the AT turns to the east toward NH and Maine.I stop at Seth Warner shelter, setup my Tarptent Moment, and I meet several other Long Trail hikers and a couple northbound AT thu hikers, and a couple section hikers. Weather is cloudy, warm and humid all day. A very tough day being first day back on the trail.
Date: 2010-08-19
From: Seth Warner Shelter, VT

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter, VT
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

It's like hiking through a Christmas tree farm. I see beaver dams, lots of mud, bog bridges, and lots of rocks and roots. This part of the trail reminds me of the section in TN near Roan Mountain and Unaka Mtn.There is a very steep, rocky drop to the VT-9 road crossing, which I come to in mid afternoon. The 1,000+ ft drop in the trail here is like climbing downhill in a boulder field and stone staircase. My legs feel it, different muscles used on steep downhills than on uphills.   There is a beautiful river crossing just north of VT-9, where I stop for a break with Nick and his dog Daisy. Nick and Daisy are native Vermonters, from Woodstock, VT. They are hiking the Long Trail.   It is another steep uphill climb from the river, and I stop at the shelter and setup my tent in the nearby camping area. Some other section and thru hikers stop here too, including Slow-Go, a thru hiker from Rockville, MD who I've met on the trail several times the last couple days.   Rain starts around 8 p.m and it rains all night.