morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-corner knob shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

Sunrise was stupendous! Watched as the sun lightened the sky then the orange ball appeared. The mountains were cloaked in mist and everything was so peaceful. We all just stood in awe and kept snapping photos. Got any early for snails 8:15 start. It was hard tearing myself away from the vista. The first half of the day was photo day. Pictures of the mountains as far as the eye could see. Started up the .1 mile side trail to Charlie's Bunion then common sense took hold. My new fear of heights rose up and I got back on the AT.  Bear and deer prints were clearly seen in the mud. Still no bear sightings but they are nearby. There were 3 logs that I had to hug to get over. All on a downhill slant, 2 feet or more in diameter, and a bit slick. Leg slowly over, then toe touching followed by ball of the foot, instep then heel all the while hugging the log and shifting my weight including a 30 pound pack ever so gently onto the other side. Successfully navigated all 3. Second part of the day was different. Storm clouds gathered, thunder sounded and we did have a little rain. Thank goodness I had taken my drying socks that I had hanging off my pack and put them away and slipped on the pack cover and my rain gear. Rain only lasted 15 minutes so off came the rain jacket. The thunderstorms cooled the afternoon.  We finally reached the shelter around 6:30. Clouds and thunder had started back up. Dined in the shelter watching the gathering dusk and finished just as the storm was starting. We have our tent near the shelter for convenience.  Night sounds.....peepers, rain on the rainfly (hope none of the shrubberies I have dried the tent and rainfly on poked holes in either) and snippets of conversation from the shelter. The lightning is orange and 6 seconds ahead of the thunder. I sure hope I can get past my dislike of close lightning and get a good night's sleep. The I can't believe it moment.... someone had left a bottle of spiced rum on a sign post. It looked unopened but the plastic seal had been broken. Well it looked like rum, smelled like rum and yes tasted like rum. I left the bottle on the post. The 3 fellows who arrived after us had brought the bottle but hadn't tasted. I assured them it was rum since I had had a swig and suffered no ill effects. Crazy old lady!
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Tri-corner knob shelter

To: Cosby Knob shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Leisurely breakfast and breaking camp. We were the last of the 10 who stayed at the site. Pumped water for the day and set off at 9. Most of the walk was downhill today so no big rush. Not wanting to lose the trees for the forest I noted the trillium,violets and other flowers. 1984 F-4 phantom jet wreck debris was just off the trail. We do hear what sounds like jets flying in the afternoons. Lunched at a view of the mountains and valley below. Still have vistas and we can see that we are coming off the high ridges. We lost the conifers and have more undergrowth as we descend. The mountains seem less intimidating and softer. Maybe it is the green blanket of trees.  Arrived at the shelter at 3 with some distant thunder. Rinsed my shirt and socks and 5 minutes later the skies opened. For once we timed it right! Had a hot cup of tea and listened to the rain on the shelter roof. Just a passing storm that cooled the air. Sun is trying to break through the clouds. I am rooting for it to dry my stuff!
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Cosby Knob shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke at the usual time 6:15 to a misty morning. By 8 it was raining so we delayed our start for an hour when the rain stopped. I had wanted to do at least one side trip and decided the Mt. Cammerer observation tower was doable (adding a little over a mile to my day). It was sunny on the way but i could tell as we approached that the top of the mountain was socked in. I went anyway and glad I did. There is history out here that I just like to experience. One the way down met with Ted who opted out of a foggy mountain side trip. There were great views along the trail as we stopped to enjoy on our last day in the Smokies. We crossed the road bordering the park and suddenly entered a much less lush environment. Much more sun filtered through and everything seemed a lighter shade of green. Arrived at the hostel and met a few hikers we had shared shelters with. Had a few beers, did laundry on the washboard while wearing just my rain gear , showered and got into my now less stinky clothes. Fixed a hearty meal from the pantry and chatted until the evening rain began. A very pleasant end to the day. We are staying in the cabin instead of the bunk house, a bit of luxury. Next we need to figure resupply for the 30ish mile leg to Hot Springs.
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Noshed my way through the day eating the extra food we had in our mail drop box and drank lots of decaf tea. Lazy day. The hostel owners have two llamas who are retired after 25 years of service as Mt. LeConte pack animals. Hawk was kind enough to let me and Bobcat hand feed them. Almost everyone goes by a trail name and introduce themselves using it.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 10.1

Back hiking in beautiful weather. Day started with a gradual 4.5 mile up. I don't mind them first thing in the morning. I am too uncoordinated to do a down well with old and cold muscles and joints.  Highlight today was the 360 view from Snowbird Mountain. Fantastic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. I was bold and daring and tried the panoramic shot on my new camera. I seemed to have figured out how to work the panorama for dummies mode.  The rest of the walk was enjoyable. At the lower elevations the mountain laurel are in bloom and the trillium past their prime. The trees are full now. Spring is moving faster than we are and it is interesting seeing the progression. Reached the shelter we were planning on stopping at around 3 so pushed on to where there was water and camping. Water is a spring which looks more like a seep. Had to partially submerge the cook pot in the muddy trickle and pump the water very carefully so as not to stir up too much sediment. Frustrating to say the least especially while being feasted upon by various biting insects. Had a good dinner...trying to lighten the load and now cozy in the tent listening to the birds and safe from the insects. Tomorrow Max Patch! The 2 for 1 I can't believe it. Ted mentioned he had seen some interesting flowers a while back. I backtracked close to .2 miles to take a picture. I was about to turnaround when I spied the "log jumble" the flowers were near. Took the photo of what I think are lady slippers and headed back to catch up with Ted. Up the trail comes a man with a big blue pack. I yell abruptly at him to keep going. Oops , as we draw nearer I see he's not Ted. Poor man. I apologized profusely and explained my error. Lesson learned....look before speaking.
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Brown Gap

To: Walnut Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Max Patch was all it was hyped. 360 views of the Smokies, Mt. Mitchell and the Black Mountains. I did not want to leave it was so beautiful and mind boggling. Thankfully the haze we woke to lifted by the time we reached the summit. As is the case photos cannot capture what the eye and mind see. The remainder of the day was a quiet woods walk. Lunched at a stream in a rhododendron thicket. We opted to head to the shelter and tent even though there was a 1.3 mile up to end our day.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Smokies and understand why they do not allow camping except at designated sites. Outside of the Smokies impromptu campsites are near most water sources and vistas. All well for a backpacker but hard on the environment.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Walnut Mt. Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it to Hot Springs, a milestone for us. Today was another woods walk. Easy path and well graded. Stopped to refill our water 2 times. We are getting more proficient. Four double digit days in a row is something new for us. Trail magic as we came off the mountain. A nice couple who had just finished a section hike were having a tailgate picnic and offered to share. They also believe that the people who hike and support the trail are a great community. We are meeting people from all walks of life who have this common bond. Showered, rested and had dinner. Tomorrow is a zero day to do chores. I have a most disturbing case of poison ivy that is an oozing mess. We may stay in town until it heals a bit since sanitation on the trail is basically a lost cause. A bit bummed that I won't be soaking in the hot springs. Oh, the trains run quite frequently through town, a lot like in My Cousin Vinny. I just jumped out of my skin as the latest one blew its horn as it crossed the road and now hearing the screach of the wheels on the track.
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow we head home. I need to let my poison ivy heal completely and not be the open, sore, oozy mess it currently is. I have not slept well for 2 nights due to the itching Got some anti itch cream today and my goodness it is fragrant. I can just imagine every bear on a 100 mile radius could smell me and want to investigate. We hope to be back in a week; swapping the 20 degree bags for lighter ones and shedding some of the heavier winter garb and trying to trim ounces where we can. Our plan at home is to get out to the woods every day so as not to lose all this marvelous conditioning. Lesson from all this is to be MUCH more careful on my nature calls forays into the underbrush. I have dropped 5 pounds which is not too bad. But then again I weighed myself after downing a huge chocolate ginger ice cream in a waffle cone. Yum!
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0

Today we are driving back to Hot Springs where we got off the trail. My poison ivy has healed although I am still itchy as new dots appear. This I am used to so all is normal. Gained back a pound or two and raring to go. Delights of our break: best of all was seeing family, then in no particular order was cooking in my kitchen, clean fluffy hair whenever I wanted, sleeping in, picking and eating strawberries and hiking without a backpack. Oddity was day one waking in my own bed and being totally disoriented not recognizing where I was. Our next stop will be Erwin, TN which will take us about a week to reach. Swapped out the heavy sleeping bag and left the cold clothing and a few small items. I know my pack is still too heavy but at least it is an improvement. I just have to keep reminding myself of this as I adjust and readjust it on the long ups!
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Some things remain the same. Weather forecast on one site predicted a high chance of rain so once again we stayed in town on what turned out to be a perfect hiking day. Took a short hike up to lover's leap rock and back down. The rocks were still wet and the footing a bit slippery. The French Broad River is muddy and flowing high and fast. No tubing today. High point was our son and shuttle driver par excellence taking a video of a train passing through complete with crossing gate and sounds for his 2 year old niece. Rain or shine we start back tomorrow. No doubt it will be rain.....
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Hot Springs

To: Tanyard Gap campsite
Miles today: 5.6

Finally got going. Retraced our steps from our day hike with the packs. Not too bad...glad we didn't have to go back down since we really don't have our trail legs. Most of the walk was a fairly gentle woods walk after Lover's Leap Rock. We saw a fledgling pileated woodpecker hop ahead of us on the trail. Prior to thst l almost tripped on a black snake. As we crossed the highway on a bridge a driver tooted his horn and gave a big friendly wave. I gave a hearty wave back. It is these small things that lift my spirits. We walked till we found a decent campsite and called it a day around 4. We were pleased with day one. Jesse became a trail angel. He gave a ride to 3 hikers we had spent a week with before we had left left the trail because of my poison ivy.   He detoured a bit on his way home from Hot Springs to drop them off in Damascus. Hope he enjoyed his unexpected adventure!
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Tanyard Gap campsite

To: Allen Gap campsite
Miles today: 8.5

Woke to sunshine and birds chirping. Today's walk was mostly one long up to the fire tower on Rich Mt. It was a shorter tower and had fencing on the stairs so I climbed it. No problem. Good views of the Smokies although it was a bit hazy. Fear of heights still exists but today was a small quiz and I passed! Saw 10 hikers today. Most impressive was a retired fellow who is hiking by parking his car at a gap, hiking up and back then driving to the next gap and hiking back to where he stopped and then back to his car. We saw him yesterday and twice today. Like he said he is hiking the trail twice. He tried backpacking but said it was not to his liking. He does a few weeks at a time for years l. That is determination. Blueberries and raspberries are just starting to appear. Small and green and on their way to delicious ripeness. Speaking of plants, miles and miles of the trail was a narrow path through waist to shoulder (I'm short) height greens. Poison something or other had to have been in the mix. I washed my arms with Tecnu at camp and hope I don't get a horrendous case of the itches. Ah camp. Posted near the site was a sign for an oasis!!!! Mom's Store 100' down a gravel road selling snacks, drinks and ice cream. We visited it before setting up. It just recently reopened in a memory of the couple that built the store in 1952 and operated it until 2009. Very old timey with wood floors and a Nehi cooler.  I headed straight for the ice cream and had a nicely solidly frozen ice cream sandwich that just whetted my sweet tooth. Next was a Yoo Hoo. The spring at the campsite was sluggish so I took the easy route. Back to the store for a gallon of water and a Dr. Pepper. Guess I was thirsty. Today was in the 90's and rather humid.  Tomorrow we take a short walk to the hostel for a shower and resupply and of course a cabin for the night. Perhaps my breakfast will be an ice cream sandwich before we start our day.  Mmmmmm.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Allen Gap campsite

To: Hemlock Hollow hostel
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Very short day today even for us! A planned nero to resupply. Unfortunately for the couple that passed us early a severe thunderstorm watch came into effect around 2. We were chowing down on warm food. Hopefully they were at a shelter when the storm hit. For once we timed a stop right! Oops forgot to pack an extra pair of shorts so will phone home and see if they can send my shorts and the AWOL guide book that is probably sitting on the computer desk to Erwin. Sitting in the dining area listening to the creek, sipping not guzzling a root beer  nd watching the lights flicker. First thing I did upon arrival was shower and wash my clothes in the washtib on the wasjboard once i figure out how the water faucet worked. I was still enjoying my dounuts ( yes plural) and coffee with a Yoo-Hoo breakfast from Mom's Store. Lunch could wait until I felt and smelled human again. Poison ivy is already appearing on my arms and the bites are welting nicely. I catch myself scratching and am making a conscious effort not to. Tomorrow we start the 52 miles to Erwin our next town. Weather looks promising for the next few days, a little cooler and low chance of precipitation. We are psyched!
Date: 2013-06-14
From: Hemlock Hollow hostel

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Delicious breakfast after a good night's sleep and favorable weather. A family had stopped yesterday for snacks and described the ridge walk to Firescald knob. The 12 year old was giving an animated re enactment how she had to walk heal-toe because it is so narrow. Then she pretended to lose her balance all the while telling me it would have been a long fall down. The mother said the view from Max Patch was just as good. I had already decided that I was taking the bad weather bypass trail and they sealed the deal. I walk sloppy in addition to my new height vertigo so no need to tempt fate. We did take a short side trail to White Rock Cliffs and views of the Black Mountains. I figured I would be too terrified to enjoy the view while ridge walking so savored our side trip. Most of the day was a woods walk. One long up but all in all a rather easy day. Had a good dinner so resupplied the lost calories. Neat thing here is the spring is uphill from the shelter! There are about 6 others in or tenting around the shelter. We were the first to arrive at 6 and picked the most level tent site but I am sliding off my air mattress as I type! The biting bugs are plentiful here so sitting in a tent is stuffy but for me more comfortable. Hoping for a good night of sleep, it will be a cool night.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Rector Laurel Road
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: few clouds

Got off to a rocky start. I thought I was outwitting the gnats by sitting with my head on my knees. Dumb me stood up too fast, lost my balance and tripped backwards over the log I was sitting on. All before even stepping foot on the trail! Later I took a 2" fall while trying to crawl under a fallen tree. I wasn't low enough and bumped my pack and down I went. One last dodo of the day....after filling my reservoir at a spring I did not tighten it enough and ended up with a drippy bottom of my pack. I was fit to be tied. Once again Ted simply let me vent until I calmed down. Day began with an up to yet another Big Butt.  I did a little side trail boulder scramble on Big Rocks to take some photos. Stopped briefly at Civil War era Shelton Grave. Interesting occurrence on a tree lined woods road. A small yellow low flying plane buzzed us and yelled to us.  Met section hikers from NJ Zip Lock and Data and a couple out for a day hike. Later met a fellow who was out for an overnight hike. Everyone we have met lately is section hiking of various lengths. We have our sights still set on Damascus. Tonight we will slumber to the sounds of dogs baying and cows mooing in our stealth campsite in a rhododendron thicket. Hoping for an early for us (8am) start.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Rector Laurel Road

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: few clouds

Tonight we are on an unplanned stop in Erwin, TN. The forecast is for 50% chance of rain then 80%. We want to cross Big Bald which also has a bad weather bypass so we are going to enjoy Erwin and Big Bald. The day was a different one. I had to pump water as we started our day. The stream was running fast and very silty so of course I lost my cool as the filter continually clogged. We had started early but the water gathering ground is to a halt. I growled and snapped at poor Teddy to go ahead and I would catch up. Well...I walked for 2 hours and did not see him. Panic set in. I left a note attached to a tree that I was backtracking but would return at 12:30. Then emotional wreck that I was I retraced my steps. 45 minutes later I saw Ted.  I gained my composure and dried my tears of relief after a few minutes. We had both missed the campsite with a water supply so we had only the water from earlier to add to my worries. We reached the Hogsback Ridge Shelter where the water source is a good 1/4 mile downhill. At least it was a good stream. After our lunch at the shelter I took the short side trail to High Rock for the vista. Not really too much to see today, we were on a ridge and sides of hills in the woods. I think I did see a bear about 50 yards away though whatever it was (definitely not a white tailed deer) quickly bounded away. We evaluated the weather at Sam's Gap (had a little connectivity) and figured better to call a shuttle. So here we are in our hotel nice and clean. We are at the south end of town and took the mile walk to downtown and back. Sunday all is closed but there is enough in town to keep me occupied tomorrow if I so chose. We already know where we will be eating breakfast and having an all you can eat (AYCE) lunch. Tomorrow laundry and eating!
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Sam's Gap

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 0.0

So far today I have eaten, done laundry, purchased shampoo because my limp dank hair I have washed with just the hand soap is driving my batty, snacked, shampooed twice because I can, eaten (not a typo) and watched the clouds float over the mountains, dump some rain and drift away to have the scenario replay  nd it is not yet 2:00. For a change we are in town on a rainy day. Two couples who passed us a few days ago came into the restaurant while we were having lunch. They came into town from the next gap because of the weather. Their plates were loaded and the only sounds from their table were the sounds of the forks on their plates and the plastic drinking cups being set back down between sips. Photos will follow when I get to a better internet connection. We will resume our hike Wednesday when better weather is forecast. Hopefully Ted will have beaten his mild cold with 2 days of rest and I will have refueled sufficiently.
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Erwin TN

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Lazed about all day as the rain fell. Kept thinking of how in the next 24 hours we would be hiking again. I don't think I will ever find it easy to start after 2 days of sloth. I too easily get used to all the comforts such as sleeping in, eating filling food, smelling and feeling clean and staying hydrated. But on the other hand my torso is no longer concave, my blister from my campshoes has healed and we are here to hike the trail. So yes I am ready to go. We should be back in Erwin in 3 days with some great views ahead.
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Sam's Gap

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Dropped off at the trailhead 8:35am. Retied boots and hit the trail at 8:40. Beautiful sunny morning about 65 degrees. Excited about Big Bald. About an hour into our hike Data and Zip Lock came towards us!  They were wondering how we fared in the rain. We confessed to two zero days. They had done the same!  Three day and one section hiker passed us on the way up to the bald. The quarter mile bald was very much worth the climb. Yellow flowers covered the approach and there were a few blooming rhododendron on the north side. We lunched at the summit with those we had seen earlier. Everyone was beaming and admiring the views. Mt. Mitchell was in the clouds but other than that southeast cloud all was clear.  The rest of the walk varied from a light infused beech tree woods to the usual darker maple and some for trees. We called it a day at a site with water pleased once again to be hiking.