morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-18
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Icewater Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 16Thursday, May 18, 2017 Silers Bald Shelter (194.8) to Icewater Spring Shelter (210.3)Miles: 15.5 miles in 9.5 hours with three stops including climbing the Clingmans Dome tower2017 AT trip miles: 210.3Total AT miles to date: 1504Weather: Walked through clouds in the morning, sunny 60s to 70s afternoonDinner: One Pot Taco DinnerHikers: Nine weekend/weeklong hikers, Flash, Lewis, Spice Rack + Leila, The CoachesWildlife: Nocturnal Mice, Bear, Deer, GrouseOur protective plastic tarp was battered by wind all night and I repeatedly awoke to mice running on or near my head, so not the best night¢s sleep. Was up with the birds and in the process of making breakfast when I noticed a pretty large bear eyeing Flash and I. High Loon had already left and our fourth companion was still in the shelter. We made some noise and it moved off. Toward the direction of the bear cables where food bags are hung. We were a bit in a quandary as our food bags were now sitting next to us. The bear did wander off, but with more of a ¢yeah, I see you, but you don't scare me¢ kind of attitude. So¢Flash and I hiked out together, talking it up for a good mile or more. I liked today's geography. Sphagnum moss. Pine trees. Moss covered pine trees. Forests of sphagnum moss and moss covered pines trees. Oh and Clingmans Dome. Even though today marked the highest point on the trail it 1) wasn't nearly as challenging as summiting Mt. Katahdin, and 2) had none of the same summit feelings. You'd think we'd be feeling a bit more excited for this moment, but it was just another bump on the map. Also, there were bus loads of people who had driven up within half a mile of the tower. We had hiked through a cloud all morning and the view from Clingmans Dome was socked in as well. I'll just have to drive there next time becoming one of the bus loads, when the weather is better. The trail followed the road to Clingmans Dome for most of the day, except when it veered away to take us over two obviously ¢necessary¢ summits, emerging at Newfound Gap on busy US441. Unbeknown to the hundreds of people parked at the rest area on the north end of the trail, someone had left some trail magic on the south side: water and gatorade. I crossed the road and became a sweaty novelty while people posed by the Appalachian Trail sign and discussed how some people hike the whole way. Talked to a nice older couple about my trip, then with that Gatorade boost, powered my way up the trail the remaining three miles to tonight's very full shelter. A very fresh looking young couple arrived about the time everyone was heading to bed. Passed my 1500/200 mile mark today.There is a herd of very tame deer hanging around the shelter, which may indicate no surprise bears at breakfast tomorrow.
Date: 2017-05-19
From: Icewater Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day 17Friday, May 19, 2017 Icewater Spring Shelter (210.3) to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter (222.9)Miles: 12.6 miles in 6.75 hours with two short breaks2017 AT trip miles: 222.9Total AT miles to date: 1516.6Weather: Partly cloudy, light showers and random thunderDinner #1: Thai Yum Noodle Bowl; Dinner #2: African Peanut StewHikers: Five young Michigan friends out for their first hike, the section hiking couple from Chicago, Flash, Lewis, Cindy Lou, General Hendricks, Speedo, SmilesNumber of bugs swallowed to date: FourThe shelter options today were either 12.6 or 20 miles. Rain was forecast to begin around 10 a.m. So a shorter day today. Woke up in a cloud again this morning. Everything is damp from my shirt to my backpack to the rubber handles on the trekking poles. After last night, the young couple probably thought they had wandered into a scene from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. They had probably envisioned some fun wilderness hike to a quaint strip one shelter and instead found themselves amidst twelve hikers who haven't washed up for at least three days and parked next to Flash who snores like a freight train. They left early in the morning. I noticed that she was dressed in a nice white virginal sweatshirt, her hair still looking and smelling pretty fresh. You notice these things. Today's hike stayed above 5000-feet all day, following ridges and hugging the sides of mountains. There were lots of views and I took lots of pictures that likely will all look the same to everyone back home. A challenge was that there was no water between the morning and evening shelter without going off trail a half mile. But it wasn't as hot, the elevation changes weren't as extreme and the rain held off until 12:30. When it did arrive, it was only intermittent showers. Until post-dinner. Arrived in camp before three to a somewhat full shelter. The two coaches, now named C1 and C2, were taking a break here before heading on another 8 miles to the next shelter, but five young men from Michigan stopped here for the day after their five mile hike. Had time to heat up water and use some Dr. Bronner¢s soap to finally clean up a bit better than just ice cold water. Made tea, a first dinner and lounged around feeling like this was just a camping day. After 12.6 miles. Around dinner time, more hikers that I've been overlapping showed up after their day off in Gatlinburg. Made a second dinner and rain is now pelting the shelter¢s metal roof as I write.
Date: 2017-05-21
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 13.3

Day 19Sunday, May 21, 2017 Standing Bear Hostel (241.3) to Max Patch (254.6)Miles: 13.3 miles in 8 hours with one stop2017 AT trip miles: 254.6Total AT miles to date: 1548.3Weather: Rain most of the day to clearing skies at nightDinner: Thanksgiving on the TrailHikers: Lunch stop at Groundhog Shelter contained Cindy Lou Who, General Hendricks, the two Kiwi women, and two other hikers; camping alone tonight Wildlife: TurkeyThanks to Flash self-deporting himself to a private room last night, I slept quite soundly. Third best sleep to date. Pretty much everyone at the hostel decided to take a zero today because the rain did arrive overnight. I'm meeting a friend tomorrow, so no zero for me. And I didn¢t think the rain sounded all that bad¢yes it would be all day, but it wasn't cold and stormy. Still, I took my time getting started and didn't leave the hostel until 9:30, then I made a few phone calls where the reception work best on the road by the trailhead. It wasn't until 10 a.m. with the rain now coming down that I finally got started. The first few miles were now all back uphill. I just plodded along. My umbrella kept me mostly dry. The only point where I was beginning to get chilled was crossing Snowbird Mountain, a grassy bald by an FAA tower. About halfway across, another round of trail magic¢this one ice-cold soda and lemonade in a cooler near two chairs set up for one to enjoy the view. While the lemonade was thirst quenching, given the temperature, I can't say it was exactly refreshing. And the rain prevented any view viewing. Next up: Fun with a fallen tree. A large, multi-branched tree block the rain-slicked trail along a steep hill and it took quite the effort to work around it, of course without taking off the pack. My umbrella also makes feats like this interesting because the minute I bend over too far, water streams down my formerly protected back. In general the umbrella works out great, but I still don't remain completely dry. Stopped for lunch and a chance to get out of the rain at a shelter after 3.5 hours. And surprise! There were many familiar faces waiting out the rain. I think I had the better day hiking instead of sitting in a dark, cold shelter all day. Don't know about the folks who zeroed at Standing  Bear, though. At least they had books, an internet connection and a the opportunity to eat themselves silly with a full food resupply store. They certainly would be able to spend the day drinking, reading and staying warm(er) and dry(er).My day ended at Max Patch¢an area that had been clear cut for cattle and is maintained as a bald. I was intending to camp near the summit, which a lot of hikers look forward to doing on clear nights. However, I am unsure of the forecast which originally had scattered showers still predicted into tomorrow and don't care for the idea of becoming the highest object during a lightning storm. Opted to camp under some trees where the trail re-enters the woods. No neighborly snoring tonight. Instead I need to rest soundly amid woodland night noises. And a baying hound or two bellowing in the valley below.
Date: 2017-05-22
From: Max Patch

To: Garenflo Gap
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 20Monday, May 22, 2017 Max Patch (254.6) to Garenflo Gap (267.8)Miles: 13.2 miles in 7 hours with one stop2017 AT trip miles: 267.8Total AT miles to date: 1561.5Weather: Rain in the morning, clearing to partly cloudy skies afternoon, pleasant Dinner: Silvia¢s pound cake, one apple, New Glarus MoonMan and half a Two Women Ale, rice with steamed broccoli and saut©ed peppers and mushrooms Hikers: Leapfrogged with Walkie Talkie and Bear Spray todayWildlife: Campground Ground Hog Last year I reported staying with a college friend who lives in North Adams, Massachusetts. Even though I never lived with her during our college years, being able to spend four days slack packing, having a bed to sleep in not to mention showers at the end of each day, was the bomb. It was like we were roommates in a really nice house. This year, my actual college roommate is here visiting from Wisconsin. We¢d been calling, texting and messaging on Facebook in all manners of contact in an area where cell coverage was intermittent at best. The trick was where she¢d eventually find me. The lines and notes in AWOL¢s guidebook told me nothing overly helpful for a driver. But we worked it out. My final text got through and she was waiting for me at 4 p.m. at the Glarenflo Gap chatting it up with Bear Spray. The day started out in rain, but the trail was really nice for the first five miles after Max Patch. Kept leapfrogging with two hikers I previously had not met all day today. The hills were loaded with blackberry bushes and the last four miles descending from Bluff Mountain to the gap seemed very long. But then all the miles seem longer at the end of the day. Side note: My new favorite podcast is ¢The History Chicks.¢ Thus far I¢ve learned about Lucille Ball, Frida Kahlo, Mary Queen of Scots, Lizzie Borden and Carrie Nation. The miles become slightly less long and the hills less steep when my mind is concentrating on historical details.Kay brought me to the campground where she has her trailer set up in Hot Springs. We knoshed on a pound cake her neighbor had sent along (I alone, could have eaten the entire thing) and then Kay made me dinner while I got a shower. Like Becky in North Adams, I now have some loaner clothes to wear this week. I could get used to this very quickly.
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Garenflo Gap

To: Hot Springs, North Carolina
Miles today: 6.6

Day 21Tuesday, May 23, 2017 Garenflo Gap (267.8) to Hot Springs, NC (274.4)Miles: 6.6 miles in 2.75 hours with one really short break2017 AT trip miles: 274.4Total AT miles to date: 1568.1Weather: Rain showers on and off all dayDinner: Fire-roasted pepper flatbread pizza, more New Glarus beerHikers: Passed six section hikers, Walkie-Talkie, General Hendricks and Cindy Lou Who in townWildlife: Turkey en route to the trailhead, same campground woodchuck Slept great last night despite an actual freight train rolling past the campground where Kay and I are staying. In a strange twist of logic, it was Kay who fell fast asleep by hiker midnight while I stayed up and wrote. Rain was in the forecast and the rain it did fall. For starters, I hadn't pushed my hiking shoes far enough under the trailer last night and one of them was positioned exactly tangent to a drip line, filling up with water. I never was 100% positive if my shoes were GoreTex, but judging how well the shoe held water, pretty sure they are. Fortunately for me, Kay and I share the same shoe size and she had a pair of Keen hiking shoes that I was able to field test for her today. Before the aforementioned size 10 boat load of water, my shoes had been wet for two days now and I had been developing some new and exciting blisters. Thus the opportunity to wear dry shoes was a win for me. Plus it gives her bragging rights to claim these shoes hiked a section of the Appalachian Trail. Fair deal. Without the weight of a fully loaded pack¢in addition to dry shoes¢I was able to knock off the 6.6 mile segment back to Hot Springs in under three hours, although by the time I arrived in town, Kay¢s shoes were no longer dry. Arrived more or less in a downpour.After a snack, headed over to the laundromat and finally got that year-long ¢I don't need to take my gym clothes home¢middle school boy¢s locker room smell washed out of my hiking clothes. Then Kay and I headed over to Hot Springs claim to fame, natural hot springs, where we soaked in a mineral spa tub for an hour outdoors, surrounded by a bamboo? (yes, bamboo) forest, overlooking the French Broad River, as the sky once again opened up and rained. The rain stopped before we left and wet cloud tendrils wafted between mountains as the sun re-emerged. Actually, it just emerged. We hadn't seen it all day. Post-soak, Kay whipped up some flatbread pizza roasted on a cast iron skillet for dinner, a test recipe in which I was the grateful guinea pig (it passed), while I organized my food drop and planned for the next few days. This currently quiet campground is booked through Memorial Day and we need to move on Thursday. The plan is for me to slack the next few days and Kay will secure a campsite up ahead through the weekend so I can milk, I mean we can continue, this hiking/dinner/sleeping in a camper thru-hike thing a bit longer.
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Hot Springs, North Carolina

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.4

Day 22Wednesday, May 24, 2017 Hot Springs, NC (274.4) to Allen Gap (289.2)Miles: 14.4 miles in 7.5 hours with one break2017 AT trip miles: 289.2Total AT miles to date: 1582.5Weather: Cloudy with a threat of rain in the morning, two big rain deluges in the afternoonDinner: Pan-roasted trout, veggies and mac n¢cheese at the Iron Horse Tavern and InnHikers: Passed Spice Rack and Leila, Skreech and twelve other NoBos, a daozen others holed up at the shelter waiting for the rain, Flash at the Inn for dinnerWildlife: Bear cub running away from me, and presumably toward an unseen mama bearKay dropped me off at Allen Gap and I slacked 14.4 miles back to Hot Springs, southbound. The French Broad River and tributaries are already rerunning high after the last few storms. Wispy clouds drifted skyward in the gaps. Soon I was walking through these same wafting tendrils¢the landscape covered in a fifty percent tint of white¢if this had been Photoshop. Ran into Spice Rack and Leila whom I had been overlapping with for the past two weeks, but I now know are a full day ahead of me. Also passed Skreech, about a half day ahead. The rest of the lot, of which there were many including about a dozen people zeroing at the Spring Mountain Shelter waiting for the predicted rain to come, are folks I've never seen before. So a bunch of different faces only a day ahead of me.I hiked in partly sunny, but increasingly windy skies in the morning. Soon after passing the shelter I heard a crash and saw a small round black shape barreling away from me. Never saw Mama, which is just fine. That makes five bears in under three weeks thus far. The rain held off until 12:30-ish, then really came pummeling. Kay later told me there had been tornado warnings in Hot Springs and that the radar showed a red glow over the area I had been hiking. My umbrella kept me mostly dry and it really was more of matter of just walking through a downpour to dissipating sprinkles. Until the next wave hit. Hiked through that to a field that, according to the nice informational sign, had been a former tobacco farm but was now maintained as a turkey and grouse habitat area. The trail passed a little pond then followed a ridge line where I could see the French Broad River raging below before dropping back down to Hot Springs. Flash was now in town and Kay and I met him for dinner at the really nice Iron Horse Tavern and Inn. And score¢live music to boot.
Date: 2017-05-26
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 11.2

Day 24Friday, May 26, 2017 Flint Mountain Shelter (307.2) to Sam¢s Gap (318.4)Miles: 11.2 miles in 6.25 hours with one break 2017 AT trip miles: 318.4Total AT miles to date: 1611.7Weather: Cool in the morning, but warmer in the afternoon, glorious sunshine all dayDinner: Cheeseburgers, fried potatoes and beansHikers: Only saw four people heading south out for the weekendWildlife: CowsLast night was a first I'd rather not repeat again any time soon. Due to the cold, rain and tiny communal space, I never changed out of my hiking clothes last night. Made for a quicker morning, but ick. Gross. I mean, I've become accustomed to wearing the same clothes each day, but I've been at least able to slip into something less sweaty at night. Of course, I wasn't sweaty last night. And I guess the merino wool bra added a measure of insulation, but again. Ick. Gross.  Ultimately I remained warm all night and at some point I realized the winds had died down. Morning dawned still cold, but the sky was blue and beheld an orb of yellow. You could see the light hitting the valley opposite and knew it would just be a matter of time before the fingers would once again be warm. Yesterday, the idea of sunshine was a distant memory. In spite of shorter mileage and despite better weather, this day felt longer. Yesterday¢s romp through the clouds followed ridge lines with only slight changes in elevation. Today held more gap¢thus lots of ups and downs. But at the end of my day, Kay was awaiting at Sam's Gap with the car¢and a shower and change of clothes was only a short drive away. The only ¢wildlife¢ I noticed was a couple of free-range beef cows roaming the fields through which the trail momentarily crossed. Home is now Rock Creek National Forest Campground amidst RVs the size of last night's shelter and a seemingly high number of white SUVs. We are surrounded by families getting away from it all over the Memorial Day weekend. The air is filled with the smell of campfires, dogs are barking and clots of kids are hitting the asphalt on their banana bikes¢or whatever it is kids ride these days. Across the road, someone is using a leaf blower, at least I think that's what the dad said in a drawl I have a hard time understanding, to blow up a mattress. Clearly it's no Therm-A-Rest NeoAir. Quiet time begins at 10 p.m. Almost hiker midnight. Good enough for me. Correction: Kay just returned from her walk and said the leaf blower is being used to get the fire to flame up.
Date: 2017-05-28
From: Spivey Gap

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 19.5

Day 26Sunday, May 28, 2017 Spivey Gap (331.8) to Indian Grave Gap (351.3)Miles: 19.5 miles in 10.75 hours with two breaks, including ice cream at Uncle Johnny¢s Hostel2017 AT trip miles: 351.3Total AT miles to date: 1644.6Weather: Mostly sunny, 60s to 70s, pleasant to humidDinner: Rice and beans with salsa and chips, beerHikers: Oreo, School Stick, One other at last shelterWildlife: Tame rabbitI've neglected mention my morning slack packing routine this past week. We get up. I don my hiking uniform. Kay remains in her jams. I eat breakfast. We drink coffee, and then Kay takes her coffee mug and just like a mom who drops her kids off at school, she drives me to my starting point instructing me to play nice with the other hikers. I went for a longer distance today which ended 3.3 miles from our campground. Yesterday's ankle roll seems not to have been injurious. The morning was beautiful¢a gradual gradient circumventing many cascades. Last night¢s thunderstorm significantly increased the flow of the springs and streams. In one case, water was bubbling right out of the ground, right by the trail. As soon as it warms up and things finally dry out, I expect there could be a lot more snakes out and about. The only wildlife I noticed today (beside all the usual woodland critters), was a rabbit. This rates a special callout because 1) I haven¢t seen any rabbits thus far and 2) It was less than a foot away before it finally decided to stop noshing on the trailside grasses and wander off. The second half of my day was decidedly more challenging. Rocks began appearing with more frequency within the trail that followed alongside a stream. Ick. It was humid. I was tired. It really wasn't until the last mile that the trail passed through pines and became more trail-like for my tastes. And finally, Mom, I mean Kay, was there awaiting my arrival.
Date: 2017-05-29
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 27Monday, May 29, 2017 Indian Grave Gap (351.3) to Iron Mountain Gap (363.1)Miles: 11.8 miles in 6.75 hours with two breaks2017 AT trip miles: 363.1Total AT miles to date: 1656.4Weather: Mostly sunny, 60s to 70s, light rain showers late afternoonDinner: Clarence¢s Drive-in, Unicoi, TN/Fried catfish, fried okra, baked potato Hikers: Again passed Cindy Lou Who, General Hendricks, Screech and about half a dozen other hikersWildlife: Deer and Turkey on the Unaka Mountain Wildlife Loop en route to trail headMom made me breakfast, then shuttled me up to Iron Mountain Gap where I started today's hike heading southbound back to Indian Grave Gap. ¢Do your best. Forget the rest¢ and with a toot of her horn, she¢s gone.The morning was again cool and a chance of rain. I am really beginning to ponder the day when the local reptilian population emerges from days of cold waterlogged captivity. Another game I play is making x-number of miles or hitting a certain landmark first before succumbing to my earbuds. I waited until four miles, then listened to music today. What I haven't reported is that with Kay fetching me nightly¢and having access to electricity, as well as having changed my data plan to unlimited prior to hitting the trail¢I have been binge listening to the most recent episodes of Survivor, The Amazing Race, SNL and The Late Show streaming into my phone via an app. Truth be told, that's what really got me through yesterday's 19.5 miles. Today however, I showed restraint and only listened to music. For those of you interested in such things, the playlist including Bon Iver¢s latest unpronounceable release, Moby, Horse Feathers, Beth Orton and Joni Mitchell. Unfortunately, there are no cellular bars to be found at the USFS campground, so while I'm traipsing off in wilderness, hiking ridge lines and summits and still able to catch up on the latest cultural phenomenon, Kay has been forced to either spend her time reading actual books or heading into Erwin filching the free WiFi from the parking lot of the closed library.Today's highlight was 5180-foot high Unaka Mountain, its summit covered in a dense spruce forest. Unlike Rhododendrons which I equate with humidity and through which I hiked today, this felt like northern Maine. Verdant mosses, pine-needle paths, towering pines. The air clearer and scented. Loved it! Perhaps the positive effects of negative ions?Heading south, I again ran into Cindy Lou Who, Hendricks and Screech and other hikers presumably heading north I have yet to meet.After texting Kay that I was running late, I ended up arriving at the gap early. The afternoon was spent doing laundry then hitting a local caf© where we again were both challenged by the language barrier.