morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Slushy Trails. Update coming later.UPDATEDGot Shuttled back to the trail and headed out about 10:00 today. The sun was shining and the wather warmed up. The snow started to melt and the trail got worse and worse. It ended up being a mixture of slush and mud with melted snow puddles. Hard to walk in but I made good miles.This trip is long and will take 5 or 6 months but it really breaks down to a series of 3 or 4 day hikes. In between you resupply and maybe eat a couple restaurant meals and sleep indoors. When I left Franklin on Saturday, I was prepared to be out 7 days, hike 95 miles and get into Gatlinbur this Friday. I ended up being able to eat at a restaurant Sunday night, and Monday morning, then last night I slept in a warm hoetl bed. Now I only have a couple of nights to camp out, so when it is broken down, this hike is douable. There is a lot of opportunity to refress your body and mind after hard days.
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Tented last night. The temps got cold enough to freeze everything again. Got going about 9:15. The trail was solid till the sun started melting it about noon then it was more of the melting mess. Made the shelter about 5:00. I think the miles of the last week are adding up. I had no energy this morning and felt really tired the last couple of hours. I am getting off in Gatlinburg, TN tonorrow. Two of my sisters are coming over to spend part of the weekend with me. It should be a good break. I will be off the trail for about 48 hours before heading back out Sunday PM.
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Pigeon Forge, Tenn
Miles today: 10.8

Meeting my sisters. Off the trail till Sunday.Headed out about 8 pm. Was about 3 miles to Clingmans dome, the hightest point of the AT at 6600 feet. A thunderstorm passed over just before I got to the summit and made the walking a bit scary. No views because of the storm.Made it to Newfound Gap about 2pm. Trail magiv by a local hiking club who not only fed me, but shuttled me and another hiker into town. Will take a zero day tomorrow and head back out Sunday.
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Visited a small Baptist Church this morning for Easter Services. Ate lunch the Waffle House then hitched a ride out of town about 2 pm. Thanks Mike and Becky for the ride and the taffy.Newfound Gap, the only major road crossing of the AT in the Smokies, was busy Friday and today. Lots of tourists here for the Holiday weekend and lots of day hikers on the trail. While driving up from Gatlinburg there was a bit of a traffic jam because a bear had been spotted in the woods along the road and so many people were stopping to see it. I talked to a few people before hitting the trail and a nice family from Cincinnati wanted their picture taken with me when they found out I was a thru-hiker.The Smokies is the most visited part of the AT and I think it is great that people can park and do a couple hour hike and experience trails similar to what thru-hickers experience when they are miles into the woods. A thru-hike is not for everyone but seeing the Smokies should be.While in Franklin I checked out the gallery of photographer Keith Jennings. He photographs wildlife and scenery in many of the national parks of North America-really amazing stuff that he has captured. Looking through his gallery made me realize I need to make sure I enjoy the areas I am walking through and not just get my miles in each day.So I did a total of 3 miles today! I should be fresh for the hike towards Hot Springs this week.
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to a rainy day today. Headed out about 9 AM. About 11:30 I ran across an older hiker who was struggling and said he was going to have to turn back. I talked to him for a bit and headed on. I turned around after about 10 min and went back to see if I could help him. I ended up walking with him back to the shelter I had stayed at the night before. From there he will be able to walk a few miles to the main road and head home. I think he really wanted to hike but his body just wouldn't let him. It made me thankful to get the chance to walk the trail and to have come this far.I headed out again about 5 PM because I wanted to get some positive miles for the day. Got turned around a bit and didn't make the shelter till after dark. Walking the last 30 min in the dark with a tiny light had me worried a bit, but it all turned out ok.
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: moderate rain

Passed the 1/10 of the trail point today at 217.5 miles. Today was my 22nd hiking day. I have had 2 zero days and 2 low mileage days coming out of towns. My 10 miles a day average will make my trip last a little over 7 months but the first few weeks are slower for everyone. I feel at this point like I am capable of walking the entire trail. Maybe I will and maybe something will bring me off the trail but I will be happy with whatever part of it I walk.Left the shelter at 8:30 this morning. Stopped for 1/2 hour. Lunch and made it here by 3:30. Saw the wreckage of a small jet plane that crashed near the trail. Some trail workers told us that the pilots were able to eject and survive. After helping out another hiker yesterday BlackCat kidded that I was looking through the wreckage for bodies and people to help.Rained the past couple days but clearer and warmer weather is coming the next couple days.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Maybe the most enjoyable hiking day so far today! Experienced a lot of variety throughout the day, had pizza and pop for lunch, and did pretty big miles. Woke up to clearing weather but still cold-35 degrees when I left the shelter. Walked through an area in the first couple miles where the limbs were ice coated from the previous nights rain and cold temps. Looked like confetti falling as the wind knocked the ice off the trees. After being above 6000 feet much of tuesday, we slept at 4700 then descended to about 1400 today. The forest at the lower elevaton is exploding with spring foliage. Saw about 1/2 dozen varieties of wildflowers. Walked along a small creek for about 1/2 mile that formed several waterfalls. Came out on a side road and then croseed under I-40. It is always odd to come to even a remote forest road crossing the trail. I always imagine myself having a deer-in-the-headlights look to any passing cars. The trail followed a paved road and crossed a bridge over the pigeon river before ducking under the interstate and heading back up the mountain. Lunch was at a nearby hostel 200 yards off the trail. This evening we climbed back above 4000 feet and crossed a bald-a meadow covered mountain top-marked by white blazed wooden posts every 20 yards or so.I felt like a lousy thru-hiker during a recent conversation in a shelter. Several other hikers were counting up how many showers they had taken since starting the trail. The most common answer was 3 in 3 weeks. When I totaled mine up and realized I had taken 10, I kept the answer to myself and silently vowed to do better at limiting my showering. Thank goodness the cold weather is limiting the smell(somewhat)!
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Max Patch Summit
Miles today: 6.4

Today started with clear skies and warming temps. The nights are still cold-around 35-40 degrees- so even warm days don't feel that way when I head out of camp. I just hiked 6+ miles to Max Patch-a mountain top that has been cleared of trees and brush and has 360 degree views. I wanted to camp there and enjoy the views and the nice weather. I arrived at noon and spent 4 or 5 hours laying in the sun and walking around taking pictures. I had planned to camp by myself-this is something I haven't done yet. There were other through hikers camping on the summit, but there are almost 400 acres cleared so lots of room. I eneded up being joined by Bruce and Rob and later Mike and Alecia. They are friends who have moved apart and were just meeting for the night. We had a big fire and they insisted on feeding me(I didn't fight too hard) I had a proud thru-hiker moment when Mike said 'Josh, when did you las shower?' and I was able to answer 'Sunday morning!'We watched a great sunset but I woke up about 20 min late for sunrise. I'm glad I took the time and camped on the mountain.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am taking an off day today in Hot Springs, N.C. Camped out last night at a campground here in town and tonight and staying at a 160 yr old house here in town that a man rents room in. The weather has been warm the last couple days - mid 70s yesterday - almost too warm for hiking but I guess I'll have to get used to that. Hot Springs is was named for the 105 degree hot springs and mineral springs that made this area a resort destination dating back to the 1800's. During World War II there was a German prisoner of war camp here and some of the soldiers stayed in the area because they like the hot springs so much. I might go soak later today. My mileage is a bit off....I have hiked 271.8 so far. The sight automatically adds up what I have entered, so when I have time I will go back and check the individual days and correct the error. The miles I have walked so far are equal to walking from Detroit to Chicago or walking the state of Indiana north to south. But I have only completed 12 or 13% of the trail! Long way to go but I feel good so far and the weather is warming.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Rich Mtn Fire Tower
Miles today: 8.2

I attended church this morning, had lunch and headed out about 1:30. Hot springs lies in a valley and the trail heading out of town led up a steep mountain with several overlook points. The town looked picturesque with clouds swirling amoung the mountaintops above the town and the colorful businesses and homes clustered around the tree lines main street and the spa outside of town near the French Broad River. I stopped several times to take in the view. I also took a few pictures but they neer seem to capture a scene like that as the eye sees it.I took my time on the hike today...ended up doing 8 miles and camping below the fire tower on Rich Mountain. There are no views this evening, just fog and wind. It rained a bit today and more rain is predicted for the next 3 days but maybe it will clear enough in the morning to see some views.
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Rich Mtn Fire Tower

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

I tented along for the first time last night. I usually choose to camp at the shelter are and the times I have camped at other sites, there have been other hikers around. I slept in till about 8am this morning. The fog had lifted off the mountain and I had great views all around. Relased, read a bit and didn't head out till almost noon. Took my time and made it to the shlter about 5:30.I'm meeting my girlfriend in Edwin, Tennessee this weekend so I'm going to do steady 12 or 13 mile days this week, but I would like to stretch out my miles when I head of Edwin and stay on the trail for a good stretch.The woods are starting to turn green a bit. Coming down into Hot Springs, the forrest floor was carpeted with green undergrowth. The trees are budded out at the lower elevations and getting higher up the mountain each day. We are truly "Walking north with Spring"
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Passed the 300 mile mark today! I was the first one to head out of the shelter this morning...at about 9:30. Usually if there are a dozen or so people in the shelter, the early birds start getting up about 6:30 with the sun and start hiking at 7:15 ir si, There were only four of us in the shleter last night and nobodywas out of their sleeping bags before 8. It has been nice to sleep in the couple of days.Walked across a rocky ricge today with mountains to the East and a flat valley or plateau to the west. Someone said we were on the western edge of the appalachians. The train also followed an old forest road for about a mile. It is always a good change to walk something different from the standard forest path. Saw 2 different gravestone sites today. One of a man who thru-hiked in '68 and chose to later have his ashes scattered by the trail. The other of two Civil War soldiers, family members from N.C. who went North to fight with the union and were ambused while returning home for a family reunion.So there are some crazy, but true stories of hikers. I'll start putting them in my journals occasionally. I stayed in a shelter on Tray Mountain with an older guy named Cimarron. At the time, he just seemed like a grumpy old man. I found out later he is 86 years old and attempting to become the oldest thru hiker. He previously held the record at 82, then someone older beat him, so now he is back trying again. Pretty amazing.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Had only four people in the shelter again last night. Myself, Fly Bye, Wheeler, and Rollo. Got a big fire going about 6 that we burned till after dark. Rollo had some Spam in a pouch. A square blob of pink goodness. We cooked it on a hot rock by the fire for about 30 minutes, then divided it into 4 pieces. It tasted like the best of bacon, hot dogs, and bologna mixed into one delicious meaty treat!It was cold when we woke up-34 degrees with a dusting of snow! Got the food bag from the bear cables and crawled back in the sleeping bag to eat breakfast. Warmed up to the mid 50s in the afternoon but was windy in most places, making it feel colder. Warmer weather is supposed to come tomorrow. I am ready for it.Today's walk took me across a country road, and then through some farm fields. There were stairs in a couple places to allow the hikers to climb over the fence and keep the farm animals penned in. Passed a beautiful waterfall formed by a mountain stream. I'm sure there are a thousadn similar places in the appalachians, but the surprise and unexpectedness of it magnifies the beauty.Tenting tonight with Rollo again and bilsteres and Snuggies from Miami. Rullo has a forestry degree and collected some ramps today-a wild plant with a taste like mixed onion and garlic. He cooked them and gave us a taste. I had read and article last weekend about ramps-they have become popular in the 5-star restaurants, sell for $100 a pound, and the forest service is starting to limit the havesting of them. So we ate gourmet today.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Low Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to clear skies and the feeling of warm weather. Hit 50 by 10am, 60 by noon and stayed just under 70 this afternoon. Warm temps make the hiking more enjoyable. You don't have to bundle up so much, you can take breaks without getting cold.Crossed Big Bald this morning. A cleared mountain top with 360 degree views. Saw my first snake on the AT this afternoon- a black racer about 4 or 5 feet long. It was right on the trail and had its head down a hole hunting for something. I took a few pictures of it. At a shelter tonight, but staying in my tent. Headed into Erwin, Tenn. Tomorrow. There is a Pizza Hut int own and everyone is hoping they have the lunch buffet. There will be a lot of sad hikers if they don't. Finished my first full month today.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Open Meadow

To: Wautaga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

Camped by myself last night on the edge of a meadow. Saw a couple turkey hunters as I packed up camp. Headed out at 8 AM and hiked 4 miles to Dennis Cove where 2 hostels are located. I spent about 3 hrs at the Laurel Fork Lodge eating lunch, showering, and doing laundry. I also bought enough food there to last until I reach Damascus. I left the hostel about 1:30 and then spent some time relaxing at the beautiful 50 ft Laurel Fork Falls. After 30 miles of nice hiking with few steep climbs, Tennessee surprised us with a hard 2,000 ft climb up to Pond Flats. By the time I reached Watauga Lake at 7 PM, I was ready for a dip in the chilly water. I was in and out pretty quick but it felt good. Camping tonight beside the Lake with about a dozen other hikers. Someone did a town run, so I had them bring me back a couple burgers from McDonalds, so between that and my hostel lunch, I ate pretty good today.
Date: 2009-05-02
From: Wautaga Lake 

To: Holston Mtn
Miles today: 23.2

It rained overnight but had cleared up by the time I woke up this morning. I started hiking about 8:30. After I crossed Wautaga Dam, the trail climbed above the lake and I had a great of it for the first 4 or 5 miles. The temperature dropped the first couple hours and the rain and fog rolled in about 10 AM. Its been a long time since we had to walk in any serious rain, so I guess we are due. The rain finally stopped about 2 and the fog burned off by 3. After the climb this morning, the trail was gradually graded and the miles came pretty easy (or at least less difficult than usual). There was even a 3/4 mile stretch this afternoon that was handicapped accessible.In the middle of today hike, the trail passed the monument of 'Uncle Nick Grandstaff' who died in 1923. The epitath at the bottom of the monument read 'Lived Alone, Suffered Alone, Died Alone.' I don't know the story the man or why there is a six foot monument to him on top of a mountain, but what a sad life to elicit those words.I had planned to stop at the shelter but still felt pretty good so I pushed on for a mile or so to shorten my day into Damascus tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Holston Mtn

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: moderate rain

I awoke to rain again today and it rained off and on most of the day. Headed out at 8:30, kept a good pace, and made it to town a little after 3. Pretty easy miles once again. I crossed into Virginia about 4 miles south of town, so I have now completed 3 states. For the last 21 years, Damascus has hosted Trail Days. This annual celebration for A.T. hikers has grown and now starts mid week and runs through the weekend and is attended by 4 or 5 thousand hikers. Gear outfitters and hiker clubs come to town, and the local businesses and churches put on special events for the hikers. I plan to keep hiking north for the next couple weeks and then return here for the festival. I got my gear into the hostel once I got here and then headed to the pizza joint across the street. It rained really hard for about 30 minutes late in the afternoon. I was glad I wasn't on the trail walking through it. I showered and shaved (no worries, just trimmed up the beard), did some resupply shopping at the Dollar Store and then attended church. A lady there owns a the Montgomery Homestead Bed and Breakfast and invited me to eat breakfast there in the morning, so that will get me up and going.
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I had good intentions to hit the trail again today, but this morning was pretty rainy and I did a rough schedule for the next week and a half and decided to head out early tomorrow. I'm glad I stayed in town. I heard early in the day that a hiker named Poppins was going to attempt to eat the 5-lb burger at a local diner named Fattie's. I couldn't miss that so I headed down there at noon. Fattie's started with a 2 lb burger and let the guy who eat that name the burger then they did the same with a 3 lb burger, then a 4 lb burger and now they have the 5 lb burger which many have attempted to eat but none have conquered. They have pictures on the wall of shame of people who have tried and failed.Poppins is about 5'8" and started the trail at 140 and has gained 14 lbs since then because of his eating habits. He's still a pretty skinny guy and the burger was huge!...5 1-lb burgers stacked one on top of each other with cheese in between each and topped with lettuce and tomato. It was a good 9 or 10 inches tall. The rule is you have to eat all burger and bun and finish in 1 hour.I won't go minute by minute and let the suspense build. Poppins had 3 burger down with about 30 minutes left and then started to slow down. The last quarter of the final burger lasted a good 10 minutes and the final couple bites were definitely forced down...but he did it! Amazing. A guy was there who works for the Trail Days and Damascus web sites. He took pictures and I believe is gonna post them on Damascus.net or .org not sure which.Poppins got to name the burger, received a Fattie's tshirt and was crowned with the official 'burger king' hat. He spent some time laying on a bench outside recovering but was still wearing the hat when I saw him around town later.So if you ever get through Damascus, stop at Fattie's and check out the pictures of the Poppins Fattie Burger being eaten.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Home Sweet Home

To: Whitetop Mtn Road
Miles today: 21.3

Woke up with the sun this morning, showered, and left the hostel about 7:15am. Ate breakfast on my way out of townand hit the trail about 8am.The morning was clear with a bit of sunshine, but it clouded up and started to rain about 10:00. Rain really changes the trail conditions and the hike. A hard rain makes the trail turn into a giant puddle/stream. The runoff water often runs directly down the trail. When the rain ends, parts of the trail will be fairly dry within an hour. Some of the runoff streams will last a couple days. Rain that lasts a couple days or more means all of my clothes are at least damp. My shoes and socks stay wet even after the rain ends because of the wet trail. I am camped on top of white top Mtn. The rain ended early evening and the sun shone for a brief bit. Tomorrow I will cross the Grayson Highlands where wild ponies roam.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Home Sweet Home

To: Hurricane Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: moderate rain

Hit the 500 mile marke today. Will have walked 1/4 of the trail in a couple of days. The milesa re adding up quiker now with more miles hiked each day.I headed out about 8 this morning. I was glad the rain held off last night and my tent was fairly dry when I packed it up. The day started clear, but the rain started about 1:00. I walked through rain and fog across the Grayson Highlands. I saw tons of pony tracks but no ponies. It was pretty disappointing because most thru-hikers list the Highlands as one of their favorite places. The area with different from anything we have walked across before-grass, rockes, and small shrubs.I saw three deer tonight. I'm usually not on the trail at dawn or dusk so those are the first deer I have seen.I will be at a shelter tomorrow with a shower and a phone to order pizza!
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Hurricane Mtn Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: light rain

It was raining hard everytime I woke up last night. A cople of guys headed out about 6:45 and it stormed about 30 minutes after they left-doesnt always pay to be the early bird. By the time I left at 8, the skies were clearing and it didn't rain all day!I only saw two southbound hikers all day. Made it to the shelter about 4 and we are waiting on our pizza delivery now. There are about a dozen hikers here. I bought some 'Super Feet' insoles in Damascus. My feet had started to hurt at the end of long days. The Superfeet help align my feet correctly by supporting the arch...yada, yada, yada. I just know they have to be better than the paper thin factory insoles. Anyway, my feet do feel less sore than before. There was a hiker in the shelter last night named Denver Dave. He said he figures he has eaten about 100 full size snickers since he has been out here-3 per day for a month or so.