morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-17
From: Tri-corner gap shelter 

To: Davenport Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 14.8

I was up early as usual and enjoyed some coffee with my breakfast to help wake and warm me up. There was an easy climb first thing as the trail skirted Mt. Guyot. It was nice to be finally going downhill as l began my last leg of the Smokies. The rain had ended sometime in the night and the air was fresh but the trail was slippery and a river in spots. I saw a beautiful sunrise and some great views along the way. As usual, the trail was full of life from the tiny neon orange newts to the black millipedes with their orange to yellow legs scurrying about. I stopped for a minute of silence at the plane crash site on the side of the trail where a military aircraft had crashed, killing the pilot, in bad weather before pressing on. I stopped in at the Cosby Knob shelter for a quick break before the last climb in the Smokies, up Mt. Cammerer to the lookout tower where the view was awesome. I arrived at the shelter and there was only one person there who I haven't seen for some time - Meat Wagon. This was an old school shelter that still had the chain link fence across the front of the shelter and you had a latchable gate to enter it. This is because of bear problems due to litter. The fences were removed at the other shelters because, at one time people thought it was a good idea to feed the bears from the safety of the enclosure. Well, the bears liked it so much that they would often congregate around the shelters, waiting to be fed, thus trapping the hikers inside, sometime for days! So all of the fences were taken down except for this one to keep, showing what the others had once looked like. I set up in the shelter and ate before grabbing my soap and towel to a spot downstream where I got cleaned up and rinsed out my rain suit. The water was ice cold but felt so good. I dried off and got dressed in my hiking clothes as I dried and aired out my rain suit and socks. I visited with Meatwagon, who got the name from carrying a great deal of food, including copious amounts of beef jerky! Soon other hikers arrived and the shelter filled up and we got a fire going. One thing I disliked about this shelter is that there's not privy, just a privy area on a hill that sloped down into a stram. This just seemed like a bad idea as the water, not the source, could be contaminated. It was getting late so I made dinner to which I added wild ramps. It tasted wonderful and I planned to make a practice of this in the future whenever possible. Soon it was dark and I was more than Ready for bed at 7:00, so I turned in early. I was so tired that I skipped the audio books and soon I was fast asleep.
Date: 2015-04-18
From: Davenport Gap Shelter 

To: Standing Bear Hostel 
Miles today: 3.6

This morning I switched things up with some bacon flavored instant grits for breakfast. I mixed in bacon and olive oil and found it to be very filling. I chased it down with a piping hot cup of Earl Grey tea, complete with a small packet of lemon juice, to completely change things up. I was off at 6:30 and was playing slip and slide down the trail to Davenport Gap. I needed to resupply so my goal was Standing Bear Hostel, a short day or a nero. I met Sour Patch and Gummi Bear, Bionic Woman, and many more familiar faces while there. I made a big bowl of nachos as trail magic with items from the store. I bought 3 bags of tortilla chips, 2 bottles of black bean salsa, a number of cheese sticks, refried beans, chili and 2 bags of seasoned taco meat and mixed all the ingredients in 2 large bowls and microwaved them and then set up the feast on the table and let the hikers know that I was doing trail magic! Soon there was a line and people were making their plates up. I made a huge plate myself and I was given a few brews as trail magic in return. I relaxed and visited and am catching up with my journal. A number of hikers had called a shuttle to Hotsprings for a Hiker Festival there for the weekend and I'm tempted but decide to pass. I love the beautiful hostel and it's setting as it is so peaceful. The cabin I'm staying in straddles a small stream and you can look at it flowing out from under the front porch. There is a small store that operates on the honor system and so I go in and start picking out my resupply. I found my favorite Knorr Side dishes here - Asian BBQ and also Baby Back Ribs! I grabbed a couple of beers and gave one to the Bionic Woman and we talked for awhile around the campfire. Someone was sponsoring a safety meeting so I participated and was soon pain free and safe. Laundry is a wash board and wringer that you do by hand followed by a regular dryer. I guess I did little more than rinse out the dirt and stench with my attempt at cleaning, but at least my clothes are dry and smell better as do I. Late in the day the shuttle finally arrived and whisked away a group of the hikers, including Coed and the Bionic Woman whose new prosthetic leg was in Hotsprings waiting for her. It was good to find a spot right outside the cabin where I not only have AT&T service but also have Internet so am able to upload pictures and update my journal, soon joined by a fellow hiker doing the same and we talked trail for awhile. Soon after I plugged in my devices and climbed up into the loft where my bed was, and after listening to my audio book and music.I was lulled to sleep by the sound of the burbling stream under the shelter.
Date: 2015-04-21
From: Laughing Heart Hostel

To: Laughing Heart Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I slept in past 8 and felt refreshed and wonderful. I put triple anti-biotic ointment on my toe to help heal it. I was talking to a hiker and we decided to walk to the Smoky Mountain diner for breakfast, so he grabbed his and his friends laundry, and I mine, and we took off. We went to the laundry and then to the outfitter where I had bought a new hat before going to the diner. The river was up and very muddy from the clear stream I remember in '13. I ordered way too much food as it turned out. I had 2 biscuits and gravy, a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and a yogurt parfait. I had to get a to go box for the biscuit sandwich and gave it to a hiker at the hiker ministry building at the river. After breakfast I returned to the outfitter who helped me to adjust my pack which had started hurting my shoulders the previous two days. We shortened the torso which is helping so far. I am at the Hikers Ridge Ministry Resource Center using their computer to update this blog while partaking of their great coffee and snacks. I ate at the Riverside Tavern again where they have great food and service. I again, ate the bacon cheeseburger, an order of beer battered deep fried mushrooms, a side salad and 2 mystery beers (random cans or bottles of beer) and a piece of chocolate cake. I loved sitting on the porch overlooking the river as it is soo peaceful. I went back to the hostel after hitting the Dollar store for some supplies. I like the Dollar Store as they often have my favorite Combo's flavor - Blazing Buffalo & Blue Cheese. I love getting a pack of Combos and Pepperoni for a meal. I'd wrap up each combo in pepperoni and eat it. They go great together and it's a delicious, filling, no cooking, meal. I went back to the hostel to start getting my gear ready to hit the trail in the morning. When I got back to the hostel and took off my sandals I saw that the spot on my foot that had been rubbed raw was still healing and that I had probably 5 days in the wilderness ahead so I decided to take one more zero tomorrow to let it heal. The old ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure ran through my head. I understand this but feel frustrated and want to be hiking again. I borrowed a phone to call my wife as I have no service in Hotsprings and it is good to hear her voice. The kids that she is taking care of are quite a handful and keep her on her toes. Barbara, the children's grandmother, who Erin is helping out isn't doing well health wise as she is under a lot of stress which makes her condition worse. If we can't be together at least the phone calls help make the separation more bearable. I spent a lot of time uploading videos at the public library and linking them here. I walked around town and visited with other hikers who I hadn't seen for some time including Coed who I met at the tavern and bought a beer. I went to bed and slept like a log that night after the evening safety meeting on the porch.
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Laughing Heart Hostel

To: Laughing Heart Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up and went to the diner for breakfast and had the biscuit & gravy and several cups of coffee. I then went on to the outfitter for some liquid bandages, which I was told would be helpful, for the sore on my toe which was slow to heal. At the tavern I saw Ted Kennedy and we talked for awhile and he shared about his passion, the Hike for mental health organization while we ate. I wandered around town again stopping at the Hiker Ridge Ministry to visit, use their computer and partake of the free coffee and snacks. I returned to the hostel where I received help to shoot a video tutorial about my method of using hiking poles, which after several takes was successful. I and talked to the managers of the hostel for awhile. I was invited to dinner by Ted Kennedy and Alley which was a good time, visiting with them. Beforehand I had found that Ted was a founder of Hike for Mental Health so I asked if I could sit down with him for an interview about what the organization was for and it was very productive. I will post a link to the video section soon. I also took the chance upon examining my boot to do some repair work as the front of my boot was becoming undone. I fixed this and then went downtown to a church for the Wednesday evening service, which I enjoyed. They were a great group of people who made me feel very welcome. Then it was back to the hostel for my evening safety meeting and a cold one before hitting the sack.
Date: 2015-04-24
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

I was up early and was eager to be on the trail. I stopped in at the diner for a big breakfast before crossing the bridge and then along the river. It is a challenging climb out of Hotsprings on narrow trails along the edges of cliffs and steep drop offs. The views down to the river and town were beautiful. At one point I took the wrong turn and found myself at the Rich Mountain Fire Tower! I know what had happened, I had seen the trail leading down to a stream, but thought that it was just a trail to a water source, not seeing any white blazes. I didn't complain as I enjoyed finding and climbing fire towers. This one was right next to a cellphone tower so I had good service with which to call my wife and see how things were going. It was fairly early when I arrived at the shelter but too late, and I had too little energy, to make it to the next shelter before nightfall. I fixed the fire ring and collected wood after getting set up in the shelter. It was the smallest shelter that I had seen thus far and would hold 6 people if they squeezed in tightly. I then went down for water and got cleaned up while no one was around. I had seen a number of stone memorials along the way that hadn't been there when I had come through before and I was puzzled about the matter. I sat at the picnic table by the fire and had a solo safety meeting to help with the back pain while I listened to some music on the iPod. (I have found that my "safety meetings" have been a real help to combat pain on the trail. It works better and faster than over the counter medications. I have been limiting myself to two puffs per session, three if the pain is really bad, and have noticed no side effects or a desire to use more than that.) I started and enjoyed the fire while sitting there, visiting with various hikers as they passed through. When it was time to go to bed I was the only one at the shelter until, sometime during the night I heard someone come in and set up at the opposite end of the shelter.
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

The weather report was pretty accurate as I was on the trail at 6 and soon after it was pouring and I was doing the old slip and slide on the trail. I packed my clothes in the pack safe inside a large trash bag and my pack was protected by a pack cover. I wore my rain suit with only my underwear and socks on underneath as it wasn't too cold outside. Passing more signs being engulfed by trees I soon noticed that the trail had been moved. It used to follow an old road bed that went right by the Shelton Graves, but was now on a side trail on its own. I confirmed it with my Guthook app which had the old trail marked on the GPS and not the new. The trail rejoined the old trail before the Flint Mountain Shelter, where I stopped for a break, and continued on by more gravesites and memorials. Also along the way was a beautiful waterfall and river that we followed along for some time. I noted also that the trail had been moved somewhat here too. Along the way I saw some very neat toadstools on both living and dead trees. The rain had stopped by the time I had reached the Hogback Ridge shelter about 2:00 and the sun even came out. I was the first one there so I grabbed my towel and soap and started walking to the water source with my jetboil pot and platypus. I stripped down below the spot where people gathered water and scrubbed down all over and after the initial girlish squeal from the icewater it felt very good to get clean. I had just finished rinsing off and getting dressed when a hiker came with her dog Mia so I grabbed my stuff and filled my pot and walked the QUARTER MILE back to the shelter! This added a mile to my hike today.I then cooked dinner and hung out for awhile visiting with the hikers. I then walked back to the water source to clean up my pot and top off my water. When I came back there was a fire going and one of the hikers had a giant bag of M&Ms and was passing them out and I was happy to get a handful. We packed in pretty close due to the fact that there was a possibility of severe thunderstorms with hail. The privy was almost full and falling into decay and disrepair so I used it with care. I noticed during that day that I was going a bit slower and I didn't have as much energy as usual. I wasn't worried but just took notice. I was laying down at 6 to listen to my daily routine of the Bible and music. I was asleep by 8. Not long after the storm arrived and the wind and rain began to assail the shelter. I love it as I can sleep better listening to the rain.
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel

To: Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to take a zero and enjoy a day by the river. When the store opened I got a "work for coffee" by filling up the water jugs for the coffee, for which, I was given a free cup! I was sad to hear that the store that had the great, cheap breakfast plates had stopped serving breakfast, so I just got some breakfast sandwiches and coffee from the hostel store. I asked for and was given a chance for "work for stay" where I would perform some duties around the hostel in exchange for my lodging. I started out by emptying trash around the property followed by some work in the beds around the property pulling bamboo and trimming bushes. Finally I did a little trimming on his apple tree in the back yard to raise the canopy to give more room for the fire pit. They were very happy with the work and were nice enough to treat me to some drinks and snacks from the store, and later to dinner at the Mexican Restaurant by the Walmart. It was nice to have a change of pace and to do something with my hands besides holding hiking poles. At Walmart I stocked up on supplies enough to last me to Damascus - 14lbs of food! That brought my pack weight up to 45lbs with 7 days of food and water. That evening Coed shared his plans to slack pack 20 miles the next day and I thought that it would be a good idea to join him and his friend. I saw the Bionic Woman and some hikers that I hadn't seen since Gatlinburgh. It was the hiker who had sent his friend over with the safety material. I didn't have a chance to thank him so I invited him, his friend and the Bionic Woman for a walk to the trail where I returned the favor by sponsoring a safety meeting as I could also use the relief. I relaxed and enjoyed resting on the porch with a cold beer with the hikers. I sat listening to the music of the river playing on the rocks in its bed across the street. It wasn't long before I went to my bed and was soon sleeping after my nightly routine.
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

When I woke up this morning it was very, very cold and it took me a little while to drag my but out of bed. I first made coffee to warm myself up and then cooked breakfast of Oatmeal with tropical trail mix and olive oil. By the time I was packed and on the trail it was 7:00. There was snow and ice everywhere! This is the first day of May! For those who sent their cold weather gear home too early this was an unpleasant and potentially life threatening decision due to the cold, wet and freezing conditions. I slept well as we closed the door thus trapping the body heat inside so it was much warmer inside. The scenery was surreal and beautiful. Everything was covered in a coating of snow and ice! I took a lot of pictures before everything began to melt. There were a number of balds along the way, where there was driving rain and wind making the trail a muddy mess of slip and slide where the object of the game is to stay vertical. I did but only barely thanks to my hiking poles and the grace of God. I stopped to look at the red barn which is the Overmountain Shelter which had been featured in movies like The People Under the Stairs. There was a trail crossing with ties to the American Revolution at Yellow Mountain Gap. The trail was used by Tennessee Riflemen on their route to an important battle in the revolutionary war. I stopped in at the Stan Murry Plaque for pictures and a break before moving on. I'm sure that there were plenty of great views today but all I saw was the inside of clouds. I was exhausted and sore when I reached 19 East and headed to the Mountain Harbor hostel. I decided to spend the night as I couldn't reach the next shelter in time. It was sad that they tore down the last shelter - The Applehouse Shelter without replacing it as that means that there is an 18+ mile gap between shelters which is a stretch for many hikers after that day. I checked in and paid for laundry, two BBQ sandwiches, 2 Gatorades, 1 pint of icecream and some beef jerky. I did laundry, ate dinner and showered ,feeling warm, clean and content. Having service I called Erin to hear her voice and see how thing were going with her and we talked for awhile catching up on events. I sponsored a safety meeting on the porch and was given a cold beer in return by one of the hikers. I then organized and put my pack together and got ready for bed which was in the loft.
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Moorland Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 18.4

I felt great and well rested when I woke up in the morning. I had found more of the glazed pecans to add to my oatmeal, which I upped to 3 packets for breakfast. The hike to the Moorland Gap shelter was a beautiful one. I have noticed that there have been more and more wild rose bushes and wild flowers in general as we progressed north. The flowers add a scented bonanza which adds pleasantly to the trail experience. There was a beautiful walk along a ridgeline and the trail passed right by a Isaacs Cemetary. There were quite a few road crossings along the way thus far. The trail soon came to and followed a beautiful river for some time before turning off into the woods. At the river I saw a goose perched on a branch overlooking the river so I approached along the trail slowly and took pictures which didn't seem to bother it as it just kept a wary eye on me, but otherwise went about its business of grooming itself. I didn't go to the first shelter right after the beautiful Mountaineers waterfall, but I took a picture in passing. I also looked up and saw a growth in a tree about 20' up that looked like a carving of a face which was very eye catching, so I took a picture.The trail was very easygoing until the end when it started going on up and gave us a little more challenge over the hill and then down into the gap where the shelter was located. I arrived to find Mushroom seated on a log outside and to the right of the shelter sketching some growths on a tree that looked remarkably like a turtle trying to claw its way out of the tree. It looked like it was trapped and frozen in time that way so I was inspired to write a traditional poem and a haiku about the image for the shelter log. Many came and went and only 3 of us set up in the shelter, while a number of hikers pitched tents around the area. We got a fire going and had a safety meeting which helped the pain in my lower back and the newer pain in my calf. I listened to my audiobooks before bed and drifted off to sleep warm in my sleeping bag alone. Since it has gotten warmer at night I have started using my bag liner as a pillowcase for my stuff sack in which I keep my jacket at night for stuffing. It's been slowly warming up which is ok, but I like it a bit on the cool side.
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Moorland Gap shelter

To: Black Bear Lodge & Hostel
Miles today: 6.3

I woke up refreshed and just in time to catch the sunrise. I made breakfast and coffee before packing up to go. There wasn't a privy so I found myself perched on the edge of a log again playing the balancing game. My calf has been bothering me on and off for some time now and was extremely painful to touch so I decided to stop in at the Black Bear hostel after only a little over 6 miles of beautiful trail. Along the way I passed an old dilapitated barn/shelter near a little pond that looked like a strong wind would blow it over. I had just gotten on to the Dennis Cove Road when a vehicle pulled over going the other way and I was asked if I was going to the Hostel. I said yes and was told to hop in and I was whisked straight there! I checked in and talked to the owner's daughter about the place and it's history. I ate and visited with hikers but spent most of the day after a shower and laundry sitting in the hiker's den. I took several safety breaks while watching movies on dvd with my leg elevated. I took a break for dinner and a beer later on. All day I had periodically been taking Goodies/BC, alternating with Tylenol Extra Strength and smearing Icy hot on my leg and then massaging it in filling the room with the aroma of Bengay. When the owner's daughter came in she mentioned with a smile, that the usual smell of stinky hikers was replaced by the smell of Bengay, and then was off to her duties. I watched Young Guns and Man on Fire (twice, once alone and then with another hiker who had twisted her ankle and joined me for a few movies and some Icy hot.)Later I ate again, BBQ sandwiches and a beer, and safetied up, and watched more movies until I was tired and went to bed.