morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Last night was another snoring symphony but not as umm, percussive. It was just a steady rumble. The best sleep I've had so far. I woke up so relaxed and warm I actually didn't feel like jumping out of my sleeping bag and running down the trail. So I didn't! A relaxed morning and relaxed hike down to Fontana Village. Down to where trees are leafing out and flowering! So pretty!Shenanigans was right behind me so we walked to town (2 miles) while trying to hitch. Berry + Bark welcomed us to Fontana offering a shower in their room and friendly, familiar faces. I resupplied, ate more hot dogs (ew, only on the trail), showered, did laundry and sat around. Then, just in time, a section hiker from Maine offered a ride to the "Fontana Hilton," a BIG shelter just before the dam.Such a beautiful day! And no balds to go over. I really wish I'd eaten more in "town" since I'm hungry and didn't think to resupply for tonight...Talked with the 3 here from NH and they met my co-caretaker by Zealand Hut. The small world gets smaller. I hope to convince them to come up to Gray Knob next winter.The slackpackers we met yesterday got busy building a huge fire in the huge fire ring provided. A few of them looked quite intent!So much rest... a "nero" day. I hope my legs didn't forget what they're made to do! Hike, hike, hike..... and hike!
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Couldn't stop coughing last night - yuck! But the cold is progressing. Got going, handed in our Great Smokey Mountain registration and crossed the dam. Finally got off the road and started heading up the trail. It first topped out on a mountain with an observation tower. The first view in a long time. Absolutely beautiful!It was a warm, sunny day, perfect for sitting around. Which we did at the first 2 shelters. Catching up with Lion King, etc. The mountains are completely covered in tiny white flowers, some with purple lines. Some parts had beech trees with their golden leaves still hanging. Kept me smiling all day.The shelter had 2 thru hikers and the ridge runner. But it is "full" of reserved guests. We have to go wait around to see if they show up. Looks like a beautiful night so I'll sleep under the stars. Great group of people here tonight.Clingman's Dome tomorrow! Before the rain. Oh - Mac and her Dad caught up.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

Had the best night EVER, sleeping out under the stars! Such good sleep. The trail went back up the bald and over several others. Great views of blue mountains over grassy hills. But there were lots of ups and downs all day. That, plus the sun, made me tired. Oh, and the cough that has migrated to my lungs. Uphills were tough. I met a few volunteer trail maintainers carrying an axe and crosscut. The trail has looked a lot better! Cleared drainages, actual staircases with rocks and very little trash.Shenanigan and I started up Clingmans after Mac and Dad passed by. I was especially happy to see some firs and spruce. It looked and smelled like home. I heard a winter wren too! I hike fast when I'm happy. So despite my wheezing I left Shenanigans behind and sped up the mountain. Loved it very much until the AT came out onto a paved "trail" with tourists on it. Yuck, yuck, yuck! Walked up the spiral tower covered in people. Got lots of stares and a few pointing fingers. I felt immediately out of place. I talked to one family with lots of questions. Their little boy said "All I do is watch TV".... Aaaa! And it was sad watching people cheer when they'd made the 1/2 mile walk up. And they were so loud! I was happy to run away. Over Lone mountain and down to the shelter. Yuck - one of the cage shelters. The bear zoo, where they come to see us penned in.I was happy to see Kazoo show up after his first 20 mile day and The Kid showed up! Life is good for now. Though I hear there's rain for the next couple days and thunderstorms tomorrow.   THEN it's going to drop to the low 20s at some point.
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Tri Corner Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain which wasn't a surprise. Hiking in rain isn't so bad. It's getting out of the tent or shelter and leaving the dry world behind that is so difficult. The trail was much different from yesterday. Long, gradual ups and downs. It was all through spruce - fir forest with winter wrens singing the rain down.Stopped at shelter one of the day for a snack. There were crowds leaving the trail to the next shelter was all ridges - sharp one's too. Unfortunately, it was all clouded in and the best views was the occasional foggy ridge a little ways away. The trail was often lined with uprooted trees, too. Oh, I saw a tiny, tiny shrew run across the trail and a deer. I just missed a bear apparently.I met, again, Shwah (sp?). He stayed at my site last Fall in the Whites on his thru hike. Another small-world moment. I love those moments!I got to the shelter for the night and it was already full. Mac and Dad got the last spots. Gear and wet clothes hanging everywhere, smelled bad but it was warmer then outside.Looks like a great night with heavy downpours, thunderstorms and hail. Tomorrow is only a 90% chance of rain instead of 100%. Things are looking up. My legs feel great and seem to work without my directing them. My superfeet insoles still make my feet super happy. My blisters and raw spots are even gone!
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Tri Corner Shelter

To: Painter Branch
Miles today: 20.4

The night wasn't that bad! It rained and was windy, my sleeping bag got a little wet. That crazy, crowded shelter was mostly up and gone by the time we were up. The Kid and Kazoo were even heading out! It wasn't raining and was actually a pretty nice day. For whatever reason my legs felt GREAT and I was happy to speed along. It was still overcast, but there were actually views. The entire day was DOWN, all the way back down to the hardwoods, bugs and hot sun.I caught up with Mac + Dad just before the Standing Bear hostel. The hostel was amazing! A little hiker village with bunkhouses, a mini resupply store. All paid for by on-your-honor. That night they were going to have a pig roast and live music. But we just resupplied, ate a pizza and left. There was another huge group of hikers to sift through - meeting a few.We ended up hiking around 2 miles to a campground. Not a good 2 miles for me. The pizza did not sit well in my stomach.It started pouring rain when we set up tents and tarps. The Kid waited and waited for a break to set his tent up (the rest of us had tarps). And Kazoo finally found a decent spot to hang our food in a forest of tall, straight almost branchless trees.We all went to bed soggy.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Painter Branch

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up to birds singing, the start of a good day. I started hiking right away to warm up. The trail went over a "bald" hilltop while it started raining and hailing. For whatever reason the trail was marked every ridiculous 20 feet... just in case silly AT hikers get lost on this treeless section. During the descent to the next shelter I saw a barred owl! It flew by and perched in a tree, then turned and stared at me. I was going to wait for everyone behind me, Kazoo had just mentioned that he'd never seen an owl, but it flew off.The whole morning was a drizzly, easy day-dreaming kind of morning. But the skies did partly clear and I lost my hat and realized I'd lost my sunscreen... So it goes, what can you do. So my legs kept going. The trail turned and there was Max's Patch! A giant, grassy hill sticking out in the middle of forested ones. Steps up toward the top. A cold wind slammed into me as I turned to go up. I thought my stupid orange pack cover was going to be shredded. Great wind! The kind that you need to lean into and you're walking twisted because it's pushing your pack. I got to the top and waited for company. Soon Shenanigans came, bobbing first into sight, then Ace and The Kid. It was so green and there were VIEWS!But we headed on over muddy trails to what ended up being the destination of the day. Ug, one of the things I don't like about groups. How do you decide when and where to stop? Who gives in? There's starting to be a point where I'd rather hike with this group than do miles. Where else (apparently) am I going to find such good company on the A.T. that does 20's?Well, all 7 of us managed to fit into an old, chewed up, 5-person shelter for the night. Every once in a while the winds really gusted. During the night it snowed.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Elmer's Hostel (Hot Springs)
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We all got up early with Mac + Dad... Hot Springs! Still dark and a dusting of snow. A beautiful morning to hike. Who ever got to Elmer's first was to sign up for dinner and the night. There were rumors of how amazing his veggie dinners are. I was out first... ahhh, good, cold hiking. Another lost-in-thought morning hike. I was going 3 mph without any effort. Just taking it easy. Hiking from winter to summer. There was a strange dry patch on the way - suddenly it was all pines!Eventually I got to town. Some old guy riding his lawn mower down the road pointed the way. Town is such a wonderful and horrible thing. I'm excited to eat real food, but there's suddenly so much to do! Laundry, food resupply, Internet(?), calling home, etc. It's an overload on the senses after days of just hiking and being. I find it extremely draining. I like this town though, really nice people. I ran around with Kazoo and The Kid getting stuff done. Ate a huge lunch and at 7 pm ate Elmer's ginormous veggie feast! The best meal I've ever eaten, maybe since a certain place on the PCT. But now I'm so stuffed I can't move. So much to eat, so little time to digest.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Elmer's Hostel (Hot Springs)

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up for 6:45 breakfast with Mac + her Dad, Kazoo, The Kid and Shenanigans. Wasn't too hungry because of last night's huge feast but I ate anyway. The Kid mistakenly ordered "the skillet" and had the best look of shock when it all came.Mac + Dad headed off on their last three days. We all finished up town stuff. A call home, Ben + Jerry's, etc. for me. We all helped Kazoo with his 24 pack of beer (24?!) and left the rest at the hostel. For the future... and really, I already knew this... beer and ice cream is NOT good to hike on, especially in the heat.Yesterday it snowed, today was way too hot. We were all extra tired I think. My foot is hurting... not good. At one midpoint of the day, Spoonman told us about some trail magic 4 miles away. Perfect timing. The two sweetest people fed us belgian waffles, chili and biggest dessert ever. Another full belly night. We went a ways up the trail and found a flat leafy spot. The bear hanging took forever with limited options. All our food together was so heavy it broke the rope... so we did 2 hangs.Hoping to do a 25 tomorrow to catch Mac + Dad for their last night. But it's going to be HOT and my foot isn't feeling good.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Allen Gap

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: clear sky

We kind of got an early start, but I was soaked in the sweat by 9 am anyways. And then there was the first climb of the day. Up to a locked, barb-wired look out. Okay views and nice breezes. The trail continued on through one of the best parts of the day. It twisted up onto and along a white-rock ridge, views to a flat, populated side and the other mountain maze.Eventually we got to our mid-day break shelter and sat, recovered from the sun. Just as we were packing up, spoonman showed up with his dog... so we stayed a bit longer. He tried to talk us out of miles.And it almost seemed to work. We just planned for the next shelter, but when we got there Shenanigans felt inspired to go for the next one. An ambitious day since it was the hottest yet (80 degrees?) and there were some decent climbs. The last big one was absolutely beautiful! Switchbacking up, in a ravine. The mountain was covered in flowers or flowers-to-be with their delicate leaves. All different Trilliums (I love the yellow ones), Dutchmen's Britches, Spring Beauty, Bloodroot and so many I don't know. There was a waterfall, a cool breeze and it smelled like flowers.The climb was a tough one though and just kept going. And the last 2.3 to the shelter was torturous! But it was a treat to show up just at dark and surprise Mac + Dad. It was well worth it to see them off the next day. I was too tired to sleep though and watched the stars through tree branches.Saw several shooting stars and one big, red one!
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

There were tents everywhere and quite a few got up early! So we got going and walked to Sam's Gap with Mac and Dad and said our goodbyes.Another hot, sunny, nasty-sweaty day. There was a Big Bald to go over. The views were beautiful but there was a road going up it and a truck parked on top. Kind of disappointing but what can you do. The Kid and I had a good time following the frequent, blazed posts across the grassy areas. There was a random blazed rock way off to the side. So The Kid and I ran over and tagged it.We took a long break for the heat of the day again. There was a bag of trash hung on the bear hang (awesome) and we're packing it out. I had the first shift... who ever left it is a smoker... disgusting smell!Rolled into another tent city. I'm really tired and just don't feel like meeting new people! Happy Birthday to me. Town tomorrow, hopefully Kazoo catches up.Oh, we played cribbage just before bed. And I shared my B-day chocolate.
Date: 2009-04-26
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: 1 mile out of Erwin
Miles today: 7.6

Oh, I slept through the entire night. What a B-day present! Got up, packed and out just behind Highlander (a kilted hiker). I meant to go slow to town so the other 2 would catch up. But Highlander was talkative and had long legs. We got in around 9 am. Coming in to town was beautiful. Steep ridges with pines and views of the river! Wish I had my camera.Hot and sweaty already... yuck. I sat around at a hostel just off the trail and waited. I ran into Gail, then Bear + Loon simultaneously! None of us knew the other was on the trail. Small world getting smaller still.The Kid had to stay to get his packages tomorrow, so we left him. Hitching was perfect. We caught a ride with Mr. Pink's family as they were dropping him off. Met the hostel crowd at an AYCE chinese buffet where hikers momentarily cleaned out the place. Resupplied in (gasp) a grocery store! Then got a ride with a couple who had seen us at the buffet. Sat around the hostel. Kazoo walked in (YAY!). It was stupid - hot so we went swimming. Oh, it felt so, so good. I was looking forward to it all 3 hot, sweaty... salty days. Did laundry in the river before hiking one mile up the trail.I hiked out an avocado and tomato for dinner - yum! Shenanigan built a little fire for the bugs. I had a tick on my pack. Great. Another good night under the stars with some crazy birds calling and a pair of pileated woodpeckers nearby.
Date: 2009-04-27
From: 1 mile out of Erwin

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

That crazy sounding bird was calling early, so I was up and out pretty fast. Perfect start to the day. The trail was flat and slowly got steeper, climbing through a jungley area. I'm glad we didn't stay at the shelter 3 miles away. It was another cement one with graffiti all over it. Bla. I kept going for a potential viewpoint at Beauty spot. There were a few burns that smelled fairly fresh... still smokey.I sat in the shade just before Beauty spot, when Shenanigans caught up. There were still hikers up on Beauty spot after a 2 day trail magic from various angels. Stopped at the top of some mountain where red spruce covered the area in shade and nice wind sounds. Ahh, good siesta! But then we couldn't find water and was all out. Eventually, there was a great gushing spring at the next shelter... mmmm delicious! And someone caught up with me! Bravefoot, who reminds me of a older Truckballz started on the 6th too.We kept trucking, fast. It felt really good. The trail - up and over every ridge hill - roller coaster. Passed up another hostel even though it had ice cream! Stayed at a shelter with a few other hikers.During the day, at some point, there was a trail reroute. Brand new trail! It was a little sloppy, trees were cut at waist height! And a horse had punched holes all over the soft trail.Anyways, great evening and sunset.
Date: 2009-04-28
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 21.1

Another great day of hiking... here's the boring details. I had the slowest morning. Shenanigans actually got on the trail before me, barely and because he RAN! I caught up with him at the start of the Roan Mountain climb, the big climb up the last 6,000 foot mountain until Washington. Shenanigans claimed there was an elevator that appears at 10... no one waited. It was a decent climb making it a real mountain with conifers and even a view. Enjoyed the warm, grassy field on top. One of my favorite moments so far. Wandered down to the shelter and then onward.Right after, there were some genuine balds. None of those mowed hills we went over earlier. They were absolutely beautiful! Just the simplicity of grasses, blue sky and the trail. Saw a fence as I climbed one of the hills and was prematurely pissed that it was another road/parking lot. It wasn't and I was happy.At some point we met 2 botanists who pointed out a few flowers and told us about a few endemics to certain hills here. And they gave us an apple, banana, etc. Yum, yum!Our mid-day break was at beautiful overlook shelter, a barn turned into a shelter. Great view! Wished I were staying there, but too much daylight left. Two more balds called Little Hump and Hump and a long downhill to the shelter which felt like it would never end.I spent a surprising amount of time hiking with Shenanigans, considering I usually go out of my way to hike alone. But it's fun to have company when it works out. Hopefully The Kid and Kazoo catch up soon. I'm absolutely tickled to have found such a fun group that's going my speed and distance.Had a strange night in Apple House Shelter. An old guy with jeans had his radio on forever! And I was so confused because of that and my dreams. There was also a group partying a little around a fire, talking circles around tomorrow's mileage.When things finally quieted down a mouse started chewing something loud in the ceiling and everyone had to flash around headlamps to investigate.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Dennis Gore
Miles today: 24.3

I was up and out fast. This group sleeps late! I was ready to move and see this "flatter" day of hiking. It was another hot and humid day, so I was moving relatively slow. The trail crossed several roads and wound through old farm fields. Saw a rabbit and lots of birds! I went on a side trail to some waterfalls and jumped in a river for a swim. Overall it was a pretty good morning. Passed by some more waterfalls on the trail just before the mountaineer shelter. I wished I'd stayed there. It was a beautiful and new shelter, though already covered in graffiti. Some veteran has decided to write a huge paragraph on the floor of every shelter about meeting other vets and showing respect.Shenanigans finally showed up - all smiles - after a great morning. I eventually moved on, passed some trail magic (yay) and kept plodding on in the heat. But then... it started to thunder and poured on us. Big, summery drops of rain! It felt so good. Washed off any sweat or tiredness. My happy legs flew over the next 10ish miles! But ended up tired and stiff at the shelter. Where I met 3 more hikers. Shenanigans came in less happy with bad shin splints. He gimped on and we made it to the Hostel just in time for an amazing dinner put together by Baltimore Jack. Mmmm, happiness! Although, there was, once again, so many new hikers to meet. Just lots of people all at once, overwhelming. I did make an effort and talked to a few before going to bed. Some were preparing for a 50 mile hike to Damascus starting at midnight for "purity"'s sake. And 2 inconsiderate hikers, sat and talked LOUD until midnight. So I'm tired.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Dennis Gore

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up and headed off as early as always. A little sad to leave Gimpy behind as I'm not sure this group will come together again... who knows. The trail was absolutely beautiful for the first 3 miles. It seemed like the trail was cut through ridges and it followed a river. And there were some beautiful waterfalls with a perfect swimming hole. Why didn't I slackpack and end up here in the afternoon!Then the trail tried to kill me as it climbed a few hills. Just add snow and it was the chutes of Lowe's path. After that ended I crossed paths with Shenanigans! He decided to slackpack and was the first of a long line of slackers. Surprised me and I worried for a second which direction I was going. Hopefully it helps his shins.I got to the road and walked the 2 horrible miles to town. Stepped over 5 dead and decaying things and big trucks sped by. My legs hurt from the stupid pavement. And there's no real grocery store that I'd been daydreaming of. And this town is very much spread out. I had some Internet time and spent half of it staring at the screen in my town - bewilderment. Meanwhile there was a soap opera playing on a TV nearby.I waited at some Bar/Grill place I think Shenanigans was talking about, but never saw him... or any other hikers. So I headed back to the trail, 1.7 miles to the first shelter. No one was there! I thought I was going to have an actual solo experience on the AT. But then Kazoo and The Kid showed up just as it got dark. Then Highlander and Stats. I was very happy. It figures that Kazoo and The Kid catch up and Shenanigans is behind.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: mist

Great night! Highlander was up and off early for a 30 mile day to hit the Post Office in time tomorrow. I was out next as it started drizzling. The trail continued around the lake, over another dam and up a short, steep climb. On the climb I had a Roughed Grouse follow me the whole way! I think it was a male with pretty feathers and a crest. Strange, strange. Why would it not burst off the ground like normal? Later, The Kid said he used his hiking poles to pick it up.At the top of the climb weather suddenly blew in hard and poured! It smelled like summer rain and felt so good.The first shelter snuck up on me from behind a bush with Highlander hiding from the rain. I sat and waited for the other 2. I ate and blew bubbles from a kid's thing left in the shelter until they wandered in. Cold and stiff all the way to the second shelter. Kid and Kazoo argued over mileage down to the 1/100th mile. And then food forever. Everyone's in their thru hiker mind set. I'm certainly in mine! I'm back to spacing out on the trail. My legs and arms take care of the movement and my mind wanders like crazy. I start not looking at the trail and get woken up when I stumble over tiny roots or rocks... all the time!Soon reached our second break spot and took a long break. The miles fly by when the trail is this "flat." The last 3 miles of our day started on a handicap accessible, 0.5 mile section of AT. I waited for them for this. We were looking forward to the FLATNESS and maybe a wheelchair ride? Turned out to be a slight incline with gravel through a farm field. Beautiful, but must be tough for the handicapped.Met a few tenters at the shelter, had it to ourselves and 10 million, very active mice. We spread out and read... Kazoo read more Lance.