morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-15
From: 0.4 mile N of Devils Creek Gap

To: Uncle Johnny's 
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

Woke to another beautiful day. Both of us were at least partially out of our bags early last night. Cooled off enough to slip inside as the night wore on. Wreck, for one of the only times this trip (which speaks of the salt content of our dinners) had to get up in the middle of the night. The night sky (no moon) was incredible. Lots of tree canopy but enough stars for us to resolve to do some camping on the balds if possible in the future. Brighty was up at the crack of dawn (it's a town day) and headed down the trail while Wreck was still stretching. It wasn't for nearly four miles before Wreck caught up to her (and only because Brighty was taking a break). Down to Uncle Johnnys hostel outside Erwin TN a little after 1 pm. Mountain laurel just starting to bloom at low elevations. Beautiful!  Too much activity since then - shower, laundry, clean gear, memorable shuttle to eat in bus with 15 people, one seat (Mexican, Wreck's meal better than Brighty who won't order a T bone at a Mexican restaurant again, poor service) resupply at Walmart, etc etc. We are exhausted. Need to get back to the trail to rest!  But, first a bed to sleep in and a morning shuttle to breakfast!
Date: 2017-05-16
From: Hwy 19E

To: Little Hump Mountain
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Great day!  Yesterday after getting in to Erwin we checked the weather forecast. Next couple days looking great but thunderstorms Friday and Saturday. Coincidentally those were the days we figured to be going over the Roan Highlands, a truly spectacular part of the trail. So we developed a plan and after catching this mornings shuttle run to Huddle House for breakfast we got a ride from Tom to Hwy 19E and we are now southbounders for this 50+ mile segment. This allows us to get into the high country today!  Thus, before noon with glorious weather, we were starting the nearly 3000 ft climb into the Roan Highlands. Brighty, fueled by her breakfast, hiked as strong or stronger than ever and we were up in country right out of the Sound of Music.  Climbed up Hump Mountain and now camping on Little Hump.  We were going further but this spot was too good to pass. 360 views and a beautiful sunset happening right now. We're hoping for a great night sky. We're also hoping we can stay awake long enough to see it. No one else here. Loving our mountaintop experience.
Date: 2017-05-17
From: Little Hump Mountain

To: Ash Gap
Miles today: 10.8

Another great day in the Highlands of Roan. Windy last night but the Tarptent did well. Wreck stayed semi-awake until about 11pm watching the night sky.  The Big Dipper was high over our tent. Prize for brightest object in sky went to Jupiter which wandered through Leo last night. Brighty observed a beautiful sunrise from  the comfort of her sleeping bag. Much earlier than usually the sun was bright and warming our tent. About 11/2 miles north today we stopped at Overmountain shelter. This is a large renovated barn which is a shelter favorite. Brighty originally wanted to stay here last night. We were both glad we camped on Little Hump instead especially after learning that 20-30 folks were at Overmountain last night. Wreck stayed there in 2015 but Brighty had never been so it was nice to visit. From there we climbed to the southern series of fantastic open balds on top the Highlands - Grassy Ridge, Jane, Round before finally dropping down to Carvers Gap. Great weather, great views. Quite a lot of day hikers and a college class out today. (Forgot to mention we went by a religious studies class backpacking yesterday. One member was carrying a bag of over 30 grasshoppers. The plan was to saut© them with some ramps for dinner. Yum yum). Pass Carvers Gap we climbed Roan Mountain proper through a spruce fir forest and pass the site of the Cloudland Hotel, one of those great luxury hotels that dotted the mountaintops towards the end of the 19th Century. Trail dropped down to this campsite at 5350 ft. One of the fun things about being temporary southbounders is we get to see all the northbounders who are just in front of us. Saw old trail companions JinJin, Skip and Zen today. Camping with Herbie tonight. Beautiful day today to go over the Highlands. It's pretty chilly out now. The sun has set and we're tucked in our bags. Sleep is calling.
Date: 2017-05-18
From: Ash Gap

To: 0.1 miles S of Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 12.4

Had a good night. Noisy wind but mostly in the canopy. We seemed pretty protected. We both slept hard. Guess too much stargazing the night before for us old folks. Packed another dry tent - this has been quite a stretch though we suspect it's coming to an end. Brighty on the trail by 8 am while Wreck was still stretching. Trail climbed a small knob and then headed down to Hughes Gap. From there we climbed Little Rock Knob for a view and lunch. Weather was pretty nice almost all day. Dropped down to Greasy Creek Gap, climbed the "rock pillar" and finally down to this Gap. Found nice campsite off AT on a old roadbed. Got the tent up and started to hear rumbles. Skies looked good (it had sprinkled on us getting water a couple miles away) so we ignored it. Sprinkles started again so we took refuge in our tent. Sprinkles turned into a 30 minute thunderstorm with some pretty good rain. Cleared enough for "us" to cook dinner (Brighty stayed "inside") but then it started to rain again so we both ate in the tent. We're in the drizzle stage right now but still thundering. Shout out to the Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club, maintainers of the trail since south of Erwin. This is perhaps the best built AT section in the South. Outstanding. Only questionable stretch was over the rock pillar today and they have flagged a reroute of this section so, those hiking next year will have an even better AT. Go Tennessee Eastman!!!! Weather Update - the storms have passed!  Great sunset. The Bear bags are up, dishes cleaned and we are tucked in for another night!
Date: 2017-05-19
From: 0.1 miles S of Iron Mountain Gap

To: 0.1 mikes S of Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 11.8

Wow. We got lucky weather wise today. Forecast was for thunderstorms starting early and throughout the day. Despite yesterday evenings rain, we woke up this morning to an only slightly wet tent. Brighty up and hiking by 7:30 am. Wreck not too far behind.  We wanted to get over 5180 ft Unaka Mountain before the thunderstorms hit. Beautiful trail continued this morning. Climbed up Little Bald Knob, down to Cherry Gap for a snack and then started the climb up Unaka. It was humid today. Got within maybe 15 minutes of the summit when a light rain started. Heard some thunder but in the distance. Unaka is covered with a dense Spruce forest. So dense there is little understory at all. Very scenic. Unfortunately, the rain (and thunder) continued so we had to enjoy at walking pace. About 20 minutes down the other side the rain stopped and we took advantage of the break to have a quick lunch. Little did we know then that we wouldn't have anymore rain all day. Remained humid and seemed like it might rain. Check of radar showed some intense rains around but mostly just east of us. This afternoon we went over Beauty Spot Gap, open field with views. Coming down from there to Indian Grave Gap, the rhododendron, azaleas and mountain laurel were just about ready to bloom. Saw a number of individual plants blooming but in another week or so the whole hillside should be fantastic. Got to the Gap and narrowly averted disaster. Wreck hiking ahead got to the Gap and went 0.1 east to Creek to get some water for us. He thought he would get back to trailhead before Brighty passed but Brighty beat him to the spot and continued hiking south. As Wreck waited for Brighty at the Gap he decided to leave phone message just in case she had passed by. Luckily Brighty had found this campsite nearby and stopped to check her messages. Reunited and glad this area had reception. We've eaten, Bear bag is hung and the chores are done. Rain has yet to appear although it has been thundering since we got here. Radar shows area east and north of here getting dumped on. That includes the Roan Highlands where, if we hadn't flipped north and hiked south for this section, is where we would be right now. We're happy with the decision. Tomorrow we hike back into Erwin and will shuttle back to the 19E trailhead to become northbounders again!
Date: 2017-05-20
From: 0.1 miles S of Indian Grave Gap

To: Uncle Johnnys
Miles today: 8.3

Well the rains finally came last night while we were snug in our Tarptent. By 7am they had stopped just in time for Brighty to charge into "town mode". She was heading down the trail before 8 am (Wreck, as usual lagging behind). Trail today almost all downhill, across and along some beautiful roaring streams and finally the mighty Nolichucky River (we both love the sound of "Nolichucky"). Again today the flowering shrubs were just starting to bloom (a couple section with mountain laurel "almost" quite showy). It's Saturday so , despite the masses in Damascus for Trail Days, we passed quite a few weekend and day hikers coming out of Erwin. Weather hot and humid but we arrived back at Uncle Johnny's high and dry (okay, just dry) hearing a little thunder in the distance the last quarter of mile. Uncle Johnnny is another of those AT characters. He's been running this hostel since 1999. Great picture of a young Uncle Johnny with Earl Schaffer during Earl's second thruhike. Got a shuttle from Marie back to he 19E trailhead (or more specifically the Mountain Harbor B&B and hostel). Picked up our food box (Thanks Liz!!!!) showered, cleaned clothes, dried out tent and had dinner at the food truck on site (new addition since Wreck camped here in 2015). We're in the main house this time. Very nice but a wave of tiredness has just flooded us (hey it's 9 pm!). Time to quickly brush our teeth before sleep hits.
Date: 2017-05-21
From: 19E

To: 19E
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

After "the best breakfast on the AT" (and so far it is) at the Mountain Harbor B&B/Hostel, our good friends, Jim & Nancy picked us up for a "zero" day at their home in Spruce Pine, NC. After a delicious lunch at the Blind Squirrel Brewery & Cafe, we caught-up on the latest news & relaxed while it rained outside; pure heaven! Their son, Hank, who we had not seen since he was a youngster on the Buffalo River, was home to retrieve his dog. What a nice young man! Needless to say we stayed up well past "hiker midnight" (sunset), but it sure was fun to visit good friends, tell "war stories" and plan for our trip to Durango later this summer. Thanks, Jim & Nance, for a wonderful day; true trail angels! Why do "zero" days fly by so fast?
Date: 2017-05-22
From: 19E

To: Mountaineer shelter
Miles today: 8.8

Wow. A great sleep last night. Best mattress and pillow of the trip! (Ever?). Five star hostel in good ole Spruce Pine. Nancy made us a fantastic breakfast (omelets, sausage, fruit bowl), we continued our catching up but, alas, the weather was looking pretty good and the woods were calling. Jim and Nancy had us back on the trail by about 12:30 pm. There's a distinct change in to trail north of 19E. The AT won't find a real mountain until Virginia and the Greyson Highlands. More creeks (and rivers), more waterfalls. Also, more road crossings pastures and signs of current and past human activity along the trail. Today we wandered around 3000 ft, up to a nice meadow for a late lunch, then across numerous creek crossings, along the Elk River for awhile, pass Jones and Mountaineer Falls (both roaring due to the recent rains), pass lots of Rhododendrons (not blooming) and Mountain Laurel (just starting to bloom), and finally to this shelter. It's a pretty nice one for this area. First shelter we've stayed in since the Smokies but forecast is for up to one inch of rain tonight into tomorrow morning and life is easier getting started on a morning like that from a shelter than a tent. About 7 others here (all young folks just back on trail after Trail Days). It's still pretty warm right now with just high clouds. We're thinking it might be a wet one the next couple of days (but at least the waterfalls should be great!). Great to have had a wonderful zero with old friends, great to be back on the trail again heading northward!
Date: 2017-05-23
From: Mountaineer shelter

To: Moreland Gap shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

Rain last night, heavy at times. All good in the shelter. Nice group of young folks, all hung their bear bags and shelter was quite quiet all night (in fact, we were the last to go to bed). By morning rain was down to a drizzle. Trail today, like yesterday, without any real climbs, just up and down small ridge after small ridge keeping between 3000 - 3500 ft. Lots of creek crossings. Rain actually stopped for a brief time late morning and we took advantage of it to eat an early lunch - on an actual bench. Started to drizzle as we got started. Drizzle transitioned to a light rain cutting the lunch at little shorter than otherwise. Rain stayed with us the rest of the day. Funny thing, you'd look up and the sky would be fairly bright everywhere and the rain would just continue on. Lots of really nice shelf fungus visable from trail today. Got to this shelter and decided to stay. This rain is turning us into shelter people!!  It's a smaller one (6 person capacity) but has covered picnic table so we could eat "inside". Seven of us in here so we're definitely at full capacity. A couple of folks just pulled in and are setting up tent nearby - in the rain. Ugh!  From the forecast it looks like a rainy week - and its raining pretty good on the shelter's tin roof right now. Luckily, we're warm and dry in our bags now so life is good.
Date: 2017-05-24
From: Moreland Gap shelter

To: Sidetrail to Hampton 
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Rained off and on all night. Luckily the faucet was turned off by morning. Blue skies!!! (at least some). A check of the weather earlier on though showed us under a tornado watch for early afternoon. We decided to hike faster. And we decided to head to one of several hostels along the trail today. Still no real climbs although we almost got to 4000 ft skirting around White Rocks Mountain. Lots of rhododendrons and mountain laurel again today. Highlight was, no doubt, Laurel Falls. It's a high volume falls anyway but was really roaring today. Trail runs along Laurel Fork for awhile and it, too was really rolling along. Great stone work around the falls particularly just below the falls where the trail follows a cut out a ledge between the water and a rock wall. Wow. That must have taken some work!  We had good cell reception so we were  able to check the radar frequently. The nasty weather seemed to slide right to the west of us. Decided to take the 1.0 mile side trail to the small town of Hampton TN. We're staying at the Braemar Castle Hostel. It's quite nice. First got into town and bought a large root beer and a bag of chips. Got to the hostel and the skies opened up. Rain didn't last too long but Brighty decided she was done for the day. Wreck walked over to the local barbecue place and brought back dinner. Good barbecue. Wreck though is dying for some fresh fruit and vegetables. Started to rain again on way "home" with dinner but all clear now. Tomorrow pm looks rainy again so we're shooting for an early start. Hiker midnight (sundown) is upon us now though so we're shooting for a good night sleep first!
Date: 2017-05-25
From: Sidetrail to Hampton 

To: 0.4 mile N of Wilbur Dam Rd
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

On the way back to the AT by 7:30 am, first 1/2 mile through Hampton then 1 mile up the side trail. Really nice little trail to and from Hampton. Runs along Laurel Fork the whole way so not steep. At one point Laurel Fork is starting to undercut a 40-50 high cliff. Very picturesque. Lots of Fire pink blooming as well. Back on the AT it was up and down Pond Mountain. 1700+ ft climb but just great trail both up and down. The grade was always very doable. The sun actually peeked out for a couple minutes on top so we stopped for a food break. Light rain was falling by the time we got down the mountain so we took advantage of the TVA covered picnic table and restrooms by Watauga Lake to eat lunch. No camping the next 4+ miles due to bear activity (years ago). It was nice and different to walk along the lake shore. Rain remained light except maybe when we crossed the dam and the wind was really blowing there. Got to the the end of the camping restricted area and decided to go a little further. Found this great site above the lake and even got enough of a rain break to set up the tent. Rain started again so we cooked in the vestibule. Rained until 9pm but it's about stopped so Wreck ran out and completed chores. It's been blowing pretty good but the good ole Tarptent is unfazed. Suppose to go into the 40's tonight so we're tucked in our bags. Looking forward to some predicted sun tomorrow!!!
Date: 2017-05-26
From: 0.4 mile N of Wilbur Dam Rd

To: 2miles N of Nick Grinfstaff monument
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow, it was a windy night. Luckily,  our Tarptent seems to do well in the wind. One thing that did not do well was Wreck's rain jacket. He left it in the vestibule to dry and some little critter chewed 8 small holes in the arms. Urgh!!!!!  Up and hiking by 8am.  Seasonably cool today (especially in the wind) but sun was out and really it was a perfect day to hike. In the morning we continued our stroll around Lake Watauga (that is one big lake that TVA made!). Had great views looking down on the lake from a rock outcropping next to Vandeventer shelter. We took advantage to have a prelunch food break. Things have definitely greened up even above 4000 ft. Fire pink, false Solomon seal, spiderwort all blooming but the greens overwhelm the colors. Because of the great weather and because we needed a good day to get us closer to Damascus we took on water just before Iron Mountain shelter and decided to push a few extra miles. Got to this nice campsite on an old roadbed a little after 6pm and Brighty said "done". Hey her longest day on the trail!  Wreck used some tenacious tape and seam sealer to repair his rain jacket. We cooked dinner (Hooray!  We had enough fuel. Hopefully one more day is left in the canister). The bear bag is about 20 ft up (try to get that Mr Bear) and we just had another glorious sunset. Not too cool right now. The repaired rain jacket is lying across the top of the tent drying. We're hoping the 20% chance of rain doesn't materialize. The neoair is calling. Ready for another day northward bound.
Date: 2017-05-27
From: 2miles N of Nick Grinfstaff monument

To: Abingdon Gap shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: mist

Woke up to beautiful blue skies!!!!  This was a really nice campsite. Surrounded by jack in the pulpits and Solomon seal. A little later getting started today but Brighty on her way by 8:30 am. Filtered some needed water at stream 1/2 mile north. About a mile later crossed over the meadow on the other side of TN91. Trail is actually handicapped accessible for a short distance there. Really enjoyed the flora today. Last couple of days we've been going through some wood "in recovery". Lots of Wreck's nemesis poison ivy among other disturbance species. Today we hiked through some great sections. Lots of shoutouts (it was that kind of day). White Clintonia outstanding much of the day, huge Solomon seals coming up to McQueens Knob near day's end.    Picking up some late spring bloomers now, Bowmans root, which we first saw a few days ago in Dennis Cove, was quite abundant today. Also saw some four leaf milkweed again today and quite a lot of maple leaf viburnum. Lots of blackberry bushes blooming, a couple great pink lady slippers right next to each other and early this afternoon an outstanding patch of cinnamon ferns.  This morning's weather turned from blue skies to clouds quite quickly. Thought the predicted rains were approaching but things improved as the afternoon progressed. The sun came out again and we got all the way to this nice campsite with no rain. Set up the tent and heard some thunder. Wreck ran down to get some water but it was still just distant thunder. Had time to cook (the gas canister had enough fuel!) put up the bear bag, and get all our chores done before the rain started. It's still thundering and drizzling now. We may or may not get outside again tonight but it was another truly great day on the AT! UPDATE - Wreck's phone sounded the alarm about 30 minutes ago. We're under flash flood warning. Rain and lightening has really picked up. Just had simultaneous thunder/lightening strike that sounded next door!  We've traded iPhones and are chilling to some tunes Jimmy Buffet (Brighty) and Lionel Richie (Wreck) as Mother Nature provides the ultimate sound and light show outside.  Looks like this storm could go as Lionel is singing "all night long"!
Date: 2017-05-28
From: Abingdon Gap shelter

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

The storm lasted well into the night. Just a lot of water dripping off trees this morning. It's a town day but Brighty was surprisingly casual in leaving camp - not pulling out until 8:30 am. Today's hike was almost all flat or downhill. We saw a number of fringe trees blooming (first we've noticed this trip). Ditto for a bunch of Indian cucumber root. We're back in Virginia!!!  Always exciting to hit a "new" state. Hiked into Damascus, VA a little while later. Damascus advertises itself as "Trail town, USA" and it's well deserved. In addition to AT, Virginia Creeper bike trail runs through here and the paddling community is pretty active here too. Trails are big for the economy of Damascus - we wish a bunch of small town officals would visit here and see the economic benefit of having a trail nearby). AT runs right down the middle of the street (like Hot Springs). We walked to lunch at Bono McFarlands (Wreck, chef salad, Brighty, 14" cheeseburger pizza) then to the Dancing Bear where we're staying. Showered, laundry done, a few chores completed, back out for dinner. We're bushed. Taking zero tomorrow and looking forward to a little exploring and relaxing (and finding some fruit to eat and Mojo smoothies to drink!!!)
Date: 2017-05-29
From: Damascus VA

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After a good night's sleep and delicious breakfast of fruit, quiche, bacon & coffee, Wreck hiked via the Virginia Creeper Trail to the local grocery store for resupply. Brighty does not like to walk anymore than she has to on "zero" days, but she did make it to MoJo's for lunch and a peach, strawberry, mango smoothie recommended by thru-hiker son, "No Pants" (long story). At any rate, after checking out the outfitters and some craft shops, we returned to our quiet B&B for an afternoon nap. Life on the trail can be so hard!We're sure Damascus was anything but quiet last week-end as it hosts the largest trail festival along the AT known as Trail Days. It is basically a 3-day hiker reunion with thousands of people attending. Wreck attended in 2015 because he just happened to be coming through at that time, but we didn't make it this year since we were still in TN & didn't want to shuttle up. Maybe we'll go next year, but for now we're enjoying the peace and quiet of this lovely little trail town.By the way, Brighty knows she has finally become a "real" AT thru-hiker. Before Damascus, she would always insist on taking a shower before going out for something to eat. This time she went straight to the restaurant, stink and all!