morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-10-29
To: Boots Off Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

10/29Boots Off Hostel0 milesIt got cold during the night. JD had mentioned it was warm in the top bunk so I figured he turned off the heater. I put on my fleece top, draped my down jacket over my blanket, and shivered. Eventually I decided to get up and go to the bathroom and found that my bunk's light wouldn't turn on. Huh. Maybe the power to the bunkhouse was out?I grabbed my headlamp and headed to the bathroom, where the heater and light didn't work. On the way back I observed that none of the structures had light. Okay, definitely the whole complex then. I stopped in at the hostel kitchen and found JD and Fearless. As I talked to them and then to Sierra and Sleepy Bear, it turned out that all four of us initially assumed that JD turned off the heat. Pretty funny. Jim, the owner, kept calling the power company and eventually they restored power. Prior to that I made coffee on my campstove. But I was also happy to drink more coffee later. Then somebody tripped the breaker for the kitchen. Since it wasn't my problem to solve, it was entertaining. I never intended to hike today, so I got back in my bunk and cuddled under my sleeping bag. The others had intended a 20 mile hike. The power outage introduced a delay, which sucks on a long day. Then they observed the deterioration of the weather - snow, sleet, and bitterly cold wind. They reluctantly decided to take the day off too. We all holed up in the bunkhouse with a valiant little heater that took the edge off the cold but didn't make the place warm. Jim brought books and games. We all mostly stayed in our bunks, reading, napping, and otherwise entertaining ourselves. Our big adventure for the day was driving in to Hampton to get dinner at Subway. It's been the laziest day since.. gosh. I don't know. A long, long time. Years maybe. It's kind of nice except for the cold. The other four hikers are good, undemanding company. I think today is a win. Tomorrow I'll get shuttled back to Wilbur Dam and hike past the hostel and on to Kincora, then get shuttled back here for one more night. It's a bit of an expensive way to do it, as I'll have to get shuttled back to Dennis Cove Rd the following day. But I'll sleep indoors one more night when it's still a little cold out, and slackpacking will be easier on my foot. I tell myself it's still cheaper than staying in a motel, and the company is far better.
Date: 2017-11-01
To: Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

11/1Mountain Harbor Hostel10.9 milesAppropriately for Halloween, there was scary screaming in the woods last night. Whoever it was quit before I was ready to stop reading and go to sleep. I ended up having one of my best nights of sleep on the trail, all snugly and warm and comfortable. I woke up at 6:30 and made myself start moving, but I didn't move fast. It was 8 when I finally hit the trail. Last night I pulled the tape off my foot, along with some hair off my leg. Ouch! My skin was irritated around the edge of the skin, so I tried walking without tape today. I missed it at the end of the day, but was mostly okay before that. I tried to retape tonight but couldn't repeat my previous comfortable tape job. I ended up cutting it back off. Adhesive tape is a lot less forgiving when I mess up than an ace bandage is. Maybe I'll try KT tape instead. It's less supportive but also less likely to cut off my circulation. I was tense today because I was in Campbell territory. Their land was taken many decades ago to make the AT in this area. They're still mad. There have been many incidents over the years. Fish hooks strung across trails at eye height. Spikes planted in the ground. Paint poured into streams. It's wise not to linger. I tried to cross roads when nobody was around, but an old beater car appeared when I was mostly across Buck Hollow Rd. I was climbing the stone steps up to the trail by the time it reached me, but the driver veered across the road toward me anyway and shouted at me as he passed the steps. Charming. But no harm done, other than my increased heart rate. At 19E I turned and walked to Mountain Harbor Hostel. I was disappointed to find the food truck shut down, the breakfast not on offer, and the General store low on supplies. All I really wanted was a couple of honeybuns and candy bars. I found some breakfast pastries in a vending machine, and the store still has some candy bars. That left dinner tonight. I scrounged some odds and ends out of my food bag and was going to eat them, but section hikers arrived with a car. Eric and Jay kindly invited me with them to dinner. Yay! We adjourned to Highlander BBQ for hot tasty food. On the way back we stopped at Dollar General for a couple of items. This vastly improved my evening. I definitely don't recommend stopping here out of season, though. Unless all you wanted was the bed, shower, and laundry. Then you're fine. But if they won't sell you food and they won't drive you to town, it's problematic for most thruhikers. JD and co are at Doe River. I'm not sure what order they're doing the next section in, but I might get to cross paths with them a few times. It's nice to know they're out there even if I'm not spending time with them. I'll be happy to be camped out in the warmer weather we're supposed to have, but I sure will miss company.
Date: 2017-11-03
To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

11/3 Greasy Creek Gap campsite14.9 milesWhen the moon came up, it was so bright that I thought it was a hiker's headlamp pointed at my tent. The moon was bright all night, providing an uncommon level of visibility. But at 6:30 when I got up, clouds had rolled in. It was so dark that I double checked the time on my watch. Just as I finished packing, it started to rain. I opened the pack back up to retrieve my raincoat, then put on the pack cover, my rain jacket, rain skirt, and pole covers. I figured once I lost some elevation the weather would get better, but that turned out to be mistaken optimism. Luckily I've seen Jane and Round balds on clear days before, because I sure didn't see them today. The pine grove on the south side of Round has grown a great deal since 2010. It's acquired that spooky cathedral feeling. I could have spent all day walking through woods like that. Hiking up Roan, I was surprised to be passed by Achilles, who is back from his trip. I don't expect to see him again, but you never know. I saw a few other hikers, but none that I knew. No sign of JD and company. I stopped in at Clyde Smith Shelter to check the register. I could have stayed, but I still find empty shelters creepy so I moved on to tent elsewhere. Nobody is at Greasy Creek Gap either. I figure anybody who might have stayed here probably went on down to the hostel half a mile away. I didn't want the extra walk. I'm fine in my tent. Except for the 1" root bisecting the ground under the tent. Somehow neither my eyes nor my questing foot found it when I assessed the site, but my butt sure found it when I lay down. I can't face packing everything to move the tent, so I'll live with the root. Pretty sure I'll regret it in the morning. There's been a funky smell the last few miles, like a factory's smoke is trapped under the clouds. It has variously smelled like pot, burning plastics, burning rhododendron, a latrine, and mold. I sincerely hope to leave it behind tomorrow.
Date: 2017-11-05
To: Erwin
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

11/5Erwin12.3 milesI couldn't find the moon through the clouds last night, but I guess some light penetrated the clouds because it was light enough out at 1 AM that I could see objects in my tent. When the sun rose it wasn't markedly brighter out. I was stunned to find that my attempts to stabilize my sleeping pad actually worked. My sleeping bag was not jammed against the end of the tent when I awoke. This meant it was dry. I so very much did not expect that. I was chagrined to find a half eaten beef stick tucked into a crevice of my fanny pack when I was fumbling for my phone. Way to tempt the bears. So my sleeping pad skills got a 10 but my bear bagging skills got a 1. Not that I've seen any bears in a very long time. It wasn't raining but it was very foggy when I started walking. There was minimal visibility on the Beauty Spot. I could see the trail and a few feet to either side. As soon as I got down off the ridge, though, sun started poking through. I stopped in my tracks and turned to face it. I closed my eyes and stood there soaking in the light. My feelings about hiking immediately skyrocketed. Feeling better about life, the universe, and everything, I bopped on down the trail. At Curley Maple Gap Shelter I was surprised to see it now has two levels and a big porch roof. It looks all fancy. There were a lot of wet leaves down on the trail. The bright reds and yellows were pretty but slippery. With fist sized loose rocks under the leaves it was pretty treacherous. I kept a death grip on my poles. I slipped a few times but managed not to go down. I got to Uncle Johnny's and got a bunk in the hostel. Immediately after checking in I saw JD - a welcome sight. I got my shower and we sat and chatted until dinner time. A calzone and a Walmart trip later I was resupplied and ready to head out again - after a day off to rest and heal, I'm thinking.
Date: 2017-11-06
To: Uncle Johnny's hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

11/6Uncle Johnny's hostel0 milesThat was an unanticipated but much needed and very welcome day off. I feel refreshed, positive, and ready to head back into the woods. I've had several good meals, healed my rashes, managed to retape my foot, and spent some quality time loving on some dogs. One of the dogs was actually involved in a horrifying incident today. A passing dog attacked the lovable, elderly Jerry Garcia. The owner was combative and threatened the guys here with a hammer as they tried to separate the dogs. Most dog fights end quickly but this went on for several minutes. When the police arrived, the owner finally got his dog to let go of Jerry. Jerry has a couple of punctures to the ear the dog was using to shake him like a rag doll. Really not much damage, considering. However, he's really unsteady. As a 16 year old very large dog, he's quite a senior citizen. It's like a 90 year old grandfather got mugged. I expect he'll feel worse tomorrow, since the other dog literally wiped the pavement with him. That's hard on an old body. Everybody here was very concerned of course. I'm an animal lover, with a special place in my heart for the old ones. I think it says a lot about a person who makes a home for an old animal. Jerry is no show dog. He's a stray who showed up here years ago. But he's well loved by many, and it warms my heart. After the fight, while the police were talking with people, I grabbed a cloth and started wiping slobber and blood off of Jerry so I could make sure he didn't have any serious wounds that needed immediate attention. That sweet old dog, who was shaken up from just being assaulted, let a stranger inspect his wounds. It's remarkable, really. Dog trauma aside, I've had a very pleasant stay here. I didn't expect this place to be so friendly and easy to be around. I can see why it turns into a vortex for some people. Me, though.. I'm ready to walk again.
Date: 2017-11-07
To: Uncle Johnny's hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

11/7 Uncle Johnny's 0 milesI woke up to the sound of pouring rain and I just couldn't do it. The forecast now included 30 mph wind gusts. Rain AND lightning okay. Rain AND lightning AND wind? I'm out. Instead I went out for a long, leisurely breakfast. And a long, leisurely lunch. If you're assuming that dinner was long and leisurely, you would be correct. Also it involved horchata, which makes me very happy. I procured a cheap thermometer so I might have a better idea of when I need to protect my water filter. I hope. It's cheapness isn't giving me great faith in the device. Walking around Walmart after dinner, my foot suddenly gave a huge twinge and hurt worse than  it has since Damascus. I didn't take a funny step or do anything unusual. I have had tape on it again since yesterday and it has been quite comfortable. I don't know what's up with it. Perhaps it will magically feel better in the morning. These things happen sometimes.
Date: 2017-11-09
To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

11/9Hogback Ridge Shelter13.6 milesI stayed cozy, but when I awoke the world was a very damp place. The mesh of my tent was soaked from fog. I put the flaps down before I went to sleep, which I think did help. My sleeping bag had beads of water on the fabric. I mopped them up semisuccessfully. It wasn't incredibly cold, and I didn't have a good place to light the stove thanks to the light rain. So I skipped coffee and drank cold water with breakfast. It took a long time to pack while trying to avoid wet surfaces. Eventually I managed it. I put on every single wet weather item. The pack cover, of course, with its hood deployed. My raincoat, rain skirt, waterproof socks, and knee high gaiters. I had my regular gaiters on underneath so they'd be handy when I took off the tall gaiters, but it was never an issue. Half an hour into my hike, I felt drained. I wondered what was wrong. Not enough food? Sick? Worn down from 1800 miles? Then I remembered I hadn't made coffee. Rookie mistake. Luckily I had electrolyte and caffeine capsules handy. I swallowed one and soon I was feeling good. Like yesterday, I walked in fog and drizzle all day. As a result there wasn't much to see. I didn't rest much because I didn't want to get cold. Big Bald didn't look like much. I ran into 2010 LASHer Bumpin with his dog Heidi. They were out for a damp day hike. On their way back past me, he gave me his contact information in case I needed anything while I was in the vicinity. So thoughtful!  I don't really need anything other than the sun and maybe some warmth. But it's nice to be asked. The last two miles took forever. I got to the shelter in time to get water. Since I've been here before I knew it was a long trail down.  Nobody else was here so I took my pack. Just as well so I had something to carry the water in on the way back up. I made freeze dried lasagna for dinner, and I made the whole package. Usually I make half of these. This one said it served 2.5, but I had no problem eating all of it. I think the cooler weather is making me burn more energy. This shelter has both bear cables and a privy. Such luxury! It's been a while since the last privy. I know there are a few more privyless shelters in my future. I hate that. Even a tiny privy with half walls is a vast improvement over digging a hole. The next two days I have 15+ mile walks if I want to stay in a shelter, which I do. Given how late I hiked the last two days, I can't walk 15 miles between dawn and dusk. Also my headlamp is useless if it's foggy. I guess I'll give it a shot and hope for no fog.
Date: 2017-11-10
To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

11/10Jerry Cabin Shelter15.5 milesMy lasagna last night tasted great. The lasagna farts I had later on were not as great. I was glad, after all, that I was in the shelter alone. In the morning it was so cozy in my bag that I didn't want to get up. Finally I felt myself start to stretch, starting from my toes and going all the way up. With resignation I gave in and got dressed. After fetching my food bags, I made coffee. Hell yeah I made coffee. There was frost sparkling on the ground. Hot coffee was called for. I made it a double. I thought I was pretty late, but thanks to the time change, it was 7:45 when I started walking. I wore most of my warm gear, including my waterproof socks over my Wright socks. Even so, my hands and feet were mostly numb for the first hour or so. As the sun got higher, it was warm on East facing slopes and cold on west facing slopes. I added or removed clothing every time I switched sides of a mountain. A giant cloud reared its head. It looked like it was going to engulf the trail. My only hope was outhiking it. I power walked for an hour. I was surprised to actually outwalk it. The clouds descended through a mountain pass one mountain over.  I ended up walking in sunshine all day. I was surprised to arrive at tonight's shelter before dark. Yay caffeine and power walking! I was happy to see human beings. I was even more happy to see that they had a fire going in the shelter's fireplace. They're a group that has been hiking together for many years. They're good company and funny. It's nice.
Date: 2017-11-11
To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

11/11Spring Mountain Shelter15.9 milesThanks to the fire, the tarp, or the body heat provided by the men in the shelter, it didn't drop below freezing inside. I slept with my reservoir but not my Sawyer bag or my water bottle, so I was pleased. Also it wasn't as cold in my sleeping bag as it could have been. I'm sure looking forward to my liner bag, though. The ground was covered in a heavy layer of frost when I started walking. As soon as I got up on the ridge and the wind hit me, it was brutally cold. I bundled up with my Dirty Harry serape / tiny owls baby blanket. And as much other gear as I could lay hands on. Shortly after Firescald Mountain I started seeing dog footprints. And then a dog nudged my leg. A hunting dog with two antennas was hiking the trail. I saw him off and on all morning. He was in excellent condition so I figured he had not been out long. I hope he found his way back to his owner. I stopped in at Little Laurel Shelter but I didn't stay long. I had a long day ahead. Unfortunately, soon after I started walking again, I started feeling crummy for no obvious reason. Feverish, tummy ache, fatigue. It made for a long afternoon. I still managed to walk to the shelter before sundown, barely. I even got water before it got too dark to see. The same guys from last night were here too. It was so nice to walk up to a group of friendly faces. We all sat around a fire for a while, then moved to our sleeping bags. The guys held a singalong, which I think is charming. The only other thing of note today was the bear I saw. I heard a ruckus uphill from me. I looked up to see the south end of a northbound bear. He was just a little fellow. I imagine he's pretty scared right now with all the dogs and hunters out. As a matter of fact I heard dogs and then gunshots down in the valley a little while before I ran into this guy. I'm feeling pretty good about all the blaze orange I'm wearing.
Date: 2017-11-12
To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

11/12Elmer's Sunnybank Inn, Hot Springs11.0 milesBoy it was chilly last night. Wind came in through the floor and stole heat. Eric had his hammock strung up across the front of the shelter. To get out to pee I had to crawl under him ungracefully. I rammed him from underneath as I failed to crawl low enough. In the morning I confessed. And then so did several other people. I didn't feel as bad about it after that. I found a dozen nuts in my pack when I got up. John, whose pack was next to mine, found several dozen. Whatever critter put them there wasn't that bright. It's one thing to stow them in a structure, but in a bag that wasn't there yesterday? Not a great idea. I was so cold by the time I got done with breakfast that I could barely feel my hands and feet. I walked for over an hour before I got warm enough to start removing layers, and it took another hour to get all the feeling back in my feet. My mom says the east coast is having record cold, and I believe her. It certainly feels colder to me than November usually does. My day went by quickly with the destination of town in mind. I stopped first at the laundromat, finding it with an open sign but locked up. Then I stopped at the outfitter for my package. I forgot that Neon had sent me one! Thanks, dear heart! So I had a surprise package as well as my box from JD. He sent me more of my cold weather gear. My 20 degree bag isn't cutting it, so he sent my 40 degree quilt to layer with it. I'm also subbing in my NeoAir Xtherm for my Klymit pad, which is for some reason cold despite being insulated. And JD sent my JetBoil. My alcohol stove is a pain at these temps and in wind, to the point that I've skipped meals rather than deal with it. That's a pretty stupid thing to do, but when I'm tired and cold at the end of the day, any impediment is enough to stop me in my tracks. I hope my easy to use Jetboil simplifies dinner and breakfast and helps my tired, cold self make hot food. After the outfitter I stopped by the motel. A note said to check in at Tobacco Road. That turned out to be the business next door. But the guy at the desk said no rooms were open because the maid hadn't showed up. I walked outside, pondering my options, and JD and Fearless pulled up! After a brief discussion I joined them and we all went to Elmer's. I've been here, in the early 2000s. It hasn't changed much. We three hikers showered and went to Iron Horse Station for an excellent dinner. It was great to see JD and Fearless. I'm probably three days behind them now, so who knows if I'll see them again. But I keep running into them so I hope history repeats itself. My foot and I are looking forward to a day off and lots of town food tomorrow. Then I'll head off Smokies-ward. As of today I have 273 miles left to go. I can't even describe how eager I am to get home to my loved ones again. A few more weeks of cold hiking and I'll have accomplished what I set out to do.  Soon. Very soon.
Date: 2017-11-13
To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

11/13Elmer's in Hot Springs0 milesOh my goodness. Sleeping in a warm comfortable bed was ecstasy. I woke up so happy. I'm glad I chose the cooler of the rooms offered. The warm one was appealing when I got here all chilly, but I would have roasted overnight. I walked across the street to the Smoky Mountain Diner for a little breakfast, then returned to my room to try to get organized. My antique filled room. I'm pretty sure it's the same one I stayed in 15 years ago. The Earl Shaffer room. Anyway, I sorted and planned and generally got ready for the day. I spent quite a while at Bluff Mountain Outfitters. I'm heading into the Smokies this week and I would like to be as warm and comfortable as possible. I think I'm good now, with the possible exception of a chance of snow. I'm not carrying any spikes. But I think that's probably overkill. It might be a little slick if it snows but it shouldn't be the sort of ice you see at the end of winter. I have hand warmers galore. And I bought a Nalgene to use as a hot water bottle. I waffled on the size of fuel canister to pick up. I finally decided on a small one since I'll have many opportunities to get another canister as I head south. After mailing home some redundant items, I spent the rest of the day sorting, packing, and resting. Also petting Elmer's adorable dog Carter and stunningly beautiful cat Pearl. They make great hostel pets as they apparently like everybody. I've had a big dinner and I'm all packed up. In the morning I'll eat a little breakfast and vamoose. I think I'll sleep a lot warmer now, which does great things for my daily happiness level. Yay hiking!