morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Tri-corner Knob Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

12 April 2011 Day 28Todays miles 7.7Cosby Knob ShelterJust as well we bad planned an easy day today because the weather took a 180 degree turn from what it was yesterday. Today instead of hot sunshine we has rain, sleet and snow. It was dry but foggy when we woke this morning bit about 10 minutes before we left camp it started to rain and continued to do so for the day, turning to sleet and snow at times at the higher elevations. We continued to walk the 7.7 miles to the next shelter without a break as it was too cold to stop. Arrived into the next shelter at 12.30 cold and wet. I'm going to look into buying a new jacket when I get to Hot Springs as this one tends to leak with the weight of the pack. A quick change of clothes and some hot chocolate and into the sleeping bag to heat up. It is now 5.30pm and the shelter is full with most people in their sleeping bags for the night. A lot of wet people came in this evening. Forecast for tomorrow is for better weather so hopefully I'll get out of here early enough and onto Standing Bear Hostel 10.5 miles from here.
Date: 2011-04-13
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

13 April 2011 Day 29Todays miles 10.6Standing Bear HostelWoke this morning to a totally different day, the for and rain had cleared off during the night to leave a bright clear day. Left the shelter at 8am and kept going until we reached Davenport Gap Shelter 7.7 miles into the day where we stopped and had lunch. We left there and headed for Davenport Gap where we had to have a second lunch as there was trail magic being done by the hiker-bikers. From there it was a slow 3 miles or so to the standing bear hostel with full bellies. We got a bed in the bunk room at the hostel, showered and got resupplied. This is a cool laid back hostel shock relies on the honesty of the hikers to pay for what they take from the resupply room. Dinner was frozen pizza from the resupply room and bed by 10.Today was my last day in the smoky mountains which are beautiful to hike, but at times the number of White blazes left a lot to be desired.
Date: 2011-04-14
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 9.9

14 April 2011 Day 30Today's miles 9.9Camping at Brown GapLeft the hostel at 8.30 and headed put onto nearly a 3000ft climb to start the day off. Got to the top of Snowbird Mountain which was a lovely grassy bald wherever stopped for lunch. The rest of the day was made up on hiking up and down climbs on dome well graded trails. Got go Brown Gap at 2.30 located some tenting space and the water source. It is now 7.20pm and I am holed up in the tent. I need to get out and stretch a bit before turning in for the night. Tenting here with Bumblebee, Millhaus, very Mary and afew more scattered around.
Date: 2011-04-15
From: Brown Gap

To: Old Road at mile 264.3
Miles today: 15.9

15 April 2011 Day 31Today's miles 15.9Camping on old road at mile 264.3Today turned out to being the longest yet, it was supposed to be a short 10 mile day but we got a early start 7.45 and got to Walnut Mountain Shelter at 1pm. It wS a pretty crappy shelter and the rain blows into it a lot and since there is a storm forecast tonight we decided to move on. We walked another 5 miles and ended up camping here,  hopefully the storm won't be as bad as the one we had on Cody Gap. It is 7.20pm now and the rain is just starting. We had a pretty good wind blowing for most of the day. There was some great walking today, first thing this morning we had Max Patch which gave some of the best views on the trail so far, pity it was so windy up there so didn't spend much time admiring them. The trail for most of the day reminded me of parts of the Knochshanahullion walk at home, lots of green tunnels under rhododendron plants not yet on bloom. The one advantage of doing the longer day today is a shorter hike into Hot Springs tomorrow. I am going to zero there on Sunday and hike out Monday after the PO opens and I pick up my package from Mum, hopefully it will be there. Regards to all who are walking in the Nire Valley this weekend I'm thinking of the craic you are having at the moment, I hope to get in contact with you tomorrow at some stage.
Date: 2011-04-16
From: Old Road at mile 264.3

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: few clouds

16 April 2011 Day 32Today's miles 7.1Hot SpringsThe tent site last night was pretty sheltered from the wind and rain so I slept reasonable well. Packed up the wet tent and headed for the town of Hot Springs about 8am. Got trail magic in the form of water, crackers and a snickers bar at Garenflo Gap supplied by the outfitters and one of the hotels in Hot Springs. Got into town at 12.30pm after taking time on the descent and checked into the Sunny Bank B&B. Headed across the road for some good food at the diner. After food came the laundry and shower and the return of some sense of normality. We ate dinner at the B&B where the owner cooks a vegetarian meal for the guests that sign up for it.
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

17 April 2011 Day 33Zero dayHot SpringsTook a day off today and spent it resupplying for the next 5 days for the push to Erwin hoping to get there by Friday. I bought a new rain jacket at the outfitters as my own was letting water in on my shoulders, let's hope the new one is able to take the weight of the pack and keep the water out. The evening was spent getting a massage, having a couple of beers with some grub and then bed. We moved today to the alpine court motel as there was only 1 showers between us all at the B&B.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

18 April 2011 Day 34Today's miles 11.4Spring Mountain ShelterHad breakfast early at the diner and then waited for the PO to open at 9am to pick up the package the mum sent from home. Thanks Mum the taytos and chocolate went down well. Hit the trail at 10am and took our time as the day was very warm, I find it very tough going in the heat and have to make sure to keep drinking water along the way to stop getting dehydrated. I don't know what I'll do with the summer temperatures as I struggle with the temperature on a hot day already. Let home for a cool summer here this year. Made it into the shelter at 5.30pm and set up tent. It is like tent city here tonight with aloof of people leaving Hot Springs after the trail fest that was on for the weekend. It is now 9.30pm and I'm ready for sleep, will have to put in the earplugs as the snoring has started already around here and the tents are very close together.
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerrys Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

19 April 2011 Day 35Todays miles 15.4Jerry Cabin ShelterGot our earliest start this morning, packed up and walking by 7.30am. I found today a tough day not only physical but mentally. I think it was a combination of things, a day with temperatures way too high for me and so I struggled for a lot of the day, the bugs also were horrendous in the afternoon   also the trail was tough today with a long climb followed by a strenuous and rocky exposed section for a couple of miles. The good part of the day was trail magic at Allen Gap where two previous thru hikers live and invite you into their home and feed you a great meal. We eventually struggled into Jerry Cabin Shelter at 7pm, set up tent and cooked some noodles to eat. It is now 9.30pm and all I'm fit for is sleep hopefully the wind doesn't pick up too much at there is supposed to be a cold front moving in. I think it'll be a night for the ear plugs again as I'm tented very near the bear cables and they are squeaking a lot.
Date: 2011-04-20
From: Jerrys Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

20 April 2011 Day 37Todays miles 14.7Hogback Ridge CreekManaged to get the tent down before the rain got too bad so I didn't have to pack out a wet tent so no extra weight. Got on the trail at a reasonable hour around 7.30 only for the rain to start immediately. I wasn't sorry to see the rain as it cooled things down from yesterday's temperatures. The rain lasted most of the morning and dried up around midday. The hiking today was good with only one long 1600ft climb over good underfoot conditions mostly. Got to the shelter at 4.30pm and got a place so I'll have a dry tent in the morning. Looks like there is storm rolling at the moment with thunder in the distance. Got trail magic at the shelter in the form of coke, crackers and cookies from some guy who hikes in from Sams Gap with his kid, he also offered to give any one who wanted a ride into Erwin and a lift back to the trail next morning.
Date: 2011-04-21
From: Hogback Creek Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

21 April 2011 Day 36Today's miles 16.0Campsite at Spivey GapLeft shelter at 7.30am after reasonable nights sleep, ear plugs did their business again as the snoring and the mice were active at times, I heard neither. The weather was cool this morning which made for pleasant walking as we headed for Big Bald. We got to the top of it after a long climb around 1pm and enjoyed clear 360 degree views shock were pretty awesome. Had lunch sitting on top and then made our way down to the next Shelter where we stopped for a short break and to use the privy. Left there around 2.30pm and headed over little Bald and started descending to Whistling Gap and then up the next climb of day which was tough nearing the end of the day. Eventually pulled infinite campsite here at 5.30 tired after my first 16 mile day. Heading onto the town of Erwin tomorrow a 10 mile walk mainly downhill to get there. I'm hoping we escape rain tonight as I don't fancy lugging a wet tent. Almost 340 miles complete with just over 29,000 meters climbed so far. Got trail magic at sams gap this morning coke and cookies at one side of the road and onto the other a variety of foods and beverages from two other hikes on the trail.
Date: 2011-04-22
From: Campsite at 361.4

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

22 April 2011 Day 38Todays miles 10.4River rd Erwin TNWoke up to a wet tent after overnight rain but managed to get packed up between showers so the weight of the damp tent wasn't too bad. Left camp around 8am and made it to the next shelter 4.7 miles away by 10.15 and stopped in for a quick break. Headed for Erwin along a lot of contours around the hills today which are very rough on the ankles. Along the way we had to climb over a blowdown tree which involved taking packs off and passing them between the branches and then getting over ourselves an interesting diversion for a few minutes but I'm glad I wasn't trying to do it alone. Got to Uncle johnnys hostel at lunch time, all the beds were taken at that time so its camping in the back garden for the night. This is another really nice place offering help to hikers. Then it was the usual town things shower, laundry, resupply and food. In tent at the moment with the wind blowing a bit hopefully it'll calm down. Taking a sleep in in the morning as tomorrow is going to be s short hiking day.  Thanks Eil for the lucozade tabs and the letter.I gave away some as they are kinda heavy to carry, but it was great to read the letter.
Date: 2011-04-23
From: Erwin

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

23 April 2011 Day 39Today's miles 4.8Curley maple gap shelterWoke up to a lot of condensation on the tent this morning at 6.30 so much for a sleep in not happening at the moment. Ate some breakfast and hung around making a few phone calls and updated my journal while waiting for the tent to dry out which didn't take long once the sun appeared. Had some food at the trail magic before leaving town at 2pm. The hike to the shelter was slow with a lot of stops due to the heat. Got to the shelter and decided to tent here rather than moving on another few miles, ate some food and hung around the camp fire for a few hours before turning in fir the night. Hoping to get an early start tomorrow before the heat of the day kicks in.
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 361.3
Miles today: 17.2

24 April 2011 Day 40Today's miles 17.2Campsite at mile 361.3Long day started at 7.30 this morning and arrived at this campsite around 7pm after doing first 17 mile day and boy do my feet know about it. I'm lying in the tent waiting for the pain in my feet to subside so I can go asleep. The first 4 miles today were a gentle start to the day and then we had a climb to over 5000 ft and back down the other side. Decided to add on a few extra miles today bringing us closer to Roan Mtn tomorrow over 6000ft. We are camped tonight in an apple orchard and the bugs were terrible while cooking dinner. There are just three of us camped here, all women, pretty unusual out here.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Campsite at mile 361.3

To: Hughes Gap
Miles today: 8.6

25 April 2011 Day 41Today's miles 8.6Hughes GapGot an early start out of camp at 7.30, getting better at packing up and getting on the road. Stopped for a break after about an hour and while looking at the map and guide book I had an idea of cutting the day short and getting off the trail and coming out and slashpack over Roan Mtn the next day, so Bumblebee had phone service so she made the call and Bingo we we having a short day. Remade our way to Hughes Gap and the owner of the B&B picked us up. Had a chilled out evening catching up with people at home and just chilling. The owner of B&B took us into town to get some food and resupply. Then off to bed for an early start the next morning.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Hughes Gap

To: US 19E Roan Mountain TN
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

26 April 2011 day 42Today's miles 20.1US 19E Roan Mtn TNUp early and ate breakfast before being dropped back to Hughes Gap at 7am with only day packs on our backs. Started the 2000ft climb up Roan Mtn and got to the top within 2 hrs, no way I could have done that a month ago. It was different walking without the big pack I was taking much longer strides and are not minding my steps as much. We had a couple of showers on the way up and the summit was covered in fog so no views. Headed down and took a short break at Stan Murray Shelter before heading to Overmountain Shelter, an old barn converted to a shelter for lunch. Continued on what was a beautiful walk over little hump and hump mountains with great views. Then started the descent from hell just as North Carolina welcomed us with a rotten climb it decided to kick us in the arse with a murderous descent over a tangled mess of rocks and roots, this ate into the time we had made by slashpacking. We eventually got to the road at 5.30pm where the owner of the B&B picked us up. A shower was followed by pizza and beer for dinner then a nights sleep. I would highly recommend the Roan   Mountain B&B as a place to stay, very friendly and the owners cant do enough to help you out.2 states now done!
Date: 2011-04-27
From: US 19E Roan Mountain TN

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

27 April 2011 Day 43Today's miles 8.7Mountaineer ShelterA short day for two reasons, 1. The legs were pretty tried and my left heel sore after yesterday and 2. The weather forecast was terrible with a severe storm to blow in during the day. It is now 6.10pm and it hasn't hit yet but is getting windier and a few claps of thunder has been heard in the distance. So not a lot of time spent hiking today but instead a chilled Nero day in this shelter waiting for the storm along with a few others.
Date: 2011-04-28
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Denis Cove Road
Miles today: 15.7

28 April 2011 Day 44Today's miles 15.7Denis cove rd Kincora hostelWell the storm blew in about midnight but it wasn't too bad at the shelter, saw a few flashes of lightening and heard rain and thunder a few times. It seems that we experienced vey little compared to other places as there are a lot of people less fortunate all over NC and we have been told that a tornado touched down in Damascus where we are heading to on Sunday. It was still raining when we woke this morning but had stopped when we started hiking and stayed dry for day and didn't get too hot. The terrain today was all up and downs which I found tough going as you would be just getting used to going down Shen you had to change to climbing mode using different muscles. Guess I'll always find something to complain about the terrain. We still made good time getting to the hostel here at about half three. Got a bunk and caught the 5 pm shuttle run into town and did the resupply and picked up a salad for dinner. This is  nice place for hikers to stay operated by a man who does a lot for the trail and hikers called Bob People a truly decent guy who runs this place on donations.
Date: 2011-04-29
From: Denis Cove Road

To: Vandventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

29 April 2011 Day 45Today's miles 17.4Vandeventer ShelterEventually have wifi and able to updateLeft Kincora hostel at 7.30 this morning and had a nice walk alongside the river and then a rocky descent to Laurel Falls and past the shelter. Then a climb and descent of approximate 1700ft to pond flats which I found hard on the feet. Eventually came to Watunga Lake where we stopped for lunch very civilised picnic benches and I soaked my feet in the cold water for awhile which helped. Left there and headed for the shelter again climbing 1500 ft, got up the shelter at 6pm but them had to go get water which involved another half hour walking down a steep incline. After that cooked something to eat, massaged the feet which took a fair banging today and are pretty sore tonight. We had to climb over a lot of blowdowns today from the storm the other night. 9pm now so off to sleep hopefully once the feet stop throbing.
Date: 2011-04-30
From: Vandventer Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

30 April 2011 Day 46Today's miles 14.4 Double Springs ShelterTook a nice leisurely day today as we were doing only 14 miles today. Got on the trail at 7.30 this morning not sure how far we were going to go, decided on 14 mile day to avail of an early finish and because it was a hot day. The trail today was a nice easy trail with mostly gentle up and downs. Got into the shelter at 4pm and felt pretty awful with a dodgy belly but just lay down and it seemed to settle down, so hopefully it will be ok in the morning as we are stating a 6 to head into Damascus.
Date: 2011-05-01
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

1 May 2011 Day 47Today's miles 18.8DamascusGot earliest start of the trip so, up and on the trail at 5.50am all thanks to a bet between Bumble Bee and Millhaus for a bottle of wine which Bumble Bee won. It was dark starting off and needed headlamps for the first half hour or so. We made it to the next shelter almost 9 miles in before 10am and took a break. The surface underfoot was good for the most part and easy to make time. Took a break at the border 3.5 miles out of town between TN and Va, so we mow have 3 states complete. We made it to town at 2.30pm and headed straight to restaurant for food and a beer. Checked into B&B and went to do laundry before hitting the shower. Went out for something to eat with Bumble Bee, Millhaus, Dodah Man and Doug at seven and then hit the cot.
Date: 2011-05-02
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

2 May 2011 Day 48Zero dayDamascusTook a day off today to give the legs a rest. Got up about eight and as the laundry has front loading machines I decided to wash my sleeping bag and then after purchasing a new lighter summer sleeping bag I decided to send it home so I saved you Eileen from the delight of washing it. The guy in the outfitters says I should not need to get it back but just add a liner to my new bag. Held onto the heavy long underwear to sleep in for the moment just in case the nights are cold over the next few nights. The rest of the day was spent getting resupplies and relaxing. Bumblebee has decided to get off the trail for a few days and Millhaus has decided to double zero so I'll beheading out alone tomorrow.
Date: 2011-05-03
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

3 May 2011 Day 49Today's miles 15.5 Lost Mountain ShelterUp and out of the B&B by 7.30 and followed the trail out of town and into the woods again. It was kinda weird heading out alone and I kept going most of the day only stopping for short breaks as there was rain forecast before the evening. I got to lost mountain shelter just after 4 pm and got a ace in the shelter. The rain started just before five and let up for bit later so managed to cook some noodles before it stated again. We are back in the land of the privy again so no more digging holes. There were two stiff climbs involved today and more of the same tomorrow. 8pm now and I'm in the new sleeping bag in a packed shelter with the rain still falling. I think the snoring could get pretty bad tonight.
Date: 2011-05-04
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

4 May 2011  Day 50Today's miles 17.3Wise ShelterGot a late enough start this morning didn't leave the shelter until almost 9, most people seem to be in no hurry away as the morning was damp. Yesterday was a hot today but today we had the opposite, the day wasn't to bad starting off but as I approached buzzard rock things changed and the snow started to fall and continued on off for awhile. I got to Thomas Knob Shelter at about 3 and considered calling it a day as the feet were hurting after climbing over all the roots and rocks on the way up Mt Rogers the highest point in Virginia, but decided to move on as the next shelter was only 5 miles on and I thought the terrain might be ok as it entering Grayson Highlands which has wild ponies grazing and might be easy going. How wrong was I it started off ok but after a mile turned into a rock jumble and slow miles to the shelter as the snow started to fall again I arrived at approx. 6 and it was full so I pitched the tent cooked some food and retired to the bed. It looks like its going to be a cold night hopefully the sleeping bag with the liner will keep me warm enough, it has taken awhile to heat up again once I stopped moving. I saw a few ponies around the last shelter but none as I crossed the park maybe I'll see some in the morning.
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dickey Gap Troutdale
Miles today: 15.9

5 May 2011 Day 51Today's miles 15.9Dickey Gap TroutdaleHad a cold night tenting at Wise Shelter snow showers early in the night and then frost so spent awhile scraping the ice off the tent before packing it up this morning. Got on the trail at 8 and headed for the next shelter 5 miles out and stopped for a short break and continued on to the next one for lunch, a couple of climbs on the way but nothing too bad. Left Hurricane Mtn shelter about 2 and headed for dickey Gap with the intension of moving on to a camp site 2 miles further on but when I got to the gap there was a shuttle waiting to take people to take people to a donation hostel run by a church in Troutdale so I decided a hostel and a real meal was too attractive to pass up, so that's where I ended up. Getting a lift back to the trail at 8 tomorrow morning. The morning was spent walking on snow covered ground and the evening in the sun so another day of extremes.