morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-03
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Another gorgeous day,.... a perfect hiking day, sunny, but cool. After a filling diner breakfast, where we snatched up the last warm, huge, sweet and sticky cinnamon bun, and a short spiritual reflection at the hiker's ridge ministries house, my husband and I drove to Asheville to look for a new sleeping bag for me. My -5F was keeping me a little too warm on the trail. REI was packed, but I found a bag, a bite valve cover and a short sleeve smart wool shirt. Prefer smart wool, as the synthetic fabrics start to reek within hours of hiking, at least for me. Sale and dividend lowered the final price by just about half. Jackpot!!! Also grocery shopped a little to complete my next 5 day supply and the next mail drop. Back in Hot Springs we met up with Sam Squared and their visiting family members, plus Hey Everybody for a yummy dinner at the Iron Horse. Went for a nice walk after, as it feels weird not putting in some miles. Want to wish Wanderdog, Quasimodo and Sam jr. all the best on their new adventures back home.
Date: 2016-04-04
From: Hot Springs

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

Second zero day, and it was a lazy one! Had another yummy breakfast at the diner, this time with hey everybody. Then we took him and us to a nearby Walmart for resupply. Sent him off on the AT, had a nice leftovers picnic lunch on the back porch of our little cottage overlooking spring brook. Mailed out my next resupply from here. Had an afternoon nap. Explored the upcoming first AT mile for tomorrow, had a delicious dinner and topped this off with dessert and a glass of wine back at the cottage. Yup, leisure pure! My pack is all set for the morning. I think the food bag alone is 10 pounds, at least it feels/ looks very heavy. 5+days of supply. After another diner breakfast in the morning I am hoping to hit the trail early. I will try to update, but might have to wait till the next WiFi spot. Sam squared, I am looking forward to seeing you in Virginia! Thanks to all who write in my guest book! Messages are always welcome!
Date: 2016-04-05
From: Hot Springs

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

It was tough leaving my husband and heading back on the trail this morning. My legs thought they were done hiking ,but got in the groove again after about 3 miles. There was a beautiful pond on the way today, a nice place to stop for a snack. The forest service was reclaiming a piece of land for turkey and grouse and other wildlife at another site down the trail. Camped by myself tonight, which was a new experience. Finding a branch that would support my heavy food bag, was a challenge again, but I found one and after several tries had that rope of mine over the branch!
Date: 2016-04-06
From: Allen Gap

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

Had the most amazing rock scramble up Big Firescald Knob! Loving this!! Wind was nice and strong, so I was greatful for my 30+ pound backpack to keep me grounded. 360* views. America has some beautiful places! Thank you Howard, to make this trail section possible! Spent the night inside the shelter, as rain was predicted.
Date: 2016-04-07
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Good thing I stayed inside the shelter, as it did rain that night. Still trying to catch up to Hey Everybody, hope to do so tomorrow! Felt warmer than yesterday, starting out. Then the clouds moved in again and we got some rain/hail. Met Spongebob and his brother today, just before hitting Sams Gap. As the hail got stronger and the clouds darker, decided to stay at the Campside. Good choice, as the weather worsened and ended up in a thunderstorm by 8 pm. I was dry, well fed and safe inside my tent.
Date: 2016-04-08
From: Low Gap

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It got cold last night. Woke up to a tent partially covered with a snow ice mix. So I took my time getting out of the sleeping bag, had some hot oatmeal and some tea for breakfast then got going. The nice thing about snow on the ground you get to see all kinds of animal prints. Saw some deer, rabbit, what I think racoon and the prints in the picture, which I am still not sure what they are. Anyone?? And I am not talking about the size 10 shoe print! Walked alone all day, only 4 other hikers coming towards me, except about 15 minutes prior to reaching my destination shelter. I love the quiet, letting my thoughts run. Humming various songs again. One I only remember the first verse of is the german 'im Fruehtau zu Berge', asking all Germans reading... do you know the other verses? I think there are 3? Did end up with 6 hikers and dog Theo in the shelter for the night. As temps dropped again you could only see my nose peeking out of the sleeping bag.
Date: 2016-04-09
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 6.2

We had more snow during the night, started with warm layers again, the sun poked thru right away, but the wind stayed cold. Nice to only have a short hike down the mountain with beautiful views of the river along the way. Had a hot shower, met up with Hey Everybody, went to lunch in the town of Erwin TN, set up tent out back as the hostel was full, did laundry, resupplied, socialized with other hikers, talked with my man at home..... perfect day!!!
Date: 2016-04-10
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

It is a beautiful Sunday. Great day for a slack pack. Got a free ride to Indian Grave Gap with Hey Everybody's trail magic family. Got a delicious sandwich, a soda and chips for lunch and then took off back towards the hostel. Just carrying a tiny day pack is nice, but also feels stange. As there was plenty of space in the pack I was able to pack out some trash left behind at the shelter I passed. Went out to Erin for dinner. Had delicious lasagne, and then cheesecake to top it off. Could not finish that despite a good effort on my part. You should have seen me waddle like a 10 month pregnant woman towards Walmart for the shuttle pick up. Had to pass on the chicken wings offered by Jeff later on that evening. The folks at Uncle Johnny's really do a lot for hikers!!!
Date: 2016-04-11
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel

To: Camp site
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Got shuttled out to Indian Grave Gap and started my hike there. Past Beauty Spot and up Unaka Mountain with it's Spruce trees. The smell of the forest... the AT is definitely engaging all senses! Ended up at a nice meadow campsite with 5 other hikers. Want to wish Hey Everybody a speedy recovery and hope to see him on the trail again soon! Thank you againto Jeff and Uncle Johnny for their support and flexibility in providing services to hikers!
Date: 2016-04-12
From: Camp site

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to rain this morning. Waited til about 9:30 am to get going, in the hopes I could at least get started dry, but no such luck. Packed up wet, stayed mostly dry thanks to the rain gear. It continued to drip and drizzle til about 2 in the afternoon. Then the sun finally won the battle. Had planned to only go as far as Ash Gap, but with the weather clearing and the forecast looking good pushed on to the highest shelter on the AT. This shelter is fully enclosed with a door, unlike the other 3 sided shelters I have stayed in so far. On the way there came past the chimney. Not sure if it was part of the luxury hotel/ resort that used to be near there. It got cold quickly this evening. So most of us got thru dinner quickly and settled in for the night.
Date: 2016-04-13
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Doll Flats 
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

It was cold getting upthis morning. Even inside the shelter the temperature was below freezing. Down from Roan mountain we went, and over some beautiful balds, 360* views. The sun was out, just the wind stayed cool. Got to see some deer crossing the path just a few yards away from me. Magical moments,that i did not want to destroy by going for my camera. Got to a barn,converted into a shelter by lunch time,and caught the group of trail angels leaving. Lucky for me and some fellow hikers, they had some beer and soda left. Happy times! The day ended at Doll Flats campground, just after leaving North Carolina. Great place to camp!!!
Date: 2016-04-14
From: Doll Flats 

To: Vango Memorial Hostel
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

Got a good start this morning. Been hiking with shooting star, Nike and Kaio. Not together necessarily, but starting and ending at the same place. 3 wonderful young women! Walked thru meadows being redesigned to attract the gold winged warbler, a rare species in Tennessee. Had a great lunch spot at Jones falls, and ended hiking at the Vango Hostel. A nice place about .3 miles off the trail. Got to tent for free, with a heads up, that a bear comes to visit regularly to check out the trash cans. So my hopes went up to maybe get to see one. Needless to say all food bags are stored away safely inside the house. Had a great time here, as Scottie, a '99 thru hiker, who took over from Vango, started playing the piano on the back porch that evening. So i squeezed my tush onto the piano bench next to Scottie and sang along. I did not see anyone go for their earplugs, so it must not have been too bad. The bandwidth of hostels is truly a reflection of the variety of hikers on the trail. Oh, no bear that night.
Date: 2016-04-15
From: Vango Memorial Hostel

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

The weather is holding nicely, which makes hiking easier. Relatively short day today. Ended up near Hampton at a very nice resort. Stayed at the bunkhouse, my only companions Sojo and Theo. This made for a nice quiet evening with great conversation. My food intake is increasing, so a foot long sub does not do the trick anymore. had to add two banana peanut butter wraps to fill me up. That is after snacking on doritos and cliff bars. I did let Theo lick out the peanut butter jars. Before you get ideas... Theo is the most wonderful golden retriever!
Date: 2016-04-16
From: Black Bear Resort

To: Campsite near spring
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

We had a toasty day today. Started late at 9:30 am, as I only had 10.5 miles planned to the next shelter. But when I got to the trailhead, a notice said that shelter was closed due to bear activity. So plans changed.... it turned into a 16 mile day, with a full pack. Was I glad to see the spring at the end of the day and a campsite right next to it! Fox, TJ and Pierre camped out with me. All 3 of them real nice folks! This was the first day i really had to push myself, but again, I was not alone in that, so that gave me comfort. The scenery was great again, right at the beginning of the day were Laureleased falls, and we did some ridge walking, stunning!
Date: 2016-04-17
From: Campsite near spring

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

What a great Sunday hike! Sunny, more ridge walking with great views. Got to see some rabbits hopping along the trail. Reasonable ups and downs. And then at around 3 in the afternoon a big box with trail magic! Coke and a danish for me!A big thank you to the GA and volunteers of Nelson Chapel Baptist Church, who refill this box daily, so all hikers get some magic!!! Another treat was walking across a meadow right after wit its sweet smell. TJ, Mercury (Pierre got his trail name), Fox and I moving the last miles in locomotion style.
Date: 2016-04-18
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: clear sky

Hiked out of camp at 7 am, as we had a long day ahead of us. Once Fox caught up with me, we hiked most of the day together. Lots of little ups and downs before the big down into town. It was another hot day 80 degrees plus and barely a breeze. Hit the TN/VA Stateline by 2 pm and rolled into town by 3:30. Amazing where the energy comes from, when you dangle a town, hostel, hot shower and restaurants in front of a hiker. 5th gear! Also great to see the familiar faces of Milkman and Shooting Star. Glider was at the hostel as well and gifted me with a self turned emergency whistle. My body is ready for a zero day tomorrow!
Date: 2016-04-19
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0

The Woodchuck hostel has breakfast included if you rent a bed space. Oh my, the most delicious blueberry waffles!!! All you can eat!!! Yummy!! As I was able to hit the grocery store yesterday and got all the ingredients, made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies for all the hikers. Kind of paying it forward whenever I can. Post office, outfitters and Hey Joe's for lunch. As I went out for dinner last night, decided to make dinner at the hostel. I think Glider is still in awe that I managed a huge t-bone steak and a big plate of tomato mozzarella and basil salad all by myself! Oh and I did have dessert about 2 hours later, too! 3 square meals, what more can a hiker ask for?? Productive zero day.
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Damascus

To: Lone Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

It was tough, leaving those blueberry waffles behind! Did have a final two before hitting the trail again. Out of town usually means uphill. No different in Damascus. Had a yellow butterfly land on one of my hiking poles today. He did not stay long enough to take a picture, but the moment was magical. Met Mountain Man, a SoBo, during my snack break. He gave us good information of what is coming up for us NoBo hikers. He also gives great hugs! Now if I could just lighten my pack to the same weight his was.... Hiked on and off with Glider today, all the way to the shelter. There are at least 15 of us here for the night. Found a nice tenting spot and a good branch to hang my food bag. Sojo and Theo lost their food to a bear as well. All of us are more careful, so food and tents stay intact. Slept sound and warm in my tent.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Lone Mountain Shelter

To: Grayson Highland Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

At 6:20am left the shelter, earliest yet to start my hiking day. What a great day it turned out to be. Hiked past Mt. Rogers, the highest elevation in Virginia, and into the Grayson Highlands, with its wild ponies. Scrambled over rocks, had amazing views on the balds, took pictures of ponies far away and close up. The landscape reminded me of scenes out of western movies, with lush green meadows, areas with trees and rock boulders. It is funny, there are signs everywhere that horses are not allowed on the AT. But as soon as you see the first of those signs, there is horse manure all over the trail. I guess the horses do not read the signs?! Decided to stay in the shelter because of predicted rain. Because of that i thought the shelter would be packed, but it ended up an 'all girl' place, with Cinnamon, Sister and me. Now if just the mice would have stopped tap dancing in the rafters.
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Grayson Highland Shelter

To: Church hostel in Troutdale
Miles today: 16.0

It did start raining during the night, so I was glad to pack up dry. It was still raining when I left the shelter and the clouds looked like it could continue all day long. It did stop for about 2 hours, but then we got a real nice soak for about another 2 hours, before the sun peeked through. There is a good thing about the rain. As I was on a decent uphill when it poured, I moved up nice and steady, looking down, so my glasses would not get wet and watching my footing,and not looking up to see when the hill was over and in turn getting discouraged by the still to climb portion. Met Zebra at the Hurricane Shelter, where I stopped in for lunch. He was done for the day, but already wet, I moved on. It was nice reaching the hostel at the end of the day. Dry out wet clothing and pack, have a hot shower, eat well and stay warm for the night. This hostel is run on a donation basis only. A great place to stop in!
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Church hostel in Troutdale

To: Campsite past Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 16.9

When i picked up my supply package at the post office this morning, i got a nice surprise. My box was decorated with encouraging words and signatures from some of the guys and gals of the 227Asos and the 17th FW. Got me all teary eyed and greatful for the support I get from so many of my friends, family, co-hikers and strangers. Then the pastor's wife was my trail angel this morning. She took me to the store to get some campfuel and then to the trail head, to get my hiking day started at 9 am. I feel truly blessed to have this kind of backup/emotional safety net! Hoping I can give back in the future as much as I receive right now! The weather mostly held for the day, as I waddled up and down the trail with my super heavy, freshly loaded pack. Made it to Partnership shelter by 3:30. A little early to quit for the day.So decided to eat dinner there. No not pizza, that most hikers order and that will be delivered to the shelter, but some of my own food. Lightened the pack, if only slightly. Did move on after, and camped with 3 retirees from Kentucky, thru hikers like me.
Date: 2016-04-24
From: Campsite past Partnership Shelter

To: Campsite mile 550.6
Miles today: 15.4

It is Sunday, and there is a brunch at the barn in Atkins. You dangle food in front of this hiker and a chance to hopefully meet up with hiking friends and she can move! Started around 7am and killed the 9 miles to the restaurant in under 4 hours. Shaved off 40 minutes of my estimated time! The trail helped, having less rocks and roots to watch out for and once up that first climb, basically being a lot downhill. Sunny weather helped, too. Sister was waiting at one of the gas stations, and there came Fox, Mercury and Minion (formerly TJ). Made for a great lunch hour!! Sister and I hiked on, while the others stayed to resupply. They will catch up soon enough! Stopped at a campsite, undecided to hike further and tackle the next climb, but Journey Man and Magellan were already set up and we started talking... so I called it a day. I had seen their names on the trail registers just ahead of me for the past few days. It turns out Magellan was one of the first hikers whose tent was destroyed by a bear near Hampton. With a campfire going, we had a great afternoon/ evening. Heard a weird sound, starting in the evening, lasting through the night. We are undecided if it was a bird, a frog or a car alarm.
Date: 2016-04-25
From: Campsite mile 550.6

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

"Oh, what a beautiful morning, oh, what a beautiful day...." Got to see deer, squirrels, chipmunks and an abundance of birds. First time for a cardinal today! The terrain was a nice mix of ups and downs, ending with an up along Chestnut Ridge with great views and a decent spring to resupply water just short of the shelter on top of the ridge. Wonderful sunset and great starry night sky.
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Campsite
Miles today: 15.1

During the night the wind howled around the house, but i was warm and snug inside my sleeping bag. The sunrise this morning was stunning! As I was leaving the shelter after a productive night updating my trail journals page, here came Pica up the trail. Great to see familiar faces! We came across a different kind of trail magic today, in for of a huge trash can, where we were able to loose some pack weight. Always nice, especially before another climb! Pica moved ahead, Magellan caught up and we had a nice break on top of the ridge. Somehow the miles came slowly today, even though the terrain was not bad. Did head past the shelter on to the campsite. Baby Chicken was already there, so we sat and cooled off our feet in the creek then set up camp, thinking we might be the only ones for the night. But then Sara, Recon, Creature and Optimistic Dreamer showed up as well. Great group of hikers! Most of us have the same destination goal for tomorrow. Let'stand hope for a rain free night and dry pack up. For now I am warm and dry inside my tent/sleeping bag.
Date: 2016-04-27
From: Laurel Creek Campsite

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

The 18.8 miles made for a long day! We did get rain during the night, but we're able to pack up dry. (Meaning wet tent, but no rain while packing up in the morning.) Despite a rain forecast we only got sprinkled on twice. Ithe was neat to see the clouds hang low in the valleys below the trail. Recon and I hiked some time together and had snack break just past Bland. Found some little creatures along the way today. More rain in the forecast, so I stayed in the shelter and had enough time to dry out my tent.
Date: 2016-04-28
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 14.5 miles today, with a wonderful stop @ Trent's Grocery. Had a good cheeseburger, gatorate and pepsi Recon and Sara shared their chips and oreos. I do believe the most talked about subject on the AT is food. What and where to eat when in town, good resupply options, favorite recipes, what to make/ pack for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner,..... For the first time I hiked with music in one ear. Not sure this is for me, but it did help not repeating the same song in my head over and over again. Lots of footbridges and at the end of the day a nice cold soak for my feet in the nearby stream. This has been the longest stretch for me so far without a shower. My hiking shirt actually has salt stains on it. A novelty for me, but with warmer weather it might become a daily occurance. Even though my hiking pace runs around 2 miles /hour my body feels more comfortable doing mid teen to high teen milage. Hope to up that occasionally into the 20s, come easier terrain. I am thankful for all the miles covered so far and look forward to the miles yet to be hiked.
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Started my hiking day at around 7:15 this morning, but took my sweet time as I only had just over 7 miles to walk to the hostel. Stopped at a radio tower outlook along the way, a great snack spot. The hostel is great, with from scratch home made and some of it home grown food. Neville is a fantastic cook, having turned her grandmother's homestead into a busy hiker hostel. Sadly, only my bounce box was at the place for pick up. My supply package from home, with food to get me into Daleville and a new smart wool t-shirt, my husband drove 2 hours to our local rei to get me, mysteriously disappeared. What a disappointment! We tried for two days to locate it, but I guess it is gone for good. With the bounce box items and help from my trail friend Fox and a southbound room mate, I was able to accumulate enough food to get me to my friend Sam's house, a 3.5 day hike away. The AT gives!! Even though I had seen and experienced it numerous times by now, it still amazed me. Friends, family and complete strangers make sure you can continue your journey.I am grateful!!!
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After an awesome breakfast, got a late start at around 9:45am. Leaving a nice place, good food, good company and hiking into a dreary day took some inner convincing! Good thing I am hiking towards a stay at a friend's house! At a view point, with no view today because of the weather, I got chased by a grouse. Too funny! Either protecting the nest or expecting food, the bird followed me for a fair stretch of trail. Did not need to stop for a food break till about 3:30 pm, having some of the home baked bread and cheese i had packed out. Yup, breakfast lasted me that long! Finally got to the shelter by 7 pm, my latest yet. The shelter was officially full with already 6 hikers in it, but they all moved over a bit and squeezed me in. The AT gives! I was thankful, as it started raining.