morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-08
From: Cosby Knob shelter

To: Davenport gap/Standing Bear farm
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

Easy hike today - mostly downhill to the N boundary of GSNP. Scattered showers but warm, 55 deg start. We made it through the Smokies!'Bus's wife Phyllis pick us up at the farm and drove us into Asheville to celebrate. Had a wonderfull AYCE buffet at the Yao restaurant.'Bus' has to leave the trail for a while, we're going to miss him!We'll be back on the trail tomorrow and plan to be in Hot Springs by the weekend.
Date: 2013-05-09
From: Davenport gap/Standing Bear farm

To: Max Patch Bald
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Had a great breakfast at IHOP. 'Bus' and his wife Phyllis brought us back to the trail head where we met up with 'Mr Miagi' for a long uphill hike to an active FAA tower. Beautiful hiking day, reached Max Patch Bald by mid afternoon. This is a unique, high, grass covered mountain in these parts - full panoramic view at summit was amazing.One young hiker pitched his tent on top (see photo) in 20+ knot winds. We decided to camp in the woods just N of the bald. After the winds had died down at dusk, I wished we had camped at the summit - the stars must have been amazing.
Date: 2013-05-10
From: Max Patch Bald

To: Deer Park Mt shelter
Miles today: 16.4

Early start, warm, nice dry tent. Wild flowers are in full bloom - saw our first pink lady slippers! Had a quiet lunch (lasagna) at Walnut Mt shelter.Brief showers in the afternoon, but warm. I was very tired by the time we reached Deer park after 16 miles (longest day so far) and noticed some swelling and redness in my right shin.Shared a great campfire tonight with ~20 hikers staying in or around the shelter.
Date: 2013-05-11
From: Deer Park Mt shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2

Warm and overcast with brief showers coming into town.Experienced a lot of pain hiking downhill in my right shin. Got into town at 10:00, googled 'shin issues' at the library, and found out I have a shin splint - never had one before. Checked into Elmers for tonight.Great Vegan dinner at Elmers with lots of philosophical discussions.Taking it easy today and plan to soak in a hot spring tonight. We'll see how things look tomorrow morning.
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0

I was pretty discouraged getting up this morning. My right shin was still swollen and ached going downstairs to breakfast. The local 'clinic' was closed, so we decided to stay on another day at Elmers. Good news from home: I qualify for a voluntary seperation program from my employer Pratt&Whitney!Gail has earned the trail name 'Cricket', which is the sound her i-phone makes when receiving text messages from our lovely grand daughter, Kylie Campbell.Our friend 'Bus' caught up with us there and was anxious to hit the trail on a beautiful cool morning. He was concerned and called his wife, who talked with their doctor, who in turn recommended a mega-dose of electrolytes. After taking the electrolytes, icing the shin for most of the morning, soaking in the 'hot spring' for an hour, and re-icing this afternoon, it's feeling much better!I'm planning to get back on the trail tomorrow.Our time in Hot Springs, NC has been great. This is a very laid back, friendly town with wonderful food and hospitality. The 'hot springs' are actually a series of private hot tubs that 108 deg spring water is piped in - very relaxing and soothing! Our next planned stop is Erwin, TN in about 5 days.
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mt shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Very cool (39 deg) start but sunny. Met Phil 'Navigator' at the campground on the way out of town - he and Amanda 'Coach' are a day behind us.A beautiful hiking day, warmed into the 70's with a light breeze. Took 800 mg of Ibuprofen to reduce inflamation and had no shin issues climbing uphill, However still painful on downhills - shortened/slowed stride and religiously using my trekking poles helped. It was frustrating, after long climbs it's much more fun to glide downhill fast. The pain was manageable, my shin felt very stiff similar to wearing a shin guard. Great views from the Rich Mt fire tower. A slow day overall, arrived at the shelter ~4:00. Another hiker gave me an icy-hot patch which helped reduce the swelling.
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Spring Mt shelter

To: Jerry Cabin shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Another cool start (35 deg) at 3550 ft. Clear, mid 70's by noon.Excellent hiking conditions. We had lunch at Little Laurel shelter where we met Laura, a young female hiker from Whitefield NH.Beautiful section along Bald ridge.Good views from Blackstack cliff, but the lookout tower at Camp Creek Bald was disappointing - too many other antennas obstructing the view in the area, very poor condition. After 12 miles, Big Firescald Knob was a challenge. Lots of steep rocky sections - similar to the Whites. Continued slow 'with small steps' coming down, arrived at the shelter ~6:30 - pretty much out of gas.
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Jerry Cabin shelter

To: Hogback Ridge shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

New weather pattern, warm (55 deg) start and clear.Fantastic hiking conditions with light winds - first short sleeve day. Shin improving with easy hiking over fairly level terrain today.Stopped for lunch (PB & jelly) at Flint Mt shelter. Hiked most of the day with 'Bus' and 'Tedley'. After crossing NC 212 roadway, followed steps over a pasture fence into a field full of grass and wild flowers - wonderful aroma! Another long day, reached the shelter at 6:50.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Hogback Ridge shelter

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 13.6

Another warm start, but overcast today.First views of the Graceland Highlands in Virginia from High Peak. Had lunch in a beautiful high meadow with blossoming apple trees. Climbed Big Bald Mt (5516 ft), which is a natural grassy bald similar to Max Patch, with an amazing full panoramic view. Reached the campsite ~5:15.
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Whistling Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Warm start (62 deg), more humid.Mostly downhill grade into Erwin (2000 ft) with several switchbacks. Took it slow and steady. Soaked my sore shin in a cold (50 deg) mountain stream on the way down for as long as I could stand but still aggravated the condition. Finally saw our first blossoming rhododendren! Arrived in town ~3:00 and checked into Uncle Johnny's hostel for R&R. A heavy thunderstorm later blew through around 5:30.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Rainy and very wet conditions this morning, so we decided to take a '0' day to relax and rest my shins!There were many familiar faces at the hostel last night. 'Coach' and 'Navigator' slack-packed 25 miles today to catch up with our bubble of hikers. Most of the young-uns rode a shuttle van this morning to a Hiker Days festival in Damascus VA, where we had hoped to be by now (~120 miles short). The miles will come, our endurance is improving! It stopped raining after lunch, so we rented bicycles at the hostel and rode into town to get supplies at Lion King. No shin problems riding the bike. We had dinner at an AYCE KFC and managed to make it back to the hostel before it started raining again.We plan to get an early start tomorrow snd hike to Curley Maple gap shelter. Our next planned stop is Roan mountain.
Date: 2013-05-19
From: Erwin, TN

To: Unata Mt
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Light rain at 7:00, we hit the trail about 8:15 with heavy packs and sun starting to break through. We should have eaten BEFORE buying supplies yesterday! Found a cooler full of 'trail magic' going out of town and had to wait on a passing train. Our mechanically savvy grandson, Casey Campbell, would love Erwin TN where 20 trains/day pass through carrying W Virginia coal to FL.We got caught in a major thunderstorm about 2:30 with hail on a high grassy knoll south of Unaka. We got some shelter under a large tarp until the rain let up, then proceeded to find a camp site at lower elevation. We waded down the river-like trail and ended up setting up the tent in the rain, which stopped about 7:00. Hung our wet cloths to dry.
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Unata Mt

To: Greasy gap
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Another thunderstorm hit at 4:30 AM - I could see the lightening flash through the tent with my eyes closed!The rain stopped around 7:00, humid and 60 degrees. So much for hanging out the wet cloths - they were saturated. The 'bugs' greeted us for a very damp breakfast. We put on the wet cloths, packed up and headed out about 8:30. They said there'd be days like this! The weather turned sunny in the afternoon but stayed humid. We decided to stay at the hostel tonight and hang our gear to dry out.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Greasy gap

To: Roan Mt
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Another major t'storm during the night but turned into a warm, beautiful day. We enjoyed excellent kosher breakfasts: Cee Cee's Hiker Dan sandwiches. We decided to slack-pack today up Roan mountain. No shin problems! There were many baby grasshoppers along the trail after the rains. We had lunch at Hughes gap and had great views from Little Rock knob.
Date: 2013-05-22
From: Roan Mt

To: Doll Flats camp site
Miles today: 11.1

Clear start this morning, but another t'storm hit about noon. Fortunately we found cover at the Over Mountain shelter, which is a converted barn that holds up to 75 hikers! It started to clear ~1:30 so we headed on over Hump Mt, where we dodged more t'storms and encountered 2 lost dogs. They followed us 3 miles over the open bald and down over the other side. It rained again around 6:00. With little energy left today we pitched camp shy of the Mountain Harbor hostel.'Cricket' was real concerned for the dogs so they ended up with us for the night in our little UL2 tent!
Date: 2013-05-23
From: Doll Flats camp site

To: Mountaineer Falls shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

From a number on one of the dog's collars, we were able to contact the dog's owner and later met him at Rt 19 near the hostel. Overcast start, rained from 8-12, and finally cleared. Nice PM hiking, but trails were wet and muddy. One section along the Elk river was absolutely beautiful - winding, white water, grassy shores.
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Mountaineer Falls shelter

To: Kincora hostel
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Rainy start, 55 deg!'Skywalker', who slept next to me in the shelter, woke up sick - apparently another victim of the dreaded Noro-virus, which has been sporadic along the trail.Skies cleared around noon, but stayed cool and windy. We had lunch at the Moreland gap shelter (58 deg) and headed on to the Kincora hostel, which is run by Bob Peoples. Bob is very well known and respected along the trail and has rebuilt a lot of the local trails. He's a big proponent of switchbacks, which are common in the south. He previously worked on the Long trail in VT and hiked the El Camino de Santiago in Spain in 2009. He showed us his passport book from that amazing adventure.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: Kincora hostel

To: Watauga lake shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Sunny and cold, 38 deg! Windy, new, dry weather pattern coming in.Our good trail friend 'Bus' is leaving the AT for a while to visit his parents in Arizona. So long and happy trails to you, we hope our paths cross again soon!We re-supplied in Hampden and hiked through a beautiful gorge which included Laurel falls. Excellent hiking conditions today. Climbed 1800 ft over Pond flats and got our first views of Watauga lake. Hiked around the lake and were the first to arrive at the shelter about 5:30. Harry, an 87 year old German adventurer, joined us an hour later.
Date: 2013-05-26
From: Watauga lake

To: Iron Mt shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Clear start, 55 deg.Trail was well dried out, very good hiking conditions today. Crossed over TVA's (1945) Watauga dam, which has an unusual arrangement - there's a ridgeline between it and the powerhouse - it's an earthen/rock structure, not conventional concrete. We had great views as we traversed around the upstream lake and arrived at Vandeventer shelter for lunch. Later met up with 'Crispin' at the Iron mountain shelter (4118 ft) about 5:00 PM.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Iron Mt shelter

To: Tent site near Backbone gap/VA border
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Gorgeous day with 'trail magic' treats along the way. Excellent hiking conditions over a relatively flat terrain. We traversed a beautiful meadow/pasture - so peaceful with a light breeze, wildflowers and cow paddies! We had lunch at Double Spring shelter at 11:00 where it was an ideal 68 deg. We had originally planned to stop at Abingdon gap shelter, but with a little gas left in our tanks and dry weather, we headed on to a camp site near the VA border. Our first 20 mile day (my first ever)!
Date: 2013-05-28
From: Tent site near Backbone gap/VA border

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 4.0

Nice morning, short hike to VA border and then into Damascus.This is a great hiker town, very compact and up-kept.Started off with blueberry pancakes at the Blue Blaze diner and selected a nice B&B to spend the night. Cricket likes it so much she wants to buy the B&B, which is up for sale!
Date: 2013-05-29
From: Damascus, VA

To: Saunders shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: few clouds

We had a great stay at the Victorian Inn B&B in Damascus - we loved this town!We're heading out to the next AT shelter after lunch. Our next planned stopover will be Marion, VA in about 5 days. It was a beautiful hike up along mountain streams - broad leaf rhododendron,mountain laurel, and wild roses were all in bloom.Again, our packs were heavy - we brought too much food! Corollary to "eat BEFORE buying supplies" is "buy supplies BEFORE drinking IPAs"
Date: 2013-05-30
From: Saunders shelter

To: Tent site near Deep gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Warm, clear, and humid - early start with section hikers Sharon & Dick 'Marathon man'. The AT joined with the VA Creeper trail (previous railroad bed) for about a half mile over some long trestle bridges spanning deep river gorges. Later we caught up with 'Snorkel', 'Canada', and 'Maker' at Buzzards rock (5080 ft) on Whitetop mountain for some great, full panoramic views. At Elk gardens, we saw our first wild horses - one had previously chased some hikers down a section of pasture and over a fence onto VA 600.Exhausted, we set up our tent at a remote campsite and turned in about 8:00 PM!
Date: 2013-05-31
From: Tent site near Deep gap

To: Old Orchard shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Warm (62 deg), sunny, and humid at 7:00 AMHiked up into the Grayson Highlands: wild and beautiful - it was everything 'Bus' had described. We saw several wild horses and also some long horn steer along the way. In the state park we met a boy scout leader and 3 scouts, who were kind enough to invite us for dinner and camp with them in the park that night. We decided to opt for staying on the trail and heading to the Wise shelter for lunch. The trail was pretty level today but very rocky along this section - tough on my feet and green Cascadias. It was very hot (88 deg) in the afternoon by the time we arrived at the Old Orchard shelter, where all I could think about was French fries with vinegar - in memory of the pier fries in Maine! Harry, the 87 year old hiker from Germany, showed up just before dark and we got to meet Mary 'Poppins', who had started with him at Springer. We also met 'Oak', who's been journaling with 'Sit-a-Bit' back home.
Date: 2013-06-01
From: Old Orchard shelter

To: Trimpi shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

Very warm and clammy start.Much smoother section of trail today. We hiked with section hikers 'Slow-goin' from Gorham NH and 'Goodvib' a young Appalachian who was just starting out but well prepared carrying a 6 pack of beer!We had lunch near the Hurricane Mt shelter and later hiked on to the Trimpi shelter, where we stopped for a snack about 4:30. It was cooler there with a gentile breeze. We ended up staying the night.
Date: 2013-06-02
From: Trimpi shelter

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 10.7

Warm and very humid start.Enjoyed some great trail magic from the Youth group at the local Baptist church near VA 670.A refreshing light rain started around 11:00 with a thunderstorm in the far distance. We arrived at the Mt Rogers visitors center after noon and shared a cab ride into Marion with 'Slow-goin', who just completed his section hike and is headed back to NH.We noticed Cricket's backpack was crooked and found the internal frame was broken. We contacted LL Bean and they are sending a replacement.
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Marion, VA

To: Marion, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Rainy morning, so we decided to take a '0' day and see the town.Marion has public transportation, so we're traveling around by bus today!We rode to the library (nice) with 'Thumper', the blue grass mandolinist, and 'Skywalker' who were headed back to the trail.Downtown was interesting. We had a great lunch at the Japanese steak house, were able to find fuel at the Army/Navy store, and good food (including Sweet Sue's chicken) at the many grocery stores.
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Marion, VA

To: Campsite near Crawfish trail
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

We plan to take the first shuttle bus back to the trailhead after going to the P.O. at 9:00. Our next planned stop will be Bland VA in 4 days.The shuttle driver lady picked us up early and had us at the P.O. when they opened, then waited for us - what a sweetheart! We were on the trail by 9:30. Met SO-BOs 'Slider' and 'Mud puddle' from Portland ME who were section hiking in prep for the PCT next year. Nice, smooth trail today - passing thru several fields and pastures. An added treat was a restaurant at the VA 683 trailhead where we met up with Sharon & Dick, who we had hiked with north of Damascus. Of course we had their Hiker special burgers.Beautiful day so we hiked late and set up camp in a wooded grove around 7:30.
Date: 2013-06-05
From: Davis path 

To: Chestnut Knob shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

Hazy, humid start. We found trail magic near the O'Lystery pavillion complements of 'Lumberjack' & 'Lab Rat' (2006 Thru-hikers). We crossed many fields today - it was very hot in the sun. We had a major, hot lunch at the Knot Maul shelter and were re-energized. Clouds rolled in late in the afternoon. The last mile and a half before the shelter was across an open bald but we made it there without getting wet.
Date: 2013-06-06
From: Chestnut Knob shelter

To: Jenkins shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Started out in the clouds (4410 ft), 65 deg.I didn't sleep well last night - Hay fever BIG TIME! Watery eyes and plugged sinuses - very unusual for me. We started down the mountain behind Harry Vost, the 87 year old, and got a lesson in graceful hiking. Harry glides downhill! - leaning forward, keeping knees bent to absorb shock loads, moving smoothly and quickly. Amazing to watch! I tried it out later and had no shin problems.Light rain started around noon and with 75 percent forecast, we decided to go slow and stay at the next shelter.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Jenkins shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: moderate rain

Early start at 7:00 in a steady rain, but still warm: 65 deg.The trail was wet and muddy. The rain let up around 10:00 and we got to the Rt 52 trailhead by noon. It started raining again so we decided to hitchhike into Bland. A kind gentlemen picked us up and delivered us directly to the only motel in town. Fortunately there was a DQ across the street where we had some delicious, cold shakes!It rained heavy again in the afternoon after Harry got in. Later we all walked down to the Dollar General for supplies and Subways for dinner.
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Bland, VA

To: Campsite near Dismal Falls
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Beautiful, sunny morning. Shared a shuttle ride back to the trailhead with Harry Rost at 9:00. Our starting section actually followed a paved road for about a mile and was poorly marked. After one false turn, we found the trail and hiked to the Davis path campsite (previous shelter location) for lunch. This section of the trail was smooth and easy going. We made it to Trent's general store for dinner and then continued on to Dismal Falls, which we found very nice - not dismal at all! Set up camp near a stream about 8:00.Our second 20+ mile day!
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Campsite near Dismal Falls

To: Woods Hole hostel
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

There was a light rain overnight but we stayed dry in our tent. Overcast, muggy, and very warm today.We had a light lunch at the Wapiti shelter with 'Half Life' a young man from Baltimore. I didn't have much energy today but decided to hike on to the famous Woods Hole hostel. We ended up with the worst bunks in the bunkhouse but were glad to be inside that night during some very heavy rain.
Date: 2013-06-10
From: Woods Hole hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

We enjoyed an excellent organic breakfast at the hostel while having great conversations with fellow hikers and the very open, hospitable owners: Neville and Michael. The main building, where breakfast was served, was a beautifully restored log cabin. I slept very poorly in the bunkhouse last night due to hay fever/allergies, and noise. After breakfast we did some assigned chores and at 9:00 it stopped raining, so we decided to head out to the town of Pearisburg. We made it about halfway there when it started pouring again. The trail, which drops about 2000 ft coming into town, was like a river!We finally arrived in town about 2:30, it was very humid but the sun was coming out. We checked into the Holiday Motor lodge and caught up with hikers 'Bear' and 'Kiwi' from New Zealand.Cricket's replacement backpack had arrived at the mail drop, so we switched it out and returned the broken one to Freeport. We enjoyed another excellent meal at the Mexican restaurant that night across from the lodge.
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Overcast and warm. We decided to take a '0' day and re-supply. Pearisburg doesn't have public transportation so we ended up walking about 7 miles for groceries on our day off!We plan to be back on the trail early tomorrow. Next stopover town is Dalesville in about 5 days.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Stony Creek
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: light rain

High temps (98 deg) forecast today, so we decided to slack pack over the ridge to Stony Creek.Saw 2 deer and a box turtle along the way. We had a brief rain shower in the morning and heard thunder in the distance. The humidity went high but temps stayed moderate (low 80's) up on the ridge. We decided to camp at the Captains alongside the creek. Unfortunately the zip line across the creek to his place was out of service so we had to do a walk around. The Captain was very hospitaple and offered us cold sodas from his well stocked frig.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Stony Creek

To: War Spur shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: moderate rain

Overcast/warm start. The trail was rough and rocky today, tough on the feet! We stopped for a hot lunch at Wind Rock, with beautiful views to the West. We could see a nasty storm coming in so we decided to push on to the next shelter. It started with a brief shower, followed by sunshine, then a major thunderstorm with hail which fell for about 10 minutes. We found protection under some fir trees and then slogged on through the rain for 3 more miles to War Spur shelter.We arrived around 3:00 but several hikers were already there waiting out the storm. The rain later stopped at 5:30 and five hikers moved on North to the next shelter. This opened up two slots for us, so we decided to call it a day and there stay the night.