morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-01-19
From: Winding Stair Gap, NC

To: Siler Bald Shelter, NC
Miles today: 4.0

Today was another beautiful day of hiking, just like the last few days. I got into a Franklin, NC motel yesterday afternoon and was shuttled back onto the trail in the early afternoon today. I then hiked to the first shelter. Ideally for me, shelters, towns, and hostels are always 12 to 14 miles apart, but of course that is not always the case. This shelter was a little too close to my start point today, but the next shelter too far, especially given my later start time today. It's part of the trail-calculus thru hikers are always doing. I think I am due for a weather change starting tomorrow mid-day. My tactic during weather is to expose as little clothing as possible to it. Below the waist I wear a jammer-style bathing suit under my rain pants (I am a lap swimmer.) Above the waist I try to wear just one wool layer under my rain jacket. Wet wool retains more of its insulating qualities than wet synthetics do, but the trade-off is wool's greater weight. And then plan to be wet if the snow or rain is relentless. Once you are wet, the only way to stay warm is to stay moving or pull up in a closer shelter and change clothing. I have been astounded by the reliability of Verizon cell service during the first 114 miles of the AT in the southern Appalachians, but in case I don't have service tomorrow night, my plan is to reach Cold Spring Shelter, NC tomorrow.Thank you for the warm and encouraging thoughts extended my way in my guest book. I love to read them during lonely time before going to sleep.I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-20
From: Siler Bald Shelter, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

My quest to finish my AT thru hike without falling ended today, and Sunflower's water-bottle holder gift to me is just a water bottle holder and not a good luck charm after all. But I am satisfied because I fell to a worthy adversary - a long narrow exposed tree root that crossed the trail at a downward angle AND was snow covered. It was such a clean and fast take down that all I could do is say, "well done" to the tree.Today was a gentle reminder that I am hiking into winter, but it wasn't until 2 p.m. that I put on my gaiters and snow travelers. I was at my destination at 2:30 p.m. The snow was light enough that my weather suit kept my under layer dry, which I was so happy to see. I met two SOBOs today. One of them was heading from Springer Mountain directly to California to start the PCT after he finished the AT. It was a reminder that there is life after the AT and it's good to have a plan for it, no matter how far off finishing the AT seems to me at this point. I may have promised my wife that after the AT I would settle down and buy golf clubs and learn to play, as she does. Tomorrow I am hiking mostly down hill to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and staying at the hostel there, which I made a reservation for. I called ahead and found out the restaurant there is closed in Jan/Feb this year and the outfitter shop is only open from 11 to 4. I fixed my favorite dinner from scratch tonight: one can of chicken breast into hot water and then mixed with instant mashed potatoes and Stove Top stuffing.I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-21
From: Cold Spring Shelter, NC

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC
Miles today: 11.7

This morning's hike was a glorious winter's hike with clear blue skies, lots of sunshine, moderate temperatures, and no wind. Today the higher elevations were above the clouds and the lower elevations under the clouds. This afternoon, the trail gave up lots of elevation and the afternoon portion of my hike was cloudy and dark under the clouds. I am now tucked into the hostel at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC.). I am the only one here. I was hoping to meet Butter here, but he left a message telling me that he is taking a weather break and is on his way home to Alabama to return later. Thank you to everyone who has been warning me of the impending storm this weekend. Taking a zero at the hostel here may be the first opportunity to show that I really mean what I said earlier about slowing the pace of my hike. Anyway, I decided before my hike started to make as many errors on the side of prudence as possible, and zeroing while it's storming may be a prudent error. But in the way back of my much younger mind I can here the whisper, "Go for it!" I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-22
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

When I woke up this morning and didn't see at least two feet of snow on the ground, I wondered if I should have listened to my younger self and skipped the zero day here at the NOC. Everything here is closed today because of the weather, including the office and front desk. This morning I hiked to the gas station, which was mercifully open, for today's food. Here at the NOC, I have access to a kitchen and microwave and refrigerator, so I have been eating well. I converted a large, well lighted, and warm dinning hall into my own yoga studio and went at it for two hours at mid day. I have been doing my trail-yoga during my ten minute breaks on the trail too. With just three 8x10 inch sit-upons, I can do most of my favorite poses that keep me stretched out. Trail-yoga really is the only prayer I have of preventing another over use injury in my life and reaching Katahdin.   I have been so busy that I haven't told you about my mountain play list for the big climbs: Cherokee Shuffle, Arkansas Traveler, Cumberland Gap, Scotland (Bill Monroe), Southern Flavor (Bill Monroe), The Longest Day (Megafaun), Wood Choppers Reel, This is Where I Belong (Appalachia), Cumberland Run (John Gillette), and when you reach the top and look out over the mountains, The Last of the Mohicans (Trevor Jones) or my favorite, The Kiss (Trevor Jones.)
Date: 2016-01-23
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Today was another weather-delay zero day here at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC. Yesterday this place was a ghost town because of the weather, but today at least the outfitter shop was open, so I visited there and also hiked to the gas station for today's food. This evening I am in wonder of how little it evidently takes to keep me busy. Today I was in email contact with a NOBO named Paula. She and four other NOBOs are at the Fontana Lodge, which is at the very southern end of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. They are holding up at the lodge pending their weather-based decision to enter the park, which is at very high elevation and has only one exit halfway through its sixty mile length. I am about two days south of the Fontana Lodge. Tomorrow I am hiking to Stecoah Gap, which involves going just over 5,000 feet to get there, so it will give me a good example of how much snow is at elevation and how difficult it is to move through it. Stecoah Gap is just over thirteen miles from here and the first half is a long climb, but there is a shelter half-way along the way where I could pull up for the night, if necessary. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-24
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, NC

To: Sassafrass Shelter, NC
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was another beautiful winter's hike and I got my first post-storm look at the trail at higher elevation. Oh my goodness. Above 3,000 feet the trail is very slow-go and in some places it can be difficult to see the trace of the trail because of the snow depth and drifting. I lost the trail twice today and had to scout to get back on it. Scouting for the trail always makes for anxious moments regardless of how many times you may have done it before. This morning I gave myself a hard stop: if I wasn't at my halfway point at 12:30 pm, I would pull up at Sassafras Shelter and stay the night. I didn't get to my halfway point until 12:45, so here I am at Sassafras Shelter. I may have been able to complete the second half of my hike, but it would have been edgy and perhaps dark before I finished, both of which are inconsistent with how I hike. But the really good news is that even though I pushed snow for hours, my socks are dry! The rhododendron tunnels are formidable obstacles when loaded with snow. I was in my weather suit all day because of them. They are like nature's car wash. Tomorrow morning I go over 5,000 feet first thing for just a little while and then hike mostly downhill another 6.7 miles to Stecoah Gap. At Stecoah Gap I made arrangements for a shuttle into Robbinsville, NC for the night. When in Robbinsville, I will ponder what to do next. Hiking at just a little over one mile per hour limits my options on the trail, and in the winter you need options. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-25
From: Sassafrass Shelter, NC

To: Stecoah Gap, NC
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was another great hiking day in dry weather and moderate temperatures. The snow conditions on the trail varied greatly. I could almost walk on the snow on sunny south and west slopes. The snow on north and east slopes is still very loose and deeper. However, by far the greatest determiner of snow depth is elevation. The difference in snow depth between 5,000 feet and 3,500 feet was striking. At 2,100 feet in Robbinsville, there is no snow at all. As the snow started to compact today, the eroded contour of the trail became more visible and the trail more easily followed than yesterday.I needed to eat! The diet of gas station food while storm-zeroing two days at the Nantahala Outdoor Center took its toll on me. I was at my shuttle pick up location by 12:30 today and was in Robbinsville, NC within minutes. This is an excellent trail town because of its compactness. All the services I needed were within sight of one another, including a laundromat. My plan is to eat two more meals here tomorrow and then get on the trail at mid-day and then hike into the first shelter, which is only a few miles. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-26
From: Stecoah Gap, NC

To: Cable Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I left Robbinsville, NC today at 10:30 and was back on the trail by 11 for a cloudy day's hike that ended with rain. The trail is much faster now, as the snow is compacting from the warmer temperatures. On the way today, I stopped at Brown Fork Gap Shelter for water and met three twenty-something SOBO section hikers and their dog headed to Springer Mountain. It was after 12 but they were still in their bags and it looked like they were going to zero right there at the shelter because of the rain. Anyway, they were the first hikers that I've seen since before the big snow storm. I have a short day tomorrow and will stay at Fontana Village tomorrow night.I am expecting an important package from MSR that is due there on Thursday. I am hoping it hasn't been delayed. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-27
From: Cable Gap Shelter, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

In the spirit of hike my own hike, I have decided to add a mini flip flop to my hike's itinerary. I am presently at Fontana Dam, which is the southern end of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and tomorrow I will car shuttle 70 miles to the north end and resume my NOBO hike from there. Later in my hike I will return by bus and shuttle to the north end of the Smokies and do a SOBO hike through them and then return to my northern most point of progress and continue NOBO. My mini flip flop will provide the opportunity for me to hike at lower winter elevations, as compared to the Smokies. I think adding the mini flip flop to my itinerary will be fun. After hiking through more winter weather to come, I will feel like a college kid on Spring break headed south by bus to warmer weather and a week of hiking in the Smokies. My mini flip flop decision is related to my first sentence of my first trail journal entry, dated December 11, 2015. Until I complete the SOBO flip flop, I will post my total miles with a (-70) next to it so that you can still locate my position by mileage marker. (The package I was expecting tomorrow was here today!)
Date: 2016-01-28
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Standing Bear Hostel, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a travel day to car-shuttle around the Great Smoky Mountain National Park to its north end. We had an immediate delay when we got a flat tire just after leaving Fontana Dam, but I am now at the Standing Bear Hostel, TN. In just a short distance of hiking tomorrow, I will be back in NC. Late this afternoon three tireless twenty-something SOBOs arrived who have formed up as a hiking group. They said there were six or seven SOBOs behind them, so maybe I will see some other hikers in the next few days. I am in a bunkhouse type of hostel with a wood stove, so I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-29
From: Standing Bear Hostel, TN

To: Roaring Fork Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike was in glorious winter weather with a bright blue sky and moderate temperatures and wind only on the exposed high ground. The temperatures must have stayed just below freezing because the snow remained crunchy hard all day. I passed over Max Patch Summit late this afternoon. It must be one of the most unique places on the AT. Max Patch is a bald that has a long 360 degree view and acres and acres of grass at the summit. I didn't meet anyone on the trail today. A person who signed my guestbook, but didn't leave a return email address, asked about my weather suit I have mentioned a few times. It's just rain pants and rain jacket, but I wear the rain suit as a warmth layer, a wind breaker, and occasionally a rain suit. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-30
From: Roaring Fork Shelter, NC

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 14.8

Today was the best hiking day I have had yet! There wasn't a stitch of wind at any elevation and air was dry and warm and the sky was cloudless and bright blue, as in a postcard. I could feel the warmth of the sun on me. By the afternoon I was hiking in a single long sleeved shirt and without hat or gloves. On lower elevation southern slopes, the sun dried the trail so much that the leaves rustled as I walked through them, as if it were Fall. On northern slopes I was still walking through various amounts of spotty snow. I can get my creepers on and off pretty quick now, like a NASCAR pit stop. I saw my first bear print in the snow. I thought they were supposed to be sleeping in January! Tonight's shelter has bear cables so I hoisted everything but me into the air. Today I passed over Walnut Mountain whose summit is a bald and therefore was drenched in sunshine today. The grass was actually crispy dry already. I got there exactly at my one hour rest time, so it was a perfect venue for my hourly ten minute trail-yoga session. Tomorrow is a short day on the trail and then into Hot Springs, NC and the Laughing Heart Hostel. Thank you to everyone who has signed my guestbook. Your encouragement means so much to me. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-01-31
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a short day on the trail and then into Laughing Heart Hostel, which is immaculately clean and maintained. A lovely woman named Ty manages the hostel. The hostel is only feet from the AT, so it's a good stop not involving shuttles. A week ago today was the big snow storm and this evening in Hot Springs people were dining on a restaurant outdoor deck on Main Street while listening to live music. It warmed my heart to see it, even though I know more cold weather is coming my way. My plan is to eat three meals here in Hot Springs and then get back on the trail by 8:30 tomorrow. The AT travels down Main Street and then veers off into the woods. I am in for a weather change starting tomorrow for a few days of rain and then after the rain cooler temperatures. Last week someone asked about my yoga, but they didn't leave an email address. You can do a search for "Yoga for Hikers" and be bombarded with information that you can adapt as your own. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-02-01
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today while periodically checking for white blazes, I concocted a broad concept for an adventure re-tracing Lewis and Clark's return journey from the Pacific Ocean to St. Louis. There are four phases to the concept: phase one and two are a bicycle and hiking trip from the ocean to the head waters of the Missouri River. Phase three is a canoe trip from the Missouri head waters to St. Louis. Phase four is integral and concurrent with phases one through three and that is to locate and very slowly read every Lewis and Clark historical marker along the route. Twice. And then take pictures of the markers so I can read them again later.Two NOBOs arrived at the shelter tonight! Frog Legs and Sacrifice. They are in their very early twenties and are doing a mini flip flop of the Smokies too. It's doubtful that I can pace with them for very long but it's good to have company on a rainy night. Today was cloudy and not a good picture taking day, so today's photo is from a couple of days ago at Deer Park Mountain Shelter, NC. I am safe, dry, and warm and in good company tonight.
Date: 2016-02-02
From: Spring Mountain Shelter, NC

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike was unexpectedly dry; without any rain but plenty of walking in the misty wet clouds. During mid day I was hiking the trail one hundred feet at a time because that's as far as I could see. In the afternoon it got very windy, which is drying the trail out nicely. At mile 297.5 NOBO is an interesting high and narrow and exposed ridge line walk that the guidebook calls rocky and strenuous. It is. A blue blazed weather bypass is offered. But I was in the clouds on the ridge line and couldn't enjoy the views. I left the shelter this morning before Frog Legs and Sacrifice. I haven't seen them since, so they likely have a different itinerary than me. The Lewis and Clark adventure I mentioned in my trail journal yesterday is after I buy golf clubs, just so you know. The wind is deafening tonight but I am in a shelter made of stone and I am safe, dry, and warm.
Date: 2016-02-03
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter, NC

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

Last night's raging wind died down at 5 a.m. this morning and then it started raining at 6 a.m. But it worked out because I got weathered-up for the day under the cover of the shelter, rather than on trail side. By afternoon the sun was back out a bit and things started drying out. I met a group of four SOBOs today: Ninja, Dr. Love, Care Bear, and Rookie. They told me they met four NOBOs ahead of me. I was aware the NOBOs were ahead of me by seeing them sign-in on shelter logbooks, but they are moving very fast and it's unlikely I will ever met them. The shelter tonight has a new set of bear cables. So many times the cables are missing hardware. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight
Date: 2016-02-04
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter, NC

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Late yesterday and last night my right knee started to stiffen. I am spooked by anything to do with my right knee because it's been troublesome in other years. So I thought I would slow down and take an extra day to reach Erwin, TN, which is my next town stop. But then I revised that plan to taking a zero day right here at the Hogback Ridge Shelter. I think an immediate rest day is likely more telling and effective than a similar rest day after two or three more days of hiking to Erwin. I am thinking that my knee will respond to rest and very modest mileage days. The reason for my early start date was to account for this type of health issue without being immediately panicked about running out of time to reach Katahdin. But it's a gorgeous weather day today! Perfect for hiking or zeroing at a shelter. My little Kaito KA-210 NOAA weather band radio also has FM/AM, so I can entertain myself with that. But I have stretching, massaging, and icing with cold water today. Today a young NOBO named New Year stopped in for water and lunch on his way to a 25 mile day. I am safe, dry, and warm.
Date: 2016-02-05
From: Hogback Mountain Shelter, NC

To: Bald Mountain Shelter, NC
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a gorgeous winter's hike today with a clear blue sky, bright sun all day long, and a firm trail. The temperatures were more seasonable than lately. After drawing water this morning my water bottle was slushy ice by noon. But I love the taste of ice cold water! After taking a zero for my knee at Hogback Ridge Shelter yesterday, I needed a modest mileage day today and fortunately the next shelter was 10.1 miles north of Hogback, so here I am. My knee issue responded to rest, a low mileage day today, and a lighter pack because of food I've eaten along the way. I will need to be patient about doing higher mileage until I am more confident the knee can handle it. At this point the key is to stay on the winter's trail and be poised for more mileage later when my winter kit is sent home. The trail passed over two balds today that provided spectacular long distance views. My next town stop in Erwin, TN is still sixteen miles away, which is still too far for me to reach in one day without pushing. Tonight a NOBO thru hiker called Flash53 came in to spend the night in the shelter. He made a fire and we warmed our feet. He is retired and is closer to my age (has grand kids too) than the previous very young NOBOs I have met. I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.
Date: 2016-02-06
From: Bald Mountain Shelter, NC

To: No Business Knob Shelter, TN
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Today's hike didn't have any spectacular views; nevertheless, it was a dry day and a good firm trail with many water sources. I was passed this afternoon by Frog Legs and Sacrifice, who I hadn't seen since early Tuesday morning, the day after I left Hot Springs, NC. Flash, who I met at the shelter last night, and I hiked separately today but rejoined at the end of the day here at No Business Knob Shelter for the night. After a short six miles tomorrow I will be in Erwin, TN to eat, rest my knee, maybe watch the Super Bowl, and perhaps zero to see what the winter weather is going to do starting on Monday. Once I leave Erwin, the terrain goes over 6,000 feet within a day, and snow at that elevation can be very deep. I feel very fortunate that I could zero for my knee while on the trail and then do some low mileage days and still be in Erwin before Monday's weather. I will enter Erwin without one crumb of food in my pack after being out for one week. Ideally in the future, I need to keep my time away from restaurant food shorter than one week. There aren't bear cables at this shelter, so I bear bagged using my own small line. My bear bagging technique is 100% effective provided no bears come around. When I get in town I will respond to those who have signed my guest book. I just don't have the battery life out here. Tonight I am safe, dry, and warm.
Date: 2016-02-07
From: No Business Knob Shelter, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a gorgeous but short day on the trail hiking into Erwin, TN for some zero time and to see how the latest weather event will play out. Snow and very low temperatures are forecasted and there is a 6,000+ elevation to go over just two days north of Erwin. I don't have a trail plan yet. But right now I feel like I am multi tasking, which I know is not usually a man's specialty area: I am waiting on a weather development, resting my knee, and eating all at the same time. I am splitting the cost at a Super 8 with Flash because the Super 8 is central to services in downtown Erwin and the hostel here in Erwin is not. I need to be near food for awhile! I am safe, dry, and warm tonight.