morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: snow

I got up bright and early at Fontana Lodge and opened the room curtains to ... the start of a winter storm that was blanketing the area. I had places to be and mountains to climb so after a shuttle ride to the Fontana Dam Shelter I headed out.Temps were in the high 20s with snow coming down hard as I crossed Fontana Dam and headed for the trailhead. I had spent part of the previous day getting the $20 park pass now required from AT thru-hikers but as I crossed into Smokies National Park there was no sign of a ranger, just a box to drop off half my form. It was a bit anti-climatic after the acrobatics I had gone thru to secure the form and pay the fee on-line from my phone.As I headed into the park visibility dropped, snow began to accumulate and by mid-morning I had only seen four other hikers - one of which had turned around and headed back to Fontana. By late afternoon travel was becoming increasingly difficult as drifted snow on the ridgelines was knee high in spots and made finding the trail challenging to say the least.I made it to Spence Field Shelter by 1700, there were already three other hikers there. Two lady thru-hikers and a guy section hiker. They were somewhat surprised to see me considering how bad the weather had become.The shelter was nicer than the ones I had seen outside the park, stone on three sides with a fireplace and two-tiered sleeping platforms. It looks like the structures you see across the US that were built by the CCC in the 30s, like it had been there for years and would outlast generations more of hikers. I ate a quick dinner, hung my bear bag and settled in for the evening. My fellow shelter dwellers played a version of 20 questions to pass the time and I drifted off to the sound of the wind howling outside.
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light snow

Yes you read the mileage for the day right, 6.3 miles and it took me over 7 hours to do. The joys of traveling in blizzard conditions at between 4500-5000 feet in elevation over mountains.I knew the minute I stepped outside the shelter that the day was going to be a bad one; the temps had dropped to hi-teens, snow was coming down sideways and heavy, visibility was about 75 meters and blowing snow had obliterated my trail from the previous day. I decided to go, wisely my fellow shelter mates decided to stay.I made it from the shelter trail to the junction with the AT and headed North. As I traveled farther it dawned how difficult the day would truly be. The hiking was hard enough, walking thru the snow was like walking thru wet sand all day and on the higher ridgelines and balds I plowed thru drifts that were above my knees. The hard part was actually following the trail, because it is so well travelled in the park it forms a groove in the ground 18 inches wide by 6 inches deep. There doesn't seem to be a need for the white blazes on trees that have been the standard elsewhere, that is unless the trail is covered by a foot of snow. Then finding the trail becomes a game of looking at the contour of the ground, spacing between trees and the increasingly infrequent white blazes. Four hours into it I was moving at a snail's pace and was worried that I would loose the trail and become lost in what had become at the high elevations a blizzard. I was ecstatic when I found a blaze to confirm I was still on the right trail and cursed the NPS when I didn't see one for over an hour. I made it to the shelter and had been there about an hour when the first of six other hikers started to straggle in, the first one in said he had followed my tracks for the last 6 miles and had no idea how I had found my way. I was tired and cold when I turned in, it had been the toughest day on the trail yet.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 18.0

The day started out much better than the previous two, the snow had stopped and the sun was starting to burn off the remaining clouds. My plan was to get to Clingman's Dome, at 6643 feet the highest point on the East Coast and the AT, and to go from there. A third day of freezing cold didn't appeal to me and if at all possible I was going to get off the mountain.At first the six mile hike from Derrick Knob Shelter to Silers Bald Shelter was looking like a repeat of the previous day minus the blowing snow. The trail was hard to find and I was breaking trail again as I was the first one out of the shelter. On one particulary high ridgeline the drifts came up to mid-thigh for about 75 meters, travel was slow but not as slow as before and because it was clearing I got to enjoy some great views of the snow covered mountains.When I reached Silers Bald Shelter it was empty, the shelter journal said that they were all leaving early and travelling together to try to get out to Gatlinburg. Considering the independent nature of hikers and their outright disdain for anything resembling a schedule it was quite a statement that they were all travelling together. The good news is they had left what looked like a buffalo trail, packing the snow down and making for easy travel - things were looking up.At about 5500 feet the forest changed to a kind of short needle pine, all of them were packed together densely and covered with so much snow that they looked like they were frosted and belonged outside a gingerbread house. Pretty if viewed from your car, not so much fun to walk thru as the continually dumped snow on me. After 15 minutes of this I decided that it was pretty pointless to shout obscenities at them, although it did feel good, and probably a better idea to change into rain gear.I made it to Clingman's Dome, and had the place entirely to myself. The road up had been closed due to the snow and I was able to walk around the deserted tower alone, a fantastic experience that I was happy I took the time to do even though I was moving fast.It was now 1530 and I still had about four and half miles to Newfound Gap and a chance to catch a ride into Gatlinburg. Although I had been moving fast all day it was still going to be a challenge to make it there before it got dark. I pushed it the rest of the afternoon and made it to Newfound Gap to find the parking lot crowded with families out enjoying the day. After three days of bad weather, cold and the somewhat haggard faces of my fellow hikers it was surreal to see families frolicking in the snow.I tried to call for a shuttle and they had quit running at 1800, it was only thru the extreme kindness of a family from Virginia that I was able to fold up into the back of a minivan and get off the mountain. Thank you so much for helping me out, your help was much appreciated. Tomorrow I zero in Gatlinburg
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up in Gatlinburg, TN after a zero day. I was at the NOC Outdoor Store at 0930 and they had a free shuttle for thru-hikers at 1000 up to Newfound Gap. I hoped that the day I had spent in Gatlinburg gave the weather a chance to settle down and maybe for some of the snow to melt.I got up to Newfound Gap around 1030 and didn't get on the trail until 1045 - a pretty late start for me as I like to be on the trail when the sun is up. It was still around freezing at elevation, the snow from the previous days hadn't melted but it was only a little hazy out. The trail itself was a pleasure, previous hikers had worn it into something similiar to a bobsled run in appearance but I was still able to get good traction and was able to make good miles.By mid-afternoon the haze had transformed into a light snow, almost like a mist. The snow got progressively heavier, but still not as bad as the days before. By the time I rolled into Tri-Corner Shelter that evening the snow had dropped another 2-3 inches and was still accumulating, but it wasn't as bitter cold or windy as before so I was enjoying traveling in it.I got to the shelter and it was packed, a trail runner (paid park service employee that does trail maintenance and looks out for hikers) was there and we had 19 in the shelter that night. I had a spot on the bottom sleeping platform and it was cramped quarters with the upper platform a foot or so above me. Not for the claustrophobic. With that many in the shelter I slept nice and warm and listened to the wind pick up outside and watched the snow fall as I drifted off to sleep.
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.2

Packed up and hit the trail before 0800, I was the first one out and after a night of falling snow I was breaking trail in the Smokies again. It wasn't as bad as before, only about 6-8 inches of new snow with some drifts across some of the ridgelines where it was more open. The trail was well marked though and you learn to take it in stride.The goal for the day was to make it to Davenport Gap and more importantly out of the Smokies National Park. After five days of walking in the snow I had my fill.As I walked along I tried to think of a similiar landscape to the one I walked thru. Arctic tundra wasn't right, there were too many trees and I always think of the tundra as plains not mountains. Then it hit me, if you have seen HBO's series Game of Thrones there are a number of scenes which take place North of the Wall - a land perpetually locked in snow and ice. That has pretty much summed up my Smokies experience, snow and ice. If you ever wondered these are the things I think of while I am walking all day.I did have one great experience in the Smokies and that was following the trail of a coyote, as he walked the trail early one morning. His were the only tracks on the fresh snow over the trail and I was able to get a pretty good idea of his morning, lifting his leg on assorted tufts of grasses and investigating likely hiding spots for mice. It was a great way to pass a morning following those tracks.I hit Davenport Gap and came down out of the snow line, even better there was trail magic at the Pigeon River bridge by a guy with the trail name of Fresh Grounds. He was greeting hikers and providing coffee, sodas and plenty of good things to eat. A great guy he fed me a few hotdogs and a coke and I enjoyed our conversation before I hit the trail again.I stayed at my first Hostel that night, Standing Bear Hostel. It was cheap, had a good shower and I was able to dry my shoes out. About what you want after several days hiking with wet socks. Even better I had crossed another milestone off the list, the Smokies were in my rear-view mirror.
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

Hit the ground running, I wanted to make some miles that day. It was hazy and there was a chance of rain later in the afternoon so I wanted to hike while I could. I settled up at the Hostel, ate a quick breakfast of cheese and sausage in a tortilla and hit the trail.I crossed a bald on Snowbird Mountain at 4263 feet. A bald is basically a pasture, or field, on top of a mountain instead of it being covered with trees. Historically, first the indians then settlers would burn them off to prevent trees from growing there and it would attract game and they could pasture their livestock. Today they still exist and provide a little diversity from the mountains. Didn't have much of a view, the bald was fogged in but I had an ever bigger one coming up.Late that afternoon I hit Max Patch, another much larger bald that I could see coming for miles away. From the top I had great unobstructed views for miles and took a minute to enjoy the view and think how far I had come so far. As I started down the mountain it started to spit rain. I had one more mountain to climb for the day, the shelter was on the other side about 5 miles away.By the time I hit the base of Walnut Mountain it was pouring rain, I just had to clear 4305 feet and the shelter waited. If there was room I would stay in the shelter, although they may be mouse infested and dirty shelters are for the most part dry.I made it up and over Walnut Mountain to one of the oldest shelters on the trail. There were already five people in the shelter but they made room and we packed in for the night. An active mouse spent his night running across our sleeping bags. I was the mouse's guest so I forgave his nighttime acrobatics and was thankful to have a dry bunk for the night. One of my more remarkable Easter Sundays.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 12.7

A short day, a easy downhill walk into resupply and a few days rest in Hot Springs, NC. I started the day with blue skies, sunshine and a warmth on my face I hadn't felt since sometime in Georgia. I came down the mountain with a bounce in my step and let my stride do all the work.On the way down the trail I was able to get within 20 feet of a small buck that had dropped his horns. He stopped and looked at me for awhile then ran off after I snorted at him. Animals don't seem to be afraid when I am walking with my pack, I don't know if my outline is thrown off by the pack that they don't know I am a person or if they haven't seen that many this year so far but he wasn't concerned and I probably could have walked right by him.I also saw my third ruffed grouse of the trip a little later in the day. Grouse don't let me get close and they make there presence known when they explode and fly as fast and straight as possible for cover, either up or down hill. I do enjoy seeing them and hearing them drum while I walk is truly one of lifes pleasures on the trail.I reached Hot Springs, NC early in the afternoon. I decided to stay at Elmers Hostel for the evening, its in a Victorian House and Earl Shaffer stayed there when he thru-hiked in 1948. Eclectic with a great library, they make a vegetarian breakfast that even a meat-lover can appreciate. A great place to stay.A note I am going to be in Hot Springs for a few days, I am not hurt or anything. Michelle is coming to visit and I will be back on the trail on Friday, 05 April 2013. Right now I am about a week or two ahead of the hikers I started with so I could use a little rest. Friday I will push hard for Erwin, TN and then on to Damascus, VA. You might not hear from me for week or so but don't worry I am still out here, living the dream and headed North.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Headed out of Hot Springs after a nice visit with Michelle, felt well rested and ready for the next section of the trail. I planned to try to reach Erwin, TN in three and half days. It was going to be tough, with big miles each day but like I said I felt well rested and up to the challenge.It was a hazy morning as I headed out of town, a fine mist like rain wasn't quite bad enough for me to put on my rain gear. About seven miles into the day, I started to hit an area where the ice that had accumulated the previous night started to thaw and fall out of the trees. I was continually pelted by chunks of ice ranging from pea size to a few whoppers halfway between a golf ball and tennis ball size. I was glad I hadn't been here when the ice storm had rolled thru the previous day.I made it out and into Little Laurel Shelter a few hours later, covering the 20 miles by 1600 that afternoon. The first sign of trouble that would follow me for the next several days was printed on a sign at the shelter, warning that many hikers had gotten sick at the shelter in the previous days. Food poisoning or something else it didn't say.I settled in for the night and there were only a few other hikers that came in. I was excited I had covered that much distance so quickly but the warnings of sick hikers ahead was unsettling.
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Out and walking as the sun rose, it promised to be a beautiful day. Warm and sunshine and I was enjoying every minute of it.At the 295 mile mark the trail followed an exposed knife ridge of mostly rock, boulder scrambles thrown in for fun but with great views of the mountains as a reward. There was another by-pass trail, that went around the area as it could be treacherous in inclimate weather. I was lucky and had a perfect day to walk the ridge.Further on in the day I passed the grave site of two Civil War Soldiers that had been killed when they came home for leave. The graves were in a shaded clearing, very peaceful and I enjoyed a short rest there. That night I made it to Hogback Ridge Shelter and in it were four hikers that were getting over the sickness that I had heard about at the other shelter. Word was that sick hikers littered the trail between Little Laurel and Erwin, TN where many of them had stayed in the local hotels to rest. One hiker offered that it was probably Norovirus, which had hit the same area last year and based on the symptoms made sense. Basically, 24 hour stomach flu with everything that goes with it. So far I felt pretty good but I was spending so much time with infected hikers that it seemed a matter of time until I got sick.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: broken clouds

Up and moving, wanted to make miles. If I was going to get sick I wanted to be as close to town as possible. I didn't want to be laid up in some shelter, 20 miles out in the woods away from a shower, good food and a bed.I picked up my pace, about mid-day I saw two hikers laid out on the ground by a water source. They were sick and resting, this thing was starting to look like a zombie movie. By the time I hit Spivey Gap I was starting to feel dehydrated, I wasn't sure if I was coming down with something or had just overdone it. The climb out of Spivey Gap back up to elevation wasn't much fun but I only had five miles to go.I made it to the shelter and it wasn't a pleasant evening, I was sick as a dog. I wasn't able to eat and managed to keep some water down between projectile vomitting. The good news was that I was about five miles from Erwin, TN where I could rest up.
Date: 2013-04-08
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 5.7

I had my gear packed and was on the trail before dawn with the determination to make it to Erwin, TN. I felt a little better from the night before but was running on fumes, I hadn't eaten in over 24 hours and because I had been sick I was dehydrated.I just focused on left foot-right foot on my walk into Erwin, it was a beautiful morning but I really couldn't appreciate it. When the trail detoured to offer a view of the Nolichucky River, I didn't stop at the view I just beared down and kept moving.As Erwin came into view it seemed frustratingly far-away. Switch back after switch back offered a few steps closer to town only to head away from it again. The good news is I was loosing elevation and it was just a matter of time before I came into town.About 50 meters from where the trail comes out onto the road a trail angel had left a cooler of oranges and apples. I don't know who did this but they were a life-saver and I don't think I have ever had an orange that tasted so good.Now I am cleaned up, bought grocieries, did laundry and feel much better. I have ate and drank copious amounts of Fruit Punch Gatoraid. I think I have my bought of hiker crud on the ropes and will rest up in Erwin tonight and hit the trail tomorrow. Probably going to take it easy for a few days with the mileage, I still have Roan Mountain up ahead and don't want to burn out before I get there. Bottom line I feel much better and appreciate everyone looking out for me.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Erwin, TN

To: The Apple Orchard
Miles today: 22.0

Woke up in Erwin, TN feeling much better. I had been weak the day before, still feeling the after effects of being sick and dehydrated. But this was a new day and I was on the trail out of Erwin before the sun rose.The trail out of Erwin was a series of switchbacks and gains in elevation but I felt so good that I hardly noticed and a few miles on I was able to look off to my left and see the town disappear behind me as I walked thru a perfect, sunny day.Right before Indian Grave Gap the Trail Angel 'Fresh Grounds' was set-up. He had been in the area for a few days and was offering to cook breakfast when I got there, there were already a section hiker and another thru hiker enjoying his hospitality when I arrived. He remembered me from Davenport and asked how I was doing, I enjoyed a Coke and an orange - thanked him for all he is doing for the hikers and moved on. He told me he would be set-up next North of Bland, VA and I told him I would stop a little longer next time. I felt good and wanted to be moving on.I continued to climb throughout the afternoon and it started to get a little warmer. I started up what was going to be the highest climb of the day, Unaka Mountain - the trail book noted that it had a dense spruce forest at the top. Unaka didn't disappoint it was a tough climb initially to 5180 feet but near the top I was rewarded by a cool pine forest, with a thick layer of pine needles and moss covered rock out croppings - it looked like something out of Grimm's Fairytales.I came off the mountain and passed the next shelter, it was early and I felt like I just wanted to keep walking. I noticed a camp site in the book a few miles on. When I got there I was rewarded by a campsite in an abandoned apple orchard, with a small spring right down the hill. I set-up camp and had the site all to myself that evening. It was the perfect end to a great day of hiking.