morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8

Very nice night. Never dipped below 40 degrees. I actually got too hot in my bag and had to take off my socks and hat. Sunny morning today. Someone left an orange here at the shelter. Awesome. Left around 10:30 and walked across Fontana Dam. The largest dam in the eastern U.S. Pretty good views. On the other side of the dam a sign notified me that I was entering the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. This is only my second national park to be in, although I have been to Big Bend 3 times. So far so good here. No bears yet, but every charred tree in the woods makes me do a double take. Cool fire tower on top of some mountain. Good views and got to call my Dad. More people here than other parts of the trail. You kind of take it for granted how nice it is to see other people (sometimes) but, compared to the rest of the trail, so far it¢s like a highway here.There are 6 guys from Baylor University here tonight along with Mike and Jerry. Finally the Texans outnumber the other crowd. Well it¢s about 45 degrees now and probably gonna drop low tonight. Though there is a nice stone fireplace in the shelter. Shazaam!Kelly
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

Well now. It was 37 degrees this morning. So it was probably high 20¢s outside in the wind at night. A guy named Bachelor Bob showed up at the shelter near dusk. Interesting guy, said he hiked The Pacific Crest trail in ¢96 and the AT in ¢05. Conversed with him for a while and when everyone was in bed I sat by the fireplace and read for at least and hour. Got out and hikin¢ around 9am and make it here to the shelter at 4:20ish. Met a guy here at the shelter named Paul. Nice guy, but a little new to back packing. His pack is friggin¢ huge! Well I got¢s to climb over Clingman¢s Dome tomorrow (the tallest peak on the AT) and then hitch a ride into Gatlinburg to get my mail drop and hopefully find a place to spend the night and next cuz I hear it¢s gonna rain all day Friday. Sounds like a nice day fro a ZERO DAY!! Anyways I¢ll catch y¢all later.Kelly¢There¢s always one more hill.¢
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Gatlingburg, TN
Miles today: 12.5

Not to cold this morning, but I couldn¢t give you an exact temperature as I lost my little light/thermometer/compass. Oh well. Hiked up to Clingman¢s Dome around noon and the views were great. All downhill from here¢¦yeah, right! Hitched a ride from Newfound Gap with Mike. It actually took a while to hitch a ride, but finally a guy pulled over. Thanks, Wayne! Got a room at the Red Roof Inn with Mike and relaxed with cable and pizza. Gonna pick up my mail drop tomorrow as the outfitter was closed when I got to town. Man Gatlinburg is weird; kind of disturbing. It reminds me of a smaller more redneck Hollywood Blvd. Lotsa lights and confederate flags. Gonna spend the night tomorrow as well and enjoy a nice healing zero day.Later,Kelly
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Gatlingburg, TN

To: Gatlingburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0

What is there to say about a whole day with no obligations except awesome. Picke up my mail drop which, besides my food, contained my cell phone. It was nice to call some of my friends and family to catch up. Did my laundry at the Best Western that Mike and his wife were going to stay in that night. Yes, I had to pay for a night in a hotel but it was worth it as it rained like no other here in the mountains. Just relaxin¢ watching TV and awaiting my departure tomorrow morning. TV says it looks like T-storms in the Smokies. Bitchin¢Kelly
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Gatlingburg, TN

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4

Got a taxi to town from the Black Bear taxi service(30 cents). Learned not to get a taxi unless splitting it with other people.Good views early on, but I could tell a storm was a¢comin. The Weather Channel was indeed pretty adamant on the severe part of the storm. I put on my rain suit and sure enough the rain began to fall. Also really glad I got my pack cover in my mail drop. It was cold because of the exposed ridges and winds, not to mention the ominous tunder and lightening. So I stopped early today at Pecks Shelter were Jeff and Dr. Smallpot, a NOBO who started March 1st. Then 4 guys from University of Tennessee and another guy showed up and I watched them undergo the cold soggy process of changing clothes and shivering. Conversed for a while, funny guys. The 2 chicks and 2 guys from Michigan State showed up. Probably be a good night in good company. Supposed to be sunny and warm (in the 50¢s) the next two days.Kelly
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

First 20 miler. Yippede do da!. Cold this mornin¢ when Alex and I hiked out around 8:30am. Oh yeah, Alex showed up at the shelter around 10:45pm last night. Walked a lot today. Met 4 guys from PA today gave me some sweet home packaged dehydrated food and jerky. Gave me their numbers as well and told me to call them when I get to PA and they¢d hike me out a pizza. Finally got sunny and warm a few miles before the shelter. Last night in the Smokies! Alex¢s friend Adam was at the shelter. We talked a while by the nice fireplace, then slept. Good night.Kelly
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked a few miles to the Standing Bear Farm Hostel where I found Alan. You know the guy I talked to on Facebook before coming out here. Along with Alan were: Pog, Jax, The Treat and Andy¢all NOBO¢s. Talked for a while and decided to do an easier day today. All will be here at the shelter today Saint Paddies Day. Might have a new trail name but won¢t post it unless it sticks. Oh yeah, Mike¢s here at the shelter tonight. You know the guy I split a romm with in ¢Ole Gatlinburg. Here also are Dartman (NOBO) and Jim. Well it¢s warm and I¢m tired of writing.Adios, Kelly
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke around 8:30, talked and chilled ¢til about 11am. Nice and easy day except the steep climbs up Max Patch¢very cool bald. I was told b y Rockhound at Standing Bear that Max Patch is that famous Windows background with the green rolling hills.   Very nifty and windy. We set up Dropkick¢s (Alan) tent and talked and ate lunch at the summit. Great views all the way back into the Smokies. Only 2 miles farther to the shelter where the Here Here gang (as we¢re known) are camping. Then gang includes: the Treat (Gobe), Root (Andy), Dogwe (NOBO ¢07), Jax and Dropkick and now I. Got a nice blaze going and I ate 2 dinners. I guess I will end up doing the 18 miles into Hot Springs tomorrow now. Supposed to be some precip later ma±ana. Nice warm bed as an incentive will make hiking easier.Later, Kelly
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I¢ve been pretty good at waking up early lately, so Dropkick, Pogue and I were out hiking at around 9. Easy miles until Bluff Mountain where the weather and climbs teamed up to make an tougher 10 miles to town. Luckily it began to rain a little bit after we summited so the sideways rain wasn¢t too much of an issue. Got completely soaked, of course, after a while, but my feet stayed relatively dry al the way to Hot Springs where we all immediately snagged beds at Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn. Awesome place! The house was built in the 1840¢s Victorian Style and they grow most of the food here out back in an organic garden. Not much of a town here, but The Dollar General across the stree is all I really care about. Watched ¢No Country of Old Men¢ last night at the Paddler¢s Pub and came back to the inn and zonked out.ZZZZ, Kelly
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Excellent zero day complete with movie watching, street ambling, and stuffing myself to the brim. Man Elmer can cook up some bangin¢ organic vegetarian meals. Lauchpad showed up today and is staying in the room next to me. Jake also showed up as well. Seems like we live here ¢cuz when we walk down main street there¢s either someone we know or someone who wants to get to know us. Neato. Heading out tomorrow, and can¢t wait. The weather is supposed to be awesome for the next week.Kelly
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Campsite
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Fairly successful zero day. Stayed around town ¢til 3pm eating a lot and talking. Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn really is the place to be. Great food and stayed in the Antique Victorian house for $15 a night! Stopped at the campsite because the Here Here Gang told me they¢d be heading here tonight, but no arrival here by 9. I¢m assuming they stayed in town another night. Alex and I camped here by the pond and tented/tarped out.Kelly
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Campsite

To: Fal and Hercules's House
Miles today: 10.0

Woke up with the sun. Gorgeous day. Warm enough to hike in shorts and T-shirt. Left camp as Alex woke up and trekked to Allen Gap where there was as sign directing thru¢s to Fal and Hercules¢ house for waffles, chili, and sundaes. Sure, why not? Very nice couple who thru-hiked in ¢99. The food is great and they offered to let us (Brandon, Ricki, Alex, Red Ranger) to spend the night and take us to church and Chinese buffet tomorrow. OK. Launchpad is ahead now, but I have faith I will catch him yet. Full, sleepy, but feel good and ready to hit the trail tomorrow and put in some miles.(Kelly) Leprechaun
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Fal and Hercules's House

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Went to a 3 hour Southern Baptist church service this morning. Hilarious and intriguing. The buffet was awesome though, and I was stuffed when I started hiking around 2pm. I met a couple who told me that the Treat and Dropkick were just ahead of me. I hurried up the Blackstack Cliffs to try to catch the, but to no avail. I arrived at the shelter with cold winds howling and a roaring fireplace. Greenblaze and his wife, Roses, were there along with 5 Boyscout adults from Miami and 2 section hikers. It¢s getting¢ cold outside, but it¢s warmer here in the shelter with the blaze going. Gots to try and catch the gang.Leprechaun GAME¢08
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Johnston City, TN
Miles today: 17.0

Well it was a very strange but perfect day on the trail. Woke up around 6:30am and blasted out the 5.6 miles to the next shelter whence I caught Jake, Bad Hummus, and Night Terror packing up. They told me Dropkick and the Treat had gone one shelter further last night. At this point it was cold and then the ice began falling from the sky. After a few more miles it turned into fluffy snowflakes that began to accumulate quickly. Got to a shelter after 15 miles and Toddibear was there along with a FIRE! So nice to warm up after my trek through the snow. Night Terror, Jake, and Bad Hummus then Greenblaze and Roses arrived. Wasn¢t feeling too good and had a blister that would stop an elephant. So Hummus, being from Johnson City, which we could get to from I-26 at the next gap (2.4 miles) got us a hotel room and we ate Cici¢s pizza that night while the snow fell outside. Mmm.Leprechaun GAME¢08
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Johnston City, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: clear sky

Cool long day of slack-packing. Hummus dropped me and Night Terror off at the Holiday Inn Express where we dumple all our gear except food and H2O then dromve back to Sams Gap from where we walked the 26 miles back to the Holiday Inn. Man my legs were aching but the Jacuzzi helped fix that problem. Go my mail drop at The Outfitter, and ate 2 burgers plus chili fries at the A&W next door. Looking forward to sleep.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Erwin, TN

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I love the free continental breakfast complete with eggs, biscuits and gravy. Relaxed with the Here Here Gang at Uncle Johnny¢s ¢til around 5:30pm then hiked up to mountains. Came upon the shelter in the dark but Launchpad, Jake and Toddi Bear had a bright fire going to welcome us. Talked and played Frisbee with the Lightup Bee. Warm enough to shorts. Awesome!Leprechaun
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

What a gorgeous day. Woke up and put on shorts! Took it pretty easy today leaving the shelter around 9:45 am. Climbed up to Beauty Spot today and had awesome vistas and three kids who went to ETSU who gave Pogue, Dropkick and me pita with turkey and cheese. Yum. Got to the shelter around 6ish and here tonight are the Here Here Gang, Night Terror, Roses, Greenblaze and Red Ranger. Got a little lazy today so perhaps 21 miles tomorrow.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: overcast clouds

What a grand day. Left camp around 10am with ominous skies overhead. Climbed Roan Mountain, the tallest (6,250 ft) until Mount Washington in the New Hampshires. YESSS. Dropkick and I stayed together most of today and pulled into the shelter at sunset. Luckily it did not rain on us today. Man this shelter is cool! It¢s a converted barn with a loft that can fit at least 30 people. Here tonight are Bad Hummus, Launchpad, Jake, Toddy Bear, Dropkick, Bigunn, Night Terror. Good fire, good trail magic by Weekenders. Getting¢ close to ole Virginia!Leprechaun
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I can feel it getting easier! Virginia must be close. Took a late start, but avoided most of the precip. Climbed some really cool balds today but only had about 30 ft. of visibility as I was in a violent, windy cloud. Read in the register at Apple House Shelter that Alex ate a mouse earning him the name Rat Sandwich. I guess y¢all are wondering how I became Leprechaun. Well, I was standing at Standing Bear Farms for the day, a great hostel by the way, and it was St. Patty¢s Day and my name is Kelly. So after talking much Rockhound, who works there, gave me the designation of Leprechaun which works because I¢ve been told before by friends that I have certain leprechaun attributes¢¦ Anyways got to find Jax and Red Ranger. Cool shelter as we each have our own floor to sleep on. To hostel tomorrow and burritos.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.4

Solid day of hiking. I¢m kind of running out of room in the Journal so I¢m going to keep it brief ¢til I get a new one. Great hostel, met the gang again after thy yellow blazed a few miles to be me there. Toured Wal-Mart and Taco Bell. Oh so good.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Didn¢t really plan on taking a zero, but these things just happen. Another Wal-Mart tour and Risk tournament¢very intense. O heay, Melty Shoes (now Captain Neckbeard) and Banjo Kelly are here but Banjo has to drop out due to ankle injury. Sorry Banjo and good luck at the job in Cali. Launchpad showed up as well with Green Blaze and Roses and Big ¢Unn.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Campsite

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: few clouds

Poured and stormed like no other last night, but the tarp proved its worth and kept me dry. Woke up in the middle of the night with one of the two dogs we picked up yesterday on my legs. Yet some more wilderness animals. Named the boy Leafbeard and the girl Riblet. I told all my friends I wouldn¢t need to bring a dog and I was right. There are plenty out here. I didn¢t plan on yellow blazing the last 14 miles into Damascus, but when I got to Rte 421 Pogue and Dropkick told me a free shuttle would be by momentarily, so I enjoyed the mountains sitting for once. Damascus is nice and The Place (the hostel here) is packed with old friends.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up, ate at the Cowboy Diner Exxon then went and got my head buzzed. I am ready for Spring, but it is supposed to rain for awhile including today. O well, at least I¢m not hiking in it. I am eating as much greasy fattening food as I can stuff in my mouth and loving it. Best town so far and I hope to make it back for Trail Days.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: light rain

Hiked out with Pogue, Jax and Dropkick on the Virginia Creeper Trail which is flatter and meets back up with the AT later today. Very beautiful trail on the Laurel Fork River. Camped at the shelter are the aforementioned and Jake.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Pretty easy day with two big climbs up Buzzard Peak and Mount Rogers (tallest in VA) View from Buzzard was great until we got enveloped in a cloud. Nice 2 story shelter here in sight of Mt. Rogers. Great views. Slept in the loft.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Awesome day through the Grayson Highlands State Park and beyond. Lots of wild ponies and West Texas views. The scenery reminded me of Scotland/Colorado/the Hill Country [Texas]. Shelter tomorrow night is supposed to have pizza delivery and showers!! Gonna get clean.Leprechaun GAME ¢08
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Awesome day. Woke up in a cloud and got started early (9:30am). Launchpad, Roses and Brent and a NOBO who started March 2nd named Travis caught up with us earlier today while hiking. All are at the shelter tonight. Each of us ordered a large pizza as the shelter is right next to a ranger station near the highway. No problem polishing it off either. Going to re-supply tomorrow near Atkins, VA. Hope all goes well. Oh, yeah, I saw my first deer today too. Great day.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Partnership Shelter

To: I-81 The Relax Inn
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Well sir, had some delicious cold pizza this morning and was off. I stopped to check out the ranger station and read some cool stuff about the local digs. Went on with Dropkick and we stopped at the 1890¢s settlers museum. Cool place with original buildings and farmhouse. Got to the highway crossing to pick up my mail drop at the restaurant, only to find out that said place no longer existed. My worst nightmare come true. It really wasn¢t that big of a deal after calling my dad who had already rerouted the package to Relax Inn right at the trail crossing. So an unexpected but much needed hotel stay/shower/laundry. Batmans on HBO.Later, Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-10
From: I-81 The Relax Inn

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Got up and went to the Ole Barn Restaurant for breakfast with Pogue and Dropkick. Those tow fellows walked to Atkins to re-supply whilst I read ¢The Monkey Wrench Gang¢ and waited for my package. Package arrived around 1:30pm to my happiness. Waited for the guys until 2:30, but not guys so I left. Warm day probably 70 degrees and perfectly blue skies. Spring, I can gladly say, is here. Did some night hiking to the shelter through some awesome pastures and some not so awesome cattle who wouldn¢t let me pass causing some puddle jumping around. So glad to be at the shelter. Night hiking alone by farms and through mountains is spooky.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: broken clouds

Good day. Warm to start off with and only getting warmer. Launchpad set off first and I followed. Climbed Chestnut Knob to awesome valley views below. Call my good friend Scott C. who will soon be a famous rock star. So keep note. Got to the shelter, ate some mac and cheese with tuna. Conversation time with fellow shelter mates: Traveler (NOBO), Southsids, Launchpad, Jax, Roses and Brent. Good timesLeprechaun
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvy's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice morning. I didn¢t have to go into town today so I let everyone leave before me whilst I read my book. Dropkick showed up after an hour telling me of his harrowing 27 mile day yesterday. I¢m glad he caught up though. Pogue went off after his bro, so the gang is now down to me, Dropkick, Launchpad, Roses and Brent, Jax, The Mummy Conductor and Rat Sandwich. Pretty easy, sunny hiking in the 70¢s. Nice shelter here. Had some bean burritos for dinner. Slammin¢! It¢s getting¢ chilly though.G¢night,Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Helvy's Mill Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: light rain

Well it was a bit chilly and windy. Got hiking at 8:30am. A little bit of the frozen rain came down, but not for long. I much, much prefer frozen precipitation to the liquid kind. Hiked 8 12 miles off the trail to Trent¢s grocery with Dropkick and Lauchpad. Good double cheese burger and juice (orange-pineapple) (What?) Hiked the last and eternal 7 12 miles to the shelter. Fire going, Piglet and Smokey are here (NOBOS). Might snow tonight. Oh boy!Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Holy Family Hoste, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

I¢m not actually sure if I walked 20 miles today, I might have walked more or less. It felt long to say the least. Probably 32 degrees this morning and light snow flakes. Coldness. Had my oatmeal and poptarts and set off. Jax, Dropkick, and I were in a bad mood until lunch when we could finally talk and eat. I had liked the Roanoke Trail Club maintainers until today, when they decided to put the trail straight through the rockiest path in the woods possible. Revenge! Well I¢m warm and dry now despite my brief and semi-soggy encounter with rain/sleet. Hostel run by the Catholic Church here in Pearisburg. Nice barn-style type building with insulation and wood stove. Played Life with Jax, Launchpad, Jake, Fester and Dropkick¢¦got second. Revenge! Feeling good and full.Good night,Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Holy Family Hoste, Pearisburg, VA

To: Holy Family Hoste, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Excellent zero day complete with sunny blue skies. Though I hear it¢s supposed to get down to 29 degrees tonight making me eternally glad I am in a building with a wood stove. Ate breakfast and dinner with Father Prinelli. Funny and interesting guy. I had to feed the Super Walmart beast with some money in exchange for the necessities: rootbeer, ice cream, pizza, OJ. Hopefully after the trail the beast will not receive money from my pockets. We¢re all gonna roll out of here tomorrow with a big gang consisting of me, Launchpad, Fester, Jax, Jake, and Dropkick. Should be fun.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Holy Family Hoste, Pearisburg, VA

To: Symms Gap Meadow Campsite
Miles today: 12.0

Woke up and had some cereal with the guys and the Priest. Packed up and left out of town. On to the next one. Pearisburg is too big for hikers. By that I mean land wise¢2.9 miles to the trail from the hostel¢¦oh well, walkin¢s what I do. Pretty easy miles to campsite in a meadow with great views. The whole hostel crew plus Brent and Roses are here.Leprechaun
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Symms Gap Meadow Campsite

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Not too hard of a twenty today. Left camp around 8:45 and took many extensive breaks to avoid the heat of the day. Probably around the mid 70¢s today and I still think I prefer the heat over the cold. Nothing like a good sweat, though I will say that the heat doesn¢t do too much for the smell emanating from the body. Great views at Wind Rock and a random Easter basket filled with¢¦ROCKS. The list of random objects in the woods continues yet. Only Dropkick, Fester, and I made it all the way today. I guess the gang¢s a few miles behind camping.Leprechaun