morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-04-24
From: NOC

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 18.7

NOC to Cody Gap 156 M on AT. 18.7 MIt was nice having a bunk at NOC, no tent to put up or take down. Unfortunately one person in the room was a snorer. Not much sleep, but some horizontal rest. They say sleep is overrated anyway. Had a fine breakfast at the restaurant and on the trail at 9 am. Since I walked down several thousand feet yesterday to the Nantahala river this day begins with a big climb. It is a fine hiking day and the trail condition is improving. Still seems odd to me that tree foliage is in full bloom at lower elevation, maybe 1700 ft, but trees are just starting to leaf at 3500ft. Lots of small wild flowers in bloom. All very pretty. No towers to climb today, and no falls for me. Had to put new laces in my boots last night and they worked fine. Met a couple carrying the same umbrella as me. The man had his rigged for hands free use and was using it for sunscreen. He also wore a kilt and they had a pretty Husky dog. Passed a bronze plaque to honor a Ranger that died at that location in the 1960s fighting a fire. Hikers leave small tokens of thanks and remembrance at the plaque. He died protecting the forest and trail I am hiking on. Thanks, and RIP Ranger Sutton. Camping by myself in the tent tonight at Cody Gap. Tomorrow should be a shorter day as it is only about 10 miles to Fontana Dam. Will need some food resupply there as NOC did not have much I could use. I hear Fontana doesn't have much either, but will see on Sat. Rain in the fore cast for tonight and tomorrow, so might be a wet hiking day. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-04-25
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Cody Gap to Fontana Dam shelter area. 10MWoke Sat morn to rain at about 3am. Got camp broke down and ready to start hiking in the rain at 8:30. Umbrella was helpful again as I used it to cover the pack while I took the tent down in the rain. Rain stopped mid-morn and rest of the day was good hiking. Trails were newly wet and muddy but not too bad.This was an easier day as I was only going 10 miles to Fontana Dam. Had a few nice overviews of Fontana Lake and arrived about 12:30pm. Fontana was a TVA project and is a hydroelectric generating facility. The hiker shelter here is known as the Fontana Hilton. Nicest shelter on the trail. Great view of the lake, drinkable water close, even a restroom and shower close. I am using some of the facilities but sleeping in the tent. Was able to hand the tent up after I arrived to dry. When I packed it away wet in the morn it must have weighed 10 pounds instead of the dry weight of 2 lbs. This area has a shuttle service that takes riders to Fontana Village for $3. I used this to go to the store for food for the next 5 days. Got enough but it was crazy expensive. This is a resort area. Right now they have a large group of sport motor cycles as well as a large group of Volvo owners. Next week they have a group of 1,100 Mini Cooper enthusiasts coming. This is also very close to the popular driving road known as The Tail of the Dragon. Popular riding/driving road. Bikes and sporty Volvos are really tearing around on the winding, hilly roads. Took the shuttle back to camp and there was a group of ladies providing trail magic. A dozen ladies from TN, Noah's Arm Widows Ministry, had tables and chairs set up and had sandwiches, fruit, soda, snack cakes, etc. for hikers. These folks are know as Trail Angels on the AT. It was really nice and after the town shopping and the Trail Magic I have a lot of food. Hope I can get it all in the pack in the morn. Sun I cross Fontana Dam and enter Smoky Mt Nat Park. Will be climbing from 1700 ft to 4500/5000 ft the first day. Will likely be tough. I already have my Permit to enter the Backcountry of the park, so good to go. Plan right now is to hike thru the park in 5 days. Lots of folks plan to leave in the middle for a rest stop in Gatlinburg, but I hope to avoid that. As usual, no phone service for last 2 days, and it may be a few more before I have service again. Time to get some rest. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-04-26
From: Fontana Dam

To: Derrick Knob shelter area
Miles today: 23.1

Fontana Dam shelter area to Derrick Knob shelter area. 23.1 MSome rain at the Fontana camp site before sunrise so packed up a wet tent and headed out at 8 am. Cool and foggy. Crossing Fontana Dam was pretty, but too foggy for a good pic. Entered Smoky Mt National Park and dropped my Permit in the box. The day went mostly well except the fog stayed around and there was intermittent sprinkles. Trail was in OK condition most of the day. In SMNP we have to stay in a shelter at night. If the shelter is full, tent camping is allowed near the shelter. At 4 pm I got to the third shelter in the park. It was 6.3 miles to the next shelter. Trail had been in good shape so I continued. My mistake, as the trail condition worsened. Was extremely muddy and the fog got very close and heavy. Did not arrive at Derrick Knob shelter until nearly 7 pm. Very tired, cold and hungry. The shelter was full plus about 20 tents set up. Got my tent up, gathered water and fixed dinner. Ramen noodles with a can of Vienna sausages. Plan is to make Mon an easier day, probably no more than 15 miles. Should get to Clingmans Dome today, highest point on the AT. Hope the weather is better, no fog and dry. Onward and upward. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-04-27
From: Derrick Knob shelter ares

To: Mt Collins slelter area
Miles today: 13.8

Derrick Knob shelter area to Mt Collins shelter area. 23.8 MSlept well in the tent Sun night after a long day Sun. Woke to sun and cold temp. Left camp about 9:15 am headed for Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT (6550 ft). Trail was still messy but the day was beautiful. No rain or fog. Reached the Dome about 2:30 pm. Busy place with lots of tourists. A great view of the mountains from the top. The day visitors have a paved approach trail, so it is easier to reach. When I approached the Dome I noticed ice falling from the treetops. Quite cold up there. Hiked down from the Dome to Mt Collins shelter, arriving about 4 pm. Decided to stop there and make it an easier day. Expect it will be cold here tonight, maybe well below freezing. I still have trouble with the cold temps. Should have 2 more days in SMNP, then may spend a night at Standing Bear hostel, located just a few miles outside the park. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-04-28
From: Mt Collins slelter area

To: Tri Corner Knob shelter area
Miles today: 20.1

Mt Collins shelter to Tri Corner Knob shelter. 20.1 MWoke Tues morn to a cold start. Tent was completely covered in frost, both inside and outside. Did not sleep much in the night due to the cold. Got up twice to add more clothes. The day was sunny, cool and good for hiking. Arrived at Newfound Gap around 10 am. This is a popular viewing spot on the highway. Lots of folksstopped taking pictures. There was also some ladies with trail magic. They called themselves Chicks with Sticks. A reference to their love of hiking and use of trekking poles. They had a table set out with lots of snacks and drinks. They do this each week in Mar and Apr for thru hikers. Very nice and much appreciated. Lots of gorgeous scenic views of the Smoky Mountains. Amazing how green everything is. Seems all is covered with moss and lichens. Lots of ferns, and the evergreen trees are huge. Had a good day hiking but still bothered by cold hands. They get so cold at times that it is nearly impossible to operate the buckles on my pack. Stopped at Tri Corner Knob shelter for Tues night. Might have rain in the forecast for tonight/tomorrow. Will wait and see. Might get out of SMNP and to Standing Bear hostel on Wed. Then about 2 days to Hot Springs. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-04-29
From: Tri Corner Knob shelter area

To: Standing Bear Farm/Hostel
Miles today: 18.5

Tri Corner Knob shelter to Standing Bear hostel. 18.5 MMy tent site at Tri Corner was poor. Down hill slant. Kept sliding downhill all night, but got some sleep anyway. Woke to cloudy skies and a little warmer temps. No frost. Hooray!! Started hiking about 8 am. A good day with only a few sprinkles. Good hiking temps. No fog, and lots of great scenic views. Reached theNorth end of Smoky Mt Nat Park for the AT in the early afternoon. Less than 4 full days in the Smokies, and I had allowed for 5/6 days. Not bad. The first day in the Smokies was the only bad weather day. Have to give a lot of praise and thanks to the volunteers that build and maintain trail in the park. Obviously a lot of very hard work goes into keeping it in good condition. I have met 4 of the volunteers doing trail work, and also 2 Ridge Runners. The Ridge Runners walk the trail making sure all are obeying the rules, offering assistance as needed, picking up trash, etc. They are also volunteers. Had a long downhill hike, maybe 7 miles, in the afternoon to the Pigeon river and I40 highway. Really neat river. Fed by mountain streams. The AT trail follows one of the feeder streams from high, as a small spring, down the mountain as it grows into a small river with falls and pools until joining the Pigeon river. Arrived at Standing Bear farm and hostel about 4 pm. Will spend the night here in the bunkhouse, pick up a little more food, and head toward Hot Springs on Thurs morn. Hope to be there by Fri eve. Plan to stay in a motel one night and get the past several days of notes posted at Trail Journals. Phone service has been almost zero for the past several days. So far the old body is tolerating the long hiking days. I have some right knee pain each day, but not a problem. The last 2 days my left foot has been sore under the boot laces, but again, not a problem. A great view around every corner. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-04-30
From: Standing Bear Farm/Hostel

To: Walnut Mtn shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

Standing Bear Farm & Hostel to Walnut Mountain shelter. 20 MThis hostel was unique. Very old school and funky. But they have all the necessities for hikers. The caretaker is a guy named Lumpy. Hippie Hillbilly kind of guy. To wash clothes they have a metal tub and hand crank wringer. One wall of the shower was made of bottles imbedded in mortar, in the pattern of the AT symbol. They sold frozen pizzas and other food and snacks. All on the honor system. Just keep a list of what you take from the store and pay when you leave. I had a pizza, beer, coke and a Yoo Hoo. The pizza was heavy and great. Sleep in the hostel was not good. Too much noise, as usual. Left the hostel at 8 am. Nice sunny day. Passed thru/over Max Patch Bald and mountain. May be the prettiest sight I have seen on the trail. Have never been to Scotland, but can imagine the Scottish Highlands looking like this area. Good hiking till about 3 pm, when sprinkles and small hail started. I was hiking in the direction of Walnut Mt. Shelter when the rain started to fall. Hiked hard and got to the shelter before I got too wet. Lucky me. I got the last space in the shelter so won't have to set the tent up in the rain or take it down wet in the morn. Small shelter, only room for 4. Will leave in the morn for a 13 mile hike to Hot Springs. There is a Bluegrass festival there this weekend so may not be able to get a room for the night. Will find out tomorrow afternoon.Tonight will be damp and cold. Raining and foggy again. The wind seems to blow right thru this shelter. My first night in a shelter. Should be better than a tent in this weather. Looking forward to some time off in Hot Springs. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-05-01
From: Walnut Mtn shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Walnut Mtn shelter to Hot Springs, NC. 13 MStormy, windy, wet and cold in the shelter Thurs night. And, of course, two snorers. Not much sleep for this light sleeper. Outside the shelter the conditions were pretty miserable. Lots of people walking by, but no room for them. This shelter is very small, and has large gaps between the logs. So the wind blows right thru it. After a long night trying to stay wrapped up against the wind, got up and ate a Clif Bar for breakfast and hit the trail at 7:30 am. Hiked very hard trying to reach Hot Springs ASAP. There is a Bluegrass festival, a Miata club, and a large motorcycle group in town. Reached town around noon and started looking for a place to stay. Having no phone service makes that harder. Every place I checked was full. Finally checked at the last place, Elmers Sunnybank Inn and hostel. They were full, but did have one guest that was open to sharing a room. Haul'N Oats is the trail name of the young lady guest that rescued me. Eureka!! I'm in for the night. This is a really neat place. A very big, old house (1840) that is on the National Historic Register and the owners manage as a hiker hostel. The owners are hikers themselves. The place is furnished with older, period furniture. Really nice woodwork everywhere. They serve amazing vegetarian meals for a fee. Unfortunately, no WiFi or phone service. Hope to use the library Sat morn to get the Trail Journal updating complete. Doing laundry at the laundromat is also on the list. It is cloudy and cool in town, but this is a pretty neat little town. The French Broad river runs right thru town. Popular for kayaks and rafting. I may take a zero day here for rest. My shins and feet are sore from the past 2 days hiking. Sleeping in a bed with a real pillow tonight. Doesn't get much better. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-05-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

Zero day in Hot Springs. 0 M. Sat, May 2Started the day with a great vegetarian breakfast prepared by Innkeeper, Elmer Hall. Spent the day resupplying food at Dollar General and the Outfitters. Did some maintenance on my pack. Patched the mouse hole in the pack and a small hole in the pack cover. Had a very good fruit smoothie from town and got the Journal updated at the town library. A lot of activity in town with the Bluegrass festival, many motorcycles and a car show. Saw several hikers that I have been hiking around for some time. Melon unfortunately is leaving the trail because his Father had a heart attack. Gary and Hardware from the Walnut Mtn shelter made it here. And I talked to the young hiker from Finland. He was walking thru looking for someplace to get ice cream. The Mother and two daughters from Standing Bear came in and we're having difficulty getting into their cabin. And Disconnect from Standing Bear is staying at Sunnybank. The day really went by quickly. Elmer prepared another vegetarian feast for dinner Sat evening. Spent the rest of the evening getting ready to get back on the trail Sun morning after breakfast. Will be a long climb out of Hot Springs, but the weather is supposed to be nice. Sad to leave the Inn and town. Had a really enjoyable stay here. Heading North. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-05-03
From: Hot Springs

To: Jones Meadow
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: clear sky

Hot Springs to Jones Meadow or Camp Creek Bald. 21.7 MWell, what a day. Had a great breakfast at Elmers Inn and said some goodbyes. Thanked Haul 'N Oats (AKA Jodie from Mass) for letting me share the room, and started hiking at 10 am. The trail goes thru town, across the French Broad river bridge, then follows along the edge of the river for a while. Quite a few tents along both sides of the river. The trail then climbs up a mountain, with several nice rock outcroppings offering nice views of the town and river, including one named Lovers Leap. My plan for the day was to hike about 15 miles, or maybe 20 to Laurel Mtn if all went well. Weather was nice, sunny and warm. Probably the warmest day of my journey so far, but no complaints from me. With a big breakfast and a late start I skipped lunch and hiked well thru the day. The scenery was very nice, although not as spectacular as previous, due to the lower elevation. At about 15 miles came to a sign advising trail magic provided by the Greenville TN Hiking and Biking Club 2 miles North of Laurel Mtn. Hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, etc. They were doing it for 2 days, thru tomorrow at 10 am. So that changed my plans. Have to get 2 miles farther than planned. Unfortunately, most of that 2 miles was a tough climb up the mountain, and it was hot, and I was tired. Was getting close when I met Finn, the young man from Finland, coming back toward me. He said that he had not seen a white blaze trail marker in one half mile, and thought we were on the wrong trail. Two girls coming behind me thought the same. I told them we should have 5 to 10 minutes Moore to reach the point 2 miles past Laurel Mtn shelter. Reached the site about 6:15, and the folks ushered me thru the food tent and it was heaven. Fruit, fresh veggies, homemade baked goods, burgers, dogs, cold and hot drinks, candy, too much to list. This is the fifth year they have been doing this. Ate as much as I could then set the tent up in Jones Meadow for the night. Will be turning in shortly, although I do have one large piece of sour cream pound cake to eat yet. Somebody's got to do it. And the Greenville folks are cooking breakfast for hikers in the morn. I'm getting spoiled. Had a great zero day in Hot Springs yesterday and a beautiful stay at Elmers Inn. He is a really interesting man and creates a great environment at his Inn.Time for pound cake, then lights out. No reading tonight. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Jones Meadow

To: Hogback Ridge shelter area
Miles today: 19.9

Jones Meadow to Hogback Ridge shelter area. First, let me comment on how good it is to get in the tent, on my pad, and under a warm topquilt after a hard, warm day hiking. Pretty nice. Slept well except for some leg and calf cramps due to dehydration. Need to drink and eat more during the hike day going forward. The Greenville group was serving a great breakfast in the morn. Filled up and left about 9 am. Another fine weather day. Lots of nice views. Some from rocky mountain tops and some from Balds. Plenty of flowers and trees blooming. Eating lunch I was joined by Kat, a young lady from DC. She is a graphic designer between jobs and thru hiking the AT. Finn, the young man from Finland passed us at lunch. He is now hiking in Vibram Five Finger lightweight shoes. Really likes them. Afraid I would have some broken toes if I tried that. Decided to hike another longish day in and hike to Hogback Ridge shelter. I don't use the shelter but many times the stopping location for the day is determined by a water source. Most shelters have water near. It made for another long day and a drizzle started falling just before I got to the camp area. So had to set up the tent in light rain. Done now and dry inside. I have been having some issues with blisters on feet. At next town I will try to pick some shoe inserts and toe socks. The fabric on the inside bottom of my boots is coming loose and hopefully inserts will protect my foot from this. And toe socks may prevent blisters from toes rubbing each other. Lower mileage days will also help. Going to do some reading now, the. Sleep. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-05-05
From: Hogback Ridge shelter area

To: No Business Knob shelter area. 
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hogback Ridge shelter to No Business Knob shelter. 20.7 MAwakened on Cinco de Mayo to sunshine and a mostly dry tent. Did some work to cut away a piece of loose material in the bottom of one shoe and applied tape to several blister areas on my feet. Had breakfast, packed up and on the trail by 8:30 am. Another very nice day to be out. The highlight was the Big Bald mountain top area. Stopped on top for lunch with two other backpackers and a group of 4 slack packers. Incredible 360 degree views. These mountains are not as remote and isolated as the previous ones and homes and structures can be seen in some areas. There are a lot of trees blooming, but I can't identify them. Some of the Balds are covered with blackberry stalks. I have been told that later blackberries, dewberries, and blueberries farther North will be abundant. These Bald areas are a bit of a mystery, as no one seems to know why they are there. Natural causes, native Americans, early European settlers, aliens. No certain answer. My feet are feeling better, but still tender in some areas. This needs to improve as it definitely affects the hiking. Had one fall today. My whole body hit the ground pretty hard, but luckily no hard objects to cause injury. That's 4 falls, one unintended sit down, two scraped shins, one cracked and bruised thumb and about six foot blisters. Passed a large stone marker describing a land gift from a family in Atlanta. Also a couple smaller memorials. Went by an area with two Civil War graves but I did not visit the site.Had only planned to hike about 15 miles, but felt OK so went a little further. Got to No Business Knob shelter about 5:30 pm, set up the tent, then had to hike 3.8 miles to get water. It started sprinkling while I was fixing dinner, so hurried up to finish and get in the tent. Will be going in to Irwin, TN after about 5 miles hiking in the morn. May try to find a cheap motel and spend the night in town. Some shopping, laundry, and working on my feet are on the agenda. Will read for a while now and call it a night. Have started John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath. The man definitely has a way with words. All for now. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-05-06
From: No Business Knob shelter area. 

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

Left camp on another nice day. Dry and sunshine. A short hiking day is planned to reach Irwin, TN for resupply and foot care. The hike was pleasant with some great views of the Nolachucky River. Not sure about that River spelling. Decided to give me a treat and stay at a Super 8 motel. I started walking from the trailhead and got a ride pretty quick for the 4 miles to the motel. Showered, lunch at McDonalds, laundry in town, Walgreens for foot care stuff, stop by the library, and back to the motel. Kind of nice having a bed, pillow, TV, etc. Three and a half weeks since I've experienced those things. Should sleep well tonight with no snorers nearby. Breakfast at the motel, then hitch a ride back to the trail and head North. Time now for a snack. O'RYAN
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Irwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap shelter area
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: broken clouds

Irwin, TN to Cherry Gap shelter. 17.1 MHad a good evening at the Super 8 in Irwin. Trying some different things for the foot blister issues. Should know by tonight if it improves. Will catch a ride back to the trail at the river and continue North. Weather is partly cloudy and a chance of rain. Picked up the trail at the Nolichucky River bridge. Very nice looking river. The man that gave me a ride on Wed owns a rafting company here. Getting ready for the season to take off on the river.Most of the hiking today is climbing uphill. The highest point is the top of Unaka mountain, 5120 ft. Irwin is about 1700 ft. I want to try a slower pace today and baby my feet some. The first half of the day went well and had some trail magic around noon. BT, or Brother Tom was at a road crossing with brownies, banana bread, fruit and tea and water. He does this 5 days a week. Very nice of him. My feet were feeling pretty good and I thought I would stop on top of a large Bald for a break and snack. On top I could see a storm and rain approaching. So put the pack cover on, the rain jacket on, and got the umbrella ready. It wasn't long until sprinkles turned to drizzle, and then to hard rain and a thunderstorm. Lots of rain for about an hour. The trail becomes a river with rain that falls this fast. Several inches deep in places. Shoes and socks quickly become soaking, squishy wet. Not comfortable, and probably not good for my foot issues. The rain stopped before I got to the planned camp. Got the tent up and everything inside, then it started raining again. I'll keep my fingers crossed that it doesn't rain all night. A little more reading tonight, then eyes closed. O'RYAN